Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

I know that you believe you 

understand what you think I said, 

but I'm not sure you realize that 

what you heard is not what I meant.

- Robert McCloskey

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: February 23 - March 17, 2013

Everyone has their Mercury Retrograde horror stories!

Communications go wonky. Computers misbehave. Things are lost and then found later and then lost again. Appointments get cancelled or forgotten. Wrong numbers are dialed  Delays interrupt the normal flow of things. Second thoughts lead us to doubt our decisions. Arguments erupt. The best laid plans seem to spin their wheels in the mud, and "business as usual" can be very hard to maintain. We drift off in mid-sentence and wonder what we were just... um..... you know...

When Mercury goes retrograde, it appears to go backwards in the sky. Physically speaking, this is an optical illusion. Any retrograde planet's energy becomes much more internalized, more intense and harder to express outwardly in a way that is direct and clear.

This phase lasts 3 to 3½ weeks. It's usually best to not expect everything to go "business as usual" during this time! Leave yourself lots of extra time to do what needs to be done and to get wherever you're going. It's very common to encounter unexpected delays and complications that can be time-consuming and frustrating if you're not prepared for them. This is a good time to research and investigate information that will help you make later decisions, but avoid making final or irreversible decisions now, if possible.

Don't assume that the other person is "on the same page" that you are. Miscommunications are very common, and (like the quote at the start of this article) what you think was communicated may not be what was actually heard. Double check everything, and be prepared for surprises and delays. Stay flexible as much as possible.

There is absolutely a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently--through different filters--and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.  Catch up on things you've been putting off, finish up old projects, and take some time for closure with the things in your life that have recently ended. Do what anyone does when they take a breather ― relax, regroup, recharge and reconsider your plan of action.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It's not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is very possible once Mercury turns direct. However, it's a fabulous time to do some "outside of the box" thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

Melody "Lil Mel"  McGowan

Life Coach, Author, & Professional Adviser

Let Your Heart Heal Life Coaching 

 (888) 626-7386 ext. 13152

http://www.lilmel.com

https://www.facebook.com/AdvisorLilMel 

Meet New People

We connect with others by leaving our comfort zone

with an open, friendly, upbeat attitude. 

 One of the most common concerns expressed by many clients is the lack of social interaction, friends, or potential romantic partners.  My response is to encourage clients to get out and meet new people. 

Meeting new people and making friends can be overwhelming and scary, especially if you find yourself in a new place.  Making friends comes easy to some people, but to others it may take more time and effort.  The first step is to leave your comfort zone.  Instead of going to the same old places, shake up your routine, venture to the unknown, go to new places, develop new interests, and  seek out new people! 

Volunteering is a perfect way to meet other good-hearted people.  Volunteering is a good thing to do all the way around. It helps build your self-esteem, it forces you to connect with others, and it gets you outside of your normal routine. Why not make friends while you help someone else? You'll meet passionate people who can show you a different side of things.

Clubs, gyms, book clubs, or social groups are great places to meet new people and they usually welcome newcomers with open arms!  Not only is going to the gym to keep fit a good thing, you can meet new people!  Of course you are focused on getting through your work-out, but the gym is filled with potential new friends.   One way to meet new people this is by taking a few exercise classes. Another way is to look for run or walks in the your neighborhood, which are often posted in the gym.

If you are seeking out new friendship, try reviving some of your past friendships.  Perhaps a few are worth reviving?   Friendships don't always end on negative terms. Sometimes friends just drift apart or begin to have nothing in common. But that can change as each friend's life has changed.

No matter what approach you choose, pay attention to the image and attitude you project.  Display openness and warmth to the people around you.  Be open, friendly, and smile at everyone you meet!  Show that you are interested in meeting new people.  Give others a chance to see and appreciate all the wonderful qualities you have.  Remember to take it slowly.  Meeting new people is not an overnight process--so don't expect too much too fast.   Get to know your new found friends one step at a time.  

Making friends doesn’t need to be complicated, often you can meet new people just by changing a few things in your daily routine. 



Melody "Lil Mel"  McGowan
Life Coach, Author, & Professional Adviser
Let Your Heart Heal Life Coaching 
 (888) 626-7386 ext. 13152
http://www.lilmel.com
https://www.facebook.com/AdvisorLilMel 

Keep Your Fork

‎"Keep your fork....The best is yet to come".

I read this the other day and the message was too good not to share....


There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.

So as she was getting her things "in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?"came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!"

"So, I just want people to see me there in the casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, "What's with the fork?"

Then, I want you to tell them:

"Keep your fork....The best is yet to come".

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye.

He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.

She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over, the pastor heard the question,
"What's with the fork?"

And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died.  He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

(Author unknown VIA POSITIVE THOUGHTS)


Melody "Lil Mel"  McGowan
Life Coach, Author, & Professional Adviser
Let Your Heart Heal Life Coaching 
 (888) 626-7386 ext. 13152
http://www.lilmel.com
https://www.facebook.com/AdvisorLilMel