WHERE LOVE PREVAILS

   WHERE LOVE PREVAILS, THERE TOO IS PEACE

Where love consistently is the guiding Light

No matter the travails, the obstacles, the disappointments of life

The child who grows up feeling deeply loved, cherished by her elders,

    those entrusted with her care, including long-term friends and extended family,

She feels a sense of grace, of being protected even though the way be long, the path uncharted and not always clear.  She has no doubt she is lovable and loved,

    And that makes all the difference, for she has no need to question her worth.

Where parents are deeply present, following their own integrity

The child at a core level knows her life is precious.  She is at peace with being Grateful

   Beloved, Accepted at a deep, abiding level

Even when she trips and falls, encounters others who don’t respect her

She has a mysterious core of “I can make it!”  Her self-esteem is not undone by adversity.

She knows there are folks she can count on even in stormy weather, and she trusts herself deeply too.  She has a sense of optimism and resiliency in the face of life’s changes.

As I write I also weep, for I did not grow up with the assurance of being loved and protected, encouraged to make choices right for me.  I did not grow up in a household where calmness was present, where parents learned to confide in one another

    And not burden their growing children with problems that belonged in the adult world.

I had no model for balancing intuitive hunches with analytical thinking, for taking time out when upset or angry to be gentle and patient and kind.  Many lessons a well-loved and nurtured child has imprinted within her I am still learning.    Being born with one parent missing in a war-zone and the other in shock at the prospect of parenting alone meant my early years felt very rocky, emotionally unstable, and I was often adrift in a sea that did not feel safe, surrounded by people still reeling to find their own peace with the realities that happen in the aftermath of war, with its very real losses to the survivors, and those bereft of their partners or parents.  Finding and trusting the Light in my own being has been a lifelong journey.  It’s hard, even today, to lose a parent who would have loved you if given the chance.  Alas, war still creates harsh realities for so many families.

I recall a deep sense of peace enveloping me after Lara and Meagan were born by Cesarean section.  I felt blessed and protected to have given life to these precious, healthy daughters.  I was blessed to have found wonderful parents, eager and glad to be raising them as their own.  During the pregnancy I envisioned this sweet child would bring much joy and light to those who shared her life, and she would not forget or abandon me.  The double blessing whispered within me turned out to be two babies, healthy and alert right from the start.  The deep love of two mothers and a father who fell in love with them at first sight would also bless them.  They’ve been cherished dearly in their prenatal life and in their formative years, with the added bonus of sharing life with a best friend since their conception.

   May this special season be a time of peace, wonder, gratitude, and joy for us all, amidst the busyness of December.  Let us remember to count our blessings, and realize we may be a blessing to others more than we realize.  Take care, and honor whatever feels loving and kind.

Carol and Lara, in  Ashland for a visit December 5, 2013.

OUT OF SORTS, MAKING DISCOVERIES

Out of sorts, no one to turn to, I quietly assemble a pumpkin pudding in my tiny crockpot, eager to smell the comforting aroma of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, vanilla, eggs, and coconut milk-reminding me of Thanksgiving.
    It is a marvel how old recipes can be recreated to still be tasty, but healthier for a body no longer able to handle milk, sugar, and wheat.
   Then I sit outside, barefoot and glad to soak up the mid-day sunshine
after a week of gray skies, showers, the darkening evenings that happen in November.  Sunshine always improves my mood, for I can read a bit, write a bit, soak up her healing Light after over a week with a tough cold.
    In the stillness, I am reassured I can still be a creative cook, unafraid to conjure up a new recipe when familiar holiday fare no longer works for me.
    By the way, the pudding is great, but the polenta I tried to make didn't hold together until it was slowly baked; watching Martha Stewart in the evening, I learned polenta needs soaking time, way more than my internet recipe called for!  Yes, we do learn from our mistakes too.  Not every idea we learn on-line works out, whereas watching a first-rate cook, even  on  TV, can be more helpful.

May this Aires Lunar Eclipse Empower Us to Move in Healthier Directions!

On the 18th of October we shall have a Lunar Eclipse in Aires at the timing of a Full Moon.  It is an auspicious time for the Ashland  area, the ending of a 500 year cycle that began with the Renaissance and the growing power of religions to control the world, with little regard for creative, original thought.
   Mars will be in Virgo, helping us be able to focus on details, be more altruistic and open to being of service.  Mars will be there till after Christmas.
   Uranus rules Aquarius, and is about freedom, diplomacy, and individual rights, so hopefully our collective consciousness will be changing so we can rise above what has been holding us back.  We can send energy to our government and leaders throughout the world so the polarization and deadlocks can evolve into more expansive, nurturing, cooperative energies; Jupiter in Cancer will assist this transition.  The planets are working for us so we can take back our power, and really be co-creators as we enter the next 500 years.
   This is a good time to tap into elemental energies-the sun, the moon, the Earth, the rivers and oceans, the seasonal changes that are changing due to global warming, too.  If you care to call on angels, spirit guides, whatever speaks to you in nature, they are all here to help us evolve so we can move beyond our right/wrong mindsets.  New meanings in our inner world and the outer one too will be revealed if we are sensitive and ask ourselves, "How are these changes a gift?"  This means letting go being reactive like victims, and taking responsibility for our personal and collective choices.  Energy has been very intense and dramatic, unsettling for almost all of us.  We have had grace to help us through these dark times, and it is a time for a big shift in our consciousness.
   So stay open, curious, and optimistic...patient too, for better times shall be ahead of us, and we are not alone; the planets, stars, even asteroids are actively helping us with the changes that need to happen in the months and years to come.

SILENCE HELPS ME FOCUS

Natural beauty and silence help me focus, and feel at peace when the noises of this world are all too present.  The news can be alarming, and rarely what I yearn to hear.  My cat whining when I go to this computer is annoying, for she wants attention when I want to concentrate; our timing is off.
     We've recently had terrible smoke from nearby fires, and it's truly disconcerting to not see the trees, the sky, the sun, the mountains.  Watching everyone venture out with masks on, having my eyes blur and get irritated, not being able to enjoy even the morning before the heat--all take a toll on my body and my psyche.  I love being able to see people's faces, the path or road around me, the sunshine on a warm day.  A prayer for some rain without the lightning fires, a prayer for the healing of this planet, and the collaborative efforts this will take.  In the silence, we can access our imaginations, and envision a brighter world where we care for one another,  respect our differences, and celebrate life's simple joys.

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND GREAT MINDS AT WORK!

 

We all have a need for guiding images, be they folks who are living or have died, a favorite tree or mountain, something that helps us make wiser choices as we go about our lives.  Listening last night to Bill Moyer on Charlie Rose, I realize these two are keeping alive the art of meaningful dialogue, discussing issues that matter and are too often ignored by mainstream media or politics. 

            They spoke of how we are all in a lottery, and some, like the two of them, have been lucky to find work they are passionate about, that supports their drive to make a difference in people’s lives.  Charlie spoke of Bill’s long career of being a whistle-blower, one who can be humble and a great reader and listener, and he can express his outrage with decisions that have undermined labor, undermined the middle class and the poor in the past 30 years.  Young adults under 30 in America have even a tougher time finding hope & viable work than the generation before them.  Democracy is a matter of balance, and now we have a monopoly of power that is totally unacceptable.  Too many folks have no health care, no stability in their work life or acceptable wages, no hope of owning a home or saving for retirement.

            Bill said we could start with raising the minimum wage to $15/hour.  This won’t happen when Congress is so controlled by mostly men who have shockingly little empathy with the plight of most Americans who work hard, and still cannot make a sustainable living.  Charlie asked Bill why he remains a journalist when he could have more power in the political arena, and Bill said he loves his work, and he doesn’t consider the life of a politician as necessarily one of being more effective in promoting changes we need to be more in balance.   They had fun and humor discussing truly serious issues of our  times.  Both spoke to the power of film to evoke empathy and get beyond the lies and propaganda.  Tonight on Frontline is the story of Two Families, a story by Bill Moyers of two families struggling to survive, and the challenges they’ve faced squarely, with integrity and not always with success.

        In  the lottery of life, some among us have faced too many adversities that have undermined our health , our financial stability, our well-being,  and our hopes for a bright future.  As we age, we do need comforts and security that many of our elder citizens do not have.  We do need a return of a collective sense of obligation and concern for those less fortunate.  The greed and corruption that have bolstered the finances of those profiting on Wall Street have now bought the loyalties of most of our political leaders, and this has to change if we are to be a true democracy. 

            Yes, the news is full of craziness, injustice, violence, and it is a breath of fresh air to be able to watch such high caliber journalism, still alive and vibrant!  Seek voices of curiosity, intelligence, and the wisdom only possible  with a wealth of experience like these two have, and you can still find it!  What a blessing they’ve not been silenced on our airways!

BYGONE ASHLAND 4TH OF JULYS

This year Meagan will celebrate completing her first year in Santiago, Chile, a year of much growth and adventure, and landing a  good job with the Chilean government.  Her twin sister, Lara, just moved to Pasadena, California, where she hopes to have more social life while continuing her new job with the alumnae office of Scripps College.
    When the girls were one, and for many years thereafter, they came with their parents Warren and Linda to Ashland over the 4th of July.  We'd gather in my home on Liberty Street, and it was an easy walk to the parade.  My mom was often here to see her granddaughters, and that first year she brought a great inflatable raft that the girls could go in as a mini-pool,  for the weather was hot.
It was lovely to see them in their striped red & white and blue & white dresses, and their great curiosity watching the parade.  Afternoon was rest up and nap time for us all, and in all likelihood, my mom brought some of the goodies for lunch.  So the girls got to better know me, their birthmom, and their Grandma Jeanette.  Several years their parents went to a Shakespeare play in the evening, and I got to read stories and put the girls to bed, then they'd gather them asleep to take them back to their motel.  Neal was usually off with his friends for the day, as he was entering his teens, and hanging out with me wasn't so cool.  Happy memories, and now they are both 26, and very much living their adult lives with new friends.  We stay in touch on Facebook, or the occasional letter or phone call.  This tradition of gathering over the 4th was a highlight in my year!
     Last year I saw Meagan for an afternoon at a Briscoe Fair, where we watched Jeff play with his salsa band, and the three of us shared lunch at Wileys.  Within two weeks, she'd moved from Eugene to Santiago, living with Jaime, her devoted Chilean boyfriend who had been courting her for years.
     I have had some 4th of July's completely alone in recent years, but this year I hope to check out Lithia Park with a friend (during the parade time), maybe have a quick trip to the mountains with Jeff if we both have the energy in this week of temperatures over 100 degrees.  A caregiver helped me make a jasmine rice with shredded carrots, ginger, onions and mushrooms for a potluck with new friends.  By eight I'll be home to watch the PBS 4th of July!
   It is a great time to be with loved ones when possible, or hang out with local friends without overdoing it.  Given the heat, I'll have along water, a good hat, sunscreen and my walker so I have my own "seat" if the park is crowded.  The parade without a seat in the shade is just too much for my aging body!
   The 4th is about celebrating and being proud of the freedoms we do have far more than many nations; yes, we have miles to go for true justice and equality, but starting with wild parades in our summers living near Crested Butte, Colorado, the 4th has been special for a long time, and it was my Grandma Dorr's birthday, too!

LISTEN TO & TRUST YOUR OWN HIGHER SELF!

When we make the time to listen to what gives us hope, joy, a sense of wonder, we make better decisions.  We do have nature and elemental guides who are just waiting for us to reach out and connect with them.  For me, nature is especially full of magic, mystery, and peace that can be elusive in our noisy, over-scheduled lives.  Spirit wants us to experience more joy, less fear.  When we focus on what we'd like to contribute, be it a photograph, a poem, a call or email to a friend, we gradually learn we are not here to save or persuade others to do it our way. 
   We all have our own unique journeys.  Sometimes we dearly welcome a helping hand,  the comfort and camaraderie of others.  Sometimes we need solitude.  I've always enjoyed the smell of a campfire, yummy food on the stove, the aroma of pines in a forest, fresh flowers with a great fragrance.  So I am drawn to essential oils that help me focus, be more in balance, assist me in healing areas of my life that need an upgrade. 
   I love to learn, so sharing in a playful way with others who like natural smells that have stood the test of time supports my love for healthily choices, affordable options, networking with friends and family who also long to feel better without becoming dependent on pharmaceuticals.  The latter can have adverse side effects for many who are sensitive.  I am more at peace when I can relax and trust unfolding in new directions may help heal us on a personal as well as global level.
   So do take the time to listen and trust you do have guides and instincts that can support you having a simpler and healthier lifestyle.  We are meant to share and uplift one another, leaving our  fears behind, one step at a time, so we are more enjoying the present, accepting the blessings that come our way!

LEARNING TO TRUST

            Learning to trust in our own basic goodness, sanity, and unconditional confidence is part of the training to be a warrior of the heart.  Millions of others are also training to awaken their courage to face and not run from life’s challenges, to respond without going into our habitual patterns.  Yet we are also the only one who knows the internal dialogue that begins to judge our situation, and gets distracted by the monkey mind, the critical mind, the mind that wants certainty in a reality where change and impermanence are more true.  So we pick ourselves up, and do our best while also being tender with ourselves.

            It was special to join Keziah’s party during the rain squall last night.  She has a core resilience and tranquility about her even midst the extreme challenges of her new life after her stroke.  In her quiet way, she reminded me I can walk; too often I take it for granted that I can get out of bed on my own, and despite pain when I overdo it, yes, I can walk.   My mobility is amazing compared to 15 years ago, when my life felt on the brink, and fear was more my reality than faith.  Then just getting from my bedroom to the kitchen was frightening.  Now I am leaving on a trip to a cabin on  the Chetco River in two days, it’s rainy and cool outside on June 19, but I trust with help I will be packed and ready to go in time.  It will be a lovely trip, with time for adventure, reflection, laughter, rest, and camaraderie.  I still love to travel!

             Life is a miracle.  It pays to notice the blessings along the way.  The more we can lean into the present, savor and appreciate it, the more joyful we are to be alive on this planet, even in this time of enormous changes.  When we make choices with courage, tenacity, perseverance, and a sense of wonder, we may be able to help others more than we realize.  Learning to trust, letting go our obsessions and worries, frees us to focus on what matters.  May each day be one of new beginnings!

HONOR & TREASURE THE SPIDER WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE!

Is there a special spider woman who encourages you to scribble, paint, dance for joy instead of feeling crazy?
    Remember Charlotte's Web?  How this tiny spider kept on encouraging this frightened pig with her weavings.  Awesome pig.  Magnificent pig.  One of a kind, unlike no other one!  Do you have a voice inside that whispers words of light, of wonder, of encouragement to you when you feel stuck in a fate that feels crippling to your potential?
    When a friend gives you simple, sage advice, she has the wisdom of Spiderwoman.  When you watch a spider creating her web so quietly, with strands that can withstand the storms of life, can you see how much of what we do may go unnoticed, yet is still part of our web-making?
     When we reach out  near and far on  the Internet, we can be allies of the spider, or we can undermine others with our fears and frustrations.
      In Cherokee tradition, and many other  tribes too, Spiderwoman is the divine feminine, working to bring Light into an  oppressive world that so often hangs out in the dark.  She loves flowers, and is often invisible.  So listen within, and quietly ask, "What would you have me honor this day, sweet Spiderwoman?"
Be still, and trust the answer you are given. 

It's a Time for Letting Go, Moving on

"You are in a time of positive forward motion."

"This is the time for positive momentum as you come out of a period of restriction. You're in a stage of new ad...venture and discovery. You may feel compelled to take a trip, change your hair, or move your home or business. Regardless, you can't remain where you are anymore. You feel compelled to go forward. No matter what you inquiry, you will see your dreams take form and doors previously shut begin to open as if by magic."

"*Movement* is also a state of mind. The fog lifts, and you now know the actions you need to take. This isn't the time for fear. Let it go and move forward."
  It's a time to let go of regrets for dreams that did not materialize, and be open to the magic of being present, moving forward.  The often quiet, but wise owl is one of my spirit guides; may I have the wisdom to let the tears flow and trust the mystery that awaits me as I let go restrictive thoughts, restrictive people who have their own dharma to play out. The water calls me today, as does the lovely sunshine and warm, spring air! 

Message from Within

Spring is beginning indeed to burst forth in Southern Oregon.  This photo displays some of Jeff's awesome vases, with flowers I enjoy anytime!
   A message while watching the Moon when she appeared on a clear night this week:  Welcome the pre-dawn Light of this amazing Moon.
         Steady, silent, watchful.  Like the Divine Mother on this Good Friday 2013.
         Still tender, still comforting women and men alive in her loving embrace
Welcome her reliable rhythms, her persevering strength into your own tender, sometimes glad, and yes, sometimes sad heart.  Rejoice in this precious gift of Life, continuing your mindful self-care while reaching out as well to others.
           When you need an uplift, check out your own photos, and know they touch your friends as well!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS

These are a few of my favorite photos
Bringing a deep smile to my heart on a dreary snow-clad day
An eagle cruising high in the sky as the sun sets,
reminding me to look out, and be open to miracles in daily life. 
A photo of Meagan, happy to be with her family in such an awesome setting
  in her new homeland of Southern Chile
My twins, Lara (left) and Meagan (right) celebrating the New Year with Jaime, all in shirt sleeves, for it is summer in January in Chile
    And sweet Eliza Jane, my second grandchild, born last July,
already bringing the joys of new life into her caring family.

Without I-Photo and Facebook, we could not so readily be in touch.
Yes, there is good news that comes with technology, not just what we may see and hear on the nightly news.  I am grateful to share these sweet memories with you!

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY?

Happiness is different for each of us.

For me, it means special times with caring friends

Yummy healthy food, both preparing and enjoying it

Being creative, with my hands, my voice, my thoughts, my body

It means laughing at the antics of Abbie, my current cat

It means writing when I am moved to do it, regardless of whether it will be shared

Sunshine and enjoying the outdoors

Planning trips with friends that  are likely to be fun for both or all of us

Taking classes that help expose me to new ideas

Having help to declutter my living space, a project I do better with encouragement

Reading and writing to be in touch with friends on the Internet

That’s a start.   Feeling better in my body would be high on the list as well!

HOW GOOD IT FEELS!

As the moon waxes toward her January fullness,  how good it feels to step outside and take a walk.  My body loves fresh air and her new shoes meant for walking even when the weather is icy.  Vibram soles still have a great grip!  I pondered maybe up to an hour whether to get these shoes, finally realizing it is so important to have good, firm support in all seasons, and that may mean buying new instead of second-hand shoes.

The hypnosis tapes on weight loss are great!  Today I am reminded when bored or out and about, drink water instead of unnecessary snacking.  Also, look into the mirror and tell myself what will be my exercise this day,  then do it.  A dear friend just had a serious stroke; Keziah was always there to serve others even tho she too has fibromyalgia.  Her misfortune brings forth tears of sorrow, and also a deep resolve to do what it takes to get into a more optimal weight range, keep moving this precious body, and eat so my body feels nurtured.  It feels good that my mind is still sound enough to make good choices, and yes, it is okay to feel sad when a sister is struck down by a stroke.   It is a-okay to cry when a good friend now faces a tough recovery process even to get her voice back!

The Time is NOW

The time to be in earnest about raising our own vibrations and letting go the fears, worries, concerns that need to be deleted from our memory bank is NOW.
    We are meant to reach out and  encourage one another.  Last night I shared a quiet meal with my son, then he walked to his home, and I drove home.  Part of raising my vibration is challenging old beliefs.  Instead of scurrying upstairs, I walked over to the YMCA and did some exercises on the rowing machine, a bicycle, and some strengthening moves on the Senior Fitness Circuitry, envisioning myself actually rowing on a lake, doing yoga with confidence, bouncing on a ball as I watched so many people choosing to get  fit on a cold, dark January night.  It is a time to plant the seeds that give us new strength for the journey to come.
     I'd like to share some comments by a sister blogger here:  Your soul and spiritual self are urging you to shake off your old distorted beliefs and lack of knowledge from the dark ages. It is time to step into the light of knowledge seeking en-lighten-ment removing the layers of illusion based on fear and separation releasing everything that no longer serves your highest good. It is time for you to AWAKEN and to remember who you are and why you are here allowing yourself to fully embody the power of your very own Christ Consciousness. Each of us are divinely guided by a higher intelligence, if you are reading this blog your God self has led you here. It is time for you to awaken and to break the chains that have held you down. It is time for you to raise your vibration and become an active conscious participant in the creation of the New Earth. 
     Yes, there will be moments of doubt and fear that do return, and we need to collaborate with others on this path of awakening.  We need to learn to trust and honor the incredible, creative beings we are!  That is it.  The Time is NOW.