A New Beginning

I have always had what I call a very "plastic" brain; by that I mean a mind that slips easily between paradigms of thinking. I begin to see through the filter of those other ways very quickly without losing my ability to relate to my prior position. I think this natural flexibility of belief this is the true definition of what Shamans call "walking in different worlds" and is what caused me to gravitate towards the study of shamanism in the first place.
I still call myself a Shaman, because I see the term as the closest definition to what I have become, but recently, a series of personal changes (and choices) has left me at a bit of a loss in terms of a defining paradigm. Contrary to what you might think, and indeed contrary to how I would have thought about it before, I'm finding that it's just fine with me! I do not mourn the end of an "identity", I celebrate the integration of my many facets into a more complete and effective Human Being.
I'm still writing stories, with plans to publish them in E-book form in the near future, but you will find other information here too. I believe that those who need to find this information will find it. I hope that something about my own personal journey speaks to you, and helps you to unravel some of the mystery of your own Life.
Thank you for reading!
-Grace

(just a reminder, all material and stories are copyrighted)

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving.
As children, those of my generation were taught a story of Thanksgiving that included friendly, buckle-wearing Pilgrims and kindly, warm-hearted "Indians".
As I grew older, however, I learned that "history" is most often written by the winners and that there is always more to the story.
European settlers, and indeed, all conquering nations, portrayed their history in accordance with what are called "The Three Gs" of history, Gold, God and Glory; often d...istorting, ignoring or denying elements that they felt did not support their point of view.
We now know that many of those elements had to do with tremendous suffering and loss sustained by the Native American nations.
So, in my mind the historical basis for the holiday we celebrate today does not really exist.

As a result, over the years, I have not celebrated this day as the commemoration of a historical event, but with the belief and hope that, as a species, we can move forward in our understanding and acceptance of each other. Each year on this day, I remember what humanity is capable of, and I use that realization to reinforce my commitment to becoming a more compassionate, more loving, and more forgiving human being.
Letting go of the past does not mean we forget the sacrifices and pain of our ancestors. Nor does it minimize the tragedy of those forced to endure cruel and unfair treatment at the hands of their oppressors.
Instead, it honors their sacrifice as the gift that it is, enabling us to use that sacrifice as a catalyst for future change which ensures that no other being will ever have to experience that loss again.
It is crucial that people of ALL nations honor the Spirit of our culture and heritage in our hearts, with an eye towards the future, and the goal of creating anew and strengthening our ties to each other *as we are now*.
So, with that in mind, I say "Happy Thanksgiving"-may we all give thanks that Love and Understanding are still a part of this world. May we give thanks to those who strive for the betterment of all Souls. May we give thanks for the clarity that comes with perspective.
But, most of all, may we give thanks for each other; for the diversity that makes us endlessly fascinating, for the strengths and challenges that we all face and for the lessons that these things teach us about ourselves.
May you all have a peaceful Thanksgiving.

-Grace


 

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