Through the Fire and Ice, a Winter of Wonder

Happy February! The month of celebrating Heart-Space!  

Here in New Jersey, we are chilling out with the latest snowfall, turning our landscape into a winter wonderland of glistening snow. Our town only had about 4 inches, so it's easy to just witness the beauty without much effort involved. As I gaze at the winter wonders out my window, I have to appreciate the wonders within my own life.

For it has truly been a time of fire and ice for my family these past 3 months.  

I am grateful for the crisp air that helps cool the memories of dealing with November 30, 2012, when burglars burned down my in-laws house in an arson fire after they stole sentimental jewelry from them, leaving them with not much material possessions. So far, there's about 10 things retrieved from the burned out shell of a former family compound of 35 years. I love that the first few things retrieved from the devastation were rosary beads, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a necklace and a mosaic gift my children had made for my mother-in-laws August birthday . 

"You can steal from a house, but you can't take away the heart of a home when it's built on God and love." 

Those words were channeled through me in the darkest of days, when reality set in, and they mean sooo much to me, even now, becoming a mantra for me when the sadness creeps in over the material losses, reminding me too, that my mother and father and law weren't home that day and are healthy.

 Getting through the initial days of shock, in the beginning of December, I was pleased to have a visit from my precious Great Aunt Rose, who passed away 8 years ago. Through my tears I told her how happy I was to see her, but I expressed my surprise at her visit, since I hadn't "experienced" her in a while. She reminded me that she had dealt with a fire at her house ( due to a dryer vent that needed to be de-linted), many years before, and was at my side to comfort me and get me through this time, to deliver a 'hug' from the other side. I am so grateful for the open-mind God has given me that I am able to know and acknowledge visitors when they come to me from the other-side. We all have this ability, but often don't pay attention to it or don't want to deal with it.
    I am grateful for the healing that has begun amongst my family members, and for the fire that burns within our hearts, to keep us going through tough times, continuing to ignite our spirits with hope. 

Most certainly I am glad for the spiritual tools I have in my toolbelt that has helped my family and myself to get through the journey at this time.
Watching my 9-year old daughter cope with her upset, by coloring 13 mandala pictures in her bed one night, on her own, helped to keep me centered and focused on sharing these tools via workshops. 
Mandala's are tools for healing, in case you aren't sure what they're about. They can be just a pretty image if you want, or they can calm the healing heart by providing a safe, nurturing expression of self. Never underestimate the power of coloring :)
That being said, I have some exciting news to share with you! 

Walk With Me, a new show about Lola Irizarry's spiritual journey, that will air on Comcast/Fios/PhillyCam beginning in March 2013,will be taping at a couple of my February workshops! Join us and be a part of it all on Tues 2/12/13 at the Heart Mandala workshop, 7-9pm, at NJBalance Wellness Center, 43 S. Main street, Meford Village, NJ 08055.

May your Valentine's Day and month of celebrating love, shower you with abundance, healing, new opportunities and joy.

May your heart always be alight, through the darkest of days, igniting your spirit with hope.

 In Love, light and giggles,

Kristy at www.bluelilybella.com