LIR 11916 Weekly - Jera

"Do you believe the work is equal
 to the harvest you desire?"





What a loaded question.

If you're like me, the answer seems to be "What work?" With a lot of exclamation points.

Yes, I know the general feel of the harvest I'm working for, believing in, manifesting. I see it in the distance - a cozy cottage with trees and twinkly lights and a babbling brook. My favorite steed munching contentedly in it's own cozy place, and easy connection to all the people I love.
Or a grand store, where I can wake up in the morning and wander downstairs to do my writing in between clients and customers and random people pulled in by the atmosphere. My peeps are everywhere. My favorite steed is there too, and sometimes turns into a leer jet so I can travel to exotic places and write about them for the delight of my soul. There are classes and singing and knick-knacks and a veranda.

I can feel this. I can see it. I know I have the skills to BE it.

But between me and the cottage / store / castle of dreams is a misty expanse of nothingness. Just fog. Thick, heavy, clinging, dragging fog. Like in a video game, where the next part of the map isn't revealed until you finish all the quests on this part of the map.

And I have no idea how to clear the fog. I don't know what quests are due. I am running from screen to screen, pushing buttons and searching trunks, and nothing is working. And I can't seem to access my hints.

So, to answer the question, the work I am doing is NOT equal to the harvest. It seems to have nothing to do with the harvest. It feels like I'm spinning my wheels.

Yesterday a path-partner advised, "Just stop and step away." As in, stop stomping on the gas if I'm not getting anywhere. Stop running from screen to screen. Stop trying to figure out the fog. Quit trying to get across, or through.

Maybe sit down and have a cup of tea. Read a book. Finish my to do list - okay, start my to do list. It may not feel like it's attached to the harvest, but it is work that needs to be done. And there is still work which brings me happiness - like writing, and reading runes, and laundry.

And maybe that's the real answer. Just keep doing the happy. I know it's the answer I'm supposed to say, as a happiness practitioner. It's the answer that resonates, even though I have no idea how it will get me through, over, under, or around the fog. It's the answer I'm resisting because I CAN'T see how it will bring me to my dream.

But wheel spinning , as time consuming as it is, isn't working. It doesn't bring happiness either. And it's wasting gas.

So maybe if I focus on the happiness, the working of it will transport me directly to the next screen.

Because work that brings me joy is the only work that is equal to, worthy of, the twinkly Cottage Store and the Marvelous Steed and My People.

I don't know. It doesn't feel like the whole truth, but it feels like today's step. It'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow.

I hope you have a great day.

-Lila

LIR 71515 Weekly - Taiwaz in the Future

prefer video? watch here

There are times when we have to look at a situation, make a decision, with two points of view - the present and the future. Rather like a general looking at a map, or a person looking at a budget; we look at the finite amount of what we have, and decide whether we want to use it now, or save it for the future. We know certain chores need to be done, and we decide to do them now, or later. We procrastinate on our studying, or we don't.

Often in the stress of the moment, we are only focused on how our choices affect the now. But the reading for this week lets us know that next week, we are going to have some results, some consequences, some less or some more.  Next week the other shoe will drop.

If this is regarding a decision you've made in the past, now is a good time to prepare. Shore up your energies, if you expect to have less. Prep for a night of cramming. Conversely, you can sleep well knowing your project is well completed. And if you saved, know that the time you saved for is coming.

If this is regarding a situation you're in now, Taiwaz advices you make the decision based on future happiness. If you love steak, save it for a special day next week. If you really don't want to go somewhere, do it this week so it's happily in the past next week. If next week is jam packed, perhaps you can preprep to save yourself some energy.

Often, we make decisions for our truth and happiness in the moment. That's what we've been practicing. Perhaps we have that skill down pat now; we have a good idea what brings joy and what brings white hot raging frustration. So now we get to expand. And make decisions based on our truths, and the happiness of the future.

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It's an interesting experiment, to try and look ahead into next week. The now is so easy. Perhaps that's why it's time to expand. Because, yes, the next week already has many differences. There are changes coming up… Volunteer training for Hospice; vacations and birthdays, and, if we look REALLY far, Fall. Time passes.

It has been excellent practicing what works. And now, I do think I'm ready to carry it to what WILL work. Like holding a note, or walking a step, or cooking a dish. You start with step one and then, when it's easy, you add it to another step one. Eventually you have a song, a marathon, a meal.

I can do this. Now, what can I do with this?

I hope you have a great week!

-Lila

LIR 41015 Fehu & IngwazR

What energy is feeding you? Is it enough or too much? 

Is it in accord with the energy that fuels your passion?

What seeds haven't blossomed yet? 

Do they need more energy, more time?

 Have you even missed them?

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BEST. HAIRCUT. EVER.  and Oh, I didn't think of that.

So, Fehu was about my haircut appointment at Spellbound, I expect. Not necessarily about the haircut itself, but about where it was. About expanding my community (because Spellbound is a metaphysical store as well as a hair salon; and the stylists are Wiccans. And practicing Witches.) I do enjoy the restful company of being among people just doing their thing, exercising their power joyfully.

And Fehu was probably a bit about staying up until 1 in the morning writing about the experience (See Meanderings blog.).  It's interesting that pouring my thoughts and ideas out onto a "blank" page brings me great joy. I love writing. Possibly as much as I love singing. Actually, possibly more.

Wait. No judgment. No comparison. It simply is. I have so many possibilities for awesome happiness just among the seeds I have chosen to focus on, is there room for more?

But, yesterday I also visited with the next generation of my family (or some of it). And yes, I have missed them. Their exuberance. Their unique perceptions.  Their expressions and reticence. Happily, I have made plans to spend some time with them. So, yeah, there'd best be room for more.

When you're happy you need less sleep right?

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 4415 Fehu

Do you have something someone else wants?

Do you wish to part with it?

Do you really need to look outside yourself for something you need? 

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I agree. It is the first step - looking outside of myself for an answer. For assistance. For sustenance. For assurance.

Well, it's the second step. The first step seems to be having a full blown meltdown in order to realize something needs fixing, changing, transitioning. For my happiness.

And I have some pretty awesome friends and family; they tend to help even when I'm not sure what I need. Or want. Which can confuse the issue sometimes. Because the second step, really, is being able to know what it is that's needed.

I suppose there are many answers, many possibilities, many options. It just depends on how far we each want to go. Do we want the duct tape fix? The gorilla glue? The paid for repair? Or the replacement? Or, do we want to just get rid of the issue all together?

And so we ask the Divine. We ask professionals and people we respect. And people who have known us. And we forget to ask ourselves.

The interesting thing about life, about the universe, about reality, is that it is all just one big spiral. "As within, so without. As above, so below." And the fix for the "little thing" is often the same fix, or focus, for the big.

So, my realization, my answer to my supplication of "what?!" is "consistency." In the big things - like how I celebrate and connect with the Divine on a daily basis; to the little things - like taking my supplements regularly; to the in-between things - like how to spend my energy on the things i wish to produce. 

Consistency. Not flying all over the place in planning and thinking and wondering. 
Consistency. Stick to point one. Get this part finished, done, practiced, or discarded. Then moving on.
Consistency. Find which parts are consistent (say the act of doing a daily reading) and which parts are fluid (rune readings vs ogham card readings for example.)
Consistency.

Interestingly, it was talking about it out loud which helped me arrive at this reminder. But, the answer didn't come from without. It came from within.

Though I did just say, as within so without. So I guess it's the same thing.

Gods bless connections!

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

PS - that part about the Ogham was true. I didn't have space to do a rune reading today, so I did a reading with my Ogham deck instead. Stay tuned!

LIR 32615 - Uraz

Whatever the situation, project, relationship, question, look at the foundation. 
Is it feeding you?

Are you receiving energy and excitement just from being in or near the situation, doing the project? 
Does it drive you as much as your hard work and passion drive it?

If the answer is yes, it's probably worth pursuing, keeping, sticking with, hanging around.


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Okay - this never even came up in thought... too busy doing so much today!

But I would venture to say that means I have answered the question for myself. If I ever doubt my desire to write, read, sing, couch, hold space for the truth and beauty of individuals everywhere, today certainly showed they are all feeding me.

I'm rather excited to see what's going to be built upon this foundation!

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 71514 - Taiwaz, Sowelo

Question of the day:

what choices will lead to happiness & success?

which sacrifices are worth it?

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Since this was a question, I automatically asked and answered it.  What sacrifices are worth the success?  And the only thing I could think of was time.

Then of course I started obsessing with sacrifice.  But let's look at the first part of the question.  What choices will lead to happiness?  Time could also be the answer to that.    Spending time working on things, being with people and in places which create happiness.  Doing things that make me feel happy will lead to doing more happy things.

And back to the obsession about sacrifice.  Like "work" it has a negative connotation.  But really, all it means is choosing, doesn't it?  Choosing one thing over another.  Choosing this or that.  Choose excitement over fear.  Choose happiness over drama.  Choose to spend the time on things which make me happy, instead of bemoaning my anger or frustration or sorrow.

The important word is choice.

As always.

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LIR 71814 - Dagaz, Uraz, Ehwaz, Othila, Fehu  (lol - "from a trickle to a roar".)

A little more time, a little more thought. Firm your foundations, ride the emotional wave, accept your gifts & open your arms wide. Your dreams are coming!

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 71114 - PerthroR & Ehwaz

Remember, it is your truth & your needs that will keep things flowing the way you want.

Yes, everyone is important, but you are the ONLY one with your experiences.

 

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In other words, if all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it?

And remember, sometimes the answer is no.

For me, this reading had 2 or 3 parts.  The first was easily determined.  I turned in my 2 week notice at my current retail job.  There were the expected protestations, and the questions which boiled down to "What can we do to make it happier for you here?"

And it was flattering.  And it was tempting.  But the answer is, "nothing."   The only way for me to be happier at this retail job is for it not to be this retail job.  So.  I imagine there will be a few more conversations, but the truth, my truth, is that it is time for me to move on.

Relatively easy.

Not so easy are the moments when friendly people want to discuss opinions.  Whether it's books, movies, or political arenas, sometimes it's frustrating trying to balance acceptance of other's views and maintaining/ expressing my own views.  I like the person, shouldn't I like the same things she/ he likes?

And then the moments with friends.  True friends.  Long term friends.  However, this is a little easier because part of the strength of the friendship is the give and take of ideas, the flow of one leading and then the other.  A lot of practice has gone into this: the quick turn around between total agreement and opposing views; the switch between one person having knowledge and then other.  Again, the truth of the moment is the most important thing, not the ego, not even the image of "My place in the pack."

And finally, the most interesting part.  The rebellion part.  The "anti-influence".  Being used to doing the opposite of what people advise is just as false as going blindly along.  Opposing sides is not a permanent truth.  And this is the aspect of outside influences I still feel I need a lot of practice in.  When one is used to being unique and different, and prides herself on that, it is easy to miss the good advice, the suggestions and opportunities and vibrations, from unexpected sources.

So, to answer all the mothers in our heads,  if my friends jumped off a cliff, would I follow?  Putting aside the questions such as: can I fly?  What kind of safety device am I wearing?  Is there a time portal we're jumping into? the real issue is this.  Would it make me happy?  if the answer is "yes," I'm jumping.

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LIR 71314 - No Rune

"You’ve got this covered. Anyway, I’m busy." Love, the Universe.

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 7714 - HagalazR & Berkano

We don’t need big, drastic changes to increase our comfort.

The desire for more nurturing will not destroy our worlds.

Breathe in. What do I want? Breathe out.

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Yesterday, I was pretty sure about what I wanted.  This morning, my mind is a fever of images and ideas and possibilities.

But, it is a pretty basic thing to remember.  Breathe in.  What do I want?  Breathe out.  I wish I'd reread this last night, or earlier this morning.

Because I know the panicked flitting from idea to idea is not what I want.  It in no way makes me happy.  And some of those ideas were (are) fun!  But.

The question itself may be even simpler.  "Do I want this?"

And if the answer is no, no judgement.  No big drama.  Just accept and move on.

Yes, that feels right.  That feels happy.  That feels calm and comforting.

Breathe out.  "Do I want this?"  Breathe in.

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LIR 7814 No Rune

Well, we must be on the right track, whatever we’re doing. *g*

Slow & steady.

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 7214 - Wunjo

Remember those parties, those celebrations with all your clan about you?  What made it a party?  What makes them family?


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For me, yesterday's remeniscense had nothing to do with family or close friends, per se.  It had, again, to do with work.  With being happy at what I am doing.  With the clan, family I created at various places of employment.

Where was I happiest?  What made these people family?  Where did I create relationships that still hold strong today?

I have worked in many places: fast food, dry cleaners, corporations, schools, furniture, books, metaphysical, clothes, car dealership.  Today, I my closest, deepest, longest lasting friendships come from two places - the bookstore & the metaphysical store.

So what makes them family or clan?  Shared interests.  Similair language.   An open-mindedness.  And a feeling I could be myself, I was myself, I was accepted for myself.  All of this adds up to happiness.

So why did I leave these places?  Certainly not because of the people.  But in each instance, I felt, simply, the urge to move on.  That my happiness quotient was now ready for a new ingredient.  and I have tried to go back to these places.  I still visit both stores with regularity, and even do some of my work in both places.  But a stronger foothold, or  a more permanent work relationship, has been unavailable with either place.

So, now I know what I worked in the past.  What kind of environment I want.  A metaphysical book store.  I even have some interesting ideas about opening my own.  But...  

Isn't that a wonderful word, but...?

So, we'll skip that word and just leave it at that.  A metaphysical bookstore.  Could encompass all my talents and bring more people I would love to meet.

Let's see what's next.

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LIR 7314 - WunjoR

So. Now, what things made those Clan gatherings uncomfortable? And, or, what events/ groups are definately not family?

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila

LIR 62914 - Fehu

Time to let your job, your passion, your life enervate you.  The purpose for all that hard work is happiness.  Today's a good day to enjoy it.

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As usual, I remembered one part of the reading, and not the rest.  Which is fine.  I assume there are different relevant parts for different people.

Yesterday, I was tired.  And counting calories.  So the reading, for me, took on the simple meaning of let your job feed you.  After some thoughtful time in the reading portion of my work, I went into retail.

On one hand, it did feed me.  we were busy busy (end of a coupon, a register on a fritz).  So busy people didn't take their breaks at the appointed time.  So busy, I didn't even notice I was very hungry until I made some silly little mistake.  (Quick analyzation, attention wandering, oh!  I'm grumpy.  Oh.  I'm hungry.)  So, as I had to wait for my break, I tried to let the activities, and flow of movement and work, even whatever extra energy there was hanging around feed me and energize me.

I assume it worked, as my mood did not deteriorate.  And even better, a co-worker who is highly exuberant came in for the end of my shift, so her up beat mood helped me reach one also.

But when I finally reached home, I was soooooooooo tired.  And achy.  All plans to do anything productive were out the window.

This morning I reread the post and realized I did do what it suggested.  For what do I expend energy at the retail store?  For money.  What does the money get me?  A beautiful comfy place in which to rest and watch tv and relax. I didn't realize it at the time; I was busy being grumpy about the pain and deciding to go to bed early, but I did partake of what my work brings me.  I did use the benefits I and my Significant Other provide.  Enjoy may not be the best word, but I certainly am glad of it now!

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LIR 63014 - Eihwaz

Today is about balance. What worlds, realities, needs are you balancing? Is it working?

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila

LIR 61814 - Dagaz

Take time to think, Compare, contemplate, be sure before moving forward.

 If it feels rushed, it might not be the right time.

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Well, I must say I am impressed with myself.  Because that's what I did.  I thought.  And I thought.  And I discussed and I talked and I thought some more.

A friend of mine brought up a very good thought this weekend.  She said, and I paraphrase, "Okay.  We know what we don't like.  We may not know why, but we know what.  So, what do we want to replace it with?"

It's not enough, it seems, just to want something.  I suppose that's part of free will, and taking responsibility.  I have to know all parts of what I want.  As in, do I just want to be content?  Earning income by doing a task that has no meaning to me?  Filling my days with repetition, so I can freely hang out at night?  Or do I want more, even if it means having to work for the times of relaxation and hanging out?

what do I really want?  Over all.  And in little pieces.  If this doesn't make me happy, what do I want to replace it with?

And, how do I want to get there?

I have learned one thing, in my contemplations.  I do NOT believe in compromise.  I want it all!  Every drop of happiness.  Every moment.  So mote it be.

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LIR 62214 - PerthroR

Look. It’s not about the outside influences. It’s not about what others want or think is right. It’s not even about fate, destiny, or what “should” be.

It’s about what we want. It’s about what makes us happy. Each, individually, uniquely happy.

So. What do you WANT?

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR - June 2014: NaihwazR

Prefer to listen?  click here to download

Also seen as Nauthiz, nydth, Nawt, and Naudhiz

It's a lot of work pursuing our goals, isn't it?  Manifesting our dreams.  Water it now; cover it later; feed and nurture and think this way and move that way and…  I'm tired!

Sometimes, just contemplating the energy output required to achieve happiness can feel overwhelming and exhausting!  And we wonder, is it all worth it?  Do I really want to finish this journey?  Do I really want to reach the shore?  What am I really going to have to show for all of my work?  Wouldn't it be easier to just let go, sit down right here and go no further? 

The answer is no.  It really wouldn't be easier to stop now.  Really, it wouldn't.  We have the forward momentum, we have all those skills we've been practicing.  We have the shore in sight!  So really, stopping would be soul shattering.  It might feel good for a moment, but then would start the recriminations and the regrets.

No to regrets.

No to all the fears.

No to the doubts trying to steal energy from the dream.  

Making dreams come alive is work, yes, but it's fun, fueling, passionate work.  If we're tired, we take a break, and then we're itching to get up and get going again.    We feed our dreams, which feed us, so we can feed the dreams that feed us…  It's a big happy, rejuvenating circle.

And for anything that doesn't fit in that circle, "Just say no!"  A doubt comes up, squash it.  A thought of failure?  Release it.  Fears have no place in our dreams.  We don't need to fight them, beat them, conquer them or overcome them.   They have no power at all.  They do not exist.

The rune for June is Naihwaz R off the mat.  Way off the mat.   We let the happiness of our manifestation feed us.   There is NO room for anything else.

I hope you have a great month!

-Lila

written for the Spirit Wise newsletter

LIR 21014 no rune

again, today, we have no particular issue to focus on. Keep on breathing & growing, believing & sowing the seeds of your dreams.

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The last two days have NOT been business as usual.  I'm not sure if I'm going with the flow, or if I'm trying new ways of organizing my time.  But my routine has not been routine.  And that feels... strange.

But isn't that the goal, when all is said and done?  To keep breathing and growing and moving forward no matter what comes our way?  To have goals in sight but be flexible about how they are achieved?  To float on the winds of change instead of being buffeted by them?

I gave time and energy to all of my work and projects yesterday.  And I spent the day pretty happy.  So does it matter in which order I do these projects?

No.  No it doesn't.  The happier I am, the more I will accomplish.  And the more productive I am, the happier I am.

So, here's to going with the flow.  What's on today's agenda?

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LIR 21114 Wunjo

A day to connect with the family of your heart and share the latest news.  

I hope all is well with you,

-Lila

112513 - PerthroR

Today the choices are yours.  No outside influence or sudden influx of energy will affect the situation.  What works best for you to keep the momentum?

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"What works best for you to keep the momentum?"  It's an interesting question.  My immediate response is, rewards.  Rewards work best for me!  ("Gimme what's in the bag!")  And this is true to an extent.  I often say to myself, "nope, can't have/read/eat/watch/play that until you've finished this."

But, that is both the reward system and the practice of making my consumption, in whatever form, also have value.  And, frankly, the reward system is just a form of doing something that I'll be glad I've done to get something that makes me happy.  So, there's a deeper propulsion.

Yesterday, the most difficult thing was filling out a job application online.  
  I have been working from home for a long time, and sometimes the thought of being out in public again is, um, well, frightening.  On the other hand, if I keep just staying in the house, it'll become more and more difficult to leave it.  And I want to travel!  So, yes, in the midst of winter, I am practicing getting out of the house.

Which includes having an outside job.

First, I fixed up my resume.
Then I decided which job to apply for.
Then I filled out the online application.

Good Ness!  What a chore!!  I didn't even think about copying and pasting from the resume, because the smallness of the boxes made me think my writing space was limited.  And of course, there was the availability section, which meant a thorough examination of my schedule for the next 3 months.  AAAAArrrrrrggggghhhh.

So, what propelled me through the process, and through actually hitting the send button?

Because it will get me what I want.

Examining my actions of yesterday, and this morning, and previous and future intentions, the base line is this.  I do what I do because it gets me what I want.  From washing dishes to folding laundry to laughing at my SO's jokes, I do what I want because it makes me happy.  And I want, more than anything else, to be happy.  If I want to feel productive, I get out of bed.  If I really want to stay in dream land, I snuggle down.  And both those feelings make me happy, at specific times.

Productivity, respect, self confidence and self worth all aside, the feeling that helps me keep the momentum is "What makes me happy?"

Like rushing through this post so I can do the daily reading, dress up & be on time for a lunch date.  That makes me happy.  *G*

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila