<![CDATA[ALLYSON COCKRAM

<![CDATA[ALLYSON COCKRAM - Blog]]>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:56 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[When Our Longings Are Trying to Tell Us Something]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/when-our-longings-are-trying-to-tell-us-something

There are moments when we feel a pull inside us, an ache for something more. Not necessarily more activity or more noise, but more meaning, more peace, more connection. These feelings can be hard to explain. Sometimes we dismiss them, distract ourselves, or try to fill them with busyness.

Yet those longings keep returning. They show up in subtle moments, in the pauses between responsibilities or adventures, or in the strong sense that something deeper is calling us.

Evelyn Underhill, a Christian writer and spiritual teacher, captured this beautifully when she wrote: "Our innate longings are not illusions, but the voice of God calling us."

What if the restlessness we feel is not a problem to fix, but an invitation to listen? What if the longing for peace, purpose, or closeness with God is actually guidance, pointing us toward the life we were created to live?

We often try to reason our way through these feelings. It's easy to analyze them, question them, or push them aside because they feel inconvenient or unclear. But longing is rarely logical. It is spiritual. It is relational. It is a soul whisper that asks us to slow down and pay attention.

I’ve always enjoyed pausing to record an insight or message that has come to me. Over time, these recorded pauses grew into my Spiritual Inspirations PDF—years of listening gathered in one place. Usually, these messages strike at inconvenient times—but be ready, and don’t lose them! They may strike just as you are falling asleep, or when you are mid-task and need to pull out your phone notes or voice recorder in order to remember to return to it later. These little acts of noticing and capturing allow us to honour the promptings we often otherwise overlook.

Longing can be the beginning of prayer. It can be the start of transformation. It can be the nudge that leads us back to stillness. When we allow ourselves to sit with those inner desires instead of running from them, something shifts. We begin to notice patterns, invitations, and moments of grace. We start to recognize that God is not distant, but already speaking through our hopes, our questions, and even our restlessness.

So the next time you feel that inner pull, resist the urge to ignore it. Pause. Listen. Be curious about what your heart is trying to say. Because sometimes our deepest longings are not signs that something is missing or wrong. They are signs that God is near, guiding and calling us forward.

]]><![CDATA[Finding Flow in Stillness]]>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/finding-flow-in-stillness

We’ve all been there. We know stillness is calling us, but we keep distracting ourselves or putting it off. It becomes all too easy to try to think our way forward and figure everything out rather than making the time to receive God’s guidance. Why do we resist stillness when it is exactly what we need? Maybe it's fear, possibly the fear that we won’t get clarity, or even that we will!

Sometimes, when we try too hard to figure everything out on our own, we end up stuck, going in circles. It can feel frustrating, like nothing is moving forward.

But something beautiful happens when we let go of that struggle. When we pause, sit in stillness, and simply talk with God, insight begins to emerge. Thoughts that once felt tangled start to untangle themselves. Decisions that seem impossible begin to feel manageable. Life begins to flow.

This reminds me of a quote from Evagrius Ponticus, an early Christian monk, who wrote: "Faith, the beginning of love; the end of love, knowledge of God."

Faith is not just about believing in something distant or abstract. It is the doorway to love: the kind of love that transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world. And when love grows and deepens, it leads us into the knowledge of God, the source of peace, wisdom, and direction.

For many of us, this is exactly what stillness does. In moments of quiet prayer or reflection, we move from trying to control everything to trusting the flow that comes from faith. We begin to experience love, understanding, and a deeper connection to God that no amount of striving can produce.

So if you feel stuck today, check if you are forgetting to step back and allow yourself to receive. Sit in stillness. Talk with God. Let faith open the door to love, and let love guide you toward your answers. Clarity comes not from trying harder, but from listening more attentively.

]]><![CDATA[A Reflection on Resurrection and Renewal]]>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/a-reflection-on-resurrection-and-renewal

He is risen. Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, a holy reminder that even after the darkest moments, new life and hope can emerge. It is more than a date on the calendar or a cherished tradition. It is the greatest love story. It invites you to reflect on the ways you are being renewed: spiritually, emotionally, and personally.

This season, consider what “resurrection” might look like in your own life.

Is it:
• Releasing patterns that no longer bring life?
• Embracing a fresh perspective in your relationships, your work, or your calling?
• Noticing moments of light and grace in ordinary days?

Living in the light of resurrection does not mean your life is perfect. It means trusting that, even within your challenges, God is at work—bringing growth, love, and guidance.

Take a moment today to ask:
What in you is ready to be renewed?
Where is Christ inviting you into courage, hope, and openness?
What is one small way you can live with renewed hope and light this week?

May this Easter season remind you that renewal is possible, that death never has the final word, and that walking in faith allows Christ’s light to shine even in the darkest places.

]]><![CDATA[What is Christian Mysticism?]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/what-is-christian-mysticism

Christian mysticism is often misunderstood. The word “mysticism” can suggest hidden knowledge, spiritual elitism, or seeking an extraordinary spiritual experience. At its core, however, Christian mysticism is simple: it’s about relationship, surrender, and loving God, not just with belief, but with attention, presence, and trust.

Mysticism is essentially the deepening of faith. It calls us to slow down, listen, and notice the subtle ways God is at work in our lives. Christian mysticism does not attempt to solve the mystery of God. Instead, it embraces the mystery, acknowledging that God is both knowable and beyond full understanding. Rather than mastering faith intellectually, it invites humility and wonder. This faith holds both mystery and maturity: mystery keeps us open, reminding us that God is larger than our explanations and theology; maturity grounds that mystery in devotion, prayer, and love. It is not vague spirituality but rather a faithful response to God’s presence.

For me, it is less about seeking and more about resting in God. I no longer look for clarity or signs but rather sit in conversation with God, knowing that the stillness and surrender will provide all I need. The mystical path shows that spiritual life is not measured by understanding, but by willingness to trust. God is not waiting at the end of some distant climb. God is already here: present, patient, and inviting us into deeper communion.

Christian mysticism is not about escaping the world, chasing experiences, or reaching a higher spiritual level. It is about living with awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of life. It is about surrender, attention, and resting in the love that has always been holding us.

]]><![CDATA[Epilepsy Awareness Day: My journey, My milestone, My gratitude]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/epilepsy-awareness-day-my-journey-my-milestone-my-gratitude

As we mark Epilepsy Awareness Day, I’m reflecting on a personal milestone: 2 years seizure-free. I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy in January 2023, and what followed was, without question, the hardest year of my life. It tested me, changed me, and ultimately made me stronger. Today, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come and proud of the resilience it took to get here.

When I received the diagnosis, it was a lot to take in, and I needed time to process and understand what it meant for my life. What once felt like an unexpected enemy slowly became a teacher. It has invited me into a deeper awareness of my body and a more disciplined way of living.

This journey has taught me a lot. In an unexpected way, epilepsy has made me healthier. I now have a deeper respect for my body and a stronger connection to it than ever before. It has helped me define stronger boundaries around my empathy, reminding me that protecting my peace is both my right and my responsibility. It’s deepened my ability to relate to my clients with authenticity and compassion.

Epilepsy has helped me fully embody a truth I’ve always believed: real healing honours every layer of who we are: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Yes, that first year brought me to my knees at times… but it also brought moments of profound clarity and connection that drew me closer to God. In pain, there is purpose.

There are still difficult days, moments of fatigue or emotional heaviness. But this journey continually reminds me of resilience, patience, and gratitude.

If you’re navigating a health challenge, personal struggle, or life-altering diagnosis, please know this: even in the hardest seasons, growth, clarity, and strength are still possible. Keep going. Every step forward builds endurance and faith. 💜

]]><![CDATA[Get to Know Me: 10 Random Facts]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/get-to-know-me-10-random-facts
1. I can’t stand being cold… yet here I am in Alberta. 🥶

2. Christian music is always my go-to soundtrack. 🎶

3. No alcohol, but Zevia, cranberry + lime while cooking dinner = little ritual. 👌

4. Faith is my compass because my sense of direction? Google Maps. 🗺️

5. My idea of a wild night? Cozy blanket, Hallmark movie, zero plans. 🛋️

6. Nature walks are my secret reset button. 🌿

7. Flowers = love. Gardening? Creepy crawlies are not for me. 🧑‍🌾

8. Introvert mode: too much talking = wall hit, quiet time = essential 😴

9. Guilty pleasure: indulging my sweet tooth. Cake? Always a yes. 🍰

10. Favourite part of my day? Picking up my daughter from school - that run and hug never gets old. ❤️

💭 Your turn! Which one do you relate to?]]><![CDATA[Coming Home to Faith: My Shift from New Age Spirituality to Christianity]]>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/coming-home-to-faith-my-shift-from-new-age-spirituality-to-christianity

The biggest shift for me in moving from New Age spirituality to Christianity wasn’t theological. It wasn’t about learning new doctrines, reading more books, or correcting something I had been doing in my spiritual life. It was emotional.

For many years, I had been living faithfully in the way I understood. I prayed, reflected deeply, and tried to align my life with what I believed God was calling me toward. My spiritual life was real, active, and sincere. I wasn’t wandering aimlessly, and I wasn’t “doing it wrong.” I was seeking God with the tools and language I had at the time.

But, a couple of years ago, something inside me began to shift. There came a moment of realization that I was ready for a deeper kind of trust, not a rejection of the faith I had been living, but an invitation into something more grounded. I began to notice that instead of simply experiencing faith, I was longing to dwell in it.

In many ways, my earlier spiritual path had felt like it placed the centre of responsibility within me. My healing, my growth, my alignment, my spiritual progress—all of it felt like something I needed to manifest. And while there was beauty in that journey, I eventually realized that my soul was tired of carrying the centre. What I felt called to was different. I felt called to stop holding everything myself and allow myself to be held.

Choosing Christianity was making a vow—a conscious and heartfelt commitment to step into the fullness of God’s embrace. It was a decision to trust that my worth was not measured by my spiritual effort, and that I didn’t have to carry my faith on my own anymore. It was about relocating the centre of my faith. Instead of faith resting primarily in my ability to grow, seek, and align, it began to rest in God’s presence and grace. The shift felt like a friendship that had always been there but had deepened, and become more important over time. I felt drawn to spend more time in that presence, to lean into it, to trust it more fully.

The difference has been profound. My faith became anchored in a new way. It wasn’t dramatic or sudden; it was progressive. And some of the tools and things I once enjoyed, such as a card deck, a sound bowl, sage, or crystals, lost their resonance. I no longer felt the desire to use them. I no longer felt I needed them.

This experience has reminded me that my spiritual life can always grow richer, and so can yours. Even when we have been walking faithfully for years, there are always layers waiting to unfold, places where devotion becomes not just something we practice, but something we live.

For me, moving into Christianity was not a rejection of my past spiritual journey. It was the moment my spiritual centre shifted. It was a turning towards a place where faith could feel both devoted and restful, both mysterious and mature. The beauty of stepping into that fullness is that it doesn’t erase the faith I'd already lived. It gathers it and brings it home.

So if you ever feel the stirrings of a similar shift in your own heart, know this: it doesn’t mean you got it wrong or that your previous path lacked value. God meets you where you are. Sometimes it simply means your soul has matured and is ready to move into deeper union with Him—a place where you can be fully devoted, fully known, and fully held in love and grace.

]]><![CDATA[A New Chapter: Welcoming You to My Refreshed Space]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.awakenenchantment.com/sacred_journeys/a-new-season-welcome-to-the-rebirth-of-this-space

I’m excited to welcome you to this refreshed space. A space that reflects not just new offerings, but work guided by deeper intention and devotion.

This rebirth is an invitation: to pause, reflect, and step into your own story with faith, courage, and openness. Whether you’re here to grow spiritually, explore new insights, or simply find a moment of inspiration, my hope is that this space serves as a loving guide for your heart.

I’m also happy to share that I’ll be a guest on Meant 2 Be Heard podcast on March 31st. I’ve added the link so that once the episode is live, you can listen in and join the conversation about faith, intuition, growth, and the journey of spiritual transformation.

Thank you for being part of this journey. May you feel encouraged, inspired, and reminded that your light matters.

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