FLOATing Into Fifty

Over the past couple of years, I've made it a tradition to do something special for myself for my birthday. I love going out of my way on birthdays for the people I love, and I realized I needed to include myself as well. This year is a big one for me, so I wanted to do something really different.

This year I decided to try floating! FLOAT offers pods that are essentially sensory deprivation chambers. I have heard of these for awhile, and when I found there was a place to go to in San Antonio, I knew I wanted to try it to celebrate my half century. Before I went, I meditated, prayed and chose an oracle card from Sonia Choquette's Ask Your Guides Deck. Before I choose a card. I usually ask for my spirit guides to show me what it is they want me to know for the day. This day I asked for a message about my upcoming FLOAT experience. I wanted to know who I might connect with during that experience. When I pick a card, the deck is face down and after shuffling I hear a number so that I know which one to pick. If I hear 5 for example, then it is the 5th card from the top to pull. Everyone uses these decks different ways, but this is how it works for me. The card I picked was "Solitude," so appropriate for this experience. The spirit guide connecting with me was my owner Higher Spirit. 

I said a prayer in the car for a good experience and headed on my way. The pods are filled with ten inches of water and up to 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt. I love me an Epsom salt bath, but I've never used enough to make me float, maybe only a cup or two! But even that small amount of salt relaxes and recharges me, and releases the negative junk in my auric field. I was a little concerned about the salt level. One time I tried a five pound bag of Himalayan sea salt in my bath and I felt so yucky after it. It was serious detox and dehydration. I didn't know what to expect with this, but I took a giant bottle of water with me just in case.

I had a choice between an i-sopod or a Zero Gravity Suite, which is less claustrophobic. I really wanted the full experience, so I opted for the i-sopod. I arrived at FLOAT and was soon greeted by Meredith, who was so kind and informative. She showed me to the dressing room and bathroom. It had lockers, two mirrors, chairs, and tables filled with lotion, combs, hair dryers, curling irons, hairspray, and more for after floating. I took everything off, and put on one of their soft, comfy robes. They had flip flops too, but I usually trip over myself, so I walked barefoot to the next room.

Meredith led me to a small room with three massage chairs. The room was dark and peaceful. I chose my chair, sat down and Meredith started the chair in motion. I relaxed for fifteen minutes while gentle waves were projected on the walls, "stars" and "moon" were overhead on the dark ceiling, while sounds of nature chirped throughout. I felt like I was on a camping adventure, well maybe more glamping since I was in such a high tech massage chair! But it was very relaxing. This was not your regular nail salon chair. It had rollers at my feet, kneading my heels, all the way up through the balls of my feet. The leg rests periodically squeezed my legs and ankles, as did the arm rests atop my hands. Every once in awhile, after the rollers went down and up my spine to my neck, the sides would squeeze my shoulders together. It was awesome!

After the massage, Meredith brought me to my room (pod #5). The sound-proof room was small, and the pod was big! There was room to hang my robe, a small table with ear plugs and vaseline (to keep out the sting of the salt if I had any open cuts). In the corner was a shower with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Everything was provided for, which made it convenient not to have to pack a bag for this, other than some makeup. Meredith told me to shower first (they don't want oils or anything in the pod). She showed me where the latch was inside the lid of the pod for when I needed to open it. She said to keep it closed as much as possible to keep the temperature as it should be. It is supposed to be the same temperature as our skin.

Meredith opened the pod and it was lit in blue. The water was clear. I don't know why, but I expected it to be thick and salty looking, but it wasn't at all. Inside on the left was a button to push to turn the blue light off when I was ready for darkness. She said for awhile I would see light from the room peeking through the seams of the pod lid until the room light went off. The floating experience also starts with calming music, but that fades away too. On the right inside the pod, was a button to push if I needed any help (a panic button I thought, that I hoped I wouldn't need!).

She talked about ways to relax, breathing, how to rest my arms - she suggested placing them over my head to open up and relax more. She showed me a flotation ring for my head, hung on the wall, that I could use if needed. She said the head seems to be the last thing to relax. I can understand that, since tension always seems to show itself in my head and neck.

I was ready to roll, so Meredith left the room and I was on my way to my sixty minute adventure (they have 90 minute sessions too)! I took a quick shower and hopped in the pod. I closed the lid over me, layed down in the water and was floating instantly! The music was peaceful, as was the blue light. It was ethereal. I looked around briefly and noticed a decent amount of room in the pod to feel comfortable. It was warm. I really prefer to feel cool and breathe in cool air. That wasn't happening here, and I started worrying myself that I'd overheat or panic. It wasn't that hot, I was just overthinking. I turned the light off. Breathe, breathe, breathe. 

It was really fascinating to be floating in this unique experience. When the room light went out, it was so dark I couldn't see any difference with my eyes opened or closed.   My neck hurt. I had been to the gym in the morning and it was already sore, but I must not have been relaxing it completely. I had to pop the lid to get the neck support. Dang. I wish I had brought it in with me. I opened the lid and grabbed the ring and got back in. It was nice to get a little bit of cool air.

I settled back down, turned the light off again, and not too long after, the room light went out again. I prayed. I asked to connect to God, my spirit guides, my higher self. Everything started to look red. I don't know if it was from my blood pumping harder. At times I could feel my pulse beating in my ears. I didn't use the earplugs, I really wanted to feel everything. But the beat was really loud at times. I know how hokey this sounds, but you know I'm going to say it anyway...I saw the face of Jesus. I often see flashes of people, places and objects when I meditate. I have not been able to slow down the images enough to put together the meaning. This time I saw his face, large, just for a brief moment. After that I saw this jumbled mass of red and dark. It was kind of like a lava lamp, but more in the shape of a cloud.  In the mass, small faces appeared and receded. It was creepy and a little scary. It didn't feel like good energy. I prayed to Archangel Michael to clear it. Breathe, relax, breathe.

Off and on I could hear my heartbeat loudly in my head and at one point I heard a really loud sound that made me jump.  It's a sound-proof room, so I don't know what it was, but it jarred me for a second. It could have been from my own body, as my ears were under the water and the sound is amplified. They recommend eating an hour or so before the float so stomach sounds aren't distracting, so it could have been digestion in progress!

I struggled with the heat in the beginning, but I really wanted to stay in the pod for the full hour, so I just did it. I knew it really wasn't anything that would hurt me, I just needed to get used to it. I had a conversation with a friend of mine the night before the float, and she said she wouldn't be able to do it because she had an unexpected panic attack just getting an MRI. That vision popped in my head, and my heart beat faster. I let it go quickly. Breathe, breathe, breathe. 

I relaxed as I would when I meditate. The head rest was a huge help. Every once in awhile it felt like my shoulders were scrunching up, so I put my arms over my head as Meredith suggested. It felt much better. When my eyes were closed, and I relaxed more, I felt myself  moving. It felt like I was floating on a calm sea..at night...with no sharks. The music came back on when my time was up, it seemed like it all went by so fast. 

I popped the pod back open and showered again, dried off and put on my robe. After I opened the door and walked down the hallway, Meredith was there to bring me back to the changing room. I felt peaceful as I got dressed and dried my hair. Meredith had mentioned that I could go to a sitting area to relax as long as I wanted to after, so I did. It was a room with couches, coloring books, water, kombucha to purchase (which I did!), and tea. As I grabbed some water, Meredith and I chatted about my experience. I told her I didn't get to the spiritual place I wanted to, but I felt good and know that if I tried it a few more times, I would be able to relax as I do when I meditate. She said it usually takes a few sessions to relax as well. She also suggested maybe a 90 minute session might be better for me and I agreed. It really does go fast, and I think more time would be ideal. I also think I might try the Zero Gravity Suite and see if I feel better about the warmth in that environment.

I grabbed some locally made kombucha and walked to the entrance to pay for my float. Meredith had stepped out, so I was able to meet one of the owners Jeremy Jacob. He was just as kind and helpful, and rounded out a great new experience. Aside my quest to transcend my body and connect with spirit, this experience was relaxing, good for my joints and muscles, peaceful, and a welcome break from social media, news, and sensory overload.  I will definitely float again and continue to let go, relax, and breathe. 

For more information and a virtual tour:
FLOAT: http://www.floatsa.com/

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Now That I'm Spiritual, You Have To Be Too

Um, no. No you don't have to walk my path. That's the whole point, this is my path, and you have yours. Sometimes we walk together, and sometimes we don't. And that's just fine.  

I found a lovely group to connect with through the spirit guides class I took recently. Twyla, the teacher, put together a monthly group called Spiritual Happy Hour through the Meetup app. Awesome app, by the way, to find local like-minded souls in whatever it is you enjoy: yoga, meditation, business groups, and more. 

So last Friday was our first get together. We met up for happy hour at local spot called Barbaro. I ordered a Blanche Devereaux to drink, as I'm not just mystical, but also a rather passionate Golden Girls aficionado. The evening was as fun as I expected! We had good conversation including everything from crystals, past lives, current lives, our careers and more. One of the gentlemen I'll call "Sam," (since that was his name :) asked me and Twyla if our husbands were on board with our spirituality, or if there was a conflict. I've heard this conversation many times, and I have listened to people say how they were on a new path and now they couldn't relate to the people in their lives anymore. Some have left relationships or were considering it. 

When I first started really tuning in to spirit, I did have a time when I felt alone. But it was self-imposed. I thought I had to hide how I was feeling and what I was discovering. It was actually because I wasn't comfortable with it yet. It is very easy to project onto others what we are actually feeling about ourselves. After awhile I didn't care anymore and began to talk and write about it. I also started opening up about my small business and blog. I'm here to be myself not someone else, as we all are. There wasn't any earth-shattering stomping away of people I was close with. And there wasn't anyone that I felt compelled to run away from. Relationships do come and go, evolve and change, and through my heightened intuition, I am just more aware of the people that are truly kind and genuine. And I am also aware of my energy, and what I want to bring to others.

For a time I wanted everyone to hear about what I was learning, it was all so exciting (well, to me that is). Of course my conversations were welcome with others who listen to similar programs or read the same books and articles as me.  But not everyone is interested in everything that I am, even within the spiritual world there are thousands of paths.

Once I made peace with myself on what was important to me, and respected myself for what I believe in, it really didn't matter if anyone else felt the same way. For me to call myself spiritual and exclude someone who doesn't believe the same way, doesn't feel very spiritual to me. I don't need to prove what I believe in, and neither does anyone else. For me, spirituality is about BEING it, not preaching it. It is something I am working on, and my ultimate goal is just to be love.

So as far as judging others who don't walk my path, I don't. Instead, I choose to see what is really there, and it is more beautiful than can be found in a book or a course. As I told Sam, my husband doesn't need to practice spirituality, he IS it without trying. My husband looks up at the stars, the moon, a beautiful sunrise or sunset and says the most sincere and loving thank you for their daily gifts. That is BEING it. He speaks of this elderly woman he sees when he drives to pick up our son at school. He notices her getting off the bus a few blocks from our home every day in the blazing sun, walking to her home in our subdivision. He is contemplating how to help, if he can figure out a way to give her a ride, or buy her an umbrella to shade her. That is BEING it.

I will continue with my books, courses, learning, and groups because I love it and it's part of my path. But I will always be mindful to BE it and really SEE it in others. 

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern

www.suitablegifts.com

What Fills You Up?

I noticed an event post on Facebook for a spiritual store that I visit. They have some amazing classes such as singing bowl meditations, drum circles, mayan astrology, and numerology, but I had yet to attend one. They were having a Connect To Your Spirit Guides workshop this past Saturday, so I first clicked on "Interested" and then by Friday I fully committed to "Going."

The class was fun, and through the teaching of Twyla, we worked with crystals to feel their energy, did a guided meditation and also automatic writing to connect with our spirit guides. The guided meditation was beautiful, Twyla led us through a lovely grassy field and towards a park bench. Seated, we were to picture our guide coming towards us and sitting with us. Everything looked ethereal in my meditation, white, and mystical. I saw my guide coming towards me and I knew who it was. I recently did a 4-week spirit guides course, and through automatic writing, one of my teacher guides told me his name was "Father Time." That was who was coming towards me. He looked like a wizard, with the hat and robe, all in white and silver. Actually, he looked like the Winter Warlock from Rudolph. You know...

He sat with me and we held hands. I asked him his name. He told me "Frank." After he said that, the clock on the wall in the room started ticking loudly (Father Time). I asked him what he wanted to teach me, he said "wisdom." And the sound of the clock sounded again tic..tic..tic..

The meditation and the automatic writing moved some of the class to tears. It was at times emotional because some of the people who came were grieving lost loved ones. Some of them shared amazing stories of current connections to them, but they were still so sad. There is that longing for the physical even when miraculous moments are happening. One woman told a story of a dragonfly landing her nose. She said to the dragonfly "Joe (her husband) if that's you, come sit on my finger." It landed on her finger and stayed. Her sister sitting next to her confirmed the story. 

After class I had some errands to run. I went to a local shopping center and someone was holding out a sign for Family Christian Store for their going out of business sale. It wasn't on my list, but I decided to go in since I've been looking for a Mother Mary statue. I didn't find her, but when I was waiting on line, this was next to me. Not your typical name...

It was a day well spent. Something I really noticed afterwards was that I went from 10AM until 5PM without eating, and I wasn't hungry. I wasn't shaky or cranky either. That isn't typical for me. I certainly don't recommend going a day without eating, it just happened, and for the first time in forever, I wasn't thinking about food. As I continue on my up and down weight loss journey, I am learning what is going on emotionally with me, so I don't gain it back. On this day I learned that there are other things that can truly fill me up that aren't food. I didn't think that was possible. I had a happy day, learning about something that truly interested me. Learning about the light in all of us, the connections we have to the spiritual realm, and the connection every living being, creature, and plant has to each other feeds me. And they are all zero calories! I was full. 

I am in the middle of a new book right now too. Along with A Course In Miracles, I am reading A Course In Weight Loss by Marianne Williamson. It is teaching me to hand the weight loss goal over to God. I am doing certain activities every day towards that goal. It has been having a profound effect on me. My experience on Saturday showed me that keeping centered around activities that are spiritual and inspiring are where I need to be. This in-person experience was definitely something new for me, and it will be a door I will continue to walk through as I navigate my weight loss journey and my life. 

There are many "easy" go-tos, addictions, and ways to avoid stress and life such as excessive food, shopping, drama, and more, so I wanted to share this as food for thought! What fills you up? If it leans more on the negative or self-destructive side, I can say for certain that there are healthier ways to feed you such as reading, writing, art, walking in nature, taking a class, meditating, being with good friends, or just trying something totally new. Now get out there and feast!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulern
www.suitablegifts.com

2017 The Best Year Ever!

Why will 2017 be the best year ever? Because every year to me is the best year ever! It really is a matter of attitude, and how you choose to see things. I choose to be grateful and to see the unlimited potential in the year ahead. My mind is bursting with ideas of what I want to accomplish this year. I'm going to list them, but I will have no regrets if I can't get to them all. My mind seems to have a lot more energy than my body at times! And who knows what other opportunities and adventures will present themselves this year?

So here we go!

ACIM - I started January 1st with something I have been wanting to dive into for a long time. I finally ordered A Course In Miracles (ACIM), and Hollie Holden decided to start a Facebook group called Presence of Love Study Group to support anyone wanting to do the course together. It was a perfect opportunity, so I joined the group and am up to Lesson 3. It is so easy to do, and I so look forward to beginning every morning with this inspiring experience to return to love. If you are interested in learning more, join her page, you can start the course any time.

Learning - I am finishing up the the last two weeks of the Ask Your Guides course by Sonia Choquette. Oh my goodness, I can not wait to tell you all about it. I just had another incredible experience yesterday getting to know specific guides, their vibrations, names, and signs from them. It was just magic and proved to me undeniably that we are never alone! 

My next courses will be Unlock the Secret Messages of Your Body by Denise Linn, 21 Days To Glorious, Fabulous Abundance (it's a great course I started awhile back and will finish!) and Doreen Virtues Certified Realm Reader course. So much fun, I just love to learn!

Reading - I will also be reading quite a bit this year (as always!). I'm finishing up Nancy Levin's Worthy and Denise Linn's Past Lives Present Miracles. Great books, and I'll be blogging about them of course. I have a bookshelf filled with more to read too. I want to continue learning about spirituality, growth, abundance, and I love autobiographies also.

Healthy Weight - I am going to reach my goal weight in the summer. I've lost 17 1/2 pounds and am on the road to better health!

Exercise - I used to exercise quite a bit and got off track last year. I have already started incorporating this back into my day, and will be getting back to the gym too! Yoga will also be a big part of this.

Garden Sanctuary - it's been a challenge getting plants to grow in the Texas heat, but my goal this year is to really create a beautiful sanctuary in our yard.

Clutter Clearing - I have started this, but I will make sure I get through the entire house this year. It feels good to clear the stagnant energy and welcome the new! Let the Chi flow!

Joy & Fun - I will be spending more time in the present, being joyful, spending time with my family, friends and enjoying life!

Getting Me Outta Here - I plan to get out more during the week. I work from home, which means spending anywhere from 45-65 hours a week indoors. Whether I take my laptop to an internet cafe, actually take a lunch break and go for a walk in the park nearby, or do something outdoors after work, I will definitely be breaking up my routine. The weekends will include excursions as well. I started getting out more on the weekends last year and will continue this trend!

Sanctuary Everywhere! - I've learned about creating an altar, creating a sacred space. I have that in my bedroom, and I love it. I meditate and pray there and it's quite beautiful. I also created an abundance altar in my office, and I have some sacred items on another table. One corner of my couch is another meditation spot, and I feel a beautiful, relaxing presence there. My car has spiritual & religious items in it, and has become a sanctuary for prayer. I really want that sacred space to be everywhere around me, for everyone. So, my goal is to make our entire home (inside and out) sacred. What that means to me, is that is gives off a peaceful, loving, welcoming vibration. I want all those who live here, as well as those who enter, and those who leave our home to feel love.

Prayer/Meditation/Gratitude - These have been a life changer for me, and I will continue with them. I want to bump my meditation up to twice a day, and be more consistent with my gratitude journal. I also want to keep the dialogue always open with my spirit guides (so when you catch me talking to myself, that's why!).

Writing - Once I actually sit down to write, it's so easy, so second nature. I want to continue to write from the heart because I truly enjoy it, and I feel like it's one of the things I'm supposed to be doing in this lifetime.

Suitable Gifts - I plan to continue to learn, create more products, reach more people, and grow this business I love so much. Suitable Gifts is my way to spread love, kindness, peace and joy. I also have a cat site (I love cats!) which I will reveal later this year (website and products still need a bit of work and organizing). I plan to get out more in the public with more shows, and attract more attention to this business through publicity. I want to get my YouTube channel moving along (like posting my first video!), and either starting a newsletter or at least sending out some emails to my email list.

Kindness...Pass It On Mission - I have so many ideas for this as well. I would like to put together Kindness Kits this year for the homeless, seniors, kids in the hospital, and kids who are hungry (possibly through schools). I am looking forward to making the Kindness...Pass It On Mission grow to help more!

Abundance - I plan to create more abundance in my life not just financially, but in friendships, relationships, love, kindness, joy, time, and more!

Past Life Regression - Oh I am so interested in past lives! I already had two readings where I learned about several of my past lives, but I want to discover them for myself. I am reading Denise's past life book as mentioned above, as well as listening to several of Dr. Brian Weiss' past life regression audios. This will be a fun year of exploration, and I can't wait to see what I discover and resolve in my current life!

Art - This is one of the things I love, but get intimidated to do. I have a ton of art supplies ready, and I'm diving in again so I feel like the artist I used to. Here we go!

Travel Goals - I have been wanting to do some serious travel since I was in my 20's. I kept pushing it aside, but I am going to start setting some goals for the places I want to see: Ireland, Scotland, Italy, England, France, and so much more. There are so many spiritual sites I want to see: Assisi, Lourdes, Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), to name a few.

Wishing for you, all you desire for the New Year and even better! Expect this to be the best year ever and your thoughts (then actions) will create it! Share below what your plans are for the New Year!

*Click on any of highlighted words in the blog for the books, courses, and more information!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com