Ostara is a time of balance, or equal amounts of light and dark. Light is returning and Spring has arrived bringing warmth and hope. Deep within the yet cold earth, seeds are beginning to sprout. The livestock prepare to give birth in damp fields and beneath the forest canopy of trees, wildlife prepare their dens and nests for the arrival of their young.

May the new energy during this turn of the sacred Wheel provide us many blessed opportunities for our own regeneration. What newness will you lay the groundwork for and welcome into your life?

More Thoughts on Empowering Women

We have slowly and over a long course of history, been cultured away from fully remembering and embracing our power. Unfortunately, due to the current patriarchal society, we have not been part of the process for some time. Yes, there have been certain key women throughout history whom certainly impressed their mark upon it. It seems, however, when groups of women became seemingly "too" influential or powerful, society found a convenient way to stop them and dissuade others from continuing their work (i.e. the infamous witch hunts, Henry the VIII, Joan of Arc, and various organized religions). As a result, the world is in the state it is.

Perhaps we may begin counteracting this by more fully integrating and sharing our experiences. We are always in a position of power to create change in ourselves and countless others. Let us acknowledge ourselves as women who are receptive, intuitive, and creative. Remember to look at life not as lineal, look at life as a spiral - expanding and growing with continuity and flow. By looking at our lives as a spiral, we are able to build upward and outward - buidling upon what we have done and applying it to the present moment, then bringing it to the future. Nothing is lost, it is built upon from the past. Ignoring the cycles of the spiral can make us sick.

The Earth, nature, is our first and greatest teacher, always providing information and interacting with us. The Earth progresses in cycles - spirals. It is very important that we, as women, take time to connect with those cycles, remembering we are part of 15 billion years of life cycles. Remembering is not just of how powerful we are, it is also that we are part of everything.

Words can Hurt. Words can Heal.

As a woman, I feel it is very important to help empower other women. One way we each can begin is by watching the words we choose to use. There was a university study completed a few years ago, focusing on the communication centers of the human brain. The results of the study were that the average woman uses 20,000 (no, that is not a typo) words a day, the average man uses only 7,000. Although a man's brain weighs more and is slightly larger than a woman's, the parts of the brain controlling communication, emotion, healing, nuturing and integration, are larger in a woman's. (That's one of the reasons we are able to multi-task so well! ) Ladies, with that much inherent power, we have a great responsibility to support each other, not tear one another apart. Think of the amazing impact, women, choosing their words with great intention, will have on our world. wow!
In effort to spread that strength and wisdom, here are two sets of words for your reflection. How often do these appear in your daily speech and interactions?
The 7 most disempowering words for women to use -
"sorry", "but", "because", "maybe", "think", "always", "never"
The 7 most empowering words for women to use -
"I", "and", "feel", "request", "choose", "thank", "acknowledge"
Thank you for reading my blog, I wish you a day of strength and courage!

Puppies just make the world right.

On December 15th, our Australian Shepherd blessed us with five amazing, half border collie puppies. It may sound a tad trite, however, our lives have not been the same. Their presence has brought us into the moment. Though we strive to live in the present, life's ride often distracts us. These five little souls remind us daily to be present. Present to each other, present to others, present to them, and importantly...present to ourselves.

Each day they amaze us with their growth and development. Each day I am amazed by own ability to bend and adapt to their changes and needs. Each day I am amazed by how they accept and trust me.

We now have daily reminders to appreciate the small things in life and how to gently embrace and understand the cylicular nature of the Universe.

Blessed Be.

Toward the New Year

Though much human fear is based on uncertainty, foreknowledge does not always ease the mind. It is often when our futures look brightest that our resolve crumbles and we veer off course. We can recognize that success is on the horizon, but we cannot discern how it will impact our lives. Because success can affect us in complex and unpredictable ways, taking us out of the status quo and pushing us into new circumstances that test our limits, the mere idea of attaining the life of our dreams can shake us to the core. Fear of the future is often closely intermingled with the fear that growing into your own potential will both change you irrevocably and force you to face situations that you aren’t ready for. It is normal to unconsciously project ahead into the future and see success as a great weight bearing down on you. It is important to remember, however, that all the life changes the future will bring will be implemented into your life slowly and gradually.

When we visualize the future, we tend to focus on outcomes rather than the steps we will take to reach those conclusions. Thus, we may forget that growth is progressive. Your soul longs to fulfill its purpose—a purpose you agreed to in the timelessness in which you existed before your birth. Because of this, neither you nor the universe will set any circumstance before you that you are not capable of handling. Fear of the future can paralyze you, preventing you from living in the moment and from working toward your goals in a mindful manner. 

The key to conquering this fear lies in awareness. When you can identify the irrational thoughts that frighten you, you can replace them with logical, self-affirming ideas. If you are afraid that you won’t be satisfied when you accomplish a certain goal, remember that no one achievement represents an end in and of itself. And if you fear recognition or feel unworthy, consider that even now you are deserving of praise. Should fear of the future strike you as you strive to create, to excel, to grow, and to evolve, assert your courage. Assume that your fear is based on a false assumption and quell it with facts. Try to disregard past patterns and focus on the present by stilling the inner voice that comments critically on all you do. 

Tell yourself that the inevitability of your success is based not on luck or a universal mistake but on your already established talents, drive, imagination, and inner strength. Each time you overcome your fear of the future, you chip away at its very foundations. Eventually, you will clear a gap through which you can gaze upon the future with unhindered optimism.