Butterfly Dreams

  In November, my grandkids and I walked across the street from our church to First Presbyterian. We went just after the Children's Story, with other youth and our FBC Youth leader.  Sean's co-leader of our wonderful 4 church Youth Collective was offering the sermon, shortly before she left our community to serve a congregation in Arizona.   Oh, Kate will be missed!!  In her message, Kate shared a wonderful story from Brené Brown, on how the idea for using a Marble Jar came to her. Kate dropped marbles in a canning jar, as she spoke,  and after the service, we each chose a marble from baskets held by the Ushers.  Kate's message,  A Good Laugh , starts at 40 minutes (and It was so fun to hear their bell choir! I play with ours, and it's a challenge! But rewarding!) Marble jars ○ crocheted and felted marbles For our Moms group gift exchange in December, I used tissue paper on small jars to make little holders for my 6 friends. I included a small ba...

  Eight years into my Massage therapy career, I moved to a worker owned rustic hot springs retreat center , on 160 acres in Oregon's Cascade mountains.  The suggestions I gave my city clients for self care - eating mindfully, finding a movement practice, slowing DOWN, and drinking a bit more water were suddenly much easier to follow - for me as well! Their biggest choice after their Qigong class, or 60-90 minute massage session was - whether to head to the Lodge for a meal (the bell would tell them when), walk to the tubs or sauna, to the library or their cabin for a nap, or maybe take a short hike on a trail through the old growth forest.....  If I saw guests in the dining hall for their last lunch (organic vegetarian fare, lovingly prepared) they would often sigh, saying, "well, back to the real world now..." And I'd remind them - "No, THIS is the real world! This is how humans have lived, time out of mind! Take some of this with you - and come home, soon. ...

 Blessings on this cold January morning! (So far, just cold, here in Western Oregon) Prayer circles Little altar and Reiki Box ᎪᎯᎢᎦ  ᏙᎯ  ᎨᏎᏍᏗ  Go-hi-i-ga do-hi ge-ses-di With the monks who are walking for peace, I affirm, 'Today / peace / let it be!' (Cherokee) Percy - keeping the 'People' images warm Side table vignette It's our Sixth  facilitator training  class this morning - then we just have two more sessions!  ᏑᏓᎵᏁ ᏗᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ   (su-da-li-ne  di-de-lo-quas-di sixth class/ school)  ✨️ 

  My SoulCollage ®️ trainer Mariabruna has said that making soul collage cards and not using them is like cooking a delicious feast, but not eating a bite!  I recently saw a comment from someone who has made a number of SoulCollage ®️  cards. She said she's been  so busy caring for others' needs, she had put her cards away - then needed to dig them out again, to be able to use them!  I wonder if she found a way to make room for them again? I wanted to ask her, " Is there a shelf where you could place a bin or basket to hold your cards, so they're out of the way, but also easy to access?" In SoulSollage ®️  Evolving,  Seena Frost invites us to 'Have your cards close at hand, not closed up in a box and tucked away. ... Draw one or two cards from your SoulCollage ®️ deck each morning and see them as your Neters (guides) for the day. (p 130)  Each person reads their cards for themselves, and we receive answers from within our own souls. Messages a...

  Living in the US, and in a sanctuary state, events last week are deeply disturbing.  Many of us are choosing to be upstanders, rather than passive bystanders.  Our former pastor Kent, who is back in his home state of Massachusetts, is one of an ecumenical group of faith leaders activity standing in support of the people of Minnesota. Indigenous communities are singing honor songs.  Friends in my community gather in candlelight vigils. .... Last year, my friend  Cindy Jacobs , offered a series of classes exploring  Creative Resilience, and qualities that could help us find it, in these increasingly troubled times.  One of the qualities is Courage, and I used an image from a blogfriend's calendar, to craft this  SoulCollage®️  card (and sent Leah a thank you note.) Phoenix Rising  (central image - Leah P Kolidas) My Courage Ally invites me to: Stand strong Stay grounded and do my daily practices Speak the truth Maintain vigilance  ...

  " How does a person begin to deconstruct the way they look at the world? After all, worldviews are deeper than culture and language, although both play a part in shaping our worldviews.  "Hanging out with those who have a non-Western or Indigenous worldview seems necessary to make changes."  (P 128 / Becoming Rooted,  Randy Woodley) Several years ago at the suggestion of my friend Don Watson, several of us met throughout the summer to read and discuss professor Woodley's little gem of a book on reconnecting with Sacred Earth. Don volunteers at Eloheh , Edith and Randy Woodley 's nearby Center for Earth Justice and farm, and wanted to explore their ideas on living better in our troubled world.  Our Native Voices bookgroup was itself rooted in that summer read, and a small group of us meet in the Fireplace Room at our church monthly to discuss books by indigenous authors.  "The fires kept burning bright are merely emblematic of the greater fire, the great...

 In the 60s, Star Trek was one of my favorite shows, and Spoc's Vulcan Salute, Live Long and Prosper 🖖 a greeting I loved to offer! What joy to discover this clip on his childhood experience with this  blessing !  My daughter's European doctor has a deep interest in practices and foods that support general health and longevity. Several areas around the world are known for these, including parts of Japan. In this  video , Sachiaki Takamiya talks about different ways we can protect our gut health, which in turn enhances our general health.  Picked garlic, cilantro, Miso, Kim chi, tofu Many of these concepts are familiar and  ones I already incorporate into my life.  Living on the West Coast, I have enjoyed rice, Miso (and yes, tofu!) for decades.  Moderate movement  - for lifelong benefit, it's ideal if your practices are both enjoyable and not overly strenuous! I do 3-6 minutes of  Japanese morning exercises several times a week....