Dinner with a PornStar? #judgment and prejudice #truth #countongod #spiritualadvice #livingtruth

I went to dinner last night with an old friend from Nashville. We were laughing and cutting up as we took a selfie for Facebook. We jokingly put that he was a porn star in the description. Surprisingly, most of my friends thought it was the truth, even though the rest of the description held the truth—“AND a flight specialist.” I actually had to go back and edit the picture to save face.

Really, friends? WWJD? If a porn star wanted to have dinner with you to talk, would you not treat him or her like a human being? Maybe s/he wanted to know about spiritual things or understand your take on meditation. Maybe a porn star isn’t so different than you and I.

This seemingly funny incident made me realize just how much we all compartmentalize and judge people before we even know them. My friend could not be less of a porn star. He is actually a very spiritual and compassionate, loving person. However, both of us like to have fun and cut up, which is a part of life that most people forget about.

We are meant to play like children of God in the playground of life, joyfully embracing all the good that Spirit has to give.

****

This year, if you desire to commit to a change for a New Year’s Resolution, do it with your MIND first. Remember, as in the title of my new book coming out just in time to help you with this (in January)… lol… that all change happens in your mind, first. You must change your Old Story, to make a consistent and long lasting change in Your Life.

Please be looking for “YOUR NEW STORY, YOUR NEW LIFE, Unlock Your Seven Spiritual Discoveries” in bookstores and in online bookstores in January 2016!

***

Are you in need of Life or Spiritual Coaching? I've been a life coach and clinical hypnotherapist and minister of New Thought for 25 years. I do my sessions online, so you can even have your session in bed, so that you can go directly to sleep during the hypnosis session. You must have a laptop or a notebook to do these sessions, either on Skype or Facetime. You can give me a call at 954-253-6493. My fee is $95 for an hour.

You can find all of my Books by Category at http://www.bosebastian.com/new-page/ All of these books have been birthed from my own spiritual growth. I guarantee you'll enjoy how each will help you maintain a positive mind, body, and spirit. Also, if you click on the Amazon site, you'll see all of my 15 book— Cookbooks, Novels, Self-Help Books, a Yoga DVD! All great gifts from your friend—Bo Sebastian. Simply go to this link at www.Amazon.com or type in my name. Find great gifts for yourself, family members, and friends by supporting another friend in the process! Thank you.

* * *

A Single Session w/Bo Sebastian

What would you feel like if everyday you loved yourself a little more…

What would you be if you loved and gave compassion unconditionally… to yourself first and then to others?

If you could imagine yourself so connected to God Source that everything you thought and every action you completed you trusted could heal yourself and, ultimately the world around you?

Create a Better Life with One Healing Session with Bo Sebastian

Call 954-253-6493 (All Sessions are done via PHONE, SKYPE or FACETIME.)

www.bosebastian.com

Bo works with people on SKYPE and FaceTime all over the world. He is taking new clients now. Call 954-253-6493 for information.

Take the time to look at Bo’s bookshelf of self-help books, novels, healing downloads, and yoga DVD. All of Bo’s books help people such as you, make SIGNIFICANT CHANGE with habits, find your SOULMATE, your PASSION, reach YOUR DREAMS, and dictate your own FUTURE.

Chosen to show his new hypnotherapeutic techniques on The Learning Channel (TLC) and also given the opportunity to teach at the world conference for Learning, and received the award of excellence for Helping Overcome Obesity in Nashville, Bo Sebastian is the writer and director of Finding Authentic You and Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior. Go directly to Amazon/Amazon Kindle to buy any of his wonderfully inspired books: ]

How Can a Flag Change the Mind of Society? #becomingconscious #whatstrending #psychology #spiritualliving #Charlestonmurders

In an argument on CNN yesterday between a news anchor and an old star and recent Georgian Congressman, Ben Jones, we heard two sides of the meaning of a flag. We know why the Governor of South Carolina wants to take down the flag at the state building. But, Jones gives his opposition to removing all Confederate flags: "It's (the Confederate Flag) been used by racists, by horrible people such as this man in Charleston," Jones said, referring to Dylann Roof, a white man charged in the shooting deaths of nine black church members at Emanuel AME Church last week. "You know, the Klan burns the Christian cross, and their flag is the American flag," Jones said. "Different context." Should we get rid of the Christian cross and the American flag, as well?

I listened with respect and wondered if Jones made a good point. People use the bible all the time to say that homosexuals don’t have the right to get legally married. Should we burn all the bibles, because it negatively impacts social rights? To what measure is removing the flag from the state building in South Carolina going to help change the minds of people whose minds are already made up to hate?

Well, I think that Gov. Nikki Haley made a good move to show that South Carolina considers itself an ally of the laws of the United States, as a whole. The measure of removing the flag has less to do with the flag’s meaning, than it does to create a unified field of consciousness within the state to remove prejudice.

Should we tell people to get rid of their flags in their own front yards? Absolutely not! I want to be able to fly any flag high and proud over my house, if I want, or mount my “Hillary Clinton for President” sign on the top of my car. We can’t take away human rights to propel our own sense of morality.

Of course, most of you get my point; otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading a blog that is mostly about spirituality. When we support something with our energy and our minds, we make change, not as much outwardly, but mostly cause the energy of hate to dissolve spiritually and universally, as well. So, as you think on these things, give some energy IN THOUGHT to the change you would love to see in the entire world around the idea of prejudice, in general.

See our world filled with love and compassion! See people’s minds changing from hateful to loving! In your meditative thoughts, turn the energy of the subjective mind field—that energy that is simply waiting for you to create something powerful—into vehicles that will create love and harmony!

Today's featured books are my Gluten-Free Cookbook and "Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior.” The second is a book birthed from my own spiritual growth. I guarantee you'll love the 365 daily readings that will help you maintain a positive mind, body, and spirit. Also, if you click on the Amazon site, you'll see all of my 15 book— Cookbooks, Novels,  Self-Help Books, a Yoga DVD! All great gifts from your friend—Bo Sebastian. Simply go to this link at www.Amazon.com or type in my name. Find great gifts for yourself, family members, and friends by supporting another friend in the process! Thank you.

* * *

 

A Single Session w/Bo Sebastian 

What would you feel like if everyday you loved yourself a little more…

What would you be if you loved and gave compassion unconditionally… to yourself first and then to others?

If you could imagine yourself so connected to God Source that everything you thought and every action you completed you trusted could heal yourself and, ultimately the world around you?

Create a Better Life with One Healing Session with Bo Sebastian

Call 954-253-6493 (All Sessions are done via PHONE, SKYPE or FACETIME.)

www.bosebastian.com

If you are a gay man or woman, you may want to direct your gaze to my newest blog: Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior. This blog is an extension of my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UncommonGaySpiritualWarrior/) and group meetings about the rare combination of spirituality and "being gay" defines the most important part of us, even in relationship. Join me at: http://uncommongayspiritualwarrior.blogspot.com/. 

Bo works with people on SKYPE and FaceTime all over the world. He is taking new clients now. Call 954-253-6493 for information.

Take the time to look at Bo’s bookshelf of self-help books, novels, healing downloads, and yoga DVD. All of Bo’s books help people such as you, make SIGNIFICANT CHANGE with habits, find your SOULMATE, your PASSION, reach YOUR DREAMS, and dictate your own FUTURE.

Chosen to show his new hypnotherapeutic techniques on The Learning Channel (TLC) and also given the opportunity to teach at the world conference for Learning, and received the award of excellence for Helping Overcome Obesity in Nashville, Bo Sebastian is the writer and director of Finding Authentic You and Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior. Go directly to Amazon/Amazon Kindle to buy any of his wonderfully inspired books: ]

The Imitation Game #Imitationgame

If you have ever questioned why tolerance in the face of abject prejudice is more important today than any other compassionate trait, this screen drama will give you the courage to look past differences to find the greatness in ever special life. The great Joni Mitchell sang, “I’ve looked at life from both sides now.” In The Imitation Game, we get to see the brilliant writing of Graham Moore depict the life of an extraordinary gay man, Alan Turing, who singlehandedly developed the first computer to crack the Nazi’s cryptic codes to save millions of lives during the World Wars of the 1930-40s.

What this movie so brilliantly depicts is how “different” is not only good, it’s necessary and beautiful. I believe everyone who has ever sat through a religious service condemning gays or anyone for being different—needs to see this movie. The truth is, that the person sitting in the church or mosque might not even be alive had it not been for Turing. Millions of Americans were saved because of how he cracked the Nazi code to find enemy ships and submarines during the World Wars, singlehandedly using strategic military moves to overturn Germany’s commanding power. This story would include my father, who lived to tell about fighting in the battle of Normandy. I might not be sitting here, if it were not for Turing having the military intelligence that gave the US and its allies the edge in that particular battle.

Turing also was the first to let a female work for the British military in a position other than a secretary. Joan Clarke was almost as brilliant, if not as smart as Turing, who discovered her ability to solve a special-skills puzzle developed by Turing in less than the time it took the brightest man in England. Clarke was, still, almost dismissed simply because she was a woman. Turing saw her potential to help the cause and let her help him, in spite of the reticence of all involved.

After the war had ended, Turing, depicted by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, held to his vow of secrecy about his discovery and must destroy his computer for fear of treason and death. He gets dismissed from his work in the British military and finds himself confined to a quiet life, trying to recreate his only one true love, who died of tuberculosis, when his young mind was too immature to reconcile the anguish.

Yet, despite Turing’s incredible accomplishments during the war, in the 1950s he was sentenced to prison or given the option of taking hormone therapy, because he was homosexual, which likely caused his suicidal thoughts and ultimate demise.

Please check out my new book: “Learning Alone: The Love Song of the Anxiously Attached,” a look at life through relationship, particularly anxious attachment, and finding the courage to face life without a special love!

A Cookbook, a Novel, a Self-Help Book, a Yoga DVD! All great gifts from your friend—Bo Sebastian. Simply go to this link at www.Amazon.com or type in my name. Find great gifts for yourself, family members, and friends by supporting another friend in the process! Thank you.

* * *

Bo works with people on SKYPE and FaceTime all over the world. He is taking new clients now. Call 954-253-6493 for information.

Take the time to look at Bo’s bookshelf of self-help books, novels, healing downloads, and yoga DVD. All of Bo’s books help people such as you, make SIGNIFICANT CHANGE with habits, find your SOULMATE, your PASSION, reach YOUR DREAMS, and dictate your own FUTURE.

Chosen to show his new hypnotherapeutic techniques on The Learning Channel (TLC) and also given the opportunity to teach at the world conference for Learning, and received the award of excellence for Helping Overcome Obesity in Nashville, Bo Sebastian is the writer and director of Finding Authentic You and Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior. Go directly to Amazon/Amazon Kindle to buy any of his wonderfully inspired books: ]

 

 

Branded: Should Read “Erotic & Disgusting”! #prejudice #GLBT #judgment #personaltruth

Branded: Should Read “Erotic & Disgusting”!
#prejudice #GLBT #judgment #personaltruth

Two days in a row, I have woken up with someone posting to my Facebook page judgmental words in the name of God. Today, to my yesterday’s posting about ridding your life of anxiety and stress, which never even mentioned sex, someone posted: “This should read erotic and disgusting! That’s not what I said. That’s what God said!”

Of course, I immediately blocked him from posting to my site. He was a friend of someone who “liked” the post, so he wasn’t one of my friends. Yesterday, I had someone write me a personal message (thank you for not sharing your ugliness with the world), who was on my friends’ list, which said, “I pray that God shows you the real way to heaven!”

This is actually ironic, because yesterday’s post had two scripture quotes from the Christian bible. I thought I was being a little too religious for most of my readers. But, I guess, the more a gay person says he believes in Jesus’ teachings, the more he is persecuted.

I’ve had 6-7 friends who were also Christian ministers who have come out in the past few years. Some have stayed to honor their ministries, others have moved on to find themselves. Either way, the path to people understanding was difficult. One man in Atlanta was a huge evangelical minister with many books and had a campus—not just a church—because of the amount of people who followed him. His story went public, so it is fine to talk about it here. His wife and children knew of his propensity toward being gay, but for years fought it. Jim says he never even had any kind of affair during those years. He just knew in his heart he was gay. However, it was his wife, who told him that he should practice what he preached and come out! Rev. Jim began to take the hard step of accepting gay people into his ministry with open arms without judgment first, which is what led his wife to divorce him and nudge him out of the closet. She told him she would continue to be a co-minister with him at the church, love him, and support his decision to come out, which, I believe, was amazing. When I watched the interview on television on “The View,” I mostly cried because of Deb’s position in the process of his accepting himself and coming out.

I went to his church after the news. Most of the seats were empty. I would say he had about 30% of his following stay with him. Good for them, probably, hard for the ministry to stay afloat, though. I can’t imagine that with so few members they could pay the bills. Still, he managed to continue preaching every week. Rev. Jim Swilley saw me in the pews that morning and remembered my face from sending him a few encouraging messages on Facebook. In the middle of preaching his message, he asked me if I wanted to come up to the pulpit and sing, without even knowing if I could sing and never even meeting me beforehand. This fellow was listening to his heart, clearly. I did go up and sing, “Amazing Grace.” I felt like crying the entire time. I knew Jim’s heart had been bleeding. You didn’t have to be Svengali to notice how hard it had become to find himself and do it in front of all the people of his congregation, most of whom had turned their backs on him and his forgiving and compassionate, minister wife, Deb.

This past year, many articles and books have been written about scriptural interpretation of the Christian bible and its meaning about homosexuality; especially the scriptures about Sodom and Gomorrah. Before I even began reading the books that appeared on the shelves about why God didn’t care if I was gay, I had to find the truth in my own soul.

I couldn’t look in a book to discover the truth about myself. I had to see it clearly in my heart, first. The road to understanding and loving yourself, in the face of those who will judge you, is a scary road—one only a warrior can travel. I honor anyone who does this, especially ministers who will get the most flack and prejudice. One of my best friends had to let go of 1000s of friends when he came out, because most of his dearest friends were in the church. These friends loved him while he was in the closet, without knowing he was gay. Yet, as soon as he voiced his truth, they despised and mocked him.

Your truth is important, friends! No one should be able to snatch it away. You should hold it close to your heart and make it real for you. If you feel the need to put it out in the open for the world to see, you should expect that men and women “of God” will dispute it. For you, I would say, don’t try to argue with them. They have a right to their opinion. Simply just press “block” and keep them from getting in the way of your honoring your personal path to spirituality. Your authentic connection to God and Spirit is all that matters.

***
"Finding Authentic You" is my brand and is also a self-help guide, which I wrote, with 365 Discoveries, meant to aid you in facilitating some of life’s most difficult challenges, like sleep, anxiety, spiritual guidance, and relationship problems. But, the discoveries also lead you to what you believe spiritually, understanding your goals, learning to believe in your self, discovering the most distinct you, unlocking all of your negative thinking, and helping you replace it with positive, creative thought using many different modalities, including hypnosis, prayer, and psychology.
For much more information about finding out about the psychology of the human mind and being your authentic self, self-love, and self-esteem, check out my new book below.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=finding%20authentic%20you&sprefix=finding+%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afinding%20authentic%20you

* Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health Coach, available for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New Lap-Band Hypnosis for Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at 615-445-8861 or www.BoSebastian.com. Please feel free to comment and/or sign up to receive your blog sent to you directly or stream with an RSS Feed. Please spread the word by liking the page or sharing this with your friends. Also, Bo is the senior editor of Findingauthenticyoupublishing.com if you are interested in checking out the bookshelf for books he has written or acquired, or want to submit a book, to this site for help. Thanks for being a part of my tribe.

Losing Your Prejudice #religiousright #glbtrights #spirituality

Losing Your Prejudice
#religiousright #glbtrights #spirituality

“God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” Hermes

I read a friend’s Facebook entry today about how male actors refuse to play gay roles because of stereotype. Really? I thought our men actors were far away from that premise. But, apparently, (as my college friend is an actor in LA), he has seen this kind of anti-gay behavior over and over again. I do believe he is correct about the prejudice that comes with declining a gay role. Look at Oscar winner, Dustin Hoffman, who surged into the limelight for forging through prejudice by playing a transvestite to keep his children. Our last year’s Oscar winner, for playing a straight man with HIV, who learns to embrace the gay world after being disenfranchised from the straight world. Neither have gotten stereotyped. And that hot tall blonde who played the character Arrow on “Smallville” and a gay character on “Revenge” is now playing a hot straight man on “Mistresses.”

Let’s get down to brass tax. What do you really feel about GLBT people? Are you pretending not to be prejudiced because you want to be in the mainstream, but really feel being different is against your moral belief? If so, then I ask you to put aside your prejudice for a moment and Google the psychological studies that have been done about being gay or transgender. Why do you think that a therapist is never allowed, by law and code of ethics, to exclaim that being gay is wrong? Because it is simply not. God created all of us. And He don’t make no mistakes… It’s not a choice. It has never been a choice. And gay prejudice has ruined more lives and caused more hate than any war. It’s time to put your hate down and let God judge his own children. Okay?

To that end, I have written a couple of really good books about Gay Spirituality and a novel about “coming out.” If you know anyone who may benefit by either of these, here is the information about them.
“Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior” by Bo Sebastian,  you can find on Amazon/Amazon kindle at: http://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Gay-Spiritual-Warrior-Authentic-ebook/dp/B00KPIVOIY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403787140&sr=8-1&keywords=uncommon+gay+spiritual+warrior
And “Billy Ray’s Secret” a gay, coming of age novel, you can find at: http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Rays-Secret-Bo-Sebastian/dp/1499396848/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1403787193&sr=8-1&keywords=billy+ray%27s+secret
Also, if you have any interest in looking at a YouTube series I’ve started to move forward with the Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yGU-MVCtQ  for the first of five videos. Thanks. Bo

All Humans Came Out of Africa #outofafricatheoray #creationism #gayspirituality #slavery #GLBTliberation

All Humans Came Out of Africa
#outofafricatheoray #creationism #humansevolve #slavery #GLBTliberation

The most widely accepted model of geographic origin and early migration of modern humans uses the 2010 discovery of genetic evidence from Africa to prove its theory that anatomically modern humans were solely in Africa between 200,000 and 60,000 years ago. When a recent speaker shared this information—I’m not sure why—I was completely astonished. After a few days of thought, I realized that our modern day paleoanthropology reflects the most dynamically strange paradigm. From the same place we evolved as humans, we also returned to capture Black Africans to create slaves.

In the modern Western world, we were missing something integrally important to the melting pot of America: Color! We went there searching for slaves, but found a cultural battle that involved a moral change, and ultimately—more balance in America. I’m not minimizing the incredible fight African Americans have had with prejudice, trust me; I’m simply watching the flow of modern culture evolve. Being gay in a world where, in some places you could die for this predilection, I see clearly that to gain balance, cultures often has to struggle in an opposing moral battle for the light of consciousness to shine brighter. I see this happening in the American culture now.

When I was young, you would never imagine having a gay character on television. In fact, I think Ellen Degeneres was the first. Now, you can’t turn on a television show without one of the main characters being gay. Even in the country show, “Nashville,” a young tough male singer struggles with his sexuality, marrying a woman to gain acceptance in the straight community. When I first moved to Nashville, no country singer would talk about HIV or the GLBT community, or even do a concert to raise money for HIV. Now, all of the stories on television are very similar about these gay characters: their need to be accepted and release their old story, to become individuals who are not all effeminate and, specifically, have the rights of every other human on earth, fiscally and legally.

Recently, I wrote a book called “Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior.” I wrote this book because of one comment I heard from one of my readers that blew my mind. As I walked into church one day, a straight married couple came running up to me. The man spoke, “Bo, I just have to tell you how much my wife and I have enjoyed hearing a gay man’s perspective of spirituality. We are learning so much from you.” This man was referring to my book with 365 daily discoveries about change: body, mind and soul, called “Finding Authentic You.”

What I realized in that moment was that, no matter how spiritual I had become, or how connected I had been to my spiritual belief, no matter how many places I have ministered and spoken; I would always be the gay man who was spiritual! Even in my own gay culture, I go into bars, and immediately, someone will come up to me and pour out his soul about being spiritually abandoned by the church or will throw Atheism in my face to start a fight about why gays should not care about the church or God. It’s as though, I’m this human gay magnet trying to help GLBT humans to put away their past prejudice against churches that have kicked them out for being different and create a new spiritual paradigm for them that rightly includes the ones who play the organ and decorate the church with pretty flowers. (I’m being purposely prejudice here to prove my point.)

So, I decided to honor that call and write a book that specifically talks about the process of growing up gay in a spiritual world where I wasn’t accepted, honored, or even taught that God loved me. Today is the last day that “Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior” is free as a promotion on Amazon Kindle. I hope you can share this news or get this book for yourself or someone you know who is working in the area of spirituality who is GLBT. Thank You.

***
Check out my new book: Uncommon Gay Spiritual Warrior, FREE STARTING TOMORROW on Amazon Kindle at: http://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Gay-Spiritual-Warrior-Authentic-ebook/dp/B00KPIVOIY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401708367&sr=8-1&keywords=uncommon+gay+spiritual+warrior .

I am moving to Southern Florida to begin a new small imprint publishing company called: Finding Authentic You Publishing: findingauthenticyoupublishing.com. I am accepting submissions now for my January 2015 bookshelf. If you or any friends are interested, please go to the
website and read the submission guidelines. Thanks.

Finding Authentic You is my brand and is also a self-help guide, which I wrote, with 365 Discoveries, meant to aid you in facilitating some of life’s most difficult challenges, like sleep. But, the discoveries also lead you to what you believe spiritually, understanding your goals, learning to believe in your self, discovering the most distinct you, unlocking all of your negative thinking, and helping you replace it with positive, creative thought using many different modalities, including hypnosis, prayer, and psychology. Once you know yourself, then relationship with Spirit and people is a fairly easy task.

For much more information about finding out about the psychology of the human mind and being your authentic self, self-love, and self-esteem, check out my new book below. “Finding Authentic You” will answer many of the questions I propose above. The book also has many discoveries about health, both mental and physical, as well as spiritual discoveries to lead you to your highest and best! Thanks for being a part of my tribe and helping get this book and all of my media below into the right hands, helping the right hearts.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=finding%20authentic%20you&sprefix=finding+%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afinding%20authentic%20you


Finding Authentic You: With 365 Daily Discoveries & 7 Steps to Effective Change

* Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health Coach, available for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New Lap-Band Hypnosis for Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at 615-445-8861 or http://bosebastian.com/Home_Page.php Please feel free to comment and/or sign up to receive your blog sent to you directly or stream with an RSS Feed. Please spread the word by liking the page or sharing this with your friends.

Prejudice: Your Divine Right to Be #cocacolasuperbowlcommercial

Prejudice: Your Divine Right to Be #cocacolasuperbowlcommecial

Coke has made quite an uprise by airing a commercial about diversity during the Super Bowl. What You Believe and Who You Are, will always be your divine right, no matter what you believe. I guess the fact that prejudice people are coming to the surface makes sense when equality is gently and evenly presented. Whether you believe in something different, are a different color, or love outside the normal paradigm you are among the diversity in America who deserve equal right (period).

Who hasn't heard all the hype on television about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and Scientology? The truth is: the religion itself is more a psychological profiling that tries to repress the part of the brain that thinks negative thoughts and keep you in the part of the brain that only thinks positive ones. The machines they use look like BioFeedback Machines. I believe the reason this religion scares us, is it looks so much like a cult. Once you are in, they go searching for you and try to pull you back in. They use your church, family members to try and coerce you. They ostracize you. This doesn't feel as if it a paradigm of diversity. However, no matter what the belief, we should gladly allow people to express what they need to. This is America!

But, I'll tell you, some of our more traditional religions are now using some of the same tactics when it comes to things like gay marriage and Pro-life. If you don't believe in their point of view, you are banned from the church. This, to me, looks rather cultish. When did churches retain the right to tell us how to think?

When we take our rights away as individuals to have a point of view that is all our own, we are always dancing with the idea that we are playing with cultish behavior. Don't ever let someone tell you how to believe. Go deep into your heart and ask God to tell you how and what to believe. There is a peaceful place designed in all souls that is connected to the Great Good that will always lead us to our Higher Self and to God. Our DNA is structured that way.

In the bible Jesus says that in the final days that the word will be written on our hearts. I believe this prophecy is happening now. But you have to be quiet to hear the word calling to you. It's easy to hear the loud preachers and politicians ranting and raving about what you should and shouldn't believe. It's rather hard to take the time to be quiet and listen to the still voice that calls us to our highest self and to the love that permeates all fear and prejudice.

Be still and know what YOU believe and WHO you are is just perfect.

Mary's Reputation

Mary’s Reputation

Yesterday I went to Second Monday Spiritual Friends Network. My two friends, Rev. Linda Marie Nelson and Florene Johns gave a presentation about the fallacies we believe about Mary of Madgala. 

One of the first things mentioned was that we see Mary in history as the prostitute who was redeemed by Jesus. However, the scriptures never say her demons were for prostitution. In fact, her sir name, Mary of Magdala, reflects a very renowned and independent woman with means. Most women were described by the names of their husbands in that time or family, not their town. Mary was described as one of honor.

Some bible scholars believe that Mary of Magdala could very well have been healed of a disease when her seven demons were cast out. We do know, however, that after exorcising the demons, Mary became the most devoted Apostle of Jesus. In fact, Jesus appeared to Mary, first, after his resurrection, to direct the other Apostles as to what to do next.

I was taken aback by the information and realized how many times I have drawn conclusions without the proper information. I remember a time in my life when I returned back to Nashville after a year in NYC to find that a perceived best friend had spread lies about me, almost ruining my reputation in the church and even as a friend. She clearly was frightened about me moving back to the city, because she had taken on my student load when I left.

Even after I had explained to her that I wouldn’t take back my old students, she got a lawyer, and the rest is history. Friends and ministers believed her story for a very long time, because it appeared that I was in the wrong. But, I had done nothing wrong. In fact, she had broken many promises about taking over my business, including paying me for it.

But, I believed with all my heart that I had a lesson to learn and would somehow understand how to regain my reputation. The first message I heard from God was that I was to go to all my friends and the ministers I knew and tell them I would be willing to come to the table to talk with her and those friends and ministers could come too, as she would probably need someone to stand in the gap between our two opinions of the situation.

Each one of the friends and ministers asked my old best friend if she would be willing to meet with me, as they knew how close we had been in the past. To each one of them, she declined. This left all the friends and ministers believing the person who had something to hide was not me at all, but her.

So, truth won out. I had to face her many times at the YMCA and at parties. She simply avoided me. I remember having countless dreams about her. In every dream we would be in heaven and she would say to me, “We played a great part in each other’s lives to learn our hardest lessons. Thank you.”

I remember waking up after each of those dreams amazed at how much peace I felt about the entire situation. I’m sure, had I not regained the faith of my friends and ministers, I might have felt a little differently. But the truth is, what was clear and honest and authentic won the admiration and faith of the people who looked for it.

I will always remember that time. I know that to lead with my authentic self, whether it appears I am in the wrong or am standing on the belief that no one else understands or appreciates, I will securely with God. Remember, Jesus was misunderstood. We are asked to take up our cross and follow him.

I believe, metaphorically, this would mean that, even though life hands us difficult issues, we must make them lessons in peace. When doing so, our lives will unfold easier and direct us toward our spiritual and mental growth.

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Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health Coach, available for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New Lap-Band Hypnosis for Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at 615-400-2334 or www.bosebastian.com.

I am trying to spread the word about my blog and I need your help. Please let your friends know it exists, if it gives you hope and blesses you each day. If you are looking to enter the RSS or Atom Feed, you have to go to the home page of the blog to get there. Also, I write this Blog as a part of Finding Authentic You Ministries. If you would like to send an offering or a tithe, your donation would greatly be appreciated: 5001 Maywood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. And I would be greatly pleased for you to share anything that you read by clicking the share button in Facebook.com/bo.sebastian, or add it to your Twitter at BoSebastian; or LinkedIN at Bosebastian5@gmail.com; or find this blog home at www.FindingAuthenticYou.com. Any of my books can be found on Amazon or Barnes and Nobel, just by typing my name in the search header.

A Newer Normal

A Newer Normal

Today I was at Vanderbilt Hospital in the waiting room of the Urgent Care Center with my mother. At two operational intake desks on each side of the room, sat four women, three African Americans and one Caucasian. The only other people in the waiting room were three men who were boldly talking about racism and their ugly point of view about white supremacy and how President Obama is evil.

My mother, who was the one waiting to see the doctor, turned around without even thinking and said in a disgusted tone, “Why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself?” After which, I stood up and made sure they knew we meant business. I went over to one of the ladies at the at the reception desk and said, “Will I get in trouble if I tell that loud redneck to take his conversation outside, because this is a public place?”

She answered, “No. And I would certainly appreciate it,” as I know she wasn’t allowed to speak up because of hospital policy.

Honestly, I was aghast at the behavior of these men—so brazen and proud of their disgusting prejudice. You’d have to wonder what kind of normal they had been bred from.

Then there was my mother, a person who had been brought up to believe that “negroes should be slaves” and that they were unclean by virtue of their color. I know this because the first time I befriended a “colored girl” I was told that she was not to come into the house. In fact, I remember inviting her to my sixth grade birthday party. Only about four of the twenty young friends showed up to my “outside cookout.” I was too young to realize it was because of prejudice. I never understood. I couldn’t see color then. I can’t really see color now.

So, you have to wonder about people in general. Can we truly blame their upbringing for what they believe? I was raised in a very prejudiced home. My mother was raised until she was probably 35 to believe African Americans were less than white folks. But an open and compassionate heart learns to love and accept when given a chance. Right? Mom and I did.

When people are prejudiced against gay or GLBT people, they have an opportunity to learn from their experience every time to be more compassionate and loving, despite their religious belief or cultural background. I have some friends that in their country being gay could get them killed. Yet, the freedom here in America to love has given them the compassion to open their hearts to something new and wonderful—the power to choose between law and love.

I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the day the Supreme Court is faced with the decision of allowing gays the same rights as the rest of society. Isn’t it time? How long can you hold back equal rights from millions of Americans—people you interact with every day… These same people are your hairdressers, your ballet teachers, your singing coaches, your acting coaches, your bankers, your lawyers, your school teachers, your artists. We are in every part of the subculture of the United States, paying taxes and primarily living the same life as straight people (except for a little more stylishly, you have to admit). What doesn’t afford us the equal rights of an American? That is the true question?

When the answer comes down from the Supreme Court, we will see where the country is in accepting change and compassion for all human beings, not just GLBT people. This is not just a gay matter. We have been fighting this battle since African Americans were freed from slavery and since women wanted to vote. Freedom and the ability for the country to change from its staunch old-granddaddy laws from the 1900s is NOW.

We have to voice it.

We have to change it.

We have to shout it out loud!

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Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health Coach, available for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New Lap-Band Hypnosis for Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at 615-400-2334 or www.bosebastian.com.

I am trying to spread the word about my blog and I need your help. Please let your friends know it exists, if it gives you hope and blesses you each day. If you are looking to enter the RSS or Atom Feed, you have to go to the home page of the blog to get there. Also, I write this Blog as a part of Finding Authentic You Ministries. If you would like to send an offering or a tithe, your donation would greatly be appreciated: 5001 Maywood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211.  And I would be greatly pleased for you to share anything that you read by clicking the share button in Facebook.com/bo.sebastian, or add it to your Twitter at BoSebastian; or LinkedIN at Bosebastian5@gmail.com; or find this blog home at www.FindingAuthenticYou.com. Any of my books can be found on Amazon or Barnes and Nobel, just by typing my name in the search header.