Gifts from Mother Nature

Mother Nature has many treasures that are available to us as we take
the time to learn about them.
In the ancient Celtic healing traditions, wild mint was used as an herb that was particularly effective to 'clear out bad energies' and all manner of 'ills'.
The ancients had to depend on the land to support their healing, their food, their shelter.
Because of this, they treated the Earth with great respect and admiration and held deep gratitude for Her generosity towards the support of their lives.
Wild Mint was a particular treasure because it could be used as a drink, a medicinal to be placed on wounds, and a scent to clear the air.

In the Loma Linda Hills, we are fortunate to have Wild Mint.
The other day during my morning hike, I came across a beautiful mint bush that was covered with frost from the frozen mist of the night.
Its tender leaves held the frost delicately and shared their beauty with me as I entered a narrow canyon.
The scent in the air from the mint bush was very heavy because of the lingering mist in this little canyon.
I found myself transported back in time to a dimension where these bushes represented healing and wellness.
How precious a creation.

I was reminded again of the beauty and power in the Earth.
I was reminded also of our need to remember this and not continue to disregard Mother Nature's gifts.

I offer my gratitude to the Creator for the opportunity to witness the beauty of
Winter and the Mint Bush.

Being Beauty

Mother Nature is incredible in the way that She just knows how to 'Be Beauty'.
Whether it is a feather that falls to the Earth from the wings of a Hawk, or a stone that lies gently on the Earth, She just seems to 'know' how to open to being beautiful.

Beauty is in the 'being'.
It is the light that shines forth from the Divine within.
It is the magic of the Spirit that dwells deep inside.
It is the movement of the fluid nature of the water that is so much a part of who we are.
It is the wisdom of knowing what to do, say, or be.
It is the tenderness of a gentle touch.
It is the courageous power of integrity.
It is the enduring passion of unconditional love.
It is the peace that passeth all understanding.
It is a random act of kindness.
It is a generous heart.
It is a life of service.
It is a healing hand.
It is an open mind.
It is in All That Is.

What Signs Have You Posted?

All of us, either consciously or unconsciously, post 'road signs' all over our space.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'No Trespassing'...when we really don't want any visitors within our space.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'Proceed with Caution' when we are not in the best place and would prefer to be left alone.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'Welcome' when we are open to access and connection.

'Signs' are used to communicate information about our state of being.
When we learn how to intuitively 'read' these signs, we can be more sensitive in our interactions with others.
We can better honor boundaries.
We can better respect the 'space' of others.

These 'road signs' come in all shapes and sizes.
They are also available on a larger scale.
Within the context of our lives, 'road signs' can tell us a lot about how our journey is proceeding.
We can learn how to determine progress or the lack of it.
The more aware we become of our environment, the more attuned we are to our own progress.
Our outer environment reflects that which is happening within us.
If there is clutter all around, then there is clutter all around within.
If there is chaos all around, then there is chaos all around within.
If there is peace and tranquility, then there is peace and tranquility all around within.
The 'road signs' that are available to us are abundant.
But do we want to recognize them and even more, do we want to act on them.

Often we 'sense' a sign, and 'see' a sign but choose to ignore a sign.
That just means that we will continue to 'be' right where we have been without much progress.
When we grow tired of being who we have been, then we will choose to 'sense', 'see' and 'act' on the signs that have been all around us for so long.
Action shifts the energy of what has been into what it can become.
Action transforms with movement.
Action causes us to move beyond the boundaries that we have previously set for ourselves.
It takes us beyond intention into the world of change and flux.
Flux is a good thing...it means that the world of potentiality is upon us.
It means that opportunity abounds.
It suggests that there can be more joy, more peace, more conscious redesign.

Learn to move in freedom and creation just like the Universe.
The Universe is in constant motion and says 'YES'!!
What do you say?

Being Empty....

This flower, I am told, is a wild lilly.
Some consider this a weed...
That I cannot comprehend...
One of the things that makes this beauty stand out, is its emptiness.
It holds a space within its central core that is a beautiful container.
It is 'empty' space...a place anticipating being filled...or not.

It might be filled with any number of things but the beauty of it is that is holds this space of possibility as to what may enter.

Within each of us lies a space.
A beautiful inner core where Spirit is instilled.
It makes us come alive.
We can choose to fill this space with many different things.
Each of these things has the power to alter who we are.
Each of them has the power to bring us closer or further away from what we are here to do.

Sometimes we unconsciously open this space within to things that can truly harm us.
Sometimes we get smart and open to fill with vitality and creativity and joy.
But it is always our choice.

So much of the time we don't empty out all the old aspects of ourselves.
We hold onto who we used to be because we are afraid to take the risk of starting over.
We become attached to our familiar way of being in the world.
We learn how to simply 'adapt' to our environment, rather than redesign.

Emptying our own being is just as important as emptying our closets and doing Spring cleaning.
Periodically, it is so important to create space to 'recreate' in.
The simple act of surrendering the 'old' creates just the space we need to re-form aspects of ourselves that we have outworn.

Our world is in need of new ways of 'being'.
Our world is overdue for a major healing.
Our world will heal one person at a time.

Create some space in which to heal.
Make the world a better space.

The Sacredness of Life...

This beautiful moth is similar to the one that was hit by my car on my drive home from
San Diego recently.
When I noticed the beautiful moth on the front grill of the car, I felt a sense of terrible loss, grief, guilt...
I felt like a terrible human being that somehow had been a participant in harming an innocent creature.
When I was in the midst of these overpowering emotions, I noticed that the moth moved.
It's wing was very very broken...actually both wings were broken and it was not capable of flying in any way.
I approached the moth slowly and carefully and gently eased the moth away from the grill that it was trapped in.
I held it in my hand...and we formed a 'bond'.
I sent that beautiful moth a heartfelt apology for the harm I had caused it.
I so wished somehow that the situation could have been different.
What I 'heard' from the moth, was that what it wanted was to experience human compassion.
So I sat in the car with the moth in my hand for some time, sending it love and appreciation for its beauty and courage.
The moth moved occasionally and would stretch its leg...that's about the only part of the moth that was able to move...it's movement brought more tears of grief for the little life that was cut short.
I decided to carry the moth in my lap as I drove to my next destination.
It seemed to rest quietly, again moving infrequently but just enough so that I knew she was still with me.
When I arrived at my destination, I sat in the car and 'asked' her what she wanted and how I could help her 'transition' which I sensed was more imminent.
She communicated that she wanted to be allowed to rest in a warm space in the sun.
So I prepared such a space, placed her gently there, and said a blessing for her life.
I asked that her gift to the world be acknowledged and her life be honored.
When I came back to the spot where she was lying a bit later, she had passed on.
She had 'birthed' new wings that would take her on to a place 'not of this world'.
I placed her beautiful broken body in some flowers on the ground nearby and as I did this, a young girl approached.
Oh, she said, that looks like a beautiful creature.
And I showed her the beauty of this amazing little being.
She looked and smiled.
Then she spoke of her love of all the birds and butterflies and other creatures of the Earth.

The moment brought me to a remembrance of the sacredness of life...of the fragile nature of our existence...
What a gift each moment is.
And what a gift it is to share this beauty.
What a gift it is to acknowledge and honor the life that surrounds us...the life that is within us.
Why take this for granted?
Why disregard its significance?

Why not realize its incredible value...
Why not open to its mystery...
Why not explore its offerings...

The Portal

Portals, or gateways, are places in our lives where we are extended an invitation to step into 'something else'.
This can be related to our work in the world such as medicine, nursing, housekeeping, plumbing.
This can also be related to 'who' we have been as opposed to 'who' we might become.
In the past, we might have been timid and more introspective.
The portal may represent an invitation to be extroverted and outrageous.
We may have been focused more on our own healing and now we are being given an invitation to focused more outwardly on the healing of others.
We may have been entwined in a small circle of friends and family and the portal invites us to widen our circle to include a larger world view.

The portal is an invitation.
It is not a demand.
It is not a forced pathway.
It simply asks us to consider a different way of being.
It asks us to wonder about other aspects of ourselves and our world that have not yet been travelled.
It asks us to take a journey into aspects of our being that are unrealized but are beckoning to us.

Sometimes we have such a sense of knowing about what is next that we choose to leap forward with a strong sense of surety.
Sometimes we sense that we are being asked to wonder first about what this new future holds for us and for the world and consciously choose a particular path.

Whichever the condition, the portal is a wonderful opportunity.
The opportunity is there to go beyond, to stretch further, to open wider.
It is an opportunity to know other dimensions of ourselves and others.
It is an opportunity to expand our service.

Sometimes our decision is to move through the portal and grasp this new ring of opportunity.
Sometimes we choose to stay put where we are and wait until another portal presents
itself to us.
The beauty of our existence in this world is that we can choose.
Every choice carries blessings and challenges.
We can learn in either direction.
One often results in further soul growth and the other allows us more time to ripen.

Right now, our Earth, asks us to consider strongly what is before us.
It asks us to give wider consideration to what is going on in the world around us and to the Earth Herself.
It asks us to be aware of the needs of others and the service opportunities that abound.

Wonder about what portals are before you right now.
Which door will you choose... door number 1, door number 2, or door number 3,...or....

Sometimes We Fly...Sometimes We Walk...

There are times when it just works better if we slowly walk our Earth journey,and times when there is lots of room to fly.
Sometimes we need the Earth beneath our feet to reconnect us with who we are and what our focus should be for this moment in time.
This connection to the Earth is very powerful in the way it gives us an opportunity to reestablish and remember our foundational links.
Having the strong sense of foundation within our lives is so critical to the flying cycle.
When we sense that foundation, clearly and firmly, it creates ease when the time for flying presents.
If we don't take the time to build the foundation first, rest assured, we will be given a later opportunity (often not under the best of circumstances) to build it again.
Whether it's a house you are building, a life plan or a new career, keeping your feet on the ground and creating the 'root' structure first is essential.
This serves to support all that follows.
This creates the ability to launch when the time is right.
This helps to build stability and opportunity for later growth.
This prevents the very uncomfortable 'crash and burn' later.

So, walk when you need to, and fly when you are ready...and pay attention to the time and space in between.

The Gift of Erosion

Erosion is a powerful force of nature.
It can totally transform a mound of Earth into something that does not resemble its original self/form.
Erosion can leave an area with total destruction of what had been.
It can create havoc with the stability of the way things were.
It can shift the landscape such that there are now openings where there had previously been closings.
The changes of erosion sometime come on slowly, and sometimes the changes can occur overnight.

Erosion can also create new beauty and put a new 'face' on the way things are.
Erosion can create new pathways of opportunities for crossing into unchartered territory.
It can wipe away old obstacles that formed blocks and obstructions.
It can open secret passageways deep into the core of the Earth.

Erosion can restore balance and harmony.
It can uncover truths deep within.

Sometimes, in my experience, Erosion sneaks in and accomplishes its mission without me even noticing.
Sometimes, I need major eroding change, and the shift rocks my world.
Usually, the small changes are course corrections that Spirit created in my path.
Same with the larger eruptions...
They are no less necessary.
Often those changes that I have tried to bury or ignore over the years, build up until they demand attention.
Then the opportunity comes to choose to address this needed change.
If I choose to politely decline, I bury what wants to change deeper causing a greater need for volcanic action to 'right it' later.
If I choose to accept the opportunity to 'tackle' the challenge, erosion occurs and layers of 'stuff' begins to sluff off exposing what needs to be released and surrendered.
There is no point in 'covering up' that which wants to experience the light of day.
Surrendering it totally and fully allows the Creator to remake it into beauty, wisdom, love, grace and light.

There is nothing within us that the Creator cannot transform.

Such a gift...such a miracle...such an opportunity...

Dynamic Surrender

Surrender implies release, letting go, giving up, repose, cessation...
Within the Natural World, there are 'pictures' of surrender everywhere.
The difference between the way we surrender vs. Mother Nature seems to be in the element of Grace.

We often struggle, fight, resist, and avoid...
Mother Nature gracefully acknowledges the rightness of the time and space, and moves forward in full surrender.

We come up with countless reasons why we need this or that.
Mother Nature sees beyond what is there to what is trying to become...She surrenders current need.

We hang on so tightly to so much that doesn't serve us, fearful of LOSING something important.
Mother Nature holds all freely and loosely and is always ready to grant the freedom to whatever wants to move on and transform...She surrenders to transformation.

We declare ownership of this or that as if we truly POSSESS all things and others as well.
Mother Nature respects the sovreignty of all of life and accordingly holds no-thing back...She surrenders ownership.

We restrict movement of others by not believing in them or in ourselves.
Mother Nature knows better. She sees clearly the true life potential of every living thing...She surrenders to a greater vision.

We refuse to see with BIG EYES and a BIG HEART and therefore experience smallness in our lives.
Mother Nature constantly reinvents Herself, enlarges Herself and expands Herself in ever widening perspectives of all that can be...She surrenders to the mythic and the superhero.

We see difficult situations as events to avoid.
Mother Nature surrenders to what is and dynamically moves beyond limitation...She lives and breathes in dynamic surrender between repose and movement.

Because She lives in perfect communion with Her Creator, She knows when to surrender to stillness and when to surrender to creation.

She is in a constant state of surrender to the Power of the Creative Force that guides and directs all things...She knows

Who's Been Waiting on You to Blossom?

As I walked the hills of Loma Linda this morning, I noticed how many butterflies, bees and other wild looking bugs were in a state of ecstasy over the blooming of so many flowers.
We have had alot more rain this year, and because of that, the hills are a beautiful lush green with bursts of yellow flowers.

I found myself reminded again of the incredible rhythm and sequencing of Mother Nature.
There is a pattern of what must come first, second and so on.
Mother Nature honors that sequence and order of things.
Each element KNOWS who it is and why it is there and what's its purpose and service is.

Also, each element depends on the one that comes before it.
It must do its part so that the life cycle can continue.
If anyone element in the cycle doesn't 'show up' and complete her assignment, the entire process can fall apart.
There is an interdependence that is in place that honors the work of all things...none more important or significant than the other.
Each, in its own place, in its own time, critical for the wellbeing of the whole.

So it is with us.
We each have a different role.
If we get distracted or choose to take our path in other directions, then there are always natural consequences that occur.
Adjustments must be made and other course corrections put in place.
The Universe is so interconnected, that it is constantly in motion.
Shifts and alternative plans are always happening due to these changing of events.

It is very important that we stay true to who we are and why we are here.
Others are counting on our 'showing up' in certain ways to support their unfolding.
As we stay true to who we are becoming and allow our own blossoming,
we can be of truer service to those that are also coming forth to blossom.

Remember who you are...
Remember why you are here...
Remember who you are here to serve...
Remember Who you belong to...
Remember to blossom...

Wisdom Circle - Supporting Each Other on Our Paths

Every person's path is so very different.
No two are the same.
One of the functions of a Wisdom Circle is to support the growth and soul development of each member.
Through the experience of being in a spiritually focused group, often a person's chosen pathway becomes more clear.
The individual may have an opportunity to 'dance' with more of who she or he is.
There is an opportunity to explore aspects of oneself that tend to get pushed into the closet in normal everyday life.
The Circle 'holds space' for our becoming...that is, our becoming more of who we already are.
The Circle serves as a container to support the opening of aspects of ourselves that lie deeper below the surface.
Sometimes it is fear that has buried these 'gems' of who we are.
Sometimes it is our 'busyness'.
Sometimes it is our confusion.
But whatever it is, the Circle is a natural place for its fuller expression.

The way a Circle can support each person's path to unfold further is by creating a space and a time for each person to present those items that are held dear to their hearts.
When an individual chooses to 'go public' with that which is on their heart, a wonderful energy is created which further supports their heart's desire in manifesting.
The Universe says, YES!!!, and synchronicities are created that support the individual's soul development.
There is an incredible response by Spirit to the creative impulse within the individual and magic happens.
Opportunities are created, jobs are identified, resources are manifested...

The Creator loves us to respond to co-create...
The Creator is ready to send an abundance of angels to support us as we move forward and take a leap of faith.
The Creator always 'makes up' for whatever shortcomings we have...there is no 'short - fall'.
We are caught up in the wings of angels as we move forward in confidence that the support of heaven is ours.

As each of us take the next step on our path and choose to move closer to who we truly are as soul, the world changes.
The world heals as we heal...slowly or quickly, depending on how we choose to respond.
Is it worth taking the risk and dancing with a bit more mystery in order to help heal the world and ourselves?
Now is a great time to embrace your own path...live the best life you can dream...

Wisdom Circle - Unfolding Into More of Itself

The flower in the picture is unfolding...it is in the process of becoming more of itself.
When it started out as a seed, it had a memory of 'who' and 'what' it was to be.
As it grew, more of the 'who' and the 'what' presented itself.
There were effects and conditions along the way that impacted the flower.
The environment, the surroundings, the sun, all added to this process.
It is a beautiful creation of nature, perfectly unique and singular in its display of color and form.

This has been the course of our Wisdom Circle.
Initially, we sensed what it was that the Circle would become...actually, what it truly was already.
The Circle was a place of exploration, sanctuary, healing, support.
As members came and left and new members emerged, the Circle took on new color, energy and form.
And the process continues.
No two Wisdom Circles are the same.
Each holds it own signature of what it is becoming.
Each serves the world in a somewhat different way.
There are learning circles, healing circles, support circles, resilience circles, circles for
peace building, dancing circles, meditation circles, sacred circles and many more.
The magic of the Circle is that it keeps on recreating itself, just like we do.
There are some things that resemble the original form, but other things have been replaced and a metamorphosis has happened.
The Wisdom Circle is a perfect metaphor for life.
It is a wonderful experience in creation, healing and the dynamic flow of change.