I am thinking this morning about prayer. In particular, my heart is asking for this storm heading to the East coast to be more gentle than they are speculating it will be. Of course, the media likes to "hype" everything up to excite us into concern so that we become glued to our TV's. However, this morning my heart called to me to send gentleness and love to "Sandy." In life I do that for those I know who are angry, sad, confused, so why not send loving thoughts toward such a powerful storm that can bring such wrath to that section of the world. 

  So, those thoughts led me to consider prayer. That word is used often when we speak of needing some assistance, clarity or simply a more comfortable state of being. Whatever a person's religious views, prayer seems to be a universally accepted word that means the same thing for many different faiths. It is an act of compassion. Therefore, it is my request those of you that read this pause for a few moments and send heart-felt gentleness to "Sandy." Just maybe she will feel the powerful energy that love brings and move out to the ocean, or at the very least, lessen her intensity. Just as the cold front, pull of the tides and the full moon are influencing her, join me as we pray for gentleness and peace. It is most certainly worth a try! And who knows, we may learn a little more about the power of Prayer!

   An "unexpected" rain storm, complete with thunder and lightning, arrived this morning. Despite all the technology used to track weather an "unpredicted" storm no doubt work many sleeping families. As I enjoyed the mysterious event, it occurred to me how life presents such "unexpected" events as well. I may be moving through life with grace and ease and seemingly out of no where comes a fierce bolt of "weather."
  Despite my preparation for life, (if there is such a thing!) such happenings all too often shake me at my roots and bring me directly into the present moment. For me, it is a reminder of the very insignificant control I have in life. I can do my best to "follow the rules" of being a compassionate human being to those around me, and yet, other humans also have a chose as to how to exist in this world. The things I think, say and do may be well intended, and yet someone may interpret them in a completely different way then my intentions. 
  It is a slippery slope we walk in this human experience, and yet, we continue to re-experience life here on Earth. Perhaps it's the "meteorology" of life that keeps us on our toes and on the "watch" for those bolts of lightning that come so unexpectedly. Whatever the case be, life does offer us the opportunity to pay attention and move through the "weather" of life so that we may be of service. I have found that such unexpected events can teach me something I may have taken for granted that needs to be shape-shifted into a new way of moving through life. 
   As the rumble of thunder resounds outside I am grateful for the opportunity to really pay attention to my thoughts, words and deeds. For without being present, I can easily fall back to sleep and ignore the gift of change that such events bring. Instead, I can move into the place of judgment of myself and/or others as a way of making sense of those "bolts of lightning!" Just as the weather cannot always be predicted, neither can the circumstances of life that happens when I least expect it.
   
 





















 

  As the temps cool and color blankets the landscape now is a good time to begin the journey inward. Life offers diverse opportunities from which to experience the richness of being human. With spring we greet the newness of growth as we eagerly welcome the warmth, color and freshness that comes after a long winter's rest. 

  Next is the carefree experience of summer that offers us time to gather with friends, drink cold lemonade, eat the fresh veggies and fruits of our gardens and enjoy the coolness of our favorite "swimming hole." After a very hot summer, life now offers us the opportunity to snuggle into warm clothes, tell stories around a campfire, and enjoy the briskness Fall's beauty. 

  What a marvelous time to begin our journey into our hearts and homes as we move into the Holiday season's in front of us. From the "spooky" time of Halloween, grateful time of Thanksgiving, to the celebration of the Western world's Christmas, time is set aside to gather with friends and family and catch up on what has unfolded in each of our lives. 

  Pause for a moment, if you will, and consider the diversity of colors Fall presents. It just might help you appreciate the many facets of life that awaits your presence! Choose to really "see" life and appreciate what is truly important. The distractions offered by daily life experiences are really of little value in the big scheme of things. Join me and choose to really "Fall" into life! Earth is such a beautiful place to be!

Dementia is something directly in front of me at this time. I saw my Great Grandfather go through this, then my Grandmother. During that time I do not recall hearing my Mother talk or react much to what was happening. Perhaps it was because I was a young adult absorbed with raising my children. Now that my Mother has dementia, I am learning first-hand the impact it has on those left to care for the person. It is confusing, frustrating, extremely sad, and most definitely an opportunity to be authentic with myself and those in my life.

I have spent most of my life being a "Peace-maker," trying to the best of my ability to uplift others, help them find their strength and to believe in him or herself. During this experience all the "tools" in my medicine bag have seen the light of day multiple times. Every thing I have learned about staying centered, relying on Creator for guidance and dealing with the "shadow side" of myself have been directly "in front of me!" 

Many years ago, my daughter told me she felt dementia (in all the various forms and labels) is really a way for a soul to forget this life so they can move onto the Spirit side. While it was said on a whim, it an was extremely wise and accurate assessment of this "dis-ease." My mother spent most of her life quiet, reserve and grateful for her family. This is not the woman she is today. 

As a mature woman, I find myself learning many things about my Mother that are not pleasant to realize. It is quite discerning to discover personality traits that were obviously hidden all those years and see the consequences of those "secrets." And yet, it is developing my ability to be compassionate. Some of the things have left my heart aching, fired up my "shadow side," and brought forth tears from the frustration of knowing that nothing I do can help. It is a most challenging life event. And one in which I am certain there is much I can share with those that come behind me. Had I a hint of the emotional roller coaster it would bring I could have somehow searched for guidance before I stood in the middle of it. 

So, if any of you have experience with the various forms of dementia, please share them. According to medical findings it is on the rise. While I have no fear of getting dementia, I am taking strides to keep myself in good mental, physical and emotional health. And, I do this more for my children than for me. There are no words to describe the effects it has on those directly caring for the dementia patient, especially if they are a parent. You certainly expand your understanding of unconditional love! 

 

   This Clan Mother teaches how to live the Truth. She guides those willing to listen to that sacred Within Place, the space within our hearts where we really already know the Truth. She helps us develop our skills of dependability, inner knowing, achievements and goals by realizing we are vastly more than our physical bodies! She is a grand teacher on how to live an impeccable life.
   Jamie Sams shares the Seneca teachings bestowed on her by her elders in such a way as to offer treasures at our feet. IF you are ready for your life to be enriched by the Creator's Truth, then by all means purchase her book and watch your life transform. "The 13 Original Clan Mothers," by Jamie Sams, is rich in Truth and if you will follow each month's teaching for one complete year, you WILL notice a deepened awareness of who you truly are.
   With all the searching for answers we humans move through in our lives, the journey can become quite burdensome. We lumber through facts, theories, teachings, and story telling as a way to satisfy our inner searching for meaning. All of that is well and good, and will no doubt add to a deeper understanding of life. I have been such a "student" of the searching soul and I can tell you these teachings will assist you with finding your inner Truth!
    As surely as the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West, the universe awaits our questions. And the answers you find will be felt deep within as an knowing. Trust your gut as you weave through what you hear and observe, and notice how the colors around you become more rich. Truly, when your hearts begin to open, colors intensify, smells are stronger, and your step in life will become lighter.

  Every being on the planet can feel the change! Whether it is an answer to our prayers for something different, new, or simply an option to the status quo, the SHIFT is here! If we look over our shoulder at what is behind us, we can most definitely see how we are different today then we were even a day or two ago.

  As we turn to face what is in front of us, we can see the world is evolving. For some it may seem frightening since what they knew to be certain is no longer the same. And yet at one time or another most of us have asked for something in our lives to change. All too often when things actually do change, we feel uprooted from what is known which generally leaves most of us feeling a bit (or a lot!) unsettled.

  It is a great paradox that we want change, and yet want things to be the same. None-the-less, we move through life, wobble with the "shifts" presented before us, and eventually regain our balance. And more times than not, we find a very welcomed newness as a result of the change. Imagine for a moment how boring it would be if things stayed the same all the time!

  As we move through this marvelously delicious time of great "shifts," may we embrace the birth waiting in the great "unknown" and welcome the uncertainly. Deepak Chopra so wisely states, "Through the wisdom of uncertainty I will find my security!" That small statement carries a wealth of teaching about how to live in faith and trust with the entire universe. It is one thing to talk about having faith and trust, and quite another thing to actually demonstrate it in our actions! Having this divine partnership with something greater than ourselves helps all of us to keep our balance when the "Shift happens" in our world and in our lives--if we are willing to embrace it!

   Imagine what the world would be like if we did not have choices! We would all march around like "cookie cutter" robots. We would be poured out of the same mold, given our "assignment" for this life and off we would go to fulfill someone else's destiny for us.What a boring life it would be!
   Instead, we are given lots of opportunities to choose what our "destiny" will be. We have the freedom to choose our career, a mate, where we want to live, how we eat, sleep, play, and worship! (just to name a few!) Why we have so many opportunities to choose, no wonder we complain about all the decisions to make. And yet, what would life be like if someone made all our decisions for us? No doubt life would lack luster because someone else was doing the choosing.  No one knows what makes your heart sing but you!
   Consider the tremendous gift we have to be able to make choices in our life. The next time you complain about your life, go to the mirror, look deep into your eyes and say, "OK, time for us to choose something new." What a marvelous country we live in that we are given the freedom to choose, and if we do not like that choice, we can step away, regroup and choose again. It might be good to remember this the next time you want to complain about your life or the world. Take responsibility and do something to change what no longer works. Whether it's in your life, work environment, or community, do something to bring about change. It beats the heck out of complaining!