Nature’s Beauty

Often, we go through life looking for perfection, especially in Nature.  What we miss is the beauty of all that surrounds us because we are looking for something that is our perception, and perhaps, not the truth of Nature.

I love this short story that illustrates the beauty in Nature, and how we must accept all of Nature to be in keeping with the harmony of the Earth.

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Nature's Beauty

A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen temple. He had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple there was another, smaller temple where there lived a very old Zen master. One day, when the priest was expecting some special guests, he took extra care in tending to the garden. He pulled the weeds, trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and spent a long time meticulously raking up and carefully arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the old master watched him with interest from across the wall that separated the temples. 

When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his work. "Isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old master. "Yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing. Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you." 

After hesitating, the priest lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden. "There," said the old man, "you can put me back now." 
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Many blessings,

Judy

Sheep Says Count Your Blessings

 

Picture of sheep comes from www.animalspapper.com

Last night, I could not sleep!  I tossed and turned, and I tried all of the different mediations, breathing exercises, and mind calming techniques that I knew. (And, I know a lot!)  At 3:00pm, I finally tried counting sheep.  

I saw a path, with me sitting on the fence, counting the sheep as the sheep filed by in single file.  I was on sheep number 15, and waiting for sheep number 16 to appear.  She walked up the path, and stopped and looked at me, and began to talk.

“Why are you sitting on that fence counting sheep?  Why don’t you come and walk with us out to the pasture.  Why don’t you enjoy nature instead of simply sitting perched like a bird?  Does counting sheep really make you feel sleepy?  Don’t we all look lovely and white? We get better colours when we walk in dream time with people.  Yes, you are dreaming – you are actually in that in between state, between true awake and true sleep.”  

And she paused for a breath and started again.

“There are four hundred and forty-three sheep in this flock.  Our job is to help people fall asleep.  We all signed up for this task because it is one of great service, and by being in service, we sheep are all allowing our souls to evolve – some of us faster than the human souls, I might add.  This is a fun job. We see all sorts of people around the world that have this particular past time.  We do not often get to Africa, China, Russia or South America.  We used to be confined to Europe, and then to parts of North America.  I have been to the Alps, the Andes, the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and even to the depths of the Pacific and the Atlantic to work my special brand of magic sleep!  

You humans are so funny.  Sometimes we have a good chuckle at your experiences that cause you not to sleep.  Everything has happened before, and everything will happen again.  Everything that happens to you has happened to one of us in the flock, at one  time.  What we dream time sheep have learned to do is to look at each of you humans and your experiences, and then bless you and your experience.  That blessing is actually part of the magic that we work.  When you are feeling low, we suggest that you count your blessings.  

Do you know that a blessing is anything that benefits you?  It may be food, water, a hug, finding a penny, listening to music or meeting someone incredibly gifted like all of us sheep.   If you move through the blessings, and count them, you will find that you have so many in a day, that you simply take them for granted.  It is the nature of this world to provide you with blessings.  Blessings are bestowed out of love.  Why don’t you try counting your blessings now?  Sleep child!”

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It seems to me that the dream Sheep are extraordinary, and are actually Spirit Animals assigned to work with us.

Blessings,

Judy

Welcome June 2025

Happy Duck Walking In The Rain 

June is the time of hot sun, growing, and enjoying.  Our Ancestors scheduled several celebrations that lead up to Summer Solstice, generally celebrated on June 20, 21, or 22, depending on where you are in the world.

One of the celebrations, held June 1st or 2nd, was a gratitude celebration that honoured the Goddess of Growing Things, and the Sun God for helping things grow.  The day and night was filled with fun, thanks, and love.  In fact, many couples married on this day.  And, now couples marry all through the month of June. 

Nature gets in the act because so many birds lay their eggs, and even hatch them during June because this gives the young a chance to grow to maturity before fall, and the cold, set in.  If the bird is migratory, then the young have time to prepare for the flight. 

This year, the Ancestors urge us to be more prepared for the fall and for the cold.  They say that the summer will be short, and that the cold will come early. In Calgary, we still have cold even though during the week the temperatures reached 28 degrees Celsius.  Perhaps it is time to stock up on staple goods, flashlights and batteries, or even candles and matches.  Set aside a store of water.  Being prepared is not just a Boy Scout motto.

Blessings,

Judy