The Spirit Journey

2011-12-06T22:09:00.004-06:00

Greetings, Gentle Readers!

This is such a wonderful time of the year. The Wheel turns and autumn gives way to winter. As much as I love autumn, I do love winter. There is a refreshing that comes with the colder temps. The leaves fall from the trees knowing that they will bring the coming again of spring in just a few short months.

I must admit, though, there are things about this season that get under my skin. So many people celebrate holidays. It's not just about Christmas. It's about Yule, Hanukkah, and others. We all celebrate our own way. And even though I would never deny anyone their holiday, I end up being so frustrated at those who do. Why can we not acknowledge all peoples of faith with a simple "Happy Holidays?" Why is that greeting so horrible? I don't understand. Why can I not wish you a Merry Yule when you wish me Merry Christmas? People get seriously bent out of shape over it, truly.

For those who believe in Jesus, He came to show us the way of giving. For those of us who follow pagan gods, they showed us to honor the earth and creation. For those of Jewish faith, the holiday shows us the miracles available to those who believe.

I think many of us have forgotten the idea of it all. Whether it's Yule or Christmas or Hanukkah...no matter. What is important is the idea of generosity and charity,. Instead of piling up gifts, why not take time to serve at a homeless shelter? What a wonderful way to teach children the necessity of giving and gratitude! Why not foster a dog or cat in a shelter over the holiday so it knows the warmth of human companionship? Why not put together a simple bag of necessary items like toothbrushes, paste, deoderant, snacks, etc. for a homeless person you drive by every day? Why not simply be a light to everyone you meet?

There are so many ways to celebrate that bring us back to the original idea of holidays: to serve those less fortunate than ourselves and be thankful for all with which we've been blessed. Let's use this year's holiday to serve others in a tangible way.

Blessed Be!

Happy Holidays!

A Matter of Opinion

2011-10-06T11:45:00.003-05:00

Greetings, Gentle Readers...

It's been a long time since last we connected through this wonderful medium. And first, as we do, let's take a moment to remember Steve Jobs. He was the Einstein of his generation, changing our lives immeasurably.

That said, there is much going on in our world this day. I'm speaking of the marches on Wall Street which are catching on all over the world. No, you don't see much on the mainstream media about this, especially in the US. But it is happening and it deserves our attention. All over the US, and now in cities around the world, the people are banding together in peaceful protest against the class system that has risen over the past 35 years. It started here in the US under President Regan and has continued with every Republican president since he left office.

I know President Regan is idolized by the right. He did give a good show. But he also stripped the tax code, along with those who followed after him, to benefit the richest people in our country. Those leaders also gave massive breaks to corporations and allowed them to take our jobs overseas. Then they allowed Wall Street to make a killing off people seeking the American Dream. I know some may disagree, but I believe the record of such stands.

Now you have two classes: the super rich who pay little to no taxes, and the working poor who bust their butts to carry this country on their overworked backs. It is quite evident that it cannot continue this way. Even those who are financially blessed have come out against the tax code that victimizes the low and middle class. And, really, the idea of a middle class is going away quickly.

What coverage of this uprising we see says they have no mission. I think many who have been interviewed have been quite direct. The populace is tired of being taken advantage of. They are tired of working so hard and giving away their money, which is over-taxed to the max. Let's be honest, by the time you pay your state, local and fed taxes, on top of all the sales taxes, there isn't much left to care for yourself.

So, I encourage you to check out what is happening. Join a peaceful march in your own city. Let the powers that be know you're not going to be taken advantage of any more.

But above all, be respectful and peaceful. Violence never solved anything.

Light Through The Trees

2011-06-16T10:04:00.003-05:00

Greetings Gentle Readers...

It's been a while since we last spent time with each other and much has happened. As usual, life moves forward. Sometimes slowly. Sometimes quickly. But always moving forward, nonetheless.

Where do we go when life takes a down turn? Some find solace in faith. Others find solace in simple meditation. Some find no solace at all. And it is those who fail to move forward, who remain stuck in the pain of life, who are on my mind this day.

We've all done it; remained in our pain. When life throws us a hard right to the chin and we are knocked down, we fight to get up but find ourselves giving in. It's just too easy to remain on the canvas than face what hit us and come back fighting. Analogy? Sure. But it is a true one.

For those who are Christian, there is the verse in Romans about God not giving us more than He will make a way out of. Oh, many misquote that one! It's not that God will not give us more than we can handle! It's that there will be a way out! For the Pagan who follows Goddess, we know that there is comfort in Nature. There is peace and wisdom to be found under the overarching branches of an old Oak tree. The quiet brings comfort.

But for those who fail to overcome, there is a life of anger, pain and regret. And what a shame and disappointment to live under that huge cloud. One never finds peace and joy. We've all met folks like this. Everything is negative. They become a victim of their own circumstances. And they are an energy drain to be around. No matter what happens, it becomes about them. And we who try to focus on the positive, find ourselves drowning in their hole of blackness.

So what is the answer when life throws you down and seemingly beats you up? The answer is to look up. See the light through the trees in the forest. Know that there is someone, something greater than yourself and your "problems." Make the decision, and yes it is a decision, to move forward with that light in mind. Grieve as you should. I'm not saying to ignore your pain. Be honest with it. But know you cannot live in it without damning yourself to a life of ugly.

Stop. Listen. Find your center. Then find your path again. This is a journey, dear friends. It is a journey of the spirit. Pick yourself up and walk. Feel the breeze on your skin, the earth beneath your feet, the light above in the sky. Take control. And enjoy the journey!

Blessed Be!

Am I Walking in Awareness?

2011-04-05T10:00:00.002-05:00

Awareness. Mindfulness. Taking ourselves outside our own ego and walking in the moment. This is the path my spirit is taking.

There are many who write or video blog on this idea. And there are some great books on the subject. But what is it to me?

I find myself just existing, walking through life with no defined purpose. I move from place to place, issue to issue, problem to problem, without slowing down and considering who I am. Why am I in this place right now? What is there to learn from this? I'm sure you do the same. We get up in the morning, go through our routine, arrive at our jobs, and survive til five.

But what if there really is more to life than our routines? What if this is all a stage: a place for me to learn the lessons of life? How I go about that is a state of being. Awareness.

When my feelings are hurt, it is simply my ego in the way of the lesson. How hard it is to stop, put my ego to the side, and accept what happens with grace and inner understanding! It's so easy to take things personally. It's easy to throw up an emotional wall. It's a difficult thing to stop in the middle and ask what the lessons are.

It takes quiet time away from the noise of the world. I must find a place of solitude to open my heart and mind to what really happens in my life. For me, that place is nature. I love a quiet place under an old tree. That speaks to my spirit. What speaks to yours? Is it your personal scripture? Is it a particular musical piece? Or is it a place of total silence?

People have become uncomfortable with silence. That's a shame. We used to love the silence. Our great grandparents lived in simple times. There was no mass transportation to drown our minds. There was no booming radio blaring out noise. There was stillness, quiet, peace. Not saying it was easy. It wasn't. But it was simple. One could find a secluded corner to be with one's own thoughts. Not so much anymore.

So today, just for today, throw your intent into the Universe to live today in Mindfulness. Live today in Awareness of who you truly are. Live today in Awareness of your surroundings. Open yourself to the myriad of possibilities and the wonder of all that is. Be "in the moment." You will be amazed at the direction your spirit takes.

2010-12-12T16:14:00.003-06:00

And on this day of beginning
We see the snow fall, gently, quietly
As it lies on the grass, clinging to the rocks
And each one speaks of a love
A love that opened Her heart and created
All that is.

All that is.

The foot falls as we walk through the woods
Each leaf speaking as it give way
To the will of the walker.

All that is.

The trees may be bare but they speak
Of the wind in the boughs
The joy of spirit moving freely though them
Offering wisdom to those who listen.

All that is.

The water rushing past the rocks covered
With ice and snow waiting for the return of Spring.
Now nestled beneath the white powder.
Ice dripping slowly refreshing the stream
As it makes its way to the Ocean

All that is.
Begins again.

CLG
12.12.11

The Winter is Upon Us

2010-12-08T12:20:00.003-06:00

My dear Gentle Readers...

We approach the Winter Solstice. As pagans we know that there are many traditions to celebrate this time of year. However, regardless of tradition and ceremony, one thing remains: This is the day the sun stands still. Light and Dark in Balance. And then we begin our march forward to the coming Sun.

I love this photo. There is such tranquility in the snow on the ground. The starkness of the bare trees are in contrast to the light that begins to arise behind them. It is a perfect picture of how our lives move in and out of seasons. As pagans, we celebrate the seasons because they show us the Wheel of Life that turns every moment of our lives. We see the cycles of life and death; birth and re-birth. We know that the Wheel has no beginning and no end. Our lives are a constant cycle of regeneration.

This knowing gives me strength and comfort in times that are difficult. One only has to look at the cycles of Life to know that "this too will pass." The Sun will rise again. The Earth will be warmed and the flowers will bloom. Can anyone really describe the beauty of the crocus as it breaks through the snow to meet the coming spring? How does one tell of the sound of the rushing of water over snowy rocks, the melting of the ice bringing torrents of power streaming toward the ocean. And that power is Who we worship. Our great Mother, Goddess and Creator who brings power to our world. She is in and is all things.

And She is in our coming Winter Solstice. She is there, guiding us through the hardships and toward the coming Sun. The day the Earth stood still. Balance. That is our Solstice. So this December 21st, as time stops for just that moment, remember the beauty and joy in walking the Spiral Path.

Thank you our wonderful Earth Mother, Goddess, Creator for you bring Spirit to all things. You bring meaning to our lives. You bring joy. You ease pain. You cause us to walk the path of the Ancients with humility.

Blessed Solstice my friends.

As We Ready Ourselves...

2010-09-23T23:19:00.003-05:00

Brightest Blessings, Gentle Readers...

I had the opportunity tonight to enjoy the Harvest Moon. It was so bright and high, shining almost silver in the sky. It made me think of my ancestors who, at this time of year, would be gathering in the last of their harvest. They would slaughter all the animals they needed for the fast-approaching hard winter winds. The animals were offered to the Gods and Goddesses as they were taken for food, clothing and shelter. The ancients knew the importance of them, of the seasons, and were thankful for them with each offering. The women prepared all with great skill knowing their handiwork would care for their families during the harsh season to come. Also during this time, they were even more keenly aware of the veil between the worlds. It was this time set aside to honor those who passed on and seek the wisdom of the Ancients for their future.

In just over a month, Samhuinn will arrive. Now is the time for us to begin to take stock; to harvest that which we've sown over the year. We gather into our figurative barns all of the crops and food we need for the dark time. We edge toward extinguishing the fires of this year and move toward the renewing of the Hearth fire within ourselves and our homes. So what comes of this time of year?

The AIR is crisp and clean. The rustle of leaves beneath our feet tell of the impending dormancy. Its cold chills us. The EARTH is quiet. The stillness of the night falls around us like a blanket and we smell the moss on the fire. The FIRE is dwindling, reminding us of the coming change and the need to purify ourselves. The WATER flows under the frozen ground keeping life alive underneath the winter snow. And the SPIRIT walks between the worlds bringing messages of hope for the other side of the darkness.

During this time of year, living in the Deep South, I must use my imagination for those seasons. I'm thankful to have seen the beauty of the Wheel as it moves through the four seasons. As I close my eyes in meditation, I am reminded of my childhood. I am reminded of the scent of change in the air. It brings me comfort as I think on how my year has played out and what my desires are for the coming one.

So for the next month, take a moment each day to harvest the crops you've planted: love, joy, peace, compassion, etc. Draw them to you and let them guard you and give you comfort. And begin to see that which you wish to sow and reap in the coming year. Lay out your desires before God and Goddess. Bless each as you offer them. And prepare your hearts for a Blessed Samhuinn!

Our Own Special Light

2010-09-16T21:07:00.003-05:00

Greetings, Gentle Readers...

It's been quite some time since we spent a few moments together. Life gets busy. Important things slip and take a back seat, unfortunately. We get caught up in the daily slog.

I have been so many places in my spirit over the past months. And my reading has shown it. I've read everything from Don Miguel Ruiz to the Dalai Lama and everyone in between. And I've come to see that being broken open is the key.

Ego is such an insidious thing. The "me" that infiltrates all we think and do is the thing that holds us back from seeing the truth of our journey. I can't say I fully understand where this is leading me, but the depth of the journey is undeniable. Ego. Don Miguel's Four Agreements has a section on "Don't take anything personally." What is that? Ego. It's our ego that gets our panties in a bunch; that has to retaliate or justify. It is our ego that puts us in conflict. Yet I find that if I can silence that inner ego voice, I can sit with the silence and see truth. It is only when I allow myself to be broken open, that I release myself from the tyranny of ego.

That brokenness is not an easy thing. To deny one's specialness...ouch. I was reminded of this recently and it hurt. But it was a good and necessary hurt that required me to sit with myself for a time. I learn a lot in those "sit with myself" times. It's easier to get busy and just shove things under the pile of our lives than to deal. And in dealing, to learn to release.

This is just the beginning of this leg of the journey. I'm sure there will be more to share as I walk the road and sit with myself on the things that come my way. I hope you'll find solace in your quiet times, learning to release your ego and be part of the Universal truth that is Spirit. We are all One. We are all a part of the greater whole. We are are all One.

Awen. Blessed Be!

Spiritual But Not Religious

2010-05-14T09:14:00.003-05:00

Greetings, Gentle Readers...

Today on Facebook (yes, I'm a FB junkie), a group in which I participate (Spiritual But Not Religious) posted a comment on being SNBR is being on the road between strongly held religious belief and atheism. I found this an interesting description. And it is mostly true. I don't know how I feel about the atheism part, but I do know folks for whom that is true.

For me? It's been such a journey. And I've chronicled most of it here. But if I may, I'd like to share that amazing journey with you.

As a child, my family went to Protestant churches. We stopped going when I was about nine years old. I think that for my parents, it became about how much money the churches needed and about how they struggled to put food on the table, clothes on our backs, and shelter over our heads. And I went for years without any spiritual or religious influence in my life at all. But I think for me, there was always that Spirit tug on my heart.

As a child, I had the ability to see spirits and sense paranormal "things." Over the years, that went away. I remember as a young child, watching out my window at night at the cemetery across the street and all of the activity that happened there. My house had two boy spirits that occupied it. We would talk and play. My "imaginary friends", mom called them. Shame I grew out of that and was brought kicking and screaming into "reality."

When we moved south as a teenager, I had already approached my dad about "religion." He gave me permission to check out whatever I wanted and offered to go with me to help me understand. He told me I could meet with pastors, priests, rabbis - no matter - to encourage me on that journey. (I don't think he expected it to lead me to where I am today!) But, as we moved to the Deep South, it was pretty obvious that everyone I knew was a Southern Baptist, Pentacostal, or some other conservative Christian. I wanted to fit in. So I became one, as well. And I lived that way for many years.

Even after I realized my sexual orientation, I tried to live the "Christian" life. What I found was, although I may have wanted them, they didn't want me. It was crushing. But in hindsight, it led me on the most wonderful spiritual journey!

I left the Christian church. Oh I tried to go back several times and every time I was shunned. I started looking into my ancestry. I found such interesting things to read. I looked into other religious thought and faiths. And what I found astounded me! So many of the "faiths" out there are similar in story! What a revelation! As I searched, I started to hear and feel that spiritual stirring in my heart again.

The energy that one feels from the heart of an old oak tree, the voice of the rocks, the whisper in the wind all speak to me. Interesting that the Christian bible says that if no one else worshiped, the rocks would cry out? I wonder in my heart of hearts if this is what the verse meant. I had a revelation! The rocks do cry out! Such wisdom in Creation. I found that female Diety had been worshiped for years and removed from religion by men in a patriarchal society. Oh my, I do have access to the female Divine! What freedom that brought!

So now, what is my journey? (And it is a journey.) I find myself drawn to Celtic paganism. I find spiritual strength and wisdom in all of Creation. I find comfort in Mother Earth. And I find love in the arms of Goddess.

Will this be the end of the journey? I certainly hope not! It is a thrill to see what each day brings. Join me in the journey and find your own spiritual place. You won't be disappointed!

Blessed Be!
And so it is!
Amen!

A New Turn

2010-04-15T19:05:00.001-05:00

Greetings Gentle Readers…

So much to share! As many of you regulars know, I have struggled with Fibromyalgia for several years. I’ve been forced to use a cane or walker quite often. And I find that so very disheartening. To have been an athlete and someone who was healthy and then to be put in a position of poor health, is depressing. And it has forced some serious soul searching.

I decided to take control again. Now, I know this is a long term commitment. I don’t have expectations of becoming the “old” me. But I do know that should I choose to continue on the path I’m on, I have no expectation of a productive life.

One of my church friends recommended a young yoga instructor. And I must say it was more than fortuitous! A chance comment to church friends that I wondered if yoga was the answer to my exercise needs and, voila! I now have a private restorative yoga instructor!

My concern with yoga was with the poses and not being able to maintain my balance. Also, from what I knew, my body was going to revolt when pushed to stretch those horribly tight muscles (or at least what passes for them). How in the world would I ever do yoga? Ah, the answer: restorative yoga!! All of the poses and stretches are supported. Blocks. Bolsters. Walls. Floors. No worries!!

So what would become of my great experiment?? OH. MY. GOODNESS! I am a different person just three weeks out from our first lesson. My body doesn’t ache nearly as badly. I feel much more energy and less fatigue. I’m enjoying my life more. I’ve made adjustments to my regular medication, cutting the amount in half. Yep, self-medicating but with years of knowledge on my body.

I also have been doing a good bit of reading. One of the sites I researched suggested a supplement called Resvertatrol. Some of the studies show a relationship between Fibromyalgia and magnesium shortages in the body. Hmmmmmm….. So I started taking the Resvertatrol twice a day. I have more energy than I ever thought possible. The nasty fatigue that accompanies Fibro flares is under control. I’ve even started walking some in the neighborhood with dogs in tow. How awesome is that?

I know I sound like a fundamentalist preacher on this stuff. I just can’t get over how differently I feel. The combination of gentle stretching and increasing my activity level has brought a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

The point of the post is two-fold:

1. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give in. Search and research. Look for information on what happens in your life. Had I given up and accepted the fate that was taking over my life, I would have continued to curl up and fade away.

2. Don’t be afraid to try something new! Alternative treatments can be effective. One just must be a smart consumer. Do your homework. And reach out to the different. Try a new skill (yoga). Try a new mindset (meditation). Try a new diet and supplement regimen (Resertatrol).

My dear readers, check out your own life. Are you too busy? Are you ill? Do you not sleep well? I can suggest you slow down but I already hear how there are never enough hours in the day. It is, however, true. We must slow down and take care of ourselves. Our blessed Mother Earth, creator Goddess, has given us all we need to be healthy, happy and fulfilled.

Don’t you think it’s about time we took advantage of that power? I do. I am. I will.

A Typical Day (Really?)

2010-03-25T19:57:00.004-05:00

Another day. Another challenge.

This is my mantra day in and day out. Everything is a challenge. For those who don't have Fibromyalgia, let me let you in on how the days go by.

Pain. Yep it's everywhere and it's nowhere. It shows up one day in my shoulders and the next in my legs. There is no rhyme or reason to where, when or how bad it will be. So if you see me at the mall one day and using a walker or cane the next, it's not about attention or negativity. It's about making it through the day with whatever help is needed that day.

Forgetfulness: Yep. I have it. Folks with FMS call it "fibrofog." I know I've seen you before, but your name totally escapes me. I can be in the middle of a conversation and forget everything we just talked about. I don't remember words. Writing and speaking can be a huge challenge. I just try not to look stupid or embarrassed. But, when the fog hits, it's hard not to feel like both. Don't roll your eyes at me. Just help me. Throw me a bone. Fill in the blank.

Fatigue: Oh I've got that in spades. And I'm not tired. I'm exhausted. Just walking from the bed to the living room is exhausting. The chronic fatigue wears me out. So if you see me at the park and I "seem fine" I might just be having a good day. Trust me, the next day I might pay for that outing and not be able to get out of bed.

Insomnia: Uh huh. For hours I will lie awake wishing my mind and body would allow me to drift off to slumber land. If you see me on the computer at 3am, it's not because I'm a night owl. And it affects my chronic fatigue every day.

Muscle cramps: I have them every day. So don't be so jealous if I make time every week for a massage or yoga class. It is horribly painful to do, but it is a necessary evil to keep me walking and working.

Shaking: I do. And don't make the "alcoholic" jokes. They're not funny. And it's quite annoying to not be able to hold on to a coffee cup or straighten up the merchandise at work without knocking it all on the floor. Some days I can't even hold a pen or write, but I keep trying. Otherwise, life comes to a screeching halt.

If you're still reading, and I hope you are, this isn't so much a rant on Fibromyalgia. Hey, I get it. I have it. I live with it. I do my dead-level best every day. This is more a rant on the insensitivity of people. The jokes behind the back about the cane and walker, I hear 'em. The comments on how I'm fine one day and not the next, I know they're out there. The marks on my employment record because I must miss work with pain and exhaustion, I hate them.

I don't want to hear how a positive attitude makes it all better. It doesn't. Less stress? I could use that. Support? I could use that. Kindness. I really could use that.

So let's not judge til you walk a mile in someone's shoes, okay?

Mother in the Morning

2010-03-15T10:55:00.006-05:00

Greetings Gentle Readers...

I woke up this morning to such a beautiful sight. The dogwood trees in the neighborhood are blooming. It's so wonderful to drive down the street under the canopy of white and pink. There is a gentleness about a dogwood; a sense of joy and awe: the stark colors against the deep darkness of the tree trunk and branches.

The contrast speaks to my heart of the workings of our lives. Our base, our foundation, is established and solid. Its roots dig deep into the soil of our lives. And out of that root and soil come branches of life. Each branch springs from the root, a lesson learned. And at the end of the lesson, if we allow it to penetrate our spirit, springs the beauty of the flower. And the beauty of the flower, when brought into balance in our lives, brings the bright green leaves of wisdom.

When we go through difficult times, I dare say we rarely find a place of meditation and allow the lesson to go deep into our souls. I'm often guilty. But when I stop long enough to feel the breeze of change and the movement in my being of a branch coming forth, the lesson is always...always... worth the pain of the growing. The tree feels the pain of growth, as do we. We must but sit under the wisdom, allow our roots to go deep into the earth, and seek Mother Goddess.

So many lessons I've learned in this mindfulness. And so many have I repeated because I've allowed myself to get caught up in the emotions and not the quiet of the lesson.

I encourage you today to take time out of your busy schedule to sit under the dogwood. (For my northern family and friends, there's always the first crocus of spring!) Enjoy the beauty of the flower, but don't fail to touch the branches and feel the earth underneath you. It is all intertwined as a wonder to behold. A quiet lesson in life of the balance that is ours as we seek and honor our Mother.

Blessed Be, my friends. Blessed Be!

Random Thoughts...

2010-02-26T09:37:00.002-06:00

Life gets so busy. And sometimes my thoughts are just random bullet points. So hard to find time to really think about things when life gets so busy. Here are a few of my bullet point thoughts:

Anyone else watch the meeting of the idiots on healthcare yesterday? Geez, what a bunch of morons. Everyone has their special project. They all want to protect their special interests. Nobody gives and inch. Complete political posturing. What a waste of time. First, the dems are trying to get something done for the American people (not unusual) and the reps are trying to stop it (another not unusual). I get bent when John McCain talks knowing how he's voted against every veteran's bill since he got there and against every good healthcare option. Ughh. I'm just tired of all of them, really.

Pitbulls. Come on, people, get a life. There are no BAD dogs, just BAD owners. Pits are wonderful dogs and love their people. Are they great for the first time dog owner? Probably not. But neither are lots of other breeds. Train them. Socialize them. They make wonderful companions. Every decade has had its pariah. GSDs, Dobies, Rots. No matter. Somebody's got to hate them. For pete's sake, get over it.

It's a shame to lose that wonderful trainer at SeaWorld. Agreed. But she knew the dangers. You're dealing with wild animals. Some of the responsibility lies, in my opinion, with SeaWorld for not removing that whale from its shows knowing its history of killing others. My heart goes out to her family and friends. But someone has to look at how this happened and take appropriate measures to protect the trainers.

Snowpocolypse. When El Nino occurs, we know this happens. The folks across the midwest and northeast are buried under feet of snow. My concern is with those who, thanks to our failing economy, cannot afford to heat their homes. The cold weather that comes with this thing is dangerous to those who cannot afford oil, gas or electricity. And we all know how sympathetic big corporations can be. Give us our money or freeze to death. It's just unreal. Prices are through the roof, and you can be sure the social security payments aren't keeping up with rising prices.

And speaking of social security, why do all these congress critters get their healthcare and pensions when the average American suffers. Seems to me something's wrong with that one. I say let's freeze their wages, make them pay for insurance, take money out for their "retirement", have them pay for their postage, cut their staffs, etc. to help out their constituents. It gets all up under my skin!

I could go on forever, but you have things to do. So, these are my thoughts today. Negative, yep. Fixable, yep. Let's see if anyone rises to the challenge to make things right, shall we?

Begin Again

2010-01-25T09:36:00.002-06:00

Greetings and blessings, Gentle Readers...

Have you ever had a friend, co-worker or family member who was such a bouncing ball of emotion you got tired just listening to them? I have. It's just exhausting. I want to be a force of good and encouragement, but it seems as though I am spitting against the wind.

Here are some of the things I have learned and I wish the people in my life would find these too.

1. Life is transient, not fixed. I have to learn to roll with the punches. If I don't get this concept, life is up and down and crazy making. Every little thing sends me into a tailspin. By learning that I must adapt, I open myself up to living in balance every day. Balance means just that: Balance! If I am on an emotional roller coaster every day, I'm certainly not living in balance.

2. People are worth it. It can be so difficult for me to not blow folks off when they are a drain. I must find the middle ground of support and self-love. The Bible calls it casing pearls before swine. That's a bit dramatic, but we miss the greater lesson. If our words don't match our actions, we will never make an impact on others. And we are here to follow our truth and positively impact the lives of others. It's imperative that we LIVE our journey. That will make a greater impact than all the words that flow from our mouths.

3. The journey is our own. We are responsible for our own spiritual journey. I cannot put off my lack of spirituality on what happens in life. The journey is there and it is up to me to find the path. All things have a spiritual base. Everything from the rocks on the ground to the birds in the sky are spirit. One can learn much from just sitting under an old tree. I must be attune to Spirit to understand spirit. It's not about worshiping trees. It's about being respectful to the wisdom of Nature.

4. I am co-creator with Goddess of my reality. If I am created by Goddess, to be in the image of Goddess, then I am Goddess. I carry the totality of Goddess in me. If I am negative and focusing on ill-health, ill-wealth, I am creating that reality. If I focus on positivity, whole health, sufficiency, I am creating that in my life. It is up to me to co-create that life and path that is mine.

These are truths that have been given to me through years of searching; walking the path on the journey to spiritual freedom. I'm not saying I'm perfect at it. Far from it. But I know the path and I make adjustments, re-focus every moment, to be true to who I am created to be.

May you find your true path.

The Way My Mind Works

2010-01-05T17:42:00.002-06:00

The Way My Mind Works...

Greetings, Gentle Readers...

Usually, I try to share some great thought that's hit my crazy mind. But today is quite different. Call it a rant, if you will. But, I've had a big revelation this week and it has me quite concerned. Here's what has happened.

I was called for Jury Duty this week. I have no real problem with that. It is part and parcel of having a "free" society of laws. I never mind doing my civic duty. And I admit that I have a somewhat idealistic view of our legal system. I'm not pollyanna about it, by any means. But, I have a great respect for our system of laws and courts.
Okay, that being said, I guess I always thought that there was a system of promotions within law enforcement that rewarded length of service and experience. I thought wrong! Of course, I'm not going to give you great details about the case we decided. That wouldn't be right. But, let me tell you what I learned about our local law enforcement.

In this case, a number of officers testified. There must have been a half dozen. That included a detective. A 25 year old detective. Here's what I learned: One only has to attend academy and complete a 40 hour course to become a detective. Now, in my mind, I would think an officer would have to put in a number of years before being considered to take the detective test. There was one officer called who had 20 some odd years on the force. Was he a detective? Nope. But this 25 year old, with none to little "street" experience, passed a 40 hour course so he was a detective. Huh? Did I miss something????

Alright, let's talk about the CSI officer. Same thing. He took a 40 hour course. Now he's supposed to be an evidence expert. Double huh? This officer couldn't answer some simple questions about the evidence. And here's another added "huh?" The detective didn't keep or test all of the evidence found. He made a judgment call on what he thought was viable and what wasn't. Geez, I'd want all of it tested. Give me something!

So, what was the great lesson learned? Anybody who can read and write can become a detective or a CSI officer without so much as a lick of real world experience or time in service. Does that seem wrong to you? Or am I just spitting in the wind on this one?

It just doesn't give me a lot of confidence in our local law enforcement. (sigh)

Winter - A Season of New Beginning

2009-12-25T11:53:00.002-06:00

That title sounds a bit off, doesn't it? A season of new beginning? But in the spirit of the Wheel, winter is a new beginning? This brings us to the thought that death must occur before life. And that, in itself, seems backward to us. But it is not.

We must have death before life. In the Wheel, we see that all things are cyclical. That wonderful Cycle of Life. In Celtic belief, all things work in cycle. Seasons. Diety. Life.

So this time of year is the "death" time in that cycle. The landscape is covered in snow. Trees have lost their leaves. Cold covers us. It gets darker sooner at night. And we feel it in our bones. We feel it in our spirit.

As we mark time during this season, we begin to long for the awakening of Spring. And the cycle begins again.

How does this teach us? We learn that everything has a season. Everything has a cycle of life. What we face every day does not mean it will be that way forever. When trials come, we know in our center being that it will end and new life will begin. We will see the Spring and the cold will end. This season teaches us to remain hopeful.

So, as you face difficulties, remember the Wheel. Remember that all things have a season, a cycle of life, that will move forward in its time. There is a plan. We are the plan. We are the creators of the plan. And we move in time to the seasons and cycles of life.

Be thankful this day for the Cycle of Life, the Wheel of the Spirit, who leads us forward to new and greener pastures. A new beginning.

2009-11-11T08:51:00.002-06:00

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. It used to be, as I remember it, a very important day. But over the years, it has been relegated to minor parades and small cemetery ceremonies. I think that ought not be so. For to whom do we owe this country? Veterans.

I grew up with a veteran. My father was a vet of WWII and Korea. He was a submariner. He loved his country. We went to the parades on Veterans Day every year. I even remember marching in some of them with various civic groups. But the one thing that stands out in my mind, even after all of these years, is my father standing for every single American flag that passed by. Every one. He didn't stay seated. He didn't turn around and pretend it wasn't there. He stood and saluted.

When we would sit together as a family at these parades, my parents in their lawn chairs and me on the curb, I would notice a wistfulness in his eyes. His countenance changed when those flags marched by. As a child, I didn't understand. As an adult, I may not fully understand but I see. I see that same look in the eyes of The Greatest Generation.

On one forum recently, a poster stated that to be a hero was to do the courageous thing, think it nothing but their job, and be silent in honor of those who gave all. I'm thinking that might be true. You see, my father never spoke of his military service. Only once did I get a glimpse of that world when a PBS documentary came on about submariners. He spoke very little. We visited the USS Drum here in Alabama and went through the sub. Still, very little words were spoken. It was a humbling experience, nonetheless. My dad was silent.

Later, after he passed away, I started looking into his service. I remembered the name of a sub he was on. I found their reunion group. A few of the old sailors were still alive and remembered my father. One even had a drawing he did of my dad all those years ago. He had kept it and never knew why. Well, now we know. He was kind enough to send it to me. I found that he was a Plank Holder on that sub, one of the Mighty Mine Dodgers. They fought in the precarious, mine-filled waters off the coast of Japan. I am amazed at the strength my father had at such a young age.

But, when I consider that strength and remember the man who saluted every American flag he passed, I'm not surprised. He carried himself with honor and integrity his whole life. He was a walking picture of the quintessential American veteran: full of respect for his country and his countrymen.

And in honoring my father, I must say a word about my partner. She served almost 15 years in uniform. Fifteen months of that service was active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like other soldiers, sailors and Marines I've known, she carries that honor and integrity as a banner. She speaks of the fallen as the heroes. She simply did her job. But to me, she will always be a hero for her service. And it is this love of God and Country that drew me to her. She, like my father, loves America and that for which it stands.

And last, we must remember not only those who gave their lives, but those who have not returned home. How many of our beloved military personnel are still not repatriated? And what has our nation done to return them home? Yes, every now and again you hear of remains that are found and returned. But it is rare. And we hardly ever hear of them. I would hope that we would honor our commitment to them and work to ensure all of our soldiers are returned to the country for which they died.

My father's brother was killed in VietNam. My dad served in WWII and Korea. My partner's father served in VietNam and was career military. My partner served in OIF. Like other families, there is a long and wonderous military tradition that should be respected, honored and celebrated.

Let me close with this story: After my father passed away, I felt such a gut need to connect with him. I planned a vacation to Washington DC. I wanted to walk among the monuments to previous wars and soldiers. I wanted to experience this America for which my father would have offered himself to die. I wanted to see the VietNam Wall and find my uncle's name. I needed to walk Arlington National Cemetery and see my uncle's gravesite. I needed to pay my respects to all who gave so much so that I could live in the greatest country on the planet.

It was a most memorable visit. I went to all the places I wanted to see. I took etchings of my uncle Bobby's name on the wall and sent them to my father's two remaining brothers, one of whom served in the Navy during WWII. I bowed my head at the grave of my uncle. And all of these were life changing for me.

But the greatest touch of all came at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I couldn't help but think of the families whose loved ones were entombed there. For decades, these families have lived not knowing the fate of their loved ones. And, yet, they were here, celebrated and honored every hour of every day...rain, snow, sleet or shine. I stood in the heat and watched the changing of the guard. The preciseness of their movements, every step in honor of the fallen. I was moved by every click of the heels on their shoes. Every salute was so perfectly performed and timed. And it wasn't just the precise nature of it all. It was why the precise nature. Every movement, every salute, every step was there to honor a fallen comrade known only to God.

I can't say if people noticed the sweat pouring down my forehead. But I can tell you there were tears streaming down my cheeks. They were tears of gratitude for a country and for the men and women who have made it possible with their sacrifices. And today, you'll probably see a tear now and again as I remember why this holiday is so significant.

Please, take a moment this day to thank Goddess for men and women of strength, courage and honor who selflessly serve our great nation. And then thank a soldier for their service. Chances are they'll be self-effacing and point to those who gave all. But, please remind them that they are heroes, too.

November 11, 2009 message:

I post this every year. Every year I feel more grateful to all who offer themselves in service. This year, thank a military family for giving of their loved ones so that we may live in the greatest nation in the world. And let us push our politicians to restore our freedoms which have been taken away through the Patriot Act and other acts of our previous despot president. It is imperative that we continue to fight for our freedoms. Every country that has fallen, has fallen from within. Let us not be the next example of that.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Dreams Won't Pay the Bills

2009-09-27T15:58:00.003-05:00

Blessings, Gentle Readers...

You will notice the title of this writing: "Dreams Won't Pay the Bills." How many of us have heard this in our lifetime? I would bet many of us. I certainly have.

As a kid, I was a dreamer. I dreamed of being a great athlete. I dreamed of being a musician. I dreamed of sprites and spirits. I had dreams. And I can remember hearing that dreaded phrase over and over again.

It was sensible to go to college, get a degree, learn a skill. My father wanted me to be a nurse so I would always have a career. As he said, people are always sick and dying. It just wasn't for me. Something in me wanted to teach, to reach, to share. I yearned for Spirit.

For me, life was a spiritual thing. Life had so many facets that connected with Spirit. And as a teenager, I investigated that part of me in the simple way I knew how. I visited churches and synagogues. I spoke with clergy. And yet, the constraints of liturgy always pushed me away. In my mind there had to be a better way. And no matter how I tried to find that way, the sound reverberated in my head: Dreams don't pay the bills.

So, I went to school. I worked every day at my retail jobs. Why? Because dreams don't pay the bills. And I continued to be dissatisfied with life.

But a wonderful thing would happen when I would break away from the bill-paying job. Just a simple walk in the woods would bring such peace! It was as if the trees had a voice. The moss would speak to me. The plants waving in the breeze had wisdom to offer. By the water, I would hear the waves speak and the sand tell its story. I started to understand why my ancestors listened to the land.

There is a depth of Spirit in the land. So many trees are centuries old. The rocks have seen so much. And they speak to us. They speak to our dreams. And in communing with them, I began to realize my own dreams. I want to speak to animals. I want to know them and understand them. I want to help people find that place, the energy that exists between us and our companion animals. Every day now that I go to work, and I talk to folks about their dogs and cats, I have an opportunity to share with them Spirit.

We all, human and animal-kind, share Spirit - share energy. It is the energy of our Mother; the energy She exerted in creating us all. It is the residual energy in the things around us. It is the energy inside ourselves. It truly is man and beast together as one.

Be thankful this day that our dreams, when offered through Spirit, not only pay the bills but bring us closer to Goddess and closer to our own co-creative selves. That is simply amazing, don't you agree?

Find your dream; the one that speaks to your heart...and pays the bills.

Blessed Be!

Autumn

2009-09-21T08:26:00.003-05:00

Blessings Gentle Readers...

I awoke this morning to the realization that autumn is upon us. Then I laughed thinking about how hot it continues to be and how much rain we've received! When I think of autumn, I think of crisp leaves underfoot, cool evenings, misty mornings and the lovely smell of Fall.

But when one considers the change of seasons and the celebration of the Autumnal Equinox, somehow the internal senses take over and one can feel and smell easily what is missing in the physical. I close my eyes and I can see the wandering paths in my native Massachusetts. I can feel the maple leaves and enjoy the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges of the leaves. I breathe in and smell the moist air thick with the mossy smell of Fall. What joy it brings!

As a Celtic Pagan, I celebrate this time of year. It is a time of finding balance, celebrating the abundance of our Earth Mother, and the lives of those who have passed ahead of us.

Why balance? Because without balance our lives become futile expressions of angst and negativity. We struggle with the every day and fail to move forward. Balance brings us the joy of this life and the faith that the circle of life continues for us all.

Why our Mother's abundance? Because without Her provision, we perish. She provides us with our basics of food, shelter and clothing. But She also provides us with family, friends, and fellowship. The harvest is great and not necessarily material. Our Mother shows us the way of Spirit and that, in itself, is great abundance.

And why of the passing of the dead? Because during this time, the veil between the two worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. It is an opportunity for us to commune with our ancestors, asking for guidance. Our Elders who pass before peer over the veil and offer us great wisdom. Now is the time to receive it.

So, for me, this is a time of great celebration. I receive balance in the balance of night and day. I receive abundance from Mother Earth, the great Goddess. And I receive wisdom from the Elders who have passed before me.

Dear friends, open your minds and hearts to receive all that Spirit has for you. And open yourself to give back to Goddess for all She has provided.

Blessed Be!

Rainbows

2009-09-14T20:31:00.005-05:00

Greetings, Gentle Readers...

I have to share with you a wonderful experience I had today. It was an average Monday. After work we needed to do a Wal-Mart run to get a few odds and ends. Now it's been very rainy for quite some time. (My grass is now more like a pasture.) While driving home, we saw the most amazing rainbow. It had every color imaginable and all the colors ran into each other! Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Purple. Beautiful, bright colors. And we never ran out of it! It was right in front of us for miles.

As I watched it (and tried to pay attention to my driving), it made me think about all the different "colors" of our world.

We are black, white, yellow and red...and every blend of each. We are spiritual, Christian, Muslim, pagan...and every blend of each. We are gay, straight, bisexual, intersexed and transexual...and every blend of each. We are conservative, liberal, republican, democrat and independent...and every blend of each.

Do you see where I'm going here? That rainbow was every color and they blended as they met. All in one. One in all. And so are our lives. We are a wonderful blend, created by Goddess and watched over by our Mother to be a rainbow. We are to blend, not be opposed. We are to join our hands and hearts, not fight with sword and shield. We are to love each other for our differences and celebrate our similarity.

We were put on this earth to be a shining example of our Mother! So as you go through this week, just take a look at what is around you. See things, people, with an eye like a rainbow and celebrate. Let's not let the separate colors drown out the blends. It is all One. We are all One.

Blessed Be!

Oh the Joys of Puppies!

2009-07-31T18:49:00.002-05:00

Hi all...

We had the most wonderful trip this week. We traveled to the Huntsville area to take a peek at some adorable puppies.

For those who don't know, my partner Patti is an Iraq War vet and uses a service animal when in public situations. Well, our cardigan corgi mix Tank is getting a bit older and his wonky little legs won't go the distance anymore. So...we have been keeping in touch with a great breeder whose female has a litter of six-week old pups. And, thanks to Tank's leg issues, we are in need of another cardi to train for her service animal.

Oh boy! What an awesome bunch of puppies! Cute as can be. Fun and playful. Each has his/her own little personality. So many to choose from. It was almost overwhelming. Patti was in her element as she sprawled out on the floor surrounded by puppies.

After spending a couple of hours with the breeder, she suggested a darling little girl named Harmony. After watching Patti and Harmony, I agree! The two of them just took to each other. Now Patti is so excited she about can't stand herself. She made a little name tag today. She was also bound and determined to get a leash and collar. But we have a new leash/collar set to be put up next month and it will have some neat new stuff on it. Hopefully, I've talked her into waiting to get her leash and collar!

Next thing you know, I'll be up to my eyeballs in puppy beds, puppy food, puppy toys...ad infinitum! I love it! I love it mostly because Patti is so happy and excited. So, bask in the cuteness that is Harmony!

Walking on...

2009-07-20T19:49:00.003-05:00

My dear gentle readers...

As I've written this blog, I've tried to be honest and open in bringing you thoughts on life in my small corner of the world. Some days are triumphs. Some days are failures. And most are somewhere in between.

Don't misunderstand, I strive for the successes. I'm not one to be content with mediocrity. And to me, the in between places are just that: mediocrity.

So, when it comes to my health and related issues, I work toward being well, whole and well-functioning. However, of late I have been struggling mightily.

Those of you who follow along will know that I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (and various and sundry other stuff) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To those who have not experienced this, it's akin to being in pain 24/7 and fatigued beyond belief. And better yet, the muscle weakness is overwhelming. All of it makes keeping my work schedule and household chores beyond difficult. And I've missed a LOT of work and put off chores til it's getting seriously behind.

So...now what? My spiritual self says I have control of all of this through tapping into that Universal Mind I worship as Goddess/Mother Earth. There is strength in Creation that can bring healing to the body. What I need do is meditate on health and walk in that Truth.

And all that sounds great...til it runs headlong into physical reality.

So, lately I'm living in dichotomy: my spiritual knowledge and faith versus my physical reality. And, frankly, I'm getting a headache from it all. Just today, because of the physical reality, Patti and I talked about a walker (you know those fancy ones with seats) and a scooter. I physically can't walk distances. I physically can't keep up with the demands at work. Oh yes, spiritually my insides cry out for health and healing. But on the outside, there's the physical reality. And I feel that if I utilize that equipment, I'm giving in. And without them, safety is a crucial issue.

That's where I am now. Inbetwixt and Inbetween. I'm working on integrating the two separate parts of this. Suggestions are welcome. I just want to be a good person, a good minister, an example of the faith-filled life.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Blessed Be!

The World Has Gone Crazy

2009-06-01T20:04:00.004-05:00

This started out as a long rant. I've erased it all and I'm going to try to write with heart instead of indignation. I hope I accomplish it because my point will be much better received if I dial back the passion a bit. I hope you'll continue to read...

I'm sure you've seen the news footage of the assassination of Dr. Tiller, the late-term abortion provider, while he attended church in Kansas. Regardless of one's feelings on abortion, to gun down a man because you disagree with him is simply wrong. And here's where I think things went terribly badly:

This mentality started years ago. Christian churches used inflammatory rhetoric to rile up the masses concerning Roe v. Wade. There was talk of picketing clinics first. And that happened and it was a peaceful demonstration for awhile. The talk from the pulpits became more intense. The more conservative followers then took to following groups like Operation Rescue, using pictures of dead babies and harrassing clinic goers. Then, that wasn't enough anymore. Now Christian preachers railed from the pulpits that doctors and clinic workers should pay dearly for their involvement. Next came the clinic bombings. After that came restraining orders and laws to keep protestors on the easements to try to keep patients and workers safe. And finally, the ramped up words from the pulpits lead to murdering, in cold blood, abortion providers and their staff.

You can watch the progression of the aggression. And regardless of your personal feelings on abortion, harrassing, bombing and killing are not Christ-like responses to a perceived injustice. I can't buy in to the "eye for an eye" mentality that finds it acceptable to gun down another human being. I cannot reconcile it with what I know of Christianity...TRUE Christianity.

Jesus may have turned over the tables in the temple, but he surely didn't walk through and murder the money-changers! Why do the current day Christians feel that their behavior is approved by God? Telling me it's justified because of the deaths of the unborn is horse-pucky. Wrong does not justify wrong.

The Christian churches all wonder why their numbers dwindle? Here it is in a nutshell: Those who truly try to live a Christ-filled life want no part of the mass hysteria that has become Christianity today. Many are turning away to other faiths. I'm one of those folks. The uber-fundamentalists scare the bejeebers out of me. Who is next on their list????? They've gone after the abortion providers. They've gone after gays and lesbians, denying them basic civil rights. They've tried to gain control of the government and turn it into a theocracy. Does any of this sound Christ-like to you? If it does, you need to check your faith.

Folks, it's time we took back control of our leaders, pulpits and churches. The extremists have to be put back in their place and not allowed to take Christianity for a ride. I challenge you to stand up for right. When someone says Dr. Tiller deserved to be murdered, challenge them! Let them know that hatred and bigotry are not Christian characteristics. LOVE is supposed to be the base of Christian faith. Love.

Over the past few years I can't say I've seen much love from the Christian church.

2009-05-24T03:48:00.005-05:00

This is my annual Memorial Day post. I've added some additional comments at the end.

Memorial Day 2009

In memory of those who served selflessly and gave all.

In memory of and to honor our female soldiers. They supposedly don't serve in combat roles. But our Defense Department lies. Many mothers, sisters and daughters have fallen in Iraq. Many who have returned home, are suffering not only the physical and mental scars of war, but are treated as wimps and whiners by their own V.A.

To honor soldiers who have faced the ugliness of war, cried for their lost comrades, and come home to horrible treatment at Walter Reed when they should receive the very best America has to offer. May we rise up in protest and give them the health care they need and deserve!

And to my brave soldier, my partner, my life. Her time in Iraq cost her much. But she wore the uniform with pride and served in spite of terrible conditions and a lying President. She will always be my hero.

Today, as you meet people through your journey, thank a soldier. Thank them for their selfless service. Thank them for being brave. Thank them for our freedom. Because without their willingness to sacrifice, there would be no America.

Comments for 2009:

We've been at this over five years now. We've lost almost 5000 young (and older) men and women, not to mention the over 40,000 who came back injured. The sad thing is that the government didn't include everyone in those figures. They're fudged to keep us unaware of the actual cost of this war. Now, I won't get started on my feelings about the war. If you've read my posts at all, you know full well how I feel. And, besides, if I do start who knows when the tirade will end!

Suffice it to say, there is a cost...a great cost...for the wars we are now in. When I walk the halls of the VA with Patti, there are dark eyes staring out from under "I LOVE AMERICA" hats. They are hollow. Men and women making their way through halls that so many others have walked before them. They are physically injured: limbs missing, burns, brain injuries. But there are those who are the unseen and unheralded: those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Soldiers who return with PTSD are just as disabled, if not in many cases more so, than their physically injured comrades. Yet, you can't see it. And it certainly doesn't get a Purple Heart (even though I think it should). The cost to the American soldier suffering with PTSD is myriad: lost jobs, lost marriages, isolation, fear, nightmares and flashbacks. Something as simple as a book falling off a shelf can cause a soldier to jump, grab for a weapon and dive under the nearest object.

Marriages are affected as the soldier cannot communicate and no one understands except the one who shared their experience. Emotionally shut down, all relationships are torn apart at the seams. Some spouses who try to share a bed with their soldier find themselves bruised and battered in the morning after being unintentionally struck by their soldier fighting in their sleep.

Take all of this and add the element of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The gay or lesbian soldier is truly, truly alone. They cannot talk of any issues that come up at home for fear of outing themselves and losing their careers. They cannot join in the banter of other soldiers, for fear of being found out. There is no possibility of having a frank conversation during those occasional calls home. All the lines are monitored. Add injury, combat stress, and PTSD to that equation and you have a powder keg of possibilities.

What I'm trying to get across is that there is more to be learned from these wars. We cannot come to this holiday year after year and say a quick, "Thanks" and move on. It's just not enough for what our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coasties have done for us. It's not enough for the huge sacrifies they make day in and day out.

So, please just take a moment to honor those who have fallen. And then go the one step further of thanking the veterans you know. They'll probably say they were just doing their job and point to those who have fallen. But in their hearts, they will feel the respect of one person who truly appreciates their love of country and sacrifices made.

It is only because of these brave men and women that we are able to live in this country today.

God Bless America
God Bless the Whole World

So may it ever be.

Anam Cara

2009-03-07T10:38:00.003-06:00

As many of you know, I read several books at a time. It can be annoying to those who know me because the conversation is always changing. But, for me, they all seem to align with each other in some way.

So, I'm still doing The Four Agreements. And I'll be blogging on #2 shortly. However, I plowed into the book, "Anam Cara" for the last few weeks. And what a few weeks it's been!

Anam Cara is Gaelic for soul friend. I think if we all think about it, we can easily name someone who is a soul friend for us. You know the one: they know you inside and out without a word being spoken. They protect you with their prayers, rituals, and encouragement. You can be truly yourself with them because they never judge or accuse.

For me, that soul friend is my precious partner. Have I ever told you how we met?

I went through a very damaging break up and I had been running crazy for a couple of years. I didn't know what I wanted. I struggled for a place just to live. I bounced around between jobs and people. It was a horrible existence. Finally, after two years of being insane, I stopped. I just stopped. I said in my heart, "Well, Goddess, whatever you want bring to me because I'm stopping and I'm tired of running to find it." You know the moment. That one place in time where you find clarity.

I was online with a particular website that had a "personals" section. I did it for a laugh. I wasn't serious. But I did post a piece. It said, "If you're serious, are gainfully employed, professional, personable, email me. I don't want any games, hassles, or crap. I've had enough." Tell me that wasn't to the point! I guess my feelings of having enough of the last couple of years of my life came through. (Ya think?)

Well, wouldn't you know! This wonderful woman emailed me with the simple line, "There's still a few of us good ones out there." I was sarcastic with my reply, "Oh yeah, are you one of them?" Turns out she certainly was one of them. We emailed and talked for several months. It was as if I'd known her in another life! Then we started talking on the phone for the proverbial hours at a time. There was someone with whom I totally connected! I couldn't believe it!

She was patriotic. She was spiritual. She served her country in the military. She adored animals. She liked old cars. Geez louise...pick one, we were interested in so many of the same things!

We decided to meet during Cruisin' the Coast. Wow! We looked at all the old cars. We talked about our dreams. I was amazed, but still a bit distant. I was afraid of the old hurts. But there she was...the woman of my dreams. And I couldn't get her out of my head.

We continued to date and just about ten months from the time we first emailed, I moved in. Trust me; for a lesbian that's a LONG time! And only a couple of weeks later, she got her alert she was going overseas. The Iraq War had started and she was called up. I was terrified and she was, too. What would that mean for us? It was a long year. She was at war. I was at home glued to the TV and the foreign media. She went through hell and I did, too.

Most couples, many of our straight aquaintances, broke up or their relationships were very damaged by deployment. Even though we had issues to work through, we came out of the experience stronger, more in tune with each other, and thankful for each day we have together.

It's now six years down the road. We've faced a lot in life. She remains my Anam Cara, soul friend. We are totally in synch with each other. We each complete each other. And somehow, I truly think we've known each other in the Spirit World prior to this life. We connect on such a deep, spiritual level.

As we go through our incarnations, I do believe we meet souls along the way that become a part of ours. We become interconnected in a way that can only be described as a deep soul, spiritual connection. It is that type of intertwining that is the soul friend.

I really suggest you read this book. The author takes you all the way through life explaining the Celtic way of the soul. It is interesting and relevent. You'll find yourself drawn to understanding the way of the Anam Cara. It's well worth the time.

And who knows? You may come to deeply appreciate your Anam Cara through the process!

The 4 Agreements

2009-01-30T19:43:00.002-06:00

I have been reading The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It's a study of four agreements (or spiritual laws) that are to make life a more pleasant and real place to be. To be honest, it was a hard read for me at first. I know I've re-read it several times. Finally, I gave in and purchased one of those "idiots" books on Toltec wisdom. It made a great difference in my understanding. I'm just not good with abstracts!

So, since that's where my path is leading lately, I wanted to share it with you.

Agreement #1 is: Be impeccable with your word.

That's a toughie for me. You see, what Don Miguel talks about is how we are domesticated from birth to see the world a certain way. We take on the beliefs of our authority figures. We are affected by their opinions.

For example, if you are a happy little kid and you're just running around the house playing, and your parent gets home and has had a bad day. They might say, "Stop running and jumping. That's stupid. You look horrible! Go clean up and stop being loud." As a kid, you don't really have recourse against that. And since that is a parent saying it, you take it to heart. Later, you may find yourself pushing away your happy feelings and the joy that you had. Your parent said it was awful so you must try to please them.

In essence, what was said really had nothing to do with you. It had everything to do with your parent and what was going on with them. But you took it to heart and it colored the rest of your life.

We don't realize the power of words. Words can bless. Words can curse. God (or Goddess) spoke the world into existence, therefore there is power in words. We take the words of others and file them away and live by them.

What about all the chatter in your mind at any given time? The Toltec call that "mitote" (ME-TOE-TAY). It's all the words that have been passed along to you. All the things that have been said and have affected your life. It's also your words to yourself. And it's the Spirit's words. All of them in a giant jumble in our heads. And we take all of this and try to make sense of it by living our lives to please others.

Now, you may say you don't live for others. But, I believe if you really think about it, you'll see it's true. I didn't think I did, but I live for approval every day. I try to appease my partner, boss, customers. The list is exhausting.

What the Toltec teach is to see beyond all of that, learn to control it, and live your life for you, a genuine being. We must push away all of the mitote, the chatter, and find our true selves.

You know how you pray for patience and things always get worse????? Well, this morning I made a commitment to try my best to be aware today of the mitote and to see how it affects me.

Oh boy...

First, I got to work and there was NO break or lunch relief. The store manager had scheduled one of the trainers who just hates to run a register and will, if at all possible, schedule private lessons so she doesn't have to do it. And that leaves me without any help on the front. Great. Strike one.

Then, I got the customer from hell. She was crazy. She was yelling at employees. Threw her invoice on the counter. Screaming the whole time. I stayed calm (amazingly) and tried to offer to get a manager. She just wanted someone to beat up on and I was the designated punching bag. I went to give her the change and she literally came over the counter at me, grabbed my hand popping two knuckles. I finally spoke up. I probably shouldn't have, but it pushed my buttons. And I spent all afternoon trying to figure out how to have her arrested for assault. Strike two.

Then, if all that wasn't enough, another lady came up and had her kid with her. The kid had dropped whatever sweater they were buying and she sent him to get another. In the meantime, my line is getting longer. A couple of minutes passed and she left the line to get him. So...I voided her sale and went on to the next person. She went ballistic. She screamed at the manager. She called me names. The person in line spoke up and told her she left the line. It was insane. Strike three.

Needless to say, I left work early. My boss joked he was going to take my box cutter away. They didn't take any of it seriously, but it put a crimp in my day to be sure. And what it did was take my joy. It put all these nasty words in my mind. It was multiplied by the Judge in my mind. You know the Judge. It sits in there and twists all the words and actions and makes you nuts over something. And then my Inner Child got feelings hurt and angry. Now that makes me a walking, talking mess. So much for controlling the inner talk and being genuine and walking in love, huh?

I say all that to say...The Toltec would say to ignore and live in love and treat with love those who try to bring us down. Live in genuine love, don't take anything personally, and let it roll off your back.

Remember the praying for patience????

Part of me thinks I should quit this quest now before it gets REAL bad! lol And part of me knows that a refiner's fire generally doesn't feel good. So, obviously I have way more to learn to put this path to practice. Way more.

So, I've decided that I won't have her arrested because that would be giving in to the anger and not showing love. (But I wanted to show her a good right cross!) And I have a feeling this is not going to be an easy path. It's going to take commitment and a lot of work.

I must learn to be impeccable with my word; not judgmental, angry, gossipy, badgering. But learn to be loving, caring, genuine...my true self.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

National Body Challenge

2008-12-31T08:18:00.003-06:00

Yep, It's National Body Challenge time. And I'm signing up and trying again. Why? Because I continue to fight with my weight and health. It's a constant and it's depressing, which creates a vicious cycle.

So how did I get here? Years of not paying attention and being lazy, to be honest. When I was younger I was an excellent athlete. I played every sport under the sun. And I played it well. I had a name and an image. I don't know if it was the injury that caused my lack of enthusiasm or just trying to live up to the image. But at some point I gave up. I started to hide under a layer of chubby.

Unless you've fought the battle you can't truly understand the toll it takes on your mind and body. And it is a vicious cycle. You realize you put on 10 lbs and you think, "That's easy to fix." So you work at it. You exercise. You diet. And six months later, you realize you took off 10 lbs but gained back 20. Thus beings the yo-yo. Two steps forward, three steps back. Years go by. Next thing you know, you step on the scale and are completely disgusted with yourself. You've gone up 5-6 sizes and your clothes don't fit...again. Now you have a hard time with exercise because your joints ache and your body just won't do the things it used to do. That, in itself, is depressing all over again...and you order cheesecake to feel better.

The problem is that none of the food stuffing makes it better. It does great things to the chemicals in your brain, but it ruins your body. Now you begin to feel horribly unattractive. You buy baggy clothes. You hide out in your house. You turn down invitations to go out. You become a hermit. And you eat more.

Once a year, on New Year's, you make that resolution to change, join a gym, exercise daily, and eat more healthy. Once a year. Three weeks pass and you become disappointed at the lack of instant success. You proclaim yourself a failure and hide in your house with Blue Bell ice cream. And the cycle starts again.

So, it's New Year's and time for my annual resolution to get in better shape. I tell myself that it is a journey, not a sprint and it will take time. It took time to get here. It will take time to get back. Somehow, it's little comfort when you turn around in the shower and clean the walls with your backside. (fat humor)

I guess I'm writing to make myself accountable to someone. To you, my gentle readers. I need to do this and be consistent. I need to gain control again. I know at 49, I'm not going to be the athlete I once was. Fibromyalgia and age have taken care of that. But I do want to be healthy again. I want to be able to walk my dogs without gasping for breath. I want to be able to go out with my precious partner without feeling like people are looking wondering what a cute little thing like her is doing with a chubby like me. The inner talk is deafening! I want to tell it to go away.

I ask for your prayers and positive energy as I embark on this journey. I pray it's not another failed attempt, but a success and that I have the "stick to it-ness" it will take. So, here I go again...

Happy New Year's to all!

Creationism

2008-12-25T12:32:00.001-06:00

simpsons creationism vs evolution
Uploaded by PigLips

Obama and Rick Warren--Ewww!

2008-12-19T08:55:00.009-06:00

Okay, you know I have to say something.

In case you've been living under a rock, President-Elect Obama has chosen Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. Now, that wouldn't be such a big deal if Rev. Warren wasn't so blatantly bigoted and anti-gay. Rev. Warren was a HUGE force in California in regards to Prop 8. Remember Prop 8? That was the law that completely removed the civil rights of gays and lesbians that were originally granted as the court believed that lack thereof violated the constitution.

Okay, let's step back a bit, shall we?

First, I fail to understand how me wanting to get married and have access to my partner during illness and death, let alone the other 1000 benefits that marriage affords in this country, affronts the dear pastor. Good grief! I'm always amazed at the Christian religious fundamentalists.

Let's look at just a few of those benefits.

Access to Military Stores
Bereavement Leave
Immigration
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Tax Breaks
Veteran’s Discounts
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Automatic Inheritance
Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
Bereavement Leave
Burial Determination
Child Custody
Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
Divorce Protections
Domestic Violence Protection
Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
Insurance Breaks
Joint Adoption and Foster Care
Joint Bankruptcy
Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
Certain Property Rights
Reduced Rate Memberships
Visitation of Partner’s Children
Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefit

And the above list is by no means exhaustive. There are many, many benefits that come with marriage. Let's look at some of the more intimate ones:

Bereavement leave: When a partner dies, it's not often that the surviving partner has benefit of leave from his/her job. I don't know about you, but to tell me after many years of living as a spouse of my partner that I cannot take off work to make arrangements, attend the funeral, take care of the estate, or even take a couple of days off to mourn is inhuman.

Visitation or Decisions on Care in the hospital: I've run up against this one and it's a doozy. In my case, the one person who can make decisions, my sister, is estranged and certainly doesn't know, care about, or understand my wishes. But, as a blood relative, she's it. My partner can be, and has been in some cases, summarily dismissed by hospital staff. In one case I actually lambasted the patient advocate to get access to my partner.

There are so many!

These are the things that Rick Warren, in his narrow view, want to deny me and every other gay and lesbian person out there. I saw a video today posted on americablog.com (http://americablog.com) in which Rev. Warren states that, in his understanding, all gay people want multiple partners. He has in the past equated giving civil rights to gays and lesbians in the same context as pedophilia and beastiality.

I don't know about you, but that certainly doesn't describe my life. I go to work every day. I pay my taxes. I obey the law. My partner does the same. We don't go "clubbing." We stay home with our dogs and cats in the evening and check out the internet news and watch our favorite TV shows. We pay our bills. We give to charities. We donate our time. We visit sick friends. We attend church.

We're actually pretty boring.

And regardless of how "normal" our lives are, people like Rick Warren don't want to afford us basic civil rights. God forbid we use their term "marriage" to describe our relationships.

And it is in this context that I vehemently disagree with President-Elect Obama's choice of Rick Warren to lead the invocation at his inauguration. It's about fairness and civil rights. Civil rights. You know, those things that gays and lesbians don't have and have been fighting to have for decades? Yeah, those.

So, if you're one who espouses the mainstream Christian Fundamentalist view of gays and lesbians, I implore you to think for yourselves. Don't dig into the Bible and read it literally. It's not literal. It's allegorical. It's a history book. And if you feel the need to be literal, then be literal about everything. Don't eat shellfish. Don't wear clothing of two types of material. Do it all.

Once you obey the whole of the law, talk to me about gays and lesbians. And then after you do that, look at Jesus' teachings. Jesus said the whole of the law and the prophets were summed up in two commandments: love your God with all you are, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Then explain to me how denying civil rights to gays and lesbians is loving your neighbor.

President-Elect Obama has made a HUGE gaffe; a major mistake. And it would do him well to correct it before the inauguration and replace Rev. Rick Warren with a more compassionate, progressive pastor.

Blessed Be...

Up and then Down

2008-12-17T16:25:00.000-06:00

I love this cartoonist. (http://www.glasbergen.com/) And I can relate to the doggie. Why? One word: bipolar.

This is a really personal post. And it's not the easiest to write. So hang in there with me.

I am bipolar (along with a few other initials and disorders--imagine that?). It's not pretty. And it's ruled my life for many, many years. I'm up. I'm down. I'm in between.

Up is good. Up is creative and wonderful, full of life and love. Up is always ready for a party or a late night dancing. Up is quick with a smile or a joke. Up writes wonderful poetry and prose. Up is a blast to be with.

Down is not good. Down is depressive and brooding, full of self-pity and self-loathing. Down would rather hide under the blankets and sleep life away. Down does not carry on conversations. Down does not laugh. Down just wants to eat and sleep and be left alone.

But, in between? In between is the worst of all. In between is rage, anger directed towards everyone and everything. In between takes everything personally. In between is ready to throw a punch without blinking. And in between copes by stuffing food in large quantities (and gaining weight). In between makes itself and everyone around it miserable.

So where am I? I've been in in between land for several months and it's getting worse with time. You see, I did the usual bipolar thing thinking I could live without medication. Yep, me. Me, who is always diligent with meds, understanding why I take them. My head-shrinker has said I'm her best patient. I know the disorder inside and out. And I have committed (pun intended) to being diligent with the meds. Inside I know better than to play that game. But, here I am doing it just the same.

So why did I try it without them? Besides being an idiot? Well, there's that voice inside your head that says you can't just live on pills. There must be a healthier way, a more natural way, to deal with the moods. So I tried to do the healthy stuff: take the herbs and supplements. Boy, was I wrong. And when I say wrong, I mean wrong in a BIG way.

The anger and hate becomes overwhelming. I've been biting the heads off of everyone who says anything to me. Everything is personal. Everything's an attack. And I just ran headlong into that wall of "stupid, it's time to give in to the reality." The reality is that I need medication.

So, for the past three days, I've been back on. Smart move. I'm starting to feel a difference. Today, there was no anger. Today I've been productive, actually. I've accomplished a good bit at home on my off-day. I'm still stressing over stuff. But, it's better. I'm better. Give me a couple of good weeks without missed medication and I should be good as new.

So why share all this? Because each of us has our "issue." Mine is bipolar. Yours may be depression. Or any myriad of other things. But we have to know when it's time to do a reality check and give in. So many voices out there tell us that we must suck it up; pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Voices that say giving in is defeat.

I beg to differ. I'm finding that giving in takes much more strength of purpose. Surrendering to that which is best is not always the easy road to take. So I want to encourage you to look at your "issues" and find what is the best path to take for you. And then have the courage to take that path. It's your journey. Be healthy.

Blessed Be!

A Time of Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T08:27:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Today I am thankful for so many things. You are one of those things! I've been on this writing journey for a few years now and every year brings new readers with new ideas and insights. Thank you for sharing your time with me and your thoughts with all of our precious readers. You are a blessing in my life.

Today I am thankful for a new president who I believe will listen to the people and care about their lives. During Barack Obama's interview with Barbara Walters last evening he made a point of his discussions and negotiations within his security detail to allow him ways to keep his finger on the pulse of the nation. I think that's amazing and wonderful. We finally have the opportunity for a president who actually believes in the Constitution and all the good our country is and should stand for.

Today I'm thankful for my job. I have the best job in the world. Every day I go in and help really great people care for their companion animals. I spend all day getting doggie kisses and ferret hugs. And, yes, I occasionally get peed on. But what's a little pee between friends, right? I have the opportunity to meet some of the most incredible people who do the most amazing things with the little they have for themselves: rescuers who pick up a dog on the side of the road and pay for vet bills and give the dog a warm bed and good food; ladies on fixed incomes who buy bags and bags of food for the feral cats in their neighborhoods, capturing the cats and having them altered before returning them to their families; owners who care enough about their companions to give them training and learn how to be better dog moms and dog dads; and families who bring their children in and teach them about how to care for their cats or dogs--or fish or ferrets. What an awesome job to have!

Today I'm thankful for my friends. I have many acquaintences, but few real friends. I pick them very carefully. I learned many years ago that a true friend is hard to find. I had a teacher in high school who once told me that if I can go through life with one or two really true friends that I would accomplish more than most people. And her words have proven to be so true. I am blessed beyond measure by the true friends with whom I share my soul.

Today I'm thankful for the Provision of Goddess. No matter what happens (and as I've said before, happenings happen) there is always an undercurrent of support. Bills get paid. Food is on the table. A roof is overhead. And all of the pets in our home (seven dogs and eight cats) all have the best food and care that can be given to them. Goddess reaches into our lives every day and gives what we need. And we even get some of what we want. It's a wonder to see Provision every single day when so many have lack. We're not rich monetarily, but we are loved and cared for by a Goddess who created us and wants us well.

As we move through the harvest into the winter of the year, let's take a moment to remember those people who have affected our lives this year and give thanks. Let's remember those souls, animal and human alike, who have taught us this year's lessons and be thankful. And let us move into the next chapter in our lives with a grateful heart knowing that our needs are met and our daily comings and goings matter to a Goddess who loves us.

Happy Thanksgiving, all...

Live Simply

2008-11-18T07:50:00.000-06:00

"Tis a gift to be simple; Tis a gift to be free..."

These are the words of an old song; I believe Quaker in origin. I love them. It is a gift to be simple.

Our confusion comes in thinking about the word, "simple." Simple doesn't mean short on intelligence. Simple doesn't imply an inability to understand. Simple is...well...simple! It teaches us to be uncluttered and unencumbered in this life.

Why uncluttered? Because one of the most pressing anxieties we have is our attachment to "things." When we desire something we create an attachment to it emotionally, physically and spiritually. Often our attachments keep us from fulfilling our truest self. For example, I love chocolate ice cream...alot. If I continue to allow my attachment to that object, I suffer. Emotionally, I berate myself for my lack of will power. Physically, I feel unwell and my body is in a state of ill health. Spiritually, when I give myself over to that attachment, I create a barrier between me and my higher self. All of this attachment encumbers my life and disallows me the freedom to simply live.

So why is this on my mind now? Because life is becoming over-cluttered and over-encumbered and I'm feeling the effects of it all. The stress of an encumbered life does a number on you. And as I look back over the years, I've allowed myself to become further buried under mountains of attachments: education, finances, tragedies...things. And all have worked together to put me in a place of stagnation. Stagnant is certainly not a place of growing. And we all must grow to live...if not, we're dying.

I look around my house and there's stuff everywhere. I've never been a cluttery sort of person, but here I am in the midst of stuff that needs to be done. I've neglected my physical self for so long that I struggle to do the most mundane of tasks. I eat poorly. Sleep poorly. Exercise poorly. It's no wonder I feel the way I do. And all of it affects my spiritual well-being beyond measure. So what keeps me in bondage to it all? Me. Just me. I am responsible for my life.

We've gotten away from personal responsibility in recent years. If you're unhappy, it's your mom's fault. If you can't keep a job, it's your boss' fault. Ad infinitum. No. All things are under your control. True, you cannot control what "happens." Happenings happen all the time. What can you control? Your response to them all. My response to them all.

So, in response to the stressors in my life, I buried myself under mounds of objects and food. But there comes a time when you face yourself in the mirror and realize all is not how you expected it to be. Life is a chore. And that's when it hits you...simplify. Take control and simplify life so I can truly live.

So, today Goddess speaks to me of simplicity. I'm being urged to clean out the clutter, organize and do away with many of the attachments in my life. I am compelled to care more about myself and my health. And I know deep in my heart of hearts that by doing so, I will set my spirit free, as well as my mind and body.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T08:06:00.001-06:00

On one forum recently, a poster stated that to be a hero was to do the courageous thing, think it nothing but their job, and be silent in honor of those who gave all. I'm thinking that might be true. You see, my father never spoke of his military service. Only once did I get a glimpse of that world when a PBS documentary came on about submariners. He spoke very little. We visited the USS Drum here in Alabama and went through the sub. Still, very little words were spoken. It was a humbling experience, nonetheless. My dad was silent.

Later, after he passed away, I started looking into his service. I remembered the name of a sub he was on. I found their reunion group. A few of the old sailors were still alive and remembered my father. One even had a drawing he did of my dad all those years ago. He had kept it and never knew why. Well, now we know. He was kind enough to send it to me. I found that he was a Plank Holder on that sub, one of the Mighty Mine Dodgers. They fought in the precarious, mine-filled waters off the coast of Japan. I am amazed at the strength my father had at such a young age.

But, when I consider that strength and remember the man who saluted every American flag he passed, I'm not surprised. He carried himself with honor and integrity his whole life. He was a walking picture of the quintessential American veteran: full of respect for his country and his countrymen.

And in honoring my father, I must say a word about my partner. She served almost 15 years in uniform. Fifteen months of that service was active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like other soldiers, sailors and Marines I've known, she carries that honor and integrity as a banner. She speaks of the fallen as the heroes. She simply did her job. But to me, she will always be a hero for her service. And it is this love of God and Country that drew me to her. She, like my father, loves America and that for which it stands.

And last, we must remember not only those who gave their lives, but those who have not returned home. How many of our beloved military personnel are still not repatriated? And what has our nation done to return them home? Yes, every now and again you hear of remains that are found and returned. But it is rare. And we hardly ever hear of them. I would hope that we would honor our commitment to them and work to ensure all of our soldiers are returned to the country for which they died.

My father's brother was killed in VietNam. My dad served in WWII and Korea. My partner's father served in VietNam and was career military. My partner served in OIF. Like other families, there is a long and wonderous military tradition that should be respected, honored and celebrated.

Let me close with this story: After my father passed away, I felt such a gut need to connect with him. I planned a vacation to Washington DC. I wanted to walk among the monuments to previous wars and soldiers. I wanted to experience this America for which my father would have offered himself to die. I wanted to see the VietNam Wall and find my uncle's name. I needed to walk Arlington National Cemetery and see my uncle's gravesite. I needed to pay my respects to all who gave so much so that I could live in the greatest country on the planet.

It was a most memorable visit. I went to all the places I wanted to see. I took etchings of my uncle Bobby's name on the wall and sent them to my father's two remaining brothers, one of whom served in the Navy during WWII. I bowed my head at the grave of my uncle. And all of these were life changing for me.

But the greatest touch of all came at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I couldn't help but think of the families whose loved ones were entombed there. For decades, these families have lived not knowing the fate of their loved ones. And, yet, there were here, celebrated and honored every hour of every day...rain, snow, sleet or shine. I stood in the heat and watched the changing of the guard. The preciseness of their movements, every step in honor of the fallen. I was moved by every click of the heels on their shoes. Every salute was so perfectly performed and timed. And it wasn't just the precise nature of it all. It was why the precise nature. Every movement, every salute, every step was there to honor a fallen comrade known only to God.

I can't say if people noticed the sweat pouring down my forehead. But I can tell you there were tears streaming down my cheeks. They were tears of gratitude for a country and for the men and women who have made it possible with their sacrifices. And today, you'll probably see a tear now and again as I remember why this holiday is so significant.

Please, take a moment this day to thank Goddess for men and women of strength, courage and honor who selflessly serve our great nation. And then thank a soldier for their service. Chances are they'll be self-effacing and point to those who gave all. But, please remind them that they are heroes, too.

The Back of the Bus

2008-11-05T14:38:00.008-06:00

I'm an avid reader of AmericaBlog. I'm addicted to it. I read it several times a day. Today, John Aravosis writes on the loss of civil rights for gays and lesbians.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/11/its-official-nearly-20000-marriages-of.html

I had great hopes for people in California seeing beyond the hate and voting to support gay and lesbian marriages. I mean, California is a big, blue state. And I'm disappointed that churches would dump hundreds of thousands of dollars in another state to control who gets to celebrate their love with whom. The Mormon church should be ashamed of themselves.

http://www.amomsrant.blogspot.com/2008/11/prop-hate-has-passed.html

This is a new blog I found and I cannot agree more with the writer. How would these folks who voted against gay marriage and gay adoption/foster feel if the rest of us decided they were worthy of our hate? What if tomorrow, when the votes were counted, all of their marriages were declared void and their children declared illegitimate?

I think they would rise up in anger, claiming that the majority had no right to take away their lives. What would they do without access to their loved ones in hospitals? What would happen if they all lost their spousal survivor benefits and found themselves without recourse to keep what they worked, with their spouses, so hard to maintain? What would happen if the state came in and took their children because they were no longer able to adopt or foster?

All hell would break loose. And you know it would! So why are we sitting back and allowing bigots to control our country. Although President-elect Obama doesn't agree with using the term "marriage" to describe our relationships, I hope and pray he will look beyond his own fears and issues to grant us an equal place at the table.

And to our gay and lesbian friends, I say, don't walk to the back of that bus! Don't turn away from that place at the lunch counter! Don't allow bigotry to stand. Stand up. Be counted. Continue the fight.

On this day, civil rights have been hilighted as we've elected our first black president. Let today be the day the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens are hilighted as we stand against the new acceptable bigotry: hatred of us and our desire to be full citizens of this country we love.

YES WE CAN!

2008-11-04T23:42:00.002-06:00

My friends,

Tonight we celebrate a new beginning to an age old story: the wonder that is the United States of America.

I'm almost 50 years old. As a very young child, I remember seeing those signs that read "coloreds only" next to bathrooms and water fountains. I remember riding the bus with my grandmother and wondering why all of the black families were in the back of the bus. As a child, none of it made sense to me. Children, in their innocence, look beyond labels. They don't see color. And I didn't see color as a child, either. And no explanation could make sense of what my eyes saw--as opposed to what my heart knew was right.

Regardless of what a wonderful country we have, we continue to have divisions by race, gender, religion. But on this night, we reached across those divisions. We reached toward hope. We reached away from the nightmare that has been the presidency of GW Bush. We elected a black man as president of the United States of America. And not only a black man, but a man of character, honesty, integrity and intelligence.

And as I sat and listened to Obama's speech, my mind went back to the days of my childhood. I thought of all of the signs I saw. I remembered all of the hateful words I heard. And I had hope. I had hope of a new day. I have hope of a new day. And as I listened, tears began to well up inside. Those tears overflowed and streamed down my face as I felt proud of America and of Americans. I can hold my head up again and not feel ashamed of our administration. I can know in my heart that MY president thinks of me. And that he thinks not of me only, but of all Americans.

Today I have hope that we will bring our troops home! Would that not a single other person have to die for GW Bush's war of personal aggression. May all of the stars on the lapels of Americans be BLUE stars, not GOLD: Blue stars for soldiers brought home from war in one piece, restored to their families.

Today I have hope that our economy will turn around and jobs will increase. I have hope that our country will become prosperous once again. I believe that, if our elected officials will put aside partisan politics and reach across the aisle, we can be great once again. In in so doing, we will restore the respect of the world toward the United States of America!

Now it's up to us to support our President. It's up to us to pray, send protecting energies toward, and trust Wisdom to make her home with him.

Yes we can! Yes we can!

Samhain: From Ending...Beginning

2008-10-30T07:34:00.001-05:00

Samhain: From Ending...Beginning

It's that blessed time of the year again: Samhain. Samhain was to those ancients the separation of the seasons, dark and light, dead and living. A time to honor those who have passed over, as well as a time to be thankful for the harvest that would carry the people through to the next year.

The seasons were crucially important to our ancestors. They set their times according to them because their very lives depended on it. Without reverence for the creation around them, they understood that they would not have enough food, clothing...or even shelter...to carry them through the harsh winter months. They understood that the creation must die to live again. That understanding permeated their worship.

And although there are many ways to celebrate, I think many of us have our own special time and traditions. For me, this is an opportunity to take stock of the year: successes and failures. The veil between the worlds is at it's thinnest and it is a time to ask direction for the coming year. Our ancestors stand at the precipice waiting for us to communicate with them. As they pass over, they take with them all of their experiences on this earth. They may exchange vessels, but their souls carry on. And at this time, Samhain, the veil is thin and they are there to give us wisdom and direction in the year to come.

Many of my pagan friends' holy days are steeped in ritual. We find great comfort in the familiarity of them. However, there are times when I prefer spontanaeity to ritual: to talk to the deities from a full heart not leaning on formality. And Samhain is that time for me. I spend my time in meditation of my friends and family who have passed over this year and years past. I think on the year and what I've accomplished and that which has been left undone. And I set priorities and goals for the next year asking the help of the ancients and dieties to bring them to pass.

As the veil becomes thinner, I ask the souls of the departed if they have messages of instruction, correction or hope. And then I listen with my spirit for their offerings. And when all is said and done, I give them offerings of my own to thank them for sharing their time and wisdom with me.

All of these things bring me comfort, hope and help for the year to come, but they also offer me closure for the year passing. Samhain, being the New Year for pagans, causes me to look forward to waking the next morning with hope and strength renewed for the winter months ahead, trusting that needs will be met.

This Samhain, I invite you to celebrate the old and the new. Reach out to those departed with whom you wish to communicate again. And know that the veil that separates you from them will allow you both to reconnect in a way that is mysterious but very, very real. You will find comfort for your soul and wisdom for your journey.

To all, a Blessed Samhain...

This Has Got To Stop

2008-10-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

Please click the link above and read the story from Pam's House Blend. Pam has an excellent blog and I follow it regularly. This story stopped me in my tracks, though. In light of the recent fake attack pushed by the McCain camp where one of the staffers reported being beaten by an Obama supporter because of a sticker on her car, one has to wonder why THIS story which is REAL was buried by the MSM.

Nancy Takehara, an Obama campaign worker, was going door-to-door when an outraged McCain supporter grabbed her by the back of her neck, ripping at her hair, and pounded her head. She feared for her life. Over a simple door knock!!!!!! Are you really reading this? You betcha!

The McCain campaign, and especially Sara Palin in recent weeks, has whipped their base into a frenzy and now good people are paying the price for it. It's just wrong, people, and it has to stop. McCain, once an American hero with a reputation for straight talk and honorable character, has reduced himself and his campaign to hate-mongering. And they have yet to do anything about it besides blame Obama.

I don't know whether to be shocked, angry, or both! Dear Goddess, what horrible nature brings a man (humankind) to this kind of evil? And, yes, it is evil. To incite riot and hatred is just plain wrong.

If I wasn't an Obama supporter before all this campaigning, I certainly am now. Obama has risen above all of this, even to tell his supporters at rallies not to "boo." He has taken the high road and addressed the issues. That gets my attention and my vote.

I hope that McCain will realize the path this campaign is on and become a man of honor: denounce all of the hatred and baiting, get control of his attack dog Palin, and be a MAN. This kind of hatred is wrong...and living in America.

Goddess help us all.

Shakespeare on American Politics

2008-10-13T20:52:00.001-05:00

Enough said.

Autumn in Vermont

2008-10-08T16:02:00.012-05:00

What a beautiful scene, isn't it? Have you ever visited Vermont? If not, you really should go. And even though it's the busy season, autumn is not to be missed. How do I know? As a nine year old, I lived in Bennington, Vermont. What a fabulous place to be as a young person! There was a great museum, wonderful rivers, peaceful valleys, century old architecture, and...ghosts!

Yes, Bennington is one of the more ghostly populated places to visit. Why is that interesting? Well, I think it's because as my life as moved from knowing to knowing, being in that place had a great influence on me. It wasn't the ghoulies. No, it was the energy of the place. The energy that said there were those we didn't see but were all around us.

The church I went to with my folks was a wonderful white church on a hill. It was old. Very old. The pews were the old timey kind that were family boxes - with hand made latches and plenty of carvings by those who occupied them. When it was quiet, you could hear the voices of spirit beings and see shadows of long-forgotten people. Sometimes, when you turned around to look at where the choir sat in the balcony, you could hear voices in song even though no one was there.

I loved to walk through the cemeteries and read the stones and imagine the lives of those who lived before me. What were they like? Were they happy? Was it difficult for them? Did the harsh winters bear down on them and did they go hungry if the weather failed? And did they look at the colors on the leaves and run their hands over the leaf veins sensing the water giving life as it coursed through? Did they wonder who or what was beyond the mountains around them?

So many questions for a young child.

But those questions have served me well and brought me through to places I would have never dreamed. I can still walk through a cemetery and be filled with wonder and be overwhelmed by the spirits of those reposing under the sod. I still hear the voices of the spirits, and sometimes see them dart by. And when I do, I fondly remember the spirit choir of my childhood church. Now when I see children I wonder if they have the same curiosity with life that I did as a child. Or have we allowed our children no place for wonder and imagination in the harsh world we've created?

Even now, I marvel at the seeds of a dandelion, the ripple of water against a rock, the sound wind makes as it whistles through the trees. And although I have had my dark moments in this life, I find myself coming back around to those things that were important to me as a child. It's easy to get caught up in "reality" and lose sight of eternity. How I long to have the knowing I had as a child; to see the "imaginary friends" who were there in spirit speaking to me. There was a thin veil between here and there when I was young.

Who were you at that tender age? Could you sense the spirit world around you? And if you did, why has it faded? Is it because it was not real? Not at all. It has faded because we let the cares of this world drown out the reality of the otherworld. So I encourage you to find a peaceful place. My peaceful place was that old church and cemetery in Vermont in the beauty of autumn. And in finding that place, allow yourself to feel it completely; mindfully.

It is in that peaceful place that we find rest and the wisdom of the sages.

(And I'm doing my darndest to get back to wonderful Vermont. I can feel it calling me, just as my ancestral Irish homeland does. One day....)

Finding a Spiritual "Church"

2008-09-14T14:30:00.003-05:00

Hail and greetings, gentle readers...

As many know, we have been searching for a "church;" a place of spiritual rest and encouragement. Why is it that these searches require so much time and effort? One would think that we could look at churches and know we would find comfort there. But it is not always so.

Amazingly, the buildings don't give hints at all. One must visit, get to know the people, and even more importantly, get to know the heart of the pastor. I've met so many who hang the seminary degrees on their office walls and yet have no heart for the people under their care. I think many "burn out" and stop giving. Let's be honest, if a pastor only gives and does not learn to rest and receive, pastoring becomes a burden rather than a joy.

In our search, we never expected to be drawn to Science of Mind (or Religious Science). No, these are not the folks who don't believe in doctors. These are people who believe that there is a consciousness, energy, out there that is far beyond our simple existence. To see all as energy, consciousness, and experience our place in the greater scheme of things is difficult for me. I'm so conditioned to see just the physical and mental. To "plug into" the spiritual and see it for the vast expanse that it is is beyond my simple understanding of Spirit.

But, here we are. We have been visiting a local Religious Science "church" and have found it to be enlightening and restful for our souls. The meditation is genuine and brings a peace I've not found in other churches. The pastor has a deep understanding of Spirit and a wonderful way of sharing it intimately with the congregation. And the congregation seems open and honest.

So how do I take my religious background and meld it into this new philosophy? I haven't a clue...yet. I do know that when I leave, my spirit, mind, body and heart are refreshed. I've not felt that refreshing in many, many years. And, even though Religious Science has its own way of looking at spirituality through a particular philosophy, the church seems to embrace all who walk a spiritual path.

So maybe...just maybe...we've found a place to call our own. Maybe this is the place we've been looking for; a place we can serve and be served. Time will tell. In the meantime, we bow our heads and contemplate the Spirit and seek guidance on this wonderful path.

What path are you on? Where has it led you so far? And where do you see yourself going from here? Is there a fork in that spiritual road that calls to your heart to try something new? And if it does, are you interested enough to take a chance and step outside your comfort zone? Many questions. Many answers. Where are you?

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

2008-09-10T22:13:00.004-05:00

My friends,

I am relieved and grateful to be able to share with you a blessing received. As many of you wonderful readers know, my partner and I have walked a difficult path over the past several years: her deployment, Katrina, relocating, struggling to find jobs that will meet our needs, etc.

In the aftermath of her deployment to Iraq, my precious partner has suffered terribly with PTSD, panic attacks and agorophobia, as well as memory loss. It has been hard for her to find work she can do without those nightmarish disabilities causing severe problems. I'll grant, it has been difficult for both of us. And I admit to losing faith a few times along the way.

But we received wonderful news today. She received a check from the Veterans Administration for prescriptions based on her PTSD, etc. This means that those illnesses have been service-connected backdated to March, 2004. And that means that our long walk through the VA maze may be coming to a close. Over four years to give her the benefits for which she worked and fought is ridiculous to me. But we are more than relieved as this could not have come at a more critical time.

We were struggling today with how we would meet rent, utilities, loans, etc. There just didn't seem to be a friendly light at the end of the tunnel. We have found ourselves waiting for that light with apprehension of the oncoming train. But, I cannot stress enough how much of a weight is being lifted from our shoulders. I actually felt happy this afternoon. It's been a LONG time since I've relaxed enough to let that feeling back in.

What I've learned is that when we are at our weakest point (and this afternoon I reached my weakest point), the Goddess comes through with what we need. As I sought wisdom this afternoon, I cried out for relief. I told Goddess all of my fears and failures. I told Her of my desire to have peace; to live in peace. I didn't seek wealth, just an ability to pay bills and cover those "things" that happen to us in every day life; car repairs, doctor bills, veterinary care. We all have one of those lists.

I can't say that I'm a "believe it and receive it" type. The whole idea of seeking prosperity at the hands of a God or Goddess is foreign to me. But I can relate to the human condition of needs. We all have them. Food. Clothing. Shelter. We want to be able to reach beyond the stress to the finances we must have to live. Anything over and above that, to me, is to be used to help others. We weren't made to be hoarders of things, people, animals.

So if we receive blessings, we are to share them. As my partner and I rode around town today picking up the things we needed, we talked at length about who we needed to share the blessing with. Of course, our church is one place. We are focusing on unexpected income. And this blessing certainly qualifies. Therefore, we know we want to bless our church. There is a website and ministry that are dear to our hearts. They reach millions of people with the good word that those people are accepted and not rejected by God/Goddess. They will most definitely be blessed as we have been blessed. Another ministry has supported our ministry and they are in need of physical help with their building. They certainly will be blessed as we've been blessed.

I guess the long and short of this post is this: We are beyond thrilled and relieved that the light at the end of the tunnel is near. We are honored to be able to share this blessing with others; to pay it forward. And I think all of us, were we to subscribe to the idea of sharing the blessing, would find a whole lot more blessings in our lives.

Thanks to all who have prayed with and for us. Thanks to you who have provided us food, clothing, shelter, and gifts of money to pay bills. And great thanks to Goddess who provides for all of our needs--when we need it most!

Hurricane Redux

2008-08-30T18:06:00.004-05:00

I am writing to ask for your prayers, positive thoughts, energies, lit candles, etc. for those in the path of Hurricane Gustav. As one who lived through Katrina, I can tell you the aftermath was overwhelming.

You hear about New Orleans constantly in stories related to Hurricane Katrina. This gets under my skin, as Katrina did not hit New Orleans. New Orleans succumbed to rain-swelled lakes and a poor levy system. Katrina hit Bay St. Louis/Waveland, MS dead on. We were recently in Mississippi and were amazed that the area is still unrecognizable. Funny how we get used to landmarks to find our way around.

But regardless of who got hit with what, the suffering was tremendous. We weren't able to return to our home until almost two weeks after the storm. People were living under tarps in their yards because the homes were either washed away or completely uninhabitable. Thanks to our (p)resident, there was no assembly of the National Guard to help the people. In our area, it was a good week before any help arrived, including the Red Cross. There was no food. There was no water. There was extreme heat and dead bodies, both human and animal. It was horrific.

Three years later, we are still trying to come to terms with Katrina. We have been in a dire financial position having lost everything we owned. We have been unable to replace simple things like cookware. It took Bush's administration over seven months to offer assistance (and five appeals) even though there were pictures and we were in the worst of the storm.

This is what the folks in the path of Gustav are up against. And thanks to global warming, more and more of these super-storms are going to be coming our way. We must do our part, individually, to overcome global warming and be involved politically in solving this crisis.

But even more important, right now, is to pray for those in the way of the storm--and not just in the US. It's about the WORLD, not just US. And be ready to help in any small way you can.

The Prism that is Goddess

2008-07-31T10:24:00.007-05:00

Greetings, gentle readers...

A rabbi with whom I am familiar was writing in response to a series of posts in a forum. The posts were started by a woman who seems to be firm in her personal faith and path, but is pushy, domineering and intolerant of others whose journey is different than her own. The back and forth has continued for days, with no relenting on anyone's part. Well, the rabbi wrote some of the best words I've read in a long time and I wanted to share them with you:

"We all dance in different colored rays of light that all trace their way back to the prism of reality which refracts the one light that comes from beyond. If we are open we realize this fact and appreciate the other rays, even though we are most secure within one
particular ray of color. We travel not only different paths, but even those of who share the same pathway are not standing at the same point on the road."

His writing is always eloquent and I wish I could sit under his teaching. He has a way of looking at life and the differences in people that astounds me. It is true; we all dance in different colored rays.

The word "dance" first caught my attention. We are in a dance with the Divine. A dance can be quite intimate. Have you ever truly watched a ballroom dance competition? There is a look in the eye, a movement in the step that brings a heart to the performance. It is that intimacy that we all seek along our personal path, be that songs of worship or ritual in the forest.

The rabbi continues to describe "different colored rays of light." We all have a journey. It is a personal journey; a spiritual journey that is different for all. The different colored rays are like the paths: Judaism, Paganism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. And the differences within those paths are colored, as well. Each has it's own flavor, a way of worship that is Divine in nature. No one ray is better than the other because...

The colored rays all trace back to the "reality which refracts the one light that comes from beyond." I don't necessarily think it matters what name one gives to the Divine. We all experience Goddess (God, Creator, Divine, etc.) in a way that is different...but the same. I used to dislike that phrase, "different but same." But it is true here. We worship. We offer time, talents and treasures. Some of us pray. Some meditate. Some use the mind to find peace. Some use the heart. Some experience their faith loudly. Some, quietly. But all in all, we all seek the same: an experience with the Divine that brings health to our bodies and comfort to our souls.

And "even those of us who share the same pathway are not standing at the same point on the road." How true. Many look down their noses at those who they feel are not as enlightened. Within our same paths, there is elitism which quelches the desire of the follower. What a shame, truly.

When did we become a faith of destruction and not rebuilding and replanting? What happened along the way that turned our hearts to stone when it comes to others? Being accepting of another's personal journey is part of being secure in our own! And being secure in our own faith doesn't mean we try to convert all we see to our way of faith! It's not about how many people you convert to your path. It's about loving everyone with whom you come in contact on your path and your journey.

Maybe it's time we all put down the hatchets and turned our swords into plowshares. Maybe it's time to learn to love and accept and not beat down and degrade. Maybe it's time to be people of faith; faith that loves all humankind, seeks to respect Mother Earth and be creators rather than takers of Her bounty, offers care to the sick and in despair.

That is what faith is about: reaching out. We ought to try it sometime. And great thanks to the rabbi who challenges me with each word he says.

Presidential Politics

2008-07-09T15:04:00.009-05:00

This is the face of the man who wants to continue to see your children killed in Iraq.

This is the man, the one with his sleeves rolled up, who wants to bring our children, mothers and fathers home from an unjust war.

The choice seems so obvious. But some won't get it. They'll hang on to the Republican party, party of hypocrisy, for all they're worth. Somehow the reality of what has happened to our beloved country is lost on them. They are oblivious, preferring to live by what they are told rather than see for themselves.

So many of my friends, gay and straight alike, lean towards the Republican party and nominee because they're so afraid of seeming "liberal" in their politics, theology and perceived lifestyle. It's an exercise in futility; going around and around and getting nowhere. Rats on a wheel. Follow the leader. Lemmings.

Now, I'm not saying that the Democrats have a grip on the market. Democrats (label them Liberals) can get smug and annoying with their "we are the world" stuff. Liberals have a broad spectrum of followers, just as the Conservatives do. You'll find everyone from tree huggers to lumberjacks. But, for the most part, from my observation, Liberals tend to be realists.

Is there room for others in this two-party system we've created? You bet. I'm listening. But I don't hear anything that hasn't been said before. No creativity. Same stuff, different day. If you're going to create a new party, or be a nominee from one, give me a good reason why I should care. Because unless you bring something spectacular to the table of discussion, all you're doing is trying to be a spoiler in the game. Nobody wins.

I'm doing my best to listen to all the speeches. I'm plastered to the nominees' websites, reading the political blogs, watching the pundits, etc. From Sen. McCain I hear jokes about bombing Iran. I hear him contradict himself over and over. Frankly, it scares me. From Sen. Obama, I hear a man with a vision of what can be again if we dream and work together.

And I hear the mainstream media picking their darlings and not reporting anymore. The days of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite are gone. Picking sides and slanting stories has become the way of the "journalist." Why can't we just go back to reporting the news instead of telling us what to think about it. It's an insult to intelligent people.

And in the end, is it really about Republican and Democrat, Conservative and Liberal, etc. or is it really about whether we put our collective heads in the sand and pretend we weren't taken for a horror ride by the current administration? I want on a ride towards freedom, civil rights, and reclaiming a place of honor in the World. I want on a ride that looks toward the future with bright ideas and expressions of peace. I want on the Peace Train! And, from my vantage point, it looks like Sen. Obama is going my way.

Let's Talk About Money...

2008-07-07T10:02:00.004-05:00

I'm Becoming More Aware of My Feelings About Money. . .
Many people protest when we explain to them the power of telling the story of their finances as they want it to be rather than as it is, because they believe that they should be factual about what is happening. But if you continue to look at lackful what-is and speak of what-is, you will not find the improvement that you desire. If you want to effect substantial change in your life experience, you must think thoughts that feel different as you think them.

Hello again, Gentle Readers...

This was today's quote from Abraham-Hicks. I get their daily quotes and enjoy them immensely. I hope you'll check out their website. http://abraham-hicks.com/.

I've been concerned about money lately. And yesterday, at the church service we attended, they were talking about choosing to view the world from the "shall be" and not the "is now." The pastor was speaking of free will. Now, as one who has been a hard-core fundamentalist in the past, we were taught that free will was one thing and one thing only: Our choice of whether we believe that Jesus was the Messiah...or not. We choose wrong and we get the hell-fire and damnation.

You know, I have problems with that free will. I have a hard time picturing God (or Goddess - you choose your diety) as an angry God who will simply throw you to the fire if you won't do as he says. But this pastor spoke of a different kind of free will: the free will to see beyond the now and embrace the future as it should be. No, I'm not talking of the whole "believe it and receive it" type of prosperity teaching. I am speaking of the free will to look at a situation, such as a financial one, and speak the positive into the world. For example, I may see that my dollars won't go as far as I would like. The electric bill is ridiculous. I can choose to be negative and gripe about the cost of it. Or I can choose (free will) to be positive and be grateful that I have heating, cooling and a way to cook my meals. It is the free will of the grateful spirit that brings positive results.

If we subscribe to the idea that all is energy, we now have the free will to speak positive into that energy. Okay, I know it sounds a bit "out there." But if our words and actions affect what we see and get in our lives, why not choose the way of free will? Choose to take up the positive instead of speaking the negative.

The pastor quoted a line in a musical. And, of course, I don't remember it fully. (That 50 year old memory glitch thingy!). But the gist of it was that it isn't the decision that is bad. It may be mistaken; a decision we can learn from in the future. So what? We take this moment and move forward to the next with wisdom.

So I encourage you this day to use your free will. Speak the positive. Be grateful for everything. And then watch the Universe operate on your behalf! Goddess bless!

Things that make you go, "Hmmm?"

2008-07-05T09:55:00.013-05:00

GW Bush, 12/18/2000

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/2008/07/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident.html

Jesus General, a satirical blogger, has put the entirety of this on his most recent blog. It's well worth the read if it's been awhile. How quickly we forget our past and how, because of this president, we are doomed to repeat it. In that time, another George was asserting his dictatorship. Now we have this one.

Oh that we would rise up in disgust against the things this George has done to our beloved Country! He has caused us to be inhumane to other people. He has taken upon himself the whole of the Law controlling the Judiciary to suit his evil desires. He has taken away the rights of us, the citizens, through the Patriot Act and the repeal of Habeus Corpus. He has hamstrung the Congress and forced them through veto and executive privilege to support his desires. He has imprisoned, without due process, anyone who has looked at him the wrong way. Why do you think Gitmo is at capacity? He has used prison ships and other countries to hide prisons of "war." He is an evil man with an evil dream. Even though there are only a few months left in his "dictatorship" there is much more damage he can do to us and to the world.

Those who are called to prayer must pray. Those who are called to action must act. Those who are called to govern must stand against his tyranny. All of us are called to vote. It is our civic responsibility and privilege - and we must take it seriously. Let us not allow the presidency of our country be hijacked again by a despot.

Independence Day

2008-07-04T15:41:00.007-05:00

My dear friends...

On this 4th of July holiday, I feel compelled to write on independence. More than 200 years ago, some very wise individuals came together to create a country. They took their ideals and put pen to paper. Those documents still govern us today. My question is whether the spirit of those ideals still remains? In my humble opinion, I think not. Here is why:

First, all people do not have the privilege of all of the rights guaranteed to our citizens. All minorities still suffer under prejudice and hatred. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans remain without any civil rights or legal recourse. This should not be. The widest interpretation of those words given at the inception of our country should be accepted to understand that ALL people are created equal, and as such should be afforded all rights and liberties under our system of laws.

Second, we were given by these founders a tri-fold system of governance so that not one single part would gain control and create dictatorship and infringe on the rights of the individual. We suffer horribly under our present administration's dismissal of this concept. We have an appointed leader (not one supported by the vote of the people), who has taken to himself complete control including the decimation of civil liberties. This has been accomplished through government secrecy and violation of individuals by obtaining their bank records, phone records, and anything else the administration wants. This is done without regard to the law. And it continues to be done without the oversight of an emasculated Congress.

Third, our government was meant to provide representation for the public's taxation. We were to live within our means as a country. Thanks to the current war of aggression against the sovereign country of Iraq and massive spending by this administration, we as a country are in deep, deep debt. Much of this money is being borrowed through foreign countries, making us dependent upon their mercy financially, commercially, and politically. As individuals, you and I must live within the confines of our paycheck. We cannot simply give ourselves a raise. We cannot spend on a whim knowing our rent is due. We must be frugal. And with our economy as it currently stands, our status in life is certainly not improving. Yet...our government spends without concern for its citizens and their limited ability to pay taxes. What will be the outcome of this frivolity?

You want to know the state of this Union? It is easily found in the media reports from those who are not afraid of this administration and who will not be manhandled by a corrupt government. Unless something changes, and quickly, our beloved country may not be around much longer. We have become weak by spreading our defenses way too thin all around the world where they cannot defend us at home. We have become weak by becoming the slave to other countries' finances and commerce. We have become weak by giving away those very precious rights and privileges given to us by our founding fathers. The Patriot Act, and its subsequent reaffirmations, has stripped us of our rights and privacy. Yet, we keep on living in our own dream, rose colored glasses intact, hoping things will improve.

Wake up! Wake up, my friends. Unless we do, we will see all of our rights denied us. No more freedom of/from religion. No more right to privacy. No more right to a free press. Kiss them all goodbye.

Let us not only PRAY for relief that Goddess may deliver us from ourselves, but let us act! Use your vote wisely, for you have seen what can happen when it is taken away and the Supreme Court appoints a leader. Let this 4th of July, this Independence Day, signal a renewal of purpose to save this great nation. And celebrate the great nation that was...and will be again!

(A special note of thanks to all of our military men and women for their gallantry and sacrifice. You have the gratefulness of an entire country for your service. You also have my undying respect for all you give and are. You may say you're just doing your job. But, believe me, not all have the guts. And to my soldier, you are my hero.)

Goddess bless America...and the World.

Why We Need to Teach Tolerance

2008-06-26T08:19:00.005-05:00

Amazing how there are always people going in the opposite direction. But to them, we are the opposites! What does this show us? We are all different. We all have our own desires and gifts. Each should be celebrated. Nothing says you have to accept another's sexual orientation. That is your decision to make. However, in a country that boasts freedom, it is not acceptable to deny an entire citizenry basic civil rights based on one's own direction. Different doesn't mean evil. Different doesn't mean we have the right to bash and otherwise stifle the lives of someone with whom we disagree.

Some would say that allowing gay marriage or supporting legislation that gives hate crime status to beating up on people who are different, is absolutely necessary. Others hide behind the "love the sinner, hate the sin" caption - which is totally contrary to any truly spiritual teaching. This is all false doctrine and dogma which does nothing but hide behind a veil of bigotry and prejudice.

Allow me to share two stories with you:

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A260096 is the story of a young person struggling with his sexual orientation who was taunted and tortured -- until it killed him.

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2008/06/25/5 is about a wonderful 18 year relationship between two women who, when one became gravely ill, was not allowed visitation in the hospital. Eventually, after the sick partner passed, the surviving partner was not allowed access to death certificates, insurance, and those civil rights which help us care for our surviving children.

These are the kind of rights for which the lgbt citizens fight: The right to marry our long-time partners. Did you see the marriages in California last week? The first to marry were two women with over 50 years together. Just today, I received an email from a woman I know in California who, because the county clerk put "confidential" on their paperwork, must now go to court to prove the marriage actually did take place. They were sabotaged by the court clerk. The right to have access to social security, death benefits, insurance, and even the right to be at the bedside of our ill partners. The right to make decisions about our children. All of these are certainly not "special" rights." These are civil rights - basic human rights - and there are over 1000 more of them to which the lgbt citizenry does not have access.

So, please, before one jumps on a biblical high horse and proclaims the lgbt citizens of our great country as evil and our relationships invalid, consider yourself. Regardless of spiritual path, it is not the seat of judgment you occupy. It is the seat of love, acceptance and tolerance. Not all who come to the gates of the Kingdom will be offered access. Will we be considered by our piousness or by our love?

Positive Energy

2008-06-10T10:34:00.006-05:00

Blessings, Gentle Readers,

Do any of you receive the daily quotes from Abraham-Hicks ( http://www.abraham-hicks.com/index.php)? I find great enlightenment and positive energy from their site; a good way to start the day. At first I didn't understand the idea that all things shared a common energy and how we affect the world around us.

Abraham's teaching is that all things have an energy; a vibrational frequency. This being true means that, just as a pebble tossed in the water causes ripples, so our vibrational energy ripples in the Universe. Thus, we have an effect that we may not see, that happens in the greater World around us. Consider again the pebble in the water. If you drop it in a pond, you see the ripples as they move away from the center. If you drop it in a vast sea, you see the ripples for a short time. However, just because you don't see the continuous ripple, doesn't mean it has no effect!

So what is this energy vibration? It is the positive and the negative we bring to the Creation table. It is our ability to take the negative which occurs in our lives and affect it for positive. Have you ever had a really "craptacular" day and, when you have had enough, made a conscious decision to change the day through your positive energy? That is the vibrational change of which I speak.

Now, is it deeper than that? Of course it is! Much, much deeper! But each journey begins with a single step forward. If we begin to understand the ripple effect, we will focus more on being the positive energy in the World. If we take conscious hold of our vibrational energy and change one moment, one hour, one day...imagine the creational effect we would have on the greater World around us! The idea is simply mind-boggling.

So take today and make a conscious effort for positive vibrational change in your life. In so doing, you will effect the lives of those around you. And wouldn't that make for a better life for us all?

Walking On The Pier

2008-06-03T15:57:00.012-05:00

I've had a interesting day today. What a wonderful day away from work! Usually I feel exhausted and don't want to do much of anything. But today was different. I felt good and ready to go and do.

As many know, I live in Mobile, Alabama. It sits approximately 60 miles inland off the Gulf of Mexico on a wonderful bay. On the other side of the bay, there is a cute, quaint town - Fairhope. In Fairhope you'll find little shops and very well-to-do folks who are nice and greet you wherever you go.

There is a wonderful pier in Fairhope (as you can tell by the picture). Years ago I would spend hours there with my feet in the water watching the sun set. I feel a spirit that is gentle and calm. Even when storms come up on the bay, there is peace here. I guess it's because I'm a child of the moon and water, that I find soul comfort at the pier. And it's been years since I visited the area. So, today I took my feeling-good self and ventured across the bay to Fairhope and the lovely pier.

The area has been renovated since Katrina (as in Hurricane Katrina). There are wonderful benches which have been placed in honor of veterans and loved ones. The benches and picnic tables sit under a canopy of trees surrounded by wildflowers. As I drove up to the parking area, I noticed a spot near the water where it splashes against the bulwark. I took my water bottle and settled on a bench where I could hear the water and feel the breeze.

I could feel the healing energy of the water and breeze as they gently swayed my soul. It was not long before the water called to me and I had to find a place to jump down off the bulwark and put my toes in the water. It was now high tide and the water splashed up to my shorts as my feet sunk into the sand. What joy I felt in that moment! Peace washed over me. I was in a sacred moment of sun, water and wind.

Funny how the most simple things offer us sacredness. I've been in pain and struggling for months now, even years. At the pier, in the water, I found Spirit. With my feet sinking in the sand and surrounded by splashing water, my spirit joined with the Spirit of Goddess and we felt as one. And as I thought on the moment, a Voice spoke to me.

"See the water. See how it rises and falls. Feel the current underneath. It is strong, but peaceful. All of the crashing is on the surface. Underneath there is quiet. Yet, in the quiet there is great strength. You are this water. Your struggle is on the surface. Your pain is on the surface. But your strength is an undercurrent giving you a peaceful place to go. Learn to ride the undercurrent. The water will carry you out of the struggle."

Oh my goodness! Here is my answer! My struggle is on the surface. It is not the whole of me and my experience. The undercurrent is my destiny. I am not to live as one who is caught up in the surface. I am one who is to allow the undercurrent to carry me. As I allow myself to go deeper in my experience with Spirit, Spirit will carry me through the surface problems to the place of peace!

Amazing how Goddess can speak when we find a place of quiet tranquility. With all of the surface crashing, I wasn't hearing her soft, comforting voice. I think I know now how to move forward acknowledging the waves but finding the peace underneath.

Actions and Words

2008-06-02T11:03:00.005-05:00

Actions and words. I doubt we really sit and think on how our actions and words affect those around us. We go through our day re-acting to stuff. We are often not pro-active at all.

The old saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." We take that in context of how we should show things rather than just say them. For example, it's important that we show our loved ones that we care rather than just speak the words.

But I've been thinking of another meaning to the saying. What if "actions speak louder than words" really means that we can be co-creators in this world simply by how we act and what we say? That would lead to us realizing that, as we go through our daily life, we can create our reality by how we act and what we say.

That, if taken seriously and practiced, could change our direction. The spirituality of it all is overwhelming when considered. If I want to be my own boss, is it possible for me to create that reality by speaking it into existence and operating as if it is already created? Does that mean that if I'm having a rough day I can turn it into a positive by my actions and words? Can I bring about good and change in this world simply by taking a positive action and speaking it?

You know, I think that is true. Words have great meaning. Think of the Christian Bible. In Genesis it says that God spoke and the light was created. That would lead one to think that God had a thought and then spoke and it happened. So, taking the thought that we are co-creators with the Divine, we should be able to do the same thing.

Some would ask why our positives don't happen more often. Well, I've come to believe that we gunk up (technical term) the conduit for creation with our own barriers: greed, preconceived ideas, selfishness, lack of balance and connection to Spirit. It is important that, if we are to be co-creators of good in this world, we clear ourselves of "self" and connect to Spirit. The world and our lives must live in balance. Without balance, the circle of life fails. A circle is perfectly balanced inside and out. And so we must be the same.

How does one find balance? Through connection with the Spirit World. We seek to clear ourselves of anything that would affect our ability to connect in a clear way. Some would say prayers. Some would light candles. Some would use crystals. Regardless of your way of finding balance, use it. Know that the Divine in form of Spirit is present to offer balance to those who ask.

At that point, when you are "in synch" with Spirit and World, you are in a position to bring about the change you wish to see. Actions and words. Be the change you wish to see. Speak the positive of the change you wish to be. And watch miracles happen!

Actions and words. The way of co-creation. Go and be creators of good in your world.

Memorial Day

2008-05-25T07:16:00.004-05:00

Another Memorial Day. More bodies. More wounded. More politicizing of people's lives.

We go about our daily lives without much thought to what is happening to our soldiers overseas.

There are precious few pictures of our war dead on the evening news. When this picture hit the airwaves, the airline personnel who took it was fired and our government did a lot of damage control to try to keep it off the air waves.

Here we are, five years later, with no end in sight. We are the poorer for the over 4000 military personnel who have lost their lives. We are the poorer for the thousands who have committed suicide. We are the poorer for the thousands of soldiers who are strung out on medication to numb the memories. And we are the poorer for the tens of thousands who are missing body parts - the walking wounded - who are finding it hard to get jobs and support their families.

And what of the female soldiers? Oh we've lost plenty and plenty have come home maimed and scarred. But, I thought our females weren't in combat? Oh how wrong we are. They are in the middle, in the thick, and facing the same trials as the men. What's the difference? If you think the military shames the men into thinking they are weak for needing help to overcome their horrors, try being a woman in that system. The VA is not set up to support women. Neither is the VA supportive of women combat vets.

While our candidates for president argue over who's more sympathetic to our veterans, more and more die. More and more vets don't get the healthcare they need. More and more vets are pushed out of the system. I don't understand how our leaders vote billions of dollars for a war effort that is crashing and burning and cannot agree to fund the needed VA programs for our veterans.

I guess my big question is this: Where are our priorities? When will we see that there are Americans out there who need help? These men and women, of all wars, have sacrificed to the point of death and yet cannot get what was promised to them by a government who uses and discards them. It makes me livid. I want to scream at the top of my lungs!

How many of you are livid at how our veterans are treated? How many of us have taken time to thank a veteran for their selfless service to the ideal that is America? I think today would be a good day to start.

Write your congress-critters and tell them to support our vets. Thank a vet. Thank that vet's spouse or partner. Believe me, the spouses and partners serve in silence and get very little support for it.

Today is the day. Now is the time. Thank a vet. Honor the fallen. Be thankful for America.

Go With the Flow

2008-04-09T12:16:00.004-05:00

Hello again, gentle readers...

Yes, it's been a good while since my last post. Life gets in the way and it's easy to get caught up in the worries and drama of the day. I think we are all guilty of that in some way or another.

I added a link to a Daily OM post I recently read. It's an excellent article and one which caused me to pause and think about how I walk through life.

There is "the flow." You can call it what you will: spirit, destiny, fate. It matters not the name, only that it is and we are on the journey. Some days it is a rushing river that carries us along at breakneck speed and we fail to slow down and experience the fullness of the trip. And sometimes it is a lazy river that slowly urges us to enjoy the scenery and the lessons it has to teach.

One of the points of the article was that we all participate in "the flow." I think it is important that we engage our conscious minds to be open to the images and experiences that come our way. If we simply put ourselves on "auto pilot" and ride without conscious effort, we never experience the fullness of life.

My life as of late has been one of busyness. Busy at work. Busy at home. Just plain busy. I relish the times that I have quiet. I find myself turning off the TV and turning on the soft sounds of the music of mindfulness. I escape to my place of rejuvenation. And it gets difficult to turn off the sounds of the world around me. The dogs bark. The phone rings. Just to get to that place of being able to drown out the noise and engage "the flow!" How I long for it!

So what is your life like? Are you going with "the flow?" Are you experiencing Spirit in all things? Do you rejoice in Mother Earth and all the wonderful creation around you? Or do you get bogged down in the worries of the day?

If getting bogged down is the issue, then take a moment to break away and engage "the flow." Quietly listen to Spirit and enjoin yourself with the Universe. Be the quiet you wish to experience in your life. Go with "the flow."

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2008/13327.html

Spirituality as a Life Practice

2008-01-29T09:06:00.001-06:00

Spirituality as a Life Practice

To exist as a spiritual being in a world of matter is often a difficult process. One must be continuously aware of both planes. The material world pulls our focus off being content to selfishness. We start to respond to the negative and allow our inner selves to be compromised by toxic people, places, things and circumstances. This focus is one of imbalance: a lack of harmony.

The condition of harmony brings to mind a part in an old car I once owned. I loved that car! It was an '89 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible. I had a very difficult time getting it to run properly. Why? A part called a “harmonic balancer.”

Because of the car's age, the part was obsolete. I searched high and low through parts houses and salvage yards. You see, that part was essential to making the car's engine run smoothly. Without it, the car sputtered and struggled and wore out the other parts which relied on it far before their time.

The Spiritual Life is the “harmonic balancer” for all other things.

Spirit brings us an acute awareness that we are co-creators with the Goddess and, therefore, have great affect on the material world around us. The situations and people we encounter cannot throw us off balance if we are operating on the spiritual plane. The “harmonic balancer”, Spirit, takes all the things that we face and lines them up in harmony.

So how can we be spiritually aware? I find the Five Principles of Brigit a great compass.

1. Protect the Earth - It is our home and our Mother.
2. Be a Peacemaker - Wear peace as a mantle.
3. Care for the Poor - Serve others with gladness and humility.
4. Be a Place of Sanctuary - One who brings comfort to the hurting.
5. Carry a Spirit of Meditation - Focus on the Goddess and hear the
Spirit Voice.

As a daily practice, let us tune in to the Spirit of balance, contentment, co-creation and harmony to bring about a better life for ourselves an those around us.

Blessed Be!
CLG

Happy Holidays

2007-12-25T10:17:00.001-06:00

Blessings to you all, gentle readers, during this holiday season. Thank you for sharing your time with me and for all of your comments. It is an honor to share my thoughts with you all.

As many know, my day job is as a pet trainer for PetSmart. Because of that, I have the joy of saying, "Happy Holidays" to a lot of folks. In the deep South, them's fighting words.

Any use of "Happy Holidays" will, on more than one occasion, lead to a confrontation with someone who believes there is a "war on Christmas." I've been hollered at, forced to acknowledge Christmas before someone would leave my checkout line, told I was "the devil" or "satan" for not saying, "Merry Christmas." The list goes on and on. How in the world did we get from having respect for another's holy days to a "war on Christmas?" It's so not about ignoring Christmas! It's about being respectful of someone else's beliefs or holy days. Good heavens, people!!

I just don't understand all the militant attitudes by Christians. Forcing someone to submit to Christmas is about as encouraging as scaring them to Jesus during Halloween! Do the Christian fundamentalists honestly believe that this will convert people to their personal belief? How could it?

In a way, I'm glad the Christmas holiday has come and gone. When I go back to work tomorrow, I won't have to worry about a rabid fundamentalist Christian going off on me for saying, "Happy Holidays!" It will take a good bit of stress away from working during this time of year. Fortunately, "Happy New Year" is much less threatening to the religious right. Dear Goddess, I hope they don't find a way to make it a religious holiday or work will be unbearable!

My wish this holiday season is that we could all stand, hand in hand, heart to heart, and honor each other's traditions without the need to convert; without the need to force our beliefs on another. So, as you go through this holiday season, take time to wish someone who does not share your belief a Happy Chanukkah, Blessed Yule, Happy Kwanzaa, etc. What is so awful about that? Does it detract from your celebration, your holy day? Heavens no! But what it does do is recognize the spiritual in each person, respecting and celebrating with instead of against.

So for this coming year, consider giving respect to other's spiritual paths; honoring their holy days. Avoid forcing your personal spiritual beliefs on another person and take time within yourself to worship in the way you would do.

Happy Holidays and wishes for a prosperous and blessed New Year!

Take a Little Trip...

2007-12-08T20:09:00.000-06:00

Going back to Mississippi is always traumatic. And it's usually because of a trip to the VA for my beloved. So...double trauma.

This trip, we drove through Louisiana because of a corgi rescue in Lake Charles (it's further than I thought it was). Now, it's difficult to look at the leftovers of Katrina in Mississippi. The pic at the left is one of them. We see this house on the beach each trip. Never fails to amaze me when I look at it. And, yes, those are slabs all around it. Slabs everywhere.

But I digress. I haven't been through New Orleans in a good year. And to be honest, I'm so sick of hearing about New Orleans when the folks on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are so very crushed. Everyone seems to have forgotten that the hurricane hit Mississippi. The levees broke in New Orleans. (Sorry I channel the disgust at every turn.)

However, during this trip I looked at the east side of New Orleans. Really looked. It's just horrible. There are buildings upon buildings that lie empty and full of mold and rats everywhere you turn. Lines of apartment buildings that used to be someone's home are in shambles, some ravaged by fire and looters. Businesses have started to reopen, but there is no neighborhood to serve. The Wal-Mart and Sam's Club lie in ruins, open to the rotten air.

As we left the east side traveling through Metairie and west, there were rebuilt homes everywhere. Road projects going at full steam were tying up traffic in knots. I can clearly see where all the FEMA money went...to the wealthy. The poor and minorities who need the help can't get it and the city wants to demolish what's left of their homes.

Don't misunderstand me, I get why these homes have to be torn down. They are a health hazard, and have been for some time. But, to take the hope of a home away and not give the opportunity for a new one is a travesty in a country like America! America, where everyone has an equal shot at prosperity. America, where we take care of our own.

I think not.

What a shame that the poor and minorities have been so forgotten. Isn't the premise of Christianity to care for the widows and orphans? Where are our Christians now? Where is our president who claims a mandate from God? He handed over a bunch of money to private companies associated with his family and the money went to line the pockets of the rich. This is our America, and it saddens me greatly.

To our brothers and sisters in New Orleans, my humble apologies for being so selfish over the slight of the Gulf Coast. You certainly need the help. It's unfortunate that our leaders, both local and federal, choose to look the other way while their pockets get heavy off the backs of the poor.

Christianity, indeed.

Atypical Veterans Day Blog

2007-11-12T08:20:00.001-06:00

Why atypical? Because I wonder how many of our Pagan brothers and sisters are serving in silence. Because I wonder how many of our military brothers and sisters would harm them for their religious belief. It took until April 2007 before the US Government was FORCED to recognized Pagan soldiers with appropriate grave markers. Grave markers!!

Okay, call me nuts, but isn't what is put on someone's grave marker the final honor we give them? Were I Christian I certainly wouldn't want a pentagram on my grave marker, any more than were I Wiccan would I want a cross! Ughh. That this would even need debate amazes me.

And to take this thought one step further, how many Pagan soldiers are being given the opportunity for corporate worship should they choose? Not many. Why? Because the overwhelming number of Christian ministers in the military refuse to offer it. So the Pagan soldier is left to his own thoughts, choosing who he/she comes out of the "broom closet" to for fear of retribution by Christian superiors.

So then what do we do? We give vocal support to Pagan Soldiers. Find the organizations who are providing legal and moral support to these men and women and get involved. The least you can do is get involved in petition drives! Many sites have lists of Pagan soldiers to whom you can write and encourage.

So, to all vets, thank you from the depths of my heart for your selfless service. Whether one agrees with war or not, it is the soldier who deserves our gratitude. To the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, thank you. You have our thanks and our prayers. And to our Pagan brothers and sisters, may you find you do not have to serve in silence any longer.

The veterans are the foundation of our country.

A Ripple In The Water

2007-11-05T08:25:00.000-06:00

Hello Gentle Readers...

My partner and I have been attending a UU church in town the past couple of weeks. A friend who is Pagan spoke yesterday about her journey from a fundamentalist family to her life as a Pagan. It was incredibly interesting and I found myself hanging on every word and hanging on the edge of my chair.

This is some of my story, as well, minus the amazing education to which this woman has had access. I began life in the United Methodist/Congregational Methodist church and through many incarnations of religious thought have found myself on the door of Paganism. It is a long and thoughtful journey.

During my friends talk, she discussed the tenets of Paganism: "An' it harm none, do as ye will." I've always considered this the main thought in earth-based religion. Don't harm the environment, for it is Divine. Don't harm another, for they are Divine. And start with don't harm yourself, for you are Divine. One thought was that if one thinks ill against another it, by expense of energy, affects the other. Our energy enters this sphere with each action and thought. So if I think or harbor ill against another, I affect their lives. And in turn, this can affect the lives of others: the ripple in the water.

But, while we were discussing this concept, another woman spoke up and made this an even more important thought. She reminded us all that just as ill begets ill, so love begets love. If we chose to take that affect and turn it for good, we engage the ripple affect for good! Yes! This is that upon which we must focus! Returning good for evil. Changing what we feel by using our Divine nature and making the choice to be well and happy. We take that which would ruin us and use it to become even more Divine!

Oh my, what a revelation! We do not, as Divine Beings, have to simply take what is poured out on us by others with suspect intentions! We can choose to be Divine. I cannot tell you how this affects me! When my day at work is difficult, I can choose to be happy...and in that happiness and joy, overcome the evil or dark that would take my joy!!!!

I know this is rambling, and I apologize. But my mind is running in fast forward over this concept and truth. I hope you catch the enthusiasm this has brought to me and allow it to flow all over you! You can change your life. You can change your world. And you can overcome that which would hold you back!

Thank Goddess!

Happy Halloween - Or Samhain Visted

2007-10-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

Merry Meet...again gentle readers...

We are fast approaching Halloween, the ancient festival Samhain (Sow'ehn) which celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of the winter season. This was a time of year where the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.

In ancient lore, the Goddess enters the place of the Crone. The God dies to be reborn at the beginning of Summer. To some, this would sound absurd. But to the ancients, who celebrated two seasons, this made perfect sense and it was how they celebrated the spiritual. The spiritual for these people infiltrated the whole of their lives. All things living and dead were honored.

In my personal journey, I have found a kinship to this spirituality. I have seen how my life has ebbed and flowed according to the seasons. As I seek to celebrate this Samhain, I am looking for ways to honor the dead who have gone before. Of course there are specific ways to celebrate and one can find them all over the internet. But what makes this personal is finding my own way to celebrate and give honor.

So this week I am seeking wisdom on this very thing. The altar set up you see in the picture above is beautiful. But where to set up an altar where the cats and dogs can't bother it? And where to find the wonderful things that are shown on it? There is a woman who has a booth in our flea market and I can probably find some things there. However, there is a strong sense of nature on this altar. And being in the deep south makes it difficult to find strikingly beautiful fall colored leaves. I am considering evergreens as a sign of the circle of life in which we all find ourselves.

I suppose this should be a blog of great insight and import. I am at a place along this spiritual path of seeking my own way and the immortals that would guide me in that way. Samhain this year will be a beginning of a new path, not necessarily an ending: finding my way through the winter season and learning to communicate with and honor those who have gone before.

To those Christians who would be agast at this journey, remember that your own journey infused these holidays and named them for your own use. What we in the Pagan community celebrate as Samhain, you named All Saints Day. The same is true with most, if not all, Christian holidays. They were borrowed from the Pagans and Heathens as their own. So how can one assimilate Christianity and Paganism? I can't say I understand. However, for me, they do infuse each other into a wonderful tapestry of spirituality.

So I encourage you to study Samhain and see how you can make this celebration your own. Look across the year and seek to honor the dead...and the living. Understand that you are fast approaching the end of summer and the beginning of the winter season. I have come to realize the refreshing that is winter. In meditation and celebration, you will see it too if you have an open heart and mind...and spirit...to that which is Samhain.

I wish you a blessed Samhain and a refreshing winter season!

Warrantless Wiretaps Approved????

2007-08-06T10:10:00.000-05:00

You'll be broken-hearted by the image at the left. If you're not, you're not breathing.

In the last election, this country gave the Congress to people we had hoped would care about what America stands for; the freedoms and privacy we have sent our men and women to die for!

All hope has now escaped me. Just when I thought they, the Congress, might rebound and show some intestinal fortitude. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Lead by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, they gave our mal-administration an open door to spying on their own people - US - the Americans who bleed red, white and blue.

Even though none of it truly surprises me since I've seen this Bush group at work for several years now, it disappoints me to the point of despair. When will our senators and representatives stand up for us? When will we stand up for ourselves? Gee, we thought we did that during the last election when we effectively made George Bush and his minions lame ducks. But...no...here come the Dems we hoped to save us, save our military men and women, and preserve our freedoms and rights, and shove us under the bus of fascism.

Dear Goddess deliver us from this evil. If there ever was a wolf in sheep's clothing, this is it. If you think I'm incorrect, take time to go to the White House website and view the (p)resident's "signing statements." These are nothing more than Bush's circumventing of the checks and balances our forefathers saw as necessary to keep us free.

Stop a moment and read the article in The Christian Monitor. It's an eye-opener. And if you are enlightened, start doing your own research into the disaster which is this mal-administration. Amazing what one can find on the internet - if you look at overseas media. Certainly, our media is either hog-tied or tongue-tied (or both) and shamefully deficient at providing truth.

You ask what this has to do with spirituality? Everything! Spirituality is a search for truth. One only need to meditate on Goddess' goodness to see that America has been an experiment in designing a country around truth. Sadly, that truth has been twisted into a lie and many people are suffering for it.

(click on the title to see the CSM article in full.)

Independence Day

2007-07-01T16:46:00.001-05:00

I could not let this holiday pass without asking each of us to thank a soldier. A soldier is the highest expression of courage and selflessness.

But, be angered by the carelessness of this Administration and their lack of concern for those who would serve them. The conditions at Walter Reed and many other VA Hospitals are deplorable. The backlog in determinations of disability are unforgivable. All the while these men and women suffer through war and its aftermath, those in the Administration continue to line their financial pockets with the profits of their blood lust.

It is wrong. Simple and to the point. Wrong. However, unless those of us who understand that to WAGE PEACE is the better way stand up and demand that our voices of dissent be heard, the wars will continue.

Iraq and Afghanistan. We are losing soldiers by the hundreds each month. And those countries are losing citizens by even greater numbers. It is holocaust. Now some in Congress and the White House are calling for, and implementing, plans to invade Iran. There is continuing war in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria... And the list continues to grow. We have the threat of North Korea, which is very real and very ignored. Unless something miraculous happens, we are well on our way to another World War.

And who is caught in the middle of this giant pissing contest by our leaders? Our brave, courageous and wonderful soldiers! They committed themselves to protect this country from all threats, foreign and domestic. But, this wasn't a threat until our (p)resident decided to invade a sovereign country, topple a foreign leader, and take over his country...and then take control of the country's biggest trade...the OIL. Oh, and "Osama who?" Our soldiers in Afghanistan are spitting in the wind trying to bring the one person responsible for 9/11 to justice!

All the while, our soldiers are fighting for their lives. Be a stand up person this Independence Day. Stand up for our soldiers! Express your deep and abiding gratefulness for their continued sacrifice. Stop staring at the pretty colors of the fireworks and get a real sense of what is going on in our world today. Then get active! Wage peace. Write your congressional representatives. Tell them to stop the madness that is this war.

Goddess bless our military men and women...and their families who sacrifice greatly for our good.

An ye harm none...

2007-06-18T07:33:00.001-05:00

This is the Wiccan Rede. The two principles shown are pretty good...and pretty standard for anyone who seeks a spiritual path.

First, "An' ye harm none, do what ye will." So how is that important today, regardless of your spiritual path? Simple. What's the golden rule? Do unto others as you would have done unto you? Sound familiar?

I think every religion or spirituality has some kind of rule that is similar. It's important to act with respect and concern for others...and for onesself. The Rede does say, "An' ye harm none..." Doesn't that include self? I believe it does. So if we are living a path that is full of self-harm and self-degredation, are we not failing to follow the Rede?

An example comes to mind. Recently on a forum in which I participate a couple of folks were talking about being confronted by Christians (as they are Wiccan) or others who wanted to engage in conversation. One person seemed flustered and ended the conversation without even purchasing the book they went there to get. Another spoke about religious folks who come to your door.

Here's the rub: Are we to be kind-hearted and gentle with these souls even though we disagree and think they're obnoxious? Or are we to meet them head to head on spiritual matters? I think kindness wins out. Here's why: If we are confrontational, have we not done the exact thing we dislike in them? I believe so. Just as they are not going to change our beliefs with their approach, neither are we going to change theirs. It just becomes a stand-off of who's the better fighter. To me, this fails the Wiccan Rede. We are harming them by being confrontational and rude. And in the end, aren't we really harming ourselves by allowing our peace to be shattered by our rudeness?

Some may disagree, but I would put forth that it is easy to get caught up in the affairs of the world around us that can and will cause us to give up the peace we seek. And if that is the case, does the junk that clogs up our spiritual conduit give us an impairment when we seek to perform rituals or prayers?

I had to learn a while back that what Christians have been taught as "witnessing" is nothing more than quoting bible verses. When most are asked to explain their spirituality, they cannot. Again, they revert back to quotes. Now, does that mean we cannot involve ourselves in meaningful dialogue with them? No, of course not. I LOVE a good conversation on spiritual matters. It challenges me to think through my spiritual journey and to understand within myself that which is important. I don't really think of challenging the other. I think of what I can learn. However, in so doing, the person I am with is challenged, as well. This is the essence of conversation, isn't it? Mutual stimulation! There is a difference between the challenge of stimulation and the challenge warring against another's beliefs.

So, I offer you the challenge. When confronted by others who may not share your spiritual journey, consider your speech and body posture. Are you one who encourages another to find their inner self and God(s) or Goddess(es)? Or are you simply argumentative for arguments' sake? Arguments never solved a problem, nor have they ever encouraged self-discovery.

Dialogues do just that. So take to heart the Wiccan Rede which reads, in part: "An' ye harm none, do as ye will."

Memorial Day 2007

2007-05-27T16:16:00.001-05:00

In memory of those who served selflessly and gave all.

In memory of and to honor our female soldiers. They supposedly don't serve in combat roles. But our Defense Department lies. Many mothers, sisters and daughters have fallen in Iraq. Many who have returned home, are suffering not only the physical and mental scars of war, but are treated as wimps and whiners by their own V.A.

To honor soldiers who have faced the ugliness of war, cried for their lost comrades, and come home to horrible treatment at Walter Reed when they should receive the very best America has to offer. May we rise up in protest and give them the health care they need and deserve!

And to my brave soldier, my partner, my life. Her time in Iraq cost her much. But she wore the uniform with pride and served in spite of terrible conditions and a lying President. She will always be my hero.

Today, as you meet people through your journey, thank a soldier. Thank them for their selfless service. Thank them for being brave. Thank them for our freedom. Because without their willingness to sacrifice, there would be no America.

Jerry Falwell

2007-05-16T17:26:00.000-05:00

Merry Meet again...

Rev. Falwell's passing is, of course, headline news. I'm sure everyone in the blogosphere is weighing in. So I wanted to share my own thoughts. Feel free to share your own.

Rev. Falwell had such an opportunity to truly reach an entire generation or two. He started with just a few folks and the ministry grew into tens of thousands, including a church and college. The shame of it all is that, because of his hatred and bigotry as shown in his words and actions over the years, turned him into nothing more than a cartoon.

Remember when Jim Bakker was ousted at PTL? Who was it who jumped right into the fray and took the entire ministry lock, stock and barrel? Jerry. I often wonder if he and other ministers conspired to do this thing. It all seemed too neat and convenient. It's sad when you look at ministers and have to even consider that they weren't above board.

What about 9/11? Falwell jumped right on everyone's pain by blaming gays, pagans, witches and others for what happened that awful day. Why? Falwell used any open opportunity to spew his hatred. It didn't matter to him that an entire country was hurting. He wanted to take jabs at those he considered less holy than himself.

Then there was TinkyWinky, the Teletubby with the purse. He ranted and raved that Tinky Winky was gay! A little kids fluffy program character! This one was predicated on Tinky having a triangle on his/her head, being lavender in color and carrying a purse. Good heavens. The man needed a life.

Jerry spent his time on this earth berating people and fighting against every civil right for people not like himself. Call me crazy, but the Jesus I see in the Bible was patient, tolerant and accepting of all people. The ones Jesus busted were the religious leaders who hung albatrosses around the necks of the people. Jerry was an albatross hanger. Anyone different was the recipient of his ire.

When one must take stock of a life, especially one that was supposed to be an exemplary Christian one, one looks for the hallmarks of Yeshua: gentleness, kindness, patience, compassion, tolerance, self-control. Am I the only one who did not see these in Rev. Falwell?

Well, his time to persecute the world is over. If one believes in the afterworld, Falwell is now realizing how wrong he truly was. Goddess-willing, he will re-enter the world a wiser soul.

Blessed be...

New People. New Challenges.

2007-05-06T16:39:00.000-05:00

Merry Meet, gentle readers...

It's been awhile and the journey continues. I've faced some pretty serious health concerns the past few weeks. And there's more to come. But just when I think I will cave in to feelings of self-involvement, Goddess brings people into my life to lift me up and challenge me to walk further along the spirit path.

Today was one of those days.

A forum in which I participate has had some great activity lately. Out of that, I had the blessed opportunity to meet someone. This person brings a wealth of spiritual experience and scholarship. I found myself mesmerized as we talked. As you know, this is a relatively new journey for me and I come to crossroads where I'm not sure which fork in the road to take. This has been that time for me. But in speaking with this wonderful new-found friend, I see the journey continues laid out before me as a wonderful walk through a thick wood.

The Goddess lays out before me a place of splendor and what is required of me is to take the path. The trees cover the pathway and each offers its own lesson as I stop and meditate on their beauty and purpose. The wet earth gives senses a rush. There is something about wet earth that is empowering! Each person who enters my life and brings positive energy is like the tree or wet earth to my soul.

So, I am energized today. I am encouraged that I have found my path; my spirit journey. I continue to seek Goddess and reverence Her creation in all I do. And I stand amazed at how Goddess brings those encouragers to our lives when we need them most.

Blessed be!

Finding the Positive

2007-03-30T21:56:00.000-05:00

Merry Meet again...

We all have difficult days. Were we honest with ourselves, we would admit that we fight to keep a positive outlook and not give in to disappointment and discouragement. Things so easily weigh us down. And once we give in to that negative thought, the negative piles on like leaves raked together in autumn. The weight of them holds us down and takes our peace.

When we take time to relax, breathe, find our center, we overtake those thoughts that would take our peace. It doesn't have to be a special place. We can take cover in the corners of our mind. But I would guess that each of us has a place that calms our souls. Mine is water.

I love the picture of the boats and the harbor. How beautiful is the shadow of the boats in the water? And how amazing is the sunset? When my troubles tug at my heart, I go to the water. I get lost in the movement, lost in the joy that is Creation. It is here I find my center, my Spirit place, my knowing place. It is here that Goddess speaks to me in a clear voice and says all is well and my soul is at peace. I speak positive affirmations about myself, my issues, my life. In this time Goddess comes and lifts me up.

I encourage you to find that place of refuge, your knowing place. Take the time to be quiet, calm you mind, and set yourself free from that which binds you. Allow Goddess to heal you and show you the way of peace.

Blessed be,

Cindi

Spring...New Beginnings

2007-03-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

Merry Meet, my friends...

March has definitely come in as a lion. The daytime temperatures are warm and inviting. The cherry blossoms and dogwoods are blooming. In Mobile, we are enjoying the azaleas (Mobile is known as the "Azalea City.").

It's been a short winter, as is usual here, and quite warm. Even though, I've been slow in taking on the daily tasks of life. For some reason, the winter season leaves me lagging. But spring is another story.

As the trees begin to bud and the flowers bloom, there are birds of all kinds in the yard. This year several starlings have taken residence in the rafters of our carport. All is coming to life again. I find myself feeling the need to stretch my muscles and get active taking care of our home.

I'm feeling this is going to be a year focusing on health and home. It is a focus that is well past due. I find that the clutter that so easily takes over throws life out of balance. And it's not just the clutter in the home. It's the clutter surrounding my health, as well.

Yes, clutter in the home must go. There can be no quiet of the mind in the mess of a home. There must be order. There must be balance. But, the clutter surrounding health can be overwhelming. I must learn that my body, wonderfully created by Goddess, must be treated with honor and take the steps necessary to respect that creation. That means learning proper nutrition. It's easy to fall prey to the clutter of fast food and fast times. We avoid the exercise and food our bodies need and give in to the easy way. The easy way is not the healthy way and our bodies suffer for it.

Goddess has given us, in creation, all the things we need for balance. There are fruits and vegetables, meats and grains. All are blessings from Goddess to bring us health in this life. We must move our bodies to keep them well. So many of us have jobs that are sedentary! We come home exhausted from sitting all day. We are emotionally drained from dealing with others.

It is this that draws us to meditation and mindfulness; quiet moments in nature, the Cathedral created for us. We must eat well and move our bodies to find energy for the next moment. And we must take time to get alone with Goddess and ourselves to find spiritual recharging and connection with the Divine. Without each, we falter. Our lives become unbalanced. We find no peace. We become weighed down with stress.

So, this year is a year of health and home for me; to focus on balance both in the material and the spiritual. I challenge you, as well, to take time to bring balance to these areas of your life. Hopefully, along this journey, we will be able to share with each other how our energy and spirit connection have grown and changed.

Blessed Be...

Goodbye Joe

2007-03-04T22:39:00.000-06:00

My old and dear friend Joe passed away this past week. I cannot believe he is gone. We are the same age. We graduated high school the same year. We remained friends for some time after that. But, as the years drew on and our lives took us in different directions, we lost touch.

Joe was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He could make you feel like a lady...and treated you like one, too. There are few people in my life that have done that for me. As a lesbian, men tend to think of you as someone for their girlfriends and not a real person. But Joe was a different sort. Joe loved people and people loved Joe. He had an infectious laugh and a quick wit.

My fondest memory is of coming out of church on Sunday and having to look for my car because Joe had grabbed it by the bumper and moved it to another spot in the parking lot! I lost track of how many times he did that. Every single time it was funny. You ask how he could move the car? Joe was a hulk of a man. But every bit of him was a gentle giant.

I must admit my heart is heavy. This comes under the heading of "why do all the good ones die?" But I know that God/dess in infinite wisdom needed Joe. He's probably moving all the cars in the parking lot of heaven and laughing the entire time he's doing it! I think God/dess continues to smile at this big man. And even though I have lost someone whom I held dear in my heart, I know we will meet again. That is our hope.

Joseph G. Vickers

1959-2007

Rest in Peace

Seeker of Truth

2007-02-17T18:34:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends...

Interesting picture. Yes, we all know it is Stonehenge. As Eddie Izzard says (a favorite English comedian), "The greatest Henge of them all."

I've watched dozens of documentaries on Stonehenge. Most spend the entire show conjecturing on the great meaning behind its construction. Could it be Druids who worshiped here? Could it have been a burial ground? Was it a large "clock" set to the seasons? Truly, who knows? And isn't it the mystery that draws us to it?

As one who follows a Celtic path, the Old Ways, I find it intriguing. I would love to visit there someday. I have an image of a place of mysticism with an aura of energy that would draw me to the early days of the Druids and Celts. I have found myself focusing on this place as a point of meditation. How did they move those stones so far! And how incredibly large they are! To put the lentils on the pillars must have been a sight to see.

And yet all of this was done for great purpose by a people who were dedicated to building it; my ancestors. What effort this must have taken. This was no small task. And I feel that these builders were men and women of great truth; they were seekers.

This is how I view my life; To be a person of purpose, dedicated to the life of the seeker. And as Stonehenge continues to change with the years and climate, so do I. Certain walls that were erected seeking truth have broken down against the journey. And certain stones that have lined my path, have changed in appearance and marked a very different direction.

Take time today to look at some of the wonderful pictures of Stonehenge that are on the Internet. And notice the changes that have taken place over the years. Think about the peoples that worshiped there, set their agriculture to the stars and sun, and lived and died in the shadow of Stonehenge. Reflect on the energy that exists there. See and experience it all in your mind's eye and allow it to saturate your spirit.

Hopefully you will find, as I have, that this simple structure holds a great place of truth. We must simply find it.

The Beginning

2007-02-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

This is much like our lives: We see through the forest fog, notice the trees, but don't have a clear direction of our journey.

The past few years have been that for me. I am a seeker. I want to know truth. There is a God, regardless of what "name" we attach. But...is there balance? Or is God simply a patriarchal tyrant in the sky who doles out punishment for those who "don't mind" and good things for those that do "mind." Is this an idea that we, as humankind, have associated with Diety?

I have come to see the Divine as many instead of one. God. Goddess. Mother Earth. Prophets. ad infinitum...

I long for a connection to the Earth that supports me. Through that journey I have found an energy that comes from communing with Mother Earth. My eyes have been opened to new sensory experiences; meditiation which brings peace and an awareness of the Creation. The patriarchal god to whom I was introduced as a child has become more than the eye in the sky. God and Goddess have become for me an internal consciousness that brings direction to my journey.

The fog of the forest clears to show a sun-filled day full of new and exciting creations, all of whom bring the god-consciousness to my life and positive energy to my soul. I invite you to join me on the Journey.