Category: Angels

Poised & Pleased

Contrary to popular belief, poise is not something that is learned in acting or charm school. Rather, genuine poise is the natural outgrowth of a balance inner nature. When our inner nature is balanced, we never lose our composure.

Love in Heaven

Dear Child:

I heard you yesterday.  You weren’t directly speaking to me but I heard your heart. 

I see you.  I feel you.

I know you work with a smile on your face when you would rather be covered up, floating in a puddle of tears.  I know your heart feels like it’s pulling apart.  I know there are unanswered questions and so many things you do not understand.  I understand you can’t comprehend why those close to you behave the way they do.

Rest assured, little one, I have a much better vantage point. 

Rest in the fact that I can see the entire picture.

Your only job is to remain poised in my love for you and you are succeeding in this task.

I am well pleased.

I love you.  You are not alone.

God.

©2011, BAC

POISE

An Angel Reminder:  Poise is a natural effect of living in angel consciousness.

Poise is the quality to cultivate if you want to have more stability and confidence in your every day life.  A poised manner exudes dignity and promotes peace.  Contrary to popular belief, poise is not something that is learned in acting or charm school.  Rather, genuine poise is the natural outgrowth of a balance inner nature.  When our inner nature is balanced, we never lose our composure.  Instead, we remain calm in mind and manner, no matter what the situation.  Poise also has another meaning:  to be suspended in a state of readiness for action.  When we are poised, we are balanced both mentally and physically, at peace with but completely aware of our surroundings, able to reason and respond with thoughtfulness, clarity, and quickness of mind and body.

Wake up in the morning and decide that you will remain poised throughout your day.  Write a declaration stating that regardless of the insanity around you in the world, regardless of the unhappiness, anger, and instability of the outside illusions,  you will remain calm and centered and never lose your poise.  As the angels to help remind you that each time your poise is threatened you must go back to your center of calmness and breathe deeply.  Any action taken when we are calm, poised, and conscious of the angels will be the right action.

An Angelic Reflection:  I will practice the art of poise in my everyday life, knowing that a calm center keeps the angels close to my heart.

(Angel Wisdom:  Terry Lynn Taylor & Mary Beth Crain.  © 1994 Harper-Collins)

From The Angels:

self-acceptance Self-Acceptance: You are a perfect child of God, and every part of you is wonderful. Your angels guide you to let go of negative self-judgments and to enjoy being you!

“You are much too hard on yourself,” your angels say to you through this card. Although you enjoy having high standards, it’s important to view yourself through loving eyes. Berating yourself only makes your spirit sink. Self-improvement comes from a positive mind-set.

See yourself through your angels’ eyes, and you will see someone who is a perfect and holy child of God. Although you have made mistakes in the past, there is nothing that you could have ever said, thought, or done that would change God’s love for you. The angels see past your surface mistakes; they see the beating heart of God’s love within you. They love you unconditionally, and they ask you to love yourself in the same way!

intention Intention: Your intentions create your experiences. What do you intend to happen? Make sure that your thoughts and feelings reflect your true intentions.

By drawing this card, the angels ask you to take an inventory of your expectations. What do you expect to happen today, tomorrow, or in the future? These expectations are the seeds of your intentions. An intention means that you have set a goal and intend to achieve it.

Your intentions drive your experiences. The angels ask you to choose and infuse your intentions with love. See yourself and others as happy, successful, and peaceful. By holding these spiritually minded intentions, you help yourself and others. The angels can help you replace negative mental habits with more empowering thoughts, if you ask for their assistance.

image Support:  God, the angels, and all who love, protect, and guide you are watching over you right now. When you take time to communicate with God and the angels, they are able to pour out power and strength into our lives.

This card reassures in the multitude of anxious thoughts within you. Divine love comforts you. They will comfort you with the energy of Divine love.

If you ever feel doubtful about your ability to help others, ask the angels to help you release these fears.

 

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 6:10-17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

In this quiet moment,

Still before your throne,

Conscious of your presence,

Knowing I am known.

In this quiet moment,

Set my spirit free!

In this quiet moment,

Make a better me!

St. Ignatius Loyola – 16th century

Angelic Musing

Miracles should inspire gratitude, not awe. You should thank God for what you really are. The children of God are holy and the miracle honors their holiness, which can be hidden but never lost.

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Prayer is the medium of miracles. It is means of communication of the created with the Creator. Through prayer love is received, and through miracles love is expressed.

Miracles should inspire gratitude, not awe. You should thank God for what you really are. The children of God are holy and the miracle honors their holiness, which can be hidden but never lost.
“Dearest Child:

Why are you hiding your joy from the rest of the world?

So many times of late you have been inspired by the spirit to create, yet you allow matters of the physical world to rob you. By the time you return to try to recapture the original feeling, the inspiration is gone.

Which is the more surprising to you? Is it the fact that we announce you as a creative being or the fact that as a simple being, you are divinely inspired?

We wish to remind you that inspiration is fleeting and must be seized as it arrives. While it may arrive in the simplicity of: an inner prompting to call a friend, an urge to clean off the front porch, an inclination to drive across town, put on a favorite song, send a card, surprise a relative or simply to let an irritation go by without incident; it is to be honored as gift.

True inspiration is not solely reserved for those your world reveres as, ‘the great minds’ although it is soul-fully reserved. True inspiration occurs when your spirit is freely connecting with the Universe.

Everyone on your earth receives divine inspiration, especially you! Each of you is a creation of the One who is love. You are a unique being.

Hear our call: True reverence is not reserved for the honorees of grandiose inspiration; it is for those who listen and heed what the heart dictates. Love created only ONE of you.

Be contemplative. Why would Love create only one of each being in the world were it not to do with creative inspiration?

Ambiance in your every day life is not a frivolity; it is necessity. You were created to live in beauty. Look thee only to the sun and the stars and the sky; to the lush greenery of grass and trees and to the majesty of the large creatures of the sea, to the highest mountains, to the sparkle of the fireflies in the evening and the song of the birds announcing day break. Your world was created out of His love for you as inspiration for you.

We wish to help you with your projects large and small; yet we may not be recognized in your home if your mind, body and spirit are cluttered.

Therefore our message to you this day and every day remains, ‘keep your corners clear & heed all inspiration’. You have joy to share with the rest of your world despite the fact you may not choose to believe. The first step in claiming this joy is to clear your corners. Do not fall into belief that corners are merely in the physical. Heart and mind and body and soul can have cluttered corners as well.

Remember ASK and we shall rush to your aid.

Reach out! Reach up! Express the joy you carry within through honor of inspiration. You will find us there always.

We are your angels, sent forth to bring you love.”
(©Bobbe Ann Crouch, circa, @2009)

…No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:10-12

From the Angels:

listening Listening: It’s easy to get busy in life trying to do everything at once. You can listen and work at the same time but sometimes multi-tasking isn’t the best use of our time. Sometimes we have to stop, look people in the eyes, and give them the gift of listening.

We need to take time to deposit value in their hearts. We need to support one another, and listening is an amazing way of doing just that.

As you go about your day, the angels remind you to give people the gift of listening. It seems like such a little thing, but those little deposits will eventually make a big difference. When you make deposits in people, you are making deposits in eternity, and that is what pleases the heart of God.

truth-intergrity Truth & Integrity: You have the strength to stand strong in the midst of difficult situations, and the wisdom it takes to make good decisions. If something in your life isn’t working, be willing to release it to God and the angels.

Understand you are important, and know that you are called to add value to the world around you. No matter where you are in life today, you have potential to increase, grow, to be strengthened, and to move forward. God created you for His good purpose and you are His masterpiece!

children Children: Children are a tremendous blessing to us, but they are also a tremendous responsibility that God has entrusted to us. As parents, we have been entrusted to nurture, train, teach and prepare our children for life.

Are you taking time to invest in your children? And if you don’t have any children, how about your nieces and nephews? We all have things that we’ve learned: skills, talents, life experiences, wisdom. You have a responsibility to transfer what we know to the next generation. When you invest in somebody else, you will continue to live on. Your life can have influence for generations to come if you will take time to invest in people. The only way this is going to happen is if you are taking time to invest in them. If you are not careful, you will substitute activity for attention. Understand, your children need you more than they need another activity.

The best legacy is not what you leave for people. It’s what you leave in people. You have a wealth of knowledge that God has entrusted you with. You are not supposed to keep that to yourself. You should be passing that on to somebody else. You have a responsibility to transfer what we know to the next generation. If you need guidance all you need to do is ask, we are always here for you.

 

Dearest God:
Forgive me for the times that I act like a child. I think my concerns are more important than those of others. I’m sorry for the times I thought I had it rough, not knowing that somewhere else in the world, some else is truly going without, someone else has just seen their parents executed, someone else is being held captive for no other reason than his/her beliefs or ethnicity. Help me to remember that you always have my highest good in sight and that I really do not know what’s best for me. Help me to pray better. Help me to be a better sister in my own tiny family and also in the family of humanity.

I recognize my Blessings and I thank you. Help me always to be more open to your miraculous ways. Help me to remember that if I stay open and let you lead, all will be well.

May you continue to Bless all of us and work on our hearts as you see fit.

Amen.

 

Church Lady Woes

In a nano second my mind wandered away, thinking about how much I love my work and the many positive experiences I get to have while working in a church that isn’t of my denomination.

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This morning before I got out of bed, I laid there in an attempt to pray. I was lying there asking God to take care of my loved ones and to keep everyone happy, healthy and secure. Also I was seeking help on my current employment situation. (I am just not sure I am supposed to be where I am any more.)

In a nano second my mind wandered away, thinking about how much I love my work and the many positive experiences I get to have while working in a church that isn’t of my denomination. I am Catholic. I work for a liberal Baptist church. Their hands are in everything imaginable and it’s a beautiful thing to witness and on occasion, to get to be involved in.

What has always interested me about this job is what goes on behind the scenes. Growing up a Catholic girl, I only experienced Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation Masses, funerals and Weddings. Aside from the one time as an adult that I joined a new church, I don’t recall ever setting foot inside a church office.

(Wait. There was one other time where I visited a favorite Priest to talk with him about my experience with The Blessed Mother and the Angels. That was a lovely experience I will talk about another day.)

The point is that I don’t think I ever thought about what goes into running a church. Who makes the decisions;how do things operate; how do the bills get paid; where does the money come from? Who steers the direction? Who decides what events to have, etc. Does “The church lady” really exist?

It is mind boggling. (She does exist, by the way, and she has lots of church lady friends.)

Catholics look to the clergy and the clergy have a very clear hierarchy. Most Catholic Churches have a Parish administrator who handles the business end of their affairs and there isn’t much wiggle room. This is not the case where I work. Everything done within my workplace is done by committee. One team handles personnel, another team handles, finances, another team handles worship, another team handles memorials and so on, and on, and on. Every three years the teams rotate.

For the most part everything works out just fine, but there are some years where the tides turn and I start to feel frustrated when things are done that I personally do not agree with. Usually problems occur when someone appears to be acting out of ego instead of what’s in the best interest of the church. This is where I am right now. I don’t like ego-driven anything especially when it interferes with my work happiness.

For the first time I find myself seriously questioning whether or not I am in the right place. It makes me sad.

Returning to my prayers with apologies to the Lord for being so distracted, I hear in my heart:

Dear Child:

Be still and know that I am near. You will hear my direction when your heart is clear and the time is right. For now, offer your best in all that you do. Do take better care of your temple. In this, you will find your joy.

Breathe in. Fill yourself with my love. It is there.

All is well.

God.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:25-34

From the Angels:

divine-timing Divine Timing: Change can be fast, yet keep in mind the importance of patience and Divine timing, developing a trust in the unseen mysteries of spirit working in your life.

The more that you can approach your own shifting with loving kindness, the smoother your road of change will be. On some days it may still feel like a roller coaster ride, yet your self-love can help you to have the necessary steadiness within.

Pay close attention to doors that are open to you. As you continue the journey of rediscovering your Divine nature, angels surround you with their love and blessings.

imageHealing: The highest purpose of your healer guides is to restore your self-awareness and self-esteem as children of God and help you accept the love and unlimited blessings that God grants you.

Opening your heart and mind to your worthiness is the best healing of all.

harmony Harmony: Strife, confusion and conflict be gone. A difference of opinion has clouded your thoughts.

If you change your focus and look for the common ground of peace, you can bring harmony into your relationships again.

You know that one of the most powerful ways you can fight for your relationships is to be a peacemaker? Beloved child of God, you are a peace-lover at heart. You are bringing unity into your relationships.

Focus and look for the common ground of peace, you can bring harmony into your relationships again, you become an Earth angel. Remember, God and the angels tells us that blessed are the peacemakers. When we dwell together in unity, we honor God and open the door for His hand of blessing in every area of our lives!

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Life is a tapestry: We are the warp; angels, the weft; God, the weaver. Only the Weaver sees the whole design.

 

Please God.

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Dear Lord:

I persist in feeling unsettled and out of balance. How is it possible to wake up and in one twenty-four hour period suddenly feel I may not be where I am supposed to be?

Where I thought I was settled and safe, I now feel like a lamb among a family of tigers.

Still I know in my heart that this feeling will pass and so I will look forward until it does.

Please show me the way.

Amen

Dear Child:

Trust that the details of the larger picture are unfolding as they should. You may not understand why things are happening as they are, but I do.

You’ve prayed and prayed asking for my help. You’ve surrendered all to me and I shall not fail you.

Keep the faith. The answers you seek are all ready in motion.

All is well.

I love you,
God.

©2011, Bobbe Ann Crouch

Please God

An Angel Reminder: Thank you. God.

Considering how challenging life has become in this fast-paced world, one can imagine that the words please, God are rising at all hours, in all languages, from all kinds of people. We usually beg God to change our environment or the people around us. But the truth is, when we ask God to please bring us a change, we are in fact asking God to change us. Since we are the ones sending the prayer, God can best answer that prayer by initiating changes in us. sure, it would be great if God could get rid of all the mean people messing things up, but that will happen only when individuals truly reach a change in their own consciousness–when each person takes responsibility for change in the world by being, themselves, willing to change. The angels are here to help us change, and then change some more.

Next time you have the urge to send out a “please, God,” think about sending out a “thank you, God, for giving me the strength and courage to change.” You will begin to see with new eyes the things you can change in your own life and your own perception that will bring more peace. At the heart of each cry to God is a simple intention to bring peace to our hearts and souls. When we are truly peaceful, we have mo need to beg God for anything; we have it all.

An Angelic Reflection: I will let the angel intercept my pleas and usher in a real change of heart and consciousness.

(Angel Courage: Terry Lynn Taylor & Mary Beth Crain. (©1999, HarperSanFrancisco)

From The Angels

healing Healing: The highest purpose of your healer guides is to restore your self-awareness and self-esteem as children of God and help you accept the love and unlimited blessings that God grants you.

Opening your heart and mind to your worthiness is the best healing of all.

surrender-release Surrender & Release: If we could see the miracle in letting go our whole life would change. Let go, allow God and the angels to help you.

When we willingly release and begin the process of healing from the unhappy situation, we may find we gain the necessary clarity that was not apparent to us before. In having gained clarity individuals often regain their own self determination and strength.

The angels ask you to try not to control the outcome of your troubling situation. It can take a lot of courage to let go and trust in the decision to do so but It may also be one of the most valuable decisions we can ever make. Let go, and let God help you!

trust Trust: You have to be willing to pour in everything you have before you can see Gods increase flowing in your life. Believe in yourself, the angels emphasize the value of self-trust.

The angels encourage you to give God what you have in your hands today, and as you stay faithful to do your part, God will do His part.

When you put action behind your faith and trust God, He will pour wisdom, strength, and creativity into you and help you accomplish the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart. The angels ask you to trust in God and to trust in them, they will help you trust yourself.

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”— Isaiah 29:15 (NIV)

Today’s Prayer:

Let me love thee, I am gladdest
When I’m loving thee the best;
For in sunshine or in sadness
I can find in thee my rest.
Love will soften every sorrow,
Love will lighten every care,
Love unquestioning will follow,
Love will triumph, love will dare.

~~~

Eternal Father, I humbly adore Thee, and thank Thee for having created me, and for having redeemed me through Jesus Christ. I thank Thee most sincerely for having made me a Christian, by giving me the true faith, and by adopting me as Thy son, in the sacrament of baptism. I thank Thee for having, after the numberless sins I had committed, waited for my repentance, and for having pardoned (as I humbly hope) all the offenses which I have offered to Thee, and for which I am now sincerely sorry, because they have been displeasing to Thee, who art infinite goodness. I thank Thee for having preserved me from so many relapses, of which I would have been guilty if Thou hadst not protected me. But my enemies still continue, and will continue till death, to combat against me, and to endeavor to make me their slave. If Thou dost not constantly guard and succor me with thy aid, I, a miserable creature, shall return to sin, and shall certainly lose Thy grace. I beseech Thee, then, for the love of Jesus Christ, to grant me holy perseverance unto death. Jesus, Thy Son, has promised that Thou wilt grant whatsoever we ask in his name. Through the merits, then, of Jesus Christ, I beg, for myself and for all the just, the grace never again to be separated from Thy love, but to love Thee forever, in time and eternity.

Broken a little

Yesterday I violated a rule of mine. I cried at work. More. Than. Once.

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Yesterday I violated a rule of mine…and I couldn’t help it. (Sucks) I cried at work. More. Than. Once.  Tonight I am still sitting here weepy, only now I am mad at myself for being weepy at work today. (Argh. I am soooooooo much better than this.)

To break it down, I have been a participant in multiple high stress situations beyond my control since before summer started. Most of them involve trying to handle the estate and final sale of my recently departed mother-in-law’s home from across several states…but there are others as well. I seem to be meeting myself coming and going. (Keep in mind we are crossing into November. That is a long time to be in near constant stress.)

At this point, if my tolerance for negativity were a sponge, mine would be oozing and dripping all over the counter top. Though I know this will subside eventually, right now I am hyper sensitive. At least I am aware of it, right?

All of this brings me to a reflection from days gone by:

What would happen if:

For one day only, we choose to speak solely when necessary?
For one day only, we speak not ONE word to another ABOUT what another person said, did, thought or acted like? (In short, we do not speak about others unless it is to communicate something positive and wonderful?)
For one day only, we turn off the car radio and cell phone and instead, offer sincere prayer for anyone we pass on the street?
For one day only, we projected all the love we have in our lives to somewhere else, say, the Middle East?
For one day only, we keep our secrets between ourselves and God?
For one day only, we choose to follow, rather than to lead?
For one day only, we were quiet enough to hear God’s voice inside us?

What would it say?

In the past, I used to declare every Monday: “Affirmation Monday”. My friends and I would post what our intentions and affirmations were for the week. Maybe today might be a good day to do some reflecting on the times in our lives when we’ve been hurt someone else’s words or deeds and how we can help to eradicate this type of behavior in our own lives.

Yesterday Charlie and I were talking about how people speak to one another. I related an experience I had at a film event where a girl I have never met and who is probably thirty years my junior, kept calling me “baby”. “Baby, Baby…are you sitting in that chair?” I was polite and smiled, but inside I wanted to take her by the arm and say to her, “Listen to yourself, you sound like an imbecile; is this really the image you want to project here?” I realize it was a small thing that isn’t worth dwelling on, or is it? Today I’m still thinking about that girl and wondering; Who is her mother? Why wasn’t she taught how to be respectful? Did she think she was being cute? How many of this girl are out there? (ha ha).

Sometimes without realizing it, even the inflections we use may cause another to misinterpret the meaning behind what we are saying. How many times are we so consumed in our own thoughts that when a person asks us a question, we only half answer them or worse, our tone indicates we feel we are being bothered?

My affirmation for the coming week is to be totally present in my conversations, to listen, rather than react, to offer love when I don’t have to.  (This and to leave my tears at home where they belong!)

What will be your affirmations?

From the Angels:

image Healing: The highest purpose of your healer guides is to restore your self-awareness and self-esteem as children of God and help you accept the love and unlimited blessings that God grants you.

Opening your heart and mind to your worthiness is the best healing of all.

self-acceptance Self-Acceptance: You are important and know that you are called to add value to the world around you.

You have rich treasure inside you that people need. You have more in you than you realize, and you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

No matter where you are in life today, you have potential to increase, grow, to be strengthened, and to move forward. God created you for His good purpose and you are His masterpiece!

trust Trust: You have to be willing to pour in everything you have before you can see Gods increase flowing in your life. Believe in yourself, the angels emphasize the value of self-trust.

Signs: You have asked for a sign from your angels. Pay close attention to everything going on around you scents, color, objects. Be aware of the messages they are trying to alert you … notice sounds, objects.

You’ve asked for heaven to help you. This card signifies that your angels are trying to get your attention with signs.

They are trying to make contact with you.

Well, I don’t know what will happen now.
We’ve got some difficult days ahead.
But it doesn’t matter with me now.
Because I’ve been to the mountaintop.
And I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.
Longevity has its place.
But I’m not concerned about that now.
I just want to do God’s will.
And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain.
And I’ve looked over.
And I’ve seen the promised land.
I may not get there with you.
But I want you to know tonight, that we,
as a people will get to the promised land.
And I’m happy, tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.
I’m not fearing any man.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord

Martin Luther King Jr. – 1968

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comets in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Hauntings

Psychics say the way to end a haunting is to talk to the ghost, set it on the right track, and give it a boot in the behind, right into the light. The next time you find yourself haunted by a painful memory, you might try doing the same thing.

crying-eyes

Most people in my life are completely unaware (unless they are immediate family or have read my blogs for eons) that back in 2001 I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The diagnosis was made after I was assaulted that same year. I learned back then, that I had probably developed PTSD much earlier in life.

That being said, I consider myself fully recovered even though I am told it never goes away. I know this is true, because I have completely unexpected flare ups from time to time. I still consider myself recovered, however,  because when the flares do appear, I recognize them and take the proper steps to get into the present moment.

Earlier this week I was blindsided by a situation at work where I felt someone was overstepping his boundaries. We were in an important meeting and he contradicted me several times over things he didn’t even have experience with. Throughout the day, he repeatedly incorrectly answered questions intended for me. At one point he swore I’d been given a certain list, when in fact, I haven’t and so on and so on. The entire scenario felt so ego-driven to me, it triggered a three-day long reaction.

My mind knew that he was acting partly on ego and that his intentions were probably to be helpful, not hurtful. Even so, my PTSD took me back to a time long ago where I felt belittled and betrayed and shamed. Immediately my heart-felt broken, as if none of the people I have come to love so much through my work place, really care about me at all. I sat on the couch that night feeling the familiar pangs of having the best of my intentions mocked as being fake and stupid and worse, that I had no one to go to for help.

Not a pretty place to be.

It’s taken three days to fight my way back to the truth. This was one incident in time with a person who wasn’t self-aware enough to realize he was over-stepping. I choose to believe his intention was to be helpful. I also believe his actions were ego-based, but I have to let that go and not dwell on it.

I make a conscious decision to affirm the following: It’s not true that people do not care about me; that is something from the past. It is a fact that I usually act from a place of purity. There is nothing fake about me. I am worthy. I should be treated with respect. I deserve to feel safe and protected. My mistakes in life do not define me as a failure of a person.

This morning I remembered a passage in one of my favorite books that talks about living according to old patterns that are no longer useful etc. It’s an excellent and thought-provoking little piece.

One doesn’t have to have PTSD to replay old tapes that do not serve any more. How many of us can remember and list every mistake we ever made, but we have trouble remembering the good things we’ve done?

HAUNTINGS

An Angel Reminder: It’s when we mistake memory for life that we get into trouble.

All of us live, to some extent, in haunted houses populated by the noisy ghosts of memory. Voices of parents, grandparents, old lovers may haunt us. Regrets for things done or left undone may dog us, filling us with guilt and freezing us in our tracks every time we try to get on with our lives. Unfortunately, the goblins and demons of the past often shriek and moan so loudly that we can’t hear the present. And so, without even realizing it, we live according to old patterns that are no longer useful, mistaking memory for reality and letting past mistakes destroy present possibilities. When we’re being haunted, it’s helpful to remember that our ghosts are as stuck as we are. They, too, would like to get a life, but they are compelled to repeat their tiresome patterns because they just don’t know any better. Psychics say the way to end a haunting is to talk to the ghost, set it on the right track, and give it a boot in the behind, right into the light. The next time you find yourself haunted by a painful memory, you might try doing the same thing.

Are you being haunted? If so, by what or whom? Are there regrets or past actions that you haven’t resolved, or people from the past who still hold you in their grip? How is this affecting your present life? Have you ever looked these ghosts straight in the eye? When we examine our ghosts, we realize that they really have no power over us, for we can see straight through them.

An Angelic Reflection: I make the distinction between past and present reality.

( “Angel Courage”, Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, ©1999, Harper San Francisco)

 

From The Angels:

image Serenity: You are moving into a time of greater inner peace and tranquility.

Peace of mind means feeling secure, and knowing that you’re always provided for. Even if your logical mind cannot fathom how a challenge could be resolved, peace of mind means that you trust that God will create a miraculous solution. This sort of faith is always warranted because faith is a key component in experiencing such miracles.

By drawing this card, the angels reassure you that peace of mind is within you. You can feel serene, even in the midst of great turmoil. It’s a mistake to think that you have to wait until your life is problem free before you can be happy and peaceful. The opposite is actually true. First, you work toward serenity, and then your life challenges lessen and disappear. Serenity is your natural state of mind, and the angels are now working with you to actualize this.

retreat Retreat: Spend some time alone in quiet thought. Clear your mind, and focus on your truth and priorities.

Are you pushing yourself too hard, beloved child of God? The angels remind us that rest is a natural cycle in every living thing. Think of the mighty oak tree that grows in spurts and then rests. It draws its nourishment from deep within the earth, and takes its time before growing upward again. Like the oak tree, it’s important for you to nourish yourself with spiritual and emotional “food.”

While you are resting, take time to reflect on your heart’s true feelings and desires. Your angels speak to you through your heart, and when you listen to and honor your feelings, you walk hand-in-hand with God and the angels. You will know that it is true Divine guidance, and not just your imagination or wishful thinking if it speaks of your desire to make a difference in the world.

emerging Emerging: Your true self-radiant, powerful, successful, and intelligent-is now shining through the surface. Allow your true self to be visible to others, for you lift them up and inspire them.

You are awesome in so many ways, and you are beginning to trust and reveal your true nature more easily. At one time, you may have believed that you had to hide your feelings from others (or even from yourself!). Now, however, you realize how vital and attractive expressing your authentic self is.

Your angels are guiding you to honor your true feelings by expressing them to yourself and others. The angels will help you lovingly talk about your feelings so that no misunderstandings occur with friends and loved ones. Your angels will never guide you to do or say anything that could hurt you or anyone else! They will also ensure that your life will emerge to a new level of inner peace as you let your true self come out and play.

Today’s Prayers:

As you leave this place
may the Living Lord go with you;
May he go behind you, to encourage you,
beside you, to befriend you,
above you, to watch over you,
beneath you, to lift you from your sorrows,
within you, to give you the gifts of faith, hope, and love,
and always before you, to show you the way.

benediction – blair monie

Divine Mother
Mother of the Universe
Bless us with peace
Within and without.

jalaja bonheim – 2000

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
— Psalm 79:9 (NIV)

Fearless Hope

I hate feeling unsettled. One minute I am up and ready to take on the world and the next, there are things bubbling up and I’m screaming about nothing. It’s a precarious time for most all of us right now, especially in the USA where we are feeling an upheaval in our country with the upcoming election.

hope

I hate feeling unsettled.  One minute I am up and ready to take on the world and the next, there are things bubbling up and I’m screaming about nothing.  It’s a precarious time for almost all of us right now, especially in the USA where we are feeling an upheaval in our country with the upcoming election. It’s insane the amount of bickering and fighting going on. People who have been friends for years have parted ways because they do not agree on who should be President. The two candidates we have behave in deplorable ways. It’s a scary time for all of us, but for those of us who are ultra sensitive, it can be hard to get out of bed each day.

My husband and I cook for a church each Wednesday, a task I normally love and look forward to. This morning, I’m reaching for the strength to do it and to do it with a smile. I feel sad inside for a number of reasons. I have to keep repeating to myself, “This too shall pass.” I know it will. It always does.

There IS hope.  We don’t HAVE to feel the effects of fear.  For some, this is easier said than done, but it’s a matter of choice.  I personally have no idea what is about to happen with the Government but I do know one thing…it’s up to me (and you too) to be diligent about praying for the people of our Nation and to ask God that our leaders begin to strip down to the heart for the good of this Country of ours.  The time for greed is over.  We’ve been seeing for some time now what greed is capable of doing and has done.  I want no part of it.

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on my past walk with the Blessed Mother and today I went through my books trying to find the ones that helped me best to strengthen my faith.  I ran across a meditation book called, “Medjugorje Day By Day” (by: Richard J. Beyer), and opened it to October 26.  This is what is says at the top.  It’s part of one of Mary’s messages to the world as given to the visionaries in Medjugorje back in the eighties.

October 26:

The Blessed Mother Speaks of Grace today:

“Dear Children, pray during this month.  God has allowed me to help you every day with graces, in order to protect you from evil.  This month is mine.  I would like to give it to you. Pray and God will give you the graces that you ask for.  I will support your requests.”

(© 1993 Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana)

 

During a time in my life when I most needed a hand to hold , Mary was there for me.  I am here to tell you She is here now again, and She’ll help anyone who reaches out to Her.

Once upon a time she foretold what is going on in this country right now and I will never forget what She said.  She said this country has been given the most and we have the least gratitude [of all countries] for it.  She also said “God help the mother’s with young children”.  For whatever reason, that one quote has always stuck with me.  All She has asked of me or anyone is to return to putting God first in all of our ways.  She doesn’t specify what religion because frankly, God is God, no matter what name we choose to use.

At a time in my life when I felt there was no human on earth in whom I could place my trust, I took a deep breath and made a promise to hold Her hand and go where She would lead me.  She led me to a deep faith and belief that through God, ALL things are possible.  She specified that there IS still time to change our ways and that through the prayers of many, a lot of terrible things have been averted.  They still are and still can.

So I ask you all to join with me in praying for one another, not just America, but for all people of all Nations.  Pray that God sends an army of Angels to seep into the hearts of those who supposedly lead and want to lead this country and that whomever ends up being the decision maker(s) begins to lead with his/her heart for the good of all.  The fact is that none of us truly know, we only have opinions on who is supposed to be in charge.

WE ARE ONE.  It’s time to take the one true stand we can all take.  Begin and end your days on your knees in prayer.  Ask that God take the lead and show us all the right way.  Ask that God’s will be done, not ours.

It doesn’t fail.  I can promise you this.

My love to all of you!

From The Angels:

answered-prayer Answered Prayer: Fear not, beloved one! Your prayers have been heard and answered.

All of your prayers are always answered. Sometimes you may not feel this way, because the answer comes in unexpected ways. Perhaps you receive an intuitive feeling or a new opportunity appears-or a book falls off the shelf. The angels answer our prayers very often by giving us ideas or information in these everyday ways.

By drawing this card, the angels request that you be extra observant. Notice everything that you hear, say, think, and feel. Be especially alert to help that comes to you, and be sure to accept that help. You do deserve this assistance, and many times God enlists people to act as Earth angels who bring you answers to your prayers.

 

harmony Harmony: Conflict is resolved in a situation that was troubling you. Know that you deserve this peace and happiness, and accept it graciously.

Beloved child of God, you are a peace-lover at heart. This card comes to you as a sign of new harmony that dawns upon you. Let go of viewing the situation as troubled, and see yourself and others through the eyes of your guardian angels. In this way, you’ll look past the surface and see the beauty and light that eternally shines within everyone.

By shifting your viewpoint to the angelic perspective, you become an Earth angel. Holding an elevated viewpoint sparks miraculous healing in all of your relationships. Conflict drops away, revealing the clean and new truth about everyone and everything.

study Study:  Don’t let the pressures of life push those dreams down. Stir up those dreams. Shake off every disappointment and press forward. This is a new day. Get a new vision. Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, you are going to keep pressing forward. This is an important time for you to learn new ideas or skills.

You are going to keep growing. You are going to keep learning. You are going to stay active. If you will stay passionate about life, knowing what your purpose is and being your best every day, God will pour out His blessings to you. Perhaps you feel guided to enroll in a class and this card confirms that feeling.

Make the choice to keep your dreams in front of you. Remember, you have a purpose. You have a destiny. You were created to make a difference to impact our society to make this world a better place. You are being guided to enroll in class, continue your education.

 

mary

Today’s Prayers:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee

Blessed art thou among women

and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Denial Works for Me.

As I lay waiting for sleep last night, thoughts and memories flooding my heart -old tapes playing through my brain; I suddenly realize this was my rude awakening

sleepless

I often say I live very well in the state of denial.  I don’t ask questions I don’t want to hear the answers to;  I don’t pay attention to what anyone might be saying about me;  I don’t poke my nose into the affairs of others and compare my state in life to theirs.  Although it may sound like I’m living an honorable life, the reality is that I take good care to protect myself from any form of emotional pain.

So why in the world would I decide yesterday to be a good time to surf the web to look up people who are no longer active members of my life?  Insanity comes to mind.

I stumbled across the page of someone dear to me only to be jolted by the fact that while it’s years since I last saw this person, the same tape continues to play.  I read a few very untrue statements that made a vague reference to me and it stung hard in my heart.  I don’t see much evolution in this person.  I still see plenty of old pain, lots of new, and a false face of bravery.  Oh yes, it burns.

As I lay waiting for sleep last night, thoughts and memories flooding my heart -old tapes playing through my brain; I suddenly realize this was my rude awakening.  The reason I went outside of my normal behavior yesterday, was most likely because I was supposed to in order to see what I saw.  There is still plenty of unfinished business in my life.  It’s not enough to be complacent and just wait for the right opportunity.  I have to start asking the hard questions.  I have to face a painful situation….because the only way out is through.  I know beyond a doubt this was not really an “accidentally stumbled in” situation.  This was me being led to see something I needed to see.

We all have times in our lives when God isn’t so subtle.  I laugh hard at the memory of myself -years ago- kneeling at the foot of the cross asking God to make me humble.  How stupid of me.  Over twenty seven years later, He’s still teaching me this lesson.  (Be careful what you pray for.)

Although yesterday’s experience was a shock to my heart and a definite “rude awakening”, I’m focused on the “awakening” part.  I liken the shock to that of a defibrillator…bringing me back to the reality of life and the fact that I still have a lot of work to do.

Yet another Blessing in disguise.  Can I get an “Amen!”

From The Angels:

self-acceptance Self-Acceptance: You are important and know that you are called to add value to the world around you.

You have rich treasure inside you that people need. You have more in you than you realize, and you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

No matter where you are in life today, you have potential to increase, grow, to be strengthened, and to move forward. God created you for His good purpose and you are His masterpiece!

balance Balance: Restore me to balance in body, mind, and spirit. Remove everything from my consciousness and body that is not in perfect alignment with your loving plan for me.

I give my full permission and cooperation to all healing forces of Divine Love and ask God and the angels to lift all of my burden.

spiritual-growth Spiritual Growth: Integrate spirituality to a higher degree in your daily live! Enjoy the process!

You are seeking a higher connection a renewed connection with the Divine and you wish you could immerse yourself read, study, learn, or meditate take it all in at once. The exhilaration of moving up to a higher level of consciousness is challenging slow down and enjoy the process.

Trust that the same Power that brought you to your spiritual path will also take care of everything for you.

 

Scattered Showers & Thunderstorms.

Wouldn’t it be nice if when in the midst of a struggle, we could stop, hit the rewind button and remember that all things happen for a reason and we are never EVER ill-equipped?

lightning

“Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms.” For some reason it seems appropriate for me to head my page with this little phrase. How often have we ALL heard the weather man announcing this forecast!?

I feel like this is where I am right now in life. LOL. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on things much more than I’ve allowed myself time for over the past several years and it’s wonderful. What’s interesting is that most of my friends are doing the same thing. The revelations that come when we look back on our lives and realize exactly how we’ve come through certain struggles with relative ease, are fantastic. It doesn’t seem that way while we are going through it, but years (or even months) later, it’s almost always evident that we had all the tools we needed, we learned important lessons about ourselves, and it wasn’t as hard as we made it out to be.

Most often I find that the lesson in all of my conquered struggles is that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. My intuition never fails me and usually if I am having trouble in my life it’s because I’m fighting against what I know in my heart to be correct. Isn’t this where ALL of our issues come from?

Wouldn’t it be nice if when in the midst of a struggle, we could stop, hit the rewind button and remember that all things happen for a reason and we are never EVER ill-equipped? Next time you think you are going through something hard, stop and ask yourself what part of the situation is within your control and what part of the situation isn’t. If it’s within your control, do something positive to provide some form of remedy; even if it’s changing your thoughts about it. The part of it that is not within your control gets given to God with lots of advanced gratitude.

Right this very minute I have that familiar pang of something not being quite right pulling at my heart. It’s an issue that is beyond my control, so I’ve given it over to God. In this case, since it’s beyond my control, the only option is to let it go and give it to God knowing that He can and will heal this situation in a magnificent way.

What’s on your plate right now that you can give to God in order to lighten your load? I’m willing to bet there is something. How much lighter can you make your heart by clearing some of the cluttery things that don’t need to be there?

From The Angels:

signs Signs: You have asked for a sign from your angels. Pay close attention to everything going on around you scents, color, objects. Be aware of the messages they are trying to alert you … notice sounds, objects.

You’ve asked for heaven to help you. This card signifies that your angels are trying to get your attention with signs.

They are trying to make contact with you.

harmony Harmony: Strife, confusion and conflict be gone. A difference of opinion has clouded your thoughts.

If you change your focus and look for the common ground of peace, you can bring harmony into your relationships again.

You know that one of the most powerful ways you can fight for your relationships is to be a peacemaker? Beloved child of God, you are a peace-lover at heart. You are bringing unity into your relationships.

Focus and look for the common ground of peace, you can bring harmony into your relationships again, you become an Earth angel. Remember, God and the angels tells us that blessed are the peacemakers. When we dwell together in unity, we honor God and open the door for His hand of blessing in every area of our lives!

divine-timing Divine Timing: Change can be fast, yet keep in mind the importance of patience and Divine timing, developing a trust in the unseen mysteries of spirit working in your life.

The more that you can approach your own shifting with loving kindness, the smoother your road of change will be. On some days it may still feel like a roller coaster ride, yet your self-love can help you to have the necessary steadiness within.

Pay close attention to doors that are open to you. As you continue the journey of rediscovering your Divine nature, angels surround you with their love and blessings.

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Enlighten what is dark inside me, most especially my faith and trust in You. Help me to conquer the sometimes irrational fears that creep into daily life. Help me to know that I need not concern myself with how things will work out, but rather that through you all things will work out the way they are intended to.

My job is simply to love others as I would have them love me and to honor You in all that I say and do.

Thank you in advance for all that you do.

Amen.

Baubles & Blessings. Trinkets &Tears.

In a perfect world, life would be fair on all counts, yet, it’s not…

image

This is actually a repeat of a blog I did years ago. It could have been written yesterday as things are still the same. I am leaving it here because a lot of you do not know my whole background. Rather than tell the entire long, boring story, this is a little snippet of what I sometimes experience when I visit with the parents on Thursdays.

In getting used to writing regularly again, I’m finding myself ready to talk about more personal things. For a time I held back,  unsure I should be revealing the total truth. Today, I feel like who really cares what anyone thinks, provided I’m speaking my truth and I always do.

I have spoken a little about going to visit my mother and how it’s been a Blessing in my life to reconnect. Today I visited again and we laughed and joked and talked about old times. We talked about my writing my book, (and of course, she has her ideas about what I should write about).

It was a bit hard towards the end of our visit when she accidentally shared with me that she’s all ready given most of my Grandmother’s jewelry and hers too, to my daughter and sister. Although, I am not one who is really interested in material things, it was hard to hear this today, feeling like I’d been passed over as “non-existent”. Still, I tried to be cheerful when she related how my daughter always gets her way; how even though C. doesn’t usually wear jewelry, she’s managed to conquer most of the best pieces. I tried to make a few nice comments, “I’m glad for her. It’s nice that she’s finally wearing nice things…” It was a struggle for me. All my heart could feel was, “Why doesn’t anyone in this family ever think about me?”

I guess my Mom saw me struggling unsuccessfully to be cheerful. I had a smile on my face but I was wishing I could run out of there to bawl my eyes out. It’s not about the “stuff” for me at all. It’s about being forever treated like I am not a true member of the family. It’s about being consistently last.

My Grandparents were the most special people in the world to me. I was actually the closest one to both of them, but Mom either doesn’t remember this or she’s chosen not to care. It is devastating to me at times, but I always put on a brave face.

I could see in my Mom’s expression that she was kicking herself for having said what she did. She didn’t intend to hurt me and I know she felt an immediate need to make up for it. So she forced me into the room where the jewelry safe has always been and she wouldn’t look at me, knowing I had tears streaming down my face. She forced me to stand there while she opened it, trying to attempt to save my feelings, saying, “there isn’t much left, but you can pick too”.

I don’t fault her for anything yet, it really hurts to know that I wasn’t even thought of when this distribution took place. I guess she she did what she thought best. I WAS gone for three years, after all.

Still it hurts. In a perfect world, she’d have given what she wanted to and saved the balance for us to share equally. This is what she did when my Grandmother died and she was left everything. She said she could not possibly be at peace knowing she had a brother and sister who loved their mother as much as she did…and keep the things to herself. So she waited until my Grandfather died and then they drew straws and picked fairly.

There were things she didn’t get but I remember her telling me she was at peace because she “did the right thing”. I cannot help but wonder why she hasn’t used the same measure of balance for her own children and Grandchild.

It’s hard for me because I was the closest to my Grandparents. It’s hard for me because yesterday, I felt humiliated-like an after thought-when she forced me into the room to pick something. She forced two rings on me, which I am grateful for because they turned out to be things that have sentimental value for me; but by and large, I just wanted to run out of there.

This is a pattern in my family. Negative attention has always been fed and rewarded and that’s all I will say about that at this time.

I worked with my father for twenty seven years and in the end was left with nothing when he decided he needed the income and he sold our business. In fact, he gave my sister and daughter all of the equipment and furniture from my office. My daughter and sister have been allowed anything and everything they’ve wanted. Now all of this jewelry stuff.

I have a hard time understanding why things in my life have played out the way they have. In my heart, I have an idea, but it sure doesn’t take the pain away.

On the way home, through my tears, I kept hearing, “the meek shall inherit the earth”. I know it sounds crazy but this is what repeated over and over in my brain. I thanked God through my tears and shouted out that while I may not have the mementos, I have had the love and that means MORE.

Years from now I will remember these times with my Mom that are four uninterrupted hours, once per week, of solid visit time where we share openly and honestly. MOST times we giggle and laugh and other times I burst into tears and try to tell her how I feel. It won’t change the behavior, but at least I am able to express myself.

The Blessing in all of this is that she listens. How many people get to speak from the heart like this and have her mother actually HEAR? I don’t know. What I DO know is that this is what I’ve needed my entire life so yes, it’s worth way MORE than jewels and material possessions. I have her ear, her heart and her time and I’m saying things I want to say before she leaves this earth. In a few years, I’ll feel peace. My sister and daughter will still have the baubles, but I’ll have important memories..

It seems my lesson is almost always one of learning to shift one’s perspective in order to see the bright side of life. Believe me, it’s never easy to do, but the result is always a good one.

Count your Blessings. They ARE there.

From The Angels:

listening Listening: It’s easy to get busy in life trying to do everything at once. You can listen and work at the same time but sometimes multi-tasking isn’t the best use of our time. Sometimes we have to stop, look people in the eyes, and give them the gift of listening.

We need to take time to deposit value in their hearts. We need to support one another, and listening is an amazing way of doing just that.

As you go about your day, the angels remind you to give people the gift of listening. It seems like such a little thing, but those little deposits will eventually make a big difference. When you make deposits in people, you are making deposits in eternity, and that is what pleases the heart of God.

image Support: God, the angels, and all who love, protect, and guide you are watching over you right now. When you take time to communicate with God and the angels, they are able to pour out power and strength into our lives.

This card reassures in the multitude of anxious thoughts within you. Divine love comforts you. They will comfort you with the energy of Divine love.

If you ever feel doubtful about your ability to help others, ask the angels to help you release these fears.

truth-intergrity Truth & Integrity: You have the strength to stand strong in the midst of difficult situations, and the wisdom it takes to make good decisions. If something in your life isn’t working, be willing to release it to God and the angels.

Understand you are important, and know that you are called to add value to the world around you. No matter where you are in life today, you have potential to increase, grow, to be strengthened, and to move forward. God created you for His good purpose and you are His masterpiece!

Today’s Prayers

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)

 

Dear God:
I Can’t.
YOU Can.
Please Do.
Thank you.
Amen