An RSVP from Spirit.

This past weekend I had the wonderful fortune of attending my brother's wedding in Atlanta, Georgia. Trevor and his fiancée, Guneeta, have been together nearly 11 years. They have seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, including the recent loss of Guneeta's dear father. Many of you can relate to the difficultly of celebrating a major life event without someone you dearly love present in the physical body.

Her family is Indian, from Punjab, and it was a mostly traditional Sikh wedding. I've never experienced anything like it, and it was so incredibly fun and colorful, it blew my mind! As soon as we landed on Friday morning, we received a text telling us to get to the house right away because wedding festivities were already underway. We were immediately immersed in a ceremony in the living room, with about 40 family members. They laid out a yellow cloth for the bride to sit upon, and she entered the room in a brilliant yellow dress, fully adorned with embroidery and beading. It was magnificent. Her cousins held a red cloth over her head, symbolizing good luck. Because her father has passed away, the bride's Uncle stood in for her Dad in the ceremony, and placed bangles on her arms, meant to stay in place for the entire first year of marriage. It was an emotional moment for everyone in the family, who lovingly wiped away tears.

I wish I could say something incredible happened to show the father of the bride was with us spiritually; you know, like his picture went flying off the wall or something even more outrageous. But like most life events, we had to rely upon feeling his love and presence.

In loving memory of  Wg. Cdr. J.S. Ahluwalia.

The ceremony itself was held the next morning at a gurdwara, the place of worship for Sikhs. I was in awe of the colors, drumming, chanting and immense love that her huge family poured out to ours. With a pink sash, Trevor led Guneeta around the altar four times; it was so heartwarming to see my brother participating in this sacred ceremony.

Enjoy this 3 minute video of the events and ceremony.

The fun was only beginning, and the reception was the most fun I've ever had! Amazing music, dances by her cousins and aunts, drumming, fragrant food and even more breathtaking dresses than we had worn in the morning! They guests were seriously the most beautiful bunch of people I have ever seen. Trevor did some belly dancing with the cousins and I laughed so hard tears rolled down my face. He's not a dancer...I mean, there is no rhythm there. Guneeta did a special song and dance for him, which again, was just really amazing. It made me want to sign up for more belly dancing classes.

At the reception and ready to dance the night away! 

Later, Guneeta and I had a chance to talk about her Dad, and I asked if she had felt his presence during the week, or if she had recognized any signs from him lately. She said she had really felt him with her while they were taking pictures by the river. Apparently, out of nowhere, a misty fog had hovered over the water. In that moment thoughts of her Dad flooded over her, and she felt as if he were there with her.

She also shared that she recently ran the Tough Mudder in his honor. She was talking to him in the car on the way to the race, asking for his support. When she opened the door to exit, her eyes landed on a little rock on the ground. She bent over, picked it up, and saw it was in a perfect heart shape. Again, she said she was comforted by feeling his presence and love in that moment.

Most of us will have to face a milestone without someone we love. It's helpful to remember, though they can't submit an RSVP, they plan to attend in their own way. A person who has transitioned to the Spirit world is able to influence our thoughts most easily, making their presence known by a sudden flooding of thoughts of them, and by those sweet mental whispers of, "I love you, I am here."

When you face one of those celebrations without the presence of someone important to you, remember to try and feel their love. They wouldn't miss it for the world!

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

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©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Recognizing the Connection.

One of the questions I am often asked is, "How can I tell if my loved one is around me?" The truth is, it is possible for the average person to tap into this knowledge, but it's a very subtle thing, and there aren't many resources you can access for reliable information. Yet one thing is for certain: watching TV will not help. A few years ago popular TV shows led everyone to believe a medium could literally SEE and HEAR the dead. You know, like we'd have a straight up conversation with a ghost. (And that the dead could be stuck in spiritual limbo and need to be rescued, I might add.) Now everyone thinks a medium will jump unsuspecting grocery store shoppers and make them cry. Again, not very realistic. It makes for an entertaining show, but it's far from the reality of spiritual connection. 

The easiest way to make a connection with a loved one is by letting it happen naturally. When a Soul doesn't occupy a physical body, they use the energy of thought to communicate. The very first clue you will get when a loved one is connecting with you is a sudden flood of thoughts about them. This most often happens when you least expect it and your mind is busy with another task. It's like being at work on a random Tuesday, with a calculator out, balancing the budget. Then, BOOM! Out of nowhere, you start thinking of your loved one who passed away.

We've all had the experience of randomly thinking of someone right before they call us, and answering the phone with, "Hey! I was just thinking about you! Weird!" That's how this Spirit communication thing works, too!

Our tendency is to dismiss the thought, and return to the task at hand. Yet when we do that, we are likely missing the opportunity to connect more fully with our loved ones. If it seems impossible that it could be that simple, keep in mind, there really are very few Big Bang-type signs from a loved one who has passed. But connection and communication can happen daily if you are willing to accept that most of the communication comes in softly, with no drama; floating on the energy of a thought.

Last week I was out for a bike ride while speaking to my stepmom, Sharon, through a hands-free telephone device. There I was in the hot sun, panting, sweating and trying to ride uphill. We had been talking about cake, when suddenly, I started thinking about her deceased mother.

I paused our cake conversation and asked, "Sharon, how is your mom doing? Have you heard from her lately?"

One of the funny things about being a close friend or family member of mine is we all ask each other if we've "heard from" the dead in the same way we'd ask how any living family member is doing.

"Well, I think she's doing pretty well. I have been thinking a lot about her lately though." 

"Ahh, well I think she wants to pass a message on to you, is that all right with you? She keeps saying Shirley to me, do you know a Shirley?"

"Oh, yes, Shirley is a friend of mine. She's in the hospital and having a really hard time. I visited her yesterday."

Because I was able to recognize the interruptive thought about Sharon's mother as the first sign of connection, I was able to tune in and pass along the message about Shirley. 

You, too, have the ability to connect with your loved ones in a meaningful way--no hands-free device required--and chances are, they are eager to pass along messages to you. There's no need to wait for someone with a camera crew to accost you in the veggie aisle of the grocery store; it's far more subtle than that! Simply pay attention to your thoughts. If you start thinking of a loved one out of the blue, don't dismiss it out of hand. Instead, try saying "Hello!" to them. Then listen, open yourself to the messages that follow. Who knows? Perhaps the connection you've hungered for most has been on hold, just waiting for you to pick up. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

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©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

A Pledge to Yourself.

When we are restructuring our lives after a serious loss, we often find ourselves sitting alone wondering what to do next.  Emotional pain coupled with free time often makes basic life choices difficult.

Should I go take a nap? Or have something to eat? Should I return a phone call? 

The simplest functions become mind-boggling choices. But there is a way out of the fog. It begins with a promise. 

I, (insert your name here) am committed to creating a new life for myself. 

At some point in your grief (and it doesn't matter if you are mourning a deceased loved one, career, opportunity or relationship) you must make the choice to be active in your own rebirth.

You are allowed to make this choice in your own due time. But after counseling thousands of bereaved persons over the years, I can whisper a hint to you: The sooner you choose, the better.

I'm going to suggest six areas of your life to assess, sort of like a "Create a New Life" worksheet.  These are questions to ask yourself as a starting point for deciding what you want to create.

I'd love for you to do this exercise twice. Imagine that you are two separate beings. One of you is all the emotion and feeling. I'm sure you are well acquainted with this part of you; it usually swallows you whole during loss. I also want you to imagine a second you, a version that is simply observing your life. The observer is not labeling or judging what it sees, it is only going to report to you what it observes. The observer may help you see where you are avoiding reality.

Health: Am I making my health a top priority? Is my body strong and flexible? Do I need to schedule a health check up? Do the foods I choose support my well being?

Emotions: Am I free to express myself honestly? Do I honor my grief or do I try to hide it? Am I avoiding reality with diversions such as the internet, alcohol or unnecessary drugs? 

Spirituality/Faith: Do I believe in a higher power? Have I explored other points of view?  Have I cultivated compassion for others experiencing grief or suffering?

Relationships: Have I backed away from friends and isolated myself? Do I fear making new connections because they may result in further loss? Do I have friends that allow me to fully express my grief and offer me patience? 

Intelligence: Am I reading uplifting books? Have I taken any classes to learn more about a hobby or interest? Have I traveled to experience the world rather than simply taking a vacation? 

Fun: Have I retained my sense of humor during the loss? Do I feel guilty when I laugh and have fun? 

Write down a few things in each area you'd like to try. Perhaps you'll promise yourself to walk 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Maybe you'll devote yourself to a painting class. Maybe you'll call a friend or two and pledge to have lunch with them. 

Committing yourself to recreating your life is a sacred vow, the holiest of promises to honor the gifts you've been given and have yet to receive. It is a continual choice, and sometimes a hard one,  to wake up each and every day and make a conscious decision to move toward healing.

Not choosing is also a choice. You can let the wind blow you wherever it may. You'll discover that it often sets you right back to the same place and presents you with another opportunity to choose. We really cannot escape the lessons life wishes to teach us. They will simply show up through a different person or circumstance until we choose to participate in the lesson. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

"But Wait! There's More!"

"I err, therefore I am." -Augustine of Hippo

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The human condition fascinates me, and nowhere can you get a more interesting perspective on it than from someone who has "lived to tell about it." Naturally, I am talking about the so-called dead. Last week in my readings, many messages seemed to be about working through the things we do "wrong." There was a couple who married, divorced, then remarried. A Dad whose addictions spiraled out of control for years until they caused the end of his life. Someone who yelled at her children too much. Another situation where a couple broke up four times in 16 years until they figured it out. A man who lost hope and forced his young family to create a new reality without him after his suicide. Then there were all the things that simply went wrong for people....through no fault of their own: cancer, heart attacks, encephalitis, accidents. You name it, it all happened to people in their 30s and 40s. 

One thing I've learned is that almost nothing ever turns out as we plan. Life is a constant pattern of setting expectations and then...something else happens. It's like falling asleep on the sofa and waking up to a terrifying, too loud, late-night infomercial on the TV: "BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!" Truth is, how we respond these situations shapes our present moment. Sometimes in our shock we just react, which can create even bigger challenges for us to deal with down the road.

I always offer myself as the example, and I have proudly amassed thousands of situations that didn't turn out as I planned.

Presently, I'm sitting in my dining room gazing at a nearly finished painting on my easel, as I type away. I hear the clanging of a basketball hitting the backboard at the schoolyard nearby and the birds singing in the garden. All of the windows are open, letting in a cool, Wisconsin breeze. My house is quiet. And clean. There's an empty bowl that was filled with fresh-from-the-garden raspberries laced with cognac. It's definitely peaceful here. I would be hard-pressed to find something to complain about. All is well.  

Yet, I can promise you, this reality looks absolutely nothing like the one I had planned for myself many years ago.

When I was 19, I left life as I knew it behind and moved to Boone, North Carolina. I was accepted at Appalachian State University, and I had an apartment, a job and a car. I was well on my way to what I believed would be an ideal life as a successful interior designer: happily married (I imagined) to a man who looked like he'd stepped right out of a LensCrafters® ad, with our five perfect children gazing up at us adoringly. But something unexpected happened; I discovered I was pregnant.

 I wish I could forget the conversation I had when I called the man I was dating to tell him the news. It was a "BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!"  moment. 

 "I don't love you, I never did. I don't even like you. I'll have nothing to do with this." he said.

I packed up and put away my dreams of a degree. I was young enough to still have hope for the ideal husband and the five perfect kids. There was no one to bail me out. No job. No home, no plan. I was in a very bad position. As fate would have it, I made friends with a large family who "adopted" me. They promptly moved their two youngest girls into the sunroom, and gave me a safe place to live for a year. They were right there, supporting me when my son came into this life on a beautiful summer morning, 21 years ago. Not bound by blood, but by love, we are family to each other to this day. That year was one of the best for the lessons I learned about working together in harmony. We were sleeping on top of each other and struggling to make the food stretch. We all laughed, played and engaged in joyful ways I had never experienced in my own family as a young girl. I'll never forget the first time my son laughed; we were canning peaches in a roaringly-hot kitchen that August. It was a perfect moment. Somewhere, I have a picture of it. My baby boy and I were surrounded by love. When he was a few months old, we moved out and I started my first business.

So, back to my present moment. All is well, and it is nothing like that original idea I had for myself. But I did shape this reality with all of the choices I've made along the way. I neither got the degree nor met the LensCrafters® guy. In 21 years, I've had six combined years of "educational" marriages and spent 15 years raising my two beautiful children alone. It has not been easy. I have had to be super, duper flexible and resilient. I have had to be humble, accept help and do hard labor. (I worked on ladders and scaffolding for 16 years!) My life turned upside down again when I suddenly became psychic, ushering in a whole new era for me. Was all the chaos worth it? A million times over, yes! It wasn't anything like I'd planned, but it's been an incredibly meaningful and amazing journey. It's our nature to imagine a life path for ourselves that is comfortable and idyllic. No one would ever schedule the loss of child, end of a marriage or a terminal illness if they were given the option. The messages given in readings always point me back to an eternal truth: life is really about the experience and journey. Being "successful" at it has very little to do with it all turning out to look like a glossy, airbrushed, family photo of shining, happy people. The human condition makes us terribly interesting...gloriously flawed...wildly imperfect...and incredibly successful at creating valuable experiences from which our Souls can grow.

Now that my children are grown and living on their own, I'm starting again. No matter where you think you may have erred, or even been given a terrible burden to bear, you can always recreate your life in a positive, fulfilling way. As my stepmother taught me, once you remove the judgment and labeling, everything is simply an experience. Whenever I call her crying she says, "Oh, that's wonderful Mollie! Think of the growth." (I've learned to call my bff when I want sympathy.) 

Remember to be flexible with your expectations of life because soon enough, the announcer will be saying, "BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!" 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Where Fate Ends and Creation Begins.

I'm just back from exciting week of events along the west coast of Lake Michigan which ended in Chicago on Friday. The weather was just gorgeous, so I decided to spend a few hours at the Chicago Botanic Garden photographing flowers to use for my Facebook inspirations. I make it a point to seek out Botanic Gardens anywhere I travel and this is one of the best I have had the pleasure of visiting. The rose garden is superb; the air so thick with heady perfume you can almost see it floating by in wafts of brilliant color. Yes, it's THAT amazing. Practically psychedelic. 

After a long week of travel and readings I was thankful to find a quiet, shady space, tucked away in one of the formal gardens. It gave me a moment to sit, savor my surroundings and meditate before that evening's event. The place was perfect, but in spite of the peace that surrounded me, I couldn't empty my mind in that moment. I kept thinking about conversations I'd had over the past few weeks with other intuitives. 

The hot topic: Where Does Fate End and Creation Begin? 

As I see it, there are situations in life, horrible occurrences like the death of a child, that I will never be able to comprehend. At times, I have to surrender to the knowledge that some things are fated to happen. There is a higher divine order that I do not fully understand. At the same time, I believe fervently that we are the creators of our lives. We are the artists who apply color and form to the canvas; the authors who write the lines; the directors who choose the actors. 

The Circle Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden. July 2014

I looked around me and saw nothing but order and symmetry; a picture of complete balance. I noticed the perfect positioning of an ivy arch which formed a striking frame around the water fountain in the adjoining garden. Each space lead logically to the next. The flowers themselves were layered and arranged for size and color play. The juxtaposition of bright, purple cosmos and a vibrant yellow lily allowed each to give the other added luminosity. Everything seemed to have been planted next to its neighbor with extreme thought and care. 

"It's a completely magnificent example of what we are capable of creating," I thought. 

Nature in its raw form is incredible, too. I can still visualize the snow-capped mountains and green lakes I saw in Boulder, Colorado this April. In my mind's eye I can see the wild grape vines, fields of phlox, and dank woods I speed by on the bike trail near my home in Wisconsin. And my favorite: the glowing blue water of the Caribbean...yes, the Universe does glorious work with its natural habitats.  

Yet, there is just something about a formal garden that tells me to stop resting on my ideas and make things happen. 

As we all know, it's hard work creating a balanced, gorgeous garden of a life. You have to first clear the land of old debris--and those bulldozer lessons are painful! Then you have to construct a plan, which begs the question: what is possible for this space, for this life of fertile soil? And, how limiting is our thinking? Onto sourcing, planting and above all else nurturing our creation. We have to accept the seasons, and find the beauty in a snow-covered garden, in the dead of winter, where nothing seems to be happening. 

We are the gardeners. We plant what we eventually harvest. Every thought you think contributes to your reality. You have to perform hard labor, nurture relationships and be constantly willing to change. You have to be clear about what you want and vulnerable enough to voice it. Yet we are not alone in our quest for a beautiful life. The unseen world around us is here to help, and the message they are sending is, "Be a powerful creator!" 

Don't hand over control of your life, dreams and hopes to anyone, including "fate." You have the power to grow the life you dream of having.

Get inspired. Immerse yourself in some heavenly creations, cultivated by humankind. Take the lesson from a garden, and cultivate a life of deep meaning for yourself. No one else can plant what you want in the deepest parts of your soul--no one else can even imagine it. Beauty longs to grow up around you, to enfold you with perfumed petals and giant blooms. But first, you must till the soil.

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

It Can Happen to You.

I admit: my job has taken a toll on my level of tolerance for going to bed angry; screaming about the messes that have been made; delaying apologies, even if I wasn't wrong. These days I'm owning my stuff, all of it, every situation I created. I can't let you leave without saying, "I love you." anymore. Yes, I want one more hug, maybe two. Yes, I cry when you turn the corner and are out of sight. I can no longer tolerate stuffing my feelings. No, I can't sit back and be an observer anymore. All of these are occupational hazards. Every single day, I consult with person after person who is trying to cope with the worst day of his or her life. I always think I've heard it all when it comes to tragic ways to die, and as it turns out, I haven't. The stories just keep coming. 

These are the side effects of realizing truly, deeply and even sadly, that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Tragedy isn't confined to a social class, a country, good people or bad people. There is no way to delineate who is next. Cancer doesn't love a certain skin color. Accidents don't care if you just had a world class fight with your spouse. Heart attacks really don't mind that you were going to retire next month. Aneurysms happen to healthy 8-year-olds. And 16-year-olds. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

The real tragedy in all of this is not so much that the people I work with don't see this, because they are LIVING it, but the average guy on the street thinks, "Oh, that poor family."  He doesn't really get that he might be the next man on his knees banging his head on the floor trying to feel reality because his mind just can't process what he just heard over the phone. Yes, that's actually what happens when you get the call that your child was found dead. You pound your head on hard surfaces to see if a reality still exists. 

I know this may not be an uplifting read for you, but it is something that gnaws away at me daily. I am impassioned about living today fully, and this is why. On a recent road trip with a girlfriend, I finally let all of this out to her and confessed I wish I could write about it.  "Do it! You need to," she said. 

Ladies and Gentleman, life owes you nothing. Somehow your Soul managed to get inside of a body to have this experience on Earth and however many days, years or decades you get to wear it is a gift. Does this not stir within you a deep, abiding desire to live fully today? It really should. No matter what you've lost up to this point, you are still here, simply by virtue that you are reading this, and still capable of creating love today. 

Do you owe it to your loved one who died to live fully today? That sounds noble doesn't it? Honestly, you owe it to yourself. You are still breathing and you still have a chance to do something today. 

What you choose to create is completely up to you. Of course there will always be excuses and circumstances which prevent you from doing what you really want. You may always cling to the excuse that what you really want is to return to the past. I like excuses, too. I'd avoid every problem possible if they didn't constantly smack me in the face. Excuses are the walls that separate you from healing and getting on with the business of living. 

Let's simplify this just a little: no excuses. No buts. Shed the anger. Lose the regret. Instead, ask yourself one simple, but life-changing question: Where can you create love today?

Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

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©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Cultivating Love.

Think for a moment about your best friend and all the reasons you cherish him or her. Now, imagine that person suffering. What would you do to alleviate their pain? Pretty much anything in your power, right? What about your neighbor? To what lengths would you be willing to go to alleviate their suffering? How about a complete stranger? What action would you take on their behalf? And finally, think of a person who has harmed you: are you willing to help them discover happiness?

These questions are the opening to the practice of cultivating love. I must stress that I'm calling this a practice because that is exactly what it is. Just like an athlete doesn't win an Olympic gold medal the first time they attempt the high jump, you aren't going to wake up enlightened tomorrow after reading this article. Like any strength, you have to dedicate yourself to the practice of loving, and sometimes it is really difficult. 

I began this practice back in 2006 when I bought the book, "How to Expand Love," by the Dalai Lama. After a divorce in 2005 that left my faith in love shaken, I thought this book was going to be a self-help tool for my personal recovery. I was terribly disappointed to find it was mostly about meditation. At the time, I wasn't a big fan of sitting still and thinking about nothing. (I just actually laughed out loud as I typed this, because for many years now, my daily routine involves at least 45 cherished minutes of meditation time.) Right now, you are probably thinking what I thought back then: "How will meditating on love help me deal with loss?" The simple truth is that it builds your courage, determination and compassion. 

You are already really good at loving your friends, and probably your neighbor, too so I'd like to focus on cultivating love for those who are suffering and those who have harmed or taken advantage of you. By focusing your efforts on a more challenging task, you'll see greater results. This is a practice, one you'll have to commit to daily, while also forgiving yourself when you suffer from the human condition. (Which is 100% of the time.) 

One of the best places to start developing compassion for those who suffer, is from the place of your own suffering. Do whatever you must to get comfortable and quiet, then meditate for five minutes. Write this thought down on a piece of paper and hold in your hands (and heart) as you meditate on it: 

"(This person/group) is suffering terribly and I understand the way it affects their well-being, health, relationships and stability. My own adversity acts as a substitute for their pain. I know they wish to feel happiness and a sense of belonging, as I do. I wish for them a complete release of suffering and all that it causes, and I commit being a source of help and happiness for them. I will increase my ability to love for their sake."

The same meditation applies for those who have harmed you. Before you allow anger to creep up on you and take over, try viewing them as a human being, suffering from the human condition, knowing they, like you, wish to be happy. Yes, this is incredibly difficult. However, the payoff is all for you. If you keep practicing this you will, over time, find yourself less reactive to situations and people. You will find courage to stand in a space of loving firmness when someone takes advantage of you. And most importantly, you will develop an all-pervasive sense of compassion for every sentient being.

This practice has helped me let go of difficult people and situations much faster than I otherwise would have. Instead of holding on to the pain, or imagining the ways you are going to avenge wrongdoing, imagine looking upon the person who has hurt you and having the thought: "Oh, there she/he is, being human again."

Meditation is a time and space you create to rewire thought patterns. As you cultivate love for others, you are increasing the joy, peace and happiness in your own life.

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Have you ever given yourself the hug test? 

The next time you find yourself in an embrace with anyone, notice where your intention is. Are you giving them your love? Or are you receiving it? Of course, it's possible to do both, but you might be surprised if you actually pay attention next time. Love must be nourished, cultivated daily and whether or not we are subconsciously giving can help us see where we might want change to create more love around us. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

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©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Clean. Clear. Complete.

A few weeks ago I was enjoying a backyard BBQ with a group of close friends who are planning a cross-country move in the near future. One of the hardest aspects of moving is dealing with all the STUFF we accumulate. You know: the basement, the attic, the garage, the junk drawer. As we discussed what to do about their grown children's belongings that remain stashed away I said, "Memories belong in your head, not the basement." True, true...I suppose that fresh Wisconsin air was inspiring me. 

At the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2013, I set a goal to "Lighten up!" by the Summer Solstice that just occurred this week. For me, lightening up meant I wanted to reduce the "stuff" in my home by 30%, let go of old habits, and attend to any business that may be lingering around, unfinished. 

I've made amazing progress, one step at a time. I saved the bigger areas, like the basement, for a day off. But I made a few hours several times a week to tackle something: a closet, a shelf, some drawers. The trick is to just stick with it. Once I completed the purging, I went back and did it again. There are always those things that one just cannot part with for some reason. I had a cashmere sweater in my closet for several years that I wore on one of the worst days of my life. Countless times I picked it up, put it on, and felt funny, and I changed out of it. I never wore it again, but it was a perfectly good cashmere sweater, and now sentimental, too. Out the door it went during Round Two! When tackling a goal like this yourself, as you look around your home, remember that everything holds energy and affects your mood. Do you have photos of your loved ones displayed from their very best days? Look around at everything, does it hold a good memory or a negative one? 

Once I finished cleaning and clearing, I burned ceremonial sage throughout the house to clear the energy, too. 

In my work as a medium I have seen countless families ripped apart by the "stuff." I remember so clearly a reading I did years ago where the patriarch of the family had passed and he communicated, "All my life I worked so hard to build stability for my family, and since I've passed, everything I worked for has only ripped them apart." Remember; everything that is truly important goes with you to the afterlife.

Clearing out a family home after a passing, especially a child's room, is a huge challenge. Everything becomes sentimental, right down to the dirty socks. There is definitely no right or wrong way to do it. It's all about whatever works for you. Certain spaces become sacred to us after a passing, and it's vital that we allow ourselves the process we need to move through our grief. 

Completing the task means taking care of all the outlying, unfinished business. This is often the INWARD aspect of an OUTWARD process. The house is clean, the closets are nearly empty and organized...what else do you need to complete? Small things around the house are omnipresent for any homeowner; but let's think a little deeper. Do you need to return borrowed items? Have you meant to share a belonging or gift with someone? Is there any outstanding paperwork dragging you down? Is there a person with whom you've had regrettable words and need to reconnect? Just pause for a few minutes and think about things that really need to be completed to make you feel whole, free and ready to move forward. 

Cleaning up the space of someone you love after a loss is an incredibly hard job to tackle. Just keep reminding yourself...the most important "things" are not things at all. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Healing Your Heart with Art.

Creativity and expression can be a real game changer after a loss. Do you love the singer Adele? (who doesn't!?) It's well know that her hit album 21, was a result of channeling her depression and heartbreak into her music. I've met amazing bereaved parents and siblings who have turned their grief into heartwarming, and sometimes best-selling, books. Painting, drawing, sewing...any type of active creativity can be an inspiring way to change the energy of loss into one of reward. As long as it's got Soul, you are on the right track!

"The true work of art is born from the 'artist': a mysterious, enigmatic and mystical creation. It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, the living subject of a real existence of being. "

- Wassily Kandinsky

I had an exciting opportunity last week to view the Kandinsky Retrospective at the Milwaukee Art Museum. What you may not know about me is that I have spent twice as many years as a professional artist as I have as a medium. My family is rich with extraordinary artists, and with their support, I sold my first painting at the tender age of 8. I'll never forget the moment a 10-dollar bill was pressed into my hand in exchange for my watercolor painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. All those years ago, one of my most valuable life lessons was ignited: Do what you love to earn your daily bread. 

Currently on my easel: putting the finishing touches on the phoenix birds. 

By my mid-30s I was getting commissions for murals all over the U.S. and Bahamas, when I began to notice a discontent creeping up within me. It worsened with every passing year and job I undertook. No one understood why I was unhappy with my work because everyone assumed that being an artist means you are living your dream! I worked solely on commission and I found my niche as a highly-skilled tromp l'oeil muralist. The discontent became unbearable to me while working on 50 feet of scaffolding painting a domed ceiling in an incredible residence. I mean this joint was NUTS! I was spending my days decorating homes. Homes that were already gorgeous. Making them prettier. And when the time came, my art would get painted over and forgotten. Everyone thought I was crazy for leaving my talent behind when I announced I was going to work as a medium full time. But the heart had gone out of the art for me. My subject matter was dictated by the client and I was simply the hired hand to make it happen. I ended my painting career on a wonderful note however, with a 60 foot mural that I was actually allowed to create and have fun with that is located in the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. 

How does Kandinsky play into all of this? He wrote a book in 1910, "On the Spiritual in Art," and his outlining theory for all of his creations is that art must possess INNER MEANING. If you do just a little research on his work, you'll find he often describes the energetic vibration of his creations and colors. I have studied the use color extensively in both theory and as a therapy. The color with which we swath our walls sets the tone for everything that happens in the room. You can definitely change the energy of a home simply by painting the walls a different color. 

Here's another great quote of Kandinsky's:

"The sun melts all of Moscow down to a single spot that, like a mad tuba, starts all of the heart and all of the soul vibrating. But no, this uniformity of red is not the most beautiful hour. It is only the final chord of a symphony that takes every colour to the zenith of life that, like the fortissimo of a great orchestra, is both compelled and allowed by Moscow to ring out."

Not everyone's "gets" Kandinsky's work; it's not conventionally beautiful like a field of flowers might be. Large, green circles represent the human soul, and a strong, red line can represent the sword of St. George. The best part of it all is that it makes you think. You have to look harder, far beyond the obvious, and FEEL your way through his paintings. Ohhhhh, I love that!  

I'm still an artist, probably more so now than I ever was when I accepted money in exchange for my creations. Now, everything I paint is for the pure joy of expression and love it brings me. I got the heart back in my art! 

Now, it's your turn. What artistic mediums speak to you? Is it music--like Adele--or painting, gardening, writing, maybe decorating your space in a unique and beautiful way? By embracing art with the intention of expressing the deepest part of your soul, you can not only release your pain, you can watch it grow into something unexpected...even breathtaking.  

And who cares if nobody "gets it." Art is an expression of ourselves, not necessarily for other eyes, but rather to fill the hollow spaces of our souls by transforming our pain into a one-of-a-kind celebration of survival. After all, it is by seeing the beauty in our experience that we find the strength to transform, and heal ourselves.

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Note: After posting this message, I received this photo from a bereaved mother who is doing a cross stitch tribute of her daughter, Laura. Incredible! Love in action....to Laura's family...thank you for allowing me to share her beauty. 

Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

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©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Authenticity. It's the word of the day.

Lately I find myself in situations where the people around me are not being true to themselves. It's a curious thing, as these are dear friends whom I love, and of course...the truth eventually comes out. It often takes a bit of coaxing, and assurance that their truth is safe with me. 

One is a dear friend and a bereaved mother. I've always encouraged her to be whatever/whomever she is in any particular moment. She's a pillar of strength, grace and humor, and a constant source of inspiration for me. One evening during dinner, she suddenly exclaimed, "You always say I should just be honest about how I'm doing or feeling, and I'll tell you, every single day I try to hide that on the inside I am in absolute agony over the loss of my son. IT HURTS SO BAD SOMETIMES I CAN'T BREATHE." 

Wow! Now that's powerful! Do you think I slithered under the table and said, "I can't bear witness to your pain?" No way! It touched a part of me: the part that doesn't know her pain, the part that can't even comprehend it. It touched the part of me that loves her deeply. A true friend actually can bear witness to your pain. They can cry with you, or sit with you, then go get a glass of wine with you and get back to the present moment. Anyone can learn to listen with compassion and empathy. Even a stranger can bear witness to another soul's suffering. Of course no one can "fix" grief for you, and we can't "fix" a lot of life problems, but what we can do is be authentic about handling them with love, no matter who owns them.

The other situation emerged during deep discussion with a friend. He said, "I don't know how to say this..." I interrupted him and said, "Wait a moment, why would you be worried about how you are sharing with me in this moment? Just spit it out as it comes to you."  He had been holding back authentic feelings and thoughts because he was worried about how I would receive them. In reality, his words were a gift.

Chances are, we're all guilty of being inauthentic. If I had a nickel for every time I said "I'm fine," when someone asks me, "How are you?".....well, let's just say I'd have a LOT of spare change. 

Authenticity is an interesting topic to consider. Nobody wants to keep company with someone who is always critical or nay-saying to new ideas, but the point of having a close friend is to share yourself. So, it's important to ask ourselves whether we are being authentic. Do you speak your truth, or do you use a heavy filter so everything comes across as socially acceptable? Do you edit yourself to try to make yourself appear strong? Capable? Confident? Are you really contributing the best of who you are when you do that? 

Remember, Wonder Woman was a fictional character. 

And finally, another dear soul communicated their fear of being rejected by family and friends for their spiritual abilities. Now, this I can relate to: being brushed off as the wacko who talks to the dead...I totally get it. It takes a truckload of courage to be the real you. There is one major benefit to doing it. When you emanate YOU, when you live your beliefs AUTHENTICALLY, you change your energetic composition--and like a magnet--you attract similar people and helpful circumstances into your life. Everyone else naturally falls away. Think of authenticity as a really good bug repellant: the pests go away.

A gentle caution here: being authentic does not give you license to be critical of or assess other people's lives, or say whatever you think. No one needs your help judging themselves; our own inner critics are gold medalists. People will learn from you, when you share your experiences. You aren't the expert on anyone else. Being authentic is digging deep into YOU and being brave enough to share who YOU are, what YOU feel, what YOU experience. This is where you will add value to the lives of everyone one you meet. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

It's the little things.

The Universe has been "speaking" to me for a few months saying: SLOW DOWN.

A car accident.

A missed flight.

A bad fall. 

I hear you, Cosmos. I'm at a standstill. Listening intently.

Speaking with the bereaved every day, and communicating with the deceased is an interesting thing. My fascination outside of the fact that, "Holy smokes, I can't believe we are actually doing this!" has always been: "Teach me, teach me...what do we need to know about living?"

Most of the wisdom can be summed up in a few short sentences, but my goodness, how we love to turn simple principles into epically complicated novels. 

So here's one simple principle you can embrace and learn from today: the little things mean the most. 

We can plan, scheme and spend on a wedding or special event for months or years and yet, if you ask a widow, "What do you miss about your spouse?" the answer is often something like, "He made the coffee every morning. Waking up alone is so difficult." Interestingly, I've never had a dead person tell me yet that they missed their HOUSE, only the people who lived in it.

Stop and consider this simple principle as it relates to your life. Where do you expend your energy? Are you investing it in something permanent...like relationships, including the one with yourself? 

My son has been visiting for the past week, and I have become keenly aware of what "little things" I miss about him. Whenever he is coming or going, and I am around, he puts his arm around my shoulder, and kisses my forehead. Honestly, I don't think he realizes what he is doing, it's an automatic action for him. 

When you take the time to slow down in life, or stop completely, you can actually discover great peace in the present and deeper meaning in the little things.

In a matter of moments, even the sunrise is over.

Can you appreciate life, in all of its forms? The entire natural world is at your disposal to enjoy and inspire. It serves to allay your burdens of grief, loss, stress and despair. Have you communed with the birds lately? Taken in the sunrise? Measured an unfurling leaf? 

When hurled into a cataclysm of stress or loss we often obsess over the the BIG PICTURE OF THE FUTURE. That is an anxiety-ridden place to dwell. Get the hell out of there as soon as you can.

Slow down and get back into the present moment.

The beauty of a normal day, where nothing in particular is happening, can slip though your fingers like water unless you make time to actually appreciate it. In a matter of moments, it's gone. 

Slow down for 10 minutes and meditate on what little things make you feel happy, loved or validated. Write down a few things and when you have figured out what makes YOU feel good, offer those to someone else. 

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From the Garden   

This vintage candy stripe periwinkle was transplanted to my garden from my dear friend and neighbor, Katie Progar. It originated from her in-laws' home along Lake Michigan in the 1930s. Yesterday, I came across a newspaper article from 1998, written in honor of the Progars' 65th wedding anniversary. A life of love, devotion to family and in so many ways, the little things. 

Katie was one of my dearest friends and I would visit her every afternoon for a dose of her wisdom and some baked treats. 

"Never waste food."

"Always look on the bright side."

"Keep your basement clean."

"Mollie, stop working like a man." (this was my favorite!)

I never left empty handed. She would carefully put cookies or a slice of cake on a plate, and then insert it into a plastic grocery bag that she would hang on my wrist. "Just in case you fall on the way home." 

She knew me so well.

I know her Spirit visits my garden and enjoys seeing many of her transplanted flowers growing happily and being appreciated for their beauty and loving memories.

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Its's about TIME.

Last week, my great friend and respected afterlife author, Mark Ireland, sent me a captivating email regarding a prediction made during a connection I facilitated in January. Mark and his wife Susie are cherished friends of mine, and as such, any connection I make is considered experimental since I know of their situation prior to the session. Mark and I have taught seminars together, and one belief that we both strongly share to is that an experience with a medium needs to be very heavily based on evidence, verifiable facts, for it to have a deeply healing effect on the bereaved. This "experiment" tuned out amazing! Incredible proof that Mark's deceased son, Brandon, was in fact present spiritually at his brother's recent wedding...and in some way, it was all fated to occur exactly as it did.

One of the most confounding questions I am asked to explain is, "How does time work on the spiritual plane?" I can only share theories; my own, and that of Albert Einstein that Mark provided in conversation with me. 

Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, "The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." In regard to this, I also found the following: "Einstein's belief in an undivided solid reality was clear to him, so much so that he completely rejected the separation we experience as the moment of now. He believed there is no true division between past and future, there is rather a single existence. His most descriptive testimony to this faith came when his lifelong friend Besso died. Einstein wrote a letter to Besso's family, saying that although Besso had preceded him in death it was of no consequence, "...for us physicists believe the separation between past, present, and future is only an illusion, although a convincing one."

After facilitating thousands of valid, evidence based, afterlife connections my theory is similar, but with a bit less scientific authority than Einstein. I have time and time again, correctly described and predicted events that eventually come to pass while conducting a session that I cannot ignore this aspect of mediumship. Somehow, the deceased pass on tidbits of the future to us that serve as greater validation of their ongoing connection and the vastness of life itself. I believe information is given at certain times to help us expand our awareness, to start the thought process: "Hey people...maybe there is something more to you than your flesh hanging on bones made of stardust."  

People get terribly frustrated that the deceased don't always predict or make us aware of problems or hardships ahead of time, which leads me to believe that they too, are part of the earth journey. Just my theory, keep or toss it as it feels right for you.

Mark generously shares his experience here for everyone to read.

On January 28, 2014, my wife Susie and I delighted in the healing experience of a highly evidential reading from Mollie. She had many hits, addressing things specific to my mother and other loved ones who had passed, but the most touching and compelling part involved a message from my deceased son Brandon. Through Mollie, Brandon passed along the following information about his brother Steven's upcoming wedding, which subsequently took place on May 10, 2014. Remarkably, Mollie's message included references to several specifics things in future tense which later came to pass.  

Mollie: "Brandon is showing me that Steven will be wearing a really nice suit at the wedding. It's not quite a tuxedo, but it's really close." 

Relevance: Steven did wear a very nice cashmere suit, but it was not a tuxedo. 

Mollie: "Brandon now pulls something out of a pocket in the suit. I believe Steven is planning on having something that belongs to Brandon in his pocket and on his person at the wedding. It's like a little picture or something; but there is something physical and tangible that you can touch that Steven has on his person. It's some kind of memento."

Relevance: On the afternoon of the wedding, prior to the ceremony, one of the young men in the wedding party, David Butcher, handed me a small box and asked me to open it. David indicated that it was a gift from Liz Rohe, a friend who was unable to make the wedding trip. The box contained six small pins, each with a small framed portrait of Brandon and a charm that could slide into a suit-coat pocket, allowing the picture to be displayed.

Mollie: "Brandon also makes the point that he is going to be there and he is saying, 'Two o'clock.'"

Relevance: It was at approximately 2:00 PM that my wife Susie first saw the pins.

This kind of precise and heartfelt information brings tremendous healing, as well as confidence in the reality of life after death. There is no way to fake a prediction-it either comes to pass or it doesn't. And to have it be so specific, on so many levels is quite remarkable. I want to thank Mollie for sharing her gift, because she's making a very positive difference in people's lives.

- Mark Ireland

I highly recommend visiting Mark's website. His book "Soul Shift: Finding Where the Dead Go" and his latest, "Messages from the Afterlife" are wonderful resources for those interested in learning more. His father, Dr. Richard Ireland, was one of the most accurate and famous psychic mediums of the 20th century. You can watch fascinating clips of him demonstrating his uncanny abilities on the Steve Allen show in 1969 by linking through Mark's website. And yes, I've had the pleasure of "meeting" Dr. Ireland posthumously. It's a trip! 

(http://www.markirelandauthor.com/)

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

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Finding the Strength to Grow

This is not a article about loss, the afterlife or death. It's about life, living and fulfilling growth cycles. Isn't that what we are here on Earth to do? Fulfill a cycle of growth?

If you've ever visited my Facebook Page, you've figured out I'm an avid gardener. I live for the flowers; I long for them year round. The month of May in Wisconsin is especially thrilling for me as a collector of speciality daffodils. Every few days, a different variety blooms, like an old friend who comes to visit once a year. At dawn, I'm outside in my pajamas with my camera, tiptoeing in the dirt, with mad hair and coffee dripping everywhere, trying to capture pictures that last all year. A proud flower-mother. The picture collage is what's currently blooming: "Pink Charm," "Mon Cherie," "Replete" and "Ice Follies." 

Pink Charm, Mon Cherie, Replete and Ice Follies....all blooming this week. 

I'm often asked how I live a "normal" life with my ability. First of all, I have never claimed to be normal...secondly, I am alive. I do not stay connected like a firewire to heaven 24/7. That would be devastatingly draining. My garden is a big part of the answer. It helps me stay grounded, and in addition to that, caring for and nurturing plant life reminds me that everything moves in cycles. And, in truth, we are all like seeds. We are driven by a deep thirst for love, and when we find it, we gather the strength to grow roots. We all hunger for warmth and comfort, and when we find what we need, we summon the courage to grow. Like the seed, it takes an enormous amount of perseverance and bravery for us to become the beautiful people we are meant to be. To do so requires opening ourselves up to the possibility, making ourselves vulnerable, trusting the inner voice to tell us to reach for what's right, and pushing ourselves to break through barriers. Whether your current journey is on the Earth-plane: your profession or hobbies or family life; on an emotional level: overcoming loss, depression, anger or regret; or on a spiritual level, the needs are the same, and the demand upon us is commanding. It is not easy being a seed, not knowing our potential. But indeed, it is there. 

I don't always write in metaphors, but when I journal, I allow my thoughts to fall out as they come--and let's face it, seeing the parallels between the flower life cycle and our lives as human beings is, well, natural. I share this personal journal entry with the hope that the blooming Spring flowers will inspire you to see your own potential, appreciate the journey of development, and embrace the opportunities for growth in your life. 

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A wilted flower that drops to the earth on a hot, August afternoon: drying, shrinking, falling into the dirt. The leaves came and covered it, burying its floral remains. What was left was the seed, protected by a hard shell, it froze in the darkness under the cover of the mulch. Frozen, dark and still. For what seemed forever.

The seed lies beneath, growing wary of winter, its shell starting to wear thin from the stress of extreme conditions. It finally cracks; the opening appears.

The seasons change, the snow melts, the ground absorbs the water, soggy...the stressed seed, cracked and now open, takes the drop of water and the germination begins.

In that moment there is magic.

The water enters the crack.

The seed, forever changed.

Moves so slight.

Swells

Swells

Swells

Sheds its skin, breaking free of Winter's grip...it grows.

It's so difficult pushing through the dark dirt. Having no idea that just above the surface, the entire world is waiting. Instinctively, it reaches for warmth. The roots begin to gain ground and provide strength. And for the first time, the new life shows itself to the world. Rejoicing in the delight of the unfolding green, it attracts attention against the mud.

It grows; showing the world its development, one leaf at a time. Becoming mature, seasoned against the elements and conditions, the stalk readies itself to fulfill its destiny.

It has no idea what it's capable of. The struggle of Winter can nearly kill the spirit.

All of the energy used in growth, strong, tall, green, it still has no idea that residing inside of its bud is an outrageous, scene-stealing, fragrant blossom that will attract every bird and butterfly for miles around.

It was always the providence of the seed, yet, it cannot be forced. It comes in its time.

No one really pays attention to a growing flower. It's the blossom that is so desirable. Without the growth, there would be no flower. You have to surrender to the whole cycle and love every part of it.

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Offering Just the WRITE words.

Last week, I found myself on an early morning flight home on my birthday, crammed in the middle seat with my laptop, trying to catch up on emails. As I sat there tapping away at the keyboard, focusing, I became aware of a deep, loud male voice from the row behind me when my ear caught the word, "birthday."  

"Tomorrow is my wife's 51st birthday."

"This week is really hard, Mother's Day is Sunday."

"She got to see her daughter married on November 29th, that was the last happy thing she did."

"She told me "Good night" on December 15th, and was gone 10 minutes later. She had a stroke in bed. She just went to sleep." 

"I'm taking her ashes to spread with her mother's. She's right there in my duffle bag on the floor. I'm 41, but she'll be 51 tomorrow. Tomorrow is her birthday." 

I sat there stunned. My chest started aching for his pain. He was trying to medicate his wounds by drawing in anyone who would listen to him. He needed something...a connection...not necessarily a connection to his wife, but a connection to LIFE, to compassion, to someone who could deliver to him the balm of hope. 

I closed my eyes for a few minutes and asked myself, "How can I best serve him under these conditions?" I remembered in my handbag I had a small, unused card. The front of the tiny card was covered with hearts and said LOVE on it. I fished it out, and listened to my heart for the words that, however brief, would somehow say what he needed to hear. 

On your wife's birthday, remember the love. You are loved.

As I got off the plane, I turned around and pressed it into his hand. 

"Open this tomorrow; it's a birthday gift for you." I said. His eyes welled up with tears. 

"Yes, ma'am, I will do that tomorrow. Thank you, thank you so much." 

I have no idea how his story ends. And that is the beauty of it. You can never know the effect a few kind words can have on a stranger, but you need to say them anyway. 

The experience reminded me of the Valentine Extravaganza back surgery I had two years ago on January 31. (who turns back surgery into a party???)  The doctor told me to expect to be flat out and on painkillers for about three weeks. I can barely sit still for three hours, (let alone three weeks!), so I planned to pass the time in Lala Land making Valentine cards for anyone who was lonely or would otherwise not receive one. An old calendar served as a source for cutting out thousands of little hearts that I glued onto a hand-drawn and painted tree. I put a note up on my Facebook page for people who had lost a partner or needed some cheer to email me their home address. Of course, that was CRAZY MAKING! I ended up sending out a few hundred hand-made cards... BUT IT WAS SO AWESOME! It was so fun because every single day strangers were emailing saying I made their day, they loved their card and they felt so special. In fact, people still send me notes letting me know they kept the card I made for them. It made my recovery so much easier and more joyful. 

Operation: Valentine Extravaganza Back Surgery in full swing.

I saw this story online, and instantly loved what was happening.  This woman wrote 3000 letters of encouragement to others when she was feeling suicidal. Read it here.

Offering compassionate service, encouragement and kind words to anyone can help us rise above our own funk. Yes, I said FUNK. Life can get funky...you can either go down to Funkytown or you can get out some paper and write something nice to a friend, relative or a complete stranger and possibly change their day, maybe even their life. 

Action challenge: You guessed it. Send someone your words of kindness, encouragement or joy.

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

A Mother's Day Gift from Spirit

What a joy and privilege it is to create life and be a mother, and likewise, how difficult the path is for those who have had to put their joy "on hold" after the loss of a child. One thought I offer for consideration is that once you have become a parent, you are always a parent. The acts of loving a child can never be undone; it truly is an eternal relationship that is forever alive and vital. It always breaks my heart when I meet a bereaved parent who declares they are no longer a parent since their child died. While I can understand the depth of that feeling, there is nothing I wish I could do more than help a person realize their child is still alive, still connected and still....their child. When your child lives in Heaven, your commitment as a parent is a million times harder to fulfill. The "work" is never done! If you think it's bad to deal with a mountain of laundry, dirty dishes and endless school meetings, I can assure you, dealing with the ABSENCE of these privileges is, literally, a million times harder. Talk about becoming a pillar of strength that holds the family together....yes, this is the path of the bereaved parent. Endless work, mostly on yourself. 

I recall a session I did several years ago in early Spring for a bereaved mother named Sheryl, connecting to her shining, teenage son, Tyler. The connection was great, with wonderful, clear evidence and validations. Tyler pulled a fast one on me when he told me to communicate to his mother that he'd be sending her a "Mother's Day gift this year." Instantly I protested to him, thinking, "You can't do that, you can't make future promises and predictions!" My logic got in the way, and I thought, "How can he possibly provide her with a specific gift without the benefits of a body, money and physicality?" Thankfully, he persisted and I passed the message on to her: "Your son is sending you a Mother's Day gift." 

So, after Mother's Day I received a note from Sheryl about her "gift" and it remains one of the most remarkable stories of hope I have been a party to. On that Mother's Day Sunday, it happened to be nice weather and she was doing yard work with her family. They had left the garage door open, as most of us do when we are working in the yard. After hearing a crash in the garage, Sheryl walked in and saw that something hung on a pegboard that had been attached to the wall for many years had fallen onto the floor, backside up. In front of her was her "gift." Many years ago, when Tyler was a little boy,  Sheryl had allowed him to play with paint on the backside of it, a moment she had long forgotten. A two hearts; one "Ty" and one "Mom," with the message, "Love"  above them, had been hand-painted there by a precious, perfect son who somehow created a situation where something fell off the wall, at an exact moment, on a specific day, to soothe, heal and comfort. I'm listing that one right up there among small miracles! 

You are loved by those in Spirit, whether it's your own mother who is now caring for you spiritually, or a beloved child who is trying to say, "I'm still here!" The love is forever. 

You can read more about Sheryl's connections in her book, "Walking on Sunshine."

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Ordering from the menu of the Past?

"It's like she's gone into an amazing restaurant and ordered without looking at the menu based only on what she's eaten in the past," said the man in Spirit. "She's already decided what she'll have for her future, but she doesn't realize the choices are more incredible than she can imagine."

The young widow replied gently, "He's right, but I just want him to know that he is my one and only love." 

Sometimes in life we find ourselves relying upon our past to serve as a benchmark for our future. This is especially prevalent when we've experienced a loss; the pain from the loss can be so raw that our vision for our future becomes limited; we only want to hold on to or recreate the joy we have already experienced. It doesn't really register that something EVEN BETTER might be available. 

Rabbit dish from "beast+bottle" in Denver, CO.

If you haven't lost the love of your life, or your only child, this way of thinking might be hard to understand, but I see it all the time. We can't imagine loving another partner, or including another child in our life, because we are thinking, "My loved one cannot be replaced."

And that is exactly right. We can never replace someone we love.

What we can do is invite and create situations where we are able to experience love again. Those new situations will have absolutely nothing to do with the person who died or left our life. I have had scores of people book sessions with me over the years with the underlying need to make sure their deceased spouse is okay with them having a new relationship. 

I can assure you that universally, the people you love who have passed to Spirit want you to fill your life with loving experiences. You are not being disloyal to a deep, meaningful relationship by experiencing another one. You are simply creating more love. It can be a huge challenge to TRUST the process, to allow love to enter without completely freaking out because this new love might also die or leave. 

So, we end up ordering off the menu of our past, completely limiting ourselves from experiencing a fullness that we can't imagine. 

"I'll never love anyone as much as I loved her."

"I'll never get married again."

"I don't have the capacity to love another child that deeply."

The fact is, whether these sentiments are true is uncertain, simply because we haven't opened ourselves up to the possibilities. We haven't even opened ourselves to the chance to love and be loved again. 

Ordering from my past menu came up for me in a gorgeous restaurant called " beast + bottle" in Denver Sunday night, after my group event. My friends ordered a rabbit appetizer, and simply seeing the word "rabbit" on the menu flooded me with bad memories. When I was about 9, I was eating dinner at a friend's house one evening when her Dad confessed that the meat in the stew was rabbit. Now, I was not very open to trying new foods at that point in my life, and his admission sent me under the table gagging. As a very hard-headed little girl, I was turned off rabbit FOREVER. Until last night. Out came this gorgeous plate of braised fennel (my favorite vegetable), multi-colored carrots, parsnips and bits of braised rabbit in a light sauce. I couldn't help myself, it was so beautifully presented....the flavor was incredible. I hate when I have to be sneaky about licking a plate in public. Ahem, sorry Peter Cottontail, I'm converted...and I am going to be more conscious about my PAST MENUS; they stopped delivering long ago.

Ordering from the menu of the past time and again will only get us the same results. So while it is possible to order up another plate of grief, loneliness or regret, it's important to remember we have unlimited menu options available to us. Life is meant to be a feast for the soul, a buffet of opportunities for happiness. 

Why not set down the menu of the past, and begin creating something delicious for your future? You never know, you might discover entirely new ways to savor life. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Proactively Transforming Grief

How can science help us deal with grief, one of life's most challenging emotions? Let's take a look at energy. It is understood that energy can be converted or transferred in its form, but not created or destroyed.  

Love is an energy, and though we can't necessarily list it as kinetic, nuclear or electric energy, we do know it's a powerful force. The energy of love has been motivating humankind for millions of years to take positive action on behalf of others. This is apparent in everything from worldwide compassion efforts to relieve starvation, to the simple act of a parent bathing an infant. 

When we are  overcome with grief, we often have absolutely no idea where to go or what to do with our suffering. So much of our motivation departed along with our loved one, that too often, we are simply left to sit and wallow in our misery. However, love cannot be destroyed; the energy that existed before the loss is actually still there. It's boiling under the surface as our grief, and constant threat of implosion drives us deeper into a lonely place of disconnect. How can we cope under this duress?

The answer is simple: Do something. You are going to have to make changes if you want to be happy. You can begin to transform the energy of grief with positive activity.  

I've seen clients of mine do this over the years with great success. Many bereaved persons seek talk therapy to heal, but fail to plan activities. Let's compare that to steeping a cup of tea. When the tea comes in contact with boiling water, the flavor is released and a nurturing drink is created. Awesome! But what happens if you leave the tea bag steeping endlessly? You end up with a bitter drink. Not so delicious! If you sit still, simmering in your emotions, bitterness is a likely outcome.

You have to ask yourself, "In this moment, with these circumstances, what matters most to me?" My favorite way to answer this question is to redirect what's on my mind right before I fall asleep. 

I send my children and several friends text messages to say good night, thank them for adding so much to my life and tell them I love them. 

I imagine what it would be like to walk through Giverny.

I think about how to hold events in six West Coast cities in less than two weeks' time. 

What's important to me today is being able to express my love to my family and friends, and create enjoyable opportunities for us to be together. It's important for me to have free time to nurture gardens and appreciate their beauty and growth. It's important for me to bring messages of hope to people all over the world. 

All of the important things in my life REQUIRE ACTION. 

You have to get involved in your life again to create happiness and healing. Start a foundation in honor of your loved one. Get busy trying out the new hobby you always wanted to learn; art, photography, travel, cooking....whatever gets you excited! Get involved with support groups that offer activities; conferences, social opportunities or self development workshops. Meet a friend out for a cup of coffee instead of staying in alone. Start cleaning and organizing your home to make it into the place you dream it could be! 

Everyone is at a different place in the grief process, but remember the analogy of the tea bag. Too much steeping leads to bitterness. Start to focus on what's important to you at the end of the day and commit to taking action to make it a reality.  You can't destroy your grief energy, but you can TRANSFORM it. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

HOPE: a gift or creation?

Recently several people have responded to my weekly blogs with words of gratitude for helping them to manage the losses in their lives that go beyond the death of a loved one and into the disappearance of relationships, careers or self-identity. At the end of each work day, I take time to reflect upon the communication that was brought forward from Spirit, and examine it for value beyond validating the existence of the afterlife. I come into each session listening for something insightful; I want to know how the dead can teach us to live better. They have been there, done that and see everything through the lens of enlightenment, a valuable perspective that we have not yet gained. 

It is an extraordinary gift to receive wisdom that enables us to create changes in our earth-based existence BEFORE we greet our own mortality face-to-face. The greatest instigators for change that I have experienced, at least twice in my life, were the moments of complete breakdown and the surrender to the life-flow that followed. None of this was easy or pleasant. In fact, it was completely dreadful as I experienced it. However, sometimes the only way we can move forward is by first losing ourselves completely. 

There's little joy in recalling the ugly moments when my loss (a second marriage) became real. It happened many weeks after the announcement that my husband was leaving because he wanted to explore having a life as a single woman. My mind was so completely blown by his unbelievable admission it took it me a good deal of time to process what this exactly meant for me: my plans, my family, my expectations and the future. One beautiful Sunday afternoon, reality crashed upon me as I realized I had absolutely nothing and no one whom I could rely upon, and only a deep sense of responsibility toward my children. I ended up in the small space of a closet under the stairs with several coats draped over my head so no one could hear my wailing. In those hours of sobbing, grieving my future and gasping for breath, I wrote so many endings to my story and every one of those conclusions were entirely tragic. I had no hope. I mean this sincerely....I had "lost it" in every way possible.

"I'm damaged goods beyond any repair. There is no one who could love me with this history."

"I've made such horrible choices, I am helplessly stupid." 

"I'm going to be homeless and my children will be taken away from me."

After several hours of this storytelling, I became aware of my children playing upstairs. Faint noises of their laughter, the endlessly squeaky floorboards as they jumped around, their yelling at video games...I heard the sounds of their living, being. The aching and pain inside of me became much more intense as I realized there was no way I could let them down. I had no plan, and no clue where to start but I realized...they have no idea anything is wrong. They believe life is still okay.

Something inside of my heart, some kind of gifted hope, set off the smallest spark in that moment. Believe me, it was tiny. I could hardly perceive it. A few days later, I made a laundry list of my problems, both the practical and the perceived. It was an exhaustive list, but it gave me a starting point. (Granted, it was at the bottom of a trash can with a long climb out, but at least I knew where I was.) I created an affirmation that OPPOSED every negative thought I had about who I was, or what I might be able to achieve. I began the daily practice of mediating on that affirmation, and to this day, I still mediate with it. 

I am Happy, Healthy, Whole, Well, Loved and Abundant.

When I created this affirmation, I was very unhappy. I was sick, suffering from migraines and panic attacks. I felt so broken; I couldn't imagine what feeling "whole" was like. Everything made me feel unwell. Loved? I didn't even love or respect myself, let alone have the capacity to receive that from another person. I couldn't see any value in the experiences I had navigated in life; I viewed them as walls that separated me from my desires and needs. And as for abundance, my pantry was as deflated as my self-esteem. 

When I created my mantra, I emptied my head completely of my story. I stopped scripting my life. I refused to commit myself to a future tragic ending. I stepped into the unknown and decided that was to be my new "comfort zone" for the rest of forever. 

I knew that I would never again live within a mental space of comfort where life, events and tomorrow are predictable, and are a given. THEY ARE A GIFT. 

What happened in following years as I allowed my thinking to be re-scripted continues to be miraculous. There is no more "trying" for anything, it shows up in its perfect time. I am completely available to joyfully experience whoever and whatever is going on in the moment without judging it or myself. Every single thing that I affirm is true, and with no limits. There is no ceiling on the love I experience with the people with whom I am blessed to exchange energy. My abundance is overwhelming and joyfully shared. Is my life flawless? Of course not, but I can tell you, those flawed moments are dealt with much more quickly and with a massive dose of self-respect and love.

So, is HOPE a gift, or can you create it? 

The spark of hope I was gifted from that "Source" of Soul or Spirit was so small in the moment it was received it could have easily been snuffed out. I chose to gather whatever tinder was nearby and light a fire. I created it and did the work. I am responsible and always will be for my life experience. 

My ears have been a resting spot for so many stories that detail the reality of those moments when the loss of a loved one causes you to completely "lose it;" when you, the loss and the moment become "real." A bereaved mother who I am blessed to call a dear friend recalls how she laid crying, gasping and wrenching on the floor in a dark room for days without eating. She heard that whisper of hope, and I can't stress enough...it's bloody hard to hear it's so faint! She is an  upwardly-mobile person with a great career, and family who is contributing love to society as a whole. This type of breakdown can happen to anyone. 

I've determined that the most stable place to rebuild your life upon is ROCK BOTTOM...it is a firm foundation for healing.

I am a purveyor of hope. I allow my life energy to be used as an instrument for discarnate Souls to reach out to loved ones in need of confirmation and healing. The "gift" here is the path that becomes visible to those in need. The road of hope is now under your feet. At this point, you may choose to walk on it, into the unknown and discover for yourself that the ending to YOUR story is also unwritten and available for you to create with purpose and meaning. You can't be carried down this road, it has to be travelled. And that's the gift. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

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Managing feelings of incompleteness.

Nearly every bereaved person I have ever met has expressed to me a deep sense of of feeling incomplete after the passing of a cherished love one. The relationship on the physical plane of existence created a sense of wholeness, and when that relationship transitioned into the spiritual plane, suddenly, their identity had been amputated. It's similar to losing a leg; the act of balancing seems impossible. You aren't walking anywhere with just one leg.

When an object is complete, it literally means that all of its parts are present, its whole in form. No portion of that object is missing. Can that be true for a Soul having a physical existence? Can parts of us actually go missing?  

First, I'm not here to preach that feeling incomplete isn't true. If everyone says it, then there has to be a good reason. I want to start a thought process for you that examines the actions and motives of what causes that sense of completeness to arise while you and your loved one were both living happily (or not so happily) together on the Earth.  Let's think for a moment about the time before the loss occurred.

For a parent, possibly the most profound moment of your entire existence is to hold within your hands the life you created as your child. An actual human that you GAVE "being" to. You had the motive to co-create life in a deeply personal way and you took action to care for the needs of your precious creation. 

Maybe it's your life partner or Soul-mate who has passed. A relationship unlike any other, where another Soul reflected your entire worth back to you, possibly for the first time ever. This is the person you GAVE all of your trust and love to. The motive is to experience love, the action is constantly working on relating to each other more authentically. 

A friend is a person who throughout your life is a sustainer of hope. Through thick and thin, you received support that helped you navigate life's tricky waters. In return, you GAVE time, sweat, tears, laughs and resources to sustain that relationship. The motive was to have support, the action is making yourself available to give it back.

No matter who it is that you've lost, the relationship investment is still there. You GAVE. You GAVE yourself away; willingly, with joy, and with honor. Do you want those gifts back? Of course not! Would you do it all again? Absolutely! 

As we willingly GIVE away our love, we are discovering our completeness. If a pair of spectacles loses one of its arms, they would be fragmented and fall off the face they trying to help. 

You are not an object.  In giving, you actually become whole. 

Time and time again those in Spirit wish for me to express on their behalf that all the gifts of love, time and energy that were given to them, WENT WITH THEM to the afterlife. Every deed. (Except for the real estate that was so unfortunately worthless, it had to stay behind on Earth.) 

You are always whole. The love you invested in a person who died is still growing and an amazing return is coming.  

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited. 

Starting Over.

Pinned to a table by strong hands, my chiropractor announced that my neck needed to be adjusted. Every muscle in my body turned to stone in protest and I immediately debated his expertise, "Is that REALLY, TRULY NEEDED?" Despite the excellent care and healing I have received from him for years, when he reaches for my neck, I still panic. I issue a firm warning: if he breaks my neck, there will be hell to pay. He laughs, and says he can deal with my wrath. I'm a terrible patient; I can't stand the pain of staying where I am, but I fear the adjustment it takes to get me back to functioning.  

Recalibrating life is often a painful process, particularly when the changes are needed due to circumstances we didn't choose. How can we arrange the hours and days that we used to devote to the care of a loved one passed? How can we find a new lifestyle, when the one we've enjoyed is no longer an option? These are real questions that impose real stress, as we seek to navigate some of life's most complicated paths. As Dr. Torture kindly reminds me, I can choose to stay with my pain; not sleeping, unable to drive or dig in my garden.  Or, he can take 45 seconds to adjust my neck if I will allow the process to happen. I always allow it in the end, but it takes me thrice as long to convince myself that the fear is irrational, as the adjustment itself.

There is a special place in the woods I retreat to when I need to rejoin reality after too much spiritual work. Being with nature helps me remember how small I am, and how insignificant even my largest problems are in the complete scope of life cycles. In the summer the path is padded with pine needles and my footsteps are almost imperceptible. I am fully present to the sounds of the birds and the deer cracking sticks as they tip-toe about. The canopy of leaves creates a cool, eerie light.  In the winter, it takes more effort to get my feet through the snow but the effect of the sunlight on the glistening white landscape is brilliant beyond what I can aptly describe. I often pause, gazing upwards if the wind blows softly through the trees releasing trapped snow into the air. The flakes catch the sunlight as they fall to the forest floor and the sky appears to be raining diamonds. It's totally worth freezing for. I don't go often in the Spring, but today, I needed to. I went in search of signs of new growth, wondering, "Will Spring ever arrive?" The wind was raw, air damp and the trail was a thick layer of ice. Interestingly, the rest of the ground was mostly thawed. Only where there has been constant treading of feet was the path slippery and difficult to navigate. Nature has already allowed the the unexplored parts to melt. I changed course, and walked there instead. 

No matter how many times I visit this familiar place, it is always changing.  Longing for signs of Spring, I kept searching for something green, but found nothing. With the experience nearly over, and disappointment creeping in, I realized my expectation of Spring was unreasonable. I demanded evidence of visible green growth, and only then, would I accept the change of season was really here. Instead, I witnessed the space of possibility and potential before the growth happens. Several feet of snow had melted. Some parts of the path were muddy, not icy. There was a small section of a stream that flowed freely instead of being at a stand still. Spring is definitely here, but it's growing beneath the surface and I cannot yet see it's progress blooming.

As I walked, I realized, I will never have the opportunity to be the person I was yesterday, again. Every day, I will have to start over. My entire life exists only within the moment I am experiencing. I allowed my joy to be dependent on my need to see green growth.  I nearly missed seeing the progress of seasons because it did not yet meet my definition of what Spring is. 

I let my idea go, and became present to truth. Spring is here. I regained my sense of being grounded in reality that I went in seeking, and walked out of the woods a content person. 

Practical Applications

Starting over begins with a choice to allow the change to happen. It can be helpful to create an affirmation of acceptance and "be" with that for a time period before you take action. If you are stuck for ideas, a suggestion is:

"I allow changes that support my happiness and well-being."

Next, make an action based effort. Keep it reasonable. If you know you need to relocate, take the small action of organizing a closet each day. Small, consistent efforts yield greater results than the occasional, large effort. 

Finally, you will be required to go with the flow. Life will rarely comply with your expectation of it, but that doesn't mean growth isn't happening. Take time out to "get grounded" and be present to whatever objective truth you find outside of yourself. Remember...you shouldn't believe everything you think. 

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Interested in having a personal connection to your loved ones in Spirit though Mollie? Click here for information on booking a private session.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014  Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited.