Bunnies have been coming my way for quite some time and in numerous ways. When I was about 4 or 5 I got baby rabbits for Easter. They soon got very big and my Dad built a big hutch out back. I dutifully served my bunnies lettuce and water every day. Now I see them on my morning walks. This little guy was frozen in position as rabbits are want to do, but made a great photo shot.

Among other things, rabbits represent creativity. Reminders to express ourselves. If you don’t like something about your life, create something new. If you have a story to tell, a picture to share or a song to sing….go for it. As Wayne Dyer said, “Don’t die with your music still in you.”

I pulled into a parking space the other day and the license plate on the car in front of me said, CREATE. When the universe wants to get its message across, it spares no effort. I am creating photo cards, a renewed sense of wellbeing and an interactive vision for my own future.

What are you creating?

As we roll into the new year, at a rapid rate I might add, it was time to return to one of my favorite ways of creating the future, the Vision Board. Some people call it a Soul Collage or a Treasure Map. It is one of the best ways I know to match images with the dreams that we hold in our hearts.

I found the process very different this time. As I thumbed through magazines with a hot cup of coffee and some melodic music in the background, I felt sealed in a bubble. It felt like the presence of angels. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular but rather using the intuitive method of pulling out every picture, color, word or phrase that rung a bell for me and after some time re-evaluating, reorganizing and sorting what I had chosen and then arranging a vision that suited me.

I was surprised to see so much red and deep pink, a big heart at the center and the words “emotional freedom”. This is emerging as my goal as I have de-cluttered, cleared space and delved into breaking old habits and ways of thinking. And I added my own picture this time too, next to the phrase, “I will not be afraid to shine.” Sometimes what takes place during Vision Boarding is surprising even to me. Oh, now that I think about it, I even included the phrase “Surprise Yourself.”

Although I created the board a couple of days ago, I kept feeling like something was missing. This morning I added a colored arrow pointing in the direction of emotional freedom and realized the real focus of my efforts for the last few months has emerged. Hooray! The process of vision boarding is not always the goal in itself, but perhaps your dreams emerge before you when you include creative envisioning in the actions you take towards self-realization. As always, the universe is listening!

Let’s reach a little further in 2016, climb a little higher, create a little bigger, love a little more. As the new year approaches, let’s meditate on what can be left behind….a habit, a relationship that no longer supports us, a negative thought, a judgment. Let’s say goodbye to them when the clock strikes twelve.

One ritual I love is to write a letter to heaven for New Year’s Eve. Write it to your favorite angels, masters, guides or mentors in the spiritual world. List all that you are grateful for, all that you would like to let go of, all that you wish and pray for – your loved ones, your career, your community and the world at large. The act of writing this out (even if on the computer) is liberating in itself. Make one copy to keep on your altar or in a sacred place. The other can be burned as the moment of the New Year approaches or arrives. The action of fire not only consumes all you no longer wish in your life but also sends a holy smoke signal to heaven that your are willing to listen, receive and follow the clues heaven provides for your new year and new chapter.

May the blessings of the New Year shower you with love and open your heart to new opportunity!

After a tumultuous night of howling winds in Montana, the sun is out and the sky is blue. It’s another reminder, however, of the greater winds of change that are hurtling around the planet since last week’s tragedy in Paris. The only blessings I can identify are that another wake-up call has taken place and our globe seems so much more connected. And we pray that these blessings outweigh the darkness and the grief.
And meanwhile, this shot of a Bozeman sunset from a few days ago, clouds hurtling towards the horizon. For some reason it spoke to me of the project I am in the midst of, clearing space in my office. When I moved about six months ago, there were numerous boxes stacked in the garage with the label, “I just can’t deal with this right now.” Every time I’ve driven into the garage since then, I’ve looked at those boxes of scrapbooks, family pictures, work files, photography, etc. Finally a couple of weeks ago, time was up.
Just as I embarked on the project, a friend lent me The Magic Art of Tidying Up, which I added to years of study of de-cluttering, feng shui and space clearing. Suddenly it seems that so many of the memories are already within me. There are always a few treasures to keep, but the globe seems to be spinning too fast to hold onto everything. And in order that a new chapter be initiated, a clean page be created, much of this weight just has to go.
What is always so invigorating, and tends to be forgotten, is the emotional de-cluttering that accompanies the process. I find I can let go of an identity I claimed years ago. I find my work has evolved and my vision boards have come to fruition. Files for clients I no longer have can be replaced with creative and inspiring new projects, housed in my new “Fun Basket.” What better time and season to re-awaken to our own gifts and talents and re-commit ourselves to sharing those with others. How else will this world rise up to meet the challenges we face? May your own life be re-energized, re-vitalized and re-awakened as well as we ride on the winds of change.