Greetings, everyone! 2007 was a year of enormous change for many people, including myself. Here in San Diego, we experienced widespread wildfires. Many dramatic events occurred in my personal life. At times, it felt like I hit obstacles at every turn. Serious plans I'd made to leave San Diego fell through in what felt like a traumatic way. Important relationships came to a close. I felt betrayed by persons I had trusted, respected and admired. As a result, I experienced a great deal of deep, deep emotional pain. I could not always understand what was happening on spiritual level.
Yet, here at the close of 2007, I find myself feeling gratitude for all of it. As certain relationships ended, I have been able to free myself of attachments that were inhibiting my spiritual growth. I have been able (finally!) to view events from a higher perspective, and to understand more fully why all parties behaved as they did. My future and my happiness no longer feel as dependent upon the choices of others. I feel freer than I have in years - free to create my life. As I look back upon the difficult events of this past year, I can clearly see that during the times when it felt as if the universe were knocking me down, it was actually rising up to support my highest goals and intentions. Reading back over my journals of 2007, I realize that, in many ways, I received exactly what I asked for: the freedom to expand spiritually.
Now, poised on the brink of 2008, I realize I have much to look forward to. This year I wrote (well, channeled actually) a nonfiction book on spiritual expansion; thus far, four publishing companies have expressed interest in the manuscript. And, as old relationships ended, exciting new ones began.
I am seeing it echoed by Patricia Cota-Robles, Karen Bishop and others, that 2007 was a year of dramatic change and re-working of energies, in order to prepare for conscious creation in 2008. I have palpably felt the energy shift since the winter solstice - felt it aligning with my fullest and highest intentions. I call it being "in the flow." Unexpected gifts and opportunities continue to come to me every day since I began saying my new mantra. ("I am financially-prosperous, healthy and at my highest vibrational potential. I am one with God.") I can feel myself vibrating at higher and higher levels, and my intuitive channeling is expanding even more. I am humming with energy.
So, I leave you with these words. Whatever you want, whatever you desire - see it, say it, be it. Put your intentions out there for the New Year. Visualize them. Give voice to them. Embody them. And hold on tight, 'cause here we go! Happy New Year!
Namaste,
Catherine
http://www.truthjoylove.com/
© 2007 Catherine Richardson
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Creative Transformations Newsletter
The following is from Karen Mehringer's December newsletter. I highly resonate with her holiday message. I also recommend her book, Sail into your Dreams: 8 Steps to Living a More Purposeful Life
. To subscribe to Karen's newsletter, visit http://www.liveapurposefullife.com/. -Catherine
"People, even more than things, have to be restored, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed..."
- Audrey Hepburn
"The holiest of holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Karen Mehringer is an author, speaker, life transformation coach and the founder of Creative Transformations. Her primary work is to empower people to take risks to follow their dreams and live life to the fullest
Welcome and Happy Holidays!
I hope this e-newsletter finds you healthy, surrounded by people you love and feeling joyful!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give the Gift of Joy
by Karen Mehringer
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony - Mohandas K. Gandhi
Walking my dog the other day, I became aware of a frenetic, unsettled feeling in the air, similar to the feeling I had during the southern California fires. It occurred to me that I was picking up on the collective energy of the holiday season. Waiting in line at the post office, I observed the faces of those around me. Most looked impatient and irritable. Driving, there appeared to be more traffic and cars were moving faster. I noticed that people, in general, seemed to be acting out of a sense of busyness and obligation rather than joy.
This time of year is naturally a time for us to slow down and go within. With shorter and colder days, the plants, trees and flowers stop growing and become dormant. They are still in the coldness of winter, waiting to blossom and grow in the warmth of springs sunlight. Similarly, it is natural for us to draw our energy inward to gain clarity and strength to move forward once again when the season changes. The holidays throw a wrench into this natural flow and cycle of life as our energy goes outward, getting caught up in the busyness and frenzy of activities…Christmas parties, gatherings with friends, shopping, traveling, cooking, etc. No wonder we feel run down and irritable. Our bodies are communicating to us that we are out of balance with our own natural rhythms. Consequently, we are not taking the time out to restore our energy reserves or to renew ourselves.
I’m not suggesting that we do away with all of the activities of Christmas, but that we choose the ones that are in alignment with our hearts instead of acting out of a sense of obligation and guilt. For example, if you feel burdened, frequently hear yourself using the word “should”, or hear the following voices in your head, then you are most likely acting out of alignment with yourself…“I may hurt their feelings if I say ‘no’ to their party invitation.” “If I don’t buy so and so a gift, they will be disappointed.” “They gave me a gift, so I need to give them something in return.” If you feel light, excited or joyful when taking action, then you are coming from an authentic, heart centered place. The beauty of acting from our hearts is that the gift is returned to us many fold.
By creating room in our schedules to stop, slow down and go within to a place of stillness and silence, we can receive higher guidance on where to spend our time and energy. We can then go out into the world and create from a more empowered, centered and joyful place. By “being” first and then taking action or “doing”, we are allowing Spirit/God/Life Force to move through us and show us the highest action to take instead of acting out of habit, routine, a sense of obligation or compulsion.
Why not slow down and give yourself the gift of joy this holiday season?
“Through stillness and silence, new creation is born.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Living with integrity means:
Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships.
Asking for what you want and need from others.
Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension.
Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values.
Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.” – Barbara de Angelis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting Out of the Way
By Karen Mehringer
“I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us. It may be God, I don't know. But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice,
it will tell us the right thing to do.” – Christopher Reeve
I recently practiced this concept of being still and allowing God/Spirit to move through me while giving my first keynote presentation at the Women of Wisdom Conference in Big Bear Lake , California . The outcome was incredible! I wasn’t nervous, but felt centered, empowered and totally present. The audience appeared to be completely engaged the entire time and the feedback was wonderful including a standing ovation at the end.
As I prepared my presentation, I came up with an outline and was guided not to practice it, but to meditate and visualize myself giving the talk. Despite feeling uncomfortable with giving up “control”, I decided to listen to and trust my inner guidance. Consequently, the presentation went better than I could have imagined. Now, I am excited to do it again.
Getting out of my own way, something that months previously had terrified me is now a fun and rewarding experience.
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to read this E-Newsletter! I wish you many blessings of love, joy and abundance on your journey!
Karen
Creative Transformations
(303) 562-8517
info@livingapurposefullife.com
Copyright © 2007
. To subscribe to Karen's newsletter, visit http://www.liveapurposefullife.com/. -Catherine"People, even more than things, have to be restored, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed..."
- Audrey Hepburn
"The holiest of holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Karen Mehringer is an author, speaker, life transformation coach and the founder of Creative Transformations. Her primary work is to empower people to take risks to follow their dreams and live life to the fullest
Welcome and Happy Holidays!
I hope this e-newsletter finds you healthy, surrounded by people you love and feeling joyful!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give the Gift of Joy
by Karen Mehringer
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony - Mohandas K. Gandhi
Walking my dog the other day, I became aware of a frenetic, unsettled feeling in the air, similar to the feeling I had during the southern California fires. It occurred to me that I was picking up on the collective energy of the holiday season. Waiting in line at the post office, I observed the faces of those around me. Most looked impatient and irritable. Driving, there appeared to be more traffic and cars were moving faster. I noticed that people, in general, seemed to be acting out of a sense of busyness and obligation rather than joy.
This time of year is naturally a time for us to slow down and go within. With shorter and colder days, the plants, trees and flowers stop growing and become dormant. They are still in the coldness of winter, waiting to blossom and grow in the warmth of springs sunlight. Similarly, it is natural for us to draw our energy inward to gain clarity and strength to move forward once again when the season changes. The holidays throw a wrench into this natural flow and cycle of life as our energy goes outward, getting caught up in the busyness and frenzy of activities…Christmas parties, gatherings with friends, shopping, traveling, cooking, etc. No wonder we feel run down and irritable. Our bodies are communicating to us that we are out of balance with our own natural rhythms. Consequently, we are not taking the time out to restore our energy reserves or to renew ourselves.
I’m not suggesting that we do away with all of the activities of Christmas, but that we choose the ones that are in alignment with our hearts instead of acting out of a sense of obligation and guilt. For example, if you feel burdened, frequently hear yourself using the word “should”, or hear the following voices in your head, then you are most likely acting out of alignment with yourself…“I may hurt their feelings if I say ‘no’ to their party invitation.” “If I don’t buy so and so a gift, they will be disappointed.” “They gave me a gift, so I need to give them something in return.” If you feel light, excited or joyful when taking action, then you are coming from an authentic, heart centered place. The beauty of acting from our hearts is that the gift is returned to us many fold.
By creating room in our schedules to stop, slow down and go within to a place of stillness and silence, we can receive higher guidance on where to spend our time and energy. We can then go out into the world and create from a more empowered, centered and joyful place. By “being” first and then taking action or “doing”, we are allowing Spirit/God/Life Force to move through us and show us the highest action to take instead of acting out of habit, routine, a sense of obligation or compulsion.
Why not slow down and give yourself the gift of joy this holiday season?
“Through stillness and silence, new creation is born.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Living with integrity means:
Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships.
Asking for what you want and need from others.
Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension.
Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values.
Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.” – Barbara de Angelis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting Out of the Way
By Karen Mehringer
“I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us. It may be God, I don't know. But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice,
it will tell us the right thing to do.” – Christopher Reeve
I recently practiced this concept of being still and allowing God/Spirit to move through me while giving my first keynote presentation at the Women of Wisdom Conference in Big Bear Lake , California . The outcome was incredible! I wasn’t nervous, but felt centered, empowered and totally present. The audience appeared to be completely engaged the entire time and the feedback was wonderful including a standing ovation at the end.
As I prepared my presentation, I came up with an outline and was guided not to practice it, but to meditate and visualize myself giving the talk. Despite feeling uncomfortable with giving up “control”, I decided to listen to and trust my inner guidance. Consequently, the presentation went better than I could have imagined. Now, I am excited to do it again.
Getting out of my own way, something that months previously had terrified me is now a fun and rewarding experience.
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to read this E-Newsletter! I wish you many blessings of love, joy and abundance on your journey!
Karen
Creative Transformations
(303) 562-8517
info@livingapurposefullife.com
Copyright © 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Holiday Spirit by Catherine Richardson
What is "holiday spirit"? What does it mean to you? Does it mean "peace on Earth, goodwill toward men"? Does it mean generosity and gift-giving? Does it mean sacrificing for others, so that they may have a happy holiday? Does it mean going into debt in order to give others what you believe they want? Do the winter holidays mean loneliness for you, even depression?
I would like to suggest another meaning of holiday spirit. I believe it is a time to deeply honor yourselves and others. A time to see holiness and divinity in everyone and everything - in all of creation. A time to go inward and honor what's important to you. A time to reach out and tell others how you feel about them. I believe this is the highest way to celebrate the holiday spirit. Not through sacrifice. Not by creating financial hardship or physical exhaustion for yourself; but by honoring and cherishing the beautiful flow of divinity in every living being. By honoring your accomplishments of 2007, and letting go of the year's pain and struggles. By seeing the beauty of being exactly who you are, and exactly where you are. Thank yourself, and thank all the people and events that brought you here. What a beautiful tapestry you weave together!
This is also a great time to set intentions for the coming year. I don't mean resolutions, rules or commandments. I mean simply setting the energy for what you'd like to manifest in the coming year, be it physical health, wealth or whatever you choose. Merely set your intent, and see what happens! You may want to write it down. You may want to visualize it, or even make a visualization board or collage. You may simply want to say a set of affirmations.
I was guided during Winter Solstice to begin saying a mantra 108 times per day, using Hindu prayer beads to help me keep count. (For information regarding the significance of 108, please see http://www.mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?signify108.) The particular mantra I was guided to say is as follows: "I am financially-prosperous, healthy and at my highest vibrational potential. I am one with God." The next day, a friend approached me about a business venture and, the day after that, the bank called to tell me they were crediting me nearly $100! I'm also feeling better - physically and spiritually.
However you choose to spend the holidays, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season - and consciously create in 2008!
Namaste,
Catherine
www.truthjoylove.com
© 2007 Catherine Richardson
I would like to suggest another meaning of holiday spirit. I believe it is a time to deeply honor yourselves and others. A time to see holiness and divinity in everyone and everything - in all of creation. A time to go inward and honor what's important to you. A time to reach out and tell others how you feel about them. I believe this is the highest way to celebrate the holiday spirit. Not through sacrifice. Not by creating financial hardship or physical exhaustion for yourself; but by honoring and cherishing the beautiful flow of divinity in every living being. By honoring your accomplishments of 2007, and letting go of the year's pain and struggles. By seeing the beauty of being exactly who you are, and exactly where you are. Thank yourself, and thank all the people and events that brought you here. What a beautiful tapestry you weave together!
This is also a great time to set intentions for the coming year. I don't mean resolutions, rules or commandments. I mean simply setting the energy for what you'd like to manifest in the coming year, be it physical health, wealth or whatever you choose. Merely set your intent, and see what happens! You may want to write it down. You may want to visualize it, or even make a visualization board or collage. You may simply want to say a set of affirmations.
I was guided during Winter Solstice to begin saying a mantra 108 times per day, using Hindu prayer beads to help me keep count. (For information regarding the significance of 108, please see http://www.mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?signify108.) The particular mantra I was guided to say is as follows: "I am financially-prosperous, healthy and at my highest vibrational potential. I am one with God." The next day, a friend approached me about a business venture and, the day after that, the bank called to tell me they were crediting me nearly $100! I'm also feeling better - physically and spiritually.
However you choose to spend the holidays, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season - and consciously create in 2008!
Namaste,
Catherine
www.truthjoylove.com
© 2007 Catherine Richardson
