Olivia Monica on Love is Always the Answer and Living Life by the Fistfuls

In Olivia Monica’s own words:

I have come into my Auntie O or Olive phase of life. So my business cards say "Olive"

I can shorten this bio even to a short paragraph, focusing on spiritual life. Let me know what you think.

My parents were adventurers and lover’s of nature. They were young and had an exuberance and vive la joie approach to life that was lovely. We did move quite frequently and so upon HS graduation I had attended 17 different schools, lived in cities as large as Houston, Tx and as small as Millville, Utah. I was the oldest of five. My parents took us all everywhere they went. Family activities included exploring caves, camping in tents (on beaches and in the Rocky Mountains) for months at a time. We were all ages, exploring and biking and living large. Being a mother to four daughters myself, I marvel at the life my parents gave us.

As a family we talked about dreams, even lucid dreaming as a matter of course. My Mom said I had an Irish-twin, which means, within the year of my birth, she also birthed my brother. He and I had a psychic connection. We could visit one another in our dreams and speak without speaking.

I didn’t know I was different or more sensitive until kindergarten. I learned to be very quiet at school. I didn’t speak unless I was spoken to or asked a question by my teacher. At home I was my “normal” self. At School I didn’t speak and learned to disappear or blend into the background. I watched and listened.

I found and began "playing with" cards at age 9 or so. I used regular playing cards as a divination tool then my Mom gave me my first Tarot deck. I used the little book that came with the cards to read for my siblings and pets. All through my life when I go to my Mother with my struggles she always suggested I use my cards. I came into myself more in High School and College and had learned how to be myself without being "too weird".

I met and married my husband very young. I was 18. I married a Presbyterian whose mother studied Jung. Because my parents taught me to have an open mind and heart I continued to live and grow spiritually and as a result, lost my religion then grew my spiritual wings and began to fly. Raising my daughters has had a huge effect on my spiritual perspective, which of course is based in love.

I began an earnest study of world religions and spiritual practices. My ardour led me to books, spiritual writings, temples, churches and most importantly spiritually minded people from all earthly thoughts and practices.

As an adult I homeschooled my kids for a time while working in retail and service positions. I volunteered as a La Leche League leader and have answered phones at the Houston Area Women’s Center hotline. I volunteered at an Aid's house in the early 90’s. I studied to be and worked as a homebirth midwife and for a time owned a successful Doula business. In the early 2000’s I worked as a teaching assistant with the special education population. Later in life I have enjoyed working as a book seller and Storyteller. I have always loved every job, calling or volunteer situation I have ever accepted including fun stuff like being a paperboy, a snake wrangler, maid and ditch digger.

In every aspect of my life I have learned that community is key. When we serve our communities our entire World becomes a better place. We find support when we need it and we feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. As a Tarot Reader and Spiritual practitioner I find that I get to serve my community in a very special way. I am blessed to have this life and I am blessed to have this calling.

I believe that love is always the answer and I continue to remain open and accepting of all faiths, religions and beliefs.