Debra Basham

Living and Loving

Tag: encouragement

  • 3:01 am

    Sacred Stories

    Sacred stories invite us to see that nothing is an accident. We are all always, in all ways, connected.

    She knew her friend was in labor when she went to bed.

    She put on her glasses and went to check for news when she woke. It was still dark. No news….

    At 3:12 am she wrote simply: “Still holding energy,” and went back to bed.

    Awake again a couple of hours later, there was still no announcement.

    At 5:43 am she wrote, “Welcome an update when it is easy…. been checking in overnight.”

    A photo of proud father, happy mother, and beautiful baby girl quickly popped in:

    “Born at 3:01 am.”

    We welcome this precious soul who arrived at the perfect time.

  • Labor of Love

    Sacred Stories

    At 8:30 am she posted the following on the Facebook page of a friend:

    I know you will understand you are watching yourself. Last night I ate potato chips and dip before bedtime. Then my tummy was too full to be comfortable. As I was tossing and turning, lifting my hippo weight, not finding any position that did not accentuate my discomfort except for flat on my back, suddenly my mind was full of thought about my friend who is expecting their daughter this month. My too-full tummy was no longer mine. And my heart was simultaneously filled with joy and anticipation. This was not a denial of the unpleasant sensation, but I was also not missing the magic.

    A couple of hours later, at 11:04 am, she received this via Messenger:

    Good morning everyone! Contractions started last night! Getting close now—we will likely head to birth center soon! The mother-to-be is a champ! 👶🏻🎉🎉🎉

    We are not living isolated lives. Even our sensations are a part of the ONE….

  • Everything is Connected

    Sacred Stories

    She had a three-hour layover between flights, but the loading time came and passed. Her flight had been delayed.

    Finally the airline’s representative told them they did not have a plane because it was sitting in another airport with a door that wouldn’t close.

    The airlines found them a substitute plane and later she learned that the plane with the malfunctioning door didn’t leave the airport until the next day.

    She had seen that very plane sitting at the gate. (See “Do a Happy Dance!”)

    She likes glimpses of the invisible (web-like) connectedness of everything….

  • Let’s Do a Happy Dance

    Sacred Stories

    Her plane was due to leave for San Francisco (SFO) at the same time another plane was due to leave for Los Angeles (LAX). The LAX flight loaded, but then it just sat at the gate. The plane’s door wouldn’t shut.

    Her flight was, by then, an hour behind schedule. The plane was at the gate, passengers just weren’t invited to load. Finally, they got the invitation, but that was quickly revoked. They were told there was an air traffic control three-hour delay at San Francisco.

    Having had a chance to get to know the seven people sitting around her, she said to her seat mates, “Our advance gratitude is more powerful than a corporate entity that doesn’t care. Let’s give thanks in advance and do a happy dance in our minds that we were able to board and fly out of here.” All agreed, and they sat and concentrated for a while.

    Ten minutes later they were informed the delay had been lifted and we were invited to board!

    As her plane took off she could see the fully loaded LAX plane still sitting with its malfunctioning door.

    Giving thanks for what you welcome can’t hurt, and it might just pave the way for a wonderful happening.

  • Cricket Communication

    Sacred Stories

    As she was driving, she heard a weird sound inside her car. The sound really got her attention.

    When she stopped and parked, she saw a cricket on the passenger seat. Laughing to herself, she remembered that crickets are considered to be good luck totems.

    She set the cricket free, and continued to laugh while telling several others of her encounter.

    An hour later she learned someone very dear to her had passed three days earlier.

    She immediately had the wondering, “Might he have orchestrated the visiting cricket to soften the news?”

    Cricket Totem Meaning

    Happiness and good luck. The cricket is a symbol of happiness and good luck in many cultures around the world. As a totem animal, the cricket is a bringer of good luck into your life. If you are blessed to have this insect as your totem, you are most likely a very fortunate and happy person.

    You spread your enthusiasm all around you. The cricket as your totem protects you and your home from bad fortune.

  • The Fox

    Sacred Stories

    The night she learned he had passed, she was looking out her bathroom window while brushing her teeth and thinking about him.

    She expected his friends would be hearing from him a lot. If anyone had the skills to navigate the non-physical it was this guy.

    She had previously seen a grey fox in her neighborhood. She asked her newly disembodied friend to send the fox by so she could see him that night. Then she went to bed.

    Her bed is quite tall and next to a large window.

    She was awakened by a bark, turned her head, and saw the fox walk by!

    Before it ambled off, that fox sat down right in front of her window and faced the streetlight.

  • End Game

    Sacred Stories

    Her beloved mentor/teacher/friend had passed. Soon after, she listened to “Abler Soul,” a podcast about relationships where the soul can continue to work with and support one another even after the death of one of the partners.

    She went for a walk and a beautiful garter snake crossed her path. She thought of him immediately.

    Then that evening she was finishing the more difficult of the crossword puzzles from the Sunday paper. The answer to the very last “Across” clue was his last name!

    Walking outside and looking up, she asked, “How did you do that?” Something told her to check the name of the puzzle.

    The name of the puzzle was,”End Game.”

  • Cap and Gown

    Sacred Stories

    She sent a text to her grandmother: “Can you talk? I need some advice.”

    Once they were on the line, she got to the point, “It is about graduation. The cost for the cap and gown is $100. Do I want to pay that and then have the family have to drive all the way here to watch me walk, then drive all the way back home?”

    “You want to let your heart make this decision for you. Close your eyes for a minute. Whatever you decide is OK. You will have your degree whether you walk or not. Realize this is a big deal. My mother did not do it. I didn’t. Your mom either. That is true regardless of a cap and gown. That is something you can be very proud of. Feel that truth. Now think about the day of graduation.” Her grandmother waited.

    “I want to walk,” her voice cracking, “but I hate having everyone be put out.”

    “Everyone will have to decide what works for them. You want to walk for you, and you will do that no matter who else is there. This is more than just about a cap and gown or walking or not walking.” Her grandmother continued, “This is awareness that when you let your heart tell you what is right for YOU, it is right for everyone concerned—whether everyone realizes that or not at the time. This is just one of a god-zillion times in your life you will want to remember this truth. Your grandpa and I will pay for your cap and gown. We are so proud of you.”

    “I am so glad I called,” she said sniffling.

    As they were ending their call, her mom’s phone butt-dialed her grandma.

    The first woman in their family line to graduate college….

    This is a very BIG deal for all of them!

  • Money Matters

    Sacred Stories

    They had incurred water damage to their home, but having elected to pay for more extensive replacement rather than simply repair, winter weather eventually had delayed the work.

    Finally they received an estimate for the additional improvement. They were to pay 50% upfront.

    Months had gone by without any contact from the insurance adjuster, but the day they were mailing the check to the contractor for the work, the insurance adjuster sent an email suggesting he go ahead and issue the check.

    The amount of their outgoing check was within dollars of the insurance settlement….

    The universe works in balance, even in money matters!

  • WooHOOT!

    Sacred Stories

    They are expecting their first baby at the end of the month.

    A girl!

    As they were falling asleep last night, an owl was hooting outside.

    About 30 minutes later, she woke up and the owl was still hooting. That had never happened before.

    Her thought, “OMG, she’s coming!” was quickly replaced with the realization their baby girl might just be saying hi.

    The name they have in mind for their precious baby daughter is symbolized by the owl…

    WooHOOT!

    Indigenous people have always acknowledged the connection of nature and spirit. Welcome Baby Girl!