Inspired

(en)lighten the dark and shine!

 

The Solstice…that amazing time when the earth pauses for just a moment and then begins it’s swing back on it’s axis, is such a magical time for me…so full of intent and promise!  

A beautiful gift today from Oriah Mountain Dreamer...

On this side of the globe, celebrations are about the promise of the returning light- something that doesn’t happen all at once, but gradually, a little more light each day from this point on until the summer solstice. It’s a lesson in trust, patience and the natural ebb and flow of life cycles- challenging realities for a culture that often eagerly seeks permanent, instant, life-changing “enlightenment.” 

Today- and especially tonight- I remember and hold in my prayers those aspects of self and my fellow human beings who are experiencing a time of darkness that makes the promise of the returning light feel like an empty daydream. For all those who are feeling lost in the darkness, overwhelmed with loss, unsure of their ability or willingness to continue. . . . may those individuals or aspects of self lean a little into the faith of those who, in this moment, remember and experience the promise of the returning light. For all those sitting in the darkness of confusion and not-knowing, of grief or despair. . . may they feel tonight that someone sits with them, holding in their hearts the seemingly impossible promise of the growing light.

And may we all find in the darkness a place of deep rest and rejuvenation, time for clear dreaming for ourselves and our people that we may co-create a sustainable and soul-full way to live together on this tiny planet we call home. 

 

I am heading away again…yes, I’ve been back home for just a few days, and now the Oregon coast and good friends who just happen to also be family, are calling.  This break will be very nourishing for the soul.

Blowing In The Wind

 

It’s the end of November which also means the end of the 2011 Gratitude Project…but not the end of the gratitude!  Gratitude has become so important to me this past year.  It’s taken on new meaning and changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.  I know I’ve said this before but I’m still in awe of this new awareness…of being grateful for it all, for everything.   It’s showing me where I feel peaceful, where I feel balanced, where I feel triggered and where I feel fearful…and in the awareness, there’s opportunity for change without struggle

November has been a great month and for the most part we’ve had less rain than normal (it's usually the wettest month of the year).  We had a wild storm last week with very high winds; downed trees, power outages and ferries cancelled.  We topped this all off with a broken sewer line…while company was staying with us!  It was CRAZY but we had a lot of laughs while trekking up the hill to use the washrooms at the local cafe and gas station.  Luckily we were able to fix the problem the following day and our guests could run water, shower and flush toilets by noon!    Ah, the luxury of running water and flushing toilets….not something to take for granted, but of course we do!

And I’ve been doing a lot of walking…a lot…even in the high winds and rain, I was out there walking.  It feels wonderful to be able to be so active again and both Molly and I are loving it.

I hope the month of November blew in many happy and fulfilling moments for you all, dear friends!  Tomorrow we slip into December and we all know how quickly that one slides by.

 

“Peace doesn’t require two people; it requires only one. 

It has to be you. 

The problem begins and ends there.”

Byron Katie

 

 

Transitions

Those of you who follow a non-traditional spiritual path (as I do) will no doubt know about the recent transition of Jerry Hicks.  Jerry was instrumental in bringing the wisdom and inspiration of Abraham to the world.  Who is Abraham?  Esther Hicks who channels the Abraham energy calls them "infinite intelligence" and Jerry's description was  "the purest form of love I've ever experienced."

To the hundreds of thousands around the world who came to know Abraham's love and wisdom through their Law of Attraction books, seminars, webinars and cruises, Jerry’s  questions, wonderings and quick sense of humour were always an integral part of the experience.

Esther sent out a beautiful tribute today to her husband Jerry...

 

Dear, dear Friends,

Our sweet Jerry made his transition into Nonphysical last Friday. How sweet the Vortex is feeling to him today!

Jerry said to me when we came together over 30 years ago that given the difference in our ages that it was likely “that I will cut out on you early,” to which I replied, “I don’t mind.” His joy of life and continual new discovery of purpose kept his life feeling fresh and we shared such joyous eagerness for life.

Over the years, Abraham has consistently insisted that there is no death. Again and again they have reminded us that there is only life and more life and more life. It has taken me some time to understand this, and I honestly must say I have not yet fully come to terms with it, but I do believe that in what we are calling Jerry’s death he is discovering the next logical step of life that Abraham has always been talking about. And at times I am catching a glimpse of the bigness of what Jerry is feeling and while I am still pretty mad at him for not sticking around longer to surprise and delight me in all the ways he has been doing throughout our 30 years together I accept fully that the next logical step of joyous life for Jerry was to be found in his re-emergence into Nonphysical.

Since 1985 it has been Jerry and Esther and Abraham and I believe with everything that I am that that has not changed. I know that Jerry will continue to be the third powerful point of the triad of Energy that makes up the Abraham experience and I am certain that his new vantage point will be, as it has always been, of advantage to us all

I know for sure that Jerry will help me, in time, release my own personal resistance to physical death, because I will not be able to maintain that resistance and also play easily with him. And in my desire to continue not only my Abraham experience but also my Jerry experience, I am certain he will be the catalyst to help me do what Abraham has been trying to help us all do all along. 

Once again, Jerry is out there leading the way for me. But the difference this time is that I must find the way. I am not there yet, but it is my absolute promise to myself that I will find the way, because it is the most natural thing in the world to do and because Jerry has provided for me the reason to do it. 

I am eager about what is ahead and while I cannot begin to explain or even imagine the details of how it is all going to play out, I am certain that it will be fun. 

I am such a fortunate girl, to have been able to play with Jerry and Abraham and all of you for so many wonderful years and I am so eager to continue doing more of the same for many more years to come. I feel certain right now that not only has nothing gone wrong, but things are going especially right. It will be different, for sure, but it will also be very, very good. 

I’m feeling such love for you all, and for Abraham and most of all for Jerry. And as I have said to him a thousand or more times through the years, “Well isn’t life just a kick in the pants?”

Love,

Esther

 

And when life's sweet fable ends,

Soul and body part like friends;

No quarrels, murmers, no delay

 A kiss, a sigh and so away.

 Richard Crashaw, Temperance 

 

On this 23rd day of The Gratitude Project - 30 days, I am truly grateful to Jerry for the passion, curiousity and dedication he had in bringing Abraham's loving wisdom to the world.

 

30 Days of Gratitude – #4 Opening and Connection

 

The energy builds towards 11/11/11.  Why is this an important date?  This time is seen as another in a series of openings for new energy to come in to the planet. 

Many are speaking about it and many are beginning to feel on an energetic level, the deeper awakening that is about to occur.  As we continue to move towards 2012 and beyond, the hearts of humanity are going through an energetic shift from separation to an inner knowing of oneness and a sense of unity consciousness that will raise the vibration of this planet into its next evolution. 

We are opening our hearts as surely as the buds open to the exquisite beauty of the blossom and our hearts are connected, just as the many blossoms on the plant are also connected.  

I am grateful today and everyday, for the opening of my own heart and for the opening of the 7 billion hearts around me.  

 

“...open up your heart and the sky is yours...”

Jason Mraz

Reflections on September

Just jumping in to say hello…I know things have been fairly quiet from me for the past month, but it’s all good.

My life feels smoother, my heart feels fuller and my brain is alternating between spinning with inspiration and yet stalled by wonderment….like one foot is on the brake and the other is on the gas...and both are full on!

I've had so many ideas for projects, that I bought a tiny little...bright pink...notebook to jot down all my ideas before they run on ahead of me and leave me behind…yet so many of them still remain just idea’s.

 

The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.

Lee Iacocca 

But…I have started preparing a background on a new canvas, adding multiple layers of paper for texture.  I’ve added at least 8 different layers and colours of paint and rubbed each one with ink…wiping it off to bring out the texture.  Lots of fun, but I still haven’t decided what to paint on it!

I’ve also designed a quote to be printed on a canvas wrap (to go on my turquoise wall) but haven’t sent it off yet to the printer. (tomorrow…I vow to take my foot off the brake with this one and step on the gas)

Having painted the wall in the hallway, turquoise, I'm not quite as shocked by it any more and decided to continue on and paint a wall in the dining room the same colour…but that’s on hold until the rains drive us indoors again (brake).

I started or rather re-started my digital book project…The A to Z’s of me.  I was at least half way through the alphabet when I stopped over three years ago.  Several weeks back I looked at it again…and was somewhat surprised at how much I was enjoying it, so I’ve decided I’m too far into it, to not finish it! Each "letter" has a digital design on one page as well as a written page or two. (gas pedal)

I’ve designed another website, but haven’t decided yet if I’ll use it. (foot definitely on the brake).

I DID finish another Blurb book…all 114 pages of it…last years blog posts and photographs in print and it’s been sent off to Blurb for printing. (gas pedal, gas pedal! I’m doing the happy dance over this!)

And there’s more, so many more ideas, but I need to finish up the old before I dive into any more new projects

As I was writing all of this down, it dawned on me just what September has been about for me.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve felt all month like I was in a “holding pattern” and I can now see quite clearly that it’s been a time of wrapping things up...ideas and generally just a lot of old energy.  I needed to bring closure to so many things, not just projects but even remenents of old thought patterns and parts of me that I’m well and truly finished with. They’ve been good and have supported me while I needed them but it was time to clear up the old, so that I can step into the new.

 

Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.

Benjamin Disraeli

Do you feel a quickening of energy?  An underlying current of excitement beyond the fear?  Are you seeing glimpses out in the world (and in your own world) of people reclaiming their power?  Taking a new step?  Uttering a new word?

Oh my friends, stay in wonderment…we live in exciting times.

 

addendum:  just a few hours after I published this post, I received this in my inbox...I like to think that it's angelic confirmation that I'm on the right track!

(the photo’s above were taken at Elk Lake park, about half way between our home and Victoria.  The path winds around the lake (10 k’s/6.5 miles) and as always with nature, every changing season brings something new to see and delight me).

A Season of Balance

Profound Balance is Needed in our World

The September 23rd (Friday) equinox (a time of equal light and dark) is a powerful time to bring balance into your life and into our world. Today we tend to think of balance as equal and competing opposite sides. Our world is one of polarity. But in the natural world balance is more like the ancient Yin Yang symbol. Each side includes the other in a dynamic, not dominating, flow.

Fill yourself with light, while honouring the darkness. Accept what is (even if you don't agree with it) AND ALSO hold the vision of what you want. Strengthen your vision, then send it out on the rays of light to illuminate the world.

Jonette Crowley

The Center for Creative Conciousness

 

Yes, the world does seem completely out of balance right now but often it's necessary to rock the foundations before solid rebuilding is possible. We can each do our own part to bring balance back to the world, by staying in balance ourselves.

(I was balancing rocks the other day at a beach near my home…a medatative and calming activity!)

Blessings to all, dear friends.

 

Inside Myself

Living in a place of quiet stillness,

and sidestepping small, whirling eddy’s of chaos,

I tune to an inner song

of peace,

love,

and contentment.

Words fail me

while my heart

learns to speak this new language

of joy.

 

Stay in wonderment dear friends,

(photo of cape gooseberries received from a local gardener. The outer, papery covering shelters a sweet, yellow berry)

The Cure For Ennui

.

 

I read these words by Nancy Leilah Ward a few days ago in her September “energy vibe” report and thought to myself… “thank goodness, it’s not just me!”

I’ve noticed in myself – and heard reports from other people – that there’s a feeling of ennui that many are experiencing. Feeling unmotivated, as if we’re swirling around in an eddy of energy, not going anywhere, just spinning in the same spot. To move out of this, I am receiving messages to do what is fun, what makes me feel good.

September has always felt like a time of doing and newness for me…the result of many years of both being a student myself and then working in the elementary and post secondary educational systems. It’s a time to sign up for courses and think about what activities I want to focus on for the coming winter months. It’s a time to shed summer flip flops and start pulling out the knits, a time to put some structure back into my life.

But this month I’ve been feeling like I’m walking in circles and can’t get quite get a grasp on anything to pull myself out and into a new direction. It feels like I’m in a holding pattern, circling the airport and waiting for a slot, to land.

So…the remedy seems to be, to do something fun! OK, I’m up for that! For me, so much of my fun centers around being creative and today I’m playing with script…as in writing. I’ve joined Kal Barteski in her Script School which started yesterday. I love the easy flow of her script and think it will be fun to add it to my own projects…or just use it as a meditative practice.

And yesterday I had fun with a friend teaching me the basics of jewellery making…which was lots of fun and something I’ve always wanted to do.

"If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good".

Dr. Seuss

As always dear friends, thank you for stopping by…you are a each a beautiful blessing. Stay in wonderment.

(The photograph is of a new variety of coneflower (echinacea) "Hot Papaya", that I planted in my garden this summer)

Magic and Alchemy

Love’s Glow

acrylic paint and water soluble crayons on canvas (24” x12”)

"In love's glow, there is great magic"

 

I finally finished the painting that I’ve been working on (more off really, than on) all summer. I wanted to create something that felt magical to me and was inspired by Stephanie Lee’s sweet lanterns and yes, I’m still obsessed hooked on turquoise.

Magic and alchemy happen when we live from a place of love. Alchemy isn’t just about turning lead into gold…it’s the transformation of one thing into another. Love transforms life. Oh, I know that’s the simplistic version but truly, when we bring love into the equation, it transforms us, it transforms situations, it transforms relationships and it transforms the world.

This painting is, for me, about seeing the ordinary with new eyes…with the eyes of love. It’s transformative. A whole new world can appear that never before seemed possible, especially when we perceive ourselves with loving eyes.

 

One way can be learned by starting to see the magic in everything. Sometimes it seems to be hiding but it is always there. The more we can see the magic in one thing, a tiny flower, a mango, someone we love, then the more we are able to see the magic in everything and in everyone. Where does the mango stop and the sky begin?

Joshua Kadison

 

Where indeed does the mango stop and the sky begin? Blessing of love, magic (and the blurring of lines), to each of you.

 

Light

This lovely chandelier is hanging in what seems at first to be the unlikeliest of places…a pub! It’s just one of many hanging in Victoria’s old City of Lights Building which was originally built in 1894 to house the coal fired electric generators that powered Victoria's streetlights. It seems quite fitting that these beautiful chandeliers are now hanging in the old City of Lights building!

 

So much is said about becoming enlightened these days. With 2012 bearing down creeping up on us, and all the information and mis-information around that, there almost seems to be an urgency about it. I’m not sure how others define enlightenment but I’ve come to understand what it means for me.

Enlightenment is not about bunnies and rainbows, nor is it about the “woo woo, airy, fairy”. It's not about retreating to a mountain top or meditating in a cave. Enlightenment is about personal growth and using that growth to live a balanced life...in the world, not hiding away from it.

It's about releasing fear and it's about trusting. It's also about loving myself and emanating my truth. It’s about being disciplined and becoming the spiritual warrior (the heart needs to keep the ego in check!). It’s about drawing a line in the sand and calling on courage from the very depths of my being because I know that's what I deserve. It’s about ending struggle, letting go of drama and realizing that I’m never a victim…never, ever, ever. Enlightenment is about knowing gratitude and it's about asking myself what Einstein considered to be the most important question...Is the universe a friendly place?...and listening to my answer. If our thoughts become our reality, then the answer to this question is crucial.

Perhaps enlightenment means something different to you or maybe it’s not something that’s ever been on your radar. (You’re probably not a naval gazer like me!) but as long as we have the intent and determination to live to our greatest potential, to live in peace and joy with kindness as our north star, then we’re seeking enlightenment.

It’s time to power up…turn our lights up brightly…and be the very best we can be. We deserve that and so does the world.

Knowing others is wisdom;

Knowing the self is enlightenment;

Mastering others requires force;

Mastering the self needs strength.

Lao Tzu

Have a lovely weekend dear friends and if you're considering a movie, I saw The Help earlier this week. I loved it! The acting is great and although I didn't read the book, I've been told it's not a disapointment.

I'm so glad you came to visit!