This month's lesson is about

This month's lesson:

Love Who You Are

Easier said than done sometimes, well, most the time.  It takes practice to love yourself no matter what.  Often, I will observe myself living my life outside normal conventions.  Well, I work with the angels, chat with deceased loved ones, carry on conversations with my animal friends and listen to what plants really want.  So, out of the gate, I am not "normal."  And, often, I will say outloud, "I just love who I am."  It is much easier to say this now than it was in the past.  Perhaps with age comes the wisdom and ease in one's own skin and spirit.  But, I do receive tests of just how much do I love who I am.

I was hard pressed to keep loving myself no matter what during a recent event.

I own and operate three companies which fills my days and mind and calender.  Allan and I had dinner with Richard, a neighbor who lives out of state and visits a couple times a year. Richard had an employee come in and cook dinner for us.  It was amazing food.  At this dinner, the employee sang and had a wonderful baratone operatic voice.  If he wanted to sing, I offered for him to sing at a fundraiser following the headliner band to fill in for an hour of two for the rest of the day as the fundraiser came to an end.  Well, after that evening, I completely forgot about it.  COMPLETELY. I set about confirming the vendors, the artists, the catering, etc.  But, this man, I forgot about. Then, come four days before the event and this man pulls up.  I say hello and tell him about our animal welfare fundraiser and the local artists that will be there.  He sees the flyer and doesn't see his name.  Now, he had not contacted me prior to this moment to confirm this singing date. (This is not an excuse just a fact.)  He says, "I thought you wanted me to sing following the headliner."  I mention that I don't remember.  I wish I would have been reminded sooner.  We are both looking at the poster.  I say, "Oh, the fiddlers are playing on Saturday after the headliner, you can sing on Sunday after they finish."  He says, "It isn't worth my time to set up just to sing for an hour."   Then, he says, If you don't want me to sing and there is something else going on, I wish you would just tell me and not skirt the issue."  I was embarrassed and felt awful for not writing this down.  I said, "No, I just completely forgot.  I take full responsibility for dropping the ball.  I made a mistake and I am terribly sorry for any hurt feelings."  He looked at me in a very untrusting manner and as he is backing out of the parking lot, he stops and says, "Never ask me to sing for you again."  Well, I feel awful!

You know that energetic slimed feeling when you have said or done something that hurt another being.  It feels heavy, sad, draining.  After he left, I used the tools of energetic clearing, "HA!" I yelled while thumping my chest a couple of times.  I then made some whooping sounds and jumped around a bit.  Then, I prayed and asked for the Angels, guides, Grandfather and Great Spirit to comfort him and bring blessings and love to him.  I apologized to all the beings that were influences by this negative energy.  I then said, "Even though I forgot him and hurt his feelings, I love and approve of myself."  I trust that all things are in divine order. I deeply love and approve of who I am. 

Now, you need to know, that I did not feel a deep love for myself until the next morning.  But, I did keep saying, "I love Who I AM."  Despite appearances it is understood, all things work for the greater good.  At different times throughout our lives we are both the perpetrator and the victim.  We are the abuser and the abused.  We are the guilty and the innnocent.  We get to experience this vast array of moments so we can more deeply understand and practice compassion.  Compassion for ourselves and others. 

I called this man later that same night and left a lengthy sincere apology.  I then, I let it go.  Parts of me want to pick it up again and blame myself and rake myself over the coals.  But, really, I let it go and love who I am.  I do not help myself or anyone else by feeling miserable.  I continue to send love and light and healing to the singer that never sang.  Blessing him, bless me and bless you for all those parts of ourselves that appear. 

 If you have an example of loving yourself no matter what.  Or an appearance that brought on learning, and want to share, please email me: willowpond@olympus.net 

Blessings to you dear ones,

Marie-Claire
August 10, 2010

Previous Lessons:

You've got a lot of nerve!

I have had a lot of fun lately thinking about this line and the power it has to either diminish or support.  Sometimes, when fired up by passion, Spirit, a sense of fun, I will do things that seem pretty courageous and nervy.  I love that a few years ago I was frightened to share about my psychic and intuitive gifts, worried so much about what people thought about me, my business, my image living in a small community. Now, I am openly advertising and sharing my animal communications skills (to students all over the US and Canada), my spiritual counseling practice is thriving and my private intuitive consulting business is meaningful and effective for my clients. I more openly than ever talk about and discuss metaphysics, psychic ability and chatting with angels, fairies, animals and departed loved ones.

I have got a lot of nerve starting The Intuitive Circle, a monthly group that gathers in Sequim, WA on the third Thursday where we share community, education and practice of metaphysics, alternative (to western medicine) healing arts, and intuitive development. We have anywheres from 5 to 30 people who meet and learn from the avatars and teachers in this line of thought. 

I have got a lot of nerve teaching about fairies at my garden center, Vision Landscape Nursery, and teaching how to attract the helpful ones to the garden and home.

I have got a lot of nerve thinking that I am fabulous, fun, beautiful, talented, smart, forward thinking, a great problem solver, a professional psychic, exceptional dancer.

I have got a lot of nerve thinking that I can influence world peace by finding peace within myself first and then teaching others to experience and learn to find peace also. 

You see, I have got a lot of nerve. I love who I am.  When I make a "wacky" or avant garde suggestion, choice, action, I often tell myself, "I love me."  Because, I really have ME as this experience, in this form, at this time.  I just love who I am.

Now, there is a sneaky self talk that creeps in occassionally that says, the opposite of the fabulousness that was mentioned before.  And, sometimes, I give it air time.  That is when I start to feel awful, sick, grumpy, irritated, ugly, worthless or overwhelmed.  After feeling bad for a while (any where from 2 seconds to 2 days), I will I look at the choice of thoughts and emotions I am holding.  Often, I will say about the demeaning, judgemental, not nice thinking, "That's not my truth."  Or, "Stop!" "I love who I am."  Deep breathing, making the loud sound, "HA!" dancing, jumping, finding something beautiful to look at, will often help lift me out of the funk. 

Find an opportunity to express the nerve you have, the courage you have to be perfectly YOURSELF.  All of you. 

Think of it as a complement if you hear yourself or someone else say to you, "you have got a lot of nerve."  Ultimately, it is safe to be who you are.  Shine your light and sing your song.  The beautiful expression of who you are is SO IMPORTANT  to the well being of the planet.  Really.

Until next time, do something perfectly YOU, that makes you think, I have got a lot of nerve!

Keep Shining,

Marie-Claire

Lesson about PRAYER.

Our prayers are heard and answered. 
There is a divine timing to all things.
Trust that the Universe has your best interests at heart. 
If you are suffering, do what you can to stop the mental chatter and merry-go-round of negative talk or judgment.  Focus on something beautiful or what brings you joy and makes you smile.  This can be an item or experience that can be seen or imagined: pictures of animals, children, mountains, ocean, kindness, a flower, the pattern of rain on the puddle, how the city lights reflect and bounce. 

Or, focus on a thought that feels good.  These can be real or imagined memories.  Focus on a tender loving kiss, the mountains, kittens or puppies playing, sunshine warming your body, a baby's smile, the miracle of your heart beat, your breath, the seasons, wind blowing through your hair, the view from a mountain top, flying like  a bird, being cradled by a loving mother who expresses nothing but love for you.  

Listen to lovely, peaceful music.  Gentle music that soothes the nervous system.

Once you have that moment of lightness, joy, peace, happiness or wonder, take time to FEEL that experience in all of your cells.  Allow your body, your spirit, your Self to be still in the marvelous feeling.  Allow wholeness to move in.  Allow healing and a feeling that REALLY you are going to be OK.  You are and your loved ones are going to be OK.

The feeling of fear of loss or separation occurs only while we are in form.  Our spirit knows the truth.  We are ONE with the Divine which animates us.  The eternal part of ourselves cannot be harmed, negated, diminished in any way.  Always whole, always there at peace and waiting for an opportunity to express this peace to you.   

Please email me with questions or wonderings.

Sign up to be on the prayer circle where thousands of people pray for your well being and for protection, guidance, support, peace, and joy for YOU and YOUR LOVED ONES.

Go to the Contact page and submit your email and in the notes please put your prayer request in there.  Feel free to write your fears as well as your desires down.  Write in as much detail as you want to about what you need prayers for.  Then, please LET IT GO.  Release it to the Divine.   Like mailing a letter, you must release it into the mail box in order for it to be delivered.  Let go and allow the Universe and God in that infinite wisdom create the solutions for you.

You only need to know what and allow the Divine to figure out the HOW.

 Blessings to you dear ones.  Blessings and a sense of peace to you.
Love, love, love,

Marie-Claire

This lesson is about developing our five senses to enhance our sixth.  Our most important sense, our sixth sense, is often neglected or ignored as "imagination" (like that is something to be avoided!) as our spirit communicates to us via our sixth sense.  These communications are often like a quiet thought, "gut feeling," picture flashing in our mind, a voice calling our name or telling us where a lost item is, etc.  Our intuition is often very subtle and will not compete with a loud ego or overwhelming emotional phases.  Our spirit, our intuition, will develop and become easier to hear, see when we act on what we are given.  These intutive muscles gain in strength and accuracy in message when we trust that the Universe is conspiring for our greater good. 

I try to make it a habit to always see situations that are less than pleasant, as part of a well thought out choreographed dance that I am taking part in.  I might not know or be aware of the entire dance and all the roles by other dancers, but I trust that the choreographer (Source, God, Infinite Being, Consciousness,) knows what IT is doing. 

Because I trust, trust, trust that the Universe and everything and every experience in it, is conspiring for my greatest good and has my best interests at heart, when situations that would be unpleasant or sad or difficult in any way, my first thought is, "There is a gift here. I know that this experience has my greatest good as priority.  I wonder how it will all play out?"  Then I let it go in trying to figure out WHY this is happening.  It is crazy making to think that we get to know the "why" of most of our daily experiences.  Yes, I still experience my emotional response to the event.  I get angry (this is a very rare experience for me and what looks like me being angry, might look like mild irritation to another).  I get sad.  I might feel overwhelmed or tired.  I might feel like running away.  I honor what I feel.  I honor and do not judge whatever my initial reaction is to the situation.  By my not thinking that I should be thinking or reacting in any other way than how I am reacting, I move through the emotional unpleasantness quite quickly.  Or peace replaces anxiety. 

You are divine expressions of the Divine Creator.  Simple.  Love yourself with all your parts. That which you judge as good or bad.  They are the same.  Only your perspective of comfort and discomfort create the pain and suffering. 

Now, focusing on your five senses.  What do you see, what do you hear, what do you feel with your skin?  Pay close attention to each of these questions and your responses to them.  Take just a couple of minutes on each of your senses each day. Perhaps in the shower, on the deck, on a walk.  This will develop your intuitive skills as well.

Remember to offer thanks for your body, your mind, your senses, your spirit, your family, etc. This sets up a vibration of higher intent and attracts more of what you are grateful for into your life. 

Blessings to you dear one.  You are loved.  You are safe and divinely guided at all times.  So it is. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

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Lessons and Practice

Breathing and sound. 

We as people are bound by both.  Even if we do not speak, our heart beats our blood creates a rhythm, our cells sing as they experience creation, production, and death.

Remember to breathe.  This is SO important.  Relaxing the belly, the hips and chest.  Breathe deeply expanding your belly.  Breathe deep to the bottom of your lungs.  Breathing full complete breaths allows us to de-toxify and nurish our mind, body and spirit.  If you are feeling a deluge of responsibility, stress, decisions, demands, confusion.  STOP what you are doing.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Deeply.  Now, again.  Breathe eight times or more.  As you breathe in, imagine golden white light bringing into your body love, compassion, healing, beauty, support.  As you exhale imagine releasing the outdated, the hindering, the toxic.  Release all that is no longer needed.  Breathe in all that you need for the highest good for yourself and all those around you. 

Make noise.  Purposeful noise.  When you exhale make the sound, "AHHHH!!"  This opens up the heart chakra and relaxes the nervous system.    If feeling disoriented, overwhelmed, stressed, make a loud "HAH!" sound.  Loud, sharp.  Feel it in your toes.  This breaks up dark and stagnant energy that can cause disease. 

Remember to sing.  Sing, make up songs, nonsense songs.  Sing, " I am driving to the market, and there is a blue sky, and the windows need a washing."  You see, you sing anything.  This lightens up your energy and brings joy and health.  Absolutely true.  This needs to be done without judgement.  Your singing must come from your heart and spirit.  Sing, sing, sing.  Make up love songs to your sweetheart, the sun, your food, your animal friends.  Sing songs of gratitude.  Thank your heart, your skin, your lungs, your eyes, your ears.  Keep singing.  This attracts positive energies and chases the dark ones away. 

I would love to hear your stories of how sound and breath have helped you.  Please email me at: willowpond@olympus.net   Put "songs and breath" into the subject line.  Thank you.

Blessings to you dear ones.  Remember the Divine expresses ITSELF as YOU.  Look at your light.  It is there.  I see it.

Love, love, love,

Marie-Claire