Stopped in my tracks!

Hi there lovely people,

Goodness....It is l most the end of January already.
Have you kept your resolutions... did you make any?

Every year I resolve to make changes of one type or another, but this year ( thanks to an extreme message from the angels) I am determined to. I have been shown that I really do need to listen to:
a) the kind advice of all my friends and family...
b) my own inner/higher knowing... and
c) the meaningful message of the universe/angels.

What am I talking about? Let me explain...

Yesterday was a normal busy day. I planned to deliver my last minute paperwork and talk things through with the kind person who is going to complete my January 31st tax return for me at 10.am.... meet my colleague Richard at 1pm to finalise the arrangements at the gorgeous venue for our new Masterclass Workshop in Stansted.... see a lovely lady for a one-to-one near by at 2.30.... drive down to London, select a new jacket with a returns voucher in a particular shop..... pop in to see my mother at 4pm, and then baby-sit for my son's children where I could meet my daughter for an hour too and later catch up on all my emails once the babies were asleep!

Not all of it fell into place as planned, and that was ok as these things happen. As I hurried down to London for the family commitments the oil light and STOP sign suddenly appeared on my control board. Knowing that to be an acute problem I drove straight to my mother's waited and checked the oil levels which, surprisingly, were fine. It gave me chance to have a nice cup of tea even if I had to forego a mini-shopping trip, and then I slammed down the bonnet, washed my hands and continued round to my son's ... minus the red light and with no need of oil.

Then....last night as I drove home late from baby-sitting my grandchildren, a weird accident happened. The bonnet of my little car flew open and smashed with a great 'bang' against the windscreen. Although the screen didn't smash I couldn't see a thing in front of me and had to pull over onto the hard shoulder and call the RAC to come out and help me as I couldn't force the bonnet back down myself.
(Lesson 1.... we cannot do everything ourselves and it's essential to have a support system lined up for those occasions where help is needed, even though sometimes it is hard to ask).

The loudness of the bang shocked me, and I panicked, slamming on my brakes, jolting my back. Although I wasn't hurt I observed that I got upset at the realisation that I might have caused an accident if anyone had been behind me.
(Lesson 2... it is perfectly normal to get upset sometimes and even to panic when things beyond our control shock us. This is not a sign of failure or weakness.)

As soon as I had called the rescue service out, the Highway Police arrived and told me that these cars are renowned for having a faulty bonnet catch...., he also kindly pointed out that I had pulled in by the side of one of their CCTV cameras, so that I was perfectly safe as I was on screen at their central office. I didn't feel at all vulnerable or unsafe but that was reassuring anyway.
(Lesson 3... trust that in all situations angels are 'watching over us' and even if we ever doubt it everything is for a reason.)

When the helpful RAC driver arrived and fixed the bonnet down with plastic ties, he reliably informed me that if I drove slowly (no faster than 40mph) I would manage the fifty miles and make it home safely.
(Lesson 4.... with self discipline it is possible to drive slowly and mindfully, and that it is better to be slower and safe than fast and stressed........even for speedy old rush around me.)

As I contemplated the reason for this (other than the faulty bonnet catch) I was intrigued by the drama and loudness of the message. This really did stop me in my tracks, and I was unable to see the way. it was almost like a slap in the face.
Where had I been and what was I doing trying to cram all this into one day? .... even though I should have taken the day for resting as I was incredibly tired having spent several long days doing all my end of year accounts and paperwork at the last minute.

Fascinatingly just as I was approaching home a third sign popped up ...... when my oil light and red STOP appeared again for the second time on the control board.

For months now, no probably years, those close to me have suggested I should slow down and take a little more time out, to stop 'driving' myself so hard. Often I don't even notice how hard I am working or how many hours I have put in to a project because I love my work... well most of it.

This time, rather than through the words of friends which are perhaps falling on deaf ears, I do believe that the angels had become a little exasperated and created a more obvious message for me to see and hear for myself.

We know God works in mysterious ways.... how can we serve others to the best of our ability, or shine our light to it's full potential if we become worn out and dimmed down by self imposed pressure....( however good the reasons may be). Ah, I am so good at making this point in my talks and workshops. Kindness and caring for others may become second nature, but taking enough care of oneself and 'Learning to love oneself' can be more difficult .... perhaps here in my middle years it is now time to really stop, look and listen.

So that's my aim for 2011. To conserve my energies a little more and try to slow down the rushing about in serving others. To take time to listen to my higher guidance, and follow it (perhaps a teacher teaches what the teacher needs to hear), and to see where and how I can manage my time more effectively so that I really can drive a little slower!
After all 11 is the number of mastery. Lets see if I can master this! Anyone out there like to join me?

It might be the end of January, but it is only the beginning of the rest of life!

Hope your year has started well for you, and I wish you everything you wish for yourself for 2011.

Lots of love and angel blessings,

Chrissie

Advent adventures!

Hi lovely friends,

We're half way through December already, and I am far from organised for Christmas. Is that because of so much traveling during November and the beginning of December I wonder... so that the Christmas season has sneaked upon me unawares? Or maybe due to an overwhelming amount of work, my next book to complete, the Essene newsletter to revise in order to create a tribute to our friend and Chairman rather than Christmas issue... articles and letters to write for magazines ( Spring issues!!) and new contacts to follow up, plus orders from the internet to process, and colleagues to meet.... and then babysit, take grandchildren to the West End, spend time with husband, dog, family and friends and try hard to get some shopping done!

Goodness, no wonder I'm aging rapidly!!! Please, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to work hard, and this is not a complaint. I just wonder sometimes at how I can lament the missing hours from my days, the missing days from my weeks and puzzle over how the years whizz by so steamingly fast, when it is through my own personal choice that I fill all my thoughts, and my time?

So, let me stop for a while and do what's really important during Advent. Let me reflect upon the real reason for the season.

Winter is traditionally a time for retreat, reflection and rest after all. The whole of nature knows that. The sap from the trees retreats into the nurturing belly of Mother Earth to rest and replenish in order to rise renewed and refreshed in the spirt of re-growth. The plants either die back or stop, and many animals hibernate until Winter has past. They do that naturally.

But Advent is part of the Christian calendar which, although it can be argued celebrates a birthday which was certainly not in December and which also ousted a pagan festival at the same time of year, is to commemorate the arrival of one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time. Believed by many Christians to be the personification of God, born as man.

Advent is about anticipation. The Church has many rituals and symbols for Advent such as four candles - one of which is lit on each of the Sundays before Christmas. Some countries will have a special wreath and as we know children for decades have enjoyed eagerly counting down to Christmas by opening the tiny windows of an Advent calendar. (I so looked forward to my own glittery Nativity scene which came out each year and took pride of place on the mantle piece. As the years went by I knew exactly which picture was secretly hiding behind the windows and often peeped inside the double door to see the baby Jesus for the 25th).

At this time of great abundance, and over indulgence... anticipation - yes, waiting - has so often been replaced by a modern requirement of instant gratification... and a sense of greed seems to have replaced need.... But wouldn't it be fabulous to build into our daily busyness (without having to be reminded) a silent time each day for personal reflection. A few moments of precious time to reflect with gratitude for what we have already, rather than what we 'want'. A time to reflect on the important moments in life, such as happy memories and the people who mean something to us ... friends no longer present, yet whose presence is felt in that stillness. A time to reflect on what real love means rather than the price of presents, and the importance of giving generously of ourselves without looking for return or counting cost. How often do we reflect upon deep meaningful soul searching things, in the hurry and scuttle of the days in December?

So, here we are, in the midst of Advent, mid Winter. Christmas time again, already.

Many of us have had lots of hard weather conditions already and more snow predicted over the next few weeks. Yet in all the hardship the weather may cause, there is so much beauty; and an enormous amount of light. In every snow flake....we can see the beauty and light, glistening from the frost as the sun catches it... beauty and light, from the flickering flames of a log fire... beauty and light... and from the clear star laden skies...Everywhere beauty and light when we stop rushing and notice.
Here's a suggestion for this anticipatory run up to Christmas. Let's remember why it is Advent, everyday let's reflect even for a few moments on the true reason for the season.


Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs, the teacher who was born to be the Christ and whose declaration 'I am the Light' changed the world, and gave a new meaning to the December festival we now celebrate, because of His faith and His message of love .

Let us add our own light through our thoughts during Advent, to all that we see, every glisten of frost, every icicle, every symbol of Christmastime.

My wish for you is that you will enjoy shining our own beauty and light into the shadows of the Wintery nights, and with an open heart in the true meaning of generosity your Christmas will be filled with giving and receiving friendship and love in abundance.

with my love,

Christmas blessings,

Chrissie

Peace, Peace, Angel of Peace, be always everywhere.

I arrived into Belfast on the 5th November, and not a firework or bonfire in sight! Apparently it's very English, and only on this side of the water, to build bonfires, buy fireworks and celebrate Guy Fawkes ( doh, of course it is!!)... but then to continue with endless evenings of flashes and bangs late into the night! Ofcourse here in the UK we also have excuse of the celebration of the Indian Hindu festival of Divali, and it may also tie into the Sikh festival too, of Guru Nanak's birthday... and so fireworks may or may not be flashing right through the month of November, depending where you live on our multi-faith and multi-cultural island. So this year I missed it, and far more peaceful it was too!

Instead I enjoyed ten glorious days of travelling throughout north and south Ireland, and fulfilling the part of my life that gives me so much satisfaction.... meeting and greeting, sharing and talking, healing and teaching with lots and lots of wonderful people.

Ireland has a spirituality all of its own. A mystical magical way of being, that welcomes you onto its land and embraces you in its glorious natural colours, whispers through the Hawthorn trees, and stares out at you from historical ruins. It's in the tilt of musicality in the accent, the humour, the hospitality. And, steeped in the Celtic traditions of its true religion is the depth and nurturing richness of the very peat itself. I love it!

With every 'tour' of workshops seems to come a theme. Not intentionally, but nevertheless a strong train of thought that takes over and becomes the main message... whatever I might have decided beforehand, on a merely mortal level. This time the theme was peace.

Everywhere I taught in Ireland this time I found myself taking about inner peace and the need to centre oneself into ones own truth. To become confident and comfortable with the knowledge that no matter what... if we stand in our truth, with no desire to convince the other that your own truth is better than their's; if we can release the desire to rob anyone else of their own feelings, or their truth we release the ego from its power struggle, and its soul destroying stronghold.
To be able to give someone else the permission to be in their truth, and to hold on to yours without making either of you 'wrong' is a great gift. To step back from the argument, and decide that you are 'ok' knowing that both of you are actually 'right' and no-one needs to be 'wrong' and then to agree to differ with a smile... is empowering to both sides, to say the least.

With us right now is a beautiful full moon. This is a perfect opportunity to let go of anything we feel is holding us back in any way. Archangel Gabriel, the guardian of the moon is the energy to call upon to organise your thoughts. Ask for help in recognising and releasing anything negative, or a habit or addiction, or excess weight, and visualise it becoming less a little more each day as the moon wanes... This leaves you with a renewed freedom and strength, ready to build up a fabulous positive new energy with the new moon in a couple of weeks.
I'm going to ask Gabriel to help me to release aspects of my own nature that prevent me from experienceing true inner peace, a little bit at a time with the waning moon. Then on the first day of the new moon I can start to build on the positive energy of inner calm .... just in time for the run up to Christmas!

We cannot find world peace until we have found inner peace..... and each time I find myself developing a new theme for my talks I remind myself that, certainly in my own case, "the teacher usually teaches what the teacher needs to learn" !!

Lots of Love,

Chrissie

Not about Halloween

Hello there lovely people,

I thought I'd tell you about my amazing journey from Essex to Edinburgh, the glorious views of hills and mountains, and hours of meaningful reflective 'me-time' as I sped the 900 miles round trip via the Lake District on the way, and Yorkshire on my return ... then I changed my mind because you've read about that before, last time I drove to Scotland!

Then I pondered on whether to fill you in on the actual content and meaning of the 10-10-10 workshop, ... emphasising the importance of the balance between masculine and feminine energies in us as evolving human beings, and for the rise in consciousness of the planet. But I realised that most of it was said in my last newsletter inviting you to tune in with me on the day... so I changed my mind again.

Oh, I so wanted to share with you the changing colours from south to north, the contrast of Cambridgeshire with the rolling Pennine Hills, dark moody pine forests with bracken on the moors, glistening sunshine in Borrowdale and the mists of the mountain tops in the distant Highlands, the east coast beaches and the haunting image of Holy Island (Lindisfarne)in the distance,(blessed as I was by good weather)... and the humour and bonding at the workshop, the making of new friends, and the strengthening of connections with the angelic realms ... but most of all of the incredible sense of love for this wonderful world we live in, right now!


I know you know me a little bit by now, and that one of my real passions in life is the natural beauty all around us. If I can see it and enjoy it, as a human being, then I can only begin to imagine how it might feel to adore it as the heavenly creation, as the celestial beings surely must.

So I am going to invite you ... just for a moment ... to close your eyes and imagine what it must feel like to be an angel. To view everything, everyone, through the eyes of an angel.
To stretch your wings and soar high above the trees, and through the clouds, and see the glory of creation everywhere.
To move between the veils of each dimension. To be anywhere or everywhere in the blink of an eye.
To know what wisdom, peace and joy truly are.
To give and share gifts of healing, music, and beauty with the slightest touch.
To see the true soul shining through each and everyone of God's children... through their imperfections, their skin, their troubled minds... and to love them dearly, with no conditions.

Don't worry if you fall on your face whilst learning to fly ...practice makes perfect.

This is a time of consciousness raising. This is also a time of consciousness crushing. A time when spirituality is acknowledged as an essential part of life, and yet also a time when a life of spirituality is ignored or ridiculed. Good guys are not always the most popular, lets face it they crucified Jesus.
So what do you do when you have found your way at last onto a path of spiritual truth and you want to follow it? You honour yourself and practice. Practice by example, using humour, using serenity, humility, kindness and sincerity. You will be helped in your challenge, with your choices, and with directions. The angels will be working through synchronicity to send into your life all the circumstances and people you need to support you.

You can do this, you can fly.

This is definitely one type of flying that has nothing to do with broomsticks. So I'm off to stretch my wings.... told you I wasn't going to talk about Hallow e'en!

Lots of love and blessings in abundance,

Chrissie xxxx

Join The Family

Hello there,

Year on year my life seems to pass more quickly... well of course it does, I suppose, because each year is representing a percentage of your actual age... so if you are fifty, then each year passing represents a mere fiftieth of your life ... whereas when you were five each year was a whole fifth!! So if you are even older than that.... my goodness, ... imagine how fast the years go by when you are fast approaching ninety?!

The reason I'm dwelling on the passing of time is not due to fast approaching senility, it is because it was my second grandson's christening ceremony yesterday. My son decided to invite some of the older generation (i.e. friends of mine, and his dad's), who have always been around as he was growing up. Oh how much I enjoyed conversations with my old friends... that's friends from a long time, not friends who are old (phew, glad we cleared that one up.... you never know who might be reading!!) Not least because I was able to introduce my husband so that he could put faces to names again, but also because it is during 'catch-up' sessions with friends from the past that one gets a real sense of belonging.

Belonging..... to a particular group of like-minded people, to an era full of memories of children growing up and playing together, to a particular generation, to one's own family, and the greater family of humanity itself.

I remember very clearly being told as a child that I was part of God's family. That we are all God's children, and that as our Father, He loves us all. Yesterday as my son, his wife and the godparents were invited, and agreed, to introduce our precious and beautiful new member of our family, Nicolas Benjamin, into the family of the Catholic Church I became very aware of the profound human need to belong.

I am not Catholic myself, and neither are my children. But my daughter in law is, and it was for her sake that my son agreed that Nicolas would be baptised into her faith. Because she needed her children to belong to her family faith. I understand that.

Each time I start a new series of classes or a new spiritual development group, something happens. Subtly, after a short term together we have formed a bond of acceptance and friendship, a unity, a closeness which is hard to express in words, a kind of family. It has happened for a few years now, group after group have remained friends after the classes finish. Some people are like that, aren't they?
My husband says I am like a pied piper character bringing people together who then become friends. Hopefully I lead them a little way along a path of self-discovery... until they find a journey which suits them, and then I go off whistling another magical tune for the next merry band of friends.

Amusingly I wonder if my own sense of needing to belong is what attracts me to forming groups... Having been brought up an only child, of an only child, we don't have a big family (to say the least)and yet I now know so many people, for whom I have a genuine lasting affection.

One theory is that we are always born into and alongside our soul group. Therefore as we move along through life the stronger our own sense of self-awareness, and the higher our personal vibration the more attractive we become to the other members of our soul group. We find them, and they find us as we are brought together on the same path to interact, mutually support, befriend and love.

How do we know we are with our soul group? Because we have a sense of having known them all our life. There are aspects of their purpose which resonate with us deeply. There is an understanding, an empathy which enables and empowers us. We feel as if we belong in relationship with one another... for whatever reasons, it just feels right!.

Just recently a lovely email came round the circuits again, telling us that we are in relationships for a reason, and a season. Sometimes our relationships are to teach us something and they are over as soon as we have learned whatever it was (or not! In which case the lesson will be repeated, until we finally 'get it') and sometimes the relationship lasts a life time. The second kind is usually because you have chosen to be with this person/soul/lesson for the duration of your (this time)family life!

Ah, yes that's where I believe I came in to this little ramble, ... yesterday we were invited to make Nicolas a member of the family of the Church.

But today I want to welcome you to 'this' family ... a family of those of us who have been touched by the angels in some small (or huge) way. all of us who have opened their hearts, rolled up their sleeves, re-membered who they are, pledged to make a difference, finding their soul group ... realising they, and we all belong to the same family after all.
We are all one. Children, adults, male,female, old and young, whatever colour, creed, faith or culture. We are all one!

One of the greatest spiritual teachers, ever, once told his followers that in order to arrive in the Kingdom of Heaven we should become like children. To become like children.
What fun! How marvellous! It's like imagining playing a huge game of 'Angel tag'. Oh let's join in and play.

As I touch your heart, in some small way, so you touch someone else's ... and the game grows! With joy, and laughter, and light, and love!

Lets bring the joy and laughter and love into our family life that we would all love to see in our immediate families, and those around us. We know we can do it for one another, after all ... we're family!

Blessings in abundance,

Chrissie

Oh my poor back!

Hello friends,

I searched my mind for a suitable title for this blog but the pain in my lower back restricted my imagination and so there you have it..... the back gets the title!

I have to say it was the most ridiculous thing to do.... How can you sit on a piece of gym equipment leaning slightly backwards, with both feet at waist height and then leaning over to the side to a two year old child, reach across and lift her onto your lap.... without doing yourself an injury?
Wait, I'll qualify that question, how can you do that without injury unless you are in peak condition and under fifty? (Unless you are either forgetful of years... or deluded!)

The consequence has been a badly torn set of large muscles in my back from ribcage to pelvis.... Which has caused me a great deal of discomfort( on many levels) and food for thought.

My local (and extremely trustworthy) holistic osteopath, Angus, struck a chord when he asked me what I believed the injury to be about. At first I suggested my usual response to back pain, which is a feeling or a belief of 'lack of support'.

The longer and more deeply we talked, the brighter the light bulb began to shine into the dark recesses of my very soul. Aha, this is not actually about support,in fact I am very well supported on physical and spiritual levels ... but this is far more about the issue of trust. (And, I'm not talking about trusting angels, or God, this time)

By the time we reach mid to late adulthood it is pointless to carry on blaming the past (over and over again) for our behaviour patterns and our insecurities. I'm sure that very few of us have had what we 'think' is a perfect childhood, (even though it was - at some level - perfect for us, or can fondly look back to our parents knowing that none of their own issues leached through their parenting skills into us. But although it may have valid reasons how long can we go on using that as an excuse?

There comes a time when we have to fully accept personal responsibility of every thought, word, action and outcome for our own life. Yes, of course the things our parents, partners, friends, siblings, workmates, teachers etc etc did and said have left deep rooted imprints in our memories. This will have translated into behaviour patterns and belief systems which form who we are... and if we keep going even further back to previous lifetimes we will be adding all of that 'stuff' into the personality mix as well.

And so, there comes a time... Doesn't there?... When we have to take a long cool look at who we have become and, without any blame or guilt, accept who we are. Then, in truth, love every bit of us, warts and all, including the things we would like to change.

Now, here comes the bit about 'trust'.

After a lifetime of 'learning' that it may be difficult (for whatever reason)to fully trust other people... how about recognising that the reason for this may be a lack of trust in ones-self?

Now before you cut me off in a flurry of indignation reaffirming that you are completely trustworthy, impeccably honest, and never in a million years would you knowingly let anyone down (without good enough reason)... I'm talking about trusting yourself with yourself.

How many times (honestly) do you make a promise to yourself, and then break it? But I'll bet that breaking a promise is an anathema to you!
Do you ever agree with yourself to give something up, but don't?
How many times do you make a decision to take better care of yourself,(i.e. more sleep, better food, less alcohol etc) and then don't?

All the above batters the self-esteem. Did you know that?
How can we feel so unimportant that we are unable to keep promises to our self? I don't know the answer to that. Sadly, I admit that I seem to do it all the time. But thanks to a back injury all that is changing as of now!

What a revelation, after all these years to suddenly realize that it is time to learn to trust myself.

Certainly I shall continue to try and be as reliable and dependable to family and friends as I have always been. I have been born with a soul mission to serve, and nothing will change that.
But, now I am beginning to understand that I must also serve my body, train my own mind, and nurture my own soul. Others may help... and they do, for which I am truly grateful. But my sense of fierce independence and 'need to please' has become back shaped (no pun on pears now please!) and it is time to listen to it!

Can you trust yourself?
Be good to yourself too. Next time you tell yourself you are going to do something, do it! Don't make a promise to yourself that you may not be able to keep.... you wouldn't do that to a child would you? And the child within gets just as disappointed.

Well I'm off to sunny Crete tomorrow, so I promise myself I am definitely going to rest my back in the afternoons... oh and allow the inner child to experience kept promises!

Lots of love,

Chrissie

Oh my Goodness it's August already!

Hello Friends,

Somewhere along the way I seem to have missed a month! Where did July go? Isn't it shocking to think that a whole month can be so busy that when you try to remember where it went or what happened it literally takes immense concentration to recall! Oh dear, am I becoming a senior already? Having too many hi-lights? Or maybe I've lived in Essex too long ? (Only joking... it's actually all three)

I remember coming home from the Essene retreat feeling wonderful . We enjoyed so much 'peace' and friendship that it was, as always, difficult to drag myself away. As one of the organisers I take on some of the responsibility of running the programme and therefore it isn't all rest and relaxation for me. But, the love and acceptance and absolute pleasure of being there among my Essene family certainly makes up for any lack of sleep!

Thank goodness I have the bliss of the Crete retreat next month to look forward to now. But that's about the past and then the future. The gift, as they say, is in the present.

Being in the moment is experiencing and being with the moment. Taking pleasure in fully living. Not missing any of the joy as we rush through life. I do take stock and reflect how each moment gifts me with pleasures of ever changing varieties.

The pleasures of Summer have changed for me recently. In the city I enjoyed flowers in my garden and parks. Now I enjoy flowers in my garden and country walks, but now I have grandchildren to share the names of the flowers with, and to creep along to the woods while we pick up fallen feathers from the angels, find faces on the trees and search for bears, as well as pull sticks with the dog... I do enjoy the moments, and I regularly count my blessings.

As I push ahead with my new book draft, in time to meet my deadline, which looms closer and closer... and makes me steadily busier and busier I confess it's increasingly more difficult to fit in the things that give me the most pleasure in life; like communing each day with the nature spirits, feeling the crunching of spiky cut wheat under my feet as I daringly take a shortcut cross the newly harvested fields, my morning meditation, my visits to elderly parents and tiny grandchildren, dead-heading the geraniums and picking the tomatoes. In fact the simple things that re-connect us with God and the angels ... but I do make time. And I'm glad.

I have often been accused of dashing through life, always being too busy. But I'm an Aries.... come on?! I'm not slowing down, just finally, at long last prioritising! Oh, ok, and perhaps feeling a little more tired ~ on occasion!

And so, because this is a shortened blog this month, I thought I'd share a little quip with you, to make you think and hopefully to make you smile:

"As we rush about in the business of life and others get in our way.... when we feel like criticizing our brothers and sisters, or indeed we think they are from a different planet, perhaps ...... we could remember that actually we are all from the same mould. It's just that some of us are a little bit mouldier than others !!

Enjoy your Summer,

Love, and blessings in abundance,

Chrissie