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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Markers and Moments

             When a birthday or anniversary nears, we can’t help but be brought back to that place, that feeling, that spot on our journey.  It’s been this way for me recently.

             The advancement of days, the march of time, the approach of a new season … all of it triggers memories, brings up thoughts of the past.  Fondly looking behind and smiling can be healthy.  For me, most often, it is painful.

             In these handful of recent years I’ve been very focused on recovery, healing, growth, and Life Lessons.  There are days when I think, hey, that went well, I sure do feel emotionally stable.  And then, there are the episodes when all I feel is bad, sorry, grief-stricken, and heavy (on a variety of levels).

             I wholeheartedly believe in what is called “curating your feed” and aiming our gaze upon that which will help us in the highest and best way.  Allowing our eyes to rest where the view will bring the most comfort is crucial.  As is, you guessed it, Self Care.

             None of this does any good if we can’t get out of bed in the morning (or afternoon, or evening), none of the tools we have are any use if we can’t bring ourselves to use them.

             Here is where I’m being directed, here is what the Universe wants us to focus on:

forgiveness. 

             The biggest barrier to our own sanity is generally within.  If we do not ask for help, if we do not allow ourselves the mercy of being forgiven, we will not be able to move forward.

             And what other direction can we go?  Not back, that’s done.  That’s over with.  That fucking ship has so sailed.

             Begin from our own heart, our own soul, or own body.  Start the healing at home.  Our one and only sure-thing place, where our spirit currently resides.  This is the vessel we have chosen to move around in.  It only makes sense that we should treat it well.

             Whatever “well” means.  I’m no authority on Wellness, but I have been living here in one of these bodies for long enough to know that we must be kind.  We must be generous.  And most of all, we must forgive.

reminder:
lovingkindness

Special Note:

the Universe may believe in full-on forgive-everyone.  I do not.

My complete surety is in going with our intuition.  And for this one, we’re only focusing on SELF forgiveness.  Which we all totally deserve.

 

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Clear and Visible

             Today, I have to say some things.  I have to be open, and I need to be genuine.  I am being directed towards transparency.

             I have disabilities.  I have disorders.  I have challenges.  I have struggles.  I have issues.  I become anxious and depressed.  I have periodic break-downs.

             When I expound on the benefits of Intentional Living, encouraging us all to Choose Joy, I’m doing so as a channeled message and also as an instruction to my own psyche.  Promoting a positive attitude is one of the ways I use to cope, with all of the above listed situations and diagnoses, plus the daily shit that just seems to show up.

             I have seen the healing properties of these methods and I want to share them.  The tools I have gathered, are my own examples (specific and personal suggestions), which can be applied to all sorts of similar conditions.

             Some the ways that I assist in my own mental health is to watch videos of lava (not at all dwelling on the destruction, but remembering and honouring the manifestation of Pele, she who created my beloved Hawaiian Islands).  I’ve been learning about, and involving myself in, the Body Positive Movement; seeking knowledge and education about SelfCare and SelfLove.  When I released all numbers, and our lives changed due to career and medical emergencies, my body changed, too.

             On Instagram I follow an account for a cheese shop in London.  And another one who is a wood worker in Canada.  I also look at Victorian houses, ocean views, clips of dolphins, whales, sharks, seahorses, and orcas.

             In quiet moments, I light candles and incense, I talk to dead people, I listen to the Universe, I hold keepsakes and mementos, I cry and I release sorrow.

             My YouTube account is full of falling water recordings.  There are several sources of angelic messages, inspirational affirmations, and the ever helpful guided meditation.

             On days when I don’t get to spend time with my GrandBaby, I look at pictures and videos of her.  A while back I was gifted two types of Kindle reading devices.  When I am alerted of free books available for downloading, I will sit with one of those, resting and escaping.

             Basically, what we’re discussing today is

Honesty.

             We are all broken, we are all flawed.  We all have to work at being okay sometimes.  None of us has everything.   None of us is perfect.

             When we are grateful for the gifts and treasures we do have, it reminds us of our good fortune.  And when we can share that with our loved ones, it helps us all.

             It feels like progress, on a global scale has been set back lately, and that brings everyone down.  I can only cling to my Hope and my Joy and utilize the tools I’ve found to keep me going forward, managing to survive another day, to arise tomorrow, and do it again.

             Be well, my dear ones, and take special care of yourselves the best you possibly can.

Today’s Sharing:

is to recommend Nanette.  Please, find it, and watch it, and share it.

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Adaptations

             Change?  It happens.  Progress?  We hope for it.  Evolution?  An obvious truth.  We live in a world which never stops moving.

             In my family, we are non-traditionalists.  For calendar holidays, we work, while others celebrate.  I can’t count the number of Thanksgivings where we’ve gathered on the following Sunday or Monday.

             This past week, for a Sunday event, we got together, in various combinations throughout the day and night, on that Thursday before.

             In the past few days I’ve had personal emergencies, unexpected tragedies, and plain old life situations, all of which have caused me to approach my current journey in a new (different!) and unaccustomed way.

             Why all of this?  Because, if we don’t

make adjustments

we die.  We cease existing in our physical form.  We falter, and often feel as though we’ve failed.

             This message is about acknowledging that “yeah, this sucks” but it doesn’t need to stop us from continuing.  It is not necessary to flounder, never to rise above.

            All of this doesn’t mean I’m not down.  Truthfully?  It’s been full-time residence in Depression City.  There’s great waves of sorrow.  Sadness and grief?  Fully present.

             Whatever are our individual circumstances, it simply proves that we CAN move forward in the face of . . . . . . of nearly any fucking thing that gets thrown at us.

             Do we want to rise above and be the better person right now?  Oh, hell to the no.  Are we able to?  Yep, pretty much every damn time.

            We can, and we do.  After.  After some reflection.  After some sobbing.  After adjusting and recalibrating, we can move forward.  We can survive.  We can (eventually!), once more, even thrive.

            (Just, ya know, give us a minute here.)

             As validation, and as a reminder of our strength, we are presented with this, a stone of great power.

“turquoise  ~

speaking one’s truth, clear communication, purification

Don’t be afraid to speak your truth.  A situation that is causing you concern can easily be resolved by simply expressing how you truly feel.

You will not hurt nor upset anyone by speaking your truth.  In fact, speaking your truth has the opposite effect to what you think.  

By communicating your feelings and preferences clearly and honestly all concerned will be relieved.  At present, others are rather confused because they sense that all is not the way you are purporting it to be.

This magical Turquoise crystal will help you ease any fear you have regarding clear and true communication with either yourself or others.”

Today’s Deck:

Crystal Oracle Cards by Toni Carmine Salerno

 

 

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Educated Observations

             For days now, this message has been bouncing around in my head.  It has refused to take shape.  The edges staying blurred as I struggle with my own personal “things” versus letting go and opening up to receiving what we all need to hear.

             Partly it’s been challenging for me because the signs of winter ending are simply not welcome.  I require a much colder forecast than what’s been my reality.

            The truth though, is that weather makes a perfect metaphor for where we’re headed.  Wait a few minutes, and it’ll change.

             We are being guided in:

Acceptance Lessons

             A strong wind will blow away.  A frost will melt.  A heat wave wilts, to be replaced by a refreshing breeze.  Rain does dry, and even droughts are eventually washed into green again.

             So, too, are we moving through our journey.  Our learning changes on every level.  We begin with simple tasks, and move (hopefully) in to more complicated lessons.

             That’s our soul’s evolution.  That’s what we’re here for.  That’s the actual goal.

             When we get bogged down with the mundane, the physical, the difficulties, we forget to look at how much progress we’ve made.  We forget to notice the beauty in a tranquil sunset, or the glory that is a glitteringly gorgeous frost.

             The most basic concept, the most simple idea, that of being in the moment, appreciating the gift in front of us, is what the Universe would like us to hold lovingly close, and to take forward as we walk our path, in all types of weather, on all sorts of roads.

           And in validation, here are the two most perfect cards as illustration.

“3 of Water: Emotions

Celebration

You are becoming more and more available and open to the many opportunities that there are to celebrate in life, and to share this with others.

Let your hair down, take your shoes off, and start splashing in the puddles right now!  The party is happening all around you every moment.

10 of Rainbows: The Physical

We Are The World

This view, humanity being depicted as a rainbow of dancing beings, represents a time of communication, of sharing the riches that each of us bring to the whole, it shows us joined together in joy and gratitude.

When we recognize the common source of our humanity, the common origins of our dreams and longings, our hopes and fears, we are able to see that we are all joined together in the great miracle of existence.

When we can combine our tremendous inner wealth to create treasures of love and wisdom that is available to all, we are linked together in the exquisite patterns of eternal creation.”

Today’s Deck:

Osho Zen Tarot

From Me to You:

             These are the reasons I still have hope.  These are the messages which pull me out of my depression.  These are the signs I find inspiration in.  And to share them, that is what brings me joy.

 

 

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