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“Bird Walking”
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Tending Our “Gardens” or Snowfalls? of Life
Spring is one of my favorite times of year as it is for many. Yes, because of more sunlight, warmth, greenery, fresh air, fruits, & vegies, new blossoming buds innately bursting back into life, but also because my own life blossoms. Could it be that this time of year is really a time of renewal for nature and humans? Are we connected to the innate rhythms of seasons and cycles ? Does being conscious of this connection and in harmony with them help us to improve the quality of our lives, our families, our communities, our world? Are we already doing so or do we forget and simply follow our routines? Are our daily rhythms impacted by what is going on in our natural world? Does it matter? Well on a day like today, mid-April when rather than a warm, sunny (or possibly rainy) Spring day we instead have an uncharacteristic snowstorm, it seems a simple proof in the experience of “this contrast” that we are impacted. And, although I am still enjoying my life on this snowy spring Sunday, doing laundry, cleaning, getting caught up, somehow this snowy, slushy 30 degree day somehow doesn’t feel quite right, and it is impacting the rhythm of my day. Instead of going to the grocery store, running errands, getting gas, drinking lemonade, and eating a cool salad, I’m under a blankee on the couch drinking tea, eating soup and writing this blog. Being honest, my spirit is somewhat dampened, but I’m doing my best to redirect my attention towards that which I’m grateful for so it doesn’t bring me down too... read moreThe Power of Contrast
Because it is fresh as potent growth experience for me, I decided to write about the concept of contrast. As a noun, contrast is defined as: ”The state of being strikingly different from something else, typically something in juxtaposition or close association.” As a verb, “Differ strikingly.” So, why am I thinking about it? Well, I gotta say: 1) After recently fasting for 19 days between sunrise and sunset, (described in previous post) now that I can remain hydrated and energized with food during the day, I find a deeper level of gratitude for the alertness and energy eating and drinking provides, not to mention a deeper appreciation for the taste, texture and periodic pauses it offers. At the same time, because “the fast” specifically is no longer a daily spiritual practice, in contrast of it’s absence, it requires my added attentiveness to maintain a heightened spiritual attention to the moments of my daily life. 2) One weekend a month, I provide care giving services for two young ladies that I love dearly and whose family I love dearly, that require 24 hour care to lift, dress, feed, provide personal hygiene, massage, chi machine, etc…. It is both physically intensive and has provided me great opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. How it relates to contrast, is multi-fold and multi-dimensional. A) On a multi-fold note, after working one 7 hour and (2) 12 hour shifts in a row this past weekend, on a day like today (Monday), when I do not have to get up at 6:45 to be there by 7:30 am – 7:30 pm, and I get... read morePenultimate Day of Fasting
“…prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests.” Abdu’l-Baha “Fasting is the cause of awakening man. The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases.” I have been fasting for 17 days (18 including today) now between sunrise and sunset, and with 19 days as the target, I have 1 day to go. As a Baha’i’, since 2004, this is my 9th fasting cycle. “As has been the case with other revealed religions, the Bahá’í Faith sees great value in the practice of fasting as a discipline for the soul. Bahá’u’lláh , the founder of the Baha’i’ faith designated a nineteen-day period each year when adult Bahá’ís fast from sunrise to sunset each day. This period coincides with the Bahá’í month of Ala (meaning Loftiness), from March 2 to 20, inclusive. This is the month immediately preceding the Bahá’í new year, which occurs the day of the vernal equinox; and the period of fasting is therefore viewed as a time of spiritual preparation and regeneration for a new year’s activities.” “The fasting period involves complete abstention from food and drink from sunrise till sunset. It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. “ In my own experience, I would have to agree that the fast becomes a period of meditation and prayer, and that it allows me... read moreWhat are YOU thinking?
Looking around with an attentive eye it is easy to see the power of the mind in action. Whether reflecting upon the broader role of the mind in creating a skyscraper, roadway or bridge; leading innovations in technology, science, business, education or the arts; or the role it plays in our daily lives to help us learn, make decisions, interact and navigate life, it is clear that the human mind is powerful. Upon waking to greet each day, our minds lead us (often without thinking) through our morning routine, get us to work, and in most cases become the focus of our work. Our interactions with ourselves, and others are often centered in the mind. Our workplaces buzz with the mind and although, we also have a heart, a body and a spirit through which we can perceive the moments of our lives, the mind is commonly the primary “radio channel” to which we attune. (Sometimes playing a song we like, often not.) Everyone’s mind’s sends thoughts endlessly into our awareness. As you know, these thoughts can be very useful, are necessary and can accomplish great things, however left un-attended, they can also rob the quality from our lives. They also link directly to the emotions we then feel and vice versa, which can create positive emotion with positive thoughts and negative emotion with negative thoughts. (again visa versa) One step further, as mind/body/spirit beings, they can also impact our body in a positive or negative way depending upon the thoughts we are thinking and feelings we are feeling. (For example, I can always tell when I’m thinking or... read moreBreak the Chain
February 14, 2013 Twin Citians join global movement One Billion Rising to break the chain of violence against women and girls. See below video link Share... read moreWaking Up Through Sound
Sound is vibrational in nature, as is light. In fact, it is said that the entire physical universe is made up of pure energy and vibration and that we too as humans are vibrational beings. “The Hindus have a saying, “Nada Brahma”, which means, all is sound, or all of creation is sound. They suggest that the primordial sound of manifest creation is the sound of “Aum”, or Om, and that if we were to attune to the creative spirit, we would hear this sound. The Judeo-Christian culture might say, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1),” thus also tieing together the nature and power of sound with Creation.” Zacciah Blackburn, World Sound Healing Organization Resting upon these scientific and spiritual foundations, sound healing is both an ancient and emerging practice that not only can produce deep relaxation but also can be a catalyst for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. It is also a portal to deepened consciousness. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, with our own experience as our guide, we have all experienced the healing of sound, from the chirping of birds, an ocean surf, a song we love, our own voice or the loving words spoken from another. At the same time, science does show that sound stimulates the brain into different brainwave states and that it has a strong impact on substance. “For example, the study of Cymatics has shown how sound creates geometric patterns in matter. Dr. Emoto has proven that sound changes the molecular structure of water.” Sound & Consciousness Institute ... read more
Crowding Out
On a scale of 1-10, I rate the “diet/nutrition” part of my health choices at a 7. However, depending upon to whom I compare myself, I may rank higher or lower. And….because, I’m continually moving towards learning from others (be it through contrast or sameness), but comparing myself to myself, I stick with 7, in process to moving to 8, where I will then reevaluate and determine my next move. Incrementally, which works better for me, I am adding more servings of vegetables to my daily diet, keeping carbs to a minimum, eating gluten only for worthy exceptions and doing my best to add fruit, which interestingly I like, but have a heck of a time eating consistently. So, welcome to my new breakfast habit in motion. Having set a goal to lose 10 pounds at a slow and steady pace over the next 12 weeks, but more so to have more living foods in my diet, my new TLS Slim site, where I am both learning about health, finding recipes, journaling and tracking my daily food, water, & exercise, advised me to eat 5-6 cups of vegetables, 2 servings of fruit, minimum 8 glasses of water, 3-4 oz protein per meal and 3-4 tablespoons of good fat to achieve my goals. What I’ve discovered as I’ve been incorporating this incremental health improvement into my life is 1) when I stick to it, I noticeably feel a notch better. 2) when I allow myself to keep moving towards it without self-judgment and acknowledging my progress, I feel my commitment growing -because rather than condemnation for missed action steps, I... read more
Rich Week Poor Week
40 Things. What if you were told one day that you could only have 40 things in your day-to-day life for a week? What would you choose: clothes, socks, underwear, pot, plate, keys, car, TV, computer, lipstick, purse, bucket? Only one trash can? (Would that mean extra steps every time you needed to throw something away? Would that matter?) How would you choose? What would be the purpose of limiting yourself to these items? Is it possible that doing such an outrageous activity could enrich your life somehow, rather than restrict it? Well, meet Michelle, Anna and Lindsay, three young Twin Cities women who did just that. One week of 40 items, aka Poor Week and one week of “sky’s the limit,” termed Rich Week (for simplification purposes only, as in fact the name didn’t sit quite right.) And, ironically as both a paradox and an aha, challenging and rewarding, they found “rich and poor in both weeks.” So, let’s look at a few specifics and greatest take aways that may also serve as an inspiration for you to create your own personal growth adventure. Specific number one about Poor Week: 1) Examples of forsaken items on their individual lists of 40 items included no music, no TV, no computer (except for work), no jewelry, no perfume, no items of attachment, no texting, and unintentionally no cleaning because no one put broom on their list. 2) Examples of what was on their lists were: one pair of socks, one outfit, one book, a bowl, a pan, a pen (what would be more important, a microwave or a pen?), a... read more
Becoming
Being a “butterfly” in flight provides a different view than experiencing life from within the walls of a cocoon or as a catapillar that is denying its natural urge to weave a transformational casing around itself to later develop it’s muscles to chew it’s way through and fly. And, having recently emerged from my own cocoon, after following an undeniable prompting to climb inside, I’m enjoying the view and keenly observing the importance of each of these stages. From within my cocoon, I stepped off the train of what my life had been and through a series of challenges including health, finances, career, home, self, relationships and family, I took an honest look at myself, observed the patterns of my life, found my strengths and owned them, took some risks to speak my truth, learned to believe in me, reclaimed my passions, and furthered my courage, (already a virtue I possessed) to become who I am more authentically in the world. Along the way, I was blessed with some incredible human beings to love and be loved by, a deeply rooted faith and a profound knowing that I was meant to become who I am. And…I’m not saying any of this was easy, nor am I saying that one’s whole life must crumble in order for it to be rebuilt in a more true way. I am saying however that we have a choice, and I believe we all have a “GPS system” that comes from a place Beyond ourselves that urges us forward from where ever we are. And, from whatever choices we make, it will always “recalculate.”... read moreAbout Dawn Vogel
Dawn Vogel is founder of Luminous Concepts Productions. She is passionate about elevating health and human potential, advancing consciousness in practical ways and bettering our world. Working with people in practices, businesses or causes who are elevating people, her vision is to strengthen individuals and groups of individuals to strengthen those they serve through Luminous Concepts Productions. She creates photography & video stories that inspire, promote, educate and help people better reach their people.