Rising Tide

             My relationship with food had been complicated for as far back as I can recall.  When I was fast approaching 50, I believed this was a unique situation.  Turns out, not so much.

             Our culture has raised generation after generation of fucked up eaters.  It’s as if we set out to do as much damage as possible, then sit back and collect all the money from ways to make it better.  (And by “we” I don’t me or you, at all.  I mean the MadMen, the misogynistic and selfish white shitheads who have been holding our power for far too long.  And by “better” I mean far worse.)

             Now that I am closing in on 60, my education on this topic has been deep and painful.  I have spent the last nearly nine years climbing out from under a lifetime of shame, guilt, and man-made (literally, made by men, and sure, a few women) falsehoods which, quite honestly, nearly killed me.  (And I can’t say whether they factored into the death of my sister or not, but I will stand strong in my belief that they didn’t help her health at all.)

             In a restaurant the other night, as our meal was nearly concluded, a young woman sat down behind me.  Well, she tried to, but my chair (and the empty one next to it, where I’d piled up a stack of personal belongings) was in her way.

             I began to rearrange furniture, as she laughed and said that this was something she herself often did.  I was glad to hear it.  She was a lovely (and funny) girl.

             It had been on my mind earlier that the fantastic tearing down of diet culture and enhanced inclusiveness movement is really gaining momentum.  We are all seeing the signs and messages of how, collectively, WE are no longer going to take the lies and the garbage any longer.

             As Dan and I were leaving, our table-neighbor and her dinner partner told us goodnight/have a nice evening, we did the same.  But then, I turned back to my new friend, and said:

take up space!

             A huge smile appeared on her face, and she replied enthusiastically, “you, too!”  We shared this small sisterhood, we knew what we were saying.  We were part of the change, not part of the problem.

             This message, this phrase, is about self-worth.  It’s a way of being in our own skin, and feeling good there.  It’s something we should all be sharing, at every opportunity.

             She and I connected because we knew that no matter our  size, no matter our age, no matter our gender/identification, no matter our ANYthing, we have the right to be treated with care.  Basic rights are our basic foundation.  I couldn’t have been more proud of her if she had been my own daughter.

             In that moment, we both knew each other.  We shared a connection which is the new direction our world is turning.  Hope, lovingkindness.  It’s our future.

(For more on “taking up space” all one needs to do is run a quick search and a huge number of hits will appear.  If this is something you’ve not heard of until now, I highly encourage following-up.)

Today’s Sharing:

             is below, it’s my most recent view.  My January page.  I spent the month looking at this tranquil scene.

             One of the hashtags I’m currently following (for my mental health, and self-care) on Instagram is Sea Glass.  I found THESE FOLKS from there.  And I can’t even say how very happy their calendar makes me.

 

 

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To Adapt

             Many of us have difficulty with Change.  “New” is not always better, in our eyes.  (I, personally, prefer nearly everything from before 1900……)

             This past year or so has been nothing BUT upheaval and challenges and different for me, for my family.  But, I’ve also embraced much of it.

             I’m not “better” at dealing with Change, but I am learning the lessons of

Flexibility.

             And since our journey here, this life we’ve mapped out, is all about the lessons, it’s beneficial to address our success as well as our less-than-successful experiences.

             There’s no such thing as mistakes, nor failure.  So, all of the aspects involved are worthwhile.  (Some simply feel more positive than others, that’s okay, perception is as unique as we are.)

             The Universe, in Its divine and infinite wisdom, has even given us this gift of validation.  As if to say, “hey, you’re doing well, keep up the good work!”

“Opportunity  ~

Release your ties to the past.

When you let go of the old,

you make room for the new.”

             While I’m not such a huge fan of “new” I do feel willing to accept these Opportunities for the promises that they are.

Today’s Deck:

Self-Care Cards by Cheryl Richardson

Today’s Sharing:

is this view from  Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

See this #tinyhouse? It's called The Vicarage, and it's some sort of #collectable (from #england, of course). Next to it, for size reference, is a #VotiveCandle. It's no bigger than a medium #pear. I found it in a #SecondHand shop recently. It called out to me (and was incredibly #inexpensive), so I brought it #home. Some days I just walk around the #SmallHouse we live in, enjoying our space, carrying my #vicarage, feeling it with my fingers, and cradling it in my hands. I like the #miniature detailed nature of it, and I really like living here. The two places are similar, linked. New post up, on the website. I'm expressing #gratitude and working to #destress. Join me? #MentalHealthAwareness #ChooseJoy #TarotCards #SelfCare #FromOurHomeToYours

A post shared by Julie Hanavan Olsen (@urthalun) on Nov 27, 2017 at 9:31pm PST

             I don’t always post when there are updates here; Social Media and I have a complicated relationship.  Sometimes there is crossover, sometimes not.  Sometimes it’s timely, sometimes it’s not.

 

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Dynamic Improvements

             Not everyone knows this about me, but I’m kind of an earthquake nerd (or wonk, if that’s a term you like better).  Science isn’t my favorite subject, tectonic plates, however, definitely rank right up there near the tippy top. (Subduction zones!)

             I adore all things volcanic, lava, and mantle related.   Which brings us to our message.  There is a power under the earth’s stable layer, just as there is a power within each of us.

             Both are connected to the intensity of our universe, the very aliveness of our planet.  As are we, her children here.

Energy

             People talk about how they have a lot* of “energy’ or they are feeling “low energy” on down days.  What we forget is that the true energetic focus is never NOT there for us to draw from.  We can ALWAYS ask for, and get, more.

*And by this, I’m not talking about the drug-induced/caffeine-current faux jump-starting.

             We are absolutely, consistently, and without end, able to absorb that limitless Energy, refueling from a bountiful source.  Regardless of your belief system, there are numerous ways of avoiding that running on empty (false) concept.

             At our card altar right now is the perfect example, it was something I completely did not understand, and spent a lot (A LOT!) of time fighting against.  When we think we need more, we honestly can do with less.

             To gain Energy, and live in our Power, we simply open our hands and hearts, and Release.  The void is immediately filled with exactly what our soul is calling for.  Whether we know it consciously, or not.

“Letting Go  ~

‘I surrender joyously to the ebbing and flowing of life.’

Card meaning:

Surrender.  Relinquish control and allow Spirit to take over.  You don’t need to do everything by yourself.

All is well.  It’s time to just let it all go and enjoy the ride!  Doing so gives others permission to let go in their own lives.

The Universe wants you to know:

There are times to hold on for dear life, and times to simply throw your hands up and let go.  It’s time to release any limiting patterns, emotional attachments, or inner and outer clutter.

Surrendering doesn’t mean that you are yielding to a force outside of yourself.  It means that you’re allowing your soul to take over.  

Release the stress of needing to control things, wanting to determine the outcome of a situation, or expecting others to act in a certain way.  Thre is a simple grace and beauty that unfolds when you truly let go.

Loving spiritual help is all around you … simply open your heart and let it in.

Questions to ask yourself:

Is there anything I need to release?  Is there a person or situation I need to let go of?  Is there anyone who needs to let go of me?

Affirmation:

I surrender joyously to the ebbing and flowing of life.”

Today’s Deck:

Gateway Oracle Cards by Denise Linn

Today’s Reminder:

is about how we can’t give up just before our miracle arrives.  I promise you, we ALL have miracles, right around the corner.  If you aren’t sure about yours, e-mail me, and we can discuss it.

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Down Time and Up Moments.

             My sister has been on my mind a lot lately.  No doubt because of the impending hair chop and how the last time I did this, it was for her.  (Yes, we have an appointment, tomorrow.)  But also it might have to do with all of the very sisterly-like love I’ve been blessed with lately.

             Yesterday was the surprise delivery of Jannelly’s treats.  And then today I was handed another package at my front door.  It was custom-created by my friend BonaFideBetty, just for me!  I am now the proud owner of a lined journal, with its cover showing a word-cloud from here in JulieLand.

             After I got home from the pool and brought in our mail, I nearly sobbed with joy over a present Dan’s older sister Barbara made for me: a CD with wedding picture replacements!  Plus, she included some gorgeous postcards of FoodScapes by Carl Warner.  (HERE is his place.)

My wealth knows no bounds.

             To all three of you, thanks thanks thanks.  And then, thank you some more.

             Your generosity and thoughtfulness have touched me deeply.  No one can replace a sister, but you have helped me past this difficult spot, and given me the opportunity to not feel that wound quite so much today.

             On our card altar we have received another gift.   That of allowing ourselves the space to grieve and to heal and to simply have some rest.

“Angel Of Relaxation  ~

Let go of desired outcomes and you will get what you want.

Everything will fall into place and become clear when it is meant to, so switch off and take it easy for a while.  The Angel Of Relaxation has appeared in your reading to help you relax.

By keeping your focus fixed on all it is you wish to happen, you are, in a way, preventing the natural flow of events to unfold.  Surrender any project or concern to the angels in the knowing that all is being taken care of.  Focus on all you have achieved to date and on all your many blessings.

Take time to nurture and pamper yourself, and start to do more of the those things which nourish your soul instead of worrying about the future. By relaxing and letting go of desired outcomes, you create the space for the angels and the universe to give you what you want.

Trust!“

             This couldn’t have come at a better time for me.  And I imagine  for many of you as well.  Listen to our angels, and (as one of my witchy friends says) don’t over-work the spell.  Release our desires, and our appreciation, out into the Universe.  Letting go, and relaxing into the knowledge that it will all be as it should.

Today’s Deck:

Angels, Gods and Goddesses Oracle Cards by Toni Carmine Salerno

Today’s Festive Wishes:

to our other beloved California niece, Happy Happy Birthday, Erin!  Hope to see you soon, and here’s to hoping this year is better than any other, so far.  (Hug your mom extra special, for me, the next time you see her, okay?