Birthdays!!!

Birthdays!!!
I guess we all know the importance of birthdays because it’s such a big deal—and for the most part, if we’re not here--we don’t get one! Unless of course, you are George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King or Jesus! For the rest of us however, we usually mark the occasion with cake, balloons, ice cream and (at least at my house) a poorly, but sincere rendition of “Happy Birthday” always sung off key! For some of us, it is a time, it seems, that we’ve endured and survived the physical plane another calendar year . . . yet, perhaps it is really a time to feel our vitality, energy and resurgence and that there is meaning to being here! After all, we chose to be here at this moment in time and maybe for a moment, we should reflect on our meaning, mission and purpose? As we blow out our candles, ask yourself, “How am I doing against my mission?” Or “What am I doing here?” and after the candle smoke clears, “Am I truly looking for who I am on this earth, and what I want out of it?” The experience here can be anything we want it to be. So with a different view and different sense of what marking your birth is all about—and in the midst’s of celebration we can reflect for a moment and tell ourselves; Be all you can be—it’s a wondrous journey! Now, let’s get set for another one!
Happy Birthday Sally Baldwin—for the soul who helps so many understand their path—their mission and their journey!

Soul Relationships In Everyday Life

In a recent copy of Parade Magazine, I read about the long successful relationship between Susan and Jeff Bridges. Celebrated and admired in Hollywood because of so many marriages that dissolve right in front of us--seen on the pages of People, US or other tabloids displayed in every supermarket country wide. On the other hand, after 20+ years together, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins have called it quits. Why do some relationships flourish and others deteriorate? It happened in my own life and I often envy those that are truly last. But what is really beneath the surface, and can we explain this on the spiritual level?

Well, the answer is yes. Many things unrecognized and unseen by most are at work with every relationship, every connection, and every encounter we experience, even though we may see and consider it all random. Nothing is random in the universe and some relationships which appear so unconnected are really more connected than our human selves realize or will ever fully understand.

There are many formal and informal soul relationships. Each has a certain flavor or character to them. The one between the Bridges is called a “monad”. In fact, they share a “Love” Monad. According to the Michael teaching’s, monads are usually played out over several lifetimes until the lesson is complete. In a love monad, the two, in this case Susan and Jeff Bridges, have been together and have experienced every other monad relationship and are therefore able to achieve agape towards each other. (Ah—at last!)

If we take a peek at the soul relationship Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins share; it is major karma. Karma is what they came together for and their experience together has been completed! It is not good or bad, it just is— when karma is “created” it must be experienced in both directions –in some life in order that balance can be restored. I like to say, we have to experience both sides of the coin. And, this is the lifetime many karmic relationships are being completed.

What about others? Patrick Swayze and Lisa are Soul Mates, Mikhail and Raisa Gorbuchev are Essence Twins. So are Paul and Linda McCartney! The President Barack and Michelle are Task Companions . . . What are yours? If you care to know, my dear friend Sally Baldwin, medium and channel can certainly find the answer. It is an awesome experience and one that will forever change the way you see and view relationships with others!

We All Need a Village

Steve Baldwin, artist and co-creator of the Dying to Live Again Foundation talks about the Village. He is referring to the sense of community, not the legal definition defined by Wikipedia or on the pages of some legal document. In the past, the sense of community spawned from clan, a tribe, or an extended family and served as sounding board, caretaker, advisor and mentor. Yet given the characteristics of modern society including the movement away from our childhood homes and relatives, our village begins to looks much different now. Perhaps it is time we shift and seriously consider that we are all of the One—and in spite of our shared interests or lack thereof, our perceptions on life or our nerdy colleague or wacky neighbors—the question becomes, how do we connect with our tribe and reach out in support and love to another?
This is a blog not a thesis paper, but let me throw a few things out worth pondering.
It is easy to check on our best friends, but I challenge you to call upon someone—whomever—that immediately comes to mind and offer a kind word—a trip to the grocery store or 15 minutes of your time, understanding and love. (All it may be for you is a hand-wave to a neighbor.) We need to shift from having to being—a reprioritization of our values—which seems to be happening at a very subtle level. Just like the pebble tossed into the pond, the ripples which energetically are sent out across the pond change the dynamics when lives are touched. Shifts begin and are sent to each other whether we know of the act of kindness or not. This transformation does not occur by replacing one limited circle with another, instead, it stretches us to reach out to another just like explorers and pioneers in an unexplored, untapped potential. This time it is with one another. Drop your fear, and use your intuition and instinct and begin to create your own unique village by lending time, service, and understanding to another.

Butterfly: Symbols and Signs from the Otherside

Butterflies always seem to create a strong emotional response. Just by their beauty and graceful flight they attract our attention. Sometimes, appearing to simply float through the garden and other times as a symbol to someone we have loved, and is no longer on this physical plane. The importance of spirit’s timing cannot be under estimated. Just when our thoughts drift to a wishing or a longing a butterfly finds its way into our sight. The believers all know that “grandma” was just here to wish us well—and to let us know she is fine. Naysayers simply call it nonsense. (Although, it difficult for me to understand why anyone would want to go through life looking only for what seemed to be the rational and the reasonable.) But, for those who will believe the magic and mystery, spirit is as real as the colors and symmetry the butterfly displays. We could even suppose for those doubters that perhaps the message is as factual as the insects own transformation. For who would suppose the lonely caterpillars’ rebirth would be a “badly decoded message “or symbol for us too!

But why wait? There is no need to wait until we transition to the Otherside to make that leap! You don’t have to be someone who follows what we all follow; the journey is yours. You have permission to soar. In terms of your own sense of what spirit is about, all you need to know is there is more than what you are adding up the parts to be: that is enough. And of course, the butterfly reminds us of this.

Even the most majestic bird doesn’t hold the mystery and majesty of the simple butterfly. For it is the vibrant color. It is the lightness. It is the texture of the velvet. It is the beautiful transformation that goes on from one part of its being to another. That is why it holds such a truth and such a strong resilient signal to all of us in human form. It gives us that recognition that if this can be the case, then it can be the case for all of us. You don’t have to wait for yourself to die. You don’t have to wait for the transition of another. Just notice what the butterfly is all about. Recognize you are a butterfly. You hold that magic inside of you. Author, Richard Bach once said, ‘What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly’. So, take that butterfly—and let others know—it is a signal and sign for them. They hold the magic and majesty of the butterfly that is within them, and they don’t have to wait until they die to discover it.

Haiti Earthquake

So what has the latest crisis got to do with spirituality? We have seen the suffering and hardship not once, but many times befall this small nation in the Caribbean. All the major networks have their reporters on the island sharing the devastation of befallen buildings while the dead lay side by side on sidewalks;causalities from this impressive earthquake. On a very human side, the world has thankfully joined together--laying aside our differences and focusing instead on an outpouring of love--accepted with love and gratitude by their President.

So many levels, meanings and things elude us in our human condition, but all eyes focused on Haiti certainly will have a measurable effect within our hearts as we join and thus our shift as human beings becomes unmistakable. And love, which is perhaps our soul's true mission on the earth plane, is often overlooked, deemed unimportant and insignificant by most that have no problem casting judgment on the homeless on our streets. So, it seems to take something of this magnitude (pun intended) to make us all stop; question, ponder, and ask why? What is the bigger spiritual picture? Can we view this situation differently and make sense of what we see broadcast into our homes over this natural event called earthquake?

So I present it here . . . a very different perspective. Not to take away from the compassion and empathy surrounding this situation, but to suggest that we each incarnate to earth for different feelings, different experiences, and yes, different events that seem to cataclysmic. To recognize and know that there are moments where souls clearly together and on mass take themselves to another dimension. Again, this is not something that we should judge, but entertain, that the idea of transitioning and transitioning in such numbers with others in the collective and of our energy force has a power that we cannot fully understand and that there is something else going on here. We must acknowledge the grander sense of who they are. For when souls are able to go together--a feeling of being a part of something of great significance and relating to the whole universe as their spirits leave this plane.

This is not something we easily understand or accommodate in our minds, but it is indeed something worth thinking about and pondering. These grand and glorious souls are doing something for the larger collective and we should give them credit. We must be acquainted with this so that we can step forward and begin to think differently. To assess these events differently is important as we bring our wondrous love and compassion for each other, not merely to dismiss the event as catastrophic, but as a wondrously divine, honorable, timely and energetic transition for the benefit of all.

The Holiday-Side of a Channel . . .

Sally Baldwin, channel, medium and psychic is also a mother, wife, sister and wonderful friend. Last week, at Sally and Steve’s home in South Florida, was a small gathering—just for fun—to enjoy the season—the boat parade and the companionship of others. There was plenty of delicious food; veggies and dips—chicken wings—and nibbles. The weather was blustery, but for the most part cooperative and the rain held at bay. The 100+ boats that paraded down the inter-coastal waterway were all decked out for the holiday season and most definitely reflected their names and owners’ in personality and decorative style. From the modest, simplistic and traditional to the loud, flamboyant and flashy each proudly sailed to welcome and celebrate the 2009 holiday season!

Our Loved-Ones are Always Around Us!

To know and realize that our loved ones are always around us—even after suffering a great loss—the death of your child—is truly a miracle. But miracles do happen, if we are willing, and open up to a more universal expanded viewpoint. Maybe things are not as they seem? (At least for us who have grown up in the United States believing the memes of our culture.)

Knowing our loved ones are not only fine, but always around us, AND we can communicate with them, can shift even the deepest and most profound grief. By opening up to such beliefs and thoughts heals one and allows one to step back into a vibrant and purposeful life, able to make a difference not only for themselves, but as a living example to others!

With those thoughts, I share a quick email; send by one of our Mothers who attended the Parent-Child retreat in Sun Valley, Idaho. It was a miracle that occurred that third week in October, and Carol’s words express her healing!

The Jewish tradition for Passover is quite astute when one sets a place for Elijah at the table as a symbolic gesture—and another from the table goes to the door, opens it, to invite him in. Perhaps Elijah’s energy is already there, and if so, we can use this symbolic gesture for anyone—physical or not! All we have to do, is “open the door” and let them in!

Dear Sally and Steve,

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful like both of you!! This was

the first holiday since Mikey's accident that I did not cry. Prior to

the retreat, I always "thought" that Mikey was with me. I hoped and

prayed that he was with me! This holiday I KNEW ,without a doubt, he

was with me the whole day!!!!! Totally different! So unbelievably

amazing beyond words! You all have changed my life forever. What you

have taught me is a gift beyond gifts! Thank you with my whole heart

and soul to both of you and Sophie!

Love and peace to you,

Carol

P.S. Go Vikings!!!

I saw Nancy over the holiday when she was in Minnesota visiting her

cousins. It was so great to see her!

Healing from Loss

“If you have been following Sally Baldwin’s Blog—you know the Parent-Child Reunion took place in Sun Valley, Idaho the third weekend in October. It was a retreat for seven mothers who had recently lost a child. The healing that took place was a miracle—and I wanted to share a couple comments this morning that the Foundation received as well as a picture of the joyful faces the last evening of the retreat!

“I am one of the special moms who has just returned from the Momchild Retreat with Sally and Steve. God bless them and all of you who are a part of this special journey."

"All of the Sun Valley Sisters have been in touch via e-mail every single day. You are in our hearts. We'll never let you 2 forget us!!!"

It is hard to express in words the transformation that happened over those three and one-half days. And I think the most important thing to realize is that our perception and awareness can facilitate in healing—a moving forward. Please don’t misunderstand, nothing can replace the physical third dimensional presence of your son or daughter—or significant loved one. For that we are forever grateful and cherish those memories, unconditional love and special bond that takes its shape in our very physical world as human beings—but to connect with your children who exist now as spirit brought such joy and replaced that hopelessness, lonely, lost and sorrowful place that resided within their hearts. In subtle shifting ways, each Mother began to realize their greater purpose—their divine mission—and the importance of their life and the message to share with others.

This gift resides in us all. Our ability to connect with our loved ones—their soul—that eternal piece of us that is always alive—whether we are here in physical form or not. What was the secret? It just takes being open to the possibility—like the Radio and Television signals—or like the internet today. We can’t see the wireless signal, but when we turn on our computer—we can connect to the Universe! And, so you can connect with your loved ones as well. The miracle is in the belief—as it was for these special Mothers in Sun Valley—ask them for yourself—or not—you can see it in their faces!

Connection to Spirit & Loved One is Just Believing

Sally Baldwin is a gifted medium. And her connection is not hers alone. It is shared with many and another seven women have learned that they too can connect—channel —with their loved and dearly missed children. It is not crazy. It is not far-fetched. And it is not for the gifted. It is for the open-minded! Not why, but why not Jerry Adler?
I recently read a Newsweek review by Jerry Adler on Dinesh D’Souza new book, Life After Death: The Evidence. I have not read the book and have no comment on his book—except to say—that the crack in the sidewalk grows a little bigger whenever someone tackles the subject of death and our outdated belief that we possess no connection. Brian Weiss, Dr. Jane Greer and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross among many others bring strong evidence to the contrary. Perhaps, we can compare this to a great athlete. Athletes absolutely know when something works. We live in a world where scientists are always a step behind the cutting edge of what athletes know from experience. Athletes often discover what works 15 or 20 years before science “proves it.”
Maybe our connection with the Otherside and our departed loved ones is similar? Perhaps, the worlds’ belief can expand enough to open themselves up to the possibility that the mind-body-soul connection is stronger than it has ever been. The signs from our loved ones sending up “smoke” signals to announce to us that they are “alive and well”, just existing in non-physical state or other dimension just outside of our physical reality. And actually, for a man that is in the throes of such grief himself (on losing his son Max)—shame on him. Who said spirit cannot exist right beside us and is not in some distant faraway place that reads like an old fairy tale? Maybe the days are dissipating, as we shift to a less-dense human being, open to the possibility of our eternal nature? It took humanity 3000 years to discover the button hole— that the button was not just for ornamental purpose—will we struggle with our connection to our departed loved ones for just as long? To some it would seem so—for others, there is no doubt. Connection to Spirit is just believing.