Month: January 2025

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Blooming Onion. Blossoming Gratitude.

I’m finally completing my holiday thank you notes. Just two left. First off, thanks to everyone who donated toys, gifts, and moolah to the SisterHood Gift drive!

Turns out, with the exception of 20 teens, it was all us. It was a funny year. The highlight is that 275 kids received a bunch of new toys, gifts, and clothes on Christmas morning. Thanks to all of you who gave from your heart. You’re anonymous and so am I as those toys were compliments of the man in red or their parents. I don’t know the details of how each family managed their gift bags as it’s not my business. Those parents can make their own parenting decisions for their kids. Especially on Christmas morning. 

Once again, I remembered a few things during this holiday gift drive. Here are 3 lessons I seem to forget every year after all those bags of toys head out in the U-Haul Sleigh.

First, it’s totally worth it. Second, it’s a hell of a lot of work and I need more people to join in the feel good fun of donating. Third, I’m starting in July next year.

Seriously. In July. I forget every year that it is such a big project which grows as other donors drop out. So, I’m switching strategies. I’m personally shopping once a month for our family’s toy donations. That way I won’t add to my holiday shopping and spending at a time that is already full in both regards. Feel free to adopt this strategy for your own. I’ll be happy to accept your toys all year long as I’ll be building a toy store in my basement.

I’m also having a Soul Sanctuary holiday gift collection in July. Look for it if you want a little ho ho ho in the middle of summer.

Speaking of thank you notes, I owe someone a note of gratitude for their gift.

It’s just that I don’t know who my Secret Santa was this year. 

Let me back track a bit. My kid was flying in for the holidays. Great news.

She started sending packages to our house addressed to her. With a frequent reminder to put them in her closet without opening them upon arrival. No peeking. The repeated instruction wasn’t for me. I never peek. My husband, on the other hand, can be oblivious to repeated instructions.

Like the morning I found him blissfully using his new pet hair rake to clean up after Milo’s morning lay about on the carpet. 

Yeah, it’s a thing. And someone is “raking in the dough” with that idea. Go figure. Needless to say, the infraction of opening a Christmas gift early led to immediate termination as head elf. I was hired on the spot to sort through boxes arriving on our doorstep. I diligently added to her secret stash with narry a peek at what was already closeted away. 

Amidst the flurry of my daughter’s arrival, she disappeared to wrap gifts. (Yes, just as it was time to do the dishes. Some things never change). 

While we chatted in the kitchen, there arose such a clatter. “Who ordered an onion?!” 

She arrived in hysterics while showcasing a golden onion with green shoots tilting madly to one side. Okay, to be fair, I never portrayed my kid as a genius. And I’m notoriously lacking in the green thumb department. So, perhaps it was a bit of a parental failure (mine) that she mistook an amaryllis for an onion. 

In one hand she held the ‘onion’ as her boyfriend trailed behind holding a little square box addressed to moi (another elf sorting error). 

After everything calmed down and the proper apologies were made to the neglected plant, we noticed that even with mistreatment, life found a way to grow. Eventually, with a bit of space and letting it be, the stalks grew straight and flowered. In fact, there’s one flower left. Once that’s gone, I’ll watch a YouTube video to learn what to do next. But, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. 

I do want to thank whomever sent that lovely blooming onion to me. 

It filled our home with laughter and warmed our hearts knowing someone cared enough to send it our way. So, whoever you are, thank you. 

This seems like a silly story to tell in the midst of the polarization in our country, the fires in the West, and the snows in the South. Yet, I think it’s important to realize that we’re like that blooming onion flower which grows even when stuck in a tiny box. And thrives when the box is removed. 

Take care of yourself. Be kind and nurture one another. Tend to the environments in which you live, work, and share with all living creatures. Love the Mother anyway you can. Seems She really needs extra attention.

It’s a time to ask how you may help things grow rather than focus upon the distortion.

Forget the boxes you’ve put yourself and others in as everyone bends this way and that.

Be grateful for everything you have, who you are, and how you can contribute to improving life on the planet. 

Quit the mud slinging and seek support if you’re cowering in fear. Remember to begin again with a deep breath and a desire to be a good human who abides by your own highest ideals. If I may be of help, please feel free to reach out.

Let’s grow together. Not apart. 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

The Power of Bridging by John Powell may be the book you need to read right now. While it may not look like it, a survey shows that 93% of people in the US want to reduce divisiveness. While many believe it’s possible to disagree, it’s hard to know how to move past our differences. Powell identifies four important terms key to understand how to move in the direction of a world where we honor differences, feel a connection to our human family (and ourselves), and disrupt the disempowering view of “other.” Bridging. Belonging. Othering. Breaking.
It is possible. Shall we begin now?

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Visioning Surprise. Closets, Dogs, & Body Code

New Year’s Day arrived and I was snuggled by the Christmas tree for a day of visioning.

I’d booked myself a free day with my magic journal, colored pens, and LifeBook. The day began as planned. In delicious silence, I savored the beauty, comfort, and warmth all around me.

I sank into gratitude as my mind, body, energy, and emotions aligned with all that was positive and possible.

Choosing the first area of my LifeBook, Health and Fitness, I explored what was not working for me. I saw what needed a total overhaul and what required gentle tweaking. I explored the beliefs that held the old, stale behavior in place, as well as those necessary to install a better mindset and actions to support new dreams. I updated that chapter in my LifeBook and felt deeply into what was possible. It felt pretty doable.

One chapter down, many to go, when I notice my dog was having trouble moving around.

Milo gave me that sad look reserved for communicating something was wrong. His legs, weak from arthritis and a previous broken foot, weren’t working so well. It seemed widespread, this weakness, and challenging to discern a definite cause.

Leaving my creative nest, I spent time with Milo on the floor and watched him struggle to move.

The crowded vet ER on New Year’s Day sounded like a less than stellar way to begin the year. I was grateful that Milo responded well to the Body Code, an energy medicine modality, that I’d used to help him heal and stay healthy throughout his 13 years.

After his Body Code session, a treat, and a dose of doggie ibuprofen, Milo seemed more at ease.

Allowing me to return to my creative nest. The house was quiet and chapter 2 was waiting. Settling in once again, I couldn’t concentrate for the voice in my head issuing an invitation I’d been receiving for days.

“Clean your closet.”

I tuned out that unwanted message as I had planned this ritual of launching new dreams on the first day of the year. And I was determined to hold onto my scheduled creative dreaming session.

As if creative dreaming ever followed the schedule of the mind.

Listening again, I heard only one message. “Clean your closet.” I may have muttered a bit as I climbed the steps, armed with trash bags for what I knew would be a big donation pile. I spent the next 4 hours in that closet, weeding meticulously.

Simplicity was needed. Clarity was required.

Apparently, I needed a more dramatic overhaul in this category. Working at the materially level, I released all clothing that no longer fit my body or lifestyle. As the pile grew, gratitude returned as I imagined the SisterHood ladies updating their wardrobes for school and work.

I lost a lot of weight that afternoon.

Becoming lighter, I ventured into other closets. I enticed my husband to go through his clothing. I reached my daughter and sent photos of what was still in her drawers. So much was released.

I felt lighter all over. Ready for a jaunt to Mexico with my husband’s company.

Then Milo worsened. All legs weak. Big sad eyes. Worried parents.

So, we let go the trip. Cleared our schedule and sat for hours in the parking lot of the animal hospital. It was a still, comfortable time. We watched the sky and animals on the farm while Milo snored quietly.

My husband and I explored things we were ready to let go, lessons we learned during the year, and new dreams for each of us and our family.

Seems like Life planted us in the middle of a creative dreaming space together. In a way that neither of us would have planned or wanted. Yet, as it arrived and the following days unfolded, things began to shift.

The surprising openings, changed minds, new behaviors, and emerging possibilities arrived gently and with ease.

Even after putting my magic book and pens away, every area of that LifeBook was impacted. As if new software was downloaded and an instructional manual opened one step at a time.

I can’t see that book. I can’t see the next step. I’m asked again and again to surrender and trust.  

Sometimes, I do. Often, I catch myself reverting to old programming.

Yet, when I miss the cue or forge forward with plans that don’t work, I’m not as bothered as I was before I cleaned that closet. Or gave up that trip. It’s early into this newness. The creativity seems to dance in a nonlinear way through my day and I’m doing best to follow rather than lead.

Milo has had a lot of Body Code sessions. And he’s not the only one.

As it turns out, perhaps not such a coincidence, I offered a lot of Body Code sessions with clients this past week. Lots of energy medicine sessions. More Body Code, shamanic sessions, and Angelic healing sessions scheduled this month. Perhaps this cleaning out the old goes deeper than our closets.

Moving with this rhythm, I’m offering 2 Body Code sessions on ZOOM and a remote Emotion Code session for the vastly discounted price of $225.

This is a chance to receive 3 sessions with a savings of $212. This offer is good for 5 days only and sessions must be scheduled by 3/31/25. All 3 sessions are for the same person, excluding current clients, so we can do some quality clearing.

The Body Code and the Emotion Code, developed by Bradley Nelson, DC, provides a map as we work with your inner wisdom.

Working on all levels (physical, emotional, mental, energetic, and relational), your inner wisdom guides the clearing and rebalancing of the factors which underlie and contribute to current symptoms and issues which interfere with your wellbeing. Once cleared or rebalanced, you move on with a body – energy system that communicates more clearly and supports open hearted living.

The Body Code and Emotion Code session special ends 1/17/25.

Milo gets the family discount and plenty of loving. We’ve all adapted to a quieter lifestyle, no stairs, and plenty of Body Code to augment his healing.

I hope you make space for creativity this year. And let Life surprise and support you. Perhaps, as you clean your proverbial closets, you’ll come to trust Life unequivocally. I hope to meet you there.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Research has shown that cultivating positive beliefs contributes to prosocial behavior. You know that ‘feel good’ way of being kind, understanding, and compassionate toward your fellow humans. All of whom have an underground of conditioned beliefs. It also has been found to improve social connections. Committing to a positive mindset takes some work but it impacts your relationships, health, work success. Choosing and reinforcing positive beliefs supports wellbeing, resilience, and your potential to actually enjoy your life.

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If the Sky’s Not the Limit, What Is?

The other day I was stuck in a reoccurring pattern. It wasn’t my favorite.

So I spent some time in my “underworld” to discover what belief was active and how it was playing out. I looked to see where it began, how it appeared over the years, and how it served me. I saw the protective intent in its formation and the limiting hold it had over me at present.

By the time I was done looking, I felt kind of muddy and tired.

Like I had grappled with a sea monster who lived hidden beneath the waters. Before I moved on, I identified a belief that would better serve my life. I planted that firmly in my mind and looked to see where it was already true. When that sneaky monster of a bad idea next swam to the surface, I turned away, no longer willing to reinforce its hold on my reality.

This practice of exploring murky spaces within isn’t a lot of fun. 

It can be sobering, disheartening, and, at times, downright frightening. Yet, you can’t expect to enter a new year and create new dreams if you’re living an old, disempowering script.

Know this, you’re a magnificent story teller.

Since you’ve been young, you’ve been creating stories about yourself, how the world works, and what is possible. The plot lines were borrowed or absorbed from the larger story tellers in your life. Parents, teachers, friends, and societal instructors. All ideas tunneling into your little mind to plant those belief seeds, many of which are holding you back today.

All humans borrow stories from one another.

Often installed at a young age, they vary according to the unique path of human experience. The helpful stories invite self-acceptance, wellbeing and life satisfaction. The disempowering stories disrupt a sense of worth, innate goodness, and potential for growth. When those scary tales whisper that you can’t be happy, healthy, wealthy, creative, and meaningfully connected to others, they point you toward a path of suffering.

All because you think the story is true.

It’s vital to remember that you did nothing wrong in creating these influential beliefs.  

They’re simply the result of growing up human.

Today’s limiting belief made sense to your child mind and often served as protection or helped you navigate challenging circumstances.

When you cultivate an unwavering commitment to explore the beliefs you hold, they arise from their hidden depths.

Thus, making it easier to recognize what belief is running your daily existence. Start by asking yourself what story you’re telling yourself about a current struggle. Then seek the belief is hidden within that tale.

“I can’t do this or deal with this because …

I’m not worthy of happiness or not smart enough to succeed. I’m lacking time, money, experience. I’m too old, young, weak, or alone. Happiness isn’t possible for me. I have to suffer. The world is dangerous. I need rescue. I don’t have what it takes to succeed.” You get the picture.

Find the belief that fuels the disempowering story.

Limiting beliefs aren’t true, yet they may look like that in the present moment. If you want to be free, look for evidence of falseness. Look at the time, money, and experience you do have. Recall moments of happiness, positive social relationships, or the skills you’ve developed. When you notice the small pleasures, gains, and connections, you loosen the hold of that old rule.

A new year naturally invites you to choose new plot lines. Good thing you’re a brilliant story teller.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Research has shown that cultivating positive beliefs contributes to prosocial behavior. You know that ‘feel good’ way of being kind, understanding, and compassionate toward your fellow humans. All of whom have an underground of conditioned beliefs. It also has been found to improve social connections. Committing to a positive mindset takes some work but it impacts your relationships, health, work success. Choosing and reinforcing positive beliefs supports wellbeing, resilience, and your potential to actually enjoy your life.