Friday, November 25, 2011

Gratitude

On this American Thanksgiving week, I have much to give thanks.

Lately, my family has been eating pretty healthy. I've been feeling quite lean and underfed. We rarely order in, and due to small kids and limited finances, we rarely eat out as a family. So heading to Southern USA for American Thanksgiving, we feasted on lots of fatty, savory and sugar-ed up foods with much, MUCH DELITE!


My daughter soaking up the fall sunhine  
Strained sweet potatoes with marshmallows, bring it!

Mashed potatoes with cream cheese and chives, bring it!

Two turkeys, one smoked one baked, gravy, cranberries, bring it!

Sweet fruity iced tea and lots of wine, bring it!

Five kinds of pies and cakes, three types of ice cream, dig in!

It was a fine feast, with belly aches, sugar comas, and sleepy eyes. Kids had fun, and didn't want to sleep.

Beyond food though, was the bonds of family and friends to which I celebrate the occasion and give thanks.

The bonds of family and friendship makes me feel pulled in a million directions at times, but fundamentally, leave me feeling connected to the human spirit, and to life. And for that I give thanks.

My kids make me cry tears of frustration and exhaustion, but also tears of great joy. The have taught me the heights love can soar, and how deep a wound of another can tear. They have brought out a whole new side of myself I didn't know existed, the good and the bad side.

My kids have taught me the power that a warm smile can have on others, or a simple thanks.

They have taught me to be selfless. They have taught me the true meaning of compassion.


I am lucky to be journeying through this life with a wonderful partner who is just as committed and determined as me on the spiritual path of self-awareness. He is constantly trying to better himself as a person, and the poor thing has me to answer to if he slips. He works tirelessly to provide for this family with not much left over for himself. He is humble and rarely complains. He also listens (above two chatty/whiney children) to my discoveries or complains of the day.

This American Thanksgiving, I give my full gratitude to my family - immediate and extended. Without you I would be nothing.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Remember that Ghost We Had?

It has been a year since my first experience with the little girl ghost in our house. Back then, it was the first weeks we had our baby daughter, and I spent the nights sleeping with my newborn babe on our couch. 

I will never  forget that awful feeling of someone lifting my daughter straight out of my hands as we snuggled on the couch in our in-between sleep state. Nor will I forget my "Tiger Mom" unleashing of a blast of white peaceful energy to disarm the intruder.

I am not a fear-based person by nature. I have conquered many fears in my life, but navigating this "in-between" world where ghosts and spirits and other mystical forces exist does bring up my fears. I suppose it is the fear of the unknown. As well as, it's the strange new sensations I feel, perhaps the different energy or vibrations from that "other world" and the resulting sick in the pit of my stomach.

I have much more sympathy for children as they move through life and experience new sensations, as they come into touch or contact with new emotions and energies. It is H-A-R-D. 


In retrospect, I am happy for that little ghost experience. It has opened up my mind, and brought "stuff of the spirit world" more into reality for me.

Most importantly, we helped a little girl ghost, who was stuck in our house, to transition over to the spirit world! How amazing is that!

We haven't seen nor heard her since the ceremony we did. The fellow that conducted the ceremony said that he had a dream where she thanked him and looked happy. He said his spirit helpers were able to guide her back, even though she was scared and ran away.

I hated those weeks of living in fear, suspicion, and wondering if I was being watched. It was so eery! Thank goodness we knew how to get help.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Teaching Children About Ghosts

 Over at my house today, I found myself playing one of our favorite ghost games a little differently. Maybe it was our on year anniversary of the Ghost Haunting at Our House. Or maybe it is teacher in me that wants to empower my children to know more about the world around them. Whatever the case, we basically reenacted what happened at our house a year ago.

The "Pink Lady" Ghost.
Yes, scary indeed.
I became the "Pink Lady Ghost" wearing a pink silk scarf over my head and running around haunting the house. I picked up my 1-year-old daughter and pretended to want to take her back to the ghost realm. The kids ran around in crazed circles trying to battle me with swords but I was ignoring them. Nothing was able to touch the Pink Lady because nothing effects ghosts (so I told them).

But then, they figured out something that would drive the ghost away. My three little people drummed away on hand drums and pretended to do a ceremony. This sent the Pink Lady running for the hills and she never came back. Well, until they wanted to repeat it again with variations, more ghosts, ect.

It was all in great fun. The kids had fun and made a positive connection with h ghosts, and I like to think it empowered them.

Children are so sensitive and pick up on many things beyond our physical world that we as adults don't. Children also have vivid imaginations. Combine this and we, as parents, may find ourselves talking about monsters and ghosts. Their fears and questions are justified. This is just one example of how to creatively answer some of their questions.

Battling the Pink Lady without much luck