Freedom from Ashes

Note: I debated whether or not posting this today was appropriate given the tragic shooting that took place in CO leaving 14 people dead (at latest count) and 50 injured.  I decided it was indeed appropriate because this is an expression of how I was able to heal my own mind and live in peace with myself and others.  As I said on Facebook earlier, “We will not have peace in the world until we have peace in the mind.  Praying for the healing of the mind so that we may live in peace.” 

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I feel like running outside and shouting “I’M FREE!!!”, but I’ll spare my neighbors ears for now.  This week, I had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned throughout my life.  I did this in preparation for sharing my story on the “Freedom from Ashes” blog.  I wrote down most of the big lessons I’ve learned through the most challenging moments of my life.  There are parts of my story that my ego would have preferred I left out, but I pushed through that by remembering Who I really am.  I am not my mistakes!  Who am I?  I am love…I am peace…I am joy…I am compassion…I am forgiveness…I am patience…I am harmony…and so much more.  As an individual expression of God, all the qualities of God are within me.  THAT is who I am.

The story is now posted for the world to see.  I wish you could hear my ego right now!  “Don’t do it”, “what will people think of you?”, “what if someone you work with sees it?”, “are you sure you want to share everything?…maybe you could just give a couple examples”.  I know that my past has nothing to do with the Truth about me.  I am also “armed” with love and forgiveness for anyone who chooses to judge or tries to use this information against me.  I know that it’s only because they don’t yet have peace in their own minds.  If sharing my story can help just one other person “rise from the ashes” it is totally worth it.

Check it out here and feel free to comment here and/or directly on the Freedom from Ashes blog page if you’re inspired to do so.  It’s a little long, so check it out when you have 10 minutes or so to read through it.  Also, if you’re interested in sharing your own story, check out the guidelines here.  I highly recommend the writing process, regardless of whether you choose to go public with it or not – it was truly healing.

Also, for those who don’t know the meaning of a “Phoenix rising from the ashes”, see below for a short description.  The Freedom from Ashes blog is a great resource – I’m so grateful for the platform they provided for me to share my story and release the last of my guilt and shame over my past.

In mythology, a phoenix is an immortal bird that, when it dies, bursts into  flames and is reborn from its own ashes. “To rise from the ashes of the phoenix”  means to make a miraculous comeback. (WikiAnswers)

Keep shining!

~Kandace

About the Author: Kandace Jones

I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and guidance from Spirit, the "Living in the Light" blog was born. It documents my spiritual journey out of the darkness and into the Light. After nine months of publicly sharing my journey, and consciously releasing my attachment to the ego, I experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. I went from living in fear, doubt, worry, and stress to complete inner peace. My greatest passion has become assisting others on their own journey to inner peace. My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light, is available now on Amazon and BN.com. Click the tabs at the top of the page to learn more about the From Stress to Peace 21-Day Challenge, Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 sessions, and the Living in the Light Community - all of which are designed to support your journey to inner peace. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog and look forward to supporting you in any way I can!