Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

God Winks

Today is my Sacred Sunday. Yes, I know the calendar says that it is Monday but I'm resting today and have given myself permission to do nothing. While doing nothing, I logged onto my GoogleReader account and discovered that Lisa at Groggy Froggy posted a video of Josh Groban singing "You Are Loved."

I started the video and then closed the window so I could hear the song without seeing the image. Normally, I would not have taken time to  listen to the video but the dip I've fallen into has left me feeling drained and discouraged. I figured checking out the video would be an okay thing to do. Since I'd been on my computer for awhile, I had a lot of open windows so I began clicking the X's on the upper right hand corner to clean up my desktop. As I heard Josh sing lyrics that included "don't give up" I came upon this open window.

Whoa! Couldn't help but feel that the universe was giving me a very clear message in that moment. I didn't know this pop-up ad from Travelocity was on my screen until I started closing the extra windows.

I gotta tell you, I needed that! Thank you, Universe, for sending me a God Wink! Another thank you goes out to Lisa for introducing me to an inspirational song I had never heard before.

To learn more about God Winks, visit http://www.whengodwinks.com/ or read about synchronicity.

(Bev and Buddy...doing nothing...which actually led Bev to exactly what she needed! February 25, 2008)

Yet another reminder that it really is okay to do nothing!!

Blessings!

Beverly

Living In The Present

Just as my coaching call with a client was starting to flow, something made me take a look at Buddy who just happened to be happily chomping on a chunk of rat poison he found in one of our closets. I calmly explained the situation to my understanding client and turned the phone off. Next I went into a full blown panic. I could not get all the gunk out of his mouth and I had no idea how long he had been chewing it. Luckily, my husband was able to take Buddy to the vet's office immediately. Buddy is home now and all seems to be fine even though we are still watching him closely. 

This ordeal made me think about how quickly life can take a sharp U-Turn. One minute everything is great and suddenly, it feels as if the world topples over and you have to shift gears and hold on tight. I am reminded to be grateful for the frequent smooth patches when all is right and good in my life.

Thankfully the sun has set upon this day and all is well. My freshly cleaned office is once again my cozy, inviting, peaceful space. Buddy sleeps at my feet as if the whole ordeal never happened as I listen to Jim Brickman's relaxing piano music while I write and give thanks.

Blessings to you.

Beverly

Eleven Things I'm Grateful For About Women

We have incredible inner strength.

We are fragile.

We give birth.

We feel deeply.

We have beautiful curves.

We are creative.

We are intuitive.

We support each other and love deeply.

We build warm, safe, comforting nests.

We let go, even when it hurts like hell.

We listen.

What are you thankful for about women?

Blessings!

Beverly

Eleven Reasons To Give Thanks

God

Clouds

Sun

Water

Air

Animals

Humans

Earth

Family

Friends

Love

What are 11 things that you are grateful for?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends...and may the spirit of gratitude bless everyone this week.

With Love,

Beverly

Nostalgia

Many years ago, The Smothers Brothers found their way into our house on Sunday evenings. Their show made my dad laugh so I often sat in the den and watched The Smothers Brothers' show with my dad. Even though I was only seven years old, Tom and Dick Smothers made me laugh too.

Judy Collins came into my life when I was about nine. I added "Colors of the Day; The Best of Judy Collins" to my budding album collection because I loved to hear her sing "Amazing Grace."  It made me want to cry and it was okay that I didn't understand why.

When I learned that Judy Collins and The Smothers Brothers would be performing at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi on November 9th, I bought a pair of tickets. The passing of time has been kind to these stars and they still sparkle brightly. I was disappointed that Judy Collins did not sing Amazing Grace but I'm sure she had a good reason for skipping that song. The Smothers Brothers made Greg and myself laugh a lot. There was an empty seat in the row in front of us. I pretended that my dad was sitting there. I truly believed that he was sharing the moment with us. 

My sacred Sunday has been quite ordinary. I slept late. I took Buddy on a four mile walk. Greg and I gave Buddy his first bath. I swept falling acorns from the deck. I had Jiffy Pop popcorn for dinner. We can't buy Jiffy Pop in the stores around here but thankfully, Amazon.com allows me to get my Jiffy Pop fix!

                                                                                                   

I'm thankful for warm memories of my past. I'm also thankful that some of the joys of my past still exist in the present.

Does nostalgia ever bring you comfort? What connects you to joyful moments of your long ago past? 

Blessings!

Beverly

Sleepless in Clinton...again

Sleep. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. I guess this is one of the gifts of premenopause. At least, that is how I'm trying to look at it. I have to admit, I miss my solid nights of sleep. I love sleeping and dreaming so on the nights I suddenly wake up anywhere between midnight and 3:30 a.m., it feels like I'm missing out on something wonderful that I used to take for granted.

I can always tell when I'm not going to be able to go back to sleep for awhile. I used to fight it by trying to force myself to go back to sleep. That didn't work so now I just go with the flow. "Oh, I'm awake. What can I do now?" I often grab my laptop and write or read. Sleepless nights give me the perfect opportunity to check in on the blogs that I discovered when Carla started up the Sacred Life project.

At first, I found blogs that appealed to me and added them to my site so I could check them regularly. It was difficult to put the names of authors with each blog. Now, I've got it! For example, I know that Lisa at Groggy Froggy recently left a dissatisfying job to begin a new chapter in her life. Jane over at Painted House 52 has this incredible photo posted on her blog of her breasts painted in pink cake frosting. She did this to show support of women getting their annual mammograms. Olivia over Happy Luau has started posting wonderful videos of herself on her blog and every time Patti over at Welcome To My Universe posts a photo of one of her paintings, I want to run to the nearest craft shop and buy my own supply of brushes and paints and give it a go. Karin over at Creative Chaos is so good at combining her creativity and humor and I'm hoping to meet up with Julie from S'up? one day in the near future when I visit Atlanta. Actually, I'd love to meet all the women in person who share their lives with me through their blogs. Now, wouldn't that be fun? One great big bloggers party! Whoa, what a special day that would be!

I love to click through my whole list of blogs that I have posted on my blog and take a peep into what's going on in each person's life. I am inspired by the courage, creativity and realness of each blogger's journey that I witness from afar.

So, this morning at 1:21 a.m. I'm giving all my fellow bloggers on my list a great big thank you for sharing your hearts with the world through your precious blogs.

I feel connected to each one of you and am grateful to be sharing this journey with you.

G'nite...(maybe)

With love,

Beverly

Fly Through Magnets

Poor little hummingbird looks broken. Sadly, it seems there is no hope for this symbol of joy. How can she fly when her body is divided into two separate pieces? Oh wait! Miracles happen! This hummingbird only needs to find the right home and then she can find wholeness and joy.

Now she is ready to fly! 

This unique belated birthday gift came to me last Friday during a lovely lunch at Kiefer's with soul sister Judy Berry. Each side of the bird has a powerful magnet on it. When you hold the pieces side by side on the inside and outside of a window, the bird looks like she's flying in or out of your room. The photo doesn't really capture the beauty and uniqueness of this bird magnet. From a distance, this actually looks real. At least, that's what Banjo thought when she happened to walk by!

This magnet can be found at Fly Through Magnets. Just click on the name and you will find all kinds of fun magnets to fill your windows with joy and delight!

Thank you Judy for such a fun gift! My newest sacred object is filled with memories of having lots of laughs and precious moments while sharing a special lunch with my radiant soul sister on a beautiful, sunny day!

What's sacred in your life today?

Beverly

Friends - Gotta have them!

Some might think it's still hot here in Mississippi, but most of us who live here are thankful for the slightly cooler days that have finally arrived at the back door. No longer prisoners of the weather, it's time to delight in temperatures that energize instead of zap the life out of us.

When I stepped outside and saw my two kitties hanging out in the tall green grass as they enjoyed our changing weather, my first thought was, "oh, I'm so glad they have each other!" I'm not saying they are the best of friends. There is some jealousy and territorial stuff that goes on between them. However, they are together more than they are apart. This tells me that they are friends in their own special way.

There was a time in my life when I had very few real friends. I knew something big was missing in my life too. I had lots of acquaintances and co-workers but my life was clearly void of deep friendships. I prayed and asked for God to send friends into my life. My prayer was answered. Now, I can not imagine being on this journey without my incredible friends...especially my girlfriends. They are one of my biggest joy generators and even when I'm not with them, I feel their presence in my heart. I know they are always there.

Dear God, Thank you for answering my prayer.

My favorite song about friends is "Friends." (music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin)

I hope the day will be a lighter highway
For friends are found on every road
Can you ever think of any better way
For the lost and weary travelers to go

Making friends for the world to see
Let the people know you got what you need
With a friend at hand you will see the light
If your friends are there then everything's all right

It seems to me a crime that we should age
These fragile times should never slip us by
A time you never can or shall erase
As friends together watch their childhood fly

What's your favorite song about friendship?

with gratitude for all my friends...past, present and future!

Beverly

"A friend is a present you give yourself." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy Sacred Friday!

Gratitude, smiles and deep respect going out to everyone who has been participating in Carla Blazek's Sacred Life Project. It has been an honor to meet new, wonderful women (and Rick!) in blogland. All of you inspire me so much. Thank you!

Blessings to you!

Beverly

What's sacred in your life today?

Learn more about the sacred life project by visiting Carla Blazek's blog.

I Love You Dad!!

Today I saw my father in my sister's face. She laughed just the way he once did. It is comforting to know that if he still lives through her, there might be a part of him that lives through me also.

It was four years ago on this date that Dad moved out of his body and into the spirit realm. Only 5 days before his sixty-fifth birthday and eleven days before Father's Day. That seemed so frickin' unfair. Massive heart attack. Gone. Just like that.

I often see my father in the dreams that come to me during sleep. Our relationship is in a different form now but it still lives. Of course, there are times that I long to sit down in the black leather chair that once faced his desk in his office. Today I would have talked to him about the way the stock market took a nose dive. He would have assured me that it would bounce back soon and I would have believed him. Okay, what I'd really like to do is give him a big hug and tell him "I love you so much!" That was not so easy to do when he was alive. Gosh, I wish I had done it more anyway.

Father energy. It's strong, protective, frightening, masculine, soft, gentle, wise, loving.

Once, I was hiding from my sister and inadvertently made my brand-new bookshelf tumble to the floor and break. I quickly decided to play innocent as I declared "It just fell! I don't know why." Dad asked me a few questions about the situation and then suggested that perhaps I caused the bookshelf to fall by putting too much pressure on it. I was amazed at his psychic abilities! He did not punish me for the mishap. He knew it was an accident and I was grateful that he understood that I didn't intentionally damage my new furniture. Dad's ability to see the truth no matter how slyly I tried to cover it up impressed me.

Never did I think I could live on this earth for four years without my father. Yet, I am still here, living life in the best way I know how to every day.

I am not willing to be sad today. I refuse to revisit the unbearable details that followed Dad's untimely death. He wouldn't want me to do that anyway. He was into laughter and silliness and I'm sure that he would prefer that I laugh and be happy as I count my blessings every day. So, I am choosing to quietly celebrate Dad's life in my own way today. I think he would understand and appreciate this.

Love keeps my connection to him alive, strong and ever present. 

I am so thankful for Love. And, I'm thankful for my dad too. I truly hope he knows how grateful I am to him for so much more than words could ever say.

Here's to you Dad! Happy Birthday, Happy Father's Day and Happy Afterlife too!

Cheers!

Bev