Tag: Divine

Divine?

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” You are not less divine. Divine is not somewhere outside of you. When you see Divinity everywhere, you see it in you as well. You are part of the Divine.” -Sri

All of these images I have taken to help me remember the wonder, beauty, divine essence that is in our every day. How can we not go outside and be in awe, when we see the incredible details that are put into every single moment of every day. I am always surprised when I see the dew drops so delicately balanced on a blade of grass or the lines of ferns that intertwine and roll open with such intricate patterning or the hues of sunsets, rainbows and rays of brilliant light. It is awe–inspiring. I am always falling in love a little more each day with the artistry that is life as a whole. There is growth, light, dark, perfect timing, seasons, struggle, balance, change…in all things. It is what makes everything beautiful.

Living on the coast has made me see a whole new perspective. When I first arrived on the Oregon Coast I watched the ocean and its energy seemed so angry, so intense, and it genuinely scared me. I walked the beach for awhile with certainty that the waves were trying to reach me to pull me into its depths. So as it would get closer I would quickly run away from it.

As I walk the beach every day, you begin to see the rhythm, the constant change, the ongoing struggle of the shore holding tight to the rising tides and currents. You see the sand literally moving and creating cliffs that were not there before. You walk over huge trees that were thrown and rolled onto the shore. You watch the sanderlings, I call them “sand darling” birds rush in and out of the waves as the water moves and glides in back and forth. It is almost like a dance with nature. There is a definite timing. The waves seem calm one day and the ocean looks like a lake, followed by the very next day, it may seem violent and turbulent, full of white foam and churning waves. It is a constant, ever-changing flow. I have learned to see and appreciate the beautiful changes and to not fear them. You begin to understand the timing and I now look at the waves as if they are trying to kiss me. I smile as the waves come closer.

There is a divine timing in all things. I sincerely believe that.

Last weekend we heard word that the Northern Lights were possibly going to be seen down throughout the states and my husband and I got very excited. We knew we needed to take the opportunity to seek out the experience. Our daughter was at a camp with 50 kids through her college about two hours south of us, but we told her about the possible light show.

It was just about midnight and we headed out toward our ocean spit because we knew the light pollution would not be as bad and we may get to see something.

Just then my daughter sent us a beautiful image of a purple/hot pink hued sky with a silhouette of trees and water. It was gorgeous. Her text, “Did you see that?! LOOK” I paused and could not believe the images, I responded, “What!! You got those??” I half believed the images that were so full of color and brilliance were being seen. Her response, “YESS!!”

By this time we were at the spit and our sky looked like there were wisps of white movement but not the incredible color that was coming through for our daughter. I quickly replied, “When did you get those??? Did we miss it??” She then called us and explained that you can’t actually SEE the lights of color unless you put your phone up to the sky and take a picture. Then the colors can be visible.

What!? I thought. What a crazy concept, but sure enough, we put our phones up to the sky and caught the color. It was amazing. It was so fun to point and shoot and see ocean waves with beautiful hues painting the sky. It was so magical. We just kept clicking pictures for an hour or so. The images changed with light and dark or varying in color. It was a once-in-a-lifetime sky and we were doing all we could to capture the magic of it. What a wonderful time!!

It makes you stop and ponder the divinity that is all around us. We may see the details in nature, but there is also a whole other extension, dimension, existence that plays all around us. There are miracles, magic, vibes, energy, starlight….there is so much divine power that whirls and encircles us that we sincerely don’t know very much about. I would definitely rather believe in the brilliance that may not be seen but is there helping run the greater light within my life.

May you begin to believe and see the glorious magic and divinity all around you.

Peace, Love and Light to you. xoxo -H

WANT MORE TO LEARN ABOUT… natural miracles or divine masterpieces to learn about…Monochromatic (one color rainbows)–I actually got to experience a beautiful white monochromatic rainbow that was created by the ocean mist here in Oregon. It was a massive arch rainbow of white over the ocean—very cool. Some other things I read about: Cave of Crystals in Mexico contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found: translucent gypsum beams measuring up to 36 feet (11 meters) long and weighing up to 55 tons. Caño Cristales was found in 1969 by a group of cattle farmers. The river is commonly called the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow,” and is noted for its striking colors. Sea Path in Korea: Every year, the water level in the sea located between Modo-ri of Euishinm-yeon and Heodong-ri of Gogun-myeon falls due to a neap tide, creating a long sea trail that is 40 meters wide. Jindo starts the sea trail festival when the sea has parted and the pathway reaches its greatest width. In Indonesia Kawah Ijen Volcano buns blue. Catatumbo lightning Storms. Essentially a 10 Hr lightning storm with tons of lightning flashes, like several per minute. The Doorway to hell in Turkmenistan. Giants Causeway in Ireland: The 40,000-odd basalt formations at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland Rainbow Mountains of China

Who knew… there were Arctic Snow Chimneys, Ice Volcano, Hawaii has a “green flash”, “Light Pillars” look incredible, Rainbow Eucalyptus trees, Green sand beaches (apparently there are only 4), Frost flowers, Sailing stones, Lenticular clouds look amazing, Hessdalen lights, apparently rains diamonds on Neptune and Uranus, , Ice circles—these remind me of the large air bubbles that occasionally show up in various places in the ocean & that reminds me of the beautiful water rings dolphins make, –(Thank you Reddit on some of these), Dolphins also have names for one another, Trees communicate with one another through their root system, Spider rain, Moonlight makes certain things grow faster. Some whale frequency sounds can travel over 10,000 miles…

ALWAYS more to learn about. LIFE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Have faith beyond yourself

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“You start to live when you commit your life to a cause higher than yourself. You must learn to depend on divine power for the fulfillment of a higher calling.”  -Lailah GiftyAkita

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I wanted to share a divine, personal experience that I recently had. In order for us to believe we are not alone, we are doing divine work, we are guided by something bigger than our small selves, we must have testimony of it. We must experience moments that we can share with others, which will enhance a larger faith in something bigger and beyond ourselves.

It was probably a couple months ago–I was in a deep sleep and just before I woke I saw a vision, a picture popped into my head of my art displayed in some type of museum. It looked like a children’s museum. I woke up energized by such an idea. I have had children’s books whirling in my creation for years & over the last year I had created some art that was to help connect parents with their children. I just finished the book within the last few months & the thought of trying to get it out into the world was very overwhelming.

A couple years ago I did the children’s book venture—went to a few workshops, some writer conferences, took classes, turned in a few manuscripts, but my work didn’t go anywhere. Honestly, I could have tried harder, but it wasn’t quite right.

LBCloudBBearSo, with this last book that I just finished a couple months ago, I had a different feeling. I wanted it to soar into the world, to touch families with its interactive activities. I loved the whole concept & was almost dreading trying to figure out how to get it into the publishing world when VOILA!! A beautiful gift, a magic, a mystery, a vision literally was given to me. I had NEVER thought of this type of direction—an interactive display at a children’s museum. I was lit up!! I sat up in my bed and the ideas began to whirl. I grabbed my phone and began to write them in my notes. I was so excited. I loved the idea. I looked up to the heavens and said, Thank you.

The next few days I contacted a few children’s museums across the county and asked everyone where I would begin to get an idea into a museum. I had many wonderful people send me their thoughts– I heard big costs to put exhibits together (literally $500,000-millions), people inviting me to museum conferences, sharing links and ideas from other museums, and the director of one of my local museums suggested going to local libraries and doing a test idea. I was so grateful for the giving hearts and attitudes of people across the country.


 LBCloudBPage11I was still not sure where to begin, so I thought I would start at a local library & see if my ideas would fly. I wanted to have interactive stations (about 10) that showcased my art and interactive reading and activities that parents and children could do together. i.e.: an image of giraffes that spots were covered in things to be grateful for. The parents would then sit down with their child & create their own paper giraffe & fill it with spots of personal things they were grateful for.

I had a variety of ideas that I took to the library. I arranged a meeting with a sweet children’s librarian to share my thoughts and ideas. She was so great to work with. She expressed that she loved my ideas and my art so much that she wanted to put it on permanent display. Wow! I was humbled at the thought and grateful that she saw the potential of the concept. I was honored that she wanted my art to be hung for all to enjoy, but I was a little worried that the full idea would not be utilized or explored. I didn’t think she would have the time or patience to do the activities, so I have been a bit hesitant.

After a great first run, I thought, why not!! Why not just send my ideas to the local children’s museum and see what happens. Why NOT!! So, I created a professional look book with all my ideas, thoughts, visions and sent it off with a prayer in my heart & lots of prayers out loud while driving. smile. smile. I don’t know what I was thinking–I sent it the week of Spring Break. I knew a children’s museum over spring break would be busy, so I knew I would need to be patient. I patiently waited.

A couple days ago I received an email from my local museum that was wonderful!! The director and her director of Interactive exhibits had looked at my ideas and they wanted to offer me an opportunity to be mentored by the Director of Interactive Exhibits. He is suppose to be one of the best in the West!! My heart jumped and I was elated!! What an opportunity!

I walked out on my deck, looked at the sky and said, Thank you for opening this door of opportunity. Please help it to be a great door that will help me get these ideas out into the world to help families. Please help me to continually be an instrument in thy hands.

It was very humbling to know—we are not alone. We have ideas, visions, creations, that are sparks, little divine gifts that truly can light up the world. We are given these sparks & if we miss them or dismiss them–they are gone. But, if we believe and see the potential and see the gift, then we will be given greater direction and even more doors of possibility will be opened.

This whole experience has been a true testament to me—to have faith beyond myself. To look for little miracles, to believe in the doors of possibility. To have faith in that!

I hope you can find the faith to believe in something beyond yourself and to know anything is possible.

Peace to you.  -H

Ideas to Nourish your SOUL

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“It takes a fearless soul to live in the mystery.”  -Elizabeth Lesser

To me this says—you have to FEAR LESS to truly believe in the faith of something greater…bigger…the whole of all that is. The awareness that you are Divinely connected to a God that wants what is best for you. From that Divine connection comes a guidance, a belief, a faith that all that is mysterious, unanswered, feared can be hushed with a whisper from the guidance you hold within.

To be able to fear less we must be patient and have a simple understanding of who we are seeking to become. We are little children in spirit, we seek to be better, but our smallness leads us to believe that our greatness is hiding. While we play this game of hide and seek, we must daily seek to understand our deepest needs.

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”  -Rainer Maria Rilke

Seek to do things that will bring you closer to what your soul needs, to the higher aspiration of yourself. When we begin to  strive to “LIVE EVERYTHING” the things that help us grow, the moments that challenge us, to have patience with the questions that are unanswered, to jump, to sing, to love, to live…we will begin to be who we are meant to be. Like a child, we begin to shine.

Here are a few ideas to help you on a quest to nourish your soul:

Listen to your feelings: I cannot say this enough. You have inner tuition and guidance that is a gift given to you, but if you do not listen, it is of no use to you. Begin to feel and notice things that are given to you as a direction. Ex: If you are drawn to a book to read–buy it, read it. If you feel you are meant to call someone, do it. We often receive a little nudge to do something, but how often do we do it.  I have a great story that goes along with this. Last week my husband was going on a little day trip & I had this feeling to suggest the audio book, The Traveler’s Gift. He came home in ah of what he had listened to & began to explain the parallels of our life and the character in the book—guy who just lost his job, is married to a brunette, they have one daughter, the main character gets to a point where he tried to take his life…& then the story begins to help him with different life lessons from men throughout history. My husband loves it!! He is listening to the rest of it this week. No question—it was inspired for this time in our life. Listen to the needs within. Allow yourself to be guided & you will begin to see the gifts these directions hold.

Self-worth: Do you have limiting beliefs about yourself that is holding you back. Not loving yourself is a tough place to do soul work. I know I do have limiting self believes and I know it is a process of working through insecurities to get you to a higher place. We often see and focus on our personal inadequacies. Dove did a great campaign that illustrates how we personally see ourselves in a more negative light than most people around us. Here is a link to the “You are more beautiful than you think” Real Beauty Sketches…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE   It is very powerful, so take a look. We need to begin to focus and appreciate our personal strengths and the beauty we truly hold within.

Do things that light you up—things you love: Fill your day with as many possible moments of something you enjoy doing. Whether you love reading to your kids, being with your family, riding a bike, listening to beautiful music, talking with good friends, eating good food, being creative, going on a walk, do something that sings to your soul. Your soul needs nourishment and pleasure, so if you just fill your day with stress and worry, what does your soul have to feel good about.

Get quiet: Turn off the television. Take a break from the world. Take a nap, meditate, yoga, breathe. Quieting your world does wonders for everyone. I have been chopping television out of my daughters routine. Yesterday, I sat with her quietly and told her she could draw, color, listen to calming music and have some quiet time. She sat there with me for a few minutes and then said, “This is stupid. I hate this.”  I calmly shared with her the options again and we decided to snuggle up together and fall asleep. It was nice to see her rest. Her little body goes and goes, so the sleep was just what she needed–she awoke refreshed and relaxed.

Plant something: Everyone has there “something” that nourishes the soul. The other day I was having a conversation with my mom and she was quite emotional. She has been living in my home for nearly two years, after someone swindled my parents out of their retirement. She was having a moment, missing her home, wishing she had more money…I looked at her and whispered, “what do you really need?”  She began to cry even more, “Peace.” She then began to talk about how she missed her yard, how she missed planting flowers, tilling, watering and how it was so nourishing to her soul. I smiled, “we have a whole yard you can plant flowers or we can get you a big pot to container garden.”  She smiled.      Everyone has that little something that helps to nourish within. Seek to find those moments and do little things that will bring you hope, that will make you laugh, that will hold you close to the divinity within you.

Most of all…LOVE. Love reminds us of all things. It heals, it helps, it circles, it connects, it remembers where we truly came from.

Peace to you. Have a beautiful day.  -Heather