One of the biggest challenges of our lives is knowing when to walk away from an individual or a situation that no longer serves our Highest Good.

My innate stubbornness and determination sometimes keeps me attached to people and things long past the time I should have let go. Knowing this about myself, however, has led me to the practice of letting my Soul guide me when the Human part of me is resisting the inevitable.

I've learned that a feeling of uneasiness is an early warning system from my Soul that something isn't 'right'. If I continue beyond that point I will be given stronger and, sometimes, unpleasant nudges that my time with a person or situation must soon end.

At times I will still continue the connection until something so blatant and unpleasant transpires that I have no choice but to sever the ties that are binding me to what no longer serves me.

It's not easy to let go. We are programmed to connect with each other and to seek out groups and situations to support us and give us an opportunity to carry out our Life Mission.

Clients often ask me how they will know it's time to let go of someone or something they're connected to. I find myself telling them they'll know when there is no fear, no resentment and no anger tainting their thinking. They'll know when they've accepted that they've done everything they could to be supportive and loving and the situation hasn't improved. They'll know when they feel a sense of Peace regarding the decision to walk away.

If you are facing the decision of whether to walk away or stay I would ask that you consider if your staying is in the best interest and Highest Good of all involved.... including you.

Then you'll know whether or not to walk away.

Hearing me say, "But I see it so clearly" can be either a blessing or a curse for my husband. I've actually heard him groan on occasion when I've said this about something he'd rather not have unfold.

When we built our deck a few years ago a landscaper came in to repair the lawn and plant some trees. I had a vision for the yard that required five trees planted in a certain location. The landscaper declared it couldn't be done because of the root system of other trees. I said, "But I see it so clearly." The landscaper looked at me like I had lost my mind and, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my husband wince. Andrew knew I would not be easily dissuaded.

It took several days of convincing me that it couldn't be done before I accepted that I would not have the trees I wanted in the location I had chosen. I have to admit that I was annoyed. I had been so sure that my vision would come to be.

A year later I was in the back yard and noticed some strange leaves growing among the grass where I had asked the trees be planted. I laughed and gave thanks when I realized there were 5 baby trees growing. I put stakes around them so they wouldn't be damaged and informed my husband that I was getting the trees I asked for. I may have even said, "I told you so".

As the trees got bigger we determined that they were offshoots from my favorite tree quite a distance away. I guess the tree was listening when I made my request and made sure I got what I envisioned.

I have long been aware of the benefits of inducing a trance state in both myself and the clients I work with.

When I inform a client we'll be working in various levels of a trance state there can be some apprehension. Some individuals fear that if they are in a trance state their free will will be compromised and they won't be in control of their thoughts or actions.

I then assure them that they are fully in control of the experience and the trance state they're entering is simply a deep level of relaxation where they are able to access both the conscious and unconscious parts of their mind.

At various times throughout our day we can all be in a light or deep state of trance. While we are driving, listening to music, meditating, exercising, watching TV or performing a task we've done countless times we can move in and out of a trance state without even being fully aware of it.

But magic happens when we accept our ability to move in and out of trance and use it to heal ourselves, manage our emotional responses and improve our lives in various ways.

You don't have to be an expert in hypnosis or the mechanics of the mind to work with the trance state. Just do a bit of research and determine what you would like to use it for. In a short period of time you, too, will understand the benefits of inducing a trance state.

I find myself, yet again, navigating the grieving process. Over the past few years I've been given the opportunity to learn much about grieving the loss of those I have loved but going through the process hasn't gotten easier.

A client who became a friend graduated from this plane of existence to her next adventure and, while I am grateful that she is no longer suffering, I am saddened that I will no longer experience her physical presence on this planet.

I loved and respected her and would often tell her that when I finally grew up I wanted to be just like her. She was a rare individual. Kind, loving, intelligent and the embodiment of all that is good.

I will treasure the beautiful notes and cards she gifted me with and I will endeavor to model the courage she often displayed when I am facing my own challenges.

I will miss her. So, for the next while, if I seem a little off, don't be concerned. I'm simply navigating the grieving process.

The other evening I caught myself performing a ritual by rote. For many years now, before falling asleep, I say the same prayers and do the same things before falling asleep. I find comfort in ritual and this particular one has served me well for many years.

But the other evening I just went through the motions and when I realized this it shook me a wee bit. Instead of falling asleep quickly, as is my wont, I stayed awake wondering if the ritual had lost it's meaning.

I did a quick scan of my body and my emotions to see if the answer could be found there.  I realized I was pushing myself beyond what was healthy for some time. Work and family obligations had brought me to the point where sometimes only sheer determination was getting me through the tasks at hand.

I was weary. And it was having an effect on what I held dear.

So, I took a big breath, asked the Higher Realms for help, and thanked that uncomfortable feeling for alerting me that something was out of balance. I resolved to do better.

I'm still working out the details of how to do better and I may have some missteps throughout the process.

But in the meantime I am focusing on being mindful as I go through my day. And I hope to never again find myself performing a ritual by rote.

I  believe that everyone is doing the best they can with what they've got .

You may question this and come up with examples that you feel prove the opposite. But if you take a breath and reflect on the individual and the circumstances you may see things in a different light.

I have learned to accept that no one wakes up in the morning with the intention of making things more difficult for themselves and those around them. Each of us goes through the day simply trying to get our needs met  the best way we know how.

Some of us hold beliefs about ourselves and the world around us that allow for positive outcomes.

Others have beliefs that lead them down a path of strife and struggle.

Does this mean we accept everything another does? No, actions have consequences and sometimes it's the consequence that will lead an individual to examine why they do the things they do. Then they embark on a path of doing better.

I don't expect you to accept this as your truth but I would ask you to just try this experiment. What if, even for a day, when faced with someone who is pushing your buttons you say to yourself, "Everyone is doing the best they can."

Perhaps things will get better.

I don't expect others to have the same belief system as mine but I am becoming increasingly concerned by how many versions of the truth are being offered in an attempt to sway public opinion and keep power in the hands of the few.

With 24/7 cable news programs offering provocative view points it can be challenging to discern what is true and what is false. We are being inundated with 'experts' who are seeking to sell themselves and their ideas in a manner that can be laughable and, sometimes, dangerous.

Too many unbalanced individuals are using the rhetoric they are exposed to as an excuse to commit heinous acts.

Too often we are offered biased information in an attempt to manipulate and influence what we will support.

So, how do we discern if something is the truth? We do so by knowing what we accept as our truth. Deep within each of us is a value system that allows us to recognize a 'truth'. We resonate in some way to what is truthful for us. And if we keep ourselves balanced and focused on the greatest good we will not be led astray.

In these challenging times it is important to understand our truth and to live it to the best of our ability. When we do this what is not true will fall away and become harmless.

We are at a crossroads in this space and time. What we do over these next few days, weeks and months will determine whether we will evolve or devolve. There is much at stake for Humanity and our earthly home. And it is time for each of us to ask ourselves and those around us the question, "Will you choose Love or fear?"

We've seen what can happen when those in authority choose to spread fear so they can hold onto power. We all lose in that scenario.

And even in the most challenging of times we've been witness to the miracles that occur when individuals and groups choose to spread a message of Love and unity.

Everything we do now matters. Every choice holds great weight. So, I'm asking myself and you, "Will you choose Love or fear?"

In Canada, this is Thanksgiving weekend. And while I acknowledge that we are living in challenging times there is much for me to be thankful for.

I woke up this morning with a greater awareness and a renewed determination that I would do everything in my power to do no further harm to myself, those I love, Humankind and Nature.

The events of the past several days have afforded me the opportunity to examine myself and the world around me. And I understand that if I don't like how things are, then I have a responsibility to do what I can to effect positive change.. while harming none.

Have I given myself an impossible challenge? Only time will tell.

But in the meantime I am grateful for this new awareness and I give thanks for the events that brought me here.