Making A Difference

As I continue my travels doing  research and making connections for my Tropical Spa Retreat, I constantly see what others are accomplishing.  Via e-mail, fb posts, blogs, invitations and word of mouth, these announcements come to me from all parts of the globe.  This friend is leading a dolphin destination retreat, that friend is starting a global virtual community, another has started a program that will transform exercise for new moms all over, yet another travels getting residual income easily while inspiring people everywhere her family goes.   The list continues literally a 1,000 fold plus!  I have mentioned I have my moments.  Well, another recent invitation led to a “Moment”.  I am personally capable of many of the things people are writing about, celebrating and sharing.  Authoring a book, modeling on a runway for charity, telephone consulting, organizing a walking club, providing CEC classes for pre/postnatal exercise, coordinating travel and activities for myself and others, teaching a variety of fitness classes, offering awesome nutritional products that greatly enhance folks health, welcoming babies as they emerge into this existence, providing relaxation and beauty services as well as transformational assistance……these are all things that I am not only capable of but have actually done in my life.  My little monkey mind continues jabbing me telling me that, with all my talents and abilities, it appears I am accomplishing absolutely nothing!  Before the downward spiral spins too far out of control I jam on the brakes, back up and decide how I can differently view my situation.

I have consciously chosen the road less traveled.  Where I am is not random … not a mistake…not an accident.  My gypsy life the past 6-7 years has a purpose very clear to my Higher Self with my human (corporeal) self only catching glimpses here and there.  Part of my mission is to teach people by my example.  Clearly part of my experience is to connect with particular people on my journey, a privilege that is crystal clear and particularly exhilarating.  Equally important is the necessity of this path for my own growth and remembrance.  While almost cliché at this point, I truly know that my part in changing the world begins with me.  The higher I can elevate my own vibration and knowing, the greater the gift I pass on to everyone along my way. 

On the topic of Being the Change, I invite you to invest 7 minutes considering a topic – Making Everything in the World Free!  Free of money that is… And I know this will not happen overnight but our action is necessary to bring these kinds of shifts about.  Please watch this video http://www.freeworldcharter.org/en and then, listen to your heart.

Once again, I have risen over my demons of doubt.  I have a smile on my face and can return to the business of joyfully changing the world....temporarily exploring - sometimes on a boat (with limited internet)….Caribbean island style. 

Maybe I will find that elusive Spa Retreat location yet!

Btw, since we do live in a money world right now, if you have been entertained or inspired by my life or my writing, and feel guided to do so, please make a “love contribution” by using the Dwolla (preferred) or PayPal link on my blog page.  Maybe someday I’ll write about how Dwolla is changing the world….Thank you for all your support and encouragement!

Mirroring Me, Mirroring Thee

Most of the time my communication with people, via e-mail, blog comments, phone, facebook and such, sounds like the mutual admiration society.  We are in a magical dance of complementing, laughing, encouraging and swirling love around each other.  So it was a bit unusual that someone got from my recent blog entry, “Everything Happens for a Reason”, something totally different from what I intended and different from the many previous responses from my beloved “fans”.   Well, I guess one of the reasons for that is it prompted this blog sharing with you.

After the momentary surprise about this lady’s take on my message, I simply emotionally let it go realizing that she was looking through her own filters and projecting her feelings into what I had written.  My words simply mirrored her experience.  Admittedly, I wasn’t always able to let things roll off like water on a duck.  A few years ago, a woman was offended by the fact that I asked (in my blog, not even a direct message to her) for anyone so inclined to send a donation, to assist with my Spa Retreat dream, if they had been entertained or inspired by my messages.  I was totally taken aback by this person I had considered my friend, as her poignant e-mail seemed to hit me out of left field.  For days I was confused playing her words over and over in my mind.   “How could she say that to me?!”  At the same time, I re-played my own words of justification and clarification.  Looking back I see how her words triggered something I already felt.  They triggered my own emotions.  Her words mirrored me.

For better or worse, our lives are a dance of smoke and mirrors.  Nothing has meaning except the meaning we give it.  We decide what is there or what is not there for us.  We are in charge of our emotions and reactions.  If we pay more attention to them, that awareness can help us evolve to higher states of consciousness.  Next time someone says something that seems negative, we will know by our reaction if they are reflecting something in us or if we simply let it become dust in the wind.  By the same token, if someone says something kind or loving, is there a part of us that brushes it off?   What part of our Go(o)dness are we hiding from?  

As we are in this masquerade ball, rhythmically moving with one and then the other, I have progressed to the next step of my journey.  While here, I am playing with a hot Spa Retreat possibility in the Bahamas. 

 It could involve the islands of Bimini, Andros, Eleuthera, San Salvador…..any or all of the above.  If you have any connections in those areas or are interested in playing there with me, give me a heads up and let the games begin….or continue, as may be the case with some of you reading this!  And, yes it is taking guts on my part for putting this out there…..If anyone is capable and interested in sponsoring a Spa Retreat research trip for me to the Bahamas, please send an e-mail.  Thank you all for contributing positively to my life!

In closing ~ NAMASTE ~ the part of ME that is GOD honors the part of YOU that is GOD.

Everything Happens for a Reason…..

Those words are so cliché now they seem almost trite.  But the concept is actually very profound.  Hard to believe there was a time in my life that was so negative but I did actually have a brief stint of pessimism.  Yes, and during that time I actually followed the title with…..and that reason is just to mess with me.  That was also the time that I thought the light at the end of the tunnel was a train.  Thankfully I moved through that period relatively quickly.  Since I still didn’t understand the reasons for most things, in my transition, I changed the ending of the phrase so it went, “Everything happens for a reason and that reason positively serves me.”  For a long time I moved forward with heavy duty faith and trust.  As I have evolved over the years, I remembered how to access certain aspects of myself, including my connection to my God-Self, which enable me to know many of the “reasons” now.  True, faith and trust are still an ongoing necessity for my peace and progression.  I’m guessing, if you think about it, you too have many moments of understanding the “whys” as well.  Keep in mind it is not always necessary to know but sometimes, as humans, we like to know.  The knowledge can also help us with our next choices or steps in life.

Beware that we may not like the all the whys.  The knowing can bring discomfort…..if we allow it.  This is sometimes what I experience and then have to be extremely vigilant for my peace.  The focus of this blog is to share with you just one of those situations.  Last year I had a big aha I didn’t like…..no, didn’t like at all (read with your best Dr. Seuss voice).  Here’s a little history for those who may be new to my adventures.

15-20 years ago I’d been inspired to manifest a Tropical Spa Retreat.  I had many of the details…the beginning of the business plan and about 13 people interested in moving to “we weren’t exactly sure yet” to get this going.  Since then I have done tons of research, contacted I think a gazillion people and companies.  Starting from California, I have travelled to Florida, Mexico, Belize, Roatan, Caymen Islands, Bahamas, Panama and Costa Rica looking for the “right” place and trying to make the necessary connections to get things to happen.  While Bimini in the Bahamas is still showing up very strong, as mentioned in my previous blog post, I am still freezing in non-tropical regions with no clear destination ahead.  This could get pretty discouraging since it doesn’t appear, on the outside, I have gotten anywhere in my quest.

Here is the big awareness I got last year…. one that is still not totally exciting to my little human self.  I am supposed to continue doing my research, making my connections and other activities in pursuit of the Spa Retreat without attachment to the outcome.  As even I have said before, it is not the goal but the journey that’s most important.  Duh!  You’d think I’d have known this long ago but the full impact didn’t hit until 2012.  Whether that Tropical Spa Retreat will even become a reality in this lifetime of mine still remains to be seen.  

This incredible journey I am on, full of joy and challenges intermingled with ease and grace, is my mission!  My purpose, among other things, is to guide people to a higher awareness and way of living.  One of the best ways I do that is through my example.  Soooo, what is there not to like about this?  Well…I am still human and have lower vibrational human feelings at times.  Here’s one of the scenarios that helped me grasp the fullness of this “aha”.

For a number of years I have tried to earn money in the traditionally accepted (and expected ways).  This means providing products and services and getting paid as a direct exchange for them.  While I actually have provided numerous products and services, the amount I have actually received from them could hardly sustain a hamster.  I could provide story after story about this but will try to keep this short and sweet.  So how have I been living?  Literally upon the kindness of others!  Many people have housed, entertained and fed me as well as gifting me with other life necessities.  Skilled professionals have valued what I am doing in this world and provided me care and services that I may never be able to pay them for in the traditional way.  On the other hand, things I have done for others can never be repaid, whether they realize it or not, in the traditional way.  So many times I can clearly see who I am supposed to meet and how I am supposed to “touch” them.  (Often they don’t see this until years later but that is part of the “everything happens for a reason” thing) Some of you are still shaking your heads and thinking, “Where is she going with all this?”  While I’m not telling everyone to quit their jobs or get rid of their money or anything like that, I have been promoting alternate, healthier ways of living.  These involve growing your own produce, 

making your own food and sometimes even your own energy.  I know it’s difficult for all of us to do that but there are little ways we can start with.  Also, some people can more easily do things than others.  Here’s where a non-monetary exchange comes in.  Immediately you may think, “bartering”.  Yes and no.  Bartering is extremely beneficial and a step above some ways we are operating now.  However sometimes it’s more like karma, what goes around comes around.  You see someone in need and you help them.  Someone else sees you in need and they help you. 

A few of you may still be thinking this is going backwards.  After all, we “invented” money to more conveniently get the stuff we want.  Perhaps it would be well to review some of the “costs” of having money…

·          * Many people work in jobs that they are not interested in or passionate about.

·         * The majority of people never fully pursue what they are passionate about because they can’t make money at it or they don’t have enough money to do it.

·          * Countless kids are neglected because the current society necessitates both parents working.

·          *   Most peoples’ work environments are not healthy (toxic people, physical activities or things they breathe).

·          * Not counting sleeping, most hours of peoples’ lives have something to do with their jobs.

·          * Desperate people take desperate actions in desperation to get money.

·          * Think of all the things people do to protect their money (put it in banks, lock their doors, get insurance etc).

·          * Consider how much time people worry about money related issues.

·          * How much time goes into the simple logistics of keeping track of money, moving it etc?

·          * How many people measure their (and others) value or worth by how much money they have?

No, money isn’t the root of all evil but perhaps now you can begin to see the benefits of providing things directly for yourself and for your neighbor.  Yes, money is still necessary for now but we can make some changes so that our lives do not revolve around it as much.  We can make a shift that enables us to move back into our power and help the people around us do so as well.

Oh, and about those lower vibration human feelings of mine?  I still have difficulty accepting help from others sometimes – what a way to overcome this!  And asking for help?  That is right there in the awful department with being in the freezing cold.  Those who know me will fully understand that part.  It’s also a bit challenging sometimes when people ask me where I live. But! There is a reason….

When joyful, sad, insane, amazing things occur that you might not understand, remember that everything happens for a reason and that reason is to serve you.  Another gem I use to remind myself is something I got from my friends at Effortless Prosperity years ago…… "This is here only to bless me."

My Odyssey

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or a Roller Coaster have often been ways I’ve referred to my life.  However, recently it dawned on me that it was much more like The Odyssey.  When I shared this awareness with my daughter, she asked, “Wasn’t that where you were married?”  Wow, what a crazy flash!  She was correct about the fine dining hilltop hideaway in Granada Hills CA where her dad and I married.  That detail had totally slipped my mind. 

But it was Homer’s Odyssey I had been relating to – from the battle, to losing almost everything, to the stalking attacker, to deception, to the would be love that wished to hold me captive, to magic, to many supportive characters, to the myriad distractions attempting to dissuade me from my purpose, to beings from other dimensions guiding my way.

Definitely an epic journey so far and a ways to go before the “goal”.  But I have reached much higher levels of patience, trust and compassion along the way.

In pursuit of my Spa Retreat manifestation, I have traveled to Panama, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Belize, and the Bahamas among other places.  Countless hours have been spent researching various areas and possibilities.  Millions of bits of correspondence have transpired for more direction/connections.  I no longer recall how many times I have been boundlessly excited thinking I may find “the” perfect situation just around the river bend only to have to come down again.  The journey has had so many twists and turns which, seen from purely human eyes, are just distractions from my Calling.  Even I succumbed to my moments of frustration about my “wasted time”.  Of course, operating from my Higher Self, I totally realize that nothing has been wasted and every situation offered valued whether I realize the reason at the time or not.

My mission from March to October was a very unique situation in itself requiring total immersion and commitment to guide another individual.  This person is also a powerful, magnificent being who has totally forgotten this fact as well as what he came here to do.  The whole experience was extremely bittersweet interlaced with non-supportive choices as well as unspeakable beauty.  Frequently I had to remind myself that my job is to guide, not force or control.  It is up to others to make their own choices and live with their own results.

In a personal whirlwind of adventure myself, I made it from Florida to California in November.  Countless angels both etheric and human assisted at every twist of the journey.  Just when I thought my path would be smooth for a while, I’d get thrown another challenge.  There was only way I could (and often still can) handle things peacefully, with the ease and grace I desire.  This is to take things not one day at a time but often one minute at a time…..truly living in the present and realizing the gift of the moment.

Speaking of gifts, the current leg of my journey has me a bit closer to my parents and my kids. 

 
My daughter and her boyfriend recently purchased their first house.  I have the honor of helping them transform this house into their home.  Graciously they are hosting me through this process.  As a bonus, I get to see my son who lives right down the street.  It is also a time for re-connection with my parents and friends who are in this area – or choose to make the trip here to visit :-)

Before long I will be headed out again to a tropical place where “the weather suits my clothes”.  Maybe here is where you come in?  I am not positive of the location but Bimini in the Bahamas has been showing up repeatedly on my radar.  I am looking for a way to sustain myself there and maybe, ultimately, finally manifest that Spa Retreat!  If you know anyone who has any connections to Bimini, or anyone interested in some project with me there, please let me know!

In the meantime, I am still working to support myself  through Telephone Wellness Coaching, Juice Plus – one of the best nutritional support systems around and now, the Tower Garden.  Your leads and business in these areas are greatly appreciated too.

In closing, human words cannot adequately express how important YOU are in my life!  I am so happy and grateful we chose to make this journey together.  Your love, support and very presence in my life mean more to me than you probably know.

Here’s hoping you feel the love and gratitude I wrap you in always….

Michelle Hazlewood