life after death

When Pets Cross Over into Heaven

August 13, 2015 by healings-admin 19 Comments

Animals, especially our pets, have a special place in many of our hearts. The unconditional love they share with us is a model for how we can love one another. Anyone who has fallen in love with their pet knows they give so much love and gratitude for our companionship and care. When it comes time for them to cross over into heaven, it is a loss that is felt deeply by all in the household, including other pets.

Surrounded by Loving Beings

When the time comes for our beloved animal companions to cross over to the Other Side, it can be a very emotional and heartbreaking time. It is comforting to know that our pets, just like human beings, are surrounded by spirit guides, loved ones in spirit, and the angels during their transition to heaven. Recently, when my cat, Shadow, passed, I asked the angels to show me his journey in order to share with you what happens when our pets cross over into heaven.

Spirit Guides Ease Their Transition

When Shadow passed, his spirit guides were there to show him the way to heaven. As with people, the guides are unique to the animal. Each being is born with a spirit guide who remains with them for their time on earth, and animals are no different. When pets cross over, their personal spirit guide is there, as well as deceased loved ones who knew them (people and animals), angels, past spiritual masters, and even God. The guides are there to inform them that their physical body has expired, indicating it is time to cross over into heaven. The pull of love is strong on earth, especially if there were deep bonds formed with their companion family. The guides gently let them know it is time to move on to heaven, and that they will never truly be separated from their earthly companions because the love they share will keep them connected. They let them know that, once they have crossed, they can visit in spirit with their loved ones on earth to give them comfort and signs that they are around. Like people, pets can be scared of being separated from loved ones and the life they knew; however, the angels bring peace to their hearts and minds, easing their transition.

Time for Orientation

In the same way that people have an orientation to heaven, animals are also given an introduction and an educational session about heaven. They learn about their new home, as well as what they can do while they are there, including how they can communicate and help their loved ones on earth. They are reunited with loved ones who have crossed over before them, including animal parents and siblings, as well as people who knew them and loved them. The angels, guides, and deceased loved ones often volunteer to watch over them as they await the arrival of their companion family on earth.

Grief Transformed Through Understanding

As with those of us on earth, our beloved pets do experience some sorrow during their transition to heaven. It is natural to feel a sense of loss for the life and companions they knew on earth; however, the grief does not last like it does on earth because the abundant peace and love of heaven embraces them. In addition, they are given the gift of knowledge and enlightenment that allows them to better understand the workings of the universe and their role in it. Any pain they felt in life disappears, and they are transformed into younger and healthier versions of themselves. They are free to run and play, make new friends, roll in the softest spring green grass, and curl up in the warmth of the sun with loved ones.

Visiting Loved Ones on Earth

Kitten bottle feeding — Shadow holding his own bottle. (September 2000)

After their initial period of transition has been completed and grief over your loss has eased, your pets will visit you on earth. You may catch a glimpse of them out of the corner of your eye or see images that remind you of them, you may feel them curled up next to you on the couch or bed, and you may also hear the joyful sounds they used to make just for you. When animals communicate with me both here and from the Other Side, it is very similar to the way human loved ones in spirit communicate with me. They use all of my senses to transmit their messages, and the thought impressions I receive are translated into a spoken language I understand. When they communicate with you, you may receive signs and messages through images, sounds, feelings, smells, and more. It is not a coincidence that the day after Shadow passed a video popped up on one of my social media newsfeeds of a very young kitten holding its own bottle as it was being fed kitten replacement milk. When I adopted Shadow into my heart almost fifteen years ago, he was only two weeks old. Because he was abandoned by his natural mother at such a young age, he needed to be bottle-fed kitten replacement milk. I thought it was adorable how Shadow would hold his kitten-sized bottle with his paws. On an interesting side note, all kittens and puppies are born with brilliant blue eyes, just like human babies. If an extremely young animal comes under your care, you should take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. They have very special needs, ones that you would not even think about, that need to be immediately addressed.

Love Connection

Our beloved pets and companions leave impressions of their love on our hearts. The relationships we build and nurture on earth with all beings creates a bond that cannot be broken with the expiration of our physical bodies. Love is the strongest energy in the universe. It is the ultimate power that links each and every one of us together. It is the spark of life that created our souls, and when we find others whose spark grows and expands within each other’s company, we know we have found our soulmates, our twin flames, and our spiritual family.

Blessings and love to you and yours. May your soul be eased with the love of the angels.

In Memoriam of Shadow

In memory of my sweet and loving Shadow, who will always be my hero, loving companion, and special boy. Rest in peace and enjoy your time in heaven. Thank you for 15 glorious years of love on earth.

September 3, 2000 – August 3, 2015

How Soon After Passing Can a Loved One Communicate?

June 12, 2015 by SpiritMedium 206 Comments

When our physical body expires on earth, our spirits, also referred to as our souls, continue to exist, as does the bond that connects us with one another. As a professional spirit medium, I experience firsthand knowledge from loved ones in spirit every day. The transfer of information is much more complicated than a fireside chat. It is a form of communication that utilizes all of my senses to share information between dimensions. It requires great attentiveness and energy to be open and receptive to the content sent through images, sounds, feelings, tastes, and smells. Moreover, the symbols our guys and gals in heaven use to convey their messages needs to be pieced together for the recipient in order to form a coherent message.

When Can Divine Communication Take Place?

Many people ask me how soon a loved one in spirit can communicate once they have crossed over. The answer is right away. I have experienced immediate communications from both animals and people. I would like to note that while communication is possible, not every being in spirit is skilled at communicating as soon as they cross over. Some are better at it than others. This is because they are older souls that have this knowledge stored within the memory banks of their spirit. I would also like to add that it is important to give your deceased loved ones time to adjust to their new reality. It is equally important to allow yourself time to grieve and adjust to the changes in your life caused by the loss of a loved one. People who are in the depths of strong grief need time to heal, and when they reach out to a spirit medium too soon, they may not be open and receptive to what their loved ones in spirit want to share. Grief and deep sadness have a tendency to block spiritual communications because a person’s main focus is on painful emotions and situations. Often, they only want to hear what they want to hear. Think of it this way: when you experience sharp physical pain, it tends to take over your mind and temporarily halt all other thoughts. In fact, all you can think about is how to rid yourself of the physical pain. It is similar with emotional pain that accompanies strong grief in which the hurt of loss blocks out all other thoughts other than how to relieve the heartache.

Healing and the Grief Process

The time it takes for each person to process grief and work through the healing process is unique to each individual. There are many factors that contribute to the effects of grief including, but not limited to, the way someone passed, the depth of the relationship shared, and personal beliefs about what happens to us when we pass. While it is healthy to mourn the passing of a loved one, it is not emotionally healthy to dwell in grief for extended periods of time. Choosing to remain in a state of perpetual sadness not only blocks you from living the life you are meant to live, but also prevents you from recognizing the signs and messages that loved ones may be sending from the Other Side. In addition, it does not change the fact that a loved one is no longer sharing an earthly experience with us. It is important to understand that our loved ones in spirit want us to go on with our lives and to try to experience as much joy as possible for the time we have on earth. If you need help in getting to this place, there are many resources available, such as grief counselors, life coaches, spirit mediums, friends, family, and more. Often, learning how to manage grief is one of the lessons to be learned for our souls in this lifetime. It is equally as important to understand that the bonds that we have with our loved ones and the love we share cannot be broken by the expiration of our physical bodies. Therefore, we are never truly separated from one another in spirit.

Guidance from the Other Side

Our guys and gals in heaven work from a place of light, love, and expanded knowledge. Their purpose for communicating with you, directly or through a spirit medium, is to bring healing and guidance to your life. A person who has reached a state of acceptance regarding a person’s passing is much more likely to get the most out of their reading with a spirit medium. This is because grief is no longer clouding his or her ability to be receptive to the information being shared. This does not mean that you do not miss your loved ones, it means that you have accepted that he or she has transitioned to heaven, and have made the conscious choice to continue your personal journey on this earth. When it is your time to cross over into heaven, you will be reunited with your loved ones in spirit, including any pets and animals that have made a significant impact on your life or you on theirs. In the meantime, your loved ones in spirit will continue to watch over you, as well as send you messages and signs letting you know that they are around.

They Communicate with You, Too!

Your loved ones in spirit use your senses, too, to let you know that they are around.* For example, they may place visual images in front of you that remind you of them. My father often uses signs related to firefighters and trains to let me know he is around. In addition, loved ones in spirit may play music in your head to give you answers to your prayers or that reminds you of them. You may also feel their presence, smell their perfume, or have strong taste cravings for the food they used to cook. They orchestrate these wondrous occurrences for you in ways that are challenging for the human mind to comprehend. Unfortunately, some people dismiss these occurrences and try to explain them away as coincidences. Nothing in this world is a coincidence, and it would truly amaze you to be able to comprehend the ways in which spiritual beings on the Other Side facilitate events on earth. They do so with our best interests at heart, and to help us navigate our journeys. Remember, they use a myriad of ways to get our attention, including our dreams.* When you see them there, it is your loved ones in spirit trying to help you to overcome your fears, to provide messages of comfort, and to help you to work through issues you face on a daily basis.

Namaste!

*Note: My book, How Have You Loved?, contains a lot of in-depth information about how your loved ones in spirit communicate with you, including how to interpret your dreams, why we are really here on earth, what we are to accomplish in our lifetimes, and how we can achieve our soul objectives.

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing and Reiki. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.

To learn more about Karen, who is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and her book, How Have You Loved?, visit her website at www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com.

Defining Your Life Purpose

March 15, 2015 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

Pink Tulips For some, the recognition of a life purpose comes as a calling or a moment of complete understanding of what your mission is in this lifetime. It is a very strong inner-knowing of your purpose that cannot be denied. For me, it was an amazing moment in which I finally understood what my calling was in life. The events leading up to this moment were carefully orchestrated by my guys and gals in heaven, also known as my heavenly support team. As the realization hit me that I was a spirit medium, I experienced a vision in which every experience in my life lit up like a star in a sapphire blue sky. The stars lit up one by one in a spiral curving inward which was signifying my earthly journey from one level to the next. The center star shined the brightest and magnified in intensity as I looked at it. I knew in my soul that the center star represented that exact moment in time in which I finally realized I was a spirit medium. I knew it was my calling to help people through the wondrous gifts I had been given. It truly was one of the most profound moments of my life.

Listening to the Call of Your Spirit
Not all people experience that extraordinary moment of profound recognition about his or her life purpose. Sometimes, the call is more subtle and may come to you through repeated thoughts or messages. For instance, you may feel strong urges to create artwork. At the same time, you may also experience repeated outward signs that crop up and attempt to point you in the direction of your life purpose. Friends or strangers may suddenly show their appreciation for your artwork and tell you about upcoming art exhibitions. You may also see job listings for artists pop up on your social media newsfeeds or sale advertisements for the materials you use to create your artwork.

Unique Paths
Each person’s purpose for existing on this planet is unique to each individual, and yet, we are all entwined with one another through a complex web of cause and effect that is carefully planned out prior to our birth on earth. While in heaven, we agree to participate in and experience certain events in our lifetimes that not only advance the growth of our own souls, but also help others with their life lessons. Please note, though, that each second of our lives is not mapped out. It is more like a “choose your own adventure” book in which you choose an action from a list of potential actions, and you see where it takes you. There is no wrong path to take, because all paths lead you to the same place. Even when it seems like we are making mistakes, we are not. The seeming mistakes are pathways to learning that help us to avoid similar pitfalls in the future, and they lead us on detours that add value to our journey.

Know Thyself
Your life purpose may or may not involve positively impacting humankind for decades to come. You may be playing a supporting role to others, or you may be destined to contribute in both small and large ways. For example, one person may be destined to become a music legend who inspires people through the songs and compositions he or she creates, while another may be destined to work from home caring for and nurturing their children. The roles that each of us play in our lifetimes not only affect the people who are immediately around us, but also many others in current and future generations.

With the music legend, it is easy to see how that person is positively influencing others outside of their immediate circle of friends and family. With the stay at home dad or mom, the scope of his or her reach may not be revealed in this lifetime, but possibly in the next as the child or children that he or she raises may be destined to become a leader who positively impacts the world. Either way, we all have important jobs to do. Determining what that job is requires an excellent relationship with yourself, including an acknowledged awareness of your likes, dislikes, and talents, as well as a willingness to love who you are. Pay close attention to the messages you receive from within, as well as the confirmation you receive from without, regarding your life purpose.

Signs Point the Way
Throughout your life, you have been given many signs and messages about your life purpose. Do not worry, though, if you have not decoded or defined them yet. Your journey is unique to you, and it is a journey to be enjoyed. You really are in the perfect place for you at this moment in time. Attempting to measure the success of your journey by comparing yourself to others is an unfortunate waste of time, because no two people walk the same exact path. Instead, concentrate on finding the joy in your own journey and allow yourself to be open to the signs that are pointing you to paths that will bring you the most happiness and success.

Questions to Ask Yourself
To help determine your life path, I have compiled some questions designed to help you recognize the patterns that have been occurring in your own life.

When you were growing up, what did you always dream of doing or becoming?
Whether you dreamt of being a firefighter, ballerina, actress, pilot, baker, cook, scientist, doctor, or fashion designer, there are clues hidden within these occupations and childhood dreams that will help you uncover your life purpose. For instance, when I was twelve, I really wanted to become a psychologist. The desire behind that dream was to help people work through emotional issues in order to bring them healing. As it turns out, I share the gift of healing every day through my work as a spirit medium by helping people with deep issues that touch their hearts and souls.

Have you had strong and repeated visions about performing your vocation? Did you at any time attempt to follow your dreams? If so, what actions did you take?
Growing up, I also dreamt of being on stage in front of large groups of people. I participated in school plays, musicals, and community theatre, and as an adult, I gave hundreds of presentations and worked as a professional actress. All of my experiences on stage, in front of the camera, and on the radio have enabled me to be very comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people and on film. Today, I work on stage providing large group readings and motivational presentations, I am on the radio, and I create videos. The dreams I had, and the actions I took, help me with the work I currently perform. As a young girl, did I think I would be working as a spirit medium on stage? No, I did not. I did, however, end up on stage in front of large groups of people.

What activities bring you the most joy?
Pay attention to the activities you like to perform. For example, do you enjoy gardening, caring for babies or animals, problem-solving, cooking, helping others to succeed, driving, or designing your own jewelry? Have you ever wondered why you like certain activities over others? Natural talents and skills have been gifted to you for good reasons. Are there ways that you can use your skills to develop a successful occupation? Have you already done that?

For as long as I can remember, I loved reading and learning about ghosts, the paranormal, tarot, intuition, life after death, nature, mediumship, animals, crystals, and just about anything positive in the New Age genre. Prior to re-awakening to my gifts, I did not realize that my fascination with these topics were pointing me in the direction of my true vocation. Even as I read about spirit mediums, I would think about how much I would love to be able to be one. I find it interesting that I had not come across a book that would have given me the last piece of the puzzle I needed to realize that I already was a spirit medium. It was because the time was not right for me to become fully aware my gifts. My guys and gals in heaven knew when I needed to reawaken, and I believe that is why my calling came at the perfect time. They needed me to fulfill other tasks in order to be fully prepared to step into my gifts.

Life Purpose Revealed
Try not to worry or stress about determining your life purpose. Mine was revealed to me later in life, and as I look back, I can see that my calling arrived with impeccable timing. Yours will, too. Each person’s experience with the discovery of his or her life purpose is different. It may come as an epiphany, or as an inner-knowing that you feel when you are performing actions that are in harmony with your life plan. It is important to note that I was in my thirties when I experienced my epiphany, and I was not actively trying to determine my life purpose. Prior to that, I explored several career paths and job opportunities. Even though they were not the ultimate assignments of my calling, my experiences served very important purposes for the work that I currently perform.

When the time is right for you, your life purpose will be revealed. In the meantime, do what you love and love what you do. Focus on the activities that bring you the most joy, and listen to the positive inner-promptings that you receive. Place your trust in your higher self and your heavenly support team as you are actively guided on your path. Pay attention to the signs, repeated messages, and validations you receive about being on the right path…because you are on the best path for you. Even if you are unsure of your ultimate destination, your life purpose will be revealed with impeccable divine timing.