IN MEMORY OF JAN

JAN N. STEWART
15 October 1934 – 30 July 2004
Deer were her Medicine Animal.


DEER
-Gentleness-

"One day Fawn heard Great Spirit calling to her from the top of Sacred Mountain. Fawn immediately started up the trail. She didn’t know that a horrible demon guarded the way to Great Spirit’s lodge. The demon was trying to keep all the beings of creation from connecting with Great Spirit. He wanted all of Great Spirit’s creatures to feel that Great Spirit didn’t want to be disturbed. This would make the demon feel powerful, and capable of causing them to fear him.

Fawn was not at all frightened, when she came upon the demon. This was curious, as the demon was the archetype of all the ugly monsters that have ever been. The demon breathed fire and smoke and made disgusting sounds to frighten Fawn. Any normal creature would have fled or died on the spot of fright.

Fawn, however, said gently to the demon, “Please let me pass. I’m on the way to see Great Spirit.”

Fawn’s eyes were filled with love and compassion for this oversized bully of a demon. The demon was astounded by Fawn’s lack of fear. No matter how he tried, he could not frighten Fawn, because her love had penetrated his hardened, ugly heart.

Much to the demon’s dismay, his rock-hard heart began to melt, and his body shrank to the size of a walnut. Fawn’s persistent love and gentleness had caused the meltdown of the demon. Due to this gentleness and caring that Fawn embodied; the pathway is now clear for all of Great Spirit’s children to reach Sacred Mountain without having to feel the demons of fear blocking their way.

Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are trying to keep us from Sacred Mountain. Like the dappling of Fawn’s coat, both the light and the dark may be loved to create gentleness and safety for those who are seeking peace.

When Deer gently nudges its way into your life, you are being asked to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds. Stop pushing so hard to get others to change, and love them as they are. Apply gentleness to your present situation and become like the summer breeze. Warm and caring. This is your tool for solving the present dilemma you may be facing. If you use it, you will connect with Sacred Mountain, your centering place of serenity, and Great Spirit will guide you."

Taken from Medicine Cards
By Jamie Sams & David Carson

EAGLE MEDICINE

Last night I saw a pair of eagles…in my dream.
My Cherokee grandmother’s mischievous spirit tapped me on the shoulder, leading me to the Native American Medicine Wheel and Medicine Cards. Both of these tools are symbols that focus on and teach the power of:

Undaunted Courage
Daring
Boldness
Grits & Guts
Patience
Bravery, Valor, Resoluteness

The Universe…Nature…the Animals all speak to us from very deep places. The Medicine Wheel and Medicine Cards represent a modern day version of an ancient ritual used to teach individuals about themselves, nature, animals and the Creator Spirit (Christian people refer to as God). If we were to travel back in time far enough, we find that the foundation of most of the planet’s spiritual beliefs, as with the Native American people in the United States, share some basic commonalities:

They share the quest for:

Personal Vision
Understanding of the Unseen (Spiritual Connection)
The Pursuit of Love, Happiness and Contentment
Shared Communication and Community
Inspiration, Imagination and Creative Expression

We are all born with the capacity to dream, to have visions, to be inspired and to create. Two of today’s preeminent authorities on Native American Medicine are Jamie Sams and David Carson. In their books they thank their medicine teachers for “teaching them to touch the stars, to keep their hearts open and to walk their talk.” It is from their resources that I share the interpretation of what Eagle Medicine represents.

Eagle Medicine
--Spirit—

Eagle Medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine. It is the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth. Eagle soars, and is quick to observe expansiveness within the overall pattern of life. From the heights of the clouds, Eagle is close to the heavens where the Great Spirit dwells.

The feathers of Eagle are considered to be the most sacred of healing tools. They have been used for centuries by shamans to cleanse the auras of patients coming to them for healing. Within the belief systems of Native American tribes, Eagle represents a state of grace achieved through hard work, understanding, and a completion of the tests of initiation which result in the taking of one’s personal power.


Flowers do not force their way with great strife. Flowers open to perfection slowly in the sun… Don't be in a hurry about spiritual matters. Go step by step, and be very sure.
-White Eagle-

When you are in doubt, be still, and wait. When doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still. Be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists -- as it surely will. Then act with courage.
-White Eagle-

SWEET INSPIRATION

Chocolove

In the azure blue shimmer of a sultry summer Sunday, he offered each of us one small square of the purest, deepest, richest chocolate that had ever crossed our lips. Slowly melting on our tongues, enhanced by the liquid warmth of afternoon English/China green tea; we all cried out from the wonder of this unexpected sensual delight. Our lives have been irrevocably changed forever! Such fools we made of ourselves as we begged for more. But, alas, the bar was gone.

To assuage our longing and comfort our broken hearts, he offered to read the love poem hidden on the inside wrapper,

Fly not yet – ‘tis just the hour
When pleasure, like the midnight flower,
That scorns the eye of vulgar light,
Begins to bloom for sons of night,
And maids who love the Moon!
‘Twas but to bless these hours of shade
That beauty and the moon were made;
‘Tis then there soft attractions glowing
Set the tides and goblets flowing!
O! Stay – O! Stay –
Joy so seldom weaves a chain
Like this tonight, that O! tis pain
To break its links so soon…

-Thomas Moore-

And then it says in small print:
“Continued on Raspberries in Dark Chocolate with best buy date of APR 2010.”

Torture. It has been an afternoon of pure torture!

Chocolove Cherries & Almonds in Dark Chocolate
We wonder if they overnight from Boulder?

Available at SUGAR APPLE HEALTH FOOD STORE in Key West.

STEPPING STONES

Many years ago I had the privilege of attending an impressive Artist’s Workshop Retreat at the Commonweal in Bolinas, California. It was a superb experience. People from all walks of life attended. Recently, I rediscovered the workshop journal and thought that some of you might find this exercise insightful. Besides, it really can be interesting to check in with yourself every once in a while. One of the first assignments given to us was called “Stepping Stones”. Here it is:

Where you are now is a point on a long path which has so far described your life. The path will continue to unfold, as you go. For now, in order to deepen your awareness of where you are, it is good to deepen your awareness of where you’ve come from. Even if you think you already know.

First – and this should be done very quickly – make a list of those “Stepping Stones”; those markers, or points of progress which have brought you to this point. Keep it to about 12. Don’t worry, don’t think hard about this. The important ones will occur to you right away. There is no right or wrong way to complete this list.

Now. After the list is made, look it over. Choose one “Stepping Stone” that feels interesting or pleasant or painful to you…there should be some emotional energy attached to it…and write about that time as completely as you can. Include all the feelings you remember, all the details, the questions, descriptions, etc.

It may amaze you. It may surprise you. It may comfort you or point you in a new direction. Whenever you’re ready, put these answers away for future reference. Then, go mark your calendar for six or twelve months from now…reminding yourself to pull out what you wrote in response to this exercise. It’s also handy to jot down where you put your notes; I forgot myself!

Enjoy the process.

-Royce-

BEING BRILLIANTLY CREATIVE

April Fool 1945
Artist: Norman Rockwell

WHEN IN DOUBT, MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF.
THERE IS A MICROSCOPICALLY THIN LINE
BETWEEN BEING BRILLIANTLY CREATIVE
AND ACTING LIKE THE MOST GIGANTIC IDIOT ON EARTH.
SO WHAT THE HELL, LEAP!

-CYNTHIA HEIMEL-

About the Artist
From: AllPosters.com

Beloved American artist Norman Rockwell (1894 – 1978) is most known for his nostalgic, touching paintings that appealingly depicted simple scenes from everyday life. First hired to illustrate a series of children’s books when he was 16, Rockwell was then hired as the art director of “Boys’ Life,” the official magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. The “Saturday Evening Post,” the era’s most prestigious magazine, bought their first cover from him six years later. For almost five decades, he created 321 “Post” covers, which became his trademark. Later illustrating for “Look” magazine, he probed more serious cultural concerns.

GOT READING GLASSES?

Written by: Jack Canfield and Gay Hendricks


Looking for something interesting to read? This book may be your answer. Essentially it offers several book choices within one book. Fifty five people share the story of the book that changed their life. The contributors include Dave Barry, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Lou Holtz, Jack Canfield, Louise Hay, Arielle Ford and many other distinguished, successful and intriguing muses. The books mentioned are a cross-section as diverse as the individuals sharing their stories. To give you an idea, here are some of the titles:

Don Quixote by Cervantes,
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell,
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl,
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.

Don’t miss the last section of the book entitled List of Contributors and Their Books (Pages 273-275) for the comprehensive summary. The first paragraph of the book jacket says it all,

“There’s nothing better than a book you can’t put down – or better yet, a book you’ll never forget. This book puts the power of transformational reading into your hands…notable people are invited to share personal stories of books that changed their lives.

What book shaped their outlook and habits?
Helped them navigate rough seas?
Spurred them to satisfaction and success?”

We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Now… where did I put my reading glasses?

THE ART OF LAUGHTER

Photo by: Pisit Senanunsakul

Two elderly friends share a joke as they go about their daily work in Chiang Rai, Thailand. They are drying native grass to be made into brooms. From the M.I.L.K. Collection – Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship – is the result of an epic global search for 300 extraordinary and geographically diverse photographs that capture the essence of humanity. Chosen from 40,000 entries worldwide, these powerful images cut across race and nationality and celebrate what it is to be part of ONE HUMAN FAMILY, to share the gift of FRIENDSHIP, and more than anything else, to be LOVED.

BY unanimous vote, MUSEologies declares JULY as the seventh official month to celebrate the Art of Laughter. Take a page from THE RED HAT SOCIETY’S message,


“…Just lay that burden down and come play! Have a wonderful day and let it be. If you loosen up and stop worrying about everything so much, who knows what glorious things will happen? Take some time for yourself with your friends, and rediscover the joy of plain old silliness and laughter…"

Sue Ellen Cooper
Founder, RED HAT SOCIETY

SUN, HEAT, RAIN and JULY

Photo by Eric Axene

"In April we cannot see sunflowers in France, so we say the sunflowers do not exist. But the local farmers have already planted thousands of seeds and when they look at the bare hills they may be able to see the sunflowers already. The sunflowers are there. They lack only the conditions of sun, heat, rain, and July. Just because we cannot see them does not mean they do not exist."

Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Monk, Author and Peace Activist

DECLARATION OF CREATIVE INDEPENDENCE

Image of Einstein from Quotable Notables

The Muse Declaration of
Creative Independence and Freedom ©
by Royce Addington

The unanimous Declaration

of the Nine Modern Day Muses,

When, in the course of Creative Events,

It becomes necessary for one Creative to dissolve

Unhealthy Perfectionism, Creative Paralysis, Fear of Failure,

And Self-Sabotage which have disconnected them

From their Imagination, Inspiration and Expression ‚
The Creative must declare
The Causes which impel them to action.

We,
The Nine Modern Day Muses,
Hold these Truths to be self-evident,
That all Luminescent Souls are created equal,
That they are endowed, by their Imagination and Inspiration,
With certain unalienable Rights,
That among these are
Life, Liberty, and
The Pursuit of Creative Expression and Happiness.

That to secure these Rights,
Muses are directed to enlighten a Creative;
That whenever any Form of unhealthy Perfectionism, Paralysis,

Fear of Failure or Self-Sabotage becomes destructive of these Ends,

It is the Right of the Creative to alter or abolish it,
And to institute
New Awareness, Thinking, Rituals, Structures and Habits,
Laying the Foundation on such Principles,
And organizing its Powers in such Form,
As to them shall seem most likely to effect their
Creative Expression and Happiness.

Passion indeed, will dictate that Creatives long established,
Must embrace Change for Light and Illuminating Causes;
And accordingly,
It is a Creative's Right, it is their Duty,
To throw off all Shackles, and to provide new Guards for their

Future Creative Security, Expression and Happiness!

We, therefore,
The Nine Modern Day Muses of the Infinite Universe, Assembled,

Appealing to the Supreme Creative Spirit for the Rectitude of our Intentions,

Do, in the Name, and by the Authority of
The good and Gifted, solemnly Publish and Declare,
That all Creatives are, and of Right ought to be,
Free and Independent,
That they are absolved from all unhealthy

Perfectionism, Paralysis, Fear of Failure and Self-Sabotage;
Creatives have full power to levy War against these enemies,

Conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
And to do all other Acts and Things
Which Independent Creatives may of right do.
We mutually pledge to each other
Our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor!

Don’t know who the Nine Modern Day Muses are? Click HERE.

JUST BEGIN...AGAIN

Art by Patricia J. Mosca
Poem by Royce Addington

Beloved and talented artist PATTIE J. MOSCA continues to inspire and delight with her whimsical, wonderful, artistic expressions! She describes herself as an Artist, a Dreamer and a Muse, all together as one.

Pattie is a nationally recognized artist gifted with a creative HeART of Joy. In the last year alone, her work has been profiled in Altered Couture, Artful Blogging, Art Doll Quarterly and Cloth Paper Scissors.

While soaking in some of summer’s sultry warmth, beauty and stolen moments; July 1st seems a grand time to remember that we can all choose to…

JUST BEGIN…AGAIN©2007

The most Sacred Place dwells within our Heart
Where Dreams are born and Secrets sleep
A mystical refuge of Darkness and Light
Fear and Conquest
Adventure and Discovery
Challenge and Transformation
Our Heart speaks for our Soul
Every moment while we are alive
Listen
The whispering beat repeats
Be…gin Be…gin Be…gin
It’s really that simple
Just Begin… Again

-Royce Addington-