To Be, To Feel

             Without sorrow, we cannot truly understand what it might feel like to be happy.  Without pain, our concept of joy may not be as deep, as comprehensive and full.

             On this journey, it is very much part of our job, our lesson, our chore, to experience all the ups and all the downs.  It’s why we signed on for this ride.

             Is it fun, is it easy? No, absolutely not.  At times it’s so horrible we can’t imagine how we’ll get through the next minute.  Sixty seconds feels like sixty thousand years.

             This precarious mental state we all try to keep steady is what the Universe is asking us to focus on right now.

It’s the balance.

             Another way to look at this topic is to observe weather.  Without summer, we don’t have enough light to grow food.  Without the rain, we don’t have enough moisture to water our crops.  Without snow, our rivers would run dry.

             As much as I thought I wanted to fight against change, it turns out, battling is not the best way to get anywhere.  We must flow with the tides and the winds.  Because, we as animals here amongst the plants, we are part of the movement.

             Nothing stays the same.  It can’t, we are a constant storm in motion.  Our task is to feel all the emotions.  We learn by living the experiences.  Not by avoiding them.

             It is not comfortable.  It can seem endless.  And yet, as we come out the other side (and we do, we will, we always have), we are cleansed and we are better.  We are improved, and we are in a more receptive space for all of the positives awaiting us.

             To advance and evolve, to keep our souls going forward, we must cry for sad, laugh for happy, and immerse ourselves in all which lies in between.

 

 

 

 

 

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Seeking, Finding, Being

             There is the thought, in zen belief systems, of all emotions and feelings being equal.  That all is balanced, in accordance.  That all is harmonized, united with all else.

             In my on-going quest to learn the Release Lesson (so I don’t have to fucking repeat it!), I very much strive to get there.  I practice calming, breathing, re-centering.  I look with kind eyes, and I hear with an open heart.

             At least, that’s the idea.  That’s where I want to be.  In reality, I stumble.  I falter.  I fall down.

             But see, that basic tenet, of all being in balance, says that my rough patches are exactly part of what keeps me engaged with the teachings.  In my failures, there are successes.  In my pain, there is growth.

             And truly, I love that aspect.  I so enjoy the knowledge that with each shard of stabbing grief, there is an equally intense draping of joy.  That when we are immersed in sorrow, we can then pass through it into happiness.

             Even as I question why this part of the journey took nearly 60 years, I also realize with full understanding that it HAD to take this amount of time.  Partly because time is meaningless.  But also, because this is where I’m supposed to be right now.

             During the course of this (and mostly any) life there have been painful years, ignorant years, rage-filled years, starvation years.  Were there opportunities missed, mistakes made?  Was I supposed to move through that piece of the road in that way, in order to fully appreciate what came after?

             There is no way for us to answer any questions like this here, wearing these bodies.  On days when the low is stronger than the high, in moments of pain and sorrow, it seems to not take quite as much effort as it previously did to find my path, to get back on course.

             As I sit with the feelings, both sides of them, I attempt to witness my balance.  To be present in the journey.  I come here, I go to work, I share what I have learned, what I am learning.

             The above is from Jack Kornfield, who first brought this concept to my attention.  If we can stop for one brief moment, each day, regaining our balance, we will have given ourselves the gift of intention.  What I’m finding is that, this present experience, this right now, has value.   Let’s treasure it.

Today’s Sharing:

is what I’m listening to.

 

 

 

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Necessary

             What does it mean to be needed, and is it a way we wish to have others view us?  Don’t we all struggle to feel worthy and of value?

             Do we really HAVE to have all the things we cling to?  Are all of these gadgets and contraptions required for a truly happy existence?  Do we feel incomplete without the reassurance of others?

             This lifetime, for me, is all about Release and Letting Go lessons.  Yet, in the day-to-day, down-n-dirty, we-got-those-bills-to-pay reality, we’re maybe trying to go the other direction.  Might we be causing some of these issues?

            I mean, none of us is so unique that we can’t be replaced.  While at the same time, we truly ARE incredibly special, individual, the only one like us, with our own set of skills, talents, and gifts.

             It’s a balance, it’s a back-and-forth of trying to find that harmony of necessity.

             It’s:

equilibrium.

             We want to feel good about ourselves and what we’re accomplishing.  We just don’t want to worry that when we take a break everything will go to hell in a handbasket.

             How we find the tipping point is to fall off of the edge.  Uncomfortable?  Yes.  Fatal?  Usually not.  Informative?  Always.

             It’s up to us, one at time, in our own space, in our own way, with our own specialized set of tools, to discover that fine calculation, that perfect leveling.

             We need to seek it gently, though.  Without vigor, and without haste.  We need to approach it softly, so as not to flip the scales and cause a crash.

             In asking all of these questions, I was directed to see what else we could learn here.  This validation brings the start of an answer, a recalibrating of a reminder.

             To learn, we often times are forced to teach.  To instruct, we must first acknowledge that we are always still learning.

             To help ourselves, it is best to begin by helping others.

“tumbled stones

rainbow healing

Today marks the start of a new beginning; a new way of looking at life and the world around you.

Be it in dreams or through beautiful rainbows, you are being infused with light and blessings. 

Relax!

Surrender your concerns to the universal light of love and allow this wondrous healing to occur.

You will soon find that others are attracted to you.  Many will come and seek your help and advice for you are a beacon of light unto all.

In the near future you will empower others with your love and wisdom as you help them see their own inner light and beauty.

You are a natural born healer who heals through the power of love.”

Today’s Deck:

Crystal Oracle by Toni Carmine Salerno

Today’s Affirmation:

(from the same source)

I will love myself enough today to

allow the light of my soul to shine

through and reveal my inner beauty,

truth,

and purpose.

 

 

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Equilibrium

            Our recent messages are beginning to develop a theme.  This is always sort of comforting to see.

             Right now, we’re being reminded to keep our physical and emotional expenditures on an even keel.  All output must equal enough taking in.  Disbursement = Receiving.  In other words:

Balance

             Because it’s a time of year which can (very easily and quickly if we aren’t careful) get well and truly out of hand.

              There’s a control factor to this, too.  The element of “back off” arises as we slip, perhaps, in to a DO IT ALL NOW mentality.  This is never in anyone’s best interests.  Never.

             To check in on ourselves is to bring Self-Care front and center.  To stay focused on our most loving and kind Balance is to be there when someone needs us.  We’re no good when we’re run down or exhausted.

             And how much fun are holidays when we’re feeling taken advantage of or stressed to the point of tears?  No fun, that’s how much.

             All the Universe is asking us to keep in mind is that we balance the give with the take, the in with the out, the physical with the spiritual.

             And on our card altar, this draw is showing us an excellent place to start.

“Kindness  ~

Card meaning:

Practice kindness in all your thoughts and deeds – toward yourself, other people, animals, and the environment – and watch the rewards that come you way!’

We often refer to kindness as ‘thoughtfulness.’  Yet, kindness is more correctly described as ‘lovefulness.’

By drawing this card, the fairies hand you the wonderful assignment of looking for opportunities to be kind.

This may mean ‘undercover kindness,’ in which you do anonymous good deeds.  Or, it could mean being extra alert for strangers who could us a helpful hand or a thoughtful word.

Kindness can also entail letting someone else win the argument or volunteering for a cause that you truly believe in.

By paying attention to the implications of every thought and action, you begin to develop a kindness habit.  Your new energy of kindness attracts new loving friends into your sphere.

As you practice kindness toward animals, plants, and the environment, you develop a closer relationship with nature.  More important, when you are particularly kind toward yourself – by thinking about yourself compassionately and by taking time out for yourself – you are rewarded with a deep sense of inner satisfaction and peace.

Affirmation:

I am kind, thoughtful, and loving to myself and others.”

Today’s Deck:

Healing With The Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue

Today’s Sharing:

is just to remind everyone that we’ve got a Mercury retrograde situation coming up.  (THIS looks like an excellent resource.)  The Shadow Effect is already making itself known, so go slow, take breaks, and SAVE YOUR WORK!

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Eye of the Beholder

             There are Universal Laws and all-encompassing truths, within which we all live.  What we don’t always realize though, is how simple we are able to pare our sacred selves down to.  While still maintaining that truthful reality.

             As people, sharing space here, we have far more commonalities than we do differences.  But only when viewed with that aspect of removing the dishonest, falsely created complications can we see it, can we see others and their similarities.

             All of us, our soul journey, our life experience is ……….

a mixed bag.

             There must be a balance.  Very often we feel wrong-footed, and begin to topple.  Losing our center, losing our balance.

             If we were to look at the Mixed Bag we’ve gathered, peering inside to see all the treasures and trash, we could sort out the reasons for our imbalance.  Tossing out* what we no longer need.

*Composting or recycling, never into the landfill!

             What I saw with this message was not, as we might expect, a set of scales, or an actual bag.  No, I was shown a stylized version of the human form.  With the arms and legs and middle and neck and head holding groups of items.

             The “bag” is us.  We are the containers.  We hold the mixed-up lessons and gifts.  We are the scales.

             Our gathered contents have to be balanced, to keep us balanced and on track.  When we feel overwhelmed or loaded down, it’s because our Mixed Bag has become too stuffed full of that which we no longer need to carry.

             Time to unpack.  Time to let go.  Time to make a trip to the recycle center and pass those items on to their next loving home.

             As we look to our card altar right now, this reminder is validated by showing where else we can utilize balance.

“Goddess of Beauty  ~

‘You are a wondrous being of light;

there is nothing to change or fix.’

You are a wondrously beautiful being of light, yet you cannot see it because you are comparing yourself to others instead of looking honestly and lovingly at yourself.

Meditate upon the image of this card and allow your light and natural beauty to shine through.  You are beautiful just as you are.  There is nothing to change or fix; just love and accept yourself as you are.

As you honour the beautiful person that you are, others will feel the light and warmth radiating from you.

As a result, you will attract wonderful and generous people into your life that will love and appreciate you for all you truly are.

Just be yourself – that is where your beauty lies!”

Today’s Deck:

Angels, Gods, and Goddesses Oracle Cards by Toni Carmine Salerno

Today’s Sharing:

is this view from tonight’s Instagram.

A pair of pairs.

             Gifts from Nature, and discovering a CLEARANCE sale on sandals.  Yep, that’s what makes for a great day.

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