KAJAMA.COM NEWSLETTER

by Sam Bennett

Here’s an example of the kind of letter I frequently receive from my clients: "I know what I need to do, I just can’t make myself do it. I watch endless YouTube videos, I play computer solitaire, I fool around on Facebook — I even scrub my kitchen floors — all just to avoid the work that I know is my destiny. I get so mad at myself. Am I chasing a shadow goal? What do I do?" — Elizabeth

Here’s what I would say to Elizabeth, and to you, since chances are fairly high you are dealing with the same concerns:

"Rest easy, honey — you are merely suffering from a biological imperative called 'displacement activity.'" Displacement activity is what happens when an animal is in the grip of two conflicting instincts, and so it enacts a third, seemingly inappropriate behavior.

For example, you’ve probably seen a chimpanzee being challenged by another chimpanzee. When the first chimp doesn’t know whether to run away or fight, he might scratch his head...yawn...look away...start grooming himself. Seems like a very passive response to aggression, but that chimp will do anything to deflect the energy, avoid making a decision, and otherwise make himself as invisible as possible.

When you have the instinct to create and you simultaneously have the instinct not to create, your fear says, “Don’t do it!” And so, confused by these two equally strong instincts, you shut down and get stuck playing an online word game for hours on end.
Sometimes years.

It doesn’t mean you have low self-esteem, and it doesn’t mean your dream is impossible, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re lazy. So the next time this happens, just recognize the dynamic without yelling at yourself. “Ah,” you might say instead, “I appear to be having the instinct to create something. And I also find myself feeling afraid of what will happen if I create that thing. Perfectly natural. But my fear does not get to make my decisions for me. So I will now set my kitchen timer for fifteen minutes and just play around with my creative idea in a light, fun, beta-testing sort of a way and then see what happens.” And that’s what it’s all about — giving you the loving encouragement you need to move forward. And maybe a little loving thwack upside the head.

Here’s a good shorthand tip: If you have lots and lots of ideas, you may want to pick one using the same method some people use to pay off their credit cards. That is, either pick the one that’s closest to being done and finish that one, or pick the one that has the highest “interest” rate and finish that one.

Fifty years from now, the details that you are worrying about will not matter one whit. But the art you create, the novel you write, the doll you sew, the dance you perform, the photograph you take — that will still be making a difference in the world.

Action Step
As your first step to action, spend fifteen minutes right now playing around with your favorite project. Once you get started, you'll find yourself compelled to continue!

From the book Get It Done by Sam Bennett. Copyright © 2014 by Samantha Bennett. Reprinted with permission from New World Library. www.NewWorldLibrary.com

Sam Bennett worked at the renowned Second City Theatre in Chicago alongside comics Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. In addition to her multifaceted writing and performance work, she specializes in personal branding and career strategies. She lives in Los Angeles, CA. Her website is TheOrganizedArtistCompany.com

A few months ago, I was sort of hit by a car while crossing the street. I say sort of because even though the car should have hit me dead on, somehow it just grazed me and knocked me to the side of the road. I can distinctly remember being right in front of the car and looking directly at it bearing down on me, but somehow I wasn't mowed down. I had a big bruise but otherwise I was unharmed. Both the driver and I were badly shaken because it seemed like I should have been killed. Following the accident, I began to have a recurring dream in which a flash of white light knocks me out of the way of the car. It's the same every time: I realize I'm about to be hit when this white thing moving at the speed of light pushes me toward the side of the road. What do you think this dream means?

Steven

I believe that the dreams you are having combined with the near-accident itself are evidence of a supernatural force that moved in to keep you from being hit by this car. This sort of experience usually indicates that your spirit guides or guardian angels realized that you were in danger and instantly gathered all their light force to generate enough energy to move you out of harm's way.

The white light you saw is the form these divine helpers typically take when they need to act quickly. While spiritual entities can appear as apparitions, it is more common for them to be seen as light. This experience was so powerful that it keeps coming up in your dreams to try to let you know that something amazing happened.

There are two types of spiritual awakenings. The first is emotional and unfolds over a long period of time. These sorts of awakenings may occur after unsettling events like the loss of a loved one or the breakup of a relationship. Long-term health and emotional struggles also tend to gradually generate new spiritual awareness and understanding.

The second type of spiritual awakening happens quickly, within a matter of weeks. When a person faces a serious threat such as a fatal accident, their awareness is so heightened that soon after, they begin to drastically change their lives. Your near-accident was a wake-up call to take a closer look at the path you are on and prepare to move to a new level.

You may have noticed your senses becoming stronger after the accident. You may hear more clearly, notice the world around you more, and appreciate things from a brand new perspective. This happens over a matter of weeks. In the process, new psychic abilities begin to show themselves. Your intuition should be operating at a stronger level now, and you may feel more in tune with others.

Your dreams are reminding you to embrace the experience as a second chance. Like the apostle Paul who was struck down by a white light and immediately changed his ways, you now have the opportunity to make some sweeping changes to your life. Some dreams are designed to urge us forward; if we ignore their messages, they continue until we give them credence. Once you embrace the message of this whole experience, the dreams should stop occurring.

When you look at this experience from this angle, you can see that it was a blessing in disguise that is awakening you to a new level of awareness and higher level of experience.

*****

Oceania:

It was not your time to leave this world, so your guardian angel intervened to save you. These dreams are now trying to tell you that you've been given a second chance. The fact that you're paying heed to these dreams suggests you're ready to undertake a spiritual quest. It's time to become your radiant best in every aspect of your being.

The four tarot suits represent the four elements and are powerful symbols for the four major aspects of being human.

Pentacles represent the Earth element and being your best physically. Start thinking about a healthier diet and exercise routine. Address any medical issues. Assess your home environment: Is it a sacred space that reflects the true you and nurtures your essence? Clean out your closets and drawers of clutter.

Cups represent the Water element and your emotional life. Are there any old feelings from the past that need to be acknowledged and cleared? Commit to emotional maturity and expressing your feelings in a calm, clear manner. Connect with your heart energy and express love to the people who matter most to you. Receive the gifts of being alive. Play and enjoy each day.

Swords represent the Air element, which governs your mind, imagination and intellect. Commit to reading good books. Take a class on a topic you're curious about. Learn a new skill. Play with puzzles and games to keep your mind sharp. Choose to think positive thoughts. Make a list of outlandish goals and your wildest, craziest dreams.

Wands represent the Fire element and your soul. Be a bigger better person, a spiritual warrior, and part of something greater. Volunteer in your community. Sport an attitude of gratitude.

Inventory your character strengths and weaknesses, and after owning your weaknesses, write down potential strengths you could replace those with! Make a list of your values and start choosing your behaviors accordingly; it will give you a deeper sense of integrity. Integrate the four shining aspects of yourself (Body, Heart, Mind, and Soul), and proactively select a path with passion and purpose. Think back to childhood and make a list of everything you ever wanted to be when you grew up. Define your unique interests, gifts and talents and consider how you can best be of service to the world.

You were gifted with a fresh start and a fresh perspective on how precious life is. Ponder this profound opportunity and then go make the most of it!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.