Power of a Smile

We are often told, as we grow up, to smile and to look friendly.  Although we did not realize it, there is wisdom in reminding people to smile.

The power of the smile lets us move through the slog of discontent and despair or discouragement.  A smile turns on the power of abundance, harmony, and healing.  A smile reminds our friends that they have friends who support them.

A smile is the tool that lets us redeem ourselves from what ever darkness tries to overwhelm us.  Remember that you have the power to change how you feel.  It is like turning on a light!  Smile.

Many blessings. 

Cow - A Spirit Animal

 

- picture from Clipart....

The cow is being given a bad reputation these days in the way that scientists and environmentalists are blaming the cow for releasing methane gas that is causing the green house effect.

The cow, however, is a very powerful Spirit Animal. When Cow appears to you in dreams, visions, or on your path to work or play, remember some of these strengths about the Cow.

1. Fertility, Nurturing - Cows are linked traditionally with the Goddess of Fertility such as Aphrodite (Greek Goddess), Bastet (Egyptian Goddess), Freya (Norse Goddess), Arianrhod (Welsh Goddess), Diana (Roman Goddess). The Cow is associated with motherhood and nurturing since it provides food for mankind. It also provides calves which may become food. Therefore, the Cow represents fertility through sacrifice. A Cow will always try to do what is best for itself and others, however, the herd needs are paramount. Drive by a pasture in the spring and see the Nursemaid Cows who watch over the new calves while the Mothers and other herd members graze.

2. Steadfast – The Cow is known as being able to stand its ground through weather and predator. Cow medicine is about standing one’s truth and not being influenced. It is also about mastering challenges.

3. Perception – As part of the food chain for large predators, the Cow is very alert and intelligent. Lead cows have led herds from pasture to pasture to avoid droughts and danger. Cows work with a sixth sense about danger and opportunity. Those with Cows as guides will be strongly perceptive, and the Cow will appear to tell you to pay attention.

4. Compassion – Cows have large eyes that see all. The stare may be hypnotic and will tear down one’s walls to find the soul. The Cow’s eyes are full of compassion since they are an animal of continuous sacrifice. Cow has learned to put the herd before self, to put the calf before self, and to move in a way for the highest good of the herd. Cows that are jumpers or rogues always end up on the other side of the fence and away from the herd. They become isolated.

The cow is a powerful totem and shows us how to nurture ourselves and honor others.  Those with this totem are usually service oriented and put other peoples needs before their own

Why We Need To Forgive Others

 

Things happen in this life that are difficult to understand.  I wonder if the difficulty is because we are so fixed in our ways or because we have never learned another way.  Our Ancestors did not practice forgiveness.  Instead, they held onto grudges and slights and this habit of hanging on has caused minor wars and major wars throughout the world.  Forgiveness helps us move into balance and to experience abundance. 

I love this story from the book, The Bounce Back Book by Karen Salmansohn.

A wise woman and her young disciple were walking down the street. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an angry man in a carriage drove haphazardly by the two, insensitively pushing the woman out of his way. She landed in a ditch filled with muddy water. The woman yelled after the man in the carriage, "May you have everything you want!" The disciple, surprised by the wise woman's response, said: "I'm confused. Why did you say that to a man with such horrible behavior?" The woman replied, "Because a happy man wouldn't have thoughtlessly pushed a woman into a ditch."

I wish you peace and joy.

Many blessings,

Judy