Treasure Hunt

My Quest continues, as perhaps does yours. Mine to possibly find my Tropical Paradise -  Yours….well fill that part in yourself. Of course, getting to or being something or having is not the be all end all. It is the joy of the Journey, the thrill of the chase, the fun of the hunt! I delight multiple times a day in finding the clues or Winks from Heaven as I call them.

On a local neighborhood walk, I noticed a collection of yard sale leftovers by the curb for the taking, or the trash. Not having a house, I didn’t need the desk or the carpet cleaner. Even though ribbon was provided, I’m past typewriters too. Nice couple of tennis rackets yet not in the market. But that little cardboard box…..with the pencil writing…. Could it really be DOLPHIN MERMAID inside?! YES!! Another sign I am in exactly the right place at the right time no matter how crazy my life may seem.

Blissfully on the beach morning and night, I had the opportunity for infinite surprises.  Although not crazy about them, I have an eye for shark teeth. I have found and given away more than I can count. However, if you think about it, shark teeth are shaped a lot like hearts and I see hundreds of hearts on the beach daily. Brings to mind one Master's wisdom, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Now for the Key Miracle: It was a gorgeous morning prompting my long sleeve shirt off as I was flying over the sand about one and a half miles out. After running what I deemed enough, I broke into a comfortable walk. I was feeling light noticing more beauty each moment.  The vibrant pinks and purples of the sky as the sun rose were particularly awe-striking. “Move On” by ABBA looped in my head. It was probably initially prompted by the larger than usual crashing waves, thanks to the 20-25mph winds, "….like a roller in the ocean…".  On my return trip, I’d picked up shells, shark teeth and bits of sea glass but was curious about what I saw next. A purple coil key bracelet peeked out from under a piece of seaweed freshly tossed up by the previous wave. "It looks just like mine", I mused as I nudged it with my toe revealing the attached key, only to realize it WAS mine! Incredulously I retrieved it. Up to that point, I wasn’t even aware that it was missing from my wrist! It was an absolute miracle considering so many factors: It had to have come off when I removed my shirt in the darkness about one and a half miles out of the five to six miles north I'd traveled. It was hours since I’d lost it and returned to that vicinity. I don’t walk a straight line on the beach rather up to the grasses then down into the water again.....in curious puppy fashion. By that time, many other folks would have passed that spot. I guess the Universe wanted me to be in a state of Wonder and Appreciation sans the worry that might have occurred had I noticed it was gone.

Pastry Artist Jovana Uneitis Boksen is the Magician behind The Artistic Whisk in St. Pete’s Florida. The most delicious and glorious creations are conjured by her and her amazing team. Recently I had the pleasure of being an honorary team member for a day. While not what I am usually referring to as “my shell crafts”, this was a sweet, fun experience for me. Jovana surprised me later with a photo of the gorgeous cake my handiwork was used to decorate. Love all those little shells and starfish! Thank you Jovana for this memorable treat! A new retail bakery in St. Petersburg, Florida is in the works for Jovana. If you have any leads for a large space for a production bakery, please get in touch with her. And, if you are anywhere in the area needing to supply a celebration or special event with extraordinary confections to delight your guests, contact The Artistic Whisk!  

While I’m never sure what the future holds – until it is the Present – if you feel you’ve wanted to try Wellness Coaching by Phone, NOW is the time. I’m pretty sure I can complete a six week program with you if you contact me soon. Remember, our journey starts with a complimentary consultation to make sure it will be appropriate and successful!

Thank you so much for all your support and love on this Treasure Hunt called Life. May your personal signs, clues, and discoveries bring you abundant treasures each and every day!

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……

Hola And Adios

One of the most challenging aspects about my current chosen lifestyle is saying good-bye. Good-bye to people, places, experiences…. Definitely an effective way of learning detachment though.

Again I am at a loss for adequate words to express how incredibly grateful I am for the months I was privileged to serve a dear Soul Sister.
It was one of those situations clearly “meant to be” as my life changed on a dime in a direction neither of us anticipated before we met for re-connection Jamba Juice. We’d known each other 20? years as friends having done business together in the past as well. Acting as her personal assistant was a pleasure on so many levels. She, in turn, hosted me like royalty. How infinitely refreshing when people truly recognize and appreciate each other! Our time together was the living embodiment of NAMASTÉ. For those not familiar with that ancient Sanskrit greeting, it translates to the effect, “The God in Me honors the God in You”.  Together, over the months, we shared many smiles and tears, challenges and cheers.

I would have loved to stay with Her for much longer but my beach somewhere was calling. Due to the surrounding area and climate, I felt like a mermaid out of water. It was a sense that was constantly present which I needed to be vigilant to overcome to stay in positive energy. Hence, another bittersweet farewell when the next opportunity for tropical travel presented itself.

Time planning and talking about my trip to Mexico, Belize, Panama and Costa Rica lasted longer than the actual expedition. The person I was to accompany was not ready for a strong woman who could hold her own with street smarts in some Latin American countries. He wanted someone to hang out with, eat and drink together. This is not the picture that was painted for me when I answered the ad on Craigslist for a travel companion posted by his “sister”. Many very peculiar and entertaining conversations later via email and phone, I suspected something was awry. She either didn’t grasp what I was repeating over and over or only heard what she wanted. Obvious her international travel experience was strictly from reading and fantasy - not based in practicality whatsoever. At first I tried to only see everything in the brightest light figuring all actions taken where intended for her “brother’s” well-being. Then I saw her web of deceit, ignorance and manipulation was such that this Butterfly wanted nothing to do with it. I kept brushing it off thinking I’d be traveling with him, who I got a very different sense from, not her. When I flew to San Francisco to meet them a few days before departure for Mexico, it was evident how much I could assist the gentleman as there were so many important areas of travel not being addressed. To my amazement things were still being presented which had no basis in real life actuality. Realization that the gal who placed the ad was not really his sister became blaringly obvious to me (especially at the point she told me to tell people I was his sister) although I let her keep up the charade until the end. Now don’t get me wrong! While I have my own cherished, one of a kind Sister and Brother, there are many times I have referred to other members of this vast human family as brothers and sisters – like in the beginning of this post. Usually this is a relationship like SeaStar, Sistar, Dolphin Sister, Fairy Sister, Soul Sister…you get the spirit.  This was definitely not the intention here. Anyway, I figured once the gentleman and I got to Mexico, I would be able to share my expertise and all the extraneous wishful thinking preparations would simply fall to the wayside.

With one incident after another happening due to choices made from the beginning of the trip – or specific necessary actions not taken – it became clear to me this arrangement wasn’t working. The very talents I was supposedly brought on for were not appreciated, wanted or heeded. My staying not only wasn’t assisting him but had me in some less than desirable situations as well. I probably have the pretty awful experience I lived in the beginning of this year http://universal-wellness.blogspot.com/2016/04/have-courage-and-be-kind.html to thank for the fact I was able to discontinue this unhealthy arrangement very quickly.

Thanks to my ever-present legion of Angels, I was generously provided for and safely guided to my next sunshiny destination. I appreciate each and every one of you and delight in the journey we chose to make together! NAMASTÉ