Archive for Transformation Tid-bits™
Undercover Mystic
By | Comments
Arizona Sunrise by Niamh Savani
John O’Donohue the well known Irish author called his friend an “undercover mystic”. What a beautiful, poetic way to describe an ordinary person who at the very least is serene, wise, and compassionate, and perhaps is enlightened.
Which brings us to the question “what is enlightenment?” (or susbtitute “awakening” etc.) I’m not even attempting to define such a loaded word, so I’ll just quote from others who can express this better than me. Read More→
New Beginning
By | Comments
Seedling by Dreamstime
Today is May 1st or May day, also known as Beltaine in the Celtic world. In ancient Celtic society, the year was divided into two halves: Samhain (November 1st) represented the beginning of winter, the darker half of the year, and a time for introspection and reflection. Beltaine (May 1st) represented the beginning of spring/summer, the season of light, new beginnings, expansion, and growth
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” ~ Seneca
I’ve haven’t been blogging for the past month because to be honest it went by like a blur! I’ve been in a state of transition due to the passing of my beloved uncle Frank. I’ve been on a journey – both a literal physical journey to California for the funeral, as well as an unplanned emotional/spiritual journey. Death has a way of making you reassess your life, re-evaluate certain situations, and in my case brought complete clarity and closure to some issues that I didn’t even realize were unresolved.
“If I had to reduce the meaning of initiation into just two words, they would be death and rebirth. Those are the essential tasks in any initiation, and especially they are the tasks of women who undergo initiation into feminist spiritual experience.” ~ Sue Monk Kid, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
I can honestly say that my uncle’s death has brought me many unexpected blessings (after I got over the original shock). I truly feel like I have been reborn and have complete clarity about my life. I have received so many signs over the past few weeks, and there have been so many synchronistic events, that I’m not even going to try to begin to describe them. My uncle is really guiding me and looking out for me.
Even before I received the news about my uncle, approximately a week before, out of the blue I dreamt that I was swallowed by a whale, was trapped in the stomach, and then was released. According to Ted Andrews, author of Animal Speak “Whales at one time were also symbols of containment, concealment, and even resurrection. The Biblical story of Jonah and the whale is the prime example. For three days, Jonah lived within the belly of the whale before he came forth. He was given a second birth.” This dream was an omen that great changes that were afoot.
The other night I dreamt that I symbolically “died” and then was reborn. If I was in any way unsure about all the events that have been taking place over the past few weeks, this was just total confirmation that I am guided and on the right path.
“Let every day be the first day of the rest of your life, but especially let today be a new beginning.” ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Whether we realize it or every day is a new beginning! I have found such a sense of completion and wholeness within myself over the last month and totally trust my feminine intuition. I truly feel that a cycle that began with the passing of my own beloved mother many years ago has been brought to completion by the death of my uncle. I am looking forward to my new beginning – it has already begun!
May peace prevail in your hearts, homes, communities, and the world!
Transitions
By | Comments
Dandelion by dreamstime
We are born to die. This is the only thing we know for sure that will happen in our life. After we are born we may become rich, live in poverty, get an education, travel the world, have children, not have children, write a book … the possibilities are endless. But whatever happens in our lives, we all meet the same fate at the end of our lives.
My beloved uncle Frank recently passed away. He was a wonderful, loving, kind,and generous person. He acted as a second father to me when I arrived in the United States and helped me settled in my new country. While I know he has just passed to a different realm, and there is life after life, it is still strange to think that I will never hear his voice or see his face in physical form again. Especially since the last time I talked to him a few weeks ago, he sounded vibrant and healthy once again. However, over the last few days, I have been getting many signs from my uncle that he is still alive in some other dimension. Read More→
Fitness is Fun!
By | Comments
Happy and Fit by Benis Arapovic, Dreamstime
I was at the gym earlier today and attended a Zumba class after work – what a blast! I was dancing my heart out, laughing, having fun, singing along to the music, feeling feminine and sexy, and overall just having a good time. The side benefits of the Zumba class were stress relief, a fantastic cardio workout, sweating out toxins, increasing endorphins, and just plain fun! My friend Jessica was right – you really can Dance your way to Joy!
“Girls just wanna have fun!” ~ Cyndi Lauper
I’ve noticed that the gym has beena lot busier than usual the past week or so. It’s probably because it is only the second week of January, and I’m sure “Exercising” and “Getting Healthy” were at the top of many people’s list of resolutions. Some people will stick to their resolutions, but many, no doubt, will not. I think the reason many people don’t enjoy working out is that it is just another thing on the “to do” list and they look upon it as a chore. They view it as one more thing they need to squeeze into their busy schedule. Read More→
Backyard Bounty
By | Comments
Produce from Backyard, Photo by Niamh Savani
Last week as I was putting some items in the recycling container in the back yard, I noticed a shrub that was really overgrown. Since it’s the middle of summer in Arizona, I’ve been avoiding the garden and being outside. My husband noticed it too, so the other day early in the morning (before it was too hot!) we went into the backyard and trimmed some trees and shrubs, and worked in the garden.
As I went around the garden I discovered lots of wonderful things – beautiful peppers, bunches of grapes, tomatoes, and a pomegranate tree we planted last fall is producing the first Read More→
Yummy Yin!
By | Comments
Photo by Fotoeye75 @ Dreamstime, Yin/Yang Symbol
Sounds like a drink doesn’t it? You can almost imagine yourself saying “I’ll have a yin and tonic please”! But what I’m talking about is yin yoga, and trust me it is delicious! I’ve been practicing yoga regularly for over seven years now, and it is an integral part of my routine. I started with athletic yoga at a local gym, and when I felt I had outgrown that, I moved on to core power at a studio. Finally I graduated to Ashtanga. In between all this I also experimented with a more gentle form, but mostly my practice has been focused on active, athletic, powerful postures and sequences. It has been a great experience. Read More→
Be Playful and Have Fun!
By | Comments
Photo by Neve, Merry Go Round
As we grow up and progress though the life cycle we naturally begin to take on more responsibilities. Everyone is different, and people do diverse things and in different order, but generally we graduate high school, then move on to trade school or college, next we start our first real job and begin to develop a career. Next comes a house, marriage, maybe kids … The list is endless!
Somewhere along the line we lose all the playfulness we had as children, and become very serious. Life becomes dull and seems to be full of responsibility and “to do” lists. Read More→
What is Visionary Art?
By | Comments
"Sita" by Odilon Redon, 1893, Pastel and black conte crayon on paper, image in the public domain
Artists have often been called visionaries, and many have produced what is known as visionary art. This is usually considered a type of art that depicts a wider vision of awareness compared to our day to day reality. This type of art often includes spiritual, religious, mythological, and mystical content or themes. A great amount of visionary art is created by painters using luminous color and strange juxtapositions of imagery.
Visionary art may require the viewer to expand their own framework of thinking. A person viewing artwork created by a visionary artist can be transported to another realm (even if only momentarily) via the images and colors created by the artist. This is because much visionary artwork is created by the artist who was inspired by some spiritual or mystical experience. This feeling or energy is infused into the artwork when the artist is creating the piece. Later, the person viewing the artwork will indirectly absorb some of that same energy.
Visionary art can be Read More→
Don’t be Afraid to Roar Sometimes!
By | Comments
Photo: Dreamstime
This is the Chinese Year of the Tiger, an animal that evokes a feeling of awe in all who see them. They are the subject of much myth and folklore worldwide. In Chinese culture, someone born in the Year of the Tiger is believed to have qualities of unpredictability, power, passion and an adventurous spirit. Symbolically, the tiger stands for royalty, fearlessness, passion, power, and devotion. This animal is also known for its ferocity, as well as territorial and predatory nature.
Take a hint from Mother Nature, and don’t be afraid to be powerful Read More→
Time Flies
By | Comments
Clock Tower, Prague, Czech Republic
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” ~ Dr. Seuss, Children’s Author and Illustrator
It’s hard to believe it is the last day of the year already! As Dr. Seuss says so nicely, the time has “flewn”!
Hopefully you managed to navigate the ups and downs of life and created many wonderful memories. Take a moment today to reflect on the past year, and begin to envision what you would like to create and manifest in the coming year.
Remember that our thoughts create our reality, so think good thoughts!
