This is one of the greatest pictures – a butterfly blessing a golden retriever (a great dog). Some days, you feel like no one loves you, and then someone unexpectedly gives you a blessing. This is what friendship is about.
Let a friend give you a blessing today!
Blessings,
Judy
I have been experiencing some intolerance for gluten and therefore, for some grains. I love granola in the morning because it carries me through my longest meetings right from the time I eat it, at around 7:00AM to 12:30PM and beyond. Granola also makes a wholesome snack.
Hearing that I was having some issues with gluten, a friend of a friend who is gluten sensitive, sent the following recipe to me to try. I am grateful that she is a kind and thoughtful person because this recipe works for me.
This recipe is very, very good, and very easy to make. My husband now likes to enjoy it for a filling breakfast.
Grain Free Granola
2 cups sliced almonds or 1 cup each of almonds and crushed walnuts
1 cup each sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (raw and unsalted)
3/4 cup each unsweetened coconut and raisins (raisins or other fruit is optional)
1/2 cup each sesame seeds and ground flax meal
1/4 cup each honey coconut oil or a bit of almond oil and olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine nuts, seeds, flax meal, coconut and raisins. In a small saucepan, combine butter and honey and heat until melted. Add vanilla and almond extract to the butter and honey, and pour over the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Spread granola onto a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Let the granola cool, then break into small clusters. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Blessings,
Judy
I have been hearing from many people who are having experiences with OWL. While they may be surprised at this, I am not because our stories and legends are full of stories about Owls working with humans. One of my favorite stories is the version of Merlin that has Archimedes, the Owl, as one of his teachers.
Owl’s current advice is:
Blessings,
Judy
The poster says: I’m not giving up. I’m just starting over.
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Sometimes, we just need to know when to throw in the towel, and, start over. There is so much magic in just walking away from something that is not serving your needs. It is awesome!
This was a lesson that I had to learn in my twenties. I was frustrated with the job that I was in. I felt that I was really in the wrong place. My angels encouraged me to think about the right place for me, and to make the change. I did.
We have been taught not to give up and to carry on. What for? Usually, to serve someone else’s agenda. If you are doing what feels right to you, regardless of how it looks to others, then you are doing the “right” thing. Right action is about making your heart sing.
Blessings,
Judy
On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. -Buddha
We often complain about our lives and how hard they are. One of the lessons in this short quote is – lead a good, pure life, and the way is not so hard.
If life is hard, then it is growing pains. The person is moving away from faith and being good and kind and industrious. When we move off the path of doing things that are right, we grow and stretch our learning, and we hurt our selves and others along the way. There are not any shortcuts. It is life.
Blessings,
Judy
Every once in a while, I read a story that says - this animal is an angel in disguise. For me, the story below is such an example of an angel.
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Judy
It's no secret that a good dog can help you get through hard times. There's something about a dog's smile and constant love that is impossible to resist even during great sorrow. I just read a story that makes this especially clear and has an extra tug on the heartstrings.
Michelle Michalek writes from Buffalo, New York and tells the story of her beloved younger brother who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the heartbreakingly young age of 20. Upon receiving his diagnosis, he had only one request. Jeremy wanted a pit bull puppy. So Michelle immediately took up the task of finding him the perfect puppy. She found a brindle puppy that was sure to be perfect on the same day that Jeremy had lung surgery. A few days after he came home, Michelle picked up the puppy and brought him to her brother.
Knowing the dog was unlikely to understand her, she explained on the drive that he was to be the best friend to a very sick, but also very special boy. The dog must have understood because when Michelle brought him into the room full of family and friends, the pup made a beeline for her brother. For the next three years Jeremy and his dog Remy were inseparable. Jeremy often told Michelle that if it wasn't for his beloved canine that he would have lost it. Remy was there and strong through the worst of the disease.
When Jeremy began to get much worse, he worried about Michelle. The thought of leaving his sister bothered him terribly, so he convinced Michelle that she needed a puppy as well. Michelle was understandably reticent, but Jeremy insisted and she finally agreed. Knowing that Michelle had always wanted a yellow lab, he began to search for the right puppy in the newspaper and making phone calls.
Jeremy found Michelle a wonderful lab pup that she named Tritan. For the next several years they raised the puppy together. He helped them laugh when they wanted to cry. It was the last thing they did together. Three months later Jeremy passed away. Remy and Michelle were devastated.
Tritan though, would not let them sink deep into their depression. Tritan wouldn't allow Remy to ignore his food, harassing him to eat. He also pestered him until he would get up and play. Tritan wouldn't let Michelle stay in bed and mope either. He jumped on her, yanked of the sheets, barked and eventually got her out of bed every morning. He never left her side. He comforted her when she cried. He made her smile when she didn't want to. He couldn't replace her brother, but Tritan gave her a similar sort of unconditional love. Michelle realized that her brother knew exactly what he was doing when he got her Tritan and understood what he meant when he told her she would realize one day that he was right to get her a dog. Michelle says, "There is no greater gift than the last gift my brother gave me, my yellow lab Tritan.
Beaver has been on my mind a lot these past few weeks, and it seems that almost every day I see a picture of Beaver on a magazine, calendar, or on my laptop. This means that Beaver has something to say to me.
Perhaps Beaver has been speaking to you, too. What does he say?
Blessings,
Judy
Many people love Valentine’s Day because it is a chance to share love in February which is often cold and isolating in the north. Some men find it a great time to propose to the person that they want to spend the rest of their life with. For some folks, it is a chance to party. Regardless of how you feel about the day, here is my wish for you.
May your day start with gentleness and a hot cup of coffee or tea.
May you feel the warmth of Mother Earth as she holds you and every person on Earth, in her nurturing.
May you move gracefully through the day, allowing any challenges or road blocks to slip peacefully away.
May you be filled with loving kindness and be well and happy!
Blessings,
Judy
One of the most difficult things to do, I think, is to hold the light every minute of the day, especially when you have to work at a job where this may be difficult.
Light in this case is defined as goodness, kindness, respect, integrity, unconditional love, and compassion. The person is without ego, goes with the flow, and lives in gracefulness, without judgement and criticism of others. Some folks are lucky to be born in this state and to hold it through out life. Others of us have to work at it.
How do you find ways to keep your light present when people are arguing, or back stabbing, or even crying?
Blessings,
Judy
Changing ourselves involves learning how to develop those states, behaviors, and dispositions that are healthy, while allowing the unhealthy ones to atrophy from neglect. - Andrew Olendzki, "Turning the Corner" |
While I think the quote clearly states how one can change a pattern or a habit, perhaps a bit more explanation is required.
If a person is a smoker and smokes twenty cigarettes a day, the only way that they will change to not smoking is to slowly drop smoking a cigarette a day until there are no cigarettes to smoke. The habit of smoking is erased by neglecting to smoke the maximum number of cigarettes per day.
The urge may still be there and will disappear if the now non-smoker ignores it.
Blessings,
Judy
The picture above is titled “The Many Paths Of Truth”. What I find interesting is that I am not sure who created it. So, is it really the truth?
What does truth mean? Is it the physics of the natural world-type truth? Is it what is right for one person? It might be a lie for another person such as who is the right and truth in the two sides in a war or conflict. Or, is it the truth of religion? If religion is all myth, then the truth is nothing? Is it the truth of our hearts? Since our hearts are mortal, then we have limited truth.
It is all very fascinating. What is the path of truth for you?
Blessings,
Judy
This picture reminds us that there are grand changes in the Earth’s energy from the recent full moon on February 1 2026.
Feel the changes sweep through your body. As it changes, notice that you are very tired and grumpy. Then, you are full of energy and excitement. Then you are sad or even depressed. Then you are filled with love and joy. Forgiveness is easy.
Do these symptoms sound schizophrenic to you? They are very close to the symptoms of that dis-ease. Currently, you are in a state of dis-ease so it is not any wonder that the symptoms are very similar. Through this change, we throw out all that we have valued because it no longer carries weight. Notice that all of the crimes against THE PEOPLE – YOU AND I AND ALL OF US – are being uncovered and brought to the forefront, or, as one of my friends says, “into the light”.
We are not willing to be told what to do, think, say, believe, value, or obey. We are free minded with free will. We can choose differently than we have in the past.
Go forth and change and cause change to happen!
Blessings,
Judy
The penguins at the Calgary Zoo are now doing their penguin walk daily at 10:30am, weather permitting. Watching the penguins is a joyful activity and brings smiles to most everyone. I received my reminder to go to watch the penguins and it made me think of their activities.
King Penguins live in the Antarctic and the very southern tips of countries close to the Antarctic. Their numbers are huge Рin the millions Рand their colonies are very large. It is easy to become parted from your friends Рthose chicks that you grew up with in the cr̬che. Finding a friend after several years is an unusual occurrence and one that has some of the same ceremony that human reunions have.
King Penguin shows us that:
Blessings,
Judy
Otters are such beautiful creatures. I think it is because of their playfulness and their loving personality. This picture grabbed me because it reflects what Otter wants to show us.
May Otter appear in your life today – in the flesh, in pictures, on billboards, or on TV.
Blessings,
Judy
My horoscope said that new doors would appear before me as the year rolled into February. My imagination immediately soared as I imagined rows of different types of doors opening up for me. Then I saw this blue door. For some reason, it resonates.
Blue is about truth; about the throat chakra; about moving through the higher consciousness; about connecting with Spirit; and about shape shifting. Blue reminds us that we are all in transition. It reminds us of freedom, and the sky, and the color of pure water. Blue is about beginnings, and is a great colour for a door.
Do you know where to find a blue door?
Blessings,
Judy
