In a Body, In a Group, Altogether = Whole

As we travel deeper into life, we become more acutely aware that we are bigger than the sum total of our parts.

 We realize we aren’t the greatest thinker, the wisest one, the brightest light bulb, ( hahaha that right there was funny cuz I did this thing with being the most illumined and..ahem…umm…)

…ahem, so we realize all of that. 

But the miraculous thing is that, no matter what we are NOT, we ARE (always) a vital part of the whole picture. If that were not true then why are we here. We are, each one of us, a Vital part of the Whole. 

As progeny ( or we could say reflections or aspects, how ever it resonates with you ) of Creator, we ARE individual embodiments of Holy Aspects of The One True God. I prefer to call her, Divine One and you may have a name that resonates with you, but whatever you call The One, realize that you are crafted and brought forth  because of Her desire to experience life the way you are going to live it. 

Now, see yourself, but as another...as millions of 'others', scattered all over this beautiful globe, all coming forth from one Creator, truly brothers and sisters with all other aspects of creation, all here from One Divine Source. Feel that connection…let your heart live into that for a while...

Now lets look at one life. A life wanting to fulfill Divine Creators purpose and wanting to understand it's individual journey. How is this possible…?

All that makes you, you, all your thoughts, gestures, idiosyncrasies, talents, abilities, characteristics, perceptions, flaws, fears, Etc. ALL these are merely aspects of the Whole of You. Any one of these things is no closer to being the whole of you than one leaf is to being the whole of the tree from which it grows. And consider, now, all the things that you are maturing out of and all the things you are maturing into. ALL of that is the Whole You.

In order to experience your Wholeness, you must come to realize and understand this Wholeness in its purest state. But experiencing Wholeness in its purest state can not be done by holding it up to another standard…that is being Separate. Wholeness  is… well,, it is Wholeness. You can not experience your Wholeness by seeing it as separate from all the rest of creation, or separated out by time and space.

You thought you knew you…well sit down and think/connect some more.

 And once we have felt this Oneness with THE  Whole, maybe then, when we lift up our eyes and see another, we will see ourselves reflected…and True compassion for self and other will fill our Whole Beings.

In the Crack of life, you know, it seems like it should be a tight space… and yet there is all the room you will ever need…its all there…One. One Whole amazing miracle where you and 'other' are a vital, shimmering aspect of it All. 

Without you, or without the other…there is a very dark void where there should be  sparkles of magnificence.

Together, we are more fabulous than the sum total of our parts,…we are Whole.

Namaste

A Small Key

 The activities we find ourselves involved ( and sometimes lost )  in, whether by choice, duty, obligation; even those situations we feel we have been forced into by circumstances that seem out of our control, these are the very pathways gifted to us which we are able to explore in order to find our connection to the very vastness, beauty and healing of The Divine Creator. Often times these same activities then become the ways through which we are able to manifest the results of that exploration, the witness of that vast beauty, the healing we have received. They become the vehicle through which we can share our findings with those who are  waiting for someone,...Anyone,... to come up alongside and  by way of a word, a gentle touch, a personal story… offer a small 'key' to the heavy door that they want to open. How far they open it, even if but a ‘crack’, isn't the concern for us…open is open.

Sometimes, growth only requires a crack … :-0… ;-) 

Am I Using The Word "Literally" Correctly? : Oiy

The last few days have been quite intense and exhilarating. I signed up to participate in an online retreat through a beautiful web site called www.awakeningwomen.com and have been blessed from my head to my toes since it started 4 days ago. 

The retreat is an amazing journey into the deepest parts of your being. Down into the ugly bits that we hide away and then pretend are not there in hopes they will go away. Of course they don't go away. Like a horrid mold, they rage on in the damp, dark corners of your secret self. There they fester and grow pungent under the heavy stones of denial, thickening in viscosity and threatening to erupt like an angry boil.

Ahhhhhhh.....sorry, I digress.

So, during this retreat then, the participants have been asked to seek deeply. To embrace honesty as a constant companion. The rewards are far greater for the Divine Warrior. The one who really wants to, and does, overturn the stones and dig into the corners. 

All this exhausting emotional work is to be stuffed into every tiny, available, empty crevasse of a moment the day may provide, while living out your daily "normal" activities.

Today, day four, I am finally stripping myself of some of those things I do without even thinking much about them. Those ways of perceiving, thinking, reacting, behaving that have been a part of me since I was a tiny girl. 

They worked for a time, but now, now when I desire more of me...when I desire to BE more of ME, they no longer serve. They may have, at one time, been established to protect me. Now? Now after all this time and all the hurts and failures they have morphed into enemies and they keep me from fully embracing ALL of me. I spend too much time fighting them back, fighting to keep the good above and the ugly below. I am ready to embrace ALL the good and ALL the bad. 

Mind you when I say I am out to embrace the bad, I am not saying, like I have heard so many say of late " That's who I am and I am not going to change!" Saying that I am embracing that which hides in the darkness is NOT saying "This me, good and bad, and I am not changing!" How very, very sad to not want to change! To not want to look at what hinders, and name it, thereby removing all of its power.

No, no, I want to name it, bring it out in the light of day. Dig into the corners, over turn the rocks and expose the ugly mess to the sunshine. Dry it up, so to speak, so that instead of it bubbling and boiling under the surface waiting to erupt with any tiny bump of frustration or indignation when a weird text comes or an odd Facebook comment is posted or someone leaves their dirty dishes all over the house or the dog chews yet another window sill off, instead of it erupting and causing havoc on all fronts, I can, at my leisure,  turn to where it lays quiet and domesticated…waiting and willing to serve my highest good.

In this way I can calmly access it in order that it may inform my authentic response instead of being over powered by it and catapulted into an ill advised reaction, judgment, or just numbed by it so that I can't respond at all. 

So, you see, this is why I decided I needed to find something to wear this morning that would be a visual outward manifestation of this cleansing process that is taking place on such a profound level.

I chose a sweet, white, lacy knee length shift.

I took a hot bath with lavender oil. 

I slipped the shift over my head and as it fell into place over my aging hips I began to feel a bit lighter and released from the heavy, emotional work.

I never, ever wear thongs..but today? Today I decided I needed to feel like perhaps I could get away with it. No one would know. There would be no judgements.

The day was perfection...meditations, incense, candles, prayers, me in my white lace dress.

Here is the thing about being a bit ....hmmmmm....let's use voluptuous...being a bit voluptuous and wearing a thong. Sometimes...and it's only sometimes… one who is voluptuous can forget it is there.

And so perfection ends after several cups of tea and a lonnnng meditation …I run into the bathroom and sit...and wonder..."Why is this such an odd experience? I don't normally have this strange flow of….OMG!!!!!"

Now...I ask you,...can I say that this is "literally" Life Between The Cracks?? 

Hahahahahahahahaha awwwwww 

Peace and Laughter In Your Journey!

Peace,

Everyday Life, Everyday Miracles!

There are so many times when the Universe attempts to guide and support us.

Divinity, by virtue of its essence, is in every thing, every one, every breath you are given to take.

The Divine One created (all), not to abandon, but to uplift, celebrate, and co-create an abundant life and experience.

There are times when the manifestation of Divine Love in our lives is overwhelming, unmistakable and exceedingly vibrant. Those experiences often times fall under the heading of "Rites Of Passage". We can look to those days, and without effort, know that The Divine One has been present and has gifted us with unspeakable comfort in the midst of Joy and sometimes ( if you are open ) Sorrow.

When you are willing to live Life Between The Cracks you can See with a deep knowing the presence of Divinity in All that transpires. For Divinity is not so big that she refuses to be found in the tiny.

I have two wonderful examples of this that have blessed me down to my socks. They are typical of what we can choose to see on a daily basis. If we choose....

The first took several days to come to fruition and at the onset I had no idea what wonderful energy was assisting me.

I had been online three weeks ago looking for a Metaphysical Shop to go and browse through on my upcoming visit to Sedona, Az. I had been to several shops there and just felt as though I would like to branch out a bit. Up popped a web site for a place ( didn't make note of the name) and I jotted down the address....355 Jordon Rd.

The scrap of paper that I wrote it on sat next to my computer up until the day before I left when I moved it into the kitchen to add to the cra... I mean important items in my purse.

Up early the next morning, I inventoried all that I was taking so as not to forget anything, packed my bags and self into the car, and off I went leaving the little scrap of paper on the counter.

The thing is, I will often leave lists out to look at for days if not weeks so that in the event it gets lost or forgotten, I can recall in my minds eye what was on the paper. So when I arrived in Sedona I did remember the address...355 Jordon Road.

This particular trip to Sedona was for a workshop of sorts and we were kept mesmerized every day for five days. At the end of each day I really didn't want to immerse myself in the frenetic energy of main street and all its shoppers, so I didn't look for 355 Jordon Rd.

On day six there was no class and so I spent my morning in quiet meditation and getting ready for a massage. The massage itself was great but the best part was the woman who gave me the massage. We had a great chat about a book I had JUST purchased about Karuna Reiki. She herself was a Karuna Reiki Master and was able to share with me that the woman who wrote the book I was reading owned the shop we were in and she owned two others. One of the shops was where classes were held on Karuna Reiki and so I decided I would go there to check it out for myself. The massage therapist gave me directions. "Up around the traffic circle heading north on 89A to the main street and it is up on the left." The directions were not great ones I must admit. It was not that straight forward but I ended up driving right to it...despite not following the direction after getting through the traffic circle.

The shop is called The Peace Place. I was in heaven the moment I entered and I spent the first thirty minutes just slowly wondering through all the shelves of crystals.

Before I knew it I was engaged in a wonderful conversation with a woman from Ohio and we chatted for quite a while. I was able to share a lot of information with her not the least of which was the information about the Workshop I had just attended and that the directors also own and operate a wonderful massage facility and an energetically pure Aromatherapy Oil Line.  ( all under the name of "Stillpoint Aromatics" ) The excitement in this woman grew and grew until she reached out her hand, and with moist eyes said..."Before coming here I knew I was going to meet three people who would be important to my time here...and you are one of them!"

WHAT!!!! What a blessing to have been told such a thing! It was humbling and joy-filled!! I felt as though that sentence capped off my whole time in Sedona that trip. I knew that I was meant to have been at that shop, on that day, at that time. I knew it was a time co-created with Divine for a purpose and that purpose had been, in part, revealed to me giving me such a blessing in my Spirit.

I left about an hour and a half later with a selenite crystal and a full heart. Oh! And a pamphlet for The Peace Place so I could visit them online when I got home.

If you ever go to Sedona you, too, may want to visit the Peace Place....you can find it at 355 Jordon Rd.


                               ************** SECOND STORY************

The second experience I would like to share with you happened yesterday. Again it is a beautiful reminder that All moments are supported energetically and if you allow yourself to put ego aside (you know, bad ego that says you "can't" ...you are "imagining"...you are "only" human, etc ) you are awakened to this support and amazing guidance.

I was traveling to an appointment along the PA turnpike. My time in the car would total about 50 minutes one way. Time in the car is often a time I can share Reiki Energy with others who have given permission to send them this balancing and healing energy when ever I feel called to or when it is convenient. Its not a perfect time but any little "pop" of helpful energy is better than none I figure.

So I am driving along and I am sending energy to this particular person...envisioning in my minds eye that my hands are at the persons head and helpful energy is flowing from above, through me, to this person. After 15 minutes I then feel as though I should see my hands move to the stomach area and on the right side. I feel I should leave them there for 8 minutes. So I check the clock and exactly 8 minutes later I imagine moving my hands to the other side of the stomach and I think to myself...( well, I think I am going to be leaving the highway soon, so should I just do six minutes on this side??...I glance down and check the clock and when I look back up there is a huge lighted road sign blinking  "8 Min." ...... After 8 minutes of sending Reiki, my exit appeared on the right.

Life Between The Cracks just doesn't get much better that this!!!!

Blessings to you!

Sometimes

Sometimes there is a moment in a morning that is so deep and still, so genuine, that your heart immediately rests in it and finds healing.

Sometimes these moments hide between sips of your morning coffee.

Between putting on your socks and then your shoes.

Sometimes I have discovered them between brush strokes of my hair , between notes of a favorite song or between words of my morning prayer.

Sometimes the healing in these moments is so profound that I am good for nothing except to spend the day in gratitude and joy.

Sometimes these moments hold enough peace to last the whole day.

Dont overlook your next moment.

My View Over Coffee

My view over coffee evolved from a deep desire to share the Sacred Energy that I perceive in what I see. We all see it. Many do not recognize it.

Often we have chosen to believe that Life is not really of value or satisfying or SAFE or Sacred unless we have certain things, are certain things, behave in certain ways, hold certain perspectives, agree with certain others, are doing certain things...you know your own "thing"....I certainly know mine!

In my Sacred Journey I have been shown many dark places in my being.

I have been shown many more Light places.

 I have also been shown a path. Sometimes I have walked it in complete darkness and lost my way for a time. But the Path Maker always finds me, waits for me to reach out my hand and then leads me on into Light again.

In those times when I found myself unable to see well, or at all, I KNEW I was still "looking" at Sacredness. Darkness is just as Sacred as the Light. Made by the same Path Maker they live in complete Balance and Harmony. When we walk in one, the other waits to receive us with all of its Sacred Lessons at the ready. Lessons come illumined by the Moon as well as the Sun.

I have a wonderful affirmation that I say every day..."As I learn the lessons life is teaching me, I grow into greater Joy and Freedom".  Difficult or easy, the lessons offered to me are all beautifully crafted for my highest good. Yours are too!

Whether you are in a time of deep darkness or blinding bright light, if you take the time to sit quietly and Look, you will know that what you see is meant to be Sacred. No matter what the view, if you ask for it, it will feed you Spiritually on a deep Soul level.

So grab a cuppa and settle in...take 3 deep breaths and let go of what ever comes to mind and then....enjoy your Sacred view.

Grandmother Willow

I took a walk today. Turkey Swamp Lake and Campground. I didn't know why when I started out, but I knew I had to take a hike and I ended up there. After a sweet encounter with a woman who wants to ride a motorcycle, I headed off towards the lake...well actually towards the playground and then got confused, doubled back and AHHHhh theres the path to the lake.

As I found my way past boaters and picnickers, kids flying kites and couples teaching their children to paddle canoes and then onto the path that led to the open meadow, I felt connected.

I had my "walking companion" ( given to me by a fellow "companion" maker from Michigan ), my western hat to keep the sun off my face, and a peace filled spirit.

I wandered a bit in the meadow, not knowing which way to go. Looking straight up into father sky, deep blue...fluffy clouds...bright warm autumn sun and a cool, fresh breeze, I was happy. Then I saw a tree. She seemed to call to me. I wandered over and sure enough...a willow. She was bent over the bog. She had obviously taken some strong wind, but remained sturdy and strong and alive. Her roots were well into the boggy area, but I noticed a dry,  mounded pathway to her base and I felt as though she just wanted some company, so I accepted her invitation to lay against her, over the bog. She felt solid and happy that I was there.

I swear I heard her say thank you....so I said thank you back. Then she said ( in a spunky old grandmotherly voice ) " You wanna see something?"

It occurred to me that you don't refuse a talking tree anything, so I reverently said "sure".

"Look up" she said. As I raised my eyes to look up into her branches and this tree that had had nothing in it prior to, and upon, my arrival suddenly filled with little finches. "You like birds, I know" she said.

"Thank You, Grandmother Willow."

"You are Welcome, Little One" she said. "Hey, if you are willing to wait patiently I will show you something else."

As I relaxed against her more fully I heard her tell me to be more peaceful, and to look. Several minutes went by and then, to my left and barely visible because of her overhanging branches, I see a white crane. "Isn't she something?" says Grandmother.

Then I asked Grandmother if it could come a bit closer. The next thing I know I hear her call whatever the Crane was feeding on, and immediately the Crane turns to face us and begins her slow, deliberate walk towards us.

It just doesn't get better than that! Evidently, Life Between The Cracks is Sacred Space! WHO KNEW??

xxoo