Who was Catherine the Great? by Pam Pollack

 Who was Catherine the Great? – one of the greatest leaders of Russia. During her reign, Russia became the most powerful empire in the world.

Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst (1729-1796) was born in Stettin, a military town in Prussia. She spoke German, so she learned French, the language of aristocrats. She listened closely to what adults discussed. She was a good observer and she noticed that her mother’s bragging and being the center of attention made her unpopular. So she didn’t want to be this way.

At fourteen, Sophie was chosen to marry Peter, the future emperor of Russia. She was actually excited about it as she was adventures and life in a big country and as cold as Russia didn’t scare her.

Peter was also from Prussia, but he missed his homeland and didn’t like studying Russian, and didn’t like Russia. Catherine was opposite. She took it very seriously, studying the language and the rituals of the Russian Orthodox Church.

They married on August 21, 1745, and Sophie became Catherine. Peter started ignoring Catherine from day one of their marriage. She became very lonely. Thus, she started reading a lot. She especially liked the work of philosophers of the Enlightenment.

Peter had many women and was ignoring Catherine. Eventually, she accepted a man that was pursuing her, Sergei Saltykov. She had a baby-boy with him who was accepted as the son of Peter.

Elizabeth the Empress, who didn’t have children, swept Catherine’s new born baby and treated him as hers. Catherine had no say in it.

But giving royalty a son was a big deal, so she used it to her advantage, and started demanding more respect. She became close friends with the British ambassador and the Russian vice-chancellor. She impressed them with her knowledge and intelligence.

She also developed a close relationship with the Polish nobleman, Stanislaw Poniatowski who briefly became her partner and they had a daughter in 1757, but she lived for only fifteen months.

After the death of Elizabeth, Peter openly was taking Prussia’s side, when Catherine fully embraced Russia and its people.

With the help of the Russian army, she was secretly escorted to Kazan Cathedral where the Russian Orthodox archbishop declared her empress in the eyes of the church.

She dethroned her own husband, who died in July 1762 supposedly naturally, but most likely was assassinated.

She was crowned empress on September 22, 1762. She knew that Russia was deeply in debt. She put her salary back into the national treasury. She studied what was happening in Russia for fifteen hours per day.

She sought out the brightest people she could find to fill the important positions. She listened to representative of each region of Russia, giving people voice.

She truly wanted to improve people’s lives. She built hospitals and made sure the doctors were well-educated, in the long run saving many lives against illnesses. She established schools for boys and girls. She created one of the greatest collections of art, thus, becoming a center of culture and philosophy. She wanted to free all the serfs, but that was very challenging to do.

A French philosopher, Denis Diderot, was so impressed with her that he began to refer to her as Catherine the Great, and others followed.

Many people expected her to remarry and have children, but she wanted to rule on her own.

Stanislaw Poniatowski was still deeply in love with her, but she used him as his puppet. She helped him to become the King of Poland. But with time, to put an end to some wars and to make other powerful rulers happy and not to rage new wars, they divided Poland into three parts.

After the war with Turkey, returning soldiers brought with them bubonic plague, killing thousands of people. Catherine almost lost the control of Moscow.

In 1772, Catherine’s son, Paul, who was taken from her as a baby, didn’t have a good relationship with his mother. He imitated his father from the stories he heard about him. He was pro-Prussia and against Russia. She knew he wouldn’t be the right ruler.

Then, an imposter pretending to be Peter III created a lot of followers and a lot of trouble. After his capture and execution, Catherine felt she had to be a tough ruler.

In 1773, Paul married a Prussian princess, Sophie, who took the name Maria Fyodorovna.

Catherine, despite not wanting wars, continued to be hungry for more lands, taking over Crimea as she wanted access to the Black Sea, and now wanted to take over Constantinople – to make Russia the largest empire in the world. She didn’t win Constantinople but still gained more new territory.

Catherine loved spending time with her two oldest grandsons. She took charge of their education as she had plans for their future. She also had ideas how she wanted to have the boys raised. She wanted them to plant and to grow their own gardens. They were scolded only in private, and praised in public. She said, “I praise loudly. I blame softly.”

She died on November 17, 1796 of a stroke.

As soon as Paul was crowned emperor of Russia, he enacted a law that only the oldest son could inherit the throne. Catherine became the last woman to rule Russia.

This biography exemplifies a woman who was a great listener and observer, and through this process gained valuable wisdom. She was open to what others had to say, especially philosophers of Enlightenment. She was quiet until she saw an opportunity to demand respect. Thus, gaining power, and with that creating such alliances that backed her to be the ruler. She truly cared about the people of Russia. Her rule wasn’t about filling her coffers with money. It was about what was best for the people, which is very much missing in today’s world.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2021

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be a good listener and observer, and through this process gaining valuable wisdom.

 

 

Traits:

·         She was a good listener and observer from childhood.

·         She was adventures, and life in Russia excited her. She embraced its culture, religion, language, people.

·         She was open to what other thinkers had to say, especially philosophers of the Enlightenment.

·         She was ignored at first, but after giving birth to a son, which was a big deal for royalty, she used it to her advantage, and started demanding more respect.

·         With the help of the people who saw Catherine as the right person to lead the country she was declared the empress in the eyes of the church. With her new power, she dethroned her own husband.

·         She studied what was happening in Russia for fifteen hours per day as she deeply cared for the country she was leading and its people.

·         She sought out the brightest people she could find to fill the important positions.

·         She listened to representative of each region of Russia, thus giving people voice.

·         She truly wanted to improve people’s lives, and she did.

·         Some events made her feel that she had to be a tough ruler, and that started building her ego and hunger for more lands.

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Catherine the Great was highly spirited person. Her character brings to mind another woman’s journey. Spirit Guided by Catherine Anne Williams.

The author, psychologist, shares her journey from addiction and self-destruction to awakening and living in Oneness.

As she shares her personal stories, she blends it with scientific knowledge, spiritual teachings, and practical tools in order to align our body with soul and the Source.

She grew up in a family of scientists with high expectations, and her not being good enough led her to addiction and self-destruction. When she had a near-death experience at nine years-old, that’s when she had her first spirit communication but the connection with her spiritual path came much later. As it happens with most cases, we need to go through certain experiences, often painful, in order to wake us up and start connecting the dots and seeing where those dots lead.

We, humans, struggle with seeing the whole picture. How good and bad events in our lives serve a purpose, not for us to become victims, but to wake us up to see a bigger picture. Thus, the author presents her own story to make a point. How her rejection and abandonment led her to seek other’s approval and love, which further resulted in addiction and abusive relationships. But her greatest suffering became her biggest gifts for spiritual awakening.

The author also points, to what many others stated before and proved through their work with people who healed themselves, that the spirit runs our body, thus, we have this spiritual ability to heal ourselves. The physical body is the manifestation of the flow of information in the spiritual body. Also, we all have psychic abilities, and we know things without knowing why, but we have been programmed to disconnect ourselves from the inner knowing.

Through her own story, she offers a guidebook how to clear the clutter of societal conditioning in order to live from the spiritual center. 

This book offers a range of information, overview of physics and how the universe works, insights from neuroscience, and spiritual concepts from Eastern philosophies. This information is mostly brief thus not overwhelming in its scope. The author’s personal experience reinforces what she teaches about healing ourselves from different conditions which mask our emotional traumas which need to be release.

Who Was Genghis Khan? by Nico Medina

 Who was Genghis Khan? – the founding father of Mongolia and the powerful ruler of the largest contiguous empire in history.

Temujin (1162-1227), later called Genghis Khan, was born near the modern-day border of Mongolia and Siberia. Like all children on the steppe, he grew up hunting and riding horses.

When his father died, his own clan rejected his family. Life on the steppe was pretty harsh. He had to learn how to fend for himself.

When his father was alive, he found a bride for Temujin. At sixteen, he claimed his bride.

He knew he was still in danger and needed allies to protect his clan. He formed alliance with a powerful Kereyid tribe. Meanwhile, he was also gaining followers and men who became his close friends and part of his clan.

His ambition was to unite the Mongol clans, instead of fighting with each other. He adapted something new by rewarding positions of power to men based on their ability rather than family ties.

In 1189, he was named the leader of the Mongols, and five years later, with another tribe, they attacked Tatars and won. Temujin returned rich with loot.

He was set on expending his territory, but when he was betrayed by one clan, after beheading the leaders, he let the others join his clan, instead of making them prisoners or slaves. This was a new strategy which made him popular.

With time, he was coming up with new ways to make life on the steppe more bearable, but not everyone liked those rules. Some left, more came.

He also had his brutal strategies. After conquering Tatars, he was left with a large number of people. He wanted to make sure that the Tatars wouldn’t revolt against him, so he executed most of males, only the youngest one that could be molded into a new tribe were spared.

At forty-three, he became the ruler of the steppe. In 1206, he was officially proclaimed as the leader of the steppe and given a new name Chinggis Khan, but he is commonly known as Genghis Khan.

Under the Great Mongol Nation, he imposed a new set of rules – the Great Law of Genghis Khan. The Great Law helped to maintain peace and order. Different tribes were allowed to keep their customs and laws as long as they followed the Great Law: stealing and kidnapping was forbidden, mail service by horse was established, freedom of religion was guaranteed.

Afterwards, his new goal was North China where the riches were: gold, silver, pearls, silk, satin, and metal.

In May 1211, 65,000 Mongol soldiers set for China. They used many methods to attack city after city until Golden Khan fled the capital city.

In the spring of 1215, the Mongols returned home with so much treasures that buildings had to be constructed to store everything.

After years of uniting tribes of the steppe, now he wanted to expand trade with Muslim empire of Khwarizm. Its people were skilled at working with steel, farming cotton fields, weaving beautiful textiles, and glassmaking. Sultan considered Mongols as uncivilized, so he agreed but secretly was preparing for war.

In 1219, Genghis Khan sent a caravan of 450 merchants to Otrar, but they were executed. It angered Genghis Khan and he set to Khwarizm with 100,000 soldiers.

By the end of 1220, all the cities of Khwarizm had fallen to the Mongol armies.

In 1226, on his way to China to put down a rebellion, he fell down from a horse and developed a high fever. Six months later, he died at camp in his tent.

Following next fifteen years, his sons and grandsons continued to expand the Mongol Empire. At its height, it covered almost one-quarter of the Earth’s land.

Until today, Mongolians see him as a great leader. Perspective of opinion always depends from where “you’re sitting.” Five people could read the same book, and you could end up with five viewpoints what the book was about.

Genghis Khan had a strong desire to unite the fighting clans of the steppe, which was a good concept. He came up with some good ideas to keep people happy and not revolt. He built roads, bridges, and tens of thousands of school, established mailing system by horse, manufacturing and trade flourished. The world’s great religions were invited to debate before the Mongol court. That would have made him one of the greatest leaders without expansion of lands. He could have stopped there. But his ego made him want to expand his territory with that he also enforced brutal tactics which tarnished his name as a great leader. Genghis Khan and his heirs terrorized and murdered millions of innocent people. He is a classic example of someone who was driven by a good cause, but with his success his ego got in the way and drove him.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2014

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Do UNITE people, be it in a small circle or larger community, but never let your ego lead you.

 

That’s what happens with today’s leaders. They don’t unite people. They divide instead, because that’s how they can control people. If people were united, then there would be no need for politicians.

 

 

 

Traits:

·         When his father died, his own clan rejected his family. Life on the steppe was pretty harsh. He had to learn how to fend for himself pretty quickly.

·         He was smart about forming alliances with tribes to keep his clan protected.

·         His ambition was to unite the Mongol clans instead of fighting which each other, which he achieved and came up with the Great Law to keep peace.

·         He is credited with many good constructive things, but his ego tarnished his name as he set on expansion of lands and brutal treatment of conquered people.

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

We all have the same traits, for example ego or anger, but the question is what is the percentage of the traits that defies you. There are different ways or tools to discover what you need to work on.

 You Are Enough by Panache Desai

In this book, the author explores an ancient experience of Samadhi which is the sacred remembrance of your Essential Self – to be one with God. It is knowing who you are, fully and authentically, but we keep searching for it externally, instead of turning inward.

There is purpose to the chaos around us, it is to awaken yourself to become conscious of who you truly are. It is happening on a global scale – a collective awakening.

Once you understand and cultivate this concept, the external factor won’t affect you. When you have a solid foundation, it gives you inner peace in rocky situations. It doesn’t mean that you will be immune to pain and suffering. It means you won’t get lost in your pain.

In order to achieve harmony, old beliefs and emotional wounds need to be stirred up, brought to the surface. So the blocked energy can flow again. Everything is energy, including us and the whole universe. Understanding how the universe works is the key.

For example, judgement or hate or fear represent low vibration. Love is high vibration, and we need to start with self-love, cultivating awareness, acceptance, and compassion for yourself. Often, we’re the harshest critics of ourselves. Thus, self-love is the important first step.

Samadhi is a fundamental realignment of energy that rouses the frequency in which you reside.

We were programmed to achieve and acquire, but once goal is achieved the vessel feels empty. That is classic example of your separation from your Essential Self. Often, we chase illusion, separating ourselves from authenticity and oneness.

Often, the precursor to spiritual awakening is some crisis, something that cuts through the illusion of the ego.

Without realizing, from childhood we start conditioning ourselves in order to be for example loved, approved, accepted, feel safe, or perfect.

With each condition, we lose our natural flow of love, peace, curiosity, discovery, and fulfillment.

Maybe you develop sarcasm or build a shell or become a rebel or a perfectionist. Every condition disconnects you from your authenticity and your Devine Essence.

Conditioning creates a façade you live behind, masking your Essential Self.

You can take a step back and watch your thoughts, become an observer of your own behavior and don’t judge.

Whatever denser energies (bitterness, anger, frustration) are dormant (buried inside you) in your vibrational system, you will attract situations (criticism, betrayal, delay) to bring those dormant energies to the surface and release them.

When you face an internal discomfort be aware of it without judgement or resistance, don’t react, it will eventually disappear. But if you push away feelings, it will only continue to repeat until you accept it and observe it without judgement. Acceptance and compassion lead to freedom.

Acceptance allows energy to flow. Resistance locks energy. Your triggers are your chance to wake up and become more consciously aware. By surrendering you are letting go of the resistance.

This spiritual leader leads a free meditation (registration on his website) Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 9:20 eastern time – meditation in this case is not silence, he explains many concepts which humanity struggles with, and he further explains what he teaches in this book. It’s a daily reminder how to stay on the positive path, not give in to the negative energies around us, and in the process transforming ourselves. If you can’t join it live, then he posts this on his YouTube channel.

This book has a very fresh approach how we program ourselves throughout our lives and how we suppress our emotions. This process is about recognizing our patterns and releasing our emotions as it all comes down to just that. It’s been already proven by many that our suppressed emotions cause illnesses. Once we resolve our traumas the illnesses go away.

Who Was Marie Antoinette? by Dana Meachen Rau

 Who was Marie Antoinette? – A fashionable queen who was convicted of treason.

Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (1755-1793) was born in Vienna to Emperor Francis and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. As a child, she often found her way with the tutors who were not firm. She played on the palace grounds rather than taking her lessons.

When she was nine, the arrangement for her marriage began. To strengthen the ties between Austria and France, a marriage was arranged between Antonia and the French dauphin.

Antonia was prepared for the role of French Queen. It was all about how to move gracefully and look stunningly, nothing how to act responsibly.

The French tutor, Abbe de Vermond, observed that Antonia knew very little. So he made her study religion, French literature, French history, and the French language but nothing truly practical.

On April 21, 1770, Antonia, now called by her French name Marie Antoinette left Vienna for Strasbourg where she was welcomed by French people.

On May 16, 1770, the wedding took place at Versailles palace.

After her wedding, she woke up to a strict schedule. Now, she had to learn resilience and follow the rules. It was a French custom to be “on display,” meaning other people including commoners could come into the palace and view what you were doing. Marie Antoinette didn’t like it.

She was surrounded by many people, but not having close and meaningful connections made her feel very lonely. People were critical and harsh toward her, corrected and nagged her every chance they had.

Her husband, Louis Auguste, wasn’t making it better for her. They were opposite in characters. She was fun and carefree. He was shy, often sad and serious.

After three years in France, in June 1773, she was presented to the people of Paris. She was welcomed very warmly which made her happy and hopeful. The people of Paris were as hopeful as her for a change. They wanted a brighter future. They were oppressed with taxes for a long time and wanted a change.

On June 11, 1775, Louis Auguste became Louis XVI. He was twenty and she was nineteen when they became king and queen.

They both were unfit to rule, but they had no choice.

Marie Antoinette was tired of the French rules and listening to her overpowering mother who tried to control her even from a distance. Marie Antoinette wanted to be herself. She enjoyed fashion. Thus, she set the fashion trends which many followed. She hosted masked balls every Monday. She made up her own rules and offended many important noble families. She was opposite of her mother who built a strong Empire.

Marie Antoinette, in a way, was revolting to strict rules. She wanted a complete freedom but you can’t do it at an expense of masses of people.

People started to dislike her, both noble and commoners.

Her mother sent Antoinette’s brother, Emperor Joseph, to talk sense to her but she didn’t want to listen.

However, on December 20, 1778 she gave birth to a baby girl who was named Maria Therese. The motherhood influenced her in a positive way. She became more private and dressing more simply at her pretended village of Petit Trianon. She didn’t want to connect herself with politics as it wasn’t her position. It was her husband’s responsibility.

As Marie Antoinette was away from the palace most of the time, people in real villages around France suffered and starved. Because of that rumors and gossip spread.

Then, she gave birth to two boys. Even though, she was absorbed with motherhood, it seemed that her early years as a queen tarnished her reputation forever.

French commoners were unhappy with royalty putting burdening taxes on them before she became queen. During her husband’s reign things only accelerated.

The damage was done beyond any repair. Everything was blamed on her.

One bad thing after another, including terrible weather in 1788 resulting in poor harvest put pressure on the King to do something for the common people, which he tried, but it wasn’t enough and commoners were determined to end the monarchy.

Marie Antoinette was accused of crimes she didn’t commit and was sentenced to death by guillotine like previously her husband.

This biography exemplifies a person who was put in a position she was unfit to hold. It brings to mind Kabbalistic teachings of a vessel receiving what a vessel hasn’t earned (receiving bread of shame). She didn’t know how to hold what she received, thus, leading to some form of correction, which she certainly didn’t know how to handle.  

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2015

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Take time to understand someone who pushes your buttons. As that person shows you what is hidden inside you. Something you need to release and heal. Otherwise, it wouldn’t bother you in the first place.

Or if you recognize a pattern of something in your life, for example, something you want - keeps slipping away from you, pause and ask yourself - Why is it in my movie? What is it teaching you about yourself? – David Ghiyam, Kabbalist

 

 

 

A quote that is often attached to Marie Antoinette - “Let them eat cake!” - is not true.

 

 

Traits:

·         From childhood, she seemed to be opposite of her mother, she didn’t like discipline, and her tutors let her have her ways.

·         When she was prepared for the role of French Queen, it was all about how to move gracefully and look stunningly, nothing how to act responsibly.

·         There were certain rules at French court which she had to follow and disliked them. This didn’t lead her to learning resilience. This rather led her to building her resistance as she never received the needed support. It was all about criticism.

·         She didn’t receive any support from her husband as they clashed in personalities.

·         Even when the French people welcomed her warmly and she became hopeful, it didn’t help. She didn’t have the tools to build the right relationship with commoners who were already restless when she appeared in France.

·         She revolted at her mother, who tried to control her from a distance, and against the French rules by creating her own rules but that didn’t sit well with royalty.

·         Her extravagant expenses made commoners angry who started blaming her for everything, not matter if that was true or not. If you repeat a lie a few times, it becomes your truth.

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

There are different ways or tools leading to self-discovery. You have to find the one that resonates with you. It could be one of the ancient wisdoms or astrology or mediumship or something else. It doesn’t matter what it is as all roads lead to the same destination Oneness, understanding yourself as each of us is a unique expression of the same divine essence. The point is to seek your truth, ask questions, don’t rely on societal norms as that often mask the authentic you.  

 Always Connected by Suzanne Giesemann

Through her personal journey, the author relates how she went from being non-believer to creating her work by allowing natural flow of energy through her. Her story represents many others. A lot of times, it begins with losing someone and then searching for understanding and meaning in it. Thus, this book focuses on mediumship as many people find healing through this practice, and how to make those first steps.

You begin with meditation and setting intention which is important part. Then follow the steps:
B) a few deep breaths
L) lifting vibration by for ex. thinking what you’re grateful for or what makes you happy
E) imagine how your energy field expends
S) shift – trust you’re aligned to higher consciousness
M) merge – invite a nonphysical being to blend their energy field with yours
E) experience – be still, set all expectations aside

You can ask for specific signs to validate the message which you think you’re receiving.

The author relates the technique through many experiences which might be helpful in grasping the technical part which is very small part of this book.

The second half of the book is the dialogue received within her. She used the method explained in part one to receive answers to the topic she picked – forgiveness.

The author details how to trust your insights and higher guidance which are always available. She provides her channeling which gives further guidance how to trust what your own connection to spirit.

Who Was Jacqueline Kennedy? by Bonnie Bader

 Who Was Jacqueline Kennedy? – a world famous fashion figure and a beloved First Lady of the United States. As the first lady of the United States, she combined her love for arts and culture, which led to the White House restoration into historical site, and improving the global standing during the volatile time of Cold War.

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier (1929-1994) was born in Southampton, New York, to the wealthy family. However, the 1929 stock market crash reduced family’s wealth substantially.

From childhood, she loved reading. She was more like her mother, shy and loved horses. Her younger sister was more like her father, outgoing and daring. Their parents split when the girls were still very young, and mother remarried in 1942.

Throughout her young years, Jackie continued to withdraw. She preferred reading and writing poetry over socializing with friends.

At boarding school, she became editor of the school newspaper.

She wasn’t interested in becoming a housewife. She continued her education at Vassar College. After her freshman year, she took a trip to Paris during the summer time. She fell in love with Paris so much that she returned to Paris to study there during her junior year.

In order to be close to her family, she spent her final year of college at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

After college, Jackie was determined to find an interesting job. Her first job was at the Washington-Times-Herald newspaper answering phones and filing papers. Then, she became an Inquiring Photographer.

At a dinner party, she met John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a congressman from Massachusetts. When he proposed, she wasn’t sure if she should say yes as they both were very independent. He was twelve years older. She didn’t want her life to be taken over by politics. Eventually, they got married in 1953.

She wanted to be a supportive wife. Thus, she took a course in American history at university. She helped him in preparing speeches. But with time, she realized that this wasn’t her passion. She loved culture and arts. Jack’s passion was only politics. They started growing apart.

However, when he ran for presidency, she was very involved. The crowds loved her. When Jack won, she was only thirty-one years old.

She accompanied the new president on trips to many countries. The crowds were wowed by her elegance, beauty and intelligence. She proved to be an excellent First Lady and becoming a superstar.

As a lover of art, Jackie convinced the government to make the White House a national museum. She studied the building’s history and found treasures in dusty closets, attic and basement. She persuaded famous artists to donate paintings and worked with a gardener to redesign the Rose Garden. To help with the upkeep, she wrote a book and the money goes to the fund she set up.

She had an even bigger dream to create a cultural center in the capital. Again, she raised money and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened in September 8, 1971.

She also focused on her children. She wanted Caroline and John to have a normal childhood as possible.

After assassination of Jack in 1963, she moved to New York City where she helped her brother-in-law, Bobby Kennedy run for a Senate seat and he won the election.

Meanwhile, she became close with Aristotle Onassis whom she had met a few years earlier. He was twenty years older. Her family objected to this union. However, after Bobby Kennedy was shot, Jackie turned to Onassis who provided her with security.

They married in 1968 on his private island in Greece. Many objected to this marriage including his two children from his previous marriage who didn’t attend the wedding. It was a short marriage and not a happy one. Ari died in 1975.

In 1975, she became an editor and it was a position she loved.

In 1994, she died of cancer.

This biography exemplifies a woman who loved her independence as much as she loved arts and culture. She didn’t follow the cultural norms of her time. But when she decided to get married, she put her best effort to support her husband. In doing so, she realized that she also had to stay true to herself and went back to what she loved the most, arts and culture. She learned that she could do both follow her passion and serve the humanity along her husband’s mission.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2016

 

 

  

TRENDING INSPIRATION: "Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad." – Jackie Kennedy

 

Traits:

·         She was shy as a child, and throughout her young years she continued to withdraw. She preferred reading and writing poetry over socializing with friends. – But this didn’t stop her from stepping into public spot as the First Lady.

·         At boarding school, she became editor of the school newspaper. – This was the job she got later in life after many experiences and loved this position the most.

·         Despite being shy, she wasn’t afraid of making bold decisions, and going outside the social norms of her time.

·         She fell in love with Paris during her summer trip after freshman year of college, so much that she returned to Paris to study there during her junior year. – She followed what made her excited about life. Many of us find excuses for not doing what excites us.

·         After college, Jackie was determined to find an interesting job - answering phones and filing papers may not sound exciting but for her it was more exciting than just getting married right after college.

·         When she met Jack Kennedy, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to get married. Once she did, she put her best effort into the marriage. – Through this experience she realized that she couldn’t follow her husband’s dreams as political arena wasn’t for her. She realized that she had to stay true to herself. Thus, she returned to art and culture. She learned that she could do both follow her passion and serve the humanity along her husband’s mission.

 

 

 

"I want to live my life, not record it." – Jackie Kennedy

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 

The above words of Jackie Kennedy bring to mind the words of a holistic psychologist who says that we’re using subconscious mind 95% of the day – going back to Jackie’s words if you want to live your life you have to be conscious of what you’re doing every day. So far we’ve been conscious only 5%, the 95% is our recording.

 

 How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera explores the aspect of Self-Healing – the holistic approach. These days more and more modern day doctors who were total sceptics of holistic approach, turn inward and toward it after personal experiences.

The same happened with science which has merged with spirituality after many physicists having their own experiences (out-of-body or seeing energy).

We’re entering a new age so called Golden Age (from duality to singularity).

In this book, the author shows how to recognize the core beliefs, identify conditioned thought patterns and tune into your own intuition in a process of reconnecting to your true Self.

Past experiences and traumas, from early childhood, have lasting impact on us and our relationships, believes, and behaviors – product of physiological stress responses stuck in the body.

Holistic psychology focuses on the mind, body, and soul in the service of rebalancing the body. Indigenous and Eastern cultures have fully understood and honored the connection.

There is an awakening happening right this moment. It’s no longer “faulty genes.” Now, it’s the groundbreaking discovery of epigenetics – the impact of our daily environment on our health (reconnecting with nature and cultivating your passions is very important).

1.      Healing is a daily event (develop a habit of doing something that brings you joy every day, even if it’s just 5 minutes). You must go inward to be healed.

2.      Many things are beyond our control, others are within our control.

3.      A lot of times, we cling to something that is familiar – as it makes us feel safe. Take small steps to try something new every day – even if it’s a different route home. A lot of times, fear gets in a way of us doing something new. Thus, start with small steps. Otherwise, we get discouraged quickly if we try a giant step. Don’t let fear get in your way of having a fulfilling life.

4.      Take responsibility for your mental wellness – it’s very empowering.

The Conscious Self – becoming aware – is a big part of this journey.

Most of the time, we run on autopilot, a primitive, or subconscious, part of our mind. When we’re using subconscious mind 95% of the day, then it’s hard to make any changes, because we like comfort zone. Thus, setting intentions is very important, and start with small ones, with something you know you can follow through. Otherwise, you’ll face resistance. Subconscious mind directs us into default mode. We’re comfortable with expected. We don’t like unexpected. Break free from the cycle.

The author goes deeper into explaining different traumas, mind-body healing practices, the power of belief, how to deal with your ego, boundaries and setting them, and emotional maturity.

For those into holistic approach, this is an excellent guidebook.