I warmly welcome you to Barbara’s Blog - the gathering room at Shandarrah’s Place. Here we can initially talk with one another about Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book and Soul Rubbing Exercises: A Personal Vision Quest. I have invited The Voices Within to drop in and say hello. Mingle in peace with us.

The internet is a wonderful, imperfect medium for communication. Body language, facial expression, eye contact and tone of voice are not present. We ask all to consider how best to convey thoughts prior to posting and to honour those present, keeping in mind that we will have a child among us - one of The Voices Within.

When I was a child my large extended family taught me to share my toys. Later in life they taught me to offer a helping hand when needed. To honour these family teachings I informed the New York office of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) that 8% of author profits from Soul Gifts and Soul Rubbing Exercises will be set aside for this Nobel Prize Winning organization. Visitors can also contact MSF at http://www.msf.org/ and contribute directly. I have also advised the many contributors to Soul Gifts and Soul Rubbing Exercises that remaining author profits will be shared equally among us.

Love Barbara

My first book-length narrative Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book, and its companion Soul Rubbing Exercises: A Personal Vision Quest, will be simultaneously launched August 26, 2006 at Chocolate River Fest - a celebration of music and poetry. The festival will be held at Hopewell Rocks Park in New Brunswick, Canada - where the Bay of Fundy boasts the highest tides in the world.

This launch location and time, and affiliation with the Canadian Poetry Association, evolved - much like the book itself evolved. It captivates me – how everything just seems to come together when we don’t force things. I love the idea of Soul Gifts launching close to nature’s gifts - the trees, the water and the tides. Poets. Musicians. Down-to-earth people - New Brunswickers and our cherished tourists.

I will read and sign books on Saturday and Sunday. Eagle Woman - Carol Desjarlais, will also lead a Talking Circle at 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 26th. This is the first circle called for at the conclusion of Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book. Those who wish to attend can talk or merely listen.

Carol and I really look forward to meeting folks. We may have other contributors to the book in attendance, as well.

See for more details about the Talking Circle or Chocolate River Fest at http://www.canadianpoetryassoc.com/cpa_agm_fest2006.html and view our ad displayed in the recent wellness networker.

Just checking - many of those who will appear here are new to the blogging world - myself included! Now let us see if this works. :>) Barbara J Gill

I have had had an absolutely wonderful trip thus far. The home exchange my friend set up just outside of Quebec City is wonderful. There are gardens to die for and the home is meticulously clean and appealing. I have been taking advantage of the swimming pool.

Went on to Montreal and cruised through Friday at 5:00 pm traffic. It is reassuring to know I still have good reflexes. We found our motel and then visited Pauline Edward. She had a multi-cultural meal for us (loves to cook) and we had neat discussions with she and Bob. Pauline is refined, a talented writer and much more. I could have talked all night to her. Bob’s energy was also very special.

Then off to Ottawa for the visit I am now having with an old friend and colleague Julie Brown in Kanata while my traveling companion hooks up with the wedding party in centre of Ottawa. I have since discovered I had arranged flowers for Tim’s son (Tim Finley) although I don’t know if I will meet him. Small world. I will go for a dip in Julie’s pool this morning before breakfast then hook up with my friend for the wedding we are going to this afternoon in Ottawa. There are quite a few guests from England.

Then back to Quebec tomorrow morning with a third joining us for the drive (all serendipity). I plan to sack out and do nothing but enjoy the gardens and the pool. I will finalize the Harry L Gill - WW II - Letters Home. I am rested, relaxed and am keeping in touch with Mum. Will give her a few days at the family cottage when I come home - if she is up to it. Then it will be back to work.

My decision to not work as many hours as I have of late - is feeling more in sync with my goals. I tuckered myself out - working and getting the book ready for launch. I have to be careful of this pattern of overwork. ( I get grouchy) It is wonderful to be taking an extended break and I have been saying THANK YOU the entire trip. It isn’t costing much - this trip. What a way to travel.

One QUITE interesting thing happened … we were sitting on the screened in deck of the house exchange and my friend said, “I would love to see lightening right over there.” Well that came for sure. WIthin a few minutes there was a HUGE storm and we stayed on the deck to watch it. At one point there was a rosy burst and we found out two days later that 300,000 lost power and this was not restored for some time. There are still residual problems. My friend’s son has come to help Quebec with this. Sure was a powerful storm that wowed us.

When I had drove into Quebec the enormity of a power line sent shivers through me because of its vastness over the landscape … so enormous. I spoke of it. I still use my share of power but our consumption is something we all need to look at. It was probably that main line which was hit.

And life goes on … Barbara J Gill

I rose early this morning to find the sun making a gold streak across Blue River. It was so like a yellow brick road it made me believe I could walk-no skip across the river to the beach. The river danced, the crows came for their usual morning snack and there was no sound. People visit and say “You live in paradise’. It is an enchanting place. After travelling to Yukon and as far as Haines Alaska, I never had the pull of the north. We drove for 2 months birding and taking photos in all the most remote spots. Coming home was just that, coming home. My gardens, birds, healing room, kitchen, friends and summer. I am never blue at Blue River. Roberta(Wise Wizard)

The decision was made prior to vacation departure in July that we would come back one day early. Just because. Of course - there was a reason for this although I was unaware at the time. When I was in Montreal Pauline Edward mentioned Gary Renard
as a dynamic speaker addressing Course in Miracles.

She said, “The Course answers a lot of questions in your book.”

I said, “My questions are rhetorical in many ways. To stimulate thought. They are a little tongue in cheek. People may or may not get that. The book is designed to find more beneath the surface.”

I told Pauline that this chap Gary was apparently coming to my area. She said, “GO hear him.”

I always do what I am told to do of course. (NOT. Ha! Ha!)

Here’s what I think …. THOUGHT has a lot to do with everything. If you follow my book and do the work in Soul Rubbing Exercises: A Personal Vision Quest you will discover this. As physical beings we have the opportunity to take thoughts then make our feet and hands move in actions that match the thoughts - we have the opportunity to take thoughts and articulate them via our vocal chords, lips, tongue and teeth.

I have been nudging up against the COURSE for over a decade now and was introduced to more of the concepts when Yvonne Wilson, the content editor for my book Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book invited me to meetings. I did attend some of those gatherings in Canada’s oldest incorporated City - Saint John on the Bay of Fundy where I spent many hours with Yvonne in editing.

Marianne Williamson - is on my bookshelf. I agree with many of the concepts of the Course but am not a regular student of the Course - more of a visitor to it from time to time. I have not grasped it all. Gary Renard’s DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE, more Course discussion, is now on my bedside table. I will tell you how it got there.

I decided to take in Gary’s workshop whereas he was going to be in F’ton the day after my vacation return. It was a well attended event. I felt very shy to discover that the Wellness Networker http://www.wellnessnetworker.ca/ had their magazine on hand - my full page back cover ad for the launch of Soul Gifts was circulating throughout the room. Most people in the room would not know me and I was happy to be a fly on the wall. Listening. Laughing (As Gary provokes that).

For those of you who know my journey at all - you will know that the number eight has been driving me nuts. It has appeared over and over and OVER again - since 2001. I try to ignore it. It’s hopeless! When something seems to be important for me to listen to - watch for - the eight pops up. It’s NUTS. True to form … Gary Renard announced not once but twice during his time in Fredericton, “This is my EIGHTH visit to Canada.” Groan. NOT AGAIN.

So what do I take from this? “I best read yet another book!” And so that is what I am doing - reading Disappearance of the Universe and got one for my friend - Lisa. I will no doubt get Gary’s new one too.

One thing that appealed to me right off the bat is what Gary and his guides discussed. (Ascended Masters/Guides are not something I know about personally - I don’t have visits from them in my living room but whom am I to say this is not possible!) The business about manifesting money spiritually is addressed. I agreed. The commercialization of spirituality has been troubling me for some time. I don’t wish to become part of that movement - to get rich on the “God” business. That is repetitive of the past isn’t it? I address in Soul Gifts that if money is the root of all “evil” then Mankind is certainly at an interesting point in history and draw the reader to look at corporate pscyhopathy etc.

Money tied to spirituality as a “go get God” feels - in my gut - like another marketing scheme. Heaven only knows - I have done my share of marketing in my lifetime. So I am well positioned perhaps to recognize this truth.

One thing I can tell you - Gary Renard struck me as genuine and love epitomized. It was in his expression when I handed him the brown envelope I had prepared for this fellow. A gift of my books.

Now here is the rest of the Gary Renard story as it affects me. He’s from Maine. Come to find out - he lives in close proximity to Carol Desjarlais who I asked to be the Spokesperson for the Theme of Soul Gifts. I had only met her last year. Who in heck appoints somebody they hardly know to be spokesperson for a book that has taken 20 years to write? I do. Secondly, Gary’s next appearance according to his schedule is Boulder, Colorado. I sent a note off to Lys Anzia as she lives there and suggested she drop in and see him. She is preparing a review for my book to come out next week. I just met Lys this year. And finally - I had just received a polite note from Hay House that they accept manuscripts only through agents. I came home to discover that Gary Renard is published through Hay House. I have had my sites on Hay House for a long time although I don’t know how a lady from New Brunswick, Canada makes that connection exactly. I have had Louise Hay on my book shelf for many years. And wouldn’t you know! Louise Hay has just been included as a regular columnist in the Wellness Networker Magazine. Well again - have to be careful of that marketing business … as we seek absolute truth.

Taking mum to the family cottage for two days. Then it is back to the bedside for me as a nurse. And preparation for the launch of my book. I used to try to pack rooms with people for events. I am not inviting anybody to the launch. It is at Hopewell Rocks in conjunction with a chapter of the Canadian Poetry Association at the Chocolate River Festival

What will be will be. What a great way to live. Now I just have to keep tabs on that part of me that tends to overwork. And life goes on …. Barbara J Gill (See links on Barbara’s website re: Gary Renard.)

My webdesigner Lisa says I need to be less verbose in my posts. So I am here to tell you in a very few words … the eight appeared again. I have been told to study the Dorje. Tibetan. This is all new to me. We shall see where it leads. I have also decided to do a reception in my home town of Fredericton for the book. Private. I do not plan on any overt publicity. Barbara J Gill

My books’ messages will become known I hope through a one to one passing it on and private functions that will discuss the books and sell them. A network that grows … in its own time. I am donating books to cancer units, transition houses for women, retreat libraries, centres for peace. It is my “intention” to have the message “out” WITHIN THREE YEARS. I will need a lot of help to do this in a way that is not “money grabbing”. My intent is also that all the 70 plus contributors to my project might benefit from any sales so that they, in turn, may continue with more of their good work.

There is a gentle rain this morning and I would be so pleased to just sit back and enjoy the music of it - must jump into my uniform though … and get myself to work. I have a long med pass this morning coming up. I work part time and had accepted extra shifts in September. In October I begin the process of truly slowing down my work hours. I will be able to devote more time to that which I love - my writing and art.

Let me know of any org that could benefit from Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book and Soul Rubbing Exercises: A Personal Vision Quest. We will do our best to supply books - for those unable to buy themselves.

Love Barbara J Gill

My wishes for my books are lofty ones. I ask Spirit’s blessings upon the release of these books August 26, 2006 at Hopewell Rocks ~

I wish upon a star

·that the books will provide comfort for those who pursue responsibility for their own emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.

·that the message will circulate world-wide in many languages – tied together by the language of compassion

·that the books will travel in a way that is far from the hype of media glare and merchandising – that they travel quietly and purely via circles and from hand to hand.

.that the books will make a difference in bringing forth a higher degree of human compassion and joy

So the question begs … can these books travel through an underground railroad, through gatherings and one to the other? Readings and discussions? Straight forward and simple? Easy?

How would this work I wonder.

Carol heads to my place tomorrow. I have she and Richard’s bed ready and food in the fridge. She is bringing her Talking Stick that she made and her medicines for the Talking Circle.

We launch the book Saturday at Hopewell Rocks and I am anxious to meet Helen Bar Lev from Israel (and her husband). It has to be the first time I have never attempted to pack a room for an event. In the meantime my CD’s are almost ready and invitation for a private reception Autumn Soltice Meet and Mingle at Garda’s will hit mail first week of September.

Barbara J Gill