• Joy to the World

    • May 31, 2010 9:27 am

    Dearest Readers,

    Today, May 31st, is a special day in my life. Exactly eleven years ago today I began to walk the Healing Path. I made a decision that day to let go of My Way (sorry, Frank Sinatra) and instead follow the Higher Way. It’s been an absolutely amazing adventure.

    If you will indulge me, I will share with you some things for which I am grateful today. It seems the most appropriate way to give thanks for all I have been given over the years and in very recent days, too.

    • To the six brave souls who attended Cultivate Your Courage in Whitehorse on the 29th. Thank you for coming and for sharing your fears and your willingness to walk through them with me.
    • To the two women who first helped me find a way to stop using drugs and alcohol and to all those who have supported me in staying stopped. Eleven years!
    • To the Mama Duck and her wee little ducklin’s I saw over the weekend, first crossing the road on Saturday and then swimming in the river on Sunday. You were so attentive to them, so protective, looking behind you every few seconds, checking on them, making sure they were okay. You reminded me that the essence of our Nature is Love.
    • To the teachers, mentors, sponsors, coaches, counsellors, spiritual directors, family and friends who have supported and encouraged me to continue growing into my fullest potential by becoming whole and free of shame.
    • To the cat I live with who wakes me each morning with his mournful cries, making me crazy/angry and thereby teaching me compassion. By asking me for love you have grown it out of me. You, little monkey-cat, are the reason I started this blog. You get the credit.
    • To the Loving Power of Higher Guidance, which continues to reveal Itself to me each day as a Force that has my back, works for my Highest Good, shows me how to live the life I am supposed to be living and provides me with all that I need in every single moment of each day that I am Alive.
    • To you, present and future Readers, for being there and for supporting and appreciating this work. You inspire me to inspire you.

    My heart is really full of Love today. Thanks, everyone.

    Inspiring Message of the Day: What do I have to be grateful for? Today I will take the time to write a list no matter how I might be feeling. When I look at what I have instead of what I do not I find freedom from want.

    Mountain Moves

    • May 22, 2010 10:31 am

    Dearest Readers,

    It probably sounds weird for a self-employed person to say, “I took the afternoon off,” because one imagines that the lifestyle of the self-employed is pretty much “off” to begin with. Kind of like being retired. Our time is our own. Freedom from the punch-card etc. Not entirely so.

    It is still possible to be a self-employed workaholic. I’ve had to learn to take time off, to stop working late until in the evenings, to turn off the computer on Sundays. And these have all been good lessons. Discovering relaxation and rest and coming to believe I deserve these things have all been the rewards of this big change in my life.

    At the beginning of this past week I received an email invitation to go for a hike with a some great gals. I skimmed the message and then ignored it, knowing I simply couldn’t take the time.

    Yesterday, the day the hike was to take place, I taught a yoga class in the morning and a couple of the students also happened to be the hikers. I asked about the hike before starting the class remembering that they would be going out some time that day. I still thought, “Too bad I can’t take the time.”

    At the end of the class, while lying in savasana, I heard the Still Small Voice. It took a while for me to hear it but it soon became clear.

    Go to the mountain.

    At the end of the class I asked them if the invitation still stood. Of course it did. They were delighted I’d be joining them. I felt liberated! I packed a lunch and off we went.

    Halfway up the mountain road I spotted a Mama Grizzly and her cub. Right away I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Bears and me, well, we have a history. They have a way of showing up in my life and I take their presence as the Higher Power giving me a little wave. “Hi, Celia. I’m here. Glad you’re paying attention.”

    It was a marvelous afternoon. The sun shone through the clouds and the vistas from the ridge were out of this world. At the summit, we baked on the rocks and enjoyed each other’s company. I said, “Is there anything better than this?” One gal replied, “Not really.” And we laughed and laughed. Not so much because it was funny but because it was true.

    So I took the afternoon off. Nothing bad happened. The world didn’t end. In fact, it continued on just as it always has and always will. I only think I have to work hard. I only think there’s no time. Time to stop thinking so much. Time to follow the Great Bear Way.

    Inspiring Message of the Day: Today I will take the time to get quiet and listen for Guidance. There may be something I need to hear. Something like a Gift.

    Relax Don’t Do It

    • May 13, 2010 9:46 am

    Dearest Readers,

    The to-do list is a mile long, I’m heading on the road in 24 days for 2 months, I’m performing a show tonight and my brain is hyper-active and thinking non-stop. So guess what Grace Cards I pulled yesterday?

    PEACE. REST. RELAX.

    You gotta be kidding me.

    Well, it was tremendously difficult to let go of all that I had to do but I did it. I listened. I cancelled a meeting, turned off the computer, took a nap, and every time I started to think I consciously told myself to “relax”.

    Of course, upon waking today, the overwhelming feeling is now one of high anxiety. I’m a day behind, how am I ever going to get everything done, I have to catch up, I have to do, do, do.

    No. Wrong. Uh-uh.

    The “relax” part can stay in place.  If I’ve learned anything it’s that the world is not going to fall apart if I don’t answer  my email. I’ve also learned that worrying has never made anything happen more quickly or more smoothly. Anxiety does not solve problems it creates them.

    So, seeking further Guidance I pulled the cards again this morning:

    SURPRISE. CONNECT. ACT.

    I like first one. It reminds me to keep my eyes and my ears open for the spiritual messages. The second one is good, too. Connecting with people and with Higher Guidance and with my Self will make this day one that is full of meaning. It’s the third one I’m not so sure about.

    Here is what it says on the back of the ACT card:

    “Charge forward. When we combine action with unwavering faith, the power of grace will meet our needs.”

    Yikes! Charge forward. At this point, if I start charging forward without relaxation I might find myself running head-first into a brick wall. I think I’d better do a re-write. How about this:

    Charge forward and relax about it.

    Ahhh. That’s better.

    Inspiring Message of the Day: Today I will seek balance. I will take action but I will let go. I will move forward while staying present. I will trust that Higher Guidance is directing the show despite my overwhelming desire to run it myself.