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

Release Past Grudges and Anger

 

One of my friends read my blog from the other day, and sent me this poster about letting go of the past.  It is awesome!  

It talks about what is in the past that can anchor us from moving forward.  

We all have had grudges.  Have you let go of yours?

We all have had anger and probably still do.  How do you handle yours?

We all have things that people said that belittled us and limit us.  How do you let go of those things?

If you have trouble letting go, just take a look at Nature.  Each season is a change.  There is not any hanging on. Time is not relevant.  It is simply a cycle of letting go.  It is beautiful.

This is a good month to change!

Many blessings,

Judy

The Light at Lake Moraine

 

This picture shows the view of Lake Moraine from the spot where I was meditating. You can see how the light is pouring into the area and the mini rainbows that blessed my meditation.

Some of the thoughts that drifted in and out of my consciousness were:

• Love is eternal and moves through many lifetimes.  
• Regardless of the state of the world, kindness and selflessness (as opposed to selfishness) is growing and providing hope to those who feel lost.
• Water is a precious resource that we need to keep pollution free.  As you can see, the water is pure and clear out to six or seven feet.
• We are the Universe

This year, it is more difficult to reach Lake Moraine as the Province of Alberta has put travel restrictions in place so that private vehicles will not be allowed into the lake area.  Instead, visitors will need to book a ride into the lake on the buses that will be running.

When you see the light flowing over the lake, you can understand why folks want to visit the lake and hang out.

The lake is set up as a natural vortex area so the energy is amazing! 

Many blessings,

Judy

Is The Universe Friendly?

 

While having conversations about many different topics with friends, for me, the most interesting discussion is about the Universe, and whether it is friendly, or not.  This seems like a very big topic.  However, as different NASA missions look at planets, we have to start wondering what life is out there.  And, will we be happy to meet the unknown life?

I think that life is a pattern of options.  So, if we have all types of friendlies and hostiles in our environment here (city, region, prov/state, country), then those patterns will also show up in the Universe, repeatedly.  We need to be prepared to deal with unfriendlies and to welcome friendlies with warmth, the way we would greet any new neighbour.  

The conversation was fast and filled with different ideas and “what ifs”.  The conclusion seems to be that it will be exciting to find out more about the Universe and who lives where.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Ancestors on Persistence

 

                                     Picture from J Hirst -taken of Elbow Falls in August 2021

Our Ancestors have some powerful parables about taking action.  Parables are stories that become sayings overtime.  One of the sayings is that expending big energy is like a torrent of water bursting down a mountain.  It has power for a very short period of time.  When energy is managed, it has sustaining power just like the constant gentle wash of water down a mountain side. The gentle wash eventually will wear down the mountain.

In life, we will do tasks with short but large bursts of energy that play us out and may even stop us from doing much for a day or two.  If we use our energy wisely and manage our energy, we are like the gentle wash of water that will have staying power and help us to whittle our way through many tasks.

Many Blessings.

Judy