Friday, August 21, 2009

What I Learned from Tatoo Artist Kat Von D

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!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Here's to Tapping - Thank You, EFT

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!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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

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.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Boomer- Fearless Wonder Puppy

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!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Thank You, Cousin Linda!

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.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Spend Time With Those You Really Love


"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

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Focus on What's Right in Your Life

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

Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Course in Miracles

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 . . .

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Quiet Joy


"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