Sweeter than honey. Thank you, Oshun!

Recently, almost simultaneously, two separate and very different projects took directions I did not anticipate. In fact I never could have expected it, as both projects were presented as creative, intelligent, community-driven alternatives to the failures of outdated models. As a visionary full of hope, I was wildly excited to participate in the creation processes. Both projects were framed by concepts of cooperation, unity, with humility and honor as cornerstones. Naturally, I rolled up my sleeves and jumped right in. Sharing my gifts freely, I recruited associates to assist as well as the concepts began to materialize into structures.

And build we did. But the day came (and maybe even the same day!) that both structures began supporting practices I cannot, and will not, defend as honorable. Eeeww! Well, that's some karma back on me, for sure. Knowing there must be a lesson here, gift-wrapped with my name on the tag, I went searching. By canoe of course, in the tradition of the old ones!

At first I thought the lesson was about trust. In trust, something was given now, an exchange and a commitment, in hope of getting something back in the future. Trusting is enabling other people to take advantage of you—but expecting that they won't. But people will, and do, so you forgive them and move on. Been there, done that, I knew there was more!

I live an abundant life and I'm good at sharing. My kids are too. I teach and I expect that we can all attract abundance by simply conducting ourselves and our lives in an open-handed, open-hearted manner. Yet, here I was, about to swallow the bitter pill of disappointment. Worse, I was feeling the ugly tug of resentment because my ample generosity was not met with the expected results. But that's not how it is supposed to work! I should have been tasting the sweet honey of a life lived well!

Thankfully, clarity dawned with a bit more meditation, Oshun's blessings, and long paddles along the shoreline with my big, wet dog...

The sweetness of life. I taste that honey as I contemplate the results my charitable actions may have on the lives of others in places like Kenya and Tibet. These are people I will never meet, and who will never thank me. Here, I receive the greatest gifts in return for my kindness. My heart opens, my spirit soars, I deepen, I am one of us. Why? Because here I give with no expectation.

Ooohhh, aha! (love it!) When the gifts we give are laden down with expectations, they cease to be "gifts" and become "units" of exchange that we are, in effect, trading for some reward. Thus, the reciprocal laws of the greater, joyful, creative universe err on the side of the giver who truly shares for the sake of sharing! All else is simply a business deal. If I am disappointed in the direction of the projects I worked on, it is only because I didn't have a signed contract expressly stipulating all terms. I was never clear on the conditions. My bad. Next time. Business is business. And, I like to be in control of my business.

But giving is love!

And loving is about relinquishing control! Now and forever more, if I have trouble divesting myself of my expectations, I can realize am not acting in the true spirit of giving. I am working. And each time I do gift, whether in spiritual or tangible ways, I will ask myself if there is something I hope to receive in return. I will see what truly is.

Knowing this, giving becomes a profound joy that stands alone, separate from any and all conditions. I appreciate the flow of reciprocal abundance as a gift in and of itself. When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive gifts based on giving gifts, real bounty – the kind that sends your spirit soaring – can once again flow freely in and out of our lives. Sweeter than honey. Thank you, Oshun.

I made a donation to Heifer this morning, and I don't know what will be done with it... bees, seeds, a water buffalo? I do not need to. I gave it with love!

May you be blessed!

Bathing In Blessings: Creating Structure

In this Sunday morning series, "Bathing in Blessings," I will teach you how to make wonderful elixirs that combine energies from minerals, herbs, and essential oils that you can use to add light to your lifestyle, and improve the quality of your life. For basic directions on how to make synergistic elixirs, please refer to the blog archives (right) on read the blog posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008, "Bathing in Blessings Lesson One: Forgivenes."

Humanity is Ascending. Much has been written on the subject, but for our purposes it is enough to say that we are changing, and waking up to our true divine nature and unlimited creative potential. And, as we may create sacred space in our environment in which to meditate or commit to a yoga practice, and restock our kitchens with healthy foods to support physical energy and health, we must also create a structure to hold the energy of creation before it can manifest in the physical world. In a very basic way, we are learning to hold more light, create with light, and add light to all aspects of our being.

Creating Structure. Structure is the formation vibration which when applied holds the space for layering other vibrations together for the completion or creation of a thought regardless of the creational level or dimension in which it is born. Much as a cup contains or holds the space for a potential mixing or blending in third dimension, structure provides a similar function in the energetic realms. Another way of perceiving structure is as a template or gridwork through which other vibrations may be woven. Structure provides a pathway for creation, development, or communication. The ingredients that effectively combine to create a structure elixir are lavender (essential oil), amethyst (mineral), and Saw Palmetto (herb).

A flower, a herb, a color, a scent, Lavender is each of these. Easy to grow and easy to appreciate, lavender is well worth getting to know as a flower and an aromatic herb. Although the flower buds are poopular in sachets and dream pillows, the stems and leaves of lavender can be used in dishes in place of rosemary in most recipes. To add a delightful twist to your next barbeque, place your favorite fruit on lavender stems and grill! For soothing lavender tea, brew 1 - 2 tsp whole herb per cup of hot water.

Lavender is a useful essential oil for the skin and for the mucous membranes. Lavender assists the skin in regenerating and has many acids that are supportive for healing dry skin conditions. Lavender oil is useful to mix with lemon and clove oil to help heal the gums and teeth; or for a toothache. Much has been written on the soothing properties of Lavender and it's obvious health benefits, so I won't go into those here. Instead, I am going to concentrate on how Lavender's energetic signature impacts the subtle bodies and assists in creation and manifestation.

Lavender provides the tone of creation related to structure which creates a new movement of energy flow that is rotational and magnetic. You will use a pure lavender essential oil as a base for your elixir. Advanced practioners can make their own lavender oil from thier medicinal gardens, but orgainic oil is readily available at health food stores, natural phamacies, and on-line.

Amethyst also assist you in restructuring your life and field to become unity based, or in other terms, embrace the flower of life energy flow. You can use a rough amethyst cluster or a faceted gemstone, or create a grid of amethysts and quartz points around your lavender oil.

Add the herb Saw Palmetto, which will assist you in ascending into the a new structure upon a biological level, which is crystalline. Throughout history, Saw Palmetto has been respected for its healing qualities. The Mayans drank it as a tonic, and the Seminole Indians used the berries as an expectorant and antiseptic. Saw Palmetto assists with the transmutative process during which cells re-compose themselves into a new genetic structure. In a deep way, Saw Palmetto acts as a bridge to assure that the new crystalline, genetic structure becomes physical in the act of biological ascension.

Elixirs are most often used by drinking glasses of charged water. They can also be used topically on the skin or put in bath water. A great way to absorb the elixirs is to mix them into your body lotionor blend into a salt or sugar scrub. These areall excellent methods of absorption into the body. You can also add them to distilled water in a clean spray bottle to create aura mysts.

Throughout time, Lightworkers have worked to see humanity ascend to a new level of awareness known as unity consciousness,a peaceful state of co-existence with all species upon Earth. And it is for this purpose that I share these powerful formulas, to serve in the momentum towards unity within the human experience, now. May we be blessed with a new era of peace, joy, abundance and love.