L'homme propose, Dieu dispose

Man proposes, God disposes.

I have been quiet in this space for a few weeks because so much has been going on.  I will catch you up little by little, but first things first.

About six weeks ago, I became captive to the thought that I need to spend time in Peru with my longtime friend and healer, Lilo Ccoyllor.  Of equal weight and value was the thought of gathering a group together to join me there.

Lilo and I spent hours putting together our Shamanic Soul Journey to Peru and very excitedly spread the word far and wide.

The initial response I received was very strong.  Lots of people were ready to drop everything and head to Cusco and environs just before Thanksgiving on such relatively short notice.  What fun!

Then, just as it seemed that everything was falling into place, the energy around this Journey shifted into reverse.  What had initially garnered an enthusiastic "YES!" in my periodic dowsing check-ins slowed to a sluggish "MAYBE" and then within a few days to an emphatic "NO!"

If there's one thing I've learned over the past 20+ years of being on this crazy "Woo Path," it's that ignoring guidance asked for and received is not a good idea.

So, with some lingering confusion, I am taking the Shamanic Soul Journey to Peru off the calendar.  Thanks to all of you who expressed your enthusiasm and good wishes.  All is moving toward the Good!

I Hate No-Shows!

Okay, I admit it: no-shows make me cranky. There I am, in my office, candle lit, mentally and spiritually prepared to work and ... no client.

The minutes tick by. I check my office voicemail, no messages. I check the hallway outside my office, no one. I call the client and the call goes straight to voicemail. I hold the intention that the client is okay. Sometimes I don't get a return call for days afterward and I'm left wondering if something terrible has happened. Occasionally it is something terrible but most of the time it's simply a case of "I forgot."

In the Agreement each client signs at the first session, there is a clause in red that I ask the person to initial. This clause specifies that I charge for any session they miss without giving me 24-hours notice. No exceptions. If someone is ill or has car trouble or something like that, I offer a phone session during the appointment time. I point this out verbally to clients as well and there's never any question.

That is, until they miss a session. Some clients immediately offer to pay for the session. Most get annoyed when I mention the missed session fee. I know that I've lost clients over this because once they pay for the missed session they have not rescheduled.

Have I mentioned that I hate no-shows?

Personalizing Tragedy

Just received an email from one of my dear clients. She was cancelling her appointment this week. My client was a good friend and co-worker of one of the women who died in the San Bruno explosion last Thursday. Suddenly names and photos in the newspaper take on new meaning.

The world just keeps getting more and more uncertain. This is one of the reasons I cherish my daily handwriting practice. It provides a thread of certainty throughout the chaos and keeps me anchored to my spiritual perspectives.