A Christmas Miracle

As we approach the phenomenons of 12-12 and 12-21-2012, we have been experiencing many wondrous things, some of the wonders marvelous - some not so.  We did not get here "all of a sudden."  If one looks back, one can track a series of happenings, some mystical - some not so much.  We are living in a wondrous time, are we not?  Here is a re-print of a story I posted on another site back in 2009.

A Christmas Miracle

I was driving back to Traverse City from downstate on Monday after Christmas following a whirlwind of get-togethers with family(s) and friends, listening to the audio book “The Law of Thinking” by Bishop E. Bernard Jordan    It really had me captivated, explaining the laws of manifestation in a very God based manner quite different than most I’ve read, yet the basic principles were the same.  They always are!

North of Grayling, I found myself behind a big truck.  Not exactly a snow plow, this truck had a blade underneath its body and was scraping the pavement.  I knew it would be some time before we would reach passing lanes, because we had just come off one.  Driving 32 miles an hour and unable to see oncoming traffic, I chose to practice patience and go with the flow, however “trickling” it may seem.

There were six big flashing red and yellow lights on the back of this monster-sized truck.  After about ten minutes I thought to myself “I’m good with this slow go, but the lights are really getting to my eyes.”

Almost immediately, six threads appeared between each light and a spot on my car at the base of the windshield, just to the left of my vision.  “What is on my car?” was my first mental question, followed by an intuitive answer:  Nothing.  I leaned right, and then left to see if the lights followed my movement, proving that I was having an optical illusion.  I have never seen energy or auras as many of my friends have. The threads stayed fast to that pinpoint on the car.  Then I noticed that, as oncoming traffic went by, white lights from their headlights sent threads to the same spot on the car, joining the yellow and red ones.

Then it hit me.  Neither the lights from the truck nor the lights from oncoming cars were bothering my eyes!  I searched for a rational explanation, but not for long.  I was witnessing a miracle!  I drove on in awe, watching the threads, and listening to Bishop Bernard talk about how God wants us to be wealthy and prosperous.

We finally reached passing lanes.  The second I passed the truck, all the threads disappeared, including the ones from the oncoming cars.  Those lights bothered my eyes a bit, as they always have.  I remained in fascination of what I had seen and refused to over-analyze or try to rationalize. 

I know miracles are always happening.  I even recognized the happening after the fact, having a little “Aha” moment.  I have never had one in my face before!  I am still in awe and know, deep down, that I will be a witness again. 

January 4, 2009

May your experiences this season and in 2013 be mystical and wondrous.

Who Stole My Chi!

The Art of Bliss by Tess Whitehurst is a new book we're carrying at the Higher Self Bookstore and my manager, Rodasi, recommended I read it. She also recommended we do some of the things suggested in the book in the store.  Okay, so, I'm reading this book and it's based on the I Ching and reminds me a lot of feng shui, only different.  Sidenote:  A lot of people use the phrase "same difference" and I never could understand it, although it does seem to fit in this case.

The nine keys of life (kinda like the feng shui bagua) represent invisible dynamics that affect the visible manifestations.  First step is to get these key life areas cleaned up to allow "Chi" (life energy) to flow so that the visible manifestations we'd prefer, well - manifest!  Now isn't it funny that almost every book about "Creating the Life You Desire" tells you to de-clutter?  So much evidence - it must be true!

So I start in the basement of my home.  After about four hours and much progress, I decide it's time to take a break.  As I walk into my bedroom, I notice the half-finished needlework projects growing in the corner.  I recall reading somewhere that unfinished projects can also block "Chi", so I decide to dig in.  I found two baby hats that only needed trimming to finish, a scarf that needed about another four inches knitted, two blankets more than half done, a couple pair of slippers waiting to just be sewn up, a sweater that needed the pieces sewn together, and a poncho that only needed the fringe added.  There's more, I'm sure, at the bottom of the pile.

The truth is, I like to knit and crochet.  I don't enjoy the sewing and trimming.  That's how the pile got started.  If I'd had a deadline, if I was working on a gift for a specific occasion, it would have been done, wrapped, and delivered. Without a deadline, I tend to do the fun part and leave the not-fun part waiting for - a deadline?  Hm, how's that like my life?

I never seem to get past step one (de-cluttering).  As I physically move the stuff around or finish the project, the "clutter" in my head comes into focus. Damn, more issues to address. Like this one:

As I'm working on how to make this blanket bigger, I'm thinking about who I will give it to.  This is usually my goal, to make a gift for someone else.  Aside from the cost of the yarn, on sale or not, I put hours into the creation.  It has become valuable!  Someone else will truly appreciate this gift, value this gift, and know that I value them by presenting them with this gift.  As I petted this extremely soft, furry wonder, it occurs to me (not the first time) that it would look great on my bed.  Oh, no - I must give it away!  Why? Good question.

Did I not deserve it?  Was it more than I was worthy of?  Don't I love myself enough to give myself this gift? I laid it on my bed and snuggled underneath it. So warm, so soft. I felt guilt.  Oh, come on!  So you see what I mean?  My head and heart needed attention and a cleaning out as well.  This issue, anyway, did get tossed and the blanket is still on my bed and I enjoy it with gratitude and appreciation every night.

It's a constant process.  Being aware is key, and taking action is critical. Even if the action is just having a heart-to-heart with yourself, asking yourself the hard questions (not just doing the fun stuff), or meditating. It is all so worth it!  Ah, Chi!  Welcome back!

Reading From a Different Perspective

I have a confession to make.  I'm a Stephen King fan.  When he puts out a new book, all the books around me get pushed to the side while I read his latest creation.  People ask, "how can you read Stephen King? You - the owner of the Higher Self Bookstore? He writes horror!"  "He's a genius," I say.  I do admire his genius and imagination.  Over the years I've come to believe his writing is "guided." 

For the past several months I've had to urge to re-read his Dark Tower series.  It took him 20 years to write, the last published in 2006.  I did give in to the "push" and began the series over again.  I have about 50 pages left to read of book seven.

It's like reading a whole different story.  I think it's because my perceptions about a lot of things have changed over the years, and because I know more, have learned more, and have changed my beliefs about - oh, so much!  Like what?  Well, about time, time overlapping, other worlds, intuition, good and bad, good and evil, spiritual quests, creating our own reality, writing our own scripts, living in the illusion of our creation and allowance, perception and judgment, portals, magic.  It's all in there - and more.

This is a story about good vs. evil, but a lot of what occurs just is what it is.  It's Stephen King's story, as well as the story of the characters in it. At one point, the characters even had to go into Stephen King's world to save his life so that he could continue writing the story and they could go on to save the world(s).  They knew they existed because Mr. King created them.  It didn't change their mission or their quest. Well, aren't we writing our own stories, creating our own reality, and placing characters in it?  Of course we are!  

If you put me in your story (and I am if you are reading this), do I know if I am a villain or a hero in your story?  Maybe, maybe not.  Does it change how I live my life in the story I am creating with you in it?  Maybe, maybe not. In other words, if you cast me as the enemy in your life (reality), you will write my part (perceive me) doing evil things. In my story, I may not be writing my part (perceive me) as evil whatsoever.  If I realized you perceive me as the enemy, will I change my story so that you think better of me somehow?  Well, I guess that depends on how important a character I have cast you in my story.  I suppose I could do a re-write if I "want" to.

I am not advising you go read works by Stephen King.  I don't sell Stephen King at the Higher Self.  I have many books to enlighten, educate, and awaken that I can point you to. My point is how my perception of the story changed once I had acquired more knowledge, had become open to other possibilities, and have given up the desire to label everything right or wrong, good or evil, black or white.  It makes me curious about re-reading other books with my "new" viewpoint. 

God is in everything - so I've been told and choose to believe.  God is in Stephen King, his books, in you, in the dark as well as the light; if we have eyes to see.  Do you have eyes to see?  Can you read with an openness, from a place of possibilities?  Do not condemn that which you do not understand.  Can you be with it all and come out on the other side enriched, expanded, and empowered?

Dead Fish

"...and always remember my child...only dead fish go with the flow."  This is from one of my favorite greeting cards by Great Cosmic Happy Ass - a staple at the Higher Self Bookstore.  For many years now I have differentiated the phrases "Be in the flow" and "Go with the flow."  The dead fish statement is maybe a little strong (but it is funny), but makes the point that sometimes just going with the flow allows for non-action, non-commitment, and non-focus.  I'm not saying that I don't step into that river from time to time, but the intention I hold is to BE IN the flow.

Abraham (channeled by Ester Hicks) explains the difference, and adds that trying to paddle upstream, against the flow (of the Universe) will not bring to you what it is you truly want.  As I understand it, as I focus on what I want, be clear on what I want, the Universe will start the flow of what it is I say I want to me.  Yes, action is often required and as I am in the flow, the action required will be clear to me.

Sometimes being in the flow takes me gently, easily to my desires.  And then, there are those days where I feel like I am continuously bouncing into boulders!  Depending on my issue, there may be days and days, weeks, months even, when I keep crashing into boulders or skinning my knees on hidden rocks or just getting stuck.  Funny how many of these boulders look exactly alike.  Who the heck put all these obstacles in my way?  Why are they trying to sabotage my flow to my desires?

'Tis I, I know - it would be so much easier to blame someone else, though.  So I ask the boulder, "Hey, Boulder!  Just what is it you want me to get?  What is the lesson here?  Don't be making me try to paddle upstream!"  The boulder often doesn't answer.  So I push myself around it and, lo and behold!  There it is again!

There are no shortcuts.  The limitations I have put in front of me can only be removed by me.  I can ask for help, and I do, except when I don't.  Hey, maybe I like the colors of black and blue! Beating myself up only keeps me down, so I do the work.  We all have to do the work, eventually, I mean - isn't that why we are all here?  To remember who we are and create!

Don't be a dead fish.  That's my advice.  Me?  I'm gonna ride me some rapids!

Have You Ever Been Mellow...On A Treadmill?

The song has been playing in my head the past few days.  When I anticipate writing this blog at this time of the month, I pay closer attention to the voices in my head - thanks, Olivia!  I'm thinking this song is here because for the past few months, I've been wanting to write about being stuck on a treadmill - that's the word that keeps coming up for me, sad to say.

Have I Ever Been Mellow?  Well, of course!  From time to time, here and there, fleetingly, and, it's been a while.  Hmm.  Mellow for me means, calm and peaceful, quietly joyous. What stops me?  I don't even think I hold that as an intention these days.  I'm going to have to write Olivia Newton John a thank you card for reminding me what's been missing.

Now, I haven't been totally clueless.  Feeling stuck in the midst of an seemingly endless to-do list has brought about the vision of a hamster on a treadmill.  The thing is, I know better.  I just can't get off of it!  Maybe I'm afraid that if I do, the wheel would stop spinning and I wouldn't have fulfilled my promises to you, and you, and me.  You have expectations of me - keep the doors open, the shelves stocked, the floors clean, the events promoted, etc., etc. - and I love meeting those expectations!  I really do!

You've never been in this place, right?  You have?!?  Tell me, how did you get to be mellow on the treadmill?  Oh, I see.  You made time.  You made it important to be mellow, to meditate, to sit and breath, to have fun, to make the doing of the to-do list fascinating, a game.  It is all a game, isn't it?

Okay, I'm going to do it!  I'm going to change the channel on my "reality TV" and schedule only programs that lift my spirit, make me laugh, feed my soul, and air according to my own time schedule!  Thanks for the awesome advice!  I knew I could count on you!

It's Always Somethin'

Well, ain't it?  Always somethin'.  Just when I think I can relax a minute, the washing machine breaks, or the muffler falls off the car, or the kid left the peanut butter jar in the cupboard - with no peanut butter in it (I discover this as I'm putting the groceries away and, no, I didn't buy peanut butter 'cause there was a jar on the shelf).  Yes, you nod in agreement, it's always somethin'.

Seems everyone knows this little phrase, and like me, have believed it to be true.  If it is true, well, there is nothing we can do about it, right?  Where did it come from, anyway?  It sounds like one of those beliefs that have been passed down through generations.  Whether I heard it from Mom, or Grandma, or a teacher, or made it up - it's obvious to me that it is a cultural and societal and generic truth indoctrinated into my very life!  And very possibly - yours!

Note that "it's always somethin'" does not usually show itself in times of celebration!  When I hear good news, I don't think "it's always somethin'".  The "somethin'" is always negative, something I don't want but always seems to get.  Another somethin'.

Is this the belief that runs my life?  By believing "it's always somethin'", do I attract exactly that?  Is the somethin' directing the drama of my life?  Because I also believe that my beliefs create my life, the answer is a big ole "Yep!"  Truthfully, I recognized this about the thought "it's always somethin'" a couple years ago and have taken steps to dis-create it.  It's a stubborn one, though. Showed up this morning.  It helps to yell back at it when it shows up - that's not true!  It's a lie!  Still, I have more work to do on this one.

This is just one of many cultural, societal, generational beliefs that we all have been living with without awareness.  What are some others you might be holding onto?  Notice your thoughts.  Challenge them - is that true?  Really?

I've been writing about a new conversation on a bigger scale, one that's needed as we evolve into a New Beginning.  I have this image, though, of everyone going up to everyone and asking them if they believe "it's always somethin'?".  Then "Is It True?"  And then, "What do you think life would be like if it wasn't?"  Maybe, just maybe, the "somethin's" would transform into somethin' quite marvelous!

Keep talking, people!  A New Beginning awaits us, and there just isn't any room for the "somethin's".

Is It Enough To Just Be?

At first, absolutely no topic of inspiration was coming to me.  Then, too many to choose from were there in my head.  But also in my head were all the things I needed to do besides blog.  On top of that, I don't know what's going on - the alignment of the planets, one getting ready to pass between Earth and the Sun, Solar Eclipses, Lunar Eclipses - or maybe I'm just going crazy, as are some of the people around me, but suddenly I can't add numbers, can't focus, can't make a decision, doubt my decisions, and get too easily drawn into others' drama!  I told the others at the Higher Self Bookstore that we needed to start wearing aluminum foil caps to reflect the planetary craziness!  But I digress...

I was sad this past weekend, the one year anniversary of my Mom's transition.  But more fascinating to me was that I had a hard time not dwelling on the end days, which were not pleasant (a nice way of saying painful).  I had to consciously go into my memory for the good times, the laughter, and the sweetness of my experiences with my Mom. I'm counting on time to heal this.

There is a school of thought that if we, individually, would learn to be peaceful within ourselves, practice loving ourselves and others, and recognize that we are one and living our best life - that we would automatically bring peace, love, and oneness to the world.  I've been questioning if this is really enough at this point in our existence on this home we call Earth.

At my last women's group, we discussed the various religions and the various religions within the religions.  Example, just how many different Christian religions or churches are there?  Why are there so many?  Why don't some of them get along? Why don't some of them play nice with those of other religions. It is the same for all of them - they all branched out based on - well, I'm guessing it had as much to do with belief choices as it did with community choices, but I don't really know.

So, thinking of Mom, it occurred to me that if my sister and I hadn't had conversations about what we believed with Mom, Mom may not have had an opportunity to explore with us, to find another way of looking at things.  Mom was raised Christian, but that didn't stop her from being judgmental and miserable. Mom finally took the same personal growth courses we had and was able to look at things differently and find more peace in her life.  I like to believe she created an even closer relationship with Jesus by letting go of the "what's right" and "what's wrong" of her earlier upbringing.

Cindy (my sister) and I were "being" different after taking the courses.  We were happier, more at peace with ourselves, more open and loving to others, more calm in the midst of chaos and drama.  Our lives were changing as a result and it all looked pretty darn good!  If we hadn't been "being" and expressing ourselves in a new way, Mom would probably not have listened.  Just imagine my being judgmental, angry, and miserable while telling Mom I knew a way for her to bring more joy and peace into her life.  Dah!

Now, we could have kept our mouth's shut - saying, "Oh, she won't understand.  Mom's just Mom.  Let her believe what she wants to believe."  I'm glad we didn't.

Maybe it isn't enough to just "be" peaceful, loving, and quiet.  With all that's going on here and now, we need to have a conversation.  Many conversations.  We can't know for sure who is ready to listen and who isn't. Not unless you speak.

What do you know that they don't know that may change -everything?  What might they know that you don't that just might change - everything?  "Be the change you want to see in the world." (I think that was Ghandi?)  Then, talk about it!  Start talking even if you think you can't "be" the change you want to see in the world, yet.

I'm going to sign off for now and go enjoy my new sanity, which looked a lot like insanity yesterday.  I apologize if this blog seems a little scattered - I can see the connections and I hope you do, too. Now, if I could just find my new (tin foil) hat..........