Light musings….

As I have sat, relatively immobile for the past six weeks,  I have had the precious opportunity  to go inward for a sustained period of time. My “accident” provided me with the chance to be still. Really still.   Sometimes painfully still.   Gulp!  

In this stillness, I have been struck by a recurrent message. Strangely (or not) the message has been about the illusion of duality ~ specifically about the apparent separation of light and dark….Hmmmm…..   

Over and over, I have been overwhelmed by this feeling that there isn’t a choice between the forces of dark and light (this feeling has been reinforced by the fact that my boys have recently “discovered” Star Wars..LOL:)); rather, dark and light simply “are” one and the same. And, along this vein, we don’t have to choose to go towards the light (or dark); rather we can simply “be” light.  

Now, I know this isn’t a “new” realization; on an intellectual level I have “known” this for years. However, over the past several weeks something has just clunked into place. It’s as if this sense of knowing has settled into my knitting bones. Wild.    

So, where am I going with this? Well, these are undeniably “dark” times we’re living in and it is easy to feel helpless, small and angry at the dark forces “out there”.  It is easy to  wallow in despair or, on the flip side, slip into denial about the existence of darkness. It takes courage to walk forward into the “dark” and explore that which is unknown about ourselves and the universe.  

Interestingly, I have witnessed many coaching clients, friends and acquaintances  stepping or  leaping into the unknown as of late. And, almost universally, they are discovering that the darkness simply “is” and -yeah!- there is a way  through it. Hmmm….    

As we approach the darkest day of the year, it seems fitting to delve deep into the darkness and see what comes up….  

I have a hunch we will find that we are lighter than we ever imagined!  

Here is one of my all time favorite inspirational videos…It speaks so much to stepping into the unknown and finding out that it was all illusion.  Enjoy! 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk&feature=related

Love, light and radiant blessings. 
Namaste.
Shannon
http://www.thesunshinecoach.com/
“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.”~ Maori Proverb 

The story of cap and trade

Have you ever wondered about cap and trade as a real solution to climate change?

I sure have. To me, it just seems that the whole situation calls for an entirely new approach. Approaching it with the “same old, same old” thinking is surely bound to get us the same results we’ve seen in the past. And we all know that this thinking has contributed to the situation we find ourselves in today…GULP!

Sooo, let’s get creative folks and throw away the box when it comes to considering how to best create solutions to climate change. Hmmmm….

Annie  leonard does a great job of calling for innovation. Take a moment to watch her film. Listen with your heart. Use your imagination.

Remember, it isn’t up to corporations or government to rescue us…..”We are the ones we’ve been waiting for”.

http://storyofstuff.com/capandtrade/index.php

Namaste,
Shannon

“Race to nowhere”

youtube=http://www.youtube.com/user/ReelLinkFilms

What are we doing to our children?

Watching the above film trailer brought up a host of emotions for me. A lump in my throat formed and I felt like I was going to cry…

As I listened to the articulate and thoughtful voices of the young people, I saw myself. I was that stressed out, over achieving child. Twenty years ago I was fully engaged in the “race to nowhere”.  I believed in the insanity…

Buying into the whole notion that I always had to strive and focus on competition and the future was hugely unhealthy; I didn’t eat or sleep properly; I was depressed, stressed and generally lacked in joy…

I really wouldn’t recommend it. Thankfully, I made it through the illusion and have chosen to approach things differently with my own kids. 

Recognizing the inherent, foundational flaws in the system we made a choice.

We’re forfeiting the race this time around.

 We un-school.

Though unschooling isn’t for everyone and it definitely isn’t a “perfect” solution,  it allows for the the individuality and the essence of our children to shine and blossom. They are learning to listen to their hearts in a safe, supportive and non-competitive environment…

At the moment, this looks and feels better than what these poor kids are going through….   

Namaste,

Shannon

“It turned my whole world around and I kinda like it…”

Today, a dear friend reminded me of a really pivotal event in my life.  Something hugely painful but transformational at the same time… 

It has been nearly 5 years since I naively threw my hat in the local political ring and subsequently went through the surreal ”fire” of persecution and public humiliation. Happily, I am still here to write about it.  The experience taught me so much about humility and forgiveness and “when to walk away and when to run”… I am a much stronger and more humble spirit because of it. And I am deeply grateful for the experience… 

Still, 5 years later,  it leaves me wondering when womens’ voices will be heard? When feminine values will be honored? “When peace will guide the planet and love will steer the stars?”   

The song below really speaks to my wondering and the knot I get in my stomach whenever I hear of women and children not being honored in the world. It just gets me feeling all mama bear-ish and I just don’t know quite what to do…. Hmmmm….

The little things

A dear friend passed this along yesterday and I just had to share….. It touches me in a very deep way. We have countless opportunities to experience beauty, love and joy every day…. We simply need to tune in and allow ourselves to see the magic in the “crumbs”…..

GATHERING UP CRUMBS

Be careful with the crumbs.

Do not overlook them.

Be careful with the crumbs;

the little chances to love,

the tiny gestures,

the morsels that feed, the minims.

Take care of the crumbs;

a look, a laugh, a smile,

a teardrop, an open hand.

Take care of the crumbs.

They are food also.

Do not let them fall.

Gather them.

Cherish them.

 -Gunilla Norris

Spiritual parenting…

“Relationship is the ultimate spiritual path, because it constantly presents us with the challenge to love and embrace in the very situations in which we’re most prone to shun and reject. For that reason, above all, relationship is the place where our spirituality most visibly comes to light.” ~ Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap

 

Isn’t that so true? I love it… J

 

I was struck by something as I read Dr. Hendricks’ great book, though. It is one thing to consider our relationships with our partners and other adults as “spiritual paths”, but what about our relationships with our kids. Have you ever considered parenting to be a spiritual practice?  (This is not a trick question! Please don`t feel `bad` if you haven`t!)

 

For all the mountains of expert parenting advice out there, this isn’t something that many people talk about it. (Although a couple lovely books do spring to mind ~ Motherhood as a Spiritual Practice by Patti Sinclair and Everyday Blessings by Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn.) Intuitively, I feel that this is something in need of change. The time has come…  

 

I know I`ve said it before, but becoming a mom and making the commitment to approach my role in an intentional and open way really kick-started my spiritual evolution. From the first moment I held my wee daughter, I have felt, deep within my heart, that motherhood is a sacred profession. 

 

As mamas, we have the awesome ability to shape the future through the way we relate to our children. I don`t mean this in terms of simply bestowing knowledge or values upon our children. Rather, parenting can become a co-creative process where both parents and children are engaged in learning and evolving in love. When we can admit that we haven`t got all the answers and commit to working on our own stuff (healing the past, addressing limiting beliefs, not repeating unhealthy patterns etc…), we take the first step.

 

Kids give us the opportunity to embody the spiritual teachings of all wisdom traditions. Regardless of personal spiritual beliefs, as mamas we have the chance to practice: patience, forgiveness, unconditional love, trust, compassion, faith, charity, beginner mind, creativity, right speech etc…etc… 24/7.  When you really let that sink in, it is pretty darn cool. 

 

So, the next time your 2 year old is melting down in the grocery line rather than shunning the experience, embrace it as a spiritual `gift`.  Or whenever you are tempted to blurt out a less than compassionate phrase breathe and think, “right speech“. And, whenever you are not being your `best parent` be gentle to yourself and consider the art of self-love and compassion…. It is all spiritual practice.

 

Namaste.

Shannon

The fall….;(

Happy Fall, beautiful people!

 I hope this finds you all well!:)

Personally, I seem to have taken the fall season far too literally… About 3 weeks ago, I “fell” and broke my ankle! EEKS!  I was feeling as though I needed a “break” and I got one. The universe has a wacky sense of humor…LOL

Seriously, though, I tend toward the “ there are no accidents” way of looking at things and, after my initial, “why me?” response, I found myself laughing and feeling grateful for the experience.  Already, my “fall” has  provided me with countless “gifts”. The gift of “slowing down”. The gift of ”letting go”. The gift of “self care”. The gift of “healing”. The gift of “allowing and receiving”.

 Although I recognize all of these “gifts”, I must admit that this experience hasn’t  been easy. Healing hurts. And, I have to say that on many levels some of these gifts are things that I have been deeply afraid of doing.

This is a notably “spooky” time of year, when the veil between the worlds seems to thin;  A quick glance at the mainstream media indicates that there is a lot of fear floating around these days. Rather that letting it get the best of you,  consider looking fear in the eye and doing what you are afraid of. Maybe that means starting a new business or healing a relationship. Perhaps it means taking responsibility for actions or approaching your children in a more open and compassionate manner. Whatever it is, there is no time like the present to just do it. 

As a wise philosopher once said,  “Always do the thing you are afraid to do.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Wishing you love, courage and boundless blessings on your journey. 

Namaste.

Shannon

Shannon Rosnau MA

Mystic Mama, Life Coach, Advocate of Love

http://www.thesunshinecoach.com/

“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” ~ Maori Proverb

Baby steps…

Hello world!

Welcome to my “new”  blog!

I am inspired and excited to “slowly” explore the wonderful world of blogging (again)…;) I am not a complete stranger to the concept, as I have kept a sporatic blog on a great social networking site for a few years; however, this is my first real attempt at “going it alone”! EEKS!   

This is all a grand experiment…. Let’s see where it goes…;)

Namaste,

Shannon xo