QUIZ: ARE YOU AN EMPATH?
The term “empath” is a form of identity emerging in the twenty-first century to describe a person who was born with unique variations in how her brain and central nervous system works. An empath has the ability to read and understand people and be in-tune with or resonate with others, voluntarily or involuntarily of one’s empath capacity.
In general, the biggest trait of an empath is a high degree of overall sensitivity. All of the sensory organs of an empath have an unusual sensitivity to light, smell, and sound, as well as other, subtler senses. Again, the degree to which they are sensitive depends on the capacity of their natural abilities. An empath also possesses a very sensitive emotional nature that is typically difficult to self-manage. However, being highly sensitive is only one part of being an empath.
Empaths are very, very intuitive. They tend to do things by feeling, sensing, and reacting to cues that most people can’t even begin to see. After all, empaths are driven by deep intuitive connections that are largely unconscious and automatic. Although what an empath senses or knows can’t be verified immediately, once they master their gifts their hunches and gut feelings can become invaluable.
Essentially, empaths have a deep sense of knowing that accompanies empathy and are often compassionate, considerate, and understanding of others. All of this may sound very intimidating, but in truth, these are gifts to be honed and celebrated. Folks who are empaths make wonderful healers, leaders, light workers and holistic practitioners. They are valuable contributors to those who wish to change the world.
So, does this sound like you? Take this brief quiz to find out:
QUIZ
Do you feel overwhelmed in situations where there are many people around?
Do you feel drawn to work that helps others and provides a valuable contribution to the world?
Do people (even strangers) come to you and share their life story, commenting that you are easy to talk to?
Do you feel the same sensation or emotion around a specific person repeatedly?
Do you prefer the energy of the ocean, forest, or nature to the city?
Do you have a strong reaction to violence and avoid horror movies, the news and any stories about violent acts?
Do you influence the moods of others?
Does your mood change depending on who’s in the room with you?
Do you cry easily and have a difficult time containing your emotion?
Do you require a lot of sleep, particularly after visiting a friend or loved one who is hurting?
Do you often feel the pain of others?
Are you good at reading between the lines of what people say (i.e. saying one thing but meaning another)?
Do you find yourself caring for or taking care of others more than yourself sometimes?
SCORING:
10-13 YES’S
You most likely have empathic gifts. “Earth Angel”, healer, holistic practitioner, Lightworker, Indigo child/parent: the aliases you might have go on and on. There are many terms that fall under the category of an empath. Regardless, you have beautiful gifts of compassion, love, empathy and healing that the world needs you to embrace and share with the world. If this sounds like you, you are being called in a big way to get to work on helping and molding our world.
6-10 YES’S
You most likely have empathic gifts and sensitivities beyond the average person. It’s time to awaken your gifts and abilities and strengthen your awareness of them. Consider exploring deeper into this possibility, as you may be ready to find and fulfill your sacred life purpose.
LESS THAN 6 YES’S
You may be sensitive but not necessarily empathic. In this case, honor your own boundaries and begin to elevate your awareness to what feels good and what feels bad. This will help you feel better as a sensitive being.
About the Author
How to Use Symbols to Manifest Your Desires
All of us in some way or another, are connected to, or influenced by symbols. When a group of Rastafarians started carving a totem pole out of a tree in a New York park they made a statement that affected the whole community. Countless people passing through the park were drawn to the totem feeling the connectivity this project initiated. Unwittingly, they were challenged to question the meaning of symbolism.
Symbolic connections act like antennae that enable us to tune in to the whole and understand the self, almost like road signs connecting a traveler to a destination.
Imagine All the Symbols
Imagine all the symbols in life we are already familiar with. Everyone relates to a circle. For some, it may signify the constant cycle of changing life or unity, wholeness and infinity or eternity. A river represents life-force and the passage of time. It also represents yielding. The symbol of a cup shows that form cannot exist without space, and space without form. There’s the dove that represents freedom. Symbols are powerfully present in religion – the cross, the Star of David, the endless knot, the tree of life, or the plait is present and recognized in most of the world’s awareness.
A Source of Wisdom
Whether we wear our symbols close to our bodies inscribed in gold or silver, hang them in our homes or tattoo them onto our bodies they are strongly inscribed in our minds. Our symbols become a source of wisdom and power for us. They express things that cannot be explained verbally and we often call on them for healing, representation, and ritual. They’re said to appear to us to awaken the ancient wisdom in our DNA.
A Source of Positivity
Imagery and visualization are becoming more popular as a way to replace negative thoughts or fear and to actively draw in positivity. We can use symbolism in conjunction with imagery to create a powerful effect. Texan based psychologist Jeanne Achterberg explains that “Imagery is a wedge or an entrance into the ability to translate and transform the very nature of our being.”
