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Sep 12

Have You Found Your Patronus?

Posted in: Awareness, Fear, Perspective, Thoughts | Comments (8) Tags: , , , , , —

My daughter is a Harry Potter fan. One of the most powerful spells in that series of magical books calls forth your Patronus. What is that, you say?

A Patronus is (from J.K. Rowling’s description) “a kind of positive force, a projection of hope, happiness, the desire to survive”. The Patronus can’t feel despair like humans can. Its function is to protect you from forces that want to suck all that positive energy out of you (called the Dementors in Harry Potter land).

Guess what – you have a Patronus, too! It’s that part inside of you that believes in you, that holds your memories of joy and happiness, that sees the magical possibilities of life. When you’re tuned into your Patronus, you can ward off negativity. Continue Reading »

Oct 29

5 Ways Halloween Can Lead to Spiritual Growth

Posted in: Darkness, Death, Fear, Inspiration, Life, Shadow, Transformation | Comments Off on 5 Ways Halloween Can Lead to Spiritual Growth Tags: , , , , , , , , —

Here’s some inspiration just in time for our spooky holiday, Halloween! This is my first article published on Elephant Journal – one of my favorite online spiritual blogs. Overcome your fears, explore your Shadow, honor your ancestors, and more! Read here to make this Halloween meaningful and spiritual!

  Continue Reading »

Jul 20

What I Learn From Fear

Posted in: Courage, Fear, True Self, Trust | Comments Off on What I Learn From Fear Tags: , , , , , , —

I have a confession to make – I have struggled with the fear of flying for over 12 years, since the birth of my daughter. Seems that bringing a new being into the world and being responsible for her created a deeper reverence for life… and an intensified fear of death.

For many years, I avoided flying at all costs. If I had to fly, my palms would break out into a cold sweat anytime we came upon even mild turbulence. I’d shiver and white knuckle my way through it, trying to hide any signs from my daughter if she was with me.

But after several years of being limited to the ground, the mental and physical decline of my mother on the east coast necessitated more visits – and more flights. It was time to deal with my fear of flying head-on. Continue Reading »

Sep 07

Out on a Limb

Posted in: Aliveness, Courage, Fear, Freedom, Openness, Risk | Comments Off on Out on a Limb

2016-09-04 001 003There was a book written by Shirley MacLaine by that title, back in the 80’s – you may remember it if you’re old enough. One of the first new age/spiritual books that I read, and it deeply touched me.

As the name implies, she was writing about going in a direction most people don’t go – in her case, into spiritual and psychic phenomena. I am relating to the title in a different way, though, right now. Perhaps a bit more literally. Continue Reading »

Jun 11

Steps to Santosha

Posted in: Awareness, Challenges, Choices, Contentment, Emotions, Fear, Presence | Comments Off on Steps to Santosha Tags: , , , , , , , —

Stairway at Sugar PineWe all have times when we’re faced with fears or challenges. It’s part of life.

But sometimes those challenges seem overwhelming. Our minds blow them up into crises, replaying the many terrifying, possible scenarios over and over again in our minds, until we become agitated, anxious, or immobilized.

Are any of those scenarios actually happening? Chances are pretty good that they aren’t. But our bodies do not know the difference. When the mind creates images and thoughts that are fearful, our bodies react with the same chemicals that are produced when we are faced with a true threat to our life.

Which means that we are creating unnecessary stress and trauma in our minds, with little or no basis in reality. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Continue Reading »

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