The Academic Perspectives

The Labels We Use

People today don’t use their words as carefully as they should, or in my view, as much as they used to. Words have specific meanings because we need a shared commonality of perspectives within our speech in order to properly communicate and understand each other.

Today people put their own twist on words to mean what “they” think it should mean and that can distort that common understanding. Wars have begun this way.

That concept is one of the main reasons I’m really big on academic definitions of words, especially when writing. But sometimes it’s not enough to know the dictionary definition, but also where and how the word was first used.

Words evolve over time and new “slang” meanings are created as a result. Understandable. But some words mean exactly and only what they are or were originally defined as.

This week a fellow Minister posted an interesting thread about being introduced as a Theologian instead of a Metaphysician. Which brought up a discussion of the meaning of these words. Continue reading →

One Powerful Change Of Perspective

Today a friend shared a YouTube video that changed the way I look at the words Faith and Hope. And surprising to me, it came from Jim Carrey’s Commencement Address at the 2014 MUM Graduation. (I’m posting the video below.)

He said something that got me thinking.
“Take a chance on faith. Not religion, but faith. Not hope, but faith. I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar. Hope walks through the fire and Faith leaps over it.” ~ Jim Carrey

This week I’ve altered that quote a little bit. I can’t claim it as mine in a copyright; the inspiration and credit still go to Mr. Carrey. But I wanted something that was easier for me to remember and share with others. So here’s what I came up with.
“Have Faith, Not Hope. Hope is a beggar. Faith is a Believer. Hope walks through the fire and Faith leaps over it.” ~ Dr. Vickie Carey 2014

Wow. Hope is a big thing in my thinking. Hope that things will get better; that we will endure the struggles, that we can overcome the challenges. Hope we’ll win the lottery.

If I let go of the begging, as he puts it, what is there? Faith is a belief. And I’m left with: A belief that things will get better. A belief that we will endure the struggles. Belief that we will overcome the challenges. Belief that we WILL win the lottery. Why not?! It has to happen to someone! Continue reading →

The Beauty of Motherhood

Happy Mother’s Day

Motherhood comes in many forms. On two legs, four legs or no legs at all. It’s not something from blood type or heritage. It isn’t found in our atoms or electrons. Mothers aren’t the people who give birth, they’re the people who love, care and nurture.

They are the ones who tend the wounded knee, hug you when your balloon gets loose and flies away, fixes your meals day in and day out, tucks you in at night, or simply calls to find out how you’re doing this week.

I hope you can tell a mother thank you and let her know you appreciate all the things she does. Share some flowers, or plant a rose to let her know you love her all the days through the year.

May you all have a great day, honoring the Mother that has supported you. Including Mother Earth.

~ My Heart And Soul ~
Thank you, Mom
For standing by me through thick and thin,
For not giving up on me when I didn’t win.
For your patience and never-ending support,
For caring when I would sell myself short.

I am grateful knowing…
You’re always there building up my courage,
sharing your wisdom that always encourage.
If I lose my way you help me get back on track,
If my heart breaks, you bring the laughter back. Continue reading →

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

The Balance of Positive & Negative

What happens when the only things you see in your life are “negative”. Fighting, struggle, animosity and every other bad emotion or perspective seem to be prevalent and always present. Do you ask yourself what am I doing wrong? Why am I being persecuted? Why Me?

How Do You See?
As with all situations in your life,  there are two ways to see the messages present before you. Every event has a positive and negative flow. But that doesn’t necessarily mean all are good and bad at the same time.

Sometimes we forget the negative flow of energy isn’t a “bad” thing. In the pursuit of balance you must have positive and negative energies to make things work. A battery has a positive and negative side, without both you can’t power your electronics. Does that make the negative side a bad side of the battery? Should we be mean to it, or judge it harshly? No, of course not. And that’s true for the situations in our life too.

The Knave Of Swords
The tarot can be a good tool to use in the explanation of this concept. When I picked a card to share this message, the Knave of Swords came forth, so let’s take a look at what she has to share.

The first message starts with the energy of the suit. In this case the Swords. Swords represent Strength & Weakness, Endurance & Struggle, Respect & Animosity. Continue reading →

Medicine Wheel by Ravynne Phelan ©

The Physics of First Principles

In my book, Pagan Metaphysics 101, I share some of the basic foundations of thought behind Metaphysics as a philosophy. Recently I’ve delved into this topic with others who label their path as Metaphysical, but after discussion were not aware of the origins of Metaphysical thought. And in particular, that their views of a “Christ Consciousness” as the foundation of Metaphysics is actually a fairly new evolution of Metaphysical philosophy.

But is that concept accurate? Do these principles come from the essence of Christ teachings? Or are they based in older Pagan concepts? Or could they be even older than that?

The typical path by some I’ve had this discussion with is to start by complaining about yet another spiritual path taking from pagan origins and re-branding it. It’s not the first time nor will it probably be the last time others modify something to fit their views.

Nor is it the only instance of others trying to distance themselves from what has been known before and practiced by pagans long ago. Trying to get away from the “negative” or “dark” practices of paganism isn’t uncommon, even if it’s misconceived. But I don’t think complaining or trying to vilify others is an effective way of educating misconceptions.

Everyone has a right to evolve their thought and views. But it’s also important to remember and understand where those views originated or came from. What inspired them and who brought them into the context in the first place? That’s where I like to begin the journey of Metaphysics. Continue reading →

Smile When You Don’t Feel Like It

Carry Your Happiness With You

I meet people all the time in person, through email or messages, and they share their personal stories of struggle and challenge with me. They talk about feeling lost, feeling as though they’ve hit rock bottom, constantly sad and filled with anger. Not knowing where to turn or go to in order to find help or answers.

I’m blessed with seeing many, if not most of these people go through their “ah-ha” moments as they work forward through issues they never thought they could overcome. They start reading and learning. They begin turning their lives around and making significant changes not only up front in the beginning, but over the long haul with time and effort as well.

I shared something this morning with someone and a little voice said, there are others who need to hear this today. So if you’re one of those people who has had an “ah-ha” moment or you still face challenges and feel that you’re struggling with turning things around in your life, this is for you. Continue reading →