Gratitude Month - Day 19 - Actions of Gratitude

For the past few days I have written posts and decided intentionally not to make them public reading; but rather, to pick up the telephone and call the people involved.  It has been my tradition that the week of Thanksgiving to call one person a day for the week and three people on Thanksgiving Day itself, to share words of personal gratitude with them.

Well, as it seems it always does, the couple of people that I have called this year had a similar response as in past years.  The conversation goes something like this.

"I just called to say how incredibly grateful that you are in my life and grateful that this year we have had the chance to be a big part of each others lives."

"What?  Oh.  Well I love you too, but what is really on your mind?  What is going on?"

"No really I am just calling to say thank you and I love you."

"Your serious?  Who does that?  I love you but you are so weird."

I was struck again by this conversation.  Why is it that in society today everyone is astounded at gifts of gratitude?  Of calling up a close friend to just say thank you with no expectation of getting something in return?  While the people I called are not the sort who would read my blog and are not what any would call a typical "spiritual" person, they are most definitely spiritual beings who would take the shirt of their back if they thought me or any one of their friends needed it.

See to them gratitude, humility, and love are rarely expressed in anything other than action.  They express gratitude by getting up off the you know what and going out to help someone move homes yet again or fix a truck that is broke down yet again.  They ride 'bikes', talk rough, and look rougher.  But their souls are the most giving and loving that I have been honored to call friend.

Back to my gratitude for today.

So am at the post office and get very excited as I open my small box to find four keys to large parcel boxes. One of these tough ones happen to be in the post office at the same time as I and offer to help.  We get the boxes and the packages over to a counter and I have to open one when I see the name of the sender.  It happens to be a gift from a dear soul sister of mine, Sylvie Olivier.  I read the card and tears flow.  My tough friend shakes their at my emotional reaction.  Finally asking, "ok I give someone die?".  I have to laugh and share that this friend of mine sent me a heart touching card and presents of love.  "You are joking right?" (referring to why I am crying).

We spent some time after in a conversation about why I am so grateful for the small things in life, my journey.  I then shared my friend Sylvie's thoughts.  My "tough" friend wasn't so tough after all.

So today I celebrate in gratitude my soul sister Sylvie for being part of some actions in gratitude by sharing her gratitude in action with me and my not so tough friend.  MWAH Sylvie I love you.

Pay What You Can Community HIGHLIGHT

Abby Wynne

Energy Psychotherapist

Reiki Master

Shamanic Practioner

I looked into my client's face and saw how fragile she was. She looked down at her hands and pulled out a battered up wallet, she fumbled a little and drew out several old bank notes. She handed them to me and pulled her face up with visible effort to look me in the eye. "Thank you so much for today" she said, almost breathlessly. I knew I had to do something "You know," I said, "I would rather that you come see me for 5 or 6 more sessions then come only once because you cannot afford it"

Something heavy lifted from her face and her eyes lit "Really?" she said "Are you sure?"

"Oh yes, very sure" I replied "You are important to me and you are not through this yet, I want to be here with you holding your hand across the slippery slope. When we both agree you are on solid ground, only then, as far as I'm concerned, it's ok for you to be on your own." The energy in the room changed as she took this in.

"So to make this happen" I said, "I need you to honestly tell me how much you can afford, if you were to come back to me, say, 5 more times."

That's how it started, and I've never looked back. People need help when they need it, not when they can afford it. I am an entrepreneur as well as a healer and it is an actual opportunity for me to have 5 sessions at a lower fee, than 1 or 2 sessions at full price. By showing my client how much I care about them evokes in them a care for me as well, honesty brings out our human side. I knew when she answered my question about how much she was comfortable to pay me, she didn't lie.

Money is energy; it flows in and out of us. In order for me to be able to do what I do, to run my healing practice, I have to make enough money to live. Not just for myself but for my family too. It isn’t enough to just expect the money; you have to work at it as well. Money is something that we need to talk more about in session, as an actual subject along with appetite, desire, sex, love, loneliness and grief. Money is something we should not be afraid to invite into the room, to ask it to flow through us, to be a real thing, not something that is hidden and surrounded by fear.

On our final session, when my client walked in with a confident air, her head held high, I knew that she had found her solid ground. The session was buzzing with joy, with ideas, creativity, passion and hope. At the end of the session we agreed that she would contact me again, when she felt she needed to come back. She reached confidently into her wallet and pulled out my full fee. "I insist upon it" she said. "Are you comfortable paying this?" I asked. "Yes. We deserve it" she said. I took it from her and felt validated, and felt how she also felt validated in her ability to pay.

 You can reach Abby on Facebook  or by visiting her website.

The Cloak of Change ... Guest Blog by Lisa Meade, Ph.D.

            Homeostasis is a state in which the tendency of a system or an organism stays the same…in other words, our comfort zone. But life as we know it is not static. It is in constant flux. Offering to us opportunities to ebb and flow with the shift. We find ourselves in love with or in dissatisfaction with the people and happenings of our lives. This change is something we can count on.

            Change is often an urge or a calling that is born within. Heeding that call is of our choosing. Often we are willing to make change because the conditions we are in are dissatisfying or disappointing in some way. It inspires us to let go of something or someone. It encourages us to take calculated risks. It infuses us with the drive to shift the pieces around in our life's puzzle.

            But what about when we are put into positions of change that are not of our choice? How can we don the cloak of grace and step into change and still make it work for us? What happens within our process when we feel we are not given a choice and are forced to change?

            How we approach an unwanted change can certainly impact what we learn in the 

process, what we may receive in a lesson and how we walk our path. Unwelcome change is an opportunity to put our tools to work for ourselves. Approaching this type of change as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to practice our walk of grace is a gift in and of itself…and there is the potential for even greater gifts to be revealed.

            Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius states, "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it." His thoughts are still respected for supporting a state of equanimity in the throughs of conflict and change by following nature as a source of guidance and inspiration.

            The plants and animals of this great globe have learned to adapt to unwanted or unexpected change for the most part. The tree that wraps its roots around an unmovable boulder to reach a source of water. The animals that change their watering hole because of other territorial animals moving in.

            And what of a more spiritual appreciation of the acceptance of change? Sogyal Rinpoche in his book, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying states, "Everything we have done with our lives makes us that we are when we die. AND everything, absolutely everything counts." There is so much of a lesson in this simple quote, but importantly for this discussion…imagine how our graceful acceptance of change could count? Imagine how a change could actually be for our own good and the happiness of others…if we could open our hearts to it and perhaps get out of our own way?

            So removing ourselves from our comfort zone and learning ways to strengthen our stretch can and will serve us well. Our adaptability to unexpected or disappointing change can open doors for us to learn, to receive unexpected gifts or to grow. Additionally, it will count! It will add to the nuances that make us unique and beautiful and rich in our own personal essence. Letting go of control, shifting our perspective on what change means to us and embracing change provides us to expand our vision and to flex in ways we may not have known possible. What a glorious opportunity!

Lisa Meade, Ph.D.

Lisa Meade, PhD is devoted to serving women and offering them the many tools and insights she has gained in her years of training in the natural health field and in spiritual studies. Creator of Withinsight, a program supporting women's empowerment and spiritual exploration, Lisa fosters the Mind-Body-Spirit connection in healing and creates rites of passage for people as they travel their life's path. She has studied the ancient ways of the Wise Woman Mysteries. With a passion for encouraging individual's spiritual growth, Lisa has shared at numerous conferences and gatherings the means of embracing authentic self, lifelong learning and living with intention. Over the years, she has supported others on their journeys toward self-discovery, helping them to manifest dreams and to experience personal spiritual enlightenment. Additionally, Lisa offers her services as a Spiritual Life Coach and offers a number of online courses.

More information about Lisa Meade can be found at www.womenwithinsight.com

E-mail: Lisa@womenwithinsight.com

Phone: 203-445-0117

What if I were to say “the only soul capable of love is the human soul”?

Perspective.  How do you shift it?  This was the question I was asked.  Part of my training both as a shaman and in mental martial arts was to learn how to turn things upside down and inside out.  To see things from what I call a “sacred witness” perspective.  This has been an invaluable tool; albeit, a challenging one to apply.  It allows for a new insight into questions that you ask yourself and that are asked of you. 

So I was asked about a statement I made previously, “the capacity to love is what it means to be a human being”.  All living things have the capacity to love, don’t they?  Using the tool of being a “sacred witness” to shed a different perspective on love, let’s look at what does love mean, what is the value, and is it far beyond human nature.

What if I were to say “the only soul capable of love is the human soul”?  What about my faithful companion – my dog?  I know that s/he is capable of love. I would get an uproar I am sure and is probably why you are reading this.

Love is a word often misused and misunderstood.  There is at the core of every spiritual path.  An ideal.  It is the objective of every relationship.  

Let’s look at the dictionaries definition. 

Mirriam-Webster Dictionary:  n (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2): warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion  (3) : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another  v (1) : to hold dear (2) : to thrive in (3) : to like or desire actively.

To be honest with you, I am not sure any of those match my personal definition of love.  So what if love is simply a tool, an instrument or vehicle?  What if it is no longer defined as a simple objective of a relationship?  What if love was simply the instrument used on the Earth journey to find our Divine Source?  Then how would you define it?

A few years ago (okay more than few), I was working on my Master’s Thesis, which was “What is truth?  Can it be defined?”  The idea of becoming a “sacred witness became a daily application in attempting the unthinkable of redefining Truth.  While I am not going to get into my discovery with the Truth question, a new thesis or koan can be asked.  What is love?  Can it be defined?

For many people, love is simply an emotion that we feel.   For some, the simple of idea of something beyond our human existence and human sense’s is an undertaking they do not dwell upon.  For those who have a difficult time “seeing” beyond, let us look at something closer to home.  We have five senses; hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling.  Each of these senses give us information in different ways, some very subtle.  For example, when we smell something, it is a subtle brain reaction.  We cannot always see it, hear it, touch it or taste it.  Yet we know it exists because we smell it.  Stick with me here.

What if love was really a sense?  What if it is so powerful, yet subtle in brain reaction, that we know that it exists?  What if love was no longer simply an emotion; but rather an extension to hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, and smelling? 

Let’s go deeper down the spiral.  What if love was the sense that connected the physical to a Divine source?  What if it was the sense that connected us to each other?  To the Earth and all her gifts?  What if the sense of love has been lost throughout the cultural and societal evolution and is now just being experienced as its true nature – a sense?  How would that affect the world as we know it today? 

As we rethink this definition of love by turning it upside down and inside out, we have to return to one of the most basic questions in all of life “why am I here”?  What if the sense of love is specifically designed in order to expand our spiritual growth in some way?  How do these redefinitions change things? 

Love as a sense.  Love as a vehicle or tool to move along the journey.  Love redefined as a connection to the Divinity within us all.  Love as a connection instrument to all things.  What if by redefining the simple word love we shift the old paradigms and to propel us into an ancient remembering of the sense of love? 

I don’t offer an answer to the question; yet, I am in hopes that YOU are pausing to rethink, redefine, and stand as your own sacred witness.  Does having the capacity to love define us as human beings?  What of my treasured “Dolly” Jack Russell – does she have the capacity to love?  Is there a difference between having the capacity – and experiencing it?  

Kanian'Kehaka ... A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Kanian'Kehaka (Mohawk) Prayer of Thanksgiving: A Good Morning Message/Prayer

"Ohenton Kariwatehktwen Teithinonwaratonkhwa"
Akwekon onkweshona entitewatkawe ne kanonhweratonhtsera.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ohnekashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ohtonteshona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kakhwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kahishona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ononhkwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kontirio.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Karontashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Otsitenokona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kaieri Nikawerake.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ahsonhthenhneka Karahkwa.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Tshitewahtsia Karahkwa.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Otsistohkwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kaieri Niionkwetake.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Shonkwaiatison.

Loosely translated:

To be a human being is an honor and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts within life.
Mother Earth, we thank you for providing all things that we need.
We thank  you for the deep blue waters around Mother Earth as they are the force that fulfills thirst for all living things.
We thank you for the green grass that we feel beneath our bare feet and for the beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor.
We thank you for the good foods from Mother Earth that are sustain our lives and fulfills hunger.  For the fruits and berries we thank you for the color and sweetness.
We thank you for the good medicine herbs from Mother Earth and for healing us when we are sick.
We thank you for all the animals on Mother Earth for keeping our forests clean.  We thank you for all the trees on Mother Earth that provide us with shade and warmth.  We thank you for all the birds of Mother Earth for signing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.
We thank you for the gentle Four Winds for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions.  Thank you Grandfather Thunder Beings for bringing the rains to help all living things grow.
We thank you Elder Brother Sun for shining your light and warming Mother Earth.
We thank you Grandmother Moon for growing full every month to light the darkness for the children and sparkling waters.
We thank you for the twinkling stars that make the night skies so beautiful and sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.
Spirit Protectors of past and present, we thank you for showing us the ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.
And most of all, we thank you Great Spirit for giving us all these wonderful gifts so we will happy and healthy with every breath every day and every night.

Q&A: Pyrokinesis

Question:  Are there any books you would recommend on Pyrokinesis or more specifically interpreting fire messages?

Answer:  Pyrokinesis is the ability to control heat (fire) and it is a sub form of Thermokinesis which is the control over thermal energy fields.  Scientifically, therrmokinesis is a sub form of navitokinesis which is the control over energy in general.  Gravitokinesis is the control over gravity fields, time distortion, light warping and precognitive abilities.  One can get very scientific in nature as the control of the energetic flow is constantly being researched.

As far as books are concerned, there are a couple I would recommend on Psychokinesis (though I have not read any specifically on pyrokinesis ) that are not well known.  A study of quantum physics is a great place to start reading as well.

The PK Zone:  A Cross-Cultural Review of Psychokinesis by Pamela Rae Heath
Quantum Psychics - Scientifically Understand, Control and Enhance Your Psychic Ability by Dr. Theresa M. Kelly

Both books are well written, come from a metaphysical view point, and are easy to understand.

That said, it is my belief that there is a vast difference between pyrokinesis and Fire Keepers knowledge of the fire.  The element of Fire is a sacred channel and connection to the Great Spirit/Divine/Cosmos (whatever term you wish to insert).  Without going into a long dissertation of my own beliefs, if you truly wish to understand the messages of the fire begin with asking.

Quite simply it is the same as receiving any message from Spirit.  I have often shared that I do not get a fax in the morning outlining what it is that the Great Spirit wishes of me today.  What I do get is those messages in meditation or from a morning fire.  Understanding spiritual vibrations and translating them into words is a personal adventure in my opinion.  It is the same with dream interpreting.  While guidelines and those with more 'experience' can suggest to you what something means to them, it is not always what it means to another individual.

An example that was used with me when I first questioned, when you see the color blue, what does it mean to you?  Does it mean blue skies?  Blue ocean?  Blue mood?  Blue blooded?  Blue - frozen?  So many different meanings all the same word/color.  When trying to understand a message, an image, or a dream begin with asking your spiritual connection/guides what they are trying to tell you.

Sometimes that is the simplest of all solutions - Ask.

Remember that in pyrokinesis we are actually dealing with the heating of energy, not with fire.   So interpreting images or messages received during a fire has nothing to do with pyrokinesis but rather it is about understanding spiritual vibrations and translating them.

On a side note, there is a vast difference between being in the flow of energy and manipulating energy.  This includes pyrokinesis.  Whenever you cross the line into manipulation there are dangers involved, before you cross this line be sure of your intention.

Story: Giving Thanks for Simple Things ReTold by Glenn Welker

A Traditional Iroquois Story Retold by Glenn Welker

There once was a girl who was not satisfied with simple things. Her parents despaired of ever finding her a husband she would accept. Each man who came was not good enough. "That one was too fat; he will never do." Or "Did you see how shabby his moccasins were?" Or "I didn't like the way he spoke." Such were the things she would say.


One night, as the fire flickered low, a strange young warrior came to their door. "Dahjoh," said the mother. "come inside," but the visitor stood a the edge of the light and pointed his hand at the girl.


"I have come to take you as my wife," he said. Now this young man was very handsome. His face shone in the firelight. Above his waist was a fine, wide belt of black and yellow wampum that glittered like water. On his head he wore two tall feathers and he moved with the grace of a willow tree in the wind.


But the mother was worried. "My daughter," she said, "you would not take any of the men in our village. Would you marry a stranger whose clan you don't know?"


It was no use, for at last the daughter was satisfied. She packed her belongings and walked into the night, following the handsome stranger.


The girl walked for some time through the darkness with him when she began to feel afraid. Why had she left her mother's lodge to come with this man she had never seen?


Just then her husband grasped her arm. "Do not fear," he said, whispering in the darkness. "We will soon come to the place of my people."


"But my husband," said the girl, "how can that be? It seems we must be close to the river."


Her husband grasped her arm again. "Follow me," he whispered "just down this hill. We have almost come to the place of my people."


The two of them walked down a steep bank and came to a lodge which had a pair of horns, like those of a giant elk, fastened above the door. "This is our home," the husband said. "Tomorrow you will meet my people."


The rest of the night the girl was afraid. She heard strange noises outside. She noticed that the lodge had a smell like that of a fish. She held her blankets tightly about her and waited, wide-eyed, for the morning.


When the next day came, the sun did not shine. The grey sky was filled with hazy light. Her husband gave her a new dress, covered just like his with wampum. "You must put this on," he said to the girl, "before you are ready to meet my people."


But the frightened girl would not touch the dress.


"It smells like fish," she said. "I will not put it on."


Her husband looked angry but he said no more. Before long, he walked to the door of the lodge. "I must go away for a time," he whispered. "Do not leave this place and do not be afraid of anything you see." And he was gone.


The girl sat there wondering about her fate. Why had she come with this strange man? She saw that if she had been satisfied with simple things this would not have happened. She thought of the fire in her mother's lodge. She thought of the simple, good-hearted men who had asked her to marry them. Just then a great horned serpent crawled in through the door of the lodge. As she sat there, stiff with fear, it came up to her and stared a long time into her eyes. Around its body were glittering bands of yellow and black. Then it turned and crawled out of the door.


The girl followed slowly and peered outside. All around, there were serpents, some lying on rocks, some crawling out of caves. Then she knew that her husband was not what he seemed, not a human being, but a serpent disguised in human form.


Now this girl who had been foolish was a girl who was not without courage. She knew that she would never agree to put on her husband's magical dress and become a great serpent herself. But how could she escape? She thought and thought and finally, for she had gone the whole night without sleep, she closed her eyes and slept.


Then, as she slept, it seemed to her an old man appeared in her dream. "My granddaughter," said the old man in a clear deep voice, "let me help you."


"But what can I do, Grandfather?" she asked.


"You must do as I say," the old man answered "You must leave this place at once and run to the edge of the village. There you will see a tall steep cliff. You must climb that cliff and not turn back or your husband's people will stop you. When you have reached the top, I shall help you."


When the girl awoke, she realized she had to follow the old man's words. She looked outside the lodge and saw her husband coming, dressed again in the form of a beautiful man. She knew she had to go at once or be caught in this place forever. So, quick as a partridge flying up, she burst from the door of her husband's lodge and dashed toward the cliffs.


"Come back!" she heard her husband shout but she did not look back. The cliffs were very far away. She ran as swiftly as she could. 


Then she began to hear a sound, a rustling noise like the wind rushing through the reeds but she did not look back. The cliffs were closer now. Then once more she heard her husband's voice close to her whispering, whispering, "Come back, my wife, come join my people." But now she had come to the cliffs and began to climb.


She climbed and she climbed, using all of her strength, remembering the old man's promise, as her hands grew painful and tired. Ahead of her was the top of the cliff and as she reached it she felt the hand of the old man lifting her to her feet.


She looked back and saw that she had just climbed up out of the river. Behind her were many great horned serpents. Then, as she watched, the old man began to hurl bolts of lightning which struck the monsters. And she knew that the old man was Heno, the Thunderer.


The lightning flashed and the thunder drums rolled across the sky. In the river the serpents tried to escape but the bolts of Heno struck them all. Then the storm ended and the girl stood there, a gentle rain washing over her face as the Thunderer looked down on her.
"You're very brave, my child," he said. "You have helped me rid the earth of those monsters. Perhaps I may call on you again, for your deed has given you power."


Then the old man raised his hand and a single cloud drifted down to earth. He and the girl stepped into the cloud which carried them back to her village.


It is said that the girl later married a man whose heart was good. Between them they raised many fine children. It is also said that her grandfather, Heno, came back to visit her many times. Often she would fly with him to help rid the earth of evil creatures.

And when she was old, she always told her grandchildren these words: "Be satisfied with simple things."

GIVING THANKS FOR SIMPLE THINGS

Originally Told in "The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations - The Great Binding Law"

Retold here by Glenn Welker

Top 15 Signs You May Have Been At Your Desk Too Long

So how do you know if you have been sitting at the computer writing for too long? 


Well I came up with a list of reasons over the course of the day ....

Yes this is my mouse

1. You think the mouse is the phone handset

2. You can't feel your legs or your behind and it starts to make its way up into your hands

3. You have to tinkles so bad you don't dare move

4. You want more coffee but you will settle for the cold swill at the bottom of the cup

5. Your head hits the desk waking you up

6. Your dogs are whining

7. A child faints on the floor of your office feigning starvation

8. Speaking of starvation you can't actually remember the last meal you had
(wait does the box of Girl Scout Cookies count as a meal)

9. You start talking to the computer as you reply to emails like it was a living thing

10. Your dog finally pees on your foot

11. You are wondering if it is 5 am and sun is just coming up or 5 pm and the sun is going down

12. Your husband sends you a text message asking if he will see you tonight

13. Your voice is almost non existent from yelling to your kids to bring you a cup of coffee (which they pretend they don't hear)

14. You try to push away from the desk but the research books, files, crumpled up printer paper and old coffee cups are closing in on you

and finally

15. Your teenager asks to go out and you say yes

Some days I make it all the way to number 15 before the neon sign goes on.

Gratitude Month - Day 15 - Those Who Question

This may sound a bit odd, but today I celebrate the gratitude I have for the one(s) who question my beliefs, question my actions, and even attempt to sway the direction I walk and the internal fire that burns within.

As has happened many times in the past, I had an experience today of standing at a gateway.  A gateway where I had a choice of whether to stand up and state my beliefs loudly and confidently or to hush my voice and stand on the sideline avoiding confrontation at all costs.  I had the choice of whether to be the Warrior that defends my beliefs and allow the fire within to burn and illuminate for all to see clearly or to be the one in the shadows remaining just out of view.

When you stand at a gateway such as this it can be difficult to have a clear objective view.  Today it was merely seconds to make the choice - not hours of quiet contemplation to analyze and confer with others how to best make the choice.  Within those seconds, a deep breath taken, your entire life can shift.  Have you ever stood at a gateway making the choice to be an empowered Warrior willing to step into the confrontation without reservation?

As I have shared many times before, I once more set the record straight for any who are standing in confusion as to who I am and what I believe.   I AM an Empowered Warrior who will defend and protect my Sacred Fire, my Sacred Path, my beliefs, and my actions.  I do believe in loving the Divine and loving one another as spiritual principles.  I do believe in peaceful resolution and compromise.  I do believe in tolerance and compassion. I do believe that feminine energy can heal and unite.  It can nurture and foster eternal love.  Make no mistake in thinking that this equates to weakness.  I can be soft and delicate, but that does not equate to naive and unknowing.

Today I celebrate and am so grateful for the knowing that I AM an Empowered Female Warrior who walks the path of a Shaman Medicine Woman.  I thank the one questioning and am grateful for the reminder of who I AM.

Gratitude Month - Day 14 - A Sacred Intimate Relationship

As I reflected this morning, the many relationships that I am blessed to have came to mind.  We each have a variety of relationships in our lives.  There are the close friends, family, spiritual, business, neighbors, and acquaintances.  Each different in nature, yet each the same when one looks upon the sacredness of them.

Many moons ago, I was blessed to have "Papa" come into my life.  "Papa" taught me the most valuable relationship that one can ever have.  That is the relationship with self.  The sacred and intimate relationship with self is the basis and foundation of all other relationships.  One definition that I remember clearly that he shared with me was that of intimacy.  He share, intimacy means in to me I see.  When one can truly see within, for all the strengths and all the weakness, and come to a place where unconditionally one loves their true essence, it is then that one can have a relationship with others.

Jeff "Papa" taught me more than a definition.  He shared with me how it is that he found the courage himself to go deep within and intimately examine every crevice, to illuminate the darkness, and to find the authentic essence of my soul.  He pointed me on my journey of self discovery so that I might develop a sacred intimate relationship.

Today, I celebrate "Papa" and am soul filled with gratitude for his sharing with an open soul.  Love you "Papa". mwah.

Artist of the Week- Nanne Nyander

Everyone you meet in your life - even total strangers - is already intimately connected to you. The idea that we are all separate and distinct beings is nothing but an illusion. We are all parts of a larger whole, like individual cells in a body. -Steve Pavlina

This week is the start of another weekly blog post.  The artist that I have been blessed to become friends with over the years amazes me constantly with the soul touching expression's they create.  This week I share with you an angel painter named Nanne Nyander.

Unconditional Love

"Unconditional Love is what changes everything.

One can achieve miracles.

If Love is dependent on something outside yourself it is not Love.

Unconditional Love is what connects us, the oneness of everyone and everything."

Nanne was born in Sweden and studied art at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.  Today she owns and operates a studio in Sweden.

Nanne paints in oil in an old style inspired by both the Renaissance and Dutch masters.  Her paintings have a luminous effect that has entrances.  Her paintings hang in the National Potrait Gallery in London and Jonkopings Lans Museum in Sweden.

What makes her paintings so unique to me, is the way the vision of artist is richly seen in each one.  A journey to the soul which inspires.  A true "Soul Artist".

This piece is from her solo exhibition entitled "New Hope" and includes the "Angels of Virtues".

To learn more about Nanne, see more of her gorgeous artwork, or to find out about purchasing prints, please visit www.nannenyander.se or if you are on Facebook you can visit her at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nanne-Nyander-Angel-Painter/

I am truly blessed to be able to call Nanne friend and it is with great pleasure that I share her soulful artwork with you.  mwah

Fire Keeper's Message - She Wolf - We Never Walk Alone

Fire Keeper Message from She Wolf ... Message received during what became a Global Shakti Fire Healing Ceremony that took place on 11/10/11.  

 I have to say energy I felt with everyone taking part was amazing. I felt much happiness, much sorrow, many tears and much gratitude. The main message for me was that everyone needs to see themselves in everything. We must see ourselves in the Souls of all. See yourself in the soul of the child who puts his/her tiny hand in yours. See yourself in the face of the wise elderly face that looks up at you. See yourself in the soul of the tree's and the flowers and every blade of grass. See yourself in the souls of your family members, friends and strangers. See yourself in the soul of all living things. If you don't then you aren't truely seeing yourself or your place in the Universe. We all call this world home. We all travel different paths in many lifetimes. But, in the end, when our Souls have traveled thier paths and learned thier lessons we all end up at the same destination. Know that you are never alone and we are all ONE. 

To see a beautiful video of She Wolf's Fire, please visit www.facebook.com/sacredsoulshaman.  Entitled "We Never Walk Alone".

Weekly LOVESong from Farhi Horak

Weekly LOVESong from Farhi Horak.  Music for body, mind & spirit inspired by Agni's weekly message. .... 11/13/11




For more information on Farhi and his beautiful LoveSong's visit Farhi on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Farhi/221887831157741 or his website at http://www.farhisound.com

Gratitude Month - Day 13 - FFWA and Jobs

Today I am grateful for FFWA (a writers association that I belong to).  Dana Cassell provides an incredible network for writers that allows for amazing connections.

Yesterday, through this network, I was called for a 'job'.  Someone needed a writer to cover a story.  The story ...  "American Graffiti" goes Vintage.  I "had" to cover a Vintage Autofest, complete with a "Barrett Jackson" style auction with over 500 cars on the floor to be sold to the highest bidder.  It is always fun to watch auctioneers in person - but when you also get the chance for an up close and personal look at some vintage automobiles, the experience is blissful.

There were over 500 more auto's in the swap and sale fields.  Row after row of every condition auto for restoration to preservation.  Amazing.

Then, of course, there was the Vintage racing.  I got the chance to catch up with an old friend.  Vintage cars, driven by 'vintage' car enthusiast.  Awesome!

The day was capped off by having the opportunity to sit down with a couple of the stars of "American Graffitti".  Paul Le Mat and Cindy Williams.  Though, my son who is 16, had to have me explain to him who Paul and Cindy were (can you imagine not knowing "Laverne and Shirley")?  I have to say Cindy Williams is as enchanting in person as any portrayal she has made on the screen.





The entire day started because of FFWA and Dana.  Today I celebrate Dana and the connections FFWA affords.  Soul to soul ....

Weekly Message from Agni 11/13/11 With Bonus Stages of Meditation

Weekly Message from Agni - 11/13/11

This week:


Inner peace spreads out even if it is quite busy in the outer world.
Experiences made in the last weeks connect and start to interact with our energy system and enrich and lighten our daily duties.
Have a blessed week.

Love and light, Agni




***Bonus Stages of Meditation from Agni***


Let me give you an example for meditation:
If you meditate on the light of a candle you will experience 3 different stages.
First you see the light outside yourself:  Concentration
Second the light is within you:  Contemplation
Third you are the light:  Meditation
It is a path worth going.

You Can Reach Agni on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook.com/pages/Agni

Weekly Vibe From The Sky with Laurrisa Heller

Week of November 13, 2011

Waves of pursuit take us to many places this week. Information may not come easy to us at home, which leaves us to search out into the world. Emotional relationships will be important as we struggle to find our reflection, looking for who we truly are as a person. If we reach for spiritual energy it will be there, even if you can't find it right away. Wait with ease for Spirit, it may take time to move from your drive mode. There will be tremendous movement toward conquering. Ask yourself what it is that you are trying to control? And know that control is a myth. The only thing we can truly work with is our own perception and balance of the mind. As Sherlock Homes said, "I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I see."

Laurissa Heller's mission is to enhance people's awareness in their own lives so they are able to live to their fullest potential.  Her philosophy is that by taking care of ourselves and recharging our own batteries we are better able to assist the people who are in our lives and extend that energy into the environment as well.  

Laurissa offers Astrology Guidance and is an Educator of Conscious Living and Yoga Meditation Teacher (500 Hour Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher) and has been practicing yoga and meditation for nearly a decade. 

To find out more information about workshops offerings and private sessions, visit her website at www.tribaltree.org or visit her facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Laurissas-Night-Vision-for-Light-Workers.