The Final Post of 2012

Today, I am writing my Monday blog post at night, rather than in the morning.  I’ve been not only observing the goings-on of the last day of 2012, but I’ve been wrapping up a whole lotta personal change as well.

Like nearly everyone I know, I’ve had my share of challenges lately, and I think most of us will say “so long, farewell, auf weidersehen, goodbye” very happily to the old year.  Bring in the new!

Thank you for reading my thoughts here.  Thank you very much for liking and sharing your thoughts.  Wishing you all a colorful, fulfilling, and enlightening path in 2013 as you continue to aim 4 wisdom.

 

Thoughtful and Happy New Year!

Last Friday Fun of 2012

For the final creative writing prompt of this year, I would love to hear YOUR thoughts on the passing of 2012 and/or the coming of 2013.

Personally, I am very happy to put 2012 behind me.  Lots of change and closing doors for me this past year.  I’m looking forward to some do-overs in 2013, knowing that I carry some hard-earned battle scars and wisdom with me.

How about you?

Thoughts on Subtlety

Questions show the mind’s range, and answers, its subtlety.  Joseph Joubert

This morning, I had a sudden realization about subtlety.  I’d overheard a conversation between two people who were discussing a problem.  The first person speculated on several possibilities for the cause of the problem; the second dismissed the idea that there was even a problem at all.

I got to thinking about this difference in perspective:  was there truly no problem, as the second person maintained, or was the first person actually more observant and able to see the tiny beginnings of a shift?

There is a fine line, I believe, between noticing subtle shades and creating mountains out of molehills.  But how can we know the difference?  After all, perception is reality, and the observer does indeed change the nature of the observed.  Dilemma. . . .

As with most things in life, the answer, most likely, is to stick to a middle ground, to find some balance between obtuse and acute.  My goal today is to be the calmly flowing river between the dripping faucet and the raging waterfall.

 

 

Transformation

Man’s task is to become conscious of the contents that press upward from the unconscious.  Carl Jung

 

Welcome Winter

I’ve really been enjoying this photography blog, so I wanted to share today’s post from SethSnap with you. Happy Winter Solstice, all!

sethsnap

Old Man Winter showed up with his entourage today.  He brought with him the rain, the snow, the sleet and lots of wind.  It was a welcome party like no other. It started this morning when the rain showed up to give the place a good cleaning before the party.  The party began this evening when the snow and sleet started to fall like confetti.  Soon the trees, grass and even shingles were dancing as the wind symphony played its winter arrival repertoire.   In fact, the party is still going strong.

I was given the VIP treatment this morning for the two day long party.  The rain was a gracious host.  He allowed me to go behind the scenes and see just what went into getting Southern Ohio ready for the big event.   The fields, streets, grass and trees were all washed clean and shined up like new.  He…

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Still Here for Friday Fun!

We’re all still here, so we might as well write!  With a nod to the Doomsday Preppers and the Apocalypse Preachers, finish this sentence for today’s creative writing prompt:

Since the world didn’t end . . .

Approaching the Solstice

Return of the Light at Winter Solstice

 

The much-discussed Winter Solstice of 2012 will arrive this Friday at 11:12 UTC (or 6:12 am here in the Eastern US).  I’ve really been enjoying reading up on the various ways mankind has celebrated the change of seasons over time and across cultures, and I’m not surprised to see that the common theme has been “the return of the light.”  Dependent as we humans are on the Sun for survival, it only makes sense that we’d create rituals to honor him or plead for his continued blessings.

Whether it’s the Inti Raymi celebration of the Inkans in Peru, the Saint Lucia Day festivities of the Scandinavians, or Alban Arthuan of the ancient Druids, our eyes have always looked to the heavens for a promise of the Sun’s return.  Light and fire hold center stage in all Solstice traditions.

For me, the language of astrology always seems to sum things up beautifully.  Last month, the Sun was in the constellation/sign of Sagittarius.  The Archer–a Fire Sign–represents vision, our search for meaning, and higher education.  It’s a time for wandering and seeking.  But now, as the Sun enters the constellation/sign of Capricorn, we need to turn those visions into reality.  Capricorn is an Earth Sign, and so it asks us to work within our Earthly constraints of time and structure.

I’m understanding more and more why some of our ancestors considered the Winter Solstice as New Year.  With the Sun in Capricorn, and with the lengthening days, it’s time to get down to work.  All those resolutions you thought of?  Make them happen!  All your daydreams and plans?  Put them into action!  The Sun is returning, shining down his warmth and energy on you and your ideas, helping them to grow.

Happy New Year!

 

Willingness to UNlearn

The other day, I read a quote from Gandhi in which he advises that “it is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom.”  Holy cow! I thought, with no disrespect intended.  Of course!  Many people are willing to learn, but how many of us are willing to UNlearn what we think we already know??

The path of learning sometimes comes with hard lessons that remind us that we don’t, in fact, know it all.  I think many of us like to read about and explore and search for new wisdoms.  But if we take the view that there is a Body of Knowledge out there to learn, and we just have to learn it all and then we are done, then we are really being rather myopic.

If it is true that the only constant is change, then we can’t let ourselves think that we are ever done learning.  Even if we’ve learned some really Big Lessons and come a long way and had some Life-Altering Revelations, we can’t rest on our laurels.  There will always be more to learn.  Plus, what happens when you come up against a new situation in your life, one that doesn’t match anything you’ve ever had before?  Sometimes, applying your old knowledge doesn’t work for the new situation.

No one likes to be humbled or to admit flaws.  It’s one of the hardest things in the world to look in the mirror and say, “You screwed up, pal.  You’ve got some soul-searching to do.”  Most times, when we run up against stuff we don’t want to hear, we deny it and fight it.

But what would happen if we were always willing to learn AND unlearn?  Let’s say someone challenged your beliefs or stated an opinion opposite to yours.  Or, harder still, pointed out a personal item that you might want to work on.  Generally, when someone pushes a button like that, most of us react angrily or feel wounded in some way.  What if, instead, we chose to see that emotional response as a Messenger?  We could say, Hmmm, there’s that Messenger again.  Perhaps he’s telling me that I have an opportunity to learn, unlearn, and grow here if I put ego aside and examine the issue honestly and objectively.

Hard work?  Definitely.  Worth it?  Always.

 

Friday Fun…. with Penguins?

On this date in 1911, explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole.  For today’s Friday Fun, write his first thoughts on reaching his goal.

Stay warm!

Product Review–Everyday Throat Spray

‘Tis the season for colds and flu, and having been sick for way too long last winter, I was thrilled to find a great product that seems to be a miracle worker for me. A very helpful man at the vitamin store recommended Everyday Throat Spray (www.everydaythroatspray.com), and I will be forever grateful to him.

Ligusticum Porteri (Osha Root)

This is Osha Root, which is the key ingredient in the spray.  According to the Everyday Throat Spray website, Osha is antibacterial and antiviral.  It has a great reputation for fighting respiratory illnesses.  (In reading up on Osha Root, I found this lovely website:  http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/osha_root.php.  Lots of good information there.)

The spray also contains Echinacea Angustifolia, Licorice Root, Ginger Root, Peppermint, and Colloidal Silver.  It sells for $10, and is available in stores and through the website.

Of course, I’m no doctor, and I don’t even play one on TV, so please remember that this is just my opinion here.  Please check that this formula is safe for YOU to use.  Certain people should not use licorice root or Echinacea, for example.  Do your homework first!

Wishing you good health!