Energy Painting ~ Ten Fingers and Toes

When I first knew that I was starting my Spiritual Journey, I had different animal totems appear to me in meditation. The one in particular that I had numerous coincidences and impressions with was the Crow. Though scary in movies & certain lore, to the American Indians, it taught them to "keep open to the magic of the Universe." The Crow has led me to see so much of the magic in my own Life...

This piece came to be through an awake meditation, an experience I had after I first had moved here. As I looked at my hands and feet, I saw black feathers coming out of each finger, each toe. The impression floated in and let me know that all I needed to fly...to expand, create, become...was already in me. All I had to do was spread my arms and fly. The magic of the Universe would carry me along...and to this day, it has.

“Be the change you want to see in the world."
~ Mahatma Ghandi

I named my business after my Crow totem, to honor the many signs [what some may call coincidences] I've had finding Crow & Raven feathers throughout my years walking this Path I've chosen to follow...it has taught me to let go of stereotypes and be brave walking my path.

What animals do you seem to attract? What has your favorite animal always been? This animal could be your Animal Totem, full of symbolism & magic...just for you. A great book to check out is Animal Speak by Ted Andrews. It is full of many different animals and their meanings. This has been the best book I've found to give an accurate guide of the ever present communication we have with the Animal Kingdom.

Animal-Speak. Copyright © 1993 by Ted Andrews. All rights reserved.

“Have no fear of failure. You cannot fail. You can only produce results. Failure is a judgment. Success is a judgment. There is only a process of learning. True learning is shown by what you do with your results."
~ A Cherished Friend

Inner Peace Tool ~ Letting Go

"There's an important difference between giving up and letting go."
~ Jessica Hatchigan

Even as I gathered quotes to put into this entry, I realized how much Letting Go is a constant practice of Inner Peace. Life is a journey, not a destination...and all along our Paths are opportunities to Let Go of something.

"You don't need strength to let go of something.
What you really need is understanding."
~ Guy Finley

We are all on our Path. Think of it, we are born alone, we die alone, and in between is our Path. Sometimes we have other people to help us on our Path: please think of me writing this blog entry for YOU...that I came along to write these words specifically to invite you to Peace.

Since we are on our own Path, that means that others are on their own Paths. And at times, it can feel like we are walking on 2, 3, 4 or even 10 other people's Paths. Here is where we get to make a choice: It is a blessing to someone, to let them walk on their own Path. We sacrifice of ourselves when we don't focus on our own journey, and this cannot lead to Peace. Only by being true to ourselves, can we be true to other people.

"Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head."
~ Ann Landers

I have found that the quickest way to "Let Go" of something, of anything, is with Forgiveness. It can be easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves...but when we DO, we are giving ourselves a second chance. An opportunity to learn from something that has affected us deeply, to let go of the regret & sorrow, and to find Peace as someone a little bit smarter, a little bit braver.

"Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions."
~ Gerald Jampolsky

I invite you to make that choice. Today, this minute, is an opportunity to Let Go of something. Don't try to figure out 'what,' it will most likely present itself to you now. Difficult? Perhaps. Overwhelming? Welcome to the club. But I have faith in YOU. We are more powerful than even WE can imagine. Step 1...Forgive: whomever, whatever, ourselves. Do it honestly and willingly. Step 2...(and smile as you do this) Let Go. See the thoughts leave your body through your head, through your tears, through your Heart...and let Peace immediately replace that space. It is your Peace, you have earned it.

"Although we have been made to believe that if we let go we will end up with nothing, Life itself reveals again and again the opposite: that letting go is the path to real freedom."
~ Excerpt from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying