"Live It Well"

Thanks to my friend, Leslie, for sending me this wonderfully inspirational writing.  This has relevance for me because my parents are both aged and their health is failing.  My Dad and I were talking on the phone the other day, and he said that he wishes there were many things that he could have done, but on the whole, he thought he had lived a good life and had lived it well.

Judy

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was a young girl/boy, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate.  And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.  I know that I lived them all...  And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... 

But, here it is... husband retired and he's really getting gray... he moves slower and I see an older man now. He's in much better shape than me... but, I see the great change...  Not the one I married who was dark and young and strong... but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... This I know, that when it's over...its over.... Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,, things I should have done .... But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done .... It's all in a lifetime...
So, if you're not in your winter yet... let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!

Life goes by quickly ...So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...  so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...

"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."
LIVE IT WELL!!

                              ~author unknown~

Magic and Mystery

Mystic Lights from the Northern Sky

This world is now in a time when we all need something to grasp on to as hope for a better way.  The media launches pictures and articles about the tragedies that occur in many countries around war, loss of civil liberties, the lack of rights that women and children do without in all countries.  Why, we wonder, do some of these senseless acts occur and why does the Universe let them occur?  When we look at the sky, the answer does seem to appear.  There is a huge configuration of stars and planets, swirling around in a senseless orbit.  Yet when examined closely by astronomers, a definite pattern is reflected in the movement of these faraway masses.  They are simply so far away that without that big eye view provided by some of the massive telescopes, no one would even see the pattern.

As above, so below.  The Earth, too, is held in its place in this Universe by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon and the push/pull of all of the other planets.  It is a pattern so intricate that for thousands of years, no one believed it! The Catholic Church outlawed belief in it.  Just because the pattern is not seen or understood does not mean the pattern does not exist!

I believe that there are huge patterns of activity that occur on Earth that have meaning in the Universe, that have meaning for the cosmology of time to come.  I believe that while we may judge daily events, and scream for justice, that more justice exists in Nature than we truly realize.  I believe that some of these patterns are evening out karmic events in the same way that big winds and rains clean the ground to leave no trace of passersby.  I believe that every day we are witness to magic and mystery that simply flies over our heads because we do not understand.

Existence - by Osho

This is an extraordinary message that resonates through me when I read it.  Most people seem to feel unloved, unwanted, and tired of the struggle.  And, they simply give up.  The actor, Heath Ledger, seems to have done exactly that in the last few days.  What is the meaning of life?  It is "to be"!  To be a shining point of life on this earth because your existence makes the lives of others also have meaning.  And, if you bring enjoyment and entertainment to millions of people along the way, then your job has been well completed!

-Judy

 

      

You are not accidental. Existence needs you. Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. That's what gives you dignity, that the whole existence will miss you. The stars and sun and moon, the trees and birds and earth - everything in the universe will feel a small place is vacant which cannot be filled by anybody except you.
This gives you a tremendous joy, a fulfillment that you are related to existence, and existence cares for you. Once you are clean and clear, you can see tremendous love falling on you from all dimensions.

Osho God is Dead: Now Zen is the Only Living Truth Chapter 1

Spirit Animals - Porcupine

The original topic for this section was “woodpeckers”. However, the article kept stalling me. I had the feeling that there was something else I should be writing about. Then, on December 28^th, my sister and I were walking our dogs in Fish Creek Park when we saw the most amazing thing – a big porcupine sitting in a small sapling, almost on top of the trail we were following. I knew then that the porcupine was to be my inspiration for this article. - Judy

If you grew up in the country or had a cottage at the lake, then you know that the porcupine is on the list of “beware of” animals. One – it has quills that it can “throw” at you and they are very, very difficult to get out of either you or the dog! Two – don’t leave any tools on the ground because the porcupine will eat the handle – it likes salt! Well the first item is partially true – the quills are very difficult to remove. However, the porcupine cannot throw them. It can, however, back into either you or the dog, and do lots of damage. And, it really does like salt – possibly because it likes to be close to water and prefers willow and water lilies to eat – both with high water content.

The porcupine is a fascinating totem animal and spirit guide. Although it is a land animal, it spends most of its time in trees eating young buds, blossoms, and bark. As mentioned earlier, it loves water lilies and so spends time in the water where it maintains its buoyancy through its quills which are filled with air. Thus, porcupine has an affinity with three of the five Earth elements – wood, water, air, and metal. Porcupine is a reflection of a gentle nature that is joyful and full of innocence. Yes, it will defend itself. Yet, it never goes on the attack except in the protection of its young which the mother raises alone. Porcupines are very much loners and seem to exist in isolation. However, they do share their burrows or hollowed out trees with others if the occasion arises. Porcupine is also about communication – reflecting the “barbs” that hurt us and the barbs we hurl at others. If porcupine shows up for you, ask yourself if you are communicating offensively, particularly to loved ones. Also look at porcupine’s diet and determine if you are eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and getting lots of fresh air. Do you need to climb to a higher height to have a better view of the world? Do you need to allow others into your den in a move of generosity? Is your salt intake too high, too low, or adequate? Is it time to be alone?

More articles at www.angelsandancestors.com.

Celebrating 2008

Photo by Judy Hirst

Welcome to the new year – 2008! This is a year where we meet ourselves and either embrace who we are to become or create/find a situation that allows us to leave. For the last several years, light warriors have been working to change the vibration on the planet to move from a deep density to a place of light, love, grace and kindness. When changes start to occur in people or animals or plants without specific cultivation of those traits, the scientists indicate that “spontaneous evolution” has occurred. To me, it seems that an evolution of kindness began in 2007. During 2007, we witnessed huge changes in the world around us. People are now speaking out against political corruption and bringing wrong doers to light – around the world! Kindness and generosity, which we often don’t hear about in the media, is becoming a larger phenomenon. For example, the movie “Darius Goes West” is up for an Oscar nomination. It is the story of a 15 year old who has a terminal disease and how a group of his friends carry out a pledge to his deceased older brother to take care of him. The kindnesses documented in this movie show some of the many kindnesses happening around us all the time! We wish you to receive many acts of kindness, abundance in new ways, love that is filled with grace and generosity, and joyfulness that you discover within you and around you.   

See more at www.angelsandancestors.com.