Friday, January 17, 2014

A Reflection of Spring, "In the Garden"




In the Garden

 
"a reflection on a cold winter day"

Confessions need to be made as I am not a natural gardener.  So to all those who are, I honor and respect you more today than in the past.  I love plants, I love nature but I always found “working” in the yard a chore and a task I would rather not do.  I could never understand why some people found it relaxing and calming.  For me, it was work and work I didn’t want to do.  I find my joy in organizing things, items in my house, rooms, closets, ideas and projects.  This is fun, to me.  So, why I am writing today about “In the Garden”?

A few weeks back I treated myself to a session with Jeannine Proulx.  She is an intuitive counselor.  She had me meditate on “my garden”, whether inside or out, real or unseen.  I did, but found it strange that I of all people would be meditating on a garden space.  Shortly after that Minnie Kansman came to my house for a Feng Shui consult on my garden.  Because, without Jeannine knowing I had been contemplating starting a vegetable garden so I decided to have Minnie come to my yard to see where is the best location.  Minnie did offer ideas for the vegetable garden but also shared other thoughts with me about adding color to the front area of my yard and some additional pots near the garage.  We talked about the element of water on the side of the house and lastly we found a place for a “secret garden” near the front entrance.

In remembering Jeannine’s comments I was intrigued about the idea of a secret garden (although I guess it’s not so secret since I am sharing it with you.)  After making the other adjustments as Minnie suggested I focused on “My Garden.”  Starting with removing the weeds and the dead tree reminded me of clearing the unneeded and non-life affirming parts of my life.  The weeds were easy but I was in for a battle with the tree.  Although it was not a large tree I still needed the shovel to remove it.  I dug and dug and pushed and pushed and it didn’t move.  Finally I reach to grab the top of it and it easily and effortlessly broke off at the base.  Isn’t this how life is.  We think something that the releasing of an item that no longer serves us is difficult, yet sometimes with a quick grab we can let it go. 

Next, under Minnie’s guidance, I planted special stones and crystals in the area, asking the stones and spirit for the best location.  With tobacco, I thanked them and Mother Earth and gently placed them in their new locations.  Often, throughout our day we do things to Nature and ourselves that we do not stop and ask whether what we are doing is the best or highest and greatest good.  Do I want to be placed here in this location, with those people under these circumstances?  Some areas of the garden were near trees, others near plants, while some were in the shade and others in sunlight.  Asking yourself with the help of your spirit team for guidance assures that where you are placing yourself is in your best interest and the best interest of the Universe.

Lastly, I planted three sets of annuals in various locations following the same process, offering prayers and setting intentions for the “seeds” planted in order to have future growth.   I chose the color of the plants based on its meaning for me.  Surrounding the area with a final blessing of tobacco and thanking all the resident plants, bugs and earth for their assistance I ended my time “in the garden” with a meditation.  I loved this time in the garden.  It did not feel like a chore or a task but time with spirit.  As I finished up and walked to my backyard, I heard a noise as a baby fawn ran by me into the woods.    

June 2013
Susan J. McFarland
www.ofthevineholistichealth.com   

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Divine Order of the Universe; and my life



The Divine Order of the Universe; and my life

Believing in the Divine Order of the Universe is fine, but when it comes to trusting this fact in relationship to my life is where I find difficulty.  It is the first part of January, just coming off the holiday break.  There was an incredible storm at the beginning of this week, with high winds, excessively low temperatures and sufficient amounts of snow.  The kids were planning on returning to school after a two week break.  Although we were ready for the end of the break the Universe had different goals.

Admittedly I am a planner.  It’s not so much the details that I like but the knowing what the next move is and finding security in that thought.  This gives me a feeling of being in control of my environment, when in reality I am not.  Creator is in control.  Logically in my mind I understand this, but often my heart doesn’t follow this trust.  Why is this? What can I do about it, if anything?

As the week progressed and the kids were back in school, I relaxed into the comfort of my routine.  Each morning after the kids leave I carve out time for prayer, meditation, reading and writing.  In the middle of my quiet time the phone rang.  I answered it, as school often calls my home number.  It was a repair man to fix a recurrent problem with my furnace.  He was on his way.  What?  I had my whole day planned out.  How could I adjust to a disruption in my perfect plan?  Immediately I started organizing and cleaning my home.  This is my response to stress.  I become anxious and filled with anxiety, then in order to calm this feeling I pick up stuff laying around or wipe counters in an effort to relax.  As I become aware of my reaction, I finally settle down again and continue on with my day, yet feeling unsettled with the new schedule.

Perhaps I am alone in this feeling, but I doubt it.  Why, as a human is it so hard to “go with the flow” or “be in the moment” in the NOW.  I struggle with this probably more than anything.  It’s a New Year and with a new year comes new opportunities for growth.  In 2014, I want to not just recognize this anxiety and adjust accordingly, but I want to eradicate this belief from my mindset.  My intention for this year and beyond is to embrace these moments, as they are daily occurrences and the true reality of living in this world.  

I will continue to pray, meditate, read and write to help me connect with Spirit and to manage my stress levels throughout the day focusing on the knowledge that I am causing them myself.  They are perceived, and if they are created by me than I have the power to change them at any given time.  Assistance is always there to help, so call on your spirit guides and angels as well as Creator to help you.  Trusting in the Divine Order of life for yourself and the world will bring you lasting peace and eternal joy.  

Love, "with a heart of peace",
Susan