Fire Across The Mountains

Right now, so much change is happening in the world.  Often, when we think of fires, we think about the fires in forests, up the mountains, that consume thousands of acres of vegetation and destroy the homes of animals and often the animals.  Soon, the fires in Canada and the United States will be happening again.

The Angels remind us that often, when we see disaster, that newness is happening.  In the Tarot, the Tower card has fire in it.  The card is about change.

The fires that plague forested areas and put residences in peril, are part of a natural cycle of renewal.  Most things in the natural world have an expiry date.  Sometimes, Nature takes a hand to cause a forest to re-grow with a different main tree, or a meadow to re-grow without a certain weed or other plant.  We may study Nature for ever and not understand the cycles and attrition that happens as a matter of course. 

When fire happens, there are some messages:

• What is it that needs cleansing?
• Is it time to ignite your life with passion for something?
• What part of you burns with anger, and why? 

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

Koala Bears And Touch

  

Snuggling!  One of the greatest joys in life for all beings!  These two Kola Bears tell us that touch is a much needed in the world.  Hugging, snuggling, keeping one safe, are all parts of this.  Kola, a spirit animal, also tells us that a big part of touching is trust.  Keeping one’s eyes closed while another watches over you is the greatest form of trust.

We humans, in the decade beyond 2010, have lost much trust in our selves, in our community, and certainly in our leaders.  We are in a place where we need to find a safe place to learn to trust.  Kola shows us that being at the top of a tree, with no place else to go, gives you a space to learn to trust. 

Perhaps we need to climb a mountain, or trek a long way from our safe environment to meet ourselves and others that we can trust.

Blessings,

Judy

Sacred Nature of Life

"Remember the sacred nature of life; connect to it; let it guide you."

When I look at this picture, I am reminded that there is so much more out in the world than we can comprehend.  We could spend all our lifetime studying and not know everything there is to know about this amazing planet of ours.  Without knowing, we move through a state of willful blindness, where we do as we are told by politics, religion, tribal values, and family beliefs.  We are crippled in our quest for knowledge by those that do not want us to be educated.  Are you going to change this for you and your family?

Blessings,

Judy

Miracle of Life

Picture of the fountain at The Saskatoon Farm in Alberta - taken by J Hirst

‘Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh

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I read this quote several times.  It triggered so many questions in my mind. Why would we not touch the miracle of being alive?

As I contemplated and quested in my mind, I realized that several things come in to play in each of our lives.

• Some of us come with a contract to Earth to do the bare minimum of living.
• Some come to experience a variety of things - drugs, alcoholism, debilitating disease, rejection, becoming a cleric or monk, being a hero, and the list goes on.
• Some come with the ability to enjoy Nature and the little miracles that happen each day but are ignored by many.
• Some come to change the world.

Some are on a continuum of the above that lets them see the miracle of life as they become seniors.  How we live is perfect for why we are here.

Blessings,

Judy

Take Your 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

Do Your Own Work

 

 

The Buddha is saying, 'You are this.' He doesn’t say, 'I have something extra that I am going to give you.' Trust in yourself, trust in who you are. Sit down, breathe, be listening right now, hearing right now. Be intimate. But you have to do it for yourself. - Elihu Genmyo Smith, "No Need to Do Zazen, Therefore Must Do Zazen"

The truth of this quote has been coming up for me as I work with people in my spiritual practice.  Everyone wants the results without doing the work.  It is very difficult to become great, or even good, at anything without doing the practice to get there.  

There is a lot written in books and magazines about how much time it takes to get good and even great at a task or action.  The basic amount of time to become proficient at something is about 20 hours or 1/2 a work week.  To become a world class expert at something takes about 10,000 hours.  You do not become good or good enough at a task unless you put in the time.

I am willing to do my own work; I am not willing to do yours.

Blessings,

Judy

September 1 2025

 

The poster says:  “How do we change the world? One random act of kindness.” - Morgan Freeman as God in “Evan Almighty”.

As we move into September 2025, our country, Canada, faces many challenges as prices continue to rise for groceries and clothing - things that we consider basic for survival.  What I have been noticing are the random acts of kindness that folks in our area seem to be doing that ease the sense of strain and pressure around them. 

Acts of kindness including things like:

-mowing the neighbour’s lawn

-handing someone a dollar for a shopping cart

-dropping off food for someone who is ill

-walking a neighbour’s dog when the person has sprained an ankle

….and the list goes on.

My goal as fall settles in is to be aware and do something positive for someone each day.  

What is your goal for September?

Blessings,

Judy

Welcome August 2025

August 1 is traditionally the day that our Ancestors welcomed the Goddess of Harvest into their houses and onto the farms.  Harvest of fruit, corn, and even early grain started after the Goddess came in to give her blessings.

The Angels have a message for us.  They say that there are no longer the gardens and farms and orchards that there used to be.  So many people depend on others for their food.  The Angels suggest that the non-farmers offer up prayers or meditations for the farmers.  The meditation or prayer may offer that the harvest is bountiful and that all crops come off without bad weather or other obstacles.  We can ask for a blessing of abundance for all gardens and for all gardeners.

The Angels say that August is to be a time of turmoil around the world.  They say that we can make it less tumultuous by being grounded, and at peace with all that is.  They remind us that we are the creators of our own story.  Therefore, we can re-write the story at any time.  We can set the intentions that all is well where ever we live.

In fact, the Angels say that we can change destiny with some prayer.

Blessings,

Judy

Walk With Me

This post is from my journal from about ten or so years ago.  I was reflecting on the death of a good friend.  I was remembering how he loved life and how he involved my husband and I in his life.  So, this blog is for him.

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Years ago, I saw the great movie, “Being There” with Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine.  The last scene shows Peter Sellers walking away from Earth.  The movie so wonderfully creates the idea of innocence and how we can be true to our selves.  

This movie comes up for me because today we said good-bye to a friend.  His celebration of life was beside a fast moving river.  There was a huge circle of love, formed by all the people that came to honour him, and share their stories of adventures with him.  When the last of his ashes was scattered, I saw the image of him walking away, over the water.

For me, death of the physical is simply our spirits agreeing to accept the invitation to “walk with me” that Creator, or Great Spirit, or God, issues.  There is a point, I think, when we no longer need to be on Earth.  We have finished what we started.  And, as we are all energy, energy returns to like.

I think that celebrating life, as we did today, is a wonderful way to bring peace to the family and to each of us.  We are all created with a sense of Oneness that we seem to forget upon arriving on earth.  Maybe it is time for us to actively look for the Oneness in ourselves and how it connects to others.  This practice will help us understand how love wraps around us, and how, when each of us leaves the world a better place, all of us are lifted.

Blessings,

Judy

Archangel Michael’s Message

 Most beloveds! I AM Archangel Michael.  I joyously greet you as you move through this time of change and self realization.  So many of you are being called to look deep inside yourself to see those events in your life that you have labelled as “wrongs done to you”.  You are being called to see them in a new light – the same light or perspective that we have of you – as though you were all players on a big movie screen.  You know that when you watch a movie, only part of the action is visible at one time.  Now, you are seeing the whole picture around the event that is in question.  You see that perhaps there was no wrong intended.  You see that you took it upon yourself to create the wrong and live by that moment.  You have created a world that is false.

All of you have done this over and over in your lives.  You have created this world so that you could learn lessons that would help your spiritual growth and so that you would understand the ranges of emotion, and the depth of cleansing that the I AM presence offers to each of you upon your return to infinity.  Each soul has a chance to move to that place of unconditional love for those that seek to harm the vessel (human body).  There is no place like it (Earth).  

So, instead of looking out ward to those around you for validation of who you are, look inward.  Look past all the abuse that you have placed upon yourself, and see yourself for the pure, bright, white light that you are.  See the magnificence of your journey, even though there were those who tried to stop you and send you home early.  Know that you have been honoured by your soul group, by your angels, and by those beings that watch your journey.  Healing is something that is best done from the inside, and not from the outside.  Nature – the beasts, birds, fish, and reptiles, do not have someone come and sit over them to heal them.  They find a safe place to heal themselves, or, they perish.  In that perishing, they are then reborn to take the lesson again to understand that choice makes a difference.

So too for each of you is choice an important lesson.  Choose to  heal, or not.  Choose to love, or not.  Choose to be generous, or not.  Choose to be grateful, or not.  It is your choices, and not what others do to you that makes the difference.  Peace is found inside your heart, not outside.  Those that have peaceful hearts may be in a noisy football stadium and be at peace.  This life that you are in is a “how to expand awareness” lesson on a grand scale.  Do be grateful.  Do not close yourself to the beauty and abundance around you.  Each of you deserve the best.

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Blessings,

Judy

Pheasant’s Wisdom

Picture of ring-necked pheasant from http://talkaboutwildlife.ca

 It was winter, and I was walking with my dog along the Bow River.  We could hear Pheasant crowing, but could not see him.  Then, as we walked down a gravel path, he jumped up on an old log and crowed at us.  My dog was frantic to chase him.  Generally, Pheasant is not that happy to show himself.  This was a treat for me.  I wondered why he would jump out that way.  I pondered his behaviour.  

Pheasant had called attention to himself by both being loud and by jumping up on the log.  He was acknowledging his truth, and telling me to acknowledge my truth.  By example, Pheasant was showing that one needs to get up and speak what they know, regardless of who is around and regardless of what they may think.  This action is one of leadership, of having credentials that speak of “walking your talk”.

Pheasants have a difficult time during the winter gathering food and sheltering from the cold.  Their diet during summer consists of insects and green plants.  In winter, their diet includes waste grain, weed seeds and fruit of such locally-growing shrubs as rose and buckbrush. By standing up so tall, Pheasant was saying that one needs to take the good with the bad, and to learn and to grow from the lessons.  When things are not going well (and we had a cold winter and lots of snow this year in Calgary), it is okay to lay low, and to be cautious.  One must act with discernment as they walk through life.  

Pheasant’s final message is about environment.  Even though we could hear him, we could not see him.  This is the message of “learn how to blend with your environment and use that environment to your advantage”.  Then, when we did see him, he was up off the ground.  He says that one must be grounded to walk in the world, however, at times, one must go up higher to see the bigger picture. 

Blessings,

Judy

Happy Mother’s Day

 This is a special day to remind us all of how much Mothers mean to each of us.  The following quotes about Mothers show some of the feeling behind our celebration of Mothers.  

"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind." —Kahil Gibran

"To the world you are a mother, but to your family you are the world." —Unknown

"Mothers can look through a child’s eyes and see tomorrow." —Reed Markham

"To a child’s ear, 'mother' is magic in any language." —Arlene Benedict

"My mother is a walking miracle." —Leonardo DiCaprio

"Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." —Unknown

 "A mother understands what a child does not say." —Jewish Proverb

"There is no influence so powerful as that of the mother." —Sara Josepha Hale

"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind." —Kahil Gibran

"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children." —Elaine Heffner

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Blessings,

Judy

Kola Bears

       

Snuggling!  One of the greatest joys in life for all beings!  These two Kola Bears, spirit animals, tell us that touch is a much needed in the world.  Hugging, snuggling, keeping one safe, are all parts of this.  Kola also tells us that a big part of touching is trust.  Keeping one’s eyes closed while another watches over you is the greatest form of trust.

We humans, in the decades beyond 2010, have lost much trust in our selves, in our community, and certainly in our leaders.  We are in a place where we need to find a safe place to learn to trust.  Kola shows us that being at the top of a tree, with no place else to go, gives you a space to learn to trust.

Perhaps we need to climb a mountain, or trek a long way from our safe environment to meet ourselves and others that we can trust.

Blessings,

Judy

Two Kinds of Rocks

This picture along the Kootenay River reminds me of the stories about rocks.  There are two kinds of rocks that grow in the Earth.  One rock represents goodness, kindness, steadfastness, and strength.  These rock are guardians or sentinels.  A good example is the ring of rocks at Stonehenge.  Another example are the mountains of the Rocky Mountains.

 

Then there are the rocks that are grown from anger.  These rocks are pushed up through the Earth because people have expressed a heart felt wish of extreme anger.  The rocks lose their ability to hold strength and push up as broken and feel “off”.  These rocks can mark a place of Sorrows.

This day, be mindful of what your heart holds and what you create in the world.

Blessings,

Judy

Leadership Lessons From A Border Collie

Not only are dogs man’s best friend, some dogs have special skills.  A Border Collie is a born leader.  And yet with all of its skills, it does not try to take over the world.  He simply tries to do his best at each job each day, and to keep all those around him happy.   Don’t we wish all leaders would do the same?   The Border Collie, Magic, gives us these simple lessons.

1. Begin each day with a good stretch – the yoga pose downward facing dog and upward facing dog work well.
2. Eat a good breakfast of protein – it gives you energy through out the morning.
3. Do not force your leadership.  Sometimes you must take the long way around to get the herd facing the correct direction.
4. Fun is serious work.  Allow a good hour or two of fun in your day.
5. Stick to a routine of sleeping, eating, working, and playing.  This will keep you sharp and your charges will gain confidence in your choices.
6. Anger does not lead.  It puts fear into those you must care for.  Fear awakens doubt.

Blessings,

Judy

No Need For Temples

Picture of the Dali Lama from http://www.joenolan.com/2008/10/no-mas-for-dalai-lama.html

This is my simple religion.  There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.  Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.  Dalai Lama, 1935 - -now.

I saw this on a quote page as I was scrolling through web sites.  This is the same philosophy that the indigenous people and their Shaman, Medicine Woman/Man, Wiseones, Mystics, etc. use around the world.  Indeed, there is no need for temples. We are all connected to Creator and vice-versa.  We are connected with everything in creation, if only we can find a way to hear or see or feel or remember.

As we get caught up in the drama around us, we forget to look inside for the answers.  For thousands of years, the teaching has been to look outward. 

If you look around, does it seem to you that the world is getting kinder?  Does it also seem that more and more people are moving away from the old fashioned religion?  Yes, many of the individual church congregations are creating their own philosophy for their church and the people.  It includes new ways of doing things and bringing energy healing into the church.  It is perfect for this time.

May kindness guide your day!

Many 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

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

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

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