“I had many nights of not sleeping”

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Feb
15

There is major construction work going on in the house I am living in and there is major construction work going on in me too! This morning as I sat to do my daily prayer and meditation, I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and a man asked, “Could you please move your car out of the driveway so we can begin our roof work.” I replied, “No problem.” I moved my car and then came back into the house to pray. After about 5 minutes I knew that it was going to be impossible to meditate with the loud machinery right outside my front door.

I picked up my journal and spiritual books and decided to drive to the ocean which is only a few minutes away, in the hopes that I could sit and meditate there. I had just sat down and gotten settled when I heard loud noises in the back of me. I turned around and saw a couple of men sawing down a large tree trunk.  I thought to myself, “You have to be kidding me, I just left that noise.” Then I asked God, “What is the message?” This is what I heard, “You cannot allow outside distractions to disturb your peace. You must learn to always go inside of you where there is perfect peace and love.”

I realized in that moment that I had a choice. I could complain about the noise or I could be grateful for “what is.” I chose to be grateful for everything around me and before I knew it, I didn’t hear the loud sawing anymore and I was able to pray. I think there will always be some kind of distraction in our lives and we have to be vigilant about what we think about and what we allow in, so we can stay in peace and BE the instrument of love and peace that the world so desperately needs.

There are universal laws that operate in our world and one such law is that what we focus on we manifest. In a Science of Mind magazine (Nov. pg 52) it states, “When we experience a situation that we don’t like, it is important that we don’t complain or gripe about what has happened. Accepting “what” is, is different from resisting or fighting “what is.” Acceptance lifts us to a higher plane allowing us to see the solution to the problem. Acceptance places us in a vibration of peace.”

A few minutes later, I read in today’s Daily Word that….
“Spiritual growth is an ongoing process and a very personal one. I open myself to insights every day and my lessons come in many ways. From the moment I wake to the time I go to sleep, I have opportunities to learn and grow. An important part of my spiritual development is learning to make wise choices. I can choose to have a positive attitude or a negative one. I can choose to make healthy or unhealthy decisions for my mind and body. I can choose to enhance my relationships, treating others in kind and respectful.  Spiritual lessons are always available. I embrace them and rise to a higher level of understanding each day.” Daily Word, Jan. 30

As you all know, I chose to move to Maui in September. There are times that I still cannot believe that I am here and I am constantly saying,”Thank you God that I am living in Maui.” I sometimes, ask “How did I get here and how (I know the HOW is none of my business) did I manifest living in paradise?” I don’t know the answer except that it was God’s plan for my life and I said, “YES.”  I also ask, “What I am to learn and how do you want me to serve you best?”  Maui has opened me up and made me willing to look at every area of my life that needs to change so that I can make wise choices regarding my body, my mind and spirit. I walk almost an hour a day on the beach, practice yoga, dance, swim, and I’m starting a painting class next week and going to a Tai Chi class today!
For years, I have had problems sleeping and have been prescribed medications to sleep. I started to feel uncomfortable with the chemicals that I was putting into my body and wanted to explore more natural ways of healing and sleeping. My daughter, Mary, is an herbalist and has been encouraging me for a long time to get off the medication, (thank you Mary for your patience with me), but I wasn’t willing and ready. I first had to admit to myself that I was making unhealthy choices for my body.

I shared with my friend, Kati, about my sleeping problems and she invited me to an energy healing class that she attended. I decided to check it out and have been attending weekly classes ever since. Although I am still learning and exploring, I find this energy healing fascinating and powerful. I have made changes – big changes, but not without resistance to change.  I started slowly weaning myself from the medication that I have taken for years to sleep and started natural remedies.

It has not been without challenges that required me to practice what I believe, and I have had many nights of not sleeping, and have been willing to try different remedies of herbs and homeopathic remedies. God showed me how I wanted a “quick fix” and how impatient I was. I knew the medication that I had taken for years worked, but I also knew it wasn’t good for me.  I prayed and asked God for guidance and clarity on what was the best choice for my body.  To be honest with you, I didn’t want to be patient, I wanted to sleep!

As I was working through some of this, I received two emails from my friends, Trudy and Sandy, who had researched different websites with natural health remedies to sleep for me. I had not asked them to do this for me and was so grateful that they took it upon themselves to provide me with this information and new options. It was an answer to my prayer and my mind was being opened to healthier ways of sleeping.

Then, a few days later, I met Katherine at Unity Church. We both felt a connection to one another and decided to take a walk together the next day. We talked non-stop, sharing our stories and what brought us to Maui. During the conversation, I told her about my sleep problem and she shared she also had a sleep problem, but had found something that worked for her. She gave me the name of the homeopathic remedy and I went to the natural health store that day to get some! I used it the last few nights and although not perfect, I am hopeful that my natural sleep patterns will return.

What I have learned is that I CAN be patient and not give up because I want to be healthy in all areas of my life. When we ask God for clarity and guidance, we get it if we listen and are open to the signs. God sent me three women to help me make the right decision for my life in regards to the medication.

I have also found that being a part of the weekly energy classes has awakened me to new ways of healing and taking responsibility for my health and well- being. I feel so blessed that my friend Kati introduced me to Okada Purifying Therapy (OPT). OPT is a Japanese healing technique that was founded by Mokicha Okada in the early 20th century. This energy healing method uses Johrei to support the body’s own immune system and stimulate the self-healing forces. Johrei is a Japanese word, with the simpliest translation of which is purifying spirit or “golden light energy”. It works by removing impurities from the spiritual body by channeling light energy, thereby causing reaction of purification of the spiritual, mental and physical body.

As I walk in faith, love my God-self, trust and let go, I know from experience that I am always given everything I need at the perfect and right time. There is no need for me to worry or fret about anything. God is as close to me as my breath. I continue to open my heart to RECEIVE more good from God, knowing that I am deserving and worthy.  As I receive from Spirit, I can give to others.  As my son, Tim, says on his answering machine, “Life is good!”

Let Go, Let God –  Daily Word pg. 54
“Some say worry is the most common – although unintentional – form of prayer. It is a habit of focusing on negative possibilities, and it drains one’s energy and blocks effective action. Rather than worry, I choose to focus on positive possibilities and trust God for right outcomes. Becoming still in prayer, I see beyond any seeming setback to the activity of God within the situation. I know all those involved are enfolded in God’s love and guided in every way. In the silence, I release any need for a specific outcome and open to spiritual solutions. As I transform my thoughts, I am relieved of any worry. I trust God in all things, and I am free mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”