My First Ride on a Horse

     In 8 days I will be 55 yrs old. I find it hard to believe that I have already lived 55 yrs. This is a bit of a milestone and I decided that I wanted to fulfill one of my life-long dreams before my birthday. the dream I chose was to ride a horse.
     I grew up in a suburb of Boston in Massachusetts. We lived on a cul-de-sac of two family homes. I remember pretending that I had a horse in the basement. My favorite toy was my rocking horse who I named King. I dreamed of one day riding a real horse.
    There was one time when I was a teen that I actually did sit on a horse but he got spooked by someone with a bright colored glass and started to rear. I got off the horse pretty quickly and after that I never had the opportunity to be around horses again.
    One of the students I work with rides horses and I mentioned to her that I wanted to take a riding lesson. She gave me a number to call and I walked around with that number for weeks. April vacation was approaching and I knew it was time to make that call. I had a good talk with the instructor and made a date for my lesson.
   The morning of April 26th I woke up pretty early. I was nervous and excited and wanted to be sure I got to the farm on time. I was early. Two dogs greeted me when I pulled into the farm. Shortly after my instructor walked up from behind the barn. I liked her immediately. We spent some time talking and getting to know each other. She introduced me to Swaney, the horse I would be riding and then she brought Swaney up to the barn to get her ready for my ride.
   At first I was a little awkward around the horse which I guess would be normal for someone who hadn't spent time with horses before. They are a big animal.
I was taught step by step about the horse. How they see and how to walk behind them and around them safely. Then it was time to start grooming her. There were 3 types of brushes and I learned to use all three. I brushed her face too. The more I brushed and touched her the more comfortable I felt around her. I was even allowed to do some Reiki on her.
   After about an hour or so, she was ready for the ride. I put on my helmet and walked to the steps where I would climb up on Swaney's back. There was no saddle because my instructor wanted me to really feel how the horse moved. I really didn't have too much time to think. For a split second I wanted to turn around and go back to the barn but I didn't. I climbed those steps and without really thinking about what I was going to do, I got myself on the horse.
     There was nothing to hold onto but her mane, which really isn't something that felt very secure and since I didn't have any idea where I should sit or how it would feel, I can say I felt very unstable. The horse and I were led by the instructor to the ring where we walked around and I did my best to stay centered on the horse.
     Every time I started to move with Swaney and felt comfortable, my instructor would change something and I would start slipping off. I was able to pull myself back to center each time but I was very afraid of falling off. I took deep breaths to release the stress and tried to concentrate on the movement of the horse underneath me. Thankfully I had been trying to build up my core and inner thigh muscles. This helped me stay put. After almost 40 minutes I felt that I had to stop. I didn't want to stop but my legs were so tired and starting to shake. We went around a couple of times and came to a stop.
     As I sat there on Swaney, something started to build up inside me and tears started to sneak out of my eyes. I wanted to stop them but they kept flowing. I am not sure why this happened. It was like all the pain and stress of the past month just came out, and Swaney stood still and allowed me to release the tears I had been holding in. Now I can see why horses are used in therapy. There is a connection without judgement. This was the moment when I truly knew why I had waited all these years to ride a horse. I might not have understood this connection when I was younger. I get it now.
     I got off of the horse and realized that I wasn't really so far from the ground. After a hug from my instructor and a nice walk back to the barn, I took care of Swaney. I felt closer to her now and as I stood talking to my instructor, Swaney nuzzled the back of my head. I gave her a little more Reiki before she went back out with her friends. I made an appointment for my next lesson. 

Healing Energy in your Heart

Over the years, I have experienced a few different energy and spiritual healing modalities. This started in the 1980's when I went through a Life in the Spirit seminar through the Catholic church. Those who were baptized in the Spirit received spiritual gifts. Mine seemed to be healing. I used it a little but it just wasn't the right time for me to really understand. I was very busy raising my family.
In 2003 I took Reiki I and II and again, I used it some but soon life took over again and I was preoccupied and only used the Reiki on myself, family and friends when they asked.
In 2007, a year after losing my step-daughter, I took Reiki III and Reiki Master/Teacher and the energy I felt coming through was just amazing. It is now almost 2011 and I have taken Karuna Reiki and the first level of Magnified Healing.
I have been doing some serious thinking about all the healing modalities lately. I enjoyed doing my morning practice with the Magnified healing but had some trouble anytime I was not able to do it. There is a flower essence that you take in the morning with the practice that I think is my issue. I have allergies to xome flowers. I tried stopping all together and that seems to have helped but it also made me wonder just what it is that I am getting from all of these healing modalities. I use Reiki but don't usually use the symbols.
This morning I decided to pray before my alter in my own way and ask for healing energy and answers. My hands felt charged with a most intense energy as I prayed to the God I believe in and the spiritual teachers who resonate with me. I prayed in my own way with my own words and soon answers came to me.
"We are each a piece of God's energy. We carry a spiritual Light within our hearts that is the place of love and healing. If we honor ourselves and all those around us this Light will grow. Because this Light is from God and is there for us, we can tap into it at anytime and use it to help ourselves and others heal. Our Universe is made up of energy and we are part of that energy so it makes sense that we would be able to use this energy."
When I think of how I feel when I am using the different healing modalities, I find that the energy feels very similar. But then again it must, because the energy in The Universe is the same but is manipulated in different ways. So it doesn't matter which healing modality you use or don't use because the healing is coming from your heart and so your intention is pure and the healing energy is there. The Healing is There in Your Heart!!!!
If you love and honor the Light within you, are true to what you believe because there is no wrong way to believe, be thankful and love others with the highest intentions you can harness the energy that is around and within you and help heal this world. 
Just my thoughts!!!
Blessings Anne

Thoughts at the Beach

Today was wonderful. Spending time at the beach always renews my spirit. The water was warm but still refreshing. The waves were huge. I was almost afraid a few times but that didn't stop me from spending most of the day in the water. I love the energy. So does my grandson James who was also in the water all day. 
As I swam, I thought about how nice it would be to have my friends with me enjoying the beach. I haven't seen them much lately and I miss them. We have such a great group of loving women who support each other in our endeavors and in life.
After supper I went for a walk on the beach. The beach was pretty empty and I was able to really connect with all that was around me. 
I saw the sandpipers I had not seen in quite sometime. I watched as they ran towards the water as the tide went out only to run back up the shore as the waves rolled in. I always loved watching them as a child. So funny how they run towards something only to run away from it when it gets here. 
I used to think all sea gulls were the same but have realized since becoming a bit of a bird watcher, that there are many types of gulls. There was a huge one standing at the edge of the water just looking out in the distance. I wonder what he was thinking.
I know what was going through my mind. I spent all of my summers here growing up. I had very close friends who I loved dearly. I have wonderful memories of my time in Magnolia. 
I feel sad sometimes that I don't see many of my old friends  when I am in town but I have come to realize that life goes on and people change. Sometimes I think I have changed so much from that nutty teenager and some things have changed, but I am still me inside.
I am very thankful for the people who have come and gone in my life and the lessons I have learned from them but I am especially grateful to my friends who have stayed and still love and accept me even with my imperfections and quirks. Love and acceptance, the key to life. How wonderful this world would be if everyone could just do it. Blessings Anne 

A Morning Message!

As I was waking up this morning, I floated from dreaming to waking. In this dream I was walking up the Attic stairs in the home where I grew up. I heard wind chimes as I climbed the steps I knew so well. When I got to the top, I remember seeing a very neat looking bird feeder and thought, "I will have to take that home for the birds." This feeder was hanging from an old lamp that was hanging from the ceiling. I saw other things hanging from the ceiling and the attic seemed a lot less cluttered than it used to be. I then felt something with me. I was frightened and that old "fight or flight" response kicked in. I then received a message. Stop fighting!
Then my mind was filled with thoughts and words and as I awoke, I tried to put them into sentences. I will try now.
We hear sayings like "fight for your rights", "put up a good fight", fight for our freedom" etc. The message I was receiving was replace that fight with love. When we are fighting something we are pushing it away and there is a struggle that goes along with this fighting. The struggle could be physical but usually it is emotional. We waste a lot of energy doing this and of course there is someone or something pushing back also wasting a lot of energy.
Isn't it better to send love to the other person or the situation? Wouldn't it be better to "Love your enemies?" If we could only put down our swords and try to find peace by looking deep within and bringing that Love and Light forward instead of anger. Be an example to others of how we can find loving ways to settle disagreements.
There will be people and situations that will cause us pain. We will want to fight back. The message is to take time and let the pain heal and instead of fighting find a way to forgive and send love instead. Just imagine what kind of world we would have if everyone could do this.
Blessings Anne

The Journey

We all have our own paths to follow and although there are many who travel part of the way with us, it is only because our paths are parallel for awhile, not because we are on the same path.

There are many people who come into our lives over the years. They can be with us from the time we are born, all through school, during different times in our lives. We are always meeting new people who may stay in our lives for years while others only stay for a short time. Each one is on a journey that is unique and personal. You might think they are on the same path as you because you seem to be going in the same direction but in reality, although you may have so much in common, you are still on your own paths.

I like to see it as a rainbow. Each color is a path, yet they seem to almost blend while keeping their unique color.

You may blend with others but your unique self will shine.

I hear people say, this person is on the right path. Well, let me say that we are all on our right path and no one should judge the path you are on because it is yours and yours alone. You are here to love, learn and experience life in your own way. Enjoy!

Today!!!!!!

I received an email today that really got me thinking. There has been so much talk about the future and the year 2012. Scientists are studying it, there are movies about it, the media is always mentioning it and there are so many who are worrying about it. There is even a very rich man who has buit or is in the process of building bunkers and selling them at outrageous prices. Many are making money as they use people's fear against them. The fear just keeps growing for a lot of people.
I wish I could tell the world to just stop what they are doing and listen just for a few minutes. I would try to show them that as they are spending all this time worrying about the future, they are missing out on today. Today is a gift to be enjoyed. Today we can love our family and friends, we can go to work, we can enjoy the sunshine or listen to the rain as it taps on the roof. Today we can smell flowers or watch the snow cover everything in a blanket of white. Today we can play with our children and grandchildren. Today we can listen to music on a radio or the music of nature as the birds voices fill the air. Today we can enjoy a hobby or a good conversation with a friend.
There are so many positive and joyful things we can do today, why are we letting the fear of tomorrow interfere with the now. Let's make a pact to always enjoy our today, to find something joyful each day, to stop the worry and concentrate on the good, to love strong even when we don't feel like it because when you can do this, you will be filled with Light.
No one knows what each day will bring. There is no sense in worrying about what will come because what will come will eventually get here. Keep finding the love and joy everyday and make the time you have on this earth worthwhile. We all leave this planet at some point. If you can live the rest of your todays in love and light, you will have no regrets.
Blessings for a joyful Today!!!!! Love and Light Anne

A House Clearing

Saturday was a very interesting day for me. I was asked to join a group of Lightworkers and go to a home where there was quite a bit of paranormal activity. The family have been very afraid and sleeping in their car most nights. The New England Paranormal Society had been there to investigate and they gave the family the name of a friend of mine who does house clearings. She then sent out an email asking for help.
We started the afternoon at Dartmouth Hospital where my friend Lori does her Transformational Grace session every month. It was good to be in that energy before embarking on this quest. We then went on our way to Vermont. The home was about an hour away. The ride was beautiful. It always amazes me that this state, which is right next to New Hampshire, can look so different. Both beautiful in their own way.
By the time we got there it was dark and it took a few minutes to find the right place. We all went inside the house, there were nine of us, and we listened to what the couple had to say about what was going on, and we were able to ask questions too.
I didn't feel too bad upstairs but when it came to going downstairs where the bedrooms and bathroom were, wow, what a difference. the energy was so thick, and it actually made me feel very nauseous. It felt like such sadness was there.
Before we had gotten to the house, I tried to connect with whomever was there. At that time I did feel a woman, someone who had been there a long time. she was dressed in like pioneer day clothing and the clothing was plain like she worked very hard with her husband to take care of what they had.
As I stood in one of the bedrooms I felt a man with me a taller man and he had been hit on the back of the head. There were actually three spirits, a woman, man and child, (a family) and a dog too. The feeling I got from this was their death had something to do with the railroad and it was sudden and tragic.
We all discussed what we were feeling and decided to try to help them by sending them lots of love and light and understanding. We made a circle and held hands and spoke to the spirits. We sent them all the love we could give and let them know that there was a place they could go where they could be with their loved ones and heal from their tragic passing. We did this for quite some time. The visualization I was getting was of a light that opened wide and the dog was leading them towards this light. The made there way slowly but they did get there. The all of a sudden the light was gone from my vision and the energy in the room had totally changed. I felt in my heart that they had made it to the light and were now home with their loved ones who had been waiting for them all this time. It was such a wonderful feeling now in this room. We all felt the difference and although a few of us felt that they did indeed go to the light, there were a couple who felt they just left the house. I have to trust my own feeling in this as I do with all spiritual work that I do.
Our next job was to try and help the couple living in this home. We did out best to explain what had been going on and to give them the tools to take care of this if anyone else should show up. this area feels very haunted and I believe we all felt there are other spirits in the area. When people have incredible fear, they unknowingly attract spirits who are also feeling fear. The spirit will recognize the fear energy and go to it because it is familiar. Also the woman who lives there is sensitive and can feel more that someone else might and this is why these spirits were trying to get her attention. We gave her the names of some books to read and tried to explain how to deal with these kinds of situation.
The most important thing to remember is...These spirits are people without the shell, they are just like us and if they need help we need to help them. You wouldn't turn your back on someone who needed help, someone who had been through a tragedy, someone who was confused...etc. You would help them, give them love and care, hug them and support them. Spirits also need out love. They may have been through a horrendous death or may be very confused and just need a little love and guidance. You can help them by sending them love. speak kindly to them and tell them you understand and will pray for them. They will understand and appreciate you for this.
One of the most disturbing things that I have witnessed on ghost hunting shows is when the hunters think it is ok to try and get the spirit irritated just so they will do something they can catch on tape. Would these same hunters be so disrespectful of someone in their 3-D body? This is not the way to treat a spirit. You do not call them names or yell at them any more than you would do that to someone you met in the street. Love one another and that means whether they are still in their human form or not.
Love and Light Anne