Monday, August 24, 2009

Wise Words...

I'm reading a book right now called Mother Earth Spirituality by Ed McGaa, Eagle Man. 

It's a fabulous read; I'm thoroughly enjoying it and highly resonating with it. 

The following is a passage written by Environmental Liaison, Jan Hartke for Earth Day 1990...it pierced my heart ...I hope it pierces yours as well... 

" What does it take to inject a sense of urgency into this world? 

Do we have to tear a hole in the sky before we wake up? 

Well, we've done it. 

Do we have to see the life-giving rain be turned so acidic that it kills fish and trees and endangers human health? 

Well, we've done it. 

Do we have to watch the great seas rise, inundate our coastlines and disrupt agricultural patterns through global warming? 

Well, we're doing it. 

Do we have to see the great Rhine River run with a current of death caused by a disastrous pesticide spill? 

Well, we've seen it. 

Does cancer have to rise up among us like a modern plague because of radon and toxins? 

Well, we've seen it. 

Do the clouds of Chernobyl have to spew radioactivity around the globe for us to declare enough is enough? 

What does it take to inject a sense of urgency? 

What does it take to wake up world governments to the global environmental threat? 

Can we not see that the miner's canary is dying---that we must save the earth if we are to save ourselves?

I do not want to be an old man who tells his offspring in the glow of nostalgic reflection about the good old days when we used to have primeval forests and great whales and clean, fresh water. 

I want neither nostalgia nor bitterness, but I am tired of waiting while the earth is dying. 

I want to see the earth flourish, and want to see the ways of regeneration. " 

Wow, incredible food for thought. 

While I am probably preaching to the converted already, I know that it takes very little effort to clean up our earth....those little steps of cleaning up litter, using less plastics and packaging, driving less-biking more and so on. 

There are many websites available that will give you plenty of ideas on how to clean up our earth on small or big scales. 

One thing you may not have thought about is thanking Mother Earth for her abundance and her gifts. 

I touched on this in my last newsletter. 

I really was not aware of Mother Earth per se until my Bootcamp experience. 

It was an A-ha moment for me and I have been thanking Mother Earth every day since. 

The sweat lodge was an amazing experience to help me connect with Mother Earth....as were my silent walks. 

When you're out walking, touch the leaves, the trees, the grass and so on...giving thanks to the earth as you do. 

We don't have too many options available to us if we destroy Earth. 

To quote Chief Seathl in a letter to the President of the USA in 1854...

"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. 

Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." ....and.....

"Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste." 

Pierces the heart doesn't it.... Mother Earth is a precious living being and it's up to us to help her heal....so go on...take that silent walk today and be oh so thankful. (and pick up some trash along the way...) 

You'll be amazed how it makes you feel as well.......enjoy!!.....~M

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Bootcamp for Goddesses

Just spent a week in Montana at camp...a camp for women! 


Women, you need to go to this camp. 

Men, you need to send your girl there if she resonates with the info on that site. 

Life changing and totally, totally amazing. 

Check it out.....~M

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

School's End

Well, tomorrow wraps up another year for my kids at school. 

Wow...I have no idea where this year has gone. I guess the better part of the harsh winter I was tied up with my dad's ailments, but aside from that, I must have blinked too long because I missed it! 

Once again, I am excited about this summer's activities. 

From now until my wedding in October, we are going to be busy. I have a retreat planned with one of my best buddies! We are going to a women's bootcamp retreat for 6 glorious days! There'll be hiking, yoga, sweatlodges, women's workshops, breathwork, African dancing, aromatherapy and so on. Sounds so empowering doesn't it? 

We, my family and I, do a bootcamp here at home where we do sets of walking, squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, step ups, up and down the bleachers and so on. We plan on keeping it up as many days as possible all summer. 

We are also planning a few camping weekends with our little family and that will be a new adventure for us. We usually head to someone's cabin , rather than staying in a campsite, so that will be so much fun for all of us! 

I am helping put a school cookbook together this summer so there'll be lots of typing. 

I am also co-chair to our parent conference that we will be hosting in the fall. 

And my mini-college reunion is also happening this year so there's always a chance for some all nighter Kaiser tournaments. 

Busy summer.....that's for sure! 

While it all sounds jam-packed with activities, I know there'll also be time for some quieter moments too. 

We actually disconnected our Satellite programming for the summer so there will be time for lots of exploring, lots of frog catching and lots of laughs. 

Yes, I am feeling the little heart palpitations of not having the tv available for the times I need to unwind or for the times my children need a moment as well. 

Guess we'll be reading more books and having more cuddle sessions! 

I know there'll also be some softer times so I can meditate and continue on my path as an energy therapist.  

I am looking forward to summer this year for so many obvious reasons and I plan to enjoy it one day at a time. 

Winter was hectic, hopefully summer will go by just a wee bit slower. 

Enjoy your summer and remember to take time to slow down....really enjoy it...rain or shine! 

Be grateful for whatever kind of weather as each moment is a moment for adventure and exploration, rather than one of disappointment and anger. 

Here's to summer bliss......~M

Monday, June 8, 2009

Foot In Mouth Moments

Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I'd rather step in front of the bus than let anyone else be hurt. 

It's been my nature for as long as I can remember, although my brothers would probably tell you otherwise in discussing our childhood. 

But aside from those personality developing years, I'm really careful about what I say and I usually always try to put others' feelings first. 

However....once in a while I slip up and the words are out before I think about the ramifications of what I just said. 

Usually it's in respect to my kids who I let drive my bus on many occasions, but there are those times when I blurt things out when I'm in the driver's seat. 

Things I wish I could take back but just can't. 

I guess we all do that once in a while but I am not fond of those moments in myself. I've worked hard on being in a place where I honor and respect others and wish them only life's best. 

So when I mess up and cross the line into their lives, I have a hard time forgiving myself. I beat myself up pretty bad when I know I've stepped on someone's toes or interfered with their stuff. 

I know I am not alone in this, I know there are others who beat themselves up too and have regrets. 

I guess the only thing we can do when this happens is to step out of our misery and fear and try to rectify the situation. 

Say "I'm sorry" and learn from it. 

Man oh man, those life lessons can be difficult sometimes, can't they? 

I would never intentionally hurt anyone and if I do, because of an error in my judgment, I am sadly disappointed in myself. 

I do feel that my job on Earth is to make people's lives better...in a kind and gentle way....not by interfering in their journeys

I can only hope that if I have stepped on your toes, be it in any way, you accept my humblest apologies and understand that I have only love in my heart for you and wish only smiles, laughter, love and joy for you. 

This is my deepest wish for everyone......M

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Can I Do It?

Inspiration comes in all forms, I've noticed and from all directions. 

Some of our friends have, as a family, taken on a huge challenge. 

The 12 year old son gave up computers, tv AND video games for a year and the daughter gave up chocolate. Their reward, and they earned it, was that their mother treated them to an all expense paid trip to Edmonton for the weekend. 

That got us thinking in this house. While not everyone is on board yet, my oldest and I decided to give it a whirl. 

Our challenge starts this week. She is giving up chocolate and pop. 

My challenge is to give up chocolate and potato chips. We may also include an exercise factor in that challenge. 

We haven't quite decided on a grand prize yet as we are waiting to see if the rest of the family is coming on board. 

Not going to lie,  I'm a little concerned here.....I love chips. Chocolate is no biggie, really...but chips? Holy man, I don't know if I can do it. 

A year without chips? 

How will I quiet those hungry chip monsters that reside deep down in my body...the ones that whisper oh so quietly.."Go buy some chips"...then get louder as the day goes on until I finally break down and buy the chips. 

How will I shush those voices? 

What will I do with my hands when I'm sitting down to a movie? 

How will I manage at get togethers where the bowls of chips are endless? 

How will I pass time in the vehicle on those long, long trips? 

Panic is starting to set in, I think. I want to go buy some chips and eat the whole bag right now, just in case I forget what they taste like. Good thing it's late at night and the stores are closed. 

A year seems like forever right now. I'm sure my girl is feeling the same way about her challenge. Not that we drink much pop in this house, but she likes to get her fix when she can. 

A year...hhmmmm. 

Well, I agreed to it and I will stick to it. Good thing we have EFT to help us out. Not sure I'd be able to do it without EFT. 

Can you do me a favor though? 

If I come to your house, can you hide the chips? Thanks! 

So I hope our challenge inspires your family to set up your own family challenge. 

What can you let go of? 

We wanted to make it somewhat of a harder challenge so we gave up things that would really test us...and it will test us! 

Let me know if you decide to take on a family challenge. It's fun and it's a family thing and, for us, it's a healthy challenge. Maybe you would like to give up biting your nails, maybe you'd like to exercise 5 days a week, maybe you'd like to give up tv for a year, like our friend's son did. 

Whatever your challenge is, I'd sure like to hear about it if you decide to do it! 

Oh, can I do this? 

I think so....it's setting a good example for my kids and I may even end up impressing myself at the same time....always good for the self-confidence. Wish us luck!!......~M

Friday, April 17, 2009

Ahhh...Spring Cleaning

Finally, the snow is almost gone and the air is warm and the windows are opened. 

 I love spring. 

It's a time to refresh. 

It's a time to cleanse. 

It's a time to stretch. 

And it's a time to clean the house....okay, maybe I don't love that part. 

But...because I've been otherwise detained for most of the year so far, my house sure needed to be "cleansed". 

It sure doesn't take long for the piles to grow and the dust bunnies to multiply. 

As I was cleaning out closets and dusting all the ornaments, I wondered why I have all of this stuff....because most of it is just that...stuff. 

So I purged and, boy, did it feel good! 

I took the advice of the experts and only kept what gave me pleasure. 

Sure, there was a guilt factor there, especially when I decided to let go of gifts people have given me. 

I decided, however, that if I haven't used the item for a year or if it didn't give me pleasure to look at it, it went in the garage sale box or the donation bag for the church rummage sale. 

The funny thing is, once I started, the kids got into it as well. Their rooms have also been spring cleaned and you can actually walk around their whole rooms now...not just on the path from the door to the bed. 

Now if we could get the toddler and his daddy on board, our house would sparkle! Baby steps, I guess. 

There are still some piles in the basement due to the ongoing renovations down there...but, you know, it feels pretty good around here lately. 

The house has a refreshed sense to it and it's someplace I want to be in, instead of dreading being here due to the clutter and piles. 

We're kind of clean freaks now, my older children and I. We're watching for any misdemeanors...for those who forget to pick up after themselves. 

I think we all feel better in our house now and we want to keep it that way. 

I guess the idea that your house is a reflection of you is true. 

A cluttered house does indicate a cluttered mind. For me, anyway.

I'm feeling a bit less overwhelmed these days and so is my house....and my family. 

Spring cleaning not only cleanses the house, but it cleanses the spirit as well. 

Spring cleaning your spirit feels amazing. 

 Now that my house is cleansed, it's time to do more cleansing of the spirit. 

More meditation, more walks outside, more laughter and more hugs...sounds like heaven to me!.....~M

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Tests of Life

I just posted on my Facebook page a quote I read from Benjamin Franklin. 

I quote, "The true test of a person's character comes through in matters of family inheritance." 

Does this resonate with anyone? 

I have seen the absolute worst come out in people when it comes to inheritances. It really takes me back a bit. 

It is a true test of character isn't it? 

Have you noticed that we are often tested in life...many times over in fact? 

Do you pay attention to these little tests or do you just go through life unaware? 

Being unaware is a good thing some days because some days I get tired of the tests. 

Some days I don't want to think that there are people in my life who will judge me for my mistakes. 

Some days I don't want to set the good example for my children. 

Some days I don't want to think that God or the angels are watching my reactions to the tests. 

Some days I want to be ugly and nasty and vindictive. 

Some days I want to listen to the devil on my shoulder rather than the angel on the other one. 

I know there is a lesson in each test....as I am aware there is a lesson in everything that happens in our lives. But there are times when I don't feel like stepping up to the plate. 

Is that the humanness coming out in me again? 

Trying to live in Spirit would be a lot easier if the human side of me would quit getting in my way!! 

I have a dear, wise friend who said these words to me this week:

"We, ...us, souls,... came with free will. Our will. It makes us independent and strong. It gives us the courage to do stupid dangerous things. Its a good thing. "It" stops being a good thing when "we" don't know how or when to turn it off and, "let God", God's Will. 

So, for my simple mind I use pictures. 

I imagine we are the willful two year old trying to do it our own way (which is a good thing). 

But frustration and anger and tears and trouble sets in and overwhelm us. 

There comes a time to allow the wise kind Elder (Gods will) to love, hold, guide and show us the way. 

Allow the guidance, support and love to be felt. It's there for the asking. 

Ask(let go)..........Accept(let God). 

Balance." 

Thank you wise, wise friend.... I will refer back to these words many times when I am faced with the tests of life. 

Even though the two year old in me would rather be impetuous, needy and selfish, I know I have a choice in how I react. I know that sometimes I will give in to the child in me.....and that's part of learning my lessons....that's what will make me stronger. 

 However, I know there are times when I will embrace that two year old in me.....especially when it comes time to walking in mud puddles and blowing bubbles!....~M

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Multi-tasking

I was reading an article today called "The Practical Guide to Starting the Spiritual Journey". 

Now, I have been on a spiritual journey for quite some time so I found this article quite interesting. 

It's based on a book by Rita Nayar called "The Happiness Quotient". 

Sounds intriguing! 

There was so much valuable information in this article but one suggestion really struck me....and I quote:

"Do one action at a time, deliberately and slowly. This will slow down your thoughts, and make you actively aware. Contrary to popular belief, multi-tasking takes away the simplicity of life and therefore encourages anxiety and stress". 

You know, I know all of this stuff already, but I realized, in reading that, I am the Queen of Multi-tasking. Not that it gets me too far...but I do multi-task. 

No wonder it seems like some days I go two steps forward and six steps back. 

Do one thing at a time? 

I don't know if I could. 

How do I slow myself down enough to do that? 

How would I get everything done? 

These are the anxiety driven questions I asked myself upon reading that. 

As I think about it, however, I may just get more things done. As crazy as it sounds, I know that may be the truth. 

And it is one more step on my journey to Spirituality....but I have so many projects on the go, so many jobs to complete, so many calls to make and so many Thursday night tv shows to watch...while I am folding laundry and doing dishes. 

Maybe I'll just sit and watch my show without doing anything else! 

Somehow, I don't think that's what this article meant. :-)

But I do get it and I do understand and I will put it into action...right after I finish the books, wrap up the last essay question on my exam, finish my newsletter, read that last chapter, design the posters for the workshops and conference and make supper......hmmm....obviously this may be harder than I thought......~M

Monday, February 23, 2009

When Life Hands You Lemons...

In reference to my last blog, written so very long ago, I am still in the situation I was talking about. 

Things have quieted down but I am still sitting with a loved one in the hospital. 

This is why I have not been able to keep up with my blog. 

Thanks to everyone who has shown genuine concern for me and my family. We're dealing with a head injury so there is no way to tell how long the healing process will take. 

Sitting there in hospital certainly gives one time to think and time to reflect upon their lives and the lives of everyone involved. This includes not only the patient, but other family members, the doctors and the nurses as well. These kinds of situations can bring out the best in people, but I've also seen the worst in people come up as well. 

It's been quite surprising. 

I guess we all react to life experiences in our own special way. 

However, I have met some really remarkable people on the neurology ward, and again that includes nurses, other patients and their families. Some of the stories I've heard about seem like they could only happen in the movies, not in real life. 

It kind of puts things into perspective. 

It reaffirms that you sure cannot take life for granted....it can all change in a heartbeat, as it has for most of the families we've met in these past few weeks. It's hard to understand until it happens to you or a loved one. 

"They" say that everything that happens, happens for a reason. I know I talk about that alot. 

The trick is to find the lesson. And it's difficult to do sometimes. 

How can a serious, debilitating, life threatening head injury possibly have a lesson to it? I don't know...I haven't figured my lesson out yet. 

Trying to see the positive side of a situation can be so hard...and sometimes I'd rather wallow in my self pity, anger and sense of helplessness. It's easier and sometimes it really makes me feel better to roll around in those emotions. 

I see those emotions on the faces of most of the patients and their visitors on the neurology ward, so I know they must be the usual feelings one deals with in these circumstances. It's a confusing place to be when you're faced with these real life experiences. 

Most days, I can pull myself up and send distance hugs to everyone I see with grief and weariness on their faces. 

Some days I can't and I search out my reassurances from others. 

Maybe that's my lesson. 

Maybe it's okay to rest sometimes and let others take care of things and take care of me. 

I've never been good at delegating and I've always been pretty independent. 

Letting go and letting others, including God, does not come easy to me. The old Let Go and Let God motto is a tough one for me to embrace. 

I'll talk about faith in my next newsletter once things calm down here a bit. 

I can see that maybe this is a lesson I can take from this situation. I have to figure out how to make lemonade from all the lemons coming my way. 

In the meantime, as I'm trying to work this out, please know that we are so grateful for all the hugs, support and well wishes. I celebrate your kindness and thoughtfulness!....~M

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

2009 So Far

I don't know about you, but 2009 has certainly knocked me on my butt many times. 

Seems I just get up and get my butt dusted off and I'm down again. That's why there's been no blog for a while. 

I know I'm not the only one feeling that way right now. 

My whole family and my community are all busy dusting off our butts once again. 

I'm hoping that we've gotten all the bad stuff out of way and the rest of 2009 will be incredible. 

On a happy note, however, it's been very inspiring to see how people have pulled together in times of need. I've witnessed this so many times in the past three, or rather six, weeks, it makes my heart soar! 

I don't know why it seems that we need a tragedy or an accident to pull people back together, but that's been the case this month. 

I guess we all get busy and forget. I know I've been guilty of that so many times. 

This month has made me look at all the people who are important in my life, and to realize that I'd be really lost without any one of them. Sometimes it does take something bad to happen to get us back on the right track, as sad as that is to say. 

The weird part is that sometimes it's really awkward to tell someone that I love them, especially when I haven't done so in a while. 

How crazy is that? 

It's like my blog on wishing people Merry Christmas. It's a little strange at first.....but then it gets easier. 

I hope to continue telling my people how important they are.....I hope I never get too busy to do that again. 

I've realized this week, also, that you can't really make up for lost time, but you can sure try. 

I believe this is the year to slow down and quit spinning around in circles. 

This is the year to read more bedtime stories and take more walks with the family. 

This is the year for middle of week calls, just to say hi. 

This is the year for laughter, picnics and heart to heart talks. 

I hope that's the lesson to be learned in what we've gone through this month so far. 

I do try to find the good in the bad things that happen and I believe if you can do that, it eases the impact of what's going on. 

We still have a long road ahead of us to heal from this month, but at least we seem to have found some soft places to fall when we need to. 

Blessings and Gratitude to everyone who has been there for us and for each other this month. 

I must quote my friend Anna here. I sent her an email when the next bad thing happened this month with the heading..."When it rains, it pours...." She replied back to me " After the rain, comes sunshine..." 

I'm holding on to that.....~M