Such A Beautiful Video by Laura

When I saw this video that Laura did from a poem she read in my book, it brought tears to my eyes.  When you know that something you have written touches someone else this deeply, it touches you more than words can say.

Laura creates some beautiful stuff with her videos, and I can't for the life of me understand why they don't all have thousands of views.  These are good quality videos that are positive and uplifting.  Yes, they sometimes deal with difficult subjects, but they leave you feeling good and hopeful.

I'm especially fond of the "Stephanie" character.  If you don't know what that means, then you've got to see the video.

Give Laura some love watching the video and subscribing!  Let's all support content that makes a difference!

And don't forget to check out my book, Hope And Possibility Through Trauma.

Angels and Low Vibrations

When people are afraid and most in need of Heavenly help, their vibrations are too low to hear and feel the pure love of God. The angels, who are closer to Earth, are easier to hear and feel when someone is fearful or stressed. Then they can lift the person’s vibrations and help him or her be unafraid and at peace and return to a clear connection with God.

Book:  The Angel Therapy Handbook by Doreen Virtue (Pg 5) 

Are We Alone

This may freak some people when they read this, but I feel it is important to share these things.  I have talked about them from time to time, but they just seem more important now for some reason.  There have been people in my life that have talked about UFO's and for the most part I dismissed them.  It wasn't that I disbelieved it as much as I was not ready to believe them.  I'm not sure if I am still ready to believe them or not.

Of course, many years ago there were things that I accept now which I vehemently denied.  In fact, a couple of times I stopped talking to people because I thought they were plain nuts, only to find out later that I was the one who was nuts!  I think for each of us, we have to determine what we accept as beliefs for our life and what we do not.  However, I will tell you that the more we hold on to some hard and fast belief, the more we need to really evaluate it because more than likely there is something we are blocking from our own conscious view.

Are we alone?  I don't know if I am qualified to answer that question.  However, there are many who claim to see things that the majority of us do not see.  I'm moving closer to the point of saying we are surrounded by other dimensions that we know very little about and that we allow our consciousness to connect to in our life.  In a short answer to this question, I don't think we are alone, but that is mostly my opinion and not based upon any hard evidence I can offer to you at this point.

Push Through The Fear

I must push through it!  Yes, I must.   When I get ready to go into a healing moment, my fears rise up like a stormy sea desiring to bash me into the largest cliffs on the shore.  I must push through the fear for if I don't, the fear will overcome this moment.  It isn't easy, but I know I can do it.  It isn't fun experiencing these things, but then I know that out of these moments, there is a peace and calmness that awaits.

All my life, I have had fear in one way or another.  At times where I am expected to be there and "perform" (for lack of a better word), I head down the one way street of fear.  I struggle to hold the reins of these galloping horses as they speed off into the dark and stormy night.  No matter what I tell myself or what I do, the automatic pilot kicks into gear and my conditioned response plays out as if it knows what to do.

From the sick times of my abuser who used these healing moments as a sword against my life, I have struggled to separate out the good from the bad.  At one time, it was the thing that "started" the series of events where my body and mind would escape.  It was the point where my little brain could not begin to comprehend what was happening to me, and so I fled into a world where there was no pain.  It is in that moment that I must reclaim those fragmented parts of myself.  It is in this moment that I have to push through the fear.

True Angelic Experience

A True Angelic Experience Involving Hearing

• Sentences usually begin with the words you or we.
• There’s a sense that someone else is talking to you, even if it sounds like your own voice.
• It’s readily apparent how the message related to your immediate concerns or questions.
• The voice is to the point and blunt.
• The sound is loving and positive, even if it’s warning you of danger.
• The voice asks you to take immediate action, including changing your thoughts or attitude to be more loving.
• The voice calls your name upon awakening.
• You become aware of strains of beautiful, disembodied “celestial” music.
• You receive a message about self-improvement or helping others.

- The Angel Therapy Handbook by Doreen Virtue

I Hear The Message

Have you ever been thinking about something and within a short time, it appears that the answers shows up in your life?  Today, such an event happened.  There is a project that I want to do with a musical concept that connects the mind and body in healing.  While I can record the various music parts, I don't have the expertise, nor the money to put the project together.

Around 7 pm tonight, I was talking with my partner over supper about this project.  He knows what it is about and I was sharing with him that I really wanted to get this project moving forward.  Not only do I want to do this for myself as a source of revenue in the future, but more importantly, I think the world needs this.  I think people really need this to happen.

My biggest stumbling block though is how to pull this project together.  There are people I need to somehow connect with to make it happen because I don't have the expertise needed to complete it.  As we talked about that we came up with a couple of different people to contact to see what may happen.  I was also thinking about just asking the angels to bring this together.

Use Healing Language In Everything

Something I saw Doreen Virtue post on twitter today made me smile with joy.  It was a simple statement, but one that I think we all need to embrace and constantly think about in our day.  All too often, we use words that don't help advance our world or help others heal the difficult moments of their life.  What we say is often a reflection of what is going on inside of us and we are either helping advance the world, or we are part of the problem.

The statement that Doreen Virtue made on twitter is, "Work with the angels to use healing language in everything that you say and write.".  (Source:  twitter.com/DoreenVirtue444


While I know just about everyone reading this would want to agree and say this is what we do, I've got a feeling, not everyone would be honest with themselves.  You see, we often do not consciously connect with what we say and so many times we really don't listen to what we say.  We state things that just come out of our mouth with little thought.

Connecting With Angels And Things Unseen

One of the things I have come to realize is that somehow I just pick stuff up in life.  I either just seem to know it, sense it, feel it, or somehow just know it is what it is.  At one time some friends of mine called me the "space cowboy" and at the time, I was confused as to why they did this.  They would often tell me that you just know things.  I would respond with a deer-in-the-headlights look.

If you come up to me and want answers from me about some futuristic event, I will probably stare at you with absolutely nothing to say.  However, if there is something going on that I connect to, it seems like information readily shows up for me.  I cannot wish for it to happen or show up.  It just does or sometimes it doesn't.

There are many people who would try to paint me into a box and put all kinds of dimensions, colors and shapes to the box.  However, I don't really feel like I fit in a box and I'm not sure I want to be placed into a box that fits everyone's perception of what goes on in life.  So while I understand the need for people to fit things they do not understand into a defined space, it won't get you very far with me.  I tend to be the one outside the box.

Wake Up Documentary And My Experiences

Wake Up - The Film
Jonas Elrod

A new documentary hitting the TV was on the OWN network recently.  Oprah interviewed the creator of the film, Jonas Elrod, about his experiences before allowing everyone to view the film on the Super Soul Sunday program.  This is a real life documentary of Jonas Elrod regarding an experience that happened to him and still continues to this day.  While I'm sure there are many that would look at this film with complete skepticism, I would urge everyone to keep an open mind and see what you can learn.

There are things out there that exist and take place which we may not be able to see at this point in our life or in our day.  We often live in our own little world, oblivious to what is around us.  Sometimes our awareness and consciousness is so limited that it could be contained in a small storage jar.  Just because we cannot see something or we don't think it exists, gives no credible evidence that we are correct.

In this movie, Wake Up, Jonas Elrod recounts and shows his experience of going from an every day person to one seeing auras, shapes, demonic type things, angels, spirits, etc.  Jonas was not a spiritual and religious person, but just a regular guy working in a regular job trying to make his way in life.  To view more information about the movie, click this link.

The movie really resonates with me because I've had similar experiences.  It is important to note, that I do not get the full detail like Jonas does, but I have seen and sensed some of these things in dramatic ways.  I'm sure if I saw all of these things at once, I'd probably freak out and hide, much like Jonas most likely wanted to do.

Angels Are Always There

Something I recently saw posted on the internet about angels spoke to me. I may not have it 100% correctly restated, but here are the words. Regardless of what you believe or don't believe about angels, I feel very connected to them. I am sharing this from that place in my own heart.

In difficult times, I realize that I AM not alone. It is then that I AM surrounded by all the beautiful Angels. The angels carry me when I am weak, and walk beside me when I am strong.

It is helpful in life to know you are not alone and that sometimes when you are in the midst of a struggle, the angels are there for you. I can so picture the angels being with us in times of weakness and difficulty, but I can also see them walking beside us when we are stronger.

A Letter To The Angels

Dear Angels,

I am going through a difficult moment that I really need help.  I feel like I am doing all that I need to do in order to change the situation that I am facing.  However, it seems that no matter what I do, nothing seems to change.  It is as if, things are caught in a continuous loop.

I really don't know where to turn and I don't even know for sure how to ask for what it is that I need.  All I know is that I really need help on this situation.  It is wearing down upon me hard and robbing precious strength from me.  It needs to end.  Most people would probably not have made it this far and some days it is all I can do to keep going.  It just needs to end!

So, please add this to my cry for help in this situation.  Help show me that I'm not alone as I feel in the moment, going through this situation.  Help me to know what it is that I need to do or how you are helping me.  Let me have no doubts as to the source of help or the answer to my prayers.  The only request I add is that I need something soon to happen as I am so weary of traveling through these rough waters.

Masculine, Feminine VS Gay And Straight

In the book, "Into The Light" by Dr. John Lerma, stories of hospice patients final days are recounted.  While I cannot substantiate any of these stories, I can neither disprove them.  I have read a considerable amount of Dr. Lerma's accounts of his patients just days before they pass on and I find them very credible.  It would seem odd that I would find a very good story and example about masculine, feminine and gay versus straight in a book about our final days and the life thereafter.

On page 56, this section is being shared from a fundamentalist preacher who was into the hell, fire and brimstone, rather than positive, uplifting and encouraging words one may desire to hear.  According to this person (which is known as Leon in the book), he felt the truth was the truth and it often hurts. 

As you read on in this section, he shares how his church was right in the middle of a gay community and how his ministry had been focused on telling gays (among others) that they were living a lifestyle that was against God.  We've all heard these things and in this day and age, it is not uncommon to be surrounded by this type of thinking. Politicians love to use this as a bargaining chip in getting people to vote for them which is unfortunate in my view.

Angels Among Us

One of my all time favorite songs by Alabama called "Angels Among Us". I truly believe that angels walk amongst us and that they appear as every day people to us. We often just don't see them and fail to even believe that this takes place. The message in this song though, resonates so much with me as I have had too many moments in life that mimic the words of this song.

I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with their mercy
In our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

---

Here is a video that I found which I think is beautiful and really depicts the song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

In what ways have Angels shown up in your life?


For Further Reading:

• Archangel Michael
• Divine Timing
• Power Within You

Labyrinth Communication From Angels

Today I walked the labyrinth for the second time in my life at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando, Florida. The first time was on June 28, 2010 with a friend of mine, Trish Kalhagen.

Last night as I was talking to my friend, Trish, on the phone about labyrinths, I felt the need to go and walk the labyrinth again. So I made plans and traveled to Orlando to do this. The weather was beautiful and the skies were clear and sunny.

When I got there, several ladies were outside enjoying their lunch time but they were extremely loud and obnoxious. They were sitting close to the labyrinth and I was hoping they would see what we were doing and be a little more quiet and respectful. However, that was not the case and as much as I tried to silence them in my mind, I was growing frustrated that they would not be respectful of what we were doing or even anyone else around that patio area. I felt it was very rude and so I ended up just stopping and sitting out there until they got up and left.

When they left, I once again started my walk and did the entire thing from the beginning. I focused on my breath and really tried to let go of the energy of these people. It was not easy but I knew that if I held on to what they did, it would stop whatever I needed to experience.

As I began to walk, I thought about all these things and my life. With each step I took, I could feel a presence around me of angels. The angels were many but there was one that was more dominant in speaking than the others. The words flowed from them to me like a continuous conversation sharing with me wisdom, support and love that I needed in my life.

It was not like I was hearing them audibly talk to me but the thoughts flowing into my mind was the communication that I was receiving from the angels. It was a thought pattern that was rapid thoughts one right after another with a volume of information about my life and where I was headed. It was communication that was supportive and full of love. I knew these weren't my thoughts for I cannot sustain this pace of things coming into my mind for this period of time.

I realize that I do pick up many things in small amounts throughout my day and meditation time but not to the extent that this was happening. This was the first time I have had the volume of information come through that I did. I was afraid that I would not be able to remember all of it and I was told by the angels that when I needed this information, it would be there in my life as a part of me. I would not have to worry about accessing it. It would become me. While I would love to share many of these things, I feel they are personal between me and the angels. I honor all that they shared with me and so I'd like to keep these words in this sacred space I now hold.

When I was done walking, I felt more peaceful and more centered in my life. It felt like my body was free and I just enjoyed the warmth and beauty of the skies and sun around me. The gentle brush of the wind was powerful. I'm so glad that I went down and walked the labyrinth because it truly was what I needed to do.

This time was much different from the first and I'm glad it was. I was not sure what to expect because I did not have my friend here with me. However, I just allowed myself to be on the labyrinth walking in whatever way unfolded. I did not try to do anything or bring anything about. I just allowed myself to be in that one moment of today. Outside of the distracting noises, I felt like I was walking in a sacred space. I know the angels were there with me because not only did I hear all that they had to say but I felt their presence. I am thankful for this experience and I am allowing myself to feel the peace of the walk.

Further Reading:

• My First Time Walking The Labyrinth
• Walking The Labyrinth
  

For More Information on Labyrinths, contact Trish Kalhagen

(c) 11/15/10 by Don Shetterly - use by permission only

Book Review: Touched By Angels

A couple of weeks ago, I was wandering through the library and the book, Touched By Angels, by Eileen Elias Freeman sort of found me. Really, it did! Actually, I was just wandering and browsing and out of a stack of books, this one popped out and caught my attention. Of course lately, I've been having many experiences that are angel related so my interest in peaked in this right now.

While I'm glad I read the book and I enjoyed it overall, there were parts of it that I could have done without. I'm sure the author had the best of intentions but at times I felt like her own belief system was what was writing the book. I guess, for a subject like this, that is to be expected at some level. However, there were times, especially at the end of the book where I felt beliefs were more the motivating factor behind the writing than true experience. It is hard to say, because she does lay out a compelling line of reasoning for what she writes. Regardless, I found my inner self questioning a few things at the end.

One of the things that I do not understand is how people who are mediums have trouble with people who sense angels. And people who sense angels struggle with people who are mediums. Now, I've heard from both sides how the other really doesn't exist or they don't think they do and that bothers me. I'm one that has happened to have seen both sides and I know one other friend that sees both sides, mediums and angel people. If you're a medium and you say that you don't believe people can communicate with angels, that doesn't fit in my life's experiences. If you are an angel person and claim that mediums are not necessary or really don't fit into life, than that too does not fit into my experiences. I'm more concerned though with how these two groups seem to focus on each other in this way. It doesn't make sense but then if you hold on to a set paradigm of belief, than it at least explains some of it.

Another part of the book that I have difficulty with is when the author starts talking about fear in a bad way. Fear is not something any of us enjoy and we usually run away from it. To make it out to be a bad thing though is simply inaccurate and there were several references to this concept in the book. Fear is in our lives to give us guidance and to help us go deeper into our own awareness, healing and consciousness. Without fear, many humans would just exist instead of pushing themselves forward. Fear has its place in our life but if we become overwhelmed by it to the point where we act as if it is a bad thing, than fear is controlling your life more than you realize. That is not healthy! I realize, that this concept is hard for many to understand but fear is in our life for a reason and the more we discover why it is there, the more conscious and aware we are as humans.

I do want to share some positive parts of the book because there were many and I don't wish to give the impression that I thought it was a bad book. I just disagree with the author in some of these areas and again, this comes from my own experience. I have not only witnessed these things personally that I talk about in myself but I have seen strong evidence of them in many others.

The stories of the people who have had lives touched by angels, now that is something to really celebrate in this book. The only thing is, I wish there would have been far more stories. In fact, I thought there was going to be so I was disappointed that there were not more of them. The stories are what made the book because it isn't beliefs or concepts that are being told. It is just the experiences of these people in real life.

These stories really touched my life in a positive way and some of them seemed very familiar. I was struck in just how simple but profound, the experiences happened. The stories were varied but it was very clear that they had been visited by an angel. The stories were touching and heart warming and if you want to know more, you'll have to read the book because I'm not going to give that away in this review.

There was some interesting information at the beginning of the book on the concept of angels including their purpose and how they looked, appeared or are around us. I found that interesting and am not totally sure where the author derived all that information. Some of it was different than what I had heard at other times but I will of course file this information in my brain and see how it matches up to other things I read and experience.

Overall, I'm glad I read this book and it was an easy read. I enjoyed reading it very much. The best parts were the stories. The worst parts, were the beliefs that got interjected into it. If you are interested in angels, I would strongly encourage you to read this book and of course form your own opinions. Many of these things are not something that any of us truly know. Very few people can describe without a doubt everything there is to know about angels.

I myself have had many experiences with angels and I talk to them daily. I'm really not too worried how others would evaluate my experiences because I know they are what they are. There have been times my angels have helped me through some very difficult moments and there are other times that I just feel their presence and know they are around me. I do feel so peaceful and calm and uplifted when their presence has been known to me.


*Read other articles on Mind Body Thoughts Blog

Highly Sensitive People and Angels

Reading the book, The Highly Sensitive Person, by Elaine N. Aron, I found a section that really hit home to me. There are many facets to people who are highly sensitive and this section I'm quoting here is just one part of what highly sensitive people are about.

"Some of you are wondering when I will talk about your own most significant spiritual experiences -- of visions, voices, or miracles, and of intimate personal relationships with God, angels, saints, or spirit guides." (page 224)

She goes on to state that people who are highly sensitive (HSP = Highly Sensitive Person) often have these spiritual experiences in abundance. While receptivity to these events seems to open up at different times in a person's life, HSP's are very open to these experiences. They sense things differently than most people and HSP's are just aware of things that most people do not even pick up on.

In the book, she goes on to share some specific, real life examples of how other HSP's have noticed these things and the experiences they have had. The book is worth reading especially if you are an HSP. It will help you realize that some of these things that you shun in life are actually blessings and gifts to your life. You will see that you aren't alone and if you are a very sensitive person, than this book will have an impact on your life. Being a highly sensitive person is much more than just being an emotional person that struggles to deal with all the energies around you in any given day. Our society often does not understand that being a highly sensitive person is a good thing and helps to balance out our society.

For a long time, I thought being highly sensitive was a curse. I knew I picked up on so much that often I was overwhelmed by so much in life. I would avoid people and crowd and usually I was very shy and kept to myself. In many ways, I still do that but I have learned more, how to be in the world, but not necessarily be overwhelmed by it. Although, I still do get overwhelmed from time to time.

Before I read this book, I was already learning that it was okay to be a highly sensitive person. I was learning that these parts of me that I had cursed all my life were actually blessings in how I would help others heal areas of their life. It took me a long time to understand any of that and see it as anything but a curse.

The book helped me understand that there were many others out there and that it was okay to be a highly sensitive person. While I'm not sure it shed much light for me, just knowing that I'm not alone, made a difference. The part at the end of the book that I quoted above was the most inspiring part to me. I've known for years that I pick up subtle energies and I know my angels are around me. What I didn't know was that this is normal for an HSP. It just helps reading that section above. It has made a big difference for me to know this.




*Read other articles on Mind Body Thoughts Blog

Dear Angels

Dear Angels,
Help me replace my
negative thoughts,
doubts and worries
with love and
acceptance for
myself.

Concerns And Worry

Are you worried and concerned about things in your life? If you're like I am and probably many others, why not try this exercise. Find a quiet place in your life and make a list of all things that concern you or you are worried about. Nothing is too great or too small to list. It doesn't have to be a complete thought or sentence. It could be just words, pictures or however you choose to record it. Allow yourself time to list everything you are concerned about. Than consider the following thought in helping you to release and let go of these worries and concerns. It is easy to worry about the things in life we are concerned about but sometimes we forget we can release these as well.

Here's the thought to consider after you have listed your concerns.

What if I released my concerns today to the Angels and just let these things go? For I know that the more I worry about these things, the more it robs me of precious energy. I cannot control them. If I let them control me, than I have allowed myself to become their slave. What if I released my concerns today to the Angels and just let these things go? Trust them. Trust the Angels.

Release It, Let It Go

Often there are times in my daily life when I just struggle to let go of things. I give lip service that I actually do let go, but if I was honest, I would have to own up to not letting go completely. Even if I manage to let go of most of the situation, there is usually a part that I cling to. Sometimes, that is a small part but it truly says I did not release it and let it go.

It could involve situations that happen online or through communication with people I know. It may be experiences with people in public places or in work situations. Often it involves financial stress and worry like paying the bills. In all of these circumstances, I observe myself worrying, holding it in and clinging to that which I cannot control.

While the illusion of control probably gives nourishment to my mind, it seems never to be in short supply. Although I have made great strides in working through this, I know that to release situations in life and let them go, is not easy. I'm not saying it is impossible but it has taken much work to get as far as I have gotten.

It does seem like I continually forget that I am not in this world alone. I have help, support and love from people around me as well as the angels. I've been a witness many times to all of this and yet, I still try to face life on my own. I act as I am in a void apart from everyone and as if I have to go it alone.

While I know control issues date back to prehistoric times in my life, they are not healthy and balanced for me. I can feel the control, worry and stress build up in my shoulders, neck and back. It robs me of precious energy in my day and alters how I view my life. As much as I want to let go of the control, I find myself attracted to it as a tempting and seductive desire. It is like I allow it to be chained to my neck as I attempt to drag it through my life.

The question then becomes, how do I let it go? How do I release it? I would think that I first need to recognize when I'm not giving up control. Unless I know that control is in play, how would I be able to give it up?

The next part of this would be to acknowledge it and allow it to be there with me, so that I can learn what it is that I need to learn. By keeping myself in the observer mode, it may have a great deal of wisdom to share with me. By allow it to be in the current moment, I have now taken the power back from it. I have empowered myself instead of being manipulated by it.

The final step would be to find out why I wish to hold on to this moment. What is in it for me? When I can truly be in this space of awareness and the current moment of now, then I will have the option to let go and release it.

With the help of the angels and the support and love of people around me, I will find the energy boost to do this. It will be the ultimate spark to allow this to happen. It will allow me to remember the magical sense of wonder in life and to fully embrace it.

*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

Fear Of The Dentist, Part 2

**Note: For full details please read PART 1 and PART 3 **

From My Daily Journal: I am very scared and full of fears at this moment and instead of sweeping them under the rug, I am going to acknowledge them. For today is my dentist appointment. Last night was so difficult to sleep worrying about it and dealing with the pain of the tooth.

To be very honest, I'm not sure what all my fears are. However, without a doubt, I know they are there. I can feel my pulse increase and my heart beat overtime as I acknowledge the fear within me at this moment.

The anxiety of what will happen, how I will react, is alive and growing within me. The anxiety of just being anxious is trying to engulf me.

These feelings and emotions are not new. They are estranged bedfellows to me. Yet, they feed off of me as their last meal just before starvation. My hope is that they get their bellies full and move on to their next victims. They only laugh and scoff at me in these thoughts.

May I today reach way down into that area that seems to not exist in this moment, and find the courage I need. While I'm there reaching, may I also find the comfort and peace to know that it is going to be all right. I'm going to get through this. I'm much stronger than I realize.

Please, Angels, I ask that I will have the courage, comfort and peace that I need. May I allow myself to just be in all of this as the day unfolds.



*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog