My Soul Revelations

Surfing Life

2012-01-31T13:44:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about what I "do" in the world and was gently nudged to think instead of who I "be." And who I "be" these days is a surfer . . . a life surfer . . . surfing, gliding and floating around on the current of life . . .allowing it to be easy.

Isn't that what we say when we are on the internet? "I'm suring the world wide web," people say.

Well, I want to surf life!

I was driving home from the office and this came to me. So interesting and novel to look at life this way. Gives us freedom to just "be."

Off to surf a little bit more . . .

2011-08-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

We went to Houston on Sunday for our granddaughter’s baptism. Avery Catherine Bench was born on June 8 and her paternal grandparents offered to host the baptism at their church. Her parents, Sara and Ryan, went down a few weeks ago and set everything up with the Minister, who is a very nice, friendly man named Steve. The 10:45 AM service on Sunday, August 14 was dedicated to Avery!

Ryan’s grandmother “Gigi” gave Avery a beautiful christening gown. It was white cotton batiste with gathered short sleeves and a beautiful collar and pin-tucking around the bottom. They are going to have her name embroidered on it, as well as the dates of her birth and baptism. Gigi also let Avery wear her tiny gold cross necklace for the day. Ryan’s mother had worn the cross on her baptism day, as well.

The service took place at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Houston. The church is a contemporary design and featured a wonderful band and great music. (Music has always been my favorite part of worship . . . must have been a Gregorian Monk in a past life or something!) When it came time for the baptism, the two screens at the front of the auditorium read:

The Minister called for Sara and Ryan to approach the baptism font and Tyler (Ryan’s brother) and Meagan (our older daughter) accompanied them as Avery’s Godparents.

Avery was precious. She let the minister pour water on her head 3 times. After the 3rd time, Sara said she looked at her as if to say, “What are YOU going to DO Mom? This is enough!"

He dried her head with a towel and then put oil on her forehead. After he said a few words, he asked to take the baby from Sara. He walked up and down the aisle and let people look at her! I’ve never seen this done, but he and the congregation seemed to enjoy it and the baby was OK.

When they sat down, she squirmed a little and then began to cry.
Sara and Ryan left with her to go to the “Cry Room” and they
put a different outfit on her and she settled down.

Ryan’s grandmother bought Avery the most beautiful christening
gown. It was new and maybe a little scratchy. She felt better in
her pink and purple girly dress and bloomers. Sara’s dad bought
her some little pink shoes that were adorable. Gigi also let Avery
wear HER gold cross necklace. It was really pretty. I’m so glad
Ryan’s grandmother was able to come.

Our family enjoyed the honor of witnessing this blessed event!

Ryan’s parents treated everyone to a Mexican food lunch afterward.
Ryan's Mom, Paula, had a cake made in the shape of a Bible
with beautiful roses and Avery’s name and the date of
the baptism.

So, what are my thoughts on this special day? That life is holy and special and that we have a big responsibility to help Avery grow and learn about the Universe and her unique place in it.

Her tiny feet will grow and take her on many adventures. She is blessed to have so many people who love her and will be here to help her along her way.

She is growing up in an awesome time, with so many opportunities for learning and creating a truly wonderful life. I am honored to be a part of her life!

The Real Horse Whisperer

2011-08-04T09:20:00.001-07:00

My husband and I went to see "Buck," which is a wonderful independent film about the man who was the true spirit represented in the book and the movie "The Horse Whisperer." I love horses and my husband loves horses, so we were thrilled when we learned about this film. I wasn’t prepared for the roller coaster of emotions that I experienced!

Here’s what Buck’s website says about the film

This film, BUCK, was created to move people to make changes in how they deal with horses and life's challenges. Buck Brannaman is a true cowboy who has overcome tremendous personal odds. This film intends to inspire, motivate and teach through principles of respect, partnership and trust rather than anger, fear and intimidation.
BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. A truly American story about an unsung hero, BUCK is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.

The film tells the story of Buck’s life in a very realistic, unvarnished way. He doesn’t whine about his childhood, nor does he make excuses for his father. He is a true example of turning our wounds into pure gold.

Here’s Buck’s own website:

http://brannaman.com/

If you are looking for a film that will uplift you and inspire you, go see “Buck.” It will be playing later in August at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth. Better yet, buy the DVD when it comes out and share this heartwarming story with your friends and family. And have plenty of tissues on hand!

More Love . . .

2011-06-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

I was holding my granddaughter Avery today, after giving her a bath and settling into the couch. As she lay there, snuggled in her little pink blanket, sleeping so peacefully, I thought of my own Grandmother.

We called her "Granny." For almost 10 years of my life, she lived 7 houses down the block. I spent a lot of time at her house, both playing in her yard, eating her food and helping her with chores. When I think of the concept of "unconditional love," her face comes into my mind. I can close my eyes and smell her talcum-powdered body or the Jergens lotion that she used several times a day on her hands.

Sometimes, my memory reminds me of the Juicy Fruit that she always had in her purse!

I don't recall ever hearing my Granny raise her voice or speak in any manner other than loving. She always wore an apron (except for church!) and always had a pie or fried chicken or biscuits ready at a moment's notice. (Biscuits and her gravy . . . mmmmmmm . . .)

As I sat there in my daughter's apartment, alone with Avery, the love I felt swept over me and I was taken back in time. I was sitting at my Granny's knee in her livingroom, and then outside on her back porch. Eating watermelon was one of her favorite activities and her back porch hosted many of these summertime treats.

At her knee, I would just drink in her love, her way of just "being." And this allowed me to just "be," also. I always felt like I was "off duty" at Granny's house, free to just "be" ME! Isn't that a wonderful gift to give to a child?

So, as I thought of my Granny, I thought of Avery and how very much I want to "be" that kind of unconditional love for her. How much I want to give her the gift of just "being" her.

Those are big shoes to fill, and I'm willing to go for it!

My New Love Child . . . Avery

2011-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

Or, maybe I could say, "Child of Love!"

My granddaughter was born yesterday. Her name is Avery Catherine Bench and she is precious, perfect and pure love! She can teach us so much about love and trust. She trusts that all of her needs will be met. When she is hungry, she cries or makes little sucking sounds or tries to eat her fist. She doesn’t say, “Oh, should I eat now?” or “I’m too fat,” or “I’m too skinny.”

Yes, she asks for food when she’s hungry and someone attends to it. When she’s wet, she cries or makes those little noises and kind of scrunches up her face. Then we know to help her, to take care of what she needs.

As I watched her, I thought of how much the Universe is like this; if we will allow good things to come to us. We create a desire, put emotion behind it and it manifests.

What gets in the way is our:
· shame
· limiting beliefs
· guilt
· lack of deservedness
· feeling that the world is a scarce or scary place

How pure and innocent she is. Just think, she has:

· No shame
· No limiting beliefs
· No guilt
· No lack of deservedness
· No feeling that the world is a scarce or scary place

In fact, she is PURE LOVE! She loves everyone, unconditionally and we love her, unconditionally, too. At this point, she hasn’t stayed out all night or skipped school or done any of the things that usually bother us parents. She is just this little bundle of joy and love and happiness.

I want to be like Avery: trusting and pure love. As it says in the Course in Miracles:

The awareness of love’s presence is our natural birthright.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all of the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

Teach only love for that is what you are.

So, I want to recapture that state of Pure Love. Thank you, Avery, for teaching me about Love!

Return to Love

2011-05-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

I am continually looking for ways to raise my vibration, to release limiting beliefs, to let go and just allow. (Aren’t we all?) I’ve studied Abraham, EFT, Theta Healing, hypnosis, Zensight Process, Z-Point Process, InnerSpeak, NLP, The One Command, 21st Century Energy Medicine and read hundreds of books and taken on-line courses, too. It is so interesting when I hear a truth and it really clicks.

Several years ago, I studied with a Reiki Master who was teaching people about manifesting in a beta group. He showed us a simple formula:V + E + R = M

Visualization + Emotion + Releasing = Manifesting.

He took us through all types of tools and techniques for releasing and ended with going back to LOVE. We watched videos of Lester Levenson, the creator of The Sedona Method, as he talked about Love and returning to unconditional love to manifest our dreams. He gave an example of a woman he had loved and lost and how he decided to focus in on her and remember the love they shared and just focus on LOVE:

“this thing called love is your basic nature. All the love in the universe is in your basic nature. You will discover that happiness—your happiness—equates to your capacity to love and conversely all your miseries equate to your need to be loved. Just love, love, love and you will be so happy and healthy and prosperous. Remember, you need to release your non-love feelings. Try it, you will like it.”

Lester's six steps
1) Want freedom more than anything else.
2) Decide you can do the method and be free.
3) See all your feelings as expressions of three basic wants: the want of approval, control, and survival. Release the want of approval, the want of control, and lastly the fear of death.
4) Release continuously.
5) If you are stuck, let go of wanting to change the stuckness.
6) Release more and more and become happier and lighter, until you move beyond happiness into imperturbability and freedom.

Lester was sent home to die at 42 and found the secret to life and lived to 84!

Now, I was exposed to this 2 or 3 years ago. Last year, I met my friend Tina Ferguson, who also talks (and lives) it’s all LOVE and you can return to Love and just step into that wonderful place of LOVE.

Then, I read The Shadow Effect and loved Marianne Williamson and her cool, loving way, so I found her book A Return to Love. What a wonderful book! So powerful, empowering and inspiring. Then, this week, I find Florence Shinn. Her book about The Game of Life has a similar theme and instructions: LOVE

Then, I was reading Why Good People Do Bad Things by Debbie Ford and she talks about one of her mentors, Emmet Fox. His short treatise on The Golden Key includes these great instructions about releasing your troubles by focusing on God (love).

I finally get it. LOVE.

And this helps me so much with the current rift in my family. Due to some things that happened last Fall, my middle sister and I aren’t speaking. This is very painful for me. I’ve done all I can by apologizing and extending my hand. Now, I give it to God and return to LOVE.

Seems like I learned that in Sunday School.

I guess I am just remembering this truth.

My sweet sister-in-law says:
“I am happy that we are a part of each others’ lives and what has happened in the past is in the past.”

Couldn’t say it better myself.

My Granny Was Pure Love

2011-05-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

As I read Marianne Williamson and work with local mentors, I keep hearing, “return to love.” I remember almost 2 years ago hearing Michael Beckwith of Agape in Los Angeles lead his group on a meditation for manifesting and he instructed us to go back to a place of unconditional love. Tap into that love, that wonderful place and, from that place, begin to dream and design your life.

Well, for me that is a time when my Granny lived 7 houses down the block and I spent a lot of time at her house. Many times, I would ride my skateboard down to her house, get a casserole or something and fly back home. I spent many Friday nights down there, too, hosting slumber parties for friends or the cousins.

My Granny was ALL LOVE. She exuded love, lived love and danced love. (Don’t know where that last bit came from, but I’m going with it!)

She was a farmer’s daughter, farmer’s wife and mother of 9 kids. When her first husband died of the swine flu in 1920, she packed her 3 kids up in a covered wagon and came back home to Texas from Colorado. Once back home, she moved onto her parents’ farm in West Texas and went to town and found her next husband, the man who would become MY grandfather. They had 6 more children together.

My Granny had a typical farmhouse and no toilet until I was a toddler. I remember going to the outhouse and the commotion when they decided to build the bathroom. It was an “add on” which also added a screened-in porch to the back side of the little white house. Here, me and my cousins would line up on pallets of warm and comfortable blankets for the family visits.

My Granny made me feel so special. She had a way of truly “being” with you. When I was in her presence, I was present. Do you know what that means? I can still close my eyes and smell the smoke house that was a portion of the barn/garage that was built to the side of her house. Later, when she moved to Lubbock to be near us and I was in her kitchen, I watched her bake biscuits, make that terrific gravy and fry chicken. (I can still remember seeing her ring the necks of chickens and visualize the poor, headless creatures running all over the yard at her farm!)

Yes, my Granny WAS pure LOVE.

One of my favorite summer activities was eating watermelon on her back porch at the house that was down the street from us. She had rusty old lawn chairs and an old bed spring that we all sat on. We would put the watermelon on a little table and get spoons and dig in. Some people liked to add salt, some did not. We all ate out of the same watermelon half!

When my husband bought a watermelon and cut it into slices and gave me my slice on a plate, it just wasn’t the same. Yes, I can imagine that there were germs and all kinds of stuff being swapped in our spit and such. But, in those days in the innocent ‘60’s, we didn’t have a phobia of germs, bacteria or viruses of any kind. No worries about eating after a loved one.

“Loved one.” I’ve said that word thousands of times and never stopped to think.

One that I love. That’s my Granny!

Thank you for teaching me about love!

I Met My Granddaughter Yesterday . . .

2011-04-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I got to meet my granddaughter, Avery, and she isn’t even born yet! But I digress. Let me tell you about the day I learned that she was coming to come into the world: My daughter, Sara and her boyfriend, Ryan called and asked me to go to lunch, back in September.As soon as they sat down in the booth, Sara exclaimed, “Mom, we have some news. We’re expecting! You’re going to be a Grandmother!” I clapped and clapped and smiled and went, “Oh my goodness! How exciting!” And so, the adventure began. Over the next few months, we saw Sara’s little belly grow and began hearing the stories about the little angel inside. The baby was very active, almost from the beginning. Then, in January, we found out that the baby is a girl! Wow! A new baby and she’s a girl! Her name will beAvery Catherine Bench! Each month, Sara and Ryan were able to see her on sonograms and see her heart beating and her little fists and toes. Last weekend, Sara called and was upset about some thumping she was feeling. Hiccups, I told her. She is just having the hiccups! She wakes Sara up really early each day. Sara has turned into a morning person, after being a Night Owl for most of her life. Sara also eats everything in site and has to eat often. She says: the baby is hungry, a lot! Then, yesterday, I was invited to go for a 4D sonogram. This is kind of a new technology and my sister told me: It’s like pushing the oven light and looking in the window. You can see what’s cooking without opening the door. And she was so right! The Doctor used a sonogram wand and had a screen with two images. One was the fanshaped sonogram image, which is gray and black. The other one was a square-shaped peachy-golden colored window. At first, it looked like little bundles of stuff in different shapes. Then, as the Doctor waved the wand over and around, the bundles and blobs took shape and we began to see her face, hands and feet! Her head was so beautiful! Shaped like Sara’s and I could see Sara’s nose and cheeks. Later the Doctor said that she would most likely have Sara’s eye shape. She even opened her mouth once. She pulled her little hands up to her face and Ryan counted her fingers. All there! Then, she pulled up her feet and the Doctor was able to put the wand just right and clicked and got a picture of the feet. Yes, all ten toes, too! The Doctor took some measurements and when he added them all up announced that she weighs about 4 pounds. He estimates she will weigh 7 or 7.5 pounds at full term. Then, it was as if she said, “OK, folks, show’s over,” because she curled up and we couldn’t see her face. The Doctor tried moving the wand and pressing on Sara’s belly, but she was finished with the show for the day! Through it all, I was aware of what a mystery this all still is: the mystery of life and how it begins and forms and how one day very soon, she will pop out into the world. Yes, we know how it all happens, but isn't it all so magical! It is truly magical!

The Divine Feminine

2011-04-04T13:11:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, I hosted author Julie Loar, who wrote a wonderful book called "Goddesses for Everyday: Exploring the Wisdom and Power of the Divine Feminine around the World. She presented a lovely workshop that chronicled the history, mythology and culture of women. We traced the footsteps through time, beginning with 70,000 years ago! Yikes! Did you know that the earliest representations of the human form are female? Julie did years of research and worked in a very intuitive style to create a calendar of 366 Goddesses from every culture, religion and myth. We went over some of the goddesses and did a meditation to meet one of our own! Then, we each shared the goddess who stands for her birthday. The wise women in attendance added so much to the workshop, sharing intimate musings and perspectives that were thought provoking and wonderful. Julie was so full of grace, elegance and charm. We want her to come back! About 8 of us took the discussion on to a quick dinner at La Madeleine and continued this special time. We met new friends and were reaquainted with old ones. I was particularly struck by the wide range of ages in the room. The oldest woman was 78 and the youngest I would guess was about 25. The rest of us filled in the range. It was amazing how similar our questions were and how similar our interests are. I have always loved being a woman. This group is just one reason why I feel this way.

Love Can Heal

2011-01-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

“Know that truth, forgiveness, and love can heal the world. Imagine if all of us could be truthful with ourselves, start forgiving everyone, and start loving everyone. We would no longer be selfish, gossiping would be over, and we would no longer judge one another. The world would become a place where all of us live in love.”

I copied this quote from Facebook on Friday. I think it was from Don Miguel Ruiz. (Usually, I put the author of the quote and I missed it this time. My apologies to Don Miguel!)

When I opened my computer this morning to write a little about the Golden Globes, I saw it and it is a fitting opening to my blog for today. The quote talks about a place where LOVE reigns and where people forgive and live in truth.

Well, such was NOT the case last night at the Golden Globe Awards. Steve and I watched in horror as one after another of Ricky Gervais’ jokes sprayed the audience with a vile and mean-spirited type of humor. Last year, I remember laughing hysterically at some of his jokes, wincing at some and having a good time with the show. We LOVE movies and we see one movie a week, whether it’s at our local multi-plex or downtown Dallas at the Angelika or Magnolia. We REALLY love movies, mostly the independent films. Therefore, we enjoy the Golden Globes, because they tend to honor the small films that stand out in a world of 3D blockbusters and action films.

What I witnessed last night was totally over the line of good taste, decency and honor. Ricky blasted person after person, many times just before the person took the stage. Several times, I turned to Steve and asked, “Do you think that was scripted or was it an ad lib?”

Many comments were partially blanked out. The audio was just gone! Blank space where an expletive was said. When Ricky left the show at the half way mark and didn’t return for over an hour, we wondered if he had been fired. Some bloggers pointed out that many times, the host isn’t seen that much in the last half of the show. He did return and the tone seemed to have shifted a bit.

I guess he just seemed angry to me. Why else would someone IN the film and TV industry blast such mean-spirited and outright hostile comments at peers? He even made a very crude joke about the President of the HFPA.

In my family, teasing was not only tolerated, but often taken to a high form. I have been called many nicknames throughout my life, none of which are flattering or kind. When I questioned my Mom once, she just said they were “teasing.” And that it was “all in fun.”

One of the actors from The Social Club, Andrew Garfield said, 'He's been terribly nasty and horribly rude and I think he's genius.' Is this what our world has come to?

Robert Downy Jr. (one of my favorite actors) really summed it up ““Aside from the fact that it’s been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I’d say the vibe of the show has been pretty good so far, wouldn’t you?”

I guess that brings me back to Love . . . I want to live in a world that knows that truth, forgiveness and love can heal the world.

How Do You Know - Fun Movie with a Message

2010-12-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Steve and I saw "How Do You Know" last night. I am such a lucky girl, with a husband who loves ALL KINDS of movies. This one was really fun and packed with messages around every corner. It's all about asking "how do you know" about a certain girl or guy, what to do in certain situations (like when you are about to be indicted by the Fed. Gov) and about some people's motives in life.

My favorite line was when Lisa (Reese Witherspoon) goes to see a psychiatrist and she asks if there is just something "general" he can tell her to help her. He says this:

"You need to figure out what it is you want and learn how to ask for it."

(The psychiatrist was played by Tony Shalhoub, who also plays Monk on the TV show of the same name. Kind of a twist to allow Tony to play the psychiatrist and very fun!)

Although this is a "rom com" (romantic comedy - learned that term from Carrie Fisher and her one-woman show the other night) this is a very heavy line . . . so, let me repeat it . . .

"You need to figure out what it is you want and learn how to ask for it."

This is what I've been struggling with MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!

A lot of us have baggage that prevents us from even KNOWING what we really want. Once you get clear on that, we have to work on the courage to ask for it!

Courage is a funny word. I think I always thought it meant being fearless. But, I've come to know that there really is no such thing as "fear-less." Fear is always going to come up, especially when we are encountering our "stuff" that needs to be cleared. The question is usually, "do I trust enough to let this stuff go and move on to a higher level of living?"

How do you know when it's OK to just let go?

My Best Birthday Gift . . . EVER!

2010-11-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I received a birthday card from my Mother. Now, this isn’t really unusual, because my Mother ALWAYS sends me a card, but this time, it is really special.

Ten years ago, after a nasty break-up with a man with whom I’d had a 3 year relationship and who I really thought I would marry, I changed my name. I decided that I wanted to be called by my initials, rather than my name. Shortly thereafter, I changed companies, as well, so just kind of “started over” with a clean sweep, new name, new me!

My family did NOT agree to calling me by my new name. At first, I thought it was because I hadn’t asked. So, I asked. Then, I decided it was because I didn’t explain. So I explained. Over the next 10 years, only one of them acquiesced and that was my Dad.

Most recently, I made ANOTHER plea, this time to EVERYONE and in WRITING. One sister wrote back and flatly refused. She said she wasn’t going to call me something that only one Uncle and my Ex-husband had called me. A brother-in-law (not her husband) wrote and said that “we don’t know who PJ is” and insinuated that “they” wouldn’t be calling me PJ anytime soon.

I talked to my husband about it: Isn’t this ridiculous? The only thing I have ever asked of my family and they won’t agree!

(I’d like to point out that my daughters jumped on board with this Day 1 and one of them routinely calls me PJ instead of Mom! Steve met me as PJ, so he never had a chance to call me anything else!)

And, then I got my birthday card from my mother! Inside was the most beautiful butterfly card, in shades of blue and purple with metallic, sparkling accents. Along with the traditional check for both birthday and Christmas (my birthday is only 4 weeks from Christmas) was a typed sheet of paper with a list of 11 names of various family members. Each one had changed his or her name, one doing so at age 50 and legally changing it in front of a judge.

Now I knew about each of these stories, but I had never thought to use this information as substantiation for my own request. At the bottom of the sheet, she said simply, “So, if you want PJ for a name, then go for it. I may not always remember, but I will try.”

I was jazzed, surprised and elated! WOW! She finally heard me! (You have NO idea how BIG this is for my Mom.)

And then, on the way in this morning, I had this thought: something in me has shifted and changed to allow this great gift.

If our outside world reflects what is on the inside, then I have really shifted something. So, what’s next?

Gratitude doesn't even begin to describe what I am feeling!

Diana, Princess of Wales - Her Ring Takes on a New Life

2010-11-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

Well, with all of the talk around Prince William and Kate, I am reminded of my facination with her ring. In 1981, I was coming to the end of a really bad marriage. We really lived totally separate lives and I was very unhappy. We tried counseling. I tried talking. I tried being flexible. I even tried comprising . . . a lot! In the end, he wouldn't change and I had to move on. In Jan 1982, I asked for a divorce and in February, I fell in love with Husband #2 on a trip to Mardi Gras. (Doesn't that only happen in the movies?)

So, for those friends and family members who propigated the story that I had an affair with someone from work and then divorced my husband, here's a message for you: Not True!

Anywho, we met, fell in love, decided to buy a condo together and then he proposed in the summer of 1982. He gave me a beautiful, small ring, a kind of "promise" ring, he said, although he knew we were a little old for that tradition! (Both of us were 27 at the time)

We then went to jewelry stores and looked for the perfect ring! I was especially excited because I got to pick it out myself. In my prior engagement, I had been given a family diamond (it was beautiful, truly) but I was taken to one of those discount, catalog stores and shown a few mountings and allowed to select one. I never truly felt it was "my" ring.

So, this time, it was going to be mine. Initially, I dreamed of a sapphire and diamond ring, just like Princess Di. Now, I knew that I would never HAVE a ring like hers, since Charles paid $65,000 for her ring at the time. (It would be worth about $150,000 today!) However, I
was excited about the idea of something similar.

That is, until I saw one on the finger of a woman I worked with. Somehow, when I saw the ring on another woman's finger, I realized that I really didn't want that ring at all. It was only then that I was able to go and select a ring that was truly mine. What a blessing that I was able to see the ring and all it represented to me in that way.

So, thank you, Lady Di, for providing contrast for me, back when I didn't even know what contrast was.

And congratulations to William and Kate!

Becoming Me, With My Shadow and All of My Imperfections

2010-11-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

‎"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." -Anna Quindlen

This quote speaks to me on a level that is so true, so wonderful and so liberating! When I saw it this morning, I just knew I had to blog about it!

I used to love that Hershey’s Kiss commercial where the little boy gets a Kiss in his lunch and says, “When my Mom says ‘nobody’s perfect,’ she could be talking about my brother!”

Nobody IS perfect, but that doesn’t stop parents, teachers and church folks from pretending that it’s possible and then holding all of us (except themselves) to this standard.

So, today, I’m going to give myself permission to BE myself. I’m working a lot these days with my Shadow self. It started a few years ago when someone mentioned Jung and his concept of Archetypes. I read the books by Caroline Myss and bought her Archetype cards.

Then, in February of this year, I heard a woman speak about “the Shadow” and how relationships bring out our shadows. I invited her to hold a workshop on Astrology and The Shadow Dance in June. Then, in September, I invited my friend Dr. Margaret Clench to teach a 6 week workshop on Archetypes.

Recently, I was cleaning out my guest room and found a bunch of old files, including some sheets from Byron Katie on “The Work.” She invites us to look at our conflicts and use a journal sheet to record each conflict, a little about the person with whom you are in conflict, what you would like instead, etc. Then, she has this amazing technique that she calls “The Turnaround.” You take the very thing that you are accusing the other person of doing and invites you to look at how the person might do the opposite and how you might be doing that very thing to the other person! And, if that isn’t enough, she asks you to reflect on how you might be doing this same thing to YOURSELF!

Well, it is just incredible! I had been introduced to Byron Katie quite a few years ago and even downloaded the free worksheets from her site. However, “when the student is ready . . .” I guess this week, IAM READY.

I did the process on a conflict with one of my brothers-in-law and my little sister. WOW! It is so liberating!

This morning, I was running out the door and went back to say something to Steve. He said, “Baby, I’m trying to get ready here and you keep interrupting me!” Well, I fumed to the car and thought to myself, “He doesn’t have time for me!” Then, as soon as it came in, I thought of “The Work” and did my turnaround:

Steve doesn’t have time for me.
Steve DOES have time for me.
I don’t have time for Steve.
I don’t have time for myself.

WOW! What an insight! I’ll be working on this for the rest of today!

Au Revoir to Suzy, Not Goodbye

2010-11-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

I just got word that my friend Suzy Moore crossed over this morning. She was such a sweet person, with kindness and caring such a part of her nature. She was always smiling and radiating love, wherever she went.

Just a few weeks ago, I saw her at an event and we hugged and talked as if only a day had passed since the last time we spoke. She always asked about me, my work, my husband, and family. And, she really wanted to know. Suzy REALLY was interested in whatever interested you and it showed in her compassion, her attentive listening and that smile! Her smile could light up a room!

About a year ago, I invited Suzy to be a part of a group I was creating to produce retreats for women who are just coming on to their spiritual paths. She politely declined, saying that she didn't think she fit in. I begged her to reconsider, but she continued to decline and wished me the best with our project. I thought many times about how I handled the invitation. Was I too brusque? Should I have given her a chance to help us create the group, rather than attempt to add her later to the faculty?

I thought of my questions this morning when I learned of her passing. I immediately went outside and talked with her.

Suzy, I want to apologize for the idiot way I invited you to be a part of our group. I know I screwed it up. And, I also know you know me. You REALLY know me now! And you know that I was inviting you from a "heart" place. That I really wanted you to participate in whatever way was authentic for you. Thank you for touching my life, Suzy. I love you and I am blessed to know you and I can't wait to see what we will create in the next life! Cheers, my friend! I'll bet you are dancing and kicking up your heels as you transition. And so I say to you, "au revoir," as the French say, which means "until seeing you again."

As I walked back into my building, it began to rain. I thought about other friends & family with whom I might have misunderstandings. Well, the one with Suzy is settled now. However, I don't have to wait for someone to pass to work things out, do I?

I've got some phone calls to make . . .

For the Love of Monster Truck Drivers . . .

2010-09-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

This morning, as I was driving to my office (I drive 40 miles each way every day) I signaled a lane change and moved over to the right. I had plenty of room, but evidently upset the guy behind me in the monster truck, because he immediately flashed his brights and gunned it to go around me. I maintained my speed behind him and then he stepped on his brakes. I kind of expected that, so I was prepared. I resisted the urge to go around him and as I drove behind him, I pondered the fact that I even WANTED to go around him and “beat” him to the I-20 West exit.

Why do we do this? Why do “I” do this? That’s so “First Chakra” and “tribal” as my mentor Caroline Myss would say. All of the work I’ve done and I still want to “beat” someone to the next exit?

So, as I drove behind him and saw him go around another car and “leap frog” to the very front of the line on I-20, I thought: “What if I could send him light and love, instead of being pissed off or hurt or wasting energy on the guy in the monster truck?” So I did.

I imagined pink love and white light emanating from my fingertips as I raised my right hand off of the steering wheel, pointed it in his direction and kind of made a wave motion, as if love was flowing right toward him. Then, I said a prayer for him and one for myself.

Some of my teachers and mentors tell me that when “you spot it, you got it,” so I know that I’m projecting some of my own “bad ass” tendencies. Cocky people who take more than their share of the road bother me. People who drive big, monster trucks and then blow by me or almost hit me as they go around me REALLY bug me.

So, with the whole “shadow” concept in mind, I want to embrace the part of myself that gets upset over this type of behavior. Does it mean that a part of me wants to do that? Wants to be “king of the road” and lord it all over everyone? Maybe. Or, did I act like that in another life, in another time and now I’m getting to see what it feels like to witness it or be treated like that?

Yep, maybe so.

My prayer for myself is one that asks for my Higher Self to integrate and embrace those parts of that driver that I most abhor. And I embrace it long enough to take the emotional charge out of it and reduce the action to something equivalent to walking across the street. Neutral. Not bad, not good, just an action.

And then, I can go back to “be-ing” ME.

Grapevine Botanical Gardens - Cool in the Shade

2010-08-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today I got to visit one of my favorite places on earth: the Botanical Gardens in Grapevine. My dentist is in Grapevine and I drove by the post office to drop off some packages before my appointment. On the way to my dentist’s office, I saw the Botanical Gardens and decided to stop in.

What a surprise: it was almost cool in the shaded areas, so with my bottle of water and camera in tow, I walked around. I found the most beautiful (and accommodating) butterfly, which flitted and fluttered around and allowed me to snap 20 pictures of it before it said, “OK, enough, already!” I snapped some beautiful flowers, too.

This place is particularly special to me because it’s the scene of my wedding to my husband Steve. Just over 8 years ago, we asked our daughters if they wanted to go out to dinner and told them we had a short stop to make. Steve ran into Tom Thumb to get some flowers and handed them to Meagan, our older daughter and we drove to the Botanical Gardens.

Once there, we were met by our friends Jim and Carol, who had been our teachers at the marriage class (well, BEFORE- Marriage Class) we had taken at Fellowship Church in 2001. Jim is also an ordained minister and he was thrilled to perform the ceremony. Carol stood by and took lots of pictures and then mailed them to us a few days later. They are really sweet people.

After the brief ceremony, attended only by Carol, Meagan and our younger daughter, Sara, we all went to Red Lobster and had dinner. All in all, a very special day!

I love the gardens, because of the transformation I’ve seen for that plot of land over the last 27 years. When we moved to Grapevine in 1983, it was a small park with a few trees and a small ravine that was either added for flood control or carved into the land by rain waters.

Over the years, a gazebo was added, as well as koi ponds, walkways and a home on the property was annexed to be a community center for meetings and parties. When we utilized it as the scene for our wedding, it had just undergone a major renovation, with the addition of covered walkways and a few bridges. All in all, it just keeps expanding and growing.

Now, there is wrought iron fencing all around the perimeter of the gardens, leaving the park area open for play and framed by trees for beauty.

Inside the gardens are birds of all types, butterflies, and dragonflies of many varieties. The flowers are every color of the rainbow and the caladiums and special green plants are breathtaking, too.
I sat in one of the covered areas and just snapped a few more photos and took in the color and beauty of nature . . . While in the shade, I tried to snap a small dragonfly, but he wasn’t as patient with me as the butterfly!

I guess the Botanical Gardens remind me of, well, ME! I’ve been transforming myself over the past 15 years, too! With each passing year, I grow and stretch, as I become all that I am to be!

Releasing Weight - My New Heart Adventure

2010-07-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

I remember being told in my hypnosis training five years ago that Americans don't like the concept of "losing weight" so refer to it as "releasing excess pounds." As Americans, we DON'T like to lose!

I get it, but at the heart of it, it is about losing something that no longer serves us, releasing something and letting go. Yes, it's all of those things.

Over the past 30 years, I have gained and lost 50 pounds twice and it's time to lose it again!

In a meditation last night, I was clearly shown how this weight has protected me in many ways:

childhood hurts & abuse
wounds by people I love
sensitivity to others
defensive strikes
loss & grief
fear & shame
anger & rage
lack of love

In an earlier meditation, I was shown the door to my heart. With Google images and a little help from Paint software and the addition of a door knob, the graphic at the top is a pretty good

representation of what I saw. Inside, I saw this beautiful little girl in braids, dressed like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, swinging in a beautiful swing, decorated with yellow garlands of flowers up and down the ropes.

My little self, my Dreamer Self says she is ready to help me “peel away the layers.”
“I’ll help you,” she says, “and then I can come out and play.”

‘It’ll be fun---you’ll see.”

She went on to say that we will know fun and fearless flying and a type of Friendship I have never known.

Another interesting image was that the little girl (who I knew instantly was me) had a “heart-shaped” face and wore braids, just like I wore when I was young. When I really look at myself and take away the bangs that I have worn since my 20’s when blow dryers came into existence, I HAVE a heart-shaped face. My “widow’s peak” and my cheeks give me a heart shaped face. I just don’t see it, because I always have my bangs.

The little girl was swinging, going back and forth and zooming very high up. It was as if she was flying.

I have a feeling we have many more visits and interesting journeys to take together, now that I’ve found her again. And, I can’t wait to release all of these pounds. I have a feeling it will be easier this time!

Sheba, Wonder Dog

2010-07-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

My dog Sheba is one of the most allowing creatures I know. When she sees me grab my keys, she immediately starts this little primitive dance and jumps and twirls like a ballerina or a Cherokee medicine man. She wants to go, so she sends out this positive vibration. She is not attached to the outcome; she just knows she is going!

With the Universe on her side, I can’t help but let her go with me, so I motion her out the door, into the garage. I open the car door and watch with a smile as she jumps over my seat into “her” seat by the window.

I have to put down the window just a bit as soon as I turn the key or she gives me “that look.” Then, she sticks her head out the window and begins to smile as we travel down the driveway and down the street toward rest of our small town.

For most of the places we want to go, I can forego the freeway and take surface streets, so I do. This enables Sheba to put her head out and enjoy the cool breeze and smells that are everywhere and not get her lips blown off! (Freeway driving can be hazardous!)

She will hang her head out the window for about a minute, then she brings it back in, shaking her head and letting her ears fall back down into place. She knows when she’s had too much wind and she ducks inside for a few seconds and then she’s out again.

Her smile would light up our entire town, if we could hook up a generator to her energy. She is happy, ecstatic and on a true spiritual high when she is riding in the car with me.

Sometimes, she turns to look at me as if to say, “Thanks, Mom,” and I feel her gratitude. Even more, I feel the love we share. Her love is unconditional and I am learning to return that unconditional love, even when she chews holes in her towel or drops mouthfuls of dog food on the carpet with no plans to eat it all.

Sheba is a German shorthaired pointer who is sleek and beautiful in her chocolate coat with chocolate and white ticking. I call her my “chocolate chip ice cream girl,” because her patches look just like that. We rescued her from a center up in Denton in 2004 and she has been a part of our family ever since. A few years ago, we decided (translation: I decided) that the other dogs were picking on her, so she gets to be the “inside dog” now. She sleeps on a towel on either the couch or the loveseat and graciously moves over to allow Steve and me to watch TV when we are home.

She sees spirits and alerts us when one of our relatives is visiting. Lately, she is seeing dog spirits and she finds this troubling. I have to reassure her that she is safe and Steve asks the Spirit to leave after a bit. Sometimes, I open the door and escort the dog spirit out of the house, so Sheba can watch TV in peace. (Yes, she loves our big screen TV, except when pigs, lions or particular animated creatures come on the set.)

She is my earth angel. I love her and I love the love that the two of us share. She can ride shotgun anytime she wants, except when I’m leaving for the office.

One day she was doing her dance on a Saturday as I was getting ready to leave for a client. I told her, “Sheba, sorry, but it’s not take your ‘Daughter to Work Day’ today. I’ll see you tonight.”

Loving Others

2010-02-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Over the past six months, I've been part of a study group led by a Harvard Professor/Reiki Master and we’ve been learning about manifesting. He has taught us that V + E + R = M

V - Visualization
E - Emotion
R - Release
M - Manifestation of the thing you want

Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about releasing, which he says is the most important part of the equation. Releasing is that means by which we “detach” and “let go” of our desire for the thing we are seeking. There are many tools to help us release and I’ve used most of them:
Law of Attraction
Focusing
EMDR
EFT
WHEE
Sedona
Ho-oponopono
Levenson’s Love Technique
Meditation

When we learned about the Sedona Method, we were introduced to the creator of this method, Lester Levenson. He said some amazing things:

“This thing called love is your basic nature. All the love in the universe is in your basic nature. You will discover that happiness—your happiness—equates to your capacity to love, and conversely all your miseries equate to your need to be loved. Just love, love, love and you will be so happy and healthy and prosperous. Remember, you need to release your non-love feelings. Try it, you will like it.”

Well, one day in meditation, I got a very clear nudge to take a tablet and write down all of the positive memories of my childhood, my parents, etc. What? Did I understand that correctly?

I’m beginning to be very trusting of my Guides, so I did as I was encouraged to do.

I filled two pages with memories from the skateboard I received at age 11, to the new dress my Mom made me for the 9th Grade Banquet. It was amazing how many positive things I could remember!

And, in the process, I began to see my parents in a different way. I had worked so hard over the last few years, releasing my “non-love” feelings. Yet, now I had some positive memories to fill the empty space. It was truly wonderful and I felt such a loving feeling toward BOTH parents.

I highly recommend it! Just take a tablet and start writing!

New Year, New Me!

2010-01-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

I’ve been meditating in some form or another for about 7 years. Everyone we encountered in that first year of our new path of spiritual awakening recommended meditation. At first, I was put off. “I can’t seem to get rid of my busy mind,” I said. Some people called it “monkey mind,” and we would all laugh and lament our trouble meditating. Then, we met someone who told us that guided meditations were not only “OK,” but probably a must for anyone just starting out and those with a slight bent toward ADD! I want to thank Shannon Maxey for telling us this. Prior to her saying this, I was led to believe that if you didn’t sit in a dark room in a lotus position, you weren’t really meditating!
This new style of guided visualization was very helpful for me and so, I could transcend the world for a few moments, at first, and then for longer and longer periods of time. Next, I trained in hypnosis and opened my practice, and then I had a brand new appreciation for the mind, various states of mind, brain waves, etc.
I’ve used meditation CDs or MP3s from just about everyone: Kelly Howell, Brain Sync, Holo Sync, Silva Method, you name it, I’ve tried it!
My favorite tend to be those created by Sanaya Roman and her guide Orin. Just the other day, I was meditating with one of her MP3s and found myself floating and flying around the room in which I was meditating. Then, there was a progression of people from my past, people whom I had hurt in some way. As quickly as these came and went, a new wave began appearing in my mind’s eye: people who had hurt me in some way.
Just as soon as the progression ended, I had a very succinct feeling: All is forgiven and you have forgiven all. This feeling of forgiving and forgiveness was immediate and very healing. No words really entered my head or awareness, I just knew this. And, I knew that more healing was coming my way, each and every time I stop, breathe and disconnect from the world I know here on earth.
New Year, new me! Woo-Hoo!

What I Learned from Tatoo Artist Kat Von D

2009-08-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

My husband, Steve, has a few tattoos. I remember when I first saw them, I didn’t know what to think. Only my two uncles who served in the Navy had tattoos! But, as I got to know him and love him, I understood the meaning behind each tattoo and how each one adds a subtle piece to his persona. He recently got a new tattoo of a war pony as a birthday present to himself. It’s a replica of a piece of Native American artwork that hangs over our fireplace mantle. The tattoo artist did an amazing job of recreating the pony!
Last year, he introduced me to this show on TV called “LA Ink.” It’s about a girl named Kat Von D, who owns her own Tattoo Shop and it features her and her staff and the interesting people they tattoo. The stories really are incredible. Many of the people get tattoos of deceased relatives, so that aspect is really interesting to both Steve and me.
On the last show, Kat was talking about writing a book based on her journals. She has kept journals of her personal thoughts about the people she has tattooed over the ten years she has been in business. She records the story behind each tattoo and then captures her feelings about the person and the tattoo. She said it helps her “process the incredible stories I encounter, so I don’t carry all that stuff around with me.”
This really hit home with me! I have been struggling with this very topic: how to clear myself each day of the client stories that I encounter. What a great idea! Journal my personal feelings and honor those feelings every day, after each client session.
Oh, I do EFT, primarily using some of my favorite scripts and the “Self Love” script from Brad Yates. However, some of the stories stay with me and I allow those to weigh me down. Sometimes, I get this “heavy head” feeling, which reminds me of the way I have felt in the past whenever I have had strep throat.
After learning about this idea, I sat down and captured my thoughts and feelings around the clients I saw this week. This was so therapeutic and liberating!!!
Thanks, Kat Von D!

Here's to Tapping - Thank You, EFT

2009-07-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Over the last three months, I have participated in 33 hours of EFT Tapping Seminars. That's 33 hours of listening and tapping, followed by 99 hours of processing, journaling and reframing my life. (I'm just guessing that each hour of tapping takes about 3 hours of processing in some fashion.) Sometimes, I tap and tap and then go home and "veg-out" and then go to sleep. I think my guides work on me while I sleep, because I wake up and feel better and feel a deeper connection to my real self. Sometimes, I go home and take a sea salt bath and then come out feeling "cleaner" on all levels! Sometimes, I call a friend and talk about what I've processed. Each of these activities serves me in some way and I am learning to honor myself, regardless of the one I select on a given day.
Basically, I see EFT or Tapping as a way to clear out all of the past stuff in our lives. This can be in the form of hurt, pain, sadness, guilt, fear, and a whole host of emotions I haven't even listed here. You can also use EFT for forgiveness, whether it's another person or yourself you want and need to forgive. Forgiveness issues (or the lack of forgiveness) keeps us rooted in the past and we can't really live in the present. Once I have forgiven the person(s) or myself, I am free to live NOW and create more of the life I want to create. It's amazing the freedom I feel when I let go of past hurts!
So, here's to more tapping!

One of these days . . .I'll get around to it . . .

2009-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Twice this week, I've heard or read about procrastination and how it is often tied to clutter. We hang on to stuff, papers, magazines and things that we INTEND to read or do some day.

However, we never get around to it.

One author had a slightly different angle on procrastination: "I may put off doing something that I don't love, but believe I have to do. Or, it may be something that doesn't align with my intrinsic values or my blueprint for my life." Wow, this is powerful. She went on to say that some of the things we put off doing, worked out really well. She wasn't supposed to do it anyway!

When I begin to look at things I procrastinate over, it becomes more clear. Usually, things work out in another sort of timing...a more Divine timing.

The author, Vanessa Wesley, worked with LaRue Eppler to pen "Your Essential Whisper," a book about your inner voice, your inner guidance or intuition. I have really enjoyed this book and am about half way through it. I am taking my time, enjoying the reading and the activities. You can get the book through Amazon or any bookstore. There is an on-line Book Club and website for the book, as well. Find it at: http://www.youressentialwhisper.com/

Next time, I'll talk more about procrastination and clutter and how it involves control issues and fear.

Boomer- Fearless Wonder Puppy

2009-04-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

I’m learning a lot from my new puppy, Boomer. Yes, we got a new puppy, who is a German Shorthaired pointer and his AKC name is Young Baron Von Boomer. (It still makes me laugh to say it!!)
Oddly enough, he came from a breeder in Boyd, Texas, which is the same city of origin for the new Presidential dog, Bo. I looked it up on Mapquest and they were born about 6 miles apart!
The other amazing thing is that my husband, Steve, wanted to name the dog Bo (same name as the new dog in the White House) but I didn’t want a dog with the same name as an Ex-husband. Call me crazy, but I thought it would be weird!
Boomer is all legs and ears at this point, velvety smooth and all over chocolate, although the breeder says it’s called “liver.” (Yuck! Imagine calling a beautiful puppy anything even closely resembling a body part!) Anyway, he has a small patch of white “ticking” on his chest and beautiful, golden eyes that peer right into your soul. He is so trusting and sweet.
He barks when he sees us and gets really excited. In fact, he’s learned the noise Steve’s remote alarm makes when he clicks it when he gets home and the barking and excitement begin even BEFORE he sees either one of us. When it’s time to eat, he dives in both the food bowl and the water bowl with enthusiasm. He sloshes water all over the place with his paws and his ears and dribbles droplets from his chin.
And, he is also fearless. My husband noticed it first when he said, “Have you noticed how if Boomer wants something, he just walks over and takes it?” Even if another one of our dogs is playing with a certain toy or chew thing, he just walks up to the other dog and helps himself! He takes toys and chew sticks and, well, anything he wants. If they take it away from him, he just tries it again or goes for something else.
He doesn’t cry or whine or seem to get upset. Instead, he just goes for it. Don’t you wish you could be like Boomer? Totally fearless, a true risk-taker, with no doubts and all of the confidence in the world!
That’s true “Law of Attraction” in motion: I want it, I get it. Cool!
When I grow up, I want to be just like Boomer!

Thank You, Cousin Linda!

2009-04-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

My favorite cousin turned 60 a few weeks ago. I had totally lost track of time and it took me by surprise. Oh, I’m 54 and I know she’s 6 years older…I can do the math, but I simply hadn’t thought about it. So when she said “turning 60 was better than turning 50,” I had to smile.

My Cousin Linda was a great friend to me and more like an older sister in many ways. When I was in grades 5 and 6, I would sometimes go to her neighboring town and spend the night on Friday nights. Often, I would get to go out with her and her older brother and go to the drive-in hamburger stand. We would get cherry Cokes and giggle and make stops along the way for “Chinese Fire Drills.” Sometimes, her boyfriend went and his girlfriend went and they made their little brother go to act as my “date.” I felt so grownup! (Imagine a car that would hold 4 people in the back seat! That was a HUGE Chevy!)

Then, we would go back to her house and read “Tiger Beat” and listen to the radio. Sometimes, she would play her ukulele and sing songs like “Teen Angel.” It was a beautiful, innocent time.
Soon, she went off to college and I was left to my middle school years and no way to go “out” on a Friday night.

I’m thinking about all of the things I learned from my Cousin Linda and her generosity toward someone younger. She was always so patient with me, teaching me the “hula dance” AND the hula hoop. Showing me how to twirl a baton and letting me practice with her lipstick and makeup. Showing me how to “tease” my hair. She also modeled reverence for God and took me to church on those times I stayed over Saturday night!

Thank you, Cousin Linda for your love and generosity.

Spend Time With Those You Really Love

2009-03-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

"Do not let yourself be bothered with the inconsequential. One only has so much time in this world, so devote it to the work and the people most important to you, to those you love and things that matter. One can waste half a lifetime with people one doesn't really like or doing things when one would be better off somewhere else." - Louis L'amour

Isn’t that an amazing truth in this quote? How many times do you give an incredible amount of time to the “squeaky wheel”? Worry too much over something trivial? Devote time to an unimportant task?
When I find myself worrying over someone who has “rubbed me the wrong way,” I usually ask my guides or angels to show me why this is bothering me. Sometimes, they show me something in myself that I need to see. Often, they encourage me to “forgive and forget.” Both opportunities provide learning. And, when I’ve learned the lesson, it’s remarkable how this person will just rotate out of my life.
Also, when we focus on the people most important to us, we may have to say “No” to a few of the others. We may even have to say “No” to some of the ones close to us, in order to take care of ourselves.
Mr. L’amour makes it sound so simple…. spend time with those you really love and do what you really love . . . mmm, sounds good to me.

PJ

Focus on What's Right in Your Life

2009-03-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

“We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right.” A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson

This is such a simple distinction to make regarding our lives, but it may be hard to do in reality. I noticed around the office just yesterday how many people are hung up on talking about their poor health, ailing finances, clunker vehicles and wayward children.Look at the sitcoms on TV: jokes are made about the mother-in-law from hell, the unemployed son and the problems with the crazy neighbors. When was the last time we saw a TV show about happy, well-adjusted people with no financial concerns and great children?And, yet, when we focus on what is really RIGHT in our lives, it makes our entire world brighter! One way I do this is with affirmations. I remind myself just how great I have it with a simple affirmation each day, such as: I enjoy a loving relationship with my husband. Or, I have many wonderful, supportive friends. I “tap in” the affirmations with EFT and they really last! (E-mail me if you want to know how to use EFT in this wonderful way!)

I also use gratitude to express my thanks for the wonderful people, situations and possessions in my life. Usually, on the way home each day, I turn on one of my favorite CDs and make a mental list of the things for which I am grateful. Then, my husband and I take turns saying “grace” for dinner, which usually includes saying “Thank you God for good food and a wonderful spouse.” Often, we add other phrases, sometimes in fun (like “thank you for crazy dogs that do crazy things”) and sometimes we add serious phrases (such as “thank you for a refrigerator which repaired itself!”) Once, I had a counselor who told me that he and his wife each express gratitude for 3 things each night before going to sleep. What a way to drift off!

Those of us who follow the Law of Attraction also know that what we focus on brings more to us. Focusing on “what’s right” in my life brings me more of what I love. I read one time that when we appreciate something in our lives, it’s like telling the Universe, “More, please!” I think this came from Esther Hicks of Abraham-Hicks. If you want to really rev up your life with what’s right and good, visit Esther and Jerry’s website:

http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource/index.php

Gratefully yours,

PJ

http://www.soulrevelations.tv

A Course in Miracles

2009-03-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

When I began my spiritual journey a few years ago, I heard someone say that if you hear about a teacher, a book or a course three times, it might be the Universe’s way of getting your attention. Perhaps anytime something is mentioned 3 or more times, you might want to make note.
Well, over the past 6 years, “A Course in Miracles” has been mentioned to me about 15 or 20 times. At first, I looked it up and dismissed it as a little too “new age” for me. Later, I picked up the book/workbook and marveled at how overwhelming the prospect of working through the 365 lessons seemed. Within the last few months, I’ve been told about the Course by at least 6 people, including close friends. I mentioned it to my wonderful husband and the next thing you know, Amazon had delivered a copy to my doorstep for only $5 plus shipping.
I immediately dug into the huge volume and read Lesson #1. I put it by my bedside so I can read it each night. When I got to the office, I looked on-line and found that you can read each lesson on one of about a thousand sites. I chose Oprah’s page with Marianne Williamson and I was off and running.
Now, I read the Lesson each morning from my laptop and then review it several times during the day.
At night, I pick up my blue volume and re-read the day’s Lesson one last time before going to sleep.
Although I’ve just started with the Lessons, I can tell that a shift is taking place. I am beginning to look at people, things and situations in my life in new and different ways. I can feel my brain buzzing after I read a lesson…maybe connecting new neural pathways . . . to where? Higher consciousness? My Higher Self?
I don’t know at this point. I just know that it resonates with me and maybe I’m ready for a different way of thinking and a different way of looking at my world . . .

Quiet Joy

2009-02-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy."

- Ralph H. Blum

What does this quote say to you?

Gratitude = calm

Gratitude = joy

Whichever you prefer, Mr. Blum tells us that gratitude brings

much to your life.

When I am grateful, truly grateful, I am always amazed at what

transpires in my life. I have used gratitude and a gratitude journal

to transform many areas of my life: relationships, my career, my

finances, etc.

So, today, take some time to be grateful. Express gratitude to

the Universe, to your loved ones and to yourself!

Want to learn more about gratitude? Contact me and I'll send

you a short experiment on gratitude. You'll see your life

transformed in many ways.

PJ Spur

http://www.soulrevelations.tv