AN ANTIDOTE TO DESPAIR

No matter where you live, how you live, who you are, every day holds opportunities to witness reasons to despair and to rejoice. What happens, happens - most of the time we have little or no direct impact on what is unfolding. Where our power lies is in how we respond to what comes.

After the tragic events in Newton I chose to reign in my sadness and focus on sending healing light to all who have been impacted. As the news spread those affected expanded exponentially; fortunately the source of the light is infinite.

Not knowing what to say that might contribute to the healing process I choose to be silent. Then I ran into Stephen.  We don't know each other well, but we share some interests and beliefs and seem to literally pop up in each other's path at the most opportune times. I am always excited to see him, because I know there is a gift for us in the making when we meet.

It is impossible to overlook Stephen. He seems about nine feet tall, has an inimitable style and radiates a vivid intensity even when he's chilling.

I was running late for an event but evidently my timing was perfect as I saw Stephen outside my destination, intensely focused on heading somewhere himself. When I literally got in his face (by raising my arms and fluttering my hands) he exclaimed "Oh Girl, I am so glad to see you! I have a story to tell."

He recounted how he heard of the shooting and how he began to spiral into the darkness at the thought. He experienced the outrage and grief and vulnerability that such events inspire. He went into his shell, snapping at anyone who came close. After he found himself going off on a loved one he said "Now wait a minute."

"And then I remembered one of the things Abraham said. They said shouting NO! at something is like magnetizing that thing right to you. I said I've got to deal with this another way."

"What I did, and it wasn't easy, trust me, but I took $100 and went to the Safeway. I walked up to the Manager, gave him the money and said 'I'm buying some one's groceries tonight.' He asked me who and I said 'I don't know yet.' "

Stephen walked around the store looking for the people who might need the most relief. He found a young couple with a baby - carefully shopping from a list. He saw their stress and felt their tension, as if they were spread thin in many ways.

When they went to the checkout he went back to the manager and said "There they are." He waited at the exit. After their groceries were rung up they got good the news.  The woman looked up stunned and asked "Who?"

That's when Stephen slipped through the door. And out of his despair.

Horrible things happen every day. But angels do walk the earth and each one of us has unlimited opportunity to be one of them. All it takes is shining some light into the darkness; fortunately you have an infinite supply.

RELEASING RESISTANCE

I was asked recently how I handle skeptics. Something that epitomizes my approach to people who are reluctant to believe it is possible to connect with those living as spirit comes from one of the Matrix movies. 

Morpheus is losing his followers in droves.  Their civilization is in tatters.  Everyone is panicking. They cannot see the path he is trying to lead them on.  One of them tries to open his eyes, to get him to wake up - "Morpheus, nobody sees it like you do.  They don't believe in you!"

Morpheus replies with calm conviction - "Fortunately my belief system does not require that they do."

A wise woman taught me something literally life changing.  She helped me recognize that I can accept any person's point of view on anything without agreeing with it.  So often we collapse the two concepts together.

Beliefs are simply points of view - the way I see life from my unique perspective.  I may not embrace each person's belief system but I can accept it as being valid from that person's individual point of view.  Oh what a relief that is! 

I cannot know what informs any one's experience other than my own. I know what I hear and see and sense.  I have personally experienced the healing power of communicating with those no longer in physical form.  The people I read for have told me the same has been true for them.  That's all I've got, but it's enough for me.

As for skeptics, I respect and bless them, as I do all my fellow travelers as we tread this path of happy destiny.  I'm not here to prove anything.  I am here to be of service for those who ask, 

I did read something funny on another psychic's blog in relation to skeptics she said "Don't test me by asking me to tell you your middle name!"

I laughed at that but also consider it wise advice.  Why waste time asking someone to tell you what you already know? 

No one HAS to consult with a psychic.  If you feel guided to enlist a psychic's aid my best advice is to come with an open mind and heart.  Releasing resistance can open up possibilities you may never have imagined.  What do you have to lose?

PERMISSION GRANTED

I've just returned from doing readings in sunny Southern California - what bliss!  It's interesting to note that a theme that emerged amongst all my clients was seeking "permission" or "approval" to do one thing or another.

Whether questions came up about who to marry, who to un-marry, where to live, what livelihood to pursue, should I believe in something or some one (or not) or what is my best path to healing - the concept of wanting someone else to bless such personal choices came through loud and clear.

I appreciate the fact that people come to me for guidance as I have come to so many others over time. I know I can sometimes see and hear what you cannot and that our work together can be very healing. Please don't misunderstand my observation as criticism - it was just interesting to see the pattern emerge. I thank each of you for providing me the inspiration to write about it.

Energetically it may be that people who have not yet given themselves permission to trust their instincts and do what feels best to them come to me because I have been where they are and am operating from a much more confident and powerful knowingness now.

Am I the Yin to their Yang? Or do I recognize ways they may unconsciously be giving their power away so poignantly because I am a reformed / recovering permission seeker?

I'd like to credit a man I tried not to work for who turned out to be my best boss ever with helping me break free. (My guidance finally convinced me to say "yes" to the job thank goodness.) Among many things he taught me was the quote "It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission."

That was a risky thing to do considering how often I used it on him during our years together, but he understood how important it is to do what feels right whether others understand what's in your heart or not.

If I could say "Presto Change-o!" and give one gift to every person on the planet it would be the power to trust your internal guidance systems. They are highly calibrated, and can tell you everything you ever need to know if you learn to listen to them.

To expand your ability to hear your infallible inner GPS, practice being quiet and try to distinguish the still small patient, yet persistent, voice of your intuition from the roar of all the programming you have absorbed over time. Think of it like turning off the news when you find it depressing or clicking off a scary movie when you know it will give you nightmares.

In just five minutes a day of sitting quietly focusing on your breath or by consciously turning your attention to something that floats your boat for the same amount of time, you can begin to reconnect with your own personal wisdom source.

Let me know the miracles that begin to manifest for you when you recognize the only one who needs to approve of what you do is you!

THE FEAR FACTOR

If you are considering it may be possible for people like me (and you!) to tap into the collective consciousness to "know" things you may be feeling some trepidation.

People often ask me if I am barraged with messages 24/7/365. Thankfully, I'm not. I don't chose to be and feel spirit respects my choices, although at times I am certainly prodded to pass on a message when I didn't intend to have my X-ray vision working. 

I then choose whether the tug is so strong that I convey the message I'm given - which can be unsettling for both me and the stranger I am approaching - or I choose to ask spirit to seek another channel to reach their intended.

Just like you never have to watch a scary movie (OK maybe just a peek on Halloween) should you choose to get in touch with and expand your intuitive guidance you can still have some influence on what comes to you and when.

When you learn to trust spirit more fully you will be able to discern when you are being encouraged to pass on something to someone who cannot hear it by other means. You may be willing to risk looking foolish to do what you are guided to do.  I have never had anyone be less than receptive to my approaching them with a message and in most cases they express heartfelt gratitude.

If you're still sitting on the other side of the psychic fence, afraid I will spot you on the street one day and tell you something you'd rather not know - don't worry!  I can't see what you don't offer.

Recently I met a young woman who knew I get messages about people and was hoping I had something for her. I looked, nothing.  She seemed crushed so I tried again - not a peep.

"That's OK" she gasped, letting out the breath she'd been holding in, "I'm afraid."

"Don't worry, I can't see for you if you don't want me to." I told her.

"But I really want to!" she cried.

At that moment I was flooded with spirit as if enfolded in some one's arms. Her mother's, as it turned out. 

In the end I don't think we came to play it safe. I think we are here because there is so much to explore and so much expansion available to us in this magical time that we probably had to win a very special lottery to be a part of it.

On this spookiest of nights I encourage you to let go of your fears and choose to welcome spirit more fully into your life. You may find yourself divinely guided, too!

HOCUS FOCUS

When people learn I am a psychic they want to know what makes me special. What I tell everyone is that I am not. Each of you has access to the same information I do.  It is a matter of expanding your awareness and connection to the collective consciousness.

I noted a quote from the Schwartz Report some years ago that explains it well. "This kind of awareness is partly a function of your ability to focus: it's a coherence phenomenon. Nothing is being sent. Nothing is being received. There is just a sense of knowingness."  I have nurtured my intuitive abilities and learned from some amazing teachers over the years.  But if there is one activity that has fueled my greatest expansion it is meditation.

This is when the person I'm speaking with usually groans "Oh, I can't meditate! I tried, I'm terrible at it. My brain just won't shut up."

That's the good news, because your mind's job is not to be silent, so things must be working well. The key in meditation is to lose your attachment to the chatter for a brief period, trusting that anything really important your mind wants you to know will surface again when you need to know it.

Is there anything in your life you mastered without giving it attention and practicing? I remember as a child thinking that tying my shoes was mission impossible. Through patience (my mother's) and practice (mine) I got it!

Meditation is actually easier than tying your shoes. Less steps, no knots.

You can begin by setting a timer for two minutes, sitting comfortably in a chair and focusing on your breath. When your mind starts rat-a-tat-tatting at you say "Thank you" and return your attention to your breath.

Those times that a thought persists making me wonder "Should I write that down?" I ask my mind "Can you please remind me of that later?" and return to focus on my breath flowing in and out.

It may feel like the longest two minutes of your life, but if you persist you will likely began expanding the time.  Take baby steps - two to five to ten minutes - who knows how you will be able to expand your ability to focus?

From there, oh the places you'll go! I'd love to hear where you end up.