Build A Door

 

The picture says:

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.  -- Milton Berle

*********************************

Many people think that they need to wait for something to happen to them before they can make a change... whether it is about work, home life, or taking a risk.  As Milton Berle says, sometimes you need to build the door to create the opportunity.  

We are not educated as we grow up to look to creating our own thing.  We are taught always to be inside the box.  As we look around, the box is broken and maybe even crushed.  We need to do new things to give ourselves and the next generations a new objective.  

Many of us remember jobs, for example, that no longer exist and technology that is gone that was once state of the art.  As we grow and get creative, we can invent new ways of being.  

Blessings,

Judy

Human Kind

The picture says:   Human Kind.  Be Both.

"We’re not meant to be vehicles of destruction, but rather the very embodiment of love & light and compassion, manifest."

I recently had an experience where people were not very kind to me or to each other.  I wondered why they were like that.  Then, I met their manager.  He was not nice to any one.  When people say that influence comes from the top, “people” were very correct in this case.  

What makes someone be unkind to those around him (or her)?  Is it their home life?  Is it that they think acting mean makes them powerful?  Or, is it that they don’t like people in general?  What ever the reason, I like to think that most people are kind and that most people want to help others.

Blessings,

Judy

Pigeon Speaks

Picture of  pigeon in flight from Wikipedia.

This morning, as my niece and I were sitting at the table doing our individual homework, a soft cooing sound began.  It seemed to come from the roof above where we were working.  It got louder and louder, the point that my niece had to go and see what was going on.

It was then that I realized that I had been asking the question, where our new home was to be.  Pigeon was speaking, and answering the question.  She says,

Humans, like pigeons, do have a homing instinct that will take them across the miles to the absolutely best place for the person to be.  If you are still looking for where home is, then you are not home.  There is the home on this Earth, and the home that our soul dwells within, and they are different in what nourishment they provide to our bodies and our spirit.  Pigeon has moved all over the world to come to different places to find an adequate food supply.  Humans, too, must find places where they can get a full supply of the food that they require, and they must find a place with water enough for them to drink.  

Food, for all of us, comes from the ground.  It is time to look to the ground for your food.  We do not understand how those of you that live higher than the trees in your big houses can find adequate food.  It is not natural to live there, where food does not exist.  This is a time to become natural.  You must tell everyone that this is so. And, everyone must find their family, find ways to feed together, and to become as one flock.  In this way will there be support.

 Many blessings,

Judy

Elephants Never Forget

I received a beautiful email from my friend, Leslie.  It confirms so many of the traits that I have written about animals over the last several years.  Check out the story, and see if you view animals in the same way.

----------------------

Elephants never forget

SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS MUCH GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE. THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW? Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.  On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and numerous elephants.  Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs.  Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend.  A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House. Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence 's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way.  Walking slowly - for days - Making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.  So, how after Anthony’s death, did the reserve’s elephants — grazing miles away in distant parts of the park — know?  “A good man died suddenly,” says Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Ph.D., “and from miles and miles away, two herds of elephants, sensing that they had lost a beloved human friend, moved in a solemn, almost ‘funereal’ procession to make a call on the bereaved family at the deceased man’s home.”  “If there ever were a time, when we can truly sense the wondrous ‘interconnectedness of all beings,’ it is when we reflect on the elephants of Thula Thula. A man’s heart’s stops, and hundreds of elephants’ hearts are grieving. This man’s oh-so-abundantly loving heart offered healing to these elephants, and now, they came to pay loving homage to their friend.”  Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going.  The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back .....

Blessings,

Judy

New Year’s Eve 2024

 Ahahah! New Year’s Eve.  Many of us get together with family and/or friends to celebrate the end of the year, and the start of the next year.  It is a tradition.

Some of us stay home, stay quiet, and watch movies, or play games, or meditate, or, work on a list of resolutions for the upcoming year.

Whatever method of welcoming the new year that you choose,  I wish you a very happy New Year’s Eve that is complete with joy, peace, and love.

Blessings,

Judy

The Long Road

On the weekend… I was shopping - groceries and running errands, and the traffic was so incredibly slow.  Folks were doing 30 and 40 on the freeway and it was plus 8.  I was musing and pulled out my journal from several years ago.  As you have seen from past posts that I do, I sometimes pull something out of an old journal to share with you.  Here is a reflection on driving the long road.

*****************

Tonight, the traffic was very slow for my 25 kilometer drive home.  It took me an hour!  This kind of traffic makes my tired and frustrated.

I asked why I had to endure this – a total waste of time.

The answer was – you do not have to endure.  Choose not to do the drive.  Or choose not to work out there.  Or choose a different way home.  

All the answers were about choice – we can choose the long road, or not.

************************

Blessings, 

Judy

Buddha Talks - Recognize the Ego Mind

I was looking at some of the speeches from different politicians in different parts of the world.  It made me think of this lesson from Buddha.

When we look for the mind, we can't find any shape, or color, or form. This mind that we identify as the self, which we could call ego-mind, controls everything we do. Yet it can't actually be found—which is somewhat spooky, as if a ghost were managing our home. The house seems to be empty, but all the housework has been done. The bed has been made, our shoes have been polished, the tea has been poured, and the breakfast has been cooked. The funny thing is that we never question this. We just assume that someone or something is there. But all this time, our life has been managed by a ghost, and it's time to put a stop to it. On one hand, ego-mind has served us—but it hasn't served us well.  – Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, "Searching for Self"

Blessings,

Judy 

July 1 2024 - Happy Canada Day!

 

Ever since I can remember, I grew up with the idea that Canada was special to our family and to many other families around us.

Canada Day was a cause for celebration and for a feeling of pride.

I hope that we can return to that feeling very soon.

THEY ALL CALL IT CANADA

Side by Side and step by step 

Our fathers were marching along 

They were building a road to the future 

With a spade and a smile and a song. 

Out of the wildness and out of the sand 

Grew the land that we live in today. 

Though the job to be done has barely begun, 

There is one thing I'm proud to say: 

My country is my cathedral 

The northern sky its dome 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home 

The mountains, the lakes and valleys 

Are friends that I have known 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home 

From the Atlantic to the Pacific 

From the pole to the U.S.A. 

We're on united brotherhood 

And united we will stay 

The people across the border 

And far across the foam 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home

~ Author Unknown

Blessings,

Judy

A Message From Archangel Azrael

The following message was a download that I received several years ago and that I recorded in my journal.  This seems like a great time to share it with you.

Many blessings,

Judy

***************************************

Dearest ones, when I see where you all are walking, the path looks filled with gravel and small rocks.  This is a time of moving from one thing to the next.  As you all describe your life journey as a path, it seems reasonable to see this time as a gravel path that crosses a large plateau. Depending where you are on the plateau, it may seem that the crossing is longer for some than for others.  There is little to break the journey.  If you have ever travelled a gravel road in a car, you will know that you are not able to go too fast, for you might catch the ridge of gravel and go into the ditch.  Also, if you go too fast, you may create a dust storm that swirls around you, and blinds you, and clogs up your car.  

Gravel road on a flat plain

 

This gravel path that you are on is one that you must travel slowly.  There are some very large stones in the way that you must either walk around, or move off the road so that this path may be traveled more easily next time.  Often, under each stone, or in some cases, boulder, you will find treasure.  Oh, not the treasure of the Aztecs gold, or anything like that! The treasure is the gift of the action, and the situation around it.  

For some of you, the chunks of gravel may be inaction – a lull in all that you are doing.  This may be frustrating, however, it is necessary for you to sit and absorb the new vibrations that are coming into your etheric templates, and then the vibrations will become part of your bodies. There are some of you that will not be able to hold the vibration and ground it.  The vibration will call you home and I will be there to help you with the change in being, and delight in walking you to your new path.  

The creation of new things is about closing the old and allowing for the new.  Now is the time to allow.  This means sitting quietly each day, and being content – think of nothing but those small pleasures that relax your body and mind, and feed your soul. Even reading is an activity that will move you along the path to new things.

I am often called “The beginning and ending” angel because I help the transition from your mortal body.  Beginnings and endings are really all part of the symphony, and I am the conductor.  Do you often hear music?  This may be the songs or the music that I and the other Angels play for you to help you smooth out the patterns and rhythms in your life.  Take time to make music, to learn and to create.  This is the reason for the gravel path; it is to slow you down.

Harmonious Blessings and Love,

Archangel Azrael

Sparrow Sings

Our window was open this morning, and I could hear the Sparrows singing away as they hopped around the bird feeder to gather food.  Suddenly, it got quiet.  Then the most beautiful, clear notes rang out.  I peeked out the window.  It was one Sparrow, sitting on the grass by itself, singing away while the others got food.

The sound was clear, like a flute going to unusual notes.  Sparrow seemed to be singing about taking a long journey, and how great it is to be finally at “home” again.  The song seemed to cover the ideas of having a permanent home, and the dangers of that as well as the idea of moving every six months.  

I realized what brave, small creatures that these Sparrows are.  They travel long journeys twice a year to be able to raise chicks, and to be able to survive the winter.  They are very different from us humans.

The song was about five minutes.  When it was done – it was about 5:30am – I snuggled in for another hour of sleep.

Many blessings,

Judy

Archangel Haniel

Archangel Haniel artwork by Virginnia www.starlightangel.co.uk

 

I was sitting and wondering what the blog should be about, and I felt an energy on my left side… behind my shoulder.  I heard “write angels speak” and then I asked who? I had some difficulty hearing, and finally heard “Haniel”.  

AA Haniel is often called the Angel of the Moon.  She also helps those with strong psychic or mystical gifts. 

Her message is…

Dear ones, as the Moon changes in relationship to your home, know that it is because of the different Earth shifts, as polarity shifts and your awareness rises.  The Moon will call you more now as she speaks of the ebb and flow of life force on Earth. Your life force is anchored in water, therefore you feel the pull of the Moon just as she pulls the waves of the Ocean.  The waves are. Whether they are large ones for surfing, or gentle ones that lull the sailors to sleep, the waves never question.  They simply exist.  If you will pardon the pun, they go with the flow.  

That, dear Ones, is exactly what you all need to do.  This is a time of letting go.  Attachments will be like cement blocks holding you back.  It is in not attaching significance to the changing monetary systems and the changing economies that the change will happen swiftly.  Healing will begin even as the changes are still completing. 

Do what you need to do, and do it with grace and joy.  Provide for one another. Share what you have. Do it with love and compassion. 

Blessings,

Judy

Coyote Healer In My Dream

As I was reading some of my old writings, I was struck by how often I have realtime or dream time interactions with Coyotes.  In this dream, the interaction is very positive.  My dog Magic has been gone several years now.  The dream that preceded this one was a situation where I was in a battle of good and evil. 

**********************

In my dream, I was on my knees.  I had been hurt, and was bleeding from two wounds, one to my left shoulder and one to my right thigh.  I hurt.  I was wondering if it was worth continuing trying to live.  I knew that I was bleeding out.  My head dropped forward, and I thought that I would soon die.  

And then I heard a yip of some sort.  I tried to see what was coming, but I could not.  I thought that I could not feel this tired without sleeping.  As I started to lean forward, I leaned into something very soft.  I looked up and saw a large, grey coyote in front of me.  He whined.  He leaned into me.  

I wrapped my fingers around his fur and I felt comfort – like when I was little and could hug my teddy bear.  I felt his fur absorb the blood that I was loosing.  I began to feel better.  I felt my strength return and I rocked back on my heals.  

As I started to say thank-you, he whined and licked my cheek, and then trotted off into the bushes.  I could just barely see him amongst the grey branches.  It seemed that he stopped to watch me, to see what would happen next. 

The next scene in the dream was that my dog, Magic, came running up to me, growling in the back of his throat as though he was giving me heck for getting out of his sight.  He dropped down in front of me, panting.  He sniffed the air.  And then he looked directly at the Coyote.  He barked once with what sounded like “Thanks”.  And then he nudged my hand, and got up, as though saying “ It is time to go home.”  I struggled to my feet, and wrapped my hands in the fur in Magic’s neck.  

The next thing I knew was that I was awake, and Magic was lying at the foot of the bed, pressed up against me.  And, I felt tired.

Many blessings,

Judy

Do You Work “Hard”?

All our lives, we have been taught that we need to work hard.  Hard means…not soft; solid and firm to the touch; unyielding to pressure and impenetrable or almost impenetrable… from Dictionary.com.  

We can still have focus and work steadily. We can work from home or from a cafe or even from a library unless your job or career calls for you to be hands on such as a welder or an electrician.  Even then as a welder, you want to work steadily and with focus, and with flexibility.  If you do everything hard and one way, your welds may break.

We have been taught that unless we work hard, we will not be happy.  The hard work keeps us from our families and redefines us so that we identify with our work and not with the family we were born into or the family that we raise.  We become out of balance!  We lose who we are and sacrifice self care to hard work.

We are at a time in society when the concept of work is changing.  What is your new definition of work?

Many blessings,

Judy

Dove - Spirit Animal

 

                                            

Picture of “Mama Dove” in our back yard – picture by Judy Hirst 

 Wikipedia says this about doves:  “Doves….. build relatively flimsy nests from sticks and other debris, which may be placed in trees, on ledges, or on the ground, depending on species. They lay one or two eggs, and both parents care for the young, which leave the nest after 7 to 28 days. Doves feed on seeds, fruit and plants. Unlike most other birds (but see flamingo), the doves and pigeons produce "crop milk," which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop. Both sexes produce this highly nutritious substance to feed to the young.”

This passage from Wikipedia basically sums up that Dove is about home, security, and the maternal instinct.  Dove appears to us when we need to be reminded about the importance of home and security.  She may appear if we are having issues with childhood issues that we cannot resolve.  And, since the dove is a ground feeder and eats mostly seeds, nuts, and grain, she tells you to eat more healthily, as any mother will.  Dove is often associated with Buddha and indeed, has a “Buddha nature”.  It is no surprise then, that her diet is similar.

Many of the legends and myths tell the stories of Dove being associated with the Goddesses of old.  Even the Bible tells of the importance of Dove and how she is associated with Christ and often is a symbol of Christ – standing for peace.  
Dove may be telling you:

• Find peace in your life, or move away from that which is not peace
• Look to find something creative in your life that brings you peace
• The cooing sound Dove makes is a communication to your cellular memory – what it is it that you once were?  She helps you find that peaceful, spiritual person deep inside you.

Blessings,

Judy