About

Off I go

by 8hummingbirdway

I am flying to Africa today, to a place where the people are more connected to their tribal origins. (Children speak their tribal language until they attend school.)

I hope to connect deeply to this continent and to her people.

I hope to know my son better and to be delighted by his good company.

I hope to be my best self, whatever that means in each moment.

I know I will have the opportunity to work with some Ugandan children.

I know I will be able to connect to Mother Earth in this new (to me) place.

I know my helping spirits will be available to me.

I know I will ask each morning for Creator to guide my steps.

I know I will turn myself over each day to the day’s events and needs and blessings.

I have brought some small gifts – a beloved stone for the continent itself, a work tool for the children, and some crystals and a feather, etc. for …I don’t know who will show up on my path! There will be drivers and teachers and people who make food for us.

I know this will be the trip of a lifetime!

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Evolution of Humanity and Earth

by 8hummingbirdway

One of the most wonderful things that I have learned from Sri Pune is that as each of us embraces change and healing and release of old patterns, we support the ability of others and of humanity as a whole to heal, change, and release patterns.

The personal work that individuals are doing is bringing a magnified and manyfold healing!

Norlen’s website is now active, featuring Sri Pune, at norlenlinn.com Soon it will be available at the bottom of each page on this website.

Recently I had the opportunity to ask some questions of Sri Pune with a couple of friends and one of them asked a question about the origin of the evolution of humanity and the planet at this time. Sri Pune has often spoken about frequency adjustments and healing for humanity and the planet. Today they were more detailed.

The response included the plans and intentions of the Cosmos in relation to planetary evolution. They spoke of the Cosmos as a sentient being.

Specifically regarding this 3rd dimensional construct of our planet Earth …the planet allows for this evolution, and it is a pre-ordained evolution. Layers of realities have unfolded over time which contain an understanding, and have been gathering information, allowing for a new evolvement of frequencies. These changes are automatically occurring and have already been taking place for a number of years. As the planet itself evolves, it evolves the minds of humans. These layers of realities allow for the evolution. The changes in frequencies and a change in light is speeding up and is supported by beings of light that surround the planet. This evolvement is connected to the entire universe and connects to the current evolution of humanity.

I’ve done my best to paraphrase and convey the message I heard. I often find new aspects to each message each time I read or listen to it. It was a very inspiring and moving message, and to visualize the movements as Sri Pune encircled the planet with Norlen’s hands was also moving. (Unfortunately, the video had issues.)

A link to the audio recording is below – it’s an informal conversation and you will have to fast forward 5 minutes to hear the question and the full channeled message I am referring to in this post. (If you start from the beginning, there will be about 25 seconds of silence.)

Link to audio recording (about 6 minutes):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GealM5FFCvmas8coD83AJIRc5afqSJYu/view

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Very small lots for sale

by 8hummingbirdway

This morning I woke from a dream of looking at several tiny lots for sale. They were 2″ X 2″ – just a tiny speck of land. They were all on the road on the edge of someone’s property. I was considering them as a good place to place a candle and light it and my friends and I would form a circle “around” it on the road (a dirt road). We would pray or sing or share heartfelt stories – I’m not sure what the entire plan was.

The last one I looked at was on the edge of the property that I lived on for 25 years in Summit. It was a lovely little spot, but the owner came over with a bulldozer and pushed the soil towards me and I backed off. I guess he didn’t want anyone – or me – to own this spot. I can understand that.

I woke up and I thought again of the land I love in Summit. It was my dream home and I’m so grateful to have lived there.

I realized that in the Spring or Summer I could take a walk in the woods the way I often did. I could enter on the road. My neighbor didn’t mind me walking his logging roads, which were extensive. He had significantly more acreage than I. I think I will check with him in the Spring to see if it’s ok. And then I can revisit the lovely woods and some favorite trees and rocks. And maybe I will sneak quietly over to visit briefly with Grandmother Tree. I wonder if the wood chimes I left her are still there.

If it’s Summer, I know where there is a sprinkling of raspberries along the road.

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Should Public School Offer More?

by 8hummingbirdway

The dream I had recently about the special course for 10 year old girls has brought me to thinking about what might be lacking in our existing education system. There is SO much in life that I was unequipped to navigate with grace or wisdom when I left home.

Ideally, all the life skills we need would be learned in the home, but who tells their children about the demands and expectations of parenthood – the challenges, disciplinary options, the importance of honoring the child, of listening to them? Some of these things are taught by example. But this depends on the family. Even the specific stages that children go through would be extremely helpful for future parents to understand.

What other things are important for young adults to know?

How about going on mock interviews, learning to present themselves well, and be educated about workplace expectations and dynamics? (Be on time, be presentable, use good manners, clean up after yourself.)

Should children be taught in school about what it takes to live in partnership? Some of some basics about living with one’s chosen partner – blessings, pitfalls and all? How to communicate and navigate interpersonal challenges. (Treat your partner with kindness and carry your own weight.)

Not specific religious teachings, but …something of ethics, honesty, integrity and the skills of personal sacrifice. What it means to be the best kind of human, how to walk in personal balance, and what it means to honor others.

What if young adults were provided techniques that assist one to find inner peace – or even taught the concept of inner peace.

How fruitful would it be to have class discussions about the elements of a rewarding life – and versions of what that might be?

The differences between males and females were very confusing to me for many years. Should all children learn about the differences between the male and female of our species?

What kind of a world would we be creating if we provided this kind of knowledge in a neutral and informational way, facilitating open discussion?

I understand parents wanting to teach their own children values and I totally support that. I homeschooled my younger children for 4 years and I know the commitment, devotion, time and love that goes into it, as well as the valuable family time gained.

Interest, involvement and teachings from one’s parents is a blessing

However, in many families, public school is responsible for providing knowledge. If parents can’t read, their children are taught to read in school. If parents are uncomfortable with numbers, their children gain at least a rudimentary knowledge of the basics in school. What other information and training should be provided for a productive and satisfying life?

I consider it of a matter of great importance what children are taught. They will be the parents and neighbors and citizens and leaders of our future. They will create a future that is beyond what we can imagine. I believe we should give them all the tools we can.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

I’m Having a Soulful Time

by 8hummingbirdway

My husband went away for 5 days to ride bikes and play miniature golf, etc. – and eat fish in Florida with his son.

I have the house to myself and I am doing as I please.

I can practice the fiddle at 3am. I can sleep strange hours. I can play podcasts and French lessons and my astrology class and music out loud all day long if I want. I don’t, because I enjoy the quiet too.

I can eat my favorite food and have meals at random times if I please. I can (and must) do some final preparation for my trip to Africa. I get on an airplane in 7 days.

[The 3 cats are mad at me even though I’m petting them, talking to them, scooping their litter, providing clean water and giving them their prescribed treats and snacks. They seem to think I’m responsible for their favorite person being gone and are keeping their distance. I’m slightly miffed, but can’t say I’m overly impacted by the cats. Petunia (my favorite) has been in the basement for 2 days, but this morning she came up and decided I could pet her, scratch her head and sit by her for a few minutes. Now she’s gone again. She is a persnickety one.]

I do have to water plants, feed birds, etc., but otherwise I am as free as a bird.

Yesterday I had a chiropractor appointment to make sure I’m in good form for my trip.

I also had a bodywork appointment with Gretchen Cosgrove, who is a blessing in my life. I credit her with returning me from a bicycle accident I had that almost killed me (handle bar to trachea) nearly 3 years ago …back to LIFE! I feel 100% myself again, which is amazing. I am extremely grateful for the deep and varied aspects of healing that she has brought to me. I highly recommend Gretchen for massage, energy work, anything she offers. She is a soul and body healer of outstanding ability and presence and love.

I will be adding a link to her website (currently under revision) to my info bar at the bottom of each page.

I asked Gretchen for overall balancing and work on my heart chakra because Sri Pune said it would benefit my connection to my son. I have been trying to “allow a frequency adjustment in my heart that will assist me to develop a new pathway of my heart” as advised. Allowing is sometimes hard for me – it’s so vague. But I do have a sense of when I’m successful. There was definitely a shift today in my heart.

Shortly after Gretchen attended to my heart, her hand hovering steadily over the chakra, I started to see waves of color. A couple minutes later I started to feel sadness, which increased and solidified. I remembered something my husband said to me a couple months ago that was impactful and unsettling. I had buried it, but now it has surfaced again and is looking for light. While he is away is a perfect time to unearth it and see what needs to be done to allow it to be put to rest.

My husband and my marriage are blessings to me, but marriage is not always easy to navigate. There are times when we feel hurt, whether or not the hurt is intended.

I am extremely grateful for this time, just for me.

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Time Brings Change

by 8hummingbirdway

When I visited my closest friend just after she gave birth, there was an incident in which her baby ejected projectile diarrhea on a wall 5 feet away. It was nothing I’d ever seen before – amazing! 100 years ago it would have been in bad taste to tell anyone about this, and I don’t think my grandmother would have appreciated it 50 years ago. In those days we had to be protected from this aspect of life. (Shameful bodily functions such as defecating!) And it wasn’t a normal baby poop event, hence …additionally shameful?

Bodily functions were definitely not discussed by my grandmother. I’m sure she contended with baby poop regularly, but it was the woman’s domain and my grandfather was protected from it. And yes, shame was part of this package of secrecy.

Over time it has become standard for both parents to contend with diaper changes. This familiarity and comfort helps to diffuse the impact of shame significantly.

You get the idea. Defecation and feces has been normalized over time. Today, you might not enjoy visualizing the event I described, but most people don’t give it another thought.

I’m hoping that in another 50 or 100 years we humans will be more comfortable with our bodies – maybe enough to discuss sex with ease. I know the younger generations have made strides forward in this arena.

Sexual abuse, other forms of abuse, and human trafficking also need to be brought into the light of awareness. Associated shame needs to be healed. Hopefully there will be no place for these harmful realities in our world in the next century.

I also hope we will be more knowledgeable about what is now called mental illness and addiction. The move to consider them not the fault of the person, and the recognition of heredity are positive movements toward the eradication of shame. I predict we will eventually be able to discuss all of these matters without shame coming into play within ourselves – or in the reactions of others. It will be as appropriate as poop.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Becoming a Woman

by 8hummingbirdway

Last night I had a dream that the daughter of an old friend of mine, had taken a course on what it is to be a woman. My friend Willa and I were young mothers again and our daughters were around 10. After taking the class, there was a noticeable difference in Stephanie. She walked taller. She was more serene, Others in her family recognized her place and honored her. She had confidence and a certainty in who she was. She had become integral in her family and helped with her younger siblings and what we think of as “feminine” chores. Her parents were also involved in the course to some extent, but mostly it was a teaching for her. The entire family had changed, though.

Instead of becoming more removed from the family and rebellious, as teenagers do, she had learned to honor herself and understood the best of what it is to be female, feminine in a strong and gentle way and intuitive way.

Others of us in the community learned of the course and started to send our daughters. Even though some of them were a bit older, they and their families benefited from it.

Part of the requirements of the course (for the daughter) was to write about it. I remember reading what Stephanie wrote and the contents blew me away. It was clearly a sacred experience for her, helping her to explore and know more about her individual path ahead, removing fears and uncertainties.

It seemed to be a sacred path.

[As I write about it now, I have a niggling doubt. Would serenity at the age of 10 be a positive outcome? Don’t our daughters (and sons?) need to rebel, to pull away from their families? Were they being programmed in some way in this course I dreamed of? Then I thought of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, and the way that these stories and others of their time depict girls and women more like Stephanie in my dream – having clear steps to walk to align with their mothers. They didn’t have to rebel, because life did not present the discrepancies and disharmonies that we know today. In the dream there was no feeling that the girls were repressed – just a more mature, self-aware, and balanced movement toward adulthood.]

The course in my dream was definitely a sacred offering. Many of the daughters in our community started to take the course. There was a course for boys too – but my son and Stephanie’s brothers were too young at the time for me to know much about it in the dream. There was a shift in the community and a rejoicing to be turning to sacred ways that honor us individually.

I feel blessed to have received the dream. It speaks to me of hope.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Last Night I had the Strangest Dream

by 8hummingbirdway

I did had a powerful dream last night and I’m going to tell about it soon.

As I started writing, I found myself typing the words in this title. They are the words of a song dear to my heart. I used to sing it to my children often at bedtime.

Maybe you know the song. It was written by American folk singer-songwriter Ed McCurdy in 1950. I believe I heard it from Pete Seeger.

Here are the words, and I posted the tune below if you want to learn it.

Last night I had the strangest dream I ever dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room filled with women and men*

And the papers they were writing said they’d never fight again

And when the papers all were signed and a million copies made

They all joined hands and bowed their heads and grateful prayers were prayed

And the people in the the streets below were dancing round and round

And guns and swords and uniforms were scattered on the the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream I ever dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war

*(I changed “men” to “women and men” for my children).

Here’s a version by Pete Seeger. He goes on to sing more songs, so you’ll have to end the recording.

Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream (youtube.com)

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Hello Fear

by 8hummingbirdway

Early this morning I woke up early (2:30am – not unusual for me). I used the bathroom and returned to bed, still groggy, hoping I would be able to return to sleep. A bit later I heard the sound of my cell phone notifying me of a message. For some reason, fear struck my belly at this sound. I didn’t get up to check the phone, which I usually turn off before bed; I knew that if there was an emergency I’d get a call.

But the fear didn’t go away. After an hour or so I got up.

The fear is in the pit of my stomach. It took it’s place in an instant. I don’t know why it occurred in this way, but I do know what it’s about. In 2 weeks I will be boarding an airplane that will take me to Africa, into the unknown. My son will arrive a few hours before me and meet my plane, and just yesterday I asked him how to proceed if something held him up and he wasn’t there. He sent me a map for the air bnb. He made sure the contact person had my name as well as his, and that I had her phone number. He arranged for a driver to meet me if there was some flight delay on his journey. I’m grateful and I have released that specific concern.

For the most part, I have been avoiding sharing my fears with my son. He has traveled extensively since the age of 13. First with his dad, then on his own, and that kind of fear is not in him.

My fears are vague and general. Very long flights with stopovers of 4-6 hours. Worry about getting sleep, having food, my final packing process with limited weight and size of carry-on’s allowed by the 5 different airlines. There are so many details. (What if I end up having to check something and its lost? We will not be staying in one place for the duration.)

It took me a good part of 2 days to figure out flights. I think that was where the anxiousness arose at first.

And then – what if I don’t have the right clothes? I learned that women in the villages we would visit wear long skirts. And I would want to wear certain colors; not black and blue – my favorites – which attract tsetse flies, which can cause African sleeping sickness. And we will be going on a Gorilla Trek – which is exciting and unsettling – and requires specific gear and knowledge and could be an 8 hour hike. And I needed a yellow fever immunization to enter Congo. Not an easy thing to find. And my primary health insurance carrier does not cover out of the country and I had to figure that out. So there has been a flurry of activity and I learn more daily. And fresh worries arise daily.

I’m grateful that my son has handled the visas and the accommodations and hiring drivers and the flight between Uganda and Rwanda. He is sometimes short on information, but he assured me yesterday that we can buy anything I forget or can’t fit.

My husband is nervous about my safety, and my son has said twice that it’s been years since an American was murdered or kidnapped. (I’m not sure how reassuring that would be if this was my concern.) In all honesty this is not where my fears lie. I trust this trip. I trust my life path and I’m not afraid of death. (I don’t think my path is to spend the rest of my days in a Congo prison, but if it is, I will navigate it and learn from it and exemplify kindness and wisdom to the best of my ability. I have lived a good life and my kids are grown up.)

Nothing could stop me from going on this trip with my son.

I am at ease with people of all cultures here on this soil. And I’m excited about experiencing being white in a black culture. And simply being there!

I’ve let go of all my food preferences and restrictions and am not worried about what I’ll eat.

It’s going to be hot and humid, not my favorite but I don’t fear it. I will bring long underwear in case of freezing air conditioning or lack of blankets.

It’s something about the “unknown-ness” of this looming trip and the passage of time.

I am not a world traveler. I love road trips and have traveled around the US a fair amount. I truly can’t say why this is so different for me.

I do not enjoy flying, mostly because of lack of personal space. I have had moments of uneasiness on airplanes, but I know it’s safer than a car. I don’t fear flying if I have to – not much, at least.

I am generally not a fearful person.

Initially I was not afraid. But as time has pulled me closer to my departure date, I have experienced anxiety and agitation …and now outright fear. I learned a few days ago that connecting to the Earth helps me to release anxiety and agitation, and I’m guessing that it will help me if I go out and stand on the ground. I’m going to go do that now, in the safety of the quiet dark morning in my back yard.

It does help to know that it’s the same Earth in Africa as it is here in upstate NY.

I can’t wait to meet this part of the planet and her people!

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About my recent story of Jerry

by 8hummingbirdway

The story of trauma I told in my last post is a story of deep harm and tragedy. My friend was taught to carry shame. However, I’m guessing that nobody has a problem with me telling this story. The greater public does not react with discomfort about me sharing this story. Yes horror. Yes sadness. Hopefully compassion. Perhaps judgement toward the father or towards gun-owners or toward hunters. But no personal shame exists fundamentally in this story. And I am not expected to keep silent.

I am, however, expected to keep silent about other, more sensitive topics that touch upon what we perceive to be shameful. Our culture treats abuse (especially sexual abuse), mental illness, and addiction as shameful topics. Shame for the “victim.” The perpetrator is often protected by the secrecy that results from the abused person’s shame, and the family is protected by their own silence (resulting from shame) regarding mental illness and addiction.

I’m certain there are other categories that carry this kind of shame and secrecy. Sex workers and homelessness come to mind – and there is overlap in all of these categories. But the circumstances of abuse, mental illness and addiction are the circumstances I am personally familiar with.

In telling about my friend’s birthday party or the birth of her son, I am not crossing the line of what is appropriate to share. If I tell about the accident she had or the time her house was broken into I am not crossing the line. If she is murdered I am not crossing the line. But if she is raped or tortured by her husband …it’s private and I am crossing the line of shame to mention it. If she takes a medication that causes a reaction, that’s ok to share, but not a mental reaction, or an addiction, because I am now calling shame upon her.

Are you starting to see what I mean by dirty little secrets and about my feeling concern about our silence – to keep everyone comfortable, and to sustain the status quo?

What is wrong with our sense of right and wrong?

The reality is that people are being hurt by their “loved ones” – both sexually and in other ways. People are diagnosed with mental illness or discover themselves (or their children/mates) to be addicts. And we are expected to keep it to ourselves – secret, hidden.

Would people think it was wrong of me to tell this story if Jerry was about my brother? They might. Some would worry about the impact on him and perhaps on my father, the hunter. The thought and belief is that I should be more protective about family members.

These same concerns exist if stories are told about family members who may have experienced addiction, family members who have been challenged with mental illness, or family members who perpetrated or experienced sexual abuse.

I do not agree with this keeping of dirty little secrets because we are family or because abuse, mental illness or addiction are shameful.

They aren’t shameful; they are conditions of harm. Those who suffer these versions of harm are many. These multitudes who walk among us every day need healing and compassion. However, the healing is not available when we keep these matters in the dark. And compassion does not result if silence is the order of the day.

I do understand about privacy. But the people I have been writing about do not share my last name, nor do they live in my community. I have not exposed them personally. But I am sharing the deep impact that their harm, hurt, and injury has had on me, on my soul, and on my life path.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.