Post Title. 03/14/2011
 
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...if everyone had the same exact beliefs as me.

If everyone were a Democrat
...or a Republican
...or pro-life
...or pro-choice
...or pro-death penalty
...or anti-death penalty

the world would be a better place.

If everyone were vegetarian
...or carnivore
...or vegan
...or pescatarian
...or macrobiotic

the world would be a better  place.

If everyone were Christian
...or Jewish
...or Muslim
...or Atheist
...or Mormon

the world would be a better place.

If everyone were Southern
...or Northern
...or black
...or white
...or Hispanic
...or Asian
...or European

the world would be a better place.

But would it???
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 This topic is one that has been floating around in my head for at least a decade. Now that I have somewhere to put it, I figured it was time to get it on paper, so to speak.
  It's about signs: you know - the ones we look for to tell us what to do; what direction to go; which job to take; where to live.  
  I think that many of us have been these signs for other people, we just didn't know it.  Here's one story of mine:
 Many years ago, I befriended a gentleman named Paul who did consulting work for my company.  We had some wonderful, long conversations and easily talked about life and love.  He mentioned that he was courting a woman long-distance whom he loved very much.  However, she was going through a very difficult time personally.  Yet, he was patient.  He truly believed that with enough love, he could get through to her.  He poured his heart out to me and I tried my best to encourage him while not giving him false hope. 
  Ultimately, life happened (you'll find that to be a common refrain in my posts!) and Paul and I didn't speak for several months.  One day, he popped into my head.  I sent him a card. I don't remember the theme of the card; perhaps it was one of those "don't give up" cards of encouragement.  I believe I wrote a line or two about his friend. Several days later, I got a call from Paul.  He told me that he and his ladyfriend had, for all intents and purposes, broken up a while back, but he was considering contacting her.  He said that the card I sent him was the sign he had been hoping for as he contemplated getting in touch with this woman.
   Paul and I have since lost touch. I have no idea what ever happened to this kind man.  However, he left me wondering:
  What if YOU are the sign? 
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  We all have passions and interests.  What sparked your passion?  Have you ignited a passion for someone else?  I bet you have!
  Over the years, people have asked me, "What sparked your interest in tarot cards/past life/healing work that you do?
  When I was first asked this, I had to think long and hard because there really is no cut and dried answer to that.
  My first foray was a lame attempt when I was 12 and in the 7th grade.  As students, we were required to do 4 term papers in our English class, on topics of our choosing.  I distinctly remember telling my mother, "I want to write about the occult."
  "The what?," she said. 
  To which my response was a clear, concise, "I don't know!"
  I just knew that I wanted to study it but didn't really know what it meant or encompassed.
 We went to the library and there was only one book written on the occult.  Pretty much a dead end. I had questions - nebulous as they were - but didn't know where to begin.  Life then got in the way and I pretty much brushed aside my interest.
 Then, in my mid-20s, I worked part time at a restaurant in Pittsburgh doing office work. The bookkeeper, Wendy, did astrology, tarot cards, and was into reincarnation.  Looking back, this was the spark.  She encouraged me to get a set of tarot cards and start reading.  I did and gave a cursory, fumbling reading to my then-roommate.  Lo and behold, it was accurate.
  Several months later, I was on a plane and headed to NYC where I now reside.  The spark has turned into a bonfire and has led me to other things.  In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that at age 25, in a small office, I'd find my passion.  But I did.  I don't know what ever became of Wendy.  I don't remember her last name.  Perhaps the universe will lead me to her in some way and will give me the opportunity to thank her.
  So, what was YOUR spark? 
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    One aspect of life that never ceases to amaze me is the abundance of coincidences that surround us; see "Spiritual Stories of Coincidences" for two of mine. It's these events that lift up our hearts, bring smiles to our faces, and grace us with a sense of awe; that something bigger is at play here.
    At this point in my life, I seek to have meaningful coincidences.  Rarely am I let down.
    It happened to me again just this week; the person with whom I shared this extraordinary experience was pretty matter-of-fact about it.  Me? I was blown away!  And I say, "Why shouldn't I be?"  What better than a drug-free high that didn't cost a cent and did wonders for my body chemistry? 
    A woman - I'll call her Justine - I knew in high school contacted me through Facebook not too long ago.  We were in the same youth group and had a real connection to one another.  Life got in the way, we lost touch, and 30 years later, we re-established our friendship.  We talk on FB almost every day.
    Justine and I share many of the same belief systems.  Recently, she took a class on astrology and really liked the instructor.  Justine and I spoke and she said she set up an appointment for an astrological reading. "I felt a real warmth toward her," Justine told me.  Justine then sent me the astrologer's website.
    Imagine my surprise, shock, and ultimately delight, when I saw the astrologer's name and realized that I knew her - nearly 30 years ago!  She and I hung out with the same people; however, I was only part of that group for a short but fun and uplifting time.  I remember so much about this astrologer and I, too, felt a warmth towards her as well. I don't know if she will rembember me; I don't expect her to. 
    These events stay with me for a long time.  I tend to look for the deeper meaning but then I realize that maybe there isn't one.  Maybe I should just "be" with it and allow it to fill my soul in a very personal way, and set every cell in my body abuzz.  Coincidences like this are the lifeblood of humankind.  It's the connections that ensure that we, indeed, "are all one."  We're all made from the same stuff.  It's been said that one cannot live life in a vacuum.  We need that inter-connectedness to remind ourselves that we are bigger than the petty day-to-day aggravations that often encroach our lives.   I am guilty of sometimes causing aggravation for others; perhaps those times are reminders for me to hold my tongue and treat others with kindness; I've been told to "Let go and let God." For it is out of the small kindnesses that the bigger ones ensue - they simply beget these meaningful twists of fate.
    It doesn't hurt to try.      
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"Beware of Psychics"

The other day,  I watched an episode on Dateline as Chris Hansen investigated the psychic business.  I was aghast, infuriated, besmirched, and outraged all at the same time.

In the 3-part (online) series, employees of Dateline visited psychics - the ones with the bright neon signs in the window offering readings - and secretly recorded the sessions.

The two "psychics" who were interviewed said essentially the same thing; that the client was "surrounded by negativity," were "cursed" and that "someone is jealous of you."  

The "psychics" went on to tell the Dateline clients that they could remove the curse and negativity and all wonderful things would then happen: the client would meet the man of her dreams....get a great job...move to Paris...become a super model...etc.  All for a mere...$500!!!




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