Articles and More

ENLIGHTENMENT AT 23 FEET

It was one of those Bucket List things that brought me to Trapeze School. I figured it would be fun, not to mention a good cocktail party story. But I had no idea I’d experience so many “a ha!” moments flying through the air.

After the instructor tells us how to safely ascend the ladder and what to do when finally flying, its my turn. I’m standing with toes over the edge of the platform, hands on the bar and another instructor gripping the back of my safety harness. First command from the ground: “Get ready!” Second command: ’Hep!” – which is trapeze-speak for “Jump already!” A nervous gulp and then I’m sailing through open space. It’s an adrenaline rush. It’s terrifying and exciting. After landing in the net and clambering back to the ground, my inner 6 year old wants to do it again, but my inner Sensible Person needs a stiff drink. The strongest thing they serve is bottled water, so I rally and take several more passes. By the end of the afternoon, I’ve finally mastered the Knee Hang – and even been caught by another instructor, mid-air. Aside from the incredible memory (and a desire to go out and buy a spangly unitard), I also took away some unexpected spiritual lessons from 23 feet up.

LESSON 1: Don’t try to do it all yourself. When you’re hanging off the bar, you’re keenly aware of physics. Gravity, Force, Momentum [G,F and M] all step up and say “Howdy” in a way you don’t experience just walking around. You have a physical sensation of them as they swirl around your body.

Trapeze “tricks” are more about timing than anything else: the more I try to wrestle my legs over the bar ahead of the right time, the harder it becomes. But when I trust in my invisible friends, G,F and M, the process is magical. Like spirit guides and angels, there are plenty of things we can’t see – but they’re there to help us if we just let go a little and allow them.

LESSON 2: Listen. Our instructor was insistent we listen for his cues. He was watching our timing and would tell us what to do, when. Of course, I jumped the gun more than once and wound up flailing around like a fish on a hook. Not pretty. When I turned off my own ego and actively listened to the Voice, the one who could see the big picture, it all just kind of happened. Note to self: listen to own Inner Voice more often to prevent unnecessary fish-flailing.

LESSON 3: There’s always a net. Many try the trapeze to conquer fears, learn about surrender and trust. Before I finally got it, I missed plenty of cues or catches and fell into the net. And I realized that no matter what happens in life, there’s always a net. It might be in the form of friends, helpful strangers or Providence. Screwing up isn’t the end of the world, so you may as well go for it.

So next time you’re standing atop the metaphorical platform, staring out into space, remember that Life is like the trapeze: even if you miss, you’ll bounce back. Literally.

TALK TO THE ANIMALS…YOU’LL BE SURPRISED!

It’s not exactly what Eddie Murphy did in “Dr. Doolittle” – but yes, its possible to talk to animals. As an Animal Communicator, I use my psychic skills to connect with our four-legged (or no-legged) friends – then relay the information to their humans. I work with both animals who are still alive and those who’ve crossed into spirit. Besides the unconditional love and humor they share, I’ve been struck by the untamed spirit that each animal brings to a session. Even the most docile housecat is still linked to the wild essence of the Earth. These encounters remind me of the powerful connection between all forms of life. And with the current planetary crisis, that message is more vital than ever.

Like any psychic work, Animal Communication requires opening your personal energy channels. Yes, we ALL have this ability. Like an animal, we just need to start using more of our “gut level” senses and less of our intellect. In the intuitive realm, information may come in pictures, feelings or words – or a combination of all three. It’s up to you to determine what they mean. I find that my first impressions are usually the most accurate, and I’ve proven this by logging my “critter conversations” and checking back later.

One of the most important lessons Animal Communication has taught me is to respect their unique place in the universe. We assume that, as humans, we’re superior to those lower down the food chain. But I’ve found that I can’t just start demanding they talk to me. Instead, I need to relax, quiet my ego and wait until they feel comfortable. I mean, imagine if a total stranger came barging into your living room and started trying to get you to reveal details about a personal issue? You’d probably want to run and hide, just like a shy kittycat.

And when the animals talk? Well, time after time, I’ve been reminded that animal spirits are profoundly wise – something the Native Americans have known for eons. Their conversations are simple, direct, without all the hoo-ha we humans wrap ourselves in.

My cat Pyewacket frequently tells me to “lighten up” during the day – then does something silly to make me laugh. A horse calmly told me to assure her nervous owner that she fully intended to win a race she was entered in – despite never having won before -- then went on to do it (sorry, I won’t be holding court at the OTB anytime soon). A dog who had passed on when her owner was suddenly called into work told me she purposely wanted it that way, because she knew that, if “Mom” had stayed with her, she would have had a much harder time leaving. Letting her owner know that alleviated a huge burden of guilt.

Remembering the elegant simplicity of animal behavior helps us get beyond ourselves and reconnect with the essentials of this home we all share. Whether its your dog or the birds at the backyard feeder, why not expand your idea of being “environmentally conscious” – and talk to an animal today? I guarantee they’ll surprise—and delight you!

Here are some simple steps to Animal Communication:

1) Quiet your mind. If you don’t already meditate, learn to do so. You need a “clear palate” to receive any intuitive information. Focus on just breathing, letting random thoughts simply pass by. The goal is to not have a completely blank mind (physically impossible), just one that’s not preoccupied with car pools, grocery lists and work stuff.

2) Approach your animal when they’re relaxed. Sit with them quietly, focusing on your breathing and imagining your energies drawing closer together. Even if they’re not physically close by (like a wild bird or a feral cat), imagine your energies meeting.

3) When you feel relaxed and ready, ask your animal a simple question. The answer may come quickly, as an image, a feeling or a single word. Trust what you get – doubting yourself is the quickest way to shut down the link. It’s helpful when you’re starting out to keep a notebook of your ‘conversations’ as a way to verify any info you get from the animal.

If you find yourself getting frustrated, settle down and breathe again. Learning to trust your instincts takes time and patience, but it’s a skill that will serve you well, not just with animals, but in everyday life. Stick with it!