Tuesday, November 27

HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS WHEN YOUR LIFE NO LONGER LOOKS LIKE THE WALTONS!

You remember the television series the Waltons, about a large family surviving the depression times or the Normal Rockwell paintings of family and the holidays. 

Well, one thing is for certain, life changes. At the very least, the children grow up and leave home. Add to the mix parents die, a spouse dies, siblings and friends move and you may find yourself with a Holiday Celebration that feels foreign or unfamiliar leaving you feeling sad!  What happened? 

As long as we try to cling to the way things used to be and celebrate in a way that feels familiar we may become depressed. 

This year, my family all gathered (the ones in town) at the local pub on Thanksgiving afternoon for a few beers, watch sports and to play pool. I did put in a small turkey early in the morning so that we could all have turkey sandwiches and everyone could take some turkey home. 

An 82 year old friend asked, "You're not going to have a turkey dinner?" I said, "For me, the most important thing is to have fun and cooking a full turkey dinner is not longer fun for me!"

So in order to enjoy the holidays completely, look outside the box of what was always familiar and do something new, something different and exciting!

When life happened, for me, (things were really different), I used to drive to Chico (about an hour and a half away), go to Mass, stop at Starbucks and get the Grandma's Turkey Sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce and go to quiet little spot overlooking Lake Oroville and just be. It was lovely. I loved the drive, no one was on the road, no one was at the lake except me and God. 

So start investigating now for Christmas. What sounds like fun? Remember to think about doing something completely different in order to feel the exhilaration of being alive! 

If you like being alone the holidays are a great time for that. I love to drive with no where to go....it's like being on a different planet! No one is out! (Unless you're headed to the city of course!)
Whether you enjoy being alone or being with others do what makes you happy. Either way, do only what brings you JOY! 

Some thoughts: 
1. In town, two restaurants were serving free turkey dinners to anyone who wasn't cooking for themselves, not just homeless or people in need.  Go and eat or go and volunteer! See what's happening for Christmas!
2. Cook at your home and start inviting people who are alone for the holiday.
3. Volunteer for a project that serves the homeless.
4. Go away! Go someplace that makes you smile.
5. Find a church and sing in the Christmas Choir.
6. Sleep all day.

Whatever you do, don't cling to...doing things the way you've always done them. As long as I was doing that, I just felt like a failure and it was in my face....things had changed! 


Monday, November 26

LET THE BEAUTY OF WHAT WE LOVE BE WHAT WE DO



Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. Rumi 

My final days in Grass Valley, CA (I think:) I've been meeting people from my old church and even attended the Unity Church, meeting some wonderful people there. I went for a walk with an old friend and we were talking about Mass. Later that afternoon, I had planned to go to the 5PM Mass. But before that, I went to see an old friend who had moved to a retirement community in town. 

I knocked on her door and after hearing, "Come in!" I walked in. Her eyes lit up like I was Santa Claus! We visited and she told me about her bloody sheets that were soaking in the small bathroom sink. I offered to put new sheets on her bed, but enjoying the company, she insisted that we do it together. Later we then took her laundry to the washer and I walked her down for dinner. (Self-Care note: I was invited for dinner but said No Thank you, not this time.) 

Of course by this time Mass was over and I thought to myself, "I've just been to church." I joyfully spent time with another and I experienced God. Like Rumi says, There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. And for me, There are hundreds of ways to be with and experience God and sometimes it happens in sharing in a like minded communities (church), sometimes it happens in the presence of another and sometimes it happens all alone. And it's all GOoD!

Sunday, November 25

WE PLAN AND GOD LAUGHS

I just watched the old movie, Evan Almighty. Evan, a newly elected congressman, wants to change the world and he has his own ideas how that's going to happen. When Evan tells God of his plans, God just laughs. 

This newest leg of my adventurous life was for a month in a lovely home in my old stomping grounds, Nevada City, CA.

I knew that I was leaving here, unless a job or housesitting opportunity presented itself. Not having the security of a place to return to, I spent the first week in depression (not trusting)....what's going to happen next. 

I talked with an astrological friend who said that things may not open up for me until Nov 27, the end of a Mercury Retrograde. While I don't get too caught in living my life by what's happening in the sky, I find it interesting to note.

The next few weeks, I was able to settle down and enjoying each moment, breathing through each panty-twist and enjoying my time here, while doing a tad of marketing for my work and visiting old friends.  Well, at least until a friend and neighbor to the house that I'm staying out announced that the owners were coming home on Tuesday! Yeah, this Tuesday, four days from now Tuesday! It was only two days different than what I had thought, but you would have thought they were talking about a month! 

Since nothing has seemed to open up for me and my not actually having any real plans, I decided to leave Tuesday afternoon and head back south, stopping in Oakland.

As soon as I let go of how I thought things should be, later that evening a friend called and told me that she had met an interesting lady who needed help with moving and possibly housesitting. I contacted the lady and she wants to meet on Tuesday, Nov 27 (After mercury retrograde. It's not good to start new projects during this time.) Of course! The day I was planning to leave!  Self-Care note: I told her that I needed to come and see exactly what she was talking about before Tuesday. My old self would have just agreed with her request. 

I meet with her today and my prayer is that it will be really clear if this is a job that is mine. I'll keep you posted:)  Happy Sunday! 

Saturday, November 24

FEAR IS HEALTHY, PANIC WILL GET YOU KILLED



In the movie Chasing Mavericks, the young boy, Jake, was in training to ride the 30 foot wave, Mavericks with his mentor, Frosty. They were on a dive and Jake was practicing holding his breath. Just as he was about to run out of air, a fifteen-foot shark swam by. Jake nearly lost it when Frosty got to him to help him stay calm. When they got up top, Frosty, more than a little annoyed, asked what had happened down there? Jake, still quite shaken up said, “What do you mean, what happened? A fifteen foot shark swam by!” Frosty, sternly replied, “Fear is healthy, but panic will get you killed!

And so it is in our lives. Fear is healthy, well acute fear is healthy. (Chronic fear is paralyzing.) Fear is proactive. Fear tells our bodies to be aware, pay attention, stay calm and can even give us an extra boost of superman power energy known as adrenaline. 

Panic on the other hand is reactive. We don't take time to think you just react!  You've seen in movies where someone yells fire and people get trampled in the stampede of human hysteria.

No matter what happens in our lives, how things look, personally, nationally or globally, it helps to keep our heads on (common sense) and think through how we're going to respond. 

In the movie Apollo 13, when the astronauts need a way home because of a system malfunction, the men working on the ground were making crazy suggestions like, "If they only had and We've never tried..." Gene, the ground control chief said (Stop panicking) "Let's work the problem, people!"

No matter what happens in our personal lives, we can stay calm and centered by remembering to breath. Focus on the breath and then evaluate the situation. I use this technique when my life changes or doesn't change fast enough. (Not knowing what is happening next.) 

I used to react, spinning in chaos. I'd head out somewhere and then stop and turn around, not knowing which way to go. 

By stopping, (not panicking) and asking myself what the fear was about I could breathe through it and I was able to make clear decisions for myself. 

Just Remember to Breathe! Follow the breath, the breath is all there is....


Friday, November 23

OUR RESPONSE TO SOMETHIN'S A BREWIN'



The Cauldron of Transformation,
from The White Moon Gallery.
OK, we know that Somethin's a Brewin' (from previous post). Now the question is, how do we respond? In other words, what do we do about it?

Science has verified for us that there is a strong magnetic pull coming from the Milky Way affecting the planet and its inhabitants. However, the most important magnetic field happening now is the one in the human heart and that is where we begin, with our hearts, which by the way is the cure for the external symptoms caused by these intense energies.  

The tendency when things become uncertain is to hunker down and contract. But the invitation here is expansion and we begin with the heart. However, in order to expand our hearts, we have to know that they are healed and protected and that's the personal work

Doing our personal work is why we are here on this earth, to discover who we are, who we were created to be. It's also about uncovering and healing past wounds and hurts that everyone has. They're not used for blaming others but for seeing who inside is feeling sad, neglected, unloved or needing approval of others, and then with guidance, healing those little pieces of ourselves so that we can truly open our hearts, expand our hearts, knowing that it is safe to do so. 

How can we navigate these uncertain times? Well, one way is to do our personal work, know who we are, that we are safe, protected and being watched over by Spirit.

(Luke 12:7  Even the hairs on your head are numbered....do not be afraid....) We'll continue this discussion tomorrow:)

Added note about the picture:
The ancient symbol of the goddess cauldron was reinvented by the patriarchy as a solar symbol, the chalice, which was used by Jesus at The Last Supper. It is still used as a symbol of enlightenment and spiritual transformation. http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/Cerridwen.html







Tuesday, November 20

December 21, 2012 Spiritually and Scientifically – Somethin’s a Brewin’!


While the Hopis, Mayans and many Native American visionaries, recognize that we are approaching the end of a World Age on December 21, 2012, scientifically, we know that the earth is coming to the end of a 26,000-year cycle known as The Great Year. Science further validates there is a magnetic field coming from the center of the Milky Way that is impacting earth (ie.,the weather) and its inhabitants.

Shamanic Astrology tells us that we are in the season (approximately 40 years either way) of the completion of this earth cycle, which they call, The Turning of the Ages.

As many of us can feel, time is speeding up! It’s kind of like winding up a top. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes. Once it’s complete, the tension releases and it starts all over again.

Whatever you call it, whatever the explanations are and whenever it happens is really irrelevant because right now, many of us are feeling the effects, the intensity, of this speeded up time. This speeding up of time is giving us opportunities to raise our energetic vibration, or become awake and conscious in our daily lives, to become enlightened or One with God. (The Journey ofthe Soul) Because we’re in the season of this shift, many of us are feeling more intensity in our lives and want the ride to stop so that we can get off! (Not happening, so hang on and try to enjoy the adventures that come with uncertainty!)

The Hopi and Mayan elders do not prophesy that everything will come to an end; rather, we’re simply in a time of transition from one World Age into another. In fact the Hopi Elders advise, Push back into the flow of the river…when you hang onto the side (resisting change, clinging to our narrow perspectives) that is when the energies intensify. Let go and let the flow take you. (Paraphrased)

How do we respond?  See you tomorrow! 

Saturday, November 17

GRATITUDE SOMETIMES NOT SO EASY


As we near Thanksgiving our culture tells us that it is a day to spend with family and friends and to give thanks. Our religions tell us to give thanks everyday. But what happens on the days that there doesn't seem anything to be grateful for. I know, of course, you can always find something. 

I believe that everything happens in Divine Order, so even when things don't go as planned, I think it's to free up space for stuffed feelings and emotions to rise for healing and that something else is on the horizon that is BETTER! However, that doesn't negate the fact that some things feel, well for a lack of a better word, sucky in life.

I just helped one of my daughters move into her her studio in Oakland, a place she loves, a place that feels like home to her. (She went to college there.) Oakland, like all cities has good areas, not so good areas and up and coming areas, meaning people are moving into the not so good areas, buying and fixing the houses and claiming back life-giving space. The whole day that we were moving, she kept telling me not to leave anything in my car.

As you can imagine, making a decision to move and then doing it can leave a person wondering if they did the right thing, especially when the neighbors blared their music the entire first night! The next morning she went to grab a cup of coffee from the neighborhood shop and within five minutes her window was smashed and her backpack and computer were taken.

These are the times when it's difficult to find the blessings and things to be grateful for. 

With the people that I counsel, one of my issues with finding the silver lining in the clouds, (positive thinking) is that while it is absolutely imperative, (in its time) many times we gloss over the feelings that arise when the not so fun things happen. We just stuff them down, creating space for dis-ease to fester. 

These feelings are a gift. (There, there's something to be thankful for!) We have to feel what we're feeling. We have to talk about, analyze and see what other deep feelings and emotions space has been created for them to surface. Then, once that has happened and we've been truly able to let go and forgive, (A hint: it's mostly about forgiving ourselves.) then we can come to a place of real gratitude and thanksgiving. 

This is a beautiful short youtube you may enjoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&sns=em
I am thankful that YOU are in my life!  

Friday, November 16

VISION, GOALS AND PASSION FOR LIVING

"I remember nearly ten years ago, you said to me, You have to set some goals for yourself and I'll set the first one. You have to create a space to call home and it can't be your job!" I say to my long time friend over beer.

When Life Happened to me, goal setting gave me direction. Even now I see the importance of setting goals for myself. If you don't have a goal there is nothing to strive for. 

I hiked the Inca trail in Peru with my son who had a goal to hike Wayna Picchu, a 9,000 foot tall mountain that sits behind Machu Picchu. Although not an easy thing to do, I too hiked to the top as well. When I got there I remember clearly thinking, "If you know what Waynu Picchu is in your life, you can get it!

But I've decided that setting goals is the easy part. Having the vision and clarity for what it is one wants to manifest or create in their lives is a bit more challenging. 

In the movie, Chasing Mavericks, a true story of a young man knowing what he wanted, to surf Maverick, Jake had a vision and with help from his mentor Frosty, set daily goals in order to attain his dream.
It is easy to get caught up in the everyday routine of really nothing. Even in retirement, I've witnessed that we can be happy with a walk, golfing and happy hour. While good, there is more! We were all created with a passion for something to share with the world! What is it? The possibilities are limitless. Once we have the vision, we can reach the goal, simply by taking many baby steps forward. But with a goal, they're all pointed in the same direction! 

And now my friend, you are living a life full of joy and passion! 

Friday, November 9

MONEY HAVING IT OR NOT...IT'S ALL RELATIVE

Money....what is it anyway? Certainly in our society we have to have it to live, or do we? Recently a friend said to me, "I love the way that you barter to get the things you need and want." 

Bartering has become so second nature to the way that I move through life that I didn't even realize that it is different than how most people live.  I was telling my business coach that I'm always surprised when I travel to hear the concerns of the general population, "These economic hardship times!" I never really notice it. I've gone and done anything that I've wanted. Of course I don't have the regular securities that others may find necessary for their comfort level, like health insurance or retirement. 

I was reviewing my last blog and the statement "I need the money!" was such a ridiculous thing to say that when I reread it, I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD! Of course there is truth in it, but it seemed so desperate! 

Money is simply energy. It is a means of exchange that we use, the same as bartering, to get the things that we need and want. Listening to and experiencing first hand other people's lives and experiences of finances, I've come to the conclusion that it's all relative. The old saying, the more you make, the more you spend, is still alive and well.

I have been allowed the privilege of being able to supplement my income by working part time because I have had the most amazing house sitting jobs. While I treasure my time to work on my own personal projects and the freedom to follow the flow of energy,  sometimes, I do miss the structure of a regular job, the energy of other people and of course the regular pay check! 

I've been on several job interviews in the past week, just walking through open doors to see if anything sticks and trying to really trust that everything is in Divine Order. 

But today... I alternate between strategizing for my projects and wanting to snuggle back to in bed...it's cloudy and chilly.....and I what...am thinking to go to Alaska....are you kidding me? Well, at the very least, it would make for great blogging material!)






Wednesday, November 7

FOLLOWING THE FLOW AND LAUGHING OUT LOUD THE WHOLE TIME!

After five days in my new house sitting job, I finally learned how to turn on the radio! While working on my projects, I overheard the radio announcer say, "Come tomorrow to watch a video and have an interview for working in Alaska for six months. The money is good if you don't have any ties and can be gone for that long!" 

Well my ears really perked up! Alaska! I've never been there! The money is good....what...$50,000 for six months? That's good money! Not knowing where I'm heading next and where my next buck is coming from I'm open to checking out all options!

Today as I walked into a room full of young men and one young girl, I hadn't been aware of the fact that I was the only old lady there! I took a spot in the back of the room, anxious to hear about this great money opportunity and adventure all combined into one! 

The facilitator was very clear about the fact that this was not a glamorous opportunity or even a chance to see and experience Alaska, it was a hard job in a seafood processing plant with long hours. 

"You will be working mostly 12 hr shifts, either the night or day shift and you can work all the way up to 16 hr days. There is no guarantee of hours. If the boats catch a big load, you work until it is processed. There may also be days when there is no work at all and then you don't get paid." "The work is hard, it's lifting, it's cold, damp, noisy and smelly." she continued. The only good news, while the contract is for six months, the January shift is usually finished in three! 

The whole time, I'm scanning the paper they handed out that told about the operation and noticed the pay...the great money maker.....pay is $7.75 an hour! I could barely contain myself! Oh, yeah, over 8 hours you get time and a half, $11.24. I spent my time trying to figure out how much I'd make for the time I'm away. I guess the benefit is that you can't spend any money while you're there, being 812 miles from Anchorage. When you're on the island, you're on the island! If you leave early, you have to get you own ride back to Seattle. 

I raised my hand and asked the only question, "Is it dark all the time?" Nobody else seemed to care.

While my daughters and I have had a great laugh over the whole idea, the really funny part is that I haven't closed the door. I haven't been to Alaska and I haven't worked in a fish factory. (Not sure I'm missing much with the latter!) And...I need the money! 

Like the other jobs that I've been interviewing for, the diverse jobs in completely different areas of the west, I'm just going to wait and see what ...if any jobs are offered to me, then I can make a decision.

In the meantime, I'll follow the flow until it stops, laughing at the silliness of life! While this is something that I would do once for the experience (and money, lol), there are people who will be doing this kind of work for their whole life! I'm really lucky! 

Today reminded me of a line in Mamma Mia, a movie that I travel with and watched the other evening..."It's an adventure Harry!" 


Tuesday, November 6

I'M BACK!

As you know from my last blog, I was getting ready to leave the place that I have called home for the past two years. 

I knew that it was time to leave before I received notice to move. In fact, I had told a friend that I had been watching myself clean out things and was thinking a shift was coming, it was like having an Outer Body experience! Even though I had been feeling stagnate, I didn't have the courage to initiate the change for myself and so the Universe stepped in. 

After a series of three speaking engagements for the Catholic Church in Los Angeles, talking about GPS for Living and the importance of Self-Care in our lives, I left on a vision quest trip with my Irish friend to Hawaii.

When I returned, my friends helped me sell, clean and pack for the next leg of my journey. It's amazing how much crap on can accumulate in a two year period. I moved into the space with the contents of a 22" suitcase and backpack and left with a car full to the brim. As my friend put it, "You couldn't put a peanut in that car!" My three foot tall solid wooden Happy Buddha, reminding me to Find the Joy, rode proudly seat belted in the backseat. 

Heading to Northern California for a month long house sitting gig, I had a lot of time to reflect while making the 15 hour drive. Still following the Flow of Energy, and trusting that everything is in Divine Order, the not knowing where the doors are going to open up for me after the end of November,  can get me into a panty-twist if I don't stay present and in the moment. Where will I go? How will I make money? Blah, Blah, Blah!

I have been here now for 4 days and I had to give myself permission to rest. My mind starts its little being in charge of my body and I have to step in and set some boundaries. So trying to find balance, I let myself sleep, some work and then took a drive to the Yuba River with my God daughter. I hope this finds you all well.