Julie Hines

Embracing Spirit: The Journey from Self-Centeredness to Soulful Service In our fast-paced, modern world, it's easy to get caught up in a cycle of self-centeredness—where everything revolves around "our" wants, "our" needs, and "our" desires. Society often encourages this kind of mindset, pushing us to focus on personal achievements, material wealth, and superficial successes. However, this kind of focus tends to leave us feeling disconnected, empty, and unfulfilled. But when we shift our focus from "self-centeredness" to being truly centered in our higher self, we awaken to a deeper purpose—one that aligns with being of service to humanity. This shift is transformative, and it starts with reconnecting with Spirit. The Power of Connection with Spirit When we are connected to Spirit—whether we call it the divine, the universe, or our higher self—we tap into a source of profound wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love. This connection realigns ...

  Life is Like Peeling an Onion: Layers of Growth, Healing, and Discovery Life is often compared to many things—journeys, books, and rivers. But one metaphor that resonates deeply with me is that life is like peeling an onion. Each layer represents an experience, a lesson, or a phase of personal growth. The deeper you go, the more you uncover about yourself, and sometimes, the process brings tears to your eyes. The Surface Layer: What We Show the World At the surface, onions have a thin, often papery skin, just like the façades we wear for the world to see. These outer layers represent our social masks, the identities we craft to fit into society. We show people what we want them to see: our polished selves, our successes, and the versions of us that conform to others' expectations.  Peeling this layer away requires honesty with ourselves. It’s about letting go of external validation and stepping into authenticity, even if it feels vulnerable at first. The Protective Layers: D...

Tired of Pretending: Living Authentically Without Sensors Have you ever felt like you've been playing a role, pretending to be someone you're not, just to meet the expectations of others? Maybe you’ve worn masks to fit in, silenced your true thoughts, and filtered your emotions, afraid of what might happen if the world saw the "real" you. If so, you’re not alone. Many of us have spent years conforming to societal, family, or professional pressures, only to wake up one day realizing we’re exhausted from the act. The question then arises:  "What would life look like if you stopped pretending and lived with no sensors?" The Exhaustion of Living a Filtered Life Pretending to be someone else takes a toll on the mind, body, and spirit. It’s like constantly carrying a heavy mask, one that you need to adjust depending on who you're around. You may even start to forget who you really are beneath it all. This continual self-editing causes stress, anxiety, and an o...