Have you noticed that certain times of year evoke different feelings or orientations?
For me, it’s about LIGHT, about opening to it and receiving it.
How do you define light?
Perhaps you think about it as: inspiration, healing, divinity, truth, love- or something else.
Whatever your definition of light, the dark days of December seem to call for a kindling of that spark, a nourishing of our inner light.
Here’s a simple one: How would you complete this sentence?
Last week I began an online class focused on the arc known as the Hero’s Journey. If you’re at all familiar with the mythologist, Joseph Campbell and his work, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!
Essentially, the idea is that we are all the hero of our own story, and within our lifetimes are invited, encouraged, urged, and sometimes dragged onto a journey of self-transformation.
Have you ever thought about the unique track of your life and your experiences as being tailor made just for you?
It’s kind of a radical idea, one I learned from the Manual for Teachers, which is part of A Course In Miracles (ACIM).
In it, it says that in our journey to God, we have,
“[A] curriculum [that] is highly individualized, and all aspects [of it] are under the Holy Spirit's particular care and guidance.”
When I first read this, I smiled.
According to Celtic tradition, we’re about to get to the time of year when the veils between worlds is purportedly thinnest.
The actual date is from sundown on October 31st to sundown on November 1st which coincides with Halloween and the Day of the Dead.
Supposedly, this 24-hour period is a powerful time:
for divination (since the veils are more porous)
for reflection on the balance of life and death
for connecting between the physical and spiritual worlds
for honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed on
I'm sure you’re aware of the difference between liking someone and loving them. But would you indulge me for a minute?
Call to mind a friend or colleague. Someone you genuinely like who perhaps is reliable, trustworthy…Now think about someone you love. A family member or close confidante.
Can you feel the difference?
Yes!
Unfortunately, sometimes the lines between love and like get blurred, especially with members of our family.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.
When I was in my early 20s, I moved across the country to live near my sister. Growing up, our relationship was complicated. Sometimes we got along wonderfully, other times, not so much.
I used to fight all the time.
Not physical altercations. Mine was more internal.
I fought against the injustices of the world, the ways that institutions and people were hurting others…
I was one of those kids who would say, “it’s not fair!”
At some point, I stopped fighting. It was SO tiring!
What I began to do instead, was accept.
Accept myself.
Accept others.
Accept the world. (Ugh, I know that sounds hard, bear with me.)
