Animal Totems

In June of 2008, my family moved to a new home in Bellingham, Washington right on the trail into Whatcom Falls Park--a beautiful park and trail system along Whatcom Creek, full of wildlife, waterfalls and a shade of deciduous and cedar trees. Gorgeous! It’s quite a sanctuary of nature there and I was thrilled to be able to walk out my door and be in the woods within a couple of minutes.
Shortly after moving, our family walked down to Whatcom Falls, a 15 minute walk from our door and we all stood on the bridge admiring the powerful force of water before us. Incredulous that this place is literally in our back yard, we marveled at our good fortune.
While taking in the ambiance at the waterfall, I peered down from the bridge to the water below us. And staring back at me were the two bright eyes of an owl! He was perched on the ledge of the bridge, looking up at us. What a magical moment! I felt blessed. He then swooped down under the bridge and landed on a tree branch 100 ft away looking straight into my eyes. “This is a real gift!” I thought. What a magnificent bird! I felt it was a good sign of welcome to our new home.
Later that month, on a return trip to the falls with some friends, I looked over at the tree branch where I had first seen the owl, and there he sat--Again! I was amazed to have the good fortune of seeing him a second time, and within such a short time of my first sighting. I started wondering what it might mean.
A month or two later, my cousin and I were taking a walk on one of the many side trails in the park . As we were chatting, I looked over to my left into the trees, and there was my owl friend once again. He sat bold and upright, staring right into me, almost as if to say “I have a message for you.” As I reached for my camera phone to take a photo of him he suddenly swooped down across our path and landed on the opposite bank. Spreading his wings, he tried to camouflage himself among the brush.
Now this was my third owl sighting within a five month period or so. I was starting to think “There must be a reason for this!” So I went home and looked up “animal totems.” Here’s what I read…
”Animals come to us because they have a lesson we need to learn a power they are willing to share with a friend. They seek to give us a gift of understanding, universal love, energy and knowledge. In general, animals remind us that we are part of the earth; that each creature has a place; that each creature has a skill of it's own; that we have instincts given to us from Mother, wisdom born to us that we must awaken. The Animal Totem that comes to you offers you power and wisdom if you will learn to communicate with it, with respect, trust, and understanding."
So here’s what I read about Owl: “Owl has the ability to light up our blind side, enabling us to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only half truth. Owl is a feminine trait symbolically associated with clairvoyance, astral projection and magic. When you have lost your way, owl essence will guide you back to your proper path and wisdom. Owl medicine helps us clear out that which is no longer needed or wanted.”
I saw Owl one more time a couple of months later and my final encounter was a on a walk through the park where I encountered an enormous owl feather across my path. The feather now sits upon my dresser and is a daily reminder to pay attention to the subtle messages all around us.
I believe that animals are great teachers if we take notice. And I am noticing more than ever now. Especially after another special animal encounter last week!
Last Wednesday evening, my daughter Emma and I went to the local coffee shop for something warm to drink . Just after receiving our drinks, we sat at a table and looked out the window. People were gathering around outside, circling and staring at something in the street. 
We stood up and looked out the window, and there in the middle of the road was a hawk, having just taken a seagull down out of the sky! Right there in the street and then onto the sidewalk, we were all able to stand within three feet of this magnificent bird. It was amazing! It was incredible to be so close to the hawk, and to witness the natural world in action. 
Animal control arrived and said that the hawk was a Harris Hawk. So I went home and looked up the message of the Harris Hawk as an animal totem. Here’s what it said:


“Harris Hawk - represents cooperation and support from others. This hawk helps one to spread the word about goals or projects to those people who can be helpful for you. For those who use music to help them soar high above, this is a wonderful totem to be working with as it helps to integrate music and sound as a healing modality.”
Being a musician, singing about peace and love and spreading a message to follow one’s dreams, I feel that once again, the animal kingdom is speaking to me. What a gift!
Perhaps you may find some powerful messages among the animal friends who cross your path.
Pay attention!!

Journal Entry
Message from my Higher Self

Let it all be.
Let go and trust.
Live into what is for the highest and best.
There are no mistakes, only lessons to learn.
Be at ease and smile, going forth with joy.
There is no right and wrong here.
Keep your face lifted to the heavens and keep the light bright from within.
You are a bright star and must use your gifts.
Champion those gifts. Keep them flowing.
Do not shut down.
Do not become complacent or settle for less than what you truly deserve.
You are a holy child of God and must come from this place.
There are no compromises here.
It must be!
Just hold the light, let go and trust.
You are never led astray and all experiences are for the highest and best for your soul's growth and potential.
The stars are there to remind you to shine.
Keep your sights fixed on the horizon and do not allow yourself to get caught up in petty details.
Stay clear and focused.
Do not go into low frequencies-
Stay above the plane of destruction and anger.
Keep the gentleness in your heart.
Stay in the gentle breath.
You must allow yourself to be recognized from a higher plane of energy.
Stay there-do not go back.
Keep strong.
You will be shown the way. All becomes clear. All will be revealed.
Keep steady right now.
Keep your eyes lifted.
Breathe, walk, connect daily with nature and keep your body strong.
There are no shortcuts in this life.
All must be worked out in it's right time.
Your dreams are yours and you are free to shoot for the moon!
Whatever you dream you can have.
Faith, faith, faith.
Let Go, Let God,
Trust and Believe that all is leading you along the path
to your best life.

I Bless the Dark

Oh delicious dark
I bow to your silence
How is it that such an absence of light without
Can call forth such a radiant glow within?
These are my moments
Mine alone
In solitude
In stillness
In silence
I bless the dark

A Law of Attraction Success Story

A Law of Attraction Success Story

All the hype these days in the self help/self improvement world seems to be on the “Law of Attraction." I've certainly caught the wave and have been very open to the process of co-creating the experiences in my life. One thing I've tried in particular is a vision board.

What is it about a vision board that helps us to manifest our dreams? From what I understand, vision boards are effective because they give us frequent, daily input of the vision we want for our lives. The picture of what you want is repeatedly going into your brain and forming a thought. That daily vision/thought then begins the process of manifestation. The funny thing is, I recently manifested something from a totally surprising visual source that I wasn't consciously trying to manifest. Here's what happened...

Three weeks ago, I decided to change the “wallpaper” on my cell phone---the picture in the background when you open up your phone. I decided on a photograph of the tropics. It’s a photo of several grass roof huts, elevated over the water. It’s sunny and beautiful, the water is blue, and when I look at it, I can escape in my mind to a warmer place, away from the busy, chilly, fall season here at home.

So--yesterday, I started up again with my yoga class. I’d taken a bit of a hiatus over the summer and was ready to get back into my routine. I was feeling quite blissful after my 90 minute class, rejuvenated, open and ready for whatever the day would bring.
Upon leaving the studio I picked up a flier for a “Yoga Vacation in the Tropics!” It looked marvelous, taught by our lovely instructor and was to be held during the cold, rainy, dreary time of year here in Washington—February! I held the flier in my hands and let my mind dream. “I wish I could go!” I thought. So I tucked it into my purse and took it with me to meet my friend for lunch. She looked it over and we both started daydreaming about getting away to “Panamanian Paradise” in the dead of winter for 6 days of yoga and relaxation.
After our visit, it just so happened that my mother and a friend were having lunch at the bookstore café down the street so I sat down and showed them the flier. Now you must understand that my mother is very spontaneous! After seeing my enthusiasm for the idea of going on this "Yoga Vacation" she said, “Well, why not?” and proceeded to write me a check for the down payment! She said, “Everyone needs someone to champion their dreams...hold a spot, and see what unfolds!” Smiling and radiant, I walked back down to the yoga studio and paid my deposit. I was going to Panama! Wow!!!
I glowed as I walked back to my car and got in. I then reached for my phone to call my husband, and as I opened it up I stopped, staring at the picture in the background--the photo of the grass huts over the water in the tropics. I was stunned! Quickly I scrambled for the flier in my purse. I couldn’t believe my eyes! There in the corner of the flier for my “Yoga Vacation in the Tropics” was the very same style grass hut sitting over the water. “Unbelievable!” I thought! “How amazing! It’s the exact replica of what I have been looking at for the past three weeks on my phone!” I was electrified now!! “This is a true sign from the universe” I thought! “This is proof that vision boards work! The universe is nudging me along, conspiring on my behalf and co-creating a wonderful and magical experience for me! I know I'm supposed to be there!"

So that is my little story of “proof” that what you look at, what you think about, and what you focus on in your life does indeed manifest. The universe will show you the signs, and place the people in your life to help it happen--if you are willing to pay attention and say YES!

Dare to Dream!