Archive for September, 2009
War of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness*
By Jamie Gilroy
- Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Please pardon the intrusion, it is Michael here. I must apologize for my brother Uri – he is at times intrusive and lacking the proper decorum for one of our kind. Some call him edgy and vulgar. I myself see him as young and impulsive.
His view of the human he has been mandated to protect is somewhat inappropriate. We normally do not discuss our humans lives in public, and least not in a such an open forum like what you humans refer to as a “blog”. I must admit to a tinge of embarrassment in what is being openly shared amongst you humans these days over cyber space. With the simple entry of a mere word an entire world opens up at your fingertips. What is this portal called? Giggle? Oh, no, Google. It’s as if “knowledge” is dispersed from an unauthenticated source yet is received as gospel (if only the real gospel was heard again). If you desire an opinion on any subject (or person for that matter) you only have to type it in and hit send.
It is my wish to return this forum to its rightful author. Uri is not happy about the loss of his cyber pulpit. However he has more important things to do and has agreed to return to his duties as guardian angel for Jamie.
Please excuse my forwardness. However in this moment I’d like to ask that you place your attention on the present state of your planet and its occupants. Just see what interactions are occurring between the humans; experience the vibrations of humanity. Are they calming? Is there less divisiveness? Less war? Less hunger? What is happening right before your eyes? And what part do you play? What role do you take on or not? What choices do you make and how do they impact your life? Your world? What kind of impact are you having on the Earth? Do you side with the Light?*
In any case these are simply questions. Not meant to inflict judgment or even a point of view. Just respectfully asking while I have your undivided attention. Again, my sincere apologies if I have offended in any way (and of course for Uri’s behavior).
With the greatest love and respect,
Michael
From Bad to Bounty, A Shift in Point of View
By Meghan McChesney Gilroy
- Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Last week, the Gilroys were struck by a case of bad cell phone karma. Perhaps Mercury in retrograde was working its magic too. With a little insight, however, I was able to transform the “bad” into “bounty.” Here’s how…
On the same day, our 3 cell phones died. Nick’s was dipped in a bath of Goo (for you non-bike fanatics, that’s an energy substance appropriately named) which meant it now received but could no longer make calls. Mine was randomly dialing contacts, and after a test exchange with Nick’s Goo-bathed battery, randomly turning off. And Jamie’s was shutting down for no reason. Let’s just say communication was a little strained.
The three of us headed off to our local cell phone store. I had made a preliminary call and discovered that we only had one “upgrade” on our plan, which meant that we would most likely have to buy at least 2 new phones at full price. I pressed a little on other options – perhaps we’d luck out and be able to score a (cheaper and rare) used phone. Need less to say, I wasn’t happy about the prospect of shelling out a few hundred bucks for new phones. So I went into the store in a bit of a grump.
We walked into the store and Frank, the owner, greeted us warmly. After hearing our problem, he got right to work, “Let me see what I can do for you.” His demeanor was so friendly and helpful that I relaxed a bit. His positivity reminded me that I had made a commitment this weekend at our Life Mastery Dreaming workshop to maintaining a high level quality of feeling in my body. My energy shifted. A few minutes later, Frank said, “If I get really creative, I can have all three of you walk our of here with new phones for nothing out of your pocket.” He worked some kind of miracle – Jamie got a new phone since his was under warranty, I used Jamie’s upgrade to get a new phone, and Frank gave Nick a new (used) phone for free.
Rita has been teaching about a paradigm shift from “seeing is believing” (you have to show me in order for me to believe it) to “believing is seeing” (if you believe/feel it as true, then you will start seeing the results). As I walked out of the store, I felt this click inside of me. I saw that I have been operating under a subtle, unconscious belief that if a situation looks bad at the outset, I assume that it’s not going to work out in my favor. I’ll have to spend money or go through a headache in order to fix it. I might even engage my will to push my point of view or bully others into creating the outcome I want. It never feels good operating this way, and quite frankly it’s tiring.
What if I adpoted the point of view that everything was not just alright, but going to work out in my favor? What if I felt with all my being that the universe was conspiring to bring me money, help me achieve my dreams, and support my heart’s desire? Wow. Feel the impact of that. Instead of battling for what I want, I am supported every step of the way. Ahhh. I relax and open to even more good.
Since this ah-ha, the coffee shop treated me to a free cup of coffe. We received the first payment on an old loan that we had given up on ever being re-paid. A large refund from one insurance company arrived, and large check from another is in the works.
When life doesn’t appear to be going your way, how do you respond? Do you believe that an amazing opportunity is about to happen? Or that this is yet another annoying circumstance to deal with? Will it result in bad or bounty? I’ve been rebooting my operating system to believe, 100% that I am supported in all I do. And I’m seeing the results.
Guardian Angel Blues: Part Two
By Jamie Gilroy
- Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Hey Uri here again. So that was interesting. This blog got WAY more attention since I took over the writing duties from you know who – mister CTD (crash test dummy) himself – laymo Jaymo. What is it with that kid? Moaning and groaning all the time about wanting to be a writer, and how he is stressed out from work and has no time whatsoever to sit down and put his “enlightened” thoughts on paper. As a matter of fact he’d be much safer if he was at his desk and not running around trying to be Evel Knievel. If you added up all the time in plaster casts and getting stitched up he could’ve written a War & Peace size memoir. Sure would make my job a whole heck of a lot easier if he was sitting still…
So Mike, Gabe, Rafe, and I were Skype-ing each other last night around 3am when our humans were supposedly sleeping. That’s the only time we can rap about stuff. Skype is a friggin’ godsend (from where else?). We don’t show up on the screen cause of course we can’t be seen in this realm – but we see each other no worries. Anyway, we were kinda getting’ philosophical about shit, which is by the way not really our style. We’re more blue collar, meat and potatoes cats and this is sort of a problem when we get all sensitive and misty eyed. The heady, “spiritual”, cosmic, woo-woo crap is left up to the Big Guy (well Big Gal really, but that’s a WHOLE nother blog – shhhh, it’s kinda a secret). Truth be told we’re a bit worried about the humans. Nothing we could really pinpoint but just a hunch ya know?
We wuz talking bout roots. Not ours cause we got wings not roots, but the humans roots, both the physical connection to this planet, and the inner connection to the heart. Ahhhhhhhhh maaaaaan, I’m sorry it hurts to even write like this. I’m getting soft in my immortality. I swing a big bad ass sword cause it feels freakin’ cool and I love cuttin’ shit up – not cause I’m so do gooder. Anywho – I’ll press on. From where we sit (pretty sick view BTW) things on planet earth have gotten a wee bit tweaked. Back in the day it was wooden clubs, a cozy rabbit loin cloth and out running gnarly mastodons. Basic shit right? Now it’s gotten all techy and disconnected from the planet and more connected to each other than ever before. That’s sketchy when you get 6 billion humans all instantly connected to one another. Human beings in groups bigger than 4 are bizarre and this time they are living in is the most inter connected ever.
And in all the acquisitions of “things” the humans are losing heart – or at least their ability to check in and listen to what their heart is saying. Intellect is a beautiful thing in balance. But in the many millenniums I’ve been saving dumb asses like Jamo I’ve noticed that those humans who live connected to their inner world seem to be WAY happier than those ones chasing an illusion on the outside. The by product of which is we are having to step in front of a lot of bullets and damn those things are fast. Way easier when knuckleheads threw rocks at each other, or arrows which btw never ever flew straight. When some guy pegged his enemy with an arrow it was like he won the dang lottery…oh nevermind. I’m digressing.
Listen peeps. Just take a moment to look down at your feet. If you can find a patch of real ground. Take your shoes off (brilliant invention BTW) and wiggle your toes around. Feel this planet under your feet and say ahhhh. What do you humans call it? Oh yeah, Mother Earth. That’s an interesting way to treat poor ol’ momma. Now take your hand and place it over your heart (CENTER of your chest FYI) and feel the drum beat. Yup, that’s your heart pal. Connect to it. Make it your home cause when that baby stops beatin’ it’s curtains Mugsy.
Take a moment to realize you’re one fragile mo-fo living in a very fragile world. Best enjoy each little teenie tiny moment. That’s my advice. And I’ve seen some crazy shite in my day.
Gabe calls me the Prophet of Doom & Gloom. I’d like to think of myself as a loving messenger just delivering the mail.
Anybody home?
Later gator-
Uri
Guardian Angel Blues
By Jamie Gilroy
- Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
Hi. Jamie has taken a break from his blog and I’ve decided to fill in for him. I am his “guardian angel”. Call me Uri.
Look, I just want to take this opportunity and this forum to get some things off my proverbial chest. First off, we get no respect – I mean zip, zero, nada. People love to talk about their “angels watching over them” like it’s some fluffy namby pamby occupation complete with big lovely wings (like that stupid John Travolta movie) and Bach concertos playing soothing soundtracks and the entire deal Oprah approved. Bullshit. It ain’t like that at all.
It’s dark and nasty and nitty gritty stuff. You all only hear about the humans who die. And don’t get me going about the repercussions of letting your “assigned”* human expire – baaaaad, baaaaad, baaaaad is all I can say. The boss hates when we f-up and let a human die. Usually it’s cause we went for a smoke, or grabbed a café latte or something – I mean we need a break too…but I digress.
*There is one G.A. assigned to a human per lifetime (includes twins, sextuplets etc. Feel bad for dem angels)
You never hear about the billions of near misses every moment of every day. The ones most humans aren’t even aware of. Of how ridiculously close human beings come to being taken out each moment. If you only knew…which is another bone of contention for me. On what planet is anyone required to work 24/7? Not one moment of taking a breather, watching the game on TV, taking your honey for ice cream? Not to mention sleeping. Oh, and those humans who “die in their sleep”? Yup, somebody made a boo boo. Took their eye off their human and wham. Done. Dead. Happened to my buddy Mike just the other day – 2 am went to check his email and left this guy snoring peacefully. Came back not 5 minutes later – freakin’ guy is stone cold. I tell ya it’s a thankless full time gig and I’ve about had it!
Take Jamie my human for example. Not a bad kid but christ almighty (sorry boss) that guy shoulda been tattooed with the crash test dummy symbol. From the word go right outta the womb this joker has had me on full alert. He must be part feline since he has been forever trying to leave this earth (by the way cats really do have nine lives since they’re so stupid – they’d be “one and done” otherwise and then there’d be no more little puddie cats roamin’ the planet…yippee!). He loves to think of himself as a warrior who has survived many a battle and lived to tell the tale. And oh I just loooove the way he embellishes his stories like as if he had anything to do with staying alive. Remember that cliff he launched off of? What an idiot! Thirty-five feet and lands like he’s on a feather bed. Guess who he landed on? ME!!! Then this last incident with the car? Oh man. He slams into a 2010 Toyota on his little carbon fiber bicycle and is walking around joking with the EMT’s like he’s a friggin’ hero. Then he even takes pictures of the huge dent “he left” in the front quarter panel of the Toy. Guess what? Yup, that’s MY DENT!! I mean this kid is a train wreck. He looks like a tom cat all scarred up and those are just collateral damages – anyone of those scars could’ve been lights out Charlie. How about all his motorcycles? No he can’t just have a nice little Vespa scooter something cute and safe, he’s gotta go get that nasty black Speed Triple monster of his and ride it like he’s invincible. Who’s sittin’ on the front fender on high alert at all times? Me of course. ME ME ME!!! Oh I’m really getting steeped now.
I’m considering staging a walkout. I mean if guys who unload trucks have a union why not us? We could then be organized and go on strike, lobby for better working conditions, maybe a little paid vay-kay? Fifteen minute breaks morning and afternoon, lunch break. Eight hour shifts. Pee breaks. You get the idea. That would certainly help the “overpopulation” problem you humans are experiencing if we only worked 40 hours a week. And maybe people would think twice before taking us angels for granted. Maybe never even leave your house. Hummm. I might have to bring this up with Ari and Mike and the guys at our next meeting. But it’s nearly impossible to coordinate our schedules…what a bummer. And besides….
Oh crap there goes Jamie on his skateboard…I gotta fly peeps, thanks for letting me rant and rave. I feel a little better. Though barely.
Just remember next time you step off the curb, even though you look both ways, I’m looking all ways…
Later gator.
Uri
Energize Your Business at the Funky Monkey Oct 8th
By Kevin Murray
- Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Create maximum joy in your life with a minimum of time and effort.
Join us as we explore The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz:
- Be Impeccable With Your Word
- Don’t Take Anything Personally
- Don’t Make Assumptions
- Always Do Your Best
Click below for the event Flyer
Where: The Funky Monkey Cafe & Gallery
When: Thursday October 8th from 7 to 9 .m.
FREE
For more information call Kevin at 203.410.8150
On Thursday evening October 8th
At Peace Wherever I Am
By Grace Sardonicus
- Friday, September 11th, 2009
A few weeks ago I asked myself, “What is my heart’s desire right now?” Without thinking, the words flew out of my mouth….To be at peace wherever I am. In that instant I recognized a couple of things.
1. If this is my heart’s desire then I am not living it. If I was living my heart’s desire, my answer would have been something else.
2. Being at peace wherever I am has to do with every aspect of my life…emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, my relationships…all of it! I saw how I was not at peace in several areas.
Next was the inquiry. What does it mean to be at peace wherever I am? What would it take for me to be at peace? It begins with putting an end to resistance & fighting with what is. Acceptance with no judgement. It doesn’t mean being complacent but rather having trust & faith in life.
If I am trying to sell my house (which I am!) and it isn’t happening, I have a choice. I can get frustrated, angry and impatient…the result of which will be unhappiness or I could have so much gratitude for my home, enjoy whatever time I have left there and be happy and at peace.
For the greater part of my life I wanted my body to be different… slimmer, stronger, taller, etc. Through dance, yoga and other disciplines I endeavored to reach the goals I set for my body. Some were easier than others. I haven’t figured out how to make myself grow! I have felt frustrated, indifference, hopeless, resentful and unhappy each time I chose not to accept me as I am. The only way to make a shift is from a place of peace. Not war. It is through love & compassion that the greatest and most lasting changes happen both personally & globally.
One other example is the desire for others who are close to me to change. As a Mother, Healer, & Teacher, I have repeatedly witnessed children and clients come against the psycho-spiritual crossroads of not accepting things as they are vs. one’s earnest desire for personal transformation. There is a fine line. On the one hand in order to make healthy shifts in one’s life, you need to change certain behaviors, beliefs & habits. On the other hand, if you judge yourself & others by making them wrong & failing to accept things as they are, an inner battle & downward spiral into old negative self-talk & expectations ensues. What’s to do?
Step 1 – Acknowledge what is true. I am not at peace. And I want to be.
Step 2 – Take inventory of myself by pulling my energy back inside & reviewing how I truly feel. I looked at my close relationships and knew I needed to step away from others so I could go inside and see where I am. It’s much more challenging to “see” myself when I am with others. Space gives me room to ’see’. I do regular check-ins asking, “What is my heart’s desire right now? What would make me happy and at peace right now? How do I feel? ”
Step 3 – Give myself what I want. It may be as simple as more rest, a bike ride, movie or a glass of water!
As I am discovering how to continually give to myself whatever my heart desires, I feel at peace. I breathe deeply and sigh, “Ahhhhhhh!”
Join me on a Holistic journey to the sacred pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico Embody Your True Heart March 25-30, 2010
with Lynne(Little Feather) Patrice & Peter Sklivas of Yoga Passion
Life: Italian Style
By Jamie Gilroy
- Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
This morning I woke up feeling just like I have the entire past month. Dog tired (even after eight hours sleep) and lacking the morning fire I’m so accustomed to. I could feel my frustration build as I mentally scrolled through all that I have to do today. It got even worse when I visited a couple of projects we have going and saw things either not moving fast enough (according to me) or done the way I wanted (again, according to me). Ahhhh. Yet again another beautiful day off to an ugly start. I mean obviously all the ugliness is inside of me as the rest of the world is clearly oblivious to my inner turmoil. That’s cool.
So I stopped by the Atomic Café for my morning cappuccino (yeah, yeah, I got it rough huh?) which Andrew so generously gave to me no charge. That was the beginning of a subtle shift inside me. Mellissa was bopping around behind the cash register and I could feel the energy just crackling off of her as she greeted customers as if each one was her favorite person in the world. Her effervescence was in direct contrast to my lethargy. Two meteors heading in opposite directions, fast. I was sick of falling. I went outside to make a few phone calls and sit in the sun.
A familiar face came up to me and mentioned how he had met my son Nick (who works at the Atomic now) and what a nice young man he was. He also spoke about his trips to Italy over the years and how surprised he was to hear that Nick had spent two years in Assisi. We spoke for some time about the beauty of Italy. I shifted slightly again.
After finishing my calls and coffee I went back in to the Atomic to talk to Andrew. Another familiar face came up and said he just got back from three weeks in Italy. I asked him why he came back. He laughed and said everyone asks that same question. He is a painting contractor in town and he said since he came back home he decided to work every day until noon and then take the rest of the day off. He said whatever he gets done by noon is all he gets done – the rest will be there for him the next day to deal with. Another shift inside me – this one bigger. I went outside somewhat altered and got on my motorcycle and headed to the lumberyard.
I was talking with a friend while there and another friend I had worked with on a crew years ago came up to me and asked me how I was doing. He said I seemed pretty stressed out yesterday when he saw me expressing my frustration over a previous lumber delivery that was missing an item. The way he said it made it seem really out character for me to be so agonized over something so insignificant. Shift. Shift. Shift. I laughed and said if he ever sees me like that again to give me a slap to remind me to relax. He chuckled and said he’d be happy to.
Now I’m in my office writing this blog – the first inspiration in almost a month. And truth be told I have a ton of shit to do that I’m ignoring to get this feeling down on paper (cyberspace). This is what I saw in the first few hours of my morning. Ready (like ready for the punch line)?
In the mastery of me I have forgotten how to master. In the continual funk that I claim to be the result of my construction business, my unhappiness not being filthy rich and my lack of total leisure time to absolutely do nothing if I so choose, I have lost sight of what is. I have perpetuated the belief that the only way I will EVER get it done is by sheer force of will. By trying to control things that don’t need controlling. By wishing things were different to point of making myself miserable. I got a reflection of Jamie today that was pretty unsettling. What happened to that guy who is free in every moment to choose and decide? What happened to living my Dream as if it is my Dream to live as I want? Why is there bitterness creeping into my world? And why do I keep looking for a different result doing the same thing over and over again? Master smashster. That’s such a set up when I see how right now I feel like I’m in canoe on a river and I have no paddle and no way to do anything but sit and float downstream. Guess what?
This morning I found a paddle. This morning I found Italy. You know what I saw about myself? I react to things from a place of tension. Sure things will always show up, no doubt. Especially in construction. Especially in LIFE. So how do I want to make myself feel? Agitated? Depleted? Frustrated? Sure that’s easy. But what if? What if I said I’m going to pretend I’m living life Italian style? Taking things as they come. Stressing less about all that I have to get done, and doing what I can each day. And being good with that.
Here’s the big one; what if I actually enjoyed myself regardless of how much energy I have (or think I should have), regardless of the weather, the progress of the job, the mistakes, the beliefs I have about “how things should be”…what if I actually enjoyed the Dream as is?
What if I said to myself the minute I open my eyes in the morning: “it’s another beautiful day on the planet earth and I’m here to enjoy all of it”. And I do mean all of it.
Hummm. Ok I can try that. I mean why not? Beats the alternative…si?
Nella vita – chi non risica – non rosica…
(In life: who risks nothing – gains nothing)
Ciao baby, ciao!
J
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