Wednesday, October 24, 2012

St. Michael, The Archangel

Archangel Michael
With all the light hitting the planet, I'm  so thankful that Archangel Michael is the overseer of Autumn, a time of letting go.  Just like the tree must release its leaves to make way for a new spring, so it is with us.  Our personal attachments are harder to surrender, but Archangel Michael can help us release what no longer serves us.  It's a good time to clean out the closets and lighten our load, as well.

"Sanctify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, with Thy holy blessings and grant us, by the intercession of St. Michael, that wisdom which teaches us to lay up treasures in Heaven by exchanging the goods of this world for those of eternity, Thou Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen."

Let us, then, with confidence invoke the service and protection of Archangel Michael whose shield bears the inscription: "MI-CHA-EL"--"Quis ut Deus"--"Who is like unto God?"

Blessings,

Karen

 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Getting Out of The Way

The angels will help us see things differently, but this can happen only to the degree that we are willing to get out of our own way.  By taking our egos out of the picture, we not only gain clarity but divine direction.  The secret is spending time practicing the presence by stilling our minds and going within in meditation.  The practice of meditation also consists simply by paying attention to what I am doing in the moment.  This attentiveness is a spiritual power that gives one the feeling that I myself am living, rather than being lived. 

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Up, Up, and Away

Tinkerbell Hot Air Balloon
 
On Interstate 4 this morning I caught sight of an identifiable flying object.  Tinkerbell's Hot Air Balloon near Disney World.  The Angels were sending a message that out of the blue, things can change, so keep on looking up.  The sky is the limit.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

Friday, October 12, 2012

Dale, The Rescue Duck

Last evening Elliot and I went to the little lake over by the dome church. It's a regular haven for the birds.  Ducks, cormorants, sand hill cranes, you never know who'll show up.  We like to sit in the car, eating subs and enjoying the view. 

Something unusual was going on. 

Two sand hill cranes were putting on a show.  With wings spread wide open, facing each other,  they gracefully fluttered up and down like two ballerinas in joyful dance. I wished I had my camera.

A young woman had an opened  pet carrier.  I asked her if she was releasing a rescue? She shook her head, "I'm trying, but she's not ready."

Her feathered friend,  a small brownish duck with a reddish beak and soft brown eyes stayed close to her human guardian. 

"It's wonderful how you take care of the birds," I said, as she sprinkled seed on the ground.

The woman laughed, shaking her head. "I never liked anything with a beak before!" she said.  "Then three weeks ago, she showed up at my door with a gunshot wound." She pointed fondly to her rescue. "I rushed her to the vet and have bonded with her.  Since then, she's been healing my heart as I've been tending to her." 

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Dale. We named her that because we weren't sure if she was male or female."    

I looked at Dale, now the picture of perfect health, waddling close to her human Angel.  I watched the two of them do their own dance.  The Angel woman tried to coax Dale back into the carrier to take her home. Only Dale wasn't so sure.  She would come close to the door, then turn away.  "She's teaching me patience," the woman said.

Knowing Angels are always with us.  I decided to ask for help, expecting them to shepherd Dale right back inside the carrier.

But the dance continued for a long time.  Baiting her with food and a bowl of water. 

As I watched the process, I began to realize that Dale had her perfect place in God's kingdom.  That she was also an idea of God and as such could not have one shred of error in her.  In divine mind, she was already perfect and free.

"Maybe she doesn't want to come with me?" The woman said, with a change of heart.  "She was attacked by a crane near my house.  I just brought her from the vet and was told not to bring her back home because the crane would get her again." She wiped her tears away.

 I gave her a hug. "You did your part. You were like an angel to her."

Elliot asked. "What was your intention when you brought her here tonight?"

"I wanted to release her."

Suddenly Dale flew up in a tree. 

"Maybe that's her way of telling you that she doesn't want to go." I said. 

With a hint of relief, the woman smiled.  "I've been following signs.  I was planning to drive her to a place eight hours away, but then learned of this wonderful lake from a lady at the Vet.  So here I am." 

We looked up at Dale perched in the tree. 

"You've done everything you could for her.  The same protection that led her safely to you has led you here tonight." I said, as she wiped her eyes.  "You can go in peace, knowing you helped her."

She nodded, heading back to her car. I was guided to help with the pet carrier. When she opened the trunk, we heard the flapping  of wings.  We looked up.

Dale was standing by the cross on the church roof.  "She's sending you a message," I said.  "This is the way she wants you to remember her."

She looked up at her duck friend."I've been following signs." she said again.

"The world's a better place because of people like you," I said. "Thank you for caring."  Tears were falling as I watched her drive away.  I thought about The Oneness of the Circle of Life.  Ducks represent emotional healing and  Love is all there is. 

 I wondered who rescued who?

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen









 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Missing Angel?


I'm so thankful for the understanding that angels are guiding and protecting us, and our loved ones. Yesterday afternoon I was busy planting ferns in the meditation garden.  I came in the house and got cleaned up. When Elliot looked out the window to see what I'd done, he did a double take.  Our beloved little indoor cat, Angel was outside in the garden!  I was scared as I hurried to the rescue. She meowed as though she were grateful for our reunion, too. Although, it was puzzling as to how she'd made her escape, we assumed she'd gotten by one of us.

Early that same evening while watching a movie, I had an intuitive "angel" nudge.

Where's Angel?

 It was odd because THIS time I  absolutely knew there was NO way she could not be inside. But something made me check on her.  Angel was gone again.  I ran to the window. 

How did she do it? 

She was outside in the meditation garden again! 

I was so thankful I listened to the guidance because it was still daylight so I could see her.  I brought her back inside, feeling blessed that she was safely in my arms once again. 

Both times before she disappeared, I'd seen her entering our bedroom closet.  The key to her disappearing act was found.  She had pried open the small panel door to the bathtub plumbing.  A floor board was missing. An escape hatch. Angel went exploring underneath the house.

Now that we solved the secret to the mystery, the panel door was sealed to prevent a repeat performance.  But, like most of us, she hurried to the closet, tempted  to do it one more time, only the way was barred, thanks to  angel guidance.

I know Angels were watching over my sweet feline, and I learned another important lesson in the power of listening and obeying divine guidance.  Angels can help us solve problems we don't even know about, if we just answer the call. 

Blessings,

Karen 

 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Defying Gravity: An Angel Message


While on a weekend vacation in Winter Park, Florida, I watched these kids hard at play at the playground. Have you ever noticed how exhilaration can defy gravity?  Look at this boy's feet lift off the ground in a superman move. He leaps the fence in a single bound. 


The angels encourage us to enjoy life, and be like a child.  Look for the simple pleasures. And get over yourself.

Joyful blessings,

Rae Karen

Monday, October 8, 2012

The White Crane Teaches a Lesson

Keeping Balanced
The recent heavy rains filled an overflow area that is now a favorite hangout for our feathered friends.  This white crane is the picture of balance. Standing on an open-ended pipe for security in the water, he patiently stays focused watching for the right opportunity to make a move.   Vigilantly,  he waits.   The pipe of itself serves no purpose in the flow.  The flow has appeared without any help from it.  The land area that has been dry is now a mini lake, filled with opportunities that didn't come through the normal channel.  Nature has provided the supply. The crane only needed to show up and maintain the proper focus.

The crane is a symbol of longevity and creation through focus. A reminder that the Divine is our Source and we are infinitely supplied with every good thing if we can open our hearts and minds to receiving the inspiration.  Angel thoughts, messages sent to us from God, are constantly available in the higher regions of our mind. In stillness the answer comes.  Often we stand on a material prop, unaware of the blessings that await us, but we need to step into the abundant waters with faith. When we do, the spiritual rewards will be plentiful.
 
Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Creative Threads

Spiderweb hanging from the tall tree limb.
When I opened my eyes this morning after meditation, I saw something unusual.  I thought it was a reflection on the window pane and got up to take a closer look.   With my camera's magnification, I could see the detail of this amazing creation, suspended from a tall tree limb, created high enough to be visible to me, just when I needed the message the most. 
Spider web early this morning, suspended from a tall limb.
The synchronicity was affirming as I usually sit on the front porch in the morning and for some reason was guided to stay in the den.  I believe the Angels speak to us through nature, and as I wrote in an earlier blog, autumn is the time of year when messages are expressed this way in abundance.

I looked up the symbolism of the spider in Animal-Speak by Ted Andrews. Spider represents creativity and the weaving of fate. The ancient mystery schools had one precept above their portals. "Know Thyself and Thou Shalt Know the Universe."  Spider reminds us that the world is woven around us.  We are the keepers and writers of our own destiny, weaving it like a web by our thoughts, feelings, and actions."

If spider has come into your life, ask yourself:

Do you need to write?  Are you inspired but not following through?
Are you using your creative opportunities?
Are you feeling closed in or stuck in a web?

Spider teaches to maintain a balance between the past and the future, physical and spiritual, male and female. Everything that you do now is weaving what you will encounter in the future.

"Weave your creative threads in the dark and then when the sun hits them, they'll glisten with intricate beauty."  

I'm so grateful each day for becoming more aware of the Circle of Life, and the Oneness of it all. Love is all around us when we take time to be fully present.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen



 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Joining in Oneness

Skydive Deland Photo
I snapped a photo of this picture at The Perfect Spot restaurant at Skydive Deland. A funny quote on the bulletin board also caught my eye:  "If at first you don't succeed, sky diving is not for you."


Those words don't exactly encourage a hesitant jumper to take that leap of faith.  But  with conviction, many bravely go forward embracing the blue sky. 

Together we can do it, is the message of this happy troupe.  Holding hands, they are joined, breathing as one.  With strength in numbers, comes peace, our power is amplified.  We can relax.  We're all in it together. A smiling face, enjoying the ride,  is giving the peace sign. 

Whenever I get fearful, I close my eyes and remember that I am not alone.  I live and breathe and move in an atmosphere of divine love.  (words from a hymn) The angels are encamped around me.  Legions of angels. A wonderful thing happens when I take time to do this.  I feel the presence of that unseen but palpable love wash over me, strengthening and refreshing me to be at peace. I connect with the Oneness.

Enjoy your day with the Angels and try something new. It doesn't have to be anything as daring as skydiving, but you may want to stretch a little if you've been in a holding pattern.

Blessings,


Karen


 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Turn on Your Love Light

Angel at Monastery
When I took this photo I didn't notice the decorative light bulbs on a nearby tree.  This single red one seems to be a message from the Angels to keep our own heart light turned on.  One light can help to dispel the darkness, so we can see more clearly.  We can each be that light for another, by extending a helping hand, or the warmth of a friendly smile.  Being present to those around us, makes the world a brighter place.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Angels Lighting the Way at the Gate

Angel Gate 


Today at the Miracles meeting we read Lesson 131 in the A Course in Miracles book. "No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth." 

A favorite passage in this Lesson speaks about angels. In a guided exercise, you close your eyes and review the thoughts you think and then let them go. Sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not.  There is a door beneath them in your mind, which you could not completely lock to hide what lies beyond.  Seek for that door and find it, knowing that you cannot fail to reach the truth.

"Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one intent to go beyond it. Angels light the way, so that all darkness vanishes, and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can understand all things you see.  A tiny moment of surprise, perhaps, will make you pause before you realize the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth you knew, and did not quite forget in wandering away in dreams."

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen