Be Vulnerable for Your Kids

I grew up watching movies and soap operas about women "being strong". The interpretation of being strong is to suffer silently and not asking for help.  Somehow telling their kids everything is fine when they are scared , in pain and afraid. Suffering in silence seems to be the "good wife" and "good mother" stereotype.

Well I have done that and it didn't work. For some reason, our culture seems to think that being vulnerable is being weak. Protecting them from the truth somehow will ease our own suffering.
I ask myself , " How can I ever expect my kids to tell the truth about anything when I don't do it myself ? " It is an against the grain kind of gesture and believe me it is the best thing I have done.
Sometimes I just don't have the answer and I will tell them that, tell them about my experience and what my choice will be and let them make their own decisions.
We as a family sit in council at least once a week, we talk about our daily lives and share our day almost everyday in a sacred space where we can stay present and listen to each other.
As a couple, I sit with my partner everyday and we process, listen to each other deeply and hold a space for each other, no matter what.

Making of a Valentine's Gift - Deer Antler Talking Stick

My husband picked out a deer antler from my antler collection a while ago and he has been using it as a talking stick in council. I thought it will be a great Valentine's gift for him to finish the talking stick for him. Well it was months in the making. I sat with it, meditated and ask the guide from the spirit.

Thanked the spirits and saged the antler

I picked up quite a few branches on my morning walk, asking for guidance to pick the one

Hand whittled a few of them and the one on the right really spoke to me

As so it is

Finally, there were these marks on the branch, and I used a wood burner to add to the contrast

I always say when we are willing to sit with the uncomfortable, you will always find gold. How appropriate to add gold accents to this talking stick. Perfect companion for meditation.

Setting the talking stick

Added Gold color to the stick

Close up of the Amethyst that I put on by wire wrapping it

Happy Valentine's Day

Busy in my studio - Creating one of a kind talking stick / wand Sacred Art

Creative juice is flowing in my studio.... I can't stop creating. I have been working with deer antler this whole week and it is amazing !! Here are a few sacred pieces I made this week.

Most of the time, I picked out the stones or crystals that I am called to and the rest just falls into place.

The wisdom wand - This one is anchored by a pyrite with shells and metal beads

Clarity Wand- Crystal anchored with moonstones and jet bead chips

Protective Wand - Turquoise, clear quartz with crystals, black tourmaline and tiger's eye

The Power of Affirmation

For those of you who don't know what Affirmations are, they are words or phrases that you speak out loud or to yourself to solidify an idea. After they are heard or said repeatedly, they become a reality, which can be positive or negative or in my opinion, mislead.  It is like advertising on TV or internet, after you see it so many times, you believe what's said.

We are in some ways programmed to believe certain things:

- Don't believe in your intuition. It is just co-incidence, there is no such thing.
- It is just a dream, it doesn't mean anything.
- Women should stay at home and take care of the family.
- Women should work, it is a different world.
- Men should not cry or be vulnerable, it means they are weak.
- People who do not believe in what I believe are my enemies.
- We need more things.

Well, we can also use affirmations to create a positive space for ourselves.

Tips for creating positive affirmations:

- Start inwardly, by this I mean, start with" I am ready to receive abundance from the Universe" instead of "I want a new car".

- Write it down and speak it out loud. If you don't say it, the Universe will not know it.

- Your affirmations should mean something to you- something that speaks to you, it should be personal.

- Ask for what you want, don't be shy. The Universe is listening . Again, go inwardly instead of wanting "things".

- Be Kind to yourself

Here is an example of my daily affirmation, I speak it out loud everyday before my meditation.

My Daily Affirmation

My vision is to cultivate my wisdom, kindness and bring forth the person I am 

In the forefront of my life

Be me fully

And also tend to my wounding, my insecurity, my not knowing

Loving myself

Practicing love and kindness in every breathe

Practicing listening deeply to lessen other people's suffering

Going on my inner journeys to bring forth my spirit animal and all of my ancestors

They are always there in me

Bring forth these gifts

Amen

And so it is