Cherish

Remember the people closest to you. You know...the ones you shut out when you're hurting. The ones you lash out at when you're anxious or confused. The ones you treat meanly sometimes because you've been stressed for months. 

Remember and know the ones who look past your words, your anger, your disapproval, and love you just the same. The ones who check up on you periodically. The ones you cheer you on regardless. The ones who support you in ways you don't completely know. The ones who help you pull yourself back together again. 

Remember these people in your lives. You know who they are. 

Cherish them, thank them, and send them love from your heart to theirs in deep appreciation for them taking the time to notice, the action to care, and the love to let you be yourself.  

Healing Angels

Have you ever woken up one day and found yourself not ready for what the day may hold?  Where maybe fear, frustration, or a blank wall of resistance seems to permeate your mind?  

The other day, I woke up like that and for the first hour or so, I spent energy trying hard to block the discordant emotions - to keep them from surfacing or festering. After wrestling with this for awhile, I decided to walk into another room, sit down, and ask for help from the angels.   

Within 20 seconds I felt a rush of energy shift inside and out, took a deep breath, let the worry and tension go, and relaxed into the soothing energy of the angels. They came to my aid, and all I had to do was ask and be open to receive. 

In full gratitude and relief, I sat in their energy for only a minute or two as I had a calendar of events to attend to. I would rather have stayed there longer and fully basked in the energy of the healing Angels; yet, I found myself going back to that space throughout the day for periodic angelic pick me ups. 

I hope you do the same today - and everyday - for the angels enjoy helping us out when we request their gracious assistance, and they also love to participate in our joys too. They're our 24 hour-a-day cheerleaders - and when we sit quietly for a few breaths, we can feel them with us, and may even hear theirs wings flutter.    

The Spirit of St. Nicholas

We all know the popular stories of St. Nicholas and how he became the patron saint of children. Stories can be found about how he provided money and treats for families when they were in need. Even after his physical life, there are accounts of him stepping in from the other side to help children. St Nicholas is also the patron saint of many other professions and trades including sailors, bakers, bankers, travelers and more.

I believe St Nicholas' patronage with various trades goes beyond the specifics of each profession and relates more to the underlying heart of Christmas Spirit. The heartfulness, generosity, compassion, and perspective of St Nicholas is relatable to all, regardless of what skill or talent one has, regardless of how each chooses to earn a living, and regardless of season. 

The Spirit of Christmas is a beautiful sentiment that most of us can hop on board with this time of year. The notion of giving toys, food, and other necessities increases, as we realize how fortunate we are to have what we have. Hopefully through the combined giving hearts of those with a little more, everyone can feel a glowing warmth at Christmas.   

While the Spirit of Christmas is ever-present at the end of each calendar year, we can remind ourselves to carry over that generosity and perspective all the time. We can notice when others are giving from their hearts - how one simple gesture, kind word, or anonymous deed can bring about joy in a moment. 

Giving is selfless and joyful when it's accompanied with sending hope, love, and generosity to others with the intention their lives might be enhanced in some way. How wonderful it can be to give to one another - the gift of time, the gift of believing in someone, giving someone the benefit of the doubt, or a listening ear.  

By opening our hearts and keeping them open year-round, St. Nicholas and his Spirit of love, oversight, and caring is always available.   

Ask and it shall be Given

Not too long ago I was at the airport, 4 AM, and less than enthusiastic about my trip. I saw a long travel day ahead of me and while I was looking forward to my destination, I was feeling daunted by the trip itself, consistent life pressures, and a barrage of  impatient self talk. I had stopped to purchase a drink and as I slowly walked back to my gate, I remember asking my vast unseen helpers for assistance to make it through the next 12 hours.

As I approached the general area of my gate's waiting space something on the ground caught my eye. Initially, I stepped past it before it caught up with my brain to stop and investigate. I turned around and bent down to pick up a Mother Mary medal - just the medal. Someone must have dropped it in their rush or perhaps it had fallen from their chain. I looked around for the owner but there was no one was in sight. I then marvelled at the medal in my hand and what it represented to me. The Spanish version of the Hail Mary prayer was etched on the back and Mary in all her glory illuminated the front. I was almost brought to tears with the perceived answer to my request for support. I was comforted and held by my angels and by the Divine Mother, who no doubt accompanied me on that specific journey through completion.