Debra Basham

Living and Loving

Tag: communication

  • Small Seed of Faith

    It was late in the evening of a long day and it had been a very emotionally difficult week when her friend shared an  11-minute video which the friend found very funny. She did not laugh.

    “You did not think it was funny?” the friend asked.

    “I did not find it funny. It was long and just not my cup of tea,” she could see hurt in her friend’s eyes and it brought up painful emotions around differences they were navigating in their preferences.

    Still processing the following morning she wrote in her journal: What might I do differently, if I could do it over?

    “You did nothing wrong, Dear One,” was the immediate response she heard in her heart/mind.

    She did a bit more writing in her journal and ended the entry with a question, “Is there anything we could/can learn from the exchange?”

    Checking email, she immediately recognized the answer to her question arrived in the “Daily Reflection”:

    Come back to the place inside you, over and over and over again, where that small seed of faith lies and nurture that seed with the reminder, “We are both right. I am seeing it through my senses and he or she through his or her senses. I do not have to prove them wrong, nor do I have to feel threatened.”

    “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

     

  • Pluto

    Here is a new spiritual practice for you:
    don’t take your thoughts too seriously.

    ~ Stillness Speaks, by Eckhart Tolle

    Overall our co-housing continues to go well here in Port Charlotte. I am noticing a subtle communication pattern that feels a bit like argumentativeness or attachment to view. Note: I said a SUBTLE communication pattern.

    The content of the communication is irrelevant, other than there has to be something that reveals the pattern. We had fish for dinner. Fresh catch Sheepshead from Lon Maas.

    Dinner talk shifted from how good the fish was to a freshwater fish by that same name that Linda had become familiar with fishing Lake Erie. I mentioned my niece having caught a Sheepshead while she was visiting Pine Island about ten years ago and my first understanding that the salt-water Florida fish is Sheepshead (plural sheeps), while the freshwater fish is Sheephead (singular sheep). My niece had said, “I think I found Grandma Smith’s dentures!”

    Linda did a quick search and read aloud several tidbits, a couple of which were not at all what I thought I was remembering from the past. That was the end of our conversation. We went on with dinner and then played cards. But…. the following morning when I noticed my mind was still engaged, I did a quick search and opened to read:

    Sheepshead fish (Archosargus probatocephalus) are a species of ray-finned, predominantly marine fish commonly found along the eastern coastline of North America and South America. Sheepshead fish live in marine habitats and estuaries in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia in eastern Canada, down the eastern U.S. and Central American coastline, and as far south as southern Brazil. They are known for their front teeth, which can look uncannily like human teeth (opens in new tab). While sheepshead fish usually live in salt water and slightly salty brackish water, they are sometimes found in freshwater habitats in winter.

    Sheepshead fish should not be confused with a similarly named species of fish on North America’s western coastline called the California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher). While both fish species have teeth, they are not closely related and belong to different families.
    Sheepshead fish: Facts about the fish with ‘human’ teeth:

    Linda and I did talk about this some, specifically about how the browsers have a hand in shaping what information comes up in our searches. Years ago I was with three friends when we all put in the same key words using the same browser and totally different links came up for each of us. Whoa…

    An English professor wrote the words: “A woman without her man is nothing” on the chalkboard and asked the students to punctuate the sentence correctly.

    All of the males in the class wrote: “A woman, without her man, is nothing.”

    All of the females in the class wrote: “A woman: without her, man is nothing.”

    Punctuation is powerful. Words are powerful. Intention is powerful. Silence is powerful.

    The content of the next communication catalyst here in sunny Florida was palm oil. I will leave the conclusion to you: By the Way, Doctor, Is Palm Oil Good For You?, but after writing some in my journal about all of this, and talking to a friend who is fluent in all things metaphysical, I would note some of the current astrological influences written by Leah Whitehorse.

    February 16, 2023

      A strong karmic overtone is in the air. With Mercury’s square to the Nodes, we’re pressed to address a skipped step, a missed conversation or connection that is vital for our evolutionary journey. Independent thought, without rejection of the perspectives of others, is important now. Talk about your past, what you found difficult, what you overcame. Free your mind to move forwards.

      Today is the last time that the Sun will meet Saturn in Aquarius for almost 30 years. This then is the jewel in the crown of this transit, the illumination of ancient teachings, the foundation stone of innovative changes. Maybe we now understand the lesson, get a sense of a greater pattern or receive a glimpse of the future, a hint of things to come. Sitting at the feet of the Great Architect we learn that we have an integral part to play in the world. Step into your authority. Shoulder responsibilities with grace. Commit to your soul’s journey. You are capable. You are wise.

    On February 14, 2022, Leah wrote about the US Pluto Return:

      Pluto is a symbol for profound change, regeneration, cleansing. It is the phoenix born from the ashes, death and rebirth. As ruler of the underworld, Pluto rules all those things that are unseen. The unseen might be treasure – like diamonds and precious metals that form deep in the earth. Or the unseen might be crime, abuse, theft, the sleazy stuff that goes on behind closed doors.

    More from Stillness Speaks, by Eckhart Tolle:

      Throughout history humans have inflicted countless violent, cruel, and hurtful acts on each other, and continue to do so. Are they all to be condemned; are they all guilty? Or are those acts simply expressions of unconsciousness, an evolutionary stage that we are now growing out of?

      Jesus’ words, “Forgive them for they do not know what they do,” also apply to yourself.

      Silence is essential to remain loud and clear.

      My silence inspires me to find my own voice.

      Silence is the environment and atmosphere, the sacred vacuum into which God speaks.

      Silent people have the loudest hearts.

    In simple terms: Anything we did not totally clean up previously is getting stirred up. Everybody is going to be uneasy. We are going to experience anger. We can’t get out of it. Denial, projection, rationalization – none of the psychological defense mechanisms will protect us from Pluto. Because Pluto won’t let anything be hidden any more!

  • Comedy Can be Calming

    “All shall be well,
    and all shall be well
    and all manner of things shall be well.”

    ~ Julian of Norwich

    I heard a story years ago (and have shared it numerous times when appropriate) about a couple who arrived home with their newly purchased motor home. As they attempted to get it into their driveway, she was directing from outside the vehicle.

    “Honey, do you see the mailbox?” she called out.

    “I see it,” came his reply.

    As he inched closer to the mailbox, she asked again, “Honey, do you see the mailbox?” with a little more urgency.

    “I see the mailbox,” he called back, with minor annoyance developing.

    Inevitably now heading right for it, she yelled, “HONEY, DO YOU SEEEEEEEE THE MAILBOX?”

    “I SEEEEEEEEE THE MAILBOX!” he shouted back.

    CRASH!

    They were looking at two different mailboxes. The mailbox she was watching him bear down on was out of his vision. The mailbox he was carefully avoiding by looking in his mirror was blocked from her vantage point.

    It is not easy when we see things so differently. We may actually be looking at different things.

    Jeanne Robertson tells of a situation with her husband, whom she affectionately refers to as “Left Brain.”

    She asked him to go by the store for her. He grumbled about not wanting to be late for his badminton game. She promised to keep the list short enough he could scoot through the express lane.

    She gave him her list, and off he went.

      1 pound of butter
      2 large bottle of vanilla flavoring
      3 dozen eggs
      4 big tub of lard
      5 5# bag of sugar
      6 5# bag of all-purpose flour
      7 bottle of 7-Up (six pack with handles)

    When he returned from the store, it took Left Brain multiple trips to unload everything —- because he read her numbers on the list as quantities!!!!

    Imagine how long it will take to use 25 pounds of sugar and 30 pounds of flour….

    She had never written numbers on a list before, but she did it this time because the mailbox she was looking at was wanting to be sure he could go through the express lane. Oh, my….

    If you are a person who prays, just add a few extra intentions for all humans to realize our point of view is only ONE way of seeing things, and how important it is to learn from what we cannot see.

    Meanwhile, keep a sense of humor. Especially during difficulties.

  • Tree of Hope

    Right after posting this blog, I was gifted a box of blank cards titled “Tree of Hope.”
    I am posting again, with the new title and with the front of the card now included.

    Deep Spring Center
    Thought for Today

    “If you wish to live in (a certain city)
    what might block you from manifesting that move?
    Is there any question about your worthiness
    to live in a place that is most delightful to you?
    Any question about fear of getting what you want?
    The question here is not where you will live
    but how will you manifest the situation you seek,
    and that must be asked by,
    What blocks that manifestation?’
    Because when the blockage is gone
    then it can be allowed to manifest.”
    ~ Aaron

    Last week our big tree was removed. I have been sitting with the question Barbara Brodsky asked me about whether the tree still lives in my heart. (See my previous blog, “Does the tree still live in your heart?“) It took a few days to honor the intense sadness, but a couple of times I could see the empty space in the yard. I was able to feel an open space in my chest and abdomen. I was reminded of the way organs and limbs that have been removed remain energetically present. I also thought of all of the loved ones in spirit whom we feel and experience as here with us after the physical form is gone. My prayer became to allow my majestic tree to live in my heart.

    Monday afternoon our park owner stopped by our house because our water meter was needing some repair. After the repairs were made, I mentioned the removal of our tree. I told him how sad I had been over the removal. “I am not trying to get anyone in trouble, but you need to know that the tree workers told me they found no rot.”

    We walked out back together and stood together in the opening under the sun where the tree’s branches used to wave.

    “I am sorry,” he said, “I would have sworn this tree had rot in the crotch and was infested by ants.”

    Looking into his face, I shook my head, and repeated, “The workers told me they found no rot.”

    I felt the spirit of the tree bolster my heart as I continued, “This park is your business, but it is also our home. We need to be able to have open communication and to trust and respect one another.”

    “I could not agree more,” he replied. My heart felt his sincerity. It was as though the magnificent old tree was smiling at us. He, too, genuinely felt the loss. Maybe not his own loss, but definitely mine. He said he is still planning to remove other trees.

    “Is there something I could have done differently?” I ventured.

    “I have learned the importance of not dismissing a communication,” he said as we parted ways.

    I trust the old tree will continue communicating. I wish to live in a world where magnificent old trees and property managers recognize their value and contribution to our planet. I wish to live in a world where men listen to women and women forgive men when they don’t.

    It still remains what will become of the potential of the space here in our yard. A gazebo? A flowering tree? A small labyrinth? A fire pit?

    When we stop fighting with what is, we begin to see the infinite possibilities.

  • Infinite Possibilities

    Deep Spring Center
    Thought for Today

    “If you wish to live in (a certain city)
    what might block you from manifesting that move?
    Is there any question about your worthiness
    to live in a place that is most delightful to you?
    Any question about fear of getting what you want?
    The question here is not where you will live
    but how will you manifest the situation you seek,
    and that must be asked by,
    What blocks that manifestation?’
    Because when the blockage is gone
    then it can be allowed to manifest.”
    ~ Aaron

    Last week our big tree was removed. I have been sitting with the question Barbara Brodsky asked me about whether the tree still lives in my heart. (See my previous blog, “Does the tree still live in your heart?“) It took a few days to honor the intense sadness, but a couple of times I could see the empty space in the yard. I was able to feel an open space in my chest and abdomen. I was reminded of the way organs and limbs that have been removed remain energetically present. I also thought of all of the loved ones in spirit whom we feel and experience as here with us after the physical form is gone. My prayer became to allow my majestic tree to live in my heart.

    Monday afternoon our park owner stopped by our house because our water meter was needing some repair. After the repairs were made, I mentioned the removal of our tree. I told him how sad I had been over the removal. “I am not trying to get anyone in trouble, but you need to know that the tree workers told me they found no rot.”

    We walked out back together and stood together in the opening under the sun where the tree’s branches used to wave.

    “I am sorry,” he said, “I would have sworn this tree had rot in the crotch and was infested by ants.”

    Looking into his face, I shook my head, and repeated, “The workers told me they found no rot.”

    I felt the spirit of the tree bolster my heart as I continued, “This park is your business, but it is also our home. We need to be able to have open communication and to trust and respect one another.”

    “I could not agree more,” he replied. My heart felt his sincerity. It was as though the magnificent old tree was smiling at us. He, too, genuinely felt the loss. Maybe not his own loss, but definitely mine. He said he is still planning to remove other trees.

    “Is there something I could have done differently?” I ventured.

    “I have learned the importance of not dismissing a communication,” he said as we parted ways.

    I trust the old tree will continue communicating. I wish to live in a world where magnificent old trees and property managers recognize their value and contribution to our planet. I wish to live in a world where men listen to women and women forgive men when they don’t.

    It still remains what will become of the potential of the space here in our yard. A gazebo? A flowering tree? A small labyrinth? A fire pit?

    When we stop fighting with what is, we begin to see the infinite possibilities.