I’m not even sure what it was that sparked this recollection but it’s been kind of floating around most of the day. Possibly because we are just one week away from the traditional Christmas dinner and celebrations which means we are just two weeks away from entering another year.
The memory was about riding in a horse drawn sleigh, tucked underneath a horse blanket…sliding through lots of snow…cold, brisk, fresh air and sunshine…and going to visit some friends. I’m pretty sure it was my Mom driving and some of the words to Jingle Bells seemed to be at play….perhaps we were even singing….
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight
It may have been the winter I turned 5. Today, looking back on at all that has changed in our world since then, I find myself filled with this enormous sense of gratitude that the experiences presented to me were of such simplicity and beauty.
My Dad passed away that next summer which naturally resulted in an impact that would be carried through most of my life. That line is not included here to elicit sympathy. Rather it’s to serve as a reminder that we all receive a certain timeline to walk in this “earth school” and however we undertake that walk, it will unfold “perfectly on time” in a manner suited to each one of us.
Today, a certain element of satisfaction seems to be coming to the forefront as the 4th quarter continues to unfold.
A deeper understanding and appreciation of what’s taking place in my personal world and the world around me;
A recognition that perhaps the entire timeline we’ve been given is simply a never-ending continuation of life lessons; and
By remaining open to new ideas and considerations I get to make choices as to how I respond.
I can truthfully say that many of the choices I made in the first three quarters ran a wild and varied gamut…..from hilarious, to “you’ve got to be kidding”, to “Oh no, I’ve done that AGAIN”, to a list that’s too long to try and capture here. Perhaps the saving grace is that maybe, just maybe, the 4th quarter is showing me how there are new options to consider / questions to ask myself when a choice needs to be made….
Does it come from love or fear?
Will it serve a greater good?
Will it be kind or hurtful?
The past couple of years have left “this human-suited being”, feeling somewhat isolated and at odds. That’s why it struck me that perhaps a little levity and lightness may be in order this Christmas….
so…from this Snow Angel Crone (with a dirty face),
to you and yours, I’m sending wishes for an entire bucketful of joy, love and laughter all the way through the season and 2023.
This morning at about 3:20am I simply could not go back to sleep. Many ideas and thoughts rolling around in my overly active mind. My mentor Gladys used to talk about not being able to sleep and when it happened she would trust that the universe was prodding her (for some good reason) to just get up and go do something. So that’s what I did….got up….came to my computer and started writing.
I had participated in a webinar the day before with Mark Nepo titledSay Yes to Life. He’s the author of many books and may be best known for The Book of Awakening – a type of daily reflections, insightful, poetic presentation. The webinar was one more exploration to uncover and discover more about what my purpose might be. It was delightful, thought provoking, and encouraging. Of course, when ideas are presented that resonate with both my human suit AND my soul what’s not to get over stimulated about. Good thing I don’t drink!
As I woke up and couldn’t then get back to sleep the words “Spiritual Crone” kept bouncing around…. over and over!
I’ve seen references/posts on FB about Spiritual Warriors and Spiritual Goddesses but couldn’t recall seeing anything about Spiritual Crones so I googled it and found this small sampling:
Definition: Crone goddess…or dark mother, is the last aspect of the Triple Goddess [not my idea of a good fit]
A number of books: The Crone; The Crone’s Book of Wisdom; The Power of the Crone; Crones Don’t Whine; Becoming Crone; Crone; and The Crone Age
A Website: Crone Confidence – “Business Wisdom Coaching for the Soulful Entrepreneur.” Intuitive Tarot card readings
Not saying I have a definitive description for “Spiritual Crone” … rather, it seems reasonable to listen to that louder soul voice and at least put it on paper. Experience has shown me more than once that intention is often like opening a door so that more information can be allowed to come forward.Expect it may start appearing in these blogs at times. This link has a couple of paragraphs about The Spiritual Teacher that I quite like – it seems to be somewhat relative to “Wise Woman (in training)”.
All just food for thought at the moment and enough of that for now!
QUESTION: Does getting ready to take a trip send anyone else into something like a spin cycle in a washing machine? Suddenly engaging in odd behaviour like:
Doing laundry and finding yourself cleaning out cupboards which of course leads to cleaning out drawers which then leads to looking at your closet….
Deciding it wouldn’t be that difficult to start pulling appliances away from walls to get to all that grunge you just know is sitting there
Having to have the house spotless before you can leave
Adding to, deleting from and adding to the suitcase multiple times because after all you might just need that one particular sweater/blouse/pair of pants/dress
Do I take all of my camera equipment or not and then not being able to locate the smaller tripod
You’re probably getting my drift… many years ago while I was also “perfectly on time” all of this would be unfolding around midnight with a flight scheduled to leave the next morning. Today though I’m happy to report I’ve only been slightly stuck on #4 and #5 and it’s only 6:20pm. Ah well…progress right?
Is there anything at all in common or related between Mark, the Spiritual Crone idea and the experience of the Spin Cycle?
From where I’m sitting tonight I have to say yes because I’ve been reminded about the importance of being willing to dig a little deeper into ALL of my old conditioning, belief systems, expectations and perceptions – good, not so good and indifferent and at the same time give voice and recognition to those pieces that have been changed. So…. I wanted to share some of the new understandings that came forward.
Highlights from Mark
There are teachers everywhere in every moment and they aren’t always in human suit form. Being present as much as possible to recognize messages from all sentient beings may offer that heart opening that changes your world
I love this one – Buddhist Proverb: “Act always as if the future of the universe depended on what you did, while laughing at yourself for thinking that whatever you do makes any difference.”
Progress and improvement make safer and more predictable roads that people are comfortable (and perhaps complacent) in using. While the crooked, dangerous, unpredictable roads may lead you to places you never knew existed it takes courage and wisdom to navigate, and it may lead to new discoveries and revelations. If given the choice most people would choose the straight, safe road that will take them where they want to go but then they might never learn anything new. [NOTE: That’s been an enormous part of my earth-school story!]
Spiritual Crone Idea
Replacing old ideas with new ideas and stepping outside of a self-created and limiting box?
Naturally there are an abundance of caricatures, descriptions, definitions, and opinions around “What is a crone?”. Seems to me though, that much of it is attached to old conditioning, belief systems, expectations and perceptions.
Might I start creating a new caricature, description, definition and opinion?…LOL…Hoping you’ll stay with me to see what might unfold.
OMG – the old Spin Cycle
To be able to recognize and laugh that #1, #2 & #3 really didn’t get any airtime was delightful.
To find there’s still some practice to be undertaken around #4 & #5 is nothing like it would have been, even 5 or 10 years ago. There’s no sense of “failure” here – rather there’s a bigger sense of now moving into a phase/stage of being able to make choices and decisions that are a good fit for where I find myself today….AND stop taking everything so seriously!
Have to also fess up and acknowledge that the lost tripod is not really a lost tripod….I can “see” the darn thing in my mind AND I can also recall a thought process that was suggesting I might forget putting it where I put it. The gift? It seems kind of funny – something about grey matter?
A number of years ago an opportunity to step into an experience of “being of-and-in service within a fellowship” was presented to me. Actually I believe it started in the fall of 2003 – and at the time I had no concept what would unfold.
The first “gathering” of what I would now refer to as “like minded souls” raised an awareness in me I had never before encountered and the words excitement and passion sprang forward. To say I was enthused was a slight understatement.
It actually took me a number of years to look back and recognize what I now see as “unrealistic expectations” of those around me. And, here’s where the SANDBOX comes into play. Mine not yours! Somehow, it seemed reasonable that everyone around me should be equally enthused and would therefore come and play with me in the Sandbox. NOT!!
It was also during this part of “my story” that one of these “like minded souls” introduced me to the idea of being “perfectly on time” for which I’m truly grateful. That idea has served me well in a multitude of other stories that have since unfolded by allowing me to take a closer look at my expectations, perceptions, belief systems and the sandbox. I love being able to use it as a type of mantra for the Crone Chronicles.
Why this story about “The Sandbox”?
Just to let you know that I’m about to share / introduce you to some people / organizations / ideas that could be new and not yet explored… ANDto reassure you that I’m not asking you to join me in these “Sandboxes” I’ve discovered but rather to keep an open mind about some possible new ideas.
Spiritual Activism?
What does that even mean? Well….please don’t ask me for a definition…from where I’m sitting it seems to be much more about a “feeling”. A feeling of still wanting to understand what on earth is this story about and what on earth is my purpose and THEN if answers come forward perhaps new steps and ideas are put into play.
To step outside of MY perception of YOUR expectations of who and what I should be is just a tad nerve-wracking.I guess that could be considered fear,but you know what….I’m going to do it anyway…
….not because I’m particularly brave but in part because this beautiful seven year old, great-granddaughter did just that this week when she changed her hair colour! As her Dad posted…“I love your willingness to be bold, to stand out in a crowd, to do what makes you happy“. Doesn’t that speak volumes? Such a strong statement about our upcoming generations and how they are already showing us (“slightly older generations”) what it means to step forward and live life with joy, love, compassion and kindness.
So….back to spiritual activism. In truth, the chasing of rainbows and exploration of esoteric paths has been part of my story for a very long time – I just never spoke out loud about it much because I thought you might raise your eyebrows and/or turn around and laugh. Donald James used to poke fun at me and say things like “Oh…Marilyn…you and your “woo woo sh**”. However, as I mentioned in the first blog, after he passed I was really challenged to find a reason to want to stay here and today I’m satisfied to say perhaps I’m finding answers that work for me.
There has been a very consistent theme (at least in my mind) in ALL that I’ve been looking at. First of all, I’ve become pretty convinced that I’m NOT alone in asking the questions…. and the answers continue to come back to a central and core consideration – that we are ALL inter-connected; part of one energetic source; and here to be part of a transition to heal our world through love.
Of course all of that raises more questions doesn’t it?
Like: “what, if anything can us earth-school students do on an individual basis to make a difference in what sometimes looks like a dark and sad world”.
Well, I’m no expert and certainly not going to give you an “opinion”. Instead I thought I’d share links to a few YouTube presentations plus a recent gathering of the Humanity’s Team collaborative. Feel free to explore what may interest you…..
OR NOT…..
Humanity’s Team: This link includes access to another presentation titled “Global Community Gathering” which was recorded on November 30th.
The first speaker, Neale Donald Walsch, entered my world view in the mid 1990’s when I was commuting to work in Vancouver via Skytrain everyday. In truth I don’t recall how I heard about his first book “Conversations With God” but I did and away I went chasing a rainbow.
The second speaker, Suzanne Giesemann, was truly a major go-to that first year after Don left. Her story is an impactful one, particularly since she’s a former U.S. Navy Commander who served as a commanding officer and aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs
Lee Harris Energy: Lee has provided me with explanations and new understandings about energy and how we might be impacted by our own and others. He produces a monthly interview – Impact the World – and this recent one with Scott Harrison provides such a powerful example of how one person is making such an incredible difference. His goal is to bring clean water to 771 million people – and he’s doing it one small well at a time.
Last thought for the day….
Throughout the rainbow chasing and explorations Albert Einstein is repeatedly quoted – often in a tone of awe – I think because he was so ahead of his time. So tonight I found one of his quotes that seems to fit with this latest musing…..
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery every day.”
