Technology – Can’t Live With It Can’t Live Without It

Hope your 2019 is off to a fabulous start. Mine has been delightful in some ways and disappointing in others. Of important note - the disappointment was all in the way I imagined events. 

Technology dilemmas have plagued me since I started using it. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve just want to disappear to my junglebeach and forget all about technology. But then I remember to be grateful for all it allows me to do at this time – including being in touch with loved ones. My previous computer, which was happily welcomed into my life as a gift from an Angel Friend, started to have issues shortly after I got it. Technology issues can be particularly difficult to resolve when someone moves around a lot. The amazing team at AXICOM did everything they could then we still ended up sending it back to Dell since it was under their warranty. Dell had it for almost 2 months. When I got it back, it still had problems. However, I didn’t want to deal with them because it was so effortful communicating productively with Dell in the first place and not having my computer at all was worse than having it with the problems. Pages could be written about the saga of my computer but you really don’t want to read about that any more than I want to relive it by writing. Toward the end of last year, Costco came through miraculously for me. In spite of my computer being out of warranty, and all my dealings with their less than satisfactory concierge,

I serendipitously found the magicians in the company who actually granted me a refund. Now, here I am feeling blessed on my new laptop. So that’s a bit about my computer. In an ironic twist, shortly after my previous post My Gypsea Life saying I didn’t desire a smartphone, I acquired one – another long story I’ll spare you the minutiae of. Mainly, I accepted it because one of my work exchange hosts wanted me to communicate with him via WhatsApp. Usually when I go to another country, I just purchase a simple, inexpensive phone there. Verizon assured me the smartphone was unlocked and I could use it with any other carrier. Turns out it would not work with any carriers in the region. For all practical purposes, I still did not have a smartphone. My work exchange situation was complex – as have been many in the past. I wasn’t in the location I anticipated and the work not quite as described….or particularly respectful. The only internet I had access to turned out to be a known spammer IP which compromised my computer. This resulted in my email being hacked over and over thus preventing me from accessing my main email. Had a couple other technological issues as well but you get the point. Again, a big shout out to all my bright Technology Angels, including AXICOM and Thinking2, who remotely held my hand to help get me through these experiences!

Time after time, I get the feeling that the technology will never work for me and want to do away with it. Some might also tell you stories of the strange things technology does in my presence. Then, I realize it’s important for my mission at this time. This is a perfect opportunity to Let Go and Let God (or whatever name you prefer for the Divine). I do the best I can and release the outcome. I know all that presents itself in my life is here to serve me and the Higher Good. The more I accept this and be in peace with it, the more powerful my energy is to assist others on this planet and beyond. Yes, some days are easier to put remembrance into practice than others. Now and then I have to have a little pep talk with myself. You’ve heard of the Dark Night of the Soul.

Much of 2018 was a Dark Year for my Soul. Granted, it was still full of love, miracles and blessings at every turn. However, the pep talks I had to give myself were on an almost continuous basis. Life can be like that. We all have challenges to face. They are as big as we allow them to be or see them to be. Conversely, they are as small as we allow grace to help us view them. It’s not a matter of right or wrong. It is just our experience and the choices we play with. 

How about you? Do you have challenges you seem to have to face over and over again? How do you choose to experience them? Is there a way you can embrace the situations thus experiencing them more “lightly”? I do not judge you and encourage you not to judge yourself. Rather acknowledge you are doing the best you can and consciously make the highest choice you can in each moment. 

                                    Namaste!

Continuing Through the Labyrinth

When coaching clients, I suggest it unwise to discuss things perceived as negative or unwanted unless it helps the person telling or helps the person hearing. Someone sharing a challenge with another can be positive if it results in that other person assisting with the solution or healing. Sometimes I relate tales of difficulties personally encountered, along with things that helped me through, to inspire others on their journeys. It is my belief that sharing from fear, gossip or simply to get attention just makes the problem bigger and attracts more of the unwanted into our lives.

That being established, I share things that could be perceived as less than desirable in this message. Yet, as pointed out in my previous post Happy Love Month, who is to say what is positive or negative but our very perceptions! Besides, there is always observation – in which one notices things without making judgment of them.

For about six weeks I was without my computer. This was a huge game changer for me as so many aspects of my life, humanly speaking, are on that piece of technology. Unlike others, I don’t use a smartphone although I have been offered one by a number of generous friends. And dang technology! My antique phone as well as my usually awesome camera were playing shenanigans of their own. On top of that, the place I stayed for a month didn’t have cell reception or wi-fi……something I didn’t discover until after committing to stay for the month! For me this was a perfect storm of inability to communicate on a human level. If I was self-sufficient in my secluded tropical Paradise Island of my dreams, this lack of communication would be just fine with me. But operating in the manner I have been, gypsy style, it certainly made life interesting to say the least. 

Also noted previously, both Costco and Dell fell short big time with regard to my computer and customer service. I will only go into more detail on an individual basis if it is helpful to someone making decisions involving either in the future. At the same time, I would like to shout from the rooftops the praises of AXICOM. They not only ran the extra mile on my behalf, they ran a technology marathon for me! They have the most amazing IT team and I encourage you to look into their offerings. Whether you have imminent needs for IT support, service or products, or just have them in your resources for the future, you’ll be glad you found them!!

Staying at the beach close location was originally anticipated for six months. Two days in, for various reasons, it was clear I’d only be staying for the month I was already obligated. This significantly changed my hopes and affected many of my activities not knowing how long I’d be in the area. As usual, it is simply one day at a time (or often one minute at a time) as I continue to navigate the labyrinth of life as peacefully as possible.

One of the most amazing gifts the month of February did present was the opportunity to experience beach magic every morning and evening. For me there is nothing like the exhilaration of running barefoot in the sand with occasional kisses splashed by the warm waves. Most of my mornings started under a magical celestial canopy of ever-changing moon, twinkling stars and familiar planets. Being my church, the beach would witness my gratitude, my questions, my hopes and ideas as each new day dawned. Evenings found me, yet again, in my happy place. While happiness is an inside job, there are certain locations that make it flow more easily and naturally. Everyone is different regarding the spaces that help them recharge. For me, the “right” beach can make all my challenges, doubts and wishes simply dissolve into wonder. Dolphin friends appeared on a number of occasions to lift my mood even more as they distinctly played with me. And the sunsets….Majestic!

I do have a funny Green Flash story. For over a decade I’ve heard the stories of others seeing this spectacular flash of green light the second the sun went down. Hundreds of sunset performances later – especially watching intently at that last second – I saw nothing resembling the reports. I began to think it was just an optical illusion caused by one staring at the sun so long. Researching youtube videos didn’t help my perception much. I’m thinking, that tiny hint of green they videoed with much hullabaloo is “The” Green Flash? While reviewing my photos (after I got my computer back) of the oodles of beach photos I took, one captured my attention. My camera obviously caught something I hadn’t seen. The Green Flash! So here it is for you to enjoy and decide what levels of excitement you wish to attribute to it 😊  Note: You may need to enlarge the photo to the right to actually see what I'm talking about. Or you can ask me to email it to you!

At the current time, it appears I will remain technologically connected enough for Wellness Coaching by Phone. If you’ve contemplated getting a boost with the way you navigate your personal labyrinth in joy, contact me and we’ll set up a complimentary consultation to determine appropriateness.

Wishing you much delight and happy surprises on your journey. Watch out for those impish fairies and leprechauns. Here and there I’m hearing tales of their playful mischief……

Family and Friends

I thought I was called to California for a two-fold purpose. One was complete, though not without its share of challenges. But the abundant joys delightfully won out. It’s up there as one of the happiest times of my life. The other was a case of someone’s bright intentions being followed by the lack of commitment to make it happen. Sometimes peoples’ decades old habits can keep them trapped their whole lives. I was a bit bummed but kept in mind not to take others’ choices personally. As much as I’d like to change the world…..I can only be fully responsible for myself.

This brings up a couple more observations. First, many of us have been raised in a culture of thinking being selfish is negative and being selfless a virtue. We, particularly women, were conditioned to take care of everyone else first. Then, if time and resources remained, tend to one’s own needs. By now most have heard the drill on an airplane about the oxygen masks. If you are traveling with a child or someone who needs assistance, put your mask on first then help others. Same thing with life. The healthier you are in mind and body, the more powerfully you can assist others. Of course, there are exceptions here that chapters can be written about. However, for the most part, this is true. If you are completely selfless and don’t take care of your own needs, you will not be able to be the shining change in the world you can so powerfully be. Abraham via Esther Hicks says, “If we were standing in your physical shoes, that would be our dominant quest: Entertaining Yourself, pleasing Yourself, connecting with Yourself, being Yourself, enjoying Yourself, loving Yourself. Some say, “Well, Abraham you teach selfishness.” And we say, yes we do, yes we do, yes we do, because unless you are selfish enough to reach for that connection, you don’t have anything to give anyone, anyway. And when you are selfish enough to make that connection—you have an enormous gift that you give everywhere you are.” What one thing can you do today to nurture yourself in order to honor God inside you and more significantly have a positive impact for others?

The other self-observation revealed I was still managing to attract people with not so healthy personality traits in my life. On a more optimistic note, I now recognize it much more quickly. Noticing has allowed me to be able to shift paths and not have the negative effects that I unwittingly allowed in the past. It is a daily practice of mine to visualize and invite only healthy and positive situations in my world. The more viscerally and deeply I feel this reality inside, the more profoundly I see it in my outside world. I invite you to please join me in creating Heaven on Earth starting with wherever                                                                   on Planet Earth you happen to be playing in at this time.

For my part, in California I ended up assisting in three moves. Seems like that is one of my
gifts/callings as I have helped family and friends in this manner numerous times over the years. This might even be an expected natural ability for a gypsy/traveler. Fun fact: My maiden name is Pauckert. That got mutilated regularly and frequently became Packer. It is a joke in our family that we are good packers (not to be confused with The Packers) and I teasingly vie with my Mom for the claim of being the best. Too long a story for now, but one of the moving processes resulted in receiving 4 tickets to the Wax Museum in Hollywood - thanks Hollywood Storage! It was a fun opportunity to enjoy time with family.

Without all my Angels in the wings (pun intended), I would not be able to have come this far on my

incredible journey. I bow in deep gratitude and appreciation to each one of you – and you know who you are reading this! A shout out to  AXICOM provider of high-quality and affordable IT services for small and medium businesses….and gypsies. While Costco and Dell were less than stellar on many counts with my computers, once again, the Knights in shining armor of AXICOM rode in to save the day! Some of you who know me closely also know that I’m often seriously tempted to disappear into the jungle and oust all electronic technology. AXICOM is definitely a big reason you and I are still in communication and you are reading this at all! While I never know for sure where my path may lead, it appears we will remain connected on this physical plane for some time to come. Abundant blessings and thank YOU for brightening my world!