Archive for April, 2012

A Lift from Love Songs

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

Ever have one of those days when you felt unappreciated, alone and just plain sad inside? That was me last Friday. A series of small things like cancelled appointments and news that only 3 people had registered for an upcoming workshop had somehow convinced me that I wasn’t valuable or appreciated. At the end of a very busy week, my spirit sunk very low.

What to do?

Pity parties aren’t my thing. I knew the answer, but still held doubt in the pit of my stomach. I needed to move and be out in nature. I reluctantly changed into my running clothes and laced up my sneakers.

Next was the challenge of choosing the right music on my iPod to guide my thoughts and running pace for the next 30 minutes. I made an effortless selection – Love songs! Why? – These were the most recent group of songs added to my iPod. I had heard many of them quite by accident last Saturday night on a cool jazz radio program and had decided they were worth buying on iTunes.

So my run began with Lovesong by Adele. I can only describe this song as sweet and pure love. A gentle caress of heart and soul in a song. I told my mind to imagine that these lyrics were sung by an angel to me. I could certainly sing each version back to my angels.

Next up was Sade singing Nothing Can Come Between Us. I imagined her voice as the strong feminine side of God speaking to me.

As my pace quickened, I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5 came next, with tiny Michael’s voice from 1971. I imagined this voice to be coming from a God who chose a child-like form to be near me. The words and melody connected me again with the world. My running became smoother, stronger and almost effortless.

Rounding the bend for the last mile, the song Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire came on to send me home. What an amazingly joyful song! How had I missed these lyrics and the beautiful message always there since 1977?

As you glide in your stride
With the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
Are you free, yes I’m free
And I’m on my way…..

Our voices will ring together
Until the twelfth of never
We all will live love together as ONE

“Oh my!”, I thought to myself as I returned home. That was one of the most refreshing and uplifting runs I’ve ever taken! God surely speaks through songs and lyrics. I had become happily reconnected to my spirit, body and the planet once again.

Would this process work for you during a low time too?
Find 3-5 of your favorite old love songs and listen to them imagining that the voice of God is singing to you. Do you believe the words? Imagine yourself singing these words back to God. Which perspective brings you greater peace? Believe you have the power to connect and live as ONE.

Enjoy my love song videos below and give it a try!



Don’t Fear The Reaper

Friday, April 6th, 2012

When I first started dating my husband back in 1979, he was perplexed that a fairly intelligent chemistry major like me absolutely loved a song by Blue Oyster Cult called Don’t Fear the Reaper. Perhaps you know the song I’m talking about – it’s the one Will Ferrell made famous on Saturday Night Live in a skit that involved “MORE COWBELL!!!”

George and I have laughed about it many times over the years, yet he still becomes clearly annoyed every time I turn up the volume when it plays on the radio.

It wasn’t until this week, that my attraction to this song started making obvious sense. I do not and have never feared death. My belief system has everything to do with not being afraid and in living fully by trusting that there is eternal life. My Christian upbringing gave me the foundation for this belief system, yet over the years I have also come to know that the Source of all life loves us and lives within each of us. Why would any soul be allowed to die?

Releasing the fear of death is the path to more vibrant and joyful living. Encounters with the spirit world and with God have assured me of this time and time again. There is nothing but love and healing on the other side. That’s the truth!

Don’t Fear the Reaper played on the car radio the other day as I was driving with my husband and I was finally moved to ask him why he found the song so annoying (as I turned up the volume) . His response was,

“It’s that guitar solo! What a cacophony of nothing!”

I just burst out laughing, making a mental note to work that beautiful quote into one of my stories for a speech someday. How funny that it took 28 years of marriage to get clear on our differences about that song.

The lyrics AND the guitar solo work just fine for me. I’m sticking to my opinion and the song’s message of life eternal. You can listen to my old favorite through the link below.

Five Ways to Support a Friend Going Through a Rough Spell

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes it’s you who has the rug pulled out from under your feet, and at other times you are the witness to someone else’s extreme pain. This week I happen to be the witness and realize how much this hurts both me and my friend in completely different ways. We both feel powerless and low. I want to help, yet my hurting friend is retreating into isolation. What can I do?

I took that question to God as part of my morning meditation on a day that will be particularly hard for my friend. I asked what I might do to heal this situation. What would love do? These five answers were offered:

1. Love your friend unconditionally and send that love out to them wherever they are.

2. Pray for all involved.

3. Believe that the pain is resolving in its perfection. Something better is happening right now. Hold that thought and allow it to expand!

4. Be ready to listen, but don’t push for a discussion. Give advice only if asked for it.

5. Ask for the energy of all souls who care for this friend, both living and deceased, to surround them with a loving presence. This field of love will heal the isolation, bringing unification and connection to all involved. Trust this to be true.

I am reminded of one of my favorite phrases, “This too shall pass.” It is true both on good days and in trying times. This is life. Our job throughout this caring process is to be present, accept the present, act from a place of love and stay connected to the bigger realm of possibility. I trust my friend is wrapped in a warm blanket of love right now. I’m wrapped in the same blanket.