Category Archives: Thoughts About This and That

Moccasins, Thoughts About This and That, Workshops

Light Revolution

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It is true that there is a lot of darkness in the world.  In this  country alone, the homeless population is estimated to upwards of 3.5 million people – half of which are children.  An estimated 38 million people in America are food insecure.  22 young veterans commit suicide every day.  The United States of America isn’t united – the delta between political, philosophical and spiritual beliefs is wide – fear fills the gap.  Chemical poisons are fouling our rivers and drinking water.   The number of countries globally involved in some sort of conflict or war is staggering.  Species of all sorts are in radical decline for a vast number of reasons.   The list is long, easily overwhelming and depressing to think about.

This is why I am constantly called to speak up.  There is light in the world too.  Not just the heart warming clips on the evening news but real live people in our everyday lives that move and inspire us to believe in a  renewed faith that goodness is in the world.

That’s how Toni appeared to me recently.  I was at a bank cash machine when she came up to me and asked me where I got the moccasin I was wearing.   I told her I had made them.  I offered that I could make her a pair.  Trusting me, a total stranger, she gave me $100 cash before she even knew my name or phone number!  Sewing a pair of moccasin for her was much more than meaningful work for me.  Toni showed me that there are people other than myself who still believe in the goodness of a stranger, that the darkness and skepticism that is so pervasive isn’t the sum-total of beliefs.

I realize too, I am open to this sort of exchange with another – light attracts light.  Light also extinguishes the darkness, only taking one person to turn on the light in a darkened room filled with thousands.  It isn’t naiveté, there are solutions to hunger and homelessness.  Use your voice and vote to demand protected and clean water – people over coorporations.  Reach out to those who have served and whose lives have been so fractured by war, lend your helping hands and hearts.  Light is revolutionary – it’s time for a revolution.

Toni3Pilamaya Toni!  Pilamaya!

Soul Proprietor custom fits each moccasin to the individual foot (I traced and measured Toni’s feet in the parking lot). These hand stitched moccasin hug your feet.  I also offer learning workshop, teaching you to sew your own moccasin – scheduled conveniently between us.  I hold any intentions, needs or prayers I am asked to by you while I sew.  Each stitch has the presence of love and light.   Three styles to choose from – how would you like to walk through the day?

 

Thoughts About This and That

Father’s Day

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Gifts from my Father…

Did his love of Sunday drives inspire my wanderlust, a sense of adventure and love of the outdoors?  He took me to see manatee and dolphins, museums, monuments and battlefields, fishing and camping, the Atlantic ocean and National Parks.

My stride and pace as I walk match his.  I have his wry sense of humor but not the gap between his teeth that his smile reveals.  He taught me a sense of propriety, right from  wrong, gifting me with good manners and cleanliness.  Although he loved boiled potatoes and hotdogs with pork n’ beans (ick!) he taught me the value of eating well.  His lessons weren’t always gentle, his bark being worse than his bite, yet he taught me independence, how to treat others, and how to treat myself.  I didn’t inherit his swarthy olive complexion however my fair skin tans beautifully – from his genes no doubt.  We’re both bird-nerds I’m happy to say.

When I was 6, we lived in Brooklyn, New York for a while.  A young man, maybe 20, a stranger invited me to sit on his lap.  I didn’t know the possible danger in that invitation.  Dad saw this, called me to him by my full name (yikes!) sending me hurriedly onto our porch – he then was nose to nose with the stranger talking through gritted teeth in a tone I’d never heard before.  I never saw the young man again.  A Fathers protection, keeping me safe from potential harm – teaching me to be aware – my hero.

I miss my Dad, we live on opposite coasts, and look forward to when I can see him again.  In the meantime, I’m happy with short phone calls talking about nothing in particular, or something with meaning but always with love.  There is so much more I could tell about him, how who I am today is because I have been carried on his shoulders.  I have his lineage and I’m grateful – grateful he’s my Dad.

I love you Dad!

 

Drums, Medicine Objects, Rattles, Thoughts About This and That

Rest, Respite, and Releasing the Density

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Stepping into the forest, the outside world can so easily be shed.  The vibration of the trees slows my thinking and begs for me to be still, stand with them in golden radiant sunlight, let them hold me.

This mighty Western Red Cedar tree is one of many old growth trees along the hike to Dorothy Lake, part of the bounty of the PNW.  My dear friend and I walked the trail up to the lake yesterday, sat in the warmth of the sun with our feet I the cold water – sweet respite!  We come from and practice different traditions yet we are always going in the same direction.  Each time we hike, we talk of the generosity that comes from embracing the light, from shedding the density of fear.  We know it exists, even within us on some levels, flirting with and luring us to old patterns and ways of being.  And still we know the feelings of happiness and peace that we live with every day by not holding onto the fearful places or by getting twisted up in the fear mongering that is so prevalent today.  Life is good.  Resting within the forest is such an incredible boon.   I am so grateful that fear doesn’t rule my life any longer.  That I know in this lifetime I am called to seek the light.  Share it out from an open heart, one of many gifts from the forest.

I am grateful too for the Standing Nation, these beautiful trees who we cannot live without.  They clean up our filth so we have fresh air to breathe!  Om!  Wopila!  They are my friends too, like the sweet companion I hike with – I am grateful!

Says Ted Andrews, “All cedars have a fragrance that is cleansing and protecting.  It has been used in rituals and ceremonies to prepare a person or an area.  Native Americans used it for it’s purification properties.  A staff made from cedar has the energy of protection, and it can open opportunities to heal imbalances of an emotional or astral nature.  Cedar is a tree whose spirit and essence will strengthen and enhance the inner potential of the individual.  This is a tree tied to strong healing energies.  Its energies cleanse the auric field, especially at night while the individual sleeps.  It helps the individual to balance the emotional and mental bodies and can stimulate dream activity, which brings inspiration and calm.”

I use cedar wood in the crafting of rattles and icabu, the hoops of drums and for medicine staffs and talking sticks.

Across my Path

No matter what crosses my path internally or externally, I will keep going this direction, for it is calling and I am willing to met it.                    Aho Mitakuye Oyasin!

 

Thoughts About This and That

Cultivate Gratitude

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What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for Richard.  For Lauren.  For my FOO.  All my family – blood and marriages, chosen ones.  I am grateful for the grace that comes with surrender.  I am grateful for my body, it’s abilities and any pain that comes as my teacher.  I am grateful for an open heart and the joyousness of inclusion.  For all the numerous Circles in find myself in.  For ceremony, in all it’s forms.  For the sights my eyes behold – Mother Earth you are amazing!  And how dynamic the sky is.  For the Crows nest in the Douglas fir above my bedroom window.  And the jewel that is Rufus hummingbird.  For my ancestors who dreamed me here at this time.  I am grateful for spirit guides and guardians.  Always, the Creator.  For the unceasing abundance of life.  For my work in the world.  Rest.  Silence.  I am grateful for true friendships and the kindness of strangers.  For differing opinions.  Trust.  Faith.  Love.  For the many teachers, in all the ways they appear.  For those who serve.  Those who protect.  Giving and receiving love.  The giggles of children.

“Cultivate gratitude and never be too shy to express it.”            Swami Sivananda Radha

I am grateful for courage.  For self-love.  My life.   Wopila!  And so much more.                                                                 Aho Mitakuye Oyasin!

Thoughts About This and That

Two Wolves

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Recently I had a surprising exchange which reminded me of this story I had heard a long time ago.  Then again yesterday, for completely differing reasons, I had the opportunity to retell the story.  I thought I’d share it for as one of my teachers says, “…if three or more people…”.  The Cherokee Elder says in the story we all can use this message in some way – internally, how we are in relationship to ourselves – externally in how we walk in the world or perceive it.  Or for the myriad of reasons I cannot possibly know.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Always, there is more work for me to do personally to wholly embrace myself, to understand and allow with grace (hopefully) whatever another’s belief is in their walk through life.  This story is a beautiful reminder for me to continue on my path and to deepen.

In whatever way you hunger, may this story serve you well.                    Blessings…

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

Drums, Thoughts About This and That

Drumming in Wild Places

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When I travel, go camping or just get out to the Snohomish River for a walk I more often than not bring a drum along.  Over the years of doing so, I have discovered that the places I go drum the drum.  I hold the the icabu, the drumstick, but it isn’t me that determines the beat.  The river will.  The Pacific ocean certainly did when I was there recently.  The Ancestors do, too.  A stream will send up a gentle voice calling.  Whereas the ocean’s rhythm is forceful and intense matching the immensity of it.  It is often surprising what comes through.  Delightful.  Beautiful.  The drumming connects me deeply to the vibrations of the Earth.

I haven’t had the experience of drumming in a city, on the city street.  I am so curious what this energetic might be.  Have you done this?  Pease share your experience.

Soul Proprietor will be offering a Drum Birthing Workshop this Sunday, June 8th, 10am until complete.  Will you join in?  Birth a drum?  And let it’s voice drum through you?  Take it to the street?  Or wild places?

Email barbara@soulproprietor.org or sign up via a comment on this blog post to state your intention to join allowing me to properly prepare for you.

Looking forward with joy.                             Aho Mitakuye Oyasin!

Thoughts About This and That

One Activist for Peace

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“The differences between cultures is easy enough to see.  But I think the similarities are far greater and more important.  No matter which culture they belong to, mothers everywhere love their children.  Around the world, you, me, our families – we all feel love the same way.  If we are in a fight and get hurt, we all cry.  We all feel pain in the same way.  We all feel sorrow, anger, disillusionment in the same way.  We all hunger in the same way.  And we dream of freedom in the same way.  This is why human rights matter.”

Wei Jingsheng

Thoughts About This and That

Trash Talk

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Litter actually.  I walk the loop around Echo Lake in both directions each day. I walk for the fresh air and to move my body.  I walk both directions to pick up litter.  There is a never ending supply and variety.  Years ago Char shared that she picks up 4 pieces of litter each day.  I took that as good advice, however if I see and can reach it, I pick it all up.

Picking up the litter has been my meditation.  I have experienced a full range of emotions.  I have been disgusted and angry for all the fast food packaging – garbage in the body and garbage on the roadside.  Have you no respect?  I have found compassion and sent up a prayer of healing to whomever it was that tosses the empty single serving Sutter Home wine bottle with the cap neatly twisted back on out their car window every day – what might their life be life that a drink before arriving home be wanted or needed?   Then there are the cigarette butts – really?!  Always here and there along the loop there are butts!  Once I came across dozens all at once.  I stopped and picked up each one reflecting on the times as a little girl I had seen my father empty a full car ashtray in the parking lot.   I like to think I am making reparations, atoning for the thoughtlessness of such an act.  I have also looked closely at how I am the one who litters – maybe not actual trash tossed out a window but how have I polluted my body?  What trash has filled up my mind?  When has my spirit been in the dark places of a Sutter Home bottle?  And too, can I surrender?  There is so much trash I cannot reach deep into the blackberry canes.   Can I let it go?

An Elder man, Curtis, that I frequently see on my walks has thanked me and said on several occasions, “May your tribe increase”.  It has.  After years of saying so, Curtis now carries a bag and meditates in a similar way.  We talk about it how picking up the litter moves us, teaches us, confounds us.  Sometimes we both still find the angry places within that the trash provokes.  Mostly now for me, I just do it, I just pick it up willingly – not that I want to clean up other peoples trash but I love our Mother and I am happier picking up litter than seeing it lie on the side of the road.  I’d much rather this little stretch of Earth be clean and free of trash than complain about it or feel the distaste of it.

I am grateful for the my body’s ability to move so I might pick up the trash.  Grateful for the deep thinking that has been spurred.  Grateful for my tribe – I know you are out there helping in whatever way you are cleaning up the trash – in metaphor, in prayer, in good deed – wherever that might be.

Today… a Ho-Ho package, a piece of rope, a cardboard tube to a roll of toilet paper, a wad of pink insulation, small piece of a plastic that looks like what remains of a 6-pack ring,  a spent piece of weed-whacker cord, and of course, cigarette butts…

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin