The Strength of Belief

As we wander through our daily routines, we don't often think about our belief systems, and our faith. We're focused on driving, on work, on balancing the check book and getting something made for tonight's dinner...but how often during each day do you really focus on the strength of your beliefs?

This is something I have vowed to focus on during this turn of the wheel - as priestess, as teacher, as student, as wife - as sister, as daughter, as friend, as journeyor on this planet.

Each day, I am going to make the time to sit at peace with myself, and truly probe the depths of my beliefs and my faith. How much is purely rote? How much would I willingly die for? What would I kill to protect?

Strong thoughts, but ones we have a need to make time for, especially now as the world we know continues to go through amazing transformation - the solar cycle has begun, global warming continues, the ice sheets are melting at a blazing speed, and the winter solstice of 2012 looms on the near horizon. Are we ready for a changed world? Are we prepared? Can we be?

Learning to Breathe

Sounds like a weird title doesn't it? Supposedly, we've known how to breathe since we took our first breaths in this world upon being born. The breathing I'm speaking of are the breaths we need to learn to take when we find ourselves growing frustrated, angry, stymied or just plain pissed. I finally got it yesterday as to how important it is at these particular times to really, deliberately, BREATHE.

I'm a pretty easy going kind of gal, and I can usually let things wash over me without too much getting ruffled. But at work yesterday, I had reached my limit with a particular situation that's been bubbling around in the pot for weeks now...and I truly got mad. Really mad. One step away from downright fightin mad. And it isn't good to get to that point in the workplace...not if you want to keep your job anyway.

And I made myself go outside (into the lovely freezing Missouri winds) and deliberately BREATHE. Deep breath in, slow exhale. Deep breath in, slow exhale. I did that 9 times. I wanted to quit after 5 but made myself keep going through the 9th breath. Guess what?

I wasn't mad anymore. I wasn't even peeved anymore. I looked out over the blue sky, followed the flight of a bird, shoved my hands into my pockets to keep warm, and realized - it really didn't matter. The world wasn't going to suddenly spin out of control, our company wasn't going to nose dive because of this...it needed to be solved, yes. But was it worth getting nutty over? No.

How magickal is that? I went from wanting to punch someone's lights out to wondering what flowers we should plant up at the land - all in 9 slow breaths. I wonder if it will be that easy at tax time? Better plan on 13 breaths for that, just in case.

Thanks Cheri - this should make Brennan happy...

How will I die? Your Result: You will die while having sex. Your last moments in this life will be enjoyable indeed...hopefully. Do not fear sex. Try not to become celibate as a way of escaping death. You cannot run from destiny.
You will die while saving someone's life.
You will die of boredom.
You will die in your sleep.
You will die from a terminal illness.
You will die in a nuclear holocaust.
You will die in a car accident.
You will be murdered.
How will I die?

Expressing Gratitude

For those of us lucky enough to have found teachers on our path, and who learned and continue to learn from these guiding lights, and who found new ways to think, to perceive and to cope with life thanks to their teachers' instructions - I talk with you now.

So many of our teachers give of their wisdom freely - no fees, no strings attached - just the pure joy of sharing knowledge, and learning right alongside their students. These teachers are a blessed bunch, and I for one treasure them and all they have helped me to learn and perceive about the world around me.

In the mundane world, people like this would expect - if not outright demand - payment for their services - there would be limits, restrictions, things you'd have to buy to go from one level to the next - people you must or must not associate with, depending on their whims.

We are so lucky that on Pagan paths, it isn't like this - not with true teacher spirits.

I speak of this now because I have the honor of participating in the initiation of one of my teacher's first class of students since she taught my class MANY moons ago - I am to stand with her, in circle, and help her students begin their journey along this amazing road...perhaps one day to become like myself, a teacher with students of their own, who teach for the joy of sharing and growing and learning together.

I am so excited to be making this trip to share in this experience - not only to meet her students and share stories of learning with them, but to tell her of my students and the many joys they have brought to my life. Had I not learned so well, I do not believe I could teach so well now. (At least, I believe I teach well - my students would be the best judge of that.)

To see the living history of our path handed down from one group to the next - what an amazing and wonderful feeling this is. Memories of cram sessions with my fellow classmates, late night calls to my teacher for help, support, and sometimes just to rail at the world with an audience. So many important times in my life have occured since I began this path almost 20 years ago. And I look forward to all the important times yet to come...

My New Year's Wishes for You All

May peace break into your house,
and may thieves come to steal your debt.

May the pockets of your jeans
become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline!!!
May laughter assault your lips!

May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires.
May happiness slap you across the face.

May your tears be that of Joy!!
Any problems you had..May they forget your home address!

In simple words ...May 2008 be the best!
Many blessing to you all...