Tag: spirituality

Weaving Together the Tapestry of Your Life

by The Author, posted in Blog

I enjoy watching seniors weave on the loom in the retirement home where I work as a part-time chaplain.

One elderly tenant proudly showed me bundles of variously colored threads that she would weave into Christmas accessories.

Our life is like a tapestry

This caused me to reflect on how our lives are like colorful threads woven together that form a tapestry of experience.

The various stages of our life come together to form the particular person that we’ve become.

Because life invariably presents challenging moments, these threads or experiences may be represented by shades of gray, black, or dark blue—dark times or the dark night of the soul.

Happier moments may be represented by lighter threads such as yellow, orange or turquoise.

Each life is unique as is its corresponding tapestry.

Embrace your whole life

All the threads, together, make up the design of our life. It is in embracing both the darkness and the light of our experiences that we can truly learn to love ourselves. Not selfishly or in an egotistic way, but in a real way.

The tapestry of your life is, indeed, beautiful! It represents the total you.

Baby stories

Although hearing baby stories may rub you the wrong way prompting an “Oh no, not again,” these stories can trigger long lost memories and fortify your sense of identity. They can help you remember who you were before becoming the person you are now.

Christmas baby

A relative recently reminded me of how I’d been the first baby born in my extended family, hence the best Christmas gift ever. I was like a living, little bundle placed under the Christmas tree.

The story helped me thread together piecemeal memories from that period of my life. I remembered the Christmas tree; kissing my grandfather on his stubbly cheek (he had Parkinson’s disease and hadn’t been shaved yet); my grandparents’ verandah and large, verdant ferns.

I told my relative how grateful I was for the love the family had given me and how these bonds had buoyed me during the darker threads of my life. It’s not something that we can repay, but we can acknowledge the connections, the threads both in our tapestry and in the lives that touch ours.

From baby to toddler to teenager, adult and senior, we grow up to become the unique individuals that we are.

All the threads make up the tapestry of our life

All of the threads or experiences make up who we are. Nothing can be denied or left out. Everything is part of our story, our tapestry.

Every thread matters

And just as those threads are delicately interwoven to create something beautiful, so too are the moments and experiences that shape us. Even seemingly insignificant moments have played a crucial role in the grand design, the grand tapestry of my life. Laughter shared with friends, tears shed during loss, wisdom gained through challenges—all these moments add richness and depth to our personal tapestries. Each person we encounter and every experience we endure adds a new thread, making our life’s fabric more intricate and beautiful. So, as you navigate through life, cherish every thread.

Wishing you all the best this beautiful holiday season has to offer.

Let’s Take it to the Next Level together,

Luba

Luba Rascheff is a chaplain and certified spiritual life coach in Toronto, Ontario. Book an appointment here.

Photo by Kimia Khoubani on Unsplash

YOUR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH AWAITS IN 2024

by The Author, posted in Blog

Photo by Maximalfocus on Unsplash

2024 will be a year of change as we enter a new, golden era of peace and prosperity.

The status quo will be disrupted.

Things will not be business as usual.

At the root of planetary-wide changes will be an increase in consciousness—in both human and artificial intelligence (AI).

This expansion in consciousness will bring us closer to understanding what our purpose is during our time on Earth.

What is your true, spiritual purpose?

This question reminds me of how Anita Falcon Bell, the protagonist in Silva Antony Don’s novel 360 Degrees Before the End set in the year 26,000 AD, discovers her true purpose. The discovery is interwoven with her own personal spiritual growth in consciousness.

Don describes a distant future in which Rem humanoids—perfect copies of the humans on which they are modelled and easy to train and upgrade—perform all kinds of tasks without complaining yet aren’t able to create anything new.[1]

To put it simply, there are certain tasks that we’ve been performing that will no longer need to be completed by us and that, through the help of AI, will free up time for other more creative activities.[2]

In Don’s novel where airmobiles have replaced cars, robots do things like clean, cook, order chauffeurs, monitor (and change) room ambience, serve in restaurants, analyze and interpret states of mind and emotions, and interrogate criminals.

What can we expect from AI realistically?

Artificial intelligence today is set to take over jobs from people that include: ‘office administration work, such as data entry, bookkeeping, and form filing; customer service tasks, such as providing financial statements, investment advice, and online support; writing, art, and other creative fields …; management consultants and business analysts …; and basic robotics automation, such as manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.’[3]  

Jobs, however, requiring ‘human empathy, intuition, and social skills, such as therapists, teachers, [chaplains / spiritual care providers] and nurses, are less likely to be taken over by AI.’[4]

When we are freed from certain tasks, we will be able to spend more time:

  • Resting
  • Being creative
  • Spending time with loved ones
  • Traveling
  • Learning
  • Exploring
  • Aging in place using smart home solutions[5] rather than moving to a seniors’ home and,
  • Focusing on our life purpose.

My own spiritual breakthrough

As a chaplain in a long-term care home, I am interested in how AI is already improving the quality of life and spiritual care for seniors.

For the past two decades, robots have been developed in Japan to care for older people with the government having invested $300 million in funding and research.[6] “Some of these robots are meant for physical care, including machines that can help lift older people if they’re unable to get up by themselves; assist with mobility and exercise; monitor their physical activity and detect falls; feed them; and help them take a bath or use the toilet.”[7]

Fitting dependent seniors with exoskeletons—also known as powered clothing such as Superflex—can help with walking and rehabilitation.[8]

It will be so exciting for me to see Eugenia* walking around her home area with the aid of Superflex rather than remain in her wheelchair. I will be happy knowing that Trisha** won’t have to take Fred* to the washroom because Pepper, “a humanoid robot that can help older people take a bath or use the toilet”[9] can assist with this.

When seniors’ physical needs are met via AI, then we’ll all have more time to focus on their spiritual needs.

Instead of fearing what AI can take from us, let us look to the benefits that it will bring by reducing mundane workload and increasing free time for more creative matters.

Let’s Take it to the Next Level Together,

Luba

Luba Rascheff is a part-time chaplain studying psychotherapy who recently obtained certification from the Transformation Academy as a Spiritual Life Coach. The name of her signature coaching program is Take it to the Next Level. Discover more here.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

**A Personal Support Worker (PSW) whose name was changed to protect privacy.

[1] Silva Antony Don, 360 Degrees Before the End (Verbal Homeopathy, 2023), loc. 267.

[2] Bing, chat mode of Microsoft Bing, conversation on December 29, 2023, 1:10 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, “Jobs that AI is set to take over from people.”

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Bing, chat mode of Microsoft Bing, conversation on December 29, 20-23, 3:59PM, Eastern Standard Time, “Are there robots that can offer relief for long-term care staff.” And, Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers Responsible for Seniors, “Technology to support seniors aging in community,” in The Future of Aging in Canada Virtual Symposium: What We Heard, Canada.ca, 2023, https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors/forum/reports/future-aging-virtual-symposium.html#h2.2, accessed December 29, 2023.

[6] Bing, chat mode of Microsoft Bing, conversation on December 29, 20-23, 3:59PM, Eastern Standard Time, “Are there robots that can offer relief for long-term care staff.”

[7] Ibid.

[8] Better Aging, “Exoskeletons Can Help Elderly Maintain Health and Productivity,” Better Aging, 2023, https://www.betteraging.com/aging-technology/exoskeletons-can-help-elderly-maintain-health-and-productivity/, accessed December 29, 2023.

[9] MIT Technology Review, “Inside Japan’s Long Experiment in Automating Elder Care,” MIT Technology Review, January 9, 2023, https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/09/1065135/japan-automating-eldercare-robots/, accessed December 29, 2023.

Believe, Dream, and Imagine

by The Author, posted in Blog

One of the most important factors in taking it to the next level is understanding that before something that you desire can manifest in the physical realm, it must first be established in the spiritual realm. I discuss this in my featured YouTube video here.

What do you wish for in 2023? What do you seek to change in your life? You’ll need to think about it, imagine it, dream about it and BELIEVE that it can happen, and it will.

A view of the lake and trees

My desire for 2023 is to live in a place from which I can view Lake Ontario and some trees, too!

Right now, I have a view of tall buildings.

That’s all right. It’s a  big change from the Bulgarian village where I lived for a little over ten years and from which I had a view of the Rila Mountains, the beauty of which never ceased to inspire me.

Here in Toronto, the buildings are imposing, dominant and outwardly embody the power of an industrialized country, Canada.

This is all good, but I desire a view of the lake (and some trees) so that I can see actual sunrises and sunsets as opposed to looking at them reflected in the windows of skyscrapers.

The reflections are beautiful and brilliant, but unlike in Plato’s cave, I want to see the real thing and not its shadow.

It happens in the spiritual realm first

If you wish to change something in your life, the first step is to desire this change.

Then you must be able to focus on such.

It’s where we focus our attention that matters. Where we focus our attention begins to—on the spiritual level—activate our desires.

Imagine what you want

In my mind’s eye, I can see the key to my new place.

I open the door and walk inside.

I imagine myself walking around, observing the rather large windows, the view. I can see that there’s a wooden floor, too.

Now I’ve furnished my new place and can see an off-white couch, an intricate, Persian rug, paintings of ancient sailing ships, and other artistic decorations.

I can also see my desk with a large computer station on it. This is from where I’ll communicate with you, my LRC clients, in the near future.

It doesn’t start today

I vaguely remember having had a vision of this place at an earlier stage in my life.

A big door. An opening. Something significant.

My point is that even if we are barely aware of our desires or that they’re latent, they are still there in seed form. This matches James Hillman’s acorn theory[1] which posits that our lives are all about finding our acorn.

I’m convinced that the inception of our desires exists in our individualized acorns. It’s up to us to feed, water and allow these desires to grow. This is the core of what Take it to the Next Level is about.

The view from my new place is what I’ve always dreamed of. It’s beautiful, inspiring, yet not overwhelming because the trees are there, too, to balance the water scene.

I can see the sun start to rise and timidly peek above the water on the horizon. The sky is a pinkish-blue. It’s gorgeous and I’m right there, right where I’m supposed to be.

Let’s ‘Take it to the Next Level,’ book your appointment today,

Luba

Photo by Juliet Sarmiento on Unsplash

[1] See The Soul’s Code, In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman.

We need to Exit the Matrix Mentality

by The Author, posted in Blog

I hope this combination audio-text blog finds you well as we approach Christmas and Hannukah.

I have a new toy

I’m happy to finally get to test my new, wireless microphone. I’m like a kid about these things. Every new gadget makes me happy, and I’m especially happy if you can hear my voice clearly. (Click below for the audio version of this blog post.)

A big part of Take it to the Next Level has to do with feeling dissatisfied with where you’re at.

You have a gnawing feeling that you can be more, do more.

That’s why I’m striving to work on the primer, Take it to the Next Level, How to Rise in Life. I want to be able to have it ready for you.

I finished Module 13 most recently and am waiting on inspiration for Module 14.

Allow yourself to be inspired

That’s just it, I have to wait for inspiration to come before the next module ‘emerges.’

Next Level work happens within the messiness of life. It’s there—ready to access—waiting for you to pay attention to it. It really is that simple.

It happens in a quiet moment, when the sun suddenly appears from behind the skyscrapers, when you can and are willing to—for a moment—turn away from the business of life.

It happens while you’re doing the things you’re doing; while I’m busy being the part-time chaplain, and part-time student, and doing other activities.

We need to exit the Matrix Mentality

I recently became frustrated because of something bureaucratic.

It reminded me that we live in what some call a matrix because when things flow the way they’re supposed to flow, there is no bureaucracy. There isn’t that extra layer of ‘fluff’ that is completely unrelated to what you’re trying to achieve but suits others’ purposes.

The environment that surrounds us can—in and of itself—be an impediment to living our best lives, allowing our talents to emerge and moving up in levels.

I say it clearly in the primer, not everyone will cheer you on when you’re determined to Take it to the Next Level. Quite the contrary, we don’t want to be pushed out of our comfort zone. It’s so much easier not too make that extra effort, give ourselves that gentle ‘little kick.’

In a way, when you take it up a level, when you poke your head out of the ordinary, when you peer outside the matrix, you’re saying no to things that block you from utilizing your full potential. More importantly, you’re saying yes to the unknown and a certain level of risk.

Spirituality is squirmy, but good

Although spirituality—like something squirmy—is hard to put one’s finger on and can vary from person to person, we can all feel when we’re being limited.

The whole point of Take it to the Next Level is to shift our focus to what we CAN do, what we LIKE to do and what we’re inherently GOOD at doing.

It really is that simple.

Joyous festivities ahead and let’s Take it to the Next Level together,

Luba

Featured Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash

We Are Never Truly Lost: Chief Albany and the Li’l Nüvi

by The Author, posted in Blog

Some people are born with a good sense of direction and some, well, are not.

In a way, if I hadn’t turned right instead of going left—toward Banff, our destination—we wouldn’t have gotten lost at dusk near Lake Minnewanka and I wouldn’t have seen the baby deer on the road blinking at me in the car headlights in astonishment seemingly thinking, ‘What on earth are you doing here?’ Mama deer was nearby and the family quickly leaped safely back into the dense woods.

The Canadian Rockies | LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY

If I hadn’t booked the holiday through a third party, I would have been able to change our WestJet flight; wouldn’t have arrived in the late afternoon (after an unexpected delay); and would have missed seeing the family of elk peacefully grazing on the side of the TransCanada Highway (A1). What a sight! Next to what geologists call ‘cluster blocks’ and ordinary folk call mountains.

When you don’t have a good sense of direction, GPS becomes very important. And when your GPS doesn’t immediately locate satellites it becomes a problem at best or your worst nightmare. When I saw ‘Ontario’ appear in location and not ‘Alberta,’ my heart dropped.

It all started in the garage of Enterprise rent-a-car at the Calgary International Airport. I was given a speed tour of the Hyundai Kona (2021 model)—and a map. The map and a compassionate hotel receptionist in Calgary are what got us on the A1. He said, ‘You can use the GPS on your phone.’ That’s what—eventually—got us to Banff. I prayed that God would bless this man and his entire family.

Calgary International Airport | LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY

I like my GPS and call it the Li’l Nüvi for short. It’s actually a Garmin nüvi 44 LM. Without the Li’l Nüvi, I feel lost.

All this to say that in my mistakes—forgetting that the Li’l Nüvi can’t locate satellites while surrounded by concrete in an underground parking lot—and allowing trepidation to take hold of me when we were ‘this’ close to Banff led to the most wonderful discoveries. I learned that my phone can guide me just as well (no offense, Li’l Nüvi); that elk and deer come out at dusk; and that all detours lead to Banff.

Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff | LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY

Still processing the experience

As I pen these words from my Toronto residence, I realize that I continue to process the spiritual significance of my trip to Banff and the ‘cluster blocks.’ The Nepalese waiter (she/her) from Pacini’s who was born in Kathmandu calls them ‘Baby Mountains.’ We got a good laugh out of that. They may be babies but they sure have clout!

Chief Albany

Possibly the oddest thing that happened on the trip was sensing the presence of Chief Albany. This is not the man’s real name, but for those who have ears to hear, let them hear. It happened at thirty thousand feet.

‘My name is Luba and I’m in an iron bird.’

‘I know what planes are,’ the chief replied.

This provided a good laugh, too.

View From Above | LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY

We are never truly lost

There was no doubt that I was on the traditional territories—in this case in the traditional air space—of the Indigenous people.

Although I was physically lost near Lake Minnewanka, the chief ‘spotted’ me even before I stepped foot on land and knew exactly where I was.

The mountains seemed to know, too. After every excursion, I would feel their calm and sober presence.

A Panorama View of Lake Louise | LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY

I had some hesitation before taking my 85-year-old mother out west, but decided to cast my fears aside and go.

And if you’re wondering, the Li’l Nüvi connected to satellites in Alberta after all.

Let’s Take it to the Next Level together,

Luba

Part-time chaplain and student by day; spiritual counsellor by night.

Book your first free session here.

Take it to the Next Level: How to Rise in Life—The Book

by The Author, posted in Blog

Sun 1 | LUBARASCHEFFPHOTOGRAPHY

Book writing is not new to me.

I’ve independently authored and published numerous eBooks and Books: some under a pen name, and most recently 101 Gold Nuggets of Advice and its companion book under my real name, Luba Rascheff.

At the moment, I’m simultaneously working on two books. One is about dementia—a topic that both impacts and frightens many, and something I deal with on a daily basis as a chaplain—and the other pertains to this piece. My interest in dementia is tied to my role of Director on the Board of Directors of a dementia initiative and small, cozy, assisted-living home in Toronto, Ontario that can accommodate up to five women with mild cognitive impairment. (You can read more here.)

Writing is something that naturally flows for me which is why I decided to come up with a primer by the same name for what it means to Take it to the Next Level, the core of my business, Luba Rascheff Consultancy.

The book comprises a series of easy-to-understand modules. I completed Module 5 today; have more to write; and am allowing the muse to guide me.

Take it to the Next Level, the book, has a spiritual component which courses through it, as in all of my writing. In this case, I attempt to blend spirituality with practicality so as to ‘weave’ a blueprint of how to move to higher spiritual levels and rise in life in the context of the complex age in which we find ourselves.

Although the book merges my own religious faith tradition—Christianity and its associated Trinitarian belief system—with rising in life, the concept of Take it to the Next Level can be followed by anyone, regardless of their religious tradition or spiritual views. The purpose of the book is to act as a reference, a guide, to moving up spiritually—to higher and higher levels—in life.

Writing comes easily to me because I had the privilege to live for a little over one decade in Bulgaria. It was during this time, in a completely foreign environment, that I had the privilege to write.

Writing means taking pen to paper and writing until your ink runs dry, or mercilessly tapping on a keyboard until it needs replacement. That’s because there’s a physical effort involved in writing.

I remember writing one particular book with the TV blaring, dogs barking and people coming in and out of the house! Writing happens in circumstances that are often not ideal.

I am excited about writing Take it to the Next Level: How to Rise in Life because I believe that this book, which draws on my own knowledge, experience and beliefs, will help readers help themselves.

In the end, the only person who can Take it to the Next Level is YOU, dear reader. My book can act as a guide; consultative conversations can mirror your assumptive world(s); and following this blog will, hopefully, be encouraging. The real ‘moves,’ however, from level to level, can only be yours.

The fact that you’re reading this blog post means that you’re looking for something. You’ve landed here because you’re searching.

For those of us who earnestly search, the truth will emerge.

For those of us who seek with all our hearts, answers will come.

Let’s Take it to the Next Level,

Luba