Darkness Overturned by Patricia Struntz

Autobiography –abuse recovery. Written with raw self-honesty, it is the story about my efforts to break free from verbal, emotional and physical abuse. A must read!

$16.95

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As I promised myself, on the first day of this New Year I opened my heart to settle on one clear intention, one I would quickly take steps to follow through on in order to bring it to reality. It came to me swiftly and with complete clarity: I will write another book this year.

Once determined, I stood in the center of our front room in a space I previously “opened” to the Universe several years ago.  In each corner of the room are tucked away small flat stones imprinted with representations of animals that correspond to the south, west, north and east in keeping with the traditions of several Native American tribes.

A snake carved onto a stone, symbolizing creativity and change, sits on the piano (south) as does a stone on the opposite end embossed with the footprint of a mountain lion, denoting the ability to lead without insisting others follow (west). Over on the mantel rests a stone engraved with a hummingbird, signifying opening the heart to joy (north). Nestled among other stones in a small fountain is a flat one etched with an eagle, embodying the balance to be achieved between our earthly and spiritual nature (east).

Acknowledging these desired qualities of being, I closed my eyes and consciously embraced my feet upon the ground (earthliness) and lifted my head up toward the cathedral ceiling under which I stood (spirituality). And in that space I spoke aloud my intention of writing a book this year, thereby recognizing, accepting and affirming my place in the great connectivity of life.

Later in the morning my husband and I decided to take a ride to a nearby lake to see how swollen it surely had become with all the recent rains. On the way there we spotted a car covered with snow and immediately changed direction to go up the mountain instead. There we found a winter wonderland of fresh snow, not a usual occurrence for us.

Delighted, we drove around taking pictures for several hours, completely charmed by such a wonderful New Year’s Day gift over and above what we expected. It was magical and my heart overflowed with gratitude.

It was 1-1-11. I laughed with pleasure for the numbers as written add up to 13, as can 2011. Thirteen for me has always epitomized ABUNDANCE. It’s like the thirteenth roll in a baker’s dozen –the extra one that is given as assurance of fullness, the one you receive over and above the twelve you pay for.

So in this brand new year promising ABUNDANCE, I will write my book and DANCE –for hidden away in this word much like the flat stones tucked away around our front room, is an invitation to move joyfully and rhythmically in anticipation of the phenomenon of amazement.