It's o.k. to be Me...

I have realized that awakening does not mean that I have to change who I am, totally.  I thought that when I was around people who were also awakening that I needed to be more refined or quiet and that I needed to suppress parts of my personality.

I have a sense of humor and deal better with situations when I can use humor. It is who I am.  I also have a tendency to use some, not so proper, language.  I started to suppress the humor and language to the point where I felt I wasn't being honest about who I am. I began to feel conflicted, then I realized that I can be on my Spiritual Journey and still be Me.  Yes, I have changed a great deal, for the better, over the past few years but I have realized that I can be better and do better by being my authentic self.

I also have a special group of people in my life who are awakened souls and being around them has helped me to see that it is not only o.k. to be myself, it is necessary.  We meet to discuss subjects that are spiritual and paranormal in nature.  We have some deep discussions and they always seem to have some humor thrown in as well.

Shakespeare wrote in King Lear, "Many a true word hath been spoken in jest", this has been a line that I have always loved.    I realized recently that I have had many aha moments watching a funny movie or listening to a comedian.  Recently this happened when I watched a Chris Rock special. He was talking about religion and said that he was trying to get some religion in his life, just a little, and continued to say that he has Faith in God and has not been to Church in ten years, then he said to the audience, you go to Church every week...you don't trust God.  I thought, wow what a statement.  Having Faith means to believe that the Creator is there for you always and does not need proof that we love Him/Her.

I just wanted to let you know that it is o.k. to be you, in fact it is mandatory!!  Never think you cannot be good or do good because you do not feel you are acting holy enough.  Be your authentic self, that is Holy.

Sending you all Love and Light!!!

Time of Darkness or Light?

I had given up watching the news on a daily basis.  I was getting so upset and depressed watching it.  Terrorism, shootings, abuse, political upset, and anger  was all that was being reported.  I started to think the world was becoming filled with darkness and then I realized I was wrong.

I believe that people are starting to take their power back and shining their inner light, they are no longer accepting of the negative and dark.  As more people turn their light on and allow it to be seen the more the light shines on the darkness.  Once the light shines on the darkness it has nowhere to go and it tries to fight back, this happens with terrorist attacks, nasty tweeting, denial of abusive behavior, and flared tempers, this is why it all seems to be happening at the same time.

Now when the darkness is revealed people are standing up to it and making changes.  We see this in areas that have had terrorist attacks and the people of the area come out in force to show  solidarity against the terrorists, we see it in neighborhoods with gun violence, neighbors have vigils and prayer services on the streets. We also have seen it with abuse that has been happening for too many years, once the light was shone, more and more people felt safe coming forward to share their stories and the abuse is no longer hidden.  The darkness must be put in the light to correct what is wrong. 

Don't fear what is happening, shine your light as bright as you can and do not get discouraged.  We are all here to make a difference with our light. 

Thoughts on Music...

I have been thinking about music lately.  Music has such a big influence on us as humans.  It has always been around, used in rituals, or just enjoyed.  When we celebrate we play music and sing songs and when we are sad we listen to music to help us through our sadness. Music stirs memories within us.

I also believe that music is like air on the other side.  I believe it is the language of Angels.  When I think of the other side I think of beautiful music always playing in the background and that our Souls  breathe it in.

I believe we breathe in music on earth as well. When you hear a song that touches your heart the feeling goes all through your body,  you  breathe in the music.  When you breathe in the music it stimulates emotion and feeds your Soul.  It can help you feel better, it can help you release your sadness, and it can propel you on toward your goals.

Athletes use music to get them ready to compete, they may have a song or a playlist that gives them energy and strengthens their resolve.  We all have a song or style of music that when played makes us feel like we can do anything.

Children love music from birth, they love to be sung to, and they love to listen to and sing songs.  Children understand music before they understand language.  I believe they know music from where they just came from and it comforts them to know it is on this side as well.

With the Holiday season upon us, enjoy the music being played.  Holiday music has a higher vibration, I believe that is why so many people love to listen to Christmas music, it lifts their vibration.

What is your favorite type of music?  Share your thoughts on music.

Happy Listening!

Meeting God in the grocery parking lot...

I had finished putting my groceries in my car and was starting to head for the cart drop off when one of the employees for the store waived to me and said that he would take the cart.  The employee was an older man who was wearing a red turban.  I have always wanted to know if there is a significance to the color of the turban.  I asked the man if he would mind if I asked him a question and proceeded to ask him about his turban color.  He said that the color of the turban was up to the wearer.  He then said that all colors have their meanings, red for love, white for peace, etc. He then began to tell me that he believes all religions are right and that we all believe in the same God, we just have different names for God.  He also said that there are four types of people, excellent, good, fair, and poor.  He said that he believes it is important to surround yourself with excellent and good people and that you will bring the type of person to you that is most similar to who you are, if you are an excellent, or good person, excellent and good people will be drawn to you.  He also said that as you become better you will notice that you do not associate with the poor (not financially) people.  They will leave your life and you will not miss them, you will be happy with the people now in your life.  He also said that he feels it is important to work (the job itself does not matter as long as you are happy doing it), work gives you the money to do the things you love.

Lately I have been thinking about my own beliefs and how I have stepped out of organized religion. I have always been fascinated with all beliefs and their customs.  I knew this man had to be sent from God. He was validating what I have come to believe.  He spoke with such ease and kindness, and also had a twinkle to his eyes.  He said he was from India and had lived in a few countries before coming to America. There are many people who would look at this man and the turban he wears and make judgements about his life and beliefs.  This is why it is so important to treat each other with respect and not be afraid to have a conversation with others who are different from you. You may be surprised at what they have to say.  Don't miss out on your conversation with God.

You ARE special...

If you are like me, you probably have a hard time believing you are special.  I remember being told when I was young not to ever think I was better than anyone else.  Who was I to think I was something special?  But the truth is, we are all special and we should not only believe it but live it.

I now know that when you realize the truth, that you are special, you begin to see everyone as special. It does not make you think you are better than others, it makes you appreciate your gifts and the gifts of others.  When you are happy with who you are you shine, and your light shines on others and they begin to see themselves as valuable.

If you haven't done so yet, take some time to look at how special you are and how your gifts help others.  EVERYONE, is special, BELIEVE it!

What gifts do you share with the world....

When in doubt, write a Eulogy...

When I think about losing someone I love I think about what would be said about them at their funeral.  I think about all the good things that make them special and how much love I have for them.  

I recently was wondering what I would do if I was asked to give a Eulogy for someone that I do not get along with or with whom I have issues.  So I thought about it and picked someone that I have a hard time understanding.  I thought about the nice things I know about that person and realized that I should get to know them a little better instead of judging them as a person. 

This experience led me to the realize that when in doubt about how you feel toward another, write a Eulogy.  Think about the positive side of the person, maybe he/she loves animals, is kind to the elderly, is great with kids,  or volunteers his/her time to help those less fortunate.  Maybe he/she has had a difficult life or is going through a tough time. If you don't know much about the person, ask.  This may be a way to get to know them better.  Think of it as research for the Eulogy.  You may be surprised and end up with a new friend or at least gain a deeper understanding of the person.

Sending you Love and Light...

The Love of an Animal...

I love to see posts on Facebook that involve animals, especially the pictures of animals smiling.  The smiles remind me that every living being has a Soul.  Animals give love -- unconditional love,   watch over us when we are sick, become our best friends, and save lives.  They even visit us from beyond.

Some people don't understand why animals are treated like humans and why people are so concerned about their care.  I find that those who feel this way have never had a pet or allowed a pet to enter their heart.

My first dog, Maxine, was a wire haired fox terrier that we rescued from a local shelter.  From the moment I saw her she entered my heart.  She was smart, funny, protective, and loving.  She stayed by my side when I was sick, and comforted me when I was in pain and could not sleep.  She taught me that  I was lovable, She loved me on my good days and my bad days.  She would go to each bedroom at night and open the door to make sure everyone was home.  When my Sons went to college she would lay by the door for the first few hours each time they left.  She missed them when they were away.  We were blessed to have Her with us for ten years.  When she passed it was one of the worst days in my life.  She was a part of our family.  

Even though she has passed she still visits us, we feel her on the bed, hear her collar jingling and her steps in the house, and have even seen her in the yard.

We have another wire haired fox terrier named Ginger.  We got Ginger as a puppy after Maxine had passed.  Ginger is also smart, funny, loving and protective.  I believe Maxine sent Ginger to help us heal.

I recently saw a teeshirt that said "when you rescue a dog you save two souls".  This is so beautiful and true. This is true of other animals as well.

What has your pet(s) taught you?  Share your stories...

Love and Light

The Oyster, Symbol for Soul Journey

I was recently talking to a woman who is into buying oysters for the pearls inside. She  enjoys opening the oysters to see what color and shape the pearl will be and giving them to her friends and family.  While she was telling me all about her new hobby I had an aha moment.  I thought that the oyster symbolizes our Soul journey during each lifetime.  We come into this lifetime with a body and personality (shell) and when we have to deal with problems or lessons (sand)  we take it inside and find the best way to deal with the situation, once we have dealt with the situation the lesson is put away.  In order to move on we have to look at what happened in the most positive light (cover the irritant sand with a coating).  Each time we learn a lesson and understand it happened for our greatest good we coat the sand and move on.  When our journey is over and the shell is no longer needed what is left is a beautiful pearl that represents all we have learned in this lifetime.   Some will have small pearls, and those who had the most lessons to learn will have the largest pearls. You may think that the oysters that have no pearls had no lessons to learn, but I think the oysters with no pearls lived so many lives and learned there lessons so well they don't let the sand irritate them and have no need to grow a pearl.

What are your thoughts on the oyster?

Inspiration at the checkout line...

I was grocery shopping today and the store was very busy.  I was looking for a checkout line to get in and I saw a woman with a shirt that said "Faith not Fear".  I loved the shirt, it reminded me of the spiritual message that here on earth there is only Fear and Love and that Love is the only thing that is real.  I connected the word Faith with Love and I thought the shirt should read Love not Fear, but that got me thinking.... the word Faith is probably more acceptable to most than the word Love.  People seem to be weirded out when the word "Love" is used.  I think they may have been taught or learned somewhere that Love is mushy romantic feelings or just a  "New Age" term being used too much.  They may feel that to Love others means you have to be all touchy feely with them.  That is not the case.  We Love each other simply by respecting each other and by caring about what happens to others.  It can be as simple as feeling compassion for people injured in an accident or praying for those killed in an explosion.  It can also be holding the door for the person behind You.  Love can be as simple and complex as you want to make it.  As corny as it may sound, Love is what makes the world go round.  I suggest you try to use the word Love more in your conversations, see how it feels.  I bet you will begin to feel lighter and much more happy.  Try it and let me know what happens. 

Love and Light!!

Divine Guidance...

I have been thinking about Divine Guidance and how it shows up in our lives.  Some people think that Divine Guidance can only come in the form of a burning bush or a vision but we are Divinely guided every day.  Divine Guidance can be the coffee that spills on the counter and makes you head out the door a few minutes late only to realize that you just missed a serious traffic accident.  It can also show up as a billboard or sign along your route to work that reminds you to make a doctor appointment or call a friend you haven't spoken to for some time.  It can be a song that answers a prayer or question that is on your mind.  One morning I was in my car getting ready to leave for work, I asked Michael the Archangel to protect me through my day, I turned on the car and my radio began playing the song  One Call Away by Charlie Puth.  I heard, I'm only one call away, I'll be there to save the day, Superman got nothing on me, I'm only one call away.  I started to laugh and cry with joy, my prayer was being answered.    Divine Guidance can also come in our dreams, one night I had a dream I was at work and there were people I knew from work and some of my family members at my workplace, when I woke up I remembered all the people who were in my dream.  I knew there was a reason I remembered all the different people in the dream.  I thought about the connection of the people, what they had in common, they all had the same astrological sign, Taurus.  At that moment I heard, there is a lot of bull around you.  I laughed out loud.

We are Divinely Guided everyday, think about the ways you are guided.  Share your stories of Divine Guidance in the comment section.

Love and Light.

Forgiveness...can be a tough one...

Forgiveness can be a tough one, when we think of forgiveness we usually think it means we are saying that it is o.k. that someone treated us badly, but that is not the case.  Forgiveness is a blessing for the person who was hurt, it allows you to let go of the hurt and burden that you carry from the incident.  It gives you the freedom to live without past hurt, and that is an amazing way to live.  When you forgive you are not saying that it is o.k. for someone to hurt you, you are saying that you are letting it go for your own Soul to move forward in the most positive way.  You can forgive someone and step away from them at the same time, you can let them know that what was done was not right and that you will not tolerate that type of behavior.  Sometimes forgiveness can bring people closer, some people hurt because they were hurt, that is no excuse, but it is an explanation.  If you show them love and forgiveness it can change them for the better.

Remember Forgiveness = Freedom!

Christmas music already?.....

I am someone who likes to play Christmas music throughout the year.  I mix it in with my music on my IPod and add it to the shuffle when I am listening to Pandora at work.  I do it when I need a lift, the songs always seem to lift my Spirit.

I was on my way to work this morning and O Holy Night began to play on my IPod.  I always get very emotional when I hear that song.  I love the part of the song that goes:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
 'Til he appeared and the Soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees

O hear the Angel voices
O night Devine...

What powerful words.  I think about how our Souls pine for God, we search for answers and wait to hear from God.  When we finally recognize the existence of our God, Creator, or whatever you call your Source, your Soul feels its worth, it is aware that it is worthy of love.  That moment of recognition is when we fall on our knees, we surrender it all to our Source and we can hear the Angel voices.  We understand that all there is, is Love.