DAY 4 - LOS ANGELES

After getting a free oil change in my car, (where I purchased it) I headed up the freeway to Downtown Los Angeles where I was going to have lunch with Sister Edith. I had looked up the addresses of several Hospice facilities in the area so that I could leave books at them while I was in town.

We had a lovely lunch and talked about my talks beginning Sept. 17 and continuing for the first 4 Saturdays in October. I was very excited that she was still supporting my dream. (The picture at the right is the opening ceremony for the Religious Education Conference (40,000 attendees at the Anaheim Convention Center) which was the original intent for my speaking.)

I drove to see my priest friend in Whittier and then my sister and biggest fan had arranged for me to do a Rising Star Healing for a friend of hers. It was very touching to me and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I ended up with a yummy dinner at my sister’s and another Rising Star Healing, this time for my niece. When we got to the sacral chakra, we both heard a baby cry....wow! My dad’s spirit was very present at this session. I have really felt the spiritual support on this trip BIG TIME! Leaving at 3AM the next morning for Carmel, to see the uncle of a dear friend! Uncle Bill is 91 and just went to the hospital for a bit of physical therapy, but he’s quite a challenge to the nursing staff as in his head his thinks of his sex life as being a young teenager!

SIDE NOTE: As the time draws closer for my phone meeting with my editor for my next book, this afternoon, I notice that I am beginning to feel a little anxious. It’s always a little scary putting yourself ‘out there.’ Once you’re material is out...it’s out! Sometimes it’s hard to hear what needs to be said in order to move a project forward. I try consciously not to make excuses, but simply listen to the advice, after all, it is solicited, I am paying for this service!

EXCITING NEWS FOR ME: *The meeting with the editor was great. Still needs work of course, however I had learned a lot from the first project, so I got a BIG Thumbs up! * Seamus called from Ireland, I at least now have some sort of connection. Even though I still have no idea what I’m doing, where I’m going, I had said, "I need God with skin on," and Seamus called! * I got my first official book order today:) St. Michael is on it! San Miguel Mission, 6 books and a dozen of each of the postcards! OK, troops, chins up, we’re moved to the next square on the board of LIFE game! Yes, there are still many more squares and turns to go. Thank you for all your love and support! Even though this was an exciting day for me, I continue to remember from John Denver, “Sometimes I fly like an eagle and sometimes I’m deep in despair!” I’m thankful for the journey!

LIVING WAGE; CONSCIOUS LIVING

I've been here in AZ, working 2 jobs to try a get enough money together to publish my first book. Something has come into my awareness that I had known about, but never really internalized. I work at Fry's Market for $7.50 an hour and a waitressing job that pays, $4.25 an hour; certainly, they expect you to get tips and the truth of the matter is, sometimes you do and sometimes you don't.

I am definitely not going to be making this kind of money for ever, however, there are many people who do and my heart goes out to them. I overheard someone in the parking lot telling her friend that she just went to The Olive Garden and when asked if she wanted to purchase an item, she replied, "That's more money than I make in an hour." You really have to begin to think about minimum wage and a living wage. While taking a training class, I met a young mother of 2 small children, living alone....and making $7.50 an hour. Come on, give me a break!

When I first arrived at my waitressing job, I met a woman in her 50's who had several jobs and crocheted potholders and place mats that she was selling for $30 a set. I asked her, what it was that she did with all of her money. She said, "Just trying to survive." She lives in a trailer that needs to be torn down, so the heating and cooling bills are high. She has an older Kia car with a car payment and a few cats.

I am trying to be conscious in my living, what I eat and recycle etc. I am not a fan of purchasing chicken after watching how they're treated in chicken farms. So, if I want chicken, my heart tells me that it has to be free range. However, the reality is I have to work over an hour and a half to buy it when the cooked chicken in the store is only $5. While many are against Walmart, I can buy a bottle of juice at Walmart for $3 when it cost $6 at the regular market. Again, I have to work nearly an hour to have a nice bottle of juice.

What this experience has done for me is open my eyes to how many of us are living. It has made me fully aware of why people choose what they do when it comes to eating and the environment. I can get a $1 burrito or $3 happy meal! It's simply about the money!

Until we as a society are willing to pay a fair wage (a people work for it) social justice for all creation won't be a reality. Sometimes it's easier to live with our heads in the sand about where our food comes from and how things are treated simply because there seem like no other options.

When I'm eating fully consciously and giving thanks, the thanks not only goes to a Higher Power, but also, mostly to the one who has sacrificed it's life for my health. I can no longer eat a fish without reverence when it's lying on the platter, looking me in the eye or eat potatoes that just came out of the dirt with their little faces without a sense of gratitude.

The bottom line, working these low paying jobs has given me a new since of compassion and honor for the people who do them. My hat is off to you all!