ohm me ohm my

It's amazing how much you can learn from your pets.




I saw Nala, who is 14, doing this one day. In the midst of the constant noise and activity at home, she simply shut out the world and enjoyed some nice, quiet "me" time.

That's what we all need to do. Shut out the world and focus within.

It's not as easy as it looks, for it's often easier to allow ourselves to get caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life so that we have an excuse for not staying connected with our higher selves, God and the universe.

But first, we need to love ourselves enough. It's pretty hard for most of us to justify putting our own needs before others.

But to borrow a well known advertising catchphrase, We're Worth It.

For it's only through quiet contemplation and meditation that we can refocus and centre ourselves.

And when we're connected with our spirit, we can face the world with calmness and compassion.



See?

Ohm my.

the best things in life are free

Today, I received an email from someone who wanted to know what I thought of an email that she'd recently received.

It was from a psychic who promised this woman that she could have all the money, love and gambling luck in the world because she was, apparently, a "supra-celestial being", different from everyone else.

Despite the many assurances peppered throughout that the message had only been sent to her because she was so unique, it was obviously a form letter, albeit an extremely long one.

As expected, right at the end, there was an invitation to grant the psychic permission to perform some occult ritual that would ensure that this woman would get the money, love and luck that she so deserved as a supra-celestial being -- for a fee.

She could even buy the psychic's protection, if she so chose.

I simply told the person to follow her gut feel, and do what she felt was right.

Personally, I believe that we are all created by God. We are all made in His image and, therefore, we are all special. No one is better or more special than another.

For our souls -- that divine spark that God put into us all -- makes us all the same.

I don't believe I deserve more money, love and gambling luck than the next person.

But I do believe that we all deserve the best, and we can have the best if we would only allow ourselves to think and live positively.

For the best things in life are free.

churchill's visit

Our dog Churchill visited tonight.

Church passed away on the night of July 22 two years ago, at age 14.

Last night, about five minutes after I'd gone upstairs to have a shower, my husband went upstairs too. And as he climbed the stairs, he was assailed by a strong doggie smell that was distinctively Church's.

It went off after a few minutes, but we are both sure it was Church, just saying hi and letting us know he still likes to hang out with us.

My husband and I are both animal lovers, and we've loved and lost several pets in the 19 years that we've been married. But we do believe that our pets have souls, and that they, too, go home to heaven when it is time for them to.

Our four oldest pets -- two dogs and two cats -- all died within two years of one another.


A little under a year after Church passed on, our other dog Cindy, who was Church's beloved friend, followed. She was 16.

A few days after her passing, I was picking up my handbag and getting ready to leave for work when I saw both Cindy and Church stretched out in the family room. They both looked as they did in their prime, and they were both grinning broadly at me.

They looked so well and happy that I couldn't help smiling too. And I thanked them for showing me that they were both fine and happy to be together again.

Several months later, our oldest cat Hepburn joined them at age 17, and then Shelley, who was 14+ and best friends with Church, followed.

At each passing, I both sensed and saw the angels coming to take each beloved pet home.

And the knowledge that their souls are important enough to merit the angels coming to comfort and guide them into the light, when it is their time to go, lessened the sorrow of losing them.

The truth is, we haven't lost them at all -- at least, not in spirit.

I was sitting and watching TV once, and suddenly I felt and sensed Shelley sitting on my lap and purring.

Another time, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt Hep sleeping with me.

None of the incidents were scary. Instead, they were all loving and joyous experiences. For they simply confirm what I now know: One day, we will all be together as a family again.

In the meantime, I'm just happy with their visits.

my knights in shining armour!

For someone who grew up in tropical Singapore, you'd think I'd be used to our quick-change weather by now.

When I got on the bus to get to work this morning, it promised to be another hot and humid day. But the No.13 that I boarded was new, and I had my book with me, so I settled in for a comfortable hour-long journey.

Five minutes before reaching my destination, the rain came. And it wasn't a light drizzle.

With no brolly and a 30m walk from the bus-stop to the office, I knew I'd be drenched by the time I reached the lobby. So I prayed for a miracle.

God, please make the rain stop. Or at least make it lighten up so I can reach the office without getting too wet.

The rain became a downpour just as I stepped off the bus.

Okay, so it wasn't stopping yet. But it would, I told myself. I'd asked for a miracle and I knew I'd get it. Even if it didn't look like it was about to dry up anytime soon.

I continued to walk away from the bus-stop until the overhead shelter ran out and I couldn't take another step without getting wet.

Just as I stopped walking, a taxi came out of nowhere and drew up right next to me to let a young man get out. The passenger smiled at me as he alighted and left the door open for me.

I thanked him and waved to the driver, who nodded and indicated that I should get in. As I quickly got in, I apologised.

"I'm so sorry, but I only need you to drive a very short distance. My office is just 30m ahead, but I would really appreciate it if you could drive me up to the lobby."

Half expecting a scolding or at least a glare for inconveniencing him in the pouring rain, the driver simply smiled and said, "That's all right. I know the building."

We were there in two minutes. The meter didn't even get the chance to tick long enough for the flag-down fare to increase.

I tipped the driver, of course, and thanked him before adding: "You were the answer to my prayers."

He simply laughed and wished me a good day.

I got to the office with no more than a few drops of rain on my shoulders.

Know what? I wouldn't be surprised if that driver and his passenger were both angels who came to my rescue when I asked for help.

I thank them both, and I thank God for starting my work week with a miracle.