Today,  I was determined to go on a morning walk with my dogs to burn off some stress, connect with God, and see if I could find any messages speaking to me.  Well I heard a beautiful bird sing a little song, so I gave thanks to the bird and to God.  Then I continued on the walk our puppy, Bear is a German Shepard mix and at four months of age, he reminds me to find the fun in all you do!  Our other dog, Max is a Boarder Collie/Schnauzer mix and at twelve mature years, he knows the ropes and does not really enjoy Bears antics, in fact he thinly tolerates them.

Next thing to draw my eye was a beautiful cardinal, then I heard a lovely coo, and there was a dove in the next tree.  That seemed like a wonderful sign, I also caught a glimpse of a nest in the same tree, then I looked again.  "Hey, wait a minute!" I thought as the nest had eyes...well, what do you know that nest is really a cat!  It got me to thinking, was the cat there because of my two pups motivating it to higher and safer ground?  Or was it self-motivation to have a little birdie breakfast?  Well one thing I do know for certain is things are not always as they seem, and especially if something does not "sit right" before responding, take a minute to back up and look at the big picture, many times the story is rather different than what we saw at first glance.  I thanked God for my simple but profound lesson and went happily along my way looking for more good in my day!

Both of my children Jacob, now 11 and Rachel, now 8 were diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis four years ago, neither my husband or I have anyone, that we know of, on either side of our family with the life threatening disease, so it has been a small adjustment with treatments twice and sometimes three times daily to keep the airwaves open and children breathing easily. 

The children had just returned from a few days in the hospital for a “tune-up” and I was doing the last leg at home of IV antibiotics to help boost their immunity.  So I will share with you last night as I was tucking in my daughter for bed.  Rachel started coughing, and I thought she was going to be ill.  She looked terribly worried, I was closing off the IV antibiotic drip line for the night.  She saw a little blood on her stomach (it rubbed off from the drip during the transition).  So I called the doc to see everything was ok.  Then we prayed over her, she and I asked Jesus to lovingly wrap his healing arms around her and heal her.  This seemed to calm her down and she went to sleep.  

The next morning we read a bit from the Bible, and Jesus was saying for us to say "I trust you Jesus" in everything that happens.  I told her she could always talk to Jesus and listen, he will respond.  Then she got upset and said, "I do talk, but he never, ever answers me!"  I said, “Well, it won't necessarily sound like our voices, it may be you get a message dropped into your mind and are able to understand it... that is how it happens for me.”  Then she said, "Oh, I get that ... last night they told me I was ok, and I was not going to die."  I was a little shocked and asked “What made you think that you were going to die?” she told me she thought she was coughing up blood.  Then she went on to say she had asked Jesus to forgive her for those times in anger she said she wished she were in Heaven, and said she realized she is not really ready to go yet!  I explained the blood on her tummy had rubbed off from the pic line, we cleaned it up and I had not thought a thing more of it.  It all came clear, she thought the blood came from her cough, and thought she was dying...either Jesus or her Angel told her she was fine and she was going to live through this...and now she knows she gets guidance in the messages! This was one of the biggest blessings I could ever have prayed for in her life, to truly understand she is not alone and she knows she gets the messages.   

Health Care – Lavender, the must have in your medicine (travel) kit!

Essential oils are one of nature’s best kept secrets with one hundred times the potency of a dried herb.  It is great for burn treatments and scalds.  Lavender oil is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and detoxifier which promotes healing and prevents scarring.  It actually stimulates the cells of the wound to regenerate more quickly.  We just got a German Shepard puppy and while we were playing he accidentally scratched my face.  It really stung and to my horror looking in the mirror I had a three inch red angry scratch from beside the top of my nose to my mouth!  My first impulse was pour on the lavender!  Thankfully, it was the very best thing to do, one week later it is barely noticeable, I just keep applying directly to the area morning and evening.  Not only is the scent soothing to me, but all those around me.  We just finished Christmas break and I can tell you a wee bit of calming for my delightful children was appreciated as well. 

I must confess I have had a mini love affair with essential oils for quite some time as they are natural and amazingly good ways to heal what ails you without loading up on “toxic toddies” or your average over the counter medicine (otc).  If I have a headache or am having trouble falling asleep, Lavender does the trick, but it is also amazing for bee stings and insect bites.  If you had a blemish, Lavender can make it go down, it will even reduce scars, truly!  There are eight hundred essential oil properties, which means it is the “go to oil”.  The only exceptions would be for pregnant and those with low blood pressure, they should use in low dilutions due to the Narcotic-like properties.  I was told the other day to put a drop of lavender into my new mascara upon opening to keep the germs at bay that can gather in the container, what a great tip!  I find it refreshing to be able to take one ingredient and get so very many varied uses, it really is the gift that keeps giving.  If you wanted your car to smell fresh, just put a dab of Lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and stick it under your seat, you instantly have a fresh smelling car without the nasty toxins of some over the counter deodorizers.  If this is new to you, give it a try, you will be glad you did.

The Wonders of Frankincense

                                        The wonders of Frankincense

It is now Christmas season, which is near and dear to my heart.  I thought since essential oils play such a big part in my life with the amazing healing properties I would share with you the benefits of Frankincense oil, as it has been around a very long time and is one of the oils brought to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men.  It comes from tree resin and has a balsamic spicy very strong scent. 

Frankincense is known to reduce stretch marks, however it should not be used WHILE pregnant.  Apply to your stretch marks after delivering your delightful bundle of joy!  It is good for uterine health also known for helping to heal scars and help in labor delivery.  This amazing oil really packs a punch of goodness, as it is known to lower blood pressure too.

You would be remiss if you neglected to pack it in your first aid kit because it is effective as an antiseptic and it also reduces stress.  Who wouldn't like a little stress relief as their injury is being treated?  It is also known as the essence of antiquity.  It is touted for helping wounds to heal faster.

It cures symptoms associated with menstrual syndrome, helps with acne and pimples, and it is said to help relieve the pain of rheumatism and arthritis! 

Not only is it known for boosting your immune system, it can bring relief from bronchitis, shortness of breath and aide for the congestion from sinus tract and lungs.  As a mother of two children with Cystic Fibrosis, this is indeed good news, especially in the cold and flu season.

But wait, there is more, Frankincense throws on it’s super-hero cape and improves digestion, helps with diarrhea has anti-aging properties it even helps with wrinkles and to top it all off it helps to protect from premature loss of hair and teeth.  WOW!  That is a super essential oil in my book and one I will not leave home without!

On a Psychological–Emotional level it can help with relieving anxiety, nervous tension, stress, obsessive thinking and is recommended in meditation for focusing.  If you have a client dealing with fears, nightmares or even depression this can be of assistance too.  So if you’re looking for a little something for the person who has everything, perhaps Frankincense oil is it!  
organicfacts.net and Aromatherapy by Valerie Gennari Cooksley

Last night was Date Night!

Amy Grant and John W Smith came to Dallas for the Christmas concert, so my husband heard my little “HINTS” (5-6 not so subtle “casual mentioning” they were coming to town and I would LOVE to see them.)  It was a fabulous concert, probably twenty thousand people in attendance and the loving energy was palpable.  This little outing, I utilized many skills I teach my clients to use to more fully enjoy their life experiences.

In the Dallas are there are roughly six million people, so when going out traffic conditions must be considered.  There was a little voice (Divine guidance, intuition, whatever you want to call it) telling me to dial into the Garamond to ensure a smooth trip to the concert.  I asked Thomas if he wanted me to dial it in and unlike before having the cool tool, he agreed and we were mighty thankful.  The last three minutes of the trip had about ten turns, which could have been much trickier without the guidance.  Tip #1 Honor your intuition, it is there to help you and it really does work, when you listen and act on the Divine guidance!  On our outing I had the chance to utilize my intuition and visualize our successful and timely arrival, in all honesty we had a light hypnotic experience as this is the same way we traveled last year at the same time when our children were in the hospital.  Same drive, totally different feeling traveling the road, grateful both times, but in different ways.

Due to our late departure and the unknown traffic element our meal plan was modified.  Tip #2 Things do not always go as planned, be flexible a better opportunity may show itself or it could be the reminder to help you plan better next time, either way savor the experience.   This provided us an opportunity to make the best choice in the situation and make note to plan accordingly next time.  I actually asked my husband if he thought they might all have the same fried food and just be using different signs, he didn’t think I was right on that one.  So I chose the one thing that was not fried, a burger, ate only half the bread and only nibbled on it, I am thankful I have a cast iron constitution. 

With the help of the navigator, we were almost an hour early for the concert so we explored and enjoyed people watching, soaking in being together, enjoying one another’s company sans our darling children.  We thought it was time to get to our seats, and saw an elevator with our section numbers on it so we got in.  The lady asked where we were going.  I replied “up?” then she brusquely asked to see our tickets and informed us our tickets were for the GROUND floor.  I thanked her for the directions, and said it was really nice to meet her, wished her a Merry Christmas and exited the elevator to find our seats.  My response was not to be smart, but reminded me of when my daughter was 5 years old, at the eye doc and he asked “which can you see better?”  She swiftly said “the clear one”.   Tip #3 Take some time to get lost, you will have some of your best fun when it is unscheduled and flowing, it is OK to make mistakes, and sometimes that is how the best thought/product is invented.  Enjoy the journey.

The lady on my right was looking on her cell phone DURING the concert, she may not have been interested, but she was distracting and rude with the bright screen.  So I prayed to have all my focus be on the concert, then she was nothing more than a mosquito on the windshield.  Tip #4 We CHOOSE how we respond in life.  Is the incident going to ruin your night, or are you willing to immerse yourself into what you ARE enjoying, the choice is always yours.  Nobody does anything to you that you do not invite.  Choose Gratitude, not Attitude.

Leaving the concert, you could see the shift in people’s energy.  Where they had been content and anticipating before the concert now after they looked satisfied and joyful having shared in the songs.  It was really nice to see the Christian spirit prevail as people paused to let others out of the aisle, and it continued in the parking garage.  For being such a huge venue the American Airlines Center knows how to move people, in great numbers, rather efficiently.  Tip #5 It takes a minute to be considerate, be a team player and create feelings of joy, taking the time to do so is a small investment with a big dividend.  Getting frustrated and angry in traffic only robs you of a happy countenance.  Taking the high road makes you feel better, the Golden Rule was in effect, people were treating others as they wished to be treated and it felt great!!

Going to the concert with my husband involved planning, utilizing available tools, being flexible, acting upon intuitive guidance, enjoying the journey, choosing gratitude, not attitude and lifting others up, my career path is to be a Hypnotherapy Life Coach and being able to apply any daily experience into usable data and relating stories will always get more understanding and true learning more than any lecture could.  

The story of my standing lamps

•  Choose an inanimate object in your work-space. 
• Write a blog about the following:
• What is the story of this object?
• Imagine it sitting next to another object of its kind but of much better or much worse quality:
•  What is it thinking about that other object?
•  How does it feel being compared to it?
•   Now, what advice would this object give you if it could talk?
•  Post the URL to your blog entry 

My object is a standing lamp, the kind with a light directed to the ceiling and the middle of the lamp is a neck to allow better desk reading or chair reading.  As it so happens, I have just re-arranged my furniture and have two lamps about 2’ apart, to see which lamp I like better aesthetically, and practically for the light provided and the heat put off.  Then I realize I would be remiss if I did not explain the features of my two lamps so you could share in my decision process.  One of them is what my husband calls “an old friend”.  This lamp has been with me since before I married but never fails me, well for the most part.  We have moved across the country a few times in the last 7 years, starting in Reno, Nevada we moved to Cary, North Carolina, then two years later to Goodyear Arizona, then two years later to Midlothian, Virginia and now we are in Plano, Texas, you may wonder what this matters, but the significance is in the wear and tear on my “old friend” the art deco looking lamp.  She is a nice sliver color with gold accents.  She stands tall but over the years, her top globe as become a little less sturdy, some might even say wobbly, and after being lit for a few hours, if you want to re position her prepare to be swift or find a pot holder to avoid the burn.  Sure, this might spell less than energy efficient to some, but she still works well and does not require those expensive hard to install line like bulbs, you know the ones I speak of, right?  

My silver beauty has been a favorite, but along the way we picked up Black beauty.  She is not of the same ilk as Silver, but I believe her efforts to light up a room clearly outshine Silver, and though I will not be parting with Silver, she will be tastefully positioned in a place where she will not need to be moved or re-arranged, simply turned on and off for illumination purposes only.  Silver would feel a place of honor as my daughter delights in reading and Silver provides a beautiful reading light which will truly be cherished by my Rachel.  My daughter’s room will be the perfect spot for Silver and Black Beauty, perhaps an Ikea treasure, most likely found at a thrift store will continue to shine her light on me as I work at my desk, churning out my best work in a well- lit and very happy, bright atmosphere, free of eye strain allowing me to be all that I can be, teamwork at its best.  If Black beauty could speak she would be thanking me for the opportunity and telling me she really won’t let me down.  I would reassure her I have all the confidence in the world in her and am quite confident she is more than up to the job and I am looking forward to spending quality time with her.  She is utilized and appreciated, and I am given the benefit of an attractive, newer “friend” to help light my pathway as I travel on my scholastic path.

My lamps, much like myself are secure in their abilities, choosing to build one another up instead of criticizing and tearing each other down.  They understand there is an abundance in the Universe and plenty of time, space and room for all, just finding their niche. Being spiritually minded Silver Beauty and Black Beauty understand whereas they technically do provide the same function, it is in slightly different ways and knowing they are both well used & appreciated they are fine with the comparison, now they will see our home from a new vantage point, doing the same thing in a different way to get a better result is exactly what we are doing.  The advice given to me would be remember to pray before starting your work to keep on a focused and positive path and for my daughter, please listen to your mom, when she says lights out, turn me off and we can go at it again tomorrow after you are well rested and ready to embrace the day with love and light in your heart.

Marcia Secrest Bio

Marcia Secrest             Hypnotherapy & Life Coach

Marcia Secrest was born into this world with God given intuition and a wonderfully positive outlook.  Over the years she has had many premonitions; she sees them as God whispering in her ear, as a “heads-up” so she is prepared.  In her sophomore year of high school she had a recurring vision of her mother being injured, the night before it happened she begged her mom to call in sick, but her mother insisted it was “all in her head” and she would be perfectly fine.  Well, unfortunately her mother was seriously injured by a patient (she was a senior psychiatric nurse at the Mental Health Hospital) the patient hit her mother in the head and sent her flying; she landed 10 feet away on her head, on the institutional floor.  This was not a good thing, at all.  Her mother was then in and out of the hospital and actually “technically” died, went to the white light saw loved ones, but they told her to go back, saying it was not time, her daughters needed her.  So she came back to much pain for many years.  Though the younger of two daughters her mother instructed Marcia to take over the house and make sure things ran smoothly, as “your father will be a mess and your sister won’t know what to do.”  So she took over and made it come together. 

 Many years later, she married Thomas and they were blessed with two wonderful children, when their youngest daughter was four, she went to the doctor with a bad cold and ended up with a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF), they checked the older brother who was 7 at the time, just because he was there, no overt symptoms and he too had Cystic Fibrosis!!  Not one person on either side of their families had ever been diagnosed with CF to their knowledge.  Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a respiratory disease and is considered life threatening.  Marcia has approached this news like the rest of her life asking “what can I do to make it better?”   

More importantly, though all the ups and downs of life the one constant in Marcia’s life is God has been her refuge.  Inspiring, uplifting and blessing her with the gift of “sight”.  Louise Hay has been another tremendous influence in Marcia’s life and she employs the positivity on a daily basis.  One of Marcia’s favorite verses in the Bible is found in the book of Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and ye shall find.”  If you are ready, willing and able to work on your issues, Marcia is the person to get you to your destination in a joyful way.  She has combined these gifts with Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy to empower her clients to heal their past, design the future they want to live and show her clients how to continue on this positive path as they journey through their lives.