Give Take Give

             Whether your family is the chosen type or the kind you’re born in to, it’s the place you should feel most at home.  Even if many of their numbers are miles away.

             And with the cases of distance, in order to be with some, we must often sacrifice them to stay close with others.  It’s a challenge, especially if your group is large.

              We can feel as though that cost is too high.  What is most helpful, in this and so much of our life is:

equilibrium.

             To find balance, is to find our true path, is to find comfort.  The times when we are in sync are the most joyous.  We feel unburdened and free.

              But how do we do that?  How do we find that composure and equality, for ourselves and for our loved ones?  How do we solve the issues of some getting more than others?

             One way is to let go of guilt, let go of what everyone is thinking (or, more precisely, what we THINK everyone is thinking).  None of that matters.  What’s important is to be honest, be caring, do the very best we can.

              This past week we were away from some loved ones, but spent time with another batch.  We made sacrifices, it cost a lot (time and dollars).  In the end, it was worth it.  It’s always worth it!

             Much like my theory of “buy the boots, spend the money” – looking back, we never regret the purchase (and every time, make more money).  We absolutely, and without fail, will regret NOT doing it.  Every stinkin’ time.

             Let go.  Take the trip.  Go see the people you care about.  You’re worth it.  And, if you miss them, they’re worth it, too!  Find your balance, pay the price.  And feel good about your choices.

              Here’s what I’m listening to tonight.  Turn up the music, dance, enjoy!  Spend your money and spend your time, in all the places where it matters most.

 

 

 

 

 

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Give and Take, and Keep Giving

             You know the saying about sticking with a day job?  Well, even my day job is at night.  On a recent evening, during my daytime night work, I was fortunate enough to spend time with two women who became instant friends.

             They didn’t know each other (nor me, really) prior to this visit.  But, by the end, we had laughed and cried and shared and bonded.

             Both of them, like me, have suffered enormous losses in their lives.  Also, in a similar way to my own, they have seen beautiful blessings, witnessed history, and learned from these events.

             I’m dedicating this post to Carla and Barbara, because not only is genuine sharing important, but clear and honest communication is vital to our future, and the future of our entire planet.

In Partnership

             We simply do not know who or what may cross our path at any given point.  Isn’t it best then, to just be prepared with a smile and kind word?

              Treating others as we would like to be treated is so basic, and yet, it is often forgotten or neglected.  I believe it’s time (past time!) to bring it back.

              Let’s go forward together, and not apart.

             On our card altar, in a most delightful validation, we have a messenger who reminds us that we are always the teacher AND the student, never only one, but without fail, both simultaneously.

The Hierophant  ~  5

(not fully rightside-up)

Setting aside the church trappings, this draw (in reversed position) is more about living and learning than it is hierarchy.

We know that to live with Mercy and Goodness is to be balanced.  It’s not being a doormat, but being powerful in our Graciousness.

As we learn we grow, as we teach we grow.  As we communicate with others, we grow.  We take our lessons and we share them, as they are shared with us.

Remember, the number 5 is focused on our humanity.  On our flawed human-ness.  Will we always get our homework in on time and pull straight As?  Of course not.

But will we do our best and try hard and play nice?  Yep, we’ll sure aim for it, and we’ll forgive ourselves as we forgive others who may stumble and need a helping hand.

We are part of a community, we are here in partnership with those around us.  We teach, we learn, we communicate.

Today’s Deck:

Robin Wood Tarot

Today’s Sharing:

is to show you this adorable and thoughtful gift.  It appeared in my mailbox on precisely the day I needed it most.

(Thank you, Karen Bear!)

A lighthouse outhouse!

             Here’s to a brand new year of RELEASE and letting go.  (And, ya know, whatever our lessons may be.)

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Properly Executed

             We’ve spoken here before about the interconnectedness of the Universe.  And how we all rely, one upon the other.  Today’s message is along that similar theme.  But from a different angle.

             All of our actions have consequences.  All the steps we take (or the steps we don’t) have meaning and repercussions.  All of us touch another, we reach out and connect.  Our experiences overlapping.

             Here’s where we are being asked to focus, where we are being asked to aim our intentions right now.

Commit To It

              We all constitute a portion of the whole; we are all part of this world (whether we enjoy every second or not).  The key is to hold on to our individuality while still being involved.

             When we state with full and hearty confidence that YES, we’d like this or that, then we’ve committed to something/someone.  When we do the same with our journey, we are telling Life that, hey, I’m on board here!

             Even when we don’t make a choice, that’s also a type of commitment.  We’ve stuck with the indecisiveness of doing nothing.

             For this moment, we are being directed to follow through.  To stand strong, and be honest.  Commit.  Grab a basket, and put all of our eggs in to it.

             Because when we turn energy towards a clear and conscious selection, we spread that feeling outward, in ever-increasing ripples.  Those waves of passion move beyond us, to our loved ones and the people who cross their paths, and then it spirals even farther beyond.

             To be  part of the whole, to opt for the strong choices, that’s what will help us all the most.  And that, then, helps everyone.

             Even our card altar draw speaks of allowing what no longer serves to drop off, so that we may be fulfilled with what suits us better, now, at this time.

“Time to Move On  ~

‘It’s time to let go of the old and worn our so that the new can come in.’

By drawing this card, you are alerted to the fact that you need to make room for the new by letting go of the old.  First, let go emotionally and intellectually.  In other words, ‘quit’ or ‘say good-bye’ in your mind and heart.

Once you do this, the physical letting-go will happen naturally, in a peaceful and harmonious way.

Ask Heaven to help you make the transition, and don’t plan, scheme, or worry about how your letting-go (or replacement) will occur.  Put all of your energy into prayer and faith, and leave the rest up to Infinite Spirit.

You will get definite guidance whenever it is the right moment to take action.  Until then, stay lovingly detached from your old situation.“

Today’s Deck:

Magical Mermaids and Dolphins Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue

Today’s Sharing:

is this cut from a new album I’ve been enjoying.

             I thought you’d like it, too.

 

 

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Established Embodiment

             I’m smack-dab in the middle of an über busy few days, and predicted heat-wave.  The pool needs me four times in three days (I’ve become the substitute-water-instructor-of-choice.  Apparently).

             All of this makes today’s message a tiny bit ironic.  (Still valid, but slightly comical, on a cosmic level.)

Soul focus,

not body.

             We are being reminded to look past the false importance of our shells and stay in tune with our own sacred self.  Our inner voice and shining light are so very much more valuable than the physical casing we walk around in.

             To do things like therapeutic water movement is an EXCELLENT way to honour our bodies, but at the same time, it’s also a lovely sort of spiritual checking in, too.  We, as a culture, are uncomfortably disconnected on this issue.

             Whatever the way we can delve deeper, and make that soul connection, we are being encouraged to do so.  It will benefit us, from the inside out.

             And as we return to our regular rotation around the card altar, this draw shows us how very basic it is to begin a releasing process.  We can allow the laser focused mindset on our bodily imperfections to slip away, since really, it was never needed.

             (Sidebar: here is our second such message from the cards in less than two weeks.  Remember THIS ?)

             Additionally, the number eight in a symbolic sense, is the infinity sign on its side.  We are in a continuous state of ending, beginning, ending, and beginning a new.  The more we are aware of it, the less challenging it becomes.

“Letting Go  ~  8  ~  Water: Emotions

In this image of lotus leaves in the early morning, we can see in the rippling of the water that one drop has just fallen.

It is a precious moment, and one that is full of poignancy.  In surrendering to gravity and slipping off the leaf, the drop loses its previous identity and joins the vastness of the water below.

We can imagine that it must have trembled before it fell, just on the edge between the known and unknowable.

To choose this card is a recognition that something is finished, something is completing.  Whatever it is – a job, a relationship, a home you have loved, anything that might have helped you to define who you are – it is time to let go of it, allowing any sadness but not trying to hold on.

Something greater is awaiting you, new dimensions are there to be discovered.  You are past the point of no return now, and gravity is doing its work.

Go with it – it represents liberation.”

Today’s Deck:

Osho Zen Tarot

Today’s Additional Zen Spark Of Wisdom:

In existence there is nobody who is superior and nobody who is inferior.  The blade of grass and the great star are absolutely equal…..

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The Enlightenment Process

             Last night I had to set aside a book without finishing it.  This is a difficult action for my Virgo brain to handle.  Also, and maybe even more difficult, is for my Highly Sensitive soul to read about sadness.  I was initiating a compromise alone, with just me.

             The good part though, is that *A* had recently recommended an authour who she thought I’d enjoy.  My library didn’t have the exact title, but a different one, which was conveniently in my tote bag, so when I put the discarded item there, I found the other.  Turns out, that’s the precise volume I needed to be reading.

On the cover?   DOLPHIES!

              I haven’t fully investigated her website yet, but it appears to be an excellent resource.  What I got from all of this process (and about the first one third of that book) will be the basis for our message today.

Relieving Suffering = Accepting Freedom

             It’s the words; we need to clarify our definitions.  Because “suffering” is not what our brain first jumps to.  And the concept of “acceptance” in the zen training is not at all about giving up or admitting defeat.

            In reality, we are letting go of what hasn’t worked all along and we’re now comprehending that this is where we are.  This is who and what we need to take credit for and acknowledge.  No negative connotations, no struggle.  Simple acceptance, leading directly to freedom.

            Putting up a fight only makes us hot and angry.  Allowing the freedom of mindfulness to be at the front of our conscious now gives us, instead, a peaceful joy that ripples out.  Spiraling up and spreading to everyone else.

             I’m in the middle of learning how to do this.  The journey is not smooth.  But, every once in a while, through the trees and clutter of life, there are glimpses of a beautiful and serene view.  I also, more often than not, see Hope from here.