Here and Now...What's Happening?

[RunningDeer]

One of the many reason why I love the Village is it’s inviting format. I can add stuff that matters no where else.

Most daily happenings in my life aren’t worth a mention. Especially when family and friends ask, “So…what have you been up too lately?”

Some I’ve shared but either the family ADD gene (attention deficit disorder) hasn’t regenerated as yet or there's no common ground they can relate to or the question is a habitual automatic response. To which I want to reply, “If you ask a question then listen to the answer. If not please don’t ask. Cuz, I’ve got my literal hat on here and now. Now, where’d you leave off on ‘Survivor: the tribe has spoken?’ Please pass the guacamole. Yes, more wine. More. Top it off. Heck, leave the bottle, thanks.”

Back to my appreciation for the supportive Villagers. I get to report daily happenings small as some are… They’re synchronities captured. I put them into words before they go unnoticed and unforgotten even by me.

With heart,
P'er

[3(C)+me]

So now for some news about what is happening here and now: This is nature and city: can they co-exist. I am rooting for the cat.

Big cat stuck under Los Feliz house will not come out.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...413-story.html



Attachment 29478

Poor cat, it's a circus out there. Probably thinking WTF?

[Violet]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=a3HbdFun0PA

The Current Lunar Cycle
(29° Pisces)

This is a very intense new moon, with a total solar eclipse.
The moon is also at perigee, as close to the earth as it’s
going to get. We won’t be able to see it – the new moon is
always invisible – but the oceans will feel its stronger pull,
and the tides will carry its message.

It happens at the last degree of Pisces, so it speaks to the
end of an era. And it’s only four days after the last exact
Uranus/Pluto square, so it’s the footnote to a struggle that’
s been going on for the last four years.

There’s enormous emotional energy at this new moon, and
it will take the whole lunar cycle, and beyond, to process
it. There’s sorrow, yearning, regret, fear, and
forgiveness. Many people will feel their hearts crack open,
and will discover all kinds of things that they didn’t know
about themselves.

An eclipse is a time of revelations, and often these filter in
slowly, at the rate we can handle them. But because this
one is so intense, people will be flooded with these new
understandings. For some people, it will be a religious
experience. They’ll stand on their personal mountain-tops
and get a felt, personal message from their gods. For
others, it will be a new ability to recognize our shared
humanity, and a weakening of the barriers that keep us
apart.

Others may break down, unable to process this powerful
rush of feeling. So this is a lunar cycle in which we will all
need to take care of each other.

This lunar cycle lasts until the next new moon on April 18.
Its climactic moment is the full moon (and lunar eclipse) on
April 4.

The new moon occurred
in NYC: Fri, Mar 20, 5:36 am
in Vancouver: Fri, Mar 20, 2:36 am
in London: Fri, Mar 20, 9:36 am
in Singapore: Fri, Mar 20, 5:36 pm
in Sydney: Fri, Mar 20, 8:36 pm

(from: http://www.astrologerjenny.com/current.html)

[Cristian]

@ ulli

[spiritwind]

Posted by cccme (here)
Well you know I was watching all this from the sidelines and I have to say many many many times I wondered why this person was even on this forum? Why this one. I seemed to me she was attempting to use this as a dating site or attempting to find her next soul mate and I just steered clear of her but I had my own ideas about what was going on.
Sometimes love is not enough, one needs boundaries, needs to know this is a community coming together to share information for their personal growth, if one is here to find their next boyfriend here, well, I do have a problem with that, many other websites out their in web land that would be better suited for their needs. A the very least she was a distraction. But I don't doubt she was a nice and kind person but seemed a little lost.

You know, some of us grew up not knowing what boundaries are all about. I had no clue and literally had to learn about "appropriate boundaries". I am not blaming anyone. Once I figured out that was a big part of the problem then I had a place from which to work from. And it is an ongoing process, for me anyway. And my daughter literally had to get dragged out of class in elementary school because she would throw emotional fits that would disrupt the entire class. I understand why she did this and felt terrible that it took her so long to understand what was really happening, but still the teachers had to do something so they could actually teach. The only thing that seemed to help her at all was several Reiki sessions that helped unload all the emotional energy that she generated and picked up from others. There is so much more to our inner workings. Sometimes there is no simple answer to things, just working through it.

[3(C)+me]

I do understand what you are saying I was not all that great about boundaries as a younger person but I learned real fast after some very unsetting encounters. I do have some sympathy but I do think that, if fact, I am sure that people did attempt to help said person out but sometimes people do have their agenda's and it is not to fit in and participate. Look, I know that people can get stuck in the "I need this" or "I am looking for that, this will help me out" but learning about yourself through others can be painful but if it bears fruit, "Oh, Ok I tend to do this and it affects other, or I am needy in this way" without judgment of self or others it can be a good thing. I have had enough learning in this department so I know this stuff all too well. I wish her well.

And about boundaries, do you let someone come into your home and start throwing things around and create chaos, and poor me, I am so alone and please give me this or that. No, you say please leave. This is the grown up thing to do. This forum has guidelines so a person can't come in and throw things around. This is a case in point. The most powerful word in the English language is No, women need to learn to say it more often without guilt.

[Selkie]

Posted by spiritwind (here)
You know, some of us grew up not knowing what boundaries are all about. I had no clue and literally had to learn about "appropriate boundaries"...

That's how it was for me, too. When your boundaries are violated when you are a child, you grow up with no clue as to what boundaries even are.

[Limor Wolf]

Posted by Iloveyou (here)
The situation was in so far strange as a big part of the conflict unfolded behind the scenes appearently and outsiders have only the public part of the picture. They think about it and get their own ideas wether they like it or not. And if someone shares his impression he is told: you don't have the whole picture.

I'm ready to trust the discernment, genuineness and willingness of the Here&Now women, all the more so I'm convinced that you know: Exclusion is never a real option. We are interconnected so tightly, all we experience or discern is a part of ourselves as individuals or community. Natalia is a part of each individual here, wether she is retired or not. And wether she has done wrong or not. LOVE is indivisible.

Now that I am 56 it was only three months ago that I've learned something: A wise woman knows when to speak and when to be silent. How much tears, disappointment, rejection and misunderstanding could have been avoided if I had known that earlier. For sure I haven't mastered it yet, maybe it will take me 30 more years. At the moment my whole body is shouting: Shut up! But you know: Life does not work that way. The principle of life is INTEGRATION.
My whole body except one tiny part. The part of me who has seen unfolding similiar scenarios too often: A system becomes unstable and vulnerable for what reason ever and the weakest part of it is identified and eliminated as fast as possible.
A wise woman only gives advice if she's asked for. We cannot change people. We can just love them, listen to them, give them space to be themselves, to make their own 'mistakes' again and again, until they grow out of it. To interfere only if they are actually about to do damage to themselves or others. What is perceived as damage varies individually as well as culturally. To notice where one's current limits are is a real challenge (speaking to myself).

I'm seeing a circle of powerful women here, who really care and stand in their own right, there's no need to call for men's support. Just don't throw away a part of yourself. I wish regaining strength and joy for everybody who has been hurt. Believe it or not, I LOVE YOU, ULLI and ALL as well as I love NATALIA. I really do.

I applaud your one tiny part who shout, Iloveyou. It's usually small parts such as this that hold a good amount of wisdom ~

[Iloveyou]

Posted by Silkie (here)

Posted by ulli (here)

Now worried about who I might be omitting. Silkie? ILOVEYOU? I hope everyone can see my dilemma.
I have deliberately cultivated the art of ignoring so as not to overload this thread with my presence.

Oh, gosh, Ulli...please do not concern yourself about thanking me! Concern yourself with your lovely garden, instead!

Same with me. Never worry about that. I'm fine with everything you do or say (thank you from my heart for your kind response). We need to read between the lines most of the time. I'm your guest here. Life has been kind to me. Just be you and be happy again. Don't worry, listen to your heart. From our vulnerability and tenderness emerges our greatest strength. Thank you, Ulli, for all you taught me today.

[Jean-Marie]

Beautiful sunny day in the suburbs of Chicago. I went for a very long walk with my best friend. I shared with her about the wonderful people in the Village and my appreciation for everyone and their contributions!

[Agape]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=tEtBjATvLdc

Sometimes it's only at the precipice that we change ..

[Mikelodium]

Not as fancy as other pictures posted lately here in the Village, but Shiitake shrooms just arrived home!






First impression has been like... holly cow, what the hell is this... But when I opened the packet... Mother Gaia! Smells like having a piece of forest at home!
I can't wait for this little creatures to grow.


On a different matter, I've been enjoying some traditional songs lately, I really like this one, not just the music but the story that it contains:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=_CpuSpyZrJ0

Hugs for everyone

[Selkie]

Posted by Mikelodium (here)
Not as fancy as other pictures posted lately here in the Village, but Shiitake shrooms just arrived home!






First impression has been like... holly cow, what the hell is this... But when I opened the packet... Mother Gaia! Smells like having a piece of forest at home!
I can't wait for this little creatures to grow.


On a different matter, I've been enjoying some traditional songs lately, I really like this one, not just the music but the story that it contains:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=_CpuSpyZrJ0

Hugs for everyone

How totally cool. And I love that loamy, earthy smell. But then, I am a mycophile

[Snowflower]

About April 3rd. They came, they saw, they left. No word yet. The longer we go without vacate notice, the less likely vacate notice happens. One comment made at end, "those folks with health issues - what are they doing here? They don't belong here." How DARE he! If my brother (on oxygen full time) and I (on crutches) are told to vacate and others are not, you better bet we will be contacting the Americans with Disabilities organization about a discrimination lawsuit.

So, assuming no "health and safety" vacate demand, we go onward to "Land Use" and "Building Permits." That's where lack of money becomes serious problem.

At this moment, it is "wait and see" time.

[Selkie]

Posted by Snowflower (here)
About April 3rd. They came, they saw, they left. No word yet. The longer we go without vacate notice, the less likely vacate notice happens. One comment made at end, "those folks with health issues - what are they doing here? They don't belong here." How DARE he! If my brother (on oxygen full time) and I (on crutches) are told to vacate and others are not, you better bet we will be contacting the Americans with Disabilities organization about a discrimination lawsuit.

So, assuming no "health and safety" vacate demand, we go onward to "Land Use" and "Building Permits." That's where lack of money becomes serious problem.

At this moment, it is "wait and see" time.

I really wish you all the best with this, Snowflower.

[Sierra]

Posted by Silkie (here)

Posted by Snowflower (here)
About April 3rd. They came, they saw, they left. No word yet. The longer we go without vacate notice, the less likely vacate notice happens. One comment made at end, "those folks with health issues - what are they doing here? They don't belong here." How DARE he! If my brother (on oxygen full time) and I (on crutches) are told to vacate and others are not, you better bet we will be contacting the Americans with Disabilities organization about a discrimination lawsuit.

So, assuming no "health and safety" vacate demand, we go onward to "Land Use" and "Building Permits." That's where lack of money becomes serious problem.

At this moment, it is "wait and see" time.

I really wish you all the best with this, Snowflower.

So do I. Unreal what you've been going through...

[RunningDeer]

Oh dear, this post has reached it’s sell-by-date. That's a good thing. It took a bit to formulate the words while out for a walk. Just in case I’ll add it.

Food for thought…

No doubt we’re all at different stages of processing from the last several days. There’s a fine line between cathartic support and (fill in the blank).

It’s not my intention to minimize anyone’s feelings. While we have each other here, she does not. One can say then don’t lurk. Self-loathing, confusion, curiosity, sadness, love-ability or lack there of are but a few of many reasons most of us would. It’s all part of the human condition.

This was one of the songs that played while on my walk.

Raise it Up (movie - August Rush)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=A4A15uxxZEA

There's far
Too many pressures in reality
With dealing with the pain
The stress and poverty
And I gotta be myself because
There's nobody else for me
(Noo)

(Hang in there with me)
Sometimes it takes
A different kind of love
To raise a child
(So don't give up)
So don't give up
(When pressures come down)
Sometimes it takes
A different kind of dream
To make you smile
(So raise it up)
So raise
(Hang in there with me)
Sometimes we need
Another helping hand
To show the way
(So don't give up)
So don't give up
(When pressures come down)
Sometimes it seems impossible
And that's why we pray
(So raise it up)
We pray

Seems to be
Nothing left for me
Momma's gone
Daddy didn't wanna be
And now I'm all by myself
Wondering where is love
Or should I just give up
(Ya kno)

Life falls down on me
Cuts into my soul
But I know I got the strength
To make it through it all
Cause I'm still standing tall
Breaking through these walls
I'm gonna give my all

Feeling like
A motherless child
Pain cuts into my soul
It's bringing me down
Can't find my smile
On the face
Of a motherless child
I'm gonna break
Down these walls
Gonna give my all
Ya know
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahhhhh

(Hang in there with me)
Sometimes it takes
A different kind of love
To raise a child
(So don't give up)
So don't give up
(When pressures come down)
Sometimes it takes
A different kind of dream
To make you smile
(So raise it up)
So raise it up
(Hang in there with me)
Sometimes we need
Another helping hand
To show you the way
(So don't give up)
(When pressures come down)
Sometimes it seems impossible
That's why we pray
So raise it up

[Snowflower]

I'm sorry for not reporting in sooner. My life is mind-numbing hard at the moment. Hubby and I spent 14 years building a life that required the work of two to maintain. I am only part of one now, and it's killing me to try to take care of it all. Something's gotta give. I just sold the last of the ducks, have only eight chickens now. I will sell all goats and all but four sheep, will see if I can maintain at that level. Have to plant seedlings now that county has come and gone. Have garden to clear, plant, care for.

Five days ago, I got food poisoning from bad chicken (from store.) Looks like damage done in bowels - heading toward diverticulitis again. Don't want another hospital run, so decided on drastic action. Started juice fast with lots of cabbage yesterday. Food addiction withdrawal is kicking in today. Just another stress factor in a life with such an astonishing level of stress that it feels like the inside of a washing machine.

[Jean-Marie]

Posted by Snowflower (here)
I'm sorry for not reporting in sooner. My life is mind-numbing hard at the moment. Hubby and I spent 14 years building a life that required the work of two to maintain. I am only part of one now, and it's killing me to try to take care of it all. Something's gotta give. I just sold the last of the ducks, have only eight chickens now. I will sell all goats and all but four sheep, will see if I can maintain at that level. Have to plant seedlings now that county has come and gone. Have garden to clear, plant, care for.

Five days ago, I got food poisoning from bad chicken (from store.) Looks like damage done in bowels - heading toward diverticulitis again. Don't want another hospital run, so decided on drastic action. Started juice fast with lots of cabbage yesterday. Food addiction withdrawal is kicking in today. Just another stress factor in a life with such an astonishing level of stress that it feels like the inside of a washing machine.

Dear Snowflower!

Sending loving healing intentions your way!

-jean-marie

[Sierra]

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952273

skyflower said,

I picked up a book called The four agreements which is a Toltec wisdom book.

Been practicing 1) Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2)Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

I am able to do this maybe 10 percent of my day. Maybe even less. Oh but what a difference it makes!

Oh wow! I had an "experience" with that material, still to this day I wonder, how the man knew he had to speak so loudly to me.

I shared this before, but I can't resist...

Some years ago, I was at Lake Tahoe with my husband having a really bad morning with his as yet undiagnosed PTSD, ADHD, and bipolar. Standing in the store to buy some thongs, I hit a brick wall as he snapped at me. Again. Stopped dead in my mental tracks, clutching a pair of thongs, staring at thin air, realizing I had no way to cope or deal with my feelings. Overwhelmed with a feeling of horrific despair, I don't know what to do next, oh G*d, what do I do?

A man with curly greying blonde hair, in a khaki trench coat, walked into the store, stopped dead by the sales clerk counter, four feet away from me, facing me alone, and immediately, while looking straight into my eyes, recited the four laws to me. Loudly. Loudly and clearly, so this deafie got every word. And immediately turned around and left. Since he spoke loudly, I looked around, embarrassed my pain and lack was exposed. Sales clerk behind the counter two feet away from him didn't notice. The people standing around looking at stuff didn't. No one did. No. One. Heard. Him. But. Me.

I spent the next fifteen years working on "Don't take things personally. Nothing others do is because of you..." (That was all I could remember, though I remember he told me four things.) "When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering" is true, so true, and makes the hard work so worth it.

I felt like I had made enough progress on the first law, that I was antsy and frustrated I couldn't remember the rest of what he said.

Three days later, a retired member named Steve (Such a funny guy! Had me in hysterics at a description of a fight with his wife) posted the four Toltec laws, and I was able to continue onward with, "Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love."

Got truth down. Got saying what I mean down. Got avoid putting myself down. Still miss the line between gossip, and not gossip sometimes. Still working on love. Truth without love sucks. Working, working.

Then I will move onto the next law.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952352

Ulli said,

Speaking of feelings, here are mine. If I stick out here, in this Here and Now thread, to the point that it attracts stalkers, and people who want to poke me with needles, seeing only my over-inflated ego, I will withdraw.

Hell no.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952368

Ulli said,

A new question now arises (since I am still processing recent events and my own shattered nervous system: 'was Natalia reprimanded for being off topic?

My answer to that is no, but for being antagonistic, which is rather different. In reality there is no such thing as off-topic in the here and now.

I avoided Natalia so I didn't see the antagonistic aspect until she blew on the H&N thread, and then started two more threads aimed at you, Flash, and Marianne. For me (my triggers) it *was* in part the inappropriate forum behavior, using the forum as a dating service, as a victim sympathy gas station, ignoring her own part in communication transactions.

For me, I feel at fault, in part, for losing Marianne. I learned the hard way during the 9E brouhaha, when I was the only mod confronting her for the bullying on the Drake thread. I got no support from the other mods, therefore felt isolated and alone, while getting hammered. I left in October 2014, and did not return until April 2015, when I peered into the forum and saw 9E had been banned.

This mod stuff in some cases, simply cannot be handled alone. It takes the entire team to not only reach consensus, but support one another, that they are on the right path with the guidelines. (God, I love the guidelines, I love them. Makes it much much easier to say to members, what you are doing is not healthy for the Whole of Avalon.)

It also takes Avalon, you. I was SO encouraged to see y'all support Ulli through a rough patch in The Village. Sometimes it takes the consensus words of the group to show (whew) I am not nuts, this is necessary, and I will step up to the plate for the sake of the forum. (And each time I go through this I learn more, my skin toughens, I don't take things "as" personally, and I see by the consequences of my actions, what works, what doesn't... And I don't have to leave the forum for six months to recuperate lol.)

Post mortem analysis: Marianne isolated herself to spare the team members going through rough stuff, and wore herself out. I isolated myself (with 9E) because I could not yet ask the team to have my back (and the Avalon members on thread did not support my calling out 9E on bullying).

Isolation really hurts. I was even afraid to rejoin The Village with whole heart because of the Avalon lack of response to the 9E bullying... (It was one of those baying hounds/mob rule/only idiots would believe Drake etc. threads)(Wouldn't happen now, I'm tougher, thank you teacher, lol.).

So... Ulli is not the only person grateful for your support.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952352

Ulli said,

Since I became intimidated by recent events I am now unable to say anything that I believe ought to be said without fearing that someone is feeling bad because they think I am talking down to them. I am having to overcome these fears now.

It's a hard one. See above.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952353

Bill said,

I've been in touch with Natalie backchannel. She was upset, but is philosophically accepting her retirement, to her credit. She is embarrassed and apologetic. It should maybe be regarded rather like a relationship breakup... a degree of incompatibility, but no bad guys here. We wish her well on her journey of learning, which is one we all share.

No bad guys, never thought of Natalia as a bad guy. If the world was not as it is, if I were not as I am, I would tenderly cuddle The Natalia. And this is what my heart inside me does. And it breaks my heart when I can't outwardly, that boundaries are needed instead.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952405

Paul er said,

... Now, where’d you leave off on ‘Survivor: the tribe has spoken?’ Please pass the guacamole. Yes, more wine. More. Top it off. Heck, leave the bottle, thanks.”

Muffled sympathy giggles (wanna be a fly on the wall watching you in action)...

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952411

Violet gives us proof astrology is right on in my book!),

There’s enormous emotional energy at this new moon, and it will take the whole lunar cycle, and beyond, to process
it. There’s sorrow, yearning, regret, fear, and forgiveness. Many people will feel their hearts crack open, and will discover all kinds of things that they didn’t know about themselves.

An eclipse is a time of revelations, and often these filter in slowly, at the rate we can handle them. But because this one is so intense, people will be flooded with these new understandings. For some people, it will be a religious experience. They’ll stand on their personal mountain-tops and get a felt, personal message from their gods. For others, it will be a new ability to recognize our shared humanity, and a weakening of the barriers that keep us apart.

Others may break down, unable to process...

I'm flooded, swamped, dripping wet lol. (Marianne would say, "Breathe dear.")

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952413

spiritwind says,

You know, some of us grew up not knowing what boundaries are all about. I had no clue and literally had to learn about "appropriate boundaries". I am not blaming anyone. Once I figured out that was a big part of the problem then I had a place from which to work from. And it is an ongoing process, for me anyway.. And my daughter literally had to get dragged out of class in elementary school because she would throw emotional fits that would disrupt the entire class. I understand why she did this and felt terrible that it took her so long to understand what was really happening, but still the teachers had to do something so they could actually teach. The only thing that seemed to help her at all was several Reiki sessions that helped unload all the emotional energy that she generated and picked up from others. There is so much more to our inner workings. Sometimes there is no simple answer to things, just working through it.

Oh right on, and right on ccme, and Silkie too. No blame. Just inadequate or downright bad (very bad in Natalia's case, from what she shared about her dad) parenting. As ccme said, it is unsettling. To realize people react to your lack of boundaries, and it dawns on you, you blew it, not them. It is soooo subtle when you have not learned boundaries, to grasp what the issue is. And painful.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post952389

Ulli said,

My message to women is this, go and educate yourselves about local and world affairs, and don't allow anyone to trap you in a kitchen and bedroom exclusively. You can still keep your make-up, and your pretty clothes, but they are not the end-all of femininity. The divine feminine is so much greater."

We must make room for it to be socially acceptable for women not to be dim bulb yahoos, inviting abuse. Here is a TERRIFIC video my husband showed me this morning that shows some work that needs to be done:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hxiwXQS4yQM