Sacred Connections

Mother Earth     

I am filled with   

your ancient power.   

Echoes of visions  

refresh my soul   

without end.  

Father Sky        

embraced by thee    

darkness turns to light.     

Shining brightly    

letting me know    

I am free.       

Sister Moon    

mysterious   

healing energy.   

Reflections of strength   

in your shadows    

I await.    

Brother Sun   

all surrounding   

golden prayers beam  

their sunlit answers.   

May I walk in    

your beauty.  

Companions  

we are all One.    

Grateful we journey   

United in Love  

connected by   

Holiness.

The Sky is Falling

The sky is falling and I am frantically chasing bits and pieces, trying to put it together again. Most probably you are unaware of my supernatural power since its not something I normally share. A few chosen ones may have seen thru my clever disguise, but for the most part it has been a well kept secret. Lately I must confess, its become a lot harder to keep it all together. Perhaps you've noticed some empty spaces, easy to mistake for a wayward cloud, or distant fog. The reality is I am not as perfect as I once was. I used to be able to fix it with one hand tied behind my back. A little wave here, a determined point there, and with nary a worry all was made beautiful again.  Nowadays its not so simple having such a big responsibility, knowing the balance of the world rests on my shoulders. Imagine. If not for the vast horizon, how would we know where the earth begins? A confusing concept, more so if you think too long. An unraveling sky is actually normal. With so many people around, things are bound to come apart. My job can be overwhelming at times, but somebody has to do it. I was actually chosen because of my amazing ability to organize and multitask. A great combination needed for fitting pieces correctly, while dodging birds and other assorted flying objects. Of course this along with my powerful magic made me the best candidate.  The problem is I have become tired. I don't know if the sky has gotten bigger, or me smaller.  Suddenly, there doesn't seem enough to go around. It was one thing to be Sky Keeper, when it was just myself to concentrate on. Now I have 3 children, animals, a home, and a multitude of responsibilities all vying for my attention. Throw in an extra windy day, and I'm in serious trouble.  I certainly don't mean to complain. There is already a lot of that going around. Something has to give, and I don't want it to be me. Thank goodness for my wings, repairs were a lot harder when I couldn't fly. My children will soon be able to help. Although still young in the ways of enchantment, we are a close family and know how to stick together. I am sure before long, I won't be so alone up there. Carrying the hope of the world will be much easier with a little assistance.  Who knows, maybe people will wake up and we can all work together. 

I believe there is more than enough magic to go around.

~Raven

Sky Keeper

Morning has broken...

Morning Has Broken

"Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden."  

I walk outside barefoot, my feet quickly become dirty from dampened earth. The ground rocky and uneven, I shiver in cool morning air.  I look out over the calm expanse of our lake, amazed at its Beauty. The sky above still awakening from night, my eyes take in my surroundings.  My yard isn't perfect, with an ever growing list of responsibilities and two large dogs, I can only do so much.  The fence needs repairs, bare patches and debris scattered throughout. With a critical gaze I note the many chores ahead.  Shifting my attention I return to the serenity of the lake, dismissing the rest as unimportant.  I focus on a deeper truth.  Underneath the cool surface is a mysterious world teeming with life.  Turtles, frogs, fish, beavers and muskrats to name a few.  Above, ducks, swans, geese, ospreys and eagles make their home outside ours.  I am thankful to share in this magical circle.  Breathing in I release ties binding me to a world of stress, and inhale the sacred gift of a new morning.  I set aside troubled concerns.  Believing a bigger picture is there for view, if only I could see past shadows, beneath sunlit waters.  

Caught up in daily decisions, I forget.  So many challenges wrapped up in different packages have I faced.  Each time coming to know underneath exterior issues lies an outcome rich in beauty, not always seen through murky depths.  

Blessings swim to the surface of my consciousness, soon to make themselves

known by ever expanding ripples.

My life is so much more than I realize.  All is well.  

A beaver slaps his tail, warning me of the awakening world all around.  My dogs bark, begging to be let outside, wanting to share in my happiness.  

Their voices lifted in song, I smile.  

In the clamorous chaos I embrace the newness of my day.

~Raven

"Praise with Elation, Praise every morning"

...Cat Stevens...

I Am Not A Robot

    I know this may be a strange admittance but at least several times a week I am struck with the thought this is all real and I am not acting out a part in a low budget movie.  Caught up in the normalcy of a mundane task, I suddenly awaken to the abstract miraculous nature of Life. 

"Wow," I think, "Being here in this moment is amazing,
I almost forgot to pay attention." 

Have you ever been driving and realize you don't know where you are, nor do you remember the last few minutes of performing the mechanics it took to get there.  I think most of us live robotically, without awareness through much of our days.  We set our steering wheels on cruise control, take our feet off the pedals and hope we will react quickly when necessary.  

Just keep moving, get things done....and pass the time.    

Life is a miracle. I believe it's almost too much to comprehend in many ways.  Tuning out is easier then walking around with our eyes constantly wide open to this truth.  Just think, if we embrace the beauty of each passing breath we might be inspired to act authentically from our Spiritual Hearts.  

Walking in Kindness, Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Love.  How exhausting!
Aimlessly following footprints, we trudge through the blinding snowstorm hoping the person in front of us knows where he's going. Not even realizing the circling steps we
 are traveling behind are our own.
The freedom of a new day is our magic.
We can live differently,
or continue in the same mechanical way.

Statistics show robots only survive a certain length of time. Sadly rust and general stress become more than even the higher tech models can handle. If you happen to follow public opinion and documented studies, as a robot you may be disheartened by this report and inevitably fall prey to an early demise.  

I for one am putting away my tin armor and taking off my blinders.  So what if I have to face the reality of my humanness.  I am choosing to write my own story without referring to the robot manual of unconsciousness.  My path uncharted, never explored by man or machine, as the sole navigator, I can and will create my destiny.
This life I am blessed with will not be seen with my eyes closed, nor a guarded heart.  

My Creator and I side by side...my choice.  

In the background of my steady breathing, 

I awake to hidden Beauty.  

I listen to the precious ticking of time, 

much easier to hear without the loud clanking of metal feet.    

In Peace,

~Raven

Oak Tree On A Mountain

An Oak tree stands upon a mountain.

No longer growing, its season long since gone.  Roots embedded deep in the ground, upright, it waits.

A man and his wife look out their window, across the land they gaze.  What shall be done with the tree they wonder.  Nothing, they decide.  

The standing one will let them know.

A mother alone, far away, looks off into the distance.  Worry fills her heart.  Winter is coming, times are hard, how will she keep her children warm.  A sigh escapes her lips, too much to think about, isolated in her thoughts she closes her eyes to dream.  

An Oak tree stands upon a mountain.

Years it has survived, the circle of time bringing the gift of life.  His branches open, silently witnessing the miracle of Creation.  Resting in trust, he waits for the prayer to come, already knowing the answer.

A mother alone, whispers words into the wind, speaks of hope to any who will listen.  A man and his wife look out upon their land.  A smile fills their heart.  This is what they have been waiting for.  Nobody is ever alone.

An Oak tree stands upon a mountain.

Grown from a tiny acorn, a young sapling becomes a mighty adult, knowing all along the sacred gift carried within.  Through days of winter, spring, summer and fall he stood.  The passing of years weathering his soul. 

 In Love, patient in Wisdom.

A mother warm by the fire, smiles into the eyes of her children.  Long ago a tree was born, to satisfy a prayer not yet uttered.  Perhaps, she muses, there is so much more then I can see.  Appearing out of nowhere, a wealth of blessings have been in place all along.  The magic of the Oak forever to live in her heart, a reminder of sacred connections, ancient and eternal. 

Far away on a mountain, an acorn nestles in the earth.  

A promise of greatness, a gift of beauty.  

He awaits in Love, patient in Wisdom.  

In Peaceful Gratitude,

~Raven

I Walk The Line

I am ready to leave this path of indecision I have been strolling on for most of my life.  No longer comfortable with walking the line between faith and fear, I am challenged to make a commitment, decide on one or the other.  Versed in both aspects, I consider myself a 'professional worried optimist.'  The irony of it all is that I teach a course to young children and teenagers called, "Walking In Joy,"  where I give instruction on how to stay centered and calm, connected to joy no matter the situation.  A living example, I continue to learn along with my students, adding and subtracting different methods as I progress, or digress, depending on the day.  

My philosophy is based on the power of blessed belief.  I feel strongly what we choose to believe shapes much of our destiny.  Sabotaging us are the rambling considerations of doom and despair we unknowingly engage in, silent mutterings contradicting our highest good.  Fed by a continuous stream of ruminations, subconsciously we author and create an undesirable future by giving up the present.   

The key to success seems to be in practicing mindfulness.  Connecting to our intentions, we center on faith rather than fear, on prayer instead of misfortune.  Once I realize I am focusing on the negative, sending out thoughts of alarm and doubt, I remind myself I have a choice.  Either I can trust all is beautifully well, relaxing in faith, or I can continue to worry, simmering in perpetual uneasiness.  

My desire to be guided by faith is Spiritual, whereas fear is of the world.  More then wishful thinking, its a statement to the Universe proclaiming a belief to a greater meaning behind our existence, our journeys designed by Love, not out of happenstance or the results of accidental chance. 

Faith to me is the ability to see beauty in our steps without knowing the bigger  picture.  Living from a place of stress and emotional exhaustion is a prison of our own making.   Realizing there is nothing to lose but a bad habit, I am ready to stand firmly in my blessings and not let myself be swayed back to the other side.  I like it over here, knowing I am taken care of, breathing in calm, trusting my good.   Practice makes perfect, if I can monitor my thoughts, dwelling on those of grace and abundance, my life will be a reflection of joy.

In the song by Johnny Cash, he sings of Love and his choice to 'Walk the Line.' 

For the purpose of my subject, I choose to think he is expressing commitment to follow the laws of his heart.  Walking the line of his conscious beliefs.

"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

I keep my eyes wide open all the time

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

Because you're mine, I walk the line."

Born of free will, only we can decide to follow the songs of our Spirit.

In Conscious Beauty,

~Raven

  

Three O'Clock

     3 O’Clock

My mind is amazingly powerful. I have discovered the magical ability to wake up every morning at exactly 3:00 a.m. Born out of anxiety, presently taking on a life of its own. I have tried many tactics to avoid this rude awakening, despite my body's adamant protest, it appears for now, here to stay. Realizing one can only toss and turn for so long before finally giving in to the inevitable middle of the night contemplation, I try not to fight it anymore.  Making peace in the dark hours on the whereabouts of my journey's destination, I have learned to turn my thoughts towards mindful healing and meditative awareness.

    Perhaps this is my Spirit's way of making sure it’s not neglected. Certainly my hours during the day are filled with a myriad of tasks, spreading myself a trifle thin has become a necessary habit I am trying to break. Having known this for awhile I am doing my utmost best to slow down and savor the beauty in my life,

while also getting the proper rest and nutrition to stay healthy.  

    As youthful and vibrant as I believe I am, burning the candles at both ends will eventually take its toll. My beloved Mama has been telling me to slow down since I was a wild teenager grasping on to every minute of adventure I could find. In Spanish the word is, “Vaga -” definition: restless and wandering. Surprisingly still an accurate description to my mode of operation many years later.

    My intention to age gracefully is being called to task. Unless I make definite changes, one day my outer is not going to match my inner. I will be in for a rude awakening. Therefore I choose to embrace these unexpected hours before dawn, to meditate and reflect, grateful for this gift given generously by my infallible wisdom. Somewhere along the line I may learn the lesson needed and return to the

                       restful deep slumber of an unencumbered serene mind.

Until then I will enjoy these private moments

with myself and the nocturnal animals dancing on my roof.   

In quiet contemplation.

May you Dream, Awake or Asleep,

In Beauty

~Raven