Stay Positive!

Friday, January 20, 2012 Yesterday I was feeling particularly low--I don't even remember about what (haha! that's how important it was!) when I decided to look ahead into the future and read about my coming year in Destiny Cards by Robert Camp. I came across a passage that was similar to a message I'd been told by an astrologer back in 2005, when today's date seemed eons away...that in 2012 I'd achieve mastery over fear and in doing so achieve great success and even make a name for myself helping others.

My first reaction reading this yesterday was excitement followed immediately by fear. Would I really be able to master fear? How would I go on to reach others and perhaps even make a name for myself? What if I failed at both and missed my chance for happiness and success?

Then I remembered a line I'd read recently in a beautiful pink and purple book by Doreen Virtue, Daily Guidance from your Angels, a book I might have left on the shelf of the bookstore had it been full price. Fortunately for me, it was marked down, for what I read on page 210 became the springboard for the idea of how I'd make the transformation from fear to calm and even worldly success.The line I remembered was on a page entitled, "Stay Positive". I'd copied the entire page into my new 2012 journal just days earlier. As a matter of fact, it was the first page of my 2012 journal. The line read, "Vow to stay optimistic today no matter what."

I'd been practicing this idea here and there over the past couple of days and even had a few successes. Perhaps I should read this page over and over until I mastered the idea. Perhaps I should copy only this page into my journal each day until staying positive no matter what really sunk in--and that's when an even better idea hit me. I would recommit each day to staying positive in situations that frightened me. I would also blog and post my journey for all to see, to keep me on track and to inspire you to join in and vow to stay positive no matter what. And in sharing together how this idea inspires and aids us each day, we are sure to move further along in our journeys toward the goals of calm, inner peace and success.

Again I'm scared. Will I have enough to say? Will I have the time? Will anyone be interested in what I write? Well, I guess this gives me another opportunity to practice staying positive. Haha! Here's to our success. Much love, Lisa

Saturday, January 21, 2012 A loved one called during one of my few short breaks today, and because the angels were watching over us, not only did she reach me but my client was 10 minutes late and we had 20 minutes to talk. She told me that she’s been reading page 210—“Stay Positive”--in Doreen Virtue’s Daily Guidance from your Angels every day since I suggested it to her a week ago and that her life has completely turned around. She even had the courage in her new positive frame of mind to look into changing jobs. How great! I told her that I’d begun a blog the night before on staying positive, and that I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough to say. Without a pause she responded, “You always have enough to say.” Or maybe she said, "You'll always have enough to say," but in either case it made me laugh. Of course I’ll have enough to say. Her gratitude also reminded me that I am already accomplishing what I set out to do—inspire others to join me on a journey to stay more positive and create greater happiness for themselves.

Another woman sent me a text last week after I told her about the importance of staying positive in a situation which was causing her great anxiety. I'd said, “I do not know how this situation will resolve itself but it is important that you trust that it will. Your good energy will contribute to a positive resolution.” A few days later she wrote, “Lisa, I just had to tell you this because you were so right that things would work out.” And she went on to share the good news—that things had worked out in a way that neither of us would ever have predicted. She came in for a therapy session afterwards and let me know that she is determined to live her life more positively now. She looked bright and happy, and told me that her husband sees a 100% change in her already. Whoohoo! You go, girl!

A third story is unfolding as I write and I invite you to envision with us the happy ending we are working to create by staying positive. Here goes: This coming Monday, a young woman I adore will be going to court to face a man she both loves and fears. She called me in tears last night, very afraid and also sad. We spoke for a bit and after we hung up, I prayed for her safety and happiness. I felt compelled to text her to check out my new blog—that she’d see herself in it. And guess what she wrote back? She just got a laptop yesterday! Wow! Meant to be.

Almost time for bed. I will close on this note: my boyfriend came into the room just now and told me that he showed my blog to Kelly, his office manager--and that her husband is an editor! Haha! The excitement continues! So that’s it for today, kids, but remember, when all else fails, Stay Positive! It Works! And while you're at it, Spread the Word! Xoxo, Lisa

Sunday, January 22, 2012 I lay awake last night, happy and energized from writing and realized I had another dream—a dream I’d been too scared to admit even to myself but had been holding deep inside. Two years ago, I'd visited cousins in their gracious new home in Santa Barbara and fallen passionately in love with the area. When I returned home, I spoke with my boyfriend about the tall, swaying palm trees and beautiful, warm beaches. For one bright evening, we dreamt together of settling 40 minutes down the coast from Santa Barbara in more affordable Ventura or Oxnard with their just as beautiful beaches and warm, welcoming communities. But I was too scared. How could I make it work? My psychotherapy practice was up here as well as my condo. I’d been living in the Bay Area for 30 years—more than half my life and virtually all my adult life. It wasn’t just my home and work that were here--my friends and community were, also. I was very happy settled here. I quickly shelved the idea and tucked away my dream. But the beaches still called. And this fall, my son magically ended up at UCSB, making the dream even more enticing.

Oddly enough, when I bought my condo six and a half years ago, I told my real estate agent that I saw myself living in it for five to seven years. (Seven came to mind but seemed such an odd number, I'd said, “Five to Seven”.) That gives me another half year to accomplish my dream—a dream I wasn’t even aware of six and a half years ago but spoke of as if it was going to happen.

Do I wish to make this dream come true? I'm still not sure. But I understand now that if I wish, I can easily make it come true. It’s not that my question has changed—how can I make it work? It’s that now I know the answer. Stay Positive! What a simple solution. Okay, angels. Guide me…The clock is ticking.

Monday, January 23, 2012 Happy Birthday, Joan...Karen R. posted a comment on my blog last night. She wrote, “I’m positive you’ll do well with your new blog!” My first response was to laugh—she’s “positive”…a nice play on words. But as I lay in bed later doing Reiki, I began to think--maybe she meant it. Maybe she is more positive than I am that I will succeed. I still have my doubts that I will have enough to say. But now, instead of fretting, I can apply my new practice of staying positive to the success of my blog. Why didn’t I think of that? Okay, I did, sort of. Thanks, Karen R!

In that positive frame of mind, I woke up the next morning to an amazingly bright and uplifting e-mail from a lovely, young niece of mine who is wise beyond her years. Decide for yourself as you read what she wrote: “This weekend I helped a friend move and it could have turned into a nightmare very quickly as there were very few people helping, it was snowing out and freezing, and the continuous physical exertion gets to you but I was determined to stay positive, patient, and kind the whole time and it really made it a pleasant experience instead of a terribly frustrating one.” What a smarty pants! She added that although she went into the situation with the intention of being positive, patient and kind, reading this blog “was a good reminder” for her to stick to that goal.

Later in the same e-mail she related how she applied the idea of staying positive to her career: “Work is going excellently too. Last week I talked to a lot of people high up in the company about me moving into a new department, getting promoted. I expressed interest in two departments in particular and spoke with a lot of encouraging and kind people about it. The CEO called me into his office today and said he was happy I had spoken up and is going to transition me into the science department with a new salary and new responsibilities! Going after what I wanted really worked and I feel so great about it.”

Doesn’t that lift your spirits up high? The wisdom of our youth!

At noon today, I received a phone call from our young friend who was preparing to face the man she both loved and feared in court this morning. When I last spoke with her on Friday night, I’d counseled her to stay positive about the outcome. We’d texted back and forth until she was feeling less afraid and more confident. When she called today, she spoke hesitantly although her words were positive. Things had gone well, she thought. She’d gotten everything she’d asked for. He hadn’t even made it to court but had called afterwards and was angry. She was afraid. Ah, now I understood. I made all the necessary suggestions—have a plan, serve him with the restraining order quickly, call the police if necessary—but more importantly, I reminded her how far she had come and how important it was to remain confident that she would achieve her goals of safety and happiness. I lent her my confidence when hers was faltering, not only because I was confident that she could succeed but also because I knew that in order to succeed, she needed to be confident.

I’ll end with a little story. Several years ago, I was close to a woman who ran for office. She worked hard campaigning and I was hopeful for her until the day she confided in me that she had little confidence that she would win the election. If I knew then what I know now, I would have said, “Do whatever it takes to build your confidence for without it, you’re lost.” Instead I sat quietly by, biting my nails and hoping for the best, which as it turned out wasn’t too bad. She lost by only a hair. But if I could go back in time, I’d speak up and give her the boost that might have made the difference.

Tuesday, January 24^th, 2012 Happy Birthday, Harold…Last night, when I finished posting, I e-mailed a sister and wrote, “I wonder where the inspiration for my next blog will come from.” This morning I got the answer. Out of the blue—or so it seemed—after months of not listening to any TED Talks (and if you haven’t heard of them, they’re wonderful), I was guided to pick one and listen as I drove to the gym on my way to work. Elizabeth Gilbert’s name topped the list and appealed to me. That’s fortunate because her words were exactly what I needed to hear. Not just as an inspiration for what to write next but also as a huge reminder that all I have to do is show up and do my job—which in this case is to write—and God or the angels or perhaps my dad who’s up in Heaven will speak through me and do the rest. Whenever I feel most magical about life, it is always when I step out of the way and let the Spirit of God flow through me. This is what Elizabeth Gilbert spoke of—and I thank her and I thank the angels for guiding me to listen and be reminded of this. God will take care of what I am to write next. All I need to do is show up. And I understand now that any name I might make for myself in the process is only important in that it allows me to reach more people—all credit belongs to God and the angels and God's other helpers.

I remember once in synagogue when I asked God for “a voice of gold” to sing the opening blessings with as I led the congregation in prayer—and I promised to give back all credit. And sure enough, as I sang, my voice sounded deeper and richer as I stepped back and listened to God singing through me. And when I was done and received the usual smiles and handshakes, I made sure to say, “God sure does have a lovely voice.”

I will say to clients from time to time, “God and the angels or your loved ones up in Heaven will surely help you if your mission is to help others.” Often I ask my own parents whose souls are up in Heaven for help. When I sense my mom responding, it feels as if it is from a place of love and concern, just like a mom's help should be. When Dad steps in—and he’s been up there way longer than Mom—it’s to help me help others. Five years ago, a medium described my father as, “An Opener of the Way.” I liked the sound of that. It evokes the sense of my dad as a Teacher on High just as he was a teacher for many of us during his short sojourn here on Earth.

So Dad, I ask now for your help. Teach me. Teach others through me. Help me release all fear and all credit as I write these words and wait for the next ones. Thank you. I love you, Lisa Ann

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Happy Birthday, Lucy and Chloe…Hum along: “Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy, a kid’ll eat ivy, too, wouldn’t you?” If sung fast, the song sounds something like this, “Maresy dotes and kidsey dotes and little lambsy divey, a kiddeleydivey, too, wouldn’t you?” I found myself humming that tune in the shower this morning and asking myself, what song is that and why after over thirty years of silence has it popped into my head this morning? Then I remembered that it was a running joke between my father and us kids (along with slipping a cherry pit into our mouths when he’d kiss us goodnight.) Last night I wrote about turning to my dad for inspiration and help. I get it, Dad, it’s your signature way of saying, “Good morning, I’m here and ready to get started”. I guess it beats waking up with a cherry pit in my mouth!

Before I fell asleep, I texted my daughter, “Tomorrow night I’m having dinner with cousin, Rick. It’s an important connection but I’ll have no time to blog!” She quickly wrote back, “You’ll find time.” She didn’t know I had Hebrew class in the morning and seven clients in my day. But she was right and here I am, bright and early, writing…

I lay in bed thinking—I’d still love to move to Santa Barbara (same town as my son and cousins rather than forty minutes away in Ventura or Oxnard.) It’s Santa Barbara I’m in love with. I’d like to go soon, within months, even before my boyfriend can join me if he needs more time or wants to hold down the fort till we get a renter or sell the place. I can talk with my professional organization about transferring my practice. I bet my clients who pay out of pocket now could continue via phone. That'd be a start. And I can easily attract more clients through insurance panels, by introducing myself around and eventually through my blog!

Perhaps I could live inexpensively—rent a room or with a cousin--until I rebuild a practice. It feels doable. I could begin by going down for a week every month to get used to the change. I’ll be there the first week in April anyway. Any more ideas, Dad? Look into the synagogue? Okay, maybe the connections in that community would ease the transition. OR MAYBE SOMEBODY IN THE AREA WANTS TO HOUSE EXCHANGE. Okay, heard ya, Dad, thanks! That’d be cool. Is that why a client mentioned it yesterday—to wake me up to the possibility?

It’s all possible, Dad, if I just step aside and let you help, let you work through me. I’ve wanted to inspire others all my life—if I step aside and let you work through me, I’ll be an even more effective teacher than I am already. Your loving daughter, Lisa Ann

Thursday, January 26, 2012 Happy Birthday, Aunt Miriam Up In Heaven... Dinner last night with my cousin was lovely. Earlier in the week, I’d worried that I might be too tired to enjoy getting together after a full day of work. I’d been able to relax and trust that it would all work out, and sure enough, I had the energy to easily drive to Uncle Yu’s in San Ramon when it came time. I even had the pleasure of chatting with my sister who was up late in NY while I drove. My cousin pulled up next to me in front of the restaurant five minutes after I did. The evening was unusually balmy and spring like even for California, setting the stage for an enchanted evening. We sat and talked over dinner, sharing duck springrolls and fillet mignon until the waiters cleaned up around us. My cousin was supportive of my dream of living in Santa Barbara. I’m still trying on the idea. There would be so much change involved that I need to sit back and let whatever is meant to be unfold naturally in my life. Thank you again, Cuz, for a delicious dinner and wonderful evening. I’m glad you’re in my life…

This morning, I received another loving e-mail from my wise beyond her years niece. Reading her words touched me deeply: “I have continued to read your blog and enjoyed the parts about your father and mother especially. I always loved hearing about your father in particular since I never had the chance to meet him.” I stopped and thought about my niece’s words--she and my father would have liked each other very much. I will continue to tell her stories about him in these blogs.

She went on: “Reading your blog is a great way to keep me thinking about being positive more often. I find it easy to slip into the daily routine and become less present and more passive and continually reading about being positive and writing in my journal is always a good wakeup call for me.” Hooray!

In closing she wrote: “I can tell that you are doing well in your quest and hope you continue to feel strongly and confidently about it.” I appreciate my niece’s words of encouragement for as you know, I am writing this blog as part of my quest--as she so aptly called this journey--in order to encourage myself to dream big and live confidently, and to inspire others to do the same in their lives.

It’s late and I should go to sleep. Before I do, a bedtime story for my niece. Every Shabbbat, my father (your Zaidye) used to march us to the front row of our small synagogue, no matter how late--and you can imagine that getting seven kids out of the house on time was nearly impossible--and how disruptive our late entrance was to services. I was shy and hated the long walk down the aisle with everyone watching, probably smiling at the seven of us with our long braids and matching dresses that Aunt Frieda had sown for us. One Shabbat was particularly terrible when we’d forgotten to put underpants on one of the youngest who was newly out of diapers. She stood on the pew and squirmed as my father calmly reached over and put his hand on her little tush as if it was the most natural thing in the world to hold a prayerbook in one hand and a bare little tush in the other. He was definitely my hero that day!

Friday, January 27, 2012 8:00 a.m. Omg! I just realized that tomorrow would have been your birthday, Dad. No wonder you’ve been on my mind. Are you planning a big celebration up there with all your buddies? How would you even celebrate up in Heaven? Listen to a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”? Complete a Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle? Read a bit from one of your many poetry anthologies? Those were a few of your pleasures here on Earth…You would come out of the darkened opera house into the bright sunshine singing in your lovely tenor voice the arias we’d just heard up on stage. We thought you belonged up there with them. Perhaps now you are…

Thanks for your help with this blog. I like being in partnership with you. Today my schedule is packed with clients from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and a workout beforehand. I know I’ll have the inspiration and energy to write again and post a blog before I sleep. I’m excited to see what we come up with.

Ooh ooh, 8 p.m. Getting closer to your birthday, Dad. Are we going to see fireworks? I had a beautiful day at work. Four women, two teenage girls and a pair of twelve year old sisters all striving to be happier and shine a little light into the world. Toward the end of the day, a client was expressing sadness about her father’s lack of involvement in her life. Ordinarily I might have nodded my head to indicate that I understood. Instead I sat up a little straighter and asked if she was willing to try an experiment. She nodded her head. I said, “I believe we can influence a situation with our positive energy. I’m wondering if you would write a letter to your dad that you will never send in which you encourage him to take the risk and reach out to you.” Suddenly, I sat up even straighter. “Wait,” I added, “I have an even better idea! Sometimes I write a thank you letter to God for what went right before it has even unfolded! Maybe you could do that.” I was excited. “I know what I’m going to write about when I get home tonight,” I told her, almost dancing in my seat, and explained about my new blog. “You’re going to see yourself in it when you wake up tomorrow morning.” Now she was excited! Hi, A.F. Have you done your homework yet? Teehee…

I encouraged my final client of the day to do something similar based on another idea in Doreen Virtue’s book. I suggested that she send love on up ahead to a situation that she hoped would go well. I told her to “wrap the situation in positive energy” as she thought about it and see if she could influence the outcome with her positive thoughts. This is what makes my work fun and rewarding—I get to encourage clients to stay positive and then hear about all the great outcomes in future sessions. And if you keep reading, you will, too!

Before I close, on the eve of my dad’s birthday, I’d like to share a memory of how I liked to show my dad love when I was a little girl. I knew my dad loved sunflower seeds. He would sit at the table, cracking them absentmindedly between his teeth as he read from one of the many books around him, the pile of discarded shells growing higher the longer he read. Smart little Lisa, I would borrow a shot glass from my mom’s kitchen cabinet, and patiently open however many sunflower seeds it took to fill a shot glass. I would then carry over the filled glass and offer it as a token of my love to the man I adored, and my father would gallantly thank me as I stood, smiling and happy with my gift. Goodnight, Dad, see you tomorrow…

Saturday, January 28, 2012 Happy Birthday, Dad…I dreamt about you last night. We were in the back seat of a roomy old car. You were on my right next to the window, an unknown person to my left. The driver’s seat was empty. Geese had taken over the town and were laying eggs everywhere. I felt as if I could lay an egg. I pushed gently and laid…a fart! Hahahaha! You were courteous and sat quietly but the other person laughed with me. I woke up giggling and wondered, what the heck? I guess I am not the goose that laid the golden egg, that without you, I am as earthbound as ever. I had to fart in the dream to realize this? Thanks a lot! In any case, I love you…

I had a lovely day. Our congregation came together to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of our cantor. I was asked to lead the toast and the words I was given to read made me think of you. We called him, “A shining star amongst the Jewish people.” That’s how all of us thought of you. I wasn’t the least bit nervous getting up in front of the large crowd and reading those lovely words because it wasn’t about me. I was simply a vehicle to spread kindness and love. That’s how I’ve been feeling since I listened to Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED Talk. I’ve been floating through life, letting myself be a channel for greater love and wisdom. I’ve been relaxed and happy. Being a channel is easy. At the end of the service, an older couple approached and invited me to be their guest tomorrow at a talk on “Biblical Gardens”. In any case, I believe that’s the topic. I said yes without even being sure because it was an honor to be asked. Attending means missing my beloved Sunday morning Hebrew class. Instead of fretting, I put a good face on it and this afternoon, I read ahead in our textbook. I had such a good time studying. It’s funny—I made the best of missing class and ended up enhancing my afternoon. I’ve had trouble making myself do much studying outside of class recently. Perhaps this was just the jumpstart I needed.

Writing this blog has done the same thing. It’s given my life greater purpose. Not just to write but to write about a topic that has been life altering for me. Just what I wanted! And in the process, I’m touching others in a stimulating and uplifting manner. I’m hearing all kinds of stories about the success that comes from generosity and kindness. Just today, a colleague called. She began the conversation with the words, “Lisa, I have a story you’ll like, the kind that happens when you’re on a spiritual path and everything falls happily into place.” I liked this beginning very well. My ears were ready to capture what she had to say and share with you the rest. She told me about how a client of hers got transferred to Hospice. At this point, his insurance began denying payment. For some reason, she continued to bill even though she gave up on the idea of receiving payment. And she continued to visit even though it was now without payment. And suddenly today, without explanation a large check arrived in the mail from his insurance company. She told me that as excited as she was about the payment, even more so she was delighted to be validated for her generous attitude and behavior.

It’s so easy to wonder what we’ll get in return for what we give. And perhaps that is human nature. But what if we pay attention to how happy we’ll be when we give? What if we remember that giving in itself is uplifting. I have stopped worrying about how much time I give clients outside of our forty-five minute sessions. I spend time billing insurance companies, talking with school counselors, psychiatrists, nutritionists, CPS workers, teachers, parents and of course, from time to time, my clients who need a few minutes between sessions. It reminds me of my favorite teacher in High School, Mrs. Rabinowitz. She would come in early and stay late to lend me an ear. There was one occasion in particular, Dad, when I was upset with you and went to talk with her. Her kindness the year she taught me has stayed with me all these years, and perhaps mine will stay with my clients over the years, also. That is also what we thanked our spiritual leader for today. Did we really come together today to celebrate his twenty years leading us in song? As beautiful and moving as his davening is, it is his kindness that has drawn us together and created the community that we are so blessed to have. So I thank you for being my teacher, Dad, with your generosity and kindness. I thank our cantor for taking over in my life where you left off, and I pray to continue the tradition I have learned so well. To extend a hand to the needy, to feed the poor and to love with all my heart where others fear to tread. Amen.

Sunday, January 29, 2012 Huh, no one’s birthday I can think of for a change…Does anyone out there know someone with a birthday today? Anyway…I had a wonderful morning. I’m glad I accepted the invitation to the talk at my synagogue. The group was warm and welcoming and the subject interesting. I even got up early enough to get to the gym and do my workout beforehand. That way, I was free to meet up with my bff for a yummy lunch at Uncle Yu’s—different menu than the other night—and treat her to a pedicure afterward. The way our winter is going—quite spring like here—I need to get my toes ready for their grand appearance.

Haha! Fooled you all. I wrote this before my day began. That’s an example of what I told my client the other day. Write about how well everything unfolds before it actually happens in order to roll out the red carpet of happiness. Doesn’t that sound good? You can stop and do it yourself before you read on…What do you want to see happen today? Let me know how it goes…

So now that my day has truly happened, I can let you know that I was wrong about two things. The talk was better than I imagined it would be--it was absorbing and engaging--and our pedicures were before lunch rather than after. So it goes to show we don’t always get the details right but it was the beautiful day I dreamt of. Thank you, angels.

I have a practice from time to time of copying a page from Doreen Virtues’ book, Daily Guidance From Your Angels, into a beautiful purple journal I keep just for this. Last night I picked a passage entitled, “Give Yourself A Present.” It sounded appealing but I didn’t think it would have deep meaning. I was prepared to look for a second one when a sweet experience occurred. A line jumped out at me. “You certainly aren’t limited to just one present per day.” I can hardly believe I have permission to treat myself with gifts, let alone every day, let alone as often as I want! Bear in mind that none of these gifts need to cost anything—they could be a bath or a hike or a good book. They can also cost money. It’s okay to get foot rubs and massages and hair bows—not that I wear those but you get the point. They’re extras, fun, decorative, pretty—they add pleasure to our lives. It’s okay to add pleasure, live graciously, and enjoy life.

I didn’t even realize I was still carrying the message, “Life is hard—grin and bear it," until I opened myself up to the idea that life can be one of ease if we let love fill our hearts and acts of kindness fill our days...starting with ourselves! Like a cat napping in the sunshine or purring in our lap, let's be smart enough to know a good thing when it's offered.

My mother loved cats. What was her highest at one time, sisters? Four? Which caused many of us to sneeze and rub our eyes until she pared the number back down to one…but I think Mom learned from her cats to sit in the sunshine, listen to the opera, savor a cup of vanilla ice cream (her favorite), and of course, for anyone who knew Judy, to head to the pool and swim back and forth until the steam room called her. Ah, a hot cup of tea after and maybe Chinese food. Mom lived modestly but she enjoyed her treats.

I’m learning to treat myself. A ninety minute foot massage only costs $25 and is Heaven on Earth. A hot tub at the gym, a yoga class, a visit to my cousins in Santa Barbara. How do you treat yourself? Let’s promise ourselves more gifts. Isn’t life sweeter when we treat ourselves with Love?

Monday, January 30, 2012 It’s almost Valentine’s Day. What gift am I going to give my honey to show him how much I love him and how deeply his love has transformed my life? Any ideas? What are you giving your loved ones?

Yesterday I was exchanging Reiki with a friend. (Reiki is an ancient Buddhist tradition which channels Universal Life Energy through the hands and promotes balance.) She has been faithfully reading my blog from the start and had a story for me. Her 20-something daughter interviewed for a new job and several days later said to her, “The longer it’s taking to hear back, the less confident I’m feeling.” Remember my wish to have encouraged my loved one to stay confident in her campaign? Well this woman did. She replied to her daughter, “Stay positive!” and I’m betting you can guess the end of the story. The job came through last Tuesday. Hooray for her success! Was her daughter able to stay positive? And if she was, did that make the difference? Perhaps but just as important was the vote of confidence my friend was giving her daughter. She was saying, “I believe in you—and they should, too!” Wouldn’t you have benefited if your mom had given you such a positive message? Perhaps she did! Cynthia, my darling daughter, would you like to call in here?

Another faithful reader e-mailed me this morning to say, “What a treat those last posts were. Really uplifting to read, especially Sunday’s about giving yourself gifts. I’ll also have to try writing out my dream day in advance, and see what happens.” So dear reader who wrote in, what did you treat yourself to today? How about others of you? I started my day with a lovely yoga session…

Another treat was seeing my first client of the day--the young woman we’ve been following who had to face the man she both loved and feared in court last week. I was assuming today’s session would be about this subject but happily, I was wrong. She was excited to tell me all about a job interview set up for immediately after our session, after her fix of positive energy. The timing was perfect and the job sounded perfect, too-- amazingly enough at the school she had just registered her son in for kindergarten. Pretty cool, huh? She told me that she didn’t want to get too excited in case she didn’t get it. I suggested instead that she consider it already hers. She said she had been doing that, too, and that if it isn’t meant to be, she knows something else is around the corner. What a positive attitude.

How far she has come. Six years ago, her mom gave her a slip of paper with my name on it. She’d already tried therapy to no avail but couldn’t seem to throw away the paper. Instead she stuck it in her wallet and carried it around with her for a year until she was ready to come in. When I first lent her a copy of The Secret, she didn’t get it. Over the course of our work together, adopting a positive attitude has changed her life. Reading this blog between sessions helps her feel supported during this challenging leg of her journey. She even sees her very highly organized mom beginning to relax and learn from her to go with the flow. Doesn’t that just make you want to switch jobs with me and see all the good energy? Btw, I received the following text at 4:24 pm: “I feel like the interview went fantastic! Should know what happens by late afternoon tomorrow. Can’t wait.”

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 The final day in January. Wasn’t it just New Year’s Eve? Yesterday afternoon, I said goodbye to a young lady I’d been working with for several months. Toward the end of our session, knowing it would be our last, I cast about in my mind for a direction to send her out with. Thinking about the theme of staying positive, I asked her what steps she could envision herself taking itoward her goal of dating. After a moment she answered, “Make more guy friends.” Smart girl! We can’t just jump from A to Z. First we learn our letters, then the alphabet, then to read. Believe me, in learning to speak Hebrew this past year, I’m well aware of the step by step process involved. Six years ago, when I wanted to increase my practice from part time to full time, I had to do so in steps. My first goal was to increase my client base from twelve to fifteen, and then up to eighteen. I wished I could double my clientele all at once but I needed to build my confidence as well as my listening muscles.

Interestingly enough, this morning I listened to Julian Baggini giving a TED Talk called, “Is There a Real You?” He talked about our capacity to “shape ourselves” and added that “there are limits to what we can make of ourselves”. I appreciated these words. For example, he said, as much as he might apply himself to music, he would never have the talent of a world class musician. So when I channel my positive energy toward a goal, I make sure it is line with who I am, and I encourage clients to do the same. In working to make her dream come true, Cinderella might not meet Prince Charming tomorrow. First she has to increase her confidence with the opposite sex, then begin to date and go on from there.

Along a similar line, my wise beyond her years niece wrote and asked, “Do you ever get into a bad mood? What do you do when that happens?” Great question! Before I had children, I ran myself ragged and then collapsed. I distinctly remember the day I was driving past a shopping center on my way home with one last errand to run. I had a decision to make. Squeeze in one more errand and have no energy left for the new baby or put the errand off and have just enough energy to be a good mother. That is when my lifestyle changed. A friend in my Power Strollerwalking Class said that I took the most care of myself of anyone she knew. When we give a lot to others, we need to take good care of ourselves. We all benefit from the practice.

So my answer to you, dear niece, is do everything you need to be well rested, well fed and as positive in your thoughts as possible. I exercise, write in my journal, meditate and pray. I do Reiki, get foot massages, talk with friends and read. I’m fifty-four years old. It’s taken me a lifetime to get as far as I have on this journey. You're ahead of the game!

Wednesday, January—Oops, February 1, 2012 Rabbit, Rabbit…Good morning, kids. This is the first thing my kids and I say to each other each month--“Rabbit, Rabbit”. I learned this game from my older sister when I was growing up and taught it to my children when they were growing up. I still text them this greeting in their college dorms. We’re always young at heart, aren’t we? That’s one of many reasons I adore being with my cousin’s five year old grandson down in Santa Barbara. We laugh and play nonstop together. Did you know that kids laugh something like 300 times a day? We adults laugh on average a dozen times in comparison. Laughter is great medicine for the soul. Yesterday I did something quite out of the norm and read about current events in Eygpt. The more I meditate, the less I am drawn to following the news. As uncomfortable as it may be for me to be unaware of what is happening around me, being sheltered from the vast amount of pain and suffering in the world is very good for my soul. I felt so low yesterday after reading just a few headlines that I instinctively went to “30 Rock” for twenty minutes of silliness. Thank you, Tina Fey!

Every time I learned something new when my children were growing up, I would share what I learned with them. I remember sitting at the dining room table one day reading about the horrible effects of transfat on our bodies. Without thinking, I said to them, “Did you know that transfat is worse for your body than smoking cigarettes?” My two amazing children, perhaps eight and ten at the time, immediately went to the pantry and began throwing out every item that had transfat listed as one of the ingredients. In the same vein, when I told them that when we list the things we are grateful for, we raise our spirits, my son immediately began this practice. I can still picture this little boy, leaning against his pillow, writing in a journal he started for just this purpose. The first night, he sharpened his pencil and began. The list went something like this: My mother, my father, my sister, my guinea pigs, my friends, my home… Here he may have stalled and I prompted, how about the beautiful spring weather? The second night, the list began: My father, my mother, my sister, my friends. You get the picture. By the third night, my son was losing interest, and his journal ends there. But he got the idea and has practiced expressing appreciation for his blessings ever since. Both my children have been on a journey to be positive and spread good cheer, and if you speak to their friends and family, you’ll get a pretty good report on their success. And it shows both in what they’ve attracted into their lives and how well they roll with the punches. I feel very blessed to be their mother.

Valentine’s Day is getting closer and I haven’t figured out gifts for my loved ones yet. Have you?

Thursday, February 2, 2012 Happy Groundhog’s Day! I am receiving a tremendous amount of gratitude and appreciation for the positive messages that I am posting. This daily interaction is weaving a web of love between me and my sisters and friends, nieces and nephews, children and clients--all of you reading this right now—which reinforces in me the good feeling that comes from being generous. A loved one wrote, “Your last post was just great! I didn’t have the time to get to it earlier and I thought it was written in a way that illustrates how you apply your positive and thoughtful philosophy in every encounter. Very, very inspiring and uplifting.” I have been happier since I began writing, my mood elevated. An astrologer said to me five years ago, “You are here to give.” Time and time again, I forget that message and think my happiness rests on being loved or attractive, from living in a big house or having lots of money. Yet whenever I am fortunate enough to slip into giving—pure giving for giving’s sake—I am living on a higher plane. Life flows smoothly and I am at peace.

I like holding doors for people and letting drivers merge into the lane in front of me. I like tipping well at restaurants and telling people what cute kids they have. What does that wonderful bumpersticker say? “Practice random acts of kindness.” What do you fall into thinking will make you happy? A yummy piece of chocolate cake? (I know. Me, too.) The latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy? (Definitely my weakness.) A new dress? (No, not you, Jeremy.) What really makes you happy? Was it the time you sat with Lucy’s elderly mom and patiently listened to her stories or when you baked cookies and brought them over to the new neighbors? Either way, it’s worth the effort, the shift into giving. Time and time again when I keep my focus on giving to others, I receive back more love than I ever imagined.

My eldest sister is one of the most generous souls I know. Her generosity is an incredible inspiration to me. She runs a wildly successful S.A.T. tutoring practice out of the comfort of her home. I think her success is due as much to her generosity as it is to her excellent teaching skills. She bakes batch after batch of cookies and pretzels for her students, (yes, she’s that lady we all want in our lives) and listens with genuine compassionate to their worries and fears. On the morning of the S.A.T., she stands in the doorway of her home handing out goody bags with two sharpened pencils, a homemade muffin and an apple to each of her students. Into each goody bag she has also tucked a quiet vote of confidence. I picture her, standing in her doorway, sending out a ray of sunshine with each student to bring with them into the world.

I'll see you all again Monday morning...Have a good weekend!

Monday, February 6, 2012 At lunch on Thursday, I had a choice—watch “30 Rock” (I’m on a roll watching “30 Rock”, haha, get the joke?) or pull out You Can Heal Your Life Companion Book by Louise Hay. I’d looked at the book a few days earlier, and today was up to page 19, the “Deservability Treatment”. I was enchanted reading Hay’s words, and halfway down the page, I began copying what I was reading. “I deserve a good life. I deserve an abundance of love. I deserve good health.” So far so good. It was the next line that grabbed my attention. “I deserve to live comfortably and to prosper.” As I copied this line, my dream to live in Santa Barbara popped back into my mind—the dream I’d written about in my blog, become afraid of, and quickly shelved.

I took my dream off the shelf and looked at it. What were my fears or “old beliefs”, as Louise Hay calls them? I wrote down five: 1) I do not deserve my dream of living in Santa Barbara, 2) It would be stressful and scary to create the change, 3) I am not strong enough to withstand the stress, 4) I am not creative enough to make my dream come true and 5) I’d have to make my dream come true all by myself.

Then I wrote down five new beliefs—one in contrast to each of the old beliefs. 1) I am deserving of my dream to live in Santa Barbara, 2) My dream could come true easily, 3) I am surrounded by Love and Light, 4) I do not have to make this happen. I only have to believe in the possibility, and 5) Angels, Love, God, Dad, my boyfriend, my cousins and others can all help make my dream come true.

I looked at my five new beliefs and felt calm and clear. If I am meant to move, the pieces I worry about most--such as money and housing--will fall into place. The goodbyes--to friends and clients, a whole life I’ve established here? I will receive the help I need to manage those, too. It’s all possible.

With my lunch break coming to a close, I put the book away and thanked my father for calling me to read this. And I wondered--why did I believe my father was invested in my dream? I decided it was because he loves me and wants my happiness. Also, to show me that all is possible. And perhaps, from up above, he can see that something new is waiting for me down in Santa Barbara and wishes to help me start the next chapter of my life.

Now can I watch “30 Rock”?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Tomorrow will be the second anniversary of my beloved mother’s passing. Many people loved my mother. On the day before her funeral, there was a snowstorm yet friends and family braved the elements and came from near and far to honor and say goodbye to the woman they admired and loved. My mother was the youngest of seven children and had seven children herself. She had seventeen grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and nephews. She wore her white hair up in a bun—or chignon as we called it. She’d grown plump after having seven children and looked the part of the kindly grandmother.

I asked one of my sisters how she planned on remembering Mom tomorrow. She thought for a moment and answered, “I’ll probably go for a swim.” Anyone who knows my mother knows that if her spirit hovers anywhere on Earth, it’s near a body of water. Then my sister turned the question back on me. What were my thoughts? Ah, yes, I had an idea. I was meeting with my Hebrew class tomorrow, and the assignment this week was to write about nature. It’s as if my mom whispered in the teacher’s ear when she was thinking up this week’s topic, “Nature. Assign a story about nature. Lisa will like writing about a subject that reminds her of me for tomorrow’s class.” And I did. I wrote a simple paragraph to match my level of Hebrew. But for all its simplicity, I still wondered whether I’d be able to read the short piece aloud without crying.

Here it what I wrote: My mother (of blessed memory) loved green plants. In her house, were many, many plants, a few very tall. It looked like a jungle in there. My mother liked to sit near the window and watch the birds and squirrels and cats in the backyard. She loved cats very much and had many. One was named Ketzel (which means cat in Yiddish). My mother also loved babies—she had seven. All of us miss her very much…

Mom, I know you’ll be listening to me read this story in class, and watching my sister swimming, and peeking in on your other daughters as they remember you tomorrow. I sense you’re happy where you are, surrounded by your own loved ones--mother, sisters and a niece and nephew who proceeded you. I feel your love in my life as I go on living here on Earth. I dream about you a lot. I miss you and your laughter. Thanks for all your love. Stay close. Your everloving daughter, Lisa Ann

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Happy Birthday to two adorable boys, Boaz and Caleb! Hugs and kisses from CA…At four a.m. on Monday morning, I woke up laughing from another funny dream. It went something like this. I was carrying a little boy who was unhappy and uncooperative. In order to get him to cooperate, I began playing with him. I looked into his eyes and said, “You’re hypnotizing me.” He liked this and began to be distracted from his tears. I went on. “You’re making me walk down the stairs,” I said and headed over. My father was sitting at the head of the stairs, reading a newspaper. I tried to get his attention but he was completely absorbed. My Santa Barbara cousin was also nearby--he was enjoying our antics. I woke up and thought about my dream. What was its significance?

Perhaps the little boy was my cousin’s five year old grandson. Perhaps this was a message that moving to Ventura or Oxnard rather than to Santa Barbara would put me closer to this little boy. As much as my boyfriend adores Santa Barbara, work would be more plentiful for him in Oxnard or Ventura. Once again I was able to release the details of the move into the hands of Higher Forces. This was a tremendous shift for me. In the past I would have fretted and obsessed. Now I truly relax and wonder—am I meant to move? Show me where, show me how…

There were a couple of other situations on Monday that I responded calmly to instead of with fear. This enabled me to lend greater support to the women I counseled. I watched them absorb my support and quickly move the situations into the Light instead of getting caught in an eddy of fear. One situation lingered in my thoughts after work, and when I got home, I sought reassurance in Doreen Virtue’s angel book. Amazingly, out of 365 pages I could have chosen, I opened to the Stay Positive page! The first line completely erased my doubts and worries. “The most helpful thing that you can do in the face of hardship is to keep a positive outlook.” The words had the effect of sinking into a warm bath, reminding me to relax and trust rather than tense up and worry. Thank you, angels! Faith works wonders...

Thursday, February 9, 2012…The other day, my Reiki teacher advertised her 20 year old son’s tech support business in her newsletter. My loved ones have been encouraging me to look into a blogsite that doesn’t require scrolling down to the bottom. I thanked the Universe for sending me this young man’s number and called him. Being the son of my teacher, I trusted him implicitly. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional, and had me set in a direction within twenty minutes of talking. It may take up to a month for us to get a new blogsite up and running, so hang in there with me, please. I’ll keep you updated on our progress and where to find me when I switch over. I’m excited!

The young woman we’ve been following who stood up to the man she both loved and feared is now “the young woman who was brave enough to move forward with her life”. She called last week to say she hadn’t heard back yet from the job she’d interviewed for and was getting nervous. She only had so much time left before her children’s paid up daycare ran out as well as her unemployment. She remembered the story, though, about the other twenty something year old whose mom encouraged her to stay positive—and as a result, she was working to stay positive herself.

I encouraged her to write a thank you note to the angels as if she’d already gotten the job. Just that morning, from her deck of angel cards, she’d picked, “Let Heaven help you.” She knew the angels were helping her—and that if the job was meant to be, it was already hers. And that if it wasn’t, something better was around the corner. She hung up the phone sounding more confident and calm.

A few days later she texted to let me know that she was the runner-up for the job but that there are other positions at the same school she can apply for. Remember how as children we needed to clap for Tinkerbell? Well, let's send positive energy toward our friend here and support her in her quest to find work that is meaningful and pays the bills. Thanks! I'll keep you posted...

My wise niece wrote in response to a past blog, “As much as the news makes me sad and depressed too, I feel as a citizen of the world, the very least I can do for those who are less fortunate is to know about their plights and not turn my attention away from them or ignore them…I truly believe we are all one, which would make all others in this world our brothers and sisters…I hope you will not discourage others from being informed.”

Here is what I wrote in response: “Thank you with all my heart for your words. I completely agree with them and appreciate every effort people make to stay current with the news and make changes. Perhaps I should have been clearer. I followed the news for years and worked hard politically. I see myself in a different place now—able to best help my small corner of the world by cushioning myself. Not because it is better or worse to do so. Only because otherwise I am too drained and unable to stay positive and help others."

Thank you, niece, for getting me to think more deeply about my words. I appreciate your wisdom and heart. You contribute much to the world!

Friday, February 10, 2012…Dear Pundit Pravinji, I have an update for you since I last wrote just a few short months ago. You told me about five years ago that I would make a name for myself in 2012 and that what I did wouldn’t be new, it would just be that I’d put my own spin on it. Well, I found out what I was supposed to do. Start a blog called, “Stay Positive” following my resolve to stay optimistic no matter what. It’s been amazing already in just three short weeks to see what change this has brought about in my life.

First of all, writing a blog has reinforced my commitment to my own spiritual journey. In addition, I have received an overwhelming amount of feedback from clients, friends and family who are following my blog that they are inspired by my words. This encourages me to keep writing when I might more easily take it easy and let my writing slide. Their gratitude also fills my heart and makes me feel happy and fulfilled.

Writing this positive blog has given my life greater meaning and purpose. I feel as if I am living at a higher energy level, more consistently in my heart and throat chakra. My earthly pleasures are still lovely but they are embedded within a much greater happiness--that of serving others.

I thank you for your help in guiding me in the direction of writing. I hope someday to reach more souls who might benefit from my words. I hope my blog might become a book but if it’s meant to stay as a blog, it’s served its purpose. You can find my blog for now at hubpages.com/hub/stay_positive. (I’m in the process of creating my own website…). If you take a peek, let me know your thoughts. You’ve been an incredible teacher to me on my journey. Thank you! Blessings to you and your loved ones, Lisa Ann

Monday, February 13, 2012…Last night I watched the second half of “A River Runs Through It”. How many of you have seen this movie? Robert Redford directed it and you can see his hand in it throughout. Set in Montana in the early 1900’s, the vistas are utterly breathtaking. Brad Pitt stars as the younger brother and is also breathtaking...The movie is haunting. If you’re going to watch it, relax and let it unfold in its own time—it’s slow moving. I loved it.

My Saturday morning was different this past weekend. I’ve attended Shabbat services religiously (haha) for the past twenty years at my local synagogue, and have been incredibly fulfilled by the sense of community and prayer. As I have gotten busier during the week between seeing clients and spending two or more hours per day on my blog, I’ve begun to want Saturday mornings back to myself. This Saturday, I slept in until 8:30--two hours later than I would have gotten up to go to synagogue--and had a nice, quiet morning to write this blog before I left the house to see a client and get my hair cut.

Pulling back from my synagogue community took some internal doing. I worried that I’d be forgotten. Being seen has been a theme in my life, coming from a large family where I often felt invisible or indistinguishable from my sisters. It’s amazing how the old tapes keep running. Because I feel visible now at work, at home and in my blog, I was able to tolerate the sudden lack of visibility at synagogue, and remind myself that my fellow congregants will welcome me back any time I choose to return.

Withdrawing from the intense ties that bind me to my religious community has also been a test to see if I can really move to Southern California, although last week, I was so absorbed in my day to day life that my dream of moving flew out the window. Friday night, I wrote to my angels, if I'm going to move, you’re going to have to get things going. The next morning, I got an e-mail from my cousin who lives ninety minutes from Santa Barbara. She wrote, “I was able to read your blog, which I am loving, especially the part about moving down here…You are a great writer and it is fun to get into your head.” She thinks I’m a great writer! I love writing and have written all my life but it is still a happy surprise that someone else thinks so and is actually interested in my words and thoughts. And she’d love me to move nearby! I am so comfortable up here, though—home all set up, practice full of clients, money flowing in—that it is easy to let my dream slide…Do I need you to clap your hands for me, too, to send me positive energy to fly away down south? Perhaps…Would you?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012…Happy Valentine’s Day to us all! After speaking to my cousin in Southern CA on Saturday morning, my boyfriend told me he thinks we should drive down and take a look at Ventura and Oxnard. Aack! That sounds both fun and frightening. Every step we take forward means letting go of my comfortable life and trusting that I can make it happen with the help of angels and loved ones. I can! I know I can! I release all fear now—at least for the time being—and say, yes! Let’s drive down and have fun! Phew. Take a deep breath. I can do it. Right?! Of course right…

I went to a lovely reunion on Sunday in San Francisco of former colleagues I hadn’t seen in almost twenty years. We all looked a little older but essentially just like ourselves. It was wonderful and familiar to be back together, telling stories, laughing and hugging. One fellow told me that he knows a psychologist who works for UCSB! Cool. I’ll call him as soon as I get his contact info. Isn’t it amazing how the Universe works? Two former colleagues were unable to attend the reunion due to illness or tragedy. I send them my love and prayers for healing and peace…

I’m grateful on this Valentine’s Day for my boyfriend of six and a half years. (Remember when we were little and half years counted? I guess they do here, too…) We met when my boyfriend discovered his Jewish roots and began attending synagogue. One day after services, we sat next to each other at lunch and became engrossed in conversation. When I looked up from the table, every one else had left the social hall. We moved in together a couple of months later and have been playing house ever since--almost too magical to call it living together. My boyfriend is one of the best listeners I know--patient, intelligent, kind--with his merry blue eyes smiling at me. Of course, if I’m worried or sad, he’ll tone down the merriment and say, “Pobrecita,” Spanish for “Poor little one”, his Latin American roots showing…One of his favorite things to do is hold me in his arms and pet my hair until I look like an electric show, strands flying out in every direction. I always laugh and tell him how much better I look—and to some extent I do.

My boyfriend loves to eat and there is always fresh fruit around the house—summer or winter—as well as gourmet chocolates and pastries. He cooks us yummy dishes and occasionally when I sample the butternut squash, I can actually find it under all that butter and brown sugar. As rich as it is, it’s also delicious! He might drop his laundry on the floor but as I bend to pick it up, I remember the fresh mango he bought for me just the other day. Eventually he’d get around to picking up his own laundry but I pick it up because his “eventually” is somewhere off in the unforeseen future and I’m a woman for whom yesterday is already too late…

My description wouldn’t be complete without including how kind my boyfriend has been to my children. He welcomes them warmly into our home and relishes the energy they bring into our lives. When my mom passed away, he jumped in the car and drove the ninety minutes to Santa Cruz to pick up my daughter and then bring her home so she could fly out that night with me to New York. What touched me most is how graciously and generously he did the whole thing, never mentioning the ticket he got for a burned out tail light nor complaining several months later when he had to drive back to Santa Cruz to take care of it. So thank you, honey, for being in my life. Your love lights up my life!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012…My day at work started off magically on Monday. The young woman we've been following showed up for her appointment carrying a pretty pink gift bag with bright purple tissue paper peeking out. She’d tucked in a card which read, "Dear Lisa, Thank you for all your love and support over the past few years. You are such an inspiring person and I treasure our bond. I wish you a very happy Valentine's Day! Always," and signed her name. The gift was an aromatherapy candle made for relaxation. She had a story she’d been waiting with excitement to tell me. During the course of our work together, her beloved grandmother had passed away. Sometime after that, she told me about a particularly chilly night when she woke up to the sound of her heat going on. She hadn't turned it on and was frightened at first. Then she remembered that her grandmother never wanted anyone to be cold, and thought it was her grandmother's way of staying close. Well...this past week, her mother had a "cousin's reunion." My client and her mom agreed that Grandma would surely peek in. After the party, mother and daughter went about straightening up the place, and lo and behold, there was an unexplained quarter on “Grandma's chair”! They were excited to see a sign they both agreed was from Grandma who always carried an extra large change purse and left no penny on the ground. When they were about done, they looked around and there was a second quarter on Grandma's chair as if to say, yes, it was really me, and now both your boys can have a coin from me!

I loved this story and asked if I could share it here to inspire and spread the message that our loved ones really can and do watch over us from the other side. We decided to do an angel reading before she left the office. The card our young woman carefully selected from Doreen Virtue's "Healing With the Angels" Oracle cards was for Archangel Michael. We read the meaning together, "This powerful archangel is with you right now. He gives you courage and helps release you from the effects of fear." The card goes on to say, "Through this card, Archangel Michael is making his presence known to you. He is the symbol of true courage, stemming from knowing that God's love is the only power there is. Michael is letting you know that, as you make changes in your life and as you encounter challenges, you are safe and secure. God and the angels help you stay true to yourself during trying times. Have heart-to-heart discussions with Michael often. Pour out all of your concerns to him. Don't worry about overburdening him. Michael, like all of the archangels, is able to be with everyone simultaneously who needs him. He has no limitations of time or space, so he can help you and others concurrently."

I thought it was wonderful that my client received reassurance that not only her grandmother but also Archangel Michael were watching over her! Aren't you glad, too?! I assumed that the card was meant for me as well. We agreed to research anything we could find on Archangel Michael and share what we'd learned in our next meeting. You can join us and share in the protection of this amazing being!

Shortly before my beloved client left my office, she looked at me and said that I was responsible for opening the door for her to a new, positive way of living. She added that when asked recently to write the ten most powerful influences in her life, I was number three, right after her two sons! Wow! I'm utterly humbled…

Thursday, February 16, 2012…Sunday night, I lay in bed, thinking about my dream to move to Santa Barbara. I decided that if I’m going to continue pursuing this possibility, I needed to be as positive and optimistic as possible. Suddenly I had an idea. I sat up and pulled out my journal, dated my entry one year ahead--February 12, 2013--and began to write:

“Dearest Amma, angels, Mom and Dad, I love living in Ventura. Thank you with all my heart for moving me down here. After my initial fear, I relaxed and trusted that all would unfold smoothly—and it did. John and I found a great place to live right near the beach. I set up a practice quickly and was able to bring a few clients with me by phone. I made connections easily in the community, and my blog was a hit. John, also, is financially secure. He found work easily and is very happy with his new job. Amazingly, he gets to work out of the house! Isn’t that great?!

I see my son and cousins frequently and love the area. I’ve gone up to Walnut Creek several times to see old friends and keep the connections alive. I am healthy and well, and thank you again for blessing me with so much as I strive to share all I have with others. Blessings to You! Lisa Ann”

The details may be slightly off but perhaps I will look back in a year and say, Wow, how did I nail this so closely? Whaddya think? In any case, it allowed me to wake up Monday morning with a smile on my face--the best way to be. I spoke with one of my sisters who’d begun reading my blog. She told me she’d passed on the blog address to a friend of hers who wants to be more positive! What a compliment. How happy that makes my heart!

The next morning, I called my professional organization to ask a legal question. When the attorney answered, I said, “Hi, this is Lisa Rood, the woman you once told me sounds just like your cousin.” He answered, “You still sound like her--and even have the same first name!” I laughed and asked, “And is she Jewish and from New York?” Now it was his turn to laugh and answer, “Yes, she is!” Anyway…I told him that several months ago he’d informed me that it was legal for a therapist to work with a client via phone or internet but that when I asked the insurance companies about compensating this, they said they wouldn’t. I asked if by chance anything had changed…and he said it had—that a new law had become effective January 2012 that mandates insurance companies to pay. I would need, he added, to ask the insurance companies what billing code to use. I left several messages for people I work with in the insurance industry. After a little research on my own, I am concerned about whether the process is as straightforward as he made it sound. I’m keeping my hopes up, though, because if it is, the doors would be wide open to move down to Southern California. I’d potentially be taking a practice down with me. I can for sure offer this option to anyone who will pay out of pocket. How exciting--and fewer goodbyes for all of us to have to say. Okay, God, I can use Your help here…

Friday, February 17, 2012…I love to write. I love sitting down for an hour or so in the morning, and again in the evening to write and edit my blog. I find it restful, absorbing and uplifting. Every evening, my boyfriend comes into the room at the end of whatever show he’s been watching, and we stretch out on the bed for me to read to him my latest post. I receive all kinds of warm and enthusiastic responses throughout the day from clients, friends and family. Writing regularly has changed my life. As a medium once said to me, “Writing will bring you closer to God”. Those were my father’s words to her. You were right, Dad—thanks!

I saw a client the other day for the first time in six weeks. She’d been laid off at the end of 2011 and postponed coming in until utterly necessary. The time had come for her to return. She needed a shot of positivity. Can you guess? She got it! I gave her my blog address as well as asked if I could add her to my list of clients looking for work that we are following…Welcome aboard, sweetiepie.

The following day, a client I see once a month had an appointment scheduled with me. I used to see her on Wednesdays at 3:30 but several months back, I filled that slot on a weekly basis and bumped her up to my 12:15 slot. This month, I forgot to write her into my calendar. That is very rare. I am usually meticulous about triple checking before a client leaves my office that I have their next appointment written in their chart as well as my daily and master calendars. So I thought my first appointment this Wednesday was at 1:30. After my workout, instead of heading to work, I headed over to Whole Foods for some very needed groceries. I drove by the carwash and wondered if I should stop there, too. Nah, I decided, I had too many phone calls and too much paperwork waiting for me. I’d head over to work early. I opened the door to the waiting room, and saw that the light indicating I had a client was on. I peeked around the corner and felt disoriented seeing a woman sitting there who I obviously knew but wasn’t expecting. Why was she there? Did I have an appointment with her? I opened my mouth and asked. She smiled and said, yes, at 12:15. What time was it? 12:30. I breathed a sigh of relief that she’d waited, that I’d gotten to work “early”, and that it had all worked out. I thanked my angels and got to work.

Her issue—building up her massage practice. She needed more work and was paralyzed by fear. I smiled to myself and knew our appointment was meant to be. I asked her if I could make her the third client we are following--in the quest to shine her light so brightly that a good outcome is the only result. We sat with her fear and listened to it a bit. We spoke reassuring words. We tossed around ideas she could follow to stimulate her practice. I encouraged her to get to work giving massages since that’s what she loves doing, and let the money follow—to offer free or low cost massages if necessary simply to be doing her craft. Before we closed, I jokingly asked if we should bother to set another appointment, or if she should just show up and trust I’d be there anyhow...

Today marks four weeks since I began this blog. So much has occurred as a result. I am thrilled and grateful to have met all of you, and look forward to the months ahead together. I wish you all a blessed weekend. See you Monday…Lisa

Monday, February 20, 2012 Happy President’s Day…I started my day off today with my usual shake: ¾ cup soymilk, ½ banana, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, and 1 tablespoon almond butter blended together plus a tablespoon of flaxseed and a scoop of vanilla whey protein isolate stirred in. It’s so yummy! The recipe is from the naturopath, Natasha Turner’s book, The Hormone Diet--a bible of mine with its depth of information about nutrition, supplements, hormones, exercise, sleep and skin care. Turner recommends breakfast within an hour of awakening, and a snack within forty five minutes of completing a workout. I end up eating four or five smaller, more frequent meals and feel better this way. In our culture, with so much food available, it can be difficult to know what to choose. This is what I choose now, and it works well for me. Following her ideas, lunch may be chicken or fish and a half cup of quinoa with sautéed veggies, and dinner a salad with olives and avocado and marinated favas beans thrown in. I snack on Greek yogurt or an apple and lowfat cheese. Last night I watched a wonderful movie, “Forks Over Knives” which supported the health benefits of eating a whole grain and plant based diet--no meat or dairy. Either way, it’s super important to treat our bodies as well as we can.

Speaking of which, this afternoon, I went around the corner to my local reflexology center—you know, the place with the sign out front that says, Foot Massage: $25 an hour. They’re all similar inside—lights down low with nice comfy chairs and soft music piped in. For the first time, I tried a body massage which meant being in a private room on a massage table. It was a very different experience—much more intense. I felt very relaxed and grateful afterwards. When I left the room, I went out front to tip the fellow who’d dripped sweat on me giving me such a great massage. He turned out to be a different gent than the one who’d led me into the room--tall, young and handsome! Laying face down with my glasses off, I’d been aware only of his hands. Perhaps that was for the best. He gave me a shy smile when I left...

Good news for the day…drum roll, please. Our young mother of two got herself that job! She called me Friday afternoon! Isn’t that great! Thanks for adding your positive energy to mine. Let’s see what else we can make happen together…

Tuesday, February 21, 2012…My father was a beloved man. He passed away when he was fifty-seven years old, perhaps worn out from providing for seven children, perhaps done with his mission here on Earth. My mother was forty-eight. The youngest of her children was eight years old. I was seventeen, my eighteenth birthday five months away…I loved my father fiercely. I think we all did. Each of us believed ourselves to be his favorite. Perhaps that was a testament to his ability to love each of us deeply. My father often told a story about an ignorant man who once said to him, “You are fortunate to have so many children. That way, if you lose one, you have so many more to comfort you.” To which my father replied, “Quite the opposite. I love each child so dearly that I am more vulnerable with each one I have.”

We had a running joke between us. I’d say, “Who’s your favorite daughter, Daddy?” and he’d answer, “You’re my favorite third daughter.” I’d protest and smack his arm but I’d also laugh. After all, I wanted him to love each of his daughters. My mother would tell us there was a special bond she had with my father that was different than her love for us. I didn’t like that either. I wanted to come first in my mother’s heart. But now I understand, of course, and am happy for the love that was between them…

What made my father so dear to so many of us? Was it his intelligence or his quick wit? Or was it was his compassion for others? My father was passionate about his beliefs and sincere to the core. He used to ask, “If you found a dollar in the street, what would you do?” Keep it of course, was my answer—and probably still is. He’d say, “I would bring it to the police department and turn it in.” Logically, his answer made no sense to me. But heartwise, I trusted my dad a hundred percent because of the depth and passion of his sincerity.

My father’s unyielding morals were a challenge for me as I became a teenager. When I discovered that my father wanted his daughters to marry only Jewish men and be virgins until their wedding day, I felt shackled. What if I loved someone non-Jewish? What if I wanted to sleep with my boyfriend? Everyone around me was sexually active. I felt liberated when he passed away, and I lost my virginity shortly afterwards. Over the years, I came to want a Jewish partner in order to be with someone who shared my world. But I had to come to this myself and I raised my children differently than my father raised me. Whomever they loved, I’d welcome into our family. I encouraged them to respect their sexuality but to express their feelings in any way they chose. Of course I am from a different generation than my father was…

Despite these battles, I adored my father and was devastated when he passed away. It wasn’t until I was almost forty that I began to heal. And even then, I felt incomplete and contacted a medium to connect with his soul on the Other Side. I am beginning to feel a bit like him now, walking in his footsteps, touching others with compassion and kindness. I am beginning to feel worthy of being called my father’s daughter--my father, “An Opener of the Way” on the Other Side. I hope to shine a light, like he did, so many years ago here on Earth…

Wednesday, February 22, 2012…After my client drew the card for Archangel Michael from “Healing With the Angels” Oracle Deck last week, I saw that Doreen Virtue had a book devoted entirely to him. I immediately purchased and began reading it. Now I want to see what else I can find to help me connect with Archangel Michael. I love connecting with the angels. My life has been lifted to a higher level ever since I discovered this path a year or so ago. I speak openly with my clients, friends and family about my belief in angels. In my office is an adorable angel figurine a client once gave me. I envision decorating my next office down in Ventura... with an angel motif. How can I fail when I’m surrounded by angel energy? It’s a heartwarming vision for me. Perhaps you’ll join me in it…

I invited my client who just scored the new job to stop by my office with her two boys on Monday. My schedule was light due to the holiday and I guessed theirs was, too. I had a present for her. I hadn’t seen the boys in a couple of years, the youngest sleeping in his carseat the last time I saw them, the older becoming too active for my little office. His grandma began babysitting for him during our sessions. The little one was a lot bigger now—almost as big as his older brother—but once again asleep, this time in his mother’s arms. The older one spotted the toys in my office almost immediately and played happily with pickup sticks, drew pictures and wrote his name for us while we chatted. I gave her my gift—her own copy of Virtue’s Daily Guidance from your Angels. She fell in love the minute she laid eyes on it and asked her son to open to a page for her to read aloud. He stopped at one with a picture—it was entitled, “Heal Your Insecurities”. She read aloud as he played. Then it was time for them to leave the office—no session today, just a gift and hello--a very sweet quarter hour of my day.

On Tuesday, I met with a mother of two boys in their twenties. She often has one thing or another to tell me about their lives—and today it was all good! As she joyously related one event after another that had transpired well, I was reminded of a story from my daughter’s childhood. When my daughter was eight or nine years old, she had a playmate she was inseparable from. One day, the girls cooked up the idea of writing a newspaper which they called, “Good, Great and Wonderful News!” They walked around together to five or six neighbors with their clipboards and pencils, ready to write down any good, great or wonderful news. The neighbors were very sweet—one even took the time to write out a long story for the girls--and before you knew it, they had typed up the first of their two newletters. A third got started but was left unfinished…

I was enchanted by their enthusiasm and innocence. I loved that they were taking time to spread happy news. I loved that they even thought of it in the first place. And here I am, ten or so years later, writing a blog spreading hope and ideas for attaining greater happiness. So I am grateful to the mom who came in today and shared her joy, and I am grateful to the two little girls who planted a seed of an idea in my mind. Perhaps that’s what I shall call my book, Good, Great and Wonderful News!

Thursday, February 23, 2012…Tuesday night, I received a voicemail from a new client requesting couple’s counseling. I was especially happy because I particularly like helping couples understand how to create greater happiness for themselves. Then another realization hit me. I am regularly getting calls from new clients who see my name on their insurance panels here in Walnut Creek. That means that I most likely will also get calls regularly down in Southern California for business. With all the good energy I am putting out, my practice will quickly be hopping again just like it is up here. I didn’t realize I’d been harboring doubt. Thank you, new client—your call helped me turn a corner I needed to turn in order to more easily move forward. I’d assumed that the majority of my new referrals came from word of mouth. Even if some do, I’ll make new referral sources down south quickly enough.

Speaking of which, two minutes before my 3:30 appointment yesterday, my cellphone rang. It was a San Francisco area code but that’s all I recognized. I assumed it was a client and decided to pick up. I was wrong—it was the psychologist I’d called last week who works for UCSB. As soon as I heard his name, I thanked him warmly for calling and asked if I might call back tomorrow when I was more available. He agreed and we set up a time. I’m looking forward to chatting this afternoon and seeing where our connection might lead. I’m happy that he called this week when I am more confident about my success setting up a new practice. If we’d spoken last week, I may have felt less assured or positive.

And did I tell you? My boyfriend has a great idea for creating business for himself down in Los Angeles—I see him successful and financially secure already! That’s exactly what I envisioned for him in my journal entry dated a year ahead. Do you remember? I’m seeing the green light for this move growing brighter. Do you see it with me?

Another green light I see up ahead in the distance is about this blog leading to a book. Only in its second month, the “Stay Positive” blog is already attracting a huge following and spreading like wildfire. After all, we all want more positive energy in our lives! In yesterday’s post, I even came up with a title for the book. I don’t know how a blog becomes a book but I do know that if this one is meant to, it easily will. I see it on the shelves next to My Year With Eleanor, Julie and Julia, and Eat, Pray, Love —all uplifting and inspirational books…just like mine would be.

So please clap your hands like you’ve done once or twice in here before, and help my dream take wings…Who knows, maybe I’ll be signing a copy of Good, Great and Wonderful News for you one of these days!

Friday, February 24, 2012…Last night I lay awake thinking of all the people I’d thank in my acknowledgement if I were to turn my blog into a book. I decided I had no need to wait. So I sat up, turned on the light and began to write.

“I’d like to thank all the clients who shared their words, hearts and stories with me over the years—who soaked up mine in return and especially those who gave me permission to share their stories with you. A special thanks to Natalie with whom I share a special bond.

I also thank those at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek, CA, who graced me for the past ten years with the honor of being Rosh Gabbai, and to the Hazzan for being my teacher and friend.

To my wonderful, amazing Indigo children, Cynthia Rachel and Jeremy Morris, now at UCSC and UCSB. For the past 18 and 20 years, you two have graced my life every day with your love and your light. And to your dad who was a dear friend and great partner for eighteen years.

To my sweetheart, Johnny Angel. Your words this Valentine’s Day say it better than I could:

Two souls entwined

Beneath a magic moon

Weave a spell

Of love eternal

Binding us

As one

And to my six sisters—we are an entity unto ourselves. The Rood Brood as we were called growing up. You are truly my soul sisters. I love and adore every one of you, and thank you with all my heart.

To my fifteen nieces and nephews and too many cousins to count—I treasure each one of you and feel your warmth surrounding me.

To my bff, Nicole—you’re the best bff a girl could ever want!

To my writing teachers, Beth Barany and Elaine Starkman--two wise and kind teachers who helped me improve my craft.

And to Yo’el of Amber Shadow Design who got my new website--StayPositiveBlog.com--up and running. I love the design! Thank you!”

(The website is actually still under construction but getting closer...You’re gonna like it!)

Before I close for the weekend, what are everybody’s plans? I’m going to lend a helping hand at synagogue on Shabbat. Oh! On Saturday afternoon, a friend is going to stop by with her boyfriend who is an artist. He’s agreed to make a shadowbox for me with the beautiful Valentine’s Day poem from my boyfriend along with the gold edged rose he gave me. I want to enclose both to look at for eternity...

See you all Monday! Lisa

Monday, February 27, 2012…Friday morning, I began to mull over what I’d write about today. One of my ideas was to write about the benefits of having an “abundance mentality” instead of a “poverty mentality”—the belief there is enough of everything to go around and that we can easily reach out and have what we want when we are in alignment with this truth. Here is how Esther and Jerry Hicks describe this in their book, Ask and It Is Given: “There is an unlimited stream of Well-Being and an abundance of things available to you at all times—but you must be in alignment with the receiving of those things. You cannot stand in resistance of them and receive them at the same time.”

Shortly after thinking about this, I sat down to read Daily Guidance From Your Angels for inspiration, and what words of Doreen’s did I open up to? “…People believe that they must take away from others in order to meet their needs. This is based on the belief that there’s a limited supply and competition is necessary.” That’s exactly what I was going to write about! How perfect. For many years now, I have understood that there is plenty to go around and that life flows more smoothly when we cooperate with others rather than compete, when we are happy for others when they succeed and receptive to congratulations when we are successful. After all, we are all brothers and sisters. Why wouldn’t we be happy for one another?

I used to be more competitive. Was I as pretty as my sister, Laura? As thin as my sister, Amy? As funny as Karen? It took a lot of time and effort to try and be all those things, and set me apart from the women I loved so much. When I learned to stop comparing myself to others, I was more relaxed and less stressed. Eventually my focus became even more elevated--from the ego level to the heart level. I began to wonder, was I as loving and kind, as patient and forgiving as I could be? I learned the importance of being kind and gentle with myself.

I was talking just the other day with a young woman whose dad was as sensitive and kind as could be but also highly driven. She’d learned to be hard on herself as that was the norm around her house. I explained to her that her insecurities and feelings of inadequacy were fueled by the harsh way in which she spoke to herself. She’d look in a mirror and say, “You look terrible today,” or “You need to get an A on this exam or you’re in big trouble.” I added that she’d never speak as harshly to a friend. To a friend she’d say, “You look just fine” or “As long as you do your best, whatever grade you get is okay.” I asked how those words felt instead, and she said much better. While shame and fear might keep us in line (if we’re not busy rebelling), they also make us anxious and depressed. People are like plants—they thrive when they receive the proper amounts of sunshine and water, food and tender care.

So be kind to yourself today. Treat yourself as generously as you would your best friend. Remember that we attract from others the kind of treatment we give ourselves. If we put out vibes that we love ourselves, others will sense those vibes and treat us with respect. And after all, isn’t that what we’re looking for?

Tuesday, February 28, 2012…I’ve decided to write about forgiveness today. Several years ago, I took a class with a lovely spiritual teacher. She spoke about the importance of forgiveness and asked us to write down the names of the people we forgave. As I took pen in hand, I paused. Who did I truly forgive? Two names came to mind and I wrote them down. There, that felt good. The next week, she had us do the same exercise. Remembering how good I felt the first week, I added a few more names to the list. That felt even better. By the third week, I was slap-happy—writing down names of anyone I could think of, including politicians and old lovers. It felt good to release resentments, to let go of stored hurts and grievances. I understood then how the act of forgiveness is for our own benefit.

At times, a client will tell me that they feel unable to forgive despite their desire to do so. I’ll ask them to try on the words, to say perhaps, “I’m considering the act of forgiving my father”, or “I like the idea of forgiving him”. Even as they speak, I notice a softening, a change of tone. And without fail, the act of simply trying on the cloak of forgiveness moves them closer to their goal.

Which leads me to the importance of forgiving ourselves. We all make mistakes and we all deserve forgiveness. It is essential to love and accept ourselves if we are going to be happy. But how can we love and accept ourselves if we feel undeserving of forgiveness? The worst feeling in the world is the one in which we throw ourselves in the garbage can. The best is the one in which we take ourselves out and forgive ourselves.

My boyfriend often laughs and tells me that he wakes up feeling as happy and self-accepting as I feel only after my hour of morning meditation. How fortunate he is, and how happy I am to be close to such an upbeat and positive fellow. So forgive yourself today. Write down all the things for which you would forgive yourself if you were able. Then try on the idea of doing just that. Write a second list of all the people you have grudges toward. Mine often has the same names crop up over and over again, and it’s embarrassingly long. The redeeming part is when I write, “I love and forgive…” and then write the same list of names I held a grudge towards. It is a blessed experience and never fails to uplift my day.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012…Happy Leap Year’s Day!

I remember the moment when I decided that I needed to listen more closely to my intuition. I was standing in my garage. It was a bright, sunny day and I stood back from the open door so that I would be in the comfort of the shade. I didn’t fully understand my decision at the time--I just knew that I needed to tune in more to my inner voice in order to be truer to myself.

From that day on, I accepted my intuition as a truer compass than “weighing the pro’s and con’s of making a decision”. I describe it to clients as the difference between head and heart, between knowing I can’t leave the store without that dress or thinking, hmmm, I guess that would be a good dress to add to my wardrobe. We all know the perfect dress when it pops up and we also know when we’re settling. Our intuition is just like that—it tunes in to our deepest truth and feels right down to the core.

Years ago, when my marriage ended, I was working only part time but I “saw” up ahead that I would expand my practice and double my income. I had no grounds for knowing this—I hadn’t consciously kept my practice half-time. It just seemed to stay at that despite my best efforts to attract more clients. It was a gamble to ask for what I needed financially based on the idea that I would double my income but I took it with great certainty. And I was right. I steadily received a greater number of referrals without any increased marketing and within three years more than doubled my practice and income.

Once again I am making a huge transition in my life based on my intuition, this whisper from the angels. I envision a new life—a new chapter of my life in any case—beginning for me down in Southern California, and I am gambling with confidence on this vision. I am letting go of an established psychotherapy practice and community up here to follow my dream once again.

Every once in a while, a flicker of doubt will rise to the surface. I’ll wonder how I can leave everything I love up here, how I can know that I’ll land on my feet down south. Then I will remind myself that my intuition always steers me correctly if I listen carefully, and that only after I am living each new chapter might I understand why the last had to end.

Thursday, March 1, 2012…Rabbit, Rabbit! Another month has passed…Crazy!

Earlier this week, I sensed the love and support of my parents beaming down from Heaven toward me and toward my dream of moving to Southern California. I didn’t understand why they might be encouraging me but the feeling that they were added to my confidence. That night, I had a sweet dream, sweet enough to write down at 1:30 in the morning. When I sleep, loved ones who are ordinarily separated by time and space can enter my world and come closer. My mother stepped into my world that night.

In my dream she was driving my car and I was busy telling her how to drive. She just kept smiling and doing it her way. Suddenly, she made an unexpected turn—toward the ocean. It was a beautiful day, and I was deeply grateful to be at the beach. I woke up and realized that the ocean had been one of my mother’s favorite places. As much effort as it took to make sandwiches for the nine of us and then clean up from all the sand afterwards, my mother spent as much time there as possible. So thank you, Mom, for your visit—any doubt I had that you were supporting my dream has clearly been answered. I love you!

The next morning I opened the Sugi Health and Fitness Newsletter from my Reiki Teacher and read these words: “We're already feeling the effects of the new Chinese New Year's influences in the form of the Water Dragon. A sense of adventure and expansion is infiltrating everything we do. According to the Chinese world view, a Water Dragon year is a good time for growth and change, adventure and new beginnings; reflecting kindness will heighten your rewards!”

Wow—is that appropriate for the changes happening in my life right now! I was bowled over when I read her words—more validation…Thank you, Amy!

Tonight after work, my boyfriend and I are driving down to Santa Barbara. We’ll be staying at my cousin’s home, and having dinner Friday evening with another cousin who lives nearby. She and her husband are both getting their hours toward becoming licensed therapists! What could be more perfect? Friday and Saturday we'll scope out the beach communities between Santa Barbara and Oxnard, as well as Ventura. My son just finished midterms so he'll come along for the adventure! I know I’ll have loads to tell you when I return on Tuesday! Take care until then...Lisa Ann

Tuesday, March 6, 2012…I was right—I have so much to tell you! Before I begin, I’d like to back up…Driving to work before I left for Santa Barbara last week, I had a sudden dip in confidence—a moment of sheer panic about what I was considering. Before my feelings could fully kick, I looked up and noticed the words written in large letters on the back of the truck in front of me. “Dream It…Live It…”, and as if that wasn’t enough, above the words was a picture of a beach! I laughed out loud. I’ve read about “signs” that people receive from above--I’d just received one.

By 7:30 that evening, my boyfriend and I were comfortably settled in the quiet of the car. The roads were busy until Salinas where we stopped for a bite to eat. From there it was clear sailing down to San Louis Obisbo. By then it was approaching midnight. We pulled off the road into a Best Western right on the ocean and listened to the surf as we fell asleep. By 11 the next morning, we were in Santa Barbara. We ran into Whole Foods to pick up a few groceries and have a bite to eat before heading over to my cousin’s. He and his wife were out of town but had reminded me how to turn off the alarm system. I was pleased when his instructions worked. My boyfriend was kind enough to turn around and drive the short distance back to UCSB to pick up my son after his last class for the weekend. I got to putter around and soak up the quiet of the afternoon. Oh, yes—I got to start today’s post to you, too!

That afternoon the three of us drove down the coast together. The ride was beautiful and we discovered that the distance to the town of Ventura from my cousin’s house—an important landmark for me—was an easy twenty-five minutes. We turned around after a little exploring along the water to head back for an early dinner with my other set of cousins and their three month old cherub. Their one bedroom apartment was cozy and inviting, and the conversation warm and open. I told them I’d be back in a month at my cousin’s invitation, and would have them over “our way” then.

The next morning, we were back in the car by 10—not bad, huh? We went directly to Oxnard this time and while there was a lovely beach community, the town held little appeal for us with one exception—a Whole Foods opening there in the fall! We drove back to Ventura. This time we went a block or two inland from the ocean and discovered Main Street—and the row of interesting shops (one devoted solely to angel décor!) and yummy looking restaurants we’d been hoping for. We had a delicious lunch and walked up and down the blocks afterward, enjoying the history of the place as well as the people. Just above town were a slew of apartments we felt we could happily call home. We also discovered two beautifully maintained Victorian houses with offices for therapists and a Healing Practitioner listed! A fellow came out just then and introduced himself as the caretaker of the buildings. Now I call that good timing--another sign from above? He encouraged me to call the landlord on Tuesday—I have his number tucked into my purse.

And by the way, the official name of Ventura is Buenaventura…Town of Good Fortune!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012…Happy Birthday, Emily!

I went to bed early Sunday night after our drive home from Santa Barbara. The next morning, I felt afraid, wondering how I'd manage all the goodbyes if I moved. I quickly assured myself that I would be fine. Then I remembered that affirming the positive in the future keeps it up ahead. Louise Hay ends many of her affirmations in You Can Heal Your Life with the sentence, “All is well in my world.” I sat and read angel pages until I was able to truly affirm that all is well in my world.

When we were children, we trusted that all was well and that our needs would be met. Perhaps some of us moved into fear as we grew up. Perhaps we absorbed the fear of those around us. Perhaps we even let it hold us back. “Feel the fear and do it anyway” is a powerful expression. The only thing holding me back now from moving forward is fear--but just because I no longer live with parents who take care of me doesn’t mean I am alone. I have parents up in Heaven who watch over me as well as angels and other loving spirits. I am on this journey to live joyously and to inspire others to do the same. So not only am I going to think positively but I am going to live with trust and faith that all the details I need taken care of to make this move a success will fall into place.

Last week, I had the opportunity to use my new found courage to support a client who is facing unemployment shortly. She recently enrolled in school to become a massage therapist. Toward the end of our session together, she began to question the wisdom of her decision. I encouraged her to trust in her dream. I told her about my Stay Positive blog and the gamble I am taking in planning to relocate. She sat up straighter and began to share a story. I could tell it was the kind I’d want to share here, and asked if I might copy down her words to put in my blog. She agreed enthusiastically and began again. She asked, “Did I tell you the story of my son when he was a little boy wanting to ride in a plane? I was a single parent and didn’t have the means. I told him I didn’t have the money for that but that he should make a wish and a mock-up.” I stopped her and asked, “A mock up?” She answered, “The story of what you want. I told him hook it up to the Supreme Being and I bet you’ll get it!” In my chair, I was squirming. That’s a lot to promise a kid. But she went on. “Two weeks later I met a man who was the friend of the woman who watched my children. He was…a pilot! I told him my son wanted to ride in a plane and he took him up the very next day!” She concluded, “That is one of my favorite stories. It’s inspirational.” She sat quietly for a minute, reflecting, before she went on, “Now I need to trust and follow the same advice that I gave my son as I reach for my dreams.” How true! What a fortunate boy to have had a mother who believed in his dreams—and what a smart mother to have learned so much from her son's innocence and faith!

If my client is reading this post, she will be happy to read today’s follow-up from our formerly unemployed mother of two who recently scored the job at her children’s school working with special ed kids. She sent a lovely text that I received permission to share with you. She wrote, “Just wanted to let you know how much I looove my new job! I actually look forward to going everyday”.

Isn’t that great? Not only is she re-employed but at a job she loves! More “Good, Great and Wonderful News…”

Thursday, March 8, 2012…Happy Birthday, Joe and Sam!

Tuesday morning, I called the number for the landlord of the building I’m interested in renting office space from in Ventura. A woman answered the phone and said I had the wrong number. I decided to call the Healing Practitioner instead who rents space in the building. It seemed like a nice opportunity to connect with her and get the number I needed at the same time. I reached her right away and was delighted how warm and receptive she was. She gave me the landlord’s number and told me that she is very happy in the building. The number she gave me was the same number I’d dialed earlier but this time he answered. Maybe this was the Universe’s way of getting me to connect with Rosa…(I even like her name). The landlord was also warm and friendly, and we made a date to meet in a month, on Friday, March 30^th at 11:30 in the morning. My boyfriend and I were already planning another Thursday night drive down—this time on Highway 5. I texted Rosa to let her know of my success reaching the landlord—and invited her to join my boyfriend and me for lunch afterwards! She said yes! Won’t that be fun?

I spent an hour on my yoga mat afterward in meditation and asana, and when I was done, I had come to the idea of waiting until the end of August to close my practice in Walnut Creek, and the beginning of September to reopen in Ventura. My mother used to say that autumn seemed like a natural time for the Jewish New Year, a time of change and new beginnings. The end of summer would allow me to be around when my son is home for summer break, and have time to say my goodbyes and do everything necessary to move. The list of things to do in order to move is growing by the minute…

That night I shared my thoughts with my boyfriend. When he agreed with them, it was settled. I sent an e-mail before I went to bed to those in charge at my synagogue informing them of my plans. This was an important community to begin the goodbyes with if I was going to move. The next morning, responses began coming in. Each one tugged at my heartstrings. Everyone expressed support for my move as well as sadness that I will be leaving. I wrote back to each with gratitude, and reminded myself that even good things come to an end—and that an adventure is waiting for me up ahead that I will miss unless I reach for it.

So it’s decided. Just like that. Gently and with no great bang. Little by little I’ve been inching closer to the idea over the last two years. With the help of this blog, my dream is coming into being. You’re watching it unfold. And if I can make my dreams come true, so can you!

Friday, March 9^th, 2012…I grew up in a family where we said yes when we meant no and pushed ourselves to give and do when we may have wanted to stop and rest. It’s taken me a long time to listen to my heart and soul, and respect my needs. Last night I was sitting with a client who was telling me how anxious she felt about an upcoming party that she had no interest in going to. It was far away from home with people she didn’t enjoy and would detract from her need over the weekend to rest and nurture herself after a busy week at work. She told me proudly how she had already let her husband know that she wanted to be home by 10 pm—in the past, she would have stayed later and fretted quietly. I let her know that was great. Despite setting that boundary, though, she still dreaded the evening. I looked at her and asked if she might listen more closely to her needs. Her husband was excited about seeing his friends and family, and might understand if she lovingly encouraged him to go and stay as late as he wanted while she stayed at home and took care of herself. I could see my client relaxing as she listened to my words and the possibility of letting herself off the hook.

I have watched this client take better and better care of herself over the past year. She went from staying late at work every night and skipping lunch breaks to going home at five with everyone else and leaving her desk for an hour at lunch to walk around and stretch her legs. She feels more productive when she returns to her desk, and is less exhausted when she returns home every night. She seems happier and healthier all around.

She also told me last night that she is practicing greater non-judgementalness. When she is driving, for example, she is less reactive to the drivers whom she considers “rude” on the road whereas in the past she might have been fuming. I asked her if she would consider taking her practice one step further. I suggested she might see the less courteous drivers as simply rushed or perhaps stressed, and have compassion for them. She liked the idea and said she would try that. I could see her writing her assignment for herself in her small notebook.

We deserve happiness. We are just like kids who wake up wondering what the day holds that will be fun and enlivening. When my son was little, you could absolutely not get him to do what he didn’t want to do. It wasn’t a conscious behavior on his part. He didn’t say, I’m going to be stubborn and dig my heels in. It was as if his whole being just couldn’t get with the program if it held no appeal for him. He had a great inner compass. We all do—he just listened to his. What if we each listened to our own? What if we each stayed true to our needs? Can you imagine how much more of a peaceful world we would create if each of us was more content? I used to fret about how to let go of the obligations—like the party my client described--that steered me away from happiness. Now I trust that if I simply set my sights on it, I can easily live a life that brings me fulfillment and that in turn inspires others to do the same.

Saturday, March 10, 2012...Surprise! My new blogsite is up and running! Goodbye, Hubpages! Hello StayPositiveBlog.com ... See you there!