“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.”
― Louisa May Alcott 

Spring is here and with that comes spring cleaning.  I know I’ve mentioned that every day is a day to start anew; however, spring is my time to do the complete overhaul of unwanted things, energy and thoughts.  With that, I appreciate the fresh and light energy spring brings forth.  This is my time to carefully prioritize and organize every aspect of my being.  I didn’t realize how much I needed to do this until this past week when I knew that my energy level was depleted.  I literally saw my energy level like a gas gauge where the needle was quivering in the “red section.”  Not good—I knew it wasn’t good when my loves were sending me e-mails on upcoming plans and I didn’t feel enthusiastic, I was empty of thoughts.  WOW.  Something was wrong…

Spirit came to me last night and reminded me that I needed healing NOW, yet I
was advised to start slow.  I knew what I had to do.  So last night on my way home, I decided (that even though I was dressed up for Friday Happy Hour—I was still wishy washy)—it’s been a long time since I spent a Friday night 
doing my laundry, so what the hell—JUST DO IT.  Indeed.  I thought to myself, this is crazy, I have no life.  Well, I woke up Saturday morning, already feeling better because I got the biggest task of the weekend out of the way.  I meditated and automatically, I was drawn to do an Angel Reiki healing on myself.  I. FELT. GOOD.  I knew right after that I’ve let the weekly reiki healing on myself go by the way side and it hurt me in the end.  I’ve even noticed the way I was at work.  I felt bad for my co-workers.  Oh well—last week belongs there and I’m good today and looking forward to tackling next week.  So I have moved forward and this is what I did:

1. 45 minute Angel Reiki; facial immediately following AR.
2. I put away my clean laundry from last night.
3. Cleaned out about 1/5th of my closet to make room for the new.
4. Organized and put all of my important papers; purses; and other items in their rightful places.

I was summoned by Spirit to “break” from my cleaning and to look up.  Don’t you know that when I took a short break from my cleaning and organizing, I looked out at my balcony and saw a sight that gave me confirmation that my  cleaning and clearing is/was in divine timing.  I was reminded just as well what this weekend meant “rebirth”—specifically, the rebirth of Christ, Easter.  I had to take a picture of the rainbow to the left of this page.  Yes, I posted it on FB last night with this short sentence:  “It seems that the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow is indeed @ home.”  

I am grateful and thankful that one being died for me today.  One self-less being took on the burden of the human race thru his suffering, death and was resurrected on Easter.  For me, Easter is not only a reminder to me of who died for the human race but for me it is symbolic of rebirth, for when Christ was re-born on this day, so was the human race.  In the end, I had to remind myself that no matter how bad life might seem, there is always a rainbow after the rain.  Note to self:  STAY CONSISTENT WITH THE SELF-ANGEL REIKI Healing for continuous rebirth for the benefit of others around me. 

So my inquiring mind wants to know, what is YOUR ritual to stay
positive thru YOUR week?  Please share.  Nothing is ever set in stone
and if your ritual resonates with me, I’ll add and/or change mine to live
better.  Self-improvement does make a difference in this world. 

Till next time, I bid you all A HAPPY EASTER, love, light and
compassion, My Loves!

I woke up this morning and said to myself, “Good morning, World, I’m happy to be alive and grateful for the air in my lungs and good health!”  By the way, no I’m not high nor am I hung over.  I just choose to live “happily ever after” and so can you.

The past two weeks showed me a whole “lotta” love.  I am so grateful to every single one of my loved ones who graced us with their presence both physically and spiritually.  I am so blessed to have every single one of you, My Loves, in my life.  WOW!!!!  Time flew at warp speed during my son’s stay here two weeks ago.  I'm especially grateful to see and hear my dad celebrate his 77th birthday on a healthy note; and grateful as well that mom will be celebrating her 79th birthday next month.  All the while, I kept in mind that my loved ones didn’t have to make the time to be with us, but they did and that’s what made it all so special.  They didn’t have to visit us because they wanted to and if that isn’t love, then I don’t know what is.  This loving energy residing within me and surrounding me via family and friends was at times, overwhelming, but it was a constant reminder that it is deep within the human heart and spirit, there where love is--God resides.   

Most of all, I'm grateful to God for giving me My Life and the free will to live it my way.  I look back at all that I've been through; and I am ever so thankful to have experienced what I've experienced, both good and bad.  I've been blessed to have found and have had loving relationships twice in my lifetime; and then returned to myself.  I have fallen in love with myself all over again and gained confidence in my own skin. 

Life can’t get any richer than this--I am the wealthiest person on earth. 

So Jonathan—it’s not goodbye, it never is.  See you later, kid or rather see you soon ;o).  Have a safe trip home and continue to live your Blessed Life, Anak and be thankful for it!  I love and miss you already.

Till next time, My Loves, I bid you all love, light & compassion.

~Maria

Mercury Retrograde was from February 23-March 17, 2013.  If you’re not familiar with Mercury Retrograde, well it’s a period of time which lasts anywhere from 20-24 days where the planet Mercury almost comes to a stop, then moves slowly BACKWARDS!  When this happens, it is said that one shouldn’t make plans, sign contracts as plans and actions go awry (i.e. communication mix-ups, travel is delayed).  Oh and one should expect their computers and/or any electronic devices, cars to go wonky too.  I’d like to think of it as a time when Universe releases the Joker making everything go “wild.”

First off, my son’s trip was delayed the previous week and that should have done it for me.  Then, last week was horrible, with an exception of my son finally arriving and keeping me sane thru the week.  Everything that could go wrong at work, did.  Communication was either lost in translation or missing; my computer froze more times than I can count on both hands; and even my map directions were wonky (computer-generated, of course).  Funny, no matter how hard I tried to correct myself, things were happening for a reason.  At the time, I couldn’t accept this, for I did everything I needed to do by the book.  Then, I read somewhere it was the Mercury Retrograde, I’m not one to blame it on the Universe as I was going to do everything in my power to execute my plan of action and prove I could live past the retrograde.  Get this, the cherry-topper for the week was when I accidentally tagged a loved one’s name where it didn’t belong and she was very upset (ok—she was livid!) and I apologized for it.  So, that was my last straw and I no longer denied that last week’s Mercury Retrograde was in full effect and strong.

Anyway, I always seem to dodge this event and get off easy.  At any rate, I STOPPED and thought, this is the time to I need to slow down and reflect before moving forward.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter how long you plan something and how hard you work at it, in the end, I believe things work out accordingly  and that the Universe throws things our way to get our attention either to learn from a mistake or to slow us down.  NEW DAY, NEW WEEK, hence a NEW LIFE.  Till next time, My Loves—I bid you all Love, Light & Compassion.

~Maria

PS.  FYI, 2013 Retrograde dates are as follows:  June 26–July 20; and October 21–November 10; don't say I didn't warn you! ;o)

NOW, whenever I think of St. Patty’s Day, I think of what my son wrote on his hand when he was 13 years old.  In green ink, he wrote “I’m not Irish, but kiss me anyway.”  I had to roll my eyes, shake my head and chuckle.  He’s definitely got my wry sense of humor.  I am blessed to have him here this week and this weekend to celebrate “the luck of the Irish.”  Tis to my Irish brothers and sisters, who truly know how to eat, drink and be merry!

I’m also reminded by Spirit, that the best times are with Loved Ones and they are best spent when one is present by putting away that phone, listening intently to each other’s stories of that week (both good and bad), and cherishing this collective gathering of love and memory-making.  By all means, only use that phone when you feel the need to share and spread the love you’re experiencing at that moment, on Facebook.  :o)  So Jonathan, hats off to you, thank you for being you and my inspiration--now, let’s make the most of this merry time!  Woo hoo! 

With that said, EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY, MY LOVES!  Till next time, I bid you all love, light and compassion.

~Maria

Dear Jon,

Hey there—I was bummed when I found out (via Facebook – NOT GOOD) that you weren’t coming home this week.  However, I know you must have been more disappointed than I was to find out that your homecoming had to be put on hold.  I already anticipated times like these, but I can’t help my heartstrings from tugging and getting the best of me.  Well, that’s the military for you.  What you told me on the phone the night before last--that’s a good enough excuse to delay vacations, trips, etc.  I think the only thing that could have gotten you out of this one is a death—God forbid.  Ahhh, the perks of being in the Navy and of being a Navy mom. 

Well, I know you said not to make any plans until you are here, but I couldn’t help myself.  I went ahead and booked the Vodka Tasting.  As fate would have it, a few family members already RSVP’d with a Maybe (meaning “No” in my book).  I figured that’s fine with me; less people I have to worry about --whether or not they make it to the event on time OR if they even make it to the event at all.  Oh well--it just gives us more Mommy and Me time.  Anyway, I promise that is the only thing I booked for you.

I must say this and whether you are tired of hearing this, I don’t care:  I am so proud of you and the man you have become.  Between us, you have always been the level-headed one and kept me grounded.  I see your pictures and I see a young man who is loving, wise and strong beyond his years.  You amaze me with your wit and keen perspective on life; and you always seem to find humor in the roughest of situations.  You’re definitely an old soul, Anak.

As for me, I think I can survive another week (or two) without you ;o).  I’ll hold down the fort if you promise to keep watch on our family and the rest of our country.  Deal?  Till next time and hopefully, you’re here to inspire my next blog entry, I bid you love, compassion & blessings.  As always, I love and miss you.

Mommy