Reflections

For most people it seems that when we're about to enter a new year, it's natural to reflect on the year that is closing.  Every year I hear or read some people saying, "I can't wait until this year is over.", "This year can't end soon enough.", or something to indicate that the year that is ending held some bad memories.  For whatever reason, this year seems to have an unbelievable amount of people anxious for the old year to end and a new one to begin.

As I've mentioned before, I was in an automobile accident this past year.  It was on April 20th and I'm still healing from it.  The car was totaled, I had a broken collar bone, bruises from my neck to my toes, four bulging discs, aches, pains and migraines.  I was in a sling for 8 weeks, had physical therapy for several months, was on medication and experienced much pain and discomfort.  BUT, I learned - and continue to learn - so much from this whole experience.  It was truly life changing.  I have become more aware of my body and it's needs.  I have grown spiritually.  And although I wouldn't consciously choose to experience an accident like that and I hope I never have to go through anything like that again, I AM SO GRATEFUL for the beautiful lessons I have learned.

Buddha said, "Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind.  The good is to find it."

I guess that's what I'm feeling.  I believe that everything happens for a reason  So instead of complaining or feeling sorry for myself, I strive to find the reason...the gift.  Then I can take that grateful energy into the new year.

How you experience life is your choice.  Choose wisely.

I wish you all a year filled with blessings, gratitude, and magic.  Happy 2017!

Love,  Paula

Our Mini Melting Pot

We are so blessed where I live. We are on the shore of Lake Erie, one of the five fresh water Great Lakes.

There are many cities on Lake Erie. What makes where I live so special is our peninsula - Presque Isle. It's rich in history and rich in fun. There are 13 sandy beaches, a bike path, 21 miles of recreational trails, a marina and historical sights.

In the spring, summer and autumn, you'll find people out on the peninsula going for drives, walks, runs, roller blading, biking, fishing and picnicking. In the summer you'll also find people boating, swimming and flying kites on "kite beach". There are free pontoon boat rides on the lagoons in the summer to see the natural habitat of many birds and animals. You always see beaver dams and turtles. Often there will be heron and maybe even an eagle. There are free concerts on the beach in the summer too.

In the winter, people can be found ice fishing, ice skating, and even cross country skiing. It is such a gem.

What I love most is that it is a state park, but there is no cost to get on Presque Isle. It's a true melting pot. It doesn't matter if you're a billionaire or if you don't have a penny to your name, you can go there to swim, walk, fish, pontoon boat ride, picnic, or go to a concert. It doesn't matter if you're in shape or out of shape. Your ethnic origin doesn't matter. At our beautiful Presque Isle, EVERYONE is equal. It's the true meaning of a melting pot on so many levels. I love that!

Love, Paula

The Challenge

As I've mentioned numerous times before, I am a Reiki Master Teacher. I have been doing Reiki for so long now that I don't give it much thought. It has become a part of who I am.

A couple of weeks ago, someone I know unknowingly challenged my belief in Reiki and what it can do. By challenging Reiki, she made me REALLY think about it. Reiki isn't the ONLY thing that defines me, but it certainly is a big part of who I am and what I believe.

This person that challenged me is a medium. As such she works with spirit in her readings and healing work. Reiki is an energy therapy. Science has proven that everything is made from energy. Reiki practitioners allow the energy to be channeled through them. The client then draws the energy they need.

The challenge made me think about all the people that I have worked with and all the help they have received because of the Reiki energy. I AM so grateful to this person and her challenge. She made me think about what I do and why I do it. She allowed me to reaffirm my conviction. The whole experience was such a gift and she doesn't even know that she did all this for me.

The next time someone "challenges" you, what you do, or your belief system, be grateful. It will make you re-examine your life or the parts of your life that have been challenged. It gives you the opportunity to either let go of something that you no longer need in your life, or to reaffirm that this is something that should remain in your life. It's such a gift.

Love, Paula

Angels Among Us

As I mentioned in last week's blog, I was in an automobile accident on April 20th. It was a surreal experience - one I hope to NEVER repeat. I try to understand, look for the lessons and look for the good in all situations.

Right after the accident happened, I think even before my car stopped spinning, a wonderful stranger came over. On his way to my car, he called 911 and explained the situation. Police, fire department and paramedics were alerted. When he got to my car, he opened the door to check and see how I was doing and what kind of help I needed. He kept me conscious and alert by constantly and gently talking with me and holding my hand until the paramedics arrived. He was on his lunch break from work. He didn't know me. He took about 45 minutes out of his life to help and be with a total stranger. His gentle kindness and caring can never be repaid and will never be forgotten. He was my angel at that moment in time.

Someone very close to me recently had an accident. He had several angels show up. Several high school girls were walking up the road. They saw he was bleeding and in need. They happened to have baby wipes on them. They gave the wipes to him to help clean up his wounds. A person that lived near by came and sat with him until help arrived. Several passers by stopped to see if they could help in any way.

Night after night all you hear on the news are the "bad" things that happen - robberies, shootings, drugs. It makes you feel like the whole world and all the people in it are corrupt and awful. The Angels are out there. It may be the person that says the right thing to you at the right time. An unexpected phone call. Help that arrives at the exact right moment. It may be someone you know or it may be a complete stranger. Look for your angels. They're out there. When you experience the kindness of perfect strangers like I have, it gives you a warm hope for humanity. You can't help but KNOW that there are Angels Among Us.

Love, Paula

Lessons From My Back...So Far

I was in an automobile accident on April 20th. The car was totaled. I had - and still have - many physical issues because of it. The latest issue is that my back went out.

I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I always try to pay attention to and notice what's going on so I can learn the lessons that are being "taught" to me. This helps me to better understand WHY things happen. There are the typical physical lessons, but underneath that are the more important spiritual lessons. Those are the things I try to understand.

Here are the things I've learned so far:

1. The first lesson happened when instead of turning around to move, I took a step backwards. Pain shot through my back and leg. Lesson - DON'T go backwards. Only move forward.

2. The second lesson happened when I tried to go for a walk. My normal gait is rather large steps. This shot pain through my back and hip. Lesson - while moving forward, take small steps.

3. While shopping, all of a sudden my back felt like it was going to explode. I realized that it was because I was carrying a large purse filled with "everything but the kitchen sink." Lesson - lighten my load. I don't have to carry everyone's burdens.

4. If I stand in one place too long, my back and hips start hurting, burning. Lesson - Don't stand still too long. Move forward.

These are all things I "know", but unfortunately sometimes have to be reminded. I want to learn these lessons and start living them so I don't have to go through these "classes" again.

I suppose that for some people, this is an unusual way of looking at things. For me, it makes life more interesting and gives purpose to what might be perceived as unfortunate circumstances. Instead of feeling sorry for myself for the pain I'm experiencing, I look for the lessons so I can learn the "why's" of what's going on in my life and hopefully change.

If you're a person that's in pain - physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual - I hope this can help you in some way. I know it helps me.

Love, Paula

Being Butterflies

It's easy for me to see the gifts and talents of others. I admire their interesting, useful, unique abilities. I sometimes compare myself to them and feel like I fall short.

As I move along on my path, I'm realizing that I'm not the only one that has these feelings. In speaking with friends and family, I find that many of them have the same thoughts. They wish they had certain gifts and talents. They can't see their own beauty. Funny, I can see their beauty, but often can't see my own. They can see mine, but can't see their own.

Why are we so hard on ourselves? Why does it seem like someone else's contribution is somehow bigger, better, or more important than our own?

Many years ago while meditating, I was told, "We all have a piece of the puzzle. It's our job to bring it forth. It doesn't matter how big or small the piece is, the puzzle isn't complete until ALL the pieces are put together."

I read, "Did you know that it is physically impossible for a butterfly to see it's own wings? Did you also know that the wings of a butterfly are considered to be one of the most beautiful of natures creations? They can't see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. I feel like people can be the same way."

We ALL have something to offer. We ALL have a piece of the puzzle. We ALL have our own individual beauty. We need to accept our own beauty, uniqueness, special gifts and talents. We need to help others see and accept theirs. Let's quit being butterflies so we can see the beauty in everyone and everything...including ourselves.

Love, Paula

Moving Forward

If you're like me, you probably spend some of your time and energy thinking about the past. If you're thinking about past times that were fun, sweet, or enjoyable, that's okay as long as you don't LIVE in the past and forget to LIVE in the present. If you're spending all your time reminiscing about the past, you're not allowing yourself to make new memories. It's okay to remember as long as you don't obcess.

Now, if you're spending time in the past regretting or feeling guilty, that's a whole different thing. Guilt is wasted energy. Instead of feeling guilt, try to figure out what lessons you have learned so that you don't repeat the action about which you're feeling guilt. You have then made a negative into a positive and there is no reason for guilt. Then you are free to move forward into the wonderful possibilities of the future.

I read, "There is a reason your windshield is bigger than your rear view mirror. Where you're headed is much more important than what you've left behind.". I think those are words to live by.

Love, Paula

Connections

Last Tuesday, July 19th was a full moon and it was gorgeous! When I went outside to start watching it, it was still low in the sky so it was big and bright.

As I sat "moon bathing", meditating and contemplating in the glow of beautiful Luna, I so wanted to share it with everyone I love. I immediately texted my daughter, son and two grandsons that live in the same city I live in. Texts started coming back, appreciating that I brought it to their attention. I wished that I could share it with my son that lives in LA. The lightbulb went off...they see the same moon in California that we see in Pennsylvania...just at a different time. So I texted my son in LA, a friend in Carlsbad, and a friend in Tucson. I received texts back. Just like that because of modern technology and the more than ancient moon, we were ALL connected.

It reminded me of the 1986 movie "An American Tail" where Fieval Mousekewicz was separated from his family. While trying to find them, he looked at the moon. He knew that they were "Somewhere Out There" looking at that same moon. The moon kept them connected.

That's how I was feeling that night. I felt connected to everyone and everything. I felt the oneness of all. My heart was so filled with love and gratitude that I wanted to burst. I sat and cried with appreciation and joy. I have believed for some time that we are all connected and are all one, but that night I KNEW it...I FELT it. It was amazing.

My wish is that everyone could have that experience. I wish that we could all have that knowing and live it all the time. You can't hate and do harm to others if you "know" that we are all one - that we are all connected. It's certainly something to strive for. Join me?

Love, Paula

Meditation

Back on May 21, 2012 I posted a simple yet very effective meditation. Since then I've modified it a little. There are so many families that have discord within them...family members not speaking to each other, talking "about" each other instead of "to" each other to straighten things out...things like that. So this simple 10 minute meditation came to me. Whether your family is broken or whole, it's a good way to start your day.

On the "in" breath, breathe in peace.

On the "out" breath, send that peace to your family, city, country, world.

Continue this for five minutes: "In" - peace. "Out" - peace to family, city, country, world.

After five minutes, switch to love.

"In" breath - take in love from the Universe.

"Out" breath - send love to your family, city, country, and world.

Continue sending love for five minutes.

It's so very easy and it only takes 10 minutes. If everyone would do this, every person, city and country in the world would be sending and receiving peace and love every single day.. Imagine the possibilities.

When you see all that's going on in the world today and wish there was something you could do, well now you can. Simply receive and send peace and love. Then watch YOUR world change.

Love, Paula

Thoughts on Mother's Day...AND Father's Day

Where I live, we set aside a special day in May to honor our mothers...Mother's Day, and a special day in June to honor our fathers...Father's Day. Hopefully we're honoring them 365 days a year, but we take special notice when it's their special day.

This year Mother's Day was on May 8th. There was a barrage of pictures and tributes on Face Book declaring that particular person's mother was THE BEST mother ever! Wait a minute...if I have the best mother ever and you have the best mother ever and we don't have the same mother, how does that work? We both can't have "THE BEST MOTHER".

My daughter wrote a very nice tribute. "Happy Mother's Day to my role model. I hope I'm half the mom, cheerleader, and friend to my kids that you have always been to me. I love you!" Perfect! It was personal between her and I. She's not declaring that I'm the best mom ever, she's telling me how I have impacted her life and what I mean to her personally.

I think that's what most people mean to do. We all need to have our own lessons and experiences. I believe that when we come into this world, we come to the best parents for US so that we can have the lessons and experiences we need. So when people say, "I have the best mom ever", what they're trying to say is that they have the best mom for THEM.

The same holds true for fathers. We have the best fathers for us to learn and experience our own personal life lessons.

So...happy belated Mother's Day to all you "best moms ever" out there. And Happy Father's Day in advance to all you "best dads ever" out there.


Love, Paula

Happy New Year!

Happy 2016! How is it going for you so far? Are you still keeping your New Year's Resolutions? As a child, teen, and even a young adult I made resolutions. The problem was, no matter how good my intentions were, I never kept them for very long. I was lucky if they lasted a month. After I broke my resolution, I would feel bad about myself. Why couldn't I: exercise regularly, meditate daily, eat healthier, visit elderly relatives regularly, or whatever that year's resolution was? Was I a terrible person? What was wrong with me? I realized that this same situation applies to most people. I would discuss it with friends and find out they were thinking they were awful people too. Then I would try to help them feel better about themselves. I'd like to know who started all this nonsense about New Year's Resolutions anyway. Well, many years ago I FINALLY came up with a resolution I could keep. I make the same one every year. You know what that resolution is? I DON'T MAKE RESOLUTIONS!!! Now I feel really good about myself. Happy New Year! Love, Paula