Category: Blog

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Love Dreamed Today

Love dreamed today
A beautiful dream

Witnessing the perfection of a sunflower 
Towering beauty of yellow and green
Seeking the light at every turn
Swaying, dancing, spreading joy

Love dreamed today
A beautiful dream

Witnessing a perfect cumulus cloud
Morphing into a crystalline drop of water
Nourishing a newborn bird
Whose future songs soothe weary hearts

Love dreamed today
A beautiful dream

Witnessing a synchronistic act of kindness
An inspired idea birthed into form
Received freely in Love
A life changed forever, gratefully

Love dreamed today
A particularly beautiful dream

Astounding in its complexity
Magnificent in its simplicity
Radiant in its reach
Altering the course of humanity

Love dreamed It’s highest dream today

Love dreamed you

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Rap as poetry? What’s the deal? Lyrical poetry, expressing personal and emotional feelings, doesn’t have to rhyme and may be set to a musical beat. Harvard professor Gates, Jr, in the forward to “The Anthology of Rap,” writes “either rap describes commercialized music and hip hop the sounds of the underground; or rap suggests a gritty style (as in gangsta rap) and hip hop a more politically and socially conscious approach (as in backpack hip hop).” Poetry. Lyrical. Musical. Expression. The Broadway show, Hamilton, revealed the power of lyrical prose to excite a nation. Writing poetry can also excite your creative brain centers. Your turn. “Give us a verse. Drop some knowledge.”

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Wanted: Parking Spaces and Miracles

Here’s an Angel tale which has a high likelihood of being true. (wink)

Lucia was feeling especially sad one cold, overcast day as she walked down the street to work. It was more than the winter blues that had her feeling overwhelmed when, once again, she couldn’t find a parking place anywhere near her office. Tightening her coat around her, Lucia reflected on the difficulty of making it on her own in the world.

Lucia was beaten down from having too much to do and too little time, help, and money.

She felt too busy with the demands of her job and life in general.  So much time and energy was being put into work that she hardly took time to nurture herself.  So many obligations were interfering with having fun with her family and friends.“I need some help!” she thought. 

Trudging down the street, Lucia began daydreaming about the Want Ad she would like to place.

WANTED: round-the clock assistance to provide guidance, miracles & parking spaces.  Immediate opening requires unlimited availability, outrageously positive outlook, joyful sense of humor, excellent communication skills  and boundless energy.   Must always respond, provide expert direction, and bring love to every interaction. Salary: my gratitude.  Benefits: the intrinsic pleasure from serving others.

The moment Lucia ended her daydream, she was astounded to see multitudes of Angels all around her.

Stopping abruptly, she noticed beautiful beings of light engaged in acts of service to the people all around her.  She twirled in circles marveling at the little to big ways the Angels were helping the humans. “How can this be?” she wondered.  “Perhaps I am hallucinating!” “Or perhaps you are seeing things as they really are!” a gentle voice offered.  Lucia’s body was tingling as she turned toward the musical voice.

Lucia was enthralled by the presence of a beautiful large Angel who radiated feelings of comfort and love.

“Greetings, dear Lucia. I am Gabriel, chosen messenger of the Angelic realm this day to share our deepest gratitude to you for calling upon us.  We have long awaited the opportunity to partner with you to create a life filled with peace, love, joy, and harmony.  I am here to answer any questions you may have about how we may be of service to you.” As they walked down the street, Lucia’s many questions were asked and answered. 

Her life was transformed in that moment. To be continued ….

Lucia could be anyone of us, on any given day, when life feels a bit too challenging. By learning to partner with the Angels, Lucia learned that there really was tangible, practical help available once she knew how it worked.  Across many spiritual traditions, Angels serve as messengers of the Divine Source, as emanations of love, and as helpers for humanity.

If you are open to the possibility of Angelic existence, the partnership may begin with a request for help.

The request is important as Angels respect your free will and don’t work unbidden. Many people overtly ask for help, while others send out subconscious requests for heavenly assistance.  As Lucia learned, there is no limit to the number of Angels available, type of help given, or wisdom, love, and healing that they offer. 

Angels have no space or time restriction, so they can be with anyone and everyone, anywhere, at any time.

No request is too small or too large. This is important and frees you to ask the Angels for any kind of help. It truly doesn’t matter whether you are asking for guidance about life decisions, healing from disease, recapturing joy in relationships, or finding the perfect parking place.  You may ask aloud, within your mind, or on paper. Just so long as you ask.

Lucia stopped still once she saw the ‘signs’ of Angels around her. 

She then moved through her doubt to enter into a dialogue to learn more. These are important steps as you open intuitively to the Angelic conversation. Take time to be still and notice what ‘answers’ show up in your life.  You may quiet the active mind by meditating, reflecting in nature, turning off the TV or radio, or slowing down while you consciously move through your day.  Everyone is intuitive and has the potential to receive information in their unique way.

Children know this and display a natural trust, as well as a playfulness, in their openness to the world beyond the five senses.

Once open to receiving help and guidance, you may notice the coincidental way a stranger offers an idea, a challenge  miraculously dissolves, or a friend provides you with the perfect book.  Solutions appear in dreams, gut feelings guide you in the right direction, and feelings of peace descend with the thought of being surrounded by Angels. 

Take note that conversations with Angels provide kind, loving, and positive messages that are always empowering.

These beings of light are never harsh, dismissive, and judgmental. If doubt or critical thoughts enter your dialogue, take a breath and drop back into your original intent to connect with the loving assistance of the Angelic realm.  If you’re interested in how the Angels may help enhance your life, ask them to lead you to the books, people, workshops, and experiences that support your learning more.  Most importantly, have fun with this exploration as the Angels are naturally light, joyful, playful, and enthusiastically loving.    

Let’s see how Lucia’s Want Ad is paying off.

Six months later, Lucia laughed and thanked her ‘parking Angel’ as she once again found the perfect parking space outside her office building.   With a bounce in her step, she enthusiastically set off for work. Trusting that whatever she needed would be provided. Knowing she was surrounded and protected by the unlimited love of the Angels.  By seeking this partnership, Lucia had rediscovered the delight, joy, and unconditional love that is available to everyone. 

As Lucia walked confidently into the building, people stopped to admire her glow. 

Lucia had reclaimed the light within that was her namesake. Once the Light brightened Lucia, it continued to flow forth to bless those who crossed her path.  Who knows? Perhaps some of that Light is flowing through these words to you right now. Remember that whenever you ask the Angels for help or to rekindle your Light, they respond immediately. Engaging the Angels has the potential to enhance your life and awaken your inner glow. 

Ready to place your Want Ad? I know I am.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Is religion good for your health? In 2015, researchers from Duke University reviewed more than 3000 studies looking at religion/spiritual beliefs and wellbeing. A majority of relevant studies revealed that relationships exist between religion/spirituality and psychological health, physical well-being, and longevity. However, it isn’t clear exactly why these links exist. Researchers identify these 3 reasons why religion/spirituality may be good for you: better health habits, enhanced coping, and social support.

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The Power of the Pause


Let’s tell the truth. Sometimes life gets you down.

As if the powers that be are conspiring against you. As if the power within you has gone on vacation. As if all your hard earned success at managing life seems out of reach. Those times may arrive with a shock or when the proverbial straw breaks the camel’s back.

Regardless of how the pressure came about, when it’s too much, it’s too much.

Many of you were raised with voices outside of you urging you to keep going. To keep your chin up, dry your tears, and keep trying. Now, that’s not necessarily bad advice, but there’s a time and place for that response.

Everything works better when there’s a rhythm that allows for intense focus and action interspersed with resting and day dreaming. Yet, that’s not the way of the adult world.

It’s the relentless messaging from family, school, work, and society to strive for success that gets internalized.

When you hear something enough, you begin to believe it. And adopt it as your own. Especially if you don’t know any better.

Kids know better.

When they’ve had enough, they cry out loud. They flop to the ground as if their bones are fluid. They let you know in no uncertain times that it’s time for a break. And they get one – a nap, a cuddle, a bath, or a snack.

Somewhere along the way, we adults forgot the benefit of that pause.

And when society forgets it, you’re invited to forge ahead. To work hard in order to prove your worth or earn your keep. Along the way, you get amnesia for the wisdom and pleasure of taking a pause.

The bigger picture has gotten so mixed up that a Time Out is considered a threat or a punishment by many parents (and children) rather than a wise intervention. Here’s the thing …

When it becomes the normative expectation to keep going, no matter what, you’re gonna run into yourself at some point.

That applies pretty much to everyone who has let go the Pause. Which means most of you. Especially you who are high achievers, working parents, nurturers, highly responsible workers, and creative entrepreneurs. Most of you might have a hard time taking a break when you need one.

That’s key: taking a break when you actually need a break.

Not when it’s your lunch hour, bedtime, or the weekend. Not when that project is finished, your boss is happy, or your kid has moved out. It’s best to take a pause and reorganize yourself as soon as you’re feeling the stress building up.

You can recognize the Power of the Pause to keep your breathing smooth, your brain sharp, and your heart open.

 

I hear a lot about stress every week. It’s inevitable since I talk to humans.

I hear less about pausing. When it is explored, I recognize that the adult version of a pause is pretty short lived. As if the bare minimum will be sufficient to lift every straw off your back.

A bath. A nap. A snack. A walk in the woods.

The truth is, if you’ve been raised in the world which tells you to keep going no matter what. And if your inner voice adds to the clamor by diminishing you if you want to take that break.

Well, you’re in a pickle. ‘Cause no little nap or afternoon on the couch will be sufficient to repair years and decades of striving to move forward.

It takes a concerted effort to reorganize a stress response system that has gone out of whack.

You were built to manage stress. To grow and thrive when faced with challenge. To flexibly navigate the steep inclines and curving paths of your day to day existence. When you’re clear headed and well rested, you’ve got options.

When you’re frequently feeling overwhelmed or moving through a particularly stressful time in your life, your potential to flexibly and intelligently respond to stress is limited. The more rigid your response to stress, the less capable you are to relate to life. And the more likely you are to be overwhelmed.

That’s why I created the Self Soothe Strategy PlayBook and guided meditation.

To remind you of something you may have forgotten. You have an intelligent stress response system which offers much more than a Fight or Flight response. When you balance movement with pausing and are aware of both the benefit and detriment of stress, you increase the tendency to utilize the appropriate response to each stressful situation.

You’re smarter when your stress response is free to guide you. Less ready to break and more ready to relate effectively.

Stress is a biological state designed to flexibly guide you into action and help you learn from experience. And you have choices in how to respond: the Challenge Response, the Tend and Befriend Response, or the Fight or Flight Response. You’ve got options. Overwhelm or a lack of understanding of how you work limits these options.

Understanding more about your Stress Habit, your Stress Response System, and your Stress Mindset opens the way to change.

Allowing you to integrate the benefit of Pausing throughout the day as a regular part of your routine. And as a response to a build up of tension. The Self Soothe Strategy offers a quick read so you get the basics needed to both understand how you’re primed to manage stress and how to consciously activate a more intelligent, beneficial response to the inevitable challenges of life.

I hope you take a moment to download this PlayBook. And pause to read it.

I hope you enjoy the guided meditation. and pause to listen. There’s some great practices in there. All designed to integrate the Pause. But, I’d recommend you take it further. Get serious about taking those breaks. Plan them as a regular part of your weekly routine and drop into the pause whenever you feel the tension rising.

When you need a break, take a break.

I’ll bet the sun still rises and the stars still shine. And you, too, will shine a little brighter without carrying the weight of the world.s

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Paying it forward. Tiny actions of kindness gather momentum. You may think of the benefit for the person receiving the kindness, but what about those who witness it? Research has found that witnessing kindness offers a feel good boost of chemicals. And makes it more likely you’ll pass it on. Subtle acts of kindness litter your day.  Watch for them. Create them without caring if anyone sees you. The result? Check out the Give a Little Love video on youtube by Noah and the Whale. Kindness paid forward. There’s no limit on that potential!

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Time Travel

I witnessed a big brown dog out for a stroll with a small boy on the end of his leash.

Laughing at the incongruity of the pair, I wondered who was walking whom.  I thought how easily it would be for this large dog to hijack this tiny boy to walk along the pet’s preferred path.  After a moment of chuckling, I returned to my previous worry about some future thingamajig.    As I reentered this worry pattern, the image of the big dog and the little boy popped into my mind. 

Who was walking whom?

My worry thoughts were like the big dog, pulling my attention away from the present moment.  Like a small child, my attention was yanked out of present time, dragged forward by this current of worry about a future that had not yet come. 

I realized I had been time traveling.

I snapped back to the present, breathed consciously, and noticed my surroundings.  “Be here now.” I checked in with my body and my emotions and found I was just fine. Everything in this moment was fine. 

I focused upon the beauty of the sky and the budding greenery of spring. 

I felt contentment, reflecting on my many blessings.  I was quickly back in the present moment – jerked back to real time by the simple appearance of a big brown dog and a small boy.  I had to smile as I imagined the young boy going home to announce to his parents that he had rescued a woman from the unnecessary throes of worry. 

My tiny hero and his furry sidekick. 

I reflected upon this epidemic of time travel.  How frequently your regret catapults you to past transgressions. This type of runaway time travel is distinctly different from a conscious review of past choices or making amends.  Practices of forgiveness, clarifying feelings, and righting wrongs are actions taken to achieve resolution, clear past bindings, and make peace with self and others. 

Allowing a return to the present moment rather than keeping you trapped in the past. 

Equally ineffective is a fearful leap forward, imagining future scenarios of how things could go very wrong.  While creative solution generation makes good sense, it’s different from fruitless worry or complaining. These are simply an inefficient use of energy, focus, and intelligence. 

Such fearful or critical thoughts pull your attention from what’s happening and placing it on what’s not.

Without the ability to notice and then sit with what is happening right now, you lose the option to consciously choose how to “be” and what “do.”  Calm contemplation, even in challenging times, helps you access greater wisdom so you may engage in inspired action. 

If you’re addicted to “time travel” (most of us are), you need to shift your mode of travel (worry thoughts) and destination (future problem).

 

Indigenous shamans, wise leaders, and conscious parents dream the future for themselves, their communities, and their great, great grandchildren.  They travel within their imagination, in partnership with their guidance, to witness a positive future.  But you’re no shaman, so how’re you going to dream the future?

Here’s the good news.  You’ve been in training for a lifetime.

All that time spent projecting your thoughts and imagination forward and backward in time makes you a genius time traveler.  That’s where the shift  comes in. Replacing worry with daydreaming a positive outcome.  Strengthening the vision with feel good emotions, encouraging self talk, and beautiful images. 

If you’re not great in the positive imagination department just yet, start by writing, drawing, or creating a vision board of a future outcome.

Time travel can be mindless (ruminating while driving) or mindful (noticing our surroundings, silent contemplation). You are already primed for this type of dreaming.  Exploring a lovely future sure beats being dragged along by worry. As a bonus, you’ll begin to create new neural pathways. Building new skills and increasing the potential for positive dreaming.

Observe yourself to notice how often you speed forward and backward in time.

Make a choice to stay present.  Plan some quiet time to consciously and creatively travel through time. Shaman style. Dream a new, bright future into being.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

A lot of people are EXCITED about the chance to vote in this presidential election. That’s new for many. Excitement. Passion. Commitment. Wanting to have a voice. Regardless of why they feel strongly or which candidate they are choosing, there is interest and commitment this year. This seems to be one thing we have in common with our fellow citizens. I enjoyed this encouragement to VOTE from the Hamilton cast. Here’s the link: Hamilton X When We All Vote. Spread the word. If you need help getting registered, call me!  I’ll help you.

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Creating my Website: 8 Lessons Learned

I value hindsight. It allows me to notice what I’ve learned.

When I complete a project, let’s use my beautiful new website as an example, I find myself naturally settling into a reflective period. I’ve learned the hard way that if I jump in to the next thing too quickly, I’ll miss all the juicy nuggets of things learned. I want to integrate these hard won insights, lessons, and discoveries. So I may practice and improve upon them as I grow.

I’ve learned to leave judgment out of the process.

It just isn’t helpful to judge yourself or others. That’s a diversion and is just covering up something that wants to also be seen. So, if you find yourself judging, dive deeper to see what is within you that needs to be heard, held, and helped. Then you’re free to meander through the project’s creation. Celebrating the sweet spots, taking note of what is yet to be learned, and gently acknowledging things could have been done differently.

Here’s 8 (really valuable) lessons I’ve learned during the creation of my website.

There’s more, but 8 is enough. Here goes. Life is creative. You are creative. It doesn’t matter if you are making your art, developing a business, raising a child, planting a garden, or transforming your life. The act of living is an act of creation. I hope my insights inspire you to keep going and create something beautiful for the world.

1. It’s okay not to know how to do it.

When you are leaping (or crawling) to a new level of creating, it seems obvious that you won’t know “how to do it.” After all, it’s a new level. Ask any high school student at the beginning of the school year if they understand algebra, chemistry, or physics. First time in? Not so much. Ask again at the end of the year. This expectation that you “should” be able to do something which requires learning, new knowledge, and perhaps skills you’ll never get around to learning, is kinda silly really. Funny that it’s such a common expectation. I hope you let that idea go.

2. You can’t do it alone. No one ever does.

No one does it alone. Not ever. Especially when creating and growing requires knowledge, skill, and experience that you don’t have. Kinda obvious, huh? Everything builds on everything. And so many people help along the way. I’m so grateful for Rodrigo who built my first beautiful website when I opened my private practice and started offering workshops in 2005. And for Emma who midwifed me through a lengthy process of clarifying and translating my Soul’s intent into a work of HeArt.

I’m truly grateful for Rich who has supported every need online and found every solution throughout the years. Who is still figuring out how to make things work so I can do my work. For dear friends and colleagues who have encouraged and taught me along the way. For the depth of this Cosmic guidance appearing in so many ways. And for you. All of you who show up, share, and live the inspired ideas that flow through my work. Who inspire me to dive deeper. You do nothing on your own. That much I know for sure. (Which is why I value sending Love Letters expressing my gratitude).

3. Be true to your Soul (and not marketing advice).

I had to let go so much expert advice on “how to” create my brand, voice, website, and offerings. In the midst of confusion and overwhelm during the process, I recognized something. I had to be true to myself and what wanted to flow through me. I had to choose these inner promptings over outer advice. So, I quit trying to be concise (not my strong suit) and just let my words flow. I stopped searching for the catchy phrases or the best way to create a webpage.

I wanted to create a work of HeArt that would serve you. So I did. Unapologetically, I decided to show up true to myself. While I hope that truly serves you, I’m clear about following the voice of my Soul rather than marketing advice. With that said, I’ve learned a lot from the expertise of those in the marketing and business development fields. I’ll keep on learning from them and only take what aligns with my Soul.

4. Let your ideas be seeds not end products.

Your creative process is a process. And it’s influenced by unseen forces which are wildly creative and supremely intelligent. I’ve learned that my little pea brain and the tiny ideas I hold there are nothing compared to what wants to be created through me. Plant your seed: be curious about your ideas and nurture them. Remembering that nourishing an idea does not mean demanding it appear in a way that pleases you. Then go seek genius, beauty, and delight in the world. When you’re inspired by those who let their seeds grow wildly, you open to the possibility of what may be.

Your creative process is a process. And it’s influenced by unseen forces which are wildly creatively and supremely intelligent.

 

5. Transparency helps you stay real.

Tell the truth. Sometimes creating some new version of yourself or a project is exhilarating and enjoyable. Sometimes it’s a shit show. And often it pulls you down into your patterns of limitation. So you can see them, break through them, and rise up higher.  It’s human nature to excel, to fail, to show up, and to hide. So, get real and tell the truth.

Not everyone needs to know everything of course. This isn’t a suggestion for a lack of boundaries or forgoing self awareness. Save the private work for the sanctity of your trusted Soul, true friends and helpers, and supportive colleagues. Just give up the presentation that everything is bright and shiny. Social media does enough harm that way

6. Creativity meanders. Give up the straight path.

You were raised in a world that teaches the linear, hierarchical path. Yet, you meander. We all do. Take a look at nature. Listen to anyone’s life story. Explore how innovators, artists, and rule breakers came into their ideas and their current way of being. You’ll find the meandering path in all of these places. Meandering is the way of the Soul and the movement of life.

The societal message that you have to start here, do this, and get there is a work of fiction. Well accepted fiction, but it’s just not the way of life. When you practice the art of meandering and see each diversion as an indication of your path’s wise direction, you cease to bang your head against the brick wall. This takes practice. We’ve all been trained as head bangers who come up short. It’s not our fault. Meandering wasn’t in the curriculum. Put it back in.

7. Don’t quit. Do go outside and play a bit.

It’s okay to lay down a project. Sometimes you need a break for a bit. Sometimes COVID happens and everything turns upside down. Life is wise. So are you. When inner or outer disruptions interfere with your project, take notice. Breathe deep, take a break, and ask your inner wisdom for guidance. Maybe that answer shows up immediately upon asking, but most the time it takes a while to arrive. It’s a good idea to head out to play a bit. Let what’s happening behind the scenes happen. You aren’t doing this alone, remember?

You may have to let go a hidden belief so you can grow into a bigger potential. Or somebody or something else has to come into place. It may be time to make peace with making mistakes or not knowing how to proceed.  Who knows? Worry less about where you are in the project timeline and enjoy the meandering art of creation. Coming back into alignment with everyone and everything that is conspiring to create something wonderful and beneficial.

And when you’re done playing, get back to work. Tiny actions and persistent effort, when executed wisely, yield very cool results.

8. Let go of perfection as you strive for excellence.

I like things to show up the way I want them. I’m meticulous about beauty and accurate representation. I had to learn to let go and let Emma create beauty. To enter the design with Rich so I could tweak and bedazzle it to my liking. And then just let it be even when parts didn’t work. To make the decision to launch a site that isn’t perfect and may never be.

Again and again, to face the inevitable brick wall that isn’t brick at all. Just a reminder that not everything can be figured out quite yet. That mistakes are made and eventually will be fixed. And to hold the commitment to the Soulful intent with positivity, love, and gratitude. Again and again. Witnessing what unfolds. Accepting what is less than perfect.

At the end of the day, it’s a Love Letter. To you and your Beautiful Soul.

And that’s what matters. You. Loving your Beautiful Soul. We, together, all of us. Loving all Beautiful Souls.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Daily creativity can help you flourish. Research suggests that everyday creativity leads to greater well-being. A study tracked time young adults spent in daily creative endeavors, reports of positive and negative emotions, and “flourishing” (an overall sense of meaning, purpose, engagement, and social connection). Results revealed that being engaged in more creative activities than usual led to positive emotion and flourishing the next day. Negative emotions didn’t change. Since the reverse wasn’t seen (positive emotions and flourishing didn’t increase creativity), findings suggest that everyday creativity is an important to wellbeing.

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My New Website: A Work of HeArt

I feel like I birthed a baby, nurtured her as she grew, and sent her off to college.

Okay, it may seem a bit much to compare the creation of my new website with the miracle of parenting. Forgive me. I’m still a little sleep deprived. But I’ve learned that both experiences lead you on a wild ride. I do know my heart is so full of gratitude, love, and a sense of wonder about possibilities I can not quite see. 

This was my fourth attempt at creating a new website. 

The first three ended in the proverbial brick wall. After banging my head against that damn wall for a while, I admitted I couldn’t do it. And I laid the project down. Disappointed again in my lack of ability to see through the seed of an idea and the nudging of my Soul. Too busy with life and too stymied by my own limitations, I let the project go. 

Over time, I felt a cringe each time I went on my website. 

So I avoided it as much as possible. I orphaned my own creation rather than seek the source of my perceived limitation. Now again, I’ll skip the drama. Truth be told, I didn’t suffer that much. After all, when you avoid a pain point, you can effectively dodge the discomfort. You know this, I’m sure. And you also know that regardless of your avoidance, when your Soul has an idea for your life it will persistently return your focus to that idea. Until you follow it in your own time. In your own way. 

Apparently, I’ve grown up a bit. So I could partner with my Soul instead of hide.

Through all these years of Soulful exploration, meaningful work, and personal transformation, I’ve followed the path that lights up before me. Sometimes I skipped or ran forward. Other times, I walked slowly and took a lot of breaks. Many times, I stepped off the path entirely only to learn that wasn’t actually a thing. Well, it is a “mind thing.” Another dramatic idea of how well or not so well you are living. And it seems to be amplified for the spiritual seeker (but, you already know that mind game). Laying down this mind thing, I realized something.

Your whole life is the Path. So is every acceptance or avoidance. 

 

Through the years, I’ve been clear on what I wanted to offer you. My work reflects that intent, regardless of the state of my website. My heart reflects that intent. When I remembered this truth, the brick wall disappeared. I knew what I wanted to create, just not how to translate it on the web. And I was ready to find those capable of translating my Soul’s guidance and heartfelt intent into a new form. 

When I’m ready to partner with my Soul, I’m all in. No matter what.

You’ll see what I mean when you read some of my stories on my site. And understand that I created a website that is true to my Soul’s intent to create beauty, empower women to awaken their potential, offer rich resources to enhance your life, and serve from my WholeHeart. I hope you feel that when you visit.

I hope you feel the Love that flows through this intent to your heart.

I’ve created some rich resources for you.  Free. Empowering. Practical. In fact, my whole site is full of embedded insights in my pages and blogs.  The free offerings are intended to empower you to develop skills so you may navigate life effectively and with greater ease.  

Download my free Self Soothe Strategy. 

This 60+ page PlayBook helps you understand how to transform Stress to Calm.  The accompanying meditation guides you in a daily practice so you may optimize your body, mind, and energy. I’m kinda in love with that PlayBook. You’ll see why.

Download my free Light Globe meditation.

Creating a coherent energy field is essential to wellbeing. This daily practice will teach you how to harmonize your energy and align with the light of your Soul. Use it anytime you seek to strengthen your field and gain greater clarity in your day.

Angelic Reminders have a new look, too.

These lovely little nuggets arrive weekly via email.  Offering you some Angelic suggestions about how to connect, play, and live the intuitive path.  

You may have to seek and find these offerings. 

That’s the fun of it.  Be curious. Follow through. I’d be interested in hearing how these practices enhance your life. Try them out and let me know. Deep thanks for being with me on this Journey. My heart is full.

Next week, I’ll share 8 (really valuable) lessons I learned along this lengthy creative endeavor. 

You won’t have to create a new website to benefit from these insights. Just apply them to whatever you’re doing these dayst

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Ready to boost your confidence before that meeting? Grab your art supplies (or borrow them from your kid) and let your creativity flow. A study at Drexel University explored how a variety of creative activities would effect self-confidence in adults. Working with collage, modeling clay, and markers, participants were encouraged to create art. Free style. 73% reported an increase in feelings of self-efficacy after only 45 minutes. Just imagine the potential benefits if businesses included art breaks for employees. Why not implement your own 45 minute creative experiment at work or home?

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Back to School. Uncharted Territory.

My fingers typed a different title. Uncharted Terror-tory.

Interesting. True for some. But not helpful. So, I deleted that inspired blip and chose to begin anew. I’ve spent the past month listening deeply. To parents with kids heading back to school. From preschool to graduate school, these parents were wrestling with making difficult decisions for the wellbeing of their children.

Faced with the uncertainty of knowing what the plan would be.

If the school could carry it out, and how it would affect their kids, themselves, and their community. Dealing with their own anxiety, frustration, fear. All the while supporting their children and wondering how to give them some degree of choice.

Every time a decision was reached, something would change.

I’ve been listening a lot this past month to teachers, school administrators, college staff, and private school faculty. It’s been quite a mixed bag of anger, frustration, fear, resentment, blame, positivity, creativity, and professionalism.

It’s basically a shit show in New Jersey.

Every district making decisions. Confusion reigns within schools and throughout the communities.  Tempers flare. Fears are heightened. Divisions between teachers, administrators, unions, and parents widen. Anger seeps out over the great divide between those with means and those without. Unchartered terror-tory seemed to be the culprit behind it all. 

As I see it, everyone is doing the best they can.

There just is no easy answer. And no single playbook. The best laid plans going astray when real kids walked through the school doors. Kids texting parents on the first day. So undone by the distance, the masks, the rules, and the changes. Teachers anxiously trying to teach those in front of them and those on the monitors. While remaining safely distanced and maintaining order. Families at home fiddling with technology. Virtual kids heading out the front door after “early dismissal.” Parents admitting they have to leave their tweens and teens home alone so they can go to work.

Parents scrambling to create work stations for all the kids and themselves.

I’ve been listening. To working parents who are angry, frightened, overwhelmed, and falling behind at work. As tempers flare between partners and between parents and kids. To patient parents who know they aren’t teachers, but are seeking to do the best they can. To parents and teachers who know special needs kids need special teaching. And to everyone experiencing brain and eye fatigue from so much screen time.

As I listened to all the hardships and heightened emotions, I wondered what everyone would learn this year.

Not the academic kind of learning. I wondered if we little and big humans would become more creative, kinder, curious, stronger, and resilient. I think we can. But we adults would have to make some big changes. Right now. Starting with ourselves, no matter what our role is in the education system. Teacher. Parent. Student. Neighbor. Adminstrator. Grandparent. Volunteer. Board Member. All of us together.

Let’s help kids learn.

 

Not just math, science, and history. Let’s model how to be creative, enthusiastic, adaptive, and positive. This is an unprecedented opportunity for adults to model how to meet great challenges in life with grace, understanding, and a best effort to carry out imperfect solutions. To take a deep breath, listen closely to the needs and ideas of others, make mistakes, and try again. It’s a time to stay light – on our feet, in our minds, and mostly, in our hearts. Praise, support, encouragement, and understanding. The kids needs these qualities. And so do the adults.

Let’s lay down all complaints and judgements.

All of them. 95% of what I’ve listened to, across the board, during this past month have been expression of anger, frustration, complaint, blame, and frustration. I get it. I truly do. But, here we are in the midst of a COVID driven world. What are we teaching our kids? Let’s get positive.  Solution focused. Genuinely willing to help. No matter what. There’s always a higher solution. Let’s seek that.

Let’s look for strengths and resources.

Human beings have a great capacity for intelligent problem solving, creative learning, playful engagement, and respectful relating. I wonder what ideas the kids, teens, and college students have about how to best learn. And could the adults, teachers, and parents actively seek ideas from their young charges? And each other. Not only about how to succeed in this strange new educational landscape. Seeking out what’s needed in terms of emotional, relational, and academic support. In all directions. This is about being real, not super human. Some days you’re offering strength and resources. Some days you’re on the receiving end. Both have enormous value for the wellbeing of our human tribe.

Let’s practice radical compassion. With a great dose of love.

For ourselves, our kids, school officials and teachers, parents, and every damn person who is struggling. Face it. We’re all struggling. Sharing with colleagues, other parents, and peers how we are feeling, what we’re doing to care for ourselves, and how we get/don’t get help is empowering. Looking out for adults who lost their jobs or kids whose parents work. This connects us with one another, generates new ideas, activates the desire to care for others, and leaves us feeling less alone or helpless.

Let’s stay open and curious to how it’s all gonna play out.

Maybe schools stay hybrid. Maybe they go all virtual. Maybe we all get to hang out face to face again. Since we truly do not know the future, let’s stay curious. This invites flexibility, adaptability, and humility. No one has the answers. This leaves us vulnerable. Dependent even. Kind of like children. Maybe we’ll appreciate what it’s like to be a vulnerable, dependent kid/teen/young adult again. And be kinder, more willing to listen and understand.

Let’s help one another.

There’s no shortage of need these days. The kids, the parents, the schools, the elderly, the jobless, the frightened, the lonely.  The list goes on. We’re in it together. And you’ve got more to offer than you can even imagine. Who needs your strength, resilience, creativity, compassion, and love? 

Just ask the question. I imagine the answer won’t be far along.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Want to help a student succeed? Focus on what’s most essential: positive emotions. Research has found positive emotions, such as gratitude, love, amusement, and wonder, enhance cognitive flexibility. This boosts the ability to deal with change and be curious about new things. Flexibility, positive emotions, and openness to what’s new are important in the COVID school environment. Helping students seek out positive emotions can enhance emotional well being. And students with higher levels of emotional wellbeing tend to have higher levels of academic achievement and are more engaged in the learning process.

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Angelic Radiance. Human Luminosity.

The Angelic Presence, as an aspect of the Divine Presence, surrounds you now. 

This energy of Love, radiant and peaceful, surrounds you always.  You move within this energy of Divine Love in all moments, for you are made of this Love energy, as are the Angels.  You may relax deeper into this peaceful Presence any time you choose without understanding an exact science for accessing Angelic energy and without concern for whether you are worthy of such attention.  You are worthy – holy and completely worthy. 

The Angelic Presence surrounds you right now and invites you to breathe in this peace as you read these words.  

Without exception, as I sit in groups who wish to explore their partnerships with the Angelic realm, this experience of peace and sense of delight is present. Whether we simply discuss Angels and their deep desire to support humanity or allow the words of the Angels to flow to and through us, group members speak of feeling peace, comfort, contentment, and deep love when immersed within Angelic energy.

In meditative stillness and gentle receptivity to these benevolent helpers, a soothing of the mind and body occurs much like a child’s tranquil response to a lullaby sung by her nurturing mother.

This peace is most often attributed to the Presence and Grace of the Angels. This is true, yet not a complete understanding.

As I witness the peace upon each person’s face and the love flowing through their words as experiences are shared within these Angelic groups, I am moved by their beauty. I witness the expanding radiance of their Light as each individual communicates a unique experience, sharing delights and even doubts.

Love Itself flows through the words, the spaces between the words, and the vibrational highways of dancing energy fields.

As the energy of Love’s Presence is received by each person in their unique fashion, insights are received, woes are released, smiles are shared, and hearts are opened. Again, I witness the expanding radiance of Light of the individual and the group.

Such expanding radiance is most often attributed to the Presence and Grace of the Angels. This is true, yet not a complete understanding.

Immersed within the radiant Presence of a group of shining humans, I witness the peace, delight and love of the Angelic Realm. I am moved by their beauty as I observe an expansion of Love energy and an amplification of Angelic radiance. A most curious effect, this pulsating luminosity that expands as group members speak of their experiences or bask within the soothing Angelic energy.

My attention shifts between the flaring light around the group and the bursting light around the Angels. A pattern emerges as amplified Light takes turns dancing in a phenomenal choreographic exchange.

Such amplified radiance is most often attributed to the Presence and Grace of these Humans. This is true, yet not a complete understanding.

In beautiful symmetry, Light reveals itself as perfectly peaceful, gloriously radiant, and wholly holy. Is it the Angelic Presence that reflects the perfection of Human Luminosity? Or is it the Human expression of Love that reflects the perfection of Angelic generosity?

Within the continuous, interdependent reflection of grandeur, Angel to Luminous Human and Human to Radiant Angel, wholeness dances as Truth is revealed.

Love Itself rests peacefully within the knowledge that Human and Angel alike contribute to the radiant reflection of the indwelling Presence of Love and Grace.

This Divine Presence surrounds you now, flows to you now, and flows from you now.

You are immersed within this radiant Love as sure as you are broadcasting this beautiful Peace from the holiest space of your Sacred Self. There is beauty within your Presence. You are invited to claim the beauty of your radiance and cast your light upon all beings so that they may receive this reflection of their own beautiful Presence.

You are invited to reflect the purest energy of Love to the Angelic realm so that they may receive, amplify, and reflect your luminosity to the dark places that have momentarily forgotten that they, too, are the radiant Presence of the Divine. As peace descends, the dimmer light awakens to its radiance as gently as the Divine Mother soothes her children into remembrance of their absolute worthiness.

And the dance continues in perfect symmetry and perfect peace.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Open Air Schools replace tourists in Kashmir. Here’s a creative solution to education during COVID. With the grandeur of the snow capped Himalayan in the background, children sit 6 feet apart with workbooks or listen to teachers with portable posters instead of blackboards. Within the rural regions, often impoverished, many schools and children are not equipped for online learning. Closing the divide between those with devices and those without, this fresh air alternative is creatively meeting the needs of children and bringing relief to parents. 

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Filling my Pockets

Everywhere I look, there’s worthwhile work to be done. 

Our oceans are filled with oil spills and plastic garbage.  Our atmosphere is polluted and forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.  Worldwide,  we’re grappling with a pandemic.  Adults are losing jobs and unable to care for their families.  People of all ages are sick, lonely, dying, and afraid. Our country is divided on so many issues. 

People everywhere are filled with rage, despair, insecurity, sadness, hunger, and fear.

Everywhere I look, I see opportunities for worthwhile work. Important activism. Creative solutions. Helping hands. Witnessing our world leads me to speculate:  What to do?  What to do?  What skills are required?  What is the focus of my worthwhile work?

Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the questions and the need, I choose to sit still. 

Really still.  I wondered about the work I already do. And the worthwhile work that may be calling to me across the noise of my busy life.  “I thinked and thinked” as Winnie the Pooh would say.  And then, I didn’t think any more.  I guess you could say that I just “be-ed.”  In this state of beingness, a thought emerged: 

“If I could fill my pockets with only two things, I would carry Love in my right pocket and Kindness in my left.”  

I realized how these qualities help Life flow more easily for myself and others.  So, I pulled on my favorite jeans, stuffed Love and Kindness in my front pockets and headed out the door. 

Actions guided by Love and Kindness worked with people of every age, ethnicity and gender, across all walks of life.  They even worked on me. They worked in nature – pristine and damaged.  They worked across the internet and within the inner net.  These tools worked.  Although sometimes, I forgot to stuff my pockets. 

On those days, I walked under a cloud. Miserly in my misery until I ran across some kind, loving soul with pockets overflowing.

And I was helped to remember the power of love and kindness, applied flexibly and consistently throughout the day. Over time, I stuffed my pockets with Clarity and Wisdom, Fearlessness and Ingenuity, Humility and Grace, and the ability to Laugh and Cry with friends and strangers.  Along the way, I forgot the original question. I just chose to be Love and Kindness or whatever quality was called forth from me in the moment. 

It’s not an exact science, but it seems to work for me. 

Until I forget to fill my pockets. That’s where you come in. Your love, kindness, courage, and ingenuity helps me a lot. Thanks for that. And keep it flowing.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Being kind toward others is associated with stronger mental and physical health, relationships, life satisfaction, communities, and even economies. Some researchers encourage you to cultivate kindness as a practice for wellbeing. For you. For the world. So think in terms of circles.  Start offering kindness to family, close friends, office mates. Smallish is fine. Smiling, holding doors, saying thank you, picking up a piece of trash on your neighbor’s yard. Then expand your circle. Tiny acts of kindness for strangers. Concentric circles of kindness. Could they change the world?

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Pickles and Fudge. A Life Lesson.

I’ve been inundated with pet stories. Vet stories. Happy stories and sad stories.

This led me to flash back through memories of childhood pets. I guess we had a bunch over the years. A dog, a kitten, a guinea pig, snakes, turtles, gerbils, fish, mice, and a chicken (a story for another time).

In my current family, we started out by petsitting the Montessori animals.  Easier that way.

Let’s just say it was interesting. The frog (stunk), the chinchillas (made noise all night), the albino rabbit (ate our curtains), and the dwarf rabbit (made his heavenly exit while in our care). After all that practice, we agreed to take in a house broken rabbit (ate the couch, also departed for greener pastures above). Finally, we were ready for our own pet.  Feeling confident, we brought home two dwarf hamsters and got them settled in their new home.

I still remember my third grader reading a story to Pickles and Fudge to help them adjust to their new home. 

Sweet memory. And the day I came home from work greeted by a worried daughter.  “Something is wrong with Pickles. Can you look at him?”  Pickles was alone now after Fudge departed suddenly without fanfare.  Cradling Pickles in my hand, I witnessed a swollen cheek and slanted eye.  Something was seriously wrong. 

Ghosts of past pets hopped into our minds and our musings.

Memories of Fudge flooded the room and the conversation.  The rabbits (plural). Bubbles, the goldfish won at a school fair, who recently floated to the light. Sensing a theme?. 

“Is Pickles going to die?” 

My daughter went to bed worried and sad.  My husband reminded me of the “facts.”  Dwarf hamsters have a life expectance of only 1 – 2 years.  Logic told him that if one hamster died, it might just be time for the other hamster to go as well. 

I don’t like facts.  They limit my options.

Deeply mired within facts and fearful conditioning about pets dying, we spent the weekend observing a decrease in activity.  Was Pickles eating less?  Was he having difficulty breathing?  Were we getting closer to losing him?  It was a helpless feeling that did nothing to support Pickles, nor my daughter’s ability to process what was occurring. 

Rather than hanging around waiting for this little guy to die, we took some action.

We realizes we were projecting so much worry, sadness, and fear onto this tiny creature.  Flowing healing energy through our hands, hearts, and minds, we held little Pickles.  Pictures of dolphin friends, known for their healing ability, and other positive helpers were placed with near the cage. I felt a bit of relief as if I had ‘done something.’

Until I realized that my daughter’s first question upon waking or returning from school was “Is Pickles dead?”

Enough.  I realized that if this was a larger animal, such as a dog or cat, I would already be at the vet to explore what was wrong.  So, why wasn’t I calling a vet for Pickles?  Was I unwilling to spend the time, money, or attention because he was small and had a predicted short lifespan?   Was I viewing Pickles as expendable simply because he was a hamster?

I realized beneath concern for my daughter’s well-being lurked the real shadow: a disrespect for life.

 

How could I go through my days without exploring what might be done for the benefit of Pickles and, relatedly, my daughter?  I found a vet who specialized in “pocket pets.”   I made an appointment for the same day.  “First name?” asked the kind clerk.  “Kathy,” I replied.  “Name of the hamster?” she kindly prompted me.  Oh.

Two hours later, Pickles Milano and I were off to his appointment. 

I was touched by the kindness of the vet and her assistant who clearly respected little Pickles regardless of his predicted life span.  The verdict?  Pickles had an abscess in his cheek for some unknown reason which could be rectified by surgery. 

Oh my goodness.  Nothing was wrong with his eye after all – it was just squished by the swelling.  With a little anesthesia, sweet Pickles would have this gook drawn out of his cheek and live happily ever after for some time to come thanks to his strong heart.  “How much would all of this cost?” I asked.  Silly question, really.  As if I could walk away. 

As Pickles Milano was led to surgery, I was surprised by the depth of my respect for this tiny speck of life. 

And the welling of emotion as I shed a tear in the waiting room. My heart opened as I considered what it might be like for such a tiny animal, usually protected within his cage, to experience this medical intervention.  I pushed my worry aside and drew forth every positive ray of energy for the benefit of my furry teacher who reminded me of the importance to respect all life, all ways. 

“We have to hurry back to the car,” I said, “Pickles is waiting.” 

Expressions of confusion, fear, and hope flitted across my daughter’s face. Followed by a big smile when she learned that Pickles was sticking around for a while longer.  For the next two weeks, that wiggly fur ball brought the family together morning and night as we attempted to drip the antibiotic into his tiny mouth.  With minimal mess, lots of laughter, and only a few nips, Pickles absorbed the nurturance heaped upon him. We all shared a collective breath of relief.

At the end of this experience, we conducted a cost analysis. 

Examination, anesthesia, surgery, and antibiotic:  $101.  Our daughter sleeping peacefully while a lively Pickles Milano created a ruckus running on his wheel all night: Priceless. 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

57% of Americans report that experiences make them happiest, as reported on Happify (a wellbeing website). Especially experiences that connect you with friends and family, provide a memorable story, align with personal values, or are just downright unusual.  Using your money for leisure boosts wellbeing while the thrill is short for purchasing material goods. Good news! A cup of coffee with a friend carries more weight in the wellbeing arena than your mortgage.