Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What a Christmas!

When we first got our cat Angel from the shelter, I loved taking pictures of her. I had joined ourhappycat.com and posted many photos for her cat hut. I guess she got used to being in the lime light. Life got busy and the photos stopped. Yesterday while taking pics of the squirrel, Angel jumped up on the bookcase by me and meowed. I didn't realize she was jealous until later when I sat down on the sofa to relax. "Look at Angel," my son said.

"Who could resist that pose?" I grabbed the camera and she waited for me to snap away.

Like Santa Claus, many feel this way after the holidays. Bowled over from all the festivities. The snow storm slowed things down and it was wonderful to have time to reflect on God's beauty in the stillness of nature.

Enjoy your day with the Angels,

Karen

Monday, December 27, 2010

Snowstorm

The old apple tree.

The meditation garden.
The Brazilian Nut Feast


Our cat, Angel, is on my lap as I write. What a winter wonderland outside the window. The old apple tree dressed in white fluffy snow looks so graceful with bended soft white powdery boughs. The snow on the bird bath is stacked like a white birthday cake in honor of Jesus' birthday. Everything is transformed into purity.

A bushy tailed squirrel had been coming to enjoy his breakfast several mornings last week. It was a breakfast for champions because he deserved a gold medal for his daring feat.

A thin straggly branch high up in a tree right outside the slider had a long sprig of wild berries. He took some strands of berries by stretching as far as he could on the limb. Then bent the spindly branch so he could curl it toward him to eat.

The last strand of black berries hung way down. Far beyond his grasp, he would scamper off. I wanted to help, but Elliot suggested leaving it to nature.

The morning before the snowfall, we watched him as he stretched so far it was a miracle. What determination. Hanging upside down by the very tips of his claws. Straining farther and farther to grasp the last fruit of the season. Fearing for his life, I silently imagined an angel holding him up.

Then somehow he grabbed that single sprig of berries, broke it off and hurried away. Elliot repeated that old adage. "See, you have to go out on the limb to get the fruit." A good reminder for us all.

With the worst snow storm in 21 years to hit the beach, I decided to reward the little fellah with a big Brazilian nut. He savored each nibble, twirling it between his little paws. "This little guy will be speaking Spanish in no time," Elliot joked, as we watched him eat. The squirrel's diet had been bird seed and sunflower seeds.

So nature is the best way to understand life at times. It speaks to us in parables of seasons through the antics of our animal and bird friends.

Many blessings,

Karen

Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Belated Christmas Gift

I remember the excitement of our first Christmas at Virginia Beach in 1999. Snow flurries on Christmas morning! I grabbed the video camera and took a walk in a winter wonderland. I was so surprised. Snow at the beach?!

Now, many years and several snowfalls later, it hasn't lost its wonder. What joy to wake up this morning to a wintry snow scene. A belated Christmas gift from the snow elementals.

Watching the beautiful snow flakes, I got to thinking how amazing that no two are alike. Each one is unique. Just as each of us is a one of a kind creation of God. We each have a gift to share with the world. The gift of our divine Presence. Today the Angels are asking that we celebrate our gift and spend the day in joy.

Many blessings,

Karen

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Spirit of Christmas at the DMV


(clipart Doverpublications.com)

Recently we gifted our trusty blue Buick to a young family in need of transportation. So today, we found ourselves at the DMV transferring the license plates ANGLZS to our other car. The last place you want to go this time of year is the DMV. Walking into the building, we asked the Angels to be with us.

The Department of Motor Vehicles was packed, but the holiday spirit ran high. Jolly holiday tunes on the sound system. A young man behind us began bopping to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, much to the embarrassment of his girl friend. So we danced a little and sang to lighten the wait. The place was festive. Poinsettias on the counter tops. Brightly wrapped packages trimmed the walls. Clerks in bright red Santa hats were busy waiting on customers.

A commercial came on the radio. Elliot and I listened not sure we could believe our own ears. "What God wants is for you to love one another. If we loved one another, there would be no more war. We are all one." During the holidays, the announcer said, "Reach out and hug someone. Share love with one another."

Earlier I had watched a shy woman approach an elderly man in line. He looked like her grandfather whom she missed very much. Teary eyed, she asked if she could give him a hug. He smiled, giving her a warm hug and some reassuring words.

At 12:12 we were at the counter, listening to Ave Maria as our tags were being transferred. I looked to my right. At the next counter, an old friend was being helped. We hadn't seen her in over a year. We reached out for a hug in the middle of our transactions. The spirit of Christmas was alive at the DMV. We were surely in the presence of Angels. And I'm not talking about the cherubic stocking holder at the front counter.

Wishing you a loving, joyful Christmas season. And remember to invite your Angels to be with you wherever you go.

Blessings,

Karen

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Peace of Christmas

Be at peace just now. Rest and still the mind. Avoid the angst of crowded malls and spend time in quiet stillness in nature. Whether it be admiring a beautiful sunset or watching the surf roll in. Or gazing at the flickering flames of a warm hearth. Enjoy the moment in gratitude for all the wonderful gifts of the Creator. The message of Christmas is simple. A child is born in a lowly manger to be the Light of the World. May the Christ be born in each of us as we draw close to His presence during these holy days.

Many blessings,

Karen

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Light of Christmas

This week while in the car, I heard a talk show on the radio. The speaker told how some folks want to wait until they have all of their light before stepping out. "It doesn't work that way," she said. As you step out and trust, you are presented with a shaft of light. Each time you do so, you get another shaft of light. And another. By sharing our light it is increased. We are shown to be trustworthy.

Yesterday as I was driving along, a song came on the radio. "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."

As you decorate your tree, may the lights be a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Many blessings,

Karen

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Snow!

When I woke up early this morning, the blinds were shut but there was such a quiet hush and a stillness in the air that comes with a snow fall. "It feels like it snowed." I told Elliot. He laughed like I was nuts. And it didn't seem very likely but I got out of bed and opened the blinds. The ground was covered with a beautiful white frost. It had snowed! I felt like a child with the best surprise. Maybe the two years in Fairbanks, Alaska had helped to hone my senses to the snow angels.

Here's a picture of our iris fairy in her snow cap watching over the pansies.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.


Karen

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Angels of Grace

(photo from the web)


Last weekend my good friend Pat passed along to me her collection of angel books. The timing couldn't have been better with my upcoming talk at the ARE Edgar Cayce Forum on Angels in Everyday Life. I found one book especially helpful. Angels of Grace by Anselm Gruen, a German monk. His book introduces 50 attributes of God in angelic form. I took a suggestion from the Introduction and made my own deck of these angel cards. With the New Year coming soon, he recommended drawing an angel and trusting that the one you picked is the very angel you need for the New Year.

The book is a wonderful reference with practical everyday applications. I was so inspired by the idea, I prepared a basket of Angel cards for the Forum attendees to choose as an angel for the 2011. The more we open our hearts to the angels, the more we become aware of the loving presence that enfolds our lives, moment by moment.

By the way my Angel was The Angel of Courage which I definitely need when speaking in public.

Blessings,

Karen

P.S. Although the book was published in 1998, it is available on amazon.com