tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20316451757038379472024-03-05T13:13:43.940-08:00Journey Home Healing ArtsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-74765482300614310472015-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:002015-02-17T13:47:03.397-08:00Standing at a New Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwovaZxFRSV3lctdXx_e0uC3_wcPv1WtH4Eq13fSZ9aV8_ZtbZt4OLmZhp33v70LLFH0ml2Ah6icYAcrCRrfl_3qsXCIqIHnbxccQh32srzZy4jOaeljDpAzAILbH7THyovCFK_ugs6cg/s1600/door-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwovaZxFRSV3lctdXx_e0uC3_wcPv1WtH4Eq13fSZ9aV8_ZtbZt4OLmZhp33v70LLFH0ml2Ah6icYAcrCRrfl_3qsXCIqIHnbxccQh32srzZy4jOaeljDpAzAILbH7THyovCFK_ugs6cg/s1600/door-2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>"Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"</em> - Mary Oliver</strong></div>
<br />
I love this quote! It speaks to me of limitless possibility, the sanctity of life, and the miracle of being able to re-create my journey in every moment.<br />
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As some of you may know, I left my office job at the end of November. There came a day when the thought of spending another minute within the confines of my work there was almost more than I could bear. And I made a choice that day. A choice to cast off what was no longer serving, and take a step into the unknown. A choice to move outside the box and follow my soul's calling.<br />
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So I gave my two week's notice without having any idea of what the next step on the journey might be. And I did it, not from a place of reaction, but rather from a place of a deep inner knowing that it was time to move completely into the work I believe I came to the planet to do...to fully embody being an ambassador of hope in a world where many, many people have forgotten the Truth of who they are at a soul level. They've forgotten that their life matters and that they have totally unique gifts to offer humanity. They've forgotten that we are all connected and that love is all there is.<br />
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I've spent the time between the end of November and now, getting clarity on how I can best serve the world in this capacity. How do I shine light into those places of darkness that sometimes seem almost impossible to move beyond? It's been a time of deep soul searching, stretching way beyond my comfort zone, and learning to listen to and follow my intuition. There have been tears, stand offs with my ego, conversations with myself that have my poor cat wondering if I've lost my mind! And in truth, I have lost my mind. It was a precursor for moving more into my heart. It's been a process not unlike labour, this giving birth to a dream. And I am grateful for the tremendous learning within the metamorphosis.<br />
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2015 finds me standing at a beautiful new door! I have accepted the invitation to fully enter my life. The dream is still being birthed and I'm doing my best to stay fully present in each moment of its unfolding. Stay tuned...there's a new website in process (<a href="http://www.manifestingmiracles.ca/">www.ManifestingMiracles.ca</a>) upcoming inspirational speaking engagements to announce, new upcoming workshops in the creation phase, and last but not least I'm offering soul coaching to help others remember their Truth. If you're interested in getting more details about any of these offerings, or if you'd like to be on the newsletter distribution list for future events, and free inspirational info, please send me a message on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn or Twitter (journey2Self).<br />
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Thank you for being on this journey with me. Each and every one of you make a difference in my life and I am grateful for you!<br />
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As you move into your new year, what's calling you? Will you open the door and step across the threshold into your wild and precious life? I'd love to hear about your dreams.<br />
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Much love,<br />
Denise Cunningham<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo Credit: Caitlin Mellor Photography</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-14821115503953326472013-02-03T09:30:00.000-08:002013-02-03T09:30:29.872-08:00Honouring My Mom<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today would have been my mom’s 74<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> birthday
if she were still here in her physical manifestation. She made her transition
from this earthly realm almost 18 years ago. Our journey together was a
challenging one, shaped by the distortions of alcoholism and abuse. I have lit
a candle for her this morning, as I do every year. And each year I move closer
and closer to joy as I reach deep into my heart to really witness the sacred
dance that her and I chose this time around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This day, I am answering your cry for love mama. I hear
you and I honour you. I am forever grateful to you for your fierce love for me,
and for doing the best you could with the knowledge that you had. I am strong,
and brave, and compassionate, and loving because of you. I thank you for
joining me in this amazing legacy of strong and heart centred women that you
and the grandmothers before you began. And I thank your spirits for being with
us now as we go forward in this Age of One, inviting strong, heart centered men
to partner with us in our dance with life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This song was one of my mom’s favourites. From early on,
I rebelled against her love of old country music. My choice was hard rock. And
then, in the last couple of years of her life, when I was beginning to soften
and see her with new eyes, she introduced me to this song. In my heart it
became our theme song. Mom, I love you, and I stand with you today, and every
day, building bridges with love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqGOf_V2T4&feature=share&list=LLQo1LCCZoNkaBzjZUxGF8rQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqGOf_V2T4&feature=share&list=LLQo1LCCZoNkaBzjZUxGF8rQ</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proud to be your daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much love,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-72883595489785898852013-01-26T22:56:00.000-08:002013-01-26T22:56:39.031-08:00Adventures in Online Dating!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnni65kEBLEUGSX_8ouygFSRW1Zrt_TGhqFM7ccv4IPuh7kjA8DkhqnPlWv9P1DpezFxSAyUkrOfHSpvpQJZnJ2QxFFTMGD-HE1IHm_KAVXbZNFgGjxOEiF8BMraHJ-8_VhkY70fLNvWQ/s1600/426190_318861564817421_502348906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnni65kEBLEUGSX_8ouygFSRW1Zrt_TGhqFM7ccv4IPuh7kjA8DkhqnPlWv9P1DpezFxSAyUkrOfHSpvpQJZnJ2QxFFTMGD-HE1IHm_KAVXbZNFgGjxOEiF8BMraHJ-8_VhkY70fLNvWQ/s320/426190_318861564817421_502348906_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo Credit: Caitlin Mellor Photography</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DENISE’S ADVENTURES IN ONLINE DATING LAND<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…or, HOW FAR DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
WILL I CHOOSE TO GO?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of December, after a 3 month whirlwind
courtship that began on Facebook, I declined an invitation to be the financial
donor in a romance scam :) Then, I made the very uncharacteristic move of signing
up for a one month membership on an online dating sight. At this point, those
of you who know me well are probably double checking to make sure that this
post is actually from me! I’ve been on my own for several years now, and the
decision to step into the rabbit hole of online dating was not an easy one for
me. I had to get past my own judgements and antiquated ideas of the “right” way
to meet a potential partner. And I had to get beyond a comment one of my daughters
had made several years ago about online dating being the last refuge of the
truly desperate!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had been thinking on and off in the last year that it
would be an amazing gift to have a partner in my life again. It is such an
honour to have a witness to your life and to be able to be the witness and
support in another’s life. And I felt like I had unpacked enough of my own
baggage to be able to enter clearly into a new relationship. Then along came “Michael”
(most likely not his real name). He told me all the things I wanted to hear and
for the first time in my life I truly opened my heart up wide to love. That heart
opening shed light on all the baggage I had unknowingly hidden under the bed
for years. And so, the truth is that even though the connection from Facebook
turned out to be a scam, I am eternally grateful for the gifts of awareness the
encounter bestowed on me. Because of “Michael”, I have been unpacking and
releasing the remnants of the old suitcases of “self-doubt”, “fear of
intimacy”, “distorted body image”, “protective wall around my heart”, “fear of
men”. Baggage I would not have known still existed without him as the catalyst.
In his own way he has helped me to pave the way for the next great love of my
life, by showing me all of the barriers I had put up to prevent myself from
recognizing, and welcoming that love with open arms, when it arrives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If life is a mirror for me, and I truly believe that it
is, then I must ask myself some difficult questions if I’m going to walk my
talk: What is the romance scam mirroring back to me; What was my part in the
dance; Where am I seeking external validation for Truths about me that I am not
acknowledging within myself; Where am I not being 100% authentic in my life? I
don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m totally willing and open to receive
them as they come to me. And I have faith that they will come…in God’s timing…not
Denise’s timing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I’m most excited about in all of this is that I did
not allow my disappointment to close my heart again. I continue to say “Yes!” to life, in
all its messiness and seeming imperfection, and I say “Yes!” to love. So…how
far down the rabbit hole will I choose to go? The answer is: All the way. As Helen
Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Namasté</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denise</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-80428111418854996862013-01-26T22:39:00.001-08:002013-01-26T22:39:41.527-08:00New Year's Day 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbk6GNroOjyBtemWO4NVTriKv8qwBggc3T5FJzcwQQskavlvpNlN5EwBraSlZY063hL0_-QqZ7Q4Qns7IUoYX50GGS7l6Cy0uKdPQHmuR8ggiHPuiXbtdrFe2nxBKz8NKMHNS04VEEkc/s1600/Celebration+of+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbk6GNroOjyBtemWO4NVTriKv8qwBggc3T5FJzcwQQskavlvpNlN5EwBraSlZY063hL0_-QqZ7Q4Qns7IUoYX50GGS7l6Cy0uKdPQHmuR8ggiHPuiXbtdrFe2nxBKz8NKMHNS04VEEkc/s320/Celebration+of+Light.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo Credit: Caitlin Mellor Photography</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012 has been a year of
learning and growth for me. Most times it felt like anything that was no longer
serving me was coming up front and centre, at warp speed, to be healed and
released! And then there were the other times; the periods of respite…times
spent totally in the moment with my beautiful granddaughter. Times when I
remembered the Truth of who I really am…a spirit having a human experience.
There’s something about being in the presence of total innocence and trust that
softens me, cracks my heart wide open to love, and helps me transcend the ego’s
reality, for the Reality of Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So many new connections
last year. Reaching out beyond my comfort zone again and again. Finding kindred
spirits all over the world. Souls determined to spread more love in the
universe despite what appear to be overwhelming odds against it. And I marvel
at the synchronicity in the meetings. Some on Facebook, some via e-mail, some
in person. Towards the end of the year, the possibility of having a partner
again in my life arrived. While it appears at the moment that the relationship will
not result in the spiritual partnership I had envisioned, I will be forever
grateful to him for bringing up all of my blocks to love and my mistaken
beliefs about men and relationship. In some ways, and on some days, it feels
like our connection to each other as humans is so fragile and tenuous, and yet
another part of me knows that we’ve always been together in spirit. There is no
separation…we are all One.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we begin this new age
of One, where the Divine Feminine walks lovingly and equally, hand in hand with
the Magnificent Masculine, please know that I have deep gratitude for each and
every one of you who have touched my life in the past year. I look forward,
with an open heart to the infinite possibilities available to all of us as we
take the first steps into this brave new world. Thank you for being in my life.
It matters that you are here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denise<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-37922103750282096402011-12-28T12:24:00.000-08:002011-12-31T10:13:21.369-08:00Pausing Before the ExhaleI love the week between Christmas and the New Year! There is a beauty and a stillness in the non-doingness...a calm, centred place of just being. A quiet inner knowing that all is well, no matter what external circumstances might indicate. A breathing in of all that has happened in the last year, then the breath held briefly in anticipation, just before the exhale into all that is waiting to be birthed in the new year.<br /><br />It's been an interesting year of change for us all. It feels like more and more, we are re-membering and shifting into the Truth of who we are. Sometimes that process has felt easeful, and at other times, more challenging. I received the gift of a car accident at the end of July, that quite literally stopped me in my tracks for two months. The resulting whiplash and concussion rattled my body and brain. It left me in a place of being, because I could not put two thoughts together to <em>do</em> anything! The downtime gave me the opportunity to ask myself a lot of questions.<br /><br />How did I want to put the pieces of my life back together? And were there some pieces that no longer served and were best left to fall away? I began to realize that my former sense of urgency to get things done had been ego driven. And with that I started to relax into listening to the guidance of Spirit and only taking action when prompted by Spirit. Divine timing...not my timing! As I let go of my plans and allowed myself to come fully into each moment I began to experience more moments of peace and harmony.<br /><br /><br /><p>Then I was gifted with the birth of my granddaughter Kallie in November. Looking into her angelic face reminds me of miracles. She is beauty, innocence, and pure love; all of the things we all are, but have sometimes forgotten. As I watched her make her physical entrance into the world, her spiritual connection with God/Goddess was palpable in the room. It was almost as if she had not fully landed yet on this plane. Her connection to All That Is had not yet been completely veiled. In that moment, and in many moments since, she has reminded me that life is a gift, and that it is possible to experience heaven on earth, by simply being all of who I am.</p><br /><p>As this new year begins, I am choosing to remember that I am beauty, innocence and pure love, and that I am connected to All That Is. I am choosing to live more from my heart and less from my head. And it is my intention to continue the dance with joy and gratitude and grace. What are you choosing? May we all re-birth the Highest versions of who we are, in the amazing way that only each of us can. It matters that we are here because we each bring our own unique pieces of heaven on earth. Thank you for being on this journey with me. Namaste.</p><br /><p>With much love,<br />Denise</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-8037978047486964872011-09-30T13:35:00.000-07:002011-09-30T13:41:46.975-07:00Finding Love in the Eyes of a Horse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrKCC_cQ_CS70tl6ToTQS46aaMybAw6Ozfhzyb22OUOXy2n297QVNMAakGfVJT0-4I-QkvwVC5HYFAsKyThORe4pQCiXQ6_PBBt1G_Ro5OreKED2gYgsuO421QKxzmM3XapZnNro7q98/s1600/IndyCropped.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrKCC_cQ_CS70tl6ToTQS46aaMybAw6Ozfhzyb22OUOXy2n297QVNMAakGfVJT0-4I-QkvwVC5HYFAsKyThORe4pQCiXQ6_PBBt1G_Ro5OreKED2gYgsuO421QKxzmM3XapZnNro7q98/s320/IndyCropped.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658254281894761762" 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line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%" lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></u></b></p> <p>There are times in my life when healing has been hard won; through years of counselling, personal growth work, and/or the school of hard knocks. And then there are, what my friend Pat calls, “God shots.” Those moments of healing that happen with such exquisite timing and perfection, that we could not possibly humanly orchestrate them. They are delivered to us as a gift.</p> <p>I received such a gift through two horses; a majestic Freisian stallion named Nyk, and a wise Quarterhorse mare named Indy. My introduction to these spirit guides came about because I headed to a farm one sunny summer afternoon to support friends in the launch of their new business. They were using the human-horse connection to help people heal. My feelings about horses had swung between two polarities; awe and extreme fear. The awe was inspired by their size, their majesty, and their connection to Source. The fear was a lingering misperception from a childhood horse experience. I really didn’t know anything about horses but my soul had called me to be at the farm that day to help me see them through new eyes.</p> <p>The miracle began at the round pen where they had just turned out Nyk. I stood leaning on the boards watching this magnificent creature run freely around the ring, with flowing mane and tail flying in the wind. Before I knew it the tears were streaming down my face. Time stood still as I was drawn into Nyk’s spell. He was unabashedly being all of who he was, throughout every fibre of his being. Nothing else existed for me in that moment but a heart and soul connection with a living breathing example of grace.</p> <p>Then I volunteered for a session of equine guided healing because I hoped to find a way to overcome my fear of horses. I was asked to think of a question that I wanted the horses’ help in answering. My question was, “How do I learn to love myself more?” We went to the barn and visited with each horse. I was told that the horse that was meant to work with me would come forward. I was sceptical, to say the least. Imagine my surprise when I got to the third stall, and Indy came right up to me and put her nose on my nose. My teacher had chosen me.</p> <p>Indy and I joined each other in the round pen. She was untethered, and I was told that I could do whatever I was called to do. There was no agenda. “What do you mean there are no instructions?” I thought. Panic started to set in. I was used to having a game plan; a list of things to do. Indy wandered around exploring and I allowed myself to move beyond my fear and walk beside her. I talked, she listened. I moved closer, she stood still. She moved, I moved with her. We became partners in an otherworldly dance, to music only she and I could hear. Time became irrelevant. When we were done we had ended up face to face. I was holding Indy’s face in my hands as we looked into each other’s eyes. My fear had vanished. The tears rolled down my face as she passed on her answer to my question…She told me, “You don’t have to do…just be.”</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-7656445197928874412010-05-09T17:24:00.000-07:002010-05-09T17:45:56.689-07:00A Mother's PrayerThis poem was written about and for my daughters.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Mother's Prayer</span><br /><br />When I look at you, almost all grown, I wonder where the time went.<br />And I wonder if I have prepared you well for life.<br />There are no words for the depth of love I feel for you. It's a love that defies description.<br />It began before your birth and it will endure until the end of time.<br />Within that fierce love, my intention was to teach you about kindness and strength and unconditional love by the example of how I lived my life.<br /><br />More times than I care to remember I have fallen short of that intention.<br />Sometimes I spent more time conditioned by the past, or worried about the future, and neglected to actually be present in the moment with you.<br />If I had it to do over again, I'd spend less time worried about what others thought and more time looking into your eyes to see how you felt.<br />I'd listen more to my heart and less to the "experts".<br /><br />For the times that my mistakes may have hurt you, disappointed you or let you down, I apologize and ask you to forgive my flaws. May you instead remember the truth of who we both are; people doing the best we can with the knowledge we have...people learning and growing, who are deserving of unconditional love, dignity and respect.<br /><br />I embrace and honour your gifts and your innocence. I see your value and your wisdom. May the beauty, power and vision of your youth change me...change the world.<br /><br />Thank you for the gift you are in my life; for being one of my greatest teachers. My wish for you is that you will always find light in the darkest of times, and that you will know, without a doubt, that you matter and that you are never alone. My wish for me is that I remain open and trusting in our relationship and never grow too old to learn.<br /><br />May we have many more years of learning and growing together.<br /><br />And so it is.<br /><br /><br />Denise Cunningham 2009Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-14554484315183673712010-05-05T20:53:00.000-07:002010-05-05T21:00:23.448-07:00Honouring My Adopted Mom<style></style><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>Dear Audrey,<br /><br />Your 75th birthday would have been May 2, 2010 and Mother's day is coming up on the 8th. It feels fitting to post this remembrance of you today.<br /></strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>They say it takes a village to raise a child and I wonder if you know, that in opening your door and your heart to me, your family became my village. </strong></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>When my mother's drinking days were at their hiatus, being cocooned in the warmth of your home saved me from a path of self-destruction that I don't want to go down in my imagination, even now.</strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>I marvel at your strength and your courage and your grace. You already had 2 daughters, 4 step-sons and a son when I arrived on your doorstep at the age of 14. You worked full-time outside the home, full-time inside the home, and somehow you always made time for me.</strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>You taught me that there are no limits on the amount of love someone can give and you taught me that there is no upset that a cup of tea won't soothe. This is something that I've passed on to my daughters. Whenever they have a personal crisis or we have a family one, the first thing that happens is that the kettle goes on.</strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>And now that you have ended your days on this plane I hope you know how much your life impacted mine. How your willingness to respond to a young girl in trouble showed me that I mattered. The greatest way I know to honour you and your life is to pay it forward. I provide a safe haven for the "homeless" children who arrive on my doorstep. Some of them stay for a short time and some of them for a longer time. I make sure that all of them know that they matter. </strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>God bless you on this part of your journey. You have been a great teacher. You made me a better person and a better mother. I will be forever grateful for that. I love you and my spirit is with you. Please know that you will live in my heart always.</strong></span></div> <div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></strong> </div> <div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Love Denise</span></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-20782548944141396562010-04-03T10:14:00.000-07:002010-05-09T17:13:34.883-07:00R.I.P. ChrisLast Thursday, March 25, 2010, a 17 year old youth made a choice to end his own life. And in the aftermath of this heartbreaking tragedy I find myself asking his spirit to help me to understand. To help me make sense of something that makes no sense at all. I want to remain in my head analyzing the "why" because it hurts way too much to fully open my heart and accept that somehow, as part of the energetic village that surrounded this child, I feel like I missed the mark. I didn't know him personally, but I believe we are all connected, and I humbly continue to ask him to show me what my part is in helping to co-create a world where children know their inherent worth has nothing to do with their accomplishments.<br /><br />Chris was a young man with such a bright light and such a passion for life. And yet in his world it appeared that there was no room for anything but the best...no room for failure. There was no room to be anything less than perfect. And when he made a mistake that he thought he couldn't get out of, he believed his only choice was death. He sought a permanent solution to a temporary problem. With the end of his short time on this plane, a young man I have never met has provided me with an opportunity to wonder what I am teaching as I live my life. What kind of example am I demonstrating by the way that I choose to carry myself in this world?<br /><br />Am I teaching that who people are, right this minute, is enough? That who I am right now is enough? That there is no such thing as perfect, nor is perfection a life-enhancing goal to strive for? Am I teaching that we are human beings...not human doings? What is my definition of success and how am I modeling that for the next generation? Is there such a thing as failure...or...if things don't turn out as planned, can I perceive that as a gift waiting to be opened...a learning opportunity on the journey of life? Am I teaching that honouring the journey is more important than reaching the destination?<br /><br />Beautiful boy child, I don't yet have all of these answers. My heart is still breaking over your loss, but I am in deep gratitude to you for stirring these questions within me.<br /><br />Rest in peace little one.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031645175703837947.post-39049006076275546662010-03-12T18:34:00.001-08:002010-03-12T18:34:57.113-08:00Will I Ever Make It?A good friend of mine sent me an e-mail this week and in it she asked me, "Will I ever make it Denise?" I was more than a little surprised to see this question coming from her. She's a published writer whose books grace the shelves of prominent bookstores and public libraries. And yet, somehow in her mind, she believes she hasn't made it yet. I wonder how many of us ask ourselves the same question, if only in the privacy of our own minds. Will I ever make it?<br /><br />While contemplating my friend's question I was at a loss trying to imagine what would need to happen in her life for her to believe that she'd made it. What circumstance(s) would need to transpire? Would there ever be an external signpost that would be enough? It appeared to me that in the search for the external forms of recognition she was missing out on celebrating the internal wonder of the amazing woman she is in this moment. This truth is not conditional on what she does. If she never wrote another word or had another book published she would still be a wonderful amazing woman.<br /><br />In case you're wondering...my answer to my friend was that she'd already made it. She was just waiting for her mind and her body to catch up with what her soul already knows.<br /><br />Hmmm...did you hear that Denise?? You've already made it...you're just waiting for your mind and your body to catch up with what your soul already knows. I wonder how my writing will shift when I approach it from that perspective?<br /><br />With much love,<br />DeniseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18084830666611700413noreply@blogger.com0