My Other Blogs

Some of you are already aware of that besides "Rantings" I have a couple other blogs.  However there may be a few of you who are not.  I'd like to take a moment to invite you to visit my other two sites.

The first is Mother Moons Message.  This is a blog that is quite dear to my heart.  It reflects a bit more of a personal side of myself and my inner feelings and beliefs.  Although "Rantings" is quite personal too, it is more the mother, wife & grandma (gg) side of me.  To some it may bring new enlightenment to your understanding of me.  I ask that you view it with an open mind.  I am still very much the same person I have always been.  This is just an area of my life that is very real and I would like nothing more than to share it with those who know me.  I have kept it back far too long.

The next site is The Picture as Janie Sees it.  It is strictly a photography blog.  This activity has become one of my most cherished past times.  It is an attempt to protray my world via photography.  It is still very much in the early stages, as I have learned this can become a very time involving process.. Yet it is something I wish to do. 

The buttons for each of these bog sites are to the left side.  You need only click to venture to the other sides of me... I hope you enjoy them.  I look forward to your comments. 

Belief

It amazes me at times how difficult some make it. What is it? Anything really. It is almost as if they strive for discord or difference. Their lives are just not complete without a little unsettleness occurring. When it comes to the discussion of ones beliefs, this is even more true.

Growing up in a small Oklahoma town, the one thing that we were not short of was churches. It always seemed that each one was striving to boost their attendance and membership more than the other and therefore whichever one was winning at the time was the place to be. Not growing up in a church going home I was what was considered fair game. I can say that out of the 7 churches in our small town of approximately 5000 I attended all but one. I do not regret this in anyway as it truly gave me a broad overview of all the denominations and their beliefs.

The church itself gave me much comfort and guidance as a child, something I will forever be grateful for. However the people truly made me cautious. I learned to be careful and not trust completely all that was said to me. I learned to search for myself to find the answers to the questions I asked. This search led me in several directions yet always it seemed to eventually lead me to what I needed to learn. "Seek & Ye shall find" Yet some of the paths which gave me the wisdom I longed for were forbidden by the "church".

It took a great deal of time to get past this feeling of shame and guilt that loomed over me. Yet with time and much soul searching, I made it past this point. Ones spiritualism is just that... one's spiritualism. It is a personal relationship that is shared between oneself and their God/Gods. It is not for any other to dictate and force onto one. However there will always be those who do just that. I truly feel that my beliefs and path is a combination of many.

"Belief" by John Mayer is a beautiful song. If you have never listened carefully to it, I recommend that you take a moment and do so. The first time I heard this song, its words rang so true in my mind and seemed so well to explain to me why people feel so passionately about what they believe. Allowing each their own is something I truly have always tried to do.... Knowing that I am not perfect and at times fall short. Yet still I have to keep in mind that as much as I want for others to allow me my space, my beliefs, that I likewise need to allow them theirs, regardless. I am sure that still I will find disagreement in my manner of belief. That as I become bolder and step out further in regards to this side of me, many who before I could call my friends may not be as receptive as previously.

Yet I have never been more complete in my life. My life has never been more full and enriching. The path I follow is truly where I need and should be. I know there are many out there who feel much the same way. Yet when it comes down to the bottom... I remember this one fact: It will not be those that disagree with my beliefs who I stand before or who will judge me and decide my fate as I pass on into the next phase of life. Just as it will not be me what they stand before. I am at peace with my God and that is truly all that matters.

Peace
Janie

The Rule Of Three

Bide ye the Rule of three ye must,

In Perfect Love & Perfect Trust.

Eight Words the Rule of three fulfill

And it Harm none, Do as ye will

Lest in Self Defense it be,

Ever mind the Rule of Three

Follow ye this Mind & Heart

Merry ye Meet & Merry ye Part

The Rule of Three has several variations. Each one in some way fitting a bit more comfortably with the one who prefers it written in that manner. However this is a rule that can and probably should be used by all, thus the translation above is used. Not necessarily does one have to follow Wicca to hold these words close to heart.

How grand of a world it would be if we all were to abide by the Rule of three. Our actions and words being carefully considered before we exhibit them. Verifying that to our knowledge no harm will come to anyone because of them. Unfortunately life is not so. We do not have the ability to control anyone lest ourselves.

To many this rule and/or law refers to a warning for anyone who may be considering to pass bad energy whether in the form of magic or other on to someone else. It warns that the repercussions would be three fold of whatever one projected towards another. When I first learnt of this rule it fascinated me as I tried to implement it. If one abides by its guidance, and in an honest manner, it is quite difficult to justify any wrong doing towards anyone, no matter how tempted we may become. The simple attempt to abide by it alone can alleviate many situations that may have other wise not been avoided.

Many will notice the reference to the exception of self defense. Not all renditions of this rule include this reference, however I have chosen to include it. Mainly because I think it is important to emphasize that this is not a rule that says one should roll over when injustice is done to them. On the contrary, I believe that when negativity is given to one that considering the situation, one should respond accordingly. This is consideration for the entire situation. A response and not a reaction. Meaning an action taken after reflection and not immediately in haste and strong emotion. I have found that dealing with such times in this manner will not only make the result more fair and just, it may detour it all together. Forgiveness is something that is often found in quiet times of reflection when we look at something not necessarily from solely our own eyes, yet the many perspectives that may be involved.

The message can be found in many variations. Examples of such are that of Hinduism's Karma concept, Christianity's Golden Rule, Wicca's Rule of Three and many more. All emphasize the need to think before we act. To understand that a consequence, whether good or bad, comes with each action we choose. It challenges us to be more diligent as we walk the path laid before us. To become more aware of our surroundings and the energies that may be coming from us. Many choose to not acknowledge the power they may have simply by the words that come from their mouths or the manner in which they conduct themselves.

A simple exercise... a conscious effort to stay aware of the Rule of Three. No, perfection is not a possibility however, it is something that should be our goal.

Peace,
Janie

Content Copyright 2009 - Janie Sheik - All rights reserved

What is Really Reality?

Recently a close friend of mine lost her husband suddenly. They had been outdoors enjoying an evening and an early spring storm that had just gone through, enjoying the cool rain and the active lightning it had brought. She was tired and decided to go to bed leaving him outdoors to continue his enjoyment. The next morning when she awoke to an empty bed. Thinking he had already gotten up she rose to go and begin her day with the man with the man she shared her life with. When not finding him in the house, she went outdoors. Sitting as if sleeping on the lawn, she found him. Peaceful, yet passed.

He had been a savior to her in some sorts. A life before where she had felt she had had little say as to what was her own. Somehow herded into a life which was not of her choosing. Not able to chase after her dreams as she had always wanted to do. Yet he had changed that. A divorce later in life in her mid 30's had given her a second chance. His appearance into her life only solidified that chance. Yes, he was younger than her, but soul mates have no age reference. They are connected beyond time. They were together continuously, sharing their dreams and playing their music. Making plans for the future and more. Then "reality" comes.... or so that is what some call it.

There are the usual obstacles to get over in regards to a spouse. Rearranging, accepting, and yes the paperwork. Yet at the age of 40 he did not think that he was in such a hurry to have his life in such order. Most of us see plenty of time ahead to do such things that are not as exciting or fun as simply enjoying life and those around us. She deals as best she can with all the occurrences that have come her way. Some of her insecure ways have come back to her and she struggles with them to overcome their desire to overtake her again. He saw the strength in her and gave her the ability to see it also. Yet now he is no longer there and she finds it hard sometimes to do it alone and wonders if she will actually be able to.

She attempts to all it was that they had talked about only the night before his passing. The plans they had discussed. It is a large undertaking for someone like her. She knows this and worries so much that she will not be able to carry on his dreams. Yet still she trudges forward in an attempt to do her best. His presence is everywhere around her. Guitars, music, clothes, tools, and so much more. Slowly she attempts to go through it. Yet at times she wonders if she can part with some of the items he left behind.

Dreams seem to haunt her at times. More frequently as time passes. She attempts to not sleep thinking that maybe they will go away. Exhaustion then takes over and she finds herself once again going to the place she does not wish to go. She is at home, when he walks in... She begins to argue with him as to where he has been all this time. He looks at her oddly and tells her he has been with her all along. She wakes up and it is as if she never slept. It is as if it were not a dream. The surroundings, smells, everything is like it was earlier. Yet for one thing. He is not there. This troubles her. She does not understand why she is dreaming like this. Why are they arguing so? Why does it seem so real, as if it truly was "reality". As he truly was right there beside her.

As a friend, I can only attempt to comfort her and give her my opinion. That being all it is... "my" opinion. It has been my experience that dreams serve mainly 2 purposes. First, to help one deal with the anxieties of life. To help us deal with the things that come to us sometimes and are too hard to face straight on, at least in the beginning. Dreams help us to sift through all the mess and sometimes makes it easier to get on with our lives. The other purpose: I am a believer that "true" reality is not necessarily known to all if to any. Man has always been someone who feels it necessary to be able to explain everything around him. He doesn't enjoy the fact that he may actually not be able to explain something and therefore it is more than him. Even in religion where "faith" is suppose to be the cornerstone, he attempts to manipulate the rules so that he can control what it is that is considered right and what it is that is considered wrong. In saying this I present my second opinion on dreams and their purpose. I think that sometime spirits of those passed can be with us. Especially when the bond is close (and sometimes when it isn't). He knew of her pain. He watches her day to day as she attempts to do her best, often questioning her actions, her motives. He knows her thoughts in regards to her isolation now that he is gone. The fear that her recluse side will once again creep back into her life and cover her in isolation. He wants to comfort her.

It is a beauty, that at times we have the honor of feeling the presence again of someone we love. Those moments when you smile to yourself because something so small made you think of them again. Those memories that come out of nowhere to remind you once again. In so many ways and by so many people, such thoughts are are considered to be foolish. Far from reality. Yet what really is reality? Is it just what man has taken and structured to fit his bidding. Something that be explained enough so that there is nothing left to the imagination and the wonder of God...

I challenge anyone to take a moment of their life... On a quiet early morning step outside and look to the east. Watch the sun as it slowly rises. Listen to the sounds around you. Feel the breeze as it blows against you or the warmth of the sun as it it shines down on you. Smell all that is life. Then ask yourself if any one person really knows what reality is. Can any one person know all that makes it all work? I think not. Life truly is a beautiful thing. Whether alive in this life or passed on to another. Allow your mind to be open to all that is around you, and you may be amazed at what you actually do see.

Peace

Janie