Dancing Between Heaven and Earth

Honoring the Process of Dying
 

When my daughter was 10, she had a gerbil. It’s been so long I cannot remember his name.

She and her father went on vacation; it was then, of course, that I noticed he was not well. He struggled to walk – he wasn’t chewing up the toilet paper roll. I knew he was dying, but why now? When my child was not there? What was I going to do?!

I’d take him out and hold him in my hand while I sat with him. I’d sit such that he was positioned at my heart. I willed him to die – to end his suffering.

What I noticed was that every time I did that, he’d get more energy, and I thought a miracle had occurred.

No. He was just taking in the love from my heart center and using it as fuel for just a bit.

This went on for a few days. I didn’t want him to die while my 10 year old was gone! What kind of closure (or not) would that bring her?!

One night, after my ritual of holding him at my heart and telling him it was ok to...

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Sacred Symbols

 

A discussion with Barbara Patterson and Jan Revell of Purpose Talk Radio on the topic of Sacred Symbols.

 

Originally aired January 2012

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Women With Passion ~ An Interview

An interview with Kimberly Riggins, a dynamic coach with a heart for women.

"I'm often drawn to others who are very grounded, walk their talk and have a story to tell. That is definitely why I love Marita Rahlenbeck.

I had the pleasure of meeting Marita through a coaching program we were both taking. I was always in awe of her passionate insight and her ability to read through people’s energy.

She is truly a healer. You can see it in her heart and it radiates through her soul.

Let’s get to know her."

Tell me a little about yourself and your mission.

Since the mid 90’s I have been on a path of significant spiritual awakening.  At the time, however, I was not as aware of my path as I am now. I experienced an internally loud desperation of wondering “IS THIS ALL THERE IS?”

On the outside it appeared as though I had it all (home in suburbs, two cars in the garage, married, a daughter)… Inside, though, I was unhappy. With that quiet unrest...

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Soul Guidance ~ Finding Direction in Life

Nancy Brook, of Blog Talk Radio's Love Your Path show interviews me on the topic of finding direction for your life. Timeless advise!

 

 

Nancy Brook is “The Cycling Chick.” She’s author of Cycling, Wine, and Men: A Midlife Tour de France, a book that’s been called the next Eat, Pray, Love. She is an award-winning speaker, author, show host and MBA. She combines 25-years business experience with lessons learned from her cycling adventures to inspire people to get on their lives and ride! She teaches the value of perseverance, teamwork and leadership.

 

Originally aired April 2012

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Integrating Spirituality and Consciousness

Kathryn Yarborough is psychospiritual facilitator who teaches her clients how to use movement, breath, and manifestation tools on their awakening and healng journey. For 40 days in 2011, Kathryn did “Everyday Spirituality,” a blogtalkradio show where she interviewed myself and others who are integrating spirituality into their day to day lives. Kathryn was the founder and director of the Center for Embodied Consciousness. In early 2012, she launched Flowing with Change, an online membership community that provides tools, skills, and support for people who are experiencing and initiating change. She can be found on Facebook and at Flowing with Change.

 

 

Check Out Spirituality Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Positive about Change on BlogTalkRadio with Flowing with Change on BlogTalkRadio
 
 
Originally aired October 2011
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The Miracle of a Spoonbill

I believe in signs, don’t you?!


And sometimes a sign might come in the form of a spoonbill!

I was recently walking one of my favorite beaches – I adore the beach – and I noticed a line – a long line in the sand that clearly had been created by a sea creature moving. My curiosity got the best of me. As I visually followed it away from the shoreline, I saw a spoonbill. – I have NEVER seen a spoonbill in the wild! – I forgot all about this curious line and what kind of creature created it; my attention was now focused on this beautiful, unique bird.

I was SO excited!

You see, my parents address is Spoonbill #10. My mother passed 3 1/2 years ago, and I was in Florida with my sister checking up on dad. It isn’t looking good and all the variables, choices, decisions has us both reeling.

My prayer just before this miraculous spoonbill sighting was – I don’t know what to pray.

I observed this unique, lovely bird for quite some time, then...

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Death In A Box

Three years ago this month my mother died. That call that you expect yet never want. She was the ever ready bunny. She wouldn’t let go – I believe because my father wouldn’t and couldn’t let her go. So she stayed.

Two days after the call I flew to Florida to be with dad – lots of things need to be addressed after a death – not to mention the emotional component. He’d had mother cremated; he’d selected an urn and wanted my opinion before making the final decision.

Seeing someone you love in a box – no matter how plain or fancy – is quite sobering. How can that once vibrant person (or animal) be distilled down to something so SMALL?

~~

This month I said goodbye to my Ginger and 10 days later I picked her up – in a box. And the experience was jarring.

As I drove there, my mantra was

I can do this; I can do this; I can do this.

And then the unexpected happened, and I became a puddle inside as the tears involuntarily...

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The Sacredness of Conscious Dying

The last challenge for me since my traumatic brain injury (TBI) last year has been to write – to capture a thought and actually be able to convert it into written words. This blog came, was “downloaded” and felt like my writings did pre-injury. I’d like to believe it has something to do with my feline companion, Ginger. Her gift to me. Gratitude.

 

A few years ago I was involved in an organization that came up with an entire list of line items of dos and don’ts in having and creating a sacred space. The notion is absurd. Indeed, I found it extremely offensive. One item on the list was no pets.

That was enraging to me, because my practice was in my home and my Healer Kitty was very much a part of each appointment. Some clients she greeted, left while in session and returned when we were done. She knew when to return and clean up the energetic debris. Other clients she literally had to touch them in their broken state. Some clients asked where...

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TBI – My Journey to the Mountain

A year ago today my daughter and I left for a road trip. It was to be a 12 day trip.

It lasted three days.

Twelve hours after leaving, I was flat on my back, in a pool of my own blood, one hand holding my daughter’s. The other holding the hand of a hotel staff member, in shock, under blankets with onlookers making comments as if I had gone deaf. We awaited the ambulance.

Thus began the long road back from a Traumatic Brain Injury.

It’s been a very long year.

The most obvious thing is that the most obvious injury gets the attention. The gushing wound on my chin got the attention. Two and a half weeks later I was diagnosed with two concussions. No wonder my world had become surreal. It had never entered my mind – no pun intended at all. I just didn’t understand what was happening to me.

I was on a journey to the mountain top without climbing the mountain.


I couldn’t read; I couldn’t spend much time on the computer. I could not enjoy YouTube videos...

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Jump Start Get REAL – Program Recap

I survived the 14 Day Jump Start Get REAL program! Yes!

The first extremely interesting thing I noticed: as much as I wanted the 14 days to be over, I am still choosing to pretty much follow the guidelines I learned. I do not want to immediately add in all the foods I’d intentionally eliminated because I could. I had “suffered” through this – the dull headaches, joint pain, the dizziness*, the longing for a scrambled egg!

If there are foods I’d eliminated that contribute to my true non-well-being, I can only ascertain that by adding foods back slowly. A few days passed day 14 and I’d added eggs, wine and yes, a tiny bit of chocolate…

So I am going slow because I like the results and want to know when my body gives me information/feedback I can identify the specific food.

What have I noticed:

I LOVE healthy fats – this is probably my biggest learning and appreciation – that eating a meal with enough healthy fats...

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