Bookmark

Bookmarks for me, mark more than just a placeholder for a page in a book—I guess they are more like a tiny time capsule, which seem to mark an event, adventure or period in my life.  Just recently, I had a friend make a remark about my bookmarks, “I am always fascinated what I will find in your books,” he remarked.  Actually, I had never given it much thought until his comment.  Yes, I had used something handy in the moment and then later found old airline ticket jackets, receipts from restaurants, post-it-notes with cryptic messages, raffle tickets, old napkins with handwritten notes and envelopes or simply little scraps and bits of paper that were repurposed into commission to hold a place of importance in the book I was reading at the time. But, it seemed to be “My normal” and usually I took no notice. How odd an observation, I noted to myself, with a sheepish shrug and smile.

Yesterday, however, I pulled down a newer version of The Joy of Cooking, that has found a home atop my refrigerator. (I say newer because the first copy I received was decades ago—upon graduation from high school—from friends of my Mother, as a gift.)  This newer reprint was purchased as my “Florida” version in 2001.  I liked it because of its tables of equivalents and conversions and I used it as an encyclopedia of sorts in the world of baking chemistry, recipes, and basic homemade standbys such as buttermilk biscuits which I could find at a glance; the old 1948 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia collection served the same function growing up regarding inventions and world facts.

But, yesterday, after a lengthy disappearance, I found in one of its pages, a reappearance of a Sainsbury’s label for cranberries. Sainsbury’s was a grocery store I frequented when I lived in England for about six months.  The Cranberries weight measured in grams and the “display” date and the “Best” before date labeled 27 NOV and 28 NOV respectively.

During my stay, the Thanksgiving holiday appeared on my calendar and I insisted on a small Thanksgiving dinner.   Before my trip, I never realized the imbedded importance of what this holiday meant for me.  In my core, it screamed American and for all our criticisms around the world, I realized in 2006 that in spite of living in another English-speaking country which very much represented our history and roots—there were some extremely notable and discernible differences in the way in which our entrenched thoughts and beliefs impacted our present day workings.

Yes, I navigated the right-hand drive—with extreme concentration; it was so easy to slip back into the autopilot of the more familiar American—left-hand drive.  Yes, there were a few words that were particularly “English” and that just made it more fun.  And, yes, there was the occasional derogatory comment about ‘the Americans’, but I was unfazed.

The single most important difference I noticed, was the mentality—that good old American—nothing can stop me now attitude, that I believe separates us and the freedom others seek when they arrive on our shores.  This is the same fortitude that has spurred protests, freedom of expression and the drive for something better—always better.  We may have our share of rotten apples—for no society is ever perfect, but we will sort and sift and find a better way to give everyone a chance to live in harmony with ourselves and our neighbors.

Surprised, that, it is this “time capsule,” a bookmark, the Sainsbury’s Cranberry label and buttermilk biscuits, that reminds me today, that I am proud to be an American.  I know we will get through all this chaos.  It will be sorted out and we will be stronger and more united for it in the end.  Because, that’s who we are!

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12 Ways of Christmas

images-5The holidays are upon us. Here we go again. And, unless it’s my imagination, the energy is more intense than in past holiday seasons; maybe it’s just me? Or is it? So, it’s not about cookies and pies and sugar plums which dance in everyone’s head.  Everywhere around me I am hearing extreme stories—and feeling the blowback with unreasonable responses to simple requests. Could it be the severe transits in the sky or that this shift in human consciousness is real? The fast-tracking and completion of this 9 energy seems to be upon us—endings and new beginnings ready or not!  Strap on your seat belt, I think there is more ahead. Is this where the “rubber hits the road?”  Or, as Lee Carroll says, “No more fence sitting.”

Even though we can’t see such progress nationally or globally, we know something is different in our lives.  Just like gravity and magnetism—or love for that matter we cannot see such invisible energies.  We even have a hard time explaining such things, but they are so a part of our lives that we’ve cognized them and believe it’s so and know them to be real.  By our choice and willingness at some level, the universe is pushing and pulling us forward, forcing decisions on our behalf.  Are we still clinging to old outdated ideas and beliefs that do not serve us? What is our truth?  We don’t know what we don’t know.

I have heard families are still feuding about the results of the recent presidential election—not talking because of its outcome . . . Greed, shadow-like behavior and lack of integrity is being challenged on every level. Ideas are projected onto others without warrant through filters and bias reflecting like mirrors back to them through us.  Others have expressed to me, they feel invisible within their family unit.  It seems like we as a human race have been running in circles for years. Cycles within cycles of the same, but no more, the finale is here. We are being pushed forward with such force that things are crumbling and falling fast—like the lightning bolt or the tower in the tarot. Shazam! Crash!  Boom! Bang! It’s here!

So, with such turmoil swirling everywhere, how do we shift things for a more civil and loving holiday season?

In reality, we can only be responsible for ourselves, right? I offer these suggestions. Many have stood the test of time: virtues and strengths we all know.  This is our test as well.  How are we going to do?  This is about awakening the Master-hood within. It is about empowerment.  In this season of light—that’s exactly what we are being challenged to do.

1.) Be compassionate to others.

2.) Be who you want to be and create the experiences you want to create.

3.) Biological family is not a requirement, if friends or soul family are a better option—choose them instead this year.

4.) Give your best.

5.) Live by your values

6.) Show wisdom, courage and love in your decisions and resistance to judgments.

7.) Offer humor to situations.

8.) Come to the party with open-mindedness

9.) Have gratitude to the small and large things life has to offer.

10.) Bring a dose of humility and kindness for all.

11.) Don’t take everything so personal—it’s really a reflection about the other.  It’s not about you.

12.)  Put the star at the top of the tree.  This is your light that shines so bright—that it radiates out to the world.  (That comes from inside you!)  Happy Holidays.

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Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP

Cathrinesilver.com

Milestones

img_2845It had already been a few weeks of significant change and major life events for me as a boarded another flight out of Ft. Lauderdale ten days ago. I was headed for Boston’s Logan International; my youngest son David, was getting married to a beautiful young woman named Hannah. They had fallen in love seven years prior while they were both in college.  Now they were marking the beginning of yet another cycle in their relationship; a vow to each other and commitment to their future together.

Weeks before, I had celebrated my Mother’s 85th birthday with my siblings and their families on the cool Pacific Ocean in the picturesque town of Cannon Beach, Oregon.  Thirteen days later my Mother would pass unexpectedly in her sleep; a surprise to all. She, on the soul level, was complete.  The end of another cycle; her transition was proof as shocking and surreal as it seemed to us, upon receiving the heartbreaking phone call.  We were all together again. This time at her memorial service appropriately held in the First Hill neighborhood at the historic Trinity Episcopal Parish in Seattle.  This was a place of memories; she had been married there—so had my brother.  She had held a similar service where we sat upon her own Mother’s passing—my grandmother and my namesake; I remember that, so many years ago.   History on many levels as I learned that her Father had helped to found the still beautiful old English Gothic Revival landmark; milestones. . . .

At my son’s wedding, I would be seeing my ex-husband and his new wife. He was a reminder of another milestone: my painful divorce in 2006. I would be saying hello to my aging ex-mother-in-law, seeing my happy, energetic red-headed two-year old grandson, my oldest son Joshua and his wife Jessica, and meeting Hannah’s parents and sisters for the first time.

I had vowed to myself to show up powerful, balanced, peaceful and loving.  I felt, I had fulfilled that promise—to myself:  for me that was another milestone and cycle that was complete.  I had been working towards that resolution for the last ten years.  It was the mastery inside that I strove for daily, and my compassion and evenness was proof that day.  These events, coming like hard packed snowballs, one after another, certainly acted as good barometers for not only myself—but can be markers, for all of us—on how far we’ve come, or how much work on ourselves we have left to do. No denial or illusion would mask any remaining sorrow, grief, anger or emotional hurt which remained.

Milestones— those major events in our lives are happening all the time to everyone.  They are defined as a “significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, or life of a person, or of a nation.”  We often think of birth, death, divorce, and marriage as the biggest and I believe they serve as our greatest teachers in life.

Each and every one of those events could have been a traumatic emotional sand trap; life’s hazards of sorts; “Watch Out!” However, in the center of any storm, you can stand as the unmoved mover and reside at the place of stillness within.  What comes to mind as I write this blog, is the merry-go-rounds they had in parks when I grew up.  You could more easily stand the ride if you could get to the middle of the quickly moving circular metal platform—a brightly painted spinning disc with welded grab bars called fun!   On the outer edges the ride was definitely more dizzying and much harder to hang on.  Isn’t life like that too?  How easy or difficult is it to get to the center of ourselves—our eternal core of strength when there is so much change happening so quickly? This can be dizzying too. The core of internal strength, please remember, is that which we carry inside ourselves.  It is in everyone. It is that piece of the divine that so many dismiss as separate, and external from our very being.  But, acknowledging this I AM strength is a gift we can access at any time; it’s there for the asking.

And then I wonder and ask, do we need to be more like the leaf on the river, always being guided around the rocks and undercurrents? When we are able to trust this always spinning revolution and know that our lives are co-created by our complete and whole beingness including that God-part within; we are like the leaf.   Or are we barely hanging on for dear life, dizzy, shaken, and too weak and unable to stand upright?

I have come to believe the Wheel of Fortune—represents the wheel of life.  It is a powerful metaphor for our lives; our milestones.  It continually moves—up and down.  It is our job to stand in the center.  At the highest level, writes Pamela Eakins, the wheel is seen as “the wheel of consciousness and a wheel of evolving destiny.”  She continues, “The Wheel of Fortune is seen as a path that brings individuality into alignment with the movement of the Cosmos.”

When necessary these past weeks, I felt strong.  I felt compassion.  I have allowed myself to be vulnerable.  I have been loving. I am at peace.  I felt like I have stood at the center of the wheel. I feel like I am in alignment with the Universe.  I have pulled on this strength within and I invite you to do the same.

“As the world turns,

so do I.

When I change for the good,

I can touch the sky.”

Wings of Change

Inspired Wellness Within

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP

http://www.cathrinesilver.com

Bridge of Light or Unearthing the Darkness?

Growing up in the Northwest, I can remember visiting the beach from time to time in the San Juan islands.   When the tide was out, one could walk upon the sand where the salt water had been hours before. Like most kids, it fascinated me to turn over rocks and see the small crabs scurry when exposed.  The clams were similar— exposing themselves and their location only by a small hole in the sand.  However, most of the time, these bivalve mollusks could not escape the shovel and bucket of capture.  These ending months of 2016 seem to be the time that spirit is uncovering who we are, moving metaphorical rocks and exposing our actions and motivations which we have lived by. The metaphorical shovel is exposing our choices, our way of being and the mask upon our face that is viewed by the world or that small hole many have been breathing through.

The shovel is the amplification of light energies and continues to grow.  The recalibration of humanity is bringing many things to light—often the ugly parts that have existed for eons, portrayed as one thing and are actually disguised as another.  It looks different for everyone—but everyone is experiencing this whether it be within their jobs, their health, their relationships, or their financial matters. It is exposing corporations and politicians.  It is exposing national and international matters.  And, it is exposing things within our individual lives as well. It is not the shovel any longer, but the bulldozer of light, and it is strong.  This new energy upon us is exposing what is not working—huge old systems that need to be revisited, reevaluated and revamped.

The darkness, who prefers the dark, is not happy; they have always preferred life under the rock. The darkness is being exposed for who and what they are. It shows as greed, manipulation and rule bending; hidden agendas for personal gain and power.   Spirit has clearly said, and reminded us, that there can be no more fence sitting; the white hats and the black hats are being uncovered.  The black hats have always operated in the dark, behind the scenes, and do not like their true nature unearthed, like the poor scurrying crabs.

Expect more revelations.  Surprises—often times revealing what we have always suspected and “known”. We have been told for decades, there is no dark switch; when a light is turned on in a room—there can be no darkness. The time has come for the light to shine everywhere. The light is revealing those who have always preferred to hide under the rocks while manipulating others for their own profit, greed and gain.  These old systems will be exposed and fall in order to be rebuilt into something new.

Like you, I have experienced the dark’s desperate desire to hold on. Not long ago, a web crawler “caught” a “free” image off the Internet that I used in a blog over three years ago and wants ransom money including for an image that was legally purchased by my web designers. Then I had my identify stolen. And the list goes on. Perhaps you can relate.

Kryon has stated when everyone can talk to everyone, there can be no secrets.  We have that now with the internet and social media.   It seems like as we move closer to the 2017 energy, “the field” of new energy potentials and possibilities will help us exposing and cleansing things that don’t work—and replace them with a much fairer and more just system which benefits all and not just a few big bullies who are able to buy and threaten and demand and scream when they don’t get their way.

This is the bridge of light. We are the bridge.  We are the light. We are the bridge of light.  We are here for a reason.  We must follow our hearts.  That is the truest form of guidance.  It is the only way we are able to hold the light and expansion of consciousness during this time of recalibration and change of humanity; end of times.  Yes, indeed.  The light is winning.  The Universe is unveiling humanity’s mask. The Universe’s shovel is big and deep.  Which side are you?

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Communication—Always—Everywhere—ALL Ways

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One of the many Washington State Ferries

Gone were the days of hopping onto the ferry for a quick ride across the Sound—unless of course, you were on foot. Riding the iconic green and white ferry this past weekend is not only a familiar, favorite pastime of many tourists to Seattle, including myself, but serves a vital transportation network for more than—wow— 23 million passengers annually in the Northwest.

The Washington State Ferry system is the only way to reach some of the islands around the Puget Sound*—technically now part of the Salish Sea and nestled between two picturesque mountain ranges:  Cascades and Olympics.  But in the meantime—you wait in line for a boat.

And so, I was invited to spend the weekend with a friend of mine in Sequim and as we waited and chatted catching up in the car, creeping slowly down the mile+ long line that ran up and around the hill, all the while inching toward the ferry toll booths to buy tickets to make the short crossing from Edmonds to Kingston— on to the Kitsap Peninsula, and then further west to the diverse Olympic Peninsula bordering the expansive Pacific Ocean.

We sat poised behind a 18 wheeler inching ever closer as the line curved down the hill—the many cars patiently waiting—-to board. Out of the blue, a white Ford SUV cut in line—right in front of the truck bearing the British Columbia plates. Ouch! 

Now, as notice to the reader, there are many signs posted—about no “cutting-in-Line,” and for good reason, if you have ever waited—hours sometimes to board and cross the water—depending on which route, time, day, and where you were headed.

So, when this SUV pulled ahead of the semi-truck, my friend Brad, and a frequent ferry rider, decided to let them know this was not only not cool, but the toll takers would turn them around to the back of the line.  Before we knew and he could get there, the Canadian truck driver had also jumped out to make this aberrant vehicle aware of the protocol breech.   In a quick exchange with the SUV driver and passenger, the truck driver shouted to Brad, “if I hit the guy—I am going to jail”—and got back in his vehicle. And so, good natured Brad took his turn.  His experience was no better and with the belligerent response and defiant attitude, he decided to turn to his other option: reporting the vehicle using the special hot line established by the WSF system—and that’s exactly we did.

As fate would have it, we had all progressed and stopped to a stone’s throw of the three toll booths, and it was time to alert the toll takers.  We again witnessed an attitude as two toll takers preceded to move the vehicle out of line and turned them around; about like hitting a nest of yellow-jackets.  (And, you don’t want to be anywhere close when the stick hits the hive.)  But, justice prevailed and I am sure the on-lookers were most amused. No one was hurt or hauled off to jail, although the woman inside the car had gotten out and was taking pictures of those who had offended her and foiled her cheating-cut-in-line intention—shouting something about hitting her car—what???

Later the next afternoon, Brad and I stopped to get sandwiches at a local Safeway.  We had passed a fiddle player outside the grocery store on the way back to the car and had enjoyed a few strums as we passed him heading across the asphalt when we realized in the row in front of us and a space to the right was a large pickup parked and playing his tunes in a very, very base—you know shake the windows—kind of style.  A few sentences into a conversation about how neither of us cared for this “genre”—the kids next to us in the mini-van with the door open—said that that was their brother we were talking about—and how this was America and they could do anything they wanted—and then filed out of the van—daisy dukes—tattoos and all, to let their brother know—we didn’t exactly embrace his music.  Quite a family, I must say . . . “Mom” came out shortly with a couple bags of groceries and within a few minutes they were gone.  However, big brother, spun his truck around, his Mother’s bags of groceries quickly tossed and rolling across the bed of his truck.  He was more concerned with us, as he pulled behind where we were parked, and walked up to Brad’s window.  “Hi, I’m sorry you didn’t like my music.  Next time, I’ll play it louder!”  I looked at Brad and he back at me in between bites of the sandwiches on our laps.  In a way it was almost humorous.  What the heck just happened, I mused?  It had been a weird kind of weekend—something that over the many trips to the Peninsula had always been quiet and peaceful—and again found ourselves innocently in the middle of a shifting and what seemed angry outburst.

Communication, I thought, how often do we realize that everything we do is a form of communication—both verbally and nonverbally alike.  I have known for decades that non-verbal communication is more honest and truthful that verbal.  We cannot hide the way we express ourselves, observed in—our dress—our hair—our cars—our houses— “our tattoo’s” if any—or our music to name a few.

But, does communication come to us in other forms as well?  What about the stars and their magnetic influence and pull?  Certainly the moon affects us as evidenced by ER visits. Or Mercury when it goes retrograde; it’s effect on electronics, travel, decisions and communication. Do the trees communicate with us?  We all know “tree huggers.” What do the trees say to them? Crystals are givers and receivers of information, especially quartz.  I have friends that have the ability to communicate with the rocks and crystals.  And, water—we know it communicates as well—certainly from Masaru Emoto’s work which not only supports this, but scientifically documents water’s messages.

But, what else communicates with us that we have no awareness, because of our lack of understanding or our multidimensional nature? Dreams? And, can we receive messages from the whales and dolphins?  Is that why we are so fascinated by these magnificent cetaceans?   What about the Sun?  I understand it is talking to the heliosphere of Earth, and this is talking to the esoteric grids—which is communicating to our DNA and consciousness.  Could that explain the weekend?  Our politics?  Our relationships?  Our desires—our wants—needs—our changes, endings and beginnings taking place at every level of our lives and beingness?  What about our intuition? What important ideas and thoughts come this way?

How do our intentions and words influence our daily lives? Have you noticed anything new? What is different in your life?  How do you communicate with yourself and others? We all seem to be individual receivers and communication—visible or not—is coming to us ALL ways and always.

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP

www.cathrinesilver.com

Cathysilverhealth@gmail.com

 

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We are ALL WAYS communicating–whether we realize it or not–verbally & non-verbally.

*Unless you own a private boat

Rewriting the Future

IMG_1208.JPGThree days before, Ela and I had driven our way into town, and we comfortably checked into a room we would be sharing for the next five days; everything seemed to show its age.  The hustle and bustle of the historical old Arlington Hotel was visible.  I equated it to the strain of a faded late-model Chevy and a few too many miles.  No one was counting as the odometer had simply pooped out years before.  The driver, still happy she got him faithfully to town and back when the occasion arose.  And yet, for the most part, no one seemed to notice.  The town was more famous for our now past president’s boyhood home and the old bathhouse relics which lined the main street; in their prime 100+ years before.  I had come here to partake in another Pineal Toning Choir, an exercise and purpose that spoke to me on a level far beyond any conscious reasoning or logical sense; the pull was too great.  I had been registered eons before the 1924 construction date of the Arlington or before this territory was called Arkansas; even perhaps before the Native Americans called it their home recognizing its sacredness as something special.

Yet interestingly enough, half-way through the day of our pineal tones Crystalline Choir recording and final performance, I had a serious passing thought: could this really be real?  We were over seven billion on the planet and counting and I was in a group of 300 souls singing tones in real time—in a quantum language—opening time capsules—placed here by our seed parents—thousands of years before and yet we were right on time.  I pondered the immensity of something so profound, as we continued to sing . . .  YOO EE YOO EE YOO EE YOO EE YOO .

This was my third choir, and somehow the most surreal for me.  We were rewriting the future.  Underway was a transmutation of the energies of trauma, suffering, hardship, and dolor history that had embedded itself in our earth and esoteric invisible crystalline grid.  It showed in our human experience and our collective low consciousness as war, death, sorrow, hardship. It showed in our politics, education, health care and beliefs about longevity, disease and women—all from our many expressions here on earth— stored and remembered at some unconscious level.    I knew it first hand or should I say, I had experienced it first-hand. This deep intense sorrow manifested itself years before on a trip with my husband and young boys.  We had driven through the battle fields of Mississippi and it was almost overwhelming for me despite the manicured green rolling hills and bright blue sunny day.  I felt such deep sadness present years after the last bullet was fired, the last solider killed and buried.  No one was there, and yet, the earth remembered and I felt it.  Now, it was time to erase all that.  It was time to “rewrite the grid” and overlay the new intentions for peace on earth, compassion and love towards each other, happiness, joy and beyond what we had come to expect of life here.  The cycles we knew so well would not be repeated.

The day before, our final performance, Marc, one of our choir directors had walked down the street in search of a local coffee bar/cafe. As synchronicity would have it, a conversation with a local Native American ensued. This conversation then led to an invitation for Lee Standing Bear Moore to speak briefly to our choir.  A tall distinguished soft spoken man with a long gray braid down the center of his back accepted the microphone.  Standing on stage in boots, a peach short-sleeved summer shirt and blue jeans, he spoke of the history and some of the more interesting legends of his people and their connection to this sacred ground they called, “Place of Peace or The Unbroken Circle: Manataka.” He ended with a website where more information could be found and left with a standing ovation.  I felt our oneness and our missions entangled together; everyone “playing” their part in the story of Earth and our ascension.

The next day, a physician from Canada shared a story from their website, Manataka—simply said from the text I quote below he summarized:

Stunned, the council did not know how to respond to the elderly Nun.”

       “We learned of your dream about the Place of Peace, also experienced by three other Sisters of your  church.  This is the dream we heard:  “A Light will be born at the Place of Peace that will grow and spread to many lands. . . .  It is now time to tell you the Crystal of Manataka is not only a symbol representing abstract and sacred meanings.  The artifact holds the key to opening a portal of high energy and frequencies, sacred sounds, partly necessary to giving birth to a light that will grow and spread to many lands.  The key, when used as a tool in conjunction with six other sacred crystals, placed in correct alignment and formation, will open the heavens of consciousness within humanity. “

Again, we were being given pieces and information hidden and then revealed when our understanding met our higher consciousness and pure intent within this present time of 2016.

We learned we were sitting on the largest deposit of quartz crystal on land; an inverted pyramid or mountain almost below our feet as well as transmitter of information. This deposit, a node, serving as an amplifier—and together with the diamond grid west of our locale was also assisting humanity with the potential for radical transformation and sweeping far-reaching leaps to a whole new world; a profound leap into the future both personally and within the area presented—locally, globally and galactically— connected to a null and the other half of this matched pair in Patagonia, Mt. Fitz Roy. This was about melting barriers to multidimensionality and interdimensional communication both from Dr. Todd, Lee Carroll, Kryon and to us.  The choir was the activation for this esoteric information to be released; the key.

This is all very philosophical.  It sounds like a science fiction screen play being bantered about by high profile Hollywood executives wondering if it will sell to investors and the mainstream public who buys tickets to reclining soft chairs in dark movie theaters while munching on buttered popcorn.   As the rewriting continues and as humanity shifts, we will one day look back and have valid evidence that this is in-fact—real, and profoundly altering states of consciousness and giving us the gift and opportunity for a new humanity.  After all, shifting belief systems change reality—and that creates a new future, one that we are “quickly” rewriting this very moment.  And, just like the old Chevy, the key is in the lock and the engine hums carrying us down the road into the future.  We may not know how the car gets us to town, but always does safely and for that we are grateful.  The same may be said for humanity’s new era—and for that we are grateful too!

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP

http://www.CathrineSilver.com

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Free, Fabulous and Loving Me! Happy Valentines Day.

Self Love 3Last week as I was dashing to meet a friend for dinner.  I realized how free I was at this time in my life.  I had no children to worry about—no spouse to consult and no curfew.

I believe that just as a relationship gives us growth and expansion, so does not having one. No relationship allows for our growth and expansion in a different way. It is an appreciation of ourselves. I am not talking about about conceit, self-importance or narcissism. It is the discovery of our inner core and strengths; who we are:  Our talents. Our Likes and dislikes. The joy of being alive. Our beauty.  A period of getting to know and love our authentic self! To know that we are enough—and to love ourselves is something worth celebrating—not just one day, but 365 others as well.

For me, the journey has been one of unlearning.  I was a wife and Mother for many years. (still a Mother—but my adults kids live in different parts of the country and are not underfoot.) One of the first things I used to think about—besides getting everyone to school on time, was, what shall I fix for dinner?  I don’t do that anymore.  Funny, I always used to joke about wanting a “wife.”  You know someone to do all those errands, deliveries and chores—right?  Does anyone relate?  Now, it is for me.

Someone might call that self centered.  Years ago, I would have recoiled from that label.  It was always about someone else, placing myself second, third, or fourth in the line of family demands.  Most women flinch from the thought of personal descriptions that include the word self.  As Sarah Breathnach so eloquently wrote, “this self-defeating modesty eliminates a lot of flattering adjectives: self-poised, self-assured, self-confident.  So why do we shrink from self-admiration?”

Perhaps, at some pivotal moment growing up, our Mother or other authority figure humiliated us and viewed our healthy wants as shameful and selfish; we were made to feel wrong.  So, isn’t it about time, we begin to set our boundaries and put ourselves first?  I am not suggesting we neglect our children or spouse, if you have those relationships currently in your life, but I am suggesting we begin to reframe our wants, desires and needs, and begin to radiate the vibrant glow of an intelligent, loving, self-possessed woman, shinning our light out unto the world!

I trust and know that when the timing is right, I will again be with a true life-partner.  One that supports my desires and honors me for me.  Until that time I am enjoying my freedom and all that comes from living my truth, honoring my authentic, artistic, creative, caring and compassionate self.

“What a desire!  . . . To live in peace with that word: Myself!” (Sylvia Ashton-Warner)

Happy Valentines Day to the best parts of you!

 

Pondering the question of L-O-V-E

Love is a part of life. Relationships are part of our “primary food.” Love is a primary food and love is life.  A loving relationship—with ourself, others—and even with the world at large has the ability to nourish and nurture us on many levels. Relationships are a part of our wholeness and our wellness; they too can be healthy or in a state of dis-ease.  And, they are bigger than we perhaps are willing to admit; their importance cannot be underestimated.

Relationships seem at first glance rather permanent.  But, just like the Wheel of Fortune in the Tarot—the wheel continues to turn.  Sometimes we are on the top—sometimes we are on the bottom. Was that beginning or . . .  end?   Hum, could it be the rise and the fall or  rather the upward and downward movement? That continual change and push-pull polarity of all things in life that seem to jerk us around and shake our world.  Many of us have the perception that things won’t really change—or don’t only to wake up one morning and the world of our relationship we have known8059695 for months, years, or decades is no longer, and then if we dare— and are brave—may ask, what happened? 

Relationships seem to be mini-cycles within a larger cycle of our lives.  Are they meant for our learning and evolution? Our lessons and growth?  We all have different relationships within the context of our lives. We are after all sons, and daughters—many of us are parents—including step and adopted children—or siblings—sisters’ or brothers’.  We also have relationships that are meaningful with our beloved pets that effect us in tremendous ways and are felt deeply within our hearts. I know my dynamics are different with my kids, my parents—my siblings and my friends; each carry a different “flavor.”

I haven’t shared publicly about my painful divorce ten years ago. I know for me, this was both shock and revelation and took me to a private voyage within the depths of my soul—and being.  I had been committed to my relationship—and my many years of marriage—and to my husband. I was in state of grief when it ended; devastated in fact by the news.  I thought it was forever; isn’t that what I had promised with all my heart and my vows some 25 years before?  Sometimes we are lucky and the forces bend and the complete fairy tale comes true and you live happily ever after; yet for many of us we don’t have that “happily ever after.” Why?

My husband had moved on—his journey—very different than what my own has been.  He with his new family; I as part of my enlightening spiritual passage and journey.  What else could I call it?  I’ve had the opportunity to grow soulfully beyond what would have been possible had my marriage remained in tact.   Was that the purpose?  Was the marriage complete?  Were he and I complete; the energy of the universe no longer supported this relationship or to keep the marriage together? Growth and evolution at the soulful level?  The ancient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tuz,wrote: “Heaven and Earth and I are living together, and all things and I form an inseparable unity.” The answer was, yes; we were complete.

For those who have experienced the feeling of love—there is no greater feeling.  We seem to walk around in an altered state for a period of time.  Is this nature’s way of bringing two souls together? A binding of fate or destiny?  Or are relationships catalysts for something bigger? Are they completed or finished in another moment in time, something begun before?  Is the God-particle inside us directing a way to complete this evolutionary cycle set in motion before we incarnated as a living-breathing human being on the earth plane and third dimension? A contract we signed with invisible ink? Perhaps I didn’t read the fine print, have you ever felt the same? And, Could the word “love”—have a different meaning that what we have assigned and use to define? After all, we know what it feels like, but can we really define it’s purpose? We know the love of a puppy.  The love we have for our parents.  The love we have for our friends.  The love for our children.  And, the love for our spouse, partner or significant other whether we are formally married or not;  we have made a formal commitment to someone; we are soulfully linked, and you know it—until we’re not.  Yes, there are often times children involved, but its purpose seems much grander; children complicit in our agreements.

Could L-O-V-E even be viewed as an acronym for something astronomical, celestial or astral?  Many things have a much different perspective when we view them from a distance.  Let’s say, standing on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower, the Space Needle, the Empire State Building or whatever majestic observation deck you choose—even if it is the Grand Canyon, or from space.  We look down and from our new vantage point see the word clearly L-O-V-E.  Could it be . . . that . . .

L  is actually about = LEARNING: “The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught: [AS MODIFIER]: an important learning process.”  (Oxford Dictionary)

From our higher vantage point, we could know and view all close and personal relationships as a learning experience. (And could even be expanded to our collective conscious and the world at large.)  Good, bad and ugly we learn something from every interaction we have—especially our interpersonal or intimate ones.  I heard once that intimacy could be defined as “into me you see.”  Wow.  If relationships are about vulnerability, trust and forgiveness is there any greater learning than the close relationships of our family or spouse—and ourself.  What better way to learn lessons of forgiveness, tolerance, and compassion.  To experience joy, bliss, and delight or the experiential emotional feelings of sorrow, sadness and heartache—or grief?  We may call in the vast multitude of lessons—unique, undefinable, varied.  Each personal and each customized for our greatest growth and Love experience.  A lesson of the heart that will be etched in our human experience forever as unique as a fingerprint.

O”  Thinking about the “O”, observation was the first word that came up,  but it seemed too passive and without movement; after all relationships like everything are dynamic and changing—and can be incitement for change.  What about “oracle”?  Could that be what the ”O” represented?  Oracles use their intuition, their innate knowing and their wisdom to advise others.  No, that didn’t fit.  When you are in a dynamic committed relationship, paradoxically we can be quite nearsighted;  able to see others’ and their folly’s and missteps, but rarely our own.  It is almost as our “sight” is blocked on purpose like a mirage—which seems to clear when the journey is complete or karma is finished.

During a walking meditation, it occurred to me, the ”O” was more like the yin/yang symbol—ah, the seen and unseen, soma and psyche—all aspects of one continuous process in the ever-changing elements: a unified system of relationships playing out with grand purpose.  (Spirit, Emotion, Mind/intellect/, Body/physical).

To the Chinese the Yin/Yang was the system and symbol of polar and complimentary aspects.  Relationships can be all that and much more.  This symbol stood for a system about motion, cyclic patterns and a process of transformation where life is everything or so it appears. Relationship’s fit there.   The balance of what we would accept as the harmonic and flourishing aspects—and the unbalance of distress, tragedy and heartbreak. A relationship elicits many aspects including courage and self-esteem, happiness, confidence.  Trust, fun, humor, and paradoxically—distrust, anger, fear, frustration, inner resistance, sadness, or jealousy. These are expressed and experienced both within ourselves and within the many relationships we share in life and in love.  Alas, maybe the “O” is all these bound into the endless circle of life . . . never finished . . . it is the halo we fail to recognize as the creations of divinity: eternal and forever in human form.

V  is for = VIBRATION- Atoms, fields of energy, law of attraction, and fields of possibility. All Vibration. Do these unseen electromagnetic forces play a major role in determining the internal properties of objects, people, places and occurrences we encountered in our daily lives; which would therefore include all of our relationships as well.  Everything, has an energetic vibration. For example, essential oils have a vibration – rose vibrates at 320 MHz! Thoughts, herbs, food, songs, art or literature.  Even the earth—a vibration to know to many as Schumann Resonance carries a certain frequency. ALL have energy and vibration. If you surround yourself with high-vibrating objects and think high-vibrating thoughts of love, peace and compassion, you cannot help but attract similar energies!

Relationships each carry a unique, shall we say, energy imprint, frequency, meaning and experience; after all no two energy patterns are alike.  And, ‘Energy is Everything.’ Are we “downloaded” information to complete these lessons—like invisible “tractor” beams—agreed upon before we descend on earth in our corporeal human forms? Or do we come with this preset potential—of what we would like and choose to experience for our learning and growth?

We all have heard the expression “good vibes— bad vibes” especially popular in the 60-70’s.  We clearly feel that resonance of vibration which a person carries at the moment; wavelike and changing. The obvious happy or sad. Vibration and energy patterns are part of our nature even if we are not aware of such things.  So, what is the trigger of attracting our “perfect mate?” The law of attraction states that “two people are brought together because of their vibrational equivalents and the because of their alignments they ‘recognize’ in each other.” Harville Hendricks says we attract the perfect partner based on our primary caregiver—with both their positive and negative traits. He states it is the negative, challenging aspects (low vibration) that we are brought together to heal and work through.  The end goal to reach the point of “Conscious Partnership”.

If we take the assumption, as all great Master’s have spoken of, that the Universe that we live in is a representation of the infinite presence of God who is love—then we have come into being to experience just that—love.  So, in our limited restricted presence of self, how do we experience this? When we participate in a relationship—whether it is with your spouse or the new kitten that showed up at your doorstep—is it all aimed at wading through your human stuff of the ego—to realize who we are and “open” our heart? To get out of head, put down our shields, be vulnerable and to experience this feeling we call love. To do this we  “call in” the best person for the job to assist us in this growth and learning experience; one that will challenge us like no other. (And, it looks different for everyone!) We are all at different stages, and one is not better than another.  It is just different. The V is the frequency of where our attractor beam is at the moment.  Always changing, always expanding—always turning—like the universe and the God particle within.  And until it is complete—whether one date or a lifetime it can serve as the greatest catalyst for something else.  We are always given the opportunity to learn, to value ourselves, and perhaps begin to understand our personal energy of self-love. If we get the lesson, we must not be afraid of using our internal guidance and know we are done; when it stops feeling good. We must say,  “I am not interested in participating in this kind of energetic exchange anymore.” After all, Loving myself is the willingness and ability to allow me the right to make my own choices for myself without any insistence that I satisfy others.  That’s unconditional love; and that’s a vibration worth loving!

“Where is your love? Why is your love?  What is your love?  . . . The grace of love heals that which has been divided.  The Grace of loves unites that which Creation has divided for the very purpose of awakening it’s own love.”

E = EVERLASTING OR ETERNITY—No matter how short or long our experience is with whatever relationship we call and choreograph, it is forever seared into the memory of our quantum DNA; our akashic inheritance stored in the Cave of Creation.  The lesson given in love complete; possibly unrealized in the moment as human. Retained in the god particle of our being. And since we are eternal and forever—so is this experience we call “Love.”

So, what is love?  It has been written about, sung about and studied since the beginning of time.  As humans, we are forever seeking, searching, holding, entering and trying to experience the love Relationship—of the divine—the feeling from “home”—  Love hurts and love heals.  Love is painful, sorrowful and brings sadness.  Love is also joyful, brings happiness and pleasure.  Perhaps, love is us searching and receiving itself—us. Both the simplest and hardest: the paradox of life; our forever quest. Love is our greatest lesson; love is the relationship with ourself.  We participate willingly in the game we call life. In the end, it is trusting, faith and compassion which are the glue of L-O-V-E. Our first and last love is  self-love; maybe that is the real test.

“Love unveils its dream before you as you enter into love’s scared sphere.  You too, stand unveiled and this begins Love’s evolutionary metamorphosis.” Pamela Eakins

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP

Cathysilverhealth@gmail.com

http://www.cathrinesilver.com

Breakfast at McDonald’s

Christmas in Florida This is a wonderful true story about compassion and light–something we can all  apply in our lives.  For me recently, it was a young girl who didn’t have enough money for her groceries.  She needed 90 cents.  I gave her five. For this story it was McDonald’s.  Acts of compassion and kindness are always in season.  
     
“My last project for sociology while completing my college degree was called, “Smile.”  The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.  Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning.  It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. . .

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch… an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.  As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there  standing behind me were two poor homeless men.  As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance.He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.  The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.  I held my tears as I stood there with them.  The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.He said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).  Then I really felt it – the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Thank you.” I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.”I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, “That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.” We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love.  I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.I turned in “my project” and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?” I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:  UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS – NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE. . .

. . . And, There is an Angel sent to watch over you too!”

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathy Silver, HC, AADP

Please visit: www.cathrinesilver.com

Christmas in Florida 2