Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Spirit

Playing the “blame game” – climbing the emotional guidance ladder to a better feeling place

Playing the blame (guilt) game, ugh! But, I am where I am (as Abraham says) so, it’s gotta be okay. I am where I am in the middle of dis-ease, or grief, or shame, or self-loathing, or x-y-z, but, I am where I am and it’s okay. Why is it okay? Because I am where I am and I’ve got no other choice. Except to consciously take steps to improve my feelings, and reach a better feeling place. I want to feel better. I know it’s possible, but in “this moment”, my “now”, I am where I am!
I thought it might help me (and maybe others reading this who unfortunately fall into grief and despair), if I write down a couple of ways I worked through my pain over putting my beloved (almost 14 year old) best furry friend, Lou-Lou’s Beau “down”. (By the way, why the hell do they call it “putting him/her down” anyway? I think it should be “released” because my intention was to release him from his pain! Ugh! Beau 2009 summer
I also do EFT tapping using these statements which, helps to calm me and provide emotional relief. So here we go. Abraham (from the book, “Ask and It Is Given” state there are 22 groups of emotions one can be in, in any point in time. #22 is the lowest vibration, the bottom of the list. The lowest of the lows. So that’s where I start. Not to wallow, but you gotta start somewhere and that’s where I was the day I let Beau “go”.
The intention of “Ask and It Is Given” is to help us locate where we are, what state we’re in emotionally, at any given point, and move UP to a better feeling place on the list. The following are my words, using their numbering scale. I am not plagiarizing – but if you follow their list, you’ll see where I’m getting the terms from. Also, this is going to take awhile, so you may want to check back in a week or so to see how I’m doing, as my intention is to climb the emotional guidance ladder to a better feeling place.
22) I can find all kinds of reasons to feel guilty at this point (and I am talking “to” Beau at this point):
  • I could have researched more about your eye problem;
  • I could have had your eye removed; Beau closeup
  • I could have changed my mind, at any point, during the last year and a half regarding, “no more surgery” on you, after you had the kidney / bladder stone surgery.
  •  Stupid insensitive me held a belief, for some reason, that you shouldn’t have any more surgeries. Why?!? That was a limiting belief! Ugh!
  •  I was so afraid you couldn’t take another surgery. You’re older, you aren’t strong enough (Who the hell am I to judge that?)
  •  I’ve bought other things this year that I could have spent that money on you instead. You were much more important to me!!
  •  I could have spent every waking moment with you, instead of going shopping, or going to a class, or working! (Okay, really?)
  •  I miss you so much! I hurt because you are not here! I miss holding you, caring for your eyes, taking you to the groomer, feeding you, and walking with you!Beau 2008
  •  You were powerless and I feel horrible that you tried to tell me what to do but I didn’t listen, didn’t realize when you face planted off the couch that you were trying to pop your own eye out to relieve your pain and heal your body! Ugh?
  •  I am in despair that I now have learned that I could have asked one of your previous veterinarian’s to remove your eye! Actually none suggested that to me or we would have done that with the first eye then maybe the second eye would never had gone bad!!
  •  What is the point of living this life when everything / everyone dies eventually?!? This is depressing!
  • My mom loved you (and Lou-Lou) so much too! She didn’t get to say good-bye to you! Waaaaa!!My mom snuggles Beau 2008
21) I am feeling so unworthy of all the trust you placed in me to care for you.
  • Unworthy of your unconditional love!!! Gasp!
  • I feel such guilt for not doing ALL I could have for you!
  • My ignorance should be no excuse!!
20) I am jealous that the neighbor’s dog is probably older than you, but he’s still around!
  • He seems to be doing fine.
  • Oh, but he’s a mixed breed.
  • I never get jealous… but I am in this moment!
  • Others around us, they seem to be able to “go on living” without any thought about what we’re going through! The nerve! (I know, emotions are not logical!)
19) I feel anger at myself for not doing more! But, how much more could I “really” do?
  • Anger at the doctors, especially that opthamologist we saw a year a a half ago for not offering the eye removal option!!
  • They just wanted me to keep bringing you back to them every three months for a refill script / recheck for a compounded eye drop that you’d supposedly need every day of your life (mail order available only from NJ!!). Such bullshit!! Beau 2009 hanging out
19) I am discouraged that other people and doggies have to go through this trauma too!!
  • What discourages me is the inevitability of it all!
  • Why live this life if it’s all so futile?
  • Look how adorable both you (and Lou-Lou) were back in the day (2008) with my mom! My mom with Beau and Lou-Lou 2008
18) I don’t feel revenge – yet.
Wait, perhaps I do! I think I understand the revenge thing now. I feel that for myself. So, anger turned outward is revenge or spite. But, anger turned INWARD is depression, guilt, or self-loathing.
17) I am angry at myself for not being more bold on your behalf! But, I know you couldn’t live in your physical body forever. Ugh! This anger really feels strong in my body. I think yes, anger turned inward, to myself, causes depression, sadness, and pain.
16) I am discouraged.
  • I am disheartened that you suffered needlessly for months, (Gasp!) God forbid, more than a year!!
  • I am utterly discouraged with some of the veterinarian’s we went to over the years.
  • What about the guy who told me you just had “old doggy eye”. Jesus! Was he for real?
  • Then the next doctor, who I really liked, when I told him what the previous doctor had said, did not disagree with him, but did suggest more medications for you. And that I should take you to an opthamologist, which I did.
  • I am discouraged for others, that they’ll have to find a way, and figure this stuff out – even while their doggies (or cats) suffer needlessly. Why can’t we just “know” it all? Why can’t we go to one person, Google it, or read a book to find out?
  • Why all of this time seemingly wasted on the “trying” to figure it out?
15) I blame myself for your pain.
  • I will never trust myself to ever have another pet.
  • I am horrible! Besides, I could never replace YOU!
  • You were my best boy and best doggy EVER. Period!
  • This is the worst ever feeling!
  • I am so sorry Beau!!!
  • I trusted professionals to help (oh, maybe now I feel vengeful?) the experts should have given us the option a year ago to have your eye removed! Beau after Critter Oil bath3
14) I am worried if I did the right thing in “releasing” you.
  • My adult children (thank you sweet ones) have comforted me, saying I did, but I have all of these questions racing through my mind. Angst!
  • I almost never worry, but I am holding my worry finger (as I learned in Jin Shin Jyutsu) so I must be worried.
  • I feel the need to harmonize my worry over your suffering.
  • You almost never showed discomfort! But that didn’t mean you didn’t feel discomfort! Oh Beau! My best boy! Beau front Aug 2014
13) Doubt. Didn’t what I just say, show how much doubt I am in? Doubt and worry seem so tightly joined!
  • I doubt that I did the right thing (releasing you from your physical body), and then I doubt that I waited too long to do it!
  • I can’t make up my mind at all when I am in doubt.
  • I am mentally running to and fro!
  • This is sickening!
  • I cannot allow myself to stay in doubt for too long. I will make my stomach upset. I will make myself crazy… okay I might already be on “that train”. Hmmm
  • I doubt that I’ll get “your” ashes back, and what would I do with them anyway?
  • I doubt that your physical remains will comfort me. I took a lock of your fur – that comforts me a little.
  • I doubt I’m going to feel any better today. Beau and Lou-Lou Easter haircuts 2009
12) I am so ridiculously disappointed in myself.
I should have known better, and not stopped researching until I totally resolved your eye issues.
Why? Because I recall a dog trainer I had taken Lou-Lou to for several weeks, years ago told me, “The dog is this tall, but you are this tall! You can see things and make the choice to avoid them!” Truer words have never been spoken. Even if you are five feet tall, you are taller than your dog and can navigate them through life.
11) I am overwhelmed by sadness.
  • I seem to cry at the drop of a hat.
  • I look at your picture on my desk at work, and I cry.
  • I start to talk about you to someone, and I cry.
  • But I am starting to see that sometimes, I don’t cry.
  • And that makes me know that I am definitely reaching, trying to find, a better feeling place – even if just for a few seconds or minutes in between thoughts of you.
  • Thoughts of missing you so very much.
  • I was overwhelmed with responsibilities and did not place you in a higher priority of concern.
  • I am overwhelmed by the love and support of my family and friends during this time (though I do not feel deserving of it).
10) I am frustrated and irritated with the way I handled, or failed to appropriately handle my grief. Okay though, that’s one reason I am working through the emotions via this blog.
Oh, a few people attempted to encourage me out of my sadness, but yes, that just irritated me more!
9) I guess I am being quite pessimistic right now, never wanting another pet. Sheila and Beau Bike Week Daytona 2010
8) I sense boredom is around the corner for me.
But wait, I’ve got a ton of pictures of you that I can share. And I found where I had made a Daily Puppy page for you years ago — HERE.
And, the author of a book I am editing offered me her sincere words of compassion when she emailed me:
“Your beautiful and precious dog will be by your side forever more.” Thank you my dear, Lela Starseed.
7) Will I ever feel content again? You used to make me feel content when you would lay on the couch with me! Beau fav place Aug2014
6) Will I ever feel hopeful again? I hope you are running, jumping, and playing in your Spirit ethereal body that is whole and new!!
  • On the day of your release, our new vet told me that you’d meet Lou-Lou again at the Rainbow Bridge (and we laughed for a moment, that you may not want to!) then I said, “Beau, look for your tall white dog friend!”
  •  A couple days later, I’m calling in my family who passed, to find you.
  • I remember when I was a child, other kids would say, “don’t have a pity party”, during times when I displayed sadness. I also know self pity can be self destructive. How can we balance all of these feelings, when Recovery groups tell us we must allow ourselves to “feel our feelings”?
  • I know I need to move out of, rise above, the feelings of sadness about Beau.
  •  I am hopeful that as, We Are All Connected, you have reconnected with my family who loved you too! Oh… this is how I can reach for hopeful feelings! This is hope!Beau 2008 so handsome
 5) Everything I have learned about ‘life after death’ tells me, ANYTHING is possible!
  • I can feel optimism for you when I visualize you with a big white dog!
  • Was it an English Setter that you fell so in love with?
  • I have been researching this, and asking others, because I am still trying to pull myself, consciously, up this list (to feel better)! 
    Beau back Aug 2014
4) I am attempting to reach for thoughts of positive expectation, to believe you live on – somewhere.
  • While visualizing you crossing over the Rainbow Bridge, I see you dancing for a big white dog!
  • Perhaps, you’re even frolicking!?!
  • I focus on the fact that you’re no longer suffering.
  • I know you’re out of pain. Beau 42613
3) Oh, how in the world can I be happy? How can I feel enthusiasm / eagerness again – about anything?
  • I know that “life goes on”. I don’t like it, so now, I’m back to #9.
  • I know the emotional guidance system is not linear. I will go up and down this ladder many times over – for as long as it takes.
  • I know you’re out of pain. Beau Christmas 2008
2) I know passion is out there. In my future.
  • I remember the passion I had when you first came into my life. How small you were!
  • I remember sweetly, what it felt like to nurture, train, feed, bathe, and care for you. Beau 2003
1) I know joy is out there. In my future, I will remember how much joy you brought me. Those memories will have to sustain me, because you’re no longer here! Sniff!!! Tear. I miss you so very much! But somehow, I will smile again when I think of you. Someday, I will smile and not get a tear in my eye. da beauster
  • Because I will ALWAYS appreciate having had you in my life.
  • Because I know how to empower myself, to reach for better feeling thoughts, via multiple emotional healing modalities – yes, even at the lowest of times.
  • Because I know you’re FREE! You’re experiencing FREEDOM. Oh, sweet ultimate freedom!
  • I am grateful, so beautifully grateful, to have experienced your love, and to have loved you!
  • Beau came to show me that Lou-Lou loved me unconditionally too, but in a different way. She just expressed unconditional love differently than him! Beau and Lou-Lou in the coach Dec 2010
  • Remembering the wonderful way my beautiful granddaughter would say, “Awe!” When I would lift Beau to the camera to say hello to her when we would Google Hangout or Skype. She would say that with such a compassionate voice, just like she knew how he was feeling, or just because as a child, she loves furry creatures. I don’t know, but it warms my heart to recall how she said it.
  • Talking with a friend and relating a memory about a time when we were walking and someone yelled at me to get Beau away from their grass, I looked up at the sky and exclaimed, “thank you Beau! I will never have to go through that again!”
  • All of this knowledge, it is helping me to feel better. And I am open to receive more knowledge.

UPDATE 25-Oct-2015: Just when I had begun, and I do mean “begun” to feel I’d worked through all of my feelings (figured out how to get all the way to number one on the emotional guidance scale… I slid right back down to #15 (at least) and started crying when my beautiful little four year old granddaughter asked to “see Beau” while we were on video conference tonight! Damn, where was my emotional balance that had begun to feel better? It all went to shit, and fast. I had to jump right back on here and read my list again!!

UPDATE 27-Oct-2015: My wonderfully supportive husband put a big picture of you (Beau) on our iMac desktop. When I sat down at the computer and touched it, lighting up the desktop to reveal your picture, I gasped, “Oh, Beau!” and then, “Oh, thank you hubby! What beautiful thing to do!” It was this close-up of Beau taken about six or seven years ago. He was in perfect health! But, I started to cry…

UPDATE 28-Oct-2015: I don’t know what happened. But, when I came home from work today (after having my Pilates workout), I signed onto the computer, saw Beau’s close-up picture and I smiled! Yes, finally! It’s been a week now after his passing and I can actually smile and think of GOOD memories when I see his picture. This is wonderful progress back to my normal emotionally balanced set point. We went to dinner also, and I was able to show the picture I took of the computer desktop, 1) to give my husband props for doing this, and 2) to show off Beau. He’s such a cutie. I was able to talk about him and not cry. I still miss him, and yes, I catch some emotion in my throat when I go to plug my phone in, near where his water bowl was, but I am letting go of the overwhelming emotions.

A week later I still cry when I look at his picture (not every time, but often). So, why? Because I miss him!
I still feel guilt about not doing more sooner to alleviate his infection / illness. (even guilt about perhaps I should have put him down sooner!)
I could allow myself to feel guilty about EVERYTHING to do with his ill health but, in reality, I know I tried. As my kids and I have discussed many times, we can only do the best we can about anything at any given time based on the information we understand at the time.
I must give myself a break.
UPDATE 1-Nov-2015: I updated this post with pictures of Beau. After meditating yesterday, doing a journeying process at Alania’s studio, I am, just this morning, able to go through all of the pictures and videos I have of Beau (and Lou-Lou) and find special ones to share — without crying. I am finally, now, at a point where I have some emotional balance about everything that happened. All of the good, the utter joy of having Beau in my life, and the not-so-good stressful times… during his ills.
I wrote a eulogy for Beau, a little at a time, during the ‘decision’ time. I shared it on Facebook then, but not here — until now. This is the link to it — HERE.
UPDATE 7-Nov-2015: My dad and mom have a mixed breed who had puppies three months ago. When we visited, my dad really wanted me to have one of the three puppies. I just couldn’t do it. Too many reasons. One, it was just too soon. And two, I still don’t know if I ever want another. But, I know it might be the last gift my parents are able to give me. Ugh! And yes, the puppies are oh, so cute! There is a black, brown, and reddish colored one – she’s the smallest. Adorable! Almost a Yorkie. Then a snow white one, a bit bigger. She’s also a girl. What a princess. All of their personalities are similar to Beau’s. Quite docile. Then a beige or light golden boy. He is the largest of the three, just a bit smaller than his mom and all three are three months old. How much bigger will they get? My son put an ad on Craig’s list. We sat there all afternoon meeting with would be “parents”. One young man took Princess home, bathed her, only to return her awhile later. His girlfriend did not agree in their having a second dog. But awhile later, she was adopted by another young couple. We were glad to be able to meet and visit with each adopting couple, so we knew they were going to good homes. The next morning, after I left, my son let me know the third, the golden boy, was also adopted by an older married couple. Ah! Because when I had left he was giving me those “eyes” like,
Why aren’t you taking me?” — that broke my heart.
At any rate, that day, I talked with my dad and he said the mommy, Sunday, was still crying and looking for her puppies. Had they waited too long to let the puppies go?
UPDATE 10-Nov-2015: Dad called me and was still upset about all the puppies being gone and said Sunday is still crying for them. I am at a loss except that I think perhaps I should send Sunday a nice stuffed animal to have. I also researched and found that when we (the people) are still upset, the dogs will pick up on our feelings and display similar emotions.
UPDATE 11-Nov-2015: I Google Hangout with my granddaughter and show her my two stuffed doggies that my husband bought me years ago, that resemble our Beau (and Lou-Lou). She seemed really happy that I had them, and she accepted my short story about Beau crossing the Rainbow bridge and being healthy and happy now. And that he had left us these “replicas” of them for us to remember them by. I still have my moments when I cry. But, I know that in the big scheme of things, that’s okay.
So, yes this has all definitely been a process. The goal was to be able to reach for any of the thoughts higher than #11 I guess, in order to be in a so-so kind of minimum good feeling place about Beau not being here anymore. Obviously, being at #1 or #2 all the time (about his not being here in the physical realm) was something, at that time, I never thought could happen. But, some of those thoughts, along with most of the thoughts being in the good feeling range, eventually helped me overcome the feeling of wanting to burst into tears when anyone asked about him, or when I would see another Shih-Tzu that looks like him, etc.
I have talked with others who have told me they still cry, years later, about the loss of their pet. And as an empath, I feel very deeply. I knew if I could figure out a way, or at least, “allow” myself the space to exist where I could attempt to feel better, it would help me, emotionally. Holding onto hurt, loss, guilt, grief, and all of those painful feelings can cause dis-ease in the body (which, I want to avoid if possible).

I hope others can benefit (at least a little bit) from my process. Love and many blessings to all (furry and human).

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

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Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections

Oh my, accidents happen!

Thank you to the person who invented seat belts.

I got rear-ended on my way to work this week in Bradenton, Florida. First accident I’ve been involved with, in several years! In fact, I do not recall the last accident I’ve had, maybe it was twenty or thirty years ago. But thankfully, everyone’s fine.

Here’s what happened:

I was heading south on 9th. For those unfamiliar with Bradenton, this is a four-lane divided highway in a downtown area. My light was green and I was moving straight ahead, through the intersection. I did have to wait a minute before getting all the way across the intersection, as traffic ahead stacks and if you keep going, you may get stuck blocking the intersection, which you do not want!

This is the first traffic light on 9th, just after the Green bridge (by the Hampton Inn). All the locals here know that traffic is stop and go and stacks up all the way across the bridge, every weekday morning.

That’s life when you live in a coastal town, where roads fill up with people going to work, folks (and buses) taking kids to school, and tourists heading to the beach. I had already been cut off from someone in the left lane a few minutes prior, while we were on the bridge too. I don’t get too upset as, “It is what it is.”

Ironically though, 9th and 3rd was where, a year ago, I had failed to make a complete stop before making a “right on red” turn, and I had been mailed a citation for that infraction – keep this in mind. Yes, there is a camera there; no, I didn’t realize the camera was there at that time. (But, now I knew and so did the lady who hit me – but more on this in a minute).

I had been stopped, yes, even on the green light (waiting for space to open up on the other side of the intersection) and just as soon as there was room, I began to proceed straight ahead through the intersection, when a light colored car, came into view from my left, deliberately choosing to make a left turn (from the opposite direction), in front of me – effectively robbing me of my right of way / cutting me off! I had to think quick! Do I gun it and try to miss her, will she stop? Or do I stop? I instinctively chose the conservative option; I stopped.

Then immediately I heard tires squealing and CRASH! I couldn’t believe it! I got hit anyway!

Gal behind me, I’ll call her ‘Mom driver’ rear-ended me. I hadn’t even been looking behind me. Had I been aware of her, maybe I would have chosen the riskier move to try to gun it past ID10T, and see if I could get through the intersection. Had I done that, I might not have been in an accident, but perhaps those two would have crashed.

Mom driver was driving a car and I was in my husband’s truck. I was surprised later to learn that she could see over the truck, and witness the car cutting me off – but she did. Her and her son saw what happened, and her son wrote down the tag of the woman who had cut me off. Great kid, huh? I imagine their conversation:

Mom driver: “Why did she stop?”

Son: “Mom, there’s a car (pointing to the right).”

Mom: “I bet she cut in front of that truck! Let’s follow her.”

They did follow the instigating car. I went straight one block, made a right turn also, and came back around. Unbeknownst to me, the culprit car darted into a parking garage! I call that an evasive move!

Mom driver is now facing me; I had pulled into a parking spot and she had stopped in the middle of street (one block over from where the accident occurred).

I had not seen how bad her car had been crunched before, but as I had approached her on 10th I cringed. The damage was more than I had anticipated from how the crash had felt.

I put my window down and heard her ask, “What should I do, what do I do?” I answered loudly, “Do what you want, but I’d pull over. Your car got the worst of it.” 

We were about a block away from the police station, and several cruisers were beginning to head out. One pulled up, about two cars behind Mom driver, and hit the siren (not knowing why I was walking out into the street and why Mom driver was sitting there, blocking traffic).

Mom driver parks and the police woman takes down our individual stories. At first, I am not close enough to hear what Mom driver tells lady officer, so I walk a bit closer. When it’s my turn, I put my hand on my heart (why? I have no idea) and state emphatically, “I had the right of way. The light had been green.” She said, okay your stories match. A third car made a left turn in front of you?” “Yes, exactly, I had a split second to decide – chance proceeding (because she might not stop and hit me), or stop?” The officer nods in agreement and tells me, “You did the right thing.”

While the officer is writing things up, I walk up to Mom driver (who remained seated in her car the whole time).

She asks me, “Do you know if that garage has an exit on the other side?” “I don’t know, but I’d like to go in and try to find the car.” She explains that her son had written down the tag number, and she had given it to the officer. To my surprise, she asks if her son could go with me, into the parking garage and look for the car. I agreed. I don’t know why I agreed, as what would we have done, had we been confronted by the owner of the car? We did go though, all the way to the top (at least five stories) of the parking garage. We were on the hunt, feeling like detectives. 

Since we had most of the tag number, we thought it would be easy. It’s got to be there – somewhere. Also, since Mom driver had given it to the police woman, she had run the number and told them it came back registered to a Toyota of unknown color. All I knew was the sun had been on the car, and I could not swear to the color. I thought it had been very light blue pearl paint, or white. In  actuality, it was a light silver!

You must know something about me. I hate silver cars, yes, I do! They blend with the concrete highways, sometimes with the sky too, and can’t be seen at all when it’s foggy, etc. Oh, I hate them with a great hate. LOL! Uh-huh. I know it’s silly, but yes, I have quite the disdain for silver cars that can blend out of sight.

After going all the way up and around the garage, checking many similar cars, all either light blue or white, and not finding the culprit, as we approach the only exit of the garage – I spy the tag number. The boy checked it and agreed. This is the car. I also notice that it’s parked in the handicapped parking spot.

By this time, the police lady was approaching us and asked what we were doing. I explained WE had found the car. She checked it, very interested also, that it was in the handicapped spot, yet it did not have a handicap sticker or hangtag. I thought, “Great, at least she’ll get a citation for that!”

The woman who had started this whole fiasco, had left the scene, hid in a parking garage real fast, and left her car. A lady came out to leave, coincidentally, parked right beside this silver Toyota, and told me I could ask inside the building and they’d tell us who’s car it was. But, the officer took care of that. My detective duties were done.

Back with Mom driver, she is upset. Not crying upset, just irritated and frustrated. She was annoyed the officer had not gone into the garage to find the car, and that her son and I had to do it. Had we not went into the garage, we would not have found the car. She probably knew that if we could shift the blame to that person, she might have a better chance with her insurance company. But, that’s pure speculation on my part. Maybe like me, she just wanted to see justice done.

I wasn’t mad at the lady for cutting me off actually. I analyzed the situation ten ways to Sunday. I imagined what might have happened had I sped up to try to get on through the intersection. I even felt a bit guilty that Mom driver was going to be late to get her children to school, because I chose to stop to avoid ID10T, then unwittingly, became a victim in another! Was it just the Universe telling me that one way or another, I was going to be in an accident? I hadn’t been rushing, obviously. I had been taking the slow roll in to work, as I am always early.

Was I meant to meet Mom driver for another reason? Were we connected? Could I help ease her anxiety? I decided it would be a thin line, between speaking with her about her feelings, and listening to her – just allow her to vent.

I thought about how the first thing the lady officer had said to me, when I eased closer to her for her to question me, had been, “Where have I seen that purse before”? Isn’t that funny? Such a question to ask? Maybe she was judging how upset I was. After all, she had probably just heard a lot of emotion from Mom driver. I told her I’d bought the purse at a Farmer’s market. But, I had actually bought it at a First Unity church event; I pondered if perhaps she had gone to the same event. Hmmm.

About a half hour passes and the lady officer passes our accident information to two male officers. One is in training apparently, as the other has to explain who’s right, etc. I noticed one officer had a bit of a stutter. I decided to mentally send him appreciation. The other officer was trying to soak everything in, and I realize their on-the-job training (OJT) is very different from all the OJT I’ve had in my career – and I am thanking God (I’ve had it so easy)!

Eventually, I saw the woman to blame moving her Toyota car, attempting to leave the garage! Ah, not so fast though! Haha I thought! One of the officers walked over to her and got her to pull back into her spot. He talked with her for a few minutes.
When he returned to Mom driver and I, he revealed that this woman said she had NOT seen ANY accident! Well, duh! What else did he think she would say? That she saw it and evaded? Good grief. I wondered, how gullible are these officers? And I thought Mom driver was going to lose it!
She did a good job of holding it together though. She had firmly insisted the woman had to have seen the accident and purposely skirted around the block to hide. The officers listened, but did not think the Toyota driver woman was guilty of anything. They didn’t cite her for turning left in front of me, or leaving the scene (which is a felony in Florida)! They didn’t even cite her for parking in the handicap spot!
Mom driver and I had been talking, me standing beside her crumpled car, and her still seated in the driver’s seat, when the wrongdoer pulled out of the parking garage and left! Mom driver excitedly asked, “Why does she get to leave? Why are we still inconvenienced, and that person gets to go on about her day?”
Finally, one of the two officers expressed that since they did not witness the accident, they would not cite the guilty party, and that is why she was able to leave. I should have said, “Mom driver and I saw her! We’re your two witnesses!” But, I didn’t. The officer just continued to point out he was not going to cite Mom driver! He said in reality, she had either:
  • Been following me too closely
  • Been going too fast
  • Or had not been paying attention to the road
He conveyed calmly to Mom Driver, while pointing to me, “She stopped. If she was able to stop, you should have been able to stop too.”
That was the end of it. The fight was out of Mom driver by that time I think. We knew there would be no fair resolution, at least not something that would truly satisfy us – especially after we went to all the trouble to find the root cause of the situation. The officers gave us back our licenses, insurance cards, and registrations and we all continued with our day. But, I know Mom driver was not happy. And I had a sore neck for a couple days. Ah, but we were all lucky. No airbags deployed. We’d all had our seat belts on – so no injuries. Life goes on.
I kept thinking of a Bob Proctor quote the rest of that day, ““You never die from a snake bite; you can’t be unbitten. You die from what continues to pour through you long after the bite has taken place.”

In the game of truck vs car – truck always wins. But cars and trucks do not care; they don’t have feelings. We do. And I choose to care more about how I feel, than who is right, because I always want to FEEL GOOD.

I send love, care, concern, prayers, and blessings out to all involved. Peace. Let it begin with me.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body

People perish for lack of knowledge

So many people are perishing. They are literally perishing for lack of knowledge about vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and NUTRITION!

In America, the land of milk and honey, where we have so much abundance, it is odd that anyone is lacking VITAL food, full of nutrition, especially when it’s readily available to most of us at our local grocery store, or farmer’s market. If you’re a homeowner or have access to any piece of land, you are especially rich – because you CAN grow your own food!

If you’re fighting a dis-ease, nutrition absolutely the best FUEL for your body. Time is of the essence! Do not procrastinate to give your body what it needs. No one wants cancer, chronic or degenerative dis-ease. No one wants to suffer.

The absolute must-have food for your body is 100 percent organic, non-GMO vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. While personally I believe a raw vegan diet is best for exceedingly vibrant health and renewal, even if you gently cook some of your food, the produce section of your market has everything you need to get and maintain a healthy, life-giving, renewing, lifestyle. Yes, even through the winter months!

I want so much for you to understand the supreme importance of nutrition and how it benefits your body. YOU HAVE OPTIONS!

This is a topic I am totally passionate about! I have learned quite a lot about enzyme-rich, nutritionally dense living vegan foods, and how intelligent they are for you, because I used to be hungry all the time, and fat, when I ate processed, nutritionally deficient foods. Fast food, canned, boxed, and overly processed foods never fill you up — thus you eat, and eat, and eat!  Often, all of that unstoppable eating, gets us fat, or worse, contributes to chronic dis-ease.

You eat, and eat, and never get proper nutrition. Then you wonder why you feel like crap, sluggish, with no energy, and suffer from type 2 diabetes, inflammation, and so on. How can this be?

To explain it thoroughly, I’d have to take you down the rabbit hole of nutrient deficient SOIL that vegetables and fruits are grown in these days, not to mention all the extra junk added to foods (which, attempts to make processed food taste good, perhaps even aimed at getting you addicted to it). Those additives raise your blood sugar levels and prevents your body from actually producing some of the things the body needs to maintain good health.

That’s all before we get into the conversation about pesticides and herbicides, which are sprayed on produce at the farms, along with hormones and antibiotics given to the animals, and so on. Much of what’s fed to animals is passed to us via dairy products, meat, etc. It’s a bit overwhelming when you think of all the contributing factors in the food chain, which are unhealthy for us and contribute to various dis-eases.

When I think about and analyze all the reasons processed foods hurt us, it propels me to do all I can to educate people. Do you know that white sugar is addictive as heroin? Yep. Interesting huh?

So, would you rather pay the farmer, or the doctor? I’d rather pay the farmer!

Eating healthy may not be as glamorous as laying in a hospital with an IV in your arm (not!), but I’ve got way to much to do than to lay around feeling sick and yucky. Nor do I want to go to any doctor office or hospital. Those can be pretty scary places!

I don’t know about you, but I want to fully LIVE! I want to feel GREAT, vibrant, vital, with lots of energy!

I feel my best when I eat mostly organic whole local produce, nuts and seeds. I do not need dairy. I do not need grains. I do not need animal products every day (actually I only consume one serving of chicken or fish ever other day currently). It is possible to live on a raw vegetable and fruit juice diet, with some raw vegetable salads along with nuts and seeds, soups, or only juicing.

You will probably feel better on the kinds of foods I recommend than you’ve ever felt in your life!

What follows is the diet I’ve been following for several months:

One glass of lemon water or lemon Kombucha upon awakening in the morning

One protein drink (mixed with water)

One or two small fresh veggie salads, the size of which varies – depending upon if it’s an “eating day” or a “non-eating day”

Salad snacks consist mainly of:

  • Cucumbers – chopped
  • Celery – chopped
  • Sweet peppers – chopped
  • Onion – chopped
  • Raw garlic – sliced
  • Zucchini or Squash – chopped
  • Avocado
  • Mustard or soy-free Veganaise
  • Hot sauce

Raw almonds can be used as a snack also.

Berries are the best fruit snack as they are the least sweet, then mango, pineapple or half a banana can be eaten occasionally

Another protein drink (mixed with water)

1 or 2 green juices are best, daily.

Every other day, eat one serving of baked, broiled, or grilled fish or chicken and a salad or green vegetables.

Coconut oil can be taken for nutritional needs as desired.

If hungry before bed, make another protein drink (mixed with water) – typically done on the nights that I do not eat a dinner meal.

This diet eliminates sugar, grains, soy, bad salts, bad oils, and dairy.

In my experience, this is a healthy diet and one that has been promoted by doctors I have conferred with.

Here’s a video that explains a bit more about why I am doing an intermittent fasting type of diet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkZAwKoCP8

If you don’t think you can go without food for a whole entire day, you might like this alternative:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHQbg4xH9lw

DISCLAIMER: This information is freely shared for educational purposes only. Site author / owner cannot assume responsibility for how this information is applied – as each person is unique, with their own dietary needs / restrictions. Please consult with your own licensed health and wellness practitioner before beginning a new diet or big lifestyle change.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections

Be Open To Receive – a follow up

This blog post is going to attempt to catch the many times that I myself need to “be open to receive.”

I believe teachers, okay, everyone really, should practice what they preach. So here I am, practicing what I preach (read my book chapter, Be Open to Receive for context).

Talking with someone near and dear, he mentions a certain “theory” that has recently been trending on Google. I poo-poo it. Ta-da! What happens? I am doing research on a seemingly unrelated topic for an Examiner article that I’m writing and POOF! The same theory shows up! I begin to feel perplexed. I take a shower and I realize that I must “be open to receive” and at least, research it.

Another day, one of the subjects of my book chapter and I go to lunch. For me, just the very act of going to lunch was “being open.” In fact, due to both of our schedules, the lunch was rescheduled many times!

So, of course, as I imagined would be the case, this person presented me with new insights on several topics. I made notes on my iPhone for further investigation. Later, she presented me with some additional information though, and my first response? I asked, “Did I ask for this”? But just as quick, I realized what I was doing, so I followed with, “thank you, at some point in the future this might be some information I will need, though right now, it is not what I had in mind.”

I have been presented with a challenging opportunity. Okay, it did not present itself quite so elegantly packaged exactly. It came by way of a bit of struggle. Little bit of ranting and complaining occurred here at the old iMac.

In the struggle of attempting to meet the “rules” of a big blog site, I realized I could update this site (or at least open to the idea and explore this as a solution), hence, Take It Upon Yourself gets a shift. Oh JOY! Now, We Are All Connected is born. The page that all of my posts about Limitless Creator, God, Spirit, Energy, and so forth, will be linked. Let’s see if we can have some fun with this!

Isn’t life fascinating? Brilliant? Heart-opening?

I am finding it challenging at times to “be open to receive.” The Universe is showing me that I still say no often, judge, and close doors that I don’t think I need to walk through.

When you let your ego take a back seat to what’s out THERE, all around you, YOU will be amazed how God, Creator, Universe will speak to you.

I nearly feel that every time I open my mouth to judge something, a moment later I might have to eat my words! I write quite a bit about self help issues, no doubt because I need to help myself! So, it should come as no surprise that I’m always in analytical mode. Constantly weighing pros and cons, always finding that change is the only constant in life.

I hope my sharing these struggles and triumphs might help you too.

I over-think, I contemplate, then I allow the Universe to show me.   When I’m wrong, I admit it. I am humble. I am living in my head a lot. But I write. Writing is my voice. I am transparent. When you read my words, you see my soul. I hope it helps you. I always want you to Take It Upon Yourself though. Strengthen the fabric that connects us all. Challenge me. Improve us all.

To be continued…

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Holism, Mind-Body

Be as the blade of grass, grow through the dirt.

I’ve heard it said, “you’re either growing or dying” and that, “the universe is either expanding or shrinking.” If that is true, then it seems to acknowledge that everything in life, all there is around us, is dynamic – nothing is static.

In a previous post, I wrote that, “We grow as blades of grass, up through the earth.” And that “dirt, or earth, is analogous to all of the resistance we encounter.” Perhaps resistance is “sin”?

These thoughts were instigated years ago, when a coworker encouraged me with the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted.” Oh how right she was!

At that time, I felt constant irritation from a superior when he would casually walk by my desk and tell me to smile–while I was working!

Being the studious and serious type, smiling while concentrating on work tasks was something I just didn’t do. The more he admonished me to smile, the more aggravated I became.

In passing, I must have mentioned my exasperation to my friend, when she lavished me with that golden nugget of truth–about the blooming. I even remember thinking of a response to her–“yes, no matter how much fertilizer is put upon you!” (but I didn’t tell her).

Day in and day out, I would notice people around me laughing, chatting, and cutting up during the day, but I wasn’t.

I am an empath. I am a highly sensitive person (HSP). I feel lots of things very strongly.

I have discovered that I become resentful when things aren’t fair or balanced.

While working in an office, I recall thinking, “we’re here to work” and “we’re here to earn our pay.”

Why was I always the one to feel so determined! I was always applying effort. The pitfalls of continually wanting to do my best, try hard, people-please, and succeed, yada, yada. But at what cost to my Self?

Realizing I was wallowing in resistance, I knew I had to climb out of it, or it would bury me. A seed pushes against dirt in order to grow, but I felt as though I was pushing against me, not growing, but receding! Plants, indeed everything in the living kingdom need the resistance in order to grow, and grow strong.

One day, I learned what hell meant.

Out in the garden we can hell for potatoes, as in “we’re sweating out here helling for potatoes.” Hell is just “the ground”, or “the dirt.” It never was meant to be some fearful place of oppression or torment.

So, my thoughts of “this is hell” was the only thing that kept me disturbed. And I lacked the knowledge, at the time, of how to climb up out of the grave (of the frustrating job) up the slippery walls of resistance and into freedom.

Eventually, as other factors contributed, I left the job.

Years later, during a time of fasting, those years of struggle came to mind, but with softness and thanksgiving, the resentment fading. Not only had I learned more about myself, but as a body builder strengthens muscles from lifting weights, I had grown emotional muscles! I was “blooming” from what I had perceived of previously as resistance!

I distinctly remembered the day I had begun saying to myself (about my boss), “Thank you for helping me to make a better decision”–whenever I’d felt picked on or taken advantage of (to do more work). I couldn’t change whether or not I was picked on, but I could have changed my reaction to it! And it had always been my choice–whether I was willing or able to know it then or not–as to how much work I was willing to take on.

All the feelings I’d felt were solely based on my perception and may not have been entirely accurate, as one can never really see things from ALL sides anyway.

Looking back, I saw where I had resisted quite a few things during that time, which is probably why I felt harried and stressed.

Oh, had I just learned to “go with the flow” sooner, I could have smiled and experienced joy.

I’ve learned, we didn’t come into this life for the struggle. Life will go on without us after we’re gone. Whether we leave a company, end a marriage, or die. Nothing’s static, everything changes.

Now? I’m learning to let go and breathe. Get more play into each day. My former superior might be happy to know that once in awhile, even if I’m troubleshooting something, I smile and “IN Joy” the action of whatever it is I’m attempting to do. I wish for you the same.

See ya on the flip-side, dynamic good buddy.

Life’s a thrill, hang on and enjoy the ride!

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body

12 easy ways to reduce stress!

The following list of helpful and easy ways to reduce stress, is ordered from activities that require the least physical effort, to the most. For the most part, this is a list you can reach for during your workday break times (as there are many more ways to reduce stress when you’re home).

Give one or more a try, especially if any are new to you! You may be surprised with the results!

My favorites are:

  1. Prayer
  2. Meditation / Mindfulness
  3. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT “Tapping”)
  4. Jin Shin Jyutsu
  5. Pranayama breathing
  6. Sniff some essential oil
  7. Gentle stretching
  8. Get up and walk around
  9. Swaying to music
  10. Mindful stair-climbing in conjunction with EFT / JSJ
  11. Yoga
  12. Pilates

For a bit more information on these, I like the following links:

Guided prayers

Or, my favorite prayer is simply, “Thank you“. If there is time, you can think of and add anything you’re grateful for. You just cannot be grateful and upset at the same time.

Meditation and yoga teacher Dr. Alison J. Kay offers weekly group telephone calls, online video-conferencing (Google Hangout), and private sessions where you can learn about meditation techniques. She teaches yoga classes too! Alison’s yoga classes are designed for specific issues / needs; i.e., yoga for triathletes, yoga for runners, yoga for hockey players, yoga for teenage girls, etc. Her group fitness classes include: yoga, mind-body, and core-strengthening. Check out my blog post about her here.

My wonderful Jin Shin Jyutsu teacher, Michelle Giambra offers classes at her studio in Sarasota, Florida and she has a Facebook page here.

Find someone who sells Young Living essential oils and buy Stress Away, a beautiful blend of Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Ocotea, and Lavender.

Gentle stretching might involve a few chair yoga moves, or just raising your hands and arms as high as you can and slowly lowering them out and down to your sides while breathing with purpose to slow down. Click here to find some chair yoga videos.

It’s amazing how just breaking your attention, even for a few moments, can ease stress and anxiety! Get up and walk around. A few minutes of walking around will help you to calm, breathe, look at other things, and change your focus. Yes, even just going to the restroom counts!

I like to sway to some original music when I come home after a work. Who wants elevator music? If I could do this at work, life really would be a breeze! To find some exciting new music, click here.

Mindful stair-climbing is something I’ve sort of invented for myself. Well at least I thought so, until I Googled it and found this. I do all sorts of meditation while climbing 8-10 flights of stairs, twice a day. I do it for exercise, and to relieve stress. It clears my head and I can return to work in less than 10 minutes – refreshed. I climb sideways, count backwards from 100, count by 3s, or 4s, etc. and sometimes I just focus on a mantra. It works for me!

Pilates has been the best new class I’ve embarked on in the past year. It’s given me increased range of motion, taught me to breathe more deeply into different areas of the body, and motivated me to eat less and better so I could lose weight (down 13 pounds so far!). Guess I’ll have to keep updating this page to tell you my progress, huh? If you’ve never tried it, check it out. I go to Blue Sage Pilates in Bradenton, Florida. If you live in the area, you may want to give Karol a call and schedule a session! If you can’t find a Pilates class near you, check this out — click here.

Ah, now doesn’t that feel better?

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body, Spirit

Fasting again… more insights and synchronicities

Hello friends and tribe,

As I have written previously, in the “We Are All Connected” article, “In my experience, if your heart is pointed in the direction of LOVE you emanate a vibration, sending ripples of unconditional love and compassion outward, which allow you to be a blessing to others. You will help yourself and lift others.”

I have also spoken about frequency, vibration, and energy as it pertains to the tone of our voice. As we communicate our words to each other, our tone sets off and gives to all, the intention of our hearts. Our tone actually communicates MORE than the words we are speaking! It may be one reason why some of us prefer to learn from hearing people speak, vs. reading, though I am certainly grateful that a good many of us read!

Now that my doggie is going deaf, I have noticed that he still responds to my voice and I think that is because my tone sends a vibration to him, that while he cannot hear the way he used to, he still knows the vibration of ME (and what I’m requesting of him).

Imagine throwing an object into water. You see the ripple effect from the pressure disturbance. In physics, one name for this effect, is the Huygen’s principle.

Huygen’s principle theorizes a “qualitative explanation of linear and spherical wave propagation” but does not answer the question of why waves are not circular (irregularities are maintained ) when an irregular shaped object is thrown into water.

What has that got to do with fasting, insights and synchronicities?

As you know, when you fast (abstain from solid food) the body uses the time it normally would to digest food to take care of a lot of other processes instead. For me, it always sharpens my mental abilities, opening me to new insights.

I am prone to using the time I would otherwise be thinking of what I want to eat, shopping (well, my husband does most of the shopping actually), preparing food, etc. to using the freed up time to read, exercise (even walking Beau more), watch YouTube videos, pray, clean, engage with others, think, and write.

Yes, while it’s my nature to analyze and over-think, this occurs on an even deeper level when I am fasting and though synchronicities abound, I am more aware of them.

So, I’ve looked back on some of my tweets (I love Twitter because I can note these deep thoughts in the moment) on days I’ve fasted (or when I’ve just came off a fast). In the moment, I’ve tagged these deep thoughts with #Love, #God, or #Peace. The particular thoughts that just seem to drop into my mind, are the ones I specifically tagged #God, or even ended with “- God” as if to sign them from God (as some church billboards have done).

Looking back on that, I see that Love, God, and Peace are all attributes of the energy and vibration that makes up All-That-Is, All One, the Ever-Living, Filling-ALL-Space, LIMITLESS Creator that vibrationally, connects us all.

  • You ARE only seeing PART of the picture – ever. God.
  • All tone of voice comes from the intention we are flowing, transmitting from our hearts. We literally pulse vibration outward!
  • See a pulsing, breathing yin yang symbol in your minds’ eye.
  • Most people have had God’s unconditional love, conditioned right out of them.
  • We are each a leaf on God’s tree (Gaia), each with our own unique perspective.
  • Displaying confidence is really just YOU, your real unlimited self!
  • Because I am a “being“, I am always worthy, because I am always . Always on my way. Always accepting.
  • When you with the ones you think the of, the world is yours!
  • When what you believe in hurts other people rather than helps, it’s not about , it’s about you.
  • When my tasks are aligned with my , I am going with the flow and feel great! When I am tired after work, I was in resistance.
  • If you can your enemies, man everything else comes !
  • There is nothing static in this world. Everything , revolves, shrinks, or grows. That’s life!
  • It’s simple really. Instead of “God made us in God’s image”, we see and make God to be like us, in our image. (Which is what causes the most problems.) God is Energy, in All. 
  • Why were we made in God’s image? To reflect God in all we be, do, and have!
  • Be as water, flow on and all. Seek your own level (balance). Water is not good or bad, water just IS.
  • Imagine God is the water in our bodies. About 70% of the body is water.
  • WE are to God upon each other, as water reflects the sky.
  • Whenever I bad, sad, mad, etc. it is always because my perspective differs from God’s POV which, is ALL WAYS

If your in a quandary about something, the best you can do in the moment may be to stop and do nothing (but keep breathing). Then, as you begin to start again, say yes only to the things that come your way that feel lighter (vs. heavier) feeling for the guiding bodily sensations before making a particular choice. Many call that listening to their “gut feeling.” I call these familiar sensations, my “God bumps”, and they are my validation that I’m heading the right way – and perhaps also confirming, so are you.

My way, may not be, your way. Many paths – one destination.

Don’t ignore your inner guidance – it exists for a reason.cropped-cropped-takeituponyourself-small-logo2.jpgIf you want to experience greater vitality, health, and prosperity, choose thoughts that move you to FEEL good. That’s about as simple as it gets and even a child can understand.

Please check out my books, other blog titles here — thank you.

In the name of our Limitless, Ever-Living, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Pulsating, Be-ing, Creator Source God who IS the Energy that holds the Universe together. Beyond what we can see. Beyond what we now know. Faith IS the substance of things not yet seen.

In ALL ways, BE a blessing.

Amen and Namaste. OM

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Expanding Consciousness

Limiting Beliefs

What are your “limiting beliefs”?

Limiting beliefs are thoughts you keep thinking, that probably sneak out in your speaking, that are your perceived limitations, and they limit you from moving forward in at least one area of life.

Limited perspective

After a year of working on my limiting beliefs – the ones I had already admitted to myself – I happened to hear myself say, “Nobody listens to me” while discussing something with a coworker. Aha! I’d just caught a limiting belief!

Nobody listens to me
Nobody listens to me

It’s something I say over and over again, and think even more! It IS a limiting belief and it’s not true! People do listen to me, even if they don’t – in the moment – express the hearing of my message, or acknowledge that what I’m saying may prompt them to action, or change.

I stopped right in the middle of the conversation and explained to my coworker that I had to jot down my “aha moment.”

BEing still

Meditation has helped me become aware of my thoughts. Listening to myself, I can barely have a conversation anymore without really hearing what I say! Am I communicating my highest intention?

Aha moments are vitally important. I am always learning (from my own words) and love these type of profound teachable moments, which add serenity to my life!

I am an empath, so I must always be observant of my thoughts to know whether I’m taking on someone else’s stuff, or whether indeed, my thoughts and feelings are my own.

Now I know that anytime I start to go down the thought path of “nobody listens to me”, I can change it to “everybody listens to me”, or “everybody hears me”.

I’ll try that and see how other things change in my life. Now that’s a limiting belief worth sharing.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body

How to climb the ladder, or get the job you really want!

Climbing the career ladder

My friends have asked me many times, “How did you get that job”? I’ve told them some of these things, but maybe not all, so I am beginning a list (I’ll update it) of all my ladder climbing tips.

Also, how can you “play by the rules“, if you don’t know what the rules are?

Like me, you may have read other articles on this topic that have offered “x number of ways to get the job you want” or some other similar titles.

Most already know we must:

  • Know about the job (understand what the new job may entail)
  • Prepare a winning keyword-friendly resume (to get it by the automatic resume robots)
  • Rehearse and visual yourself doing great at the interview (when you get one)

The interview:

  • Dress appropriately and professionally for the interview
  • Ask intelligent and open-ended questions (you also want to interview your potential new boss)
  • Do NOT ask personal questions
  • Do NOT ask about office politics, vacation accrual, or salary
  • If you have notes, or a laptop – open them up and be ready to refer to them or show samples of your work (if asked or if you feel stumped with a question)
  • Smile and show enthusiasm for the role (people hire people they like)

But I’m not going to talk about those old, and well worn topics because you should already know those (if not, google those to find out more).

Teamwork and Integrity matters
Teamwork and Integrity matters

Here are my tips:

  • Always be on time to work at your current job. If there is a valid reason, state it succinctly. No one wants to hear excuses.
  • If you are going to be late, call, text, and email your boss. Don’t rely on one method of communication to relay this very important information. If you know you are the type of person who is often late or out of office be sure to discuss this with your supervisor up front and determine how he / she would like to be notified.
  • Not showing up for work is a sign of disrespect and people will never respect you, if you display disrespect. I have worked with people who have been fired for not coming in to work.
  • Be on time for meetings. No manager wants to wait around for you to begin his / her meeting. It’s also disrespectful and disruptive to the group when you arrive late to a meeting, especially a weekly meeting, or one that has been pre-arranged and on your calendar.
  • Do critically acclaimed outstanding work at your current job. If you’re the only one at your position then you already know why this tip is key. Build a strong relationship with your boss, and their management (whenever possible). If you work on a team, read the next section about teamwork and why it matters.
  • Always be in learning mode – be the first to know as much as you can about the new software the company is rolling out.
  • Raise your hand – be first to volunteer for special projects, lead a new team, or take the project no one else wants. Many people do not want to speak up or raise their hand first, so if you do, your supervisor will LOVE it! Brownie points? Yes, absolutely! Why not? Don’t listen to any lazy or uncaring people if they tell you otherwise. They aren’t feeding / housing your family! There will come a day when your superior will give you a glowing recommendation or promotion, and that’s your goal (it’s why you’re reading this) right?
  • Always happily accept direction from your boss with a gleam in your eye! Believe it or not, many managers dislike having to “tell you what to do” so, when they come to you with a request, listen attentively, take notes if you need to, ask for clarification if needed, or prioritization if you’re already swamped, but always be eager for something else to do!
  • Work at an accurate reasonable speed – employers understand that you cannot work safely or with quality at break-neck speed, but when something has been designated a high priority you should definitely move with a sense of urgency to complete the task to your best ability.

Why teamwork matters

Back when I was in college, it really irritated me when one or more people on my project team would slack – not do their fair share of the project work. I’d step up and do more because of my super responsible nature so we could get a high grade. I learned early on the true value of teamwork and team-building.

At work when a team forms, I have experienced team dynamics that follow the “forming, storming, norming, and performing” model credited to Bruce Tuckman in 1965. You can visit wikipedia or buy books about it.

First, the boss may assign several disparate people a goal to complete a project. A team forms, but because you don’t know each other, you encounter a period of ice-breaking and posturing. You may not have a choice over who participates on the team.

The more the team comes together to get the project underway, the group will storm – meaning some people will want to lead, cause conflict, be negative, point out potential issues, or demand respect that has yet to be earned. Arguments and miscommunication occur during the storming phase. Members will pick sides. One or more may decide it’s okay to slack. The boss may need to step back in during the storming phase. When they don’t, it can take the team much longer to get their “ducks in a row” (so to speak).

When the energy of the team evens out and any or all bickering subsides, the team will be in the normal phase and stuff will flow easier. The ebb and flow of cooperation will be experienced by all of the teammates. Communication will improve between all members. Team members may even become friends. The boss doesn’t have to step in much because he / she can direct one team member to effectively communicate the request to the team and trust the team will receive the information and act on it appropriately.

When the work is evenly distributed and stuff is getting done in a timely fashion, the team will be in the performing mode. You feel it when you’re in a good rhythm and mutual respect and admiration is occurring. It’s exciting! A performing team is unstoppable! Results will be achieved and the team will exude confidence and pride in their accomplishments.

Unfortunately, some people never quite get the whole teamwork attitude though. You’ll need to have a lot of patience as long as these folks remain on your team. It would benefit everyone on the team, and within the company as well, if they’d learn how much teamwork matters.

When team members support each other, they’ll often graciously provide references to individuals within the group when the time comes for one or more folks to move on to leadership roles within the organization, or to a position with another institution or company. A job reference is the ultimate professional compliment! You’ll need three references for your next job and recruiters only want recent references, not someone you did an outstanding job for five or more years ago.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body, Spirit

What a Feeling!

What a FEELING

I must say, today has been a ridiculously aWEsOMe day! I’ve just been published, a second time!

Celebrating the book

The book launched on Amazon.com with amazing success… by this evening, yes the end of the first full day – the book “The Energy of Receiving” reached #3 in the Self-Help category, AND #1 in the Self-Help, Spiritual category!!! I, along with my publisher, and the other 16 authors (18 total) who co-created this book are THRILLED!!!

I’m reading my copy of the book and posting a review on Amazon about it SOON!

What a FEELING!
What a FEELING!

Getting ready for the yoga festival

Also, my husband and I will be participating in the Awakening Into the Sun weekend festival in St. Petersburg March 7th and 8th 2015, and we’ll have a booth where I’ll be selling, and signing copies of the book. I will have 20 paperback copies for sale so, if you want a signed copy, come on out!

Glorious feelings!

As an empath, it will be interesting to see how much I feel during the event, and how many times I experience “God bumps”. I continue to note, when and where I feel God bumps, and it seems that it’s whenever I am talking about God, or spiritual (deep thought) topics, become familiar with someone’s pain (mental, emotional, or physical), or open a gateway (to unlimited possibility).

Update

The festival was an aWEsOMe success! We enjoyed meeting many new people, reconnecting with friends, watching and listening to new musicians, and sharing with other like-minded, like-spirited folk! I will be blogging about many of our friends in the upcoming weeks and months, so stay tuned! 🙂

On the eve of our 10th wedding anniversary, my husband and I really have a lot to be thankful for, and celebrate.

About the book

You can click below to check out my latest book and buy, if you’re so inclined (and thank you). My chapter is called, “Be Open To Receive”.

The book includes many lessons I’ve learned. Lessons to do with putting aside one’s judgments and making s-p-a-c-e to allow God, the Universe, the Law of Attraction, or whatever name you want to call the magical, mysterious LIMITLESS unseen power of Energy, to bring you all you’ve ever really needed, at just the right time.

Click to view the book, “The Energy of Receiving” by Happiness Publishing on Amazon.

You can also now visit my author page on Amazon –>> Click Here!

Press release

Check out the press release for the book –>> Click Here!

Much love to our family and friends. With heart-felt thanks, Thank You All.

We Are All Connected.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body, Spirit

Juicing, Paleo, No-Grain Diet, Mostly Vegetarian – Who needs labels?

Many diets. Who needs labels?

I am finally ready to reveal my new diet. I have been doing this for several months now and it’s working. It’s really working. I have lost weight effortlessly. Gained vitality. Renewed my body Temple. And increased the frequency with which, I feel connected to Source Creator God, and all of you. We Are All Connected.

We Are All One. Yes, yes, and yahoo… YES!

Many diets. Who needs labels?
Many diets. Who needs labels?

We are what we eat and absorb.

Here’s the deal about diet for life (lifestyle) change:

I drink raw vegetable juice — everyday. At least one 16 ounce raw veggie juice, often 32 ounces. Plus water. Monday through Friday–I only juice during the day. And if I don’t have time to juice for myself,

I buy juices from a raw vegan cafe; thank you Ionie’s Cafe! Ionie’s vacuum seal the juice in glass mason jars.

I pack my juice in a ThirtyOne bag (with ice) and enjoy at work. Then, for the evening meal… I eat a light meal or soup for dinner. That’s it.

If I feel the need to eat something, I will mix raw nuts and seeds, typically only a 1/2 cup or less and throw in my work bag. Mostly pumpkin and sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and brazil nuts. I eat a bit more on the weekends, but nothing outrageous.

The weekday light meal? Primarily, a can of Amy’s Organic soup, or a salad with grilled or broiled fish. Now and then, I will have some other vegetable like broccoli, sweet potato, or asparagus, but rarely white potatoes. On occasion, I will get a beef patty (no bun), or a steak, but I suspect I will only do that once every two or three months. I have basically lost my desire to eat meat. I like turkey once in awhile too, but we always look for the less processed, organic variety when we buy it.

I am not eating any processed sugar — unless you count wine. I had some sugar over the holidays because my daughter makes (and ships) chocolate truffles from New Hampshire and I love supporting her, so I had a few of those (one a day, every other day). Yes I am attempting to be transparent here. This also keeps me humble and on track. I do not desire to cheat because that’s only cheating my Temple.

UPDATE 1/1/2016: No more truffles and a lot less wine.

Let go of diet labels

I am learning that I am a cross between a raw vegan and a paleo or no-grain eater. I am not a 100% raw vegan because I do still consume eggs, honey, fish, seafood, and very little meat. But I put into daily practice much of what I learned from being a raw vegan back in 2009-2010. I love raw vegan nut cheese instead of dairy cheese. Whenever I eat dairy cheese I can always tell the difference. I’ve also learned that my body does not digest raw tomatoes very well.

As for spiritual growth

As for the spirituality aspects of clean eating… the other night a lady asked if I go to church. I answered a triumphant… No. But then I thought, why would I when I believe my body is the Temple. Yes, with a capital T. And I believe all of your bodies are Temples too. I believe in God-made, vs. Man-made. I will always. That is a core belief of mine. Hmmm. I just misspelled belief as belife. Isn’t that interesting? I corrected it but now I am thinking be-life is actually better!

Fasting

I am finding that by fasting during the daytime on weekdays, it has heightened my spiritual awareness, including also a physical awareness of how much people around me EAT. The over consumption in America is disheartening. It’s not wonder so many of us are overweight and miserable. I highly suspect our bodies were never meant to be in this shape, and yes, round is a shape.

Focus

I am focused on learning more about energy medicine. By changing my focus from food: what to eat, how to make it, when to buy it, etc. I definitely have more time available for reading, sharing, and learning about energy, frequency, brain waves, intuition, etc.

Feeling good

Case in point, this week I took my first Jin Shin Jyutsu class. I am amazed how how wonderful I feel! I feel good, really good.

I mean, I always feel pretty good. Can’t complain. But on occasion I’ve experienced vertigo (ever since working at the Space Center, which I felt may have had something to do with it). The vertigo would come and go. I felt that I had to be watchful when it came to doing any task that might set it off. Laying on a massage table for a massage, at times, could cause me to experience vertigo. Forget about head down yoga postures!

So, the other day after 30 minutes of Jin Shin Jyutsu – both of my ears “opened”! I was ecstatic! Now I can flip my head over to put a towel on my head after getting out of the shower! Yay! Yahoo!

About faith, timing, and living life more abundantly

The Bible is full of stories about how God created us in His image and wants us to live life and have it more abundantly. To me, those understandings mean that He provides for us, in all ways, for our health, and for our needs. I think we’re the ones that think that means He will always answer our prayers and give us what we desire, but I do not think so. I believe our needs are always, in ALL WAYS, provided.

Sometimes God withholds some things, and some answers, for a later time for us, when we are prepared to handle those things. This is why I believe God’s timing is always perfect. And blessed assurance tells me that is why, when the student is ready, the teacher arrives.

Have faith. You know, faith – which is the opposite of worry. Faith IS the substance of things not yet seen. That said, worry is actually a sin because God tells us to have faith. Exercise your faith by taking care of yourself. The Bible also instructs us how to eat and move our bodies, but how many of us follow those instructions? I think it pleases God when we learn about those and practice those habits. Pork is not the other white meat. Pigs are dirty animals that have no sweat glands. Quit dishing on PETA people and take an honest look at what they have to say. Or talk to a pig farmer. Watch a documentary. Just don’t eat pork. Make it easy. Those parasites in pork, yeah they live through the cooking process. And really, the more crap you eat, the harder it will be for you to feel good. I’d bet it also shortens your life. And if you believe suicide is a sin then dying a slow death by eating stupid silly non-beneficial foods is a sin too.

Now, I am not preaching all this stuff to make you feel guilty. Just quit complaining about what other people do and think about what you do. Study to show thyself approved and make one small change at a time until you feel good. I am not above anyone. I am human and I fail. But God has been showing me some things. So, I am sharing what I learn in an effort to help you feel good. Nothing more. Be healthy. Live well.

What’s not needed

Quit running to doctors and putting your faith into what amounts to be medical witchcraft (Yes look up the history, especially all of you who are so fast to point a finger at anyone who believes in another religion). Those big pharmaceutical companies you love so much are a cog in the wheel of the beast. They do NOTHING to cure anyone. They may prolong life but in what state? They do not cure. They ease suffering perhaps. They mask symptoms so you never DO anything to heal your Temple. In my estimation, they are the liars. They are the ones who are selling you false hope. I am tired of hearing people’s excuses why they need this or that drug from a chronic illness. Your lifestyle, mostly the food you’re eating, that’s what’s chronic. 

Go to the doctor if you break a bone, but for asthma, digestive issues, migraines, back aches, arthritis, inflammation, and more… seek alternative advice. I am not a doctor, nor do I prescribe any treatments or solutions. I am shaking you awake! Take It Upon Yourself to live your best, most vital life!

As for exercise, meditation, and Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu is an energy medicine art that I have decided to focus on this year. I am learning (thanks to reader comments and friends), that it’s best to meditate, then perform Jin Shin Jyutsu, then do my daily stair climbing. That makes sense to me. But I am always trying to maximize what little spare time I have. I work full-time. So, I do the stair climbing when I need a break at work. Thankfully I am able to take a 10-15 minute break twice a day, and my stair climbing has improved so much that I can climb 8 flights safely, and return, within that time. Much less actually.

Exercise works the body, and meditation dedicates the mind. I will learn transcendental meditation (TM) at some point.

The pulsing, or vibration that I feel when I practice Jin Shin Jyutsu is simply amazing! I feel God bumps when I talk about it! I need nothing outside of myself to validate anything for me.

I am connected to my breath, I am enjoying all the self-care I have learned about this past year. I am excited and hopeful about the future. All really is well.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body

Watch the Global Premiere of Origins the Movie

For your better health and for those you love – please watch this movie NOW. Then consider making at least one small shift in your daily routine to improve your health and ultimately the world.

Learn what it means to vote with your dollars.

From November 13th through November 22nd, watch the feature-length movie Origins for FREE from filmmaker Pedram Shojai. #OriginsFilm @Well_Org

via Watch the Global Premiere of Origins the Movie.

Also, don’t forget to check out my new book! My chapter is: “We Are All Connected” (Page 172) and takes up where my blog post of the same name leaves off. I am a newly published author (of a co-creative work) and it’s sooo exciting! Here’s the link:

https://www.amazon.com/Sheila-Murrey/e/B00TVAU25I

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.