Wishing You The Spirit of Christmas!

"Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.

To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy,

is to have the real spirit of Christmas." 

~Calvin Coolidge, 1927

Today, for me, begins this years Christmas season "moment." Because for me, memories have an energy attached to them which resonates far longer, and far stronger, than the words that were said, the food that was served, the presents under the tree.

Today I get myself centered in the Spirit of Christmas.

"Christmas is that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, 

that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.

It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer,

but always it will be a day of remembrance,

a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. "

~Augusta E. Rundel

Today, as I wrap the gifts, plan our meals, shop for groceries, begin the baking... as I tidy up and cut some last minute greens to bring in to freshen the arrangements, I will be mindful of the energy I bring to each task.

I will let someone with a larger cart and three tired children go ahead of me in line at the market and I will entertain the children for those five minutes so the mother can catch a break.

I will drop off a few baskets for people I do not know, but do know that they deserve a gesture of love and goodwill.

I will make a few stops to express my gratitude in person to the Wise Women at the Post Office who go the extra mile to keep my business running smoothly, to the Butcher who saves the best bones for the "Lab Gang," and to my Housekeeper who joyfully does the things I don't like to do so I may do the things I do, in a beautiful, clean environment.

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself..."
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

And I will bring this Spirit home...

First I'll fill my bird feeders and throw corn and peanuts on the ground for the squirrels.

I'll give the dogs big fresh bones and light a fire for them to sit in front of while they feast and I bake.

I will enter this moment with a song in my heart, gratitude for my blessings, and hope for our world.

Every year I purchase a fresh bottle of laundry detergent and put a bow on it ( meaning Mom's got you covered, just leave it and I'll do it). I know that all three boys will bring mountains of smelly manboy clothes with them as they bound through the door, and head straight for the kitchen. I will wash and dry the loads for them, it's secretly a gift to myself, I can inhale the traces of their luscious being before I toss the piles in the wash. I laugh that I once complained about those socks all thru the house. They are pure joy!

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients
of a truly merry Christmas"

~Peg Bracken

My family is healthy and happy. There won't be a lot of gifts under the tree for everyone is traveling. I  have always preferred to give gifts of experience, of new people and places, rather than things. When the boys were young and we found ourselves in a hotel far from evergreens and our box of ornaments we would decorate a "Christmas chair" with colorful snowflakes cut from folded brochures from the concierge's desk.

Some years we would celebrate a made up-named evening just by being together and grabbing a cheeseburger, once it was Whistlereve... in Cananda, we had burgers but no gifts, and went to bed at around 9pm.  We woke to fresh powder and we caught the first tram to the top of the mountain. My (at the time) eight-year old, gazing down at the tops of snow covered trees, said in awe, to no none in particular, "That's what Christmas looks like to Santa."

Not a single wrapped gift. Grateful for warm hats and mittens. And a new point of view. Forever.

The energy in the gift has always been, "Go for it, think outside the box, work with what you have, it's just perfect, this moment."

And it is still, "Pursue your passion, try something new, travel into the unknown, go!!!"

(They need clean clothes for that.)

Not everything is perfect. Yes, there are things I am concerned about and working toward. The past few months have been intense, and I am a bit exhausted. I am playing with new ideas, weighing interesting opportunities that challenge me to step further into myself and my own gifts. But in all the challenges we face, we can still push the pause button for a moment and freeze frame the experience we are in, and fully enjoy the distinct moment we are in right now as long as the Spirit of Christmas is present and the energy we bring to the moment is Love.

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts."

~Janice Maeditere

So take a break. Realize that the best gifts are those of time and of love. Wrap those in the energy of the open heart and you've got Christmas. A moment to cherish. No matter where you are, no matter what you have, or have not... and here, this is how you make snowflakes for Christmas Chairs:

http://www.highhopes.com/snowflakes.html

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. 

In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."

~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

May you be blessed!

Teaching Reiki, Learning Lessons

A long story, short: A customer bought some oils from me. Then she copied the product listings from my website, posted the oils for sale on her website and proclaimed for herself the skill set I use to create my products. FYI, she has never been my student, she does not posess these particular skills as I know them. Some of my students do, and they have my blessings and my support – endless, infinite support.

Weeks later she purchased 12 imperfect Tachyon cubes on Bonanzle, seconds, and listed them along with my product text, word for word, except for the part about them being seconds. She copied my Tachyon FAQs page and imagined it was her own experiences that flavored her recommendations and insights, and advice.

OK, aside from this being a legal issue, a common sense issue, and an issue of decency, the larger issue is that she presents herself as a Reverend, a Healer, a Lightworker, a Master and a Teacher. She speaks to Spirit Guides, Ascended Masters, Angels, and Your Highest Divine Self. Even your Past Life Self. I assume her own present to her as well. And none of these entities said, "oh oh, bad idea."

I've contacted her, and offered to help her with her own descriptions if she needs such assistance, and acknowledged that she might be ignorant of the ways of ecommerce... and the mis-steps on the learning curve are certainly understandable, forgivable and easily rectified. I've thanked her for her edits in advance. Except I've had no response back. No edits last time I looked. The whole thing feels icky now. But, I was happy to work with her as she makes it right.

On the homepage of her site she quotes:

"Life is designed to be a school for the Soul. A journey where we live out each lesson we have pre-planned and chosen for ourselves.. How we chose to travel through these experiences is up to us; for we are the creators of our own reality."

I'm good with that, but I got to wondering why I might pre-plan this experience.

Further down the page it says, "There are no coincidences in finding yourself here."

Duh. Is it Patience again? Compassion? Tolerance? Charity? Please, what aspect of Love has come to call?

Well, I couldn't address it further today, I was scheduled to teach a day-long workshop, Reiki I, at a Senior Center. Somehow (of course), these events managed to weave themselves into the fabric of the lesson just as we were reviewing the Usui precepts.

Just for today, do not worry. Just for today, do not anger. Honor your parents, teachers and elders. Earn your living honestly. Show gratitude to every living thing.

I acknowledged that I was not worried or angry, that I could honor the teaching (if I could just figure it out), that the earning of a living honestly had turned its facet to the light for us all to think about. (There was a brief discussion of the mortgage crisis, and Bernie Mader, and the crooks who installed the new carpet at the center, but we moved along pretty well.)

I expressed that I was indeed grateful for the peace and sense of detachment that replaced what might have been and emotionally charged experience had I not practiced Reiki, meditation and yoga.

"That's what Reiki does," I said, " it balances emotions, will, spirit, and keeps your body from recoiling and reacting in boils, ulcers and muscle spasms."

Laughter.

As we continued our practice into the afternoon, I was still open to the lesson. Skeptical Mimmi, at age 76, put her gnarled hands on my shoulders.

"You're carrying her here."

Who? What? Oh.

"No," I said, "I'm not."

"Then why would you burden yourself with rewriting her website?"

"I am trying to be kind," I said.

'Well, you should be really pissed off!"

I almost fell over. Mimmi, all 98 pounds of her in her oversize orange, appliqued fall leaves sweatshirt (another outreach program project for sure), shimmered like the great golden Goddess and rose three feet in stature as she pressed her words into my aura and body. I relaxed. My head fell forward. I gave it voice.

"I am pissed off, Mimmi."

She was silent for a good long minute. Then she took her hands off my shoulders and went over to the table and sat down. As she arranged her handouts into her folder, I heard her mummur to no one in particular, "Well, then, I guess this Reiki stuff really works."

May you be blessed!

image credit: www.energy-healing-guide.com

Kissed by the Spirit

Despite the 21 days of rain in July, August gifted the gardens with abundant sunshine and perfect balance was restored quite beautifully. It amazed me to witness how the equilibrium was reset naturally in the landscape while my container gardens all suffered root rot. Recently I tipped them over and salvaged what I could. And today, even a few of those wounded plants are growing something beautiful or edible with their roots tucked happily into the Earth.

This morning I found myself quite humbled by the entire process. Standing silently for a minute or two, I became aware of my fellow gardeners, the hummingbird, bee and butterfly. Grateful for the invaluable services they provide, I blessed their day’s work. I put my palms down on the soil and gave a shout-out to the earthworms, also doing their part on behalf of the harvest. I watched newly hatched goldfinches feasting on seed heads, and mama chipmunk filling her jowls with my morning offering of raisins. I felt such gratitude for being included that I was almost moved to tears by the simple pleasure of the moment. And then I knew.

I had been kissed by the Spirit of the garden.

It is this Spirit that restored the refugees from the container garden, and that held the seedlings and tender plants firmly through the torential rains and cold winds that drove me out of the garden for weeks at a time...

In June, I sprinkled a tiny bit of cornmeal in each of the four directions in my garden, thanking each direction for its teachings. I thanked the life force of the Great Mystery as it manifests in that little patch of Earth. I placed myself in service to that Mystery and to the garden, so that together we might grow fertile, beautiful food and flowers. And then it was cold, and the rain came, and would not stop, and I gave up for a while. But the Spirit of the garden did not.

In May, when I turned over the soil and planted small crystals in each corner of the garden, I pledged myself to anticipating the garden’s needs for water, food, and care.

"May all that grows here be of benefit. May I serve you with an open heart," I said and then I didn't. It was my responsibility to nurture the Spirit, to remember myself and my garden in a loving partnership. In the mud, the weeds, the dampness, I forgot my pledge. But the Spirit of the garden did not.

And so this morning, feeling undeserving, a bit negligent, certainly guilty and lazy – yet awestruck and amazed – I got down on my knees and thanked the Spirit of the garden. It was another simple ceremony, and I know it was more for me than the plants. Then, I re-staked what was tumbling, and weeded out that which had encroached beyond the perennial beds. The mint had to be tamed again, it's not that mint has bad manners, it just needs reminding. I tore out some tansy, and bundled up the daylillies. And then I filled a basket with beans, tomatoes and herbs.

I felt such connection, welcome, and forgiveness – a profound gift from the Spirit of the garden. And then the kiss!

It was a brief awareness, a sensation of pure love and oneness, and then my silly monkey mind filled again with the scheduling of the days appointments, the shipping tape I must purchase in order to send out the packages, remembering to leave a check for my son's oil change and tire rotation... I returned to the house and to the responsibilities I pledged to honor.

In that kiss, the Spirit restored me and my promise.
Like the mint, I just needed reminding.
That I might serve you with an open heart...

May you be blessed!

Integrating a base of experience, thoughtful trial, error, and courage!

I was recently engaged in an open conversation where my viewpoint and expression of it was dismissed, dissected, and finally deemed worthy of censure. My viewpoint was shared by many like-minded individuals in the group. But I was singled out for silence. My voice might have resonated with more conviction, perhaps I spoke more elequently than the others, I don't know. But what I do know is that I was speaking my truth, from my heart, without fear, for the highest good, and in the bright light of my life's purpose as a teacher/healer.

Censorship is defined as the “suppression of ideas and information that certain persons... find objectionable or dangerous.” It is applied by those vested with an agenda and with the authority to decide what is objectionable and dangerous in a given venue. Of course, the thinking person immediately asks the question, “who are we really protecting via the suppression of ideas?" How can a lack of information and abundance of one-sided information actually assist anyone in mastering an understanding of their choices, behaviors, and their impact in the world?

Repression of speech has historically been a reliable tool in squelching dissent. But today, the cosmic energetic patterns in the Universe which are anchoring on Earth support only light – including the protection of the freedom of expression of that light. Any idea, endeavor, or system which excludes transparency and seeks to manipulate information through fear-based action will not, and simply cannot exist in these patterns. They will go poof!

"Light makes the dark afraid."

I was just a young woman when a Master told me this was the real issue here on Earth. I couldn't grasp it for many years... why would anyone be afraid of light? But experience is a great teacher.

Over the years I have learned to see all darkness as an opportunity for me to shine my light in creative, energetic ways should I be called to do so. Because I have the support of a huge global family that is awakening to this energy at this time, I find myself in many opportunities to be of service. Believe me, I don't always consciously choose to find myself in these situations. I prefer a peaceful, uncomplicated life. Most times I just get plopped into them. It's not always pleasant, but there are always brighter possibilities vying for manifestation.

In listening to the possibilities, I can choose to take the position that the projected fear is a beautiful opportunity for understanding. I can choose to lend my voice to light. It matters not if I am passively ignored, applauded, exhaulted, or violently attacked. I'm simply anchoring a creative energy seeking expression through me. Do with it what you will. It's your life, your journey. Your choice, your lesson. I'm just a channel, one of many.

My spirit is having a rich human experience that includes integrating light and dark. It includes sadness, disapointment, and the need for great patience. But it also includes the magic of finding the beauty in the darkness! Humans in general try to avoid sadness, difficulties, and dark energies. But as an artist and observer, I can appreciate that most of the beauty I see comes from the shadows hitting light in a certain way. Finding the beauty in the darkness is the perfect metaphor to dissolving the need for duality as a learning tool.

So Lightone, if you find yourself in an opportunity to BE light, remember that we have placed ourselves in key positions all over the world to be "there" at the right time with the right energy. The time is right and NOW to look at any darkness for all the beauty that it holds. Look at those restrictions, those negativities, the frustrations, and see them as opportunities to anchor light.

We are here as spirits to integrate a base of experience and that includes light and dark, failure and success, trial and error, courage, and love. But remember, those are only labels that you and I place upon our journeys as we move forward. The parts of this life you will remember eternally are how you found beauty in the darkness, and how you found your part in the world, and how you shared with others. That is the piece I came to do, you came to do, and I tell you now is the time.

Never be afraid to speak up if you find yourself in the spotlight. Bless the darkness for the opportunity. Experience, think, feel, and express yourself from the place of truth. The universe does not define truth as objectionable or dangerous.

Only dark is afraid of the light.

May you be blessed!

Image Credit: Light Door, Hayri Caliskan