A Beautiful Gesture of Hope and Unity...

I have written before in this space how we cannot let fear take hold of us during this time.   It is a momentous time of great changes that, just as a child being born, can produce great fear and pain.   Amidst all the glaring headlines about wildfire and flood, politicians at war with each other over cultural differences and saying things we aren’t sure if we can believe or not, we may have missed a headline about another historical occasion.  On June 27, two days ago, the queen of England made peace with a long standing former commander of the Irish Republican Army.   A man who was responsible for a great deal of violence and death and possibly even the death of the queen’s own cousin Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1979.  In 2005 the IRA disbanded and gave up the violence.  Two years later Martin McGuinness, this once commander of the IRA, became  the senior Catholic politician in a new unity government in Ireland.  On Wed. June 27, 2012, in a visit to Ireland, Mr McGuinness and Queen Elizabeth shook hands making a show of unity and the continued peaceful search for ways to end conflict. 
Amidst all of the changes taking place, some of them not so pleasant, let us not miss this highly symbolic gesture of Unity and Hope.    If you wish to know more about this occasion simply google ‘queen shakes hand’.  It is a beautiful and hopeful story.  

You Have Time....

A hospice nurse found, while talking with dying individuals, that many expressed regrets about how they had lived their lives.  She took the top five and wrote about them.
These top five regrets that people expressed are:
 I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. 
 I wish I didn’t work so hard.
 I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
 I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
 I wish that I had let myself be happier.  

She finishes the article with these sentences:  “Life is a choice.  It is Your life.  Choose consciously choose wisely, choose honestly.  Choose happiness.”
Read the list.  Think about it.  You can find the entire article here: 
http://wakeup-world.com/2012/02/01/nurse-reveals-the-top-five-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed/
If you are reading this you are most likely alive.  You have time to make changes. 

What Would you Choose...

I would choose for you love given and love received. 
I would choose for you to see and recognize the face of God.
I would choose for you no fear, worry or anxiety.
I would choose for you a life free of drama and full of peace. 
I would choose for you a world of love and free from war.
I would choose for you a world free of hunger.
I would choose for you all these and more...
What would you choose for you? 

Raising Your Energy Vibration...

I’m going to write today about more information from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, THE POWER OF INTENTION.   He has a list of things one can do to raise your vibration and he in fact calls it “A Mini-Program for Raising Your Energy Vibrations.”  This is all good information and you can read more about it in his book or online.  The web address online is http://danberkovitz.com/the-power-of-intention-2/ .
Suggestions for raising your energy vibration:
 Become conscious of your thoughts.
 Make meditation a regular practice in your life.
 Become conscious of the foods you eat.
 Retreat from low-energy substances. 
 Become conscious of the energy level of the music you listen to. 
 Become aware of the energy levels of your home environment. 
 Reduce your exposure to the very low energy of commercial and cable television.
 Enhance your energy field with photographs.
 Become conscious of the energy levels of your acquaintances, friends, and extended family.
 Monitor your activities and where they take place.
 Extend acts of kindness, asking for nothing in return. 
 Be specific when you affirm your intentions to raise your energy level and create your desires. 
 As frequently as possible, hold thoughts of forgiveness in your mind. 

I decided to enclose this list after I read number 8.  ‘Enhance your energy field with photographs’.  You see, I do this with my own and others photographs, mostly of birds and animals, nature scenes.  My nature photographs are a joy to me.  And I get a shot of that joy when I see them.   Most of them I can remember where I was when I captured the image.  Carrying the camera has always been a fun thing and then when I get the chance to capture that beautiful bird, that animal, or the sweet face of a loved one, I feel fulfilled.  This is why I enjoy sharing my photographs.   Perhaps your vibration is raised some when you see the images I share.  I hope so.  

Your Impact on the Consciousness of All of Humanity

The more I study and ask questions the more I am led serendipitously to more information.   And my good friend is often the catalyst of these synchronizations. 
She had seen Dr. Wayne Dyer on a Public Television special and wanted to go to a bookstore to find some of his books.   Being one who loves bookstores I went with her.  It was on that trip to the bookstore that I found a book by Dr. Dyer that has started to fill in a lot information for me.  We have been told often and I have written about how what we do affects ourselves and the world around us.  Dr. Dyer in his book, “THE POWER OF INTENTION”, introduces us to the work Dr. David Hawkins.  Dr. Hawkins is a renowned psychiatrist, physician, researcher, and pioneer in the fields of consciousness research and spirituality.  He has conducted research on how positive energy counterbalances negative energy.  Now I don’t know how he came to these conclusions and I will only touch on them here but just two examples:  “One individual who lives and vibrates to the energy of optimism and a willingness to be nonjudgmental of others will counterbalance the negativity of 90,000 individuals who calibrate at the lower weakening levels.”  and “One individual who lives and vibrates to the energy of pure love and reverence for all life will counterbalance the negativity of 750,000 individuals who calibrate at the lower weakening levels.”  Another conclusion drawn from these studies:  Because of the negativity the entire human population would self-destruct were it not for the counteracting effects of these higher energy fields.  You can read more on this information in Dr. Hawkins book “THE EYE OF THE I”.  The section title in Dr. Dyer's book was,  “Your Impact on the Consciousness of All of Humanity”.   Need I say more?

In a NutShell...

Spirituality is important.
Fear is the opposite of love.
There is no hell and no satanic being.
God is as much within as without.
The evil that men do is human generated.
To bring about peace on the planet one must know peace within.
Things would change very quickly if everyone tried to be nice to each other. 

We are in the Between Time...

In the mean time the wars continued, there were protests and riots in the streets, and  politicians whined and harangued against each other trying to convince the numb and non seeing that they were the ones who would save them.
It was the middle time, the time between the death of the old and dying ways and the evolvement to a new and higher way of being. 
This time was especially hard for the watchers, the ones that knew.  The ones who could only hold the light and watch.  “Why can’t they just get over it, why can’t they just grow up” was their thought, their mantra. 
Does this sound familiar?  It should, because that time is now...We are between the old ways and the evolved human.  We are in the between time...

Is Humankind Evil?....

There are writer’s that call humankind evil.  Some describe humankind as insane.  Even among these commentators on human affairs there is no agreement about the existence of hell and ‘the devil’ who causes us to do bad things trying to capture our souls.  There isn’t even agreement about the definition and description and place in the lives of humanity of god. 
What do you think? and where do you get your ideas and beliefs?  What is your opinion of humans where there always seems to be war, violence, abuse, and so on?  Do you think that humans are evil? insane?  Or do you make excuses for killers, abusers, racists, you know the rest.   Do you blame it all on ‘the devil’?  Are you insane or evil if you lose your temper and yell at your kids?  Are you insane or evil if you lie to your spouse or partner about an affair?  about financial issues?   Do you think its ok to hate minor things like lies, gossip, etc but approve of war and using up the earth’s resources.     These are things we as humans need to think about.   Being able to think about things like this make us human.  But does it relieve us of being evil or insane? 

Children who can Call in the Dragon...

Imagine my delight when I found a fourth book of what was supposed to be a trilogy by a favorite author.  The series of books are called the EARTHSEA series by Ursula K. Le Guin.  In this ‘last’ book of Earthsea two main characters are reunited and a child character that had been badly abused and deformed as a result of that abuse was introduced.  Tenar took the child under her wing and taught her of love and how to live with her deformity. She taught her that her deformity does not diminish her as so many wanted her to think.  At the culmination of the story Tenar and Sparrowhawk are about to be murdered.   The child having only once heard the dragon’s name, calls the in dragon who saves Tenar and Sparrowhawk.  This is a fantasy story, of course, and I have to admit I was first drawn to it because a main character, a mage, is named Sparrowhawk.  But It occurred to me that the child we see in this story is doing what I believe will happen and, indeed, is happening even now to children being born.   I believe that children now will bring with them a lot of instinctual knowledge about what to do in life.  They are being called Indigo children, Crystal children and other names but they are showing high levels of psychic ability, music ability, lots of common sense.   They can call in the dragon with little more than knowing its name.   If you see a child like this, even your own child that shows high levels of interest in music, science, metaphysics, spirituality, nature...encourage it.   And it doesn’t have to be a child that has been abused, although a lot of children these days seem to be going through a lot, including diagnoses of autism and attention deficit disorder.   A lot of the ‘gifts’ seem to be showing up in music, but that may be the ones I notice.  Watch for children with gifts in all areas, they are the ones that will solve our energy needs and help bring about peace on earth.    Keep your eyes open for these children who can call in the dragon. 

Don't Be Afraid to Be...

What would be an appropriate subject for a posting that celebrates a year of writing these thoughts?  It was a year ago on June 16, 2011, that I started writing sparrowhawk speaks.
Would fear be an appropriate topic?  I’ve written about it a lot.  Those writings have helped me to define fear and even come to terms with it.  Fear is one of those sometimes quiet little destructive emotions that can disguise itself in so many other ways.  What if our greatest fear is that we are not good enough?
What if our greatest fear is that we really are not strong enough to live right, do right, be right.  Believe this:  You really are more than you have ever thought you are or could be.
Perhaps that is or should be everyones goal in life to learn who and what we really are.  Question everything, question yourself.  But don’t stop there.  Go looking for who you are, who you were created to be.  Don’t be afraid of looking down that rabbit hole of self.  I AM and so ARE YOU.  

So for your Children's sake, for your own sake....

Remember how the flight attendant goes over the safety rules and rules of flight just before you taxi off the runway and begin your flight somewhere?  Remember how he/she tells you that if oxygen is needed these plastic cups on a tube will drop down and they show you how to put them on, but then goes on to tell us if we are flying with children or others who need assistance to always do ours first and then, and only then, help the other person or the children.  Well this is how the quest for peace on earth goes.   Changing anything for the good, for that matter.  We can't be any good to someone else if we haven't first taken care of ourselves.   And that doesn't mean perfect, just that you are working on yourself and trying your hardest to do your best.   Also you don't even have to try to be the perfect super hero and bring about peace on earth or some other great deed if you work on yourself.  Those great and wonderful things will just happen.  So for your children's sake, for the planets sake, for that matter for your own sake, work on yourself.    

A beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Today started out cloudy, grey, threatening to rain.   That is how my day felt... cloudy, grey, threatening to rain.  It was the animals and the birds that kept my day from slipping .  Here is how it all happened.
I had some things to do and took my dog along.   When the errands were finished I took him for a walk in the parking lot where my car was.   Now this little one loves his walks and when he is happy he skips.   Sometimes he is so happy that he not only skips he literally kicks up his heals.   He has a funny little skip where he lifts both hind quarters in one direction off to the side.  It looks as though he is literally kicking up his heals.  He never fails to make me smile.   He lifts my heart and fills me with joy.   I pull out onto the freeway after our walk heading home and there on the side of the freeway in the grass is a doe and her fawn, sweet gentle beauty personified.  I send them a thank you in my mind and tell them to be careful out there so near to people and traffic.
I notice a robin on my way out again and avoid stepping on a fuzzy caterpillar. 
Later home the sun has come out and the gold finch is so beautiful in the sunshine at my feeder.  A rare visitor, the dark blue stellar’s jay come to call.  The rufous hummingbird is brilliant in the sunshine.  The funny little chickadees flit in and out of sight.  The blundering black headed grosbeaks come in and chase everything away from the feeder and the balcony for awhile.  Then they all come back and the beautiful cycle starts all over again.  The give me joy, they make me happy.  All I have to do is see them.  A beautiful day in the neighborhood. 

With True Self Love You Will Just Be...

We are told to love ourselves but I am not sure how that feels.   In a quote from an online business journal the writer tries do differentiate between ego and self confidence.  “It's important to recognize the difference between being ego-driven and being self-confident. When you're self-confident, you know you're doing the right thing without violating the well-being of the people around you. When you're driven by your ego, you disregard everyone else.”
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1999/01/25/smallb3.html
On yourdictionary.com self love is defined as ‘the belief you hold that you are a valuable and worthy person’.   They go on to state that ‘you have a positive view of yourself and are confident in yourself and your place in the world.’
So perhaps self love means knowing who you are and are confident in that but you don’t brag about it.   And if you become confident enough in who you are, what you believe and how you treat the world around you then you don’t even have to think about self love and self confidence.  You will just be.

The Nature of Things...

As we walked the board walk around the lake, my companion remarked to me something to the effect that you never see a sad or angry face on the people that we pass or that pass us when out enjoying nature.  I hadn’t thought about it really until he said something but I think there is something to it.  Whether out for a walk, a run, a bike ride, walking the dog, there is something about nature that soothes us and takes away for just a little while the cares of the world.  Often we are told by our therapists to get out into nature.   And nature is something we can enjoy whether we are with someone or by ourselves.   I believe these are the reasons that we have a tendency to create parks and green spaces in our city.   In her futuristic novel, THE FIFTH SACRED THING, Starhawk has created a San Francisco that has been turned into a park, a garden, and a farm all in one.  Streams meander through the neighborhoods.  It is a beautiful vision, that she contrasts with southern California, which has become a military industrial state that is smog, cement and metal.  
We all have our specialities.  I can see birds and recognize them.  My companion hears even the smallest birds beautiful song.  Another friend recognizes both small and large wildflowers and if she doesn’t know it, she works diligently to identify it.   Often people see a photograph I have taken of a bird, for example, and they ask about it, what it is and where I found such an exotic bird.  They are amazed when I tell them I took it in the park next to the area they live.   It took a photograph for them to notice something they have literally right in front of them.  
If you are troubled, if you simply have a stressful life you might look for a park or a green area to take a walk or go sit and listen for the birdsong or just think.   Take your children out and point things out to them.   Show them there is more to nature than chopping trees down or digging for oil.   Learn for yourself and then teach them what nature can do for them.  Actually the children these days just might teach us.  

Define your Magic and start Believing....

Roald Dahl, the late beloved author of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY,  FANTASTIC MR FOX,  and many more once said “Those who don’t believe in magic, will never find it.”
It has also been said that “Energy flows where attention goes”.
In a world as tough to live in as this one is, it is difficult to keep our mind on the magic. But I’m sure that we would all say that we do not want fear, pain, suffering, anger, violence, war, depression, hunger... you can finish the list.  
Some years ago a clergyman by the name of Norman Vincent Peale wrote a book called THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING.
I have advocated in past entries for self improvement that includes becoming peaceful in order to bring about peace on earth, taking responsibility for your emotions in order to  be positive. 
There is a lot of evidence to support the above ideas.  Makes sense doesn’t it?  Define your magic and start believing in it...

If You Want to Look on God...

A look at nature is enough to see the Divinity in all things.   The diversity and beauty and even the raw ‘natural’ violence in nature are all part of creation.   And trees, plants, flowers... such diversity, old trees, tall beautiful trees, plants with healing properties, beautiful flowers...  We scream if we see a small mouse run across the floor but we use mice to test our medicines.   A tiny bird, the hummingbird, can hover, fly backwards and cross the entire Gulf of Mexico in one flight.   We gaze in awe at the beautiful bald eagle riding the thermals.   And have you ever wondered how the animals in Africa came to be?  Striped like the zebras, long necks of the giraffe, long trunks and gigantic ears and bodies of the elephants.    We haven’t even touched on sunsets and sunrises, beautiful clouds, views of the moon, eclipses...
If you want to look on God, take a look at nature...
If you want to look on God, look in the mirror...

Working through Worry and Fear...

How does one work through fear and worry?

• take some deep breaths
• trust that you are protected
• ask yourself what is the worse that can happen
• break down each of the parts of the worse that can happen and feel them
• ask, pray for assistance and then be quiet enough or attentive enough to hear/know the solution
• be ready to act.  Sometimes just doing something can break the hold fear/worry has on you

What Are You Good At?...

In the past when we have talked about understanding who we truly are as an individual  it is possible to get an idea of this by examining what we like, what we enjoy, and in this way really defining ourselves.  Take some time and think about what you are the best at.  What do you do that you yourself consider to be very good.    There is something, usually more than one something, but there is something that I consider I am good at.  Are you best at being a mother, are you best at making money, are you best at loving your partner, are you best at drawing or music.    Peel away the layers and break it down to that which you are good at doing, being.   Some people may instantly know what the best thing is.  Some it may take some self examination.   But once you get an idea of that which is your perfection, that which you are good at, think a little about why are you good at it.  Think about what you have done to get to be so good at what this is.  Think of what it takes to keep you at your peak on this that you do well.  Now apply those things that you do and apply them to those things you feel you are not so good at.   If you are satisfied with these areas that are not your best, fine, then let it go, but if you want to improve them then use your own principles for greatness in the best area of your life to help you improve the areas that you intend to improve.   Make your intention to become more rounded in who you are by improving these areas of personal need.   Then do it.   

Hear The Song of Spirit...

Across time and the universe
Hear the song of spirit
Your spirit
Calling
Calling
Calling you to your true being
Your true and honest self
Let go of past expression

Let go of karma

And listen to the spirit
Your spirit
Calling
Calling
Calling you to be your authentic self
Your spirit is calling you
To be the Divine you
The Angel you
The Human you
Listen to the spirit

Your spirit
Calling
Calling
Calling you

You don't have to let the turkeys get you down...

Would you like a life with less drama, less anger, less frustration?  You have probably heard that if you let someone get to you they have won.  It will still take some work but it is easier in the energy of 2012 to learn to control your emotions and deal with inner turmoil.  You can’t change other people.  They are going to do what they are going to do.  There are types that actually will try to get to you and some are just being their negative selves.   But you don’t have to let them win.   Everyone will be amazed and happy when they see you handling things that in the past would have blown your cool.
You don’t have to let the turkeys get you down.   And the world will be a better place if you don’t let them win.