Month: June 2014

Finding the Wisdom Hidden Inside

IMG_7218We are born with an inner knowing that for the most part in the majority, goes completely untapped. Finding the wisdom hidden inside yourself takes patience, practice and an ability to quiet the mind. You see as children, we live in that inner knowing. Can you remember back to your childhood for a moment? Think about some of the things that you understood without anyone telling you, think about the things you believed without ever being subjected to it, think about the things you did without over-thinking that turned out in your favor…. think back to that time.

In the process of growing up and being “taught” what to think, we forget what we already knew.

How to find that hidden wisdom:

Be patient with yourself.
Practice meditation and practice listening to your intuition.
Learn how to quiet the mind.

It’s not something that happens quickly. I’m sure you will doubt yourself many times before you start actually listening. You will get frustrated and you will give up many times. You will keep trying and eventually you will find yourself trusting that inner knowledge. It’s well worth the time, effort and practice. When we follow our instincts, we find ourselves in a better place, mentally, physically and emotionally. We have to learn the difference between fear and lessons learned. There is a part of us that alarms us when we are about to do something that isn’t good for us… only you can determine if this alarm is going off from fear or from a previous lesson.

There are many forms of meditation. Try all of them until you find ones that work for you. When you find something that works, practice, practice, practice. The more you are able to master the art of meditation, the more you will find yourself hearing and understanding your own inner guide.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Emotion and Clarity

WP_20140627_002Water is a symbol of emotion, so take this image as an example of what happens when we let our emotions take over in too many places in our lives.

Those spaces of clarity become less and much smaller while the emotions take over our entire lives. Put those emotions in their place so that we can have more clarity in all areas of our lives.

It’s not going to be an easy task. It will have to be something to strive for daily, especially if you are anything like me and experience intense emotions.

Sigh… good luck 🙂

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Where’s Your Focus Point?

WP_20140627_016

Have a good look at the image above. What did you aim your focus on first?  Was it the flower, the crack or the overall landscape?

Life is a reflection of what we aim our focus on. We can stand there each day focusing on everything that is wrong or we can adjust our focus to include those things that are right. By focusing in one direction only, our world becomes off balance.

So take a step back today and adjust your view.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Finding Peace Within

WP_20140625_002This morning I kicked off my shoes, planted my feet firmly into the Earth and began singing my song as I searched for 4 leaf clovers before work. For a long while I just sang and searched, moving along slowly as I kept my gaze upon the clover beds before me. At some point in my search this morning, I realized that I had found much more than special clovers. I found peace, relaxation and love.

In that moment that I realized what I had found, I smiled and do you know what I did next? I continued. Why stop the bliss? Why ruin the moment with over-thinking and analyzing?

A few factors came into play to create this moment of peace. Firstly, kicking off my shoes and making that direct connection to the Earth, created a grounding effect as well as linking myself with the Earth’s hum. The singing and searching, emptied my mind of all the other distractions, worries, fears, etc that living creates. My focus was solely on spotting clovers with more than 3 leaves. In a sea of clovers, one might think it would be a hard, stressful task, but for me this was relaxing and rewarding. With every 4 leaf clover I found, I gave thanks for the opportunity… I felt my whole being also being thankful with every “thank you” that I muttered.

On one’s search for inner peace, let go of that idea that we must find that peace and hold on to it every minute of our lives. It’s not quite practical that we will be able to do that and when we begin to fail at that task, we find ourselves pushing away any peace that we once had.

Allow yourself peaceful moments. 

Once we have mastered these moments, no matter how small or large they may be… we will find ourselves having them far more often. Bringing us more peace, more relaxation and more love.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Magic on Ordinary Days

WP_20140623_003Some people spend their entire lives wishing for magic to happen. Whether it be their knight riding in on a white horse to rescue them from their mundane life or being followed by a magical trail of glitter and sparkles where ever they go, they keep wishing for magic. What they fail to see is the magic that is already there. Yep, right their in their lives every single day. We all have it! Magic isn’t something only a select few get to experience. Magic lives in the lives of all of us if we wish to see it.

Here’s some everyday magic you may have not noticed:

A smile from a stranger
A compliment for no reason at all
Finding something that was once lost
A cuddle from someone you love
A kiss
A kind gesture
Finding a penny (face up)
Finding a 4 leaf clover 😉
Laughter from a child
Giggles between friends
The song of the birds
The soft scent of honeysuckle floating on a breeze
Positive words
Feeling good about who you are
Completing a complicated task
Finding understanding
Knowing who you are
Being in the moment
Peace within
Finding your balance (even if only for a moment)
Doing for others
Spreading positivity

You see these may not seem very magical, but they are. These are just a few of the simple things in everyday life that make us feel good. Imagine for a moment a life without all of these things. Yeah, not so nice huh? Drab and sad to say the least.

Magic isn’t about fairy tales and sparkle, it’s not about a bunch of hocus pocus and making things appear with a twitch of your nose. Magic is about appreciating all parts of life and walking your path with love.

Magic is noticing those things that are mostly unseen, finding an appreciation for all life here on Earth, and harnessing the happiness life offers us.

Most important … Magic is love.  Plain and simple .. LOVE. Love yourself, love others, love living. LOVE.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Let it Rain

What is it about the rain that is so alluring? The soft, sweet lullaby of mother nature rocking us to sleep. The fresh smell of the Earth after a down pour and a thirst that has been quenched. The rain brings with it a cleansing and leaves behind a freshness that only the rain can provide. Puddles everywhere, reminding us to reflect upon our lives and the footprints we leave behind in our journey. Tiny droplets decorate the Earth, like tears from the heavens, glistening as the sun comes out, showing us that even as life is fading we should sparkle with all our might til the end. The rain and it’s soft sweet lullaby.. oh how I do love you so.

Here are a few of  rainy day photos I’ve taken… enjoy the lullaby. (click to enlarge)

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Starting the Day with Positivity

How we choose to start each day makes a huge impact in our lives. It certainly doesn’t stop bad things from happening to us but it improves our general outlook and productivity. This morning I started my day with a little positive reinforcement from Karen Drucker with her song “Thank you for this day”.  I have to admit, when the song came on and I started singing along.. I did instantly feel better. My energy level raised up and I am feeling quite the happy camper and nothing special has even really happened to my day. That little moment of positivity and the message of being grateful just for having another day to live has been enough to get me moving in an uplifting and joyful way. Thank you Karen Drucker for this song and the positive energy it brings.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Being Motivated

IMG_3841 This morning I watched a video about some women who have worked so hard at perfecting their martial art skills that their abilities were simply amazing. Personally, I have struggled lately to find my drive. There is a place inside all of us where our motivation, our drive and our will to succeed lives. Through the daily grind that life gives us, we sometimes lose that place. It’s still there we just forget to tap into it’s power.

When you start utilizing that force inside yourself, you begin to work like a well oil machine. Nothing can get in your way, you are unstoppable. I need to tap back into my own force and stop making all those excuses I tell myself that today isn’t the day, maybe tomorrow.

You know the old saying, “There’s no time like the present!”. Oh man, this means a lot of work is in store for me. I can handle it, I just have to want to handle it. So here I am, before all of you, saying: “I can handle this! I got this! I will do it!”

Ready set go!

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Finding the Light

WP_20140616_010I woke up this morning with no idea what I was going to talk about today, so I have been throwing all kinds of topics around in my head. None of these seemed to be the topic of the day. For a moment I thought, oh well I may not have a blog to post today and then life happened.

My co-workers started making their way into the office and I felt my thoughts falling into a big ol’ bucket of negativity as they began all their banter with each other and interrupting the peace and tranquility I’ve had so far this morning. I thought to myself, “Wow! I really might be anti-social today”. I stepped outside to get away from the noise for a moment and I thought, this is a good time to take my daily sky watch photo.

Stepping outside, I found not a cloud in the sky… only sunlight and blue skies. Great, but kind of boring from a photography point of view. Heavy sigh. So as I was feeling more relaxed and walking around, I looked up and saw the sunlight twinkle in and out of the crape myrtle flowers blowing in the wind and my thoughts were instantly lightened. I took my phone out and started snapping photos, trying to catch the light as it was peeking through the branches. It was a fun, playful experience… dancing with the tree, the sun and the wind. Finally I caught it!! I caught the light!

You see today’s message is a simple one. “There is light where you choose to see it.”

I am now out of my anti-social pit of negativity and in a more positive frame of mind.

Thank you Spirit and thank you to the sun and the wind for the playful dance beneath the crape myrtle tree.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Please Help Me Win Toast!

toast logo 2013 - holly toast logo 2013 - hollyWe want these signs to say 2014! 🙂

Please please don’t forget to cast your votes for me this year in Toast of Music City

I’m running for Best Blog and Best Visual Artist …. just click each link below to cast your votes.. I’m listed under People & Places for both categories of  Best Blog and Best Visual Artist.

Thank you in advance to everyone that takes the time to vote this year.. I appreciate you guys far more than you know! Voting is daily from June 15th – July 22nd.

Thank you all!

Vote Now! Make sure you register with the site and click”VOTE” next to my name to cast your votes 🙂

Best Blog – Holly Stokes, myravenblog.com

Best Local Artist (Visual)– Holly Stokes, myravenblog.com

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

The Magic of Friday the 13th

friday 13thToday is Friday the 13th and a Full Moon!

You will hear most everyone today talking about their fears and how they dread Friday the 13th … add the Full Moon on top of it and people go frantic! I’ll just stand to the side and shake my head. What is there to fear? Do any of them have a legitimate reason to be afraid of the number 13? How about the moon? Do they really have reason to fear the moon?

Let start with the moon… particularly the full moon because that is the moon most feared. What does the Full Moon actually do? Well from where I stood on my deck last night, it provided a glowing light in what could have been a very dark place. We will leave out the magical parts because “most” don’t understand that anyway… they are just afraid of a large mass in the night sky that is turned in such a way that it reflects the most sunlight it possibly can on it’s surface for the month.  Yep… real scary! Run for your lives!

Now lets look at the number 13. There are a lot of stories from olden times that contribute to the superstitions but that was the past. It already happened and for whoever it effected back then.. yep that was pretty unlucky but the number itself wasn’t the cause of the bad luck.. the cause was created by the people who committed the violent acts.

Number 13 = made from the number 1 which is a symbol of new beginnings and the number 3 which symbolizes creativity, communication, compassion and manifestation. Wow when you break it down, the number 13 looks pretty darn amazing!

So tell me now…. what is there to fear?

Here’s a bit magic I found today, on Friday the 13th with the full moon overhead:

I’ve been outside singing to the fairies this morning hunting four leaf clovers and taking photos in the rain…  Most will just want to stay inside when it rains, saying how yucky it is … but me… I think the rain is beautiful! I found 16 four leaf clovers this morning and captured some beautiful pictures with my camera. Have a look at the rain that everyone else avoided. (click on the gallery for best viewing)

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

June Full Moon – Lover’s Moon

IMG_6779Standing beneath the moons glowing light, I can feel her magic coursing through my veins. The energy of June’s full moon is that of love, marriage and success. It is a time to nurture your garden and enjoy it’s beauty. The same can be said for whatever projects you are tending in your life at this moment. All things become their best when we embrace them with love, whether it be a relationship, a job, project or anything else in your life. Act with love and watch it grow!

The June Full Moon is known by many names, some of them are:  The Lover’s Moon as well as The Strawberry Moon, The Rose Moon and The Honey Moon.

Don’t forget to step outside and soak up a bit of that full moon magic tonight. Also now is a great time to cleanse and charge your crystals with that full moon energy… place them outside or in your windows so that they can capture that moon magic.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Magical Thistle

I just love this time of year when the thistle are in bloom. Sprouts of purple can be found along side most roads throughout the South. Purple, being my favorite color anyway… there is no wonder I love it so much. Also it is my birth flower, the November flower :-). More reasons to like it, as if I needed any other reason.. it’s a flower – it’s purple and it’s my birth flower. Love, Love Love!

I thought I’d share with you some information I’ve gathered from the web about it’s magical properties along with some photos I took of thistle last night when I was out walking my sweet dog, Monty.   ENJOY!

Make sure you check out more info on the thistle below the photo gallery.

An herb of protection and vitality.

A bowlful placed in a room strengthens the spirits and renews vitality.

One may be carried for added strength and energy.

They offer protection when grown in the garden or carried in the pocket.

Throwing them into a fire will deflect lightning away from your home.

It is said that when a man carries a thistle he becomes a better lover.(Ooooooooooooooooo) lol.

A method of calling spirits is to boil some thistle.

It was once believed to cure the plague.

Thistle is also known to remove negative energies and hexes as well as bringing one uplifting energy and luck.

It strengthens the memory, helps with depression, and is useful in migraine headache.

Combine it with peppermint, elder flowers, and ginger for colds, fevers, and backache.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Being YOU

owl444Don’t allow outside forces to destroy who YOU are or allow them to take the light from inside.

Be who you are without fear ..

We are happiest when we don’t have to hide or mask the true self… when we are allowed the freedom to be exactly who we are without criticism and without fear of others looking at us with the tilted head and disapproving look on their faces.

I have learned that those type of people exist no matter where you are or where you go. There is always someone out there that won’t agree with everything you do or everything you believe.

Be yourself and don’t worry about what if someone doesn’t like this or that .. what if I look foolish .. what if I fail.. what if it doesn’t work exactly as planned .. what if.. what if… what if ….

I know from experience those “what ifs” are the true killer. Every day  that you don’t do something that feels right in your soul .. those what ifs eat away at you .. and your mind takes you on a nasty journey of self doubt.

Now please, do use common sense when living your life and making choices. Don’t do those things that you know may hurt you or someone else in some way.
Just follow your heart and be true to who you are. Follow your truest dreams and don’t let the ideas of others cause you self doubt.

 

You never know .. some of those dreams may just come true.

 

As my favorite quote goes:

Only the ones who believe,

Ever see what they dream

Ever dream what comes true….

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Who am I…

 

Taken with Lumia Selfie

Taken with Lumia Selfie

I am the girl next door who didn’t follow the crowd.
I’m that twinkle you see when you look into my eyes.
I’m the magic that knows no bounds.
I’m the whisper that says, you can do it.
I’m the odd one, the weirdo, the freak.
I’m sometimes the wise one.
I’m the one who laughs at myself.
I’m the artist, who just loves to create.
I’m the scared one, needing a hug.
I’m the witch with a cackle like no other.
I’m the sun, the moon and the stars.
I’m the friend to the fairies.
I’m the worried one, hoping for the best.
I’m the messenger of Spirit.
I’m the light and the dark.
I’m the seeker, wanting to be found.
I’m the smile that I share.
I’m the listener.
I’m the creative one filled with wonder.
I’m the bird with no visible wings.
I’m more than what you see.
I’m me.

Many Blessings,
ravensig

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Let the Fun Begin!

Coolidge park 107Life has it’s ups and downs and all arounds … it gets crazy and hectic .. but it’s also wonderful and fun.

 

Today … I just want you to have fun.. enjoy life… do something today to make yourself smile.. and maybe even make others smile.. laugh… love and giggle.

 

At the end of your days here on Earth … my wish is that you will be able to answer YES to the question “Did you enjoy the ride?”

 

So go on… do something unexpected today and have fun!

 

Many Blessings,

Raventalker

Nothing More Than a Memory

holly sketchI don’t know why, but I started to think about when we pass and then began to think of my own passing and what would be left behind. This is what I came up with in that moment of reflection.

Nothing More Than a Memory

One day I’ll be gone from this Earthly place
Leaving nothing more than a memory to trace.

A glance from your eyes to mine
Something I hope lingers lovingly in your mind.

My mark, I’ve left on many a canvas
Now only memories left to dissolve softly into the blackness.

My words fading from the paper where they were once wrote
Leaving behind only a handful of mindful quotes.

My scent only a few knew, no longer lingering around
My laughter, no longer making a sound.

No projects left to craft
No more designs left to draft.

My love, I hope stays with you til the end of all time
Remember me dearly with a bit of  rhyme.

One day I’ll be gone from this Earthly place
Leaving nothing more than a memory to trace.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Hawk Meanings

I pulled into the parking lot at work this morning and noticed a couple of crows in the tree at the other end of the lot … I grabbed my camera and slowly walked toward the tree so that I wouldn’t frighten them away .. walking in a way that didn’t make me look too eager or aggressive… as I got closer I looked up and There was a Red Tailed Hawk sitting on the brick wall below them with his breakfast… check out the video for more information about our friend the Hawk.    🙂 

 

Many Blessings,
Raventalker