IN THIS ISSUE:

            A Warm Welcome From My Heart To Yours   
            Article:  An Extraordinary Story
            Quotes That Inspire Me
            Recommended Books For Healing And Finding Peace
            Final Thoughts And Suggestions…

A WARM WELCOME FROM MY HEART TO YOURS:

When I first created this newsletter, it was with the purpose of providing you with stories, insights and information which can help you live the life you desire. Being that the name of my book and the site is Touched by the Extraordinary, the emphasis has been on how extraordinary you and I are, as well as the fact that when we open our hearts to the possibility of possibilities, we are so often touched by extraordinary experiences.

Given that in the past few months, I have been keeping you informed of material available which I truly feel may be able to help you – but have not written about some wonderful, extraordinary events which have come to my attention, I wanted to do just that in my upcoming newsletters.

This particular newsletter is a gift born out of one event which occurred while working nonstop to finish my new book, Touched by the Extraordinary Book Two :Healing Stories of Love, Loss, and Hope.

Also, this is my small way of extending my heartfelt thanks to those of you who have asked to receive my newsletter and who have signed on to become members of the Facebook group, Touched by the Extraordinary, where you have shared some absolutely amazing stories.

AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY:

One of the chapters in my soon to-be published book includes stories dealing with the loss of a pet. One story, in particular, centers on the loss of a beautiful miniature collie, Shona, and the creative ways in which she found to communicate with her “mom,” Carol. Carol began noticing that frequently, while deeply grieving and thinking about Shona, she would observe red-tailed hawks flying over her, whether she was walking to her car, in her car or out on her patio.

While I was proofing Shona’s story, I noticed that only the word hawks had been used to describe the birds which appeared to Carol, and, therefore, I mentioned to Cheryl that I felt that we needed to be sure that the words red-tailed were  specifically used to describe the hawks. Both of us agreed that this was important for the story.

When I spoke with Cheryl regarding a final editing of the story, she described the following event to me.   Early one morning, just a few days before, while she had been busy working on the manuscript in her study on the second floor of her home, Cheryl heard her dogs barking outside. She reminded me that she has two dogs, a large, black lab, Maddie, who never barks and a small, French bulldog, Josie, who enjoys barking. Cheryl felt it was odd, then, that both of them were barking.

Cheryl lives out in the country in Bucks County, PA. She knew that at times her cat enjoyed climbing one of the trees in her back yard. When she looked out the window, she saw both of her dogs beneath a mulberry tree, looking up into the tree and barking. She assumed that her cat had run up the tree and that is what her little guys were barking at. And, so, she returned to her desk and her editing work.

However, it was difficult for her to keep her focus, as hard as she would try, because the barking continued. She finally gave up and went out back to where her dogs were standing and barking at something in the tree. “So, what in the world is going on?” she asked her little crew. And, as she asked her question, she followed their gaze to the top of the tree.

There, perched on one of the top branches was a huge red-tailed hawk, sitting calmly, taking in a view of the world that only birds can have from that vantage point. Cheryl was stunned because she had never before seen a red–tailed hawk on her property. She immediately felt a sense of awe, as though she was being touched by something extraordinary.

In moments such as those that Cheryl was experiencing, you know that you are being given a message. Though you may not know the exact meaning, you gradually recognize that it feels good to be the recipient of the message. In fact, when you share it with another, as Cheryl did with me, you are more or less spreading the awe- inspiring power of what you have received – and that feels good, as well, for both you and the other.

We both knew that Spirit had found a way to communicate an awareness of the spiritual book material  that Cheryl was working on, an awareness of her being open to the marvelous manner in which we really all are One.

Was the surprise visit by the enormous, red-tailed hawk an indication that Bev was present and working with Cheryl, or that Spirit simply wanted her to know that she was in perfect alignment with where she needed to be in her life, doing what she was supposed to be doing? Perhaps the message being conveyed to Cheryl is that she is being guided and/or watched over. 

Cheryl will decide for herself the meaning of this occurrence. But, bottom-line, the red-tailed hawk’s  appearance, at a time when Cheryl was focused on helping to bring the story to many others, feels like a very powerful statement of positive reinforcement from the Universe that all is well with the project.

This story deeply touched my soul. I do feel my friend and editor, Bev, has, been working with Cheryl and me, though I have no “proof.” Furthermore, I am always open to and grateful for any indications that we are headed in the right direction that come in the form of synchronicities and signs.

QUOTES THAT INSPIRE ME...

"We do not see thing as they are. We see things as we are."  
     ~The Talmud

"Love may speak a language all its own, but true love seldom needs an interpreter."
     ~Maya Angelou

"I have such a sense of solidarity with all things that it does not matter where the
individual begins and ends." 
     ~Albert Einstein

"People say that you are going the wrong way when it’s simply a way of your own."
     ~Angelina Jolie

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
      ~Robert Kennedy

THREE BOOKS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND:


HAVE A LITTLE FAITH  by Mitch Albom

This run–away best seller on the New York Times Book  list, tells the true story of two men, a rabbi (of Albom’s childhood synagogue) and a pastor who has put aside drugs to assist the homeless in Detroit, Album’s adopted hometown. Mitch Albom, an award-winning newspaper columnist, author of best-selling non-fiction and novels, screenwriter, and more, uses the heartwarming and touching stories of his two leading characters to discuss issues of faith, morality, community, hope and the human spirit.  Perhaps in this book, more than the others he has so far written, you get to see and experience Mitch Albom, the humanitarian - a nice thing!

BROKEN  OPEN  by Elizabeth Lesser. 

This is a magnificent book for all of us, written by co-founder of the world famous personal growth and spiritual retreat, Omega Institute.  Who has not felt broken open at times? Life is filled with transitions which bring both joy and suffering. Elizabeth blends stories that are both true and quite moving with the wisdom gained from living a life filled with numerous challenges. Broken Open both validates our experiences and provides us with the hope that there can be healing, growth and joy in the midst of some of life’s most difficult times.

MY GRANDFATHER’S BLESSINGS by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

FINAL THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS:  

You are a valuable, precious being and deserve nothing less than my very best efforts and gifts. I thank you for your support, your love, your belief in your own strengths and, most of all, for choosing to honor both your own soul and mine by visiting this site and taking the time to read these stories of hope and love.

While I may not know you personally, I know you were born A Being Of Love and, therefore, I know you are a beautiful soul whose loving energy touches others. Choose to share your love with others; choose to see others in the way you wish them to see you. Choose Love, by being compassionate, understanding and/or patient. By doing so, you will enhance the quality of this journey called life, filling you with peace and joy. May blessings always be yours.

Turn to the one you share your life with or would like to and say I love you – and then say what you love about them!

Choose Love, Laughter, Joy, Patience, Compassion, and to Give and Serve.

Affirm your intentions! Practice saying to yourself: I intend to come from love; I intend to find and focus on that which is joyful in others and in various situations; I intend to process, forgive and release my unfinished business. I intend to have a peaceful day.

When in need, offer a simple prayer: Please help me, angels (or God) .

When you feel upset, release your pain and find healing by taking your dog for a walk, writing a letter to yourself in a journal , distracting yourself by watching a DVD or movie, or taking time to breathe or meditate.

Bottom-line: You always get to choose the way you feel and, therefore, your quality of life.

Why choose to suffer when you can have joy???

May these Fall days, and every day, be filled with Warmth, Peace and Much Love...

Blessings From My Heart Always,

p.s. If you have found these stories helpful or inspirational and feel they may help someone else, please send this letter onto them.
 

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*Red Tail Hawk Image used from Wikipedia