light – SHIFT

Love in a Time of Fear

March 22, 2020 deniseshift

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The last couple of weeks have been quite a ride for most of us. And there’s a part of me that thinks because I’ve done a lot of personal growth work, that I should be able to weather this storm with more grace than I have been doing. That I should be able to trust and have faith and rise above the swells of fear that threaten to engulf me some days. And most days I can. But the truth is, some days I can’t.

Like the day I learned that the borders were closing and my youngest daughter and her partner were on the other side of that border trying their best to make it home in time. Or the day that I learned that my oldest grandson had been exposed to someone, who had been with someone with the virus.

Prior to that I was able to keep the threat of the virus distanced from me. But now that it’s literally come knocking at my door, denial is not a very warm companion on this sea of isolation.

I realize that I am writing this from a space of privilege…neither myself nor my family have exhibited symptoms of the virus. My family is self-isolating to stop its potential spread. And I have not lost anyone close to me. Yet I feel the angst of the world, deep in my heart. And I wonder if there’s a way that I can help.

How can I be a force of light in the darkness…a voice of love in a time of deep fear and panic? How can I be an infectious agent of the virus of love? I am still searching my heart for those answers, but I am seeing things more and more clearly every day.

I see the world coming together as one, like they have never done before. Many people are experiencing and expressing gratitude for things they have previously taken for granted. And for the most part, we are being much more kind with ourselves and with each other. We are offering gifts that have nothing to do with money; the gift of our time, the gift of our love, the gift of reaching out to help others in need, where and when we can, and the gift of connection.

What gifts can I use to offer love and light to the world right now? As a writer, I make sense of the world by writing, so my plan is to do more of that. And as an energy healer and a metaphysical minister, I know the power of energy healing and the power of prayer to bring about positive change. Each night I will be sending out distance Reiki healing energy, and holding the world in affirmative prayer. If you would like your name, or the name of someone you love added to the list of people I am sending Reiki to, or holding in prayer, please let me know.

The names can be sent to me at denise@theshiftfactor.com or in a private message on Facebook.

Until we meet again, keep well and keep safe. And please bring your gifts of love and light to the world in whatever way feels appropriate for you. The world will be a better place for you having done so.

Much love,

Denise Cunningham

No Matter the Question, Love is the Answer

August 11, 2019 deniseshift

I had the absolute privilege of performing a pagan wedding ceremony yesterday for a beautiful couple. There is something so precious and life-affirming about celebrating love. Unlike some of the other things that I “do” in my life, when I am creating and holding space in ceremony, I can feel my whole self just “being”. The bride was exquisite, and the groom was adorable in his anticipation of seeing the woman of his dreams join him at the altar. The love was palpable in the air. Not just between the couple getting married, but with everyone who was witnessing the ceremony as well. I am feeling so blessed to have been a part of this couple’s special day. To have had a glimpse into, and a reminder of, the power of love.

There is so much going on in the world right now that would indicate that as a species, we are determined to annihilate ourselves. The media is filled with stories of hatred, and fear. There are days when I have more questions than answers. Sometimes it can be really difficult to find a kernel of hope, or a space of sanctuary from the insanity. And then, in a gazebo, in a park, in a town that barely makes it onto a map, 2 people brought the highest of themselves together to remind us of the truth about life. For 30 minutes, one pin point on the planet was transformed by love. And then the impact of that 30 minutes rippled out into the wider world; via the bride’s laughter echoing through the trees in the park as pictures were being taken, through the smiles on the peoples’ faces in the park who got to witness the ceremony because they just happened to be in the park that day, by the joy that I got to carry into my world as a result of having been part of such a momentous occasion. And the ripples just keep expanding.

I am so grateful to have been reminded that regardless of what is going on in the world at large, each of us can bring our own light and our own love into our tiny part of it. That what my seem small in the grand scheme of things, is actually huge in all the ways that matter. And that no matter what questions I may have about the future of our planet, love is the answer.

Remembering What Matters

July 12, 2018July 12, 2018 deniseshift

On the eve of a new/super moon, solar eclipse I feel moved to write about remembering what’s important in life. With all that’s going on in the cosmos right now, my body and my energy has slowed right down. It feels a bit like a forced respite. The Universe’s way of saying, “Stop and take a breath. Matter of fact, take several deep breaths, all in a row!” For the last several weeks I’ve felt a bit like I’m moving in slow motion under water. If you’ve ever had a traumatic experience, where you’re pulled out of time as we know it, and catapulted into an alternate sense of reality, you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s as if you’re watching your life as an interested observer, removed from your body, and everything is happening in slow motion.

I guess in many ways, the world we live in is undergoing many traumatic experiences right now. As an empathic person, it can be a challenge to turn off the angst of the world. Remembering to hold and shine my light sometimes falls by the wayside when the going gets tough. Luckily for me, I had the honour of babysitting my 18-month-old grandson this past weekend. As always, he taught me about what matters. Watching him navigate his world and the relationships he has with the people he loves, and who love him in return, touched my heart. When he’s hungry he asks to eat. When he watches his favourite show Paw Patrol he is completely engaged. He only speaks a couple of words right now, but he speaks them with feeling, and gusto, and volume when he’s really excited! Everything he does, he puts his whole heart and soul into.

There is no holding back for him, waiting for a better time to love, or eat, or engage with the world. He is truly here now, in every sense of the word. He shines his light because that is who he is. It’s not conditional. He is 100 percent present in every moment. He is love personified. I consider myself lovingly schooled by an 18-month-old mini master! Thanks for being my teacher once again baby Lucian. Grandma loves you more than words can say. Thanks for holding the light for me, so that I could remember my own.