Living Consciously April 6,2009

Dear friends,

I heard the Geese arriving two nights ago as they landed on the banks of the river, honking their high-fives to one another. It is a long trip north from Mexico, no doubt some have been lost on the journey. Their return every year marks the end of winter; soon the trees will be budding and green will seem like a new toy for a few days.

It is always like that at the end of an arduous task. Putting up a tent in the wild, painting the garage, going through a round of chemo, then a cool glass of lemonade or a day of feeling normal are unexpected blessings. People everywhere are experiencing hardships. Later, some will report that the trouble was worth the intrinsic good they discovered in the process. It was unexpected. We tend to think that a problem has only ill for us. But with hindsight we find ourselves the better for it; wiser, kinder, more peaceful or with a deeper appreciation for the small moments in life.
Having said all that, I do think a spiritual approach to any situation is always best. That is, to announce immediately, as the man Jesus taught, I am not afraid of you. Knowing where the power remains ( in us, in our own field of consciousness) is what opens our creativity and strengthens our immune system at the same time. When we are making conscious decisions about how to navigate through troubled waters, no matter the outcome, we emerge intact. The integrity of our own soul will always bring us back to safe shores. Spring always returns.

Peace and blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes

Living Consciously April 7, 2009

Dear friends,

Isn’t it interesting how we fly through the air seven miles high, at 600 miles an hour and calmly read a book, take a nap or chat with our seat mate. One reason that this altered reality is suspended is that we cannot feel the speed. Under normal circumstances, there are few physical sensations, after take off, to indicate what we are actually doing. We are able to just accept that air travel is what it is and here we are taking advantage of it.

On the other hand, when we buy a ticket to board a roller coaster we anticipate an altered reality with glee. We know we will be scared going up that first hill. We expect to scream our heads off as we descend it and we know that we will be travelling at 70 miles an hour on a tiny track in a metal box with no roof. There will be no suspending the reality of it because our whole body is involved.

When we are in the throes of a big challenge such as a financial disaster or a failed relationship, we may try our best to alter the reality of it. We will say that it is not our fault, the faceless they are responsible, or she or he is the culprit. We are attempting to alter the facts to fit a reality that we have constructed to make ourselves feel safe in this changing world. Oddly enough ,if we look at the situation squarely in the face and announce, this is my creation, then we are in the driver’s seat. Only by calmly realizing that we are only experiencing a temporary reality of our own making, can we move out of fear and into cheerful expectancy and creative thinking. Then with the ticket of a new awareness in hand, we can take off into the wild new yonder!

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes