New Year's Intentions

During a recent prayer shawl meeting with the girls, we began swapping stories about our childhood holiday memories. Some of the stories were sad, some sweet, some were totally hilarious, but all were similar because we're all in the same age category. We were all born when the family structure was still intact. Only one of us had "broken home" memories, but all of us agreed it was a MUCH different time back then. We were grateful just to have the love and guidance of our parents.

Why am I bringing this up now? Because it's the last day of 2015, and like millions all over the world, I am making my New Year's intentions--yes, I said INTENTIONS. You see, while we were swapping stories, my friend Cherry confessed that she no longer makes New Year's resolutions, but New Year's INTENTIONS. She said that making intentions rather than resolutions gives a different feel to what she wants to accomplish in the New Year, so that if and when any of her intentions "fail", she doesn't beat herself up the way she used to when her resolutions went bust. (e.g. while dieting, she put on weight instead of losing it).

I thought a lot about her words on the way home from the meeting, and it made perfect sense to me that making a list of intentions rather than resolutions takes the pressure off one's ego/self-esteem. You see, it's impossible for the ego to sabotage an intention because no where on the list did the words. "I will..." ever get written down. Instead, the words, "I intend to" are written, and the ego goes "Oh, she intends to....not a definitive "I will", guess that's okay. I'll leave her alone and let her try".

So, in honor of my self-esteem, here are a couple of intentions I intend to accomplish this year: (1) I intend to be kinder to people--more helpful; (2) I intend to write another novel and have it published; (3) I intend to lose 30 lbs. by eating healthier; (4) I intend to focus more on my spiritual development by hanging out with like-minded individuals.....and the list goes on....

What are your intentions for yourself this year? I hope it's to be the best YOU you can be and of course, being kinder and more helpful to those in need. For at this time of year, it's true that if we aren't our brothers' keeper, who will be?

   

Saving the Best for Last

In just over a week, we'll be welcoming in the year 2016. Some of us will be looking ahead (me included), eager for new opportunities and challenges, and of course, a new story to write and publish. But we'll be looking back too, asking ourselves. "What did I accomplish this past year?" Most years, my reply was "not that much", however, this year, I can look back and know I "done good".

To toot my own horn, I achieved a monumental feat this past year. In the first six months, I wrote and finished my third novel "Sanctuary". In September, my publisher accepted it (with a few revisions). In October, it hit the Amazon site as a E-book only. Now, as December fades away, the book has gone into general release--both in paperback and E-Book formats.

Naturally, I've ordered copies so that I can, ahem, set up book signings and toot my horn to anyone who'll listen. Perhaps, I'll even make some noise to those who could care less about reading my book. Either way, I'm like a proud mama, whose baby has finally taken its first steps. It's shaky at first, but building confidence. In the new year, I expect that baby to start running pell-mell into the real world and making a name for itself. By the time it's full grown, I expect it to be rich and successful, and raising a family of its own.

Of course, I'm getting ahead of myself. You can't raise a family without giving birth to a child first. So, it's time to sit down and get the writing mo-jo going again. At the moment, I think the new baby's name will be "The Changeling", but like any pregnancy, that name could change in an instance. So for now, do yourself a favor. Take a break from reality, and escape into the paranormal romance world of the Sanctuary. Join Agent Logan Reed and Empath Sonny Blake as they attempt to solve a murder before a devious predator has a chance to set his sights on killing them.

Years End

It's close to the end of 2015 and how fast this year has sped. A lot has occurred, and not all of it happy. Between the mass shootings and ugly political rhetoric, trying to find something uplifting is nearly impossible. But as always, if you trust, the universe sends you events that uplift your spirit and make you believe in happy endings again.

I found my "uplift" by falling madly in love with the metaphysical arts again. When I first came to astrology, numerology and Tarot, I was in my 20's and the world was a much nicer place. The family was still intact and people were kind to each other without having any ulterior motives. Back then, I dreamed of a writing career that combined the metaphysical arts with a starry-eyed belief in happily ever after. That dream I'm glad to say has never died.  Oh, it altered in size and scope over the years, and though it took fifty years for the dream to come to fruition, the core of the dream never wavered once in all those years.

I realize now that 2015 is ending, the metamorphosis wasn't about writing, the arts or romance, but about remembering that while we're here on the planet Earth, our souls are meant to grow and evolve. We must lose our fear, seek enlightenment, and render service to others by being messengers of light and healing. In the Angel Oracle world, there is an acronym known as BLAH. It stands for "Be Loving and Helpful". Thanks to the written word, (and my best friend Sheila), I'm on the spiritual path of love and healing again. And can you believe it? I feel more alive (and younger) than I have felt in years.

Can I hear an "Amen"?