So, I went on a trip.  A trip of real; real fun, real life, real love and real adventure.  I could replace the word ‘real’ with ‘authentic’ and perhaps that captures the feelings and events of the 4 days I spent in Cape Breton with my beautiful soul friend, Faye.

 On the surface, Faye and I barely know each other – in fact, prior to this trip I had only met Faye 4 times.  And yet, she invited me to her new home in her new Province and the pieces that needed to be organized fell effortlessly into place.  The wonderful man I date gifted me the plane ticket as a Valentines Day gift, my daughter came home for reading week so I wouldn’t have to stress about my 16 year old son having another ‘get together’ at my house when I’m not home and my boss said ‘have a great time off’.

 My flight was an early one.  My cab driver was a wonderful man who had come to Canada 4 years ago from Iraq with his family in search of a better life.  Hearing him speak of the place where he was born, raised and educated had me questioning all the things the media has reported of this war torn and corrupt piece of the world.  I learned something about somewhere I hadn’t known – it was beautiful.

 On the flight, I sat beside Gary.  He was an older gentleman from Texas who was on his way to NFLD to pick up a plane and fly it back to Texas.  In our getting to know each other I found out he was a ‘cloud seeder’.  I had never heard of this before.  Seems this man flies planes all over India, Turkey, Argentina and other places seeding clouds to make it rain, hail or snow.  People do that??  Does everyone know about this practice and was I just asleep when that class was taught in school?  He told me there are several companies out there that help other countries control the weather – its big business – and in his opinion, a very important service to many parts of the world.  More learning for me…

 Faye met me at the airport and our adventure began.  Without going into the events of every day and every night of my trip – let me summarize this experience in a paragraph or two.

 The land is magic.  You would have to be without a pulse or heartbeat not to feel the power in the rolling hills and mountains of this region.  The ocean lends itself to the power of mother earth – it is unforgiving, beautiful and healing all at the same time.  To see it from high above on the Cabot Trail took my breath away and had me in tears.  Its overwhelmingness not lost on this city girl.

 The people of this community possess a love for all that is.  They are kind, compassionate, loving, fun, and good natured.  They can also hold one hell of a party! Many are music makers of varying disciplines and love to entertain us ‘main landers’.  You can feel their guardianship towards the land they call home.  They don’t take this place for granted. The sacredness of this region seems to drive them to be who they are supposed to be and live a life of authentic truths.  Lucky fuckers.  It’s no wonder Faye wanted to live here.  I met some magical people who welcomed me into their homes and lives.  They were real soul friends.

 Imagine a woman in her mid life who up and quits her lucrative position within a well established Canadian corporation; sells her house and her car and leaves her family in order to start a new life in a place quite different from what she is used to.  Most people would call her crazy or unrealistic – I call her brave.  Faye is a courageous woman who has been able to tap into her authentic self and create the path to her truest happiness.  I admire her more than I can put into words.

 Faye is an inspiration to me.  She has shed the illusion of what she thought she was and what people expected her to be, to live a life she has dreamed of – one of purpose and soulfulness.  We should all be so brave and real.

 It was an honour to get to know Faye and this place, on a soul level.  I am forever changed.  I found ‘real’.

A is for ATTENTION

The very first step in attracting more money into your life is to be sure you are focusing on abundance – always! Most of us do the opposite; we focus on everything that is going wrong in our lives. Unfortunately, all that does is attract more of the same.

How do you focus on abundance every day? Be *very deliberate* about where you place your attention and make it a daily habit to purposely focus on abundance. You can do this by thinking happily about the abundance you already have, or you can visualize the abundance you know is coming to you soon. You can focus on feeling grateful for everything in your life, and listing dozens of reasons why you are so glad to have them. Believe it or not, you can focus on ANYTHING that makes you feel happy and abundant and you will be moving yourself into an abundance mind-set.

If you do happen to catch yourself focusing on problems or financial lack, worrying or stressing about anything, immediately switch your focus back to abundance again.

This definitely takes practice; remember that your thoughts may habitually keep returning to lack, scarcity and negativity for awhile. Don’t get upset about it; simply notice when you do it and then firmly shift your focus back to some expression of abundance. The more you do this, the better you’re going to get at controlling those scattered thoughts, and eventually your habit will be to focus on abundance instead of lack.

B is for BELIEF

Beyond focusing more intently on abundance you also need to use the power of your belief to attract money into your life, and you do this by affirming over and over again that more abundance is coming to you.

Have you ever noticed that most people use the power of belief in the other way? They affirm bitterly that things will never get better for them; that things always go wrong for them; that they are “cursed” to live a life of struggle.

If you have ever done this, begin turning it around right now! Here are some things you can say to start building a stronger belief in abundance:

“I know that somehow the universe will help me be more abundant.”
“I believe that I deserve more abundance.”
“I trust the universe to provide everything I need.”
“I know that great things are coming to me now.”
“I attract money easily and allow it into my life now.”

It may take time to build your belief, but once it reaches a certain level you should notice outer changes happening too.

C is for CONSISTENCY

One of the most common ways people fail to attract money is by giving up too soon! They work at it for a few days, maybe a few weeks, and when results don’t come immediately they conclude it didn’t work.

If they only knew that they were probably *this close* to seeing results!

Do yourself the biggest favor of your life and commit to working at it for at LEAST 30 days – even if it doesn’t seem to work right away. The more consistent and persistent you are, the bigger and more frequent your results should be too.

And on a lighter note, my other resolution is to get my LAZY ass to a fitness class starting January 4th. 

 Are you ready to let go of the things that didn’t serve you this past year? What will you be manifesting for the New Year ahead?  Have you made your list?  

 I got a note from the Universe the other day and it said:

When driving down the road of life rarely do we know how good we have it, until we see it in the rear-view mirror.  I’m not suggesting we should look back now, but I want to remind you that where you are today is far more amazing than you probably realize in this moment.

 How true is that?

 No matter who or where you are in your life – may you recognize your greatness in this coming year.  May you sense your magnificence in every moment and every breath.

 Thank you for being a part of my circle this past year and for many years to come.

 Magical wishes for all of you!

 I honestly never gave dying too much thought, until I started volunteering for Hospice Toronto.  During my training, I had the amazing opportunity to spend 8 hours a week for months, talking about death.  Listening to the front line workers (Palliative nurses, doctors, personal support workers and families) discussing the different steps one faces during their last months, weeks, days and moments on this earth.  Each phase of dying different then the next but all with the same outcome; all from different perspectives. 

 It certainly gave me much to think about and contemplate.  What would I want my death to look like?  What would I want to say to my family and friends; what would I need them to know before I left?  Would I be afraid?  Would my belief systems be strong enough to see me through the final moments of my last breaths without fear?  All of which are really great questions.  And, if you think about it – so many folks get taken from this earth without the luxury of time and contemplation of these ever so important things.  So, much to the protest of my kids – I wanted to talk about dying more and more.

 The adage of ‘living each day like it’s your last’ has a lot more meaning to me now.  The small shit in life which use to occupy my mind, has no place there any more.  Should you ever need a reminder of how great you have it, do yourself a favour and visit a long term health facility filled with lonely elders with no purpose left to them, other than counting days (and maybe some points on a cribbage board); or go down to the Hospital for Sick Children and wander the halls looking at the faces of parents so distraught and exhausted and the kids so sick and desperate for a day without the reality they face. 

 Truly, the art of dying teaches us the art of living.  And if we were to spend some time in the reality we will all one day leave this planet; either slowly with time to prepare or quickly without that luxury – the truth is we would be much better people.  We would live as we were meant to – caring about the important things like love, compassion and happiness.  We would prepare, we would communicate and we would die with a lot less regret and those left behind us, would be better equipped to let us go.  

 Death is a wonderful teacher!

“ Western laziness consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so that there is no time at all to confront the real issues.  We are fragmented into so many different aspects. We don’t know who we really are, or what aspects of ourselves we should identify with or believe in. So many contradictory voices, dictates, and feelings fight for control over our inner lives that we find ourselves scattered everywhere, in all directions, leaving nobody at home.”  Sogyal Rinpoche (The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying)

Change is everywhere; the economy, technology, family dynamics, jobs and the list could go on.  Change is happening faster than at any time in human history we no longer have the luxury of adapting to it gradually.  We can’t control it but we can control how we react to it.

 Flexibility is important, when it comes to managing change.  Remaining open-minded, calm and focused are also key ingredients to a recipe for smooth transition.  

 I have this picture on a shelf in my living room and it says:

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.

It reminds me how important it is to manage the changes in my life with a positive and lighthearted approach.  My life has been full of changes – many of which have been not so pleasant.  People have often said to me ‘how do you stay so positive’?  I guess the answer is I just do.  I don’t really know how exactly, it’s just a choice I make.  I’d rather have happy thoughts occupy my mind over negative depressing ones. 

Change reminds me I’m alive and not just a spectator of my life.

Life is change – Growth is optional.

 The past couple of weeks have been a little hectic for me…Can you relate? If only I had time, I would have my desk in order, my email folders set up, my projects prioritized, my meetings arranged, my phone calls answered, my workouts all done, my vacations set, my binders organized, my questions asked and answered, my daily tasks accomplished, my kids colds cured, my friends taken care of, my work done, my life in balance, my house in order, my problem pile finished, my website fixed, my legs shaved, and my mind all clear by bedtime, if there’s even time for sleep! **PHEW**

 When I hear myself saying ‘there’s not enough time in the day’ it’s a good indicator I need to stop; I need to breathe; I need to wait to feel the calm that comes from focus.  I remind myself everything will get done, when it gets done.  The world won’t end, the sun won’t stop shining and the earth won’t stop turning if my list of ‘stuff’ doesn’t all get accomplished in the time I’ve put aside for it.  I need to take my list of ‘stuff’ and reprioritize it and mostly, I need to take some time for me – because I’m certainly never on that ‘list of things to do’!

 So, the bad news is time flies. But the good news is you’re the pilot.

A balanced life is a high quality life and we are the sole judges of what that means. For example, achieving balance in your life starts by discovering the wisdom you’ve gained from living all of these years and by discovering what is important to you and why. There is no paint-by-number kit or a one size fits all for creating a balanced life that fulfills each of our desires and makes room for what is missing. It has to come from within you!

Unfortunately, the society in which we live is geared towards distraction.  Interruptions are the norm of our hectic lives.  We immerse ourselves in these distractions and then wonder at our increasing stress levels and unsatisfied states of mind and physical well being.

Moving through these distractions to allow time for contemplation can be a hard exercise for many. Most of us have never been taught the importance of making time for ourselves to ‘self discover’. It takes a lot of courage for us to turn inward and see what makes us feel alive. You know, things which feed, energize, inspire, and soothe us. Self discovery is the path which leads us to a mind, body, and soul connection. It is your soul’s intention for you. There is no wizard, no great and powerful being to show us the way to our enchantments. But we can become our own fairy godmothers and grant ourselves permission to design a balanced and high quality life.

Take time out of your busy life and go on a quest for some life magic. Reflect, reassess, rediscover, redesign, realign, regroup, renew, and re-enchant yourself.  If it’s true that our outer world reflects our inner world, your entire life will begin to mirror the perspective you choose.  Live a life worth waking up to.

If you need some tools to help – just ask and I will lend you mind.

We get 2 Full Moons this month!  How lucky is that? The second full moon in December is also going to see a partial eclipse – making it even more magical!!

Traditionally, when there are 2 full moons in one month, the second is referred to as a ‘Blue Moon’.  It happens about every 3 years and the expression ‘once in a blue moon’, came from the infrequency of this appearance.

The first full moon is on December 2, although the influence can be felt a day or so before and after.  This moon has often been referred to as the Cold Moon or Longs Night Moon.

The key to working with planetary energies is understanding you’re a part of it all, too. As the Sun and Moon move through the signs, a force field of energy is cast down, engaging with your own unique astrological blueprint.   Staying intimately connected to this cosmic dance allows you to tune into subtle shifts and changes. Our intuitive selves experience these through dream images, spirit guidance, and soul yearnings. You go beyond awareness of your known self, so you can experience your spirit self and its possibilities.

 As the days get shorter and nights get longer, we must force ourselves to get through this darkness because eventually we will see the sunlight and warmth again. Think about the things in your life that you’ve had to endure. Sometimes, a part of us must die in order to be reborn. Now is the perfect time for spiritual alchemy — time to evaluate your life, and know that you’ll survive the dark times.  We use this time of darkness for thought,
introspection, and growth.

If you’ve already put the darkness behind you, take your good fortune and share it with others. When it’s cold outside, open your heart and home to friends and family. Reach out to people who might be suffering from the chill of winter, either spiritually or physically.

 The correspondences for this moon are:

Colors: White, red, and black

Gemstones: Obsidian, ruby, serpentine

 The second full moon is on December 31 making it the Blue Moon.  Think of this moon as a lunar bonus round!!  Personally, I treat this kind of moon as a ‘wild card’ to which I may attach whatever intention I so choose.   As well, this moon will have a lunar eclipse strengthening its influence.

A lunar eclipse occurs at the time of the full moon when the sun and moon are in opposition to one another. The sun and moon are at the point of maximum stress and represent the culmination of events or the end of a matter. Lunar eclipses often influence relationships because of the polarity between the sun and moon. A lunar eclipse becomes a catalyst from which dramatic can change occur.

 So the last day of 2009 will be a very magical day indeed!  The end of a complicated year and the end of whatever you feel needs to be gone!!  You’ve definitely got the Moon on your side for whatever magic you want to weave for 2010.  Make the most of it, for it only happens ‘once in a blue moon’.

The Guest House – Rumi, 1230 AD

This being human is a guest house.  Each morning a new arrival!

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture – still treat each guest honourably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

This morning I had breakfast with Frustration.  He can be such an ass!  Never too deep and never to involved, he’s always just that surface type guest who gets under your skin for a glimpse of a moment.  As soon as I recognized him, he said he couldn’t stay and finished up his coffee and left.   That spot at the table was quickly occupied by Remorse who reminded me I had allowed Frustration to rub off on me earlier and affected my communication with my son before he left for school.  While Remorse and I were talking, Forgiveness walked in like a breath of fresh air and suggested I text my son and apologize for Frustration’s influence this morning.  Once I did that, it lightened the air and made room for a much nicer guest, Love.

This weekend I invite you to feel your ‘guests’.  Good or bad, let yourself get to know them a little better and then let them carry on their travels.  We all know what it feels like when a guest over stays their welcome!!

Everyday should be Thanksgiving, metaphorically speaking.  Wouldn’t we feel better about our lives and ourselves if everyday we took a minute and reflected on what we were ‘thankful’ for? For example:

• I am thankful for my children (even though I’m still picking up after them, paying for most of their shit and doing their laundry)
• I am thankful for my job (even though it doesn’t pay ALL the bills, it sucks the soul from my body and it’s totally unfulfilling)
• I am thankful for my mistakes (especially the biggest one in the U.S.A; the crazy mental fuck I married and is now finally divorced from who continually tests my belief system in the goodness of the human race)
• I am thankful for my lawyers – yes ‘plural’.  (I didn’t need that $50,000 anyway!)
• I am thankful for early Christmas presents that come by FEDEX (especially when they tell me I owe them $31.54 because my sister forgot to check ‘that’ box on the form and now I must pay) LMAO!!  
• I am thankful for this great cup of coffee (even though somehow I know I should feel bad because they have probably used child labour to harvest the beans, or are paying the workers some ridiculously low wage because they can and somehow are environmentally destroying that part of the world to keep up with the demand of us rich greedy North American people who like to enjoy a blast of caffeine every morning)
• I am thankful for free healthcare (who am I kidding; what a crock of shit)
• I am thankful I have a choice and right now, I am going back to bed to bury my head under the covers.

I am thankful for love, for friends and family and for the day the light bulb went off and it totally made sense.  Life is what you make it, thoughts become things and everything is exactly how it should be – right now.