Follow That Thought to Action

A few years ago my dad was experiencing dizziness so I told him about how I, too, have had some instances of vertigo.  This had happened to me whenever I had a sinus infection. I told my dad that I hadn't had any sinus infections since incorporating local honey into my daily diet, but he didn't know where to get local honey in his neighborhood.

Because I live 800 miles away from my parents, sometimes there is little that I can do to help. However, because they don't have Internet or smart phones, it was a place I could start.  I found a natural food store near them and called.  Unfortunately, their "local" honey didn't fit the guidelines, but the shopkeeper recommended I look up the local beekeeper's association.  What I found was a closed Facebook group of beekeepers which I was able to temporarily join.  In doing so, I was able to ask if anyone knew of a beekeeper local to my parent's zip code and, lo and behold, I got connected.

Not only that, this keeper had honey for sale!  Next, I reached out to my siblings and one of my sisters said her husband could go pick up the honey.  In the process, he and the beekeeper hit it off! Now my brother-in-law has several hives on his own property AND he is "local" to my parents.  All this from following through on one thought!

Of course, we all have thoughts like this that would get us started in a direction, probably a good direction.  And, with so much to do, and so many thoughts, how do we know which ones to follow? This seems like a good question to ask God*?  Let me know what you learn!
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What do you do with random thoughts that seem to solicit a response of "I should look into that"?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, Sensibility, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH, pitcher plants native to PA
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Living into Your Dreams

You might recall how I explored adding on art and psychotherapy licenses to my current skill set, but that I found the process too daunting.  So my big announcement is that after trying to find an add-on business, my add-on business found me.  I am excited to proclaim that I have written a book and it is going through professional editing right now!!!!

In the process, I determined that my add-on business is paid speaking engagements, about topics covered in the book and related holistic topics.  That's a pretty big proclamation, right?  So how does one get started moving in a new direction?  I believe there are so many ways to do this, but let me tell you the one that is happening for me right now.

What I've learned is that it's easiest to do this by "living into" what you're dreaming.  Here's what I mean:  I began to tell people that I am a speaker.  I also began to volunteer to teach classes. The first series I did was in March about spiritual journaling.  This series was unpaid.  But by putting myself out there, I received my first honorarium just one month later to speak to senior nursing students about the body, mind and spirit (God*) connection.  In the fall I will be teaching meditation at a local adult evening school, another paid gig, and I was already asked to return to teach again at the university.

It's all so exciting, I almost want to pinch myself!  Does this sound like a feeling you'd like to have? Well then, how are you going to live into your dreams?
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What steps have you taken to live into your dreams?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, Sensibility, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH, robin's nest front yard
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Expect Spate of God* Moments

Recently I accepted an invitation from a newly-formed networking group.  The group meets outside my target area for studio clients, but not too far to travel for speaking engagements, my newest initiative.

Originally, when I received the invite and accepted, my planner was wide open.  But on the day of, I had studio clients booked around the networking luncheon.  Because I would need to travel 45 minutes each way, I began to doubt whether or not it was worth my time.

Taking a step back from this doubt, I considered what's been working for me.  In terms of my schedule, if I've received an invitation and my schedule is open, I am to accept and attend.  This has proven to be in my best interest time and time again, so I needed to apply it here.  That is to say that, even though it was a tighter space, I still had the availability, so I needed to go!

Another thing that works for me is setting intentions.  I used to do this mostly for longer periods, like a week of vacation, attending a series of classes, the winter months, etc.  More recently I have been doing it for the day ahead or a small event, like a networking meeting.  Aha!  As a result, I set an intention for the luncheon which was "expect a God* moment."  Not surprisingly, I had several.

First, two woman I already knew were there.  I had met them when I started my business in 2010, an affirmation for the three of us that we were doing the work for our businesses to be successful.

Second, I saw myself in a young woman who moved from another state and is now exploring her new surroundings to their fullest extent.  This was me over twenty years ago, but is also me today. Today I am working on a set of intentions around how I want to interact when I travel to other towns and cities to speak.

Finally, and I don't know where this is going yet, but our leader for the meeting made me very interested in hearing more from her.  She created a local community magazine because, as she said, "I saw a need and filled it."  Maybe the God moment is that I enjoyed her energy and I would not have had that opportunity had I not gone.
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What God moments did you have this week (some people call these moments coincidences, serendipity, synchronicity)?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH, Philadelphia Zoo
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Boil It Down

Recently I attended a service in which the sermon mentioned Mary Magdalene and stated that she was not a prostitute.  I had to think about that because I have also heard the opposite teaching. When I searched the Internet, I found that it is a long-standing controversy.  For me then, I need to figure out which one is the "fake news."  

In fact, however, I can't, because I did not live in the time of Mary Magdalene and can't "know" this information.  However, if I "boil it down," I can come to a conclusion that I can live with in harmony.

What I know from the commonality of the Gospels is that Jesus lived among sinners and made all feel welcome.  He asked that sinners leave that path of sin.  Whether or not Mary Magdalene was a prostitute doesn't matter to me.  He would have asked that she and everyone else he encountered to leave their sinful ways, whatever that constituted; for her, it might or might not have been prostitution, but it would have been something, because we all sin.  The harmony then, for me, is that what matters is that all of us are welcome.  This is the space where I can live and thrive and not pass judgment on who believes Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and who believes she was not.

Boiling things down in this way allows me to live in harmony.  It's helpful to do this because no two of us have the same pathway.  No two of us are exposed to the same information.  For example, I recently became aware of the teachings of Buddha.  Specifically, I watched a PBS special called The Buddha The Story of Siddhartha by David Grubin.  With this information, I will need to continue to "boil things down" because my path now includes yet another perspective to incorporate.
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What have you bumped up against lately that provides two different viewpoints?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH (Full Moon Tree Limbs)
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Developing Your Inner Spirit Wisdom (A Reminder)

I thought today would be a good day to remind you about what I am teaching.  Specifically it is a way to use journaling to develop your inner spirit wisdom.  It's quite simple really in terms of the steps:

1.  Use a journal and write down whatever is on your heart on a regular basis.  I do this almost daily now but when I started years and years ago it was something I did every once in a while, then once or twice a week, and now I hate to miss it.  I am a morning person so I do it first thing or after a few chores.  It often starts off with what I did the day before or what's coming today but then I also get into what's bothering me or what's making my heart sing.  I might also write my gratitude list in my journal but not always.  You decide what time of day is best for you and what you include in your journal.

2.  When you think you have written out what's most pressing on your heart, write out the question "God*, what do you want me to know?"  

3.  Then write down what comes to you.  If you feel compelled to use a tool, use a tool.  Tools include things like meditation cards (I like the ones with one word on them), a book that you open up randomly and read what's on that page (I often use the Bible or Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill but nonreligious books work too). If you're not sure what tool to use, let the Spirit* guide you.

This is the daily practice.  It can take as much or as little time as you have.  Doing it often provides value because it gives the opportunity to look back over your journey.  You can look back over a period of time to see what was happening in your life and what your Higher Power* was telling you, often repeatedly.  Maybe you want to look at the last week, the same week from a year ago, the last whole journal.  Whatever time frame is on your heart is right for you.  Be a pattern hunter:  was the same thing on your heart last year, have you pulled the same meditation card 3 times in the last month, did you write about the same place or person?  Write down what you uncover.

The hard part is making the time to do the work.  For me, it has made a significant difference in that I have found an easier way to live, allowing the Great Spirit* to be my guide..  

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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  Why did you decide to journal or to not journal these questions?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by EJH in Ireland
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Fallow Ground Still Yields

So you might recall that last summer (2016) I was frustrated because the allium leaf miner had come from Europe and destroyed many onion crops of organic farms and untreated home-gardens, mine included.  For me, this included leeks, garlic, Vidalia and red onions.  It was about 200 plants in all. As a result, I was disappointed and aggravated.  What resulted was a strong call to NOT plant a garden the following summer, which is almost upon us now (2017).  This decision to not plant anything means that both the garden and I have been laying fallow.  Let me explain.

Planting a 900 square foot vegetable garden requires lots of planning and pre-work in the winter. By that I mean ordering seeds and other supplies and growing seedlings indoors.  Because I did not have any of these chores this year, I layed fallow.  In the beginning it was just sitting still because I had the space to do that.  What it led to were new ideas which eventually moved me back to action (my garden still lies fallow, I do not).

First, because I still want to have local organic produce throughout the summer, I joined a local crop share. For this I will need to go to the farm and pick up my produce.  For some items like green beans and strawberries I will be required to pick my own.  I also need to donate four hours of time to the farm for garden chores.  This will then fulfill my love of having my hands in the soil, but only take a fraction of the time, and it will put me in a greater community space.  I can't wait to see how this works out!

I also have had more time to work on some creative projects which have really fueled my soul. These things include more creative writing and more art projects.  The one surprise, even to me, is that I also took a 10-week tap dancing class which has provided lots of self discovery.  That's what comes from laying fallow.

When I told this "fallow" anecdote to a couple friends, they asked me what significance the onions might have in my story.  I had to think about that.  My first thoughts were about the pungency of onions, but then I also quickly recognized how they enhance dishes.  I also did some homework and learned that they are part of the lily family and are considered an herb.  So I hope that's it, that my life is going to be even more flavorful this summer, even though my garden lies fallow.    
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What's your calling lately, to let something go or add something new?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH 
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

Whimsical Wishes

Do you have a silly tradition that you do every day for another person?  If you read the New York Times published essay by the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal's March 3, 2017 called "You May Want to Marry My Husband," (https://www.nytimes.com/.../modern-love-you-may-want-to-marry-my-husband.html), you might have honed in on the daily tradition her husband carried out.  Specifically, he made a smiley face out of random objects and placed them near the done-perculating coffeepot before he left for work. Because she was asleep when he left, he managed to still connect with her upon her waking.  My guess is that she got to the point where she would anticipate it daily and smile back.

I wish I could go back and do something whimsical like this daily for my children but alas they are grown. If I can find some substitute to this I will do it.  It's on my heart now so God* will point the way.  And so I ask God to help me.
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else.  Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  Name a whimsical desire of your heart.

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo of artwork by MH 
Note:  These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling (read more at CardinalTouch.net)

What's Bugging You Might Need Attention

On Saturday I attended a beautiful religious ceremony.  I was able to really enjoy the music and the words of the celebrant.  It's when they got to the part of the ceremony where they pray for others that I got tweaked.  One of the statements was a call to pray for the benefactors and that led me to an ugly place.  It's the word benefactor that tweaked me.  My thoughts went something like this, "Oh, I guess they need to recognize the benefactors so that they give more" and "why shouldn't everyone be in our prayers?"  When I think about it, it relates back to the money thing and money is one of my demons.   I think, for me at least, there's probably some jealousy wrapped up in these thoughts because the benefactors of these stately institutions give tremendous support.  There's also my sense that if I give to something once, the organization calls again and again to solicit donations.

Obviously I have some work to do!  First, I did not consider myself a benefactor even though I am. The broadest definition of a benefactor is one who gives money or help so the prayer really was for everyone.  Therefore, it wasn't all about the money, the place where I go to first. Secondarily, when it is a cause that makes my heart sing I can be a cheerful giver, but when I need to decline a repetitive solicitor, it makes me aggravated.

So why did I write this post today?  Well, I had already written in my journal about being tweaked by "benefactor" and then when I sat down at my desk this is what I found:  on the top of my stack of papers is a postcard from the local preserve near my home.  The word "benefactor" actually appears before my name on the label!  (This is another opportunity to quote Einstein:  "Coincidences are God's* way of staying anonymous.")  Not only that, the number "365" appears in front of "Benefactor".  Guess I need to learn to be a cheerful giver and one who is also accepting of all benefactors every day of the year!
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Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, I'd love to hear from you and the community would love to hear from you!  Your comment could have a major impact on someone else; most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.

Reflective questions:
1.  What's bugging you?

2.  What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, God, what do you want me to know?)

* I use the term God as a universal term.  You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better suits you today.  It is not for me to decide.

Photo by MH 
www.cardinaltouch.net