Changes happening

"The change was slow. So slow that if you weren’t taking notice you might miss it. The shift in thoughts, habits dropped like a heavy winter coat, small movements forward. Seeds planted, new life peeking out from under the earth. The earth that is usually frozen at this time of the year. Newness alive, vibrating slowly from within. So slowly, that if you weren’t taking notice you might just miss it." I wrote that "poem" because its how I am feeling lately. Like if I don't pay attention I'm going to miss it. What ever the "it" is... And how do I pay attention, you might ask. I sit. I breathe. I am present in conversations, listening without the need to respond. I walk outside. I don't over work myself. I set good healthy boundaries for work and play. I feel. And then I feel some more. I remind myself that I have no idea what is right for anyone else. I don't pretend to be wise. I practice kindness. I take responsibility for my thoughts and actions. And I have learned to not take things so seriously. I laugh ALOT! So as we pay attention, we change. And as our world is shifting energetically, we change. And even if we hold onto what we think we know, we change. We can do it slowly or swiftly, and either way will be scary at first. But as we shift we become comfortable with our new place. We notice what we didn't need or want moving away from us and its not so painful. Its kind of nice even. May your changes be made with choice. May your changes be easy and effortless. May your changes be ... given to you with CHOCOLATE!! ~ Janet

Personal Power in the pines

As I stand alone in the snow covered pines I am able to really see. See many things that are happening to those of us who are paying attention. I imagine its happening everywhere in the world, but I can only speak of the things that are in my own little world. Friendships are being dismantled, much more easily than in the past. New ideas about sharing, supporting, loving, and not taking things personally are happening for me and for many whom I speak with. In the past, if someone "didn't like me" or what I was doing, I would allow that energy to direct my choices and then I would blame when I wasn't happy. I did this with my parents, my partners, my children, my siblings, and my friends. I was not able to speak my truth with confidence, because I was not really sure what my truth was. It took many ouchy events to wake me up... to help me look at my own life, without comparing it to others or to society. For this I am ever grateful to those folks who came into my life to teach me about forgiveness and personal power. Power. That's such an interesting word... And personal power, now that is just BIG. Personal power doesn't mean being a bully, or hard headed, or stubborn, or closed minded. It means to have the guts to look at your own stuff. Look at the ouchies that may have been "unconsciously" doled out in my own learning process. I often times ask the Universe for help on letting go of the guilt associated with that learning. The way I do that is with mantras. This is one of my favorites when I am feeling guilt or regret... "I forgive me, I forgive you for getting stuck in the process of change and for not being able to see each other clearly". I use this one quite a lot. Another one that helps me to feel good in my body is "I lovingly release the past and all past experiences... I am free, they are free... All is well." And that's what personal power is to me. Its about taking responsibility... for my thoughts, feelings, and actions. And so standing and breathing and listening to the silence of the snow covered pines I do just that. I take responsibility. For my own happiness. For my own life. For my own thoughts. And for the love that I share with those who love me, and for those who may not love me in this place.

Always Creating My little space of heaven

Last Friday I moved. Its amazing how much stuff is accumulated in 18 months (which was when I moved last time). I didn't seem to remember having so much stuff for my last move, which means that I collected it or was gifted it. But, now that I have unpacked most of the boxes, have moved things from room to room to "hear" where things belonged, and have given away many things that helped others out but were just taking up space for me, I am able to sit quietly and feel the changes within... My new home (and office) is in the woods and is very quiet. This morning I was able to go outside early and watch the sunrise and listen to the songs of the natural world. The birds were singing, the cats were scampering in the leaves, Brutus was sniffing out mice and voles, and I was just breathing. Its a great way to begin the day, breathing and feeling un-rushed and grateful for the life that I have created by focusing on being un-rushed and grateful. I can feel my cells are adjusting to the new space, and I spent a few hours intentionally placing my stones, crystals, angels, and other symbols that remind me of the love that surrounds and interpenetrates my being. It was quite lovely and I feel as if I am all here now ~ body, mind and spirit!!

Stress doesn't have to be about challenges

I find it fascinating and wonderful that my body speaks to me! In the next month and a half my whole life is shifting (and WOW for the best!!). I am packing up and moving to a new town and then marrying the most amazing man EVER! With all that said, stress isnt just about challenges, its also about good changes so my body is reminding me that it is feeling a little stress. My forearm/elbow has been aching and yesterday I found it hard to even lift a coffee cup. So of course I went to my handy dandy "bible" (Louise Hay, Heal Your Body, the Metaphysical causes of disease) and looked up elbow. The thought pattern was right on with whats happening in my life right now so I took some time, breathing and being still and then started repeating the new thought pattern and mantra. Amazing today my elbow and forearm are FINE!! I share this way of self healing with everyone! Its simple, it just takes commitment, time and ITS FREE. Why not try it. You just may find that your body is speaking to you too!!! Be well!

As the moving day approaches I am spending lots of time releasing stuff. I find things in closets, drawers, and especially the basement that I haven't used in 18 months and I am sitting with it and asking it where it needs to be. I have donated much, given gifts of love (with my stuff) to dear ones, sold a few things (which will help cover my childrens travel home this winter) and am not even close to being done. One of the best parts of this move is connecting to the memories that are attached to my stuff and enjoying the moments all over again. Its so fun! One of the hardest parts of this move is the knowing that my dear friends whom I have loved for years will be a little farther away. Thank goodness for technology so that I can remain "virtually" present with them and I can still be available when needed. One of the most exciting parts of this move is the fact that I will be able to kiss my love goodnight EVERY night, wake up and create our day together, and not have to worry about cell service and technology... May you, in your life, embrace the changes that are gifted to you! Embrace the good, the not so good, and the absolutely fantastic!! Namaste!

Alice, Sean's Angel

Good morning! And what a glorious autumn morning it is! Brisk and clear and perfect for a morning walk in the field with Bru. As I was walking in the field I kept replaying something that happened to me last night during meditation. Since it seems to be staying in the immediate thoughts I figure it must be that I should share it. And so here it is... Often times I will take a day (or a few hours) and pray for an individual. I spend time thinking about their goodness, the joys they have shared, the sorrows that fall upon their hearts, the amazing possibilities that are theirs when they recognize them. I believe that sending love and good wishes to another is the best thing we can ever do for them. It is more powerful than bailing them out of messy situations, or giving them money, or fixing their problems. It may not be something that can be measured or seen, but I always see changes and positive opportunities presenting themselves for someone after they have been the focus of prayer. Yesterday was Sean’s day. Sean is my son. He has been struggling for sometime. He is now in a safe place but still searching for peace. So, all day long I was remembering him, his sense of humor, his generosity and love of friends, his goodness, many events over this 28 years here on this earth. And in the evening I sat and meditated. Candle, his photo, incense, all set. Breathing in, breathing out, breathing in, breathing out. Ahhh, my mind is finally quiet, when I hear clear as day... “I’ll look after your son, you look after mine”. Talk about bringing me right back to my body... I was so alert. I felt like I could feel every cell inside me, every pore on my body breathing, every hair on my head buzzing and at the same time I had an amazing peace wash over me. Not easy to articulate an experience from the unseen world, much less process it, but here is what my mind and heart tell me... The voice was Alice, Fred’s mother who passed a few years ago. I imagine she feels like he is in a good place with love filling his heart and so she can now let go a bit and be someone else’s angel... And I believe she has chosen Sean. Thanks be to those spirits who guide, to those spirits who support, to those spirits who love deeply, whether they are seen or unseen. And so as I walked in the field, watched my breath paint pictures in the air, listened to the silence, and witnessed the sun rising I said (once again) Thanks be!

As you may know, I recently adopted a kitten, to be Bru's playmate. They have been loving each other well! Today was the first time outside for the kitten, Zeva. She was skittish at first, actually doing an "army crawl" across the grass... After about half hour she began "hunting bru". Jumping out at him, chasing him, teasing him, and finally stealing his favorite spot under the tree. That was such fun to witness! When she "gave him back his spot"she snuck around the front of the tree, then quietly climbed up and then started to jump on his back, but thankfully, I caught her and her plan was nixed... Here are some photos from our fun frolick!!