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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Real Reasons

             Maybe you’re familiar with the phrase/have seen the bumper sticker about everything already being in Divine Order?  It can be a challenging concept for some.

             Like, why if this is correct, do we still have suffering?  If this is how it’s all supposed to be, why are there so many problems in the world?  The fucking idiot in D.C. – just… why?

              I ask these questions, too.  Many individuals, much wiser and more knowledgeable, do as well.  What answers others come up with, I cannot say.  Personally though, this line of thinking is often followed by a toddler-like tantrum, a full-on screaming rant, a raging fit with actual shouting involved.

             The next step, is a deep cleansing breath.  A calming sob, followed by many more deep inhales and exhalations.  While I remember:

we’re here to learn.

             This is our school.  When our lessons are complete (or, at least when we’ve gone through our charted curriculum), we get to go Home.  This is not Valhalla, it is not Eden, it is not even in the same neighborhood as Paradise. Our present experience is the Academy of Garbage And Difficult Situations

             What we need to think about, and what the Universe is here to keep reminding us, is that we signed up for this, and we’re here to fulfill a contract.  Fortunately, we can CHANGE our blueprint at any point.

             We came here knowing that we had balanced all the pros and cons, had conferred with our Team, had planned out where best we could do what we needed to, and with whom.  What we always forget, like every stinkin’ time, is what a major struggle this entire CHORE can be.

             And that’s when we break down, that’s when we question, those are the times we wonder what the actual hell we were thinking to come down here and do it all again!

             Our reminder right now is of purpose.  We have chosen this journey to bring us the best and most complete lesson we can manage.  If it feels too hard, then we need to recharge, we need some Me Time, we need some Self-Care.  Every single person on the planet thinks more clearly when they are rested and well fed.

             So, just like a kid going off to class, we are to take good care of ourselves.  Then, we can take care of others, and we can learn.  Life lessons may not be easy, but following through with them CAN be simple.

Jasmine,
on the porch.

             I wish you could smell this.

Holding Faith Close

             We can all agree, there’s much going wrong right now.  What takes more words and more belief, and a bit more reaching, is to see how loads of shit is actually going well.

             Years ago, during a particularly challenging period of time, that person who is the very closest to me asked if I could look at what I had, not what I didn’t have, and how would it change my perspective.  You should know, he’s not a fabulous motivational speaker, but he comes up with these lines (or they come to him), drops them on me, and then coasts off into the rest of our life.

             That exact remark stuck, in the very best way possible I took it personally.  I bring it out often, it has a special and trusted place in my toolbox.  It happens to be tremendously similar to what we’re hearing about from the Universe.  We are being asked to focus on

             One definition of this word is to comprehend the goodness in something.  So, to keep Acceptance near us, is to acknowledge the concept of cherishing all of that which we DO have.  And allowing the parts which are not ours (yet?) to fall away, to come back in their proper time, or to transform into what will be best for us at a later date.

              Some people have the misunderstanding that accepting where we are means to become a doormat and just wallow in our pain.  Those people are very wrong.  To embrace Acceptance is to feel all the emotions, to hold gratitude in our hearts, and to loosen the grip we have on an imaginary control.

             Yes, we created this chart.  Yes, we laid out the blueprint for this journey.  But no, we absolutely do not have to accept anything which is hurtful, harming, or makes us doubt the beauty in our soul.

             To treasure where we are, to sit in satisfied and healing silence, is to accept our part in being a positive influence.   We are here to learn, to grow, to help.

             We can do that by accepting the idea that time moves along at precisely the proper pace, we accept that the past is behind us, we accept that the future is up to us, and finally, we accept that this Right Now moment (and all we can learn from it) is more valuable than anything else.

 

 

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Soul Pleasing

             So much of our journey is about education.  And then, as we gain knowledge, it turns in to perception.  When we learn of history and purpose, we become better suited, more at ease, happier.

             We move forward, ever spiraling upward, always gathering wisdom and experience.  It helps us to place our focus on a:

Gratitude Attitude

             It may feel old at this point, dated, or even clichéd to say this.

             But, it’s important if we are to balance the very sour and disappointingly painful other goings on around us.  Saying that we Choose Joy is not ignoring reality (and all the horror it currently involves), it is more about intentionally opting to appreciate the gifts around us.

             To take our daily blessings, our small treasures found in the day-to-day, for granted, or worse, to feel entitled to them, does no one any good.  It cheats us of that pleasure.  (And it moves us up the list, on our way to being the worst person in the room).

             Life is challenging.  That’s a fucking fact.  But another truth is that there’s plenty to find pleasure in.  When we approach each new phase, hour, day, week, whatever, with a gracious and joyful demeanor, we give to ourselves and we give to our loved ones.

             It’s not easy.  It’s just simple.  And in complete validation, we have been presented (gifted!) with this.

“Peaks Of Joy  ~  33  ~

‘Your life is filled with happiness, 

so share it with others!’

Joy is yours today!  No matter what your inquiry, you will be happy with the results.

You are coming closer to a sense of achievement, and you’ve worked hard for it.  You’re surrounded by true companions, and events that are synchronistically arranged to bring you to the next level of your life.

The world is singing a beautiful harmony.  Life is exhilarating and hopeful.

Let gratitude fill your heart and remember to share your happiness.  Joy is contagious!”

Today’s Deck:

The Enchanted Map Oracle Cards by Colette Baron-Reid

Today’s Moment of Gratitude:

is for community, family, support, and knowing that we are never truly alone.  Please, stay hopeful.

 

 

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Staying on Track, and still saying

             The changes in my life recently have not been how I expected this chapter to unfold.  Because Life goes where it needs to go.  Taking us to the places we need to be.

             Never is it how we thought it would happen.  A turn here, a twist there, a detour we had NO fucking clue was up ahead.  We travel, we experience.  We follow the path, or we veer away from it.

             Right now all I keep hearing is how Acceptance and Appreciation must be in our line of sight at all times, it must be where we’re aiming.  We absolutely can’t make the progress which will help us the most if we don’t embrace those factors.

            The Universe says it’s about:

Recognition

             To acknowledge our blessings, our lessons, our challenges, that’s where we live in the moment.  That’s where we are ALIVE in a genuine and soulful way.

             To recognize our opportunities as well as those options we can just let pass us by, that’s vital.  Never worry that we’ll miss out.  We definitely won’t.  We’re always in the right place at the right time.

             In fact, on our card altar, this Special Occasion visitor reminds us why.

“Emu  ~  12  ~  Endurance

First in the Category of Fire

A solar influenced creature, Emu speaks of the responsibility afforded to fathers who find themselves raising their children singlehandedly.  Emu Dreaming lends itself to the teaching of effective parenting skills and the endurance that is required to execute the role, especially under difficult conditions.

. . . . . look at how you are holding up physically and emotionally to the stresses of life.  Perhaps you need to pace yourself better so that you are able to maintain a manageable level of endurance.

Emu promotes a holistic approach to life which incorporates a healthy mind/healthy body philosophy while encouraging you to seize personal quiet time for replenishment whenever you are able.

Emu demonstrates how to integrate the positive and supportive aspects of both our ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ characteristics by drawing their wisdom into everything we do, thus enriching our view of the world and our place (and that of our children) within it.”

Today’s Deck:

Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards by Scott Alexander King

(I went with this one because of the recent Vernal Equinox, and the personal changes which are happening here at home, it called out to me, so I answered.)

Today’s Sharing:

is this view from my April page downstairs.

That heart makes all the difference, don’t you think?

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