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Greetings Friends!
As always, I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy, and feeling loved.
I also hope you're enjoying the cooler mornings, these fun sneak previews of Fall's chilly temps, as much as I am! Some of you probably aren't. And if you prefer the sticky, sweaty dog days of summer....well, who am I to judge? I may not get it, but I promise not to love you any less :).
Lately, I've been thinking an awful lot about judgement. Between Facebook, fake news, real news, God only knows the truth news, and the many diverse opinions of so many......it's hard not to get caught up in the judgement frenzy.
And yes, when we think less of someone based on their opinions, actions, and comments - we are judging others.
Some may say, "Well, I have a right to my opinion and I don't care for someone who does XYZ or says XYZ. And if you don't like it, you can stick it where the sun don't shine!" In fact, I've seen a lot of that lately. Thankfully, not directed towards me. And hopefully, not towards you either. And of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. 100%. But a lot of strong feelings are bubbling to the surface these days and people are being affected on emotional and physical levels. Much of what I see and hear is disheartening and it's easy to get swept up in it all. My voice wants to rise up to challenge hate and my eyes are pulled to look down upon those who are unkind and my mind could easily take a trip on the judgement train. And it does sometimes.
It is in these moments that I refer to myself (in the third person) as ....Judge Juli. <sigh>
These are not proud moments. But they are human moments. And even though I know that it's not my job to sit in judgement of another person or group, sometimes it's so very hard not to. But I also know that it IS my job to love everyone...no matter what. That doesn't mean that I must agree with everyone. Or even like everyone. I don't have to be best friends or have lunch with everyone. But I know that I need to love everyone. Even those that are the most difficult to love. In fact, that is where the real challenge lies. People who are kind are easy to love, right? What's the challenge in that? But to love every person, place, and thing.....despite what I perceive to be horrific words, actions, and opinions? Well, that's a whole different ball of wax. Yet Spirit shows me that this is important. And that judgement has no place in this challenge. How can I love someone if I think that I am better than them in any way? How can I love someone unconditionally while sitting in judgement of them?
Being judgemental comes with a price, I've found. When I choose not to judge others, I feel better inside. When I judge others, I feel bad....and then I start to judge myself for being so judgey. And when I judge myself, I'm not loving myself unconditionally. As someone who already struggles with self love, that's a hamster wheel I'd rather avoid..
This suspending judgement thing seems like a tall order, I know. For me, too. But I am trying....with the help of my angels and guides. And the more I practice, the easier it becomes.
Years ago, my neighbor and I would walk our dogs together in the evenings in our average, run of the mill neighborhood. Kids played outside, riding bikes and running back and forth to each other's houses. Dogs occasionally get loose. At the time, we had a gentleman who would come flying up the street every night we'd be out, clearly exceeding the 25mph limit. Every night, we'd stand there fuming about how one day he was going to hit a dog ...or worse, a child. We yelled and called him names (not his name, but some other choice names), screaming at him to slow down. Nothing we shouted seemed to make a difference, as he continued to do the same each night. Later, as I became more spiritually aware, I would see him coming and my initial reaction was the same - fear, anger, and judgement. But I began to take a step back and concentrate on sending him love instead of hate. I visualized a beam of loving light leaving my heart and landing in his car and into him. At first it was extremely difficult to do. But after a few times, it became easier. Soon after, we stopped seeing him. Not sure what happened....maybe he moved. Maybe he was unknowingly presenting himself in my life at a time where I needed to learn this lesson and, once learned, he no longer needed to play his part. Who knows? All I know is that I felt a lot better inside when I stopped throwing my anger at him, and started sending love. And it got easier with practice.
My neighborhood Mario Andretti story may seem trivial compared to much bigger travesties that take place every day. Things we perceive as unforgivable - murder, rape, hate, abuse, human and animal cruelty - are way more challenging to cope with emotionally. Most would agree that judging a person for a traffic violation doesn't seem to be in the same zip code as judging someone for abusing a child or for taking a life. How on earth can we be expected not to judge in these situations? And why have a judicial system if we aren't supposed to judge?
I believe that laws and rules are in place for humans to live in perceived harmony. And that the courts were designed to judge a crime, not a person. It took me a minute to figure that out in my head. It's not about whether I am better than someone who has done something 'bad'. It's simply that the crime occurred and that the person who committed the crime becomes accountable. Again, that doesn't make the judge (who may be verbally abusive to his family and cheating on his wife) a better person than the person who commits a crime. He just knows the law and has the power to punish those who break the law.
For me it helps to try and look at things from a spiritual perspective. When looking through that lens, I'm able to understand that every person in this world has a path that is unique - full of good and poor choices in experiences, actions, and words. The whole purpose for being here is to come to learn, to make mistakes, face challenges and hardships, to experience joy and love, and to live an 'imperfect' life (to include passing judgement!). But the ultimate goal, I believe, is to be always working to be better. Better friends, partners, neighbors, humans....better souls. To lead by example, not by condemnation. To do what we can, when we can, to help others and to trust that everything happens (good and bad) for a reason.
So who am I to judge? I'm certainly not perfect so I probably shouldn't be casting stones...even when someone does something that I wouldn't do or don't agree with. Shoot, I have done and said things in my life that have hurt others....things I'm not proud of. And I will likely have a few more bumbles in the future. God knows I'm not perfect. Thankfully, He's okay with that and loves me anyway. We could all learn a thing or two from that guy (or goddess or whoever/whatever that is to you), right?
So, I'm just going to keep trying to do my best. And when Judge Juli starts acting up, I'm going to kindly ask her to... shut it.
Sending love out to all those who need/want it and prayers to those who may be hurting today. May you find peace in your heart and a smile on your face no matter what is happening in your world And if you need a place to go to lift your spirits, I hope you'll stop by sometime :)
Here's what's happening at Light Works this month...
To kick things off, I'll be teaching Meditation with Intention...to Connect with Spirit! on September 10th. Want to learn how to connect with Spirit? In this class, you'll learn my method of connecting with the angels, spirit guides, and loved ones...and, yes, anyone can do it :)
Next, we'll be getting together on September 14th for Movie Night! to watch...."The Power of the Heart". Learn about the intelligence of your heart and how it can transform your views about money, health, relations, and success in this amazing life changing film. Come hang out with me and other like minded folks for a chill night at the movies ...popcorn provided :)
On September 20th, I'll be delivering messages in a gallery style event at "Love & Hugs from Heaven - A Mediumship Demonstration with Juli". Come out and receive loving messages from Angels, guides, and loved ones on the other side! This is a great opportunity to witness how Spirit works with me to share messages of healing, guidance, and love. Those in the Spirit world are always around and want to help us to heal, to feel loved & supported as we navigate our way through life in the physical world. A mediumship gallery is a wonderful way to experience this beautiful connection.
Joyce is back on September 21st with "Chakra Balancing with Essential Oils!" . If you're looking for DIY method for bringing yourself back into alignment, be sure to join Joyce as she takes you on an interactive chakra balancing sensation journey. You'll even get some essential oil SWAG! So be sure to sign up to get in on the fun.
Join Lolita on September 24th for "Animal Guides and Totems with Lolita!" . Learn how animals in the physical world and in spirit are helping us in our daily lives. Lolita will also take you on a journey during a guided meditation to connect with your animal guide!
Interested in learning about IET (Integrated Energy Therapy)? On September 27th, Ranessa will be joining us to tell us all about it at "Introduction to Integrated Energy Therapy, Angelic Healing with Ranessa!" If you like the idea of working with the angels and you're interested in healing others...or receiving angelic healing, you won't want to miss this!
If you're looking for some extra guidance from your Spirit team, be sure to take advantage of this month's special - $30 for Three Questions & an Angel Card Reading. Send me three questions on topics such as relationship, career, family, or health and I will connect with your team of Spirit Guides & Angels for answers. You'll receive your answers via email! For more information and instructions, see below.
And finally....I'll be a guest over at Rising Pheonix on September 29th, delivering messages at "Messages from the Spirit World! - Mediumship Demonstration" See "Announcements" below for details!
So, these are just a few of the things happening this month at Light Works.
As always, new things are popping up on the Light Works Meetup page . Be sure to join the group to receive announcements. Stay tuned, stay connected, and stay in touch!
Sending lots of healing energy and LOVE to you all...hope to see you soon!
In love & light,
Juli <3
Juli Richardson
Certified Reiki Master Teacher, Psychic Medium, & Animal Communicator
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September 2017 
Practitioner's Corner 
