Guidance

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” -Thomas Edison

A part of my morning meditation routine is reading inspirational quotes, affirmations, and articles. One of my readings is Unity’s The Daily Word..it’s extremely inspirational and meets me where I am. This morning the affirmation was about guidance. There was a biblical scripture reference at the end:

“For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”...Matthew 7:8

I realized, perhaps for the first time or maybe I’m just in a different place, that everything in that verse requires an action...we must DO something. We are guided when we take action. Each action brings about an action which brings about another step on the path. When we “act” in faith, things happen.

I have been remiss in being consistent with the Wild Women Gypsies page and My Gypsi Journey blog. I’m not going to make excuses. Suffice it to say that I tend to sabotage myself when things seem to be going well. I become afraid of possible success. At present I am making wreaths, door-hangers, and jumping brooms. I enjoy being a crafter yet I think of all the possible things that can go awry with my creations. In the past that outlook has kept me from moving forward.

The truth is that I KNOW that “ALL is well because GOD/GODDESS/ALL THAT IS is ALL.” That truth resides in me and in everyone but sometimes we/I allow negative energy to seep into my consciousness. Negative thoughts will (and have) kept me from fulfilling my destiny, whatever that may be. I never seem to know what I know so many times I do absolutely nothing.

I am so grateful for the people Spirit has placed in my life to steer me back on the path when I veer off...particularly my children. The teacher becomes the student and so forth. My oldest daughter is visiting and has lit a fire under me to “become more of who I am”. Gratitude reigns. Here’s to keeping the fire from becoming an ember BUT if it does, I know that I can count on my tribe to stoke the fire.

Blessed be,

Gypsy Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Death unexpected

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"You should always tell friends and family you love them because the future is unexpected and everyone should know they are loved." ~ Kushandwizdom

"It's the things that you least expect that hit you the hardest." ~ iliketoquote.com

"Death of a loved one at an unexpected time makes you see everything in life so differently.  Suddenly most things are just not a big deal." ~ jarOfQuotes.com

"The trouble is you think you have time." ~ Buddha

On yesterday a friend, Iris, and I attended a BBQ.  On the way I asked if she had told another friend about it.  She stated that she had spoken to her but forgot to mention it.  I had been home from the BBQ about 30 minutes when I received a call from Iris telling me that the friend I asked about earlier had died suddenly of a heart attack that evening.  I was in shock to say the least!  We don't know the day or the hour...

I last saw her at Iris' husband's funeral and later that night at Iris' house.  We laughed and joked about an incident we had both experienced at the funeral.  We left Iris' house together and said our goodbyes.  I didn't know her extremely well but I knew her.  We had been to several events together and I always saw her at Iris' house.  I am so glad that we had a pleasant relationship.  It's so easy to let little things stand in the way of friendships.

Misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and egos all can and do stop people from communicating with one another.  Most of the time it is something so silly and minute causing the friction.  If people would just talk to each other about what's bothering them, most conflicts could be resolved.  Perhaps we should live as if each day might be our last and show kindness to one another.  At the very least we don't have to keep chips on our shoulders regarding imagined or real issues.  Some things aren't as huge as we make them.

All deaths can be traumatic but an unexpected death from someone who hasn't been ill is very unsettling.  There are things we wished we had said or done.  As Buddha said in the above quote, we think we have time.  Don't delay...if you need to make amends with someone, please do it now.  If someone arrives in your consciousness, give them a call, text or email; preferably a call in order to hear a voice.  No matter how long we live, life is short.

I love you all!  You are appreciated!

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be!,
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Fulfillment

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!


"Keep your dreams alive.  Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.  Remember all things are possible for those who believe." ~ Gail  Devers

"When a dream is fulfilled, it is always a glorious feeling." ~ Lailah Gifty Akita

"The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you." ~ Tom Bradley

"To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life.  The money is the gravy." ~ Bette Davis

"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life." ~ Greg Anderson

"Not fulfilling your dreams will be a loss to the world, because the world needs everyone's gift - yours and mine." ~ Barbara Sher

Yesterday I had a soft launch of my first workshop entitled, Step Into Your Dreams.  Launching the workshop was my way of "stepping into my dreams".  I was excited and nervous at the same time, which is a good thing.  I have spoken in public many times so that was not the cause for the nervousness.  I was nervous because some part of me, that very small part which still wants to hold on, felt that my worth was tied to the number of attendants.  I know that this is not true yet the feeling did try to overtake me before the workshop.  Eventually I settled down (or maybe up in consciousness) to a calm state.  As India Arie sang that "her worth was not determined by the price of her clothes", I sang "my worth is not determined by the number of attendants."

The workshop was great!  After the welcome and invocation, I shared my heart and how I overcame fear regarding certain incidents in my life. The participants broke into small groups to answer prepared questions and then reconvened for discussion.  I played Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.  We formed an Affirmation Circle stating who we were, whether manifested or not. A short video was played pertaining to the subject.  I then closed with an Invocation.  The workshop started and ended on time.  I did not collect money from anyone.  This was my gift to those attending for showing up.

Our dreams will die within us if we don't fulfill them.  The non fulfillment could cause depression and other illnesses and we wouldn't know why.  I have a friend whose daughter is a phenomenal artist.  She has started a nonprofit organization called Justre'.  She had an art auction yesterday to fund her three week trip to Africa to teach art to underprivileged children.  She recently received her masters from Georgetown University in Art Therapy. This young woman, Sone-Seree Burrell, is fulfilling her dreams.  I have known her since she was a child and I am so very proud of her.  For the past four days and on tomorrow, my daughter Zakiya and her friend Farelle Walker, are fulfilling their dreams by filming a production that is Farelle's, based on conversations with Kiya. This is the season for fulfillment.  Don't let your dreams die!

In a semi dream state a few weeks ago, I was given an idea by Spirit.  I will create that this week.  I have been working on my daughter's wedding bouquet and that was top priority.  I will post pictures after the wedding as I plan to sell custom made bouquets. Whatever has been in us, is now wanting to come out and come out with a shout.  I am more than ready  Are you?

Until Next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again, 
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Family

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"Families are like branches on a tree.  we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one." ~ unknown

"No family is perfect...we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times, but in the end, family is family...the love will always be there." ~quoteshunger.com

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing." ~geniusquotes.org

"Family is like music, some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song." ~ quotezine.com

Earlier this week for the first time in a long while my manifested funds were very low.  All of my bills were paid but it didn't leave anything for food.  I was asking my sister about using some item in my refrigerator as I explained my situation.  Immediately my sister named what she was having for dinner and invited me to share. She called me two days later and invited me to dinner again which she would cook after work.  My sister and I started speaking again a few months ago after a lengthy period of not speaking.  I love my sister and I know she loves me but families can, do and will sometime have upsets.  Sometimes the coming back together makes the bond stronger.  My sister has a very generous heart and I believe if I needed her during that time of non communication, she would have been there as I would have been for her.

I started thinking about family when I attended my friend Cher's mom, 90th birthday celebration on Saturday.  I have known Cher since we were five and with the way things were back then, I knew her family also.  Ms. Rosalee is an exceptional woman and she and her husband, before his transition, raised strong, intelligent children who are successful.  Family and friends who chose to do so, spoke about Ms. Rosalee; friends told how they met her and how long they've known her.  As her children spoke about the type of mother she is, even though I know the accolades are true for her, I thought to myself, well all children would probably say that about their mothers at a function, even if not true.  I thought about that on my drive home.  It kept nagging at me.

As I continued to think about everything said about Ms. Rosalee and the thought I had about people speaking kindly of their mothers, I knew that not everyone would or could say those things. 
Families are not always close and children are not always close to their parents.  My father has transitioned but I wasn't close to him due to the divorce and his living out of the country.  I'm not particularly close to my mother.  My mother would always tell us that we could do and be whatever we chose in life.  However, she did not foster those words.  This is an observation not a condemnation.  We do the best we can with the knowledge we have and when we know to do better we do.  It was my mother's nonchalant attitude that caused me to be active with my children.

I was sharing my feelings with my oldest daughter, Zakiya.  I said it caused me to wonder what would be said about me at a 90th birthday.  She said that I should never wonder; that I did and am still doing an awesome job.  That brought tears to my eyes.  I'm glad that I have that type of relationship with my children.  I can see the genuine love that Cher and her siblings have for their mother and each other.  They are a close knit family extending to grandchildren and great grands.  My friend, Celest has that relationship with her children and grandchildren and so does my sister.  I don't have that with my grandchildren.  My grandchildren don't live in Virginia but that shouldn't stop relationship.  

I was honored to have been included in that celebration.  Ms. Rosalee was so happy to see me and gave me the biggest hug.  I used to go by there once a month and we would sit and chat.  I enjoyed our visits and I think I would like to resume them.  I am a believer that we choose our family of birth in order for us to experience what it is we need for our current life cycle. So maybe some of us don't have the families that others have or that we may desire but we do have what we need.  I know some are thinking they would not have chosen their families. However, if we could see everything as GOD experiencing life and knowing itself through us, as us, and that we are experiencing and knowing ourselves as GOD in us, as us, then maybe we will learn to appreciate, love, understand and bless our families as they are.  We are, after all, ONE!

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Timing

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"Timing is everything.  When you're really ready for it, it will come." ~ The Good Vibe

"Life has an odd way of  making things work out in the end." ~ Article from Lifehack

"Keep the faith.  The most amazing things in life tend to happen right at the moment you're about to give up hope." ~ Lifehack

"What's meant to be will always find a way." ~ Curiano.com:

"Keep going.  Everything you need will come to you at the perfect time." ~ Lifehack

"Trust the timing of your life." ~ Article from: Her Happy Balance

"Patience is power.  Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is 'timing'.  It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way." ~ Fulton J. Sheen

Lately I've been reading about synchronicity and coincidence. Years ago, I read The Celestine Prophecy and picked it up again recently.  It deals with energy, synchronicity and coincidence.  It tells how most people ignore them and the meanings they have.  I've also been reading Deepak Chopra's, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, recommended by my daughter Zakiya.  This is another book about coincidence.  Needless to say, I don't think it's a "coincidence" that these books have entered my life.

Synchronicity is defined as the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.  Coincidence is defined as a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. Synchronicity appears to be a series of events happening at the same time whereas a coincidence could be one or several events not happening simultaneously.  Either way I believe they are worthy of attention.

How many times have we thought about someone and the phone rings or we see them on the street?  That's considered a coincidence.  If, on the other hand, the thought about the person leads you to call them and they mention someone they know needs a house sitter in Bali and you have been wanting to go to Bali but didn't know where to stay, that's synchronicity!  These events occur all the time but we rarely pay attention because they are thought to be random.  It is all about timing.  It is also about what one has put out in prayer and meditation.  Things seem to just happen at the right moment.  

Here are some examples from my life.  When I left my husband I lived with a friend's mom.  I saw a woman on the bus with a hairstyle that I liked.  I inquired about the stylist.  I made an appointment.  As women often do with hairstylists, we talked and I mentioned that I wanted to live downtown.  When I saw her next, she told me about an apartment on her street.  I walked there, took the phone number, called and got the apartment.  I had been meditating about what I wanted in an apartment and the rent I wanted to pay.  It had what I desired.  These incidents, which seemed random, all started with my car being stolen and my having to take the bus.  I would probably have never seen the woman with the hairstyle otherwise.  There have been many such occurrences in my life.

I started paying attention to these type of incidents after reading the first book I mentioned.  I am aware of the role synchronicity and coincidence plays in our lives.  I am paying close attention to what life is bringing me as I await this next adventure.  Even though I moved into this apartment in September, 2015 and I like it, I desire to move somewhere less expensive.  I realized with the reading and rereading of these books and my own experiences that I had not placed my awareness on what I desire.  The first thing to do before prayer and meditation is to be clear on what it is we desire.  I thought that I wanted another apartment but I don't, not in the traditional sense.  I would like to rent an apartment over a garage or in the basement of some one's home.  

I believe the timing is right for me to seriously allow my creativity to flow and do what I hear Spirit saying to me.  A few days ago, I was in a semi dream state and I heard three words.  I knew it was Spirit because I had never thought anything like that.  I heard it and I am doing what Spirit has spoken to me.  A few days before hearing the words I was inspired to create by my friend, Rev. Sonya Brown's sister, Dr. Myrah Brown Green.  Sonya wanted us to become FB friends and we are.  Coincidence? Probably more synchronicity because of the chain of events.  I thank God/Goddess/All There Is for these occurrences.  When the time is right, we will be led to do what we need to do.  Let's pay attention knowing it will change our lives.  In the words of Abraham Hicks, let's recite this mantra every day: Everything Always Works Out For Me and the "me" is all of us.

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again!
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Restlesness

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"Wild things have restless wings that often need to fly." ~ Michael Xavier

"It all takes time and lessons and places, but I'm learning to listen to my restless heart, telling me to 'go, go,go'!" ~ Charlotte Eriksson, Another Vagabond Lost to Love:Berlin Stories on Leaving and Arriving

"I suppose what I really am is restless.  I want to go everywhere, see everything, do everything.  I want to find something. Yes, that's it, I want to find something." ~ Agatha Christie, Endless Night

"For my soul lies dormant, restless, waiting for that moment when shackles are cast aside and it is free to fly once more." ~ Virginia Alison

"My restless roaming spirit would not allow me to remain at home very long." ~ Buffalo Bill

"I am restless.  I don't mind leaving this comfortable, static life.  I could live a year on my own in a remote village." ~ Michael Palin

Restless AGAIN!  It never leaves though, it just sits quietly in disguise waiting for me to acknowledge it.  I always felt that something had to be wrong with me because I never seemed satisfied in one place for very long.  I can identify with Buffalo Bill in the above quote.  All of the quotes express how I feel.  I always feel that there is more; more to see, more to do, more to find.  I can practice acceptance of current situations but acceptance does not mean satisfaction.

There is a longing in me and I'm not always sure for what I am longing.  It is so intense sometimes that I feel very sad.  Charlotte Eriksson expresses it best in the above quote; "I am learning to listen to my restless heart telling me to go, go, go!"  I know that I take myself with me wherever I go but it's not me I'm trying to avoid.  Actually, I'm not trying to avoid anything, anyone or any place.  I just want new adventures.  Is that wrong?  Is it a lack of maturity to want to be free?

Some years ago in the nineties, I attended a prophetic conference. The prophet spoke to me and compared me to an eagle.  He said eagles have the ability to see miles ahead; they fly high above the storm and know it's coming.  The prophet was prophesying that I am a prophet.  I researched eagles because I wanted to know more about them.  What I didn't identify with was the wild nature of the eagle.  I don't understand why I didn't since there is a wildness in me.  I think it was because I was in a charismatic church at the time and while it was accepted to be wild in the spirit, it wasn't so much in general.  I'm speaking of wild like horses, free to run and be.

When I read the quote about "wild things having restless wings", I thought about the eagle again.  Eagles need to fly and so do I.  The shackles that bind me now are a job and an apartment.  The time for the job to end keeps getting pushed back.  Lease is up in September and I really think I am going to spread my wings and fly wherever Spirit leads.  There are many ways to travel on a budget and I intend to take advantage of them.  I've said all of this before. Sometimes we have to keep telling ourselves a thing until it becomes more than words.  

My daughter's wedding will be over at the end of July and I won't be needed in the same way.  The wonderful thing about children becoming adults is that parenting is entirely different.  I am grateful for that.  I enjoyed their childhood but I have never wished for them to be children again.  Life goes on.  They must live their lives and I will live mine albeit possibly not anywhere close.  We shall see.  

Distant lands, different cultures, exotic foods all beckon and I wish to experience each one.  Apparently Spirit/Creator had a purpose in mind when I made my physical appearance.  Spirit knew I would be this way, and Spirit wants to know itself as me, which is an expression of itself.  I no longer think there is anything wrong with me being who I am and the way that I am.  As India Ari says, "I know my Creator didn't make no mistakes on me.  My hips, my eyes, my lips, my thighs, I'm loving what I see."  That goes for my mind and restless spirit too!  Thank you GOD/GODDESS/ALL THAT IS for making me, me!  And I give thanks and gratitude for all of the individuals that Creator is expressing as.  Let Spirit express through you, as you, for what else can it do!?  

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be!
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Richmond, VA/Intuition

Merry meet friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"I believe in intuitions and inspirations...I sometimes FEEL that I am right.  I do not KNOW that I am."  ~ Albert Einstein

"Don't try to comprehend with your mind.  Your minds are very limited.  Use your intuition." ~ Madeleine L'Engle, A Wind in the Door (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, #2)

"Intuition is seeing with the soul." ~ Dean Koontz

"Intuition is a sense of knowing how to act spontaneously, without needing to know why." ~ Sylvia Clare, Trusting Your Intuition: Rediscover Your True Self to Achieve a richer, More Rewarding Life

Last Sunday I was to travel to Black Mountain, NC to attend the SEWW Herbal Immersion.  I last attended in May of 2014 after I left Earthaven.  I met some amazing women and was looking forward to reconnecting with some of them and some from the conference in October, 2014.  The experience, for me, was life altering and I wanted to be in that vibrational energy once again.  I knew the car I am using wouldn't make the 5-6 hour drive.  I thought about renting a car but I needed to think of the expense, especially with the job situation.

My oldest son had a situation on May 24th, I didn't want to participate and decided not to do so.  I prayed and meditated about attending the Immersion..  I knew if being at the Immersion was the plan, then somehow a way would be made.  As much as I wanted to attend there was, however, a hesitance in my spirit. When Sunday came there was no solution forthcoming for me to attend the Immersion. I still was not planning to participate in my son's situation.  On the morning of the 24th, I awakened knowing that my presence would have an effect in his situation.  I went and it did.  

Sometimes we don't know the why of a thing, we just know we must follow the leads given.  We can call it a hunch, discernment, a still small voice or intuition.  What we call it doesn't matter.  It's what we do when we feel, sense or hear the "thing".  Many times I have said, "Something told me to do or say that."  I don't always immediately pay attention but I am paying attention more than I used to.  Intuition will never lead one astray.  It's easier for me to follow when I feel something as opposed to hearing something.  I will, on occasion, think what I am hearing is me.  In reality, it is GOD/GODDESS/ALL THERE IS as me. 

Prayer and meditation is one way of getting the answers that are needed.  Being still and listening helps us to understand ourselves better.  Intuition, though, does not always wait for the stillness.  It comes in moments we least expect it.  Being attuned to Spirit will help us to recognize it when it appears and to pay attention.  I'm glad that I paid attention to the sense and feeling I had pertaining to my son's situation.  The Immersion is held every year and I will attend again.  If the women I met before aren't there when I next attend, I will meet others.  I didn't know those women before meeting them.

Intuition is what I need to trust when it comes to my job situation. I definitely need more income than SS if I am to keep this apartment. My lease is up at the end of September and the job is expected to last that long.  Everyone has been applying for the jobs that are similar to ours as soon as they post.  I have not felt led to apply as yet.  Intuitively I feel as if I am not to apply.  I have no idea why other than maybe Spirit trying to get me to work for myself.
Whatever the reason, if indeed it is my intuition, I want to follow it. I am interested to see where this path might take me.  I would love to live in a tiny house and travel wherever and whenever I choose, working from my laptop.  We shall see!

I've met someone who lives on his boat and is a fellow gypsy.  I love his lifestyle.  I applaud anyone who decides to take his/her life in hand and follow their heart.  I feel the call of the wind beckoning me to follow.  "Go with the flow", it's saying, "Let me blow you where I will."  "OK", I answer, "soon very soon!"

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Gypsi Mama Michelle