Wendy, I am a big fan of Doreen Virtue. I have nearly all of her books (she has written many). My favourite is called 'Archangels and Ascended Masters'. I also have many decks of her oracle cards. Doreen and many other healers RAVE about the energy in Australia.... She visits here nearly every year.
I have a beautiful big chunk of rose quartz beside my bed. I LOVE it! Remember to cleanse your crystals if you use them or have them out in your home. Cleansing re-energises them and rids them of old energy - old energy from other people and yourself.
In regards to telling people about your beliefs etc. I *was* the same as you, kept them to myself. Sometimes I still I if I feel I will get a negative reaction from someone - I don't need the negative stuff! Luckily I am surrounded by many like minded friends and my immediate family are accepting of me no matter what. One of my sister has similar interests which is nice too.
I have been working with Angels for years now. They were a GREAT comfort to me while TTC....especially #1. I had a couple of losses before being blessed with my son....I was comforted many times by several angels.
I am soooooooooo interested in the mind/body connection. Are you aware of Louise Hay? She wrote the book, 'Heal Your Life' amongst others. She was one of the first people to write about the connection between mind and body. If you haven't read any of her book I highly recommend them. I teach a course based on her work
. Caroline Myss is another author/speaker who in an expert in the mind/body connection. She is a medical intuitive and quite amazing. Keep a look out for her books too.