I made the biggest move of my life. We are finally getting settled in CA and unpacking the last boxes. I knew it was a big move, but I underestimated just how big! I drove across the country with my sweet boy Leo and baby girl Tessa. They were amazing! They enjoyed all the treats of being on a long journey including sleeping with their Mama and getting take out everyday. Leo and Tess in my bed

Leo and I had made a deal. I asked my boy to make the trip and see our new digs, and I
would do anything in the world for him including listen to him when he was ready to say
goodbye.
So my 12 yr old Great Dane said he was ready to say goodbye 2 weeks ago only 3
weeks after we arrived in our new home. I knew when saw him that Saturday morning,
he was ready. The only problem was I was not ready to let him go.
Leo in his happy place on the beach in HHI
I went into action and took him to the ER Vet only to hear the inevitable. His heart was
giving out. Well, mine was too! I was so broken, I could not think or talk. He was my soul
mate. He taught how to love. It is totally unconditional and undeniable. He was my
greatest teacher.

Then I heard a voice that said me, "THE SOUL NEVER DIES."
On that Monday afternoon I went to a bookstore looking for an old book I have read
many times and continue to give away, because it is so damn good and everyone on
earth should read-When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron. Instead I found another
book that jumped off the shelf by Ram Dass, Walking Each Other Home.
I opened it directly to the chapter entitled, The Soul Never Dies. I thought well I guess
this is my book. Ram Dass reminds us all that we are not our bodies. Our bodies may
grow old and give out on us. He goes on to say, "When we identify as a soul, you don't
fear death, because the soul doesn't die."
Consider how often we identify as a person who____you fill in the blank. I am a mom,
sister, wife, runner, yogi, etc... You get the idea. Who am I when those titles go away?
When the body will not allow me to run or practice yoga? It is so hard! Aging, recreating
ourselves only to lose those identities too...
URGH this Earth school is hard!
Who am I if I am not _____. Again, you fill in the blank.
What if we give it all up and become one with the soul?
It is a way to release the need to know the how things work or what is going to happen.
It is a way to release our need for control. It a way to release our FEAR! Fear of all the
things including Death.
The soul teaches us there is no separation. Who I am is a mental trap I created in my
mind. Leo's love will forever live in my heart. His physical body is gone, but the love I
have for him will never be gone.
Love Everyone.
"All the universe has come from love and unto love all things return."
Taittiriya Upanishad

Ram Dass's teacher, Maharaj-ji taught him to "love everyone. Tell the truth. Serve
everyone. Be like Ghandi. Remember God."
Further we are taught that we are all one. We are all talking to ourselves when we talk
to each other. We are all indeed Walking Each Other Home!
I believe the more compassion we have for ourselves, the more we are able to cultivate
the capacity for more love and compassion for others. This is the way to heal ourselves,
our community, and our world.
Who am I?
I am love.
I am loving Awareness.
Let that be your mantra and watch the universe respond with Love!
Ram Dass goes on to say, "The body dies, the thinking mind dies, attachments fall
away. But the deep love in the heart, the love of the soul, goes on."
I hold onto those words as I find my way back to solid ground. I certainly miss my sweet
Leo, but I know his soul goes on.
Who knows his sweet soul may wander back to me to teach more of these morsels!
In the meantime, I am enjoying spoiling little Tessa the Messa who is loving having a
crazy dog mom who takes her everywhere now! She had her first golf adventure! She
played like a pro even though that cold wind was blowing us away. (Yes she is wrapped
in a blanky and has a whole new wardrobe of puffy coats and sweaters which she is not
loving.)

So wherever you are on the journey to finding your way back to solid road, I am here to
walk with you and shine the light in the dark night.
Namaste,
jen
P.S. If you are ready to heal your mind, body, and spirit let's do it! There is a big full
moon tonight that is here to support your journey. Using the Enneagram, IFS (Internal
Family Systems), and Ayurveda mixed with breath work, yoga, mindfulness, and a lot of
Compassion you can heal your life.
Let's Do This