🥧Pie in the Sky🥧

For the life of me, I cannot remember, what made us think that we were wise, and we'd never compromise. - The Verve Pipe

Today, we found something in the house that needs to be fixed. It joined one of 50 other things that need to be fixed. If you read my short memoir, My Trip on the Pain Pill Roller-coaster, then you know I have some health problems.

Wait...don't leave! This is not a hashing or re-hash of problems. 

Over the last few years, I have had nothing but time. Some of that time was spent feeling sorry for myself. Some of the time was filled with doing the work I could do. Some of that time was filled learning about and doing meditations and positive affirmations.

When I meditate, I visualize myself in this house - my house. It has a small stream that runs beside the house. I have some soft, comfy lounge chairs there. They are placed in the shade of the forest right where the stream breaks away from the trees. Inside the stream are rocks of different sizes that make bubbling and gurgling sounds. There is always a cool breeze. I can relax and look at my dream home. If I am not in the backyard, I am in the turret. There I have a custom-made round bed where I can lie comfortably and look at the stars. While my mind is in my fantasies, I often get glimpses of things that speak to where my life is at the moment - like the Cheetah vision.

Right now, I am not in a dream home. It needs work. We don't have the money to fix it, nor can we get a home improvement loan. We have tried to move, but we can't buy a house until we sell this house, and we can't rent. We are stuck....for now.

When I am really down in it - the hopelessness, the illness, the fear - I feel like nothing will ever get better. I have to remind myself of certain things, and then I am hopeful again. I am working toward those dreams again.

This is what I tell myself:

• There are at least a million people who dream that they are where I am now. I am living someone else's dream.

When my health is poor, I remember that I can still do a lot of things other people can't do. When I look at the things in my house that need to be fixed, I remember that a lot of people went to bed last night in a box or a tent. Ran or shine, day or night, cold or hot, they are outside - while I am inside. We have family that helps us while some have no one. They are alone facing their problems alone. I have faith and hope that there is something bigger than me, bigger than my family, bigger than our earth. Some people have no faith or hope left, and they take their own life.

It has become a cliche now, but I have to remind myself that my problems are first world problems.

So, I will now get up and do what I can to make what I have the best it can be. I will practice an attitude of gratitude. I will meditate later, and I will be sitting in the backyard of my new house because one day I will be there.

I will reach that pie in the sky.

Do you do positive affirmations or gratitude work? What has been your experiences? Let us know in the comments. 

🧘Meditations on the Cheetah - Spirit Animal🌬️

Last night, I was meditating. I try to meditate every day, and since I have found benefit in it, it is usually very easy to make some time.

One of the first things that happened is that I stopped biting my nails. I don't remember a time when I didn't bite my nails. At first, I didn't notice. All of a sudden, it just hit me that my nails were long.

There are times when I will have a "vision" or a flash of insight, whichever way you choose to word it. Sometimes it is on the chakra system or other spiritual matters. Not for the first time, last night my
"flash" was of an animal - the Cheetah.

This morning, I looked up the meaning of the Cheetah as a spirit animal or "totem". Here is what I found.

1. The Cheetah cannot change its spots. It must learn to work inside its skill set and characteristics to get the job done. 
2. The Cheetah is lightning fast. Whether it is hunting food or protecting its cubs, it reacts quickly to every danger and opportunity. 
3. The Cheetah is at the top of physical fitness. It knows its strengths and develops those. It knows its weaknesses and accepts them and uses them to its advantage.
4. The Cheetah is solitary and doesn't trust easily. It is not lonely. It simply knows that it has a better advantage while alone. 
5. The Cheetah remains focused at all times. It knows what it needs to do and doesn't waste time in the decision. By waiting, the Cheetah may lose its food for the day or succumb to an enemy. 
6. The Cheetah is strong and powerful and never gives up. Through hard work and perseverance, it achieves its goals.

Why am I telling you this?  - for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, I write to make it true. Writing has always been special to me. I would write notes to people that I never sent. When in school, I rewrote class notes, vocabulary words and definitions, and chapter summaries. Writing makes things stick in my mind like nothing else.

Secondly, after some study, I immediately understood what the vision was meant to tell me. By sharing it, I hope to show people the benefits of meditation and spiritual work.

1. I am who I am. I procrastinate. I have pretty bad "down" days. My short-term memory is shot. I can not change these things. Instead of focusing on the bad, I need to focus on the good. I started doing ASMR videos due to the popularity and potential for income - but writing is what comes easily to me. By understanding my character flaws and using my strengths, I can move forward and be successful.
2. Again, I am a procrastinator. The Cheetah is to teach me to stop putting things off. Whether it is danger or opportunity, I am too slow to reap benefits or avoid consequences.
3. I am not physically fit. I have several food allergies that I keep eating, and I don't exercise. The only other time I weighed what I do now is when I was pregnant. I feel miserable, but don't know how to start. I lack motivation. Motivated or not, I must work towards the physical prowess of the Cheetah.
4. I am solitary. I am quite the hermit. I find, that for me, it is better if I am alone. My husband, daughter, mom, and dad are my friends. For me, that is fine. Not so much now, but in the past, I felt the need to be more outgoing. I would have to drink or drug to feel like I fit in, but that just made me annoying. I have learned to accept my isolation. Being alone doesn't have to mean you are lonely. Like the Cheetah, I must accept who I am and stop trying to be the person I think I should be.
5. I am not focused. I do waste time and "hem-haw" around. Right now, I have a novella I am writing, I want to continue growing this blog, and I want to do better at keeping the house clean and the yard looking nice. I do have some physical limitations, but a lot of it is just flat out not feeling like doing it. I wake up, I say, "I will work on my book today" or "I will get two blogs out today" or "I am going to vacuum the floors and all the furniture today". First thing I do is jump on my computer and play a few games "to wake up". Next thing I know, I don't feel like doing anything. Like the Cheetah, I need to stay focused and not waste time. My intuition might be prompting me to do something that will be successful that day but not a week later. My intuition might be prompting me to do something that avoids a financial setback or a health setback, but by the time I get around to doing it, it is too late. 
6. Through hard work and perseverance, the Cheetah achieves its goals. I don't. I am easily discouraged, and if I don't see immediate rewards, I give up. My success isn't measured by the number of comments I get on my blogs or the number of shares and likes I get on social media. The reward is in sight, and I must keep working to get it. I see what's mine, and I take it.

Today, I awoke renewed in hope and determination. I can't escape by playing video games. I need to be in my life...in my feelings...in my work. My blog needs to be a reflection of me, not filled with stuff that I write because the topics are popular. I have my attitudes, interest, and beliefs for a reason. To be successful, like the Cheetah, I must live my truth. 

My book needs to be finished. I can't keep putting it off. If I do, then by the time it is ready, my opportunity for success may have passed. My intuition gives me ideas and answers that need to be addressed right then. Like the Cheetah, I trust that my intuition is correct and timely for success. I must listen to it and not shove it to the side for later.

Do you use totem animals to help you find inspiration and guidance in life? Let us know your experiences in the comments!

Refrences:
https://www.spirit-animals.com
https://www.universeofsymbolism.com
https://trustedpsychicmediums.com
https://dreamingandsleeping.com

photo credit: Cloudtail the Snow Leopard <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57256462@N07/25483397348">Young cheetah on a log</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>

👻Ouija Board-True Mysteries #3👾

I am hard-pressed to think of any occult symbolism as well-known as the Ouija Board. For decades, people have tried to explain it, people have tried to ban it, and people have uttered tales of fear and horror of it to their friends and family.

As a teenager, I had a friend who had the Parker Brothers game version of the Ouija Board. It was absolutely terrifying which made it so fun to play. 

What are the mechanics behind it?

How Does It Work?

The most accepted answer is that the people playing it are subconsciously pushing it. It is known as the ideomotor effect. When people are asked, "Are you pushing it?", they truthfully answer, "NO!". "Oh My God, it is moving by itself!!" Of course, we assume it is, because our conscious self is not the one pushing it. 

The people playing it really believe they are not pushing it, but everyone is actually pushing it. This is the reason why teenagers looking to scare themselves always get tales of murder and mayhem. People seeking to know the future receive answers about loves to come and paths to take. Ones that are hoping to talk to loved ones past are greeted with words and answers that only the deceased could know.

Real, Useful, Evil?

Is that truly all there is to it? The instructions on how to safely use any spirit board are numerous and are put out there by people who really think this stuff is real. You can find almost an equal number of sites saying it is real, and it is evil and demonic. These people usually believe that you are pushing it subconsciously, but spirits are acting on your subconscious to make you push it where they want it to go. One rule that spirit "professionals" have - always play with three or more people. The one asking the questions is not one of the ones running the planchette. That way, you reduce the attachment to the answers of the people pushing it. 

Honestly, I usually believe it is a bunch of "hocus pocus", and you get the answers you are looking for.

Or is it?

My Story

On the night of a friend's slumber party, we decided to break out the Ouija Board. It was stored in one of those entertainment cabinets with the other board games. You know, one of those 1970s monstrosities that housed stereos, records, TVs, and whatever else passed as entertainment in the days before the internet. 

We all had nervous giggles as we took it out of the box and placed it on the hardwood floor. Some people refused to play but still wanted to watch, while some of us were bickering over who got to run the planchette first. I don't think we called it "planchette", but my memories fail me. Maybe you, dear reader, can put in the comments what your teenage self called it. 

Anyways, we settled in and started the game.

As it is for most young people, the board did not disappoint. We were entertained with tales of murder and trapped spirits. We talked to a little boy who fearfully showed us that "Ouija" was coming, and he had to leave. We got a prank phone call (which was common with children and teens of the 80s and early 90s) and was convinced it was an entity of the spirit realm reaching out to haunt us. 

At one point, in fear, we screamed and pushed the planchette off the board and ran from the room. 

We then laughed as we made a few prank phone calls ourselves and ate a few slices of pizza. When we returned to the room, the planchette was set on the board, ready for more play. 

We all swore we didn't put it there. We all agreed that none of us could have put it there as we were all together in the other room. We were freaked out and fearful, and hurriedly put the spirits back into the box, and back into the entertainment center where they could bother us no more, but over the years, we would tell and re-tell the story of when the Ouija Board set itself up for another session. 

Do you think someone actually went back in, unnoticed, and set the board up? Do you believe it was an omen from beyond the veil? Do you have any frightful stories of personal Ouija Board sessions?

Share with us in the comment section!

Photo credit: Christopher A Mills Photography <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/115098184@N05/38047906196">Ghost of Haynesville Woods</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>

👪My Grandmother's Poetry Part 2✍️

My grandmother (Tattan) had a strong faith and a strong belief in family ties. She was often depressed and anxious. Poetry was an escape for her - a way to get her thoughts out.

Her poetry was often scribbled on little pieces of whatever paper was nearby. At one point, she did write most of them down in a book, but those pieces of paper were still shoved in its pages. Some have dates and titles, some do not.

With permission, I am sharing her verses of hope, pain, love, and God. This is number 1 of the series.

I hope you enjoy!

A picture of her beloved Oklahoma

Some “Better”, Some “Worse” In Rhyme and Verse  

Mystery of Life Grows Deeper 

(1974) 

When I was young, oh so very young,  

my life had been lived, and my song was sung. 

So I wed a good man because I thought why not,  

though my dreams are gone, my life is not. 

Then I born a child so sweet and fair, 

with soft brown eyes and golden hair. 

She was my pride, she was my joy, 

and I had a reason for living! 

Oh, we loved her so and we saw her mature. 

Of her sweet love, we were very sure. 

She was sweet and mild such a pleasant child, 

she was our reason for living! 

Then she left and went away, 

and returned again with us to stay. 

She was with child, our darling girl, 

and our hearts and our home we were glad to unfurl! 

Then she born a child so sweet and fair, 

with soft brown eyes and golden hair. 

He was our pride he was our joy, 

we had another reason for living! 

Now they’re both gone to another home, 

just you and I, aren’t we so alone? 

All our love for them, she doesn’t want to share, 

and our broken hearts, she doesn’t seem to care. 

Where are our beautiful children? 

My Prayer 

(1975) 

Our father, which art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. 

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Don’t hide thy face from me, oh Lord, 

Help me in my pain, 

And if it’s Thy will that this should be, 

Don’t let it be in vain. 

Lead me, Lord, guide my way, I’m lost and all alone. 

Take my hand and lead me Lord to the light that’s always shown 

For those who lose their way upon the sea of life. 

O Savior guide me home. 

Bless those we love and guide them too, don’t let them lose their way. 

Let them feel our love and understand, 

Oh Lord help us all I pray. 

Forgive me, Father, I’m not worthy to call upon Thy name, 

But for mercy mild upon Thy lost child, 

I pray You love me just the same. 

Forgive me Lord, and thank you, for all that You gave, 

Don’t leave me, now I’m so afraid, Your love our souls please save. 

My Prayer 

(1978) 

If I could have everything, and not share, I would have nothing, and my soul would die in the darkness, where no sunshine from the Loved One’s appreciation would flourish it to grow. 

God grant that I may never become a selfish, hollow person of wealth, for worldly things are but the trappings of hell.  

He is far wealthier that giveth all he has for the love of humanity, to ease the pains and sufferings of others, for wherein lies the healing power of the soul. 

Mansion of My Heart 

(1979) 

In this mansion of my heart, there’s many souls who dwell. 

Precious ones whom in my life I’ve grown to love so well. 

There’s my precious loving mama who suffered so to give me birth,  

All the love I have to give her another equal her worth. 

There’s my precious loving daddy who slaved to give me life,  

He’s worked so hard and oh so long, Lord let me love him and never cause him strife. 

My beloved parents helped me build this mansion grand,  

And taught me not to build it on shifting drifting sand.  

But on a firm foundation of love and faith and trust,  

So this mansion of mine will never crumble to ruins and dust. 

Each loved one has their special room, their memories do abide, 

And no matter where they ever roam, they are always here, inside. 

There are brothers and sisters and childhood scenes, 

Mates, children, relatives, and dreams. 

My husband, my daughter, her mate and children, too, 

 Old friends and new ones - There’s room for you, too! 

photo credit: kenrem <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/134699689@N08/37291009334">Autumn Arrives</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>