Sometimes on the spiritual path we receive many messages encouraging us to be:

• Present
• Joyful
• Open
• Allowing
• In service

All wonderful intentions!

Often the list of ways you want to show up in the world can clash with the mundane activities that call to you.

Life tasks like laundry, paying bills, going to the grocery store and food prep come to mind. As does business tasks like answering emails, strategic planning, creating content and working with clients.

It can feel overwhelming.

Your feelings are the key!

When you find yourself mired in the “to do” lists - feeling constricted and small instead of the expanded feelings of joy, peace, and presence - it’s time for a reset.

Breath work, using the Be Love Principles, or going for a walk in nature all help shift perspective and allow you to refocus.

My ultimate tip for overwhelm?

Ask.

Go inside the sacred space of your own heart, and ask Spirit/Love/God, “Show me.”

In your daily journaling or mediation...

I get up each morning between 4 – 5am, walk to the kitchen, argue with the cat about how much breakfast she needs, then grab my journal and sit down to write before my meditation.

Recently my journaling took a new turn.

I began with a familiar prompt I learned from Robert Holden, “Love, what do you most want me to know today?”

I was surprised by the words that flowed from my pen:

“Lightness is key. Light now refers to density, brightness and feeling. Light in all forms. Keep checking in with your heart. Light and lightness is the key.”

“What does that mean?” I said out loud. A few minutes later, I decided to do my best to be aware of all forms of light in my day.

I periodically set an alarm to check in with my heart and consciously connect to the divine light within.

Walking past my window I noticed how the morning light sparkled off the front yard grass still wet with dew.

Before I ate, I asked, “What food brings me the most light...

Nearly 20 years ago I studied Reiki from a local spiritual teacher who saw how curious I was about everything. I remember her smile as she said:

“There are so many traditions and practices that will interest you. Feel free to sample them! The key is to find what you love and go deep.”

I’ve never forgotten her words and it’s played out in my life in several ways.

For example, I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean. I spent years watching famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau on TV and reading countless books on sea life. Since I lived near the mountains and my parents weren’t “beach people” I rarely even saw the ocean as a kid.

Then in my mid 40’s I decided to learn to scuba dive. I went deep. Literally.

On my first real dive into the Atlantic Ocean off the Bahama shoreline, I was “gob smacked!” My desire to “go deep” opened the door to experiencing and interacting with the ocean, not just reading about...

Last week I spent several days with a few family members in a beach house at Duck, North Carolina (the Outer Banks).

I'm not a beach person. I love the mountains. And I'd made a few less than excited comments to friends about the beach in the days leading up to the trip.

But I'd made the commitment to go and spend time with the family (especially my young grandson) so I decided to be "all in." 

So what does that mean, exactly?

I decided to look for expressions of love. Everywhere. In the beach experience, the people I was with and met, and in the activities each day. I think A Course in Miracles explains it beautifully:

"When you want only love, you will see nothing else."

And that's what I experienced, many expressions of love:

• Joy as I watched sandpipers dancing on the beach.
• Peace while hearing the ocean waves.
• Excitement during a nature walk with a curious six year old boy.
• Peels of laughter during after dinner family games.
• Contentment...

Driving up to my friend's Sunday morning retreat held on her beautiful farm, I had several expectations.

I expected to meet new spiritually minded friends. (Check.)

I expected the skillful host to lead us through insightful and impowering inquiries. (Check.)

I expected to enjoy the fresh country air and powerful demonstrations with her animals. (Check.)

I did NOT expect to receive a personal message while meditating with the group at the edge of her wetlands area. (Whaaaat?)

Here's what happened...

My friend, a trained environmental scientist, led our group to the small wetlands area and explained it's varied purposes in nature. After a brief instruction, she invited us to sit and meditate.

The scene was beautiful, serene and felt sacred.

As I sat, connected to the wetlands and the earth, I could hear the trees sway in the breeze, the hum of a bee several yards away and birds singing to each other.

It was pure bliss.

As I felt myself sink deeper into a meditative...

Easter has always held a special meaning for me.

My mother went into labor on Good Friday, and I was born in the early hours of Easter morning 1957, ten days after my parents had been told I had died in the womb.

My family said it was an Easter miracle.

As a student of A Course in Miracles, I’m into miracles. From the standpoint of the Course, a miracle is a shift in perspective from fear to love. And the best part of miracles?

They can happen every day.

Whenever I feel myself acknowledge my fearful thoughts or feelings (anger, resentment, stress) and meet those with love (compassion, forgiveness, presence) I experience a miracle.

When I open myself to this type of thinking, and ask the Divine within for guidance, my experience of life changes. While I may be dealing with chaos, instead of feeling helpless, I can begin to feel the true comfort, support and love that is always available.

Remembering that miracles can be simply a thought away is a daily practice for me. Learning...

I drove into town recently on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying the scenery when something caught my eye. On this rural road, perched high atop a tree was a magnificent bald eagle.

It was a true “WOW!” moment.

I’m one who believes God is always sending us signs, so I quickly realized this eagle sighting was a personal message for me!

Back at home, I searched for the spiritual meaning of bald eagles (of course I did) and found many interesting opinions. None resonated.

Then I happened upon a quote from the philosopher and author Matshona Dhliwayo:

“The eagle only knows how high it can fly when it spreads its wings.”

I got the message.

And I understood it.

I realize I’ve been hesitating on a few projects that I’m not only committed to, but am passionate about.

I’ve let other tasks get in the way of my progress. But why? Fear? Life distractions? Was I just lazy?

I’ve identified the culprit.

Not always, but often, I realize I’ve...

The photo above is me and my husband Joe, taken in one of our local parks last year.

Like most couples who’ve been together over 22 years, we’ve had our share of laughter and tears. It’s all part of marriage.

Recently Joe scheduled two cataract surgeries within nine days. I was concerned.

In my experience, Joe isn’t the best patient.

He’ll tell you he isn’t a patient man. He doesn’t like thinking he’s not in control of things.  And he REALLY doesn’t like to be told “no.” Like “no driving for a few days” or “no exceptions to the multiple eye drops per day for the next five weeks.”

As we started this surgery process, I noticed something.

Joe was much more agreeable than normal. While he was a bit nervous, he was excited about the possibility of improved vision.

It was me who had the issue.

I had multiple scenarios playing in my head during the days leading up to the first surgery and the...

“Love always leads to love” is a beautiful quote by Helen Schucman, the scribe of A Course in Miracles.

The truth of this statement rings true to my very core. Although my life often comes with the struggles that we all face, when I bring love to any situation or challenge, more love always results.

Always. No exceptions.

I experienced this firsthand a couple weeks ago as I said a final goodbye to a friend in the final stages of hospice care.

On the drive to the nursing home fifty miles from my home, I could feel the fear start to set in. And guilt. And a deep, profound sadness.

What if she’s in too much pain and doesn’t recognize me?

Why didn’t I come sooner?

How can this be happening?

I acknowledged my feelings, decided to take a few deep breaths, and gently shifted my focus. I shifted the purpose of my visit as well. I asked Love to guide me.

I parked the car and walked into the facility with a fresh perspective. Instead of bringing my fear and...

A few years ago, I stood at the base of the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Washington, DC and looked up at the towering figure you see above. 

A flood of emotions came over me as I tried to imagine the life he led, the sacrifices he made and his dedication to justice through peaceful means.  

This was a man dedicated to love.  

His quote about peace is especially meaningful to me. As a serious student of A Course in Miracles, I believe the way to create a more peaceful world, is for each of us to to cultivate inner peace.  

I love a quote from the Course that says, "Peace is stronger than war because it heals." 

Let's dedicate this year to peace. Our purpose can be to nurture our own inner peace that then radiates to our families, communities and throughout our world. Let's allow peace to heal us.  

Let's allow peace to be our goal, our path and our state of being.