Empowered Way Podcast

Dear Empowered Wayers:

Lists are a wonderful way to take the items out of your head and capture them on paper (or your hand).

The problem with creating to-do lists is that they are focused outward, on action and behaviors. All very necessary, but there is an essential step that comes before any to-do list.

It’s called a “to-be” list. And it is the first step in being human.

Being Human is the Key

To be or not to be, that is the question. — Shakespeare

This famous quote spoken by Prince Hamlet is a neon sign pointing the way.

Shakespeare could have easily used a different two-letter word than “be” but he didn’t. Imagine that he wrote, “To do or not to do, that is the question.” It’s a declarative statement without a foundation.

Actions taken because we feel compelled to do something never ends up well. In my own life, when I have taken action because I didn’t trust the process or system, the result was not what I expected.

In college, I entered a drawing for an important class that could only accept a small number of students. The volunteers taking the applications didn’t know what was going on, so I waited until the shift changed, and submitted my application again.

It didn’t turn out well. I was excluded from the class because it looked like I was trying to game the system by submitting two applications. My motivation was to make sure my application didn’t get lost by incompetence, so I acted when I should have trusted.

Lesson: don’t let fear of loss or distrust motivate your actions.

If I had taken a step back from the situation and trusted the process, I would have been front and center in that class. Instead, I allowed fear to direct my actions and it didn’t end well. My being was fueled by fear, which then propelled me to act from fear.

Remember, fear always limits or constricts; love and trust always expand. Your choice in every moment is to choose your state of being.

What is Being?

Vocabulary.com defines “being” as “the state or fact of existing…that can develop the ability to act or function independently.”

During meditation one morning, I saw the image of the word “being” written on a wall. Next to it were words that crystallized the concept.

Repeat these words to yourself and notice the power it gives you. You have the ability to express, experience and energize the infinite nature of God.

[Pause while you catch your breath.]

It’s your choice how you express the infinite nature of God.

It’s your choice what you experience of the infinite nature of God.

It’s your choice when you energize from the infinite nature of God.

Are you beginning to see why I suggest making a “to-be” list before you start doing? Who you are being in any moment directly impacts what you are doing. As Sarah Landon, a spiritual visionary and teacher, always reminds us that:

You are the creator inside your creation.

You create your external reality from the inside - the energy of your being.

Think about the times when you felt frustrated or angry. As you moved through your day, didn’t you discover more to be angry about? As soon as you realize that your negative being is impacting your life, it’s time to step back and recalibrate your energy.

One way to recalibrate is to create a “to-do” list of the being states you desire right now. Your mind will calm and you can enter the sacred space of your heart. Learn to pivot your being, because it is the key to a loving and uplifting life.

Your To-Be List

Before you get out of bed, allow gratitude to flood your body. Enjoy the feeling of being held while your awareness gently shifts from sleeping to waking.

Before you run down your to-do list for the day, intentional set a state of being. Some examples are:

* gratitude

* abundance

* love

* trust

* forgiveness

Remind yourself of your intention as you move through your day. Use the most powerful form of affirmation: “I am ______.” As you repeat the affirmation, breathe in deeply and allow the energy to settle in your body.

Before you go to bed, write down what you noticed as you moved through the day in your intended being. Keeping track of what shows up in your life is one way to convince your logical mind that this process really works.

One other step you could add to either your morning or evening routine is to meditate for 10 minutes. Meditation is the best way to bypass your thinking mind and enter the space of oneness. One of my most popular meditations is called, “The Astonishing Light of Your Being” available on Insight Timer.

Discover what works for you. The key takeaway is to live being human. Your to-do lists will flow from your being energy and your life will become magical.

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

P.S. Another way to shift your being energy is to practice mindfulness. I created the “Sacred Feminine Journal” to provide that experience of being present in the moment. The journal is filled with insightful prompts, inspiring graphics to color, and QR codes that lead to meditations. It’s waiting for you :-)

Dear Empowered Wayers:

About 800 years ago, the Sufi Poet, Rumi, began writing about love, loss, and life. His poetry is timeless and speaks to the common thread of humanity across time and space.

Another place that also speaks to the common thread of humanity is the gothic masterpiece, Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral, located in Chartres, France. The current building was finished in 1260, about the same period that Rumi was creating beautiful poetry.

Is that a coincidence? Or a confluence of energy that materialized in poetry and architecture?

Sacred and Holy Ground

The location of the Cathedral is known as an ancient, holy site for the Druids and Celts. Ancient texts indicate a pagan sanctuary dedicated to a young woman who was to give birth. For Christians, this story predicts the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus.

A church has stood on this ground since at least the sixth century. An altar dedicated to Mary has been identified as from that era. Earlier buildings were destroyed by fire or invaders and the current masterpiece of Gothic architecture was built on the foundation of its predecessors.

There are many layers of meaning embodied in the Cathedral. On the surface, it is a monument to Mary, Jesus, and the Christian Story. Statues of prophets, angels, and saints adorn the portals and exterior. The collection of 12th and 13th century stain glass portrays the Old Testament and New Testament in brilliant colors and shapes. In fact, there is no natural light that does not shine through the stained glass.

The physical presence of the Cathedral is massive. The two spires next to the West Portal can be seen for miles and provided a beacon for pilgrims traveling long distances. The interior feels infinitely spacious because the vaulted ceiling is 120 feet (12 stories) above the ground.

The designers and builders of the Cathedral also included older, pre-Christian elements. The stone labyrinth in the nave is the most obvious.

The Chartres Labyrinth

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol of wholeness. The imagery of the circle and spiral combine into a meandering but purposeful journey. The labyrinth represents a journey or path to our own center and back again out into the world.

The Chartres labyrinth stretches across 240 feet and it sits between the West Portal (the main entrance) and the altar. Before the Church covered it with chairs, worshipers would walk the labyrinth as a meditative and preparatory practice before moving deeper into the church.

Study the design of the labyrinth. You will see that there is only one way in and out. The path inward reaches the six petal center, where God is said to reside.

As Kathleen McGowan describes so beautifully in her book, “The Source of Miracles,” the labyrinth was created “as a prayer tool, a path that could be walked while praying, toward a center where God awaits.”

This ancient prayer tool directs you to the center, “where God awaits.” Rumi’s poetry has the same impact, only with beautiful words and images that invoke sacred union with God.

The Story of Rumi

Rumi was a Sufi poet who lived in the 12 Century. He was also Muslim and gay, in a culture that abhorred homosexual behavior. As you can imagine, he never felt as if he belonged.

He longed for true love. He finally found it in his early 40s, even though he was married with children. Rumi left his family for his new love, but it didn’t last long. His lover was murdered and Rumi became lost.

Why had he found the one thing in his life that he longed for, only to have it taken away?

To move through his grief, Rumi began to write poems. His writing helped him find faith, trust love again, and feel peaceful. As he continued writing, Rumi discovered a deeper love with himself.

His great insight was that the love he gave to his lover was always in him. He didn’t need the other person to feel that same love for himself. And from that love, Rumi wrote timeless words that still ring true today.

Imagine the Chartres Cathedral Speaking This Poem to You

I recently returned from a trip to Chartres. I was there for a workshop called, “Holding Space for the Sacred,” given by Lauren Artress and Judith Tripp from Veriditas. We spent many hours in the Cathedral and experienced a private walk of the labyrinth.

To say that my time in Chartres was life changing is an understatement.

When I returned home, I discovered the following poem by Rumi. It felt as if the Cathedral was speaking to me from across the miles. Please read it slowly, as if a higher power was speaking from the first person (“I”).

I have come to drag you out of your selfand take you into my heart.

I have come to bring out the beautyyou never knew you hadand lift you like a prayer to the sky.

If no one recognizes you, I dobecause you are my life and soul.

Don’t run away, accept your wounds andlet bravery be your shield.

It takes a thousand stagesfor the perfect being to evolve.

Every step of the way I will walk with youand never leave you stranded.

Imagine having a relationship like this. Imagine that you are held and loved, no matter what your past or your weaknesses.

Imagine finding God at your center.

To your blessed life,

Kathryn

Dear Empowered Wayers -

I am honored to work with a dear friend of mine, Nicole Parker-Beggs. We share an intense focus on discovering and recovering the essence of the Divine Feminine. Together, we created The Wealthy Alchemist and we are excited to begin sharing our insights, courses, and products with you.

Nicole wrote an article on Medium that resonated deeply with me. She graciously agreed to allow me to share her words with you. Please comment and describe your sense of connection as you realize that Nicole is right - the magic is you. You might also follow Nicole on Medium - it’s free and you will discover her genius as she continues to write on that platform.

Without further ado, please enjoy Nicole’s article below.

It’s a scary realization…the magic is you.

Accepting the hard truth — that there is no wand or spell, no potion or elixir, no escape to a land far, far away with mythical creatures, or a genie in a bottle with the ability to transform us or change an unfortunate situation in which we find ourselves — does not make for a fun story to read.

In spite of what fairy tales would lead you to believe, there is no knight in shining armor coming to rescue you from yourself.

It’s. All. You.

You are your own magic and your own savior.

Somewhere along the way you forgot this. Quite possibly, someone reprogrammed you to believe otherwise.

Either way, if you desire some elusive state of being…where everything seems to fall in place and flow effortlessly…it’s within you.

Let me save you 40+ years of human hellish drudgery and roughly 3.5 million dollars.

Do the work.

The pain is the way. The problem is the way. The thing you don’t want to face is the way.

Exhausted and overwhelmed?

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.

See yourself walking through the flames unharmed.

Hear yourself speaking words of blessing over yourself and any others in need.

Feel what it’s like to be connected with and flowing effortlessly on the universe’s energy waves.

Smell the sweet perfumed air that whirls around you.

Taste the nectar from the fruits of your oneness with creation.

It’s all there for you…your pleasure…your joy…your opportunities to grow and give…your strength and courage to step into your power.

Everything you ever needed or wanted is inside of you already. No need to search for it outside of yourself.

Here’s the magic formula…

BE + DO = HAVE

BE the person. Who DOes the things. To HAVE the life of your dreams.

Heaven and Hell are states of BEing.

They are not secret places hidden in the cosmos with a doorman holding a list of names.

They are within us. When we enjoy health and prosperity we are in a state of heavenly bliss. When we suffer from pain and dis-ease we are in a state of hellish misery.

Both states are here to serve us.

And the fine print…

The struggle is real. Many forces are working against you to keep you enslaved and in the dark.

This is the “work.”

This is the human experience…to remember who we are. We must tap into our innate wisdom and work with one another to shine our light and overcome the darkness.

I have been on this journey for quite some time. If you would like a bit of support and guidance on your journey, there is a resource I co-created with another beautiful light in the kingdom, Kathryn Eriksen entitled, “The Sacred Feminine Journal and Soul Wave Container.”

We met in 2019 at a women’s networking event and were immediately drawn to one another. As it turns out, we both desired to create resources to support women in their quest to reconnect with their inner being, their divine feminine.

For those who like to have digital copies and print extra pages, you can find it on Gumroad.

For those who like to have hard copies and don’t want to mess with printing, you can find it on Amazon.

P.S. We are also revamping our Masterclass, Alchemy of Wealth: Women Empowered. If you would like to stay in the loop drop us a note. You can also follow us @wealthyalchemist on Instagram.

Thank you for BEing here. Thank you for BEing you.

To your Prosperity,

Kathryn

Hello Empowered Wayers!

Do you feel the chaos in the air? There is a sense of uncertainty and chaos just below the surface of life. Interactions between people are more tense and impolite as we struggle to find our balance.

What is out of balance? The masculine and feminine energy that each human being embodies. Before change can happen, the imbalance has to be recognized.

These energies are how we survive and thrive in the world. They are not related to gender or sexual orientation. Every person has access to both masculine and feminine energy in any moment.

What is the Difference between Masculine and Feminine Energy?

I think of masculine energy like the sun - bold, productive, and direct. The sun’s energy causes seeds to germinate and grow, illuminates the darkness, and warms the planet.

Masculine energy is goal oriented and data driven. Value is measured by numbers and compared to others. Achievement of a goal - climbing a mountain for example - is the focus of effort. Success is defined by the result - reaching the summit.

All well and good, until masculine energy dominates every descion. Without the balance of the feminine, masculine energy dominates and oppresses others. The world seen through the lens of masculine energy is fearful, aggressive, and combative.

Feminine energy is like the moon, it’s light soft and reflective of its source. The moon controls the vast oceans with a gentle ebb and flow, but it is more subtle in its power.

Consider how a river flows to the sea. It begins as a small trickle, becomes greater and wider as it meets rocks and obstacles. Instead of breaking down the barrier (masculine energy), water finds another way around, through or under. There is no logic to its movements and the goal is to return to the sea (source), not to carve canyons from the rocks.

Feminine energy, without the balance of the masculine, becomes inert and frozen. The inner world dominates and the outer world is ignored. The world seen through the lens of feminine energy is stagnant and passive.

When both energies are balanced and aligned, water flows and mountains are conquered. Productivity is aligned with inner purpose and the divinity of each person is recognized.

How to Balance Your Energies

Mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are the ways I balance my energies. The key is to discover what works for you. It may be yoga or creative pursuits. When you learn to recognize when your energy is out of alignment, your next step becomes obvious.

To reconnect with feminine energy, please consider my latest book, called “The Sacred Feminine Journal and Soul Wave Container.” It is an adult coloring book with journal prompts and QR codes to meditations. The process of listening to a guided meditation while coloring is the perfect example of masculine and feminine energies working together.

The chaos of the world stems from our inner chaos. As you begin to nurture your feminine energy, it will flow into the world. Peace within produces peace in the outer world. Return to your sacred center and join the Empowered Way movement.

We need you!

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

P.S. Look at the cover of the journal. If this graphic speaks to you, please consider buying it on Amazon and leaving a review. Thank you!

Hello Empowered Wayers!

We were walking at dusk last night when I noticed a rainbow beginning to form. We watched in awe as the colors became brighter and the full arc of the rainbow emerged. There was magic in the air and wonder in our hearts.

It got me thinking about why we are fascinated with rainbows. From Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz to Pride Month, rainbows are symbols of individual power and the freedom to express yourself.

But how are rainbows formed? What are the conditions necessary to create this visual masterpiece? Why do rainbows cause wonder?

The Science Behind Rainbows

A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that’s caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets. This process splits the light into its various colors, resulting in that beautiful spectrum we see in the sky.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

* Reflection: When sunlight hits a raindrop, it gets reflected inside the droplet.

* Refraction: As light enters the droplet, it slows down and bends (refracts) because water is denser than air.

* Dispersion: Different colors of light bend by different amounts. Red light bends the least, while violet bends the most, causing the light to spread out into a spectrum of colors.

* Reflection Again: Some of this light gets reflected off the inside surface of the droplet and exits the droplet.

* Refraction Again: As the light exits the droplet, it bends again, creating the rainbow's arc.

The result? A stunning display of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, each color blending seamlessly into the next. This scientific dance of light and water droplets is what makes every rainbow a mesmerizing sight.

Why Rainbows Always Have the Same Colors in the Same Order

I have always wondered why rainbows show the same colors in the same order. It’s because of the way different colors of light bend (refract) at different angles. When sunlight passes through a raindrop, it is split into its component colors because each color has a different wavelength.

* Red light has the longest wavelength and bends the least.

* Violet light has the shortest wavelength and bends the most.

As a result, the colors spread out to form a spectrum. When these colors exit the raindrop, they are arranged in a specific order based on their wavelengths, with red at the top and violet at the bottom. This process ensures that every rainbow we see has the same sequence of colors, creating a familiar and beautiful pattern in the sky.

Conditions Needed for Rainbows

Now that we know the science behind rainbows, let’s talk about the conditions needed to see one. It’s not as simple as just having rain and sunlight. Here’s what you need:

* Rain: Obviously, you need water droplets in the air. This is why rainbows often appear after a rainstorm.

* Sunlight: You need the sun to be shining. Rainbows typically appear when the sun is low in the sky, usually in the early morning or late afternoon.

* Angle: The sun has to be behind you, and the rain has to be in front of you. The light needs to hit the water droplets at just the right angle (42 degrees, to be exact) to create a rainbow.

These are the conditions we had last night during our walk. It rained earlier and there was still a fine mist in the air. The sun was just above the horizon, on it’s way to setting, when the light hit the raindrops at 42 degrees, creating a stunning rainbow.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my phone with me and couldn’t take a photo for this article. The air was charged with the water particles dancing in their eternal pattern, which made me think about the mystical and spiritual aspect of rainbows.

The Mystical Aspect of Rainbows

Rainbows have always held a special place in human culture and mythology. From ancient times to modern day, they’ve been seen as symbols of hope, promise, and magic. Here are a few mystical aspects of rainbows that make them even more enchanting:

* Mythological Significance: In many cultures, rainbows are seen as bridges between the earth and the heavens. For instance, in Norse mythology, the rainbow bridge Bifrost connects Earth (Midgard) with Asgard, the realm of the gods.

* Promises and Hope: Remember the story of Noah’s Ark? After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a promise that he would never again flood the Earth.

* Luck and Fortune: Irish legend suggests that leprechauns hide their treasure at the rainbow’s end, making rainbows symbols of luck and fortune.

* Spiritual Enlightenment: Many spiritual traditions see rainbows as signs of spiritual awakening and enlightenment. The spectrum of colors is often associated with the chakras, the energy centers in the human body.

Wrapping It Up

Rainbows occur all over the world when the conditions are right. They are the perfect blend of science and magic. When you can appreciate the intricate dance of light and water that spans the sky, a bit of magic enters your heart.

Happy rainbow chasing! 🌈

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

Hello Empowered Wayers!

As a Woman’s Wealth Coach, today’s topic is near and dear to my heart. I have always wondered why men and women have such a different relationship with money.

For men, money is a measure of value and worth. Time and effort toward accomplishing a goal is rewarded by objective data, statistics, and comparable results. For many men, money is the end result, the summit of the mountain, the accumulation of hard work, effort, and vision.

For women, money can be a mysterious energy that they try to attract using the same tactics and strategies as men. But no matter how hard a woman works, or how many wealth creation books she reads, it never seems to work as effortlessly as it does for a man. Usually, when a woman realizes that her best efforts didn’t result in the same wealth as a man’s, shame, judgment, and guilt rush in.

What is going on? Are women flawed and destined to never create wealth?

Men and Women Create Differently

From an early age, boys are taught to do first. Girls are taught to nurture and care about others. It’s the difference between playing Cowboys and Indians and taking care of dolls while using the Easy-Bake Oven to cook their meals. (I am showing my age, lol).

The point is that men are trained to follow the World’s Creation Formula:

Do - Have - Be

Any creation starts with doing, then you will have what you want, and you will be happy. A man imagines a mountain to conquer. He plans, executes, and achieves (doing) to reach the summit (having). At the summit, he believes he will be happy (being). It’s an outward-in approach that works well for men because it aligns naturally with a man’s sense of self.

The problem is that women are created differently. We live in a vibrant, inner world connected to unseen and invisible energy. Intuition, insight, and emotional intelligence are the hallmarks of a woman who knows who she is and what she is here to do. This unseen energy flows in and through a woman like water, gliding around obstacles or boulders, but always moving without effort.

The Women’s Creation Formula is a different order than the World’s Formula. For women, being is the most important, because it informs the doing, which in turns produces the having.

Be - Do - Have

Women create from the inside-out. Biology has a lot to do with it, because a woman nurtures her creativity and worthiness before she exposes herself to the world. Instead of achievement, the driving forces are connection, collaboration, and community.

The Takeaway

When the curtain is pulled back and you see the two different Creation Formulas, you begin to understand why women are so frustrated using the wrong formula. It never feels natural and always feels forced.

I struggled for years trying to achieve success, until I learned that I had to feel successful first before it will show up in the physical world. I forgot that I was not designed to climb the mountain; Instead, my natural process was to be first, then do, then I would have more than I could have imagined.

Remember, both ways of creating are valid. Discover and experiment with the one that feels natural to you.

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

P.S. “The Money Tree” is a spiritual parable that teaches these lessons (and so much more). There are even guided meditations included that walk you through the process of creating your life through forgiveness, healing, and love. Available on Amazon (it’s free for Kindle Unlimited members).

Abundance is not something we acquire; it’s something we tune into.

— Wayne Dyer

One summer, we decided to go rafting on the Arkansas River. The water was flowing well from the snow melt and there were several rapids that were rated at a Level 4. I’m not sure that that means except to say that the ride was more thrilling than I imagined.

After Randy, our guide, trained us to paddle at his signal, we took off. There was no effort required by us to move down the river — it simply carried us in the flow while the guide chose the direction.

Until we hit our first rapid. His barked commands to the left side of the raft to “pull forward” while the right side was to “pull back” had us scrambling to comply. We were no longer tourists enjoying the experience…we were actually helping create the experience.

We cheered when we were on the other side of the turbulent water, feeling quite accomplished. I glanced back at Randy and he was smiling, knowing that there was more to come.

It came much sooner than I anticipated. Randy began barking again and we pulled or pushed as hard as we could. But it wasn’t enough. The raft turned sideways and we “high sided.”

When Randy casually mentioned at the beginning of the trip that “we never want to high side,” I didn’t know what he meant. Now, with tons of snow melt forcing us against a huge boulder to the point that the right side of the boat was climbing up the hard surface, I understood. I was sitting on the left side and was trapped underneath a pile of people.

Randy stayed calm and managed somehow to get us off that boulder. None of us fell into the river but we all had a great story to tell. We experienced the power of the water and survived.

What does a Rafting Story Have to do with Abundance?

I shared that story with you to set up the following metaphor:

* Abundance is like water that flows constantly;

* You choose your direction in every moment;

* No matter how hard you try, sometimes you can’t miss the boulder; and

* When you run into a boulder, you always have a choice…to give up or get up.

Abundance is available to every person living on this planet. Abundance means so much more than money or possessions. The concept of abundance changes with each individual, according to their needs and desires.

Think of abundance as a mindset that you practice every day, until it becomes who you are in every moment.

Living the Abundance Mindset

How do you learn the Abundance Mindset? It all begins with your thoughts, beliefs and the stories you tell yourself.

When you think you are abundance, you will see more of that. When you believe you are poor (however you define it), that is all you will see. The key here is to become aware of your thoughts, beliefs and stories, then deliberately and consistently transform scarcity into abundance.

Abundance is there, waiting for you to be part of it. It is there for anyone and everyone, no matter your background, culture or abilities. If you are breathing and you can think — you can have abundance.

Because it all begins in your mind, then moves to your heart.

Three Simple Steps

Step 1: Surrender to the fact that you cannot control the outcome; you can only direct the flow. When we sat down in that raft and began our adventure, none of us know how it would turn out. We basically surrendered to the power of the river, but we did impact it by our own efforts.

Step 2: Pay attention to the abundance that is already in your life. Gratitude is a powerful attitude that keeps you in the energy flow. When you are grateful what for you already have, a door opens in your mind to accept even more abundance. As you shift your thinking to appreciation, you will notice more things to appreciate. Your heart will come alive with the energy of gratitude, and something will shift inside of you.

Step 3: When you hit the boulder of fear, remember that it is just part of the journey. It may not be what you expected or anticipated, but when you can see fear as “Forgetting to Express Abundant Reality,” you can choose to move around or through it. You never have to stay high-sided, unless that is your choice.

The Secret in Abundance

As you move into an abundant mindset, you will notice that the world seems brighter, you laugh more and you worry less. You may discover that you no longer see other people as barriers to what you desire. Giving becomes as easy as receiving and you see your life with different eyes.

Instead of grasping for abundance, you become tuned in.

What is the secret? It’s hidden in the very letters that make up the word “Abundance.” Do you see it? Can you feel it?

Dance.

When you have cultivated an Abundance Mindset, you dance with life. You allow the energy of abundance to flow through you and you choose how to express it in your thoughts and daily activities. Happiness becomes the norm instead of the exception.

Fair warning: You may dance when no one is watching!

To Your Prosperity,

Kathryn

P. S. Continue this conversation by learning more about abundance. And what better teacher could there be, if not The Money Tree? Discover her deep insights as she navigates in our world with the consciousness of Divine Love.

Hello Empowered Wayers!

Did you know that humans are the only species who create and have awareness of their creation?

What that means is that you are a creator, and you have the ability to step back and know that you created. It’s almost as if you can step outside of yourself and see your creation from a different level of awareness.

But we forget that we are creators and also the awareness of creation. We believe that our creations are the way things are, and then we forget that we have the power to change what we created.

I call it Spiritual Amnesia.

It’s almost as if you and I are living inside of separate bubbles of reality, not noticing that we are actually inside and outside the bubbles. Instead, we believe that our bubble is the only reality, and we make decisions and take actions based on that belief.

It never ends well. Life begins to unravel and you may even lose hope.

There’s nothing wrong with you - you have simply forgotten that you were the creator of that bubble.

What is Missing?

Your essence is always present, but you may not have connected with it because you forgot (Spiritual Amnesia). That connection is the missing piece.

The word “essence” comes from the Latin word, “ease,” which means, “to be.”

Essence is your deepest connection to Universal or Divine Love. When you are grounded in your essence, your words and actions flow, allowing ongoing creation to move from consciousness to manifestation.

You have felt your essence when you look into a baby’s eyes and see only love.

You have felt your essence during a lunar eclipse and you wonder at the energy that moves the planets and stars.

Beyond the beauty of external forms, there is more here: something that cannot be named, something ineffable, some deep, inner, holy essence…this inner essence shines through [but] it only reveals itself to you when you are present.

— Eckhart Tolle

A Story about Essence

In ancient times, the Creator wanted to hide essence from the humans until they were ready to see it.

He gathered all the other creatures of creation to ask for their advice.

The eagle said, “Give it to me and I will take it to the highest mountain in all the land,”

But the Creator said, “No, one day they will conquer the mountain and find it.”

The salmon said, “Leave it with me and I will hide it at the very bottom of the ocean,”

But the Creator said, “No, for humans are explorers at heart, and one day they will go there, too.”

The buffalo said, “I will take it and bury it in the very heart of the great plains,”

But the Creator said, “No, for one day even the skin of the earth will be ripped open, and they will find it there.”

The creatures of creation were stumped, but then an old blind mole spoke up.

“Why don’t you put it inside them — that’s the very last place they’ll look.”

The Creator said, “It is done.”

Where do you connect with essence?

The only place that it exists — in the present moment.

That’s why I am such a strong advocate of mindfulness. It is when you are present, awake, and aware that your essence becomes your presence.

Spiritual Amnesia is like a shadow that covers your light. When you are present, the shadow dissolves, because your light shines forth.

Isn’t it time to become awake and aware? It’s the only way to live Being Human.

Thank you for reading and sharing Empowered Way. Your kindness spreads the message and sparks remembrance from those suffering from Spiritual Amnesia.

You remember who you are. You are essence connected to Love.

Much love,

Kathryn

P.S. If you are new to meditation, I created a short course that takes you on an inner journey. It’s called “The 21-Day Heart Dancing Challenge.” Each meditation is under 10 minutes and designed to help you establish a daily practice. By the end of 21 Days, you will fall in love with yourself and experience Heart Dancing.

Hello Empowered Wayers -

I have always had a love affair with trees. When I was young, we had a stately oak tree in the back yard. Her branches spread out in graceful directions, providing welcome shade from the hot, Texas summers. I discovered that when I used a stool, I could climb up to the first resting place and be above the world.

Soon, that was my spot. Books, drinks, snacks, and the occasional caterpillar found their way to my resting spot between two large arms (I mean branches) of the tree. I spent many hours reading, dreaming, and enjoying the view from above.

As a child, I knew intuitively that the oak tree was alive and aware of my presence. We used to have serious talks about all kinds of things. Why did my brothers love to tickle me, when I clearly hated it? What was the strange bug climbing toward me? And my favorite question. Did the tree like being a tree?

My kinship with the oak continued until I discovered boys, and I lost the ability to communicate with her. I no longer spent time with this lovely being and I know she missed me.

Trees have a hidden life

I was standing in the crowded aisle of Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in Paris, when I noticed a book that immediately caught my eye.

I promptly bought it and carried it over the Atlantic Ocean, eager to reconnect with my old friends. This book does not disappoint anyone who has ever wondered about the life of trees.

Did you know that trees grow in families, with the older trees protecting the younger ones? Did you know that trees have a social network and they send nutrients to those who are sick or struggling?

When you open your mind and realize that living beings have their own communication skills, infinite possibilities become real. For example, when giraffes began eating the top of accacia trees, it only took a few minutes for the trees to generate a toxic substance on their leaves. It didn’t taste good to the giraffes, so they moved onto the next group of trees. The amazing thing is that the second group of trees did the same thing, almost as if they had been warned.

I could go on and on with these stories, but I hope this was enough of a taste for you to read the book. It will forever change your perspective of the trees in your life, those you see on vacation, and the threat to forests across the globe.

We can appreciate the divine design in trees as we learn more about their hidden life. I know I never said goodbye to my friend, the oak tree. I don’t plan on making that mistake again.

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

P.S. Speaking of trees, my latest book is “The Money Tree: Transform Scarcity Thinking to Empowered Wealth Consciousness.” It’s a parable about the spiritual aspect of money and wealth, as told by Flow, the Money Tree.

Dear Empowered Wayers:

I learned how to handle money from my father, who grew up during the Great Depression. His favorite mantras included:

· Cash is King; Credit is Queen;

· Money doesn’t come easily.

· You have to work hard for money.

My dad was a successful attorney, and he made several good investments, but he never had a positive relationship with money. When he made money, he was happy for a short time, then he worried about losing it. You can understand his take on money. For most of his childhood and teen years, every night, they never knew if there would be food on the table.

We all learn at the feet of our parents or care-givers. It’s when their perspective no longer works for you that its time to learn about money, wealth, and life on your own.

My hope is to show you another side of money.

My journey to the Energetic Side of Money

I followed the world’s formula to make money for many years. Law school, being a lawyer, climbing up the associate track of large law firms. I made great money, but I wasn’t happy. Something was missing and it showed in my bank account.

I spent my unhappiness.

I bought things, hoping they would fill the hole I felt inside. The promise of a new car, house, or purse was that it would make me happy.

It did for a while, until the old sadness returned.

In a way, I was rebelling against the rigid view of money I learned from my dad. The only problem was that I was sabotaging myself and I didn’t know why.

A friend introduced me to several books about money. After reading the first few pages, I was hooked.

The 3 Money Books that Changed My Life

The first two books opened my mind and heart to being happy first, before I bought anything. The purchase became secondary to the being. This was a revelation and is the basis of my coaching practice.

The last book on the list is the book I wrote during the pandemic. It changed me because I had to dig deep into my personal beliefs about money to offer a new path to the reader.

1. A Happy Pocket Full of Money, by David Cameron Gikandi — This book was first published in 2008, around the same time that The Secret was taking over the internet. The Law of Attraction was the rage, but it only went so far.

Happy Pocket takes you on a metaphysical journey into the heart of money. Because money is a shadow of something else (energy), it responds to your energy. Being wealthy is an internal state that creates outward physically.

Read this book and let me know if you had a seismic shift in your thinking.

2. The Energy of Money, by Maria Nemeth, Ph.D. — the author is a clinical psychologist who became interested in money as energy when she made a bad investment decision and lost all of her savings. It wasn’t until she shared her story in the newspaper that people began coming to her with their own money stories. She began to see patterns in the stories and created a workshop on money, scarcity, and abundance. The workshop became so popular that she decided to write a book about what she teaches.

As Dr. Nemeth observed, “I have found that money is neither spiritual nor nonspiritual. It’s simply energy. It is here to be used wisely, consciously, and with enjoyment.”

There are 12 Principles shared in the book, supported by simple exercises that reinforce the lesson. Identifying the inner blocks, clearing the path, and becoming conscious of your money relationship are valuable stepping stones to finding peace.

3. The Money Tree, by Kathryn Eriksen — When I wrote this book in 2020, I had been a money coach for about two years. As I watched the world stopped spinning, I realized that I could reach more people by writing a parable about the true nature of money. Flow, the Money tree, and Divine Love, became voices in my head as the story unfolded.

I consider The Money Tree to be a channeled work, because I merely took dictation as Divine Love guided and supported Flow on her adventure into time and space. These words didn’t belong to me; rather, they came from beyond my understanding.

The Takeaway

You have your own relationship with money. Childhood beliefs adopted from your parents may still be running the show. Old stories from past mistakes could be influencing you now without you realizing it.

The path to change starts with awareness. That’s why reading and learning more about the nature of money and how it interacts with us is so important.

You are on your own journey with money and wealth. My hope is that one or all of these books may open a new portal in your thinking, that allows the light of love to enter your finances.

To your prosperity,

Kathryn

P.S. Leaving a review on Amazon is priceless to an author. If you do buy any of these books, please take a few minutes to tell others about your experience.

P.P.S. Have you heard about the short ebook I recently published, called “The Abundance Formula”? It’s available for less than $3.00, and the content is priceless.