Spiritual Awareness and Personal Development: Part 2
By Dr. Mark Pitstick

Divisiveness and poor communication have held back humanity long enough. It is time to become enlightened and remember who we truly are. A Native American story related to me by Rainbow Eagle of the Choctaw tribe tells of an eagle that thought it was a chicken. A baby eagle fell from its nest and landed near a chicken coop; a mother hen mistook the little eagle for one of her own. And so it was that the young eagle was raised by and like a chicken.

But something just didn't seem right. The little eagle's heart was filled with awe and confusion as it watched a big eagle soaring overhead. "What's wrong with me?" thought the eaglet. "Why can't I be satisfied like the other chickens? And why do I stare so at the majestic eagles?" But having been raised like a chicken, with chickens, and by a chicken, the little eagle continued to think it really was a chicken.

One day, a big eagle looked down, saw the little eagle, and swooped down beside it. "What are you doing down here with these chickens?" asked the big eagle. "You're not a chicken; you're an eagle. You're like me-you can fly!" The eaglet was afraid and doubtful but started flapping its wings. At first, nothing happened; then, just an inch off the ground for a few seconds. Soon, higher and longer in the air until at last-the little eagle could fly. Realizing its true nature, the eagle assumed its rightful place from that day on.

In the same way, all of us are like eagles: powerful, capable of attaining great heights, and full of marvelous potential. Some people mistakenly think they're lowly chickens and settle for much less than their lofty birthright. How good it feels-a freedom like flying-when we remember and demonstrate our true nature. Like the eaglet, we really can fly anytime we face our fears and try.

Realizing heaven on Earth in your lifetime requires reordering your priorities. Following your greatest joy, bliss, peace, and happiness is essential. This is not selfish narcissism but, rather, is required to empower you to really help others. From a strong foundation of self- love and total wellness, you can best address the needs and problems of others. We all benefit when each person loves, serves, and remembers themselves, others, and our Source. We should love our neighbors as ourselves because we're all really One.

Certain techniques or methods can assist our optimal unfolding. We need to sharpen the saw and attain a harmonious body, mind, and spirit. We should keep an enlightened perspective, however, and remember that we're not just working our way toward inner and global peace. Salvation from spiritual, emotional, and physical disharmony is achieved with help from God and within. To enjoy a balanced life, listen to that still small voice within and follow your inner wisdom. Knowing, really knowing, and internalizing the good news of the kingdom of Heaven within and all around is 90% of the ballgame. Demonstrating the joy and bounty that flows from this knowing is one way we can thank the Creator and awaken others.

Over 30 years experience in medical, theological, psychological, and chiropractic fields have given me an uncommon depth and variety of experiences and insights. I also have been blessed with an unending thirst to know the Truth, for sensible answers to life's ultimate questions such as "Why are we here? What happens after we die? How can I discern the will of God for me and follow it?" The articles on this website share practical and powerful answers.

Reflect on these introductory words and listen for your inner response. What and how can you change, improve, and contribute to transform yourself and our world for the better? The longest journey requires the first step, so start today. Explore and experience the many potentials and joys that lie waiting for you. Let your inner light shine and brighten the corner where you are. Act as if you can't fail, because you can't.

Vsm upi trsf yjod drmyrmvrz? (it says "Can you read that last sentence?" while my hands were at only a slightly different position.) I was only one key off on the keyboard yet look at the impact. In the same way, relatively minor misalignments in our living and thinking can result in major life problems. But have hope! Just small improvements will also result in a markedly better quality and probably quantity of life. The key areas are:
--Proper rest, relaxation, and leisure time
--Healthy diet, water, and air intake
--Optimal nervous system via chiropractic care and other body work modalities
--Risk reduction strategies such as avoiding smoking and illegal drugs, not driving while drinking, wearing your seat belt, and other common sense measures
--Stretching, strength training, and cardio-vascular conditioning
--Stress management and self-actualization techniques
--Spiritual awareness and living as though you are immortal- because you are!

You have chosen this lifetime to learn certain lessons, to remember your True Nature, and serve. God gives us free will but She-and our co-creator Inner Self-ensures these lessons are eventually learned. Will you learn them gently and easily or must you graduate (again) from the school of hard knocks? Do you want to flow through life or must you learn by tough love? It's your call. You helped design your curriculum, now complete the training.

You don't have to wait until you die to experience Heaven. You can increasingly experience that which you desire-inner peace, love, joy, and total wellness. You can transform yourself in body, mind, and spirit. Global transformation- one person at a time is imminently possible and starts today with each one of us. Stay tuned for more information regarding steps to take and the road markers to look for.
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Dr. Mark Pitstick is author of Balanced Living: Transforming Body, Mind, and Spirit, Toward Heaven on Earth, and Soul Proof. To learn more about his workshops, books, tapes, and counseling sessions, check his websites at www.allsoulsandspirit.com and www.soulproof.com