You are the Gift, You are the Light

At this time of year, when there is so much focus on shopping and buying gifts, it is easy to forget that the greatest gift we can give each other is that of ourselves. The light that shines from within us helps illuminate our own path plus that of our friends, family and all those with whom we interact in the course of our daily lives. 

We give each other gifts every day of light and love when we show respect and consideration for one another. When we open our hearts and give of ourselves, this is the gift that is most appreciated and most remembered.

Being a part of each other's lives and helping each other make progress and achieve our goals is the real gift.

And it is powerfully important to remember that making progress and achieving goals begins with the light we let shine every day. Simply being kind to whoever we encounter can make all the difference in someone else's day. 

Those random acts of kindness that we do for people we do not even know put us in the frame of mind to do more. So when a friend asks us for help, and we respond enthusiastically, we share in their joy when they succeed.

Part of our consciousness in being the gift is knowing that when we help each other, the world works better for all of us. 

And when we help each other by sharing knowledge, ideas and and techniques, we help light the path for ourselves and others so that we can see more clearly and be more sure footed on our path. 

 

I know that sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement to help another person's light grow brighter. Many times I have heard people say things about themselves, like I would really like to write, make art, play music or something, but I do not know if I am just wasting my time. I do not know if I am any good. The truth is that when we are doing anything creative, including every day acts like cooking, we are connecting with spirit. We are always the first one to benefit from these actions and those we share these with are the second ones to benefit. 

Sometimes when people say that they would like to do a different kind of work and then they get into that, they are sharing their light. When we volunteer to help one another, whether it is just one on one or as part of an organization, we add our light to the world. 

All of these actions open us up so that we are able to shine our light even more brightly and raise the vibrations for everyone. The more we open our hearts, the more we light the way, with every thought, with every word, with every action. Remember, where our thoughts go, our energy goes. 

When we get together with family and friends, sharing in holiday festivities, we are sharing light. 

What makes this time of year special is not just the lights on trees and houses, as beautiful as they are. 

The love and joy in your heart and the kindness and beauty in your spirit are the gift you bring with you wherever you go. 

You are the gift. You are the light that illuminates not just this season, but every day that you live, for every person you encounter. 

And the more we remember this, the more we light up the world for each other. Remember, it is not the things that you have or the things that you bring. It is you. You are the light. You are the gift. You are the joy. You are the love. The light of the spirit emanates from your feelings. Notice it, from this very second, from this moment, and every day of your life. The more you open up to let your light shine, the brighter your future becomes. When you light up the present, you are the present. And don't we all appreciate that?

I am always happy to hear from you, whether you would like to make an appointment for a session or you just want to let me know how you are doing. I love it when you keep in touch. 

Partnership with Inner and Outer Lights

As we clean up and decorate for the holidays, this is a time of renewal and creating a new vision for our lives. December is a perfect time to review, to let go of that which needs to be cleared out and new openings created for the light to shine on our lives. Light is essential for vision, and clear vision opens our perception to new sources of light.

How so? As we wind up our calendar year, we review what we have done during the past year and give thought to the people and events we want to continue to have in our life during the coming year.  

When we go through a cupboard, closet, cabinet or other storage space, it is amazing how often we find things that we no longer use, even though at an earlier time, we used these things a lot. These are telltale signs of how much our life has changed. And sometimes we may not have had this clear realization without the physical effort. So in cleaning, we are able to make room for what we plan to do next.

During cleaning, it is common to find things that we bought duplicates of because we could not find the first item, so now we have two of them. Seeing this also sharpens our vision. In the same way, as we go through our books or clothing we come face to face with the realization that some of the things we would still say are important to us we have not acted on or used in a few years. When this is the case, then we need to decide whether we will use these things again or clear them out and simply being faced with this decision presents us with the opportunity for growth. 

In the same way that we need to let go of clothing that no longer fits, we let go of thoughts, ideas, practices and habits that no longer fit.

This is our opportunity to start fresh, to open the way for new light to illuminate the next stage of our path. This self examination is valuable. 

As we decorate our space for the holidays, we are welcoming in the return of the light, both literally and symbolically. What can we do next that will shed the greatest light on our path? Yes, we welcome old and new friends in for the holidays, and at the same time as we review what we have done this past year, we look forward to what we really feel inspired to do during this next year. 

2017 was a year of new beginnings for us, and 2018 will be a year during which the partnerships we will form and those we have formed will help us move forward in life. 

New partnerships can be powerful allies. When we are learning new concepts and practices, study partners, practice partners, workout partners and romantic partners, that often provides valuable reinforcement and encouragement. 

The energy of the year ahead will emphasize our partnerships. If we have been wanting a new one, this will be a good year to form one. 

It is always good to express gratitude for the partnerships we have had and make note of the lessons we have learned from them. Doing this will help us build even stronger and more efficient partnerships next time.

So as we bask in the beauty of all the seasonal lights, think of all the ways we can light up our lives more. What can we do different or better from this day forward? How can we light up our lives so that there is more joy and enlightenment both for ourselves and our partners?

I am always happy to hear from you, whether you would like to make an appointment for a session or you just want to let me know how you are doing. I love it when you keep in touch. 

   

The Magic of Gratitude

 

 

 

 

 

Every day, I have a little quiet time with myself and my spirit guides to thank them for all the good things I am enjoying in my life. I thank them for a good night's sleep, for good food to eat, for my car running, for my phone and computer working. I thank them for helping to keep me healthy. I thank them for a good place to live.  

 

I give thanks for all the wonderful people spirit has brought into my life as clients and as friends. I give thanks for family. I give thanks for all my teachers.  

 

Think about your spirit guides as friends. They walk with us all the time, and they are the ones giving us that friendly elbow in our gut. That gut instinct that we all have is spirit giving us advice on our best choices in life.  

 

I also ask them every day if they have any advice for me or if there is anything I need to know.  

 

Think of them this way. If you have friends who only call you when they want something, you become less eager to take their calls. Think of our spirit guides in the same way. There is always a give and take between friends. We always leave the channels open for two way communication.  

 

Do you notice how good it feels to express gratitude? Doesn't it make you feel wealthy? Yes, we always have things to be thankful for. Knowing this and expressing it, we affirm that we live in an abundant universe and that we have blessings from spirit every day.   

 

Have you noticed that when you express gratitude to everyone you deal with every day that the whole flow of energy increases around you and adds to the joy of your day? Simple kindness to everyone we meet adds to our overall sense of well being. Try it and see what you notice. 

 

My connection to spirit prompted me to take a vow to help whoever comes to me, and I know that I can do this, not only because I have learned techniques from my teachers but also because I know that my spirit guides work with me to help me take care of each person by providing them the healing and guidance they need. Spirit has increased my abilities and increases the results for my clients. 

 

That is why during sessions I may say things I did not know I was going to say and that the healing experience for the person requesting it is truly profound. By working with spirit good exchanges of energies and good results are always present.

 

I have requested that spirit guide more of those people to me who want to work with me on a regular basis to help them evolve to their next level of consciousness, to progress in their life and achieve their desires, to learn and to grow. I really enjoy working with clients in this way because it also confirms that my work is worthwhile and that I am doing something good with my life by doing this.  

 

As we help others, what is required is that we open our hearts more, and in so doing, we also benefit from the healing that spirit helps bring through us. When we express gratitude, our hearts get bigger. Do you feel it?

 

Now this week comes what has always been one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. What a wonderful thing that we officially have one day a year to express our gratitude. In the same way that we have holidays to honor those we know who have died, we also acknowledge those thoughts on other days too. So too for gratitude. It is an every day state of mind, and we have a beautiful holiday to celebrate it.  

 

This is a time to gather together with family and friends to celebrate our connections over the simple sharing of a good meal and time together for storytelling, games or whatever ways we choose to celebrate this joy. Back when I worked for a company that moved me around the country and I found myself in cities where I had no friends or relatives, we would have what we called orphan dinners on Thanksgiving, where we would get together with co-workers who were also from out of town and everyone brought something to the feast.  

 

What a perfect keynote for this time of year and to continue our journey of love. I do not think that it is good that some merchants are trying to turn this wonderful holiday into just another shopping day. Shopping can be done on other days. I think that it is best to keep the spirit of this day one of gratitude and sharing the joy of living.   

 

I am always happy to hear from you, whether you would like to make an appointment for a session or you just want to let me know how you are doing. I love it when you keep in touch. 

 

 

Death, Near Death and More Love

Encountering death, even in passing, touches that deepest part of us where the love that is at our core takes note of how it can express itself, whether it is our last moment or a reprieve that may last years.

I have noticed that, and perhaps you have too, when you meet someone who died and came back, or those who had a close brush with death either through accident, serious illness or violent crime.

Two of my clients were in Las Vegas when that awful massacre happened. They were paying attention to their spirit guides and fortunately avoided being in the midst of the gunfire. 

They had traveled from Colorado to Vegas and had tickets to go to the country music concert, but that day, they just had a feeling that they didn't want to go and decided to go to a show at the MGM instead. They did not hear a whisper in their ear from a guardian angel. They just had a feeling that this is what they should do. 

Ironically, they were with a group of 30 friends, and 20 of them had that same feeling. I cannot answer your obvious other question about the others. I do know that while the family members of those who were shot are asking "Why did this happen to my family member or friend?" while the survivors are asking "Why am I still alive?"

The answer to this question is unique to each individual. And this brings to mind the answer that I heard many times at the convention of people who have had near death experiences. They all recalled wondering at the visions and feelings they experienced while dead, but then they heard a voice that told them it was not their time yet and felt a push that brought them back. 

What I notice about the people who have had the near death experiences is that they have a sense of love and purpose about them as they go about their lives after that. 

Similarly, many of the survivors of the recent mass shooting will give more thought to what they are doing and make changes so that they can focus their attention on living out their lives from this day forward in a way that is meaningful and significant to them. 

The effects on the families and friends of those who have died will vary greatly. 

To help bring comfort and focus to survivors is a theme of our biggest holiday at this time of year, known as Halloween, All Souls, Samhain and Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). 

Therese Schroeder-Sheker, who has played the harp and sang at the bedsides of thousands of dying people and their family members once noted that the music not only helps the dying person have a smoother transition, it is also for the benefit of those who are still here. 

This sentiment fits perfectly with the spirit of the holiday at the end of the month. We take time to remember those who we know who died this year, and these can include those with whom we had a close personal relationship, pets, and those who touched our lives through their work, such as favorite authors, artists, musicians, actors and others. All of them made lasting impressions on us, influenced us, and generated feelings of love within us.

As we look at their photos, tell stories about them, share a favorite meal of theirs as a way to say good bye and good journey into the next realm, we are giving them a loving send off.

Reflecting on these people and their lives we consider what part they played in ours and how they influenced us, and this may influence our life changing decisions and the path we set our selves upon from here forward.

Any brush with death or near death is a spiritually transformative experience during which mortality poses the question of what will we do if we get to live longer? For those who have survived such experiences, much love is stimulated, partly out of gratitude for surviving, and also out of a renewed sense that we should express our love and humanity at every opportunity and make them priorities. The resulting warmth and vitality in the auras, chakras and energy fields of those people enlivens them in a way that is above and beyond normal. And why shouldn't love and gratitude be the new normal?

It is often through death that we have a greater appreciation for life because, of course we all know that one day we will die, the important question is what we will be doing between now and then. 

Many years ago, a novel by Thornton Wilder, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" focused on this exact question. The theme was that a bridge collapsed killing several people, was there any reason why they all died on that day and the novel investigates each life. The novel ends with the Abbess's observation: "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning."

Another great perspective will be found at the Longmont Museum, which for the 17th year of putting on a Day of the Dead Celebration and exhibition which anyone can visit for free from October 14 - November 7. It is the largest Dia de lost Muertos celebration in the state. I always find this exhibition to be worthwhile. There is a lot of heartfelt creativity which may prompt you to do your own ritual, making an altar to remember those who have crossed over since last fall. 

There is another thought about death that I feel is a good perspective.

"Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you that you're wrong; that nothing really matters outside its touch. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet."
~ Carlos Castañeda, Journey to Ixtlan

So in a very real sense, I feel that it is good that we have this day of the year where we pause to acknowledge our losses, then draw on this wisdom and these feelings to inform our path forward. It seems fitting and in sync with the season that as trees let go of their leaves and reveal their skeletons, that we are mirroring that activity within.

The year is in its coldest, darkest quarter and this is a magnificent time to do our inner journeys and inner work in earnest as we focus and set our priorities and set foot on the path we are choosing to move forward on. For those of us who have survived close brushes with death, we savor each day and express our love freely. It is always a good day to tell someone that you love them. We do not know how many days we have left, so let us make each one as good as we can. Express that love now, while we are here. 

I love all of you who my spirit guides bring to me. I know that you are here because I can help you and I am very happy to be working with my guides to serve you. What a wonderful day to be alive!

Turning Over a New Leaf

It looks like we will be having an early autumn this year with some trees already changing color in August, and so we may already be feeling the change. I know that I am.  

 

I have always felt that this is the most powerful time of the year for many reasons, some obvious, some not so.

 

September is when people return from summer vacations and go back to school, and business and yes, I know that many schools reopen in August, but things really gear up after Labor Day, which is usually considered the last holiday weekend of summer. People who changed homes so that their kids can get into new schools may still be settling into their new homes. People who need to do some kind of repairs before the snow and freezing temperatures come will be busy getting them done in the fall. People who have fireplaces or wood stoves are busy getting cords of firewood stacked up.  

 

With this flow of energy, many people stir thoughts around in their mind about whether they are in the business they really want to be in or how what they are doing relates to what they studied in school.  

 

As we enjoy the fall offerings of the harvest, cooking takes on different flavors as we do more baking of potatoes, pies, squashes, breads, roasts, stews and soups.  

 

Then we have all of these incredible holidays that are loaded with emotion and celebration. Beginning with the Fall Equinox, then proceeding through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Yule and New Year's, no other quarter of our year holds so many festive occasions when we get together with family and friends.  

 

Depending on what kind of business you are in, this could be the beginning of another business cycle, and in that way, we focus our energies intensely on really getting things rolling. 

 

After the Fall Equinox, the days begin getting much darker and colder again, making it a good time for more fireplaces and candles. And since it is darker and colder, a fine time for introspection and reflection.

 

That is why publishing companies put out their best books, studios release their best movies, theatres and symphonies begin their new seasons. It is not just to promote holiday sales, although that is obviously a factor. It is also because this is a time of year when people are more likely to stay in and enjoy these things.

 

Fall is also the time of year when the big metaphysical fairs get into high gear after being quiet during the summer months.

 

To keep things in perspective, I enjoy every day and celebrate life 365 days a year. But it is when Autumn comes around again every year that I most feel the changes coming on.  

 

So as you think about those things that you want to know more about, things you would like to learn, this is a great time to get started. Personal consultations and classes are very timely. If you are looking to engage in a course of personal development or spiritual studies, fall is a great time to begin.

 

I teach people one-on-one at my home office, but if you and your friends would like me to come to your place to teach a group, we can do that too, same as I go to people's homes or businesses when they want to have parties there.  

 

And there is always flexibility in my pricing for people taking classes or groups of sessions. 

 

Where will your life's journey take you next? How can I help you get there?

 

It is never too late to start something new. Louise Hay, the great author, publisher and speaker who just died this week did not start the work for which she was best known until she was 60.   

 

And for those of you who are younger, there are many people who are developing excellent practices that will give them a head start in life by getting started now, rather than waiting until you are older.  

 

So if there is something you have been thinking about for a while, remember, it is never too late to begin something new. 

Choosing Our Vibrations

Every day, we consciously choose our vibrations, and in so doing, set the tone for what happens next.  

Once we have done that we can feel the difference in our lives.

 

When we begin our day by thanking our spirit guides for all the good they have brought our way, there is a pleasant and positive feeling as we review these things and smile in appreciation. So that opens the channel for communication with our spirit guides where we ask them if they have any advice for us today, or anything they think we should know.  

 

Second, starting our day like this puts us in a good mood to begin doing what we need to do and expressing appreciation for those we encounter, whether they are working in a store or restaurant where we are stopping. Our positive vibration brightens both their day and ours.  

 

Notice your gut instinct when you are making a choice. It is always accurate. When we get a strong yes, our spirit guides are confirming that we are on track. When we get a strong no, they are warning us away from something.

 

When I wrote my last newsletter, I had that feeling very strongly. As soon as I was asked to volunteer at the International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS) Conference, I immediately got a yes, that volunteering there would be good for me to do. And it was. The entire weekend, I felt that there was an aura of higher consciousness permeating the entire event and all the people in it. There was a sense of love, kindness and cooperation everywhere. People were discussing important things that they had experienced and insights they gained from those experiences. And they were a pleasure to work with and be around. I met some really good people and hope to hear from them again. Choosing to be part of this was an excellent decision, which was prompted by an immediate gut signal from my spirit guides that was given with no hesitation.   

 

Here is a lovely testimonial that I received for my participation.

 

"As we conclude 2017 IANDS, I wanted to thank you all for your support of the healing community and those who sought out your services. I witnessed each of you treat your clients with respect, provide the best reading/energy work that you could, and provide value to those you served. Some of you even took the time to support your fellow healers/readers by sharing your gifts with them as well. I want to say how much I appreciated your decision to accept IANDS' invitation, your dedication to your craft, and the willingness to share your gift with others. There was a bit of chaos in the halls, yet you had no problem focusing and giving it your all. Thank you!" ~ Karel Hadacek 

 

In my recent communications with my spirit guides, I have been affirming with them that I want to develop more relationships with clients who want to make changes in their lives and will work with me on an ongoing basis until they make real progress on their goals and we can celebrate their progress and success.  

 

Part of that satisfaction is about being flexible in working with people so that it really addresses their needs. I feel good when I see the joy in those who are reaching their next level of development.

 

A simple important truth to remember every day is that where your thoughts go, your energy goes. So we create the vibrations of joy, love, creativity, progress and well being rather than dwelling on negative feelings.  

 

Extend those vibrations out around you everywhere you go and you will attract more people into your life who are vibrating in like ways. An aspect of that everyone wants is to have a romantic partner who shares their joys and visions. Good smaller relationships lead to good bigger relationships.  

 

And it is always beautiful to note how even small exchanges with a store clerk or a receptionist can brighten their day and yours. There are plenty of grumpy and negative people in the world, so how much nicer is it even in the smallest way, when what we say or do can bring a smile to someone's face. Every little bit of joy we create increases the positive vibrations in our aura.

 

So keep in touch with your spirit guides and choose courses of action that elicit higher vibrations and makes each day a better day. Achieving our big goals is all about being on that journey one step at a time. Each vibration along the way helps us get there.

 

Ask yourself this question. Are my vibrations aligning with my visions for what I want in my life? 

 

Have a wonderful day today.

 

And I would love to help you make it even better. Remember there are always packages and flexible pricing to fit your budget.

Dying and Coming Back

How would you feel about your life if you died without doing all those things that you kept thinking that you wanted to do, but just never got around to?

Is today the day that you make your bucket list?

Actually, rather than bucket list, what about those things that keep coming to mind that would be seriously life changing, rather than silly stunts or frivolous wishes?

Why am I even bringing this up today?

I am bringing this up because I have often felt that we live more than one life in this lifetime. In one way, those of us who have had more than one significant relationship, more than one career, lived in different states or countries,engaged in different hobbies or activities that have really changed our energies, survived serious health challenges and near death experiences all have had this experience.

In previous generations, our parents, grandparents and ancestors often lived their entire lives without venturing more than 20 miles from where they were born. Many had one job which they worked their entire life. Many never changed religions, staying in whatever church their parents took them to. Many never changed hobbies or habits. This was their life.

And then there are the advances in modern science and medicine.

There are many people alive today who died and were brought back. People who were clinically dead and then revived. I have met some of them. And I am about to meet more of them.

The first of them was Dannion Brinkley, author of the book "Saved by the Light" who has a great sense of humor. He was talking on his phone when lightning struck and he found himself floating up by the ceiling looking down at his body on the bed. He says he asked "Who is that down there?" and a voice told him that that was him. He said, "Oh no, that ain't me. I'm better looking than that!" Then he went up through that tunnel of light and saw those spirits waiting for him and they revived him and his spirit went back into his body. He now spends his life doing hospice work with veterans.

Another was a Brazilian man whose name I cannot recall. I went to visit the healing center of the famous healer John of God in a little town some distance from Brazilia. At one of the sessions, they had various people come to the stage and offer their testimony about John. In other sessions, we were present and participating when John was doing healing work. This man told the story of how he had died and was in the morgue when John came to him in spirit and brought him back.

I knew another young man in Georgia who told me about three times when hed died and came back. And there are others.

These stories have always amazed me and I have noticed how in all of their stories there were similarities about getting glimpses of the spirit world and then being called back because they had more work to do here in this life.

You see, there are now many who had heart attacks, cancer, auto accidents and other events which not so long ago would have ended their lives, but due to the skills of the EMTs, doctors, nurses, technicians and others, they were revived and repaired.

There are so many of these people now among us that there is a whole organization of them, called the International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS) and they are having a conference here in Colorado. The details are below if you are interested. I will be there all 4 days.

I was contacted about being a volunteer at this conference and I immediately thought that this would be a good thing to do. They wanted volunteers to do healing work and readings for the attendees. I am open to doing what needs to be done and I am looking forward to meeting more of these people who are now essentially getting a do-over in life.

You see science and medicine have opened another gateway. We can see life in a different perspective than our elders and ancestors. The different religions have different theories about what happens after we die. These people who have died and came back got to see for themselves some of what is on the other side.

Why do I do what I do? How does any of this relate to my life?

My father died of a heart attack back before open heart surgery was a common procedure, and stents and new medicines were not even an idea yet. Before I moved here, I had a heart attack and I survived it. I have a stent and I take medicines.

My birthday is this month and I have already lived many more years than my father or either of my grandfathers. And to think that I used to think of them as old. Perspective changes with time, doesn't it?

Funny thing is that people commonly guess my age much younger than it is and they are usually surprised when I tell them what it is. I thought of my elders as old when they really were young in today's terms. And here I am older and perceived as younger.

My mother is now the oldest person in the family at 92, and I am certain that she is still going because she gets up every day and has things she wants to do, she takes care of her health and she has a profound relationship to spirit. And my experience shows me that people who have a good attitude age differently than people who have a bad attitude.

I believe that I have a lot more left to do and I am looking forward to it all and I intend to live a lot longer. And sometimes getting more out of life means taking another look at death.

All this has shown me that there is more work for me to do with those of you who are willing to take a deeper look at your life and want to move forward with your ideas and feelings.

We who are still here are the survivors, so what are we going to do with our time? What will you make of your do-overs?

So what is it that you will do next? What is it that you will move forward on your schedule? How alive can you feel today? What can you do to get more out of life?

This is quite a gift we have been given, isn't it?

Summer, a Time for Reflection

 

As we go about enjoying the summer time, taking a break from our normal routines to take vacations, go on picnics, enjoy outdoor festivals, enjoy outdoor sports like hiking, camping, going to baseball games and fireworks shows, this period of relaxation often provides fertile grounds for us to reflect on where we are in our life and what we would like to do next.

You see, it is often when we are just relaxed and enjoying the casual gatherings and outdoor activities that thoughts may come to us about how we might like to change our lives and what we might like to do differently. It is during these summer breaks that we might take time to read a book that presents us with new ideas, or have conversations with others about our dreams and visions for the future.

It is this dreamy, relaxed state that is really fertile for letting our mind wander. Visiting other places and experiencing new things and indulging ourselves in pleasant surroundings prompts thoughts about what we would like to do more of and how we might change our life to make this possible. As we mull over thoughts about career change, relationship change and other activities we want to include more often.

It is the period of reflection that cultivates these thoughts. So during this period of reflection, it can be extremely useful to have insightful conversations with others about these topics. And that, in turn, is what propels us into the serious season of fall when many follow through on these new ideas to seek new homes, new jobs, new fields of study and either renew or change relationships.

It is always good to engage in these kinds of reflections, conversations and planning when we are not in stressful situations and needing to reach a conclusion urgently because the changes that are happening are emanating from the decisions of others.

Making a bucket list is one way of approaching how to get more out of life and satisfy some of those ideas that have been on the back burner for a long time. But I notice that bucket lists often include some one time experiences, rather than major changes we desire that would make a difference every day, such as new studies or activities that would enhance every day, investigating career options or changes in relationships. In other words, changes we would implement every day to achieve greater satisfaction.

Summer time is a perfect time to think about this and discuss this so that we can formulate plans to take action. Someone who can listen objectively can be a great help in clarifying your vision. And this is often best done when not under the pressure of a deadline. So during this relaxed summer season, take the time to engage in creative thinking and visionary exploration. The rewards are abundant.

Moonwalking

My fair complexion burns too easily in the sunlight, so I am careful about that the same way as I am careful about eating very limited amounts of sugar. I have even been burned when wearing sunblock, so no more of those experiments for me. So I really enjoy moonwalks. I do that in my neighborhood most every night. I love just being out in the night air, looking up at the moon and stars, breathing the cooler air, savoring the quiet. Moments like these let ideas flow through my mind, offering fresh perspectives and sewing seeds to be developed. Usually, for example, I write these newsletters after I come back in from a bit of night air and a moonwalk. What a simple way to refresh and rejuvenate. 

Awakening the Magic in Our Lives

How do we awaken the magic in our lives? The simplest definition of magic ever offered is this: Change according to will.

The word magic itself often conjures up images of stage entertainers pulling things out of hats and sleeves, making people appear and disappear from boxes and other mind boggling tricks. Of course, they use special props to make their feats seem miraculous. And it is entertaining.

But how do we experience magic in our lives? We can make things appear and disappear. We change things all the time, don't we? Jobs, careers, majors in school, places we live.

Magic comes into play when we set our intention to make a change but we are not certain how we will achieve it yet. Consciously, sometimes we know that we need to take a class or classes to learn a new skill in order to get a different job. This would be one way of using our will to make change.

The magical part that we do not know is how our intention alone can open doors for us. Here is an example. One time when I was looking for a new job, I called a person I knew who I had done some work for in the past. All I was asking him was if I could use him as a reference in my search. Instead, he offered me a job. It was something I did not know how to do, so he offered to teach me on the job, and I thought that was a great opportunity, so I took it. Looking for that kind of job was not even on my radar, but simply calling him and asking for help opened the door to change. It was a good experience.

Then there are times when our eyes are opened to magic by seeing things from a different perspective. You are familiar with the expressions "looking outside the square or looking outside the box." How can that apply? A simple example. Resumes show what we have done, not all the things we can do. How we present ourselves to others, verbally or in writing, can open their eyes to seeing us differently.

There is also a critical difference between what we know and believe. As we think about our life so far, there are things that we believe, and then there are things that we know from experience.

What do we know? What has brought us the greatest joy in our life? What have we done that we are most proud of? Who have been our greatest teachers? Who have been the most helpful people? Who have been our best friends? What are the things we would like to do more of? Answers to these questions are what we know. By asking and answering such questions, we draw from our acquired wisdom.

This process is a way for some to discover their life purpose. In other words, we discover what we are good at and what we want to do more of through a review of our life experiences. Recognizing these patterns opens the way for us to make change according to will.

It is also important to notice what keeps drawing our attention. What things keep coming to mind that we have not done but would like to do? This would be a version of what many would call their bucket list, although sometimes it seems that that term brings up lists of silly things. Not a thing wrong with silly things. As you know, I am a big fan of stand up comedy. But look at your situation a little differently. What things would you like to do that you have not made time for? What things do you think are important that you would like to help with? When something keeps coming to mind, it is your spirit guides sewing seeds for you to nurture and cultivate in the garden of your life.

How do we use magic in our relationships? First, we have to begin by simply setting an intention to create such a thing. Then we do not simply believe that it is possible, rather we recalibrate our thinking to include the fact that there certainly are people in this world who fit that description. Not just one, but many. We will never meet all of the people who could be a great partner because some of them live in parts of the world we never visit, but here, within the areas where we live, there are others who would love to meet us.

You see, one limiting belief that many buy into is that there is one perfect person for them and that if they blew that relationship they will never get another chance. Nonsense.

By setting our vision for that goal, we send out thoughts and words into the universe and ask our spirit guides to help us meet that good match, and we do not settle for less. We do not change our plans to accommodate someone else's goals. If someone else suggests a change that really resonates with you, then changing plans can be responding to what you consider to be a good opportunity. Changing plans just to be with someone else will probably turn out to be a disappointment if you are not loving what you do. Hold strong to the vision that we can make this positive change. A practical way to reinforce this is to keep doing the things that you love to do. Who else will you meet there? Other people who enjoy and value the same things you do.

You see, we are all capable of creating magic in our lives. Don't wait to get lucky. Act decisively. What are the things that you keep wanting to do, but never get around to? Set aside time in your schedule and do that, whether it is a creative endeavor or a sport or a hobby or simply an activity you enjoy. Do not sell yourself short.

Remember that old saying that luck is the place where opportunity meets hard work. We all have to power to change our vision for our life, to change the way we life our life. Remember the definition of magic. Change according to will. We may need to open our eyes to see things differently before we set new goals, and if you need help with that, help is available. Change is always possible. Do you will it?

If you do so, you may find how to make some things disappear while making other things appear. Every day is a new awakening.

Meditation Classes - Enjoyable, easy to use techniques 

Mondays at 7-9 pm July 10, 17, 24, 23, 31
at my home office
Try a variety of methods including mindfulness, chanting, drumming, visualization and guided meditation. See what works for you.

Tuition $200. Call or email to reserve your spot.  

Tarot Classes - Not Fortune Telling, Fortune Creating 

 Wednesdays at 7-9 pm, June 14, 28, July 5, 12
at my home office
During my 40+ years of reading and collecting cards, I have learned more about tarot than you will find in most basic instruction books.
Learn how to use this time tested tool to help you get more out of life. It is not fortune telling. It is fortune creating.
Tuition $200. Call or email to reserve your spot.  

Our Stories, Past & Future

Have you given much thought to how our own stories guide us?

There are both the conscious stories we tell our selves about our life so far and what may be ahead. These stories of what may be ahead are shaped by our current attitudes and energies.

Let me offer a few examples to help illustrate.

One of my sisters had her own property management business for many years, but she recently sold it so that she could devote her life to creating art. She could have stayed in the property business, but she chose to sell it to one of her employees. She has always had a creative nature, and she always wanted to be an artist, and when she was looking over some of her old journals, she noticed how that fact had been part of her for a long time, so she decided that she would change her life right now and do that. I think that her work is beautiful and she will succeed, but more importantly, she is remaking her life so that she can live out her story, the story of what she has always dreamed of being.

This is an example of someone simply making a conscious choice and acting on it, and it is her acting on the story she has had inside her all this time.

During my years of reading for people, I have seen this same scenario in others. They may keep pushing some creative thought off to the back burner while they tend to their current career, relationship and life activities. 

Now, of course I realize that not everyone is in the same situation that she is in, but we can act on them at least in stages. For example, a few of my current clients are working on their writing while they hold other jobs. Their dream is to complete manuscripts and sell them. And I feel from what I have read of their work that it is possible. The step from creating your work to marketing it is a separate step, so their success in that manner remains to be seen. However, they at least have the satisfaction of having done something, and this feeling is valuable to each of them because it increases their sense of self, knowing that they can do something and they have expressed themselves in a way that they feel is important.

Other of my clients have other desires, such as painting, dancing, playing a musical instrument, singing, photography, pottery, sculpture or other forms. Sometimes that is what is revealed in a reading, and when it comes up, they realize that they can do something to pursue their dream and tell their story, one step at a time. For example, turning off the TV and going out dancing one night a week, or setting up a studio area where they can pursue their creativity while still holding other jobs. There is a profound joy in taking action. Acting on those other stories we have about ourselves reveals an important aspect of our life.

Sometimes people refer to this as finding their purpose in life. It is not as if their is a book somewhere where we look up our name and find out what we are supposed to be doing. We decide what we are to be doing. Desires that have been pushed to the back burner are part of us. When we bring them forward, our reality changes.

What we discover by doing so is that we have some talents, skills and abilities that we have allowed to remain dormant. If our gut feeling tells us that this is not something we still care about, we can erase that idea from the stories we will act on. But if we do a gut level check on ourselves and find that the desire to engage in another activity is strong, then we need to find a way to act on it.

So you see, sometimes my readings are not so much revealing something bizarre that a person would never have thought of. Rather, it can be a confirmation for them to go ahead and pursue it.

What are the stories we have been telling ourselves? That we are not really good enough to do something else? Or that we will do something different after we retire? Or that other people will think that we are silly for pursuing such visions? What we find when we pursue our visions is that we make new friends in the process who will help us stay on track.

Another method I use for helping people get a good look at their stories are through past lives. 

In my own case, I began investigating this simply out of curiosity. I was always curious why I was born with one leg not properly formed and an ability to write. Doctor were able to rebuild my leg through many surgeries so that I could have a normal life in that regard. But the desire and ability to write was not something that had anything to do with surgery. Through past life work, I discovered that I was born with a sign that this life was not to be about champion athletics, but about expressing visions. Discovering this did not make me change my life, it simply confirmed that I was on the right track.

When I have done past life sessions for others, they also have revelations about why some visions, ideas or desires are always coming back to them in fragmentary ways. These deeper realizations surface in ways that might seem random or fanciful to us, until we recall a past life where that was a major factor.

Past life recall helps us understand why we may have a fear or phobia in this life. After all, we are all born with differences in this area. And we may also marvel at the fact that talents, skills and abilities we have in this life may have been important to us in a previous life.

If, at this time, you think that all of this might be silly, you might find value in the process. No, it usually not possible to prove that a person lived a previous life, but if we simply look at the patterns in our life, there is a lesson there. And this lesson may help us alter the story that we tell ourselves about who we are and what we do. Knowing this can help change our life for the better. Examining our own stories can help us point a way to a happier future, beginning now. Whether you choose past lives, cards, runes, dreams, numerology, spiritual consulting or some other method, these are simply tools for helping us get more out of life. 

Hidden in Plain Sight

Important things often are hidden in plain sight. When we have those moments of enlightenment and we realize it, we learn to see the world around us in new ways. We are awakened to a new way of seeing, feeling and getting things done.

Example 1. We all see the night sky. But those who have studied the constellations and know the mythology, astrology and folklore associated with them see different things in the sky than we do, or than astronomers do. Two people look at the sky and they see very different things.

Example 2. When people come to visit and see a deck of playing cards, they think that we just like to play card games. But for a person who knows how to read them, this same deck can open portals for communication that no one else sees. And there is a long history of people using playing cards to do readings. After all, playing cards and tarot share the same origin.

Example 3. Being happy is a choice we make every day. The most important thing we control is our own mind. Where our thoughts go, our energy goes. The way we look at the world has everything to do with how our life goes. We do not have to wait for someone or something to make us happy. We can simply decide to be happy.

Example 4. Many of us can walk through a yard, field or forest and perhaps may admire the simple beauty of various plants, but a person who is familiar with plants can show us how to harvest and use them to help with healing as well as flavor our food, make a delicious cup of tea or make other useful household and magical items out of them.

Example 5. When I was a kid, I collected rocks and stones. I simply appreciated the beauty and the feel of them. As I studied, I knew which ones were formed by fire, water, movements of the earth, and which fragments may have been shaped by hand. I displayed them in science fairs. Later in life, others showed me how stones can be used for healing and divination. Suddenly there was a whole new way of seeing the rocks and stones I had enjoyed since childhood. And to this day, I feel that found objects make just as good a set of tools as buying polished stones.

Below you will notice that I am teaching a course in meditation and a course in runes. The meditation course is for a family in their home, so it is not open to the public. So maybe this is something you would like to do. If you and a few others would like to learn, I would travel to you. There are a variety of forms of meditation, and the desires and needs of the students can shape the content.

Now the runes are a whole different story. I have loved working with and studying the runes for decades. One of the things that really impresses me about them is that hundreds or thousands of artists have designed new card decks in recent decades. Quite a number are only sold on the artist's own website, so if you do not find that, you would never see them. Others that you may have seen on a website may be out of print and the only way to get one would be to buy from or trade with a collector.

Now the runes are a thousand years older than cards and yet every artist coming down the pike does not try to remodel them. There are only a couple of variant sets, which are also very ancient, and that speaks volumes to me about their intrinsic power.

There is an elegance and power to the runes that belies their simple appearance. Consider this. Only some of us are talented enough to make their own set of cards, but anyone can make their own set of runes.

The runes are always on my table when I go out to read, but most people choose cards. I think that the reason is simple. The runes are all symbols made of staves and chevrons because they were created before cursive writing. Since the art on cards is so visually stimulating people even glancing at them casually might say that one looks like their spouse or sibling, someone they work with or a friend and their mind starts traveling in that direction. Because the runes are so abstract, I feel that they propel me out there deeper and faster.

There are things that you can do with the runes that you cannot do with the cards. For example, you can channel their energies through your body. A martial arts master also showed me how martial arts are also encoded into the runes. In learning about them, you learn about mythology and folklore in addition to using them as a powerful tool to help you get more of what you want out of life. The runes can be put to work hidden in plain sight. For example, have you ever wondered why houses built of stucco and beams frequently have certain common designs on them? You know how ranchers make brands to mark their herds? There is a powerful way to combine runes that bear a resemblance to that, and these symbols can help us keep focused on our goals.

A person can pull one a day to meditate on. And the method of reading with them is called casting. It is not like shuffling a deck of cards and them picking a few. You take the entire set in your hands, activate them by shaking and mixing them and then you read the pattern in how they fall on the table. That pattern is as much part of the reading as the actual signs that are showing face up. They are tactile as well as visual.

Every once in a while someone expresses a real interest in them, so I decided to offer a course and see who is interested in learning how to use this beautiful, powerful set of tools.

Whenever we learn to see those things that are hidden in plain sight, we are awakened to a new way of being in the world.

Lightening Up

The phrase "lightening up" has several meanings which have value for us. The most familiar refers to lightening up our attitudes, letting go of heavy emotional burdens. We feel heavy when we are burdened with serious issues and important changes.

There are several ways to address these issues. Having someone to listen to us and focus on what we are saying, perhaps offering help, but often we can lighten our load simply by having someone to talk to about our concerns can help us feel better.

When I am doing any kind of reading for a person, this is part of the process, and then by asking for help from our spirit guides, which I do every day, solutions may present themselves after the layers are peeled back. What may be revealed is that the initial concern expressed is not the core of the issue, but once the surface concerns are examined, the core issues can be addressed directly. The various kinds of coaching and consulting I offer is one way to delve in and remove burdensome weight so that a person can clearly see what needs to be done next.

One of my favorite simple home remedies for relieving stress is to turn on some comedy and laugh. Laughter raises vibrations because the genius of comedians is to offer us a different perspective to view our lives, situations and relationships. There has been medical research done to show that laughter can stimulate the body's own healing systems, healing cells, hormones, and so on to facilitate a relaxed flow of energy. In my opinion, the fastest acting comedy are the stand up comedians, as compared to sitcoms. A good stand up comedian, man or woman, works fast. When they are on stage alone, they have to be on, their sharpened wits moving at full speed. I have seen stand ups who can keep the audiences in stitches for an hour or two straight. To me that is the height of the form because it is simply that person with their wits, their expressions, their voices keeping the audiences entranced. There are no other actors, no background music, no plot, just one person with an audience. Live shows are fabulous, but if you are at home and just need a little lightening up, try Netflix. In their streaming videos, there are lots of stand ups. I try people I have never heard of as well as old favorites. That's a great way to discover new talent. And if you start to watch one and you don't like it, just turn it off and try another one.

Then after, you will also have some new jokes to tell when you get together with others. Years ago, I worked as a straight commission salesman and a guy I worked with was a big fan of stand up and he got me hooked. He was a great salesman and one of his methods was that he always had jokes to tell so that when he went to a meeting he could get the customer to lighten up before going into the sale, and that opened them up to listen to him. Even aside from sales, when you are working with a group of people on a committee, or your every day co-workers or just out with friends, telling a joke is a great way to break the ice. At a party, a person who can tell a joke adds levity to the gathering and gets people smiling.

Another aspect of lightening up is with energy work. You have probably heard some people refer to themselves as lightworkers. In a general way, this is about the energy work we do. Reiki is one of the best known, and there are many others, including pranic and tantric to yoga, tai chi, chi gong to shamanic work and other methods. By doing energy work, we can remove energy blockages and facilitate the free flow of good energy that help a person get unstuck and actually feel a lightness in their body, which can help ease physical pain, emotional discomfort, and bring mental clarity and spiritual peace and strength. Most of these are very comfortable and non-invasive, where you are awake and clothed, perhaps reclining on a massage table or a pad.

Lightworkers also use meditation, visualization and positive thinking as tools to help a person turn their life around. These methods can certainly help lighten a person's load by clearing off confusing, negative and limiting thoughts so that they can focus on a vision for the future, which begins in the present moment.

Music is another great method for lightening up. We all know how singing a favorite tune while working helps make the work flow easier and adds energy, making time seem to go by quickly.  

Another aspect of music is making it as a way of boosting energy. In many spiritual traditions, singing and chanting, especially call and response types can elevate a person's mood and energies. Singing in these ways is never about who has the best voice, rather it is all about everyone combining their voices to make music together. Playing drums, rattles and percussion in a circle with others is a magical method. I used to lead a lot of drumming circles and I saw bunches of strangers get together in a room or around a fire, and within minutes, people who never saw each other before would be playing together. Within moments, a group could be transformed, a group of individuals learning to work together to create something beautiful without much instruction. As one of my teachers used to say: "A person who has trouble with drumming has trouble with listening."

And then there is dancing. You can go to dances in bars or concert halls, you can go to community dances in dance halls where there is no drinking, just dancing. And like I suggested with stand up, you can just put on your favorite music in your home and dance until you work up a good sweat. If you are the only one there, you do not have to give one thought to what someone else thinks of your dancing style. Another teacher of dance was Gabrielle Roth who wrote about dance in books like "Maps to Ecstasy" and "Sweat Your Prayers." By the time you have danced for a half hour or more, your burdens will have lightened and you will feel a great wave of energy pulsing through you. It is a great form of exercise.

So you see, we lightworkers work in a number of ways. You can use psychic readings, past lives, tarot, runes, dream interpretations, numerology and other methods to see through the veils. And you can lighten your body, mind, and spirit with energy work. You can laugh, drum, sing and dance to bring more light into your life.

And the more you bring in light, the more you open the way for love. Remember that all our decisions come from either love or fear. Lightening helps release fear so that there is a pathway open to bring more love into your life. In this way, romantic love is only one aspect. There is also love and relationship with everyone else in our lives including family, friends, co-workers, associates, vendors, neighbors and all of the people we interact with every day.

So you can implement some of these ideas just as soon as you read this, and if you want to try some of the others, just ask me. I will be happy to help.

 

If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives

These days, it is popular to talk about bucket lists. Frequently, these appear to be whimsical things that we want to try at least once, like parachute jumping. Which is why I am sometimes reluctant to use that term.

From the same perspective though, we all have some things that we say that we will do some time when we have more time. When talking with people I often hear them say things like "I love to paint but I never have time," "I love to write, but I never have time," "I love to play my musical instrument but I never have time any more," "I have these books on my shelf that I have been meaning to get to for a long time now," "I love to take long walks, but I never have time for that any more," "I love to go dancing but I just don't have time any more," "I would love to see more comedy shows, plays or concerts, but I just don't have time for that any more," "There are friends I have not seen in a long time, but I just don't have time any more."

All of these are quality of life activities that help us keep our work life balance. Making time for art, music, dancing, live entertainment, long walks, visiting with old friends, or just spending a quiet evening at home reading a good book are all things that help us get more out of life. They can also help us destress and decompress from demanding work schedules. I know. I have been there myself. Doing these things can help us get back to work more refreshed, ready to get going and dig in again. These days, many of us may be working more than one job or be doing mandatory overtime just to keep up.

So after a day like that, taking a break with any of the above mentioned activities will provide not only a good antidote, but also a fresh perspective. Taking a time out to do any of these and experiencing the pleasure of doing so again can cause us to ask important questions of ourselves, such as "How can I rearrange my schedule so that I can put this back in my life regularly?"

Other questions that we may be reflecting on may be about whether it would be best for us to find a different job or get into a different kind of work. 

If you have thought about getting into a different line of work, why not start researching all the ways that you might do that now? Considering your options when you have the luxury of considering it a research project is far superior than having to make a rush decision under pressure. 

Another aspect that can be helpful is this. People also say that one of these days they would like to learn more about tarot, runes, drumming, guided meditation or energy work, but there is no time.

However, working with these tools can help us make these other transitions. The clarity that can come from working with runes, tarot, guided meditation, drumming or energy awareness can facilitate or reinforce those things that we have been thinking about. The simple clarity of these tools can serve to reinforce our intuitions and our instincts.

You see all those things that we keep putting off create energy blockages for us. If we were ready to discard them, and no longer consider them a good choice, then that would clear the path for what we think is more important. The fact that we still have those thoughts in mind means that we are not ready to give up on them. So which of these thoughts do you want to clear out and which ones do you want to act on? What choices would make our life better from this day on?

And that, naturally brings us to another point, which is both simple and powerful. When we take a time out to consider those things that we no longer have time for, we need to ask ourselves whether we really want to have this in our lives again, or whether we are ready to let it go. Making the choice frees up our energy. We have all had activities or hobbies that we may have outgrown or lost our enthusiasm for, and that is not a bad thing. 

It is natural that our attentions and energies evolve just as we do. Some of our life activities have to be centered around what we do to make money, and then there are those other things we do just to relax, just for the creative spirit of it with no concept that this will be a revenue producing activity.  

Perhaps you have also noticed that when you are relaxing that that is precisely the time when some creative thoughts just float through your mind in a free flowing fashion and these can also relate to ideas about how you make money. 

Another aspect of this is that whenever we are creatively engaged, time just slips by, and that is because whenever we are focused on doing a task as well as it can be done that we have really traveled over into the realm of spirit. That very same process is how some people become inventors or come up with new business ideas.

People who are just clocking in are never the ones who come up with innovations and fresh ideas. These always come from those who really care about what they are doing. 

Notice also how we relate to people differently when we have spent time engaged with an activity we love. That dynamic seems to bring out courtesy, cooperation, appreciation and respect. 

The best time to give consideration to those things you want to change or do more of is before someone else forces a change on you. Consider your options when you have a clear mind and a desire to do so. 

If we keep on saying "I will do that when I have more time," ironically, we never seem to find that time and then we feel frustrated because we never get to it. 

Procrastination always leads to dissatisfaction and energy blockages. It is like that old saying the the best time to look for a new job is when you don't have to. Why? Because that gives you time to consider all angles without sudden pressure and with thoroughness and clarity. When we are between and short of money is when we make lesser choices and desperate choices. And in that respect, putting off a decision does not serve us well.

So what time is the right time to do those things that are always tucked away in part of our consciousness? Now. Now is the time to either act on those ideas or cleanse them out of your system so that they do not keep popping up and bugging you. Bugging you? Yes, when thoughts keep coming up and we simply keep shoving that thought to the side and not acting on it, we get annoyed with our self which increases tension. Making a free will choice now lightens our load and clears our path so that we can get to where we really want to go.

As a celebration of my 10 years in business here in Colorado, I have rolled back my prices to what they were 10 years ago to give all of you a fresh start this year. I appreciate knowing each and every one of you and thank you for the part you have played in helping my business grow during this last decade.

Yes, you can have my reading and healing services in private sessions at the rate of $60 per hour and $30 per half hour. That means tarot readings, rune readings, dream interpretations, numerology readings, reiki healing, energy clearing, guided meditation, visualization, mentoring, spiritual counseling, drumming, chanting, and other methods I may have forgotten to mention. (Parties, events, classes and group activities are still priced separately from private sessions.)

I am ready whenever you are.

Thank all of you for being part of my life. 

Life is good. I am happy to be here now. And I am always happy to hear from you.

How Do We Affect Others?

 

How do we know how we affect others? Many times you have heard me say that I often feel that we live more than one life in this lifetime, and I know that many of you feel the same way too. Along the way, different people become part of our life for a while, then when we move on, we are involved in new activities with new circles of friends, co-workers, associates and peers.

Another example of this just came up for me yesterday. An old friend of mine from Atlanta, Akbar Imhotep, a professional storyteller, writer and poet who I have not seen in many years, looked me up and contacted me through email. How did he think to do that? A magazine that I helped create 17 years ago in Atlanta, Oracle 20/20, recently published an article of mine. The publisher of that magazine, Sherry Henderson, still sends me a copy every month and reads this newsletter. Akbar reads the magazine. He is a good man and an engaging performer, a talent that he has worked hard to achieve.

My point is that we often do not know how we affect the lives of others. We only get a glimpse once in a while. Some years back, another person, a writer and teacher from Chicago, wrote to me to let me know that my first poetry book made such an impression on him that he was inspired to write and become a teacher. And I never met this person, emphasizing the point that often we affect people in ways that we do not even realize and these people might be unknown to us, unless they contact us.

I met Akbar back when I used to make my living as a freelance business writer and decided to publish a second book of poetry just for fun, or perhaps it is accurate to say that I wanted to express some thoughts and feelings that were different than the brochures, articles, press releases, annual reports and ads that I was paid to write.

So as part of doing promotions, performances and public readings, I created events that also involved other writers, and got me more involved with writers groups, musicians and other artists.

The artist who illustrated my book, Donna Pinter, at one point suggested that I approach the local metaphysical paper to write articles for them. So I volunteered to write one article a month for free just for the variety of the experience and the editor mentored me in that writing. When my mentor died, the publisher asked if I would like to be the next editor, and I accepted and did that, but then the publisher got cancer and shut down the business. Later, readers of that paper approached me about starting a new publication. Writing for these publications is how I learned about metaphysics. My job involved meeting lots of people, interviewing them, reading their books, listening to their recordings, attending their events, checking out what they were doing and then publishing what I found out.

So that is how I went from being a freelance business writer and a self published poet to the editor of very influential magazines that also co-sponsored major events. The first magazine I created was Aquarius, which is now in its 24th year, and Oracle 20/20, which is now in its 17th year. It brings a smile to my face knowing that I created things that have lasted this long. And when I read Oracle 20/20 every month, I always find interesting articles.

While editing, I simultaneously spent 10 years teaching creative writing to adults  at a community arts center, and several years teaching metaphysics at The Inner Space/Hoot Owl Attic, which is a bookstore and school in the Atlanta area, comparable to Isis in Denver.

Every so often, when something comes up, like Akbar contacting me, I look back and think about what a different life that was, a whole chapter of activities and connections which were very vibrant then, but faded into fragmented memories now.

What is important about this is that we have a sign that we made some positive impression on another even way back then, and the significance may be something other than what we think it is. All this is part of our learning experience in this life.

Often, as we proceed with our lives, we wonder what our purpose is and what were the important things we did. Perhaps the answer we are getting is that there was not one thing that was most important. There is value in everything we have done.

In fact, I do not think that we have a purpose in life. That is a concept that people sometimes express, but I think that what is really happening is that we are here simply to enjoy the experience of living and make the most of it.

What I believe is that if we treat other people the way we would like to be treated, every day good things happen between ourselves and others. When we choose to do something or learn something just because we are interested in it our consciousness expands, our view of the world shifts in accord with our new experiences, and new opportunities open for us. 

Perhaps it is more accurate to say that we are simply spirits having human experiences. Being deeply appreciative of humor, I also like the author Kurt Vonnegut's idea that we on Earth are really just a zoo that exists for the entertainment of the critters and beings on other planets. You could certainly make a case for that, couldn't you?

All my life, I have been drawn to learn and do new things because my curiosity fuels my desire, and I feel that what is really behind all that is our spirit guides are pointing out directions for us to explore.

Consider this perspective. Some of those big positions we held, the promotions, the raises, the awards we got were not really the most important developments in our life. Maybe something else is.

There are people who have thanked me for readings or healings that I did for them long ago that I might not be able to remember clearly, but they tell me that those things really made a difference in their lives. How rewarding is that?

What do you want to do next with your life? How can I help?

I am ready whenever you are.

Thank all of you for being part of my life. 

Life is good. I am happy to be here now. And I am always happy to hear from you.