I've been getting messages from the Universe that it's time for me to move. I moved into my apartment here in 1992 when I started writing my book. It has been a beautiful place for me to do some major healing.

I've known for awhile that I need to move but I've been unable to do so. Just the thought of moving overwhelms me. I have accumulated so many things.

Messsage #1 occurred about a month ago. I was out on my daily walk. As I approached my apartment, I noticed the weeping willow in front of my apartment. The tree is sick and I had the thought that it wasn't going to last long.

I said to myself, "When that tree goes, I'll go." There have been several willows that have been cut down in previous years.

A week after I made the statement about the tree, I drove into my driveway on a Friday afternoon and saw that the willow had fallen. No one was hurt. No cars were hit. I was, of course, totally shocked. I immediately remembered the promise I had made to myself.

Message #2 came in the form of a weird note which was on my door when I got home Christmas evening. It was from my neighbor, who is a single guy. It felt so inappropriate. I've been feeling unsafe here ever since I received his note.

Message #3 came this week on Tuesday when I went out to my car and found that it had been vandalized. Someone had tried to hot-wire it. Thank God there were unsuccessful.

I came inside, called the police and started asking God what lessons there were for me to learn regarding all these circumstances. I also took action to move by calling an acquaintance who had said she had a condo for sale.

I always told myself that when I moved from my current home, I would be buying a place in California. I don't feel financially capable of doing that but perhaps there is a way and I'm not aware of it.

Prior to my 12-Step Recovery Work, I'd feel victimized by the above circumstances. Now, I ask to learn the lesson sooner rather than later and I pray for willingness to be guided to where I will live and how I will manage.

I've discussed this with friends who have offered to help me move. And I've heard so many stories lately about how the money shows up after the commitment is made to expand your horizon. I know that God provides and I know that my job is to create in my imagination the most perfect place for me to live.

I'll keep you posted.

As the New Year unfolds, take a few minutes to reflect on your accomplishments of last year. It’s been a year of many blessings for me, not the least of which was my trip to Paris in September. Traveling opens us up to new ways of viewing the world. Visiting Paris stirred up some intolerance for my current living situation.

I’ve watched my town of Santa Rosa grow immensely in the last 20 years. The major highway (101) that runs right though town is being widened. I live close by. The noise and dirt are hindrances to my health.

I want more of the natural world around me — to live in the woods — to live more of a monastic life. Living in the city is distracting in so many ways.

So my intention in 2007 is to find a lovely home in the country and move. Moving, like traveling, stirs things up. I’m ready. Show me the way, Universe, Goddess. God, all that is. And please let it be easy. I’m not into struggling and suffering anymore.

What do you want to be different this year? What new habits do you want to establish? What support do you need to make the changes you want to make?

What gifts lay buried within you that you have not uncovered? What's the first step?

One of my intentions is to simplify my life. To have more down time. I signed up for a 5-day meditation retreat at the end of January. I'm really looking forward to it.

For the last couple years, I have not attended meditation retreats. I miss that time of complete dropping into the silence. My soul is restored by doing that. I come home happy. I look forward to the reteat at the end of January. It's at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. The retreat is led by Joanna Macy and is entitled The World As Self.

I wish you and yours a peaceful year filled with much grace and blessings.