Amy Collette

I was on a hike the other day, when I got a strong message about being around water. So for my next hike, I found a large reservoir nearby and went to explore. As soon as I started my walk around the lake, Eagle appeared above me. At first I couldn’t believe it – I don’t see eagles every day. But this bird was unmistakable. The white head and tail and the enormous wing span was definitely bald eagle.

Seeing this magnificent creature is an omen of new things to come. It’s a quiet, waiting time of year, waiting for the rebirth of the new year and, soon, a new spring. Eagle symbolizes creation and the Spirit connection between earth, water and sky.

I have a much better time when I go seeking adventure rather than just a workout. This morning I felt the pull of nature and knew I had to get outside, so I decided to explore an open space area called Rabbit Mountain. I had planned to do the loop trail – but so had everyone else. I wanted quiet, so I took the other trail. It was rocky and steep, so I had to concentrate on every step. And that meant that my thinking mind had a chance to shut off. Thank you! The planning and the spinning got quiet, too. And Spirit stepped in. Ahh. The clarity I had been looking for crept in when I least expected it: let go of the planning go and stay open to Wonder.

When I got to the top of the hill, there was a lone bench waiting for me to take a rest and absorb it all. You can’t plan moments of awe. Even in meditation, they don’t always come.

But keep waiting. Ask for those moments and the awareness to know when to listen.

I often drive at dawn or dusk on mountain roads. Those times are the best parts of the day to see wildlife, which I love. But it also means that animals are more likely to be on the road – just when it’s hard to see them.

The idea came to me one night while driving that I could energetically “clear” the road ahead of me. To simply ask the animals to stay on their side of the road because I am driving toward them. While I have to go through their home territory to get to my home, I want them to remain safe.

I like this habit, and I do it most of the time. One benefit is that it keeps me more alert to anything that is moving around in the woods. Just the other morning I saw three deer coming out from behind some trees. One was just about to cross the road. I slowed down to a stop to see what they would do. The lead deer looked back at me and backed up, then they all ran back the way they came.

Another benefit is that I can clear not just the physical road ahead of me, but any other blocks on my “road,” whether they’re in my relationships, family, work or spiritual life. Even something simple, like feeling resistant to a person or a time when I lose my sense of humor. I use the same method to clear my path to see that person from a different angle or make a mental joke to get myself snickering at the situation. That “stuckness” instantly leaves – and the road is safe to travel again.

I invite you to try it. May your path be safe and clear.

I woke up this morning out of a disturbing dream feeling angry. In the dream, I was mad at my brother for not taking care of himself – I felt that he had made poor decisions about how he lived. I thought that he was putting other peoples’ opinions above his own needs.

This dream was very vivid and has stayed with me all day. Finally, I took a few minutes, took some deep breaths, and asked tmy inner guidance what this meant. The answer came almost immediately – a gentle question asked of me: How have you been giving away your power – placing yourself at the bottom? How have you been leaving yourself behind?

Of course. It always comes back to self. With a sigh and a laugh, it was immediately clear to me that I do this in many ways. By fearing that what I do will make other people feel bad. By assuming that things must happen or be a certain way. By imposing rules on myself that I’ve learned from surviving a dysfunctional family. Those rules no longer serve.

The other important question that came through Spirit was: Why were you so angry at your brother? How do his choices about his own life have anything to do with you?

This one was hard for me to look at – I thought I was better at respecting the people I love – “letting” them live their lives. But – I’m my brother’s keeper, right? Wrong. He is best equipped to make his own decisions, as we all are for ourselves. What I can do is listen to him, love him, and lift him up to the light. And let him go.

I was thinking about a discussion with a friend about persmission. Sometimes we just need someone to say, “go ahead! You can do it!” Especially when we’re stuck. My “stuckness” seems to happen when I can’t imagine that I could possibly have or do something I think is really amazing. Such as – publishing my book. How could something so cool ever happen to me?

So I’m blessed to have friends who can easily see it, and help me see it. Their words help me to see that it could be true – they give me permission to see it and make it happen.

I come from the Catholic tradition, and I made the connection that maybe one aspect of the sacraments is to give us permission. To open the door to another part of life that might be exciting, scary or too big to even imagine. So we need that permission to take the step, and the support of a spiritual guide.

The sacraments all involve some life change – baptism, communion, reconciliation, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. The priest is your guide and support through these transitions, allowing you to flow with Spirit during these times.

Can you do this for yourself? Give yourself permission to be “big”, transform yourself, attain greatness?

Of course you can. When you are constantly connected to Spirit, the “permission” is always there for you. Smallness is not a part of the picture, because you know that you are a vital part of everything.