Gifts

January 18, 2019

THE POWERFUL MIND: “8-Year-Old Girl Feeds Crows For 4 Years — And Now Receives Gifts From Them”

Ascension Avatar note: “This article brings a smile… I too fed crows and seagulls as a young boy in the schoolyard… giving them most of my lunch… even collecting ‘donations’… 🙂

.  .  .

 

Many people leave out birdseed for feathered-friends in the neighborhood, although few get anything in return besides a lovely view of the birds, and a patio polluted with seeds.

Eight-year-old Gabi Mann from Seattle, Washington started feeding the crows in her family’s garden, and now this lucky little girl gets gifts from the crows.

Gabi keeps her gifts in specially labeled bags tucked safely inside a bead storage box.

After all, these are her most treasured possessions.

Her labels are detailed, for instance one containing a broken light bulb reads: “Black table by feeder. 2:30 p.m. 09 Nov 2014.”

Gabi has received all kinds of gifts from the crows, including Lego pieces, beads, buttons, paper clips and pieces of foam.

Her favorite gift of all is a pearl colored heart, she said, “It’s showing me how much they love me.”

Gabi started feeding the neighborhood crows by accident, as she was prone to dropping food.

She’d climb out of the car and a chicken nugget would fall off of her lap, prompting every crow on the block to circle in for a snack.

Gabi noticed and started rewarding the bird’s quick and hungry behavior, feeding them food scraps on her way to and from the bus stop with her brother.

It didn’t take long for the crows to learn who Gabi was and wait for her to get off the school bus each day.

The crows were consuming most of Gabi and her brother’s packed lunches, but Lisa, Gabi’s mother, didn’t mind one bit.

She said, “I like that they love the animals and are willing to share.”

It was a slow transformation, but soon the whole family became more interested in the crows.

By 2013, Gabi and her mother made offering food to the crows a daily habit.

The pair now spends each morning filling the backyard birdbath with new water and spreading out plenty of peanuts and dog food.

As they set up, the crows gather around and call out to them.

It was this routine that started the gift giving.

The crows consume all of the peanuts left out in the feeders and sporadically leave behind a treasured trinket in return, such as an earring, polished rock, or hinge.

Basically anything shiny and small enough to fit inside of a crow’s mouth has been found in the feeders.

Some of the gifts are truly incredible, like a piece of metal with the word “best” stamped on it.

Gabi finds it funny to think one of the crows is wearing the matching half that says “friend.”

Want your own gift-giving crow friends? John Marzluff, professor of wildlife science at the University of Washington advises, “If you want to form a bond with a crow, be consistent in rewarding them.”

Marzluff has conducted numerous studies on crows, and he has found humans and crows can form very meaningful relationships, although gifts are never guaranteed. Marzluff has never personally received a gift from a crow, but he has seen crows give items to others.

They are not always shiny trinkets though; sometimes gifts from crows can be a bit gory.

Marzluff said, “Some people, their presents are dead baby birds that the crow brings in.”

Gabi has received some disgusting gifts, one time her mother had to throw away a rotting crab claw left behind.

Gabi’s third favorite gift from the crows is a screw, although she prefers not to touch it she considers it a favorite because, “You don’t see a crow carrying around a screw that much. Unless it’s trying to build its house.”

Lisa’s favorite treasure gifted by the crows was her camera lens cap.

She had lost it in an alley near her home while capturing photos of a bald eagle.

Before she had a chance to go out and look for it, she found it sitting on the edge of the birdbath.

Lisa just had to know if it was really the birds that brought the cap back.

She logged onto her home computer and checked on the bird cam. Sure enough, “You can see it bringing it into the yard. Walks it to the birdbath and actually spends time rinsing this lens cap.”

 

~via PowerfulMind.co

Source article with photos: http://powerfulmind.co/gets-gifts-from-crows/

August 18, 2018

NEZEL PADAYHAG: “9 Major Signs That Tell You’re An Indigo Adult”

People who are called for spiritual purposes share almost the same traits.

Yet it’s important that you know what your specific calling is so that it’s easier for you to respond to the call and develop the gifts that you bring but are unaware of.

Indigos have gifts of empathy, precognition, or even emotional healing. They are born with these gifts because the world needs the wisdom they have that can bring a ray of light in this dimming world. Here are the major signs that tell you are an indigo adult.

9 Major Signs You’re An Indigo Adult:

1. You are extremely curious.

You keep asking for the why of things, especially the troubles that are happening around you. You want to know why there is poverty, hatred, conflicts, and disparity.

You don’t accept that there will be a gap between things that’s why you are questioning everything just to connect the dots.

2. You can’t conform to conventional systems.

Indigos don’t feel comfortable with authority. You don’t like to follow rules and regulations because they’re self limiting.

You understand that people shouldn’t be controlled by others who love to exercise authority over them.

Once in your life, you may have been accused of being rebellious despite the purity of your intentions.

You don’t intend to initiate agitation, you just see the loopholes in the system and want to correct it the way you see fit.

Creating new organizations to achieve your cause is your way of spreading awareness to the masses.

3. You can feel the sufferings of others.

As an indigo adult, you’re an empath to the core. You can’t bear seeing the pains and sufferings of others. Because of this, you avoid situations where you feel helpless because you know you can’t do anything to help out.

It’s not that you don’t care, it’s just that you feel emotionally drained when exposed to these situations.

And you just can’t take it when you see no steps are being taken to help the innocent and the helpless.

4. You are deeply connected to animals and nature.

You find yourself in harmony with nature and spending time with it is your way of grounding yourself.

You also love animals and may even go your way to rescue them, protect them, and even fight for their rights.

It’s because you believe that every creature should be treated equally and has to live with dignity.

This is how valuable life is to you.

5. You have episodes of depression.

Depression comes as no surprise to indigo adults considering the ugliness and injustices the world is going through.

As early as in your adolescent years, depression gets in your nerves since you still don’t understand what’s going on outside and inside of you.

Because you can’t relate to how others go after money and power, you find difficulty in fitting in with the world.

You might think there is something wrong with you or that you cannot fit into society. You might think society is wrong.

But as soon as you find your unique life purpose, you rise above these issues and pave the way for others to see the essentials of life.

6. You are drawn to spiritual teachings.

Even though you may not have been raised in a religious environment, you are spiritually inclined.

Or, if your family is religious, you follow your own spiritual inclinations. You are drawn towards spiritual teachings from enlightened people from all around the world.

Your spirituality is deeply rooted that you are spiritual mature beyond your years. People can’t help but notice.

7. You strongly know your life has a purpose.

While others strive for success in their professional careers, you strive for a life that has purpose and meaning.

You know you have a mission to fulfill and you’re busy seeking the ways and means in fulfilling it.

This path isn’t easy, though, because you don’t know how or where to look for support. But this doesn’t stop you from making this world a better place.

8. You encounter synchronicities very often.

Once you start in this journey, help will come along the way. The Universe will see to it that you’re able to do what your soul has set out to do.

To let you know you are on the right path, you will encounter many synchronicities very often, maybe even daily.

Your subconscious mind will help you see clues and hints telling you whether or not you are on the right path.

Because you can perceive things on a much different light, beyond the illusion of reality, you will notice these signs much more than any other regular human.

9. You have urges to create.

You are inspired by many things. Inspiration comes to you really often and it urges you to create something.

You have tendency towards art and music. Your artistic side is always pushing you to do something and express your inner world.

It might be writing, playing an instrument, painting or even singing, but whatever it is you are urged to create something, to produce.

If the above hints speak clearly to you, then you’re an indigo adult. Embrace your unique calling and start following the path designed solely for you. It’s okay to feel afraid or clueless. The internet is filled with the help that the indigos need.

 

~via LifeCoachCode.com

July 29, 2018

BARRIE DAVENPORT: “17 Reasons Why Being An Intuitive Empath Is A Gift”

Do you ever feel like you have a heightened sense of understanding and emotion for other people’s feelings?

Maybe you feel like you are really good at reading people or you simply have an inclination toward being empathic.

If so, you might be an intuitive empath.

Being an intuitive empath means you have a high sensory perception and can actually be impacted by other people’s energies.

You have an innate ability to perceive those around you. But, being an empath is more than just being an especially sensitive person, and it isn’t limited to simply feeling and expressing emotions.

It is often said that empaths are naturally intuitive, and while this is true for some empaths, it is not true for all. But, if someone is intuitive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a lot of empathy. Some believe the words are interchangeable, but the two abilities are actually quite different.

Empathy is one’s concern with things other than oneself — the external world. It is the ability to sense the feelings and energy of other people and one’s surroundings.

However, intuition is the internal feelings one has to evaluate and understand a situation. While it still involves absorbing the outside world, the final component is very internal.

When empathy and intuition come together, a very unique ability is born, and those who hold this trait have a special gift.

What is a true empath?

A true empath is one who can feel the pain of other people as their own. They can also feel the joy that other people feel.

Because of this, a true empath often likes to help people in order to make those around them happy and therefore be able to feel that happiness themselves.

Empaths are great listeners who never ignore people and refuse to be fake or put on a facade.

These traits probably sound like they could apply to a lot of good people, but a true empath helps other people to the point of exhaustion and is very sensitive– not only to people’s emotions but also to external factors in the environment, such as light, noise, and motion.

Intuitive Empath Traits

There are many traits that intuitive empaths share. For example, they strongly dislike seeing other people suffer and often avoid watching the news or even sad movies because of this.

After feeling strong negative emotions, intuitive empaths are then likely to feel physical symptoms in addition to their emotional despair, such as a headache and fatigue.

Intuitive empaths have a tendency to remain attached to people who are in need, even if it is not in their own best interest.

This may be a stranger or could be a partner, which puts intuitive empaths at risk for being in toxic relationships.

Some of these traits may sound like negative things, but being an empath is a gift in many ways. Here are 17 reasons why this capacity to understand other people is actually a good thing.

 

17 Reasons Why Intuitive Empaths Have A Gift

 

1. Empaths surround themselves with positive things.

When an empath sees something bad, they instinctively turn away so they don’t feel the negativity. Because of this, they try to surround themselves with only positive things.
This leads to empaths having positive friends who are aiming to live a happy and satisfying life.

Happiness is contagious, so one of the most effective ways to find happiness is to surround yourself with those who can create their own happiness and share it with others.

2. Empaths typically have meaningful careers.

Empathic people can often be found working as mentors, life coaches, and teachers. Because of their compassion for nature, they often either do volunteer work for the environment or make a career out of environmental activism.

Due to their acute senses, empaths love to spend countless hours going through nature and enjoying the songs of birds, the sounds of the ocean, and the smell of flowers.

Having a meaningful career or giving back to the community is a fulfilling way to lead a happy life.

3. They bring other people together.

People who are empathic find it deeply uncomfortable to watch other people be mean or hostile towards each other.

Due to their peaceful and easy-going nature, empaths often act as intermediaries to bring harmony between others who are at odds.

They have a gift of being peacemakers and reducing the stress of other people by decreasing any resentment that is being held.

4. They don’t rush into making decisions.

They seek a deep authenticity before making decisions. Empaths find it bothersome to settle with a solution if they feel it may have been influenced in any way.

Because they like to stay true to themselves, they will take the necessary time to come to informed decisions.

This is a gift because having the ability to resist making last-minute decisions helps people avoid having regret in the long run.

5. They can experience the emotions of their loved ones, even if they are not with that person.

It is common when an empath is in a strong relationship with someone to experience sudden surges of emotion or pain to later learn that their loved one was feeling the same emotions or pains at the same time.

Often, empaths describe this feeling as being “blindsided” by emotions when they are not expecting them.

6. They like to stay focused.

While many people may believe that having the ability to multi-task is a strength in life, this is usually not true because none of the tasks are completed at a high-quality level.

In fact, multitasking divides one’s attention into many different things at once, leading to confusion and feelings of being scattered.

Intuitive empaths feel more comfortable and do more effective work when they do their tasks one at a time and in a certain order.
Focusing on one thing at a time and doing it to the best of one’s ability can be an empath’s source of personal energy that can lead to great success.

7. They have a knack for listening to other people’s stories.

One distinctive characteristic of this population is that they offer a trustworthy and treasured sense of companionship to other people.

Other people gravitate to them and feel comfortable confiding with empaths about their own personal struggles. Even strangers may approach an empath and open up to them about their problems.

This is good because empaths know that other people feel relieved when they are done talking about their feelings.

Empaths can then feel this sense of relief themselves because they have helped someone who is having a hard time.

8. Empaths are quick to spot someone who is being deceitful.

People who are empathic can easily spot a lie.

They pick up on even subtle hints of deception, which allows them to be very trusting of those who they choose to be close to because they know the people surrounding them are not deceitful people.

However, this also means that empaths know when someone is hiding something when they say they are “fine”.

Empaths know when these people are actually crying on the inside and putting up a false front.

9. They pick up on non-verbal cues.

One of the greatest gifts that an empath has is the ability to read other people. This allows them to quickly decide if someone they meet will end up being a part of their life for the long-term or not.

In addition to non-verbal cues, empaths can pick up on even slight indications of others’ physical needs and emotions.

This gives them a specific talent for being able to pick up on the needs of those who cannot speak, like animals, babies, and the human body.

10. They are able to see the big picture.

Having a sense of synchronicity allows empathic people to grasp the grand scheme of things because they can recognize the interconnectedness of each individual organism in the world.

Being able to see the big picture allows people to feel a sense of meaning in what they do and work towards a final goal, which ends up being more fulfilling.

11. Empaths have great imaginations.

When an empath finds themselves stuck in a mundane daily routine, they tend to drift off using their great imagination.

If their surroundings are not providing any emotional stimuli, empaths can easily lose interest in what is going on around them and get into their own world of imagination and creativity.

12. They are creative and artistic.

Empaths can convey a message in ways that other people can’t. They are able to use their feelings to project their artistic and creative talents.

This could come out in many forms, such as dancing, painting, writing poetry, or playing music.

Empaths have a special talent for creativity in life with not only art, but also their experiences, situations, and various conditions that arise.

Because empaths think in a unique way, they are able to see certain things that other people can’t quite conceptualize as easily. This thoughtful creativity and ability to process information in a distinct way is a notable capacity.

13. Empaths can see everyone’s point of view.

One of the reasons that empaths are such good friends to other people is because they are willing to listen to and understand everyone’s point of view.

This also makes them be able to be life-long learners as they cross paths with many different types of people.

14. They are natural healers.

Empaths are natural healers and can actually give their healing energy to other people through their senses.

They possess a healing energy that can help those around them and help themselves as well.

15. They have a huge enthusiasm for life.

Because empaths feel everything with such strength, they are prone to feeling greater highs than other people.

Therefore, most empaths are very enthusiastic about life and they are able to experience joy with a greater intensity, which leads them to be more kind, caring, and compassionate towards other people.

16. Empaths are comfortable being alone.

A lot of people who are not empathic feel uncomfortable being alone, but empaths crave time alone and actually need it in order to balance themselves and de-stress.

They value this time to have a chance to recuperate and are able to increase their self-awareness because of this.

17. They are able to contribute to other people’s lives like no one else can.

Because empaths truly care about other people, they are able to touch the lives of those who feel like they have no one to turn to.

This means they can make a huge difference in people’s lives and leave a positive impact on those who are possibly suffering.

Final Thoughts

While being intuitively empathic may seem draining because you are taking on the feelings, burdens, and emotions of other people, it is actually a great gift to have.

It is important to learn how to protect yourself from becoming dragged down by negative energies and find a way to practice self-care to release the negativity.

Empaths understand very clearly that the problems in the world won’t be solved by hate, instead, they need to be addressed with love and understanding.

It is important to people who are empathic to use their energy in a positive way for the world, even if it is through small actions like donating to a food bank or volunteering their time.

Being able to positively impact the world can help anyone feel positive about their empathic and intuitive feelings.

 

 

~via LiveBoldAndBloom.com

July 12, 2016

LINDSEY LEWIS: “What It Means To Trust The Universe — And Why You Should”

meditation12.jpg

You know those moments when you tell yourself, “I just gotta trust the universe.” Whether it’s because things in your life feel chaotic or just plain overwhelming, sometimes you just know you need to surrender and learn to trust that things will work out.

Trust really is a practice, an art — especially in those moments when it feels like you’re working hard and things just aren’t happening. In the wellness world, we put so much emphasis on the importance of letting go, relinquishing the need to control and learning to trust that things will simply be taken care of. A job will appear, along with a dream partner and loads of money.

Sound familiar? Well, trusting the universe requires patience. But are you trying to cultivate patience, and still finding that you’re not realizing any results? If so, here are five essential things you need to know when you are trying to trust the universe:

1. Recognize the universe is in you.

Our strongest, most powerful connection to all the stars, the cosmos and everything else around us that can guide us, is actually within us. So often, when we get caught up in thinking that we need to “trust the universe,” we somehow think some external force is going to swoop into our lives and save us from all the challenges we are experiencing.

In other words: we automatically position ourselves as dependent, weak and disempowered in relation to some elevated idea of “the universe.” This mode of trusting the universe is based in fantasy: we act like Rapunzel, stuck in a tower with all that long hair, waiting for the prince to come and save her. But in reality, Rapunzel could have just tied the ends of her hair to the window frame and climbed down herself.

2. We have to let go of what is preventing us from stepping up.

When we’re caught up in the “I just gotta trust the universe” frame of mind, we can focus too much on the practice of “letting go” in the abstract. But actually, trusting the universe isn’t just about hoping to be saved. It’s about being practical, about approaching our fears head on and learning what specific limiting beliefs we have that we need to let go of. Too often we hang onto ways we can continue to hide, ways we can avoid stepping up.

I hung on for dear life to beliefs about my inability to earn good money. That is, until the day I explored all of those beliefs as fears rather than truths. From there, I realized that one of the main reasons I was hanging onto this false idea was because I was especially afraid of what I might need to take responsibility for if I owned my infinite capacity to make money and have the life I wanted. I’d have to take responsibility for my finances, for my future, for every time I claimed, “I can’t afford that.” No more excuses.

Luckily, when the desire for change is larger than the desire to stay in our comfort zone, big things can happen. And they did for me. I still have my moments where I dip-dive into doubt about the future. But I now know that I’ve got what it takes to handle that doubt, and I’ve got the skills to keep creating the future I envision.

3. The universe will serve you, not (necessarily) please you.

Sometimes I fantasize about magically receiving a check for a million dollars. It seems like a wonderful fantasy until I ask myself if that would actually serve me … Would receiving that amount of money, without working for it it, really enable me to step into my power with an innate and infallible confidence in my own abilities? Probably not.

Sure, it would really please me to get a bunch of free money. It would really please me to think that I never had to worry about money ever again.

But it wouldn’t serve me. What serves me is to know that I can do things on my own. It serves me to know that I am determined to succeed, facing every fear and limiting belief in my life with the universe at my back. I can get out of this darn tower myself, thank you very much.

4. Sometimes, NOT getting what you want is a gift.

Not getting what we want can be the greatest gift. This is especially true if what we thought we wanted was the easy way out. I know this first-hand, as I had a long-standing love affair with wanting the easy way out, with hoping someone or something else would take care of everything for me. And often, to be honest, they did.

But this dynamic was unproductive. Even without stepping up to the plate, I still found myself stressed, anxious and uncertain. Depending on other people to take care of it for me left me dependent and weak, with no trust in my own innate abilities, talents and strengths.

Then one day I decided it was time to really step up, to do what it took to create the life I was dreaming of. And the universe promptly handed me a challenging new neighbor, a boss with temper tantrums and regular contact with a woman whose default mode was to criticize. I wanted to know that everything was OK, that everything would be taken care of, that I was taken care of. And so life said: Great! I’ve been waiting for you to say that! Now you get to learn how to take care of yourself by facing these challenging people.

And from that point forward, I learned to trust that everything will always be OK.

5. Everything comes back to the fierce power of love.

To sum it all up: The best way to trust the universe is to learn to trust yourself. Rather than just indiscriminately repeating the mantra “let go,” get curious about what specifically is preventing you from stepping up. And then let go of that specific thought, belief, assumption or whatever it is. Know that the universe is loving you by serving you, even if that doesn’t please you. Sometimes, not getting what we want is even better.

Love. It all comes back to love — in the fiercest way possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

~via MindBodyGreen.com

June 12, 2016

JO ETTLES: “The 10 Greatest Gifts I Have Received In 50 Something Years”

picjumbo.jpg

Time goes by in the blink of an eye. That is the one thing I know for certain. It seems like only yesterday that I was a teenager, then an adult, and now here I am, in my fifties. I have had so many incredible experiences to date; some brilliant, exciting, overwhelming, even joyous and uplifting. Then there’s been some experiences that have been challenging, devastating, and really confronting.

However, as I look back over the years, every single experience has gifted me in some way. Often, it can be challenging to find the gift in a difficult situation, but I can assure you, there is always a gift. It is always your responsibility to find the positive, beautiful, and inspiring present that is waiting to be unwrapped.

As we mature, we are often asked the following questions:

Would you go back and change anything?

Is there anything in your past that you would do differently?

Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every piece of my past has enriched my life in some way. Every person who has come into my life has taught me something valuable.There have been no wrong choices – just lessons and gifts.

These are my 10 greatest gifts to date.

1. Manners

Times have changed, there is no denying that, but has society managed to keep up, in regards to manners? My parents instilled in us the importance of good manners, courtesy, respect for others, and most importantly, treating others as you wish to be treated. This gift from my parents has been one of my greatest gifts to date. YES, it is the gift that just keeps giving.

In business, showcasing proper business etiquette says a lot about you as a leader. As a person, and in regards to everyday life, good manners show your true essence and character. Manners can help you strengthen relationships, as well as change your life and the lives of so many around you.

2. Childlike energy

As kids, we were encouraged to have fun, play outside, and enjoy life. I never had a care in the world as a child. It was easy to create, imagine, and quite literally experience real freedom. My father (who is almost 90 years of age) to this day has still retained his love of fun, play, and sense of childlike energy. I have watched him with his great grandchildren, and I am sure that they think he is the same age as they are.

Having real fun can improve relationships. It can inspire us to be more creative and it can really help to reduce stress levels. Most of us are so burdened with commitments that we rarely stop and have fun. Somewhere in between being a kid and then being an adult, we forget how to play.

Don’t lose your childlike energy. Get outside, play more, and have fun. Laugh, dance, sing, be silly. Not only will it benefit your wellness, it will also keep you feeling young.

3. Family

There is an old saying, “You don’t get to pick your family”; but maybe (just maybe) we do.

Do we choose our parents before we are born to master certain life lessons? Patience, commitment, connection, tolerance, pure love – these are all life lessons my family has gifted to me. Family is always there, whether you need them or not. I treasure the gift of my family most of all.

4. Soul family

If you are really blessed, at some point in your life, the universe will gift you with finding your soul family. This year, I met my soul family. From one chance meeting that led to a gathering of like-minded souls, I realized that I had finally found my soul family.

Your soul family is the spiritual equivalent to your birth family here on Earth. When you meet your soul family and feel surrounded by kindred spirits, you will really notice that your heart and your soul can heal and regenerate.

5. Peace

I began meditating over 10 years ago. Meditation changed my life. It gifted me with real inner peace. It has provided me with the most priceless sense of well-being, as well as a clearness and clarity that has quite literally opened up a whole new world.

6. Setbacks and challenges

I don’t think anyone travels through life without experiencing setbacks and hard times. You can let your challenges knock you down or you can choose to let them be your greatest opportunity for growth. Life doesn’t always get easier, but we can always get stronger and more resilient. In turn, this gifts us with strength. Real strength is in your soul.

7. Self-belief

It is our birth right to have a healthy amount of self-worth and self-belief. It is the foundation for success. Believe that you can, and you are half way there. Self-belief has gifted me with opportunities and priceless experiences. It has allowed me to connect with the most amazing people worldwide.

In a society where we tend to put older people out to pasture and overlook their experience and wisdom, self-belief has gifted me with the determination to live a full life. If I let society take away my ability to share my life experiences to date, quite simply because of the number on my birth certificate, I would only be living half a life.

8. Loss

The passing of some of my precious family members and also my dearest friends has gifted me with the following:

Life is short, live it.

Your life can change in a heartbeat. Love it.

The people you love might be taken away from you, but their memory stays locked In your heart forever.

9. Love

There is no greater gift than love. Whether that love comes from heart-to-heart connections with partners, children, friends, or pets, love is the greatest gift of all

10. A new day

Every new day is a gift. It’s a gift denied to so many. A new day is a new beginning and another chance to change your life for the better.

Conclusion

In my fifty something years, I have come to believe there is a gift in everything.

Life is the greatest and most precious gift of all.

Featured photo credit: Viktor Hanacek via picjumbo.com

%d bloggers like this: