Love - Blog Post

In the wake of the revolution that is happening in America, I feel ripples of it amongst my own. So much shock, pain, anger but most of all... fear. We huddled together at work and wondered about the implications of the next four years, and how Trump’s decision making will affect us.

I scrolled through my Facebook feed and saw posts depicting surprise at the result – some people shared their fear using humour, others provided dire predictions, some recalled the rise of Nazi reign in Germany and the startling similarities occurring now in the US. Some of my US friends expressed their pain and what it meant to be waking up to a new world order they didn’t vote for. I couldn’t find any happiness that was shared amongst my companions and colleagues that morning.

I then thought about those who would be overjoyed and happy, about those Americans who thought Trump ruling their country is good idea and marvelled at the strength of their ability to manifest. We all know in reality more Americans voted for Clinton, but that she lost due to the electoral college process, yet, despite that, I know that everyone who got up and voted Trump wants what I want – happiness.

When I see people make a choice to vote, I believe they are operating at the peak of their consciousness and are striving to create what they believe will be a place that represents them and their future generations. Obviously, the disconnect is in the way we go about obtaining these goals. Whether Trump will deliver what they think they have voted for remains to be seen but it led me to think about dependence and inter-dependence and how we are all connected on this earth.

On a global scale we have allowed a culture of Trump and Clinton, and others like them, to be created and condoned. We create our own reality and have allowed a divisive America to rise as a superpower and reign over countries that do not toe its line. Not that there was much of a choice between Clinton or Trump, with regards to an enlightened leader raising global consciousness, but by voting Trump as President, America seems to have allowed an even more divisive, individualised, exclusive power to gain power and reign over them and affect the rest of the world state.

After a while I wondered how I can operate knowing that a man like Trump is most likely going to create further unhappiness, even in his electorate, and the possible dystopian implications of that for the rest of the world. It seems this was a growing thought mushrooming across the world as I saw my Facebook feed start to change. What I saw is an overwhelming need for the individual to take their responsibilities and values seriously, and hold on to them in times of great uncertainty.

My peers, colleagues and friends soon started to heed the call of love. As individuals it became clear that we shall surrender and accept that which we are unable to change but we could continue to work on ourselves and hold on to our values – we shall remain in love, be loving and inclusive. And maybe, just maybe, because of such a leader, the rising tide of consciousness will still find a way to grow.

My passionate lion-maned man, so warrior-esque in his design, is heeding his duty to provide a space for sanctuary. In these unstable times it's almost comforting that he tells me over and over how in this world he must construct a space for people to heal, love and grow so they can create higher versions of themselves, and positively impact on the world around us. He is calling me to be a part of his land, people and mission – he wants me to entwine my power in his so we can demonstrate love in action. I thought about the children we will create and the world we would be passing on to them, and what it will mean to them if I also answer his calling of love. At the moment, in these uncertain times, all I can do right now is surrender, accept and allow love to guide me.

So I shall leave you with my gesture - a bird visiting Bernie Sanders at one of his rallies - watching this and seeing his smile alone is worth it. I hope you all can have a smile that big today and remain in love, whoever you voted or didn't vote for.

Peace. 

You can read other blog posts here: Gracie's blog posts   

Follow me here...Twitter: Gracie's Twitter Page

Facebook: Gracie's FB page

Google +: Gracie's Google + page

Inner Shaman Adventures - Cacao Ceremony 13

Fresh from the sweat lodge, I walked into the Shaman's circle of women. This Cacao ceremony marked a year of my working with the plant in a conscious manner, implementing the lessons she teaches me.

I was asked my intention and I stated that I am here to continue working on my self-love and self-worth. Despite the lessons I am learning and the instructions I am given, I am still uncovering and finding layers and layers of resistance within me. I pulled the card, 'Playfulness'.

I drank the Cacao and lay down to hear what she had to say. At first I fell in and out of consciousness but suddenly my body jerked wide awake and I heard Old Mother Cacao say, 'You need to hear this.'

 The lesson from Ayahuasca came through again. I saw a collection of bubbles arising from the same source.

  'If you can love others unconditionally, why not yourself? We all come from the same source. We are all one. As we are all one, how come someone be above or below you? Neither one of us is better or worse - we are just helping each other on our path.

   'The more you start to feel inner self-confidence and love for yourself, the more you will see that others are attracted to you. Accept and love your abundant inner qualities - when you are happy and at peace, they shine through. You will see then that the right people who need to be in your life will be drawn to you as they bathe in your love, including the one you will want to have a relationship with.

  'If you feel uncomfortable in groups or around certain people, question why those feelings are arising and what you can learn from the situation. There are no coincidences in this world, every moment can be used as a tool for growth.'

I asked her, 'What does my card mean?'

  'Your confidence is inspired by playfulness. You are naturally a playful person - work in alignment with your natural characteristics, not against them.'

  'This year, your shoots are just leaving the soil and are growing slowly and steadily. You can take your time as you watch growth slowly enter your life and address each situation as they arrive.'

The Shaman asked us to bring in our future selves and see what four seeds I needed to plant and to work on.


 My future self told me:
  - Don't worry about getting into a relationship with someone. Enjoy this relationship with yourself.
  - Get out as much as you can - particularly in nature.
  - Have lots of time to yourself to unwind and just be.
  - Keep up with your spiritual practices - keep up your meditation and yoga.
  - Eat home cooked meals with lots of vegetables - eat better than you have been!  

 Once we sat together in the circle, the guidance card I pulled was, 'Turning In.' The meaning is: 'To develop the knack of taking a distance from the mind is one of the greatest blessings. It is what meditation is all about really - not chanting a mantra, or repeating an affirmation, but just watching, as if the mind belongs to somebody else. You are ready to take this distance now, and to watch the show without getting caught up in the drama. Indulge yourself in the simple freedom of Turning In whenever you can, and the knack of meditation will grow and deepen in you.'

I am ready to enjoy this relationship with myself and accept who I am so I can just be.

 
You can find more adventures in Shamanism here: Inner Shaman Adventures

 
Cacao Ceremonies facilitated by Rebekah Shaman

 
Follow me here...
Twitter: Gracie's Twitter Page
Facebook: Gracie's FB page
Google +: Gracie's Google + page