Week 8 - WooHoo for the blessing of an open mind.......

A Parable of Immortality - By Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. 

A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze

and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength,

and I stand and watch until at least she hangs

like a speck of a white cloud

just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, 

“There she goes!”

Gone where?

Gone from my sight.... that’s all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar 

as she was when she left my side

and just as able to bear her load of living freight

to the place of destination.

Her diminished size is in ME, not in her.

And, just at that moment

when someone at my side says, 

“There she goes!”

there are other eyes watching her coming.....

and other voices ready to take up the glad shout....

“Here she comes!”

--------------------------------------------------------

A week ago today, I attended a psychic fair with my good friend.  It isn’t your typical run of the mill palm reader type event with the gold-toothed gypsies and crystal balls.  It’s actually held in a spiritualist church with pews, and an alter and pictures of Jesus on the walls.  They believe in Christian values, the Golden Rule, and they also believe the existence, and personal identity of the individual continues after death. They claim the precept of Prophecy, contained in the Bible, is a divine attribute proven through mediumship.  Although at times I am skeptical about the quality of the mediumship and readings, I still don’t discount that something exists there, and no matter what, it can be helpful.  It’s just another tool to connect with my Higher Power, grow my spiritual self, and  surprisingly I recently discovered, reconnect with loved ones who have passed.  The latter was completely unexpected.  

I haven’t always felt that way.  I think my old “religious” upbringing and some of it’s rigid doctrine led me to  believe those thoughts about messages from “the other side”, and spirits were heretical.   I’ve always considered myself predominately a Christian, with this belief:  there are so many interpretations of the Bible even within the Christian faith,  I  feel comfortable with the Holy Book’s teachings, AS I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THEM.  I hardly think it’s up to me to read God’s mind and determine my interpretation alone is the only one, and treat other’s beliefs dishonorably.   These days, though,  I lean more towards being a Spiritual Being recognizing God, Creator of heaven and Earth can’t be labeled and presents in so many forms in order for his Creation to come to know Him in their own personal way.   I have Jesus Christ in the form of a crucifix,  in my entrance way,  and Buddha rests on a table there.  I welcome all the wise and Holy energy I can into my home!  There are some though, that would burn me at the stake of their own fear and ignorance I'm sure.  

I wasn't always truly convinced in the existence of angels or our loved ones touching in after they're gone.  I wanted to believe, but it seemed the harder I tried to evoke them into my life, the more elusive a connection became. My mind would take over and justify that dream I had, or a sign of some sort of lost loved ones touching in, as simply imagination.  I had to rethink all of that a few years ago, when  I got a very special blessing.  I attended my first psychic service at this church. They are also called healing services, aptly named because it healed any skepticism I had about the power of love being eternal and tangible, even beyond death.   I went into it with the attitude, “I am telling these people nothing.  Let 'em guess.  Keep your face and body language impassive, and let them tell you what they see.”  I had a reading that was beyond anything that could have been contrived.  Names, professions, traits, endearments, and personal information revealed itself in my reading as one loved one after another touched in to say hello, reminding me they are still present in my life and chastised me for some of my thinking!  I left there speechless... an almost impossible state of being for me. I  also departed feeling rejuvenated by love at a time when I needed to feel it the most.  The message was profound and altered everything I had come to believe about death and the life beyond.  It led me to the path of meditation and connection and a knowing that even though we can’t see something, doesn’t diminish the fact it exists.  That one powerful instance, has changed so much in my life.  

When I went Sunday with my friend, I was excited.  I tried to let go of any anticipation.   It was a good thing I did too!  My readings, I initially thought were lame, predictable and humorous to say the least.  My first one, appeared to be a case of match.com of the clairvoyant variety.  He started asking me if I was married.  I wanted to respond, “You’re the psychic, you tell me,” but I thought I might come off flippant and unkind.  He then proceeded to tell me of all the social gatherings of likeminded men that took place in the state, and how he saw my future soulmate if I but pursued this path.  He added, perhaps it would serve me better to focus my attention on a specific one, rather than many.  I think he may have been trying to fix me up with his single friend!  

My second reading was with a lady with kind eyes.  She saw a brilliant blue aura around me; an indicator of love, honesty, kindness, truth, inner peace, emotional depth and devotion.  I'm not sure, but I think it may have had something to do with the deep, royal blue shirt I was wearing that day.  She also saw me as a very old tree, (hey.... be nice) deeply grounded and strong, with many branches and many people pulling off my leaves to gain inspiration and strength, (ouch).  

My final session was with the man who had initially given me the life-changing reading a few years ago.  As he babbled on about so many unknown (to me) spirits that were gathering around to touch in and say hello, my mind searched desperately to find some connection with those who had passed.  Nothing.   He told me I would be traveling south soon....  South?  As in South America, Florida, or Columbus, Ohio?  It seemed pretty vague.  In the last moments of my reading with him, as I was getting up to leave,  he blurted out, “All of your hard work is going to pay off here very soon.  Not in the next month or so, but by summer.  That job that has been your heart’s desire?  You are going to get it.”  

Riding home my friend and I compared notes on our generic readings and when we stopped for dinner, had a few chuckles as we "intrepreted” them for each other.  We both decided nonetheless, we get what we need when we need it and not every experience,  will we come upon the burning bush, nor will the heavens part.   In retrospect, I think my loved ones did touch in and gave me another great gift.  It was one of hope, purpose, validation and encouragement. 

My group waiting on the other side... the ones that I diminished in power by thinking they were gone rather than just out of sight... they  got together and pooled their resources.  They wanted to tell me, don’t let your heart be scared by feelings of connection with like-minded others.  Listen to your intuition this time.   Keep walking that path of sharing your experience, strength, and hope.  You are strong now and have a wealth of knowledge and empathy to share.  And, best of all, you will be rewarded for following your heart with hard work, taking risks, and investing in your passion.  

That’s what I choose to see in my Sunday afternoon walk to the other side.  WooHoo to the open mind that allows me to invite in the possibility that my loved ones and others from beyond are here to help me to grow into the being I am meant to be.  They are just a thought and heartbeat away, powerful, still strong, and very much a part of my life even now, if I choose. 

But, the best part of the day, was the camaraderie of sharing laughter, insights, fears, delights and dreams  with my friend!  WOOHOO! 

P.S.  Val, Your spirit drawing of the serious looking Indian dude... He was putting on his best sexy (mean) eyes just for you!  He just isn't very good at it.  He was probably assigned to YOU so you could lighten him up a bit.  He looks like he could USE a good massage! 

Week 7 - New Technology WooHoo!

I’m an Apple girl, and I’m not referring to my waistline.  Although, that’s improving too with 232 miles of Spinning in the past few weeks, Zumba classes and lots of fruits and veggies. I have a Mac, and I am now the proud owner of a brand new I-Phone. Once you go Mac, you never go back.... With this new purchase, I have to eat all those awful judgements I’ve made in the past about people who become mesmerized by their smart phones!   

To call my new gadget a cell phone is like calling Mother Theresa a “good woman”.  It has more capability than all my electronic devices put together, and fits into one hand.  It took me nine long months to decide to bite the bullet and make the purchase.  My friends and family got to point where they just rolled their eyes when I continuously talked about getting one.  Finally, I heard the voice Friday night... Maybe, it was God, but it sounded more like my father.  It said, “Becky, either s- - -  or get off the pot.”   He had a pocket full of these potty mouth profundities.  I don’t know if he thought using the “S” word would have the effect of an exclamation point in getting a message across. It always took me by surprise to hear it, that’s for sure.  My dad was a highly educated, accomplished man with a rather extensive vocabulary.  Maybe he thought adding color would help me to remember the wisdom.  And, I do remember a few more of them too.  He said, “Don’t s- - - where you eat.” The translation was, be professional in the work place and don’t sleep around.  He also used to say, “Throw enough s- - -  up against a wall, some of it’s bound to stick.”  I took this to mean never give up on your dreams, even if you aren’t very good at it.  Someone might buy into them someday.  A working man's version of Winston Churchill’s quote, "Never, ever quit".  Those are just a few of my Dadism’s, but that’s a post for another day.  Yep, I’m pretty sure the voice I heard in my head Friday night, the one that screamed at me, “Just do it”, was my Dad, not God. 

So, Friday night, after work, I picked up my new lover.  New phone in hand, I proudly showed off my device to anyone that crossed my path. I flashed it like  a 10 carat diamond; at the Barista at Starbucks, the clerk at the Mall, and especially showed off when I hooked up with friends later in the evening.  Yes, I was now the proud owner of a shiny, white I-Phone with a foxy little red, form-fitting, cover.   It didn’t matter that I didn’t even know how to silence it when we were all instructed to do so, let alone use any of its features.  It looked fabulous!  

Imagine my delight when I discovered my new I-phone could be a fashionista too.  Just like me.  "So many possibilities", I thought, as I eyeballed all the phone cases at the stand in the middle of the mall.  I was especially drawn to the cute little black patent leather with white polka dots.  It was the "must have"  accessory to my own little black dress and pearls.  The hot pink rhinestone studded number was an attention getter for sure and would be fun on date nights.    I let my mind wander, envisioning my phone closet and friends calling just to ask, in husky, whispered tones,  “What are you wearing?”  

On my way home, I made a few phone calls, bragging about my new toy.  No one was home to share in my joy.  So, I left messages for them to call me.   The only problem was, I didn’t know how to answer the phone when they called back!  I did figure out how to send a text message... and retrieve it,  although it took me quite some time to adapt to a touch pad rather than a keyboard.  Repeating the letter SSSSSSSSSSSSS with my chubby little finger made me think my dad had taken control and was sending a new life lesson from beyond. 

When I got home I put my I-tunes library on my phone and then couldn’t figure out how to stop Gavin DeGraw from crooning  “Not Over You”.  When I was finally able to answer my call, my chin put the conversation on speaker phone and I had I-tunes and the hysterical laughter of my friend reverberating through the house.  Setting up my email was another issue as all 100+ messages (old and new) from my email provider poured into my new device.  Then came my first app. I played it safe and downloaded Facebook, for free.  This  was totally useless on my phone, I couldn’t read any of the comments since the font was about a 2pt.   

What a learning curve. At 2:00 a.m., blurry-eyed from my u-tube tutorials and a battery on my new cell phone crying out to be charged, I lay my head to rest.  A voice whispered to me just as I was dozing off, and it said, “Know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.”  It was either Kenny Rogers, or God. I folded. I think it was God. 

Saturday, I took my brand new decked out I-Phone to pay a visit....to my 11 year old granddaughter.  She showed me everything I needed to know.  

WOOHOO I just found a Calorie counter fitness app, and, what's this?  A meditation app!  If you call me and hear chimes and OHMMMMMMM.... just leave me a message.  I'll get back to you once Alex shows me how to get into my voice mail! 

Week Six - Lessons in Teamwork - WOOHOO!

I was afraid last week was going to slip by with nary a WOOHOO!  It’s not that it was a bad week, just an uneventful one.  I did get to walk through my professional past one evening when I attended a retirement party for a very special lady.  I worked with her for many years, and have always been in awe of her ability to separate herself from the politics of the Corporation and view her job as simply a means of taking care of her financial needs. I admire her.  We also shared the same gynecologist. This wouldn’t seem like a significant thing,  but it was cause for much laughter between us. Every now and then, when we would go for our respective appointments, he would mix the two of us up... always when we were in his office, in stirrups.   Sure, we are both blond and short, but beyond that...well,  I never had the nerve to ask him what similarities he saw!  We enjoyed a few good giggles about that through the years. When I heard the news she was to retire, I was delighted to be invited to her little party to herald in her next exciting journey.   I’ve not worked for this company for about 14 years, so it was also nice to visit with a few folks I hadn’t seen in awhile.  It was not so nice when dinner table conversation shifted towards, rumors, gossip, backbiting, and old stories.  I felt myself falling into the trap of engaging in it too. I didn’t like how quickly I switched on the old “game-play” face of years gone by. It felt icky to be a part of it and was a reminder of times that weren’t always all that authentic for me.  I smiled a lot back then, ate a ton of words, and grin and bore more than I should have.  Living in fear instead of faith will do that to you.  

When I got home, I tried to recall a time in my tenure with this company where I felt like people were working together to really make a difference. Everyone claimed it was the same everywhere, this was  just the way of Corporate America....character assassination and individual agendas were merely a section in the operating manual.  The only teamwork seemed to be clusters that formed to come up with a strategic plan to get rid of your competition, not in the field, but amongst your co-workers.  My observation is in no way a judgement of how everyone conducted their professional life.  I know there were some who didn’t engage in that kind of foreplay. My retiring friend was a great example. I wondered how much better things could have been if everyone had decided to work together for a common good. 


 I thought, surely this isn't the best it gets for a WooHoo of the week? I enjoyed my friend, and rejoiced with her... sure, but.....

And, then, my sweet little middle granddaughter Sydney, called me and left a cryptic message about needing to talk to me. She had something important to discuss.  “So, please call me back, “she begged and ended by saying, “ I love you so, so, much Mimi.”  Hmmm.... was she in trouble with mom and dad?  Was she trying to avoid homework or room cleaning?  Third grade boy problems?  I called her back.  She wanted to bake and make something special for her mommy and daddy for Valentine’s Day.  Now, everyone knows I am not a baker.  I can cook, but keep me away from the cookie sheets, and cake pans.  Sydney, on the other hand is quite the little kitchen goddess and has baked with her beloved great-grandma since she was about 4. It has been a very special thing they’ve shared through the years.  Setting my fear of failure aside, I said yes, and we baked.  She did all the measuring, mixing, and pouring.  She dictated the amount of time our treats needed to be in the oven. I did as I was told, knowing she had a touch I don’t possess. Teamwork.   When our brownies were fully baked and cooled, we cut them in the shape of hearts.  Then, she let me take over, in an area I am better at, creativity. I iced them with creamy white frosting. She directed the tray arrangement of our perfect little hearts and had me write (in red frosting)  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY on each one.  We edged them with more red frosting and she then added the final touches, red and pink sugar sprinkles on each one. Perfection we decided!   I squeezed little red icing flowers onto her fingers making her giggle as she licked them off.  As I was cleaning up the kitchen, she wrote these words on a piece of left over wax paper, (in red icing, of course) Thank you, Mimi.  I love you.  

After she left, I thought about our little task and how things got accomplished so well, by working together, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and performing those functions that were suited to our skill set.  I decided while it was nice to visit my professional past, I don’t fit into those competitive environments anymore. The price tag for success purchased through harming others is way too high.  I like the concept of teamwork.... and kindness... and service to others (including our coworkers).  I like the idea of being authentic and saying what I mean, and meaning what I say.  I like being appreciated for my unique talent and contributions. I like hanging with people who respect and honor that. It feels good to not have to look over my shoulder all the time to watch out for those flying knives. And that crick in my neck has gone away by facing forward towards a beautiful future for these past years.  I may have a lot less cash, but I have riches that can’t be bought.  When I lay my head on my pillow at night, my conscience is clear.  I know I've done my best, acted in integrity and made a contribution towards the GREATER good for that day.  Any regrets about my professional past, even that phenomenal retirement plan,  went away this past week. 

This was all revealed in a Valentine brownie making session with an eight year old! I love working, but it makes me happy when its in a setting of like minded people who treat one another fairly and kindly. I've been blessed to have worked in places like this, since my departure, and it just brings out the better me.  If I could, I would write across the sky - WOOHOO for those changes that contribute to our ongoing growth toward being better human beings!  (in red icing of course)....... XOXOXOXO

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day my little  Sydie girl!  Week Six Woohoo arrives a little behind schedule.   I couldn’t post this until Valentine’s Day!   We didn’t want mommy and daddy to not be surprised! 

Week Five - For unexpected gifts and kisses from heaven......WOOHOO!

The week before I could feel myself spiraling into a vortex of grief and sad memories.  Spinning around in my self-made Delorean, I was not enjoying my trip Back To The Future.   Butterflies pounding away in my midsection were very real and they just didn’t seem to want to fly free. “D”  day hung over my head like a guillotine and I couldn’t wait for it to drop;  just get it over with.  This happens to me every year at this same time,  so I don’t know why it's always a surprise.  No matter how many years pass, my soul knows, there are people who will always be missed. 

If I’ve learned NOTHING else in the past few years, I’ve learned feelings shut off, stuffed inside, eventually do manifest in some very unhealthy ways, emotionally and physically. I've also learned I do have choices.  And tools. I chose to acknowledge my sadness.  I also picked up a few of the tools to help me navigate through it, in a healthy manner.  Meditation is one of those tools.  It allows me to go within, let thoughts and emotions flow, be what they are without judgement... feel what I’m feeling. Yep... there it was sadness. Huh.... how about that...  I spent some time in the big chair by the fireplace, “leaking”, as the Grinch says when his heart grew ten sizes that day.  I didn’t try to pin a label on it; You know the one that reads (with drama of course), " Here she sits, the tragic, grieving widow, full of regret.  I recognized it really didn’t mean anything more than I needed to leak a little bit.   Second, I spent some time, pouring my thoughts out on paper.  Some of my best ah-ha moments arrive in the shape of words that swirl in my head first, then filter through my heart, onto a page.  AH- HA.... He lives on and his spirit is always a part of me.  The most powerful tool I chose to use to regain my balance (and my joy)....  I spent a LOT of time in prayer.... waking prayer, sleeping prayer, on my knees prayer: asking, (maybe even begging a bit) for comfort and a little bit of lovin....  A kiss from heaven, please.  

Prayers were answered in a big way!   I essentially walked into a lovefest.  Friends who took the time out of their day to touch in, reminding me what a great person he was and how much he loved me.  A few made a sacrifice or two, just so I had an easier day with more peace and some laughter. (Thanks D- I know sushi isn't your thing...)  Another dear friend surprised me with a generous gift even though she is hundreds of miles away. Great fodder for many provocative discussions as she and I travel a like minded path of pursuing better methods for taking care of our bodies!  Hugs.  

The biggest gift I received will be placed in my personal hall of fame as one of my finest. The sender didn't even have a clue how timely it was, but God did.  It meant so much to me.  It was personal, it was heartfelt, and there was a component of effort and sacrifice to it.   It came out of nowhere from one of the unlikeliest sources.  If someone was to ask me “Guess Who?".... this name wouldn’t have come up.... probably ever.”  It wasn’t expensive, it was quite simple.  But, it had my name on it. It was a me gift.  It was a perfect gift sent by a purer heart than I had come to know; a genuine thoughtfulness I hadn't really experienced much of with this person, ever.   The gift was full of wisdom, hope, and healing. 

The blessing.... Not only did God answer my prayer for a little love, He also gave me a sampling of the fruits of forgiveness. This gift was a fruit cocktail.   When we forgive, or are forgiven, a door opens up in our souls and allows The Light to enter.  We then get to see others as God sees them rather than from a place of ego, hatred, and pride.  It's from that place we are able to finally receive, joyfully. 

I asked for a kiss from heaven.  I got a make out session this week!   WooHoo for the gifts we receive that allow us an up close and personal look at another’s true nature, and heart.