“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
The Solstices are my favorite ‘power days’ of the year. Here in the northern hemisphere, the December Solstice is our winter solstice, and in the preceding weeks we move deeper and deeper into the womb-like cave of long, dark nights. On December 21st, the earth reaches its tipping point, and we welcome back the gradual return of the light. Connecting with this natural cycle, and energetically linking our own shedding and transformation with it, is tremendously powerful. Its the reason so many cultures around the world have linked this day, and the period around it, with retreat, contemplation, and transformation.
From an energetics perspective, I like working with a 6 week window, 3 weeks before Solstice and 3 weeks after, in a very conscious way (although I view the whole Solstice energy…
For someone who loves art, but has never taken an Art History class (???), this is like a CliffsNotes situation. Awesome dude & dudettes on board. Wait, were there any dudettes? I think not. Hmmm. We’re talkin’ Old-School, Olde-World, no?
Regardless, I am a sucker for art & ease. A Beauty Slut. 🙂
What is the big deal about Gratitude anyway? It certainly is the buzzword of choice these days, and for good reason…lots of reasons. When you are in a bad mood, and even the thought of gratitude makes you feel worse, then maybe revisit it another time, but don’t rule it out.
Depending on the intensity of your mood, a little exercise in gratitude can shift your energy almost miraculously. I do know what it’s like to be emotionally processing, and/or depressed, and I’m all for honoring that valid side of us as well, as long as we are confronting our feelings, and not just wallowing in them. I’m just sayin’….
If you’d care to skip the slogging-through portion of this post o’mine, at least skip to the end and watch the TED video. I guarantee, with 99.9% assuredness, you will feel better. Uplifted, at least while you’re viewing and taking it in. Even a little time spent in Happy-Land does a body good.
Meanwhile, for those of you who bravely press on, we will take a short station break while Natasha serenades, to get us in the mood:
1.) Gratitude is fun.
Remember that ABC game you played on a road trip as a kid? We’ve all been part of the kid-club at one point or another, and depending on the era, we were all “in” on the latest game and such. Anthropologists actually study such things, and in this case, it would be called childrens’ folklore (info learned and shared among the child culture, to set them apart from adults, mostly). I decided to play the game as an adult, while traveling in my minds-eye, making a list of all that I’m grateful for. So, bear with me while I vent a few thankfullnesses:
A is for Authenticity. Art & Artists. Assisting. Assistance. Affirmation. Astrology (of Rio Olesky). Aesthetic Ambiance. Angels. All Creatures Great & Small (the book & the reality!).
B is for Beauty. Bounty. Bravery. Boundaries (healthy). Butterflies. Bees.
C is for Clean Food, Air & Water. California! Cloudscapes. Cellos. Community Market (the local co-op health food store). Cooking. Chips & Comfort Food. Comfy Bed (on which to lay my head nightly). Cuddling. Creativity. Confidence. Constructive Criticism. Change. Contentment. Clients. Comedians.
D is for Dancing. Dr. Metz. Details. Dragonflies. Doodling. Dewdrops.
E is for Everything. Energy. Ease. Efficiency. Expansiveness. Excitement. Elegance.
F is for Fun. Faith. Family. Friends. Forgiveness. First-Responders. Fundamental Field of Energy Medicine (saved my life). Flora & Fauna. Fog (our local natural & mysterious air-conditioning). Foreign Movies. Foodies. Facebook (for reconnecting).
G is for Gratitude (an obvious choice) 🙂 God. Grace. Going (with the flow). Generosity. Goofiness. Gentlemen. Garrison Keillor. Guardian Angels. Gaudi (Antoni).
H is for Humor. Haiku. Humility. Home. Health. Healing. Hugs. Hot Showers. Hot Springs.
I is for Intuition. India.Integrity. Integration. Intelligence. Ice Cream! iPhone.
J is for Just Being. Jokes. Jocularity. Jesus. James Taylor. James Brown. James Herriot.
K is for Kindness. Kissing. Kites (in the wind).
L is for Love. Life. Laughter. Lightness (of Being). Little Effort (big payoff).
M is for Me. Maggie! Music. Museums. Mindfulness. Muir (John), Moonlit Nits (as my mom would say).
N is for Nature. Neo-Ludditism. Non-GMO.
O is for Optimism. Oceans. Organic. Organization. Orderliness. Oprah-Influence.
P is for Pizza. Potatoes! Productivity. Pampering. Photography. PBS. Puns. Positivity. Playfulness. Prayer Flags. Pope Francis.
Q is for Quietude. Quaintness. Quartz Crystals. Quality.
R is for a Redwoods. Rain. Rebels. Right Livelihood. Roof (over my head). Rest & Relaxation. Rambling.
S is for Spiritual Path. Surrender. Self-Love. Self-Expression. Solitude. Solidarity. Sleep (when I can get it!). Simplicity. Stillness. Silliness. Sense(s) & Sensitivity. Spontaneity. Safety. Strength (internal & external). Santa Rosa Strength (who has kept my body strong for 9 years now!). Sonoma County. San Francisco. Steve Jobs (who made it possible for me to enter the 21st century with ease). Streams (of consciousness, too).
T is for Transformation. Transition.Today.Tenacity. Trust. Travel. Time. Tangents. Tattoos. Teddy Bears. Teachers. TV. The Sound of Music.
U is for Ubiquitous Uniqueness. Unlearning. Usefulness.
V is for Vulnerability. Volvo (my 23 year companion, gone though not forgotten). Vivacity.
W is for Working Parts. Wit. Wisdom. Wellness. Woody Allen. Wright (Frank Lloyd). Wide-Open Spaces. Wind-Chimes. Weather.
X is for Xenophobia, Not!
Y is for You! Yearning. Yesterday. Yellow-Mellow. Yella Habibi!
Z is for Zest (lemon, orange, & for life).
Imprint This ~ Buddha Knows Best!
(Photo by Maggie Begley ~ Card via Tushita Mindful Greetings.)
2.) Gratitude is self-reinforcing. Try thinking, feeling, praying or meditating on gratitude, or acknowledge the power of the written word by keeping a gratitude journal. I first heard about this from Oprah although I had been keeping a journal since I was a kid. It’s what you focus on that grows. As this wonderful story illustrates:
“An old Cherokee told his grandson, ‘My son, there is a battle between to wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth. The boy thought about it and asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf wins?’ The old Cherokee quietly replied, ‘The one you feed’.”
Here are a couple other insights from Zen Habits.net, or check out this blogger’s conclusions from participating in the Gratitude Experiment.
3.) Gratitude is comforting, and therefore, relaxing.
Counting my blessings actually helps me go to sleep at night. Luckily, I have a lot to be thankful for. Actually we all do. Think of all the things we take for granted, there are tons! Bringing these things into my current awareness, I find very relaxing and comforting. Reminding myself that even when I don’t feel taken care of, there are so many ways in which I am being supported. If you come up dry, try infusing yourself with quotes or poems by other folks, such as this, to help you get in the mood. Or turn to other inspirational books. Matthew 6: 25-34 is one of my favorite Bible passages:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a>]? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
We’ve all probably seen this video on Infectious Laughter in the Metro, but it never hurts to watch it again…
Everyone’s day is brightened when you give a compliment, a word of appreciation, a smile, a laugh, a hug, or a a sympathetic ear. Don’t ever underestimate the huge impact you can have on someone with a small thoughtfulness.
Partay & Make a Festive Noise!
(Photo by Maggie Begley ~ Card Cutout Courtesy of a Client.)
6.) Gratitude is simply, yet profoundly, inspiring.
“I am not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” ~ Woody Allen
I cracked up with this gem of Woody’s. I can so relate to his neuroses! I feel the exact same way. I’m not afraid of dying. I’ve often wished for it. However, potential horror, blood & gore, are not for me. Obviously I am not afraid to admit that I have a morbid fascination with, well, morbidity. Who, what, when, where, why, how??
There was a great American Masters documentary on Woody that I saw on PBS. It’s definitely worth a watch, if you’re as intrigued by him as me. I wasn’t quite sure why until I watched the documentary. Bob Hope? Fellini? Now those are some role models. Here’s the trailer:
Thanks to my friend, Dave, who posted this quote on Facebook today, thus inspiring me to seize the moment to sit & write a spell:
“Death is Nature’s way of saying, ‘Check please’. There you are sitting at home & Death walks up & says, ‘Your table’s ready. There’s some coffee in the embalming room but it tastes funny.'” ~ Robin Williams
Robin is one of my other-worldly favorites! He’s also a poster child for ’embracing the crazy’! Ha! Our imminent demise should be a daily reminder to live life to the absolute full, and make serious fun while doing so! BwaaaHaaaHaaa!
I actually think, not much of this has to do with gender & can go both ways. Previous post too. Do you have any feedback on this list. I’m always curious to know what other people think.
This topic has always been a hot bed of discussion. Anyone care to share their view? I love lists, but they tend to compartmentalize & generalize. I still like a good list. It presents an organized way in which to commence conversation.
I’ve posted one about Real Women too. Let my know what you think, as i’m generally doing all of the talking. 🙂 Womanly Trait, #1?! Hee Haw…
What a provocative question. Probably tomes of theses & other contemplations have been indulged, seeking answers to such posing.
My friend, Christian Gerike, just posted the following quote on my Facebook fan page today. It was perfectly timed, in terms of something I had recently experienced in my life & work:
“Our suffering was not caused by our parents or grandparents. It was merely passed down. We are social animals. We grow through modeling. We teach what we have learned. We act as we have been acted upon. A person who is not loving has not experienced love. It is not his fault. Realizing this gives rise to forgiveness. And in Chan we vow that suffering will stop with us. We will not pass it down.” ~ Guo Jun
That first sentence took me slightly aback, as I feel we have all “suffered” as a result of our upbringing. As I read on, I softened & realized where Guo Jun was leading. From a young age, I had always told myself that I would never have children unless I first sorted out my own healing. Ha! No children for me, yet. Luckily, I wasn’t attached to having children, but I was attached to my idea — for myself, no judgement to others was ever intended.
In the past month or so I have been noticing energetically, based on my resonance scans & own personal experience, that each of us may not only process & release our own current & past life-happenings, but also the unresolved trauma of our genetic lineage. Despite “The sins of our fathers” Bible passage, so far it seems to primarily occur energetically down the maternal line (in my case, it was the maternal line on my father’s side). Of course the males that were involved in those lives are a part & parcel of the equation. Nobody is off the hook! This inherited energetic trauma, I think, can then manifest as what we label ‘genetic’ physical disease or mental illness. It has been said, (& proven?) that our DNA is not static, but like energy, is dynamic. Capable of change. The buck can stop here.
All of our energetic patterns are lodged in each & every cell of our system. Every thought, word & deed. Internal & external environmental influences. Waaaay past, present, & waaaay into the future. All is Energy. It’s inherent. It’s everywhere. It’s personal. It’s familial. It’s our spiritual lineage.
In my own case, this journey has promoted an even greater understanding; engendering love, compassion & forgiveness. Just as Guo Jun predicts. This kind of personal healing obviously has potential for widespread healing, in every direction. It’ll be an interesting phenomenon for which to keep up my antennae. 🙂
Today I decided to go into a little cafe I’d been eyeing for awhile, called King Falafel. They had several vegetarian dishes that were calling my name as I walked by. Upon entering, I detected an accent from the young man at the counter & proceeded to ask him where he was from. He shyly answered, “Jordan“. I immediately flashed a huge uncontrollable smile, proclaiming, “I’ve been to Jordan AND I met the King!” Then, some of my sketchy Arabic resurfaced. He seemed delighted & assured me that I’m “very good with my ‘H’s’.” He went on to inquire as to who, what & where & when I had visited.
He asked if I had gone to Petra (a major archaeological site). I said no, but we did DRIVE by, as my friend’s family had already toured it many a time. After all, who could blame them? It was a nauseating-backseat-thirsty-bus-ride-steaming-flat-coca-cola-in-a-bottle kind of day. I then remarked to my young counter King, that when I returned back to California, I decided to major in Anthropology. I was beside myself when I found that I was SO close & had missed seeing this important treasure! Said my My Falafel King, “That’s like going to a vegetarian restaurant & ordering a cheese burger!” NOW he was speaking MY language! LOL!
I do believe our interaction today brought us each a lot of joy. His homemade, authentic falafel, dolmas & baklava had transported me back to 1984, when my best friend & her dear family graciously allowed me to accompany them to their homelands of Jordan & Palestine. It was, & still is, one of the greatest experiences of my life!! And he, being a transplant, surely was proud to have an interested party walking through his garden…
“Yella Habibi!” was one of my favorite exclamations. After today, I have quite a little stream of phonetic phrases that are bubbling up to the surface, of content.
Praise be to Allah for all that is, was & shall be!
Greetings to you from “The Momma & The Kid!”, a special spontaneous moment, forever captured. My Momma is plagued with Vascular Dementia, nearing 90, but still “with it” in her own way. I’m well-intentioned, nearing 50, but a bit of a loud-mouthed, bossy-pants. 🙂
I saw the following letter posted on Facebook & it spoke to me, for obvious reasons. Paired with our video, I think it’s a nice match…A reminder for us all to lead with empathy & compassion during trying times.
Share the Love. Pass it on. 🙂
LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER:
“My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.
If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.
When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?
When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.
If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.
And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.
When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.
I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.”
At the Center for Advanced Energy Medicine, as with everyone else, we’ve had several losses over the years. 11 clients have passed during my 15 years of working there, which isn’t a bad attrition rate in the big scheme of things. But each loss is hard, as we ALL know, being that we each experience daily death, in ways big and small.
There’s so much more history to someone than we can ever know. I often sadly find, that not all aspects of a person are revealed until after they die, when you see the depth and breadth of their life-stories. This is true even if that person was a parent, or sibling. There is always a common thread that runs through, like their humor or stubbornness, etc. I often am amazed when I find that the special bond I shared with that person was also shared by many others. This is a testament to that person’s authenticity, if they can make everyone feel as though they are special in such a sincere way.
The following list is my tribute to our 11. I will name each previous patient, our clients passed (with the dates they frequented our office). I want to share a bit of the Spirit that they shared with me. Each of them touched me. I don’t want to forget, because they too are part of my legacy for having known them, and they helped me hone my skills as a practitioner. I learned from each one of them. Every one except Leonard and Jack (who were both very long-lived), had chronic or terminal illness. Aside from one of those ill folks, Nancy, I only made their acquaintance after they had been sick for awhile, seeking the aid of Dr. Metz as their last resort.
Jeffrey (1993-2000) = a retired dentist who relished his volunteer service at the Bouverie Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch. He had a brain tumor & thus commuted to our office by bus from Glen Ellen. From him & his then wife, I also learned about the Zen Hospice in San Francisco, CA, who helped him in his transition.
Jimbo (1995-2003) = a free spirited hippie-type whose memorial was a fun & moving pot-luck full of dancing, music & poetry. My last encounter with him at the office, about a month before he died, he gave me a big hug & was so compassionate, knowing I was in the midst of a divorce. He was a young man, who had been coexisting with a brain tumor for over a decade. It seemed his death was rather sudden. He was committed to alternatives (including cannabis) & it served him well with quality of life till the end.
Leonard (1990-2003) = a discerning & spiritual ‘wise old man’ for as long as I knew him! He was committed to the business he founded, Sonoma Surgical Supply, & went to work well into his elder years. His daughter now runs the place, & we still refer them patients, as needed. Leonard was a fine, soft-spoken, but clear role model in many ways.
Jack (1996 -2006) = Jack was a veteran of WWII who late in life wrote a book chronicling his experience in the war, One Angel Left. He was in his 80’s taking computer courses, driving himself around statewide, peddling his story right up to the end. His zest for life & always looking forward was inspiring to me. If I remember right, he was a retired college art professor.
Bri (2007-2008) = I met Bri after a reoccurrence of breast cancer & surgery. Back then I wasn’t yet online myself, but I remember her telling me of the online friendships she had made from her blog, Figs with Bri. In fact, it was so touching that those same people, most of which had never met her in person, started an online donation for her medical care. She too was a young woman, who fought hard. She died at home. Dr. Metz & my house calls helped keep her as lucid & comfortable as possible till the end. It was from her death, & her husband & his parents, that I was reminded about the alternative choices that we now have. As opposed to funeral homes; they chose an inexpensive, in-home, family-directed funeral service. The one they used was called, Final Passages. They were very pleased.
Maria (2000-2010) = a classy elegant woman was she. And, she didn’t like me to mess up her hair. Spoke her mind, sweetly. No matter how frail she became, she was always so beautifully & naturally put-together. She was a dear woman. What struck me most was the mutual dedication & devotion with her husband James, who was taking care & always by her side. He was absolutely crushed at her passing. They always agreed that they had found their soul mate in one another. They made a witty, sophisticated & art-filled pair. (Speaking of which, The Soulmate Experience: A Practical Guide to Creating Extraordinary Relationships is a book I highly recommend).
Julie(1995-2011) = a woman who I actually never met, & didn’t even know what she looked like till I found the link to her name. She was a phone consultation patient of Dr. Metz who lived several hours away. I was surprised when I heard of her passing, as I had not been at the front desk for awhile. A friend brought some clothing of hers to the office to share. I now have a lovely purple silk mandarin jacket of Julie’s. 🙂
Betty (2004-2012) = a soul sister to me. We were very much alike, in our interests, sensitivities, & Catholic past. She was a grade school teacher who had since received training in Jin shin, which she used mostly on herself, & loved ones. We had many a conversation on the subject of ‘energy’, that we both could relate to, & found helpful during my treatment time with her. She was also a faithful weekly client that I grew to know very well. I met her just after she got her breast cancer diagnosis & surgery. Betty’s family supported & cared for her at home throughout. She was only in assisted living for a short time before she again returned home. It was then, when I was making house calls that I encountered Ceres Meal Delivery, a fabulous network of volunteers (including teenagers) that learn to prepare & then deliver organic, healthy meals to the homebound. I also found out from her that there is a place in Sonoma County that gives & receives medical supplies freely. They keep those crutches, wheelchairs & diapers out of the attics & landfills, putting them back into active circulation. You know how I love to see ‘reuse & recycle’ in action (especially free medical supplies). I miss you my Betty-Boo!
Nancy (1991-2012) = a kind, conscientious & gentle woman who I had known 10 of those 20 years. She found out she had made an appointment on my birthday & she wanted to acknowledge so by bringing me a small gift. That was the last thing on my mind for her to have to do! I could tell she was close to dying (ovarian cancer), but I don’t know if she had accepted it yet. Regardless, she took the time & energy to gift me. She had decided to go the full western medical route, was away for awhile & eventually came back to us toward the end. She often told me she “felt alive again” after one of my treatments. She was really suffering from the full doses of chemo, etc. She said our treatments helped her with ‘chemo brain’ & other toxic effects of chemo.
Dee Dee (6-7, 2012) = a very open, supportive, nurturing soul who enjoyed artful whimsy (as I relished during a house call to her apt.). I only knew her for her last month of her life, but I felt an immediate affinity with her, like I had known her a long time. She was a therapist at massage envy & came down with sudden cancer-related symptoms that disabled her swiftly. She liked when Dr. Metz & I came to give treatments. I think our presence somehow soothed her…So fast Dee Dee…God Bless.
Deborah (1993-2013) = a lass, so slow. DebDol, as I called her, suffered for 30 years before her transition. She was a faithful weekly client of mine for 8 years (up to daily with Dr. Metz for 20). I learned a lot about life: her life, my life, life in general. I always called her ‘the canary in the coal mine’. Because of her chemical sensitivities (do watch this video). I joked that she could make some good money by offering her services as a bomb- or pot- sniffing sort of dog. No matter how serious, we always managed to get a laugh in. Her chronic lyme disease was a piece of the puzzle that started shutting her system down, & therefore couldn’t detox the plethora chemicals with which we are ALL bombarded. For her, it got to where she couldn’t even tolerate air, food, or water…the very basics! I took it upon myself to become ‘fragrance-free’ not only in her honor, but because not doing so would set her off an intensified pain sequence that lasted for days. My cancer clients also have gotten sensitive to smells, etc., when going through chemo & what not. So I made a decision to ‘do no harm’, including choosing fragrance-free shampoo, mousse, gel, deodorant, laundry & dish soap, & cleaning products for myself, my home & workplace. Someday I may be a canary, you may also… So give it some thought. Deb said the cheapest place to get that stuff was Target, but also any Health Food store has at least one un-scented product in each category. Deb taught me that I could do all I needed to do with Hydrogen Peroxide, housekeeping-wise. Here are some other ideas for a natural clean. Finally, leave it to Canada to tackle such subjects from a broader point of view, for the health of their citizens.
We just lost Deborah a few weeks ago, thus prompting this post. “Break on Through to the Other Side” is the song Dr. Metz serenaded Deborah with on our last house call before she died. Dr. Metz and she were the same age. We each tried to maintain a sense of humor. As usual, Deb appreciated our levity. I’m sure she, and the other clients we lost before her, would all endorse my closing thought and video in their honor:
‘Capital D’, I say!!! ‘D’ for Dancing!!!
Not ‘d’ for ‘death’. Not ‘d’ for ‘down-hearted’. Rather ‘D’ for Dancing!!!
Once one has been through a life/death emergency, we’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. 😦 So, why not make them Dancing Shoes?!
R.I.P. Dear Ones. We celebrate you, your life and freedom from pain. May you Dance with wild abandon …on the Other Side!
I really, really enjoyed this bluegrass rendition of the song, Kiss From a Rose, by the band, Mustered Courage, & wanted to pass it along to you. (Make sure to click the above video link & have a listen).
This was an especially meaningful find because of a story my mom’s 89 year old beau, Paul, told me today. He had found a broken guitar on a fire hydrant, brought it home & fixed it. He doesn’t even play guitar (at least not since he busted his forefinger with a hammer while on the job, decades ago). He just knows how to fix stuff & doesn’t like to see anything ‘perfectly good’ go to waste. Not to mention, he helps his neighbors, with no expectation of payment. The other day, he helped someone who paid him with a mandolin, which he also does not play, but it’s so pretty he plans to hang it on the wall. (Paul is a romantic as well, always bringing the first rose in his garden to my mother, followed by a stream of them, till the season is over). He’s so cool.
This spoke to me too because it reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Dr. Zhivago, in which the mandolin plays a subtle, but special role. Even though Paul doesn’t play an instrument, he said his family of 13’s entertainment growing up during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, was to push back the furniture and let loose with music. Music ties us all together, in one way or another.
Some things are innate, & some things we acquire; every thing is a gift.
(Spoiler Alert: This is the very last scene of the movie).
Apologies to my subscribers! I accidentally enabled an option that updates you with an email every time I update (a.k.a. ‘Save’) a post (even the private, unpublished ones!).
Technology & Social Media are a blessing & a curse. Mostly the former, so on I go…wrastling with my computer keyboard in the hopes of not messing up too badly. It is hard to keep up with things in this day & age, especially the plethora of Websites (WP, FB, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr). I have to roll with the constant change that is inherent in owning my little parcel. Sometimes I feel like yelling, “Yabba Dabba Doo!”
…I did, however, successfully disengage the aforementioned option. 🙂
Mom’s house. Fifty years her dwelling place. At her feet kneeling, sock-footed. Hers, longing to dance. Cold hands held in mine, sandwiched, warmed. Upward gazing, face-to-face, eye-to-eye. Cozily she sits. Lazy Boy reclining chair, an 89-year-old beau’s worst purchase…Love-seat snuggle, replaced. Divided by Lazy Boy, times two…Ah waxing poetic. The most difficult situations seem to lend themselves to such…
On Her Shoulder an Angel Sits (Photo by Maggie Begley)
Since her mini-stroke with vascular dementia, Mom can’t formulate thoughts or communicate the way she’d like. An intuitive game of charades ensues. I yammer on with stories of times past, hoping to remind her of the rich life she’s lived. Memories forsake her. “I can’t remember any of it.” Eyes well-up in tears. Face drops. I say, “Mom, are you crying because I’m making you too sad?” “No,” she replies. “I’m crying because I love you.”
Oh my achey-brakey heart!!! Sometimes I don’t know if she remembers who I am, but she does remember the closeness of our relationship, our love & attachment to one-another as a widowed mother raising a young daughter, amidst her own depression. I have forgiven my mother for the hard times we’ve had and she can’t recall them anyway. I know she is/was the way she is/was because she didn’t want to be abandoned. That sort of fear, based on young past experience, can often make one swing from angry preemptive strikes to guilt-inducing comments & glares. All any of us want is love and attention. When we don’t get it early on or have that as our solid foundation, life becomes full of approach & retreat, of projection & transference on things & people outside ourselves. I have compassion now where angst once stood. Ultimately, we need to connect to the Source within us to feel that unbreakable bond.
It’s all about right NOW. The experience of dementia in surround, is very Zen. I just see a vulnerable elder & life sadly (& naturally) coming full circle. She’s like my sweet dependent child & all I want to do is my best to help love & protect her. A bond of unconditional love. Torn by tears. My heart, like a severed limb. A phantom, whose subtle imprint haunts me.
I don’t know about you, but I find this image absolutely captivating. I saw my first photo of the Taj Mahal when I was in high school. It became my dream to travel to Agra, India, to experience the Taj first-hand. Every thing, every body & every place has an energy dynamic all its own. When you become part of that dynamic, all your senses are engaged at once (in 3D, high-def!), which in India is both totally overwhelming AND equally exciting. I knew I wanted to behold this place & imbibe its energy in person. Lo & behold, almost 20 years later, I did! Isn’t it great when that happens?!! Remarkably, I don’t possess any of my own photos from that time, but certain images & feelings are etched in my memory. Beauty of India on Facebook is where I retreived the image above.
India often conjures up notions of extreme poverty & sadness. It is that, & so much more. It is truly a remarkable place filled with juxtapositions. For instance, when I made it there in 1998, the sky was brown from dust, smoke & pollution…not even close to the hue of bright blue in the above photo. (Maybe things are different now; could be better, could be worse). Sadly, I was told the Yamuna River surrounding the Taj no longer supported life (although, laundry was frantically being beaten by Dhobi wallahs & dried on its shores). And, the pollution was also doing damage to the structural materials (and my lungs!). There were maimed amputees & children crawling, pawing & knocking on the car windows in the parking lot. That part was absolutely heart-wrenching. The Taj is a major tourist mecca with all the trappings: cheesy souvenirs being hawked, loads of tour busses, traffic in every direction & the accompanying crowds & trash along with it. Magically, this incredible masterpiece transported me beyond all that devastating lack-lustre ickiness, with its grand brilliance – from every angle & in every detail. (I don’t know if the inhabitants of the city feel that way, but I hope that they get some relief from its presence in their midst). And, there were indeed women floating around in the most becoming outfit ever created for womankind, the sari…
What we ARE drawn to, is enduring energy of the Taj itself…probably THE grandest, most beautiful, romantic gesture of love & devotion of all time. Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan had it erected in the 1600’s as a mausoleum for his wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their 14th child. It is rumored that later in life, the Shah was imprisoned by his son in the nearby Agra Fort, in a marble tower where he died in view of his beloved’s resting place. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 & not long ago, was added to the New 7 Wonders of the World (check out the other 6 Wonders, they’re pretty awesome). The official tourism website is pretty fun too & worth a click.
Inevitably, legends surround this wondrous accomplishment. While I was there, I was told that the Shah used 20,000 laborers who, upon completion, had their hands chopped off to prevent any duplication of the work. He also had plans for a matching mausoleum in black marble for himself, across the river, facing hers. That never materialized. I was also told that the Taj Mahal structure & compound design has components of sacred geometry & that its conception came to the architect while in meditation, on a higher spiritual plane. Wikipedia says these are myths, but who knows?
What I do know is that our Indian bus tour guide was most interested in making stops at his friends’ establishments on the way to & from Delhi, so we could buy food & trinkets. Most people there are in poverty, true entrepreneurs & have a strong networking system. I don’t blame them. As well, we visited several Hindu shrines in the dark on our way back, which was a little spooky & a lot intriguing. We were only one of two western couples on the bus with a dozen or so Indians, so we did get a unique perspective, for sure. Altogether, it amounted to about a 12 hour day…One must take such things in stride, or forego traveling in this manner altogether…
I was so disappointed that we only got about an hour at the Taj itself, but it was glorious. I am a very visual & sensitive soul. My first glimpse through the gate, even at a distance, brought me to tears with its magnificence. I would have liked to stay in Agra for at least an overnight so that I could see the Taj at dawn & full moon, accompanied by classical Indian music & yummy Indian meal (they do offer such things). That would’ve been frosting on an already scrumptuous cake. The whole journey getting there was worth that one hour’s experience & I am grateful for it!
In the words of my archaeologist friend, Janine:
“Dear obscenely wealthy people of the world: Why don’t you build beautiful things like this anymore? Do you really think people hundreds of years from now will line up to see the glass and steel boxes you are supporting?”
10 Buildings that Changed America was a recent special I watched on PBS, which addressed a bit of what Janine was calling attention to, both hopeful & not. For instance the clever original concept of the American shopping mall, was brought to us by…an Austrian-born socialist! Inadvertently & to his disgust, his idea was misinterpreted & led to the biggest capitalist cash cow in recent history. However, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, is pretty appealing to me &Frank Lloyd Wright is one of my favorites. (I’m lucky enough to have one of his public buildings in my neck of the woods).
Anyway, in my opinion architecture & other public art installations are vital to, & enrich the daily lives of, the citizenry – rich & poor alike. Next on my bucket list is Barcelona, Spain, to see the creations of Antoni Gaudi. Wow. Take a look at his work; it’s also worth a click, if not a full-on visit!
Near or far, armchair or not, traveller may you be! Namaste.
*(Namaste is a Sanskrit word with a gesture of folded hands to forehead. It is used when greeting another & parting ways. It essentially means, “the divine light in me honors the divine light in you”).
He’s at it again. This time, the Friar Pope is championing what I call the “untouchable class” of Catholics, the single mother, also known throughout Christianity’s Dark Ages as the “UN – WED MOTHER.”
(Funny, but those Dark Ages seem like only yesterday!) 
When you need to re-connect with the Source, yourself & your intuition…Create! There are so many ways to express it, if given the time & space. “Levity, not Gravity”, I say. That approach always helps. Though Gravity is equally inspiring if you can accept the supposed “mess” that may spill out of you. It’s more cathartic & results in Levity, I’ve found. Fosters the “incredible lightness of being” which is our birthright.
You wrestle, whimper, wallow and wow in creativity.
Whether you dream, scheme or sigh with triumph –
understand –
Creativity IS your clock.
Wind it.”
.
God bless the mighty indwelling force called “creativity”. May it always deliver “in-your-face” nagging. Otherwise, imagine the Beauty that would lay festering inside bloated souls. Sameness would chip away at sanity and we’d all stay in our minds.
Thankfully, in spite of ignored, silenced implosions – the soul will persist. It will rustle feelings, replace dying batteries, conjure courage and stir enthusiasm until creativity is again free to emerge.
Hesitantly, but emphatically, I need to add: may its power…
Oh the twists & turns of life! No hurries. No worries, Mate. What is perceived as a roadblock is often the Universe buying time & waiting for the Perfect “who, what, when, where & why” to take shape (seems to me more like a Rubik’s Cube than a jigsaw puzzle). A better plan is percolating than we could have ever cooked up.
“He goes before us to make the crooked places straight”. ~ Charan Singh
Image via Google
“There is a Divine Plan behind everything, and if we allow ourselves to be used by that unseen Force…many things can happen in a mysterious, miraculous way…” ~ Satchidananda
Twists & turns will happen for our own Spiritual growth if nothing else! If we ask God for Patience or Faith, He won’t just hand it over. He’ll give us the opportunity to learn it & earn it. God sees the big picture.
The Divine Creative Force is the Source, THE Knower & Doer. Release the burden of thinking you have to go it alone & take a deeeeep breath…
(How many ways can I address Polarity & what I do with it? The experiment lives.)… 🙂
Life is all about polarities & the attraction &/or repulsion of opposites, which in turn drive their movement. We aim for higher-self virtues, but sometimes get stuck in a lower groove, the effects of which takes us off-center: Past & future, love & hate, anger & forgiveness, giving & receiving, pride & humility, excess & simplicity, chaos & stability, abandonment & enmeshment, introvert & extrovert, sickness & health, life & death, courage & fear, happy & sad, work & rest, gravity & levity, autonomy & community…Just to name a few.
One has to be constantly vigilant, to prevent one polarization from over-taking the other. Even a positive thing, like (worldly) love, can be detrimental in the extreme when it’s needy & suffocates the other. “Everything in moderation”, as my dad used to say. Striking the middle ground is our target area & then rising above, in a way most spiritual, is our goal. “We’re only human, right?” Well, “only human” with God-potential to rise much, much higher.
God/Soul/Spirit-Consciousness expresses itself through us in the subtle life-energy which enters in at conception & gives us animation throughout our lifetime. Life-energy is what organizes, creates & sustains our mind, emotions & physical body. This is played out by Spirit following same the laws of Science & Nature. These are the same laws which govern the Universe: Fields of polarized electro-magnetic energy, principles of non-quantum physics, systems theory & the fundamental forces.
“The Human Body is the Interface Between Science & Spirit!!” ~ Maggie Begley
Subtle Energy is the foundation of our psychological, physiological, biochemical & structural health & well-being, as well as personal & spiritual growth. It is the blueprint of our life, so why not start there? The FF protocols Dr. Metz & I use are designed to unblock & balance the subtle polarized life-energies, according to the clients needs at that time. The if, when, & at what rate this occurs is very individual & can’t be forced. As practitioners we facilitate, but progress is dictated by the patient’s own receptivity & innate intelligence. Hand-contacts are made on various reflex points on the client’s body via those used in Polarity Therapy, Ayurveda, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Acupuncture Meridian Therapy, & Cranio-sacral Therapy. This is done in a specific sequence, tailor-made & in real-time. Energy is dynamic, constantly changing, as is the client & we with their treatment.
“Energy Is Dynamic & So Are We!” ~ Maggie Begley
At the moment, my main clientele seems to be persons who have [previously unexplained] chronic or terminal illness, including cancer, chemical sensitivities & emotional challenges. Dr. Metz & I provide relief, prevention & maintenance, help with chemo detox, pain reduction, & often get to deeper causative or other contributing factors. And, last but certainly not least: Oh so, so gently I provide gentle loving care & tender touch that nurtures. As one of my frail weekly clients recently stated, “This is my oasis, the only time I get to really rest, be touched & listened to. All of the cells in my body just soak it up”. That’s worth coming to work for…. ❤
Finally, ending on a lighter more formal note, follow the links below to test your knowledge of Science & Religion, respectively. Remember, after all, Religion has its roots in Spirit!
As I was getting ready to go to sleep tonight, I pulled the book Archangels & Ascended Masters, by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D, from my bedside table. Nestled under my covers, I opened to page 27, Archangel Jophiel. Her name means “beauty of God” and she is known as the “Patron of Artists” (Judeo-Christian).
You may know how much I love angels and artists. What you may not know is how much I’ve allowed myself to worry, as of late. I’ve barely engaged my creative self since a year ago, before my mom took a step down in her vascular dementia. This was one of my last fun projects: Maggie’s Begley’s Paintings ~ My 1st Montage.
I imagine Jophiel was pleased. She must be when she sees us dare to take a dip in the creative flow and with it, merge. Those who’ve experienced the intense vulnerability of opening spirit and exposing soul, along with the exhilarating freedom of reckless abandon…know how such merging moments feel. It is powerful to lose one’s self. Often in retrospect we say, “I did that?!”… “No YOU di’int!”.
I was made happy by reading Jophiel’s entry and was so inspired by this quote, I am compelled to share it here with you:
“Worry never helped anything, so why turn to it during times of need? It won’t nurture you or heal you–quite the opposite, actually. It’s so much better to put the effort into something creative as a way to quietly meditate through positive action. Create, create, create! In this way, you mirror God’s own creativity. That’s why you feel closest to God when you’re fully engaged in writing, speaking, and other creative projects.”
And may I add, by feeling closer to God, we can also feel closer to our own intuitive voice, which comes from above and within.
The Spirited Soul 