Why Peru?

Why Peru?
Well, first of all, the answer is always magic.
I have no other response other than that is where the universe led me.  I have realized that life can be a grand experiment in trying things out.  We have infinite possibilities.  Our ego will tell us things are good or bad.  There only is.  So even if things seem "bad," the KNOWING that we can affirm something positive and CHOOSE to believe it is so…. well, it's magic.  And it works. 

Why Peru?  For all I know this path started out "way back when" where at one time in my life I had a fairly good understanding of the Spanish language thanks to a Peruvian Spanish Teacher.  That truly seems like eons ago. However, I worry not.  I am choosing a new experiment.  I think for now I will simply call it "immersion"…  For I know as much about the journey as you do.  Every mysterious moment is a gift.  This experiment is about releasing fear.  Being open to new adventure.  Always looking for the magic.  

However, by consciously releasing fear, we leave a larger and larger space inside.  I believe it is important for us to set our intentions by consciously deciding and affirming what we are bringing in to replace the fear.  Something will fill the space.
 The true gift is that it is also easier.  When we begin to automatically trust the inner voice inside, there is no debate as to what the "right" answer is.  It just is.  Spirit is INSIDE US ALL.  We just have to be quiet and listen for the messages. It is freedom.


I completely trust that I will be gracefully swept along this magical path, dancing and laughing all the way.  
I am grateful to have the opportunity to share this with you.  
Namaste


Affirmations of the day: 
I am so happy and grateful that I easily put my trust in the universe. and listen.
I am so happy and grateful that I am multilingual.  Hey, why not?

What is Magic?

Most of you that know me, probably hear me talk about magic, affirmations, and meditation a lot.   Why magic?  Well, first of all, who doesn't want to believe in magic?

I have a different relationship with "positive affirmations" than I once did.  I am so grateful that I not only grew up with a family full of wise women, but I also was gifted life-changing books and gifts written by spiritual teachers and healers throughout my life.  In Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life," she suggests affirmations to heal nearly every malady known to humans.  I thought I understood the concept.
Yet it is only now, decades after reading that book for the first time, that I truly recognize how we create every moment in our lives.  We have the fundamental power to positively or negatively affect our lives in each of these moments.

I too was once a messed up girl who honestly thought the world was out to get me.  I now have a collection of positive affirmations that has led me on a path that is more magical than I ever dreamed was possible.  And meditation?  Well, it has done nothing less than alter my life profoundly.

I am so happy and grateful I am able to share this amazing journey with you through my blog, if you choose to come with me.  I have converted my www.cschambers.com website to a blog…
For, in the wee hours early this morning, I booked my flight to Peru for July 11 - October 20.

One of my most favorite affirmations that I have had for as long as I can remember is "I am so happy and grateful I am traveling to wonderfully wild places".

Experiencing my affirmations turn to reality is nothing less than magic.
And that my dear friends, is precisely what it is.   Magic.




If you would like to follow along, go to www.cschambers.com and put your email address in the box at the right.  If not, hasta luego tiene un buen verano.  

To be continued...

Mountains with Thunder

The scene before my very eyes is too powerful to photograph.  The picture would be flat, without life.
This happening is ALIVE.  It is a moment in time that is unable to be captured.  It is spirit… spontaneity and continuous change….for every moment is full of the arousal of the senses.
This ALIVENESS has the capacity to capture us…change us…  "BE HERE NOW! the mountains and the thunder bellow to me.  Share what we have to offer… Share in our gifts.  Let us MOVE you!"

The thunderheads continue to roll in and the wispy clouds rise up from the valley floor in reverence to the sky.  The blue grey mountains ascend above the layer of clouds.  I see them gently spiraling north in their pattern of rising steadily and then returning to the earth.  The valley before me is a thousand shades of green as Spring's palette is vast and infinite.

I can hear you growing and stretching upward with all the rain that has soaked the bones.  The rain subsides momentarily.... the constant dripping from the newly born leaves fills my ears with an ancient rhythm.  I hear crow calling me off in the distance far, far away.  "I am here! I am here!"

The thunder is almost continuous now with the occasional flash of lightening to make sure we are all paying attention.  The clouds all in a line just below the mountain ridge seem to change direction and now gently float south and rise to new levels.  Many calls from feathered ones surround the place where I sit.

The thunder gets louder.  It shakes the ground mightily with its majestic roar.  A splintering bolt of pure light energy comes hurling out of the billowing mass right in front of me and yells "RIGHT HERE!" This is where… I.. am...."  

Seemingly out of nowhere, the void is filled….the clouds move in and make the air thick.  I can smell them strongly... for these clouds hold every scent in the universe …every flower, every animal, every ray of sunlight, every bit of darkness….
And just like that…there are no mountains, or trees, or birds or anything.  I am in the midst of the clouds, enveloped by elemental energy.  It is nothing but a thousand shades of white and grey, light and dark.
The rains return in a hurry.
It is pure magic.



Affirmation of the day: I am so happy and grateful to feel so connected to the universe.  

Oh, Spring!

I got to this moment right here.  I couldn't take it any longer.  I flung down my backpack, pulled out my notebook and pen and began a story.  Tears stream down my cheeks as I write the words. The wonder and amazement of it all……It simply feels like magic.  That is exactly what it is and nothing less.

Dwarf Iris

…..

The woods are different now.  In Spring, every day in the woods is completely different from the next…. blooming, unfurling, opening, regenerating, reproducing…
It is absolutely mind boggling.… every moment is ...changing …evolving. from. one. moment. to. the. next….
It happens right before our very eyes.  It is the miracle of life itself.
Spring is the time of our rebirth, too.  It is exactly what we have been waiting for.
These are exciting times.  We must sow our seeds with intention.

In the woods I feel aliveness.  I am aliveness.  I feel the connection to all that is.  I lay completely still on the ground with all the aliveness all around me.
I am the clouds sliding by and the warm sun on my skin…  the gentle breeze blowing my hair around in circles…..the smell of the warm leaves and damp earth…. the rustling of leaves… a cricket and then a squirrel calling back.
This is it!  To be totally alive and KNOW you are a part of this.  You and I.  This is the magic in every moment.
….

Not too long ago, my trail was clear and open…views long and wide.  I now have a deep tunnel of green that embraces me fully…. my arms and legs...caressing me like long lost souls…they call to each other.  And to me.

The Blackberry brambles stretch daintily into my path. Grabbing my sleeves and pant legs… begging me to stay… lulling me into a false safety by their pretty white flowers and sweet scent of honey.
I must move on… see what else has changed since yesterday!
…A new Trillium I have not ever seen in that spot before appeared before my very eyes.  She nods shyly in the wind.  The Ferns are a thick green carpet on either side of me.  The warm sun makes them smell like sweet Hay.
A gentle breeze sends them all…. tall and tiny…into a fit of waving and dancing and laughing...gently calling my name.

Large White Trillium

…..

The shiny wild ginger leaves proudly show their heart to all that pass.   Red maple seedlings litter the ground like tiny flags. Wintergreen and Rattlesnake Weed bravely unfurl themselves upward toward the sky.  Dwarf Iris and Violets rise in a huge congregation…  Jack in the pulpit rises to the occasion.  He accidentally hides under Mayapple's friendly and extraordinary leaves.

The longer I sit here the more I belong here.


Affirmation of the day: I am so happy and grateful that I experience magic in every moment.

Gratitude for the Gift of Green...

I have received a very special gift from my husband.  I have been gifted the mindset of "greenness".  I thought I was "green" when I met him, but I soon learned that there was a lot more I could be doing.  I can remember a time when I thought because I recycled, composted, gardened, and I brought my own reusable bag to the grocery store I was eco-friendly.  

Ha! When I first met my husband, he was in the process of installing solar panels on the roof of the house…..By himself.  It was an amazing process to watch.  It takes rewiring the whole house and installing quite a few pieces of equipment to regulate the power coming in to the panels.  I learned a great deal about how it all works.  Now I cannot figure out why we don't see more solar panels on rooftops…they're awesome!

He was also in the process of building a clothes drying rack out of 2 x 4's.  I can honestly say I have not used the clothes dryer in the laundry room even once.  It would not occur to me to use it, as the clothes rack is a beautiful way to dry your clothes….the wrinkles fall right out.   Plus, clothes dryers use a gargantuan amount of electricity…more than the solar panels can handle.  I have not missed it.  It is really quite a meditative practice…the hanging of clothes on the line and then taking them off and folding them.  I have grown not only accustomed to it but I enjoy it.  I use it as an opportunity to practice being completely in the moment.

Another way I have "greened" my thinking is that I also drive a lot more consciously than I used to.  Not only do I enjoy the more peaceful method of driving I now employ, but I also know I am treating the planet with care by coasting downhill (or hyper-miling as some call it), setting the cruise control on 60mph, and just generally being intentional while I am driving.  It has made driving so much more peaceful no matter where I am.  It has become a great habit.  

My husband is very committed to this way of living and it reflects his core beliefs.  He absolutely refuses to have anything to do with a plastic bag.  If we end up shopping and for some (unusual) reason do not have a reusable bag, I have seen a cart full of groceries hauled out to the car Costco style… no bags.  I admire and respect this dedication to the planet.  He has inspired me.  I am proud to have my default attitude automatically think of the most efficient and "green" way to do something.  

I realize now that everything we do is simply habit.  We train ourselves to act based on the familiar and routine.  It doesn't take much effort to CHOOSE to think differently about our behavior.  

I choose to find new ways to be more efficient, and less dependent on the disposable items that have become so prevalent in our society.  

Setting intention really works.  I hardly ever forget my reusable shopping bags when I go to the grocery store!

Thank you, Drew.

Affirmation of the day: I am so happy and grateful my natural behavior is in balance and harmony with the earth.

Revisiting Balance.....

This is a print of the original drawing balance. She has been mounted on a painted wood panel  and bejeweled. 

$95

She can be viewed in the etsy store... click here. 

I'm Slow and I'm Proud...

Something that I have gratefully learned from my husband is the art of driving 60mph, calmly, and with intention. As someone that grew up driving in the crazy city of Atlanta, I always seemed to think the idea was to "Go with the flow" and drive just like everyone else. Cities such as Atlanta have a group mentality teeming with chaotic energy.  If you're not conscious about it, you might look down and be surprised to see your speedometer registering a high rate of speed without even realizing it.  I know this has happened to me on more than one occasion. 

When I met my husband he was the first person I had ever met that actually drove 55 or 60 mph ...on the interstate.... on purpose. 

Now of course he has friends that make fun of his pokey driving, but he has a wonderful explanation besides the fact it is usually the posted speed limit. ... it will seriously help your gas mileage and therefore is one of the best things you can do for the environment. 

However, the best reason is, IT IS SO MUCH LESS STRESSFUL.  When I found myself driving to the crazy city last Friday I realized I have not driven to Atlanta in quite a long time... in fact so long I couldn't even remember when the last time was. I set the cruise control at 60 and made my way south. I was so surprised by how calm I felt, driving 60 intentionally, and not "fighting" traffic but creating my own bubble of calm. Actually, it was the most serene I have ever felt driving in a city ....ever. 

So I ask you this...the next time you're driving on the highway or interstate do you think it's worth saving money, gas, as well as the planet AND your sanity, to get there five minutes later? If you don't do this already, try it, you just might be surprised.





Today's Affirmation:  "I am so happy and grateful that calmness is my natural state.

Ancient Spirit Stick

***SOLD***

 The Ancient Spirit Stick is a unique and powerful wand. She shows us that by honoring our Earth Mother, we can harvest all the blessings we send out to her. Embracing gratitude in our very presence can transform our world. 

This special wand measures approximately 16" long. She is adorned with three clear quartz crystal points, unakite, agate, shells, shell beads, tigers eye, thread/cord, beads, an antique chinese coin, vine wire, and a sharks tooth. She is imbued with magic and ready to help you manifest all of your wildest dreams! Instructions enclosed in package. See bottom of page for information about qualities of some of the gemstones.

The following gemstone information has been taken from "The Crystal Bible: A definitive Guide to Crystals" by Judy Hall

QUARTZ is the most powerful healing and energy amplifier on the planet. It stimulates the immune system and brings the body back in to balance. Quartz also raises energy to the highest possible level.

AGATE is a grounding stone, bringing about an emotional, physical, and intellectual balance. It also aids in centering and stabilizing physical energy. Psychologically, Agate gently facilitates acceptance of one’s self. This builds self-confidence and aids self-analysis and perception of hidden circumstances, bringing to your attention anything that is interfering with your well-being.

TIGER'S EYE combines the earth energy with the energies of the sun to create a high vibrational state and enhances psychic abilities. This stone assists in accomplishing goals, recognizing inner resources and promoting clarity of intention. It grounds and facilitates manifestation of the will.

Six million and counting...



Lovely park in the center of Buckhead



      For the better part of the last eight years, I have spent my life in a small country town.  It was my choice, my dream in fact, to be in rural Georgia and after spending the past week back in my childhood city of Atlanta; I realize now why I make that choice.  Besides obvious reasons like the beauty of silence, as well as the sounds of nature, darkness…watching the moon rise and actually seeing stars in the sky, vast forests where the trees do not have to push their roots up through concrete, breathing in deeply and experiencing clean, fresh air…and don’t even get me started about city water…Gag.... the most profound difference is the energy.  I always notice the intensity that seems to come over me as I travel down the highway from the country four-lane into the throbbing, frenetic 14 lanes of I-75, and it is real.  It is a frantic and chaotic energy that makes me scrunch my shoulders up without even realizing I am doing it.  The city with its now six MILLION inhabitants (that’s right 6,000.000!)  is overflowing with an anxious energy that reaches out its tentacles and sucks you into the vortex. 

I have been staying here, without a vehicle, and have done all the things I needed to do including grocery shopping, on foot.  It has been an enlightening experience and I am grateful to be in a place that has so much to offer in a five-mile radius.  I have spent the last few days walking up and down the heart of this city and have passed many people along the way.  Everyone is in such a huge hurry.  Not just the people in the cars inevitably stacked up at the numerous traffic lights, but even the pedestrians.  The sidewalks are filled with people that appear to have some giant invisible beast in hot pursuit.  They don’t look up, they don’t make eye contact, and they certainly don’t talk to you.  Well, being the instigator of well, I don’t really know what, I have been intentionally talking to everyone I see.  Smiling as big as I can, saying, “Hello, what a beautiful spring-like day we have today!” and other such small talk.  I am pretty sure they think I am either crazy, or “she’s not from around here…” ha! I am from here.  I am from exactly here!” Although I might also be crazy because I do in fact feel like I am from another planet. 

This brings me to another difference between overcrowded cities and where I live.  It is most definitely the people.  You see, I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The mountains, the rivers, the forests, the expansive sky full of infinite possibility….these gifts are all so special, so sacred.  The people that live here know it.  Even if they grew up in a place like this, they still know, deep within themselves, that they are connected to it.  There is something so divine in this land that goes beyond physical beauty.  It is a peace that resides in the soul that can be called upon in the blink of an eye. 

I understand the importance of cities and that they exist for a reason.  They just seem to grow so BIG...and so BUSY.  Why is everyone in such a dang hurry? You just don't see too many "sleepy" cities.  My question is, do you think it is too late for humans?  Are we so far down the rabbit hole there is no turning back?  Although sometimes I get discouraged when I see how we treat the earth and the creatures living on it, I do not believe this to be true.  I believe we can all… together, create the loving, peaceful, abundant world we all dream of living in.  Gandhi knew.  He said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.  What do you think would happen if we ALL did that?

The Changing of Time...

The time changed last Saturday.  Even though the “time change” is a manual and physical changing of time, it still affects us on a deep level.  Our concept of daytime and nighttime as well as sunrise and sunset completely change in one single moment.  Shifting time is where all the hands wind down for a split second- only to be thrust forward or backward on the wheel of life.  It goes against everything in the natural world.  No wonder it is so discombobulating. 

I am not sure about everyone else, but I get thrown out of whack for a day or two every time it happens…At least in the world where clock time is important. 

I saw this picture and it made me laugh.  I believe Daylight Savings Time is generally a good thing because it reduces the amount of electricity being used in most geographic locations.  Gone are the days where we rise with the sun and retire with the moon.  Now digital displays tell us what to do.  Hmmm.