I recently re-did a yoga theme that I first presented back in 2013. It was a challenge taken from a book called E-Squared by Pam Grout. The challenge is to dedicate yourself to being completely open to the signs from the Universe for 48 hours. I will explain, but first, I want you to know that this yoga class can be found on YouTube if you would like to hear more about this and get some instruction from me on setting intentions. The link is below.

E-Squared is a book that sets out to prove that the Universe is listening to our requests and needs. It is a fabulous book for skeptics, in my opinion. I believe the Universe answers everything we ask. You may be thinking, that is not so! Perhaps you asked for help in some regard via a sign, and it never came. Or you put forth a prayer for a sign and it, too, never came. I have to tell you from my personal, non-scientifically proven opinion that the sign did come to you. It just wasn't in the direction you were looking or format you were expecting.

I am hoping you will join me in this challenge. You will simply designate 48 hours in which you will wholeheartedly be open to seeing and receiving a message from the Universe. Write down the day and time you wish to start and say or write NOW. If you get sidetracked in those 48 hours by an external factor called Life, you may want to reset and start over. Then, set the very simple and open-ended intention by saying, "It is my intention to be completely open and receptive for 48 hours to whatever sign the Universe provides me with as proof of its responsive existence." You can change the words; just keep the statement positively worded. And, at this point, let's not make the request for a sign pertaining a specific matter. All that is left to do is sit back, wide-eyed and open-hearted. Look for unexpected phone calls, white feathers, your loved one's favorite bird, unexpected good news (which, unfortunately, leaves itself wide open in this day and time) etc, etc, etc. It could be anything that is out of the ordinary or hopeful or meaningful to you.

Then, come back to this blog and leave a comment as to what occurred for you. I can't wait to hear from you:)

Those of you who know me or have read my book, The Horizon is Here, know that I do not believe in coincidences. I believe everything around us is a message, a lesson, or a sign. For about the past year, I have been thinking about a second tattoo. My first one says infinite love (Om sign) gratitude. It is on my forearm in a Sanskrit font, and it makes me feel empowered. The one I am working on in my head is a sunflower of some type. The reason it is taking me so long is I do not know where to put it! I want to be able to see it, otherwise, why get it? But, I also want to be able to cover it if "need" be. Hence, my quandary!

I have never been drawn to sunflowers before but I know I am on the right symbolic path. As to no coincidences, sunflowers have been popping up all around me. And, not the real ones, which validates to me, again, that there are no coincidences. I was searching online last night for a necklace I have conjured up in my head; more specifically, a pendant that has nothing to do with flowers. But, guess what popped up? A sunflower charm. I am halfway through my master's in clinical mental health counseling and the classmate that I randomly chose to work with this week had (you guessed it) a sunflower tattoo on her shoulder.

Sunflowers stand for longevity and love. The yellow ones (I did not know there were other colors!) honor the sun. That makes sense. The sun offers light; our world seems to be covered in a shroud of darkness so I think that is one reason I am being drawn more resolutely to the sunflower. The word guru means leading someone from darkness into light. I think the sunflower will be a great reminder that you have to know darkness to know light. But, the light always comes. It may be a glimmer at first, but it always seems to appear just when we need it most.

Look for the "coincidences" in your world; the signs that keep popping up over and over again. They are life lessons and messages. It could be a person, a song, a number, an object, an animal...then, look up its symbolism and see where it applies to you. Comment below and let me know what you find:)

I have finally published my book, and I am thankful. I have wanted to publish a book since I was in high school although, back then, I thought it would be a poetry book. This dream definitely waited for me to come to it. What I mean by that is, of course, I could have sat down decades ago to write but I could not have written this book. I am so glad the Universe helped hold me back until everything aligned: the stories, the book cover, the formatting...all of it. Even the title, The Horizon is Here, came to me in a dream. I wrote it down the next morning and held onto it for years. This title is important in that it references staying in the present. Worries and fears are past and present-based. When we are focused on this immediate moment, then chitta vritti (Sanskrit for mind chatter) cannot exist.

So many people listened to me talk about this book for years! Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for not telling me you didn't think I would ever finish it even if that is what you were thinking! Thank you to everyone who has told me how much they like the book. I thought long and hard about publishing my personal stories and thoughts but my dharma, true path, is to help others, and my hope that this book could be helpful won out over worry.

I just want people to know they matter, that they are perfect the way they are, and they have a right to be loved. I want you to know that the Universe is giving, and it wants you to have what you ask for...just make sure you are wording your request in a positive way. I want  to help you put together an imaginary toolkit filled with mantras, positive affirmations, deep breathing, and so much more so you do feel empowered in your life. I want you to see your life lessons clearly so you can learn from them and move on, because that is what we are here for. I want you to read my stories and begin to take yours apart.

So, for all of this, I am grateful, and I thank you.