Mood:  a-ok

2010 is offering us the perfect opportunity to balance our connection to Planetary Energy, and as the months go by many of us are noticing the effects of pressure building on the choices we make...

One of the things that I have noticed when talking with others is that lately many of us seem to share a pathological busyness. I choose the word pathological deliberately here, because to me it really does feel like a form of sickness. There is so much I want to do and also so much I have to do, that I end up rushing around from one task to another. Where is the space for me in this mad rush, I wonder? I seem to get caught in a reactive mode with no time or space to find any perspective. And without this space it is hard to make the choices I need to make.

I know I can’t do everything; no one can! How can I decide what to do and what to stop doing? If I let the urgent tasks, or the tasks that I feel I have to do, decide how I spend my time, then I am not consciously choosing my direction. But equally, I have responsibilities and commitments to meet, like everyone else. I know it is important to get some work done in this area, prioritising according to what I want to manifest, making active choices about the direction of my life, before Gamma arrives with all its wonderful stormy energy and really stirs things up!

So if you identify with any of this: if you are noticing increased or out-of-control busyness taking over, if your diary is filled well in advance with no down time for relaxing, reflecting, or responding to opportunities the Universe sends your way, then please join me over the next few months as I work to find more balance in this area. I will make some suggestions for activities, but it would be fantastic if some of you could share your ideas and experiences too, so we can help and support each other.

To start with I want to suggest a visualisation and connection to Planetary Energy. If you have been working with the Star of 13 you will know that Planetary Energy is the energy of manifestation, and we often connect with it to manifest our dreams in this physical reality. When used this way it can be quite heavy, leaving you feeling sleepy. However Planetary also has a function of release, leaving us feeling lighter and refreshed, and this is where we will start our work.

Make yourself comfortable, lie or sit down and begin to centre yourself in your body, connecting to every area of it using any relaxation technique you enjoy. When you are relaxed begin to visualise a cross with arms of equal length, like a plus sign (+). Imagine this cross beginning to turn anti-clockwise. It turns quite slowly so that you can always see the separate arms of the cross, and as it turns it begins to release energy from the centre out through the arms of the cross, spinning off into the Universe. Imagine that you are releasing busyness, releasing activities that don’t serve your higher purpose... You don’t have to specify what that is, or what activities you are releasing – just feel yourself getting lighter and lighter as you release all you don’t need or want in your life.  Continue releasing any stress in your life, releasing anything that weighs you down, allowing Planetary Energy to move... Do this for as long as is comfortable. At this point you are not trying to make a rational list of things you want to continue doing or not, you are just trying to move the energy and get a little room in your life. If you notice you are releasing specific activities, you can make a mental note of that and come back to it later and think about it. But for now, simply do this exercise several times a week for a few weeks to create some space and lightness around you. Together we are letting go of some of the busyness and clutter so we can start to create space for choices!

(If you would like a CD with music and a guided meditation to help you connect to Planetary Energy, you can order one on-line by following this link: http://www.starof13.com/index-filer/Page3273.htm)

Posted by angel-healing at 6:29 PM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  a-ok

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe... That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. 

I Believe... That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe... That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe... That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe... That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe... That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe... That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe... That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe ... That money is a lousy way of keeping score!!!

I Believe... That my best friend and I, can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe... That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe... That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe... That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe... That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe... That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe... That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe... That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe... That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the most of everything they have!!!!!!”

I Believe.... ........ much, much more - what about you?

Posted by angel-healing at 5:29 PM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  a-ok

click

http://www.consciousone.com/friends/index.cfm?PID=431

Posted by angel-healing at 7:15 PM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  a-ok

Raising Caring Kids

 We've heard a lot recently about bullies and violent kids. But how do you raise a compassionate child, a kid with a heart who shares with others or helps those who are being mistreated? Beliefnet parents share their parenting tips for raising empathetic children in a "me first" culture.

Teach Kids to Handle Peer Pressure

 When my son was in grade school, he came home talking about a new kid at school that looked and acted a little different. The new student was taunted by friends of my son and they did not make him feel welcome. My son was neutral and did not step in to make the poor kid feel good either.

This was an opportunity for me to talk about having compassion for others and doing the right thing despite the peer pressure to do the opposite. I asked him to put himself in the shoes of the new student and see how he would feel being taunted because others did not like the way he looked.

I also let him know that those who bully are often bullied themselves at home and he needs to have some compassion for his friends who bullied.

--Dovemom

Emphasize Respect for Others

 As a mother of 3, I've always made it a point to show my children injustices and how to respect others. I've told them that you don't have to be someone's best friend to show respect. I think that has gone a long way in how they handle situations at school.

My son was telling me in his 7th grade class how some students were being mean and making fun of one of the special education students. He said that he was kind to her and talked with her. I was so proud that he had shown respect for this child and did not join in with the other kids. Whenever you see something or hear of someone being treated unfairly, take that time to teach them what compassion is.

--Sarahsmile40

Involve Other Caring Adults

 As parents, we are their 1st teachers, and children are very quick to mimic what we say and do. If they're exposed at an early age to others who are also compassionate, loving, respectful people--grandparent, aunts, uncles, etc.--that gives them a solid foundation to be that way themselves.

We raised two boys into adulthood and they both turned out to be kind, compassionate young men who freely gave to charities. The credit isn't all ours, though. Others helped to shape them along the way, and we're also a very faith-filled family.

--shaner
Avoid Spoiling

 Spoiling is number one...this newfangled stuff where we are supposed to turn kids into selfish care bears who think they are "special"...that isn't conducive to a caring attitude. "Princess Syndrome" is rampant nowadays. Ya know, the self-esteem thing: "I'm special and beautiful 'cuz I got born." Self-respect is earned by doing the right thing.

Don't abuse or spoil...make sure the kiddies earn the right to feel special. That creates future caring adults.

--stevegraywolf
Give Them Pets

 We taught our children by example and gave each of them pets to care for. Animals seem to have the ability to draw out the best in a child that few other things can.

Appreciate a Sensitive Temperament

 I was an introverted and empathetic child. It was difficult for me growing up for various reasons. I wanted to add something. In my adult years I have learned that being introverted and empathic are wonderful qualities. If your children are either or both, there are really good books available. One is for raising highly sensitive children and the other is for raising introverted kids.

--Sfltracey
Get Them to Think Before They Act

 You teach them by making them think about what they are doing. When my kids would do something like pull the cat's tail (as every 3-year-old has probably done), I would sit on the floor with the cat in my lap and my kid in front of me and ask "Why do you do that? Do you want me to pull your hair?" Then I'd gently pull her hair, not enough to hurt, but just enough to make her realize that it is attached and COULD hurt. Then I'd explain that we must be gentle and kind to every animal, even people. Because it's awful to be hurt, and no one likes to be hurt. To this day my kids will defend anyone they see being picked on.

--Tmarie64

Take Time to Explain

 When I was little I was confused because people would tell me "that is the way it is" with never an explanation. [As a mother,] I always tell my children from beginning to end why certain things are the way they are. My daughter told me one Mother's Day, "The reason I love you is because you always tell me the truth." Both my children amaze me with small and large acts of kindness. The best way to teach them is to be an example yourself!

--Pattydel
Model Compassion

 I believe you first must have those qualities you want to teach to your child. Children listen to about 20% of what you say and 40% of what you do...and the remainder will be outside influence. When you go and volunteer on Christmas to feed or pass out gifts, then your child sees and experiences the compassion that you are showing. If your child has a friend that is less fortunate than him and wants to share his toys, a compassionate parent encourages that or suggests that, because we know in the end material things mean nothing. Parents are not required to be perfect, but if we analyze ourselves from time to time, then our children will be just fine.

--toolite

Help Them Stand Alone

 It's rare to see kids possess the strength of character to support those who are picked on. A lot of kids I know or have observed are so very conscious of appearing out of place, they would never dream of going against the crowd. I'm thinking that one thing compassionate kids need to understand is that they sometimes have to stand up alone against a crowd or do the opposite of what the majority are doing. Hope they have support--like their parents--behind them.

--IreneAdler
SPONSORED BY http://www.responsibilityproject.com/
--namchuck

Posted by angel-healing at 7:56 AM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  bright

The Red Tent Day was lovely, 20 women, daughters and grandmothers came along to enjoy the space.

It began with setting up the tent- my 16ft tipi was put up on a secluded 2 acre ancient orchard in the heart of Bristol.

Women came with cloths, candles, cushions, chocolate, fruit and herbal teas! We sang and chanted along with Brooke Medicine Eagle’s Cd ‘Gift of Song’ as we dressed the tipi in reds, pinks and golds.

Angela began the ‘activities’ of the day with a herb walk around the site- there were plenty of women’s herbs to choose from.

I made a fire outside while the women wandered the site, and put the kettle on;

We had some white nettle tea, as well as a lovely tea bag blend of chamomile, rose and lavender.

We shared food and chatted around the fire, some women went to treat themselves to a massage in the barn, and others went off in to the red tent for some quiet time.

Then the rain started so we retreated in to the tipi and had a great discussion of ‘women’s topics’; menopause, contraception, fertility etc…it was a really rich and beautiful experience.

The day ended with a simple ceremony of remembering our ancestors and our connection to all women across the globe. 

Blessed be.

Rachael

Posted by angel-healing at 3:12 PM BST

Updated: Tuesday, 20 May 2008 3:20 PM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  celebratory

full story here- copy and paste full link!

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=241967&contentPK=20265036&folderPk=83730&pNodeId=241966

Posted by angel-healing at 9:24 AM BST

Updated: Saturday, 29 March 2008 4:27 PM BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink