Now and then, we find ourselves forced into a position where we need to stop what we’re doing and reflect. That isn’t easy for most of us, since we are constantly on the run, pushing forward to accomplish all we planned for that day or to prepare for the future. That is the crazy way most of us live today.

If you are like me, it takes time to unwind and relax enough to be still and know… who I am, what my role in life is, and what I need to change to reconnect with the best of myself.

Life is so fast-paced that we often complete our tasks unconsciously without a second thought, often to the point that we can’t remember whether we actually completed them. Our minds are so full that we need help organizing our priorities, whether it is handwritten notes or our phones reminding us to do even the simplest things, like “time to bend.” We have become slaves to technology, with emails or texts demanding our attention and input in some form, whether to buy something, grade a person or company’s performance, etc., or other requests that demand a response. We are flooded with someone wanting something from us, so that it becomes nearly impossible for us to become aware of anything other than the merry-go-round we are on.

However, when necessary, the Universe steps in and forces us to reevaluate where we are and what we are doing. That could be an illness, being fired from a job, losing someone dear to us, or other things that affect us and make us stop what we are doing to reflect or make changes. At the time, we may see these happenings as something solely negative. But the Universe knows that for us to live with any true happiness, it goes beyond the false living where things are important, where treating others with disrespect is allowed and even encouraged, and where using personal power for personal gain rather than what is best for all is the norm.

So, how does this be still and know work? We’ve all heard how important it is to meditate. We see ads encouraging us to buy and play special music or to follow specific words during our session. But music and words will never work unless we are in the state of receiving. What do I mean by that?

It is only when we calm our minds and still our thoughts that we can allow our inner thoughts to unscramble and reconnect to the energy from where we originated—the energy of pure love.

With this connection, we can take accountability for our shortcomings without passing the blame onto others, and create a desire to change what needs to be changed to reconnect with what we know to be true and good. It is a healing time. It is a connection to the self and the best part of who we are. It is that inner voice that speaks to us and helps us adjust our motives and our understanding of how best to live.

If you want to BE STILL AND KNOW, make time for yourself to sit quietly, close your eyes, let your thoughts go, and drift back to that inner knowing that you are protected and loved without restraint. Allow yourself to be open to receive what your voice and heart tell you. When you feel an inexplicable peace flow through you, you are connecting to your higher power, the same energy within us all. That sets you apart from allowing negativity to intrude and increases your awareness that we are all one. It is that knowing that will guide your behavior and actions from now on. You simply know you have found your truth by living in the highest energy of love.

There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t had some upheaval in their life, whether it be short-lived or a turmoil that has lasted for a lengthy time, even years. We all have highs and lows in our lives because nothing remains the same forever. Yet, how we handle those challenging times varies. Some of us dive right into solving the issue, while others may procrastinate or take no action at all. Ultimately, it boils down to how we choose to deal with a problem.

I know that for me, there have been times when I responded emotionally, which usually proved not to be the best answer. As I have gained more wisdom, I have learned to slow down my reactions and examine the issue from as many angles as possible. What I have learned is that the best guidance for me has been to follow my heart. When we are quiet ourselves and clear our minds, the answer awaits us in our inner knowing of how best to respond to any situation, and it is always there in our hearts. Our heart energy is one of love, the highest energy vibration, and our connection to God and the Universe.

Who can deny the power of John Lennon’s words in the song he wrote, All You Need Is Love? He states that where there is love, anything can be done. I’m sure many of you have heard the story about the woman who lifted a car off her son who was trapped beneath it. It was her love for him that gave her the extraordinary strength to do it.

Where there is love, there is also healing. How do we heal our unhappiness and disapproval of what is happening today?

As any of us knows too well, it isn’t easy to discuss our political scene with others when some of those in power are making decisions for us that we don’t like. As a woman, I’m worried about our rights eroding without the power to make our own choice of whether to have a child or not. When influential people are pushing for women to stay home and bear children because that is what they are only suitable for, I worry. When women continue to make less money than their male counterparts, I worry. When the top people in government are white males, I worry, for our society is more than that and is not equally represented.

For all of that, how do we heal our upset? Not by being angry but by sending love energy to all those who can influence change. We know within our hearts that we are supposed to be kind, caring, and treat each other the way we want to be treated. Although not always easy to do when upset, sending love to others does work. Remember, the love energy is more powerful than the hate energy, and so it can open the closed hearts of those who don’t act in a loving manner.

I have to admit that being more loving when I am upset requires extra determination to do what I know is best, and I don’t always succeed on the first try. But I have also learned that it is worth the effort because wonderful things can happen in that higher energy, and I don’t want to miss out. So, if you find yourself in a predicament and are torn about how to react, my advice? Follow your heart.

It is important to remember that we create with each thought, spoken word, or action taken. We are creating all the time – every day, every hour, every minute, and every second! That means that it is up to each one of us to find the ways that work for us to produce what brings us happiness and gives us a sense of power, knowing that we can create whatever it is we want.

There are different methods of how we can create, and they are personal for each of us. The unusual thing about creativity is that we are most creative when we don’t think – when we let ideas and thoughts pass through us.

This method is called channeling. And it is something we all can do when we let ourselves be quiet and still and are open to receiving the messages. Although this sounds simple, it isn’t always because of all the “monkey chatter” in our heads filled with negative thoughts.

Where do all the channeled messages come from? If you believe, as I do, that we have lived many lifetimes, doesn’t it make sense that we have various memories imprinted upon us that consist of some of our experiences and the lessons learned from those experiences? And, if everything is energy, doesn’t it also make sense that we carry those memories with us from lifetime to lifetime?

There is an innate memory in all of us about the best ways of living, which is in reach when we meditate or remain still to receive guidance from our higher self. That self that can find humor and enjoyment in living as a human today— that self that reminds us that our journey is our own—that self that knows we are loved by the Universe no matter what, and that self that loves in return.

It is also there where we can connect with our guides and loved ones, for they exist in the energy of love, the highest vibration, and it is there that we can create best whatever it is we want … if we are open to it!

For those not comfortable looking at creativity through channeling resources, you can remain in the space of love, concentrating on your desire for what you want to produce, turning away from earthly thoughts, and losing yourself in your passion. When you create anything in a positive, loving way, you are in the highest vibration, the one that connects you to the best part of you.

It is easy to blame others for the unhappy situations in our life, but what happens when you have negative thoughts or act in ways that are not to your or anyone else’s best? It is essential to remember what we think we create. If your thoughts and actions are negative, you generate more of that until you change those thoughts and actions. Understanding this, you can now appreciate how powerful you are!

What will you create next?