Everything happens for a Reason!

Last Saturday, I was signing books, to fulfill book orders that came in through the website.  The last What was God Thinking?! was to be autographed for “Judy”.   After writing a note for her in the book, we packaged the book, and it was ready to go.  Well, not quite.  Something didn’t sit right with me about that order, so we checked the order once again, and saw…rut roh…the order was actually for “Congratulations…It’s an Angel”.  We made the change, and now I had a book, autographed to “Judy” and didn’t know what to do with it.  I know, you’re probably thinking, “why didn’t you just send her both books?”  Good question, and I didn’t know why I didn’t…until now.

The next night, I was doing a “Messages from Heaven” program in Easton…and had the thought, “Bring the autographed book with you.  See if there is someone in the audience named Judy, and give it to her.”  So, I did.  At the beginning of the program, I asked if anyone there was named Judy, or had a close friend or relative named Judy.  A woman raised her hand, and said her cousin’s name was Judy…so I gifted her the book, and said, “Well, I guess she is supposed to have this book, not sure why, but I trust it.”  The program was a great success, I was happy I was able to deliver the book…and I didn’t realize the awesome significance until I got this email the very next day…

Sandy,

You asked if anybody had a Judy that they were close with, I raised my hand.  When you approached me you asked who Judy was.  I stated that she is a very close Cousin who lost her dad. You told me to give this to her, she needed it.  You handed me your new book. 

As I left, I called Judy, but she was not home.  I called my sister and told her about your readings and about the Judy statement.  She wondered if that was the way my Uncle Milty (Judy's dad) was coming though. I was very close to my Uncle and my cousin.  

I was able to reach Judy this morning and cried for quite a while.  I told Judy what happened last night and she stopped me in mid-sentence.  She made me repeat myself and then I read the inscription to her twice.  (It had read, “For Judy, may this be a reminder of how truly loved you are.”)  She stopped me again and said she had the worse day yesterday.  I asked why, she said because it was his birthday (her dad and my uncle).  I always believed my uncle, my mom and grandmother were here watching us.  I have never been more convinced that I am today.  I know my uncle came through to you yesterday with a message for his daughter and my cousin Judy on his birthday.

Thank you, I so appreciate what you did for Judy and me last evening.  I was hoping that my mother would have sent a message to me, but having my uncle send a gift to Judy was just as satisfying.  

Heidi

           

So, my dear friends, may you know that we are all being used to help each other here.  So trust that little nudge that tells you to do something for someone, even if you don't know why.  And may you trust that everything happens for a reason!

With love,

Sandy

ps...have you ever been been asked to be a messenger for God or Spirit?  Leave me a

comment below! 

Sometimes the best gifts come in no packages...

I gave myself an extra 30 minutes before my weekly meeting with my nutritional coach/trainer…her office is right across from Nantasket Beach, which is one place that holds such fond memories from my childhood.  It has always been my centering place.   But it is almost an hour from my home, so I don’t go there as often as I’d like to.

Yesterday morning, I was so excited, feeling like this time to walk the beach was the best gift I could give to myself.  It was only 10am, so there was plenty of parking and the beach was fairly empty (probably because kids are still in school).  I walked onto the sand…and immediately took my sneakers off.  When I walk the beach, I HAVE to do it barefoot, otherwise it’s like wearing a bathing cap to go swimming…something I always hated to do when I was on the swim team in 8^th grade...but I digress.   You get the point…I need to feel the sand squish between my lil toes, and if I’m brave enough, venture over to the water, and feel the coolness of it on my feet.

On this day, the beach was peaceful, warm, quiet…and I decide…walking on this beach is my little slice of heaven.  No matter what is going on in my life…the beach brings me home to myself.  In fact, when I was going through my divorce 10 years ago…I actually felt ‘beckoned’ by the beach…to feel the pulse of my own heart, and hear my own thoughts as I walked.

Often when I walk at home, or at the gym, I listen to Latin music (Zumba songs) on my IPod to keep my pace and help me stay motivated.  But when I walk the beach, it’s a sacred time for me.   I take a time out from external noise, I choose to NOT have any distractions.  Those are the moments that I hear God’s quiet whispers.   

Moments like these also help me to notice what is happening around me.  I firmly believe that life offers opportunities to learn little lessons (not painful ones!) in whatever it is that we are noticing.  This day proved no different.

My first “gem” was seeing a man with headphones on, using one of those metal detectors.  I passed by him once on the beginning part of my walk.  I silently said a prayer for him, “I pray you find what you’re looking for…”  On my return back, I approached him again.  This time, he was busily engaging his shovel, digging, digging, digging…he was down about 8 inches digging, digging, digging.  And the thought that came to me was, “I pray that you’ll find what you’re looking for, as you’re digging yourself this hole.”  Then God stepped into my thoughts (as God frequently does, when I am quiet) and gave me another perspective. 

               Sandy, many dig their own holes, but never feel “whole” , because what they are truly searching for cannot be found outside of them.  Even if someone has dug a hole too deep…and it feels empty, tell them to invite me right there in the emptiness.  I am there for them.      

I took that wisdom, tucked it into my mind to write down later.   Having been able to hear God thoughts for so long, this has become second nature to me…it’s very comforting, and reassuring to know that there is a presence that is with me, available to me, whenever I take a break from the noise and distraction that is part of my life.

The next little “gem” I witnessed was this adorable little girl who was about 5 years old.  She was right by water’s edge in her little bikini, dancing by herself.  She was pretty good too!  I looked over at her mom, who was sitting about 20 feet away, watching her, and yelled to her, “She is sooo stinking adorable!  To be that free is the most beautiful thing.” 

               God said to me, “Sandy, the only thing that stops any of you from “dancing” like that is your fear…and it is only in your mind.  Dance like nobody’s watching.”  

I silently affirmed, “I promise.”  All my life I’ve wanted to be a dancer, but being chubby as a child fueled my fear of what others would say.  For me now, my “dance” is being a messenger for the world.  It’s my intention, my dream, my desire to touch the world with my written and spoken word.  What is your “dance”? Are you willing to go for it?  Let’s do it together…without fear.

I continued to walk back to my starting point, silently praying from my heart, “Thank you so much, God, for the blessings of these last 30 minutes…I love you.  You really are always with us, aren’t you?”  I took a deep breath, looked down, and noticed God’s response...a little gift that was right in front of my lil toes…

 Sometimes the best gifts come in no packages.  May you notice them in your day today. 

With love,

Sandy

WHY did God DO that?

Last night in the “Healing Conversations” class I was teaching, we were talking about possible blocks that people have that keep them from truly opening up their heart to having a dialog with God (not a monologue, where you do all the talking, but a true dialog).

One of the participants shared that she blamed God for “taking” her only sibling…her 19 year old sister that she had loved so very much. “Why did God take her, Sandy? Why did God DO that to me?” she said with tears in her eyes.

Her questions mirror the unspoken questions that keep pain lingering in so many hearts. As I imagined life from her perspective, I could see why she had some blocks that kept her from opening her heart to God’s wisdom and guidance. Who could possibly trust a God that could all of a sudden, with no warning, “pluck” a loved one out of one’s life and whisk them to some place way above the clouds that seems so far away? I’d not want to engage in any sort of discussion with God…it would be too hard to hear anything through the anger or unfairness I’d feel.

I took a deep breath, and went into my heart. My experience as a Spirit Medium for nearly 17 years has shown me a different perspective. I know a different truth about death. And in my personal conversations with God which became my book, What was God Thinking?, I know a different truth about God.

Here is what I know to be true:
~Death is simply the transition from being a spirit energy with a body, to being a spirit energy without a body.
~Death is often hard for us, because we’re mourning the physical that is no longer. We are in a temporary place of forgetting that our loved one’s spirit doesn’t die.
~When we remember that our loved one is pure spirit, we can begin to open our mind and our heart to their presence around us, in a different way.
~God doesn’t “take” people. God is love. God/Love is the greatest healer of all.

But I couldn’t tell her all of that, because I wanted her to find the answers in her own heart. (It’s where all the answers always have been.)

I asked her to go into her heart, imagine God right there with her, and ask God directly…”Did you take my sister from me?” She paused, and wiped her tears. “Let God respond,” I encouraged her. Quietly, she said, “God is saying, ‘No…my sister just died.’” As she breathed in her new truth, I knew this truth would help her feel freedom and peace that she had been searching for, but didn’t know how to find.

This young woman left the class a different person. Her face looked softer, her eyes looked brighter. 

Driving home, I silently thanked God for moments like these…to share simple truths that God and Spirit have been giving me.

I wonder, as you’re reading this, where this story took you to in your own life and in your heart…I’d love to hear from you.

Sexy, classy French poodle...

I was booked to be on FOX 25’s morning show this Thursday…they’re interviewing me about my new book, “What was God Thinking?!” When I found out, my first thoughts were… “I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!” and… “HOW DO I DO MY HAIR AND MAKEUP?” I know, I know, it’s not about the physical. Sometimes, old thoughts die hard…

When I announced it on Facebook, my FB friends were so very kind and generous with their loving support. One offered to “style” me with new clothes…another with jewelry…another offered a new hairdo (cool, because I’ve had the same hairstyle since high school…) and my cousin (a professional make-up artist) offered to show me how to apply “camera-ready makeup”! Who even knew there WAS such a thing?

Last Thursday was “MY MAKEOVER DAY”. I started out at 8am….ready for my “hair” makeover. She foiled, colored, then showed me the trick to getting a more mature “sexy, classy” style. I must first tell you, I don’t spend a lot of time on my hair…a little gel…toss it with my fingers as I dry it, hang head upside down for more volume, and apply some really strong hairspray and I’m good to go in 2 ½ minutes. Not anymore, in order to have this mature “sexy, classy” look, she used a fine mist hair spray, silicone gel, and TWO different sizes of curling irons! I loved how it came out…but I felt a tad panicked, wondering if I could do this on my own…it’s a bit overwhelming…dry, then spray, curl this way, up and over… toss, toss…curl that way. Armed with a shopping list, next stop was Target…$60 later, and an armful of hair necessities, I’m good to go….I think.

Next on the agenda was to Black & White to get a royal blue sweater (yes, at a black and white store) that I saw my friend Rosie was wearing last week and looooved it! It would be perfect for the TV interview. You know you’re in trouble when you’re assigned a “personal assistant” (I named her that)…when you walk in. I picked out a few things and she picked out more…ooh, how fun. She said, “Remember, when you try anything on, come on out and show us (‘scuse me…show “US”?? I didn’t.) Well, I loved the blue sweater, as well as 2 more outfits, a dress and a cute pair of black high heels (not that they’d be seen on camera…) My heart sank as she rang up my purchases…and she announced the total. Silently, I began arguing with myself…”Sandy, you only came in for one item…stay focused…” “but you’ve also got the book launch and an important fundraiser coming up…it’s only money…AND you saved $60 with the coupon she let you use…” The second voice won, as I walked out with 2 fancy bags.

Next stop, Beauty and Main, which was conveniently located right near Black & White. I loved being able to spend time with my cousin. Sitting on the high stool, I knew I was in trouble when she put her glasses on and began examining my face. “What do you use for facial cleanser, Sandy?” Now I start to sweat, because I don’t have a good answer, and I suddenly understand what it must be like to go to confession. I can’t tell her I use Irish Spring, (manly, yes, but I like it too), but sitting on this confessional stool, I cannot lie. The look on her face makes me think it’s not the best choice for my face, but she still is sweet and smiling at me. I relax. “How about for moisturizer…toner…concealer…foundation…” I sweat more, feeling very vulnerable, as I explain to her that my typical makeup relies on a few items only: Nivea moisturizer; and Revlon blush, mascara, and eyeliner. PERIOD. Sixty seconds and I’m done! Eye shadow appears only if I’m going out at night…and lipstick is applied in my car as I drive. “Let me show you from start to finish…what would be good for you…” she says as she’s gently taking my makeup off, and applying moisturizer on, each with their own happy little sponge! (I don’t dare tell her that I never take my mascara off…she’ll know now though…lol) I feel so pampered…then comes a skin/pore protector…an eye-shadow base for long lasting eye shadow look…then my eyebrows are lined, my eyelashes are curled, foundation, under eye concealer, 4 different eye shadows (EACH applied with a different type of brush…who knew??), eyeliner, mascara, lip liner, lipstick, gloss, finishing powder, and…a bronzer. Phew, I need a nap! I was feeling a tad overwhelmed, when one of the women who worked there yelled over to me, “WOW…I just I LOVE your hair!” Hmmm…must be the sexy, classy new look I’m sporting! That perked me up a bit.

I honestly like this new look she gave me, but as someone who doesn’t like to read directions, and has a touch of adult onset ADD, my biggest concern is that I will have NO clue how to duplicate this. Not to worry, she says, as she takes out a line drawing of an eye…and details every bit of what she used, AND colored the eye with all the colors she used. Loved it…and left $200 later, after purchasing many of the products (including all the brushes needed). I can do this!

The next day, it was time to practice. I failed miserably with my hair. It looked like I’d just given myself a bad perm! Can you say “sexy, classy French poodle”? (not quite the look I was going for) The makeup came out pretty good, but I’ve decided I now need a bigger bureau to hold all my new skin care products and makeup, and a new bathroom to give me room to spread all my tools and perform my hair duties. I’ve also decided to return the black heels, as I walked around in them (at home…didn’t think to do that in the store…duh!), my left heel kept popping out. And, the blue sweater…that’s going back too…it truly looked much better on Rosie.
 
So, here’s what I’ve realized about the whole experience:
The experience was fun…felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz getting primped for the day. But, the main message in my book is that we are loved exactly where we are at…so, I’m going to show up for the FOX25 interview as me…and speak from my heart…because that is who I am. And if my hair and makeup come out good that day, even better. But if you happen to see a French Poodle with a “sexy, classy” look on the FOX morning show this Thursday, listen to her message anyway…it’s from the heart. :)

One Blizzard...Four Bars...Four Hours...for hours!

1/11/11--12 noon--A blizzard is predicted for this area for tomorrow...12-24 inches.  Though my daughter Ariana went food shopping for me yesterday, I go again today, to get those "just in case" items that one might need if one is snowed in...like chicken, steak, avocado to make guacamole...and Pirate's Booty (yummy!)

1/11/11--2pm--I call Rich (my former husband) to see if I can have the kids overnight (it was his night with them), seeing Austin clearly won't have school.  I told him "I'm ok either way", and he must've really believed me, because he said he was going to take the day off, and was looking forward to spending the day with them.  "Alright, I'll be ok...I'll paint, I'll write, I'll Skype...I'll  be just fine", I say, half saying it to convince myself.

Happy New Year everyone!

There's an advantage to having a Medium in the family...at family gatherings, after the meal I will often link into Spirit, to see what messages they have for us.  My dad died almost 4 years ago, and we all miss his huge presence in our lives. 

So, yesterday, 15 of us gathered for brunch here at my home.  (made the yummiest corn beef hash!)  After the dishes were cleaned...we sat in a circle, each clutching a tissue because we know it would be emotional (for me as well, even as I bring through the messages).  After saying my opening prayer...I sat quietly and pretty quickly felt the presence of my Dad...as well as our uncle, my former husband's father, and my brother in law's mom and dad.  My Dad had me go to each person in the room, giving them a very specific message (like how he's with my sister when she eats "York Peppermint Patties" at her condo...lol...I had no idea!)...and gave us more general guidance for the group as a whole.