Lessons from Balaam's Story: The Power of Goodwill

Embark on a transformative journey with our latest podcast episode, 'Divine Guidance and the Power of Goodwill: Lessons from Balaam's Story.' Explore the ancient narrative of Balaam from the Book of Numbers, where divine sovereignty shapes destinies and blessings prevail over curses. Delve into self-reflection with thought-provoking questions, discovering the relevance of divine guidance and the transformative influence of positive intentions in your own life. Join us in prayer as we seek wisdom, alignment with God's will, and the strength to be instruments of goodwill. Tune in for a captivating exploration of timeless truths!

Self Reflection Questions:

1. Am I actively seeking and listening to God's guidance in my decisions and actions?

2. How do I respond when faced with conflicting desires or external pressures, and am I willing to align my will with God's will?

3. In what ways can I harness the transformative power of positive words and intentions, fostering goodwill in my interactions with others?

Read Numbers Chapter 22:22-24 for Balaam's Story.

The Power of Prayer: John 16:23

Welcome to "The Power of Prayer: John 16:23," a story dedicated to exploring the extraordinary power of prayer in our lives. In this episode, we dive deep into the profound scripture verse John 16:23, which reminds us of the incredible privilege we have through prayer. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, discovering the life-changing impact of tapping into the direct line of communication with our Heavenly Father. Through captivating stories and insightful discussions, we unveil the immense power and blessings that await us when we embrace the true essence of prayer.

Scripture: "In that day, you will not ask anything of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." - John 16:23 (ESV)

Questions of to reflect on:

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The Unseen Path: A Story Embracing Proverbs 3:5-6

In this episode of "The Unseen Path" we delve into the profound meaning of trust, faith, and surrendering to the unseen path. Through this inspiring story and thoughtful insight, we explore how Proverbs 3:5-6 guides us to navigate the uncertainties of life and find solace in God's divine plan. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of trust, and discover the peace that comes from leaning on a higher power.

Meaning of the Episode:

In this episode, we explore the timeless wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which urges us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. The episode emphasizes the significance of surrendering our desire for control and relying on a higher power's guidance. Through captivating stories, we illustrate the power of faith and how it can lead us through the fog of uncertainty. Ultimately, the episode highlights the importance of embracing the journey, even when the path is unclear, and finding peace in the knowledge that God is with us every step of the way.

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Many people are under the impression that being alone goes hand in hand with being lonely. However, while solitude does sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, this isn’t always the case. 

In fact, some people feel less impact from being alone than others. This group of individuals prefer being by themselves and don’t feel lonely in the least... even after an extended period of solitude. That being said, what's the real difference between feeling lonely and being alone? Keep reading to find out.

What Is Loneliness?

Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling of isolation, disconnectedness, or abandonment. Feelings of loneliness have been linked to depression, loss of sleep, an increased risk of stroke, and high blood pressure. Sounds quite scary, doesn't it?

Loneliness is a complex emotional response that affects people in many different ways. We feel loneliness when we can’t communicate or connect with other people. This means that you don’t necessarily have to be alone to feel lonely, especially if you’re surrounded by people that you don’t feel comfortable communicating. 

Humans as a species are very social and many of us feel a need for contact on some level. It’s very common for a person to feel lonely at one point or another during their lifetime. Events such as a breakup or the loss of a loved one can lead to temporary feelings of loneliness. These feelings typically fade as time goes by. 

On the other hand, when it comes to cases of chronically lonely, the dreadful feeling is brought on by the person rather than the environment. This means that the feelings of loneliness cannot be easily relieved and will likely be more permanent. 

You can assume it's loneliness when:

* You feel the isolation that comes with an unmet expectation or unreturned feeling

* You cry when no one is watching

* You feel a huge sense of emotional abandonment

* You struggle to find distractions, to free yourself from what you're feeling

* You start blaming yourself for how you feel

The Effects of Solitude

Being alone affects each of us differently. While many people tend to view being alone as a negative, there can be positive effects of social isolation. Being alone gives us time to think, which can help to improve our concentration and other cognitive functions. It also gives us time to reflect on our experiences and process what’s going on in our lives. 

Getting a little time to yourself also helps in avoiding overstimulation or stress brought on by too much of a stimulus - in this case, social interaction.

Being alone isn’t always a good thing, however. Studies show that complete social isolation can have a negative impact on our health, even if we don’t feel lonely. If we go for a long time without talking to anyone, it can also get us out of practice when it comes to listening and communication skills. It’s important to interact with someone every now and then, whether it’s a friend, relative, or even someone more distant like a stranger or a pen pal.

You can assume you're alone when:

* You feel a sense of freedom by being isolated

* You feel so consumed with yourself that you smile for absolutely no reason

* You feel mental or physical freedom

* You feel like it's okay to follow your heart

* You love yourself, so you want to be alone

In conclusion, although being lonely and being alone are closely related, they are two entirely different things. Sometimes, being alone can be a good thing, especially if you need to unwind. 

But, being lonely is almost never a positive thing. If you feel like you are lonely, take whatever steps you can to reach out and make a connection with someone. In the end, you'll be glad you did.

Contact me today if you feel alone and need someone to talk to. TheDivineEmpath.com

-Sarah

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotion that we usually feel due to social isolation or a lack of communication with other people. And, while nearly everyone feels lonely at some point in their lives, prolonged or intense feelings of loneliness can have a negative impact on both our mental and physical health. 

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pull yourself out of a lonely “slump” without some type of assistance. This help can come from almost anyone... be it a friend, family member, or professional. Whatever you do, try not to panic because things may just get worse. 

If you're looking for a solution, here are some steps you can take to stop feeling lonely and start feeling better right away. It might be simpler to accomplish than you think.

Find a Hobby

When you have nothing but free time on your hands, it's easy to allow your mind to wander and stir up feelings of loneliness or negativity. If you find yourself in this position often, why not consider taking up a hobby? Honestly, there are so many interesting things to choose from. Chances are it won't be difficult to find something that you can be passionate about - something enjoyable you can turn to whenever you have time to spare. 

Walking is a great hobby when it comes to combating loneliness. It allows you to get in a good workout and explore your community at the same time. Better yet, it's free. Make sure to say hello to the people you meet. You never know where the conversation will lead. 

Meet New People

It's difficult for some people to “put themselves out there” and meet new people, especially if they happen to be on the shy side. Make it your mission to meet new people as frequently as possible. Strike up a conversation with people around you at the store, gym, or even on the street. As the saying goes, "you can never have too many friends!"

Chat with Old Friends

A long chat with old friends does wonders to combat loneliness. Get in touch with someone you’ve been friends with for a while. Take a few minutes to fill them in on how you’ve been. It may seem daunting to get back in touch with someone you haven’t talked to for some time. But, if you reach out to them, your friendship will likely pick up right where it left off.

Take Time to Reorganize

While cleaning and reorganizing your house may not sound fun at first, it will give you something to stay focused on. Having a clean house will also make you feel better about having people over, and therefore encourage you to interact with people on a more frequent basis.

Consider a Pet

Pets are wonderful companions. However, it’s important to think very carefully about whether or not you want the responsibility of a pet before you decide to care for one. Unfortunately, if you don't you may end up regretting the decision later, which wouldn’t be good for you or the animal.

Stay Positive

Poor self-image and negative thoughts about yourself can make feelings of loneliness worse and keep you from seeking out contact with others. Always try to avoid having self-depreciating thoughts by being as positive as you can be.

Loneliness can be a difficult feeling to deal with. If you still feel like you need help after taking these steps, you may want to reach out to your support network - whether it’s friends, family, or even co-workers. 

If that's not an option, consider reaching out to professional help, which is oftentimes the most efficient way to get your loneliness in check.

Thanks for listening!

TheDivineEmpath.com

-Sarah

Loneliness is an unfortunate part of life sometimes - a feeling we are all familiar with and have our own methods to overcome. For some, however, it may be difficult to combat loneliness. Worse yet, it can have adverse health effects if left unmanaged for too long. 

Chronic loneliness is a serious condition in which the person suffering from it is often depressed and unable to feel a sense of closeness with friends, family, and their loved ones - no matter how often they are in their company. Despite the categorization of loneliness as a psychological or social pain, it can have extreme physical effects on the body over time as well.

Higher Blood Pressure

Hypertension or HBP is a lifelong condition that increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies have shown that people who are often lonely are more likely to develop high blood pressure later in their life. 

And in fact, it was revealed that even people who experienced modest levels of loneliness were also affected. However, they were at less risk than people suffering from chronic loneliness. Blood pressure is as much as 30 points higher in people who experience loneliness than in people who do not.

Loss of Sleep

Research from the University of Chicago suggests that there is a connection between loneliness and insomnia. The study revealed that lonely people slept about 30 minutes less than other people. Depression is often associated with insomnia and may play a major role in why people suffering from loneliness experience a loss of sleep.

Dietary Issues

A study published in Nutrition Reviews revealed that people who live alone are more likely to suffer from a poor diet, due to a lack of important food groups such as fruits and vegetables. People suffering from loneliness are less motivated to cook meals for themselves and instead turn to ready-made meals or takeouts that very often lack key nutrients. Poor dietary choices may lead to weight gain, lack of energy, and increased health risks.

Effects of Hormonal Imbalance

The stress hormone known as cortisol is a very prevalent and dangerous issue in people experiencing loneliness. In fact, increased cortisol levels can be linked to most of the side effects of loneliness, some of which include weight gain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and depression. 

Prolonged cortisol production due to chronic loneliness can take a toll on your immune system, making it difficult to fight off infection and illness. It also raises prolactin levels, which increases your sensitivity to pain, making muscle aches and headaches seem worse than they actually are. Excessive levels of cortisol hyper-sensitizes your brain to pain, so headaches may happen very suddenly due to even slight nerve activity.

When you think about it, being lonely is just as bad for you physically as it is mentally. Think about all of the conditions mentioned here, the next time loneliness strikes. Remember, by doing all that you can to interact with people, you'll be helping your physical being as well.

Need to talk? I'm a great listener! TheDivineEmpath.com

-Sarah

Loneliness is an emotion that nearly everyone experiences at one point in their life. It is the feeling of disconnectedness or isolation that makes it extremely hard to communicate with others. 

While feelings of loneliness tend to fade once an individual starts to once again interact with others, periods of chronic loneliness are typically more long-lasting and have a serious negative impact on overall mental health. What follows are a few of the mind-related effects that can crop up due to chronic loneliness.

Stress

Prolonged periods of loneliness have been shown to increase the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Having high levels of cortisol in your blood for long periods of time can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Even worse, this anxiety can cause you to shy away from getting out there and hanging out with people, which keeps you from getting rid of the loneliness.

Poor Sleep Quality

It can be hard to fall asleep when you’re feeling lonely. Dwelling on feelings of isolation makes it difficult to clear your head so that you can get a restful night’s sleep. Not only that, the high cortisol levels associated with chronic loneliness also make it hard for us to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Substance Abuse

Instances of alcoholism or substance abuse are common in people who suffer from chronic loneliness. This may be due to the fact that people turn to these substances when they feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to. And, while drinking may make you forget that you feel lonely for a time, it doesn’t actually address the factors which make you feel lonely. 

Negative Self-Image

Feeling lonely can have a major impact on the way that you view yourself. It's easy to think poorly of yourself when it seems like you're all alone in the world. You may even feel like you’re doing something wrong, or that your loneliness is your fault somehow. Not only can these self-defeating thoughts further your anxiety and depression, they may also keep you from having positive interactions in the future. 

Feeling Withdrawn

One of the most troubling effects of chronic loneliness is that it oftentimes makes you feel withdrawn and like you don’t want to make a connection with other people. This means that even if someone who is feeling lonely were to have a conversation with a friend or a family member, they may not open up like they normally would. It prevents them from forming the connections that they need to feel that they're not alone.

Because loneliness is such a common feeling, many people underestimate the negative impact that chronic loneliness can have on a person mentally and emotionally. If you think that you’re feeling lonely, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It can be difficult to overcome loneliness by yourself. But, with the help of your friends and family, you can start taking steps toward feeling less isolated and bringing more social interaction to your life. 

Stop by my website if you'd like to talk to someone. TheDivineEmpath.com

Thank you for listening!

-Sarah

Most parents don’t end up spending much time alone, especially when their children are young. But, even if they never actually find themselves alone, these same parents are certainly susceptible to loneliness. 

Loneliness occurs when we feel socially distant or isolated from others. Parents who maintain positive relationships with their children may not have a lot of extra time to develop friendships outside of the family. That being said, if you have a friend who is a parent and is suffering from feelings of loneliness, here are a few things you can do to lend a hand.

Let Them Know You Can Help

It can be difficult for anyone who is feeling lonely to ask for help. This is especially true of people who are shy or not very self-confident, who may find it difficult to reach out to people in the first place. 

If you suspect that a friend is feeling a little isolated, let them know that you're someone they can talk to. Call or text them every now and then to ask how things are going, rather than waiting for them to get in touch with you. Having someone to keep in contact with consistently will help to alleviate their loneliness.

Offer to Help with the Kids

One of the main reasons parents typically experience loneliness is that the responsibilities of being a parent doesn't leave them much time to socialize with others. If you’re comfortable with caring for children, you might offer to take care of their kids for the day (or even for an hour or two) so that they can get out and unwind. Even the occasional chance for some kid-free time will give them the opportunity to get out and connect with other people.

Give Them Something to Do

Group activities are a great cure for loneliness. Not only do they give everyone involved a chance to feel less isolated, they also help to keep your friends from allowing themselves to dwell on feelings of being alone. 

Obviously, you want to choose an activity or activities that you and your friends enjoy. To make things even more exciting, suggest something you've never done before. The best kind of activity in this case is one that re-occurs. Think along the lines of a weekly acting class or a monthly fishing trip.  

Not only does this help to establish a positive social routine, it also helps to reduce any feelings of loneliness that may pop up unexpectedly. How? If the lonely parent in question has something to look forward to, chances are that he or she won't feel quite as isolated.

If you can't or don't want to come up with an activity involving the whole family, helping your (parent) friend find the perfect babysitter is a thoughtful gesture. It simply means it's one less thing he or she has to stress over before the fun begins.

The best recourse for a lonely parent is a strong support network. So, it’s vitally important to step in to lend a hand when a friend or family member is feeling down. At the same time, it's also important to remember that being a parent is a lot of work. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm these parents with too much contact. It's sometimes tricky to find the proper balance.

Just remember this. When it comes to helping someone overcome feelings of loneliness, being a caring friend is the absolute best thing that you can do for them. If the tables were turned, chances are they'd do the same for you.

Need someone to listen? I'm here to help! I can be contacted via my website at TheDivineEmpath.com

Thank you for listening!

-Sarah

Everyone feels lonely from time to time. It’s a normal part of the human experience. But some people are more vulnerable to slipping from loneliness into depression. Or there can be hard times in your life when feeling lonely is only one step away from isolation and depression.

People who are at risk of depression typically feel isolated and lonely; they have low self-esteem that can easily tip into more extreme feelings of self-blame and guilt, even self-disgust. And these negative thought patterns can lead to full-blown depression. If you’re having bad feelings about yourself, feeling lonely and worthless, here are some things you can do to head off the risk of depression.

1. Boost Your Social Support Network

Isolation increases the tendency to self-blame. Connection and social contact can go a long way to helping you alleviate your loneliness and get a different perspective on the world. Reach out to friends, colleagues, and family to increase the positive connections in your life.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps you deal with what is in front of you right now. Developing a mindfulness practice can help you accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Simply observing what is happening around you, and focusing on what you can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste will help you break out of your negative thought patterns.

3. Practice Self-compassion

People who are caught up in feelings of negative self-worth are often extremely hard on themselves. Allow yourself a little imperfection. Be kind and change that internal monologue to one less punitive.

4. Change Your Self-talk

Have a look at your internal soundtrack. Are you full of self-recrimination? Do you magnify your flaws and faults? Now, would you talk to a friend like that? Rewrite that script into something more positive and self-affirming. If that is too hard to think about right now, try some of the books, apps, or websites that offer affirmations.

5. Use Emotional Reappraisal to Boost Your Self-esteem

With a little practice, you can learn techniques to regulate your feelings and turn your self-esteem around. Depression often manifests in ruminating on the negatives in your life. You can use this focus to your advantage when you practice reappraisal.

Reappraisal is a cognitive-behavioral technique that allows you to reframe negative thoughts, flipping them to a more positive view. Instead of feeling paralyzed and crushed by life, you can take back control and develop more resilience.

Need to talk? Contact me at TheDivineEmpath.com

Thanks for listening!

-Sarah

Loneliness is something most people try to avoid. But being alone is an inevitable part of life. It happens to everyone at some time or another. It is important to be able to separate solitude from loneliness and to understand what is behind your feelings so you can embrace being alone.

1. Work Out the Root Cause of Your Fear of Loneliness

Some scientists believe loneliness is a basic emotion on par with fear and anger. For millions of years, survival relied on being part of a group; being alone was risky. But now, a fear of loneliness can keep us in toxic relationships, unfulfilling jobs, and bad marriages. Identify what’s behind your fear of loneliness, and you can start to work on it.

2. Learn to Understand your Loneliness

Loneliness comes in many different guises. It can be temporary situational loneliness where you find yourself without company or help. Or you can be going through a life crisis that results in more extended social isolation. A relationship breakdown, losing your job, or being seriously ill can all make you feel completely cut off from love and support.

3. Appreciate Solitude

Solitude is quite a different state from loneliness. Artists, philosophers, and writers over the centuries have sought out solitude to think deeply and widely and to create their best work. Solitude can be a comfort in an overcrowded life. When you are by yourself, you can expand into being your true self.

4. Confront your Deepest Fears

Loneliness can be a product of the fundamental fear of separation that goes back to infancy. Separation means being vulnerable and having no one to rely on except yourself. This is the loneliness that realizes that in the end, there is nothing between you and the stars, no one to rescue you. That sort of existential fear can be scary. What are your deepest fears about being lonely? Identify them, acknowledge them, and take away some of their power over you.

5. Use Self-Actualizing Practices to Overcome Loneliness

Techniques like yoga, tai chi, and meditation can help you reconnect with your deepest self. Sitting alone in meditation separates you from the negative thought spirals and feelings that can make you feel so miserable.

A loving-kindness meditation practice can help you replace feelings of separation with feelings of love and connection. Give it a try:

Sit quietly and focus on your breath.

Breathe in, think ‘May I be happy.’

Breathe out, think ‘May I be loved.’

Breathe in, think ‘May all my suffering be healed.’

Breathe out, think ‘May I be at peace.’

Eventually, repeat the mantra, thinking of people who may be lonely at this time, replacing ‘I’ with ‘you.’

Finish by sending positive thoughts to all beings and repeating ‘May all beings be happy. May all beings be loved. May the suffering of all beings be healed. May all beings be at peace.’

This simple practice helps you feel connected to all of life whenever you do it.

Need someone to talk to? Contact me at TheDivineEmpath.com

Thank you for listening!

-Sarah