Brazil!

I am currently celebrating my 5th year living part of the year here in Brazil! Five years of life-changing experiences..... Sounds like a party is coming! As I rode through the beautiful mountains on my way to the sea, I experienced a wonderful sense of peace and joy. Brazil is my home!

Brazil is my constant lover. It welcomes me back with open arms and holds no conditions on how long I stay. It heals me with the purest of energies and grounds me so that my spirit can soar! I never know what the journey to Brazil holds for me... I come and open myself to the expansion of consciousness it so lovingly and generously offers. Being is very simple for me here. Being is easy....

And so, another Brazilian adventure begins, or should I say, continues!

Have You Hugged Your Energy Vortex Today?

What are energy vortexes? Experts can beguile you with very detailed definitions and properties of energy vortexes. They can also go into infinite detail about why certain locations are considered to be vortexes. Most of us agree that a vortex is a spiral or swirl of energy.

My definition of an energy vortex is very simple. It is a place where you can connect and experience a variety of healing energetic vibrations. The location may make you feel energized, calm, re-charged, serene, uplifted, soothed, or even electrified. When you leave it your energy has changed. Your personal vibration has elevated.

I am sitting in one of my favorite places in the whole world and it's right here in the center of Charlotte, NC! It is one of my energy vortexes! Do you have a special place you like to go to? Where are your energy vortexes? Did you know that you may actually live in yours? Yep, it might be in your own neighborhood!

Or, you may be an adventurous soul, so you may have traveled all over the world intentionally connecting with your special places, your special energy vortexes. It does not really matter whether you travel far and wide or just around the corner, as long as you connect to these wonderful sources of vibrational healing.

Did I tell you about my most recent Brazilian energy vortex experience? Well, my friend Lara took me to Chapada Diamantina, in Lencois, Bahia, Brazil. The whole area is a vortex for Brazil! On our second day, we were led under the earth into ancient caverns. The stalagmites and stalactites were truly mind-blowing!

When we arrived at the deepest part of the center of the caverns, our guides blew out their lanterns and asked us to sit quietly. Suddenly, I heard the sweetest sound. It was like an angelic flute symphony. The sound was so sweetly intense, beautiful, spectacular, that I felt tears overflowing. I realized it wasn't a man-made flute, but the sound of the wind caressing the rock walls and weaving itself through the caverns. It was awe-inspiring. Man could only imitate the purity... This was God's Song!

I left the cavern transformed. To say that my energy was heightened is an understatement. I felt an opening, a stepping through and a celebration for a new dimension in my life.
Red rocks, caverns, oceans, mountains, all things of the earth hold special grounding energy for us all. How about you? What do you feel like when you are connected to your energy vortex? Where do you go to renew and revitalize yourself? What inspires you?

"I hear the wind and the wind is God's Symphony."

It's OK to Be Happy!

It's February 20th and Happy Birthday to Me! Sitting here on this beautiful Costa Rican beach on my birthday is a wonderful occasion! At this present moment I am experiencing the sound of ocean waves, the sensation of wind on my skin and rising sun in my face.... I am in love with this feeling. The purity of this moment captured in time and space. Can you feel it?

This a a personal moment of reflection. That, "I have arrived" moment. It is not that I have obtained all the worldly things I desire or that I have peaked the mountain of my profession. No, this is a moment of clarity, a moment of pure delight, where happiness exists. I feel happy and I am OK with that!

We often allow the world to distract us from these pure clear moments. Oh yes, I understand that there are life's lessons along the journey for everyone. I have a theory that buried beneath each moment of anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, depression, or even self-hate, there is a golden opportunity to see if you can move through all the emotions and find your heart experiencing happiness.

Let's say you are caring for someone you love. Each day is full of schedules, routines or medical visits. "Take your medicine." "Let's get you up out of bed today." "I am going to move this pillow so that you will be more comfortable." It's all done lovingly, full of compassion, yet at some point it becomes a routine.

Here in the midst of routine care, no matter how lovingly it is given, we become distracted. Our eyes and hearts turn away from our own happiness. Distractions keep us from feeling centered during these times. Have you found yourself looking away from your own happiness?
Experiencing happiness is a very fundamental piece to our being whole and operating from a space of self-love.

It's OK to be happy! It's OK to love yourself! It's OK to step away! It's OK to do little things for yourself that are guaranteed to make you re-claim your sense of Joy! Can you do that?

We need for you to be Joyful. We need you to experience the wind on your skin, the sun in your face and precious moments of clarity and purity. We need you whole!

Samara Beach, Costa Rica!

Here I am on the pacific coast of Costa Rica! There is something about the sea, sun and ocean breezes that makes me laugh out loud! Every morning I walk this beautiful beach and salute the rising sun.... It is magnificent..... My heart feels the sun's radiance and I am warmed from the inside out. I laugh because I am here experiencing my life. The sea pulls me to laugh, live joyously out loud and without apologies.

Have you felt that way in your life? Is there something that calls forth your joy?

My morning ritual here is to walk directly into the ocean, face the sun and give thanks for being alive this day. I am called to gather the healing forces of nature; of sea, sun, wind, earth, moon, trees, birds in flight, and send the unity of those powerful healing energies out to those I care for and love.

I speak their names into the wind and feel a sense of joy...... My prayer is that they gather these powerful energies inside themselves and let the healing begin.

My I See the Sea affirmations were written here on this same beach and today the power in the simplicity of the affirmations re-energized me as I walked the waves. They re-affirmed my spiritual connection to the sea. Do you feel a spiritual connection to the sea and all things of nature?

"I see the sea and the sea in me is Boundless."

"I see the sea and the sea in me is Vibrant"

"I see the wind and the wind in me is Freedom."

"I see the moon and the moon in me is Luminous."

"I see the sun and the sun in me is Passion."

What Happened to Our Sabbaths?

Just a few Sundays ago I woke up with this question on my mind. "What happened to our Sabbaths? When did we give them up? How did we lose them? What do you think happened?"

First let me share with you my understanding of Sabbath. It is an intentional step away from all the busy activities that we feel we must do during our normal weekdays and workdays. A sabbath is an opportunity to focus on those spiritual attributes that nurture and sustain us. Spiritual attributes like love, peace, truth, and of course, joy.

During a sabbath is a time of rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal. What does that mean? Well, how about we turn off our cell phones, refrain from checking emails and voice messages, and for heavens sake no faxing! Do you think you can step away from the video games,the laptops, and yes, the television for one day of rest?

You must first create your own sabbath and allow your actions to be a model for your friends and family. How do you do that? I suggest you start with setting a few hours aside on your chosen day. Begin setting your intentions for this rest time by taking several deep breaths. Give yourself permission to be free from all the chatter and busy work. This is a gift you are giving yourself!

Try spiritual affirmations such as: " I begin this day of rest with peace and joy in my heart. This is a time of renewal for my mind, body, and spirit." Or, "As I breathe in and out I focus my attention on thoughts that nurture me. Love, Peace, and Joy!"

Now that you have set your intentions, nourish your body with healthy foods and plenty of water. If you must read, try things that are spiritually uplifting and soul soothing. You may want to go back to classical music or some soft meditative sounds. Remember, you have given yourself permission to relax. As you open yourself up to what you need to make it your perfect sabbath, you will find that your activities for that special day will become a pleasant surprise.

Allow yourself to flow into the surprise. You may find yourself cooking gourmet meals or learning how to paint! Maybe you will actually spend time on that fabulous deck or find some time to rock in that antique rocker you love so much! Imagine what you would do if you had no phone, television, or perhaps microwave oven.

Do you see where I am going? Strip away all those conveniences that have made our lives so inconvenient for spiritual growth.

Now is the time to include everyone, if you have family. Take this time to explain to everyone what a sabbath is and why it is important. Once you have agreed upon a day, set a time frame for no outside interruptions. Have fun suggesting family activities that can replace those that are technologically isolating. You may have to wrestle some technology out of your family members' hands but it is worth the effort. And remember to do it in a loving way. Sabbath is about loving intentions. When you know that it is about love, the transition becomes so much easier.

Oh, and remember that Sunday that this Sabbath question popped into my mind? Well it was my sabbath and I couldn't do any blogging!
Do you celebrate a Sabbath? How do you celebrate? Do you think it is important to have a Sabbath?

Wrightsville Beach, NC

It's early in the morning and everyone is asleep... Charlotte was supposed to have snow and heavy ice yesterday. What we did get was lots of ice. So, the usual hustle and bustle has slowed down....It is the perfect time for hot chocolate and reflections. Maybe we will even get the fireplace going!

I want to give a warm, wonderful, gigantic Thank You to my buddy Tom Warshauer and his family! They lovingly allowed me to live in their beautiful Wrightsville Beach home while I closed myself in to write, reflect, and write some more. I was totally surprised to find out that it was on the beachfront! Amazing!

So, each morning I awoke to one of my favorite sounds of ocean waves and sea gulls. I walked the beach every morning. It was just me and a few other early sun worshipers... There is something about the magnificence of the ocean that ignites and inspires my creative juices. So, during my time at Wrightsville, I wrote vignettes, and personal thoughts to add to my book, Live! Love! Heal!: Abundant Life Affirmations. And of course, more affirmations were written. I do love the sea!

Wilmington, NC is a pretty special place to visit. It has the energy of a coastal city with a New Age, Metaphysical twist... To treat myself for being so disciplined, I went exploring and found an amazing dress shop full of gorgeous dresses for extra special occasions. With shoes and bags and all kinds of luscious finery.

I also treated myself to some delish cinnamon rolls from Annie's Bakery off of Oleander Drive. Wow! That's a return trip for real! Did I tell you I was a dessert person? On my last evening, I went to listen to some local blues artists at this club on 5th street. Nice blues.. They were still jamming when I left!

So, I can truthfully say, "Mission Accomplished."

Hello World!

Hi Everybody!

This is my first blog! And I am sharing it with you.... I am a person who has experienced many roles in my life. The numbers are impressive. I am daughter, sister, mother, auntie, godmother, and best friend. I am also a health consultant, licensed massage therapist, lecturer, writer, and entrepreneur. I love to travel and make friends all over the world and my adventures are just starting! I love to journal, so my blogging will take you into my personal energy and into different dimensions. Are you ready?

First, I want to give a "shout out" to Qiana Martin for helping me launch this blog site. Go visit her blog at Eat Soccer! Qiana's Glamorous Soccer Life! Qiana is also weaving and living her dream of being an international soccer player! Eat Soccer!! Thanks Qiana!

I am also excited about my ebook entitled: Live! Love! Heal!: Abundant Life Affirmations. I started writing spiritual affirmations when I first moved to Ilhabela, Brazil. On November 11, 2009 we launched the first phase of the ebook. Stage 1 is an interactive website: liveloveheal.org which features the ebook affirmations, international art as illustrations, and other really cool things to come.

I will definitely keep you posted on the website so that you can become a member of this international community. Twenty percent of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and an additional twenty percent goes to the National Institute of Cancer in Brazil. Membership fees are a truly affordable $5.00 USD. Less than 2 brown pennies a day! I love brown pennies, don't you?

There's more coming soon! Until then, Live Well! Live Joyously!