


During my afternoon walk I stopped and watched the water dance over this rock. Every ripple the current brought in spiraled around this rock and made me think.
I could view this endless swirling as life’s incessant issues tearing me down…or…like life’s lessons wearing away that which no long serves me.
PERCEPTION…It has the power to change everything.
Then, when this rock is made smaller by life’s wear and tear, it may dislodge from its’ bedrock and be left to float aimlessly…or…it may be made lighter, free to expand and explore new waters. Carrying the desired and needed knowledge from its’ bedrock within itself.
Alone, aimlessly drifting or free and expansive.
PERCEPTION….you choose
Love, ME
The moon Sunday night was the perfect…lean back, cast out your line and fish for a while…type of moon. So I sat there, gazing at the moon, envisioning my cast. It would need to go far! Past the layers I have recently released, past that which no longer serves me, past all that I no longer want in my life. It would need to arch and soar in order to reach the star-filled vast beyond. To reach the void where I may dare to dream a new dream! The void that awaits my script that details all that I desire to manifest! The void that requires me to not only cast out my line…but…to step out into it.
A leap of faith.
A swan dive into the beautiful and scary void.
So thank you moon. Thank you for reminding me to enjoy the sliver of a moon you are today with the reassured knowing that you will be in your full bountiful beauty in just a few weeks. ON CHRISTMAS NO LESS! Just as I must love me through the slivers of my existence…reassured that I will be in bountiful beauty again just like the moon.
So…Cast away with me my loves. Far beyond the known, far beyond the released…and out into the wonderful void beyond. Into the void of the unknown. There…there, is where our next chapters of our book of life will be born. Cast away with the fierceness necessary to dream big enough to change the world and with the passion necessary to rewrite our existence. A change is needed…let us be the change we are waiting for…AND WAIT NO LONGER!
Love, ME.
I’d like to share with y’all, a painting that I completed on Monday. Not because I think it’s all that… although I am delighted with the outcome…but because of what it symbolizes and what the act of painting offered me.
First, painting this allowed me the opportunity to focus on something positive and be productive while simultaneously remaining within eyesight of my struggling 11-year-old cocker spaniel, Charlie. Charlie had surgery on Sunday and has been displaying concerning behaviors since. One of these concerning behaviors involves him howling like he is afraid for his life, uncertain of where he is/who he is &/or where I am…whenever he can not see me for more than approximately 3 minutes. While he displayed this behavior prior to the surgery, as he is an older dog, it has intensified since his surgery and proves unbearable to witness while he is in this state of early recovery…drugged up, etc. Hence, the desire to find something positive and productive WHILE remaining in his line of vision!
Painting this sacred Reiki symbol not only offered me the opportunity to remain positively preoccupied and productive, but it also afforded me the opportunity to focus on the healing powers of Reiki. This is essentially the second blessing the sacred healing art of painting afforded me during this trying time. I intentionally sent my suffering, confused, healing and aging dog Charlie the loving energy that is Reiki the whole time I painted. It feels inhumane to watch the ones we love suffer, but focusing on sending the healing powers of Reiki to my Charlie kept me sane, grounded, present and compassionately available. Reiki and the sacred healing art of painting saved my emotionally frayed self from complete melt down, and allowed me to remain present and compassionately available to my beloved Charlie during these early stages of recovery.

Sacred healing art…
Thank the Goddess for these precious gifts that are available to everyone. I never, by any means, considered myself as an ‘artist’ or a ‘painter,’ prior to this process. After experiencing the amazing healing and grounding blessings that this process gifted me with, however, I wanted to share my findings and change the way I view myself in terms of these qualities. I need not fear the ‘label’ artist and/or painter. Rather, I need just saunter into the act of creating, whichever way serves me and the situation most correctly in the moment and allow the act of creating to envelop me.
Life is so layered. Each moment has the possibility of being enmeshed with duality. These dualities challenge us to incorporate amazing highs and earth shattering lows simultaneously. This dance with the reality of duality shapes the sacred spiral of our lives. The better equipped we are to ‘dance throughout the storms’ of our lives…the better equipped we are to avoid missing the blessings hidden within the struggles.
Painting set me up with an opportunity to enjoy some slowed down, mindful presence with my beloved Charlie. Charlie is getting old. I do not know how much more time I will be blessed with his loving, neurotic, stubborn and completely unique self. Painting allowed me to make one more special memory…and for that…FUCK yeah I’m a painter, creatrix and goddess of the art of living! Are you?
Love, ME.
Be careful what you wish for! A common tidbit of advice handed down through generations. Advice that I have always heeded, as my life is but a living testimony of a journey sprinkled with sparkling manifested wishes. This year, has brought answers to many of my intentional full moon prayers. I, however, am finding it difficult to embrace and incorporate these blessings into my life and being. Many, many things that no longer serve my highest good are pealing/falling/dying away. Which, I acknowledge as direct results of my ritual requests to purge myself of the unnecessary, the outdated, the ‘old stories.’ This is an amazing cleansing, but even with my requests for a GENTLE transition…this release has left me very ungrounded, unsettled, uncertain and…well…lost.
I have always felt very practical, ambitious and goal oriented. My track record displays an array of accomplishments that I am proud of and humbled by. Showing up in the best way possible within my roles of mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend is one of my most treasured feats. Committing to and completing my schooling another. Surviving and finishing boot camp to secure my ability to step into my dream job of being a Correctional Counselor, yet another. My spiritual adventures have proven to be inspirational, fulfilling and transformative…allowing all of the above mentioned to occur! Now, however, with all the change and shedding of layers that have occurred over the past 2.5 years, I find myself hovering within what feels like a vacuum of light and air void of any concrete and grounding knowings of ‘who I am, what I want, what goal I should pursue…what I should manifest next?’ This transformative shedding of that which no longer serves…this answer to my prayers…has left me vulnerably exposed. I feel like a blank slate…a daunting blank canvas…which I do not know what to write, draw, create on.
On days where I feel particularly connected to source, grounded in spirit and guided by my heart and soul…the ability to write, draw, create whatever I dream up…proves exciting, exhilarating, empowering. Oh my goddess am I thankful for these days. These days prove to be frequent and my ability to acknowledge them WHILE they are occurring allows me to incorporate the learnings gained within that day, days or week. Again, thank goddess! This transformative shedding has been experienced somewhat like an adolescent, turbulent, exciting and dreadfully scary rollercoaster ride of duality. One moment, day, week I am grounded, connected, integrated and the next moment, day, week I am hovering in the void…fighting the urge to slink into the black hole of numbness brought on by, what feels like, the need for unsurmountable emotional reconstruction and redefining of self. And yet other moments…I find myself feeling ALL of my feelings ALL at once. While this brings confusion and is all consuming, it is much preferred over feeling nothing. So, I breathe into the feelings, lean into them…and…feel my way through the best I can.
Much of my early life was experienced in survival mode. This was due to the perceptions I held regarding myself and the world. Starting in my twenties, however, after becoming a mother, I mindfully began to challenge my perceptions in order to move toward a thriving life rather than one of mere survival. I was bone-chillingly aware of my daughter looking to me as a role model and knew I had to change. Children…what angelic blessings they are! I thought it uncanny, how my daughter was able to spark a relentless flame… fueling my fire to do endless, deep self-work…in order to show up for her in my role as mother in the best way possible…always. This continues today, while my daughter is in her twenties and my son just turned eight. While I am forever and endlessly grateful that my children chose me as their mother…I know it is not their responsibility to fulfill me, complete me and/or be my sole sense of joy. I have to have my own sense of self separate from them, just as they need to learn, grow and ultimately spread their own wings to adventure off into their own lives. My connection to the ‘roles’ I play characterizes just another layer peeling off, leaving me vulnerably exposed and trying to redefine who I am without the titles, roles and responsibilities.
Never mind that I am no longer a ‘Correctional Counselor,’ I no longer hold a title of employment AT ALL. My once held title of employment, under a boss that I admired, with co-workers that inspired me and amongst participants that always left me in awe…gone…peeled away. This did not seem like such a transformative event at the time of my resigning. Perhaps I was more emotionally ready for a change than my body can recall. Or perhaps I was only focused on the next chapter of my adventure, which was beginning firmly on a sound foundation created by right choices made for the right reasons. My family and I were moving, post this resignation, to join my late father-in-law in Colorado. We were able to enjoy just shy of two years closer to him. This I hold close, cherish and consider a blessing brought on by right choices made for right reasons. Since my father-in-law crossed over, however, this solid foundation has shifted…altered in an unsettling manner. My purpose for being in Colorado has melted, as Papa made Colorado home for me. This is yet another layer shifting my ability to feel secure and grounded.
Furthermore, with the layer of self-definition created by employment title AND employment status removed, I feel less than. Less than personally, as well as less than professionally. I feel less than in terms of my level of service to the community, the greater good, the whole. I am extremely grateful to be present and available to my family…but there is a lacking feeling there as well. The frustration continues, as I also lack direction. For a Sagitarius like myself…who desires to draw her arrow back and aim with clarity of direction and purpose…this lack of direction is BRUTAL. Without direction, I cannot set a goal…without a goal, I cannot set out with an ambitious heart and determined mind to reach said goal. UGH…stuck, lost, floating in the void of nothingness. While at the same time. HMMM…open, fresh start, clean slate, dancing in the realm of possibilities. They both ring true. Experienced in unison at times and individually at others.
Why share all this now? Honestly…because today was feeling like a less than connected/grounded day and I needed to do something. This is cathartic for me. And…I! Always! Hope! that my words help heal, validate, connect, comfort others in a time of need…knowingly and/or by surprise. I also share this all because this is the last month of the year. A month best used to reflect. This brings me clarity prior to transitioning into the New Year. Clarity that I will tap into while creating my 2016 Vision Board. Clarity that I will need in order to wish, pray, manifest what is best for me…for us all.
With this rollercoaster ride that I am on, I thought writing, sharing this information, would remind me of what is important. Allow me to put out there that which no longer should remain within me, and in a forum that may assist another on their journey through this tumultuous year of change…desired change or change forced upon you by the universe/source/etc. This year has forced me to confront that which no longer works in my life and/or serves my highest purpose. I have had to switch the way I perceive things, go with the flow, let things go, stand up for myself and stay in my power. These all have pushed me out of my comfort zone and shown me sides of myself and others that ‘maintaining the status quo’ kept in the shadows. I want to keep being pushed out of my comfort zone, shedding that which no longer serves and transforming into my highest form of self. I just ask for strength, courage, patience and compassion for self and others while remaining on this journey. I may not know with certainty where I am going…but I claim here, with y’all as my witnesses…that I will remain mindful, awake and aware in order to incorporate all present learnings so my tomorrows may be even grander than my todays. Why should I know who I am with clarity…I’m transforming baby!
Love, ME.
I don’t love and practice Reiki because I am perfect. I love and practice Reiki because I know I am not. I need help. Every time I practice Reiki, I get what I need…clarity, peace, etc. I love Reiki, I love you…love, love, love…happy hump day. Love, ME.
I’m late. I feel the spirit of Thanksgiving…gratefulness…should have began on November 1st. I, unfortunately, am only being blown away today with the awesomeness of gratitude. I LOVE MY HUSBAND. I have loved him for many reasons, but today, the most profound reason for my love for him was highlighted. When we first met, and throughout our early days as a married couple, he inspired me to be the best version of myself. Today, I was reminded of these blessings of our togetherness, and that loving spark filled me with gratitude.
Losing a loved one shakes the foundation of our being. It pushes us to our limits, and can…make us succumb to our weakest defenses. The power of our spirit connectedness, however, can remind us of what matters. Love and family…that is what matters. Spirit provides us with a reserve of patience so we may extend loving compassion to those suffering through the process of grieving. Today I was reminded…don’t lose hope…don’t lose patience. We all must redefine our sense of self when we lose a loved one…and we all do this on our own timelines…in our own ways.
Relationships provide a mirror to see our greatest qualities….as well as our most negative. It takes strength to wade through the waters of these triggering, deep and emotional emotions. If we can stick to it, however, and decipher through what is our shtuff, what is his/her shtuff, what we muster through and what we must let go of…we can ultimately develop a new foundation of what is real. This realness, is the reward of remaining present and doing the relational work long enough to own that which is ours and discarding that which no longer serves us. It is also the gift of spiritually grieving, honoring and preserving the lives of those who have past on. Giving meaning and depth to our own lives.
Reiki, love consciousness and spirit connectedness…are just a few examples of healthy, spiritual, mindful practices that support us in this tumultuous relational endeavor. But, without relationships, what is life? Lonely. Sooo…it is more than worth it..yes!
So many factors, past and present, play an influential part in our navigation through meaningful relationships. This is why we need a spirit connection. It keeps us in touch with what matters, what is real. I am so ultimately grateful for the teachers, mentors, leaders that have touched my life. I lean on all of them, the ones present on this life plane as well as those who have past on. They all influence my choices, and ultimately shape the person I present to the world. I am grateful…but I need practices to remain in touch with all these guides. How do you connect with your guides during times of challenge, strife and/or suffering? We all need help..it takes a village…I extend my most sincere feelings of gratitude for those within my village. Thank you…I would not be me…without you!
Love, ME.
$10 off hour sessions…intuitive thoughts that came to me while shoveling. $10 off hour sessions, for those who will extend the healing energies of their individual sessions to the world…$10 off hour sessions, for those who will honor their need for self-care as well as their desire to extend healing to those suffering…$10 off hour sessions, for those who will bring their own individual intentions to their sessions while holding the intentions of a healed world within their minds and hearts simultaneously while receiving their treatment…$10 off hour sessions, for those desiring an ability to receive & give intentionally. Individually we are amazing, collectively we are simply magical. If you feel moved to heal and be healed, in this way…I would be honored to provide the sacred, intentional and loving space for that to occur.
Spiritual self-care focuses on treating our bodies, hearts and minds like sacred vessels. Care like this honors our spirit. It allows us to remain spiritually grounded and able to make healthy, well-informed decisions.
EVERY intention to heal is healing. Heal your spirit and your spirit will lead you.
Abundant blessings…Love, ME.
One factor that makes an event a trauma is the absence of choice. I had a choice today. I could either remain in my home, comfy and cozy with my son or brave the dark, sloppy, cold night in order to attend a Reiki Share. I chose to get off my butt and participate. This Reiki Share held the collective intention to envelope the world with loving, light, peace, reiki energy and it soothed my aching heart and soul. The act of praying, visualizing peace, keeping our minds and souls healthy…heals, softens the torment of feeling helpless and provides a path for participation. It is intentional action and anyone can do this, anytime, anywhere…alone or within a group. It is important to be informed about the world…but please…be mindful of your thoughts, speech and actions. Fear fuels hate…and we can’t fight hate with fear.
Why use the salutation Love, ME? Is it a question? Am I an egomaniac, starving for attention, craving for credit? Or do I need more love in my life? Well…wait a minute…I could always use more love in my life…but…that’s not it. While I deeply enjoy receiving love, and am not sure if there is ever ‘too much’ love in one’s life….my salutation is not a request for love or a question of whether or not you love me. There are actually some very symbolic reasons to this salutation. Please read on and see if you are surprised.
I am blessed. I have been surrounded by fierce, independent, strong, compassionate, intelligent, spiritual women my whole life. I am also blessed to be the eldest child of six. Due to the size of my family, and the inherent inability for my parents to provide all of us children with endless individual attention, I am also blessed to have not craved to be in the spotlight at all times. These characteristics attributed to my developing into young adulthood, living much like a sponge. Soaking up all that was around me, living life in a perpetual state of studious student…and loving it…most of it.
Transitioning from studious student, to teacher/leader/adult, felt more like the tortuous transformation a butterfly endures, rather than a natural progression of developmental events. A student can be inspired/inspirational, supported/supportive, helped/helpful, and utimately…safe! A teacher/leader/adult needs to be seen AND heard. Not only professionally, where there are ethics, boundaries and clear expectations; but within all aspects of daily living where roles become more ambiguous, dynamic, grey, undefined. There is no playing behind the scenes with this new role, and this ultimately felt very…unsafe!
In 2009, during my employment at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, a co-worker/friend/mentor, invited me to the New England Women’s Herbal Conference. We attended this conference together, and there, I met an amazing amount of extraordinary women. One woman sparked a deep rooted remembering within me, and I knew I would study with her further. (That, however, is another story for another time). This event, the Women’s Herbal Conference, felt like coming home and I knew I had to find more ways to gather in this manner.
In 2011, therefore, when I heard about the Daughters of the Earth Gathering…a women’s tribal event…I knew I had to attend. And attend is what I did…alone! Alone, for a weekend, camping on Pachamama. While this sparked an incredible sense of adventure and empowerment within me, it also flirted with my comfort zone. You see, I had very limited camping experience at this time. I, therefore, embraced my inner goddess, found the event site, figured out where and how to set up camp and set out to explore.
One of the workshops I attended at this event was hosted by Mother Turtle and titled, ‘Healing the Stories We Tell Ourselves.’ At this workshop I was introduced to the divine concept of Master Energy…or ME. This concept cracked me open and created a paradigm shift. It broke me free from paralyzing thoughts of needing to master a skill before being able to stand in my power and use it…share it…own it as a part of my divine being. Master Energy is your intuition, your knowing, your highest self. When you come from a space of Master Energy, coupled with intentions for the highest good, you are harnessing your Spirit self and can NOT ‘mess up.’ This was beyond empowering for me.
Why else use the ME salutation you ask? Because it is ME, capitalized. It is ME big…big ME. It is not the normal, expected salutation, and; thus, stands out. It dares to be seen. It does not shrink and become small in fear that others may disapprove of its’ bigness. I’m not yelling ME…but I am standing in my biggest form. When I see ME…I think standing in my/your/our power, woMEn and MEn, if you will. We are all connected. There is me in you and you in me…ME connects us.
I love Maine…ME. Many family vacations have occurred in Maine, many heart-warming memories have been made in ME and my father lives in Maine. For all these reasons, including the magical sea, Maine holds a special place in my heart.
When I was in my early 20’s I had a license plate cover that said, “It’s all about ME.” This cracked me up. I was a young mother and felt that I had grown out of the ‘I’m the belly button of the universe stage’ and embraced this saying lightheartedly. My parents, however, used this saying as a gateway to talk about my CHALLENGING teen years. So, ironically enough, this saying was therapeutic for us in a sense. BWAHAHAHAHA….this still cracks me up!
I had a friend call me MEME when I was young. MEME, therefore, rings with a youthful tone in my heart memories. I had hoped my grandson would call me MEME as well…as now I am not young. I, however, always reference myself as grandma, as referencing myself as MEME doesn’t come naturally. Therefore, it would be bizarre if he called me anything different than grandma….but we will see.
So there ya have it.
Love, ME.