Messages From the Afterlife

Mark Ireland's book, Messages from the Afterlife, A Bereaved Father’s Journey In The World of Spirit Visitations, Psychic-Mediums, And Synchronicity, is recommended.

Like many others, I do not believe in coincidences; I believe in synchronicity, which I’ve written about in the past. My interface with Mark Ireland has been timely in my spiritual evolution. My universal door became ajar after the loss of my father in 2008; this is when I really started sensing the sheer veil that separates the living from the dead. Like Mark Ireland, I utilized psychic mediums, became open to my own supernatural experiences, and took notice of my nighttime dreams to soothe my aching heart. My world transitioned, gifting new priorities, outlooks, and my own soul-work; my life transformed. In the aftermath of my father’s death, my creative spirit surfaced. I channeled healing words that I shared in my bereavement book, What Can I Say When Words Escape Me, being present in times of sorrow in 2009. This led me on a path that now includes a Master’s degree in Clinical Health Counseling, which I’ll obtain in 2 months. Analytically, I am not sure how the universe will fit the pieces together, and as I grow spiritually, I realize I do not have to worry about this. I am trusting and open to all that it entails. I am sure this path will enable me to better support others who need help finding their way through bereavement. Perhaps it is this vibration that connected me with Mark, however this celestial intervention came about, I feel blessed that our paths have overlapped.

Mark’s book, Messages from the Afterlife, A Bereaved Father’s Journey In The World of SpiritVisitations, Psychic-Mediums, And Synchronicity, reminded me of the wealth of supernatural encounters I’ve had and how each of these interfaces has fueled my belief in life after death. I have no doubt that we continue in spirit. Life as we know it physically is just a blip on the radar in the big scheme of things, although this blip is quite significant in the sense of our soul work. I have shared in past posts that I, too, have been blessed with a very vivid vision of death, and ever since I do not fear my passage or the death of others whom I love. As a matter of fact, the realm of death continues to be a part of my world as I shed light on the passage of others within my hospice work. Death is a natural progression of life, and once we all realize that it is not the end but a celestial metamorphosis looping us back to where we began, it’s more of a homecoming than a loss. It offers a healing perspective if you are open to accepting it. However, that being said, life is priceless and a miracle that we should hold as precious while existing in the physical. 

Mark’s book is well-written and interesting. It will engage your curiosity and lift your spirit by gifting hope. Pick up a copy of Messages from the Afterlife, A Bereaved Father’s Journey In The World of Spirit Visitations, Psychic-Mediums, And Synchronicity, by Mark Ireland. You’ll be glad you did!

Appealing to My Palate

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

I recently went to Las Vegas for a week, and even though what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there, I inadvertently brought 3 pounds back with me. Remember that this adds to the 6 pounds I have maintained from a cruise I went on over the 2015 New Year; ouch!

At this point, considering the above, I needed to be more health conscious.

I started a detox by removing meat from my diet for 1 week. I realized the importance of protein, so I ensured I was still getting plenty of it in other forms.

I also started doing Jillian Michaels' BodyShred DVD program.

It has been 1 week, and I am incredibly sore from the 30-minute daily workout. I am happy to say I am 3.5 pounds lighter. I'm hopeful that the 2-month program will tone my body as I am in drastic need of this, and at the same time, my eating habits will improve significantly while I continue to shed the unhealthy pounds.

The busier I get, the less healthy I become. As my schedule picks up, I start to lose my health routine. This is a weak point for me that I have to improve upon. I can get back in shape and know how to make this happen. The work isn't for me, but it is feasible, and I can do it; I do not like to work out.

What is most discouraging is the upkeep; I have to figure out how to properly maintain the hard work I put into myself instead of being on the weight gain/weight loss roller coaster I seem to be riding.

How do I get off of this ride permanently?

The solution is through nutritional health and movement, but behavioral change is not easy, so I am working to encourage myself through it. If I eat some more plant-based meals, I can more easily create a routine that includes them.

It's the same with exercise. I do not like to workout and as long as I look at exercise as a negative, I am self-sabotaging my efforts. As I search for healthier foods, I'll try new activities and, hopefully, find something I really enjoy so the upkeep doesn't feel like torture.

How are you managing a healthy life? Share your successes and also the things that you are still in the process of trying to make work!

Deal Breakers

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo 

If you feel you have lost your identity and/or you are often self-sacrificing in your relationship, dig deep within and work on developing your strength for yourself. This will alter your energy, better align your outside world, and gift a healthier you.

A broken self sends mixed messages because if we are unsure of what we want and cannot communicate what doesn't feel good for us, how can we expect others to understand our own needs?

We must mend our own fractures and be our own heroes, serve self-love first before we can fully commit to a relationship, and maintain our own identity within this union.

We need to go within to gain a clear perspective when we get lost.

Anytime you are bickering over small stuff, it is a sign of a deeper concern; it is symptomatic of an underlying fear. Perhaps, you do not feel partnered or respected. When we have been in a relationship for some time, we believe our partner can read our minds, and we assume things. This is dangerous territory. Communication can keep us in a healthy realm; most of us are not psychics. Of course, with time, we get to know each other and our likes and dislikes, but reading emotions can be tricky; we set our partner up to fail when we expect this.

When an issue surfaces, it is good to consider whether the underlying concern aligns with your values. If not, and it's a deal breaker, practice speaking up for yourself. 

If you want to be in a healthy relationship, start with a healthier you. This shift will offer positive energy into your world, and with some practice in self-awareness and communication, your relationships will start flowing beautifully!

Drop me a note, and let’s talk about what is working or what leaves you feeling alone even though you are in a relationship.

"Should of" Thinking

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

As a recovering perfectionist, “should of" thinking has caused a lot of anxiety in my life. What do I mean by this? It sabotaged any effort for genuine rest in my young adult life. Instead of relaxing after a hard day at work, I would torture myself with a running list of all the chores I should be doing, and then I’d force myself to spend hours on stuff that, in the big scheme of things, was really insignificant. In these early years, I cheated myself from true self-care in an attempt to be perfect in everything, over-achiever mentality.

As I’ve matured, I have realized the value of my own thinking, priorities, and passion, and let’s not forget the importance of mindfulness - being in the present moment is to our lives. I am not obligated to do anything besides what I decide is important. If I value it, I’ll be in the action mode instead of motivating from guilt.

Self-kindness and soul-searching why we are doing something is a better strategy for navigating decisions and efforts aligned with values. If we fully embrace this moment, we’re not thinking about what we should be doing; we are fully present and not in our heads. Why do we feel so obligated to standards that are often unrealistic? Whose standard is it? If it were something of value to us, we wouldn’t have to torture ourselves into action.

Perhaps as a positive spin, think of all we’ve done instead of focusing on what isn’t enough!

I’m all about self-love today. What about you?

Just Enough

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

It seems like we all start out striving to get everything, which is exhausting. The more we get, the more we have to manage. Still, we want more. It wasn’t until I started embracing spirituality that I realized the value of simplicity and the blessing in having just enough. And, when abundance comes knocking at our door, we must remember that this gift can be shared with a pay-it-forward perspective. 

There is an energy connected with gratitude, which seeds kindness, and with the foresight of others, there becomes a nurturing abundance for all.

It is an invaluable garden that is part of all of our lives; all we have to do is realize this. And, when our vision is skewed by the focus on desperation for more, we will never be fed from this garden. Gratitude gifts abundance, and when shared, it's all the better. 

It is necessary to see the intangibles in life instead of the tangible stuff. It is all just stuff!

Growing up in a poor environment and then striving to make good money with a 6-figure salary eventually taught me that there is a greater value than that which money gifts. When we share our God-given talents with the world, which energizes the greater good, we create from our passion; fundamentally, it stems from love.

I believe love's power is priceless, and it is within every human being regardless of material well-being.

If you are worrying about the lack of something, start recognizing how you have survived and managed with what you actually have. It is critical that you shift your energy from not enough to just enough, which will gift growth in your world instead of scarcity.

Does this resonate with you? Leave me a note and let me know your thoughts. I’m curious.

Power of Synchronicity

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo- Laughlin, NV, a synchronistic destination I stumbled on while traveling on the West side of Michigan; it was on the sign at their little airport as we drove by. The vacation we later took there was beautiful.

When I think of synchronicity and how powerful this is, it reminds me of an experience I had on a trip with my boyfriend. We initially had to reschedule this birthday getaway that I had planned for him until after my father had passed; we were actually on our way to this destination, and we turned around after I received a call that my dad had suffered a massage heart attack. A couple months after he passed, we went on a much-needed break. While we were exploring Goderich, Canada, I stumbled on this salon where we had a couple’s massage. As I checked out, I saw this little handwritten note pinned to the wall behind the receptionist; it had a psychic’s name on it. When I inquired about the name, the receptionist said she was not familiar with the woman and she had never actually noticed the note, but she checked with another employee, found the phone number, and called to see if this psychic was available. We were able to get a reading that evening.

We drove over to our given address; it was a nice home overlooking the lake, and the sun was setting as we sat at her kitchen table. It was beautiful. The psychic was to my left, and my fiancé was to my right. Across the table from me was an empty chair, and there was a large window where we had front-row seats for the sunset. We paid for 1 hour for the two of us. The woman who read us was kind and soft-spoken; she seemed sincere.

For most of the hour, she explained a great deal about how the universe worked, and while this information was in line with what my fiancé was curious about, all I cared about was the hope of my father coming through and the information she had been sharing made me feel irritated. While the two of them carried on a conversation, I could actually see, in my mind’s eye, my father sitting across the table from me. I kept thinking, “Come on, Dad, interrupt her!” And he just sat there and smiled. A couple minutes before the hour was up, my finance turned to me and asked if I had any questions. I told him it was too late and our time was up.

This is when the magic started, at least how I sensed it.

The psychic asked me if my father had passed, and I nodded yes. She asked if it was recent, and I told her a few months ago. She communicated he was there and wanted to speak to me. She then proceeded to share so much detail about him/from him. So much so that I went into an ugly cry; my tears were uncontrollable. My boyfriend hadn’t seen me like this before, not even during the funeral. Whether you are a believer or not in psychics, this evening was life-changing for me.

I received all of the validations and assurances I needed to convince me that my father had crossed over and was now part of the spirit world and was still around me. This was pivotal to my bereavement process. 

Synchronicity was a play in this experience. I wished I would have taken a picture of the little note I noticed on the wall, it was barely noticeable; had I not chosen this spa and seen it, I would not have received this validation. It helped shift my energy from sorrow to a place of light.

What are your thoughts on synchronicity? Do you believe in it? What about psychics? Share your experience with me; I would love to read about it.

Your Shadow Self

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

I truly believe if our present moment isn’t fully embraced by our genuine selves, we are not living to our full potential, which can cause future problems. If we’re not present, we are unable to feel the experience, we are unable to follow our spiritual intuitive path or choose the best choice for us, and because of this, we may end up living with regret or shame as a backlash to such choices and behaviors.

The older, wiser version of self today can be very hard and critical on the younger you, but the bottom line is that you didn’t know then what we know now, which makes a big difference.

This younger version of self can be stuck deep within. Suddenly, you may recognize a faulty pattern but do not understand why you are in this dysfunction.

The younger self is trying to find his or her way out, but it is difficult without the conscious self’s help. You might have bizarre dreams symbolic of what is suppressed within the subconscious mind, you might have uncontrollable mood swings, or you may not understand why you are just, overall, unhappy. This is when you need to surface your past self, hug him or her, and honor that these choices have and continue to shape you; you must accept this shadow part of self in order to accept and release the past.

Do you have a shadow you are trying to forget? If so, Google shadow work, and you’ll find a flurry of information to help you step into the present moment to gain clarity and insight.

It is interesting and life-changing work. What are your thoughts?