Five hundred Twenty-five thousand Six hundred Minutes...

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand, Six hundred minutes!| Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan. | Five hundred twenty-five thousand, Six hundred minutes | How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?" ~Joanne: Seasons of Love: Soundtrack for Rent

We're coming off of a very high-energy weekend... do you breathe easier? think clearer? focus stronger? feel more grounded? I'd never really noticed how many new beginnings one can have until I started blogging... I'd always been aware of the various points of celebration but never really focused on the fact that this beginning period lasts so long - we've had the New Year... and the Chinese New Year thus far. It's another beginning as of yesterday though - time for celebrating the astrological new year - hello Spring (or I guess for those of us in this area of the world - hello Dry Season - you really should be here now). There was also a fabulous full moon this Saturday - according to Tarot.com this full moon joins Uranus in Aries to catalyze sudden change and awareness.

I've been busy this weekend - I find that weekends go by so quickly. Have been trying to be present. What's the point of knowing all that I know about energy shifts and yet not putting it to use? So, whilst doing the mundane - the everyday things such as carrying my car to get the window fixed... or shopping for groceries... or making lunch, I give thanks for what I have and what I'm able to do. I accomplished a lot I think.. and then yesterday I went to see Rent with a friend to celebrate her birthday... new experiences... new people...

It's almost my birthday (and by 'almost' I mean there's still over a month to go)... I'm excited and, as is usual at this time of the year, evaluating myself and my circumstances... what I want to do, be, contribute. The world is entering a phase of change and transformation and so am I.

Wishing you a good week...

peace,

Ren

'Connected in spirit, bound by love' ~ part of a prayer from my mama.

"In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I often have a lot of different thoughts that I'd like to post about. The ones that get posted are usually what's at the forefront of my mind or something I've been stewing on and so, whilst I do want to write about travelling and how fun it is, this post is about soul groups.

Don't know how many persons have heard the term. Or believe in it. Or are open to considering the idea of it. I believe in the idea though - that persons (or souls) reincarnate together in groups to help each other along - learn lessons, grow, etc.

It is said by various authors (first really saw it in the Celestine Prophecy) that the family we come with, the friends we are close to and persons that we are drawn to make up the groups that we belong to. We are all connected. Am currently in the process of organising a birthday lime for one of the members of my girl group - I've always found myself in girl groups - there aren't that many guys I'm connected to. So we'll go somewhere, spend time together and talk about life and relationships and etc.

Last night my mom had her mostly-girl group over - all people around her age (some older some younger) - they talk about spirituality and growth, about setting and fulfilling intentions and generally about being better people and contributing to the world - I think my brother and I are pretty lucky to be counted as members in that group (he's one of two guys in it). We're lucky I think cuz while I'd like to have persons my own age that I can talk such stuff with - I don't know how ready my own girl group is for that... friends my age that can speak of it are far away - email and msgs aren't as great as in-person convos.

I guess in time we'll get there. Or I'll find that group that's willing and able to discuss such topics. In the meantime, I'm enjoying what groups I have - the family and friends that are my support - whether they know it or not.

Have you found your group? Are you a member of a group without realising it? Whatever position you find yourself in - ultimately I think we all need to remember the simple fact: we are all connected - there's always someone there - you just have to be open and allow for communication to happen.

peace,

Ren

Family Dynamics...

"The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to."  ~Dodie Smith

My family... words cannot express how much they mean to me... or how much I love them... or how much they can (individually and combined) drive me crazy.

There are some that say that we don't choose our families... then there are those that say that we do  - that as souls we choose that group of souls where we'd learn whatever lessons we need to before our return to the source... those souls that would help us along in our path. In my heart, I believe in the second view... there are no other persons that can perhaps understand me as much as my family or who can push my buttons as much as they can. 

This time spent together for my brother's graduation has brought this home. I love them, I do. There is to me no stronger bond than blood though perhaps this may change (deepen? expand...) when I find someone I'm willing to share my life with. There is nothing that can get me as worked up as a threat (perceived or real) to any of my close family members... What do you do though when it's those same members fighting (whether they realise it or not) amongst themselves? 

What do you do when you understand where each one is coming from but you  can't make them understand each other? How do you explain your own feelings on the matter without it coming up as emotional word vomit? That's how I get... if it's something close to my heart then there's no way I can be dispassionate. Detachment - something we all must learn... I'm finding it hard where family is concerned. 

We're all spiritual beings having a human experience... all at different stages of our growth... entering young adulthood, entering adulthood, full adults... From this weekend alone I can sense that there's going to be family drama in the future. Adjustments to be made... lessons to be learned... 

Dear Universe, strength needed for times ahead...

peace,

Rtr

My doodles are spiral-shaped... mostly...

“The growth of understanding follows an ascending spiral rather than a straight line” ~Joanna Field aka Marion Milner

Have you ever noticed whether you're drawn to a particular shape or sign? There is meaning in everything if we just look and are open to the understanding it provides. 

For the past few years I've been drawn to the spiral... or spirally-shaped stuff... Last May I bought a book by Angeles Arrien (Signs of Life - The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them). In her research for this book she found that five basic shapes which appear in the art of all cultures and that similar meanings are given to these shapes. What are the shapes? The circle (wholeness), the square (stability), the triangle (goals and dreams), the cross (relationship) and the spiral (growth and change). The book also says that she found that the meaning attributed to each shape stands for a process of human growth, and that the shape carries this process within itself. Using the five shapes, the author developed a 'Preferential Shapes Test' to be used as a tool to determine a person's preference for a certain shapes and the same person's inner subjective states. The test then, can be used as a key to a person's current growth process. 

I did the test. The spiral shows up in Position 1 indicating that the process of growth is the one I believe to be the most important for me at this time. I guess growth is my lesson in this lifetime. Spirals symbolize the process of growth and evolution - of returning to the same point again and again, but at different levels so that everything is seen in a new light. I've observed that spirals appear in my life in all circumstances... it seems that there are situations I repeat over and over and each time I learn something new. It is said (I can't remember by whom...) that life will keep sending you the same situation repeatedly till you learn all the lessons you can from it... whether this is comforting or scary or both I can't be sure. 

This passage on the spiral resonates with me so I'm sharing:

"Those involved in the spiral process have a strong need for variety, novelty, and change. They dread routine and they are capable of doing multiple tasks well. Creative and ingenious, they are adept at initiating and following up on projects, although they may have some difficulty completing them. The challenge of this process is to grow and develop at different levels of awareness. During times of change, creativity is required to handles life's situations and challenges with integrity." Arrien (1998, pp 47)

Where is the spiral in your life? What shapes speak to you? What signs are there to give you guidance on your journey? Become aware... or just... be present.

peace,

Rtr

Forever a student?

"I like to learn, but I don't like to be taught" ~ Winston Churchill

I'm momentarily wallowing in self-pity... Why? Cuz this is my 1st totally free moment of today... Saturday... and Saturday's almost gone. 

I'm pursuing my MBA... it's not really something I wanted to get into but more something I feel like I should do - it seems to be the next logical step. Does it make me happy? Jury's still out... especially when I get home at late hours and have no time to just be. Will it be beneficial? Yes, at least in terms of being marketable and getting a job and such...

I like learning... I like the content of the courses and the discussions that arise. I like interacting with people in class and observing and contributing and just generally I like the growth involved. One of my teachers is fond of saying that an MBA is not just a piece of paper but a life experience and when you come out of it you think and operate on a whole different level. It amuses me cuz I think that every day is a life experience that changes your thoughts and operations...perhaps others don't see it that way?

I'm tired. It seems like I've been saying that a lot lately and maybe that's what needs to change. I need to be manifesting vitality... just so I can keep up with work and class and group projects and all the drama that is life... 

For now, I'm going to bed. 

peace,

Rtr