Week7:Richmond, VA

Merry meet friends!

Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light………

“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”  …..John Lennon

 How true that has been for me this week!   I had my week planned out, starting in Charlotte, NC and ending in Lexington, KY, by way of Earthaven, Atlanta, GA, Flat Rock, TN and Nashville, TN.  Not!  I needed to be in Richmond on Wednesday with family matters so I decided I would take the bus on Thursday.    On Tuesday night I communicated via messenger with those friends I planned to visit.  On Wednesday morning I received a message from Lori in TN saying that she and her husband had just agreed to house and pet sit for friends for two weeks beginning Friday, the 25^th.  Another friend from the Immersion, Dana, told me earlier in the week that she now had a spare bedroom and I could visit.  She stated that she would be in Atlanta for a family reunion from Thursday until Sunday.  So when I couldn’t visit Lori, I decided to stay with Amanda (with her consent) for a few more days until I could visit Dana.  Afterwards I would go to ATL and perhaps on to Whitney in KY. 

My trip to ATL would be from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3.  Originally it would have been the weekend of July 26-27.  My daughter Tiffany checked with her friend in ATL who said I could visit.  On Wednesday, Tiffany sent a text saying that Lerissa (her friend) might be out of town that weekend in August.  So I thought to myself, ok, I will just visit Earthaven, Amanda in Charlotte and then Dana in Charlotte.  Wednesday evening I received a text from Dana that she would not be returning to Charlotte on Sunday the 27^th but would now return on August 1^st.   Ok Universe, what is going on?  At that point, I told Amanda that I was not coming at all.  Later I thought about it and decided that I could still do the initial visit with Amanda and ride with her to the Red Tent event in Earthaven.  But then I decided against that as well.  I was very excited when I wrote about this upcoming journey on last Sunday but as it got closer to Wednesday, I had the feeling that I wouldn’t be going.  Isn’t it funny how we can know something inwardly even if our conscious mind won’t accept it?  I still have not discovered why this journey has been postponed at this time.  It may never be revealed, I just have to accept that it was for the highest good of all concerned. 

While I wanted to visit everyone, I was very much looking forward to revisiting Earthaven and Medicine Wheel again.  Corinna’s Red Tent event, seeing my friends from the Immersion and helping Virginia celebrate her birthday was important to me.  I spoke with Virginia on Friday and she didn’t attend!

This weekend is the Dark Moon and I wanted to share that experience with women I grew close to at the Immersion.  A dark moon describes the Moon during that time that it is invisible against the backdrop of the Sun in the sky.  The duration of the dark moon is between 1.5 and 3.5 days.  “Dark moon is the time of the month (2 weeks after full moon) when our energy is at its lowest ebb.  Traditionally women would go to the moonlodge (Red Tent) at this time of the month to fill their cup so they would have energy to give to everyone else the rest of the month.  Women would share their previous month and assist each other in identifying lessons in order to age with grace and wisdom”…. (Thanks to Tanishka: The Moon Woman for some of this info).  Corinna Wood says this about the dark moon:  “In the Wise Woman Tradition,  we honor the dark as much as the light, turning inward as much as shining outward, loving myself as much as loving others   Blessed Dark Moon.”

There are still Red Tent events happening around the world today.  I’m happy about that because we women need this.  I have a strong desire to teach women “Blood Wisdom” and how the moon affects us.

When I spoke with my daughter, Zakiya, on Tuesday, we discussed setbacks or the appearance of them.  She and I seem to parallel each other in what we are growing through.  It may be because she is Scorpio with a rising in Sagittarius and I am Sagittarius with a rising in Scorpio.  At any rate, we usually have the same type of experiences.  She mentioned that she felt as if she were going backwards if she made a particular decision.  I told her that when we attended Hosanna, a charismatic church, the pastor and prophet, Travis Thigpen spoke some words over me that I have never forgotten.  He said that Spirit was giving me a mid- course correction; and then he said, you’ve heard the saying, you can’t get there from here?.  He went on to say that my destination was on point but I was headed to it in the wrong direction; hence, you can’t get there from here.  I went on to tell Zakiya, that sometimes going backwards is going forward because we can’t reach our destination from where we are.  We have to turn around and head another way in order to get there.  We’ve all had detours, physical ones, mental ones, and spiritual ones, but we keep forging on.  As it happens so often when we give advice, we are giving it to ourselves.  I had to listen to my own words.  Prophecy is usually for some future time, it’s not always in the present. 

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that I was going to live rent free with a woman in Asheville who had Parkinson’s in exchange for helping her.  It didn’t happen because her partner decided not to go to Europe and she didn’t need the help.  While looking on Craigslist on Friday for housing in Asheville, I saw a post for rent free housing in exchange for house help for a woman with Parkinson’s. I replied to the post and inquired if it was the same person.  I haven’t received a response as of yet.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s her or not, I’m still interested but this is another example of “can’t get there from here”.  “Here” isn’t always a physical place; it can be a consciousness, a time of the year, etc.  I wanted to stay in Asheville until I heard to leave but nothing supported that at that time.  Had it happened then, I wouldn’t have been able to help my son, Jason, with moving perhaps, or do a number of other things that transpired.  Maybe now is my “here”.

I am learning/remembering so much about myself on this journey of self-discovery.  I am being reminded of words spoken over me long ago that were still with me just not in the forefront of my consciousness.  Another prophet said to me once that I was like an eagle.  He said eagles fly high above the clouds and have the ability to see storms coming before they actually happen.  Another prophet, Jan Painter, said that I had a tiger in my tank and I was raring to go.  LOL, it seems that I have a lot of references to animals in descriptions of me.  I guess it’s the wild nature, huh?  I often refer to myself as a wild stallion.  I don’t know where I’m headed, even with the eagle eye, Spirit has the upper hand.  I only know that I am waiting for the next thing.  I remember Travis saying to me once that being still is still growth.  It’s just growth that can’t be seen but it’s still happening.  If you’ve ever had any type of garden, you know that to be true.  I taught a bible study on this principle once.  I gave everyone cups with seeds planted in the soil.  I told them that if they gave it water and sun, it would grow.  I reminded them that they wouldn’t see the growth at first because it would take place beneath the soil.  The roots had to grow first before the flowering and if it was uprooted before the roots became strong, it would die.  It’s the same with us.  We need nurturing in order to grow, we need to be rooted and grounded, and we need to know that whether we see it or not, growth is happening.  Life seems to begin in the dark, obscure places, doesn’t it? 

Until next Sunday…..

Merry part and merry meet again,

Gypsi Mama Michelle

Journey 5: week 6/Richmond, VA

Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here bringing lots of love and light......


On The Road Again
             by
Willie Nelson


On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again


On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again


On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way


Is on the road again
I just can't wait to get on the road again


This song seems so appropriate as I will be back on the road as of Wednesday.  Woo Hoo!   What appear to be setbacks are just a temporary bump in the road.  No, a car has not manifested yet but as I was in meditation during the week, the Mega Bus dropped into my spirit.  I hadn't considered that before.  I had thought about Greyhound and Amtrak but not the Mega Bus.  I checked schedules for where I believe Spirit has me headed and not only does it travel there, it's very inexpensive.


Corinna Woods is having a Red Tent event in Earthaven on Thursday.  Thursday is also the birthday of one of the women from the Immersion.  Virginia would like for us to come to the event and help her celebrate.  Greyhound goes to Asheville and I would have needed a ride but Amanda (another woman from the Immersion) asked when I planned to visit her because I could come into Charlotte and ride with her.  The Mega Bus goes to Charlotte. I will spend the night with Amanda, travel to Earthaven with her on Thursday morning and then back to Charlotte for a visit.


Amanda raises bees and I can't wait for her to show me all that entails.  I want to learn all I can about natural living.  Her daughter is going to teach me how to make foot bracelets.  Amanda and I are sure to make infusions, salves and tinctures.  Maybe there's even soap making on the horizon!  From there I would like to visit Lori in Tennessee.  I would have to go into Nashville or Atlanta, GA because the bus does not stop in her town.  Lori is willing to drive to pick me up from the bus stop.  I think I will do Atlanta and visit some people there before she arrives.


Lori has a mini farm.  I certainly hope that there are some cows or goats to milk.  Maybe there are chickens and I can gather eggs.  I believe Lori made some peanut butter recently.  Yum!, can't wait to try that.  Whatever she wishes to teach me, I'm willing to learn.  Next if my friend Whitney is back, I would head on over to Kentucky from Nashville.  I would like to see some of the places in Nashville before traveling on to Kentucky.  Whitney and I did our first year of seminary together and I haven't seen her since 2011 or 2012.  Either way it's been much too long. 


While in Earthaven, I plan to visit Medicine Wheel and see my house mates.  I also want to see how the potato bed I started is doing and any of my other vegetables as well.  I wonder who took over the Greenhouse?  I miss Medicine Wheel and the people there.  It will be good to see them again and hear Seaver sing, "Oh I wish I was a glimmer in your eye". LOL  I think Dimitri may be back by then.  It will be like a reunion!


Another way that I have decided to travel is with Amtrak.  Amtrak has a rail pass.  It's good for 15, 30 or 45 days consecutively.  15 days has 8 stops on the route.  I would go from DC or Chicago to New Mexico, spend a few days there, then to LA to see my daughter, then up to San Francisco for a day or so, then Oakland to see Ali'a possibly, then Denver, CO, then Chicago, then DC to see my other daughter, and Richmond.  I think this would be an adventure and I wouldn't have to be concerned about where to sleep, eat or take bathroom breaks. 


I was opposed to these modes of travel at first because I originally heard to "get in the car and drive" and I would hear Spirit tell me where to go and when to stop.  A bus or train would mean knowing where I was going because of ticket purchases.  It didn't feel Spirit led to me.  However as long as I check with Spirit about where to go, the journey is still Spirit led.  I just will not look up and find myself someplace unexpected. But, I may still find myself in some place unexpected but not in the physical sense.  One never knows what may happen on a journey.


I'm finding that we have to adjust our thinking sometimes and truly have "the intelligence of water".  Go with the flow, take the shape of the container, go over, under, around and through any obstacles that seem to hinder the progress.  For in reality, there are no obstacles except the ones we create.


Until next Sunday.....
Merry part and merry meet again...
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Journey 5: Week 5/Richmond, VA

Merry meet friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light


Earlier in the week, I spoke with my friend, Rev. Whitney Blackburn-Lynch.  She asked how I was doing and my response was that I had no idea and that I felt stuck.  She then asked if she could do a Shamanic journey for me, to which I readily replied, "Please!"  Whitney did a journey for me before in 2012 after my graduation and ordination from OSIS.  I knew something was happening in my life but I didn't know what.  This was before the breast cancer diagnosis.  The journey was not about cancer but it was spot on so yes I wanted her to journey.


Journeys are personal and would only have meaning for the individual but I feel led to share some of this recent one.  This is what Whitney saw:  I had a turtle shell with a tree growing out of the back.  I was also confused.  I trusted the Divine path implicitly, but feared that where I was going I wouldn't fit in.  She then saw me with a Priestess who was showing me my heritage and the white magic from which I came.  In September, 2012, Rev. DeShannon Bowen, a Yoruba priestess, did a reading for me.  I held questions in mind, not revealing them to her, and the reading produced the answers.  She told me that turtle was my totem and like turtle, my home was with me wherever I went. I never needed to know where to settle.


I told Whitney that I understood the turtle but not the tree.  I also explained that since I didn't know where I was headed, I didn't know if I would fit in or not.  However, I have felt out of place for most of my life so I could understand that.  Whitney felt that the tree is a symbol that I not only carry my home, but my roots with me also.  I'm not tied to a place because my roots are with me wherever I am.  She felt it was time for me to figure out where the ancient ways began for me.  This was said because I have felt my ancestors calling me home and back to the ancient ways.  Whitney went on to explain that the ancient call isn't about where my physical family came from but where my spiritual heart was born.  It is the path of the creation of my soul.  Whitney is deep and so is the Shamanic way!  She offered to send me a meditation in order for me to find this out.


Whitney said that in Native American cultures, turtle is not only one who carries her home, but is also very in touch with the earth.  Turtles are protectors of the earth.  I looked up turtle symbolism in Native American cultures.  This is what I found: "The wisdom of the turtle totem teaches us about determination and staying strong despite obstacles or distractions.  This animal encourages those who have it as totem to listen deeply to their guidance and trust their path no matter what.  It is a great helper for those who need to provide a steady effort and persistence.  You can call on the wisdom of the turtle when you need help to sustain your efforts and succeed in a long-lasting endeavor.  By analogy with the biological attributes of this animal characterized by a long life, this spirit animal is also associated with longevity."


"The turtle symbol also represents the earth mother. It represents her stoic ability to carry the burden of man on her shell.  Many species of the turtle have 13 sections to their underside believed to represent the cycle of the thirteen moons.  The moons are a celestial symbol of motherhood."  "Turtles share an association with water, which lends meanings of motion, intuition and emotion to the myriad of more symbolic meanings of the turtle."  I find this to be interesting based on Sam Christensen's assessment of my myth in his workshop.  Not only did he give me "the intelligence of water" but he saw me as an "earth mother".  Turtle makes sense as my totem.


As I meditated on the turtle and the tree, I realized that if the turtle represents the earth and the tree, according to Whitney, represented my roots, then the tree coming out of the shell makes sense also.  Roots grow in the earth.  My roots are "rooted" in the earth.  This is why I care so much about the earth and honor her as our mother.  This is why I desire to live from and off the land.  The tree is also symbolic of the tree of life.  Roots give nourishment to the plants that grow from it and the plants provide life sustaining nourishment.  It is a cycle ordained by Creator/ God/Goddess and All That Is.  So my home and my roots are wherever I am, giving me life and sustaining me as I hope to bring life to all Spirit brings my way.


Until next Sunday.....
Merry part and merry meet again...
Gypsi Mama Michelle

Journey 5: Week 4 RichmondVA ( NY, Victoria and Petersburg, VA)

Merry Meet Friends!

Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light

"To be an artist it is not necessary to make a living from our creations. Nor is it necessary to have work hanging in fine museums or the praise of critics. It is not necessary that we are published or that famous people own our work. To be an artist it is necessary to live with our eyes wide open, to breathe in the colors of mountain and sky, to know the sound of leaves rustling, the smell of snow, the texture of bark. It is necessary to rub our hands all over life, to sing when and where we want, to take in every detail, and to jump when we get to the edge of the cliff. To be an artist is to notice every beautiful and tragic thing, to cry freely, to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share."...........Jan Phillips, "Marry Your Muse".....courtesy of OSIS

"To collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share".....this is how I choose to live my life; to live, breathe, know, hear, smell, feel, sing, observe, risk, notice and cry the full extent of life, in order to experience it and share.  I feel it's how most people, if not all, wish to live as well.  We are born  with an innate sense of curiosity and somewhere along the way we seem to lose it.  Have you ever noticed the wonder and amazement in the eyes of children as they happen upon something new?  If only we would capture that sense again, that newness of life again.  Who would we be, what would we do? It is my purpose to find out as I journey.

 

I am completing my journey here in Richmond and releasing things that no longer serve me.  This, too is a part of my journey, which I was reluctant to acknowledge but none the less, it is a necessary part.  In another week I expect to start traveling again.  As I've stated before, I no longer have the use of the car so until one manifests, it will be the Greyhound bus.  There are pros and cons to this mode of travel.  The "pro" is that I can relax and leave the driving to them (their slogan at one time), no bathroom stops and I can carry my food and sleep as well.  The "con" is that I won't have the freedom a car provides and I can travel more places with a full tank than I can with the price of a ticket.  BUT, I am sure Spirit will send me to the exact place that I need to be so traveling freely will just take another form.

On Sunday and Monday of last week, I was still in NY helping my younger son with the finishing touches of his move.  It was not as intimidating as he thought it would be and he was very grateful for my help.  I spent some time with my grandson, my oldest son's child.  He was so sad to see his uncle leave but Jason assured him he would return shortly.  I love the energy of NY and always have but it will probably not be on my agenda any time soon.  I spent this past week hanging out with friends. It was a very full four day weekend; movies, birthday party, cook out and a wine festival were the activities.  The time was divided between Richmond, Victoria and Petersburg, VA., where I spent two nights.  I was happy to spend the time with them because I'm not sure when I may return. 

I am anxious to resume natural, sustainable living.  I've spoken with some of my friends at Earthaven and I'm seriously contemplating returning for awhile.  Being off the grid isn't as bad as one might think and I miss it.  I've been invited to spend some time with some of the women from the Immersion and I'm looking forward to that as well.  One of them, Amanda, is going to teach me about bees.  I think that's exciting!  I know we will probably make some infusions, tinctures and salves and possibly soap too.  I can't wait to blog about that experience.  There are two other women I will visit while there, Dana and Mary.  Dana makes her own soaps, deodorant and toothpaste.  There's a wealth of hands on experiences awaiting me.  I plan to explore other sustainable communities across the country as I'm directed by Spirit. 

I know my journey is not over because I don't feel the need to put down roots just yet.  As much as I love interior decorating, I don't have any desire to do that.  I would love to have a camper van though and make that my own.  The gypsy blood is flowing strongly through me and I must be on the move, SOON!   So week after next is when I plan to "hit the road, Jack, er Michelle".  However, as I have learned, when we listen to and for Spirit and try to follow what we hear/intuit, our plans are sometimes null and void.  I guess because they are ours.  Anyway, I await with bated breath the collection of experiences that I can shape into forms that others can share.

Until next Sunday.....

Merry part and merry meet again,

Gypsi Mama Michelle

Journey 5: Week 3 Richmond, VA/ and Week 1 NY

Merry meet friends!

Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

When Octavia, Julia and I left Greensboro last Sunday, we had gone about 40 miles when Octavia’s car said there was no gas miles left.  Octavia began to panic; she had never run out of gas before.  I, on the other hand, have.  I rolled into the station once and it cut off directly in front of the gas tank.  She has Triple A but was concerned about the length of time it might take.  Anyway, we were looking for signs at exits that said gas and we didn’t see any until we were pass the exit.  When we saw the airport sign, Octavia said she knew gas would be there.  We got off on the exit and the sign said Valero in 0.8 miles but not necessarily which way. 

We took the left and as we continued to ride, the car made that sound it makes when it’s running out of gas.  Octavia stepped on the gas and I told her to ease up a little and let it kind of coast.  Julia said she would get out and push if needed and I laid hands on the dash and prayed.  Octavia was sweating bullets and her stomach started churning.  We pulled into the station and she thought it was closed.  I told her that I didn’t think it was, because I’ve never known Valero to close on Sundays, but some stations let you pump with a credit card even if they’re closed.  She put the credit card in and voila it worked.  I walked to the door and it was open.  Octavia was so flustered that she pumped regular instead of the higher octane.  I told her to stop pumping and start again with what she wanted.  She finally calmed down and we resumed the trip.  It was funny afterwards. 

The night before I left for Earthaven, Octavia took me to dinner at a restaurant called Vanquish.  When we walked in, the hostess asked us to register our names for a gift certificate.  It was dinner for two with a value up to $100 and had to be used by the end of June.  I thought I would be in Earthaven for five months, so I decided not to register but Octavia said to do it and give it to her if I won.  Well, I won and gave it to her.  Since I was in Richmond, on Thursday we decided to use it.  Her daughter, Carmen was in town and friends of hers were sponsoring an event that night as well.  It was called Stix and Stilettos and we, along with another friend of Carmen’s were invited.  None of us smoke cigars or cigarettes but we do wear stilettos.  I love to see young people following their passions.

We decided to order hor d’oeuvres in order for all of us to eat.  Carmen ordered an Asian BBQ sandwich and crab dip, Octavia ordered prawns and lamb and I ordered oysters.  The oysters had a roumalade sauce on the bottom of the plate, a slice of watermelon, honey dew pieces and a sauce in a shot glass to dip.  It was pretty and delicious.  I should have taken a picture.  The total for all of that was $46.  I was already full but we wanted to use the full value.  You should have seen us trying to get to $100!  Octavia and I ordered salads and I couldn’t even eat mine.  We only totaled around $64 after that.  We decided to order entrees to go and finally we hit $99 and some change.  It was hilarious.

On Tuesday evening I picked up the car.  Yay, no more losing water, $600 later!  Even though I knew my son, Jason, would be coming to Richmond, I thought it would probably be mid-July.  I decided that I would take a short trip somewhere; maybe visit my friend Amanda’s farm and learn more about natural living.  Before that could happen I received a call from Jason asking me to drive the car to NY to help him pack.  He was feeling overwhelmed because he waited until that week to do anything. (I wonder from whom he gets that?, hmmm)  He also wanted to use the car to pack it with items coming to Richmond.   So yet another example of why Spirit had me in Richmond.  Had I visited Amanda, I would have had to come back to Richmond to unload my things and then travel to NY.

On Friday I began the process of unloading the car.  These are the items: laundry detergent, a box of scarves and shawls, a small box of containing scissors and household items, 2 small boxes of CD’s, a boxed mini CD and radio system, yoga mat, portable chair, winter coat, 2 jackets, 2 pairs of sneakers, riding boots, rain boots, a pair of flannel boots, a box of stationary, stamps and journal, a small suitcase containing jewelry, an electric digital hot plate with a frying pan, a mesh bag for laundry, and a duffel bag.  Did I mention that was just the trunk?  In the back seat, I had a large suitcase, a smaller one that I added for the immersion, a tote for the computer and books, another tote for extra personal items and my travel tote for personal items.  Whew, Lawd!  It’s exhausting just to write.  Surprisingly enough, it only took 45 minutes to unload.

While unloading I began to think of long ago Gypsies and their nomadic lifestyles.  Gypsies traveled with all of their worldly possessions in a horse drawn mini house; a precursor, if you will, to RV’s.  The speed of the horses allowed them time to appreciate the landscape; they were out in the air, slept in their wagons, cooked outside, used the woods for personal needs and washed in creeks, rivers or streams.  They used old clothes to remake them into something new.  I saw a lot of that creativity at Earthaven.  Everything they carried with them was essential to their wellbeing. 

I started thinking how maybe what I considered essential really wasn’t.  Then I thought a bit deeper.  Was I really so different from female Gypsies?  They traveled with scarves and shawls.  They wore jewelry: earrings and plenty of necklaces and bracelets.  They had tambourines, harmonicas, banjos and guitars for music.  Their cook ware was with them.  They had clothes and shoes, perhaps not as many as I, but they had them none the less.  Perhaps they had some sort of folding chair.  I felt as if some distant ancestor was a Gypsy and spoke to my spirit about what to take with me for my nomadic journey.  I wish I had a camper van to travel in.  It would eliminate the need for places to sleep and eat.  I could actually save money.

In 2009, I lived with my oldest son, Donnie, for a while.  When I knew in my spirit that it was time for me to leave, I asked Spirit for a place to live with little or no rent because of my income or lack thereof.  Within two months I was a Resident Manager in a home for homeless women with children.  I paid no rent and received a stipend.  Spirit reminded me that if I could ask and set an intention for shelter, I could do the same for a car; and so I did.  Let’s see what happens.  My journey isn’t over because Jason needs his car.  I actually feel as if it is just beginning.

I drove up to NY on Saturday to help my baby boy.  In the words of Jeffry Osborne (I think), “What we won’t do, do for love”.  Jason had done absolutely nothing!  He said he had it all in his head.  I didn’t fuss because he looked so pitiful and I understood because I plan things in my head first as well. And then I feel as if I’ve done it!  I have moved nine (9) times in the last ten years so he wanted my expertise.  Jason was overwhelmed because when he moved from Pittsburgh to NY he had professional movers.  I came in and gave him instructions on what to do.  We got a lot accomplished in a short time.  Well I have more packing to do.
PS.  My friend Michael Talbert, who made his transition in April of this year, and I used to talk until 2 or 3 in the morning.  In one of our conversations I said something about not liking confinement or schedules and that I liked being free.  Michael said, "You're a gypsy or you were one in a previous life".  I laughed and agreed with him.  How insightful and prophetic!

Until next Sunday…….

Merry part and merry meet again!

Gypsi Mama Michelle

Journey 5 Week 2/RVA and Week 1/Greensboro/Winston Salem, NC

Merry meet Friends!

Michelle here bringing lots of light and love

I AM WOMAN

Helen Reddy

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an’ pretend

Cause I’ve heard it all before

And I’ve been down there on the floor

No one’s gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

You can bend but never break me

‘Cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

 

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

I am woman watch me grow

See me standing toe to toe

As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land

But I’m still an embryo

With a long, long way to go

Until I make my brother understand

Oh, yes I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can face anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

 

I am woman

I am invincible

I am strong

I am woman

I am invincible

I am strong

I am woman

On Thursday, I sent a message to my friend, Rev. Sonya Brown thanking her once again for the amethyst pendulum and the thought she put into the purchase.  I had looked up different gems and their meanings and the amethyst was exactly what I needed for this journey.  Sonya said she was in tune with my vibe, which she is.  I went on to tell her that I was, (as the young people say), feeling some type of way and to send healing energy.  Sonya asked me to send her a power word and she would beam it back to me for 24 hours.  I thought to myself, power word, hmmm and immediately “invincible” came to mind.

Earlier that morning I read the One Spirit affirmation about water and it reminded me of one of the phrases Sam Christensen used to describe me when I took his workshop in 2009, in DC.  Sam is the creator of Sam Christensen Image Design Process.  “The Process” as created by Sam is the widely known and innovative system that defines personal identity.  Many actors have used his process to define their “lane” so to speak.  My daughter took his class in LA and felt it was worthwhile for me to take.  I did and it was.

The phrase that I am referring to is “the intelligence of water”.  When I first read that out of the many phrases he gave me, I was almost offended, almost.  My daughter Kiya had me to rethink it.  She said, “Water goes with the flow, Mom.  It goes over, under, around and through any obstacle in its way.  It’s a good thing.”  So when I read about water in the OS post, I was reminded of that class.  The word invincible took me to the song and the wording of the song brought me back to water.

I have been faced with many obstacles in the past two years, as I am sure many people have.  These past three weeks have brought car challenges; not just the losing water but no longer having access.  I know I heard Spirit say take this journey and I haven’t heard to end it.  Whatever the reason is for undertaking the journey still exists.  It is definitely an obstacle to not have the car at my disposal but if I truly do have “the intelligence of water” and I do, then it is an obstacle that I can and will overcome.  It is less expensive to drive as opposed to the bus or train plus I can stop anywhere I choose if I drive.  But, where there is a will, there is a way!

Before I spoke with Sonya, I sent my friend Iliana, a text asking if she was free to have a conversation.  Iliana is a coach and was mine for 12 weeks before I left on my journey.  She has a way of getting right to the heart of the matter.  I am honored to have so many friends that I can rely on for advice and strength when needed.  Spirit does speak through them.  We spoke after my conversation with Sonya and I was feeling, oh I don’t know: invincible, maybe?  We still had a coaching session and once again Iliana helped me to “see” what I was feeling.  I am now speaking about the alone feeling.  Iliana said that when we raise our consciousness, we vibrate at a different level than before.  Others may be vibrating where they are and where I was, hence the alone feeling.  It was a reminder that I needed and she vocalized it for me.  It’s not a better or worse vibration but a different one.

I have been so anxious to get going on the next leg of my journey.  I’ve been feeling trapped especially without the car.  I didn’t understand why I was still in Richmond.  Of course, I knew that the car is a reason but I felt that it was taking much too long.  The gypsy bug is biting and I am restless.  To be completely honest, one reason that I wanted to get out of VA is because I felt that those reading the blog would only want to hear about exciting physical places.  But I am on a journey no matter where I am and no matter how long.  It has always been an inward journey even if it manifested outwardly. 

My intent in writing the blog is for me to have a record of my inward and outward journey and to heal from the experiences that I have had, through writing.   I invite people to read because perhaps my healing will help someone else to heal as well.  I, too, want to continue and will continue to go to new, exciting places and to have the adventures I had at Earthaven, however I feel that the most exciting adventure is the one taking place inside me.

On Friday, my friend Octavia and I drove to Greensboro to her sister Laurie’s house.  We came to Greensboro to attend a wine festival on Friday and a Juneteenth festival on Saturday.  When we attended the Funk Soul 2014 wine festival, the singer, Doby told us about the Summer Solstice festival at the Arboretum on Saturday.  I celebrate all of the solstices and equinoxes so I was definitely feeling it.  The soul fest was an outdoor event.  The food and music were wonderful.  When it rained we sat under the tent and continued to enjoy the singing.  I asked Doby to take a picture with me and she did.  She said she noticed me when I came in, (it was the hair), and she thought I was beautiful.  I told her I felt the same when I saw her picture on the flyer.  Goddesses recognize each other.

On Saturday we attended the Sumner Solstice festival.  It was a huge event with folks dressed as fairies and elves.  There were singers and dancers, a parade, a fire bowl, the releasing of butterflies and many other activities.  I had my face painted as a butterfly.  I love butterflies because of the transformation they undergo.  They start out in a dark cocoon as a caterpillar and emerge as a beautiful winged creature that can soar.  Since we also wanted to attend the Juneteenth celebration, we left to go to Winston Salem.

The Juneteenth celebration was not as large as the Summer Solstice but it was a nice event.  Periodically the voice of Maya Angelou would come across the loud speaker as she recited her works.  There were pictures and replicas of the slave ships that our ancestors were brought in to America.  It’s not comfortable to watch but I feel it is necessary for our history.  There was a jazz band which was very good, a natural hair show and a gospel group.  When it looked as if it were going to rain, we left.  We went by the house of a friend of Laurie’s whose father’s funeral was yesterday to pay our respect.  The weekend was very full but tiring.  We were glad to come back to the house to shower and relax.

Let’s see where my travels will take me next.

Until next Sunday…

Merry part and merry meet again,

Gypsi Mama Michelle

 

Journey 5: RVA and NYC

Merry meet friends!

Michelle here bringing lots of love and light

 Each day I am learning even more that Spirit, Creator, The Universe, Source, God, Goddess and All That Is or whatever name you use is guiding us, directing our path and leading us into all good and the becoming of who we are.  We make our plans and set about bringing them to fruition; sometimes they happen and sometimes they don’t.

When I was staying at Earthaven I decided that when I left I would stay in Asheville for the month of June.  I didn’t check with Spirit on that decision.  I felt that until I heard which direction to travel that I was free to go where I wanted.  I felt that the Universe supported me in that decision because I was supposed to stay with Hannah’s mom rent free as a work exchanger for the month of June.  When that fell through, I still wanted to stay in Asheville because I love it.  It is so very progressive and I feel at home there.  Again, I didn’t check with Spirit as to where to go after The Herbal Immersion.  Asheville is 30 minutes away from Marshall, so I thought, why not? 

When I came to Richmond before the Immersion, I didn’t have time to do all that I needed to do for the car.  It needed to be registered by the end of June and inspected by the end of July.  Because of that, I felt there was no rush as long as I did it by that time.  So I went ahead with my plans to stay in Asheville.  Well the last post let you know how that turned out!  Apparently I am not supposed to be in Asheville at this time or I would be there. 

Everything happens in the time frame of Spirit.  Had I stayed in NC, I would not have been in Richmond to help my friend Octavia celebrate her birthday; she has always helped me celebrate mine.  I met with my friend Linda by chance who took me to a mechanic about the mirror.  Had I not received a price from him that I didn’t want to pay, I would not have had prices to compare.  I would not have been around another mechanic who knows why the car is losing water and is able to repair it. 

When I realized I wouldn’t be in NC, I decided well, I’ll go to New Mexico sooner than I’d planned.  I did check with Spirit to know NM was where I was headed but I didn’t check the when.  I’ve been driving my youngest son Jason’s, car for the last 5 years.  He lives in NY and parking is horrible and garaging it is costly.  I needed a car so he loaned me his.  I found out on Tuesday that Jason is in the process of moving to Richmond at the end of June for a couple of months while he is on leave from his job.  He will need his car.

 I wanted to leave for NM as soon as the water situation was handled which will be later this week.  Following my plan, had I not called Jason to see if he needed the car, I would have been on the way west when the car needs to be here.  So now I will be traveling by Greyhound since I have a destination.  The funny thing is that I had just been asked by my friend Millie on Monday, what I would do if I didn’t have the car.  We were discussing the water situation. This was before I knew the mechanic had a take on it.  I told her my journey would continue by bus.  I thought about the bus before I started the journey but not knowing where I would be going would make buying a ticket difficult.  In retrospect though, I could have looked at the destinations at the bus terminal and inquired of Spirit, “where to?”  

So now being in Richmond makes sense because I have to pare down my belongings to a suitcase and backpack.  I have discovered that we never need as much as we think we do.  My friend Cher travels a lot and told me once how she had learned to take the essentials and plenty of scarves.  Good advice, but I’d like to work in NM, so for me, that means jewelry and shoes.  What can I say, I love them both.  Help Cher, please!  Even in a car traveling from place to place one can accumulate MORE.  Gypsies traveled with all of their belongings though, in a covered wagon, no less.  I guess I’m really a gypsy, not only at heart but in all.

My cousin Debbie told me about a site called “Getaway Dealz”.  It has certain places like resorts, around the country where one can stay for 4 nights and 3 days or vice versa for as little as $59.  I looked it up and found three different places in TN.  All of them are about 3 hours from Nashville.  On the way west I want to stop in Lexington, KY to see my friend Whitney and go to TN from there.  I can’t beat the prices and would get to stay in a resort like place.  I’d have to listen to an hour and a half presentation on time sharing but who cares?  Now if you’re paying attention, you should have noticed that I said “I” want to visit KY and TN.  Had Spirit been consulted? Noooo, but it’s on the way to NM and so I felt it was ok.  Sigh.  Never fear Spirit has been consulted finally!

I have an oncologist appointment, a 6 month mammogram checkup and a physical all in the last week of June.  I was going to ignore them since I wouldn’t be here but now I don’t know.  I am however ignoring the mammogram.  I have no desire to have more radiation in my body.  If they wish, the doctor can give me a thermogram {?}, I believe it’s called.  At any rate no more mammograms for me!’

On Friday the 13^th, I traveled to NY to see my stepson, his friend and my grandchildren, along with my son Jason, of course.  On Friday evening we had dinner and decided to walk to Fairway, a health food store.  We felt raindrops and Jason said we should head back to the apartment.  I felt that we could be done before the rain hit hard.  Jason was looking at the weather on the phone and said it was going to start at 6 and continue until morning.  I kept saying, oh it will be fine; it will lighten up by the time we are ready to leave.  So we continued on and I was in heaven with the store! I strolled along looking at everything.  When we got to the front door after checkout, there was a monsoon.  Jason said I told you so. 

We stood at the door with everyone else waiting.  Finally Jason said he would walk to get an umbrella from the man on the corner.  He felt he wouldn’t be able to get a taxi; it was Friday, after 6 and raining.  He took so long that I went to see what the problem was.  Jason was hailing a taxi!  He felt that by the time he walked to two corners he would be soaked, as if that wasn’t happening hailing the taxi!  He finally succeeded and we got there in one piece but extremely wet.  I told Jay to take a hot shower and change.  It’s what moms do.

Saturday I went to see my friend Iliana in Brooklyn.  It was a nice visit.  I have missed seeing my seminary friends.  Sad I didn’t get to see Rev. Sonya Brown and others.  That evening one of the grandchildren became ill and went to the emergency room.  We went to be with her for a while.  Afterwards we had dinner at a Peruvian Restaurant.  The chicken was delicious!  I sat up and watched a movie, then went to bed.

On Sunday I went to Jason’s church.  They speak so highly of him there, it makes a mom proud.  He led the prayer before the sermon and the boy can pray (not the first time I’ve heard him).  Later we went back to the hospital to see the grandchild.  She was much better.  I had planned to go to Zoe’s Restaurant in SoHo, my friend Cher’s daughter’s restaurant.  My granddaughter felt better and wanted to sight see since her sister and brother were out shopping.  We toured Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, museums, and Ground Zero.  It was a full day and after 8pm when we finished.  By this time we were all hungry and the game was on, so we went to eat and watch the game.  It was another full, exhausting day but a good day. 

Hopefully my car will be ready and I can hit the road once again.  Westward bound!

Until next Sunday, not Monday (lol)

Merry part and merry meet again…..

Gypsi Mama Michelle