Monday, May 25, 2009

A collision of the generations

These last several weeks have been chock full of family and friendly connections. Last night, we hosted a welcome-home/congrats party for our son, with our closest friends, after spending time with family the weekend before. These folks have become our west coast family. Many common threads intertwine us. It's a blessing and a gift to have discovered each other, and I'm overjoyed that our web continues to grow.

It was the first party to enjoy the new garden. I got to show it off, and I realized that I must really be putting down my roots here, finally. Not that it's been easy, but this garden makes a statement for me and to me. It is symbolic in what elements it contains. My "Best of California" Garden has 2 aspects to it: a drought-tolerant , tough scrubbiness that's also airy and light; plus a lush, tropical shady feminine fullness. Lots of textures and colorful flowers, loved by all flying creatures. It's great to be able to support nature with my efforts, which are also pleasing to the humans (and dogs) in the crowd. Butterfly bush, Desert Willow, wild sage, manzanita, sugar bush, jasmine (3 kinds!), succulents, bamboo, Princess Flower, to name a few enticing items in my garden. It's been a fun process where I've learned alot, and have made some new connections. I don't think my husband realizes how happy this space makes me!

During one of the many stimulating conversations that I savor from last night, the visiting sister of a friend mentioned an encounter with Locality Astrology. From what I understand, when one superimposes his/her Natal Chart upon a Chart of the World, one can discover the best place to live, where s/he will blossom the most. This knowledge motivated this woman and her husband to move across the world. How many of us are ready to do that? What if circumstances mean that you will end up in a place that isn't quite ideal, how will that affect you? It's intriguing and could be a real tool for self-development.

All these events mark my place in the world right now: I feel keenly the pull of my child and my parents, which gets me feeling a bit uncertain, and asking questions about how I can best contribute to the world for this next phase of my life. I'm making my way through this thing called life, hopefully revealing more and more of my soul to myself and the world. I take to my heart many sad things in the world; the cracks, the closed places, the dead and dark places. I'm just searching for a way of healing. A novel approach that will allow me to be an effective guide to others into their own hearts and souls.

As my own journey continues, my son's journey is superimposed upon me and my husband. Our families of origin also superimpose themselves upon us. I've noticed that as we age, the body's limitations become crystal clear. Our weakened defenses break down, forcing us to pause and take a break. Or, certain body parts don't work as well as they used to, so pain or discomfort is a more constant presence. Things take longer to heal, and may not heal completely. I'm experiencing this within my own body, and seeing how the process further affects my parents' generation. This realization can be a difficult and painful part of life.

It brings to my mind snippets of information I heard the last few days regarding the state of Washington allowing euthanasia. Very powerful and risky. Frankly, I'm not black and white on that issue. Lots of conflicting emotions and questions. Life and death decisions are grave and serious, and are not taken lightly by the people involved, no matter what the talking heads are spewing. Would our country actually take over this decision-making process? Really? Believing that it's for our own good? Or, would the government get out of the way and allow the states to form their own accords, based on their uniqueness? What works for someone in Vermont, might not be the way for someone else in Texas, for example. Areas draw certain kinds of people to them: the rough and tough gritty New Yorker, the no-nonsense New Englander, the laid back and relaxed West Coaster, the friendly and conservative Midwesterner. Certain values are held up more highly than others, depending upon where one lives. When most folks are given the choice as to whether or not to do the right thing, they take the higher road.

These experiences are a reminder that we are here for but one go-round. We'd better make it good, and have no regrets upon death. Otherwise, some belief systems posit that we come back again to further hone the rough edges. Another facet of the soul is polished, which can be hard work, yet contain many rewards. There has to be a reward for the suffering and pain, lest our lives become empty and embittered. No matter where you are in your generational pull, promise that you will be as open-minded and open-hearted as you can be in the moment.

Go Forth, and May the Force be with You.

Friday, May 8, 2009

When will the madness end?

I'm glad someone (Caldera) is taking the hit for the stupidity and insensitivity the WH embraced in their stupid filming session of AF1, scaring the people of Manhattan and the world to death. Have they never heard of "Photo Shop"???

I wrote BO a letter about it, emailed to whitehgouse.gov since they won't accept snail mail, and haven't heard anything. Stupid assholes. At least the media is paying some attention to this latest misstep. Although, if it happened on Bush's watch, there would be this huge investigation, and a victimized outcry from the left. Our president's wrist gets slapped again by his adoring fans, but the appropriate response should be impeachment as this is just one more insane attempt to dismantle our greatness.

I just heard on the news that BO is threatening to keep the stimulus money promised to the state of CA and our turncoat governator, if our state won't take care of the union workers. What kind of mob government is this? I didn't realize Barak "Soprano" Obama was ruling the roost and trying to strong arm another one of the states. It's not that I want our state to get the money. Screw that. It's the audacity of his threat. How dare the US government usurp the Constitution to the degree that they have. Clearly, they have forgotten who pays their salaries, and for whom they work. Shame on them.

Our multinational culture is becoming one of mistrust, distrust, entitlement, lack of accountability and responsibility. I used to view the Mayan Prophecy for 2012 with some disbelief, but now I wonder. According to the description given in http://www.13moon.com/prophecy%20page.htm, the culmination on the Winter Solstice will be 26,000 years in the making (12/21/12, or 21/12/12 for the Europeans in the group). Numerologically, this is noteworthy... for "3" repeated 3 times is fascinating! Considering the Enneagram, Point 3, it is considered the first shock point by Gurdjieff. Matter (point 1) and Feeling (point 2) come together, to marry and fertilize each other. Making, doing, performing magic. There is a search for perfection. There is also a fear of failure. The remedy for this is to be in one's "hara" or belly, to be grounded and centered. Curiously, the country associated with Point 3 is the United States of America, because it is associated with a place of unlimited possibilities. (The Enneagram Workbook by Klaus Vollmar, Sterling Publishing, NY 1998)

[By the way, do the "green" scientists have records that are as ancient, that can prove that mere humans caused global climate change? Puh-leaze.]

I lie on my back on the tiny grass patch that is in front of my house. I play with my Yellow Lab Charlie, and contemplate the fog as it sidles inland. I feel a sense of peace that no stupidity or insensitivity can touch. Sadly, resignedly, I come back to this current reality, and vow to keep on with the fight. I owe it to my grandkids. Or, anyone else's for that matter. Our country needs to stay at its pinnacle as a place of unlimited possibilities.

Yo Mama

Sunday is Mother's Day here in the US. Personally, I think it's a ploy from the retail shops to drum up some extra business. I could participate in stimulating the economy by taking advantage of the lovely items available in nearly every kind of gift shop or department store. Or, I might grace mom with a handmade gift, or something else that helps her enjoy life. Taking her out for a nice meal, or making a donation in her name are other thoughtful ideas. But, I prefer to tell my mom (and mother in law) that I think they're special more often than once a year on a made-up holiday. And, I told my husband that I want to stay home and just relax! And not to spend money on a card, because he can tell me in person what a great mom I am to our child! He was fine with that (ha ha).

My mother is one of the reasons I'm a decent person. Her kind, loving way of raising me (and my 2 sisters) resulted in my growing into a thoughtful, considerate, and loving mother to my own child. Her lessons were many, and she fostered (and still does) a sense of peace, security, and togetherness in our family. It's difficult for me to be living so far away and not having her close at hand. The telephone doesn't quite cut it for me, so we visit a few times a year and that tides me over, most of the time.

My mother in law raised a loving, happy man who became my husband (and he's still happy!!). The lessons he learned from her, to be fair, honest, responsible, and to work hard have made him a successful person in his career, and a loving and upbeat father.

Our mothers are crucial to our well-being. Studies with young children, and young animals demonstrate how necessary maternal bonding is from the moment of birth. A youngster who has not received adequate bonding from a loving, caring presence will not have a sense of security, a clear sense of self, and will have problems with attachment later on.

If your mother is a positive presence in your life, consider yourself fortunate indeed. If you had issues with your mother, figure out what good she contributed to your life, and how her behavior helped you become the person you are today.

On another note, I came across this information in today's Dear Abby and want to share it with you: heart disease kills more women than the other top 3 causes combined. Women's symptoms are not the same as men's. It is important for women, and the ones who care about them, to know and understand the symptoms in order to receive proper and timely lifesaving care. You can request a Heart Health Kit by going to www.pueblo.gsa.gov, or call 888-878-3256, or write to Heart Health Kit, Pueblo, CO 81009.