I Feel Your Pain . . .

Physical Empathy is the term for an ability that I possess. I absorb the pain of those emotionally close to me, and sometimes the pain of those who are particularly open spiritually. If you fall into one of these categories, I will know if you have a headache because my head will start to throb.
I also possess Emotional Empathy abilities, but the emotions need to be strong. Like when everyone in my office is stressed out, I will absorb it all and become even more stressed.
This is why I don't like violent movies - I have actually vomited while watching a gory film.
I also prefer to not be in crowds.
I am currently living with my parents. My mother has a bad vertebrate and my father has a slipped rotator cuff.  Guess who gets frequent back and shoulder pain? Admittedly, I do have some of my own back problems - more accurately, hip problems related to my knees. A big problem that I have is separating what pain is mine and what pain belongs to other people. Then, once I sort it out, I don't know how to let go of what isn't mine.
It is helpful to feel another persons aches if I am doing hands-on healing, but I otherwise don't want to feel their stomach cramps. Getting rid of emotional pain that doesn't belong to me is even worse.
It's not something I want to block out. I just want to know what is mine and how to let go of what isn't. I want to be an active Empath, not a passive Empath.

Empathetic Haiku  

Eyes tell a story,

though your heart speaks louder still.

I will always hear.

Dark Moon

A lot of people refer to the Dark Moon as the New Moon. This is a common misconception - how can something be new if it has not yet begun? I don't go around correcting people, but I do my best to refer to it correctly and to be ready with an explanation for those who ask. When the Moon is cloaked, this is the Dark Moon. The first Waxing Crescent after the Dark Moon is the New Moon. I suppose it doesn't really make a difference - these are only Human titles - but for my purposes, I wanted to explain what I meant when referring to the Dark moon.
I love the energy of the Dark Moon. I was told years ago that the Dark Moon is not time for Magik. I now do not necessarily believe this to be true. I use it as a time of preparation and recovery of energy. I also use it as a time of study and appreciation. The Dark Moon is my time to refresh and rejuvenate all aspects of my being and spirit.
It is associated with the Crone who, in turn, is associated with wisdom. It is not a time to be afraid, but a time to put faith in the Moon's power and trust that it still shines on us though we can't see it. It is when what is done can be ended, and what has yet to be can begin.

Dark Moon Haiku  

    Pearl-studded blue gown,

made even more radient

by the Moon's non-light.

Chaos and the Universe

Today at Service, we had a guest speaker come in and talk about the Law of Attraction. One of my favorite Laws, and the one I have the most trouble with.
I love it because it's so easily proven; I have trouble with it because I too often use my Vibrations for others and find myself getting the short end of every stick. I never seen to have enough left over for myself, but I always seem to find plenty to give. This, I find, is a common problem. Maybe it's because it's not actually a problem? Perhaps we spend all our energy on others because we are not meant to heal ourselves, but to find someone else to spend their energy on us?
That would be the nature of Chaos, wouldn't it? One cannot harness it, but can only work with it. Chaos can be influenced, but never changed. Lets have three cheers for dichotomies!

Sparkly Tanka 

 Let it be lit up -

the twinkle we cannot see;

the brightness we feel.

Invite electricity;

razzle-dazzle when we hug.

Active Peace (in the OutDoors)

If there's one thing I've learned, it is that Peace is not natural. Chaos is natural; Peace is about accepting the Chaos and being/molding yourself to conform to your personal Chaos. This doesn't make much sense, but that's because the Peace I'm discussing is an ideal not to be defined by words.
In the essence of time and being not confusing, I'll simply describe it a Tao. Those of you familiar with Zen practices should recognize this term; Tao is to be obtained, but not necessarily understood (kinda, sorta).
To apply this ideal to Nature - which I do - some deep re-understanding is required. First, we all need to remember that we're animals. Humans are just big-brained animals. We NEED to be outside. Don't get me wrong, I like to watch movies and play video games as much as the next person, but not being outside is detrimental to humans.
There's a term: Nature Deficit Disorder. A lot of people think it's bull, but it suggest that behavioral and cognitive problems in youths can be linked to the amount of time spent indoors vs. outdoors. Based on my own experiences as a person with severe ADD and manic depression, I know that at least and hour of outdoor time is more important to my stability than my cup of morning coffee. But you can read more on that by yourselves. Anything by Richard Louv (the man who coined the phrase), especially his book "Last Child in the Woods", or my personal favorite (especially for getting in touch with the Tao of Nature) "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature". I'd force the latter upon camp counselors - there's a whole section of nature connection games at the end that are stupendously fun!
http://www.plt.org/why-environmental-education-is-important

 

Natural Student

 

Lessons never taught

are always the ones best learned.

Listen to what's there.