By: Ann Pietrangelo / Source: Care 2

It’s true. Our society values youth more than age. By the time you hit your mid-30s, the anti-aging marketers are hot on your trail, playing on your fears of growing older.

Not that there’s anything wrong with youth. But there’s nothing wrong with being over 50, either. It’s kind of nice up here.

50 is not as old as you once thought it was

When you’re in your 20s, someone in their 50s is old. Ask any 85 year old and they’ll tell you that 50 is young. It’s all a matter of perspective.

When you get there, you find out that 50 isn’t as old or as bad as you thought it would be, especially if you bought into all that anti-aging crap.

In many ways, 50 is freeing. Remember when you were a kid and summer went on forever? And the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas did, too?

That same amount of time now seems to pass in the blink of an eye. So you learn to respect time, to live mindfully and savor those precious moments that make up the stuff of life.

You’re older and wiser, but you still have a lot to learn

You’ve seen a lot and your life experiences have taught you much. You’re wiser than you were at 20 or 30 or 40, but not as wise as you’re going to be.

By now, you are aware of just how much you don’t know, and you’re eager to learn. You see your elders in a new light and try to soak in some of their wisdom.

You also know that young people bring a different perspective and can enlighten you on a few things. You can learn something from just about anyone.

Growing numbers of people over 50 are changing careers, starting new hobbies, and enrolling in classes. That goes for physical activities, too. The over 50 crowd is engaging in all sorts of fabulous activities, from bike riding to surfing and everything in between. Life is not over.

You have more aches and pains, but you also have perspective

Physical aches and pains tend to increase with age, but you can learn how to deal with it rather than let it beat you. By the time you’re 50, you’re grateful if you haven’t had any big health problems, but you probably know people your age who have.

You’ve probably mourned some who died way too young. You’re fortunate to be alive and well and you know it. So if those aches and pains are tolerable, tolerate them you will, because you’ve still got a lot of living to do.

Oh, and menopause isn’t always as awful as it sounds. It’s a natural part of life, not necessarily something that needs fixing. In fact, it can be quite liberating — for women and for the men in their lives.

It’s easier to eat healthier

Let’s face it. You just can’t get away with those bad eating habits anymore. Your body sends clear signals that you shouldn’t have had that particular food or that much food.

You’re going to pay the price. Heartburn, bloated stomach, and other ailments are your body’s way of telling you to cut it out. And it’s uncomfortable enough that you listen.

You opt for the salad instead of the deep fried mozzarella sticks and fruit instead of the chocolate mousse because you’ve experienced the cause and effect of food.

Good food helps you feel better and you don’t want to waste time feeling lousy if you don’t have to.

You realize that stuff is just stuff

You’ve been around long enough to know that accumulating stuff doesn’t bring fulfillment, but it often makes more busy work. That goes for fashion, too.

Yeah, we all want to look good and there’s nothing wrong with fashion, but there’s a limit. It’s a colossal time suck, not to mention a money suck, to follow all the latest trends and worry about falling hopelessly out of style.

Pfffttt. I know, I know. That’s why 20-somethings think we’re old. That’s okay.

Your time and money are better spent on things that really matter — like hanging with family, going out with friends, or taking that road trip you’ve been putting off. Experiences trump things. It’s that simple.

By: Kaia Roman / Source: Mind Body Green

I often think that parenting is a spiritual practice. This is partly because it takes an enormous amount of patience and mindfulness, but also because my children are, quite literally, my premier spiritual teachers.

The pearls of wisdom that come from my six-year-old daughter Nava are more profound than any guru’s teachings, and I am pretty sure I am not just saying that because I am her mother…

1. “I’d rather be happy.”

One day, Nava told me that she often plays alone on the playground at school because the other kids don’t include her in their games. As a mom who wants to shelter my child from any experiences of rejection, my heart sank when I heard this.

But when I asked Nava if the situation bothers her, she simply said, “I could be upset about it, but I’d rather be happy.”

Nava went on to tell me about the little games she plays by herself, and how at least it is quiet and peaceful when she is alone.

It was clear that this thing which I was labeling as an atrocity was really not affecting my little girl at all, simply because she values her own well-being too much to let it get her down.

2. “This is the best day of my life.”

Recently, monarch butterflies passed through our town on their winter migration and some stopped to enjoy the flowering bushes in our backyard.

When Nava discovered them fluttering around, she stood back there for ages just watching them in awe. When I came out to watch them with her, she whispered to me, “This is the best day of my life.”

When I think of the best day of my life, my wedding day comes to mind — an elaborate day that I hold as this “best day” gold standard — a day that no other day can beat.

But here is my six-year-old, thrilled to such joy at the discovery of butterflies in her backyard that today is the best day of her life. And it’s quite likely that tomorrow will also be the best day of her life, too.

3. “I love myself the most.”

My daughter was giving me one of those delicious, full-embrace hugs when she looked me right in the eyes and said, “Mom, I love you and Dad and my sister second best, because I love myself the most.”

My heart could not have been any fuller with pride. Somehow my six-year-old has managed to master what so many of us spend thousands of dollars on self-help courses, therapy, inspirational books and more to learn – that self-love truly is the greatest love of all.

4. “There is magic everywhere.”

Nava loves to watch the clouds, search for four leaf clovers, study earth worms and snails as they crawl along, and smell every flower she can possibly find.

She will excitedly exclaim, “I see an airplane!” or squeal with delight at the discovery of a ladybug — and to her, those things are pure magic. She tells me, “There is magic everywhere, Mom, you just have to open your eyes and see it.”

My daughter is a keen observer of her environment, but the world she perceives is far more enchanted than what I see. To Nava, a circle of mushrooms is a fairy ring, a hummingbird is an angel bringing us a blessing, and a night star is an opportunity to make a wish.

Nava has declared that her world is magical, and through her eyes, magic is not only possible — it is to be expected.

5. “I want to help others.”

Nava recently asked me if she could have the bag of recycling I was collecting in the kitchen to take out to the bin. “Sure,” I said, “why?” She told me that she wanted to make the recycled garbage into art so she could sell the art and give the money to poor people.

“We have everything that we need,” she told me, “but there are people who don’t, and I want to help them. Maybe they need to buy food or clothes, and I can give the money from my art sale to them.”

I have to admit, with a bit of guilt, that Nava did not get this sentiment from me. I can give all the excuses in the world about being busy or pressed for cash, but the truth is I do not spend much time volunteering my time or my money.

But somehow Nava realized that she is more fortunate than many others, and wants to use her good fortune (and what is our garbage if not a sign of our affluence?) to help others. You are all invited to her recycled art sale, coming soon to our front yard.

6. My favorite part of the day is right now.

One evening as I was tucking Nava into bed, I asked her what her favorite part of the day was. “My favorite part of the day is right now,” she told me.

We grown-ups on a spiritual path practice meditation, go on retreats, recite mantras and visualize mandalas to train our minds to be present in the moment, to shut off the constant rehashing of the past or projections and worries about the future.

But with no effort at all, my six-year-old daughter lives in the moment. And that moment, every moment, is her favorite.

By: Jennifur / Source: Psychics Universe

Prayer Is All Around

There are some people that pray everyday, some that only pray on Sundays at church, or the occasional prayer when it’s convenient for those in need of something, like making it to work on time after they missed their alarm go off.

Even people that don’t believe in prayer do it more times than they are aware, like Meister Eckhart say’s “if the only prayer you say in your whole life is” thank you” that will suffice.

Prayer is a much bigger part of our daily lives than most of us are aware, and the signs are all around us.

Be Patient With Prayer

When you plant the seed of a prayer, you must be patient and have faith that your prayer has been heard. Your prayer may not always be answered in the way that you expected, or the time you were hoping but there is always intended purpose for your needs to be met.

Living in a society that moves so quickly with cell phones, social media, internet and so on, instant gratification has become common place.

It’s a no wonder people lose faith at times when they don’t get the instant response they are used to getting.

It’s hard to put your prayer out to the universe and sit back patiently and wait for it to be answered when you turn on your phone or computer and see others posting your hopes wishes and dreams.

Pray For Character

Prayer gives us the chance to connect with ourselves on a deeper level and understand what we do want, and ultimately in the end finding out what doesn’t serve us.

That is why it is important to pray for the things that will make your life happier like building your character as a person, as opposed to praying for material things that eventually lose their value in more ways than one.

Forgiveness, patience, empathy for others etc, when you pray for these things that begin to make you a better person, you will feel a shift take place in your life where prayers start coming your way without you even asking.

By: Laurie Barraco / Source: Conscious Life News

I have been using candles to enhance my magical intentions for as long as I can remember.

There is something really magical and soothing when you gaze into the flame of a candle that has been charged, blessed and lit with the intention of moving and shifting energy in your life.

I am sharing my Top 10 favorite candle tips that I have used over the years with much success, I might add.

My Top 10 Favorite Candle Activities:

1. Use Colored Candles For Chakra Healing – When I know a chakra is out of balance, I will burn the corresponding color to the chakra that needs a little TLC. Root – red, sacral – orange, solar plexus – yellow, heart – green/pink, throat – blue, 3rd eye – indigo, crown – white or gold.

2. Applying Oils To Your Candle – I prefer to anoint my candles with oil to add extra oomph to my magic. The type of oil I use depends upon my intention.

Ex. for peace – lavender, for money – cinnamon, psychic opening – frankincense. *Be sure to research any oil before applying to any candle for safety purposes*

3. Clear Energy with Black and White Candles – When I am clearing energy, I burn a black candle first to clear and absorb the negative influences and then burn a white one to bring in light and blessings.

4. Inscribe Your Candles with Your Intention – I write on the side of my candles with either a toothpick, pencil or inscribing tool to bring in more of a personal touch to my magic.

5. The Phase of the Moon Does Matter – I use the phases of the moon to help me either bring in or take away energy. After the Full Moon we are taking away energy. From the New Moon up to the Full Moon we are bringing in energy.

6. Document How Long It Takes Your Candle To Burn – I always make a point of keeping track of how long it takes to burn my candle.

I then apply how long it took to completely burn to determine how long it may take to manifest my intention. For example – if it took 3 hours to burn, then my results may take either 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months to manifest.

7. Message In Your Candle – I use the candle flame as a divination tool. I gently gaze into the flame and allow the candle wax and flame to talk to me, guide me and teach me. This also includes reading the wax during and after the candle has burned. Often there are pictures or initials in the wax.

8. Placing Candles In The Directions – When working in ceremony, I use 5 different candles to represent the 5 elements and directions.

Yellow in the east /air, red in the south/fire, blue in the west/water, green in the north/earth and white in the center for spirit. The energy in the center is absolutely amazing and sacred…everyone must give this one a try!

9. Infuse Your Candle with Healing Energy – With every single candle I infuse my Reiki energy into it. I add the Reiki symbols to my candles which add that extra, extra pizzazz to them.

If you have not yet received the Reiki II attunement, any power symbol would work for example: an Ankh, the Star of David, Pentagram or even a heart can enhance your magic.

10. A Little Help From Above – I invoke archangels, masters of light or ancient deities such as Isis or Lakshmi to help bring in the energy to assist with my magic.

There are many different resources that you can refer to help you coordinate the proper colors, aromas, herbs etc. to help align you with the energy of the light being you would like to work with.

I choose to only work with my own intentions. Often people will ask me to work a little magic for them. I am always careful to be sure free will boundaries are not crossed and that the intention is in alignment with the universal laws of morality and ethics.

Never, ever, ever add someone to your magic without permission!!

Candle magic does not take the place of being proactive in your life and taking the initiative to change your life where you know you are not happy or meeting your full potential.

I love using candles as a focus point and a great reminder of what my potential is and love how the element of fire helps me get the ball rolling in my life.