Our Furry and Feathered Families

Anyone who knows me knows that I value the lives of my furry and feathered family members. Oh, what the heck, I value the lives of all God's creatures. However, dogs, cats, birds, chickens, bunnies and even those bratty squirrels mean a lot to me.

In April, two chickens joined the Eckert clan. Roxie and Ruby are quite the handful. They love to escape from the yard when they are allowed to roam out of their coop. They also love to lay their eggs under the deck. This is really not acceptable but they just don't listen no matter how much I explain this to them. So, every night for the last few nights either I go under the deck to retrieve the eggs or my daughter's boyfriend does. Such fun!



My family also includes two elderly gentlemen, my cats. Spookie and Damien are both getting up there. Damien will actually be "legal" soon. He has reached the ripe, old age of 21. And it shows. Sometimes, no one seems to be at home. There can be some trying times dealing with these two. By the way, I'm not into witchcraft. The names were chosen since they were both rescued around Halloween.


And, of course, there is Lucky Joe. My beloved lab mix who is going to be 14 this July. Such a love! He is also showing his age. The hips just don't want to do what he wants them to do. He is lovingly called Grandpa around here.

Then there are the birds I feed. The ones who somehow get into my sun room and need to be rescued. The rabbits who hop around at nightfall. And we can't forget the squirrels who love to eat bird seed and tomatoes. So far this year they have left the tomatoes alone. Maybe my threats to shoot them have made them believers. If they only knew I am so against guns and would never allow one in my home.

You may be wondering why this long discourse on my family. As well as the love I have for those furry and feathered family members, I also deeply care for those animals who are abused and tortured. I just don't understand the mentality of some people. Why would you have a pet, chain it, starve it, beat it, etc.?

I just read the latest rescue by Randy Grim of Stray Rescue of St. Louis. A dog who was chained was found hanging on a fence. Although Randy was able to rescue Gustav and get him to a vet, he didn't make it. He did receive loving care and hugs and kisses for his final few hours here on earth. Here is a link if you'd like to read about ""Gustav" and Stray Rescue: http://strayrescue.org/gustav. As far as I am concerned, Randy, his staff and all those other "angels" who work with rescue groups are as close to walking on water as anyone I know.

Yes, I know abuse is rampant all over. Spousal abuse, child abuse, so many abused. My heart cries when I think about it.

So, what can I do about it? I can spread love and kindness to everyone I meet and encounter. Especially to those who are mean and hateful. They need it the most.

Will you be a little more loving? Remember this song by the Beatles:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydfH7iuLR0I

Namaste',

Mareda

Successful sabotage.

A strange title but one that probably hits home for many of us. I know it does for me. If I am honest with myself, I see many ways that I have sabotaged my success or at least minimally delayed it. 

As many of you know, my main goal in my life at this time is to become a successful life coach. I've got the certification, the business cards, the brochures, the website, the Facebook page, etc. So why don't I have clients beating down my door? Well......

I recognize that success doesn't come overnight. Truth be told, an "overnight success" probably worked years to become just that. Success comes with commitment and dedication. I have commitment and dedication. So what is   going on?

A few weeks ago when I was bemoaning my fate to some friends, they reminded me that I am sowing the seeds for success in all that I am doing. Just as plants don't become mature overnight, neither do desires. You have to "move your feet" to see results. I've planted the seeds. However, I don't see any sprouts pushing through the soil. Why?

As much as I do not like to admit it, I see where I have been very successful in sabotaging my success or at least delaying it to a degree.  Here are a few examples.

Some months ago, my coach called and asked if I could fill in for her at a marketing event. It was at the last minute and I declined. Yes, I was scheduled to work that day but this was only for a couple of hours. I could have adjusted my work hours to fit this in. I also could have marketed my coaching business. One opportunity lost.

This blog is another good example. I created it to share my thoughts and feelings but also with the idea that it just might draw clients to me. So my last entry before this was in March. I don't have an explanation for this one. 

And then there is that "stinking thinking" also known as negative thinking. The thoughts arise that I am so busy and so tired, I wouldn't have the time or energy. Other thoughts come up that I really don't know what I'm doing. Thoughts that people don't want to or can't pay for a coach creep in. A quote from the Science of Mind Magazine for July says "If we are to experience success, we cannot afford to give any power to negative thinking or any power..."

What to do? What to do? 

STOP! Be grateful! Visualize success! Reverse all negative thoughts to the positive opposite! Be available! And trust that at the perfect time, success will push through the mental soil that has been cultivated with positive thoughts, weeded for the negative ones, and nourished with meditation and visulatization. 

I've had opportunities come to me. I chose to deny those opportunities. I have been very successful at sabotaging my success. Where do you sabotage your success? Be honest with yourself. It could be in a career, a relationship, health, weight, prosperity. 

I'm going on record right now that a successful coaching career is my #1 priority. When opporutnities arise, I shall take them and know that all else will fall into place. How about you?

Namaste,

Mareda

The Mystical Magic of Spring

For the last few weeks, we have been blessed with many spring-like days. Even though it is still March, life is beginning to sprout all over the place. The birds are busy building nests and waking me before dawn with their songs of joy. I've even seen a mosquito! The weather may still change but spring is on the horizon.


As I took my afternoon walk, I decided to capture spring in photos along the way so here goes.

Enjoy!

I must step onto my soapbox before I finish this blog entry. Many of us, myself included, have used or use chemcals to kill weeds, to fertilize our grass, etc. I ask each of you who read this blog to think and then think again before using these types of chemicals. It is my belief that they are slowly killing our planet, first the bees and then.... Well, I really don't want to go there. If you absolutely must use weed killer, wipe it onto the leaves of the weed you want to destroy. At least it won't get into the soil and air.  However, my suggestion is to either let the weeds grow so they can fulfill their purpose or get down on your knees, sit on your butt and pull them. Get dirty. Get in touch with Mother Earth. 

As I step off my soapbox, I wish you all a Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover. 

Namaste,

Mareda

Lift Every Voice and Sing

The title of this post is the first sentence in the "Negro National Anthem" also known as the "Black National Anthem." I had never heard this song before today. A friend made a presentation at church commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. She ended with this song. A very appropriate song for Dr. King but also for this time of conflict in our world. Here is the link.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

As I think about these words and as I continue to read "The Warmth of Other Suns," I wonder how much longer it will take for true equality to appear on Planet Earth. It seems that with all our education, we still remain uneducated in the path of love. The whites hate the blacks, the Christians hate the Muslims, the rich hate the poor and vice versa. All our enlightened men and women of history have taught love. Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Gandhi to name a few taught love and non-violence. Throughout history their teachings have been corrupted by a few who want us to believe they speak for the spiritual tradition. 

Our ignorance and inner fear keep us from accepting the uniqueness of others. As someone who has always been opposed to teaching religion in schools maybe religion should be taught. A complete and thorough understanding of all the religions of the world might just bring us to a better understanding of our world. Teaching the customs and traditions of all nationalities might bring us to a place of acceptance. 

As I step down from my soapbox, I'd like to end this entry with a new song by Tobey Keith. It fits well into what I've discussed. Getting along as one people. Enjoy. 

Drunk Americans 

Namaste,

Mareda

Empowerment! It's the real deal.

Today I received a billing from my insurance agent for my auto insurance. For the last two or three years my premium has been increasing every time it renews for no apparent reason. Granted it increased when my daughter began driving and her car was added to the policy. That is understandable but the rates for my car have also increased. Why? My agent did not give me a satisfactory answer when I questioned this but he has been my agent for a long time. I've always felt I could rely on his obtaining the best rates. I've always let the rate increases slide feeling certain my next rate increase would be less. This has not happened!

Now I'm sure you are wondering what in the world this has to do with mystical, metaphysical ideology. There is a method to my madness.  I'm going to start with definitions.

Complacency - a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better. 

Empowerment, specifically self-empowerment - taking charge of your own life. 

With regard to my auto insurance, I've taken steps to no longer be complacent. I've already contacted my agent and relayed my displeasure and have also contact other agents for quotes. I am empowered to take charge of this situation and change it.

As I think about this, I wonder where complacency plays a role in other aspects of my life. I know it has played a big part with my work situation. I've not been totally happy yet not willing to do anything about it. The financial security that goes along with a full time job lulls one into a sense of security. This changed early in 2014 when I finally figured out what I wanted to do "when I grew up." It further changed when my hours were cut from 40 to 20 a week beginning this January. I could be empowered to build my life coaching business or find another part time job or I could just whine and cry and worry about how in the world I would meet my financial obligations.

I chose empowerment. Putting one foot in front of the other one, I am working to market my business to those who may profit from re-inventing a life less than ideal or invent something totally new. If necessary, I will search for an additional part-time job.

What about those of you who are reading this blog? Are you complacent about your work? your education? your relationships? your finances? your health? It is easy to be complacent. Change can be very fearful even when things are less than ideal in your living experience. What do you want your life to look like? If you had a magic wand, what would happen if you used it?

Empowerment. 

It's the real deal. 

Not happy? Do something about it. Life on Planet Earth is too short to be unhappy about something you just might be able to change. The first step is the most difficult. After that, you might find you are singin' and dancin' down the street with a song in your heart. Even in the rain.  

Namaste,

Mareda

Mareda Eckert, Personal Mastery Life Coach

Changes

As I begin this year of 2015 my life is quite different. No longer working a 40 hour week at my usual job, I find I have more time for me. I'm not always sure what to do with it. As someone who is accustomed to being busy all the time, I find it rather challenging to have time to do what I want rather than what I have to do. An element of guilt comes up occasionally when I am not doing something. Talk about a human doing verses a human being!

So just what am I doing to fill up some of the vacant time slots until my coaching career takes off:

1. Meditate, meditate, meditate
2. Read for enjoyment
3. Educate myself about essential oils
4. Blog more
5. Love on my furry family members

These are things I do for myself. Not for my career. Not for money. Not for anything other than my own Good. It's nice. I am enjoying my new found freedom immensely.

I'd like to share a photo I discovered on Facebook that radiates the peace that I am seeking for my life on a daily basis. The reflections represent the truth that what you think manifests. Your physical world is a reflection of your thoughts. If you aren't happy with your life, consider changing your thinking. What kind of personal world do you want to call your home?

Remember - you are the only person who can change your life. When things appear to be going all wrong, find the good. It is there. Might just be hiding right in front of your eyes.

Namaste,

Mareda

2015 - A New Year

I'm usually not that moved when one year flows into another. It happens every year and has always just been for me another day or for many an excuse to party and get together with friends. This year is different.

As I look back at 2014, I realize it was quite a year for me. I received my Reiki I and Reiki II certification with Cynde Meyer, my Chakra Awakening: Crystal Healer Practitioner Certification Level I with Margaret Ann Lembo, and my Personal Mastery Life Coaching Certification with Cynde Meyer. What a year!

Receiving these certifications was great but the most wonderful part of this is the fact that I actually figured out, after some 60+ years on Planet Earth, what I wanted to do when I grow up. Healing using alternative avenues as those listed above is what it is all about for me. Traditional medicine is unbelievably miraculous but adding Reiki during chemo could make for a much better experience. And healing one's life that appears to be in a constant state of flux with a coach's encouragement could direct a person to a life of happiness and fulfillment.

With the culmination of my coaching classes, I knew that 2015 was the year I would begin a career of my own, Personal Life Coaching. I did wonder how in the world would this be possible when I worked many 10 hour days and was usually exhausted when I reached my home. Well, the Universe took care of that challenge.

The owner of the PT clinic where I work finally realized her dream of becoming a state representative. This win for her was a win for me also as it became very clear that she would not be in the clinic as much and would be cutting her hours of operation. For me this meant cutting my hours from a 40 hour work week to a 20 hour work week. YES!!! Now I'm sure you are wondering how I can see this as good since my salary would also be cut in half. The Universe has my back. It has always had my back. I usually just keep getting in the way of the miracles.

This year of 2015 is going to be a year of miracles and happiness and prosperity for me and everyone around me. No more worrying about how things will manifest. I'm just visualizing the end result and letting my guides and angels guide me. Will fear sometimes creep in? Sure. But it isn't staying for long. I'll look at it, make adjustments, and move on.

My goals for 2015 are success in a new coaching career, unlimited prosperity, more fun and who knows what else.

What do you plan for 2015? Make it wonderful. Leave all the negative stuff behind. It does nothing but weigh you down. What could you do to be of help to others by being good to yourself? I did good things for me in 2014 and plan to continue doing that in 2015; however, my good shall flow over to others also. Wow! I can hardly wait to see what I will have accomplished when 2016 rolls around.

IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD!

Namaste,

Mareda