Throughout 2015, I received soul nudges to share my life experiences in a bigger way through writing. Feeling totally out of my comfort zone, yet a bit intrigued, I tucked these promptings aside. On October 2, my 45th birthday, an acquaintance invited me to write an article for an online yoga magazine. I answered the call, and considered this opportunity a divinely given blessing.

Within the next month, a social media post caught my attention. I read through it repeatedly — an invitation to be a contributor for an upcoming book, 365 Moments of Grace, by Jodi Chapman and Dan Teck. “This book will contain personal stories of grace, miracles, and transformations from beautiful souls all around the world to show how magical our world is and how connected we truly are.” Yes! That was me. It deeply resonated.

Before ever jumping into anything, I seek God, meditate on Scriptures, and rest in silent awareness, listening for spiritual insight and guidance. Divine direction and confirmation are essential for my soul. In fact, one meaning of grace is a “divinely given blessing.” Was God wanting me to answer this call, this blessing? I randomly received (or not so random!) Psalm 45:1-2 (NAS), “My heart overflows [is astir] with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon [through] thy lips; therefore God has blessed thee forever.” WOW! Just wow. I signed up immediately to contribute two entries for the book.

My second piece, Unimaginable Grace, is about a grace journey with my step-father, George. He was married to my mother for five years, yet in my life for thirty. I recently found the following letter written by my mom in 1980. It describes a snippet of our experiences with substance abuse and domestic violence. Her soul cries out for release, respect, and dignity.

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George,

The only thing I wanted out of life was peace, love, and respect. I gained peace through my nursing career, and being capable, finally, of bearing a normal, healthy, intelligent, and beautiful daughter. It would be impossible for you to understand, that, after losing four babies, I could go to a store, carrying my baby, and have people stop, look, and tell me how beautiful she was. I felt respect and respectable!

Now, I have lost all self-respect. When you, in your infinite wisdom, decided that Heather, should be told for five hours that she is a shit-ass, pot-bellied, selfish, stupid, thumb-sucking, half Indian, using other language that I cannot, or will not, repeat, something inside me died. It is impossible to continue living this kind of life; Heather deserves better treatment than what you and I together make out. I brought her into this marriage and it is up to me to give her some relief.

This is leading up to the point that I would like a divorce. I realise it will not be easy for Heather and I to live comfortably financially, but we will be a lot happier, not having to worry about your next blow-up; who knows what would happen; you have broken bones, and caused other bruises and abrasions on my body; broken my car windows, and caused all kinds of dents. What is left?

When I see a lawyer, I will ask him only that I want out of this marriage because of irreconcilable difficulties; I will not request alimony, only my savings account, plus what furniture is mine. If you agree to this, we can do it amicably. If not, we will hurt Heather even more than any 9-year old child deserves to hurt.

I admit that the blame does not all rest on you, but I did try to change you, and make you less selfish. I was looking at life through rose-coloured glasses, as usual.

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As is typical of the abuse cycle, my mother did not follow through with the divorce, and stayed with George for another four years. Four, very long years of continual crisis for us all.

The Forbes Family, my maternal Scottish Clan, embraces the motto: Grace Me Guide. Amazing Grace did, and still guides me. You can read my stories of Unimaginable Grace and The Illusion of Control in the brand-new, bestselling book, 365 Moments of Grace.

I hope each reader of this inspirational book will be encouraged to share their own unique story. Every journey matters. Grace beautifully guides.

Will you answer the call? ❤️

“…We have all received grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (NAS)

P.S. Please check out our blog tour where many of the contributing authors will be sharing about 365 Moments of Grace over the next month. Here are the co-authors sharing today and tomorrow.

Jenna Kelland – www.sparkwellness.ca
Karla Joy Huber – http://karlahuberblog.blogspot.com/
Josie Wood – http://www.heartful-living.com
Tanya Destang-Beaubrun – http://tanyabeaubrun.com
Angie Carter – www.staystrongprojectlife.com

 

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire
with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Reflection & Intention: What parts of this reading resonated with you in this moment? This week’s intention revolves around openness — being open to new experiences, possibilities, adventures — being willing to let go of fear and doubt, and with bold faith and trust, saying “yes” to that open door of opportunity.

Remember, you are an OVERCOMER! Setbacks are often setups for comebacks. There is no achievement without adversity. No rainbow without a storm. No solution without a problem. No victory without a battle. Brene’ Brown describes how to live a wholehearted life: “Let ourselves be seen — deeply seen. Vulnerably seen. To love with our hearts even though there is no guarantee. To practice gratitude and joy, to believe that we are enough.” You are a miracle! ♡

Be inspired by these Switchfoot song lyrics.

Live It Well

Take the burden from my arms
Take the anchors off my lungs
Take me broken and make me one
Break the silence and make it a song

Life is short; I wanna live it well
One life, one story to tell
Life is short; I wanna live it well
And you’re the one I’m living for
Awaken all my soul
Every breath that you take is a miracle
Life is short; I wanna live it well, yeah

I wanna sing with all my heart a lifelong song
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong…
I wanna burn brighter than the dawn

I got one life and one love
I got one voice, but maybe that’s enough
Cause with one heartbeat and two hands to give
I got one shot and one life to live
One life to live, yeah
And every breath you take is a miracle.

The Possibility by Danna Faulds

Do you feel the possibility?
Awakened energy is poised
to flow. Freedom beckons
from every direction.
This is a moment to throw
caution to the wind and dive
right in or fly high above the
rocky terrain of doubt and fear.
You’ve lived your life
anticipating this opportunity.
Rejoice, for it is here.

What new experience is knocking at your door? May you be open to new adventures and have a willingness to say, “Yes!” ♡

“LET YOUR VISIONS GUIDE YOU. Visions are different from dreams. A vision is a picture that comes from the soul and comes out through the heart. A vision is a small glimpse of light that shines and shows us our path.” ~ Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart, March 9

Trust the vision in your heart and soul — let it guide you home.

What do you want?

What would feel right?

What do you see yourself doing?

What are you willing to do to make this happen?

Is this in the best interest for yourself and everyone involved?

Hold the vision. Trust the process. ❤️

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want and all that is left is compromise.” ~ Robert Fritz

“The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. Vision will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve excellence. Only vision allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. Vision has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our vision is what we become in life.” ~ Tony Dungy

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” ~ Jonathan Swift

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Guided Meditation: The Forest Speaks (modified from Meg Colby)

I invite you to join me on a journey. 

Imagine that you are standing on a path at the edge of a small forest. The bright sun warms your back as you face the opening in the trees. The cool breeze from the forest is inviting you to enter. The path is clear and broad. It is easy to follow. And so you step into the forest.

All around you, you can hear birds calling to one another. Their sounds are gentle and sweet. It is as if they are encouraging you to take a few more steps into their home, and so you do.

The peace in the forest is embracing. You are aware of small animals around you. You see rabbits and squirrels romping and playing. You can hear the sounds of more birds hidden in the dense canopy of the forest. As you walk on, you begin to hear the sound of running water. You can tell that the water is gentle, and you walk in the direction of the sound. As you walk, you can feel the leaves under your feet and the small branches and roots on the ground. It feels good to have your feet touching the earth. And you let the gentle voice of the water call you on.

Shortly, in front of you opens a little clearing in the forest, and in the middle of the clearing is a small pool. The pool is being fed from a stream cascading down a small rocky slope. As the pool is filled to overflowing, the water leaves the pool on the other side and continues its journey back into the forest. Here in the clearing, there are some rocks where you can sit. The rocks are warm from the sun as its rays make their way down from the opening in treetops. You walk to the largest of the rocks and take a seat on it. It is as if the rock was just made for you to sit on. It cradles your body and holds you steady. And you just sit here for a few minutes in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest and the water all around you. Your eyes are closed and your heart is full of joy.

In a few moments, you begin to sense the gentle presence of another being in front of you. You open your eyes, and standing about 6 feet from you is a beautiful doe, her limpid brown eyes resting on you. She is completely at ease and so are you. For some minutes you sit enthralled by this gentle creature just looking at you as if she loves you. She is so calm and assured in your presence that even her ears are still. And you are so in awe of her presence that your gaze cannot leave hers. It seems that she has brought a message for you, and across the space between the two of you she is sending you that message. Somehow you become aware of the message and are ready to receive it from her. Open your heart now and receive her message.

Your heart is filled to overflowing with the love and encouragement you are feeling in her message. She stands there for a few moments longer. Then she gently closes her eyes, opens them again for one last look at you, turns around and slowly walks back into the forest. You sit for a moment longer simply integrating into your being the message she brought you.

And then you rise from your spot on the rock, move gently back onto the path, and walk slowly and calmly back to the edge of the forest where you first stepped upon the path. Your message from the forest has been integrated into your being. And you will take that message with you back into your daily life. ❤️

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I embrace the vision in my heart. I know it will manifest according to Divine will and timing. 

I pray for the highest good for myself and everyone involved.

I drop all anxiety and fear and replace it with bold faith and trust. 

My body is light, my mind at peace, and my heart is unconditionally open. 

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What do you want? What would feel right? What do you see yourself doing? What are you willing to do to make this happen? Is this in the best interest for yourself and everyone involved?

Create an open, positive, affirmative intention around your vision.

Let this be your personal intention or prayer now.

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Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Source. Hope is future-directed, however, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present. (Modified from Sarah Young,  Jesus Calling, March 12)

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Trust the vision in your heart and soul — let it guide you home. Hold the vision. Trust the process. ❤️

One of the best statements I have heard and taken to heart is — live with no regrets, ALL experiences are valuable life lessons. How many times have you said to yourself, “I wish I would have, could have, or should have ___________________________?

Take in this poem by Shel Silverstein.

Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda
All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin’ in the sun
Talkin’ ‘bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done…
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.

This “woulda-coulda-shoulda” thinking resides in the past, in the yesterdays, and continually replays the same old stories. The practice of yoga helps us to focus on the present moment, embracing the fullness of NOW, and guides us to take the right action at the right time, gracefully leading us forward. Let’s all be the “one little did.” 😊 “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to shed before the new one can come.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Reflection Questions:

✭ What “woulda-coulda-shouldas” replay in your mind? Begin to let them go. Imagine filling a huge helium balloon inside your heart space as you inhale deeply. Now, exhale completely, releasing all that is no longer serving you. Witness this large balloon flying away into the sky, becoming smaller and smaller as it reaches higher into the atmosphere. As you shift your thoughts from the past into the present, remember these three great guidelines — no blaming, no shaming, no judgement.

✭ What valuable life lessons have you learned along the way? Embrace them all, and be grateful for each experience.

✭ In the quiet and stillness listen to the still small voice inside. Tune into your heart space. What is your heart drawn to? What radiates? Observe and listen. Remain present. Taking the right action at the right time gracefully guides you forward.

✭ Now, is there another voice in your mind interfering, criticizing, stifling? Observe and listen. Allow this voice to dim, to soften. Honor the truth within your soul. No blaming, no shaming, no judgement.

Point of Radiance by Danna Faulds
Find the point of radiance
in your heart. Whether
that be passion, pleasure,
or pain so deep it’s etched
in blood, follow where
your true heart leads.
When it seems there is no
light, look carefully,
for it is always there,
that ember of the God-force.
It may be hidden in a dim
corner or buried beneath
a pile of regrets, but it’s
there nonetheless, that
spark of divine essence,
illuminating your next step. ❤️

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May you live with no regrets. ALL of your experiences are valuable life lessons. May you gracefully take the right action at the right time, and be the “one little did.” 😊

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:1-2, The Message