Perhaps we are dreamers

Dreams are curious things, I woke up this morning with what seemed like dozens of fragments of different dreams in my head.

The more I tried to pursue them the further away down squirrely tunnels they fled.



Sometimes I can remember my dreams clearly, other times I'll be able to grasp at a meaning that seems to make sense, or a dream will impart heightened emotions that bring me to tears or great joy.  There have been occasions where my Dad has visited me, once in glorious HD, hyper real as though I were seeing him through the eyes of an eagle, more real than I ever saw him in life.  He let me hug him to prove that he really was there and he was a solid being as real as any I encounter when I am awake.

“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe

Dreams are a mystery. 

Tim Freke suggests also that life is a 'dream'.

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.
Sholom Aleichem

What is life? A madness. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story. And the greatest good is little enough: for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams.
Pedro Calderón de la Barca

I rather like Tim Freke's idea of living lucidly, I know that when I feel connected a wonderful sense of joy and love fills me and wonderful things start to happen.

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Traditional.

Several things come together when I think of dreams, fleeting thoughts of how the universe might really be, questions that will forever remain unanswered, in this lifetime at least.



Are we the dreamers dreaming the dream?

The Shapers shaping the shapes?

Energy beings riding the cusp of a wave of creation and expansion?

All of the above?  None of the above?  Will we know the answer one day?  Do we hold the answer now?

Ahhh the mystery of Life.

Autumn

 



For a moment, an instant, a blink of an eye we have balance.
Dark and light, the constantly shifting dawn and dusk are for one brief twinkling, equal.
Twice in each year, Spring and Autumn, the day and night hang in harmony.

Now the longer nights approach, the green of Summer slowly fades and Nature gives us fireworks before Winter readies our world for sleep.  A brief blaze of colour, of swirling leaves, tossed skyward on chilly October winds.  A time of reflection, of giving thanks, a time of farewell and preparation for the darker days ahead.

I might be a raindrop

Think of a raindrop, a leaf on a tree, wave in the ocean, or a flower.  Yes think of a flower for that is what you are.  Blooming into being from somewhere beyond, and somewhere within.  Slowly unfurling to experience the sun and the rain and the wind.

With these things in our lives why is it so hard to believe we will never die?

Why is it impossible seeming that we have lived thousands, maybe millions -- maybe immeasurable lives?

We know without a doubt there is a finite amount of water on our planet and yet there are infinite raindrops, infinite waves on the oceans, drops of dew on the grass.

 

We are taught the cycles of weather and water in school, we understand the science behind the rain - some of it at least, we are taught that energy is a constant, it doesn't disappear, it just changes from one form to another.

 

Why should we presume that we somehow fall outside of the grand scheme of nature and the universe?  That we are a one off miracle.  These raindrops that fall, have been here before, they fell on armies of invading Romans, swept down the Nile before the pyramids were created, landed as dew beneath great lumbering beasts and were something else before then.  And yet, somehow, with each new storm, each springtime shower they are born again, the same and yet different - different and yet the same.

Perhaps we are raindrops, or flowers or leaves, most definitely we are each unique and will continue to be so, unique and yet the same.

 

Mystery has its own mysteries, and there are gods above gods. We have ours, they have theirs. That is what's known as infinity.  Jean Cocteau

Time on my hands

Yesterday I had an hour between work appointments.  I had taken a notebook and markers with me and had a good book in the car if I felt like reading.  All I needed was a place to stop.



I hate doubling back on myself when I'm out, and short of stopping on the side of the road my only option was a cemetery.  I pulled in and wound my way down the curving road, parking near a tall pyramid cairn of rocks.



I was the only one there.  The only LIVING one there I should say.  It's a beautiful place, nestled on a gentle slope that goes down to the river.  On one side is a little inlet full of reeds and birds, on the other the land rises slightly, rocky and treed.  It had been misting rain but I decided to take my camera and go for a walk.



I was here before, years ago and took a picture of a grave with a carving of Jesus on the cross so worn you could barely tell what it was.  It was beautiful, not for it's content but for the fact of the way it showed the passage of time and weather.  For all the seasons it had stood through, hot sultry summers and ice blasted winters.  I wondered if I could spot it again and see how the last few years had changed its appearance.

Instead of finding my quarry I was distracted by lambs.  The tiny stone kind that mark the graves of babies and children.  Souls that never had the opportunity of life.  I took a picture of one and then another and soon found myself on a quest to see how many I could find.  Each one, like the Jesus stone, worn by the elements, it was hard to tell that some were even lambs.  Each one marking the hardship and pain of life and death all those years ago.



It was a peaceful walk with time to ponder things.  This place, on one hand so full of death but on the other teeming with life.  The trees, grass, clovers, moss, lichens all spreading out, growing and gaining ground.  Birdsong from the trees rang out in the still air, letting me know I was still in the real world.



On the way in I had read the sign that said this was a Protestant cemetery, dating back to 1860 -- new for many parts of the world but old for Canada.  I felt a sadness that death needs to separate people into the right cemetery.  That religion pulls us apart right to the end and that act is as much for those who remain as those who have passed.



I don't believe religion separates us after death,  I don't believe any of us have the full story, only bits of it.  I've never felt comfortable with the dogma of any mainstream, organised religion.  Many seem to serve to divide and conquer instead of bringing us together.



I sometimes wonder if the 'tower of Babel' was not a fracturing of man by language, but a fracturing of man by the language of religion.  I imagine a tower with many windows looking out to the truth.  Each one shows only a tiny part of the view outside.  People standing at the windows may see similar things, some see another very different view.  The point is that everyone thinks they are right, and they are.  Everyone thinks the others are wrong, but they are not.

How much better the world would be if we would stop and ask what the other sees instead of condemning it because it's not the view from our window.  If we learned with compassion instead of putting up walls and blocking the views that aren't our own.



Hmmm.. I had no idea this post was going in this direction when I started.  I better stop before I get myself in trouble!

Today I try and look at others with open eyes, with less judgement and prejudice.  Today I try and look at others and know that they are following their life path the best they can, that I do not know their past or what hurdles they have overcome, or what trials they may be living with.  Today I see that we are all part of the divine in our own myriad ways.

Out of The Ordinary

Out of The Ordinary - that's how this morning sky looked from my garden a few minutes ago.  How beautiful!

Too often I go about my days wrapped up in the hum drum and forget to really look.  To really SEE the world around me.



Jani Franck's Follow The Butterflies course forced me to look beyond the everyday and into the 'Out of The Ordinary'.



From an artistic and spiritual point of view it tunes my vision back in to realising how much magic there is all around me.

I dare you to step Out of The Ordinary -- even if just for a day!

Searching

Seems we can spend much of our lives searching for things.

The perfect job, the best partner, happiness, security - big things and little things like keys or glasses.

During times of change it can be hard to know exactly what it is that we really want.



If you are feeling stuck or are looking to change directions in your life or start something new, I found a free resource that might just give you a leg up.

It's a Vision Quest! You know, one of those journeys people have been going on for years in order to gain inner knowledge. This one though, you can do from the safety of your comfy chair or favourite sitting spot.

It's free and thought provoking. Personally, I found some of the language - 'Iconic Essence ' and  'Nü world' a bit hard to swallow, and the unicorn imagery on the site while being otherworldly was not my cup of tea (nothing against unicorns).  BUT the Vision Quest was very interesting and I did gain new insight from it.  Just click the link below.

Click to go on your very own Vision Quest!

Laura Hollick at Soul Art Studio wants to help you find your 'Iconic Essence'.



At the end of the quest you will have two words to help guide you on your journey. These are words that YOU bring out from your quest.

My two words were CONNECT and EXPLORE - if you do the quest I'd love to know what you get!

One thing I found extremely helpful was the prompting to go and ask your future self questions. The imagined 'you' who has achieved everything you would like to, turns out that person is a very loving and helpful friend!

There is much more on Laura's site that you might want to check out, these vision quests are part of an artwork that she is piecing together.

Go on! Try it! Who knows what secrets you might unlock about yourself ;)

Weeding

Yesterday I did some weeding.  Both outside and in.

I started feeling things gradually getting on top of me.  I should have been feeling great - I had lots of new ideas buzzing round my head, and things I wanted to start doing in order to put them in to action.  Why then why was I feeling stuck and frustrated?



I sat and thought.

I realised I had a lot of wonderful things going on but that there were TOO MANY of them!

I needed to do some weeding!  More sage advice from the garden - things don't grow well if they are too crowded out.

I made a list and was surprised to find just how many things I had on it - no wonder I couldn't focus on anything!

Work - Follow The Butterflies Course - Blog - Beads - FaceBook Page - Leonie Dawson's Magic Money Course - Leonie Dawson's Amazing Year Planner - My Mystery Caravan idea - Trying to work out exactly what type of business calls to me - Not to mention things that HAVE to get done around the house and and garden - Finding time to be creative - Books to read.  PHEW!

I decided to prioritise them all - there were things I HAVE to do, things I WANT to do, and things I NEED to do.  Within this list there are things that can be put on the backburner.  I even got my crayons out to add some colour.



I decided that Leonie's courses needed to be put off just for a little while.  I need to focus on what I'm doing at the minute, I will benefit more from these courses when I don't have so much going on.  Gone!  The feeling of beating myself up for not doing something I should be and making myself feel like a failure!  Gone, the pressure of not printing them out and getting started!

Already the weight of my list is lessened.

I thought about my days, and my schedule - it varies from day to day but some things are a constant.  My early morning time is my 'ME' time.  I find I like writing this blog then, catching up with FaceBook and writing emails.  All with my morning cuppa.

Work is not an option, it has to get done.  But there are times between photography appointments that I could use more wisely - five minutes here, ten minutes there, where I could be creative - doodling and brainstorming ideas.  Exciting dreams!  Note to self: pocket sized notebook is needed!

My mood was starting to lift as I realised I was getting things organised and under control.  I had weeded out some things and taken them out of the garden for now.  They will grow back very soon and in their time will blossom and bear fruit.  In the meantime my mind is clearer - more able to focus on the now and make the most of it.

Leaving the Nest

Several weeks back I spotted two wrens in our garden.  They were busily collecting twigs and making trips back and forth to a little birdhouse in a lilac bush.

They were so busy, I sat and watched them for a long while, coming an going and felt excitement rising at the thought of nesting birds in our garden.

I don't know when eggs were laid or hatched, but the morning of the Summer Solstice I was in the garden at sunrise and this is what I saw.

I looked up above my head and saw the wispy morning mist clouds turning that same wonderful shade all the way across the sky.

I heard the two nesting wrens singing to each other and looked towards their song in time to see them silhouetted on a branch against that glorious orangepink. For a moment they were beak to beak in the solstice sunrise. Then one flew off and I heard for the first time, as she entered the nest the beautiful sound of hungry new life.

It was an inspiring way to begin the longest day of the year.

Since then we've noticed constant activity as the parents busily keep their babies fed.  The loud song and communication of the parent birds has been a constant in garden as well as the sweet quiet cries of the babies.



Yesterday I went into the garden and all was quiet, no parents flying round, no sound from the nest - the babies had flown!

It was both a very happy thing and also sad to think the little nest was empty and their songs were gone.  We had missed all the excitement the day before.

I went into the garden several times yesterday hoping for a sign, but nothing.  All was quiet and still.

Later in the day I wandered out again just on chance and heard one of the parents!  They were still close by!

I feel very blessed to have spied one of the babies being coached by a parent - I'm not sure if it had actually got the hang of flying yet as it was sitting in a brush pile.



 

We looked at each other for a moment and then I backed away, not wanting to upset parent or baby.

If you look carefully you can see a couple of little tufts of baby fluff still clinging.



Perhaps Nature was giving me a sign, a metaphor - 'you've left the nest - now spread your wings and learn to fly'

 

 

Wisdom from the Garden

My garden is full of wisdom, I thought I'd share some for today's post -

[caption id="attachment_294" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Follow your own Path[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_298" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Be open to your heart[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_295" align="aligncenter" width="333"] Dare to be different![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Hang on tight[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_293" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Keep going, there's always a way.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Stand tall, be yourself![/caption]

and last but not least -

[caption id="attachment_297" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Love yourself![/caption]

May your Sunday be filled with flower hugs!

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting

I looked into the mirror the other day and a Goddess looked back.



It was a me I'm not sure I had seen before.

On the surface things were the same, it was my face with all it's imperfections that normally shame me. My hair was flying in all directions, in need of trimming and taming and yet...

And yet there was something else, there was a radiance shining through from within.  I was smiling, and seeing that smile made me laugh in spite of wrinkles and fallen youth.  I saw a Goddess inside. I saw a wise woman, a friend.



Not so long ago, I would have scoffed at the notion of having an inner Goddess.  That would have been rather presumptuous and very vain, high on myself and inappropriate.  So what has changed that I can now see for the first time a glimmer of my true self?

Is it a coming home to me and being comfortable with who I am (not totally on board with that yet but getting there)?  An awakening to the fact that each and everyone of us is connected to the One, to Spirit, the Divine and to each other?  Maybe its a new understanding that I do belong in nature's great plan, and that each blade of grass, each tree and leaf, each animal, ocean, mountain range and breeze vibrates with the same unimaginable grandness of LIFE.

May your mirror of life reflect your true beauty and purpose.

What a Wonderful World

This morning I am sitting with my tea, looking out over the garden. It's quietly muffled by a morning mist that is hanging in the air. Everything is wet with yesterday's last rainfall. One of the nesting wrens is searching for bugs on a branch just outside the window.

Nature isn't consumed with who is who, and what do they have and why are they better than me? Why are we?

Nature appears to go about it's business with an understanding that life is about creating and growing and being the best and most beautiful it can.



Seems to me that nature is pretty smart.

Life IS about creating, that is what life IS - creation and creating!

I wonder how the world would be different if each of us looked within and understood how utterly unique we are. If each of us began singing our own song like the birds at dawn chorus.

How would the world change if instead of focussing on what we don't have and which shop can we get it at and how much is that please? If instead of that we all just stopped and rejoiced at being ourselves.



I can't help but believe it would be a much better place, kinder and less full of inequality.

I assume I am like most people, riddled with self doubt and afraid of failing.  I am learning slowly that life isn't about passing or failing - life is about living in a way that lets you shine.  Each of us are totally amazing, one of a kind beings.  No one else on earth can do what I do or what you do in exactly that same way, we each have our own song to sing - our little part to add to the symphony.

By letting fear and doubt silence us we are depriving ourselves and others of a very beautiful thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

Dance Yourself To Work

What's on your desktop?  Your computer/tablet/phone desktop?  This is what's on one of mine at the minute, another one tells me I have stars inside me.

Every time I turn my tablet on I'm greeted with this photo of Glastonbury Tor, for me it's totally inspiring and I'm thinking myself into knowing that I will, in the near future stand right in the spot this picture was taken from.



Does that sound stupid? Inspiring? Or empowering?  I find it very empowering - a dream being birthed into being.  My goodness if I can do that, what is there that I can't do?

My husband calls me a dreamer, and I am oh so glad that I am - for that brings all kinds of excitement into the humdrum of work and daily living.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying any of us should disregard what is happening in the NOW, for that is all we truly have - the here and the now, but why not add more good stuff to it, stuff that makes your heart sing and your feet dance?  It can turn an average day into one where I feel so connected, alive and miraculous which in reality is what is at the truth of the matter.  I AM connected, I AM alive and I AM miraculous - and so are you dear reader!  If that is not empowering I don't know what is!

I know how I will feel when I stand in that field, sun drawing the dew from the grass, mist rising in the early morning.  I can feel what I will feel and it's got to be one of the best feelings in the world.

Today I will dance myself to work.

Stirrings

Looking for a photo for this post I was struck by how fixed and narrow my perspective can be.

I wanted a cup with a spoon - easy eh?  But I wanted tea, not coffee, a cup not a mug, tea with milk please - I need to feel comfortable.

But stirrings aren't about feeling comfortable.

Stirrings are about feeling on the edge.  Feeling as though you have wing buds and wanting to jump but being afraid that those wing buds are just not developed enough to hold you if you do.

I went with this picture - Almost a cup, sort of a cup but a little bit mug-like. Tea but no milk.  What's that? Mint? Ginger??

Probably quite invigorating but not the least bit comfortable in my world.

Yes, stirring.

That's how I'd describe myself at the moment.  A lot like this cup - filled with hot comforting tea but beset with strange and exotic things wanting to become part of the mix.

I'm currently taking a creativity course with Jani Franck - I like Jani, she's a lot of things I'd like to be.  Brave, business savvy and productive to name just three.  Jani's course 'Follow The Butterflies'  is stirring things within me.



I am feeling more creative, I'm enjoying writing more, my mind is going on flights of fancy (read my other post about the Mystery Caravan), and I have to say I am really enjoying it!  I feel like it is almost working on a subconscious level aside from the weekly lessons.  Thank you Jani - I recommend your course wholeheartedly!

 At the same time all this stirring is leaving me feeling a little wobbly.

Like my tea is sloshing around in my cup.  It's not a bad feeling, it's a rather empowering and exciting and 'what's going to happen next?' kind of feeling.  I wish I could share it with you - it's rather like being in line for the wildest ride at the fair.

To add to this I just joined Leonie Dawson's Amazing Biz & Life Academy - I'm just checking it out but I think it might be a good thing to blog about as I feel my way around in there.  First impressions are -- STIRRING!  Much love an inspiration and just plain good feeling is filling the atomosphere in Leonie's online space.


So where is this post going?  I'm not entirely sure, save to say it must be time for a cuppa - with a spoon!  Milk or Ginger?

The Mystery Caravan

Yesterday a caravan pulled into my life. A cozy magical spot filled with dreams and creativity.

It's nestled in a field close to a Greenwood with the
Sea just a heartbeat away. The caravan is green with a red roof and will be anything I want it to be.

How exciting! I wonder will it stay a while? Will it become a permanent fixture in my life? Or will it disappear as easily as it came?

I'm going to have fun exploring it.

Stepping Off The Road

All of my life I have pretty much walked the main road.



Do you know the one I mean?  Daughter, Mother, Wife, Housekeeper, Worker - never straying too far to the left or the right for fear I might fall into something messy in the gutter. Not to say that any of these things is bad, they are all fulfilling in their own way and have brought much joy to my life. However, notice that sign up there in that photo? It is time to pay attention to some other parts of my life that the Main Road has taken me away from. Time to take a step away from that centre line.

I feel like that's what I'm about to do, or maybe I have already begun the process, my right foot wavering - mid-air, unsure where it's going to land.

Lately little pathways keep offering themselves up to me, unpaved, lined with moss covered stones, ancient gnarled trees of the most friendly kind, lush green lanes filled with voices whispering 'Come away! Come dance with us down the lane and into the treasure that lies beyond'.



Now, on the Main Road little voices can be a bad thing, a hint of madness or outright anarchy, but I've been walking closer to the side of the Main Road for several months now and the voices don't scare me, they are friendly and full of promise.

I sense adventure in the air and a coming home to the person I've been away from. Come dance with me down this path if you'd like - I'm sure it's going to be full of surprises and new friends.