Introducing a DE-Program course I developed in 2020 and am offering again now, Integrating the Spirals™. If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, wherever you are in the world.
Gather your materials
Before we begin the DE-Program Integrating the Spirals we want to gather our materials together. Find a tote, bin, box, or table where you can put all of the previous self-help things you’ve bought in the past. Put them in this place. And on your computer, create a new folder for these things, or multiple folders within one larger folder. For a list, refer to the previous post about Prerequisites.
Join me next Sunday 6/11/2023: Integrating the Spirals session
Our first Integrating the Spirals Zoom call will be next Sunday from 1pm to 3pm Eastern time zone (New York USA time). If you want to join, let me know. I am offering these calls for free and if anyone wants to tip that will graciously be accepted via: PayPal.Me/SheilaMurrey but no more than is comfortable for you, recognizing we are all in a different place financially. I’ll send you the Zoom call info when you register by sending your email to me at: sheila(dot)murrey(at)gmail(dot)com – I think you know how to replace the (dot) with a period and (at) with the @ sign to make that work, right? I don’t want spammers sending me email.
Our focus for the first session
Begin moving out of fear and struggle
Easing out of need to Control the actions of others
Honoring our selves (what we really want) and looking at what we bought gives us clues into this
Honoring our ancestors (lineage, homeland)
Listen to ourselves (to find understanding, self compassion, and healing)
Connecting
Working the Integrating the Spirals™ DE-Program Session 1 will be all about how to get started integrating what you’ve already bought, and connecting with our ancestors (and what do if you don’t know who your ancestors are).
Integrating the Spirals: Fibonacci sequence of a shell
It’s a big topic, and why we need two hours. But don’t worry, We’ll do three 40-minute calls to keep Zoom happy and to have nature/restroom breaks. Depending upon how many want to join, I may buy Zoom again (I used to have it but class sizes dwindled), thus they hold me to 40 minutes. Usually people start to get tired after 40-minutes anyway. Again, we’ll see how this goes.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.
About us
My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs at: http://listen4music.com
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture/chiropractor office, natural health foods store, art fair, music, or yoga festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses.
I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving” available on Amazon.
For more on the DE-Program course I developed in 2020 and am offering again now, Integrating the Spirals, follow us on TikTok “Spiral Sister” and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeonyour
Introducing a DE-Program course I developed in 2020 and am offering again now, Integrating the Spirals™. If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, wherever you are in the world.
Make a list of anything you want to work on: incorporating more movement into each day, following through on your To Do lists, getting out of overwhelm, stop procrastinating, break habits, set goals, write a book, organize your closet, move, downsize, live off-grid, rid yourself of anxious thoughts, sleep better, feel less lonely, and so on.
Pull all of your previously purchased books, programs, current recurring subscriptions, and favorite authors (list them), favorite speakers (spiritual/motivational/philosophical)
Make a commitment to this process and set everything else aside (put current courses on hold if at all possible). We will be working on prioritizing our projects and commitments in this DE-Program so a clean slate is advised (at least for the first two weeks)
Our goals
Move out of fear and struggle
Ease angst and the need to Control the actions of others
Honoring our selves (what we really want)
Honoring our ancestors (lineage, homeland)
Listen to ourselves (to find understanding, self compassion, and healing)
Listen to others intently with presence to learn how you can serve them
Drop self criticism and blame (and offer that gift to others as they are open to receive)
Organize our own thoughts and priorities to sleep better at night and accomplish more each day
Release overwhelm and unworthiness
Bloom where we are planted or move to where we are celebrated (Be the Change)
Nurture yourself and Nature (Plant a tree or something, walk barefoot)
Ease apathy
Live in Gratitude
About the Integrating the Spirals meetings
Let’s do these Integrating the Spirals Zoom calls on Sundays from 1pm to 3pm Eastern time zone (New York USA time) and see how it goes. If you want to join, let me know. I am offering these calls for free and if anyone wants to tip that will graciously be accepted via: PayPal.Me/SheilaMurrey but no more than is comfortable for you, recognizing we are all in a different place financially.
Connecting
Working the Integrating the Spiral DE-Program, lifts us out of negative self-talk, breaks us of some of the triggers that get us riled up, brings in more calm and ease, and connects us with others of like-mind.
Connecting with our ancestors, will improve the relationships that we have because we’re gonna get a lot more peace and understanding and gratitude in us for our ancestors. We wouldn’t be here without them. This will also help you feel totally supported. You’re never alone because your ancestors are always there always in your blood. So in a sense, they’re always around you even if you don’t or can’t or won’t see them spiritually yet.
The universe always has your back because you live in it. You’re part of it. You’re a layer of the onion within the onion.
Omniscience God, God Omniscience
You’re a fractal of Omniscience because you’re always a part of something bigger. You are not separate from it. Your Connectedness to yourself and All-There-Is Omniscience is Holism. We use the directions. We use the elements. We will use what we have and learn how to integrate it INTO our daily lives.
This isn’t a course it’s going to try to sell you other stuff.
You’re going to walk away with epiphanies each time. One recent attendee said, “this course opened something inside of me.”
This DE-Program course is a combination of counseling, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), body movement, breathwork, meditation, and process management. One could say it’s a holistic, 360 degree full circle time management course. Or a holistic organizational behavior course. One could call it different things because it is more about opening you to YOU than other programs that, well, PROGRAM you!
Integrating the Spirals: Integrating Nature
Imagine this:
You are a seed planted in the dark earth. Little by little things around you begin to inform you. Everything you hear, smell, taste, touch, and see. Yes, as a seed you have physical senses!
You grow and expand day by day until you eventually burst up and out through the dirt into the light!
Every time you got fertilized (shit on), it served you. Every one of these things stimulated your becoming, your growth. These triggers could have pissed you off or make you mad. And without understanding the cause of those events, you grew up but without a clue as to how or why. You only knew you did. And that you exist.
You knew up was warm and bright. You knew down was dark and cold. You knew nothing else. But still you grew.
You are still growing as you read this, and here’s the key. We all are still growing. And everyone grows at differing rates of speed.
Did you appreciate the dirt? In the winter the seed experiences the opposite. Up is cold and bright. Down is dark and warm!
Can you take a 360 degree view of your life NOW from that perspective and allow your observations to expand your consciousness a bit?
That’s what this course does. It opens you for expansion. Are you ready?
We Are ALL Connected and the decisions of others can and do tug, push, or pull us to the degree we ALLOW. I still believe in personal responsibility because if I influence someone to higher or lower frequency level—I am culpable. Each of us are a layer within the onion, not the whole onion. We are a fractal of Omniscience–and Omniscience knows ALL.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey (p.s. We’re on TikTok! Search for Spiral Sister)
Have you heard our new smash hit? Let me know what you think in the comments.
In The Mirror, original song by Richard Murrey
Spiral thought: My 4th book is out now, on Amazon. It’s available in paperback and Kindle ebook. It’s on Kindle Unlimited (free to read if you’re a member):
Paperback book cover for Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally–click the cover to go directly to the book on Amazon.
Integrating the Spirals to release anxious thoughts and angst
My online Zoom video course, Integrating the Spirals is helpful now more than ever because I think we could all use more peace and calm in our daily lives.
I’m not a salesperson nor do I believe in stuffing things down anyone’s throat. YOU can let me know if you’re interested in the Integrating the Spirals course. It’s ALL YOUR choice. Wink! HUGS!
As an empath I strive to ease suffering and raise hope. I want to uplift others by practicing what I have learned, till the inner soil with breath—many times, every day—to instill peace and calm. Ahhh…
Be the best version of who you want to be–because if you’re reading my words your soul is probably beckoning you to align with it and live up to your highest ideals. Not perfect because who is perfect? Most stagnate or ‘get stuck’ while on their way to being whatever they think perfection is. Making progress is enough. Carrying your Karma lightly is enough. Be kind to yourself while living responsibly. Who you ARE affects us ALL. We Are All Connected.
Omniscience knows ALL. Omniscience is always with you. You are never alone.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.
About us
My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs at: http://listen4music.com
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture/chiropractor office, natural health foods store, art fair, music, or yoga festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses.
I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving” available on Amazon.
For more on the DE-Program course I developed in 2020 and am offering again now, Integrating the Spirals, follow us on TikTok “Spiral Sister” and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeonyour
What’s confusing about tracing one’s lineage and roots is that first, there are differing dates of birth and death, then there are tons of misspelled names (some we know may have wanted to spell their names differently), and then some family members named their children after older family members or cousins! It’s a tangled web we weave!
I’m still sorting this out and exploring various websites to determine correct names, spelling, dates, and locations. But here is a glimpse into what I started with.
The following is from my mom’s side of the family:
Oldest comment I found lists James Cole (Coale) b.1600 highgate london d.16
And shows he was not married to the Lobel woman but Mary Tibbes daughter of John Tibbes and Margaret Harris.
If you share an ancestor, reach out to me and we can compare notes. Comment below, or reach out to me via Facebook, Instagram, or email me at: sheila(dot)murrey(at)gmail.com
Sgt. Hugh Cole relationship to me through my dad’s side of the family.
The thing that’s seemed odd to me was that I started researching my mother’s side of the family and found that not only did her lineage trace back to James Cole but so did my father’s ancestry! Albeit through different people. Have many people had this experience when they trace their roots?
This is how I am related to James Cole of Plymouth Colony
I can imagine what I’ll learn as I dig into my ancestry now that I am a confirmed member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
I honor ALL of my ancestors everyday. As it is because of them that I am here, enjoying this amazing journey called, LIFE!
I invite you to learn more about my specific mission to deliver wellness solutions to improve the overall well-being of my family, friends, and clients by clicking on the menu links at the top of this page.
It’s not an official yoga asana (posture), but Gratitude is a part of each posture I perform when I do my Integrated Spiral™ Gratitude F-L-O-W (a combination of movements based on Qigong, Yoga, and Energy Medicine). As well, I am always grateful I can get into and hold the poses of the day in whatever manner I can.
My daily practice reminds me, that whether I’m on or off the mat, I intend to keep my awareness on Gratitude. And actually breathe and live IN Gratitude. Always. In ALL ways.
I’m always grateful for my breath, especially after naturally releasing asthma in 2005 and being able to kick 5 prescription medicines to the curb forever! (Details in my book, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life!)
I also often consider how grateful I am that my mind and body work in unison. And that my mind is improving with age (though my mom, aunt, and grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease), because I love a challenge (and gleefully learn)!
I care for my heart and other organs by consciously directing healing thoughts to them many times throughout the day. I am a conscious creator! ❤️🦋🌀〰️
Everything Resolves to Gratitude.
I believe we are each enveloped by Omniscience, divine Love. And we can embrace the wisdom of ALL the masters (I have learned from several now who have passed and continue with several like Dr. Joe Dispenza, Bruce Lipton, Gregg Braden, Nick Polizzi, plus the indispensable, Neale Donald Walsch), who are always near. Plus, my ancestors and relatives in the Grand Beyond and my Third Eye, who guide and support me psychically and spiritually every moment of my life. 💙🦋🌀〰️
Natural forces and Mother Gaia sustain my life and the lives of everyone. The least I can do is care for the Earth and be a good steward.
In particular, I am grateful for my continuing yoga practice with the teachings of Cheryl Chaffee. Connect with here: www.bodymindheartyoga.com
Cheryl’s an amazing, energetic and intuitive yoga master I had the pleasure of working with on Cindy Bartz’s yoga cruise (pre-lockdowns—January 2020).
I am filled with limitless GRATITUDE!
If you ever feel that you’ve messed up, it’s okay. Because in the end, Everything Resolves to Gratitude. Yes, it really does. ❤️😉
Namaste. OM
A bit about me, your Spiral Sister
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.
It’s wild though because death and public speaking are supposed to be the two main, or top fears of people.
What’s important to say is, before, or as I take my last breath on this earth, I will be thinking of my family.
I woke up in the middle of the night tonight thinking how amazing it was that I got to fly in a jet airliner twice in 2019, to England, Ireland, and Scotland! The sheer magnitude of it! Of traveling that way!
And how my ancestors from “across the pond” (England, Ireland, Denmark, and Germany), had to deal with months on a ship and high seas to reach America—a far away land they could only dream of before they came here.
I go back in my mind—to my travels abroad of 2019–and give deepest thanks for every moment!
I whisper “I love you” to my ancestors, most of whom I never knew in this life.
And then, I whisper, “I love you” and blow air kisses to my daughter, son, and granddaughters!
I touch my husband (sleeping beside me) and feel incredible gratitude for his love and our years together. Especially since there was a person, unbeknownst to me at the time, who attempted to keep us apart.
Spiral thought: A recurring theme in my life, people jacking me around, trying to keep me from getting a job, or such. And without my knowing, sometimes for YEARS! Suffice to say, I hold no grudges, nor do I wish any ill on those certain individuals. And yes, I know who they are, though I sincerely doubt I will ever know their intentions or reasons for their behavior.
In the grand scheme of things, I have been shown that “Everything happens for a reason.” And more importantly, “Everything Resolves to Gratitude.”
I breathe easy and sleep well. I know the love of family, forward and back.
I know, “Love truly does conquer ALL.“
And I know, in multitudinous ways, “We Are Not Alone.” We Are ALL Connected.
❤️🦋🌀〰️🔥🙏☯️
Learn more about my Integrated Spiral program here, where we connect spiritual types more fully with their bodies and connect body conscious types with Spirituality.
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.
Until recently, I didn’t know a whole lot about the Solstices.
Previously published on The Wellness Universe, December 20, 2019
Except that many years ago, I had been told by a particular religious group that the Christmas holiday was celebrated at about the same time that Pagans celebrated the Winter Solstice. I knew that astronomically-speaking, the Winter Solstice was the shortest day, (a day with the least daylight), that we experience during a year. So if this is your first dive into the topic, you’re not alone.
When is the Winter Solstice?
In the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs from about December 18th to the 25th; depending upon the year. Most people acknowledge the Winter Solstice only on December 21st or December 22nd. At the prehistoric sacred site of Newgrange in Ireland, the sunrise Winter Solstice will be observed and celebrated between the dates of December 18th to the 23rd, 2019.
Since many people from around the world revere the Winter Solstice as a deeply spiritual time, that reason alone makes it an interesting topic to understand. We all know how fractional religious matters can be. Yet, Spirit seeks to unify the fragmented parts of the whole.
Different Views
Some think the Winter Solstice is a time of connection, quiet reflection, and profound joy. Others experience this time as busy, complicated, or even chaotic; and not just around planning celebrations or such. Sensitive or intuitive persons actually dream a lot or experience spiritual downloads of information!
Naturally, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season may make it difficult to find time for ourselves, but we can use the Winter Solstice as a way to excuse ourselves from some of the drama and overwhelm and take a pause. Yes, take some time and sit for awhile to reflect on your hopes, wishes and desires for the future.
It might also be a good time to contemplate about how your year went, and maybe set new intentions and realign your priorities.
Eastern beliefs offer an explanation of how the Solstices affect us. Not only symbolically, but in a very real sense; yin energy is the darkness before the Winter Solstice and then at sunrise, the dark opens to the lightness of the yang energy.
By seeking to first understand, we may actually give ourselves more space to live and let live, let go of the past and give ourselves a break from feeling the need to control.
Curiosity, Like Love, is Eternal
Like the spirals engraved on the neolithic and monolithic rocks at sites like, Knowth and Newgrange in Ireland and Stonehenge in England, humans have sought to leave their mark on the planet.
I listed Knowth first because some believe it to be the oldest of the astronomically-oriented structures built. Unfortunately, the caretakers of the Knowth site do not allow entrance into its chamber.
Exterior of the large mound at Knowth
Thankfully, near Knowth you can visit the larger site of Newgrange and go inside its tomb. However, to enter the burial chamber during the Winter Solstice sunrise, you must fill out a lottery application and be chosen to gain entry. The lucky few who win the opportunity to go inside the tomb at sunrise, get to see the rays of sunlight fill the chamber via a lightbox cut-out of the stones above the passageway entry. Those inside the chamber during sunrise will watch as sunlight fills the entire chamber, (weather permitting), for 17 precious minutes. Yes, it’s a very big deal and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Entrance to the Newgrange neolithic chamber
Interestingly, Stonehenge may be the world’s most famous prehistoric monument and sacred site to host the Summer and Winter Solstices that is aligned to the Winter Solstice sunset; while Newgrange only aligns to the Winter Solstice sunrise. I find this dichotomy intriguing.
The opportunity exists for all of us to visit these sacred sites and stir our inner curiosity about who and why all of the etchings were made on these gigantic stones. And we can be grateful that we are alive during this time in history when it is possible to visit these sacred sites.
I have been forever changed by visiting the West Kennet Long Barrow, (an Avebury site), Knowth, Newgrange and Stonehenge. Where allowed, I stood, walked, sat near and touched, many of these incredible stones; marveling their presence.
Last July, while meditating at Stonehenge inside the stone circle, I came to know of our “rightness to BE,” in the world. The experience quickly put me into a meditative state; when I am home, it takes me many minutes to reach that state of meditation. At Stonehenge, I became aware of why certain sites are sacred, and why, if we have the opportunity, we should protect them.
As I take the next long and luscious deep breath, I reach for the grace to continue to live and travel to these highly energetic places for many years to come. I want to take my granddaughters to these sites when they are of age.
Marking the Time
Nature shows us the effects of time. The inner rings on the trees mark the passing of years. Very few things last forever and no one agrees on the age of the neolithic structures that still stand on the earth.
Astronomically-speaking, the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. This is why it makes sense that as we head into the dark time of year, with shorter days, we allow ourselves the luxury of some time to journey within.
The Winter Solstice is observed by various cultures; not only Pagans and Druids. Eastern and Western cultures give meaning to the Solstice, because it marks the transition from darkness to light, or cold to warm.
In Japan, the Winter Solstice is a celebration of all things pertaining to the fruit Yuzu; that typically includes taking hot bath soaks filled with different tart citrus fruits. This event ushers in an important change in season. Cleansing rituals like celebrating the Solstice are honoring, both to us and our ancestors, before the earth makes another journey around our golden and life-giving sun.
Balance and Synchronicity
For me, this will be the first holiday I’ve experienced without my dad and third without my mom; at least in the physical sense, and I am an only child. Perhaps that is why the Universe has gifted me with so much recently; I’m thrilled, no matter the why or how!
I am simply grateful that through the use of all the holistic tools I have put into my proverbial “wellness toolbox,” I finally feel centered and balanced; even when emotionally triggered. Yay!
As an aside, one of my blog articles, “Why Am I So Emotional-Tips for Grief” was scheduled to be published on January 6th, 2020; that is my parent’s wedding anniversary! When I read the email from the Wellness Universe with that publishing date, I immediately sensed it was because my mom and dad are still with me in spirit. Truly, you can’t make this stuff up!
Yes, I see the synchronicity more clearly and feel this statement that was given to me spiritually or psychically years ago, even stronger now; “We Are ALL Connected.”
I write this as an aside, and that it’s a big reason why I am personally going to spend dedicated and focused time before and during the Winter Solstice to unpack my thoughts and set a new course for adventure!
I hope this article has been interesting and informative and that sometime soon you can experience the joy that awaits for you on the Winter Solstice in whatever way you observe this time marker.
I won a place for myself and a guest, (out of 30,861 lottery applications drawn by children from three different schools), to go inside the Newgrange burial chamber for the Winter Solstice sunrise on Dec. 18th, 2019 in Ireland and we are going! Stay tuned for the next post to read all about what mysteries it unlocks for me.
Thank you. Amen. Awomen. Namaste. OM
❤️🦋🌀
A bit about me, your Spiral Sister
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.
I AM my ancestors (who continue to live in my DNA and blood), and Everything I’ve experienced up to this point since the moment of my physical birth–and perhaps from Beyond it too!
Who Am I?
My physical body consists of “star stuff”: dirt and water, the elements of the earth and stars. I breathe, because our Creator Source once breathed a soul essence into a human being. No human has ever created another living breathing life from nothing. We make babies from a male and a female human BE-ing. Our breath originated somewhere. WE human BE-ings can only share breath. Our essence came from some ONE. That is logic.
Let me present some definitions to you, as you may need some context around this article before you can really “get it.”
Ancestors – anyone who shares my DNA and/or blood. I see this as a line, past, present, and future. What I experience today (in the Now), ah yes, is driven, or built upon, the foundation that all my previous living relations have experienced. This line allows me to affect change in the lives of those I am currently related to, as well as who will come down in the future–my legacy).
Blood – the viscous liquid coursing through my veins. It is a well established fact, and proven by my mother, that when a mother and father’s blood is incompatible a baby cannot naturally come forth from them. Yes, of course today it is known that with medical intervention a baby can be saved–but at times, there are still complications from the blood mismatch).
DNA – The biological, scientific explanation of the genetic carrier of information (deoxyribonucleic acid) that exists inside of each of us–not seen by the naked eye–which allows each of us to self-replicate. This substance is claimed to exist in “nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes.”
Aware / Awake person – One who has an open mind to acknowledge that there’s a lot more information around us than what our established five senses interprets on a daily basis.
Everything – All of one’s vibrations, energy, thoughts, ways of interpreting, and actions.
Why does it matter?
If I know who I am, then it gives me many clues as to why I’m here, and my purpose for living. Also, I feel it matters to my family, both past, present, and future.
Why now?
To ease feelings associated with loneliness and loss, both for myself and others. And my hope is that the more we research and discuss our Connections, the better we can use our experiences to heal ourselves, and loved ones.
Background
I’ve been interested in my genealogy for many years, and in particular my Native American roots since I love and am drawn to so many things said, and made by Native Americans. However, after my mom passed away (transitioned to the other side), I began experiencing stupefying co-incidences. Actually, I began experiencing incredible synchronicities even before, mama crossed over. And as an “aware” person, I began noting these occurrences and writing them down.
Before my mom passed, but after dad had called me to tell me she wasn’t doing so well, I had decided that I needed to find a piece of jewelry mom had given me years ago. In looking for the item though, I didn’t find it. Instead, I found a beautiful old watch of hers and a pocket watch, which I think had belonged to my grandfather (though I’m not sure).
It’s time
I placed both items on our coffee table and felt better having these pieces near me. Call it a vibration thing, I don’t know. But I felt a bit better.
It was only a day or two until I got the call from dad that mom was unresponsive. My mind still wasn’t sure that meant she had passed though, so I’d reached out to my nurse friend to ask. I had kept busy for several hours that morning, pacing, and waiting on a confirmation from dad. I knew I wanted to get to where they were and be with dad–it was a “pull” that I’d not quite felt before. While preparing for the multi-state drive, at some point the thought came to me, “It was my time.” And bingo. That’s when it hit me. The synchronicity of the items I’d found was mom’s spirit telling me that it was her time to go, and for me to be okay with it–since she’d confirmed it by having me find not just one, but two, TIME PIECES!
She used to tell me as a teen that I was thick headed. So, I laughed out loud because I knew this was her way of reminding me of that also! That if I didn’t “get it” from finding her watch, then she’d make SURE that I understood that it was her time by having me find that second time piece! Aha! Mom was with me. I had even told someone a week or so prior that mom’s dementia sort of had her “one foot in this world, and one in the other.”
Going home
When my husband and I arrived in West Virginia, my dad was outside of the local hotel to greet us! No time was wasted! And as the Universe would have it, as we walked into the lobby of the hotel and conference center, a lone man was sitting there softly playing his guitar and singing. The song? One of mom and dad’s favorites, “Unchained Melody.” There was also, at this same time, a taxidermist convention going on–and my paternal grandfather was a taxidermist! It caused me to ponder, is mama (in the Great Beyond) hanging out with my grandparents? What a comforting and cool thought.
We spent several days with dad, but then it was time to go home. Before we could get out of the state however, my uncle would not take no for an answer that we needed to come to his home because he had something of mom’s for me. My aunt even got on the phone to tell me there was a mink coat amongst the things mom had put in their cedar closet. I couldn’t imagine my mother having a mink coat, so yes, the curiosity got the best of me and I did one of the purely selfish things I’ve ever done. I decided we’d drive a 3 to 4 hours out of our way, and go see my aunt and uncle and pick up whatever mom had packed away. My uncle also surprised us by calling my cousins and had them come to the house to visit us–something I’d never imagined would happen, but oh, how joyous that reunion was!
Finding mom’s wedding suit, and many special coats that I remembered mom wearing, along with other clothing she’d put aside, was all so very comforting for me. And as I spent weeks looking at old photos and seeing mama wearing these clothes, totally made me feel as though she was guiding my efforts. I poured through many photos in order to put together mom’s eulogy and photo slideshow.
Afterward
In the weeks that followed, we would all discuss what kind of service to have for mom. My dad, so overcome with grief, would call me almost daily, and often I could hear the shakiness of his voice on the other end of the line. I tried my best to reassure him that he had more to live for, a purpose yet to fulfill.
Eventually, we’d agreed to honor my mama by having my uncle, mom’s brother, facilitate a memorial service for mom. I wasn’t going to go, but when I learned that my dad’s sister (who lives in California) would be there for her reunion during the same week, and wanted to also attend mom’s service, I began looking for a flight up. Initially, the airline I normally use, didn’t have any direct flights in. I tried to console myself that I’d just have to miss the service. But, out of the blue, the thought came to check ALL airlines, and I was able then, quite easily actually, to book a flight up with one airline into one city, and the return flight home with another airline out of a neighboring state–in the same town as one of my cousins also, whom I’d always wanted to visit with at her home!
More synchroncities
As if, the audacity of the synchronicity of finding two of mom’s time pieces wasn’t enough, don’t you know that when I got to West Virginia for mom’s memorial service, my dad presented me with another time piece of mom’s, her favorite, “footprints in the sand” wrist watch!
Also, what really knocked my socks off, was that as soon as dad and I arrived at my uncle and aunt’s home for the service, I saw my uncle and he was wearing an indigo blue long sleeved dress shirt! If you haven’t read one of my previous posts called, “That Tiny Blue Dot” then you won’t understand the significance of this synchronicity, but the importance of it was not lost on me!
As well, the tables set up to be used for mom’s memorial service all had indigo blue plastic table cloths on them! I couldn’t have been more wrapped in love during that day, knowing mom was with me.
Nature chimes in
At one point during the service an eagle or hawk flew directly over head! And after the service, I learned that the beautiful blooming tree (that can be seen in the videos I took of the service) is a crepe myrtle, and more than that, it had been brought back by my grandparents after a trip they’d taken years ago to Florida! I’d never known them to take a vacation in their lives, especially not all the way to Florida! I was astounded!
After the service, dad and I checked into the hotel. Quite purposely I had booked us a room at the same hotel where my dad’s sister was staying so we could visit more with her.
As it turned out though, it seemed mom had a hand in this from the other side, as while dad and I walked into the hotel restaurant area, he is looking around and tells me that he hasn’t been there in years—since he had picked up mom and one of her friends when they had imbibed and didn’t want to drive home! I was stunned! I had heard mom say she used to sell Avon at one of the hotel restaurant lounges during a particular span of time (when I had moved away and was busy raising my kids), but I had never gone there with her, and all these years later the hotel’s name had changed. Turns out we were right where we needed to be, as the friend dad mentioned, joined us for a cocktail and a beautiful conversation later that evening after my aunt left to attend a reunion function.
The morning after we’d returned home, I had awoken with a song in my head. It was an old song. Gilbert O’Sullivan’s, “Alone Again” would play over and over in my mind, and with it came the feeling that mom was giving it to me, to help me cry and release the grief.
I continue to notice and enjoy the many synchronicites that mom’s provides me. Most recently, it was meeting an artist friend who paints using a lot of indigo blue, that she herself had not realized she was using!
Writing it down
Historically, the church I was raised in kept intricately detailed genealogical records. They are publicly known for this. Because of this, and since it was always the church’s practice to offer their members something called a patriarchal blessing, mom had learned that she was from the tribe of Manasseh.
I also know, but as of yet have been unable to prove, that my mother, and her mother, carried the blood of their Native American (Cherokee) relatives. Since the Native American lineage is traced via the mother, and recorded on tribal rolls, I’ve bought many books on the Cherokee tribes and have found my grandmother’s maiden last name, but not her mother’s maiden last name. So many of the tribal rolls don’t even show a first name, or only first initials, making proving my Indian heritage nearly impossible. Please reach out to me if you have any suggestions. My great grandmother’s name was Hannah McGill Calhoun of West Virginia and her mother’s name was Louisa McDonald McGill.
Since I’d give anything to find some handwritten family history by my ancestors, I began writing, and later, blogging, so my granddaughters will have something to be able to know and understand a bit about their grandmother–me.
The importance of learning and continued growth
You know, while writing my mother’s eulogy these words came to me, “I could burn a lot of people.”But I felt, based upon everything I’ve learned and accepted up to this point in my life, that it would be better to honor mom’s memory, life, and who she raised me to be, by choosing instead to elevate, and take the high road so to speak, because I am not angry anymore. I’m not.
For three weeks I poured through pictures of mom and my relatives. I cried. I got angry. But, I employed tools and tactics that I’ve learned over the last 10 years or so, to press on, release, and let go. By the end of the time I spent preparing my loving mother’s eulogy, I got to the point where I could just say, “Thank You.” Not just to my mother, but to many relatives and friends who, over the years, came and went, and taught us all many lessons.
I thank each of the people who have touched my life, for good or bad, for my personal growth. I believe the word “lessons” and the word “blessings” have a lot in common. And that either by the sins of commission or the sins of omission each of us can learn, if we are open to learning. Oh, we could bury ourselves in the dirt of these so called sins. But I make a conscious choice to learn from what’s happened to me. And now, I believe after we cross over in the ALL, that we then are able to see all of the intricate Connections, and come to know of the Why things had to happen in every circumstance, the way that they did. All learning produces strength of character and more importantly, strength of spirit.
Do I still get mad sometimes? Yes.
Do I want to get revenge? Yes.
Would it change anything? No.
So, this is why I practice self-help, self-care, prayer, meditation, and other mind-body-spirit modalities. And slowly, I let go of the anger–and I get another side benefit from all of this work too, the resentments vanish.
You know, it’s ironic that mom’s remains are in her old bedroom of the house she was born in.
The place she would attempt to come back to once, and my grandmother (according to what mom told me) said, “You are welcome, but not with Sheila.” Either because she said this, or my mother interpreted her words to mean that because I was a part of my father, my grandmother did not want me to live in her house. My grandmother (at least at that time) did not like my dad, and I guess, that was the reason for her answer to my mother’s request.
These are the kinds of things I can’t seem to forget.
I believe the reason some memories nag us, is not to heap guilt (which is just another kind of thought) on us, but to remind us that we’ve missed a legacy lesson.
Mom always taught me to turn a thought about a problem, “over and over in my head” until a solution presented itself. Well, I sat with this for some time until a new thought came to me, “Let go of my hurt feelings, angst, even anger towards my granddaughter’s father. As I mentally released him from the prison I’d constructed in my mind for him, I’d break the spell (so to speak) of my grandmother’s words about me! Thus freeing my grandmother, my mom, myself, my daughter, my granddaughter, and so on! This is one small, or huge, example of the lesson I needed to learn. Perhaps I could apply it similarly in other situations?
Have I made mistakes too? You betcha.
Once, I talked with mom and dad about somehow helping them to buy them a new double-wide or other kind of trailer on their property, and they said, “No.” I replied something to the effect of, “Then, you can stay here in this place and let it fall down around you.” Ugh! My words came out the way that they did based upon the helpless feelings I felt at the time. I almost found it hard to live comfortably wherever I was living at the time, while watching my parents live in what I deemed was substandard housing. Plus, I had felt so much sadness that I couldn’t somehow free my mother from the trappings of her then painful life. But I realized later, there was nothing for me to feel guilt about since I did offer, and my offer was met with much resistance. Because I haven’t worked on freeing myself of these particular thoughts (resistance), you guessed it, my son is now going through this very same “clean up the property” experience with my dad.
You see? We each have a choice. We can accept offers of love and help, or we can choose to turn our backs and do it all ourselves.
Of course, now my mother is free. Free at last. And me? I will continue to seek solace in God and every living creature. Not in ashes. Not in trying to change the past.
While visiting Marie and my beautiful granddaughters over July 4th week, I said that perhaps mom’s strong faith, returned to her as her dementia progressed. She lived in utter gratitude daily for papa caring for her and any and all things my son, Matt, and his then wife, did for her. Total gratitude.
I believe the gratitude my mother displayed taught me to place great importance upon healing (with love and conscious awareness) those who carry her blood. All of her love beats within my spiritually open heart.
I Am Free.
Blessed be. OM
Check out this original song, Forever. It’s one of my favorites as my love will go on for my husband and my family forever. It was lovingly written by my husband and performed and recorded in a Nashville, TN studio. You can download it (it’s Track 11) from this link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chevyfordband
A bit about me:
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.
Plus, (included here because one of the things my mother had desired to do, was to write a book), my new book, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, is now available for online sale and distribution (PDF format).
Take It Upon Yourself is about accepting responsibility for yourself. Your health. Your dreams. Your talents. Your passions and desires. It’s about knowing who YOU are.
Who are you? Have you asked yourself this question? Have you said, “Self, who am I”?
Take a look in the mirror – go ahead, take a good look. Do you know who you are? I realize I may err on being a bit annoying here. But I just wonder how many of us really examine ourselves – and ask ourselves this question. How well do we know our own unique person… mind, body, and soul (or spirit if you’re so inclined to believe in a spiritual self). Each of us have a unique set of fingerprints to remind us that we’re all different, particular, specific individuals.
I’ve been asking myself who I am since turning fifty (50) years of age. I am on a journey of self discovery. I can describe attributes and characteristics of myself, but who am I?
I have discovered that I am Energy, focused in a physical body. I am the sum total of my previous choices and experiences.
I’ve accomplished many things that I never thought I would. I’ve been given everything I have ever wanted. Along the way I did some things I would not do again – but I learned lessons from those experiences. I can’t explain why I did some of the things I did, but I think I had good reasons at the time. I think most people act on the best information they understand at the time.
So, I can’t condemn my former self since I acknowledge that my past choices taught me lessons and turned me into the person I accept as my self today. I believe love is a choice. Life, humility, gratitude, sanity – all are choices.
I have also come to an awareness that beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking over and over – we always have the power within us to think different (better) thoughts and change ourselves if we don’t like what we see in the mirror. Me? I’m always changing!
So, who am I? LOL
I accept responsibility, fully, for who I am. And I deeply love and accept myself for who I am.
I am a mother, a new grandmother, and wife. I’m a highly responsible individual. I take it upon myself to feel better and make healthy choices everyday. I’m fabulous. 🙂 And I bet you’re fabulous too!
I am more than my mind, body, and soul / spirit. I am the culmination of everything I’ve experienced. And I stand on GREAT shoulders. Strong, loyal, God-loving, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.
I have also had great mentors and teachers along the way too! Thankfully, God gave me one in particular who proved the value of higher education to me many years ago (because I couldn’t wait to finish high school and had never wanted to go to college). She proved me wrong. Obtaining two degrees kept me gainfully employed on my career path!
Some of my ancestors were persecuted for their beliefs, religion, and even their race, which knowing this – keeps me grounded and humble. I believe that also is the reason, or at least one reason, why I am an empath. I am strong. A survivor of hurt, pains, and traumas. A survivor of former marriages, of loves lost.
I look in the mirror and see a woman who’s changed – a lot!
I now eat foods that I didn’t eat five (5) years ago. I beat asthma. I’m a creative and technical career woman. I’ve co-written songs (with my talented soul-mate hubby), and tried all sorts of alternative health modalities that most of my family and friends haven’t yet explored. I’ve gained weight, but I’ve lost it too! I consider myself somewhat of a renaissance woman. Forging ahead and leading my daughter and granddaughter down new trails.
Taking it upon myself, I want something better for them, an easier path perhaps, than what I had. And I know a lot of people who feel the same way. They want to give their kids more than they had – not material things exactly – but knowledge!
Knowledge is power. An explored, informed, due diligence done, and educated response to life – wow! Just imagine the time I’ll save them, and maybe some pain too.
I heard it once said that a wise person learns not from experience, but from the experiences of others.
I’d like to go down that road less traveled. So, I invite you to… take it upon yourself.
Imagine who you want to be. Won’t you?
A bit about me:
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.