The Cart Before the Horse

Ev-er-y-bod-y has heard this old adage..."Don't put the cart before the horse".

And it makes good sense (as all cliches tend to do). 

However,

The Divine Universe doesn't follow ordinary rules. 

It's  so original...and creative. 

What I've discovered in my life (and I'm sure it's tucked into yours somewhere, too) is that the fabulous, infinitely wise, infinitely powerful Universe LOVES to put the cart before the horse...and by this I mean it provides the solutions BEFORE the problems appear.


Let me explain how this plays out in my life. 


Whenever something is troubling me and I am feeling stuck...not sure how to proceed or lacking the energy or motivation to go to work on the issue...as soon as I take a moment to breathe...to relax...a soundless bell goes off (it's something I just feel) and I gently recall something I had read the day before or a comment someone had made to me recently or, even more frequently, I remember a blog post I have written that reminds me of something important I had grasped and understood earlier but have since forgotten.  And that something I have forgotten is ALWAYS exactly what I need to remember now...today...IN THIS MOMENT.


Sometimes the "direct-tions" are even more direct.


Each day I check my blog's list of the ten most popular posts.  This list is changing moment by moment.  It is based on what posts people are reading and the information is coming from around the world as I know that 110 countries have accessed my blog.  I look to see what is being read each morning and, without fail, it's something I need to be reminded of THAT DAY.


How BEAUTIFUL is that!  Individuals around the world are choosing my posts to read and, in so doing, they are ministering TO ME.  They are helping me become the next, grandest version of myself.


Talk about Love circling back to us!  I send out my thoughts and they come back to me EXACTLY when I need them.  


Wow!  What a system!  And that's just one example of how this beautiful dynamic works.


I KNOW...I am SURE...
that YOU have a heavenly guidance system in place. ..the CART before the horse. 


Maybe  you haven't discovered it yet.  Maybe it's hiding in plain sight...a little heavenly merrymaking and mischief.  PLEASE look around and tap into this awesome, original and brilliant celestial stratagem. 


We are all so very loved.   : )

       
                                                                                       Marie Helena





image from thesaurus.babylon.com


originally published July 16, 2013 

The Cutting Edge: Deconstructing Anger

Rough edges...
gruff sounds...
a voice growing in intensity 

 
Oh, dear....Where can we hide?

Most of us feel like "leaving the building" when the vibration of anger explodes in our midst.  Whether it is our own fiery voice we hear or someone else's, this is not a fun place to find ourselves and we wonder what happened to bring this on?  How did things escalate so fast? 

And, in the face of this growing tension, it is so very difficult to get our bearings, to take that deep breath, to step away from the fray and summon a glimpse of the bigger picture.  But this is exactly what is needed in the heat of that moment for what is transpiring has many possible layers to it and it takes a clear head, a centered consciousness and a calm, compassionate heart to embrace the significance of the event.

Psychologist Phillip McGraw tells us that anger is a masking defense, called out to front the troops which are harboring hurt, fear or frustration.  Where anger feels hot and aggressive, the emotions "behind the scene" are actually full of pain...and vulnerability but they are lacking the courage to directly speak what has caused their siren call.  And that is because the angry person (whether it is ourself or another) has not experienced the trust that it is safe and it is important to name the feelings that are flooding his soul. 

And so anger, instead, emerges as the front guy and anger takes the hit, eventually encountering a counterattack, distressing emotions or even remorse at a later moment.   And all of this drama is not productive because it isn't even the real issue.  But what it does do is bring  our awareness to the fact that there is someone needing love and attention...and, most of all, needing understanding that their heart is unprotected.

The most powerful elixir in this moment is to have someone bravely dance right through the emotional maelstrom of the anger and lovingly embrace the tender heart which is longing  to be heard.  Unconditional acceptance in a safe environment as this soul speaks its truth the best way it knows how.  




Deconstructing anger...cutting edge.


                                                                                                Marie Helena




image from Pinterest.com

The Cuttting Edge: Curiosity

Many people carry the perception that it is difficult to cultivate spiritual practices...that a great deal of restraint and discipline are required to accomplish this goal.   We are often encouraged by inspirational leaders throughout the world to practice love and compassion in our every interaction and, sometimes, this may feel very challenging given the intensity of our own triggers and the pain we may have been holding as a result of them.  

But, introducing the actual practice of COMPASSION may be as simple as expressing interest and curiosity about how an event that has just transpired has affected another.   Most likely, this would occur after we have expressed our own reaction or response to what has just happened. Admittedly, it is very easy to carry on for a while about how things feel to us but   what if we turned to another after we have spoken our thoughts and simply asked, "How did you experience this?"

With just these few words we have moved beyond the narrow and very specific subject of OUR reaction and generously expressed our curiosity and concern about how another has been affected.  Whether we have been an agent in the action or whether the action has been graced, supported, imposed or inflicted on ourselves and others, the very act of asking someone how this felt to them would naturally influence the way we might choose to respond.  

Now, with this interaction...the knowledge and awareness of how both parties are experiencing the moment...we naturally begin to consider how the emotional needs of both persons are presenting themselves and can be addressed.  And, when both persons feel heard and cared about, things move forward with mutual support and consideration…and, ultimately, with COMPASSION for each other.

Though amazingly powerful, Love  directed responses are innately and profoundly simple.  They emanate from the heart and feel generous and joyful and soothing to our spirit.  If mindfully cultivated, just a very slight change in the pattern of our reaction to distressing moments can redirect us into the flowering of a beautiful spiritual practice:

How did you experience this?

                                                                                       Marie Helena

image from arocordis.com

Two Flowers Floating, Watercolor.

                                                  mysticmarks.blogspot.com

Loving the Distance

 












Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky.


                                                                               Rainer Maria Rilke

         
                                                                                                             
To see the other "whole against the sky"...

How beautiful and loving to truly "see" and "know" another sans the heavy trappings of our own unmet needs, conditioning and ego!  How transforming...how triumphant!

And not the easiest task when mired in the heavy density of earth school where we struggle so to come up for the air of feeling in control, satisfied, vindicated, "in the game" and winning.
 

Rilke is suggesting in his beautiful, poetic way that we choose a view much more vast than just taking care of ourselves.  He is asking us to look much further...to reach, to stretch our souls up into the infinite distance where we have the clarity of seeing the view of each soul traversing its own terrain.  And it is a stunning picture...it is magnificent.  It is a work of art creating itself in each moment...the story of all of our journeys.

That work of art is subtle and sensitive...intricate and winding...powerful, chaotic and peaceful...teeming with the stories of all earth dwellers trying to find their way. And the paths...and landmarks...and back roads vary greatly but they make sense to the traveler and THAT is what we need to honor in ourselves and in all others.  In that honoring is birthed the exquisite gift of understanding and  empathy...and the life-changing, mystical experience of Loving the Distance!





                                                                                               Marie Helena


  

image from scamp.ie
Scamp:  The Irish Illumination Blog
 (from Brian Fitzgerald's sketchbook)


originally published September 22, 2013









 
                                                                                









 

Forgiveness or Understanding?

One of the strongest messages we grow up with and continue to hear throughout our lives from all sources of authority is the importance of forgiveness.

 Forgive yourself!  Forgive everyone!
 
But what if there is nothing to forgive?

What if everything everyone does is merely a forward or backward move or perhaps even a filibuster in the dance of their life, all depending on the stage of their evolution?


What if everything they do has NOTHING to do with us and everything to do with their journey?  A journey which is based on their experiences, their personal growth, their unresolved issues, their unhealed pain.  Given all of these variables, it is truly impossible for us to judge or evaluate the choices they are making.  But, for some strange reason, we seem to think we can interpret their actions and that is our ONLY point of reference...ourselves.

It's pretty easy to do this...we all do it most of the time...It's our 
habitual response but it causes SO MUCH TROUBLE!  We can end up feeling hurt or angry or sad and depressed and what they are doing is NOT ABOUT US!  We are the subject of the scenario because we happen to be in the picture at this time; we are the scenery and setting for the playing out of someone's latest life challenge.  What if we really GOT that and, therefore, NOTHING felt personal?

 
There would be nothing to forgive.  For ourselves or others.  We are merely the playing field where someone works out the latest step in his evolution with any accompanying banging and clatter and others do the same for us when we are engaged in one of our "adventures".

 
I know it's pretty radical to expect everyone to see this...especially when our emotions are embroiled and our egos feel challenged.  But how wonderful it would be if we could navigate our lives from this trekking star:  Nothing to forgive.
 
We are ALL doing what we came here to do:  use the resources of earth school to finally get the Big Picture of our lives.



                                                                                          Marie Helena



image from wallpaperswide.com

A New Year, A New Day, A New Me

I delight myself with the Gift
of peaceful slumber.
I awaken naturally
when I am ready
to experience
the Beauty of a New Day.




Mystic Marks: Bookmarks for the Soul





originally published January 2011

The Cutting Edge: A Moment of Healing

It's kind of a long story about how this message got delivered involving a network of soul connections and angel readings so I am going to zap you right into the PRESENT MOMENT and tell you that I work with Archangel Gabriel when I write my blogs.  It's a joint venture, happily shared by the two of us.  

Several days ago I received my usual morning guidance from Gabriel but, on this occasion, I did not understand the reason for this particular inspiration. And so I tucked the "Pearl" away as something to be revealed at a later date.  And, sure enough, the next installment of the message arrived today...this very morning, in fact, and I really appreciated the creative way it appeared. Apparently, Gabriel felt I needed to receive it incrementally and he also honored how much I appreciate the fun of sleuthing to connect the dots.

Archangel Gabriel doesn't use words to communicate with me. His messages come in as dazzling perceptions.  And so here, in my own words, is the original message I received several days ago and its confirmation which was delivered today:

In the middle of a difficult encounter… RIGHT WHEN your emotions are on fire and YOU want to be heard with passion and pristine clarity… RIGHT THEN...INSTEAD, turn your attention TO THE OTHER and gently ask to hear HOW and WHAT he is feeling in that moment.  

Gabriel finished with an observation:  This is the most powerful thing you can do for everyone's healing.

Seriously?  

I was lost AND confounded by this message.  How can we possibly expect someone in the middle of a fiery issue to turn his attention to the other person's position?  And yet, that is exactly what Gabriel  is suggesting.  At that point, I couldn't even imagine how this was possible.  But I COULD see that if it were possible, this would be a wise, important and powerful step to take in finding a path to resolution.

And so this very morning and again this afternoon I had a chance to give Gabriel's guidance a try.  This was not even an unusual occurrence as I almost always find that

"the cart comes before the horse" (translation:  the solution presents itself before the problem even occurs).  

And here's what I discovered.

If, when triggered, we throw the bat AT the other player (that is, blame the other person for what just happened, tell the other person what he is doing wrong and what he should do differently), we will most definitely see the body language of someone who is fraught with frustration from the negative energy coming at him or drooping with despair from his own self-judgment about what has transpired.

 BUT,

if, when we are triggered, we recognize the possibility of introducing a healing moment (simply put, making  lemonade out of lemons) and we consciously CHOOSE to engage the other person...to focus on the other person's healing first, we will witness the body language of a person feeling heard and understood and, ultimately, grateful for that gift of caring.

Please note that this process may take special love and patience as the other person may not be aware of the emotions he is holding.  They may be completely masked by his anger and frustration, the default reactions which occur when he is under stress.  If there is no pressure for the other person to hurry his answer, he will sense your interest and caring and will, ultimately, reveal whatever he is ready to disclose.

Ultimately, a door has been opened.

Being heard, honored and understood is a basic human need and, if for some reason, the other person has not had that need fully met, he will be deeply affected now by the evidence of your compassion, especially in this moment of unrest and agitation.

Now, the chemistry of the moment has the potential to shift visibly.  Your compatriot may feel a sense of relaxation because he has been heard.  And now he may be open to the possibility of hearing what YOU are feeling, too.

It is truly astounding to see how quickly a difficult experience can transform into an opportunity for sending and receiving love and compassion.  Gary Zukav says we will never encounter an experience that is not for the healing of our soul.  May we never fail to recognize how we can bring our own special Light  to these Moments of Healing.

A most beautiful cutting edge.

                                                                                  Marie Helena

image from violetdauk.blogspot.co

original watercolor  Dragonfly Bay