Why Do I Compare Myself To Others?

                                

A big lesson that many of us have to learn is that we cannot keep comparing ourselves to other people.  If we were all exactly the same, then we could compare.  Since each of us is unique, comparison does not work.

In fact, the Angels say, that when we start comparing ourselves to others, we are really reacting to a mirror of a part of ourselves that we have not yet dealt with, and that we need to put to rest.  That is a huge idea!

In comparing to others, we are pulling out the parts of us that need to be worked on.  Whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual work, when a comparison pops up, now is the time to do the work.

Ask yourself:

Why is this comparison of "xxxx" so important to me?

• Why do I need to learn this at this time in my life?
• What is the bigger lesson here?
• Who else is affected by my lesson?

Many blessings 

Judy.

Wisdom From Nature

                                

                                  Picture by Judy Hirst - Beaver downed trees in Fish Creek Park 2021                          

A while ago, one of my friends sent me the amazing quote below.  She knew that I was working on mindfulness and on being more attuned to Nature and the signs and messages that Nature provides.

Enjoy the wonderful ideas in this quote from Angus Williams.

      *************

Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water. Lay your bed where the cat sleeps. Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm. Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit. Plant the tree where the mole digs. Build your house where the snake coils to warm itself. Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days golden grains. Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest. Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in water. Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear. Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.

Nature is talking to you, are you listening?

— Angus Williams

Many Blessings!

Judy

Irish Soda Bread as a Pick-Me-Up

                                   

Our family loves soda bread.  We use this recipe because it tastes good, and it feels like it lifts our spirits.  Soda bread seems to balance the digestive system and its soothing taste is a good antidote for the rich food consumed over the Christmas and New Year festivities.

If you feel down, try the soda bread as a pick-me-up.  Tear off a bit and spread it for the birds as they love soda bread!

IRISH SODA BREAD WITH ROSEMARY AND CHEESE

--Makes 16 servings thinly sliced

1 ½ cups of all purpose white flour 

1 cup whole wheat flour 

2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (I use brown sugar) 

1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder 

½ teaspoon of baking soda 

½ teaspoon of sea salt 

1/3 cup of grated cheddar cheese (for a different taste, use raisins or currents) 

1 tablespoon of rosemary flakes or crushed rosemary or fresh herb rosemary as in the picture 

1 egg 1 ¼ cups of buttermilk (I use regular milk with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar) 

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil 

In a large bowl, combine all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together well. Stir in cheese and rosemary seeds into flour mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine egg, buttermilk and oil. Pour liquid ingredients over flour mixture and very lightly combine together into rough dough. 

Place dough in 9 inch by 2 ½ inch spring form pan lined with parchment paper. 

Bake in preheated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 50 to 55 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack.

Happy baking,

Judy

Listen to Your Ancestors

                            

I found this poster/saying when I was looking for information on being Swedish.  My husband’s grandparents came from Sweden.  They came to Canada for a different way of life and for the adventure of starting something new.

Our Ancestors had very little in the way of choice for each activity that they did through out the day.  The one thing that they could choose was how they approached life.  The best choice was to be fearless, hopeful, moderate in eating, more quiet than talkative, and very loving.

This sounds like a great mantra for living life every day, even in current times.  While many say that we do not have a choice in things, all of the activities above are choices we can make to change our life.

Today, choose one activity and concentrate on achieving it throughout the day.

Many blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal - Deer Finds You

                                            

                                                         Picture from an email.

When I first moved to Calgary twenty years ago, there was an abundance of Deer in our neighbour hood in the late evening and into the night.  There were herds of twenty or so Deer in Fish Creek Park.  The many Deer could come into the residential area, up to houses and sleep on lawns.  The message that the Deer brought to the home was about gentleness and trust.  It was about knowing your neighbours and friends and relying on them to help keep one safe.  People left fallen cherries and apples on the ground for the deer to eat.  There was a comfortable sharing of space.  Now, with the increase in population and the growing use of the park, the Deer have retreated to an island which is supposed to be off-limits to humans.  The Deer come out at night and seldom stray into the residential areas.

Remember that when Deer appears to you:

• Deer is reminding you to be gentle with yourself.
• If the Deer has antlers (a buck), the message is to look for a higher purpose or a higher good.
• If the Deer is young, perhaps it is time to start something new… a new study, a new hobby, a new phase of work.
• If several Deer appear, perhaps it is time to make time to be with friends and family and plan a group activity.

Blessings

Judy

New Moons and Full Moons in 2023

               Picture is from Wallpaper Cave - pictures of the moon

I have been a fan of the full moon and the new moon since I was in my twenties.  I marvel at the ebb and flow of the Moon’s pull on people, on oceans and seas, and on Nature. Years in the past, my husband and I celebrated the moon changes with our friends in celebrations and meditations.  

I love the full Moon, and the feel of the pull of the energy.  The night of the full Moon is a wonderful time to meditate and to do wishes for the coming month.  Goals set at the full Moon have a mysterious way of manifesting in different ways.  

If the Moon calls to you, especially on January 6th for the Cold Wolf Moon, you may be interested in these dates in the chart below.  This chart comes from https://www.calendar-12.com/moon_phases/2023.  

Unfortunately, the chart is missing the names of the Full Moon each month.  You can look up the names of the Moon by Googling or by looking at the Farmers’ Almanac.

Many blessings and may your wishes on the Full Moon be blessed.

Judy

2023 Lunar Phases — Calgary (America/Edmonton) Time
New Moon	First Quarter	Full Moon	Third Quarter	Lunation
		Jan. 6, Fri 04:09 PM	Jan. 14, Sat 07:13 PM	1237
Jan. 21, Sat 01:55 PM	Jan. 28, Sat 08:20 AM	Feb. 5, Sun 11:30 AM	Feb. 13, Mon 09:03 AM	1238
Feb. 20, Mon 12:09 AM	Feb. 27, Mon 01:06 AM	Mar. 7, Tue 05:42 AM	Mar. 14, Tue 08:10 PM	1239
Mar. 21, Tue 11:26 AM	Mar. 28, Tue 08:33 PM	Apr. 5, Wed 10:37 PM	Apr. 13, Thu 03:12 AM	1240
Apr. 19, Wed 10:15 PM	Apr. 27, Thu 03:21 PM	May 5, Fri 11:36 AM	May 12, Fri 08:29 AM	1241
May 19, Fri 09:55 AM	May 27, Sat 09:23 AM	June 3, Sat 09:43 PM	June 10, Sat 01:32 PM	1242
June 17, Sat 10:39 PM	June 26, Mon 01:51 AM	July 3, Mon 05:40 AM	July 9, Sun 07:49 PM	1243
July 17, Mon 12:33 PM	July 25, Tue 04:08 PM	Aug. 1, Tue 12:33 PM	Aug. 8, Tue 04:29 AM	1244
Aug. 16, Wed 03:38 AM	Aug. 24, Thu 03:58 AM	Aug. 30, Wed 07:37 PM	Sept. 6, Wed 04:22 PM	1245
Sept. 14, Thu 07:40 PM	Sept. 22, Fri 01:32 PM	Sept. 29, Fri 03:58 AM	Oct. 6, Fri 07:49 AM	1246
Oct. 14, Sat 11:55 AM	Oct. 21, Sat 09:30 PM	Oct. 28, Sat 02:24 PM	Nov. 5, Sun 01:38 AM	1247
Nov. 13, Mon 02:27 AM	Nov. 20, Mon 03:50 AM	Nov. 27, Mon 02:16 AM	Dec. 4, Mon 10:51 PM	1248
Dec. 12, Tue 04:32 PM	Dec. 19, Tue 11:40 AM	Dec. 26, Tue 05:33 PM		1249

The Angels Say "Be Strong"

        

The Angels tell us that we need to be strong.  Strong in our physical body and in our emotional body.  By staying fit, the Angels say that we can more easily deal with the issues that are arising because of the chaos in the world right now. 

When we are strong in our emotional body, we do not get so upset that we cannot focus on what needs to be done.  If we are emotionally weak, we let our physical appearance fall into disrepair, and we can forget to eat.  Our Ancestors knew the value of staying strong.  With strength comes Confidence and Abundance.

What exercises help us the most?  Interestingly, walking or jogging slowly, or doing stretching yoga, are the exercises that will both keep you fit and will ground you.  These exercises will also help you keep your emotional body stable.  Sitting or walking meditation will support both your emotional body and your physical body.

A simple meditation that you can use many times during the day is this:

• Put your tongue to the roof of your mouth
• Set your timer on your phone for a minute
• Close your eyes, or not
• Breathe in and out for a minute, counting a breath in and out as one, the next breath in and out as two, etc.
• The number of breaths in a minute is your 1 Minute meditation. 
• Your pulse will slow down and your body will relax.

If meditation doesn’t work for you, try praying.

Many blessings,

Judy