Inspirational Healing

She 'Closed the Store'

...and is moving to Costa Rica next month! I promised you an update on my daughter's journey (see post 'Closing the Store') so here it is.

Lynne took a trip to Costa Rica last month to Atenas, Costa Rica to visit a year-round, boy's boarding school. She explored the school and the Atenas area, tasted the lifestyle and gathered as much information as possible.

The school and staff were an immediate fit with what she was looking for career wise and within a week of her return to SD, a position as a Staff Psychologist was offered and accepted. It's as if the universe gave its complete validation and approval for her decision because she's has already sold most of her furniture and other items, found a place for some of the belongings she'd like to keep and even signed an agreement for an apartment, nestled in the beautiful Costa Rican landscape, to move into when she gets there.

After almost 15 years, she's 'closing the store', at least temporarily, to her life in San Diego. With strength, courage and conviction that she has been led every step of the way, she will soon begin a new chapter of her life's story.

I couldn't be prouder of this daughter of mine. It makes me smile to know that she walks with Spirit and inner faith that she is where she is to be for now. She "...dared to imagine that she could have a different life", moved out of what was necessary to leave behind and stepped into her now.

Good job, honey. I love you.

 

Closing the Store...

My daughter Lynne, a practicing psychologist in CA, recently took a leap of faith and left her job with no other job waiting for her or even prospects lined up. She was working in a hospital ER department and felt sapped of energy, inspiration and fulfillment. Slowly, piece by piece, she was being stripped of what makes her happy.

Remember the movie, You've Got Mail? A small, independent bookstore owner was being forced out of business by a big name conglomerate that moved into the neighborhood. She tried to keep her store open as long as possible, but finally made the decision to close it. Her friend told her, much as she wasn't ready to believe it at the time, that, "Closing the store is the brave thing to do. You are daring to imagine that you could have a different life."

That's a pretty powerful statement. How many times do we get stuck in the familiar, fighting to keep it the way it is, even when it doesn't fulfill us? Even when it continually drags us under and makes us want to stay in with the covers thrown over our heads? Fear is one of the most powerful emotions there is and it can blindside, distract and hold us down if we let it. It's full of "buts", "what-ifs", and "I cant's". It's pretty paralyzing.

But life has a way of letting us know when it's time to let something go, try something new or step out into the unknown, even when we don't know where it will take us. The trick is for us to pay attention to how we're feeling about the present situation. If we feel yucky, tired, scared, depressed - you get the picture - then it's time to see ourselves in a new light. Hmmm.....what if? Is it possible? Is there even the slightest chance? What if this dream of mine can come true? Just IMAGINE. That's where bravery comes into the picture.

I think courage, or rather the lack of, is really where we get tripped up. Change isn't always easy so we stay close to what we know, even if it's uncomfortable. In a bizarre way, there's a comfort in being uncomfortable. But if we can just for a moment, step away and imagine being truly happy, content and fulfilled, we find the strength and will within to move in a different direction. Especially when we're moving because it resonates to our heart, and not just a logistical, makes sense kind of thing, we step off the cliff, trusting that we'll be caught by something wonderful.

"Closing the store" means different things for each one of us, but if we're honest with ourselves in acknowledging our true feelings, I believe we will be able to imagine something new and find within ourselves every bit of courage we need to step into the wonderful.

Since Lynne made her decision to step away from what was unhappy for her and into that 'other' place that was as yet unknown to her, a series of open doors and exciting new possibilities has occurred, and in a very short time. She leaves soon to explore an exciting opportunity working in a boarding school with teenagers in a foreign country. She'll be able to practice her field in a creative, non-traditional way, both at the school and in the wilderness adventure activities that's part of the curriculum - all of which will satisfy the dream that she's carried in her heart.

I know that Lynne's been caught by protective and loving arms when she 'Closed her store', so I'll keep you posted on her new life adventure.

Myrtle

Myrtle is a bird, a seagull to be exact and I met her a couple weeks ago. My husband, Garry, and I took a road trip through several southern states and ended up staying several days at Myrtle Beach, SC. I don't expect to see her again, but she kind of adopted me while we spent time on the beach.

Our first encounter occurred while Garry & I were sitting in the sand, enjoying the sun, breeze and ocean waves. She slowly walked over to us, one careful step at a time, coming closer and closer to where I was sitting. "OK, what's going on?", I said aloud to her. "I have no food to give you and you're getting awfully close. Are you trying to tell me something?" She paused, but continued her journey towards me. Now I don't know much about seagulls, but when she was waaaay too close to me, about a foot away, I wasn't very comfortable. Would she peck or bite? I wasn't sure, so I slapped my foot on the sand in her direction to shoo her away.

Oh my gosh, she stretched her neck, reared back her head, and squawked loud and long. She let me know in no uncertain terms that she wasn't happy with me! Garry & I had to laugh because she was so verbal in her displeasure - she certainly made her point.

The curious thing was that she didn't leave me - not for the three days we were there. She visited every day, strutting close by or sitting calmly in the sand a few feet from me. She even followed me every time I took a walk along the shoreline. Garry said it was quite a sight - a seagull tagging along, almost side by side, down the beach and back. No other bird was allowed anywhere near me either; she chased them all away if they moved in too close.

I know everything in nature speaks to us because we're all from the same Source, all connected through It, so I was quite comfortable in knowing she was bringing me something inspiring. Besides, I enjoyed her company. Seagulls have a bad rap as they can be pests and make a mess, but I discovered she really is a beautiful bird. I knew to do a little research when I returned home to see what her characteristics and symbolism were and find my message.

Sure enough, her presence and determination that I pay attention brought me a message from the universe. Seagulls are great communicators (as I dramatically discovered). They have regular codes for all their purposes and activities and speak their intent to other gulls.The timing of her presence in my life was noteworthy as I was strongly feeling it was time to return to writing this blog. I was also scheduled for the week we returned home to participate in a "Lightworkers Festival", providing intuitive readings, and selling my book and intuitive drawings - all means of communicating with others. Myrtle was validation for me that the time was right for moving forward in this direction.

The universe talks to us; we just have to be open to its voice and be willing to hear it. There's nothing mysterious about it. If there's something unusual, or grabs our attention, or hits us in the gut, or peaks our curiosity, or, any other thing that strikes us and grabs hold, it's time for a closer look.

Myrtle gave me a new appreciation for birds like her. I had to laugh though - it's almost as if she sent out a call to one of her long distance cousins to make sure I got the message because the story continues.

While driving back to Michigan at one of the rest stops along the way, Garry & I got out of the car, a gull swooped by us, landed high on the light pole, stretched her neck, reared back her head and squawked loud and long.

OK, I got it, Myrtle, thanks for the message.

Joe's Light

It's been a long time since I've spent so much time with my younger brother, Joe, but our recent trip to California afforded this opportunity. You may have read an earlier post, A Special Gift, which explains that he was born with Down Syndrome. He was also born with some heart problems and, at age 47, is showing physical signs of aging that seem to be prevalent with those who have this syndrome. I tell you this because in looking at him, it's easy to see that he has obvious impairments which others would immediately notice.

But what struck me over and over again on our trip was how people responded to him. He seems to carry within him a light that shines through, pulling people into it and bringing out the best in them. He is simply "Joe" and in that innocent and open nature, he exemplifies something greater than is first evident.

From the moment we stepped out of the car at the airport for curbside check-in, it started. He smiled, greeted the attendant and soon had her right in the palm of his hand. He left her smiling. Then the other passengers and flight personnel, he left them smiling also.

While in San Diego, it continued, starting with the barber who gave him extra care and attention and even included a scalp and shoulder massage with his haircut. Then there were the Marines, whom he desperately wanted to meet while at a restaurant, who were willing to interrupt their lunch to talk with him and return his serious and solemn salute to them.

Joe has always loved to sing and his dream was to record a CD. Our sister searched out places where music could be obtained and a recording made. While in the music store, the owner, a former member of the 50's band The Outsiders, talked with Joe for a while, then took him to his private studio, set him up on his own personal drum set and said, "Have some fun, Joe." He beat and played to his heart's content...and left another person smiling when he left the store.

Onto the recording studio - the same thing happened. The technician worked and laughed with Joe, helping him contain his excitement and nervousness and soon Joe ended up with his precious CD, a thrilling and exciting dream come true...and another person left smiling when Joe walked out the door.

This happened over and over again in our week there. But I was reminded that this is nothing new for him. He was born with mental and physical deficits, but more importantly, with the beautiful openness that is "Joe." From the moment of his birth, he pulled others to him - our family, of course, but friends, neighbors, church and schoolmates as well. Everyone in our large neighborhood knew Joe and looked out and cared for him. This same essence carried over when he left our parent's house to move into a structure of housing, education, and work designed to aid those mentally challenged with independence and self-reliance. Everyone still seems to know Joe and smiles in his presence.

Life isn't perfect for him; he does have his challenges and gets himself into trouble sometimes. But he walks in the light of grace and giving. This is what people learn to see when they look at him and this is what I believe they, with ease, let wrap around themselves and are left with when he walks away. He grins his funny little grin, his eyes light up, his joy and kindness comes through...and he has them caught in the most purest way possible.

He is without doubt, a blessing to this world.

California Bound

It's been Grand Central Station at the feeder lately as the hummingbirds try to fatten up for their upcoming migration. The geese honk overhead in the early morning hours replacing the noisy chatter of the usual summer birds. Smatterings of color are dropping here and there on trees and bushes and the flowers are starting to struggle with the changing weather patterns. Fall is on its way.

My view of the ongoing subtle changes will be delayed for a week or so as I'm headed to California tomorrow. My brother Joe (see 'A Special Gift' post) loves to visit our sister in San Diego and, as he can't travel alone and our mom is no longer able to, I'm the designated traveling sibling for this trip. Fall doesn't quite hit that region as it does here in the Midwest so summer will be prolonged for us as we take in the California sun and sand.

I invite you to revisit some previous posts I wrote after my visit to CA this past spring. There's always something magical and inspirational about these trips and I try to capture those moments to share them with you. I find that many times the second reading of something brings new awareness, fresh perspective and often something missed the first time around. You may find yourself inspired if it's your first reading, or reinspired if you've read them before. No matter which applies to you, their message remains the same.

Just click on 'Ocean Magic', 'Dolphin Play', and 'The Teaching Whale' to take you to those posts. I'm sure Ithere will be more of the magic of the Pacific Coast to write about when I get back...see you then.