The New Normal

Monday, July 16, 2012

Today, I am contemplating the concept of “normal.”  On one hand, “normal” may be used to mean “it’s not a big deal” or “it’s not out of the ordinary.”  Many times, however, “normal” is used to represent some pre-defined majority and authoritative commentary, and used as a means to exclude, discourage, demean, disregard or dis-empower.  When you’re a part of “normal,” it doesn’t seem to be such a big deal.  When you’re not, “normal” can become a powerful, overwhelming, damning, mob-like force that can suck the life right out of a person. 

Perhaps, when we look at things like medical issues, it’s good to have a guideline of what’s “normal” so we know when to be concerned or to follow-up on something.  But when we’re talking about personal decisions regarding our own lives, happiness, dreams or lifestyles, “normal” can become a “herder” or bully carrying a very big, dream-squashing, life-minimizing stick. 

The idea of “Normal” seems to be something humans came up with (probably as a way to describe observable “trends”) – and doesn’t appear to be something that’s “unwavering.”  Things that are “normal” now may not be “normal” later - and probably weren’t “normal” 100 years ago.  (Who would have thought that purposely showing your underwear or rear end would have been considered “normal?”  The fact that it is “normal” inspires hope – doesn’t it?)

A person has to be “alert” in order to not be unduly manipulated by the “normal” espoused by various organizations, doctrines and belief systems.  When it comes to expressions of Consciousness, “normal” - in the “collective herd sense” - doesn’t apply.  In the “herd sense” of “normalcy,” each expression of Consciousness isn’t “normal” because every single expression is different with its own defined norms.  Yet in the “normalcy” of Consciousness, each expression living its life experience authentically and uniquely – according to its own norms – is “normal.”   

As we look down the road – or perhaps even in this moment - maybe “the new normal” can include each of us choosing to be ourselves; following our own guidance system; showing off our unique gifts, talents and genius; and sharing our one-of-a-kind, authentic Selves with the world.  Perhaps, the new normal” implies unconditional support from the world around us in following our dreams and pursing our happiness.  And just maybe, “the new normal” can embrace respect and honor for the sacredness of life in ourselves and each other…. Now that’s a “normal” I can live with - how about you?

Much love,

Karrie   

What Path?!

This morning I find myself contemplating a variety of "drop-ins."  I sense each seems to apply to the "path forward" with a common focus on supporting the authentic in ourselves and each other as well as recognizing that the path ahead is new. (What path?!)  Though history in many ways has been important, what lies ahead has yet to be "painted" and calls on each of us to go where we have never gone before.  There isn't a manual or any real "touchstones."  Each of us must gather the courage, connect with the excitement, feel the "call" within us and watch the path unfold as we take each step.

In knowing this, it seems important for us to support each other in following our "unlike-any-other, song of the soul" path.  Each path is incredibly beautiful and rudely magnificent in its uniqueness.    I'm not sure we are familiar with supporting "uniqueness."  Many of the systems we've grown up in support "alike-ness."  We are used to aligning with the "road most followed" - the 100 lane highway of the status quo.  It seems to me that as we come into recognition that each of us is a one-of-a-kind expression, we are in many ways liberated from the "judgment" ingrained in our subconscious.  When you aren't like anyone else, you really can't be "judged" by that which is outside yourself.  (After all, no one else has my manual - I can't even find it sometimes!)  And attempting to fit into a structure made for someone else can only lead to a great deal of discomfort and unhappiness.

As I ponder this a little deeper, I recognize that I definitely have my own judgments.  I have to really be paying attention to the voices of my inner characters to catch them sometimes but my ingrained rules for "good or bad" and "wrong or right" are readily available at anytime - whether I want to admit it or not!  Recognizing the "era of authenticity and uniqueness" we are coming into, it seems important for me to somehow transform these judgments... 

It occurs to me that there is a difference between feeling something is "wrong" or "right" - more as an "inner compass" for myself - and attaching to another rule for my "hall monitor" to enforce.  If I look at how something feels then it becomes an in the moment "direction indicator."  If it feels "good" or "right" I may want to head in that direction.  If it feels "bad" or "wrong" then maybe I want to find another direction.  However, I also need to recognize that what feels "bad" or "good" may be unique to me and in this way, these feelings of "right or wrong" become an individuated "compass" of sorts.  If I can go to this level of "judgment as path finder", then I can release the heaviness associated with traditional judgment - supporting myself and others in blazing our "unlike-any-other" trails.  Hmmmm....I like it!

Another "drop-in" I had this morning had to do with past "messaging" and how "messages" many times have been tailored to align with that which people want to hear.  I sense that as we move into a period calling for more authenticity and "one-of-a-kind-ness,"  messages may be more about what we have to share rather than what people want to hear.  Each of us has something valuable to express and the world needs whatever it is.  I sense the time has finally arrived when it's "cool" to align with our personal version of the "star spangled banner" and "belt out our tune" as it has never been belted before!

Much love,
Karrie

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Good God!  Does anyone else feel like they are going crazy today?!  It's like trying to pull a thread of sanity out of mass chaos!  (scary giggle)  Wooohooo! 

Allowing the Unconscious to Lead?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

This morning, I am contemplating a question that has come to me several times before – Why is it that those of us who are even somewhat conscious allow those who are primarily unconscious to lead us?  This has gone on for hundreds of years - probably due to a severe numbers disadvantage, resulting in persecution, imprisonment and outright murder.  (I’m sure each of us has played a part on each “side”.)  However, we have come into a new time and the energy supporting something different is vibrant and strong.  It’s time for the Conscious to step forward, release our fear, let go of our history, stand tall in what we know to be true and do what needs to be done. 

Though the practice of religion many times appears to be a Sunday event – spirituality is not.  It is a part of who we are – it is the foundation of who we are.  It permeates our lives at every level.  We can not be separated from it.  It’s a part of home…work…crying…laughing…sports…art…music… sweeping the floor…doing the dishes…taking out the trash… leading a country…heading an organization…or “growing” a family.  “Separation of church and state” does not apply to spirituality – spirituality is beyond the “man-made”.  Spirituality is the essence of the unalienable rights including Life…Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  These are spiritual values of the highest vibration and beyond the beliefs created by Mankind.  Those who recognize their roots as spiritual beings with certain unalienable rights can no longer be controlled or “herded.”   

It seems, therefore, that “laws” are never above the dictates or call of one’s soul – our connection to the Divine.  The fact that we have many times ignored or abandoned this call is why there is so much unhappiness…so much war…so much disease…etc., etc., etc.  Each of us contributes when we ignore the call of Truth…the call of the soul…the longing deep within us to be who we really are.

These ideas are not separate from government.  They are deeply rooted in the foundation of this great nation – a nation teetering on the edge of collapse.  The time has come to  re-connect to the values and ideals associated with the founding of this country - independence…equality…life…liberty…the pursuit of happiness.  It’s time to recognize the unalienable right to consciousness and to summon our inner courage to speak…lead…facilitate change and role model the new and unfolding. 

It seems like these are things we can all rally around.  Perhaps, it’s the foundation for something new - birthed from the inside-out?  Perhaps, we can focus on finding, uplifting and supporting conscious candidates, choosing to expand the possibilities beyond the two to which we have limited ourselves.  Perhaps, we can all pull together to demand something different from those currently holding office, things like  - collaboration;  co-creative solutions; debating to reach Truth rather than “wins”;  trusting inner/higher guidance, stepping beyond the party mentality; summoning courage, integrity and honor.

I believe we have a choice beyond Republicans, Democrats or any of the off-shoots.  I believe we can choose to support Consciousness as we choose to re-connect to our roots.    It’s time for the Conscious to step-up and lead, no longer shrinking to fit the “much-too-small” world of the “not-yet-awakened”.  It may take time but it can happen….I know it can…

Much love,

Karrie

The Party of the Unalienable!

July 8, 2012

This morning, I was contemplating a topic that many times can send me "over the edge" - politics!  Given my passion for the unalienable rights, I felt a little frustrated when it occured to me that neither of the major parties seem to have these rights fully "dialed in."  (Doesn't it seem like we could all agree on things like..equality...life...liberty....the pursuit of Happiness?  And if so, why aren't we focused on these unalienable attributes and how to live them rather than "party wins?"  Wouldn't focusing on something we have in common bring us into "union"?)

In general, Republicans seem to be exclusionary - as a party they don't seem to agree that the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness apply to everyone.  These rights - which are inseparable from our beings - are only afforded to those who meet certain standards or to those who belong to certain organizations or believe particular doctrines.  Over the past 20 years, they have declared themselves the party of "family values" and "patriotic pride" implying all others are "not."  They have chosen to exclude from equal rights - and many times demonize - gays, lesbians and others.  In short, they have become exclusionary and divisive.  In my opinion, the Republican Party doesn't seem to understand the "values and rights" upon which this nation was founded.  They do, however, understand that the government was never meant to be "daddy" and that "the less government the better."  They just seem to have a case of "amnesia" when it comes to the equality of unalienable rights.

The Democratic Party seems to understand the equality of unalienable rights but they don't seem to understand independence  nor the responsibility and accountability that lead to independence.  They appear to have taken on the responsibility of "fishing" for everyone without taking the necessary steps to teach people how to "fish."  This has led to entitlement, dependence upon and demanding of the government as "caretaker."  I would invite everyone to take a moment and read the Declaration of Independence.  Is "government as caretaker" really what the Founders had in mind?  I don't think so.

In general, both of these parties represent "a piece of the whole."  The Democrats appear to understand equality and the fact that unalienable rights apply to everyone.  Republicans seem to understand that the government isn't supposed to be "daddy" and that "less government is better government."  The shadows each party carries are equally damaging to the nation's foundation and to "top it off," neither has the "maturity" to overcome these shadows and work together.  Unfortunately, they are more interested in "party wins" than they are upholding the values this nation was founded upon.  The bad - and the good - is that "they" are "we," and "we" as citizens are responsible for what has transpired - as well as creating and manifesting something different.  We can point our fingers at representatives as the culprits, but "We the People" put them in office and haven't demanded anything different.  If we had, we would see something different. 

I sense the answer is outside the box and beyond the concept of parties.... I sense we have grown beyond the 2-party system.  Perhaps in the beginning, the debate was about how much the federal government had a right to get involved.  One party stood for "less federal government" and one supported the idea of "more federal government."  Today, each party represents polarized positions on a plethora of issues and we have become equally polarized in our support for one party or the other.  (A recent poll showed that 78% of voters already new how they would vote in the 2012 election.)  Basically, legislators are in a stalemate as one party refuses to work with another with the intended purpose of making them look incompetent.  Is this what the founders had in mind? 

I believe the time has come for a new party....a party of Truth....a party of Union....a party of the Unalienable.  This is a party that isn't really a party.  It's like an "umbrella" in that it's entirely inclusive yet more of a guiding focus than a team or group.  It's a common focus on "declaring independence internally" and making decisions based on our own inner guidance rather than a party-line, fear or greed; voting according to what we sense is right rather than what our party demands; debating to reach Truth rather than "wins;" and endeavoring to support, promote and live evermore fully in alignment with the authentic nature of who we are - which is what the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are about.

It's time to live with greater awareness, taking more responsbility and moving the world forward toward systems of higher consciousness.  If we desire something different, we have to be what it is we desire.  Looking at the enormity of the system, we can be overwhelmed and discouraged.  However...if we each take responsibility for changing ourselves, making conscious decisions and choosing something more in alignment with that which we desire in our hearts - the system has no choice but to mirror our own changes.  We have to find the courage to speak up, share our experiences and knowledge and lead the way as role models, facilitators and teachers.  In short, it's time for us to dig down and harness the courage, integrity and honor of our nation's Founders and take this nation to a new level of consciousness - beyond the limited, polarity of political parties.

Much love,
Karrie  



 

Through the Eyes of Consciousness....

Thursday, July 5, 2012

My partner, the 2 dogs and I watched the fireworks last night - Woooohoooo!  From the place we parked, we could see the fireworks of 2 communities!  (The dogs really enjoyed the displays and especially the "ka-booms" - not!)  Earlier in the day, I walked them around the block and sang The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and It's a Grand Old Flag!  (I noticed some interesting "blending of songs” where I obviously had forgotten some of the words...."star spangled-she'll be coming 'round the mountain" gibberish!)  All in all, it was a great day - except for the turkey breast hot dogs.  Yuk!  I definitely prefer the tastier, old fashioned, full fat, sodium and what-the-heck’s-in-them dogs!

As I contemplated Independence Day yesterday morning, I "heard" Freedom lies in the deep understanding.... knowledge...of the unalienable rights - Life....Liberty....and the pursuit of Happiness.  As I felt more deeply into this statement, I realized this was referring to the freedom that comes from living as Consciousness and seeing experiences through the eyes of Consciousness.    

Through the eyes of Consciousness, there is excitement...hedonistic reveling..."What's next?!"...woohoo!...WOW!.... w...o....w...  There is a relishing of each and every emotion - similar to tasting individual ingredients by a master chef or the tasting of various wines by a connoisseur.  The hedonistic joy of touching...feeling...hearing... smelling...laughing... none of which can be experienced by Consciousness without a form - like me!  To experience life through the eyes Consciousness is d-e-l-i-g-h-t-f-u-l...rich... intoxicating...  In short, life in the awareness of Consciousness is freedom – freedom from judgment of any kind.  It is about the experience…the excitement of being alive and the natural “w-o-w” that accompanies each - tiny to humongous - opportunity.

Today, my intent is to see life through the eyes of Consciousness – to delight in the opportunity I have been given to experience, create, connect, laugh and feel without judgment.  This is freedom…I already feel myself e…x…p…a…n…d…i…n…g…. :-)

Much love,

Karrie

God & the Founding of the United States of America

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

A couple of days ago, I had a discussion with myself regarding the link between God and unalienable rights.  Today, I am looking into the connection between God and the foundation of the United States of America.

The first thing that comes to mind is "separation of church and state."  This seems like a no-brainer when one considers the religious persecution many times experienced when a nation is controlled by a particular "church."  In the United States of America, one of the freedoms afforded by the Constitution is a choice in how we choose to believe - or not - in regard to religion.  It becomes even clearer why such a separation needs to exist when we look at the judgments of many religious organizations regarding various groups of people.  Most religions do not have "Life, Liberty & the pursuit of Happiness" as an underlying doctrine.  (Why not?)  Many religions tend to "judge" based on a right and a wrong.  Different religions have different rights and wrongs - as well as punishments and rewards.  This fact in itself makes it difficult to mix government and religion.

However, when I feel into the unalienable rights - which are of God-Source-Consciousness - I recognize something beyond religion.  The unalienable rights are spiritual values...they are of the Spirit...innate characteristics of Consciousness.  They are individual yet Universal.  The unalienable rights of Life....Liberty....and the pursuit of Happiness are spiritual values of the highest order.

The United States of America was therefore founded upon spiritual values....values of the Spirit....the Spirit of who we are.....not religious beliefs which seem to vary from organization to organization.  And though we have a right to believe how we want to, I believe each of us has an obligation to continue our search for Truth (continuing the evolution of our religious organizations).

When I go a little further, I stumble upon the American Dream.  I don't believe the American Dream was really about a spouse, 2 kids, a dog and a house with a white picket fence.  For me, the American Dream was about the right to choose....the right to consciously live that which we can not be separated from - including...Life....Liberty....and the pursuit of Happiness.  At its highest level, the American Dream is about the continuous journey to Self...to true happiness...reveling in the sacredness of Life....the opportunity to be alive....experience.... and create....and the freedom to be who we are. 

Digging a little deeper, I sense that it is in the living of these "unalienable values" that we find union - union within ourselves and union with each other.  As each individual finds their way "home" to this union - and alignment with their own unique expression through which God experiences - old ways and structures dissolve and new connections and creations emerge.  At this level, we exist without judgment and "hall monitors."  Each individual follows their own Song which synchronistically synergizes with the infinite Songs of Humanity.

I get a sense that if each of us could focus our attention in the direction of the true values upon which this nation was founded - declaring independence from the judgments we've been indoctrinated with, finding Truth within ourselves - we could once again come into union.  We could get beyond Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal, right and wrong....and revel in the bliss of who we are and celebrate our unalienable right to live from freedom and happiness.  Perhaps, this Independence Day, we can take a moment to remember who we are as expressions of Consciousness, the significance of what this entails and recalibrate our perspectives.

Today, I give thanks for those who who 236 years ago courageously signed their names and offered their lives in the name of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...in their words....And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.....

Much love,
Karrie


 

God & Unalienable Rights

Sunday, July 1, 2012

One of my most favorite days is fast approaching....July 4th!  Independence Day!  I can't even get close to sharing the depth of emotion I carry in regard to this day and the Declaration of Independence.  I sense this passion of mine is definitely a part of Allowing Karrie.  I feel that in following it - like a trail of sorts - I am certain to find even more of who I am.  This morning, I am contemplating the link between "God" and the unalienable rights....

First, it seems important to consider the meaning of the word unalienable.  Unalienable means "cannot be alienated from" or "cannot be separated from."  Therefore, these rights are innate and intrinsic.  They are naturally a part of who we are.  They exist because we exist.  To go even deeper, the rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are characteristic of Consciousness - otherwise known as God...Source...the All That Is.  These are inherent attributes within the life force that animates our being.  It only makes sense that they would therefore be unalienable.

As I contemplate these unalienable rights even further, it seems apparent that innate characteristics such as these cannot really be taught.  They have to be experienced and felt to be understood.  They can't really be defined....trying to define them seems to limit them in some way.  The best I/we can do is describe what I/we feel in regard to these unalienable characteristics....

Here's my go....

Life is the sacred opportunity to create and experience...as well as the life force that connects each and every one of us.  It is the incredible opportunity to live...witness...and be witnessed.  When we truly recognize and honor the sacredness of Life in ourselves and each other, our experience of (and as) Life becomes ecstatic.  This is true knowledge of the One in the Many and the Many in the One.

Liberty is the truthful experience of being - without restriction.  It is the innate knowledge of the master creator as well as the uninhibited freedom to choose.

The Pursuit of Happiness is the right to pursue that which excites us, fulfills us and enlivens us.  It is the right to pursue - and live from - who we really are.  It is the ever-present desire to pursue our Happiness that keeps us expanding and experiencing - which takes us back to the purpose for Life.

The crucial point for the sake of knowing seems to be that Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are characteristics of Consciousness itself.  We were made in the image of God.  We ARE God-Source-Consciousness in human form.  Through the eyes of Consciousness, we become liberated from the "false facade" (rules, beliefs, limits) of this world; we experience the excitement of being alive; and we pursue that which "calls" us into Happiness in each and every moment.  In short, we begin to experience Life as we were destined to experience it.

Today, I take this understanding deep into my being and celebrate my roots in Consciousness....my destiny of Independence (from the false facade)....and my new life expression through the eyes of God.  

Happy 3 days before Independence Day!

Much Love,
Karrie