Mistakes

My intention is to be a positive person in all that I do. I especially want to be positive in these messages I am sharing with you. So the topics I am writing of today may not seem like positive ones, but I will explain. I was driving in the car with my husband the other day and we were conversing about a decision my daughter has made. It upsets us and he said, “I hope she realizes what a mistake she has made. (I am citing this as an example. It is not meant to be derogatory toward J.) Those words hit me like a blow to the chest. Those words were too harsh to apply to my loving daughter. Those words are really too harsh for anyone. If love is not about judgment, than who is to say what is right for another person. I don’t agree with what she is doing but as a loving person and her mother, I can only advise her. I did just that and said I wouldn’t be a good mom if I don’t tell you how I felt.
The word mistake is similar to the word sin in my estimation. They both apply a permanent, indelible mark. It is as if the action will be weighing on a person forever. That is so unfair and definitely unloving. I don’t feel God applies these marks or makes these assumptions about anyone of us. I feel this is a human action and a very unforgiving one at that. If these actions are to stay with us forever, how are we ever to learn and move forward? Isn’t that why our souls chose to come to this physical reality? Aren’t we here to learn lessons of love?
I believe we are here to learn lessons of love on all levels and in many different forms. Things we label as mistakes or sins are just the building blocks of our lessons and are not meant to be judged. They are like stepping stones as we advance in our journey of life. We are all here together in this. We all chose to come and learn love simultaneously.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful is we stopped labeling our actions and the acts of others. Imagine how much more peaceful the world would be. Imagine how much lighter our spirits would feel and how our hearts would soar! There are no mistakes. There is only learning. There is only Love.

Permission for photo lovingly granted by Genevieve Shulick
www.rosesformarie.com

Daily Living

So,if formal church services are a challenge for me,one might ask how I worship God. Well, that is easy. Living a spiritual life means that everything I do is in praise of our creator. I start with the morning mantra that I shared with you in an earlier blog. At the end of the mantra, I also ask that every interaction I have with someone please be a healing. I believe that God is everywhere, including in me. So, I hope that I can share with each person I come in contact with, either face to face or on the phone, a little piece of God. My intention is to share a kind word or deed with each encounter. You know the saying, “Treat others the way you would want to be treated”. Sounds simple but this requires a conscious effort everyday. There are times when I am not feeling particularly pleasant. At those times, I just need to take a deep breath and really think before I speak. This can be especially hard with my children. Patience doesn’t come easy with teenagers! Interactions with others are not the only way I connect to spirit. Everything I do in a day is in praise of spirit - working, cooking and yes , even cleaning. It may sound silly, but I find when I make a conscious effort to live this way, I am happier.
Meditation is not something I do on a regular basis. I am embarrassed to admit it. I am a work in progress though, and I will not put myself down about it. I will continue to work at it. I know that if I meditated daily, my communication with spirit would improve immensely. Now that I have acknowledged this, I guess I better work on it. Perhaps you could share with me what has worked best for you.
I would appreciate your input.
Beauty is in all of us……

Permission for photo lovingly granted by Genevieve Shulick
www.rosesformarie.com

Finding Peace when alone...

Solitude was a foreign concept to me until recently. In fact, it was nonexistent until the last few years. My older 2 daughters are now in college. This leaves me, my husband (J), my youngest daughter and now the puppy. Solitude isn’t the only foreign concept, an empty calendar is too. You see, from the time I was born, there were always people around. I am one of 4 children. When I was 14, my mother was diagnosed with ALS and required constant care. For 10 years my house was NEVER empty. The front door seemed to constantly be opening and closing with friends, family and nurses. On the rare occasion, when my house was empty, such as if my mom was in the hospital, my house felt like an empty tomb. The silence was unnerving. I never thought of what I wanted to do. I usually just wanted to be at the hospital with her. After my mom died, my younger sister, Dad and I actually had to learn how to get to know one another. Gone were the constant demands of caring for mom. We had to get used to the quiet. It didn’t last long for me.
Six months after my mom died, I married a great guy. He proved just how great, very quickly, because 9 months later my younger sister moved in with us. My father died of sudden cardiac death. J and I became instant parents of a teenager. Our first daughter came 7 months later. A happier chaos of life continued but chaos none the less. I am not complaining, life has been great. I have been blessed with many gifts: A healthy family, a loving extended family and lots of great friends. But there had been little time for self. Even if I did have time during a school day, while my girls were younger, it was filled with chores and errands. Taking time for me never entered my mind. A funny thing happened as the years went by, time spent on tasks was lessening and my inner voice was speaking up. Time alone started to become a commodity I cherished. I would spend it walking, meditating or just reading books on spiritual topics. I realized I do have interests of my own. I may even have a dream or 2! So I listened to myself, finally, and took a yearlong class in metaphysical training. I learned about intuition, mediumship, crystals, astrology, spiritual healing and more about the Tarot. It was more than an eye opening experience, it was soul opening and life changing. I didn’t realize how much I missed this part of myself until I discovered it. I am sure in my past lives, I have also been spiritual and perhaps that was the pull all along.
Today’s society very rarely speaks of taking time alone… time for you. Yet, this can be one of life’s best medicines. It is good for people of any age.
I am thrilled with what I discovered! Perhaps, you will be too!

Sedona

I recently attended a 3 day Seminar in beautiful Sedona.  I am so thankful to spirit and to my family for allowing me the time to go.  I went with 3 friends and met 44 new friends!   The seminar was shamanic in nature and was meant to awaken, cultivate and transform our internal power.  Upon returning home, I was walking with a dear friend.  She is so beautifully devout in her religion, she asked, “Where was religion included in your journey”?    I became a little frozen emotionally.  I didn’t want to hurt her in any way with my words. I hesitated because I am no longer of the same mind set as she is.  I no longer resonate with organized religion.    Bless her, she is accepting of me and my beliefs.  She just wanted to dialogue and was genuinely interested in my experience.

    I told her God was everywhere.  Organized religion was not part of the retreat.  Everyone is accepted, no matter what their background is, religious or cultural.   As a matter of fact, upon showing up at the meditations or learning sessions, everyone was just so joyous to be together, investigative questions didn’t even arise.  You see, in the spiritual community, what comes first is God/spirit/universe.  The way one is physically defined in this society doesn’t matter.   

    I have found that in this county the first question we ask upon meeting someone is “What do you do?”  We identify a person by their employment.   That is a very limited view of a person.    What a person does in their job daily is only a small fraction of who they are.  What matters is how they live their life, how they treat others and how they incorporate love into all they do.    While the other 44 people were “strangers”, it certainly didn’t feel that way.  There was immediate acceptance of everyone.  A feeling of unity and God’s presence was everywhere.  There was Oneness.   That feeling still fills my heart to this day.  I don’t think I have ever had the same feeling when I practiced in an organized religion.  Conversations with the other attendees eventually got around to employment, where one lived, etc. but that was only in the few social settings we had.  These topics did not influence the retreat.    All that mattered to each attendee was their own personal connection to God.

Making 44 new friends was just a Big bonus!!

   

My Love for Tarot Cards

     I have always been interested in psychics.  My parents died when I was in my early 20’s and my desire to communicate with them lead me to psychics and mediums.   I have to admit also, that I always wanted to be a psychic “when I grew up”.    Over the years, in between taking care of my family, I would read about these subjects and truth resonated for me.  I have always felt that I was more sensitive to other’s feelings than what was “normal”.  My father consulted a famous psychic on several occasions and this also helped pique my interest.    So, as my life unfolded, I stumbled upon a Tarot deck that included a book explaining each card.  These books are located in any book store in the spiritual/metaphysical section.   The instructions said to sit with each card.  Study the picture and then write down my feelings about each card.  Only after that was done, was I allowed to read the book’s interpretation.  I found that I wasn’t very far off from the written explanation.  Please know that if you do this, remember what your own personal interpretation of the card is.  This will mean more to you than the book’s explanation when you seek answers from the cards.   Sometime later, I was referred to a reader and asked her to tutor me in Tarot.  She graciously obliged.  That was my humble start.  

    I have never believed that the Tarot was “the exact truth” and that I had to follow exactly what the cards said.   Tarot cards are simply to be used as assistive tools through hardships in our life.  Face it, we wouldn’t be consulting Tarot cards or psychics if life was simple.  When I consult the cards, I do so knowing I have free will and can make the decisions that I want to. The cards are simply a guide.  They provide choices.  At times they predict things that may not be too pleasant.  But the choice lies in how I choose to react to the situation.  Most importantly, know that you can have fun with the cards!  Questions don’t always need to be of a serious nature.  As a matter of fact, just playing when you are not stressed will help you gain a better understanding of each card and make your future readings easier to comprehend.  When I need some guidance from the cards, I will ask a question.  I become empowered with the message the cards are giving.  Sometimes, my stress is relieved because the end result of the issue at hand won’t be as bad as I feared. The accuracy of the cards is uncanny.   I have been reading cards for about 5 years now, and am still in awe of the answers they provide.    In future blogs, I intend to write about some of my favorite cards and how they have helped me.

Peace….

Puppy Love

Life has a funny way of changing and we have no control over it.  As young adults we start out feeling invincible.  We are excited about all life has to offer.  We want to reach out and grab all we can.  Sometimes, we are like the Fool in the Tarot deck and take leaps of blind faith.  Years pass and often those young adults choose to settle down, marry and have a family.  The sheer joy and love of becoming parents can be overwhelming.  But, so can the responsibilities that come with parenthood and being a loving spouse.  I truly believe no one enters into these commitments with intention of failing.   Life happens, decisions are made and life unfolds.  However, one day, it hits you.  Your kids are almost out of the house, you have more time on your hands.  You have time to do and think whatever you want.  What I want?  That was such a foreign concept for me.  I was the all giving mother and I wouldn’t change a thing.  I loved every minute spent with my girls.  I wasn’t always the “present moment” parent I speak of now, but I did my best.  I now try to be present each moment I have with my more mature daughters.   But the moments I have to be with them are fewer and fewer.  Sad for me and yet so exciting for them as they also become the Fools from the Tarot.   So it is so funny to think that the thing that has brought them back more frequently to our family home is a new puppy.  She is our first.  We got her because our youngest terribly missed our older girls while they are away at college.  Munchkin is our puppies name and she is truly that.  Less than 10 lbs., she is fluffy and white.  My husband has taken quite a beating from his buddies for his choice of a little dog, but I know he wouldn’t change a thing.  Having Munchkin has unified our family in a way I never saw coming.  We now spend more time in one room instead of scattering to our bedrooms or laptops.  We share mutual love and affection for the pup and in turn are sharing the love we have for each other.   What an unexpected gift.   I am so thankful.

Puppies rule…..

Judgement

Judgment is everywhere.  As a society, we constantly are judging people on their appearance, their religion, the way they raise children, their hair color and how many tattoos or piercings they have.  We are programmed to look at things the way we think they should be and not the way they are.  What we don’t realize is that when we judge others, we are judging ourselves.  When we judge others, we do not love them or ourselves.    The outer package we present to this world is of no consequence in this lifetime or the next.  We have no right to judge others or tell someone what they need to do.   We are all here to learn lessons.  All of these lessons revolve around love.  The answer is always Love.   It may be hard to break our mold of judgment but doing so frees our hearts to focus on inner peace and acceptance of other’s.  As I said in a previous blog, God has instilled in us a little piece of himself/herself to share with others.  By judging others, we are judging God.  When you look at it that way, it is a real buzz kill.  Judging God was never on the menu.

Of course, we each have our own personal guidelines that we are comfortable with.  That is fine.  It becomes a problem when we have the same expectations for others.  For example, as a parent, it is very difficult to discover that your children don’t always think the same way you do.  Boy, is it difficult to break out of your own mold and think differently.  Not to be too hard on oneself, it can’t always be done.  But realizing that and perhaps not sharing your feelings with your child/parent/loved one is the best course of action to take.  Sometimes silence is golden.  Sometimes, silence is love.

Love is the only message we need to hear.

Intuition

INTUITION is by definition " the direct learning or knowing of something without the conscious use of reasoning: "immediate understanding". Why talk about intuition and how is it related to living an everyday spiritual life you might ask? Well, intuition can often be the first building block to living a more spiritual life. Listening to what your soul is saying can be very freeing and enlightening. Have you ever encountered a person who is supposed to be "the be all and end all" according to another’s view? Upon meeting him/her, you just get a negative vibe or feeling. You may not be able to express just what it is about this person, but something doesn't feel right. That is following your intuition. If you must have future dealings with this person, you now know to approach this person with caution. Listen to the signals your body is giving you.
Have you ever had plans to attend an event and have been very excited about it? The day arrives and you have an uneasy feeling. You may not be able to come up with the reason why. Take the time to focus on your plans. Ask of it still feels right. If you do this, you are honoring your inner guidance. Doing so will never steer you wrong. Often times, if you don’t follow your gut, the event is not what you expected it to be. Or perhaps an aggravating circumstance will occur associated with event. Perhaps you are planning on attending an event and you get sick. This is your bodies’ way of telling you that whatever is planned is not in your best interest.

A recent example in my life occured with my oldest daughter. She just arrived home after her spring semester at college. That evening she was going to a concert and wanted to sleep over her friend's house. I felt the need to consult my inner guidance and to my surprise, I felt "no" was the appropriate answer. I casually mentioned it to my husband and his immediate response was also no. I felt reassured that we had come to the correct conclusion. Of course, when I told my daughter, I told her I honestly was unable to give her a logical reason, just that it didn't feel right. I also told her she was an adult and could do as she chose. Luckily for her and us  she listened,  because she had a flair up of her asthma after she came home. I was so glad I followed my intuition.
Listen to yourself. Honor your feelings.
Take the time to hear/feel for the answer and honor it. Listening to my intuition has never steered me wrong.

Be yourself………

Media

To live an everyday spiritual life, I find that I need to stay away from the media. Some days, I need to stay away from it in all forms!   TV, radio and the newspaper can really get me down.  The media chooses to focus on the negative side of the news.  Uplifting, inspirational stories very rarely make the headlines.   Gone are the days of an unbiased media.  Everyone has an opinion and it is not always positive or flattering.  It appalls me that there are mainstream shows out there that focus purely on poking fun at celebrities. The fact that there are 24 hour news stations that exist to solely to belittle the other political party’s beliefs is enough to make me want to drink.  (Red wine is my favorite!)   To me, pure torture would be being locked in a room for 24 hours listening to one of those news channels.   If I came out alive, I would probably run screaming for the next 24 hrs.  I find it intolerable when others feel that theirs is the only opinion that matters.  It really bothers me when another person feels their way is the right way.   Newsflash – being right doesn’t get you in God’s favor any more that being wrong does.   Can it possibly be that in this universe “right and wrong” don’t even matter? 

So what is the result of choosing to stay away from all media outlets?  Well, I am not up to speed on the latest events.  I am not good at speaking in sound bites around the water cooler.  You might even consider me illiterate of world events.  That is just fine with me.  I find that I am more at peace.  My body, mind and soul have room to breathe and expand.  I can choose to read and listen to the things that lift my soul.  Doing this allows me to be a much more positive person and assists me in living a more spiritual life.

Beauty is everywhere…..

Living In the Present Moment

Living in the Present Moment is a phrase I have heard several times since starting my spiritual journey.

What does that exactly mean?     How do you do this in the age of multitasking?   How can one live in the present moment when one finds she/he is texting, having a conversation with someone, and cooking dinner all at the same time?  I often wonder if today’s younger generations will ever experience the joy of having some quiet time and thinking their own thoughts.  What a concept!

 Living in the present moment, for me, has meant driving in the car and leaving the radio off.   I joke with my kids that my favorite radio station is WOFF!    I enjoy this time and purposefully try to just listen to the thoughts in my head.  Or, I just try to clear my head and see if the universe chooses to communicate with me while alone.  Sometimes, I just say the rosary when I am having a particularly challenging day.

None the less, it is my time and I try to be present in it.

So, how does one live in the present with all the things we are responsible for in a day?

One way to do this is to focus solely on the task at hand.  If you are assisting your kids with homework, sit with them and put your energy only into that.  Forget about what is for dinner.  Let the phone ring.  

At work, I am constantly on the phone assisting clients.  It takes all of my energy not to have my thoughts stray.  By focusing on the client, I am honoring them and living in the present.

In the past, while visiting family members, I would find my thoughts wandering to what I have to do when I get home.  I would worry about tasks that needed to be done and I would not really pay attention to the people around me.  I found I missed a lot.   Now, I really try to listen and hear what is occurring.

  I have found more peace within myself by just trying to do one thing at a time.  I have better appreciation of my children.  I have better memories of the events.  My work has become more efficient and   I find I am enjoying life more , too.

These are just a few of the examples that came to mind.  You can apply this to whatever rings true to you.

Laughter always….

An Easy Way to Start Living a Spiritual Life

So, how does one live an everyday spiritual life?   Heck, if I know!  I know only what has worked for me.

And, as I have learned, that is not what always works for someone else.    

I try to approach each day with optimism and excitement.   I am thankful for all that I have – my husband, my girls, my health, my family and friends.  My home, my job and where I live.   And most of all, I am thankful for myself.    I know this may sound trite, but it truly is exciting.    We are all blessed with one or many of the above gifts.    So even if you only have yourself to be thankful for, you are also blessed.   You see, God, or the Universe, or whatever you like to call the higher power, has given you the opportunity to know love in this physical world.   If life has dealt you some rotten cards, you can still choose to make the best of your situation.  It all starts with loving you for the wonderful, unique individual you already are.  You see, God has incorporated a little of his/her magnificence in all of us and we can share that individuality with others in this lifetime. 

For example, start by not  beating your self up several times a day about your weight, your baldness, your acne, your lack of a 6 figure income, your less than showcase house, your lack of a significant other and  start embracing the only you the world has the pleasure to know right now.

How do you do this?   Start with just smiling to another person.   Another way is to just refrain from speaking badly about someone.   Choose to see the positive about a situation and just speak about that.   The negativity that comes out of a person’s mouth is a poison that will come back around to haunt us. 

If you are not into spirituality, but would like to live a more conscious life, you can just start with a smile!

Your angels are always with you…….

An Unexpected Gift

My father was a truly spiritual man.  He was spiritual at a time when few people in this area were even aware of it’s existence.  He spoke openly to his friends and family about his ideas, inventions and visions for the future.  He practiced Yoga and could have been an instructor.   He wrote 2 science fiction novels and had several patents for his inventions.   As with many talented people, he lacked the resources and connections to have much of his work come to fruition.   Many of his ideas were too far “out there” to be accepted into society at the time.   Yet, he still shared his knowledge and wisdom with others.  It wasn’t until he died at the young age of 56 that my siblings and I could see the extent of his talent.  Absence, maturity and objectivity open your eyes to things not seen before.

One of my Aha moments came a few years after Dad died.   I was rifling through some of his papers and writings.   I found old newsletters and publications from the ARE Society.    This society is dedicated to spreading the teachings of Edgar Cayce.  Cayce is a famous psychic channeler.  He has volumes of information that share predictions, lessons on Christ and healings that can take place through diet and lifestyle changes.  All this and he lived from 1877 – 1945.     The Aha moment came when I realized both my Dad and I belonged to the same society.   It was a surreal moment.   Memories of things Dad had said and did over the years flooded my brain.  I was overcome with emotion.   I discovered a connection to my Dad I never knew I had.  I felt closer to him than ever.   The universe had bestowed upon me a gift I never envisioned.   I realized then, that by my Dad living life the way he did, gave me the freedom to live in the same way.  It was as if I was looking for permission and it had been granted.  

Truly a gift…….

You can live that way too…

Smile!  It’s a wonderful life….

Love you Dad - 1932 - 1988

My First Teacher

One of my first teachers was a spiritual counselor I met after moving to my new home.  

I will call her “C” to protect her innocence.  Not every counselor is a good fit for your needs.  If you seek one out and it doesn’t “feel right”, seek out another one.  Sure, it is a hassle but so worth it.

 A counselor who resonates with you and “feels right” is truly one of the best gifts from God.  Healing can take place on so many levels when the things you have been obsessing about are put in to perspective.   I have seen 2 counselors in my life and both have been wonderful.  “C” was an added blessing because she combined spiritual work into traditional counseling.  One of the most helpful tools that she passed on to me was a mantra/prayer  for spiritual protection.

I say it whenever I feel as if the energy around me is not good.  Energy comes from people, places, things,  even a person’s thoughts and their spoken words.    I have used the mantra in public places, at relative’s houses, in parks, in churches and in my own home.  I use it when I feel uncomfortable around people.  I use it at work.   I use it when I am in a twilight state before sleep and am uncertain of the things I am visioning.

I have shared this mantra with my children, my friends and my clients.

I hope it brings you the comfort and assistance that it has brought me.

May any unenlightened energy or entity in or near my body, my mind, my heart, my soul or my aura be released now to the sun to be repolarized.  May any unenlightened energy or entity in or near my home ( at this time enter the area you are currently in ) be released now to the sun to be repolarized.  Only love shall enter here, for there is only love.

Namaste

Photo by Genevieve Shulick - www.rosesformarie.com

Living an Everyday Spiritual Life……

I don’t recall the day, time or event where I would consider I started my spiritual journey.  Sure, there were life changing events and awesome moments prior to this current day, but not one “ Aha moment”.    Still, not recalling the event doesn’t matter.  What matters is that my quest to live a spiritual life is a 24/7 endeavor.  It is an everyday blessing that I want, need and cherish.  I feel blessed to have had teachers mentor me and share their wisdom.  I have Family and friends who love me and tolerate my “unusual” messages of love and encouraging words.    Most importantly, I have felt the universes love through many ways in the last 7 years.    

My intention for this blog is to share the difficulties, frustration, confusion, love and bliss that I have encountered on my journey.    I am just a woman in my late 40’s who has been seeking internal peace with this physical world we are all in.  Events in this current world can be soul crushing.   It’s almost as if we need a suit of armor just to get out of bed in the morning.   Sometimes, all I can consciously manage in a day, is to say my morning mantra before lifting my head off the pillow.   I learned it years ago and have said it daily since that time. 

“Help me to show up to this day, to be fully present, to speak only the truth and to have no expectations. “

 There are beautiful things all around us, and within us.  I hope to assist you in seeing these blessings that occur everyday. 

Wishing you peace…

Permission for above photo lovingly granted by my cousin Genevieve Shulick @ www.rosesformarie.com