On the Attack!

Today I want to speak a little about how we beat ourselves up... why we beat ourselves up and how to stop the cycle.


I would say that the majority of us have done this in one way or another... we do something or don't do something and then beat ourselves up over it.


Examples:

I should have said ....

I shouldn't have said....

I should have done this... or that ...I could have done more...

I could have gone farther...

I forgot this .. or forgot that ....

I could have ..

I should have...

Why didn't I...

Why did I....


blah blah blah ... the possibilities are endless..


Why do we feel so much guilt for things we did or didn't do?


Why then do we torture ourselves with it? Going over and over in our heads .. arguing with ourselves and convincing ourselves that we are less than we should/could be.For some, maybe making ourselves feel bad is so familiar that it feels safe to us.. of course we don't "knowingly" do this ... but we do it.Feeling bad can be so common to us that when there is nothing else to make us feel bad .... we then abuse ourselves in one way or another.. sometimes it is by talking ourselves down... sometimes it is by making decisions that we know are not good for us... and sometimes it is more like a constant arguing with yourself. How do we stop this cycle?


Heck if I know!! I still do it ... for instance:


This past weekend I fell and hurt my hip and knee ... I've recently signed up at the YMCA and am on a mission to rid myself of this excess weight I've been carrying around ... so this week I have gone to the gym .. I have worked out .. but not full force. My thought is that I don;t want to push myself too far and hurt my knee more and then not be able to work out at all... but as soon as I tell myself that is the reason for not going full force.. I feel guilt .. I know I can do more and so I argue with myself over my own answers...lol.. it's madness! I feel bad for not doing more ... even though it truly is a possibility that if I do push myself to go all the way that I could really strain my knee to the point of being out of commission for a while.. so why can't I be happy with what I have done.. why beat myself up for what I haven't done?


Getting myself to the gym and doing what I've been doing this week is far more than what I was doing so why is that not enough? Why do I feel the need to beat myself up over it? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...


I know many of you will relate...


Over the years, I do feel that I am doing better at not beating myself up as I use to.. but it still happens ... I'm guessing the key is to become aware that we are doing this and once it begins.. STOP! Let it go no further. Pat yourself on the back for noticing and for putting an end to the torture to more forward. Once step at a time...


Many Blessings and healing hugs,
Raventalker

Have You Ever?

Today’s post is dedicated to all those who have found themselves in that deep dark hole of depression, loneliness and sorrow. It happens to all of us at some point in time. Life becomes complicated and messy… there are days when we just can’t deal with what life brings us or we just don’t know how to cope. So many reasons that we can find ourselves in this dark place. Life throws at us so much, sometimes it is just too hard for us to take on.

I want everyone who finds themselves in this dark place to know that you are not alone. This happens to us all and the thing I want you to take with you from this post is that … it is never forever… the pain, loneliness, sorrow, depression is temporary and you can overcome it… there will be light again.



Reach out to your friends and family to help you through the difficult times. With much love and understanding I send to you all great big healing {{hugs}} and well wishes.





Have you Ever?



Have you ever found yourself so sad you didn’t want to get out of bed

Crazy thoughts run through your mind, like what if I were dead

You begin to wonder if suddenly I were no longer here

Would anyone notice, would anyone even care

Your world seems so dark and sad

You wonder, why does this feel so bad

It feels like there will never again be light

It’s so hard not to give up and continue to fight

You wonder what’s next and how much can I take

Then you think maybe I’ll close my eyes and never wake

But then you realize this is no way for your life to end

So you pull yourself together and cry to a friend

Letting go of the misery and all the pain

A friend shows you that there will be light once again

You are not alone in this fight

There are others who feel the same, crying in the night

So let tomorrow be the beginning, a fresh start

And let go of what burdens your mind and your heart

Nothing good ever comes from wishing you were dead

So snap out of it and get your ass out of bed!





Many Blessings,
Raventalker

A Colorful Life

I’m guided today to speak about color. Spring has sprung and soon the Earth will be painted with many colors.

Pay more attention to the colors in your own world… color has a great affect on you, your health and your mood.

Spirit will be speaking to you through colors in the coming days so pay attention.

Even your dreams will have color in them from time to time for some and for others like me .. all the time.

Here are a few general meaning of some of the more popular colors:

Red symbolizes: action, confidence, courage, vitality

Pink symbolizes: love, beauty

Brown symbolizes: earth, order, convention

Orange symbolizes: vitality with endurance

Gold symbolizes: Wealth, prosperity, wisdom

Yellow symbolizes: wisdom, joy, happiness, intellectual energy

Green symbolizes: life, nature, fertility, well being

Blue symbolizes: youth, spirituality, truth, peace

Purple symbolizes: Royalty, magic, mystery

Indigo symbolizes: intuition, meditation, deep contemplation

White symbolizes: Purity, Cleanliness

Black symbolizes: Death, earth, stability

Gray symbolizes: Sorrow, security, maturity



Try this Meditation I found online to help balance and heal through colors:

* Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.

* Visualize a large ball of radiant Golden light a few inches over your head. Visualize that ball of light slowly descending through your crown, filling your entire being with golden light.

* Imagine yourself absorbing that light as it nourishes, cleanses and heals your whole being – your Spirit and all of your bodies – dissolving all blocked and toxic energies.

* Repeat this exercise, visualizing a ball of Red light. Continue through the entire spectrum like this, visualizing a ball of Orange light; Yellow light; Green light; Blue light; Indigo light; and Violet light. Go through the spectrum at whatever pace feels appropriate.
* Take some time to visualize yourself in a state of perfect, radiant health



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

The Candle

There is a candle glowing inside me
Dare to open your eyes and take a peek
Come on, see what you can see
Is it strong or is it weak

Sometimes I feel it wavering in the night
But still, I am lit from within by its light

Flickering away deep in my soul
This light tho aged, never grows old

Swaying in the breeze
Its flame never does seize

Though at times it seems to douse
The light is always there
Ready to roar like a lion or hide like the mouse

It burns steady, deep inside my soul
I’m sharing it with you now, so you’ll also know

This burning flame starts in my heart
But fills my whole being, my every part

Always there, ready to roar
Filling me with the ability to soar

Now its up to me from here on out
To hold that light in or let it shine, let it shout!

There is a candle inside me, glowing ever so bright
Do you dare take a peek
A quick glance at its light?

There is a candle inside me….
Burning bright every day and every night!

Come on take a look and you will see
That’s my light, I share it with thee.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

The Light Within

There is a light within us all... there is also a darkness ....

We have a choice every minute of every day to embrace either side .... or........

TO FIND THE BALANCE WITHIN.

Take a moment to think about your own inner light,

Do you nurture it?

Do you smolder it?

Do you keep that light kindled?

What do you kindle it with?

Do you feel the warmth of your own light?

Do you allow it to shine?

Do you dowse it's flame?

How do you feed your light?

Do you feed it?

Are you afraid of it?

Are you afraid of what others will say or think when they see your light?

Do you know it's color?

Do you feel it's strength?

Do you know where it lives?

Just a few questions to ponder while you sleep tonight.

Don't be afraid to shine your light on the world.... the world could use more of us shining our light instead of hiding it away.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Facing Forward

Today I walk forward into the direction of my dreams..

Nothing I can do about the past for it has gone ... today I look at the here and now and work towards the future.

Sitting idle waiting ... accomplishes nothing

Even if today you only take one step toward your goals/dreams... that's one step closer than you were before.

We can't always go full speed ahead .. and that's ok ... take the time you need to take and go at your own pace.. as long as you are walking forward.

Walk with love and honor in your heart and you'll not go wrong.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

My First Book!!!

Finally got my very first book e-published. My first one was just a small edition of poetry mixed with some simple illustration sketches. I thought I would give the e-publishing world a try just to see what happens with it. Already started on my next book. The next one will be all about visions I have had and native american ceremonies that have come to me... along with some tips and information on things like meditation and communication with the spirit world.



For those who haven't tried the e-publishing sites.. www.lulu.com is a very user friendly site .. I recommend giving it a try!

Here's the link to my very first e-book :-)

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/raventalker



Enjoy!



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

You Gotta Love it!

I've been asked many times in my life .. "How do you do so much?" and "Why do I do so much?"


The answer is simple... "I LOVE IT!!"


I put a lot of time, effort,thought, blood, sweat and tears into creating and doing all the time... and it doesn't matter .. to me it's like breathing .. I love it and so it's not work to me at all.


It's my idea of fun... yeah I said .... F U N.. lol


When I create something new ... it gives me great pleasure and when I share that creation with others I am even more pleasured by it .. and then if those I share it with also like it .. oh dear ... watch out, because that is adding fuel to my fire and makes me want to do more and more and more and..... well you get the point.


It's not a contest or a competition ... expect with myself.. I like to see if I can ... and when I do .... that fills me with great excitement and then I am off to see what else I can create.


I am in a sense in my own little world .. like a child with a new toy ... checking it out to see what all it can do.


I am my own toy .. pushing to see what I can and can't do .. and trust me there is plenty I can't do .. lol.. I'm just not showing you those things..


I guess there are a few things that contribute to all the creations..

~ I'm not afraid to try

~ I love it

~ I'm curious

~ It makes me happy

~ I'm not afraid of failure

~ Failing makes me try harder

~ Vision of what could be

~ Determination

~ Boredom!

~ Smiles... I love to see my creations bring smiles to others.


For me it's ok to mess up .. it just gives me a chance to try again.


So what drives you?



Many Blessings,

Raventalker

What's Holding You Back Today?

What's Holding You Back Today From Chasing Your Dreams?

Is it money?

Is it Know-how?

Is it time?

Is it opportunity?

What is it that holds you back today?

Take your dreams in your own hands today and do something .. even if it is only to sit down and draw/write out a plan of action.

Do something today that will help you step a little closer to your dreams.

To have a dream/goal and do nothing to bring it into reality is a sad loss.

Even if the dream is never fully brought into creation.. if you work toward that goal/dream.. you will have at least tried. But if you do nothing to bring that dream into reality .. it is lost forever.

Take a chance .. and do something today that will bring you one step closer to that dream.

You just never know.. with each step you become that much closer and before you know it ... that dream/goal might be staring you right in the face.

You'll never know until you try.


Go ahead .. step closer to your dreams today!!!


Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Stripping it all away

This is a vision I had a couple of years ago and thought now to be a good time to re-share with you my experience…

The Milk Ceremony ~

I was laid out in circle completely naked as the clan mothers cleansed me with milk. They carefully poured milk all over my body taking care not to miss any part of me. Once this was done pieces of leather were laid over my more private areas and a medicine man then came into the circle. He carried with him a large shell of smoke to once again cleanse and bless me and the area before he began his medicine.

What happened next was something I would have never imagined. It was as if I had many layers of myself on me…. Like layers of clothing it was as if I had layers of flesh that had built up over the years. The medicine man stood at my feet and with gestures he pulled off each layer one by one. With each layer he pulled off and threw behind him, I became brighter and more clean looking. It was just like when one lightens their teeth and with each application they become a tad bit whiter. Behind him as he threw off each layer, there were helpers that would quickly pour special water mixed with milk and herbs onto the ground where his gestures seemed to have thrown the layers. Also there was a bundle of herbs smoking just on the far side of the area that yet another helper would continuously fan so that the smoke filled the entire area behind the medicine man.

These layers of me were… well….. they were ideas, behaviors, thoughts, actions and habits that I had formed over years of living. Things that had attached to me through all my daysin this life. I was being stripped away of everything. Stripped down to the bone but the medicine man went far beyond flesh and bone … he went all the way down to the core of me.

It took quite a long while to strip away all my layers .. seems as though I must have collected quite a lot in this life thus far. When he was finally done stripping away my layers, I saw something amazing and unexpected. I was made up entirely of light. Laying there still, glowing oh so brightly.. and to my amazement I could see certain parts of me a bit brighter than the rest. We read about and are taught that our bodies have these Chakra points… the points in your body that hold the most energy…. Seeing myself in this way….. confirmed that to be true.

It was as if I had the whole of the universe inside me… made up of every constellation imaginable. Some say were are born of the stars .. after seeing this I would certainly believe that to be a truth. Once I was stripped down to this level the medicine man and his helpers along with the clan mothers, sat down and formed a circle around me…. They sat there for a very long time chanting in a meditative prayer. They did this until the sun came back up.

I was then shaded by some structure that they built and left there in a meditative state until the sun had gone back down. As I began to grow back a new layer of flesh and bone… I was given a token or gift from each person in the circle… they placed these gifts inside me. It will be up to me to find these gifts and use them when the time is right. The medicine man’s gift was a large crystal.. it was squared in shape .. not pointed and not entirely clear.. it was a milky color and a bit off white.

This ceremony leaves me in quite a state of reflection. I can certainly see the point of it and feel quite blessed to have been part of such a sacred and healing act. In fact beyond the words describing the ceremony I feel quite speechless.. not knowing exactly what to say… yeah I bet you never imagines that either!! hahahaha.

On that note I will leave you with this one last thought… maybe we should all take a bit of time to look at ourselves and the many layers we have collected over our lifetimes… and do ourselves the favor of shedding those layers that bring us negativity, pain or those thoughts and behaviors that simply hold us back in life.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Which Way Are You Headed?

I started out with no clue what to post for today's wisdom ... and then a thought hit me... WHAM!


So here we go!


Which way are you headed?


Are you walking toward your dreams.. or are you just sitting on the side of the road waiting for your dreams to come hopping along?


I don't need to tell you that sitting on the side of the road waiting for things to happen isn't the way to get to your destination... because you already know this... but maybe what you didn't realize is that you were sitting on the side of the road.... maybe you thought you were moving toward your dreams...


Step back and take a good look at the path you are on and what you are doing as you walk forward ...


Do your actions show progress toward your dreams?

Are you moving too fast? too slow? jumping around? dodging the obvious? walking in fear?

Can you do more?

Can you step it up a notch?

Are you giving it your all?

Are you doing your best or could you really do a little bit more?


Life will never be our idea of "perfect" there will always be things missing or out of order from how we perceive that they "should" be ... but at the end of the day .. if you have given it your best ... and know that without doubt that you have done all that you can do ... YOU WILL FIND HAPPINESS. Having part of a dream is far better than having nothing at all.


Walk in the direction of your dreams ... Believe in yourself ... And be the best that YOU can be.. whatever that best is ..


Many Blessings,
Raventalker

How to Turn a Bad Week or a Bad Day Around

How to Turn a Bad Week or a Bad Day Around



We have all had them.. a bad day, a bad week, a bad month .. heck even a bad year!!!



The question is when that bad day, week, month, year gets us down.. how do we pull out of it and turn it around.

How do we cheer ourselves up and look at the bright side?



Heavy sigh... good question!



Let's see a raise of hands for those who have the answers...



Oh wait ... that's what I'm suppose to be doing here ... giving you some help .. some answers.. some ideas to turn that bad into a "not so bad" situation.



Well, I certainly don't have all the answers ... but I can tell you some of the things that have helped me through the years. These ideas won't solve any problems... but they will help you get your mind off your troubles.



Meditation is a good start to help relieve stress from a bad day ...if you don't know how to meditate.. Google is always an easy fix... so many techniques out there for meditation.. do a little research and find something that best fits you.



Get out! - Take a walk .. a hike in the woods or near a lake .. go do something to take your mind off whats going on... take in some fresh air and scenery.



Get a hobby! hahahahaha you should notice I have many... hahaha ... there is a good reason for that .. creating is my way of dealing with stress, depression and just about any other problem that may be a burden. When working with your hands and creating or crafting something.. for that time you are only focusing on what is in front of you .. you can't think about the bills or someone with a bad attitude or the leaky roof or the kids grades or grocery shopping, laundry, or whatever else may be bothering you... so it's a good and productive escape.. it may not solve your problems but it certainly gets your mind of it for a while.



Friends! My friends have been my life savers so many times... just being able to call up a friend to talk it out ... get a little input... vent and laugh or cry together .. that has helped far more than anything else ever has!



Laugh! Watch a funny movie/tv show... send out some jokes to all your friends.... remember the fun times .... whatever it is you need to do to laugh ... just make sure you do.. plan some practical jokes ... people watch... hahahaha just do something that makes you feel good.



Whatever it is you decide to do .. you have to be able to step outside the situation for a moment .. gather yourself.. regroup... release the tension ... You'll find when you can do this ... your view of whats going on may change... things may or may not be as bad as they seemed... You may see new ways to fix the situation ... and if nothing else .. you will have at least had some time away from it ... we all need to "take a moment" from time to time.



Don't feel bad or guilty... because you took some time out ... that "time out" moment may be just the thing to catch that much needed second wind, or give you a fresh new look at the problem .. or relieve the stress that has built up from the situation.



So go ahead .. "take a moment" and enjoy it!



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

It's Time!

It's Time....

There comes a point in your life when you have to let go of old ideas, behaviors and/or beliefs...

Throughout our lifetime many things will come and go as we need them... Be careful not to cling too tightly to any one thing in your life... when it's purpose has come and gone we need to release it from our grasp so that something new can come in and help us in our growth and in our travels along this path.

I'm not saying give up everything you ever believed in ... but more so ideas, beliefs or behaviors that are no longer suited for you at this moment .. this place on your journey.

It may just be allowing our ideas, behaviors and beliefs to transform.... The stubborn part of us may want to stick to what we have always done... but it is like this... if you get stuck in the mud and all you do is put your foot on the gas ... spinning and spinning to get out ... what happens is that you just get buried deeper in that mud pit .. there is a chance that it may finally work for you and the traction may find something to take hold of and push you out of the mud ... but there is also a chance that it won't ... how long are you going to do the "Let's wait and see" game?

So what I'm saying ... is that it's time to step back and take another look at where you are and what you are doing and what you are thinking at this time... there is a change that needs to be made in order for you to get out of that mud and move on. So what are you waiting for? You already know the change that needs to be made.. don't fear the road ahead... listen to that inner knowing and march on!


Many Blessings,
Raventalker

A Message From Beyond the Grave

The Angels step fourth with a message to reveal...
They want you to know that they are alive and very real.

Bringing to you, loved ones who have passed
Those who have gone far too soon and far too fast

From the heart, I hand you a rose
And a message conceiled in prose

Though it may seem that they are worlds away
They are with you each and every day

You feel their presence and wonder if they are really there
They want you to know the answer is yes, no matter where

Though they have no voice to speak the words they wish to say
There are messengers on the way

Sending a sign so you will know
It really was them tapping at your window

A bird, a dragonfly or the sway of a willow
Whatever the signal, you'll just know

The message is for you no matter from where it came
You're not going crazy, it was they who called out your name

That scent that danced upon the breeze
That bird that nests just outside in the trees

It's not coincidence, it's not a fluke or a trick of the light
That feeling you have is right

It's me from the other side of the veil
Letting you know I'm here with my will

Sleep sound my loves, don't worry about me
The world I'm in is as beautiful as can be

There is no suffering and no pain
There is only light and love showering us like rain

My dears, please don't be sad, for I am not truly gone away
We will meet again someday.

For now, accept this rose and put a smile upon your face
Someday we shall again find ourselves in the same place.

With love and grace I hand this to you.
Know that I shall always be with you.



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Have Fun With It!!!

Today's wisdom ... hmmmmmmmmmmmm


Life has it's ups and downs and all arounds ... it gets crazy and hectic .. it's also wonderful and fun.


Today ... I just want you to have fun.. enjoy life... do something today to make yourself smile.. and maybe even make others smile.. laugh... love and giggle ....


At the end of your days here on Earth ... my wish is that you will be able to answer YES to the question "Did you enjoy the ride?"


So go on... do something unexpected today and have fun!


Many Blessings,
Raventalker


Here are some things to get you started .. heee heee

What Calls You?

Today's message ..... well... here you go...



Don't worry about what or who others want you to be or what they think you should be ... BE YOU



Don't constrict yourself with thoughts of ... I'm suppose to be this or that ... allow your given gifts to surface and be the best YOU that you can be.



When you stop trying so hard to become .. you realize you already are.



There is something in all of us that we are guided toward more than anything else... take that and allow yourself to be open to whatever it is that calls to you... build on it and be the best that you can ...



READ MY WORDS CAREFULLY ....



I did not say "BE THE BEST" I said "be the best YOU that YOU can be"



All we can ever aim to do is the best that we as individuals can do...



No need to worry about competing with the Jones'



Focus more on developing what you are drawn to most and not only will you be happier doing it .. you will flourish!



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

In the Darkness of the New Moon

In the Darkness of the New Moon

In the darkness of the New moon I fly about to see what there is to see…

There is no light and no shadows to chase after me..

Flying about the void, this darkened space…

I let go my worries as the wind blows across my face..

My fears aside, I look at starting something new…..

And as I look within, to myself, I must stay true…..

Blessed be the tasks I begin this night …

May they be in bloom by the Moon’s next full light…

Fear not the darkness of the New Moon…

Tis the time for new beginnings and to get yourself back in tune..

As I fly away on the currents this night when the moon in new…

I begin my tasks and send out prayers and wishes of dreams coming true…

Blessing to every man, woman, child and friend….

May you find happiness, love and riches of the heart…..

And may your dreaming never ever end!

Many Blessings,
Raventalker