My Blog

Learning from animals

04/18/2012 12:17:00

While searching for something inspiring to post here, I came across this quote. I learn so much from animals and hope you do as well!

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humanity." Job 12:7-10

So, as an animal communicator, what are some of the things I've learned from animals? At the park I go to frequently, a Canada goose named Henry adopted me some years back as his best buddy. He comes when I call and in the early years, would join me on my walks around the park. Sometimes he would attack other walkers who came too close, but he's mellowed quite a bit over the years.

What I've learned from Henry is community. He defends his little flock of geese and ducks with a vengeance and has 'protected' me from the dangers he perceives in the world, which don't often coincide with what I perceive as dangers. Several years ago, two male Canada geese were in the lake fighting over a female. Henry 'herded' me into the flock and made me stay there while the fight was going on. I humored him. After a few minutes, though, I told him I really had to go and would make sure to walk across grass. I also let him know I had no intentions of getting into that lake and anywhere near those three! LOL

He's also taught me how to be 'invisible'. When there have been other, more dominant, male geese in the park, he becomes very quiet and draws his energy in tight around him. He almost seems to tip-toe around the park and frequently stays out of sight of the other male. By watching him, I've learned how to pull my energy in tight around me at times when I need to be 'invisible'.

I'm learning that observation is a big part of being a pet psychic. My cat, Mr Dickens, is teaching me a lot about how he supports me when I'm feeling down or chaotic.

Not too long ago, my cell phone was stolen when I was at the Belleville Public Library. I had just purchased it five days before. A witness told me who had taken it. I was very upset when I got home and was calling the store I'd purchased it from (Wireless Toyz). Dickens kept crawling all over me. I kept pushing him away and eventually he perched on top of the baker's rack I was sitting in front of. Finally! It dawned on me. He was trying to comfort me!! Argh. Yes, sometimes even we pet psychics take a while to get the message! LOL

Do what matters!

02/23/2012 17:23:00

from Ralph Marston, "The Daily Motivator"

Do what matters! The life you long to live is as close as your next action. All you have to do, is to do what matters. The fulfillment of your most beautiful dreams can begin right now. All you must do, is to do what truly matters. You are not here to live out someone else’s idea of a satisfying life. You have your very own unique perspective on what is important and meaningful. If you’re continually frustrated with what you’re doing, the answer is clear. End your frustration by investing your time and effort in what matters. When you know you’re doing what truly matters, the challenges and obstacles will still come your way. However, you will absolutely have the energy, the commitment, the drive and fortitude to successfully work through every difficulty. Life is always best when you do what matters most to you. In all you do, do what matters, and bring your very best possibilities brilliantly to life.

Step into your Greatness!

02/06/2012 12:49:00

The following story is a rewrite of the original piece written by Elizabeth Silance Ballard in 1974 and published in "HomeLife" magazine that same year. It's been floating around the internet for years, and I think it's one of those delightful pieces that can inspire us to greatness. What can you do today to inspire someone to greatness?

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her fifth grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie ?

Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that She loved them all the same ?

But that was impossible,because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a
broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade Teacher
wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped
in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was. She put it on and dabbed some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching
reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished
high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite
teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.

The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering
if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making
me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Potentials Resale Shop benefits 'Youth in Need'

08/25/2011 17:21:00

Believing in the Power of Potential" is the motto of Youth in Need, a non-profit dedicated to building positive futures for the community’s most vulnerable children, teens and families.

POTENTIALS

is the name of a new upscale, resale shop recently opened at the Westgate Shopping Center, 12392 Olive Road, Creve Coeur, MO, just west of I-270 on the south side of the street. The store benefits Youth in Need, which serves five counties in eastern Missouri including St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Montgomery as well as the City of St. Louis.

Potentials does take consignments, so you can clean out your closet and help out a very worthy cause as well!

For details about the shop, visit their website at http://potentialsresale.org

Youth in Need's website is http://www.youthinneed.org