Unimaginable Loss

I have written before about how spirituality can assist us when we lose a loved one. Within the last week, I learned of the death of a 15 year old girl. Her life took a sudden turn and she was gone within a week. The cause of the collapse was still unknown the last I heard. I hope by now the parents know the reason. They will surely need some iota of understanding to accept this horrible tragedy. As a nurse, putting a diagnosis to an illness can help to provide a ”justification” for an illness/death. But that is only for the clinical aspect of the case. What remains is purely personal and emotional, especially when the person who has died has some sort of connection to you. I didn’t know the girl personally. I have known her grandmother, D, for almost as long as I have known my husband. D is a kind, loving and beautiful spirit who is a treasure to many people. I haven’t spoken to her yet. I know the time will come when I will be in her presence. I already am searching for the right words to say to her. My heart just aches for the entire family. How do you reconcile such an event? There was no long illness or injury to justify it. Only loss. Only unimaginable heartache. My entire being suffers with her parents. I don’t know them well, but I know they are good and loving people. I hope that on some level that they know they will always be able to communicate with their daughter, but for now and for a long time to come, the loss will be insurmountable. It is times like this that I have the realization, that when everyday life is normal or boring, it is a great day. Everyday my husband, kids and family are ok, it is a good day. Even on the days when there are illnesses or bumps in the road, life is still pretty sweet. I know that life is good because there is love. Be sure to see the love and sweetness in your everyday world. Please send prayers and love to those who are suffering now. As the saying goes, “what goes around comes around”. Someday those prayers and love will be returned to you.

Emotions

Emotions are what connect us to spirit, our loved ones - past and present and our not so friendly acquaintances. It is amazing what feelings can be stirred when we hear a name, see a face or have a memory. Your blood pressure can even be elevated upon recalling a stressful event. So it is no surprise to me my reaction to my dream last night. My parents have been gone for a little more than 20 years and I dreamed that I was living at home and my parents were arguing. The most striking thing about this dream was that I heard my mother’s voice loud and clear! I did not see her, however, she was yelling from another room. I even stood to attention in my dream and said” Is that Mom’s voice?” This is surprising for me in several ways. It is rare that we recall our dreams and when we do we only remember bits and pieces. But this dream had clarity of sound! You see my mom lived with ALS for 10 years and her voice was pretty much unintelligible to non-family members after the first 2 years of her illness. To hear my mom speak so clearly and with such strength surprised me even in my dream. She always wanted to be heard loud and clear while alive and I guess she wanted to come through again. Well she did and with much success! So after 23 years I heard my mom’s voice again. What a gift! Don’t ever lose the voices of those you love while they are here with you in this world. Don’t let hard feelings or grudges get in the way of being positively connected to the important people in your life. Most importantly, tell the people you care for that you love them. It is much needed music to their ears and to yours!

The Power of Positivity

In today’s world, it is rare that a person of any age will get a pat on the back or be told words as simple as “good job”. Positivity unfortunately takes a back seat to the negative in our culture. It is infrequent that we allow ourselves to speak of our feelings. It is rare when a person shows displays of affection in public or private. And it is these things that are so vital to our existence as humans. Without signs or words of encouragement people wither. Children do not prosper in school or in life, young adults flounder with choices, older adults succumb to depression and people of any age succumb to thoughts of suicide. How did we let it get to this? Our desire for being the best and having more probably was the insidious start. If a person gets too far into this thought process, than all else personal can disappear. Our country’s desire to be the best has always been driven by the undercurrent of money. Don’t get me wrong, we live in a great nation, but our priorities got out of whack. It is time that we turn inward a bit and focus on ourselves and others with love. It is time to focus on the positive things in this life and brag about them on TV, radio and at home. It is time to allow ourselves to see and appreciate beauty in our landscape and cities. Most importantly, it is time to see the good and beauty in each soul on this planet. It is really easy, just start at home. Step back and look at the person/people you are with, whether significant other, parents or children. Look at them without any preconceived notions or resentments. Genuinely ask how they are and what may be on their minds. Be sure to listen….. really listen. Listen without your opinions getting in the way. Honor their thoughts and words. Honor them for who they are. Appreciate that God gave you these people to share your life with. Encourage them to be positive and risk takers. Encourage them to see the positive in their lives. Assist them in putting things in perspective. Most of all show them love and support. The ripple effects of that one moment will spread infinitely and bring the same love and support to others and then back to you. Imagine a world free of negativity? It’s hard to see but is oh so possible. My words may seem trite. This ideal may seem impossible, but remember nothing is impossible. You just need to start with the first step. Be that impetus…..change your world……change this world.

A personal milestone, Blog # 50!!

This is truly a milestone for me, considering I never even dreamed of writing a blog! My intention was to design a website to let people know of my tarot readings and Reiki services. As the website proved to be very puzzling to create, my eyes drifted and I saw the blog site page. And that is how Living an Every Day Spiritual Life blog page was created. Isn’t it funny how some of the best things in life started with no pain or stress at all? The same day I was inspired to create the blog, I wrote 11 entries with no effort at all. It was as if the words were downloaded to me and all I had to do was type them into the computer. I have loved every minute spent creating each page and have been humbled by your comments and your readership. I am much better at expressing my thoughts and feelings in written words than in face to face interaction. It is so much more intimidating to me that way. Many entries have allowed for dialog with family and friends that I don’t think would have ever taken place had the words not been written. I have also been able to explain things and make apologies which have given me peace and provided better understanding to those I have wronged. Most importantly, my intention has been to inspire you to see that when it comes to God, there is not just one way to worship, there is not one way to love and there is never just any one way to live your life. My father was my first teacher and he told me I am limitless in what I can create, what I can do in this world and in how much I can love. And so, my intention will always be to share these beliefs with you and let you know that anything is possible with the key ingredient in life….Love. With deep appreciation for your support, I look forward to providing more entries reflecting my Everyday Spiritual Life.

Is there a link between spirituality and science?

Sometime last year, a friend recommended I follow the Lilo Juicy Living Tour on FB. Lilo was born in California but spent most of her youth in France. Her mission is to spread joy and empower people to pursue their dreams. As she tours the U.S., Lilo interviews talented people who have tremendous insight and knowledge to share. However, these people are not considered mainstream enough for the Media to follow. All of her interviews have spirituality as their core interest; however, the range of guests can differ from quantum physicists to animal communicators. I seldom get to indulge in her videos but when I do I am never disappointed. I most recently watched an interview with quantum physicist Bruce Lipton PhD. Believe it or not, he was able to take the most intricate scientific details relating to cells and connect them to spirituality. And he did it in a fashion that anyone could understand. He was able to make the link from serious Science and connect it to spirituality. As you know, the scientific world wants nothing to do with God or spirit, they only deal with FACTS. Well, in Bruce Lipton’s research, he clearly connected science and spirit and related it to our human bodies. I know this is not the lightest topic I have written about, but I found it fascinating. I am not doing the interview justice. How could I? I am new to this realm of thought and am not able to spend all my time researching. But if you have the interest and time, it is worth every minute. Even if you don’t believe everything Dr. Lipton says, it will make you think. Thinking is never a bad thing. Opening your mind is never a bad thing. Life’s possibilities are endless. Your potential is limitless. Never underestimate yourself. Believe in yourself and most of all… LOVE yourself. Be well.

Surrender and Release

Angel cards have been one of the most helpful tools that I have used not only on my spiritual journey but also in my everyday life. Like everyone else out there, ladies especially, I would constantly worry about things over and over again. In my late 20’s and early 30’s, it was so bad, I would be unable to fall asleep at night. I was a wound up top just waiting to spin out of control. I did seek assistance from a counselor named “V” and I truly believe she saved me from anxiety and depression. “V” gave me the tools I needed to put issues large and small in perspective. Her objective eye enabled my heart and psyche to come to a level of calm I probably hadn’t seen since high school. Because we live in this space and are human, however, there will always be issues and concerns that need to be dealt with and some that may still be too much for us to handle. This is where the angle card Surrender and Release comes in. Our ever present angels are ready and willing to help us with whatever we need. All we have to do is ask. Surrender and Release means just that. Whenever I need to find a solution to a problem that is consuming me, I turn to the angels. In a prayerful manner, I talk to the angels and tell them what is bothering me. I ask for their help to find an answer or fix a problem in a way that is best for everyone involved. I visualize myself handing the issue to them and watch as they take it away, out of my sight. At this point, I trust that they will do what is for my highest good and I say a prayer of thanks. Now the concern is completely released and out of my hands. I place my trust fully in the angels and know that I can’t think about it again. I have completely surrendered and released it. Once this is done, I usually feel very peaceful and grateful. I feel like the weight has been lifted. This tool has saved my sanity. I share it because I believe it can help you find more peace in your everyday life. Namaste.

Faith

Faith is something you own. It can morph into different creations as you travel on your journey. It is something you can also loose. Faith is a belief system but it also can be what you know with every fiber of your being. I had a conversation with a lovely woman the other day at a soccer game. She is beautifully devout in her faith and teaches religion classes on Sundays to 6th graders. 6th grade is the year these students will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. She was surprised that many of these students didn’t have a grasp of some of the basics of this religion. She then said, “ Of course you want these children to know the basic beliefs of their faith”. And it hit me. Faith is a choice. Faith in anything , not just religion is a choice. And faith doesn’t have to be all about a structured religion. You can have faith in a person, a business, or someone’s talent. Faith in something is a belief you have and can feel into your core. When I have it I can feel it strongly in my 3rd charkra. It is a tangible feeling. It takes up space in my physical field. It is a knowing. I can feel it in my energetic field. But my spiritual faith these days isn’t written in any book or spouted from a pulpit. It can be found only within my heart and soul. My faith is that we are connected to a force that is infinetly larger and more loving than we could ever imagine. That this force is reflected in every living being on this planet. That there are other beings endlessly supporting us on our journey in this physical plane. That we are humans who are capable of things that our limiting mind can’t even comprehend. I believe that good is inherent in everyone. I believe that love is the most important element of life. I believe that love can be represented by understanding, good works, patience, kind acts, kind words and a smile. I believe that in honoring God we must love ourselves first and be as kind to ourselves as we would others. I believe that God made our possibilities limitless.
As I have grown in my journey, my faith no longer comes from an outside source but from deep within my soul. I find it much more comforting this way. I have created my own belief system and it works well for me. The peace I have inside is greater than ever. The key is to listen to yourself and follow you heart. You too can find your faith, all you have to do is love yourself. Namaste

** Permission for photo lovingly granted by Genevieve Shulick and more can be found at www.rosesformarie.com