The Big Question

Some people ask me,if I ever get angry. That's a good question. Of course I do, I'm not blind to lies, I find myself even more sensitive these days, more vulnerable to all sorts of energies. But do I choose to stay angry? The answer is no. I look at the situation & tell myself, I have better things to do, I have no time for it. I choose to be somewhere else,& I walk towards it. Eventually, I end up in a better place.

Art by Cris Ortega

LILY (A Poem)

She floats and glides
through the mists
and the haze
And she kisses the rays
of the sun
When it comes down
to touch her face
Her petals reach out
to the air above her
Open and vulnerable
to the dust around her
She smiles
There is no pain
And she fears not
The loss of her gain
For they all wash down
In her waters
Her strength
It grows from within
She is a lily
Swimming
In the river of your dream
She takes comfort,
Silent comfort
In your flow
She drinks
from the stream of your Soul
She breathes...

Your love is her home.

A PARABLE ON LOVE, FRIENDSHIP & MARRIAGE

A student asked his teacher, “What is love?”

The teacher said, “to get an answer to your question, go to the wheat field, get the biggest wheat grain, and come back.”

But the rule is - you can go through the field only once and cannot turn back to pick.” 

The student went to the field, gone through the first row, and saw one big wheat grain. But he wondered….may be there is a bigger one else where.

Then he saw a bigger one. But may be there is a still bigger one waiting….

Later, when he finished more than half of the wheat field, he realized that the wheat grains there are not as big as the previous one. He realized that he has missed the biggest one.

So, he ended up the search and went back empty hand. The teacher told him, “That is love! If you keep looking for a better one, you could have missed the right person!”

“Then, what is marriage?” the student asked.

The teacher said, “to get an answer to your question, go to the same wheat field again, and get the biggest corn. Same rule as before!”

The student went to the corn field. This time he is very careful not to repeat the previous mistake. When he reached the middle of the field, he picked one good sized corn. He felt satisfied, and came back.

The teacher told him, “You have looked for one that is just good for you, instead of coming back empty handed. That is marriage!” 

“What is Friendship then?” the student asked.

The teacher said, “in order to answer that question, go to the same field and choose the wheat that appears nice to you. The rule is is the same.”

The student went to the field. This time he is very careful. As he started scanning the field, he has picked many grains that suited his taste and come back to the teacher.

The teacher told him, “You looked for one that is just nice for you, and did not look for the best. That is Friendship”.

- Author Unknown

LET GO OF GUILT. LET GO OF HATE. LET IT ALL GO.

Guilt is a useless, senseless crippling energy. Rid yourself slowly of guilt by leaving all judgement behind. Don't forget to observe and make sense before reacting and never ever let hate dictate. You will know it too. Only you will know how to break the cycle of hate. Forgive your enemies, and ask forgiveness if necessary.

Let go of guilt. Let go of hate. Let it all go... 

Let LOVE heal your Soul. 

The Lost Keys (A Mullah Nasrudin Tale Adapted from a Buddhist Story)

One night a neighbor of Mullah Nasrudin was walking home and found Mullah squatting on the ground beside a lamp post evidently looking for something.

"What's the matter Mullah?" asked the concerned neighbor.

"I have lost my keys" replied Mullah

"Oh! Here let me help you." and the kindly neighbor got down on his knees and started searching for Mullah's keys as well.

After some time spent looking the neighbor straightened up and quite puzzled asked "are you sure you dropped your key's here?"

"Oh, I didn't drop them here." replied Mullah.

"Where did you drop them ?!?" exclaimed the now bewildered neighbor.

"Over there" and Mullah pointed to the front of his house enshrouded in darkness.

"So why are you looking for them here ??!!??" exclaimed the now exasperated neighbor.

"Because the light is over here." replied Mullah.

~ The Lost Keys (A Mullah Nasrudin tale adapted from a Buddhist story)

LOVE LIKE THE SUN (A Poem)

Love like the sun

Be the brightest Light
As bright as you can be
Don't ever stop
Let your rays
Pierce through
The thickest clouds
And darkest corners
Send your warmth
Across infinite channels
And imagine your world
If you cease to shine
For just one day

I AM AWARE OF YOU

I am aware
Of your presence,
And your light.
I am aware
That you offer protection.
You clear my path of roadblocks.
I am aware
That you are there to teach me,
And to guide me,
To help me remember,
And if I do not heed,
You follow, with silent eyes.
I am aware
That you will never force me
To do anything against my will.
I am aware
That you are here...
And you use your gifts,
To their fullest.
Because Divine Love
Flows through them.
And these gifts I find everyday,
Right by my doorstep.
I am aware
That we are together,
Where time is powerless,
And space is infinite.
I am aware
Of YOU.
I know who you are
And you know who you are
For you have seen yourself in me.
And you know where you stand,
Right now, at this very moment...
Your image rests
In the eyes of my soul.
I am aware
Of your true being.
I feel you...

You are beautiful inside.
 

J.C.

Photo Source

BLESSINGS VS NEEDS

Today I got me some good ol pepperoni and cheese pizza. 3 slices! Wow... I didn't have pizza for a long time obviously, you can say I am eating healthier, as all of us do when we start feeling these energies. I remember telling myself while ... "Wowwwww I am soooo thankful for this moment that led me to taste this fabulous meal again!! " ...Really!! I was so darn thankful! I felt blessed for some reason, that mozzarella and cheddar cheese were touching my lips. And this brought me to think about love, and how it relates to my present state of mind. In essence, it is really how we choose to view the other person that will make a difference in our everyday lives.

The way I found peace in my relationships was to treat every loved one as a blessing, not a need. Just like this very moment where I realized I lost my need to crave for certain food and things, but felt immense joy when I am given something instead of going out of my way in search for them.

I learned that when I saw the other person as a need I struggled to keep that person in my life, because I needed him. And my desire-- it put him somewhere far, distant from me. I longed for him because he is not here, even when he was actually with me. I would think about tomorrow and the days that would come and wonder if he will ever stay with me, if I will see him again, and if he will see me, there was fear of loss. And because I saw the other as an object to fill my need, I suffer because of days that didn't exist, days I feared I would never get what I need. It created a vicious cycle of fear and satisfaction, much like addiction.

When I began to see my loved one as a blessing, it changed the way I viewed him, and myself, because this time there was a sense of GRATITUDE for his presence. And because I wasn't reaching out to him, instead I RECEIVED him, and when I accepted him in my life I felt abundance, joy, love... just like how one would feel when they receive a gift. I saw grace in his presence more than ever. I embraced the present moment. I did not find the need to think about the next day or the day that passed because I know that blessings come when you open your heart to receive them. And I was almost certain that I will never lose touch of this love... because my whole being became one with him, his heart and soul ingrained in mine. When I let go of my need to attach.... Trust was built. Faith was crafted. True love was molded.

This is a lifelong endeavor, it is not easy to battle one's desires. When the ego knocks it knocks you hard. It is a constant battle within-- but a battle that is well worth it.

When I saw the other as a need I lived... but when I saw the other as a blessing I lived... and I BELIEVED.

I can now see myself being apart from my loved one, but never separated. In receiving the other I connected. And distance will mean nothing when souls are connected.

It's really all about perception, and intention..and making that choice. The choice of unconditional love.

Love should never be an object of one's desire, but a blessing that fills our lives with joy, and peace, and this warm fuzzy feeling of gratitude for this fabulous moment, right here, right now. ♥

‎"Mandala" [In Watercolor] - 06.24.11

My first Mandala. The most fun I ever had so far in painting, My heart is a flutter today ♥ But I will let it speak for itself, I hope you enjoy it and the message I baked in this cookie.

2:25 AM

‎The Tulip - In Watercolor

I love flowers, one of my favorites would be the tulip. It symbolizes beauty in it's youth. That even while it is a bud it can already be its most glorious form. It doesn't have to bloom to be magnificent.

Sometimes in life, we don't see the beauty in our beginnings, sometimes we only lavish at the end, without celebrating the means. The tulip tells me that even if we are not in full bloom, we are beautiful as we are. All we need is to be. 

Just be.

It is a wonderful time to be alive.

To finally see through masks,

To see the true nature and beauty of things,

To see the truth in the nature and beauty of things,

To unravel the mysteries hidden in the spaces of the heart,

To unleash the glory of a life once forgotten, 

and to see no other time but NOW... 

It is a wonderful time to be alive.

(Photo by Ilhan Celebi)

Cherokee Man - In Watercolor and Pencil

 So, I did say I was going to paint flowers, I have, actually, but I was inspired to paint this and share this instead today. I have always admired the native man, his humility, his simplicity, his strength andpride in his roots. His love for nature and his belief that all of life is sacred. He believes that our earth is an extension of our past and our spirits, this is why being around the trees and the flowers, being under the sun, the ocean will always feel like home to us. We are made from the earth, and we have everything we need around us. And we will return to this earth too. If only everyone can live this way, to see oneself in another, to see all relations, in one another, then there will be less judging, less pain, less killing, more understanding and forgiveness, compassion... and unconditional love... and Mother Earth will heal in no time. ♥

Sunflower - In Watercolor - 6.2.2011

I just started painting this week, just for fun. This is my first. It's not a Picasso but I wanted to share this part of my soul to you, as I always do... ♥ Enjoy.

THE HEART OF THE SACRED MASCULINE

The Heart of the Sacred Masculine is just too beautiful when unlocked. Like a pristine ocean that promises you life and healing. All it takes is the strength to dive into it and leave all judgement, all cares and all fears behind, to have faith in the temper of the tides, to embrace the waves that rise and fall in seasons, and to trust the beauty and depth of its stillness.  

The Sun (A Prized Quote from Hafiz)

 ( 

Even after all this time,
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights the whole sky.

~ Hafiz

(Photo by Paulo Flores, Chile)

PURPLE SKIES

Last night I had a very vivid dream. I dreamed that I was inside my house and a storm was brewing in the skies. I looked out the window and I could see the purple sky, with a mix of grey and black clouds descending so near -- almost at arms length. It was an epic sight, so powerful, so majestic. I found myself running around the house, opening the drapes so I can see the roughly painted air and mist. What surprised me about this dream was that even though it appeared to be a frightening scene, so doomsday like-- I was not scared. It didn't feel like a nightmare because inside my house, I saw my daughter playing with her toys, in the living room without a care for what's going on outside, I stared at her, so innocent, so fearless.... and her innocence permeated my spirit. I had no other choice but to smile, to receive the calm because I knew I was safe inside my home. I knew that no matter what went on outside my family is untouched, I am untouched, and the only thing that the storm can do is blow some wind , rain on my rooftop and knock on my windows. I watched the storm strengthen, and as it did I felt my soul strengthen too, it was so amazing, and when I woke up I felt lighter, something was lifted, something shifted.

Once again, I transform.... Once again, I heal.... Once again, I write.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM DREAMS

I have learned that dreams are direct or indirect messages.
I have learned that if I do not pay attention to the message, the same dream will manifest itself again.
I have learned that dreams reflect many of my fears and desires.
I have learned that there are good dreams and there are bad dreams.
I have learned that regardless of how good or how bad the dream is, I will wake up from it.
I have learned that dreams can be as real as my waking life, depending on my intent and perspective.
I have learned that I can dream another dream tomorrow.
 






Photo by Antonis, Greece  

On A Canvas By The Sea (A Poem)

The sun sojourns briefly

I see them vaguely

 Haunting images 

Of history 

On a canvas by the sea 

Blending in 
With mists 
of today 
With shades of grey 

Dividing and uniting 

Lost worlds 

Lost voices 

Of my roots 

A sudden wave 

Compels my soul 

I hear the grace of tongues 

From the other side 

They have found me 

And in this brief moment 

Of parting mists 

I am left with no choice 

But to listen 

And watch 

As the dusk awakens the lakes

The veil is thin 

J.C. 

4:37 

(Art by Helene Croft)

LULLABY (A Poem)

When phantoms ride with wings of night,
I bring my stars to guide your flight.
When time enslaves your memory,
I bring my breath to set you free. 

When you awake with sullen skies,

I bring my sun before your eyes.

All my heart....

•~✿ Juno ✿~ •

Photo Source

SWEET SURRENDER (A Poem)

Your heart speaks, I listen for a while

Your eyes, a steady gaze and I smile

Your song reaches me and I dance

Your soul kisses me, I go on a trance

You know me so well and it seems

I have no other choice but to dream

PEACE, HOPE & STRENGTH

What gives me peace
Is not the absence of pain
But the presence of joy

What gives me hope
Is not the absence of death
But the presence of life

What gives me strength
Is not the absence of fear
But the presence of love

JOHN CUSACK : 11 QUOTES

The Tao of Cusack.... (Yes I am a huge fan.)   


"A lot of people are not meant to be together."

 "It seems to me that one thing people do over and over again is try to figure out how to get married, stay married, fall in love, how to rekindle all this stuff. It seems to me to be a pretty eternal theme so I don't know if you can get typecast from making movies about men relating to women. It seems to be what is going on on the planet a lot."


"Nope, no sex scandals yet. But I am open to offers!"

 "People try to keep their past, like kind of holding on to their past. Every Springsteen song talks about that."

 "Sometimes you meet people and you feel like you've known them for a long time."

 "Any time you stop looking at evil as a black and white thing, it's helpful. So the fact that there won't be any obligatory Islamic terrorist stereotypes in movies any more, that'd be helpful."

 "Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because listen to pop music?"

 "I was raised Catholic until I was old enough to say no."

 "Art is spiritual."

"I think when you get to the point where you don't need to be in love, then you could be in love. You have to just be OK with yourself-and that's a long process."




  

1 MIN READ : THE WALL (A Short Story)

~ • ✿ • ~

In South of Geneva there was a priestess well known for her  wisdom and for her ability to heal. She lived alone, in a mountain. Many from nearby towns came to see her for their problems and ailments.

One afternoon a young woman went to see this priestess. She traveled by foot for days from the Eastern region just to see her. She was in great despair. 

"I need your wisdom. My marriage is falling apart." said the young woman. 

"Why do you say that?" asked the priestess.

"I  love my husband, with all my heart.--but he has been very distant lately.  He is always quiet, as if in deep contemplation, perhaps he has found a new love, perhaps he has lost his love for me, or he is tired of my presence. I am extremely lonely, I suffer inside... everyday when I look at him, he is no longer the person I once knew." 

"Go home and tear down a wall." The priestess said so confidently. 

The young woman was surprised at the certainty of the priestess and confused with what she heard.

"Did you not pay attention to what I said? My problem is my husband, not any part of my house or the place where we dwell!" 

"Yes. I heard what you said, clearly..." the priestess calmy replied.

"Go home and tear down a wall and you will be fine."

 "Why are you telling me this? And what does a wall have to do with my problem?"   The young woman, now with a tone of impatience answered.

The priestess paused briefly, and smiled. 

"Because your husband came to see me just this morning, with the same problem you have. " 

  

~ • ✿ • ~ 

"The more walls we build, the more they suffocate us." ~ Juno

Art by Amanda Clark

LOVE & LIGHT [Eighth Note]

One day the whole world will understand that there is a language that everyone can speak fluently, and it has been spoken once by all the stars, and they have traveled once through wings, and to this day it manifests its truths through way of being...of presence...and undying faith in the Nature, the Divinity and the Sacred Spaces of the Soul of the Universe.

HERE (A Poem)

Here is where you visit me
With eyes that shine like stars
Here is where the melody
Shall join the moon for hours
Here is where your guitar strings
Have found a faithful friend
Here is where the world begins
The story never ends

~•✿ •~

Art by Darlene Keeffe

BECOMING WHO I AM

Past experiences are there to inspire me, if not teach me important lessons. 

If I do look back, I will look back with a smile. I will laugh. 

I will do my best to let go no matter how hard, it's only hard if I think it's hard. 

Perception is my best defense against attachment.

I achieve what I perceive. I receive what I perceive.

I will not wallow in a harsh or unpleasant situation or I will end up getting trapped there. 

I will move. 

I will not remain in a frozen state.

The future- I won't even worry about it, I have no power to foresee it, nor do I have the right to predict, and even if I did I wouldn't waste time on it. That will only bring me further away from where I should stand, in the present moment... 

Becoming who I AM.

CLEAR

When I began to embrace the reality that no belief or practice should ever put me in fear, judge or attack my neighbors, convince me of giving up my freedoms, I was filled with so much energy of love --- and more air... I could breathe better too. I felt lighter. I felt joy, and freedom, even my silence has become a source of strength. 

When I learned to forgive the world, including myself, especially myself... my waters cleared up, and calmed. 

You can drink me now.

POETRY OF THE STARS

To love you is to wake up each day a new person

For the light of yesterday has dimmed 

And the fragments of time past have no use to me 

And your words have traveled along with the breeze 

My soul will only thrive in the warmth of a fire that burns 

In the light of your presence 

Where stray emotions have gathered home 

To ignite the flames of truth 

Like two stars that revel in the birth of their youth

~ ✩ ~ 

(Art by Julia Rowley, Romania)

THE STARS IN MY LIFE

The most beautiful souls who cross my path -- I never miss them when they are away, or when they walk away... They leave so much light in my life that they become the stars in my night sky.

They still dazzle my life, every single day.

J.C.

Photo by Igor Giamoniano

THE FAMILY MAN : A Gift & A Blessing

He is depicted weak but only by those who have not experienced being accountable for more lives than one, and because of the pressures of the world to sustain the preconceived notions of the masculine he struggled to distance himself, to separate from the heart to succumb to the false reality created for him, the prejudice, the ridicule.. not knowing that there is no shame in taking responsibility of one's seed, one's kin, one's own. No shame, only grace in the eyes of God.

It's high time we begin to honor and respect his role in our time. Forget how the media has fashioned him, forget the attacks on his dignity and pride -- this is all created to build fear. Forget all that and remember the beauty that lies in his strength... and even in his weakness. There is no stronger man in my eyes than one who has courage enough to show his weakness.

A warrior can and will stand as a warrior even without his armour, even without weapons, even without rage. The warrior's strength lies in his heart, above all things.
 

J.C.

Photo by El Arish, Egypt

LOVE & LIGHT : Angel Messages [Seventh Note]

Whispers of Light
They come to visit
By way of Faith
I receive their Love
With an open heart
A shower of Truth
Unveiled
The Gift of the Stars
They fill my being
Bringing me closer to
My Essence
I am one with my Source...

I am nourished.





photo source : squidoo.com

THE TWIN FLAME (1 Min Read)

 A young man traveled to a nearby town one day to see his teacher for a problem. 

"Teacher, I need your wisdom." he said,

"My Twin Flame and I had just parted ways...We have been fighting a lot and we exchanged some very painful words. Ever since we met, there seems to be very little harmony between us. Does this mean I will be alone from here on out? What does this tell you?" 

"It's simple..." the teacher replied.

"She is not not your Twin Flame."

~ o ~

Juno

4/2/11

17:22