The Storm

Greetings and thank you to all who have visited my site in my long absence. I have been through many challenges that took a lot of inner strength in order to return now to my sanctuary, here under the tree resting in the moonlight while writing to you .
I worked for many years in the same location for two wonderful men that became not only my employers, but also my friends as did their families and the other colorful and creative co-workers that I shared goals, hopes, fears and dreams with on a daily basis. As we know there is one constant in the Universe and that is change and change came unexpected with the new owners that purchased the business. It wasn't something that happened over night, no it was a gradual and deliberate and in the end a blessing, but my nature is to remain with the comfort of those I know and love so when I was met with the decision to leave or be desolate spirit surrounded me, protected me, fulfilled me and loved me through the beginning of a whole new journey which affected everything in my life.

I had been helping my son who was living with me, he was about to move when during this transition the roles changed and I would be living with him. My secure comforting daily life became like the card form a tarot deck " The Tower", pieces of my heart were scattered and torn from all the human emotions I was experiencing of disappointment, betrayal, sadness, loss and disbelief. Yet down deep in my core the quiet, comforting voice of spirit could still be heard saying, " You are loved, everything is perfect, everything is OK." I'm sure some people found me to be an inspiration while others could have been thinking I was in denial and that was why I had it so together. There were times when the fear of what was I going to do would creep upon me like a dark cloud that covers the sunshine. This human experience I was in the midst of was a reminder of many things to me; similar "hard times", thoughts and beliefs of many spiritual studies I had experienced in the past, things my Grandma would say to me that have given me strength over the years, positive affirmations, bible verses, metaphysical classes and on and on and on. I drew from all I had become to weather this storm, I remained in the center of the storm where I knew it would be quiet and where I could be at peace while the winds blew all around me. I didn't try to fly, I felt it best to float, if there was ever a time in my life to practice going with the flow this was surely it! Let Go, Let God!

Yes, my spiritual teacher, Roger T. use to say that quite a bit ( more remembering ). Letting go has always been a growth lesson in this life for me I always thought I should be "doing" something to improve a situation in my life so it's no wonder Roger had sensed it was a phrase meant for my ears until I decided to allow it to become one of my personal mantra's, until I chose to live it and be present in the moment not doing anything, allowing myself to be in the center and not whirling around seeking solutions here and there in my mind. I had grown to become pretty good at living in the moment by the time this life changing event began and so I am grateful for it was what helped me to remain grounded, less stressed, full of faith and knowingness that all things have a purpose and even the hardest most unsettling changes can lead us to where we are meant to be. When I say meant to be I know that where I am now may change in a moment and then it could be longer. I now live, work and am in a totally different routine surrounded by new people. All I need and more is provided. I am well, I am blessed. Yes, it was quite a storm, it crumbled many past routines, shook my comfort zone and renewed my inner strength, but when it passed my connection to what mattered most was still in tact, held strong by the roots of love and understanding.

Namaste'
Ann Bastuba

Spring Reflection

As nature around me awakens from Winter I sit and open my mind and heart to receive from God the words that will fill this post today. I gaze out the windows and see from the smallest bud on maple tree in my front yard to a beginning of a birds nest being built in anticipation of new life. I think about my own place in this reality and how as nature stretches to re-bloom, I , in my mind am hopeful. For the last few weeks since my last post there seem to be an increase in demands upon my daily life that made quiet time to write and reflect just not possible or I chose to believe that. At first I was thinking that I must get back to my blog, I must get back to my blog. I did and re-read my last post about God time and smiled and thought, OK, for now I will be in each moment of these demands and remain aware of any and all things I could learn and grow from in the experiences. I know from past experiences or bumpy times in my life or in the lives of those close to me how when everything begins to calm and everyone accepts the changes the flow is restored to one of a peaceful nature. Why? I believe that it's due to me allowing what is a part of the divine plan to transpire instead of desiring my own expectations to rule or attempt to control the situation. It's up to me to step back into the flow if I truly desire peace and to be at one with Spirit. I keep a verse from the bible posted on my fridge that reminds me daily when I sense the fears of my own ego or the fears of others creeping into my space. I hope you will share this with others as I share with you now; Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the World gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John14:27 Then I think on the Tao and how it states in a part of the eleventh saying " Returning to the source is "stillness," and this is called returning to destiny; returning to ones destiny is constancy, knowing constancy is clarity. Ignorance of what is constant leads to the wanton taking of risk. It goes on to remind me to "Go to the limit of emptiness, carefully guard the still center. " With these teachings and many others I have always drawn from an endless supply of spiritual strength and love, but more than this my understanding comes from my personal relationship with God which is communion with the holy trinity. I am that I am. I send ( give ) out the spiritual strength and love I receive that which keeps the balance in and around me as I move through my life here on this journey.
Today, in the World there is so much anxiousness over unemployment, financial lack, loss of homes, crime, addictions, mental disease, wars, etc., etc...but you can weather the stormy outlook, you can even change your perception while at the same time bring light and rays of hope to others by remembering to guard your own stillness, in that stillness you will allow the connection to Spirit to lighten your heart and mind, your fears will fade away and you'll stretch and grow stronger just a nature is doing right in this moment on this beautiful new Spring day. Namaste'

In God Time

In my family we have a saying when we are becoming anxious about a pending outcome to any situation and that is, " It will happen in God time." By releasing the outcome after stating your desire aloud or quietly in your heart, knowing that you truly want only the highest and best results for all concerned that is involved, doing your very best at taking the necessary steps to receive the results you want and being at one with God in faith, your work is done. Now, God will manifest what is the very best outcome. It may or may not be what you think is best at the time, but know that it is and the truth in this will be shown to you instantly or in the near future. When I meditate or pray on something or for someone I rest assured that the all loving and knowing God is in control and that because his totality is Love then I know that the results come with only love. I am in a state of no fear and I am calm within knowing this. For example last week I was talking with God and asking that he provide my son with the right and perfect job for him and stated that my son was not completely certain just what job opportunity would fulfill his true heart's desire since he has a degree in one field and a passion in another. I went on to say to God that I knew that it was already a reality and known to Spirit and that my son was now truly ready to work after having been off for a while, so please bring what he loves in his heart into manifest and lead him to it and the job to him. That was all, my part was done. That was around 2:00pm that afternoon outside my job when I had gone outside to reconnect with nature like I do a couple of times through out the day when I am working. Anyway, I got in that evening and my son was so excited! He had been doing a search for job openings like he diligently had been doing on a regular basis and a position showed up for what he felt was the perfect opportunity for him because it would require his degree experience, electronics and was for the field of his passion, music. I immediately said a thank you quietly to God with my heart smiling, I knew again Spirit had moved. You see, turns out it was at the same hour that day he had been searching that I was talking with God. Does this surprise me? No, for this is the understanding I have of miracles in and around me all my life. They happen everyday sometimes in small ways and sometimes in hugh ways. Of course I will never stop feeling that child like wonder of excitement each time I witness the love and caring of Gods gifts. My eyes tear with thankfulness and gratitude even as I type this now and the connection I feel with God is one of such deep devotional love that words would fall short to express. That's an example of "knowingness" to me. It was this past Thursday my son took the test and first interview. He prepared by reviewing many hours of basic electronics and electronics that applied to musical instruments and equipment to be the best prepared he could be. Now he awaits the answer. He waits more peacefully for an answer that will come "In God Time." He also trust the outcome to be in his best interest he says and I am happy for him that he is coming into his own personal relationship with God and the peace it brings in his life. Also, he received another job opportunity the very next day after he got the first one that was perfectly suited to his years of work experience and he responded to that one as to not limit any opportunity he is blessed with and to allow the flow of "receiving" to continue in life. For anyone who may read this I hope that it helps you to know about this and that is my only intention in sharing this story with you. Although this is experience happened in anothers life God creates miracles in every ones life in unison with the help and faith of the believer. So talk with God, do your part, make certain your intention is to harm no one, no living thing and then receive your miracle in God time. Sounds too simple? To some people I'm sure. I get that response from time to time only because I feel they haven't totally grasped what these suggestions in tell. For maintaining this kind of faith and belief takes for some people years, a lifetime even, but also for others they seemed to have been born with it. If you desire faith and seek it in all ways you will receive it. Oh, and a suggestion; You do receive what you ask for so be aware of what you ask for either with your actions, thoughts, or words. Namaste'

You Are A Masterpiece

Thinking today in regards to what I would offer as hopeful and loving to all those I know, people I don't know personally and to myself, I asked Spirit to guide me in any direction to the right and perfect subject for today's entry and as always my angels and guides are pleased and happy to assist me just by asking and remaining assured of their assistance. I was watching Joel Osteen this Sunday morning and in his message he touched on how God created each of us as a masterpiece and I thought of how that goes along with my belief that we are all perfect just the way we are. We as a spirit in a human body judge ourselves so harshly sometimes by telling ourselves we are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, slim enough, etc, etc,. You know what I mean. How many times have you thought that or said that already today? We allow the opinions and judgements of others to decide who we are and our value as a human being way to much. When you put too much of your faith in yourself in another person's care you risk continued disappointment and hurt. People who are truly walking in the light are sometimes intentionally hurt by others who have not reached an understanding within themselves, that to attempt to take anything away from another person's dignity is fruitless and only leads to further separation from our loving source, our creator, God. For those who are comfortable in who they are and in there faith know this and harbor no ill feelings of those who are not. They understand, forgive, they bless them and they strive to be patient with them and then they walk away in peace. This does not mean you must allow people into your lives that continually disrespect you or hurt your feelings for we all have choice to not associate and to end abusive relationships. Not everyone comes into your life for a long time , but possibly there for a short time to mirror a life lesson you want to address . Haven't you had experiences where a relationship ended and you came away all the wiser? You knew you didn't want to go through that again, huh? Still how you leave the relationship will determine if you draw that same scenario back into your life again. For instance, if we release the dislike for that person, forgive ourselves and release the pain the situation caused then our spirit is lighter, our heart is more receptive to love and we begin to control our own destiny and live a happier life surrounded by others who have forgiven, but not forgotten what it means to be a child of the most high God. I certainly do not mean to appear egotistical with my feelings towards those who are finding their own way on this life journey and I'm sure I have hurt others as I'm traveling and searching for truths, in fact that's a human happening if you are gonna live life, but I am now more mindful of my words, my actions, my thoughts and so much more in touch with my desire to love and to help not harm any living thing that that is why I am adding this to this post for clarification for anyone who may entertain this thought and wonder. So for today, practice being more positive and kind when you speak or think of yourself, see the perfection of you, know that you are so special there is no one like you, and accept that you are learning every moment and that you are deserving of all that is good, abundant and joyful. While at the same time choose what you believe not what others may want you to believe.

Rebirth Day

Time passes and circles within the mind, My heart feeling full.

The body a bit tired flexing towards the sea, My soul is set free.

Lives ebb and flow wearing away at my focus, Unveiling the spirit yearning to soar.

The beauty of each moment in a day charismatically echoing in the Valley of Memories,
Only making me want it more.

Angels and guides deliver crystal clear impressions upon rays of light, In a meadow of
daisies and sage.

Pure essence of clarity preceded the joy, the waves no longer rage....


Ann

Choosing Joy Part II

After posting my last entry, Choosing Joy Part I, I wanted to come back and expand a little for anyone who read it and may be attempting to add some of these ideas into their daily life.When writing words, stories, and personal experiences to share with others I feel there comes with it a personal caring for the different ways it may effect the readers you reach. With that said I offer these thoughts for you to ponder. Making a conscious chose to release sadness, anger, disappointments, and darkness from your life is an ongoing process, not something that just disappears with that moments decision, you realize that I'm certain by the way the old memories come back to shake you up, or unsettle your center at times when you least expect them to. Present activities can strike a heart string and take you back to a memory that may not always be joyful. Right ? Memories are stored in our subconscious mind like a fingerprint and all types of things can jog them to the present. There are memories that I feel we must experience and face today so that we can move on to a place of joy. The memories stored that cause you pain or any emotion other than happiness and warmth may require your better understanding and forgiveness. Many times we have judged what someone did to us as cruel, evil and just plain mean. True that may be and then again possibly they were never intending to hurt us at all they were just being who they were at the time doing the best they could in their mind, based on their environment and experiences since birth. Inviting an inner transformation and change into your life requires effort, it's gradual and there is no quick fix . Suffering is a part of this life journey and that suffering prompts many positive shifts within ourselves each time we experience them. That is another reason why I have asked you to consider not judging your feelings, allow them to be, and love them. It is through this temperance of mind that we are able to let go of the hurtful memories and begin to better understand the pain and best yet, forgive. Forgiveness and compassion release you, free you and you will find that you have no need to harbor or hold on to it anymore. In return this allows more space within you to experience joy, creativity and achieve true potential. I know people who have became artist, musicians, writers, speakers, and more productive people during these painful times. Why? Maybe during these experiences they tuned inward and since they were with their aloneness they realized they were not alone at all, it just slowed them down enough to hear spirit and tune into the divinity that we are always connected to, a part of the universal whole, creation. There lies your abilities to do great things and be at peace ,which is joyful, to me it is bliss. Now that you are more aware of how holding on to hurt impacts your lives you would consider forgiveness on a daily basis. That leads to less and less stored baggage weighing you down, you gradually become lighter in spirit and happier opening your heart to joy and all God has already given to us. Everyday I expect miracles, expectation of good things is hope and hope is essential to progress. I have gained increasing faith because I have witnessed the results of mini and huge miracles in my personal life and the lives of others. I have built a foundation made from balanced expectations and balance in my life. The subject of balance in life is another entry in my blog one that I will address later. For now I leave you with the five principles to contemplate from teachings I learned when studying Reiki 1( Don't get angry today. 2( Don't worry today. 3( Be grateful today. 4( Work hard today ( meditative practice). 5( Be kind to others today. Speak them once in the morning and once in the evening . For a better understanding of what Reiki is you may do your own research if you feel led for this blog is not used to teach Reiki, just as a reference. There are many roads to higher awareness learning and it is your choice which roads you take and how many paths you choose, but know, they all lead to the One God. Namaste'

Choose Joy Part I

What is your joy? ..... Stop doing the thing you dread and /or procrastinate over, realize your freedom to choose. Begin to love yourself and all it is that makes you a complete person. Be kind to yourself, realizing that we are all a unique creation of Gods perfect creativity. Look within yourself, get in touch with your feelings without judgement of those feelings. Think of a brook, If you removed the pebbles there would be no melody. All these feelings create our individual song, the universal song. Pretend you are looking through the innocent eyes of the child, seeing each person, place, situation and object for the first time. Feel the amazement . Can you imagine a baby's first glimpse at a flower? How special it Is ? The Joy! Begin to see, experience the feeling that floods your heart! To tap into your joy begin to feel the moment, become aware of your emotions, remember do not judge them, let them be. They are you. We learn from them , they speak to us. Teach yourself to listen, to follow your first feelings , love your feelings. They will lead you to your joy, they will put you in touch with the child within. Follow your bliss and doors will open you never expected, you will draw to your life others who are in joy. Know that you are learning through your own insight, your sincere desire to grow. Allow the people you are connected to or come in contact with that respect, that space you occupy, being aware that they are equally entitled to the choice of learning and growing as they choose, when they choose. God is in control! Let Go, Let God....Release your imaginary control. Love them for what they choose to be, unconditionally, not based on whether or not they make the choices you would make or have made. Release those imaginary weights and fears you have accepted through pre- conditioned ideas placed in your subconscious mind without your awareness or conscious approval. Do not fear living, to be is to experience all emotions, loving each one as a special part of you. A life of middle of the road expressions or non- expressions leaves behind an empty memory album of the mind. Think how events in your life have taken place, how you may have cried with someone, loved with someone, laughed to tears with someone and also felt a total dislike for someone or something. These emotions all weave together to make or create the feeling of aliveness, a tapestry of your unique presence in our world, your communion with All. You may be thinking or saying to yourself , " What about the sad times, the times like....? How am I suppose to find joy or be in joy in those times?" TRUST, I say, do you think a sparrow worries that there will be food through the winter or that a bear fears he won't hear nature's alarm when it's time for his hibernation to end and not be awakened, or finally that a newborn comes into this world wondering if there will be milk when he's hungers? TRUST, we are all God's perfection, we are one with nature. We all may choose to fly freely with the winds, but we have accepted the fear of lack, the fear of loss, and fear itself. In return we have become heavy weighted down by our illusions of separation from our creator, our source of abundance, love and peace. There is never a separation, only self imposed blocks. WE block our reception of joy, of success and most importantly our ability to receive and give love. Be love. Love life! It is one of the most exciting journey's you will ever choose. Seek to stay within your joy. It will bring you into conscious awareness, into being. That being is a child, ageless and timeless. Namaste'