Hello dear readers,
I'm sure many of you reading this piece are familiar with the term "Lightworker," but for those who are not, here is a definition: A person driven and motivated to do work which makes the world a better place, improves peoples' lives, and/or elevates people to a higher level of consciousness. ~ Wikipedia
Lightworkers are also often skilled in teaching, writing, intuitive development and/or healing and energy work. Other popular terms are "Starseed," which is someone that has soul origin from planets or galaxies not on Earth and also "Indigo Children." Indigos primarily began incarnating here in the late 60's, though there are Indigos throughout history in all age groups. Adult Indigos are also here to create change, transmute negativity (often starting in their own birth families,) and bring healing and light to the planet. For more information about Indigo children and adults, you may do a google search and also check out the work of spiritual teacher and writer Celia Fenn.
I have been involved in the holistic healing, Lightworker and Starseed communities both in-person and online for many years now and have certainly seen my share of the good, the bad and the just plain bizarre. I have also often felt sad, frustrated and disappointed at times too. I am hoping that with any great movement of consciousness and change there will need to be "baby steps" taken in the beginning. I offer a guideline here of sorts, to help keep us all together and on track.
These are some of the primary pitfalls I have seen out there and they seem to have gathered steam starting last year. I am hoping that through love, patience with each other and awareness we can overcome these hurdles and create a unifed force of love, light and healing for the planet and ourselves.
1) The Lightworker & Adult Indigo "chip on your shoulder" club and support group:
Many Adult Indigos had a rough go with their family of origin. For the Pluto in Virgo generation (those that are in their early to late 40's now,) part of our generational karma is healing family "stuff" and wounding around being "not good enough." Many of us took on the shame, sexism and abuse that was handed down through our ancestry and it was painful and debilitating indeed. It is our responsibility to find a way to heal this, transmute it and get past it once and for all. This is the commitment we made before our incarnation to Source/Spirit, the planet and ourselves. While it is healing and beneficial to connect with others of our kind so to speak, we must be careful that we don't turn it into a pity party or do what the great Caroline Myss calls "Leading with our wound." For Lightworkers even if they do not identify as Indigos had to contend with being labeled a "freak" and/or a "wierdo" for most of their lives, which can also be deeply painful and create a fundamental distrust of the world and of most of the people in it. It is tempting to crawl into a safe little shell and trust no one, but like Indigos, Lightworkers also have a job to do, and in most cases it involves other people. To hide away from life and our true emotions keeps us stuck in our woundedness, in a shell of denial that may feel safe, but in reality there are other dangers to deal with there that can cause further harm.
2) Making it a "religion," with exclusivity and judgment:
Many Light workers, Indigos and the like have a deep-seated dislike or even an hatred of organized religion, and for good reason. Some of these souls may have even had religion forced on them as children; or even had to survive what could be called "religious abuse," involving fear, manipulation and coercion. Surprisingly I have seen a lot of behavior in the spiritual and New Age communities that resembles religion in many ways. For one, the "Us vs. Them" mentality that is so prevalent in many of the world's religions and has certainly caused much damage for thousands of years of our history and also the "our way is the ONLY way" type of thing. One explanation for this is that religion for many of us has been part of our conditioning and a type of default setting, and that we need to become of aware of any behavior that is exclusionary of ANY people, for any reason. We are entering into the powerful "Ninth Wave" of the Mayan Calendar which signifies "Unity Consciousness." It is time for any divisions based on belief systems to fall away, and never return. It makes the little ego feel good to be part of anything that feels "special" and not ordinary, but it is the ordinary, non-sexy things that we do every day that make up the reality of our lives. We always need to remember that we are in this boat together, and as Sting so aptly wrote, "We can all sink, or we'll all float."
3) Ego based judgment and in-fighting.
I actually saw a post some months ago by someone that is a prominent teacher and leader in the Starseed community. She quite vocally and aggressively called everyone out as a bunch of "new age wimps" and chided them for their passivity. Many of the people in the group identified as Empathic and/or Highly Sensitive People and were greatly disturbed by her message. I personally found it offensive and totally off-the-mark. Who are we to judge the path or karma of another? Needless to say I quietly removed myself from that group. I can understand that person's opinion and even their frustration, but also we need to remember that we are part of a great WHOLE and also trust that the Universe is intelligent and knows what its doing. Second guessing is not productive, and can even make us miss our mark spiritually.
The younger Indigo and Crystal folks at times have a more in-your-face approach and this is also reflected in their astrology. For many of them their mission involves tearing down old societal structures that are no longer working; especially in the areas of education and the environment. It becomes harmful when these folks have a lack of discipline and turn their energies against those of their own kind or just people in general. Healthy exchange of ideas and spiritual discourse is beneficial, ego-based attacks and fighting are not. Ego is very subtle and will use anything and everything to attain its ends, including spirituality. I feel the antidote for this is a regular and grounded spiritual practice that includes meditation and mind-training. If we do not have any idea how our own minds work, then we are susceptible to its distortions and illusions. As the great Lama Yeshe would say, we really need to "Check up!" on this.
I welcome your thoughts on this subject dear readers. I'm sure this subject will be continued in the future.
Wishing you all the brightest of blessings.
Namaste,
Irma Kaye Sawyer
Bright Star Blog
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Healing the Mother Wound - once and for all.
"She said the wound would give him pain, the kind of pain that you can't hide. From this wound a lovely flower grew, somewhere deep inside. ~ Sting/The Lazarus Heart
On this Mother's Day weekend, I thought it would be a good time to share some thoughts about our moms. I had the profound realization yesterday that I had achieved my goal about my own mom, and my wish had come true. Needless to say, it was quite an emotional moment. The point being, that I truly love my mother and when she is gone I will genuinely miss her. She has become a friend to me and I cherish the relationship. It certainly wasn't always this way...
To make a very long story short, let's just say for many years I didn't like my mother that much, even though part of me always loved her. There were times were I downright hated her and harbored much resentment towards her too. I know I'm certainly not the only one who has felt such things!
My father died when I was very young and I was often left in the care of my Godparents, who while they were wonderful didn't take the place of my mom and the relationship that I always felt I was missing. For years I learned to think that I must have been defective in some way, for my own mother to have rejected me in such a way. As a kid I as confused about this. Perhaps I possessed some deep, fundamental flaw that only she could see? It was deeply and profoundly painful. As a teenager I was exposed to some very unhealthy situations where abuse took place. In my 20's I was still trying to win her love and found myself throwing myself into sexual relationships with men trying to feel okay about myself but of course, that didn't work out very well and ending causing even more damage.
I've learned in my adult years as a spiritual counselor that our relationship with our parents can mirror our relationship to our concept of God/dess. To me for at that time I felt God/dess must have rejected me too, since my own mother did. It created an existential crisis of epic proportion that took me decades to work out. It colored all of my relationships, jobs and pretty much my entire view of the world. How could I have been forsaken like this? For years I was so angry and hurt. Though I was still often the life of the party and made every one laugh, I felt like I was dying inside, by the drop, a little more every day. I didn't know what I could ever do to make the pain go away. I would have been content just to have it hurt a little bit less; but it never did, not for a long time.
In my late 20's I started out on a spiritual quest though I didn't know it at the time. I decided to become an energy worker and massage therapist. Little did I know I would have to work out my own "stuff" along the way, and work it I most certainly did! The Universe in its wise beneficence put some amazing teachers and mentors in my path over the years. Just when I thought I was feeling better and was stronger about my relationship with my mother, another layer would appear. How long could this go on? Would I EVER be finished? It just seemed so exhausting, and depressing too.
One wise Buddhist teacher spoke of using the taking the manure of our lives and growing a lovely tomato garden out of it! I remember I laughed when I heard that, little did I know that's exactly what I was in the process of doing. It just took 25 years to do, that's all. That garden is looking pretty great today I tell ya, and those tomatoes are the sweetest ones you'll ever eat.
The Mother wound for those who have one, is one of the deepest pains one can ever experience. For those that were gifted with good, healthy relationships with their mother, they simply can't relate and that's okay. They also were not given the wisdom and gifts that are given from taking that particular journey of healing. It's a give and take.
If you had a mother that was hurtful or less than loving, I am sorry. I completely get it. On this Mother's Day and any day, you can take your power back and rejoice in the wonderful, unique being that YOU are. If you can find any good qualities about your mother take them in fully and make them yours, and just let the rest of it go. Even if she can't see you and the glory you will or have become, she will know it. She is still your mother, wherever she is. If the roles were reversed, perhaps you wouldn't have made her mistakes 'tis true, but you very likely could have made other ones. We are all here just doing our best, trying to make our way through. I know longer need to know or understand why she made those fateful decisions for my life, I just know I don't have to keep being hurt by them. Letting go of figuring it all out was a big step for me. I was always trying to "tie it off" somehow, thinking if I knew her motivations it would help, but that is certainly a big trap we can fall into also. It always keeps the peace at bay, and keeps us striving for something that maybe we can never achieve. We can certainly achieve peace NOW, and we do that by letting go. Also, she may have dished it out then but now you are responsible for your own pain and reactions now. It's tempting to blame it all on our mommies, daddies or whoever, but that only gives us false and temporary satisfaction. I was told by Guidance that "vindication is the realization that you no longer need to be vindicated, because you have let it GO."
One of the most damaging things that can come from a dysfunctional mother relationship is the fear of love. If you have learned to block love in your life in any way, shape or form, my hope and prayer for you is that Divine Mother fill your heart so completely that any and all barriers to love dissolve into light. Our Divine Mother has never abandoned us. It is only mind and our own mis-perceptions that try to convince us otherwise.
Happy Mother's Day.
~ Rev. Irma Kaye Sawyer/Bright Star Blog
On this Mother's Day weekend, I thought it would be a good time to share some thoughts about our moms. I had the profound realization yesterday that I had achieved my goal about my own mom, and my wish had come true. Needless to say, it was quite an emotional moment. The point being, that I truly love my mother and when she is gone I will genuinely miss her. She has become a friend to me and I cherish the relationship. It certainly wasn't always this way...
To make a very long story short, let's just say for many years I didn't like my mother that much, even though part of me always loved her. There were times were I downright hated her and harbored much resentment towards her too. I know I'm certainly not the only one who has felt such things!
My father died when I was very young and I was often left in the care of my Godparents, who while they were wonderful didn't take the place of my mom and the relationship that I always felt I was missing. For years I learned to think that I must have been defective in some way, for my own mother to have rejected me in such a way. As a kid I as confused about this. Perhaps I possessed some deep, fundamental flaw that only she could see? It was deeply and profoundly painful. As a teenager I was exposed to some very unhealthy situations where abuse took place. In my 20's I was still trying to win her love and found myself throwing myself into sexual relationships with men trying to feel okay about myself but of course, that didn't work out very well and ending causing even more damage.
I've learned in my adult years as a spiritual counselor that our relationship with our parents can mirror our relationship to our concept of God/dess. To me for at that time I felt God/dess must have rejected me too, since my own mother did. It created an existential crisis of epic proportion that took me decades to work out. It colored all of my relationships, jobs and pretty much my entire view of the world. How could I have been forsaken like this? For years I was so angry and hurt. Though I was still often the life of the party and made every one laugh, I felt like I was dying inside, by the drop, a little more every day. I didn't know what I could ever do to make the pain go away. I would have been content just to have it hurt a little bit less; but it never did, not for a long time.
In my late 20's I started out on a spiritual quest though I didn't know it at the time. I decided to become an energy worker and massage therapist. Little did I know I would have to work out my own "stuff" along the way, and work it I most certainly did! The Universe in its wise beneficence put some amazing teachers and mentors in my path over the years. Just when I thought I was feeling better and was stronger about my relationship with my mother, another layer would appear. How long could this go on? Would I EVER be finished? It just seemed so exhausting, and depressing too.
One wise Buddhist teacher spoke of using the taking the manure of our lives and growing a lovely tomato garden out of it! I remember I laughed when I heard that, little did I know that's exactly what I was in the process of doing. It just took 25 years to do, that's all. That garden is looking pretty great today I tell ya, and those tomatoes are the sweetest ones you'll ever eat.
The Mother wound for those who have one, is one of the deepest pains one can ever experience. For those that were gifted with good, healthy relationships with their mother, they simply can't relate and that's okay. They also were not given the wisdom and gifts that are given from taking that particular journey of healing. It's a give and take.
If you had a mother that was hurtful or less than loving, I am sorry. I completely get it. On this Mother's Day and any day, you can take your power back and rejoice in the wonderful, unique being that YOU are. If you can find any good qualities about your mother take them in fully and make them yours, and just let the rest of it go. Even if she can't see you and the glory you will or have become, she will know it. She is still your mother, wherever she is. If the roles were reversed, perhaps you wouldn't have made her mistakes 'tis true, but you very likely could have made other ones. We are all here just doing our best, trying to make our way through. I know longer need to know or understand why she made those fateful decisions for my life, I just know I don't have to keep being hurt by them. Letting go of figuring it all out was a big step for me. I was always trying to "tie it off" somehow, thinking if I knew her motivations it would help, but that is certainly a big trap we can fall into also. It always keeps the peace at bay, and keeps us striving for something that maybe we can never achieve. We can certainly achieve peace NOW, and we do that by letting go. Also, she may have dished it out then but now you are responsible for your own pain and reactions now. It's tempting to blame it all on our mommies, daddies or whoever, but that only gives us false and temporary satisfaction. I was told by Guidance that "vindication is the realization that you no longer need to be vindicated, because you have let it GO."
One of the most damaging things that can come from a dysfunctional mother relationship is the fear of love. If you have learned to block love in your life in any way, shape or form, my hope and prayer for you is that Divine Mother fill your heart so completely that any and all barriers to love dissolve into light. Our Divine Mother has never abandoned us. It is only mind and our own mis-perceptions that try to convince us otherwise.
Happy Mother's Day.
~ Rev. Irma Kaye Sawyer/Bright Star Blog
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Virgo Stellium People - The Truth: Straight, no chaser?
Hello dear readers,
I hope this finds you well. I have heard at times that the guidance that comes from both me and the Keepers is sometimes harsh, critical and lacks compassion. I wrote in a status post on Facebook last week that many responded positively well to, that it takes great love to teach and discipline a child, for example. It is much easier just to turn away and focus on something else, maybe something that is easier for us. The Keepers have reminded us that denial, ignorance and apathy are old-school human default mechanisms that are on their way OUT. The times we are in require awareness, compassion and due diligence. I have also heard from some that to observe anything that is wrong is an illusion because ultimately everything is well and perfect. Again, it depends on what we are talking about. This is the classic "confusion of levels" that Baba Ram Dass has given many teachings on. Unless we are completely out of touch with the current collective reality, I think it is safe to say there are plenty things in the world that could use some improving.
People that were born in 1964-'65 have what is called a "Stellium" which is three closely connected or conjunct planets in Virgo. This gives us all a Virgo flavor, regardless of what our Sun sign is. Virgo is related analysis, the pursuit of perfection, work and service; especially in health care or holistic fields. We are here to bring about what has been termed a "sea change," in these areas. I also feel that many of us are bringing about a big change in spirituality too.
I think one of the points in these times also is finding the balance between self and Seva or selfless service to and for others. Prayers and intentions though very useful, can have their limitations. There are circumstances that indeed do require action. The Keepers have told us many times that we are the eyes, brains and hands of Spirit in this world and it is high time for us to get to work. I feel that one of the gifts that the Virgo Stellium people have is an ability to see the truth and the fearlessness that is often required to talk about it in some people.
These criticisms that I recently received were actually excellent food for thought and though in some ways I still did "bite the hook" a bit with becoming angry, it was a useful process. I noticed that over the years and most recently online, there are many people that believe being spiritual means taking an "it's all good" philosophy. Yes on a very cosmic level it IS all good and having a human birth in itself according to our Buddhist friends is the most auspicious of miracles. On the other hand, apathy and denial can be the death of true spirituality that seeks to serve others through the skillful application of compassion, wisdom and sometimes when necessary, truth-telling.
Wishing you all love & blessings,
Irma Kaye
I hope this finds you well. I have heard at times that the guidance that comes from both me and the Keepers is sometimes harsh, critical and lacks compassion. I wrote in a status post on Facebook last week that many responded positively well to, that it takes great love to teach and discipline a child, for example. It is much easier just to turn away and focus on something else, maybe something that is easier for us. The Keepers have reminded us that denial, ignorance and apathy are old-school human default mechanisms that are on their way OUT. The times we are in require awareness, compassion and due diligence. I have also heard from some that to observe anything that is wrong is an illusion because ultimately everything is well and perfect. Again, it depends on what we are talking about. This is the classic "confusion of levels" that Baba Ram Dass has given many teachings on. Unless we are completely out of touch with the current collective reality, I think it is safe to say there are plenty things in the world that could use some improving.
People that were born in 1964-'65 have what is called a "Stellium" which is three closely connected or conjunct planets in Virgo. This gives us all a Virgo flavor, regardless of what our Sun sign is. Virgo is related analysis, the pursuit of perfection, work and service; especially in health care or holistic fields. We are here to bring about what has been termed a "sea change," in these areas. I also feel that many of us are bringing about a big change in spirituality too.
I think one of the points in these times also is finding the balance between self and Seva or selfless service to and for others. Prayers and intentions though very useful, can have their limitations. There are circumstances that indeed do require action. The Keepers have told us many times that we are the eyes, brains and hands of Spirit in this world and it is high time for us to get to work. I feel that one of the gifts that the Virgo Stellium people have is an ability to see the truth and the fearlessness that is often required to talk about it in some people.
These criticisms that I recently received were actually excellent food for thought and though in some ways I still did "bite the hook" a bit with becoming angry, it was a useful process. I noticed that over the years and most recently online, there are many people that believe being spiritual means taking an "it's all good" philosophy. Yes on a very cosmic level it IS all good and having a human birth in itself according to our Buddhist friends is the most auspicious of miracles. On the other hand, apathy and denial can be the death of true spirituality that seeks to serve others through the skillful application of compassion, wisdom and sometimes when necessary, truth-telling.
Wishing you all love & blessings,
Irma Kaye
Friday, March 18, 2011
"Supermoon" Full Moon & the Day of Miracles
Hello dear readers,
I hope this finds you well. This is to let you know that this weekend we are having a powerful event; both the "Supermoon" in Virgo and the Spring Equinox. This Saturday's Full Moon Virgo will be as close as it gets to Earth - called perigee, and in line with the Sun and Moon. Any New or Full Moon, that's very close to the Earth, is a "Supermoon," according to the man who coined it thirty years ago, Richard Nolle.
This gives the moon both extraordinary light and power. We are also celebrating the Spring Equinox, the first day of the Season of Spring - and the beginning of a long period of sunlight. In the northern hemisphere: MARCH 20 (the Sun crosses the Equator moving northward.)
The Sabian Symbol for this particular Full Moon is "Hidden knowledge from an ancient scroll," and this can refer to sacred or lost spiritual texts and also the Akashic Records. The astrology of this moon also is related to a group initiation.
With the events of last Friday in Japan there is no doubt that some powerful earth and spiritual changes are upon us. This weekend is an extraordinarily powerful window to create change both in our inner and outer worlds.
Please join me as we join our hearts, prayers and intentions towards Japan for a positive outcome in the current nuclear reactor disaster at Fukushima. March 19 for Buddhists is Chotrul Duchen, the Day of Miracles. Together let's make a miracle happen! Our world is depending on it.
Love & blessings to all.
I hope this finds you well. This is to let you know that this weekend we are having a powerful event; both the "Supermoon" in Virgo and the Spring Equinox. This Saturday's Full Moon Virgo will be as close as it gets to Earth - called perigee, and in line with the Sun and Moon. Any New or Full Moon, that's very close to the Earth, is a "Supermoon," according to the man who coined it thirty years ago, Richard Nolle.
This gives the moon both extraordinary light and power. We are also celebrating the Spring Equinox, the first day of the Season of Spring - and the beginning of a long period of sunlight. In the northern hemisphere: MARCH 20 (the Sun crosses the Equator moving northward.)
The Sabian Symbol for this particular Full Moon is "Hidden knowledge from an ancient scroll," and this can refer to sacred or lost spiritual texts and also the Akashic Records. The astrology of this moon also is related to a group initiation.
With the events of last Friday in Japan there is no doubt that some powerful earth and spiritual changes are upon us. This weekend is an extraordinarily powerful window to create change both in our inner and outer worlds.
Please join me as we join our hearts, prayers and intentions towards Japan for a positive outcome in the current nuclear reactor disaster at Fukushima. March 19 for Buddhists is Chotrul Duchen, the Day of Miracles. Together let's make a miracle happen! Our world is depending on it.
Love & blessings to all.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Three Big Reasons why your life isn't happy, (and what you can do about it!)
Hello readers, I hope this finds you well. I hope also that I've grabbed you a bit by my catchy title! This came to me in a bit of daydream today, but writing it down more coherently it seems to make more sense and I hope you enjoy.
Reason #1 - I have no spouse/GF or BF.
Most people long for companionship of some type this is true, but your life is not over if you do not ever get married or find a mate. Also corny but true, it is often when we quit "looking" that the right person shows up for us. Do you want to keep finding fractured people in a quest to "complete" yourself? Best to complete yourself FIRST then magnetize someone in from that space. That is an entirely different experience! You really CAN be happy in your single-dom and like many married people will tell you, enjoy it while you can. Every choice we make then rules out all of the others; in the sense that you cannot be single while married and vice versa. Make it a point to ENJOY your life, single, married, divorced or whatever! You are not your marital status despite what your mother, best friend or nosy aunt tells you.
You are enough. You do not need anyone or anything to "complete" you. Breathe that and drink it in. It's where you are going and where everyone is headed, in time. ~ The Keepers, from 11/18/10
Reason #2 - I'm not successful enough.
This is a big one! It's certainly fine to have ambition and want a better life for ourselves, no problem there. What is a problem is when you are so obsessed with what you don't have it erodes the pleasure of what you DO have. According to laws of magnetism this will also lower your vibration and actually prevent more abundance flowing to you. Our thoughts are very powerful and what we constantly think about we will become. Thinking about the deficits in our lives can contribute to create more, not a smart way to go. Also when other people are successful to be happy for them and wish them well. Envy is a negative emotion that does not serve you in any way. If you can't really do it, fake it 'til you make it! Wouldn't you want to wish yourself well? That might make it easier. Remember also that just as we are not our marital status, we are also not our job title or bank account either.
Reason #3 - I am unlucky. Maybe I was just born under a bad sign?
Personally I don't really believe in luck as some external force we have no control over. Ever notice how some people start winning things and they start to win more and more. It's the same thing for the losers. Just as a positive emotional and spiritual state can build upon itself, so can a negative one. There are no "bad" signs in astrology by the way, the all have a yin/yang, shadow and light sides. I've also noticed that people that seem to be stuck in ruts are very self-focused and in many cases do not do much to serve others. Of course there are exceptions to this, but I am talking about the norm. Generosity of Spirit according to our Buddhist friends is a great virtue. Consider this quote by Santideva, "The perfection of generosity is said to be, the thought to give all beings everything, together with the fruit of such a thought."
One pretty quick way to turn around your "luck" is to serve others in any way that you can. It will also get the focus off of you and your problems and if you are down in a rut believe me, it will serve you well to think about something else! You might be surprised what a bit of volunteering or just helping someone out can do to lift your spirit. That might be just the kick start that you need to your current state of being completely around. When we are too self-focused we become like a hamster on a wheel, on a road to nowhere. A solid meditation practice is also an excellent remedy and throws our self-cherishing mind a bone to go chew on for a little while!
You can be happy with too much weight, not enough money, no significant other or any other condition of mind. We invite you to seek the source of joy that has no condition and is unchanging. Whatever your individual journey is, you may radiate love and goodness which will transform the world, and in the process will transform you. ~ The Keepers, from 10/27/10
Wishing you all peace and blessings in these powerful times.
Reason #1 - I have no spouse/GF or BF.
Most people long for companionship of some type this is true, but your life is not over if you do not ever get married or find a mate. Also corny but true, it is often when we quit "looking" that the right person shows up for us. Do you want to keep finding fractured people in a quest to "complete" yourself? Best to complete yourself FIRST then magnetize someone in from that space. That is an entirely different experience! You really CAN be happy in your single-dom and like many married people will tell you, enjoy it while you can. Every choice we make then rules out all of the others; in the sense that you cannot be single while married and vice versa. Make it a point to ENJOY your life, single, married, divorced or whatever! You are not your marital status despite what your mother, best friend or nosy aunt tells you.
You are enough. You do not need anyone or anything to "complete" you. Breathe that and drink it in. It's where you are going and where everyone is headed, in time. ~ The Keepers, from 11/18/10
Reason #2 - I'm not successful enough.
This is a big one! It's certainly fine to have ambition and want a better life for ourselves, no problem there. What is a problem is when you are so obsessed with what you don't have it erodes the pleasure of what you DO have. According to laws of magnetism this will also lower your vibration and actually prevent more abundance flowing to you. Our thoughts are very powerful and what we constantly think about we will become. Thinking about the deficits in our lives can contribute to create more, not a smart way to go. Also when other people are successful to be happy for them and wish them well. Envy is a negative emotion that does not serve you in any way. If you can't really do it, fake it 'til you make it! Wouldn't you want to wish yourself well? That might make it easier. Remember also that just as we are not our marital status, we are also not our job title or bank account either.
Reason #3 - I am unlucky. Maybe I was just born under a bad sign?
Personally I don't really believe in luck as some external force we have no control over. Ever notice how some people start winning things and they start to win more and more. It's the same thing for the losers. Just as a positive emotional and spiritual state can build upon itself, so can a negative one. There are no "bad" signs in astrology by the way, the all have a yin/yang, shadow and light sides. I've also noticed that people that seem to be stuck in ruts are very self-focused and in many cases do not do much to serve others. Of course there are exceptions to this, but I am talking about the norm. Generosity of Spirit according to our Buddhist friends is a great virtue. Consider this quote by Santideva, "The perfection of generosity is said to be, the thought to give all beings everything, together with the fruit of such a thought."
One pretty quick way to turn around your "luck" is to serve others in any way that you can. It will also get the focus off of you and your problems and if you are down in a rut believe me, it will serve you well to think about something else! You might be surprised what a bit of volunteering or just helping someone out can do to lift your spirit. That might be just the kick start that you need to your current state of being completely around. When we are too self-focused we become like a hamster on a wheel, on a road to nowhere. A solid meditation practice is also an excellent remedy and throws our self-cherishing mind a bone to go chew on for a little while!
You can be happy with too much weight, not enough money, no significant other or any other condition of mind. We invite you to seek the source of joy that has no condition and is unchanging. Whatever your individual journey is, you may radiate love and goodness which will transform the world, and in the process will transform you. ~ The Keepers, from 10/27/10
Wishing you all peace and blessings in these powerful times.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Can I get an Alien now?
Foreword: Yep, with this post, a foreword is definitely necessary! Below is a series of three separate perspectives on the same experience. Mine (Dawn), and those of my two dear friends, Lisa and Irma Kaye. We all hope that you’ll all take time to read through all three sections, even though it does make for a lengthy post. The whole experience makes perfect sense if you do take the time to read each separate section, through to the end.
We can guarantee you’ll get a chuckle or two and perhaps a new fun word to toss out in conversation! We all three hope that you’ll take time to visit our respective blogs, and to that end, we have posted hyperlinks/links back to each of our blog pages. You’ll find the links at the end of each section, next to our byline. ~ Dawn, Lisa & Irma Kaye
You know how friendship works. If you're very fortunate, you meet people along your life path and click instantly with them. Your heart remembers them immediately and the connection starts right back up where it left off in the mists of time. Simple enjoyment of one another exists. In short order, you lose sight of when you actually met, because you feel that you've known them forever. Quickly thereafter, Secret Code begins to happen.
Secret Code, you ask? Yes. I'm sure you've experienced it. It is a short-hand language of sorts, cobbled together from a variety of experiences. They're usually loaded with hilarity, prompted by absurdity and become that Insider Lingo between you...a quick reference that only the two of you, or the group of you, understand.
If any of you are connected to me via Facebook, you may have noticed some Secret Code being slung around here and there. One of them has grown into a life of its own, so much so that those of us involved in the genesis of it think it should be shared.
Several months back, Lisa B. and I were commenting in a Facebook thread on Irma Kaye S.'s wall. I honestly don't recall what the focus of that thread was. It was late at night and I was sleep deprived. As a result, I glanced at a comment that Irma Kaye had made and I read it wrong - when I'm very fatigued, dyslexia will creep in and I will transpose letters/words, or I'll just see the whole sentence in a completely wrong manner. Irma Kaye's comment ended with, "Can I get an amen on that?"
I, however, read it as, "Can I get an alien on that?"
In my head, I'm automatically thinking, "An ALIEN? Why would she want an alien? How odd is THAT? WHO in their right mind would ask for such a thing.... OH. Wait, she said 'amen'. Not 'alien'."
In my sleep deprived state, this struck me as too funny to keep to myself, so I typed all of the above in Irma Kaye's thread. Lisa, being her endearing, lovely self took it to new heights of hilarity, running with a revival theme something along these lines:
"Can you get an alien, Dawnie? You most certainly can! *raises hands to the Heavens to testify*. Alien NOW!"
Now, let me also share that Lisa and I have this ongoing game we play that we robbed from the cell phone "Can you hear me now?" commercials.
Lisa: "Can you hear me now? *waits 12 seconds* How 'bout now? Now? No, wait...wait...NOW, now. No, NOW! Right? NOW????"
Lisa and I play this game often, in Facebook posts, email and texting, because it makes us laugh. She morphed that game into the new Alien Game. The new short-hand, Secret Code of same is: "Can I get an Alien?" And in reply, "Alien NOW!"
About two weeks ago, Irma Kaye and I were chatting in yet another Facebook thread and she cracked us both up with this: "When we type (alien now) <--this is our 'inside alien voice'."
Of course, I had to share this with Lisa. Lisa, in turn, responded with: "And 'Alien NOW' is the turning-cartwheels-down-the-hallway-shouting-it-to-the-rooftops broadcasting version!"
So, my friends, anytime you see me in a Facebook thread, or in Twitter, typing the words, "Alien", or "Alien NOW", or any future version of the word or phrase, you'll know some of the back story. Perhaps you'll be chuckling along with us! Maybe this whole post will have you wondering why you spent time clicking over here to read this, as it isn’t the norm for my posts. Those who know me and my slightly off-center sense of humor will undoubtedly be smiling and laughing.
Life is not always meant to be ponderous and serious, I think. Indeed, Life is punctuated by those bright moments of hilarity, irreverence and sheer silliness between friends. I'm blessed beyond belief with this strong network of Sister Friends - that family that we choose, as opposed to the family we're born into. I managed to be doubly blessed that both my blood family and my heart family are populated with equally beautiful souls. I look about me quite often and marvel at the richness of friendship and family that surrounds me, and the love that flows. These people love me and accept me for who I am, quirks and all, and I offer the same acceptance towards them. These little funnies add flair, nonsense, color, verve and pure fun to each encounter and lift the heart and spirit as a result. I am a better person for having each of these special women in my life.
Eventually, I'm going to meet both these wonderful ladies in person and I'll have photographs to share. Lisa and I happen to be similar in complexion, which is of the ultra-fair variety. Milky pale skin is what we're talking about. Lisa claimed a while back that when we DO try to do pictures together, we'll probably break technology with our fairness...the digital camera eye will struggle so much to capture our images without a glare being thrown off our skin. I fell out laughing on that one, and you can see why I love her so much. Zany humor makes life so much more enjoyable!
Lisa is going to add her side of the story to this post, and I look forward to reading her thoughts. I'll close with a favorite quote that I feel defines this little story:
"You that would judge me, do not judge alone this book or that, come to this hallowed place where my friends' portraits hang and look thereon; Ireland's history in their lineaments trace; think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends." ~ William Butler Yeats
~ S. Dawn Sievers, Healing Morning blog http://healingmorning.blogspot.com
As the massively successful Paul Harvey used to say, “And now the rest of the story.” (at least my part)
I’ll never forget the night Alien came into being. I saw Dawnie’s comment and threw my head back laughing. I could hear her “voice” in the post, and Irma could too, and the teasing commenced! The next thing you knew three ladies separated by large amounts of geography were united in laughter, we were for that silly little comment thread not thinking of anything but giving each other joy and fun.
As Dawn pointed out, not everything in life needs to be a contemplative serious thing to teach us a lesson, and in the midst of that thread, we all learned that lesson again. Dawn’s life is a concentration of serious things being self employed and searching for the truths of this world and the next. Irma is her twin in those aspects, and me, well my exploration of grief and loss isn’t feather light either. In the midst of the “Alien” though, none of us were thinking about any of the weight or the distance, but were unified in laughter and light.
It is a lesson that stuck with us, obviously; we have developed our little secret code and have over the last couple months cheered each other with more “Aliens” and their new additions than I can count. It is our way to show each other solidarity, to say ‘I love you’, and to remind each other take a moment to smile (or giggle).
Being the contemplative ladies we are, though, and people who each in our own way hope, pray, and take actions to try to make the world better for us having been there…keeping it secret just wouldn’t do. Nope, not at all!
Joy is one of those things that if you keep what you have, you’ll only have as much as you have. If you give it away, then you have more, and the more joy you give, the more joy you have! Slowly, so not to make everyone think we’ve gone completely crazy, we have started telling the story and bringing new “alien” converts into the fold. That wasn’t enough either! So, we started the idea of a blog post about the experience!
I can’t speak for my sisters, but I know why I was inspired to share this little moment of joy. I wanted people to remember to look for their “Alien” moments. Now, if you want to hop in with us and Alien each other, I’m not going to be offended at all! In fact, I’m going to giggle and laugh with you, in the same unity I do now with Dawnie and Irma. But watching people find their own inside joke will fill me with so much joy, because like our moment it will bring you memories, sisters, brothers, and perhaps a little lighter heart than you had before.
~ Lisa Brandel, The Widow Lady blog http://widowlady302.blogspot.com
And finally:
So, now after reading Dawn and Lisa's brilliant telling of our "Alien" story, I think everyone is up to speed with the awesome silliness of our great inside joke. I treasure both of these women so much in my life and am grateful to the internet and Facebook for connecting me with both of them in the first place. Though we are placed at very different places on the US map and have had varied life experiences, that doesn't seem to matter. We are three peas in a pod, no doubt, and sometimes you just know. When I was reading their posts today, this quote popped into my mind:
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one." ~ C.S. Lewis
How wonderful it has been to have met these extraordinary, brilliant and at times downright hilarious women. It's amazing the camaraderie, support and love that grew out of that snapshot in time, from a silly little inside joke. Can I get an Alien now? :)
~ Irma Kaye Sawyer, The Bright Star Blog
We can guarantee you’ll get a chuckle or two and perhaps a new fun word to toss out in conversation! We all three hope that you’ll take time to visit our respective blogs, and to that end, we have posted hyperlinks/links back to each of our blog pages. You’ll find the links at the end of each section, next to our byline. ~ Dawn, Lisa & Irma Kaye
You know how friendship works. If you're very fortunate, you meet people along your life path and click instantly with them. Your heart remembers them immediately and the connection starts right back up where it left off in the mists of time. Simple enjoyment of one another exists. In short order, you lose sight of when you actually met, because you feel that you've known them forever. Quickly thereafter, Secret Code begins to happen.
Secret Code, you ask? Yes. I'm sure you've experienced it. It is a short-hand language of sorts, cobbled together from a variety of experiences. They're usually loaded with hilarity, prompted by absurdity and become that Insider Lingo between you...a quick reference that only the two of you, or the group of you, understand.
If any of you are connected to me via Facebook, you may have noticed some Secret Code being slung around here and there. One of them has grown into a life of its own, so much so that those of us involved in the genesis of it think it should be shared.
Several months back, Lisa B. and I were commenting in a Facebook thread on Irma Kaye S.'s wall. I honestly don't recall what the focus of that thread was. It was late at night and I was sleep deprived. As a result, I glanced at a comment that Irma Kaye had made and I read it wrong - when I'm very fatigued, dyslexia will creep in and I will transpose letters/words, or I'll just see the whole sentence in a completely wrong manner. Irma Kaye's comment ended with, "Can I get an amen on that?"
I, however, read it as, "Can I get an alien on that?"
In my head, I'm automatically thinking, "An ALIEN? Why would she want an alien? How odd is THAT? WHO in their right mind would ask for such a thing.... OH. Wait, she said 'amen'. Not 'alien'."
In my sleep deprived state, this struck me as too funny to keep to myself, so I typed all of the above in Irma Kaye's thread. Lisa, being her endearing, lovely self took it to new heights of hilarity, running with a revival theme something along these lines:
"Can you get an alien, Dawnie? You most certainly can! *raises hands to the Heavens to testify*. Alien NOW!"
Now, let me also share that Lisa and I have this ongoing game we play that we robbed from the cell phone "Can you hear me now?" commercials.
Lisa: "Can you hear me now? *waits 12 seconds* How 'bout now? Now? No, wait...wait...NOW, now. No, NOW! Right? NOW????"
Lisa and I play this game often, in Facebook posts, email and texting, because it makes us laugh. She morphed that game into the new Alien Game. The new short-hand, Secret Code of same is: "Can I get an Alien?" And in reply, "Alien NOW!"
About two weeks ago, Irma Kaye and I were chatting in yet another Facebook thread and she cracked us both up with this: "When we type (alien now) <--this is our 'inside alien voice'."
Of course, I had to share this with Lisa. Lisa, in turn, responded with: "And 'Alien NOW' is the turning-cartwheels-down-the-hallway-shouting-it-to-the-rooftops broadcasting version!"
So, my friends, anytime you see me in a Facebook thread, or in Twitter, typing the words, "Alien", or "Alien NOW", or any future version of the word or phrase, you'll know some of the back story. Perhaps you'll be chuckling along with us! Maybe this whole post will have you wondering why you spent time clicking over here to read this, as it isn’t the norm for my posts. Those who know me and my slightly off-center sense of humor will undoubtedly be smiling and laughing.
Life is not always meant to be ponderous and serious, I think. Indeed, Life is punctuated by those bright moments of hilarity, irreverence and sheer silliness between friends. I'm blessed beyond belief with this strong network of Sister Friends - that family that we choose, as opposed to the family we're born into. I managed to be doubly blessed that both my blood family and my heart family are populated with equally beautiful souls. I look about me quite often and marvel at the richness of friendship and family that surrounds me, and the love that flows. These people love me and accept me for who I am, quirks and all, and I offer the same acceptance towards them. These little funnies add flair, nonsense, color, verve and pure fun to each encounter and lift the heart and spirit as a result. I am a better person for having each of these special women in my life.
Eventually, I'm going to meet both these wonderful ladies in person and I'll have photographs to share. Lisa and I happen to be similar in complexion, which is of the ultra-fair variety. Milky pale skin is what we're talking about. Lisa claimed a while back that when we DO try to do pictures together, we'll probably break technology with our fairness...the digital camera eye will struggle so much to capture our images without a glare being thrown off our skin. I fell out laughing on that one, and you can see why I love her so much. Zany humor makes life so much more enjoyable!
Lisa is going to add her side of the story to this post, and I look forward to reading her thoughts. I'll close with a favorite quote that I feel defines this little story:
"You that would judge me, do not judge alone this book or that, come to this hallowed place where my friends' portraits hang and look thereon; Ireland's history in their lineaments trace; think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends." ~ William Butler Yeats
~ S. Dawn Sievers, Healing Morning blog http://healingmorning.blogspot.com
As the massively successful Paul Harvey used to say, “And now the rest of the story.” (at least my part)
I’ll never forget the night Alien came into being. I saw Dawnie’s comment and threw my head back laughing. I could hear her “voice” in the post, and Irma could too, and the teasing commenced! The next thing you knew three ladies separated by large amounts of geography were united in laughter, we were for that silly little comment thread not thinking of anything but giving each other joy and fun.
As Dawn pointed out, not everything in life needs to be a contemplative serious thing to teach us a lesson, and in the midst of that thread, we all learned that lesson again. Dawn’s life is a concentration of serious things being self employed and searching for the truths of this world and the next. Irma is her twin in those aspects, and me, well my exploration of grief and loss isn’t feather light either. In the midst of the “Alien” though, none of us were thinking about any of the weight or the distance, but were unified in laughter and light.
It is a lesson that stuck with us, obviously; we have developed our little secret code and have over the last couple months cheered each other with more “Aliens” and their new additions than I can count. It is our way to show each other solidarity, to say ‘I love you’, and to remind each other take a moment to smile (or giggle).
Being the contemplative ladies we are, though, and people who each in our own way hope, pray, and take actions to try to make the world better for us having been there…keeping it secret just wouldn’t do. Nope, not at all!
Joy is one of those things that if you keep what you have, you’ll only have as much as you have. If you give it away, then you have more, and the more joy you give, the more joy you have! Slowly, so not to make everyone think we’ve gone completely crazy, we have started telling the story and bringing new “alien” converts into the fold. That wasn’t enough either! So, we started the idea of a blog post about the experience!
I can’t speak for my sisters, but I know why I was inspired to share this little moment of joy. I wanted people to remember to look for their “Alien” moments. Now, if you want to hop in with us and Alien each other, I’m not going to be offended at all! In fact, I’m going to giggle and laugh with you, in the same unity I do now with Dawnie and Irma. But watching people find their own inside joke will fill me with so much joy, because like our moment it will bring you memories, sisters, brothers, and perhaps a little lighter heart than you had before.
~ Lisa Brandel, The Widow Lady blog http://widowlady302.blogspot.com
And finally:
So, now after reading Dawn and Lisa's brilliant telling of our "Alien" story, I think everyone is up to speed with the awesome silliness of our great inside joke. I treasure both of these women so much in my life and am grateful to the internet and Facebook for connecting me with both of them in the first place. Though we are placed at very different places on the US map and have had varied life experiences, that doesn't seem to matter. We are three peas in a pod, no doubt, and sometimes you just know. When I was reading their posts today, this quote popped into my mind:
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one." ~ C.S. Lewis
How wonderful it has been to have met these extraordinary, brilliant and at times downright hilarious women. It's amazing the camaraderie, support and love that grew out of that snapshot in time, from a silly little inside joke. Can I get an Alien now? :)
~ Irma Kaye Sawyer, The Bright Star Blog
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Could "Haters" be a blessing in disguise?
Hello dear readers,
I hope this finds you well. The word "hater" has become popular slang lately and denotes anyone that doesn't like you, is nasty to you and/or generally makes your life miserable! Most of us have experienced them at one point or another.
The Keepers had this to say on the topic today: Beloveds, on the topic of those that would be called "haters," in your lives we say this: indeed these people are confused as they are mistaking you for the negative emotions that they feel in your presence and may project them onto you. Many of you have what would be considered "catalytic" energies and can effect others in strong ways. Encounters of this nature can remain relatively neutral if you can remain in a strong center and not take others negativity and projections to heart. In all encounters it is wise to have the awareness of what the potential teaching is in it for you. What is going on with the other party is truly none of your business, at the most basic level. Indeed it is not likely that everyone will like you in your lifetime, but you can be a friend to all in a spirit of brother/sisterhood. ~ 2/16/11
This teaching really does hit so many levels doesn't it? We have been well-socialized and taught that it is highly desirable to be well-liked by everyone and to have enemies truly must be bad.
I have found in my own career my harshest critics and those that could even be called haters have taught me so much. In many cases, they have shown me the areas where I lacked clarity in my business and in my life and this caused me to get more focused and to do some serious analysis of areas where I needed to stronger and more integrated. Of course these types of interactions are often painful and never fun, but if we keep in mind that the person hating HAS been impacted by us even if it is negative in their eyes. We are acting as catalysts for change, even if that person (or us!)cannot see it yet. Haters are also bringing us a great gift of where our ego still is getting stuck. I always loved this great quote by Swamiji,"Just because some one calls you a donkey doesn't that mean you are one!" It is also another good opportunity to "check up" on the little hurts and false conceptions of ourselves that we are still holding onto.
It is important to stay out of a victim role or fall into a "pity party" if we find ourselves in encounters with negative or critical people. Also to remember that not every encounter is some high teaching for us. There are some people that will cross our path that are simply mean and looking for a fight. In ALL cases, it is important to not take attacks personally, even if they are meant to be. This is one of the best protective measures that we can take.
I have a hater in my own life of the most painful kind, my own sister. I still love her of course, but we have cut off all contact which was her choice initially, but now I have grown to see is for the best. Sadly, my sister is locked into an outdated view of me and us as children and is holding onto the ghost of past hurts, some of which are even imaginary. She has also shown scorn towards our mother, which has also been painful to witness. Through this separation from my sister, my mother has become much more emotionally resilient and even sought out psychotherapy which she stared at age 75. She has emerged a much more conscious and loving person in the process. If it weren't for my sisters painful "divorce" from my mother, I honestly believe there would have been no impetus for her to take that journey of healing and self-discovery. It has been amazing to see how my mother's spirit has flowered and how much more available to me and to others she has become. Our relationship is the best it has ever been.
My sister though she is definitely a hater, has gifted my mother with so many gifts of awareness and growth. I just realized that very recently. I haven't entirely figured out the gift of her being a hater in my own life, but I'm sure I will in time. Life is indeed such a gift and the possibilities for growth are endless.
Wishing you all many blessings in these transformational times.
I hope this finds you well. The word "hater" has become popular slang lately and denotes anyone that doesn't like you, is nasty to you and/or generally makes your life miserable! Most of us have experienced them at one point or another.
The Keepers had this to say on the topic today: Beloveds, on the topic of those that would be called "haters," in your lives we say this: indeed these people are confused as they are mistaking you for the negative emotions that they feel in your presence and may project them onto you. Many of you have what would be considered "catalytic" energies and can effect others in strong ways. Encounters of this nature can remain relatively neutral if you can remain in a strong center and not take others negativity and projections to heart. In all encounters it is wise to have the awareness of what the potential teaching is in it for you. What is going on with the other party is truly none of your business, at the most basic level. Indeed it is not likely that everyone will like you in your lifetime, but you can be a friend to all in a spirit of brother/sisterhood. ~ 2/16/11
This teaching really does hit so many levels doesn't it? We have been well-socialized and taught that it is highly desirable to be well-liked by everyone and to have enemies truly must be bad.
I have found in my own career my harshest critics and those that could even be called haters have taught me so much. In many cases, they have shown me the areas where I lacked clarity in my business and in my life and this caused me to get more focused and to do some serious analysis of areas where I needed to stronger and more integrated. Of course these types of interactions are often painful and never fun, but if we keep in mind that the person hating HAS been impacted by us even if it is negative in their eyes. We are acting as catalysts for change, even if that person (or us!)cannot see it yet. Haters are also bringing us a great gift of where our ego still is getting stuck. I always loved this great quote by Swamiji,"Just because some one calls you a donkey doesn't that mean you are one!" It is also another good opportunity to "check up" on the little hurts and false conceptions of ourselves that we are still holding onto.
It is important to stay out of a victim role or fall into a "pity party" if we find ourselves in encounters with negative or critical people. Also to remember that not every encounter is some high teaching for us. There are some people that will cross our path that are simply mean and looking for a fight. In ALL cases, it is important to not take attacks personally, even if they are meant to be. This is one of the best protective measures that we can take.
I have a hater in my own life of the most painful kind, my own sister. I still love her of course, but we have cut off all contact which was her choice initially, but now I have grown to see is for the best. Sadly, my sister is locked into an outdated view of me and us as children and is holding onto the ghost of past hurts, some of which are even imaginary. She has also shown scorn towards our mother, which has also been painful to witness. Through this separation from my sister, my mother has become much more emotionally resilient and even sought out psychotherapy which she stared at age 75. She has emerged a much more conscious and loving person in the process. If it weren't for my sisters painful "divorce" from my mother, I honestly believe there would have been no impetus for her to take that journey of healing and self-discovery. It has been amazing to see how my mother's spirit has flowered and how much more available to me and to others she has become. Our relationship is the best it has ever been.
My sister though she is definitely a hater, has gifted my mother with so many gifts of awareness and growth. I just realized that very recently. I haven't entirely figured out the gift of her being a hater in my own life, but I'm sure I will in time. Life is indeed such a gift and the possibilities for growth are endless.
Wishing you all many blessings in these transformational times.
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