Dreams?

I was deeply touched hearing from someone who took the time to tell me how much they enjoyed reading my blogs! Thank you!

I have found myself reading so much about love recently, it's everywhere and yet no where! I have essentially been on my own for three years now and it hasn't been easy. But I have to admit that the thought of living on my own was much more terrifying than actually doing it. I learnt from someone a while back that there is a danger of becoming totally self absorbed and reclusive if you do this for too long. I am blessed that whilst my evenings are mostly spent with me, myself and I, no matter how annoying picking up Barbies or tripping over trainers are, it's a blessing to share my home with my children.

So many clients have asked for help in resolving the issue of feeling trapped in an unhappy relationship. I have looked into the eyes of women in their 70's who spent their whole life attending to the needs of a man who treated them with indifference at best and indignity and abuse at worst. The guilt and shame these poor souls felt at the prospect of leaving both then and now was far too great, and the idea that they may in fact deserve some happiness themselves was absolutely out of the question.

Many times, I have implored people with broken hearts and broken dreams to move on and understand that we all deserve a shot at happiness. And often I hear the reply"I am not as strong as you Lizzie".

For the record I am not strong, I am scared. In fact, I am terrified that one day when I reach the end of this life, and as I reflect back on how it was for me, I will ask one simple question. Did I give myself the best shot at life? Did I allow myself the chance to find love, real love. Love that is unconditional on both sides, love that involves two people looking in the same direction and sharing the same journey with the same understanding on life. Love that needs no words, yet knows everything just with a look. Even if the universe only gives that to me for one day it is better than never having had that experience.

Venerability can be your strength, and in fact those who I have met who have lived in fear have in turn also given me strength. Is it a crazy notion for a person like me, to imagine that one day someone will look me in the eye and say "I love you" and mean it from depth of their soul? Maybe, but this is my dream and I am not going to leave this life wondering if I could have been right.

Good grief

It's been weeks and weeks now since I last wrote on here. I would love to say that my life has been hurtling along and has one big party.....hmmmm! Yes well back to reality, and as ever life has been the usual soap opera.

I have finally made the decision to file for divorce, I wish I could say that it was a considered decision but sadly I reached a point where I felt I had no choice. Letting go is one of my life lessons that I still struggle with, and yet it seems the Universe is hell bent on making sure I conquer this one.

I have finally realised that I deserve to be loved and cherished, to be appreciated and respected and if I cant have that then I am happy to just be with my children and enjoy life on my own.

Learning to love yourself is the hardest thing in the world to do and it was pointed out by an amazing healer I met that I have allowed too many people that I cared about to take energy away from me, to take a piece away from my heart leaving me with a gaping hole.

This healer told me to rise above them and recognise who I was and I finally got it! I GOT IT!! I made a decision to stop abusing my body and stopped smoking, and drinking coffee, started to eat well and load myself up with vitamins, and be kind to myself. I now only surround myself now with people who genuinely love and care about me, and it feels good!

I am gritting my teeth as I go through this, and when the waves of emotion hit me I have learnt to let it happen. Grieving is a process we all go through at some time in our lives. And you can only feel the fear and do it anyway. I have put off grieving my marriage for too long, and now its time to face up to it. I know I will have days when the pain will really bloody hurt. But, I also know that when I come out of this on the other side I will be a stronger and wiser soul.

I will have learnt more lessons to add to my life journal and I have to keep believing that one day I will find true love.

A message

I would like to make some acknowledgements today.

Thank you to those this weekend who put their lives to one side to help someone very much in need. Thank you for your kind words of support and your understanding and for reassuring my faith in the human race.

For those who sit as judge in council and call yourself friends or similar I hold no grudge, because it is not my job to do so. The universe is the only judge and will decide accordingly and when its ready.

Thank you universe for sending me some amazing teachers this weekend, some just with wise words and others who by their behaviour have shown me that it time to be strong and raise above this lower vibration.

We as humans can not judge others, point the finger and decide the out come. Everything in life happens for a reason and sometimes it can take a life time to realise what that reason is. But we have to trust that the outcome is good. But to step into another's path and decide for them will have grave consequences and karma will take place.

There is only one judge and it is not human, it is SOURCE itself and if you go against it you are going against all things spiritual.

Wake up

Something big is up, take a look around the planet right now. If you weren't snoozing under a rock you couldn't have failed to notice the world stock markets plummeting and the end of Lehman Brothers yesterday. Whilst I am sorry for those personally caught up in this recession, isn't it time to sit up and take notice of what the universe is trying to tell us? The world and everything that goes on around us, is just a reflection of what we need to address within ourselves. Floods, hurricanes, famine, war, terrorism the list is endless. Are you at war with yourself? Are you starving yourself of something - happiness or belief in yourself perhaps? Are you drowning in misery?

Illness and depression is on the increase and so many are still obsessed with materialistic wealth. Knife crime, drink and drug abuse seem to be the general topic of conversation and the media's obsession with fame and celebrity status is quite frankly bonkers and boring.

We need to get a grip, my newspaper's headline Meltdown Monday says it all. We are going to go into meltdown on a universal scale, we must grasp hold of the realisation of what really matters in our lives. There are some who have begun to see the light, but its not enough. Enlightment on a personal scale is just the first step, but to raise consiousness and change everything around us we have to connect with each other. Happiness doesn't lie in fame, wealth, money or a quick fix. Happiness lies within, and once you find it, it can change your life and those around you. If you are surrounded by others who don't get that then share it with them.

The universe is on a mission to show us all that we have got to stop and if we don't then we will be made to stop. It's already started, and unless we get it, who knows what our children and our grandchildren's future holds. If we understand that the only way is through peace and love and being kind to ourselves and others and turning our backs on the need for more and more stuff then we have a chance.

It's up to all of us now to wake up and listen to our heart, our soul and remember why we are all here. Nothing is going to change unless we begin with ourselves.

Cyber Friendship

Yesterday, I received an e mail from a friend. It was entitled "If I get this back OK. if not I know why!" On opening it up I am met with an image of a girl on a bike and a script that read

Sometimes in life,
You find a special friend;

Someone who changes your life
Just by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh
Until you can't stop;

Someone who makes you believe
That there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you
That there really is an unlocked door
Just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship.

This is the sacred RED
ROSE.

Of course it then went on to say that if I passed this on to a certain number of people, then a wish would be granted but if I didn't return it to my friend she would be insulted!

Whilst I am absolutely sure my friend's intentions were good, as I know her well enough. How many of us receive these mails, then send them out so that they might, just might, get THEIR wish and have they considered the thought of the person receiving them really? Is it really fair to put someone else in that position? Let's face it, this is just a scare mongering marketing ploy and if you are really unlucky you might get a computer virus thrown in for good measure!

Surely, the way to let friends know that you care is to just go and tell them? Perhaps, buy them a real bunch of flowers or write them a heart felt letter, or better still go and tell them! Doing a good deed for someone else is not about expecting something in return, that is what we call unconditional love.

So thank you to the person who sent me the e mail and thank you for being a friend, but I would prefer to cook you supper again soon, or do something for you that makes your life a little easier in your day. Please ask me any time you know where I am, you only have to ask. x

I can't imagine why I take a break from writing, by writing but there it is. I have been churning out almost 3,000 words a day and it's heavy stuff. Last weekend, I went to a great party in Norfolk, I had such a fantastic time, I bumped into an old friend and met some interesting new ones.

One particular guest seemed strangely relieved to see me and although I can not go into why, I spent a long time talking to him and his lovely wife. Turns out he had cosmically ordered me and my help which was amazing. However, at the end of the evening when he came to say goodbye he asked me a question that so many people recently have asked me, "you look after everyone else but who looks after Lizzie?" Boy did he hit a nerve,the Universe is obviously trying to tell me something. Lizzie looks after Lizzie right now.

Yesterday, my dear friend Sandra who is fighting a terrible disease came to see me. She looked amazing and long may it last. But her intuition is now so finely tuned and she gave me a message that absolutely no one could have known about, because it was to do with my thoughts and something that has been on my mind for a while. The shock of what she told me reduced me into a wreck in seconds.But the message was understood and I needed to hear it.

Today though, I find myself feeling some peace and calm. I still have a long way to go but feel as if I am on the right path at the moment. I have a new TV idea which was met with some positivity today and my book is really taking shape.

Where as before I felt the door had just been opened I feel as if I have taken the first step into the room. Now I have to close the door, shut and lock away those I have allowed to hurt me over the years and embrace something better and happier into my life. Then perhaps one day someone will look after Lizzie.

PS Thank you Lara for your comments on the last blog and thank you for being there babe x

Destination happiness

Last night whilst teaching, the subject of rescuing others came up. Women in particular are very good at this. The strange thing is most of us don't know why we do it. Perhaps it's our conditioning, or the need to feel wanted? I have been just as guilty of this trait. Don't get me wrong, I love my work and I when it comes to my clients nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see someone let go of their pain and move forward with their life with my help. It's a vocation for me. However, whilst writing my book, past relationships both in love and friendship have thrown up some painful feelings.

It feels as if you are travelling on a train, destination Happiness Central along the life journey line. The train begins to roll into the station and there standing on the platform is some poor soul surrounded with baggage. You notice that they are struggling big time with their bags, so you disembark and offer to help. Heaving the baggage back on to your carriage, you help load up the cases, squeezing them onto the shelf next to yours. The train starts to roll out of the station and your new travelling companion begins to pull down a bag and shows you the contents. It's badly packed so together you begin to take out the contents and sift through. What you don't notice is the emotionally toxic label on the front of the bag.

As you continue with your journey, you begin to feel tired, the travelling is exhausting and the toxins are beginning to effect your whole being. But you keep on going through their stuff helping them throw away the things that they don't need out of the window, so that when they reach their next destination their load is lighter. Some of the stuff doesn't make it to the window though and is strewn all over the floor of your carriage. Your fellow passenger isn't sure where they are going but you will accompany them for days, weeks, months or even years, just to make sure they arrive safely. You notice that they are now looking forward to their next stop and despite your exhaustion you sense a feeling of contentment that you have done a good turn for another fellow human being.

At last, the train come to a grinding halt or in some cases a massive jolt and the passenger gets off, leaving some rather sad and battered empty cases behind which take up your space. You are surrounded with their debris and you feel uncomfortable throwing more stuff out of the window and just don't know what to do with all the mess. They continue with their own journey, but there is no postcard or phone call to see how you are doing. Yet, they are armed with phone numbers of places and people to visit that you have suggested, a job you heard about, a book you recommended to read, a map you have drawn them, or just a knowing that if they wait on that platform another train will be along in a minute and someone else will lighten more of their load. And there on the station, just as you try to relax back into your seat, stands another passenger surrounded with bags and something inside you says, I can't say no to helping.

One day soon, we have to promise ourselves not to get off at every stop, so perhaps we will look the other way and see someone standing there waiting with just a small bag or a brief case, and we get off for a while, you let them take your baggage and put it in their car and they take you out and treat you. Or perhaps you choose to put your head down and let the train take you to your destination - happiness.

If you are that person who travels on the train get off at the right station. If you are struggling with your bags remember to be kind to the person who helped you, they did it because they cared. One day, the next train might be empty or of course the driver may be on strike and it could be a long time before the next train comes along.

Right here, right now

It's the last day of the school holidays, I have tackled two school uniform lists and replenished geometry sets. I even dared to imagine a day working without the background noise of kids TV watched seemingly by a deeply uninterested cat, or my daughter who has just learnt to whistle, or the boys incessant requests. Did you know that an average 8 year old asks 800 questions a day? My children are living proof, I feel like David Dimbleby on a loop from dawn till dusk. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way. I realised about four weeks into the summer break that there was no point fighting for my rights as an adult and surrendered to chaos, poverty, and anadin extra.

My eldest is 19, and it seems like yesterday that he was covered in chocolate in a high chair. Everyday with our children is so precious, I love to watch them grow and learn and can't imagine not waking up with them around into my old age. One day, I am going to miss tripping over a mountain of Barbies, or switching off the bathroom tap and putting the lid on the toothpaste for the millionth time. One day, I am going to miss my teenage son's room looking like Beirut. One day, I am going to miss getting up at six and pouring caffeine down my neck to enable me function just enough to get my son on the school bus.

We must live in the now, we cant worry about tomorrow, and the past is exactly that, the past. When we appreciate what we have around us, then suddenly we find we are standing in the moment and life slows down. I feel huge excitement for my future but don't wish it away. I trust that whatever happens it is meant to be and will all make sense in the end. If you let go of trying then the universe starts to do its job.

Only yesterday, I had the most amazing day, the synchronicity was incredible and when we are on the right path life just becomes easier. So, do what feels right in your heart, and enjoy just being alive, then the wheels start to turn naturally in the right direction.

Would love to right more but apparently my daughter has nothing to wear and apparently it's all my fault, thank the Lord for school for school uniform!

Accepting what's right.

I am sitting in my kitchen surrounded by five children, two of my own and three belonging to a friend who is staying from London. I adore my children but the constant need to think of something to do or even what I should cook for lunch is beginning to exhaust me. Apparently, the summer holidays were invented because the farmers needed their children to help them with the harvest many moons ago. I am not sure that happens any more! I also wonder how many working parents would prefer to have four terms rather than three.

Ok,getting off my soap box now. Last Saturday,I was lucky enough to have some media coverage and this brought one particular person, that I am very much looking forward to working with. Strangely, I had been trying to contact them a while ago but maybe the time is right now. All things happen in perfect timing. more on that when I have permission to share this.

The last few weeks have brought lots of changes for me, and this time I am embracing them. In the past, I have had regrets and did not listen to my intuition allowing myself to get more and more hurt. It's time to dedicate everything to being who I am and not what others want me to be. We can not ever be something to please others, and when this realisation hits home it's almost like taking a huge sigh of relief.

I hate the thought of getting old and am happy to admit that I will be first in the queue when they find the fountain of youth. Cliche it may be, but older does mean wiser. I am looking forward now to what life will bring, new challenges and new beginnings. I am grateful to those who have taught me lessons and wish them well with the rest of their lives.

We can only do our best and if the best isn't good enough for some people in our lives then they are not the best for for us.

Back for a while

It's 6.45am and I am in a bar in Malta with my first cup of coffee of the day. It has been too long since I wrote my blog, but not so long since I have written. Three weeks ago I finally recieved a book deal and I am so excited to be writing my first paperback! The excitement had to be short lived as I have to write 70,000 words by the first of October!However, I am loving every minute of it and although I don't want to say too much about the content it is great to write about my beliefs and experiences.

I am looking for stories that are inspirational and spiritual, so if you care to share please contact me. Writing and using my own life experiences is very cathartic and I hope will help others to see things in a different light.

It wonderful how this year has been so different, still some highs and lows but the self protection is stronger,the head a little wiser and the soul feeling a little more nurished.

Dear God and the Universe

Last Monday, I called an author friend of mine and talked over my frustrations over finding a publisher. "Have you tried cosmic ordering, Lizzie?" Laura asked. I told her that I do my affirmations every day, but she said that I needed to write it down. Apparently, she had asked for a new book contract by Tuesday and she got it!

Fired up, I reached for my lap top and began to write. Dear God and the Universe, thank you for..........! As I composed my list I remembered the golden rules. Everything I asked for should be in the present tense with a time limit on it. All requests should be for the highest good for yourself and those around you. Remember if you drop a pebble in the water it has a ripple effect with everything else around you. Then there is karma to consider, tempting as it is to ask for some things to happen for your benefit, but not others it WILL come back to you three fold.

Once I had finished, I saved it and started my day. What struck me straight away was the energy I felt. Immediately my soul mate Barbara Ford Hammond popped up on Skype and we got straight into plotting and planning. She also gave me a contact who called me that evening and made my year!

Now I am a bit superstitious about sharing things before they have been signed on the dotted line, so I wont share all the details yet. But watch this space if you are interested and hopefully by the end of the month my news will be official!

But I can tell you cosmic ordering works and throughout this week I have had the most extraordinary lovely surprises and feel that I have broken off the chains I had been wearing.

One of the most exciting things is that Barbara and I have decided that we missed our Soul Weekends at Voewood too much and will be finally back there again in October. There are only 19 places so if you are interested please e mail me or follow this link www.beyondbliss.co.uk It will be so exciting to be back there and we have some great things planned for the weekend.

On Thursday last week, I taught my class the art of cosmic ordering, we then picked out one particular request that we wanted. Suzie for example, wanted to improve her game of golf. She had never won a tournament and it meant so much to her, others wanted better relationships with people and one wanted news on a house. So, we when met again last night, it was time to find out if it had worked! Some had just had better weeks and felt on the right path to their wishes and wants, all had experienced better relationships with family and friends, Mel had good news on her house and Suzie won the golf cup on Sunday!

I write a letter to the God and Universe every morning now, it's rather like praying or saying a mantra. If nothing else it helps me to focus on what is important in my life and have goals. For me, my gratitude for my children's health and happiness is always first on my list, and although there are some things personal to me and my life, saying thank you for those less fortunate than us helps me to stop and think about what we really need in life.

When it comes down to it, love, health, happiness and peace are all that are really important. Ask anyone who is terminally ill, they will tell you that they appreciate the colour of the leaves on the trees, the rain outside, and the air that they breathe.

But if you feel you need more that's fine, as long as it really makes you happy, but be careful what you wish for!

Moments In Time

In the last four days I have been to Turkey, then London, then home. First stop Istanbul for a wedding of a client I had never actually met! Held in the most amazing venue built 1001 years ago, Kerem and Carolina looked like the perfect couple. Their happiness was infectious and extremely welcoming.

We visited The Blue Mosque, ashamedly this was the first time I had stepped inside a Mosque and found it to be an emotional moment. There was such a strong sense of peace and yet also power there and it took my breath away. Whilst watching the Muslims praying I admired their total dedication to their faith. Whatever your faith is, it is an amazing feeling to have a total belief in something, even if it is just in yourself.

Sadly, back in London on Tuesday it was time to say goodbye to Rupert. The only good thing about the day was seeing my brother who flew in from San Fransisco and other old friends. In a packed church we sat in almost disbelief that someone so full of life and far too young had gone. Of course, my faith knows that he is fine and it was just was his time, but I felt I was crying for those he had left behind and the shock they all felt. We are all unique but there will be a massive void now Rupert has gone, he really was larger than life.

But as they say, life goes on and when something bad or sad happens, as hard as it is we must try to see a positive. For me it was reminder that every moment of every day is a bonus. My son is 11 today, and it only seems like yesterday I was holding him in my arms for the first time. Last night, I discovered what an amazing philosopher he is at such a tender age. I sat and listened to his thoughts and feelings, and some hilarious anecdotes! We had a special moment. I am a very lucky mother to have such a wonderful boy.

Farewell Rupert

They say that when a door closes, somewhere a window opens. But this week is has been the other way round. On Thursday, Sandra called me, her voice was full of excitement. I was on the other phone and asked if I could call her back, she said NO!

"I have just had the results of my scan" she told me. I took a deep breath and could hardly believe what I was hearing. Sandra's cancer is 50 percent better and her bones are healing! It was the best news I had heard in such a long time, along side her chemo, her positive thinking and extremely healthy diet were paying off. Now, I am no ,mathematician but if she is 50 percent better and half way through her treatment then...............positive thinking! Miracles have happened before and they will continue to happen, but we have to believe in them.

Sadly as that window was opening and letting in the light, another closed. My brother called from California yesterday to tell me that one of his best friends had died. Rupert and Nick were friends for at least 25 years and it has been a terrible shock to us all. Rupert was a huge personality, capable of dissolving anyone into hysterics, holding court and addressing anyone and everyone as "dude". I have particularly fond memories of him during a week in San Diego leading up to Nick's wedding.

My faith helps me to understand that he has moved on to another place for now and that his soul is in tact. However, my sadness lies in the hurt both my brother and his friends will be feeling at this time, his family and of course his wife and soul mate who only married last year.

Life has so many twists and turns and it is quiet frankly exhausting, its no wonder we get old! But it is also short and we must make the most of each and every second that we are breathing. We must stop and indulge in what we already have, and live each day as if it is our last. It's a tough call, I know, but at least an awareness of that is a start.

Rupert there will always be a large void now, you will be hugely missed dude x

Real problems, real life

The writer's block has lifted finally! The little darlings have their knees safely tucked under their desks and it's eerily quiet!

Last Monday my dear friend Sandra invited me to see a medium on stage in Bury St Edmunds. Sandra is one of the most amazing people I know, her cancer has returned but she is fighting it every step of the way. Her daily routine is consumed with an extreme diet of no sugar organic foods, peppered with bucket loads of vitamins and minerals to fight the effects of chemo and help her stay strong. Negative thinking is not an option for Sandra, her family and her friends. Deeply spiritual, she continues to be a light, and looks amazingly healthy and beautiful, both inside and out.

Having gone through some difficulties in my own life recently, my friendship with Sandra is a massive reality check. She is a beacon to those who think they have troubles when really they don't at all. When you are faced with the biggest challenge in your life, nothing else matters. Remarkably, she still has time to be genuine friend to me and for that Sandra, for once words fail me, thank you is not enough for being a true friend.

Last week, I had a visit from a local journalist who is writing a feature about my work. She is rapidly turning into a new friend and joined my class that night. Actually it was a good turn out on Thursday, one of my old students Susie who is now very psychic has started to come back because she misses them so much!

We had a temporary visitor to my psychic development evening course. I will be able to give you the details in due course but for legal reasons can't right now. However, when Susie arrived, I asked her to immediately "read" my visitor and her friend. Her accuracy was astounding, within five minutes she had explained exactly who they were, their relationship with each other, and why they were present.

I felt like a proud mother! It also gave the newcomers so much encouragement to know that it is possible for anyone to develop their psychic intuition.

On the 4th of June I will be holding a 48 hour Soul break at Martin Miller's hotel in Somerset. Glencot House is the perfect place to chill out, thanks to Martin's incredible eye for design, the hotel feels more like a luxurious home. There is a feeling that you are taking time off from the outside world, which is perfect for anyone who wants to join me on a course of meditation and spiritual enlightenment. For more details please contact me through my website.

I will also be at the Scole Inn, Diss, Norfolk on the 16th May for another ghostly night of paranormal investigation. Last time, we watched a very large table move across the room with just our hands resting on it. I am hoping for more activity next time!

A quick hello

It's been ages since I have written this blog, mostly because if observe the last line on my description of myself, there is a clue, - mother of three! I have been up to my Easter Bunny ears in children!

Today, I am getting a dose of reality as my middle son has a close friend to stay, who's Mummy is very sick and whilst I am becoming a vintage whine about a pain in my neck and shoulders right now, it is nothing compared to what my friend is facing. One of the most deceiving things, is how amazingly healthy she looks and I pray that she remains that way.

Last night I began to help a family who are dealing with a very serious crime. It involves someone who's missing and as frustrating as it is I am unable to share with the group thus far. I hope that this will change in time and I can explain all!

My own spiritual journey is moving so fast that my feet are hardly touching the ground. I am becoming more and more sensitive to noise, whether it a high pitched sound, loud talking, background noises etc. A few years ago, I was working in LA and met an amazing healer, Dr Maria Michael. Although a qualified medic her chosen path was as an amazing healer and can scan your body psychically to detect illnesses.I noticed that she had ear plugs in her ears, so she explained that she had become so sensitive to noise that she had to wear them. At the time I thought this was amazing, now I completely get it. Oddly, when I am driving I need the music very loud but this helps me to switch off, and this year I have no doubt now that I have changed again both physically and emotionally.

Last week, a friend very kindly gave me a book on Jung. Inside she wrote a quote of his, "he who looks outside dreams, he he who looks inside awakens".

Ain't that the truth.

The so called mid life crisis.

I had the pleasure of spending some time this afternoon with a girlfriend who is an academic. At present she is studying Jung and we have some fascinating discussions about spirituality.

"I wish I had been interested in all of this when I was younger" I mused. "Perhaps I would have learnt so much more and had more time ahead of me to continue my quest for knowledge.

"Ah,but Jung said, that most of us reach this point half way through life and likened it to the sun rising, then reaching a point of full potential. Then when we have reached or understood our purpose we continue till we sleep", she explained.

I have often questioned why so many of my clients are an average age of around 45. This is not to say that I see clients in their teens and in the twilight years of their lives too. However, the so called victims of the mid-life crisis are my most frequent visitor.

I meditated this question and an explanation came to me. What if the mid life crisis wasn't hormonal? What if it was spiritual? My understanding is that when we are born, we are pure and have just taken on human form, yet still very much in touch with our spirit. When I held all my babies for the first time, I looked into their eyes and felt their incredible knowing. For me, I had no doubt that they had lived some form of life before. Children may comment on past lives, a familiarity at the very least with a place they have never visited before, and at the most, incredible knowledge which has been researched and can not be explained. Or perhaps, there really is something that frightens them in their bedroom, that you the adult can not see, and what about that imaginary friend?

Early in life, we may be conditioned by our parents, teachers, peers, and so forth. We are taught what to believe and not to believe. The differences between "right" and "wrong". As we grow up some of us are driven by a religion, or a family tradition, a culture or some other following.

During our teens, we might rebel and fight to get out of this establishment desperately looking for that incredible feeling again of freedom and wonder. Some find it in drink and drugs for a while, a blind alley which has inevitable consequences. Others, stop kicking and screaming and decide that losing yourself in conforming with studies etc, will lead to Utopia.

So fast forward to the point where, there you are. You have the job you "should" have, the spouse your parents would approve of, children perhaps, your home is perfect and you have everything in place.

So why the hell do you feel as if there is still something missing? Why do so many people feel a void, a lack of something inside them. Or is already going really wrong? Apparently its called the mid-life crisis!

Is it love that's missing? Possibly, if your partner is not your soul-mate. Is it knowledge, possibly, even the most academic jobs can become boring if you are not getting any personal reward.

Drowning in booze or drugs, a new car, a quick one with the secretary etc is just another blind alley driven by car named fear. Time for a reality check, time to stop listening to your head (your conditioning), and listen to your heart (your soul).

You have reached half way in your life, and you know the second half of your life is the journey back into spirit form. It's time to trust yourself and follow your heart. That is why we begin to question our life and it's purpose and why some have come to see me and people like me.

I am no guru, no preacher, just a person who has lived a life full of incredible ups and downs. My crisis came and I have learnt that the only way to be happy is follow my heart. Resist it and expect more pain.

Your soul is amazing, and it is all knowing. Your head is full of opinions. When something feels right you know it in your heart, you can really feel it. Spirituality is love and knowledge and much more. But that's just my opinion and you must do what feels right for you.

The storm before the calm

Something is happening, these amazing winds we are having fill with me with a curious excitement, rather like the film Chocolate,as if something is about to happen. I can't get enough of being out in this weather, in the last month there has been an earthquake and now more extraordinary weather. What's next?

It has taken me a few days to get my head around what happened on Sunday (please see my last blog). I truly believe I was meant to be there, and learn some amazing lessons from that experience. I witnessed the end of a man's 82 years of life, and watched his incredibly dignified wife say good bye to the man who walked her path in life with for 53 years. As she bent over to kiss him goodbye for the last time, her calm composure rocked my soul, leaving me feeling deeply humbled.

I reflected on my own life and how I have shed many many tears for men who have come and gone in my own life, who didn't care about my feelings. Yet, this wonderful amazing woman told me he had been loved and he loved, it was just his time to go, and I knew she felt certain that she would see him again.

This is a major reality check for me. Every day life is changing, go and stand in the wind and feel it. There is so much more to come.

There are no shops at the cemetery

As I got into bed last night, I heard a woman's voice outside on the street, she was calling repeatedly to someone in a car. I went to the window and as I looked down I saw it was my neighbour opposite, very distressed. I opened the window and asked her if she was OK, "I think my husband is dead" she said. Another neighbour and friend came out and asked me to get an ambulance.

Dialling 999, I rushed downstairs and my eldest son and I went across the road to help. Albert was slumped in the driver's seat and completely motionless. I knew a male nurse lived a few doors away and woke him and asked him to help.

John lifted Albert out of the car and placed him on his living room floor, with direction via me he began CPR. My son made sweet tea, and I held his wife's hand with one hand and the phone in the other.

The paramedics arrived and every attempt was made to bring this lovely 82 year old back to this earth. I tried to tune in to him, asking him to come back, but was unable to do so. He had driven his wife from France yesterday, and just as he had pulled up outside the house, while his wife had gone to put the lights on...... it was his time to go.

Albert lay on his sitting room floor for around three hours in total, he seemed so peaceful. Seconds after the medical team pronounced his death, I watched him float just above my head.

Yesterday, my oldest friend Samantha and I were discussing people who ignore the things that matter in life, ie love of course.

"There are no shops at the cemetery" she pointed out. At the time, I thought it was a hilarious comment, and so bloody true. But as I stared at Albert on the floor last night, I was sharply reminded of how delicate life is. You never know when it is your time, and the only thing that mattered to him at the end, was his wife and soul mate of 53 years.

Albert wont be shopping today, he won't be looking for a pat on the back from someone, it doesn't matter to him now what he did for a living, what mistakes he might of made, what his surrounding were. All that matters is that he was loved and he loved. Because love is an energy and we are an energy, so that's all we can take with us when we die.

RIP

Finding me

Do you remember a time in your life when you really felt like you? Not something that someone else expected you to be, or worse, who you thought you should should be.

I have been on a bit of a mini adventure in the last week, hence my lack of blogging. Whilst I have known for some time now that the key to happiness is to look within, I'm the plumber who has no trouble fixing other people leaks and dripping taps, yet at home...........!

Everywhere I look, I am reminded that I need to turn everything back on myself and discover who I really am. Even more scarily, according to those who already "get it", I have to learn to love myself!

Most of us know that there is no one in this world who can fill the void we might feel, that sense of something missing. I do know that we don't "need" someone, and I do know that we can't expect anyone to love us unless we can love ourselves first. Yes yes yes, I get that bit, but understanding how to love yourself is for me, akin to being told to learn ancient Hebrew without any books!

Still, I guess it was a start just understanding that this was my task. I have an all knowing girlfriend in London who has learnt this language. This week, she explained in plain English what I needed to do.

"Once you get it Lizzie, it's like learning to drive, when you get the whole steering wheel,pedals,gear thing - you never forget"! Well, that's good news, I mused, just need to find the right formula. But, as I'm digesting this, something struck a cord. My friend tells me I need to go back to a time when I felt like me, the real me. As I lay on the sofa, I felt the strangest feeling, it was as if I had landed back in my body for the first time in ages. I started to remember being a little girl, when I was just happy with life, and my surroundings. I realised that holding on to that moment had the most profound effect on me.

The next day, I dropped into one of my favourite shops, The Chrystal Shop in Bury St Edmunds. The energy from all the different crystals is almost tangible, and as soon as a friend and I walked in we felt it. Cosmo, the owner, asked me how I was doing. With a huge sigh I found myself sitting on the floor telling him about the blocks in my life, my quest to falling in love with myself and the boredom of attracting people who seem to make it their vocation to emotionally attack me.

"They are just your mirrors, Lizzie. They just remind you that you don't like things about yourself". He handed me a pack of cards and asked me to pick one. As I closed my eyes I commented that I could see the colour red so strongly, as I pulled out my card and turned it over it was indeed bright red and the title was fire. Cosmo explained its meaning - letting go of elements in my past, that keep me back and accepting that I was about to go on the biggest change in my life yet.

Saturday brought the final leg of my adventure, I met up with a new friend, Laura. We met for the day at Ickworth House, over six hours we drank gallons of tea, and talked and talked and talked. We had briefly met in Norfolk last summer, but it seemed that the Universe wanted us to wait a while before we finally got together. It was worth the wait, we discovered the most extraordinary coincidences between us, and both agreed there was a reason why we had met. At times during the day we believed that something strange was going to happen. However, there were no arresting moments, although there seemed to be an understanding between us that we that made me feel as if Enid Blyton had moved into the realms of spirituality. We have already spoken again and we both know that there is so much more to come.

There are times when I love being someone else apart from Lizzie. Yesterday, I was Mummy and opening my beautiful homemade presents from my daughter was wonderful. The effort she had made in my card was so touching. Even my 18 year old son remembered. So thank you my gorgeous children who I love so much. Now I just have to love me.

Death before life

At dinner last night, I was in the company of people who had lost children. One had lost her child as an adult the other had lost two infants. Another friend suffered a miscarriage.

Losing a child, is a thought none of us want to even go to. A child is a gift and to have that gift taken away, is beyond any other pain. I have seen many clients who have bravely come to see me, having lost a child. Personally, I find it hard to understand how they are even dressed and functioning. A serious reality check for those who moan that they are having a bad day, because life isn't quite working out for them. But I won't get started on that.

Miscarriage, however, is a taboo subject for some still. The grieving mother is met with empty comments like "it is probably for the best" and similar. Perhaps that's true. But when you know there is a life growing inside you, and then it is gone, a mother can feel a failure, asking herself what did I do to harm my unborn child?

Unlike, losing a once living person, there is nothing to show for it. You have nothing, except a hormonal party driving you insane. No grave, no photos, nothing.

Prof Brian Weiss wrote two of my favourite books, Many Lives Many Masters and Only Love is Real. These books changed my life. Weiss, is a past life therapist who re- counts experiences with patients who give him an insight into life on the other side. One patient explained that the soul of an unborn child does not fully connect with the body until birth. The soul travels backwards and forwards from the other side until it is time to begin life in human form. The soul of a foetus, that doesn't make it for one reason or another, is never damaged and will return to one or either parent in the form of another child in this life or the next.

If you know someone who is going through this experience right now, talk to them. Just because nature took it's course doesn't mean that it wasn't real. It is a silent grief.

The Human Race

What's happened to the human race?

The human race it seems, is exactly that - a race for humans. A race to get to some kind of imaginary finishing line. A race, that is the most long and exhausting marathon ever.

Humans seem to always be trying to get somewhere, trying to achieve something. As we run this race we collect things along the way, emotional batons which just weigh us down and the race becomes harder and harder. Unless, of course, someone kind comes along and offers to help carry the load. So, some of the emotions are dumped and then the runner feels lighter, they keep on running. Leaving another poor soul to carry their stuff too.

On top of that, we seem to make the road harder for ourselves too, we take short cuts and then end up in a dead end. So, we have to get back on the road again, but that's not easy because we have picked up more emotional stuff whilst we were down the wrong path.

Some even decide to run the race completely blind-folded, certain in the knowledge that they know the way or they will be guided by someone else. Or worse, we find something to help us along, a crutch.

Then, there are those who want a crowd to watch, approval and a big prize at the end or a pat on the back. To the extent, that they will even trample over others to get there.

Then there are the seekers, they see it more as a treasure hunt than a race. Looking for guidance, searching out for anything that will help them to make the journey more comfortable. Easing the suffering, an aid in jumping the hurdles. But something that won't bring them back down with a huge crash landing. Reading the sign posts.

These people walk not run, and they sometimes even stop and take in the scenery, breathe in the air and enjoy their surroundings. The other runners realise they are not out of breath and don't want to win anything because they already have the prize. It's there all around them any way. They appreciate what they already have, and know there isn't anyone who is going to pat them on the back at the other end, because it doesn't exist - the end that is.

We could all be winners if we realised life isn't a competition - a race. We are all the same and we have everything we need to enjoy our lives.

Stop running! Stop and live in the now, look around you at what you already have. Notice every detail about your environment. Ask yourself what is really important. Ask yourself who really cares for you and realise what you really have.

You can't take money, fame and fortune to your grave and there is no such thing as approval. But you can pass on happiness and love. And your grave is the finishing line I'm afraid. Yes, I believe we come back, but hopefully with some knowledge for the life that we are a soul not a human.

Which one are you?

Happy Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day looming, I thought today, I would write about soul mates. For those of us, who wont be getting a large bunch of roses, a card, or a sports car with a ribbon round it (I live in eternal hope), tomorrow could be tough.

If you believe as I do that we re-incarnate, in each life we live, there are lessons to learn. Those lessons, can only be learnt through the help of others, and I believe that those who help us, kind or not are our soul mates. They are there because they have been there before, in previous lives and they will crop up again and again, in future lives until we get it!

Some will have an impact on you, so strong that it will take your breath away, either filling your heart with love that you didn't know existed and others will break your heart to the point of physical pain. This can be anyone from your worst enemy to your best friend.

But I can guarantee, that you will learn and grow with all of these people and discover things about yourself that you didn't know existed. I believe we do have within that group of soul mates, at least one who is your twin soul.

Since records began, twin souls or soul mates have been a fascination amongst all civilizations. I love the story of Plato's Symposium, where humans consisted of four arms and legs and a head with two faces on it. The Greek God Zeus was threatened by their power so split them in two and doomed them to spend eternity looking for their "other half".

There is even a scientific thesis on the subject for the more logical thinker! A twin soul is simply a person who makes you feel happiest on the inside and therefore you have no desire to find anyone else.

But, what if you feel you have found your soul mate and the other person doesn't "get it"? I asked the boys upstairs, and they simply told me that if the feeling is so strong, and you have had a series of signs and wierd coincedenses, then the other person is just too human to remember. Sadly, it could be that it's just not meant to be, at least not in this life time. Although, until they connect they will never find peace.

Love is the most incredible energy on this planet, and like spirituality, your God or your faith, you know it exists and yet you can not prove it. You know it's there in your heart, and yet to express it, is so hard.

If there is no Valentine to love tomorrow, love yourself. Tell yourself, that it's your day instead, spoil yourself, be kind to yourself. Remember that someone out there loves you, even if it's not the partner of your dreams, someone loves you.

If you want love, you need to give it. If you have it, you should cherish it, because it is the most valuable precious gift in the world. We all have someone out there, but the law of attraction will not work unless you start by finding love within yourself. Then, and only then will your soul mate find you.

Starting Young

Some people feel children are very psychic and I genuinely believe that when children are talking about past lives, imaginary friends and "hearing and seeing" things in the night, they are.

I lived in a very haunted Old Rectory as a little girl, not that it bothered me. At bed time, I would stuff all my teddies and dolls into bed with me, it was a miracle there was enough space for me! When I was around 5 years old, I remember being woken by the sound of a small bell. As I sat up in bed, still sleepy, I remember the whole of my bedroom being filled with light, a beautiful white warm glow.

As I looked down at the floor, I noticed that all my beloved toys were sitting in a circle in the floor, and apart from me,my bed was empty. For some strange reason, I wasn't frightened, although I did feel I was not supposed to see what was happening.

My 10 year old son, went on holiday to Italy two summers ago, with a school friend. I recently caught up with the mother who had invited him. She is also very spiritual, an amazing person, and she told me about an incident that had happened out there.

It was during the day, and suddenly my son had come rushing through, in a terrible state, she described him as "hysterical". Shaking, he told her that there was a man staring at him in the hall of the villa sitting on a chair.

The mother went to investigate, and although she saw no one there, it was clear that my son was looking at something. "He has told me the time has come" he told her. She took my son's hand and they both went back into the other room, she calmed him down, told him that they were both going to go back and speak to the man and ask him to leave because he was frightening my son.

Gingerly, he took her hand and they both went back into the hall. She called to what appeared to be an empty chair, and she asked the "spirit" to please leave. "He's gone!" my little boy said, and according to my friend, he immediately relaxed.

I am so grateful that my friend had the insight not to treat this flipantly, she had shown total repect to what my son was seeing. To tell a child not to be silly, "there's nothing there", is just conditioning the growing mind. Children are free spirits and if they grow up trusting their own insticts, instead of believing everything everyone else tells them, it will help them to make the bigger decisions later in life. They will learn to follow their heart not their head.

Leaving the words to the expert

Maybe that's the way you live you life but I know...
...you live... your... life...

Life... You see it don't always live that way

(L)
Jade,
A shade of pain and then we die.
Jade,
A shade of pain and then we die... Oh why...
Jade,
A shade of pain and then we die.

Maybe that's the way... (L)
Maybe that's the way, but it don't always live that way

Now that I understand the beauty of what they've left to hand me down.
When you need a place to live and no one understands you.
And all you want to do.
Is to cry out loud.
But you don't know how.
No way, no-one,
No-one understands.
The hand that strikes.
When just a touch of love is all the problem needed,
And when you hurt someone so much that still they die loving you.
And all you want to do,
Is to cry out loud.
But you don't know how,
Jade...

Extract from Deepwater by Seal

Dreaming of a future

I have this re-occuring dream, I am in a house, I know it so well now, I could make a model of it. Some of the rooms are beautiful and others are never used. There is a pool outside, which I swim in, yet the water is green. There are lots of people I know around me, but I go off to an area of the house which is untouched, old. I climb this staircase and at the top, is a corridor full of books. On the book shelf there is a small leather bound book that I need to read, I "know" it has the answer to everything. I reach out and take it off the shelf and then I bloody - well wake up!

I am sure some dream analysist would tell me that it's all about me needing to do more in my life, and obviously the book is significant with my work and the constant search for truth.

The funny thing is I have met other people who have had the same dream, even down to the details of the rooms. Are we all searching for something, knowing that there is so much more to life than what we see from day to day?

It feels for me as if there is, never before have there been more and more souls on this earth looking for a faith, a belief in something, proof of life after death, and need to give up their regular lives and follow something more spiritual. When you feel it, it's amazing and you want to share it with everyone. Like that feeling when you love someone so much that it just takes over you whole being.

I feel that we are getting closer to finding our soul purpose and beyond. You just have to believe what you see. I have already experienced incredible phenomena and I know there is more to come. I have had things happen to me that I know are beyond coincedence, and in my heart I know that it will all make sense in the end.

Thank you

Since writing these blogs I have discovered that I have people reading them from all over the world, and some of you have made some wonderful comments and sent lovely e mails, thank you for that.

It is also lovely to know that right on my door-step I have people interested too. In fact, only yesterday, thanks to two very sweet elderly ladies, who were passing the morning over a cup of coffee, came across my blog.

I am so grateful to them both for spotting some errors I had made, and contacted an acquaintance of mine to alert me to my mistake.

I would just like to say to them both that its so flattering to know that you take the time to read my thoughts and took such trouble over alerting me to what could have been a disaster!

Sometimes in life, we forget that true kindness and friendship is right under our noses, whilst we are busy with our lives.

So thank you!

A psychometry class

Well, another good night at the Scole Inn, this time we were Cosmic Ordering. My dear friend and fabulous author Barbara Ford-Hammond, came with me. This time we spent the evening in a private dinning room and it was a girl's night. Most of the evening resembled an episode of Blue Peter with everyone cutting and sticking from magazines, pictures that symbolized their "wants" for the future.

One lady actually found a photo of the exact church in Italy that she wanted to go to and had visited before. Since there weren't many magazines to go round it was pretty amazing.

I also showed the group how psychic they were already, and asked them all to place an object belonging to them into a bowl, then they went back to retrieve one belonging to someone else (not knowing who) and hold it in their hands to see what they felt from it. We had some wonderful results, giving everyone the confidence to know that we all have a power that we need to use more often!

Why not try this psychometry exercise at home with a group of friends, it's fun.

I am now busy putting my own mind board together, looking at it every day and doing my affirmations.

I am also on the hunt for some really good 21st century ghost stories at the moment. So if you would like to share them with me please e mail me at lizzie@lizziefalconer.com.

Extreme Pilgrim

Finally, the BBC has decided to treat us like intelligent human beings again! After a plague of rubbish on TV day after day, at last our souls are being challenged.

Extreme Pilgrim presented by Peter Owen Jones is in my opinion (and a few of my friends!) at least, a breath of fresh air. A year and half ago, whilst flicking through the channels one night, I stumbled across Peter presenting Church of England: The Power and the Glory. Then through a series of weird coincidences, I was led to meeting him.

Pete invited me to his beautiful Parish in Sussex, where I spent the day discussing everything from reincarnation to the afterlife and beyond. He is a totally inspiring vicar and although some feel he is a little unconventional, in my opinion the Church of England should be taking on more priests like him.

I understand that less than 10% of this country are church goers these days and sadly most of those who do go, are in the twilight of their life on earth. Perhaps, just checking in before they get to the pearly gates?

My Grandfather, Great Uncle and Uncle were all vicars and my father is deeply Christian, however, my conditioning was balanced with my maternal grandparents being psychic. Having any religion or faith is a wonderful asset, and far richer and more comforting than having no faith at all. I often wonder, if God placed various prophets around the world, Jesus, Buddha, etc to spread the message globally. Then as time passed, the "Word of God" simply altered to develop different beliefs. My faith is taken from various sources that feel right for me, and in essence are extracts from each religion.

If you struggle to believe in God or an afterlife, because you can't "see" it, perhaps you could compare it to love? Do you believe in love? You know it exists and yet you can't prove it. But love has the greatest effect on our emotions and our lives.

If you missed The Extreme Pilgrim you can catch it on line www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b008nzf5.shtml?filter=azgroup%3Aefg&start=2&scope=iplayeratoz&version_pid=b008nzdy

Mirror, mirror..

Yesterday my gorgeous daughter and I took a trip to the hair dressers. Having had her cut and blow dry, she paraded around the salon glancing in every mirror, admiring herself. The stylist and I giggled at her innocent vanity, but it got me thinking, was this wrong?

Shouldn't we all believe we are beautiful in one form or another? As we grow up we get knocked along the way. As children some us were bullied at school, then there were the teenage taunts, not helped by the awkwardness fuelled by our hormones. So is it any wonder that as we launch into adulthood and begin to settle into serious relationships, our self esteem is, well, pretty buggered.

Most of us reach out for something to numb the pain. Drink, drugs, hopeless relationships, eating disorders - and the list goes on.

Having suffered from bulimia, which has nothing to do with vanity by the way, I know what it feels like to simply want to disappear. There was an overwhelming feeling that I was "in the way". Led by the feeling that I was irritating and upsetting people. Hopefully, the worst is behind me now, but it sits like a gremlin on my shoulders every day.

Nobody is perfect, including the bullies, but when one tries to give love and it is simply taken, then thrown away or you get a kick in the teeth for your trouble, your confidence evaporates and we reach for the nearest branch.

We have to stop screaming inside, and start searching inside instead. You have good qualities, talents and a uniqueness that is special and amazing. There is also an inner strength in there too, and once you have found it, it will help you to change your life forever.

My job now, is to bring up my children to believe they are beautiful on the inside and the out. If my daughter sees a beautiful person in the mirror, then she is damn right and there is no way I am taking that away from her. As for me? Well, I will keep working on myself and doing my affirmations, and making sure that I don't spend time with people who want to take away my strength.

So, go and look in the mirror now and every day, tell yourself you are a beautiful person both inside and out, until you believe it. Because you are!!

A ghostly tale for an unexpected motorist.

Last night, I was invited for dinner with a new friend in the village and met some neighbours. "So, what do you do, Lizzie"?

Thankfully, the answer was met with a good reaction. In fact, it was one of those evenings that turned into a good old fashioned ghost story-telling session.

Having been so ensconced recently, in changing peoples lives, including my own, I had forgotten how thrilling a good spooky story can be. Our village, is steeped in history and so it was no surprise to hear about the ghost in Phebe's room that keeps her awake at night. But don't be mistaken into thinking that only old houses have resident spirits, I have moved on the dead from places that are newly built too.

Anyway, back to ghoulish tales and Rebbecca recounts a friend's experience, which I wanted to share, as I loved it!

One night, her friend (let's call him John) and his friend, are travelling a long journey home, through Cambridgeshire, when they realise that the petrol gage is almost on empty. They begin searching for a petrol station, but there is no sign of one, so decide to take a turning off the beaten track.

Not knowing where on earth they are, travelling aimlessly in the dark and now on the red, suddenly they see the welcoming lights of a garage. They pull in, John get out, and whilst filling up, comments to his passenger on how eerily quiet the place is. As he walks to the pay booth, he also notices how strange the lighting is, and continues to the cashiers.

Behind the till are two young teenagers, are they Goth's perhaps? On drugs? They did look very pale and a little too serene. He pays by card and get's back in his car, and travels the rest of their tiring drive home, thankful for the full tank.

Some months later, once again John finds himself in the same area and running low. Confident that he knew he would be able to replenish the tank, he takes the same turning and looks for that late night petrol station. But, this time he couldn't find it. He drove around for an age, certain that he was in the right place and finally pulls up to ask a local, walking by, for directions.

"There isn't a petrol station for miles around here mate" said the man. John insisted that he had stopped for petrol not that long ago, and was sure it was nearby. "Well, there used to be one, but that was around ten years ago, there was terrible accident and it burnt down killing some people, so it was never rebuilt" came the reply!

Shaken and confused, John, who by all accounts was a perfectly normal, logical guy went home and checked his credit card statement. Surely, the petrol bill would show up and there would be a perfectly good explanation? Yup, you've guessed it, no sign of any petrol on the statement.

Oh! If only every petrol station was run by ghosts, and supermarkets, and mortgage companies, and travel agents...........................!

Sleep well!!!

It's all about me.

Phew! Well we are only on day four of 08 and it's going well! How about you?

The Universe will not place in your life what you want, unless you clear the path first. It's not easy, but don't settle for anything less!

Too many people, feel they don't deserve better. For example, amazing women who are abused by men, men who take out their insecurities on loving partners. It saddens me, to hear stories that would make your skin crawl, or worse, ones that you could relate to.

By the way, this isn't a men bashing session, there are men who feel helpless and have lost their ability to recognise who they are, well yes - a man, but also a soul sitting in a human body.

The need for approval is becoming an epidemic, in this mad world, we seem to have lost sight of who we really are. An acquaintance of mine, spent the whole time talking about himself, in my boredom, counting how many times he said "I" passed the time! The sad part is, that it raised the question, did he know himself at all? Perhaps he only knew who he wanted to be, and more importantly, how he wanted other people to see him. There is no such thing as approval, because we are all equal.

A good exercise is to try to illiminate the word "I" from your vocabulary, and replace it with "me" or your name. It helps us to speak from the soul, rather than from our conditioned mind. When we say "I" we are talking about the person that we want others to see. We are detached from who really are inside.

When we learn to get to know ourselves, we can learn to like ourselves. Then when we learn to like ourselves, we don't seek other people or situations to fill the void. And we all know where that can end.

It's working for me!