Moving onwards

When I was 60 years old I wondered if I would reach 70. 70 came along and passed and I wondered if I would reach 80. 80 came along and passed and now I am 81 and wonder if I just might reach 90. To do this some changes had to be made. I am an empath and pick up all kinds of positive and negative energy. I used to protect myself against it all but somehow in the last few years I had not done so and was feeling all the negative stuff that goes on in small communities like the one where I live. I decided to do something about this and now have some kind of protection when I am about. I also use my Ting-Sha to cleanse the energy in my flat and made sure all the crystals I have were cleansed and ready to use.

What a difference this has made but there were still some things to deal with. I have been reading about the connection between the brain and pain and decided I would do something to alleviate my pain as well. Mind over matter as I told the nurse when I saw the consultant last week. He could not believe that my pain was only one on a scale of 1 to 10 and that I only took paracetamol. But I will be stopping that soon and seeing how I go. I do have a definite injury but I believe that I might even be able to heal that as well.

I do believe that being outside in nature can heal all kinds of things and I continue to do this. My friend gave me two outside chairs which have arms and I am finding these very comfortable when I sit outside which I do as often as I can.

Thinking for myself is very important but I do listen to others if I feel they can help me in some way but I am trusting my intuition much more than I have for several years. I feel as if I have been given a new lease of life and hope this feeling will continue and that I might even be able to walk unaided. Positive thought works wonders!

Spirituality and spiritual people

This blog post will be full of questions and suggestions. I hope you would like to respond to these so thank you in advance. First of all what do we mean by spirituality? There are several definitions on Google so here are two of them;

‘the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.’

‘Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.’

As a druid I recognise that there is something out there larger than me and the rest of the world. It might be a god, or goddess, or just a great spirit. I am also very connected to the natural world and know that all is connected in one way or another. That is for me a way of life too.

So what is a spiritual person? Again let’s look at a definition from Google;

‘Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. … There are many people who do not practice a religion, who do not meditate, pray or belong to any group, who are very spiritual people.’

So how do people who read the tarot and oracle cards fit in with this definition and what about healing of any kind, how does that fit in? I can look at lots of things that people who are spiritual do like, yoga, meditation, drumming, chanting etc. Are these things spiritual in themselves or does it depend how you do them?

For me yoga is exercise rather than a spiritual practice but it is different for others I do know. Meditation is a spiritual practice for me though as is drumming. I like to drum with a purpose in mind, for healing or journeying or chanting but not otherwise. I could go on for a lot longer but I will stop here and hope that I get some responses to tell me how you think about spirituality and what a spiritual person is like.

Dealing with social distancing and isolation

The first few days of social distancing were hard. I know that the world is going to change and I was very emotional about it all. But now I see that the world is changing. Many people are becoming more helpful and thoughtful towards others although there are those who are only thinking about themselves. But on the whole this is a good thing as people learn to put others first and make sure they are kept healthy and safe.

But what can you do with this time alone keeping a distance from partners and friends?There is so much you can do as well as writing, crafting and reflecting you can deepen your connection with the natural world. You don’t have to be outside to do this even if you live in a high rise flat with no balcony or garden space. Just look through your window at the sky. Notice the clouds, what colour are they, how are they moving, do they form shapes, etc?

I have spent a lot of time looking out through the window at my garden. I have managed to get out there too and do a bit of weeding and tidying up but I have sat and watched the birds, chasing each other and feeding from the feeders and bird table. They give me so much joy. Then on Monday I saw a brimstone butterfly, the first one this year. The small spring flowers are blooming and adding colour to the earth and the shrubs are showing tiny green leaves. Cherry blossom is out too. Nature continues on its way ignoring what the humans are doing and the chaos that abounds. The streets are quiet so you can hear the birds and feel that silence within you and within the earth around you. Stop and listen!

I not only watch the birds and flowers, I talk to them as well. They don’t answer me back but I get that feeling of connection with them. I love to stand by the door and look at the sky and watch the clouds and the birds.

Another thing I do is listen to music and play my piano. I love the music of Einaudi which is simple but in its own way, quite emotional as it moves up and down the scale. I find music speaks to my soul and replenishes it just as the natural world does. There are other composers who take me out of myself and into another world with their music. Find the right ones for you. Music is healing.

I also use tarot and oracle cards. I have been reading them now for over 30 years and read intuitively. Yesterday I asked for two cards, one each from different packs to see what message they gave for the next few days. Diana Cooper’s Dragon oracle cards gave me the Fire and Water dragon with the message – prepare for change and to move forward quickly. Expect the unexpected but have fun!. The Keepers of Light oracle cards by Kyle Gray gave me The Myriam with the message choose to forgive in order to heal. See the light in all and remember that love has no boundaries. I don’t think any further words are needed. Stay safe and positive and make the best of this time. Treat it like a retreat.

If only…..

We hear the words ‘if only’ so many times but what do we really mean when we say them? There are times when the words ‘if only’ are like a wish. If only it would stop raining or if only I had more money and so on. Some of these ‘wishes’ cannot be helped. We can’t stop the rain however hard we wish to. But there are some ‘if only’s that we can do something about. If the words are said in relation to something you have done or said then perhaps it is possible to do something about them. If you said something hurtful to someone and then wish you had not said those words then at least you can apologise. If you accidentally bumped into someone and pushed them out of the way, you can apologise then as well.

But what about the ‘if only’ I had more money, a better car, better health or a larger house, for example? What can you do about those. First of all you need to think carefully about why you want these things. Do you really need them? Why do you want a better or a larger car or house? Are they something you just want or would like or are they something you actually need? In today’s world, less is better generally so think about that. Think about the effect on the environment a larger car would make. Think about the energy used to heat a larger house.

If you often say things that are hurtful to others, then look at the reason why you do this. Is it because you are insecure in your own self or do you just like to hurt others? Look at how you control your thoughts and actions so that ‘if only’ becomes a phrase you do not use.

I often think ‘if only everyone could live together in peace and harmony’. Is this wishful thinking or is it something that I can work on, helping others to see that ‘if only’ can become something that is possible even ‘if only’ in small amounts. Like the ripples in the pond, wishes can spread out to others and maybe one day we will have peace and harmony in our world. If you can make your ‘if only’ work then do so.

A vision for the future

Some time ago a friend told me about vision boards and I thought about visions of the future. What would I want on a vision board? Well, at my age the only thing I want for me is better health but there are many things I want for the world. So these are my thoughts on the future but not in any particular order but as they came into my mind. First of all I would like to see peace in our world where people worked together, respected each others ideas and thought about the community as a whole. To do this we would need to have more love in the world and more compassion for those less fortunate. Although in my future world we would all be equal so only those who became ill could be called less fortunate. We would care for them in a safe manner and make sure they were loved as well.

Happiness would be there too. I would hope that we all had a deeper understanding and connection with the natural world and that we all could see how we were all connected and how everything was connected, insects, animals, even the landscape that serves us all.

We would live simply, and wisely, speaking our truth and walking our talk. I don’t see items such as mobile phones in my future world either. They stop us from communicating face to face which is so important. It is much better to talk than to text! At the moment computers have their place but with the advent of so much fake news I wonder if we would be better without them. OK they help us to learn about things but observation and thought are so much better.

I would also see that natural ways of healing were paramount. We would learn to grow our own food in a good way and the herbs that help us to stay healthy. I see each family with its own garden plot and many living in groups sharing expertise and working together.No-one would be homeless either. Energy would be generated in a natural way harnessing the sun and water.

I feel my vision is ‘doable’ so why aren’t we starting to live this way? I would love to read about your vision for the future of our world.

Being still

Being still can be hard to do. I am often sitting quite still watching the birds outside on the feeders. But although my body is still my mind is hyperactive and buzzing with things, kind of multi-tasking. Meditate and still your mind we are told. I have tried over the years to do this using various different techniques but don’t seem to be able to manage it perfectly. I can meditate if I do the kind of meditative journey. I like these and enjoy them, but just sitting silently is hard for me to do.

I read in the news about a woman who had decided to go on silent retreats and having done this several times, she was enabled to change her job and do exactly what she really wanted to do. So she felt the silent retreats had changed her life.

Other words used for the inner silence are often ‘go within’ to find the answers. Yes, this is something I can do because it is not necessarily for a long period of time. I can listen to my inner self and take on board what comes from that.

But I know many people who seem determined to keep busy whatever. They cannot stop for even short moments but have to do something or talk or look at their phones. It is as if they are frightened of sitting doing nothing but being still. Are they frightened of what they may find out about themselves and their feelings or is it something else. Many of us keep our emotions in check and put them aside when things have hurt us badly. We store these feelings inside somewhere and don’t allow them to the surface to be dealt with and healed. Is this why so many cannot be still and listen to their hearts and inner feelings? Learning to deal with deep hurts is important if we are to fulfil our lives and be at peace with ourselves and with others. How do you manage to find the stillness within you? Maybe you can give me some hints!

Dealing with disappointment

I have been working on the words for this blog since Friday and hope that my words will help some of those who are feeling let-down and disappointed after the recent election in the UK. (although this can apply to other situations) First of all, it has happened and it is done and cannot be changed so acceptance is the first thing. Getting angry is no good either as that only hurts you and no-one else. So try to accept what has happened. I have heard some people gloating but that does not say much for them. Gloating over someones else’s misfortune is not good and shows a shallow personality. Ignore these people.

Next sit down and look inside yourself. Have you changed or are you still the same person? Are you still compassionate and caring for those less able, are you still loving your family as before, are you still aware that we are all connected? Whatever our colour or political beliefs we are all members of the human race. We come from the same source and we all have a spark of the divine within us. Find that spark and allow it to help you through the next days and maybe years. There is much for us to do if we are going to eventually get the change that the world needs. We have to care for others, look out for those needing our love and help and most of all we have to look after ourselves. If we are angry and frustrated then we won’t get anything done as we will be trying to do it while in the wrong frame of mind.

I believe there is a larger plan out there and often it takes time for the real plan and the truth to come out. Over the last few years you may have noticed that hidden things are coming to light much quicker than they did in the past. It is harder for those in government and high places to get away with wrongdoing. Have hope that all will be well in the end but we will have to work to get there. Success built on lies will always founder and the truth will come out.

Take heart, care for each other and those less fortunate, speak your truth and stay calm and centred. I send you all love and peace and the blessings of our Mother Earth.

Some thoughts for today

It has been quite a sad and emotional week. Here in the UK we have been remembering all those who died in the First World War as today is 100 years since the Armistice was signed. It was meant to be the war that ended all wars but it was not long before another world war started. Since the end of that one there have been many other wars and conflicts and some are still ongoing. I sometimes wonder if we are ever going to learn that war means death for many and strong emotions for those left behind.

I wonder how much is remembered by our bodies about war. I was born during the Second World War . For many years I said that I remembered the bomb dropping on the houses not so far away but when I researched it I found that the bomb had dropped exactly one week before I was born. How could I remember it? I also do not like enclosed spaces. I suspect this is because my mother always hid under the stairs during bombing raids and I was with her in a small enclosed dark space.

So if I remember these things and know how it has affected me, how do others cope with what they have seen and experienced during a conflict. There were many atrocities which seem beyond the understanding of human beings but they still continue. Man’s inhumanity to man continues every day somewhere in the world. When will we understand that we are all equal whatever colour, race or creed and we all need to respect that and work together. If we can’t do this then there will never be a world wide peace.

So today as during the week, I am remembering all those affected by wars and conflicts as well as those affected by large natural disasters and any form of  terrorism or shooting events. The trauma left behind is not easily dealt with and can linger for ever.

Here is the Druid prayer for peace. I welcome you to use it whatever creed you have.

Deep within the still centre of my being
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the Grove
May I share peace.
Gently (or powerfully) within the greater circle of humankind
May I radiate peace.

May we remember all those who died and the reason why.

 

Some random thoughts

It is Mothers Day here in the UK where we honour our mothers and give them presents. But should we not honour our mothers every day for what they did for us and often still do for us every day? After all we wouldn’t be here without them.

A visit to a local park made me look at and think about boundaries. The pair of swans were not allowing the Canadian geese anywhere near them and shooed them off noisily whenever one was spotted. The male mallard ducks were pursuing the females although there were many more males than females. Signs of Spring and also signs of setting boundaries. Do we set boundaries around us and our properties and how do we do this?

The days are getting longer as dawn is much earlier and sunset later. It is also warmer although a bit damp at times. It is time to do some clearing out really but I am packing for a house move. I am not clearing out any more books or other items as I did this last time and now need some of the items I cleared out. I have done this with books and then had to go and find another copy. As a writer I need books for reference as well as for my personal spiritual work. Are you good at clearing out?

I have been ‘giving’ Reiki to a friend this week. We have had several short sessions and these have been quite powerful for both of us. It has made me think that I should work with Reiki much more. Do you do any kind of healing work and if so how do you feel about what you do?

I am looking forward to settling in my new home next month when I can get back to my art work as well as my writing. I have felt a great need to paint again especially since looking at some of the art work from previous years. Do you find looking at what you have done in the past triggers a need to do more of that kind of work?

So random thoughts and questions for you to ponder. The photo is of the swan taking off after the goose.

Enjoying the sunshine

It was a beautiful day on Friday so I took advantage of this and went for a walk around the nature reserve. It seems like weeks since I last did this and I was definitely ready to be outdoors in nature. The sky was quite clear to start with and the sun was shining after a foggy start to the day. The walk around the pool was lovely with many different water birds to see. The undergrowth is dying back but there are fungi to see and lots of interesting shapes in the trees.

I especially needed this time out as the last couple of weeks have been quite worrying. My best friend of many years was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer when four tumours were found during an MRI scan for a back injury. This was a great shock to all of us but now we are getting over the shock and all are being positive about the outcome although we realise it will be a long and hard road. So the walk outside in nature was very special for me. It gave me a chance to get back some of my own energy and to reflect on how this situation has come about.

I find that listening to music also helps me especially the quiet soothing type of music and I have been using my adult colouring books as well. This can be quite meditative in some ways and time passes when you are doing something like that. I find the colouring books quite therapeutic. Of course Reiki has been a large part of my day too. This calms me and helps me to be positive about the future for my friend.

This morning the sun is shining again and I have arranged another walk around the nature reserve. Each day there is something different to see. I love to see the skeletons of the trees when their branches are bare of leaves. They have a beauty of their own standing proud against the sky. I wish that more people would see what is around them and acknowledge the beauty of nature. I recently set up a WordPress website for all my photos of the natural scenes around me here. It is http://thenaturalworldaroundme.wordpress.com

Enjoy the world around us while we still have it and fight to keep it as it keeps us alive.