Stop and Smell the Roses

While lunching in Capitol park yesterday I took these beautiful pictures.  Enjoy!

I love the deepth, richness and layers of different reds. Reminds me how multidimensional we all are.

I love the imperfection of this rose. This flower is a reminder that we are ALL beautiful.

This was the sweetest smelling rose. Reminds me of Hummingbirds wisdom: "Drink from the sweet nectar of life."

This rose radiates white light energy.

Lady bug! Always brings me luck!

As Bob Ross would say, "every little flower needs a happy little friend." 

My favorite photo - looks like the flowers go one forever. Speaks to the infinite nature of Spirit.

Tell The Universe What You Want With Your Intentions



The Universe loves you and wants you to be happy.

Everything in the world is made of energy, even our thoughts. When we think positively about a thing or a situation, we are more likely to see positive results. When we set intentions for ourselves we direct our positive thoughts and make them more powerful and effective.

It's important that when you set an intention you are specific - the Universe IS listening. How you frame your intention is just as important as having one. The Universe does not  understand negative words and phrases like no, not, and don't. So if you say, "I don't want to be broke every month" the Universe only hears "broke every month." And that's exactly what you get.

Try saying, "I want to have $200 in my savings account at the end of every month" instead. Of course, you can't just set an intention to save money and then do nothing. Setting an intention is like working with the Universe on an energetic "To Do" list. If you want to accomplish your task then you'll have to take action.

Your actions don't have to be dramatic, you just have to take steps in the right direction and the Universe will support you. The more positive action you take, the more the Universe will step up to match your actions and produce equally positive results.

I have heard some of my friends ask for the Universe to deliver whatever things and situations are for their "highest good." I've actually set this intention before too. However, this is an interesting intention to set because many times we ask for such a thing, and can not recognize it when it comes.

For instance, if you are running late and you miss a flight, you might be angry or upset. However, it may have been for your highest good that you missed that plane. Perhaps you will meet someone in the airport while waiting for the next flight that will help change your life. Perhaps the plane will be delayed at the layover, and the second flight will be on time.

When you set your intention you must be willing to accept what comes your way. .You must be patient in receiving what you have asked for. And remember that when you set an intention, you don't have to know how something may happen but you must truly believe that it WILL happen.

Be Kind to Yourself

Today was the first day since I started my blog that I missed my self-imposed publishing deadline of Wednesday at noon. Sure its only 2 pm, but ordinarily this would set me off on a spiral of low self-esteem for failing to meet my goal.

I always tell people not to be hard on themselves, and yet I am usually my own worst critic. The slightest "failure" causes me to run through all the reasons why I'm not good enough, why I didnt try hard enough. Despite how busy I have been at work, and that I've been putting together an extensive presentation on social media for tomorrow morning, I was first inclined to be disappointed in myself for missing my blog deadline. But then I really thought about it.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. The reason I missed my blog deadline is that the universe is giving me an opportunity to follow my own advice and be kind to myself. This is my cosmic opportunity to walk-the-walk and not just talk-the-talk, and I’m starting by cutting myself some slack. And I got a blog post out of it. THANKS UNIVERSE!

So I challenge you all to cut yourself some slack in the next week. Notice when you are not being kind to yourself with your words or thoughts, and then change it. Turn the so-called failure into a lesson. Know that you are doing your best and be proud of yourself!

Power Animal Journey

Many Shamans believe that everyone has a power animal (or several power animals) that can help them along their path. Power animals can act as guardians angels and should be honored for the wisdom they bring to your life.

Recently, I did a Shamanic Power Animal Journey to discover mine. It is always best to be guided on a journey but since I am experienced at this practice, I knew I was able to navigate the journey myself.

There are many types of journeys, some with drums, some with rattles, or music, some in which you enter the underworld and some in which you enter the upper world.

However for mine I used a rattle to create a rhythm that would allow me to enter an altered state, and I visualized entering the tree of life. Once inside I allowed myself to look around and to be guided by what I found. I found myself looking up, up, up.

So I allowed my mind to take me up and out onto the tree's branches so that I was completely surrounded by leaves. While I was studying the leaves, I began to see a Chameleon camouflaged in the background and I knew I had found my power animal.

The Chameleon is the wisdom of clairvoyance and auric sensitivity.

"For those with this totem, new awareness of their own psychic ability and intuition is being awakened...those with this totem will find their own sensitivity to the environment and other people increasing...Every time we come into contact with another person, here is an exchange of energy...those will this totem will begin to realize and recognize this exchange much more distinctly."

If you are interested in connecting with your own power animal (or animals) you can work with a Shaman or you can do your own personal work. On your own you can use a guided meditation CD on power animals, ask for a power animal to come to you in a dream using my dream work technique, and you can work with a power animals tarot deck. You can also take your cues from nature. If you begin to see animals in your environment that you don't ordinary see, it might be a power animal communication.

Learn more about power animals with Animal Speaks by Ted Andrews. ShamanLinks.net is also a great web resource.