My new iphone had an issue and needed to be seen by a genius (the clever term Apple uses for their repair people).  I arrived on time despite my parking angels not arranging a parking place right in front of the mall.  However, the space they directed me to allowed a strideful walk to the Apple store in the fresh soft air.  My genius turned out to be a fellow seeker – which was not obvious until we chatted and danced around the phone issue a bit.  He talked about his young family, why he moved to be close to his parents who helped with child care, how his mom cleverly lead him to youthful independence with her words of encouragement and guidance, how his wife is addicted to Pinterest (I think I am too).  In the twenty minutes we spent together, we had a lifetime of thoughts to share, and share we did. 

His told of his work in the service where he learned about mechanical operations, which lead to a short and sweet discussion about quantum physics.  We both understood just a minutia of the science behind how the table we worked on was really just particles vibrating together.  Huh?  How did we get there?  I explained my work as an event producer whose niche is inspiring conversations between mystery and science and the brain conference I am producing.  From there, we launched into why the brain is so darned fascinating.  Where do our thoughts come from?  Can we change our mind?  What is consciousness?  My young genius enjoys conversations with friends investigating  philosophy and truth.  Back to quantum physics again and the reality (for us at least) that when scientists get to the bottom of matter, they tend to turn to religion or spirituality for answers. We discovered we both believed that life’s answers lies somewhere between the mystery of life and what science can prove.  Neither mystery nor science holds all the answers, but stepping into each can start painting a picture of who we are and why we are here.  All this in a very busy, noisy, active Apple store!  We had a sweet little corner of philosophy happening.  Very cozy, very connected and very satisfying. 

My genius then told me he had a small fender bender that morning coming to work and it bummed him out.  His baby, asleep in the back seat woke up, understood there was no need to be attentive while Dad took photos and figured out what to do about the slight damage.  This incident put the genius out of genius mode and into stress and discomfort.  For some reason, our conversation brought him back to safety, back to the reality of what is good in this world, what is really, really important.  What was unique about our conversation? 

That morning, I choose an angel card, Synchronicity – maybe that had something to do with it.  Next, my chiropractor who I see every two years or so, adjusted my hurt leg. In the session, he told me he was excited about attending my brain conference and gave me names of docs who could help enlarge the attendance – maybe that had something to do with it.  Driving to the genius appointment listening to uplifting news – maybe that had something to do with it. My business allows me to be surrounded by speakers who probe, connect and open eyes to new ways of being – maybe that had something to do with it. My on-going meditative practice – maybe that had something to do with it.  Being very present, calm, upbeat, centered, chatty and happy with my genius – maybe that had something to do with it.  Vibrating at the same quantum level – maybe that had something to do with it.

As I left with my new phone, my genius gratefully thanked me for changing his day.  What a compliment!  He changed mine as well.  We agreed to pass the energy and gratitude for life forward.  On the way home, I listened to a Byron Katie cd.  She says it all in such a profound manner – Loving What Is.  And I do.

Ask and you shall receive….

How many times have you used this common phrase, hoping and praying for an answer to some issue, problem or dilemma?  I know I use it and, thankfully, answers appear.  There are many interpretations for this phrase including the one I personally like best, by author Neil Douglas-Klotz in “Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus”.  His interpretation: “All things that you ask straightly, directly.. from inside my name, you will be given. So far you have not done this. Ask without hidden motive and be surrounded by your answer. Be enveloped by what you desire, that your gladness be full.”  I am not a scholar nor am I a biblical reader, but I do feel that this phrase directs us to trust in the process as Jesus, the Universe and divine energy guides us.  This can be as simple as my quick request today.  I was on a walk and wanted to take a short cut.  That would require someone to open a gate for me to pass through.  Most days I never see anyone at the gate, but today I whispered my desire – “I would sure like to take the short cut “ – and, yes, there was a man walking his dog who kept the gate open for me.  Nothing earth shattering, nothing highly spiritual, yet, I expressed my desire, trusted in the Universe and enjoyed the rest of my walk in gratitude of how the world can work.  How about you?  What are you asking for?  Do you trust in divine expression? Do you see synchronistic situations being placed in front of you as an answer to a thought or desire.  If so, check and see how your life is unfolding and perhaps you are receiving what you are asking for.

Reflections on a reading –

Have you ever had a reading from an intuitive that really hit all the buttons?  Well, I have been the recipient of many different readings through the years (I find they keep me in deeper touch with my inner and outer self) and one I had recently with Penney Peirce has given me the blueprint I need to move forward.  Penney is an empathy, intuitive and excellent author of several books including The Intuitive Way, Dreams for Dummies and most recently, Frequency. Penney brings to a reading all the knowledge and information she writes about in her books – she looks into your field and perceives the most vibrant energy or frequency and translates that information into language you can understand.  Is she predicting your future?  No, she, like all good readers, is giving you the many potentialities that exist in your energy field and then, you get to figure out what to do with all the ideas, options, directions and focus to make your life what you desire.  For those of you in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area, Penney is coming to town on March 23 & 24 to give us some excellent tools to understand about the Frequency of 2012 and how to Raise Your Frequency – wow!  Both of these subjects will be thought fodder for all the transitions individuals and the planet are going through. This information will be a bit like an individual reading, but broader and full of ways to let go of the old, and embrace and live the new you.

Healing Destinations with Suzie Daggett

 What is the purpose of your life?  Dan Millman, known to many as the Peaceful Warrior (remember the movie with Nick Nolte?) will answer this in an upcoming lecture and workshop in Grass Valley (Feb 3 & 4).  Dan, a best selling author and teacher, has a gentle, grounded manner in which he explains universal laws which can make your life more peaceful and perhaps help you discover your purpose.

How did you begin the process of becoming a Peaceful Warrior?

I wrote my first book to describe this Way, based upon my youth as an athlete and student of the martial arts — then applying what I learned, expanding it, into the arena of daily life. This same process of becoming operates in each and all of our lives, in the School of Daily Life, here on planet Earth.  I’ve described this “process of becoming,” and each of its facets, in 15 different books. I’m one of many voices — there’s one Light, but many lamps.  Each of us is a student and a teacher (by example) to those around us.  We are in this together.  I am here to help people trust themselves, and to trust the process of their own life, their own becoming.

How do you help people find more ease in this life?

In the classroom of everyday life, we learn by solving problems and facing challenges.  Human life, and all that entails, is a form of spiritual weight-lifting, to strengthen our spirits.  As we finally learn to get out of our own way, and discover our innate human worth, we stop sabotaging our efforts. By understanding universal laws, and aligning our actions with these laws of reality, we stop resisting what is, and learn to swim with the current.  By living a kinder, more constructive life, we experience more moments of fulfillment. 

What every day advice can you give us?

We only have this day — or more accurately, we only have this moment. The quality of (attention, energy, heart) we bring to each moment becomes the quality of our life.  Reality eventually teaches us that we have more control over our behavior — our actions — than we do over arising thoughts or passing emotions. So rather than focusing only on feelings, or continually asking, ”How am I feeling right now?” we can instead ask,  ”What needs doing right now?”  Then do it!  It’s fine to dream big, but important to start small, and then connect the dots — step by step.  Little actions, over time, can make a big difference — actions like sharing kind words with a clerk; like picking up a piece of litter on the street. In this way, we discover the secret of service as a path to fulfillment; we become our own spiritual movement; we become part of the solution — we burn brighter, bringing a little more light into the world. For more, visit www.peacefulwarrior.com.

Suzie Daggett, constantly curious about life’s mysteries, produces Insight Lectures.  530-913-9592  www.insightlecture.com

Ah! I love change and what change brings to me. Getting beyond the old year into the new year brings me new ideas, new energy and new respect for all human potential. There are so many ways to change, or to be renewed. Recently, I have been pursuing a few of Dan Millman’s books (he has 15 including his newest, The Four Purposes of Life) and find some excellent gems including this one from Way of the Peaceful Warrior where Socrates (the mechanic/warrior) says to Dan: “Feelings change, Dan. Sometimes sorrow, sometimes joy. But beneath it all remember the innate perfection of your life unfolding. That is the secret of unreasonable happiness.” The innate perfection of your life unfolding – that seems to me to be what accepting any change is about. I believe that everything that happens, happens for a purpose – the good and the awful. However, you do have the ability in the earth school to watch and see where you are with your changes. Many say we are in the midst of big changes this year. Are changes uncomfortable for you? Do you find yourself in a void where your feelings are not felt? Can you neutrally watch your feelings change from misery to joy? Can you stand aside and watch the movie of your life and see growth and transformation, large or tiny. I think that is what Socrates means by unreasonable happiness….being present to any changes while understanding that transformation happens. One of the Purposes of Life!

Step Up Rather Than Step Back

Wise words indeed – and what is so impressive is that my 18-year old daughter is the inspired speaker.  She was interviewed on a radio show talking about the sophomore year at her University ….she spoke those delicious words when asked about how she is creating her experience.  Step up – now, how many times do we shrink back rather than standing tall and moving forward in our daily lives?  I know for me, if I am faced with something I am not fond of doing or not wanting to face, I tend to shrink back. And, that alone leads to a big life rut!  It takes courage, strength, focus, consciousness and the ability to be wrong or right in the face of difficulties to step up.  I honor my daughter for her words and I encourage all of you to find ways in which you step up – give yourself a generous pat on the back.  And, when you step back, take the time to discover why, because that is where the real change begins.  If you have a step up or step back story, write it down and send it to me – we can all learn together.  Thank you Anna for your meaningful words of wisdom!

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a remarkable scientist and kind human with a big spirit.  She introduced the 90 Second Rule in her best seller, My Stroke of Insight.  This book gives the details of her debilitating left-brain stroke and full recovery.  As far as I know, she is one of the very few scientist who has had a chance to do intimate research on a subject she is very familiar with – the brain’s neuroanatomy.  She had many insights into her mind and brain while she lived in her right brain – the creative side of life while she rebuilt her left brain – the more linear side of life.  The 90 Second Rule is one way to either keep a circuit like anger or joy looping in your mind.  However, understand that you do have a choice over that circuitry.  She intentionally rebuilt much of her left brain, but she was astute enough to realize that she did not have to rebuild anger, distrust and other personality elements she did not like in her life.  Ah!  We have a choice!  We can also choose to stay angry after the initial 90 seconds of chemical/physiological response or we can shut off the anger after 90 seconds and be at peace.  It is our choice as Dr. Jill says to “either consciously or unconsciously to rethink the thoughts that re-stimulate the circuit.”  I vote for conscious knowing that I do not need to remain angry or that I can remain in joy while life is doing it’s thing around me.  How about you?

Willingness

Willingness – this is the card I drew today as I contemplated this question: What  energy do I needed to know about today to facilitate the sale of my business?  Willingness – wow!  A powerful card that means if I am not willing to give up what I perceive as my business, my idenity, something I have worked very hard at for 11 years, I will not sell it.  You see, to me everything is energy – the thought in my chosen card carries energy that can give me clues to release, unblock, open and allow what is needed.  For the past few months, I have been working on many levels to facilitate the sale: using my left brain abilities by getting all the financials together, being in the right brain to open the energy flow for the right person or persons with high integrity and purpose to buy my business, using my prayers very, very frequently, paying attention to my dreams, watching for odd signs to show me the way.  The result?  I am not pushing for anything or anyone, I am not striving for perfection or a date for it all to occur, I am not attached to who the buyer is, I am open to what the Universe has to offer me.  Sound fanciful?  Maybe, or maybe it is the new way, the way that the stars are aligning right now, this very moment to create change and growth not just for my physical self, but, most importantly for my overall spiritual essence.  I am very willing to be in that mode!