Hello there fabulous people!

Hope you are all doing well…or on your way to feeling a bit better!

We enjoyed a gorgeous weekend here in Northern Colorado.  Perfect weather…blue skies and cool temperatures with a nice breeze!  There are some new visitors to my bird feeders.  Not sure who they are…gotta look em up in my bird book. 

We also have a new…bigger visitor.  Not sure what it is.  But, it is big enough to knock over one of my larger, metal bird feeders and break it.  Maybe its a large raccoon named Vinny…or something.  Only comes out at night!  Sneaky, big fella!

Well, time for me to Rune your week!

This weeks Rune:

Raido

JOURNEY * COMMUNICATION * UNION * REUNION

Inner worth mounts here, and at such a time you are not intended to rely entirely upon your own power. Instead, ask what constitutes right action.  Ask through prayer or mediation, through addressing the Witness Self, the Teacher Within.  Once you are clear, you can neutralize your refusal to let right action flow through you.  Not intent on movement, be content to wait; while you wait, keep on removing resistances.  As the obstructions give way, all remorse arising from trying to make things happen disappears.

The journey is toward self-healing, self-change and union.  You are concerned here with nothing less than unobstructed, perfect union.  But the union of Heaven and Earth cannot be forced.  Regulate any excesses in your life.  Material advantages must not weight heavily on the journey of the self towed the Self.  Stand apart even from like-minded others;  the notion of strength in numbers does not apply at such a time, for this part of the journey–the soul’s journey–cannot be shared.

Another of the Cycle Runes, Raido carries within its form the Rune of Joy, for now the end is in sight.  You are no longer burdened by what you’ve left behind.  Heaven above you and Earth below you unite within you to support you on your way."

Many of the journeys that we take with the Self are solo journeys.  These are not journeys that can be shared with others.  It seems that the act of trying to share these mysteries with someone else, lose something in translation. 

It is an amazing thing to witness the Self alone and have that witnessing be fulfilling.

It is amazing to have moments when Heaven and Earth blend within ourselves…when there is no separation.  To feel the flow of source and how this feels as it connects with the human self are the moments that can feel full of magic. 

So, fabulous readers…

What is uniting "from above and below" within you?

What internal conflicts within you, those places that have two sides, two elements, are ready to communicate and create a union of thought that will bring you more peace?

Can you feel the soft breeze of Joy hangin’ out underneath all of this?

Ain’t it grand?
Love it…love it….love it!!!!!

Please feel free to share your thoughts:)  Comments are so appreciated!

Oh…and on a totally different note…"Desperate Housewives" season premier is on in just a little bit!  Yay! 

Hey there lovely readers!

I was in the shower this morning…which is where I get lots of my blog ideas (sorry for the visual). Anyhoo, I started thinking about my brain. And how sometimes it feels as though my brain is full. Its like it is filled with empty carbs. Its like I ate a loaf of french bread…but instead of french bread…I ate a bunch of thoughts.

Not just any thoughts…

…but, WORRIED thoughts.

Worried thoughts are like empty carbs of the mind.
Oh, maybe that would be a good bumper sticker! Hmmmmmm I will think about that later:)

When my brain fills up with worried thoughts, it can seem that I am busy doing something of importance. My brain is busy worrying if my son is eating well living on his own (probably not!) or if my other son is locking his apartment at night. Both worries…if stayed with long enough (a few minutes or less) will ultimately end in their deaths. Ethan will die because he is not eating healthy food and Corey will die because someone is going to go into his apartment and stab him. I know it! I just know it!

Or rather, that worried mind knows it. It can build a case for the most horrible of circumstances. And I am left feeling exhausted and stressed out. For what? I am left feeling as though I have had no mental nutrition. My mind feels full and thrashed…and so do I!

So, what is worrying all about anyway?

Are we born worriers?
Are we taught to be worriers?
Is it in our cellular structure?

Yes, Yes and Yes!

Worrying is part of a complicated inner defense strategy. It goes something like this:
Oh no! ____________ is freaking me out. What if ____________ happens and that will cause ______________ to happen and then ___________ will happen and then we will all die!!!!!!

We worry that something that isn’t happening, might happen and if that none existent thing that might happen happens…then something really bad will happen. And if that really bad non existent thing happens then someone will die….(fill in whatever the end result is that you worry will happen if this non existent thing happens).

Wow…that was a mouth full!

I have never met a human that doesn’t worry about something. Now some folks have worrying down to an art form whereas other folks just dabble in it once in awhile. I used to be the former…but, now I am more of a dabbler. Hmmmmmm I might be lying about that. Not sure. If I think about this long enough I am sure I can lead the possibility of my lying all the way to someone dying….yes, I am that good at this !

Anyway, worrying is a mind numbing waste of time.

I remember years ago, I worried about my boys eating sugar or watching certain cartoons…or whatever I could come up with. Now, I look back on all of those worries and just have to laugh. The worries are still there but now they are bigger and more grand.

Will the next girl break their hearts? Or will they be the ones to break someone else’s heart? Will they be safe with sex? Will they find their passions? Who will they find love with? What if they are afraid to make mistakes? What if I didn’t teach them well enough that there are NO mistakes? What if I didn’t do a good enough job? What if they don’t clean their bathrooms? What if they aren’t eating healthy? What if they don’t lock their doors at night?

The list can go on and on if I let it. All worries can go on and on if we let them. That is the thing about worry…its like a mental virus that expands quickly and takes over any healthy thriving thoughts that might have been hangin’ out.

What I know personally about worry is that even if some worries come true, we figure out how to handle things. We can always figure out a way. Wellbeing always is there if we want to find it.

When we move past the period of worry and we have some time to tap into the more broader perspective, we can see that there was no need to worry. That all was well, even if it wasn’t. The things that I worried about as a young adult, are gone. I see from my broader perspective that all was just fine. I remember worrying about money alot when I was in my early 20’s. I had two sons, I was a student and a single parent by the age of 25. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills, or buy shoes when the boys needed them…or whatever. The amazing thing was that things always had a way of working out.

Now at 45 years old…when I catch myself worrying I do what I can to shift the thinking. Because I know when I am 90 years old and looking back at my 40’s, I will think: "Ah, I wish that I hadn’t worried myself so…because non of it really matters. All is well even when its not!"

Hello there fabulous readers!
We are having lots of rain here today…I am loving it:)  We have also been having power outages all day long.  So, hopefully I can type this post up and the power will stay on. 

I wanted to share a funny story with you all concerning my kids and the rules that I had for them while they were growing up.  In our home we had three rules…which were posted prominently on the fridge.

1.  We don’t hurt ourselves

3.  We don’t hurt our environment

I was not very interested in imposing lots of rules on the boys…but, I also didn’t want them to turn into little monsters either. 

It’s a fine line indeed!!!! 

This set of rules seemed to cover most things that happened.  I didn’t need to run around saying "NO!" too often…I was more interested in saying "YES!" to what they wanted to explore.  With lots and lots of redirecting.

As the boys got a little older, it became apparent that I needed to add an addendum to the list.  The rule that I wanted to add didn’t quite fit into any on the list…but, I was able to stretch things enough to add it under #2:  "We don’t hurt each other." 

I was the parent after all and if I couldn’t manipulate the system…oops!!  I mean…(Cough) work the system to teach them how to be in the world in a thoughtful way…what good was the system?  I mean…come on!!!!!

The new rule was: 

No interrupting mom when she is on the phone unless there is:
a. blood
or
b. bones protruding from your skin…where there shouldn’t be any!

Now, because I was the parent and had already established some sort of authority over my free spirited sons, they took this and didn’t question it at all.  Well….at least they didn’t seem to question it!

One day, I was on the phone and Ethan (my oldest son) kept asking if I could make some brownies for a snack.  I looked at him with what I hoped was strong annoyance and frustration.
No blood or bone protrusions…I told him to read the rule list and stop interrupting me.  I would be off the phone in about 5 minutes and then we could talk.  He rolled his eyes and walked away. 

Next, Corey (my youngest son) came up and started asking if I could make some brownies for a snack…I repeated again (with more annoyance and frustration) that I was on the phone and to go read the rules and not interrupt me.  I told him I would be about 5 more minutes and then we could talk.

Soon, I realized that they had both headed out to play and was thinking that this rule thing was working really well.  I was actually feeling sorta smug about it.  I continued my phone conversation telling my friend how well the new addendum was working.  She was thinking about giving it a try because her kids were always interrupting her phone conversations too! 

This was turning out to be a great idea!!!!

ABout 10 minutes later…Corey came running into the house with Ethan on his heals.  They were both very upset with something…and Corey had what looked like blood all over him.  I hung up the phone and went running to the kitchen to see what had happened. 

"Mom, a mountain Lion attacked me!"  Corey said…in a very intense voice…with a bit of a grin
"It did mom…I saw it too!"  Ethan said…with a total grin

As I looked closer, I started to laugh.  Corey had smeared (with Ethan’s help) raspberries all over his arms and face so that it looked like blood. 

Charming!

"Well, all of this so I would get off the phone and make brownies?"  Said me

They both grinned and started to laugh!

"Guess we better wash you up Corey.  Let’s get the bowls out and make some brownies!"  I had to laugh…this was hilarious and incredibly creative!

We had so much fun that afternoon! 

I guess rules are OK up to a point and then ya just gotta go have some fun and make some brownies!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

I had a lovely day on Saturday.  Went up to the mountains for a hike with a girlfriend of mine.  It was beautiful up there.  The aspens are just beginning to turn yellow…gorgeous!  We made friends with a little chipmunk.  This little friend hung out with us while we hung out by a small lake and talked about art.

Today was cloudy and cool.  I spent the day in pain, watching romantic comedies and avoiding talking to friends on the phone.  Ah contrast….don’tcha just love it?!

Okay…on to the Tarot Card for this week.  It is a good one!

This weeks card was chosen from The Housewives Tarot: A Domestic Divination Kit with Deck and Instruction Book~

SIX OF SWORDS
Revelations * Transition * Better Times Ahead

"After spending so much time and energy looking for a way out of your troubles, you’ve finally seen the light.  With a spark of insight, it looks like you can finally put your troubles behind you.  This is a transitory period in your life; you will be moving out of the darkness and into the sunshine.  It’s time to release all the pent-up anxiety and aggression and make way for happier times."

Love this! 

So, think of some ways that will allow you to release any remaining pent up anxiety.
How about some ways that can assist you in releasing that remaining aggression?  A good run?  A hard hike?  A long journaling session?  Painting a room?  Clearing the summer plants in your garden?  There are so many ways to do this.

Makin’ ways for happier times…not too shabby!!!!!

Have fun!
Talk to you tomorrow!

Hello lovely readers!

First, I want to say "thank you" to Jenny over at "Using My Power For Good", for nominating me for the Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award.  Very fun indeedy!

I would like to pass on the warm fuzzies by nominating Alix North.  I love her blog.  If you haven’t checked it out…just click on her name and take a read!  Besides being a fabulous friend, she is also a gifted writer.

The last few days, I have been working on a blog post about the stories that we tell ourselves.  How we filter the world through these stories.  So far it is an informative blog post…but not very funny.  I have decided to shelf it and wait for some humor inspiration to jazz it up a bit. 

Instead of writing about the stories we tell ourselves…I am gonna shift gears and talk about the stories that we tell our kids!

Ready?
Okie Dokie!

When my sons were young, I used to love reading stories to them.  We would read books during the day and at night they would be tucked in to bed by stories as well.  Not only did we read lots and lots of books…we also would make stories up.  Sometimes the boys would make up stories and sometimes I would make up stories…and sometimes we would make stories up together.

Recently, my youngest son was reminding me of a story that I told him…many, many moons ago!  I am embarrassed to say that he had carried this story in his young heart for years, wondering if it was true.  Oops!

Here’s the story:

One day…I was walking in the forest.  I heard a small cry.  Behind a big and beautiful redwood tree, I found a basket with a baby in it.  The baby had bright blue eyes, blonde hair and a dimpled chin. 

I picked up the baby…it was a boy!  It was a beautiful baby boy. 
In the basket was a folded up piece of paper. 
I opened it up.
It said that this baby was born to a family of Trolls.  Because human babies are not allowed to live with Trolls…they were offering this baby to me.
I was over come with joy.
Of course I will raise this baby.  I knew from the moment I looked at him that I would love him and be his mom.

According to my son, I had various additions to this story (I don’t remember that!).  But, the story always ended with me being so happy to have this amazing little boy that I loved dearly. 

Well, a part of him wondered if this story was true!

Really?

I thought he knew I was makin’ the story up!


Okay, so maybe I wasn’t as good of a mom as I thought!

Watch out watcha tell your kids:)

Hello fabulous folks!
Well, my vertigo is lessening each and every day.  I was even able to go on a walk today…though Mike said that I looked like I had been drinking! I was swaying a bit!   Hopefully, tomorrow will be even better!

So, without further ado…this weeks card was pulled from Meredith Young-Sowers "Angelic Messenger Cards."

Choice

Present Challenge:  Making decisions that reflect reverence for yourself and all other life.

"You have drawn this card to help you appreciate the difference between making choices from the perspective of your spirit, your inner mind and being, and making them according to the needs posed by your analytical or outer mind.  The calmness and serenity of your life may be obscured by the continual demands made by your outer mind as it seeks to have its needs and desires filled.

You’ve drawn this important card of Rejuvenation to alert you to the need for greater calmness and inner peace.  Although you may work hard at accomplishing the goals you have chosen, in order to find lasting satisfaction you are being called upon to consider the intentions with which you make decisions.  You are being guided to consider yourself as part of a vast network of like and responsible for its well-being as well as your own."

Angelic Message:  Choice

You and we, your angelic teachers, are each essential parts of the system, neither more nor less.  And so each living thing must learn to responsibly exercise its right to draw from the resources of the largest systems of life, accepting that it will need to give back to the Earth and to the Creator.  Every living thing ultimately relinquishes its form in order to nourish a larger, everlasting system."

APPLICATION:  Watch the criteria you tell yourself are important in making choices.  When facing a choice, even a small one, first take a deep breath.  When you make choices while breathing shallowly, you are using only your outer mind, or "functioning self," not your spirit or inner mind, which allows for full participation.

Ask yourself, "Whom will this choice benefit?"  Each choice that has your spirit behind it will benefit you and others equally.  Ask yourself, "How easy is it for me to make this choice?"  If it is very easy, then consider that perhaps you have only sought to reaffirm those attitudes and beliefs that you already hold.  Imagine having to stretch to find a comfort level with a choice that suggests your needs and wants may need to be suspended or altered in order to give or share with others.