My intention this year is to not only see the divine in all things, but to be more grateful – out loud.  I am blessed, ridiculously so and although I am grateful – I can do more.  I know there is a craving within many hearts for the divine, an ache, maybe even an emptiness with questions of purpose and loss… 

 My intention this year is to answer that call – to set out more beacons and guide others to the shore.  Besides new blog posts, podcasts and private sessions, in the coming months I will offer a weekly free Meditation Circle through skype and a new step-by-step workbook for you to unlock your own abundant life and discover the divine within…For it has been waiting all along, the divine has just waiting for you to open and receive the peace, the abundance…

 I hope you join me on this journey, Happy New Year.

Sure, at first glance it would seem these two women have very little in common, but let’s ponder this idea: both were too young when one afternoon their lives changed forever; both were strong & independent; and both were fiercely loyal. 

 Scarlett was my first hero.  I read Gone With the Wind probably six times before I was eighteen.  I loved that Scarlett was tough as nails all while looking good and batting her eyelashes.  I instantly connected to her love of the land - her red earth…Obviously the Irish thing was a huge pull, but I loved that Scarlett grew-up too.  Her heart and its wantings changed with time and age, from men to friendships. 

 Like Scarlett, I didn’t appreciate the value of female friendships until after I had had children – women were always competition before. Take Melanie - she was no simpering fool although she often appeared helpless due to her ill health, but time and time again she supported Scarlett when no other would.  Whereas Ashley appeared to be noble and forthright, but really he was an anchor to the past instead of the rock Scarlett first perceived him to be.  Melanie was the rock…and Scarlett.

 Scarlett would do anything, say anything to protect her beloved Tara and what was hers.  Of course there were costs in this.  Things were sticky – as she saved Tara and gave her family a home, she stole her sister’s fiancée, all while penniless and gorgeous in her new green, velvet dress, a.k.a. the parlor drapes.  How could you not love her???

 Mother Mary wasn’t so easy for me to attach to initially.  First off – the story of a virgin birth, can we say tramp?  Cover-up?  It took me years to allow the possibility of this story, the leap of faith.  I had to come to understand the teachings and environment of these stories.  I discovered there was much more space in the details of the events. 

 As you may know Jesus was a Jew and his story was originally told by spoken word through his disciples – something akin to a Rabbi.  Well, one forgets that the Rabbi told stories and allegories to teach their followers – the details were shifted a bit to keep the story interesting and connect to audience they spoke before.  They were, in many cases, the entertainment of the day.

 For example, Jesus was forever going off for 40 days – to the desert, in isolation, whatever, but did he go off for forty days?  Back then, when someone said, “forty days,” it just meant a long time.  The audience then knew this; however it is us, the exact interpreters that need things to be black and white.  This taught me about flexible thinking…but I digress, back to Mary. 

 Mary has always challenged me not only by the virgin birth, but also, how could she just stand there during the crucifixion of Jesus?  How could she not shout out, “Stop, stop, take me.  Take me, please, please, take me…”  What kind of mother was she???

 It took me years to discover she was exactly the kind of mother I strive to be everyday.  She supported her son and the decisions he made for his life because she trusted him…and God.  This was Jesus’ life and she stood by, faithfully until the end. 

 How could she deny the truth of what Jesus predicted to unfold?  Hadn’t she also heard Gabriel announce her own difficult path?  How many called her a tramp as she walked by? Perhaps her village shunned her…but she accepted her path and held fast to her own truth.  How could her child do less when so called?  And again, where else would Mary be, but at Jesus’ feet as he shouted out his last? 

 I believe, Mary knew the glory to be on the other side for Jesus.  You see, Mary knew magic and miracles every day – every time she saw Jesus’ smile she was reminded how real they truly are…

 There you have it - Scarlett and Mary, two heroines of tales gone by guide me each day to a brand new tomorrow, where possibilities unfold and magic is surely lurking just beyond…

 Who are your heroes??? 

Do you think too much?  Thinking of every possible scenario and sometimes being draw into the same spiraling thoughts over and over?   Do you have an incessantly thinking mind? 

 Or is your day full of ups and downs?  Do you find yourself ‘reacting’ to those around you?  Being drawn into drama and gossip?  Trying to take care of everyone?  Neither perspective alone works.  If you are thinking your life, you avoid emotional pain, at least on the surface…and if you are feeling your life, you avoid responsibility - who can set/follow goals when you are taking care of your relationships? 

 What do both these perspectives have in common?  Both are driven by ego.  Uuuuggghhhh, that one again.  And again opportunity is knocking.  Real balance and happiness is found on the fine line between these two perspectives.  Why?  Because both perspectives inform the other.  The best decisions are born using all your information, your gut-instincts are just as important as research.

 By identifying which perspective is your ‘go-to’ strategy, you create opportunities to walk the fine line.  If you find yourself incessantly thinking – stop, take a breath and ask yourself, “How do I feel?”  And if discover yourself reacting and feeling overwhelmed – stop, take a breath and ask yourself, “What do I really want?”   Give it a try!  Happy Friday!

About two weeks ago I saw an interview with Sully (captain of the Hudson River flight) and I was surprised to hear him speak of forgiveness.  He was asked what has been the hardest thing about this experience and he said, “Forgiving myself.”

 “What?” cried the incredulous reporter, “Forgive yourself?  You saved 155 lives!” 

 “It was so difficult in those first few days of wondering - could I have done it better?”  Sully matter-of-factually stated.

 The reporter questioned, “Could you have done better?”

 “No, I did it right,” Sully replied.  And then I was reminded how we are all the same – vulnerable to imperfection.  Sully needed to be perfect – not from some hidden dysfunction, but in a desire to do everything right…as that is what his job requires.  What if he was not perfect?  People would have died. 

 I heard this statistic about the same time about those who survive a catastrophe – 10:80:10.  The top ten are the natural leaders – those who become calm under stress and can guide the group.  80% are the average response, stunned immobile at first, but can be saved if a natural leader takes charge.  The bottom ten ignore the twister coming down the lane and continue gardening in the heavy breeze – no need for watering! 

 I know in my own life I battle perfect - my desire to do nothing wrong.   Of course this begs the question – who is judging it right or wrong?  Because the God I know is a loving God, with arms outstretched to this stumbling, bumbling prodigal daughter.  So who is doing the judging?  Oh, the troublemaker again – the ego.

 The ego knows it is so easy to keep the doubts, the nagging questions swirling round.  No, the hard work is forgiving and moving on.  It is within the forgiveness of self that transformation and healing can occur.

 Just look at Sully, by forgiving himself his imagined imperfections, he allows others to heal by graciously accepting their humble thanks and praise.  With the mantle of hero resting gently on his shoulders, he creates the opportunity for those he saved to experience the full magnitude of transformation – a second chance…

 And who knows what wonders shall unfold from this experience, maybe the passengers will love a little deeper, hug a little longer and maybe, just maybe find their own forgiveness.  

I have many clients who wish to live a more magical life, but are unclear as to how to make this happen.  Somehow this concept of “this is for someone else, I don’t have it” keeps coming to the forefront.  Let me just be clear, you do have it – you just have to find a way to access it.  Here are some tips to open the door to a more magical life…

 1.  Look for connection.  I firmly believe there is a valid reason for everything, both bad and good.  Instead of viewing yourself as being a victim of circumstance – what if you chose to belief things happen for a reason?  What if you detached from life and looked for the pattern?  If you truly witness your life, you will see patterns emerging.  Those patterns are happening for a reason.  What are they saying to you?

 2.  Listen to the words people are speaking to you and also pay more attention to the words coming out of your own mouth.  Often the advice we give is really for ourselves.  Sometimes virtual strangers offer the most profound opportunities – out of the blue someone says something that hits you just right.  Do you listen or dismiss these moments?  The more you listen and accept these opportunities – the more often they will happen.

 3.  Go buy some divination cards or runes and begin playing.  Any divination tool takes time to build confidence, but I will tell you a secret – sometimes beginners are more pure and can get awesome insights just because they don’t “know too much.”  Angel Cards are a great place to start because they are single words, pick one every morning for a week and discover how this works for you.  I bet you will feel more connected.

 4.  Look outside in nature – animals, plants, etc.  Several years ago, I bought the book Animal Speak (go to my resources page to find the review/buy) and was immediately hooked.  It speaks of living in a connected universe with animals having specific meanings when they appear…Luckily, I live in a place with lots of natural animals (I just saw a bald eagle a couple days ago…) and I am always on the lookout.  Which is a big part of living magically – watching for it.

 5.  Surround yourself with people who do believe or seem to have “magic.”  Being around these people will serve as a model – how do they react to new information in their life?  I remember meeting a wonderful mentor years ago and she just sparkled – there was just something special, lighter about her and all I could think was, “I want to feel/live like that.”  We worked together for awhile and I discovered that light was in me too, but I had blocked it for years for various reasons.  Once I was able to release those stumbling blocks – the magic poured in and I was able to transcend my limiting beliefs unlocking a brand new life – JOY!!!

 In the beginning, you consciously need to create opportunities for magic to enter your life (cards, looking to nature…) and then suddenly, you will discover - it is all around.  You’ll even be amused to discover it has always been here, just waiting for you.  You hold the key, in your mind and in your heart.  Come, the magic is waiting for you to step into…