The Night Before Christmas retold from a Native American perspective

The Night Before Christmas ...This is an excerpt of the filmmaker's whimsical adaptation of the Christmas classic told from a Native American perspective. 

Santa's Smile Unites Families Love After Five Christmas Season's of Grieving

My husband Martin and I lost the physical presence of our 16 year old son Andrew on October 22, 2007, just 4 months after a leukemia diagnosis.   Christmas was one of Andrew’s all-time favorite holidays; even at 15 years old he held the excitement of the holiday like a little boy.  Unlike his sister, Elatia, who is 10 years older and who we would have to wake up Christmas morning, Andrew would get up around 4:00 a.m.  He would sit in the recliner, rock and stare at the Christmas tree lights, and become one with the presents under the tree for two hours.  At exactly 5:50a.m., Andrew would start trying to wake us up knowing it would take a few minutes for us to come to and he wanted to start in on his presents promptly at 6:00a.m. Why 6:00a.m.? Who knows, it's beyond me, but that was his time.

I would faintly hear Andrew whisper, "Mommy!  Mommy!  Mommy!  It's almost 6:00a.m.! You and Daddy need to get up!  I'm so excited! I can't wait anymore!”  Still groggy having gone to bed shortly before Andrew got up at 4 am, I would tell him, "Ok, give us a few minutes, we still have a few minutes till 6:00 a.m." "Ok but don't fall back to sleep!” he would make me promise that we wouldn't sneak a few more minutes of sleep in.  I would lay there for a few minutes trying to wake up, remembering the days when we could sleep in, and have to wake up my daughter even as she was sleeping right in front of the tree at my parent’s house!

As we would lay there it would not be long before we would hear the pitter patter of big 15 year old clown feet coming back into our room. Uh-oh! I knew Andrew meant business now; we had better be up!  I would nudge Martin and tell him, “Hurry! Get up! He’s coming back! We gotta be up!"  We would both scramble to get out of bed and look like we had already been getting ready to come out, but we were busted, Andrew knew better. But he was a good son; he would just give us each a hug and tells us how much he loves us, followed by how excited he was.

After opening his presents, even if he didn't get everything he wanted, Andrew would ALWAYS say, "This is the best Christmas EVER!" The last Christmas he was physically here with us, I mentioned to him that he said that every year. He looked me right in the eyes and said, "Mommy, I mean it every year!" I asked, "even if you didn't get everything you wanted?" He replied, "I have you, Daddy and Elatia – and that's what makes it the best every year!” Talk about getting you right in the heart, his words got me good. Thinking back on that conversation now brings tears to my eyes. Andrew was such a genuine person.   He always picked his words carefully and thoughtfully.

So this Christmas, our fifth Christmas without our Andrew physically here, Martin received an email from someone that we were good friends with years ago. As happens in life sometimes, our lives took different roads and we had lost touch. In this email Martin received, our friend said she was looking in her closet for coats.  Her daughters recently moved to Chicago to go to college and while she was in the closet she felt this familiar energy comes around her. She realized it was Andrew. He was nudging her to look further back into the closet. Knowing better than to ignore Andrew, she wrote that she continued to look further back in the closet.  Much to her surprise she finds a paper bag. When she grabbed it, she realized that she had forgotten about this bag being hidden back there for, well, about 8 years! She couldn't believe what she found.

In this bag was a present Andrew started making for us when he was 12 years old.  She had emailed Martin to make sure it was ok to send us this present from him. He worked on it every time we went to Southern California to work for Doreen Virtue, staffing her Angel Therapy Practitioner ® classes. Our friend said she had to finish the last bit of it, and then she would send it on. I was so excited to hear about this! What could it be? The more I thought about it, the more excited I got!

I came home recently and saw a huge box sitting on the table. I asked what it was, and I was told to look on my chair. On it was the most amazing thing! A big Santa smiling face looking at me! Andrew made us one of those yarn hook rugs. I touched it thinking about how my 12 year old son worked on this just for us. I could feel his love coming through, as I know with every piece of yarn had his love in it.  

Holidays are still difficult, moments grieving the loss of my son still happen.  BUT there are blessings to be found if we choose to look for them. And yes, sometimes we have to look hard for them, but they are there. I will never hear my son whisper "Mommy! Mommy!" at 5:50 am again; and it will never be "The best Christmas ever!" for me again. But I do have a 9 month old granddaughter that I get to see Christmas and the world through her eyes now. I have a big smiling Santa face to remind me how much I am loved through all space and time. Love truly never dies, it unites us forever, and we are given signs to show us this is true. This Christmas it was a big smiling Santa face that will remind me every Christmas Andrew is still here with us, just in a new way.

To quote my son, even while in the hospital, It's All Good!

Connie Jordan is an International Metaphysical Comedian and author. What is a metaphysical comedian? Her husband Martin is a medium and sees’s dead people – Connie gets to make fun of them on stage. Her to books "So These Two Dead Guys Walk Into a Bar... My Life In The Paranormal. One Comic's Perspective" and "No Regrets A Journey Through Life Love and Beyond". “No Regrets” is a powerful journey with Andrew, her son, through the leukemia and his passing was co-written with her husband Martin. 

Connie and Martin on tour with a mediumship event that unites people their loved ones on the other side; as they bring their brand of humor, healing, and music that Andrew has given to Martin to their shows. It's an event not to be missed! Connie and Martin also teach The PureHeart Method, a certification class, which can help you develop your own psychic abilities.

For information on bringing their tour to your area and upcoming events visit http://www.pureheartspace.com/. You can discover more of Connie’s writing at her blog at http://www.healive.org/. You can also visit them on Facebook at PureHeart, The PureHeart Method,  or No Regrets.

A Letter from the Soul ... Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Sorrow, and Healing

 A Letter from the soul ....   A message of love, hope, forgiveness, sorrow, and healing.  (shared with permission by author)

To My Beautiful Sister,

As I sit here in the grips of the pain you left behind, I find it hard to find words to express myself. I read once that a Sister is a promise from God. A promise he makes so that you don’t have to walk your journey through life here alone. He gave each of us that promise when he made us. I find I can’t fault him for that promise getting broken. I have gone over everything that has ever happened between us at least a hundred times. I am so sorry for anything I ever did or said that caused you pain. I told you that so many times while you were still here to listen. I told you I loved you and I was here for you. I moved a thousand miles to be close to you so I could try and help ease your burden. Not once did you ever listen to me or let me in. Not once did you ever tell me why you hated me or why I couldn’t be a part of your life.

When I learned of your passing I was ripped apart. I was left here with no answers to why you have done what you did to me. You left me feeling like I was worthless in your eyes. You left me feeling cold and empty. I have cried so many tears it seems to me that I could create my own ocean of sorrow.

I wandered around here completely lost in an oblivion of rage and sorrow. I had to keep reminding myself to stop and breath. I remembered how when we were growing up everyone always told me to be a lady like you. I remember doing everything I could think of to be your opposite. Not because I didn’t love you or look up to you. I did it because I didn’t want to be you. I wanted to be me. When I first learned you were sick, I wished I could be you so you wouldn’t have to suffer. Today I wish I could be you again, only today it would be so I don’t have to suffer.

I went searching trying to find answer for why you left me with no forgiveness or goodbye. I found so many people speaking your name. Aunts, uncles, cousins, your children and grandchildren, our mother and your friends. So many people remembering the sister who left me behind. They all left so many kind words for you. I found some comfort in their words but it often struck me that as they remember you, the one who left, they forget me, the sister left behind. Even now as I write this to you they are all surrounding each other, giving each other comfort and hugs and drying each other tears. I am here, in the wee hours of the morning alone just wishing I could hear you call me Sissy one more time. I find it’s ok though because it is now that I learn to never forget the ones left behind to deal with the pain.

As I sit here and read the comments online they all make about you and read their comments comforting each other I am struck like a knife in my heart because not one of them had even one single kind word for me. I find it’s ok though because it is now that I learn how just a few kind words or lack there of can shake the foundation of a persons soul. I read how you were like a sister to some and I want to scream so loud it will make the stars in the sky explode. I want to scream “She wasn’t your Sister, she was mine and she didn‘t treat me like one.” But then, I find it’s ok because I know these people will never have the blood bond we shared. I find its ok because even in your darkness, when you couldn’t see me or hear me of feel me, I was still there shining the light for you and I still am. You couldn’t break the bond of Sisterhood no matter how hard you tried. My love is to strong for that to ever happen and I will never break the promise God gave me when he gave me you.

I see how you made friend after friend with complete strangers and it pains me that you couldn’t see your way clear to be a friend to me. Then I remember when you loved me enough to ask me to help you raise your beautiful daughters and help you make a new life for them and yourself and I was there for you. And you repaid me by taking them away and blaming me for the consequences of your own actions. But I find it’s ok because I forgave you then as I do now. It’s ok that you couldn’t find it in your heart to forgive whatever wrong you think I did to you because for me forgiveness is easy. That’s why they call it unconditional love.

I find that everything everyone has ever done to hurt me is ok because I have learned what it means to forgive and love unconditionally. As I sit here and the tears continue to fall, I remember all the harsh words I have spoken and for that I am so sorry. I remember all the hateful words people have spoken to me and about me. I think of all the words left unspoken by you and everyone else. I find it’s ok because I can say those words even if you couldn’t and they can’t. I can say please forgive me. I can say I love you. I can say I love them. My love does not require anything in return. I find I am ok because even though none of our family has ever been or will ever be here for me it doesn’t matter. Love holds no expectations. Love is selfless. Love is something you give freely. Just like forgiveness. I forgive you for leaving me with no goodbye.

As I sit here and think of you as I often do, I wonder where you are and who you are with and if you are happy. Today I know the answers to these questions that have often haunted me. I know your in the Light. I know your happy and free of the pain that comes from the human existence. I know when you left for your next journey you were not alone. I know you walked hand in hand with our Daddy through the gates of heaven. And just as your life was leaving your body and your soul was fighting to escape the pain of this life, another soul was ushered into this world fighting for her life because she came to early. You anxious to die, her anxious to be born. And the Circle of life begins again. I wonder if God will give her the promise of Sisterhood? I hope so because I know I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I love you LeAnn. Goodbye for now. I know I will see you again because you were given to me by God and he doesn’t break his promises.

Love Sissy  

Sisters Always

Weekly Fire Meditation: A Call ... Discovering Purpose

The morning Fire beckons us all:

It has been such that discovering our life purpose has separated from the soul's purpose.  It is now time for the two to merge as one - your Divine purpose.  To unify within.    Allow the Divine purpose express itself in authentic ways with all that you encounter each moment of the day.

Imprisonment can take place to keep one separated by bars or by bars on the soul.  The key can be found to release all, even when all roads seem to be closed.  Simply call upon the light of your inner flame from the Divine to emblazon the way.

Know this, if you could measure all of your hopes and dreams, it would fill a thimble in comparison to what the Universe hopes and dreams for you.  This is the basis for infinite trust in doing the pictures. In order to experience the vastness of what the Divine Universe has planned for you, one must have infinite trust to let go of all that is attached to.  Letting go does not always mean removing; it simply releases your own being to allow the Divine to elevate your being.  To merge it with itself and with all that there is.

The celebration and joy of now is to be for all days of the year.  It is the bliss of being as One.  The love experienced within these days is to be shared for all the days of the year.  It is an experience of a heart and soul united.  Give yourself and you receive your Divine self.

What is experienced is a choice only you can make. . .

NKTQHTBSEFVS

Story Keeper: Grandmother Dawn Sky Weaver Shares

Story written by 

Grandmother Dawn Sky Weaver

Shared with blessing and permission

The Essence of Oneness 

In the Spirit of Truth, Peace and Love

Red Ant from the South started climbing up the southern end of a golden strand of a giant spider web over head. As he inched towards center Grandmother Golden Orb Spider started down the strand connected to Northern end of the web. The closer Red Ant got the heavier his feet felt. He kept moving because he needs to complete his task and he receive the knowledge. When Red Ant approached the center of the web he stopped to see which strand lead to the highest point. Red Ant saw grandmother spider coming down the northern strand “what bring you here Red Ant” she said. “I am going to the highest View/Vantage point so I can get the knowledge”, Red Ant said without hesitation. “Your highest View/Vantage point is not up here” grandmother spider said as she swung from her golden strand into the center. “Not here? I have been told that I needed to see all from the highest View/Vantage point.”

“Your highest View/Vantage point is not mine grandmother spider chuckled. “What do you mean this is the way to the highest branch in that tree.” “Your View/Vantage point is not the View/Vantagepoint of the tree either.” “Well how high must I go”, said Red Ant. Grandmother Golden Orb Spider laughed so hard she swing to the outer edge of west side of the web. “Your highest View/Vantagepoint is down there under ground where you had your first thought. It is not a place it is who you are.”

“You see Red Ant we walk many trails from time of birth to death. Each trail helps to make us who we are on the inside. Some trails lead to pain, suffering, and anguish as we flow with the good or bad of this pain, suffering, and anguish it becomes a part of our thoughts and emotions. Some trails are exciting, wonderful, and loving these too becomes a part of our thoughts and emotions. These thoughts and emotions are a part of us.

The world we each know is a part of who we are. When you see things from your highestView/Vantage point you see your options from the best of who you are. Once you can see you use your best intent and best actions to put your best plan forward. “

Oh Red Ant said “now what do I do.” Grandmother Spider smile and said “if I were you I would head east because there is less sticky on that strand, it is the shortest strand, and it should lead you down to ground or you can continue to center where I will meet you to make you a part of my world or you can turn around a go the way you came however I may catch up with you because that way is slower.” “You will make me a part of your world Red Ant said?” “Yes! You look like you may be a tasty meal and I welcome the integration. It is now time for you to make a decision from your highestView/Vantage point here on my golden web.”

Red Ant only took a second to feel the trust energy between him and grandmother spider then started to head east which lead to the tree trunk where he could hide and make his way home.  Grandmother Golden Orb Spider Laughed and took her pipe out to send a message to Great Grandmother Spider, we need to make sure All Our Relations Understand their Highest View/Vantage Point. 

Story written by  Grandmother Dawn Sky Weaver

The Essence of Oneness In the Spirit of Truth, Peace and Love
You can visit Grandmother Dawn Sky Weaver at https://www.facebook.com/grandmotherdawn.skyweaver

Meditation - Cutting Energetic Signatures

Just as maple tree abandons its leaves as it pulls energy into its center to survive the cold winter, this is the time of year where we let go of or set aside those things in our lives that drain our energy.  Is there something that you similarly need to let go of or set aside with the changing of the seasons?

There are bonds or energetic signatures that create a bond or a tie with others.  Not all of these bonds are healthy.  Many times a simple statement or misguided advice, especially early in life, can cause bonds that are no longer serving to our spiritual needs.  A judgmental attitude can bind one into have fustrating and rationalization beliefs that now cause conflict as attempt to expand spiritual growth.  By releasing of "cutting" these cords, the energy and feeling/emotion of the event, comment, attitude or belief no longer is felt by either party.  This is truth for both the one receiving and the one giving.  Have you had a judgmental thought against another that has left you full of regret?  Shared unkind words?  Withheld a loving act?

Once the energetic signature (or cord) is cut and released, it can leave all affected with a calmer, more balanced energy matrix.  Frustration and old belief patterns released leaving space for the expansion.
While there are various ways to cut these cords and release them, one of which is part of the New Moon Despacho Ceremony (click here for event link), the following is a meditation that I was asked to share.

Begin my taking a deep breath in through the nose and fully exhale through your mouth.  Close your eyes, a simply focusing on the deep breath inward and full exhalation.  One more time, deep breath inward and fully expel all the air from your lungs.  Feeling relaxed and at peace, see in your minds eye your favorite quiet place.  A place that is completely safe and peaceful.  It is a place for sacred work to happen.

As you see this safe and protected place, your sacred temple, visualize a great beam of white light emerging from Mother Earth.  See it rise from the Earth to form a bubble.  Watch as this bubble of white light grows.  Know this bubble is spiritual energy which will surround you.  Protect you.  Energize you.

Allow this bubble to surround your inner temple.  Inhale deeply, feeling the warm loving energy fill you before exhaling.  As you breath in this white light energy, visualize the person or event that has created the energetic signature you desire to break.  As you bring this image to your mind, know that the white light bubble that surrounds you, completely protects you.

Visualize the person or event and see the cord that exists connecting you.  The cord maybe dark and thick or it may appear as a tree branch.  It may extend directly from your naval area or it may go downward into the earth from your feet.  Inhale deeply the white light knowing that the cord being severed will only cut you free from the energetic signatures which no longer serve you or that hold you in limitation to expansion.  The signatures that share a loving and nurturing energy will not be severed by the white light.

Within your bubble, seeing the person involved speak the words and thoughts that need to be said.  Clearing the air between you and your higher self.  Saying the words never spoken in the physical realms that have been held captive within you.  Speak the energy and emotion of pain, frustration, and hurt.  Allow your inner being to speak without limitation in the safety of the white light bubble.

When all has been spoken, all the emotion released, become silent and inhale deeply the supportive white light energy of the bubble which surrounds you.  Listen for words from your higher self and spirit.  Again inhale deeply breathing in the loving and supportive energy and exhale.

Allow your hand to extend forward into the bubble as though it were reaching for something in the light.  As you draw your hand back towards you, see the sword of light that you retrieved.  Speak again the intent to cut all energetic signatures and cords of attachment that exists between your energy and the person or situation.  With your free hand, reach for the cord or branch and bring the white light sword down to the cord.  Inhale deeply and exhale to bring even more of the white energy inward.  Speak with intention knowing you are completely safe within the bubble of light, "I now and forever more cut this cord of attachment".

Once the cord or branch is cut with the white light sword, inhale deeply and listen for a moment to hear any truth whispered.  As you exhale watch the cord or branch fall to the earth where it is transformed into a prism of rainbow colors.  Inhale and feel the lightness of your own being having released and cut that which has held you captive in limititation.

Once the prisim begins to disapate, inhale deeply as you extend the sword back into the bubble of light.  Exhale as you bring your hand back to the inner temple.  Speak words of gratitude to the spiritual energy that has surrounded you, protected you, and supported you in your endeavors.  When you are ready, inhale deeply and exhale as the bubble retracts.  Watch as it shrinks into a small sphere and return to Mother Earth.

As you open your eyes, notice the relaxed and lightened energy that now fills you.

You can repeat this meditation for each cord that needs to be severed.

Weekly Vibe with Laurissa Heller "Moving into 2012"

Vibe From the Sky 
with 
Laurissa Heller

As we move into Saturn's world (Winter Solstice) we begin to prepare for the journey of 2012.  Ask yourself what your heaviest responsibility is, and then ask yourself why it feels so dense?  Perhaps the shift is perception, but maybe we are ready to let go of something that we have had for a long time?  It may feel like your world will fall apart if you move out of the box and let it go.  Saturn loves safety.  Sometimes we build our walls so tall and strong that there is no penetration.  This is great for security but it doesn't allow for growth.  Soften your walls.

The journey of 2012 is asking us to get in touch with our internal compass.  (You will hear more about this from me next year)  Saturn is grounded energy and a wonderful foundation from which to work from.  Don't let your feet get stuck in the foundation.  Push off of it.  Otherwise, the Earth will shake beneath your feet until the foundation cracks and you have nothing to push from. 

Take this time to connect to the wonderful structure within, honor it, and then find the courage to move away from it, knowing it will be there if need be.  The seeds of the spring cannot grow unless you find a way to bring the fresh nutrients into your core.  It is like jumping off of the diving board for the first time.  You are not sure why you would do such a crazy thing, but once you do, it feeds your soul.  Once the jump is in flight, Saturn will back you up.  But he will also give you every instruction prior (how, why, what, where) and sometimes you just have to jump without knowing the end result.

Rest in the inward journey now.  Enjoy your body and how it serves you.  The ego will have many words and that is okay, but soon it will be the souls turn to steer the ship, and that can be a difficult ride for the ego.  The Universe will support this jump.  It is all unfolding just as it needs to…………breathe into the tenseness, relax --your Spirit is tapped into the collective and it knows its way.

Rest in the inward journey now.  Enjoy your body and how it serves you.  The ego will have many words and that is okay, but soon it will be the souls turn to steer the ship, and that can be a difficult journey for the ego.  The Universe will support this jump.  It is all unfolding just as it needs to…………breath into the tenseness, relax --Spirit is tapped into collective and has been here before.

About Laurissa:

Laurissa is an astrologer who likes to work with people to help them find answers to life's questions through her own interpretation called Infusion Astrology. She pulls from yoga, buddhism, astrology, intuition, and life to help guide people through their decision making processes. 

Relationships, Work, Family, Children, Travel and Location for Living are all part of her offering as part of her Infusion Astrology Readings.  Her mission is to enhance people's awareness in their own lives so that 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 at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Daily-Vibe-Laurissas-Infusion-Astrology/330995256915873

Weekly LOVESong from Farhi Horak

Weekly LOVESong from Farhi Horak.  Music for body, mind, and spirit inspired by Agni's weekly message. .... Week of 12/19/2011




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

Weekly Story Share: Stuck in the Smoke Hole of our Tipi

This weeks Story via my sister Mechelle of Tsehootsooi Healing Circle


Shoshoni Elder Oldhands breaks down and post's his Original Aboriginal Christmas Song, as a gift to you , after many, many, many requests....ENJOY..All my Relations

Prepare For Cord Cutting

Prepare for Cord Cutting by Karen Chrappa ... A Structure for Spirit

As the moon wanes into darkness, we prepare for our last Despacho Ceremony of the year by turning to the darkness within as we cut our attachments to what no longer serves.

We connect to others through energetic cords of varying degrees and intensity, our intimate sexual partners having some of the strongest cords. These cords are woven through our belief systems, entangled with guilt, blame, anger, fear and a whole gamut of toxic emotional patterns based on our notions of love, authority, power, survival and self worth. These cords live on long after someone has left our life continuing to deplete our life force energy. They keep us attached to our past, our ancestors, lost lovers and old relationships in ways that drain, rather than sustain us. They keep us entwined in current relationships through an exhaustive waste of our health and vitality.

The intention behind cutting cords is essential. Cutting cords is an act of love rooted in forgiveness. To cut cords from anger, hatred or revenge continues to feed  the toxicity that created the attachment in the first place. Our relationships have the potential to connect through cords of Love and Light, holding the power to nourish, heal and sustain.  (Read here for the rest of the post directions)

Weekly Message from Agni: Soul Trash

Weekly Message from Agni - 12/11/11

This week:

Time for Christmas housecleaning.
Get rid of your soul trash.
Offer it at the feet of the Lord.
Do not look back.
Have a blessed week.


Love and light, Agni

Remember:
Continue to love
Let it be an endless stream of light
Do no accept borders.
Agni


You Can Reach Agni on Facebook by visiting 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Agni

To find out more about Akashic Readings by Agni visit here:  http://jesus-the-book.com/akashic-readings/

“Jesus The forgotten Years”,
 the long-awaited sequel to
 “Jesus The Book” is now online.  by Durga Holzhauser and Agni.  (Order here)