5. Turn your anxiety into a movie. You can let go of a worry by disconnecting yourself from it. One way is to imagine that your anxious thoughts are a show. Maybe they’re a little guy in a funny hat who tap dances and sings out your worry while you sit in the audience, eating popcorn, a calm observer.6. Set aside worry time. All too often we take a “Crackberry” approach to our worries: They show up unannounced, like constantly dinging e-mails, and we stop everything to address them―even if we should be doing something else. But what if you don’t respond right away? Try setting aside 20 minutes every day―let’s say at 4:30 p.m.―just for your worries. If you are fretting at 10 a.m., jot down the reason and resolve to think it through later. By the time 4:30 comes around, many of your troubles won’t even matter anymore. And you will have spent almost an entire day anxiety-free.

7. Take your hand off the horn. You constantly check the weather before a big outdoor event. You replay that clumsy comment you made, wishing you could take it back. And, yes, you honk your horn in traffic. When you desperately try to take command of things that can’t be controlled, you’re like the swimmer who panics and slaps at the water, screaming. It gets you nowhere. Instead, imagine that you are floating along on the water with your arms spread out, looking up to the sky. It’s a paradox, but when you surrender to the moment, you actually feel far more in control.

8. Breathe it out. You may notice that when your body is tense, you hold your breath. Focusing on breathing is a common but effective technique for calming the nerves. Where is your breath now, and where is your mind? Bring them together. Listen to the movement of your breath. Does your mind wander somewhere else? Call it back. Concentrate only on breathing in and out, beginning and ending, breath to breath, moment to moment.

9. Make peace with time. When you’re a worrier, everything can feel like an emergency. But notice this about all your anxious arousal: It’s temporary. Every feeling of panic comes to an end, every concern eventually wears itself out, every so-called emergency seems to evaporate. Ask yourself, “How will I feel about this in a week or a month?” This one, too, really will pass.

10. Don’t let your worries stop you from living your life. Many of them will turn out to be false, and the consequences of your anxiety―less sleep, a rapid pulse, a little embarrassment―are just inconveniences when it comes down to it. What can you still do even if you feel anxious? Almost anything.

If you need help, book a life coaching session with Derek! Click here to set it up!

I found these suggestions of coping mechanisms. from your life your voice website

Exercise (running, walking, etc.).
Put on fake tattoos.
Write (poetry, stories, journal).
Scribble/doodle on paper.
Be with other people.
Watch a favorite TV show.
Post on web boards, and answer others’ posts.
Go see a movie.
Do a wordsearch or crossword.
Do schoolwork.
Play a musical instrument.

Paint your nails, do your make-up or hair.
Sing.
Study the sky.
Punch a punching bag.
Cover yourself with Band-Aids where you want to cut.
Let yourself cry.
Take a nap (only if you are tired).
Take a hot shower or relaxing bath.
Play with a pet.
Go shopping.
Clean something.
Knit or sew.
Read a good book.
Listen to music.
Try some aromatherapy (candle, lotion, room spray).
Meditate.
Go somewhere very public.
Bake cookies.
Alphabetise your CDs/DVDs/books.
Paint or draw.
Rip paper into itty-bitty pieces.
Shoot hoops, kick a ball.
Write a letter or send an email.
Plan your dream room (colours/furniture).
Hug a pillow or stuffed animal.
Hyper-focus on something like a rock, hand, etc.
Dance.
Make hot chocolate, milkshake or smoothie.
Play with modelling clay or Play-Dough.
Build a pillow fort.
Go for a nice, long drive.
Complete something you’ve been putting off.
Draw on yourself with a marker.
Take up a new hobby.
Look up recipes, cook a meal.
Look at pretty things, like flowers or art.
Create or build something.
Pray.
Make a list of blessings in your life.
Read the Bible.
Go to a friend’s house.
Jump on a trampoline.
Watch an old, happy movie.
Contact a hotline/ your therapist.
Talk to someone close to you.
Ride a bicycle.
Feed the ducks, birds, or squirrels.
Colour with Crayons.
Memorise a poem, play, or song.
Stretch.
Search for ridiculous things on the internet.
“Shop” on-line (without buying anything).

Colour-coordinate your wardrobe.
Watch fish.
Make a CD/playlist of your favourite songs.
Play the “15 minute game.” (Avoid something for 15 minutes, when time is up start again.)
Plan your wedding/prom/other event.
Plant some seeds.
Hunt for your perfect home or car on-line.
Try to make as many words out of your full name as possible.
Sort through your photographs.
Play with a balloon.
Give yourself a facial.
Find yourself some toys and play.
Start collecting something.
Play video/computer games.
Clean up trash at your local park.
Perform a random act of kindness for someone.
Text or call an old friend.
Write yourself an “I love you because…” letter.
Look up new words and use them.
Rearrange furniture.
Write a letter to someone that you may never send.
Smile at least five people.
Play with little kids.
Go for a walk (with or without a friend).
Put a puzzle together.
Clean your room /closet.
Try to do handstands, cartwheels, or back bends.
Yoga.
Teach your pet a new trick.
Learn a new language.
Move EVERYTHING in your room to a new spot.
Get together with friends and play Frisbee, soccer or basketball.
Hug a friend or family member.
Search on-line for new songs/artists.
Make a list of goals for the week/month/year/5 years.
Face paint.

 

 

Don’t get frustrated with life’s challenges!

 

 

 

​​​We can all laugh now and relax. Take that time out and think of better coping strategies for the future.
Practice mindfulness and meditated, learn as much as you can, don’t just sit there and be alone.

Build up your emergency care kit and if you need help. feel free to ask, and together we will build up your coping mechanisms and strategies to succeed though life’s challenges.

 

If you need help, book a life coaching session with Derek! Click here to set it up!

 

 

 

 

Is Our Heart Really Changing? The Spiritual Shift of Our Time

by Derek McGillivray – A Happy Medium, Date: 26 October 2025

Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed more and more people talking about heart changes — not just physical, but energetic, emotional, and spiritual. Maybe you’ve felt it too: that flutter in your chest, waves of emotion that seem to come from nowhere, or a deep sense that your heart is both aching and opening at the same time.

Many in the spiritual and ascension community are calling this a Heart Awakening. Some even say our hearts are literally changing to hold more light, more compassion, and more truth. It might sound a bit “out there,” but if you’ve been on a healing or awakening path, you’ve likely noticed it too — the call to live more from the heart than from the head.

My Own Experience
After a period of deep reflection and healing, I realised how much my heart has changed — not just physically or emotionally, but energetically. Seeing others struggle, feeling the love and support from friends, family, and clients reminded me that the heart isn’t just an organ… it’s the seat of our soul.

When I connect with Spirit or work with clients, I often feel this shift most strongly in the chest — like a gentle pulsing energy, guiding me to speak from kindness, not ego. That, to me, is what this “heart change” is really about.

The Messages of the Heart — and the Signs
Just before I went to sleep recently, I was drawn to an old interview with David Icke by Terry Wogan (his second interview) in which Icke, calm and grounded, defended his earlier awakening and spoke of being ridiculed but standing firm in his truth. That stood out to me: many who awaken early are often misunderstood — but over time much of what sounded “out there” starts to make sense.

In true synchronistic style, I was awoken at 6:06. For me, this number is highly symbolic — I see the Lovers card (6) and when you add 6+6 you get 12 → 1+2 = 3. In many Tarot systems 3 is the Empress (creation, nurturing, new beginnings). That morning I also came across a video by Diana Cooper, a woman who has long inspired me and whose work in angelic/ascension realm felt like confirmation. Her words: “Your heart is becoming the bridge between your human self and your higher self.”

Later again I saw 8:08 on the clock. The number eight speaks of infinity, flow, abundance — two 8s doubling that energy. Then came stories surfacing about Mary Magdalene and her sacred blood‑line, divine feminine connection, and hidden spiritual truths. To me, all of this is part of the same wake‑up: the heart changing, the old forms dissolving, the new love‑based way of being emerging.

The Death Card & the Heart of Rebirth
In the classic Rider–Waite Tarot Deck (RWS) the Death card (XIII) is not about literal death, but about endings and new beginnings. On the card the skeletal figure holds a black standard emblazoned with a white rose. The white rose symbol has deep meaning: it stands for purity, immortality, renewal and transformation.

To quote one source: “Death carries a black flag decorated with a white, five‑petal rose … reflecting beauty, purification, and immortality … the number five representing change.” (Biddy Tarot)

And another: “The black banner signifies the end, but the white rose on it symbolizes purity, clarity, and the promise of new beginnings.” (Eye of Heaven) For me, this card resonates strongly with what I’ve been sensing: the heart is being invited to die (in old ways) and to be reborn (in new ways) — the old fear, separation, ego‑driven heart gives way to love, unity, service. While I haven’t found definitive evidence that the emblem is directly the “Mary Magdalene emblem”, it is clearly rich in feminine/rebirth symbolism and aligns beautifully with my Magdalene‑feminine heart themes.

So in my blog I invite you to see this: the Death card isn’t a death sentence — it’s an awakening, a rebirth of the heart, the soul, the collective.

Today’s Date & The Hermit Card
26 October 2025 → 2 + 6 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 18 → 1 + 8 = 9. In Tarot the number 9 is associated with the card The Hermit (IX).

The Hermit stands for introspection, wisdom, spiritual guidance, retreating inward to listen to your inner light. So today, with the numerology of ‘9’, I feel the message is particularly strong: yes there is heart‑awakening, yes there is rebirth (Death card), and there is the calling to turn inward, reflect, listen, receive (Hermit card). It’s a journey from opening heart → letting go of what no longer serves → stepping into the wise heart‑self.

When Time Itself Turns Back
And as if on cue, this very day — 26 October 2025 — the clocks go back. What perfect timing for this reflection.
When the clocks turn back, we symbolically reclaim time. We revisit the past, slow down, and receive an extra hour to rest, reflect, and realign. In spiritual terms, this mirrors The Hermit’s message: step inward, pause, look within the lantern’s light, and rediscover your own rhythm.

For me, it’s a gentle reminder that even as the world races forward, awakening isn’t always about speeding up — it’s about tuning in. Just as the clock resets, so too can the heart, allowing us to enter a new cycle with clarity and grace.

The Bigger Picture
When our hearts open, our world‑view changes. We start to care more about others, nature, our communities. We forgive more easily. We live more presently. That’s why I believe this heart shift isn’t just personal — it’s planetary. Humanity is being asked to move from competition to compassion, from fear to love.

How to Support Your Heart During Ascension
If you’re feeling the changes:
– Ground daily: walk barefoot, breathe deeply, connect to the Earth.
– Do heart‑breathing: imagine light moving in and out of your heart space.
– Let yourself feel: tears, laughter, love — it’s all part of healing.
– Eat and rest well: the body supports the soul; don’t neglect it.
– Share love freely: kindness is the best medicine for an expanding heart.
– Retreat inward: take a moment for silence, reflection, listening. (Hermit‑style)

Final Thoughts
Whether you believe the rumours of our “hearts changing” or simply see it as emotional growth, the message is the same: we are being guided back to love.

Our hearts are not breaking — they are opening.

These synchronicities — from interviews resurfacing to numbers aligning, from the Death card to the Hermit card, and even the clocks turning back — are not coincidences. They are reminders: your heart is awakening to its true frequency, and that frequency is love.

Stay tuned on my YouTube channel @ahappymediumderek and remember:
Your heart already knows the truth.

Source List
1. “The Sacred Symbolism of the Death Card” – Arcane Alchemy.
2. “Death Tarot Card Meanings” – Biddy Tarot.
3. “Rose Symbolism in Tarot” – TarotTeachings.
4. “Death XIII – Symbols & Meaning” – Eye of Heaven.
5. “The Hermit Tarot Card” – Numerologist PRO.
6. “The Hermit – Major Arcana IX” – Labyrinthos.
7. “Tarot Card for 2025” – Teen Vogue.
8. “Color Symbolism in Tarot” – The Tarot Professor.

www.ahappymedium.co.uk | derek@ahappymedium.co.uk | #AHappyMedium #HeartAwakening #SpiritualShift #LoveIsTheKey
Book a private session with me today:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights, meditations, and spiritual guidance: @ahappymediumderek

Together, we can turn anger into peace, and forgiveness into freedom.

Anger, Forgiveness, and the Power of Letting Go

Someone once said, “Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
It’s a powerful image — and one that speaks to how many of us live our lives.

Anger itself isn’t “bad.” It’s a natural human emotion. In fact, it can even be useful. If someone cuts you off in traffic, or if a boundary has been crossed, anger alerts you that something’s wrong. But the real danger comes when we hold on to it.

When anger lingers for days, weeks, or even years, it doesn’t punish the other person. It punishes us.

How Anger Affects Us

• Physically: Anger raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep, affects digestion, and weakens the immune system. Over time, it can contribute to serious health issues like heart disease and anxiety disorders.

• Emotionally: It clouds judgment, fuels regret, and creates a constant sense of heaviness.

• Relationally: Angry words said in the moment can damage trust and relationships for far longer than the outburst itself.

The truth is, your body keeps the score. Anger doesn’t just live in your head — it shows up in your chest, your gut, your heart, and your spirit.

The Cure: Forgiveness

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It doesn’t excuse the action or let someone off the hook.

Forgiveness simply means: “I will not let this control me anymore.”

You can forgive the person, but not always the action. The only one who can forgive the action is them. But by forgiving, you free yourself. Forgiveness lowers stress, improves sleep, strengthens relationships, and brings peace back into your life.

A Simple Beach Meditation

Here’s a practice you can try right now to release anger and find forgiveness:

1. Close your eyes and picture yourself standing on a beach — maybe Hopeman, here in Moray. The tide is out, the sun is shining, and you’ve got a stick in your hand.

2. Draw a big circle in the sand. Inside that circle, imagine placing all the people, places, and situations that have made you angry. Add misunderstandings, regrets, or even harsh words you’ve said to yourself. Mark each one with a simple X or symbol.

3. Step back and watch the tide rolling in. Wave by wave, the water sweeps over your circle. The marks fade, the circle vanishes, and the sand becomes smooth and clear again.

4. Breathe deeply. Notice how much lighter and freer you feel.

This is forgiveness in action. The events may still have happened, but they no longer weigh you down.

Final Thought

Carrying anger is like carrying a hot coal, hoping to throw it at someone else. But the one who gets burned first… is always you.

Forgiveness is how we finally put that coal down.

So next time anger rises, pause, breathe, and remember the beach. Let the tide do its work, and give yourself permission to feel lighter.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If anger, stress, or past hurts are holding you back, I can help. Through coaching, healing, and intuitive guidance, I work with clients to release what no longer serves them and step into a lighter, freer life.

Book a private session with me today:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights, meditations, and spiritual guidance: @ahappymediumderek

Together, we can turn anger into peace, and forgiveness into freedom.