Chasing Butterflies

"If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they will fly away.

But if you spend your time building a garden then the

butterflies will come to you." 

The Conscious Observer

Research assists us in documenting our future agendas, but equal time is needed in cultivating our present moments. All we have is the here and now, so investing in the present moment is pivotal to our progress. There is an obligation to create with what is right before us, using what is readily available.

Rather than chasing what we want, we can utilize intuition and our simple revelations of knowing. When a well-planned outline is before us, but everything inside of us is screaming caution, attention needs to be given to these senses.  Whether a business plan or a creative project, situations are unique and must be adjusted accordingly.

Dreams and goals help us to navigate forward, but we need to begin now with what we have before us. Leaving ourselves open we experience unexpected breakthroughs and observe natural unfolding. Listen to the advice of others, but follow the innocent longing of the heart with expectations of achieving desires. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

Appalling ...

 

"Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned 

is not only shameful, it is destructive."

Annie Dillard

While scrolling through articles in hopes of discovering stimulating insights, I came across what I would call appalling suggestions. For new engagements, the author was encouraging people to keep to themselves, hide preferences, and to adapt a character for the situation. It actually said to protect yourself, so others do not know where to attack you.

Perhaps if you were in a threatening situation, there would be a need for this behavior, but if you are engaging with new people by choice, why be misleading? Being boastful is not welcomed, but sharing what you have learned and reflecting where your interests lay is helpful. Healthy, not deceptive conversations lead towards progress.

At some point inconsistencies will be noticed. When lying, it is nearly impossible to retain precise information originally shared. It is necessary at times to be evasive or vague about private matters, but that is different from deliberately projecting a false image. It is very discouraging to invest in a relationship only to learn it was built on falsehoods. 

Remain True

"Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen

to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you've always wanted."

My Positive Outlooks

Life is not easy and although dotted with beautiful unveilings, there are deep valleys and numerous hills to be climbed. In spite of confusion, one needs to continue moving forward looking for the light. Eventually, we will feel radiance upon our face and in our heart beckoning us forward to return to our unknown and perhaps unseen path. 

When we recall past accomplishments, we may forget the courage and bravery that had been required. Easily, we may remember the celebration, forgetting the angst we endured. Our strength is deepened as we use our voice and listen for clarity. If our perceptions become flexible, learning will expediate progress.

Moving forward is required whether or not our goal is established. We need to trust that we will find our way. Learning to remain mindful even in insecurity, an element of peace comes with surrender. We will never know all of the answers and change will consistently interrupt our agendas, but it will always be vital to remain true to who we are. 

 

Shapes and Forms of Divinity

 

"Across cultures and traditions, spiritual practices are used to tap into higher realms

of consciousness, allowing us to access guidance, insight, and a sense of connection

that goes far beyond everyday awareness."

Soul Seekers Path

At a young age. I became ecumenical. I was baptized Lutheran, attended a Roman Catholic school and lived in a Jewish neighborhood. In the city itself, I was exposed to discrepancies between people claiming to worship the one true God while everyone else would be going to hell. This led me to deep dives into religious exploration.

In future years, I would find myself in larger cities at bookstores seeking resources and would find them listed under Occult. As my age increased, so did my exposure to diverse humans with treasured stories. For me, it was never about right or wrong, but curiosity into the unknown possibilities. 

If we expose ourselves to spiritual realms that have been referenced throughout history, our minds expand ... not in acceptance or denial, but in knowledge. Through curiosity and search, we learn of diverse ways of experiencing life. Our connection with all peoples deepens and Divinity prevails in many shapes and forms.

Competence

 

"Change provides us with experiences that we convert to personal power."

Byllye Avery

We all have potential to become a more enhanced human. If we stop looking outside of ourselves, and inventory personal abilities, we will advance. To be clear, this is not about having power over others but empowering the self. The goal is not to be a duplicate of someone else but developing unique competence. 

When we discontinue efforts to meet someone else's agenda and use energy to strengthen who we are, a sense of freedom occurs. As we become fully ourselves, we attract others who can deeply connect with us. Flexibility becomes a dance with others rather than being oppressed and manipulated.

Everyone desires to be loved and accepted, but it should not come at the price of minimizing the spirit. Within each of us awaits a potential to be fluent with our skills. Unique applications to life not only improve us but assist others as well. We will feel worthy when we trust our inner spirit without needing validation from others.

Configurations

"We often think healing will return us to who we were before.

But healing doesn't go backwards. It introduces you to someone new."

Samantha King

Common sense tells us that something needs to be altered if we expect change. If we go back to what the situation was, error will repeat itself. When we are wounded, there is a tendency to want to return to the time prior to the experience. When we begin to heal, however, change becomes part of our progress.

Not only are we called to make changes physically, but there is also a need to shift how we think about things.  So, we adjust our wording from negative to positive. In addition, through meditation or spiritual visualization, we cover our lovely selves with light which connects us with the Divine.

In time, we can begin to realign. While examining parts of ourselves, we can shift their importance, both minimizing and maximizing. Understanding the lessons in our wounding, and believing that goodness awaits, we begin to reconfigure who we are.  With confidence, and open heartedness, we are propelled forward into new ways of being.

 

Flying Solo

 

"A mind that is stretched by new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Flying solo can be both intimidating, and exhilarating. Any time we are removed from our comfort zone, choices fall upon us that may be uncomfortable. There is safety in staying where we are known, but when we experience additional personal growth, there is a need to move forward and often times, alone.

Flying solo is not limited to a physical experience as much of the work is processed mentally and spiritually. If we want to know who we are or more of what we can be, it stands to reason that one must step away from the familiar. Taking flight, the blustering wind moves what we no longer need, and the elevation allows new views to be considered.

Flying solo is a matter of accountability. We must accept responsibility for our journey and be willing to experience new landscapes. If delays are being triggered by turbulent energy, we can recalibrate.  The most vibrant element is choice. We are in control and if we are not satisfied, then discover new flight patterns. 

 

Illumination

 

"Don't worry if you're making waves just by being yourself.

The moon does it all the time."

Scott Stabile

The full moon in May is called the Flower Moon which celebrates the return of flowers in the spring. As with every full moon, we inventory all that is ending to make space for our new beginnings. We become defeated if we plant new seeds in ill-prepared ground. It is time to weed out what is not taking root and plant our intentions into fertile ground.

In the power of the full moon, there is energy to sort out what is not resonating within us. It is time to let go of ideas that have grown stagnant. Fresh ideas and new adventures are moving towards us as the month unfolds, so preparation needs to be made. Change unfolds in creative thoughts, not in old stagnant thinking.  

Change is an ongoing process. Although it can be like a bolt of lightning, it often takes its time needing to be nurtured. The Flower Moon is a time for weeding out heaviness to enhance our chances of moving forward in carefully placed steps. A full moon shines on our progress, illuminating what works and what does not.