Are you dealing with grief, have you experienced the loss of a loved one or do you wish you had the power to experience a miracle because you are not sure how you will survive your circumstances? A given in life is that there are aspects you can't control, be it the weather, the economy, people, life and death. Furthermore, the twists and turns of what you can’t control impact your health, relationships, finances, identity and lifestyle. And, it is all about loss of something or someone near and dear to you, including your sense of purpose. If you have experienced any of these circumstances, then you are in need of hope. Hope is an energetic force which sustains life. It is for this reason that I chose to write Healing Stories of Love, Loss and Hope. It is my gift of hope to you.

"Never deprive someone of hope — it may be all they have." ~Anonymous

A healing tonic for the soul, hope is something you lose when overwhelmed by life’s events or failed attempts to achieve your goals, but which can be easily restored through the awareness of what others in your position have experienced. Healing Stories of Love, Loss and Hope is an inspirational collection of healing stories of those dealing with loss, like you. It was written for those who found reason to believe they could survive and recover because miraculous events had taken place which assured them of the power of love and that they were not alone, as they had previously thought.

I have watched, often in astonishment, during the past two and half decades, the changes in my grieving, ill and disappointed patients as they would tell me their healing stories of stunning miracles and improvements in their situations. I observed that with the sharing of their stories, they would experience a transformation and a healing of their souls and, at times, even their bodies. In fact, while recounting their healing stories, their shift in energy would become remarkably more apparent as they would smile, laugh, and exhibit greater energy.

The power of the stories of my patients and others whom I interviewed is that not only do they experience well-being while telling their healing stories, but you, the listener, also feel what they feel, be it joy, love or amazement – and you always come away feeling lighter and better.

Healing Stories for those in need of hope…

I wrote Healing Stories of Love, Loss and Hope while being guided by a specific vision and intention. Recognizing the destructive power of the loss of hope, I visualized a collection of stories that would accomplish two goals: First, each story would comfort and touch the heart of the grieving reader — Second, each would provide the reader with main characters who would serve as role models who were dealing with situations similar to those of the reader , enabling the recognition that if the character could get through such difficulties, there could be hope for the reader as well. Actually, there would be more than hope. The reader, I felt, would recognize his or her ability to reclaim his or her inherent power.

You are powerful. However, what I have discovered is that as a normal human being, you lose the awareness of your power as you navigate your way through the journey of life – but you always live with the intention of eventually reclaiming it. I believe that every story in the collection is a testament to how resilient you are as you meet the challenges of life which contribute to your healing and personal growth.

My personal hope is that as you read healing stories of answered prayers, angelic protection, healings, wondrous synchronicities, the wise guidance of intuition and visits, communication and signs from deceased loved ones, you will allow your heart to open enough to remember the powerful energy of love and to entertain the thought that you are able to create miracles in your life.

My research and clinical work has taught me that you are not only touched by the extraordinary, you are extraordinary! Once you choose to focus on what brings you hope, you experience a wonderful sense of empowerment. With empowerment, comes the intuitive knowing that you are not alone and that you are born with resources which enable you to reclaim your purpose and your identity.

This is the power of healing stories: they remind us of our resilience in the most difficult times, while inspiring, motivating and deeply touching our souls with much needed hope.

"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles." Samuel Smiles

Love & Healing,

Susan Barbara Apollon
Author of Touched By The Extraordinary Book 1
& Book 2 Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope

©2012 Susan Barbara Apollon

p.s. Please share with us here or on Facebook your healing stories.

Holiday lights, beautiful decorations, the hustle and bustle of shoppers, snowflakes falling in some areas, vacationers collecting seashells on pink sandy beaches– and, all the while, loved ones may be dying, detaching from life and preparing to say goodbye to their physical attire and their loving families. For some reason, there are so many who die and leave us during December and the New Year — so many whom we dearly love.

Healing Grief – How do we say goodbye to those we love?

For some, the process of a marriage dissolving is akin to the loss of someone or something you have loved and cherished — and will also require that you take the time to grieve and say goodbye while healing grief.

Whether you are presently experiencing — or have in the past experienced- the death of a family member or friend, know that it is extremely important that you stay in the moment with them while you are actually in their presence and, even later, when with others, when you are not with your dying loved one. Staying present wherever you are serves you and your soul.

Being fully present is a powerful gift for you and also for the soul with whom you choose to spend time. If you have a loved one who is in hospice (be it a facility or their home) or who may be in a hospital (or any similar type of caretaking facility), make time to visit. While there, be sure to listen to him or her with your heart and not your head. If it is you who needs to speak (because they are unable to do so), then speak from your heart. If you are there to sit with them, visualize your heart filling with love and then send it to your loved one, while you are in a relaxed state. Energy lovingly sent from one heart to another has the healing power to bring serenity and peace to one who is not well. You may even envision blue-green ocean water gently flowing over their body, washing away all negativity, while soothing and comforting them.

If you are wondering what to speak about, just travel through your "treasure chest" of stored shared memories that the two of you have, picking something light and amusing or something that has heartwarming significance for both of you. Each of you will be healing the other as you speak.

Do not be afraid to gently hold their hand, touch their shoulder or give a hug, conveying your love and compassion. If you are trained in Reiki, absolutely bring this loving healing energy to your family member or friend. If your loved one appears to be confused or having difficulty remembering, then use props, perhaps photos or special touchstones, to bring the recall of special times into the moment.

Whether you are filled with great love or with regrets, be conscious of what you choose to focus on. By focusing on healing grief with memories of warm connections and sweet, positive thoughts, you will feel so much better and even experience healing of your own.

If your loved one is very ill or much older and appears to have stopped eating and speaks of having seen visitors during the night, it is possible they are experiencing a sense of awareness of their impending death and are truly seeing deceased loved ones who may accompany them to the other side.

When you see your loved one, be it your parent, grandparent or child, struggling to live (not eating or able to communicate with you), and your inner wisdom speaks to you, letting you know they are trying to hold on just for you, then use your intuition to know the right moment to speak with them.

Let them know how much you love them and that you know they feel the same about you. In a relaxed but genuine manner, gently tell your family member or dear friend that you recognize they are having a hard time fighting to live, and that if they are worried about how you will be if they leave, they need not worry. By conveying to them that though you will miss their physical presence, you will be alright — especially because you know they will always live in your heart and be just a thought away.

You might even suggest to them that they can give you a sign or two to let you know that they continue to be with you. For some, this might be a breeze that comes up each time you say or think their name. For others, a sign might be the frequent and persistent presence of a visitor in the form of a ladybug, dragonfly, butterfly, feather or cardinal. And, for even others, a sign might be a light flickering or a musical toy or glove starting to play — without anyone turning it on. All of these signs, including turning on the car radio and hearing a mutual favorite song playing, come especially when you are thinking of your loved one or on an anniversary such as a birthday or on the holidays — such as Christmas, the New Year or Easter!

After your loved one has died, how you will remember him or her and healing grief is a choice you make. The choice is yours. Of course, you will miss this remarkable soul. However, by choosing to honor and celebrate their life, you will begin to create healing for you, your family and your friends. Be sure to continue to dialogue with your loved one, sharing your thoughts and feelings.

So often, we continue to lovingly care for our loved ones who have died by visiting their resting place, often making sure it is lovely and in good condition, starting a charity in their honor or creating a foundation or scholarship in memory of them. Funerals can be special way of commemorating their life. Always, always, the choice will be yours. There is healing in how we choose to remember those we love and healing grief..

What I have learned is that grief is a part of life but it is not what we are here for. Be sure to process the pain of separation from your family member, friend, pet or dream. Do this by familiarizing yourself with an understanding about grief, perhaps by reading about it or speaking to a counselor or therapist. (Try reading a book like How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies by Theresa Rando.) But, be sure to lighten your grief with levity; humor is a good thing, especially when grieving and healing grief..

Many wish to better understand and have some insight into what the afterlife may be all about. Consider reading books that share the near-death experiences of those who have died, experienced heaven and have returned. For example, Dr. Melvin Morse, a pediatrician, has written books about his little patients and their experiences after they died, as well as conducted impressive research in the area of NDE's. Betty Edie's Embraced by the Light is one of the best described NDEs ever written. Recently, Heaven Is for Real, a young boy’s true story, reached the top of the best seller charts. The Touched by the Extraordinary series also describes and documents the research dealing with life after life. Healing grief…The choice is yours.

Know that grieving takes time. Yet, you are here to heal — rather than carry your grief as a lifelong burden. And, if you so choose, in time you will feel and grow stronger and feel it is alright to release the pain of missing your loved one, healing grief and to remember him or her from the loving core of your heart and inner being with the greatest of joy and gratitude for them.

Love is among the highest of vibrational energies. The energy of love does not die, despite the physical death of the body. Love is the essence of your soul’s energy. Whether you ask or not, your loved ones are with you on anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. Be sure to include them in your thoughts and prayers. Your heart's desires and your thoughts are vibrationally known to the universe. The spirit of your loved one will always be with you — always. Just ask and it shall be so.

Love  & Healing,

Susan Barbara Apollon
Author of Touched By The Extraordinary Book 1”
& Book 2 Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

p.s. Please share with us how you are processing and healing grief!

Miracles come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and circumstances. Just by changing your thoughts or perspective about how you view a situation or person enables you to feel as though a miracle has taken place. Perhaps this is because two key characteristics of miracles are that they are expressions of love and they usually involve changes in your perspective. Hurricane Irene, a recent event on the East Coast provided many opportunities for miracles to occur.

“There are only two ways to view life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle
and the other is as though everything is a miracle.
I choose the latter.”
~Albert Einstein

For example, who would have ever considered that a huge monster hurricane, Irene, which rolled over much of the East Coast of the United States, might result in circumstances which could be considered gifts? The reporter who covered Times Square during the event could not help but comment on the impact of Irene on the people of New York. Imagine what he was feeling when he commented that people who had come together because they had no electricity, no places to eat and no physical way to get to where they wanted to go, were, for the first time in his memory (aside from 9/11), showing concern for one another, offering assistance to others and being openly kind, caring and compassionate? It took a major threat to their well-being for people to open their hearts and extend their loving kindness to one another.
 

Miracles of Unexpected Gifts

Why would you call such actions gifts? Perhaps the word gift is the best description here because in such different, challenging times, when you are feeling a sense of isolation, doubt, fear, anxiety and concern for your well being, the greatest gift is another human being offering you kindness and caring about you and your well being. It always feels good to receive heartfelt caring – even from strangers! In difficult times, when you feel a lack of control and even helpless, it seems miraculous to receive unexpected gifts in the form of expressions of support.

I recall that just after completing the preparations for the arrival of what the media touted as “One of the biggest hurricanes to ever come up the East Coast – and one of the most dangerous”, Irene arrived with wind, rain and a number of tornadoes, all of which caused additional concern and lost sleep.

However, her impact was felt by many in extraordinary ways. Personally, I was deeply touched by friends and family who checked in with my husband and myself, volunteering their help and assuring us they would be there for us if we needed them. This was especially comforting for us. We, too, reached out to those we were worried about to confirm for them that they would not have to handle any disaster alone.

After the storm had passed, the winds were very strong and capable of bringing down huge trees and branches. The wind was also responsible for the loss of our electricity, a real problem if you have a sump pump that needs to always be on because of the constant flow of water coming into your basement from the drenched earth. As I walked outside our home, gathering fallen tree branches, I met a number of neighbors who were out, checking on one another and, again, offering help to each other to deal with the aftermath of the storm.

It felt heartwarming to be talking with our neighbors. You could say we formed our own support group, even if just for a few minutes. We had a sense of connection and we knew that we were not alone in our difficulties…. (to be continued)

Love, Inspiration & Healing,

Susan Barbara Apollon
Author of Touched By The Extraordinary Book 1”
& Book 2 Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

*Be sure to comment and let us know what miracles are happening in your life!

SPIRITUAL HEALING MEANS creating a shift in energy by making 12 choices:

• Create harmony and balance through breath meditation. Practice daily breath meditation for 15 minutes: Visualize your breath coming in from God or the Universe, merging with you (your body, thoughts, feelings), and filling you with healing energy. See your out breath nudging out all negative or painful thoughts or images, leaving you feeling better.

• Become aware of your power through journaling. Journal for 15 minutes a day about situations and incidents when you felt your power. Then note how your fears or insecurities steal your power. List ways you can reclaim your power (actions, self-talk, affirmations, breath meditation, taking courses).

• Affirm your power during the day. Write affirmations and visualize and feel the power in you as you daily affirm: I Am . . . worthy, wise, beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, loving, forgiving, strong, lovable, protected and watched over. Display them to remind you of your power.

• Choose forgiveness. Detach from old hurts, resentments, and betrayals. Bring to mind the person or issue that creates pain for you, then face it, embrace it, breathe it out, and say I forgive you or I surrender you to God, because I choose to move on with my life. Forgive another for you, not for him or her. Feel the relief.

• Practice visualization. Picturing what you want in your mind’s eye helps you co-create that outcome. A positive image helps you feel confidence instead of worry/fear, and attract good things.

•Perform an act of compassion, caring, kindness, and service daily. Choose any activity in which you do something for another person or group with authentic feelings of compassion and love. Do a physical deed that impacts the quality of life of another person or being.

• Choose to be inspired. Choose to read or listen to materials that inform, soothe, entertain, and inspire you.

•Take action on at least one intention. Gather courage and take action toward at least one intention every day.

• Create a sacred space for prayer in home or office; and there pray daily–expressing gratitude and asking for assistance. Of course, you can pray anywhere, anytime.

• Remember your blessings.Show gratitude when you pray. Thank you is a high vibration. During the day, give thanks for each blessing; and as you say it, picture it.

• Love yourself first; then love others. Love yourself by devoting at least a half-hour doing something for yourself. Pursue your passion! You can’t love others if you don’t first love yourself

• Smile, laugh, tell a joke or story, watch a funny movie, dance your favorite dance, or listen to your favorite music.Laughter and music are good for raising your energetic vibrations. You are here for joy. Choose what makes you feel joy, and you’ll attract good things.

Susan Apollon, an intuitive psychologist, is author of Touched by the Extraordinary: Healing Stories of Love, Loss and Hope. www.TouchedByTheExtraordinary.com

ACTION: Renew your spirit in these 12 ways.

Reprint from July 2011 Personal Excellence

When implementing these 12 choices to renew your spirit, please let me know how your inspiration and spiritual healing is evolving.

Love, Inspiration & Healing,

Susan

www.HealingStoriesofLoveLossandHope.com
 

Miracles always tickle me. They so often come in the form of pleasant surprises and the common denominator for most miracles, I find, appears to be the powerful, healing force of Love. But, Love is usually accompanied by its partner, Intuition. They work together perfectly. When you fill up with feelings of genuine Love, you are at your intuitive best– a winning combination for creating large and small miracles. Here is one such miracle involving intuition that took me by surprise.

Early one very warm, fall morning, I was contemplating how I could best help a young patient, Elisa,* who was grieving a grandparent she deeply loved. I quieted myself and asked my source of intuition, my Higher Wisdom, what might best work to help her in the healing process. I addressed my request to my Higher Self, including my angels, as well as to the specific energy of her grandmother, Anne*, who had been tragically killed in a car accident. I trusted and intuitively knew that the power of Love trumps death, enabling me to receive the best possible help from the one being who loved Elisa so unconditionally.

What intuitively came to me, quite clearly, was a picture of a book and the idea of asking Elisa to consider writing about precious times spent with her grandmother– including holidays, vacations, visits to the library, bookstore or market. The idea of creating a lovely book, including her own illustrations for each story or adventure that she would write about, felt so right to me. It seemed such a perfect way to celebrate the relationship she had with her grandmother, while, at the same time, adding to her grandmother’s legacy.   I had even envisioned the cover she might create, along with several possible titles.

Within a few hours, after arriving at Elisa’s home and going for a walk around the grounds (filled with memories of times spent gardening with her grandmother,)  Elisa and I sat down to talk outside on the patio overlooking .the garden.

I recall proposing the idea to Elisa and was delighted that she seemed comfortable with the concept of writing a book of her own about her grandmother and herself.  We talked of the kinds of stories she could write that might include precious memories of times shared with her grandmother. A short time later, Elisa’s mom joined us and we shared with her the idea of the book project. Imagine the surprise I experienced when I learned from her mother that Elisa’s grandmother and Elisa had been actively and enthusiastically planning to write their own book, filled with their special moments and adventures

It was just after I had explained that the idea for the creation of the book came to me as soon as I had asked Elisa’s grandmother for assistance in helping her grand-daughter, that Elisa’s mom’s eyes and mine met. In that moment, we both felt that my receiving my vision of a book was more than a coincidence, given that this had been something both grandmother and grand-daughter had wanted to do and had discussed so many times.

Both Elisa’s mom and I were aware of the power of love, that love does not die and that Elisa’s grandmother’s love for her grand-daughter was so strong that she wished to be  involved in the healing of her grand-daughter. Knowing that we were all on the same page felt wonderful. This reinforced my awareness that when I ask for intuitive guidance for my healing work, I am given what is particularly meaningful and helpful. What needs to be emphasized here is that I had not known that I had received what I needed until I was given information from Elisa’s mom that validated this.

Life is so delicious when we journey with the awareness that we are not alone, that all we need to do is to quiet ourselves and ask for guidance and wisdom, and then trust that.  By carefully listening to our intuition, we receive what we need.

As a human being, you arrive into this lifetime with exquisite gifts of unconditional love, impeccable intuition and awareness of your connection with your divine nature and your  soul. These gifts with which you were born enable you to see, hear and sense the presence of universal, divine energy which, regrettably, within just a few years seems to disappear.

Your life’s journey, then, is to do what you need to do to remember the divine, unconditionally loving being that you are and that you are never, ever alone. Whenever I remember and experience the awareness of who I really am (that I Am a part of the Universe or All There Is -often referred to as God), via my intuitive knowing, I know I am fully in the moment, fully conscious and fully experiencing joy. These are the times I may especially smile quite broadly, am truly at peace and wish to lovingly celebrate life and myself.

Miracles are a function of you filling with love for yourself, first, and, then, for others. Remembering is reclaiming the power with which you were born, a power which allows you to blossom into a remarkable, loving, intuitive soul. When you Know that you Know and that this Knowing is yours for the asking, you possess wealth that money cannot buy.

As you consciously feel, honor and breathe into your cells the very energy that created the world,  be aware that you breathe in your connection to the Divine – to All There Is – and that you and this divine energy are One. You are as you choose to see, feel and imagine your Self being. This is your Power. Celebrate, honor and respect it – and treasure it with all the Love that you are. It is you; It is your Divinity.

May your journey bring you smiles, comfort, large and small miracles, inspiration and the ability to fully love who you truly are. 

Susan Barbara Apollon
Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary Book 1”
& Book 2 Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon
*As published in Ezine Articles

There are only two ways to live your life – one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle. I choose the latter.
      ~Albert Einstein

"Where there is Love, there is Life."

Mohandas Gandhi

At this time of the year, we have many reasons to celebrate. Graduations, weddings, anniversaries, special vacations and even retirements tend to happen more during the months of May, June, July and August than any other time of the year! We are provided with so many opportunities to share in the joy of our loved ones, and, in so doing, we get to experience personal joy, as well. Taking time to attend an important event of a friend or family member is a powerful way of saying  “I love you.” and “You are important in my life.” It is an expression of choosing Compassion, Kindness and Love.

There are times in our lives, however, when our friendship and personal relationships ask more from us and we are placed in positions of having to truly “walk the talk” of being the  compassionate, caring and kind friend or loved one that we have always thought ourselves to be.

A beautiful example of this is that of Madonna Siles, author of Brain, Heal Thyself: A Caregiver’s New Approach to Recovery from Stroke, Aneurysm, and Traumatic Brain Injuries and Eureka! Memories and Motivations: A Strategy for Creating a Healing Home for the Stroke/Brain Injury Patient and Caregiver. Madonna has become one of my real heroes, demonstrating what Compassion, Perseverance and Love are really about.

I first heard Madonna speak when she was a guest, along with neurosurgeon, Mark McLaughlin, on The Medical View: Where East Meets West, a superb radio show hosted by Dr. Beth DuPree, Dr. Amy Harvey and Dr. Deidre Walsh, on 860 AM  WWBD Philadelphia, Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00am.  Rarely have I been as touched by the selfless actions of one human being as I was upon hearing about Madonna’s successful efforts to rescue her dear friend from the abyss of a devastating aneurysm and brain injury.

Try to imagine that you and your dearest friend have moved to a new home, a place where you have no support system and your friends live hundreds of miles away, and your dearest friend suddenly has an exploding aneurysm, leaving her in what appears to be almost a “vegetable” condition. You have limited financial resources – and not enough for a long nursing home/rehabilitative stay. What do you do?

Do you choose to stay to provide tedious and difficult caretaking of your friend? Or, do you do what social workers and healthcare professionals recommend–gather your belongings and get as far away from the situation as is possible?

The decision was not one with which Madonna had to struggle, despite the consequential hardship she knew she would have to endure .She resolved to repurpose a few years of her life in order to be the caretaker and, more importantly, the rehabilitator of her good friend, Eve.

But Madonna, who holds no advanced or medical degrees, was able to accomplish so much more than anyone in the health field could have imagined. Thanks to Madonna placing her trust in her Higher Power, relying on her intuition as to how to employ motivational methods to reach Eve’s subconscious mind and integrating the wisdom of the twelve step program into her rehabilitative process, Madonna has enabled Eve to make a stunning and almost full recovery. 

If you or anyone you know is dealing with recovery from stroke, aneurysm or brain injury, Madonna’s book, Brain, Heal Thyself, written with warmth, humor and candor, can provide not only the how-to guidance needed for such an undertaking, but the emotional and spiritual support needed by caretakers, as well. More importantly, Madonna’s choice for Compassion, Kindness and Love provides all of us with another reminder that when we choose Love, bliss and miracles of healing mind, body and spirit are possible.

           “To be a realist, you must believe in miracles.”

David Ben Gurion

Susan Barbara Apollon

Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”



& Intuition Is Easy & Fun

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

“My religion is very simple. My religion is Kindness.”

The Dalai Lama

Remember the last time you were either ill or felt that your heart had been broken?  Perhaps you suffered a crisis such as the loss of a loved one or your job or a medical ordeal such as a stroke, heart attack or the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. At such times, we blissfully desire the loving presence of one who understands our situation, who feels our loss, who knows what it is like to suffer and who has the courage not to run away from us when we need them most.

Bliss takes on a different meaning in moments such as these. It comes as we experience feelings of joyful and overwhelming gratitude and appreciation for the Love shown to us in the form of Compassion, Tenderness and Kindness.

 Think about this for a moment. You are fine one minute and, in the next, your life has been forever changed by a horrific accident, a brain aneurysm, a stroke or a heart attack. If you can imagine such scenarios, can you imagine how you are going to survive? This is where Love steps in. Love can be expressed in many ways, but, ultimately, it can carry you from death’s door to life’s joys.

Coming from a family of physicians, I have long felt that healing the body is about healing the soul as well as the body. Such healing encompasses the ability to be loving and compassionate towards yourself, humanity and, in fact, the world. 

For more than a decade,, I would incorporate this message of the need to heal mind, body and soul each time I addressed a graduating class of physicians. Only last week, I was delighted to hear a new doctor- to- be, just a few days away from receiving his medical degree, announce to his class that his hope for his peers is that they practice compassionate medicine and treat their patients as they would loved ones. Nothing could have pleased me more!

Albert Einstein once said that we are our brothers’ keeper. This was in line with his research and thinking, as a quantum physicist, that everything is energy and vibrates. Given that we are all energy, we have the capacity to not only be individual templates of vibrational energy, but we also have the ability to merge with one another. Thus, he advocated that we be loving and compassionate to one another. 

Have you observed how easy it is to notice when another has either been kind or not kind to you?. However, why not consider working on building your level of compassion and consideration toward others? Why not remember the adage, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”? By doing this, you experience beautiful feelings of well-being. (To be continued.)

Susan Barbara Apollon

Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”

 & Intuition Is Easy & Fun

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is. I believe in the latter"   ~Albert Einstein

Kristine Carson, wife of Richard Carlson (author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff), writes in If You Had An Hour to Live, “Grieving is the ultimate act of love, or, at least, it can be. Love holds all possibilities, and that includes bliss in the face of immeasurable suffering and gain through loss.” Her point is that despite the grief and loss you experience, the quality of your Love determines whether you decide to choose to move into the pain and suffering associated with the darkness of grief – or into the warmth, peace and joy associated with the energy of the loving light.  Your life’s purpose is a function of the choices you make. You are exactly where you are supposed to be because of the choices you make. Again, do your best and choose wisely!

Miracles are occurring all the time and Love is at the heart of miracles, according to the book, A Course in Miracles. Because we vibrate at such a high level energetically, when we choose Love in the form of Kindness and Loving Compassion for both ourselves and others, the body’s the immune system functions better (especially when dealing with a life-threatening illness or a significant loss).  Perhaps this, again, is what motivates Tug McGraw’s character in his popular country song, Live Like You Were Dying, to want to go skydiving, fishing, bull riding and mountain climbing, as well as wishing to practice forgiveness. Loving oneself certainly includes following your hopes, dreams and long-lived passions, without the burden of anger and resentments.

As a researcher of miracles, and one who has witnessed real-life miracles, I have personally seen the stunning consequences, such as remissions and disappearances of different kinds of cancers, in my patients who have chosen to live fully in the moment, while treating themselves and others compassionately and lovingly. By choosing to take the time to become conscious of any thoughts or issues to which you have been attached and then detaching and practicing forgiveness, you shift your energy to a level which feels absolutely wonderful and initiates the release of valuable endorphins which enhance the functioning of your immune system.

Choosing to Face (acknowledge), Embrace (feel) and Replace your uncomfortable feelings such as anger, hurt, resentment, rage and disappointment, with more loving thoughts  enables you to live more freely, without self- criticism or judgment. Miracles have everything to do with you choosing to see a situation or person from a more loving, kind and forgiving perspective. A change in perspective is often considered a miracle! For example, once you recognize that how you choose to think about your Uncle Fred really determines how you feel about him; if you choose to focus on how sweet he is rather than how annoying he can be, you actually feel much better, due to the release of needed endorphins. This is how easy it is!

A hero and mentor of mine, psychologist, scientist, author and survivor of two serious cancers, Paul Pearsall, states in Making Miracles, “Making miracles depends on understanding the profound truth that our perceptions create our reality and that there is always another view of every issue.” By choosing to live like you were dying, that is by detaching from anything that does not feel good and accepting what is, you will find yourself experiencing greater peace, joy and an overall enhanced quality of life. According to Pearsall, “Things-including miracles- do not just happen to us; we make them happen!”This is the power of your mind and your ability to choose to accept what is. This is your healing power!

“Making miracles is a matter of developing vigilance for the miracles all around us. If we are open to the miracles right under our very noses, and if we become miracles observers and unashamed practitioners of miracology, we are…much more likely to participate in the making of our own miracles.”   ~Paul Pearsall, Ph.D, Author of Making Miracles

Susan Barbara Apollon

Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”

& Intuition Is Easy & Fun

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

We would love for you to share with us times when you have listened to your intuition and inner guidance.

Just share your stories in the comments area below. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks for you taking the time to do this.

Susan Barbara Apollon

Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”
& Intuition Is Easy & Fun

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©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon

When faced with challenges of illnesses, loss, grief and trauma, we often grow emotionally, mentally and spiritually – and sometimes, we even heal physically! All of us are born as wise beings who forget our wisdom during the journey of life so that we learn lessons needed to rediscover who we are; that is, that we are loving, wise beings and that we are here for Love – Unconditional Love of Self and Unconditional Love of others.

Looking for our life’s purpose is rather interesting. Have you noticed that you can be feeling peaceful and fine and the moment you focus on your thought that you have not found or are seeking your life’s purpose, you begin to feel a sense of being out of balance, as though you are missing something? But, you were feeling whole and balanced until your mind had you paying attention to the thought that something was missing! Dying or grieving and dealing with an illness like cancer forces you to recognize what truly makes you happy – and balanced – as well as what your life purpose may be.

Being at peace comes with you becoming aware of the need to accept and unconditionally love whatever the situation, moment or circumstances may be. When my patients begin to be conscious of what they are holding onto (often something from the past) which causes them pain, suffering and discomfort, they know they have a choice and that whatever they choose to focus their energy on will determine, for them, whether they get to feel good or not good – which leads to their possibly restoring balance and well-being to their lives.

In the May issue of Reader’s Digest, Michael J. Fox, during an interview, shares lessons learned from his illness, Parkinson’s Disease. His words reinforce the power of your choice: “When things do go bad, don’t run, don’t hide. It will take time, but you’ll find that even the gravest problems are finite, and your choices are infinite.”

In the same article, Michael J. Fox provides the following excerpt from his new book, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future, which validates how crucial it is to accept whatever the loss is. He states: “I was really trying to hide from myself. But with no escape from the disease, its symptoms, and its challenges, I was forced, after exercising in vain all other options, to resort to acceptance, which simply means acknowledging the reality of a situation. As my acceptance grew, I came to understand that loss is not a vacuum. If I didn’t impulsively try to fill the space it creates, it gradually began to fill itself, or at least present choices.”

Healing, then, often does not begin until you face the threat of significant loss or illness. Why is it that we do not stop ourselves in our tracks when we are out of balance until we come face to face with something that feels catastrophic? Again, the wisdom of the Buddhists needs to be considered: Live your life as though you were dying. When you remember this advice, you live very differently, very intentionally and very meaningfully – and you choose wisely.

For example, when the doctor tells you that you may be dealing with an illness such as cancer, you may find yourself experiencing either fear of the unknown – including thoughts of possibly dying – or you find yourself suddenly reflecting on all the desires , hopes and dreams you have been planning for – and wishing you had done something more about them. No two people respond in the exact same way. Some may wish to get right down to the business of receiving treatment. Others choose to quickly assess what they have or have not accomplished regarding their lifetime goals. Others quickly and insightfully recognize that the issues to which they were attached, dealing with anger and resentments, need to be immediately released – if there is to be peace of mind, body and spirit. To live like you are dying, choose what feels right at the level of your heart, but, if possible, choose what fills you with joy, passion, enthusiasm, and, of course, Love.

What I know for sure is that when you recognize that you are an energetic being and you choose to focus on anything that represents loving energy, especially Love of yourself, as well as Love of others, you experience inner peace and contentment- even during the most challenging of times. The reason for this is that Love is the highest of energies and has the capacity to enhance your physiological, emotional, mental and spiritual states. Therefore, when you need to confront fearful thoughts related to the possible loss of someone or something, choose to fill with thoughts of Love. In the words of a renowned physician and author, Jerald Jampolsky, “Love is letting go of fear.”

Susan Barbara Apollon

Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”
& Intuition Is Easy & Fun

©2010 Susan Barbara Apollon