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)

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



  
                                                              
  

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

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   

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  

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

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

A Treat at the Backdoor: An Angel Message

Coming home, as I reached the backdoor, what a surprise!  Seven blooms on the wild buttercup plant!  The most yet.  As you can see the plant is still growing strong, thriving in the crack at the doorstep.  Through all kinds of weather, she has gained strength, branching out and reaching up for the light.  A good message for us all in these challenging times.  Against all odds, with Christ's love, we have what it takes to persevere and grow through adversity to victory.  It just takes a little faith...the size of a mustard seed.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen 

  

Molting! A Revolting Development: An Angel Message

In late August, while sitting on a bench at the Fountain of Youth Park in St. Augustine, I wondered where all the peacocks were?  It was a late summer afternoon, with a soft breeze coming in from the inlet. 

Peacocks always brighten my day so I quietly asked the angels, if we were supposed to see one, it would just show up.  On our last visit, in May, there had been quite a party of exquisite fanning peacocks to help celebrate my birthday.

The angels were at work because before long, a lone peacock appeared in the parking lot.  I was thankful for the sighting.  Elliot and I curiously watched as it busily pecked in between the shiny grill work on a parked SUV.  

Elliot joked. He's doing a maintenance check  Oil. Washer fluid.   

Amused, I wondered if it was a way to sharpen his beak.

What happened next caught me by surprise.  

A sightseeing trolley, packed with tourists, pulled up in the parking lot.  The driver/guide spotted the alpha peacock, who had since moved away from the car.  

Through the trolley loudspeaker, the tour guide told the visitors that the peacocks were in molting season.  They were shedding their showy train of feathers, but they would regrow in time for mating season in the spring. 

So, now I had the answer as to why these beauties were few and far between.  I had no idea that the peacocks lost their beautiful tail feathers each year. 

Another lesson was forming, though.  

A lesson to watch what you put out there, because it will come right back in your face!  

What that driver said next, got my dander up! 

His boisterous voice rang out from the loudspeaker, "Peacocks are about the dumbest birds around!"  He shared a personal story about an experience he had one day.  While waiting for a tour group, he had watched that stupid alpha peacock attack its own reflection.  It had pecked away at a car bumper for over an hour.  "How STUPID is that?" He bellowed.   

I wanted to jump up off the park bench, and speak favor over these exotic birds, but I didn't.  

He went on to brag how he had shouted at that alpha peacock, calling it names. "STUPID! DUMB! YOU'RE PART OF THE PHEASANT FAMILY, AND LIKE YOUR ANCESTORS, YOU WOULD MAKE A DELICIOUS MEAL!" He laughed.

That apparently did it! The peacock sprang into action, squawking LOUD!  It flew up on the hood of the trolley car, pecking at it.    

I had compassion for all of those visitors on vacation, especially for those on a once-in-a-lifetime visit to St. Augustine. They had gotten an earful.   Elliot and I watched with a sigh of relief as that menacing driver pulled out of the parking lot, proud as a peacock, hauling a train full of wide-eyed tourists. 

What a trip!

We are teaching all of the time.  And, this was one of those instances that speaks so clearly the lesson it conveys.  I asked the angels for patience and forgiveness.  

After the trolley had gone, peace returned and I softly called to the peacock.  I told him that he was not stupid, and that he was a beautiful gift from God. And, to ignore what that driver had said about him.  We loved him. God loved him.

To my surprise, the peacock came close to the bench, and peeked through a leafy branch.  His train was bedraggled, missing the 6-ft long feathery turquoise eyelet quills.  But, he was still beautiful to me, and a messenger to stay watchful for my own thoughts and actions.  Am I bringing more love to the world, or not.  Am I wasting precious time pecking away at myself, not recognizing the mirror of my own excessive self-absorbed actions.  That what I perceive as an attack from another is only an unhealed aspect of myself? 

Watchfulness is the keyword of the peacock because of its many feathery eyes.  Autumn is a time of turning, a season to willingly let go of the old to make way for the new.  Like the trees and the peacocks, shed what no longer works, and joyfully look forward to a springtime resurrection.

Molting Peacock - Fountain of Youth

Enjoy your day with the Angels!

Love and joyful blessings!


Rae Karen

Peacock in Molting Season at local Rehab

Tortoise On the Move: An Angel Message

Yesterday while on a drive to the lake, this huge old tortoise crossed the road in the town of Lake Helen. Excitedly, I whipped out my phone camera, amazed at how fast those short little legs were making tracks over the grassy field. 

Elliot laughed, reminding me that the tortoise won the race with the over-confident hare.  Rarely do we see turtles, especially an enormous, ancient-looking tortoise traveling the road, with years and years of experience. With his house on his back, he is always at home, wherever he goes. 

 Our fellow journeyer, seemed to say, Keep on moving toward the goal, doing your best day by day, and you will be victorious.   If the odds seem against you, whatever you do, don't give up! With God all things are possible.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Out of Gas: An Angel Message

Recently an angel postcard came in the mail from a new postcrossing friend in Germany.  She interpreted the German quote for me.

Angel

In life, there are 
sometimes moments
when a person
comes to meet us,
as an angel, to
help us or to speak
a word that will remain
unforgettable.
   --Dan Lindholm

Sometimes an opportunity comes along, out of the blue, to be an angel for someone.  It's not always convenient, but well worth the effort.  Several years ago, Elliot and I were walking around downtown, enjoying a leisurely afternoon.  A man in his twenties approached us asking for a gas can.  His car had run out of gas in the NO PARKING ZONE on busy New York Avenue and he was afraid he'd get a ticket.

We suggested he try the nearby hardware store.

 "I don't have enough money to get a new one."  He said, before walking away.

Something didn't feel quite right as Elliot and I returned to the parking lot, leaving him alone to solve his problem.  But neither of us had felt a strong nudge to go the extra mile. Just as I was about to get into our car, another man walked by wearing a JUST DO IT! T-shirt.

Recognizing an angel assignment, we set out on a mission, and drove by his parked car.  We had plans to return home,  get our gas can, fill it up at the station, and he'd be on the move.  Only he wasn't there by his car. We went on with our plans anyway, but when we stopped by again, he still wasn't anywhere around. 

It seemed like a lost cause, but then an angel thought said, just be patient, so we waited.  Minutes passed, and I tried to send him a mental message to return to his car.  His problem had been solved.

Time passed, with no sign of him.  Another angel thought prompted me to affirm: "Divine Mind (God) knows where this young man is."

I listened for guidance.  An idea came to me.  Go to The Christian Science Reading Room across the street.  My  friend was working the desk that afternoon. Maybe she had seen him?

 Guidance was correct.  The young man had stopped there for help.  She had given him some money and a container for gas.  He had headed for the nearest gas station several blocks away.  We drove up to the gas station to give him a ride, but he was no where to be seen en route or there.

The word "Patience" kept coming to us.  Don't give up. 

So once again, we returned to his empty vehicle to wait.   Before long, he showed up, carrying a can of gas.  With a surprised grin, he gladly added our contribution to the fuel tank, grateful that he now had enough fuel to get home.

The angels guided me to ask him,  "Do you believe in angels?"

He nodded.

It seemed important for him to realize that he is never truly alone.  "Angels  nudged us to help you today." I told him. 

He gave us a big smile. 

Recently, he'd been released from the hospital. He lifted his shirt to reveal the stitch marks across his back that came from a bad car accident. He almost died and was in a coma for quite while, but now he was so thankful for a new lease on life.

It turned out his name is Michael.   I told him about Archangel Michael, the powerful Archangel whose name means Who is Like God?  The protective warrior Archangel who helps every seeker on the path to fulfill their life purpose by removing obstacles in the way.

He looked surprised, as if no one had ever spoken to him like this.  He smiled and said, he'd been to church for the very first time last week.

I was so thankful to the angels for the message to be patient and not quit in the middle of an angelic assignment.

So today why not be open to ways to be as an angel to help or speak a word that will express Divine Love.

Enjoy your day with the Angels!



Rae Karen

The Butterfly Effect: An Angel Message

I always ask the angels to lead me to what I need to find as I run my errands.  At our local library last week, they guided me to a wonderful book.  It was tucked inside a wicker basket along with other little inspirational books for sale.  The cover of a butterfly cut-out taken from a map of the world caught my eye.   The Butterfly Effect, How Your Life Matters. 

Fascinated, I read about the scientific explanation of "the butterfly effect".  It goes something like this.  A butterfly could flaps its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air--eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.

The author, Andy Andrews, writes about how Science has shown the butterfly effect to engage with the first movement of any form of matter-- including people.  The butterfly effect has been promoted to the status of a law, known as The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.  

In other words,

Every single
thing you do
MATTERS.

"By your hand, millions--billions--of lives will be altered,
caught up in a chain of events by you this day.

Do I make a difference?

When I move...
when I act...
when I do something...

does the universe notice?

DO I REALLY MATTER?"

To quote some powerful inspirational truths about you from this book:

You have been created as one of a kind.

On the planet Earth, there has never been one like you...and there never will be again.

Your spirit, your thoughts and feelings, your ability to reason and act all exist in no one else.

The rarities that make you special are no mere accident or quirk of fate.

YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED IN ORDER THAT YOU 
MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU THE POWER 
TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

That's quite a wake-up call, don't you think?  So why not celebrate your life as a gift to all you meet in both thought and deed today.  Believe in Yourself (like the tag on this butterfly blouse says!) You make a world of difference by your every action so choose wisely.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen