Listen to Yourself . . . Really

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Diana Rankin

This article is from a few years ago, but worth repeating. The gift (or lesson if you perfer) of paying attention to my intuition stays with me today.

Listen to Yourself . . . Really Those small whisperings of wisdom may save you from yourself.

A few weeks ago, while raking leaves, I told myself to check the house key I keep hidden just to make sure it was still there. Of course, it would be there, I reasoned. I’ve never moved it, so why wouldn’t it be there? Now, reason is not my top priority when it comes to listening to myself, intuition is. Sometimes though, like when I’m down-to-the-grindstone-busy and tired from a day of yard work, I chose reason over intuition.

I’m a bit ashamed to say this psychic didn’t listen to her own intuition that day or take the advice I’ve given countless others. I didn’t check for the hidden house key. I just assumed that it was where I had hidden it years before and never had cause to use it, because I’ve never—never—locked myself out.  At least not until the next day.

Feeling a bit under the weather from overdoing the leaf raking, I had about all I could take of staring at the computer screen while coughing, sneezing, and quickly using up a box of tissues that served to make my nose red.  I decided fresh air would do me good, so I bundled up and headed out for a walk with the dogs.  We weren’t going far, just down the lane for the mail and across the field to the meadow and back. There was no reason to lock the door, so I didn’t.

The fresh air did help me breathe easier and un-muddle my brain a bit. Fortunately, it had warmed up from the morning’s icy rain and the wind was quiet. Still, it was cold, and even though I looked more like a penguin than a person, I nonetheless was chilled and most grateful to be rounding up the dogs and heading inside. The only problem was I couldn’t get inside. The door was locked, and I didn’t have a key.

This didn’t make sense to me. I hadn’t locked the door. Of that I was certain, but nonetheless the door was locked. I had gone out through the garage door, something I do several times a day. It never dawned on me to make sure the door was unlocked. There are two locks on the door, but the only one I have ever used is the top lock, a deadbolt, which takes a key. The bottom lock doesn’t, so I’ve never used it precisely because it would be too easy to accidently lock myself out by turning the button wrong.  But by some twist of it’s-far-beyond-me-to-understand, the bottom lock was locked. The door handle wouldn’t even turn, not one fraction of an inch. I was locked out.

Frustration had not yet started to build. I’d just use the key I had hidden outside. I was grumbling a little when I went to fetch the hidden key. I was ready to be inside with a hot cup of tea in my hand. I bent over and reached deep into the hiding place. But there was no key. My mind couldn’t comprehend that, wouldn’t comprehend. No key. Panic was starting to roar up as the realization of my predicament came to me like a herd of deer running away from a gunshot. I was locked out, I didn’t have a back-up plan, and a storm was on its way.

Here I was outside in the increasing cold with no way to get in. I wanted to break down in tears, but that wasn’t going to get me inside. No, I had to come up with an answer and fast. The wind was whipping up and my chill was deepening. I was also beating up on myself for not listening to my intuition the day before when I told myself to check on the hidden key.

Fortunately, I had my cell phone, and I wasn’t the only person with a key to my house. The pet sitter was only 15 minutes down the road. All worked out well, and within 30 minutes I was inside with that hot cup of tea.

I never did figure out how the lock got locked, or what happened to the once hidden key. I did make a promise to myself that in the future I will always—always—listen to those small whisperings of wisdom that have guided my life safely over many a peril that I dig myself into. I have listened and been thankful I have done so many, many times.

I suggest you do the same—Listen to Yourself.

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Piper’s Jobs

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Diana Rankin

I have lots of jobs. I like all my jobs. They’re fun. Sometimes they wear me out. That’s why I have to take lots of naps.

One of my favorite jobs is to take Mom for a walk every day. We walk down the lane for the mail. We walk over to the creek. Sometimes we walk out into the meadow. Sometimes we walk the labyrinth. Sometimes Mom walks into the woods. I’m scared of the woods. That’s where scaries live. So, Mom doesn’t go far.

Sometimes we get in Blue Knight. That’s our car. And we go far away and walk with Rusty, my doggy friend. Or sometimes we walk with one of my human friends. Sometimes it’s just Mom and me walking through a town or along a path.

Taking Mom for walks is a good job. I like watching over her.

I also like helping Mom get her exercise. That’s when we play ball. It’s a good job. Mom gets good exercise when she throws my ball. And she gets to run after me sometimes to see who catches the ball first. I always win.

I have to help Mom make the bed every morning. That’s a fun job too. Sometimes I help Mom take the blanket and all the sheets off the bed. That’s even more fun. I curl up in the blanket and roll around. That’s when Mom pets me all over. Then she makes me get off the bed. I still help her even if I’m on the floor.

 Mom throws the sheets way up to the ceiling. We watch them fall down. It’s fun. They spread all the way over the bed. It’s magic. Then I follow Mom all around the bed. We go to one corner then go all around the bed. From corner to corner to corner. Then she throws the quilt way up in the air. Just like the sheets. More magic!

Mom always pats my head and thanks me for being such a good helper. I am.

My favorite job is to clean my bowl. After I eat, I have to lick my bowl until all the food is gone, and the bowl is clean. I mean really, really clean. Mom always tells me what a good job I’ve done. That means a lot. I feel loved when Mom tells me I’ve done a good job. That’s why it’s my favorite job.

Well, maybe feeling loved makes it my favorite.  And I really, really love my food.

Okay, I’m all worn out now. Writing my stories is my biggest job. Mom says my stories make people smile. I hope you like my stories. I hope they make you smile like Mom says they do.

See you after my nap…and the next job.

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Use the Phone to Check Intuition

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Diana Rankin

The more you work with intuition, the more you become aware of the subtle messages being sent to you. It’s like learning a new language, one that you’ve been using your entire life, but may not have been aware you were doing so.

Here’s an easy game to play with yourself to help check the accuracy of your intuition. Have fun with this game and go easy on yourself if you don’t hit 100 percent, or even if you don’t hit 50 percent. That doesn’t mean you aren’t intuitive; it means you may be having an off day and more practice is needed.

Try This

When the phone rings or you receive a text message, guess who it is before answering/looking. For 10 days keep track of how many times you are right and how many times you missed. Stop keeping track for a few weeks, and then repeat the process. Most likely you will see improvement. Congratulations!

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Scary Storms

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Diana Rankin

It’s scary when the sky goes boom. And the big winds come. And the sky-lighters cut the sky. I don’t like it. Not one bit.

Sometimes I bark at the boom-booms. I hide too. That’s when those boom-booms are really loud and scary. Like the other night.

The sky-lighters were zigging and zagging across the sky. My sky! The nerve. And they were so bright they made our whole bedroom light up. And the booms were extra loud. The winds made booms on the roof too. It was sooooo scary.

Mom put me in bed with her. We cuddled really close. Lily Cat used to hide under the covers. Or even under the bed. The booms scared her too. But Lily is on the other side of the rainbow bridge. So the booms don’t scare her anymore.

I knew she was cuddling with us. I felt her close. She came to lay beside me to keep me from being scared.

We talked to the trees. My mom and me. We asked them to stay up. We said if you have to fall then fall away from the house and barn. We thanked the trees for letting the wind clear out all the twigs and branches that need to go away. And we reminded the trees those branches need to fall away from our home.

We asked our angels to spread their big wings over everything. To keep us safe. We asked them to keep all the animals in the woods and my brother Andy safe. He lives in his house on the front porch under the big roof. He doesn’t like it inside. He likes to go for walks with us. But not when the booms are so loud or when the water falls from the sky, or when the winds come, and not when the sky-lighters are cutting the sky.

I asked Mom if the sky-lighters hurt the sky when they cut it. She pulled me closer and said no. They’re just cleaning the sky. Then she rubbed my head. Does it hurt when I clean you?

I thought about that. Then I said it didn’t hurt when she cleans me. So, I guess it doesn’t hurt the sky when the sky-lighters zig and zag across it.

Mom put her head on her pillow. And I put my head on her arm. She sighed a long breath. So did I. I even thought I heard Lily sign under the bed. Then we fell asleep.

I didn’t dream about boom-booms or wild winds or sky-lighters. I dreamed about Mom’s arms around me. And how good love is.

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Take a Step Back to Gain Intuitive Insight

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Diana Rankin

Anne and I met in Newport Beach, California back in the days before California became too overcrowded. She was a fine arts painter who had a pottery shop. I was a poet who watched over a friend’s gift shop. The front doors to our shops faced one another, and since our shopping village was quiet a good part of each day, we spent a lot of time together.

Anne was 21 years my senior and had the wisdom that comes from living those years and from looking at life through the eyes of an artist. When I was struggling with the ending of a poem, she told me that when she couldn’t get a painting right, she’d start over and paint from the outside edges toward the center instead of starting from the center and painting toward the edges. “Throw what you have out and start over,” she said. “This time start at the end and write to the beginning.”

As much as I disliked throwing away my perfect words, I did, and it worked. Once I had the ending, those perfect words came back even more better.

So what does this have to do with intuition?

To hear our intuition we have to throw away any preconceived ideas we have about the situation and surrender to our intuitive self. It is then the perfect answer comes.

Anne also taught me to stand back from a painting to see the beauty of the artist’s work. If standing too close, the brush strokes are interesting, but the art of the painting is seen from a bit of a distance.

Intuition is like that. Sometimes we get too close to the message we’re searching for, too tied to what we think our insight should be. Sometimes we just have to let go of what we think the answer should be and allow the intuitive answer to come.

Try this: The next time you are searching for an answer, ease up on desperately wanting the answer. The push for the answer often thrusts it away rather than bringing it to us. As we let go of needing to find the answer, we are surrendering our ego self and allowing our higher intuitive self to speak. It is then the answer that was there all along is seen clearly.

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Piper Talks to Mom

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Diana Rankin

I talk to my mom all the time. I like to talk to Mom. She calls it barking. Sometimes she calls it whining or yipping and yapping.

I talk to her when she puts on a jacket. I get all excited. That’s ‘cause we’re going outside. That’s the only reason she puts on a jacket. She tells me that’s not true. Sometimes she’s cold and I’m not keeping her warm. I do that too. Keep Mom warm. That’s when we cuddle. I don’t talk much then.

I talk a lot when it’s time to eat. Before breakfast Mom makes me go outside. That’s ‘cause we’re just getting up in the morning. And my bathroom is outside on the grass. She doesn’t stay out with me. She comes inside all by herself. I know she’s getting my food ready. But she should always be ready to let me back in right away. After all it’s my breakfast time.

Sometimes she walks away to the kitchen. I can see her through the door. It’s glass. I tell her when I’m ready to come inside. She opens the door so I can run to the kitchen. I run as fast as I can. And I talk all the way. Then I stand right beside Mom to make sure she gets my breakfast right. And I tell her to hurry. I’m hungry.

Sometimes she stops and looks at me in that way that tells me to stop talking. You know how moms are. Anyway, I have to tell her I’m hungry. To hurry up and give me my food. Talking is important where there’s food.

For treats too. Talking’s important. And dinner time. And every time Mom should give me food. I have to tell her I need food. How else would she know?

That’s not the only time I talk. Sometimes I run ahead of Mom when we walk down the lane. That’s when I have to stop and tell her to hurry up. I talk to her when we play ball too. I catch my ball. Then I have to take it back to Mom. That way she can throw it again. But I have to tell her to throw it.

I talk when we get into the car. That’s because Mom makes me get in the back seat. I have to tell her over and over I am supposed to be in the front. She doesn’t listen. Just tells me to be quiet.

Sometimes Mom leaves me alone. So, I have to talk to her when she comes home. I have to tell her how lonely I was.

I talk to Mom when I’m Happy. I like to tell her why I’m happy. I also talk to her when I’m sad. I tell her why I’m sad. That’s when she holds me and gives me extra pets.

Sometimes I talk to my mom for no reason. I just like to talk to her. She listens and listens, and I talk and talk. Then she pets my head and tells me she loves me. Then I tell her I love her. That’s the best talk of all.

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I am…

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Diana Rankin

I am the non-self,

the person, the woman, the being, but

never separate, never alone, always part

of all that is.

I am

the wind that passes across my face;

I am

the aroma of the rose in bloom;

I am

the cloud that brings rain;

I am

the rain;

I am

the sun in the sky and

the earth beneath my feet.

I am

all that is, and

I am

still me.

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Piper Plays Games

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Diana Rankin

I like to play games. That’s ‘cause I’m a doggy. We like to play. Sometimes I play alone. But mostly my mom plays with me.

We play ball. Mom throws the ball. I have to run and jump real high to catch it. Sometimes we have a visitor who plays ball with me. That’s fun. I like to play ball.

I play other games too. I play hide-and-seek with Mom. I hide behind a tree when she looks away from me. Then she has to find me. She always does. That’s when she gives me a big pet on the head.

Catch-up is a fun game too. That’s when Mom walks ahead of me. I let her get way far ahead. Then I run and run and run to catch her. She laughs and tells me I’m a good girl.

One of my favorite games is to play with my leash. Mom gives me my leash every day when we walk home from the mailbox. Sometimes it jumps away from me. And one day the wind blew it away from me. I always capture it back. I’m a good leash walker.

Sometimes when Mom’s busy I have to play by myself. That’s when I play with my chew bone. I chew it and chew it. But it doesn’t do much. I don’t think it minds my chewing it.

The other game I play alone is Watch the Floor. I keep looking and looking at the floor. Sometimes I find treasures. Once I found a creature that moved. That was kind of scary. I put my paw on it. I wanted to show Mom. But the scary creature ran away.

Another time I found a stone. It came off Mom’s shoe. I chased it across the floor. One time I found a dot on the floor. It smelled good so I licked it. It smelled better than it tasted. I know ‘cause I tasted it again to make sure it wasn’t very good.

Playing is fun. Mom says we need to play some every day. I think my mom’s right. We need to play every day. Play makes me happy.

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Should You Fear Your Intuition?

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Diana Rankin

Intuition is as common as breathing and should not be feared. That said, however, if we go into the deeper psychic energy, we must take measures to protect ourselves. What’s the difference between the intuition we use every day and psychic energy?

Intuition is innate within each of us. It’s that hunch or gut instinct that leads us in the right direction. As we develop and refine intuition, we deepen in awareness of our own insight into life; we become more aware of the answers that come to us as we learn to read the clues. As we deepen intuition we start to move into the psychic energy. It is here that we may encounter negative as well as positive information and energy. We are simply becoming more sensitive to other people’s energy, the collective energy, and energy emitting from Earth and the universe.

Poets and artists as well as psychics and other sensitive souls have this awareness of the energies, which allows us to tap into a greater consciousness. Some psychics are also mediums, which allows us to communicate with people and animals who have passed into what some call death, and what I call the spirit world.

It is when delving into the deeper consciousness and/or the spirit world that we do need to protect ourselves. Not everyone lives with grace and love in this life, and we don’t immediately become all loving the minute we leave this body and move into spirit world. Although love will always trump fear, there is evil energy that you don’t want – or need – to encounter. How do you avoid it?

We protect ourselves by simply evoking love in the form that is most comfortable for each of us. For example, I may simply say, “Only love may come to me.” Or, a prayer that I was taught by one of my teachers, Angel Gail, is also a simple, yet powerful prayer: “I know I am protected by the Divine Light of the Christ.”

Whatever words you say, say the prayer with conviction and see Divine Light encompassing you, infusing you with Divine Love. If these prayers are not the right ones for you, that’s okay. Follow your own heart to find the prayer that is right for you.

Remember, we are the ones in charge of our lives. It is up to us to be in a place of love rather than fear.

Fear can awaken intuition, but we don’t want to stay in the fear. Let’s say you’re in a parking garage when suddenly you feel fearful. What do you do? Take a breath and say the prayer of protection, which helps you move into a place of love where you are better able to read your intuition and know what steps to take to keep you safe.

What about non-human entities in the ethers? Should you be afraid of them? No. Entities are forms of fear energy that feed on fear. If you are plagued by fear, you need to work on your life to expunge fear from your thoughts, exchanging fearful thoughts for ones of love. There is nothing that can enter your energy unless you allow it to. Remember, you are in charge of your life. If at any time, you feel fearful, say a prayer of protection, and say it with intent and feeling. Say it over and over until love overtakes any fear you may be experiencing.

I love the simplicity of that which A Course In Miracles teaches us about fear. It says that all emotion comes from either fear or love. The unfolding of the understanding of that thought is complex, but when I’m caught in fear, I can remind myself of the simple thought that there is only fear or love, and I can move into a place of love.

As we develop intuition, we feel safer. More and more we’ll want to move away from the drama caused by fear and live in the love that is truly life. We’ll come more and more to rely on intuition to guide us, keeping us always safe and in life’s grace.

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Piper’s Morning Walk

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Diana Rankin

Every morning I take my mom for a walk. We walk all the way over to the creek. It’s a long way but I don’t ever get tired. That’s because I’m a big girl and I’m strong.

We walk the same way every day. That sounds boring. But it’s not. Mom tells me to look for something different every day. She’s right. There is something different to see every day. Moms are always right. Aren’t they? Well, most of the time anyway.

Some days I hear the crows. The robins and bluebirds and cardinals and sparrows sing for us too. And the roosters. They live far away with a farmer on the other side of the corn stalks. I hold my head up and move it around to listen to the crickets chirping and the wind blowing through the fields. Every day there’s a new flower to sniff, or the grass is taller, or the sun plays with new shadows. Every day is a new adventure.

Some days I have to protect Mom from the big dogs. She calls them deer. There’s a really big dog that barks at us sometimes. He’s a doggie-man. Mom calls him a Doberman. She always says hello to him. I pretend he’s not there. I keep walking.

Sometimes we see a car. They’re kind of scary. One day we saw two. I walk really close to Mom when we see a car. I have to protect her. Sometimes we even see a great big truck. They’re really, really scary. That’s ‘cause they’re so noisy. I hear them coming a long time before we see them. Sometimes we have to get in the grass. The trucks aren’t allowed to drive off the road, so I keep Mom safe in the grass.

I walk really close to Mom when we’re on the main road. I know it’s the main road because it has white and yellow stripes on it. We walk on the white ones along the side. The creek road doesn’t have any stripes. I like to walk close to Mom anyway. After all, I am her protector.

On the way home, I don’t walk as close to Mom. I walk way out in front of her. That’s ‘cause she sends her shadow ahead of her. And I have to keep her shadow from getting too far ahead of us.

Mom takes off my leash when we get back to our lane. She tells me she’s safe now so can run ahead. I always pick up my leash and run faster than Mom. All the way to the house.

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