Tag: healing

Good news!

by 8hummingbirdway

For the past month I have been offering healing and information through channeling. Some have tapped into weekly healing sessions, some one time requests for healing and or information.

It is hard work. I need to spend several hours each morning preparing myself (reaching an appropriate frequency), channeling, then transcribing the session and sending them off when appropriate.

It’s demanding, and I am still learning to simply allow the information to simply arrive without my opinion/interference.

I wasn’t looking for a job, actually. But I was told in no uncertain terms that this is my path, my work, that I agreed to do this before this incarnation. I face criticism and I’ve had failures. I started attempting this in September, but it was only recently that I emailed 35 allies and offered my services.

People responded. I’ve had zoom sessions, questions emailed and texted, people come over to ask in person, I’ve traveled to the homes of others. I have 7 people who signed on for weekly healing.

I am so grateful for all this trust and practice. I am doing the work every day, and I am bringing forth love and my best self every day.

This morning a friend told me she is sleeping better in response to guidance from several weeks ago. Another friend I’m channeling healing for weekly emailed to tell me that my healing help and guidance was just what she needed to hear and work on, because she needs help in exactly this area of her life right now.

And so I’m helping! My heart and soul soar!

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a shamanic session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements. There is no change for group or individual channeling sessions at this time.

Changing Patterns

by 8hummingbirdway

I have recently been engaged with a powerful healing program (called Soul Convergence – provided by Anne Tucker) that has allowed me to change my ways. Instead of arguing or raising my voice I have developed the ability to remain calm or simply restrain from response. Of course this is not the answer to every problem, but it has been a huge challenge for me to keep my own counsel, not to allow the opinions or criticisms of others to move me to a defensive position and to throw words back. It has been a long pattern, and I am deeply grateful.

The relief is palpable within me. Remaining calm and present was simply not available to me in the past. Now my most “difficult” loved ones are hearing me, and we arrive at understanding and peace much more quickly. (Sometimes we never did in the past.). AND I see corresponding changes within them – which makes me doubly blessed.

This morning I found this lesson in my email and I want to share it with you, as it aligns with my experience in this area.

Same Choices, Same Results:

Repeated bouts of adversity are an unavoidable aspect of human existence. We battle against our inner struggles or outer world forces, and in many cases, we emerge on the opposite side of the struggle stronger and better equipped to cope with the challenges yet to come. However, we can occasionally encounter trials that seem utterly hopeless. We strike at them with all of our creativity and perseverance, hoping desperately to bring about change, only to meet with the same results as always. Often, our first instinct in such situations is to push harder against the seemingly immovable obstruction before us, assuming that this time we will be met with a different outcome. But staying power and stamina net us little when the same choices consistently garner the same results. A change in perspective, behavior, or response can do so much more to help us move past points where no amount of effort seems sufficient to overcome the difficulties before us.

Whether our intention is to change ourselves or some element of the world around us, we cannot simply wish for transformation or hope that our lives will be altered through circumstance. If our patterns of thought and behavior remain unchanged, our lives will continue to unfold much as they have previously. Patterns in which fruitless efforts prevail can be overcome with self examination and courage. It is our bravery that allows us to question the choices we have made thus far and to channel our effort into innovation. Asking questions and making small adjustments to your thought processes and behaviors will help you discover what works, so you can leave that which does not work behind you. To break free from those unconscious patterns that have long held sway over your actions and reactions, you will likely have to challenge your assumptions on a most basic level. You must accept once and for all that your beliefs with regard to cause and effect may no longer be in accordance with your needs.

Stagnation is often a sign that great changes are on the horizon. Courting the change you wish to see in yourself and in the world around you is a matter of acknowledging that only change begets change. The results you so ardently want to realize are well within the realm of possibility, and you need only step away from the well-worn circular path to explore the untried paths that lie beyond it.

This teaching was offered by DailyOM at https://www.dailyom.com/inspiration

I am hoping to assist others in the way of healing that I have recently been able to access, called Soul Convergence. It’s origin is with the Angelic realm. If you are interested, contact me here.

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The Ripple Effect

by 8hummingbirdway

This is important information about how our choices and words and actions matter a great deal. I know it is true, and so often forget.

It’s easy to wonder the value of self in times of challenge and exhaustion.

I was reminded a couple days ago by the post below, renewing me and my path forward.

Gratitude.

See below message for link.

In a world of eight billion people, it’s easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread and expand as they move outward. The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will wash over the world.

The recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone’s life. Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as possible.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates out into your community and throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples move onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of love and kindness.

This message was sent to me by DailyOM. I enjoy many of their messages.

Sign up for free daily inspiration at https://www.dailyom.com/inspiration/

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Refrigerator Wisdom #3

by 8hummingbirdway

This third and final piece of refrigerator wisdom that I have to share is the words of a song I learned in my late 20s.

I attended a weekend workshop with my first husband. It was a workshop that facilitated emotional healing. I think it was called “Opening the Heart.” It was excellent, and was a good first step in sorting myself out. I learned a few songs that stuck. Here’s one:

It’s in every one of us to be wise

Find your heart

Open up both your eyes

We can all know everything without ever knowing why

It’s in every one of us

By and by

Just writing these word on this page is very powerful for me. This is a core song for me. It sing it every time I go to my altar, which has been every morning for quite a few years.

These words have been reassuring to me over time. They tell me that I will get to a better place “by and by.” They tell me that wisdom is available, and also simply “knowing” – that it’s in every one of us!

I fully believe the words.

This song has been a beacon of light for me for 40 years.

The Hollies sang this song, a longer version, but this is the part I hold sacred.

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.

The Perpetrator, Shame and Punishment

by 8hummingbirdway

[I wrote this post back in January. It was part of looking back at myself and at cultural issues that concern me.]

I am going to share my belief that our culture could and should advance to the point where the perpetrator of harm is helped to release shame.

Why? Because shame is a block to healing. Because the abused person often becomes the perpetrator. And because if we do not see to the wounds of the perpetrator, we perpetuate the harm.

Before one can change ingrained patters of unhealthy and harmful behavior, they must release the shame that comes along with those patterns – whether perpetrator or injured party – often one and the same.

What is shame? Here’s my definition: Shame is the belief of inherent depravety and wrongness of the self.

What does shame do to an individual? It keeps them down, separate, and stuck in imbalance. This imbalance is deeply harmful and limiting. It also is the trigger that initiates undesirable behavior that harms others and the greater community.

I know something about this. I used to carry shame. As a person who was sexually abused. As a child of parents who did not always treat me as a treasured being. As a liar. As the oldest daughter who did not always treat my siblings as treasured beings. And there you have it. The shamed one shames others. It spreads more surely than any virus.

Most of my life I carried shame. It is a heavy load. It stopped me from applying for jobs I was qualified for and would have excelled at. It stopped me from speaking up for myself, expressing my ideas, even talking to others. It stopped me from feeling at ease in my skin – from dancing or singing around others. It stopped me from being at ease with sexuality. I could go on.

I am fortunate that I was able to sustain two marriages and raise three children. I could have done better. I have my regrets. But in the family arena I navigated well for the most part.

I am not sure when the shame actually left me. It was in the past 3 years. (I’m 68.) It was a spiritual journey of coming to terms with my mother, with myself, and with Spirit/Source/ God. A year ago I started posting on Facebook about my shamanic practice. It was only this past summer that confidence was finally born within me, enabling me to offer journey circles to people I didn’t know, enabling me to call forth this website, giving me the opportunity to share the contents of my soul.

Shame is harmful and dark; it destroys people and relationships.

I do not support the current paradigm of prison. It’s inhumane – and it’s another thing to be ashamed about.

Healing should be the focus if one must be separated from the society at large due to their behavior. Not in a punishment that adds deep insult to injury and sets one up to fail on their release. Education and rehabilitation are given lip service, but no personal account that I have ever heard includes true opportunity – except for the occasional opportunity to interact with those who have a healing intention – either inmates or others.

I’m aware of the current pattern of releasing individuals who don’t obey the laws. I am not suggesting that there should be no repercussion for actions against others or against property.

I am also not saying that I align with every law.

I simply cannot see how we can heal humanity without ensuring that all humans have the right to the basic necessities of freedom, food, shelter, clothing – and work in a respectful environment.

I am aware that the color of one’s skin, the language one speaks, and the wealth in one’s bank account mitigate a great deal of “having to pay the price,” and this strengthens my feelings about the unfairness that exists in our legal system.

I do believe that we must, at least in our wealthy country of privilege, find a way to provide access to true wellbeing for all who are able and willing to participate in a functional way, and a safety net for those at risk, should they chose to employ it.

I believe we can and eventually will move forward to a open, loving and healing existence. I see the seeds sprouting all around me.

Once we find a solution to our current paradigm of shame, unfairness, imbalance and harm, I hope that we will spread the healing worldwide.

I am not saying that I know how to bring this to reality. I have confidence that if we were to make healing and personal wellbeing a true priority, those in powers could navigate much closer to this goal. I’m not saying our currently elected leaders will do this. I see no evidence of that possibility.

I will simply say that I believe all humans can be healed to a great extent, that they want to be healed, and that this should be a top priority and intention in families, in all our institutions – including schools, and in our legal systems.

Obviously there is a great deal of work to do.

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More about Bienvenu Kamwendo, our Congalese host

by 8hummingbirdway

Looking back to Africa

I’ve found a short video of Bienve, our host in Democratic Republic of Congo, that I would like to share with you. This man is remarkable. He suffered from the lack of reliable adult presence and guidance early in life, and he managed to turn his challenges into blessings later on – blessings for others.

I recently spoke with Bienve about his personal story. Bienve never knew his father. His mother was not able to care for him for reasons I do not know. He lived with several families in childhood. When he was able, he worked selling fruit and taking photographs of tourists and selling them for pennies.

Bienve’s ancestors are from the Nande and Hera Tribes.

I don’t know all the details of his journey, but I know that he managed to go to school and become an attorney in adulthood. He shared with me the fact that he adopted 3 children well before he was married, children that needed guidance and support. One of them, Sarif, lives with his family still, and works for Remember Youth for Change, the non-profit organization he founded in Goma. As does his wife, Clarisse.

This man is a remarkable and outstanding human being. I stand in awe of him. His vision is all about helping others. Through his nonprofit and with the help of his staff, he provides pathways for young Congolese people to learn sewing, business, leadership, computer skills, and carpentry. He provides opportunities for them to engage in art and music. He provides activities and school shirts for children in multiple refugee camps. He rents fields for refugees to grow their own food.

All of these offerings are changing lives, healing wounds, and opening the future for others.

Something that touches my heart most deeply is that when hospitals in Goma find children with war injuries, they call Bienve. Knowing that these children received their injuries because of being child soldiers, and cannot return home to their villages, that they are societal outcasts, they call the man who can help them. Upon their release from the hospital, they are folded into Remember Youth for Change. They develop new selves with purpose. They find purpose in helping others, and training is available to them in carpentry, painting and agriculture.

Here Bienve tells about Remember Youth for Change in his own words.

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Queen Diambi

by 8hummingbirdway

A friend has shared with me the story of Queen Diambi of Congo. She lives in the USA and discovered her heritage in her late 40s. So joyful and hopeful! I have watched a long video of an interview with her. (See link below) Almost 2 hours and it has taken me a couple of weeks – but I am so glad I took the time! Much is happening in Africa and globally! Great wisdom and messages are shared in the interview.

Great change is coming! I an deeply heartened.

Here is my letter to Queen Diambi tonight.

Dear Queen Diambi:
I humbly write to you. I have just seen and listened to your interview with Robert Edward Grant. I am a 68 year old woman who lives in the hills of upstate NY and I returned less than a month ago from a journey to Congo. I connected with an organization in Goma called “Remember Youth for Change” which brings love and help and support to the community and to refugees in the area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxAap-JkGAo

[Bienve speaks directly to us from his heart in this short video linked above.]

There is much challenge in Goma now as the international mafia is closing in on the city, removing those nearby from their land to attempt to gain wealth from the minerals that have been found there.

I am changed by my journey, and a friend shared your video with me which is so inspiring. Thank you.

I am having a vision of a new world and especially of preserving and revealing and looking to tribal ways.

I love what you said about the journey of Africans in this country.

My (adopted) daughter, my sister’s child, is the daughter of a Native American man, taken from his tribe at the age of 4 or 5 and a woman of European descent. She married an African American man and her 2 sons carry a great deal, both suffering and transformation. One has just been elected to his local school board in CT at the age of 22 and plans to attend law school. The other, 24, went to Uganda with my son and is on his own journey, also in college.

I don’t know why I am telling you all this. I suppose it has to do with tribal ways and healing and personal strength …and the joining of multiple cultures through my daughter.

I am a shamanic practitioner, which ties me personally to tribal wisdom. My mission is to help.

I am helping Bienvenu Kamwendo, the founder of “Remember Youth for Change,” in his mission to bring meaning and wellbeing to young people through music. I’m hoping to send a few saxophones soon to join the musical mission he has started in Goma – along with the sewing enterprise he has created which provides school shirts for refugee students, and re-usable menstrual pads for sale. He oversees gardens that provide food in the refugee camps and so much more. I had the privilege of connecting with children and others in the Bulango Refugee Camp outside of Goma, providing a large meal there and connected with those in another camp for displaced persons as well.

My trip was short, just over a week, but it has changed me. I am finding my way to my new self through writing. My story starts on the blog at 8hummingbirdway.com – on 2/8/2024.

I felt so moved by your interview. Thank you. I had to reach out.

Thank you for your presence and your path and your work in the remote villages you preside over.

All blessings.

Listen to Robert Edward Grant’s interview with Queen Diambi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR5r11Ui0K4&t=2357s

Walking at the Bulango Camp

by 8hummingbirdway

The Africa Posts

The sun was hot and high as we left the church, where the meal and the dancing and singing and laughter and connection took place. We (Bienve, his staff, and my son and I) turned right out of the structure and walked down a wide walkway, a continuation of the road we had driven on. We walked with purpose, and came to a place where the land dropped 6 or 8 feet, providing a wall below for a large group of young men and boys to kick a soccer ball against. 3 walls of humans beyond the drop-off formed a practice area. My son jumped down and gestured for the players to kick their best shots to him. They did. He served as goalie and missed the first 2 shots, then returned one, caught another, and on they played, shouting, cheering, laughing in the flow of this global pursuit of play, passion, physicality, and connection.

I realized during this time, approaching the soccer area and watching the action, that I had a protector. One of the staff members of Remember Youth for Change https://www.facebook.com/rememberyouthforchange had been assigned to (or assigned himself) to watch over me. I had met this young man on our visit to the office yesterday morning. I sensed he was one of those who had been abducted from his family to serve as a child soldier, but I don’t know this for a fact. He and one other man around his age (not much over 20) were always with us, sometimes driving. As Bienve and my son walked ahead, talking, this man was always by my side. I felt completely safe with him. I reached out for his hand or arm occasionally when I felt unsteady. He was always there, glad to help.

I referred to him later (to Bienve) as my bodyguard. I thanked Bienve for his presence. Thinking about this now, I believe that special concern and care for me arose from the text I had sent Bienve before we went to Democratic Republic of Congo, telling him of my husband’s wish that I not go to this country. Both of us were within arms length of protection, my son always with Bienve. I had not realized this at the time, had no idea that I was being watched over. I was not aware of this at the first camp, but I’m guessing he was there just outside the circle of children.

I wish I knew this young man’s name. I am not good with names in my own world, my own language. I know his name was told to me. (I had to ask several times to learn the names of Bienve’s wife and children.)

This young man, my protector in Goma, is the other person that I would like to help in some whay if the need ever arises. Payment for education, for a dowry? This is how one marries, I believe. Our driver in Rwanda told us he was saving for a dowry, to marry his chosen wife. Expenses are generally very small compared to here, but I truly have no knowledge of what this would mean. I would like this man to have blessings. I hope to talk to Bienve about it and to learn his name and express my willingness to help.

After 10 or 15 minutes, my son left the soccer field, we were brought to nearby toilets and wash station.

We walked back toward and past the church. Along our walks I smilled and greeted the people we passed with smiles and ‘bonjour.’ I’m not sure why, but the hardness and pain was gone from their faces. Did word travel about the meal, even though not everyone benefitted? About our serving the children, participating, connecting, the soccer play? Or perhaps they woke each day, newly grieving, and then the trauma subsided as the day passed and they engaged in their lives? I have no idea, but these people who had newly arrived at this massive camp looked into my eyes and smiled at me and said ‘bonjour’ in response to me. Not every one, but the majority.

Looking back, I felt I was witnessing healing at work, and I am so grateful for this.

We arrived a the humble small home of the “camp director,” where my son would give one of the new soccer balls to him. [This shelter was the same as all the others, and I have no idea what the role of the camp director is. One of the many questions I never thought to ask.]

I didn’t see the ball exchange hands, but I know it did. What I do remember is the humble prayer of gratitude that this man spoke in the open room. He gave thanks for the blessings of this day, the meal, the help, the connection, and for the blessing of us standing in his humble home on the floor of excrement. Bienve translated into English.

I remembered the kind and open face of this man, the camp director, from the events in the church. He ate with the church officials, he interacted with the people as a person of stature, and he served the food to the children.

The pastor also spoke with me in a friendly manner at one point, after he and I had eaten. I don’t recall the specific content of our conversation; it was in broken French and English. He served the people from behind the pulpit, but I did not see him engage personally. He may have. We all have our paths, but it struck me at the time that he and the other church officials ate on a bench behind the pulpit, out of sight. I know that I do not understand everything I saw. And there may be a value that I don’t understand in sustaining distance and formality.

As for me, I find close proximity and engagement to be the best path to help and healing.

Would you like to know more about Goma’s nonprofit Remember Youth for Change? https://www.facebook.com/rememberyouthforchange

Being the ‘Momma’ in Africa

by 8hummingbirdway

The Africa Posts

While in Africa on this journey with my son, as he attends to his missions (the non-profit groups he founded and co-founded), I have the status of “the Momma.” Sometimes I hear “Hello Mommy” in a restaurant, a park, or informal gathering mostly from a woman. But in formal groups where my son has provided support and funding, I am clearly recognized in an official capacity as my son’s mama (or “Momma”, as I hear it).

This status of Momma is definitely an honor, especially when I am recognized as the mother of my respected son. I am 2nd in order of respect in any of these groups, including head teachers and others of status. I am introduced after him and given substantial credit for the man he is and his good work. They want me to say a few words to the captive audience. And I do. In educational groups where Literate Earth Project is the group represented I say how important books were in our family, how I read to my son from early on. That’s about it, I’m no orator. It was uncomfortable the first time, but I appreciate the recognition that his background and mother are an aspect of who he is, what he does. And I get to express warmth to a group in just a couple of sentences, where I may have only had a chance to speak personally with 2 people.

In DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) there has been less call to talk. When I did speak, I said a few words about love – and especially honoring all children – in my broken French.

Interested in learning more about Remember Youth for Change, the local nonprofit group in Goma, DRC? https://www.facebook.com/rememberyouthforchange

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“Steadfastly I Go”

by 8hummingbirdway

The Africa Posts

I heard the Muslim call to prayer broadcast over the city of Kampala, Uganda this morning and rose to add my prayers in my own daily tradition. I have realized that it is my task to call my beloved son back to himself by speaking truth with love and compassion. His journey has not been easy (nor is anyone’s journey), but the time for allowing distortion to stand without opposition is past. 

On another note – we are scheduled to be in Goma, DRC (Congo) in 3 days and the news stories are alarming. However I believe that they are just that – stories. 

We are in touch with my son’s host there, who will be our guide. He will pick us up from Rwanda and bring us to his country, where his chosen work is to help child soldiers who were once stolen from their beds and have now escaped or been spit out by the army. These youths are rejected, not honored or healed and restored to well-being in their culture. He helps them to find employment, education, support and a place in their world once again. 

I have decided to trust this man when he assures us that we will be safe, that nothing has changed in Goma. I do not expect to change my plans, but to stay on course. My heart is full. 

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