Michael Hathaway
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2010 0979-1070 Jul-September As I walked the trail the other day, I became aware of a constant buzzing sound around me. Not sure if it was my ears or traffic in the distance, I determined that it was the insects going about their lives. Some of us have such a constant buzz of thoughts in our minds that we never get to hear the buzz of nature. It is good to find a quiet spot and listen. We have a somewhat regular pattern that we follow in our day. After the podcast I usually go for a walk and then to town etc. We need to change that pattern today or we will probably get stuck in heavy holiday traffic coming into the valley. It is also good to know when to change negative patterns, if any, in your life. Quite a few years ago, when I was still teaching, we had the high school vocational class do a little landscaping behind the garage. That next spring my father-in-law died, and that summer we discovered a wild rose in bloom where the students has worked. I knew it was a gift from beyond, and today its small red blooms grace the landscape. Happy Birthday America. It is a day to celebrate with family and friends and to observe old traditions or create new ones. It is also a time to remember those who have served and continue to serve to uphold the freedom we are blessed with. It is also a time to remember the Native Americans that surrendered their freedom when we claimed ours. It is my prayer that someday soon the world can live in harmony and freedom. 0983 - Marching to a Different Beat Last night I played taps at a Revolutionary War reenactment ceremony honoring spirits of soldiers past. That reminded me of soldiers in the Civil War who didn't want to fight, but as many of them were fighting with others from their hometowns, it was a matter of reputation even if they were killed in battle. I'm sure many people feel that way in life today. Then this morning I saw a story of a restaurant owner who had organized 52 restaurant in his area to feed the homeless once a week for a year. He called it a "movement". 0984 - Summers Past, Remembering Heat Waves This hot weather reminds me of some of the heat waves that I have suffered through over my lifetime. As a kid, it was days at the lake and hot bedrooms at night. In Boston, in college, the breezes were just as hot as the temperature. We tell stories of the past while children create memories for the future. Just remember these days in January. We think differently after we have been in the heat for a while. We change our daily routines and sometimes make decisions that are not reasoned out. When we get away from the heat, things come back to normal. When the heat of life gets to you, it's good to have a cool place in your mind. As you know, I share a lot of stories in my daily five-minute podcasts. As we age our experiences become stories. Others may or may not want to hear them. Think of children for a moment. When they imagine, are they remembering stories of experiences from their soul’s journey or are they just making things up? 0987 - Encouraging the Development of Inner Gifts When I saw a recent photo of my six-year old granddaughter painting, it was like seeing an artist right out of the late 1800s. Perhaps she was there in her mind. Wouldn’t it be great if children of all ages felt free to connect with their inner gifts and abilities that are a natural part of their soul experiences? A week or so ago we walked the Ledge Trail and found that someone had mowed part of that and the whole of the Bickford Trail that connects to the Albert Road. That was a lot of work, and my wife and I, and all those that walk the trails, greatly appreciated it. Thank You! Every time someone offers an act of kindness, it has the potential to result in long lasting and far reaching positive vibrations touching many. I often talk about the importance of giving oneself the opportunity to approach the world from the eyes of a child - to keep positive childlike qualities so that we still enjoy what peeked our interest when we were young. Last week I watched three “boys”, now in their 40s, playing music together. They had performed together since they were teenagers, and the joy on their faces said it all. Many of us experience burnout in our lives, often more than once. It is usually when a passion becomes an unbearable burden to carry. That's when we are doing it alone without the strength of the Universe helping. Someone just gave us some cedar seedlings to plant. My wife and I love cedar and have been able to find only one old tree in our woods, growing near an abandoned cellar hole. It is our hope that we are starting new cedar groves for future generations to discover. The cedar is a symbol of what we can each plant every day in thoughts and actions for a better world. 0992 - Maybe Angels Are Watching Out Yesterday afternoon a car rolled over in front of the Hypnosis Center. There seems to be at least one accident a year within that 2000-foot stretch of road. There also seems to be a lack of major injuries related to the accidents. Maybe there are angels watching out. 0993 - The Process of Defining When I started the podcast today, I had a choice of four different ideas to talk about. When I finished, the topic was none of those. The message defined itself over the process of recording it. The more we can define our thoughts, the more we narrow down the direction. Have you ever worn clothes advertising "one size fits all" that don't fit you? There is a lot of one-size-fits-all advice out there also. I believe that you are a unique individual, and you do not have to wear any advice that doesn’t fit. The other night I heard an owl hoot from out of the darkness. I do not see owls very often and yet they live right near by. There are a lot of elements with us in life that we may not see or hear on a daily basis. It is comforting to me to know I’m not alone. I meet a lot of people that have either lost or diminished their connection to the earth. They find themselves off balance and out of touch. It is always possible to reestablish your connection to the Universe. It may not be the same, but it can still be powerful. How often do you look up at night and see the diamonds in the sky? They are always there, even when clouds cover the view. Sometimes it's the clouds in our mind that block the beauty that is surrounding us. Imagine what it is like to see the beauty of the world through the magical eyes of a child. A couple of people have told me recently it feels as if there is a battle going on in their minds. They are in the middle of two forces, each critical of the other. What is the first step to bring about peace? I think it starts with establishing a dialogue from a loving standpoint where mediation from the Universe can lead to a lasting peace. This morning there was a story on the news of someone who was fired for a speech she had made where her words were taken out of context. Of course others were waiting for her to make a mistake so they could use it against her. Now everyone is embarrassed, but the harm is done. When something seems out of context, perhaps it is good to try to look at the whole picture before leaping to judgment. Today is the 1000th "Message From The Mountain" podcast - something like 3 1/2 days of talking. The five minutes a day I connect to nature and a greater source allows me to feel the power and comfort of the Universe’s words and love. It is always my prayer that those who listen may have the same experience. There is a theory that every vibration or thought that we have becomes a reality. What if the environment absorbs these vibrations and the physical objects the thoughts come in contact with? Imagine what the effect would be if everyone sent thoughts of peace and love out into the environment and also sealed them into every thing they touched. 1002 - Reworking the Landscape I’ve enjoyed watching a friend rework the landscape at the Center. He has been grading the land to help improve the drainage and provide an opportunity for future gardens. Without the changes, it would have been hard to promote new growth. Reworking the landscape of your mind (your thoughts) provides opportunities for your new growth. If I fail to take my nature walk for a few days, I find that my legs need to get into condition again. The same thing happens when we are away from our spiritual connections. This podcast helps me stay in daily spiritual condition. 1004 - Winds of the Future Are Blowing Now Today's podcast is inspired by a story I heard yesterday of a local church that wanted to finish off a large open space for a multipurpose room. The cost was $10,000 and they had no funds to do it. A notice came in the mail informing them of unclaimed funds in a bank. It was $11,000 and the addition was finished for their 175th anniversary. The message is "trust in the winds of the future". 1005 - Spiritual Responsibilities Did you ever ask yourself while going through a life experience, “What are my spiritual responsibilities?” Sometimes getting away in your mind helps you redefine your role in what is taking place around you. I am constantly asking the Universe. I think that most of us spend a fair amount of time trying to figure out and understand the nature of life. At least, I do. There are ups and downs and always some sort of drama. How can we step out of this play to get a perspective of the whole and at the same time remain on earth? With all of the technology we have in the world today, it is still possible to find yourself disconnected, as I recently did when I called my wife from the Center only a thousand feet away. She then called me back over an old-fashioned hand crank phone that runs between the two buildings. A lot of people aren’t sure when they talk to the Universe if their call is connected or dropped. It’s connected. It just takes time for the answer. It takes trust. Today Nature is clearing the air. It is cooler and less humid and cleans the air in the house as well. People forget to clear the air inside themselves. All we have to do is simply breathe up from the ground and down from the stars and let it center in our hearts with Universal love. Just breathe it in and out. Do you have frozen moments in your mind? They may be positive or negative. They may be from the past or the future. You may feel, hear, see, taste, or smell them. It is amazing what exists under the surface of our daily existence. What is perfection and how often do you achieve it? Is it possible to reach perfection here on earth? A lot of us stop trying because we can’t do it well enough. Perhaps if we included joy in the process it would be closer to perfection. 1011 - Squeezing Through the Seam Have you ever struggled and struggled to create an opening in your mind to a memory or for creativity, only to find that once you opened it, you stepped into a vast unconscious knowing? Once we open the seam to past lives or other realities, we often find ourselves in a place with a different perspective on life. My 9-year-old grandson Carter broke his toe last night while visiting us and inspired this podcast. After a trip to the ER, he is on the mend. Most of us know that it is easy to take a sudden misstep in life. I wonder if missteps are somehow part of our overall master plan? Perhaps missteps are a part of a karmic balance. A frog population has moved into the meditation pond at the Center. A lot goes on below the surface in that small space. There is also life below the surface of our selves. We hold in worries. We need fresh positive thoughts to help remove the stagnation. When the frogs are out sunning themselves, they know they can hide below the surface of the water. Many of us hide our gifts and talents below the surface because we are afraid to let them rise above the surface. Our fears are what often hold us back from succeeding. Finding peace is something that I think we search for our whole lives. We look for a perfect place where we can escape intrusion from the outside world. That’s why I love it in the mountains or at the ocean. We also need an inner peace that we can find through our connections with the Universe. There is something about knotty pine paneling that I have loved since I was a kid. It has a special character to it. People also have character in their souls, like the pine. As a kid I loved to play in the water. The smallest mud puddle became a vast ocean with great adventures waiting. I still imagine sailing the seas, sparring with the wind, or hiking new trails in my mind. Every day provides an opportunity for a new voyage with unknown mysteries to explore. I have just rediscovered in this hot weather the benefit of wearing sandals. The air between my toes not only helps me feel a little cooler; I find that I am closer to the earth's and the air's Universal energy. That helps keep me grounded as I walk my soul's path. Over the last few years I have experienced images of an old Roman soldier who is either being prepared for battle or worked on after the conflict has ended. They first started when I was having massage and acupuncture. Then again, there was always something about those Roman statues. Sometimes I can almost feel the energy of this character from the past pulsing through my body. Is it I from another time? After all, I’m enjoying my sandals. In music there is an old tune entitled “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”. Swing music has a certain feel to it and the skilled musician knows how to play within the parameters of the beat. I believe that each of us has a built in rhythm to life and when we get out of sync, we lose the flow. The key is to always feel the rhythmic pace the Universe has set for you. We are in a dry spell here in the valley and could use some rain. Like the weather, we can hit dry spells in our life where we need to get our creative and spiritual thirst quenched. Fortunately there is a deep reservoir in the Universe to draw from if we remember to dip into it. 1022 - Removing a Trail Hazard The other day we came upon an old dead tree half broken from the trunk and lodged over the trail. It was a hazard. We got a tow strap from the truck, and my wife and I, after a little effort, were able to clear it. It is always a good idea to be aware of the hazards on your trail of life and to put a little effort into removing them. This dry spell has made it difficult on the bears. There was not much of a blueberry crop this year and the blackberries are not quite ripe. Therefore there has been a lot of local encounters at homes in the area. Even when it is harder, nature has a way of providing for them as the Universe does for us when we are out of spiritual nourishment. 1024 - The Drama of Raising Fruits & Vegetables It seems as if the birds and animals and insects all want a piece of your garden. This year it’s the ravens after the blueberries and apples. They are so far winning this match. In life it often seems as if when you have something going well everyone else wants to hog in. I guess the trick is to always plan on having enough to share. 1025 - The Art of Story Telling I was recently reminded at a hypnosis convention how developing the art of story telling can be a powerful tool to help people change their lives. I remember how I was mesmerized by the stories I heard as a child. We all have stories we can share that can inspire others. 1026 - Are You Happy with Your Story? We are all stories, just as every tree, insect, flower, or drop of rain has their own stories. You can change your story if you are not happy with it and create a new one. Do you know how? The Universe may be able to help you if you ask. 1027 - The First Smells of Fall Yesterday I experienced the first smells of fall. It was rotting leaves that had recently fallen from trees that were starved for moisture from the lack of rain. Still it is a sign that the seasons are about to change, but if we focus on the Now, there is over a month of summer left to enjoy. 1028 - Waiting for the Stop Sign to Change The other day I was engaged in conversation with my wife as we left the parking lot of a local store. When I came to the stop sign, I patiently waited for it to change. Then I noticed an impatient driver behind me and realized the stop sign was not going to change, so I had to venture out into the traffic. We do the same thing on the road of life. 1029 - Rediscovering an Old Friend My old tractor is waiting patiently under a blue tarp for the next time I will need it. I may not start it until late fall, but it sits ready when needed. We also have spiritual resources that wait patiently for us to rediscover them as we progress through the seasons of life. Today the air is the coldest it's been in a while. It is sweatshirt weather. It won't be long until we will think a morning like this morning is a warm one. It's all about making adjustments, and that not only applies to the weather, but life in general. 1031 - What Are Your Intentions? Do you have any intentions in life? What is it that you hope or had hoped to accomplish? Perhaps you have given up on an old dream of accomplishing something that you now feel is out of reach. Think of the reality of your intention and give it permission to come to fruition. Let yourself believe. Finally we have a rainy day and you can almost see the smile on the leaves' faces. It is also good for us to take a day once and a while and enjoy the rain and reflect on things in our lives. It is nourishment for the soul. When you send out your intentions to the Universe, you may want to be careful how you define what you want. Giving thought and positive energy to a prayer for the greater good and defining the purpose and outcome may help sharpen the image of reality. A friend has been losing the vision in one eye and yesterday was told that he might have a brain tumor. I sent out word to a few of his friends, and intentions were set that this was not the case. Later that day some of us saw a large eye-shaped cloud in the sky, and about that time he found out that the problem was a swelling in the eyeball, no tumor, and his sight should return with time. That eye in the sky is with all of us. I am currently in the middle of writing a second edition for the “Idiot’s Guide To Past Life Regression”. To meet the deadline I have set a writing routine where I need to produce so many words a day over a specific time period. I also have a spiritual routine every day that enhances the writing routine. 1036 - The Resiliency of Nature I marvel at the amount of wildlife that we see here in the mountains. The animals have been able to adapt to humans and seem to, not only have survived but also in many cases, flourish. The human spirit also has a resiliency that can help us persevere. The night before last I heard a couple of bear hollers in the night. Yesterday about noon I saw the bear, a yearling, on our front lawn eating some black berries. I think it was just learning to use its voice - it was weak but soon will be strong. Like the bear, your voice is also getting stronger as you search for spiritual purpose. The young bear was taking a big risk when it chose to cross the busy road in the middle of the day. Fortunately it made it across. We face mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional road hazards every day on our walk of life. I always thank the Universe for safe travel. Yesterday we were invited to spend the afternoon and evening on the water. Our friends love to go out into the lake on a calm day and cut the engine and just drift and watch the sunset. What a way to find peace and serenity on the water. 1040 - How Does the Spider Get to the Other Side Have you ever wondered how a spider can spin a straight line between two points? You may know, but I don’t. Perhaps we can use the same concept to help us reach for what might seem unreachable. Perhaps belief can be an anchor that provides the cord that holds us. 1041 - Swimming with the Dolphins A friend just sent me a photo of her swimming with the dolphins. It reminded me that many people have told me that that is something they wished to do some time in their life. Maybe their unconscious mind remembers when they swam with them before. 1042 - The Calm Before the Storm We are experiencing the calm before the storm. It is an uneasy soft breeze that blows across the valley today. We have no control over what comes next. Fortunately in life we can be aware and take steps to calm the storms within. 1043 - A Different Kind of Summer In some ways this has been a different kind of summer. It went by in a blur again, but the leaves on some of the trees seem to be behaving differently. Ones that would be turning red are still green. Others are just falling off. There’s just something different this year. 1044 - I Realized What Was Different I think I have realized one thing different about the summer. Many of the people that I know have made a shift in their focus and are figuring out how to honor their soul’s purpose in ways that can benefit the earth and those that live on it. 1045 - The Smell of Fresh Brewing Coffee There is something about the smell of fresh brewing coffee. Our coffee pot grinds the beans and then brews it. The smell is part of my morning meditation. It reminds me to be grateful and it is a way to connect me to the Universe. Have you ever experienced table tipping? It is a form spirit communication. It is used as a tool to help people get in touch with their unconscious mind. The question is where does the energy to tip the table or move a pendulum really come from? Most of change our mind zones after Labor Day to focus on a different season ahead. We live in zones both positive and negative. We get out of sync when we get stuck in a zone and don’t know how to change. Margo Mallar just wrote a great article on sacred stones for New Hampshire Magazine's September issue, and we are honored to have our labyrinth featured in her story. I often wonder who first came and used the sacred stones to connect to the Universe. A dozen years or so ago we had a clearing cut on the top of the mountain that has an incredible view. It has been cut every three or four years to keep the growth down. This year the view has been disappearing, but our dream of a field is now becoming a reality. Soon the view will be better than ever. Several people have been gathering lupine seeds so that we can plant them in the clearing at the top of the mountain. Soon we will be able to sow them. We all have been gathering seeds of wisdom and talents and it is now time to sow them to help others. A friend told me yesterday that they had read that it has been scientifically proven that the heart produces ten times as much energy as the brain. Imagine if everyone set their intention with unconditional love from their hearts what the effect on the world would be. With half the 2nd edition of the Idiots Guide book due in a couple of days, both my wife and I have been in a writing zone for the past several weeks. It is a delicate balance of fitting together the other requirements of Life with time to produce the book. It is important for all us to keep a balance when we are in a zone of focus. Today is the day we sow the lupine seeds in the field. The soil has been prepped, limed, fertilized, and seeded to clover. Now the lupine is added. Every day when you do something positive, you are sowing seeds more beautiful than flowers. 1054 - Time for Nature to Take Its Course The seeds have been sown, and now it’s time for nature to take its course. Just as in nature, if we act with the greatest intentions in life for the best of all, then there is a time to let the Universe take control and set the course. I think that the leaves are finally getting the hint that fall is on the way. Color is slowly beginning to infiltrate the green. We also get hints from the Universe all the time. Imagine if the leaves didn’t get the hint and failed to change. I am inspired daily by nature, but that is not my only source of inspiration. I am grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people who are getting in tune with their soul’s purpose. THAT is inspiring. This podcast is a tribute to my wife and partner whose incredible talents have literally gotten me through college, made whatever I’ve attempted successful, and has been there with love and patience. I know how hard she works to make things look easy. I know the difference she makes in others’ lives. Even though fall does not officially start for a few days most people are already in a fall mode. The seasons change with the solstices & equinoxes, but in reality they change about three weeks ahead in our minds. Fall is a great time to renew commitments to improving life. This is the time of year when many people share the harvest from their gardens. We have all harvested much during our lives, mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally that would be helpful to share with others. The fall provides many opportunities to experience life. The smell of beans baking, fresh apple pies or hot mulled cider bring us back to a simple time in our minds. There are opportunities every day all year to be grateful if we choose to notice them. So far it has been a slow transition into fall this year. It could change to a rapid one in a flash. Your transition in life may feel like it’s going slow but things are speeding up, just as the change in seasons. Scatting in vocal music is the process of verbalizing an instrumental solo. The best scat singers are able to open to the flow of their unconscious minds and be in the energy of the music. The same thing is true with everything in life. Animal waste is also called scat. Today the first day of fall is filled with excitement of things to come. Yesterday I saw the first tree that has almost fully changed to its fall splendor. There will be many more joining soon. I am excited about the seasons to come. Yesterday was a full moon type day. You know, the type of day where things seem to run on a different level of energy and where things can get off course easily. When those days happen, going with the flow can help you keep your Universal bearings. Have you noticed how much the days have shortened since the middle of June? It is part of the cycle of the earth and of our lives as we travel through time and space. I actually enjoy this time of year as it gives me a chance to see the dawn of the day unfold. This weekend my wife and I attended our 50th high school reunion. We graduated together and have been together ever since. It seems as if graduation was only a short time ago and yet here we are together again the same but different. The gray misty days of fall help amplify the brilliant contrast of the bright foliage. The grayness of life can help us see positive things around us that we might otherwise miss without the contrasts. There is a soft rain falling this morning that brings softness in thoughts and action to the day. Its welcome nourishment is good for nature, our minds, bodies, spirits, and emotions. I am grateful for the soft rain. Last night we saw the bear for the first time in over a month. It has gotten really roly-poly, as it gains weight for the winter. People also get roly-poly when they try to hide in themselves. We never need to hide when the Universe is watching over us. Last night I went to my first toga party. Now I know this is something people do in high school or college, but I never had the opportunity at that time of my life. A friend who bought a toga reminding her of a past life inspired this gathering.
2010 1071-1162 Oct-Dec When I finally returned to the clearing after a few days of absence, a new carpet of green grass greeted my eyes. To me it is the symbol of things to come, not only here on the mountain but throughout the valley and the world beyond. The other day I saw a chipmunk sitting in a very precarious position on top of a tire of our car. That reminded me of the precarious positions we often put ourselves in life. Come to think of it, we are still here. I wonder what or who watches over us? Today is the day that many have waited a year for. It’s not a holiday or a birthday. It’s the first day of the Fryeburg Fair. It is a blend of people from all over the world, and I am amazed at how many spiritual discussions I will have during the course of the day. Good friends of ours grew a really big pumpkin this year and entered it in the fair where it took a red ribbon. It took a lot of work to grow that pumpkin. It also takes the same commitment to grow big dreams. At the fair, there is a ribbon for almost everything. There are ribbons awarded for skillet throwing, food preparation, produce grown, woodsman competition, and to many different breeds of animals both big and small. Not everyone is awarded a blue ribbon for their results but everyone should get a blue ribbon for doing their best. Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph the fair from a helicopter. They even took the door off so I could get an unobstructed view. To get the full perspective you need to see it from the air. To understand life, we sometimes need to see it from the view of the Universe. There is an exhibit in the Natural Resources Center at the fair that has two Bull Moose locking horns in mortal battle. People do the same thing when they mentally lock horns with someone else. They can find themselves locked into the negative. Yesterday I watched an eight horse hitch perform their maneuvers as they competed for a blue ribbon at the fair. They, as are all other animals, are a tribute to the Universe’s pattern of design. I watched a young man and a 650-pound calf in a tug of war at the calf scramble yesterday. Eventually the boy won. We have tugs of war with our ego all the time and yet we can work together for the sake of the Universe. Yesterday I watched a Bald Headed Men’s contest at the fair. One of the contestants was a baby. All of them were beautiful in the Universe’s eyes as is every one of us, regardless of appearance. There is a lot of glitter at the fair, but today it is all gone. The fair is over and the vendors have gone. The real glitter in your life is the light that the Universe shines through you. Here it is almost the middle of October and the leaves around the tree house have yet to change to their fall colors. It is the same almost every year. In life some of us change slower than others, each moving at our own pace. 1083 - Perfect Afternoon for a Picnic A perfect afternoon, a beautiful picnic backpack, a clear crisp fall day with plenty of foliage, and no bugs greeted us as at the table on the top of the ledge overlooking the valley below. It was if time stood still, and we were living an illusion of the past. 1084 - The Aroma of Apple Crisp The aroma of apple crisp just out of the oven is very special to me this time of year. It brings back memories of years gone by. Aromas can take us away in our minds to special places filled with love that still linger like the aromas in the cool fall air. Today the book went to the publisher. There will be more editing before the finished product is ready to print. It has been two and a half months of hitting the marks one step at a time. In life the Universe is the ultimate director, guiding us as we hit our soul’s marks. Yesterday was a day to tie up the loose ends that had accumulated over the last month or so. Of course I didn’t get them all done. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I stopped to take a breath. Then I got a second wind and continued on rejuvenated. I love looking through the lens of a camera. It gives me a chance to freeze for a brief moment in time something I will not see in my mind again. Often we let life go by in a blur without taking in what is all around us. The other day we were eating breakfast in a small cafe and noticed some birds that had come in through a small opening, waiting for the people to leave so they could eat the crumbs. Just as wildlife adapts to depend on humans we can depend on the Universe. We love to visit nature preserves and gardens that combine nature and man’s creativity. Not only is it spiritually inspirational spiritually, but it is also inspirational in providing ideas as the Center creates it’s own tribute to man and nature. The ocean is a great example of the fragile balance of the existence of nature here on earth. The wind and waves take their toll and constantly change the landscape. So to is life for humans. Fortunately we have the strength of the Universe behind us. How do we manifest dreams into realities? For me it is the gratitude that what is a dream is already a reality in the Universe’s eyes. All I need to do is my little part and the rest will be taken care of. It seems as if we are being over run by invasive species the last few years. Insects, plants and animals compete for space and often choke out older native varieties. Our minds are often over run by invasive thoughts. The Universe can help provide a balance for us. We came across some old stonewalls on a walk in the woods on Martha’s Vineyard that I believe were made by native Americans and have openings in them for spirits to cross back and forth. We should do the same in our heart for the Universe to come and go. 1094 - The Last Rose of Summer I saw and appreciated on Martha’s Vineyard what will probably be the last roses of the summer. Back home in NH frost has already claimed most of the delicate blooms, and yet there is always something beautiful to observe if we take time to look for it. We always look for ideas that we can incorporate on our own land whenever we walk other people's nature trails. We discovered the use of rubber washers in trail signage to cushion metal against metal. Belief can help us the same way with the harsh edges of life. The ground is covered with a golden carpet of freshly fallen leaves. It glows in the morning light. Soon they will turn brown and eventually melt into the earth. Today is the day to appreciate the beauty that nature puts in front of us. Nature often is an example of contrasts, such as snow on the peaks and fall foliage in the valley, or a bare tree next to one still decked out in color. Life is often like the change of seasons, full of contrasts. As I looked out the window this morning I noticed an evergreen. The leaves on a maple tree had blocked its view during the summer. It has been there all along and it is always green. Our belief, like an evergreen, is always there with us if we look for it. 1099 - A Single Patch of Sunshine This morning as I looked out onto a gray fall morning, my eyes caught a patch of sunlight shining on a spot across the valley. It shined brilliantly in a sea of drabness. There is always a patch of spiritual sunlight shining for us when life is gray. 1100 - The Mountain View Is Back When we first built our house, we had a view of the mountains all year long. Now the leaves on our trees and the height of the trees across the road block the view until the leaves go. The mountain, like our belief, is always there even when we think it’s not. I am reminded as I look at the dramatic landscape why this is a wonderful time of year here in the mountains for Halloween. It is after a day and night of high drama. We have many days in life where the Universe can help us make it to the next scene of our play. Last night five of us celebrated Halloween by going up on the mountain to see if we could catch the unseen. I took pictures and got a couple of interesting images. Did I catch a spirit? I don’t know, but that’s what keeps life a mystery. I'm doing my podcast in the dark this morning. It used to be light at this time but the daylight has diminished. In life as in nature darkness catches up with us, but there is always spiritual light to help us find our way. We can see it coming. Winter has reached the highest peaks here in the mountains. It won’t be long. Some will be prepared and some will not. The same is true in life as we enter this period of change. There are just a few leaves hanging on the maple tree. It is time for them to go. We have hangers on in our lives like the leaves, such as habits or negative thoughts, when their season has past. Yesterday I saw a flock of turkeys in the orchard intent on scratching for food. I was able to sneak up quite close until they saw me and burst into flight. In life, things can sneak up on us, mentally, spiritually, and physically when we forget to pay attention. Yesterday evening I saw a single patch of blue in an otherwise gray November sky. It reminded me that in the grayness of life the Universe always provides a glimmer of hope for better days. This morning we went up early to capture the rising sun, only to find it hidden behind some clouds. Still, it was good to be on the land and communicate with the Universe in an early morning meditation. It is something I can reflect to others. This is a season of many adjustments. We adjust what we wear, what we eat, how we sleep, and deal with the upcoming holidays. The one constant force in all of this is our connection to something in the Universe. It never changes; we do. Our land is a wildlife safety zone where the birds and animals are not only protected but are encouraged to flourish. What if the earth was a human safety zone where people were encouraged to let their natural abilities flourish? The recent rain has caused the ground to reach a saturation point where it cannot absorb any more water. Now is the time for many of us now to release the knowledge to help others that we have been saturating ourselves with for lifetimes. Today we honor and thank all those that have served our country in the name of freedom. Because of you I am free to walk the land, touch the earth, and be one with nature. When things don’t go exactly as expected, sometimes it is necessary to improvise. In order to improvise one must have some sort of a plan in the first place. It is important not to give up on the idea and to just find a different route to get the results. I have an image of what the Center landscape may look like, but I do not see it in my mind’s eye, only feel it. Others have the vision to make it happen. We are all landscape artists of our own lives as we work with the visions of the Universe. A flash of emerald green caught my eye the other day when I was on a walk in the woods. The sun was shinning on an old log covered with moss. It was beautiful. You also carry gems waiting to shine in the Universe’s light. We recently had the leaves cleared from our lawn and flower garden. In the spring the new growth will be free to come out of the earth. It is also a great time to clear away the debris in our lives to as we prepare for new growth. The other day I saw an “S” lying in the middle of the leaves. When I reached down to pick it up I discovered it was a leaf with an “S” carved in it, perhaps by a worm. I considered this was a sign from nature. How do you get signs to guide you? I have a lot of dreams in my head that may or may not fit into the plans. Planning starts with a need or a desire to reach a goal. It could be a goal for the day, week or longer. If the intent of the goal is created with love and purpose, the Universe is there all the way. I don’t know if you have ever heard the song “You Gotta Have Heart”, but it reminds me of scientific research which now confirms that the heart puts out a lot of energy. When you put your heart into it, miracles really seem to happen. There is a hemlock along the trail that was uprooted several years ago and yet somehow continues to survive. The main trunk hovers a couple of feet off the ground and the limbs on the topside are now each small trees reaching for the light. It is a lesson from nature. Last night I saw a faint shadow in the road ahead of us as we drove along in traffic at a slow speed. When I flicked on the high beams a magnificent eight-point buck appeared only a hundred feet away. The Universe was sending us powerful sign. The sky during the last two sunsets has been filled with pink clouds. Pink clouds to my granddaughter means spirit guides. Nature gives us so many ways to reflect on the vast mysteries of the Universe. The seasons here in the mountains are in constant transition. The brook flows, but the freezing temperature causes water that splashes onto overhanging branches to form ice crystals. You are in transition, always finding new elements for your purpose. The other night my wife came home after dark and saw strange lights up in the woods. We didn't know if someone or something was up there where they shouldn't be. I investigated, driving down the main road. It was the full moon. Mystery solved. Drops of water covering the needles of a small pine tree reminded me that it is part of the whole of nature. We have many people in our lives that make up part of our whole. They sometimes exist unseen just as a small tree in nature. It is good to remember. Today, Thanksgiving is a day to reflect the gratitude I feel for so many blessings in my life. For family, friends, nature, and the opportunity to connect with the Source of the Universe. Actually, every day is a day of thanksgiving. Black Friday is the day that many people get up at the crack of dawn to search for the best shopping bargains. The truth is, the best bargain is free. It is the love one feels through the center of the Universe. With a slight coating of snow on the ground the colors of the season stand out. The greens that often go unnoticed in the summer now take center stage. Sadly many people only choose to notice the grays of the sky and diminishing daylight. There is more to see. Every year we decorate the spruce tree on the edge of the orchard. It is a way to celebrate the season and remind us when we walk that the days will soon be getting longer. Right now it is the bright light of the Universe that reflects through the decorations. With the cold weather here in the valley people are turning on the heat or firing up the wood stoves. In this season of giving it is the simple acts of love and kindness that provide the greatest warmth especially for our hearts. There is an old foundation on the land. We don’t know its history or why the building is no longer there. For some reason it was abandoned. The Universe provides a firm foundation that we can always build upon even if we have abandoned it. Many people decorate the inside and outside of their homes this time of year in honor of the approaching holidays. I enjoy the displays as they light the night sky. To me it symbolizes what the Universe displays in our hearts all year round. There is always light. There are two twin beech trees in the woods permanently entwined. They have wrapped themselves around each other fighting for survival. It will be impossible for them to fully mature this way. How do we entwine with others and grow separately? Yesterday we visited the poinsettia trials open house at the University of New Hampshire. They are working to develop varieties that flourish in this region. I wonder if humans are a part of a bigger experiment in the Universe that focuses on learning love. According to the news, scientists have discovered a new form of life that does not have phosphorus in its makeup. It contains arsenic instead. I wonder about the other life forms that haven’t been proved yet but exist in an unmanifest state, such as angels. I have developed a self-survival style of playing music. It never comes out exactly the same way. It is the way my mind works. People can approve of it or not. I'm doing the best I can. In life your style is perfected in the same way, and it is unique and special. I love the glitter of holiday lights this time of year. They brighten the dark nights, but they pale in comparison to the glitter in someone’s eyes when they are living their soul’s passion to do positive things for people and the earth. I have always had a hard time accepting myself for who I am. I do things so differently from others. With that said, I also have come to accept my intentions to always do the best for the whole and that helps me accept myself. How about you? 1139 - Sharing What You Do Once you have accepted yourself and have learned that you do have something that no one else on earth has, how do you go about sharing it? Maybe the Universe will aid you in that process. Pay attention to the hints. Yesterday afternoon I went to an art exhibit that was taking place right outside my window. Nature was hard at work. I could have missed the whole show if I had not been paying attention. We often miss the art created around us, both by nature and by humans. A manifest is a document that keeps a record of goods, and possibly people, that are traveling from one destination to another. Old ships manifests contain important historical records. Imagine that your soul has a manifest of all your travels. Manifest reality is everything around us in the form of matter that we can prove is there. We can walk in nature and touch the trees and feel the earth beneath our feet. Manifest reality is what the logical mind usually accepts as real. Is there more than that? Unmanifest reality is a reality that exists but is not necessarily in a form that has mass. It often goes un-noticed by most people. Edgar Cayce said that thoughts were realities that were either crimes or miracles. So how does the unmanifest manifest? 1144 - The Secret of Manifesting There is a lot of interest in learning how to manifest. What is the secret that successful people seem to know? Perhaps it starts with gratitude that there is a powerful source in the Universe to assist us in manifesting our thoughts. It is the will to believe. The weather has done a flip the last few days. We are warmer than parts of Florida and currently have no snow. Life for many people seems to be doing flips as they go through rapid changes. Universal strength can help with the changes. 1146 - Reflections in the Glass The holiday lights really shine in the darkness. Their beams reflect off the glass in the windows causing the room to be filled with magic from every angle. Think of how our thoughts and actions are reflected back to us. Light reflects light. Love reflects love. We often set values on physical items such as objects of art. Collectors invest money with the idea that in time they will increase their investment. We have a beautiful stained glass window that is priceless in spiritual value. It reminds us of our faith in the Universe. Yesterday I had saw nature building a bridge one drop at a time. Eventually, an ice bridge will cover the small stream. Imagine if each of us breathed in and then out unconditional Universal love. Eventually it would bridge the world. The moisture that the ground absorbed from the recent rain has begun to freeze, and ice crystals are pushing up through the earth. It’s like a mini ice age. Imagine how a ground swell of unconditional love and gratitude could affect the climate of the whole world. Silent sentries are watching out over the water as it flows down the mountainside, guarding the small stream. These little ice-covered figures serve to remind me that all of us are watched over by silent sentries from the Universe’s army of angels. Nature has a way of providing me with many spiritual reminders. Of course I am aware that there is much to learn as I wander about. It's a shame that many people have negative awareness rather than spiritual awareness and often see the down side of life. 1638 was the last time there was a full moon eclipse on the winter solstice. Things have changed a lot since then, but it is still only a blip on the vast scale of the Universe. I just know that as of today the sun will get a little brighter with each day for six months. 1153 - The Little Things in Life Life consists of many little things that begin to add up either positively or negatively. Too many calories in small doses or puffs on cigarettes or even negative thoughts can impact our lives. So can the smallest words and actions of gratitude and love. Your choice. 1154 - Living on the Edge of Nature Living on the edge of nature has its rewards and challenges. Nature’s raw power can sometimes wreak havoc. Life is a fragile balance and I rely on the Universe with its guide and angels to watch over me on my tour of duty on project earth. The bench in the clearing waits patiently for the snow that has so far avoided the mountains. The ski areas used to wait patiently for snow until they installed snow makers. Now they are prepared. As we wait we can ask the Universe to help us move ahead. 1156 - Go Tell It On The Mountain Today's podcast is a recording made of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" during last night's candlelight service at the Madison Church. The soloist is Brenda LaForce, our daughter, and other choir members include her husband Marc and my wife Penny. Merry Christmas! 1157 - Over-Prepared - Under-Prepared Tonight the first major snowstorm of the season arrives. Some of us will be over-prepared while others will be under- prepared. The trick is to use common sense. The same is true in our life’s adventure. The mountains are experiencing a blizzard. This is a good day to stay inside and wait out the storm. When the blizzards of life strike, we can always go inside ourselves and experience the comfort of the Universe as we wait for the storm to pass. The blizzard has moved on, but the gale force winds continue to relentlessly roar through the valley as we continue to experience the storm’s aftermath. In life, belief in a universal power can help us move forward after our blizzards. The wind has torn the leaves from the beech trees' branches and deposited many of them in the brook. The leaves from a beech tree often stay on until spring. Nature forced the issue. Life can sometimes hint to us when it is time to turn a new leaf. 1161 - Manifesting with a Purpose The thoughts that came to me while walking yesterday included Manifesting with a Purpose - in other words, allowing a thought given to you from your Source to become reality to serve a greater good. Tuesday January 4, 2011 is supposed to be a good time to do this. As 2010 ends the tabloids are often filled with psychic predictions for the coming year and beyond. So what is your vision of the future? Maybe I should ask, “What does the Universe share with you that can help others in times to come? “
2011 1163-1252 Jan-Mar Happy New Year! Are you ready for your incredible journey in 2011? For many, if they choose, this is to be a year of connecting with their inner wisdom as they strengthen their connection with all the Universe has to offer. Are you ready? Yesterday we found deer prints in our tracks from the day before. It is proof that the trail is shared, not only with humans but also with nature's creatures. You may find others walking your spiritual path with you from time to time. Sometimes it feels as if you take a step forward only to be pushed back two steps. Every day gives you the opportunity no matter where you are in life to take another single step forward. Sooner or later you will see you have come further than you thought. Today I will write down my requests for the Universe to manifest and then burn the paper, releasing them through the smoke into the air. Then I will scatter the ashes on the ground. My job is to be clear on what I expect and with gratitude. Heart symbols remind me of universal love and gratitude. Nature provides several of these symbols on rocks and trees along the trails to help me stay connected to those feelings of gratitude and love. 1168 - How Do You Define a Miracle? How do you define a miracle? In 1927 Webster's Dictionary description was one line indicating a marvelous unknown event. Modern definitions include words such as supernatural and enduring. How do you define a miracle? Are they a part of your life? The word grounded means many things, such as a boat being stuck on a reef or a teenager that loses their privileges. In the psychic world staying grounded means that there is a strong faith in something watching over us as we encounter the unexpected. There are days, especially in the winter, where clouds obscure the sunlight and it is hard to see the definition of the mountain ranges. It is easy to find ourselves living in a flat-lighted world when life has no definition or purpose. We all have a purpose. Most of you know what it’s like to drive with a film of dirt, frost, or salt covering the windshield. Some of you may have experienced what it’s like to have cataracts. When we lose sight of our life purpose, we also lose our ability to see clearly. The walking has been easy this winter with the lack of snow here in the valley. That could change any day. The walk of life can also change in an instant. Trust in the Universe can help make the walking a little easier when the going is hard. I recently spotted an old beech tree that once provided food for the bears. The scars from claw marks are still visible on the trunk many years after the bear climbed it. We leave impressions on others lasting for years that are scars or blessings. There are days when it is a good idea to stay put. This is one of them as a snowstorm blankets the valley with fresh white. It is a day when the earth is still and the music of the Universe flows if we only listen for it. Yesterday didn’t go completely as planned. We cancelled our meeting at the Center because of a big snowstorm. Then I got a call that was a request to fill in for a musician that was snowed in. Out I went. Maybe the day did go as the Universe had planned. 1176 - Reflections on a White Birch The birch tree has multiple uses. You can tap it in the spring like a maple tree, use its bark for paper or a canoe, and the wood is often used in kitchen cabinets. Birch trees in the forest are also beautiful and peaceful to look at. You have many uses also. Nature is filled with many miniature worlds that have their own designs and yet are all interconnected. We as humans are all interconnected whether we want to be or not. And we are also interconnected with nature. 1178 - Hearty Food for the Soul Most of us love to eat. The food we eat loves us in different ways. Unhealthy food often sticks around and adds to our weight. Healthy foods provide positive energy that can help sustain our soul’s journey. 1179 - A Warm Greeting from an Old Friend This morning I was greeted to the smell of fresh coffee when I entered the kitchen. I had not brewed it yet. Last night I received word that Pat, an old friend of the Center, had passed the day before. She used to come early and brew the coffee. Weather often has a pattern or a cycle that it follows. We are in a storm pattern at the moment. Sooner or later the jet stream will change the pattern. In life, we get into certain patterns. At least we have the chance to change our spiritual outlook on conditions. Our lives exist around averages and yet nothing is really the same. Do you live an average life? The answer is no. There is something unique and special about you, way beyond the averages. 1182 - Not Another Brook Picture As I prepared for this podcast, my wife said, “Not another brook picture!” “Yes,” I replied. Most of the brook is now under ice and snow, and it reminds me of each of us having a passion and purpose inside that often gets covered up with life. The old millstone rests at the end of the stonewall waiting in silence for the next chapter in its life. I imagine it has many stories to tell. I found it almost totally buried close to the road, long since forgotten. What treasures in your life are waiting to be found again? Dead branches are still hanging on in the trees where they once lived. They are caught in a tangle of still growing limbs. Most of us still have something that refuses to let go and hangs on in our mind. Universal love can help clear away the old debris. Even on the coldest and snowiest days nature always has something beautiful to show us if we will give ourselves permission to look for it. 1186 - Keeping Warm Spiritually It is the coldest morning in several years here in the valley. That got me thinking of how to stay warm, spiritually that is. What keeps your heart warm? Several of our maple trees have grown many branches since the forest was cut away from them years ago. These arms help collect sunlight for the tree’s growth. We, like the trees, have grown many arms or abilities that can help us find ways to survive. There is a lot to learn from observing fresh animal tracks in the snow. They can tell a story of life in the wild. What kind of story do your tracks tell as you wander the landscape of your soul’s journey? Many people feel like the piece of old rotten birch I spied hanging in some trees on a recent walk. It is only a matter of time until it crashes to earth. For those who feel like that, the willingness to trust in the Universe can soften the fall. There is something about a walk in fresh snow that helps me connect with nature and the Universe. There is so much to see and so much to learn. It is important for me to have that connection every day even when I’m not out on the land. Two granite pillars stand a lonely vigil in the winter landscape. They are what is left of the old cemetery gate and hold memories of life and death from the long forgotten history of the land. The smaller animals in nature depend on places to hide from larger predators. Sometimes they choose a good hiding place and sometimes not so good. We often try to hide in places that do not protect us. The Source is always there in your mind. Many of us have old habits or thought patterns that hang on way beyond their time just as the beech leaves do throughout the winter. We have the opportunity every day to create our springtime of change. I discovered, walking down the old road, a path that the fox established, probably to and from its den in search of food. It looked like a methodical route. Just as the wise fox, we have the wisdom of the Universe to guide us on our route of life. Today, Ground Hogs Day, there are no shadows to be seen here in the mountains. We are in the middle of another big snowstorm. Yet, Ground Hogs Day is a reminder that spring is coming and there is hope for the future in all aspects of our lives. This is a day to dig out and clear the ice and snow from the roofs. Another storm is on its way. Many of us in life feel there is always a storm on the horizon. Fortunately our belief can help change the course of life. Now the weather, that's a little different. Just as in nature, life has many colors. You may be aware of angry or peaceful colors or healing colors. You may be able to feel and hold the colors of life around you and even change them if they are wrong for you. Many days I start a podcast without knowing what I’m going to say. I have learned to trust in the Universe’s words. All I have to do is allow them to flow through me. Have you ever had this experience? The roof is about ready to let go with an avalanche of snow. It is always good to keep a watchful eye for avalanches in life and then use Divine Guidance to help us survive. There is a line of birch trees on the side of the driveway that we encouraged to grow several years ago. They are a daily reminder of the beauty of nature. They help me marvel at the incredible depth of the Universe. 1201 - Waiting to be Rediscovered Kyle’s Trail waits patiently to be rediscovered again. Soon a hiker will glide along the surface of the snow with snowshoes. What trails along your life’s journey are you waiting to rediscover? The other day I spotted some trees on my walk that were coated with a thin layer of ice. I took a photo to help remind me of the lasting imprint that the moment had on my unconscious mind. Even though my memory doesn’t see it, it is still there. Walking the old country lane is like a trip back in time. I know those days are gone, but we all have places we can visit in our mind to give us a brief respite from the pressures of our modern world. There is white everywhere. It is sometimes hard to find a definition in it. Yet when we see into the white, there are many shades to see. In life when we feel we are in a whiteout, we can always think of it as a blank sheet of paper waiting for definition. The new science of energy biology seeks to prove that there is a connection between all matter. We may influence or be influenced by energy we send and receive. We are truly all one with the Universe. That is why I love being on the land. The Law of Attraction is the theory that like attracts like. Many years ago the mountains brought us here to live and to be a steward of a piece of nature’s beauty. We were and still are just a part of something much bigger than ourselves. 1207 - The Incredible Power of the Heart Scientists have determined that the heart can produce sixty times more energy than the brain. Imagine how much the brain and heart working together can do. There is an incredible power when love comes from the heart. Electromagnetic waves of energy when sent from the incredible power of heart love have the potential to attract like energies, and, as they merge, produce a powerful force for good. Many believe that the mountains surrounding the valley hold an ancient secret. That secret may just be the way our ancestors knew how to connect to the source of all in the heavens. It is now time to honor again what the ancients knew. 1210 - The Ever Changing Skies The ever changing skies here in the mountains reminds me that life is like that also. The one constant that humans have is the constant unconditional love of the Universe. 1211 - We Never Liked That Window The Universe helped us get rid of a window we never liked when it sent ice crashing through it last night. Our thoughts were heard and an action was taken. We are grateful that the new one will let in loving spiritual light. We had a sneak preview of spring the last couple of days. I enjoyed the warmth and melting snow. Just knowing what is ahead is enough to sustain me through the winter. Knowing of the good to come on earth sustains me going on my soul’s path. When we bought our home property many years ago it was part of a three-lot development called “High Winds at Madison”. The last couple of days have lived up to that name. It is time to wait patiently till calm returns, a good lesson that can also be applied in life. Burl wood grows on the side of a tree. An expert wood turner can make a beautiful bowl out of a burl. We all can take an experience in life that may seem a burden and create something beautiful out of it for others. The old road can be very hazardous this time of year when the snow melts and refreezes. A great deal of focus is needed to stay in the track, and when walking you need to be aware of every step. The road of life is the same way: proceed with caution. I keep my eyes open for heart signs that serve to remind me of the Universe’s unconditional love. I have read that if we amplify that love with our heart, it can affect the environment around us. To my joy I discovered an ice heart in the brook. I wonder. Watching my grandson use his snow scooter reminded me of when I used to ride mine many years ago. I still have it but don’t actually ride any more. It’s that knee thing. Still, I’m just a kid in my mind with a mystery every day to investigate. The winter tools are all in their place and waiting for the next storm to finishing dumping more snow here in the valley. What tools do you have ready to assist you during the storms of life? The small pine is bent over by the weight of the new snow, but it is not broken. It will rise again to spread its needles to the sun. When you feel weighed down by life, remember the flexibility of the small pine. There is unseen beauty everywhere in nature because our minds are too busy to notice. It is good once in a while to pause and see the unseen that exists around us. Living here in the mountains during the winter comes at a high cost. Between fuel for the house and car, plowing, electricity and snow damage, it will take the rest of the year to recover at the current income. And yet, priceless moments make it worthwhile. Finally we can turn the page of the calendar and get a glimpse of spring in the near future. It is nice to know that deep under the ground plant life is beginning to stir. So too are the thoughts in our minds of a new season. March came in like a lion, and I heard its roar in the valley as I walked the old road. I was sheltered there and felt the warm sun on my face. It reminded me that in the roar of life there is always a place in the Universe to feel the warmth of unconditional love. I saw a gray squirrel eating beech buds today. It is a sign that before too long the buds will begin to swell with the anticipation of birthing new leaves. We have in our minds incredible thought buds ready to burst forth into reality. The fungus growing on the birch tree looks ready to harvest. Artists will dry them out and paint them. There is something to harvest in nature all year round, and this serves to remind me that we always have ideas in our mind ready to harvest. Have you heard the saying that in the old days when you could see the smoke from your neighbor’s fire, it was time to move? We can now see neighbors in the distance from the old road. In reality today, we have neighbors all over the world. Remember the old song that had the line, “The answer my friends is blowing in the wind”? Maybe that’s a good way to communicate with the Universe. Send your prayer off in the wind and the answer will come back to you. The other day I took a picture of a chipmunk looking a little bewildered as it poked its head above the surface of a couple of feet of snow. Many of us feel the same as we wake up to a coming age of unconditional love. It is coming. You are ahead of the season. 1229 - The Watchful Eyes of the Raven Ravens are masters at finding food. Their watchful eyes keep vigil from a lofty perch in a tree as they look for their next meal. We can learn from the raven to use our watchful eyes for our next assignment in our soul’s journey. 1230 - An Important Day in the Mayan Calendar Today, March 9, 2011, marks an important date in the 16+ billion year old Mayan Calendar. It is the beginning of the last cycle, which ends October 28th this year. It is a time when things are changing rapidly. Have you noticed anything different? 1231 - Hiking with an Old Friend The other day I took my first snowshoe hike of the winter with an old friend. Actually there were two old friends. One was the trail itself and the other is my constant companion, the incredible love in the core of the Universe. The other day I discovered an area of snow covered with icy crystals. They sparkled in the morning sun. It was magical. There are always hidden gems to discover on our walk of life if we keep our eyes open. The bench at the edge of the clearing is almost totally buried by snow. There is no rest for the weary. When you find yourself worn out by life, consider going deep in your mind and thanking the Universe for its help. 1234 - It Starts with a Trickle It's started! Spring is on its way! The movement began with a single trickle of water on the mountainside joining others on its way to the lakes and rivers below in the valley. You are also part of the trickle of unconditional love as it flows from the Universe. A single drop of water resting on a bud may not seem like much, but combined together, single drops can make powerful tidal waves that can cause much devastation. There is also power in single thoughts that when combined together can make positive waves. 1236 - Inspiration from an Old Tree Stump I was inspired to stop and admire an old tree stump as I wandered the trail. It held a regal presence in the woods. It inspired me to always look for the hidden abilities that most people have that often go unnoticed and unappreciated. I’m always finding something unexpected on my walks in nature. The other day it was frozen alabaster colored water coming out of an old dead beech. I try to go about life being aware that there is always something unexpected and marvelous to find. The weather forecast was a dusting of snow changing to rain. By mid-afternoon there was plowable snow and the scanner was ablaze with multiple calls of cars off the road. Life sometimes doesn’t go as predicted. Yet, there is a constant out there to guide us. This is one of my favorite months in the winter. On a cold morning the snow is frozen and often holds you up when walking on the trail without the need for snowshoes. Still you need to go early before the sun gets too high. It is a lesson for the walk of life. The remaining ruins of the old bark mill serve to remind me of those that worked our land long before us. Times have changed, but there is much to learn from the silent workers of the past. 1241 - The Sweetness of Spring My neighbor has given permission for someone to tap their maple trees. The sap is hauled away and boiled down into maple syrup. There is nothing like the sweetness of spring to encourage us to discover life again. 1242 - Buds on the Apple Trees The apple trees are anticipating the warmer weather. The buds are getting ready to burst forth even though there is still snow on the ground. Spring is such a great time of year to get in tune with the buds inside of you that are ready to burst open into reality. We went on a quest this past weekend. We were searching for spring, and we found it for a day when we visited friends on Long Island, New York. We came back to five inches of new snow here in the valley. Spring is coming. We now have hope. Yesterday the sky was filled with shades of gray. Today, the pinks of an alpine glow greeted me as I looked across the valley. When you are caught up in the grays of life, remember that the Universe will bring beautiful changes if you watch for them. We watched an old gull with a deformed leg struggle to walk against the wind. When it went airborne, it soared and manipulated its wings in grace, even though the bad leg dangled beneath its body. Regardless of physical conditions, our minds can always soar. 1246 - Looking for Bare Ground This time of years my eyes search for evidence of spring. I often find it on the side hills and around the base of a tree. The snow has begun to recede. Hurrah for spring! Hurrah for hope. The old dead tree stood silent in the woods, stripped of most of its bark. It appeared a dark brown until I looked closer and found that there were many shades of brown. When we look into life, there is much more to see than appears on the surface. We just came back from visiting the Spring Home and Garden Show at the University of New Hampshire. Looking down on the exhibitors, I was reminded of all the dreams there waiting for people to find. We found some. The cactus was covered with tiny flowers that at first looked like bugs. Out of the flowers grew long protective spines. I think the cactus over-compensated with its protection. We sometimes over-protect our talents by over-compensating in other areas. The beautiful blooms of one of the plants I photographed recently at UNH reminded me of the flashes of brilliance a creative person experiences when they are in the zone. Sometimes there is too much brilliance to process. It’s okay to go at your own pace. At the top of the view winter hangs on. The bench is still covered by snow. As much as I would like the snow to go, nature is in charge. Unlike nature, do have the ability to change the seasons of our life anytime with the help of the Universe. The remaining old dead leaves on the beech look like ghosts as they hang on, not wanting to let go. We have old thoughts and habits that hang on us like the leaves. It is time for them to go. Nature will bring new leaves to the tree, as the Universe will to us.
2011 1253-1343 April-June Nature played an April Fools joke on the region today when it unleashed another round of winter snow. It is just another unexpected twist in life. Fortunately, we have the strength of the Universe behind us when we experience times like these. The old tree looked like a giant fossil as it lay on the forest floor, its “bones” exposed to the elements. Its time has passed. We have skeletons or old paradigms that hang around trying to stay with us as our environment changes. Yesterday my wife’s favorite metal ruler disappeared while she was working on a project. We searched the house to no avail. I suggested she ask for it back. This morning I found it in full sight behind a chair where she was working. Makes you think. My first grade granddaughter was asked to write about "if she could have one birthday gift, what would it be". Her answer: happiness for everyone in the world. The next question was: How do you know you would get what you asked for? Her answer: I believe. There are several different species of birch trees, including white, gray, and yellow. What about red? A young white birch’s bark often looks red. Anyways this reminds me of how different we all are from each other and how together we can create a forest of respect. 1258 - There's a Lot to Learn from Spring The fresh coating of snow this morning reminded me there’s a lot to learn from spring. Just as in life, when you think you are moving forward, something can happen that slows your progress. At least in life we do have guidance if we choose to accept it. 1259 - Stay Focused on Your Footings I was able to walk the trail by staying in the frozen snowshoe tracks. When I lost my focus, I wound up wallowing in over a foot of snow still on the ground. It reminded me that in life, if we stay focused on our purpose, the Universe and our team will support us. The mountains have many moods. Sometimes they are pink or dark or white or even blue. We miss these moods if we are not observant. We often miss how our own moods affect others. Sometimes there is a lot of drama in the sky as weather fronts collide. We also have drama in life, especially when our egos come into play. Unconditional love can help even out our moods. 1262 - Bring It On - Mud Season It’s time to bring on the mud season. We are ready for spring and all the dreams of the season yet to come. Excitement is in the air. This weekend I had the opportunity to experience a room filled with like-minded people who were open to and brought in and sent out unconditional love through their hearts. The heart energy was incredible, and it was a very special happening. The crocuses came up two days ago. It’s late for them, and yet it is never too late to begin spring. They reminded me that it is never too late in life to fulfill a dream or a passion. What would that be for you? 1265 - The Soft & Fuzzy Side of Spring A strand of pussywillows caught my eye in the afternoon light. They reminded me of a child's stuffed toy or soft & fuzzy blanket. We, as adults, have that same experience waiting for us when we connect to the Universe's love. 1266 - The Painful Side of Spring The red flower buds on the maple are beautiful but are also painful reminders to many that allergy season is here for many. In life we sometimes are attracted to situations that have a negative affect on us. It is good to stay vigilant. The ever-changing scene here in the mountain serves to remind me how amazing life truly is. There are connections between all things that we have not even begun to fathom. The male turkey was almost invisible as he guided his flock through the woods. His feathers provide a perfect camouflage. People try to camouflage many things in their lives, often out of fear of being discovered. What do you try to hide? Our brook turned into a raging river overnight as nature dumped a lot of rain on the mountainside. In a flash streams and rivers are overflowing their banks. We hit flash points in our lives when emotions suddenly overflow. We have help in the Universe. The weather changed rapidly the other night to blizzard conditions up in the notch. I was grateful that a friend had loaned me her SUV with studded tires. Thanks to her kindness I was prepared for the change. The Universe helps us prepare for rapid changes in life. My 300-meter lens gives me the opportunity to see the buildings on top of Mount Washington. At the same time we loose perspective of the grand view of the mountains. We need two views in life, a close up and the bigger view to see the whole. Man constantly tries to conquer nature. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a great example, cut into the mountainside. The Native Americans used to live in harmony with nature. Perhaps we have forgotten the spiritual side in our quests to conquer. Besides trying to conquer nature, man has also searched to find harmony with it. Here in the mountains grand hotels housed the rich that came here over a century ago for that purpose. This harmony can be with you wherever you are. It is from the Universe. It is just a matter of time before the big old rotten tree falls to the ground. It is almost free from its stump. When you think “just a matter of time”, are you sending out positive or negative expectations? It might make a difference in the outcome. 1275 - What's Wrong With This Picture? I asked myself as I looked out the window this morning and watched the robin shivering in the snow flurries, “What’s wrong with this picture?” At least in life we can change the picture we are living in if we choose to take the steps to do so. The Easter sunrise service on the shores of Silver Lake was well attended despite the 6 a.m. start time. One could feel the sense of community. A community is often established when like-minded people come together for a purpose. The Universe is one big community. Watching a robin eat a worm for breakfast provided me with food for thought for this podcast. I rely on nature to supply me with inspiration for the day. What sources provide you with food for your thoughts? The jonquils and the daffodils are still in the bud stage here at our home in the mountains. The next warm sunny day should help them open. Many of us have ideas and talents still in the bud stage. It is the rays of faith that can bring out your flowers. Looking out at the scenic view from Thompson Pasture Loop, I saw the budded maple trees ready to open. It reminded of the dreams we all have in bud form. Now is the time to watch them open to the world like leaves on the trees in spring. The old dipper still hangs on a tree near the spring where the previous owner would sip the nourishing cool water after a climb up the mountainside. It has been there for over fifty years. Today people can find spiritual nourishment as they walk along the trails. When I venture into nature, I often look for unseen beauty to catch with my camera’s lens. Recently it was the fungus growing on a tree stump. I am reminded that all of us have an unseen smile or a talent to share with others that are looking for beauty in life. 1282 - Thoughts on a Yellow Sky Recently I captured a yellow sky in the lens of my camera. It was different than the usual sunset. It reminded me that every moment in life is unique and different and is easy to miss unless we pay attention to the moment. 1283 - Life's Sweet Fragrances One of the sweetest fragrances in life is the Mayflower. I look forward to experiencing its delicate smell, not only for enjoyment, but also as a symbol that we have finally turned a page on winter. At the same time there are sweet smells to experience all year long. 1284 - Always Something New to Discover There is always something new to discover in nature, like the emerging buds on a lilac. There is always something new to discover in life wherever you are if you take the time to investigate. Several years ago we planted just a few lilies-of-the-valley, and today they have spread into the hundreds. It's an invasion that we enjoy. We are constantly invaded with negative thoughts that can overrun us. To control them, use Universal love. Today I focused on the bunch of daffodils that were budded a couple of weeks ago. They are now area beautiful bouquet of yellow blossoms. You have buds inside of you that are becoming beautiful bouquets, ready to share with those waiting to see your beauty. Everywhere I look here in the valley my eyes are greeted with the fresh green of spring. The view in the clearing is filled with new grass. Nature reminds me that every day we have the fresh green of our minds to provide us with new ideas and inspirations. Last night a black bear dropped by and shared our space in back of the house. I asked it to pose for pictures, but it didn’t stick around too long. We share space with people, birds and animals here on the mountain. The blossoms on the maple trees give a hint that we are in sneezing season for all the people who come here with allergies. There seems to be a price to pay for enjoying the beauty of the area, but it is worth the endurance. The male finches are in full color dress for the mating season. It is a beautiful sight at the feeder. Eventually they will go back to their drab off-season garb. We can find full color in our mind to inspire us all year long if we give ourselves permission to see it. 1291 - Shaping of the Landscape Most of the trees at the top of the mountain were reshaped by the ice storm that coated the area 13 years ago. Those that have survived will always carry the scares hidden under the leaves of summer. Yet there is uniqueness to their presence. 1292 - Meditation at the Ocean Yesterday at the ocean I saw a water bird meditating in the early morning sun, its wings outstretched to the heavens. I know, it was drying its feathers, but to me it was a sign that we are all connected to the same source. 1293 - Heightened State of Focus The Purple Finch was in a heightened state of focus as he concentrated on his food. If we focus on one thing, we may miss important events taking place at the same time. I took a glance at my schedule for the next day and it was blank. Just like that, I suddenly was overcome with fatigue. To bed I went to rest and rejuvenate. I continued to rest until later in the day when m wife came in and said, “Get up, you have another book contract.” The lilacs are almost out. I have waited a long time, and I need to remind myself that when they do bloom I need to spend a little time with them savoring their sweet smell. It is so easy to miss what is taking place in the moment. There are many different colors to be seen when you look at the “green” leaves of spring. There are reds, yellows and browns sprinkled in also. Many people fail to see the rich colors of life that constantly surround them on their journey, and yet they are always there. Early this morning I woke up in the middle of a dream, and I became aware of what was happening around me. It was great timing as I have just agreed to write a book on lucid dreaming, due in 3 months. If you have a lucid dream to share, please do so. Dream on. The female purple finch found a perch on the bird feeder, taking a moment to rest in its journey of life. We as humans try to do the same. For me that perch is actually deep inside myself. I go there when it is time to rest and connect to the universe. The birds that come to the feeder have an equal opportunity to find the food. In life I believe that we all are given an equal opportunity to reach our soul's purpose here on earth. That said, I remind myself that each one of us has a different plan to follow. It seems as if I am always waiting for something in nature, like the ground phlox to open. The same holds true in all aspects of our lives, and yet while we wait, time is moving. Perhaps if we engage in life, we can anticipate the future, rather than just wait for it. Rain, rain, go away. It seems as if it has rained for days. It has. Where is the sun? I like to think of the love I feel from the Universe as sunshine, and I know it is always around me. All I have to do is remember and let it shine it through me for others. Do you believe in fairies? In spirits? In guardian angles? In guides? In miracles? Do you believe in the law of attraction? So what is there that makes up the vastness of unknowing that surrounds us? My lawn is a field in bloom. After the rain is over, it will become a lawn again. Every day we are all fields in bloom with the potential to grow in many ways. Yesterday according to one religious group, the world was supposed to end. I'm still here today. Are you? Actually the world ends and begins every day. Not the earth, but each one of our worlds. Today is a new beginning. We have reached the saturation point with water, drop by drop. There is nowhere for it to go. When our minds get saturated with knowledge, we stop learning. If we continue our quest for truth drop-by-drop, then we will never be too full know it all. I don't know who cane up with the term "The Blues" to describe feeling sad, but there are a lot of vibrant blues out there in the world. Right now we are in the blue period of flowers and seeing them helps me feel great. Finally! The weather has gotten warm enough to open the windows and let the sweet sounds of the brook flow through the house. Every time I am conscious of this sound I stop and take a breath and feel gratitude in my heart. There is a lady of the garden who watches over the fairies hiding in the flowers. Children can watch them fly. Children see reality differently than most adults. What if they are right? Spending four hours recording 13 scripts for the 2nd edition of " The Everything Psychic Book", I was reminded of how important every word is. Then again, I also look at the intention behind the word. Sometimes it's hard to get them to match. Can you see them? That is the question my wife and I have asked each other all spring. We were looking for the lupine that we planted from seed last fall. Yesterday we saw them for the first time. When you plant seeds in life, be patient and trust they will grow. 1311 - Thoughts on Apple Blossoms A few of the old apple trees up in the orchard were covered with blossoms this year. It is the most I've seen since we cut the woods away from them. You are ready to blossom in your life. All you have to do is allow yourself space to grow. Today is Memorial Day, a day to pause and remember with gratitude all of those who have served and sacrificed to keep this great country free. The fruit is setting on the wild strawberry plants scattered in the grass in the orchard. Soon there will be a delicate feast to sample. It takes a lot of patience to pick wild strawberries. It takes patience to harvest the fruits of your labor, but the reward is great. The regal ladies of the woodland are holding court. They are, of course, the Lady Slippers. They stand in royal silence waiting to be recognized by anyone or anything that visits their court. I could see the storm as it worked its way over Mount Washington and heard the thunder as it passed by to the north. We missed that one. You have a built-in life storm-warning system. It’s your connection to the Universe. Do you use it? The Iris stood straight and tall waiting for me to take her portrait. It was my chance to capture the beauty that nature provides for us every day. Soon we will be on to the next season, but the portraits always remind me of things past and things to come. The sweet little lilies-of-the-valley have a great big smell. They remind me that your littlest ideas can have big positive outcomes and, like the lilies, can spread rapidly to help others. We recently took Max up to help clear the trails. Max is our 6-wheeler. We don’t use it all the time, but it is there in case we need it. You have your faith to help you clear the trails in your life. There was evidence from droppings on the trail that a moose had passed through and left its calling card. You leave calling cards all the time, not like the moose, but with your positive energy that can have good effects wherever you wander. The lovely winged creature of nature found a warm rock in the sun where it could open its wings and take a short rest on its flight through life. Soon it would be off again. We always have the warm light of the Universe to warm our soul as we rest our wings. The hemlock trees are sporting bright green tips, indicating new growth. By the end of summer the color will have changed to the same as the rest of the tree. Unlike the hemlock, we grow a little every day if we choose to open to new knowledge. The Harbor pf Rockland, Maine has a granite breakwater that juts out into the sea a least a half a mile. Behind it the waters provide a safe haven for the boats that visit there. The Universe is our safe harbor as we sail the seas of life. The lighthouse stately stands at the end of the jetty as guardian of the harbor. It has escorted countless vessels safely to and from the sea in all kinds of conditions for many years. Our guides act as our guardians as we sail the waters of life. A single lupine blossomed this year in my wife’s small flower garden outside of her office window. She hopes that in the years to come this will lead to many more blooms. It starts from the seeds you sow every day with positive thoughts. The tugboat waits in the harbor ready to lend a helping hand to vessels that need it. We have help that will move elements in our lives that are too big for us alone. All you need to do is ask the Universe. The Lemon Lilies, the earliest of the daylilies, are now in bloom. For a day each blossom shares its beauty before giving way to the next bloom. If you choose, you have a new flower that you can share with those around you every day of the year. It is love. At the end of a voyage a sailing ship comes home from the sea. The adventure may have been for a couple of hours or for several days. Still there is a feeling of being back on solid ground. Where is your homeport? Where is your spiritual home? We have a beautiful bunch of Blue Flag at the Center that welcomes people as they drive into the parking lot. Martha planted them several years ago. We all have bouquets that we can share every day - bouquets of smiles and kind thoughts and actions. There is a bunch of daises at the edge of the new clearing that survived the making of the field. I expect in years to come that the seeds from this bunch will create more bunches until a large area of flowers will fill the view. Your positive actions are seeds for others. People often use the term “always something” as a way of saying that something always goes wrong in their life. They think it, and it becomes a reality. The same words can also mean there is something with us to watch over us. How do you use these words? Yesterday was quite a day. I saw 2 deer about 3 PM behind the Center, one a young 4-point buck with velvet antlers. Then at home about 7 PM we saw a yearling bear close to the house. I wonder who was sending me a sign through nature, and what does it mean? 1332 - The Smell of Pipe Tobacco Last night while I was taking a short rest before getting ready for a piano gig, I smelled pipe tobacco. I knew that my father was saying “hello”. Today, “Fathers Day”, I am grateful for visits from the Other Side. How do you receive messages? The windjammers sail the coast of Maine propelled by the ocean winds. Seeing them stirs a passion in my soul. We all have winds within our souls to propel us over the oceans of life. Today is the first day of summer 2011. It’s finally here. Now the challenge is to find something special to celebrate and be grateful for every day until fall. Fall will have it’s own agenda when it gets here. Hidden under the grass in the orchard are the sweetest ripe wild strawberries. The birds and animals know they are there and will feast on them until they are gone. There are many hidden sweets in life, like kind acts. Our son made us two Adirondack chairs for our anniversary, which is today. To me Adirondack chairs are a symbol of man building something that tune with and reflecting nature. Nature is a big part of our married life. There is a new crop of clover in the orchard. It will be feed for the animals, pollen for the bees, and tea for Martha. Every day you have a fresh crop of ideas that, like the clover, can become nourishment for others who your life touches. We recently watched sand castles being build at Hampton Beach as part of a competition. These professional builders produce works of art that will only last for a week or two before they disappear. Like many things in our lives, they are not permanent. The apple blossoms have given way to small fruit. It will be a while before they mature, and there are many challenges yet ahead, including the weather, animals, and birds. For many of us, we are in the fruiting stage. Patience can help your ideas mature for harvest. There is a lot of beauty to focus on here in the mountains when one stops and takes a look. It is so easy to think of other things and pass nature by. Perhaps today is a good day to focus on the beauty around you. The Double Mock Orange bush smells like an orange tree, but of course it isn’t. Yet it has a real smell. How many times has your imagination played tricks on you, only to find out later you really weren’t pretending. You knew, but didn’t know how. We seek clarity in our lives. We want to know our direction and understand our purpose. We like clear views of distances such as mountains and the ocean. No matter where we are, the view can get obstructed, but if we stay focused on our belief it will clear again. Yesterday we had a surprise visit about lunchtime from a male deer whose horns were still covered in velvet. We took pictures as it grazed its way towards our house. I rarely see deer with velvet horns. I am grateful to the Universe for this special surprise.
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