Serendipity

For those of you who received my newsletter, you know that I just got back in November from 2 months in Atlanta and Savannah, GA; as well as, Baltimore, MD. To say that the trip went well is putting it mildly. But what really got my attention was how perfectly it came together. Some friends of mine asked me to come east to watch their pets and their home while they were gone for 2 weeks in September. Because I have many friends in the area, I asked them if it was OK to make the return trip for sometime in November. No problem they replied and that started my adventure.

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I have a dear friend in the Atlanta area that for family reasons, I had not been abler to stay with for several years. In the meantime, her husband had been assigned to different towns to do his work and was currently in Savannah, GA. So I asked her if it was possible, while I was on the east coast, to get to see them. It would require 2 weeks as that was how often she came and went to Atlanta. All was a go! In addition, I have another very good friend in the Baltimore area that was hoping I might get up her way also. As luck would have it, there was enough time to schedule that trip as well and still get back to Atlanta to come home to San Diego. So with these trips in mind, I left CA on September 3rd and my adventures began.

Without setting up any other meetings, work or "play times", I just said to myself, “Be open and see what happens.” Once my friends got off on their trip, I began calling folks and seeing if we wanted to “do lunch” or “do some of my individual bodywork” or “see a movie” or “create a workshop” or whatever. I found sometimes I needed to set things up and then change them; or, allow for someone to reach me later than we had planned. Sometimes I so wanted to see a person but wasn’t really up for it and they would call to say that they needed to cancel and could we plan for another day? This happens many times and it was what got me to thinking, while I was on the trip, that everything was very serendipity. I suppose I could call it “right timing” or “divine intervention” as well. But in truth it was really magical.

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While I was in Savannah, a mutual friend of ours in Raleigh, NC had mentioned she wished that I was stopping in her area. I, of course, reminded her that I was either traveling with others in their car or going by plane, so my ability to set the course was limited. Well, as the whole trip was going, it turned out that she was able to drive to Savannah and join us for a few days and we were able to get together. What fun!

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Even more miraculous were several events in the Baltimore area. I have another very special family that I love to see when I am there. Once again we have a mutual friend who lives in the area; but due to family concerns, had not seen this other friend since that last time I was there 2 years ago. As with many people, these are very active and busy folks that don’t have a lot of free time; and yet, we were able to spend a lovely evening together, as though we had seen each other the previous week. How cool is that???

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I was in this part of Maryland for 2 weeks and I was lucky enough to get to most of the special friends I wanted to see that first week. I also had some cleaning out to do at my friend’s house where I was staying, so time was ticking. Meanwhile I knew that my brother, who lives and works in Germany, was scheduled to come to the states for a check-up in late November, after I was gone. Again, I just mentioned to the ethers that I would LOVE to see him before I go. But even one week into my visit, it did not seem possible for that to happen. Then, out of the blue, his need to come sooner just surfaced and before I could even ponder what that might mean; he was in the states, very close to where I was staying. I only have the one brother but I have always let him know that he is my favorite brother! What a surprisingly wonderful treat to see him; even though he did not come all that way for me.

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When I returned to Atlanta, I was able to end my stay with another dear friend and help another beautiful “goddess” oriented friend celebrate the 18th year of her Pilates studio. What a FABULOUS way to end a simply marvelous trip.

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I keep “testing” this serendipity business to see how my desires and other people’s actions come together so perfectly. My test results are sketchy, but the wonderful experiences are priceless. So wherever “right timing” or “serendipity” or “miracles” come from, I am so grateful that they have come my way. Perhaps this is the kind of thing that we can look forward to as 2012 opens its arms to our heart’s desires. I certainly like to hope so!

Trust

Today’s story actually happened many years ago. I was 20 years old and I was traveling in Europe on less than $10 dollars a day. I had a Eurorail pass and I felt so free to travel wherever I wanted. Sometimes I would sleep on the train on my way to some ancient site or another country. Those were the days! Anyway, I had just visited Mont St. Michael. I so enjoyed the day that I stayed later than I intended. By the time I got back on the train to continue into the Normandy area, I got as far as Cherbourg when all of a sudden, it was announced that the small train station would be closing for the night with no more trains available until morning. No big deal really. It had happened to me before and something always worked out. This evening appeared to be the same. I had met this Frenchman, not all that much older than me, but very respectful. My French at the time was passable but hardly grammatically correct. He was quite amused at my delivery; however, we were able to talk about many things and were enjoying the conversation. We both laughed at how we had slept on trains before to save money. When it was announced that the station was closing, we realized that we’d need a place to sleep. Being a quaint town at the time, there were not a lot of rooms available, so he suggested we share one. I immediately backed away from that idea because; after all he was French, if not a man and a stranger. As we looked for other options and chatted about the situation it was getting later and later. He kept saying that for the time we have left to sleep and the cost of the one available room with 2 single beds; it really made sense. He kept re-iterating that he was a complete gentleman and would stay to his side of the room. He looked a bit startled when I finally said yes and we proceeded to the room. As you might imagine, there was no rest to be had, because he was sure that I had no intentions of sleeping. Wrong! So for the rest of the night, I kept telling him in French as best that I could that I was very tired and that I truly wanted to sleep. The good news is that he was a real gentleman and never approached me beyond our conversation. This is where the trust comes in. I knew that I was safe with him. He was not a bad person, merely French. He was gracious and kind; just disbelieving that I would want to sleep when here we were the two of us in a room together. To this day, I remember the way that he looked at me with such amazement. I think that I really piqued his curiosity with this particular American woman. He asked me several times if all American females were this way. I would reply “How silly is that. It’s just your luck that you ran into me!” Maybe it was the times, maybe it was just a fluke; but that evening turned out to be most delightful. I thought then and I agree now, that I had trust in myself and in my judgment that he would not hurt me in anyway. Perhaps I was just fooling myself. Either way, it was a wonderful adventure. Needless-to-say, we both got back to the train station the next morning and each went our separate ways. But not without hugs and the kiss on each cheek, so typical of the French hospitality.

Real Miracles

I have been “on the road” for the past 20 years. I have crossed the US by car at least 10 times during those years. Since I tend to travel alone, many people who care about me have been afraid that I would break down in the middle of nowhere with no help; or, be vulnerable to some bad experience and lose my life. Most of those years I did not have a cell phone and no real way to contact anyone. My car, named Crystara for “Crystal Star” was around for over 15 of those 20 years. She had always been a trooper; and that is with her packed within an inch of her life, making a break down more possible. The last trip I took with Crystara I went from San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD. I was “out and about” for 16 months. On the way back to the west coast, I was in Ft. Worth, TX when I realized that both Crystara and I were beat. We were done, only we were NOT done with our travels. My next destination was Santa Fe, NM. The mileage was over 500 and the heat in July was over 100 degrees. After badly hurting my left foot, my car and I set out the next day for the 12 hour trip. I always check my car before such a venture and this trip was no different. I made sure there was enough air in all of the tires and I checked for cracks, oil leaks, fluids and such.  About 390 miles into this trip I heard a loud POP and new that something had happened to a tire. Fortunately, my car remained steady and I pulled to the side of the road. By now, I had entered New Mexico from Texas, but I was still a long way from the turn off up to Santa Fe. Fortunately, it was late afternoon and lots of people were traveling Route 40 toward Albuquerque. Still, as I tried my cell phone, there was no reception. As I waved to passing cars and trucks, many people waved back and kept going. As I looked at my back right tire, I could see that it was no puncture; but rather the back rubber flap of the wheel base has come loose from the screws and jutted out like a knife, actually shredding my tire. I was in shock and had stopped waving folks down, when I heard a voice behind me say “Looks like a flat tire. Where’s your spare?” I knew I was hearing voices when a young guy walked right passed me and started to unpack the back end of the car to get to the spare. He had all of my boxes, suitcases and an assortment of bags and stuff out and on the side of the road so fast I almost missed it. As he worked to put my “doughnut” spare on the car; he mentioned that he, with his wife and her cousin, had been driving straight through from Ohio for over 20 hours. Their final destination was Albuquerque; just a few more hours to go. I personally did not see him slow down or get out of the car; so I will call him my Guardian Angel. He had the tire changed, put the flat tire in the car and manage to shove my “things” back in place, (sort of), in under ½ hour. He was back in his car and on his way before I realized, I never got his name. He had said that he thought I might make it all of the way to Santa Fe, if I was very careful. In the meantime, another woman had gone to the next exit, gotten off, and come back around to see if I needed any 911 help. I just looked at her with awe in my eyes and said that I think I am “Good to go,” as we both pulled away from the shoulder. I was thinking, WOW! That was easy. I had never had real car trouble before and it looked like I was done for the day. Wrong! About 35 to 40 miles down the road I heard another loud POP and once again found myself on the side of the road. When I got out of the car and took a look at the spare, I could see that the same knife action that had shredded my full tire, had done the same to my spare. Now I was about 30 miles from the turn off up to Santa Fe and needing a tow. My first thought was “Hum, looks like the adventure is not over.” So now I am waving my arms wildly to get someone’s attention and thank goodness, a car stopped a ways down the road and came back. Fortunately I remembered to put the emergency lights on; not knowing how long I would be away from the car. This young man mentioned that he would not have stopped if there was more than one person in need or if it had been dark. I was so glad that summer nights get dark later than usual. Whew! We talked as he drove to the truck stop at the exit for Santa Fe and he very kindly stayed there while I asked about a tow truck. No such luck! Fortunately, the man at the convenience store took a liking to me and let me use his phone to call a local tow service that he recommended. So once again, I was in good hands and the other man took off. I was able to get through quickly and he asked me if I had called my insurance company yet? Of course, being in shock, I had forgotten. I spoke to an insurance agent and he called the local towing company for the 30 mile tow. In 15 minutes, my insurance person called me back and said I was “Good to go”! Yea! It took a little while for the tow person to reach me as night came upon us; however, the guy at the store offered me coffee and a snack while I waited. And, on our way to the car, we stopped so the tow guy could help another stranded vehicle. He was a GREAT guy! Once we got to my car, he loaded it up and towed me, not just to the travel stop, but to his repair station another 10 miles up the road. On the way there, he mentioned how he and his wife had been computer programmers and tired of the stress, had entered the family towing and tire business. By now it is 10 to 11 p.m. and with no motel in the area, I asked him if I could stay with my car until the morning when he would fix the tire. He not only agreed, he put my refrigerated items I was traveling with in his Cola cooler. I ended the day playing a hand of cards to confirm all was well. I was so tired by now that I slept with my head on a pillow in my car straight through the night. The next morning I was up before the station opened. So, I unloaded the stuff in the back of my car that would enable my tow guy to reach the flat tire. When he arrived to open the shop, he sold me one tire as the other back tire was fine. He also repaired the rubber flap that had caused all of the trouble in the first place. At that point, he said “I don’t feel right sending you on your way without a spare; so let me look across the street in my salvage area.” Within 20 minutes he was back with a doughnut spare and put it on the rim and into my car. I was so grateful, and with tears in my eyes I said “My car is alive to me. Thank you for taking such great care of her.” He looked back at me with tears in his eyes and said “I know what you mean. I have 2 old tow trucks over in my salvage area that I just can’t let go of, because they have been so good to me.” I knew then that the “car Gods” had put me in the best of hands. When I went inside to pay for all of the services that he did for me, the total came to $143.52. All of this service was done in a really short time. Oh, and he helped me repack the car, which is no small feat. As I was leaving I asked him if I had any trouble at all going to Santa Fe, would he come and help me. He said “Absolutely!” I realize that “stuff” happens. What I am beginning to see is that we deserve to have all of the help we need when this “stuff” happens. That’s the Real Miracle! Cheers! Jeanie

BEING GRATEFUL

My latest travels have taken me to the Pacific Northwest. Even though it was springtime, it still felt like winter in many places. My destination was Missoula, Montana because that is where my new WEB team was located. All of their time and energy spent on my behalf is what generated this blog. Being grateful is a topic I will be coming back to over and over because I believe that there is much more to it than most of us think. Of course, saying “thank you” is a wonderful thing. Whether you are giving thanks for a small favor or a big gift, the words are great to hear. But I think that gratitude has many more sides to it than that. For example, saying thanks with gusto. “WOW! Thanks SOOOOOOO much for helping me get a new car” or “THANK YOU for all of your emotional support by sitting up with me at the hospital while my Mom was sick” or for any of the other “Priceless Gifts” we give each other all of the time. So adding more Heart-full expression REALLY lets someone know how grateful you are. But even that doesn’t cover all of the bases in every situation. Like in my case, I had a good start with lots of family support; however it is my friends who have given me their time, expertise, products and creative skills to help me to produce 2 books, learn the computer, communicate through e-mail, record CD’s, navigate Facebook, join Linked-In and Meet-Up, create YouTube videos, figure out Quick books, do graphics and master my own Website. If you know me at all, you will understand how miraculous this is for me. So I am here today to mention all of you in a way that I hope will convey the Incredible, Magnificent, Priceless nature that you all are to me. From the bottom of my Heart in complete AWE and WONDER; I give thanks to Rich, Corinn, Dan, Theresa, Eda, Jandee, Leslie, Linda, Rachel, Sharon, Robin, Sherry, Jon, Darcy, Teresa, Lori, Marlene,  Fred, Steve, Ed, Dolores, Rita, Barbara, Jane, Yolanda, Jan, Terri, Carolyn, Pam, Dale, Debbie, Carol, Christine, Rebecca, Cathy, Clay, Brittany, Hayle, Robin, Cory and Andrew. All of you have held my hand; explained something over and over to me; or given me gifts like a computer and an audio recorder with microphone. You may have sat for hours at a computer on some project of mine or maintained my business news for years. You even may have been the one to get me on the web and then learn what to say. Or, you might simply be the person who has housed me all of these years so I could do my healing work. Perhaps you were the one to design my first CD covers; or, you took the training you received in college to produce a spectacular new website for me. But even with all of those tremendous offerings of assistance, I am most moved by your Friendship and your Love. I have known many of you for lots of years and I absolutely hold you dear in Heart. And some of you are new friends that are equally special to me. Whatever part you have played in my “life play”, I want to say that you are the most delightful, FABULOUS, amazing Human Beings that I have ever known. I hope that I have shown my appreciation by cleaning your house, sharing my gifts and talents, offering some dollar bills or simply listening to your life concerns. I know that I would not be at this point in the “make a living” program without you. THANK YOU for sharing this life experience with me!!!!!! I will never forget what you have done for me or what you mean to me. When it comes to COMPLETELY and TOTALLY “Being Grateful; I AM...

Unknown Fears Well hello! If you are reading this blog that means my new web page is up and running. Yea! Being new to all of this technical stuff, I am more than tickled that I can get my message out in so many different ways. What is my message you ask? I am committed to helping people re-discover their NATURAL self. In a world of so much economical distress and striving for self improvement, I think that it is important to hear about our natural ways of “being” in the world; so we will know when we have arrived at our version of Happy or Contentment. To do this, I am going to tell my miraculous stories and see if we can create the same kind of fun-filled outcomes in your world. Here goes! My first story is a current one and as yet, has not indicated its outcome, so I will have to keep you posted. It’s about my new car. (You will discover that many of my stories have to do with my car as I have been “on the road” for 20 years now.) Last Dec, I purchased a Honda Fit with cash. Yes, you heard me, dollar bills. I was so proud of myself because I had been saving this money since I was 7 years old. I wasn’t on any particular program; I just put a little away here and there and kept it to myself. I am not fond of banks and I wasn’t particularly paying close attention to how much I had. I just like to save. I will save an avocado until it is past ripeness and no longer fit to eat. Go figure????? Anyway, at the dealership I went to, the first thing the sales person said to me was that they had to run me through known terrorists. After all, no law abiding, tax paying person would even think to buy a car this way. Right? Next, I was told that they had to check my name in some data base for laundering money. And I’m thinking that my good humor is being replaced with total disbelief. About this time I was given some crazy questions to answer to make sure I am me and no one else. (I was glad to have a family member and friend with me because the questions did not make sense to me.) HA! The topper to the day was that (not to be left out), the I.R.S. would have to be alerted to this over $10,000 transaction. So I went from joy-filled satisfaction to the 10 Most Wanted list. So I had to ask myself…What is this all about really? And it came to me a few days later. It was about unknown fears. You see, when I was about 18 or so in college, I realized one day that I had 3 major fears; fleas, poison oak or ivy and the I.R.S. I just knew that I wanted to stay as far away as possible from these invisible but horrible things. So naturally, I was living with roommates many years ago, and we took care of a friend’s cat, that unbeknownst to us, was really infested with fleas. It took us over 6 months to even make a dent in the flea population in our house. We eventually conquered the invasion; however, I was happy that I moved shortly thereafter. Later in life I moved to a heavily forested area in Northern CA and got myself a beautiful Golden Retriever pup. I was so excited! She had natural instincts to cover the whole back yard to hunt for tossed balls. Unfortunately, it was soon noted that we had poison oak somewhere in the yard that got on her coat. I had outbreaks for over a year, even heavily clothed and wearing gloves. I was miserable for a long while and then one day, I was no longer affected. Yea! That left the I.R.S. Like most Americans, I have been audited while earning a wage. And I can’t say that it was pleasant, but tolerable. Then I began to work for myself and the fear escalated. I was sure that somehow “they” would get me for something. I wasn’t sure what because I have never made a lot of money. But you know how fears work. They are rarely based on facts. It’s their unknown-ness that gets us all worked up. But this time, I realized that I was causing my own upset and that I could do something about it and I did. I located all of my past returns along with current papers and really got organized. Of course, for me, I also shared my story with lots of people. That’s what finally turned the tide. Every time I told the story, it got less scary and more humorous. Finally, one day, I realized that I wasn’t thinking about it or “them” at all and I knew that I was no longer afraid. So now, we will just have to wait and see if this situation has to goes the distance; or just dwindles away. The good news is that I am ready!