There was a light in her eyes that came from the inside out.
The little girl in the shopping cart in front of me in the line at the supermarket smiled. It was a smile reflecting her absolute delight with the cookie she was eating.
Her eyes glowed as she held it up for me to see how perfectly delectable it was. It was as if she was holding it up with unconditional reverence on a gold platter.
I smiled back and clapped my hands in rapt approval of her prize. She beamed and took another bite with a natural, dramatic flourish.
“What a lucky girl you are to have such a good cookie!” I exclaimed.
She nodded her agreement vigorously then beamed another radiant smile.
This little girl was in fully present in her experiences and ecstatic. She was unburdened by self doubt and her worthiness to participate in such unadulterated joy – and, free of concerns about the skyrocketing cost of food and gasoline.
The groceries were packed and loaded in the shopping cart, and her mother said, “Wave good bye to the nice lady, Emily.” She did as instructed. I waved back, my connection to pure, innocent joy disappearing as the automatic door closed behind her. Whoosh.
I turned back to my lack-luster life of broccoli and tofu then my eyes lit on the solution! I, too, could create the innocent bliss that had just whooshed out the door. I picked up a Dove bar from the candy display rack, and put it with my other groceries. Ah, the joy I shall have!
The simple joy of being alive is always being offered to us – in smiles, spontaneous connections and chocolate, of course.
Social Network Posting
Friday, June 6, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Promise Dawning
I have not had much time to share my thoughts with you in the past few weeks. My husband had neck surgery on March 10th where two cervical discs were replaced and four discs were fused together. The days before and after the surgery were filled with many challenges. My husband has had some major hurdles to overcome. Today I am happy to report things are looking much better for him.
I wrote this blog posting the other day in my journal and wanted to share it with you.
It is the first day of spring in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and the wind outside my window crashes down on the wind chimes and sends then into a crazed, whirling dance. The temperature is only 22 degrees, but the morning light holds Promise. Although as I write this the sun has not cleared the mountain top, the sky is brightening – a prelude to the first rays.
It has been raining for days, a reflection of the dark struggle in our house, but today I see a dusting of snow on the porch railing. In the dim light, I can make out three black vultures riding the wind draft whipping through the valley. They make wide and wider circles that bring them farther and father away. I tell them, “There is nothing here to focus your death eyes upon. Be gone!”
Despite the temperature and the wild wind, spring is roaring in with Promise. As the dawn breaks I can feel it in the air around me. When I tune into the energy of Promise I feel an energy vibration of forest green flecked with the iridescent light of expectation.
I see this forest green alive in the tall white pines shifting and flexing in the wind gusts. I see now the first light of expectation in the sun’s rays that are beginning to show themselves. The sun is touching the mountainside and quickly reaching across the length of the mountain.
Promise feels important to this house as my husband recovers from his neck surgery. There have been many weeks in this house of anxiety pre and post the surgery. Late last night my husband’s healing finally shifted towards the Promise of a brighter future – and this morning I welcome the dawn with joyful anticipation!
I wrote this blog posting the other day in my journal and wanted to share it with you.
It is the first day of spring in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and the wind outside my window crashes down on the wind chimes and sends then into a crazed, whirling dance. The temperature is only 22 degrees, but the morning light holds Promise. Although as I write this the sun has not cleared the mountain top, the sky is brightening – a prelude to the first rays.
It has been raining for days, a reflection of the dark struggle in our house, but today I see a dusting of snow on the porch railing. In the dim light, I can make out three black vultures riding the wind draft whipping through the valley. They make wide and wider circles that bring them farther and father away. I tell them, “There is nothing here to focus your death eyes upon. Be gone!”
Despite the temperature and the wild wind, spring is roaring in with Promise. As the dawn breaks I can feel it in the air around me. When I tune into the energy of Promise I feel an energy vibration of forest green flecked with the iridescent light of expectation.
I see this forest green alive in the tall white pines shifting and flexing in the wind gusts. I see now the first light of expectation in the sun’s rays that are beginning to show themselves. The sun is touching the mountainside and quickly reaching across the length of the mountain.
Promise feels important to this house as my husband recovers from his neck surgery. There have been many weeks in this house of anxiety pre and post the surgery. Late last night my husband’s healing finally shifted towards the Promise of a brighter future – and this morning I welcome the dawn with joyful anticipation!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Energy of Deception
One of my students asked me to reflect on the energy of deception which was appearing big time in his life. As soon as I began my reflection, I was struck by how very pervasive the energy of deception is in international politics, environmental concerns and social issues. It seems to be everywhere on all levels of our lives! Grateful for my student’s request, I share the following thoughts with you. Please feel free to post any questions or comments you might have.
Deception walks with you stealthily when it does.
It is never forthright.
It is of darkness and shadow.
Dedicated to its mission to deceive,
it will stand tall in defense of its position if exposed.
Denial and the manipulation of facts come easy to the Deceiver. The recipient will be looked straight in the eye and their reaction disregarded. The Deceiver is mission driven and strong. On the other hand, the one who discovers they have been deceived will feel deeply cut and betrayed.
When deception is discovered the recipient will stop and search the past frantically for indicators of where the deception began. They will be greatly disturbed to find the shadow of deception behind them – and additionally disturbed by the scope of its influence. The recipient can get lost in feelings of hurt or shame, and remain in the past planning defense strategies.
The recipient of the deception, feeling betrayed and unsafe, will respond in one of two defensive ways – fight or flight. Below is a further breakdown into the responses which are activated when the recipient attempts to reestablish safety and balance in their life:
• Fight Response – includes bullying, organizing, manipulating or doting (on the Deceiver)
• Flight Response – includes being emotionally withdrawn, immobilized, confused or in complete denial.
Since the perception of the Truth held by the Deceiver is strong, it will be very hard to find a common understanding between the Deceiver and the Betrayed.
The Deceiver knows the Betrayed much better than the Betrayed knows the Deceiver. The Deceiver has watched carefully and twisted information between the two of them to serve self.
The Deceiver has perfected manipulation to 1) stay safe and 2) because the Deceiver firmly believes they deserve what they have set their sights on. Safety and entitlement issues are intertwined.
Confronting the Deceiver may or may not create resolution. Confrontation has the potential to rectify the situation and mend feelings of betrayal – but will not necessarily resolve the reason why the Deceiver visited in the first place.
Guidelines for Action:
If you are good at confrontation, do not confront.
If you are not good at confrontation, do confront.
(All actions should be taken to serve the growth of the self not to punish or humiliate the Deceiver.)
Communication or a meeting of minds is not possible if the deception is maintained.
All personages and situations that cross the individual’s life path are Divinely Inspired. Since this is true then…
Why would an individual call in the energy of deception?
• To be reminded to stay aligned with their Inner Wisdom
• To clarify their relationship to Truth
• To experience the role of the Betrayed
• To challenge the known Truth
• To learn the power of speaking the known Truth
• To learn the power of allowing the untruth a voice
Please note that the energy of deception is never called in for the individual to learn to be less Trusting. The ability to Trust without reservation is an aptitude with a spiritual principle, one which never requires lessening. It may, though, need to be combined with discernment to be more meaningful to life experience. If better discernment is not combined with the energy of deception then the gift is lost and the victim retains the feelings associated with betrayal.
True resolution is in the integration of the gift in the deception.
When the gift is received and the package opened,
the healing begins,
and the Deceiver disappears from your life.
The Gift of Deception
Deception teaches you to discern where to place your Trust. This gift is not about a loss of innocence, but more about, the implementation or awakening of Inner Wisdom.
May you journey with open eyes,
every step an opportunity to grow your Inner Wisdom,
no matter who you walk with.
Deception walks with you stealthily when it does.
It is never forthright.
It is of darkness and shadow.
Dedicated to its mission to deceive,
it will stand tall in defense of its position if exposed.
Denial and the manipulation of facts come easy to the Deceiver. The recipient will be looked straight in the eye and their reaction disregarded. The Deceiver is mission driven and strong. On the other hand, the one who discovers they have been deceived will feel deeply cut and betrayed.
When deception is discovered the recipient will stop and search the past frantically for indicators of where the deception began. They will be greatly disturbed to find the shadow of deception behind them – and additionally disturbed by the scope of its influence. The recipient can get lost in feelings of hurt or shame, and remain in the past planning defense strategies.
The recipient of the deception, feeling betrayed and unsafe, will respond in one of two defensive ways – fight or flight. Below is a further breakdown into the responses which are activated when the recipient attempts to reestablish safety and balance in their life:
• Fight Response – includes bullying, organizing, manipulating or doting (on the Deceiver)
• Flight Response – includes being emotionally withdrawn, immobilized, confused or in complete denial.
Since the perception of the Truth held by the Deceiver is strong, it will be very hard to find a common understanding between the Deceiver and the Betrayed.
The Deceiver knows the Betrayed much better than the Betrayed knows the Deceiver. The Deceiver has watched carefully and twisted information between the two of them to serve self.
The Deceiver has perfected manipulation to 1) stay safe and 2) because the Deceiver firmly believes they deserve what they have set their sights on. Safety and entitlement issues are intertwined.
Confronting the Deceiver may or may not create resolution. Confrontation has the potential to rectify the situation and mend feelings of betrayal – but will not necessarily resolve the reason why the Deceiver visited in the first place.
Guidelines for Action:
If you are good at confrontation, do not confront.
If you are not good at confrontation, do confront.
(All actions should be taken to serve the growth of the self not to punish or humiliate the Deceiver.)
Communication or a meeting of minds is not possible if the deception is maintained.
All personages and situations that cross the individual’s life path are Divinely Inspired. Since this is true then…
Why would an individual call in the energy of deception?
• To be reminded to stay aligned with their Inner Wisdom
• To clarify their relationship to Truth
• To experience the role of the Betrayed
• To challenge the known Truth
• To learn the power of speaking the known Truth
• To learn the power of allowing the untruth a voice
Please note that the energy of deception is never called in for the individual to learn to be less Trusting. The ability to Trust without reservation is an aptitude with a spiritual principle, one which never requires lessening. It may, though, need to be combined with discernment to be more meaningful to life experience. If better discernment is not combined with the energy of deception then the gift is lost and the victim retains the feelings associated with betrayal.
True resolution is in the integration of the gift in the deception.
When the gift is received and the package opened,
the healing begins,
and the Deceiver disappears from your life.
The Gift of Deception
Deception teaches you to discern where to place your Trust. This gift is not about a loss of innocence, but more about, the implementation or awakening of Inner Wisdom.
May you journey with open eyes,
every step an opportunity to grow your Inner Wisdom,
no matter who you walk with.
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