Are You a Fire, Earth, Air or Water Spirit?

When you look into the soul of the Universe, it is easy to see how everything is connected. We are all one of the same. Essentially, we are the Universe expressing itself as human.

We all come from stardust, and we all carry within us the elements of the world around us. These elements include Earth, Air, Fire and Water. 

We all have some element of Earth, Air, Fire and Water within us, but often we lead with only 1 or 2 of these elements. 

To discover whether you are a Fire, Earth, Air or Water spirit, here are is a brief outline of their energetic imprints. You can read each element in more detail below as well. 

If you are a Fire Spirit…

• You will feel a calling to deliver an important message to the world 
• You have to feel passionate about things in order to pursue them 
• You will feel a burning desire to create, inspire or lead others 
• You are not afraid to tell it like it is and communicate your truth
• You are often very independent and always paving a new way

If you are an Earth Spirit…

• You will feel a calling to heal and care for others, especially through using nature
• You have no problem holding space for other people or taking on responsibilities
• You have a strong ambition to heal and save the planet or make the world a better place in some way
• You are private when it comes to your emotions and only share what is necessary 
• You tend to feel comforted and at peace when in nature

If you are an Air Spirit…

• You will feel a calling to deliver a message into the world through teaching or creative self-expression
• You have a strong imagination and foresight to think about the bigger picture
• You desire to stand up for humanity, your beliefs and the beliefs of others
• You are always striving to keep the peace and resolve conflicts 
• Surrounding yourself with friends and family is important to you 

If you are a Water Spirit…

• You feel a calling to bring art, love, music and joy into the world 
• You are highly intuitive and tend to lead with your emotions 
• You feel a desire to bring healing into the world through creative self-expression 
• You have the power to help yourself and others heal emotionally 
• You are sensitive to energies around you and often need alone time 

Fire Spirits

Fire spirits are here to deliver a message to the world through leading, creating and inspiring others. At some point in their lives they will often feel the call to awaken by having a fire lit in their belly. This fire will burn passionately and strongly, and will encourage the fire person to go after their greatest dreams and wishes. They need not do anything special in order to tap or tune into their internal flame. Through simply being true to themselves, the fire spirit can deliver its message to the world.

When out of balance, the fire spirit can become too aggressive or pushy in their ways. They can also be prone to lashing out or feeling frustrated when someone or something gets in the way of their vision. By being sensitive to others, and focusing on the bigger picture goal, a fire spirit can learn to calm and raise in consciousness. 

When a fire spirit is not using their flame energy, they can be prone to over-thinking, anxiety, insomnia and feeling blocked in their lives. It is therefore, important for a fire spirit to own this energy and use it in a productive way.

Earth Spirits

Earth spirits are here to heal themselves and others through nature. As natural healers, they are often drawn to using plant based medicines. They are also highly in-tune with Mother Earth and strive to make the world a better place in some way. 

It is the desire to heal that often helps the Earth spirit to awaken, and through this desire they develop an ambition and drive to create powerful change. Earth spirits are very driven and don’t mind taking on responsibilities if they serve a higher purpose. They also have the ability to hold space for others and are powerful people to lean upon. 

When out of balance, an Earth spirit can become cold, emotionally stressed or feel over-burdened. This causes the Earth spirit to withdraw or lose sight of their bigger picture goals. Earth spirits are always recharged through spending time in nature. 

Air Spirits

Air spirits are here to bring vision and innovation into the world. They are natural teachers and speakers, and often have the talent to bring their ideas into the material world. They are strong visionaries and are often revolutionary in their ideas and beliefs. Air spirits are really here to bring lasting change into the world and often complete this over many lifetimes. 

Air spirits are also the keepers of peace, and are naturally gifted and talented at resolving conflicts and bringing harmony to all involved. When out of balance however, Air spirits can fear conflict and shy away from being able to deal with it. They can also lose touch with people and the realities of life, or lack groundedness or stability.

Air spirits are often awakened by the desire to stand up for their beliefs, ideas and creations. It is often through having a prophetic dream or vision that they start to really tune in to who they are. 

Water Spirits

Water spirits are here to heal the world through bringing more art, joy and music into it. Water spirits are often very creative and intuitive, and love to explore all areas of art and creativity. They are also very sensitive to the environment around them and can pick up on the energy of others, even if they are not aware of it. 

A Water spirit awakens when they realise that through just being who they are, and allowing their creative juices to flow they can achieve all that they desire. When Water spirits struggle to own who they are, and try to conform, that is when they feel off balance and out of sorts. 

Water spirits carry the gift of being able to understand and tune into the emotional vibrations of their soul and the souls of those around them. They are also very sensitive to the energies of the Universe and are often natural intuitives. 

When out of balance, a Water spirit can feel overwhelmed, overly sensitive, depressed and anxious. Because they lead with their emotions, it is important for Water spirits to deal and process their emotional state first. 

by Tanaaz

http://foreverconscious.com/fire-earth-air-water-spirit

5 Obvious Warning Signs The Universe Sends When You're On The Wrong Path

Receiving negative remarks from others.

Some people are nasty and that's just a fact of life, but it's when people really start to rebel against you and what you're doing that you should take pause. Of course, people slinging mud at you might also be because you're doing exactly what you should, society be damned.

Related: 5 Awkward Feelings That Actually Indicate You're On The Right Path

An overall uneasy feeling.

I think this is an incredibly familiar feeling for everyone - it's just kind of a nasty gut feeling that things aren't right. When your gut is telling you that things aren't right, I think it's a safe bet that you aren't on the right path!

More anger than normal.

When you aren't on the right path, things tend to be considerably more difficult for you. As a result, you might find yourself quicker to anger than ever before. Of course, you can handle this anger through deep breathing exercises and other healthy things, but consider why it is you feel angry to begin with. Is it because you're not on the right path in life?

Headaches and illness.

When you're on the wrong path, the universe sends signals through your body. It manifests in headaches, compromised immune systems, and illness. When you're on the wrong path, your very being suffers.

Losing and breaking important things.

The final sign you are sent from the universe is the loss and breaking of things that are dear to you. They're omens, if you will, signs that you must change your path.

http://www.higherperspectives.com/warning-signs-1593284933.html

6 Zen Stories That Will Radically Change Your Perspective On Life

Zen stories are some of my favorites. They really help put my senses back in order if my ego has grown too large or my world too complicated. These 6 stories were pulled from 101 Zen Stories.

Each made me stop and consider my place in the universe and my views on the world. Enjoy.

Soldiers Of Humanity.

Once a division of the Japanese army was engaged in a sham battle, and some of the officers found it necessary to make their headquarters in Gasan's temple.

Gasan told his cook: "Let the officers have only the same simple fare we eat."

This made the army men angry, as they were used to very deferential treatment. One came to Gasan and said: "Who do you think we are? We are soldiers, sacrificing our lives for our country. Why don't you treat us accordingly?"

Gasan answered sternly: "Who do you think we are? We are soldiers of humanity, aiming to save all sentient beings."

A Cup Of Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

The Moon Cannot Be Stolen

Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing in it to steal.

Ryokan returned and caught him. "You may have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you shoud not return emptyhanded. Please take my clothes as a gift."

The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.

Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow, " he mused, "I wish I could give him this beautiful moon."

The Real Miracle

When Bankei was preaching at Ryumon temple, a Shinshu priest, who believed in salvation through the repitition of the name of the Buddha of Love, was jealous of his large audience and wanted to debate with him.

Bankei was in the midst of a talk when the priest appeared, but the fellow made such a disturbance that bankei stopped his discourse and asked about the noise.

"The founder of our sect," boasted the priest, "had such miraculous powers that he held a brush in his hand on one bank of the river, his attendant held up a paper on the other bank, and the teacher wrote the holy name of Amida through the air. Can you do such a wonderful thing?"

Bankei replied lightly: "Perhaps your fox can perform that trick, but that is not the manner of Zen. My miracle is that when I feel hungry I eat, and when I feel thirsty I drink."

Nothing Exists

Yamaoka Tesshu, as a young student of Zen, visited one master after another. He called upon Dokuon of Shokoku.

Desiring to show his attainment, he said: "The mind, Buddha, and sentient beings, after all, do not exist. The true nature of phenomena is emptiness. There is no realization, no delusion, no sage, no mediocrity. There is no giving and nothing to be received."

Dokuon, who was smoking quietly, said nothing. Suddenly he whacked Yamaoka with his bamboo pipe. This made the youth quite angry.

"If nothing exists," inquired Dokuon, "where did this anger come from?"

The Tunnel

Zenkai, the son of a samurai, journeyed to Edo and there became the retainer of a high official. He fell in love with the official's wife and was discovered. In self-defense, he slew the official. Then he ran away with the wife.

Both of them later became thieves. But the woman was so greedy that Zenkai grew disgusted. Finally, leaving her, he journeyed far away to the province of Buzen, where he became a wandering mendicant.

To atone for his past, Zenkai resolved to accomplish some good deed in his lifetime. Knowing of a dangerous road over a cliff that had caused the death and injury of many persons, he resolved to cut a tunnel through the mountain there.

Begging food in the daytime, Zenkai worked at night digging his tunnel. When thirty years had gone by, the tunnel was 2,280 feet long, 20 feet high, and 30 feet wide.

Two years before the work was completed, the son of the official he had slain, who was a skillful swordsman, found Zenkai out and came to kill him in revenge.

“I will give you my life willingly," said Zenkai. “Only let me finish this work. On the day it is completed, then you may kill me."

So the son awaited the day. Several months passed and Zendai kept on digging. The son grew tired of doing nothing and began to help with the digging. After he had helped for more than a year, he came to admire Zenkai's strong will and character.

At last the tunnel was completed and the people could use it and travel in safety.

“Now cut off my head," said Zenkai. “My work is done."

“How can I cut off my own teacher's head?" asked the younger man with tears in his eyes.

http://www.higherperspectives.com/zen-stories-1567274951.html

5 IMPORTANT REASONS NOT TO TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY

Most of us are brought up believing that life is serious, and that the decisions we make are very important. But this theory makes life pretty dreary! Here are five aphorisms that might allow us to better enjoy the journey and trust that good things are coming.

1. Our Time on the Earth is Limited, Be Happy!

If money can’t buy us love and happiness, then why do we strive so hard for it? Sometimes we are overtaken with what we perceive as our duties and responsibilities, but really there is only one: the responsibility you have to yourself.

Of course this will sometimes involve others! However, ultimately, personal fulfillment is the key here. If you find yourself in a situation that is hard to just ‘let go,’ try the glass-half-full approach.

Sometimes the situation is just not serving you, and it’s time to move on. We’re just blips on the radar of time anyway, and our decisions will have very little, if any, impact on life in the long run. The average lifespan in the US is about 660,000 hours long and we spend about a third of that time asleep. Life is short, live it!

2. The Universe is Unimaginably Large, You Are Quite Small

ronlindeman.com

In fact, we are only now starting to really comprehend what’s out there. However, we do know that space is full of galaxies and stars that are huge on a scale that makes our local ones look pretty insignificant.

We don’t know how we got here, and maybe never will.

Who knows, there are probably civilizations out there thinking that they’re the only ones on the block, living their own lives that they think are very important.

This is all the more reason to love each other and enjoy the time we have.

3. Worrying Doesn’t Do You Or Anyone Else Any Good

Aya Eneli International

Sometimes life throws things at us that are difficult to handle. You may find yourself in new and uncharted territory.

Instead of worrying about it or focusing on how difficult it is, embrace it! It’s a new experience, you will learn from it and get better. Try to go with the flow. If you are being ridiculous, try to laugh at yourself!

If you find yourself failing to get a good night’s sleep or focusing on problems rather than positives, try meditation. It can help you turn your brain off, and if you’re negatively focused, this will help you to gain some perspective.

Problems have this funny way of breeding more problems. You don’t have any, your life is beautiful!

4. Your Work is Not Your Life

Rosie Gomez

Everyone at some point hears about the inherent morals in hard work. Well, the truth is that if it’s too hard, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it. When life is too hard, that means you’ve come up against a rock and are failing to go with the flow.

This isn’t to be confused with taking on a good challenge.

Climbing a new mountain in life can be extremely rewarding and healthy, in contrast to the fatigue that comes with ‘hard work.’ If you’re feeling overwhelmed, step back and take a deep breath.

This is all it takes to fix a bad day at work sometimes. If you find that work is consistently bringing you down, it may be time to peruse the help wanted ads.

5. Life is Absurd, and Ridiculous

radioornot.com

We tend to worry and care a lot about things that don’t matter, such as what other people think.

We put on uncomfortable clothes to go to work. We miss the joys of bringing up our children because we’re too busy videotaping and photographing for posterity, rather than just living.

We do things that make us miserable because we’re convinced that we have to. We yell at people who are driving slowly and safely.

We argue and fight because we’re convinced that we’re right, instead of being satisfied that everyone is unique and has an opinion. If you can take a step back and laugh at yourself, then you’re a step ahead.

http://thespiritscience.net/2015/11/03/5-important-reasons-not-to-take-life-too-seriously/

What it Really Means to be Spiritual

We are all spiritual. Everyone. Everything. Whether you think you are or not.

There are many definitions of what it means to be spiritual. Some say spirituality is measured by how deeply you love yourself and others say it is measured by your understanding of oneness.

No matter how we define spirituality, at our core we are all spiritual. We are all spiritual beings here to have a human experience.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but are spiritual beings having a human experience”- Teilhard Chardin

In essence, being spiritual is about choosing to live your life as close to the true you as possible. Being spiritual is essentially about accepting who you are,  being yourself and aligning with your soul truth.

This includes:

1. Being ok with who you are, negative thoughts and all.

Most spiritual practices put such an emphasis on positive thoughts and while this is great for raising your vibration, negative thoughts have their place too.

Negative thoughts allow us to view the duality of life and allow us to also get to know our weakness and our preferences. It is impossible to appreciate the light unless we have seen the dark, so don’t beat yourself up when you have negative thoughts.

You of course don’t want negative thoughts to rule your life or dictate your actions, but you don’t want to squash them or feel guilty for them either.

The best way to deal with negative thoughts is to identify them, accept them and then let them go. It is only when we dwell upon the negative or beat ourselves up about them, that negative thoughts become a problem.

Remember, it is more important to be yourself than to “fake” positive. Own who you are, and through acceptance, positivity is naturally born.

2. Laughing a lot, especially at yourself and not taking life so seriously.

We all fall into the trap of taking life seriously. Life was never meant to be taken so seriously, honestly we all need to learn to lighten up!!

Life is really not as important as we make it out to be. While there is of course value and purpose in being here, stressing and worrying about things is definitely not helpful.

Find the lightness in life, try to detach and relax- at the end of the day, life is a journey, it’s a game that we all know the end to, so we might as well enjoy it.

3. Being proactive- if you don’t like something, change it, if you can’t change it, learn to accept it.

We all have situations that come up in our lives that we don’t like, but the beauty is that for the most part we do have the power to change things, and if we can’t change things than we can surely change our outlook about them.

Life is not set in stone, life is constantly ebbing and flowing. To really enjoy life and to experience connection we have to tap into the flow of the Universe and find a way to be at peace with it.

Trying to control every aspect of your life is only going to lead to stress and disaster. Know that you have the power to change things that you don’t like, but start on the internal first.

4. Learning how to identify ways that your soul speaks to you.

It is not difficult to learn the language of the soul; the soul speaks to us through joy, happiness, laughter, peace, love and stillness.

When our soul is in agreement with how we are living our lives in the physical world it feels passionate and excited, it feels motivated and at peace.

Many of us forget that this is really what life is all about, life is about finding the things that bring us joy and make us feel at peace within ourselves.

Sure, life is not always going to present roses as we did sign up for the package deal (thorns and all), but finding ways to bring more joy and passion into our lives is a necessity.

It doesn’t have to be big either, make a list of all the things that you love to do- big or small, and then start introducing them into your life one by one.

Joy is infectious, so the more you work on bringing it in, the bigger the momentum will become.

5. Loving yourself and understanding your infinite connection to the Universe.

Do you want to feel your energy? Rub your hands together quickly for a 10-20 seconds then slowly separate them. Do you feel the energy dancing between your palms?

We are all energy and we are all connected to everyone and everything in the Universe. When you understand that you are really energy, suddenly it makes sense to view everything in this world as vibration.

You are simply energy vibrating, you are simply the Universe expressing itself as human.

There is never going to be a way to absolutely understand our beings and the purpose of all this as the purpose is forever growing. We live in an infinite Universe and our consciousness is always expanding to new and unfathomable heights.

Without getting too caught up in all of that, the only way to put all of this into action is to love. Love is the Universal connector, and though loving ourselves we instantly connect into our source energy and the energy of those around us.

Self love is truly the most important spiritual practice because essentially, self love is the honouring of the true self, the soul, the spirit that we all are.

by Tanaaz

http://foreverconscious.com/what-it-really-means-to-be-spiritual