Spring has arrived with great warmth and it is a delight to see the birth of nature at its very best. Spring rains have been steady and consistent which has contributed to the rapid growth. Why, you can sit on your porch and almost hear the stretching of leaves, grass, and various plants as they emerge from their winter's hibernation. Such a fertile time of newness that offers each of us the opportunity to consider what we would like to bring forth this season. 
    Winter is a time of stillness, of resting within our homes as we wait to see what the cold season will present. This year in Indiana, we saw little snow; instead, we had the bareness of the winter. For some that represents death since everything is pretty drab. However, for things to be birthed there is a dying away that must occur.  
   With spring in front of us, now is a good time to consider what we would like to see grow in our lives. Each of us have something we are ready to put aside and something we would like to focus our energy and time to create. So, now is a good time to take the steps needed to see it put in some shape or form. Spring is a time to birth those dreams, actually take action to see material results from something we have on our "bucket list," "new year's resolution," or whatever word we choose to describe something we have always wanted to do.
   Through the spring rain, we are given the symbolic reminder that gray skies produce the very element needed to feed the fullness of the beauty we observe during the next six months. Our personal "gray days" can produce the same richness in our lives IF we will see it as a feeding of our dreams rather than a hindrance to their manifestation. Now is a good time to use what seemed "gloomy" as fertilizer for the outgrowth within that germinated during the winter months.  Here's to spring rains that enrich, nurture and support those "seedlings" that knew they could be something very beautiful!

Recently, a friend of mine has been dreaming about a picture being auctioned for charity by a sorority to which she belongs. She has loved hummingbirds for most of her life and this painting was of one. The other day she shared how very much she wants that painting for her home. As my other friend and I were listening to her speak so passionately about the painting, my friend asked her where she would place it in her home. The friend wanting the picture quickly responded she did not know since she had not hung any of the pictures currently in her house.

It was so delightful to watch her realize this would be her very first picture to hang in her home. It is a joy to witness someone claiming a "first," even if it's merely hanging a picture! After all, this is not just "some" picture, this is one that holds great meaning to her. Within just a few seconds, she quickly identified the "spot," and shared with us where it would be.

Today she called and said the picture also had a dragonfly with the hummingbird, and she had just hung a dragonfly figure beside the entrance door to her house.  She knew there had to be some significance to that, so she called me to ask what medicine the dragonfly carried.

She was thrilled to learn the dragonfly carries the energy to burst through illusions. That whatever belief you have that is limited, outdated, or simply doesn't "fit,"can be carried away with the dragonfly. It was amazing to realize that this painting she loved so much, carried the message that when you break through the illusions in your life, you find your true JOY (which is the medicine of the hummingbird.) As a healer, she was "over-the-top" excited about what has entered her life. She broke her back less than three months ago and has been given the opportunity to be idle so her dreams can become very clear. Now, at the perfect time, she has realized what the past three months have been all about.

What a gift artist give to us, and what a gift, those willing to truly "see" happening in their life give to world! May the dragonfly enter your life to help you burst through your illusions so the Joy may enter the world, one person at a time, and it can begin with you!

While writing in my journal this morning, something very important jumped off the pages. Anyone who knows me will tell you I look for the positives in every situation. Granted, sometimes it takes some searching, but, it does work. One can always find something they can glean from the experience that will help them stay focused on what is working, rather than what is not working. This morning was no exception. 

What was realized this morning was how very fortunate we are to live in the United States. With all the hubbub about our differences, politically speaking, what is splattered all over the media is who is "right" and who is "wrong," regarding social, economic, and spiritual concerns. Elections have a way of bringing up our differences and putting them "on trial" for all of us to pick who's "right" and who's "wrong."

This morning I was reminded how blessed we all are to live in a country that allows such free expression. How marvelously open we are to speaking about our differences; and, when all is said and done, most in this country are open to listening to the various views. Oh, sure we get "fired up" about views completely opposite from our personal ones; however, consider how fortunate we are to be able to have them openly discussed. Many countries do not have such freedoms.

So, consider the blessings we have when someone begins speaking about their views that are strongly different from our own and remember how fortunate we are to live in a country where we are not physically punished for such openness. Hopefully realizing that will give us the opportunity to step back and move away from the emotions of the differences and really listen with an open heart. Every view represents something someone feels in their heart, and listening from that perspective may allows us to "hear" them differently. We may not agree, and that's perfectly fine, but at least we can realize it's another perspective someone has that's different than ourselves. It does not mean one of us is "right" and the other "wrong," it's comes from a place of two different ways of seeing things in life. Somewhere in the middle common ground can be found. 

In this country, we have the personal freedom to accept their views as their views, rather than personal differences that can often create strive. It is one of the most precious freedoms we have in this country - the right to choose - and it is based on our individual beliefs. Just as importantly, people are taking a stand when what is spoken from a heart lacks love and respect, and, they are having an influence on bringing change to such unloving actions. As we move in this direction, there will be more peace among us, rather than animosity based on wanting to be "right." Instead, we will are given an opportunity to come from compassion - now how tremendously uplifting is that! I am so very grateful to live in such a country!

It's a gloriously beautiful Sunday morning as spring nudges ever so close to being here. This is the week to "officially" celebrate one of my ancestors - The Irish! This part of my heritage is very near and dear to my heart; I suppose because they loved nature and saw the sacredness of All Creation! What I also respect of the that marvelous "emerald island," is the way in which they honor their heritage, old structures, simplicity of life, and the culturally rich stories. There are so many amazing teachings in their story telling, and their genuine appreciation for gathering at the local "pub," offers even more evidence of their commitment to the old tradition of supporting each other as a community!

Truly, my heart is grateful for the recognitions given to the old stories of the "wee people," significance of the contributions provided through the feminine, along with the resiliency of spirit that brings every living thing (including humans) through adversity. They are a proud, humble people who stand by their traditions and each other. Truly, my heart is grateful to carry the memories and stories of my ancestors who walked this earth well before I was a "sparkle" in my Father's eye! 

So, let us lift our glasses in the air and celebrate the simple and strong ways of a courageous people. If you would like to do that with others, join us on Thursday evening, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. as we Gathering at my home to re-member the sacredness in All Our Relations.    Slainte,
(to your health)

     Lent began this week for many who follow the teachings of Jesus. It used to be prominently a Catholic tradition; however, over the years, people have chosen this practice outside that particular faith. And, like other holidays, some who do not claim to have a specific "religious" practice, use this time to "give up" something. For some it's an old habit, others, simply a time to acknowledge there is something greater than oneself. 
    Regardless why a person chooses to use this opportunity to abstain from something, the simple truth is, it is a "spiritual" choice. Something within a person knows it is time to reduce a particular habit that is not helpful for either themselves or those around them. Wouldn't it be nice if an entire community could follow that tradition? Can you imagine the possibilities if all family members agreed to spend 40 days only speaking kind words to each other? Or all countries agreed to allow each other their unique beliefs without criticism for 40 days? 
   Pausing to consider someone's choice that may be different from yours always strengthens your own beliefs, for it allows each person the opportunity to honor each others beliefs. Being respected begins with respecting your own beliefs, then treating others the way you want to be treated. So, I say, now is a good time to take 40 days to consider what is truly, in the very deep crevices of your heart, important to you. I promise if you honor yourself by taking the time to get in touch with these core beliefs, you will find more JOY in your life, and ultimately, allow others to experience the same. Then when Easter arrives, let those core beliefs be set free! Let the old ways of not knowing who and what you are be gone! JOY begins when you really know yourself and have a clear understanding you are more than your circumstances. There is, indeed, a divine force that weaves through our veins, and once we realize and feel that connection, we are set free to truly experience JOY.

  There is much to be said about being "couch bound." For one, you get a whole lot of "detail" work completed. Second, you have a new appreciation for the stillness. At least, that's what I am finding! It's not that I generally have noise going in the house, it's mainly my head that chatters away. When I'm home, I'll move from one thing to another, then something beckons me to "remember" to do this or that. So, there really is no "stillness." However, since occupying the couch for two days now, my head is becoming more "still." I've caught up on paperwork, online duties, and the such, so now I can "hear" the hum of the stillness. Did you know the stillness has a hum? If you didn't, you might try sitting on the couch for more than 24 hours with no TV or radio running...you'll hear it clearly. 
   What the hum reminds me is that all of life is in motion. That "hum" is really billions and billions of energy particles pulsating...at least, that's my non-scientific, scientific analysis of it! It reminds me there's so much more to life than what is manifested in physical form. So, in reality, we are really never alone, there are billions and billions of energy particles moving at warp speed around us, bumping into us, nudging us to notice, that life is so very connected, even when we don't "consciously" realize it! What an amazing universe. 
    So, when someone calls you a "couch potato,"tell them, "Thank You!" Because, if you don't have the "Boob tube" on, you really are loving all God's creation that has not taken a physical form! Hmm, skeptical are you? Well, try a couple of hours with no noise and you'll see what I mean...then let's chat!

   We will be more conscientious with updating and maintaining this blog site. In so doing, there will be monthly comments and teachings about the Clan Mothers; they will be posted under the Grandparent tab to the left.
  For this moment, we wish to share a daily reading from Earth Medicine, which shares teachings of the Clan Mothers. If you are interested in learning more about these amazing teachers of Truth, pick up the book, The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams. It can revolutionize your life, if you work with the teachings provided.
  Wisdom Keeper is the Clan Mother that entered in with the recent full moon, here is one of her teachings for February 18: The leaves were still raging with color when the first snow came to the silent mountains of the Earth Mother. Looking down from the Spirit World, Wisdom Keeper breathed a sigh of relief, having feared that the human beings had forgotten the importance of dreaming. The appearance of the snowflakes, which held the patterns of human hopes and aspirations in their frozen wheels, temporarily relieved the Medicine Guardian of her fears.
  The Wise One remembered that less and less snow had come during the last few winters, and this realization troubled her. Were her human children forgetting to use their imaginations? Were they so busy that they had lost the will to recapture their innocence and wonder of life? Had the false masks of sophistication robbed them of their common destiny? She knew that the destiny of humankind was to remember who they were and to use their talents to dream the coming World of Peace.
  She sighed as she wondered how many would grasp the double meanings of the Remembering. Had separation robbed her children of picking up the fragments of themselves and re-membering themselves into wholeness? Could the Two-legged Tribe of humans access their connections to the Great Mystery and claim the awareness that was their right?
  She knew the answer. Not without imagination, daring, freewill, and the power of the dreamer. She also knew that all she could do was assist those who sought her out--and to trust that the dreamers would awaken.