It seems that whenever I’m a part of an experiential intensive, retreat, or workshop …  there is always one person that really touches my heart, leaving a lasting impact.  Recently, at the Heal Your Life® Workshop Leader Certification, it was Cindy.

Cindy is striking.  Actually, she is downright beautiful.  She stands tall, graceful, and looks like a model.  It therefore goes as no surprise that at the age of 15 her dream was to be a professional model.  Then, life took her in a different direction.  However, last year, with the dream still alive in her heart, she auditioned for a Reality Show, which happened to be a model competition and at the age of 39, up against thousands of women - she won! 

During the opening session, we went around the circle sharing.  Cindy shared that just hours before arrival, she received a phone call from her husband.  He was calling to tell her that he had just talked to her doctor and she had been diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer.  The room went silent.  Her husband wanted her to come home right away; however, she replied, “this is exactly where I need to be right now.”

During the powerful week, surrounded by like-minded amazing people from all around the world, Cindy knew what she had to do!   She took responsibility for her role in the dis-ease, accepted it, worked to forgive herself and others, physically released damaging emotions stored in her body.  Then, through healing meditations, powerful affirmations, mirror work, more forgiveness work and prayer, she was able to come to a place of loving herself.  She remarked that she left with “more self-love and respect than she had ever had in her life!”  And, “it was the most life-changing week of my life.”

When she returned home, she met with her doctor to discuss treatment options.  First step: MRI.  Second step: lumpectomy in two weeks.  In the meantime, she continued with her mirror work, affirmations, and meditation.  People commented on how happy and peaceful she appeared.  Cindy had come to love and accept herself unconditionally.  (Which also meant her condition as well).  Without fear or resistance, she chose to treat herself with love and exist in a state of peace. When her surgeon asked how she was “doing,” she replied, “Great!” Her surgeon was shocked and suggested that she was in denial. 

Cindy went into surgery, with the understanding that there was a chance of having another lumpectomy, if not enough tissue was removed.  However, she wasn’t worried. In fact, she had her husband plan a trip to Vegas for Easter weekend. Their flight was to leave the next morning, but her doctor didn’t think that it was a good idea to fly the day after surgery. So instead, they drove to a resort near their home and enjoyed the holiday.

And here is the inspiring part …

Two days later, Cindy went to her post-op appointment. Moments after her arrival, her doctor came into the office, waving the pathology report, beaming from ear to ear and announced “we did the surgery for nothing! There was nothing there!”

What Cindy knew, that the doctor did not know, was that she was healed.  She loved herself into wellness.

Have you ever found yourself facing a personal challenge where you were uncertain about what to do or where to go? 

I am in Orlando assisting the Heal Your Life® Workshop Leader training.  During this powerful seven-day experience, thirty-six individuals came together to heal old emotional wounds, forgive, and deepen their level of self-love and self-respect.  . 

An exercise was introduced to assist attendees in finding an answer to a personal challenge by connecting to nature/Spirit. In silence, they were instructed to go out into nature and see what they could learn from being silent and observing.   Afterwards, a participant expressed that she looked to the sky to see what it revealed.  She saw nothing.  There was not a cloud.  There was not a bird.  There was nothing.  Her question was a “do I do it or don’t I” type question.  Every single day, there had been clouds.  In this moment there was nothing.  She thought, “Is my answer to do nothing?”  She doubted.  So, she repeated the process with the same result. 

On the very last day, with this experience still in her consciousness, she went to her room and took a short break on her balcony.  Glancing into the reflection of her sliding glass patio door, she caught the site of a “U” in the sky.  Huh? She shook her head.  She thought to her self, “Have I gone crazy?”  Then, she stood to her feet and looked up to the sky to discover the message, “U + God = J! Tears streamed from her eyes!  She ran to the workshop room sharing her discovery.  Many flocked outside gasping.  She decided that her message was “God is always with me.” 

Clearly, this experience moved me.  Earlier, I too had been searching for direction as to what to write about.  Then, perched upon the patio of Joe’s Crab Shack, I received confirmation.  As I re-read what I had written, I glanced up to the blue sky through a square of available space (as I had done the entire time I was there) … only this time, guess what I saw? A “U.” 

I shook my head, jumped to my feet and goose bumps ran up and down my arms.  There was an airplane scribing the message to me: U + God = J

Coincidence? Maybe. However, I have to admit that I too gasped when I saw the “U.”

Each one of us is a unique and divine expression of Life.  Just like snowflakes, leaves, blades of grass, and the bark on trees, we are all different. Yeah! Let’s embrace that.  Why would we work so hard to be like anybody else? When we do, we simply set ourselves up for disappointment.  I believe that we can change our hair, physical size, lift our chin, tuck our tummy, and even go to church … but, if we do not love and accept ourselves, we will never find true happiness.  

Being ourselves in a world where there is pressure to remake ourselves can be a challenge.  Disapproval of others can be a powerful deterrent; yet hardly a strong enough reason to choose to be less than who we are.  If we want to be happy, at peace, experience joy, and feel contentment, sooner or later we must exert our right to be accepted for who we are. 

It is often said that we cannot give what we do not possess.  Therefore, it would make sense that to love another, we must first love ourselves. Yet, there persists the idea that to love one’s self is egocentric, destructive, and selfish.  Wow! Wouldn’t simple logic back up the notion that we can only give what we have and that the more we have, the more we can give?  It seems to make sense to me.

I have personally found that it takes a lot of energy to be someone else. Whew! Once I allowed myself to embrace my “warts,” life became a bit more ease-y.  In fact, when I decided to love myself and be myself, great love walked right into my life.  ♥

So, if you are looking for love, I suggest you begin by loving you.   

Sharing love and life through the eyes of a happy goddess.  With love & gratitude, Diosa  

Do you ever read something and find yourself moved to tears? This recently happened to me.  Each month, I receive a newsletter from a variety of teachers that I admire.  One of them is Denise Linn. 

In a nutshell, Denise shared a story of a friend who had been given only 5 days to live.  Her friend chose to experience every moment as sacred and to be fully “in” the experience.  She even described using the toilet as sacred.  (Something that I can say has never been on my gratitude list).

I realized that this resonated so deeply with me because someone dear to me may be facing incarceration.  Each night I stop to say a special prayer that he is watched over, protected and safe.  During the day, I wonder what he is doing/thinking in his days, hours, and minutes before he goes to court.  To that court session that could be the one where he’s taken away … 

What if you were told that you only have a matter of time? What would you do? How might you see things differently? 

I’m wondering …

Would the grass feel different?  Would the wind take on a special charm?  Would the buzz of a bumblebee become more familiar; even pleasant, in that moment?  Would there be a sense of familiarity with this being that may not have been acknowledged before, if it hadn’t become “something that may never be experienced again.”

Having a limited amount of time to be on Earth, out of jail, etc. creates an opportunity (if one chooses to see it as such) to fully experience life.  And, since we never know when it will be our time, I believe I will begin right now to be more conscious of the beauty that surrounds me and share that with others.  I will make my “matter of time” matter!

Valentine’s Day.  Isn’t it just the greatest?  The hearts, flowers, love, candy and allll the romance.  One of my personal favorites is the beautiful big heart shaped boxes filled with delicious chocolates that are filled with a vast array of delectable flavors.  Oh, my personal favorite .. coconut.  Yummy!  And, let’s remember also the innocent delight as children share their glittery paper greetings.  It is a joyful time for many.  In fact, it is a joyful time for me as I have already received one very special Valentine from 3-year-old, Gabriella.  What a treat! It was a little paper Tinker Bell Valentine with a little hand drawn sentiment on the back and a delicious little red sucker attached.  The cutest part of all is that after she gave it to me, she very sweetly managed to regain control of the sucker.  She gave me that sweet little smile that touched my heart and I melted.   

Yet, Valentine’s Day can be a day filled with expectations.  Will the day be perfect?  Will I receive that “special” gift?  Will he/she “show” me they love me?   

So, I offer this:  rather than expect and wonder, take action! Practice love.  Be love.  And, give with all your heart.  After all, I truly believe that the love we give is the love we receive.  Gifts also do not need to have monetary value.  Some of the best gifts of all cost nothing at all.  Time can be given.  Attention can be given.  Doing something nice for someone like holding a door, smiling, returning their grocery cart, letting someone in line, etc. etc.  And, why not do something nice without anticipating any return?  I think I’ll bake some cookies and leave them outside a few of my neighbors’ doors.  Yes!  I giggle just thinking about sneaking the treats to the doorstep.  Imagine their surprise?!   

This holiday, I encourage you to do something unexpected for someone.  Make Valentine’s Day a day of expressing love allllllllllll around you.  And, hey, why we are at it, why not do it more often than on February 14.  Loving feels good and when we feel good and do good, more good comes our way!

Be the love you want to receive.  All my love and oodles of gratitude, Sandra

Sharing love and wisdom through the eyes (and heart) of a happy goddess. 

www.thehappygoddess.com

Yes! ‘Tis the season to be jolly.  Just as it is during every other moment of every other day.  Being “jolly” is a choice.  And, there is so much, right now, to heighten our “jolly-level”  . . . twinkling lights, holiday jingles, glitter dusted poinsettia, egg nog, seasonal cookies, ribbon candy, and a dedicated effort by many to spread holiday cheer! Yet why does it seem that folks are honking their horns more frequently and growing impatient over the (expected) longer lines?  Ah, I can only speculate.  However, rather than spend energy in that direction, I choose jolly!  With one of my favorite things being laughter.  It is easy and it’s free.  Not to mention the health benefits.  Laughter is good medicine for the body, mind, and spirit.  I’ve heard one teacher refer to it as exercise - inner jogging.  I love that.  So, today I invite you to be jolly!  All types of laughter are welcome … giggles, liquid spurting out the nose laughing, belly laughs, guffaws, and even the type that gives you the side ache.  It’s the season and we each have a choice.  Join me in the jolly movement.  Share a smile and see what happens.  Ho Ho Ho! With love & laughter.  The Happy Goddess

Holidays are times to celebrate with friends and reflect upon the processes of life. Follow your inner voice through the holidays, always knowing that you are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing for you. Have fun at parties and holiday get-togethers. Have a good time, and be responsible and safe all in the same evening. This is a time for many blessings. Remember to take time to connect with your inner child, and do something together, just the two of you.

Affirm: It may be true for some, but it’s not true for me. I always prosper no matter where I am or what is going on.

Happy holidays to you, my dear ones!

by Sandra J Filer

“Grandma time was very special time. A time of leaving the ordinary to step into the enchanting.”

 

y grandmother and I shared a magical relationship. Grandma allowed me to dream. Never having a daughter yet always wanting one endeared me to her. As I was growing up, my Grandparents would frequently baby-sit. Once Grandpa departed for the day, all the dazzle came out. The bedroom closets were filled with baubles, beads, shoes, fur coats, and hats. A seemingly endless bounty of treasures awaited me during my magical visits. Something I remember very well is the time I spent on the floor reveling with her earring tree. For hours, I was allowed to play with Grandma’s earrings, mink coats, and sparkly slippers. I can fondly remember Grandma smiling and laughing as I would twirl around in all of my magnificence. During this time of total elation, I was also completely enraptured by the vision of my glamorous self in her full-length mirror. “Grandma time” was very special time. A time of leaving the ordinary to step into the enchanting. Our relationship flourished.

As an adult, I would travel several times a year to stay with Grandma in Florida. Rather than play with an earring tree, I was now allowed carte blanche to wear whatever jewels were available in her endless chest of drawers. We also greatly enjoyed getting all dressed up to dine out together. In preparation, I would fix her hair as well as touch up her makeup. The annual trips to Florida were escapes for me. They became a time for connection. A time to play. A time to laugh. A time to experience the unconditional love of a Grandmother.

As she began to age, our adventures lessened. Our visits became a bit lower key. At the end of each visit, I would quietly walk out to the end of her beautifully painted driveway, late at night, under the big moon and all the stars to pray that the trip would not be my last. One day, it was. After a fall, Grandma’s mobility decreased significantly. Being so far away logistically made it difficult to ensure that she was safe. The time came when a very difficult family decision was made to move Grandma into an assisted living center in Michigan. This was a trying time for everyone. My fun, magical Grandma was aging rapidly. And, worst of all, she was not happy!

Arriving at the retirement center, seeing her room for the very first time, was sobering to say the least. On the surface, we all celebrated how wonderful her small space was. How perfect it was for her. (I believe we were all doing this more for ourselves than for her.) There was a growing sadness inside of me. All I could visualize was her change from waking up in “paradise” (as she described it) to wearing diapers and eating when being instructed to do so. Touring the facility, we all saw, in my judgment, some lonely elders. It was then that I vowed to return to Texas and volunteer at retirement centers. If my Grandma was in Michigan with Grandchildren unable to visit, then there were Grandparents in Texas that needed adoptive Grandchildren too! So, that is what I did.

I began volunteering by offering facials to the residents. This led to calling bingo, attending field trips, Halloween story telling, Wal-Mart runs, etc. I fell in love with the elder residents and visited often. During bingo one day, I met a woman that reminded me of my Grandmother. The resemblance was uncanny. Mrs. Stewart not only looked like my Grandmother she was also a serious card player. They both stashed Saltine crackers in their wheelchair bags. They each kept score of things in a tiny little notebook. And, Mrs. Stewart seemed to have the exact same expressions on her face using her hazel eyes as my Grandma! Naturally, I was completely drawn to her. We became fast friends.

One day, on my way out the door to conduct facials, I received a phone call from my Father. It was April 30. This would be a day I would never forget. I was told that my Grandmother had fallen down. After further evaluation, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. With my heart breaking, I poured more love into the residents. One day, preparing for the King and Queen Ball, my favorite resident was on the Court. Mrs. Stewart was a contender for resident Queen. I had the privilege of preparing her skin and doing her royal makeup for the competition.

Once finished, she looked into the mirror with huge tears in her eyes. She said, “Oh my, is that me? I look beautiful.” I said, “Mrs. Stewart, you are beautiful.” As I was cleaning the table and putting away my items, I saw her wheelchair go by. Then I looked again to discover her backing up. Dead center in the doorway, she was watching me. I said, “Mrs. Stewart is there something I can do to help you?” Her response changed my life forever. For it was in this moment that I realized how the seemingly smallest acts of kindness can bring love and light into this world. Mrs. Stewart looked at me and said, “I just wanted to tell you that this was the best day of my life.”

As I walked out to the car, I wept. I also filled up with love. This experience fueled my desire to share with others what a difference we can make by connecting. My Grandmother and Mrs. Stewart left this Earth within 90 days of each other afflicted by the same disease. I am so grateful that the love my Grandmother showered me with as a magical little girl resulted in my passing on that love to Mrs. Stewart and others.
I love you both - Grandma and Mrs. Stewart. May you both be winning at bingo in Heaven.

~ Sharing the magic of Life and Love through the eyes of a happy goddess.