A Blooming Rose

Elizabeth Towne

This alternation from Being to Doing—from I AM to I DO —is the secret of power and progress and success. It is the soul’s breathing. You inhale in the world I AM; you exhale in the world I DO. The more easily and regularly you vibrate between these two the more complete is your realization of health and success.

God of Protection

The peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the Preserver or Sustainer of life with his steadfast principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Lord Vishnu is also called Hari, or one who removes the darkness of illusion. This illusion ultimately means the idea that the living beings live separate from, or without connection to, the Lord.

I am fascinated by hinduism and the many beautiful gods and goddesses that seem to come alive. I searched for the god of protection and found Lord Vishnu. I recently channel surfed on the tv and stopped on a channel to hear Jeff Goldblum counsel his fellow character by saying: "My mother used to always say that 'Rejection is God's protection.'" What a fabulous reframe for someone like me who trips into multiple lifetime taumatic themes as a result of any kind of rejection. Thanks Jeff G. you handsome actor...

Tagore

What to the bee in nature is merely colour and scent, and the
marks or spots which show the right track to the honey, is to the
human heart beauty and joy untrammelled by necessity. They bring a love letter to the heart written in many-coloured inks.

Free Music

Here's a web site I stumbled upon recently with free music downloads.

http://www.imeem.com/home/

Hand Made Pressed Flower Greeting Cards

Here is a sample of the greeting cards I have been creating. They are for sale. If interested contact me for pricing and more pics at rosetraditions@gmail.com.

Harry Emerson Fosdick

And how about some quotes from the most prominent liberal Baptist minister of the early 20th Century: Harry Emerson Fosdick

"No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined."

"A person wrapped up in himself makes a small package."

"Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat."

"I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it."

Quite delicious.

Edna St Vincent Millay

I teach a class called "Involved Elder" at a senior facility. This class is set up so that I can teach anything I choose that brings "life" into the life of the seniors in the 80s, 90s, & 100s. I recently did an activity called "Finish the Famous Name". On this list were names I did not know, but ones which these elders knew quite well. My passion as a life long learner finds a home amongst these folks. I discover treasures all along the way. One such treasure was the name Edna St. Vincent Millay, poetess extradinaire. You may know of her, but for me she is a new discovery. I found this beautiful little poem by her that I share with you:
Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay

Afternoon on a Hill by Edna St Vincent Millay

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.
And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!

J Krishnamurti

I recently came across one of my first spritual teachers and his talk on video reminded me of the impact he had on me as a young woman. I resonate still with his teaching: The core of Krishnamurti’s teaching is contained in the statement he made in 1929 when he said, “Truth is a pathless land”. Man cannot come to it through any organization, through any creed, through any dogma, priest or ritual, not through any philosophical knowledge or psychological technique. He has to find it through the mirror of relationship, through the understanding of the contents of his own mind, through observation and not through intellectual analysis or introspective dissection.

We Are One

I and the world are One. This is not just a concept, but an actuality. Can you realize this in your bones? As an empowered co-creator of this world, what would you shift within yourself as a way of immpacting a change within the world?

A Midlife Requirement

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." `Joseph Campbell

On our journey through midlife most of us arrive unprepared. We need reassurance in order to navigate this unfamiliar territory. The first half of our lives has been about doing, about concretizing the ego function in order to raise our children, succeed or fail in our careers, do, do, do. As we turn the corner into midlife--surprise! life starts undoing everything. The children grow up and move out, our career may change, our marriage demands attention and adjustments, and/or dissolution. Suddenly we are faced with "Who am I?" as our doing roles are stripped away. Suddenly what is crying for our attention is "What is my Souls's purpose?" Companionship is a requirement for this stage of our life journey. We do not have to do this alone and yet less than 1% of us are being companioned through the tremendous loss and rebirthing process in midlife. Depression is a part of this 10 year journey. Denial is rampant. Bond with those who are sharing this struggle. Look each other in the eyes and say, "We are getting older--so what?" Laugh or cry about it, and then realize that there is a whole generation of people who are experiencing the same thing. We are never alone--ever! We are all connected in Oneness. Listen within to that small voice that will guide you to your heart's desire. Blessings...

Dancing Together

Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair... ~Susan Polis Shutz

I spent the morning yesterday with elders providing them with some stimulating activities. I went around to each one and asked for a dance. We held hands and danced together eye to eye, connected through our hands. I was so privileged to watch a light come alive in them as they remembered dancing, as they tenderly met me in a moment of dancing. Precious moments.