It's Better to Give AND Receive

Did you grow up being indoctrinated with the belief that "It is more blessed to give than receive?" 

I'm looking deeper at this, especially as Valentine's Day approaches, the traditional day when everyone longs to feel loved. Most of the people reading my blogs and newsletter are spiritual people, and by nature, "givers." And of course, none of us would have to think too hard to identify the "takers" in our lives; people who drain us energetically, financially and emotionally. Those who are self-serving, who give no thought to the cost inflicted upon others. But I'm not musing about the takers today.

There's a vast difference between receiving and taking. Let's start with the definition:

Receive: to be given, presented with, or paid.

Take: to lay hold of, to consume, to capture or gain possession of by force.

Without receivers, the givers of the world are jobless. Life is abundant, and we are surrounded by helpful, loving, caring friends and family members who truly wish to give. How are your receiving skills? How is your ability to receive divine blessings and love? Are you accepting your gifts or rejecting them? When you become as good at receiving as you are at giving, the world becomes a more balanced and blessed place. Especially YOUR world! 

I learned many years ago that when someone is genuinely trying to give to me, the best response is, "Thank you." I had to go through some incredibly humbling situations to get to that point! When we are out of balance with our energy flow, we often respond to offerings by others with negative statements like:

"You shouldn't have." 

"Oh, I can't accept that!" 

"That's nice but I feel so bad accepting this."

When you get to the heart of the matter, all of those statements affirm issues of self-worth, control and humility, and have nothing to do with politeness in the least. Many of us prefer to be the "giver" because it makes us feel more confident in our ability to be self-sustaining. Basically to "give" is an empowered sense of control. Who doesn't like that feeling? We are humans with egos, after all. But it sucks to be on the receiving end of, for example, food stamps; to have "failed" so badly that you can't even provide the basics for you family. Terrible feeling, no? This is called called humility. To be in a position of humility is a beautiful, divine gift of love. It is an opportunity for you to renew your hope in the goodness of humanity and firm your resolve to give of your blessings to help others. 

I see Spirit working every single day to bring new lessons to us about how to balance our energy by learning to receive. I'll share two examples, but believe me, I have enough fodder for an entire book on this topic!

I have had several sessions during which a husband/father came through who had passed away after an extended and incapacitating illness. All of these men were the traditional providers for their family, and they did it very well! They led their families with strong values, provided for their physical needs of housing and did a million other "manly" things that showed their dedication to loving their family through their strength. Until the day they were given a terminal diagnosis; then came the incapacitation. In what seems like a horrid twist of fate, our beloved strong fathers and husbands found themselves in a complete role reversal of neediness. 

Here comes the hidden gift: the Soul has an opportunity to balance itself before leaving this earth by learning to receive. This time that seems tragic holds deep and profound blessings for the person receiving the love, the care, the affection and attention. We don't consider illness a gift very often, but this is what the dead report to me! The gift of receiving. Wow, it is humbling! It connects us on the deepest levels and it has the capacity to increase our love for each other a millionfold.

The second way I see Spirit offering us lessons in receiving is through what we call synchronicity and coincidence. It's really about going with the flow to receive the love we need. Very recently, I did a private session with a widow, Anne, who explained to me that a string of randomly-connected events guided her to me. The appointment I was able to offer her just happened to be on the anniversary of her husband's burial. Synchronicity was happening on my end, too. Early in the day of Anne's session, a small gift was given to me, and as it was placed into my hands, I heard that little voice in my head tell me is was meant for my last client of the day. When I returned to my hotel room after Anne's  session, I saw the forgotten gift on my desk, and hurried downstairs to find her before she left. I spotted Anne in the lobby with her sister, excitedly sharing details of her connection with her husband. 

Grief is grief, and while I don't rate anyone's pain as worse than anyone else's, I often connect with people who have catastrophic, traumatizing horror stories associated with their loved one's passing. Sadly, Anne's story was one of these. After the session, there was no doubt in my mind she needed this little gift as a reminder that she is loved, always. After I gave her the gift, the three of us started chatting and we decided we would eat dinner together. Throughout the course of the meal, as we became fast friends, I realized that they were people I'd be friends with in normal circumstances. Thank my lucky stars I met them through Spirit! We raised a toast to Anne's husband, and thanked him for the many gifts he brought to all of us that day. 

I told Anne after dinner, "If there is anything your husband wants you to know after this day, it is that he will never stop caring for you and providing you with love, just like he has always has. Go with the flow of what shows up in your life, receive it. They aren't coincidences, they are divinely-planned meetings meant to fill you with love and hope." 

So, in light of Valentine's Day later this week, as you begin to think about ways you can show your love, turn your thoughts to how good you are at receiving it. Whether it arrives as a bouquet of flowers or a found penny, perhaps the very best response is a heartfelt, "Thank you." 

The Universe is abundant, and love is available in unlimited supply to all who are open to receive. 

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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. 

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Spirit's Sense of Humor

One of the great pleasures of my job is sharing the joy when loved ones in Spirit make jokes or recall funny situations that bring up happy memories during a reading. So many people are afraid of mediums, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they are afraid of what their deceased loved ones might have to say to them during a session. Not too long ago I remember a comment left on my Facebook page from man who said, "Why do dead people always come through so happy and at peace? I don't believe any of this! That is not real! My Dad was an as****e and I know he's not at peace and the last thing I want to do is give him another chance to let me know how disappointed he is in me!" 

A bit dramatic, but I have heard similar questions. I have never had anyone in Spirit come through with a negative message or express disappointment in a living family member's choices. My experiences over thousands of connections have all been the same: when a loved one "awakens" in the Spirit world, they are able to view their life and actions in their entirety. This means they are able to see the ripple effects of their choices on their loved ones. Lots of people make bad choices or poor decisions. Many people are grumpy, act like jerks or are even abusive. In every reading, literally...this has never failed: loved ones who have passed over come through to validate the existence of the afterlife and help their living loved ones heal. Often they acknowledge or apologize for hurtful behavior. Sometimes they offer a short explanation of why they acted that way, and it usually has to do with a personal inner struggle. The purpose of an afterlife connection is healing, and to bring forward any hurtful or judgmental information would simply never happen. The connection is precious and sacred, and the energy can only be sustained for minutes. If you were in Spirit, would you wish to tell your hurting, grieving child that they simply didn't live up to your expectations? NO! Of course not! It's all about healing, and there is never a reason to fear the messages that will come forward during a session. 

Also, I see people comment on my Facebook page that's it's "creepy" to communicate with the deceased. Now hold on just a minute! When I'm connecting with your loved ones, I'm the one doing the talking, and I am not creepy. I am adorable. :-) Fear not, my friends!

Laughter is the best healer and anyone who has ever attended one of my group events has witnessed that, first-hand. Your loved ones retain their personality and jump at the chance to make a joke and create laughter.

One of my all-time funniest memories happened years ago in a small, private family session. The Dad had passed away, and his wife and children were present for the reading. The evidence was great, and everyone was enjoying the connection, smiling and crying. Near the end, the Dad communicated to me, "Tell them I'm with Mona." When I did, everyone fell over laughing. "Mona" was the Dad's pretend girlfriend, and the family joke was that whenever Dad was out, presumably grocery shopping, or doing some other boring chore, he'd always say he was out with "Mona." Such a fun family! The laughter continued until we all had tears running down our faces. Priceless memories. 

There is a lot of value in silliness. It not only breaks up tension, it provides a large dose of healing. If you have ever had a loved one in Spirit play a joke on you, feel free to share it on my Facebook page. I share this article as a blog post and you can also leave your comments there. I'd love to read them, and everyone else in the community will too.

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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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It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a SIGN?

Without a doubt, the most talked about, written about, and misunderstood topic on the afterlife are "signs" sent to us from a loved one in Spirit. 

• What makes something a sign and not a natural occurrence?
• How do we know who the sign is from?
• Why don't I see any signs?
• Why have they stopped?

I had a really good laugh with a friend last week about a "sign." A dress I had really wanted to buy last fall suddenly appeared as an advertisement on my Facebook newsfeed, on sale at 75% off. I told my friend, who had seen me try the dress on last October, "Well, it's on sale now! Of course I should get it-it's a sign!" She laughed heartily and said,"Yeah, a STOP sign!" I love the way the Universe operates and brings the joy of laughter into the most mundane moments of life. 

Yet it's a big question for many: how do you KNOW and TRUST that what you are hoping is communication from a loved one, actually is? 

Let's take a quick trip back to the basics of Spirit communication. Logically, we know we aren't going to hear an audible voice speaking to us; a loved one in Spirit doesn't have a mouth or a body, so the communication will come to us by mental telepathy. A simple thought. In order to get to the place where you are able to trust that the sign you are witnessing is a valid communication, you have to learn to trust your thoughts. You need to become aware of your thinking patterns, and learn to discern the moment when they become interrupted by a "Hello!" from Heaven. 

Over the past week, I have had three excellent examples of how a loved one in Spirit manifested a sign through nature, and then amazingly, validated that specific sign during a private session with a client. 

In the first situation, my client asked, "Does my mother send any signs to me of her presence?" Immediately, I saw a red cardinal in my mind's eye. When I communicated this, my client's face went white as a sheet! She told me just a few hours before her reading, her daughter emailed her to ask me if cardinals were a special sign. The daughter had just sold an older piece of family jewelry on eBay that featured a cardinal. Meanwhile the family had been seeing cardinals perched just outside their window, leaving them to wonder if the mother figure was trying to communicate.

In the second reading, I was connecting a client to her son who had passed several years ago. During the reading he showed me a bird's nest filled with blue eggs and robins. Breaking out into a huge smile, she exclaimed, "I just knew it was from Lyle! I knew it!" Soon after his passing, a robin had made a nest in the track of the sliding glass door, and it had to be moved. I was worried the parents would abandon the nest, so I said, "If that's you Lyle, bring the birds back!"Within a few days, the birds had safely built another nest just two feet away, where my client was able to watch the entire process from egg laying to baby birds catching their first flight throughout the spring. 

During the third reading, I was connecting a client with her son who had passed, and he showed me the image of a monarch butterfly, and communicated this was his symbol to his mother. She smiled and also reported that soon after her son had passed, she'd had the unusual pleasure of witnessing a monarch transform from caterpillar to butterfly right near her chair in her backyard. She said she had always felt it was her son Louis, showing her through nature, how he too, had undergone a beautiful transformation to take flight into the Spirit world. How wonderful that he was able to confirm that for her!

I've gotten the question many times, "Has my loved one come back to me..." as a butterfly, dragonfly, bird, etc.? It's not that your loved one has reincarnated as an animal or insect, but rather, they use the power of their ability to connect through thought to work with these creatures, perhaps to make a nest in a specific place or to land in a spot you'll notice. Birds and butterflies are everywhere, so the next question is how do we tell if it's just a natural occurrence or if it is truly a sign? 

First of all, let me ask you this: Does it really matter? If seeing a delicate, beautiful thing of nature makes you think of your loved one with joy or peace...isn't the purpose of connection fulfilled? 

When a loved one wishes to connect with you, they do so by focusing their energy and their thoughts on you. You receive this by becoming suddenly flooded with thoughts of them, completely out of the blue. It happens when you are focused on your own reality, and boom! Suddenly, you think of a loved one. 

Signs are as varied as Spirits themselves, so maybe your loved one is sending you repetitive images or messages through friends and even strangers. Everywhere you go, you see Harley Davidson merchandise. Or people keep coming at you with the same little quip. Are you listening? Do you see the pattern? 

I'll never forget a powerful sign I had about six years ago from a cardinal. I was caring for an elderly friend who'd had knee surgery, sitting in her living room with her, when a cardinal landed on a gutter just outside the window. It started chirping, getting louder and more insistent with each passing minute. He stayed there, singing his song furiously for a full 10 minutes, until I looked in my handbag to discover that I had left my cell phone in the car. When I retrieved it, I had nine missed calls and three voicemails. My daughter had dislocated her knee at school, and had been rushed to the hospital! Was a bright red bird trying to get my attention? Could it have been a coincidence?! I know that was a sign, and one I appreciated! 

Sometimes we wonder who is sending us a sign, and in my story above, I can't pin it to a specific loved one who has passed. It was perhaps just an urgent message from the Universe. The way to know who a sign is from is to listen to your heart as you first notice the occurrence. Who comes to mind? Who are you suddenly remembering? 

If you feel you aren't seeing signs in the same manner you did in the first year or two after your loved one passed, it's not that they have "gone" anywhere; it's that the nature of the communication has changed. Think of receiving a sign through a cardinal as involving a third party. Your loved one has to use their thoughts to convince the cardinal to perch on the fence outside of your window at the exact moment you happen to be sitting there. Who knows how much energy that takes? Once you become more familiar and open to receiving thoughts, the middleman (middlebird?) is eliminated. It's quicker, faster and easier to simply send a thought. Learn to trust! The communication won't stop; it will evolve and change. 

Hilariously, I hear about a wide variety of experiences, from those who don't see any signs at all, to those who see them everywhere. Highly-analytical, logical people often have a difficult time incorporating that spiritual trust into their rationale. Because we can't prove without a doubt that a deceased loved one caused a butterfly to flutter by, we don't trust that it is possible. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I see people who are completely convinced that every gnat, seagull and pigeon they see is a Spirit trying to convey a message of urgent importance. Maybe it's just a fruit fly attracted to that overripe banana. I mean, just maybe...right? 

It's so important to find a balance. We know the human Spirit is eternal and doesn't die. We know our loved ones who have passed no longer have a mouth with which to speak. We know we are able to receive thoughts from outside sources. It makes sense that our communication will be primarily through mental telepathy, which is subtle. We must also bear in mind that when a beloved person has made their transition to the Spirit world, their journey here on the Earthly plane is complete. We will not be fire-wired to them 24-7, but rather, we will receive blessed visits that restore our hope and faith in the process of life and assure us of continued bonds. There will be a wonderful reunion, free of communication barriers, when the time is right. But right now, our job is to truly live, to be focused on creating our reality, learning to love more fully and absorb the wonders of the Earth. We do this in the company of, and with the guidance of, all of our loved ones who have gone before us, whether we acknowledge them or not. 

The next time you doubt a sign you are receiving, ask yourself if a friend showed up with a small gift for you, say a box of chocolates, would you ignore her in disbelief? Would you demand a bigger, better box on the spot? ("If this butterfly is really YOU, then send me a mountain lion! Then I'll trust it!")

Maybe the best response is, "Thank you."

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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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Private sessions available in Chicago Feb 2016.

You Are Connected!

My clients often say they feel disconnected from a loved one in Spirit. But from what I have observed, the disconnect often occurs on many levels. Disconnection from current world events. Disconnection from joy and laughter. Even disconnection from people in their lives. 

As energetic Souls who occupy a physical body, we are always connected to our Source. You can call it Spirit, the Universe, God, whatever name you like. If you can, imagine yourself as an electrical unit attached by millions of small wires to literally everything and everyone with whom you interact. We always have access to that Source--our Higher Self. To access it, we must to learn to listen from a place other than our ears.

Whether you are trying to tune in to communication with a loved one who has passed, or simply become more aware of your intuition, listening is going to be your new best friend. In our eagerness to be understood, we often talk, talk and talk without pausing to see if anyone is truly receiving. Being in a communicative space with Spirit requires us to be quiet and enter into a state of trust so we can receive. The old cliche, "listen to your heart" is an excellent example of how our Souls are always operating on that spiritual level. Be careful, however, sometimes we mistake listening to our heart as clinging to a hope or a desire. One of the classic ways I see people doing this, including myself, is we rationalize toxic relationships by saying, "But I love, him/her," as we are filled with pain. Love is grand, and it's heart-centered, but the truth is if your heart is hurting, and if you were listening to, trusting and honoring your heart, you'd be making choices that remove yourself from that source of pain. If your heart is hurting, listen to its feelings to find the source of pain. 

 When listening through our heart space, our most helpful intuitive gifts and communication are extremely subtle. A loved one in Spirit who is trying to communicate with us will literally send us a thought. Go back to the model of you being an electrical unit connected by wires. Through those wires, your brain picks up the message and delivers it to you as a thought. It's not super dramatic; it's a thought. If you want to tune in to your angels, guides, loved ones and Higher Self, you will have to learn to heed those subtle thoughts and feelings that occur without much fanfare. One great way to test them is to check in with your physical body. How does something make you feel? Often when a loved one is present, you can validate they are truly with you by literally feeling a slight change in your energy. That might be experienced as a tinglingly feeling, goosebumps, a sudden warmth, or perhaps a sensation of being lightly touched on your shoulder or cheek. It's so subtle, if you aren't tuned in, you could miss it.

 I had a wild reminder this week of how important it is to trust these nuances instead of questioning them. While I was visiting a spa with a friend, I decided to go into the sauna. My friend walked in, and suddenly changed her mind, simply saying she didn't want to be in there. She went out and found a place to sit and relax, later telling me she was feeling a bit uneasy for no discernible reason. I sat down in the warmth, closed my eyes, and got into the moment. A few minutes later, that little voice in my head said, "You should go in the steam room." So I did. About 15 seconds after I walked out of the sauna, the ceiling collapsed in what sounded like an earthquake. A nine-foot beam literally fell out of the ceiling, with the glass lighting fixtures, and crashed into the sauna's heating unit. The noise alone sent me into a near state of shock! Looking back to the minutes before the crash, I can't say that I was having a wildly intuitive hit where the voice in my head was screaming, "Get the hell outta here!" It was very subtle. Speaking with my friend later, we found it interesting that she suddenly felt uneasy right before the event. I have no idea what would have happened to me if that mess had fallen on me, but it would have been ugly for certain. The only thing that saved me was listening to the small voice that said, "Go to the steam room." 

When I do a reading for a client, the way I receive information from Spirit is much the same. It's simply a thought that flows in from a different space. When I open myself up to Spirit and conduct sessions, I know I can trust the thoughts that flow in easily. Trusting thoughts that flow in throughout the day requires a bit more discernment. One of my favorite sayings is, "Don't believe everything you think!" It's a bit of a joke, but we all tend to get on a crazy train of negativity sometimes and our thoughts can take a real nosedive. That is why I use my system of checking in with my body to see if a thought is true. I think of negative thoughts as interlopers: little invaders passing though my garden of carefully cultivated thoughts. I know they aren't true. 

 I'd love to see everyone take more time to learn to listen from their heart space; it's a practice that could change the world into a more peaceful place. There are two resources I'd love to share for further reading: I enjoy the "The Work" by Byron Katie; she recommends using a series of checks and questions to determine the truthfulness of our thoughts. She's great at helping people learn to banish destructive thought patterns. Another is Sonia Choquette and her work, "Trusting Your Vibes."  She shares great wisdom on how to discern your intuitive hits from the rampant mental chatter. 

 One thing is for certain: learning to listen from your heart space will open you up to a source of knowledge, power and communication that can greatly alter your life for the better!

*This article was originally published in January 2015. 

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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 2014-15  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. 

Living Into the Answers.

Over the last few weeks I've taken some time to reflect upon 2014 and what it brought to my life. While I experienced plenty of wonderful, easy and joyful moments, the year was heavily laden with personal growth for me. I'm trying to make that sound positive, because in every challenge there is always a helpful lesson, but to be honest, it was entirely difficult to navigate. If I could sum up what I learned from it all into a sentence, it would be, "I learned to live into the answers." 

I've always been a goal-oriented person, and I love making lists of tasks I can neatly check off as "complete" on the way to achieving the results I desire. This has been my personality since birth. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a foreign exchange student, and my mother had to fill out a form describing why she thought the experience would be good for me. I remember she wrote that I was "tenacious." You know, persistent, not giving up and really good at completing whatever I started. In the midst of my 2014 fog, my 20-year-old daughter said to me, "Come on Mom, you are a survivor. You're scrappy. You can get through this."

I questioned her, "I'm scrappy?" 

"Yes! You fight for what you want, you don't accept failure as an option and you always take care of the people around you. You are so loyal, you are a survivor. You came out of the fire wearing Prada shoes!"

I love this girl; her sense of humor always lightens the day. 

It gave me pause to consider how unbearably defeated, how truly lost I had felt. I had been without a survival plan. There just wasn't a road map available. My emotional GPS was broken. And I am terrible at being vulnerable and allowing other people to help me. 

In the middle of all of this, my intuition was always whispering to me that I was experiencing a great lesson in grieving and loss. Are there other lessons to be gleaned from the experience? Surely. And I'm positive that five years from now, I'll be able to look back and list them for you. But right now, I'm still in the rebuilding phase. 

This lesson had nothing to do with survival, the attainment of a goal or reaching a destination. It had everything to do with living in a state of trust. Basically, I had to live into the answers, one moment at a time, as they unfolded in front of me.

I was really uncomfortable in this state of not knowing. Anyone who has been thrown into a situation of loss or grief unexpectedly can relate. One minute you're on solid ground, and the next you're being swept down a rushing river over turbulent rapids. There's no swimming against the current to get back to where you were. The only the option is to let the water carry you. 

During a recent conversation, a friend offered some words of wisdom: "Don't argue with reality." This was powerful to me. While I have never spoken those words, I've always had to live that truth. Years ago, I was a young mother with meager employment, no funds and two toddlers. Sitting around ruminating over why I was in that position or looking for someone to blame didn't put food on the table. Like my daughter said, failure has never been an option. My practice has always been to buck up, and get to work no matter what. No matter what. There was never space for me to feel sorry for myself and there was no job that was beneath me. Need your toilet scrubbed? Awesome, I have hungry children. 

Living into the answers for our lives goes back to the simple premise of being present with the present. One day at a time. No matter which school of spiritual thought you follow, pretty much all of them teach this same principle. Get comfortable with reality, learn from the past but let it go, and don't waste energy worrying about a future that may not materialize. 

Rebuilding a life is not an easy task, but there are steps you can take to make it more manageable. The first one is to give up your need to know the answers. If the situation calls for it, plan the next 12 hours. What are you going to eat? Do you have a place to sleep? Can you bathe?

Eventually you'll get a little stronger and can start thinking of longer-term goals. Maybe you can plan the week. Then you can look at the next three months. The real objective is to realize that when you are in a crisis, you have to live into the answers. While all of us are touched by experiences that seem fated, what we do with those experiences is wholly, completely and truly up to us. 

Devastating losses catch us unaware, and it is so important that we not argue with reality when are head-to-head with a crisis. We must take each moment as it comes, and honor ourselves, knowing that feelings are simply feelings. They change and pass. And they may not even be the truth; though they may feel true in that moment, feelings borne under the heavy storms of crisis are frequently clouded. Though in the midst of upheaval you may feel stuck, know that you have the ability to choose new things for your life. New, supportive friends. New places to live. New careers to explore. New thoughts to think. 

When the answers aren't forthcoming, release the panic and anxiety, and deal with what is right before you in that moment. When you take one step forward, the Universe sees your willingness to participate, and it conspires to help guide your next two steps. Live into it.

When things fall apart, remember they are often falling together in a more authentic arrangement for you. Trust. My children are in their 20s now, and looking back over the crisis years I can tell you this: they never missed a meal, and we never slept on the street. My lesson has been to trust. If all I can do is sit and sob, then that's all I can do. But when I am actively doing all I can, the rest falls into place. Through my tears, I have learned to believe in pronoia: the Universe is conspiring for my wellbeing. New experiences will be waiting for you, for me, for all of the suffering to embrace, once we allow our tears to dry.

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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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The Simple Things Mean the Most.

The Simple Things Mean The Most

A "thing" can be a tangible good; an object of some sort. It can also be an activity, an action or undertaking. Today I'm talking about the latter: simple actions that can mean the world to someone. In this season of giving, I encourage everyone to rethink what kind of "things" you'll offer others this year.

My cat, Moka, is sleeping in a small box on the floor right now. I just can't help but to smile widely every time I look down at him. He is completely buried under tissue paper and made a little hole to peek out of. It's hysterical! As I gazed down at him contentedly sleeping, I thought, "Life really is about the simple things. He is in seventh heaven!" 

About an hour ago I checked my mail and was surprised to see the aforementioned box outside my door, addressed from a skin care company I love. Excited, I opened it and found a beautiful gift set of my favorite products and a note from a wonderful friend. She caught me completely by surprise! Obviously, she had listened carefully to me many months ago when I casually mentioned how much I enjoyed these products. I took a picture of Moka sleeping in the box and sent it to her, along with a message saying he loved the box she sent. 

Her surprise gesture made me feel so good. I mean, really good. I love surprises! 

Last week, a holiday card arrived in my mail without a return address. It ended up being from an dear client of mine who wrote,"Thank you for helping me through the pain of losing yet another family member. Your messages have helped and given me some peace." 

I can't tell you the surprise I felt that was quickly followed by a deep, humbling sense of gratitude. It shocked me a bit that she would think of me at the holidays; months, or even years after her reading. Her simple gesture filled me with happiness all day. 

Another friend of mine sent me an email this week thanking me for the Christmas card I sent her. In it, she told me that she was cleaning out her kitchen drawer and found a card I had sent her some time ago and it reminded her that I was the first person to connect her with her daughter who has passed. Her email made me cry; there's nothing like first-thing-in-the-morning, still-haven't-had-coffee sentimentality. 

After a group session in Chicago a few weeks ago someone in the audience approached me and said, "Mollie, you are always giving messages to everyone and today I have one for you. I saw this on the Internet and just really felt I needed to print it out for you."Into my hands she pressed a piece of paper with the quote on it,"When it's time for Souls to meet, there's nothing on Earth that can prevent them from meeting, no matter where each may be located."  The message was relevant, beautiful and delivered right on time. It was a thoughtful gesture.

And one more simple thing that really made my day. Last night as I was dragging my suitcase in the house after my last trip of the year, I got a text message from a friend. It simply said, "Welcome home, love. I missed you." That, too, made me tear up. I don't get messages like that often. 

My pleasure in life is almost entirely made of up of simple things that connect me to other people. 

An unexpected gift.

An old card, reread and enjoyed again.

Creating the time to share a cup of tea with a friend.

Watching my cat do cat things.

Getting text message pictures from my daughter who is excited about her sewing project.

Sharing your joy with someone, in any capacity, is the best "simple thing" there is. After you have suffered the loss of a close loved one, you'll really understand the profound message this blog bears. Life is about simple things. Gestures and actions of thoughtfulness make everyday life abundant, no matter how grim the weather.

Anytime you can, share your love or joy with someone. Inspiration gives birth to miracles, and feeling connected is the greatest of them 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. 

The Criticism Cure

The wisdom shared from the Spirit world during sessions is always meant to help us live better in the here and now. Theirs is a unique viewpoint; they've crossed that bridge and have seen the results of their actions from all perspectives. In other words, they know some good stuff about life.

While I was connecting a daughter to her mother in Spirit recently, the mother acknowledged that her daughter's marriage had undergone a transformation for the better, significantly better, in the last year. The woman smiled, and said to me, "It really has. We are much closer and happier now." Curious, I asked what she did that resulted in such an improvement? Her answer was simple, "I stopped criticizing my partner."

Inspired by her relationship transformation, I did an exhaustive search online for articles about criticism, the potential it yields for harm (HUGE) and the potential it might hold for positive change (small, and only when given by a unrelated third party).

Thinking back to when my children were very young, I remember times when a teacher or another parent would tell me something positive my child had done. I would think to myself, "Why do they act exactly the opposite at home? I've asked them a million times to do that!" I'll also never forget the day a dear friend of mine called in tears because a mutual friend had offered her "constructive criticism" in front of group of people. And who hasn't had a relative offer a cutting remark during the holidays?

I am not an expert in psychology, but I can tell you this: criticism is a killer when delivered by someone you love.

It wipes out trust.

It obliterates intimacy.

It causes pain.

It creates distance.

There are few places where criticism can be offered and accepted with helpful results; for example, when it is sought from a professional counselor or a trusted mentor. These specific people are teachers for us; we expect their feedback and are open to it.

But, when criticism comes from a parent, partner, lover, spouse, friend or relative it hurts. It damages the relationship. Our friends and family in the Spirit world have the benefit of seeing the big picture. Often they come through in a reading with apologies for judging others too harshly during their time on Earth. Their experience offers a valuable lesson for those of us willing to listen: it's time for a criticism cure. 

Our basic needs in life, outside of food and shelter, are love and acceptance. These needs are universal.

The very fact that you are reading this blog means you are interested in self-awareness and spiritual growth. I'm willing to bet 100% of you have a fully-formed, inner critic who works overtime. You are aware of your issues, and the last thing you need is for your mother or spouse to highlight them for you.

A true intention to help someone comes from a place of love.

Whether you are trying to figure out how to deal with an outside critic or calm your own inner critic, remember that statement: A true intention to help comes from a place of love.

It can be hard to take criticism from a loved one, and even harder to look at ourselves as being too critical. Want to make changes in the way you approach your relationships? Offer loving and positive suggestions instead of highlighting what someone is doing wrong. Never attack a person; address their behavior.

Instead of saying to someone: "You have such a low self-esteem. Your life will just be full of problems until you correct that," try: "I really value you and our connection. You add something unique to my life. You've grown so much over the years, I notice the self work you are doing. I love you."

The best, strongest and most growth-oriented relationships are based on unconditional love, kindness and acceptance. People suffering with a low self-esteem are probably keenly aware of that, and having it thrown in their face again is not going to be helpful. Instead, offer encouragement. Relationships are mirrors that show us we are worthy of love. 

Marriages and friendships don't end because the mutual support was just too much to handle, they end because the flaw-finding became toxic.

One of the best articles I discovered about what DOES work in a relationship is Masters of Love, by Emily Esfahani. My favorite quote from this article: "Kindness, on the other hand, glues couples together. Research independent from theirs has shown that kindness (along with emotional stability) is the most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a marriage. Kindness makes each partner feel cared for, understood, and validated-feel loved."

Many years ago while on vacation in Hawaii, I met a restaurant reviewer while relaxing at the pool. I'll never forget something he said to me, "We never give anyone a poor review. The unspoken rule here in Hawaii is, 'Never say bad.' We simply promote and highlight the restaurants that are doing a great job."

Imagine the fundamental change we could make in our relationships and our own happiness if we resolved to silence the critic and "Never say bad." Every word of support we choose over criticism is a seed for our relationship growth. What we plant now, in our homes, at our holiday gatherings and within ourselves will be harvested perennially in years to come. Treating one another with loving kindness, patience and gentleness could be the greatest gift we give to ourselves and those we love--no wrapping required. What will you choose to cultivate?

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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. 

Signs of Hope.

There is nothing like the holiday season's ability to inspire us with joy or fill us with sorrow, practically at the same time. The melody of a familiar Christmas carol, the smell of cookies and pine, and the unpacking of family ornaments all have the potential to whisk our hearts back to happy moments. And it's a wonderful place to linger; memories of a cherished loved one are absolutely the greatest gift we can ever receive and hold dear.

Your loved ones in Spirit are aware of how much they are missed during celebrations, and they wish to make their loving presence known. Family traditions are often carried forward  in honor of a special person who has passed away. If you stop and think about them for a moment, do you realize in doing that, you are sending a "sign" to a loved one in Spirit that YOU are with THEM? 

Have you ever considered that perhaps your loved one is looking for a "sign" from you?  

I'm often asked about specific signs from loved ones who have passed, and the answer is the same for everyone. Whatever makes you think of your loved one and causes you to feel something emotionally or physically in that moment, that's your sign. There are so many ways for a loved one in Spirit to share a loving thought with you. Perhaps you'll see their name printed on a magazine in an odd space, find coins, or hear a special song on the radio as you scan through the channels. I've shared my story many times about my own personal sign from my older brother who passed 19 years ago. For many years, I've been finding paper money in the strangest places, and often in odd amounts. I've had five dollar bills being pushed up in my garden with the daffodils on my birthday in May. Once, I stepped onto a pile of cash in an empty parking lot, $168, the exact amount I needed for a doctor visit that week. It took me a LONG TIME to see the connection: my brother's name is Bill. It's almost embarrassing that I didn't get it sooner !

A few weeks ago I received a spectacular message in the form of two blue jays. I had woken up early that morning, full of excitement to film an episode for a new TV show. (It will be airing in a few months!) As I sat down at my desk with coffee, I was immediately drawn to look out the window into the the garden. There, perched on the fence, were two gorgeous blue jays, yapping and squawking to get my attention. Perhaps it's not uncommon in the Upper Midwest, except that I have never once, in 12 years of living here, seen a blue jay in my neighborhood. With my curiosity piqued, I did an internet search to see what special meaning a blue jay holds in animal lore. This is what I found: "Blue jay people are learning to embrace a more exciting, flamboyant and glamorous life while at the same time fitting in wherever they choose to land. Blue jay arrives onto the scene with beauty, color, energy and commanding attention like royalty or stardom walking on the red carpet."

The perfect message for a day of working on TV! 

My Blue Jay visit inspired me to paint this for a friend. 

The comfort granted through a small sign from a loved one cannot be conveyed in earthly terms. Honestly, I believe it sometimes makes the difference between living a day in peace, and wishing you would have never awakened. We can't know the pain of another, but this time of year we all really need to dig deep and find gentle compassion for the newly-bereaved and for bereaved parents. 

The first few years without a beloved parent present during the holiday celebrations can be very difficult. It's a quandary for those who have been blessed with strong, close, parent-child relationships. No one ever takes a happy moment with a loved one for granted but the truth is, there are some mothers who set the room aglow with their holiday cheer. Those moms who fill every heart with tender joy and every belly with her secret recipes. There's always that crazy cousin or uncle who is life of the party and thrills everyone with his wild stories while the laughter lasts all night long. They are missed terribly at the holidays!

It would be just like that crazy cousin to pull a prank as a sign from Spirit, wouldn't it? Perhaps lights flickering? And your mom might send you a sign in the form of a familiar smell while driving in a closed car. Perhaps a friend will randomly email you a quote that happened to be a favorite of your loved one in Spirit. Keep you heart and eyes open to the many ways you can be touched by love.

We have to keep on, in whatever way we can, and look for those unexpected moments of serendipity that prove we never face a day alone. 

There is another way you can be graced with hope from a loved one without even realizing it's happening. At some point, we all come up against a bad day, when the grief just hurts and the loneliness is overwhelming. We huddle up somewhere safe and alone, and release the tears. Eventually the tears dry up, the tissues run out and we find ourselves getting back to business. It's in those quiet moments that the love of Spirit is flowing directly into your Soul. The power or prayer or intention is unlimited, and you need to know that your loved one is praying for you, thinking about you and sending you all the love in the universe in those moments of despair. So silent is the exchange that you are unaware, but somehow, someway, you found the strength to pick up and try again. It's a gift of grace. 

Above all, be gentle during this season. Be gentle with yourself and everyone you meet. Walk slower, listen more, compromise when you can, forgive, forgive and forgive. Be the gift of love to everyone you encounter. 

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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. 

Transform Your Life with Gratitude.

Last night I arrived home at 11:30 p.m. after driving six very long hours in terrible fog and rain. When I unlocked the back door, I was welcomed by a large plunk of water hitting my head. I looked up to see that the ceiling in my breezeway was leaking, and I mean, BIG TIME. Having been gone for the better part of month on tour, I didn't realize it had deteriorated past the point of no return. Wearily, I put a roasting pan on the floor to catch the water and collapsed into bed ala Scarlett O'Hara telling myself, "Tomorrow is another day." Not surprisingly, around 8 a.m. the ceiling hit the floor along with a loud crash, tons of rain-soaked insulation and an accompanying waterfall. 

I stood there and surveyed the mess, (I, myself, also a mess) trying to figure out what to do next. Water was pouring in through the hole. Insulation was everywhere. I was completely exhausted and totally apathetic about the situation. The obvious answer was to go to Starbucks for a coffee and post on Facebook that I needed a roofer. By the time I returned with coffee in hand, my best friend had shown up, had called her husband for advice and was ready to help me shovel up the shambles.

She hugged me and gently asked, "Are you alright? I'm so sorry you had to come home to a disaster."

"Yeah, it's all good. Thankfully, it's just a roof; just a ceiling. I have a rainy day fund, which I was hoping to apply toward a sunny vacation, but it's fine. I'm grateful it happened while I was home and I can get it taken care of."  I said, calmly.

Honestly, I was amazed at how unstressed I was and how naturally I found positive aspects of the situation to be glad about. 

Earlier this fall, I realized I was at a stalemate with several issues in my life, and concluded that my only hope for achieving peace was to shift the way I was feeling and thinking about them. I'm no stranger to thinking positively or expressing my appreciation. Deep inside of me, I knew I could free myself further by focusing on whatever was going right and giving thanks for every situation that was occurring whether I thought of it as "good" or "bad."

I found it just a little difficult at first. (Ha!) I recall standing in my garage looking at the banged up front end of my car and trying to say the words, "I'm so thankful I hit the wall while pulling into the garage!" :-)

I am however, thankful to have an attached garage. The snow and ice here in Wisconsin wreaks havoc on a car left parked outside. I'm still thankful even though this dang garage was built in 1923 and is only large enough to fit a MINI Cooper. I am also thankful to my neighbor who came over with a giant wood block and sledgehammer and moved the wall back into its correct place. That was quite a feat! What a great neighbor. 

After that, I started focusing on sending the energy of gratitude to relationships with people in my life that could be improved. Each time I caught myself thinking, "Ugh! This is so frustrating!" I changed it to, "I'm thankful for the birthday card she sent me," or whatever small, specific act of kindness that had previously transpired between us. Within a few weeks, we actually started getting along better. The option to hold a grudge is always there, but wow, they are heavy to hold on to. Gratitude is as light as air.

My life's focus is to help alleviate some of the pain of grieving the loss of a loved one and to give people the tools they need to continue living fulfilled lives after a loss. During the holiday season it is especially easy to fall into depression over what is no longer an option for us, such as simply having time together with a loved one. What we are missing can cause crushing feelings that disable our ability to get through until January 2 with a reasonable level of sanity. 

Here is what might work for you; it really worked for me.

Every time you find yourself slipping into a negative thought or thoughts of what you don't have in the present moment, express your gratitude for something very specific you remember which holds joy for you. 

Change: "I miss my mom so much I can't breathe sometimes."

Into: "I'm so thankful for the butter cookies she always made." (also, go make those cookies!)

Put a full on stop to complaining for the next six weeks. Instead, try something new. Express specific gratitude to everyone you have a conversation with. Recall and hold onto the great memories you have created with living friends and family members. Thank people for things they did five years ago. Everyone craves validation and appreciation.

Make that your gift to everyone this season.

Your thoughts are a living energy that sustains you or drains you. You have the power to shift inferior thoughts to superior ones. You won't be able to put a full stop to your grieving, but think of it like opening the windows after you've badly burned a casserole. The air is clear. You'll breathe a little easier. You'll have a fighting chance of getting through the season feeling thankful instead of miserable. 

Give thanks for everything. Be as specific as possible. 

I'm thankful for all the letters, emails, cards and notes that so many of you have sent me telling me that I've helped you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

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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. 

The Gifts of Grief

It seems like an oxymoron to use the words "gift" and "grief" in the same sentence, yet, we have the free will to choose how we observe any occurrence in life. 

Grief is usually described with every adjective imaginable that symbolizes energy loss. 

In short, it sucks. It sucks our willpower, our joie de vivre, our hope and usually our dreams for the future, too. With time comes knowledge and some objectivity. When the loss is new, it is difficult to see anything resembling an offering from the Universe. Several years down the road however, those who are diligently doing inner spiritual work can list for you several important gifts that were disguised as lessons during the healing process of grieving.

Here are some of the most profound insights people have shared with me that arose as byproduct of their loss. If you are newly-bereaved, this list may give you hope for days that are a bit further down your path. 

• A deeper appreciation for the small, positive moments of life. 

When people take a few minutes to reflect upon what they miss about a loved one who has died or left, I hear more about the small things people did than the big ones. The big things a wife might miss about her husband was his ability to take care of her and the family financially. Yet, if you ask her what she misses about him, the answers are always things like, "His roaring laugh." "He woke up before me every morning and made the coffee." "He always called me at lunch time." We may argue that we already appreciate how good we have it when a loved one is alive and well, but the value of such precious moments grows immeasurably when they are a memory instead of a present reality.

• A need to correct misunderstandings as quickly as possible.

Your mother was right when she said not to go to bed angry. People die in their sleep; that's a reality. They also die suddenly from heart attacks, car accidents and natural disasters. There is never a better time to forgive and forget than right now. Reach out to someone with whom you have a discordant relationship, and offer the proverbial olive branch. Perhaps the differences cannot be resolved, but you can always let go with love instead of anger. 

• The ability to let go of differences and most disagreements. 

My good friend Troy often says, "It just doesn't matter." The jewelry from your grandmother that you were supposed to inherit instead of your cousin? It just doesn't matter. That hateful comment posted on social media by someone you hardly know? It just doesn't matter. The friend who refuses to compromise? It just doesn't matter. Move on. Your life energy is more precious than money; be careful how and where you spend it. You could invest a lot of time into petty circumstances and consequently feel drained when something or someone truly worthwhile comes along.

• A reduction in the fear of failure. 

The biggest regrets in life are often the chances we don't take. This is not encouragement to repeat past mistakes; but sometimes our fears of failing, being humiliated, embarrassed, wrong or shamed prevent us from taking necessary risks in life to better our circumstances and relationships. The only guarantee in physical life is eventual death, and when you have dealt with that loss, it's possible to bury some of our fears with our loved ones. Life is meant for living and often the bereaved feel a new vitality surrounding their ability to try things that used to scare them.

• Judgment of others is transformed into compassion. 

When you have had to deal with loss due to suicide, drug abuse or tragic circumstances, your sense of compassion for the person dealing with the challenge/addiction/illness and their loved ones trying to cope with the situation is heightened immeasurably. As a naive person, it's quite easy to view a drug addict with a sense of disgust, but with experience comes wisdom. The ability to see another person for their light, bravery and connection to us through their Soul instead of their circumstances, is one of the most enlightened places from which to view the world. We need to see the addict as a Soul who needs unconditional love; the controlling individual as a Soul who needs additional security; the fearful human as someone who has been hurt and needs to be gently cared for. It always comes back to our collective, basic need for unconditional love. Do you accept that YOU need unconditional love, too? When we are able to let go of judgment in favor of compassion, we are able to give that same grace to ourselves.

In the wake of loss, this transformation gives us powerful new perspective to navigate the many changes of 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. 

The Right Place, The Right Time.

I'm just back from the end of my fall tour which concluded in New England on Sunday. I had such a great time traveling, seeing the autumn colors and making new friends both in the flesh and in Spirit. These intimate group readings truly allow us the opportunity to share these incredible encounters on a personal level with Spirit and one another. 

Yet from time to time, it's natural for all of us to wonder if we're on the right path. And though I love my job, sometimes the simple desire to sleep in my own bed gets me wondering. Luckily, if I'm ever curious whether I'm in the right place, Spirit always shows up with some wonderful coincidence to show me my path is true. This was the case during my recent travels, and chances are, Spirit reaches out to you the same way, too. 

After landing at Boston Logan airport Thursday evening in dreary rain, my assistant, Mary, and I drove to New Hampshire for the night. We don't have much extra time while on a multi-city tour, but we try to squeeze in an hour or two of local flavor each morning whenever possible. The first night we stayed at an historic inn near Portsmouth, on Castle Island. When the sun came up Friday morning, we looked out the window to see we were surrounded by water, boats and beautiful fall foliage. It was breathtaking and incredibly peaceful. We made our way down to breakfast, which was served in a gorgeous dining room with a domed ceiling, a roaring fire and overstuffed chairs. It was emblematic of quintessential New England charm, and we smiled at each other and stifled a giggle while listening to the valet speak in his thick Boston accent. A young woman came to the table and introduced herself as our server. We remarked about how wonderful the atmosphere was, and how stunning the fall leaves were as they were reflected off the water. I asked if she was from New Hampshire. She said, yes, she lived there most of her life but was born in Wisconsin. With my curiosity piqued, I inquired, "What town?" "Oh, a little place called Sheboygan," she replied. We could hardly believe that the first person we met on the first morning of our trip was from the same small town we had left only hours beforehand! It was a sure sign to me from Spirit that we were in the right place. 

At Castle Island, New Hampshire

Another string of interesting coincidences happened while on tour in California three weeks ago which also let me know I was in the right place, at the right time. Flash back to a year ago: I was invited by Marc Mondavi to be a special guest at a wine dinner at the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, to introduce the release of his label produced by Charles Krug called, The Divining Rod. Marc uses dowsing rods to source water in many of the vineyards in Napa and calls himself a "Water Witch." It was a really fun event, Marc had copper rods for everyone and demonstrated his dowsing methods and I did random readings while everyone enjoyed a fabulous meal. Fast forward to this April, when my ultra-cool, psychic friend, Mark Christopher Nelson, said during a reading that he saw me "At a very special winery" in the near future. 

This brings us up to the present, mid-October, and an amazing coincidence. While on tour in Northern California, a good friend of mine took me to Napa for lunch and a late afternoon drive up the Silverado Trail. The trail is 26-mile scenic route from Napa to Calistoga with vineyard after vineyard. It is absolutely gorgeous in the fall, and with the setting sun illuminating the hills, it was just sensational! Near the end of our drive, I realized the light was nearly gone and I wanted to take some photos. I asked my friend to pull into the next winery. A minute later she pulled into a long driveway, only to round the corner and see a large "Charles Krug" sign. A very special winery indeed! They had closed a few minutes earlier but were kind enough to let us in for a quick look around and a chance to capture a few splendid pictures. I had to shake my head at the connection; I literally have no ties to any winery in Napa (or anywhere else for that matter) so it really delighted me to visit the home of the people I had met the year before at the special wine dinner.

At Charles Krug Vineyard, California. 

The string of coincidences got one step more bizarre when a friend, who doesn't know any of this, sent me a quote from a book called "The Divining Rod," by Michael Knight. Okay Universe, I got it! 

The signs are everywhere if we only choose to see them. It's not only about receiving a sign from a loved one who has passed. It could be a road marker, like the signs I received, that in the Divine scheme of things, I was in the right place, at the right time, following my path for the highest good. 

Right now, all my signs are pointing to turkey dinners, festive decorations, cuddles with my kitty and cherished time with family and friends. To all of you who have supported me during my travels this year, I thank you! It was my greatest pleasure and a humble honor to experience your loved ones with you.

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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. 

Playing Games with Spirit

When was the last time you had fun talking to a deceased loved one? Strange question, right? All too often when we are longing for a connection, a sign, or some form of communication, we are reaching out in desperation, almost begging our loved ones to acknowledge their presence in our lives. We wait for the lights to flicker, or the photo to fly off the wall...the more dramatic the sign, the closer they are, right? Not so fast...in all of our urgency we often overlook the simple ways they reach out to us every day. Not every butterfly that flutters by is a sign from our departed loved ones, but occasionally, it just might be so. 

The overarching need for our loved ones to communicate with us after death is to assure us they are still alive and connected. That really is it. Their presence, no matter how we manage to feel or perceive it, is serving that purpose. The more serious and desperate we are, the more difficult it is for us to notice the small signs. So for anyone wishing to communicate with a loved one or trying to develop their intuition, I suggest making a game out of it. That's right...play with it! It is a fun way to test your ability and sharpen your awareness. 

One of the best ways I have found to hone intuition is by using oracle cards. These are different from tarot cards in that each card has a specific meaning, and a guidebook explains what each cards means. You can ask questions about your life when you need a spiritual perspective. You can also use the cards as a tool to sharpen your awareness: simply choose a card and before looking at the image, try to glean information about it. When I was first developing my abilities, a friend would pick a card, then try to mentally project the image to me. It's great fun. Anyone can try this.

Last weekend a friend came over for a day of fun, baking and friendship. She is also a medium, so naturally we like to push ourselves by testing new methods of connecting with Spirit. We concoct crazy card readings. We try different ways of choosing cards and use several different decks together, pulling a few cards from each. It was a fun day of play. We certainly didn't take ourselves too seriously and our games involved a lot of laughter. And sometimes, things that come up just don't seem to make sense. In fact, that's completely normal. Intuitive games and messages won't always be immediately clear, but it's important to sit with the information anyway. If you try this at home, remember, the information may be confusing in the moment, but that doesn't mean you are getting wrong information. 

While I was connecting with my friend's son who had passed, he showed me the image of a balloon, and a short, four-lettered man's name starting with "A." Unsure, I asked,"Well, is it anyone's birthday?" Sometimes I see balloons if it is. Remember, we were playing...this isn't a serious situation or life-changing reading. I got the impression that the balloon was from a balloon release in her son's honor, but we didn't have any idea what the "A" name connection was. A few hours later, the mystery was solved when she went home and read her mail. One of the balloons had been found in a cornfield by a woman who wrote that she, too, had lost a son named Adam. The woman shared that she had been to see a medium, and that my friend should take comfort in knowing her son would always be with her. Two families, separated by many miles, connected by a balloon and possibly fate. What a powerful message emerged from our "play!" Had we considered the information wrong just because it didn't make sense right away, we might have lost focus on the deeper meaning that would eventually reveal itself. The important thing to remember when you try this on your own, is to be patient and just have fun. Tune in and see what's there. Then, give the information some time to fall into place. 

Remember why your loved ones try to communicate: to help you realize this life is only a drop in eternity. To help you feel the comfort of their love, and to see you feeling joyful! Getting yourself in that space requires letting go of expectations. Ease up on your demands of your loved one to manifest what you want, and instead, make a fun game out of what they can do. Then, keep a little journal of the signs you receive and see if something keeps repeating itself. 

A couple of my favorite card decks for playing with intuition are:

• The Enchanted Map by Colette Baron-Reid

• Psychic Tarot for the Heart by John Holland

Here's an Amazon list of what's available. You'll know the right deck for you when you see 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 - All Rights Reserved 

The Language of Spirit

"I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things." - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

One of the first books I read on my spiritual journey was The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, and it was a great choice for a beginner. It's the story of a young man on a long journey who is learning the language of the Universe. If you are ready to learn more about Spirit communication, this is a great story to inspire your desire to understand signs and symbols.

The most persistent question I get asked about my work as a medium is, "How can I communicate with my loved ones who have passed?"  

The answer lies within your willingness to learn about and try something new. The language of Spirit is much different than the way we communicate in the physical world, using our mouths to form words that are heard by someone's ears. When I was in school, I studied Spanish. On the first day of class, I wasn't yet ready to hear and understand a dissertation in that foreign language. But by the end of the week I had figured out how to say, "Hello!", "Goodbye", and "Where is the bathroom?" Just the basics. Funnily enough, my ex-husband was Belgian, and despite being divorced for a decade, I can still swear fluently in Flemish. (Tells you a lot about the marriage, eh?) Having spent a lot of time in Europe, I learned the frustration of being in social settings as a non-native language speaker. I had to be really alert, watch body language and listen for intonation since I didn't always readily understand the words being spoken.

The language of Spirit is nonverbal. Mediums have to develop their own relationship with those who are in Spirit to receive the information. Simply put, it is mental telepathy; pictures, images and thoughts. All of us do this constantly, but most people haven't really studied it. This is why we think of a person who is calling us right before the phone rings, or have a persistent urge to reach out to someone without knowing the reason why. Our Souls are beacons, constantly sending out signals to each other. The big question is, "How do we register those signals?"

A few years ago, I was conducting a Skype session for a woman in England whose husband had passed. During the communication, I saw images in my mind of the Hampton Court Flower Show. You might wonder how a medium living in the Upper Midwest of the USA knows about a flower show in London. Well, I have been there! In this particular case, I was the right medium for this woman because of my knowledge and experience. Another great example of how this works happened during a phone session last week. I was connecting a couple who had been deeply in love when I saw the image of a woman I know named Stephanie. The woman I was speaking with confirmed her friend named Stephanie had to break the news to her that her fiancee had died. Again, through mental telepathy, this was her fiancee's way of confirming he was aware of events that had taken place after his passing. It was also a way for him to thank Stephanie for the great care she took in handling the sad task of sharing that news. 

The language of Spirit is subtle one: signs in nature, the words of a stranger, mental images, feelings and sensations. The language of the Soul is universal; free from the barriers of language and the physical body. It is knowing of sorts. And like any other relationship, it takes patience and trust to develop.

If you want to learn how to communicate with a loved one in Spirit, you have to be willing to study, try something new and educate yourself. Read lots of books! Visit spirituality centers and see what kind of awareness classes they offer. Your results will be as good as the work you are willing to put into it.  

Being a professional medium, I am adept at practicing mental telepathy, and while that's great when I am working, it can cause some interesting circumstances for me in my normal life. Recently, while I was getting a manicure by a Vietnamese nail technician who was chatting in his native language with a coworker about the weather, I unwittingly contributed to the conversation. Stunned, he looked up at me and said, "You understand Vietnamese?" I was as surprised as he was! I said, "Just a little." and vowed to keep my mouth and brain shut from then on. Ha!

Have fun with your experimentation. Your loved ones in the Spirit world know you are just learning and want the process to be joyful for you. Try not too be too serious; you may even want to make a bit of a game out of it. When it comes to communicating with Spirit, our Souls are beacons, constantly sending out messages to one another. With dedicated practice, we can all begin to receive those messages with crystal clarity.

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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 2015 –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. 

Five myths about mediumship revealed!

Here's my top list of of the fishy (and sometimes funny) issues about mediumship and Spirit communication I deal with most often.  

Myth One: Your loved ones jump all over me at the grocery store or visit me at home when I'm just relaxing with my family. 

People have often said to me, "I told my Dad to go find you when he died!"  Wait a minute....why would you tell your Dad to enter the home of someone he doesn't know? Did he do that when he was alive? Another classic situation occurs when someone asks,"So, what do you do for a living?"  My response is usually met with, "Oh my gosh, do you see anyone with me?" or "You're crazy!"

While it has happened that a random soul has shown up to urge me to deliver a message, I can count the times over the years on one hand. It simply doesn't work that way, especially for a full-time medium. In order for me to give someone a great reading, I need to tune into that energy, and that is simply not happening when I am cooking dinner, surfing the internet or having coffee with a friend. Reality TV shows have led people to believe the life of a medium is one full of constant connections regardless of the who, what, where or when. That Spirit just HAS to deliver a message right now, in the middle of aerobics class. What everyone really needs to bear in mind is that reality TV is meant to be entertaining, and producers carefully coordinate situations for that purpose. Filming permits are required and often people are cast into certain situations because they have a dramatic story. All that glitters is not necessarily gold. 

I occasionally meet someone with the ability who says they are being bombarded all day by errant spirits. My response it to tell that person that perhaps they need to explore their ability. I know first-hand, if a medium is using the ability to help people consistently, there will be no need for their dinner to be disrupted so they can give readings then, too. It's largely a matter of discipline and choosing to tune in at the appropriate time. 

I also don't have the ability to sit around and chat all day with my deceased relatives. I am not objective, and like you, I will book a session with a medium or work on my own to recognize their signs and subtle communication. 

Myth Two: A "certified medium" is guaranteed to give you a great reading.

This is a question that I feel truly needs to be addressed, even knowing I am likely to upset some of my peers. First of all, mediumship is not a regulated industry. We don't have to pass a Board Exam and go to school in order to open a business. Most mediums claiming to be certified have simply paid for and attended a series of classes. Sometimes the teacher is famous. The testing for these certificates is lenient, unregulated and ungoverned. The teacher alone determines whether the medium passes. The complaints I receive most frequently from clients about poor previous readings involve this type of "certified medium." 

Many intuitives have some ability, but not enough to consistently (and I mean 99.99% percent of the time) make accurate, validating connections. An 80% success rate is not enough when you are responsible for someone's emotional well-being. There are also mediums that are certified and tested scientifically in blind studies by the Forever Family Foundation and other comparable scientific studies. The mediums do not pay for this certificate and it is difficult to achieve. The downside is that it is a slow process therefore not enough mediums are able to be tested and funding for the program isn't abundant. But that is one certificate that should be held in esteem. 

My advice is this: if you are researching for a mediumistic reading, look for someone with years of experience and large quantities of positive feedback. Get referrals from people you know. Attend a public event first to see them work.  When you visit a medium's website and their tagline or bio is a list of who they have studied with or are certified by, consider for a moment, why are they using someone else's name to describe themselves? If a medium is good, you'll be reading lots of reviews from their clients--not a list of who they have taken classes from. Don't judge a medium by their Facebook following, either. Large numbers of followers doesn't indicate any ability beyond knowing how to maximize exposure on social media. 

 As a side note, in the UK, getting certificates by the Spiritualist National Union for different aspects of mediumship is actually a very rigorous process. This sort of regulation doesn't exist in the U.S., but there are smaller organizations such as the Forever Family Foundation that are making great strides to recognize truly capable mediums.

Progress is being made, but it is ultimately up to the potential client to decide if a certificate seems holds any merit. 

Myth Three: You have to wait a specific amount of time after a loved one's passing before you can have a session because the Soul has to get adjusted before they can communicate.

Completely untrue. I have received validating messages from Souls who have passed over within a few hours. The right time to schedule a reading is when you feel able to handle the emotions that arise from the communication. There is a school of thought that you should also be in a place of acceptance of the passing before you have a session. This to me is a flexible area. I see no benefit for the newly bereaved to wait a set amount of time to receive the communication from a child or spouse that could possibly save them from extreme despair. A reading will not remove your experience of grief, but it may remove the fear of the separation. You will know your loved is spiritually close and always will be. You will know they are still alive. People who get thrown into grief without a prior knowledge of spiritual connections stand to benefit the most from experiencing a connection. If you have ever had a validating session, then theoretically you know the afterlife is real and you can handle subsequent losses more gracefully. This is the reason why I offer High Priority sessions at all times for those who are newly bereaved and have never experienced the communication before. The sooner, the better. 

Myth Four: Only strong, loud spirits come through in a group sessions.

Again, there is no evidence to support this. I have connected with hundreds of very shy, quiet Souls in group sessions. Mediums are not in charge of who comes through; it is organized by our Spiritual helpers based on who is in the audience. It is Spirit's intention that the messages which come through touch the hearts of everyone present. Likewise, the most bereaved person doesn't necessarily receive the connection either. It's a group, and a group experience will address the overall needs of everyone present. 

Myth Five: Your loved ones in Spirit are with you ALL of the time. 

Okay, this isn't a myth. It's true. Your loved ones are with you 24/7 especially when you are in the bedroom and bathroom. :-)

Joking! But, I get asked that ALL the time! People worry they have no privacy. Even while alive, we are not with anyone 24/7. Our children go to school. Our spouses go to work. We move out from our parents homes. Yes, your sacred, private moments are yours. No worries there anymore, okay? The most important thing to know is that Spirit is with you in the moments when you need them most. 

As you seek answers in your own life and in the midst of your own losses, here's hoping this myth-busting helps you on your journey.

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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 2015 –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. 

Earth Angels

Has anyone ever said to you, "Wow, that was just what I needed to hear today." Or, "You have such great timing!" 

We all know about angels: beings of light who are helping humanity. But how about Earth Angels: those special people who walk the Earth by day, sharing the light and love of the Divine with everyone they meet? 

You are an Earth Angel. Yes, you.

Let me explain a little insight from loved ones in Spirit that will help you understand how you are used to bring love into this world. 

Imagine a scenario where you are in line at the grocery store waiting to check out and having a teary day. It's one of those marker days, maybe the birthday of a loved one in Spirit. You can't stop thinking about them or feeling the pain of the physical separation. Let's imagine it's the birthday of your father, Michael. As you stand there getting lost in your grief, a young woman gets in line behind you. You look in her shopping cart, and there is a birthday cake that says,"Happy Birthday, Michael!"  It almost takes your breath away. The stranger smiles at you, and starts making small talk about the party she's having that afternoon. You end up telling her it is your deceased father's birthday, too and his name was also Michael. The next thing you know the two of you are chatting like old friends about your fondest memories of your fathers. In that moment, this unsuspecting woman is your personal Earth Angel.  

Who do you think inspired her to to choose your check out line from the seven that were open? Chances are, it was someone in Spirit who knew you needed some sign of comfort and remembrance today.

Many times we have random, but persistent thoughts of a friend. Unsure of why this person comes to mind, we often just pass the thought off in our busyness instead of acting on it as a signal to reach out. When we realize the Soul of a friend's loved one who died can influence our thoughts and encourage us to reach out, we can begin to act our part as Earth Angel to each other. 

I have a friend who lost a daughter named Molly a few years ago, and Molly is one of the greatest spiritual influencers I've ever met. Last year I was meeting a friend in Ireland and when we reunited she said to me, "I bought you this little gift, I just felt really drawn to it and I know it's not how you spell your name." She handed me a beautiful, bright blue, heart-shaped crystal with the name "Molly" on it. Instantly, I knew it was a gift from Molly to her mom. That shade of blue was Molly's color. The anniversary of Molly's passing was just a few days away and this was her way of reaching her mom through a series of Earth Angel kindnesses.

It works both ways, too. A few weeks ago I got an email from my friend who told me she sensed Molly's presence around and couldn't stop thinking of me, so she gave in to the thought and sent me a quick note asking how I was doing. Well, it's no surprise that I was having a difficult day. My heart warmed up instantly and I felt loved. I felt touched that Molly would reciprocate the favor by encouraging a bit of support for me when I needed it. 

I could go on writing for days about examples of people who show up at exactly the right moment with some sort of Divine message, but I think you get the idea of what I'm trying to convey. 

You have the potential to be an Earth Angel to many. All you have to do is pay attention to the random thoughts that encourage you to reach out to someone. You don't need to know why, all you need to do is let someone know you are thinking of them. That they are remembered. That they are loved. Put away your phone while you are in line and talk to the people around you. The majority of the messages you will receive from loved ones in Spirit will fall out of the mouths of the people around you, not during a visit with a medium. Pay attention and see what Spirit is trying to communicate to you through a repeated message. Is everyone telling you the same thing, over and over? Take heed and take heart. You are deeply loved, and Spirit will always find a way to remind you!

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Private sessions are available by phone/Skype or in-person in Chicago, IL.

I hope you'll join me for an intimate evening of Spirit communication and messages. Click to my "Events" page to see all the cities.

©Mollie Morning Star 2014-2016  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. 

Grief and the Soul's Journey

Here's a question I'm often asked:

When a loved one passes, can our feelings of grief and loss hold them to us or impede their journey in any way?

To the best of my knowledge and experience, the simple answer is no. Your feelings cannot alter the course of another Soul's eternal path. If that were possible, wouldn't they still be alive, right in your arms where you want them? 

And if it were possible, wouldn't we also change the Soul's journey for loved ones who make destructive choices while here on earth? Anyone who has had a family member fall into substance addiction or abusive behavior has had to learn the very difficult art of letting go. It requires acceptance that we cannot control anyone's journey but our own. And so it is with our loved ones in Spirit.

Feelings of grief and despair are completely normal after a loved one dies. While we are experiencing these emotions, they feel foreign, terrible, unwanted, and we'd give nearly anything to rid ourselves of the pain. But none of those feelings can change the fact that grief is the normal reaction to the losing someone we love. Coping with those feelings as they arise on a day-to-day basis is difficult; accepting that your feelings are natural can help.

You are not alone in your sorrow. Grieving is a part of loving. The pain of loss is felt by all of humanity. 

Yes, we feel the loss deeply. Yet our loved ones who have passed into Spirit are eternally connected to us through the bonds of love. No matter how many seasons pass, that bond always remains. Even if you recover. Even if you move on. Even if you find love with someone else. Even if you have another child. We are bound to time as a form of measurement here on the earthly plane, yet, in the eternal realm, our loved ones do not suffer from the same measurements. Our earthly lives are but a chapter in the whole story, and our loved ones in Spirit are able to observe and be aware of us from their dimension. The pain of separation we experience here on earth, is not their experience. 

It's okay to feel your grief, as lousy as it is. Every wrenching moment of it is justified by your love. But you must not give up hope; grief, like all things, changes over time. Often it is transformed into a new perspective, a goal, or a sense of purpose. In fact, in time, many people are able to see and share the unexpected gifts loss has brought to them, such as:

• deeper compassion
• a closeness to nature
• a desire to be of service
• tolerance for human differences
• the ability to let go of petty grievances 

These gifts are the phoenix rising from the ashes of our loss. Clouded by our sadness, they can sometimes go unnoticed. But if we are open to the possibility that we can learn from our loss, that we can create good from our sorrow, we will come to see that our grief and our continuing connection to Spirit can inspire us to breathe light and life into places of the heart we thought were gone forever. Maybe it's your Soul's journey, maybe it's the journey of your loved ones in Spirit, and maybe it's your shared path. In truth, in the midst of your loss, know that there is no greater legacy you could leave for those you are bonded to through eternity. 

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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.

I hope you'll join me for an intimate evening of Spirit communication and messages. Click to my "Events" page to see all the cities.

©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. 

Love Makes a Parent, Not DNA.

I kicked off the Fall Tour season in Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin this week and had some wonderful messages about parenthood, adoption, abandonment and what it truly means to be a parent. I love when we are able to share these experiences publicly in a group setting; the messages are healing to so many people. The healing continues, as I get validation over and over again from readers who are also healed by these stories.

At the event in Madison, an older gentleman come though, showing me a thick head of gray hair, giving me the names Mary* and Paul. A woman in the audience, Mary, recognized this to be her biological father who had given her up for adoption, whom she'd never met. It was a wonderful connection; a chance for him to recognize some of her accomplishments and also the difficulties she has endured. He explained that adoption wasn't his first choice; the situation had been out of his control. Mostly, he wanted her to know she is loved and wanted in this world and that from a spiritual standpoint, he is now supporting her. The father then brought the soul of Mary's deceased husband forward so he could also connect and create more healing. It was possibly one of the first acts of fatherly love that he was able to do for his daughter. Even after death, his desire to take care of her lives on. It was an emotional reading for everyone who witnessed it. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. 

After that connection, I got the name of Mike and a connection to a young man who had passed in his early 20s in a car accident. A woman recognized this to be her ex-brother-in-law. Mike's message was about how he wanted to let her know he was looking out for her daughter, his niece. He acknowledged that she has support from his side of the family in Spirit, to help with the challenges of co-parenting with her ex-husband. The woman was crying and I could feel her releasing her stress as she realized that her ex-husband's family validated her struggle and was supporting her in Spirit. People in Spirit are pretty great! I then heard Spirit communicate to me, "Allan is here for the woman next to her in the aisle." I shook my head incredulously, hardly believing it myself and asked the woman sitting next to her if she had an Allan in Spirit. She instantly cried out, "That was my biological father!" In this situation, due to his addiction issues, he was not able to be a great father, and wanted to validate to her that she really matters to him, and he is no longer having that struggle. The woman's mother (Allan's ex) was also in the audience and got a long overdue acknowledgement for all she had endured.

The theme continued in Green Bay, where a young woman's grandfather came through. After a few minutes of evidence and messages, the most incredible thing happened. He wanted me to communicate to her, "Your biggest dreams are coming true now." Through her tears she quietly sobbed and said, "That's all I needed tonight. I just needed to know if he was okay with my situation."  She confessed that although she'd had a close, loving relationship with her grandfather, her father had not been very involved in her life. She had recently decided to allow her step-father to adopt her. She had been worried her grandfather would be upset that she had terminated his son's parental rights. 

The grandfather's message was beautiful and profound, and terribly important for many people to hear: "It's not about who gives the DNA, it's about who gives you love."

Adoption and parent-child relationships are viewed with great love and understanding by those who have passed into the afterlife. I have connected many adoptees to biological parents in Spirit, whom they never knew in the physical world. There is often very little evidence that the child knows to validate, but somehow, someway, a little gem of knowledge proves the connection. It is incredibly validating and healing for the child. Likewise, I have had countless connections where someone comes through and they feel "like a parent." I have yet to feel an energetic difference between someone who was a biological parent and someone who adopted or simply chose to love someone as their child. The connection is about the love and the relationship. If that connection exists in life, it remains in death.

Being adopted can leave many unanswered questions, so having a posthumous connection that answers even a few of them can be a life-changing experience. I have seen tremendous healing happen time and time again when these Souls are reunited. There is always hope for a fresh start, even a fresh start that begins when the physical life ends. 

*Names have been changed out of respect for the privacy of those who received messages, although the names given during the readings were accurate.

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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. 

Receiving the Communication

This is part three to the blogs posted on August 5 on Recognizing the Connection, and September 2 on Validating the Connection.

In my last blog, I talked about how to validate the presence of a loved one's Soul. The final step when a loved one in Spirit visits you, is to receive the communication. This is where things get tricky for the untrained, and frankly, a place where skeptics might make a great point. "You can't talk to the dead!" Well, you can talk to them, but will they "talk" back? The answer: probably not. When the physical body has died, how can words and sounds be formed without the benefit of a voice box and mouth? I hedge my answer with "probably not" because many people have reported literally hearing the voice of a loved one. This falls into the category of "phenomena" and is another topic altogether. 

The most common way a loved one will communicate with us is through our thoughts. Good old mental telepathy. You've been doing it your whole life without realizing it. Think of all the times you've finished a friend's sentence, or suggested the exact word they needed when they were having a brain freeze, without any context. The way we receive mental telepathy is as a thought. It is easier to recognize it when you just allow it to enter your mind, without straining to make it happen. One way we can try to instigate communication is through meditation. I've received countless emails sort of like this:

Dear Mollie,

I've been meditating for two hours a day trying to connect with my loved one. I have a ringing in my ear. Is that my ability to hear them opening up?

Signed,

Losing it in Los Angeles

Dear Losing It,

Please get your ears checked. 

Love, Mollie

Now, of course, I'm trying to make you laugh here, but the point of this is that mediation is a time for YOU. It's a wonderful practice of mindfulness that can help you deal with stress, and gain awareness of the subtleties of life that surround you. It's that same awareness that assists you as you open yourself to communication from a loved one. 

During mental telepathy, your brain receives a thought that just pops into your head. The hallmark of this communication is that it seems out of context to your natural train of thoughts. Often, when communicating with another Soul, the information will be received along with a strong emotion. Have you heard about a man who experiences labor pains as his wife gives birth? That's not just an urban myth. His partner's energy is totally engaged as they create a new life. Many men feel both emotional and physical sensations during the birth of their child. It's a powerful energetic experience, and an example of how this ability is open to all of us. It's energy, not magic. 

Take a moment and consider this: If you were in Spirit, and you knew your loved one was not great at mental telepathy, and you WISHED to get a strong message to them, what would you want to convey?

Ninety percent of you just answered in your head, "I love you." Ten percent answered, "I'm okay." and the other ten percent are trying to communicate, "The money is in a tin can in the garage!"  :-) 

To tie together the three steps of typical communication with Spirit, let's review them.

1. You become flooded with thoughts of a loved one that interrupt your own thoughts.
2. You sense and feel a shift or change in the energy around you.
3. You receive a short, powerful thought that just pops into your mind.

Often mental telepathy from a loved one can be awesome, specific and as unique as they were. Here are some stories people have shared with me:

• "I was able to sit down and channel a letter from my son. It was like he was dictating to me as I typed."
• I heard my mother's voice in my mind, just the way I remembered her, reciting a little quote she always used."
• "I could feel my Dad with me, and then the lyrics to his favorite song started running through my mind."
• "I swear I felt my husband's presence and then the thought popped into my mind, "I love you." I was afraid it was too good to be true, but he used to say it to me every single day. Now I know it's really him and I answer back." 

People often ask me, "Should I speak out loud to our loved ones or in our mind?" Either way works great! For myself, I communicate with my brother in Spirit by thought, except when I am particularly desperate for some divine intervention. Then believe me, I can be heard from Green Bay to Chicago! 

Have fun with your practice. Try to consider it a joyful experiment and and remember you have nothing to lose. Best of all, you have the amazing potential to create a connection with someone you love. 

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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. 

Validating the Connection

This is part two to the blog posted on August 5 on Recognizing the Connection. If you missed it, you can read it here.

Now that you are able to recognize those moments when you suddenly become flooded with thoughts of a loved one as the beginning of a spiritual connection, you are going to want to validate that it's really happening. Almost everyone feels a little bit crazy wondering, "Is this real?" when they learn how to connect on the energetic level of mental telepathy.

Personally, I enjoy being a bit crazy. At least I'm not boring. :-) 

To validate the presence of a loved one's Soul in a particular moment, you can rely upon your physical sensations. We have all been sensing and feeling energy our entire lives, and perhaps you have never paused to give it much thought. Think of a time when you visited a place like the Alamo in Texas, or Alcatraz prison in San Francisco. Both of these old jails hold lots of energy, and many people report getting a particular feeling while there. Examples would be having goosebumps, or the "heebie jeebies" or the hair on the back of your neck standing up. Our bodies, in particular our largest organ, the skin, react to energy and create a physical sensation that we can definitely and easily feel. Along the same lines, we can visit a beautiful, sacred space like the Sistine Chapel and feel a profound sense of peace or relaxation while we are there. Now, no one is giving you a shoulder massage or actually touching you, yet, the feeling is very real. 

This reminds me of that old cliche about when there has been a fight in a room, "The air was so thick you could cut it with a knife!" Having a fight can create a huge mass of angry energy, and yes, many people can feel that once it's over! The ancient practice of smudging, or clearing the energy of a space by burning sage, is often used at times like this to spiritually purify an area. I like to smudge my home after a big party, illness or any other disturbance to set the energy back to clear and clean. Sometimes I think the intention is just as good as the actual act of burning sage. I'm not a huge fan of the smoke, and my children used to freak out if I did in their bedrooms screaming, "It's smells like pot in here!" (pretty sure I wouldn't smoke pot in my kid's bedrooms...) Ha! Sometimes I just walk through the room with a spritzer of purified water with orange essential oil in it and use that to clear the energy. It really is about the intention. You can also do it by lighting a candle and offering a prayer or ringing a bell. 

Giving some thought and words to the way you sense and perceive energy on an everyday basis will help you feel the energy of your loved one, which can be a very validating comfort to you. One way that I become aware of the presence of a Soul wishing to communicate is through a very strong sensation, similar to being on an airplane when the cabin is pressurized before take off. It's almost like an energetic buzzing; my heart starts racing and I feel almost as if I'm experiencing anxiety. 

Everyone is unique. Many people have relayed their experiences of feeling the presence of a loved one's Soul to me and this is what they say:

• "I had a warmth flood over me."
• "I got the chills!"
• "I could feel someone gently touch my cheek or shoulder."
• "I could almost feel my deceased dog brush against my leg."

It's going to be a little different for everyone. My suggestion is this: the next time you become suddenly flooded with thoughts of a loved one, close your eyes and tune in to your body to see if you can validate their presence with you by feeling their Soul energy. If you get really good at this, you may begin to notice that your deceased loved ones all "feel" slightly different to you. We are all unique in our energetic make-up. You can even practice this theory with the living. Often, if you do a blind test, and try to guess which family member is standing behind you, you'll get it right. Try it at your next holiday gathering. 

Next week I'll address part three in this series, which will cover how to receive the communication. 

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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 2015 – All Rights Reserved 

Opening Up About Suicide

With the news of Robin Williams's passing on August 11, it seemed all of America was simultaneously heartbroken and what I refer to as: heart-awoken. There are few circumstances more difficult to deal with than a loved one's suicide. A suicide always creates more questions than answers, even when a note is left. 

While Robin's passing is an absolute tragedy, it is also an opportunity to create open conversation. Talking about suicide is still, too often, taboo. Many people try to cover it up, or paint a different picture and pray no one will learn the secret of how their loved one passed. 

It's an awful state of affairs. Not only do survivors have to deal with a monumental loss, they are also left to sift through inevitable guilt that they missed clues, or could have prevented the passing. Worse, all of that grief and guilt is covered with huge amounts of shame. 

It's time to change. It's REALLY time to change.

Many years ago I became involved with a group called The Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors. What struck me was that it isn't a suicide prevention group, but an online support group for the survivors. In a conversation with the founder, Ronnie Susan Walker, she said something to me that I will never forget. 

"Preventing suicide is much more challenging than most people realize. Suicide is not a disease like measles or polio. There is no one simple solution. There are many different kinds of people, dealing with many different kinds of circumstances, who end their lives."

As a medium, this really struck a chord with me. When I am conducting a session with a person who is bereaved by suicide, we often delve into what led the person to end his or her life. The action to end one's own life is absolutely the hardest anyone could ever take. Often it stems from a lack of hope that a life circumstance could change. We can rationally sit here and say, "But, there is always hope!" However, not everyone can see that light, and not everyone can feel that connection to a better day. 

I have found time and time again that a person with suicidal thoughts can have a drink or even a small amount of a substance in their body and the actions they take are much different than if they had been clear-headed. Many people whose lives end by their own hand didn't expect that they would actually die. This is where lines blur and things get really tricky. A person can pass from an overdose, the world labels it a suicide, and yet, that person may have never intended to end his or her life. 

What I want everyone to know is that someone who ends his or her life is not necessarily:

• mentally ill
• suffering from acute depression
• trying to hurt anyone
• by any means, a bad person
• an out-of-control teenager

We really need to stop labeling and stuffing situations into boxes shaped by society, that do not fit the situation.

How can we overcome this? By remembering that a person who is bereaved by suicide needs the extra support of family and friends. They need understanding; first and foremost, they are suffering the loss of a dear loved one. It doesn't matter how their loved one passed; what matters is how they lived. A suicide survivor needs constant reassurance that their loved one is cherished, valued and held in high esteem. 

The guilt and shame have got to go. And we can begin eradicating them by opening up the conversation about suicide. It isn't always easy. In fact, as far as our human interpretation of the Spirit world goes, it doesn't get much more complicated. People get pretty set in their beliefs. Someone sent me a note last year letting me know that, "The Pope did away with limbo." I think this was supposed to be great news for the millions of Souls who may have been sent there as a "punishment" for ending their lives. As I read it, all I could think was that it's almost as ridiculous to assume limbo exists as it is to think someone could simply do away with it.

Here is what I can share based on my experiences in connecting with hundreds who have ended their lives.   

They are greeted and welcomed into the afterlife by people who love them and are given the opportunity to heal. They are released from the heavy burdens of illness and given the unconditional love and acceptance they need. Those who have ended their life are given the same acceptance, healing and opportunity to continue to work on their spiritual progress that every other soul is given. Those who end their lives cross over, just as other souls do; there is no middle ground where they get stuck. The communication works exactly the same way as it would if the person had passed from old age in their sleep.

In my work, I have never encountered a case different from this experience. Absolutely everyone I have connected with fits this description. 

What does all this mean? 

It's time to let go. To let go of the labels. The judgment. The shame. The guilt.

There is hope for healing, especially for the survivors. Please visit the forums of the Alliance of Hope to find support and solidarity in those who have walked the path. 

Whether you are bereaved by suicide or not, this is a great time to do some self-work on the shame, guilt and vulnerability issues most of us have in the Western World. One of my favorite authors is Brene Brown, and her newest book, "Daring Greatly" can help anyone live a life that is more authentic and enable us to connect on a deeper level by addressing shame issues. I highly suggest reading her book, taking a look at her website, and her TED talks: 

• Vulnerability (Ted Talk)
• Shame (Ted Talk)
• Daring Greatly (E-Book)

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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 2015  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.