Moroccan Saying

"He who hopes fares better than he who wishes, and he who wishes fares better than he who despairs."

- Moroccan Saying

Rainer Maria Rilke

"The work of the eyes is done. Go now and do the heart-work on the images imprisoned within you."

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Oliver Wendell Holmes

"The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. "

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

William Arthur Ward

"Nothing limits achievement like small thinking; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination."

- William Arthur Ward

Doc Childre and Howard Martin

"The more we truly care, the more we'll come to know ourselves and others. Care provides the key to unlocking our potential and making it real."

Doc Childre and Howard Martin

F. Scott Fitzgerald

"The world only exists in your eyes - your conception of it. You can make it as big or as small as you want to."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Rabindranath Tagore

"We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility."

- Rabindranath Tagore

The 7 Essene Mirrors…Random Thoughts

Last night I had the opportunity to watch the 2^nd half of Gregg Braden’s, The 7 Essene Mirrors and I wanted to mention how thought provoking I thought it was.  

 

Before the movie, they showed a clip from the Mr. Deity series…..it’s a hoot if you haven’t seen it:

Mr. Deity and the Skeptic

http://youtu.be/6gnQz32c5EA

Here is the link if you want to see The 7 Essene Mirrors:

http://youtu.be/EiBsczafvaA

There is so much to think about and discuss but this is not the time nor place but I had these random thoughts:

As I was trying to fall asleep, my mind was processing the evening’s information.  A question came to me from my days of taking adult classes at our Methodist Church.  The question was, “can you be a Christian if you lived on an island?”  Some said no.  My heart answered unequivocally, Yes!...but it helps to have people around you that trigger the things that the mirrors help you see.

All of this perhaps unrelated info was churning around in my head and they are related by the uniqueness of my journey and my thought process. The Mr. Deity clip speaks to Judgment Day for a person like me, who is “rather” skeptical.  One of the Essene mirrors was about the mirror of your relationship with God…that you may see in your earthly “parents”….and healing that relationship(s).  It now makes a lot of sense why some people have changed the image and name they call their deity.

I highly encourage you to see these videos and see what things get churned up and touch your heart.

The most profound thing that resonated with me was Gregg Braden talking about the Lord’s Prayer and how perhaps it had been misinterpreted from the Aramaic prayer.  What if the first sentence was meant to read, Our Father, who art EVERYWHERE……..?

With my love, 

Lao Tzu

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

- Lao Tzu

Anne Frank

"No one has ever become poor by giving."

- Anne Frank

Katherine Paterson

"Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences, but by those who with open minds and hearts seek out connections."

-Katherine Paterson

Nelson Mandela

"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

- Nelson Mandela

Tarot for Yourself, the 3 Card Spread

To get myself back into the mindset of reading tarot cards, I am doing a daily 3 card spread the night before and asking,  "What do I need to know about tomorrow?"  And then making notes in the notebook giving myself some feedback on what happened related to the images I had gotten the night before.

I am using one of Mary Greer's tarot manual, Tarot for Yourself....excellent reference.  Was highly recommended by my tarot teacher, who I think is one of the most fascinating people I have ever met.  Although I do not generally like the term crone (applied to me) because it takes me back to my Disney days...this lady has a crone sticker on the back of her car and it really fits.....an elder, wise one.

I have been doing it since Monday (2 nights. 6 cards) and I think it is interesting that I have gotten my Personality card and my Soul card, 2 nines, 2 Earth cards...out of 6 cards.

Coincidence, I think not.

Ivan Panin

"For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it."

- Ivan Panin

Soren Kierkegaard

"When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world - no matter how imperfect - becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love."

- Soren Kierkegaard

Nelson Mandela

"Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished."

- Nelson Mandela

Lewis Mumford

"Nothing is unthinkable, nothing impossible to the balanced person, provided it arises out of the needs of life and is dedicated to life's further developments."

- Lewis Mumford

Vance Havner

"The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs."

- Vance Havner

Bertrand Russell

"To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."

- Bertrand Russell

Napoleon Hill

"Happiness is found in doing, not merely possessing."

- Napoleon Hill

Cosmologies

This struck me today about mythical cosmology and allegorical games... Depicting a universe of meaning, showing a pattern and purpose to existence.  To bring into order a vast realm of seemingly unrelated data.... of contradictory experiences that take their places and harmonious relationship so that their meaning can be revealed. 

Does that mean that you need more experiences to be able to get your arms around things, people.... and harmonize them.

Pondering....

Dalai Lama

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."

- Dalai Lama

Marianne Williamson

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are."

- Marianne Williamson

Machiavelli

"Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great."

- Machiavelli

Grounding the Documentary...my thoughts

We just watched the documentary movie about getting back in touch with Mother Earth called, Grounding. My husband and I were both touched by the powerful stories and the natural healing that is chronicled. 

Go to www.earthing.com to see it for $2.99...worth every penny and second you spend.

As a synchronicity...this movie and the products had been recommended by a friend who is a psychotherapist (and researcher of indigenous shamanistic healing) and by my yoga teacher.

I don't think you have to buy these products but for those that are staring into the face of a couple months of winter....it might be more convenient.

I believe in the power of 1st person testimonials so this documentary was believable ....check it out for yourself.

Henri Bergson

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."

- Henri Bergson

Joseph Campbell

"I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

- Joseph Campbell

And if you have not watched the movie about him, The Hero's Journey, I HIGHLY recommend it. The movie is very well done and his philosophy is profound and he speaks to what I believe are core parts of our culture and a message I think everyone can benefit from. 

Also Bill Moyer has some excellent interviews of Joseph Campbell before he passed.

Vivek Paul

"We have to go for what we think we're fully capable of, not limit ourselves by what we've been in the past."

- Vivek Paul

Laozi

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

- Laozi

Eating on the Path of Enlightenment

I am on a wondrous path of trying to find my “truths” and have just started a Hatha Yoga class to help me focus and build my physical and mental strength.

As I was reading some of the yoga materials, it was strongly suggested that a vegetarian diet would enhance my experience and some other readings have suggested that vegetarianism is the only dietary choice on or to the path of enlightenment.

Synchronistically, I attended a public discussion of the spiritual benefits of vegetarian and vegan..."vegger" lifestyles….and one might also think that it was a “universal truth”.

The thing that got my attention was it is highly suggested (that night and from brief Internet research) that vegetarians and vegans take B12 supplements since there is not enough (if any) that comes from their diet and it is not manufactured in their body.

The question I had is if God (Creator, Source…) desires us to travel this path of enlightenment and we need to choose a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle…..why didn’t he/she gives us all that we need to thrive….in that dietary lifestyle?

At our weekly spiritual discussion group, I broached this question.  First, I said I didn’t want to offend any of the vegetarians or vegans in the room, but I didn’t understand this and needed input to help me find my truth.  We had an interesting discussion. 

It is not my intent to have an exhaustive debate of the merits of any dietary lifestyle, nor judgment of anyone else’s…I am only raising my question in my search for my truth.

On the pro vegetarian/vegan/"vegger" side of the discussion, I think for some people it could be a compassionate issue, sentient being issue, health, environment and spiritual, etc.  They did acknowledge the need for B12 and suggested some other supplements like zinc, etc.

On the carnivore side: health was mentioned; the circle of life; everything we eat is energy; biblically, God gave man dominion over plants and animals, etc.

This missing puzzle piece for me was the B12.

One point was brought out that man doesn’t need B12 to live but perhaps it is needed to live a longer life….is it a question of quality versus quantity of life?

We also talked about the people who don’t need food or water…I think the term is “breathers” comes to mind…who have won the war of mind versus stomach.  And the veggers who many not need B12…I an unclear if they have a natural store of B12 or if they manufacture it from their diet.  It is my understanding that B12 naturally comes from animal sources or from supplements.  For me, I don’t believe people can live or thrive without food and water so I quit listening when I hear that topic….until I meet someone who has incontrovertible evidence that they have survived for “years” without food and water.

Another point that rings so loudly within me…… the question was asked of me, who told you what to eat and why….. 

Anyway, B12 is fodder for some mental noodling for me.  

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Abraham Heschel

"Self-respect is the fruit of discipline: the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself."

- Abraham Heschel

Roy E Moody

"The greatest motivational act one person can do for another is to listen."

- Roy E Moody

Sun Tzu

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

- Sun Tzu

My Alpha-Stim Experience - Session 1

I have had chronic insomnia for many years.  I believe it was triggered by premenopausal hormone changes….but what really isn’t caused by hormone changes in your body?

I have been chasing sleep by trying everything I have heard on Dr. Oz, various books, various over the counter drugs, supplements, prescriptions, sleep hypnosis, meditation, pillows, essential oils, foods……a very long list.

I heard a man speak who researches indigenous shamanic practices from all over the world.  The man is fascinating to listen to.  He told a story this night of helping a young boy by using an Alpha-Stim machine.  He also mentioned that the machine had positive effect on anxiety, depression and insomnia.  I left that night and could not get it out of my head and was determined to try it.

About a week ago, we had an appointment and my husband witnessed my Alpha-Stim experience.  There is a bunch of stuff on the Internet about the Alpha-Stim machine that you can browse through.  The Alpha-Stim is controversial like so many alternative healing methods….so you need to figure out what is in your highest good.  It is also called cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES).  I was hooked up to the machine with ear clip electrodes that had been moistened with a conducting solution. 

In retrospect, I know I was anxious and had very high expectations about the session and I believe like so many things I have learned on my spiritual path….the  self-induced pressure (anxiety and high expectations) is not the most helpful to me and in some ways derails my progress.  In my own defense, I am also aware that there is a placebo effect….belief systems can support powerful healings…and it is also my understanding that pharmaceutical companies know about this and it plays a part in their studies.

Back to the session…I was hooked up in a seated position.  When the machine was turned on, I felt a gentle pressure on my earlobes and the feeling alternated between the ear lobes….and that is how the how session went.  I felt my body starting to sway back and forth and I opened my eyes to find out that the feeling was just in my head because my body was stationary, not swaying in my seat.  I could actually visualize an infinity sign between my ears….that is how the energy felt as it went back and forth.  

Immediately, at the onset of the session, I felt calmer with less anxiety.  I call it my woo-saw feeling.  It is very similar to the feeling I get when I close my eyes after a couple glasses of wine but without the hangover.  The feeling was very pleasant and I could have done it all afternoon. 

When I slow down and try to sleep, my brain is flooded with thoughts…generally stressful, like things to do, things I have done or should have done, pretty self-critical stuff.  During the session, it seemed the thoughts were much slower and more manageable…which is very similar to when I try to meditate, I can’t clear my mind and focus on nothing and difficulty just focusing on my breath.  This is where I tended to focus on my expectations…how much I wanted this session to cure all my ills, my insomnia, etc.  I think now that if I could have just allowed the session to do it’s thing, rather than mine, that it would have been more productive….that is what I learned from session 1.

It is my plan to have more sessions, perhaps buy a machine for home use.  There are many testimonials where people have used the alpha-stim machine and have had good results after using it during the day and it helps initiate and maintain sleep.  It is my understanding that they use it for several weeks to months and then stop as their insomnia lessons.

Stay tuned as I get more sessions.

Mother Teresa

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

- Mother Teresa

Blaise Pascal

"The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things."

- Blaise Pascal

Baltasar Gracian

"Make your friends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with the advantages of instruction."

- Baltasar Gracian

Lao Tzu

Frida Kahlo

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"

- Frida Kahlo

Albert Einstein

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."

- Albert Einstein

Abigail Adams

"When a mind is raised, and animated by the scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."

- Abigail Adams

Charles Dickens

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts."

Charles Dickens

John Muir

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

- John Muir

Epictetus

"Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak."

- Epictetus 

Khalil Gibran

"The sun teaches to all things that grow their longing for the light.

But it is night that raises them to the stars."

- Khalil Gibran

Amelia Earhart

"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace."

- Amelia Earhart

Hermann Hesse

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go."
- Hermann Hesse

Howard Thurman

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

- Howard Thurman

"Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions."

- Edgar Cayce

Mirror, MIrror

This is from a friend....she says this in the mirror to her image. every morning.

You are wonderful and I love you.
This is one of the best days of your life.
God is working in my favor.
Whatever, I need to know, He will reveal to you.
Whatever, you need comes easily to you.
All is well.
I approve and love myself. 

Then cross your arms and wrap your arms around yourself .....and hug yourself!

Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and I Love you Jennifer!

John Muir

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

- John Muir

Need to share with you.............

I got a couple of strong urges to share with you this morning.

1st, below is my calendar for today.

2^nd, I heard some very good advice this morning.  Please say this out loud to yourself, right now:

I am worthy.

I always deserve what is in my highest greatest good.

Now, have an awesome day!

When you feel the irritation rising within ......

We went to a women’s conference in Minnesota last weekend.  

The gal putting the trip together, our organizer is a retired teacher and I have always been amazed at her calm and happy demeanor. 

She said at her retirement exit conference, the Principal had asked her for some sage advice for incoming teachers, from her experience…..

Her motto is, “Be Amused, Not Annoyed”…..and it served her well all her life.

I used this motto a number of times over the weekend.  It’s hard for that many women, not to get on each other’s nerves.

I hope I don’t need to give her a royalty every time I use it.

May this motto bring more abundant light and love into your life....as it has mine.

John Lennon

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

- John Lennon

Robert Louis Stevenson

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Peter Marshall

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

- Peter Marshall

Maya Angelou

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

- Maya Angelou