Yearly Archives: 2016

Soul Purpose and Healing

“The soul of us is never confused about why it is here. It only asks us to wake up and see the breadcrumb clues it has been leaving all along.” “•Jacob Nordby

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I’ve always been attracted to the word, “soul” ““ connoting the essence, the  deepest, the holiest in us, in others. You might be faced with the rude fact, perhaps after your own birthday, health challenge, or the death of a loved one, that time on earth isn’t infinite, that it is in fact, limited. We never know  how much time we truly have to live.

I have had the privilege of helping people find their soul purpose in my Artist Way and Prosperity Classes, and also through in personal psychic healings and readings. It’s so exciting to see the light come on,  an aha experience. And then in time see people move toward their dreams. Suddenly, they have more passion and energy for life.

When life is shouting, wake up ““ it does all the time at me ““ it’s time to focus on what’s essential, and let the rest go. It’s essential and healing!  But what is crucial? How do we know? Some questions you might ask yourself:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here on earth?
• What am I learning?
• What am I naturally good at?
• What are my talents, my skills?
• What do I love?
• What gives me passion?
• What is my unique purpose?

You can also ask your angels, your Higher Power. And before you go to sleep, ask for a dream about your unique purpose. See what your high self and guides bring you. Write it down. Do it every night for a week. You will have fun and be amazed at your own creative subconscious mind and how help is available.

I feel I have been moving in the direction of my life’s purpose for years, for decades ““ picking up pieces here and there, finding out who I am, what gives me purpose, what makes happy and passionate. More tomorrow…

What is your soul’s purpose? 

Reading “Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

Or should I say, “re-reading.”I heard great things about this book years ago, when it was first published in 2003 and when I worked at a spiritual bookstore. They actually held groups or trainings therefor many years. In the book written by Marshall B. Rosenberg, he states, “What I want from my life is a compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart.”

Such an amazing book for revealing how we can use”nonviolence” in our daily lives. The work is based on Gandhi’s ideas with an introduction by Arun Gandhi, Gandhi’s grandson. When Arun was angry and thirteen, his grandfather taught him how to face difficult life situations by using the principals of nonviolence.

Okay, I’ll be honest. I was a little turned off by the title, because I don’t think of myself as a “violent” communicator, who needs reforming. I never yell at people, I co-exist rather well with my friends, my adult children, sisters, and community members. Bu, occasionally, I do run into communication and relationship issues. Especially with my boyfriend, who when I am angry, I call my un-boyfriend. Can you believe that? Before we get started, I just want you to know I am right. (Just kidding)

Here are thesummarize techniques found in the back of the book:

1. Express how you are feeling using the “I am” sentence without blaming or criticizing.
2. Observe what is not contributing to your well being.
3. Observe what you are feeling (rather than thinking.)
4. Figure out what you need or value.
5. Clearly request what would enrich your life without demanding.

So easy. Right? In the heat of life, oftenwe first need a cooling off period. Sometimes it helps to journal, work the Twelve Steps, talk to a friend or counselor, and then begin the process of communicating. Don’t forget to listen with your heart to hear what your friend might need. With practice we can get better. You just might want to own your own copy and read this book.

A Writers Retreat, A Miracle, Say Yes!

“You are the work of God, and His work is wholly lovable and wholly loving.This is how a woman must think of herselfin her heart, because this is what she is.” –A Course in Miracles

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I attendedthe “Women Writers in the Redwoods” conference last year. Thirty women cameand were coachedby five teachers in an incredible setting at Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center outside of Coralitas, California. Today, I found out I could have a discount/partial scholarship. I immediately wrote back and said, “Yes.” Within a few minutes,a friend asked a favor, and paid for the rest of the conference.

A powerful word, yes!

I do believe in saying yes, even when I don’t necessarily know how itsall going to work out. I’m always amazed when events are orchestrated to bring a gift. The retreat last year helped me recommit to my writing. I started blogging, writing my next book, and rejoined a poetry writing group. The retreat this year will help me continue my writingjourney, make new writerly friends, and seeagain all the wonderful women I met last year. And I know there will be unknown mystery gifts coming too.

Justmorning while reading a book on meditation, creativity, and joy, I thought I would like to join a meditation class. This isn’t a meditation class, but it is held at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center in the Santa Cruz mountains. I do plan on meditating while there.

I must remember what the Course in Miracles says, “Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love.They are performed by those who temporarily have more for those who temporarily have less.”

Ah life, ah angels, thank you, thank you for your gifts. And remember, when opportunity shows up, sayyes.

What unexpected gifts have you received lately? Any miracles to report?

Twin Pelican Chicks

Pelican Twins! Well, my sister and I are not exactly twin pelican chicks, but we still have a lot of life in both of us. She was dancing this weekend on the East Coast and her husband filmed her. I saw the post on Facebook! I dance at my Jazzercise class most mornings. Did you know that people who dance fight dementia? Not that we’re worried about that at our age. I just know I feel great when I dance.

I drew the chicks above in my Drawing 2 class at Cabrillo College, our local community college last spring. I was very into learning how to draw birds, not a natural talent, but in the end I had so much fun.This was my teacher’s favorite of all the drawings I did. But, his wife was expecting twins!

My twin sister, Laurie, and I are very close, despite the fact we’ve lived most of our lives apart. We were born at midnight, so we have different birthdays. No, we are not identical. I, yes, was born first. Unfortunately, my cord was wrapped around my sister’sneck, and she was born blue. Yes, she forgave me.

Lauriehas always been so adventuresome and brave! I’ve followed her on some of her teaching travels to Brazil and Venezuela. Just a few short years ago on our birthday I followed her across a small bay to snorkel in the turquiosewaters with lots of colorful fish. She has helped me overcome my shyness and timidity, and to do things I never thought I could.

Happy Birthday, sweet twin. We’ll talk again this weekend, and I’ll see you nextsummer. Can’t wait!

Finding A Spirit Guide, I Mean Bird!

At my “Artist Way Class” we played with clay, let our hands do the talking, and were introduced to an animal guide for the class. My clay morphed from hawk to pelican.My guide, the pelican, has been showing up all week.

I was above Seabright Beach on the cliffs when this large, wide winged bird floated up on the wind level with my view of him. Oh, so majestic and ancient looking at the same time.I am for a moment transported into the mystery – the feeling that everything in life is orchestrated and in divine order.

According to Animals Speak by Ted Andrews, pelicans symbolically represent the ability “to be buoyant and rest on the top in spite of life’scircumstances. The pelican teaches that no matter how difficult life becomes, no matter how much you plunge, you can pop to the surface.”

I drew the picture above in my drawing class at Cabrillo College. I had fun getting to know pelicans through drawing them. Such amazing birds! The Audubon Society says of them, “An unmistakable bird of coastal waters. Groups of Brown Pelicans fly low over the waves in single file, flapping and gliding in unison. Their feeding behavior is spectacular, as they plunge headlong into the water in pursuit of fish.”

Call on a pelican when you’re going through challenging times and plunging to meet life’s challenges. Know you canjust rest on the spiritual waters, no matter what is going on in your life. Ask the pelicans for their magic and power!

What birds are you attracted to? What do you think they mean to you spiritually? What message are they giving you?

She Calls

A Poem Dedicated to Madyson Middleton and Laura Jordan of Santa Cruz, California

She calls, provides me with a simple life,

a life on the San Lorenzo River,

overlooking pink eucalyptus and pine.

She urges ­– become a painter, a writer,

live in an intentional arts community.

Some mornings, coffee in hand,

cat on my lap, I marvel.

I am suppose to paint, write,

I am suppose to contemplate,

drink it in, the flash of

of the iridescent blue jay,

against the forest green.

Called, yes, thirty-three years ago,

a sudden awakening, a rebirth.

I was led to the Unity Prayer Room,

Lee Summit, Missouri,

praying with people from

the U.S, the world.

I learned,

“Be still and know I am God.

Be still and know I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.”

My vocation included sitting for a

half-hour in the dead of night, winter,

in the dimly lit chapel

where prayer had been

continuous for ninety years.

I did my best, I didn’t understand,

how I’d arrived there,

but, I was deeply honored;

my own wounds healing.

It’s as if I’m on an invisible path,

sometimes lit, sometimes not,

headed north, slowly, following a map of

valleys and mountains without designation,

but with stars and moon revealed.

And just last summer

a little girl, Maddy, eight,

a neighbor on the first floor,

was murdered by another

neighbor, fifteen, a sick boy

who just wanted to know what

it felt like to kill someone.

On this holy ground,

Tibetian monks performed

an exorcism – with loud clanging

bells, gongs, and drums.

They chanted for a good hour,

red and gold robes in dim light

in our community room,

releasing, cleansing, and purifying.

If only it was that easy.

I and others, children too,

lit candles and prayed for days.

I was called to offer

a light of a painting,

red and gold, “Golden Spirit,”

to Laura, Maddy’s brave mother.

Now I know why,

in all this light and darkness too,

why ­–

I paint, pray, and write.

Knock, Knock, Knock on Heaven’s Door

I loved this book. Patricia Pearson is not only a eloquent writer, but she weaves her personal story with detailedstories of others. Concurrently, she reports on scientific research about people’s moment of death and near death experiences.

I loved the story of her sister, Katharine. Shetells the story of her life and her vulnerable, sad time with cancer. Patricia, after her sister’s death, “wanted to understand what we knew, and what remained unclear, scientifically elusive, about these controversial modes of awareness. …Why did she enter into her own dying experience afraid at first – only to become increasingly joyful? What was she seeing, what was she learning, what would she have told me if she could have, after she could no longer converse. What I learned in the ensuing few years was far richer and more mysterious than I ever imagined, and by sharing it with you, I am hoping that I will open a door.”

I am fascinated by these stories because in my psychic hearingswith people, often deceased loved ones psychically show up. I can hear them, and in my mind’s eye, see them. I am honored to meet these souls and transmit messages to and from loved ones.

Opening Heaven’s Doorcould help thosewho are facing their loved ones or their own illness or death. It lessoned thefear of death for me. She sums up her works by saying, “When the dying leave us, it’s like a footprint in the sand that needs to be filled in. Where the water rushes in, where love rushes in.”Such a wise and profound book!

Happy, Oh God, It’s Valentine’s Day

I know it’s a little late, but hey, we still have hours to go. I hope all you single people on the planet, I think its half of us, yes billions, have a truly great day. And everyone else.

Here in Santa Cruz, California, the weather has been like a beautiful painting, more spring/summer than winter. Yes, we worry, but we love these days. 76 degrees. Okay, did you notice how I changed the topic to a very safe topic? The weather!

Well, I must admit, even though I had a great Valentines Day and weekend, I still have/had this hysterical little girl (ten) within who is worried about all the classmates who didn’t give me a Valentine’s Day card in 1962. I’ve attempted taking care of her, multiple trips to See’s Candy, new earrings, and crazy texts to my boyfriend who can’t wait until this holiday is over.

Just for fun this morning, my boyfriend and I had a fight about Hilary and Bernie. I like them both. He,for some reason, wants to tell me all these very questionable stories, thirty plusyears of them, spread globally by Hilary haters,about Hilary, my hero. Really, when she was in the White House, they, men and women, just wanted her to bake cookies and serve tea 1800’s style. They didn’t want her to think or work on any of our many health or education issues.

I found this fromJoanneHamburger –“Hilaryreally is a paradox.In Gallup polling, Hillary Clinton has been voted the most admired woman in the world 17 times, yet The New York Times is on record as having called her the “most hated First Lady” ever. The media have referred to her has “nagging”, “controlling” and “conniving” but also as “loyal”, “fearless” and “intelligent.”

Just so you know, my still boyfriend and I have agreed not to ever talk about Hilary again. It’s our “H” word. He is now taking me out to dinner. Thank God.

And don’t you love this badass Hilary quote – “I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession.” But paradoxically, you can now find Hilary’s chocolate chip cookie recipe online here –http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a4436/hillary-clintons-chocolate-chips-893/

So investigateHilary for yourself and tell me what you find. And do have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

The Roller Coaster of Life

When the angels say, “All is swell,” I know that life is going to be rocky, a roller coaster of a day. IfI remember, I ground myself and meditate before I hit the door.

I have always been a sensitive person. In fact, its my job as a psychic healer and reader to pick up signals of all sorts. So when the angels say its going to be up and down and up and down and really, some of it is a bit scary day, I try to remember to breathe. I think can I handle this? Oh my gosh, lets just hang on. I do listen.

The trick, when riding the roller coaster of life, is to hold on and let go simultaneously.

It’s life with a capital L. It’s why we came here to the planet, to experience, grow, and learn. And we have lots to learn. For me, it’s arepetitiveprocess until I truly understand what I am doing and what I need to learn. Seriously, sometimes it takes me months, and yes for some lessons – years. That’s why I believe in counseling, coaching, twelve-step work, psychic readings and healings.

How do you hang on and let go simultaneously? It’s a gymnastic trick! You hold on to the thought, that you are a child of the universe, connected to the great all; and simultaneously a human being, an experiment in the mind of God with all the human foibles, free will, creativity, with the soul or spark of the creator within your light being. Yes, it’s a little complicated to be us.

So, knowing who you are, you let go, breathe, relax, and surrender to that divine part within yourself and within the Universe. When you surrender, you relax. It means that you know you are not God. You know that there is a higher force and you let her/him guide the journey. Guide, not control. You still have free will and you are 100% loved.

You cannot lose. So, have fun riding the roller coaster. It’s okay if you scream, cry, and laugh. Don’t forget to breathe. Oh, what a great Life.

Some Days You Just Have to Go to the Beach

Such a February, California morning. I just want to be out and about. I left my crowded corner and as everyone was busily driving off to work or school, I headed for the beach.

At Seabright I found fellow beach combers and tail-wagging dogs. One fisherman! Happy, everyone looked happy. It feels like one of our best summer days minus the fog!

The angels say enjoy! We will have more rain, probably until May. Hope your day, where ever you are, is sunny and bright.

S.O.S.

If you are having a rough day, ask the angels for help, and send your Higher Power a S.O.S! Then watch and wait for the miracles!

Dark Morning of the Soul

Sometimes, even our mornings can seem dark. Sometimes, the hardest thing is just to get up, as if we have come back from a sad dream. When this happens to me,I ask the angels for help. I mightremember to pray, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.”Thenmy hungry cat, Pangea, will pounce on me until I’m up. Peet’s coffee is also waiting for me…

I hope you have a lighter, brighter day!