Awkward Behind the Mask

"Awkward interests me, he said.  At least when 

you are feeling awkward you are always thinking. "

Elizabeth Brundage 

Originally, I believed hiding the lower part of my face behind a mask would be a good thing!  This, however, is not the case for me.  I miss smiling at others or briefly exchanging a few words.  Masks also make me aware of how much I depend upon lip reading as my hearing begins to fade.

Sheltered in place, there are few places I go, but my mask is securely in place.  Whenever it begins to annoy me, I think of hospital workers, office staff, firemen or police who must bare the annoyance of his or her  mouth being covered for long stretches of time. I dare not complain about my minor inconvenience.

I have grown to see being awkward as a healthy tool to keep me awake and aware of who I am and how I want to be.  If I were too comfortable, perhaps I would become unaccountable or inattentive.  If I were to become complacent, words of wisdom and gestures of kindness might slip from view.  Perceptions might cloud over.  I'd rather deal with this sense of feeling awkward than lose the scenes  in life that lovingly connect me to others.

Anticipation Replaced by New Reality

"Stay awkward, brave and kind!"

Brene Brown

Back tracking in my journal, I came across a 'To Do" list prepared for my return to Nashville.  Based on my previous experience of living in this city, I looked forward to numerous activities such as :  Flea Markets; Southern Book Festival; Writers Guild; Library Book Club; Nature Trails; Art and Craft Festivals; and Music Festivals.  The intention would be to create eclectic friendships and to settle my spiritual self  into my new apartment.

Little did I know only a few weeks after my arrival, a tornado would blow through, followed by the arrival of the virus.  Most of the above mentioned activities soon became impossible including the new apartment.  I was sheltered in my daughter and son in law's love filled home accompanied by beautiful grandchildren.

It is fortunate that my core remains strong and I adapt well to differing situations.  Within me remains the desire to write and thank goodness my daughter's book collection sustains me.   I am graced with gifts from the 'littles' ... tons of hugs and kisses; so, although my life does not match my original intentions, it is one worth living.  The love of family and appreciation for the breath of life, I move forward bravely, continuing to be kind.  Awkward is not new to me and it keeps me aware for what still may come, and not taking anything for granted.

Experience, Ponder, and Then Proceed

"Our strength will continue if we allow ourselves 

the courage to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable."

Melody Beattie

Emotions push up through solid boundaries like a new seedling searching for air above ground.  Our ego snags and deliberates how long to contain it.  We cannot prevent emotion, but mastering control over it determines how to remain balanced and afloat. 

When we explore our own dark emotions, our personal light brightens the way.  It is beneficial to observe how deeply we are pierced by our chosen reactions, and to acknowledge the best steps to healing.  It is vitally important to not numb our hearts to what we experience, but rather have the courage to understand with forward movement.

We can acknowledge emotions, then apply wisdom from the courage we have used in our past.  We can believe we have the power to seek out the lesson.  Once recognized, we have the insight as to how to proceed with minimal emotional damage.  With established courage, we can experience, ponder and then proceed.

Snatching Wisps of Silence

"And it's in silence, he says, that he hears the presence of everything."                                           Gordon Hempton,  THE PAUSE                                                                                                                          

Silence is not confined to isolation in a distant desert or mountain top.  Silence can be experienced by being absorbed by a painting or lost in a musical score.  We can behold silence on a golf course as willingly as a walk in the woods.

Whether silence is found through meditation, yoga or prayer, it needs to find a place within the life we lead.  The immediate response is "I don't have time," to which I say, "Make time." Whether it is a pause in the shower, a moment prior to starting the car or the first cup of coffee.  It truly requires nothing, but awareness.

In the beginning, it may take deliberate focus to remember.  When we are mindful enough, it becomes a habit we can easily slip in and out of within moments.  We are not talking about investing an hour, but to zone out for a few seconds throughout the day.  This silence, as we breathe, offers us a brief connection to sustain us throughout the day.

Shooting the Rapids

"The years stretched before her, a long and dusty way, yet if she could

walk humbly along it she might find that life, unfolding slowly, 

keeps its best secrets till the end."

Elizabeth Goudge

With pleasure, I recall four different canoe trips I made portaging into Canada.  Each one is filled with excitement, bravery, and courage.  Although I had a deep appreciation for the same friends every year, my heart was endlessly smitten by the offerings of the water. Sleeping in tents for two weeks was adventurous, but I wouldn't choose it today.

If I have learned anything over the years, it is to deeply enjoy every moment presented before me, as time will pass and one may never return to the current experience at hand.  Through memories we can continue to cherish, while in the present, capture glimpses of what life has to offer.

It matters not where one happens to be on his or her timeline, the key is opening up to what is before us.  Life is wasted mourning the past, or wishing for second chances, as the energy could be invested in the day to day experience.  As we adjust our expectations, sitting on a deck sharing the morning with the birds; wandering in a museum; listening to music; or attempting a new project can be far more fulfilling in the present than shooting the rapids like years ago.

Forever Action

"An act of kindness may take only a moment of our time, 

but when captured in the heart of the memory it lives forever."

Molly Friedenfield

The Book of Simple Human Truths

It is our nature to be kind, but it is hampered by fear.  Even when we are competent, our ego can talk us out of most anything.  I believe it is called second guessing.  Understood, there are gestures that are too impulsive, but our reaction to a person in need comes from our heart.

Once my young son was lost in a busy city mall.  He wandered out of the store we were in, but sought out a police man who immediately and kindly brought him to the mall office and had me paged.  Stopped at a red light, my car was rear ended by a speeding old barge of a Cadillac.  Within seconds, a kind woman tapped on my window and asked if I were hurt and to tell me she had called the police.  I have no idea where she came from or who she was.

Maybe we are just doing our job or our selfless gesture is slight, but to the recipient, the action is forever. We may not have unlimited funding to financially impact a life, but we all have the ability to lift our hand as an act of kindness.  Besides, it is so fun to help and then quickly fade away.  To be anonymous allows us to feel like a kid again!

Respectful Gesture

"People are like dirt. They can either nourish you 

and help you grow as a person or they can 

stunt your growth and make you wilt and die."

Plato

As we develop confidence and believe our contributions to life to be worthy, we begin to shrug off the careless words of others.  We no longer need to pause and question, "What did I do wrong?"  Instead, we can observe that the comment has more to do with the other person.

It is freeing to easily dismiss the judgment of others when we are in touch with our own intentions, motivations, and integrity.  While being aligned with our lovely selves, there is more depth to whatever we add to the earth.  As long as we harm no one, our slate awaits our creative expression.

Not all outside opinions are to be ignored.  Often, a person may mention a kernel of information to trigger an adjustment in our pattern.  We can learn from each other through exchange and be better for it.  It is a compliment when a person asks for an insight of his or her experience.  Sharing can be a highly respectful gesture to advance our own growth.

Creases of Time

“Reverie is when ideas float in our mind without 

reflection or regard of the understanding.” 

― John Locke

One may believe it is productive to have thoughts flowing through our minds consciously or unconsciously throughout every minute of the day.  We might consider this a sign of super intelligence or higher I.Q, but it is not as beneficial as one might think.

The ability to pause our thoughts or silence our ego develops a space for reverie.  There are some who use music to flow to calm and release; whereas others participate in meditation.  There are unlimited means to heighten our experience that is better aligned with our inner spirits.

The quest of the reverie is not to capture information, but to allow free floating of whatever comes and goes.  There is no jotting down of notes or no search of wisdom; but rather an experience of what is flowing through us.  Whether we become aware of colors, objects, people, or sounds, each are offered to be appreciated within this flow. It is the intentional ability to zone out to experience emersion into nothingness folded into the creases of time.

Adaptations, Transitions, ...Reflections

"Adaption without corruption

is the key to personal power."

Lujan Matus

In order to adapt to the changes in the world, we make honorable decisions that impact who we have been and who we will be.  Choices are to be made carefully to carry our lovely selves forward and not backward.  When we suddenly realize we are off on the wrong foot, adaptations need to be made the sooner the better.

If we begin to feel overwhelmed, we are to remind our inner self to slow down and with patience await a choice to accommodate a healthy transition.  If we move forward too quickly, we may find ourselves with assorted 'do overs' underlying our actions.  All movement needs to reflect who we mean to be and our personal integrity.

The most vital piece, however, may be choosing what best supports our total being.  If we make a change, let it be congruent with our physical nature, emotional makeup, and spiritual pathways.  It is not unusual for wisdom to appear after we have made a decision, so honor thy self by making the needed correction.  It is wise to be flexible, but resistant to any opportunities that do not reflect our true light.

Wherever You Can

"If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give,

that which I considered to be the most useful to the men in our country,

I should simply say:  in the name of God, stop a moment, 

cease your work, look around you."

Leo Tolstoy

During my career days, I would sleep late on Sunday mornings, wake up whenever, put on the coffee, and dash out of the condo to the neighboring gas station to buy a Sunday morning newspaper.  It was a ritual of sorts.  Admittedly, I would browse through the inserts first and then read the paper from front page to back.

Wandering through the newspaper kept me updated on the world government and local news.  I enjoyed knowing what was going on in my community and allowed me to feel as though I had one foot in the 'real' world.

Now, abhorrent visuals, graphic descriptions, and undocumented stories are readily available, and I want no part of them.  It is enough to know that children are in dire situations scarring them emotionally for life.  People are starving, while others lose their jobs and/or living space. Through  extending love, light, and prayers out into the world, I attempt to remain aligned.  Please, 'look around you' and help wherever you can.

Heart's Inner Expression of Prayer

"Do not seek any rules or method of worship.

Say whatever your pained heart chooses."

Rumi

In the midst of kindred spirits, a woman spoke with words sounding sacred and lavished in love, forgiveness and acceptance.  It was not a rehearsed prayer, but a pouring out of human kindness which would change my thinking forever.

There is no such thing as first acquiring the socially acceptable letterhead or the expensive pen or the edited version of the words streaming through us.  We open our hearts to trusted spirits surrounding us knowing God speaks through us.  We never have to worry about choosing the best words, as Divine Spirit makes sure each gathered individual hears exactly what he or she needs.

As I sift through memorized prayers, there is no satisfaction of being heard. God knows what is in my heart so why not speak truth and open for responses and not block the present with memorized scripts. Do not misunderstand, there is nothing more beautiful than the sacred words of the saints, but our personal offering of private despair can create a blessed conversation strengthening our Divine Connection.

Wounds or Warrior

"Self-evaluation proved to be distasteful business."

Kilroy J. Oldster

Waves of collective consciousness continue to wash over me.  It feels like excessive negative energy accumulates within me and it truly is not me ... is it?  The strong side of myself encourages me to let these feelings flow right through me without investing in them.  The weaker side of me questions if I am not to see my own reflection in these disturbances.  Is there a lesson I am over looking?

I do not want to harshly judge, but nor do I want to avoid what is begging for recognition.  This is a daily application I want to use personally and in reference towards others.  If I believe I can evolve into a positive light, so why cannot this be true for others?  Is this just ego hood winking me into believing falsehoods?

Apparently, I am being called to revisit the intentions of my human self and notice how they align with my spiritual self.  The backlash of painful memories may be prompting me to discern between unhealed wounds and the opportunity to once again be a warrior.

Inside Discovery

"All dreamers and poets are pirates

navigating by the stars, raiding the

private places of inner worlds for

the gold hidden there."

Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Throughout my life, people have intrigued me.  Just when I would think I found two alike, one would veer off and not be like the other.  I grew up knowing the paradox of everyone being the same and yet  different.  Following this observation, I then learned that all of us have an entirely different identity residing within.

I often wondered if the people who kept to themselves were busy weaving the strings of his or her heart, rather than being immeshed by peer expectations.   And what about the soul?  It is at our core, a vital instrument in developing spiritually which impacts the outer life as well.  How many years must pass before we realize our worth allowing us to speak directly to God?  

Early christianity taught me I was filled with sin, totally failing with the ten commandments and my prayers could only be offered through a mediator, be it a priest or minister.  Christianity may have wounded me, but it drove me directly inside to discover a relationship with Jesus.   It was through this hidden relationship that I was propelled into a broader understanding of life beyond organized religion and into a positive spiritual world.

In Their Own Way , In Their Own Time ...

"The Tibetan Buddhist tradition has a meditation practice

called tong-len that asks us to breathe in the suffering of the

world, to hold it in that unbreakable place of compassion,

and to then breathe back light."

Mark Nepo

There have been suggested guidelines and instructions as to how to cope with the virus spreading across the world.  I am not an alarmist so I have minimized input from media and attempted to fill that time with additional meditation or prayer.  At first I was doing quite well until pressure increased as I was still sending Reiki energy to the children abducted from parents at the border.  

Then I came across a picture of mothers in Portland, Oregon, standing in front of protesters and being sprayed with tear gas.  And who are these military men anonymously kidnapping non-violent participants?  Where will it all end or will it end?

I am a mother of four and if a person messed with my children my mama bear qualities came rushing to the surface; but then and only then.  When everyone was burning their bras, I still couldn't join the rank and file.  When friends were killed in Viet Nam, my written words became harsh, but my feet stayed home.  Now I am trying to breathe in all that breaks my heart in my own country and bathe it in compassion.  For the first time, it is becoming more difficult to breathe back light. I must believe there are others joining me ... in their own way, in their own time.

Prompts to Walk Away

"The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds 

to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that 

we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with."

Ane Pema Chodron

My grandson loves to have books read to him every night and when he actually gets into bed he requests to be told a story. This child loves stories and I frequently ask him to go first. I am amazed by his creative imagination and ability to link fantasy into a stream of believable words.

When it is my turn to tell him a story, I watch his face as an indicator of whether or not he is following or getting lost.  At times there is confusion displayed as he wants to trust and believe me, but he is certain a true story is not being told.

As adults, if we are good listeners, we experience similar situations.  If a person is sharing a tale of untruth, we have triggers setting off alarms that something just isn't right.  It doesn't matter how smooth the story teller presents, deep inside we are receiving prompts to walk away.

Pull of Engagement

"If a painting or drawing or photograph seduces me into a journey

that leads inside the mind and emotions of the artist, I can be 

carried away by what compelled them too.'

Jacob Nordby

If a particular piece of art peaks our curiosity, and we allow ourselves to be open to the depth of the  work, we can find ourselves led upon a journey the artist had traveled as well. It matters not if we are referring to a painter or an author or a musician.  If our attention is grabbed, there is more to follow.

We do not always understand the creator of a project, but the ones who 'speak' to us through their work are individuals we will find our selves following.  We attach ourselves to the style, the format, the technique and we long for more.  This is not true if we cannot relate.  We will unplug, turn away or put down the book.  We will not find the pull of engagement.

Once we are attracted to a certain artist, a bond is formed linking us to the story being presented.  Our attention is often required time and time again, luring us into more depth than what meets the eye.  Either books or paintings have layers upon layers waiting to be discovered.  A lasting reflection will nestle within as the patron searches for more.

Until Recognition Blooms!

"Our work is not to become unique.  We are unique.

Our work is to unleash our sense of adventure and

to allow the inner whisper that says 'come hither' 

to be reason enough to go."

Vironika Tugaleva

Our culture tends to evaluate people, things, and places with a dollar amount.  Early questions are about how much will this cost or how much will I be paid?  The value is increased or decreased by society's reaction which is not in itself qualified to pass judgment.  Actually, comparison is more widely accepted rather than judgment.

It is important to break down the foolish barriers we put up around any of our ideas or dreams.  Our intention is to express what is within us and aught not be driven by any monetary outcome.  Our skills are gifts to be used for ourselves and then to be shared if so desired.  It is wise to remember that developing our skill takes practice, patience, and connection between our body, mind, and soul.

A friend of  mine who is an accomplished artist began her painting career at a very early age.  Her parents, trying to be helpful, gifted her with numerous numbered painting kits which she immediately pitched.  She was very abstract so few people encouraged her.  Luckily for her and the world, she was not only creative but stubborn allowing her to remain driven and focused until recognition bloomed.

Authenticity is Priceless

"The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call 

to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive 

and uprising, and gave neither power nor time."

Mary Oliver

If a creative individual shares they are an artist, they are often times bombarded by insulting questions such as:  How many paintings have you sold?  Which galleries have your work?  If a person shares they are a writer, the questions become:  What have you published? Have you been paid for your work?  It is no wonder novice or undiscovered artists shy away from the public eye.

Art can be an action inspired by passion, imagination, and personal interpretation.  There is no limit to the definition of art, and quality is not determined by fees, exposure or recognition.   An artist may hesitate to even refer to his or her work as it triggers questions that are offensive to personal expression.

While attending a meditation, the circle leader asked if we would each jot a few words down to share with the group.  We all began scribbling.  I happened to notice the woman sitting next to me ... she nervously kept repositioning herself and her body was trembling.  When it came time for her to read, tears ran down her face as she reflected not being able to string any words together.  "Maybe you all could accept this instead."  She turned her leather bound journal around for all of us to view, and there across two pages was a brilliant fantasy sketch of what she had experienced.  Art exists within the creation of the artist and in the eye of the beholder.

"Voila!" Adventure Prancing

"I was like a clock that had exploded ... my springs were hanging out,

my hands were cockeyed, and my numbers were falling off."

Anthony Kiedis

As I worked with clients who struggled with hollow Sundays, I would insist they have a plan as the day approached.  It seemed that four o'clock would be the preferred time as one would have all day to look forward to it.  Preferably, it would be intention to leave the house and have an adventure with or without a friend transitioning through lonely hours.

If we were not in the midst of the virus restrictions, we could plan to see a Sunday afternoon matinee or walk the lovely trail at the Nature Center or hit the flea markets and antique malls.  Getting lost in a library has been a profitable escape or create a 'meeting of the minds' at a local coffee shop.  The list is endless, but it is necessary to have it in place prior to Sunday.   

Unfortunately, I do not listen to myself.  Saturday was a wonderful day wrapped in a beautiful array of activities; however, by Saturday evening, I noticed my emotional scales begin to slide. I was only facing empty hours that simply needed some structure; but, I felt my tears were distinguishing my flame and darkness was settling in.  Immediately, I pulled out my pre-made list of things to do on Sundays and "Voila!" Adventure was prancing before me.

What Might Have Been

"The big question is whether you are going to be able

to say a hearty yes to your adventure."

Joseph Campbell

Within each one of resides a purpose or a talent we have especially brought into the world.  There will be various ways in which we can orchestrate this gift which depends upon how we hone the skill.   If at a young age, we feel our passion we begin to stretch it into unique ways of use, so by the time we are adults, we are quite flexible in sharing our skill.

As our life unfolds, we are offered choices that may lead us off our main path, but we still carry our strengths with us.  Entering an unexpected adventure has the potential of altering our life path or it may be just a blissful experience to revive our devotion and skill.

My physician was relocating as her dream had finally come through.  She was moving her family to an Indian Reservation out west and offered me the position of counselor on her team.  This particular opportunity would have definitely channeled my life down a different path.  I struggled with the decision, but my daughter was in her junior year and I couldn't bring my self to take her or leave her. It is one of many situations that trigger thoughts of what might have been.

Make Life Beautiful

"There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out

of their way to make life beautiful for others."

Mandy Hale

Hopefully we are blessed with numerous friends who simply make the world a better place to be.  It is not the friend who brings gifts or the friend who might have the biggest house, but it is the friend who appears to have the biggest heart.  Just their presence is often times the gift.

Within my family of friends, there is one who will walk dogs at the dog shelter.  She will take them out into the neighbor hood and bring them treats.  Another friend volunteers at an after school program to mentor young women.  Another loves babies, so she volunteers at the hospital to sit and rock babies.  An artist friend doesn't want to loose touch with the basic elements of her work, so she shares projects one day a month at the local elementary school.

One thing in common with all of these kindred spirits is they offer free services for something they love to do.  If gardening was a strength, grow extra and give veggies away to neighbors.  If reading was a favorite pass time, one could find a visually challenged person who misses the connection with stories.  Even grabbing an extra bag of peaches or cherries from the market might truly please a neighboring shut in.  There are numerous 'givings' we can offer based on our own schedules and our favorite hobbies while making life more beautiful for others.

Skill Draws Attention

"You have the right to experiment with your life.  

You will make mistakes. And they are right too."

Anais Nin

There was a friend who lived in a small town.  She kept to her self believing she would never amount to anything, as she believed she had nothing to offer.  She felt inferior as her education ended as a graduating senior from high school.

To pass time, she raised a few lambs, sheared them, spun the wool and then by hand made scarves, mittens, blankets, etc...  Eventually, she found herself wanting more so she acquired a loom and began to teach herself weaving which led to making rugs, table mats, and other items.  In time, her work drew attention from the cottage industry, and her sense of accomplishment flourished as she became recognized for her originality.

In spite of what the world implies, we are not all destined to be glorified celebrities.  There is much to be said for being comfortable in our own bodies and honing in on the skills with which we have been given.  It truly doesn't matter which path we choose, but it does matter that we take the first steps. If we falter, get kicked off a path, we simply begin again with new steps.

Fading Quietly Away

"Be proud of the incredible person that you are ... and

become a rainbow in someone's cloudy day."

Nyki Mack

A favorite prank in a large city is pressing all of the doorbells in the vestibule at the same time and then running away.  Apartment dwellers never could see the small children fleeing, nor could they hear the hearts pounding with glee.

Perhaps the prankster still resides within me, as I love to do things anonymously.  It could be leaving the book I just read in a public washroom or dropping money into an unattended purse.  Then trickier challenges like assisting in an unexpected accident, then fading completely away. 

It is joyful to do things without any strings attached.  There are no embarrassing moments of accepting meaningful compliments, especially when that was never the motivation.  It lifts my spirits to know I can make a difference in an unsuspecting life without depending upon political connections, religious dogma, or any other affiliation other than just being me ... and fading quietly away.

Special Delivery

"Upstairs, in the cupboard, he had a box of things he had saved as a boy and a young man

He hadn't looked into it in twenty years or more.  Nothing fancy or valuable, but things

that had meant something to him at one time. He found it, and found the key, and carried

it downstairs without opening it."

Jane Smiley

After her grandmother's death, the granddaughter went by the old farm house to spend some time with her grandfather.  He told her of the stack of handmade quilts her grandmother had stored up in the attic.  The granddaughter immediately exclaimed she wanted the keepsakes.  The grandpa said he was sorry as he had burned them all with the rest of her junk.

Upon her mother's death, a daughter waited for some time to pass before she sorted through her mother's things, except she could not find what she wanted most.  She asked her father if he had come across her mother's journals. He laughed, saying it was a blessing he had as they were very embarrassing, so he threw them all out.

We aught not wait for a special time or particular celebration to share what we hold dear to those they are intended. All of us have a different sense of value, treasuring random items.  What is junk to one is antique to one other.  Enjoy the moment of personally gifting belongings to those who will appreciate it long after we are gone.  Make it a special delivery!

Core Remains Steadfast

"Remind yourself that you cannot

fail at being yourself."

Wayne Dyer

When we are born, our core spirit is already in place.  Throughout the coming years, i will be challenged by various situations, but our core remains the same.  We might excel when we accomplish kind gestures and it might darken when we fall to temptations.  Our core being, however, remains steadfast.

An egg can be hard boiled, soft boiled, deviled, or added to dry mixtures and delicious fluids; but, it remains an egg.  The shell of an egg can be hand painted or dyed with colors, but again, inside it remains the same ... an egg.

Our core is comparable as it too can be exposed to a variety of temperatures, blended with differing ingredients, but like an egg, our original core remains steadfast.  It is through our own choices as we approach challenges or lessons that reflect our actions which either enhance our presence or distort who we really are within our shell.

Bella, Book and Candle

"I've always loved the night, when everyone else is asleep  and the world is all mine.  It's quiet and dark ...  the perfect time for creativity." Jonathan Harnisch  When darkness draws near, the level of noise around the house tends to tone down.  It would seem objects return to appropriate places and the sounds of daily routine are tucked into bed.  My lovely Bella would lay down by the side, knowing, as dogs do, this was my favorite part of day filled with quiet and a shimmering candle.   By the time darkness falls, my energy has ebbed and my mind can open to things that are unseen and hear the whispers not clearly spoken.  Pen in hand, I jot down thoughts I have never really had, but seem to be threaded through my belief system.  As I scan through a book, certain passages trigger ideas, and so I write some more. Sleep comes easily with the sense of a presence loving me.  Hopefully, my dreams will be filled with mystery and fantasy. In the morning I will embrace the blue sky, feed the birds, greet the trees and anticipate strengthening my connectedness with all things, while patiently waiting for darkness to come. (Sadly, Bella passed January 31, 2019)

Prompts of Other World Connections

"I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been having these weird dreams like

every single night for three weeks now where I'm being contacted."

Dexter Palmer

If we grow tired of the daily drama in news and on line, it is rewarding to take notice of the differing stories of the world itself.  There are those who are totally aware of the world cracking, but their focus is on what is being birthed.  Can a new way of thinking about the power of light/love shed the darkness before it smothers us all?

Poets, astrologers, philosophers, authors, and scientific findings are contributing to a new way of thinking ... original roots existed in ancient history.  Even though we have brilliant scientists, we seem to be missing the point of simplicity.  Gathering or discovering mind boggling information is wonderful, but at what cost is this pursuit?  Ancient cultures with superior intellect (like Atlantis and Egypt) did not save the ground they walked on.  

Whether aliens are being spotted or orbs are appearing for worldly contacts, we seem to be missing the basic importance of man ... simplicity.  Can we not differ without being threatened?  Can we not care for the soil holding our seeds or the animals we now abuse?  Love is having the ability to LISTEN, not accept nor destroy.  Capturing lights of rapture, ascension of spirits, aliens in dreams, star revelations in the sky ... it is man desperately wanting to return to a life of simple caring for our world ... for all men and women to experience loving kindness.

Whispers of Comfort

"He who lives in harmony with himself

lives in harmony with the universe."

Marcus Aurelius

When we are present in the moment, mildly aware of what surrounds us, our ego may be leading us to a short cut that circumvents the beauty waiting on our path.  If we tone down our ego, and temper our hurt or ignored circumstance, we just might hear internal voices whispering the comfort we seek.

As we have no control over anything except ourselves, it is necessary to maintain self-confidence to avoid sabotaging our own delight.  If our goal appears to be fading, perhaps it is our approach that needs adjustment, not the dismissal of the dream.

If we become committed to faith and trust, while holding our expectation loosely in our hearts, there will be flexibility in the outcome.  If we are too specific in detail or projected out come, we may miss the miracle floating before our eyes.  When we can align our hearts, souls, and desires,  we are less likely to be distracted.

"THE SOLOIST"

“.. a friend is someone who inspires, who challenges, 

who sends you in search of some truer sense of yourself..” 
― Steve Lopez, Journalist

THE SOLOIST

The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music

In my solitude, I turn out the lights one by one, allowing my flame to appear brighter.  It is tears, however, that I feel rushing down the inner walls of my being.  I am certain if I would open my mouth to speak, great sobs of sorrow would come rushing out.

These last hours I have spent watching  THE SOLIST starring Jaime Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr which was based on a true story written by journalist Steven Lopez of the Los Angeles Times.  Sadly, it reflects a world of poverty, homelessness, brilliance and mental illness with a dash of abhorrent social intervention.

As I lie awake with seeping emotions there is no place for my sorrow.  My presence is keenly aware of the overlooked strength residing in each human being regardless of gender, race or any other indications of identity.  I feel apologetic to Divine Spirit for the unleashed ego of man, lacking human decency.

In Touch With Our Core

"We all change throughout life trying new and different things,

but the core of who we really are remains the same."

Madisyn Taylor

There are a variety of techniques we can access to improve our skills, knowledge, or discovery.  We can attend classes or participate on line or correspond; however, no amount of new information will enhance our core unless we are willing to do so.

If we are in denial about our issues or avoid difficult confrontations there will be no improvement unless we are actually aligned with the change.  If we are close minded we will carry that energy into every thing we touch or learn.  If we are open and non-judgmental, we increase our wisdom, and support our core.

As human beings, we all experience loss, misfortune or poor choices, resulting in not living up to our true spirit.  How we choose to react to circumstances in our lives depends upon how aligned we are with our core. On a day to day basis, it is important to keep sacred strength flowing through us,  so we can greet unexpected situations with a reflection of our core values.