February 1, 2010 at 5:01 pm (Miscellaneous)
Tags: journey, life, Spirit, spirituality
Ever wonder what “Yin Yang” looks like? Well check out these 151 different perspectives showcased in the LumberJocks’ Woodworking Awards event.
The woodworkers were challenged to use dark and light wood to express a sense of “Yin Yang”. There are so many unique creations and the descriptions that go along with some of the projects are very thought-provoking.
A big “well done” to all the participants and good luck with the Awards.
~Debbie, The Gathering Place
(P.S. here is my own personal entry)
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January 31, 2010 at 6:44 am (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county, goals, journey, life, ontario, purpose, sacred, Spirit, spirituality
At GardenTenders.com the members are busy planning for the upcoming gardens; visions of sugar plums (and flowers and vegetables and chickens and and and) dance through our heads!
Having just read the current blogs I am sitting here envisioning the new gardens that I am going to add this year, seeing myself digging, planting, transplanting, and happily sweating. This vision leads my thoughts to what I have learned from gardening. The following list is compiled as the thoughts pop into my head:
* all things are Sacred — from the microbes in the soil, to the mosquitoes biting me as I work, to the seedlings, to the mighty trees
* life is not about receiving “now” but about creating for the future
* and on that same note, life is about living “in the moment” not “for the moment” – the process of the gardening is where life is, bliss is, living is
* Mother Nature provides all things and we need to honour Her and protect Her
* working “with” Mother Nature rather than fighting Her produces much more everything, from happiness to flowers and vegetables
* we have lots to learn from Nature if we pay attention
* there is such an inner reward at consuming something you helped grow
* I feel a great “disconnect” when I think of the hustle and bustle of our society and the feeling of completeness from working in the gardens
* everything has a purpose
* everything has a role to play in the big scheme of things, like a little cog in a giant machine
* earth, air, water, fire: protect these elements, as they are the cornerstones of all that Is.
There is just so much wisdom to be found in gardening, I could probably sit here all day and keep adding to that list! But you get the drift. There’s nothing better than connecting with Mother Nature by sinking our toes and our fingers into soil.
~ Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 29, 2010 at 6:53 pm (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county
A thought flitted through my mind yesterday and I’ve been contemplating it a wee bit.
Growing up in rural Ontario I’ve listened to the “city folk” make fun of our local newspaper. Comments and laughter about the big news such as, “Mrs. Smith had company on Sunday. They ate roast beef and sweet potatoes.” Oh, how people make fun of the things in our paper.
Today, our society covets tidbits of information about movie stars. Their hearts palpitate at the news that “so-and-so was seen wiping her mouth after having a drink of water at a restaurant”. Our society has also become a community of newspaper editors, each writing their own “news worthy” reports every day. Between blogs and networking sites, the opportunity abounds for individuals to share the news that they had company on Sunday and served roast beef and sweet potatoes.
I guess there is something very important about rural newspapers and the community information that is shared. Something to think about.
~Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 28, 2010 at 6:46 pm (Visions)
Tags: brant county, clan mothers, goals, journey, life, native, ontario, purpose, sacred, Spirit, spirituality, vision
Today I completed my entry for the LumberJocks Winter Awards.
It is a representation of the unity of the Physical world and the Spiritual world.
The creation of this project was an interesting one – from the vision to the photography of the completed sculpture. I tried to capture as many elements of my beliefs as possible while staying true to the Awards category “Yin Yang”.
Inspiration for the sculpture came from artwork found in Jamie Sams‘ products.
I’d love to hear your feedback and how you interpret the art.
~ Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 17, 2010 at 8:00 pm (Miscellaneous)
Tags: bluegrass, hardline drive, michigan, music, ontario, rhyme & reason, thames valley, thamesford
This afternoon I had the pleasure of attending “January Thaw” presented by the Thames Valley Bluegrass Association .
The two groups playing during this amazing event were: Rhyme & Reason from SW Ontario and Hardline Drive from Michigan.
Both bands were amazing – the music was fantastic and it was so clear that each of the musicians loved singing and playing up there on the stage. I will be watching for upcoming performances.
If you enjoy listening to Bluegrass music then I highly recommend both of these bands as well as events through the Thames Valley organization.
Now I just have to comment on the amazing voices of the two female vocalists with Hardline Drive. The lead singer, Toni, has a powerful voice that just fills the room. As she sang, I was reminded of my all-time favourite voice: Don Williams. Don’s sound is described as “soft hickory” – smooth – and that is what I was hearing this afternoon. Smooth power. Loved it!
Take this sound and add in the powerhouse voice of Danielle and you have one amazing sound that just makes the room vibrate with song. As I watched Danielle bring that mandolin alive, burning up those strings, I was amazed at her talents and then those pipes broke loose and, wow, – where did that come from? As I said to her afterward, “Are you kidding me??!!” The voices of the two singers compliment each other so perfectly. Phew. That’s all I can say, other than “you just have to hear it to believe it”.
Again, thanks to all the musicians for a perfect afternoon.
~ Debbie
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January 17, 2010 at 11:46 am (Visions)
Tags: brant county, business, clan mothers, gathering, goals, jamie sams, journey, life, native, network, ontario, purpose, sacred, Spirit, spirituality, vision
Friday, I hosted two different Clan Mother Gatherings, and at each of the Gatherings, I took the group on a short Vision Walk to connect with the Clan Mother “Talks With Relations” (as described in Jamie Sams’ book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers).
On the second Walk, I was in a meadow and I savoured the environment through my senses. I felt Mother Earth beneath my feet, the Air upon my skin; I saw the sun shining on the grasses and flowers. At a Sacred Place in the meadow I stopped and I was surrounded by many creatures, such as a deer, as well as the plant people. “Talks With Relations” was also there although I didn’t have a conversation with her. I find that when I am facilitating a Vision Walk my mind is too connected to the Physical World, although I do still get messages.
As the Vision Walk was wrapping up, I walked back through the meadow to the Now and as I reached the edge of the meadow and was about to step back into the present, the Clan Mother reached across (from outside the meadow) and took my hands in hers. She then walked me across the threshold, bringing me out of the Vision Walk and into the Now.
There were no words and no instant understanding of the message, as happens in most (if not all) of my walks thus far. I knew that it was very powerful because the Clan Mother is usually in the centre of the Vision Walk and not outside of it.
When I spoke with a friend about it her interpretation was that “Talks With Relations” was acting as a bridge between the Spiritual World, the Vision Walks, and the Physical World. I loved the word “bridge” and knew that it was the right word to use. And now I wait to see what is about to unfold for me as my Spiritual connection has now entered my physical world.
~ Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 15, 2010 at 7:25 am (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county, business, journey, life, network, ontario, sacred, Spirit, spirituality
At a workshop I attended years ago they taught the concept of WII-FM: “What’s in it for me?” The idea is that with whatever we do (including attending a workshop) we are there to get something. To be successful at what we do we have to hook others with that WII-FM something. We have to give them something so that they become interested.
I’d like to change the concept just a tad and make it: WCID-FY. “What can I do for you?” Ok, so the acronym isn’t catchy like the radio station name WII-FM but I do like the switch in perspective. In the original version the intention is to “get” by giving. In the revised version the intent is simply to give and let the Universe take care of the rest.
Imagine being at a networking event and you are circulating through the crowd. You stop beside me and we talk about our businesses. Then I say the “WCID-FY” phrase. No strings attached; no hidden agenda – just a sincere offer to be a support in some way. I’m not sure how you will receive the offer or where this will lead but I do know that it feels very fulfilling to truly “network”, to connect and to give without an ulterior motive.
As I type this I envision two little bubbles of mercury sitting on a table. The one starts moving and soon connects with the other bubble, forming a larger and stronger entity. Now that is networking and definitely fits with the concept of “for the greater good”.
~Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 14, 2010 at 9:05 am (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county, goals, journey, life, ontario, purpose, sacred, Spirit, spirituality, vision
I once read a statement by Steven Covey which said that if you don’t have your ladder on the right wall then all the climbing in the world won’t get you to your success.
What are your goals? What is your vision for this month, this year, this lifetime? And whose vision is this? Is it society’s? Is it your parents’? Is it your ego self’s? Or does your vision come from our Inner Self, or Spiritual Being, the Great Mystery?
Some of our goals are for short-term (or even long-term) “pleasure”. They can be fun, rejuvenate the soul, provide a place (physical or emotional) where we can retreat to, getting a break from the day-to-day journey. A very important element of healthy living.
Other goals are heading us towards our “purpose in life”. These aren’t guided by the need for achievement, power and glory, financial wealth, or some title of recognition. These visions come from Within and are aimed towards contributing to the greater good and making a positive difference for the next seven generations. They aren’t “me” driven; they are “we” driven.
Having a mixture of goals is important to one’s personal well-being and to the true sense of success. What are your rejuvenation goals and your vision of purpose for the next year, the next month, the next week, and for today?
~Debbie, The Gathering Place
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January 8, 2010 at 6:58 am (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county, journey, ontario, sacred, Spirit, spirituality
My actions, every moment, say “who I am” – excuses for behaviour and irregularity of certain behaviours do not change the Truth. I am my actions. Period.
“But I don’t usually act like that” – maybe not but I DID act like that and so “that” is part of who I am.
As I stated in yesterday’s blog, “I am my biggest role-model” — is “that” a behaviour that I want to copy? No – I don’t want to be like that!
Something to think about — and to act on!
~ Debbie http://www.execulink.com/~yohan
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January 7, 2010 at 8:29 am (Thoughts To Ponder)
Tags: brant county, clan mothers, gathering, journey, ontario, sacred, Spirit, spirituality
I was writing in my Journal this morning and I had an “ah ha” moment –
As I was journalling about the day’s statement, my pen wrote: I am my greatest mentor and role-model. I “should” be living like I believe I should; I “should” be living true to my beliefs; I “should” be my greatest mentor and role-model.
Still contemplating that thought!! Am I living up to my own expectations?
~ Debbie http://www.execulink.com/~yohan
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