That Was Then – This Is NOW

Your yesterdays are now behind you…so, what are you doing TODAY? Be honest with yourself. Are you constantly thinking of the way things "used to be," if so you are not alone.

Many people wish for things that are in the past. They long for loved ones no longer on earth; the strength of youth now slipping away; a skill or career they used to do; broken relationships – the list goes on. But how does all of this looking back help you with today? In truth – it doesn't.

We are beings filled with energy. We create thoughts. Our thoughts have a trail that lead to or away from us. When you think a thought, you give it energy. If you continue to look behind you and are feeling a constant unhappiness or wishing whatever you long for is still here, you are depleting your energy. As we weaken our energy it effects our Auras (an energy field that surrounds all living things.) A weakened Auric field can lead to illness and dis-ease. This problem is compounded as your diminished state leaves you feeling low and vulnerable. You are longing for things that are from your past, lowering your ability to ward off negative energies and your thoughts become even sadder. How can we get off of this dejected merry-go-round of yester-year?

A good way to start is to "ground" yourself. This helps you to focus on what is in the NOW.  What is grounding? It is the act of re-connecting to the earth from which you are a part. How can reconnecting with the planet help you move your mind away from the past? When we incorporate a daily practice of grounding, it restores our minds to focus on the present. It allows us to release the thoughts of the past and focus on the NOW. That draining connection that has been constant will eventually slow to a trickle and hopefully cease altogether. You will feel lighter, you will become more engaged in your TODAY.

How to ground: One of the best ways to ground is to simply go for a walk. Leave your digital devices behind and put your feet on the ground and start moving. Without headphones you will begin to hear nature's soundtrack. As you incorporate this into your routine, you may begin to notice the beauty that surrounds you. Nature paints her own tapestry and it's waiting for you. Whether you live in the tropics or the frozen tundras it makes no difference. Bundle up and step outside. If it's raining grab an umbrella. Just do it. Make this connection and get moving. This action will free up your mind and open your senses to the wonderful truth. Today is NOW. All of the things in the past are behind you – let them go. You are probably saying to yourself…that's all there is to it, can it really be that simple? Yes, try it. Use the same technique used in meditation, release all thought, breathe in and breath out and LET THEM GO. Poof!

Learn to move your mind away from negative thoughts that are draining your energy and free yourself. You can do this. When you hear people discussing negative things, move away. If the TV is spouting negativity– power it off. If your environment is adorned with photos that make you feel sad, put them away for now. In time you can bring them out and hopefully smile as you are able to see them in a new light.

It took me years to realize I was holding myself back by constantly wishing for things of yesterday. Take control of your NOW. Understand that thoughts are LIVING THINGS. You have the ability to guard your mind. Get outside and explore other avenues of grounding yourself, such as hugging a tree. Make the connection and LOVE YOURSELF more deeply. Today is what matters, tomorrow you can begin another day of NOW. Move forward in good health and encourage others to find their own methods of LETTING GO.

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To learn how you can meditate please read my book Sæ-sii Meditation: How to Find Your Bliss in 15 Minutes a Day

Raise Your Vibration by Talking to Animals

Call me Dr. Doolittle, or call me crazy but I talk to birds. In fact I talk to all creatures and elements I come into contact with. Plants, minerals, water, sky the list is endless. Why? Because my heart seems to want to expand more and more and connecting with others in a positive loving way actually raises your vibration.

All things are energy. All things vibrate. One of the key elements in developing your intuition or 6th sense (which we all have) is raising your vibration. If you want to live a healthy life it is important to learn how to keep your energy flowing in a state of harmony. While exploring this, you may naturally feel guided to seek ways that "feel" more attuned to the way YOU are wired. After all being plugged in to you your higher-self is a sure way to live with less dis-ease. For more information about this look at my previous blog Raise Your Vibration Daily.

When I first moved to my home in Clearwater, Florida I began taking walks across the bay bridge. It has a protected walkway for pedestrians. Each day I would find myself introduced to new sea life I had never come into contact with. This was their community and I was the new kid on the block. An Osprey seemed to want to communicate with me. It felt like it was following me and at first I thought it was just a coincidence, but now a year after writing about this (see The Talking Osprey) I am convinced it is my energy that is attracting them. It is my aura that sends that signal and I am thrilled.

Yesterday as I was taking my usual stroll I saw an Osprey sitting on a tree branch that looked like it could barely contain his weight. I spoke to him with my thoughts sending him love. I began a meditation and asked my guides to help us communicate. (Meditation beside a magnificent creature is something worth experiencing. Try it for yourself, you will be amazed at how much love energy fills you.) He began his high pitched chirp. I stood still not wanting to disturb him. I felt him studying me and sensed he wanted me to come closer. As I began to move he chirped again and raised his wings. I stopped and said, "I have never really been very close to a bird of your beauty and I just wanted to have a look." He calmly relaxed and blinked his golden eyes. We stood there for a few minutes and as I turned to go he flew over my head. Wow! That was awesome, I thought, this is probably the closest I'll ever come to an Osprey. I followed the flight path and watched him land on the rail along the bridge. This is unusual as it's busy with cyclists and joggers and I have never seen a bird of any kind land there. Was he waiting for me?

I continued my route home wondering if he would become spooked by all of the people. I watched a jogger come close and he just fluttered a bit and remained seated watching me approach. I spoke to him and this time he replied by thought, "You wanted a closer look, so here I am." I slowly reached for my iphone sending him my gratitude and snapped a few photos. I felt his love and I am sure he felt mine. Two neighbors connecting on a bridge. I felt my heart racing as he preened himself and allowed me to come even closer. Majestic, graceful, and very intelligent are the thoughts that washed over me. I sent him blessings and thanked All That IS. The bird turned his head, bobbed a few times, looked straight at me and then flew away.

I felt lighter, almost giddy with happiness. What just happened? My vibration had just elevated and I was feeling the physiological change in my body. It's a powerful wonderful feeling and it is fueled by love. By opening yourself up and communicating with animals you can raise you vibration.
I no longer have any pets, I travel too much and well, quite honestly… I consider the world my home.

Begin today by saying hello to your environment. You can begin by talking to every creature you come into contact with. Send it a greeting, send it admiration, send it a thank you for all that it brings to the universe. Make the connection and then sit in silence. What might come next are the animals thoughts responding to you. Or it may be your beautiful spirit sending you a feeling of self-love. Learn to raise your vibration and BE love to the world around you that so desperately needs a nudge to a more positive healthy pathway.

To learn more about other ways to raise your vibration please read Find Your Bliss.
I am a Professional Animal Communicator, I can speak with your animals! learn more

Crystal Conversations

Months ago I was told by my guides that I would be attending a workshop regarding crystals. I sort of shrugged and didn't give it too much thought. It came up again and again in meditation almost as an urgent, "Don't question...just GO!" And so I told my spouse..."um yeah..the crystals are calling me, I need to book a flight." Luckily he's used to all of this by now and just smiled.

I was led to a couple in Blue Ash, Ohio and as I navigated my rental car to their home I felt myself settling into a zone. Never having driven down this road, you'd think there'd be some anxiety...yet it all felt so natural. The moment I stepped into the room I was among friends. I had never met these people or these stones... however deep within we knew each other very well. Everyone attending was local. I was the only outsider– or was I? We all seemed to complete a circle.

As I listened to our competent instructor sharing her insights, I was moved by her compassion for the rocks. She and the stones were excellent communicators and I marveled at their ability to teach. Her husband sat beside her and offered assistance and they blended seamlessly and it warmed my heart. They truly have a deep appreciation for these living entities of the earth.

The crystals were speaking and as the workshop progressed, they carried me along in a river of love– love for myself, the students, the teacher, the universe and especially for the crystals themselves. For they were very much alive to me and I found myself in tears among these wonderful loving friends. My guides were beside me throughout the seminar and at times I felt as if they were dancing with joy.

I laughed continually and felt my cheeks hurt from smiling. I felt such elation surrounded by this energy and as I switched partners for each lesson, I gained a greater insight to the diverse qualities that make us so individual. Like the crystals that allow themselves to be used in this way, I saw the connection that each of us can bring as we work together.  We all have unique gifts and when we blend for the highest good, well...it is amazing what we can do. Is this why my guides urged me to come? Was this part of the lesson? It wasn't in the book!

Workshop and home of The Crystal Guy

As the workshop came to a close I found myself wishing it would never end. What was it that kept me so filled with heightened energy? Is this what it feels like when you raise your vibration? This incredible glow of love has stayed and I am meditating with such peace. I look forward to sharing all that I have learned as I know that I was led to this class for a purpose. Yes, I am more informed about the healing properties of crystals - but more importantly I was reminded that we each carry our own abilities. If we join together and embrace this loving energy within, then together we can create magic. This crystal clear connection is something you can find for yourself. Start meditating and learn to work with these amazing energies and like me you may just discover a few more friends.

To learn more about meditation please visit Meditation Mojo.

The Library in Your Mind is Now Open

Some people approach meditation to improve mental health much like dieting...and then they just stop. When asked why they discontinued meditation their answers varied:
"I never really "saw" anything or "went" anywhere and I got bored."
"It's too hard to sit and not think and I usually fell asleep."
"I can't "do" it like the books I've read or the videos I've watched."
"I don't have time and I hear it's something that you have to do daily."

Just like dieting for improved physical health there is no one-way-fits-all. As life energies I believe we are all connected; however I do not believe we all are wired to meditate in the same way. It is important to find one that works for you. Do not look for hurry-it-up instructions to achieve quick results. The method I teach, for example, is one of silence. Once I began dedicating 15 minutes daily, it became easier to drift away to my inner harbor of peace.

How can we move past that part of us that wants to use this like a diet? Of all the obstacles that can derail you, I find the worst is comparing yourself to others. This is the beauty of the meditation, it is your unique way of hearing your own voice. Find the method that works for you. Meditation can come in taking a walk by yourself, doing a household chore or soaking in a tub. Maybe listening to recordings of nature or Tibetan singing bowls (all available on downloadable mp3s) will help you to "let go" of thoughts and allow your mind to disconnect from noise and tune in to YOU.

We have all experienced power outages at one time or another. Our world comes to a halt as we look for candles and flashlights. Communication on the internet ceases and the TV zaps off. You had no choice but to sit in silence. If you really think of it you can find 15 minutes of daily disconnection.

Find the moment and space that works for you, whether it's dawn or evening it doesn't matter. What matters is that you value yourself. I used to get caught up in the noise and chatter of the world and now I don't even own a TV, but I feel better informed than most of my neighbors. Why? Because I have learned that I can find guidance within. Meditation is like using a compass to find your way in this murky world. It can help you form better relationships, make wiser decisions, relieve senseless stress and help you to love yourself in a way that removes all doubt that you are less. You are a beautiful spirit that has an entire library of how-to books all in your head...you just need to learn how to open the door and apply them in your life.

To learn how to meditate in silence please read How to Begin.

Special Today-Lobster Tail and Poodle Pudding

Why is it that the people who fuss and coo over their pets think nothing of eating a form of life that was butchered and cooked to provide them a meal? I have even been in the company of some die-hard animal rights advocates who were discussing their next protest while ordering their steaks well-done. If you can eat a cow why not a horse?

In 2005 while I was traveling in Israel. The food was ordered family style and began to appear on platters. Meat on a stick was the entree. We were told it was beef, chicken and lamb. Everything I sampled tasted exactly the same. It was day two with eight more to go. The landscape was breathtaking but I kept stepping over feral cats that seemed to pour out of the cracks. Every photo opportunity had groups of wild cats appearing. Many had missing body parts and were oozing liquid from their eyes and ears. They looked quite sickly. I just couldn't help wondering if they were serving cat in the restaurants. That was the last day I ate meat of any kind. It just all seemed like "flesh" that was once living and breathing and now on my dish. Yes, it's a personal choice and I do not fault anyone eating meat– I want to make this very clear, however I do often wonder about the fine line of some of the choices made regarding the welfare of animals on this planet.

I live in the Florida Keys where hunting for lobster is quite an attraction during Mini-Lobster Season. People come from around the world to net these crustaceans and I really dread this event. There is supposed to be a limit of only 6 lobster per day per person in our waters. Now let me ask you this...who is going to haul their boat, pay for hotel and meals plus fuel for only 6 measly lobsters a day? People come in droves to snatch their bodies off the ocean floors and I doubt if the authorities has enough man power to enforce the rules. And so as I was sitting in a salon recently getting my hair cut I was sickened by the conversation. I was staring at photos of the beautician's pet poodle plastered on the mirror before me. They were discussing how they don't like to actually watch the killing, but they love to eat them.
"You just pop their heads off," said the one lady.
"I know but they still scream even after their heads are off. Their heads are lying beside me screaming while I have their bodies in my hands," laughs the other.
"Yes, but they taste so good and the smaller they are the sweeter they taste."
"Yes, but there are rules you cannot take them under 3" because they need to get bigger."
"Well did you see the one in the paper the other day? It was so huge and my husband said they should have left it because big ones breed bigger lobsters?"
So let me get this straight, came my thought, they shouldn't eat the big ones so they can go back and breed bigger ones for them to eat?

Something does not feel right here. I know of people that spend loads of money on pets. Special diets, special toys and many cannot bare to leave them alone. They play music for them and dress them in little clothes. But these same people think nothing of eating animals. Would they eat a Dolphin or a Panda? Who made the rules of what is ok to eat and what is taboo? Man. Man has taken it upon himself to be the decider of who gets to live freely and who gets to arrive on his plate.

My meditation continues to teach that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. We are united with everything on this planet- every rock, plant and animal...and yes even lobsters.

Choose wisely and think about this connection. No one is advocating that we all become vegans- but we need to be careful about our respect for life. Man may think he rules over this planet. Let a storm wash away all he owns and let him sit upon the shore without material possession or family...or his poodle and let him think again.

To learn more about how you can use meditation to connect with your higher conscious please read

Vibrational Check-Ups Are You Humming?

It's time to evaluate your hum factor. Humans, plants, animals and the world around us are all made up of energy, in actual fact they are living energies. Your energy is much like your fingerprints; nothing existing can match your personal vibrational signature. Imagine your energy as a light radiating all around you. Now imagine each element you come into contact with as living breathing balls of light, your loved ones, your pets, etc each glowing. Now close your eyes and imagine a person you love with all your heart coming into the room and standing beside you. Can you sense the shift in your energy? Take note of the changes within you. Do you feel lighter, more vibrant, calmer or even tingly? Keeping your eyes closed now imagine a person that is always irritable and unkind, someone who always has something nasty to say. They come into the room and stand beside you. How has your energy shifted in response to this person? Note the changes within you and how your energy reacts to this negative energy standing beside you. We can begin to see how one individual whether positive or negative can change the dynamics in a room like a rippling wave washing over you. This is the effect you yourself have on other people. Now you can begin to have a deeper realization of the “good vibes” or “bad vibes” you are connecting with. You are able to become more sensitive to this as you tune into it.  This unspoken communication resides all around—and perhaps you may be engaged in it totally unaware. So, what kind of energy are you?

Now that we have identified the feelings of energies let us move toward tuning into it. Think of your energy like a device that runs on fuel. Begin to make the connection that your energy is reliant on the choices you are making every day. What types of foods do you eat? What liquids do you consume? This beautiful bundle of energy that you consist of requires certain foods to make it run smoothly. Begin today to make wise choices as you approach each meal and strive to give your body the very best. You certainly do not need another diet book to determine what is best for you. Listen to your body and give it the nourishment it requires to run more efficiently. Just like a vehicle that requires certain products to keep it humming, your body runs best when you select nutritional nourishment. Science teaches us that up to 60% of our bodies are composed of water, the brain 70% and the lungs around 90%.  The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream. Replenishing this water is extremely important. So now think about your own patterns. How much water do you drink daily? We have become a people that have replaced this with beverages loaded with additives. Your body will run on this but less efficiently and perhaps some of your parts will become unhealthy and break down. Water is the tool that transports waste material from your body. Sugary beverages only add to the toxins. How much water do you need to drink? Learn to tune into your own energy and give it what it needs – make intelligent choices.

For years I was unaware of the effects that negative energy brought to my health. I was living in a loveless marriage not bothering to make any changes as I wore it as my punishment for my out of wedlock pregnancy. At the time I was allowing religious dogma to rule important life decisions. As you can imagine my home life was a hot bed of negativity. I suffered from insomnia for many years. I struggled with depression along with a poor self-image, loathing my appearance and myself. My miserable life was all hidden behind a smile as I cut the slices of anniversary cake marking another year of despair. Pretty extreme example, I know, but once I made the connection that living with all that negative energy created a toxic swamp making me unhealthy, I was able to pull myself out of the muck and swim to fresh water. Is it any wonder that I chose a place named Clearwater to call home?

As you continue to learn more about yourself through meditation, you will see that certain activities enhance your energy. Food and water is not the only thing your energy requires. Look within- what makes your heart sing?

All my life I have lived near water. Not ever really thinking about it I was always drawn to the sea. The thought of living in any area on this planet where I cannot easily get to an ocean makes me shutter. As I began to learn more about myself I found that my many walks on the beach fed my creativity. This is my element, this is my energy booster and making this connection was like finding a magic that I could tap into. And so in order to maintain a healthy me I have set time aside each week to disappear from electronics and the chatter of the world to be near the ocean. I use this whenever I need to recharge my batteries. How do I know when it is time to do this? Well usually, if I skip this practice, within days I am feeling restless and irritable and I know I have to take a break.

How are you recharging your energy? Begin to ask yourself what is it that helps me feel rejuvenated? Perhaps it’s creating something or being in the presence of animals. Meditate on this. Maybe you love mountains, hiking in a forest or sitting beside a babbling brook. My spouse loves to build and create things. He loves taking many pieces and bringing them all together and for him this creates a calm within. My sister has always been drawn to horses and she finds that they create a peace within her that is unexplainable.

Learn to surround yourself in the elements that bring you harmony. Look around your home, workplace and where you reside. Does it reflect this balance? Does it remind you of the thing that makes your energy feel healthy? Recognize the necessary elements that keep your energy burning brightly and embrace them. For me some of my most inspirational moments have come while sitting in water. Where is your energy booster? Once you discover what it is that really makes your heart sing, be sure to include it into your routine knowing that you are forging a path to a healthier you. This is your energy maintenance and only you will know what works best for you. As you learn to connect with this you will be contributing to the good vibes needed on our planet.

Learn how to meditate by following this simple plan.