Southwest Spirits Calling Part 3

...continued from Part 2
GPS is an excellent tool for navigation but we decided to follow something even greater…our intuition. And so hitting the reset button, we tossed out our travel plans and decided to follow our  hearts northward.  Clearly we were meant to be the learners and not the teachers. I had thought the purpose of this trip was to raise awareness in others, it is why I wrote the book about the struggle of the wild horses and burros – it was why I had traveled so far…or was it?

Although mankind feels he has the right to disrupt nature, often it pushes back, like the herd of Bison that halted the traffic in Yellowstone National Park.  Or the spectacular falls that hurdle forward while a rainbow danced upon the surface. It's in those moments when we are reminded that we are but one species on this planet.

My daily meditations continued to bring me heightened awareness and particularly about water. The drought that has come upon the parched land is far reaching and seems to be getting worse.

Meditation:  I see shimmering water that forms an image of a man.  He is bare chested, dark skin, maybe Italian or Mediterranean olive skinned. Something hangs around his neck and he wears a camouflaged large brimmed hat that looks like a ranger hat or Mountie hat. He is comparing the beauty of Colorado and Arizona. He now hands me a slip of paper with something scribbled on it, lastly he signs his name large and I can't make out anything but Arizona and WASTE. It ends.

As I have traveled the country I am astonished by the over-consumption of water for lawns and golf courses in the desert. There is a water crisis yet people continue with recreation and beautification projects that guzzle up gallons every day. Sadly this will continue unless we make changes. During this trip my water meditations brought about a change in my attitude toward my own use of water, the lessons must begin within.

Onward we traveled driving 9 hour days to reach the next watercolor/book signing event. We are good traveling companions, you HAVE to be, and it is another lesson in sharing space, not only the land but our living space. We were attentive to each others needs working as a team as this felt very natural to us. There was a lot of discussion regarding everything we were experiencing yet, we were reminded daily to stop and stand in silence. This silence allowed us to hear the messages brought forth from the earth. Majestic mountains that told us to, "Stand fast in all you believe and reach for the sky ever upwards."  The beauty of the land seemed to encourage us and embrace us pushing us forward saying, "Yes, you are a part of ALL of this."

 

And where would this journey take us? To the smiling children of the Arapaho/Shoshone Nation who waited eagerly to listen and to learn. With welcome arms they allowed us to share the simple gift of art. Had we not ventured to this middle-of-nowhere land in Wyoming, we would never have met these remarkable Native Americans known as the HORSE PEOPLE. I may have come the teacher but I left the student.

We enjoyed this part of the trip so much we hated to leave, but we had one last stop in Colorado. With an hour to spare we pulled into a cafe, and a good thing too, as an unexpected Tornado dropped in for a visit. Wow! Again nature was in control and all we could do was watch as the sky darkened and all ran for shelter. Would our event be canceled? Slowly we made our way to Zuma's Rescue Ranch thinking we would just say, "hello" and "goodbye" as surely no one would venture out. We were stunned when the students took their seats as if to say, "We are here to learn, we will stand fast and together we will make what we can of this day." We shouldn't have been surprised as this organization is dedicated to helping abused horses and broken children heal.  Looking around the class at the different genders and ages I was reminded that this lesson is for ALL people. No tornado will ever stop the needs of others nor should it stop us from lending a hand.

And so this adventure came to an end as we began our trek home and pondered all we had learned. By following our intuition we found ourselves naturally drawn to helping others. The Southwest Spirits brought us a lifetime of lessons about compassion, listening and assisting wherever we could. By quietly going within we heard them introduce some new voices ...Northern Spirits that said, "Enjoy this for now and savor all you have learned for there are many more roads ahead."

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To learn more about meditation please read Meditation Mojo

Spirits in My Laundry

At times I am reminded of my parents. Even though my father passed in 2004 he is around me so much it’s as if we share intimate conversations daily about life. My mother passed in 2010 and brings feelings of affection when I need it most. I find myself doing mundane tasks and being swept away as I think of her ability to weather so many storms that have all blown away. How come I didn’t think Dot and George were so amazing when I was 10?

All of my youth I wanted to be loved by them. There was this simmering battle going on within the frame of our home as my mother tried the best she could to provide for us. Relying on slim earnings reduced even further by my father’s alcoholism brought her misery. He was a jolly drunk and rarely raised his voice to my seven siblings or me but he was the reason behind my mother’s frown. She on the other hand naturally became the disciplinarian and was quick to swat any child stepping out of line. But as the years went by and we all got older the conflict eased as sobriety replaced the bottle. I was now grown with children of my own and still felt robbed of my youth. How dare he put my daughter on his lap and read her stories and listen to her dreams. And my mother, who was always buried beneath a mountain of dirty dishes, suddenly found time to watch a dress-up show with her grandchildren? I carried this anger beneath the surface and it wreaked havoc in many relationships. I recognized this in myself and even though it was a bit scary I confronted them and it's no longer an issue.

I am fortunate enough to have had many walks and talks with them before their crossing and there are no words left unsaid. We spoke of everything and old wounds were released and our relationship only blossomed. I recognized that although they were my parents they were two people. Just ordinary people that had hopes and fears laughter and sorrow just like everyone else and for some reason I expected them to be more than this because they wore the title of “parents.”
They bring me little reminders every now and again. My father is cigarette smoke that follows me everywhere even in the rain. At first this put me off as I am a non-smoker and it really annoyed me, but now I smile and say “Hi dad…back again?”

My mother leaves me clothespins in the most unusual places. At first I would find them and think nothing of it…perhaps my spouse accidentally put it on the freshly wiped counter, but no. She brings them again and again and I am delighted to have made this connection. As a public speaker I often begin introducing myself,  “I was raised by a champion clothes hanger-upper who did four loads daily without a dryer.” I spoke with her as I always do when hanging up laundry after selling our home in and preparing to move.  I said, “Well mom I’m gonna miss our times here. I won’t be hanging up wash here anymore,” and just at that moment the linen bag of clothespins broke and fell into my hands. They looked like a bouquet of wooden flowers and I was so overcome I ran for my camera in tears. She was telling me you have ME don’t worry about the laundry!

Daily meditation can bring so many wonderful life lessons.  As I hear a song reminding me of my childhood the thought drifts with the tune and an image will appear. It’s my parents dancing cheek to cheek and the feeling of their love for each other. It’s a powerful love that remains and it has enabled me to look at my own storms and see that there truly is sunshine behind those clouds. I want to take this light and pass it to my own children. I want to be the song in their hearts. Will I one day be smoke or clothespins? Probably not, but I will teach them that although I wear the name parent I am very much like everyone else. I hope I dream…and I love.

Psychics Are Smartphones- How's Your Data Plan?

My mother

Every so often I approach a meditation with hopes of connecting with someone other than my guides. I just set my intention during my opening protection prayer and add that I would like to connect with a family member or whomever is on my heart. By stating your purpose at the opening of the meditation you are asking the universe to assist you.
I didn't always used to do this. I thought this communication was only possible through mediumship. After all they're the telephones to the ether world, not me. I was just a person that used meditation to connect to my higher self and guides that walk with me. But, I was wrong. Since asking to meet with family in my meditations, I've had wonderful encounters with so many that it would take up too much space on this post. This communication with spirits first began when a very strong thought, more like an urging nudged me to visit a medium and so I took that step.

So what about your visitations with mediums? How often are you having readings? Is it less than a year apart? What are you searching for?

Mediums are people who live and breathe just like you sharing their ability to connect with spirits that have crossed over. Many are helpful in bringing you realization that life continues after physical death. After all - these spirits once walked this earth just like you and I. Some mediums are not well developed and sometimes misinterpret and you need to listen to your inner voice as it will alert you to this. Daily meditation will help you decipher the truth, you will know when the information feels correct.

If in fact you are still questioning that life continues after the physical death then medium-hopping may not be the best answer. However, if you have visited a medium and you have concrete 100% assuredness of life eternal, than isn't it time to take it a step further? I'm not saying you cannot enjoy those wonderful loving moments when a relative connects and you feel as if you've just been hugged, these meetings should be cherished as they are priceless. What I am referring to is this - If you want to discover the mysteries that truly lie within your grasp, why not begin there? Take it beyond "Hi dad, yes I was just out in my garden singing your favorite song- yes, the medium I am sitting with has it correct and I know you heard me, how sweet..." Take it to the next step, set your intention on making a connection that will help you on your journey. Meditate before making that appointment with a trusted medium and set your questions to the universe. If you are going to be using the connection much like a telephone, than choose your questions wisely... make the most of your minutes.

For example, maybe you have questions concerning your journey. So you sit in meditation prior to meeting with the medium and maybe you say this.

"I want to create ________ how do I begin?"
"I would like to begin doing ________ how can I best achieve this?"
"I want to relocate, but my job is here, how can I move yet keep my job?"
"I would like to meet someone that can shed some light into my problem with _______"

Now when you sit with a medium you may just get some different messages coming through. You may be given inspiration, encouragement and information to help move thoughts into action. Just try it, I am about to sit with Bernie Scott, whom I admire greatly and it has been one year since my last visit. I have set my intention - I have meditated on what I would like to know about my journey. I will update you in a future post. 

As for my loved ones, they will probably continue to pop in when I sit with a medium, and I will continue to ask them to stop by in my meditations and you can too - remember, they are always a thought away and would love to be asked in for a visit:)
To learn how you can meditate without any CDs, classes or books click  HOW TO BEGIN.

Visits from Loved Ones in My Dreams

My parents 1946

I didn't want to wake. It seemed my dreams were far better.  I had been enjoying my visits with my loved ones that have crossed and sometimes felt more lonely upon waking. My dad and his laughter my mother and her sparkling eyes and my brother with that boyish grin. Has this ever happened to you?
Realizing that my loved ones are still around me has helped ease my pain...but it was a process. I had followed that wobbly truth that others had told me... "No, we don't have the answers, God will tell you later...maybe...after you die." How is this supposed to comfort anyone? Why would a loving creator stick a clause on the end of a death certificate?

Peace has come in knowing that the physical embodiment of my beautiful spirit is but a temporary vessel. The vessel was meant for a short duration compared to the entire journey. This is a merely a small part- and for this portion I wear blue eyes and have dirty blonde hair that will gray... eventually.

If we truly embrace that we live eternally then we should be all the more excited about our visit here at this moment. It's 2012 a time when our technology is at its best- medical science has seen enormous transitions and our life expectancies have stretched longer. This is not a time to be at war with one another, to squabble amongst ourselves over petty unimportant issues. It's a time to look around and see how each of us can make a contribution to our communities, our animals and our planet.

If you have spent days agonizing over the death of a loved one, I truly send you my deepest condolences. And I hope that some day you reach a place where you can breathe deeply knowing they are all around you. Reassurance comes in stages and the process is unique to each of us. For me I know in my heart I am loved and those that have gone on want me to know they will see me again - they are merely a thought away.

Yes it is a day by day existence and there are many stormy days ahead maybe it's time we learned to smell the rain and appreciate its cool waters. Live your life with passion. Continue to build relationships- be kinder, trod lightly on the soil and send love to all that need it. You are but one vessel among many. Living in the now and knowing you are here for this moment may help you make a difference in your world.  This is YOUR time, this is YOUR day. Make the most of it and let your loving energy shine brightly. You are not alone and your beacon of hope will call out to your loved ones who have passed and they will gather near you...you don't have to wait until death to feel their love. There are no hidden clauses. Open your eyes to the possibility that you can rise and have your dreams, you only need to wake up.

 Much of what I have learned has come through meditation. If you would like to learn how you can find your own path please read How to Begin. You can do this for FREE without the need to attend a class or buy a CD.