In this episode, I review the book "earthshine: To reflect is our nature" by KJ. I also chat with my good friend, KJ, the author as he shares his journey creating his book, his writing process, and what is next for him.
To purchase eartshine: To reflect is our nature: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDWRGDS/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
To contact KJ:
kj.rise@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/KJ.rise
https://www.facebook.com/earthshine.poetry
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Monday, September 26, 2022
Happy Navaratri #maadurga
Navaratri translated from Sanskrit means "Nine nights" and the Hindu celebrate four Navaratri throughout the year, with two, Chaitra Navaratri, in the spring, and Shardiya Navratri, in the autumn, having the largest of celebrations.
Shardiya Navratri in 2022 begins on September 26th and ends October 5th. Navaratri honors the Goddess, Maa Durga, depicted into nine avatars. It is known when the demon Mahishasura was destroyed, symbolizing the crushing of evil by the forces of good. The story begins when Lord Brahma, flattered with Mahisharusa's dedication to him, gave Mahishasura immortality with one condition. This condition being that only a woman would be able to destroy him. Mahishasura, emboldened by his new immortality, did not believe that any woman could destroy him so thus began reeking havoc upon the earth and terrorizing people. None could stop him, not even the Gods.
Thus, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva came together and created the Goddess Durga to destroy Mahishasura. They armed her with several weapons but even still the battle raged on for ten days. She was able to destroy Mahishasura when he was turned into a buffalo.
Thus, the devotees of Navaratri worship Maa Durga through her nine avatars throughout the nine day festival with attempts to obtain her blessings. Each day of the festival is symbolized by a different incarnation, an avatar, of the Goddess. During this time, devotees honor the goddess ritualistic fasts, chant shokas (Mantras to chant during Navratri), wear new clothes, offer bhog (Navratri 2022 prasad list: Know different bhogs to offer Maa Durga and her nine avatars during the nine days), and cleanse their homes. In prayer, they ask Maa Durga for her favor so that they may be prosperous, have joy, and live lives of fulfillment.
On the tenth day of the celebration, known as Vijayadashami, clay statues of Maa Durga are emmersed withn water, whether it be a river, sea, or ocean. In addition, much dancing is done throughout the ten days, specifically the traditional dances of Garba and Dandiya Raas.
For more information:
Happy Rosh Hashanah #jewishnewyear
Rosh Hashanah originates back into the sixth century B.C.E with its first mention in the written collection of Jewish Oral Laws, the Mishna, in 200 B.C.E. Rosh Hashanah is thought of as their New Year which symbolizes both the anniversary of the creation of the earth and mankind. In addition, located in the seventh month of their calendar, it is known as the Jewish year's Sabbath. The first two days of the Jewish new year, Tishrei 1 and 2, begin at sundown on September 25th and continues through to nightfall on September 27th. (It is important to note that Judiasm uses the lunar calendar, thus according to the Gregorian calendar, the date shifts each year, but falls around the same time each year.)
This holiday, Rosh Hashanah, is the first of the High Holy Days, lasting ten days, concluding with Yom Kippur. This ten day period is a time of intense soul-searching and contemplation. Known as the "Head Of The Year" which similar to the head of the body, actions taken on Rosh Hashanah (the new year) have great impact on rest of the year.
The prayers read during this time detail how it is a time for the faithful followers of God to pass before the throne, as God decrees who shall live, who shall die, who shall be blessed, and who shall suffer. Therefore, it is a time of intense contemplative prayer wherein the faithful entreat God for a year of peace, prosperity, and blessings. Also, the faithful celebrate as they exalt God as the ruler of the Universe.
Feel the magic Of a new day
Open your heart To a fresh start
Send your fears away
You've made mistakes
You feel it You got what it takes
Believe it
Any wrong can be made right
Just forgive, you need not fight
Shana Tova Umetuka (A sweet and happy New Year)
It's Rosh Hashanah
For more information about Rosh Hashanah:
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Happy Autumn #mabon #equinox
(The word, Mabon, for the autumn equinox was realized in the 1970's by Wiccan Aidan Kelly.)
On the 21st and 22nd, we experience the pagan celebration of Mabon, pronounced may·
bn. Named after the God of Welsh mythology, Mabon is known as the son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron, and he the Child of Light. According to legend, Mabon signifies the time when the God of Light lost his battle with the God of Darkness, resulting in longer nights and shorter days. However, on this day, September 22nd, night and day are of equal length, similar to the Spring Equinox, Ostara (The Meaning Of Equinox #daffodils). Opposite on the pagan calendar from Ostara, we find ourselves once again in a place of equality, dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, the universe as we know it in perfect balance for this moment in time, this day.
bn. Named after the God of Welsh mythology, Mabon is known as the son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron, and he the Child of Light. According to legend, Mabon signifies the time when the God of Light lost his battle with the God of Darkness, resulting in longer nights and shorter days. However, on this day, September 22nd, night and day are of equal length, similar to the Spring Equinox, Ostara (The Meaning Of Equinox #daffodils). Opposite on the pagan calendar from Ostara, we find ourselves once again in a place of equality, dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, the universe as we know it in perfect balance for this moment in time, this day.
In this time of balance, the cycle of the world begins its journey of completion. As the nights grow darker and longer, so to, nature begins its descent towards release and farewell. In this ending, we celebrate the Goddess in her vibrant self as Harvest Queen while the God begins his release unto darkness and death, leaving behind his sacrificial gift of love through the final crop cut. He will return, once more, when the sun beams high, but for now, we look inward at the months and days previous, honoring from whence we came, what we learned, and preparing for finality. With each turn of the wheel brings a time of inner gratitude, lessons, and insights.
There are many different ways to honor and celebrate Mabon. Many choose to do this by picking apples, a symbol of the second harvest, thanking the gods for the bountiful harvest. Others choose to perform a ritual to enhance and restore balance and harmony. Furthermore, an altar with the symbols of the season can be set up to honor Mabon.
Oh now is the time of the Harvest,
As we draw near to the years end
Now is the time of Mabon
Autumn is the time to descend
Websites used as research for this entry:
Laura's Dilemma #spinoff #nateandlauraland #shortfilms
Save the date! Premieres this Sunday at 7 pm!
Forced on her own, Laura faces her biggest challenge.
Filmed & Directed by Lia Elizabeth Rose Dugal
With music design by Lia Elizabeth Rose Dugal, Looperman, & DJ Michael J. Hearne
https://www.looperman.com/
https://soundcloud.com/annoyingdj
Coming out. #truecolors
And I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid (don't be afraid)
To let them show your true colors
True colors are beautiful (you're beautiful, oh)
Like a rainbow
Last Saturday, I, oh so casually, came out to two friends at a local theatre event. For those familiar with my blog and my world, you know that I have written about my journey in discovering my relationship preferences, as seen in these past entries: Poly Girl Living In A Mono World and What Being Poly Means To Me. Yet even though I have blogged and vlogged about being polyamorous, (My Love Journey #relationshipaddiction #polyamory), I have yet, until last weekend, said it verbally aloud eyeball to eyeball with another human. This experience happened so casually and matter of factually that I didn't realize I had actually "come out" until a few days later. I didn't truly understand the impact of what I had just expressed, as it happened, so naturally and organically.
A few years back, when in the throes of new relationship energy, I found myself caught up in a whirlwind of romance with a past love, to the effect of hurting my beloved nesting partner, which caused him to be very expressive about his feelings and pain on facebook. This many years and a pandemic lockdown later, two mutual friends of ours, who haven't seen either of us, approached me and asked how we were doing, aren't we having some relationship strife? We had had, I began to explain, due to my actions, but I have been on a healing, exploratory journey of which I have realized I struggle with relationship addictions as well as realize that I am polyamorous, but moreover believe that the best and healthiest way to interact romantically and platonically is by being intentional. These individuals registered a bit of shock when I admitted thus, but from neither did I experience judgment. From what I am experiencing on my relationship health journey is that the nature of polyamory is still one with marked stigma and misunderstanding, as the social norms construct monogamy as right no matter the sexual preference.
In continuing my choice of 'coming out' based on sexual and relationship preferences, I must again share that I experience myself as both a sapiosexual and demisexual. A person that is sapiosexual is:
A demisexual, located on the asexual spectrum, is:
However, I believe the process of coming out is something all must do as they continue through their soul's journey, regardless of sexual preference or gender identity. Not that one has to make an announcement if they orient as straight or cis, but rather, it's the deeper realization of proclaiming one's identity and living out loud in a way that feels truly authentic. For example, in my early days of diagnosis with Bipolar, I felt shame over fear of admittance, but once I met others with similar struggles and mental health conditions, I learned the true power of 'coming out' as one with Bipolar as well as (now) C-PTSD.
As one travels through the course of life hopefully one journeys through a path of healing and soul awareness, lending the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of self. It is natural, then, to reveal the presence of one's truest self both verbally and non-verbally. Saying thus, I do not mean to lessen the significance of those whose identity and preferences are alternate to the status quo of society, only to insist, that coming out as one's truest self is a process for all.
I've got to show the world
All that I want to be
And all my abilities
There's so much more to me
Somehow, I'll have to make them
Just understand
I got it well in hand
And, oh, how I've planned
I'm spreadin' love
There is no need to fear
And I just feel so good
Every time I hear
I'm coming out
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Where were you? Warning: Graphic Images #nineeleven #neverforget911 #whe...
September 11th, 2001 was twenty one years ago. This video highlights the memories of those who lived during that horrific tragedy.
Featuring:
Pam Dehnke
Aleksandra Szelag
Scott Owen
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Transact or Reciprocate?
Relationships are reciprocal, not transactional. Wait, didn't I just contradict myself? Let me explain.
Say, you walk into a bank, you got a check for $100 dollars that you need to deposit, you walk up to the teller, have a little idle chit-chat, "Hi, How are you? Crazy weather we are having, what can I do for you?". You, then extend the check endorsed with your signature, the teller presses some buttons on the computer, slides the check through the machine, hands you a receipt, and off you go. Simple as that.
Or perhaps, you walk into the grocery store, choose a few tasty items, approach the checkout girl, who scans in your items, the computer tallies up your whole amount, you hand over your payment method, groceries bagged, and off you go. Simple as that.
In both of these circumstances, the rules of interaction are simple and transactional. One person needing something and the other fulfilling that role. If the positions were reversed, the transaction would be the same. The interchange is friendly, but not close. There is not a deep, internal connection of knowing between the parties. This isn't a Charlotte Bronte or Jane Austin novel in modern day wherein a chance encounter leads to true and lasting love. It's just the day to day adulting life.
What if you applied the same interaction base to a someone whose relation is a bit more dear to you, whether platonic, familial, or romantic. Let's say, you choose to do something for someone, such as, come see a play that they are in, for example, does that give you the right to decree that they do the like for you or even that you have the right to choose what they do for you in return? Nay, we cannot read the innermost thoughts of the other, but by presuming that they will do for us what we want, I believe, takes the mystery out of the gift to be given freely. Moreover, it removes the freedom of giving and receiving love. To be blunt, it makes interpersonal relations a mere transaction.
A quick search on google find the meaning of transaction is given as "an instance of buying or selling something; a business deal" and "an exchange or interaction between people". Even deeper again, a transactional relationship is "refers to a business-like approach to a relationship, where each person in that relationship has clear responsibilities and rewards".
However, the definition of reciprocate as: "respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one" and "to give and take mutually". Diving deeper, we discover that the meaning of reciprocated love is "given and received, or equally engaged in, by both parties; mutual".
One could make the case that this is an argument of semantics and rather the two mean the same thing. But, personally, I choose to clarify the two as different, so as, to truly be able to clearly define the mark of a pure, healthy relationship and that of a transactional interpersonal interaction where one chooses to take and not freely give. I've had more than enough of my share of transactional relations wherein I end up having more taken from than received as well nothing I shall attempt to give is good enough in the eyes of the taker.
However, in recent years, as I mine the depths of years of pain and heartbreak through the journey of recovery evolving, I have been able to weed out the poorer interactions, those connections that are merely around for their own gain or to inflict, and find myself increasingly around those that uplift. Through those interactions, I am starting to realize the true power of reciprocation and pure, healthy friendship. A gift given is not a guarantee of one to be received, nor can the giver decree what, when, how shall a gift be given. True reciprocation is based on an honest and heartfelt connection.
Relationships are reciprocal, not transactional.
Monday, September 5, 2022
How Do You Happy?
Let's get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (one love)
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (one song)
Have pity on those whose chances grows t'inner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation
Sayin', one love, what about the one heart? (one heart)
What about the, let's get together and feel all right
I'm pleadin' to mankind (one love)
Oh, Lord (one heart) whoa
This summer has been the best ever. Actually, 2022 has been a really great year. In fact, when I stop to think on it, every year since about 2013 have been the most enriching, life-affirming, and full of abundant, countless joys. Yes, even in the difficult most hated years of 2016 and 2020, I found joy and contentment enough to not echo the resounding "FU" to the aforementioned years.
When I ponder this happiness within, I wonder if outwardly I may seem unsympathetic to the plight of the current world affairs that ravage the social and environmental welfare. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a self-confirmed empath, I have a deep caring and understanding for the suffering of others. Often in the past, I allowed that suffering to distract from caring for myself to the detriment and distress of my own wellbeing. Added to that, I am a person that has, indeed, been through many a travesty; a mental illness, a myriad of abusive relations, a toxic, high controlling church bordering on the C-Word, a bad divorce, such that drama and trauma were a way of life. In that, when hardships arise now, I don't feel the fear of being wiped out but rise to the challenge filled with the belief of my own endurance through past struggles. If I survived then, I can today and so can others. Onwards, then.
So, what does that mean in light of the multitude of strife we, the peoples of present day earth, find ourselves in? How can I be happy amidst all of this...this...everything? Does it not affect me? Does it not stir my empathy?
The answer is simple, yes, yes it does. Of course, I would have to be inhumane for it not to do.
However, what I have learned in life and mostly during the whole spiritual/emotional reset of the 2020s, is only way to heal without is to first heal within. Along the journey of healing inwardly, the true joy of simplicity becomes the way of life. For the first time in my life, I have found truly what it means to 'have fun'. No longer do I feel such a pressing need to achieve, no more do I feel as if I am constantly striving and hustling, for I find such contentment in the journey of creating my life and surroundings as I have always dreamt.
Read the quote at the top of this blog, "What You Visualize Becomes Your Reality", starting within to heal and self discover transforms the outward intentions. One step, one breath, one moment upon the next. In the journey of soul evolution, true happiness is reached and as healing transforms within so to without.
I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
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