Nature creates species of things and then lets them develop the way that they need to. Very few things in Nature are identical. The amount of freedom and creativity within Nature is awe inspiring.
Humans however, seem to think that they need to "copy" someone else. They believe that to mimic is to show praise. Instead, it shows absence of originality and creativity. To copy is to minimalize the beauty of the self.
Today, be your original self!
Many blessings,
Judy
A request came in to me asking that I recommend a prayer that is easy to remember and easy to do. I puzzled about this for a bit because, to me, prayer is a very individual practice. However, a friend sent this to me.
A Five Finger Prayer
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president (or prime minister), leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Thanks to my friend Gay, who sends me lots of great stuff by email, for sending this lovely way to remember those who need us to pray for them.
May all of you have a wonderful day!
Judy
When something comes up in your life three times or more in several days, one must pay attention. What was coming up for me was Elephant. Someone sent me a link to a story on elephants rescuing their baby from mud. I read an Apple News headline and story about messages from elephants. And then I dreamed about elephants. When an animal shows up several ways or actually comes to see you out in nature, shaman say that this is a spirit animal bringing you messages, either for you or for you to share.
In my dream, Elephant was walking through the deserts, jungles, and over the mountains. She was beating a path for people to follow to find their connection to the Earth. Greed is not unique to humans. However, the scale of greed and the harm to others is definitely unique to the human species on planet Earth. The Elephant talks of suffering at the hands of human poachers whose greed leads them to wound Elephant and to cut off their tusks, leaving them to bleed out.
Wherever there is greed, harm will be done to the Earth and to the animals, as well as to humans. Elephant asks us to stop this sense of entitlement, and to return to being a steward of the Earth.
Many blessings,
Judy
