No, I don't mean what is your zodiac symbol. The signs I'm talking about are images or things that make you think of a loved one. The thing that happens when seemingly out of nowhere you see something and it makes you think of someone. You know what I mean. You see a cardinal and it reminds you of your Grandma. Or you see a sunflower and it reminds you of a friend. You hear a song and it makes you think about a special someone. You smell a wood burning fireplace in the night air and it takes you back to your childhood home. A butterfly, a bunny, a penny, a four-leaf-clover....silly or sentimental, signs offer connection.
I love hearing about signs. I love hearing the stories that involve the discovery of a sign that makes one feel connected to someone else. It can happen with those living, and those passed on. I realized I include these type of stories and images in my journal alot. I want to encourage you to do the same. Capture the evidence of a sign in your journal. It's a great place to document the story and the image.
Here's an example. One of the signs my mother has for my sister is a hummingbird. There have been several times where she truly felt the spiritual presence of my sister when she was visited by a hummingbird. Because I know this about her I will often gift her with hummingbird items. Sharing your special signs with others gives them a chance to know you better, and allows them to become more aware of those same signs.
I've written about the deer as sign for me in a blog post HERE. Because I shared the story of my sign of the deer I was given a most precious gift from my friend Lisa. Additional deer treasures continue to show up that continue the ripple effect of the good feeling I received from the initial sign of being visited by the doe in the woods.
I have several signs that remind me of Shannon. A snowflake, a sunflower, and nearly anything pink, particularly a pink rose.
Please don't feel you have to share a sign or symbol that represents a connection to a soul who has moved on - signs are also for those who are still with us. If you are like me you have a sign in mind for almost every person in your life. There are colors that make me think of certain friends, songs that make me think of others, places that are special or significant to some relationships. Does the Eiffel tower mean something to you because it makes you think about someone? When you see a fleur-de-lis do you drift off in thought about someone? Tune in, and pay attention to the signs. Once you do you will find them everywhere.
This month, share a connection to loved one by showing a sign and telling the story on a journal page. Blog about it or share it on your flickr or other photohosting site then come back here and leave a link in the comments section. I will post the links in the sidebar on the left. Come back often and check the list to visit and leave your words of encouragement for other team players. Newest links will be at the top. Open to anyone....come play!! Due: December 1st.
What I love about the crusades is that we are all trying something at the same time and have the opportunity to see each person's perspective. We not only get to observe the same challenge interpreted different ways but we get to know each other a little better. THANK YOU to all who CAME OVER TO THE DARK SIDE. It was super cool to see all the work applied over a dark surface. I think we all learned some interesting lessons by doing the work ourselves then visting other crusaders to see what they had to share. THANKS AGAIN!
EDIT: Archived links have been moved from sidebar to here.