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Are You a Highly Sensitive Soul?

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Are you a Highly Sensitive Soul?

I remember when I was a child, I was often teased for being too sensitive.  I could feel the emotions of others and felt my own very deeply.   Even as an adult, I have been teased or criticized for being too sensitive.  Well guess what, after realizing why I am so sensitive it all made sense.  I am an empath, I’m able to feel the energy of others, those that have crossed over and those still here on this planet.    

All of my senses become heightened when I’m doing readings.  I can feel, see, hear, taste and even smell things to interpret messages from beyond.  In addition, it is very easy for me to be in a room and have a feeling or sense everything around me.   I don’t even need to be in the same room as someone to sense and know things.  I have clients all over the world, and I can describe things with great detail during a session.  

To feel all these things can be exhausting, so over the years I have learned how to “turn off”
 receiving all of this energy when I’m not working.   I know that by not feeling everything every moment of every day helps me tremendously to have a “normal” life.  I want to be with friends and family without feeling every emotion.  I also feel that their emotions are not mine to feel and to do this with people around me without their permission crosses a boundary. 

I have worked with so many people that I would call Highly Sensitive Souls or Empaths.  We can feel a lot of emotions and don’t know how to control it or to not take everyone else’s emotions in.  Sometimes as a Highly Sensitive Soul we can confuse other’s emotions for our own.  This can sometimes cause anxiety, depression, isolation, the feeling of being different and sometimes it can create the inability to function in everyday life.

I want you to know without a doubt that you can find ways to manage your sensitivity.  It will take practice, but I know it is possible.

 When I realized my abilities as psychic and a medium, I felt overwhelmed with all the energy that surrounded me.  I reached out to a dear friend who had been psychic most of her life and was in her early 70’s when we had this discussion.  I explained that I was having trouble with all the energy and the other side constantly talking to me.  She simply asked me when my appointment was the next day then she said, “tell them to leave you alone until then.”   I thought to myself, okay I’m willing to try this.  I was going crazy with this bombarding me all the time.  

To my surprise when I spoke to them, my head and body didn’t feel anyone around. It got very quiet all of the sudden as if it just shut off.  I actually got a bit frightened and wondered if I did something to turn off my abilities.  So very nervous about this appointment, I sat down and asked the loved ones to come through, and the flow of their energy came right back.  They showed right back up for the session.   At that moment I realized I could control how much I felt, and my ability to connect with the other side.  I didn’t need to be at this heightened sensitivity every moment of my life.

Even though that moment showed me it could be an easy process, I have still worked on creating boundaries and taking steps to care for myself consistently.  

What I have found in my work is that young people really struggle if they are a Highly Sensitive Person. Unfortunately, being a sensitive may bring judgment by those that don’t understand how we are wired, which can cause for more pain for the empathic individual. 

I believe there are ways to understand and manage this and you may have to try a few different things before finding the right combination for you.  I also recommend you pay attention to what you are doing and how you feel when you are less invaded by energy.

Finding quiet time often is important to Highly Sensitive People.  Being out in nature will help ground you.   Eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water.   These seem like very simple things but when life is busy, these things are forgotten. 

Make sure you have plenty of sleep to recover from the psychic vampires during the day that zap your energy. I have found a cooler temperature and an organized room allow your mind to relax.   Essential oils for example Lavender or Sandalwood can help support a good night’s sleep.   Sleepy time teas like chamomile or simply having a routine for your body to know its bedtime will help as well.   Epsom salt baths along with the use of oils can help the body to relax for bed.   A quick meditation with the focus that all the energy is washing away can quiet your mind and energy.  

Do you have a pet?  Pets can show you unconditional love and support you with healing positive energy.  

Empaths or sensitive people have a huge tendency to attract projects instead of partners.  I see this all the time, because a sensitive individual will feel the pain of the other person and try to help them.  This is a big no no! Create that boundary for yourself. 

I’m not saying you can’t help others, but how many of these individuals are in your life.   If you want to help others, then as an empath you must find a good balance.  Find those that support you and help feed your soul. 

Exercise is also a great tool to use to move the energy that you may absorbed.  Simple idea and one you have probably already considered but it can be helpful. 

One of my favorite ways to release energy is laughter.  Watch comedy often, this is one of my go to’s.   Mala beads can be very helpful.  You can practice a calming Mantra and choose stones that support your healing.  You can wear them to help create an energy balance.  I created my line of Malas to help support people in many ways and this is exactly the reason why. 

One of the things I have taught in the past to change a pattern, I have encouraged people to wear a thick rubber band on their wrist.  Every time you take on someone’s energy or cross boundaries when you are not invited, snap the rubber band.  After enough times of snapping the rubber band, you will see your patterns so you can begin to change how you respond to the energy of others.

Pay attention to the cycles of the moon, weather and what is going on in the world.  You can be triggered by many of these things, and you many not even realize where the energy is coming from.  For Highly Sensitive People, hearing about negative pieces of the news can be very difficult, so I’m not encouraging you to listen to news every day, but things happening in the world can affect the way you feel.  For example, you may have heard stories of animals knowing days before an earthquake will hit or a disaster of some kind is coming. They feel it, you may experience this type of energy also and it may overwhelm you. 

If you are close to someone that is having a difficult time, you may be one that takes on their problems without even realizing it.  It is very important to find the difference between being there for them and taking on their energy.  Your soul does not want you to absorb everything around you.  

Feeling energy is a good thing, being a Highly Sensitive Person is a good thing.   Learning to manage it is the key to feel successful.  

If you have any ideas or things that have worked for you, share it with us.  I will choose one of you to receive a set of Forever Connected Oracle cards.  This tool can help you communicate with your loved ones on the other side.  

 Namasté,

Deb  

Friday the 13th, the Full Harvest Moon and YOU!

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

You have been seeing this on all the news outlets and may have read that this combination of astrological events will not happen again until August of 2049.  We have a combination of a full harvest moon, Friday the 13th and in addition the autumnal equinox will begin next week.  I think it is important to bring you some additional information so understand this occurrence better and so you can use this event time to your advantage.  

People say that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day and even Hollywood has made Friday the 13th out to be scary.  However, it’s actually a very powerful day.  Friday the 13th was once considered the day of the Goddess.  It was considered a day to honor the Divine Feminine and the cycles of creation death and rebirth that live in us all.  Friday the 13th was also considered a very powerful day to manifest, honor creativity and to celebrate beauty and wisdom.  

Now, let’s talk about the number 13.  It holds an extremely potent energy and in numerology it is considered to be the number for death, rebirth, creation, and fertility. This is because we have 13 moon cycles every year and the average female also experiences 13 cycles per year.  Interestingly, before patriarchal times, when a woman was in her cycle, she was considered to embody divine and magical powers.  She was regarded by all of her wisdom and ability to offer intuitive and psychic messages. When she was ovulating, she was considered to be at the height of her power and she was celebrated for her ability to receive, hold and create life.  It was only when society became more patriarchal that women were made to feel shamed when they were in their cycle and they began to ignore their potential to create and hold space for new life.  

The opposition to this idea during patriarchal times gave way to stories were created to take power away and to manifest fear.  We all have feminine energy so Friday the 13th is not just for women. It’s a powerful day for all of us to honor our own abilities to create and receive energy from the world around us.

A little fun fact, every Friday in general is considered Venus day which is all feminine energy.  My sign Taurus is ruled by Venus and I love the energy it has brought into my life.  Venus is all about pleasure and she is positioned to bring some to you.  We can all use pleasure, can’t we?  Most of us that work Monday through Friday, and spend the week looking forward to Friday.  We naturally find ourselves unwinding and relaxing in Venus energy on Fridays after a long week of work.

Friday the 13th is the day of the Goddess and is a beautiful day for creating and celebrating life.

This Friday is also the Harvest Moon which represents the feminine and helps us to understand and deal with our emotions and sensitivities.  The Moon also governs how we choose to express ourselves, for many of us understanding our Moon sign can often bring more awareness to our life.

Now to top all of this off, September 22 and 23 is the solar Equinox.  As the Sun enters Aries toward the end of March, we have the Autumn Equinox.  The Equinox is where day and night are of equal length – the energies coming together as one Heaven and Earth, Spirit and Matter. The Autumn Equinox brings our energy inward, in preparation for rest ahead.  Which is always interesting since most of us have an upcoming busy holiday season. But rest is such an important factor as we go within for this seasonal time.

This September is a powerful month to tap into your emotional feelings, allowing what doesn’t serve you to fall away, and take the opportunity to create a magical time to begin a new chapter in your life.  Honor the women in your life and if you are a man, honor your creative and sensitive side. 

This month and especially these days are an opportunity to embrace new beginnings and the beauty in all of us, our Earth and all its inhabitants. 

Namaste’

Deb

National Grief Awareness Day 2019

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

As I was growing up, we didn’t talk about grief much or share our pain of loss.  Especially the men who were told to be strong and not show emotion.  Unfortunately, this belief was passed on through generations.

However, I am glad to say that this doesn’t have to be the case any longer.  Society is much more accepting of everyone sharing emotions and sharing how we feel about personal things that are close to the vest.

This doesn’t mean everyone openly shares their feelings in public or even with someone close.  Today it’s seems both men and woman are sharing their grief more openly and embracing support more willingly. 

While many seek therapy, talk to friends or attend support groups are all great ways to process grief. Sharing with your clergy and seeing me as a medium can help you.  Although it won’t remove your grief, it can help with the process.  

I’m sure you have heard the phrase everyone grieves differently.  The process is unique for each individual.  Even when you are grieving the loss of the same person, each relationship is unique, therefore the grief will look different for each person.

There are times others can think that giving advice is helping you when in fact this can make you feel worse.  I recommend responding to uninvited comments, by simply saying thanks for sharing, or I’m not in a place to hear right now.  Preparing yourself for outside comments before they are given will help you move on without replaying their disrespect towards your healing process. It creates boundaries and lets others know they are not helping.  It’s certainly one of my pet peeves.  If they are not a professional, they should just say I’m sorry for your loss and I’m here when you need me.  Then a hug to wrap it all up.

Don’t ever feel that you have to explain your grief even if it’s been years since the loss of your loved one.  It’s your grief and you get to do it your way.  With this said, I believe that when your grief begins to heal and you can take more breaths each day, you will be able to feel and hear your loved one on your own.   One of my purposes as a medium is to show you it’s possible and that you will always be Forever Connected.  

While you learn to maneuver through each day and start to feel that you are managing things better, begin looking for signs.  They want you to know that they are with you and that they are at peace and they are seeing your life unfold.  During grief it’s difficult to find humor and joy, but these higher vibrations will allow your connection to those you have loved.

Having a belief system will also help with your grief.  Whatever that maybe will support your healing and your heart.  My oracle cards Forever Connected were designed to help you hear from those you love that are now in spirit.  They are extremely easy and helpful, even a child can use them.  They were designed to carry with you at all times when you feel the need to receive a message. My book Grieving to Believing is a great resource as well as my own personal journey through grief.

Sending love to all those that are missing their loved ones today and every day.

The Significance of Doors-What is behind?

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

A few years ago, a good friend of mine, Amy helped me decorate a room with a high celling. I’ve always liked my décor to have a sense of uniqueness.  She had been holding on to this very old door for years.  Her family wanted her to get rid of it, but she knew she would find the right home for it. 

Well, she did! In my home! It hangs beautifully in my office and it is one of my most favorite pieces of art. As I sat in my office this week while I was working, I happened to look up and stare at this door. It made me think about the significance of doors and how it pertains to our lives.

I have clients who are struggling with what is next for them.  Many will come see me for guidance or because they have been going through a struggle and they need help with the knowledge of what the future holds and a promise of good things to come.

We normally make changes when our life seems to not be going in the direction we want.  It’s a wake-up call to our soul.  How we decide to change our course is up to us.  Following our heart and leaving the judgement of ourselves and others out of the equation.  However, that is always the dilemma.  We ask others what we should do when actually our soul knows.  Doors open at the right time for the right reasons when we investigate options. 

Recently, my oldest son has been trying to find his path and has tried several options, but it seemed the doors kept closing and he was frustrated thinking he had nothing to offer to change his circumstances.  Then a door opened.  A neighbor had shared with us about an opportunity as an air traffic controller. He had all that he needed to open that door.  It has been seamless in the last two weeks and the opportunity has been almost handed to him.  

Don’t push the doors open that are not the direction for your calling.  Keep knocking on the doors until one open’s without effort.  We can have multiple opportunities or just a few, but the path that’s right for you doesn’t have to be difficult, it just has to be there for you to knock.

If you want something, then certainly make the effort.  When I realized my abilities as a medium it wasn’t the door I was knocking on.  While going through a difficult time, I was told about the practice of Feng Shui.  I was told that by implementing Feng Shui into my life and home would change the energy and therefore help to open doors for me and my family.  I had no understanding of this culture but wanted to try something to make a difference in my situation.  While grasping this new concept, I thought wow I’m going to be a Feng Shui Consultant.  But that is not at all what happened, that wasn’t my destination even though I use it in my practice still today.  It wasn’t the only door for me.  I figured out I could feel the souls of loved ones who had crossed over.  I didn’t even know that mediums existed at the time.  I was in for a surprise and so was my family and friends and since I began this journey I have never looked back.

The point to me sharing this is to suggest that you never assume your destination, open all the doors and see where it leads you.  If you hold onto fear that means you don’t trust the universe and that you are unable to fulfill your calling.  Just do it! You can find the people that support you to go for it.  Allow the nay sayer’s to float on by.

Oh, one more thing about the door.  I just realized after years of this door hanging on my wall, it’s upside down. That tells me and you to look at things from different perspectives to find the key to opening your perfect door. 

Are you a giver? Are you tired of giving so much?

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Do you ask yourself these questions?

When will I receive more money?
When will I meet someone that is good to me?

When can I have someone take care of me for a change? 

The law of attraction says that when you are always giving, people and circumstances will be there and meet you to take from you.  Until you learn to receive you may not receive the abundance the Universe wants to give you. 

Clients will schedule a session just because they are exhausted. They can’t seem to find a balance in life.  They give so much and create a situation where they cannot find a partner that is equal in giving.  I call it the “project” versus the “partner”.  Those of us that are the ultimate givers are told that giving is a good thing.  It is a good personality trait to have but some of us of can’t seem to balance giving with receiving. 

I have found that people who constantly give to their families, friends, and co-workers until they are just exhausted will become ill.  This is the only way they can learn to stop giving and start receiving. The Universe makes us stop and ask for help.  It is a difficult way to learn this lesson.   So why not learn it before this happens to you. 

Think about this, when a friend takes you out to lunch do you always want to pick up the tab?  Are you uncomfortable if they insist?  Do you offer to pay the tip, or you tell them you will pick it up next time?  Or better yet, if you know they are picking up the bill do you look at the price of what you want to order and then choose something more reasonable?  When someone is willing to give to you maybe you accept their generosity instead of feeling guilty.  How does giving make you feel.  Good right? Your friends feel good giving to you as well. 

This doesn’t mean you stop giving, it means that you are creating a balance. The Yin and Yang are necessary for true balance. This Chinese symbol has been around for centuries.  It describes that balance is needed everywhere.  Just like our sun and moon, if they were not in constant balance, we would not exist.

In the Yin/Yang which color do you think is feminine and which one masculine?

The Yin is the color black, and the Yang is the opposite color which is white.  People are surprised that the feminine side is black.  This is because we need to receive to procreate, we are born from the darkness, we are the night and the moon.  Masculine has to give to procreate.  They are external, and they represent the sun and they must give to procreate. 

I believe that especially the feminine energy is here to receive.  Many women give so much that men have a difficult time knowing how to give to a woman.  Women want to feel independent and choose not to rely on others.   Independence is awesome, but it can become too unbalanced and we may end up creating a life of only giving.   That’s when we become tired, ill and feeling alone. It will continue until you decide that giving isn’t the only virtue or value that makes up who you are.

I actually believe that when you ask others for help or let them give to you, it makes them feel you value and trust them.   You are bringing them joy. 

Simply put, your life purpose is learning how to change things you’re not good at so that life can be a balance.  You will trust your intuition more, your health can improve, and you can learn to love yourself.  Is it worth it to learn to receive?

One simple suggestion to try out receiving and to recognize your patterns, when someone gives you a compliment about your hair, clothes, or whatever it may be, don’t play it down.  Accept the compliment with gratitude, just say thank you, that’s so kind of you to notice.  You may catch yourself wanting to give some sort of brush off like “I’ve had this outfit forever” or “I got it on sale”.  Notice how this feels to you.  It may feel uncomfortable to just say thank you and accept the compliment. 

Until you realize that is it a good thing to also receive you may not receive that abundance you could from the Universe.  Learning to receive is a life lesson and a Soul Contract.  

Receiving is receiving and don’t throw the gift of it away.  Just doing this you can begin to feel what receiving is like.  Trust me, it feels incredible!

If you want to learn more come join me on November 2ndand 3rdfor 

Soul Contracts-Life Lessons.

Namasté

Deb

Is Your House Haunted? Of Course it is!

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Is your house haunted?

Of course, it is!

Often, I am asked “where do my loved one’s hangout?  Are they with me?”  

Do you sometimes feel someone is behind you, do you find your things moved or are your electronics doing things without any one touching them? Have you seen something out of the corner of your eye such as a dark streak and when you try to focus on it, it’s no longer is in sight?

They can be anywhere and everywhere!  Who you ask?  Those no longer living in a human suit!  I believe they are just in a different dimension, which I can’t explain scientifically, but this is how I describe my experiences.  

If you are feeling the spirits in your home or office, or anywhere, it doesn’t have to be someone you knew.  I will be asked “Who has been turning on my TV at night” or “who is closing doors and turning on the lights? “I believe that it doesn’t have to be your loved one or someone you know.  

I have done thousands of sessions and I connect to your loved ones which are not people I would personally know. They show up sometimes days before a session and they like to show signs in my home to advertise they are around waiting for the appointment.  It can be quite interesting.  I have experienced so many electronic things happening and once even had an entire shelf of vases thrown out in the middle of the night.  A loved one was announcing themselves prior to a reading the next day. 

Sometimes people like to think that a haunted space may be occupied by someone who may be “stuck” but that is not my belief and that’s not generally my experience.  I think people in human suits can be more “stuck” than those who have crossed over! They like to be around to see what is happening in our lives and maybe they want to hangout since they are getting attention from us.  

I think energies can present themselves to us and we will feel them, our hair may stand up.  We will feel other energy too. Think of how you may feel at the ocean, mountains or in a vacant old building.  Each of these different spaces provides a different reaction.  Since everything is energy, it can take a shape that can makes us each feel the energy and we will interpret it differently.  

I’ve have done energy clearings at homes, business clearings and land clearings.   The owners have called and said they felt something was wrong or someone needed to move on to the other side.  My belief is we can attract energy or energies into our spaces by accident.  It’s not that someone is trying to hurt you, attach to your body or some other notion. What I have found is we may open up to something that is mirroring what is happening in our own lives.  Similar to the law of attraction.

A few years ago, I had a client contact me because their house was on the market for over a year with no offers or interest.  The price range in this neighborhood was expensive so taking a longer period of time to sell wasn’t unusual, but this home was not getting any feedback whatsoever.  The home was well designed, beautifully laid out with great views, so why was there no action on it?  

The homeowner was already living in their new home a few blocks away, but they were trying to sell this home and move on in their lives.  They hired me to come and help them change the energy in the home to see if it would help. When I arrived at the home with a few students we all walked in and felt a heaviness.  The homeowner didn’t feel it as this was what she felt the entire time living in the home.  To her it was normal.

As we walked around, we could feel that there a lot of illness.  She confirmed this and shared that her daughter had a botched surgery which led to many more to correct the first one.  Her sister had a brain tumor and had lived there while the homeowner had taken care of her and the owner herself had fallen down a flight of stairs and almost broke her back.

We all took a big breath!  It made perfect sense after hearing what had taken place in the home. The heaviness was from how they felt in the home.  We used some of my techniques to help move the energy and relieve the heaviness we felt in the home.  Some great ways to change the energy yourself.  

  • Have a party in your house or a celebration
  • Take a hot bath with your significant other
  • Celebrate the home so it feels loved
  • Bring joy and talk about happy experiences in the home
  • Bless your home with sage
  • Play great happy music
  • Get rid of things in your home that you don’t love or bring you joy
  • Bring in plants and flowers
  • Open up windows
  • Sit in a room you normally don’t sit in and honor that room

These are just some easy suggestion to create an intention of clearing energy.  Everything come down to intention and if your intention is to bring positive energy you can do it.

For this particular client, she followed some of my suggestions and a week later I received a call that the buyers who had looked at the house a year before came back and bought the home!  Isn’t that amazing?  

If you are open to feeling the energy and you want to feel your loved ones more often then, welcome them and try to feel the little sign’s they are trying to give you.  It can be very subtle. They will show signs by showing up as orbs in your pictures, or by messing with your electronics and having coins appear to you. They may move objects, or it may just be that subtle feeling we get when we are quiet.  

As I’ve always said, we are “Forever Connected”. Even though they are on the other side they are forever by our side.

Deb Sheppard

Do you ask yourself “Why the heck am I here?”

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Over two decades I’ve taught individuals about your life’s purpose.  It may be quite different than what you think. Most of us want to figure out what are we supposed to be doing with our lives.  What is our value of being on this planet.

When we watch successful individuals, we think, wow they figured it out I wish I could.  I believe financial or career success has nothing to do with living your life’s purpose.

I’ve always believed that what we are truly good at, which could simply be something like being a good parent, a splendid gardener, a good lawyer etc. is not what we are here to learn.  

Many who know me believe I’m a very good medium.  I don’t believe that is that is my life’s purpose.  Our life’s mission is to change what we are “not” good at doing.  What we are good or even great at something isn’t a lesson, but it’s the lessons that comes with what we choose to do in life.

For instance, throughout my entire life the lessons of judgment, abandonment and value have been recurring.  It shows up in many aspects such as what I’ve done for my employment, my psychic medium abilities, whom I married, my belief system and many other choices I have made throughout my life. 

I would like to share a little bit of my story with you.  I was in the corporate world for a time and one of my corporate jobs was in health insurance (crazy! I know) My job was to negotiate with doctors and the medical field and to sell them on signing up for HMO’s and PPO’s. At the time this was absolutely not something the insureds nor the medical community wanted.  I was judged heavily, and many didn’t want to talk to me.  The work I was doing wasn’t being valued on either side. 

After I had my daughter, I could not fathom being away from her every day while someone else was able to see her all day.  It was so difficult for me to have children, I appreciated them so much that I could not bring myself to leave them every day so I made the decision to be home with them and go into childcare to still help pay the bills and be home at the same time.

 I lived in a friendly neighborhood where many are doctors, CEO’s, financial planners, engineers, well you get the idea.  Many wives were able to stay home or also had good paying careers.  I had neighbors that looked down on me and when I shared what I did at the time I was judged by the public as well.   I always believed our children’s safety, wellbeing and the ability to be with them was paramount.  While I was home with my children and providing daycare, I was making a smaller paycheck than those in my community, it wasn’t accepted as significant to those who were paid higher salaries.  

Then fast forward to the discovery of my abilities.   When I discovered that I am a psychic-medium and decided to embrace the fact that I am here to help with those struggling on this earthly plane, I once again have lost family and friends.  I mean it was weird 20 years ago to tell my family and friends that I have the ability to connect with the other side or tune into any soul.  I made a choice to accept all the judgement and abandonment that came my way because I know, see and believe wholeheartedly that when I provide a messages from those who have crossed over,  the healing I see take place for the individuals and families I work with allows me to let go of all feelings surrounding the judgment and abandonment that take place in my life. 

Now to share a bit about my own life lessons on “value”.  Many of us have value as a life lesson.  I have been told by some that I have a “gift” and should do my work for free.  Again, judgment what I can do and how I choose to share my abilities.

These are some small examples on what is in my opinion, a true “Life Lesson” 

One of the biggest Life Lessons that I see with many students and clients is “Receiving” We are taught at a very young age that it’s better to give than receive.  We are told “Don’t be selfish” or “don’t think of just yourself” or “why do you think you deserve this?” 

Sound familiar?

This belief system has caused most of us to “give” all the time while putting ourselves not even on the back burner, but back into the cupboard! 

I have clients that will schedule a session because they are exhausted, they give so much and seem not to be able to find a partner that is as equal in giving.  I call it the “project” versus the “partner”.  Those that are givers and are told that giving is a good thing and can’t seem to stop this pattern not realizing that it creates an energy in the universe of only giving and not receiving.  Until you realize that is it a good thing to also receive you may not receive that abundance you could from the universe.  Learning to receive is a life purpose.  

Simply put, your life purpose is learning how to change things you’re not good at so that life can be a balance.  

Love, Deb 

If You Find Meditation Challenging This Will Help.

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

This question is often asked because people want to learn how to meditate and struggle with quieting their mind.  Yet…they have a desire to connect with their guides and loved ones and want to seek answers while they are going through struggles in life.  They also want to learn to trust their gut.

I reflect to the Tibetan monks who have no partners, no children, no stressful career and no bills to pay.  They can sit in a lotus position and allow their minds to hear nothing.  But, for the rest of us, we feel so guilty for even taking a moment of quiet time for ourselves.

Our daily to do list never stops and taking extra time out of a day can be a challenge.  The demands on most of us are constant and feeling guilty for taking time out complicates the purpose of meditation.  Is this you?  

First of all, for me to even sit in a lotus position is painful.  My knees hurt, then my back and my shoulders begin to feel uncomfortable and even spasm.  Sound familiar?  So, I like to be creative when it comes to meditating.  

What’s the purpose of meditating?  It’s merely to quiet our world and focus on the present.  To become centered and relax our body and our mind.  To create a moment of peace while living a very hectic life.  Sometimes your mind will still chatter, and thoughts will come in and leave, but that’s 100% okay.  Just compare it to when you are trying a new exercise to flatten one’s stomach muscles.  It’s not going to change right away, it will take some time to see the results. 

This may sound very strange, but some of my best meditations I have are during the time I blow dry my hair.  I put my phone in another room.  I typically won’t try to talk on the phone while I’m using a loud machine next to my ears.  I will receive messages from my guides, sometimes I have new ideas or solutions for things I am working on. Often, I will play solitaire on my phone because it helps me find that relaxed state of mind.  It certainly doesn’t look spiritual, but it works for me.  I’ve been meditating a very long time, and there are still times that my mind doesn’t want to relax.  

Just find what works for you.  For some, meditating while taking a shower or bath works.  You can imagine chakra colors and imagine cleaning any energy you want to release into the water and back to mother earth.

Others find that being out in nature is a great form of meditation. Seeing the beauty of our planet and taking deep breaths while allowing your mind to become calm. 

Basically, use anything that calms your soul.  Try coloring mandalas (or adult coloring books) cooking a simple meal, even folding your freshly washed clothes.  This may not make sense, but these are things tasks where you don’t have to think, problem solve or worry about being judged.

It’s doing something that is repetitious and is very familiar to you.  Being in a quiet room, with candles, soft music, and comfortable clothing is a beautiful way to meditate.  However, for some individuals that are new to meditation, I have found that they are frustrated for not doing it “right.”  That’s the first challenge.  You are not doing anything wrong.  Just try to find what works for you.  What will allow you to relax your mind, body, and spirit?

Just begin. The first step is to fit some form of meditation into your regular routine.  There will be less guilt in the process of taking out of your busy life, and it won’t be such a challenge to make it happen.

You can find all types of meditations, even on the internet.  I have a few I have created, but there is no wrong or right way to meditate.  It can be a simple process.  Do not get frustrated with your perception of meditation versus the reality when you begin.  It’s like looking at a cover of a beauty magazine with the image of a perfect body that 99.9% don’t have.  We all look different and beautiful in our own way, and this is precisely how meditation can be for you.

Try to not put pressure on yourself, relax by watching funny videos that are accessible online, set up a Pinterest account with positive or funny boards.  Just make a commitment to begin.

We have a judgmental society and meditation isn’t customarily taught to us as children. Our lives have all become so “busy”.   Give yourself permission to begin to experience and use different ways to calm your mind and soul, it will be something you will be able to call upon whenever you need it. 

Happy meditating!

2019 Predictions. This Year It’s All About You!

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

2019 is all about you!  Most of us try to take care of others, we give back as much as we can, and this can take away from our own needs and desires.  

Having self-love can help you manifest your goals for the year of 2019.  The new year inspires us to take this time to create intentions of better health, deep love, abundance and even some fun.

But, why are many kept from succeeding?  Could it be distractions, guilt or a feeling that you don’t deserve?  We have been taught and have practiced over the years to sabotage the things we really want to manifest.  

This doesn’t make sense, but it seems to be a constant pattern for many.  Hence, why we keep asking for many of the same things each new year when we create our intentions.

How do you change this?

FIRST: Be aware of your patterns.  Do you have a pattern of always putting others first even when you are tired, extended and really want things to change for yourself? 

My advice, stop!  

This doesn’t mean you can’t help those in your life, but if you have created an unbalanced situation you are not helping anyone and including yourself.

If you have a family member, friend, partner etc., that seems to always have stress, drama and excuses, give them the gift of returning their “stuff” back to them.   It’s not yours to manage.  This may be difficult, but this is the start of how things can begin to change.

SECOND: Do you feel a sense of guilt of around loving yourself and creating a life you desire?  This can change!  This typically comes from our childhood.  We are conditioned by religion, family and community pressures.  Fear of judgment can keep us from living a life with joy and purpose.  

One thing I notice when I see those that have created a “blessed” life is they truly believe they deserve it.   What they have done is created boundaries with those they love, and they have allowed themselves to embrace the blessings they have created. 

Why do this? Well, for many reasons!  You can be of more beneficial to your family and community when you are healthy, energetic, have a life of abundance, love and joy.  Living with intention sets an example for others, allows you to be empowered and embrace the ability to trust your intuition.  Your intuition is challenged when you are driven by guilt and the feeling of not deserving what the Universe can bring you.

THIRD: Momentum seems to falter as times passes.  Distractions in life happen.  Pay special attention to how these distractions affect you.  Is it family?  Guilt?  The feeling of being underserving?  It could be any or all of these things.   This is a normal cycle but unfortunately the more we feel guilt and disappointment, the more likely we are to let it happen again.

How do we change this?  Be open to things looking different than you planned. 

Over the years before I became a medium, I would imagine many things that I believed would make me happy and bring great things to my family.  For example, as I wrote in my book Grieving to Believing- Discovering the Afterlife, I was very tied to how my now late husband would find his new career after being downsized from his prior job. I wanted things to return to what we had.  That never happened!

The Universe had a different plan and one that I never could have imagined.  We were in a terrible place.  All of our resources were drained, we were drained, and it seems nothing else was working.  

Change was necessary, what I did was imagine what I thought happiness was and what happened was so different than the plan I had imagined.  If you want and desire change don’t be attached to your original vision as the only way to be happy.  It may show up differently.  Be aware of opportunities that you didn’t even consider.  For example, I started learning Feng Shui and considered being a consultant.  It was just a stepping stone to open myself up to other ideas and it helped me open my eyes to the fact that what I was trying to manifest wasn’t the path I needed.

What are you willing to do for 2019?  Pay attention to when you feel guilty and determine how it serves you.  Get rid of it!  Pay attention to how family, friends work etc., are draining you from what you desire to accomplish.  Find ways to self-love and realize that is the key to transformation in your life.  And finally, be open to little nuggets that can take you on a different path than you ever imagined.  

Let 2019 become incredible by learning to receive what you haven’t in years past and let life begin with the new.

Expanding the way we think and believe can be a challenge because we have become comfortable with our past experiences, even if those memories are not positive. 

Get out of your box and stop controlling what you want when you know it hasn’t been working.  We believe we want things to change but we can only do that when we incorporate new thoughts and visions of the unexpected to come your way.  

Try another avenue and become adventurous with life.  Start small.  Try a class, go to a meet up group, read a book you would normally not necessarily read, try a new hobby, try food you never eaten or even wear a new color.  

When you experience life with different eyes, you will be surprised how life changes in ways to open doors that you thought were all closed.  What do you have to lose?  May 2019 bring many amazing surprises that raise your happiness.

A Mediums Perspective on Healing From a Suicide Loss

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

I am a medium. I help you connect to your loved ones who have crossed over from every type of loss.   I have worked with many clients and all types of deaths have come through from tragic ones, accidents, suicide, and murders, to those who die peacefully in their sleep of old age.  I have even used my ability to connect with unborn children and four-legged fur babies.  Each loss is different, and each relationship is unique.

The purpose to meet with a medium like myself is to get help in finding closure and peace, so healing can begin.  As a medium my intention is to help those that seek my guidance to provide insight and tools to begin their healing process. 

The topic of death from suicide has been at the top of my radar. In the US suicide is the 10th leading cause of death.  Don’t think it won’t or can’t happen to those you love.  When you are faced with a death by suicide, everyone in that individual’s life is affected differently.  Guilt is high on the list of emotions of grief.  Some are left wondering if more could have been done?

Guilt can be present regardless of the type of death, but we seem to understand cancer, Alzheimer’s, and accidents differently than suicide.  Since suicide is so misunderstood and I find many people I work with feel that they grieve alone.

In my experience people in general can be very judgmental to those we have lost through suicide whether is it religious beliefs or community and society judgment.  You can lose family and friends, because they sometimes share their opinion of feeling that suicide is a “sin”.  There is already so much shame and guilt from suicide, but it makes it worse when you are shut out from your normal support system. 

Suicide has been in our media more recently with the deaths of some very high-profile public figures like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Because of this there has been more talk about depression and other types of mental illnesses.  For some reason our society can accept a liver going bad from drinking or lungs getting cancer from smoking or heart attacks from eating too much cholesterol. Unfortunately, because we don’t completely understand the brain and how it all works, there is no compassion for depression.

Why? 

We have so many who have had tragic situations and because of this have been diagnosed with PTSD and struggle with depression.  What about all the children who have been abuse victims at the hands of an adult, do you think they may be affected by depression?  What about the athletes diagnosed with CTE from too many concussions?  What if you are predisposed to depression? This can be like every other trait that can be passed down through DNA to our children and future generations.

When we don’t understand, sometimes we close our minds and just assume.  My suggestion is to become educated.  We need to keep spreading the word to fight against suicide.  When people considering suicide know that there won’t be judgment surrounding their feelings or their depression then they will seek help.  Be that safe person for others to share how they are feeling and you can help support them.

Keep in mind that it has been proven that when one family members dies by suicide, there is a possibility another one may follow.  When my late husband died by suicide his family didn’t want to talk about it.  They told friends that he had a heart attack.  They didn’t want to discuss or even admit his suicide, but it does have a ripple effect and others that may have suicidal thoughts may not seek help.  This, unfortunately, did happen in my family.

When I am channeling a loved one coming through, no matter how they died whether from cancer, a car accident or suicide, they always seem to be in a good place.  One of my sayings is “there is no dieting or taxes where they are, so it must be heaven”.  They are not somewhere different because they died by suicide.  With all kidding aside, I feel that mental illness is like a cancer of the mind, something is wrong. How do we process and heal when there is something wrong?

Suicide is terrible and when more people learn about this disease we can help transform the belief system.  We can inspire people to find help.  We can support those who are grieving from a loss from suicide.  This isn’t about being ashamed of depression, it’s supporting those who suffer in silence with it.

No matter how our loved ones left us, they are not in the same pain or situation they were while living a human experience.   My belief is to honor the fact that we want them to be here!  We want them to live longer with us!  We can only accomplish this if we begin to change the image of depression.  Suicide is not a weakness, it’s an illness. 

My book has been launched July of 2018 it shares my journey and the losses that my family endured.  It also shares many tips on how to heal from loss.  I wrote this book and was vulnerable as I shared my story along with my children’s journey through losing their father and cousin.  They were 15 and 11 when their father died by suicide.  The book Grieving to Believing; Discovering the Afterlife also shares how to begin to notice signs and connect to your loved ones on your own.

If you take anything away from this article or my book, it is that those that are involved in health care for mental illness, have changed the way we talk about suicide.  It is NO longer accepted to say that someone “committed” suicide.  The new verbiage is to say they “suicided” or “died by suicide”.  It’s no different than saying someone died from cancer or an accident. 

If you have had a loss from suicide and still carry guilt and regret, know from my two decades of doing readings, I’ve never had a loved one who suicided project guilt to those they left behind.  They want us to recall the good times and know they are still “Forever Connected”.

Why Do We Judge So Much. Can We Change This?

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

In 1960 The Beatles came to America and this is what critics said.

David Susskind, a popular talk-show host, called them “the most repulsive group of men I’ve ever seen.” Newsweek’s music critic pronounced them “a near disaster.” They were “not merely awful,” sniffed William F. Buckley, but “so unbelievably horrible, so appallingly unmusical…that they qualify as the crowned heads of anti-music.”

Journalist Paul Johnson didn’t reserve his disgust for the four lads but poured it generously over their fans. He wrote, “What a bottomless chasm of vacuity they reveal!  Those who flock round the Beatles…the least fortunate of their generation: the dull, the idle, the failures.

In 1954 this is what critics said about Elvis Presley.

“The guest performer, Elvis Presley, presented such a demonstration which was in execrable taste, bordering on obscenity.  The gyrations of this young man were such an assault to the senses as to repel even the most tolerant observer.”

So, now what do we say about these next generations, the Millennials, the Generation Y and Generation Z?

I think many of the baby boomers both I and II say similar things about them.

My generation baby boomers II, are very proud that we played outside until it got dark, drank from the garden hose, walked to school, ate what was on our plates and were spanked if we didn’t listen.  Today we say that millennials act like they are entitled, they are always on their phones and they don’t believe they have to work as hard as we do. 

I will say that I’m not too proud of my generation.  We created things that are affecting our entire planet and killing sea life and wildlife, for example, plastic. We left behind things that were more earth friendly to make things last longer, to the point it never decomposes.  We didn’t talk about mental illness or child predators, we hid those things in the closet.  Our culture had so much racism and sexism.  Women and minorities were not given the same opportunities as others.  Supporting those that were different; such as same sex marriages, people of opposite racial back grounds who fell in love and more.  These folks endured getting bullied by many including highly “religious” thinkers. Many were abused and even killed because they didn’t fit the mold of what “we” thought was right.

People felt as if they couldn’t be transparent because that may mean they would not get hired for a job, be able to buy a house or even gain the acceptance of the community they lived in.  Are these things we should be proud of and why do we feel we have the right to judge our future generations?

My parent’s generation believed you stayed in a job even if you didn’t like it and you should be thankful you have a job because their parents struggled from the era of the Great Depression.  They told us money doesn’t grow on trees. They made us eat all the food on our plates telling us it is because children elsewhere are starving.  We were told not to talk back, and we didn’t.  Most of us carry guilt due to what they taught us to believe.  We were even taught to stay in terrible relationships because your family would guilt you into believing that you had to live in this situation as you made a promise in front of God.

Do you remember we had maybe three channels on TV and the stations all shut off around 2 AM?  I recall being my parents remote control when remotes weren’t invented yet.

Today, we have a television in every room with hundreds of channels and remotes that you can control by talking into them.  Star Trek really did predict our future and it’s here! We criticize these future generations about what they have and how we grew up.   Could you just have one television and only watch three stations and give up the remote?  Of course not!  Technology is in all of our futures and because of it we have discovered so much more about our world, health and of course have been entertained. 

What do I see with future generations?  They care about our planet and want to save it.  Many are becoming entrepreneurs and making a difference for other people.  Many are downsizing and simplifying, and some are even buying tiny houses to live a minimalistic life.   

They believe in recycling and in foods that are not full of pesticides and chemicals.  They want to stop throwing away things and want to repurpose items.  They are finding a voice to help change how we believe.  How about the example from the students in Parkland, Florida who are standing up for gun control and safer schools?  I never recall being afraid that I would be shot going to school.  Did you?

We talk about cell phones and how they are always looking at them or texting.  Growing up I had one phone in the home and it was a party line, this meant that two other families shared the same phone number.  Now kids have phones while as early as grade school.  But, look at it this way, we can check on our children at any time, they can reach out if they need us. I love that they know what is going on in our world and are up-to-date with our news.  They have even used their phones when there is a school shooting.  Millennials have the ability to research anything and it’s at their fingertips.  They can determine what’s truth and what isn’t for themselves.  WE didn’t have that ability.

The down side, by having access to so much information perhaps they will find things we want to protect them from.  However, with this change in technology especially we as parents need to teach them about boundaries and have conversations with them.  If you feel it’s difficult to have a conversation, then start by not being so judgmental.  Yes, that’s correct.  Think about someone wanting to ask you questions about you, but you also know they are already judging you.  Would you want to share things with them?  Be curious and heartfelt and see things from their point of view instead of limiting your viewpoint to how you grew up or what you think because of that.  Let them be open with you.

Tattoos! If I hear one more person in my generation say they “hate” tattoos or don’t understand them, then just simply ask with an open mind.  Tattoos have been around for thousands of years.  Many cultures tattooed their bodies in an effort to keep their legacy known.  As time passed things changed.   Books came into the picture and of course now with technology we can share and document our stories differently. With that said, things changed, and we are now bombarded with social media, it became impersonal.  Those that have tattoos are expressing their legacy, life experiences and many are remembering those they loved who have died. 

I encourage you to ask the person you meet with a tattoo or many tattoos, their story behind them?  They are normally willing to share, and they realize that you are not judging them for something that is important to their life experiences.  It’s no different when we keep memorabilia and items of those we love.  Many times, we keep things we don’t love, or we feel obligated to keep these things for memories.  Trust me on this, don’t be surprised when the millennials don’t want your stuff after you’re gone.  They want to remember you in a different way and the “stuff” doesn’t resonate with them like it may to you.  Especially, if they are living in a tiny house! 

Food for thought.  Judging is judging.  What people look like, wear, believe, do for a living, where they live, the color of their skin or judging them for who they love is still just “judgment”.   Just like my generation and previous generations judging The Beatles, Elvis and other things that didn’t make sense to them.  I think it’s actually kind of silly that we still do this. 

One of the comments I hear often regarding millennials, if they were in sports they would receive a trophy regardless of it they won or not.  They call it a participation trophy.  My opinion: who cares if we made them feel good about just showing up.  We wanted to make changes since many in our generation were told we weren’t good enough or didn’t try hard enough.  Growing up believing we didn’t deserve things unless we worked hard, we still hold tightly to our guilt and try to please everyone around us instead of figuring out what it truly is that we want.  It’s okay to have self-love and that’s how I feel the millennials operate.  Good for them! They don’t think they feel entitled, at least most of them.  Think of it as self-love.  Don’t you wish you had more of that for you?

Where do you fit?
  • Depression Era: Born 1912-1921
  • World War II: Born 1922-1927
  • Post-War Cohort: Born 1928-1945
  • Boomers I or the Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1954
  • Boomers II or Generation Jones: Born 1955-1965
  • Generation X: Born 1966-1976
  • Generation Y, Echo Boomers or Millenniums: Born 1977-1994
  • Generation Z: Born 1995-2012

Google your generation and figure out what you can learn about yourself and perhaps why you believe the way you do.

Let me know what your thoughts are about these future generations.  Do you have a positive story to share about them?

Your Intuition Is Important-Don’t Ignore It.

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

After almost two decades I’ve had the opportunity to help thousands of individuals open up to their psychic abilities.  Being psychic doesn’t mean you get the lottery numbers or get to escape learning lessons here on the earthly plane. Intuition is your sixth sense, and everyone is born with this ability.

The best way I have found to understand this concept is to watch animals.  Animals don’t attend parenting classes or question their senses.   They feel fear when danger is near, and they have innate nurturing abilities.  You will see an animal run if there is going to be an earthquake or a natural disaster.  This is their intuition and they trust it.  Small children also have a “sense of knowing” and children have not had an array of life experiences to understand what is happening.  However, we tell our children to do things that society deems acceptable instead of letting them trust their gut.

While trying to follow guidelines that society creates, which can include a person’s religious beliefs, we turn off that sixth sense that is our birth right.  How many times have you regretted that you didn’t listen to that little voice in your head?

Even as a psychic medium I still let the outside world influence me, but I keep trusting and I keep trying to listen to my intuition and heart.

The first time I got married, I thought “I could leave right now if I wanted too” as I was walking down the aisle.  During the exchange of my vows I thought “I could still say no”, but of course I didn’t.  What a surprise, the marriage lasted less than a year.  For years, I had been upset with him and all that happened around the marriage and situation, until one day I took accountability because I did not listen to my inner voice.  Has something like this happened to you?

Intuition comes with a couple of things, trust and surrender.  Not an easy thing for most of us to do.  Trusting that inner voice, means that you do not ignore it because others may judge you or try to talk you out of something.  It is your journey, trust your intuition.

Surrender, means you do not try to control the outcome.  Most of us want and desire love, abundance and a healthy life.  But, we try to control what “we” believe will make us happy instead of letting the universe bring in wonderful things you never imagined would be possible.

I had no plan of ever becoming a medium until I surrendered to it.   I never imagined this would be my work.  Getting out of your own way is a big step and trusting that you will be okay is essential.  When I chose to use and perfect my medium abilities I knew there would always be judgment and knew I would probably would lose friends and family, which I did.

Before becoming a medium, my life was not going well, and I was trying to control what I believe was the best outcome for our family.  Well, I was wrong and it took me a while to accept this new way of thinking.

Meditation maybe difficult for many.  It’s about being present, so you can listen to that inner voice.  Start by practicing with thinking of small questions.  When people start on this path they don’t start with simple things, such as where should I go eat today that will help me with my energy?  What line at the grocery store is good or which is the best way to drive home so we are all safe?

Have you ever listened to that “voice” when you think of someone, then you reach out to them and they tell you that something good just happened or they were having a difficult time?  They may even tell you that they were thinking of you and were about to reach out.  That’s your intuition.

KISS; Keep it simple sweetie is what I teach.  When you are at the beginning stages of trying to use your intuition I highly recommend that you don’t try focusing with the big life choices such as a job change, selling a home or leaving a relationship.  There will be too much attached to these life choices.

There are lots of oracle cards that you can purchase to begin practicing.  Try this on yourself and maybe a few friends with their permission.  This gives you new insights and tools to help you develop a more solid inner voice.

Go be in nature, take a hot bath, listen to good music, color mandalas, cook your favorite dish, laugher and even dancing can help you release what you are worried about so that inner voice can jump in to help.  Write down any insight you feel and trust that this is from universe.  If you begin to question everything you receive or if you choose to share with others and they are judgmental of you then go back to what you wrote and see how it feels without the negative voices.

You are born with your own GPS; Guided Psychic System.  It’s up to you to use it.  It wasn’t taken away from you, it is still there to use when you open yourself.

Surrender and trust the process.

You can do it!

Deb Sheppard

What’s in store for 2018? Bring it on!

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Bring it on 2018!

As I’m sitting in a local privately-owned coffee shop with two friends that are working on some things for one of my favorite non-profits, I look around and am excited that the shop has a lot of young people doing homework, writing reports, interviewing each other and I also see a couple appearing to be on a date. It was a packed house. I love the feeling of the variety of cultures and age groups in this small space.

Two young men sat down next to us with coffee, computers, cameras and drawings.  They seemed very proud of what they were working on.  Since, we are only two feet away from one another, I overheard them talk about this being their year and they were going to make it.  Since, I’m writing this blog it was perfect to feel their energy.  I asked them what they meant and we talked about their 2017.  Thank goodness, they weren’t annoyed by my curiosity, they were open to sharing.

When I asked them about their 2017 their faces dropped and appeared to have a look of dread.  They told me it was a lot of work with a lot of changes that were unexpected and not much reward.  I have been hearing this from my clients for the entire year in my practice.  At least I was able to tell these young men that 2018 will hopefully be much better by everything I am feeling and seeing. New beginnings can always be exciting, but it’s also unknown and growth can be uncomfortable sometimes.  Just look at our political topics for last year!

What was 2017 like for you?

After meditating, asking my guides, researching and focusing on what 2018 will entail I put together some great information for you.

NUMEROLOGY

 

What the heck is numerology?

The ancient metaphysical science of numerology has the mysteries of life for over 2,500 years.  Today, numerology continues to be a profound tool for discovering who you are, where you’re headed and who you might become.

Numbers are reduced to one number except for numbers 11 and 22.  This is why 2018 is a very powerful number.

In numerology, 2018 is a number 11

This equation is how the number 11 was established.

  2 + 0 + 1 + 8 = 11

Positive Characteristics: The 11 is considered a Master Number, the 11 is the most intuitive of all numbers. It is instinctual, charismatic, dynamic and capable when its sights are set on a concrete goal. The 11 is the number associated with trust and listening to your intuition.

Negative Characteristics: The 11 can be anxious, shy, stressed, conflicted and scattered. When focus is not applied toward a goal, the 11 can be extremely self-sabotaging. As a Master number, the positive characteristics will turn into obstacles when not understood or used properly.

Chinese Astrology for 2018

The Year of the Dog.

2018 Chinese New Year is arriving on February 16, 2018. That is the 4715th Chinese year. The zodiac sign of 2018 is the Dog. According to the Chinese Horoscope calendar, 2018 is the Male Earth Dog year. Brown is connected to the earth. Therefore, 2018 is also called the year of the Brown Dog.

According to the Chinese Horoscope theory, Male Earth is connected to the mountain. Dog mainly contains Male Earth with little Metal and Fire. The sign of 2018 Male Earth Dog year is two mountains that sit side by side or another mountain beyond a mountain. That will be a strong Earth, meaning people will focus on real estate, agriculture, environment, territory integrity or religious, spiritual area.  You may also encounter some obstacles before executing your plan this year. You need to use your wisdom to remove the obstacles first, then you will see the wide-open road.

The last three presidents, Clinton, Obama and Trump are all the year of the dog.  Trump is a dog of fire so we may see many dog fights with our current president.  Dogs can be very loyal, but also territorial as well as protective.  This may shine a little light onto this coming year with our current president.  Since, dogs are normally very loyal we may see where the loyalty of our government officials lie.  What happens if our president doesn’t receive the loyalty he believes he deserves.  Being a dog of fire, it will prove interesting for sure.

5th Chakra

The color blue is linked to the number 11.  Blue is the 5th chakra which has meaning to our throat, neck, jaw, thyroid, teeth and the entire mouth.

It’s a year to be authentic in what you think and say.  Many of us think negative thoughts about ourselves or what we haven’t accomplished.  The not so little voice may say, I need to lose weight, exercise more, I’m not as good as others in my job, or I can’t seem to find a good relationship with friends or a partner.  These thoughts and words can affect our health and happiness.

Being authentic to what we say, also means saying no!  Many times, we are people pleasers and we don’t want to upset others or may not even feel worthy.  You can change this by making different choices through-out the year.

Since it’s also the Chinese year of the dog, we can become too loyal to others and not to ourselves.   This journey we are on is about us learning new ways of experiencing life.  If you are a giver, then that isn’t anything new.  You got that down.  It’s time to be kind and loving to YOU and receive what the Universe has in store.

 

INTENTION

What is your intention for 2018?   It seems that tradition to bring in the New Year by setting goals like what we want to create, experience and grow from.

Not everyone may do this, but we are programed to planned our future in some sort of way.  Retirement, education, travel, having a family and all the things that life presents itself are just some examples.

Have some ideas of what may happen, so you can be better prepared with the tools you need to succeed.  For example, if know the weather is going to be cold and wet, you will prepare yourself with an umbrella, coat and warmer clothing.

This isn’t any different.  You can’t control the weather but you can be prepared as much as possible.  Knowing things that may show up in your life can give you a head start.

 

Summary:

2018 is a highly intuitive year.  It is also a highly spiritual number and can be very powerful with manifesting your desires. Trust your gut and don’t look for approval.  

Partnerships with others but primarily with yourself. Including partnership with your beliefs and your higher-self. Find your tribe, community, find an organization small or big that you feel part of something. Be loyal to yourself and practice self-love.

Have loyalty to what you say, do and again to yourself.  Giving is great, but giving back to yourself will give you the power and energy to help you complete what you have been dreaming about.  It will help you help the world and those you love.

Climb your mountain in a spiritual sense.  If you have been wanting to accomplish that desire.  This can include anything you have been dreaming about.  Actual traveling, starting a business, writing a book, find true love, go to school for something you have been putting off.  Release what’s been holding you back from your true life.

It could be as easy as getting off the couch and do something with your life that supports your heart. 

Find your voice, create boundaries, listen before you speak, time to journal or keep track of your emotions and feelings.  Become clear in what you say and take time for meditation and things that bring you joy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello 2017! What You Need To Know.

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Hello 2017! What You Need To Know.

By any chance was 2016 an unusual year? Did it seem as if everything around you was changing or coming to an end? Perhaps you had a career change, a relationship or two ended, maybe your living situation shifted. Did you find yourself getting rid of things you were no longer using that had just been gathering dust? Or, bigger yet, did you begin to modify the way you believe or felt about things in your life?
It was a big year for losses. Obviously, there were a lot of famous people who died, even some at young ages. I also saw this with many friends, family, and clients. Lets look at our political situation where many felt a sense of loss. If you voted for Trump and felt excited, there was also a sense of change without the actual ability to trust what may be ahead. For many, it felt as if we were going backward in our culture of racism, freedoms, and the rights that many had worked to change.
With all of this in mind, I wanted to share my insights after I meditated on our upcoming year. Three things were shown to me; The butterfly, the Visionary and the number 1. What does all of this mean to you?
If you are unfamiliar with Numerology, it is the culture that uses numbers to describe energy. Every number has a vibration or concept to its science. Numbers are added together to be reduced to the numbers of 1 through 9, except for 11 and 22. A brief description is to add a sequence of numbers together until they become a single digit. As an example of 2016; 2+0+1+6 = 9. For our current year 2017; 2+0+1+7 = 10 then reduced to the number 1. You can do this with your age, birthdate, name and so forth. Every letter is associated with a number, and your name and address can also be described by a single number.
The year 2016 was a number 9, which vibrates to a time of endings. Hence, why you may have felt this last year. Now that it’s 2017, a number 1 it’s identified as a spiritual meaning of creation, the primal force from which everything begins. We get to start over, sort of speak.
Here are a few definitions of the meaning of the number 1: A doer, a powerful force that produces results and does not allow anything or anyone to limit its potential. Aggressive, in the forefront; directing and leading others; it is upright and walks with pride and purpose. Strong, determined, unwavering and with specific goals in mind. A number 1 pushes obstacles aside or drills right through them.
Well, you get the point. If 2016 was about changes, loss, abandonment, removing barriers and so forth, you were on target to create a new space to rebuild. Think of removing the old that no longer serves you so you can create a new canvas that no longer carries that old energy. Consider it not being a new chapter, but how about an entirely new book?
If you believe in multiple lifetimes or believe that we can have many life experiences to grow and hopefully become somewhat wiser, then perhaps if you think of the last nine years as one of your lifetimes it will help support your new growth for the next nine years. These opportunities present themselves in hopes to provide us spiritual lessons. While it can be difficult to experience losses and sometimes severe changes, as well as not be sure what is ahead, it can also allow us to carve a new path.
From our past, we can take along the tools and knowledge that helped us and apply it to our future. Our experiences whether positive or negative can provide wisdom that we can carry forward.
Two of my favorite movies are “Ground Hog Day,” with actors Bill Murray and Andy MacDowell and a filem which is a little dated called “Defending Your Life,” with Meryl Streep and Al Brooks. Both stories give us a glimpse into how we seem to get comfortable in our situations, but we are truly not happy, and show how we can reflect on our lives and about decisions we have made. However, if given a choice to have a “do over” would you embrace that gift?
We have obligations that we have created and can also feel guilty if we don’t take care of everyone else’s needs, even if they have continued to make choices that don’t support a healthy life. We often leave our happiness on the back burner but then feel upset that our needs are forgotten. Spending time, energy perhaps even money to support those around us, and then neglecting ourselves.
These are just a few of my recommendations for your 2017:

  • Find your voice and create clear boundaries.
  • Give yourself the gift of saying “no” to others and “yes” to you.
  • If friends or family are having a difficult time and you typically give advice or try to solve their situation, STOP IT! Be a good listener and don’t try to “fix” what they won’t. Remember it’s different if they “can’t” instead of they won’t.
  • Become more visual about your new foundation. You are starting a new nine years of energy. If you were building a home, your foundation which isn’t beautiful will only stay active and support you if this part of the process has thought, heart and vision for your future.
  • Grieve the past, but if at all possible try to see it as spiritual lessons, not a loss, failures or mistakes.
  • Give yourself credit for what you did gain; insight, courage, taking quicker steps to change are just a few.
    Find new ways of learning, giving, receiving and trusting yourself and what comes your way.
  • Every day or as often as you can, throw away old things that no longer serve your soul and gather new thoughts, ideas or friends that help support this new beginning.
  • Start a new story about your past and your future. The old stories are just old.
  • Start new things that you have wanted to do, but haven’t felt you had the time or whatever your “old” story was.
  • Prepare a new recipe, buy yourself flowers, have professional photos taken, travel to somewhere new, even if it’s around the corner, test drive a sports car, buy sexy lingerie, read a book for fun…not self-help.
  • Wear bright colors if you normally don’t. Bye to black, gray or dark blue unless it’s sexy and fun.

Well, I think you got the point. Embrace the new and unknown and release what doesn’t feel great.

Next, let’s talk about the butterfly and visionary.

In the Native American culture all animals including “bugs” can be messengers. When the butterfly shows up, it means: Lighten up and stop taking everything so seriously. Get ready for a big change, one where an old habit, a way of thinking, or lifestyle is going out, and a new way of being is emerging. It’s time to make the changes you’ve been considering. In spite of the challenges, you’ll get through this transition, and as always, know that “this too shall pass.” Express yourself by wearing more colorful clothing.

The above description was from Steven D. Farmer, Ph.D., and his book Animal Spirit Guides. He has much more information, and you can check online for more details and the transition of the beautiful butterfly.

If you are unfamiliar with the idea of topic Archetypes, it was first used by the psychologist, Carl Gustav Jung. He used the concept of archetype in his theory of the human psyche. He believed that universal, mythic characters—archetypes—reside within the collective unconscious of people the world over.

I have taught for years that we have an archetype or personality that we use to maneuver through life. Warrior, healer, teacher and so on. For 2017 I think many of us will become the visionary. What describes this archetype?

I will be explaining more on this subject in the near
future.

We can change our world, community or better yet change our personal lives.
Each of us has had dreams that we want to create a better planet for our future generations or those of us that are here today. For 2017 you can design a footprint that can begin your dreams. Having the courage to embrace change, create better futures. Also remember you don’t have to see what it’s going to look like and evolve too, it’s just about starting something with vision and transformation.

What do you see for your 2017?

Suicide Awareness

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Suicide Awareness

Throughout the year, we celebrate many occasions. The greeting card industry, and other communities, have created a day, month or week to celebrate or honor the remembrance of life events for example birthdays, anniversaries and holiday’s. We also have specific days throughout the year that we bring awareness for a multitude of other reasons, for example ending Alzheimer’s, Cancer and Suicide. We try to honor our military, teachers, and a variety of communities and cultures as well.

September may include birthdays, anniversaries and of course Labor Day. But, it is also the month that brings suicide awareness to the forefront as World Suicide Prevention Day every Sept 10th annually and September also boasts National Suicide Prevention week. Both are in September which is also considered National Suicide Prevention Month.

Over the last several years I have attended, supported and have raised donations for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Denver Metro Out of Darkness Walk. The last one at Coors Field on 9/24/2016. This walk brings education and healing surrounding the disease of suicide. This past September my friend shared with me that her daughter, who works at Denver Children’s Hospital, attended a meeting that discussed children who were admitted at their hospital for suicidal ideation and attempts. Since January of 2016 to September 2016 4,500 children were patients for suicide attempts and possible death by suicide and this was just in Denver alone. I’m not sure if that is the appropriate language of this fact, but we MUST become educated about this illness.

Research is showing that suicide is a disease – an illness, and the more we hide it, feel ashamed or believe it’s a weakness shows we are only ignorant to understanding the functions of the brain. Having two members of my family die from suicide, as well as helping thousands of families who grieve their losses, show that it’s a complex disease to understand. The anniversary of my husband’s and nephew’s passing is in October and during this time our family has many significant dates that remind us of things we celebrate and things we miss.
Those that mourn the loss can carry significant guilt and lead to the question “WHY did this happen?” Those left behind ask themselves…. could I have done something said something or prevented my loved one from dying? When we learn more about this illness and understand that there is help for those that are depressed and struggling with mental health issues, only then we can begin to prevent suicide.

A large percentage of society won’t seek medical care for depression because of the stigma surrounding this issue. There is shame in our society if one is depressed, seeks therapy, or takes medication it can be viewed as a sin or weakness. If we have asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, pneumonia or anything else, we as a society feel is acceptable to share, we do. We seek medical care, tell our family, share it on social media and try to be aware of what our body needs. But, we do not do this for depression or other mental health conditions!
When Robin Williams died by suicide, as sad as it is when anyone passes, the media stated that it was so upsetting because he had money and was famous so how could this happen to him? I was very offended because it was as if money would have made the difference to his mental health. Seriously, we don’t say this about cancer, heart failure, or any other illness. There is so much prejudice to this disease much like AIDS was judged and likely still is.

Why do we feel that mental illness is any different than any other illnesses? It could be that many who are mentally ill don’t seem to show obvious outward signs. They may be smart, outgoing, seem happy and even satisfied in life. But, so do people with a variety of illnesses.
One of the first steps in helping anyone with a mental illness is to acknowledge it isn’t a weakness or something that should be hidden. I told my kids when their father died from suicide almost eight years ago, that it was because he had cancer of the mind. Not brain cancer, his mind didn’t work as it did years before. He came from a proud family, and he also was a very proud man. Many factors were in place, and he wouldn’t seek medical attention and come to terms with his depression.

If depression was more accepted in society and we supported our mental health care, would my husband, nephew and so many others still be with us today? When we change our beliefs about depression, suicide, and mental illness, and become more educated then we can help those who suffer in silence.

There is a movie based on a true story starring Will Smith and actors Alec Baldwin, Paul Reiser and one of my favorites, Albert Brooks in the 2015 Film Concussion. It is about a forensic pathologist who discovers a football player who has had hundreds of hits to his head because of the force of years playing the game. Dr. Bennett Omalu, comes to the conclusion that for many players have a high risk of death by suicide. The disease is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE and the NFL and those in that political arena didn’t want to acknowledge a probable factor for the deaths. These men who were once top athletes, amazed and thrilled many of us as well as the financial gain to the NFL and anyone attached to the sport. It finally took many players death by suicide before it was accepted and FINALLY, laws have changed to help and protect these athletes.

We are more accepting when someone decides to stop cancer treatment or not even start because they have chosen not to battle. Why? Because we see, they’re suffering differently than those, who are so sad inside and truly believe they can’t live another day.I have also learned that our loved ones don’t “commit suicide”, rather they “die by suicide”. Just as if someone passes from cancer, a car accident, or a heart attack. It’s not a sin, and they don’t go to a dangerous place. Depression is an illness it’s not a weakness or a choice. Those that struggle every day with depression and other mental health conditions can feel there is no hope and that their pain is insurmountable. Suicide can happen when stressful life events overload the coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition and the most common condition associated with suicide is depression. An illness that goes undiagnosed or treated far too often.

I have never had cancer, but it doesn’t mean I must experience it to have compassion for someone who does. You don’t have to be depressed to have compassion for someone who is depressed or has a mental illness.

My husband and nephew were very intelligent, had a support system, were loved, and had reasons to want to live. But, like any disease, it does not judge who is affected by it. You can begin to change the perception of this illness and start by just realizing it is a disease. Talk about it, don’t judge it, share there is the help, and no one must heal alone.

Be part of the change to prevent suicide. What can you do to help? Start by opening your mind to learn about mental illness. Listen and don’t judge or give unsolicited advice. Giving advice is a natural response when someone shares what is happening in their life. But, if you can find empathy and compassion and just “listen” the one sharing may feel they are being supported instead of being judged they are doing something wrong.

Learn how you can help by becoming educated about depression. Talk to your doctor or reach out to advocates that understand how to support anyone that is dealing with this illness. Don’t push it aside as if it’s just a phase or a moment that someone is vulnerable. If someone is sharing their feelings, most likely they have had these emotions for a while. Try not to overreact or become dramatic, just listen, have compassion and ask how you can help?

Be an advocate, a friend, someone who cares. I know most families who have had a loss from suicide feels they were most of these things. It doesn’t mean they did anything wrong or this will resolve depression or suicide. But, being aware, educating ourselves about mental illness and embracing that it’s a disease is a start.

From the beginning of time, our world has been judgmental. Those who judge are afraid of the unknown and are unwilling to expand their minds if it’s something foreign. Many want to stay in their bubble world so they won’t disrupt their beliefs. Stop living in a comfort zone called a small box. It serves only you and not the world.

Ask yourself, why is suicide so prevalent? Why are we seeing so many military, children and all walks of life dying by suicide? Because it’s time to start changing how we can help those that feel that suicide is their only choice.

Social media, texting, and bullying is just one sliver of the cause for many young people. Carefully listen and read about what you think, write and say. Take responsibility to limit your participation in negative judgmental thoughts and words. A recent visit to a doctor he shared that his 15-year-old was texting a friend about his dad coming to pick him up. They were talking about times and locations and they were taking a long time to finalize the details. The doctor said, “just pick-up the phone and call your friend”. The 15-year-old responded, “Dad we don’t do that. If we talk instead of text it means you are too needy”.

My response was, wow! Seriously? We have come to replace having a conversation through texting. As we know this means of communication doesn’t have the influx or emotion of what we truly want to say. Because texting is shorthand, the true meaning of the words can be misinterpreted. Perhaps, communication is a beginning to change. Taking responsibility for what we “SAY” and how we “RESPOND”.

Technology is a wonderful product for our society, but human emotions, behavior, and feelings can’t be replaced with the old simple function as speech, talking and listening.

A common thing I hear is that most people want to make a difference in someone else’s life. What are you going to do to make a difference? Stop labeling, stop judging, stop and listen.
Encourage HOPE and HELP

Learn the signs at AFSP.ORG/SIGNS

Provide at least 1 resource for HELP such as the National Lifeline 1.800.273.8255 (TALK)

The 24 Hour no judgment experiment contest

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

The 24 Hour no judgment experiment contest

I challenge you to a 24-hour experiment. Can you not judge yourself or others for just one day? Wear a thick rubber band on your wrist and over a 24-hour period if you have a thought of judgment, snap it! Your experience includes, how someone is driving, someone checking you out too slowly at a register, how someone answered the phone, what someone is wearing, well you get the point?

If you allow yourself one 24-hour day of no judgment, then write to me about your experience. I will pick two winners who will receive a 1/2 hour phone session.
What do you have to lose? The better question is what do you have to gain? This simple experiment, may not be easy because we judge ourselves more than anyone. What would our world be if we exchanged judgment with acceptance? It doesn’t mean we have to agree, but perhaps to learn about our differences.

Please send you experiment of 24 Hour No Judgment to deb@debsheppard.com, and I look forward to hearing about your ah ha’s about this exercise. Contest ends on the 14th of February 2017!
The following true story isn’t about religion or politics; it’s simply about human compassion. It’s not about agreeing or not agreeing with a point of view; it’s about human behavior and how we think of others.

It’s September 17th, 2016 and I’m attending a writing conference called AuthorU. My friend and talented mentor and writer, Judith Briles is hosting the event. The workshop is in Denver Colorado at the Stapleton Renaissance Hotel.

We arrive after 6 PM, and as we drove up to the valet, we notice people swarming like bees. Focusing, on our surroundings we are aware of the secret service, police, along with police dogs diligently, checking every car, person, and suitcase.

The hotel lobby and throughout the first floor men are lined up and dressed in dark suits, a curled wire attached inside their ear and arms draped along the sides of their bodies. It’s easy to recognize that the secret service is filling every inch of the hotel. Now, I’m wondering, should I feel safe or is it time to run?

Carrying my overstuffed suitcase, I walked up to the counter and in a quiet voice asked the women at the desk, “what’s, going on”? These days it’s not a surprise to have another headline of attack on innocent people.

The clerk at the desk, explains that someone famous is staying at the hotel but she wasn’t allowed to say who. Of course, with social media and news at our fingertips, we were able to learn that Vice President Joe Biden was staying at the hotel. He had a speaking engagement at Denver University that evening.

We were surprised that we were placed in a room down the hall on the 12th floor with Vice President Biden. Those of us who attended the conference shared with humor and delight that we as taxpayers were impressed that our government was budgeting a stay at a reasonably priced hotel.

Many of the authors attending the conference were hoping to get a quick glimpse of the Vice President and perhaps hand him their precious book. While passionate writers displayed, they’re hot off the press books would love to have a feather in their cap if they could say they handed the Vice President their book. Unfortunately, the secret service did their jobs well and protected all of us from getting even a quick peek.

Our room had a balcony where we were able to see the motorcade returning from DU and we were able to see when he left the following morning. It was interesting to watch approximately 25 police officers on their motorcycles, the secret service along with a few media personnel traveling in the escorted vans. There was even an ambulance that followed the line of vehicles to ensure that if anything happened to our Vice President, there was an immediate response to his care.

After we had checked in, security guided us to the 10th floor; this was before we were able to enter our room or even the 12th floor. We carried luggage, purses, and computers through this quick set-up of security. It was as if we were at the airport going through the TSA security inspection. The Secret Service wore their bulletproof vest, carried guns and all types of scanning devices.

After we had cleared security, a hotel employee escorted us to the only one of the four elevators capable of traveling past the 10th floor. We shared the floor with a few regular guest, secret service, the media and of course our Vice President. There were names of those traveling with the Vice President on each of the doors and we noticed down at the end of the hall was where “he” was staying.

The reason I’m sharing this experience isn’t that we had an opportunity to have perhaps a peek at Vice President Biden or his Secret Service. But, it was the next morning after the delivery of our breakfast when I opened the baloney slider doors to enjoy the fall Colorado weather and take in the views. What did I see across the street? Protestors!

As I had a little more coffee and a closer look, I realized that these protestors who were parked right where the motorcade had escorted our Vice President the morning before. Now stood in a total of 15 or more, men, women, and children protesting at a Planned Parenthood facility. They were yelling at and “bullying” these young women who were seeking medical care, as is their right.

This experience frustrated me because we have a country where our service men and women fight and die for ALL of us to have “our” freedom. What does this mean? We as the people voted for what the majority believe is fair and just for this country and its nation’s constitution.
We hosted the Vice President on this same street as these women that have the right to decide if they seek prevention from pregnancy, medical attention, education about their health or may have made the challenging decision not to continue a pregnancy.

A women’s health has nothing to do with agreeing with birth control or a termination of a women’s pregnancy. As a country, we have the right to worship in a temple, synagogue, church, on the beach or hiking a 14er. Our laws give us the rights to marry someone of a different race or the same-sex. We have the right to travel, get divorced, marry multiple times, carry a gun and live where we want!

Bottom line, we live in a country that provides each of us to be free! And it should include freedom from those that are ignorant of honoring differences. Allowing the same freedom as those entering a medical facility for their personal health care. I guess freedom of speech includes being cruel to other humans that don’t have the same beliefs.
My father served in the Marines; my father-in-law retired as a Major General in the Air Force, my brother in law retired as an Air Force Colonel. I have had many friends and family members who have served our country, and I’m very proud that they have dedicated years to protect our nation’s constitution.

Why am I upset? The fact that within 24 hours on the same street, people feel it’s okay to bully others because of their differences. Even in our current situation of our Presidential Candidates debates and political campaigns that demonstrate anger and cruelty to those that oppose their beliefs. How can we as a country change our behavior if this is our example of leadership?

I’m not sure where in the bible that God would have told His followers to bully, those that are different. But, I do recall a story where Jesus told those who were throwing stones at a person they believed was a sinner. If I remember correctly, Jesus told them to throw the first stone if they were without sin.

I’m wondering about those who were yelling and pounding on the cars of these young women, are without sin? If they are followers of God, could there be a better way to give their message? Could they find compassion and empathy for those who have walked another path? Did one of them even ask or even want to know the women’s situation?

Until you have compassion, humility, and time to listen to the person you are judging, then what right do you have to curse another human? Over the years, I have been honored to hear the stories of so many people, and I have learned that judgment is not a virtue I embrace. Judgment causes hate, abandonment, wars and even death.

Love is the highest vibration of energy that our souls can attain. When does judgment, being a bully, or shaming another individual have anything to do with love for our fellow human? Love, thy neighbor does not include “only if they are just like you”.

Another thing I found very interesting is the synchronicity of the name of the hotel where this all played out. “The Renaissance.” There are many layers of the meaning, such as beliefs and changes which history shares began in Florence, Italy that came about during the 14th Century.
Renaissance is defined, like a rebirth, humanism, and diplomacy. Greek Philosopher, Protagoras said about Renaissance; “Man is the meaning of all things.” I encourage you to review this period of the Renaissance and see if we have made any changes when it defines our humanism and diplomacy.

I challenge you to a 24-hour experiment. Can you not judge yourself or others for just one day? Wear a thick rubber band on your wrist and over a 24-hour period if you have a thought of judgment, snap it! Your experience includes, how someone is driving, someone checking you out too slowly at a register, how someone answered the phone, what someone is wearing, well you get the point?

If you allow yourself one 24-hour day of no judgment, then write to me about your experience. I will pick two winners who will receive a gift valued at $50.
What do you have to lose? The better question is what do you have to gain? This simple experiment, may not be easy because we judge ourselves more than anyone. What would our world be if we exchanged judgment with acceptance? It doesn’t mean we have to agree, but perhaps to learn about our differences.

Please send you experiment of 24 Hour No Judgment to deb@debsheppard.com, and I look forward to hearing about your ah ha’s about this exercise.

Imaginary Friends?

Posted on by Deb Sheppard

Imaginary Friends?

When you were young, did you have an imaginary friend? How about your children or grandchildren? Did they ever tell you about their friend YOU couldn’t see?
My daughter had an imaginary friend, (IF) and would ask for a seat at the table and a meal to feed her IF. My son also had an imaginary friend named Garrett and would play with him from time to time and even missed him when he wasn’t around.

Before I understood this realm, the kids talked about their “IF’s.” At one point I remember being so frustrated that I was asked to fix another meal when I knew it would be tossed out, or I would be eating it because the “IF” couldn’t eat it.

I have come to realize that these “IF’s” were the kid’s spirit guides. Since my children hadn’t been on mother earth long, they still had a closer connection to the spirit realm. At these ages, they still believed and were taught to believe in magical experiences. As parents, we tell them there is a Santa Claus, tooth fairies, leprechauns and an Easter Bunny.
Disney has been very influential of make-believe and imagination. Even as adults, we have many responsibilities along with daily life. Still, we like to imagine things, such as what we would do if we won the Power Ball, traveling the world or finding true love.

Remember the movie “Monsters Inc.”, where kids see scary monsters in their closets and under their beds? The intention of the monsters is to receive an energy source from the screams of children. These stories of magical spirits have been part of childhoods throughout time. But, the “real” question is, are they real and do these imaginary spirits exist?

From my experience in my profession and experience with children, I have no doubt these kids have experienced the spirit realm. Perhaps your child had even talked about seeing a family member who passed before they were born. Because they connected in the spirit world before the child arrived here. What’s interesting is when a photo of the loved is shown, he or she recognizes the loved one. Spooky, right?

If we could connect to our inner child and remember these experiences we once had, perhaps we could connect to our spirit guides, angels and loved ones that are near us but in this heightened realm.

These imaginary friends are real, be jealous if you don’t see them and encourage those that do. Ask them to share details, draw pictures of their imaginary friend and ask if they have a name. Go along with their story, and embrace what they feel and see. Continue to support what they are seeing because it will help them maintain their connection with the spirit world. Imagine if we continued our relationship with the divine? How different would your life be? It’s not too late to open that realm that we can’t always see or understand. JUST IMAGINE!

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