Good Morning Everyone

Just wanted to let you know that our new SPRING 2013 PRINT issue is now available.

It is filled with amazing inspirational, self-help, holistic articles and stories that I am sure you would enjoy, not to mention some wonderful and unique products and services.

You can download your FREE copy on our website at the following link:
http://www.peopleandpossibilities.com/magazinedownload.html

Please pass this link along to anyone you know who may benefit from this heartfelt new issue as well. Thank you for your kindness.

Take care and have a beautiful day and a wonderful week.

From my heart to yours
Love and blessings, Veronica
Email:  veronicahay@telus.net

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to see it.

Time To Give Back:
http://www.peopleandpossibilities.com/donationpage.html

Just Showing Up
Copyright © January 6, 2013 by Veronica Hay

There is a lot to be said for simply showing up each day.

For actually having the courage to get out of bed and try again. To think, hope and pray that things might be different today, better somehow, that there may actually be some light at the end of the tunnel.

So showing up is the first step and a very good one indeed for many of us. Perhaps from there, the unseen forces can actually find a way to get to you, through the whispers or the nudges or the seemingly random turn of events in your day. Perhaps something will move inside you that you hadn’t felt before and for a moment will sustain and comfort you.

And showing up can mean different things to different people. For some, it simply means having the strength to actually pull back the covers and get out of bed. For others it may mean, showing up at the starting point in the race of your life and really going for it. For others, it may mean, just lying there and thinking of reasons why you should show up, keep going, or not.

It is a first step. There is always a first step in everything and often it is that first step that makes the difference between victory and defeat, between knowledge and doubt, between strength and despair. So many of us take this all for granted and do it so very mindlessly, without a thought as to where we are going today, and the significance of the events that are about to take place. Without a thought as to how we could change the world with one single word planted in the heart of another at just the right moment, one tender utterance that may change the course of destiny for another soul who happened along our way that day.

Awareness and consciousness are the key. They are the everything, everything that we have ever wanted awaits us there, yet we are usually somewhere else looking, seeking, searching, trying …

But showing up takes us out of these places for a little while and plants us in the moment of surrender if only for a second, with no agenda, and no demands and no to do lists, and no expectations as to how it should look. Showing up is enough. It is a great secret of life, it is much more than enough, it is everything.

When you were born, you simply showed up, naked, unable to walk or talk or really do much of anything. And from that one simple moment of existence you made it here. Or you would not be reading this today. You made it this far. It was no accident. Remember that, and bless yourself today for doing it again, just showing up.

Then just as you did then, let the rest take care of itself.

Will YOU find a way today to touch the deeper reality beneath your life? A way to connect with the divine!

It may be through listening intently to a piece of exquisite music, practicing yoga postures, admiring a beautiful work of art or visiting a sacred place where the earth recognizes your step and the ground kisses your feet as you walk.

Perhaps it will be watching your child play or petting your cat or just sitting quietly with no thought.

It may be focusing on a single flower and allowing it to whisper its secrets into your ears and awaken your heart to the rapture that it feels as it unfolds to gaze upon the world for the very first and very last time. Perhaps the answers to your most pressing questions may reveal themselves to you in this mystical place, where the noise stops and the craziness ceases to intrude.

It matters not how you come upon this place, this place of knowing, peace and tranquility. It matters only that you take some time to visit here. Some time away from the busyness of your life to stop the inner chatter, and rest in sacred space where no words need be spoken and no actions taken and the dreamer waits for you to dream your dream.

Will you find a way to visit here today? To be with yourself, alone, unguarded, unrestrained, open to what life wants to show you, vacant, free. Where the only sound is that of your own heart beating and the only voice is that of your own soul calling, calling, calling you. Will you hear it today? Shall you answer? Will you stop and listen to its wisdom, welcome its magic, touch its power, feel its joy, know its love?

Will you walk away from your story today, just for a little while, and let go of the things you have been telling yourself in the book you have written about your life? Will you begin a new chapter, here and now, script a new play, with a bold beginning and a happy ending? What would it take for you to do that today, now, in this moment in eternity? This moment that contains everything and asks for nothing in return.

Life begins and ends in a moment and life can change in a moment. All we have are moments. Will you choose to be whatever it is you want to be or experience in this moment? You are here. This precious moment is yours. It is your gift. It has your name on it. Take it. Make it matter.

Copyright 2010 by Veronica Hay

I have always been captivated by pansies. Their soft velvety touch. They appear to be so delicate, yet they are amazingly strong. The ones shown here are from my balcony garden and have survived heavy rains, strong winds and a snow storm.

They have shown me that if I just surrender to what is and let go, without trying to fight against it, I will survive and even THRIVE. Their smiling faces are a testament to that and always make me smile.

We can learn so much from flowers if we are open to the messages they bring forth. They are one of our greatest gifts on this planet.

Delicate and very beautiful - yet amazingly strong - just like YOU!

There is a proliferation of self improvement products and services in the marketplace these days. Courses, workshops, books, e-books, classes, teleclasses, videos, audio tapes, CD’s, DVD’s etc. And there appears to be more coming all of the time.

Some people go from one book to another, one workshop to another, one guru to another, in an never ending attempt to be fixed, hoping to some day get it right, to ultimately uncover the secret to all things from happiness, enlightenment, success and everything in between.

So many of us are left disillusioned, discouraged and defeated, feeling worse than when we started, frustrated and even saddened that none of this stuff seems to really work for us in a big enough way that makes us feel victorious or even good about ourselves.

But what if we never needed to be fixed in the first place. What if we are simply perfect just the way we are and we need only to recognize that truth and allow that perfection room to shine its own light. After all, how can one ever improve upon perfection? It simply cannot be done and it is senseless to even try.

Reminds me of digging for diamonds. When they are first uncovered they probably don’t look much like the beautiful treasures that they are. But once cleaned and polished, there is no doubting their intrinsic value and immense worth.

We see the same thing in nature, the absolute perfection and connection of it all. Trees don’t strive to be better, they stand tall and free, feeling deeply grounded to the earth, knowing that they will always be taken care of and offering their gifts to a myriad of delightful little creatures that they encounter every day. Flowers don’t struggle to be beautiful, they just are. They don’t agonize over their tiny imperfections, they celebrate them. Plants don’t have self esteem issues, they are too busy living and growing and moving forward to have any time to do that. Birds don’t worry about self improvement and bees don’t let what other people think about them or what is possible get in their own way. If they did, they would never be able to fly.

Perhaps it is time to just let go of all this self improvement, all this fixing, and just BE, the beautiful, wonderful, amazingly delicious creatures that we already are. Perhaps in the letting go, the knowing comes, and in the knowing, the miracles spring forth. Perhaps?

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Silent Angels
Copyright © by Veronica Hay

From the emails I have been receiving lately from those of you on my mailing lists and my own observations out there in the world I would have to say that a lot of people are really going through some difficult times right now.

The population is aging and this is impacting those who are growing older, those who are taking care of them, and those who are alone.

The other day I witnessed a lady in our building who had just been dropped off by one of those handicapped vans, and even though she was not in a wheelchair herself, I could see that she had serious mobility issues. She had just returned from visiting her beloved husband and lifelong companion who was now confined to a nursing home. I had seen them out walking together a few years earlier, laughing and holding hands and thoroughly enjoying each others company. As she slowly made her way to the front of the door, she held the key in her hand ready to open the lock. And then at that precise moment she just leaned in toward the building and started to cry. I could see from the look of anguish on her weary face, that she was trying to summon the courage to enter the building, walk up the stairs, and open her apartment door, just to be alone once again for yet another evening without him.

My heart went out to her. I wanted to rush over and hug her but got the feeling to just honour her presence instead and the precious space she was in. I sensed that she was a very private person and just needed to be alone in that moment. Sometimes the moment can carry us through when we don’t have the strength to carry ourselves.

I did hold her in the light in my heart and whispered a quiet prayer that somehow things would get better for her and that she would know that she is deeply loved, even though I am sure she was certainly not feeling that love right then.

I think sometimes if we can simply acknowledge each others pain, without trying to fix things, then that may be the greatest gift we can give to another human being. I don’t mean wallow in the pain or focus on it, but to just acknowledge it with deep compassion, would make a huge difference to so many.

We are human and pain is part of the journey. If we ever allow ourselves to love anyone or anything for that matter, pain is an integral part of the process because some day we may, probably will, lose that person, place or thing to which we have become attached, either physically, mentally or emotionally. Of course, the price of not loving, of not seeking, of not becoming involved, is a much deeper and emptier pain that strips away at our soul and destroys our spirit.

Your spirit will always reach towards the love and your soul will always take the higher road.

And so I would suggest that we answer our soul’s calling and “take the higher road” by becoming “Silent Angels” for each other.

So, as a “Silent Angel”, be on the look out as to where you could shine your light on someone else’s darkness. Be constantly aware to where your wings may take you, whether it be in a busy shopping mall, a lonely sidewalk cafe, a homeless shelter, a park bench, a dinner or party. Be constantly vigil of where you could look beyond the surface to the deeper pain that may be lurking there and attend to it in whatever way and means may lie before you.

Pretend you have been given a mission and are part of the “Silent Angel Invasion” of whatever city you live in or visit and it is your job to keep the home fires burning and heal the hearts and souls of those you encounter along the way.

Sounds daunting? Fear not! You have at your command an arsenal of tools with which to do your work.

A magic wand that you can point and shoot better than any  camera will ever do and grant silent wishes to unsuspecting troubled hearts, uplifting them in the twinkling of an eye and restoring peace on earth.

A big, beautiful, heart full of love, with light beams that extend from you for miles and miles ahead washing away any sadness that may appear in the distance and replacing it with joy, wonder, belief in the magic, trust in the knowing, that we are all in this together and we are truly loved.

Dancing, daring, delightful Angel eyes, that dispense laughter, spread kindness, seek miracles, offer compassion, give thanks and beam these out into all the other eyes that meet yours along the way, eliciting an enchanting smile of knowing and surprised look of tender acknowledgement.

And we “Silent Angels” have the ability to recognize each other. A knowing glance, a curious nod, a gentle, sweet and unsuspecting touch. A sacred salute to a comrade in arms and wings and halos.

And so, dear heart, will YOU join me? Will you take your place among us? Will I sense you standing there next to me wherever I may journey?

I think I already have and I know that I will, for I feel you here, reading these words, and I already recognize you.

Copyright © by Veronica Hay

Have a blessed and abundant day.

Love and blessings, Veronica

Email: veronicamhay@gmail.com

I suppose one would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to have noticed that there are so many people on the planet right now who are going through some very difficult times. Yesterday, in response to an email from a dear friend in dire straits, I started to write that I had just lit a candle for them when I got the feeling to write much more than that, to write about how I am feeling about all of us during these difficult days and so this morning I am sharing this with you.

I have also created a mini-poster PDF file of this piece that you can download for FREE on my website at the following link. It is right at the botton of the home page here: http://www.insightsandinspirations.com

Please share blog post with anyone and everyone you know who could use some words of kindness, love, caring, comfort and encouragement today. I am sure they will thank you for it.

So here it is: I hope it helps.

From my heart to yours,

Veronica veronicamhay@gmail.com

I AM THAT SOMEONE

Copyright (c) December 12, 2012 by Veronica Hay

Someone is lighting a candle for you today and holding you in the light of that flame which burns brightly for you.

Someone is feeling your pain today, your grief and your sorrow and transforming it into joy, serenity and love.

Someone is thinking kindly of you today in the deep recesses of their own heart and the depths of their soul. Find peace in that.

Someone is imagining you today surrounded by angels, spirits, healing energies, celestial beings, starlight and deep magic and wonder. Wrap yourself in all of that.

Someone is understanding today, the depths of what you have been going through, and is embracing you with deep compassion and trusting in your own profound inner knowing to see you through it.

Someone is holding your hand today and letting you know that you are never alone and never have been, even though there have been moments, when you lost your way and felt abandoned and afraid. You never were.

Someone truly knows today perhaps at a level that you do not yet, that all is well somehow, even though it may not appear to be so. And that there is great meaning and purpose in your life, just by the very fact that you are here in all your splendor. Without you here nothing would be the same for any of us. Know that and take strength in it.

Someone is praying for you today and their prayers are being heard and answered.

Someone is whispering gently to your soul today to keep going no matter what, one day at a time, one step at a time, one inch at a time. We are all celebrating that you haven’t given up and you are making such an immense difference for all of us.

Someone is holding you in the light as things in your world seem to be falling apart and putting them back together for you, in new, miraculous and astonishing ways. Trust and believe in that.

Someone is remembering today, who you really are, and why you came here and reminding you when you begin to close your eyes and surrender, just for a moment, to the truth, to what is right NOW, in this moment, and what can be. Ask for that!

Feel the love, cherish the knowing, drink in the joy, and take comfort and strength in all of it.

It is right here waiting for you. Reach for it! Embrace it! Know that it is yours.

Copyright (c) December 12, 2012 by Veronica Hay

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Don’t feed me all the cliches today and the sugary sap. Give me honesty. Speak from your heart. That I can take.

Don’t quote me from your latest self-help book and regurgitate the contents. Tell me how you really feel and what your soul is saying.

Don’t fill my head with worn out words and platitudes. Fill my heart with meaning, substance, purpose, value.

Don’t judge me by your standards or their measure. Just hold me and love me and make me feel better.

Don’t tell me of things you’ve only read about.
Speak to me of things you know in your gut, so I can know them too.

Don’t offer me advice. I haven’t asked you for it.
Offer me a hand and a shoulder to cry on, when I need one.

Don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do.
Show me what is possible, and let me find my way.

Don’t regale me with your conquests and your victories.
Speak to me of heartbreak and of joy, of sadness and of glory.

Don’t deny me my emotions or rob me of my feelings.
Allow me the space to let them surface and move on.

Don’t hide your pain from me. Or your grief and sorrow.
Tell me how it felt and how you made it through.

Don’t try to fix me or change me or make me better.
Show me where I’m already shining and point the light there.

If you can do these things for me, you will have served me well.

Copyright ©2010 by Veronica Hay

Veronica Hay is an inspirational writer/author who provides support and resources to help you live a richer life. Visit her website at: www.insightsandinspirations.com – Veronica is also the publisher of  ”A Magazine of People and Possibilities” an inspirational, self help, holistic publication, in print for 22 years and online for 18 years at: www.peopleandpossibilities.com
Email: veronicamhay@gmail.com

Who would you be without your judgements? FREE Perhaps?

Why do we insist for the most part on judging things, situations and people’s actions as good or bad, right or wrong, moral or immoral?

Does judging others make us feel better or more superior in some way? And if so, at what cost?

Judging takes you away from who you really are.  And one judgement leads to another and another and becomes a habit that can be hard to break. Feeling good at another’s expense is never worth it. Judgements also take a toll on our physical body and we wonder why we don’t always feel our best. Is that really worth it? We can never really know what is going on in someone else’s heart or why they do what they do, what may have brought them to act in a certain way. If we did, perhaps we would have more compassion for them and understand more what it is like to walk in their shoes.

As Mother Teresa said:  ”If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

Perhaps just for today, give up the judgement and find something or someone to love instead.

My favorite day of the year has always been Valentine’s Day. It didn’t matter if I was alone on that day or not, I still adored it. Valentine’s day for me is a celebration of love, love in its many forms, romantic love between a man and a woman, the never-ending love of family and dear friends, the enduring love between a parent and child, the abiding love between a human and their beloved pet, love of self and love shared with communities or the world.

In our society we seem to need an excuse to tell people how we feel about them, or show them with tokens of our affection. At Christmas, we exchange gifts and take time away from our busy schedules to be with the people who really matter in our lives. On Valentine’s day we are presented with yet another opportunity to open our hearts and share our souls. The marketplace makes it very easy for us to do that, presenting us with a cornucopia of delicacies and finery, from chocolates, to strawberries and whipped cream, to diamonds, singing teddy bear deliveries, and an abundance of greeting cards with just the right sentiment.

It matters not how you choose to serenade the ones you love on this auspicious occasion, what matters is that you do! Whether it be with a store bought treasure or a simple handmade delight, the form is not important, but the sentiment is! Valentine’s day gives you another opportunity to do something that comes naturally for you, as natural as breathing, and that is to BE love and to GIVE love. It is who you are and it is the only thing that really matters in the end.

I leave you with a Valentine Poem and my love…

A Table in a Restaurant on Valentine’s Day

I want to be a table, in a restaurant, on Valentine’s Day!

Think how glorious that would be,
And how many people would spend that special day with me.

What will they talk about? What will they say?
Will there be laughter and people at play?
What are their stories? How far have they come?
What will they tell me, the old and the young?

Will hearts open and tender souls touch?
Will there be magic that moves me so much?
Will there be secrets and sadness as well?
How much will they venture to be and to tell?

Will they remember this day gone before?
And where they were then, and now they want more?

And though they look different, with each changing place,
As the food and the wine, they’re invited to taste.

Each one is trying to do the same thing,
Whether in depth, or a casual fling.

Just for a moment to touch someone’s heart,

And feel loved by another before they do part.

Enjoy and have a Beautiful Valentine’s Day!
Love and blessings, Veronica veronicahay@telus.net