In mediation class last night, we ended with looking at creative rings in our energy fields for next steps and the integration of the creative rings which represent our body, mind, and spirit – Thank you Seven Levels Coaching.

I was intrigued with what I saw – a dark shadow of a man in a cowboy hat leaning on his side and tipping his greeting towards me – “Interesting, and WHAT?”  were my  reactions.  I stayed with it.  Then I saw the majestic beautiful elephant which I have been so drawn to in the past months, especially since reading “Water for Elephants.”  The intelligence and especially the emotional intelligence of this beautiful animal just spoke to my heart in a way it never has.

In my mediation vision, the elephant appeared raising it trunk and placing a foot on the dark figure of the man.  “Okay, now this is intriguing and WHAT?”  I questioned again.  I have learned to sit with my visions, ask my questions, and trust the answer and message will unfold if I it does instantly makes sense or reveal itself to me.

I immediately googled, “Elephant Symbolism” and settled on the post I will share with you.  I just read it, and so many answers are clear to me.  I will do my best to briefly describe my own connection and awareness of what seeing the elephant and dark shadow of man were revealing to me when I asked, “What is the integration of the body, mind, and spirit creative rings expressing?”

First, confirmation of the personal and professional journey in which I travel.  My path has been one of connection with true highest self and highest power.  This has included:

1.  My own healing from complete disability from Lyme Disease and Fibromyalgia (which continues)

2.  Attracting the partner in life who is perfect for me in a way that I consciously spent creating and cultivating after 2 divorces.

3.  Reviving my relationships with my children, and family members and truly being a loving energy that is mutually supportive and serving.

4. Holding the space and connection for my extended families and core family.

6.  Offering my experience and wisdom to those who are ready to invite love into their lives in all the glorious ways that it exists, and especially to share enjoy their life with their idea of a soul mate, while also enjoying empowering relationships in other areas of their life, and to find and stay in their own power.

7.  Making a difference in the lives of children by teaching them what powerful creators they are, and helping their parents create the foundation for modeling healthy, loving relationships.

What all this has in common is me – knowing and understand me – what is important to me, what is my purpose and my passions, what makes me tick, who am I am here to serve, and what messages am I to share.  What is right for me, so that I can be centered and fly at the same time and live my highest truth and allow others to do the same.  I wanted to make sense of my life so that I could allow it to unfold more purposefully, powerfully, passionately and to manifest what I desire.  I love to teach, to speak to collaborate to share, to bring people together in love.

When I am strong in ME it makes for a powerful WE!  This is true for everyone!  We are connected and one.  When we stand firm in our individuality

we offer more to the collective

partnerships complement

relationships thrive

What I understand in the image I saw and in reading the following article,  is that I am on the right path, and I am also reminded where I still have work to do.

In another post, I will share with you more of my personal growth and areas where I have been working in the energies of the feminine and masculine – a favorite topic of mine.

I hope that you enjoy the following article as well as my post, and that if either resonates with you in any way, you will share that with me, on facebook, or with your friends – together we reach higher.

http://speakerfortheanimals.blogspot.com/2006/04/elephant-symbol-of-highest-true-self.html

With love,

So many men and women tell me they want a mate in their life. Some just do not want to be alone. Others think it will make their life easier. While many others just want to have someone with whom to share their life. How many of you have considered the possibility of sharing yourself? I believe at the deepest of levels we as humans, are made to connect and not to be alone. However, I also believe that in order to truly connect with another person, we must first be connected to ourselves. We must know who we are at all levels, accept and love what is there. It’s not just me who believes this, ask any dating or relationship coaches, and they will tell you the same.

When we take the time to know what is important to us, to tap into our heart and embrace our passions, we have so much more to offer someone else. When we are willing to offer the whole of ourselves with honesty and trust, then we attract someone who also is willing to do the same. When we are living our lives fully, embracing all that life has to offer we are sending a message of happiness and gratitude to the world. The universe responds in kind. What you put your attention on grows stronger in your life, so if your attention is on lack, need, loneliness, rather than on contentment, acceptance, and passion then don’t be surprised with the results.

Being alone is an opportunity to embrace the beauty of who you are, to see the gift of yourself, to enjoy your own company, to find what makes you tick, to discover what you are most passionate about in this life.

Being alone is a gift to yourself to fine-tune what it means to live your life whether alone or with another. If you do not enjoy your own company, how in the world do you expect someone else to enjoy you?

If you are bored and lonely and cannot see the joy in this moment regardless of what you are doing or who you are with, then what makes you think someone else can change that for you? When you are clear about who you are and what is important to you, and put attention on those things, your life will be fulfilling and rewarding.

When I was a teenager, I received a card with the following line included as part of the poem, “If you are not happy with what you’ve got, how can you be happy with more?” This makes so much sense to me and has been a reminder for me all these years to be present and grateful for whom I am and what I have whenever I find myself complaining.

Are you excited about sharing yourself with another who complements you, or are you desperate to share your life with someone? Can you see the difference between the two? In the first you are present, alive, whole, and very attractive, confident that you will wait for the right one. In the second you are sad, wanting, needing, and willing to take anyone. Who would you rather BEE- attractive and confident or needy and desperate? Conversely what kind of mate do you want to attract? Be the love you are seeking and you will find it.

If you are not happy with yourself and your life, how will you attract a mate who is happy with themselves or with you, for that matter?

Two happy people create a happy couple.

Take the time alone to get to know who you are, your values, your passions, and what is important to you. Enjoy you! Love you! Embrace you! Then get ready for magic.

I LOVE my life!! I love my family Sunday dinners! My perfect day includes walking on the beach. I love meeting my friends for our weekly lunch. The rock climbing group I joined rocks! I’ve reconnected to my love of art and sketch twice weekly. Attitude of Gratitude. The perfect partner for me laughs easily and often. We spend quality time together. My perfect partner listens with an open heart and mind. My perfect mate loves to cook and entertain. My perfect mate is an engaged parent, yet sets healthy boundaries for his kids. I love that my partner respects my need for alone time. We enjoy taking pictures of nature together.

Cheri Valentine is your love connection expert. She specializes in guiding busy professional leaders and business owners to find long lasting love to enjoy as much happiness and success in their personal lives as they do in their career. Cheri’s philosophy inspired love by design combined with her strong, supportive nature is reflected in her signature coaching programs. She believes everyone deserves to love and be loved unconditionally, to experience life passionately and to forge happy and healthy relationships. Cheri’s own efforts to make sense of her ended marriages and relationships fueled her determination to get it right, be happy and find the right partner. She has succeeded and recently married her perfect mate. She wants to show you how she did it, and how you can, too, just like the many men and women she has helped to find love. Visit www.CheriValentine.com for your FREE 4 step kit to Attract Your Perfect Mate.

You think you know your type. In fact, you are sure of it. You have actually dated them, perhaps even married them – more than once on both counts. So, let me ask you, if you know your type so well, why are you still looking for Mr. Right?

Get over your type and open your mind, your feelings, and your experiences to seeing who may be right for you. If knowing your type were working so well, you would not be looking. With that harsh realty acknowledged and accepted, are you ready to move on?

Of course, there is the other side of the coin. He’s NOT my type. As well as you think you know your type, you also think you know who is not your type. This is as a big a problem in my opinion as knowing who your type is.’

Let me share this with you. If I had continued to judge potential dates by types, I would not now be married to the most amazing man and someone who is so perfect for me. I had started to date all kinds of men and learned how interesting, funny, intelligent, caring men can be. I also learned what it felt like to be with men – it was different, than what I thought my type was.

I am so glad that I got out of my own way, finally, and just trusted in the process of knowing the qualities, characteristics, attributes, personality, and way of being together that was right for me. This took time, reflection and making sense of my past relationships. It was worth it.

I am so happy that I stopped looking for my type, and began to open myself to possibilities. Now I am happily married to someone who I could have easily dismissed as ‘not my type.’

Chemistry grows over time and is based on many factors. Yet, so many women dismiss potential men because they don’t “feel” it right away. If you are basing a lifetime of happiness on whether or not your heart jolts at first sight, you are selling yourself short and missing out on many opportunities.

Give a man and yourself a chance to interact, talk, and know him before you decide there is no chemistry. The other thing to keep in mind is that we often gravitate to what we know and feels comfortable to us on a subconscious level. Yet, if that were working so well, you would not be single and looking.

It takes courage to try something new and break out of your comfort zone. People, who do, often tell me how happy they are. There is a whole world waiting for you that you don’t even know exists and that includes amazing relationships with men. How will you know unless you give it a try?

Sounds easy. Yet if it were, we’d all be with our perfect partners. Divorce would be non-existent. Online dating sites and agencies would not exist and there would be far less singles. As Lord Chesterfield eloquently has said, “You must look into other people as well as at them.” Look into their good, their gifts, and see them. Give yourself and the people you meet this gift and watch the quality of your relationships improve.

Then watch the quality of the men you meet improve. Love is not easy, yet it is glorious when you find it. Open yourself to the possibility of love in people and places you might not expect. Mr. Right is waiting for you.

By the way, for you men this applies equally to you! Your perfect lady is waiting for you to recognize her.

Cheri Valentine is your love connection expert. She specializes in guiding busy professional leaders and business owners to find long lasting love to enjoy as much happiness and success in their personal lives as they do in their career. Cheri’s philosophy inspired love by design combined with her strong, supportive nature is reflected in her signature coaching programs. She believes everyone deserves to love and be loved unconditionally, to experience life passionately and to forge happy and healthy relationships. Cheri’s own efforts to make sense of her ended marriages and relationships fueled her determination to get it right, be happy and find the right partner. She has succeeded and recently married her perfect mate. She wants to show you how she did it, and how you can, too, just like the many men and women she has helped to find love.

So many people want to be in love. It’s a great place to be when it is healthy and satisfying your requirements, needs, and wants. Yet so few people are really clear about what these are for them. If you’ve been in relationships that have ended, and you have allowed yourself time for grieving, letting go, understanding of how you both contributed to the dynamics, and living your life in the present with joy then you are more ready to be in love than with someone who has not.

There is a difference between wanting to be in love and ready to be in love. Wanting to be in love implies a longing without taking responsibility for what being in love really entails for you and your life. It’s a desire or a wish for someone else to come in and make your life better, or fill in a void. Often there is a chasing or settling quality about your experience, and often results in unsatisfactory relationships, and often you rely solely on physical chemistry to guide you. When you want to be in love, you are not necessarily ready to be in love.

Ready to be in love means that you have taken the time to heal from past experiences. You have also examined these experiences for understanding and clarity in moving forward to what is right for you. You have taken responsibility for your life, relationships and how you’ve shown up in them. You are enjoying your life, clear about who you are, what you want and willing to balance your head and heart in making choices about love. When you are ready for love, rather than the experience stem from falling or hoping. It is rooted in choice, which in my opinion is far healthier.

Take a moment to look at your motives and actions towards dating, love, and relationships. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you want to be in love just for love’s sake? How will being in love improve or alter your life? What do you bring to the equation? Is something missing from your life that you hope being in love will fix? What steps can you take to feel confident that you are ready and willing to be in the love with the perfect person for you?

As an Energy and Relationship Coach, Cheri Valentine has successfully guided both men and women in their quest to grow joyful hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Whether you want to attract a new relationship, improve one that exists, or just enjoy the one with self, Cheri is able to assist you on your personal transformation to Love. For a free guide in attracting and creating your perfect relationships and life, visit http://www.InspiredConnexions.com

If you haven’t been on the dating field in awhile, it can be daunting to get started again. Even for seasoned professionals, that first date can be so awkward and uncomfortable. The most common complaint that I hear is, “I don’t know what to say.”

If you get tongue-tied when faced with new situations, or opposite a date, here’s some tips to help ease the way.

First of all, lose the expectation that this will be “the one” and the worry of “What if I don’t like him?” or worse, “What if he doesn’t like me?” It may be a great experience, or not. Most likely it will be somewhere in between. Relax and enjoy the gift of spending time with another human being.

Ask open-ended questions that will elicit responses other than yes, or no. Example, rather than asking, “What do you do for work?” ask, “What do you most enjoy about your work?” Here’s a list of questions that you can have at your ready:

• What are the three favorite places you have visited?
• If you go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
• What are your favorite activities or how do you most enjoy spending your time?
• What are your top three movies of all time, and what is that makes them your favorite?
• Who are the most important people in your life?
• If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Remember to also have answers yourself so that you can share a bit about you. You don’t want to shoot off questions like a firing squad, go with the flow of the conversation. However, if you get stuck, it’s nice to have some backup ammunition to keep the conversation going. If you’ve got your top 5 List for your perfect Mate, you can ask questions, or make comments to illicit responses to help you gage if those qualities are present. Now, if you are a die- hard republican and will not even entertain the possibility of a marrying a democrat, there are some tactful ways of finding out his views without flat out asking him, and ending the conversation then and there.

Being prepared with stories of your own that reflect who you are, your values, and what’s important to you, will ease your tension on those first dates.

Learn to be comfortable with a little silence. Remember you can always smile at those times. I also suggest keeping a first date to under an hour, and making that clear before you meet. If things go well, you will have a reason to meet again. If not, you know there is an easy end in sight.

After your date, evaluate how it went. Make note of the positives, and if something was not right, then ask yourself what would be more perfect next time. The more you focus on what you want, what is comfortable, the more you will experience it. Before your date, take several deep slow breaths, look in the mirror and smile at yourself, and express gratitude for the opportunity practice the art of conversation.

If your LOVE LIFE seems tasteless and what you are doing is NOT WORKING, it’s time to spice it up and add some new ingredients to the mix! As a Love Strategist, EFT and Energy Coach, and creator of 90 Days 2 Love Attraction Collaborative, Cheri Valentine has been cooking up recipes for attracting ideal relationships. She has successfully guided men and women in becoming master chefs in Relating, Dating & Mating on a transformational journey to love that is perfect for them.

Cheri’s own quest for love through healthy and unhealthy relationships, complicated by her struggle with a physical disability, has given her invaluable insight into healing, moving forward, and finding love. She knows firsthand that personal challenges can be opportunities for growth and that nothing can get in the way of true love.

Download your FREE Attraction Recipe for Love and receive weekly support on your quest for love and the perfect date or mate at 90Days2Love.com. Or CheriValentine.com.

Dating is an opportunity to Get out and socialize. Have an open mind! Stop screening everyone as a potential and likely candidate for the perfect mate and start enjoying people and experiences for the pleasure of them. Start living and being present with the people whom you meet rather than mentally calculating the likelihood that they are the happily ever after you so desire.

If you practice the art of living today and enjoying this moment, you will begin to realize that your life is more rewarding and fulfilling than you realized. Why? Because you are happily living it.

Enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee with someone for the simple pleasure of learning about their life. This is much more real than watching a television show or reading a novel. A date is simply an experience in your life. Often times, however, a second date is worthy and even a third before you can absolutely determine that the potential for a long term relationship is even an option.

When you first meet someone, are you completely comfortable and open? Does it take a while before the real you shines through? Is it possible that the same is true for others? You can’t make a decision after only a first date. Establish a 3 date rule and stick to this and you will be surprised at the results. There are reasons for the 3 date rule which I will cover in another entry.

At the very least on a date you have the opportunity for practicing conversation skills, sharing stories, learning about other people, confirming what you enjoy about another person and how they relate with you, clarifying what you don’t necessarily want – which is an opportunity for further clarification on what you do want. When you eliminate the pressure of a date having to hold a greater purpose or meaning, you are more relaxed and allow more of your true essence to be revealed.

When I was dating for the simple pleasure of meeting new people, I had far more fun. At some point along the way, I realize I was doing the mental scan of potentiality. With each and every man I met, I took in a multitude of information in a blink wondering if possibly, he was the one. I became ever more selective in accepting dates. I enjoyed dating less, and was disappointed more. Thankfully, I caught on to my ways.

This prompted an internal investigation of my motives. and a quest for my own personal truth in what a relationship meant to me. Here is what I discovered. I met many interesting men, and to this day have some great friendships as a result of being receptive to dating. I did not go out with every man who asked me, or every man I met. I did have an idea of what was acceptable and not for me.

I used the information from these experiences and observations in creating my Attraction Recipe for my ideal partner. So it was easy for me to recognize him when he showed up.

As a Relationship Intuitive and Love Strategist, Cheri Valentine has been cooking up recipes for attracting ideal relationships. She has successfully guided men and women through the maze of Relating, Dating & Mating on a transformational journey to love that is perfect for them. She is the creator of 90 Days 2 Love Attraction Collaborative and will be releasing her book, 90 Days 2 Love – Transforming Your Love Life from the Inside Out this fall. Download your FREE Attraction Recipe for Love audio at CheriValentine.com.