50 Shades of Teal

Greetings My Friends!

It’s been a spell since we last communed here. With the world whirling seemingly faster every day, I am honored you share your precious time taking in my musings.

50 Shades of Teal reflects my Bahamian experience both literally and metaphorically. 

During my expedition to the Abacos, I had the opportunity to review my previous blog posts. With internet and platform changes over the years some posts were missing pictures, text and more. I hadn’t done this prior as it was too time consuming and I didn’t think many people were going back to read them. Evidently people were, and I wanted to respect them with a better presentation.  Along with photos obviously missing, there were many gross typos, so blatant I couldn’t believe I didn’t catch before, and the missing text was significant. In some posts, I refer to an earlier post (before I knew how to link to those previous posts) and either the post or that specific content is missing. Continuity is a bit improved as I did my best to make corrections. In that endeavor, I also made an interesting discovery. Rereading blog posts of January and February 2020, they were uncannily prophetic of the time ahead. If you are one of my newer audience members, you may enjoy reading about my earlier adventures. Should you choose to do so, may I suggest starting with the initial post on blogger in 2009. There were a few previous posts (on other platforms) but that would be the most effortless commencement point. Then read in chronological, or date, order. With all the challenges in my presentation, it seems to make more sense that way. Please be kind regarding duplicate posts, missing images and possibly words, as well as awkward spacing.  

Ironically this pic showed bigger than others and I can't make it smaller!

Before leaving California, AXICOM assisted me in making sure things worked on my computer for upcoming travel. Uncannily, within a week of arriving in the Bahamas, my E key started acting up. Did you know E is the most used letter in English language? Over my time there, it got almost unusable as I pursued one solution after another. The efforts were almost comical including my computer, unexpectedly, going for a ferry ride on its own in a brown paper bag. If you’ve read my blog, for any amount of time, you may have noticed the history of technology and I having the craziest tango. So far, an ongoing saga...

Probably due to my remembrance of a “past life” close to Nikola Tesla, I am not a fan of Edison. However, many can relate to his example ~ of discovering 1,000 -10,000 (depending on your sources) ways an electric light bulb didn’t work before he successfully created a working light bulb. In the Bahamas, I had a fantastic experience discovering yet another area that didn’t match 100% the specifics of “my place”. Considering I didn’t utilize 90% of what I brought in my suitcases is a pretty good indicator of the difference of what I anticipated and what actually transpired. Then again, the frequency of such a happenstance should have me quite accustomed to it by now. Hmmm…having an experience over and over until I “get it” – or simply embrace it.

Another sign or premonition was the silver chain necklace on which hung my black pearl * broke just after arriving in Abaco. I’ve had a number of signs/symbolism pertaining to jewelry - with it disappearing, breaking, and, magically appearing. It was quickly apparent this was not “My Place” as I

discovered there are no long white sand west facing beaches. Many, many sharks frequented the main island I was on. Generally sharks and dolphins aren't BFFs. The whole time, I had only one brief visit by a lone dolphin. I appreciated the fleeting encounter and was intuitively aware of some of the “deeper” reasons why.

There are positive reasons for everything as well as the absolute knowing I was in the perfectly right place at exactly the right time. So I focused on what was aligned with my vision for the time:
* Clear Teal - Turquoise Water
* White Sand Caressing My Feet
* Sweet Solitude
* Dolphins and Turtles
* Warm Climate
* Delicious Fresh Coconuts
* Being Barefoot 3 Months
* Loving Caring Interactions With Beautiful People
* Decadent Chocolate

I can relate my life to having a huge screen where I have access to every movie and tv show ever – desirable and not so desirable. It’s just a matter of me figuring out the proper use of the remote (sometimes a tricky task) to get the show I wish to experience instead of the one it is stuck on.

For those who perhaps haven’t quite reached their goals, I ask you to look and see what qualities of that goal, or those goals, have you currently manifested. What aspects are you enjoying right now? I believe the more we notice and appreciate in our present that which is desired, the desired will continue to multiply.

Back to a little about my trip. No surprise, I spent much time on the beach bedazzled with many a sunrise and sunset. My exploring, in all directions, resulted in acquiring information, seeing stunning sights, and acquiring numerous sea treasures. Views of the mighty Atlantic, as ever changing as my life, accompanied by the lullaby of the waves were a daily delight from my bedroom.

My charming host, Mary, was quite fascinating and somewhat of a prominent figure on the island. Among other skills and interests, she is a published author and prolific artist. Thankfully, I was able to be with her during her vivacious state. As time went by, serious health issues developed that drastically altered her life. It became clear that she would need 24-hour care. Since my host was so dear, I wanted to help but this clearly wasn’t what I signed up for. I decided to stay a couple months while a suitable caretaker was found. My host has three charming, and extremely loving, daughters - all super gifted in their own right. We had some ups and downs dealing with challenges as they arose but it was always with a sense of love and caring. It was an extreme honor and blessing just being able to spent time with these four amazing gals. Sometimes it is in the making of the lemonade that you realize some of life’s unique deliciousness!

Oh, I must mention not one, but two amazing boating adventures I was treated to. Both were a blend of fun, wonder, and getting lost in another world…under the sea. From the brilliant multi-colored fish to the amazing variety of coral; I wondered if Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) ever went snorkeling.

Then, there was the discovery of Atlantean crystals in a popular area in plain view although nobody I encountered there ever saw them. But that is another story that may or may not be revealed in future tales. It was similar to all the crystals I found on the beach in Ecuador, including amethyst, that hardly anyone else saw. One of the quartz crystals is pictured in Baring My Soul and Planting a Dream.

Another highlight was my birthday surprise. With it being a magical day to start with, my host and her daughters made it a fantastic day to remember. They accommodated me going to one of my favorite bays. I had it all to myself – the turquoise (or teal) warm water, the idyllic white sand beach, blue skies with the perfect fluffy Care-A-Lot clouds, palm trees swaying ahhhh….. It was followed by a fun party with delightful company, a decadent famous chocolate cake – so many things went into making my milestone 60^th (yes, you read that right) birthday special. They have my forever gratitude for that and infinite other ways they made my stay so wonderful.  As you may know, I am a big fan of celebrations and (happy) surprises 😊

Inspirational tidbits often come into my awareness at the perfect time. That was the case for the following “message from the Universe” via Mike Dooley.

“What if, MH, you're already doing everything right, even though you're not sure?

 

And the surprises along the way have only sped things up, even though it felt like they slowed you down?

 

And all that you want is now barreling toward you, even though you can't see it?

 

And when it arrives it'll exceed your every expectation, even though your dreams were huge?

 

Wouldn't you be making some really weird noises about now? Whoohooing, howling… maybe even whoohoo-howl-barking?

 

Well?

  The Universe”

Recently, I caught from a friend the concept of plans being written in the sand at low tide. That sure accurately describes the majority of my life over the years. I have one idea. The Universe then erases it in one swift wave and I am on to the next adventure.

Indeed, the Abaco Cay I enjoyed is many folks’ heaven. Indisputably, there are gorgeous areas there but, just as clearly, not “mine” soooo the Quest continues….

Ongoing thanks to all my Angels (now my Bahamian host and her daughters, who I feel more as my sisters, are included). As I compose this, my next adventure is excitingly unfolding! More on that to come. Meanwhile, if my messages have helped, inspired and/or entertained you, I welcome your continued support. I could not have gotten this far on my incredible journey without you! It might simply be a moment of sending bright energy or a prayer. Please contact if you wish to contribute financially. The Tower Garden is an awesome way to support your own health and me too 😉 Juice Plus is one of the most amazing nutritional support systems out there. Just a reminder that kids get J+ FREE through the Healthy Starts Program with participating adult – Could be a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, or other sponsor.

As alluded to earlier, technology is continuing to be a challenge for me morphing into a higher level of complexity than before. Rising to this daunting task, an incredible tech wizard angel is currently working miracles with it. In the meantime, I continue doing what I can where I am with what I’ve got. Translation, this delayed post is getting out more imperfectly than I’d like but is the best I can do for now.

Wishing you best health and happiness. May all your challenges turn into wonderful surprise opportunities as I have managed to appreciate with many of mine.

Love and DeLight ~

 

*My Black Pearl was gifted me by my parents for my 50^th birthday. They’d purchased it for that purpose a couple years prior on their visit to Tahiti for that special birthday. Occasionally, I throw tidbits in my stories that seemingly don’t relate. However, as one reads, they might notice how all the pieces tie together 😉

 

Asking For What We Need

I have a desire, not a need, to be understood. Knowing I am not the most eloquent with human words, my writing is far from being pleasing in a purely literary sense. However, I feel that I have important messages for certain people at a specific timing I am guided to share. My hope is that you “hear” this post in the spirit of the intention with which it is delivered.

As humans, we all have needs requiring fulfillment to live a balanced, happy life. Shelter and food are basics. Closely following are feeling safe and being loved, accompanied by a sense of belonging. Some have theorized that self-actualization is a necessity once our other needs have been met.

You’ve heard references to individuals as self-made millionaires or driven people who single-handedly brought about huge accomplishments. In reality, neither of those concepts are possible in this system/society comprised of…..people. No one can make 100 sales all by themselves. There are so many others involved: buyers, the people who made the phone, stationary, car and anything else required for the sale. As you can see, the only way to function in this society, is to join other people to accomplish things which meet each other’s needs. Granted, a great percentage of desires in this materialistic world are not really needs but wants. That’s not what I am addressing here. It’s the needs for one to live a healthy, balanced, peaceful life. That being established, most people, while getting many of their wants, are not getting their needs met.

Of course, people have many ideas of "shelter"

Even focusing on the basics – food and shelter. Most people don’t actually have access to nutritious food. They have chemical, pesticide laden, genetically modified substances which make up most of the choices they have access to. While they may have a roof over their heads, they may also be sacrificing their health or sanity just to afford it. There may be air, noise and visual pollution they’ve done their best to adjust to yet still takes its toll. As far as being loved and belonging….how many people enter and stay in unhealthy relationships or groups in an attempt to fill this need? And self-actualization? Countless folks achieve goals and try to feel successful based on objectives society, friends or family have deemed worthy rather that what they themselves truly desire down deep inside. 

On the bright side, more and more of mankind are beginning to realize all this. For most, the shift is still quite slow and expressing one’s individuality still isn’t welcomed and encouraged on many fronts. People are starting to recognize their authentic needs for living a happy, healthy life. Obviously, they cannot get all their needs met by themselves in this community-based world. And whether it is a community structure many would like or not, it still is a community-based structure where people depend on others for the system to work. One of the biggest challenges to getting our needs met is simply asking. So many of us have been taught being selfish is bad as I have expounded upon previously in Family and Friends.  Again, we’ve got to “put on our own mask” before we can help others. The concern about selfishness aside, there is also the fear of rejection or a negative response. We worry about hurting people's feelings, about what they will think of us, about consequences if we aren’t on the same page. Some experience a sense of embarrassment or feeling vulnerable making requests. Perhaps we feel guilty asking for what we need when others might not have it either. First, I would encourage “considering” various aspects of a situation before asking, not “worrying”. Worry never helps anyone and harms the worrier’s health. Revisiting the realization of our own worthiness may also be in order.

Bounty from the Jungle

Yes, do weigh your options but do not let someone else’s potential response stop you from asking for what you need. Don’t give them that kind of power over your life. Also remember, no one person can fulfill all of another’s needs and it’s not really fair to expect that of anyone. It is our responsibility to tend to our own garden of our lives.

Each person’s life/garden has different needs. Keep in mind, there is no one individual to fulfill all those needs (unless you’re one of the lucky ones who has discovered their own personal genie).

Remember there are infinite possibilities for getting your needs met. Perhaps it’s time to shift a personal relationship in your life if someone isn’t respecting you as you need. Sometimes this can be worked through and other times it is a sign to move on. Are you not getting compensated in a way that honors the work you do? It may simply take an honest conversation so that all parties are understood and honored or, it may be time to move on. As you read this, you may begin noticing many ways your true needs are not being met. I don’t suggest you will be able to magically make this right over night. Instead, it is like life itself, a journey. Depending on your particular situation, you may wish to address the “loudest” need first. Or if too intimidating, try with a baby step on one of the needs you perceive as easier or “more realistic” to have met. Remember there are myriad ways and numerous people who can assist in getting your need met – not just the limited options you have considered in the past. The important thing you do is ask! Sometimes you have to start with asking yourself if you will allow the need to be met – but that again is a deservingness issue which is a topic for another time. Each effort you make toward getting what you need is like going to a store. You may have to travel to dozens of stores before finding the appropriate one, or ones, that has/have what you need.

Play with this daily and you will find you are getting more and more of your needs met. And, wonder of all wonders, the more you get your needs met, the more powerful, happy and healthy you are! And the more whole you are, the more you are capable of helping others fulfill not only their needs, but their wants too!

Oh, and on the topic of gardens, you can get your nutritional needs met better if you can grow your own food. Time, space, season and skill challenges can be overcome with a Tower Garden. If you’ve ever been curious about growing your own fruits and veggies (with much less effort than a traditional garden), please visit Tower Garden…. Your food has a shorter gestation period too – or whatever you call it for plants – with this system.

Now for my ongoing chant….Thank You! Gracias! Merci! Danke! Gratcie! Arigato! Mahalo! There are more people than I can count all around the world who support me and give me reason to express gratitude. I so appreciate the gift you are in my life and continue to swirl bright energy your way so you may enjoy your most magnificent life too!

The Only Constant Is Change

Actually, it’s Love but I’ll focus here on change from a human perspective….or maybe a little of both.

Yes, I was on Casey Key....again. Guess I still had unfinished business. Facing the Gulf in front of one of the vacation resorts lining the beach is a huge heart fashioned with love and white clam shells. Carol is the artist. She'd regularly hike up the beach a distance for more construction material (clam shells) carrying them back in a bag. These can get quite heavy. I know personally having collected many myself. (You may have even seen a few transformed into Mermaid Trinket Trays.) **
                                                  

Carol greeted me with her usual cheery, “Good Morning!” Then words came out of my mouth, “You sure get your workout lifting people up!” Her face lit up with happiness as she responded, “Thank you so much!” Thank You Spirit/God/Angels/Universe for giving me just the right human words for the situation. Often, I find myself saying things I hadn’t planned at all, sometimes even using words very uncharacteristic of me, and think immediately after, “Where the heck did that come from?!” But deep down I know.

That was the morning I got the history of how the Shell Heart began. I’d photographed its previous version last year thinking it was a big beach Valentine. Turns out it was more than that. It was a tribute to John and Carol’s son who passed on 3:16 – March 16. Now I understood the shell with the writing inside of Brian 3:16. I knew what John 3:16 usually referred to and this was a loving combination of such. This year, Carol added a shell with her and her husband’s names with their anniversary date. A couple days later, someone else added one with theirs. A few more began to dot the heart. Carol decided to put a cup in the sand filled with markers with a shell next to it encouraging, “Write a message”. And people did. Colorful and varied messages of remembrance, love, encouragement and appreciation are what the shell heart is now made of. It’s doubtful one could walk around reading all the inscriptions and not be deeply moved. I bow to Carol for the profound difference she has made to countless people with her heartfelt act of love!

My life seems to personify change. Especially the past decade. If anyone would have suggested to me 20 years ago I’d be living this gypsea journey, I’d have laughed outright. No home. No defined plan. No end in sight. As many have read in Baring My Soul and Planting a Dream, there is a place I would like to plant myself on this earth - that tropical beach home I can almost touch. It just hasn’t manifested yet so I do my best with each change to enjoy my tour of life and BE in the NOW.

“Changes are what allow your spirit to expand into a greater awareness of your true nature. Through change you witness the many forms and faces of the Divine, for every living being, every inanimate object, every blade of grass, every mountain, every animal, is simply an embodiment of the One love. As you look into the mirrors of creation, you gain a greater awareness of the true Self within. People may come and go but the Divinity that animates them can never leave you. The very love that animates all of creation is One, peering at you through countless eyes, made manifest in oceans, trees, breezes, mountains, and the smallest single-celled animals. In every thought and every breath there is only One love.

Your soul will feel great freedom if, instead of fearing change, you embrace it wholeheartedly. Trust that change is the result of your growth – individually and/or collectively. Trust that your changes, when embraced with love, ultimately lead to a more conscious and happier life.”
~ VisionsofHeaven. com

You have your own individual journey of change whether it is visible to others or not. If you’d like a boost and a little company on the way, perhaps Wellness Couching by Phone will help brighten your trip!

On theme of the sea and experiencing change, one of my dear friends, Rod Thomas, has listed this beautifully restored Island Trader 46’ Ketch Rigged Motorsailer. https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1982/island-trader-motorsailer-46-3147170/?refSource=browse%20listing  Cruisers are a fun lot who are no strangers to change. If you are one or know anyone who might be interested in this newly restored gem, please contact Captain Rod for more details.

Thanks to cruiser friend Manuela for sharing this appropriate video recently on fb. I also recently “heard” it playing in my head one faintly lit new moon predawn morning. The stars still shown overhead as I stood in the sand, cool waves washing over my feet. You know that it’s “Time For a Cool Change”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk&feature=share

** Mermaid Trinket Trays are available in our  Mother Daughter etsy shop Gifts From The Sea and Other Treasures. Please swim by, browse and perhaps pick one up for you or your favorite mermaid.

As always, my heart overflows with appreciation for the ongoing support of all manner and the love that forever swirls between us! Aloha ~