Shannon Leslie Clark

Getting Washed Away!

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:46:26 +0000

Hello Again!

I’m writing from my wind and water battered apartment here in Costa Mesa. It’s not super waterproof! If you don’t live in Southern California we’re dealing with a rather large rainstorm. Storms like these can be a pain in the rear for our daily lives, but they’re also needed.

A storm is needed to shake things up, to clear the old and broken away and clear the air. Water and wind are washing away the old stagnant energy in our physical world and in our spiritual world as well. After the storm, the air will be fresh and clean, the old branches and leaves of trees will have fallen off, things will be refreshed. We did have a few cars that got thrown around or had trees land on them……..oops…. new car maybe?

In our personal lives we have storms as well. Things start “going wrong”, “bad” things happen to us. Everything seems to be in chaos or just a darn mess. However, what we see as unfortunate destruction in our lives is clearing a pathway for something new to appear. Old, worn out, unhealthy relationships, jobs that make you dread waking up, or old habits that keep you stuck. Sometimes it takes a storm to get us to move out of these things.

We don’t always see the positive in things ending or breaking apart in our lives, but there’s always destruction before creation. Something fresh and new will come out of the end of something old and worn out. Even if we love that old thing, sometimes it’s just time to let go! And in the midst of the storm and even sometime after, it’s hard to see the good. But there is a purpose to it all. Something new will come out of it, if you let it. Use these times when things are getting broken down and destroyed in your life to see what new seed is trying to grow. What is trying to be birthed? Find the light breaking through the clouds.

So if you’re going through a personal storm, just know that it will pass, the sun will shine again. And though you may have a few broken branches and leaves to clean up, you’ll have something new and beautiful when it’s over.

Butterflys and Bluebirds – No Comparison!

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:12:43 +0000

I now have a routine for getting myself out of a funk…..which I was in a bit of one this morning. I meditate for as long as I can, which brings in divine energy and guidance. It centers me so I can see things more clearly and brings in love to counter act whichever negative energy is at play. Anger, sadness, blame, frustration can all be helped with meditating. I specifically ask for help with the issue and open up to the divine love that is there. I don’t always feel it right away. It may break later in the day, but it will help.

I then pulled out my Zen Osho card deck (different decks for different days) and did a spread asking what’s going on with my energy. I didn’t use it as a predictor of my future, just as a guidepost as to where my energy is at the moment so I can get some insight to how I can either change my path or keep going with it. One card today that popped out at me was the Comparison card. It show a big brown thick tree trunk next to a thin green bamboo shoot. To me it represents that we need not compare ourselves to others. We have a tendency to think people that are better than us. Or we are better than them in some way. Someone appears or acts more successful than we are. Or they appear more entertaining, prettier, smarter or more confident than us. Or the reverse, we feel we are smarter, prettier, more knowledgeable than they are. Either of these beliefs is a trap and a field day for our negative egos. One makes us feel horrible and inadequate and can stop us from moving forward, the other makes us feel good at the expense of another.

Truthfully we are all amazing in our own special ways. You can’t compare a butterfly to a bluebird in value or importance. One is quiet and peaceful, one sings and wakes us up with lots of energy. Both are beautiful and can fly to amazing heights. Each of us is designed with a myriad of gifts, abilities and light to share with the world. Just think if the world was missing either one! Don’t focus on being a bluebird if you are a butterfly. Find and share your own gifts. Be your amazing butterfly or bluebird self!

…….p.s……. don’t get mad at the other winged beings for being different either. : )

Flu Season is starting. Stock up on Elderberry Extract

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:29:45 +0000

Flu season is soon upon us as well as the continuing threat of the Swine Flu. You can go get the flu shot, but that may not protect you against all strains. Black elderberry extract has been scientifically proven to reduce flu symptoms & duration. These studies are sited on www.blackelderberry.info.

1995 (Zakay-Rones)- A double blind placebo controlled study was conducted during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. 93.3% of the cases treated with black elderberry compound saw a significant improvement of the symptoms. A complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days in nearly 90% of those treated with the black elderberry extract within two-three days, three days less than the placebo group.
2001 – (Barak, Halperin and Kalickman) 2 in-vitro studies have shown that extracts from black elderberry were beneficial to the stimulation of the immune system.
2004 –( Zakay-Rones) In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, black elderberry extract was shown to significantly reduce the duration of the flu by around four days. Significantly less people who were taking the extract took pain relievers compared to the placebo group.
2005 –(Balasingham ) During an in-vitro study carried out in London, black elderberry extract was found to be at least 99% effective against the H5N1 strain otherwise known as Avian Bird Flu.

Of all fruits elderberries have the most concentrated source of anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids that act as powerful antioxidants. Anthocyanins boost the production of cytokines, the proteins that act as messengers in the immune system. Cytokines are extremely important in the body’s response to infection.

The nice thing about elderberry extract is that it actually tastes great! Good for you and tastes good too! Here are two brands that I have tried and recommend. Sambucol was used in clinical trials and has that to back up it’s claims. Gaia herbs has a vegetarian and organic version for purists. Both work wonderfully!

Reading a great book!

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:38:47 +0000

I’m reading Napoleon Hill’s Grow Rich! With Peace of Mind. Most people are familiar with Think & Grow Rich which has been a best selling success book forever. This one was written later in his life when he had experienced the loss of his estate and had to start over. He was wiser for the experience and brings this wisdom to this later book. It has the added aspect of living life with peace of mind as well as prosperity. One of my favorite passages so far is about how we broadcast thoughts of a positive nature from the private broadcasting station of our brain. We can receive kindred thought vibrations from people who’s attitudes are attuned to ours. I find this in line with my own experience in life and it was a good reminder that our thoughts are not just going out, but that they pull in energy and information from other people. Positive ideas, solutions, and sparks of intuition will come into your mind as if from nowhere if you stay positive and focused. People will also come of out of “nowhere” to help you with your goals. Very cool stuff. I’ll keep reading for more good info.