Mercury is going Retrograde!

Planet Mercury goes retrograde on 11/24/11. So what does this mean? Well, a little history is that ages ago, Mercury was in charge of carrying messages between the gods and goddesses, as well as between humanity (mortals) and the gods. In today's world, Mercury rules computers, phones, internet, correspondence - basically communication. You can see Mercury's influence on how you express yourself - by speech, texts, letters or handwriting. You can also feel the influence by the way you collect data. I, personally, never fail to cringe when I know Mercury is heading into a Retrograde....it means an increase in lost packages, communication failures such as lost emails and missing orders, and misunderstandings with family, friends, co-workers and customers. The effects of Mercury Retrograde can be maddening!

Retrograde means that it appears that the planet is moving backward. The good news is Mercury is only retrograde until the 13th of December. So what does this mean? What exactly happens when Mercury retrogrades? Pretty much it means to expect the unexpected. Appointments get missed, computers crash, you find the car you just purchased, during Mercury retrograde, is a lemon. The repair shop that had your car for a month sends it back still broken, There will be countless delays, cancellations and postponements. Don't fight them, although your frustration level and feeling of restlessness will be hard to cope with at times. This is a time where electronic devices may not work properly, may break, or may malfunction. (Cell phones, cars, machines, appliances, computers, etc). Letters, bills, notes, any communication with people may seem strained, delayed or misinterpreted. People may be in tense moods and you may find yourself desiring or wanting more solitude. You may experience problems or delays in travel/trips as well as with meetings and appointments. This is a time where communication and schedules can be compromised. This is not really a good time to sign contracts or make big purchases such as a car or appliance, hence things tend to break down or not function properly. Mercury is the ruling planet for industries such as sales, writing, marketing, public relations, postal and delivery services, and any transportation industry. (Mercury also rules the zodiac signs of Gemini and Virgo. If you are a Virgo who works for the complaint department of the phone company, go ahead and take that vacation! Just don't travel anywhere - your luggage is likely to get lost). People from your past may even tend to resurface and memories or past regrets may come from out of nowhere to haunt you. During Mercury retrograde, it's not uncommon that you are likely to bump into old friends that you haven't seen in years. Adopted children tend to find their birth parents during Mercury retrograde periods, or people locate their long lost siblings. Prosecutors often find clues to crimes that had previously remained unsolved for years. Mail that went astray weeks or even years ago shows up during Mercury retrograde.

If it is so troublesome, why then, would the Universe give us Mercury retrograde? Have you ever heard the expression - Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it? The basic principle of Mercury Retrograde is that Mercury has turned around to show us something, something we have missed somewhere and somehow. Sometimes, in order to move forward, it is necessary to backtrack, examine our mistakes, and change our path for the future. It is important for us to reconsider, repair, reflect, and reconnect. Mercury forces us to slow down and fix what's broken, and in doing so, realize what mistakes we have made. It also gives us the opportunity to complete all the old projects we have placed on the back burner, therefore clearing the way for new opportunities.

Mercury Retrogrades also tend to cause things to repeat. Avoid having surgery, getting dental work done, or signing divorce papers and contracts during Mercury Retrograde. If you do, you might find yourself doing that same painful thing over again! On the other hand, doing things that are good for you, fun, or affect your life, in a positive way, are excellent activities for Mercury Retrograde. Focus on eating healthy, exercising regularly, and learning a new skill in this period. Go to a movie, go dancing, or do something else that you would like to repeat again! Not only will you feel better, but on the next Mercury Retrograde you will feel compelled to return to that healthy and enjoyable living.

What to do during this time: Think about your past and how you feel about your current circumstances. Consider if you are happy in your current situation? If not, think of ways to change it. This is a time to rethink, reflect, research, revise, reschedule, redecorate and renew. (Keep the 'RE' in mind for the next few weeks). In regards to relationships and partnership matters, our thinking is turned inward. Re-evaluating a partnership and communication style within that relationship is wonderful use of this reflection period.

What not to do during this time: Not a good time for big purchases such as a home, car or electronics. These types of things/items will generally encounter major problems. Don't sign important contracts or paperwork. Try not to get upset over set backs. Expect them so when they happen, you're prepared. Keep cell phone charged, keep a can of fix a flat in the trunk, etc.

**Again, if you plan any travels, try to allow for extra time for any problems which might arise. Also, keep your electronic equipment tuned up and working well, and try and take it easy on your nervous system. The nervous system can be on over-drive during the mercury retrograde. So try and allow extra time for sleep and relaxation. Allow yourself to take some time off from tasks and do some favorite activity you haven’t done in a while.

Mercury retrograde is also a great time to get things done you may have been putting off, like cleaning or organizing and recycling old stuff you no longer need. It’s a time to finish tasks that were started and never went to completion, but it’s usually not a good time for starting new tasks. Brainstorming is easier to do at this time, but generally, things will have an easier time of getting started if you wait until Mercury goes direct on the 13th of December.

***Keep in mind that the affects of Mercury Retro's can be felt as early as three weeks before it actually happens and you can feel the effects after it goes Direct for a few weeks also. Blessed Be to all.

Yummy receipes for better vision and healthy eyes

Here is a great article worth checking out especially if you want to see better. It won't happen overnight, but as you get into the habit of eating better and healthier, you'll see a difference after some time. This article has some scrumptious suggestions....and the pictures of the food.....I'm hungry already.


Read the article in full by clicking on the link: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/delicious-recipes-for-healthy-eyes-and-vision-2569455/#photoViewer=1

If life is a game, then these are the rules.....

Written by Chérie Carter Scott:

Cherie was one of three sisters, who Chérie grew up in a wealthy, but turbulent home with an alcoholic mother and a high-powered father. From the outside, the family appeared to live a life of privilege, but behind closed doors, they dealt with her mother's violent mood swings, while she literally drank herself to death. While educated at some of the nation's finest schools, Chérie's dysfunctional family life left her struggling to find meaning in her life. After her father's death, she and her sisters found that they were disinherited. Life, as they had known it, was over.

Her traumatic childhood was the impetus for Chérie to look for answers to life's deepest questions. Here's how her experience led to the creation of the 10 Rules for Being Human:  I realized that what I make of my life was up to me. I began to ask fundamental questions, "What is this notion of happiness? How do I create fulfillment? What is the purpose of life?"

In 1974, when I was 25 years old, I passed through a premature midlife crisis. I had pursued a career in teaching to please my mother, and then a career in acting to please myself... neither one really satisfied me, and I was confused about what was next. The suggestions I received from family and friends only exacerbated the confusion. I didn't know where to turn for answers and so I started to pray for guidance.

After several weeks, I received three clear "messages" from what divine source I was not really sure - that answered my questions. The first stated, "You are a catalyst for discovery." The second said, "You will work in growth and development." The third came through loud and clear, "You have a gift for working with people."  I knew these three messages were the answers to my prayers, but I didn't know how to deploy them. These three "revelations" didn't point to an industry or provide me with a job description, so I was left trying to figure out what to do. I formulated a sentence: "I am a catalytic agent who works with people in their growth and development." From that moment on, the messages came to me on a regular basis. They led me to create my seminar, the Inner Negotiation/Self-Esteem Workshop. In addition to the messages, people also started coming to me—to learn how to find their own inner answers.

And so my coaching organization, MMS (Motivation Management Service) was launched in 1974, as well as a subsequent training program to teach other people how to do the same work I was doing. One day, as I sat designing the training program for our MMS Coach Training, the Rules for Being Human came through me onto the paper. I thought, "I have been asking for these answers my whole life, and finally they have been delivered to me." The Rules answered the fundamental question I'd asked, "What is the purpose of life?"

What she came up with is this:

You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum. Why are you here? What is your purpose? Humans have sought to discover the meaning of life for a very long time. What we and our ancestors have overlooked, however, in the course of this endless search, is that there is no one answer. The meaning of life is different for every individual. Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific to you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.

Once you have learned the basic lessons taught to you by your own body, you are ready for a more advanced teacher: the universe. You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned. As you travel through your lifetime, you may encounter challenging lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges that you don't need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.

The challenge of Rule Two, therefore, is to align yourself with your own unique path by learning your individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will face in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will lead you into a life that is radically different from others. Don't compare your path to those around you and focus on the disparity between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth. If you are able to rise to this challenge, you can unravel the mystery of your purpose and actually live it. You cease being a victim of fate or circumstance and become empowered—life no longer just "happens to you." When you are working toward fulfilling your true purpose, you discover astonishing gifts within yourself that you may have never known you have. This process may not be easy, but the rewards are well worth the struggle.

Here is an amazing (short) video full of things to think about and apply everyday to your life. Please take a moment to watch it. You will not be disappointed.   http://www.thesearetherulesmovie.com/store

One Choice

We all only have one life to live. Although, it is possible to live many lifetimes in this one life. Have you ever looked back on your life and thought, wow, that seems like a lifetime ago....? It could be about anything, a job that you started out with, a circumstance in high school, a career path, a love that faded.....

What will it take or what do you need in order to make a change in your life. If you are not happy at this present moment in time on where you are and what you see for yourself, what change is it that you seek or desire? All it takes is one choice, one decision and you can change your life. You and you alone are in charge of your life and it's choices. You alone, create your own future. The past is just that....the past. So don't you think it's time to put it behind you? Now it is time to be open to the possibilities of the future.

Please take three simple minutes and check out this video. You may find the strength and inspiration that you are deserving and desiring. Love and light to all.

http://www.onechoicemovie.com/store

Relationships....how would you rate them on a scale from 0 to 100?

Throughout our lives, one thing is always around us....relationships. Whether it's with our parents, our siblings, peer groups, work, friends, love interests, spouses, business - like your customers....relationships are all around us. Do you have meaningful relationships? Do you take full responsibility in your relationships? Example, do you give 100%? Do expect something in return for a favor or do you expect nothing in return? Do you treat people the same or do you show favortisum?

Take a few minutes and view this short video, then rate yourself.
http://www.100-0principle.com/

Life's Lessons

Here is a wonderful short movie/video about life and the lessons we learn while living here. One of the most important things that people seem to forget is honesty. Learn to speak the truth....at all times. Lies are like boomerangs, they will eventually come back to you. Lies are sticky, like a spiders web that you weave....you will get tangled up in it.

Possessions do not determine your wealth. You must remember that you come into this world with nothing and you will leave it with nothing.

If you get a chance, take a quick peek at the video. It's a nice reminder. Click the link below to view:
http://www.simpletruthsoflifemovie.com/store

Military Funerals - the true meaning of TAPS

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which TAPS was played - this may just bring out a new meaning of it for you. We all know that TAPS is the music that a bugler plays at funeral by the graveside when military service men/women are buried. A majority of us have a hard time in blinking back tears when we hear this song....it's just so profound and so haunting.

Reportedly, this is the background on how the song begun:


It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not
knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the
dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done. Gone the sun.
From the lakes. From the hills.
From the sky. All is well.
Safely rest. God is nigh.
Fading light. Dims the sight.
And a star. Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright. From afar.
Drawing nigh. Falls the night.
Thanks and praise. For our days.
Neath the sun. Neath the stars.
Neath the sky. As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh.

I, too, have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country. Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Please feel free to send this on and even offer up a short prayer. Make this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers ...