Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.- Hal Borland 

As you no doubt know by now, the world did not end but an energy did and for that I am very thankful. The tug of war that 2012 has been for most people is lessening and we are shifting into a much nicer way of being. For the majority of people that I see or communicate with in some way, have had it has been quite the year with a  huge amount of growth with some of it feeling like they were being squeezed through a knot hole backwards. My words, not theirs but I am sure there is a ripple of agreement out there.

I completely adhere to the belief that we all create our own lives and I keep this in mind on a daily basis, including when I am shaking my head at the wave of vibrations moving through that feel like a cattle prod at my backside. The universe is fantastic, vast and held together magnetically and we are some pretty attractive magnets to all of the fascets and whirlygigs that keep us moving forward.

The year of 2012 has been all about here's your lesson, would you like me to smush it in your face? I've had more epiphanies this year than the rest of my time here and I don't believe it is because I walk my talk. It is because the energy has a weird sense of humor and evidently likes me shaking my head and in the words of one of my bestest friends saying, well that was interesting. Of course in this instance interesting really means bleeped up. When things are this mixed up and seemingly in a one after another sequence, sometimes the only thing to do is throw up your hands and surrender.

This is what I did this year. I surrendered to wherever I was meant to be, however I was meant to get there and in whatever shape I arrived. Some of the months it wasn't pretty and I showed up dog tired with very little pep and other months I was invigorated by the potential of my path. That path could simply be the laundry got caught up and I had time to read a novel! You know what happened when I did this? Life got easier. It has less stress and it totally removed that what if I make a mistake thinking. So what? What if I did? At least I tried. One of the quotes I love is by Michael Jordan; "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something but I can't accept not trying."

What if this year you give yourself permission to try something new, something that scares you, something that you feel you have no talent for? What if? Think of the possibilities? It makes me giddy. You know what else makes me giddy? Miniatures, I love them, but other than that? This YEAR MAKES ME GIDDY! The energy of 2013 is exciting and has glitter. Ok, maybe that is an exageration... you have to bring your own glitter. However, 2013 is set to be the year each of lands on our own stage. The size of the stage will be determined by your desires and your clarity in your life but I promise, we all have a stage. Perhaps yours is in dating again after a break, expanding your business, or finding a way to find your own voice. It doesn't matter what the offering is, just that you are willing to come out from behind the curtains in your own life and stand in your light. Are you ready to do that? Are you willing to do that? I thought you were!

Now, should you need time to decide how to approach the stage, that is fine, take it, be sure, feel confident but don't hide. If you try to hide from you, you will find yourself because you go wherever you go. Did you follow that? If you find yourself pulling back who you are, stop and take some time to ask why you want to hide. It may be old behaviors or old belief systems that didn't get kicked out previously. That is ok, really it is. We are the accumulation of our experiences and the more we lighten up about where we have been and get curious about where we are going, the better life gets!

At year end a lot of people get caught up in the making resolutions and "I'm going to change this or that aspect of myself" game. If only they realized it was possible every moment of every day to shift their experience...imagine the fun!

So, how about it? How about this year? How about realizing every day is an opportunity to grow, to shift, to have fun, to learn, to love, to walk, to run, to breathe, to sing, to hug, to giggle, to shimmer and to accept that you are amazing and yes, the only you so why wouldn't you shine?

Step out on that stage and take the applause, you deserve it. :)

I want to thank each person that has been in my path, and who are yet to be. I am more of who I came here to be because of the interaction and beyond filled with gratitude for this last year of IMMENSE growth and self acceptance. You were part of it whether you know it or not and I appreciate you. So, till we meet for the first time, or again, have a fantastic New Year and a celebration of you!

I have attached an end of the year and beginning of a year process that can help to move energy along. It works well for a full moon process too so it's PERFECT for this year as we have a full moon and a year end!

Viewing life with a BIG stage in mind,
Vicki

www.vickibaird.com
info@vickibaird.com

Full Moon Practice or End of Year Procedure

The full moon is a wonderful time for manifesting even though it is typically thought of as a releasing time. It is in fact that, but it is only through releasing that you can bring in, so what better time than the full moon to take advantage of this!

Spend a few moments of time and write down anything that you would like to release. This can be behavioral, emotional, physical, or even situations that you would like to release. You can do this in list form or you can journal out. However it comes to you is how it is meant to be.

Cleanse your sacred area with an opening prayer, a sage smudging, and/or by burning some incense. Invite your guides, angels, masters, or teachers to be at your side throughout the ceremony. If you do not have these items, no worries, just surround all with white light and take some nice deep breaths.

Light one or more candles. Look to the skies. Breathe in the night air. If you live in an area where you cannot light things, again, go with the white light, but try to be outside.

One by one, read out loud the words you have written on your slip of paper. Set your intention to release the item/addiction/attitude from your life. Set it to fire and place it in the fire proof container. If you have a campsite barbecue or bonfire going that's perfect, just toss the slips of paper into the fire one by one. If you are doing this ritual with a group of others take turns reading your words. If these things are too personal to read out loud, read them silently to yourself. Just remember...our words have power. Saying - "Be Gone" audibly and loudly can be very freeing. This ritual can be very emotional while it is cleansing, but most important it is great to remember to have some fun!

Thank the spirits. Be safe. Put out the fire. If you have, due to necessity, done this ritual in your home, please remember to take the ashes out and scatter them to the four winds. This will carry the energy and allow the releasing to happen. Besides, it is a lot of fun to watch it go and know you did something to take care of you! 

THE NEW MOON and Beginning of Year Procedure

The New Moon and New Year is a great time to affirm what you want to bring into your life and your path. As the phase of the moon shifts it allows us an opportunity to focus on our own shifts.

This moon encourages us to dream, to use our intuition and to create out of the greatest possibility. Does it get any better? So, I intend for you a month of manifestations that bring all that you feel is in your highest interest. I encourage you to keep in mind to be mindful of what you ask for as you may just get it. Luckily, the stages and shifting of energy continue so we get to do it ten more times this year!

You can't do anything wrong with the process below so have fun and dream well. 

You may want to print this out, just a thought.

1) write out a list, (write it out so it has your energy attached) of all those things that you would like to be done with. This can be literal such as clutter in the home, a person in your life, weight, sadness, whatever you would like to not have in your life anymore, write it down.

2) take this list and wrap it with a red ribbon, yes yarn will work too, any shade of red. Put it aside.

3) now, take a deep breath and center back in and write all those things or experiences that you would like to bring into your life, such as financial abundance, love, travel, fun etc. Whatever makes your heart sing and roll that up and wrap it with a red ribbon.(red ribbon is not necessary but does amp it up.)

4) Starting three days before and three days after will be the strongest energy, you will take these lists outside, to keep the energy out of your house and to send into the universe, and starting with the one where you let go, burn it, being safe to catch the ashes in a fireproof object. When it completely burns out and there are no embers, blow the ashes out into the universe wishing them well and feeling lighter because you have released all that stuff you have been carrying.

5) Now, take the other list, the one you are wanting to bring to you and burn that as well. You are following up with positive energy and a statement to the universe that you trust. Even if you feel this is silly, it will still work so no worries. Repeat the part about blowing it out into the universe and then take a moment to "see " your life as it will be.

6) Remember to say thank you before going back inside, to the universe but also to yourself for participating in your own journey.

Kids love this ceremony, yup probably because they get to burn things, but also because it makes sense to their energy so have them do the above mentioned process as well. Just be sure to respect their privacy and allow them to write whatever they would like. Teaching them it is ok to ask is a great thing too!

Be safe in your burning and let the manifesting begin!

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." Carl Bard 

I am sure by now that you are aware that there is some speculation that the world is ending tomorrow. I can't count how many times I have been asked this question in the last few years and really, I am very happy that this date will pass and we can move on to other topics. I would like to point out that it is already Friday the 21st in twelve other places as I write this, so therefore, if the world is ending on the 21st, I missed it because I seem to be sitting right here composing this blog.

This situation like any other in our lives is one of choice. Will you feed into the hype and the marketing of this fear or will you remember New Years Eve 1999 with fond memories and an awareness that yup....we are still here even though it was ending then as well?

I have noticed so many people live beyond where they are. They are living in the supposed future so much that they can't even tell you what they had for lunch or who they spoke to that day because they were not present. This is a habit we get into I believe, and the nice thing about habits is they can be shifted or changed as one grows.

I am certain the world is not ending as a whole but I do know that the energy is shifting at such a degree it is can feel like an ending. We are completing a long process of using force and mental capabilities as well as conviction and entering a time of allowing, conscious thought and intention. This shift is one that I am so grateful to be experiencing and while it has been happening for quite some time, the push is indeed this weekend.

I have felt very strongly that there is a sort of entry point, think of it as a train tunnel, and this entry point is where we are to pass through into the supportive, kind, loving way of being. Those that have been aware the other way of living does not work for them will have a fairly uneventful shift. Those that are afraid or simply unwilling to shift to this place will, in my humble opinion, experience the proverbial cosmic two by fours. These can be an experience as mundane as a flat tire right up to the crossing of themselves physically. Of course, once they cross they will be in a place of acceptance and the tug of war they felt here physically will be no more so it will be similar to being here in the energy anyway, but I digress.

Bottom line? How do you want to experience your journey in this new, exciting, so vibrationally jazzed energy? Do you want to go kicking and screaming through it or do you want to glide through with a sense of connection and appreciation for YOU and your journey? Guess which one I am choosing?

I would suggest that you use this weekend, the solstice, the new beginning, the planet alignment and Hayley Terris birthday (shout out! woot!), to surrender your ideas of fighting, struggle, conflict and strife to allow in the beauty of the gift we are being given. In this time of holidays, it would be an opportune time to remind self of just how wonderful this universe is and how grateful we can be just to experience the gifts it offers.

The shift that is happening is going to allow things to manifest VERY quickly so please be aware of the energy you are offering and decide consciously to be in a feeling of flow and allowing. The manifestations will meet you where you are energetically so if you aren't offering the highest of self there will be evidence of this very shortly. The good news there is you always have the opportunity to shift and to offer up a higher vibration.

Whether you see this as an ending or a beginning, it really doesn't matter because there is an eternal loop that happens and each ending is a beginning and each beginning is part of the ending before it. Focus on where you are and how you would like to experience this journey you are on and you will find that you start to really enjoy those transitions. You can start from where you are right this moment. ah ah ah, stop looking backward, start from right where you are now..and now....and now...get the picture?

I am so grateful to have you as part of my journey and all the lessons and amazing opportunities I have had with everyone, whether we have met in person or not we are part of a whole. Each individual has the amazing ability to decide how they are going to feel and I am feeling very grateful.

Take this day to assess how you are feeling, how you would like to feel and then how you will arrive at that feeling. You can make small steps, no giants required here, just make some movement so you will be with me along this ride! wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee  Hands up!

I will see you all on the other side....of December 21st. :)

Viewing life from the aerial perspective,
Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

“There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being un-apologetically you.” 

― Steve Maraboli

 Can you imagine that? Can you feel how it would be to go through a day and just be you? The freedom to feel whatever you want, when you want and be able to articulately express it in a way that brings awareness and completion to self. Of course, we all have this right but is the ability there?

I have found in my work that most of the time people do not even realize that have this right never mind having been taught to show up as themselves and no one else. Not the person your parents wanted you to be or your first partner or the boss who signs your paycheck, but just you. My belief is that if we don't start doing this for ourselves we will be missing out on one of the greatest parts of being human...us.

Unless we learn to listen to self and be willing to be brave enough to step out on the stage of our own lives we will continuously be shortchanging ourselves. I am not saying rent a billboard and tell everyone how fantastic you are, although if you want to, go for it, I am saying simply holding that energy of "I'm good and whatever is going on around me does not define me nor does it have to short circuit me unless I choose to allow it to."

The theory that the world is ending brings that BEST time to shift how you have been living. I mean think about it, if it was ending wouldn't you want to be authentic in your last couple of weeks, days, minutes? I know I would but I also know it isn't ending and even when we croak, it's not ending so therefore my focus is a bit different, but I digress. If your physical life in this time was coming to the transition place, wouldn't you want the opportunity to look at it and see where you could be in alignment more or get there?

Well, we have that opportunity every day it's just most of us don't take it because no one is putting our feet to the fire and we are great procrastinators. I have been using the whole December 2012 energy to ask myself if how I am living is how I want to be living. Is who I am who I want to be? How can I bring more light and joy and clearing to myself, my body and my soul so that when I do croak I can have that all important meeting with myself and say "ya know what kid, ya did ok."

I am going to challenge you to do the same and not because I feel my way is the only way but because I KNOW how good it feels to be authentic and to be able to be who you are without apologies to anyone, especially yourself and I want you to feel that good too. No, it isn't a constant state of blissed out I love ya man, but it is pretty darn good to be in it the majority of the time and to know that when I am not, it is possible but also my responsibility to raise the vibration.

So, where is your life are you not being authentic? Where are you going through the motions and not living to your true nature, whatever that might be? You don't have to change all of it at once, choose one area and shift that and then allow another and shift that. If you need help, you know where to find me.

Use the humans tendency for drama and each time you hear something about December 21st, 2012, stop, breathe and ask yourself if you are in alignment with self and if you get a no, ask gently how you could help you get there. Yes, it feels a bit weird at first but once you get used to checking in with you, you won't be able to go back to the old way of hiding, or lying to self. It just won't feel right any longer.

For all the obligations of the holiday season remember to check in and see if you really want to participate because if you can't go authentically, then you shouldn't go at all.

Viewing life from a place of gloriousity today,
Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them." Denis Waitley
 

This quote showed up on my desk today and while I love words, rarely does a quote stand out so much that I feel compelled to share it. Some of you may be familiar with the is quote but I was not, yet it sums up my beliefs in one short sentence....either accept what is going on or do something about it.

It may come as a surprise to some but I have very little patience for those that want to stay in their story and repeat patterns over and over again. I have HUGE compassion for their process and the angst that can be created, but patience, yeah, that I could use some help with cultivating. It is in fact, one of the aspects that I find least attractive about me. I'm ok with the fact that it is there but I am also encouraged to shift it so as not to be known as the coach who uses a line like Dr. Phil, "how's that working for you?" too often. I love that line but I do feel there is a middle ground of approach that can be more beneficial and loving.

This last year has taught me the amazing power of patience as well as self observation. I have had more a ha moments in the last three months than in YEARS of knowing me. To tell the truth, I could use a break but I'm nosey so I have no doubt I will keep watching for those times when a raise in my own vibration would not only help me, but the situation I am in.

Have you noticed that this year has been very much a "here's your stuff, right in your face, do you see it? good, are you going to acknowledge it or do I have to get louder" year? Not exactly something to put on a calendar and be inspirational but true nonetheless. So, if the energy is helping us to see our stuff, I think it is our responsibility to do something about it.

Now, this stuff could be good stuff too. Maybe you have learned a new skill, developed some self esteem or boundaries. Perhaps you have decided to make changes in your life you have been thinking about for a long time but didn't implement. Stuff can be neutral, neither good or bad but simply stuff. How we look at it determines whether it is what we want to hang on to or let go and after we look at it whether we get busy or not determines whether we are ready to accept responsibility.

Responsibility in my opinion is not blame. It is simply the act of saying, well yes, I did have something to do with that as it showed up in my life and now that I acknowledge it, I can shift it if necessary.

In my book I talk about how to watch our lives like a movie to get perspective because let's be honest, if you keep the emotion in it, the ability to see your part may be a little tricky. So, try this the next time there is a situation in your life that seems to be gathering some drama speed, step back, watch the scene unfold and then respond, do not react to what is going on. Take responsibility for your emotions as well as your actions first and then decide if you even want to engage. Walking away is a perfect response sometimes. In walking away you take a responsible action to not further whatever wasn't going well and help to diffuse any tension.

Then you can decide if there is any action to take.

So, where in your life are you not taking responsibility? Where are you waiting for someone else to fix things, or for something to blow over, or for it to change on its own like little fairies are going to come in and say a magic spell and poof everything will be good? (ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but I KNOW you know people who are living passive like that. Are you one of them?)

Once you have identified that one place, make one small step to move forward. Is it your finances? Contact someone who can help. Is it your relationship? Perhaps seek counseling for both of you or for yourself first. Is it your closet? Well, then take fifteen minutes and hang those clothes up. You can do anything for fifteen minutes. I promise you.

Once you have taken a step and accept that movement is what you want take your right hand and reach over your left shoulder and pat yourself on the back. Acknowledgement is fantastic too!

If you aren't willing to accept responsibility then I have one question for you? Insert Dr.Phil's voice "how's that working for you?". If you need help in seeing or accepting, I am here with all the compassion in the world, just don't expect to be allowed to sit in your story for that isn't a loving way to interact and I am so sure you have the ability to grow that I won't join you in your story but I'll be here if you want to write a whole new chapter and include some fantastic acceptance and responsibility to it. It's fun, I promise you.

While this year was in your face year, next year is lining up to be about, what do you want to do with your new found you....soooooo...you might want to get looking for you.

I wish you well on the journey,
Vicki

So what does happen if there is no knot at the end of your rope? What if when you get there it is slippery, your hands (or paws) won't hang on and you find yourself falling, falling, falling?

Have you experienced this? I bet you have. I bet we all have because life is full of moments that are potentially freaking scary and falling, falling, falling, is scary...until you realize that wait a minute, I always bounce. I always get up, find my way, claw back up to the top of the rope where hopefully there is a platform to stand and catch my breathe and maybe contemplate what the heck just happened and how can we NOT do THAT again?

Many times it isn't the circumstance that is happening but rather how you handle it that determines how well you live and how bounceable you really are.

This past  year I have had the opportunity to learn this through my husband's illness. While we navigated the health care system as well as the mine field of emotions that happen with any unknown, I've learned that even though it created some diversion of what we considered our path, it has also given roads that we may not have gotten to so fast. For instance, would I have realized that asking for help is not weakness on my part but rather as much fun for others to help as it is for me? Would we have deepened a relationship that works well or would we have stagnated like lots of couples who have been together for over twenty years?

Learning to be bounceable (admit it, you just had a vision of a me bouncing) also known as trusting is where I learned I had a knot that I just couldn't see. I learned that all the other smaller trials and diversions helped me trust that whatever the outcome we would be ok. I would be able to move forward and look for the next side road that shows up. Sure, it was incredibly scary and tear producing but even that helped me to accept that sometimes things are just hard and that's ok. That knot will always be moving and may be invisible at other times but the knowing that I have it will be the strength that helps me hang on to that rope or cliff or side of the building.

So trust in myself and the universe eventually lead me to the knowing that whatever road we were on, I would eventually find my direction again and my endurance. What is your rope? Is it your faith? Your belief in the universe? Your commitment to working out? Your track record of thriving through some tough times or are  you just developing it now and could use some help in tying your knot.

Ask yourself how you have made it through and eventually learned from past experiences. Also think of when you have seen others hold it together, or not, but move through trying experiences and advance themselves both emotionally and spiritually. What did they do that may inspire you to try?

However you find the knot, create a reminder that you have it. Place a sticker on your odometer, a reminder on your phone, a bracelet or something that says, hey, you have created a safe spot, why don't you use it?

Viewing the journey from ALL the roads offered,

Vicki

Vicki's website

This morning while I was considering what to write I kept hearing this toot toot behind me. It was very playful and it sounded somewhat like a kids toy. I asked what was that about and felt it was to encourage myself to toot my own horn but not just mine, yours too! While it isn't my job to toot someone else's horn, I am quite good at it. As with most people I imagine, it is easier to talk of someone else's skills, abilities and what they have to offer than my own.

When I am talking of someone else's accomplishments both of the physical and spiritual I am quite prolific. Ask me to talk of mine and I will downplay it and act like it's nothing of what I have accomplished. Some of this comes from feeling like it really hasn't been that hard but when I look and really pay attention to where I was and where I am and where I am going, I have a strong urge to go Whooaaaaaa (shout out to Lisa Ketcham who does the best whoa in the world!).  So I wondered, if I am willing to acknowledge it to self and can be reasonably comfortable stating it to others why can't I toot my own horn, which by the way would be one that goes ahuuuuggggaaa, cause it makes me giggle.

Some of it comes from my upbringing. I will always maintain that my parents did the best they could with what they had because the blame game doesn't work in my world but that doesn't mean I can't look at it and be in awe of the progress I have made from that upbringing. In my world it was encouraged to read well, speak well, do for others but not act smart. It wasn't until recently that I realized that is one of what I would call a whiplash message. It spins your head from left to right so fast it gives you a sore neck. Now, I take responsibility for believing that being smart would bother other people but I can also acknowledge that that belief is just not based in truth.

So often what holds us back is stuck in those beliefs and we may not even be aware of what they are or where they come from. Or if we are, maybe we don't want to look at it for fear it's bigger than we think. It doesn't really matter because the solution is the same; being willing to look and being willing to toot!

What beliefs are you hanging on to that you could release so you can root a toot toot with me? What voice do you hear in your head that isn't yours? What messages did you receive that just don't serve you any longer? It is ok to drop them and to allow the new messages to flow in. It really is and if you need help with this, feel free to call. It's amazing to feel like you are in your own skin and that you have choice with life and I, for one, am going to not only toot that I am going to sing it from the rafters! I am going to be the example of a smart person who looks for that next belief that can help her excel and love her life.

So, to get you started, try a few of these statements:

• I am _______________
• I love ______________
• I giggle when _________
• I want to _____________

See what comes up when you use these open ended statements. If nothing is there, that is ok, leave it for later and let it germinate in your being.

My answers would be, at least for today,

• I am loving, funny, smart, charismatic, thoughtful, curious, industrious and enlightened.
• I love the potential in life and in a person.
• I giggle when I have a great one liner that is slightly ironic and hits the point.
• I want to help people feel fantastic to their soul so that they will toot toot toot along with me in the band of life.

It's not that hard and can lift your vibration significantly if you allow it to.

Your challenge for today...... tell someone else what is great about you. One thing, you can do it!

Viewing and tooting and generally enthused with life,
Vicki

How do you know something before you know it?I heard myself ask this of a client last week and thought, hey that's a pretty good line. So often we put intense pressure on ourselves to KNOW what we don't even know yet. The pressure to perform, to be perfect, to be the knower of all information which just is not feasible. I am a true believer that everything is possible but to know everything would not only be a lot of pressure, it would be boring as there would be nothing else to learn, right?

When we are a child people applaud when we learn something new, like walking or finding our mouths with a cheerio. Something people have done for ages and yet we clap for it. Why don't we do this for adults or the older children we expect to have all the information simply because we already do, or do we?

Why don't we celebrate the fact that someone doesn't know but is willing to learn? It seems we have shifted from a place of comfort and excitement in being able to say, oh wow, I don't know but I can find out, to a place of fake it and hope no one sees that you don't know. This faking place not only takes you out of alignment with your soul that came here to learn, it feels awful, mostly because it takes you out of alignment with your soul. Cycles are fun aren't they?

So today when you don't know something, I am going to suggest you say, I don't know but am excited to figure it out. I am also going to ask that you celebrate yourself for being willing to say you don't have all the answers AND for seeking them. Then perhaps you will know something you didn't know before you knew it and feel empowered by the process. There may not be a lot of people surrounding you applauding that you did it, but I promise you, you will know you did and that is more important than what anyone else thinks anyway.

Viewing life as a continuous learning experience,
Vicki

Vicki's website
vicki@vickibaird.com