MIND FULL: Guest-post From Author Patricia Gonzalez
How the words of an unfolding manuscript, ‘
The Ultimate Experience’ and the student,
Patricia Hammond-Gonzalez, found each other. By Patricia Gonzalez
A true writer creates through words superbly placed on the page. My best words placed in the best order were always verbal, not written… with one exception. In high school the English teacher held a creative writing contest. The prize? To be published in the school paper. I won!
Spring of 2008, my two cats are inside my bedroom fiddling with my patio door. It’s too early, the alarm hasn’t gone off yet! Irritated, I get up to see what all the fuss is about. Yikes! A Bat is clinging to my screen door. It’s outside, so I’m not too worried.
I believe ‘Totem Animals’ carry meaning, wisdom, and power on your spiritual path. “What does a Bat mean?” I asked myself. ‘When Bat flies in as ‘Spirit Animal’ it’s time to prepare for major life changes.’ I was unexpectedly laid off from my corporate job an hour later. I thought about the Bat!
Once the shock wore off, I found myself smiling inside... twenty years trying to fit my square peg into corporate’s round hole was long enough. I woke the next morning with REALITY coiled around me like a snake smothering its prey, ‘no job, no life.’ It kept me captive for one whole year.
The rapid beating inside my chest; no doubt the result of a stressed-filled day, got my attention. I took several long deep breaths to calm my trembling heart. An intuitive message flashed in my mind, ‘Take this opportunity to get on your spiritual path.’
Two weeks later, I was driving toward my new path. My mother had said “Yes” when I asked if I could use her spare bedroom to create a cocoon for my transformation; whatever that looked like.
Sleepless nights doing research on the Internet and hours of meditation finally yielded a direction - A Course in Miracles. I studied it once, but I wasn’t ready for its message… this time the practice of forgiveness was clear on every page.
Fast forward two years and my commitment to forgiveness has rewarded me with a better connection to a Higher Source. Day after day, word after word; profound wisdom appeared on my mental screen. I typed the words into a word doc on my laptop. When I realized it was an unfolding manuscript, I resisted, “What? I’m not a writer!”
The Ultimate Experience took a year to finish. I became a more willing and nimble writer along the way; however, time has allowed me understanding on why I was chosen to write the book and deliver its message… and it wasn’t because I was a masterful writer. A Higher Source chose me… because, I KNOW with certainty the ‘Power of Forgiveness.’
Major life changes… indeed!
PATRICIA HAMMOND-GONZALEZ, an inspirational teacher and author shares her ‘tools for change’ in her new inspirational book ‘The Ultimate Experience.’ She tells her story cleverly, applying the wise teaching to practical experience, all culminating in an incredibly satisfying full circle.
Born in Spirit Lake Idaho, she’s #3 of 4 daughters. As a child, she was a ballerina, a cowgirl, the winner of a beauty contest, and hula hoop contest. She was a member of 4-H who raised a calf that won 3rd place at the Fair. In high school, she won a creative writing contest, she was drill team leader, she loved music, dancing and singing, she was the ‘rebellious teenager’ who got into trouble a few times too. She was a Hairdresser, a Corporate Trainer, Project Manager, Marketing & Sales Operations Manager. She’s been a wife twice; now to a Musician, she loves traveling, and meeting new friends. Her family moved her to California when she was 18. She’s lived in London and now Spain. She is a mom to an adult daughter and her rescue Yorkie, Buddy. Her entire adult life has been as a Spiritual traveler, she shares her lessons in whatever form manifests – groups, one-on-one, online chats, and books. Patricia teaches through her heart. She knows the human path is a difficult one… she lives it. But she also knows of the ‘Miracles’ awaiting each student who dares to walk a path of forgiveness
