What Brings Us Here?

Connection, catch a spark, a myriad of possibilities.

" The Basics”


Find joy in keeping life simple, from our wardrobe to our thinking to living with others. The holidays can be full of running around, consumerism, cooking, cleaning, re-creating childhood magic, keeping traditions alive, or exhaustively replicating social media. This month’s theme during the busiest time of the year is to focus on the basics. One of my favorite movies as a child is the“Jungle Book” because of Baloo the Bear and the music. The “Bare Necessities” is a life philosophy for true joy, magic, and peace within and on earth.


It's Christmas, and I choose to focus on joy and not just for December 25th. The books and movies I recommend this month will gift you every day of the year. I believe in the magic and mystery of Jesus and living our lives with love, compassion, forgiveness, walking away, nature, meditating, giving thanks and serving others. That’s my focus and the heart of Christmas for me.

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"MOST RECENT MUSE"

“Home Sweet Home”
By L.A. McMurray December 2, 2025
When loved ones are gone, the home is sold, and health teeters from bad to worse, can holiday magic and joy still exist?
travel
By L.A. McMurray December 2, 2025
If I could have only one aspect of the holidays, it’s time in the physical presence of my children and their families. My children shared the best part of the holidays is my cooking. That works for me.
If you tell me “no” there’s a good chance I may ask you why.
By L.A. McMurray December 2, 2025
If you tell me “no” there’s a good chance I may ask you why. And if your why is a variety of excuses or because you want to exert your power over the decision,
Gratitude
Let’s dedicate the whole month to giving thanks and headspace for thoughts of gratitude.
By L.A. McMurray November 3, 2025
Gratitude and Thanksgiving in November. Let’s dedicate the whole month to giving thanks and headspace for thoughts of gratitude.
A poetry reciting cowboy who restores vintage motorcycles… let’s unpack this over a campfire
after c
By L.A. McMurray October 6, 2025
A poetry reciting cowboy who restores vintage motorcycles… let’s unpack this over a campfire after corralling the horses.
Rounding the Bend  Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Pharmaceutical Rep's Roster British cars
By L.A. McMurray October 6, 2025
Life takes a wild turn when our thoughts manifest a serendipitous moment.
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CHECK OUT THE LATEST VIBE

MY NEWEST BOOK

A wildly determined Irish Catholic pursues Heaven's playbook to ensure she and her family evade the heat of Hades.


After many unanswered questions and ongoing frustrations with narrow-minded religious laws and leadership, she discovered God beyond the sacred walls of the church.


This is one person's unique adventure from Cradle Catholic to Spiritual Mystic. The most sacred moment was the evening she received a holy telegram from her father shortly after his death delivered by the coolest angel, actor Steve McQueen.


Thanks for stopping by!


L.A. McMurray Lori Shutrump God is in the odd, the ordinary, and outside the church book.
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Hello Friend.

 Insights from My Personal Journey

I must be clear from the start… movies, music, books and mystical experiences are my mojo and muse. I also must be crystal clear, that I am not a licensed therapist in any way. My website and writing are of my own personal experience and not to be used as clinical expertise. Everything I publish on my website is just that, personal, sometimes profound and sometimes preposterous. But…that’s ok, let’s put it out there and see where it lands.


 Messages from the Beyond Await

My first book, God is in the Odd, the Ordinary, and Outside Church, which I realize now is too long of a title and starts out with a word that turns people off. Yet, it says exactly what is in the book, so if you’ve read the title, you’ve read the book, but if you stop with the title, you will miss a great read. Because in it I share how the movie Bullitt from 1968 was a vehicle for my father to let me know after his passing that he was still with me and always will be. And who doesn’t want to hear from their loved one after they’ve transitioned to the next life?!

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Jeremiah 17:7

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in the Lord. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in drought and never fails to bear fruit."