Gratitude And New Beginnings

Yes, I've been M.I.A. (Missing In Action) for a while! Without going into too much detail, my most recent 'day job' was very taxing on me emotionally/mentally, being an Empath. Once I quit (right around Christmas) it took me a while to get back to where I was before taking the job. 

I am grateful for having had the experience I did. Even though it was difficult, I learned things about myself I may not have otherwise. I have more in my mental toolbox now than before. 

I am refreshed now and back to work on projects I had started last year. I am excited to see these ideas coming to life and can't wait to start sharing them! 

I am also grateful spring is on the way! A time of new beginnings. A waking up to possibilities. A fresh start. New directions. Ah, and warmer weather! 

Today, I am grateful for what's around the corner. What are you grateful for today? 

Crystals and Crystal Energy: Interview With Sara Bryki

Today I am interviewing the lovely Sara Bryki.  It is through Sara that I have gathered some of the information in my recently published book, “My Spirit, My Journey-A Beginners Guide: How To Discover, Decide, And Delight In Your Spiritual Journey”.

What is crystal energy?

Each stone/crystal has an inherent energy to them.  While stones/crystals of the same type will have similar properties, they each have their own 'feel' to them and will resonate differently for each person.  For example, someone could hold an amethyst and it could feel warm or like it is vibrating, yet pick up another amethyst and not feel anything.  

How did you first get attracted to crystals?

I have been attracted to rocks/stones/gemstones since I was a child.  However, it wasn't until a trip to Hawaii in 2008 that I realized a deeper connection to them.  I met a lightworker who kind of nudged me awake and since then, I have been acutely aware of the energies of stones.    

What kinds of things can crystals do for us?

Oh, how much time do you have?!  They can do everything from support us with calming energy to helping us expose our innermost, deepest feelings.  They can help bring us focus, regulate our auric energy, aid in sleep, guide us while doing dream work, help us to be grounded, connected to Spirit/Source and so much more!  They are here to teach us and support us on our individual paths.   

How does a person know which crystals they should be working with?

There are a few ways this can be done.  First, take notice of the stones/crystals you are drawn to.  Explore how to you feel when you look at it and when you hold it.  When you find one that has drawn you in, research the properties of that stone/crystal.  What is it reported to be able to do on a physical, mental and spiritual level?  Does the description resonate with you?

Another way is to consult a crystal therapist who can help to guide you to stones/crystals that will benefit you.  

How should crystals be cared for?

There are different methods for different stones.  Amethyst geodes are great for clearing/charging quartz.  For those that can get wet (and don't dissolve), I like to use running water and intention to clear stones.  Clearing them in a running river is fantastic, but most of us don't have the luxury of having one close by.  Running tap water works just as well.  Hold the stone under the water with the intention to clear it of any residual outside energy that may be in it.  Picture it being rinsed out and returning to Source.  You will 'feel' when it is cleared and can stop.  There are some stones (selenite for example) that will dissolve when wet so make sure to double check.  

Some stones (such as Rose Quartz, clear quartz, citrine) that can be charged by sunlight to give them a boost.  Moonstone does well in moonlight as does selenite.  Amethyst can fade in sunlight so be aware of that if you want to keep the bright purple color.  

Thank you so much, Sara, for sharing this with us!

Celebrate w/me! My story is in The Wisdom of Midlife Women 2

Good morning,

Today is a BIG day for me!

It’s one of those days that you mark on the calendar with the words “Dream Fulfilled” in hot pink ink!

I’m stopping by today because I would LOVE if you joined me to celebrate today’s release of The Wisdom of Midlife Women 2 Kindle book.

It’s a BIG DAY because MY story, "Letting Go Of Anger", is one of thirty sacred stories bought to life by three time best-selling publisher Linda Joy of Inspired Living Publishing.

I’d Love Your Support! Be a part of the celebration!

Order The Wisdom of Midlife Women 2 Kindle Book TODAY

& receive 30+ transformational gifts.

www.WisdomofMidlifeWomen2.com

I’m honored to be in this circle of women who had the courage to change things up midlife, blaze a new trail to authentic living and who openly share their story to inspire other women to believe they can too.

Meet my coauthors here:

www.WisdomofMidlifeWomen2.com

No matter where you are on your midlife journey, this sacred collection of thirty stories will provide you with deeply profound inspiration and a valuable reminder that every challenge in your life is an opportunity for self-discovery and transformation.

Order Your Copy of my New Kindle Book Today

& Receive Instant Access to 30+ Gifts (Limited Time)

www.WisdomofMidlifeWomen2.com

As my publisher Linda Joy shares in the Introduction…

“Almost all of the struggles we experience come from the times when we ignore the truth of who we are to fit into the world’s model of who we think we are supposed to be. Each time we smother our inner wisdom, we get further away from the core essence of who we are and our purpose here”

I’d love your support today!

Order Your Copy of my New Kindle Book Today

& Receive Instant Access to 30+ Gifts (Limited Time)

www.WisdomofMidlifeWomen2.com

Be inspired to overcome obstacles and stand in your power! If these ladies can do it, so can you!

Love and Blessings,

Theresa

PS. Please share The Wisdom of Midlife Women 2 with the women in your life!

I’ve made it easy, breezy for you! Just copy and paste the following into Twitter and Facebook

I just ordered #TheWisdomOfMidlifeWomen2 #Kindle book! Grab yours & get 30+Giftswww.WisdomofMidlifeWomen2.com

Believe In The Possibilities Of Your Power

Who among us has not followed through with something we REALLY wanted to do because we didn't believe we could do it?

Why wouldn't you believe in yourself? Look how good you are at believing in your friends, your spouse, your kids.....

When it comes to you, it's different, isn't it? Let's say you have taken to pedaling your bike around the neighborhood after dinner, enjoying the outdoors and getting a bit of exercise. A friend tells you about someone completing a cross-country ride on their bicycle. You say, "I would LOVE to do that, but I'd never be able ride that far." Here's what's racing through your mind-

• what if I fail
• what if I actually did it
• big things like that are for other people, not me
• people would think I'm crazy
• no one else believes I could do this either

"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."

Honore de Balzac

Now What?

Whether you think so or not, you have accomplished things in your life! Think about the things you've completed that you're proud of. how did you feel when you were in the beginning stages? 

You notice by starting to do what you can do at the time, celebrating milestones (no matter how small), and keeping your vision focused on your end result, you gain confidence.  The more you do, the more you can do. You get used to feeling that you can do these things that once seemed out of reach. 

You are more POWERFUL than you believed was possible!

How Do I Do This?

• keep company with people that support you
• visualize your success
• make a list of positive characteristics you have 
• trust yourself
• keep trying, don't give up

Now get on your bike and ride!

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What's happening with me this week-

Well........

Wisdom of Midlife Women 2 Kindle Book

Register for VIP notice for 8/25 release of
 #WisdomofMidlifeWomen2 Kindle book & get 2 gifts
from my publisher 

That's right! I am now a published author :-)

I am honored to have been included in this wonderful collaboration of inspiring women sharing their stories.  

This is a great example of believing in yourself. I thought this was for other people, not me. I was afraid-intimidated, maybe? But I went for it. I trusted myself, I visualized it, and I had great support.  

This Is Where I'm At

Wow! Since my last post lots has happened.  I went on a road trip to Washington with my friends/bandmates.  We had a great time, played lots of music, and got to see some really breathtaking sights. The time spent on the road is a perfect time for thinking/soul searching.

I've quit my full time job and am looking for part-time work now.  I've had too many years of working all day every day for someone else and trying to cram everything I want to do plus that pesky housework that doesn't go away into the Saturday/Sunday crunch.

I know that might seem crazy to some people-YOU QUIT YOUR JOB??? Yeah, that's right.  And I'm going to be just fine.  I have plans (lots of them!) for how to get my message out to the world.  I need to start talking to people, playing music for them, showing them how they can do, be, and have what they desire!  I've taken the first steps in that direction.   I am SO excited, I feel like I am unstoppable!! That is perfect, because that is what is propelling me forward on this journey.  I have a ton of ideas and wish I could split myself into many pieces, assigning a "take this idea and run with it" task to each piece of me. Patience is something I need to remind myself of often! As I sit here with a desk full of scraps of paper with notes written on them, notebooks with ideas and lists, and several post-it notes stuck to the computer monitor, I can only smile as I think of how this small pile of chaos on my desk will turn into something that makes me feel happy and fulfilled.  I love it and I can't wait!  (Hmmm...there's that patience thing again!)

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What's happening with me this week?  Getting together with some people that I am proud to call my friends!  With my new-found freedom (haha) of being available during the day, I'm able to meet with these awesome folks that I love and appreciate.  Fuel for the fire of getting my projects done, some of which will be featuring these wonderful guys & gals!

And I Quote......

I've had communication going with my intuition my whole life. I haven't always listened to it, thinking I knew better than it did, but of course, I was wrong.  If I always go with the little nudges it gives me, seems like things just go better.  I found some really neat quotes about intuition that I'd like to share--

“At times you have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.” 
― Alan Alda

“Don't try to comprehend with your mind. Your minds are very limited. Use your intuition.” 
― Madeleine L'Engle, A Wind in the Door

The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears.

--Dan Stevens

“Our bodies have five senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing. But not to be overlooked are the senses of our souls: intuition, peace, foresight, trust, empathy. The differences between people lie in their use of these senses; most people don't know anything about the inner senses while a few people rely on them just as they rely on their physical senses, and in fact probably even more.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

“intuition is always right in at least two important ways;
It is always in response to something.
it always has your best interest at heart” 
― Gavin de Becker, The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence

The more you trust your intuition, the more empowered you become, the stronger you become, and the happier you become.

--Gisele Bundchen

My intuition guided me to quit my job and pursue what I feel passionate about, which is helping people to realize their self worth, especially children (isn't that where it starts?) and spread a message of love and gratitude!  Hey, I'm just getting started, but I am ALL ABOUT THIS!!!

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What's up with me this week?  Road trip!!!  Later this morning my friends/bandmates and I are packing up the van and heading for the state of Washington for a couple weeks of spreading the love with our music!  I'm hoping to make some connections for moving forward with my new venture. 

Decision To Change

What happens when you think of changing something?  For lots of folks, change is resisted unless they are the initiator of the change.  We are comfortable in our routines, our homes, our lives.  Yet often, we wish for something "better".

What stops us from doing what we know will make things better? I believe the biggest thing that stops us is fear.  What are we afraid of?  The unknown?  Ourselves?  What someone else may think?  When it really comes down to it, YOU are the one who has to live in your body, with yourself, 24/7.  YOU are the one who feels your feelings, whether you express them outwardly or not. YOU are the one who know what really deep down inside will make you happy.  Why would you want to live your life unhappy when you have all you need inside you to live a happy life?  Fear. The unknown is scary, but my gosh, look at people who have stepped into the unknown, bowled over the fear, and are now much happier for it!  You probably know at least a couple people who have worked through something they were afraid of doing and are now SO glad they did it.

How do you make a decision to change?  You just do it. Make the decision.  As soon as you do, you'll probably feel some relief that you MADE the decision, and at the same time will be flooded with "yeah buts".
Yeah, but if I change, they won't like me anymore.
Yeah but if I change, someone else may have to do more work.
Yeah, but if I change, they will be angry with me.

Think about this.  What would REALLY make you happy?  There is no law that says you have to be miserable so that someone else can be happy.  It's nice to think of others, but remember, you are not at your best for them unless you are at peace with yourself.  Start by making "small" decisions-things that are on a smaller scale, but still as they change will make you happier.  As you make each small change, you'll notice your confidence building and you'll become a little more daring and adventurous in making change.  I do recommend a book by Susan Jeffers, called "Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway".

I have made many decisions to change over the past several years that were scary at the time, but once I was on the other side of that decision, was so glad I made up my mind to do it.  As they say, the one thing that's constant is change.  There are things I am in the process of changing now that are super scary to me!  I am keeping the faith that once I'm on the other side of the changes that are happening now, I will be feeling much happier and peaceful.

If you feel so inclined, comment about your experience with a change you've made that you were afraid of, but you powered through!
I also have a forum on my website Attract Your Desires that you're welcome to post in about many subjects!

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What's happening with me this week?
This past weekend I went to a Holistic Healing Expo.  We only get them twice a year here, so I make sure to go-I love it!  I had a reading from a very powerful reader I know.  She confirmed some things my intuition had already told me-things I am trying to change and am afraid to do!  I know (and she confirmed) that once I can get this change completed, I will be so much happier!  I am certainly taking my own advice and taking small steps through this.

15 Books I Love To Read!

I love to curl up with a good book and read.  No,... not just read-learn, grow, feel, question-it all leaves me wanting more!  Aside from buying books, I also take out from the library and have found some good Kindle books.  Here's 15 of my favorites from my hard copy collection (in no particular order!):

1. You Have Chosen To Remember-James Blanchard Cisneros

2. Infinite Possibilities-Mike Dooley

3. Unsinkable-Sonia Ricotti

4. Many Lives, Many Masters-Brian Weiss

5. The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent-Esther & Jerry Hicks

6. The Passion Test-Janet Bray Attwood & Chris Attwood

7. Leveraging The Universe-Mike Dooley

8. Follow Your Passion Find Your Power-Bob Doyle

9. Awakening Joy-James Banaz & Shoshana Alexander

10. The Everything Law of Attraction Book-Meera Leester

11. Make Miracles In 40 Days-Melanie Beattie

12. The Evolving Soul-Dr. Linda Backman

13. Feel It Real!-Denise Coates

14. Manifesting Change-Mike Dooley

15. Wealth Beyond Reason-Bob Doyle

What books are your favorites?  My friends and I have started circulating books amongst ourselves-cool idea, and neat and different books you get to check out!

Stop over to my Facebook page and say hello!  You can also go to my website and sign up for the newsletter :-)

Meditate On This!

Do you meditate?  I used to be so faithful about it, didn't miss a day.  Then "something came up" for about 5 months (eeek!), and I could really tell that I hadn't been meditating, I just didn't have the peace inside that I'd become accustomed to.  So for about the last week & a half, I've gotten back to meditating, and it is wonderful!! I'd forgotten just how beautiful the experience can be, and even got some information about chakras during one of the recent meditations.  I was just absorbing the info, and then it hit me-HEY!!! I'm getting information!!  I just love that feeling :-)

If you haven't meditated before, or if you need to get back into it like I did, here's some great information i got from the newest Hay House author, Tara Stiles.
Below are Tara’s “Three Tips To Begin Your Meditation Practice”

Tip 1: Don’t Worry about Clearing Your Mind. 
It’s easy to fall into the belief that the goal of meditation is to have a crystal clear mind so you can see all the secrets of the universe.  

Don’t worry: plenty of cool experiences are going to happen to you. There is no need to get wrapped up in getting to everything right away. The mind wanders; that’s just what it does. Every time your thoughts carry you off on a journey, just bring your attention back to your breath, back to feeling. That’s the practice.

The goal is to notice when your mind wanders. When you notice, you have a choice. You can go along for the ride, or you can guide your attention right back inward. You will do this over and over again. Just see things as they happen. Guide your attention back to breathing and feeling. That’s your practice. Make the goal the process, not the destination.

Tip 2: Write It Down.If you’re anything like me, when you have a lightbulb moment, you don’t want to forget it. Exciting thoughts and spontaneous ideas will come to you during meditation. They may be great plans about your business, a creative combination to try out in the kitchen, or your next home project. When these brilliant nuggets pop into your mind, you can either keep diving down the idea train or try to store the ideas in your brain and get frustrated that you had a great idea while you should be meditating. This happened to me time after time and I finally found a solution. Keep a notebook handy for all those mid-meditation, mind-blowing moments. When a genius idea pops into your mind mid-meditation, take a moment and write it down. Now it’s down on paper, and you can come back to it and master plan later. For the next few moments, come right back to your breath. Your lightbulb ideas are now preserved and your sacred meditation time in intact. Win-win.

Tip 3: Keep It Regular. 
Just like yoga, we can talk about the benefits and understand how great life will be with all this practice, but it only works if you actually do it. And the same rules go here: five minutes is better than nothing, and five minutes a day, every day, adds up to a whole lot. Try it out for one week and you’ll feel a big difference. First thing in the morning is a great time to set the habit. 

You don’t even have to leave your bed for this one. Simply sit up, get comfortable, and pay attention to your breath for five minutes. If your thoughts start to take you away from your breath, see if you can guide your attention right back. If your thoughts start to drift again, guide yourself back again. After your five minutes, go about your day as usual and notice if you feel any different.

Warning: you might start to see yourself differently, with more compassion; and you might start to see more possibilities in your life. You might even have the desire to help others who could use your support. Get ready for some great stuff to transform you from the inside out.

These tips are from Tara's new book, Make Your Own Rules Diet.

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What's going on with me this week?

Yesterday I went to my first Reiki circle.  It was super cool, and I will definitely go again!  Also there was a workshop I went to called "Intending Into Being" that was put on by a local friend, and that, too, was wonderful!  

Oh!  I FINALLY started a Facebook page now, so if you'd like to follow, it is:
Attract Your Desires

Hope to see you there!!

It Means A Lot

There's a few reasons I chose this image for this post.  They flooded in all at once, so here they are in no particular order:

The time of year-Thanksgiving, Christmas (generosity, giving, gratitude, receiving)

A reminder to stop at what can be a hectic time of year and JUST BREATHE (inhale, exhale)

It's a circle, which is a common shape for mandalas, which I'm going to be teaching a workshop on next Saturday (more on that later)

Wow, yes, when you have gratitude for what you have you're more generous, therefore more giving, which makes you more aligned with your higher self (open), which just happens to attract to you things that you are grateful to receive, and the process (cycle/circle of abundance) continues!  Even though some people only focus on being grateful at this time of year, there's always things to be grateful for, things we take for granted. 

And wow, yes, I'm doing a workshop on mandalas.  Well, mostly on making and coloring them.  I don't know much about them except what I've Googled, so I know that when you're making & coloring them you kind of "zone out" and are more in tune with your inside world and intuitive side, almost like being in a meditative state when you are creating.  So, we will all learn together!  Our spiritual connections group is such a fun bunch that I'm sure it will be just fine. There's certainly something to be said for the warm & fuzzy feeling of being with people that make you feel great! 

Letting Go

I recently got a few more card decks (I love so many of them!) And decided to do a card spread for the readers of this blog.  The deck I'm using this time is Melanie Beattie's "The Language of Letting Go".

So with the card all the way to the left being #1, and all the way to the right being #4, which card(s) see to draw your attention?

Take a couple deep breaths and look closely at the pictures on each card.  How does each make you feel?  Do any really draw you in or make you curious?  

Here's what each card is about.

#1 Enjoying Life-

Today I will do something just for the fun of it.  I will find something to do that's just for me, and I won't worry about what I "should" be doing.  I will learn how to make myself feel good and enjoy life to the fullest.

#2 Releasing Anger Toward Family Members-

Today I will accept the potent emotions I may feel toward members of my family, and I'll be grateful for the lessons they're teaching me.  I accept the golden light of healing that's shining on all of us.

#3 Taking Risks-

Today I will ask God to help me begin to take healthy risks.  I will ask for assistance in letting go of any fear of failure...and success.  I will ask for help in fully living my life so that I can start experiencing all the wonderful parts of my journey.

#4 Showing Vulnerability-

Today I will disclose who I am to someone with whom I feel safe.  I will risk being vulnerable-even though I've always held back from doing so.  God, help me show people who I really am, and not who I think they want me to be.  

Let go of something you're afraid of, something that holds you back.  Feel how freeing that is, how much lighter you feel!  It isn't always easy to let go.  Sometimes we need to do that, though, in order to be who we are truly supposed to be.  Remember, if we do not first love, respect, and care for ourselves, how can we do this for others?

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I went to  a holistic expo this past Saturday.  A few of us from the spiritual group I belong to had a table there to promote our spiritual community, and also do a few readings.  It was a great day!  It was awesome to see some of the wonderful people I always see at those.  I also got a couple readings done for myself, and found out the names of my 2 angels that have been with me since my physical birth, and will be with me until my physical death.  Of course, one of them has quite a sense of humor (best way I can describe it) so he keeps things fun.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  I knew who my guides were, but now I have names also for those angels.  

Patience Is Still Hard!

When you were a child, and you wanted something, you wanted it NOW!!  I'm sure you were told to "Be patient." Patience is a great thing, but it is sometimes very difficult to BE patient.

I'm still here, in Minnesota, trying to be patient-with myself, mostly.  It's been difficult lately to keep myself pointed in the right direction, doing the things I know are steps to be taken to get where I want to be.  I feel overwhelmed when I think of what I need to "get done". I keep telling myself that things that are supposed to happen will happen when the time is right.  I don't feel as uptight as I did say, a month ago, about not being done with all this "prep" stuff and well on my way outta here.  I've surrendered fighting things and am just trying to let things happen as they are supposed to without trying to push things along as I was before.

So today, again, I pray for patience and guidance in what I should be doing and not doing towards my next step.  My present situation is NOT my final destination.

What Are You Attracting?

It's true-you don't attract what you want.  If you look at a lack of something, and focus on that, you attract more lacking into your life.  How miserable you can make yourself, pining and pining for something you want.

Now....it's also true that you attract what you believe to be true.  If you believe it's true, for example, that you will find the person of your dreams, you will be radiating that energy and whomever matches that energy will be drawn to you.  If you are thinking you'll never find anyone, let alone the person of your dreams, that's the kind of energy you're carrying around.  Picture the difference.  Happy, confident, at ease "you", not worried about finding the perfect person because you totally believe it will happen when it is supposed to, radiating the happy, welcoming energy of already having it.  Then at the other end of the spectrum we have "you", moping around, complaining because so-and-so found this great boyfriend, and I can't find anyone good, only losers, etc.  See the difference in the energy being put forth in each situation?  Who would you rather approach to speak with?  Which you do you think lives a happier life?

Don't wait to be happy.  Start now!  With just a small shift of attitude, you can go easily from a lack mentality to an abundant, grateful mentality.   Then watch things start to happen!

Just To Remind Myself...

 

 

Now there's something to be grateful for.