Parrot

I often hear the words of a colleague a few years ago strongly admonishing me to be more of who I am and less of what I see and hear and read from others. "Stop parroting what you have heard someone else say. Just because they put themselves out there like some authority doesn't mean they're right or have the whole answer!  Be You! You've done this work a long time and have so much more to offer than only someone else's words."

At the time it really struck a note with me.  I mean literally it struck a note because we were all talking and teaching about Sound Healing.  I felt a twinge of Ouch when he said it, but the greater revelation was in my knowing he was right, and that I needed to hear that.  I can't thank him enough because that phrase, "Stop Parroting..." has come to mind most times when I want to just share or post a status on facebook, or update my sound therapy manuals for the students, or revise a workshop talk, or even just in casual conversation when I am tempted to quote someone else so as to give my own experience validity...or so I think.

I have found that I now pass that on and try to encourage others.  Now this has resulted at times in great frustration. Many people still aren't plugging into more of their authentic selves based on some of the posts I see on facebook....there is still waaay too much sharing of someone else's words in order to express or validate their own views, feelings or situations.  A little of that goes a long way.  Especially when ten or twenty of my facebook friends share the exact same post of which I have already received myself from the original poster. Oh I know about changing the settings, but then I would miss the original posts or comments in my regular newsfeed.  And I can't spend as much time on facebook as I used to.... Too many wonderful new opportunities have come into my life and there is not one minute to waste. (as if there ever was, silly me)

Why are we afraid to be more of ourselves?  Why are you hesitant?  Is it being vulnerable that is so scary? Is it lack of self confidence, low self-esteem?  Is it just laziness or lack of motivation to write your own words, to be original, creative, put yourself out there?  Do you fear rejection?  Disagreement? Judgment?  If we let others define us, we are held captive in that box called What Will People Think? Believe me, some of those reasons were/are my own. Some people are going to judge us, criticize us, find the faults anyway. Follow your heart, and let the judges and critics suck their perfect little thumbs.  Really. Yes, I did say that.

Okay, so yes it is being vulnerable.  And maybe you won't use all the right grammar or syntax, and it won't flow or be on pretty framed pictures(facebook postcards), or maybe we'll overdose on too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!! but when you do say something that causes people to respond to the real you, to your heart, to your authenticity, it is so much more rewarding.  And it is inspiring. Those who occasionally write their own inspirational thoughts are giving the rest of us a huge gift, the gift of You! And then again, you might get a few challenges to address.  Not everyone will agree. Diversity is a wonderful thing, and often ruffles our feathers(parrot feathers?) to perhaps make us consider thinking a little differently. It can be uncomfortable. And it doesn't necessarily mean someone doesn't like us if they see things differently. We all have our own filters and perspectives.  And, we are all mirrors for each other if we are looking. Of course this is not just limited to facebook postings.  You know that, right?  Sure, we often learn by imitating and copying our mentors and those who have set the standards.  But real leadership and great teachers are those who have acknowledged their mentors, then found their own way, used their own natural gifts, lived life from their hearts and inspired others to do the same. Please note that I am not saying to not share and relate those things that resonate with us, and align with who we are.  That goes hand in hand with our being who we are, choosing to encourage others with either our own words or someone who already nailed it for us.  My point here is to just encourage you to be more of you more of the time. It has been said that what we give or perhaps what we choose to post on facebook or other social media is what we ourselves most need to hear first of all!  Hmmm ....

The Dalai Lama reminded us that we need to be more of our authentic selves in order to be healed and at peace within ourselves, in order to bring that peace and harmony to the world. ( I guess I just did that parrot thing again....) I encourage you to be more you and less of someone else and *their* words.  The world needs YOU to be you.  Like Dr. Seuss said,
Be the best you that you can be and not somebody else.  Everybody else is already taken.  (or something like that :) )  Be Who You Are.  Yes, we learn from others. Yes, we quote the words of the sages and the gifted and the teachers. But if that is ALL that we do, we give nothing of the uniquely beautiful gift of ourselves.  Do you see what I am saying?

Or like my friend said, "Stop being a parrot...."

Halloween energy

For a number of years now I have had the recurring thought about the energy of Halloween.  I know it can be a fun, dress up like somebody you're not or somebody or some thing you would "like" to be, a gathering of treats for the sugar addicts of all ages, and a chance to scare or be scared.  This adoration and emulation of the energy of zombies, vampires, murderers, and vengeful creatures is just for fun, right?  Cute little goblins and witches and fairy tale princesses and dragon slayers and cartoon characters... nothing wrong with that, right? Dressing yourself or your child like a demon, a devil, a vampire, a werewolf, a machete wielding murderer or death row inmate....harmless!  All in fun, right?

Well....here's where I part company with many.  I mean especially those of us who say we are healers...lightworkers...proclaimers of promoting higher energies and a better world of peace and love and health.

If you really are that, and you really do want to do your part in making the world a better place, then why would you participate in such activities, even under the guise of "fun?"  There is so much goodness and beauty in the month of October or any month for that matter, so why expend energy promulgating the dark side?  Why make it seem okay and fun to partake of energy that is very far removed from the Light?  Why engage in any activity that celebrates fear and evil?

I am asking you to think about it.  There are ways to indulge in Halloween that don't have to glorify murder, killings, demonic activity, fear and horror.  And while I'm on the soapbox, if you're into healthy living, why would you pass out sugar-laden treats let alone eat them yourself?  Integrity.  Authenticity.  *sigh* Yes, it's possible even at Halloween.  And, yes...we can agree to disagree.

Sound Sleep

We had a marvelous, filled to capacity turnout for our Sound Therapy Workshop last evening. The room was filled to capacity not only with some pretty fabulous, bright and caring people, but also with delicious sound!  Participants came to learn about sound for health and healing.  Besides myself, our presenters were long-time musician, businessman and sound explorer RA Campbell; Quantum Physicist, Healer and Performer Narayan; and scientist, healer and Himalayan Bowl practitioner Kathleen Baker.  Attendees learned what sound therapy is and what it is not, the science and art of it, how to use a number of the modern and ancient tools including our voices, Himalayan (Tibetan) and crystal bowls, ting-shas, tuning forks, bells, drums, and gongs to name a few. The evening concluded with a mini sound immersion utilizing mostly the bowls. 

Abundant positive comments from those present followed the meeting and continued to be received either in emails or facebook posts today.  The most common comment was how well quite a number of people slept last night.  Talk about sound sleep!  Gives the phrase a deeper meaning.  So as I was replying to some of these comments today, the first song that popped into my head was "Mr. Sandman," and the second one was "I'll See You In My Dreams."  That started my creative brain energy into a whole list...Sweet Dreams, Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have to Do Is Dream, Sleep Walk, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning and the old hymn Wonderful Peace. 

What do all those songs have to do with sound and healing?  I can only say that with sound being the energy of creation, it caused my mind to bring forth all kinds of memories of songs that deal with our sleeping state.
That, in turn, made me think of how good it is to have good memories and good dreams and good music.  I certainly have an abundance of those in my life.  It's Magic.  Magikal.
(Written originally three years ago)

Somebody's Waiting to Hear From You

Who is waiting to hear from you?  Come on, think about it.  Listen to that still, small voice.  There is somebody who would benefit from what you have to say.  There is somebody you're not saying something to because of what?  Your pride? Your chip on the shoulder?  Your fear?  Do you owe an apology to somebody? Repair the damage you caused whether intentional or not, but you know you played a part. Is there someone you simply need to encourage and say, "good job!"  Do it. Step out of judgment and see only the good.  Tell them you appreciate them.  Tell them you love them.  If you cannot say it, then at least write it to them.  I guarantee you, somebody is waiting to hear from you.  And I bet you know who it is now that you've read this.  There is an opening awaiting your words.... an opening in somebody's heart.

Be Love

Take away your life's work.  Take away where you live.  Take away those classes, those teachers, those hallowed institutions which bestow more letters to your name. Take away all that you would have others believe you are.  Take off the martyrdom of scars from the past. Take away all the decorations and accolades and the masks.  Especially the masks! Deceit, lies, charades that inflict deep scars on others not to mention your own soul, off with their heads!   Keep the mirror, the sky, the trees, the sunlight, the blades of grass and bending flowers, the ocean's scent on the fierce stormy gales, the cawing of mid-day blackbirds as they watch you play your game.  Keep the heart, the love, the light, the knowing I Am.  Cease trying to convince all of your goodness, your rightness, your purity, your enlightenment.  Strip down to the essence of what is.  Cease the talk of noble poets and writers crowned. Speak your own words. Crown your own soul. Discover and Be. Donning exotic attire makes you no more spiritual than your quoted unoriginal musings. Shake your finger at yourself and then laugh. Laugh at the joke you play on yourself. Love that you can. When you are secure in this, your need for garnishments falls away. And the highest honor of being is Love. Not looking like Love, not talking about Love, not anything but being Love. Love requires no adornments, no titles, no gurus, no piousity or trappings. Love can only fill your soul when you are empty of all her imitators.  Love. Love One Another.  You can only live it when you have done what it costs to Be Love.

Life or Death decision

It has taken another friend's blog to get me to write in my own blog after waaay too long.  My friend is faced with a life or death decision, literally.  And more specifically it comes down to what kind of life or what kind of death she prefers.  Yeah, we all prefer to live healthy, live long and prosper, and then die peacefully in our sleep knowing we have not left one thing unsaid or undone.  Anyway, her writing got me thinking more about my writing.  I seem to have one recurring admonition from my heart the past two years, and that is to keep writing.  Writing, in whatever form, is now proven by "them" to be healthy for us whether as journaling(we used to call this "dear diary" when I was a kid) or writing poetry, our life stories or fictional stuff.  A lengthy session with a numerologist, a detailed session with an astrologer, and several encouraging emails and actual hand-written notes from students and friends over the past six months have specifically encouraged me to write, write, write.  Heck, even in our little writer's support group, fellow writers have encouraged me and been quite kind in critiquing my essays, poems and flash fiction.  And, that brings me back to my friend I mentioned.  She, too, has been writing for some time.  We have all been encouraging her to get published or to at least start a blog or write more in her notes on her facebook page. Just do it! Anything!  Finally she is doing it, and I am believing it will be one of the best things she could do for her health at this difficult time...not just the writing, but sharing it with a lot more people.  What will it take for you, dear reader, to step out and share that one unshared gift with the rest of us?  How much longer will you delay?  How many excuses will you use to keep you from doing it?  Is it the fear or self-discipline or lack of knowledge ?  Mostly I write these questions for my own benefit, you see.  Looking in the mirror.  What a gift my friend has given in choosing to step out and write about the biggest and most difficult decision of her life.  Thank you, Georgianna.  I wish for you many more years of sharing your gifts, whatever decision you make. And may we all have the courage and wisdom to do what we must.

Georgie's blog and facebook page have the same title: How To Make Hash Out of Your Life (her original book is a recipe book/autobiography combined!)      howimadehash.blogspot.com  is her blog link.

Overdue

Things have been wild and crazy so far this year. How about you?
Sound and Vibrational Therapy Classes and workshops have been going well, and if there is any song that come to mind at all about that it would be The Sound of Music. "My heart will be blessed with the sound of music, and I'll sing once more."  Music is not only songs. It is so much more.  The music of the universe encompasses all sound....

more about that later...and the powerful energy of Sound, the energy of creation. Sound, the final frontier!