Signs from the Angels – Pt. 1

Do you believe in angels?

I do.

Today I had a flashback about a time when I received a sign from one of my guardian angels.

During my late 20s, I met her in a dream. She showed herself in human form and she was beautiful with lots of light around her. She had on makeup and her hair was fly—she was quite the diva! Looking back at it, it’s is not surprising she would show up this way. I am into beauty; I love makeup, hot nails, and pampering of all kinds. God is omniscient and knows what speaks to you, how to get your attention, and to what you will relate. It’s called meeting you where you are.

The angel revealed her name as Miranda. At the time, the name was rare, and I had not heard it before. That was the last I would hear from Miranda in such a direct way for some time.

Several years later, I had relocated to Baltimore and immersed myself into my career. My job pattern was one where I was constantly overworked with little support and often in crisis-response mode. During this period, I worked extremely long hours and even spiraled into illness a couple of times until something within me finally snapped. I had reached my limit.

I decided I would create a “Brooke-Weekend” for myself. There would be no working from home or going into the office. I would pamper myself, take it light and do whatever came to mind to do that honored myself and made my heart sing. If it wasn’t fun and pleasing to me, it wasn’t going down. Period.  I even made up a little song about it. It was all about self-care and self-love that weekend.

I was out and about on my “Brooke-Weekend” when it happened.

I was headed down Wabash near Mt. Hope Drive in Baltimore and suddenly felt strongly lead to go into the Rite Aid in the plaza. I have learned over time to be obedient when I feel something strongly, trusting that the Divine is guiding me. I’m not perfect and sometimes may still be a little stubborn, but I had busted cheating boyfriends, avoided traffic snarls, and had come into many blessings following this guidance.  I had also discovered that God is not logical, and to just follow what I am given or I could have consequences to pay.

The feeling intensified. I remember saying to myself, I don’t need anything from Rite Aid, why do I need to go in here? The answer came back, just go in and get a Coke. Now, because of my health, I had to steer myself away from sugar. This included breaking my addiction to soda—“pop” I probably still called it at the time coming from Detroit. I fussed back and forth in my head at the logic, but the feeling was so strong I had to obey.

I went in. I walked around the store for a while, trying to discover why I was led there. I couldn’t figure it out and began to second -guess my judgment. Maybe I heard wrong? Or, I thought, perhaps my timing was off and I had missed what it was I was supposed to see.

Finally, I gave up, and took my snacks to the check-out line. I still looked around, trying to figure it out. Still no clue or signs. It was my turn to pay. I stepped up to the counter, placed my items down and looked at the cashier.

Her name tag said “Miranda”.

Chills rippled through me. For a minute I was frozen. She gave me my total and stared at me wondering what I was waiting on. In a flash it came to me that the cashier was not my angel who had taken on flesh, but that my Miranda did want me to know that she was with me, and approved of my deciding to finally take care of myself.

I was full and in awe.  

I’m not sure what made me flash back to that experience. But here are a few of the things that can be taken away from or offered from it:

11)  I am, We are, never alone.

22) Follow your intuition/divine guidance. We never know what blessings or protection are being offered.

33) The Divine is always available and constantly communicating with you. Pray and ask for signs of confirmation, and stay open to receiving what you asked for.   

44) The Universe is supportive, loving and cheering for us to live our best lives.

55) No matter what it’s looking like in your life right now, God is still on the throne and we can expect even greater things.

Namaste.

(Photo of angel available on www.musefinds.com- An Afro-Kin Store)

Reflections from a Sacred Place

…That moment when you look out at nature and remember you are a part of something much greater than your individual life and all the dramas that play out on the stage you’ve created.

I felt led to visit the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center in Marriotsville, MD, to meditate and clear my thoughts. I’ve come to these prayer-filled grounds for years, to walk the labyrinth, experience the zen garden or just get some quiet time away from the city. Here, I go within, de-stress and reconnect with the Divine in this wooded, tranquil space.

With the trees blowing in the warm wind against the backdrop of the blue sky, I am keenly aware of the perfection that surrounds me. I am aware of order.

A raven soars above. The breeze is perfect. Not too warm or too cool for me in my summer dress.

Chirps and buzzing fill my ears, yet my fear of insects has subsided as I sit on a wooden bench overlooking the forest. I hear rushing water in the distance and I become aware that the tension I once held in my abdomen is gone.

 I envision myself surrounded by and filled with divine white light, that begins at the center of the universe and goes deep into the earth below my feet. Sacred energy flows through my consciousness as I move into a state of expanded awareness.

I am immersed in a sea of beauty. I leave this place feeling much lighter and more aligned with Spirit than I did when I arrived.

As my mind begins its trek Sunday evening, shifting its focus from the weekend to prepping for the week ahead, I am thankful that the gift of imagination can propel me back here whenever I get ready.

I will return to this sacred place in consciousness this week as I dash between meetings, push to meet deadlines and navigate rush hour traffic. The principles of peace, beauty and harmony I’ve experienced here I will remind myself of often as “life” bombards me in the days to come.

And though you were not with me, I invite you to pause as well this week from time to time. Take a moment to detach and breathe deep, intentional breaths. Close your eyes and allow your consciousness to take you someplace serene-- like the one I described today, or one of your own making-- where you can ground yourself and be reminded that there is something greater to which you are, to which we all are, connected. And all is truly well.