Keep Smiling

The poster says:  Sometimes all it takes is a SMILE to make everything better!

Reason to Smile

-by  Lendl Ian Servillon

How can one smile such sweet smiles, 
When one is so saddened by sorrows for miles, 
How can I smile the same smiles, 
When life brings me nothing but tears, 
I wondered for so long, 
What reason you had to smile that long, 
To keep smiling though troubles come, 
And still remain sweet and silently overcome, 
It's such a mystery to me, 
Your smiles from heaven with glee, 
I adore and yet envy thee, 
But I'd rather you smile those at me, 
I feel happy when I see you smile, 
Even if I'm sad and lonely, 
Your smiles bring me somewhere, 
I don't even know where, 
But it was you, 
You gave me the reason to smile, 
To smile with no reason, 
To smile for a smile, 
I guess life is just like that, 
We need not a reason to smile, 
For a smile is the reason itself, 
To rejoice and open-heartedly give thanks, 
I learned to smile because of you, 
Because your smiles bring me joy when blue, 
It proves how well and powerful, 
A simple sweet smile can become so beautiful, 
Smile for the sake of a smile, 
Smile for the sake of happiness, 
Smile for the sake of life, 
Smile because of hope left in life, 
Smile my friends, 
Smile for me my Love, 
Smile those same sweet smiles, 
Smile so the world can be a peaceful dove... 

**** 

Dear friends, 

Smiling is the best medicine. 

Blessings, 

Judy 

Mother Ocean Talks About Flowing

This is a time of changes and of remaking one’s self.  Mother Ocean reminds us all that this is a time of being like her.  One must flow with the waves.   The rhythm of the waves is nine ripples from Source at point zero out to nine waves and then collapsing to return to Source.  We are reminded that nothing is real.  All collapses with time.  It is the collapse that releases the tension and lets rebuilding begin.  

Use this time to find a way to ride with all the changes.  Be of a peaceful mind.  Use the phrase from Buddhism, “May I be filled with loving kindness, May I be well.  May I be peaceful and at ease, May I be happy.”

Blessings,

Judy

Self-Awareness And Self-Centeredness

 

The poster says:   

Self-awareness is not self-centeredness, and spirituality is not narcissism. 'Know thyself' is not a narcissistic pursuit.   Marianne Williamson. 

There is a lot going on in the world about spirituality versus religion, and individualism that has become narcissism.  The world has become confused about the difference between independence and individualism.

Remember that narcissism has been around since before the birth of Christ… it comes from the Greek God Narcissus who rejected love from others.  Instead, he gazed at his own reflection, admiring the perfection of his looks.  

Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

nar·cis·sist

/ˈnärsəsəst/

noun

1. a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.

   "narcissists who think the world revolves around them"

1. Remember that those that are selfcentered will never put your needs before their needs.  They have no emotional intelligence; they have no compassion.  These personalities are destructive, and they will not change.  These folks are to be avoided.

   
   

   Blessings,

   Judy

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

Gopher It!

Sometime this week, you will be given a chance to do something different, something you would not ordinarily do.  It might be the rekindling of a great love, or the opportunity to work in a different career and still use the skills that you have accumulated over the years.  Or, it might be the chance to move to a different city, province, or country.  The Gopher’s guidance is…”Go for it!”   Nothing happens unless you make a choice to change your life.   Gopher knows that no matter how far you “dig” to try and change your life, much of life happens by being in the right place at the right time.  Some call this coincidence.  In Science, a coincidence is when two rays of light strike a surface at the same place at the same point of time.  Sounds like the Universe sending light, doesn’t it?  Moreover, Science refers to this event as non-casual.  In other words, there are not any events that lead up to it.

So, if you see a Gopher, or several Gophers, or, if you see a lightening strike, know that the Universe is giving you some warning that something unusual is about to happen.  It is up to you to choose to accept the gift, or not.

Blessings,

Judy

Parrot Circle

Australian Wreath.....is there anything more beautiful than nature at it's best!! This delightful circle was taken at Lamington National Park, west of the Gold Coast. They are native Australian mountain parrots; the red and blue kind are Crimson Rosella, and the red and green are King Parrots. They are feasting on sunflower seeds which were left for them.

How cool is it that the Parrots in the above picture have all the colours of the chakras?  I heard a quote the other day that zinged right through me.  It was, “All things are created perfectly in God’s world.  If it is not perfect now, it is still in the process of creation.”  I look at the animals in the world and know that quote is true.

Blessings,

Judy

Polar Bear Pile Up

The Polar Bear popped into my dream time, and said that one of the reasons that I was not sleeping well was because I was not warm enough.  She said that I needed to pile on more covers.  She sent me a vision of how she keeps warm – she huddles with her cubs.  I must admit that I was skeptical.  However, I piled on another quilt – and – I slept soundly.

Blessings,

Judy

More on Breath

The poster says:   The same atoms and molecules of air, the breath that Jesus breathed, Moses breathed, Buddha breathed, that same breath is flowing into you right now!

The interesting thing about air is that it is always present.  It moves and is cleansed, and becomes rain or snow, and then changes to become “air” once again.  This is a good time to take up a meditation practice.  Not a big one – five or ten minutes a day.  And, in that time, be mindful of your breath.  You will be uncomfortable at first, however, things will change after the seventh day, and, it will become more natural.

Blessings,

Judy

Skunk On Setting New Ways

 

I was deep into my meditation space and not really noticing anything, when I heard what sounded like digging.  I then heard humming.  As I looked around, I saw a Skunk trudge through the snow, stop and dig, and then trudge some more. 

Skunk said:

• New opportunities are here, and if I sleep through them, then me and my kind will miss out.
• Snow is simply water in a different format.  I like the snow, and to walk out in it is to remind myself that I need not follow what others of my kind do.
• When the weather is warm, it is time to explore.  I am exploring what is available in a different environment.  This makes me stronger than one who accepts what is.
• By walking in the cold, I thicken my fur.  This keeps me warmer.  I am setting new links in my body.  My body remembers a time when I walked in the cold.  I am setting a new way.

Many blessings,

Judy

Valentine’s Day 2025

Check out the amazing ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, even if you are single, or, by yourself for Valentine's Day.  This wondeful posting was on www.Gogratitude.org. 

#1: Hug a Tree
Appreciate Nature. Go hiking. Surround yourself in
the great outdoors. Soak up the beautiful energies
of Mother Earth. She has a heartbeat. Tune into it.
Express your Love and Gratitude for all the blessings
the Earth bestows you.
Then listen. Who knows? She may have a message for you.

#2: Sit Under the Stars and Appreciate the Cosmos
We live in a vast Universe. Contemplating the Infinite
need not make us feel small.
With love in our hearts, we remember our Connection
to All-That-Is. And recognize we are THAT too, the
realization of which fills our soul with the WONDER of
the Mystery.

#3: Express Appreciation to Your Beloveds
Expand the traditional sense of Valentine's Day Love
to include all your Beloveds. Your kindred. Your soul-
mates. Your friends. Your family. Your children. Your
parents. Your animal companions.
Make it a point to consider what you most appreciate
from those closest to you. Then make sure to express it.
Face to face. Or call them up. Or email them. Or text them.
Or write them a note.

#4: Hug Your Self
Love your Self. Appreciate your Self. Feel deep compassion
for your Self. This is probably the most important thing any
of us could do on Valentine's day and every other day.
For it is only as we Love, accept and honor ourselves -
ego shadows and all - that we can truly love and uplift others. 

I love this.  I love that we need to do self care, and that we can show our appreciation to ourselves.  It is time!

Blessings,

Judy

Tea Time

‘Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh

This wonderful quote reminded me that I often drink my tea on the run.  Tea, food, friends, and family, are some of the things and people that we need to take more time with.   

Blessings,

Judy

Peace of Mind

Success, happiness, peace of mind and fulfillment - the most priceless of human treasures - are available to all among us, without exception, who make things happen - who make "good" things happen - in the world around them.  Joe Klock

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Each of us wants to know that on a daily schedule, we will have food, shelter, and family/community.  These are the basic life requirements that we all need. How do we make sure that they happen for us each day?  So many things in life are out of our control.  For example, with the whim of decision, the Alberta government has decreased financial assistance to people for eye appointments with optometrists…even an eye exam now requires a co-pay.  We must actively work to keep our basic life requirements.

Blessings,

Judy

Love and Conservation

 

In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." – Baba Dioum

Rachel Carson

"The real wealth of the Nation lies in the resources of the earth - soil, water, forests, minerals, and wildlife.

This poster says:  Without love of the land, conservation lacks meaning or purpose, for only in a deep and inherent feeling for the land can ther be dedication in preserving it.

I am writing this post because I just learned that the Alberta Conservative Government has just opened up the Rocky Mountains for more coal mines.  When we are to be conserving emissions, this seems like a counter productive move as well as allowing more of the natural habitat of animals to be destroyed.  It makes me sad.

Blessings,

Judy

Mindfulness of Breathing

 

The poster says:  Just breathe…….

Mindfulness of breathing is a practice of learning to harmonize your attention with what is, in this moment. Short, long, deep, shallow are all fine breaths. Trust your body; it knows what is needed.   - Christina Feldman, "Meditation Q&A"

Last fall, ten of our friends came for a combined equinox and full moon celebration.  The theme was Humor and Humility.  The discussion ranged from community gatherings, sporting events, to discussions about current events and the energies that we are experiencing.  Throughout the evening, the common thread was breath.  Sometimes, to keep going, one just needs to breathe. 

Blessings, 

Judy

Out of Breath, Out of LIfe!

It is true that when we can no longer breathe, we are not supporting our physical body, and we make the transition to the next life.  Transition becomes a matter of “Not Breath”.

Let today be the day that you begin to breath fully.  Let the molecules of oxygen move through your body to allow light into the cells.  Let this be the time of welcoming breath.

Blessings, 

Judy

Positive Affirmations For Your Life

Picture taken by Judy Hirst at Elbow Falls in summer 2024.

Saturday

February-1-2025

I have great inner strength. 

 

I am living my most blissful life.

 

I enjoy immersing myself in nature. 

 

I am feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

 

I am in a state of profound contentment. 

 

I spend my time doing what I love.

 

Joy is flowing into my life. 

 

I invite a greater sense of balance into my life.

From the site - https://www.dailymotivation.site/affirmations/?utm_source=dailymotivationsite.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=feb-1-2025-what-is-stonewalling-6-signs-8-causes-tips-to-promote-open-communication&_bhlid=dec498738272080a847521b61bfe5730f383d887

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I sometimes get behind in reading my email.  I get daily updates from the site - Daily Motivation - and I love the positive words that the site shares with us.

The affirmations above were sent out on February 1, 2025 but I did not read them until today.  My bad.  I am sharing them with you so that you can pick the affirmations that speak to you and so that you can add them to your life, if you want.

Each day, I look to find an affirmation that speaks to me and that helps me make sense of something going on in my life in a positive way.

Enjoy the journey!

Blessings,

Judy

Have Fun!

This poster says, “I’m so tired of people needing a reason for doing everything in their lives.  Do it because you want to.  Because it’s fun.  Because it makes you happy.

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Great Spirit says that all actions should be done with grace and ease.  Especially if it is fun!  Life is to be in balance.  If we are too serious all the time, then we skew to anxiety.  We balance seriousness by having moments of unstructured fun.

Do something fun today!

Blessings,

Judy