Christmas Angels

It was December 23, 1993. For a single mom who was going to college and supporting my children completely alone, Christmas was looking bleak. I looked around my little home, realization dawning like a slow, twisting pain. We were poor.

Our tiny house had two bedrooms, both off the living room. They were so small that my baby daughter's crib barely fit into one room, and my son's twin bed and dresser were squeezed into the other. There was no way they could share a room, so I made my bed every night on the living room floor.

The three of us shared the only closet in the house. We were snug, always only a few feet from each other, day and night. With no doors on the children's rooms, I could see and hear them at all times. It made them feel secure, and it made me feel close to them -- a blessing I wouldn't have had in other circumstances.

It was early evening, about eight o'clock. The snow was falling softly, silently, and my children were both asleep. I was wrapped in a blanket, sitting at the window, watching the powdery flakes flutter in the dimming light, when my front door vibrated with a pounding fist.

Alarmed, I wondered who would stop by unannounced on such a snowy winter night. I opened the door to find a group of strangers grinning from ear to ear, their arms laden with boxes and bags.

Confused, but finding their joyous spirit contagious, I grinned right back at them.

"Are you Susan?" The man stepped forward as he held out a box for me.

Nodding stupidly, unable to find my voice, I was sure they thought I was mentally deficient.

"These are for you." The woman thrust another box at me with a huge, beaming smile. The porch light and the snow falling behind her cast a glow over her dark hair, lending her an angelic appearance.

I looked down into her box. It was filled to the top with delicious treats, a fat turkey, and all the makings of a traditional Christmas dinner. My eyes filled with tears as the realization of why they were there washed over me.


To read more click here... http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/it-is-the-season-for-books

Quote of the Week

Grandfather,

Look at our brokenness.

We know that in all creation

Only the human family

Has strayed from the Sacred Way.

We know that we are the ones

Who are divided

And we are the ones

Who must come back together

To walk in the Sacred Way.

Grandfather,

Sacred One,

Teach us love, compassion, and honor

That we may heal the earth

And heal each other.

By,  The Ojibway 

Get in the Spirit of Thanksgiving!

Fall really is my favorite season!  In order to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving I felt like sharing the all famous tell of the first original Thanksgiving with the indigenous people of America...

The Pilgrims that came here from the Old World had no skills to survive on their own in this New World. The ground was rocky and wouldn't grow what the Pilgrims had brought with them for food. Unfortunately by the time the indigenous peoples came to greet the "new comers" half of the Pilgrims had died during the winter. The indigenous people, called the Wampanoag's, were a giving and kind people. They could see that these now comers needed help. So, they went back to their village and put together enough food storage to help the Pilgrims survive. The Wampanoag's also offered skills like how to make sturdy huts, cultivating the vegetables, and how to catch the spring time fish. The Pilgrims did well with learning the new skills that the Wampanoag people had taught them, and by the time fall came around the Pilgrims were very well prepared for the coming winter. They were so grateful for what the Indians had done for them, for now they could flourish in this New World.

To read more visit my Squidoo lens... http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/it-is-the-season-for-books

Quote of the Week

How shall the might river

reach the tiny seed?

See it rise silently

to the sun’s yearning,

sail from a winter’s cloud

flake after silent flake

piling up layer upon layer

until the thaw of spring

to meet the seedling’s need.

Make tender, Lord, my heart:

release through gentleness

Thine own tremendous power

hid in the snowflake’s art.

By, Antoinette Adam

Quote of the Week

I have come to terms with the future. From this day onward I will walk easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill no living things. Live in harmony with all creatures. I will restore the earth where I am. Use no more of its resources than I need. And, listen, listen to what it is telling me.

by, M.J.Slim Hooey

Halloween Origins from a Shamanic Perspective

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays still active, but most have no idea of when this fascinating holiday’s history started. Where does Halloween come from and when did it start?

Over 2000 years ago All Hallows Eve, as it was called back then, was a pagan holiday to honor the dead, also called Samhain.  It is said that the veil between worlds is thinner on this night.  This enables those who choose to commune easier with the dead, or should I say Spirits.  Although there are many versions of the true origins of one of our favorite holidays, there is much evidence that trace it back to the Druids. 

Druidism was practiced by the Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain, the UK, Spain and France.  These ancient Celts would make huge bonfires and wear animal heads and skins to commune with the Spirits that they believed could cross through the veil between worlds.  Celtic priests would use this day to seek prediction from the Spirits for direction and comfort.

To me this sounds all too familiar with Shamanic actions, which according to Mike Williams Ph. D., who has studied Shamanic origins, says, “Some of the oldest remains of modern human beings, people just like you or me, are found deep underground in the painted caves of southern France and northern Spain.  They date form around thirty thousand years ago.”  The paintings on the caves, once studied by archaeologists, were deciphered as shamans in trance and the visions of the otherworld.  There were paintings of men and women dressed in animal heads and skins, just like the Druids.  They also painted themselves dancing around huge bonfires.  So, when did Halloween start?  What do you think?


I have also put together a lens on this subject with a little more info...
http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-origins-from-a-shamanic-perspective

Audio Program for Learning the Gifts of Shamanism by, Mary Rivas

Now is the time to draw a line in the sand---how your life used to be and how your life is going to be in 2010 and beyond! It's a new beginning. Anyone who orders this program is stepping over the line -- entering the realm of empowerment, spiritual growth and success in all areas of their life.

To An Extraordinary Life,

Mary Rivas

Click Here to read more!