Natural Phenomenon

Looking at the SpaceWeather site, I clicked on the link for Atmospheric Optics (http://www.atoptics.co.uk/). What wonderful and amazing images people have captured and shared.

I'm an avid sky watcher and find that I've seen some of these (and wondered what they were) but find that there are many more I hope to see some time in the future.

Go to the website and learn all about this wonderful world we live in. (There is also a link on my sidebar.)

End of the Decade

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this afternoon. I'm not going to make comments, as I'm sure there are still people out there who haven't read it, and I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone.

After I'd finished the book, I read the brief comments about J.K. Rowling. She began this epic journey in 1990. The first book was published in 1997 and the final book in 2007. It was a good decade of solid work. I totally enjoyed it, and am sorry that it is over.

Thank you Ms. Rowling. Your efforts and imagination have given me joy and a lot to think about.

Help Identify the Universe

Help identify the various formations out there in the Universe! The following is from the Galaxy Zoo website:

Welcome to GalaxyZoo , the project which harnesses the power of the internet - and your brain - to classify a million galaxies. By taking part, you'll not only be contributing to scientific research, but you'll view parts of the Universe that literally no-one has ever seen before and get a sense of the glorious diversity of galaxies that pepper the sky.

Why do we need you?
The simple answer is that the human brain is much better at recognising patterns than a computer can ever be. Any computer program we write to sort our galaxies into categories would do a reasonable job, but it would also inevitably throw out the unusual, the weird and the wonderful. To rescue these interesting systems which have a story to tell, we need you.

I joined (it's easy) and the tutorial was interesting. After about 10 minutes I was identifying various formations out there in the Universe! Amazing!! Use link on side bar, or copy: http://www.galaxyzoo.org

The Dilemma

My darling husband left the house at 6am to get our copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
Once it was in my hands, and not just an image out there on the computer, it suddenly came to me that
THIS IS IT!
Not the book, but the experience. This is the final book, the last chance I have for it to be new, and unknown. I'll read it now, I'll read it again, and again. But it will never be fresh and virgin as it is now, in my hands, ready to be opened.

So, I open the book, and the extra large dust jacket has an inscription. "We now present the Seventh and FINAL installment in the Epic Tale of Harry Potter." I nearly wept.

The dilemma is, do I read it fast or slow? I want to draw it out, savor it, wring it dry. But I'm a fast reader. I could probably finish it today if I read all day. But then it would be over. I know, I know...I'm torturing myself, and loving it. In the end, I will read fast. It's the only way I know. Plus, my husband is waiting, impatiently, for me to finish so he can read it.
This morning, I'd barely read 4 pages, when he quips, "Are you done yet?" Funny man.

See you all on the flip side, when this is a distant memory and I know what happens, how it turns out, and have digested it.
Cheers!

How does your Garden Grow?

The same thing happens to me each July. The garden which was so longingly planned for, and lovingly planted, has become a chore rather than a joy! As the weather gets hotter, the plants require more care. In July, this is not something I enjoy doing, as I don't care for the heat.


However, this year the weather has mostly cooperated. The temperatures have not been extreme, and we have had a regular occurence of rain. While I have not had to water as much, the regular deep soaking rain has produced an abundant growth. I can barely keep up with the pruning and grooming. But I persist, as many people come by to enjoy the garden. And at the end of the day, I love looking at it. It gives me a lot of pleasure to see the color and texture and variety of Nature.

Life's Roller Coaster

At various times in my life, I've viewed my existence as a carousel, a roller coaster, a meaningless mess, and an exciting adventure. Just now, we're back on the roller coaster. The ups and downs are occurring with such speed, that sometimes I experience the diversity in a matter of seconds. Other times we're on a long, uphill pull, that hopefully will bring some thrills and delight as we speed downhill. I don't like being in the trough at the bottom. The roller coaster metaphor assures that I don't spend too much time at the bottom before beginning the ascent again.

Today, I'm throwing my hands in the air and screaming at the top of my lungs as we rip downhill at what seems like the speed of light. It was one disaster after another this morning, followed by hours and hours of tedium and boredom. Tonight, I was happy to relinquish my seat and get off. I have shaking legs and mild dizziness from the end ride, but THANK GOD today is over. Now I plan to drink a couple of beers and relax, so that I can face whatever tomorrow brings. Please, let it be better!!

Reiki

Recently I was initiated into Reiki. I got all the levels, including Master, by a distance initiation, for free!

Having heard about Reiki for years, I was curious-- what it could do, what I could do with it? I purchased the e-book on line, printed it out and had it bound at Kinko's. I read it in one sitting.

It's going to take a little effort to remember the words, the symbols...but I'm not a great believer in the rules and regulation of ideas. What was information in the beginning has turned into dogma. I like to think I can take what is meaningful to me, weave it into my own beliefs and practices and create something that is uniquely mine.

The man who is distributing Reiki for free is doing so to get Reiki out into the world to be used by all, as it was intented. Because people often don't value what they receive for free, Reiki has become a commidity that is bought and sold for various sums, some as high as $10K.

I value the gift, all the more for being freely given. I'm studying and using my Reiki and think I'm making a difference to me, and through me, to the world.

After nearly a month of using the Reiki daily, I had the experience of Hot Hands! The Reiki energy was concentrated so that I was aware of it coursing through my palms. I broke out in a body sweat, and felt so totally peaceful and pleased with Life.
This is the gift that goes on giving and I bless and thank Master Lee every day for initiating me into the Mystery that is Reiki.

If you're interested in getting Reiki in this manner, log onto: www.reikisecrets.com

Time Travel?

Yesterday I saw three films that all had to do with time distortion. The first was a short film about saying goodbye to an incident in the past by having the past come to say goodbye to you! I could relate to this, as I've been there, done that.

Next was a film from my Spiritual Cinema Club starring Kirk Douglas. It is about the Akashic Records and trying to remedy an event from the past to create a different future. Ok, been there, done that (or have been trying).

The final film was Deja Vu, starring Denzel Washington. WOW! What a film. It was great. When the movie was over, I realized that it was the third message about healing and/or changing the past, by altering time.

What am I supposed to get from that? I truly believe it is significant. I believe in the power of 3, and that I got a concentration of the message in the same day makes it something I really need to pay attention to. But I'm not sure what to do with it. Can I travel back in time? Fix something from the past to make my future and NOW better? I'd love to! But so far, I haven't come in contact with an angel, or a machine, or even an event to trigger the healing.

So, I went to bed thinking of my past, and thinking about what I'd alter in that past to change my future. It was an eyeopener for me. All these years (30+) I've thought that if I had the chance, I'd change what happened. But looking back from where I am right now, I realized that maybe I wouldn't change it. Those events were the catalyst to bring me to who I am. I like/love who I am. It's taken me a long time to get here, where I'm comfortable with myself and proud of who I am. If I change the event, make it never happen--who would I be?

Recently I received my Reiki initiations. One of the things it enables me to do is to send healing energy back to myself and events that need healing, and/or to send healing energy to me in the future! Pretty tripy. So, instead of changing the events of my past, I sent healing energy to me so that I could get on with my life faster. I spent many, many years in guilt and shame and misery before I began my healing process. I want to soften that process, and not allow that past ME to be so guilt ridden. The guilt doesn't serve any purpose except to create misery. As Joan Borysenko says, "Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson". So, I'm happy to get on with the Love Lesson. Who knows, one day, I may wake up to a different, better reality.

Spiritual Wellbeing

I find myself at a crossroad. My Spiritual toolbox has suddenly turned up new and exciting things to study, consider, and/or participate in. Most of these have come my way easily and have cost me little or nothing. I could spend lots of time perfecting and fine tuning my Spiritual Life, and reap the benefit of a well rounded, relaxed soul. Spare Time is not something I have in great abundance, though it is something I definitely want more of.

However, my Physical Wellbeing is in a precarious position. For several months the income has slowly been whittled away until I now find I have trouble making ends meet. I haven't lived paycheck to paycheck since I was in my 20's, and it is not a scenario I want to be repeating. As the income has gone down, my expenses seem to be going up. Maybe it is because I want more, but the more I want isn't fancy cars, new clothes, or gourmet food. I just want money to provide my wellbeing. Is it too much to want healthy food? massage and bodywork to sooth my aches? recreation to relax and revitalize me?

There is something I'm missing here, but I'm not sure what or where or why.

Is there an equation I'm unaware of that would balance my wants and needs and income? Am I supposed to want less? Settle for less? Become simple?

Guess it's time to create some quite time so I can really listen to my soul. She knows the answers. I just need to provide the space to hear them.

The Cardinals are Back!

It has been months since I've spotted a Cardinal at the birdfeeder. I figured they are involved with nesting and raising their young. But I've missed them.

Today, one of the males came for dinner. The females can't be too far behind. Last year I had the two original pairs come to feed, plus three new offspring.

I'm excited to see who shows up this year, once the baby birds have fledged.
(The pix isn't great, because I had to take it through the sliding glass door.)

Fire the Grid

July 17th is not far off, so I find it interesting that this came my way. One of my friends in California sent me the link to the website, and I spent a couple of hours reading all the material and listening to the music.

Even if you don't choose to act on the information and join the meditation, I encourage you to find the buttons to hit to download the music, for free! It is hauntingly beautiful and I find I want to listen to it again and again. I had my headphones on which always makes my musical experience more meaningful, but I think that even as background music it would be great.

This may not be your cup of tea, but I think we can all try to suspend our disbelief for ONE HOUR, and participate in whatever capacity we can. Who knows, it could make all the difference in the world!