April 2023

Dear Blessed One,

I just returned home from a trip to Florida to visit family. For anyone who has flown from Medford, Oregon to the east coast (and back), you know it can be a long journey. I flew from Medford to Phoenix AZ, then to Charlotte NC, and finally to Jacksonville FL (and the reverse on the way home). With that many connections, it can be tricky getting to your next flight.

The trip to FL went smoothly, 3-legs, landed on time, and my brother and sister driving from Virginia arrived on time to collect me for our final drive to East Palatka. It was wonderful to see everyone... and then the journey home.

FL to NC went smoothly. NC to AZ was also easy, however, AZ to Medford was a hot-connection. I had one more leg to get home with 43 minutes from touchdown to take off. I could have worried whether I would make it, and I could have been stressed about the short window of time. I knew that it would be exactly as it was meant to be, so I slept for that leg of the journey. We landed ahead of our scheduled time; I ran (with a quiet mind) 45 gates in Phoenix to reach my departing flight and got there as it was boarding.

Presence creates calm in the body and mind. Just here, nothing else. I am not in control of the outcome of events. Life unfolds naturally before us. With a calm body and a quiet mind (which creates a calm body), we are able to see how and where life is guiding us in each moment.

Focus attention on the breath. Let that be the only thing that matters in the moment. Silence speaks so clearly when the chatter of mind is not followed. Awareness is all it takes to realize that the mind is creating chaos. In that moment of realization, (sometimes it is only a second or two), there is a choice to either follow the clamor of the mind or to focus on the breath and listen to the silence of the heart. True guidance comes from stillness, presence.

I was talking with someone the other day and she was telling how she did not sleep the whole night because of her fear of what she may have to pay this year in taxes. The next day she was very surprised to discover what a small amount she was paying. However, she could barely enjoy that outcome because she was tired and did not feel well the entire day.

There is big change afoot on our planet, and with humanity. We can support the birthing process as awakened/ing midwives, or we can add to the chaos by letting fear lead us. Listening to the mind's yammering creates dysfunction in the body. Negativity feeds itself, so does love.

Much Love and Blessings to You!
shellee rae

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." ~ Marcus Aurelius