ETL 2016 Summer of Hope Tour - SETTING AN INTENTION… AND THEN TRUSTING!

"If I could find someone to rent the house and water the plants, I'd be on the road!" I nonchalantly announced to my two daughters, without even really realizing that I had said it.

Well, two days later, I met a young women who had contacted me and two days after that… she moved in and I moved out! Holy Crap! It really does matter what you think and say!

She was to stay for 3 months and so I made plans for an Evolve to Live 2016 Summer Tour of Hope  After my initial panty twist, "You're going to what?"  I decided to visit all 5 satellite ETL Retreat Spaces while collecting stories of amazing people who have had the courage to make life changes that made them happy. But how was I going to visit them all, as they stretched internationally including, Canada, Ireland and Switzerland? I had no idea. But I continue to believe that anything is possible.

THE MONKEY WRENCH:

I gave my two weeks notice at my job and am currently housesitting until I'm finished with work. I was to leave on my tour this weekend when my renter emailed me that she was going to look for another place to live. Initial thought! "OH SHIT! Now… no job… no income… now what?" The mind-fucking began… It's not too late to go back to my job and stay home for the summer…  OR…I could take the higher road and stay true to my intention and practice what I preach, TRUST, LET GO and RECEIVE! So I decided that it's not too late to TRUST that God/The Universe knows more than I do and will watch over the Riverbend Retreat Center and my finances. 

I am familiar with God/ The Universal tricking us into trusting. Several years back my daughter left her job in Chicago as a basketball referee with the unwritten promise she'd been in the running to be a NBA referee. However, when she made the move, the job offer disappeared and she was left with the same "Now what?" Of course, her life changed for the better because of it all, but at the time… it didn't feel like it. 

Today one of my clients asked me, "What are you going to do now?" 

"I'm going to keep my eye on my goal.  The ETL 2016 Summer Tour! and TRUST that everything is in Divine Order…that's all I can do, because I'm not going backwards!" Why? Because if FEELS right! 

BACK IN THE USA

I just arrived back from my Vision Questing Tour in Switzerland/Ireland. While there are many fun and positive things that came from my experience away, there were as many learning opportunities, aka, panty twists:-) as well!

But for now, I’ll just share a few highlights from a recent conversation that I had with a friend. I was asked, what stood out most in my mind from my recent travels. (Some I have already shared.) Driving for 2 weeks on ‘the other’ side of the street is always a bit tricky to begin with, however, my last trip from Kerry to Dublin, I felt like a pro, having learned to navigate the roundabouts once again. Coming back to the states, is always a bit of a challenge, driving on ‘the other side’ of the road again! It takes a conscious effort on my part.

I met a woman on the plane, who had never volunteered at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, except for this year, and she got me a ‘job’ for the day that was remarkable. I could have been given a myriad of tasks and yet, I had the duty of walking dignitaries to their seats in the Grand Stand, walking right down the middle of the parade route where over 500,000 people awaited the beginning of the parade. (I pretended they had all come to see me:-)!)

I met a man on the plane from Switzerland, when he reached into his pocket and handed me his fountain pen when i was given a customs form to fill out. He said if I made it back to Dublin to give him a call and he would take me to lunch. I did make it back to Dublin and it took a lot of courage to call him. He picked me up at my hotel, had called ahead to a lovely restaurant, to see if they were open and made reservations. We began with a pint, starter, lunch, cocktail, dessert, all taking about 3 hours. We had a lovely conversation and then he dropped me to my next place by the sea for the evening. It was a great way to experience how I wish to be treated.

I drove for 1 week around the island with my friend and we experienced seaweed baths in Sligo, toured the Guinness Storehouse, toured the Bushmills Whiskey factory,saw the Great Causeway, drove through the Burren and saw some amazing countryside. My favorite memory was at the beginning of our trip when we saw a herd of sheep climbing a hill with a sheep dog nearby. Upon closer observation, there was a farmer carrying a 50 lb sack of feed on his back, they were following him. There were many baby lambs by the end of our trip lying in the fields while their moms were eating.

Even though we were in ‘Northern Ireland,’ a place people from the south are not crazy about going to, everyone was lovely to us. I later learned the history of the dispute between two areas.

I spent a few days in Dingle, with a major geo-temple, Shamanic Astrologer. We created ceremony around the equinox, for healing and peace for the world. We drove to the Burren and had an incredible hike in a very sacred space. It appeared to me to be the dessert of Ireland.

I spent several days with another friend and his family, finishing some organization from a previous house remodel and a couple of nights in very old castle like accommodations.

I flew back to Chicago with 4 seats all to myself. I had simply asked as I checked in, if there were any seats available with no one sitting next to them. The attendant said, yes, if I wanted to sit in the middle rows. She gave me an isle seat and blocked the one next to me. I didn’t know this was possible and so I’m sharing this information with you. I am currently in freezing Chicago helping to move one of my daughters back to the west coast.

Thanks for sharing my trip with me. it was fun to be away and it’s good to be home.

Next adventure, Switzerland/Ireland....Not so fun, all by yourself!

Time once again to leave my comfort zone! UGH! Damn it anyway! The sun honored my intention for retreat space while in Chicago and only peeked its head out as my daughter was driving me to the airport. I’m happy with the progress I made on my next book....because I was held hostage! No car, no sun...no diversions! I arrived 5 hrs early at the airport, which was lovely. I find myself once again in the funk that I get into every time I make a shift. Wanting to stay in control, I didn’t want to check my bag, the one I bought the day I found out my dad was dying, especially for international carry-on status! (I had not even flown anywhere internationally when I bought this bag...with money I didn’t even have! I charged it!) I went through this big ordeal not to check my bag, leaving behind some honey I had brought from the dessert for my friend but the bag weighed over 22 lbs, (it weighs over 22 lbs with nothing in it!) so I had to check it anyway!

I have at least learned from my daughters....while at the airport....go to the bar! 1 Jameson later, and I’m doing ok. I wasn’t going to spend $ on a drink, but then watching a young girl; she just used her card....easy....! I love being around this younger generation!

This, round 2 of the same trip that I made several years previous, is kind of a graduation for me. I remember back to the nervous younger woman, whose daughters helped to gently push her out of the nest. She could only make little legs of a trip at a time. First Chicago. OK, how about Ireland, now...can you add Switzerland? This trip, I was able to totally pack into my 18” suitcase and backpack, without even trying to force things!

I remember back, sitting in the office of my priest friend with tears welling up in my eyes, “It’s easy for you! You speak 7 different languages! I had to ride the train, to the bus to the plane to the train and went through 2 different languages! Scary! YES! did I make it? Of course!

I still don’t know how things are going to unfold, but I trust for my highest good!

I have been looking forward to this trip to Chicago and Ireland (Switzerland, just sort of slipped in there) so I could get my shoes polished! Dang! No shoe shinning at the International Airport. Can you believe it!

SIDE NOTE - VISION QUESTING, ANXIETY!!

Just as an added little side note, Vision Questing doesn’t come without its issues. I’m in need of constant support from many different sources and on many different levels, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For some it may appear a bit intriguing, however, I know for others, they can’t think of anything less interesting!

While I am certain that I was to leave the security of where I had been living for the past 3 months and the doors opened for a trip to Ireland, now that the time is getting closer I find myself in one of my panty twists.

Where am I going? Where in the friggin’ hell am I going? What am I going to do for a full month? Where am I staying? I keep thinking of different excuses not to go. My daughter needs me to horse sit; help her move...the Uncle of a friend of mine could use me to help him when he gets out of the hospital and I’m sure I can think up a couple of more distractions! I think the Universe is pretty tricky, as my ticket is non-refundable!

What make it extra difficult is traveling alone. My first trip to Ireland, Switzerland and Spain, revealed to me, that while I was physically alone, I was never truly alone. There was always support on a spiritual level. But dang it.....sometimes you just need God with skin on!

I called my shaman (support person). “This trip is like getting your PHD. You’re going for refinement in what you’ve been getting training in the past 10 years. You’re ready for this! Just feel into to the unsettled feelings and breathe, see who inside still needs reassurance and love.”

With that, I’ll go back on my retreat here in Chicago and try to stay in the moment, trusting things will unfold as they will...

DECISIONS! HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE MOVING IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR SOUL’S INTENT

At different times in life, different opportunities come our way and we have decisions to make and options to consider. While still trying to remain true to myself as I continue to navigate my way through the second half of life, using ‘signs’ and my intuition, I find myself struggling with the first half of life....thinking....trying to figure things out! It gets confusing at times and I begin to spin, which way to turn, which path is right! I’m going to share with you, how it is that I attempt to regain my clarity in hopes you find something that is helpful in your life.

I begin to realize that I am not moving in a way that is true to myself because I begin to feel anxious, unsettled and I can’t quite put my finger on what the funk that I’m in, is all about. I try to find some place to be alone so that I am not influenced by the well intentioned opinions of others. I then get out my pad and paper and begin answering questions that come to my mind. 1. What would you do if you weren’t afraid? 2. What would you do if it wasn’t about money? About time? 3. Is it in alignment with the intentions that I’ve set for myself? 4. Would I have regrets later if I didn’t do it? These are a few to get you started, add any questions that come to your mind.

I answer the questions completely and honestly with the first thing that pops into my head, knowing that no one else is going to see them. After some time alone, I may call someone that is moving in the second half of life as well, asking for an outsiders viewpoint helping me to connect the dots that I may have missed. However int he end, it is important that the only advice that you take is yours! You are the only one that knows what is best for you! You don’t want to get to the end of your life and realize you lived a life that others dreamed up for you!

I’ll share with you my latest deciphering process as an example. 1. I was given money at Christmas from an Irish pal. 2. My daughter had asked me to come to horse sit in Chicago for a couple of weeks. Once that happened, 3. I got the thought to see how much plane tickets to Ireland were, $199 each way! So I took the money and bought a ticket for one month, knowing that I would probably stay more like 6 months as I wanted to write my next book there. In the meantime...as things tend to do...things began to shift and I began to spin more options were on the table. Remembering my intention (Which by the way needs to be continually reevaluated.) My commitment is to ETL and selling my first book, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, Just Not Now! 4. Next, a conference in Tucson opened up for me to sell my books with an estimated attendance of 3-400 people, the day after I was scheduled to leave for Ireland. 5. Then, I was offered a house sitting gig in Tubac, AZ to begin in April. (After the trip to Ireland was complete. But before I accepted the housesitting job I had tried to see about canceling the Ireland trip. The road was blocked. No refunds.) How was I going to decipher what was in alignment for me?

I called a second half of life living friend and simply by hearing her say back to me what I had said to her, it all became clear to me. Yes, horse sitting; yes, conference, yes Ireland. Now there’s only one problem....(No problems, only solutions!) Money! We’ll discuss this next time! Have a FUN weekend!!

BACK ON THE GRID OF LIFE

You may have wondered or not:) why I haven't been blogging...I've been off the grid for a bit. Experiencing and processing. Since my last blog, visited a friend in AZ and took another Shamonic Astrology course. Then a friend from Ireland came for 2 weeks and we traveled to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Kartchner Caverns, all in Arizona and then over to the California coast, Avila Beach, then back to LA. We had many adventures and met lots of people, including family and friends and had some extraordinary spiritual experiences. While I had a great time, I learned a lot as well. I ended this time with a 3 night stay in Laughlin, NV. I had just wanted some retreat time. (I assisted in several soul releases along the way.) I booked Harrah's on line for $27 a night. A beautiful room on the 17th floor with an incredible view of the Colorado River from my bed:) (Where I write) A lovely retreat space or fun spot either way! Lake Havasu was my next stop to see a former neighbor of mine and then to Green Valley, AZ where I'm putting the finishing touches on my first book, due to go to press Dec. 5.

THE MOST TOUCHING THING THAT HAPPENED IN IRELAND

Recently I was remembering back to my last Ireland trip. My friend had picked me up at the airport and we had stopped for tea at his friend's house. We were all seated around the table and his 4 year old son had joined us in the room. He eventually worked his way towards me and it appeared to me that he wanted to get by, behind my chair. I asked him, could I scoot my chair forward so that he could get around me. His reply, "I just wanted to touch you!" On a physical level, I would have just thought, I was so different than anyone he had ever seen. I had just arrived to Ireland from Hawaii, so I had a tan, (the sun is something Ireland doesn't see a lot of!) I talked differently as well. But on a soul level, I took his words as that he 'saw' me. He knew who I was on a soul level, he saw who I was created to be! Children are so close to the spirit world, they're so innocent in their experiences. I love watching them play...are their friends really imaginary

(The picture is the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland County Clare where I believe that my mother's family is from.) Next blog: How it takes only 4 hrs to fly from Chicago to San Fran and 6 hours to travel by public transportation from SFO to Roseville! Go figure!