The Presence of the Spiritual Guides is always there

Even though I grew-up with a difficult step-father who married my mother and moved in with us when I was seven years old, I remember remaining a buoyant and happy child. Like most children playing was the way I looked forward to the day. I woke up happy and effectively blocked out the negativity from the household; a heavy energy that predominated bringing with it a general lack of connection between the four people who lived together; my mother, step-father, sister and I. With the exception of my sister who stands out in my mind as brightly colored in contrast to the gray charcoal figures of my mother and step-father lurking in the background, I knew there was nothing I could do about the way they related to me or the way I to them. Nothing was ever going to change and it never did. They would remain punitive and negative. I buoyant and happy. So I tuned them out unless they intruded into my world needing to correct or doubt my abilities to succeed. Perhaps to escape them, at any possible time, I could not wait to get outside and play. Free and unencumbered the outdoors was the place I wanted to be except on rainy days when I recall playing monopoly and checkers indoors sitting on the floor next to my sister. I wanted to win against the older sibling who managed, through the chaos of our lives to get all A's.

School work was not on the top of my agenda. In fact I was never certain what was going on in the classroom. I was behind and  learned to fly below the radar keeping my head lower than the person sitting in front of me; perhaps I would not be called on. The three o’clock bell rang and out the school door I flew running the mile home from school to get ready to play. Playing felt good and it was during these free moments that I sensed the familiar presence of my Spiritual Guides always close by ready to help. Like the time I heard the voice of the guides telling me to "Stop" and look down.There was the lost pearl ring lying under thousands of leaves that had fallen on a blustery October day. The presence of my Guides helping, guiding and protecting.

When I grew-up and became an adult challenges increased. I had to work harder to keep the presence of the Spiritual Guides awake in my consciousness. As my unconscious mind spewed up material from childhood for processing and re-examination, it was harder to hold on to the positive energy, the familiar positive presence of the Spiritual Guides. The earth-walk was denser and harder. Still, I sensed their presence as they watched how I made decisions, what path I followed. They gently whispered and guided. Thank-you Spiritual Guides for your loving guiding hand. I am grateful for your loving and healing Presence.

Gratefully,
Ruth Starseed Hoskins
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Starseed Gratitude Initiative

When I was a child, much to the chagrin of my step-father who was a newcomer to our home, I wrote the names of people I loved and wanted blessings for on the wall next to my bed. There was a method to this madness; the many names of the people I loved would be remembered in my prayers before I went to sleep. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my Soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my Soul to take. If I should live for other days, I pray the Lord to guide my ways.” Then I would say, God bless so and so. I would name the people on the list penciled on my wall next to my bed; adding other names, anyone I could think of. Standing over the bed with nothing to say, my step-father glared at the innocent seven year old staring lovingly at the names written on the wall.

When I was an adolescent, my step-father had plenty to say. He became a formidable presence; a gruff man too often unloving. However no one, not even he was ever able to squash my love for life, for God, and for all of the beauty and magic around me; for all of the blessings I have in my life. One of the greatest blessings I have is a need to remember to count my blessings and to be grateful for all that I have, every day.

Later in life, when I began teaching at the local college I shared the research of Dr. Emoto who wrote “The Hidden Messages of Water.” One of the bottom lines of his research is that the Universe responds positively to words and feelings of gratitude. Gratitude for ourselves and for others-even for the challenges that have the potential to bring us to new heights and wisdom. (This is difficult to see and believe when we are going through challenges). It is also very difficult to control the negative slide that our mind seems to want to go in during the day. Fatigue or hunger can bring our thoughts into a slide so much faster. For this reason, it is important to eat life-giving foods that enhance the cells in our mind and our body, and to get a good night’s rest. Think of bedtime as an actual activity. A time to prepare-wind down an hour ahead with a warm shower and lavender scents. No computers in bed! Then off to the dream world where we continue to learn. When we awaken refreshed it is so much easier to be grateful for all that we have.

On Monday, July 8th, 2103, is the Starseed Gratitude Initiative. Stop for a few moments every hour and count your blessings. Smile to others and be grateful. Compliment and tell people you love them. I always remind myself that no day is promised. Grab hold of today and be grateful for all of the things and people in your life, all that you have.

Love, Light, Healing, and Many blessings,

Ruth Starseed
Starseed Gratitude Initiative
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Find Your Smile and Feel the Joy

Found my smile today. It was buried under a pile of chores; dog walks, cleaning, shopping, work, and all of the worries that accompany a day. When did I lose it? When did I tuck it away; no longer something that came freely the way it did when I was a child? The carefree after school days when I could not wait to come home, change into play clothing, and run out back to play with the boys. A tomb-boy I was and good at it. I kept up with the best of them; played football and baseball. Bases loaded, I hit the home run. Hide and seek and pinky ball against the wall were my favorites. At dusk, the mysterious shapes and shadows said it was time to go inside. Slowly, and somewhat begrudgingly, I walked towards the house wondering why the day and the carefreeness of play had to end. Still, as a child, I was able to find my smile. Tomorrow was another day of play. And true to form, after school, I was the first kid out in the alley knocking on neighbor's doors letting the  kids know that it was time to come out and play. Somewhere along way into adulthood, I lost the carefree way I used to play, and in the process I lost my smile. Perhaps it was after the first, or was it the second divorce, or the death of my third husband. Maybe it was the years watching him struggle through rounds of chemo and radiation knowing the futility of that type of cure for him. Perhaps it was after his estate was divided for his kids-difficult children to please. Or maybe it was after 911and the support groups I ran soothing other’s worries, containing my own.

However, today, I found my smile again, and when I did my heart overflowed with joy-a different kind of joy than I felt when I bounced the pinky ball over and over against the wall. It was the joy of knowing that I have a Higher Power that is forever connected to me. A Higher Power that has been with me through-out my life; through the hard times, the easier times, the tired times, the manic times. A Higher Power that has been, and always will be there with me, guiding, encouraging and moving me forward, opening and easing my mind and heart reminding me to let go, relax, enjoy the moment, and to smile.

Love, Light, Healing and Many Blessings,

Ruth Starseed
http://www.RelaxationInternational.com
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