Sunday, May 30, 2010

May 30, 2010

Well, here is it, the last Sunday in May, finally beautiful weather outside, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend... we have been having a very wet and cold spring here in southern Oregon so far, and the warmth and sunshine are most welcome! I am feeling good about the rhythm of writing this blog once a week. It seems just right.

I have been thinking of so many things lately. Here's a sample: What can I personally do today and tomorrow to honor Veterans in a way that feels authentic to me? ** How can I express my grief about what is happening with the oil spill in the Gulf in a healthy way? What can I do to help this situation? ** How do I choose a counselor to help me with my currently inactive but still present tobacco addiction? ** How can I increase my self-discipline, so that I do those things each day which, if I did them, would increase my experience of health and well-being? ** Should I move my family back to New Mexico? What is right/best for my daughter? ** When would be the best time for my CD release party, and where should it be held? ** What kind of healing arts training do I want to pursue, and how? ** And - relentlessly - How can I lose the weight I gained from quitting smoking this winter? Why do I have such a struggle accepting myself as I am?


My mind is kind of like a merry-go-round... each one of these subjects is a painted horse, and as I watch the wheel turn I see one flash by, then the next, then the next... but I am not able to isolate and study just one of them at a time. I guess I need to make a deal with the guy in the center, and ask him to turn off the carousel: then I can focus on a single "horse" at a time!

Song quote of the day: Life is like, a merry-go-round, painted ponies going up and down, music takes you and your gone again, crazy circles never seem to end. Oh I, will face the sun, leaving shadows far behind, and together we'll go on, through time..."
Crazy Circles
by Bad Company

Ceremony quote of the day: " Whatever you want to do, get clear with that, and make your decision... do not wait for a sign, for something outside of yourself to tell you what to do... and then the prayers can go to the Spirit to help support the best outcome of that decision." Medicine elder, Winter 2009

Book quote of the day: Become a Belly Breather! " When you breathe fully, your heart slows and you feel calm and peaceful. The breath is the single most vital tool for attaining a sense of peace and calm, helping to eliminate the effects of stress. Most of the symptoms of aging are related to a deficiency of oxygen at the cellular level... Ultimately, the trick is to relax and remember to breathe from your abdomen.... Inhale and place your fingertips lightly at your lower abdomen and feel this area rising with your breath... After practicing for awhile... you will find yourself taking deep abdominal breaths throughout the day, and this alone will contribute to your health."
The Healing Voice by Joy Gardner-Gordon

Thought for the day: Sending love and prayers for healing to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and all our waters... the prayer below is from Prayer of Water written by Joan Brown, osf, Ecological Ministry of the Social Justice Office, Archdiocese of Santa Fe:
http://www.ncrlc.com/Prayer-of-Water.html


Oh compassionate God, Creator who breathed over the waters we seek forgiveness for our mindless use of water. We beg for wisdom to know how to conserve and cherish water, We ask healing for the ways that we disrespect and contaminate our sister. In this drought time we wait and watch for the gift of rain upon earth. We watch and wait for the rain of grace into our souls. Come free us from hatred, greed, fear, and our lack of love for your gifts upon earth. Transform us into living streams of water flowing green and moist with life, hope and love for earth and all peoples.

With love,
Harmony Sue

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Family Visit

May 21, 2010
Enjoying a visit from a few family members this week: my 19-year-old son Hoku, who is visiting from Albuquerque and who has just completed his first year of college, and my mom Betty (no you don't get to know her age!), out from New Jersey, coming to see me and the grandkids for a week. I feel so blessed to have a loving family as part of my life!


Song quote: "Does who we are begin with breath? Depend on form, or end with death? Strip away these roles, these names, and tell me what remains... and who we really are..."
~ Kirtana, Who You Really Are


Ceremony quote: "I saw within the center of my chest a vast, unlimited and expanding universe, as infinite as the external universe, which is only a mirror of the potential of my human heart... I fell into this vastness, and vanished..."
~ Harmony Haynie, 2007

Book quote: "...discover your own God Self in the way that most pleases your heart, for your joy is God's fulfillment!" ~ The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore by Alan Cohen

Thought for the Day: What brings you joy? What makes your heart soar? Spend some time really thinking about this question, and make a list - then make time in your busy-ness to do something from this list every day. Even if it is only for five minutes, this is a way to give yourself love every day. You will be amazed at the results!

Much love until next time!
Harmony Sue


Sunday, May 16, 2010

Starting a new blog!

Dear friends and family,
I have been inspired by many people in my life to begin this new blog. In it I will be sharing quotes and wisdom teachings coming through from the Grandmother and other wisdom sources: from song lyrics, books, ceremony participants, and some of
my own reflections. Eventually I hope to create a book of these collected teachings (the previously unpublished ones, that is), called Lessons from the Vine. I will keep you posted!

Song quote for the day:
"She leaves me smooth, smooth as a pebble, polished in the depths of love..."
~ Shimshai

Ceremony quote for the day:
"I've come to understand that fear is something my head does to itself."
~ 2006 ceremony participant in NM

Book Quote of the day:
What you feel in your heart determines what you see: perception rides upon the expression of the heart like a canoe rides upon the waters."
~ Return of the Bird Tribes, by Ken Carey

Thought for the day: What is sacred to me? What do I hold dear? What do I care about so strongly that I can't bear to see it compromised or destroyed? What would I take a stand for? Risk myself for?

* I feel passionate about protecting innocence. I would die to protect the innocence and purity of children and their right to have a childhood free from abuse of all kinds.

* I feel passionate about the opportunity to evolve, to be better, and to create a better way of life on this planet. I hold sacred the potential that each one of us has; that we each contain within our heart the seed of the sacred, the spark of the divine; and that we each deserve the opportunity to watch that seed sprout and grow (if we so choose).

* I hold sacred the right for all people to be "self-determining." This includes the right to pray with our sacred medicines.


That's all for today!
Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts by commenting.
Many continued blessings, Harmony Sue