Archive | February 2012

Looking At Blessings And Struggles A Little Differently

Feb18

The Perspective of Spirit vs. Embodiment

Carole Bourdo - "Wolf Song"

Carole Bourdo - "Wolf Song"

I think it’s very important for those of us on a spiritual path to be careful about assumptions and generalizations in both our thoughts and communications. I think it’s even more important for those of us on a spiritual leadership/teacher role to be careful how we put our messages out to others based on those assumptions or generalizations. As with anything in life, generalizing an entire group of people because of the actions of a few can be dangerous. By placing fault, blame or accountability on any group as a whole only adds to the negative discourse and feeds the fray of hate and anger.

If you believe in reincarnation then the condition of an individual or a group of people should be viewed from the perspective of spirit and not from their physical condition in this single embodiment. This morning I read an article about the rich that made some generalizations and assumptions about all of them as group that can help me explain my perspective. I do believe the article was well intended and was trying to make a compassionate point, but it’s attempt to shine a light on one aspect of the human condition can be perceived in an opposite manner as well.

The article began:
“Why are some people blessed with over-abundance, while others have nothing? The answer to this common question is, a person is not showered with blessings so they can just indulge in pleasure. When we have more than we need, it does not really belong to us. From a spiritual point of view, it has been given to us to hold in escrow.” Continue reading →

You Can Only Change Yourself

Feb17

But That Will Change How Others Respond To You

Introspection & ChangeEveryone knows the adage “You can’t change others” or “You can’t learn lessons for others” when dealing with negative situations. Those wise old sayings come from centuries of experience passed down from one generation to the next. But it seems in our desire to be helpful and show compassion we have to be reminded of their message constantly. If you continue the same patterns of response, you are allowing others to control your emotions and direct your path. They don’t have to change you, because they have the ability to manipulate you through their own actions and your consistent patterns of response. They already know how you’re going to react, because you’ve done it so many times before. In doing so, you become an enabler and through your own actions, you promote the negative behavior you want changed in the first place.

This can occur in any type of relationship. It’s more often associated with relationships that are impacted by addiction. But it can also occur in work situations with a boss, or co-worker. Continue reading →

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: King of Swords

Feb17
King of Swords

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

That thorn in your side will be poking at you all day. But don’t let them gain control over your emotions and push you into a fight. Keep control over your anger, as theirs rises and you will be the one to win the war, not only the battle. It’s for them to depart from your path, but you may not be the one controlling that option. So don’t fall into their trap and cause you to be the one who is escorted off the battlefield first!

 
Additional Insight:
The ‘umpire’ usually see the retaliation long after the initial attack. And the victim is often the one thrown off the field. Don’t let that happen to you. No matter how hard your adversary pushes you today, walk away and don’t allow them to control the situation. Turning your back on them is the best way to get under their skin and cause their anger to blow out of control where the umpires will take notice and escort them not only off the field, but out of the building as well. You can end the day with a well deserved and much needed victory of relief; if ONLY you keep your cool and maintain control over your emotions!

 
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Spring’s Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing – Three of Cups – Inverted

Feb16
Three of Cups

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Your cup is full even if things are upside down today. Stop listening to the complaints of others and taking on their messages and energy. You’re not following their path and you don’t have the same issues as those around you. You’re working yourself into an unnecessary frenzy, so stop it! Focus on your work, what lies right in front of you and avoid the negative rants from others. At least for today, close the door, stay inside, and be alone with your thoughts. You’ll be much better tomorrow and you’ll feel more empowered to continue YOUR work.

 
Additional Insight:
Even on the brightest of days it’s easy to get dragged down by the emotions of others. Their negative outlook isn’t the same hardships you face. While they’re spinning their wheels and spiraling out of control, you have been working hard, staying focused and trying to deal with the challenges on your own path. You may feel out of sorts today, but blame it on the weather and avoid allowing the fear and frustration of others to pull you down farther into their muck and mud. You are FAR from being stuck in a deep hole with no way out. Tomorrow things will not seem nearly as bad and you’ll be much happier for keeping the baggage of others off your shoulders! So perhaps for today at least, it’s a good time for a little seclusion where you can think about your path, focus on your own solutions and work through your issues with your own inspiration and connection to the Divine forces in your life.

© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Spring’s Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: Two of Swords – Inverted

Feb15

 

Two of Swords : Inverted

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

The search for understanding can only be accomplished in the light. Be careful in hiding behind the pillars and in the shadows, for what you might find will be tainted and inaccurate. Don’t allow fear and trepidation, be it yours or someone elses, influence your path and cause you to runaway and hide. That won’t solve anything and will create more confusion and sorrow. Stand in the light of the Divine and face your fears. If that means cutting off your association with certain people, do it now. You’ll be much better off in the long run!

 
Additional Insight:
Running away from your problems, or associating with those who don’t hold your best interest to heart is not the way resolve the issues in your life. The shadows of fear and negativity distort your view and your perspective.  Don’t try to run from it with the negativity of those who only want to use you. Things are not that bad when you work in the positive light of the Divine. You will see the silver lining if you step from behind the pillar, make the effort and take the time to look for what is really going on, and how this situation will benefit you in the end. You won’t have to go it alone.

 
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Spring’s Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Should You Really Follow Your Heart?

Feb14

Which Is The Better Guide: Emotions or Instincts?

Happy Valentines Day to one and all.

The Alpha'sToday many people will experience new love, others will rekindle old love, and some will find the strength to walk away from destructive love. It’s a day where people often allow their emotions and heart to get in the way of what they need and allow what they want to take over. But are your emotions the better guide to making the right choices?

The answer might be easier to figure out than you think. We often tell people to “Follow your Heart” when making important decisions. While that might sound like good advice, it’s often the wrong thing to say. Our heart or emotions are often clouded by a variety of psychological elements. Past hurts, nagging voices in our subconscious, fear and trepidation of a potential future of pain and distress all play a role in forming our emotions and emotional responses. Continue reading →

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: Knight of Swords – Inverted

Feb14
Knight Of Swords - Inverted

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Watch the signs around you today, they’ll point the way in the right direction. You can hold love up in triumph if you use your common sense along with the emotions of your heart. Don’t go it alone only your feelings. You may make a choice you’ll regret tomorrow. Be smart, listen to your gut instincts, you’ll be able to tell which path is the right one. And you’ll not only protect your heart, but your mind and body as well.

Additional Insight:

Emotions of the heart aren’t always your friend and can lead you to quickly to things you think you want, but end up being something you don’t need. Be cautious on this day of love and guard your emotions. If this love is meant to be, it will stand through the day with patience, devotion and compassion. If you move too quickly you could be putting your heart, as well as your mind and physical body in harm’s way. Take it easy, watching the signs that pop up around you. Be aware of the inner instincts that pop up in your gut feeling. They’ll let you know if it’s ok to move forward, or to simply say thank you and walk away.

 
© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Spring’s Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: Five of Swords

Feb13
Five of Swords

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Don’t be afraid or angry about explaining your decisions, they were yours to make in the first place. While you may not have taken the advice of those in your life, they must remember it IS your life and you must be the one to live it. But if you show a little compassion toward their hurt feelings and offer your reasoning behind your decision. They don’t have to agree with you, but they should respect your choice. If they can’t do that, then maybe they have ulterior motives that they’re not being forthcoming about. Ask them.

Additional Insight:

Hurt feelings aside, you can’t please everyone and you can’t run your own life according to someone else’s assumptions and expectations. They are not the one who has to live with the consequences for the rest of your life. But don’t get angry and offended if they’re upset that you asked for their advice and didn’t take it. They could be upset because they care so much about you. So try to be calm and compassionate. Explain why you made your choice and why it was important to you. If they can’t live with your decision, than accept that and walk away.  Don’t give into their demands. Who knows, they might be right. But you’ll learn lessons as you pursue your dreams and goals. Be true to yourself and you’ll have no regrets over the woulda-shoulda-couldas.

© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Spring’s Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

What Is A Spiritual Expert – Part II

Feb12

The Alpha RoleA Title Is Earned. Not Taken!

What Is A Label:

Almost everyone wants to put aspects of life into categories. To give a name or label in order to segregate this group from that group. Most of the time this isn’t done to degrade or persecute people. But rather to make sense of the world around us. Humans like order, to compartmentalized their world into smaller pieces as means to deal with life and all its parts. Spiritual people are no different from anyone else in this regard. People want to be able to call them self something that represents who they are and what they believe, or their standing within their community. Labels are simply a way to do that. It’s not a bad thing and merely a part of the conscious mind trying to organize the vast information they hold in the mind and process within their consciousness.

Not everyone feels the need to take on a label. And that’s ok too. But consider how people use labels every day and in every aspect of life. We organize information on our PCs with folders (labels) to make it easier to find files. We organize papers in file cabinets in order to quickly locate what we’re looking for. We organize the kitchen to know where the glasses are versus the plates and silverware. Everyone uses organization and labels in their daily life, so why wouldn’t we use it to identify the self as well? Even those who don’t like labels use them in various ways that they’ve become accustomed to. We identify ourselves as male or female, child or adult, spiritual or atheist. Labels aren’t always a bad thing. Saying I’m pagan isn’t a whole lot different from saying that section of the kitchen is the glass cabinet. So don’t be too hard on people who use labels. They’re just trying to make sense of their world or they have no issue with being self identified.

For those that do choose this method of identification, the label you chose should feel comfortable to you. To do that, you should learn about the label you chose, what it means and how it relates to your perceptions of your path. There’s a difference between a spiritual healer and a healer. No one else has the right to place a label on you and define who you are. But you must understand what the label is and what it means before you take it on. If someone tells you “I sense that you’re a witch”, that’s nice. But don’t take on the identification just because someone else has a perception of you based on their own perspectives. They could be totally off the mark and you could waste days or years trying to fulfill a label that wasn’t yours to begin with!

What Is A Title:

Titles are a little different from labels. Titles are labels that are earned. Not taken on to be impressive or to create a false sense of importance. So when it comes to saying your an expert, a Shaman, Priest or High Priestess, or any title of authority, make sure you have the right to take on those titles and you’re not misrepresenting yourself to others. Continue reading →

The 5 Minute Meditation

Feb10

Let Go Of The Stress & Relax

There comes a time in everyone’s life when the stresses of work, finances, relationships or family become overwhelming. When this occurs even the little things can seem like one more boulder on your shoulders and you simply can’t take anymore. And it always seems to happen at the worst time of the day too.

Meditation

Close Your Eyes & Relax

In today’s world meditation is viewed from two perspectives, from the spiritual form of enlightenment and becoming one with spirit. If this type of meditation interests you, you may want to read The 5 Minute Alignment Meditation. 

The other is through the eyes of mainstream medicine as a non-denominational practice that can relieve stress, improve blood flow, stimulate the immune system and create or enhance productivity.

Meditation from a non-spiritual sense has also been shown beneficial for relieving stress, improving health and increasing productivity. Over 300 hundred clinical studies here in the U.S., and thousands upon thousands of stress reduction programs throughout the world, attest to the usefulness of meditation for corporate professionals, blue collar workers, or for anyone who has stress in their life.

In 2008, a new study by Emory University researchers showed that those who practiced any form of Meditation had physiological changes that indicated lower stress levels. When presented with a stressful task, study subjects who practiced Meditation had lower levels of a stress hormone called cortisol compared to those who weren’t taught meditation methods. Lower stress levels have been linked to better immune function and lower rates of a variety of diseases, including depression and even cancer. Read more about Meditation As A Stress Reliever.

Continue reading →