A Peaceful Place

 

Picture of Elbow River taken off of Highway 66 - J Hirst

For some folks, Autumn, and specifically September is a time of turmoil before things settle down.  For me, September and indeed all of the autumn, is a time of excitement and change.  I love the changes of September almost as much as I love the changes that happen in the spring.

I like to go walking through the woods in the park as the leaves start to tumble down.  I like to crunch them because the sound is like that of crunching up paper to throw away.  We crunch up paper when we are not happy with what we have written, and we throw the page away and start anew.  To me, autumn is the crunching up the paper to start something new.

I have started several jobs in the Fall during my career. The timing has been perfect for me and has always been a positive action.  The energy of autumn with harvesting grain, fruit, vegetables, and even animals (hunting season) lends itself to humans so that things get done. This makes it easier to change from one employer to another.

When I find that life is getting too hectic, I look for a peaceful place to go to so that I can sit and be calm and let pent up energy go.  When that energy is released, my body also releases stress.  I am able to breathe with the flow of the wind through the trees or with the motion of the water.  Sometimes, I can look skyward and see flocks of birds and I will release the energy with the soaring of the birds.   

Each of us has a different idea of what a peaceful place looks like.  The trick is to find the place that speaks to you.

Many blessings,

Judy

Angels On Grief

The message below comes from my angels.  And as with all messages from beyond, it seems very impersonal, especially when talking about grief.  What I am learning is that the grief that we feel is showing the depth of the love that we had for that being - human or animal.  Grief is a process.  When we are in grief, we do feel removed from others because grief is personal.  

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It is clear that in this time of transition, when people are dying and leaving the planet for any number of reasons, that we will feel grief.  The Angels say that grief is the emotion of loss and that loss is an illusion of the physical body; of the degree of separation that one feels from others and from God/Creator/Universe.

Feel no grief at this time.  We are all one.

Many blessings,

Judy

Apologize And Feel Better

The poster says:  Apologizing:  does not always mean you are wrong and the other person is right.     It just means you value your relationship more than your ego. ——- Unknown

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“I wasn't saying whatever they're saying I was saying. I'm sorry I said it really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. I apologize if that will make you happy. I still don't know quite what I've done. I've tried to tell you what I did do but if you want me to apologize, if that will make you happy, then OK, I'm sorry.”
― John Lennon 

“In this life, when you deny someone an apology,
you will remember it at time you beg forgiveness.”
― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut

“An apology is the super glue of life. It can repair just about anything.”
― Lynn Johnston 

“Never forget the nine most important words of any family-
I love you.
You are beautiful.
Please forgive me.”
― H. Jackson Brown Jr. 

Blessings, 

Judy

Loving

 

The words on the picture say:  Love is like the wind, You can’t see it, but you can feel it.  -  Nicholas Sparks

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The feeling of being loved is the most generous, all encompassing, delightful feeling that I know.  It comes from our family, our very good friends, and our pets.  It helps us get through the terrible times when we suffer grief, pain, anger, and even life threatening situations.  When people do not like you, it is the absence of love.  It does not matter.  Why associate with anyone that does not know how to love?

Blessings,

Judy

Who Are Your Friends?

The poster says:   “I talk about you like you put the stars in the sky!”

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This means that you think so highly of someone that you cannot talk about them enough, almost to the point of a state of worship.  This can be good or bad.  However, I heard this phrase in the context of great love between a man and a woman, and the realization that they had.  They were so wrapped up in each other, they were losing their friends.  Friends are the food that keep you going.  So, it is good to love.  It is good to have friends.

Blessings,

Judy

Expanding One’s Self

The poster says:  I love people who make big dreams feel normal.  Who remind you that nothing is too much.  Who expand your vision just by being themselves.

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Some say that we should learn nothing new, that all learning is the source of discontent!  I see that those who expand, like the flower, grow and live life to the fullest.  I see those who are conservative, and who disavow that which is new, begin to shrivel.  They dry up and life leaves them.

Expanding is the art of moving forward and upward.  It is the movement of connecting deeply with one’s highest self or highest spirit.  It is a challenge.  It is rewarding.  It is renewing.

Blessings,

Judy

Mother’s Day May 10 2026

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day rolls around and we all feel that urge to connect to that Mother figure in our life.  It may be our birth mother, adopted mother, aunt, grandmother, special person, sister, that is, anyone who took care of us and “mothered” us with love and/or affection, and pride, and sufferance.  

We all have stories to share.  Today, however, send out loving thoughts to that person and bless them, and let them go.  

Blessings,

Judy

Walk The Line

You've got a way to keep me on your side.
You give me cause for love that I can't hide.
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide.
Because you're mine, I walk the line.”

-Johnny Cash - Walk The Line Lyrics

The words are talking about being true to your love, and, therefore, walking a thin line between doing what is right and good, and what is harmful and selfish or even illegal.  

The Angels know that each of us face “the line” each day, and often several times a day.  When you feel that you may “step over the line” then call on the Angels to help you keep to the side of integrity.

Blessings,

Judy

If Love Is Not Provided

 The poster says:  You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.  —-Nina Simone

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We wonder why someone or some group of people do not love us.  We blame ourselves.  We must have failed them in some way.  It must be our fault!  

Be assured.  Each of us is loveable.  Each of us is love.  When people deny you love, whether it is your parents, your siblings, old friends or new friends, you need to recognize that the fault is theirs, not yours.  When someone says, ‘if you really loved me, you would do xxxxx.”, you know that they have an agenda that is to manipulate you.  Manipulation or coercion is not love.  It is forcing you to do something that is against your will.  That is not love.  

Love is acceptance without conditions.  That is why so many people are turning to pets because pets love unconditionally.

Blessings,

Judy

Buddha on Reflecting Love

The problem with interpersonal love is that you are dependent on the other person to reflect love back to you. That’s part of the illusion of separateness. The reality is that love is a state of being that comes from within.

- Ram Dass, “Tuning the Mind” 

We all expect that love will be available, freely, to us, because we are charismatic.  We believe that we are all loveable.  We believe that if we are not loveable, it is the other person’s fault.  We need to love ourselves, and then, everyone loves us! 

Blessings, 

Judy

Butterfly to Friend

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

A Great Dog Story

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

A Brother's Last and Everlasting Gift, a Lab named Tritan

By: Petplace Staff

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.

Holding The Light

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

Otter Water Play

 

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.

• Love and affection are a way of life, and should not be withheld, even from one’s self.
• Water is about emotion.  What better place to practice love and kindness.
• Being of the light and being buoyant seem to go hand in hand.  Buoyancy is associated with water.
• Whiskers are little antennae that help us pick up the information around us.  Otter whiskers pick up love and playfulness.
• Otter tells us to dive deeply into what is holding us back from being utterly loving.

May Otter appear in your life today – in the flesh, in pictures, on billboards, or on TV.

Blessings,

Judy

Lion Blessings

May this day carry a blessing for you.

May this blessing be as gentle as a hug, and as great as Africa.

May you get the Lion’s share of love!

Blessings,

Judy

Love, Love!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa

One of the things that makes me the happiest in life, is when people come to our house and tell me that they love the feeling in our house; that they feel sad to leave our house.   I saw this quote from Mother Theresa and I believe that many people feel this way when they leave our house.

May you find people that feel this way in your life.

Blessings,

Judy

Orangutan - Stay Close

The Orangutan recognized her offspring’s first attempts to be independent in a world that she was not quite ready for.  An older orangutan rebuffed the friendship, and threw in a few slaps and growls.  The young lady was devastated! She did not want to return to Mom, but neither did she want to venture farther.

Mom solved the problem.  She ambled slowly up to daughter, and mumbled something, and then gathered daughter in her arms.  

The moral of the story – even when you are out on your own, it is okay to stay close to those that love you, and that you love.  Give someone you love a call today.

Blessings,

Judy

A Full Life

 

The poster says:

Eat better. Run more. Lift more. Sleep earlier. Wake up earlier.  Make a good breakfast.  drink water. Read books.  Talk less. Listen more.  Open your eyes.  Love better.  Feel deeper. Be happy.  Experience life.  - Author not known.

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As we move closer to the start of 2026, many of us will begin to make lists of New Year’s resolutions or wishes for the New Year.  The poster above is a wonderful list to start your resolutions. 

Each year, I do a list… 101 wishes for the upcoming year.  You can read my post about it from 2023 at https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/01/101-wishes-for-new-years-day-2023.html.

This year, I started early and so far, I have 61 items on my list.  I will add some of these ideas from the poster.  I really like:  open your eyes, and love better.

Many blessings,

Judy

Merry Christmas 2025

Merry Christmas to each of you!  May today be filled with peace, love, and humour.  This Christmas is a bit different for us as our dog who turned fourteen years old a short time ago, is now in his final days.  He has taught us so much over the years.  And, he has taught others too, about loving and accepting new people to your life.

I think that dogs are the only beings that interact with humans that know that Christmas, and every other day of the year, is about love.  

The message that came through my meditation was all around love, and especially love with compassion and without limits.  All dogs seem to have that unbelievable ability to love unconditionally and with a sense of compassion that I marvel at.

This Christmas, I noticed that the number of people walking dogs in our off leash park has increased.   I look at the faces of the people with dogs, and those without, and I see that dog owners seem to be more relaxed, and they seem to be happier with what they are doing.

I chatted with several new comers to the dog walking trail, and found that they had decided that rather than give a lot of presents, that they would adopt a dog for Christmas.  They were finding it challenging to fit in many activities plus a new dog, however, all were happy with their choices.

I wonder, sometimes, how the Universe lines up these pairings of people and dogs.  I wonder how long it takes to get to that place where the right dog and the right people are finally able to live out their contract.  I wonder what happens when a matching does not happen.  

I am so very glad that dogs are working with humans.  We are all better off, I think.

 Blessings,

Judy

Love and Let It Come Back

The poster says, “Whatever you give to life, it gives you back.  Do not hate anybody.  The hatred which comes out from you will someday come back to you.  Love others.  And Love will come back to you.

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So many times we hear the phrase “if a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil….”.  The saying is about the ripple effect of our actions.   

I am thinking about something lovely that my friend Brenda, did for another person.  She came out of Safeway and found a young woman standing, looking lost and sad and cold.  Brenda asked her if she could help the young woman.  The young woman was tired and hungry and had no success getting assistance from the person she had called on the telephone.  

Brenda took her in and bought her a sandwich and coffee, and gave the young woman the only money that she had in her wallet, a five dollar bill.  She said that she knew that this lady needed it more than she did.  

Whatever happens to the young lady, I believe the outcome will be good because someone gave her kindness and hope.  

May your day be wonderful in all ways.

Blessings,

Judy