Healing The Inner Child

As I understand it, the inner child is you, between the ages of 6-8 years old.  That inner child carries the knowledge of love for you.  If you were given conditional love at a young age (meaning love could be given or taken away) which is the complete opposite of unconditional love which is what we all strive for, then the inner child holds that belief.

I recently had a healing experience in which my inner child has been reminded that we seek unconditional love, but that we also understand conditional love and the why’s and how’s by which others may only be able to love conditionally.  It was a startling revelation for me and for my inner child which I found so healing.

When given the opportunity to voice herself, the inner child has much to say and when all parts of us can work together, we can heal.  It is amazing to me how one session of hypnotherapy – parts therapy – worked wonders in my life.

Have you ever tried hypnotherapy?  I found the experience to be a wonderful tool to help me heal.  It made such a positive difference in my life.  I just want to thank Bobbi Rise for her patience, knowledge and professionalism.  If you’re interested in a session, you can find her here!  Give her a call and see how your life can transform and heal!

Shine On!

xo

 

I Root For The Underdog

Consistently, I like to root for the underdog.  I’ve always been that way.  I like to see someone who isn’t favored, succeed.  It’s not that I don’t like the favored person because I do.  But there’s something about the underdog that pulls at my heart.

What about you?  Do you feel the same way?

To me, there’s a magic in the underdog succeeding and I feel the need to support them.  I guess it’s how I like my people too.  Those that come off as braggarts or too high and mighty turn me off.  Those that quietly do well and succeed are the ones I like to stay in touch with and be around.

People who have overcome the odds are the most interesting to me.  It’s not that I wish anyone ill will, but when you have experienced hardship and come through the life lessons that test even the strongest of individuals, to me, there’s something magical about you.  I am inspired by those people.  I admire them.  I enjoy when they share their stories with me.  For those that life comes easily to, I like them as well.  It’s just that there’s a depth to those who have endured tough times.  I guess I feel a kinship of sorts to them because I have endured hard times as well.  Luckily, looking back in hindsight on my life, I realize that those life lessons made me the woman I am today so I don’t regret any of it, even though I wish much of it I hadn’t experienced.  But that’s life, isn’t it?

Did you recognize Underdog from the TV series?

Do you root for the underdog too?

Shine On!

xo

*Underdog image from Wikipedia.

 

A Particular Wind

Menacing skies with clacking electrical lines

A particular wind is blowing today at more than 30 miles an hour through the farmland.   Inside we can hear the wind howling through the fireplace and outside the house, the wind is audibly howling as well.  The trees are bending and the electrical power lines are clacking together noisily (that’s a new one for me by the way).  It’s almost a little eery like yesterday, but there’s a blue sky behind the clouds which are moving away at a fast pace.

Can you see how the leaves are upturned by the wind? It’s really blowing here!

On the cusp of the atmospheric changes, this wind feels like it is blowing away all the debris (quite literally) mentally, emotionally and physically in order to pave the way for the new phase in our lives.  Thank goodness, right?

A little while later, the sun came out and the winds have moved the clouds a bit. This is the farmland where the geese hang out! No geese today!

The windy conditions helped the birds in flight! This hawk soared effortlessly for quite awhile above me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you having crazy winds where you live today too?  How do they make you feel?

I feel lifted and (pun intended) blown away by the powers that be.  Grateful for the change of the season and for the gradual beneficial changes in my life.  I hope you had a lovely weekend as well!

Shine On!

xo

 

My New Neighborhood

The gate to my new neighborhood! Welcome home!

I have new neighbors.  Well, I call them my neighbors because I’m new in the neighborhood at the farm.  And no, I don’t live at the horse farm, but I would love it if I did!  Everyone is so friendly at the barn.  It’s amazing to me how people say hello and talk with you.  Even the seasoned riders patiently explain when I ask about something or for help when I’m unsure.  Not that my teacher isn’t there instructing me, but when I hang around for a little bit after my lesson just enjoying the peace within the barn, the atmosphere is so soothing!

It’s truly magical to me, this new adventure I’ve begun.  New smells, new experiences, new people, and learning something new – how to ride, how to groom and how to understand those giant beasts of burden with the gentle loving eyes.  It’s just lovely!

I can see how grooming is therapeutic for the horse and for me.  It connects us in a  spiritual way and it shows him that I care.  I’m back with Charlie these days, having only ridden Sam once and Charlie numerous times now.

Charlie and me on a sunny fall day!

Chock full of new experiences, I am loving  and living my dream of riding!  Let me introduce you to some of the neighbors!   For instance, at the gate, there’s Ely, who welcomes all who enter.  He’s even been so bold as to try to get his nose in my car, looking for cookies (treats)!  I keep forgetting to bring him a treat so I just pet his velvet nose and coo to him.

Ely coming to see what I have for him!

Mr. Chips following Ely’s lead. Hey Lady, got any cookies for me?

Ely giving me the look since I had no cookies to give him! LOL

Ely’s got a new neighbor too.  Mr. Chips who, like me, is a newcomer to the barn.  He’s learning rapidly from Ely!  What a cute pair!

Thanks for stopping by to meet the new neighbors in my life! I am so grateful for life’s new experiences.  I hope you have a lovely Friday!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

Rabbit Rabbit It’s September 1st!

It’s September First and you know what that means, don’t you?

RABBIT RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT WHITE RABBIT

Have you said it yet?  If not, please do because if you know me, you know it’s important.  You can find out here in case you don’t remember.  Above is a photo taken yesterday of my dear little bunny friend whom I’ve named Clover.  She was sunbathing behind the shed between the garage and shed by the patio.  She’s grown quite a bit since I moved here as then she was just a little itty bitty bunny.  She’s getting a bit tamer and allows me to sit outside about 3 feet away from her without being frightened.  She doesn’t run when she sees me coming and if she hops into the yard while I’m out there, she doesn’t scurry away, even if she hears my voice.  And, no, I don’t know if she’s a boy or a girl bunny, so I named her Clover which I think is a neutral name! LOL

I enjoy the wildlife around my home as you may already know.  Even in the new place, I’ve had experiences with honeybees,  geese here and here!  Then there are the previous squatters in my rental home before I moved in who had to leave – Ants, Wasps and Mice Oh My!

Ok, time for spirit totem in case you were wondering…

If Rabbit has hopped into your life:

Rabbit reminds us to examine and utilize the tools we have within ourselves. Although our instincts are innate, they also need nurturing and development. Rabbit meanings deal primarily with abundance, comfort, and vulnerability. Traditionally, rabbits are associated with fertility, sentiment, desire, and procreation.

Shine On!

xo

 

 

 

Sundowners and Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the challenges with having a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease is sundowners.  Sundowners is a symptom of Alzheimer’s and Dementia whereby your loved one becomes more confused mentally towards the end of the day (hence the name).  There are wide variations of sundowners including utter confusion, wandering, aggression, shadowing (meaning they follow you around), repeatedly asking questions that they do not remember that they’ve asked and rapid mood changes which can range from crying (depression) to fear to stubbornness to restlessness and even to rocking back and forth in an effort to self-soothe.  Not all of the symptoms of sundowners occur every night, nor are they the same for every person.  I’ve written about it before here in case you are interested.

My Aunt suffered from sundowners which was hard on her and on her caregivers.  It always seemed to increase in intensity when the moon was full, when we changed to/from daylight savings time and when the seasons changed.  I think there’s more to outside forces than we may think!

My Mom has occasional bouts of sundowners as well, but confusion is her main symptom.  We were having a conversation recently after 6pm which was lovely when suddenly, her knowledge base fell completely out of her head.  We had been discussing my children, her grandchildren, whom she knew by name, by age and was interactively talking about them when suddenly she interrupted me,

I have to ask you.  Do you have children?

Yes, Mom.  I have children.  You have grandchildren!

Oh my, I didn’t know you were old enough to have children.  How many do you have?  Do they live with you?

I have to say that years ago, I would have been utterly distraught to hear her ask me that question right in the middle of talking about my children when she was fully cognizant of their presence, knowing who they are and having seen them recently.  But I have learned that Alzheimer’s is sneaky and can interrupt a loved one’s knowledge base in a split second, rendering them unaware.  So I simply continued the conversation with her, telling her about my children and reminding her gently of their names.

Suddenly, it was like she was back in her mind and she began reminiscing about them with memories of their childhood that she knew.  We laughed together and enjoyed the connection.  This went on for a bit when suddenly the blip happened again and we had to begin all over.  Then at one point, she was thinking that I was her sister and was asking me if I remembered certain things about her childhood.  But all along the conversation, one part was perfectly clear – my Mom loves me, trusts me and knows my name for which I am ever grateful!  That is the piece of peace that stays with me long after confusing conversations and even throughout them.  My Mom loves me and knows how much I love her – what more can you ask for?

I have to remind myself that it’s just part of the disease.  As I’ve written before, when we stay calm, we can flow with whatever comes up.  It’s taken me a long time to get to this place of peace and acceptance.  I had to get the belief that this isn’t how it should be out of my head and simply accept and be with what is.

I keep her sense of calm foremost in my head.  I keep conversations light and happy.  I do answer her questions with truth when she asks, if I think that they will not hurt her.  But as you have seen, Swinging With Mom sometimes we have to repeat the truth which is hard.  It takes patience, love and a sense of humor to love everyone and Mom is here to remind me to strengthen the bonds of love and acceptance for all who are in my life.  Thank you Mommy!

Shine On!

xo

 

Shallow Views of Money

I am reading a book called The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist which was recommended by Peace With My Life – also known as Embers of Light in a recent blog post.  Her review inspired me to buy the book immediately.  When  today’s daily prompt shallow  came up, it reminded me of a passage in the book.

More is better misguides us in a deeper way.  It leads us to define ourselves by financial success and external achievements.  We judge others based on what they have and how much they have, and miss the immeasurable inner gifts they bring to life.  All the great spiritual teachings tell us to look inside to find the wholeness we crave, but the scarcity chase allows no time or psychic space for that kind of introspection.  In the pursuit of more we overlook the fullness and completeness that are already within us waiting to be discovered.  Our drive to enlarge our net worth turns us away from discovering and deepening our self-worth.

I found the book an eye-opener as to the views of money that pervade our society.  I was intrigued with the author’s thoughts and theories and debunked myths.  In fact, the above quote is from her Toxic Myth # 2:  More Is Better.

Our individualized beliefs about money can be changed which is good because if we come from a lack and scarcity background, we simply continue to perpetuate Twist’s Toxic Myth #1:  There’s Not Enough.  But the good news is that we can heal our relationship with money.

I suggest you stop over to visit Karel when you get the chance and maybe even order the book for yourself if you feel inclined.  I love when a book recommendation is really worth it and for me, this was!

Let me know what you think!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

Begin Again

A friend gave me a magnet awhile back in anticipation for all of the changes that were in store for my future.  At the time, I didn’t want to Begin Again as it was daunting for me to think about all that would be changed.  Regardless of how much I didn’t want the changes, they happened anyway, out of my control.  Instead of accepting that my life would dramatically change in all ways – divorce, moving, financially, health-wise, etc., I fought like a tigress to remain in that stagnant limbo of wanting no change, all while change happened anyway.

Finally, I surrendered.

Broken, exhausted and drained, I surrendered.

It’s not that I didn’t agree that the changes were imminent and necessary.  It was that I was fearful of how I would continue on in this uncharted territory for my journey and the journey of my children, for it wasn’t where I wanted to be.  But when I stopped fighting against the rising tide and began to doggy paddle to keep afloat, I received help through the transition.  Angels disguised as friends and strangers reached out to me with kindness.  I began to see the future as a new chapter in my life, a new book on which to write my story and a fresh clean slate which I controlled (for the most part) of how I am the captain of my own life’s ship.

I began planning what had to be done and like a sergeant, began the transition with what I hoped would be military precision.  But alas, I may have had a plethora of military family members, but precision has not been a characteristic blessing unto me.  And so it was, I surrendered.  I did my best daily, fell asleep on my pillow with a bone tired body and rose up the next morning to do it all again.  And finally, it was accomplished, through the help of my angelic human angels.

Now we begin again, in a new home with new challenges.  Regardless, I have surrendered what was and I embrace what is and I plan for what I would like to be.  To Begin Again requires letting go of the past and staying in a peaceful present and allowing a hopeful future to blossom, petal by petal.

I am grateful for the peace within now.  Although transitions are often fraught with wiggles and compromises, I knowingly stand with peace in my heart, grateful for the lessons and learning which have come with the experiences I’ve endured.  I’ve learned so much about people, about myself and about love.  Life lessons have been tough at times, but well-worth the growth that came out of them.  Sure, it’s easy in hindsight to feel this way, but I guess I wanted to share with you so that you can remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  We just have to keep walking towards the light.

I’m here for you if you are going through any transitions as I’ve been through a bunch of different ones:  cancer, multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, divorce, selling a house, finding the right rental, starting over at 50, death of family, family with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, etc.  If you need a friend, here I am, with my arms wide open for a hug.

Shine On!

xo

 

 

Happiness Is What You Are

“Most people are searching for happiness

outside of themselves.

That’s a fundamental mistake.

Happiness is something you are,

and it comes from the way you think.”
— Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

This quote inspired me today so I wanted to share it with you.  I hope you find inspiration in it as well.  Happiness is a choice you make for yourself.

Think Happy!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

Memorial Day

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic.  It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

– Arthur Ashe

I shan’t wish you a Happy Memorial Day for as a friend who is in the military reminded me, it isn’t a happy day.  It isn’t about picnics, nor getting a day off from work.  It is about remembrance for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us to live in this country.  It is about those who survive, but still have limitations from their service time.  It is about serving others because you believe in our nation.  It is about honoring those who have passed.

So today please take a moment to send peace and love to all those who have passed and to those who have given of themselves to serve our country.  It saddens me that we have lost so many souls in a collection of unrest in our world.  Let’s say a prayer for peace today and remember all those for whom this day is in remembrance.

Shine On!

xo