Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. -Erma Bombeck

Having received numerous e-mails about diet, food, fat and upcoming holidays, I will focus the next several weeks on weight release and give little hints and ha ha’s (Oprah has ah-ha”s, I have ha-ha’s, and we won’t get into the ta-ta’s, we’ll save that for Susan G. Komen Foundation) Anyway back to the point!

This week is about my personal favorites for motivation and some suggestions to help you enjoy ALL aspects of the holidays, including the food. Overeating is all about NOT being grounded. We eat “uncontrollably” to ground -there is a reason it is called weight. Here is some wonderful information, just in time for the holidays!

Click here to buy my DVD on Weight Release.

Weight is just that, weight. It is an inadvertent way to keep you on the ground. You are grounded when you have clarity. You are in control, and your creative mind is working to its full potential. With grounding comes enhanced intuition, you may be surprised just what flows forth when you are secure in your own self-being. Grounding offers complete confidence in your abilities and who you are. It gives you the ability to STAY motivated.

The best way I describe not being grounded, in relation to food, were my bouts with binge eating and bulimia. I never focused on what I was eating. It was more about what I would eat next. One thing after another was consumed before I had time to even think about what I was swallowing. During those times, there never was an “Earth to Catherine” moment. I had a spaced out floating feeling, similar to too much caffeine. Other signs of not being grounded are incidents of being accident prone, “senior moments”, wrongs turns, even not finding your car in the parking lot. Also, walking into a room and forgetting what you went in to get. That is not because you are losing your mind! It is merely not being grounded.

Individuals who are not grounded find themselves grumpy and depressed. They’re usually complaining about one thing after another going wrong. You can’t sleep. Other aspects of not being grounded involve eating even when nothing tastes right; or eating and not getting full. You are trying to “ground” yourself with food, rather than energetically completing the task.

When you are around someone with a victim mentality, look at their weight. Observe some of their behavior patterns. They focus on pains and/or situations they cannot control. That is another clue to not being grounded.

We all need to be grounded. There is a reason it is called weight. To become grounded in the metaphysical sense is to place your energy body within your physical body and keep it there. Grounding connects your energy body to the earth. When you are aligned, you connect what I call your “grounding rod” to the center of the earth and you stay “connected”. Your lines of communication stay open and productive. You have purpose, which is something you have not felt in a very long time. You will also find little reason to binge eat, because you were just eating to ground yourself.

Grounding will protect you from the energy vampires you deal with daily. The next time people “zap” you with their negative energy, take your shoes off. Grounding is placing your energy body within your physical body and keeping it there. Grounding KEEPS your physical body connected to your energetic body - your spirit. This can help you approach things with a lot less emotion and more practicality.

When you stay grounded you will feel better, be healthier, and stop sabotaging your happiness. You will be able to bring the benefits of being grounded into all aspects of your life. You will create a more productive environment for those you rely on as well as those relying on you.

Being grounded is often associated with being real; being a solid steady force. In metaphysical terms it is about literally being grounded energetically. We are energy. In a sense we are conduits of energy. For many of us the concepts of electricity can be hard to grasp. We think of electricity, electric energy, to be something that helps us turn on the television or run our computer. We seldom think of ourselves as energy that needs to be grounded.

Everything on this earth, and outside of it, is made up of atoms, including you. Atoms are microscopic particles comprised of even tinier particles called protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons have a positive charge (hence “pro”) and neutrons are neutral (hence “neu”). Electrons have a negative charge. Opposites attract. So inside this atom are positive protons, neutral neutrons and negative electrons. Protons and electrons are drawn to each other. The term “ground’ or “grounding” comes from the earth. Because of the earth’s size, it has the overwhelming capacity to transfer electrons in response to whatever is “tapping” into it.

At any given moment, the overall charge of the atom is neutral because it has the same number of protons or electrons. However, by rubbing objects together electrons can be transferred from one object to another. This can also happen when you come into contact with someone else whose energy is scattered, Neither of these objects (persons) has a neutral charge any more, because the number of protons and electrons in their atoms are no longer the same. When two objects (even people) interact, one object or person can end up with a positive charge (the one who lost protons) and one will end up with a negative charge (the one who gained electrons).

When items (people) have a charge, they no longer have an equal number of protons and electrons and are no longer “neutral” (balanced). They can attract or repel other objects. Think about it. If you are energy, and thoughts are energy, you can attract or repel anything-ANYTHING (check last week’s blog on Feelization-the Law of Attraction). You have the energy to do so. How many times have you had someone negative “suck you dry”? They pull out of you what they need, if you allow it. Staying neutral (balanced and grounded) is the key to managing this energy and releasing the weight.

God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners. Soren Kierkegaard

Wow, what to talk about this week? Halloween, ghosts, goblins, witches…hmmm. I wanted something appropriate, something inspirational. I sat down at this computer on several occasions. I searched Halloween and its history, customs, all of that. Nothing resonated. Then reading about relics and saints I realized we are all saints!

I often mention in my talks about the color red and its associations with the base energy center and raw human emotions. Looking at all of the base center references to Jesus is a favorite subject with my classes. Jesus incarnated on this earth to teach us about being human. Jesus was the base chakra incarnate, an illustration of energy and emotion. Through the wonderful game of biblical telephone we got the message that we are humans striving for the spiritual experience rather than spiritual beings experiencing (being) human. Jesus was about the “between” He was here to show us we are all spiritual beings we are ALL saints, not sinners.

Really if you want to stretch your thinking further we are here to experience relationships with all things, we are here to love, we are here to experience human-ness. We are here to remember we are all saints. Sainthood IS honoring “the between”.

What is “the between”?
“Between” is not between lives, although that is fascinating exploration. The “between” I talk about is the “tractor beam” of energy in relationships. The “between” is emotion. “The between” is the exchange of energy and emotion whether it involves a person, place or situation. We are on this earth to learn about all relationships through our emotions. Ultimately we are here to be happy.

Just as your childhood scripting/experiences can set the course for your current life situations, your past lives can set a course for this lifetime. I find an important component of understanding the “between” is past life regression. Past life regression is one empowering method for helping you understand, helping you remember who you are and can give fascinating insights concerning your emotions. Hypnosis/Past Life Regression also provides you with the opportunity to find the source of your life’s purpose and understand what is blocking you from living a fulfilled and happy life. You realize how perfect you are (a saint) and can begin look objectively at your current life situations. You begin to look at “the between”.

Before you react to someone or something look at the “between” and this can help you understand how emotions work in our relationships. When someone is not being “saintly” stop for a moment and tell yourself that their behavior has nothing to do with you. People act because they are in pain or in fear. In reality it has nothing to do with you! Telling yourself this can help you understand your own perfection, your sainthood!

We really are here to “be”, more importantly, we are here to be happy! Processing this concept can allow you to offer your energy in a positive venue. You can look at the lessons and blessings others provide in your life. You can look at the lessons and blessings YOU provide others.

We are already perfect, we are of the Divine Creator. We FORGET how perfectly spiritual we are. We are all saints and the sinning part is human experiences, lessons we are learning and some we are teaching. Honor the divine within you, honor the divine in others and celebrate your Sainthood!

What is it which is bought dearly, offered for nothing, and then most often refused? – Experience, old people’s experience. -Isak Dinesen, 1934

Over the past two weeks many have contacted me in order to connect with loved ones that have passed, particularly parents. The economy and the impending holidays are a thrust for reconnection with our roots and traditions. Instinct tells us to look to the wisdom of our parents and grandparents who went through this turmoil. Now, we wished we listened closer instead of tuning out the repeated stories about how they survived, what they did for entertainment, for food, for family.

This week is about intuitive listening and signals we get from our loved ones from the other side. When you are aware, it is amazing how much they communicate! We do get billboards! Be open, be positive and be creative.

Billboards. They are everywhere. We pay attention to some of them, others we ignore. Have you ever thought why some of them garner our attention more than others? At Notre Dame I taught color theory. One of my popular subjects was the subliminal use of color in advertising. Fascinating stuff! And I promise, you never look at an ad the same way again. Why? Because you become in tune to the subliminal, the hidden messages behind the image, phrase, or color.

Your loved ones are in constant communication with you. It is not very often that we quiet ourselves in order to listen, to pick up on the subliminal. Sometimes, even I can get tired of trying to make something out of the subtle nature of guidance (the feathers) and I then ask for the elephant!

There are miraculous forms of communication, such as the manifestation of an object or the appearance of an angel or guide. There are also subtle forms, such as colors, scents, feathers, and yes, signs. Literally signs! How many of you have asked for guidance, for an answer only to notice a sign, a license plate or billboard immediately after you asked? Then the answer is “embedded” within it? Did anyone see Bruce Almighty when he is driving down the road talking with God -he misses all the signs because he was so focused on self? I loved that part, as it is so human.

Many ask how they can communicate with their loved ones. Your loved ones come through in many ways. My job is to help you understand the listening process…here are a few methods:

• Dreams about loved ones ARE VISITS from loved ones! Before you go to sleep ask for them to visit, ask for a dream and ask to remember. The key to remembering your dream is to not jump out of bed immediately, relax and play it again in your mind. That will help you remember. Also writing it down can help you remember more of it as it takes the energy from the ethereal and grounds it on paper.

• A guided meditation is great! Imagine walking into the loved one’s favorite setting, favorite room and they are there, just talk with them, they ARE there!

• My favorite connection is to imagine a deceased loved one sitting in the seat next to you while you are driving. Carry on a conversation with them, imagine what they would say, and imagine what you would answer. This works! What you imagine you create. Imagination is the strongest portal to communication with the other side. Trust makes the connection even stronger.

• Many have watched Sylvia Brown and have heard people ask about signs or signals. Some loved ones will leave coins, feathers, a light may flicker or even turn on or off, doorbells, chimes. A friend of mine even had a smoke alarm go off, which was annoying! The loved one that had passed really did get his attention. Butterflies or even certain birds are also a sign that your loved ones are around and happy. Feathers are a wonderful sign, many of you that have Native American guides may find feathers letting you know you are protected and loved. My son, Connor has a guide, “Yellow Feather” and has found several yellow feathers out on his hikes!

Try this!

Pose a question- it doesn’t matter if it is posed silently or out loud, something you would like advice about. Ask your guides or loved ones to provide guidance, an answer. Then pay attention to the FIRST thing you see after posing that question. Usually it is anything from an e-mail title, to a license plate, to an ad, or even something posted on your fridge that you have ignored forever! It may even be someone walking into the room and saying something that gets your attention. If you have contact with an individual teaching/learning with autism, they are awesome conduits for guidance from the other side! Listen to their wisdom.

This week I saw a certain utility truck with connections to Indiana on four different occasions. I was debating on leaving a day early for Indiana and could not make up my mind, since my two youngest would miss an extra day of school, and to arrive a day early to support their oldest brother in his last high school football game. When the same truck appeared at the same station I was getting my oil changed I saw the sign. We are leaving a day early. It is subtle yet profound. God and guidance ARE in the details.

I have a personal example of guidance where an object appeared. (They are shown in the above picture). I was in my bed the morning I was going to ask for a divorce. I asked for a “sign” because it was not a decision to be revoked or taken lightly. I waited. Nothing. I got up to make the bed and in the middle of the bed was a little angel sequin. Of course, being me, I said, “can I have another sign, just to be sure?” I went down stairs and my work phone rang, I answered -no, it wasn’t my guides saying “do it cath”! Immediately, My ex-husband became angry and knocked over a chair because I answered the call. That was my second sign, perhaps my third sign if you count the phone call. I said “thank you” to my guides, took a breath and proceeded to speak my truth.

The next major decision I made was “divorcing” the clinic I co-founded in 2004. I left in April 2008 in order to start my private practice, to live my truth. I asked for a sign. I got out of my car and right by the car door was the exact duplicate of the sequin angel that showed up for my first “divorce” decision, I now have two! Needless to say, I did NOT ask for a second sign.

The day I decided to turn my garage into an office, I wasn’t sure if I should put my time and what limited money I had in that direction. Will my practice take off or should I work for someone again? Ugh, what a decision…where to put my energy? I was sweeping the garage out and, yes, another angel! only bigger and brass so I would not miss the sign. But the same design, an angel with a trumpet! I keep these by my bed and cherish the guidance I receive, and bless myself for listening.

Take this time to look at the subtle clues in your life, and while you notice them don’t forget to say hello to the other side! They are saying hello and sending you love on a constant basis, we just need to listen!
I look forward to your stories of guidance and inspiration! Have a great week. Love and blessings, Catherine

My quote this week: “In the presence of trouble, some people grow wings; others buy crutches.” -Harold W. Ruof

Well, I prefer a horse to either of those options! It is really about Getting Out of Your Own Way… otherwise known as “I hear you, Catherine BUT…”
What does “but” stand for? I tried to come up with a good acronym, BUT (hah! there it is…again) I decided to move ahead with this writing and get to the point, in a sense get out of my own way. How many of us have prayed and affirmed only to wait and wonder what the hold up is? Believe it or not, many times the holdup is our own self-talk, our own fear, and our own obstacles.

Manifesting works. Affirmations work. I am living proof of the power of affirmations, I am also living proof of the personal obstacles we place in our paths in order to stay comfortable in our misery. This entry is very important this week, particularly with the economy, elections and the overall mood of the country right now. The time for getting out of your own way has never been more vital, more important than today.

How many of you over the past week have put your dreams on hold? Honestly, think about it, I know for a fact there are at least six of you, because I have talked with you this week and that is why I have chosen to write about how to step aside of self and move ahead. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get out of bed on Monday, only to find that the stock market took the spiritual nose-dive of 777. The need for dreams, vision journals and optimism is imperative now. Motivation is needed always at times when we don’t have the least interest in moving forward.

To get out of your own way means to hold tight to those dreams and visions and let go of how it is going to happen. It is faith on full blower. Holding a dream and a vision can be the most challenging thing for us, particularly when everything seems to be in chaos. It doesn’t seem like a great time right now, but when all is said and done, you will look back and realize it is the straight path to happy. Getting out of your own way means to quit analyzing how you are going to get to the happy, just keep your eye on the happy.

Check the chaos in your life and see if it self-made chaos. I know I talked about the Cosmic Closet Cleaning and it is still a closet cleaning, but which closet? Yours or your neighbor’s? If it your neighbor’s closet or a closet in the spare room then you are getting in your own way. This is not about procrastination; it is about putting your energy somewhere other than the focus. In some cases, as in mine it is trying too hard and putting out energy when I should just be enjoying the journey. Micromanaging is getting in your own way. I am blessed with friends that not only listen to what I say, but observe and throw some of my own wisdom right back at me! Tom is notorious for it. Just last week after I declared how everything was FINALLY falling into place and I even had time off to relax, Tom in his wisdom said “all you needed to do was quit trying so hard and let it happen, you’re good and people need you.” I needed to get out of my own way. I did and still keep my eye on happy, and realized that being happy IS the best method for getting out of your own way.

Simple yes, and I could get in my own way and think about what I don’t have, what I need, want and how difficult it will be to find the time or the money to do whatever. But that blocks happy, that is getting in the way of progress, YOUR progress. Keeping your eye on the prize and trusting the universe to offer you the most direct route to that dream will allow the opportunities to flow. This is even if you are facing bankruptcy, foreclosure, job loss or just chaos in your life. As I mentioned in the other entries look at what is happening from a different perspective and even though it is mega-stress it is important to keep your eye on happy and your dreams in order to get you through. So many change their focus rather than accepting that what is occurring is guidance, a reset button, and believe it or not, progress.

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT NOT HOW YOU GET THERE. And, here is another tidbit, enjoy the journey as it unfolds, but don’t force it. I didn’t say this advice was easy, I just said it was advice! Your homework this week is to redefine your dreams, or perhaps just resurrect them. How long have they been buried or abandoned? Plan, dream and fantasize about where you would travel, or perhaps buy a house? Create a job, or find a partner? Pay attention to your self-talk and bless it on its way out the door! Allow your dreams to unfold and say to your guides and angels that you ARE ready to move forward. Think of the Lord’s prayer, “thy will be done” in a new context. It is about allowing.

Give yourself the gift of dreaming and planning. When you look at the goal, keeping the eye on the prize it takes the energy off the fear and puts it toward happy and the goal. THAT IS HOW THE LAW OF ATTRACTION WORKS.
I am LIVING PROOF THAT IT WORKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN…You create your future and it is fun, but you need to put all doubt aside and just be with your plans and discard the “how could I possibly get there” frustrations. That is what getting out of your own way is all about.

This week’s kick is about challenge, I actually went back and forth about challenges and faith, trying to discern which would be more appropriate. In fact, it is offering yourself a “God Minute” which is what challenge and faith are all about. What is a “God Minute”? It is the reason, the answer in the statement “everything happens for a reason”. A “God Minute” is longer than you think you can wait and then after it all makes sense, you realize it could not have happened any other way NOR in any other time frame. In fact it all happened amazingly fast if you really look at the path!

As always, I bring this to my own evolution and experiences. In part, what makes me a resource to my clients is the fact I have “been there-done that”. AND it seems as if I encounter a life lesson, a challenge, and the next thing I know, a client walks through the door needing encouragement and advice on a similar experience or situation! God Minutes are the revelation of the lessons from the path traveled. Think about the role of free will in manifesting…it is not just YOUR will it is everyone else and their free will choices that come into play. So, it may take a while for the universe to get things lined up. It is the water meandering its way through the stream and flowing free, when it meets a rock it either flows over or around, but it still finds its way.

At a meeting on Monday I was talking with the group about my new direction, leaving a clinic setting and moving into private practice in Southwest Virginia is a big step…I kept telling myself, “one more week” “one more thing” change this, tweak this all that is involved in small business. Then, it came, doubt, and others actually telling me, “Cath, maybe you should get a real job” or “Cath, get back into teaching.” I knew in my heart I was on the right track, after all I tell everyone to follow their joy and that is where abundance is, right? Then I thought, what if this knowing, this ambition is like a gambling addiction? you know, “one more day, one more thing…and it will all fall into place”!

Well, I am here to say that it is safe to follow your dreams! I finished my office this weekend and have a full schedule for the first time since I have made the move to Abingdon, Virginia. It was overnight, literally. I was pleased when two clients this week complimented my work and stated that I was the “best kept secret.” Fortunately for me, they, and many other clients are not keeping me a secret, and all has taken off. I am grateful. BUT I can tell you in all honesty I WAS looking at university jobs last week!

So, I look back and see my God Minute was only a few months. I bless all of my friends and clients who have helped and supported my choices and my talents. I am grateful.

Have a great week, and hold on because if that tug comes from your heart and you know against everyone else’s opinion that you are heading in the right direction, take a breath and give it a God Minute. Those challenges are just directional corrections! How about you? Have you had anything similar to just about giving up and it all falls into place? I would love to hear about it.

Blessings, Catherine