2009… What a year!

Not a recession, but a transformation. We began by choosing our annual mantra—rejuvenation. Commencing with our house…deconstructing and then reconstructing our kitchen. My husband, Steve, and I love to cook, so updating our 1950’s kitchen was a gift to ourselves, a rejuvenation of our passion. Yet the heart of our home in utter chaos for five months was difficult to bear. With the removal of our stove, my muse left. I expected to finish book two of the LoveDance series this year, but… Life happens.

During the chaos of remodeling, Steve protected Santa Barbara at night, and spent his days coaching high school track. With our children away at college, time with the local kids brings Steve a blessed break from police work.

Mid summer found us spending precious time with our children. Jarys, now 25, lives in San Francisco, supervising an after school program and working on his teaching credentials. Twenty-one year old Kyra is applying for nursing school, finishing up her prereqs at San Diego State University. Both very, very busy and at the opposite ends of the state! We are so very proud of them, yet miss them so very much.

The highlight of our summer was a romantic anniversary trip to Cancun. Even after 26 years of marriage, Steve and I are passionate about each other. We wish our children the joy of finding their soul mates too.

After losing our beloved Sara last December, we searched the Border Collie rescues for another. Finally in September, on Sara’s birthday, we got Charlie. Imagine Santa’s Little Helper from the Simpsons in black and white. Well, that’s our Charlie. Hope, our Great Dane is ecstatic. Pippin, the cat, is tolerant. Puppy training precluded writing and then… life happens again.

After returning from speaking at the national nurse practitioner conference in October, I got a call from Steve’s 90 year old grandmother. Her caretaker—Steve’s mom was deathly ill. We rescued them both, took Gran home and his mom to the ER. Thankfully Mom Maragopoulos survived her odyssey with modern medicine to rehab in our beautiful healing home. Keeping my finger on the pulse reminded me why I no longer practice conventional medicine. Intuitive Integrative Medicine has served my patients, my family, and my soul purpose very well, thank the Divine. All during the kitchen chaos, the summer lull, the fall fiasco, business was busier than ever. Patients presented themselves to receive the lessons of gratitude, self-nurturing, and patience I was learning from life.

Like caterpillars in a chrysalis, we transformed in seeming stillness. No great accomplishments, yet here we are facing 2010 ready to emerge from our cocoon as butterflies. I pray you and yours are rejuvenated this New Year, transformed by love as we have been.

Blessings of health, happiness, and love,

Deborah

I'm back from my spirit trip!

I just returned from New Mexico where I spoke at the national nurse practitioner conference. My topic was Recession Proof your Practice, but truly I shared a primer on how to manifest your reality. For me, this recession has been a joyous transformation, financially my best year yet as I float upon the river of consciousness open to receive the gift of each and every encounter.

Truly I manifest my reality as we all do. This weekend was no exception. One quite enlightened retired NP embraced me after my presentation and said that she wished I had been available when she was practicing because she never came out of the closet as an intuitive. She recognized that my audience was not receptive to my light and advised that as I manifest my practice, I must manifest my audience, then she offered her support energetically in my journey.

I did manifest that audience for I had little hope. While most of my colleagues are not yet ready to think out of the box of the insurance driven model of conventional medicine, a few received me. For that I am grateful.

My intention for this trip was to have a spirit journey. I did not make any plans but “saw” myself with a friend having a spiritual experience. As I drove down to the airport on Wednesday afternoon, I took a chance and called my friend. After a year of not connected, I was surprised she picked up! She was happy to see me but couldn’t come to Albuquerque where I would be speaking since she was having a family gathering but would love to have me. Unfortunately no rental cars would be available during the annual hot air balloon fiesta. I envisioned myself there and upon arrival checked with the rental car company at the hotel. Alas no cars…but I left my number and went about exploring the historic Route 66 on foot J

The next morning, I took a long walk to Old Town, had a nice light breakfast, returned to the hotel and packed a bag in preparation to visit my friend who lived over 160 miles southeast. I then got a phone call from the rental car company…that a car was available. So I called my friend for directions. She didn’t pick up! I went down to the lobby ready to go and prayed…she called back with directions.

What an amazing trip! A very long drive through the desert…without cell reception and very few signs of civilization. Then I headed up the mountains into gorgeous vistas and arrived on her property. We had a special time connecting, experiencing each other’s healing hands (she is a naturopath), then she took me to see a grandmother tree. An ancient alligator juniper that we embraced together…how very healing! On her property I perceived the energy of ancient civilizations. She confirmed my perceptions from recent archeological datings of remains. With a kiss and a hug, I left after dark…not the brightest plan. The deer, antelope and exotic oryx are in rut, so I wrapped white light around me and called in my guardian angels. Thank goodness, because about 40 miles later as I was opening a water bottle to take a sip, something jumped out of the dark. I hit my brakes and they locked up, spinning the car around once, twice, three times. As if in slow motion, I conversed with my angels…hey, a little help please. I landed two feet from the guard rail…safe and sound! A lesson in being present….my mind was back at the hotel!

On Saturday morning I took a hot air balloon ride. It was amazing! The most wonderful part was the connection I made with another nurse practitioner who truly seems to get what I have to offer. After the balloon ride, we all went to breakfast at a great New Mexican cafe in Old Town Albuquerque. The food was spicy and the conversation invigorating. Now because of my very passionate energy, I tend to excite others. Many wish to be a part of my vision, yet most are "talking heads" as my husband so accurately describes them. But this time, she really listened (or perhaps I felt received). When I voiced that while I am a healer, a teacher and a visionary, I am not a facilitator, she replied, "That is what I am."

I truly went to New Mexico with the intention of having a spirit trip. My dream is to teach healers to heal themselves....spiritually, emotionally and physically. I pray that this time I might fulfill my dream.