Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who
looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
-Carl Jung
…..this is such a common question I hear from clients. It is so easy in the process of magick to get caught up in the minutia of day to day events, and lose our sight of the long term goal.
"S/he un-friended me on FB"
"S/he has a new friend on FB"
"S/he saw me online but did not chat with me"
"S/he drove past me but did not wave"
etc etc etc
the list could go on, but you get the idea (PS these are REALLY very common things I hear from folks, I am in no way singleling anyone out at all – please dont think that). While in the moment, and with the emotional state we can be in with casting and processing (Yup – the spell CASTER does some processing as well) I can see how these events listed above, and others, can make one thing the world is falling apart…..but if we just take a beat, and a few deep breaths, and set our sights on the long term goal again, things will resume there proper perspective – I promise! Waiting is hard – I often think it is the hardest part of things – but it is also the extremely important! The calmer and more centered and more positive you can stay in the waiting peroid, the better shape you will be in physically, emotionally, and spiritually when your results begin to manifest π That is NOT to be underrated. You cant give from an empty cup, and there arent any awards for handwringing, either. Make the best of the waiting period, keep your eye on the GOAL LINE, not on the ant on the blade of grass at your feet right now, and you will get to the finish line a healthier, fuller YOU.
Hmmmm – not sure where that rant came from, but I feel better now π
Anyway, here is a song I found (its a goodie) to help you keep your eye on the goal, and let go of the stress of today.
What Happens Tomorrow by Duran Duran
Child, don't you worry
It's enough you're growing up in such a hurry
Brings you down the news they sell you
To put in your mind that all mankind is a failure
But nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow
We try not to show how frightened we are
If you let me I'll protect you however I can
You've got to believe
it'll be alright in the end
Fighting, because we're so close
There are times we punish those who we need the most
No, we can't wait for a saviour
Only got ourselves to blame for this behaviour
And nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow
We try not to show how frightened we are
It would seem lonely, if you were the only star in the night
You've got to believe
it'll be alright in the end
You've got to believe
it'll be alright again
time is a river
a silent icy river
pulls us all
running deep
deep and fast enough to get lost down in the flow
thrashing around me
tiny lives mean everything
And nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow
So don't let go, now we've come this far
Hope I have peace
Understand me
you're never alone
We've got to believe
it'll be alright in the end
nobody knows
You've got to believe
it'll be alright my friend
So don't let go
Unless we believe
it'll be alright again
Nobody knows
~~end song~~
One of my favorite Saints, EVER! Why? Partly because of the quotes at the bottom of this post, and he did great works for the poor, and is the patron Saint of Charities, but also, because, well, he was known to be a grouch! Granted, a grouch who was extremely sensitive to the needs of others, but also human as well, with his own frailties. I have not ever read about a Saint before where they were quite described in this manner, and it brings to the fore for me that we can all do good work, and sometimes, just sometimes, not feel very "Saintly" Anyway, if you would like to read more about St Vincent De Paul, please look here!
Light and Love
Sister Bridget
"Strive to live content in the midst of those things that cause your discontent. Free your mind from all that troubles you, God will take care of things. You will be unable to make haste in this [choice] without, so to speak, grieving the heart of God, because he sees that you do not honor him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in him, I beg you, and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires" (St. Vincent de Paul, Letters).
| |
~~~~ Jimmy Dean
Isn't that what spellwork is all about?
And you thought he just made sausage!
Light and Love,
Hey there!
Following in the fine footsteps of my dear Sister DJ Candi, I am posting the lyrics to this great song the I heard the other day. Its not so much a song to be used during spellwork, but one to be used before beginning session, to help get you revved up and your energy lifted. Its also a great song to play while driving with the windows down on a warm summer day!
Working On A Dream by Bruce Springsteen
Out here the nights are long, the days are lonely
I think of you and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Now the cards I've drawn's a rough hand, darling
I straighten the back and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Come on!
I'm working on a dream
Though sometimes it feels so far away
I'm working on a dream
And I know it will be mine someday
Rain pourin' down, I swing my hammer
My hands are rough from working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Let's go!
I'm working on a dream
Though trouble can feel like it's here to stay
I'm working on a dream
Well our love will chase trouble away
Alright!
[whistling interlude]
That's professional whistling right there!
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday
The sun rise up, I climb the ladder
The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Hey!
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
And our love will make it real someday
Happy Monday, everyone! Now for those of you who just did the nine day Meditation and Focus exercises, you had focal points to help with your concentration. Most of us here are doing, have done, or will be doing spell work. Concentration and Focus are key to good and effective spell work! :-) So, the exercises I gave you over the several days helped with the spiritual end of focusing. I found a great article by Tevjan Pettinger regarding the more physical portion of focus. It is important to remember that whether your goal is successful spell work, spiritual growth, or something such as getting a new job, a successful balance between the spiritual and physical is the most likely path to fulfillment.
Mr. Pettinger makes some excellent points. Do you have tricks or tips that help you with your concentration and focus? If so, we would love to hear them. Leave a comment below!
Love, Mambo Sam
www.spellmaker.com
THE ARTICLE:
In concentration we marshal all our dispersed energies into focusing on just one thing. When mastered, concentration can be of unimaginable benefit in our life; through concentration we can increase our productivity and give ourselves greater peace of mind. These are some suggestions for improving your concentration.
Concentration means that we can focus on one thing, to the exclusion of all else. Our concentration may involve writing or working on a particular problem. Whatever our activity the most important criteria is to give all our focus, concentration and attention solely to the activity at hand. Concentration becomes hopeless when we get distracted by several different things at the same time; to improve our concentration we must stop trying to do several things at once. If you are writing an article, donβt be thinking about what to say to your boss later in the day. If we can develop one-pointedness we will develop a tremendous intensity that enables us to achieve our tasks much quicker.
The main stumbling block to concentration is the inevitable distraction we get from our own thoughts. It is random, uninvited thoughts that distract us from achieving pure concentration. The only solution is learning to control and quieten our thoughts. The first thing to be aware of is that we do have the choice to welcome or reject thoughts; we should not feel a helpless victim of our own mind. The second thing is we need to consciously watch our thoughts and prevent ourselves following any train of thought that detracts from our concentration. If we casually begin a project, it is easy to begin daydreaming and lose focus; what we need to do is be very determined to concentrate without distracting thoughts. When we have this intention and determination it becomes much easier to concentrate.
Concentration is an activity like any other. Clearly the more we practice, the better our concentration will become. We wouldnβt expect to be a strong runner without doing some training. Similarly, concentration is like a muscle, the more we exercise the stronger it becomes. There are specific concentration exercises we can do, such as focusing on a small point of an object; but life itself presents innumerable opportunities to sharpen your concentration. The key is to always take opportunities to heighten our powers of concentration.
The practice of meditation will definitely improve our powers of concentration. Actually, when we try to meditate, it is concentration that is the first thing we need to master. A daily period of meditation gives us the chance to specifically work on concentration techniques. This can involve concentrating on a candle or just concentrating on our breathing. These exercises are simple but effective.
It is difficult to concentrate on one thing for an extended time period. Sometimes, the best solution is to give ourselves frequent change. If we concentrate on one task for an hour, we can then move onto something different. This change in activity enables us to use different qualities, therefore, we can maintain our powers of concentration without becoming tired of one activity.
The powers of our concentration depends a lot upon our physical well-being. If we are tired, unhealthy and afflicted by numerous minor ailments, concentration will be more difficult. Of course, concentration is still possible; it is just more difficult. However, we have to try to make life easy for ourselves; we need to give a high priority to our physical health β getting sufficient sleep, staying physically fit. Undertaking exercise will help develop our concentration. It will help if we lose weight, clear the mind and create a sense of dynamism. If you struggle to concentrate, we need to think of a holistic solution; good physical health and fitness will definitely help develop our powers of concentration.
This poem goes right hand in hand with what is happenin' over on Mambo Sam's blog. I hope you enjoy it and are doing well with Mambo's exercises~
Take time to…. by Anon.
Hey There!
I just uploaded some pictures I took of my altars from the Papa Legba Rituals that the Spellmaker Family performed for their clients this past June, 2009! Click on the link in the left hand column of this page π or by clicking here.
You can read more about Papa and the unique Spellmaker line of products dedicated to Papa Legba at www.spellmaker.com/legba.htm These products have been especially formulated by Mambo Sam for our ddearest Papa – they can not be found anywhere else!
Hope you all are doing well, and thank you for stopping by!
Light and Love
Sister Bridget