Great Expectations: No Expectations

I am not the same person that I was from when I penned my last blog post to now.

On the surface, it may look like one month or so has passed. In truth, it has felt like years, if not generations or millenia, of soul growth. Much clearing out and even more coming in. The downloads. The energy. The raising of my vibration. The tapping into the collective. Choosing to be tapped into my divine guidance. And surrendering. Everyone. And everything. Welcome to the next wave!

Over the course of the past several weeks, there have been a series of divinely orchestrated events that have taken place in my life, all of which I have been blessed for, more than words can describe. It has felt, in many ways, that God, Spirit and my higher self have been guiding me to these destinations, which have come in the form of new relationships, opportunities to serve humanity, and connecting to the truth of who I am.

Earlier this summer, when I was blessed to work as an after-school teacher here in the Buffalo area, I remember hearing the song A Whole New World playing on one of the televisions, as the kids were watching Disney's Aladdin. My soul told me that that time was coming. It was almost an anthem that the Universe was playing for me, allowing me to feel and hear the energies of what was to come for not only just me, but for the Divine.

Fast forward about one month ago. I surrendered myself freely (yes, a surrender within the surrender, within the surrender). This is when things began to shift, maybe more than they ever have before, when my higher self, Spirit, and God took the reigns. You know when that's happening when you are completely outside of your comfort zone, where you are trust completely, and you not only listening to your divine guidance, but you are also following through with action on what is being told to you.

I was told by a dear friend of mine in Minnesota to go see Jai Jagdeesh at Unity of Buffalo. Seeing as Jai's chant Et Ong Kar had cracked my heart open at the Hay House I Can Do It event earlier this spring, to a level of love and understanding that I had not experienced before, I figured this would be a wonderful opportunity to say "thank you" in person. I also had seen Unity of Buffalo being a possible backdrop of where some of my service work for humanity would be taking place. I knew I had to be there. Despite what my five senses wanted me to believe, despite what my external environment may have wanted me to think, I was being called.

I go to Unity, and it turns out the event was not a concert, which I had thought it would be. It was a night of chanting (which I was completely up for) and Kundalini Yoga (which I had stopped doing a while back, out of fears that I had about "not being able to hold myself in alignment). Throughout the evening, there were powerful intentions that were being sent out into the Universe, with La Luna still appearing in the skies above. I knew that the entire course of my life was now shifting. I began to realize just how powerful of a manifestor that I was, and the time was here to use those gifts for the highest and greatest good.

Now, I can admit: I am a recovering people-pleaser. I had an addiction to wanting attention from other people. I know that those things are in the process of being dissolved and being healed. The reason I say this is because I brought a few business cards with me. You know when you go to a networking event, you never know who you might meet. I came from the perspective before of judging myself silently in many things that I did, even if the intention behind it was pure and sincere. You can turn anything into a judgment if you want to. So, I was blessed to meet several gentle souls that evening, exchanging contact information with several, including one who was placed to the left of me on a yoga mat.

Within a matter of a few days, I found myself in some of those very unique settings that I had never experienced before or in some time: being in a park with someone other myself, enjoying the company of like-minded souls at a delicious raw food potluck, being at a group meditation and hands-on healing, a two-hour silent meditation, and more. Yes, there were several new angels that my grandmother had placed into my life, at a time where they were indeed needed. Divine timing times infinity.

I was beginning to feel unconditional love. Truly for the first time in my entire life. I was beginning to place my energies on people, not on profit. I was beginning to detach myself from all end results and outcomes. Borrowing the word from that one beautiful soul, I was learning to "float." To be grounded, focused, and centered in the present moment. And yes, to not be attached to anything or anyone.

As I was learning through Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life, Wayne Dyer teaches us through his studies of the Tao Te Ching to not focus on accumulating things. To realize that, in truth, we do not own anything. We do not own anyone. We are, more or less, here on loan from God and Spirit.

So yes, I came from a perspective not that long ago of attaching myself to anything and everything that felt good. In turn, that created much pain in my life. I know was comprehending that if we do not attach ourselves to a specific end result or something, that we save ourselves much pain and suffering, and also, we allow things and people that are in more of an alignment with us to come into our lives.

During these several weeks, I became confused at the same point. When you experience things for the first time ever or for the first time in a while, you tend to overthink things. Yes, I did that too. A lot. Instead of being in your heart, you tend to be in your head. Wondering how this and that will be turning out. Hoping it will turn out "the way that you want to." This normally occurs in relationships, which are our greatest teachers.

Babcia had told me that I would be having a son at some point on my path. The energies from that began shortly after her passing in 2013. And they have been getting stronger and stronger since that point. I was beginning to think that maybe the divine timing of that was now. The way I was interpreting things, the signs I was receiving, were validating that.

Last Sunday, after the silent meditation, I was asked by one of those angels if my needs were being met. Part of me actually wanted to say no, but I stuffed that feeling down temporarily. Yes, suppressing my emotions and feelings were par for the course as well from before as well. This was again asked to me Thursday night after my Walking Each Other Home Meetup Group at the Lancaster Library. Shortly after that and into this weekend, I realized this is something that was coming up for healing. It could not be ignored.

When you lead a life of putting other people first, before your very own needs, your soul will let you know clearly that is something that cannot and will not be tolerated anymore. With the energies of the next wave of the awakening, going back to the before is not an option. Everyone else's needs were being met regularly. Not mine. And my life was continuing to mirror that. So, with awareness, I spent time with my inner child, nurturing it, and healing a deep emotional wound that was in play for about 30 years of my life, which had shattered my trust, instilling doubt within me. I am grateful that my inner child is now happier and that healing has very much begun happening from that.

You might be wondering why is the title of this blog Great Expectations: No Expectations. A little spiritual humor if I may: Well, wouldn't it have been funny if Charles Dickens called his timeless classic with that title instead?

It speaks for itself: When you live your life in a space of ZERO expectations, only the greatest things can happen to you, because you are not anticipating a specific thing to happen. And yes, even when I started to begin being in the flow, being in the vortex (as Esther Hicks and Abraham talk about), I was still hoping for certain things to happen. And when I didn't understand something, I began to ponder, and when I began to ponder, I began to try to control. You can see why this was causing some discomfort and fogginess over the past few weeks.

So here's what I do know (in no particular order): #1: I am loving and trusting myself today more than yesterday. #2: I am more aware and stronger than I was yesterday. #3: I am a host to God. #4: Time has begun to expand for me. Time is on my side. #5: I am asking to be tuned into my internal guidance and that of God, Spirit, and my angels more each and every day. #6: I am asking my grandmother to show me whom to serve, how to serve, where to serve, and when to serve. #7: I am safe. All is well. #8: The worst is behind me. #9: I am divinely supported. #10: I am now prosperous, wealthy, and abundant. #11: I am perfect, whole, healthy, and complete just the way I am.

While at the same time, I can also truly resonate with that the words of the beloved spiritual teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj: "Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says I am nothing.' Between the two, my life flows." 

This may sound like a list of affirmations. There may be truth to that. However, you know that you are making immense progress when you stop judging yourself and begin loving yourself, when you acknowledge how far you have gone, how much growth you have had, and be proud of the direction that you are going. When this happens, life becomes easier for you. You begin to own your worth. And believe it. You put an end to the struggle. A period at the end of the sentence. You break up with your emotional pain body. You realize you cannot play small anymore. That it's time to fly. And as my dear teacher, mentor, and friend, Anita Moorjani, says: "You begin to live your life fearlessly."

So I know that my higher self is leading the way, because I now choose the timeline that is for the highest and greatest good of my soul. I know and trust that all happen when and where it will, because all will be seamless. It's a pretty good feeling, knowing that even though I released power and control of my life to my grandmother, Spirit, and God, that I do have their power flowing through me, through the co-creation that I am choosing.

I am forever grateful to that one beautiful soul, that Earth Angel from above. For being my mirror. To show me that I am unconditional love. That love does not lie outside of me. It lies within me. That I am worthy of this love being felt in each and every relationship in my life. For reminding me that I am brave. That I am courageous. That I have such powerful love to give myself and to humanity. For reminding me of who I was. For helping to walk me home. For this and for much more, I say "Thank you teacher."

I've been telling myself that the best part of My Empowering Miracle is happening right now. In this very moment. I know that I am not giving up now, because the best is yet to come. Why would I throw in the towel now when some of the most memorable moments of my life have yet to happen Including my son. who knows that I am getting my sh*t together.

Uncle Ben from Spider-Man said: "With great power comes great responsibility." I know that my mission will require that. With that being said, I continue to remain grounded, grateful, and humble for all. For every interaction. Every experience. Every breath of life. In the words of Wayne Dyer and the Tao Te Ching, I choose to lay low. I choose to trust. And to believe.

My heart is now more open than it ever has been before. When that happens, you can allow yourself to receive more than ever thought imaginable. I choose for this next wave of the awakening to be on my side.

Join me in staying in Earth School for a little bit longer. And the next time you see Great Expectations in your local library or bookstore, smile. It's the Universe's way of reminding that the best expectations are when you have none.

Sat Nam. Namaste.

Living My Reality. Not Pretending

It feels like it's been quite some time since I last had the inkling to come here and express myself here on My Empowering Miracle. It has been over two months since my last blog post.

I assure you that I am safe and that all is well. At the same time, it's time for me to be completely real and transparent, maybe more than I ever have before in my life.

You see: Growing up, I always loved to make people feel good, to inspire their spirit and raise their vibrations. Some things don't change. I still love to do that, in what seems like a completely different, yet similar way. But, I would place my needs and wants last. I would be the guy that wanted to make others feel loving and warm, yet deep down, I felt that I was unworthy of my own love and attention, that my own needs and wants didn't matter.

I was inspired to pen this new blog post after coming into contact with a beautiful soul named Cindy Turner, who has recently released her new book: Losing My Breath: From Loss To Transformation, in which she shares her journey after losing her 20-year-old daughter Chloe unexpectedly in an accident.

People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Depending on wherever you may be on your own path, your higher self and soul may share with you early on in the interaction why you were meant to connect with that individual or at least give you a strong impression. All is took was me reading about a dozen or less pages of the book to find this passage:

"My therapists and spiritual guides kept my healthy and whole. I valued them for helping me to deepen my experience, while staying grounded in my life and for keeping me in check, making sure I was living my reality and not pretending."

So yes, I am a creator. I love to create. At the same time, I have to come clean and confess: I have been afraid to create and afraid to write over the past two months or so. I let the illusion of what was going on in "real life" try to take my focus away from doing what I love and enjoy. That. Stops. Now.

I incarnated here to be able to express my emotions, feel my feelings, and allow myself to express my vulnerability. It may have taken nearly 34 years to get to the point last summer, where I was ready and willing to begin doing that, when I chose to undergo chemotherapy as part of my healing.

I was stripped naked spiritually and was given the opportunity by the Universe to feel my pain, to begin loving myself on the deepest of levels, and beginning to co-create heartfelt conversations and relationships for the first time in my entire life. It does not get any more raw and vulnerable that two people sharing their journeys together in that kind of setting, how they came to that particular present moment, while holding the space for one another during a time of transformation, with an inner knowing that the best is yet to come, including the realization that I was already healed in God's eyes. It would only me a matter of time before I began to see and feel what he saw when I saw born 35 years ago: that I was whole and complete just how I was.

My teacher, my mentor, my guardian angel Wayne Dyer shares with us the following, a message that is even more profound now than when I first saw it: "Would you rather be right or happy?" Acknowledging my own mistakes and learning from them, forgiving myself and others, the releasing of any expectations of any kind, learning to love myself and others unconditionally, while not seeing myself as separate from God all have been instrumental in my own healing.

So, I thought I was brought down to my knees before. I thought that one could only be spiritually stripped naked once in a lifetime. I. Was. Wrong.

I had emotions and feelings that I still bottled up, that I had not let go of. Pain from previous relationships. Trauma from past lifetimes. And yes, I was also operating on a subconscious level, through old default programming, limited behaviors, and mindsets that were not even my own, but from generations long ago.

You see, for the majority of my adult life, until just about a month ago, I was operating my life from a perspective of "What's in it for me?" vs. "How may I serve?" I was placing the majority of my energies into acquiring and chasing, never feeling a sense of completeness as I was.

I took everything for granted. People. Relationships. Money. My own love. And most importantly, my connection with God and Spirit.

I was never happy. I felt that I was never enough. I felt I had to continue to prove myself. On some level, I felt that just "being me" wasn't going to cut it. I was that blinded by my ego.

 I was shown that I had to take full and compete responsibility for my life. I had to. That was part of the healing process. By owning the fact that I had created every experience, in one way or another, would be essential to me in taking my next steps forward, maybe the most important ones on my journey.

I was being granted the chance to make amends. To do everything a different way than I did before. "To walk down a different street," as Wayne Dyer refers to. It was shown to me that I needed to take full and complete responsibility for my life.

God, Spirit, my angels, and grandmother were helping me, brick by brick, to rebuild a foundation for my new life, one that would be based on unconditional love, integrity, respect, and compassion for all of humanity, a life that would be Spirit-run, a business that would be Spirit-driven, something that my soul had wanted, but the Earthly part of me thought would never be possible.

I took on a position as a part-time After School Teacher here in the Buffalo area for the summer. Instead of placing my full focus on the happiness and joy that I was beginning to feel for the first time in my entire life, my ego was giving me reasons why this couldn't work out out. How much (or "how little") I was making. The number of hours that it was "taking away" from my publicity and social media work. I was telling the Universe that I wanted out by the end of the summer, that I "didn't see myself there" before the end of August. Guess what: I was given my wish. About one month ago, I clipped the curb leaving my apartment parting lot, busting my tire. Thankfully, I was OK. But, I had to call into work. The next day, I received a phone call saying that it wasn't working out. For the first time in my life, I was fired from a job. Not voluntarily parted ways. But let go.

So, for close to three months, there was various experiences, blessings, and life lessons that were happening. That brought me to the point of a full surrender. Spiritually. Emotionally. Financially.

Things go have a way of working out when that happens, because you fully acknowledge that what you are facing is beyond your control. You give it all to God, Spirit, your angels, and your spiritual team to provide the best solutions. My friend Arron, whom I had worked with in collections for close to five years, assisted me, along with an angel named Guy, who came out of nowhere with the proper tools, in putting on the spare tire for my car. Before he Arron parted ways, he gave me a copy of the Bible. This time, I knew what was happening here. I could not scoff at this. This was God's way of showing me what to do.

I had spent so much time invested in worrying whether I was going to fail or succeed, controlling relationships, how much I was making/going to make, and being afraid of getting close to new people coming into my life, being afraid to let love in, and to receive anything that was attempting to flow my way. This. All of this. Could and would not survive in the new paradigm of my life.

So yes, my life had to crumble. That was merely what I knew. But what if, from this deconstruction, something even more beautiful could be born?

I was learning the importance of being grateful. For what I had in my life. A teacher who took her a lot of her time (for which I am eternally grateful for) showed me the significance of letting Spirit lead me to the next chapter of my life.

I have been following my inner guidance over the past two weeks, something that I am still getting used to. It actually feels really good. By doing this, several powerful shifts have happened within my life.

A friend of mine in Minnesota told me that Jai-Jagdeesh, the well-known singer, chanter, and yogi was coming to Unity of Buffalo, as part of her Revolutionary Love tour. Her chant, Et Ong Kar, had cracked me wide open to a level that I never felt, a chant that changed my life forever when I first heard it in May at the Hay House I Can Do It event in Toronto. I went to the event thinking it would be a concert. I was wrong. It was a Kundalini yoga get-together. I didn't bring a mat. The Universe was definitely bringing me out of my comfort zone. I could've run away. But I didn't. I stayed there. Picked up an extra mat. And went home for the first time in years. This was how I was going to be releasing what I was holding back. It was painful, but also energizing. It reminded me that anything is possible. That I am unlimited. That I am infinite. That I could finally release this. And that it wouldn't involve reading any more books, watching any more YouTube videos, speaking to any other gurus. It was simply a matter of feeling. Then releasing.

After the event was over with, I connected with Jai and set a powerful intention for the rest of my life, one that I know the Universe heard on that Full Moon evening, surrendering all end results and outcomes to Spirit, knowing and trusting that it would indeed turn out even more beautifully than I ever imagined.

I was guided back to go to Unity of Buffalo with members of my soul family last Wednesday for their International Day of Peace festivities, which included an evening prayer ceremony, a delicious pot luck dinner, walking the sacred labyrinth in their Peace Park, a night of theater, as well as closing the evening by signing John Lennon's Imagine. On this day, one year ago, I was here at Unity. One year after completing chemotherapy. Where I began to move forward. 365 days later, I was provided the opportunity to do the same, but this time, knowing and feeling the truth. Through the theater group that came into Unity that night, I learned that the pathway to peace was by being my authentic self. I was ready to now do that.

I had lived my life feeling that I would let people down. That I would offend someone. That by being myself, in some way, shape, or form, things wouldn't go "according to plan." But whose plan? My plan?

I have now since realized that whatever visions I have seen or felt for myself, if they are meant for the highest and greatest good of my soul, will indeed take physical form. Some already have begun to have. It is more important now for me to remain completely humble. For everyone and everything. Expecting nothing. Merely putting out energy of love wherever I go, placing my connection with God and Spirit first and letting everything else fall into place the way it's meant to happen.

I have seen and felt, just from the past several days, what you can see and feel when dropping your facade. What happens when you let love in. When you allow your heart to soften. When you let your guard down. When you surrender control. When you just. Show up. Know that whatever is presented to you that you are ready for. You can take the time to let your ego tell you that you aren't worthy. Or you can beat yourself up more. Or a combination of both. But honestly, what would that do?

Do I have all of the answers? Nope. Am I still rebuilding? Yes. And I'm not afraid to say that. I choose to acknowledge just how far that I've come vs. seeing myself as "broken," "shattered," or any other similar words. God doesn't see me as broken or shattered. So why should I? God is unlimited and infinite? So, why shouprofould I spend time believing any illusions that reflect the opposite.

I now choose to use my love, my power, along with my skills and my gifts that I was blessed with to empower humanity, not just myself. I choose to be grounded, balanced, and centered. I allow myself to give and receive. I allow myself to be happy and joyful, just for the sake of being happy and joyful. It's still a bit difficult at times for me to place myself first, especially by looking at the commitments and responsibilities that I have, but I trust that I am getting better by the day. My soul was always leading the way for me, and I strongly believe that that it is even more so now.

I am thankful for what has been shown to me over the past several months, especially the last few weeks. I simply place my faith, my trust, and my love in the hands of my grandmother, who has been watching over me since she made her transition a little over three years ago. She showed me that I would have miracles and wonders coming my way. She reaffirmed that last June. My Empowering Miracle does not have an expiration date. I have learned that My Empowering Miracle...is...me.

Sat Nam. Namaste.

A Full Surrender: A Time To Love Yourself And Heal Your Inner Child

Earlier this week, for the first time in my life, I picked up and held a child, as one of the little empowered souls and Earth Angels that I am blessed to watch over asked me to.

I can admit: At first, I resisted. I froze. In my tracks.

You see: Many of us on social media take the time to post the "bells and whistles" of our lives, when things are going really amazing and awesome. But honestly, how many of us out there actually allow ourselves to be vulnerable and speak their truth when we are faced with perceived challenges and obstacles. Without judgment, I've seen many empaths and lightworkers "close up" or be afraid to show that side of them, thinking it will make them look broken in some way, fearing they may lose clients, make their image or business look bad in some way, or a myriad of other things.

Guess what: You are spiritual, but you are also human too. If you are petrified of expressing your emotions, feeling your feelings, or being vulnerable, you are truly holding the space for yourself. How can you do that for others if you cannot do that for yourself?

So, I can come clean: There has been many perceived triggers, challenges, and obstacles that I have experienced over the past several weeks. I have come far enough along the path to know that this is all for a reason. The wheels aren't falling off. It's quite possibly the biggest breakthrough of my life. All of these things, as they do for each and every one of us goes back to loving ourselves. And yes, I have been struggling with that.

Through various messages I have received and various messengers that have spoken directly to my soul, there has been a shift that has happened. In order to fully allow myself to receive the love that is meant for me, in all forms here on Earth School, I have to fully love myself and let go. Not 50%. Not 75%. Not even 99%. But entirely. And for whatever reason or another, I was having difficulties with that subconsciously.

So, yes, I hesitated at first to pick up this little Earth Angel. I froze. But a few moments later, I picked up him. I looked at his face and saw such a beautiful smile. His soul was so happy and free, which I felt through his energy. The gateway to his soul said it all.

That was the Universe's way of telling me that I can now pick up my inner child, without judgment, shame, humiliation, guilt, or fear, look him in the eyes, and tell him "I love you."

I can admit: I don't have all of the answers. I honestly don't even want to ask many questions anymore. Flat out: I just want to be. I choose that. This spiritual awakening and journey that my soul chose to walk on is as difficult or as easy as we make it out to me...and I no longer choose for it to be hard or tough. I release the need to no longer push, force, or coerce, consciously or subconsciously. I now choose to love myself and let all of the other chips fall as they may.

So yes, judge if you will. Call me "Mr. Softee." Place a label or judgment on me based on years of limited thinking or subconscious beliefs that went back generations before I was born. You have every right to do that if you wish. But guess what? I believe that the more I am able to be myself, the more I love myself, and the more I trust in myself and the process, the people that are meant to stay on my path will and those that do not serve my highest and greatest good will dissolve completely. So yes, even those who irk you, upset you, or piss you off serve his/her role. They help to crack you open to the unconditional love that you are even more.

I continue to remain grateful, grounded, and humble and know that this is not the end, but in truth, a new beginning, one that my soul and all parts of my being have wanted for the longest time. Angels, Babcia, God, Universe: I am your vessel. Do with me as you choose. I am here to serve humanity as you direct me, which comes from my loving heart...one that I now choose to fill up with my own love. From this, only good is here and only good is coming.‪

Unwavering Faith

There has been quite a lot that has been unfolding in my life over these past several weeks. I have been doing my part to release the need to place a label on anything and to be in a full state of observance and allowance during this time, while simultaneously sending love to every part of my being, including my ego. It's true: Sometimes loving yourself unconditionally can seem like a full-time job in itself. The "practice" may seem like work at times. It's worth it though. You are worth it. It is very important to give yourself that tenderness.

For many of us, the energies of March have seemed intense, beautiful, and a little bit of everything in between. No matter where you are on your own journey in this moment, it may even seem like your faith is being put into question. On the surface, it could look like God is throwing not only the kitchen sink at you right now, but also the microwave, the dishes, and pretty much everything else you could possibly find in your kitchen. It may look like you are being "tested" in several different ways: personally, professionally, financially, physically, and even spiritually. 

I recently had a dear friend of mine who was navigating her own experience during Eclipse Season. She asked me a question that I really had to let sink in for a bit. Normally, after years of conditioning, my response to someone's question before he/she completed their sentence. As I have humbly been learning the art of active listening, I not only wanted to respect her energies, as well as my own, but also let my soul process this deep question: "What is the key to your unwavering faith?"

Had I penned this blog one year ago or even just a few months ago, my reply from a space of victim consciousness. It would have come across like I was rattling off all the things that happened "to me" and how I "overcame" each and every one. Coming clean: I was addicted to drama...and I didn't even know it. I am very glad that I was willing to make a shift in this limited belief, which was a outdated multi-generational mindset. 

You see: It's very easy to see yourself as your "story." But, when you get to a point in your spiritual awakening that you realize you are not your "story," that you are not your thoughts, your words, your actions, your acquisitions, your achievements, your titles, the money you have, your following on social media, and a laundry list of other things your ego wants you to think you are, your life as you know it changes...it takes on a new meaning. As Wayne Dyer says so beautifully: "If you change the way you look at things, the things you see change." The way you look at faith can transform. My perspective did.

So, I asked myself that very question: "John, what is the key to your unwavering faith?" 

Nearly 10 months ago to the day where my empowering miracle was revealed, I found myself at the cemetery where my grandmother and grandfather were buried, right across the street where life-altering news was revealed to me. My soul knew right where to go. It always does. While holding onto their tombstone, I looked up to heaven, and surrendered everything. I felt the presence of my grandmother, maybe more than anytime when she was here in the physical realm. I heard the following words from Spirit: "Your life is not in danger. Your health is not at risk. You are going to have the greatest health in your life. Your finances will be taken care of. And your medical bills will be taken care of." That was divine guidance. Guidance that I could not question or overthink.

Now, there's a difference between saying you are going to surrender and being in the surrender itself. Over those 10 months, there have been dozens of times when things, on the surface, looked quite interesting. As Hay House's Mike Dooley refers to "the cursed hows." How would this be taken care of? How would that be taken care of. Sprinkle in the aforementioned victim consciousness and it's favorite word "Why?" Why this? What that? Why now?

I had known that my body and soul were merging together, after the profound soul growth I had experienced over the past five years. I had also begun to see glimpses of my future, including that of my family (my significant other and my son), living in California, international speaking and teaching, in addition to helping humanity around the world. 

After seeing so much and after becoming more in tune with my own emotions, feelings, and vulnerability, along with those I came in contact with, I knew there was more to my life and for my life. It was simply a matter of trusting the process, knowing that I was fully guided and supported, and acknowledging the love that I was, am, and will forever be, that very same love that surrounds me at all times. It was a matter of trust.  

You see, it all begins with positive words. But, without an emotion, a belief in those words, those are just words. When you have a passion in those words, then those very positive words transform to hope, the next component. When you believe in yourself enough, when you believe in the truth that you are destined for so much more, while knowing God and your angels have your back, that hope morphs into faith. Faith is powerful. One of the most poignant references from the Bible refers to being able to move mountains by having faith as small as a mustard seed. 

It had taken me several years. I long since had the positive words, but just didn't believe in myself, in my own unconditional love. I found that by reconnecting with God, by turning inward to my inner child, and by uniting with the power of intention. The hope followed. Then, the faith. On June 3, 2015, I was provided an inner knowing from the divine. 

Over the past year, I observed. I watched. I can admit, sometimes I threw myself off track. I got in my own way. I wanted to control. I began realizing those old default mechanisms wouldn't work anymore. I even learned that it's necessary to "surrender within the surrender." By releasing how I wanted things to happen, by letting go of my fear, one thing at a time managed to work itself out, many of those things even better than I expected. 

Whether you are religious, spiritual, a combination of both, or neither, there's a common thread among each one of us, as we navigate our own path: Everything always works out. It always does. Maybe not the way you "drew it up." But, things always work out. 

I could've included any/all of this in my response to my friend's question...and then some. However, one of the most amazing things that I have recently learned on my journey is that less really is more, a huge shift in what I had previously believed. That the answers you are seeking are indeed found in the sounds of silence. And that some things are best felt vs. said. 

"John, what is the key to your unwavering faith?" 

"I'm...still...here."

With all the love I possess, I remain yours God.

Your humble and loving son,
John

Unconditional Love

Love is the only thing that's real. Everything else is just an illusion. 

Depending on where you are in your journey, you may believe completely, to a small extent, or not at all. And that's OK. We are all right where we need to be, utilizing the knowledge, the tools, the skills, and the awareness that we have right now in this very moment.

Know that in the blink of an eye your money could be gone. Your house. Your car. Your job. All of your possessions. Your titles. All stripped away from you. That may seem pretty scary on the surface. You may wonder that if all of those those things are gone, what does that leave you with? Who are you if you are not your "stuff?" Who am I if I am not my acquisitions, my achievements, or my accolades. I'll tell you what you are: Pure unconditional love. 

The very same love that you were when you were born. The love that you are on this Leap Day. The love you will be in forthcoming present moments. And the love that you will be when you transition to heaven, getting ready to feel eternal life without physical form.

Love can be defined in many ways: A kiss between a husband and his wife. A child hugging his mom and dad after opening his/her Christmas presents. A high-five from one best friend to another. A smile between two strangers. Volunteering at your local food bank or Children's Hospital.

Many people can easily get confused in the name of love. Speaking from personal experience, I know this to be true, as this was one of the most beautiful lessons that I learned on my path. 

Until the spring of 2014, I operated from a state of unconsciousness, believing in "conditional love." According to the PowerOfOneness.com, "conditional love comes from ego and generally focuses on someone or something. When we love someone conditionally, we tend to want them to look, act, and think in ways that fit out own paradigms and expectations. If they act the way we want them to, we express our approval; if they act contrary to our wishes, we without our expression of acceptance of them."

Translation: I love you...only if you love me and this way, this much, etc.

Unconditional love is the opposite. UrbanDictionary.com  defines unconditional love as "to love somebody with no conditions or circumstances, to love completely."

There is a reason I felt guided to pen this blog post by the very title of "Unconditional Love." If someone were to randomly ask me how I would define unconditional love, it would best be expressed in an interaction that I had last summer, one of the most profound soul exchanges of my entire life, if not many lifetimes. It was one that would forever alter the course of my spiritual awakening. One where I took back my life. One where I truly affirmed my perfect health. One where I told the Universe that I was ready to see and feel the love and divine perfection that I always was, is, and will forever be.

Last summer, right after "My Empowering Miracle" was revealed by my grandmother, I made the decision to have chemotherapy, as part of my healing process. I had to have my heart busted open to humanity. I could no longer run away from my emotions and feelings. I wanted to express and feel them on every level possible. I wanted to be vulnerable and intimate, both with myself and others. My soul presented me with one the best ways possible to do all of that, while also setting an intention to help, heal, inspire, and serve those I came into contact with in the oncologist's office, who were experiencing complete 180's of myself.

I remember sitting in one of the comfy recliners one day and a gentleman named Ben Bernard sat down next to me. We struck up a conversation talking about archangels. I could feel that he was experiencing and suffering from much emotional than physical pain. On the surface, he had Stage IV Colon Cancer. We began chatting, and I felt guided to tell him that he was whole, perfect, and complete just the way he was...that he was healed. He began openly weeping.

He said that I knew how to make people feel loved, how to make people feel special. He added that he would pray for me and have his church group pray for me. I was blessed for those well-wishes. I let grace lead the way in my response. I told him that I was already healed. That my body and soul were simply merging together and that I was just coming out the other end.

Now, you might be reading this and say "John, you were in an oncologist's office. How could you already be truly healed?" 

Before Yankee Stadium was constructed, it was a vision in the mind's eye of someone. Then, it turned into an architect's blueprint. Then, it became a reality. The same, in a slightly different way for myself and my healing.

The purpose that God, Spirit, my angels, and Babcia had for me here was quite large. Serving thousands, tens of thousands, millions maybe. The number does not really matter. Some of the visions I was seeing were quite vivid, including myself and my "wife" providing service to humanity in Africa by helping and serving the homeless, the hungry, and the displaced in Africa. The fact that I believe I was chosen to be the vessel of change in my family: to be the vehicle for all future generations of Masiulionis' to choose love instead of fear. 

My grandmother, my angels, Spirit, and God did not want me to have 25% health in doing this. Not 50%. Not 75%. Perfect health. I was needed here, in my body, balanced, centered, and grounded, to be able to do the work that I was meant to do.

None of that would be possible if I did not learn the meaning of unconditional love. Those two words may have been introduced to be in the physical realm two springs ago, but I was not ready at that time. As I opened up myself to every possibility and opportunity, as I began to embrace that I was the light and the abundance I had so desperately searched for, and as surrendered everything to the Divine, I began to choose love through a moment-to-moment practice...and unconditional love was instilled in my heart from that moment on.

Thank you Ben. Our "chance meeting" may have only lasted a few minutes, but your impact will be felt for the rest of my life. Namaste.

With all the love I possess, I remain yours God.

Your humble and loving son,

John

It's OK To Be Vulnerable

It is a wonderful blessing to have begun to truly honor my boundaries just a few short days ago, separating my personal life from my professional life. Without judgment on this, I was shown one of my deeply-entrenched thought processes and patterns over this past weekend. Leave it to Mercury Retrograde for this to be revealed. These intervals that happen 3-4 times per year give us the opportunity to review and reassess what is working and what isn't. And if you are not able to have your higher self show you what no longer serves you, leave it to one of your relationships, which are your greatest teachers, to let you observe this.

This may be a bitter pill to swallow if you are operating your life from a place of fear. The ego may want you to believe that you are "broke," that you have this laundry list of things that need to be fixed. In spiritual truth, these this old way of thinking simply was a form of protection for you. These patterns were your "default programming," so you could continue to operate your life and your interactions in the best way you knew how. 

Despite how this may feel on the inside, especially when you are navigating your own spiritual journey, you are being given the opportunities to learn and grow. That's why we are all here, right So, yes, there's a reason I mention this to begin this blog.

If you have been following my personal journey and spiritual awakening, you may realize that this blog looks a little bit different. For a little over one year, I took the time to blog on my business website, Empowered by John. You may ask yourself, "John: What does this have to do with the price of tea in China?" Well, on a conscious level, I was unaware of the fact that I was mixing my personal life and spiritual beliefs with my business life. 

I wish to say that there's nothing inherently "wrong" with that, meshing your personal and professional lives, along with your spirituality, to some extent. It's important for you to express yourself and to speak your truth. For many lightworkers, that is the case. I too infuse unconditional love, compassion, kindness, and honesty wherever I go in my life now, whether it be hanging out with a friend or speaking to a client. If anything, I just want everyone to be OK and to feel special.

There does come a point on your path, however, where you have to instill some boundaries, in order to keep a healthy balance for the mind, for your heart, and for your soul. If you do not have boundaries set in your own life, that will eventually spill over to where you do not honor the boundaries of someone you are collaborating with for the greater good. By maintaining these boundaries, you will be able to receive messages of guidance from your higher self even clearer, because you are honoring your own energies and the energies of those you work alongside. 

So instead of "keeping this inside," bottled up if you will, I felt called and guided to share this with you, in hopes that you too can experience the growth that your soul wants and deserves in this new year. "It's OK to be vulnerable."

I will come clean. One of the earliest teachers I had on my spiritual journey, Joanie Eisinger, had told me that one of the main reasons I came here, a large part of my soul's purpose here on Earth, was to "master my emotions." When she first told me that several years ago, I had no idea of the true beauty and magnificence of this, because I thought "mastering my emotions" was virtually impossible. 

Until last summer, the movie that was running though the mind for decades was to suppress my emotions. Yes: I was afraid to express how I truly felt, mainly because I wanted to wanted to "keep the peace" wherever I went. I wanted the other person or group of people to be happy before I was happy, even if it came at my own personal expense. I was scared of feeling my feelings, thinking in some way the would hurt me. You can see a running pattern from this. I was allowing my ego to hold me hostage, to keep me in "victim mode." My soul wanted to be happy, to be empowered...and to teach others the importance of loving themselves so they too can see they are a part of the Divine, that they too are unconditional love. I had made a promise to my grandmother in the hospital right before she transitioned in August 2013: that I would indeed "break free from this." I had realized that the word "this" meant the years of conditioning, beliefs, limited mindsets, and all parts of that outdated film. All happens in divine timing, and this would be no exception. Through the miracle that my grandmother revealed to me last June, I was going to be able to set my soul free, to be the light that I always was, to expand and grow in ways I never thought possible, and to fulfill what I was meant to do here. I knew I could now take control by surrendering the control of this and the rest of my life to God and my angels. 

Shortly before the holidays, there was a beautiful soul that happened to come into my life, whom I was truly grateful for. She was an empowered lightworker in her own right, helping, healing, inspiring, and serving others in the way she felt guided to do so. We connected on a deep soul level, maybe more than any connection that I have ever experienced to this moment in time. There were things we knew about how one another were feeling, even without knowing all of the details and the day-to-day activities of each others' lives. This really is possible when you have a soul connection. Someone such as this you met before, in a past/parallel life, and you probably had a profound impact on each other at that point as well, maybe even on a higher level. 

As you take the time to love and treasure yourself each and every day, deep down you know that there will come a time where God will reveal whom you wish to spend the rest of your days with here on Earth, the time when two souls become one, when the love you feel in every cell of your being is shown to you in the form of another. Through the divine synchronicities that I was seeing, the energies I was feeling, and through guidance I was receiving, I honestly felt, in my heart, that all of this was being revealed to me. With even having my son's name downloaded during this time, I could not dismiss that as a coincidence. There is no such thing as a coincidence. 

My soul brother, Radoslaw Swarovski, can best put into words what I, along with many of you may feel when someone or something absolutely amazing is placed into your life, something or someone indescribably awesome that you feel will make your life complete. "We often want it so badly that we ruin it before it begins. Overthinking, fantasizing, expecting, doubting. Just let it naturally evolve."

The only person, place, or thing that can complete you is YOU. That is the primary purpose of your navigation of self-love. It sometimes takes a certain relationship or experience to remind us of this, no matter where we are on our individual paths, no matter how "enlightened" we think we may be, no matter how many of Wayne Dyer or Deepak Chopra books you have read. There is this little thing called BEING HUMAN that leads us to beating ourselves up for "making the same mistake again," in whatever form it presented itself. Let me ask you this: Would you chastise yourself in any way if you viewed your inner child as a Care Bear? Or would you hug yourself as often as possible, realizing that you are your best friend (besides your connection to God and the Universe) and your #1 cuddle buddy. 

In the first 2 1/2 weeks of 2016, there has been much that has come to the surface for healing. Old wounds you thought were fully healed from your past may have been presented to you in an interesting way. The best-selling author of the Tip-Off Global Energy Forecast, Elizabeth Peru, has pointed out that we, individually and collectively, are releasing lifetimes of connections right now and leading into this upcoming weekend's Full Moon. I couldn't agree any more. My dear friend and soul sister in Australia, Morgan, shared with me the deep insights from her soul on how the month of January has unfolded on a collective level to me on Facebook: "We are just doing some massive clearing at the moment, emptying out in order to receive the huge influxes coming again soon. Becoming empty vessels release lower vibrations, creating space for more love." So yes, you may feel tired, anxious, or yes...even empty. That word, empty, can look scary on the surface. Your ego may want you to think the worst, that something bad is happening, that something is wrong with you. Take solace on this. There is nothing to be afraid of. There is nothing wrong with you at all. As one of my favorite spiritual teachers, the 13th-century Persian poet, scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic, Rumi, says "What a relief to be empty. Then God can live your life."

My heart was recently cracked open to a level of vulnerability I never thought was possible. My ego wanted to return to the "Wounded John" and dwell in that space, but my soul could not do that. Instead, I am choosing to thank that person, that divine light, that beautiful soul, for helping me to tune into a deeper sense of my being, to express my emotion and feel my feelings, and to be a mirror of the unconditional love that I am right now in this moment. She was one of my greatest teachers in this lifetime. How could I be angry at myself, at her, or at how any of this unfolded when I look at it from the perspective of my higher self. I'll admit it took me a few days, but now, I have said "Thank You" to God for her, remembered the blessing, learned from the life lesson, released, and moved on.

You are always being led to what and whom is truly meant for you in your life. As you release people, relationships, things, mindsets, and anything else that does not serve where you are at in this present moment, you allow yourself to move higher and higher on the spiritual staircase to heaven. You become lighter. And when your frequencies embody light, you vibrate with higher energies. The people that come into your life will match your vibrations. So if a personal or professional relationship doesn't turn out how you thought, know that the Universe has a greater plan for you. In the meanwhile, give your glimpses to God, and trust that those very glimpses will materialize in perfect and divine order. All really is well and will continue to be for you, for all of us, as we walk each other home.

I hope this blog has helped, healed, inspired, or served you in some way, showing you that you are whole, healthy, and complete just the way you are. And that it is OK to be vulnerable. My brothers and fellow "dudes" out there: You included on this one.

I look forward to hearing any comments and our healthy feedback from you as I officially begin this new and exciting venture. Someday, in that very divine timing, the journals that I have kept will become the contents for the book of the same name of this blog "My Empowering Miracle." I surrender how and when that happens to my grandmother and to God. I know they have my back on this.

I choose to end this blog and each and every one of my blogs moving forward with the most beautiful ending to a letter I have ever heard in my life (courtesy of the Heath Ledger classic, "A Knight's Tale"), combined with my own authenticity and unconditional love.

With all the love I possess, I remain yours God.

Your humble and loving son,

John

Namaste.