Squawk! What are you parroting to yourself?

Life can be full of surprising angel messages. One memory comes to mind.  Years ago, an annual Art Festival in town blocked off  Main Street.  Walking to a local restaurant to meet a friend for lunch, I began to worry my friend Joanna wouldn't find a parking place. I decided to change my negative thinking and to give thanks that the angels would guide her to the perfect parking spot. 

When I got to the packed restaurant, Joanna was already seated at a choice patio table near the manatee waterfalls.   I smiled, recognizing things are always in divine order when I get out of the way.  Turns out, she got the last space in a nearby lot.  

As I joined her, a worried woman seated behind me at another table, confided that she was meeting a blind date, a man she met on line.  She worried, about where he could park.  

I told her not to worry. Angels would guide him.  She smiled, and took my hand, grateful that we both spoke the same language.  Before long her date appeared, and they went somewhere less noisy.

Dining in the fresh air, I saw a shiny penny by the waterfalls.  A welcomed sign from the angels that everything is in divine order.  A small lizard sunning on the railing scurried away as I picked up the coin. Lizard teaches detachment, a need to let go of old fears.  Turns out, the lizard was a heads-up that a lesson on such was in the works.     

After a delicious lunch, as we were leaving the crowded patio, an odd couple caught my eye.  A man was busy texting, ignoring his dining companion.  A large white parrot sat still on a place mat directly across from the man. At first glance, I thought the bird was a stuffed toy.  Then it tilted its feathery head and blinked at me.      

"You're REAL!"   I blurted out, amazed such a beautiful parrot was out to lunch in a local restaurant.

 

The man put down his phone, anxious to put on a show. 

Do you love me?  The parrot hopped on his hand, and tenderly pecked the master's ear. 

Give me a kiss!   The obedient avian planted a gentle peck on his master's lips. 

We laughed, and thanked them for the show. 

 

Walking away from their table,  I couldn't believe the last command.  Now, flick off the nice ladies!  The man laughed.

Had I heard him right?! I turned around in time to see the final act.      

Standing on the table, the big white parrot reared back, and lifted one leg. A big talon was aimed in our direction.   

 
A split-second of humor broke the mesmerism when it hit me!  I'd been given the bird by a bird.   That was a first.

"Now, you have to give me a kiss," I laughed. But my words were powerless.  Two shiny black eyes blinked, and stared blankly.  

Apparently, this man had taught his bird many things. If there are no random acts, what did this strange encounter with a parrot mirror in my life?

I learned that parrots are the record keeper for the thoughts you tell yourself.  

What thoughts are you parroting to yourself? 

A quick self-inventory revealed, often not so positive.

Early the next morning, not fully awake, a still small inner voice came to mind.  "Be still and know that I am God."  That was a command worth following.  I relaxed.

I thought about how the innocent parrot had been trained to act on the master's command.  Was I like that parrot at times? Obedient to my ego's negative, fearful, guilt-ridden commands rather than relying on the truth of what God says about me.    

More reinforcement was in the works.  A short time later, a free chart God Has A Positive Answer turned up at a gift shop, Somewhere in Time.   A helpful guide to defeat negative ego commands.

YOU SAY - GOD SAYS  

 
You say:    It's impossible.
God says:  All things are possible.  (Luke 18:27)

You say:    I can't forgive myself.
God says:  I Forgive you. (I John 1:9 & Roman 8:1)

You say:    I feel all alone.
God says:  I will never leave you or forsake you.  (Hebrews 13:5)

You say:    Nobody really loves me.
God says:  I love you.  (John 3:1-6 & John 3:34)

You say:    I can't go on.
God says:  My grace is sufficient.  (II Corinthians 12:9)

You say:    I can't figure things out.
God says:  I will direct your steps.  (Proverbs 3.5-6)

You say:    It's not worth it.
God says:  It will be worth it.  (Roman 8:28)

You say:    I'm too tired.
God says:  I will give you rest.   (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say:    I'm not smart enough.

God says:  I give you wisdom.  (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say:     I can't manage.

God says:  I will supply all your needs.  (Philippians 4:19)

You say:     I'm afraid.
God says:   I have not given you a spirit of fear.  (II Timothy 1:7)

The parrot also brought home a lesson on non-reaction. If someone insults you, you don't have to take it seriously.  Just laugh it off and move on.

"The parrot, with its deafening squawk, rudely awakens us out of our sleep of complacency and spiritual idleness, and urges us to aim for higher things.  It announces: "Take the long, broad grand highway as far as your perspective is concerned, because life is eternal! You are eternal!" (Angel Messages, The Oracle of the Birds. 

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

The Woodpecker: An Angel Message

    (Woody across the street on 9-18-15)

This morning Elliot and I were surprised by a loud distinct whistle coming from across the street.  We had just stepped out the front door on our way to the lake.  With the zoom, I saw this red-headed beauty topping our neighbor's old lifeless tree.   The "call for a photo op" from this winged one seemed so deliberate that I looked up the symbolism of the woodpecker again.  The red crest reflects a stimulation, an awakening of new mental faculties.  The drumming indicates the power of rhythm and a need to follow our own unique "calling".  When a woodpecker shows up, you now have a solid foundation to move in any direction. 

 
In Angel Messages - The Oracle of the Birds, Claire Nahmad writes:  "Trees especially the fig tree, are emblems of the Goddess, and when the woodpecker comes to you, Divine Mother holds you in her embrace of love and wisdom, and gently soothes and nurtures your soul bringing healing balm to your wounds, whether sustained from life's stony path, or from the process of growth and putting forth."

Thank you, Woody.  If you're reading this now, the message applies to you, too.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.  All is well.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

More on Angel Wings...

                                                    (Graham's angel wings photo)

Yesterday's angel blog on "wings" prompted a response from Graham in the UK:
  
"I have just read your latest reference to angel wings.  Here's my version from a recent holiday in Spain with my wife. These were from the floor below on a staircase and right by our room. So I looked at them every day.  Can't say I go looking for these signs but sort of stumble on them."  

Graham,  you're so right. We can't make these signs happen, but we can stay open to receiving them.   I love hearing the many ways the angels catch our attention.  These wings of light on a staircase are a timely message. The angels help us to step up higher.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all remember our celestial friends are always with us? We are never alone. They are here to help us in our spiritual acceleration.   I know I need all the help I can get. Thank you, Angels!  And thank you, Graham for being today's messenger!  

Everyone enjoy your day with the Angels, and try to notice any messages from the angels meant just for you.  

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Angel Message: A Season and A Time

"To everything there is...a season and a time to every purpose under heaven."                                         (Ecc. 3:1)...


This plaque caught Elliot's eye this morning while we were having breakfast on the porch.  I knew it was an angel message to trust in God's timing. God is good all the time.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen 

The Peacock, Create with Love: An Angel Message

Yesterday at lunch a dear writer friend gifted me with a treasure.  This beautiful peacock journal! It has quite a history.   This magnificent binding for the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was made with over 1,000 jewels and took two years to create! How sad that The Great Omar journal was tragically lost on the Titanic, but like the peacock symbolizes, it has resurrected in a new more accessible form for all to embrace.

Not only rich in jewels but in symbolism I see the royal peacock in the center fully unfolding his splendor for all to see. Like the Christ, he is anchored on a firm foundation: the Heart.  His loyal admirers make room for him to radiate his glorious presence while with folded plumage they begin to understand with "eyeful feathery wings" that Love is at the heart of matter when creating.

Keep your eyes on love that is the only thing that lasts forever, seems to be the message. Interesting that peacock represents watchfulness as well as resurrection, and this beautiful creation did just that.  Although the precious bejeweled  journal was lost at sea, the rich symbolism it contained lives on.  And so it is with us.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and blessings,


Rae Karen

An Angel Message from the Blue Jay

(Photo by Wikimedia Commons)

It's fun to watch the birds in the yard busily gather fabric, paper, and twigs to build a nest.  Yesterday morning I saw a colorful blue jay fly by with a long white strip in its beak.  The cold weather was no deterrent, she was on purpose, exercising her choice as far as what to use to create a safe and comfortable place to lay her eggs. 

Her sighting seemed so deliberate that I looked up the message of the jay in Claire Nahmad's book,  Angel Messages, The Oracle of the Birds.

"The jay comes to you when you need to manifest something in your life, or perhaps when what is manifest needs to be restructured or even deconstructed.  Its message may be simply that you need more structure to your life, your time, your project, your relationship.  It's harsh scream commands:

'Build your dream! Embody your ideal! Anchor your vision!'"

I thanked the blue jay for the reminder that thoughts are things, and that I am always creating my world, based on the thoughts I think. As human beings, the more our consciousness gravitates Godward, the more expansive we become.


Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen




   

As Birds Flying...

A coughing spell caused me to leave church early not to disrupt the Sunday service. I went out to the car and sat by an old tree in the parking lot. Elliot was in church and so I was content to be in the stillness processing my seeming condition. If I am made in the image and likeness of God, then why I am not completely well? Obviously there was more inner work to do.

I closed my eyes to pray in gratitude that I was still as God created me no matter what my mortal mind was telling me. Afterwards, I looked up at the side of the church. My attention was drawn to an open window on the second floor.

How strange that I had never noticed it before. Even more strange, I thought an owl was perched on the windowsill.

An owl? I looked again. Although it was not real, fake feathers ruffled in the breeze to ward off unwanted visitors.

I smiled... owl represents wisdom. It seemed like a reminder for me to be more vigilant for my own negative thoughts that trespass into my mind. The idea was to keep a higher watch for Truth, to think God's thoughts and not my own.

Elliot soon came out to check on me. We sat in the car and he read the first page of our weekly Bible lesson. Suddenly a flock of white birds appeared, flying in formation above the church. Doves circled the church twice against a blue sky. If only I had my camera, but the memory was a sacred one. I could feel the presence of God's Love in that moment.

To my delight, birds continued to be angelic messengers for me. On Monday when I stopped by the Christian Science Reading Room to get my monthly Bible lesson, for some reason I found myself sitting on the floor going through an old box of pamphlets. I laughed when I came across one entitled, "As birds flying," an article published in a Christian Science Journal in the 50's. I was thankful for being guided.

Curious, I looked inside.

"Through Christian Science a spiritual realm of ideas is revealed when thought soars joyous, fearless, and free, expressing or reflecting the dominion, the power, and the presence of divine Love, or Principle.

Mark Baker Eddy wrote in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", under the subheading "Soaring aspirations" (pp. 511,512) "The fowls which fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven, correspond to aspirations soaring beyond and above corporeality to the understanding of the incorporeal and divine principle, Love."

The next day I received another surprise in the mail. My friend Debra gifted me with a beautiful handmade porcelain dove necklace and earrings she had bought on a trip to Nova Scotia. The emblem reminded her of the Holy Spirit. I got goosebumps reading the craftsman's card on birds:

"Birds play a prominent role in Celtic legend. As symbols of freedom and transcendence, they represent the human soul in flight, liberated from earthly ties, able to soar in spiritual communication with the heavens. Returning to earth, they bring messages of prophecy and guidance, aiding mortals on their spiritual and earthly sojourns. As spirits of the air, they provide a link between the soul and the spiritual forces of heaven."

I love the birds. If you would like to explore more on their symbolism, you may want to read Angel Messages, The Oracles of the Birds by Claire Nahmad.

Enjoy your day with the Angels and let your thoughts soar above materiality into that celestial realm of divine Love.

Blessings,

Karen

Love...a Journey

Angel messages pop up when we need them most. While shopping downtown I saw this message in a storefront window, Love: A Journey that has no end. A gentle reminder about what's really important. No matter what's going on in life, Love is what our sojourn is all about. Are we doing a love walk, seeing only good for good is there? Or are we so busy judging that we are blinded to the underpinnings of Love's wings enfolding every action? When I downloaded this picture, I had to smile at the light reflecting off the mirror. In truth, we can only reflect God's perfection as we are His spiritual children made in His image and likeness.

Admittedly some days I do better than others, but the test is to try to come up higher. Today may you be filled with the Holy Spirit and move and breathe in an atmosphere of God's Love.

Many blessings,

Karen

Runaway Dog

What could be causing a traffic jam on our street? Elliot and I wondered from the front porch. It was most unusual and the cause became apparent as a little brown dachshund dodged cars and ran into the woods across the street. A beautiful young blonde driving a shiny black sports car tried to take command of her charge. Giving up, she made a u-turn, stopping to talk to a neighbor tinkering on his car across the street. Then she drove away.

I waited in the yard watching the woods, asking the angels for help. Soon the little robust dachshund dashed back into the street and totally ignored me as I clapped trying to corral him into our fenced yard until the owner returned.

In despair, Elliot and I watched him race down the middle of the street, causing a stir in traffic. Cars braking, left and right. It was hard to watch. Then I asked for God's creations to work together in perfect harmonious action. His little short legs had speedily carried him down the road. He was like a brown speck, blocks away. Again, we asked that the angels watch over him and deliver him safely.

We thought we'd surrendered the situation, but something had us stay with his plight. Elliot decided to rig up a leash. We'd go out to look for him in the car. Suddenly a blue SUV pulled up in front. A woman joyously shouted, "We've got your dog!"

The door opened and a young red haired boy was holding the shaking little puppy in his arms.

I was so surprised how quickly he was delivered! This was truly an angel assignment. When I explained what happened, saying I hoped the owner would be back, mother and son smiled and drove away, leaving this little feisty bundle of quivering love in my arms.

The hard part was over. It was just a matter of time before the owner would come back. I stood in the front yard holding him, waiting and watching the cars go by.

But the minutes got longer and it was getting cool, so I put him in the sun porch and returned to the street to wait alone for her.

Then I got another one of those angel messages. Go introduce myself to the neighbor whom the dog's owner had spoken to. Maybe he could help?

I was glad that I did. Manny told me she had gone to pick up her husband in Orlando and would return in a couple of hours. She asked him to keep the dog if he showed up and she would be back later, offering to pay him to sit for the dog, but he said no problem.

Manny was friendly and came over to meet our runaway, Indy. I had nicknamed him for two reasons. The high speed in which he raced, expertly dodging oncoming traffic. And also for Indiana Jones (Indy) because of his adventuresome nature, jumping out of a car, etc.

My son, David, took one look at the situation. "She's not coming back. You're going to have a house guest tonight."

Our cat, Angel, gave me a look, like You've got to be kidding. Her friendly hiss and his bounding spirit were no match. I thought my son was just being negative. How could anyone abandon this precious little canine? I thought as I watched him sleeping soundly swaddled in a soft purple blanket on the wicker loveseat beside me. So trusting and innocent. My heart was melting. Around 9:30 I knew she was a no-show, now over two hours late. A quick trip to the store for a leash and collar and dog food from our neighbor had us ready for the night.

As it turned out Indy slept in David's room and Angel cat slept on our bed. The house was quiet and peaceful as I claimed again all God's creations being harmonious.

The next morning I had to do some soul searching. This little fellow was just like my childhood dog, Waldo. I knew I couldn't keep him. It wasn't fair to our cat who wasn't exactly behaving like an angel to our guest. Sadly, we took down our note on the neighbor's door. The young woman for whatever reason did not come back for her pet.

What to do next?

Then I remembered a cute little house called The Ark, a sanctuary for furry friends that I often noticed while driving down Woodland Blvd. I was nudged to call them and to take Indy there. When we walked in the door, a loving woman greeted us, so excited that she had the perfect home for him. Just the day before a woman came in looking to adopt a sausage dog. She was a day early. "He is so cute," the Ark helper smiled, holding Indy in her arms. "And I still have her phone number."

What's his name? she asked me.

"Indy" I said, explaining why.

"That's a great name," she grinned.

After a tearful goodbye, I got to thinking about all the events that led up to his rescue. It was all about divine timing and teamwork. Indy had made it safely to the Ark. The symbolism was perfect. Divinity is always ready. Semper paratus. We only need to do our part: Love Mother/Father God and love one another.

Many blessings,

Karen