Whimsical Moments

As this year comes to an end, I came across this piece of writing I had shared a while back with friends and it seemed so appropriate  right now.

˜”*°•✿•°*”˜  ˜”*°•✿•°*”˜”*°•✿•°*”˜˜”*°•✿•°*”˜  ˜”*°•✿•°*”˜”*°•✿•°*”˜

Expressing my divine qualities, I am creative and innovative.

There may be times when even the thought of starting over exhausts me.

Having to reinvent myself can leave me feeling overwhelmed.

However, with my thoughts focused on being the new me now, I avoid pulling up negative images of the past. I realize I do have a foundation to build my future on.

There are certain life events that could launch a new vision for me. I don’t need to wait for a particular time or experience to begin a new venture. I can be the new me at any time.

I begin now to create with fresh innovation and to revise or reframe my goals, values, and intentions.  I am guided to live in the present moment as a spiritual being expressing divine qualities. I celebrate my transformation to the new me!

There are times in life when we know we are not in control, when we might even wish that things were different in various aspects of our lives. Yet the sun rises and sets each and every day, and things are pretty much the same.  We may hope and dream, wondering…when  there might be a change or a difference.

Serendipity and synchronicity… are the main ingredients of magic in our lives.

Serendipity
* a seeming gift for finding something good accidentally *
* luck, or good fortune, in finding something good accidentally *

Synchronicity
* is a “happen chance” that occurs that is in perfect alignment with your thoughts or ideas *
*  often mistaken as coincidences, synchronicities are universal nods,
confirming that you are on the right track *

” Whether we name divine presence synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little. What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. Nothing is as real as a healthy does of magic which restores our spirits.”
~ Nancy Long ~

I think the trick is to be open to serendipity and synchronicity when it comes knocking on our door. It’s all about timing….and recognizing that something magical is present or unfolding.

This is the Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I read something today that inspired me to write this.

˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜

We were all born with an abundance of gifts, talents and abilities. For many reasons, we forget to freely and openly share the gifts of Spirit with family, friends and people in your community. Our lives seem to have accelerated and are to busy for our own good. We miss out on the simple things in life, that REALLY count.

Just as we cultivate our spiritual relationship and practice, we can also cultivate, nurture and deepen our connections with others. This, is a part of our spiritual path and  and life journey.

In the many networks of people we know and connect or work with, we have abundant opportunities to give of ourselves spiritually….to show love, compassion and understanding. There are many children and adults people who might need or appreciate our patience, gentleness, acceptance, encouragement, support, generosity and more. These gifts have been given to us freely, and we are blessed as we share them with others.

Starting today, who will you reach out to with your gifts? How might you do this?What actions might you take?

When and how will you offer love, compassion, tenderness… Whose lives will you touch in a simple or profound way? The love we share, is always returned in some way or another. There is an abundance of love in this world of ours. Blessings abound everywhere.

Together we can help mend hearts and broken spirits; inspire and and encourage those with less confidence and empower each other to our greatness and magnificence, one person, one child at a time at a time.

˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜˜“*°•♥✿♥•°*”˜

Life… and Soul

 The journey we all travel….

        From that very first breath

           …to the last.

The highs, the lows, the in-betweens…

      The peaks …the valleys…

 …each moment searing into our memory and soul

Joys, sorrows, heart-aches, celebrations,

      opportunities and challenges.

            successes and perceived failures…

                Yet…are they really…?

These perceptions, misconceptions, misunderstandings

       we hold onto dearly…as if the very breath of life…

            our very survival….depended on them.

Yet the real truth…of who we are, why we’re here, where we’re going

         we can only glimpse,  through the window of the soul…

It beckons us…calls to us…

      "I’m here…listen…sit a spell…in silence…

          ‘ be’ with me….rest a while…be nurtured and nourished…

                Where only love abides…with compassion…gentleness…

        Understanding…acceptance…honouring...

             Of your beauty…your grace…your wisdom…

                   Your strength...the magnificence of your ‘true’ nature…"

Like the breeze upon the wind…

      The wave upon the shore…

           The beauty of a setting sun…

                 The babbling of a brook…

                       The scent of a flower…

All reminding us…

     Somewhere deep inside…

           That soul beckons us….whispers…

Can we hear, do we see…can we sense…

        Do we care….'really'…care….

                 Or has ‘life’ got in the way.

I choose to rest in the embrace of soul...

       In this precious moment…

           Taking in a deep breathe

                  Drinking in peace and serenity.

Will you do the same…

Yvonne ~ July 24, 2010

The summer is quickly coming to an end and before I know it I will be back in the throws of teaching. A friend of mine has been asking me all summer when I would come to visit and so quite unexpectedly I decided to pack up this evening and head out of town.

We sat out under the stars, listening to the harmonic sounds of the cricket orchestra enjoying pleasant conversation and a delightful glass of home-made apple wine. I LOVE being out in the country!!!!

Time to head off to sleep now, the window up here is wide open, I can feel the cool air and hear the sounds of nature outside. Could I ask for more in this moment…not really….but maybe. Sharing it makes it even more magical.

A little bit of inspiration…..

I joined the cause after meeting Scott Hood in person, hearing his story and the wonderful things he is doing with and for children and youth ALL over the world. The coin is beautiful…I was gifted one. And….Change Begins With Me…so here I go!!

I invite you to support this AMAZING cause in any way you can. Find it on Facebook.

And remember:=> “Change begins with you!!!”

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Join us in a global movement to bring a positive change to the world. With the creation of a beautiful coin called “CHANGE – The World Peace Coin”. A symbolic coin that captures and embraces the essence of life and brings goodwill without a religious connotation.

The World Coin has found fertile ground beginning in the hands of 32,000 student leaders from across Canada at Free The Children’s 2009 National We Days. The Coin was given to honour all the ambassadors of change for their passion, commitment and humanitarian actions to bring positive change to the world.

The World coin is now on its journey around the world inspiring people while raising money for schools and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of our children.

The World Change Foundation would like to invite you to share our mission, our vision and our passion for World Peace.

Please help us by sharing this video to all your family and friends to begin the chain of love and appreciation that is a fundamental need in our world today

Please check out our video – “The Invitation to the World!”.

WEBSITE: http://www.theworldchangefoundation.com

The following was written on March 28, 2009

(during a retreat I was participating in)

What My Life Says About Me

I am Yvonne Anne

I was a granddaughter of four grandparents…
who played an active role in my childhood
John and Mary…Dad’s stepfather and mother and
Josephine and Semen…Mum’s mother and stepfather.
(Interesting how they were written differently.)
My ‘Baba’…(grandmother Josephine) was a real matriarch.

I am a first-born daughter of Nicholas and Anne
Dad…lived 90 years…passed on a year ago…and is truly missed.
Mum…a true role model of a strong, courageous  woman
her physical health now beginning to decline at 77.
I am thankful, for the many things they taught me…
their sacrifices, commitment and love for their family.

I am a sister to Sonya…younger than myself.
Celebrating the growth of a relationship that never was…
Enriched with sharing, laughter, tears, honesty…

I am mother to 3 totally amazing children…
Despite my need to belittle my role as their mother,
They are responsible, productive incredible human beings.

I am a woman who did what she had to do in order to survive…
Leave a marriage that no longer felt
supportive, nurturing or encouraging
to my awakening and true Self.

I am sorry for the grief that others experienced
as a result of the choices made many years ago.
I am trusting that all is and has been
according to divine timing and plan..
Even when it has been difficult for me to feel and accept this.

I am a woman of diverse friends, both male and female.
I am a friend who loves to inspire, encourage and share with.
I am a friend who has not always felt comfortable sharing her truth…
I am a friend who loves, appreciates and honours
the beautiful connections I have made with others….
and how they have touched my life.

I am a pioneer…
stepping out into new territory before others.
I am a visionary…
connecting with how to help create a better world
for children, teens and adults.

I am creative and enjoy creating inspiring messages, cards, emails etc…
I am an eternal learner…. open to new ways of seeing things.

I am a teacher of elementary school children…
disgruntled with the structure of our educational system
and the curriculum we are mandated to cover.
I am sad that true curiosity and discovery have no real place,
that nurturing empowered, accountable, loving, thoughtful children
is not a major focus of what we teach and nurture in children.
I am a teacher…just not in the regular sense.

I am dragonfly energy…shimmering, beautiful…free to take flight.
I am horse energy…free to gallop and feel the wind in my face.
I am gentleness…afraid to come out….for it is a sign of weakness.
I am thoughtful…thinking of things to do for others.
I am a woman at crossroads in her life…feeling stuck
wanting more…desiring more…wondering….how…

I am eager and excited to continue to create…
a life of unlimited opportunities and possibilities.

I have a son who is getting married in a little over 2 weeks from now….the first of three. There are so many thoughts and emotions that one goes through as this day approaches. With both sets of parents being divorced, there have been awkward and even painful moments. Yet the other night, I was truly blessed with an amazing phone call from my son….one that was not expected at all.

Through our conversation he shared with me that I was not in my ‘true nature’ as he put it. He asked how I wanted to be seen and known…..and he was right. And so in that moment, I realized and had to accept that there are circumstances and people…..that they may not or will likely never change.

I can only change me and how I choose to ‘be’ and express in my life. He reminded me of all the qualities he respected and admired in me. Now this may seem like something trivial, but for me, this was a huge moment….being validated by my adult son in a way I haven’t been to this degree before.

My son reminded me that day that….

* I was the one that brought him into this world…

* I was there when he took his first steps…

* I am the one who will have the traditional “Mother-Son Dance” …and more

“No one can take that away from you Mama,” by then I was in tears

And so my son, who I am so proud of, shared his thoughts with me….. as a grown man, touched with wisdom….  He shared what he had to, so that things flow more smoothly….with kindness, sincerity and compassion. He validated and honoured not only his thoughts and feelings, but also mine and those of others. Well done!!!

Could a mother truly ask for more…..my heart is full….and at peace.

Each day we have the opportunity to be open to each and every new moment as it presents itself to us. This day has been blessed with many special moments…and I think it’s because I was ‘in each moment’, that I truly reveled in and cherished many of them.

Some of these cherished moments were:

• being able to sleep in…
• enjoying Ebony sitting on my lap, listening to her purr…
• smelling the freshly turned earth in the garden after it was rotor-tilled
• watching the birds hop around the garden finding new treats in the overturned earth
• laughter…and more laughter…
• sitting outside enjoying the breeze, the sunshine and the tranquility…
• observing a little sparrow pick apart the tufts of a dandelion head and eat them…
• smelling and hearing a fresh pot of coffee brewing…
• the feel of water droplets on my skin during a warm shower…
  
• the gift of an amazing image to look at…which I share below….

I came across a quote yesterday and adjusted it…
to suit the place I’m in right now:

“For magic to happen in your life,
you must believe in magic and new possibilities.”

How very true!!! And yet…we so quickly forget about the magic and unlimited possibilities that await us in each and ever moment. In order to be open to these possibilities, blessings and miracles, it is important to be ‘in the flow’ of divine unfoldment in our lives….to watch for moments of synchronicity.

And now…back to writing report cards….a task that must be done.

With warm thoughts,
Yvonne