Horizons Magazine

More about Andrea

JULY 2003
Fire destroys acres around me and stops at my prayer circle; studly
firefighters on my roof; being open to change; what's your perception
of what you're attracting? Suzie Miller talks about Andrea de Michaelis.

Hello and welcome to the July 2003 issue of Horizons Magazine. In May, I wrote
 about the power of fire, fanning the flame, how easily we can let parts of our lives
blaze out of control. Gosh, talk about attractig what you focus on!

It was Sunday, June 1st. I came home about 3pm to fire engines and police cars preventing me from driving onto the street where I live, although I could see the street filled with people. I drove around the back way and dashed through a neighbor's yard to see billows of thick gray smoke coming out of what appeared to be my backyard. As I got closer, I could see the pine and oak woods to the west of me were ablaze and filled with firefighters; the street was lined with fire trucks and onlookers. I quickly hooked my garden hoses together so I could reach the now-smoldering brush at the edge of my property. Unbeknownest to me, the house directly in front of the house behind me had just burned to the ground, along with half a block of woods around it. The man behind me had fire damage to an outbuilding, and half of his privacy fence burned away. I finally got to see what kinda dog he has!

My west lot, and 2 acres to the west of that, were also burned down. My home was not affected,
it was only the woods. As I was watering the closest smoldering palmetto clump, the water
stopped flowing. I realized the electricity had gone out when I saw the power pole first on fire,
then crash to the ground. We don't have city water out here and when you're on a well, when
the power goes out, so does your water pump, which means no water.

I was told to prepare to evacuate, so I began packing my computer, my insurance files, the mail,
 the checkbooks and some clothes into the van. I alerted my gal pals Suzie & Sally that I'd be
headed their way and might hafta crash at their place for the evening. A handful of studly
 firefighters came to the door and asked if I had a broom and a rake, and they went up onto my
 roof and swept down all the accumulated leaves and cleaned out all my gutters, and bagged up
the leaves for me. There were 50-100 pounds of oak leaves that came down; my house is shaded
 by a giant oak!

I asked them if I was being naive, but I felt they had everything under control and that my property
was not in any jeopardy. They agreed that it seemed under control, and remarked how it was
interesting that I was burned all around the outside of my property, literally leaving a burnt ring
 around my outdoor gathering circle (formerly called the firepit area!) It's as though my personal
 area was magically avoided.

I stopped to think, "How did I attract this"" then I realized "Attract what? Attract a dozen hunky
firefighters clearing land for me - for free - and up on my roof clearing it off and bagging it up for
me - for free - and doing a controlled burn on my underbrush - for free. How did I attract that?"
Honest living, I guess *hehehe* Just kidding (kinda!) As with any kinda challenging situation,
the only thing that ever needs to change is my perception.

I need to say a big THANK YOU to Cecelia Avitable of The Herb Corner and Suzie Miller
for co-creating an awesome expo booth display for Horizons Magazine - the display premiered
at the Body, Mind, Spirit Expo in Melbourne the end of June. I drag Suzie around to all the conferences with me and we have a blast wherever we go.

Speaking of that brat-fink Suzie Miller, she has so pestered me, that it's easier for me to let her have her say than to argue with her about it. Here's Suzie Miller:

Letter ABOUT the Editor
By Suzie Miller
For the past 11 years Andrea has written to us about personal growth, positive paths, expanded consciousness and the list goes on and on. Each month she offers us her ideas and opinions. Having been her friend since the very first publication of Horizons, I know that each month she reflects on what to write to us, and it always comes directly centered from her heart. This month, I would like to take her space and write to you ABOUT our beloved editor. And in case you are wondering, I had to trick her into letting me do this editorial for her. So if you consider that she is feeding her ego, you are mistaken.

So, here is my story: a great one, that I am sure will unfold as the days go by, but it begins yesterday, Sunday, June 1, 2003. After a busy morning of delivering magazines to Orlando and going to church, Andrea pops over for her Sunday visit. I was painting the bedroom. Andrea comes in, clears a space on my bed so she can sit and visit while I work. Immediately, she begins to fuss around with all the items on the bed; re-arranging them to her satisfaction and making room for all my pets and me as we wanted to take a rest from time to time. (Remember to follow this example: take the time to make a space your own. Then, make room for the things you really enjoy to be near you.)

This behavior is consistent of Andrea: she always moves things around; no matter where we are. It is rather like a joke we tease her about. She has actually moved the furniture in my living room, to make it more accommodating in her moment. Alas, to know her is to love her, so we just sit back and be entertained by her actions.

We chatted a good bit about all the cool things that are happening in our lives, giggling about the abundant energy the two of us seem to be enjoying lately; recognizing in the recent months, creativity is the motivating force moving us through our daily lives. She had a large bag of beading supplies with her. While I finished up my painting, she lounged on the bed and looked at her catalog of beads and supplies.

Soon, she was restless and hugged me goodbye, heading for home. Less than 20 mins later, it was 3:00pm that I got her first call. She was nervously laughing and telling me there are fire trucks up and down her street, that she could not reach her driveway. I asked her to come back here or should we come help her. She said she would call back.

Next call about 10 mins later was, she was walking through the back way into her home and noticed the serious fire. A lady's home behind her own was burned to the ground. The firefighters were busy working to get the flames under control. Flames were only 6 feet from her property. She had the garden hose and was out in her yard, wetting down things. If you know Andrea, you know that she is nearly always barefoot and this day was no different. She moved about her yard with the hose, squinting and tearing through the smoke as she looked at the charred and scorched properties and plants.

The next call came from inside the house. She was inside now, putting on her hiking boots, cause there was so much ash everywhere. Her kitties were all fine and all noses were present. So, she gathered a few things and came back to our home. We sat together for a while, and spoke of all the things that had gone through her head as she was in the midst of a raging fire that had already cleared her woods and taken a neighbor's home. She sat and reflected to me her ideas and at the same time, she was writing notes on a slip of paper laying on my kitchen counter. (Another really great practice for us all; write down what you really love and appreciate!)

She told me that earlier in the day, when she'd been looking at a Magic Eye puzzle on my counter, that it looked like a bunch of men with long hoses. We laughed, but later, seeing her lawn teaming with firefighters, the thought popped back in her head. As she shifted my fears to the magic of the universal ways, I remembered that I had been led to buy her a token gift that very morning and hadn't given it to her yet. I had bought her a light bulb that was orange and looked like flames!!! (Light bulb? idea? flames? get it?! ) Needless to say, we knew we were on to something!

Next she mentioned that she had asked a friend to clear the woods behind her house, she wanted to utilize that space. Now, from the fire, the woods were cleaned and the fresh new life was already present. So, that was a task that she had wanted done, and now these beautiful firefighters were clambering to assist her in her maintence of the property. They even got on her roof and removed all the dead leaves and bagged them up for her!! (Yes, this was another item on the "To Do List" )

Remember folks; at the very moment Andrea and I were having this uplifting, powerful, conversation, the fire was still burning and she had no power at her home; the drama was still very much going on and yet Andrea had the focus of all the good things that could come from this event.

We sat for an hour or so chatting and she making her notes. I was eager to stay in the place of "What is the best that can happen" so she and I talked until she was ready to check her home once again. There was no electricity at her home, the fire had burned the support poles and the electricity was interrupted. Yet, she felt she wanted to go back there. So, we let her go again.

It was only 10 mins later that the phone rang. She told us that she had got in touch with Florida Power and Light and was told that it would be the next day before she would have electricity. So, in light of that, she called us to accept the invitation of spending the night in our home. We were glad she was going to come be with us, but she wanted to go by her house, check on her pets and gather some things for the night. So we hung up.

10 Minutes later, the phone rings; ANDREA again. Now her voice is in a higher pitch, and laughing; It seems that her home, was the only home on her side of the street that had lights! She was amazed and truly excited. (We later found out temporary power had been restored; perhaps she got power first...) We both were so excited and though neither of us spoke it at the time, we both knew, it was her powerful connection to the love and security of her faith, that provided this supernatural protection. You know how they say, "You will believe it when you see it?" Well, we were seeing it, and could hardly believe it, let alone speak it!!!  But we ALL knew, it was the power of God protecting her home and office. Had the fire claimed her home, Horizons Magazine would have been at best delayed for a short while. We all knew that Andrea would always be protected, but sometimes, that does not include our possessions, attachments and responsibilities. Yet all was perfectly safe.
Today, she is dealing with the investigators and follow up details that accompany such a tragic experience. Yet, this morning, as I read the bulk e-mail she sent to all of us on her mailing list, she speaks of only the basic details and asks that we all pray for the lady who lost her home. Such a selfless act. She is an amazing person.

As I sit here, I reflect on the past 24 hours. My dear friend moved through the threat of complete travesty, and yet not for a moment, did she turn her focus from what is the best scenario here. She held to her faith that all is well in her world. She stayed connected to her love and kept fear at it's distance. It is one thing to sit in your home office, in your nice quiet sanctuary and uplift your spirit to a vibration that allows us to create uplifting words and create beautiful powerful thoughts in that peaceful, protected space. Yet, in the throws of dire emergency, for most of us, it is FEAR that holds our focus. We are terrified.

I just wanted to share with you about the editor;. SHE WALKS HER TALK!!! I admire Andrea for many things, but today, I am so proud to call her my friend. I am so glad that I attract her loving, powerful, energy in my life. Every time you read Horizons Magazine, and her Editorial, you are in vibrational harmony with her as well. The next time you feel fear is running amuck in your life, pick up a copy of Horizons Magazine for some inspiration and know, there is another choice; there is a higher path to be revealed to you. Just hold your heart in the love!

Thanks, Suzie. May everyone have a friend that thinks as highly of them *big smile*
Enjoy our offering this month. Hari Om.