Archive for the ‘A Cup of Enlightenment (Mystic Beliefs)’ Category

So what is Déjà vu? Sounds like some kind of fancy mustard doesn’t it? lol In French, it literally means, “already seen.” Those who have had Déjà vu would tell you that it’s an eerie/strange feeling, that a new occurrence has happened again (as though they have experienced it already.) You may search your memories when the present is so familiar like it’s the past. If you just can’t figure it out, you’re losing it! lol Just kidding Of course you’re not, your either remembering a precognitive dream, or most likely a past life recollection (through your cell memory.) The reason your Déjà vu has happened, is to reveal a significant message, to serve as a reminder of someone or something, or a reinforcement of the right decision to be made.

I have experienced this phenomenon several times in my life, as approximately 70% of the population has. Déjà vu has helped me remember precognitive dreams. In 2004, I had a conversation with my then 16 year old daughter about a movie she was going to see with her friends that Friday. Instantaneously, I recalled a dream in which I was saying to my husband that I so wished Carrie hadn’t gone to that movie. With some convincing (after all, it starred Ashton Kutcher), I managed to persuade her not to go. Sadly, her friends had gotten into a car accident on the way home, and all suffered minor back injuries.

I have also had several past life memories facilitated through this feeling, especially when I’ve taken courses, or a new job. I’ve had conversations, in which I remembered pieces of past information about the individual(s.) Be it good or bad, it’s been a great affirmation of who they really are. When I was looking for my first home (way back when my children were toddlers), I discovered an old fashioned style, slipper clawfoot bathtub. In detail, I instantly remembered drowning in one. This spooky memory deterred me from buying that house. We ended up finding a perfect home to raise our family in.

I sincerely hope that your Déjà vu has been or will be such a gift for you, as it has for me

Certain events happen in our lives that completely change our outlook and consequently the choices we make. Be it ending a relationship, leaving a job, moving away, losing a loved one, winning the lottery, finding your soul mate, starting a family after many years of waiting, overcoming a fatal diagnosis, etc. This list could go on and on. One may say it is your destiny or karma.

It’s obvious that there is significance in every event of our lives, from the most joyful and empowering to the inexplicable or seemingly unjust. I am a true believer in the phrase “for every door that closes, four more open.”   I have personally experienced it in my life on many occasions. So often, good things come out of bad or sad situations.  Growth occurs and lessons learned benefit others and open their eyes to a world of possibilities.

The search for meaning is perhaps the most definitive aspect of our humanness. Everyone longs to find or make meaning of their lives and particularly the difficulties of their lives.

Friends or loved ones may come into your life for a purpose. This may be to teach you to love, learn to be compassionate, guide you along a difficult path that you have taken, or to pass on their knowledge to you. This reminds me of the book “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.  It’s a very enlightening story about a teacher who teaches his student many valuable lessons that he will use throughout his life.

It is important to remember, despite your circumstances, that life is short and make every day count.  Appreciate the good times and how fortunate you are for your irreplaceable experiences. All of your challenges and obstacles have been opportunities to realize your potential, strengths and to put meaning into your life.

When you are able to turn around a negative situation and make the outcome positive, you should feel like you have accomplished the most wonderful, glorious task.  I have attached several positive quotes that I find quite inspiring:

1. We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.
- Stephen Covey

2. Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.
- David Thomas

3. Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.
- Robert F. Kennedy

4. If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be.
- Anonymous

5. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment,

I still have a dream.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., twentieth-century American civil rights leader

6. No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.
- Aesop, Greek fabulist

7. If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.
- Jonathan Winters

8. No fate is worse than a life without a love.
- Mexican Proverb

9. The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the

future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.
- Buddha

10. Never live in the past but always learn from it.
- Anonymous

All you have to do is pull out the dictionary to find that superstitions are “credulous” beliefs or notions, not based on reason, knowledge, or experience. In my Top Ten Most Common Superstitions, I’m arguing that definition (my apologies to the Skeptics in advance.)

While there are some superstitions (beliefs and practices often surrounding luck, prophecy, and spiritual beings) that are just plain old silly, others have some very valid points with historical backing. Better safe than sorry right? – That’s a superstition too

1.) The Black Cat

So there you are, going for a nice autumn stroll, minding your own business, and a black cat crosses your path! This has been known to bring very bad luck from as far back as the witch trials in Salem. It has even been said that black cats are the devil in disguise (better be extra careful around your neighbourhood cat.)

2.) Don’t Step on a Crack

Oh,oh!! You stepped on a crack, better go check on your mother. Superstition will tell you, that you broke her back! This myth was derived from a story once told to children: If you’re a child, and step on cracks, you will be eaten by bears (that wait on the street corners.) Is it just me? – Or was the person who came up with that really “cracked” out? lol

3.) Itchy Palm

If your right palm is itchy, money must be coming your way.  If your left palm is itchy, you will be giving money away. If both hands are itchy, you really should wash them! This superstition is actually true – minus the both hands bit. I have had an itchy left palm countless times, especially when I had teenagers. lol

4.) Spilling Salt

In the bible, Judas spilt salt at the Last Supper. Shortly after, he betrayed Jesus to the Romans. Salt is considered very pure (once a rare and costly commodity) and spilling it has long been considered to bring misfortune. If you spill salt, immediately throw it over your left shoulder to prevent bad luck.

5.) Walking Under a Ladder

Walking under a ladder is one of the most common superstitions, known to bring bad luck. This dates back to the early Christian times, in which the natural triangle made by a ladder (when leaning against a wall) was considered to be symbolic of the “Holy Trinity.” Therefore walking under it is breaking the three sides of the Trinity.

6.) Friday the 13^th

Friday the 13^th brings very bad luck, especially if you’re a character in that movie starring that Jason fellow. But in all seriousness, Friday the 13^th has a history of numerous unlucky events.  Christians deeply believe that this day brings a curse. Judas (here he is again) was the 13^th member of the party to arrive to the Last Supper, and Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

7.) Breaking a Mirror

If you break a mirror, you’ll have seven years of bad luck. Or seven hours of bad luck if you wait that time to remove the broken pieces. Long ago, people used to rely on pools of water to see their reflections (believed to be their souls or other self.) It was also thought that life renewed itself every seven years. Later the two were put together; a broken mirror meant a broken health, with 7 years for the person to recover.

8.) Opening an Umbrella Inside

Open an umbrella indoors and bad luck will “rain” on you. This belief was ascends from the times where it was thought that opening an umbrella indoors was an insult to the local sun god, or to one’s household guardian spirits, and everyone in the home would be cursed as a result. So is it true? I sure wouldn’t want to risk it.

9.)  Sneeze

AAAAAAH CHEEEW! God bless you!  Now, why do we always say that? Well, it goes back to the 6^th century, when folks used to applaud sneezers, (as they believed they had just gotten rid of evil from their bodies.) But, it quickly became a symbol of sickness and death. When the plague hit, many would sneeze violently. As a result, the Pope passed a law that required people to bless sneezers so they would end up in Heaven.

10.) Wish Upon a Falling Star

This is by far my favorite superstition (as you’ve read, far too many bring bad luck or very bad luck.) Much like blowing out your birthday candles, make sure you don’t tell anyone your wish or it won’t come true. This is comes from an old wives tale, where upon a falling star, you make a wish and say:

“Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish for tonight”

I will providing some examples of On-Screen Love Affairs, Spoiler ALERT for those who haven’t seen these movies

A Soul Mate is someone who is destined to be with another kindred spirit.  Soulmates understand and supporting eachother in every way.  These two are extremely compatable and live a very harmonious life.  Examples of Soulmates are depicted in the following movies:

The Notebook
The Notebook is about the young lovers, Allie and Noah. Allie’s parents dissaprove of their relationship, and keep the two apart. Years later, when Allie is engaged to another man, her and Noah reunite. They always find a way to end up together.

Titantic
Rose and Jack met aboard the Titanic. Although they were from different social stations, they fell completely in love. Rose left her fiance for Jack. She continued to live her life as Jack wished she would (to its fullest), despite his tragic death.

Serendipity
After Sara and Jonathon spent the evening finding out that they had so much in common, the two exchanged phone numbers in a unique way. They lost touch, until they were reunited through Synchronicity and Fate.

Twin Flames are two souls who appear to be opposites, yet are attracted to each other.  Although, they compliment each other in strengths and weaknesses, their life can be very chaotic together.  The Twin Flames can sense each others needs. They stay together through sickness and in health, despite the odds against them.  Examples of Twin Flames are depicted in the following movies:

A Walk to Remember
Landon was the popular, bad boy a school, whom ended up paired in the school play (as punishment) with Jamie. Jamie was the preacher’s daughter, a good girl who ends up helping Landon to become a better person. He ends up loving years after her death.

Grease
Good girl Sandy and Greaser Danny fall in love during Summer vacation. Unknowingly, they end up reuniting in their senior year at the same highschool. They end up conquering the obstacles of their opposite social backgrounds, and wind up together.

Dirty Dancing
A family takes a vacation to a beautiful, prestigous resort. One of the teen daughters, Baby, falls in love with one of the dancer’s, Johnny. With there classes aside, they find true love, and a strong physical attraction on the dance floor.