The Spiritual Scroll

SpiritualityGirl’s December 2006 Newsletter

“We receive His peace when we ask Him for it. We keep His peace by extending it to others. Those are the keys and there are no others.” – Marianne Williams

Marianne Williams tells us that we can receive peace by just asking for it and then giving it to others. This is an amazing concept, especially around the holidays. Peace seems to be something in a mall or an online shop. Does “He” take credit cards or cash only? Wait…all we have to do is ask for it and then pass it on. Is it that easy?

Starting today, maybe we should put it to the test. Let’s look inside first – what things inside us are not at peace. What relationships, guilt, situations, regrets or hosts of other things inside us are not at peace?

Now, the test – taking it a step further. Are there people, things, places, ideas outside of us that aren’t peaceful? Yes, sure there are. Making one small change can have a ripple effect across many, many universes. Why not start today?

Note about my newsletter

Thanks to Ms. Emmy Cerra for naming my newsletter! It is now known as “The Spiritual Scroll”.

Emmy’s a really cool chick who makes great music. Check out Emmy's website - www.emmycerra.com!

Ten Ways to Reduce Stress Around the Holidays

10.) Keep your schedule realistic – If you’re booked for 7 holiday parties, a blood donation, a toy drive and five family visits, you may want to take a look at your schedule and your sanity. You can’t do it all at once, sorry. You risk getting yourself ill or worn out. Even worse, you could totally loose the holiday spirit, which is no fun for anyone.

9.) Give personal gifts instead of just fruitcake – be creative! This may be tough around the holidays (like you don’t have enough to do) but use your talents for gifts! Do a numerology report, create a wonderful gift basket, put together a beautiful flower arrangement that they can keep year round – whatever showcases your talent while making gift giving even easier on you!

8.) Plan your get togethers after the holidays. Less traffic, less hassle, less headache and less money – wow, lots of positives! Put a date on the calendar now for the get together in January or February – here’s something to look forward to after the holiday craziness.

7.) Shop Online! Lots of bargains free shipping and hard to find collectables helps you avoid the malls and give an awesome gift. Who doesn’t like shopping in your sweats and fuzzy slippers?

6.) Leave yourself plenty of time to get around town. Nothing causes more stress than traffic. Give yourself some extra time to get places so if you hit traffic, you don’t worry. Yes, it may mean setting the alarm earlier but you’ll thank yourself when you’re early or even on time for where you’re going.

5.) Give to someone you don’t know. Whether or not it’s someone less fortunate or a charity that means a lot to you, there is nothing like making a donation of money, time or toys to help you understand what the true meaning of giving is all about.

4.) Be positive to everyone – even those scrooges out there. This time of year brings out the best in some, the worst in others. You’ll see and hear some real negativity from folks, which can also include family. Change the subject when someone is negative, bring up a positive spin on the negativity they are sending your way or send love and light to them, asking spirit to embrace them. Most importantly, stay positive yourself and let the negative ideas roll off your back.

3.) Call a friend who you’ve lost touch with over time. It happens, our lives get busy or we switch jobs, whatever happens, we loose touch with friends. If you can, pick up the phone and call someone to catch up. You’ll be surprised how much you’ve been missed and you’ve missed them!

2.) Get lots of hugs from those who love you. A warm hug can be one of the most relaxing and loving acts in the world. Give someone an extra hug – spread the love and happiness around – oh, and it’s free!

1.) Take care of you! You say, oh sure Mary, how can I do that? I still have to shop, wrap presents, see a ton of people, cook and clean – so how can I take care of me? It’s the little things that make you feel better. Lie in a tub for a little while, catch a movie, get something great to eat, read a good book – I don’t mean for hours. Give yourself even a half an hour a day to relax; it will make a difference in coping with stress.

Good luck handling the holidays – make sure you take care of those you love but most importantly, don’t forget how much you love you. Put yourself on the top of the list of someone to be good to this year.

Healers Heal Thyself

I have a really good friend of mine who has been going through substance abuse issues for the nine years that I’ve known him. It’s been one drama after another: between homelessness, fights, hospital visits, jail, several rehabs and conversations where I can’t even understand what he’s saying to me because he’s so drunk. It’s painful for me to watch. I’ve offered help many, many times with Reiki or some other modality that I know. Every once in a while, he’s taken me up on it but more often than not, he’s declined, saying he’s fine. It’s obvious he’s not but I can’t force help on him, right?

I have this problem where it pains me to watch my friend go through these problems. If only I could help him somehow, he would be so much better, isn’t that true?

It’s even more difficult for me as someone who considers herself a healer. It’s one of the things I feel a deep connection to and I’ve seen it do wonders for people.

It finally clicked as I watch my friend go through another rehab. Everything I learned in Reiki, Shamballa and all the other healing modalities doesn’t matter - the help is only good if the person who needs it wants it. They themselves do the healing – you are only the conduit. The only way his healing could occur is if my friend initiated and wanted it himself.

I intellectually understand this concept but when my friend was suffering, hurting, becoming someone I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t comprehend this concept. I offered help but realized I offered with conditions. If only he would do this, if only he would do that, no I wouldn’t give him money to do this, etc.

I had to step back and ask myself, as one soul to another, would imposing my will, my idea that my help could somehow change him, would that really do it?

Nope. I am not that powerful.

His will was what was going to do it. Once he got to the point that realized he was about to be homeless again, jobless, loose everything, his health was about to collapse, he said to me, “I’m going to rehab.” I hope this time will be different. And so far, 60 days later, it seems to be.

I should thank him because the experience taught me a powerful lesson. As a healer, it is not my place to impose my will on anyone, no matter what my relationship is with them. Who am I to mess with their karma? Who am I to stand in the way of what their path is? There are some situations where there needs to be an intervention but most of the time, it’s not my place to step in the way.

As a healer yourself, because whether or not you realize it, just by being you, you are a healer, you must decide when someone comes to you if they are asking for help or just venting. Maybe it’s as simple as asking whether or not they need help. Give them the opening to come forward and give them the choice to say no.

Your role as a healer is to create the healing when it is asked for, not when you think it is needed. Offering a kind word or a shoulder to cry on is wonderful but don’t judge if it doesn’t go any further than that.

Take a look at the people in your life – are you trying to heal them when they’ve not asked you to apply? If you take a step back, you may see the relationship change because you’re being open to the person, not trying to make the do something they don’t want to do.

Use that healing energy on yourself – place the effort within. The more you create healing and love within yourself, the more you’ll see it in others. You’ll be a better healer when those who need you do ask for help.

Angel Card Reading

(Using the Saints & Angels Deck by Doreen Virtue)

I asked the angels this month, on behalf of all those who read this, "How can I reduce stress in my life?"

My Inner Self-Healthful Eating/St. Raphael, the Archangel
My Outer Self-Safe Travel/St. Christopher
Overall – Animals/St. Francis of Assisi

December is a month that can create much stress in your life but don’t forget about the other 12 months of the year. The angels have messages for you for today and everyday to reduce stress and create more joy.

For your inner workings, St. Raphael, the healer, offers that eating healthier can create less stress. The body feels better and is less taxed. Let’s look at Healthy eating more broadly, though. This is about being careful about what you put into your body. Could it be you need healthier relationships, tv habits, music, words – what about the other things you are putting into your life? Take a look at what you’re “eating” on a daily basis. What will make it healthier? What can you incorporate or release to have healthier intake?

For your outer workings, St. Christopher, the patron Saint of Travel, is saying to make sure you are traveling safely always. Is your car in good shape? Are you paying attention to what is around you when you travel or are you absorbed in something else? How can you produce your own safe travel conditions? You may also choose to look at your final destination – is that safe for you emotionally, spiritually or otherwise?

St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment, tells us that nature can generate wonderful healing for us overall. Maybe it’s time to take in some of the lights outside? How about petting an animal – maybe even adopting one from a shelter? In the giving season, don’t forget Mother Earth overall – she gives so much back.

This reading reminds us that we have to expand our minds and look at situations differently, even during the busy time of year. If we craft peace for ourselves and others, instead of chaos, this time of year will be smoother than ever before. If you send chaos out to the universe, it will come back to you. The angels are telling you to open your eyes a little wider this year, during the holidays and other times, and see the chaos for what it is – something that you can control.

Thanks for reading my newsletter. Have a blessed holiday!

Mary D’Alba (SpiritualityGirl)



If you have a question, comment, want to subscribe, have a suggestion for a newsletter topic or even just to say hello, drop me an e-mail at mary@spiritualitygirl.com. You can unsubscribe at anytime, though I’d hate to see you go.

Current & Past Issues
May 2008, Issue Five
April 2008, Issue Four
December 2006, Issue Three
November 2006, Issue Two
October 2006, Issue One

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