"Peace Pilgrim's story tells how she lived her last three decades without money or possessions.This is not a journey that most of us would tackle, but it's a fascinating choice and an interesting lesson in trust."   about Peace Pilgrim from Money Stories    

Hi Friends       I said in last month's email that I thought 2014 a would be about taking a pilgrimage that is internal rather than external, and indeed that's my focus!
    I always take the time between New Years and my birthday in February to decide what I want to focus on for the next year. My process includes asking spirit for suggestions and answers, listening, drumming, pulling cards, and listening some more. From that process a focus word or phrase comes into my mind and I know in my gut this will be my year's focus. Sometimes the decision takes the entire 6 weeks and sometimes less. This year's focus came quickly: an internal pilgrimage of trust and transformed beliefs.
    The beliefs I want to impact are around my relationship with money. Last year I published Money Stories, a book about money, spirituality, and abundance. Over the last decade or so I have come a long way toward changing my money beliefs, but I still carry some ideas that tell me money/abundance are not for me. Beliefs such as I don't deserve abundance or that if I have money I'm taking it away from someone else who deserves it more seem to be very deeply embedded.
    At a mental level I know that I'm worth it, but this little devil sitting on one shoulder keeps telling me not to believe. The book Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks and Abraham talks about our desires and beliefs needing to vibrationally match where we are with where we want to be. So that's my transformation work this year.
    ve already begun the process by using EFT and a daily gratitude script and have seen some amazing results. I just need to make those and exercises daily practices.

   And about trust...  Sunday, at the Dark Moon Drumming Circle, I led a meditation for the group. As I was leading the participants in asking their guides what needed to be released, questions kept coming to mind: "How do I do such and such?" and answers kept coming back "You don't need to do anything. Just keep show up and the way will be revealed." Well, there's trust!
   By the way, everyone at drumming circle on Sunday agreed that it was one of the best circles yet. All of us just drummed without "trying to drum." One person said the circle was about giving and that he felt our drumming was an offering or a give away and we all agreed. It felt like we'd all stepped into a different reality.
    If you have suggestions about my belief changing pilgrimage, please email me (gmnite@yahoo.com) or leave a comment on my blog or any of my FaceBook pages.   
 
Other things: 
*  First, Sun. Feb. 2  I'll be participating in a Book Signing at the Northwest Independent Writers Association's Author's Showcase at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove  which will be from 2-4:30 pm. Books can be purchased and signed; gift baskets will be raffled off during the afternoon (each of the more than 20 authors are providing a gift basket for the raffle).     

*  Second, check out the February special on the Astrology page to help you look at Your Astrological Money Story.

What is the meaning of abundance? This year I plan to explore that topic.

On January 3 a friend sent a link to an article that suggested a 21 day money diet. We would pay our bills to keep our households running, rent, utilities, food, car insurance and gas, but only for necessities. No going out to coffee, meals, movies, unnecessary things. No shopping for any items except those that are for sustenance. Yesterday was 21 days and I decided to continue the diet through the end of the month. Venus is retrograde until then. Venus retrograde can help one look at what is of value and importance.

I did spend $5 at a sushi place, but that is the only unnecessary expense since Jan 3. I had to think about it for a day  before I allowed myself to do it.  I think that is a good thing--being conscious of spending.

I've learned a lot in the past 3 weeks, but one main thing is that I use spending as company and as something to keep me from boredom and depression. This month I've basically spent money on gas and food and a few other needed things--less than a quarter of what I usually spend in 3 weeks above home expenses. I found I could do it and have enjoyed the exercise.

I didn't spend much money but I felt a pretty abundant. And it wasn't about money, it was much more about just feeling comfortable with myself.  More to be revealed...