Smoke and Wild Fires

   Photo is from three days ago from the Toronto Globe and Mail

The last several days have been incredibly smoke filled and in some places, have caused poor visibility.  I went outside to have my coffee on the deck and came back in immediately because it was too smokey.  

The smoke made me think of smudging - the smudging that you do to clear yourself (and others) before ceremony or before meditating.  It made me think that perhaps Mother Earth is smudging all of us with these big fires.  Smudging is for clearing away issues, problems, negative energy and actions. It is a form of purification. It is a very unusual time as at the moment, 87 fires are burning, and 25 are out of control, while the rest are confined.

I say a silent prayer for all the animals that people have had to leave behind as they are rushed out of danger areas.  Blessings to the firemen that are going into abandoned areas and trying to feed the pets left behind.  

Strength and compassion to all the fire fire fighters that are working in Northern Alberta and BC to fight fires.

May the rains come to tame the fires and clear the smoke.

Many blessings,

Judy
 

Having A Clear Vision

 

Every thing that I have accomplished happened because I had a vision.  That is, I can see what it is… the end result that I expect… before I start a task or project of any kind.  I am grateful that I can “see” an outcome in my mind.  Some people cannot vision like this.  They can, however, create a vision board where they cut out pictures or draw pictures of what the end goal is whether it is work related, sports related, or a personal goal.  

The interesting thing about a vision is that so many people tell you that it has to be long term and very big.  Really though, all you need to do is have small, easy to accomplish visions that help you to move through your day, and, eventually, you find that you have moved quite a bit in your life.

Let me give you an example. Suppose you plan a birthday party or retirement party.  You need to see what the end result should look like, in your mind.  Then, you take the pieces of that vision, and break them down into the smaller steps like – catering – and then smaller steps about how to get the best caterer.  You can go back to your vision and see what the food looked like.  Then, you make sure that the food order supports that vision.  You can do the same thing with decorations – what do they look like?  Then find them or find a close match to the vision.

Today, try the visioning process to see where it takes you.

Many blessings.

Judy

Wisdom Comes

 

When I am asked, "How can I get back into balance with my life?", my answer is, "Go to Nature".  I see that wisdom comes from Nature, whether it is for me or for others.

Yes, it really is that simple. Yet, most people seem to want a long, difficult method of rebalancing.  I think it is because, over time, we have learned to believe that everything is complicated and that we need to go through a lot of steps to get to the end goal.  After all, that is what work is.

Being in balance is a natural state, so, it seems to me, that the best place to balance is in Nature.  It doesn't matter what the season is; it only matters that you go out into nature willingly and with an open mind.

My best drive home from where ever I am is one where I have time to look at the trees along the river and, if I am lucky, I see the Eagle guarding the river bank.  The sight of the river, trees, Eagle, and what ever else shows up brings me firmly into the present moment so that all that has been floating in my mind clears away.  I feel refreshed.

Many blessings

Judy