The Great Shift

In the highest interest of letting my grandson sleep as long as possible this morning,  I was being quiet and looking around for something to do for a few minutes.  Noticing some journals on a shelf, I randomly picked one up and started to read.  It was a gratitude journal and the initial entries were dated in 2007.  Between the lines I could identify what was going on in my reality then and reflected on the lessons learned.  Wasn't all peaches and cream, but I was reaching for the peaches, aiming higher.

For some reason the dates jumped to 2013, post '2012'.  As I read and remembered the situations and experiences going on at that time, it dawned on me that this was the "shift" in full swing, expanded, accelerated, blown up and demanding my full attention.  I truly believe that since December 2012, we have all been experiencing this energetic shift, the Universe insisting that we must learn our lessons NOW, that change is happening whether we go kicking and screaming, or awake and seeking what's true.

The dark got darker and the light got lighter.  As I listen and pay attention to people and groups of people, near and far, it is apparent that there is gross resistance at one end and major acceptance at the other.  It may not be war, but it is no longer a game.

These past couple of years have been challenging for all of us, to say the least.  This year, however, I see the manifestations, peace and prosperity among us, or definitely on its way.  We took a long, hard look at what we were creating and decided we didn't like it, it wasn't our preference, and chose anew.

For me, it was a matter of changing my perceptions, identifying what I truly wanted, letting go and getting out of my own way.  I didn't try to force anything or anyone, manipulate outcomes, or hold the on to "this is how it has to be".  The manifestations I chose aren't happening overnight, but they are happening.  I am seeing evidence of this almost everyday!

Yes, I have buyers for the Higher Self Bookstore (can't wait for you to meet them!), my health care is taken care of, a steady income is lined up, my house will be taken care of, and my family is making positive adjustments and arrangements toward being independent.  I chose freedom - and I am being freedom!

I am pleased to no end that others are realizing their dreams as well!  Can't get there by resisting change, wishing things were as they were, or staying stuck in woe-is-me.  Rejoice in what can be!

I am very excited about the future of the Higher Self Bookstore.  Please remember, if you need guidance or assistance on your journey, we are here to help.  Always.  Namaste! 

May I?

Ah, Spring!  It's May (well, tomorrow) and I don't know about you but I feel like I've been given permission to do, do, do!  As in...

May I put the snow shovels away?  Yes I May!
May I rake the leaves now? Yes I May!
May I put my winter coats and heavy sweaters away?  Yes I May!
May I Spring clean now? Yes I May!
May I start stocking the store for the warm weather visitors?  Yes I May!

This reminds me of times I did not receive permission...from myself.

May I buy a new coat?  No, you must spend your money only on necessities.  Besides, it still keeps you warm and, hey, you really haven't earned a new coat, have you?  So, no.

Sometimes I put up a fight.

Look!  I've lost a lot of weight and this coat is too big and it is, after all, 16 years old!!!  No, I'm sorry, there are lots of starving children in China who do not have a coat.  You must learn to appreciate what you do have and be grateful.

I did not get a new coat.

Do you wait around for permission to fulfill your heart's desire?  Are you working on your worthiness to deserve what you say it is you want?  How often do you tell yourself "no", "never", "can't", "not yet."  Of course, there will be times when the practical, rational decision is "not yet."

Practice noticing when you deny yourself.  Dig a little under the surface objections.  Then go a little deeper still.  If you find some old baggage that doesn't serve you any more, find a way to get rid of it.  Set yourself free so you can say "Yes!" way more often than "no."

It may feel like the Universe has opened up and given me permission to move forward to do what I want to do, even go after my dreams.  I know what really happened - I kicked the baggage to the curb and gave myself a great big "YES!"

You can, too!  Spring clean that "stuff" you've been holding on to, that baggage inside of you.  We'll do it together.  Happy Spring!  And the season of  - yes I MAY!

Wake Up - I'm Dreaming!

A few mornings ago, I was attempting to sleep in since I didn't have to open the Higher Self Bookstore that day. Kafi was scheduled to work all day and I actually had the option of going in or working at home. Or playing - now there's a concept!

My bladder was protesting, but I stayed in the bad, drifting in and out, tossing and turning a little. This is what I remember. A picture showed up in my dream, a scene - a vision. As a story followed, I realized that I was the one making up the story! I was directing and choreographing what came next, scene after scene. That realization is what woke me up. I believe I sat up on the bed with my mouth open, in awe and wonder.

I was creating my dream in a dream. I became aware that I was creating a dream in a dream, a story with characters and scenery and conversation. So now I ponder - how can I create my reality the way I created the dream? Is my reality one that I have directed and choreographed and I am just not aware?

Of course, I have watched The Secret, read more books, attended workshops and set up routines of meditation, visualization, journaling, and affirmations. Then life happens and I get busy handling and coping. Do I allow this because the reality I prefer just doesn't seem to appear as quickly as I want? Probably.

As I learn (by paying attention, noticing, becoming aware, mostly), missing pieces come to me, like in this dream. I recall the feeling of it, of being in a place of no interruptions, no distractions, the easy flow of it. Now I am ready to give it another go.

Exactly how to proceed is not clear, but I have a desire to meditate again. To take that meditation and visualization into my everyday wide awake life. There's a feeling of urgency about it. Once I'm aware it is easier to remember and keep it in the present moment.

Now you are aware as well. Join me in this experiment? Great, let's keep in touch. May our dreams and realities meet in peace and joy.

Anew! Anew! Anew!

Jonathan Stanley Blanchard was born on July 5th! Same birthday as my Mom's. My Mom passed away June 2. Yes, I give her full responsibility and credit for orchestrating this event. My daughter, Anna, calls him JS. JS is aNEW creation. Reminds me of a rap song I wrote a while back, thought I'd share!

Now, just get a rap beat in your head and sing! Oh, I mean Rap! Feels good, you'll like it. Maybe we can put a band together and take it on the road....the possibilities are infinite!

Anew Rap

The same ole life keeps happenin’ to you
You do all the things that you should do
With etiquette and manners, please and thank you
But the same ole life keeps happenin’ to you

Create yourself Anew.....Anew
Create yourself Anew, Anew, Anew, Anew!

You smile when you’re sad and be sad when you should be
You check your dreams and take a look at real-ality
Indoctrination’s got you and you long to be free
The same ole life keeps on...don’t you see?

Create yourself Anew.......Anew
Create yourself Anew, Anew, Anew, Anew!

There’s a better way, you gotta look down deep
Check you beliefs before you go back to sleep
Name your dreams and shout ‘em in the street
Speak your truth, don’t be afraid to repeat.

Create yourself Anew.......Anew
Create yourself Anew, Anew, Anew, Anew!

Don’t hide your light, the world needs your greatness.
Look in the mirror and claim your mighty likeness
You’re a child of God in all your brightness
Take your stand to be love and rightness

Create yourself Anew......Anew
Create yourself Anew, Anew, Anew, Anew!

Create yourself Anew......Anew
Create yourself Anew, Anew, Anew, Anew!

Signs, Or Lack Thereof

The importance of signs, as well as the consequences of the lack of signs, has been joyously and painfully brought to my attention. Here is a picture of the Higher Self Bookstore just a few months ago. We could easily direct customers here by saying "look for the purple awning!"

The owners of this building decided it needed a face lift, and we were actually quite excited about it. The first thing they did was take down the purple awning. The second was to remove our address numbers. Almost immediately people were calling to find out where we had moved to, did we close? - they couldn't find us! How many looked for us, didn't call, and went on their way with their own assumptions - no idea. We grabbed markers and created temporary signs for the window, because the owners promised they would give us new signage (that was three months ago). But as you can see, we've practically disappeared. Dear Friends of the Higher Self, new and old, we are here!!!

But the numbers don't lie - sales are down a full 25%, so it has become quite obvious the importance of signs!

Personally, I have been paying closer attention to signs these days. Ever notice how you complain about the billboards blocking out the scenery, until you need a sign! Driving back to Michigan from Florida with my folks, it was time to stop for the day. We needed a suite with a couch for my Mom, and bam! - a billboard for a motel with suites! Then Dad said a Bob Evans would be good (cause Mom loves their crepes), and bam! - Bob Evans billboard, same exit as the motel with suites! Dad said something like, "now how did that happen?" I said, "we got angels, Dad!"

During a radio interview I was asked how one knows they are on the right path, pursuing the right dream? I had never considered this before, but out of my mouth came "if it just seems too hard, that's not it. If very step you take is just really, really hard, then it's not right for you somehow." It wasn't meant to put someone off their dream, just look for the signs that it just may be a little off - direction, timing, attitude, limiting beliefs, maybe it's someone else's dream for you, or a dream you think you "should" have.

There have been many challenges for me lately - the "economy", scaffolding blocking the Higher Self, lack of physical signage - but the true sign was that it was all just too hard. So, taking my own advice, I'm taking a good look at the signs, the obvious and not so obvious. Somehow I have stepped off my path and entered a...jungle! I've pulled out my true compass and I'm headed back to my path, my dream, my destiny by design. The signs were all around me, I just couldn't see them. Now I'm looking, with eyes wide open. It's all good, the journey, it's all good.

AND, the Higher Self Bookstore is still here! 328 E. Front Street, the first block that starts "one-way", a few doors before you come to the parking structure, Downtown Traverse City, between Yen Yoga and McMillan's Framing! We just look a little different. Come see!