bask in possibilities

the house is old and always in need of repairs.
the screen door needs replaced…
the window ledges need scraped and a new coat of paint.
with each ripple, the water issues an insistent invitation.
…and, with each step, fragments of clothing find new resting spots in the tall green grass…
the cool embrace welcomes me, one foot at a time…
i watch clouds of muddy magic drift up and around my legs…
i swim out…
out past the opacity and murkiness…
out past the playful and teasing weeds…
i swim out past the pier, the diving board…and the buoys…
…out to where the baby mergansers are taking their first lessons…
the bright sun seems to shed light on an awareness of our earthly, kindred connection…
we swim together, each of us shedding gingerly commissioned rhythms of confidence.
i laugh, child~like and unrestrained…
surrounded with and submerged in complete awe.
the chores will always be there…they can wait.
this is our day to bask in possibilities.

(upper saranac lake)

moondance

…while i began writing the following with divine feminine energy in mind, i believe those of you embodying more divine masculine energy might garner a thing or two, also…both for your partners as well as yourselves;)…

(moondance, 2011…currently on ‘the rotating canvas’;))

i don’t recall being ‘regular’ during the first several years of my cycle.  it could have been just an initial bodily ‘adjustment curve,’ or that i dabbled in birth control off and on for many years, but it wasn’t entirely out of the norm for my body to skip periods altogether or for them to considerably vary in duration and/or intensity.  it wasn’t until i began the practice of ‘grounding’ many years later that i began to notice a connection with our moon.  at first, it was simply a kindred awareness…there was an innate pull to focus on her~ her divine feminine energy and how it reflected and seemed to strengthen my own.  i began charting my cycles and noticed that i regularly bleed with the waxing moon– with my last day right before the full moon.

the lunar cycle consists of 29 and a half days~ shifting from the waxing moon of increasing light~ to the full moon of complete illumination~ to the waning moon of decreasing light~ and beginning the cycle, again, with the waxing new moon of increasing light.  it does not seem coincidental that the average length of a woman’s cycle is 29 and a half days, as well…and parallel to the moon’s cycle, a woman’s cycle shifts from new growth~ to the ovulation of full power and efflorescence~ into the energy of dissolution, and full-circle back into renewal.

i have read that, before the addition of artificial light into our lives, it was the norm for women to menstruate with the moon cycle.   both the exposure to large amounts of artificial light as well as minimal amounts of natural light (and i’m certain a slew of other factors~ including the amount of pharmaceuticals and food additives that make their way into our bodies and our environment every year) create an inability to tune into the subtle cues and energetic shifts of the earth and moon.  in the process of becoming disconnected with these sacred and celestial beings, we’ve also journeyed a bit further into a disconnect, of sorts, with ourselves.  our bodies are no longer in complete sync with the harmonic structure of our surrounding elements~ the rhythms of our natural world~ which, in part, translates into a disconnect from who we innately are– our variant and unified ambitions– and our formations and routines in the interminable interim.

i once read that native american women would separate themselves from the tribe during menstruation.  they cycled together in a “moon lodge” while the men and grandparents temporarily took over caring for the children and other responsibilities.  during this time, women were considered even more powerful and would focus their individual and collective energy upon meditation, transformation, reflection, decision-making…and, in general, deeper truth.

for me, it also serves as an energetic source of strengthening the bond between our collective divine feminine energy.  i feel very close to my girlfriends during my cycle– and, maybe not so surprisingly, would almost prefer to be around them during this time at the entire exclusion of masculine interplay.

there’s definitely a profound energy that streams into these few days.  for myself, as well as many others, it’s the energy of creativity– of reflection– of letting go– and, then, of nourishing and rebuilding.  repeatedly, during this string of 5 days, i bring my a-game to the table.  close friends joke around with me about how i accomplish more during this stretch of time than i do during all other remaining days of the month combined.  it’s true.  it’s almost as if i go through a mini-nesting phase each month…working overtime to get everything in order in preparation for the arrival of a both an unclear and uncertain ‘something’……

(side note: before nixing processed foods, i experienced cruel and compassionless cramps each month.  i’ve always been conscientious regarding medications…but, my drawer was reliably full with one exception to my typical  ‘tough it out’ protocol: midol! …and lots of it.  i cannot recount the times that i sent andy on midol runs if i had even the faintest notion that i might run low mid-cycle.  when i was much younger, i recall a couple of family members experiencing this variety of near-debilitating cramps, as well.  admittedly, i thought that they were over-exaggerating their experiences…err…until i spent several times, myself, curled up in the fetal position on my bed.  after switching to a whole foods diet, however, all cramps~ every hint of them~ entirely vanished.  a very welcomed outcome…and, alone, worth the dietary change;).)

it’s not uncommon to hear women complaining about the inconvenience(s) of their cycles.  however, if we shift our understanding of what menstruation is, what it symbolizes and the ways in which it connects us to others and the world around us, we can better understand and lean into this time for the gifts of growth and change that come through release, reflection and renewal.

…while i’m certain that the crone years will hold their own unique offerings and energy…i occasionally imagine that i will miss this current sacred stretch of {methodically} dancing alongside the majesty and mystery of our moon.

we are the artists…and we are the art

 

For a very large part of my life, bordering on the majority of my years here, Earth-bound, I have~ like many others coming through during this time~ felt an enormous responsibility to take care of our planet.  –Often at the front of my mind is the role that we’ve played, and continue to play, in shifting her- our Earth- (and ourselves alongside) out of balance…also at the fore: how paramount it is/will be to bring our a-game as it relates to making transformative decisions for ourselves– and on behalf of the collective life of which we are a part.  There were a couple of years a decade-or-so ago when I recall it being somewhat routine to sit and cry for long stretches over feeling entirely small and desperate to do something~ anything~ to come to our Earth’s rescue.  I remember one conversation, in particular, with a dear friend who sports much of the same sentiment, during which I described the way I felt as though I walk out of my apartment, daily, to find one of my brothers being kicked and beaten by masses of people……and I can’t break through the crowd or do a single thing to help him…………….sitting idly by is such an unpleasant place to be. 

Dominant and influential voices, in the scientific community and beyond, have long suggested that we, as a species, might not be around for much longer to toss around ideas of global change.  Countless essays and articles by various experts from various scientific and/or environmentally related fields have come to the general consensus that we cannot continue with our patterns of energy and technology use and population growth if our expectation is to survive for another century.  On the flip, the focus always seems to turn to the hundreds of decisions that we can individually make on a daily basis that feed into the stirring pot of profound transformation.  And, sans any doubt, there are {absolute} a bundle of choices that we each have a responsibility to make and to stick by– both now and in the near future……

……and perhaps the most profound of the profound will be to explore and to embrace what is slowly being revealed to us about who we are and how we influence the world around us……

It’s been a really long while since I have felt the hopelessness that I touched upon above.  Everything changed for me as I began to grasp an understanding of the field of consciousness and my/our role in it.  Stepping away from a stretch of time when I felt completely ‘written out’ of the scene and into a stretch of realizing how much a part of everything that I witness and experience was and is…empowering.  It felt and feels so different…it felt and feels so right– and, as I’ve written countless times before; what feels right is such a certain and beautiful measure of Truth.

Many of us feel this shift~ this revolution, of sorts~ that is currently at play.  We feel the power of it…we are, collectively and quickly, grasping this understanding of how we interact with and influence the world around us– and that is why this turnover is so powerful.  It writes us~ you and I~ back into the universal equation.  It empowers us with the ability to transform the great ‘messes’ of our time, rather than to sit back and toss the outcome to a ravenous fate.  Upon the realization that we are co-creators of our reality: what problem(s) cannot be solved? Which visions are beyond our scope of possibility?

We are the Essential Key.

The reason?  This changing force is entirely based in/on what you and I are doing and being right now, in this moment…this very one right here.  Individually and collectively~ consciously and unconsciously~ we are all making choices wrapped around the way we see and what we think about ourselves and what we believe to be true of the life around us.  The on-going emanation of our thoughts and beliefs envelope us as the arrangement of our experience.

It excites me the way science is in the constant process of bridging with spirituality.  It is increasingly being understood, as well as accepted, in scientific circles that the reality of our lives~ everything from health, finances and relationships to more globally pressing matters~ is nothing more or less than our belief patterns shaping the measurable material that all else, in this time/space reality, is made from.  It’s all so intricately interwoven into the thick of what we choose to accept as truth about our world…about our capabilities and boundaries within it.

The Power to Change is within the Power to Choose.

The idea of relying on something within us to address trials that so seemingly dance outside of us can be unnerving to some…and downright loony to others.  I cannot chalk up the conversations that I’ve had with people over recent years, during which they begin tossing around the looming state of our planet and I follow up with touching upon some of the above points and suddenly feel as though the other chap or chapette is playing the role of Will Ferrell in ‘Old School,’ slurring out: ‘You’re crazy, man.  You’re crazy.  I like you, but you’re crazy.’  Well, sort of.  Crazy in love with the influence that we wield around these ‘ere parts…true this;).  After it soaks in…for minutes, hours…or sometimes years~ ha;)…I’ve later been asked a time or three, ‘if this is so essential for our future, how do we learn about how to influence the world around us with our thoughts and belief patterns now~ and how do we reel in the masses quickly enough to shift our surroundings in time to survive our current condition?’  Hmmmmmmm…..fair enough question!!??  {laughing…}  My response is usually a simple variation of, ‘I don’t know.’…other than to keep sharing little write-ups like the one right here…and similarly toned conversations with souls who are just on the brink of ‘allowing the information in.’  I really don’t have a ‘master plan’ in mind– I don’t know that any of us really do………

I do know this: my favorite thoughts come to me in the space of being outdoors with my bare feet implanted so firmly in bright green grass.  I laugh!  {pausing to take in my surroundings;))….and, more seriously, I know this:  on the one hand, we’ve been led to believe that we are these small and powerless beings who live in a world where things just “go down” for no apparent reason.  On the other hand, our most ancient and revered spiritual traditions gift the teaching that there is a force that lives within each of us~ an energy, a capability, a competency~ that nothing in this world can even remotely touch.  With it arrives the affirmation that walking through the darker moments of our lives will lead to a place where, in hindsight, only good can be recognized.  In the interim, I believe that it’s natural to occasionally feel bouts of confusion, helplessness and maybe even agony over the suffering of our cherished environment and the life that it supports.  It would be unfair to suggest that we, during these moments, are not best served by fully leaning into and processing through what we feel…but, then…oh, then……

……make the effort to lean into, to allow the beauty of recognizing, of knowing and of trusting our divine power and ability to bring what we believe is good and whole into the matrix of life around us.

What are the odds that by transforming the harmful belief patterns of our past (whatever they may be~ into healing patterns of love and peace,) we can boldly alter this life today…and the life of tomorrow?

I believe that they are good.  really good.

WE are such a brilliantly interactive, important and ever-dynamic element of this {beautiful} life we weave……we are the artists…and we are the art.

first base, second base, third base…home run!

………this post is neither going to be about making out or baseball;)…………

you never know where inspiration is going to come from in the day-to-day…my inspiration, on this day, came from a link that my friend, emily, posted online.

in one sweeping sentence, the link led to a write-up entitled ’30 things to stop doing to yourself.’  quickly scanning through the list, i didn’t immediately resonate with any of the ‘in bold’ mentions …until i came to #11 (yes, 11, surprised?!;)).  point #11 begins with: ‘stop being idle‘…and wraps up with, ‘making progress involves risk.  period!  you can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.’

i had no idea, while i was reading it, that i would spend the rest of the day with these words surfacing (and resurfacing) in my mind.  i enjoy risks, and if i can’t think outside of the box, then it’s difficult for me to think at all;)…….but, lately~ oh, lately~ my foot (both feet, really) have been feeling pretty comfy on ‘first base.’  i’ve gotten comfy in my routine…comfy in my surroundings…comfy in my house…all shades of crazy~comfy.

((i DO believe that part of  my resonant attraction to the word ‘idle’ relates to the ’2 year moving itch.’  for nearly the past two decades, i have diligently (yet, not calculatively {it’s a word, right?;)}) moved every 1-2 years.  we’ve been here, in this town, for 2 and a half years~ and while i am fully cognizant of that ‘must be rolling along’ gypsy air…i am also {fully} determined to stay here.  i love this town.  i truly do.))

{…back to ‘comfy’…}

2010 (into 2011) was a time period of untamed shifting…new connections, new work space, new writing opportunities.  the later half of 2011 took on more of an ‘unprogressive’ feel…a bit stagnant.  in thinking about all that i am here to accomplish during this life, i am {reflectively and presently} tying all of this in with-> too comfy.

for 2012, i am setting the intention to step further away from those things/routines in my life that have become too relaxed for progress while still maintaining that ‘feels right’ intuitive savvy.

2012 is going to be a powerful year…for everybody.

2012 will be a year, the year, for us to indulge in openness, sincerity, authenticity…and to really act on pulling our visions of the future, both collective and individual, into the NOW.

2012 has ‘home run’ written all over it;).

Go Team!!!

i believe.

i believe in the deepest, darkest, greenest kale.  i believe in the restorative power of a black-as-night brew of nettle.  i believe that i can, at times, hear my feet screaming out to touch the earth.  i believe in the innate intelligence of water.  i believe in the healing power of cuddling…and of laughter.  i believe in the calming properties of coconut ice cream.  i believe in colors~ especially blues and greens.  i believe in fairies.  i believe in being naked in the company of the sun.  i believe in the inherent ability and desire in all of us to explore love and connection.  i believe that everything happens with purpose.  i believe that my tomorrow is dependent on thoughts of my potential for today.  i believe in keeping my mind open.  i believe that purity attracts purity.  i believe in the certainty that fireflies make all hearts smile.  i believe that i could take all of the money in our house, make paper money airplanes, fly them off of the tallest building and not feel regret.  i believe in kindness.  i believe that there is a fuzzy line between brilliant and loony.  i believe in simplicity.  i believe in dancing at least thrice a day.  i believe in being still at least thrice a day.  i believe that plants recognize me and my thoughts.  i believe words can get in the way of clear communication.  i believe that i am in the most abundant company when i am hiking through the woods.  i believe in things i cannot see.  i believe that we already know, yet spend much time trying to remember.  i believe in stretching and an occasional sprint.  i believe in earth-made food.  i believe good soil is essential to good living.  i believe that most things taste better with a spoonful of cinnamon.  i believe in the perfection of this process.  i believe that i vote with dollars {airplane dollars;)}.  i believe that one of the greatest pains in our world is not of hunger or primal loss, but of unexpressed potential or creativity.  i believe in ripple effects.  i believe in magic.  i believe enough in the journey to keep stepping.  i believe in reinventing inventions that are no longer positively inventive.  i believe in change.  i believe in myself.  i believe in you.  i believe in us.

♥

the vision.

to date, this will be the most non-directional post that i’ve tossed into the mix.  i was cleaning out a few files earlier, and came across the below; an outline for the donation-based healing collaborative that my being has been a-brewin’ for the past 12 years.  i believe at the time that i wrote it~ i was concocting a plan to submit it for some sort of project donation program.  while the exact details consistently morph…the larger vision remains the same.  i feel like i have placed actively swimming around in this idea on the back burner.  today, it’s been {heavily} on my mind.  ‘non-directional’ because there is little point other than to simply share…………..and, maybe, to push myself to pull it back out onto the table– stir the pieces around;).

indigo
center for healing & earth~nourished living

{or}

collaborative for transformational wellness

co~creating love, gratitude, good health & sustainability

the mission:

~to reconnect with our Earth in a way that allows healing for both ourselves and the planet….
and to celebrate this connection between our personal well~being and wild lands through
sustainable living practice and education.

~to establish a strong network of family and friends with a similar vision– sharing love, laughter,
resources, information and skills.

~to fully love and support each individual in their process of recognizing and understanding the
overwhelming power and stunning potential held with regards to their life path and global
purpose.

the vision:

~a donation-based education center focusing on health, healing and sustainability through individual consultations, small classes   and workshops.

the ‘collaborative/center’ will consist of a shared office space or piece of property with a few small yurts or sustainably constructed buildings used for workshops and/or lodging for over~night stays.  it will be a place to gather~ for people in the (immediate and far~reaching) community to share talents, resources, information and skills as they relate to creating/supporting health on either a personal or global level.

the path to making it happen: (the ‘wish list’)

people. (beautiful, love~centered souls…..)

it is my intention to draw in people who innately ‘get’ this~ who innately understand how important cultivating a close~knit community is and will be~ who understand how worthy it is/will be to reestablish the ability to live {more fully} off of the land below our feet~ who have something to offer that will serve to uplift and be of value to other souls.  many of us cannot afford to purchase land, alone….i want this opportunity to draw in people who *want* to be a part of this based on a deep and soulfully resonating ‘YES!!!’…souls who resonate at a place far beyond personal gain~ who know, deep within, that this idea will only come to fruition in its purest form~

land.

i have a piece of property in mind within walking/biking distance from the village of zionsville.  it is small, yet large enough for gatherings, communal gardens and all education~related adventures that i envision at this point.  there are two deteriorated buildings on the property that will need to be taken down/cleaned up.

yurts.

……two to begin with– for indoor classes/workshops or for over~night lodging.

this variety of public ‘idea pitching’ is far outside of my comfort zone…drawing in funds in this fashion, if i’m being entirely honest, feels like a bit of a stretch.  i recently read (and instantly loved;)) the following quote from will smith, ‘being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.‘  these days, i’m not interested in solid, well~organized thoughts and plans…and i’ve never enjoyed traveling the average path.  i’ve grown to recognize my comfort zone as an unproductive place to live……
combining interests in sustainable building, permaculture, off~grid living and wild food gathering~ i want to teach, learn and grow with others and, together, create a model of a more respectful, symbiotic and connected way of life with our planet.  i believe that it will happen….and, so, it will.

creating this center/community is one of my most passionate purposes in this life~ and i fully trust that it will take shape in perfect time, through the perfect group of people….and in the most pure and honorable of ways………. ♥

changing the gift-giving paradigm

A few years ago, I accompanied a friend to their family’s holiday gathering.  Since I wasn’t close to any attending family members, gift exchange was nowhere near the front of my mind.  Mid-way through the festivities, people began breaking out beautifully decorated packages~ I was so happy to sit back and simply watch.  My friend’s aunt (who was also hosting the party) quickly noticed my non-participating  stance and, wanting me to feel ‘a part’ of the exchange, grabbed the gaudiest, most hideous sounding plastic, snoring Santa statue and~ to my {slightly amused} horror~ presented it to me as a gift.  Naturally, I graciously accepted ‘snoring Santa’…and, to this day, my friend and I still occasionally indulge in a hearty laugh over the whole ordeal.  The second I returned home, I wasted no time hunting for the plastic recycling number on the bottom…and into the recycling basket it went.

Gift-giving. Rarely do we engage in an activity that solicits such a tangle of thoughts and values.

Of course, ‘snoring Santa’ hasn’t been the only gift that I’ve rerouted under-the-radar.  There have been countless gifts from countless holiday gatherings that have failed to make it inside our home.  Many (if not most) find a new home almost instantly.  My personal desire for a very simple life without clutter aside, I cringe when I think about the masses upon masses of pure plastic junk that is produced in our country year after year after (gift giving) year and despite the fact that I’ve made it a pre-holiday tradition to express to family members and close friends that I would love to enjoy a simple holiday gathering without the {near insane} hassle of obligatory buying for everyone, we still manage to drive home every year with a car-load of ‘goods.’

How important, really, is gift giving?  And, HOW MUCH do we really need??  One of my favorite memories as a child was listening to my mom read The Little House on the Prairie book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I was drawn to a simple way of living even then and vividly recall Laura’s description of their family’s Christmas.  In general, after a long trip to the nearest town, ‘Pa’ would typically have enough left over, after buying needed supplies, to bring each child a stick of candy…and there was one Christmas, in particular, where they were snowed in for months—receiving makeshift gifts and finally enjoying their Christmas meal months later.  It was all accepted with a spirit of appreciation for what they did have and the time that they were able to spend together.  I adore this variety of rustic gratitude…{much so.}

…Now, instead of waking up on Christmas morning to a new pair of socks or a bag of rock candy, children fully expect to be greeted by a slew (a fairly LARGE slew) of bags and boxes.

{sigh.}

On one hand, obligatory gift buying and giving long ago crossed a boundary into a consumer-centered, wasteful holiday tradition that is in desperate need of a lil’ shape-shifting.

The desire to delight your child, grandchild, niece or nephew with the latest and greatest game or toy runs right up against the {very likely} scenario of the toy in consideration being poorly made in another country, lacking in long-term play value, and being composed of umpteen plastic parts (most of which will be eaten by the vacuum or end up in the nearest landfill by the following month).

On the other hand, it is such a pleasure to make or buy a special gift and give it to someone you love with the purest desire to do so.

Either way, even if the act of wildly exchanging gifts is unlikely to change any year soon within your ‘circle of giving,’ there is one strategy that can cut through the conflicts of gift giving and make for much less of a burden~ both for recipients who might not share your unique tastes, and for our planet!  This particular purposeful focus hums to the subtle tune of simplicity and freedom from choking consumerism…and~ just as diggable~ makes shopping more enjoyable…in one word:

Consumables!!!

A consumable gift is one that will be used up, one that is not ‘stash-able’ until the next yard sale or thrift shop drop-off…it is not a material thing, a ‘keepsake,’ decoration, trinket; it is not on the fast and savvy track to adding to the clutter section of one’s sacred space.  A consumable is an experiential gift.  It is something that will be enjoyed by the recipient…yet, will have an end;).   Something to eat, something to read, something to bake, somewhere to go……

Let’s begin with the little ones.  I know from experience that a huge plastic art set lacks the play miles that come along with a simple pad of drawing paper and a nice set of colored pencils.  Likewise, instead of a huge ensemble of toy pots, pans, pretend food and packaging, go for a baking mix or a certificate for a mom & daughter cooking class.  Books are always a perfect gift for a child~ they can be read over and over, supporting quality family together time and, when no longer enjoyed, can easily be donated to the local library or thrift store.

Edibles are a no-brainer.  The holiday gift industry is well aware of the ‘for everyone appeal’ of themed packaged food.  However, before dishing out for a box of stale crackers, spread and salty meat~ consider creating your own bag of fresh and natural eats…or even a food share at a local farm or farmer’s market.

For your parents?  Forget passing along more ‘crafty pieces’ for their already full house.  Give them tickets to a play, movie or a certificate for dinner at a local restaurant.  Candles, note cards & stamps, soap, lotion, supplies for a project they’ve wanted to complete are all good ideas…or maybe a membership to a fitness center or ‘food/wine/fruit/chocolate of the month’ club.

For a close friend or lover~ get creative!  Plan an entire night or outing, include a massage, yoga session or other stress-relieving engagement—or simply orchestrate a relaxing evening at home.

Package up homemade trail mix, fresh fruit or an assortment of teas for colleagues and friends.

Again, think experience!  The possibilities are endless and it’s typically much more satisfying (for all involved, really) to piece together unique, useful offerings than it is to pack the trunk full of highly commercialized, ‘one size fits all’ gift bombs.

Cheers to preserving both our planet and our sanity…one [small, consumable] gift at a time;).

11:11

over the past couple of years, i’ve received numerous messages inquiring about my frequent posting and/or mention of ’11:11.’  while i realize the obscurity of repeatedly posting a particular time for many~ my posts are (mostly) intended as a gesture of acknowledgment and as a nod to those who are already locked in to the 11:11 cycle…and (partly) intended for those curious few who may be {subconsciously} looking for a synchronistic ‘push’ to explore new ground.  either way, the 11:11 topic has been on my ‘to write about’ list for a long while.  as, most-oft, the life story seems to go~ there have been many other projects begging for attention and/or the timing hasn’t felt quite right.  it could just be this rare opportunity that i’m taking to spend a few days sans kids, or my serene surroundings that are allowing time and space for a good 11:11 ‘dishing’—either way, i could not ignore the {very early} morning nudge to crawl out of bed and write a bit about it on this most fitting day of 11/11/11.

i began seeing ’11:11’ during my third year of college.  it was during a time when i was beginning to remember things that i had intuitively known during childhood and reconnecting with an awareness of co-existing realities.  what began as infrequent, but curiosity stirring sightings swiftly amassed into very frequent, typically twice a day, observations.  if i drifted off to sleep on the earlier side, i would often wake up at exactly that time to see the digital clock from across the room.  i was aware that i was seeing the number often…and i was aware that it was odd—in the sense that it felt significant to me, yet i had no idea why……and wouldn’t for many years to follow…

as i began linking up with people from around the world through healing work and the internet, i realized that many people, from many locations and stations of life, have had and/or are having the ‘11:11 experience.’  for each of these people that i’ve connected with, 11:11 or the number 11 holds unique significance.  (side note: 1111 is only one of many numerical patterns.  there are several other patterns at play in our world, instigating higher levels of awareness…1234, 444, and onward…)

while individual interpretations vary, the beautiful ‘tie-in’ wrapped around the 11:11 experience, the ‘mention’ that spans most, if not all, conversations is the innate knowing that it is being seen for a reason~ that there is a message in the sighting.  most believe that it’s not just a coincidence.  some believe that it’s their personal ‘wake up’ call.  the questioning of it all commences a very fascinating journey for many.  others view it as an opportunity to slow down and become more aware of the synchronicities around them and the lessons that these “meaningful coincidences” are bringing into their lives.

i’m not naïve to the notion that there are many skilled skeptics waiting to jump in with the suggestion that once you notice something enough to notably notice the notice (it makes sense and we both know it;)), you’ll see more of that something simply because you’re more consciously aware that it exists.  whenever i start driving a new car, for example, i suddenly begin seeing the same make and model everywhere i go…indeed, i don’t believe that after i bought my very first car back in 199’something, that the universe conspired to roll out a sh*te-load of chevy corsicas.  i just (finally) noticed that they exist.

this logical explanation is fine and dandy.  (aren’t all logical explanations?)  it’s prim and proper and scientifically in tip-top shape.  sure, i noticed the 11’s, then i expected to see more of them…and, then, i did…in that precise order.  admittedly, i’m not the most passionate about logical explanations…or logic, in general—i enjoy sprinklings here and there, but my passion lies near fully in things that can’t be wrapped up in nice, neat, pretty boxes with clean, perfect bows on the top.  several of the people that i’ve talked with at length about all of this have fully embodied webster’s definition of ‘skeptical.’  the interesting thing about 11:11 is that it seems to be able to sneak in regardless of personal belief systems.  the universe cannot show us things that lie outside of our excepted set of beliefs, it cannot show us things that we are not vibrationally ready for.  yet, the 11’s are just numbers—seeing several in one day, day after day after day is unlikely, but it’s not impossible and can always be chalked up as chance or as luck.

……none of this matters, really, though- once you notice the 11’s regardless of whether you believe they hold some magical, mysterious message for you, you’re in for a ride.  they begin popping up everywhere…you begin noticing…and thinking…and wondering…and examining…and questioning……and {again} noticing.  (it’s a cruel cycle;).)  they begin systematically taking apart limiting belief systems and slowly replacing them with a more awakened (and accurate) layout of reality…pushing you and making it possible for you to discover more expanded ways of viewing and feeling the surrounding world.

you may feel confused and disconnected, and it may take a long while to process through– when you feel ready, the next step is to consciously intend to see the truth about the world around you and how you fit into and are connected to this matrix.  intend it, think it, feel it–

as already mentioned above, there exists a universal law in which your reality must remain in agreement with your beliefs.  if you choose to maintain your old beliefs, nothing will be revealed to you that will violate them.  once you ditch old belief systems and paradigms, however, and are fully in a zone of comfort with embracing new ones~ evidence of alignment is quickly brought forth.  ‘reality’ begins to shift… incredible things begin to occur…

one of the first things most people, who enter the 11:11 doorway, notice is the surge of synchronicities in their  life.  highly improbably coincidences will begin to manifest with increasing frequency.

these synchronicities will begin to serve as a powerful guidance system for you. they act as universally communicated confirmations, of sorts~ ‘green light greetings’ to let you know that you’re on the right track.

in the beginning, the synchronicities may seem vague, but eventually they’re easily recognizable and focus provoking.  for example, it happens often that i begin the day with the notion to explore a new idea, and later move on to meet up with a friend who offers a piece of information that is almost eerily aligned with my thoughts earlier in the day…and as we’re discussing the idea, i’ll look up to notice that the time on the clock is 11:11.  –confirmation that it would be in my highest and best interest to further explore that idea.

11:11 is a doorway to a new level of existence, a new awareness of being.  it is the inception of a greater understanding of reality, of an increased ability to download information effortlessly…but, it’s only one of many ways for the world to nudge us into greater awareness.  for every path taken, there are countless, individually tailored lessons to be learned along the way and while we are all here for the purpose of growth and soulful evolvement, we each need to honor the ways and the timeline for which our growth is occurring by only traveling in a way that feels comfortable and right…the LARGEST, most reliable indicator, after all, of path alignment resides in our intuitive prowess.

{onward and upward…}

our power is affirmed through our choice and our choice is affirmed through our creation.  what seemed an obstacle before now will shift into an invitation to advance.  this is the energy of  11/11/11.  –support arrives, purpose becomes more clear, and our multi-dimensional, co-creative potential is enhanced by our willingness to simultaneously let go and allow…

~to our continued, endearing journey~

enjoy,

c.

power versus force

the love that i feel pouring forth these days is immense and powerful.  it flows in the forms of vision and kind intention/expectation…it flows in the forms of authentic connection and unwavering trust in the surrounding sacred concert of life…it flows right now, as i write, in the form of happy, gently rolling tears and a sincere wish to embrace each of you.

the below excerpt, from ‘power versus force,’ was the last thing i recall reading last night before i drifted asleep.  i smiled while taking it in—and enjoyed vivid, connection-strewn dreams.  i awoke this morning with the book, still open to the same passage, tucked underneath my pillow…and, so, i read it again…and, again, i smiled.

i want to share it with you, today.

if you can and want to {instead of simply reading it in a rush, sitting here at the computer,} please wait until the distraction of the day’s routine fades a bit—until you have time to get cozy, brew a hot cup of tea or other soothing drink…indulge deeply in self-love as you take in love.  read, and then re-read…lean into the transformations that are presently occurring in your own being…then, lean into the transformation that is presently occurring in the entire world around us.

beautiful global shifts…

beautiful, soul-full advancements…

i feel as though i communicate with and on behalf of the energy of us as one when i write that i love you.  i truly do.  and, i hold (at all times) the vision in my heart/mind/soul of you~ of us~ as beautiful, balanced, joyful, healthy, vibrant and thriving beings.

 enjoy…

 

‘…eventually it can lead us to compassion for everyone, when we see how we all must struggle with the downside of human nature.  everyone is crippled in some area, and everyone is somewhere on the path of evolution, some ahead of us and some behind.  in the steps we have walked are the old lessons of life, and before us are new teachings.

there is nothing to feel guilty about and nothing to blame.  there is no one to hate, but there is that which is better avoided, and such blind alleys will become increasingly apparent.  everyone has chosen his own level of consciousness, yet nobody could have done otherwise at any given point in time.  we can only get ‘there’ from ‘here.’  every leap has to have a platform from which to originate.  pain exists to promote evolution; its cumulative effect finally forces us in a new direction, though the mechanism may be very slow.  …slowly, by inches, does civilization advance.

…condemnation disappears with understanding, as does guilt.  all judgment reveals itself to be self-judgment in the end, and when this is understood a larger comprehension of the nature of life takes its place.

that which is injurious loses its capacity to harm when it is brought into the light.  and now nothing need remain hidden.  every thought, action, decision or feeling creates an eddy in the interlocking, interbalancing, ever-moving energy fields of life, leaving a permanent record for all of time.  this realization can be intimidating when it first dawns on us, but it becomes a springboard for rapid evolution.

in this interconnected universe, every improvement we make in our private world improves the world at large for everyone.  we all float on the collective level of consciousness of mankind, so that any increment we add comes back to us.  we all add to our common buoyancy by our efforts to benefit life.  what we do to benefit life automatically benefits all of us because we are all included in that which is life.  we are life…

simple kindness to one’s self and all that lives is the most powerful transformational force of all.  it produces no backlash, has no downside, and never leads to loss or despair.  it increases one’s own true power without exacting any toll.  but to reach maximum power such kindness can permit no exceptions, nor can it be practiced with the expectation of some selfish reward.  and its effect is as far reaching as it is subtle.

in a universe where ‘like goes to like’ and ‘birds of a feather fly together,’ we attract to us that which we emanate.   consequences may come in an unsuspected way.  we are kind to the elevator man, and a year later a helpful stranger gives us a hand on a deserted highway.  an observable ‘this’ does not cause an observable ‘that.’  instead, in reality, a shift in motive or behavior acts on a field which then produces an increased likelihood of responding in a positive way.  our inner work is like building up a bank account, but one from which we cannot draw at will.  the disposition of the funds is determined by a subtle energy field which awaits a trigger to release this power back into our own lives.

dickens’ a christmas carol is the story of all our lives.  we all are scrooge.  we are all tiny tim.  all of us are both selfish and lame in some areas.  we are all victims like bob cratchit, and we are all as indignantly moralistic as mrs. cratchit refusing to toast scrooge.  the ghost of christmas  past haunts all of our lives; the spirit of christmases to come beckons us all to make the choices that will enhance both our own existence and that of others…

all avenues of questioning lead to the same ultimate answer.  the discovery that nothing is hidden and truth stands everywhere revealed is the key to enlightenment about the simplest practical affairs and the destiny of mankind.  in the process of examining our everyday lives we can find that all our fears have been based on falsehood.  the displacement of the false by the true is the essence of healing of all things visible and invisible.

…and always a final question will eventually arise for every questioner—the biggest question of all:  ‘who am i?’……………

 

i love the {simultaneously} unornamented, yet multifarious nature of these types of questions.  more-so; i love that if we push our mind’s chatter aside, we each know exactly who we are (even if it’s a distant and silent recognition, lost and unaware).

we know what is good, and what is true.

we recognize connection.

we embrace community.

awakened.

unified.

 ‘power is total and complete in itself and requires nothing from outside itself.  it makes no demands; it has no needs.  because force has an insatiable appetite, it constantly consumes.  power energizes, gives forth, supplies and supports.  power gives life and energy.  force takes these away.  we notice that power is associated with compassion and makes us feel positively about ourselves.  force is associated with judgment and makes us feel badly about ourselves.’  ~d. hawkins

take in a powerful day,

c.

souls travel in; souls travel out.

these past two weeks have been fairly normal~ school, work, together-time, untogether-time, mind/soul nourishment, body nourishment, laughter, cuddling…it’s all been here and, again, reasonably routine—except for this one thing:  andy’s dad is dying.

while the kids have, unsurprisingly to us, been handling the entire situation with unfastened reverence and grace—for andy and i, juggling the day-to-day dance, while honoring the sacred’ity of this experience has largely been little short of a struggle.

there are things to be said, things to be wrapped up, time to be spent, people to be called, events to be organized…

…………and from somewhere in the mix~ bright, fiery and flaring, as if to shadow all of these task-oriented on-goings~ there radiates this cycle.  this cycle of life and of accompanying love.  of pain and of physical loss.  of birth and of rebirth.  of forgiveness and of understanding.  of repetition and of comfort.  of knowing and then of not knowing.  it is both human and it is ethereal.  it is circular.  it is embracive.  it is for us and it is through us………..

for many, even those who firmly grasp an awareness of the ‘after’ and ‘between’ Earth energetics, there is this small fraction of unknowing…unknowing in the ways that have been most recently tangible and familiar, anyway…..and that, in turn, naturally supports a small amount of fear.

regardless of the company he keeps~ both from this dimension and the other~ andy’s father is scared.  –sparking from this place of alarm and unreserved vulnerability~ clarity seems to emanate through only seconds of interaction …….through these split-seconds of unspoken exchange during the past couple of weeks,

i’ve learned that you might not see the depth of a soul until right before their journey back……

i’ve also learned that death can be a powerful igniter of healing…of connection and of understanding.  people feel the power of death.  there’s a sacred energy around a soul readying to wrap up this ‘program’ and return home that touches even the most disconnected of bystanders……

most notably to me, i’ve (re)learned that it is not necessary to enjoy the company of another soul to feel vast amounts of gratitude and love for them and their journey…… this experience has gifted me another glimpse at the divine unity of our collective presence.  the love that we all share regardless of who we are or what our plans are or have been for this life is borderless.

here in the physical realm~ the death experience, in general, largely hums to the tune of misunderstanding.  we are non-physical, eternal vibration being expressed through a human body.  our time here is to refine who we are– to work towards who we are to become.  we come through as pure, joyful energy…yet, death is a concept, an event that we are warned about almost immediately upon entering this time/space reality.  we begin to feel anxious about it~ to push against it.  we associate death with something not wanted or welcomed~ something to avoid at any cost.

…i occasionally think about how nice it would be for all of us to achieve a ‘transition’ illuminated by pure relaxation, appreciation and ease– to ‘wrap up’ our time here by simply saying (or thinking): ‘this life has been so fulfilling…i have learned all that i came here to learn…i acknowledge the perfection of this experience, i am whole and complete and i am ready to reemerge into the pure love that i am.’

there is no death.
there is no separation.
there is only time spent learning…
there is only union…and reunion.

…where there is fear and resistance towards dying, there is also fear and resistance towards living……

souls travel in.
souls travel out.
both journeys are significant.
both journeys are good.