Step by step

A new friend helped me realize I need to find my next step. She is the published author of several books. One happens to be a Kindle book titled, "Re-Union". I am always curious about the writing style of other people, especially people I know, so I ordered it. I was not disappointed! I not only enjoyed the story, but noticed we have a similar writing style. I would call it "clean". We don't add unnecessary words to make a point. She soon emailed me and said she had ordered one of my Kindle books, "Journey of an Enlightened Egotist".  Thank you Marion Marchetto!

Just for fun I clicked on my computer version of my book and began reading it too. It had been several years since I had written it, but I remember a local book dealer saying my books are timeless. So I thought it would be fun to read it along with my friend.

I was having a problem reading the online version off my computer so I decided to purchase a Kindle copy, which made it much easier to read. I could not believe all the information my book offers between the covers. I just kept thinking, wow did I really write that? This book has been sitting wherever Kindle books sit for several years, without getting much attention. I began to think, it is too good to be sitting somewhere, gathering dust. Alright, that may be an exaggeration! It is not really sitting anywhere, except on my computer and now my Kindle.

My first two books (now out of print) were published through Publish America. I probably gave more away than were purchased because I did not have the money to promote them. With a Social Security income and living in a small town that is very difficult.

Something positive needs to be done to promote, "Journey of an Enlightened Egotist".  The first step starts here!

Not a coincidence

This morning offered an interesting experience. I picked up the friend I exercise with and we made the familiar trip to our local family center fitness room. Not long after we began exercising two men came in and one was instructed by the other to use one of the machines.

Always being nosy, I asked the instructor who he worked for. This led to an interesting conversation between the man and my friend, who has a daughter with a serious heart condition. It turned out the man used to work with her daughter at more than one facility.

The daughter recently received a Social Security denial letter for disability insurance because of her heart condition. Her primary care doctor stated she cannot work. Social Security disagrees and said her condition is not a reason for disability.

The man, who was the instructor, gave my friend the name of a disability lawyer who deals with situations like this. He is almost always successful.

Coincidence you say? I do not think so!  

Always believe

I met Shaunulee in early 2000. She was pregnant with her first child. She and her sister went to school with my daughter. Her mother was my daughter's seventh grade Social Studies teacher.

Soon after she gave birth I learned that this young woman had been diagnosed with cancer and did not intend to let it kill her. I sent her a note saying I thought she was a very brave young lady. I also gave her aunt a photograph I had taken containing spirits from another place, believing it might help the family deal with what I feared was in store for them.

Shaunulee very wisely lived every day she was given to the best of her ability. She died two years later, three weeks before her 23rd birthday, leaving her child behind to be raised by her bereaved mother and caring step-father.

Defying her doctor's warning that she was too sick, she made a trip with her family to Arizona to see her newly married sister's house. She died exactly where she wanted to be, surrounded by those most important to her.

After having a dream, depicting her transition from this wold to the next, I was guided to sketch what I was shown. She wore a flowing gown and was flanked by a male figure on her left and a female figure on her right, each wearing a robe and holding one of her hands. The sketch showed her with
a beautiful head of hair, which had previously been sacrificed as the result of cancer treatments.

After high school graduation she had attended beauty school. Her hair loss was very traumatic for her and she was forced to wear a hair piece during her last few months on earth. I believe including long hair in the sketch was God's way of telling those she left behind that she was completely healed.

Shortly after her funeral I made a business call to an office in Arizona. The woman I was talking to put down the phone to obtain information from another office. While waiting for her to return, I heard a voice on the line saying, "She is worried about me, there is no need."

I gave the message to Shaunulee's mother who gave me a sincere hug of thanks. I told her I did not understand my involvement with her daughter's spirit and she quietly replied, "I know."

In memory of Shaunulee Brito, 1979-2002. Her grave marker quietly offers the message, "Always Believe".

Waiting

Well my car was finally picked up and once again taken to the repair shop yesterday afternoon. Now I am waiting to find out why it refuses to start for me. It did start for the person who picked it up. I am beginning to think the universe is playing an early Halloween joke.

In a conversation I had with my mechanic this morning I was told he didn't think it was a fuel problem, but an electrical one. I told him I didn't want it back until whatever was wrong got fixed. I do not want to drive it into town and get stuck. I think I heard him laugh!

Still waiting. Maybe this is a lesson in patience. At least I'm saving on gas.

If at first you don't succeed

Last week my car spent some time in the repair shop getting a new radiator. I told the mechanic I had been having trouble starting it. He checked everything and deemed it fine. I picked the car up and did a couple of errands in town. The car started but sounded a bit odd. Coming home I parked the car in the garage and gave it no more thought until Saturday morning.

After many tries it refused to start. Then my son tried with no luck. He decided to check things out on the web since the repair shop is not opened on Saturday. He decided it might need a new fuel filter. It looked like a big deal to even find out where it was. Because we live in a small town he didn't think he could get a replacement without ordering one. He decided not to tackle the job.

This morning I got in touch with my mechanic. I told him about the problem and shared that my son thought it was the fuel filter. He informed me, " Your car does not have a fuel filter". Really?!

At the moment I am waiting for him to pick up the car that still refuses to start and begin again to discover what is wrong with it this time. I'm thinking it is good thing my son didn't tear the car apart looking for something that wasn't even there!

The Father

The following is an excerpt from my first published book, Wake Up! I thought it was a nice little tidbit for a Sunday afternoon.

The Father

I was asked what I thought God looked like. He probably looks a little like Santa without the red suit. I see him in white from his bearded head to his toes. Maybe gold and silver here and there for accent.

People get confused and think he looks like Jesus. God the father is much older and knows everything, even before it happens. He also sees everything, also before it happens.

We all have our own way of knowing God the father. Those who do not know him should try harder. Knowing without a doubt that we have an everlasting connection with him is the only thing we need to be happy. Sometimes it takes years of trial and error to grasp this simple fact. Once grasped, it is ours forever, and the next step is to help others.

We are all given special gifts o assist us and as much time as we need to learn to use them. We often deny their existence, fearing the unknown. When we trust God, use the gifts he has given us and meet his challenge to love, we must make him smile. God the father is like any parent, only bigger. He is the boss. he always was and he always will be, in my book.

I am concerned that those who are having problems with their religion are also tossing out God. Any religion is only an interpretation of creation. Our Creator exists alone and will continue to be, whatever man/woman believes. 

Life is simple when we accept a one on one connection with an entity greater than any other. The spirit of our Creator is everywhere. We only need to acknowledge it for magical moments to happen. They are called miracles and occur on a daily basis.

What is the message?

I’m trying to decide the message in recent events. Is there one? I’m sure. There always is. 

My car ended up completely empty of water and needed a new radiator. It reminded me of a few months ago when it was completely empty of oil and needed repairs. Both times it could have cost me a new car, which I really could not afford.

These situations caused me to think back on all of the unexpected expenses I have had to deal with in the last year or so. I managed to pay for them all without taking out a loan or asking anyone for help. How was that possible I wondered?

First, I believe the Universe is reminding me that I have someone who is watching out for me. I am not sure exactly who that entity is, but he/she does exist.

A good part of the equation is I do not live beyond my means and I make every effort to save what I can. Sometimes that goes a little too far and I forget to reward myself for good behavior. I need to stop that!

It seems young people have to have whatever they think they need and they have to have it right now. They can’t possibly wait until they can actually afford it. My daughter inherited some money several years ago and promptly bought a new car and a house. Eventually both were repossessed. I wonder if she learned anything from the experience.

Not long ago I thought I needed a part time job. Today I’m thinking, I don’t think so. Unless I can work from home whenever I choose to. I do not want the commitment of an outside job. Been there, done that and do not want to do it again. Not at my age.

I also have thought that I might like to move to a different house closer to town. I’ve even gone so far as to pick them out. As I look around at what I already have, due to recent renovations, I realize that isn’t something I need. I love my current house because I have gradually made it a home and it is exactly where I want to live.

Even though unexpected things happen I think the message is- I can handle it just fine.