If Ogoun had a parrot, I think it would sing something like this 🙂
Love,
Sister Bridget
If Ogoun had a parrot, I think it would sing something like this 🙂
Love,
Sister Bridget
Hi there-
I came across this very good little commentary and wanted to share! It says so much in a few paragraphs. How much is enough? How much is good for us to tolerate? or not tolerate? I hope you all find this as helpful as I did.
Love
Sister Bridget
Too much Tolerance can be a Bad Thing.
Commentary
By
Robert Pagliarini
(MoneyWatch) You may not know it, but you have a tolerance meter — an internal gauge that tells you when enough is enough. The problem for many is that their tolerance meter is set too high — that they put up with far too much for far too long. We stay at jobs we hate because it is "comfortable enough," and because changing requires so much more energy. We'll endure critical bosses who never have nice things to say about us because we tell ourselves that they're not "that bad." We'll live paycheck to paycheck for years because we fool ourselves into thinking it's the "best we can do."
It is easy to fall into the mental trap of mediocrity. Because it doesn't take much to get by, we grow complacent. We stop growing and seeking challenges. We don't push ourselves to succeed. We cultivate a lifestyle well below our potential, but one that is just good enough that it doesn't require much challenge or action.
Tolerance is critical for survival. It has allowed us to endure horrific conditions by helping us quickly adapt to the situation. Our ability to adapt to our surroundings is both a gift and a curse. There are some life forms that cannot survive unless their conditions are ideal. Vary their environment even a little and they perish. We don't have this problem. We can tolerate, and even flourish, in wild extremes.
But when it comes to our careers, relationships, health, and lives, tolerance and adaptability are also curses. It's amazing how much we can tolerate when our environment changes slowly. Incremental change is our worst enemy. It permits us to gradually accept living standards that we never would have accepted in the beginning.
The best way to determine if you have settled is to take an honest look at your present situation. Are you where you want to be? Have you forgotten once vivid dreams and aspirations? Success has been defined as the progressive realization of a worthy goal. Based on this definition, are you successful?
There is a dark side to not "settling." I'm sure there is at least one person in your life that suffers from the belief that nothing is ever good enough. No matter how successful they become or how much money they make, they are never satisfied with their lives. This mindset is a guaranteed formula for frustration and unhappiness. So while it is healthy and motivating to work for and dream about reaching your goals, it is imperative to be thankful for where you are and what you already have. Regardless of your situation, you have a thousand things for which to give thanks. Do not lose sight of these aspects of your life. Don't lose sight of how far you've come and of what you've already accomplished on your journey in life.
The solution is to demand more from yourself (and often from others!). Draw a line in the sand and make a commitment to progress. Look at your situation with a set of fresh eyes and ask yourself, "How can I do better?" The moment you realize getting by isn't good enough is the moment your life can start to change.
© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc..
Happy Friday!
Do you want this….
or this?
I came across this artlcle last night just before bed, and I had to restrain myself from getting up right then and there and posting the link! Over the past few years, I have seen this exact thing happen over and over — some of you who I have read with will remember me telling you to get off of FB and stop looking at certain people's profiles — For The Good of your Case! I am so glad that there are people looking into this issue of the impact of FB and the whole new level of knowledge or exposure we have about other people in our lives. Being able to look into someone's life this closely was not heard of 10 or 15 years ago – and of course, people were not sharing this much information then either. Balance is everything!
I do hope this article is helpful to some! And have a great weekend everyone!
Love
Sister Bridget
Facebook and other social networking web sites have revolutionized the way people create and
maintain relationships. However, new research shows that Facebook use could actually be damaging
to users' romantic relationships. Russell Clayton, a doctoral student in the University of Missouri
School of Journalism, found that individuals who use Facebook excessively are far more likely to
experience Facebook–related conflict with their romantic partners, which then may cause negative
relationship outcomes including emotional and physical cheating, breakup and divorce.
In their study, Clayton, along with Alexander Nagurney, an instructor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo,
and Jessica R. Smith, a doctoral student at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, surveyed Facebook users ages 18 to 82 years old. Participants were asked to describe how often they used Facebook and how much, if any, conflict arose between their current or former partners as a result of Facebook use. The researchers found that high levels of Facebook use among couples significantly predicted Facebook-related conflict, which then significantly predicted negative relationship outcomes such as cheating, breakup, and divorce. "Previous research has shown that the more a person in a romantic relationship uses Facebook, the more likely they are to monitor their partner's Facebook activity more stringently, which can lead to feelings of jealousy," Clayton said. "Facebook-induced jealousy may lead to arguments concerning past partners. Also, our study found that excessive Facebook users are more likely to connect or reconnect with other Facebook users, including previous partners, which may lead to emotional and physical cheating."
Clayton says this trend was particularly apparent in newer relationships.
"These findings held only for couples who had been in relationships of three years or less," Clayton said.
"This suggests that Facebook may be a threat to relationships that are not fully matured. On the other hand, participants who have been in relationships for longer than three years may not use Facebook as often, or may have more matured relationships, and therefore Facebook use may not be a threat or concern."
In order to prevent such conflict from arising, Clayton recommends couples, especially those who have not been together for very long, to limit their own personal Facebook use.
"Although Facebook is a great way to learn about someone, excessive Facebook use may be damaging to
newer romantic relationships," Clayton said. "Cutting back to moderate, healthy levels of Facebook usage could help reduce conflict, particularly for newer couples who are still learning about each other."
This study is forthcoming in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-06-excessive-facebook-relationships.html#jCp
Hi there!
Part of ny New Year's resolution was for me to try new and exciting things. I am taking a jewelry making class. I am getting ready to sell my house and make a really bold move. I am looking at my financials in a new light. I have also decided to try branching out a bit in my practice. I am currently starting up a shop on Etsy, and have also recently listed my readings on KEEN. It can be relaly hard in today's world to know how and where to focus one's energies. There are so many options on the 'net today and social media, to say the least, can be overwhemling. They key for me is to try really hard not to get overwhelmed by the choices, and know that the only way to know what path is right for me, is by trial and error. I do my research, listen to my guidance, and then take a try. It is a step – not always forwards, but a step none the less. Change can be scarey. New things can be overwhelming. But no progress can be made by standing still. In these days following the New Year, when your resolutions are still fresh in your mind, I encourage you to try, to take a step and see where it goes. You will miss 100% of the chances that you do not take.
Blessings,
Sister Bridget
Happy New Year!
I may be a bit early with my wishes where you are – and a little late where some other are. But wherever you are, I hope you are with loved ones, and enjoying the last of this holiday season.
I recently came across this song by Garth Brooks again, after kind of having it slip my mind. It really is lovely, and tho it is about something that happened at Christmas time during WWI, the message fits New Year's as well. The lyrics of this song are really poetic – but my favorite are really the last 2 lines.
Enjoy, and I wish for next year to be the best ever for all!
Love
Sister Bridget
Hello All!
I hope you all have been enjoying your Autumn. I just returned home last week from a visit with Mambo Sam and Parran Matt for Fet Ghede and more 🙂 It was a really wonderful ten days, and even though it was a whole ten days, boy it went by fast! I have alot to report, and alot of photos to share, including a really awesome trip to a local New Mexico cemetary which included a big sign from my dearly departed Dad. Lots of new posts to come!
As I get back into the swing of things here, I would like to start off with some information about the Chakras, and how they influence our life and our well being – both physically and emotionally. I have a series of articles ready, which will walk us through each chakra, it's associations, and also the life issues which may be manifesting if we have a chakra that is a little "out of whack." This will be something that we can discuss over a few weeks, and I really do welcome questions and comments. Please feel free to post a comment here on typepad, or on facebook, or even email me directly at bridget@spellmaker.com
Chakras are energy centers within the body that affect our physical,
emotional, mental and physical well-being. Chakras come from the
Sanskrit word meaning "wheels of light." Chakras are like a blueprint of
energy for individuality. These energy centers hold a vibration and
color, like a human rainbow.
There are many ways that can help balance your chakras (and we will get to this!)
But first, do you know if you're out of balance?
When you work on
the chakras that are closed or weak, you'll be directly influencing that
particular area of your life, for example, finances, sex life,
self-esteem, compassion, expression, intuition and spirituality.
Are
your finances in trouble? Are you feeling insecure? Do you need to
perform better at work and get that raise or promotion? Strengthen your
Root or 1st Chakra.
Do you want to spice up your sex life or feel more passionate and creative? Unblock your Sacral or 2nd Chakra.
Want to feel more self-confident and powerful in achieving your goals? Strengthen your Solar Plexus or 3rd Chakra.
Want
to feel more love, be able to forgive past grievances, and connect
better with your spouse, kids, friends and co-workers? Work on your 4th
or Heart Chakra.
Afraid of public speaking? Want to be able to express your truth and be understood? Balance your 5th or Throat Chakra.
Want
more inspiration on which path you should take in life? Want to
increase your intuition and psychic abilities? Open your 6th or Third
Eye Chakra.
Want to feel at one with all there is? Have more peace, harmony and connection to spirit? Work on your 7th or Crown Chakra.
If
you want to get balanced, get centered, get energized, get relaxed, get
inspired, get clear, get connected, get going… chakra healing can be
your answer. When your chakras are balanced, your life will also feel
balanced.
When we learn to balance our chakras, we learn to craft
our lives the way we want them to be, rather than living in constant
reaction to forces outside of us.
These spirals of energy are
wheels that heal, feeding the body good energy and relieving it of that
we do not want. Chakras cannot be held, stroked or bottled up like a
genie, yet our physical bodies soak them up thirstily and they
profoundly affect our metabolism, emotions, sensations and behaviors. In
addition to their roles in the physical realm, chakras work on a higher
plane, waking us to the realization that our body, mind and spirit are
forever and inextricably linked.
Ok, that is enough for one day! Please look for more new posts to come, and even some new products in the works as well!
Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Love
Sister Bridget
www.spellmaker.com/bridget.htm
bridget@spellmaker.com
Hello!
I hope you all are doing well, and are enjoying the last few weeks of summer! I spent a truly perfect, late summer evening recently at a Bruce Springsteen concert. The weather was perfect, the show was awesome! Really, truly a night to remember.
During the show, Bruce spent a few minutes remembering band members who were no longer with him, but were very present in Spirit. During the introduction to “My City of Ruin” he explained how he wrote this song with Ghosts in mind. Bruce talked about how, when we are young, we are made to be afraid of ghosts. That ghosts are about unknown and frightening things. Things we feared in the dark, and wished would go away. Now, as we are older, we find the ghosts that walk with us to be comforting, familiar, and a rememberance of good times, love, and how precious every moment of life is. How we welcome the ghosts of our past, and welcome them to walk along side us.
I hope you enjoy this video of Bruce singing City of Ruins.
Love
Sister Bridget
Lyrics – My City of Ruins
There’s a blood red circle
on the cold dark ground
and the rain is falling down
The church doors blown open
I can hear the organ’s song
But the congregation’s gone
My city of ruins
My city of ruins
Now the sweet veils of mercy
drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows
The hustlers and thieves
While my brother’s down on his knees
My city of ruins
My city of ruins
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Now there’s tears on the pillow
darling where we slept
and you took my heart when you left
without your sweet kiss
my soul is lost, my friend
Now tell me how do I begin again?
My city’s in ruins
My city’s in ruins
Now with these hands
I pray Lord
with these hands
for the strength Lord
with these hands
for the faith Lord
with these hands
I pray Lord
with these hands
for the strength Lord
with these hands
for the faith Lord
with these hands
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Rise up
Hi There!
With all of the Spellmaker Family Papa Legba Festivities going on this month, I have been looking for some new and different Coconut items that Papa might enjoy. On my last trip out, I came across these three.
Trader Joe's Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins — these cookies smell divine! They look incredibly scruptious!
Coconut Water with Pulp — I found this at the local health food store for less than $1! It has real pieces of coconut in the bottle. I always seem a bit clumsy when I try and cut open a fresh coconut myself, so I think this is a neater option for me 🙂
Voorman's Coconut Cookies — found these at the dollar store! It is a rather large bag, and these cookies are chock full of coconut and also smell heavenly.
These are just some examples of new coconut items I thought Papa might like. He also like Mounds bars, rum, coffee, all of the usual suspects! We have a bit more information about Papa here, in our Information Board. Remember, anything offered with a grateful heart is fanstastic 🙂
For more information about the monthlong rituals to Papa Legba, please see www.spellmaker.com/legba.htm
Also, our Spiritual Power Magick Prayer Group is focusing on Papa as well this month! Please join us on June 27th!
Enjoy!
Love
Sister Bridget
Hi there!
Happy Spring! Spring to me always means projects at home, and planning for summer vacation 🙂 Maybe your tax refund was less than you expected, or your had some unexpected car repairs, or maybe you are tired of waiting to take that dream vacation…whatever your reason, Spellmaker.com has a large selection of products to assist you with Money, Luck, and Career issues. Right now, our Big Money Spell kit and casting services are on sale! Take a look today!
Love
Sister Bridget
Be there for this very special Spiritual Power Group Ritual to our dear Gran Bwa!
May 24th at 9pm EST — it will be a very powerful time!
Love,
Sister Bridget