Category: Self improvement

The Belonging We Never Lost

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A download changed everything.

That’s an odd thing for me to write. After working twenty-six years in the software industry, I used to cringe a little when someone spoke about receiving a “download” from spirit. Yet it’s the best word to describe the insight I received.

For much of my earlier life, I never quite felt I belonged. I was quieter and more reflective than most of my family. I was also a sensitive, clumsy, gay boy growing up in a straight world. There were moments of connection, like singing in my college chapel choir, but they were only glimpses of what I longed for.

Years later, I realized my path was leading somewhere different. Leaving the Paulists to pursue a committed relationship was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Although I knew it was the right one, I didn’t recognize until recently that part of me was still trying to hold onto that identity and that family. I continued searching for that same sense of belonging through spiritual workshops and communities, grateful for the friendships I found, yet sensing something was still missing.

Then came the download.

The message was simple: perhaps the belonging I have been searching for is the belonging I experienced before incarnating, when I was part of the great oneness of God and fully connected with all that is. It was an experience without limitations. Human life, by its very nature, has limitations.

What if the longing so many of us carry isn’t because something is wrong with us? What if it is a faint memory of the complete belonging we once knew?

The insight continued. That divine belonging was never lost. It remains part of who I am, and one of my tasks in this life is to remember it and gently remind others. That’s really what Remember Your Divine You has always meant to me.

At the same time, I felt another invitation: appreciate the belonging available here on Earth. Human relationships may never mirror the complete unity of the divine realm, but they offer something equally precious. We not only share the same divine essence, we also share the joys, struggles, disappointments, and blessings of being human.

I’ve begun wondering whether I’ve sometimes held back from fully giving or receiving love because I unconsciously expected human relationships to satisfy a longing they were never meant to fulfill. That’s something I’ll continue reflecting on.

What do you think? Have you ever felt that you didn’t quite fit in? Perhaps the belonging you’ve been searching for isn’t something you need to find. Perhaps it’s something you’ve always carried within you. And then bring that awareness to the relationships you have today.

Full disclosure: I used ChatGPT to edit and condense this blog post. The experiences, insights, and message are my own, but it helped me express them more concisely.

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When the Outcome Isn’t Yours

Joe4 Comments

These days so much is chaotic. We don’t know what will happen next. In such a world, sometimes we hesitate to start something new unless we’re certain of the outcome. Otherwise, we fear we’d be wasting our time and effort. As a former engineer, that kind of thinking is familiar.

Recently, I was reminded of a decision I made that ran counter to that. Years ago, while searching for what being a spirit healer entailed, I enrolled in a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a personal agreement: if, at any time, this path didn’t feel right, I could stop and not judge myself a failure or the money spent a waste.

Now, after publishing two books in my spirit healer series, working on the third, and contributing to several spiritual books, I’ve come to recognize that part of my calling is to be both a storyteller and story-receiver, creating space for people to see themselves in the story and share their own.

While I treasure these accomplishments, I’ve been disappointed that the books and their messages have reached only a limited number of people.

That disappointment was complicated by something that happened years earlier. Shortly after I began writing book one, my divine advisors warned me about becoming arrogant because of my future success. The message seemed odd given at the time, but I took it seriously and made expressing gratitude a daily practice.

Fast forward a few years, and I found myself wondering if I hadn’t done enough because that success hadn’t arrived.

The message I heard from my advisors the other day was simple: I needed to let go of the outcome, just like I had with my Counseling Psychology degree.

They further encouraged me to continue with my story-receiving effort, as I was truly offering healing in the process. The image of a farmer planting seeds came to mind. Once planted, the farmer must trust Mother Nature to do her part.

That perspective helped me release the belief that my lack of success was not because I hadn’t done enough.

Then, two days ago, on a flight home from vacation, I watched the musical “Merrily We Roll Along.” The next morning, a song from it, “Our Time,” kept playing in my mind. Since my advisors often communicate through music, I paid attention.

Something is stirring,
Shifting ground
It’s just begun.
Edges are blurring
All around,
And yesterday is done.

It’s our time, breathe it in:
Worlds to change and worlds to win…

And you and me,
We’ll be singing it like the birds,
Me with music and you the words,
Tell ’em things they don’t know!

Our turn coming through,
Me and you, man,
Me and you!

To me, it seemed to suggest that the success they had spoken of might be unfolding through our joint effort. Yet the lesson remained unchanged. My focus still had to be on planting the seeds and letting the outcome to emerge as it will.

Where do you stand with your own calling, path, or work? Are you willing to take a risk, do something you’re drawn to, regardless of the outcome, even if it doesn’t make sense at first? Sometimes, we’re invited to proceed anyway and just see how things unfold.

June 11, 2026

I watched another podcast today with Lee Harris. His guides also mentioned releasing a need on specific outcomes. Moments after I finished, I received a message, whether from my own intuition or guides, I don’t know. Here’s the message:

For those who are lightworkers or trying to make life better for all,
it’s so easy to get discouraged when we don’t notice that what we’ve done has an impact or makes a difference. Relying on outcomes only leads to giving up.

Rather, continue praying, envisioning a better world,
and doing what makes sense for you and your path.
Then, let go of the rest.

Trust me; it does make a difference even if you can’t see, feel, or sense it.

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What Survives the Storm

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Check out What Survives the Storm, a new collaborative book released a couple of weeks ago, featuring my chapter, Standing at the Edge.

The description on the Amazon page is as follows: In life’s most difficult moments, we often discover a strength we didn’t know we had.

What Survives the Storm is a powerful collection of real stories from individuals who have faced loss, uncertainty, illness, heartbreak, and life-altering change—and found a way through. Each chapter offers an honest glimpse into what it means to navigate hardship, listen inward, and keep moving forward when the path is unclear.

These stories are not about perfection or easy answers. They reflect real experiences of resilience, personal insight, and the quiet decisions that shape who we become in the midst of challenge. From moments of deep uncertainty to unexpected clarity, each voice brings a perspective that is both deeply personal and widely relatable.

Readers will find themes of inner knowing, healing, courage, letting go, and rediscovering meaning in the aftermath of life’s storms. Whether you are in the middle of your own difficult season or simply seeking connection through shared human experience, this collection offers something steady to return to.

This book is a reminder that even in the hardest moments, something within us endures.

Here’s a link to the book page on Amazon: What Survives the Storm.

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When the Old You Sneaks Back In

Joe2 Comments

Do you ever find yourself reacting in a way that reflects the old you?

You’ve done a lot of work on yourself. Maybe you’ve spent time with a therapist or done deep inner healing, and you’re proud of how far you’ve come. Then something happens, and suddenly you respond in a way that feels like the old, unhealthy version of you.

And you want to scream, Dammit! I thought I healed and released all that nonsense. Why does that sh* still creep up?*

Then another consequence follows close behind: shame. That quiet but painful feeling that something’s wrong with you.

That happened to me recently. My shame felt like an old, smelly, wet blanket thrown over me, weighing me down and casting a dark tinge over life.

When I turned to my divine advisors for guidance, I expected comfort. Instead, they reminded me of something important. A key part of my path is learning to accept myself as I am in this moment. Sometimes I will make mistakes or react in ways I thought I had moved beyond years ago.

That doesn’t mean I stop working on myself. Growth and healing still matter. But it does mean recognizing and loving who I am along the way.

You and I are, after all, sometimes fickle human beings trying to live our best selves, and we won’t succeed every time. And that’s OK. In fact, it’s part of the beauty of being human.

At our core, we are innately good. Yet sometimes we still miss the mark.

So the next time you mess up or don’t act in a way that reflects the best version of you, pause before shame takes hold. Offer yourself the same compassion you would give a dear friend.

Accept yourself. Love yourself.

You’re doing the best you can.

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A Delayed Delivery, a Gentle Reminder

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I’ve been expecting a package for the last two days. Each day, the carrier emails me informing me that the package would arrive between 3 and 7 pm. Since the package contains Christmas gifts we need to mail, I made sure I was home and checked the tracking page repeatedly.

Both days, after frequently checking the page, I suddenly saw a notice that they tried to deliver the package but were unable to. Since I live in a condo, the carrier has to use the external phone to alert us when they arrive. They didn’t. The package is now scheduled to arrive on Monday between 3 and 7 pm.

My first thought when imagining the carrier finally delivering it was to tell them off for not properly contacting me the other days. After all, I did everything right. I followed the rules. I was present during the time indicated. They were in the wrong and didn’t follow the rules.

Gratefully, soon after I imagined my reaction, my divine advisors challenged me to consider whether doing so would be beneficial to me. Would it be consistent with and reflective of my ministry as a spirit healer? How would that reaction impact the carrier? I realized I didn’t know the carrier’s situation. He or she was likely stressed from the great volume of their deliveries, given the season.

Considering all od this, the answer came: reacting like I first intended would only diminish us.

Have you ever been in a situation like this? It’s difficult not to want to tell someone off when you’ve followed the rules and someone else hasn’t—and that impacts you negatively. I think of other instances when I feel this self-righteous anger: while driving, when discovering dog poop or trash on the sidewalk, and in other situations.

I’m grateful my divine advisors and my essence reminded me that I’m better than that. So now about the package I’m expecting. Next Monday, I plan to sit in the lobby starting at 3 pm to ensure I receive it, and to thank them when I do.

During this sometimes hectic season, may you be stress-free and able to act from your beautiful divine essence in all your encounters.

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Unnamed Worries/Hidden Limitations

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Yesterday, a friend and I gave each other spiritual readings. A few things stood out from hers about me, especially the message from my divine advisors and guide that I’d become was caught up in various worries and stresses. When she mentioned that, I was surprised. Was I really worrying?

At first, I couldn’t identify anything big. Then I realized that they weren’t big worries but small. Some of them included not getting the bookmark I was designing to align correctly for my newly released book, Where the Heart Leads: Journeys of a Spirit Healer. Despite repeated adjustments, it wasn’t perfect, and this led to worry and stress. Another was about losing weight prior to a vacation. I’d increased my exercise routine significantly, severely restricted sweets, and reduced portion size. Even with that effort, there were times I gained weight rather than losing it. I also noted other small worries as well.

I’m still surprised by how unconscious I was of them.

This morning, during meditation, as I asked Archangel Michael to help me release those worries. As I did, an image and song popped into my head. The image was a river with rocks scattered throughout which impeded the flow. My worries were the rocks, and I realized they limited the possibilities that might come to me.

The companion song to the image was “Let the River Run” by Carly Simon. Its lyrics have always inspired me. I wrote a homily about it when I was a priest. One line still jumps out: “Let the river run. Let all the dreamers wake the nation.” This conveys power and intention that encourages me to go forward and remove the obstacles to enable dreams to become reality.

May your river flow freely, unblocked by worry, so that you can see your possibilities and manifest your dreams.

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What Grows from Broken Plans

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Sometimes disruption is the doorway to divine grace.

In my last blog, I shared a message from my divine advisors about adventures and opportunities. A few hours later, something unexpected happened that changed my unwritten plans: my husband fell and broke his arm. I’m not suggesting that the accident was divinely driven. But what unfolded afterward certainly was.

With his arm immobilized, I stepped into the role of caretaker: managing the household and supporting him. I take this on out of my deep love for him. Still, it was an unplanned interruption.

Two things are important to know. First, I know my calling as a spirit healer is expanding. The messages have been clear. Second, I’ve been told the way it will unfold will be completely unexpected. The engineer in me inevitably keeps trying to figure it out. For example, I wondered if a traditional publisher might contact me about releasing the next book in my spiritual fantasy series, now titled Where the Heart Leads: Journeys of a Spirit Healer.

Up until the accident, I was chugging along at a steady pace with book 2. With my changed responsibilities, I was thrust into a new opportunity: one that forced me to slow down. As my days became more fluid, it opened space in my life for my divine advisors to ‘breathe’ and do their thing. Three nights ago, the first unexpected blessing arrived. I’ll share more about that at another time.

What about you? Is your life so carefully planned out that the unexpected feels like a setback? Are your days so organized that you’re blind to opportunities (even challenging ones) that might contain quiet blessings that support your calling?

Take a moment to reflect. Then offer gratitude. That’s what I do each morning, as something beautiful and holy grows from broken plans.

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Adventures and Opportunities

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A few days ago, I pulled cards from Denise Linn’s oracle deck, Sacred Destiny, seeking guidance about my path as a spirit-healer, and about my spiritual fantasy series. As you recall, my first book, Shadows and Light: Journeys of a Spirit Healer, was released a year ago. I’m now working on the second edit of book two, Where the Heart Leads: Journeys of a Spirit Healer.

The cards I drew were Adventures and Opportunities.

Great, I thought. I just need to stay open and attentive.

During meditation this morning, I was reminded that they don’t have to be earthshaking. They can arrive quietly in small everyday moments—easy to miss if we’re expecting something big. That insight brought two such experiences to mind.

The first came after food shopping. A man down on his luck asked for change. I don’t always give in those situations, as I donate elsewhere. But as I walked away, I felt pulled to give. It was an opportunity.

The second was an adventure. On a morning walk, my husband heard about an eagle’s nest nearby. We drove there and were delighted to find a huge nest with the adults tending their young. With binoculars, we saw the eaglets’ small heads poking up, One adult flew off, soaring in a circle above us, majestic and free. We stayed there for a while, sharing the experience with others who had gathered.

It wasn’t a grand or life-changing adventure, but it was a blessed one. And how fitting that the eagle, the national bird, appeared days before we celebrate Independence Day.

The message for me and perhaps for you is this: keep your eyes and ears open. Adventures and opportunities might be small, but they’re no less significant. And when they do come, be grateful, as I am.

And if you’re feeling called to deepen your connection with your own path, I invite you to explore the world in my book, Shadows and Light: Journeys of a Spirit Healer. It’s more than a story—it’s an adventure, opportunity, and spiritual journey in disguise.

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Celebrate Diversity

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June is known as Pride Month—a time to honor and celebrate LGBTQ+ lives. In the years I’ve written this blog, I haven’t directly addressed my community, since my messages have been for everyone. But this month, I want to speak more personally.

LGBTQ+ people have faced discrimination, judgment, and rejection, especially from many religions. It made life difficult. The hardest part isn’t only enduring that, but the process of coming out to yourself and others. Through this, we develop powerful gifts, and that’s this blog’s focus. I also hope this speaks to anyone who’s felt different from the so-called norm.

Feeling different can be gutting, especially when confronted with images that remind us we don’t belong. We’re not enough and not good enough. Some try to fit in by hiding, adopting behaviors and interests far from our true selves. It’s a sad way to live. And even sadder when they convince themselves it’s their true self.

But this journey isn’t only about struggle. In the process, we discover gifts at a depth uncommon to those who haven’t walked our path. Here are a few:

Self-reflection: Our journey requires that we look within, exploring who we are at the core. We search books, attend workshops, and explore spiritualities to help us figure out who we are. We repeatedly ask, Does this resonate? Does it reflect who I am? We yearn to feel seen. Even after we’ve come out, this self-reflection continues, shaping how we live, love, and choose.

Courage: We may not always feel brave, but it’s present in every step. It rings out when we choose to stand tall, even on days we want to hide. No one else has had our individual experience, though we share commonalities with others like us. It takes courage to celebrate what we bring into the world just for being the person we are, our truest and holiest self.

Compassion: Our experiences of anger, fear, and loneliness enable us to recognize the same struggles in others. Because of it, we can offer love and understanding to those beginning the journey, caught in the thick of it, or simply living their truth now.

Self-reflection, courage, and compassion are only three gifts. Others include creativity, flexibility, sensitivity… I’m sure you can name your own.

This month, I encourage you to celebrate your uniqueness. You are a blessed and holy gift this world desperately needs. Amen. And so it is.

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Angels We Have Heard on High

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It might sound strange to title a May blog using a verse from a Christmas song—but if you know me, it makes perfect sense. My husband lovingly cringes when Hallmark starts playing Christmas movies in July. In truth, I watched one of my favorites two days ago.

Yesterday, I exchanged readings with a friend. One clear message I received from angels and my divine guides was to begin teaching about angels, starting with my own LGBTQ+ community.

This morning, reflecting on that message, I asked my divine advisors which angel might be an advocate and guide. Archangel Raguel stepped forward.

Raguel is known as an angel of harmony and balance. And here in the U.S., both are sorely needed.

If you’re LGBTQ+, you might ask: “Why should I care?” After all, religion, especially Christianity, has too often been used to condemn us. As someone raised Catholic and a former priest, the little I knew of angels was through Christmas songs and scattered biblical stories.

That changed when a retreat session sparked my curiosity, leading me to study with Sunny Dawn Johnston, Kyle Gray, and Radleigh Valentine.

I believe with my whole heart that our souls are pieces of the divine, sharing the same essence as angels. Before we’re born, we choose to incarnate with a unique purpose and in a particular condition, including our sexual attraction and gender identity. Those choices take profound courage. And once here, living out that purpose can be incredibly hard.

And that’s where angels come in.

Angels are not only on high, hanging out on clouds. They walk beside us, offering daily love, support, and guidance through symbols and signs familiar to our personalities. We only need to ask. For me, that’s Oracle cards, songs from musicals, and yes, even Hallmark movies, to name a few.

During my morning reflection, I pulled three Oracle cards: The first, “Self-Employment” (from the Angels and Auras deck), reinforced the reading message; the second, “Ask and Receive” (from the Angel Guide deck), reminded me to simply ask; and the third, “Archangel Raguel” (from the Angel Prayers deck), became our advocate.

I’m not asking you to believe everything I share or forget the hurt and anger religion may have caused. I simply ask you to consider that the judgment we’ve heard is just BS, and might not reflect divine truth. Your experience is real, and you have the right to follow the path that makes sense to you.

And, as I was asked in my reading yesterday, be open. And see what possibilities might appear.

Sending you love and understanding,
from one still trying to make sense of it all.

Full disclosure: The image of Raguel was generated by ChatGPT, based on a collaboration between me and the AI. The scales of justice and glowing staff are key elements. Here are the words the tool used, and that also reflect my own understanding:

For the scale, each side “represents opposing forces—truth and falsehood, compassion and judgment, harmony and conflict…. His glowing staff symbolizes divine authority and illumination—guiding truth, discernment, and balance. It can also represent Raguel’s role in bringing clarity, resolving conflict, and restoring harmony, especially in matters of justice and relationships.”

In these times, such things are desperately needed.

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