This morning I went for my normal walk/run in the park. The trail weaves through nature and allows me to get grounded and connected.

Today I was thinking about a quote that Abraham-Hicks uses frequently. They state with their great humor: “Life should be happy, happy, happy, dead.”

With each step I took, I stated my version of it by saying “happy, happy, happy grounded” which I felt was more appropriate for my walk than ending it with dead. You see, I’d arrived at the park in need of getting in a better mood so I was reaching in my tool bag to try anything to help me get there.

Then up ahead I saw two younger males. One of them was crouched down on an embankment to the side of the trail looking intently for something on the ground. His uninterested friend was casually watching. As I got closer I was wondering what in the world he lost.

Just then he excitedly snatched something out of the ground—and turned to me with the biggest grin.

“Have you ever found a four leaf clover before?” he asked while holding a huge one in his hand like a picked flower.

Now, as a child I used to sit in the grass for hours and try to find a four leaf clover. I saw others find them- even one of my best friends did who then brought it in to school for show and tell.

I would visualize myself finding one and being so happy about it—dancing and celebrating with everyone. But, it never happened.

Even as an adult if the opportunity presented itself I would peer into a clump of clovers…looking for the good luck charm that would forever change and bless my life.

It would be fair to say that over time I developed a belief that the elusive four leaf clover was not to be found.

And now Murphy (name on the back of his t-shirt) was holding one in his hand asking if I’d ever found one.

“No,” I said, shaking my head.

“Well then, you can have this one! I find them all the time!” Murphy eagerly said then extended his arm.

He finds them all the time. I smiled thinking about how he owned that belief on every level and how easy it must be for the Universe to guide him to them at every turn.

I enthusiastically accepted it, thanked him and declared out loud that I knew it was now going to be a great day– and continued on the trail.

I didn’t have to go looking for it anymore. After all this time, it had found me.

Is there something in your life you’ve been unsuccessful in achieving after putting much effort and desire into the search? Well, maybe it’s time to release and let go of the outcome. It might just find you.

I have a confession. I was afraid to go see the movie War Horse. The odds are high I’m not the only one with those fears.

Do we have the same type of fears about watching a movie about animals as we do with people going to war? Well, we might not prefer that either, but it is easier.

What’s the difference?  The part of us that has been abused, restrained or controlled unwillingly relates to the animal.  We want to defend the helpless soul and protect it from the same abuse we suffered and were unable to speak of at the time.  This thought process is pretty much under cover while we are feeling anger to the ‘abuser’ in a movie, though. We just know it hurts us to see any animal suffer.

There’s more, though, than the part of us that relates to the animal.  The other part of it is that we have personally experienced the divine connection with an animal. We have felt our hearts open to animals when it was impossible to do so with people.

We have seen the sacrifices they make for us, mankind and even their abusers to help them grow, heal and love at deeper levels. The unconditional love we receive from them has the ability to teach us how to do the same… and gifts us with the ability to heal our past wounds.

So, I went to see War Horse and, like other horse movies that have moved me emotionally like Seabiscuit and The Horse Whisperer, I found myself relating to the animal. But there is so much more. Whenever we are watching a story play out in fiction or in reality and we find ourselves searching for tissues, this is a gift to our soul which longs to release the sadness of a past experience.

I am consistently blown away by the courage of the animals to endure, heal, and access their inner strength…their light within…to get them through negative experiences.  And this is also a mirror of truth for you and me. We will endure because we have the same strength, courage and light within us.

Here it is December already.  Where did the year go?  One of the holiday traditions I do is in the making of our Holiday cards.  I always write out the 10 most memorable moments from the last year to include in our cards.

Have you noticed that when we force ourselves to remember events of the past year, it’s easiest to recall what went wrong?

Most of us are trained at an early age to focus on the negative.  But what if you looked back upon the last year with positive eyes?  I am always amazed at how easily the list comes together after a bit of focus. And, while my list is not always all positive, I typically find myself saying– whoa! How did I fit all that in one year?

So, while there could have been perceived hurdles and negative experiences in our life– I believe there are always pearls of wisdom that are better able to come into our awareness through more challenging times.

These are the times that help us grow, learn,
and become better people.

So, I encourage you to make your list and check it twice to see how much you have grown and experienced this last year.

I wish you and yours a Holiday Season filled with Peace, Laughter and Joy!

All the best,
Tammy

Your furry and winged companions enrich your life beyond your wildest dreams, but their ailments, past abuse and difficult transitions can also bring heartache, anger and pain.

People who share their lives with animals are very special souls who deserve recognition and gratitude for their compassionate, selfless giving. Having the tools to connect with their companions allows people to make wise, life-changing decisions on behalf of the animals in their life.

Our February 19th Workshop

will provide the tools to help you understand your animals at a deeper level as you learn:

• to move through the grief that comes from losing a special companion
• to recognize the signs that help you know when it is time to help your companion go to the Rainbow Bridge
• to understand how important self-care is to enhance your relationship with your animal companions

Saturday February 19th 1-5pm $75
*Seating is limited to First 30 Registrants

Since 2001, I have worked with people and their animal companions to facilitate positive healing and to help animal lovers find compassion and unconditional love for themselves as well as the animals in their lives.

To register for the Feb 19 workshop, or to learn more about us, visit the Events page at www.sundancehealingcenter.com or call 770.552.9877

Sponsored by two amazing no-kill animal shelters:

www.savethehorses.org & www.canineadoptionnetwork.org