What Have I Done?

 

Sometimes a sentence catches you - and won't let go.  A quote by Michael Michalko who wrote THINKING LIKE A GENIUS: Eight strategies used by the super creative, from Aristotle and Leonardo to Einstein and Edison is one such quote.  He said, " Do not ask the question "Why have I failed?", but rather "What have I done?" ".  The concept is so simple it becomes brilliant.

All of our training has been about not failing, and if we have not performed as others expect us to perform - we are judged! We are judged as having failed, or as failures.  What does this mean?  It means that we have not failed! In fact we have done something that the other person could not do, and in some cases, would not even attempt.  How is it then that they could pass judgement on us as failing? 

The sad part of the whole scenario is that you and I have bought in to this.  This is what we learned.  So, we do not celebrate our achievements.  Instead, we pass judgement on them as though there is a special rating system for each activity that we do. 

We need to change the way we think.  We are unique; each of us is unique.  Therefore, anything that we do is going to be different than the way others may perform a task.  How we perform it does not mean it is wrong.  Does a silver or bronze medallion winner at the Olympics go around saying that they have failed because they did not win the gold medal?  Of course not!  They have achieved a feat that only the person winning the medal ranking higher has been able to achieve. And, they achieved it at the same time.  How can anyone dispute their success?

So the next time the task that you are working through does not go according to plan.  Step back.  Look at the steps and say, "What have I just achieved?"  As the Law of Attraction says, focus on the positive.  The results will come.

Have a brilliant time achieving!

Earth, Teach Me!

  Picture by Pat French, taken on the highway north to Jasper, Alberta

There has been a lot of media coverage about the problems on the Earth and the issues caused by oil, gas, farming, cows, industry, vehicles, and the list goes on and on.  People on Earth seem to have forgotten all of the lessons that our Ancestors knew about caring for the land and the animals.  This prayer, I think, is a great reminder of what we have forgotten.

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
--Ute Prayer

The Rhythm Of Balance

 

The message that came up in my meditation is that we humans still do not understand the concept of balance in nature.  Balance has many different meanings – that is true.  Balance in nature is about taking and giving in return.  Humans practice this to some degree with the exchange of money for services.  This exchange, however, is not “in balance” because the theme of greed exists in the exchange. 

In Nature, when a plant takes nourishment from the Earth, it is constantly giving back to the Earth through the synthesis of sunlight, decayed plant material, and the cleaning that it does by drawing in “stuff” from the earth.  The balance is constant, and not done by having a value placed on it, but by being the very service that the plant, in this case, is able to provide. 

Our Ancestors always gave a gift when they took something from nature. The gift could be the smallest thing.  When seeding was done, the ground was worked constantly, which is good for the earth, and often milk or a brew of some sort was poured onto the earth as well, as a “thanks”. 

Even giving thanks every day is a form of returning energy and helps to keep the balance.  Trying doing some of your activities in balance with the earth.  See how the energy starts to shift for you.

Blessings,

Judy

Loving Kindness For People

One of the challenges of being around people today is having to deal with people who have huge egos.  Through their ego, they believe that they are right all the time, that they know everything, including all the answers, and that we, the audience are just ignorant, and must listen to them.  Truly, it gets tiring!

We see the egos at work, in stores and restaurants, and sometimes in our family and friends.  When people are so egotistical and rude, it is really difficult to wish them "loving kindness".  Yet, the lesson for us is that those with egos are the ones that need loving kindness.  We can be humble and we can help others, quietly and lovingly, without the noise.

Many blessings.

Life is a Long Vision Quest

The wonderful thing about life is that it really is a long, long, vision quest.  As you search and seek (not hide and seek), you send out energy to the Universe, telling the Universe what you want.  The Universe responds to thoughts, words, and energy, and She does her best to send what you need back to you.  It's really a lot like little kids sending out letters to Santa, outlining their wishes for Christmas presents.

When you receive what you have asked for, the cool phrase that describes the process is "manifesting".  You have manifested your desires.  What are the prerequisites?  That the wish is good for all and harms no one.  Therefore, you cannot wish for people to become ill or to die, or to be harmed.

Many blessings.

Attitude and Gratitude

 

 

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary,

for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,

Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

This piece is from my friend Monique who knows that I love a story about seeing things in a different way!  Thanks! The pictures are ones that I took on a garden tour.  Enjoy!

Peace,

Judy

Breath and Water

 

Our body consists of water. However the formula for water is H20. That means that each breath we take moves some hydrogen into water because the oxygen makes it so! It seems then that the deep breathing many of us never do is really a good habit. Breathe in, right to your pelvis, and hold for a count of seven. Breathe out for a count of seven. You guessed it! Repeat this seven times. More oxygen makes your skin look younger and healthier. Oxygen and water make you shine!