Abbie, Ziva and Toni were all hot young chicks when they arrived in my life. I had made a decision to adopt and raise these little girls as it was something I had wanted to do for quite some time now. I realized it would be a challenge, as I was older and it would take more effort than I was used to, but I knew I had done it before so I felt there was no reason I couldn't do it again. After all, Doug and Alayna were here with me and had encouraged me to do this so, I would have help.
They were only a few days old when they arrived at our house and we spent hours thinking about what their names were going to be once we saw them. We decided on their names and then set about thinking about their sleeping quarters, what room they were going to occupy and how we were going to keep them warm and cozy. It was real important to keep them warm as they had been in an incubator and were accustomed to a constant temperature and constant care since they were so little. Once we worked out their sleeping quarters we had to think about what to feed them and how to set up a schedule for their care.
Once they started growing up, we had to think about getting them their own room as they were getting too big for all of them to stay together in one small area, so Dough and I set about building them their own quarters. Once it was done, they moved in, and all the time I am thinking I have provided a wonderful place for them and they are loved and protected.
I came home today and decided to go see how they are doing only to find all three of them dead. It was a horrible discovery! Their heads were gone - their bodies open and desecrated. How could this possibly have happened? What could possibly have done this horrible thing? I may never know and it really doesn't matter because the deed has already been done and knowing what or who caused this will not change the fact that they are dead.
All I know is that we ARE responsible for everything that happens to us in our lives. I know that I did not protect them as well as I thought I had and because of that, my chickens are dead. It is something I will have to live with and so will the rest of my family.
Thank you for letting me share my grief with you.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Brand
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Question of Direction-When It's Time to Surrender
I believe that there are many people in this world who have built in radar, they were born being able to find their way, no matter where they are going in life. I especially believe this to be true when it comes to driving from one place to another. For some people, going from point “A” to point “B”, no matter how far or how many different routes have to be taken, is a no-brainer and as easy as snapping a finger. I am definitely not one of these fortunate people. As a matter of fact, I am quite certain that I was absent from school on the days that any form of navigation and maps was ever taught. I'm quite certain, although I've never been tested medically, that the part of my brain that can easily address the issues of navigation is totally missing. You can laugh at this or sympathize with me, but all I know is that getting hopelessly lost has been more the norm rather than the exception for most of my life-until recently. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
I've always been fine with the basic concept of north, south, east, and west-at least when I looked at an atlas of the whole world. But if somebody giving me directions says, for example, “When you get to street “A” , turn east and drive to point “B”, then go north.” Not only would my eyes glaze over, but I would actually start to hyperventilate and tears would well up in my eyes as I started to look for the nearest escape from the crazy person trying to give me impossible directions that I had tuned out the minute he or she mentioned the word “east”. How could I admit that the only way I could handle any form of direction was to be told to go to a certain street, turn left or right, then to another street or road, then turn left or right, etc., without sounding totally like the moron I truly was? Often were the times that I would just say “thank you”, move on, and then look for somebody else to help me. When THAT didn't work, I would bite my tongue, take a breath and try to make a joke of it by saying, “I'm a bit navigationally challenged and don't do well with north, south, east, or west. Can you tell me to go either right or left?” The typical response (usually with what seemed a smile of pity), was, “Oh, sure. Let me draw you a map.” I would start to hyperventilate again before I managed to choke out, “No! Don't! I don't do maps either.” I knew what they were thinking....”What kind of idiot doesn't do maps?”
My mother, who has a perfect sense of direction and a photographic memory at 87 years old, used to tell me that I could get lost in a walk-in closet if it was big enough. I was quite certain she was right, which didn't help my problem any. But over my lifetime I have learned to accept my difficulties with navigation and have praised and applauded myself when I WOULD find my way from one place to another. I learned to allow myself a ridiculous amount of extra time before setting out for places unknown, and then pray I had allowed myself enough. If a journey seemed to far, I would make excuses for not accepting invitations if it meant I had to find my own way there, and then wallow in self-pity that I had to spend time all by myself rather than to accept the invitation. When I got married, I left the navigation to my husband and was so relieved that he didn't make fun of my lack of skills in this area. I think he realized that I had so many other redeeming qualities, (his words, not mine), why stress me out over it. That strategy worked for the first ten years of our marriage.
Three years ago I had to face my fears head on. He was hospitalized in a city we had never been in and would be unable to drive for 6 weeks. I had to find my way to and from the hospital from where I was staying with a friend, and then take him to all his different doctor appointments and rehab after he was discharged. It was time to surrender and let go of my fears. I forced myself to study maps of the area and to find alternate routes when construction would send me on detours. I did it through tears, frustration, anxiety, and triumph. I was woman, and you could hear me roar! A huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I could actually breathe normally when I asked for directions. I still got lost, but it didn't make me feel stupid anymore. I took on the challenges of navigation with great aplomb and sometimes even bragged to my closest friends that I hadn't got lost getting to their homes. I had surrendered big time and it felt wonderful!
When my husband suggested that we take a 2 month road trip to explore the West coast from top to bottom, I was excited to think that I would be planning the trip and doing all the navigating. I spent hours looking at maps and routes, and planning stops we would make. I went on the Internet to chart my course with Map quest and AAA and became obsessed with finding “just the right route” . My road atlas was so tattered and routes were so highlighted in yellow that I could barely read it anymore. This was a true sign I had evolved into a great navigator-right?
Just as I had finished with my lists of places to see, routes to take, and maps to use, my husband presented me with an early anniversary gift. With a smile from ear to ear he watched as I opened my gift. I was speechless as I stared at a Garmin GPS system. Why did I need this? I had already spent weeks planning our trip and was still basking in my ability to surrender my fears of getting hopelessly lost. Wasn't using a GPS cheating? Wouldn't it keep me from using my new-found skills as an accomplished navigator? I was staring at yet another form of surrender; AND, a whole lot of questions: how hard was it going to be to learn how to use it? How bad would I hurt his feelings if I said I really didn't need it? Could I use the GPS and the maps and lists I had so painstakingly made?
Here's the short version of what I did for 2 months on our road trip. I surrendered, AGAIN, to a certain extent. I consulted my map and lists for an overview of the trip as we went along. I used the GPS to calculate distance and time from one place to another and to direct me around bad roads and/or construction. When we needed a place to stay or eat, I used the incredible database to direct me (after consulting the Internet and my maps most of the time as well). It was also great for keeping me alert, since it had a great woman's voice that acted as a “driving pal”. I switched it to a man's voice when Jerry was driving so it didn't feel like another woman was telling him where to go...that was reserved for me, thank you very much!
I like to think, now, that surrendering isn't so bad after all. It's not easy, don't misunderstand that. But once you practice it over and over, it gets easier. A lot easier than stewing in your own juices and thinking that's the ONLY way to live. Trust me. I've been there...more times than I can even count. And I'm sure there will be many more times requiring my surrender in this lifetime....but what's the value of life and learning, without challenges?
Thank you for letting me share this part of my life with you.
From Me 2 You,
Laurie Jo
For more stories and information about Laurie Jo, please visit her website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
I've always been fine with the basic concept of north, south, east, and west-at least when I looked at an atlas of the whole world. But if somebody giving me directions says, for example, “When you get to street “A” , turn east and drive to point “B”, then go north.” Not only would my eyes glaze over, but I would actually start to hyperventilate and tears would well up in my eyes as I started to look for the nearest escape from the crazy person trying to give me impossible directions that I had tuned out the minute he or she mentioned the word “east”. How could I admit that the only way I could handle any form of direction was to be told to go to a certain street, turn left or right, then to another street or road, then turn left or right, etc., without sounding totally like the moron I truly was? Often were the times that I would just say “thank you”, move on, and then look for somebody else to help me. When THAT didn't work, I would bite my tongue, take a breath and try to make a joke of it by saying, “I'm a bit navigationally challenged and don't do well with north, south, east, or west. Can you tell me to go either right or left?” The typical response (usually with what seemed a smile of pity), was, “Oh, sure. Let me draw you a map.” I would start to hyperventilate again before I managed to choke out, “No! Don't! I don't do maps either.” I knew what they were thinking....”What kind of idiot doesn't do maps?”
My mother, who has a perfect sense of direction and a photographic memory at 87 years old, used to tell me that I could get lost in a walk-in closet if it was big enough. I was quite certain she was right, which didn't help my problem any. But over my lifetime I have learned to accept my difficulties with navigation and have praised and applauded myself when I WOULD find my way from one place to another. I learned to allow myself a ridiculous amount of extra time before setting out for places unknown, and then pray I had allowed myself enough. If a journey seemed to far, I would make excuses for not accepting invitations if it meant I had to find my own way there, and then wallow in self-pity that I had to spend time all by myself rather than to accept the invitation. When I got married, I left the navigation to my husband and was so relieved that he didn't make fun of my lack of skills in this area. I think he realized that I had so many other redeeming qualities, (his words, not mine), why stress me out over it. That strategy worked for the first ten years of our marriage.
Three years ago I had to face my fears head on. He was hospitalized in a city we had never been in and would be unable to drive for 6 weeks. I had to find my way to and from the hospital from where I was staying with a friend, and then take him to all his different doctor appointments and rehab after he was discharged. It was time to surrender and let go of my fears. I forced myself to study maps of the area and to find alternate routes when construction would send me on detours. I did it through tears, frustration, anxiety, and triumph. I was woman, and you could hear me roar! A huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I could actually breathe normally when I asked for directions. I still got lost, but it didn't make me feel stupid anymore. I took on the challenges of navigation with great aplomb and sometimes even bragged to my closest friends that I hadn't got lost getting to their homes. I had surrendered big time and it felt wonderful!
When my husband suggested that we take a 2 month road trip to explore the West coast from top to bottom, I was excited to think that I would be planning the trip and doing all the navigating. I spent hours looking at maps and routes, and planning stops we would make. I went on the Internet to chart my course with Map quest and AAA and became obsessed with finding “just the right route” . My road atlas was so tattered and routes were so highlighted in yellow that I could barely read it anymore. This was a true sign I had evolved into a great navigator-right?
Just as I had finished with my lists of places to see, routes to take, and maps to use, my husband presented me with an early anniversary gift. With a smile from ear to ear he watched as I opened my gift. I was speechless as I stared at a Garmin GPS system. Why did I need this? I had already spent weeks planning our trip and was still basking in my ability to surrender my fears of getting hopelessly lost. Wasn't using a GPS cheating? Wouldn't it keep me from using my new-found skills as an accomplished navigator? I was staring at yet another form of surrender; AND, a whole lot of questions: how hard was it going to be to learn how to use it? How bad would I hurt his feelings if I said I really didn't need it? Could I use the GPS and the maps and lists I had so painstakingly made?
Here's the short version of what I did for 2 months on our road trip. I surrendered, AGAIN, to a certain extent. I consulted my map and lists for an overview of the trip as we went along. I used the GPS to calculate distance and time from one place to another and to direct me around bad roads and/or construction. When we needed a place to stay or eat, I used the incredible database to direct me (after consulting the Internet and my maps most of the time as well). It was also great for keeping me alert, since it had a great woman's voice that acted as a “driving pal”. I switched it to a man's voice when Jerry was driving so it didn't feel like another woman was telling him where to go...that was reserved for me, thank you very much!
I like to think, now, that surrendering isn't so bad after all. It's not easy, don't misunderstand that. But once you practice it over and over, it gets easier. A lot easier than stewing in your own juices and thinking that's the ONLY way to live. Trust me. I've been there...more times than I can even count. And I'm sure there will be many more times requiring my surrender in this lifetime....but what's the value of life and learning, without challenges?
Thank you for letting me share this part of my life with you.
From Me 2 You,
Laurie Jo
For more stories and information about Laurie Jo, please visit her website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Life is ALL about choices - including healthcare!
I just watched the President on TV trying to explain the changes he would like to see concerning healthcare. Immediately following his address to congress, there was a commercial about a woman from Canada who found out she had breast cancer and was not able to see a doctor for 6 months so she came to the U.S. for treatment. Did she pay for her care while in the U.S. or did we pay for her care while she was here? Did she purchase health care while in the U.S? There was also another commercial stating that the U.S. has the best health care in the world and the woman talking about receiving the best care in the world receives the best care in the world because she HAS insurance! What about all of us who do not have health care, have been denied insurance or can not afford health care? How is the current system working for us?
I would at least like to commend the President for trying to make our world a little better. It is more than I can say for the last President who brought us into debt beyond anything we ever imagined possible and did not have the slightest concern for any of us who did not have any form of health care. If we were able to take all the money we have spent on the war in Iraq and Afganistan, it would be more than enough to fund health care for every American for the next 17 years. How great would that be?
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
I would at least like to commend the President for trying to make our world a little better. It is more than I can say for the last President who brought us into debt beyond anything we ever imagined possible and did not have the slightest concern for any of us who did not have any form of health care. If we were able to take all the money we have spent on the war in Iraq and Afganistan, it would be more than enough to fund health care for every American for the next 17 years. How great would that be?
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Monday, August 31, 2009
Life's Interruptions
Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation with someone who likes to hear themselves talk more than they like to listen? I am sure you have. We all know someone who will invariably interrupt you at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence (never at the end of the sentence because that would mean they didn't interrupt) to tell you what they think or know, what you should think, what you should know, what to do, what not to do, how they feel, how you should feel, what they did in that situation, what you should do in that situation....on and on and on.....
I have a friend like that. Just for fun the other day, I decided to count the number of sentences I was able to complete in an hour. I started a total of 32 sentences and completed 4 of them without interruption. Hmmmm........... What does that tell me? There are several ways to look at this bad habit - and I do believe it is a very bad and inconsiderate habit that we all need to be aware of as it can say the following to our friends.
First - When you interrupt someone, you are basically telling them that you are more important - your opinion is more important - your thoughts are more important and any information you can impart is far more important than whatever they have to say to you.
Second - When you interrupt someone, you are confirming that their information, opinion, thoughts or feelings are more than likely incorrect according to your way of thinking. So now, not only are you telling them how unimportant they are, you are also telling them their thoughts, words and/or deeds are incorrect as well.
Wow - Now who wouldn't want a friend like that? The world really does revolve around them - just ask them....they will be happy to tell you!
Now, of course, there is another way to look at this. It is so easy to take this personally, but is it really about you? Are you really unimportant? Are you really incorrect? I don't think so! I think it is more about them than you. Why? I believe the person who is doing the interrupting has a need to feel superior and the only way they can actually do that is by trying to make you feel inferior. Their thoughts or information is not more important or more correct - they just have a need to try and make their thoughts more important or more correct. It really has nothing to do with you - it is all about them - their insecurities and their needs.
There are only two reasons we do anything in our life - to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence it is only for one of those reasons. You may want to ask yourself which of these reasons are the most common for you? You may also want to ask yourself why this bad habit has become a part of your life? And last, but certainly not least, ask yourself 'If the shoe were on the other foot and your friend was always interrupting what you were trying to say, would you want to continue to be friends'? Hmmmmm..........food for thought.
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you. Writing is so sweet - I can't be interrupted!
Thanks for sharing your time with me. Let me know your thoughts. I promise not to interrupt!!!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
I have a friend like that. Just for fun the other day, I decided to count the number of sentences I was able to complete in an hour. I started a total of 32 sentences and completed 4 of them without interruption. Hmmmm........... What does that tell me? There are several ways to look at this bad habit - and I do believe it is a very bad and inconsiderate habit that we all need to be aware of as it can say the following to our friends.
First - When you interrupt someone, you are basically telling them that you are more important - your opinion is more important - your thoughts are more important and any information you can impart is far more important than whatever they have to say to you.
Second - When you interrupt someone, you are confirming that their information, opinion, thoughts or feelings are more than likely incorrect according to your way of thinking. So now, not only are you telling them how unimportant they are, you are also telling them their thoughts, words and/or deeds are incorrect as well.
Wow - Now who wouldn't want a friend like that? The world really does revolve around them - just ask them....they will be happy to tell you!
Now, of course, there is another way to look at this. It is so easy to take this personally, but is it really about you? Are you really unimportant? Are you really incorrect? I don't think so! I think it is more about them than you. Why? I believe the person who is doing the interrupting has a need to feel superior and the only way they can actually do that is by trying to make you feel inferior. Their thoughts or information is not more important or more correct - they just have a need to try and make their thoughts more important or more correct. It really has nothing to do with you - it is all about them - their insecurities and their needs.
There are only two reasons we do anything in our life - to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence it is only for one of those reasons. You may want to ask yourself which of these reasons are the most common for you? You may also want to ask yourself why this bad habit has become a part of your life? And last, but certainly not least, ask yourself 'If the shoe were on the other foot and your friend was always interrupting what you were trying to say, would you want to continue to be friends'? Hmmmmm..........food for thought.
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you. Writing is so sweet - I can't be interrupted!
Thanks for sharing your time with me. Let me know your thoughts. I promise not to interrupt!!!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Life is ALL about choices
I got an email from a friend the other day and I would like to share part of it with you. It made me start thinking about life and how EVERYTHING that happens is a direct result of the choices we make on a minute by minute basis. This email reminded me that when you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to each and every situation and you also choose how you allow people to affect our job market. The bottom line is: It's your choice how you live life and if you want to work and be a responsible citizen or if you just want to complain about how bad everything is. Personally, I am choosing to work and help keep Americans employed
Here is the email she sent - read it and see if you agree that each choice we make not only affects us, but can and does affect everyone else. In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
"Good idea... one light bulb at a time..check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking.
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more
money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready
for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets....yep, you guessed it,
Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
Please accept this challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago......)
Let's get with the program.... help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A."
Thank you for sharing your time with us. Please visit our website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com for more information.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Here is the email she sent - read it and see if you agree that each choice we make not only affects us, but can and does affect everyone else. In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
"Good idea... one light bulb at a time..check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking.
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more
money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready
for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets....yep, you guessed it,
Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
Please accept this challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago......)
Let's get with the program.... help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A."
Thank you for sharing your time with us. Please visit our website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com for more information.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Rune Reading for Me
Three RUNE Spread - A Reading for Me!
I keep a journal of the Runes I pull and use the Runes to hold a conversation with myself, using a question-and-answer format. The following is a reading I did for myself recently.
I had been invited to spend a few days with a girlfriend about 6 hours away from where I live. She had planned several activities for us and I was very excited to get away on my own for five days. My husband was excited and encouraging for me to go, so I thought I could start making plans to leave. I had been so busy planning an extended summer vacation for the two of us, that I was getting frustrated and edgy about all the plans I had to put together for us; I REALLY needed a break from it.
Three days before I left, my husband asked me, “so, what time are WE leaving on Thursday?” I was taken aback and didn’t quite know how to tell him that HE wasn’t included in the little getaway I was planning. Without thinking, I burst out with, “What do you mean WE? You’re not going-this is a GIRLS weekend.” I was taken aback by the look on his face, and realized I hadn’t handled that very diplomatically. I told him we would discuss it later, and proceeded to go into another room where I could consult the RUNES on this issue. I knew that just blurting out my immediate reaction had hurt his feelings. My dilemma was whether I should just cancel my plans or take the easy way out and take him with me.
I decided to do a 3 RUNE spread to help me address the issue. The first RUNE addressed the “Situation”: What happens if I leave for 5 days by myself and think only of ME? The issue was “taking time off”. The RUNE I picked was Kano (Opening). This was a great RUNE choice for me in this instance because it was asking me to explore the unconscious and bring it to consciousness. Why was I so intent on going away? Subconsciously, I was needing to renew my energy with new surroundings and activities. I needed to gain clarity about how I was feeling pushed and pressured to plan the “perfect” summer vacation for us and I was consumed about not leaving any stone unturned. The RUNE Kano showed me that by taking the mini getaway I would come back with renewed clarity and energy.
The second RUNE addressed the “Course of Action”. I was torn about letting my husband go with me and share my five days with my girlfriend and me. It didn’t feel right. The question I asked myself before choosing a RUNE was: “What happens if I let him come with me?” The issue was clearly about my relationship. I chose the RUNE Algiz in the reversed position, (Protection). This RUNE was instructing me to be thoughtful about my health (physical and mental), and to look carefully at ALL associations I was forming at this time. I took ALL to mean my husband, as well as my girlfriend who had invited me to visit her. I hadn’t known my girlfriend for very long and it felt important to use the visit to get to know her better by myself. Also, my husband had never met her; I didn’t feel this was the time for them to form any kind of friend relationship, since she and I had planned activities I knew WE would enjoy and that may not interest my husband. The RUNE also showed me that it was important to see whether my husband would take my refusal to let him go with me personally or if he would understand and accept my need to go away without him. And, if he DID take it as a personal rejection, making the right decision for ME was what I needed to focus on, and not His feelings of insecurity or exclusion. Since new opportunities and challenges are typical of this RUNE, I needed to be mindful that his neediness was a way of “using” me, and if I remained conscious of that fact and take responsibility for my own position and choices that would affect ME and what I wanted; then, the positive benefit would be mine.
The third RUNE addressed the “New Situation/Evolving Situation”. I chose the RUNE Gebo (the Gift of freedom, from which flows all other gifts). This RUNE indicates that union, uniting or partnership in some form is at hand. Choosing this RUNE reminded me that true partnership can only be achieved by separate and whole beings who retain their separateness even in unity & uniting. It also reminded me of the importance of allowing myself to partner with my Higher Self. By making the decision to go by myself, I was inviting new opportunities for growth that involved my husband and me experiencing a period of separateness which would ultimately strengthen our bond and give us new energy for the 2 months we would be spending with each other during our summer vacation.
*As a footnote: When I let go of my fear that I would be horribly disappointing my husband by excluding him in my getaway plans, he was fine and realized I needed time away alone. The 5 days away were just what I needed to renew my clarity and energy for planning our summer vacation. My girlfriend and I developed a closer bond and used the time to laugh, play, and learn more about each other’s personality traits that made us both unique women. I am so glad that I took the time to use the RUNES to help me unravel some of the subconscious blocks that were trying to keep me from doing what I really wanted to do, without fear and guilt. There is no wrong or right when it comes to interpreting the RUNES. Those who consult the RUNES with an open mind, will find that areas of his or her own subconscious will surface enough to address issues that are buried, and therefore enable the Rune Caster to come up with solutions to a problem or answers to questions being posed.
For your own Rune Reading, please contact me at my website: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
I keep a journal of the Runes I pull and use the Runes to hold a conversation with myself, using a question-and-answer format. The following is a reading I did for myself recently.
I had been invited to spend a few days with a girlfriend about 6 hours away from where I live. She had planned several activities for us and I was very excited to get away on my own for five days. My husband was excited and encouraging for me to go, so I thought I could start making plans to leave. I had been so busy planning an extended summer vacation for the two of us, that I was getting frustrated and edgy about all the plans I had to put together for us; I REALLY needed a break from it.
Three days before I left, my husband asked me, “so, what time are WE leaving on Thursday?” I was taken aback and didn’t quite know how to tell him that HE wasn’t included in the little getaway I was planning. Without thinking, I burst out with, “What do you mean WE? You’re not going-this is a GIRLS weekend.” I was taken aback by the look on his face, and realized I hadn’t handled that very diplomatically. I told him we would discuss it later, and proceeded to go into another room where I could consult the RUNES on this issue. I knew that just blurting out my immediate reaction had hurt his feelings. My dilemma was whether I should just cancel my plans or take the easy way out and take him with me.
I decided to do a 3 RUNE spread to help me address the issue. The first RUNE addressed the “Situation”: What happens if I leave for 5 days by myself and think only of ME? The issue was “taking time off”. The RUNE I picked was Kano (Opening). This was a great RUNE choice for me in this instance because it was asking me to explore the unconscious and bring it to consciousness. Why was I so intent on going away? Subconsciously, I was needing to renew my energy with new surroundings and activities. I needed to gain clarity about how I was feeling pushed and pressured to plan the “perfect” summer vacation for us and I was consumed about not leaving any stone unturned. The RUNE Kano showed me that by taking the mini getaway I would come back with renewed clarity and energy.
The second RUNE addressed the “Course of Action”. I was torn about letting my husband go with me and share my five days with my girlfriend and me. It didn’t feel right. The question I asked myself before choosing a RUNE was: “What happens if I let him come with me?” The issue was clearly about my relationship. I chose the RUNE Algiz in the reversed position, (Protection). This RUNE was instructing me to be thoughtful about my health (physical and mental), and to look carefully at ALL associations I was forming at this time. I took ALL to mean my husband, as well as my girlfriend who had invited me to visit her. I hadn’t known my girlfriend for very long and it felt important to use the visit to get to know her better by myself. Also, my husband had never met her; I didn’t feel this was the time for them to form any kind of friend relationship, since she and I had planned activities I knew WE would enjoy and that may not interest my husband. The RUNE also showed me that it was important to see whether my husband would take my refusal to let him go with me personally or if he would understand and accept my need to go away without him. And, if he DID take it as a personal rejection, making the right decision for ME was what I needed to focus on, and not His feelings of insecurity or exclusion. Since new opportunities and challenges are typical of this RUNE, I needed to be mindful that his neediness was a way of “using” me, and if I remained conscious of that fact and take responsibility for my own position and choices that would affect ME and what I wanted; then, the positive benefit would be mine.
The third RUNE addressed the “New Situation/Evolving Situation”. I chose the RUNE Gebo (the Gift of freedom, from which flows all other gifts). This RUNE indicates that union, uniting or partnership in some form is at hand. Choosing this RUNE reminded me that true partnership can only be achieved by separate and whole beings who retain their separateness even in unity & uniting. It also reminded me of the importance of allowing myself to partner with my Higher Self. By making the decision to go by myself, I was inviting new opportunities for growth that involved my husband and me experiencing a period of separateness which would ultimately strengthen our bond and give us new energy for the 2 months we would be spending with each other during our summer vacation.
*As a footnote: When I let go of my fear that I would be horribly disappointing my husband by excluding him in my getaway plans, he was fine and realized I needed time away alone. The 5 days away were just what I needed to renew my clarity and energy for planning our summer vacation. My girlfriend and I developed a closer bond and used the time to laugh, play, and learn more about each other’s personality traits that made us both unique women. I am so glad that I took the time to use the RUNES to help me unravel some of the subconscious blocks that were trying to keep me from doing what I really wanted to do, without fear and guilt. There is no wrong or right when it comes to interpreting the RUNES. Those who consult the RUNES with an open mind, will find that areas of his or her own subconscious will surface enough to address issues that are buried, and therefore enable the Rune Caster to come up with solutions to a problem or answers to questions being posed.
For your own Rune Reading, please contact me at my website: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Three Rune Cast
The Three RUNE Cast
With the issue stated aloud, draw three RUNES and place them Right, Centre and Left.
The first RUNE (Right) speaks of the situation as it now is.
The second RUNE (Center) suggests the course of action called for.
The third RUNE (Left) foretells the outcome which will result from that action.
Alternatively, if you are seeking to remove an obstacle from your life or your progress, you may read the RUNES:
Right - myself or present
Center - the challenge or obstacle
Left - the best possible outcome if I am able to overcome the obstacle
As to how to remove the obstacle for a satisfactory outcome, a supplementary cast of additional RUNE may provide the answer.
This is a brief overview of what a Rune Reading will tell you or how it can assist you in obtaining answers to questions. For a full Rune Reading, please contact me at my website http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. You are appreciated.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
With the issue stated aloud, draw three RUNES and place them Right, Centre and Left.
The first RUNE (Right) speaks of the situation as it now is.
The second RUNE (Center) suggests the course of action called for.
The third RUNE (Left) foretells the outcome which will result from that action.
Alternatively, if you are seeking to remove an obstacle from your life or your progress, you may read the RUNES:
Right - myself or present
Center - the challenge or obstacle
Left - the best possible outcome if I am able to overcome the obstacle
As to how to remove the obstacle for a satisfactory outcome, a supplementary cast of additional RUNE may provide the answer.
This is a brief overview of what a Rune Reading will tell you or how it can assist you in obtaining answers to questions. For a full Rune Reading, please contact me at my website http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. You are appreciated.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
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