Sunday, September 19, 2010

Caring Too Much

Have you ever felt like you cared "too much" about someone? Your child? Your parents? Your friend? Your spouse or significant other?

In the earlier days of my life I thought care for another person meant doing the things for them that they could do for themselves.

I know today that caring means action from a place of love and support, not from a place of control or constraint. My attempts to care for lovers or loved ones where really my own misguided attempts to quell my inner struggle with personal demons of abandonment, loss and death. By focusing on others I could temporarily avoid the sense of bondage I had to my own insanity and cascading emotional decompensation.

In my marriage today I am invited to be "in relationship," everyday. From the altar of "to have and to hold, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish . . ."
We don't marry by accident. We are drawn to the partner who will help us grow into the best person we can be through provoking that which were are most afraid to face.

When I sit in my compassionate heart and allow LOVE to guide my actions I demonstrate devotional care. When my heart and mind are in alignment with God's Will for me, I am blessed to have the "real eyes" to see my husband's love for me through the actions driven by divine motives.

Care is a natural by-product of love. Love is a complex process that takes us deep into our own chambers and may take years to cultivate. A few simple actions can put me on the right path. If I point my compass towards True North, I am bound to find my way.

Sometimes the very best I can do is keep my mouth shut and stay on my side of the street.



Sharon Murriguez, Julianna and James, #7839

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: May 27, 2007; Canon 20D; f/5 @ 1/25 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 1600; 41mm.

Photographer uncertain; attributed to Eric R. Murriguez

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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Rattling the Bones

As we are born into this life, we come in skin wrapped around our ancestors. The bones that compose our bodies link us physically to our ancestors.

Human beings at the most basic level are dermis wrapped around carbon infused with DNA that connects us to the Divine. Within our bones we are connected to the beginning of the world. The dust swirling in the universe since the Big Bang -- which gave birth to the stars -- is the same dust that is encrypted in our bones.


Thus our very skeletons are inescapably intertwined with the eternal substance of all existence. The physical and genetic connection to those who have come before us empower us through their never forgotten wisdom, traditions, magic and stories.

Maturity brings growth. Spiritual and physical growth includes pain. Growing bones bring forth the full knowledge of who we are, based on our very design.

Our bones are at once strong, and fragile. They hold us upright and create our form. They can fuse, fracture, and break.


Our bones heal. They repair, renew and reveal "the ancient way" of carrying ourselves through life.

At death, when we shed our body, the skin decays but the bones linger. Eventually they too return to the Great Mother as dust, ash, and the building blocks of matter.

Rattling the bones of my ancestors brings to life the rhythm of my people. The stories, wisdom and dance of my ancestors is forever available.

Now it is my turn to dance!

I MUST rattle the bones to know my ancestral alchemy because I have a young maiden and daughter who carries within her bones the archetypal and genetic fact of her own magnificence.

Today, I will dance the dance and sing to the songs of my ancestors.


Today, I celebrate myself as a permanent part of my ancestral lineage.

Are you good to your bones?
Are you connected to your history and ancestors?
How does your ancestral connection shape your life purpose?

Make the time in this life to know your ancestors, those living and dead.





Genesis, #0405

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 14, 2010; Canon 20D; f/5.6 @ 1/1000 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 400; 100mm.

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