by Connie Habash | Jan 7, 2021 | awakening, Challenges, Change, Clarity, Darkness, Energy, Fear, Inspiration, Light, Motivation, Transformation, Truth
[based on my talk from New Year’s Eve 2021: A New Beginning]
No one needs to be told that 2020 was a difficult year. We all know the reasons why. But we may not realize that there is a gift in all that challenge: fire by friction.
Have you ever started a fire? Probably. Certainly you’ve lit a candle, with either a match or a lighter. Some of you may have even worked with flint and metal, creating that initial spark to ignite tinder. And a rare handful of you reading this may have actually made fire (or attempted to, in my case!) with a bow drill or hand drill: the ancient method of true fire by friction.
This primitive way of igniting fire with a drill is very difficult. It takes strength, determination, and lots and lots of friction between one piece of wood and another. That abrasion builds heat enough to finally create a spark. Whether you use that method, the flint, or a match or lighter, the spark that lights the flame requires some sort of friction to initiate it. You strike the match against a rough surface, and viola’, a flame appears. With that, you can light your candle or fire.
A Year of Friction
The challenges that we endured from the pandemic, systemic racism, isolation, financial stress, fires, and floods – to name a few – may have served us in a strange way. They have revealed fears, beliefs, and perceptions that cause us pain. It’s not the events themselves that are so problematic as it is the way we think about and respond to them.
Those painful and stressful thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and emotional reactions create an internal friction. We are rubbed up against what is most uncomfortable within us. We can’t deny it anymore, as it is too painful and too apparent.
What’s good about this is what is revealed can be healed. If we don’t recognize what limits us and keeps us small, unhappy, or suffering, then we can’t do anything about it. These problematic thoughts, emotions, and perceptions triggered in 2020 (and beyond!) create the spark of internal and external friction, and provide the fuel for the fire of transformation to burn.
The Awakening
That spark initiated by the friction of our inner and outer challenges is a new awakening. It’s a shift in consciousness. We gain new insight about ourselves and our world, if nothing other than the declaration, NO MORE!
We need that initiatory spark to wake us up and spur us on. No fire will begin without a spark. In order to create positive change in our world and ourselves, we need this awakening.
Heat
After friction creates the spark, the flame is lit from our kindling of outdated mental and emotional blockages, and fire brings heat. We know that heat warms us, cooks our food, and creates transformation.
That warmth or heat from the fire gives us the energy, passion, and determination to create change. We know that our world needs a lot of change right now. We have been separated, lonely, and suffering, living in fear and under oppression. We must create solutions to our problems with unprecedented understanding, from dealing with the pandemic to solving systemic racism, from healing the planet to bridging the divide between differing perspectives.
We need that spark to initiate the changes, give us energy, and light the flame of inspiration and determination as we step forward together to heal our world.
Fire Transforms
In the health science of Ayurveda, the fire element in our bodies governs all forms of transformation, from digesting our food to deeper metabolic processes in our cells. Fire transforms.
2020 and today’s current events reveal many things that are ready to be burned away in our consciousness as well as our society. Illusions and obstacles are kindling and wood that are ready to be put on the fire and allow to be transformed within us.
When the wood burns, it leaves us with ash. In a fire ceremony in the Hindu tradition, many things are offered to the fire, which represent both our devotion as well as these rough places within us that no longer serve us. The transformed ash that remains is considered sacred – a blessing. Notice what ash may be left behind in new perceptions and inner peace, as you allow these unnecessary places within you to transform in the sacred fire.
And remember always that the Phoenix rises from the ashes – in fact, it can’t be reborn without that transformative fire.
The Divine Light
That friction within us created the spark of awakening, built the heat of necessary energy to create change, transformed us, and ignites our Divine Light within. When we strike a match – the friction – and light a candle, we can see in a dark room.
Light brings clarity. What was previously obscured is revealed clearly in the light of a fire or lantern. The more light, the more we can see, recognize, and know.
This light within us is actually lit by the very dark places within us that created enough friction to spark it. And in fact, this Divine Light shows us the way in the darkness. Many feel that we are living through a dark time. Allow that inner Light to show you the path to healing and empowerment through these challenges.
The clarity and vision that this spark of Light brings will reveal to us our inner Truth. This is the spiritual Truth that is beyond the appearances in the world, or even what we believe about ourselves. Allow it to be illumined within you. Listen to your intuition and see beyond fear and projections. There is a higher truth at hand when we tap into that inner Light.
As we allow the friction of this last year to continue to light a fire within us, recognize that you can be that beacon for others. Let this “fire by friction” give you energy and cleanse the perceived darkness. Although the legacy of 2020 has been difficult, it’s not been in vain. It has initiated a powerful process. Through this burning away of our limitations and fears, our inner Light will shine forth, illuminate the way for others, and spark inspiration and a higher vision for our world. 🙏
by Connie Habash | Apr 15, 2018 | Angels, awakening, Dreams, Encouragement, Goals, Guidance, Inspiration, Motivation, Perception, Possibilities
You probably don’t need venture capitalists to realize your dreams – you need to awaken your own inner angels.
Calling in your Angel Investors!
I know someone who is an Angel Investor – she loves to find people and projects she believes in and provide the expertise and capital to help them realize their vision.
We were chatting with one of her friends in the foyer of her Eichler-style home. She talked about having a guest on her podcast that was a bit woo-woo. Naturally, I perked up, ‘cause you know I love woo-woo.
She enjoyed this guest, who had a slightly spiritual bent to her work, but felt a little nervous about the prayer that she offered to the listeners in the beginning of her show. Given that her audience is geared towards business and success – a bit more mainstream than those of us spiritual folks – she worried that it would make people uncomfortable.
So I pulled out my most woo-woo, new-agey comments and hammed it up – including calling in the Archangels for some real angel investing! I imagined myself on her show, in a very slow, breathy voice: “Yes, let’s all ask Archangel Gabriel for advice today on creating a start-up. Take a deep breath, align your chakras and call that energy in…” She roared with laughter.
Hmmm… not a bad idea.
Although we were being silly and exaggerating it, I left thinking, hey, it’s really not a bad idea. And it doesn’t matter a bit if you don’t believe in angels. But each of us needs our own Angel Investors, and they’re right within us.
You see, we all have a part of ourselves that believes in our vision – you could call it your own Inner Angel. This is an aspect of yourself that holds your inspiration, your dreams, your intentions for your life, and keeps reminding you of that.
It’s like your coach within, giving you encouragement, ideas, positive feedback, and constructive suggestions for getting back on track when you’ve lost your course. It invests time, intention, and energy – spiritual capital, you might say – into your life.
Your Inner Council of Angel Investors.
In fact, you probably have – or could easily create – your own council of Inner Angel Investors in your life. A wise sage who offers you advice and reminds you of what matters most. A vision-keeper who provides you with images of what is possible. A Zen master who will gently tap you with a stick to wake you up and steer you back on course when you’ve wandered. A spiritual coach who lifts you up when you feel down or don’t want to bother. A compassionate Divine Mother who comforts you when you hit a wall and reminds you of your great qualities. You could have an entire board of directors, right at your disposable, with just a little imagination.
What about those negative voices?
The problem, of course, is that we don’t seek out those inner Angel Investors. We’re much more used to the nay-sayers, the voices in our head that tell us that’s too big, too overwhelming, not possible, who am I to imagine that for my life? I can’t do it, I’m not smart enough, too busy, there’s not enough time. We have plenty of those voices.
But we have a choice: what voices within us do we listen to? What stories do they tell? In the book, The Voice of Knowledge by Don Miguel Ruiz, we are awakened to the fact that we’re telling ourselves stories about our lives constantly… and many of them ain’t pretty. We narrate our lives with this “Voice of Knowledge,” and how we choose to color our narration affects our perception of every experience we have.
Let your Angels tell your new story.
The good news is, once we recognize that we’re telling stories – and they aren’t any more real than a work of fiction – we have the capability to tell ourselves new stories. We can choose to perceive life, the world, and ourselves differently by changing the narrative.
Imagine if you created this council of Inner Angel Investors, and let them start telling your story. “How brave you are to try something new! Look how you picked yourself up after that embarrassing moment and followed through anyway. You made a difference by helping out that lady who dropped her groceries. That really is a brilliant idea for a new project, and it’s perfect for your talents!” Well, you can.
Create your council of Inner Angel Investors.
You can create your council of Inner Angel Investors right now, or anytime you are ready. Sit down and close your eyes. Imagine walking into a sacred place – maybe a cave of crystals, a grove of trees, or a gorgeous temple. Across from you, there are a number of radiant beings seated at a table or in a circle on the ground.
Visualize each of them as clearly as you can. If you resonate with actual Angels, great! If not, find what forms are meaningful and helpful to you. You could include power animals or animal guides if you connect with the animal kingdom. They could be in simple robes, gorgeous gowns, African mud cloth, or business suits. It’s up to you. They’re your Inner Angel Investors, so make them work for you – or see whatever shows up from Spirit, and trust that.
Consult with them. Ask them anything you like. Let them speak to you and offer their words of encouragement and guidance. You can talk with them when you’re down as well as when you’re full of amazing inspiration. Then, be sure to write down what you receive from them in a journal that you can return to again and again when you need inspiration or a helping hand.
Your Inner Angel Investors are here for you, any time you wish. All you need to do is allow yourself to perceive them and listen to them. Remember that you have this support, ever within you.
Copyright © 2018 by Rev. Connie L. Habash
If you’re a woman seeking outer support from a group of spiritual women committed to healing and growth, join us at the Spring 2018 Women’s Retreat – the Heart of Healing, or my bi-weekly Sacred Journey Women’s Groups!
by Connie Habash | Oct 29, 2017 | Darkness, Death, Fear, Inspiration, Life, Shadow, Transformation
Here’s some inspiration just in time for our spooky holiday, Halloween! This is my first article published on Elephant Journal – one of my favorite online spiritual blogs. Overcome your fears, explore your Shadow, honor your ancestors, and more. Read here to make this Halloween meaningful and spiritual!
by Connie Habash | Dec 6, 2016 | Attention, Awareness, Challenges, Darkness, Divine, Inspiration, Light, Possibilities, Solstice
The cycle of the seasons here in the northern hemisphere is winding down to the longest night of the year – the winter Solstice. We enter the time of increased darkness and decreased temperatures. Yet, it is in the dark that the light shines most brightly; a candle during the daytime is hardly noticeable, but at night it is a beacon of light.
There are times when our lives seem overcome with more darkness than light. Yet these times can be powerful and transformative. Often, the darker moments are the ones that call forth our greatest gifts and the most inspiration and support from the Divine.
Celebration of Light
December is a month full of stories and traditions that reveal that sacred Light. Hanukkah is a celebration of the light of a temple oil lamp lasting far beyond what was deemed possible. The birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas, when a brilliant star shone in the heavens above the manger where he lay, guiding three wise men to honor him. And the winter solstice, though it marks the longest night of the year, represents the rebirth of the sun and initiates its growing light, leading up to summer.
It is a time of great celebration, but not all of us may feel like celebrating. You may feel some darkness lingering around you, either in the greater collective world or in your personal life. However, take heart; for these sacred traditions remind us that, if we hold to the Divine light within, we will be sustained and lead out of the darkness.
Attending to the Light
The key to this is, naturally, to attend to that light. I remember going on a Vision Quest in the summer of 1989 and learning the lesson of staying focused on the light – the fire, to be specific.
I had traveled out into the high desert of the Inyo Mountains with a group of about 20 people, all intent on a 3 night, solo vision quest. We spent the first three days in preparation, and then each went out on our own. For those three days of solo time, we fasted, contemplated, and prayed.
On the last of the 3 nights out, the task was to stay up the entire night in vigil, tending a fire and crying for a vision. The fire taught me many things, and one of them was to stay focused on it. In the pitch-dark of the desert, it’s hard to see anything beyond a few feet around the fire’s perimeter. It’s very quiet and still, yet occasionally there are soft noises, near or far. Without being able to use my sense of sight to see beyond the fire’s light-circle, it was easy to stare out into the darkness and let my imagination loose. I could believe that I saw many things dancing outside of my stone circle – many of my fears.
But the task required both an awareness of anything I sensed outside the circle, yet a primary focus on the light – tending the fire. It truly took most of my energy and attention to keep the fire going the entire night. The maintenance of the fire wasn’t just a task assigned – it was essential to keeping me warm. It also provided comfort and inspiration.
Light in the Midst of the Unknown
Our inner light – which is our Spiritual Self and connection to the Divine – is like that fire. It requires tending – attention and energy. And for it to continue to steadily burn, we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by what might be hiding in the shadows around us, in that darkness of the unknown.
There’s a lot of unknown right now, and a lot of strange noises snapping and crackling in the media, in conversations at work or on the street, in the papers or on Facebook. If we allow our energy and attention to be sucked into the fear and imagination of what might happen, in that darkness of the unknown, we can lose sight of the inner Light and the fire is at risk of going out.
Your Attention Can Determine Your Destiny
Recently, I watched the 30th anniversary service of Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, live-streamed on my computer. Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith (who is a great inspiration to me) said something that really stuck with me. He reminded us to be “aware of situations, but you don’t allow them to determine your destiny.” This is like being aware of sounds that may arise around the campfire, but to remain clear about what really needs your greatest attention – your inner Light, the connection to the Divine.
Our experiences in life are affected by our thoughts and where we put our attention. Yes, we need to attend to problems we are faced with. But if we dwell on them, obsess over them, worry about them, and spend all our energy and attention on the problems, then we’ll likely experience more of the problems. However, if we turn inward to the connection with something Greater and allow That to bring the light of new ideas, possibilities, and empowerment, then we shift to solutions and creating something positive out of the situation. That brings light to darkness.
Especially When It Is Dark
This inner connection is what sustains and guides us through tough times and also fills us with inspiration and joy in the good times. When we focus our attention on That, it shows us what is possible. The light of a candle can fill a whole room, even when it’s dark – especially when it is dark.
So, light some candles. Tend a fire. Find your inner connection to Spirit, even if it is just a spark. Watch a sunrise, the moonrise, or bright stars on a cold winter’s night. There is light out there, and right inside your heart. Trust in it and put your attention on it; allow it to lead you to brighter days ahead. Your true nature is that Beacon of Light.
Copyright © 2016 by Rev. Connie L. Habash
by Connie Habash | Dec 27, 2014 | Articles, awakening, Beginning, Enlightenment, Inspiration, Motivation, Poetry, Writing
I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be a featured columnist in Sibyl Magazine: For the Spirit and Soul of Woman for all of 2015! Join me as we journey through the year in my monthly article on Awakening Through the Seasons.
On the path of spiritual awakening, we become deeply connected to the rhythms of the earth. Every season touches something within us. If we attune ourselves to the seasonal vibrations, our spiritual growth deepens and expands. Explore the energies of the changing natural world around you each month, and allow these insights and lessons to transform your life.
Starts in January! Sibyl Magazine lifetime subscriptions are only $30, for plenty of enlightening articles and uplifting poetry. Begin your new year with monthly inspiration to awaken your Divine Self.
by Connie Habash | Jan 6, 2014 | Awareness, Inspiration, Manifestation, Openness, Possibilities, Potential, Presence, Receiving
I know you’ve made goals and resolutions. You’re thinking about a fresh start, because it’s the new year. Most of us have a long list in mind of what we want to have, create, and achieve after January 1st.
But sometimes, it helps to let go of all that planning, resolving, manifesting, and goal setting. The truth is that All That Is arises from the Ineffable – the Great Mystery.
We often think of the universe as being created with a “divine plan.” This may be true, but I don’t think in the way we have believed it to be. I don’t think there’s a big Being in the sky who wrote out a “user’s guide” (and if they did, why didn’t we get one?!) or a flow chart of how It wanted everything to play out.
Instead, the Source of everything is unknowable and undefinable – a Great Mystery – because doing so would limit it. In the Tao Te Ching, the ancient Chinese text of wisdom by Lao Tzu, it is said that “the Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.” Infinite, unlimited power, presence, and potential cannot be narrowed down to even a name.
This Tao – the Great Mystery – expands and expresses itself out through everything that is. Every thing that exists has that Divine intelligence within it, and is unfolding from that consciousness into the Infinite potential of what it can be.
It’s not planning itself out. It’s not writing goals, or being a great “manifestor”. It is allowing its own Divine intelligence to unfold into greater potential in each moment.
Consider that something even greater than your best laid plans might be ready to express through you. But if your consciousness is filled with having to set, work towards, and achieve particular goals, check them off your list, and define new ones, there’s no space for unlimited potential to show up.
This year, I have my new year’s intention. But I’m letting go of exactly how that looks. I’m releasing a specific picture of what I want. Instead, I’m opening to the Great Mystery. I am focusing on how I want to feel within, and letting the Great Mystery, which can’t be limited by my imagination, bring in the highest and greatest potential for me.
Ahhh. It feels great. And I’m happier that I’ve been in some time.
Ring in the new year – Ring in the Great Mystery. Tonight, allow yourself to empty out and receive the Great Mystery. Allow it to bring into manifestation your highest good. When you let go and surrender into the Source, greater things appear than you can conceive of.
by Connie Habash | May 31, 2013 | Acceptance, Inspiration, Openness, Release, Wind
I admit it, I’m not fond of cold wind. It aggravates me and sometimes even causes me to feel light-headed, off balance, and disturbed. So whenever there’s a cold wind (which there often is when I pick my daughter up from school), I tend to get a bit whiny and complain.
But I thought about it – the wind is important! Without the wind, we wouldn’t have fresh air. No rainstorms would travel through. Pollen and seeds often wouldn’t find new places to plant themselves and grow. And how would you fly a kite?
Sometimes, we need wind to blow through our life. Let it clear out the staleness and the emotional smog. Allow it to bring in the rain and give new life to your inner self. Breathe in something fresh that has blown your way, or exhale out whatever you want to throw to the wind.
The wind is like the force of Spirit stirring you up, fanning your inner spark of inspiration, carrying new ideas or experiences into your neighborhood, or spreading your influence far and wide.
Yeah, I love the wind!
Here’s some inspiration just in time for our spooky holiday, Halloween! This is my first article published on 
The cycle of the seasons here in the northern hemisphere is winding down to the longest night of the year – the winter Solstice. We enter the time of increased darkness and decreased temperatures. Yet, it is in the dark that the light shines most brightly; a candle during the daytime is hardly noticeable, but at night it is a beacon of light.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be a featured columnist in 
I know you’ve made goals and resolutions. You’re thinking about a fresh start, because it’s the new year. Most of us have a long list in mind of what we want to have, create, and achieve after January 1st.
I admit it, I’m not fond of cold wind. It aggravates me and sometimes even causes me to feel light-headed, off balance, and disturbed. So whenever there’s a cold wind (which there often is when I pick my daughter up from school), I tend to get a bit whiny and complain.
