Simple & Loving Ways to Recognize that Life Never Stops

By Gay Van Horn

Gay Van Horn, certified through the Americana Leadership College, offers personal consultations, study classes, and educational materials. See her listing in OPEN EXCHANGE's Intuitive and Psychic Arts category.

How many of you have grieved the passing of a loved one, human or animal, and after the fact have been able to interpret the clues surrounding their departure? These signs usually continue to roll in like waves of strength and insight after their passing, particularly in the first three days to a week.

Learning to "read between the lines," so to speak, in these circumstances is a true pleasure and necessity for successful living. The reality of continuity becomes more evident, mysterious and reassuring.

You may be familiar with the story of a dear granny in her final days persevering to send a loving Valentine's Day card to each family member and then passes on the day following putting the cards in the mail. Sometimes we hear of the parent who defies medical science by continuing to breathe until a distant son or daughter is able to reach their bedside and share a loving farewell. Perhaps you desperately question how a buddy could be doing in the afterlife, and they appear to you in a dream to affirm that "everything is all right" and "don't worry about me." Or you may remember a beloved old dog who loyally stood by, tail wagging — offering reassuring attention and soft fur for you to pet as you silently reflected on how to solve a family crisis — then peacefully passed on in its sleep once the situation was clarified.

I remember by chance running across a personal note written by a friend long deceased; this message "from the past" answered a question I was currently puzzling over. From my perspective, such experiences are the real joys and satisfactions of life and death, the things we never really learn about in regular school, but only in the so-called "school of hard knocks." Growing and respecting one another in that discernment process is the opportunity of living every moment, of having experiences and taking the time to understand what I can learn from them.

The memories of our comforting pet, or the smell of the perfume that lingers on the last written correspondence received from our grandmother, stimulates our inner sensitivity. This all has to do with bringing our unconscious into our consciousness. We can expose deeper meanings which can provide gratifying rewards and help us get up early every morning with a smile and a bundle of curiosity. What will this day bring forth? How lucky are we to know and have touched so many beautiful souls?

Communicating face-to-face and heart-to-heart, each day is exciting and uplifting because we're willing to take the time to know ourselves and to use the innate avenues of communication that are available through unfolding our true feelings.

As my rapport with myself, my Guardian Angels, and the world around me increases, I find it easier to discern the messages from within and without. Effective communication has to do with trusting my insights and acting upon what I perceive.

Most of us want to understand a bigger picture of life, death, and everything in between. There are simple techniques and easy disciplines that can help us communicate more satisfactorily on every level. When we take steps toward knowing ourselves and our world better, we shed light on the pathways ahead and beyond.