Book Review: Find Your Spirit Animals

I own Steven Farmer’s Animal Spirit Guides book and was not really looking to own another book on spirit animals. Find Your Spirit Animals showed up from One Spirit Catalog one day which mystified me as I thought I had declined all the monthly selections. I initially was not interested in a book on finding animal guides as I can do that through my work with my angels and guides. I decided to look through the book, however, and was pleasantly surprised by it.

The introduction to the book discusses shamanism and animal guides around the world in a very concise, clear way.

Chapter 1 is a discussion of how to find your totem animal as well as how to work with your totem animal, although in my experience you can have more than one spirit animal working with you. He leads you through topics such working with dreams, working with creative realization, healing with animal spirits, and overcoming obstacles.

The remainder of the book is set out differently from the Steven Farmer book. Rather than having the animal guides set out strictly alphabetically, David Carson has the animal totems divided by I suppose what you could call inner virtues. Chapter 2 is Inner Qualities, such as the Immortal Healer, Friend of the Night, Taming the Wilderness, and the Art of Giving to name a few. Chapter 3 has the animal spirits of Inner Wisdom, such as Guardian of the Law, Soulful Alchemy, Serenity in Change, and the like. Chapter 4 is Inner Beauty with qualities such as Power Songs, Out-of-the-box Thinking, the Sweetness of Life, and the like.

One of the interesting features about this book is that there is a section at the end of the discussion of each animal totem that might be a meditation to use with that totem, that might something about a craft made with a part of the animal (such as eagle bone whistles), or that might be additional information about that animal totem from a particular culture.

Although the book is limited to 60 animal guides (Steven Farmers’ book has far more animal totems), I find this a nice addition to my library. I hope you do as well.

If you would like an angel reading with channeled messages from your angels and guides, go to: http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/Navigation/ExploreReadings/KathyrnSamuelson.html

Other Blog Posts by Kathryn Samuelson: As We Grow Through the Season, Simple Ways to Give, Turning Left Rather Than Right, Giving Thanks, Nurturing the Ego, Letting Things Go, Real Energy Book Review, Living with Doubt and Uncertainty, Bardo - The Things In Between, Musings On Mindfulness, You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps, The Choices We Make, Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers CD Review, Riding Out Irene: A Practice in Maintaining Balance,

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Samuelson is an intuitive who channels messages from your angels and guides through spiritual or automatic writing. She is also a life coach certified by the University of New Hampshire through its Professional Development department. Kathryn does workshops based on the set of meditation cards and book called Opening the Heart: Meditations on How to Be that she created with her friend, Linda Lewis. For more information: http://www.kathrynsamuelson.com/, klsamuelsonATyahoo.com, or 781-799-7332

Freeing the Wild Tiger

The wild tiger in each of us

dresses in sheep’s clothing

continually bringing

ourselves to heel.

Zorba the Greek

refused his sheep coat

and danced his wildness.

Gandhi marched with dignity,

a wild tiger focused on

freedom and independence.

Martin Luther King Jr’s

wild tiger spoke

so eloquently of it’s dream.

And we,

each of us,

after a lifetime of training to heel,

must find and free

that wild tiger

in order to find joy

and ironically

peace.

Lizette Estelle Stiehr

December 9, 2011

On Eluthera

Other Blog Posts by Lizette: Grace Long Granted, Emissary of Peace, Haunted House, Air Signs, Water Signs,

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Lizette Estelle Stiehr is the author of 2012 to Oneness -What World to You Choose? and contributing author to the book Divine Inspirations - Stories of Awakening and Empowerment by Everyday Lightworkers.

Santa's Big Day

Christmas, 5:30 AM

"Daddy? Daddy?"

"What baby?"

"Santa came! Santa was here! It's time Daddy, it's time!"

I put wood chips on the last of the fire's coals and blew a little underneath them until a small conflagration ignited which threw some light into the room. Until then the blue star bulb at the top of the tree was my only guiding light.

The fire's light danced merrily up the tongue and groove of the old heart pine walls casting long shadows of memories of Christmas past when Peanut was small and a child's joy squealed over the smallest of treasures.

Outside the big kitchen window, the morning sky is black and bleak in a scene worthy of Brugel. Wet snow is falling and turning to slush. The day promises nothing. The tress are brackish, dull stick lines in the distance and the pasture grass in the fields lays down in a frozen grip.

I get some coffee going-- a black expresso roast with a dollop of Italian sweet creme and then put strudel in the warming oven as the Mrs. and the peanut exchange mother daughter gifts with sweet laughter in front of the fire.

This is what its all about, these private moments of reflected love and giving. Soft sweet moments that make memory and laughter which no amount of money could ever hope to buy.

The year has been about clearing house, figuratively speaking. Whatever wasn't working, I was getting rid of. Spiritually speaking, letting go so I can let in.

Looking out the kitchen window in the cold and the wet, I see the outside dogs Doc and Sneazy curled up in the lea of the porch, sheltering on straw from the storm. I was like that, the outside dog taking shelter wherever the storm found me.

The storm was my addictions, and they don't have to be chemical. Abandonment and shame haunted me like an old childhood ghost.

I was a tough guy buried in a mine and dug out loosing an eye. I worked the docks at 14, broke a leg parachuting in Greece, a knee on a motorcycle in Spain, saw the 911 tragedy up close and personal and could spit nails and still be the last man standing at closing.

Last year at this time, I entered dark night of the soul with my emotional blocks and my defenses, ready for battle.

As a child of the 50's and 60's, I self medicated to hide and deny my childhood sexual and physical abuse--bad stuff given to me by caregivers.  By the time I was a young man, I was totally in denial it ever happened.

My caregivers were wonderful. Everyone was happy (at happy Dale) yet the 800 lb gorilla of shame and blame slept at my bedside, coupled with alcohol. The duality of the psychosis haunted me in dreams of anger and abandonment. Kafka fared better.

I was ready for change.... my world was rocking in the storm.

Last year, I could sit satsen all day and say all life was precious and yet the challenge was always for me. I couldn't say my life was precious. I had work to do. Three score and two, I better get busy. I wanted better for me and especially for my family.

The Findhorn circle is an excellent place to source help. We have many members who are healers and therapists, some top in their field with cutting edge new modalities on powerful different therapies. We also have many members like myself, those who are seekers and in need of life's change. They might not be there yet, but they know a little about a lot. They know the sources and often have directions that lead you to the next best thing.

I won't go into drama but depression is a terrible thing. Within this inner work however, I had one of the best years of my life. On paper, it was a terrible year. I lost a lot of money, maybe 100k. I almost lost my life again, no drama of details. It wasn't that I was not paying attention. I was. The economy was rocking, and I was trying to stop the hemoraging the best I knew how.

Considering the storm of negativity that swirled around me, the death and the dying--the killer tornado of my father dying,  I choose to go within. Through hard work, heavy lifting of self perceived truths and stories I told myself that never served me, I regained, rediscovered and gave myself a spiritual connection that no money could have ever bought. Something bigger and more empowering, a sovereign self that was of a greater purpose than my personal loss and feelings of abandonment with a connection I never thought imaginable or possible within me.

The strudel is ready, and I enter the tinsel glow of the Christmas room with little warm plates of its goodness. Their faces are smiling and glad to see me. "Are you ready for your Santa present Daddy?" Peanut asks with sly merriment.

Looking back on the year and all that's happened, I reply too quickly, "I think I already got it sweetie."

I smile and take the box. Nothing could give me what my family has given me by being there for me, especially my wife. I Owe her big time.

I open my Santa present with special care as they watch my face. Scoobey doo boxers. Man, that's living!

Michael

Other Blog Posts by Michael: Twas the Night Before My Christmas, Taking the Plunge, The Breath of Healing, Magus of Stone, Buried Alive

Click Here to Read Books Michael Recommends: The Presence Process A Journey into Present Moment Awareness

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Drummond Davidson is a historic masonry conservator whose work takes him all over the world. He lives in the deep woods of Mississippi on a 65 acre horse farm with his wife and preservation architect, Belinda. Michael considers his real work raising his 11 year old daughter Mary aka “Peanut."

How Do You Find Your Purpose in Life?

Your brain can never figure out your purpose in life. Once we, however, develop a connection with our Higher Self or Soul, only then will we begin to access our true life purpose and our area of service in the world.

Fulfilling our life purpose, to me, involves using our specific gifts and talents in service for the betterment of others.

Some of the “New Children” being born, come in with a sense of their purpose. Most of us, however, glimpse and develop a stronger sense of it over time after much life experience, perseverance, and trials and tribulations. In other words, if we persevere through our life challenges and develop our special talents then we will use these to assist others who face similar challenges.

Our soul, as the next level of our spiritual self, connects with us through our mind, emotions, and physical body. When we reach a certain level of development in consciousness where we have learned how to take charge of our emotions and thoughts, then the energy of the soul functioning as higher mind and a compassionate heart can flood our bodies more easily with soul energy for greater clarity of our life purpose.

As our bodies infuse with more soul force, we stimulate and energize those people, animals, and plants around us by our presence.

Another way to discover your life purpose is when you find yourself being given opportunities in work or group situations to be of service without being given any recognition.

If we crave power and recognition for our actions rather than serving out of the compassion and the recognition of an individual or group need, then this indicates a desire to enhance ourselves rather than selfless service to improve the well-being of others. This only increases the stress in our lives and those associated with us.

Alice Bailey says in A Treatise on White Magic, "True service is the spontaneous outflow of a loving heart and an intelligent mind; it is the result of being in the right place and staying there."

 In other words, all of us have or can develop the qualities to serve. “Being in the right place” means we see an area to assist and we choose to do so rather than closing our hearts and ignoring the situation or leaving it in hope that someone else will take care of it.

Sometimes we may make a judgment that the unfortunate people in need deserve their misery. Can we judge others when we have never been in their situation?

Alice Bailey describes a way to define our degree of service in our life purpose in Discipleship in the New Age Volume 2 with this statement:

"You cannot possibly do everything that you see needs to be done; therefore, do that which will bring about the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of seeking souls."

Are you ready to assist with what shows up in front of you in your daily life? Are you ready to do your best for those seeking our help? This is the purpose of your life.

Other Blog Posts By Michael D. Lawrience: What Are the Benefits of Living Your Life Purpose?,How Do You Find Your Life Purpose? Self Love: Twin Souls Twin Flame Relationships, Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment: What Does it Mean?, Spiritual Planetary Awakening and Enlightenment: How Many People Does it Take?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael David Lawrience is the author of Emotional Health: The Secret from Drama, Trauma, and Pain. His book provides ways for improving emotional health, easing pain and stress, healing physical and emotional abuse, and spiritual awakening. He is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Self-Esteem Coach, Personal Growth Writer.

Michael is a certified Residential Coach III with over 12 years experience teaching teens self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-reliance. He has over 35 years experience as a holistic health practitioner with a B.A in Sacred Healing and is a certified Bowenwork Practitioner. His niche is emotional health with extensive personal experience related to codependency recovery, strengthening self-esteem, healing the inner child, stress management, and meditation practice. Michael’s spirit radiates healing, inspiration, love, and peace as an energy healer and a Professional Bowenwork Practitioner. As a personal development seminar leader, he has taught professionals as well as nonprofessionals in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. He also has over a decade of experience as a Residential Coach mentoring and teaching teenage girls self-awareness, self-reliance, and self-esteem. Michael David Lawrience's website is http://www.emotionalhealthtips.com/

The Attitude of Success

I had my swim trunks on, my super stylish boarding shorts, a scuba like top and it was all matching. I looked really professional. I was going boogie boarding and I was setting myself up for success.

We rented nice blue boogie boards and I tied mine on my wrist and walked towards the water. I took my time to get used to the water, it's temperature, it's power. I was still on shore. Then as I was surfing the sand in trepidation, what must have been a giant wave caught me and sent me reeling backwards flat on my back. It was a salty descent and surprisingly not life threatening.

I had fallen. I got up, brushed myself off, laughing but shaking. I continued to brave the waters and imagine that the sea was my friend.

My husband said, “Why don't you try a few?”

“I am,” I said.

He had been looking longingly at a wilder part of the beach, and we headed there for more adventure.

This time I sat on the beach in my pro gear, goggles clamped to my forehead. I had decided that I had taken my steps for today. I watched my husband throw himself on the waves, trying to keep his head up and clumsily get to his feet again. He was having fun. The beach was like an arcade dance game. The platform was full and everyone wanted to catch the next step or wave.

I began to relax and enjoyed watching everyone. I noticed a small kid concentrating very hard. He was standing on his boogie board, on shore and when the last of the water streamed onto the sand he would use it to glide on his board and stay upright.

Each time, he aimed the nose of his board in the direction he wanted to go. He adjusted his wrist tie and held his arms out at his sides and waited. The water came, it moved his board and then he fell.

He got up, adjusted his wrist tie, turned his board around again and stood on it, waiting for the next wave. He was eager and determined. His Dad, who was in the water, would come back to see how he was doing and give him some pointers. The kid would apply his interpretation of what his Dad had told him and try again. He kept doing that, over and over again.

I don't know if he ever managed to stay on the board or to move from shore, but I was so impressed by him. He had such discipline and vision. He was undeterred. It didn't seem to matter to him that he wasn't getting it. He just kept trying.

He reminded me that when we try new things it doesn't always work at first and we will probably fall again and again. We might be given advice, but we have to find our own way to stay on the board.

Eventually when we have acquired that new skill, we will have forgotten what it felt like at the beginning.

Is success getting it or is success not letting it get to you ? Will the kid be successful when he can stay on the board or is his attitude already a success ? I can only imagine what that kid or anyone could do with the attitude of success.

Other Blog Posts by Regina: Come In, My Love Plant, My Tears, The Room of the Past, Lady Bugs are Lucky, Welcome Home, Shattering Beliefs

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Regina Eustace is a contributing author to the books Divine Inspirations - Stories of Awakening and Empowerment by Everyday Lightworkers and The Gratitude Project - Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude

Stop Trying So Hard! The Art of Allowing

“Practice letting go of always naming and labeling” -Dr. Wayne Dyer

As intellectuals we pride ourselves on how well we package, organize and label things. We all want to feel and appear smart. So, we address every issue.

We confront every person who doesn’t align with our thinking. We address every adversary. We tackle every problem by packaging them and designing a solution. We never let anybody out do us.

We worry about how we look. We always have to be a step ahead. We wrestle down our competitors. And we make most of our decisions in response to what someone else is doing or in anticipation of what we think they may do.

All this tackling, confronting, worrying, focusing, naming, packaging and labeling simply magnifies what we don’t want and gives us more of the same.

Then we get so sick and frustrated that we become exhausted. We’re exhausted because we’re trying so hard and focusing so intently and working like crazy. Our physical bodies are worn out and our lives represent everything we don’t want instead of what we dream about.

And finally, after all the tackling, confronting, worrying, focusing, naming, packaging and labeling ceases to make us feel good, we resort to crying, fussing and just plain worrying.

We search out new ways to tackle, confront, package and label. This vicious cycle can go on for years and even generations.

If only we had the courage to truly let go. I like to say that faith ain’t faith until it’s all we have left. When there are no more choices, when our hands are tied, when we can’t move, when we have done all we can do, after we have built a mound of what we don’t want around us, and after our lives are filled with the remnants of focusing on what we don’t want, some of us are smart enough to finally let go.

Letting go doesn’t mean that you let go of the dream or desire. It means that you have finally decided to stop trying so hard. It means that you have finally decided to Allow.

Some of us die from dis-ease and the stress caused by avoiding the simple fact that allowance and alignment should be our first choice of action. We are so unaware of how all the worrying and naming and packaging and labeling is effecting us.  We are doing all that busy-work, because we are simply afraid to sit still and Allow.

We don’t even realize that we are willingly throwing away our real power.

The power of the moment is in the mystery. Through the Art of Allowing, we can tap into that mystery.

The Tao Te Ching says that the mystery itself is the doorway to understanding.

What is the mystery? The mystery is the answer to the problem. The mystery is our dreams becoming reality. The mystery is “Why is this happening?” The mystery is “When will it happen?” The mystery is “Where will it take place?” The mystery is the part of the creative process that we are chasing when we find ourselves tackling, confronting, worrying, focusing, naming, packaging and labeling. The mystery is the power that fuels the manifestation.

Our job is simply to “Know” that what we desire will become reality if we focus on allowing the mystery to unfold.

The Art of Allowing is about paying attention to the way that we feel in any moment. This moment is a very important moment. In this moment, where all of our feelings are, is where all of our power is.

Understanding our emotions and how they are directing our choices is the key.

In any given situation, instead of resorting to confronting, worrying, focusing, naming, packaging and labeling, we should pay attention to our emotional state. Our emotions are our indicator of where we are in relationship to what we want. When we don’t feel good, we are separate from what we desire. The worse we feel, the further away we are.

Our emotions don't have any power except that we take action. All of our real power is in our choice of thought. All of our power is in our ability to focus our mind upon those things that cause us to feel good when we focus upon them. That's the power of our emotions.

We could use our imagination to make ourselves feel better which in essence, will soften our vibration and shorten the distance between where we are and what we desire. That softer vibration will then allow us to think better and make better choices.

Talking ourselves into feeling better creates more alignment than worrying, naming, labeling and packaging. When we use our emotions to help us practice The Art of Allowing, we are aligning ourselves with our true purpose. Our emotions hold the key.

We must do away with thinking that we have to push against, package, label, control, confront and name what we don’t want. Pushing against those unwanted things never pushes them away. All it does is set us up for resistance which keeps us vibrationally apart from the things that we do want. The idea is to pay attention to the way we feel.

Awareness is one of the foundational principles of Emotional Intelligence. It’s the reason that a person with a high EQ (Emotional Quotient) can be wildly more successful than a person with a high IQ (Intellectual Quotient). The key is to reach for a better feeling thought. Once you feel better, then make the decision.

Our emotions are an indicator of where we are vibrationally. In other words, they can help us to determine how far away we are from what we want.

When we practice the Art of Allowing, we become a conduit for a force greater than ourselves. The Force enjoys working through us, but we have to Allow It. We have to allow ourselves to be good conduits by understanding our emotions and using them to assess where we are in relationship to what we want.

Remember, our desires are not random thoughts, but the Universe’s way of whispering in our ear. Those whispers are the pathways to our Authentic Self. The better we feel, the closer we can get to the mystery. Learning to use our emotions can help us to do just that.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendy Muhammad, is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and creator of the Authenticity Coaching process. She specializes in helping Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs. She is a Thought Leader and Entrepreneur with four successful businesses who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and managed over $160 million in projects and business start-ups. To learn more about the power of Emotional Intelligence and the Authenticity Movement, visit http://www.theauthenticyouonline/.com or send an email to Wendy@TheAuthenticYouOnline.com.

Your Precious Impulse

Your precious impulse I find in so many people is that there is an impulse incubating within them. For people in corporate jobs, like I was, this impulse can seem scary because it can seem to want to take them off their conventional and familiar career paths, and at the same time holds the promise of adventure, happiness, self-realisation and fulfilment.

Even for those of us already on a creative and even spiritual path, we can sometimes have trouble fully articulating that impulse. So here is my offering at articulating the precious impulse that I believe comes from our own soul:

• Your impulse to unify your love and your work
• Your impulse to dare to become the person you sense in your heart you are already are and could become
• Your impulse to do something meaningful
• Your impulse to know that you are inspired, not deluded
• Your impulse to know the unique dream in your own heart
• Your impulse to have a positive impact
• Your impulse to feel you’ve lived fully
• Your impulse to plant your flag, steer your ship and reach your promised land
• Your impulse to express the best that is in you
• Your impulse to know that you are loveable and that your love is precious
• Your impulse to discover is that small still voice within you that tells you what you could become is true
• Your impulse to be paid handsomely for doing something that is your heart to do anyway
• Your impulse to discover what you are actually capable of
• Your impulse to awaken the dormant forces, faculties and talents that red to discover that you are more than you’ve been taught you are
• Your impulse to do something creative, grand and amazing
• Your impulse to discover and feel your significance and your true place in this universe
• Your impulse to enjoy the fellowship and friendship of like-minded souls
• Your impulse to be authentically yourself
• Your impulse to feel part of something bigger and greater than yourself
• Your impulse to keep going against the seeming odds
• Your impulse to embrace your ideals and to show yourself worthy of them
• Your impulse to look back at your life and feel truly fulfilled
• Your impulse to share yourself fully with the world
• Your impulse to be happy and successful
• Your impulse to wisely and fully share the love God gave you

Follow Your Impulse and Click Here to read Nick Williams book The Business You Were Born to Create

Other Blog Posts by Nick:  Does Your Soul Want a Renaissance Career, 5 Tips if You're Afraid of Losing Your Job, Why I Really Quit My Corporate Job, Comunity and the Inspired Entrepreneur, Beat Your Resistance and Honour Your Creative Impulses

Read R. Ann Rousseau's Blog Posts: The Business You Were Born to Create Book Review, How to Be Inspired Book Review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Williams travels the world sharing a life-affirming - and profoundly spiritual – vision of work and entrepreneurship. A sought after speaker, best-selling author and broadcaster, Nick is on a mission to help people move beyond their fears, play-bigger in their lives, and transform their passions into profitable businesses. He is the author of six books including the best selling The Work We Were Born To Do and most recently The Business You Were Born to Create. He lives in London and his web site is http://www.inspired-entrepreneur.com/, @nickwilliams1, http://www.facebook.com/entrepreneurclub

Books By Nick Williams:


        

Twas the Night Before My Christmas

Frustrated at getting home late, I put up the Christmas tree tonight with my 5 yr old Daughter Mary aka "peanut."

Father and Daughter hung the tree with care, 50’s bubble lights Tinsel, and even some antique christmas bulbs from occupied Japan were passed from little hand to big hand and placed just so.

All was going swimmingly until Peanut said,"Daddy, the tree is a little crooked."

Daddy who we know lives by the square and the compass, got down on his back and scooted under the tree trying to right the tree by pushing at its base.

While doing this, our pup “Lucy’ joined in to help by licking at my face. And from the other side, our kitten “Vester batted my sock with her little sharp claws.

"A little more this way Daddy," came the tiny voice from above pointing to a unknown direction I couldn't see.

Deep in the evergreens, I pushed at the base with both hands and I had just about got the tree into a straight position, when there came a turn for the worse. Vester had suddenly hooked my big toe with his sharp little claw and woulnd’t let go. I let out a holler and the tree, a glorious Scotch pine up ended and crashed over atop me.

Mary screamed and ran to call 911, as I had instructed her to do if there was ever such an accident and mommy or daddy were in peril.

"My Daddy's under the Christmas tree and can't get up," she screamed tearfully at the dispatcher.

Unable to get the tree off me to field the call, I just lay there under the limbs with my feet doing pirouettes and all the blinking and bubble lights boiling furiously around my face and torso, giving me a somewhat of singed evergreen smell under the 50 lbs of tinsel and lights. My mind raced how to handle the call and yet get the tree off me without shorting myself out and ruining a collection of 60 yr old Christmas bulbs in the process.

"Peanut give me the phone, " I yelled to her, over the sounds of the dog barking at the cat. "Now! " I commanded.

She clandestinely passed me the phone under the tree, and I talked the dispatcher out of sending out, what I'm sure would have been, the national guard.

"Are you all right Sir? " She demanded to know.

I told her from the confines of my glittering paradise that it might take me a minute but that I would surely be of here in due time, and out of harms way. "Just hold off sending out the cruiser. ”

Undaunted, she then put the police on.

"Have you been drinking Sir?" They asked

Cross eyed … I assured them that my present position was not caused by alcohol, however they could try me back on New Years Eve for an update if I was still here.

It took about 5 minutes, but I got the tree off without giving myself a jolt of 110 volts by the house current.

They called back to check on me. Besides having a perpetual evergreen suntan and seeing tiny bulbs flash with eyes closed, everything was ok.

I had peanut in the bath and ready for Santa with cookies and milk within the magic hour ......

So very glad and thankful Christmas comes but once a year

Michael

Other blog posts by Michael: Taking the Plunge, The Breath of Healing, Magus of Stone, Buried Alive

Click Here to Read Books Michael Recommends: The Presence Process A Journey into Present Moment Awareness

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Drummond Davidson is a historic masonry conservator whose work takes him all over the world. He lives in the deep woods of Mississippi on a 65 acre horse farm with his wife and preservation architect, Belinda . Michael considers his real work raising his 11 old daughter Mary aka “Peanut."

Come In

This morning I awoke with the intention to stretch and labour my body, to give it what it needed. I started on the floor with crazy breath as I call it, otherwise known as bellows breath. Then I progressed to breathing in for 4, holding for 7 and releasing for 8. At the end of this I could feel heat in my hands. It was a nice feeling, an awareness I welcomed.

I started to move my hands around the space outside of my body. I had a headache and so I gave Grandfather Oak and Mother Spider anything I no longer needed. I surrounded myself in white and pink. I covered my throat with some nice blues and my stomach in bright yellow. I was so excited by the peace I felt. This was a peace, a surrender I often felt after stretching but this was a fresh way to get there. My body felt very loved. I had listened to it and given it what it really needed.

This was very inspiring for me. I thought about how I perceive my body. Do I look at it as a functional tool or do I experience it as a feeling Spirit filled entity? My body isn't worried about it's form, it just wants to be, to be accepted, to be loved and to be listened to.

Around this time especially we want to be prepared for everything. We want to have all the gifts, the food. We start thinking of the New Year, what we're going to do and who we're going to become.

I think who we're going to be is who we are. Our destination is ourselves and we are always home. Invite yourself in, make yourself a cup of tea. Ask yourself how you are and really listen.

Other Blog Posts by Regina: My Love Plant, My Tears, The Room of the Past, Lady Bugs are Lucky, Welcome Home, Shattering Beliefs

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Regina Eustace is a contributing author to the books Divine Inspirations - Stories of Awakening and Empowerment by Everyday Lightworkers and The Gratitude Project - Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude

As We Grow Through the Season

I have traveled to be with my sister and niece for this weekend. It is a double event for me as it is also my birthday this weekend. Having moved away and then lost both my parents has made me concentrate on what is really important – people and memories. I am quite happy just spending time with family as well as seeing a few friends from when I lived here.

The gift of presence means so much more to me now than when I was little. It was an exciting time as a child as I am sure that it was to my sisters, cousins and friends. The tree, the decorations, the gifts…. Because of the timing of my birthday, I had 2 birthday cakes, one at my birthday party and one on the day. I realized much later in life what a gift my parents gave me by insisting that the family give me two presents and that I had to have my birthday party before we decorated the house for Christmas.

The season became more difficult as I grew into young adulthood and then middle age. The number of presents decreased, we had fewer people with us on Christmas and my birthday, in some ways, became lost. It was harder as an adult to have a birthday party because everyone is busy with their own families and office parties and the like. I had to work on the emotion of loss – the loss of the way things used to be as well as the loss of excitement about the season because of the transitions that are actually the normal progression of life, i.e., change.

But, in the last few years, as I have gained hopefully more maturity and perspective, the material presents are lovely to receive – especially those that are chosen with thought and with heart, but spending time talking and being with those that mean a lot to me are the true gifts of the season for me.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances, timing and finances, I most likely will not be able to see my other sister. My nephew is deployed with a Marine unit, so seeing him will be impossible. I cannot give them the gift of time and presence, but I do keep them in my thoughts and send them love and concern.

My wish for all of you is that you have a season of joy, family, presence, and heart.

If you would like an angel reading with channeled messages from your angels and guides, please go to: http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/Navigation/ExploreReadings/KathyrnSamuelson.html

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Samuelson is an intuitive who channels messages from your angels and guides through spiritual or automatic writing. She is also a life coach certified by the University of New Hampshire through its Professional Development department. Kathryn does workshops based on the set of meditation cards and book called Opening the Heart: Meditations on How to Be that she created with her friend, Linda Lewis. For more information: http://www.kathrynsamuelson.com/, klsamuelsonATyahoo.com, or 781-799-7332

Other Blog Posts by Kathryn Samuelson: Simple Ways to Give, Turning Left Rather Than Right, Giving Thanks, Nurturing the Ego, Letting Things Go, Real Energy Book Review, Living with Doubt and Uncertainty, Bardo - The Things In Between, Musings On Mindfulness, You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps, The Choices We Make, Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers CD Review, Riding Out Irene: A Practice in Maintaining Balance,

I Believe There are Angels Among Us...

Angels are everywhere. Angels are part of every belief system.

The first known recording of angels was by Zarathustra who lived in Persia some time between 1700 BCE and 600 BCE. His religion was called Zoroastrianism. In this belief system there were seven beings who had the status and function of angels with all good qualities and another seven beings with all evil qualities. Central to the beliefs was a constant battle between good and evil.

The 9th C. BCE in the palace of Ashurnasipal II, a winged being is carved on the wall as a protective spirit was the first known picture of an angel.

Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible show angels as messengers from God. In the New Testament they are present at all major events: The Annunciation, the nativity, the Resurrection and Ascension. There were angels with Daniel in the lion’s den, in Jacob’s dream climbing the ladder, with Abraham, Moses and the Israelites, and let’s not forget Michael and Gabriel.

The Jewish mystical tradition known as Kaballah includes a female manifestation of God called Shekinah or “Bride of the Lord”, “Angel of Love and Blessings”, the liberating angel. Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize her as the “Holy Wisdom."

Catholic Doctrine notes that we have guardian angels who will intercede with God on our behalf. According to St. Ambrose, “We should pray to the angels who were given to us as our guardians.”

Buddhists believe angels are bodhisattvas, or “enlightened ones” and reveal themselves to humans as forms of light emanations or through meditations. There is also a direct reference to angels during the conception of Buddha when his mother, Queen Maha Maya was carried to the Himalayas by four guardian angels. After conception she was guarded by four angels with swords and for Maha-Brahma angels attended Buddha’s birth.

Although in Hinduism there is no mention of angels specifically, there are spirits who perform similar functions as angels. Gandharvas are portrayed as having wings, are skilled in music and can cast illusions. There are Devas who are angelic beings known as “shining ones” who help men on their spiritual quests.

Islam also has a hierarchy of angels or mala’ika. Islam is an offshoot of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of Islamic faith. They are: the Four Throne Bearers of Allah (symbolized by a bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle). In Christianity the bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle represent Matthew (lion), Mark(bull), Luke(man), and John(eagle). There are also four archangels: Gabriel (Jibril)- the revealer, Michael (Mikal)- the provider, Izrail (Azrael)- the angel of death, and Israfil, the angel of the last judgment of Allah.

Hafazah are guardian angels.

Celts, long before Christianity came to the isles had an anamchara (angel or soul-friend) as part of their daily lives. These spiritual beings were guardians or companions who took very special interest in humans, especially those on their spiritual path. Celtic angels also dwell on several levels. On the highest level are those in constant contact with God, the next level are those ascending to God and the third level are the Anamchairde who can appear in any form appropriate including taking on human form.

Native Americans also have their own form of angels such as the Thunderbird, or Wakinyan, meaning “sacred winged” creature. The thunderbirds live on mountaintops and are the servants of the Great Spirit often carrying messages from him.

In Shamanism, the healer often takes the form of a bird to travel through different worlds in search of his patient’s soul fragment. Today a shamans coat will be made of feathers to demonstrate his ability to fly.

Although neither the Ancient Egyptians or Ancient Greeks specifically mention angels, some of their gods have similar qualities. In Egyptian mythology there is the Phoenix, a symbol of immorality, and Isis who once used her wings to breathe life back into her dead husband/brother Osiris. The Greeks had the Goddess Nike and her son, both winged messengers of the gods.

So as you can see, angels are everywhere.

Other Blog Posts by Peg: I Believe There are Angels Among Us, Have You Experienced the The Magic of Galstonbury?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peg Losee works with angels on a regular basis through readings and healings. She provides services and classes as a Reiki Master/Teacher and IET® Master/Instructor. If you'd like to explore a past life, Peg will act as a facilitator for the "trip". Since Peg has been a teacher of the deaf for over 30 years, she can also provide these services in sign language. After all, energy work should be available to all people in all walks of life. Contact Peg Lossee at peg@angelsenergyhealing.com

Visit her websit at http://www.angelsenergyhealing.com/

Traveling with Your Guardian Angel

I’ve traveled a lot for both business and pleasure over the years, and have encountered my share of airplane delays, lost luggage, and even sports injuries on these trips. Besides my normal reading of my industry “trades,” I like to read a lot of spiritual literature.

About ten years ago, I kept noticing the word “benevolent” used in stories about Angels. As this is not a commonly used word in the English language, it was quite noticeable to me. One day I read the suggestion to request benevolent outcomes for events in your life. I decided to try it out, and was amazed how PERFECTLY it worked for everything, from small requests such as a parking spot next to a busy restaurant or a seat on the subway in Paris to the really important negotiations in my business.

After having made these requests between 10,000 and 15,000 times over the years, I am firmly convinced that our Guardian Angels are there to assist us in living more gentle lives. We just have to ask.

So when do you make these requests? I request Most Benevolent Outcomes (MBO’s as I call them) for everything. While packing for a trip, I’ll say, “I request a Most Benevolent Outcome for remembering everything I need to take on my trip. Thank you.” When it comes time to go to the airport, I request a Benevolent Outcome for the drive to the airport in safety and with no delays. How many people have you heard about that have missed a flight because of a traffic jam or wreck on the freeway? At the airport, I’ll say, “I request a Most Benevolent Outcome that my bags arrive safely and on time. Thank you.”

I always say “thank you” to my Guardian Angel.

David in St. Louis emailed to tell me he requested a Benevolent Outcome for making it through the Security check line with no problems (nothing can slow you down more than being “randomly” chosen for a full search). There were two lines, one that traversed back and forth and the other for flight personnel. Just as the person ahead of him was directed into the maze, the gatekeeper closed off that path and let David be the first person to pass through the fast-path route through security. As he said, “that was cool!"

David also mentioned that he likes to request MBO’s for meeting interesting people on the plane. I tried that out recently on a business trip back from Washington DC, and after a gentleman offered to trade seats with a young lady sitting next to me so she could sit with her friend, he turned out to be a buyer that I had not seen at the market. I was able to give him some information that will result in a sale. That’s how Benevolent Outcomes work. It is so much fun to see how your Guardian Angel makes these things happen!

Last summer, my wife and I went to a conference in Mt. Shasta, California—a really beautiful place. On our way back to the Sacramento Airport, I requested a MBO for a safe and problem free drive. On the car radio, there was a news bulletin that the California Highway Patrol was getting tough on Interstate 5 and would be ticketing anyone barely over the speed limit. As we were driving along, I had passed several slower moving cars when an oversized pickup came up behind me. I decided to let him pass, although there was still another car to pass ahead of me. As he passed, I started to move out again to pass the car when suddenly out of the bushes in the median roared a CHIP’s patrol car with lights blinking. I jumped back in line and watched as he pulled over the pickup. That could have been me.

I have found over time that after requesting a MBO for a drive, the highway patrol cars are either turning off, going the other direction, or have just pulled someone over as I pass by.

One time I rented a car in Nice, France for the 20-minute drive to Cannes on a freeway. Naturally I requested a MBO for the drive. A few minutes into the drive a small car passed by me at a speed of approximately 90 miles an hour. About 100 yards up the road, he tried to weave in and out of traffic, lost control, spun out and bounced off the guardrail ending up straddled across two of the three lanes of traffic. Had I been five seconds earlier, I would have been in danger of being involved. I was able to slow down and creep by the car on the far right lane.

In Milan one night, I had eaten dinner on one of the downtown “walking streets.” After dinner, I walked out of that area to a busy boulevard, thinking I would easily find a taxi back to my hotel. All the taxis that passed were full, so after five minutes, I requested a Benevolent Outcome for a taxi. Before the words were completely out of my mouth, a taxi turned right in front of me, I signaled to him, and off we went to the hotel.

The Milan airport is a long drive outside the city, so I checked with the hotel concierge to see if I could share a taxi for the very early drive to the airport. He had no one scheduled at 5:00 am in the morning, so I requested a MBO for someone to share my taxi. The next morning when I checked out of the hotel there were no people in sight, so I was resigned to paying for an expensive taxi, when in walked five or six doctors from the Mayo Clinic that had been in Milan for a cancer conference. They had hired a mini-bus to take them to the airport and invited me to join them, at no charge!

Jean from Ontario, Canada emailed to tell me she was in Seattle on vacation. She was exploring the city via their “excellent” bus service. She asked for a Benevolent Outcome for her ride downtown. As the driver approached his stop in front of the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, a parcel delivery truck suddenly stopped in front of him. The bus driver had been looking at the bus stop to see if any passengers were waiting. “Something” told him to look ahead, and he did, bringing the bus safely to a stop within inches of the truck. No one was injured, and Jean was able to joke with the driver about all the paper work he had just avoided!

What are some other Most Benevolent Outcomes (MBO’s) you can request while traveling?

Request a MBO for your passport to be delivered on time; Request a MBO for getting the best room in a hotel for your preferences; Request a MBO if you are having to “standby” for a flight that’s quite full; Request a MBO for seats on busy subways, buses, or trains; Request a MBO when you are in dangerous places for your safety; Request a MBO each time you take part in a sport, such as skiing, on a trip; Request a MBO for being seated at the perfect table on a cruise to meet interesting people; Request a MBO for pleasant weather conditions for your excursions.

There are few rules for requesting Benevolent Outcomes. You must say your request out loud, or you must write it, as we are in a physical world. Just thinking it doesn’t work nearly as well. Request a MBO with emotion. They work better that way. Say “thank you” when you make the request, and a couple of “thank yous” when your request is answered.

Request Benevolent Outcomes often, so they become a habit. Otherwise you’ll forget to request them on your trip. I wish you many “happy trails!”

Click Here to Read More about Angels and Most Benevolent Outcomes in Tom's book The Gentle Way.

Other Blog Posts by Tom:  Have More Success and Less Stress in Retail, Origin of Christmas, Angels and the Holidays, Probablities and Predictions, Spiritual Path as Old as Atlantis, Guardian Angel Conversations

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom T. Moore is a speaker, frequent radio guest, and author of THE GENTLE WAY: A Self-Help Guide For Those Who Believe In Angels and THE GENTLE WAY II: The Story Continues (Light Technology ISBN # 1-891824-60-0 and # 978-1-891824-80-7). For more information, go to http://www.thegentlewaybook.com/.