The animals that grace our lives are referred to as Guardians of Being and they play a specific role in our spiritual development. They keep us on track, remind us to be joyful and constantly teach how to be present.

Animals have a reincarnational series of seven lifetimes and will remember their prior incarnations, thus demonstrating similar fears or preferences he or she has developed along the way. It is not unusual for an animal with whom you’ve had a special bond to show up again and again to assist you on your spiritual journey.

True happiness is found in the smallest things and our furry friends can remind us to be alert and fully present in order to notice them… squirrel! I often watch my dogs respond to things that I cannot hear. Their ears perk up, heads tilt and then they’re off to investigate (usually quite exuberant in their display of joy).

Take some time today to listen and observe. Open yourself to the energy which is beyond the sound and you’ll discover the sacredness in which all things manifest. See the beauty, the transition, the stillness or the lesson which is being presented.

Animals have no sense of ego. There’s no comparison to other animals, worries about whether their fur makes them look fat or resentment about the past. Rather, they are simply engaged in whatever the present moment offers.

The human condition is to get lost within the labyrinth of thought, worry and anxiety. Allow your animals to show you out of the prison of the mind and don’t forget to thank them for being wonderful travel partners on the Path of Transformation.

Today my intention is to celebrate life by being completely present.

Memories, by their very nature, are nebulous things. The only aspect that crystallizes in the mind is our perception and interpretation of events, and that has a lot to do with our current level of awakening and awareness. As we expand into the infinite energy of the Divine, we begin to see more clearly and often that changes everything.

This is even more true when thinking of past lives, karma and the ties that bind us to one another. You will be presented with pieces of a puzzle that eventually coalesce into a picture – one that brings more clarity to your journey and provides the insight necessary to navigate through the Now as best you can.

It’s important not to get lost in the past of this lifetime or others. Our only responsibility is to awaken and while the knowledge we’ve gleaned over many incarnations plays a part, nothing is more important than the joy that is available for you in the present moment.

Likewise, worrying about the future is like boxing with shadows. The energy it takes to fight a fear drains you of your precious life force and robs you of the ability to enjoy the journey of awakening. You can plan, make contingencies and carry the knowledge of the past to se you through; however, the focus should be primarily on your state of consciousness. Your joy is your own responsibility.

To be responsible is to respond appropriately to the events of your life. You can choose to surrender or persevere – either is fine as long as the decision is made from a place of love or joy, rather than fear or victimization. Simply put, responsibility means walking your talk and speaking your truth with complete integrity Now. The only thing over which you have complete control is your state of consciousness… are you choosing joy?

Today my intention is to be fully present. No matter what has unfolded in my life, I know that I have always done the best I could with what I have… and with each new experience I discover more about myself.

Every once in a while we meet someone who pivots our life into a new direction. Typically these types of karmas – referred to as Pivotal Facilitator karmic monad agreements – are very intense and create great upheaval within our experience. This can come in many forms such as a lover, teacher, inspirational writings, words from a stranger or an extreme challenge.

When we get stuck within a particular routine or energetic patterns, our higher self will draw in the Pivotal Facilitator. The resulting passion turns everything upside down and decisions are made which propel you into new areas of growth. Initially, the emotional intensity is so great that we don’t even realize this is happening… and then the dust settles and we find ourselves transformed.

In my experience, this has helped me to wake up from abusive or limiting situations and refocus on my spiritual path. While the roller coaster ride of change is often laden with unusual twists and turns, I find myself grateful from the karmic contract that played such an important part in my souls development.

Look back over your life. Think of those who may have played this role for you and send them a prayer of thanks. If your life is currently one of great drama and upheaval, you may be in the midst of this type of karmic contract. The way to creat peace is to ensure that you are fulfilling your life’s purpose and listening to the messages from your higher self. Allow yourself to pivot into a new direction or experience and become aware of any limiting habits or beliefs that are ready to be discarded. This is the moment of transformation.

Today my intention is to grateful for all the teachers of my life and those who have assisted me on my journey of awakening.

The most important aspect of awakening is observing ourselves. You are not asked to be any different or hide your emotions, merely to notice how you react and think while you objectively view your personal patterns of behavior. Shining the light of consciousness transforms that which is observed.

When we begin to understand how our beliefs are played out repeatedly – how we think we should be or how others should be – and see clearly without judgment, the layers of illusion begin to dissolve.

Demanding that others be anything different from what they are blocks our ability to interact with an open heart or develop any meaningful, authentic connection with them.

Everyone wishes to be heard, understood, accepted and appreciated and we must be the change we wish to see. Begin within and expand these precious gifts outward. Your awakening consciousness will not only transform your vision but all of your interactions as well.

Today my intention is to be love.

For the past several days my guides have awakened me at 3:33 to write. In the dark morning hours, it’s a delight to take my gratitude walk while listening to the songs of crickets in the moonlight. The number 3 represents flow and harmony and the repetition indicates that I’m entering a phase where life will simply seem to say “Yes!” to the energy I’m sending out.

It’s important to be conscious of our thoughts, words and actions. Each creates a powerful momentum which will be experienced in the world of form and it’s helpful to ensure that all are in alignment with one another. For instance, choosing to apply for a job and then immediately saying to yourself, “…I probably won’t get it anyway…” negates the action. Dieting while hating your body is another example of contradictory energy, as is tying to solve relationship problems by telling the story of how you were wronged again and again to all who will listen.

When all aspects of the personality act consciously together in harmony, it can be surprising how powerfully and how quickly things can move. Take the time to be mindful of your thoughts and allow your actions to be led by joy.

Enthusiasm and the appreciation of beauty inspires that energy to expand and grow in our lives. Your perception of the world is a reflection of what is happening on the inner, and we can choose an empowered interpretation of the events, lessons and interactions we experience.

Today my intention is to remember that all things are possible.

Life responds to you. The energy that you project out into the world always flows back, increased by the momentum of your passion; therefore, it’s important to be led by joy. The key is to approach every conscious choice and decision from a place of acceptance and enthusiasm while being unattached to outcomes.

This is where many get bogged down in repetitive patterns. It’s natural to be excited about a new project, not recognizing that the positive feelings are ego generated. That only becomes clear if we experience disappointment when our expectations are not met. Frustration or sadness ensue and the level of each indicates the amount of attachment we had.

When your decisions are led by joy and an authentic sense of wonder and trust, you’ll discover that the journey may lead you into unexplored areas of your development. Being unattached to outcomes allow you to participate fully in the unfoldment of your life without distraction or getting caught up in the web of desire.

Since your experience of the world is a reflection of you, you’ll find yourself simply honoring every path as sacred, dropping all judgment and supporting those around you with an open heart. The ease and which you can do these things directly flows from the ease and grace which fills your life.

Today my intention is to dance the dance of awakening with joy, enthusiasm, passion, acceptance and peace.

Everyone has a team of spirit guides, healing masters, helpers and angels that assist us from the higher levels. These may be souls who have passed on, ancestors, ascended masters or perhaps your essence twin (if that person isn’t currently incarnated). These loving beings exist outside of time and space and can be helpful in many ways.

Although everyone has these helpers walking beside them in each lifetime, many remain unaware of them. Old souls are more apt to recognize this assistance, call upon it consciously and employ it during the course of their daily walk.

You can contact your higher guidance through meditation and visualization. Often, they will communicate with you through one of the chakras, mental images, a quiet voice, energy that tingles throughout the body or heat flowing through the hands. There are times when these messages can be overwhelming – it’s ok to request a different form of communication or ask that it be less intense. They are learning the most effective way to help you just as much as you are learning how to receive.

The more you communicate with your higher guidance, the more accessible it becomes for you. Like anything, familiarity grows stronger with time and practice. They are ready and willing to help at every moment.

• Take some time to sit quietly with your eyes closed
• Focus on deep conscious breaths
• Ask that only one or a few come forward today
• Visualize your aura – you may sense a person, animal or loving energy near you
• If you can see them in your mind’s eye, notice the dress or appearance. If you’re not a visual person, notice if there’s a change within your energy or if you feel a specific sensation somewhere on the body
• Ask them what type of assistance they are capable of giving
• Always thank them for walking by your side

During the course of your lifetime, you may experience love and assistance from myriad sources in many different ways. I have a few guides of whom I’ve been aware from the beginning of my spiritual journey and others that have appeared temporarily as I incorporated higher knowledge or expanded my spiritual work in new directions. A dear friend who passed away 12 years ago now works with me during all of my healing sessions, and many of you have expressed feeling the sensation of a second set of hands at your feet.

Know that you are loved and supported in infinite ways every step of the way. Even if you haven’t reached a place of conscious awareness, this assistance is there for you. Call upon it, welcome new friends and seek understanding with an open heart.

Today my intention is to celebrate all the aspects of my awakening – both seen and unseen – and accept the assistance which is so lovingly given.

Walking the Path of Transformation does not mean that we remove ourselves from life but that we delve into it more deeply. The awakened soul recognizes the value of all events – be they harmonious or challenging – and seeks to discover the gifts that reside within every aspect of the journey.

It is only the ego which demands that the present moment be other than what it is. We create suffering when we long for something to be different, never realizing the empowerment that awaits when we delve beneath the surface to seek the core of love. Judgment is nothing more than a distraction the mind creates to justify a lack of compassion or involvement and blocks our ability to consciously participate with an open heart.

Acceptance means saying yes to life – even the hard parts. The progressions of your journey can be measured by the amount of peace you create within your experience. Yes, the ego will still make its appearance when you least expect it; however, you may find that you notice it more quickly and bring yourself back into balance. This movement into consciousness is a result of the awakening you have experienced so far – compare the responses of today to those you might have had a year ago (or five or ten).

Now, contemplating the infinite nature of the Universe, consider all the spiritual work you have already done, the lessons you’ve integrated, the healing you’ve experienced, the gifts of love that you’ve shared with others… all that is merely the tip of the iceberg. The expanding consciousness which awaits us all is nothing like we imagine because it defies all boundaries, limitation and expectation. The infinite love of the Divine seeks to express itself within you and the best is yet to come.

Today my intention is to live each moment with an open heart.

There is great power in recognizing the repeating patterns of our lives. Subconscious programming causes us to play out repetitive cycles and the resulting events eventually solidify into false beliefs and assumptions that dictate future choices. It’s a vicious circle of experience which distracts us from realizing the beauty of being an eternal soul who has embarked upon a journey of awakening.

Karma is not punishment nor is it a trap from which one cannot escape. Once we reach the higher levels of understanding we find that instead of avoiding challenges, we turn and face them consciously, thus observing, recognizing and dissolving old patterns which no longer serve our growth.

When we learn to rise above the voice of ego, we discover an inner silence that we can enter and commune with the infinite silence of the Divine. In that space of wholeness we come to realize that we are already fulfilled and no longer trapped within the restrictive energy of what we see.

A world of possibility is open to you. The more relaxed your are within your experience, the greater your ability to recognize the wonders of limitless potential. Awakening is a process. Layer by layer the illusion is removed and your light shines more clearly from the depths of your being.

Today my intention is to walk my talk and speak my truth with integrity.