A Simple Thought and A Quote

Today I leave you with a simple thought and a quote:

Each man is good in the sight of Great Spirit. It is not necessary for eagles to be crows. – Chief Seattle

Be who you are and not worry about what others may want or wish you to be. We all have value and each our own gifts to the world.

Happiness is flying with your own wings not riding on the wings of another.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

On My Walk Today

Amazing what you hear when you listen…

Today is a beautiful day with deep blue skies and a nice spring breeze… so when lunch hour came around I left my desk and went for a walk. I’d like to take a moment to share with you what I heard on my walk today.

The trees speak gently and whisper this message: No matter the force of the wind, stand your ground with roots planted deep and allow the wind to pass through you … you’ll be amazed to find yourself still standing.

The yellow butterfly came to dance with me as I made my rounds. So joyfully it danced back and fourth around my path as I made my way. The sunlight bouncing off it’s yellow wings gave it a brilliant luminescent hue. Yellow – the color associated with the sun – giving us the gift of revitalization, strength, endurance and mental clarity. The butterfly – reminding us to dance and to fill our hearts with joy. A reminder not to take life so seriously.

Suddenly a silver dragonfly came buzzing past me and then danced upon the honeysuckle along the path. The dragonfly – the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world. Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which need changing. Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. Silver gives us the gift of emotional stability, removes or neutralizes negativity, aids in intuition, dreams, psychic abilities and psychic workings.

And last but certainly not least – The dandelion – it’s seedlings drifted all over the park .. it looked as though they drifted on the breeze with purpose and knew where they were going. The dandelion has many medicinal purposes and reminds us that not only do we need to take of our spiritual but also our physical bodies.

Well, I’d say that was a very insightful walk today :-) It’s always fun learning something new and to be outside with all Creators gift … it can’t get much better than that!

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Look Twice Before You Leap!

I hadn’t posted anything all day today because I just haven’t had any insightful words to give … well… That has now changed!

I work with a wonderful guy here at Coldwell Banker Barnes in Brentwood, his name is Jerry Kemp and he’s been a real estate agent for over 48 years. Today he told me a story and I’d like to take a moment to share his story.

Back in the day when he was in army and was in training … his unit was out doing maneuvers. They came upon a spot that was really dark in one area and light in another. He told his captain that it looked like they were going to have to jump over the ditch. The Captain said, no we will just go around. Jerry then says, how long will it takes us if we go around it? The Captain replies with, about an hour. He said to the Captain.. “hold on and watch this” (famous last words… hahahahahah)

Jerry backs up and takes off running and goes for it!

Then suddenly realizes that what he thought was the bank of the ditch in front of him was actually the tops of the trees down in the valley.

So there goes Jerry.. reaching out trying to grab hold of every limb he falls into on his way down … oh and screaming all the way. Limb after limb just breaks as he falls. He lands and by means of some sort of miracle only has scratches and bruises… nothing was broken. The Captain shouts down, are you ok? Jerry shouts back to them.. I’m ok but yall go around!

Jerry said to me after his story… about half way down he was thinking of quitting the army …lol

He sure had an angel watching after him that day and since then I bet he looks twice before leaping into the darkness!

It’s always a pleasure to hear Jerry’s stories…. I can picture in my mind, him free falling into those trees.. thinking it was just going to be a quick jump over the ditch.

So take Jerry’s advice… live and learn and oh yeah.. Look twice before leaping!

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Fear of Reaching Out

Today I want to talk a moment about those feelings we get urging us to reach out to someone .. someone we don't know.

You ever see someone out in public and immediately get this urge to go over and speak to them .. offering a hand .. advice .. encouragement or a hug?

This is what I'm talking about today .. I have two stories I'd like to share with you today.

Story No. 1:

The first happened a few years ago....

I was going to Tong Ren(energy healing) classes with a friend of mine and there was a woman there .. who had obvious sadness or depression in her life. I always carry crystals with me ... and the first time I saw her .. this voice inside me said .. give her the crystal.. I fought back and fourth with that voice through the whole class. I told the voice.. I can't do that .. I don't know this lady and she doesn't know me.. what will she think... be the voice insisted I give her the crystal.. the class ended and I didn't give her the crystal.

The next class, there she is again and oh boy there is that voice again. All class I argued with the voice and struggled with what to do.. going over in my head how this would play out if I made the decision to hand the woman a crystal.

By the end of the class .. the voice was so overwhelming that I gave in.. took the crystal from my bag and turned to face the woman with my hand out ... crystal in hand.. she looked at me and started crying .. not just a little tear .. I mean she was seriously crying .. she took the crystal and hugged me.. and then said .. Thank you for noticing and thank you for caring. WOW! I was speechless .. yes, me .. speechless. It felt good... and the voice had been right all along.


Story No. 2:

Ok this happened to me yesterday.. I was at the gym, riding the bike.. pushin and goin like crazy trying to get through the whole 30 minutes and reach my 8 mile mark. I notice a lady in the mirror behind me.. she is on the treadmill and quite a large lady .. I felt a great sadness and loneliness about her and I couldn't help but keep checking on her. She is on that treadmill walking the whole time I am on my bike and my thoughts go out to her. I'm inspired by the fact that she is in there just like me fighting this battle to get fit. It's her loneliness that keeps pulling my attention to her .. not her size. I wanted to get off my bike and ask her if she minded if I walk on the treadmill next to her .. I wanted to do this so maybe we could strike up a conversation and that maybe I could take away some of that lonely feeling she had. Again, I argue back and fourth with my own feelings... I don't know this lady and she doesn't know me. Maybe she just wants to work out and be left alone.. but that feeling I keep getting from her makes me want to help her.

The voice keeps on talking and I keep on arguing. I wanted to go up to her and say.. just in case no one has told you today.. I want to say I'm proud of you.. but that sounded weird to me and I was worried how it would come across and how she might take that. I just wanted to find a way to keep her encouraged and to take away some of the loneliness she had.

I finished my 30 minutes and my 8 miles and even though I so badly wanted to approach this lady .. I didn't .. all the way home I kept thinking about her and was kicking myself for not doing something. I hope I see her again... I will try to strike a conversation and just offer to come work out with her if she wants a buddy to workout with.

Maybe she didn't want or need the help.. but then again .. maybe she did .. and there I was doing nothing about it. After all whats the worst she could do .. tell me no and to tell me to piss off.

I regret letting my fears keep me from doing what I was instinctually guided to do.

I'd love to hear your stories, if this has happened to you .. or if you were on the other end and a stranger has come to you out of the blue to help.


Many Blessings,
Raventalker

A Walk to Remember

A walk with the fairies…

Today is an absolutely beautiful day so instead of sitting at my desk through my lunch hour, I decided to go down to the park a few blocks away and walk. Guess who joined me! That’s right the fairies accompanied me today.

Right away, upon stepping onto the walking path I was greeted by a dragonfly and I knew that this was going to be an adventurous walk. The was sun shining bright in the crisp blue sky and a breeze was whispering through the trees. Honeysuckle in full bloom as we make our way around the winding path in the park.

Coming around the bend, nearly completing my first loop, a beautiful yellow butterfly decides to join us. She dances softly upon the grass and the dandelions, playing upon the breeze as we complete round 1 of our battle of the bulge. The fairies are delighted to have a new playmate join us. The butterfly reminds us that life is a dance and to not take things so seriously. They also show us how transformation doesn't have to be traumatic, it can occur gently and with ease.

All together we round another bend in the path to find two bumble bees playing tag in the honeysuckle vines. What a hilarious sight, seeing the two of them dodge back and fourth and all around the honeysuckle. The fairies nearly fell to the ground laughing so hard at these two and all their buzzing about. The bumble bee is a great gift from Spirit, they teach us of the sweetness in life and their buzzing awakens us to the moment. The bumble bee also shows us that when we focus our intentions, much can be accomplished.

Making my way through round 2, I look up into the trees as the breeze sweeps through their branches and I can hear them cheer me on as I continue this battle of the bulge. I’m not giving up. I have got to keep going. With help from my friends, the fairies, I know I’m not alone as I push forward. My legs ache and it’s hot out but I must go on.

A cardinal dashes into the bushes, there must be a nest near. I see him sitting guard on a branch as I pass by. He turns his back to me as to say, nothing to see here folks, move on. I giggle and keep my pace. As I pass by the stream in the center of the park another butterfly joins us. This time a small white butterfly. The sunlight reflecting on its tiny little wings reminds me of the light that glows inside us all. That healing light of love that comes from the source and fills each and every one of us.

Wow, we are growing a crowd here. The fairies, the butterflies, the bumblebees, the dragonfly and me, all travelers enjoying the day. What a beautiful day for a walk it is. The aroma of honeysuckle fills the air and it reminds of when I was a kid, plucking the flowers from the vines for a taste of their sweet nectar. Those were the days when our only worry was being home before dark.

It’s round 3 already and with help from my friends and the beautiful day, I’m chugging along just fine. My legs have their strength and I’m not even out of breath. Round and round we go, dancing along this path, I have no doubts that I will reach my goal. The trees have secrets they wish to share with us as we journey. I am pleased that they wish to confide and am eager to hear what they have to say. They want to show us how we can stand strong and yet still be able to bend when needed. They tell us to let our worries go with the wind and to not cling too tightly to things. We have to allow life to flow through us for when we stand against the wind, we may very well break if not open to what comes our way. The trees are very wise. They have seen so much more than us and if you open your mind they will share with you too, their secrets and wisdom.

I’m now on my final journey and I see I have been given some gifts along the way. Not only the gift of great company keeping me focused on the journey before me but also some gifts from their world. I pick up a few items that I will use to craft some things with as a thank you to my walking companions. Just as we round that last bend, I see a raven sitting on the cool grass in the shade. Just as we approach she takes off, flying a complete circle around us.. showing off her remarkable gift of flight. The raven speaks and says we often don’t know who we are until we see what we can do and with that she fades off into the distance leaving us to finish what we have come to do.

Round 4 complete! I have a hand full of nature’s gifts to craft something special for my friends and so I must be on my way back to work. The dragonfly bids me a farewell as I exit the path, the bees get back to their game of tag, the butterflies continue playing upon the breeze and the fairies, well the fairies are always with me.

When you walk through life awake and with your eyes wide open.. there's no telling what you might see along the way.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

P.S.
The pic I took at the top was taken at 2:22 hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa

Staying on Course!

Today I want to talk a little bit about some things I've been going through myself.

I have recently joined a gym and have been workingout each week in hopes to shed some weight and get fit.

First of all after working a 10 hour day with an added 1 hour or more commute each way ... it's a struggle just to get myself to the gym instead of going home and relaxing.... but I've been pretty good at getting there anyway.

Yesterday I went straight from work to the gym .. got myself on a bike and started peddling ... 5 minutes goes by and I am ready to stop and go home.. I find myself talking my way through it .. saying to myself.. I think I can make it to 15 minutes then I'll stop for today and go home... 12 minutes comes around and I am definately ready to call it quits at 15 minutes... so then 15 minutes comes around and I think to myself.. ok 5 more minutes .. 20 minutes isn't so bad .. so I am ok with quitting at 20 minutes .. 20 minutes comes around and I'm thinking oh how I want to quit but then I'm thinking I've got this far .. only 10 minutes left.. I CAN DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS!

That next 10 minutes I'm just feeling determined to finish it out and make it to the 30 minute mark.. I'm sore, tired and really ready to stop but I keep going .. I grab hold of that bike and finish the 30 minutes.

Whew! I did it! I made it all the way even though 5 minutes into it I was ready to give up and go home. Now proud that I made it through and that I didn't quit but also exhausted! hahahahaha but a good exhausted :-)

My message today is .. stay on the bike! You'll feel so much better about your decisions and you'll be that much closer to your goal.

No goal was ever met by giving up.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Do You Really KNow?

Today Spirit guides me to post this question to you…

Do you really know who you are today?

I know may sound odd… and I have gone back and fourth with Spirit today about posting this .. but I am urged that I should so ok.. here I am posting the question.

Do you really know who you are today?

In general you may have a gist of who YOU are … but how about today? How about now?

Are you feeling your life and your views shift?

Are you who you always thought you would be or are you someone different?

Are you the same person every day or do you find that some days you feel all together someone else?

Do you have a sure footing of who you are?

Beyond your beliefs … beyond your morals and standards of living .. do you feel like you know who you are?

Personally … I use to question myself all the time… so I can understand this line of questioning.

I use to wonder my purpose in this world.. but now I just live day to day with the faith that I am doing as I was designed to do and that my purpose will find a way of manifesting.

Trying too hard to FIND your purpose can distract you from actually realizing your purpose.. you see we were all born designed with our own individual purpose .. all we really have to do is live our lives and that purpose will be met.

I know .. I know.. but you want to KNOW what that purpose is and why, and who , and what, and where and when ..and … and…

At the end of the day .. does it matter that we know our own purpose or does it matter more that we feel full at the of our journey.

The question at the end will be “Were you happy?” “Did you have a good time? “ “Did you enjoy this life?”.…. not a grading system of check marks on tasks completed.

Food for thought :-)

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

A Whisper of Trust

STORY OF THE DAY!
Ok so I go out to my car this morning to get my painting supplies, so I can get started on a new painting I have in mind to start today.

I was walking toward the front porch when I “sensed” that I had dropped something .. my arms were chocked full of stuff so I didn’t feel or hear anything drop or fall but I SENSED it.

I turned around and sure enough I had dropped one of the craft sticks I had bought… bent down to pick it up and right next to it a 4 leaf clover… so you know me… I had to thank the fairies for their gift and sing them a little song .. I always sing to them when looking for 4 leaf clovers… they like it and they show me more when I do and with every clover I pick I thank them.

So suddenly I had this feeling that there were more they wanted me to see… so I put the dog and my arm full of supplies in the house and came back out. I started singing my song and the 4 leaf clovers began to appear. I had this feeling that they wanted me to add these clovers to one of my special paintings I’m going to be working on soon and so they had much to show me. Singing my song I picked clover after clover until they said ok Raven… thats enough for now…lol.. they gave me 10 clovers just then.

Then I had this whisper in my ear to go around to the back yard. The whisper said that there is a feather waiting for me near one of the areas the birds feed from. So, ok I go in the house, put down my clovers and head for the back yard. I went directly to the feeder closest to the back deck because from the image they showed me, I knew it was close to the deck. I stood there looking around and looking over at the feeder that is in the middle of the back yard and knew it wasn’t over there. Then realized, oh yeah they feed over there by the tree where the squirrel feeder is and headed to the tree(also close to the deck). There it was … my gifted feather from a blue jay!

Message of the day… Listen to that whisper! Great big raven smiles :-)

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Who Was I?

If you haven’t ever been through a past life regression … you don’t know what you are missing!

I have been fortunate to attend several past life regression sessions and each and every time I find out something new about myself.

I went in from the beginning with an open mind but also a bit skeptical about what would happen… and what if anything I would see or remember.

The sessions I attended were group guided meditations … a group of people would all be guided back by one person at the same time.

So, there I am at my very first session … laying in the floor, so many thoughts going through my head … wondering what this will be like. Will I see anything? Will it feel real? Will I connect? What on Earth is this going to reveal and will it work?

She begins by having us close our eyes and talks us through a relaxed state…. then she has us going to a forest and in this forest the trees have doors … each door an entrance to a past life. We each select a door and step through .. we are taken to that lifetime.. then to the most important day of that life and then to our death in that life and finally back to the light.

I was amazed at how clear the visions were that came to me.. and how I felt all the emotions of that life coming into me. This felt like a true memory each and every time. Quite amazing.

I learned that in many of my lives I was in one form or another … a teacher and that in most cases I found myself somewhere in Uk, England or Ireland mostly. These impressions stay with you once you bring them to life. It’s quite hard to forget once you remember!

Not that I would want to forget.. each experience brought me an “Ah-Ha!” moment …

I won’t go into detail now about my own experiences .. but I will ecourgage you to find yours. Truly an experience you’ll never forget and an experience that could help you in this life.

Anyway …. Spirit urged me to share this tonight and so there have it…

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Rebuilding...

When you are walking upon the storm .. and your life seems to be falling to pieces...

Understand that .... Sometimes your world needs to fall apart so you can rebuild it.

Think about all the storms you have been through ... you're here .. you survived... you rebuilt what you once had and you will again ...

Patching the walls doesn't really get rid of the holes.. it just hides them

So the wall get torn down and you build it back ... stronger and better than before.

I've patched many holes .. and my world has fallen apart many times... each time I dusted myself off eventually ... and began the rebuild process...



This is message is to let those who are going through a storm now... know that you are not alone.. and the task before you is not an impossible one... although it may seem impossible.. you will get through this ...

Many hugs and healing blessings to you
Raventalker

Focusing on Possibilities

This morning on my way to work .. I heard a sound bite from the movie "Soul Surfer". The quote was "I don't need easy, I can use possible."

What a great quote!

Hearing this made me think of opportunities that have come my way and then I wondered .. did I take easy instead of possible? Did I throw away opportunities because I thought they might be too hard? I'm sure that down my road there were moments when I dismissed the possible and took easy. We all have at some point, I'm sure.

This was a great reminder of what we could be missing or passing up if we don't look at the possibilities and instead only look at how difficult something may or may not be.

How much further could we go if we focused more on the possibilities of life instead of the obstacles?

Don't we always say "Anything is possible if you just believe" ?

Well... I believe that today I am going to focus a whole lot more on the possibilities and a whole lot less on what stands between me and those possibilities.

Get-R-Done! hahahahahaa sorry, the south in me just had to say it

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Have You Kept Your Own Word?

Some food for thought this evening…..


Each year we learn new lessons and each year we tell ourselves that next time we will do it differently .. whatever “it” is.

At the end of each year we say .. the coming year will be a different year .. that we will make much needed changes and life will change for us.

Well…. ?

Have you made the changes you said you would make?

I’m trying … taking one step at a time and one day at a time to keep my own word. It’s not an easy road … but a road I need to take. Some days it’s harder than others. I just want you all to know .. you are not alone out there .. we all have changes that need to be made in one way or another. Some easy .. some not so easy and some hard as hell!! If you need help, reach out to friends and family… talk over your options, your difficulties… they may be able to help you get through.

How about you?

Are you staying true to your own word? Are you making the changes you need to make?

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Journey to the Summit

Today the Grandmothers came for a visit ...

Straight away one of them came over and grabbed me by the ear and said "come on, we must go"

"Go where, I asked" ... "nevermind that, just come on"

They said we had to get to the top of that mountain ... as she pointed to this remote, very steep mountain top that looked to be somewhere in Asia.

The mountain was a very tall, thin, pointy looking mountain .. I thought to myself ... OH DEAR! How on earth am I getting up there!!!

I started grabbing a few things as they pulled me to the base of the mountain ... things i thought I might need to help me along the way.

Off we went up the mountain .. the sun beating down on my back felt like a brick house pushing me down .. the grandmothers seems to climb with a whole lot more ease than me .... how could I be out-done by a couple of old ladies!!!

I kept climbing ...

As I climbed I began letting loose of some of those things I thought I needed.. I had to shed some weight to make it to the top.... lightened the load!

I'm not sure how long it took .. seemed like a long time ... but it was still daylight when we reached the top.

I reached the top and there was a bench sitting just overlooking the edge... I made my way over to the bench and sat down.

Exhausted ... I sat there for a while trying to catch my breath and gather my senses.

The grandmothers behind me say .. "What do you see? What do you feel? what do you hear? and what do you know?"

"I know I'm beat!", I thought to myself...

I sat there for a few moments looking out over the amazing view ... wondering to myself... "ok what is it they WANT me to see, hear, feel, and know?" hmmmmmmmmmm

"Forget about us for a moment and just speak your mind", they said.

I took in a deep breath and closed my eayes.. I could smell the flowers .. each scent individual and then a lingering of how they mingled together .. I felt the cool breeze as it washed over my face and brushed through my hair ... I felt the once hot sun ... now warming me as it dried my dripping wet clothes and it felt like a golden hug from heaven.... I could hear the wind as it blew through each blade of grass and how it seems to whisp around the whole mountain, encircling us all... I opened my eyes and I could see clear across the valley below without my glasses even on... the colors on the leaves as the sun played among the branches of every tree...

"Now, what do you know?" they asked

I know that somehow I feel lighter .. even though I am in body the same as when I started up the mountain .... and besides the fact of my material load being gone.. I feel lighter inside myself. I don't quite understand how, but I feel so light that it is as if I could glide down this mountain like a fall leaf in the wind.

I feel weightless... inside and out.

Think about this for a while, they said ... stay here and allow your mind to become crystal clear.

Suddenly I watched the memory of myself climbing this mountain and I watched as I started to lighten my load .. each time I let go of something .. it became something else... like thoughts or behaviors.. my concentration was solely on getting up this mountain and all those things I thought I needed weren't helping at all.. and without thinking about it I began to let these things go .. and suddenly I was at the top.

I smirked .. smart old women ....

We need nothing but what is inside us to make it to where we want to go.. a strong will and a bit of direction and we will get there as long as we don't give up and keep our eyes forward.

Thank you Grandmothers for this journey ... there are always lessons to be learned.



Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Connecting

Have you stepped outside lately and truly connected with the Earth?

Have you walked barefoot in the green grass?

Slip off your shoes and feel the coolness of the grass below your feet... feel life growing right there beneath you and all around you.

Take in the fresh spring air.

Sit quietly in the presence of new birth. The Earth is waking up from winter's nap and life is growing all around you.. have you stopped, if only for a moment to take it in?


It's good for the mind, body and soul to take a break from the busy and chaotic day to day life we all live..

Take some time to slow your pace and take in the beauty that surrounds us ... Spring is a magical time of year when all life begins anew.

Sleeping buds awaken to the warm spring air .. Nests and dens are filled with new life and the Earth is painted in new shades of color.

Take some time today to connect.


Many Blessings,
Raventalker

The Fool

The Fool




The fool is the pilgrim, the unwitting wise one. The fool represents our unconscious self, naive, simple, gullible. To begin the journey toward enlightenment and integration of self, one must first become the fool, seeing things from the outside, detached, childlike and trusting. (If we were fully aware of just how difficult the seeker’s path can be, we might choose not to quest at all!)


So true that last statement is .. some things are just not meant for us to know.. otherwise looking back in your life how many times would you have chosen not to do something .. and then there would be a lesson left unlearned.. growth would have been delayed.. We need to learn to let go of the control we don’t have but crave.. we have this thing about “needing to know” … so much of our life we don’t truly enjoy because of that “needing to know” .. we get obsessed with wanting and needing to know every step and every phase that is or might be coming our way .. we end up trying to control our future and forget to live in the here and now.. so much time is then wasted and not lived and certainly not enjoyed.. and that is a true shame ..


Embrace your inner child today and have some fun!!!





Many Blessings,
Raventalker