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.

My father in law has passed away and today we will be having a celebration of his life. The will be laughter and tears. Both are appropriate.

I couldn't have loved Donnie more than I did and I will miss his physical presence in my life, greatly.

I will treasure the memories I have of his kindness and intelligence. He was a truly great man.

Some time ago I had the honour of being touched by an Angel and that encounter has me seeing things from a higher perspective.

The encounter with the Angel began ordinarily enough. I had been out running errands in the midst of another busy day. After picking up some much needed office supplies I got the urge to visit another store. It hadn't been my intention to make another stop but before I knew it I was in the Winners parking lot. I checked my watch, reminded myself that I didn't really have time to spare, then surrendered to the urge and entered the store.

I wasn't there for more than a few heartbeats when I found myself encountering  a group of special needs women and their caretakers. As I walked by I smiled as I heard the group talk excitedly about the treasures around them.

I moved to another aisle where I could still hear them and see a few treasures for myself. As I was looking at some decorative items I felt a presence nearby. I looked to see a young and beautiful Soul from the group watching me. When I smiled at her she came over to me, took my hand in hers, and stood quietly beside me.

In the few moments we stood there holding hands, not speaking, I felt an incredible wash of Peace and Love flow through me. Her energy was calm, loving and one of the highest in vibration I've encountered in a Human.

I sent her a silent 'thank you' and she smiled at me then went back to her group. I had to blink back tears at the feelings coursing through me. Gone was my tiredness... gone was any physical discomfort from pushing my body past its physical limits...gone was the need to rush through the day trying to get things done as quickly as possible. In their place was Blessed Peace.

I slowly walked from the store and sat for a few minutes in my car reliving the experience and feeling immensely grateful for what had transpired. As I drove home I marveled at how effortlessly this Beautiful Soul was able to embody the Peace I have to search for. She knew how to simply Be.

From now on, like her, I am going to focus on Being... not just doing. Because I was touched by an Angel who so lovingly showed me how.

Over the past few weeks I've been working with something called Logosynthesis. I am grateful to have found a wonderful Logosynthesis practitioner located in Dartmouth and have immersed myself in learning as much as I can about it through several books.

Logosynthesis is simple, yet, profound and has the ability to quickly and efficiently aid in healing the effects of the baggage we carry around from unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs.

Willem Lammers created this system and you will find information about him and Logosynthesis here: www.logosynthesis.net/

If you'd like to read about Logosynthesis and how you may use it to enhance your life I highly recommend the following books:  

www.amazon.ca/Self-Coaching-Logosynthesis-Power-Words-Change-ebook/dp/B00S2S2BJA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=logosynthesis&qid=1564919707&s=gateway&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.ca/Minute-Miracles-Logosynthesis%C2%AE-Willem-Lammers/dp/1095652427/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=logosynthesis&qid=1564919707&s=gateway&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.ca/Letting-Go-Relieve-Anxiety-Logosynthesis/dp/0974311359/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=logosynthesis&qid=1564919707&s=gateway&sr=8-2

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.