A fully charged battery.

Grounding in Unpredictable Times: How to Survive (and Thrive) When  Everything Shifts

In a world that often feels like it’s spinning faster than we can keep up, maintaining our energy and balance is more important than ever. The chaos around us may seem overwhelming, draining us energetically. News events might shock our nervous system. But what if this chaos is temporary, a necessary part of the Great Shift of Ages that holds the promise of planetary spiritual growth and transformation on levels that include finance, technology, health, and governance?

The answer to how to get through these times of extremes that we’re living in is actually quite simple: practice self-care and “be here now.” These two concepts are key to navigating turbulent times with grace. Let’s break them down.

5 Self-Care Suggestions

When the whirlwind of these “crazy” times we’re living in—replete with revelations that can enlighten yet scare—starts to pull us off course, self-care is our anchor. Here are five ways to recharge your mind, body, and soul:

  1. Take a Restorative Bath – Soak in warm water with essential oils or bath salts. Let the warmth relax your muscles and quiet your mind.
  2. Reconnect with Nature – Walk among trees, feel the sun on your skin, or sit by flowing water. Nature has a powerful way of grounding us. It’s harder in the city, but you can find a nearby park.
  3. Practice Quietude Daily – Whether it’s meditation, prayer, or simply taking a moment to breathe, intentional pauses help recenter us. Take breaks from social media.
  4. Engage in Grounding Techniques – Walk barefoot (or with shoes) on grass, touch a tree, or perform gentle body movements.
  5. Limit Exposure to Negativity – Be mindful of the media you consume. Choose when to engage with the news and allow yourself breaks from digital overwhelm. Take scrolling breaks.

Be Here Now

As we enter what many call the Great Shift of Ages, big changes are on the horizon. These shifts can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Our intellectual minds naturally want to understand every aspect of what is happening, but overanalyzing things can burden us with unnecessary stress. Instead, choose to go with the flow, accept what is happening without overly reacting or resisting.

When negativity surfaces, whether from external sources or within ourselves, it’s important to let it “express itself” yet not dwell on it. Reacting to or resisting negativity only binds us closer to it, forming a connection we don’t need or want. Instead, let it pass through like water.

Keep Negativity at Bay

In our hyper-connected world, we encounter negativity in the media that can startle, shock and upset our equilibrium. It’s good to stay informed, but we have to decide what and how much we engage with. If you come across a news article with a negative headline, ask yourself: Do I really need to go deeper? Often, just skimming the title and moving on is enough to stay aware without becoming overwhelmed and having it sap our energy.

Being able to discern how much we want to engage with information is a subtle yet powerful way to protect our energy while staying informed.

See Beyond the Chaos

The world’s current chaos is not the end of the story; it’s a chapter in a much larger narrative. Just like the earth endures storm cycles, only to emerge greener, fresher, and more vibrant afterward, so too will we come through this period stronger and more aligned with our spiritual growth. We will come to know ourselves better.

Remember, shifts—whether personal or global—are often accompanied by turbulence. But with turbulence comes transformation. By practicing self-care, staying grounded, appreciating and living in the moment, and limiting engagement with negativity, we can navigate these “crazy” times.

Remember, periods of upheaval often feel endless, but history and nature remind us that this isn’t true because chaos always precedes transformation. It is in tending to our inner peace, that we can move through turbulence times with faith, serenity and grace.

Even though you may not see it yet, everything will be alright in the end. Really.

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 created by Adobe Firefly

It’s Almost Christmas

I’m not sure about you, but I’m excited that Christmas is just around the corner!

Photo by Ian Keefe on Unsplash

I love the above photo because it makes me dream of being inside that toasty cabin—a beautiful and peaceful oasis in a winter wonderland.

If it were possible, perhaps you and I could be sitting there, together, talking about your life and how you would like to change it, improve it and become the person you’ve always dreamed of being.

It starts with a dream, a vision first and then comes the reality.

I’m convinced that it can happen to you, because I feel it happening to me.

Scrooge

I’m already thinking about Scrooge (click here to see the 1970 version). I like to watch this movie once a year as a reminder about lasting values such as love, fidelity and generosity.

Holiday tunes are playing in my mind, too. (Click here to listen to some relaxing Christmas music).

Yesterday, I noticed that gift products were available at the Shopper’s Drug Mart I frequent and that people were already displaying that ‘nervous holiday energy.’

Black Friday Super Deal

Getting into the mood, please note my upcoming Black Friday Promotion:

*The first 15-minute, introductory session is always free, conditions apply. Offer valid on Friday, November 25, 2022 only if you book your first paid session by midnight and include promo code XP32.

I was rummaging through old, family photographs today.

I enjoyed seeing one of my paternal grandmother, my namesake, and father, Julius, as a young boy.

We all have a background and a history but it’s the radical transformations—like Scrooge’s—that happen along the way that arrest our attention.

Watching Scrooge makes me wonder how much we participate in the transformative, next-level process and how much of it comes from the Spirit.

Whatever the case, we are certainly co-participants in the up-leveling process.

Out of the blue

That which calls us to re-examine our lives often appears to come unannounced.

Like for Scrooge, it might be a little scary, but the end result is wonderful!

Nothing like it

Becoming a better version of ourselves is the opportunity that is given to us in this life.

I think that we ought to take advantage of this, perhaps the greatest of opportunities.

Merry Christmas in advance, and Happy Holidays, to all celebrants!

Let’s Take it to the Next Level Together,

Luba

A Powerful but Necessary Transformation

We are all languishing right now because of the global lockdown.

We can’t go outside unless it’s essential—needs or services—and find ourselves at home, perhaps wondering what to do.

Although Take it to the Next Level is about people reaching up and striving to attain higher ground in life, so to speak, the situation is such that the Next Level seems to be coming to us!

Who would have predicted some of these strange, positive and unexpected outcomes of the novel coronavirus: the atmosphere becoming cleaner, waterways  becoming clearer, and animals emerging while people stay inside, waiting for the ‘corona tide’ to wash over.

Today, I finished Module 8—Deep Introspection—for my upcoming book, Take it to the Next Level, How to Rise in Life.

This book will be a go-to resource for my clients, as well as others seeking more information, more details as to how to get there.

We’re living in very strange times indeed. Instead of making us stop and question whether we should take things higher, move up in life, we ought to be seeing the turn of events as a unique opportunity for personal growth and transformation.

The novel coronavirus—a wimpy little thing that dies when wiped down properly—is powerfully sweeping our planet. It is transforming the way we think, do business, communicate, teach, learn and live. We cannot help but react as it mercilessly kills thousands, and spares thousands.

I’ve heard it said that the reason for such strong emotional reactions to this virus, which is the sixth in a series of corona viruses, is spiritual. There’s a spiritual element to this. Some are falling into fear and despair, whereas others are strengthened by their faith in our Creator and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s easy to forget that this is Holy Week for Christians and that yesterday was the first day of Passover. Can a wimpy little virus overshadow such great feasts? I should hardly think so.

Lately, to distract myself—and distraction is good since we all need to take a break from deep introspection which I describe in Module 8—I’ve been watching YouTube battles of super heroes. My favorite one is Superman versus Hulk – The Fight (Part IV). This spectacular video was viewed 157,609,421 times to date.

In many ways, the violent scenes depict a struggle between two primordial, archetypal forces vying for predominance. Which will win? Which will overcome?

The old biblical story of David and Goliath is analogous.

David—who would become king and replace a corrupted Saul—in spite of his small, physical stature compared to the giant Goliath, easily obtained victory. He didn’t do it alone, though, he had supernatural inspiration and backing. David famously said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)

If we are to understand the times we live in, it is imperative that we look back.

David defeated Goliath with faith, and we can defeat coronavirus in the same way.

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

Luba

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