Friday, November 29, 2019

Cattle Egret on HALT: An Angel Message

Okay, there are signs, and then, there are signs.  Timing is everything.  And, some angel messages seem more deliberate than others.  This morning I had a good laugh at a rare sight.  This animated white cattle egret was not in its usual milieu, a cow pasture.  A place where it typically shops for bugs and other pests. 

Instead, he was making a spectacle of himself in the busy grocery store parking lot.  Posing on a  car parked near ours, his radiant white image was mirrored on the shiny hood of a maroon car. 

Hoping, he wouldn't fly away, I knew this could be an angel blog and asked for their help. 

As I zoomed in on his snowy feathers, I noticed the red STOP in the sunlight. 

Something was up.  The last angel blog had featured the symbolism of a STOP sign, as well as the acronym for HALT.  A remedy for keeping peace during the holidays.

Now, here a cattle egret was driving the message home again to HALT.

Whenever we are feeling Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (H.A.L.T.),   STOP! HALT! before reacting and losing our peace. The ego strikes when we are most vulnerable, so beware of its tactics and choose to step back, pause, regroup, and stay centered.  Ask to see peace instead of the looming upset.  Everything is either love, or a call for Love, except in the ego's judgment.

I was thankful to the Angels for another Heads up!

Later, a little research revealed why these birds make such good cow companions.  The cattle egrets are attracted to insects.  As the cows move through the field to graze, they stir up the bugs in the pasture. The cow egret can then easily scoop up a big meal of pests with little effort.

I learned a new word about their symbiotic relationship. It's called commensalism which literally means to eat at the same table.  It's a win-win.  What benefits one, benefits the other.  They work well as a team.  As do we when we invite the angels to join us on our daily walk in gratitude for our heavenly companions.



Enjoy your day with the Angels. 

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen


(photo:  web)

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

HALT! Stop! In the Name of Love An Angel Message

The stop sign symbol shown here conveys a quick message without words.  At a glance, it warns the driver to pay attention.   Slow down.  A stop sign is up ahead.

With the holidays coming up, this photo brings to mind a helpful message.  Recently, I heard a minister say that we are most susceptible to an ego attack when we are:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

The first letters of each  symptom spell the word H.A.L.T.  Halt!  Stop!  

It's true.  Patience runs thin when our physical bodies are unhappy.  We are tempted to react and take the bait.  That's when it's important to stay vigilant.   Try hard to remain silent when it is not necessary to speak.

Taking this photo today, I noticed again the bold directional arrow above the red STOP symbol points upward.

A signal for me to STOP before reacting.  To look up, and take the high view of whatever it is that is tempting me to disturb my peace.  Everything is either Love.  Or, a call for Love.   By asking the Holy Spirit's help to see peace instead of the grievance at hand, peace will come, but I must be willing to slow down and yield my own need to be right.  It only takes a little willingness, but the effort is well worth the outcome. Harmony.

In closing, the 60's Hit by the Supremes just came to mind.   "Stop! in the Name of Love!"

Wishing you a joyful, loving, peaceful and abundant Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen



  
                                                              
  

Sunday, November 24, 2019

God is in the Details: An Angel Message

When a ladybug appears, it always brings a message of joy.  Everything in the universe is connected by an invisible loving thread.  This became more apparent when a bright red ladybug flew into my mail box this week.  Closely looking at the postcard from Germany, I spotted the heart-shaped dots on its back.  The colorful ladybug's reflection brought to mind an unusual blessing that had recently happened out of the blue.  

Elliot and I had been sitting on a bench by the St. Augustine Inlet at Our Lady of La Leche Mission. A 208' monumental cross marks America's first Christian mission settlement, dating back to the 1500's. 

Enjoying the peaceful view, I happened to notice a little black spot on Elliot's arm.  Unsure as to what it was, he gently picked it up and turned it right side up.   

A closer look revealed a touch of sadness, as we stared at a lifeless little ladybug.

Not wanting to give up on our little love messenger, I softly spoke life affirming words to it as I  placed my thumb beside it on Elliot's hand. 

To our delight, those lifeless little legs began to move!  It crawled onto my thumb and stayed there! 

A warm feeling of gratitude and contentment washed over me as I watched it resting on my thumb.  I saw there were only two bright red spots on its dark shiny wings.  Ladybugs are reminiscent of my earthly mother, Mary,  now in heaven, and our beloved Mother Mary, Queen of the Angels.  

Watching over my ladybug visitor, I suddenly got the message.   

A red spot of love on each black wing represented both mothers who had lovingly been by my side during a season of visual darkness, giving me faith and courage.        



After a wonderfully long five minute communion of hearts, our dear angel messenger gracefully spread her wings and launched off of my thumb.  It was time to go.  What joy to watch her fly free in the sunshine, merrily on the way to spread more love and cheer. 

How comforting to know that Love heals all things.  Whatever comes, comes to pass, not to stay.  Divine Love is always with us in the midst of trials and tests.  Choosing love over fear, brings peace and healing, and makes room for God to shine through in the details.  God is Love. 

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen


Friday, November 22, 2019

Unexpected Gifts: Angel Message


I'm so thankful to be learning more and more about the blessings of spontaneity, by just letting the day gently unfold. Being nudged by loving angel thoughts, not my own concrete planning.

 Late Wednesday afternoon while visiting the old city of St. Augustine, Elliot and I decided to make an impromptu drive across the bridge to Vilano Beach.  It's a quiet beach with little traffic, a throw-back to simpler times.   Looking out at the expansive sea, with its constant tides was like a homecoming.   I could breathe deeply, watching the white capped waves roll into the sandy shore, one after another. 

 A flock of cute little  brown and white sandpipers, on long stick-like legs, scurried along the shoreline, dodging the watery fingers of the incoming tide. Single minded on the goal, their long black beaks penetrated the wet sand foraging for dinner.  Their efforts paid off.   Food was plentiful.   

To my delight, something else had arrived in plenty.  Seashells!  Whole and perfect, a rare treat, waiting to be collected in one small sandy area.   The late afternoon sun glistened making each shell a treasure. Never has seashell collecting been so effortless.   And, I hadn't planned on looking for shells.  But there they were, as if they had been a special gift from the sea.  

But it gets even better, the spontaneity thing.  

Because the next day, on a whim, we returned to Vilano Beach for one last look at the ocean before returning home.  As we climbed up the steps to the wooden lookout bench, I couldn't believe what I saw on the deck by the railing. 

Two pure white Angelwing shells!  Beautifully detailed by nature,  they come astonishingly close to how we imagine the wings of  an angel.  My heart warmed at the gift, some human angel had so thoughtfully delivered.  

Smiling, I gently picked up the delicate beautiful shells, with such a joyful feeling that angels are guiding. They are real celestial beings.  Although they are unseen, they do not go unnoticed.  The pair of Angelwings felt like a sign of good things to come. 

Angelwing Shells - 11/20/19

 Isn't it wonderful to understand that unseen loving angels are here to guide, protect, and help us to grow spiritually on this adventure called Life.  It's thankfully rewarding to listen and allow life to unfold moment by moment. What spontaneous angel thoughts are whispering to you today?

Hei-Hei looking over the stash


Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen   

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

A Change in Plans: An Angel Message


When the chill of winter hit Florida this week, early one morning, Elliot and I answered the call to head for Blue Springs to see the manatees!  An angel message had prompted me to be spontaneous that day.  Step out of the same old routine.   The big gentle manatees migrate into the warm springs only when the St. John River gets too cold.  In hopes of seeing them, we changed our plans in midstream and took a detour to the state park, rather than grocery shop. 

At the admissions gate, we learned the park had counted 138 manatees in Blue Springs that morning.  And the best part was there were very few visitors as we made our way to the lookout deck. The manatee is one of the gentlest water mammals.  It has a streamlined body, full around the middle, and narrows to a paddle shaped tail.   

The cool air, soft breeze and still aqua spring waters were ripe with many adult manatees (10 to 13 feet long).  Motionless, they were resting in the warm springs.  One big mama floated by with her baby on her back.  

At first, the pod was very still, resting under water, intermittently coming up for air.   I asked the angels to help me get a photo.   To my surprise, the waters soon stirred, as you can see here, and things got a little more lively.
Then the Springs manatee specialist and the artist who keeps a record of each one and their markings showed up in a bright red canoe.  



The gang gathered, curious, as to what these two were up to!



A volunteer at the Springs, stood beside me on the deck. In the stillness, there was a gentle hush of peace and tranquility.  The hectic pace of the world seemed far away.  Looking out at the springs  I thought I saw a rare sight.  A dolphin!  My new park nature friend pointed out it was a manatee. He was eating the resurrection ferns on a tree.  Manatees are non-aggressive, non-territorial herbivores.  The ferns are brown and look dead, but become lush green plants when nourished by the rain. 

Resurrection fern!    I laughed, respecting his hardy appetite. The only manatee in the crowd, coming up to munch down.

 I had learned something new.  The old camphor tree in our backyard sprouts little green ferns on its long lanky limbs after a rain.  Now, I knew the name, and liked the thought of resurrection energy at work in our favorite old tree.

In Animal-Wise, Ted Andrew writes manatees represent trust, gentleness, and trust in others to do the right thing.  The waters are home to these gentle creatures and man must be respectful when boating on the rivers. We have a responsibility and relationship to nature. 

When manatees show up, we may be looking at things too closely or not closely enough.  A reminder to step back and clear our vision from time to time. 

It was a fun morning at the park and a wonderful reminder that no matter what we may be going through, the story isn't over yet.  Resurrection is in the wings, we just have to clear our vision and resurface to receive the blessing.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen  

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Gift of a Rose: An Angel Message

Last week, I was out in the garden with the hose providing some much needed TLC.  From across the way, I noticed a single red knockout rosebud about to bloom.  The other rose bushes have long shed their delicate blossoms, but here this joyful little messenger was radiating a gift of love.   It may seem rather silly but in that instant, I felt the loving touch of my mother, Mary.  She loved roses and her front yard had many fragrant rose bushes that she tended well.  Funny thing was earlier that day I was really missing her, something that I thought had been healed. 

In joy, I smiled, feeling the power of love, it never dies, but blooms forever in our hearts.  When I returned to take a photo the next day, the little red rose was bursting in full glory.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Look for little touches of love to brighten your day.

Joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Sunday, November 3, 2019

A Call for Love: An Angel Message


Sometimes a drive out in the country helps to clear your head.  The daily news takes its toll even if you try to keep it at a small dose.  Prayer and meditation are important.  Another remedy can be helpful.   Step away, and be still.  Do something different.  Take a break from your problems and just be, thankful.

Yesterday afternoon, Elliot and I stopped by the rural orchid farm to say hello to our donkey friend.  Sometimes things run hot; other times, cold, or just plain lukewarm.  I'll admit when Alahambre came to see us at the fence, some of my old fears had returned.  His enormous mouth, big teeth and steady gaze made me a little uneasy. 

 Elliot stepped right up and reached over the fence, patting the burrow, and talking lovingly.  When he was done,  I held back, not trusting. 

His enormous face turned my way.  With big brown eyes he seemed to say, "Now it's your turn."
I looked at him and had to smile.  His loving spirit was so eager and open, before long I was stroking his brow, and whispering sweet words as I gently picked the sticky burrs off his back. 

A funny thing happened as I was walking toward the purple lotus pond to see the Koi fish.  He kept pace with me, walking along the other side of a wire fence.  As I moved away from him, I heard one of those painfully long woeful HEE-HAWS! 

His call was so loud that it shattered the serenity of the orchid farm. 

I turned to see him. 

What a heartbreaking call for LOVE.  With nostrils flared, ears pinned back, baring his front teeth, he was in high-gear. 

It may seem strange to say what I felt in that moment.  My heart melted.  He really does love me!  I thought, in amazement, wondering why.

What could I do, but return to the fence, reach out, and answer the Call for Love.  I gave  him another warm friendly "I love you, too" pats on the head.  And, all was well.

LOVE is the answer.

Is there someone who needs a LOVE pat from you today?

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

photo:  Our donkey friend at Orchid Farm 11/2/19