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Sheila Ryan
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Holistic Healer & Animal Communicator
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Horsing Around
I just got home from a working trip in Maine. There were many, many hours of driving and many hours of work with horses, humans and hounds. The hours on the road were simply beautiful. The sun was beaming, the sky as blue as it could be, and the snow and mountains breath taking. I was delighted to meet up with a client/friend that I haven't seen in years and work with her and her shaggy horse. From there I drove on to work with two small dogs that made us laugh and cry, and then an off the track Thoroughbred that was full of wisdom. That was day one. When I get home from these trips I am exhausted, relaxed and happy all at the same time. For me, its all just horsing around. I am having the time of my life. In 1988 I was introduced to Joseph Campbell. He was a writer who researched cultures around the world and worked on comparing the myths. This man and his writings formed my life from then on. One of his famous quotes is "Follow your Bliss" This has been my mantra ever since. When I am not following my bliss the same long drive that I recently completed would have been a painful hell and the clients frustrating. I have learned to look at life as a game. Just like a game, this life has victories and defeats, aches and pains, planning and training, but most of all joy and laughter.
If what you are doing each day of your life doesn't give you a bit of joy, perhaps its time to look at what gave you joy as a child. Campbell said that what you enjoyed as a child is what your life path should be. For me it was caring for animals and plants, reading and exercising. If I keep all of these things in my daily life I am living the life of Bliss. Sometimes, in order to remember what gives you joy, you may need to go out and Play. Go out and Horse Around...find that spark of joy and do whatever you have to to hang on to it!
Horsing Around
Play time! Enough of all this serious work. When was the last time you took a break, not to rest but to play? Explore a new landscape or swim in a distant lake – anything that is not what you do every day. Kick up your heels and race around a bit, just for the fun of it. The rewards will be a light heart, a relaxed body and good memories. Just horse around for a while!
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Show Time!
I just returned from a working trip to Wellington FL. Its a different world down there. Every road has a bridal path beside it and everywhere you look you see beautiful horses and their riders. It is a community of horse lovers with various passions, polo, jumping and dressage. They flock to Wellington to compete against the best, to see where they rank in the group and to train with the top instructors. Being a horse lover, its like going to a Rocky movie, extremely motivating and very exciting. One thing I noticed while watching the events, is how most of the winners are focused, calm and relaxed. I am speaking of the riders, trainers and horses. The competition is intense, the amount of money spent is insane and the pressure is thick in the air, but they enter a zen like space and keep it together.
When we think of our day to day lives, its really not that much different than what they are facing. We all have pressures in our lives, the stories and environments are different, but all the same issues are on the line. We must all keep our health in balance, we must all keep our positive attitudes and we must all stay focused on our goals...but most of all we must all love what we are doing and have fun at this adventure of life!
Have a great adventure this week and and have it in joy! Here is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards Show Time!
You’ve been practicing….endlessly. Now it’s time to trot out there with the others and see the progress you’ve made. This is not a test – it’s a measure of how far you’ve come. Most of all, it’s fun! Feel confident in your power and strengths and move out towards the show ring with your head held high!
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Teamwork
Here is a view that I have the privilege to experience on my morning walk. This morning, a strong warm wind was moving away yesterdays rain clouds. The feeling was delicious. It is here that I feel closest to my God, Spirit as I call it. I held my arms up and prayed out loud into the rushing wind, my thanks, my love of my life and my asking for help. Like everyone else, I have my days of wishing that the wind would just take me home to where spirit resides and get me out of my mess. On other days like today, I am so glad to have the opportunity to be here doing my work, having the pleasure of my friends and surrounding nature. But every day, no matter what my current emotional condition, I pray for help. Spirit, like a good friend is always there to help us find our way. Sometimes we don't like what we hear, but the information always comes from love. However like a good friend, its important to ask for the help. No one likes to be told what to do, but once help is asked for the suggestions come to a heart welcome to receive.
Yesterday I spoke with a dear friend who finally asked for help with an elderly parent. She was so relieved. Why is it that we feel that we need to do this life the hard way...alone? Even those in partnerships, often have difficulty asking for assistance.
"No thanks, I got it!" That's me, help being offered-me saying no. Weird...Okay, I'll carry that 50 pound bag to my car, instead of accepting the help of a young man who is getting paid to do this ...Why? Because I can? So silly!
Its okay to ask for help...from your neighbor, from your family, from your God. Its there for you if you are only willing to ask and then to gratefully receive.
Here is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards Teamwork
You have been working at this alone for much too long. A partnership of some sort is at hand. There is no shame in asking for help. You are always giving assistance but now it’s time to receive some, so let yourself accept the help of a teammate. Keep your eyes open and your partner will appear. Together you can do just about anything
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Whoa
Look at these dogs. Isn't this how most of us feel after the holidays? Exhausted? yes, Happy? hopefully! The beginning of the year has always been a time for me to regroup. I start the year off by making up my Vision Board. A Vision Board is a collection of images and words that represent what I would like to create into my reality in the year ahead. Dr. Wayne Dyer once said, " I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is, you get whatever you focus on. The bad news is, you get whatever you focus on!" I choose to focus on the positive and what I want, not what I don't want. Make a list, cut out pictures, take the time needed to think about your life and where you want to go. Become the director of your movie, instead of an actor with lines written by someone else.
When working with my clients, I find that many folks are approaching a time in their lives where things are changing or completing. The kids are grown, the retirement is looming or the career path is at a crossroad. When we discuss, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" many are stumped, they don't have a clue. This leaves them feeling lost and in despair. Often times illness sets in and that where I come into the picture. This inner dialog of "Where do I want to go?", needs to be an ongoing project. When you plan a vacation, most folks have at least a rough idea of what they want to do and see, if not a detailed schedule. So why not take some time to dream up your year ahead? Just take time to stop, get your balance and reach for the stars!
The following is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards WHOA!
Stop! Just stop and take a breath! Relax.You’ve been going too fast- a bit out of control.Take a moment to regain your balance and get yourself grounded and calm. It will be worth a few lost minutes to gain a clear perspective of how to move forward in balance, with grace.
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Treats Please
Oh my goodness....Nothing fits!
Here we are approaching New Years Eve and everything I put on is a bit more than snug. As one friend once said " Just because you can wear it, doesn't mean you should!" Since Thanksgiving I have been breaking all my eating rules. Normally I steer away from gluten's, dairy and sugar. Lately it appears that I will not eat anything that does not contain at least one of the above. The way I see it, I spend most of the year caring for this body that my soul currently resides in. However this time of year I pull all the plugs, I enjoy the delectable's, my friend's and all the parties. I eat and drink to my hearts contentment. I call it Treating, not Cheating on my diet.
Lets face it being healthy is a lot of work, so for a limited time giving yourself positive reinforcement is a wonderful thing. Giving a horse or dog a treat when something good is accomplished does wonders in training, why wouldn't it work with humans? If you have worked hard at good health, perhaps a reward is in order. We all look ahead at what we wish to accomplish in the year to come. Spend some time reviewing what you have already accomplished this past year and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back...or a new bracelet...or a COOKIE!!!!
To follow is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards
Treats Please
Positive reinforcement works for all living things. Have you given yourself a treat lately? If you accomplish some task that you feel good about, give yourself a treat! Maybe it’s sharing lunch with a friend or taking a long nap in the sun. When we celebrate our accomplishments and reward ourselves, new success comes that much easier!
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Hold Your Horses
How much time do you spend really being with the ones you love? I mean really being with them...not sitting in the same room and having your mind on the office, the problems, the lists. Most of the time our busy lives push us into not being present.
I often find myself walking in the beautiful woods around my home with my dogs and not noticing my surroundings. My mind is on the day ahead, my bills, my aching knee, anyplace but where I am at. I am not noticing how cute my little dogs back feet look when she runs, or how graceful my wolfhound looks as she leaps over stonewalls just because she can. I am missing the sunlight reflecting off the lake and the crystals of frost on the branches. What usually happens is that I will trip, and that jars me back to the present. I come back from that place in my mind that takes me away from those I love and puts me into fear and worry. Thank you root for tripping me so that I can delight in the woods and the beautiful dogs that I love so much.
This Holiday, remind yourself to stay in the moment. Give yourself a present - be in the present. Really be with those you love, they can be gone in an instant. Don't miss a minuet!
Have a wonderful Holiday.
Here is another one of my cards and remember to Hold Your Horses!
Hold Your Horses
People and Animals can both give hugs. Touch heals. The simple, wordless warmth of a physical connection does us good. Heal yourself, heal someone else, give and get a hug today.
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Anxiety Attack
Here we go on the amazing Holiday "Joy" ride! How many of us swear that, "Next year I am going to cut back" We spend our time racing around, spending money that really cannot be spared, stressing over the condition of our home, the volume of food in the fridge, the travel arrangements, the wrapping and on and on.
The past few years have taught me much. (An old dog can learn!) The swing of the economy forced me to stop spending on gifts that will be forgotten tomorrow.
Instead...
I shop from my closet, giving away precious things that mean the world to me and have been admired by the friends I gift them to.
I am spending time with my friends and family instead of shopping.
I am spending time being grateful for what I have.
This is a difficult thing for so many of my clients. They get bogged down in their lack, their loss, their loneliness. I ask them, to spend a few moments each evening prior to sleep to jot down what they are grateful for. Some days it can be tough...perhaps the only thing to be grateful for was the hot cup of coffee in the morning. Other days it is easier and full. This exercise is to get you to think about the good and not go to sleep focused on the bad.
This day I am Grateful for... The smiling faces of my two dogs that say "Good morning" each day, The warm sunshine streaming into my living room, The coffee, of course, The fire wood that heats my home, The cell phone that connects me with the world outside.... I could go on and on, and its not even noon! Starting now, for the Holidays, give it a try.
Give your anxiety a time out and focus on the good around you.
Give yourself that gift.
One of my teachers, Abraham once said, "Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don't want." Create what you do want...more of your Grateful list!
The following is one of my Horse Wisdom Cards
Anxiety Attack
Oh no...you’ve allowed your deepest fears to take over! First, take some deep breaths to calm yourself. Then get to a safe place and remember what you were thinking before you suddenly tensed up. Just because something spooked you here once doesn’t mean there’s a danger now. Take another look at the trail and your fear and realize that you’re all right
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The holidays can be a delightful time or a sad time. When we experience the loss of a loved one, we feel it so much more acutely during the Holidays. In the past couple of months I have helped a few dear one's make the transition to the other side, human and animal. What I have come to learn over the past decade of working with the spirit of animals and people, is that there is no death. That's it...there is no death of the spirit, only of the body. I have been told that it feels like taking off a tight suit (or bra) there is a deep breath and a great release of discomfort.
Last year I had a vision or dream ....I dreamed that I was in a swimming pool. By the side of the pool stood a man and two women. The man was Azrael, the Archangel that takes us to the other side. He asked if I was ready, and I said I was. Together we went to the bottom of the pool where I exhaled a few times till I was breathing water. He said, "Okay, lets go." We got out of the pool, and he walked through the wall and I went through the door. On the other side there was a bright sunny field, brighter and more beautiful than words can convey. A large group of people came up towards me with great happiness on their faces. I felt I knew them but was not sure. They seemed somewhat disappointed that I did not quite remember them. There was music and a grand feast happening. My two Irish wolfhounds, that had passed away, ran up to me to greet me. Oh ...so much joy! My grandmother was there also. She asked me if I wanted to stay, I replied that I felt that I had to go back, that I had more to do. I had great sadness in my heart, but I had to leave. I walked back towards the door and re-entered the pool area. It was then I awoke.
I believe I was given a vision of what is to come-a vision of my heaven. If I could only express to you the joy I felt, you would no longer fear death, or be sad for the lost of an earthbound loved one. Our time here is short, but our spirits are eternal, and you will be together again very soon.
Here is one of my Horse Wisdom cards
Horse Angels
The ones that you love and have lost to the other side are never really gone. They are there and also here. Your loved ones send you their blessings and support all the time. When you suddenly think of someone who has left this earth, or have a dream about someone long gone, they are sending you a message that they are with you and loving you. There is no “good-bye;” only “I’ll see you later.”
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Blog Intro!
It has always been my intention to share the information I have gathered throughout the years. In the time to come I will offer you my writings, my training DVD and my stories. I hope you will find that this information will be helpful in your communication with your animals and with yourself.
The following is a taste of things to come...From one of my Horse Wisdom Cards
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What do you think about every day? The derby winner can only see the finish line. All of his intention is on being the first to get there.What do you focus on-the dream you want to come true or all the problems that are holding you back? Notice your thoughts and replace the negative ones with positive ones.The results will be magical! You can create anything with your focus and intention.
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