As 2013 comes to a close I found myself re visiting and reading talks that I had given in Law of Attraction and Stress Workshops I had conducted over the years. What literally ‘jumped’ out at me was one talk about the perfection we all are and the unique gifts we each bring into the world. At the end of each one of those talks I would read a very special poem detailing the gifts we each bring in to the world and hand a copy out to everyone. These gifts are unique to each one of us and only we are granted that moment in time to shine our light and bring our gifts forth to share with the world.

Let’s back track for bit. As an infant we come into the world pure and untainted by other people’s expectations of us. Then we grow and enter the school system where we are placed in a box of what I call “sameness”. In this box of “sameness” we are expected to do and be as we are told while being molded into what the world expects of us. Bit by bit the uniqueness gets chipped away, snuffed out by fears and feelings of inadequacy as we try to fit into that box. Daydreaming and individualist behavior is often frowned upon by the system. Clone-Dom takes precedence. I remember only too vividly my days in school when I found most of the curriculum boring and uninteresting. I could not wait to get to my favorite subjects. Looking back I now realize I had added 2 other subjects that I relished and never shared with anyone. The two subjects were Daydreaming and Creative Visualization 101. Those two subjects allowed me to be the heroine transported to places beyond the ordinary, until a stern voice brought me back to reality. Years later I realized I was actually practicing the Law of Attraction, something that was unheard of in those days. I would say to all educators that creative daydreaming 101 should be in all high schools.

My wish for each and every one of you for 2014 is this: SEE YOUR PERFECTION. Let your Light Shine Brightly. Do not allow anyone to dim that Light that is uniquely You. Follow your Heart. It knows exactly what it is you are here to do and be and share with the world.
I read somewhere the following passage:

“If you have hidden your light for so long that it has shrunk to an ember, make a list of everything you do well, however impractical, silly, or seemingly inconsequential. Then ask yourself how you can positively utilize those abilities in your daily life. The gifts you were born with were not granted to you arbitrarily. While you may never discover what impact your light has had on others, you can be certain that when you embrace your talents and share them with others, you will spread illumination in the world”.

The following is the Poem I mentioned at the start. Here it is for you as my New Year’s Gift. Make 2014 the year you say to yourself:
I’M SPECIAL
In all the World there’s nobody like me. Since the beginning of time, there has never been another person like me. Nobody has my smile, my eyes, my nose or my voice.

I’M SPECIAL

 In all the world there’s nobody like me.

Since the beginning of time, there has never been

another person like me.

Nobody has my smile, my eyes, my nose or my voice.

I’m Special

No one can be found who has my handwriting.

Nobody anywhere has my taste for food or music or art.

No one sees things as I do.

In all time there has been no one who laughs like me.

No one who cries like me, and what makes

me laugh or cry will never provoke identical laughter

and tears from anybody else, ever.

I’m Special

I’m the only one in all creation who has my set of abilities.

Oh, there will always be somebody who is better at one of the things

I’m good at, but no one in the Universe can reach the quality

of my combination of talents, ideas, abilities, and feelings.

Like a Room

Full of musical instruments, some may excel alone,

but none can match the symphony of sound when all are

played together.

I’m a Symphony

Through all of eternity no one will look, talk, walk,

think or be like me.

I’m Special

I’m Rare

In rarity there is great value.

Because of my great rare value, I need not attempt to copy or imitate another.

I need not feel inferior to anyone because I am unique. I am Rare and

I’m Special.

In Canada we celebrated our Thanksgiving on October 14, which was also my eldest son Nick’s birthday, so it was a double celebration for our family at Thanksgiving.  To the south of us our American neighbors will be celebrating their Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 28.  For my friends and readers in countries with different cultures who may be reading this and have never heard of Thanksgiving, here is a short explanation.  Thanksgiving is a special holiday celebrated in the USA (in November) and Canada (in October) for people to reflect, celebrate with family and friends and give thanks for all they are thankful for.  Each year I give thanks for my wonderful supportive family, my large extended family and friends, for my good health and my being able to live in a beautiful peaceful country that I have chosen, Canada. I am forever thankful for the work I do and being able to pursue my passion in the holistic field where I continue to learn and grow.  I am thankful also for all those whom I am privileged to work with, and I can go on and on with all that I am thankful for, however this is not about me.

Say the word Thanksgiving to a North American and it instantly conjures up visions of a meal served with the main dish being Turkey, and the foods that their family serves at Thanksgiving many passed down from generation to generation. Having immigrated to Canada from South America many, many moons ago I was happy to add this beautiful tradition to all the ones we already celebrate.  It was not until years later when I started studying and working with Animal Totems and their wonderful, wise significance in our lives that I came to understand Turkey and its gifts to those who have Turkey as a Totem. Turkey as the main dish of choice for celebrations and holidays is also a gift.

As a Totem, Turkey embodies the spirit of generosity and unselfish giving.  Anyone with a Turkey Totem has a generous heart.  They will give you the shirt off their backs.  My husband has Turkey as one of his Totems and I remembers years ago when he first discovered this he was a little hesitant to accept this wonderful totem into his life because of the negative connotation that surround the word “turkey”.  Some individuals have been know to use the word as an insult to someone they don’t like or respect by calling them a turkey!

So let’s reverse the negativity surrounding Turkey by learning a little about Turkey.  Turkey is a wise and generous totem according to many Native Peoples and below I will share an excerpt from the book Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson that paints a very different picture of Turkey.

“Turkey is actually thought to be the Give-Away Eagle or South Eagle of many Native Peoples.  The philosophy of give-away was practice by many tribes.  Simply stated, it is the deep and abiding recognition of the sacrifices of both self and others. People in modern day society should study the noble turkey who sacrifices itself so that we may live.  In Turkey’s death we have our life.  Honor Turkey”

“Spectators unfamiliar with the cultural phenomenon of the pot-latch or give-away ceremony are often mystified by it.  A tribal member may gladly give away all he or she owns, and do without in order to help the People.  In present-day urban life, we are taught to acquire and get ahead.  The person with the most toys wins the game.  In some cultures, no one can win the game unless the whole of the People’s needs are met.  A person who claims more than his or her share is looked upon as selfish or crazy or both.  The poor, the aged and the feeble have honor. The person who gives away the most and carries the burdens of the People is one of the most respected.”  We can say that Turkey gave itself away so others may live!

If you have Turkey as a totem, know it is a great honor to carry this medicine, this wisdom, this gift of generosity with you on your earth walk.  Your virtues are many. You aspire to help others who need help and you respect all life as sacred. The gifts that Turkey brings into your life are never insignificant.  It might be spiritual, material or even intellectual. Congratulations!  Honor this generous Totem and know that you have been specially chosen to do the work that Turkey has brought forth into your life

Here’s wishing my extended family, my friends and readers In the USA a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Namaste,

Sharon