Angels Among Us

What if everything you see around you is a message, a token from the invisible angels around us trying to give you a message?   What if you saw everything little thing as a gift from God…even junk, trash, clutter that you don’t even recognize anymore because you have so much of it laying around?

I go to my apartments beautiful clubhouse to write and use the WIFI that’s over looking a majestic pool area that looks like it’s the view from a mansion in Tuscany.  I live on Tranquillo Lane and this place is seriously TRANQUIL – I love it here.  But I know I am not staying, as usual.  I write from the head of a giant wooden table that helps my flighty thoughts stay grounded so I can piece a sentence together if I am lucky.

At first I thought the daily visit from Carl was an accident when I was working on a project with a client.  She said, “Awe, cardinals remind of my grandmother telling me to follow my dreams.”   Her beloved grandmother in heaven sending a sign through the cardinal visit made us smile, get chill bumps and know her charity organization we were brainstorming and developing was right on track.  I love that kind of woo-woo!

Every time I am there working the cardinal I named “Carl” comes to the window and just taps staring at me.  He taps loud too!  I don’t know what he wants from me so I just stop and appreciate how stunning Cardinals are.  It seems like he has an urgent message his tapping at the window is seriously distracting and bossy!  I change rooms in the clubhouse but even still, that Carl finds me!  Every day I go at least for a few hours and expect him to stop by.  No matter what spot I find, Carl finds me, just tap at the window staring me down, tapping.  Carl the Cardinal is red, bold, beautiful and absolutely passionate about tapping at the window!  I wish I had a bird translator.

What if angels like Carl and random found objects are all around us sending us meant as messages from the universe?  A starry bow, a paperclip, a lock, an eraser, a penny, a rubber band and even a cardinal telling us something special, just meant for us to hear and take into our hearts as a knapsack of eternal hope.  What surrounds you?  What is saying?  Hmmm, that should keep your mind and heart busy for a while…at least it does mine.

So I had to look into the spiritual meaning of cardinals of course.  Surprised?  Here are my findings in a nutshell:  The cardinal is a power-packed bird that transforms and awakens us. Its color and voice are its two strongest characteristics.

The eggs laid by the female hatch in about twelve days. This, along with the cardinal’s year-round residency, reflects the rhythm of the number twelve. It can indicate a turn of events or a life-changing situation. When the cardinal flies into your life expect a change to occur within 12 days, 12 weeks, 12 months or at the hour of 12.

Cardinals have a loud whistle, a whistle that penetrates the air with sharp distinct tones. They demand our attention, urging us to hear what is carried through the air.  This reflects the need to integrate our male and female characteristics into our day-to-day life. Feminine energy is linked to intuition; Male energy to perseverance. If both are operating within our life, our intuitive knowledge has the perseverance and strength necessary to manifest our goals and dreams.

The bright red color of the cardinal is very symbolic. Red represents the blood or life force of the Mystic Christ. The cardinal offers safe passage into the world of personal power for those who ask for its help. 

When a person with cardinal medicine steps onto a spiritual path there will be no turning back. Everything else in their life will seem insignificant.

This power-packed bird can teach you how to express your truth, develop confidence, and walk your talk. If you respect its teachings it will lead you home.  

Birds, doves in particular, have long been a symbol of the holy spirit. Renderings of the holy spirit generally contain one of two elements, white light or red flames. The white dove represents the purity and peace in the light of the spirit and the red cardinal represents the fire and vitality of the living spirit. In addition, the cardinal is symbolic of the living blood of Christ. Both cardinals and blood have long been symbols of vitality, and in the Christian context, that vitality is everlasting. “By His blood we are freed from sin to serve the living God, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever.” Traditionally, the cardinal is symbolic of life, hope and restoration. These symbols connect cardinal birds to living faith, and so they come to remind us, that though circumstances might look bleak, dark and despairing, there is always “hope”.

Well then…it’s CLEARLY time for a big change!  WooHoo!  Thank you for the 12th hour message from heaven Carl!!  I hear you loud and clear little buddy!

Phoenix Rising

I’ve always been curious about this term so I wikipedia’d it and found this explanation below.  The idea of self reinvention, rebirth as we grow in age and wisdom is FUN think about but why is so hard “TO DO” ? Or is it?

In Greek mythology, a phoenix or phenix (Ancient Greek φοίνιξ phóinīx) is a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. The phoenix was later adopted as a symbol in Early Christianity. The phoenix is referenced in modern popular culture.

In his study of the phoenix, R. van der Broek summarizes, that, in the historical record, the phoenix “could symbolize renewal in general as well as the sun, Time, the Empire, metempsychosis, consecration, resurrection, life in the heavenly Paradise, Christ, Mary, virginity, the exceptional man, and certain aspects of Christian life”

A new friend of mine sent me this poem,which I love, so of course I’ll share it with you too.   What if we just LET GO of the old stories that don’t work for us anymore and bring in the NEW and IMPROVED version of our best selves?  I’m taking time to intentionally invest in my own ongoing make-over, mind, body and even my soul.    It’s a lot to consider doing when you break it down.   What is actually involved in changing from the inside out like the sun to begin rising and re-rising and re-rising like a stunning Phoenix anyway?

The makeover I am talking about is in the inside, in thought life that creates our realities, in finding our bigger purpose in the universe and making a difference in living your purpose.   Not as much the stylish new trendy make overs like changing hair length, color and jeans sizes.   We are all a unique masterpiece, how we value and present our Art is what I am talking about.  Beauty will naturally follow…

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.  ~ Pslams 139:14

She Let Go ~ Ernest Holmes

She let go.  Without a thought or a word, she let go.   She let go of the fear.  She let go of the judgments.  She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her.   She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.  Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.    She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go…She didn’t search the scriptures.  She just let go.   She let go of all the memories that held her back.  She let go of all the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.   She let go of the planning and all the calculations about how to do it just right.  

She didn’t promise to let go.  She didn’t journal about it.   She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.  She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.   She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.  She just let go.  She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.  She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.  She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.  She didn’t call the prayer line.  She didn’t utter one word.  She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.  There was no applause or congratulations.  No one thanked her or praised her.  No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.  There was no effort.   There was no struggle.  It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.  It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.   A small smile came over her face.   A light breeze blew through her.   And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.”  – Ernest Holmes

I like it, I like it A LOT!   She Let Go for a Phoenix Rising!  

Earth Angels

Do you have earth angels?   I sure do.  

I never can thank or repay them enough for the drops of love they continue to drip on me as life happens.  They are just there standing quietly in the gap sending love.   I don’t see them  or even talk to them often enough.  Even still, just when I least expect it and usually when I need it most a card comes in the mail, a Facebook post, an email or blog comment of sweet assurance in our Heavenly Father‘s Love through vessels of bone & skin.   This is my latest “overflowing with love attack”!     My angel says to me that I remind HER of JOY!   Little does she know her spirit and care for people is the fountain we all need to be a light in the darkness of life happening the way it does.

A message from my earth angel to all who are blessed to read this blog post today.  “Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes based on what’s going on in our lives; but joy is a gift from God that will never change, lessen or be taken away. God, through His Spirit, grants us love, joy, and peace no matter what is happening in our lives! As Christians, we shouldn’t expect our joy to always feel like happiness, but instead recognize joy as inner security — a safeness in our life with Christ.”

A Compliment, a smile, being generous with your time, we never know how much people need our love and encouragement JUST BECAUSE.  Pass on the love…I forget all to often and get caught up in my little bubble of myself.  I read too much into things, over analyze, protect my heart and keep safe distances.  Thank you for your love the way I can receive it during this season of my life sweet earth angels!

As I am in a super stretching and growing phase in my life personally and professionally it’s easy to forget the easy rules I try to live by and get off track.   Even worse cause myself a tail spin back to the old ways of being in the world that old lie that life “owes” me something along the lines of “happiness”.  It doesn’t.  AT ALL.  We owe it to life to be the happy!   We owe it to life to be free of anger, worry, clutter to create the space for happiness to be alive in.   It’s created within any situation, any hardship, all situations can be happy, they already are happy by choice when we allow it to be present.

WHY are the most simple things the hardest to master?    I fight with my expectations on a minute to minute basis.  I expect to have all the answers. I expect to have a happy life that I make a difference but I still seem to get stuck in my turn style of frustrations and get off course.  My earth angels seem to know exactly when I need them to say something that stops me dead in my tracks and bonks me on the head.   

God knows our prayers even if we don’t have the words to say them out loud.   As I continue to walk the path of “what the hell am I doing” and being surprised by the glorious outcomes God has in store, it’s clear.  Happiness just IS, even when its hard being in constant learning and making mistakes mode.   Everyday is a new day of possibility of perfect imperfections!   Hakuna Matata my dearest Marcy!  Thank you for reminding me what my priorities of JOY are in Jesus.  🙂 It means no worries for the rest of your days.  It’s our problem-free philosophy!  Thank you for being a bright light sent from above!

Pennies From Heaven

Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck!
Pennies remind us of how unique and special we are
With a big, joyful, joyful grin
I love to search the ground, find a penny, then say
God loves me, I FOUND A LUCKY PENNY TODAY!

Pennies remind us of our eternal riches in Heaven
We all are like pennies lying on the ground, lost, forgotten
Just longing to be found
Dirty, useless, and beaten down
A virtually worthless metal coin to most
A reminder of our earthly worth
Is a Priceless eternal treasure from our Lord of Hosts
A penny is literally worth less than it costs to make
Would Christ, for so little, such a great sacrifice make?

It’s a sign of God’s loving Grace
A priceless gift for each one of us to take
This little coin is God shining down
His simple pleasure that turns our frowns upside down

God renews our hope and hearts desires
With Him, abundant life is ours without measure
Pick up a penny from the muck and mire
No matter how imperfect we are or it is
Pennies represent abundance, your hearts’ desires

We are lost, and then we are found
safely being drawn up to Him
Regardless of our condition
In Him we are made shiny, valuable, and new
Find a lucky penny and pick it up,
God’s Love, Grace and Mercy from above
is your eternal good luck!

Make a wish, and pray for a lifetime of bliss!
Every time I have a bad day or a fussy fit
A penny is a reminder that God is counting on me
to make it through the muck and mire with a smile, hug and a kiss
When I shake my jar of dirty pennies whether I am in joy or in despair
Your Love and friendship to me is a reminder of God’s special care

Like a dirty penny, lost and then found
God’s Amazing Grace is a reminder to pick it up, smile, and say
Thank you for this abundance Lord, in all circumstances
God Loves All Of Us, Now Go
Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck!

Written by:
Cathy J. Van Voorhis
April 2007, Ammended 2010