Creature Thoughts (October 2009)

“Creature Thoughts“

GAZEHOUND’S ANIMAL COMMUNICATION NEWS

October 2009

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Keeping in touch with the animals….
and the people who love them

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The Tree With the Lights In It
“Focal Points”

Long, long ago, I was mesmerized by a book by a woman called Annie Dillard.  The book was called Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek.  In one section of the book, long about page 80 or so, Dillard begins to talk about “The Tree With The Lights In It”.

In the August, 2009 issue of Creature Thoughts, I mentioned this tree, and how, since reading that book back in the late 1970s, I have used the image as a focal point.  Whether I am meditating, or connecting with an animal, or simply need to really get rooted and grounded mentally, emotionally or spiritually, The Three With The Lights In It has never failed me.  It’s my favorite focal point, and brings me back to where I need to be without fail.

If you’ve been reading Creature Thoughts, or my other blog articles, you’ve heard me refer often to “focus”.  It’s imperative to be able to focus, regardless of whether you’re pursuing a physical activity that requires concentration, or a spiritual one.  Many people who claim they have trouble meditating will blame that trouble on an inability to focus.  This is where adopting a favorite focal point can be a valuable tool.

Everyone will have a different image they like to focus on, and even though two people may share a general tool, each person is going to perceive that tool in his own unique way.  Many people use candles to focus when they meditate, for example, but each person will describe a different sensation, or zero in on a different aspect of the flame, once they become in tuned with the practice.  (A note of caution here, candles aren’t necessarily the best choice for cat owners.  Just ask my dear friend’s long-haired tortie-cat … and her poor singed tail.)

Some people need a physical image to bring their minds into the realm of peaceful concentration.  Others hold to a mental image that is just as reliable.  One reason I love “my tree” is that the image created such strong and vivid emotions the first time I read the phrase, that it’s stayed with me, and is something I can carry along no matter where I am.  The Tree With The Lights In It, in fact, is so real to me that I’ve occasionally had animals, when I’ve used it to help alleviate distractions during a connection, actually ask me about the tree.  It’s so clear in my mind, that they can see it in theirs.

Whenever I think of focal points, I can’t help thinking of childbirth.  If you’ve had children, and gone through Lamaze or other natural childbirth training, you’ll know what I mean.  Lamaze teaches the use of focal points to help the mother past the pain of contractions.  With the birth of my daughter, I chose my husband’s eyes as my focal point.  Poor guy.  When transition (they don’t call it that for nothing….) came, and the pain became practically unbearable, my poor hubby had nail-marks in his hands and arms because I was so “focused” on those green eyes that I wouldn’t let him move from in front of me.

I wish I had remembered the tree at that point for his sake, you know?

If you are practicing animal communication, and find that your mind often wanders, and makes it difficult for you to maintain a connection, back up a bit and examine the concept of personal focal points.  Think back on objects or images, moments in time, memories that bring you a sense of peace, and which you are certain can hold your attention.  Play with different images until you find one that works for you almost every time … and carry it with you.  Like my Tree With The Lights In It, your personal focal point will help you to move forward on your journey, and be a friend you can count on always.

FYI NOTES and NEWS

Don’t Forget….

… that gift certificates do have an expiration date. If you’ve given them as gifts, or have them tucked safely away at home, check those dates and be sure to redeem them before they expire. I’ll continue to post this reminder in each issue of “Creature Thoughts”.

Gift certificates are always available at a special discounted price.  Visit the Rates and Services page for details.

Website Features

Challenge Games

Our second Challenge Game, “Who Am I?” is online!  Have you played yet?  Remember that it will be replaced by the next game mid-month.  Visit the site by the link above, and join us in a new intuitive experience!

The Book Shop

New Additions and Featured Items:

• Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard
• Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley
• Nature-Speak; Signs, Omens and Messages in Nature, by Ted Andrews
• The Artist’s Way; A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron

More On-Site Fun

Some Recent Rambles

• New Animal Planet Show, “Superfetch”
• Guest Post by Josh Hanagarne, the World’s Strongest Librarian
• Challenge Game #2: Who Am I?
• Review of the Joy-Journal by Velma Gallant

Polls

I have added a Poll feature in the left sidebar of the website.  This month’s poll asks whether you would like to see me offer a monthly live group-chat session.  Feel free to stop by and add your vote!

Testimonials

Have I helped you with your animal friends in a way that you’d like to share with others?  Feel free to visit the Testimonials Page, and leave a “Reply”!

And Other Stuff, too!

Don’t forget that you can always keep up with changes and info on rates, policies, and “other fun stuff” on my website, including the archives of Creature Thoughts.

Additional Web Address! I often have to spell things out — slowly, including things like “z, as in zebra” — when I give my website address over the phone.  Therefore, I’ve taken out a second domain name:  AnimalCommunicator-NY.com.  Visiting that address will automatically redirect visitors to the regular website, and hopefully, it will be easier for people to write down and share.

Off-Site

E-News List

It has become more important than ever, that all of my clients are subscribed to my e-news list. Thus, whenever anyone inquires about information, or sets up an appointment, they will receive both an invitation to the list and a separate note from me letting them know they’ve been invited. I strongly encourage all my clients to stay in touch, by remaining subscribed to this list. And please feel free to forward this newsletter issue to any friends, family, and acquaintances whom you feel might be interested in joining us.

Free Help For Our Animal Friends at NELR

Northeast Llama Rescue and Barnyard Sanctuary and New York Wildlife Rescue (an IRS 501(c)(3) charity) accept Paypal donations through their website at http://www.redmaplefarm.net. I’ve dedicated much time and love in the past several years toward helping to build a safe place for our wild friends in need, and our livestock rescues, and am extending the offer to all of you to aid in their care as well. And now, we have a totally painless (and free) way for anyone to support the animals at NYWRC/NELR. If you sign up to shop online through iGive.com, at no cost to you, every purchase you make through the iGive gateway will earn a donation for the animals.

To sign up to shop through iGive for NYWRC:

http://www.igive.com/NYWildlifeRescueCenter

And even if you don’t sign up (but why would anyone not sign up since it’s free and painless?), you can still earn money with each internet search you do simply by logging in to the iGive search engine rather than Google or whichever other search engine you normally use:

http://www.isearchigive.com/NYWildlifeRescueCenter

I set the above link as my homepage in my browser to remind me to search through iGive and earn pennies for the animals each time I search. iGive’s usual one cent per search is doubled through the month of December, too, so get using it now while we can earn the big bucks!

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Gayle Nastasi (of Gazehound’s Animal Communication) is a professional animal communication consultant and writer, who hopes her connection to the animal world can serve as a way to help her fellow humans enrich their relationships with their animal companions. By better knowing our non-human friends, we ensure a kinder future for our world and we learn what it means to be a unique and essential part of all that is. Permission is given to forward this article to anyone you feel might enjoy it, as long as it is understood that copyrights are held by Gayle Nastasi, and the author’s name, and links to her website(s) are left intact. If this publication has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to Gazehound’s free monthly e-newsletter, “Creature Thoughts”, just visit the newsletter link below.

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Related posts:

1. Creature Thoughts (September 2009)
2. Creature Thoughts: October 2010
3. Creature Thoughts: December 2009