All posts by Jan

Lessons in a Life: Is Life Really Planned?

Not that long ago the possibilities seemed endless... - Photo by Jan Ketchel
Not that long ago the possibilities seemed endless…
– Photo by Jan Ketchel

I notice how quickly nature gets the upper hand. Before I know it, the weeds have taken over. A few weeks ago I thought I might, this year, finally have time to tackle some big areas on our property that are overgrown before the poison ivy and fast growing vines of all sorts took over, but alas! Nature, as usual, has gotten the upper hand.

I find myself dreaming numerous dreams every night, dreams growing as rapidly as weeds. Chuck reports the same.

Each morning we wake up almost reeling from the amount of nightly dream activity, grasping to remember what we can, though we both find that we have to let most of it go, too many, too quick to catch. It does seem, however, that this is prolific dream energy time and not to be missed.

Recent work on my next book has made me realize just how much nature, both nature outside of us and nature inside of us, and our dream world are in synch, setting us up for what needs to be done now and what is to come. As I reread and edit the journals I kept during my recapitulation, starting 14 years ago, I see just how much was laid out then and just how much has transpired since then.

Experiences I had a few decades ago, and even longer ago than that, as well as things that happened to me in my daily life really did lay out future possibilities. I see that very clearly now. Of course, where I was to go and what I was to do were always my choices.

Forks show up regularly... which road to take? - Photo by Jan Ketchel
Forks show up regularly… which road to take?
– Photo by Jan Ketchel

Opportunities to take a certain route, a certain path, to make a life changing decision, however, are offered to us all the time, in a myriad of ways. This too I see very clearly now, as I see just how my own nature, my own dreams, and my own experiences, as I navigated life, really did support and prepare me to be a changed being in a changed life.

We might find support in the simplest of synchronicities, or in the most profound of experiences or dreams. My dreams were always guiding me, offering advice, spelling out things that I was not sure of, offering help when I asked or needed clarity on something. I took from them what I needed and moved on. Now, however, as I reread and edit what happened to me during my recapitulation, some of those more mysterious dreams are utterly clear now. I see that in part they were premonitions of what was to come. At the time they offered useful guidance, helped me through some tough times, but now, as I look back, they make sense in a different way.

What at the time seemed fantastical has actually come to pass. What at the time I could make sense of in one way, now makes sense in a totally different way. What seemed to be supporting dreams at the time, now prove to be laying plans for a future life and a future me, neither of which I could have ever imagined, but which actually came to be.

I started keeping dream journals in my late teens. Some of them I still have, others got lost in my many moves. There were stagnant years when I did little journal keeping, though I always kept sketchbooks and in many of those I jotted down significant events and dreams too. My own nature likes a pen in hand and quiet moments of contemplation. I can truly say, based on my own experiences and all the dream keeping I have done, as well as the significantly meaningful events in my life, that there really does seem to be a plan to it all, to life. At least that’s how I’ve experienced it!

What your own life really has planned for you may be cloaked in your dreams too. The main thing is to be open to life. And if you think you don’t remember dreams or that they are neither fantastical nor mysterious, think again, because life just won’t let you get away with thinking that way. Just look at the weeds!

Not weeds! ...Sometimes it's not so clear... - Photo by Jan Ketchel
Not weeds! …Sometimes it’s not so clear…
– Photo by Jan Ketchel

Nature has its own ideas and they are sprouting up all around us all the time. We just have to tune in. So watch out what you dismiss from your everyday experiences. You might see weeds, but you might also be missing something important!

Life won’t leave you behind, just make sure you don’t leave it behind. Enjoy what comes to find you and go out and meet it. That is the biggest lesson I’ve learned; if you want something to happen, make it happen. Show up, be present, take action when appropriate, and learn from your experiences, dreaming or otherwise.

Happy Spring and Happy Dreaming!
Jan

Soulbyte for Friday May 22, 2015

Tread lightly upon Planet Earth, leaving behind you only good energy. Know that every thought, word, and deed impacts not only the planet but all other living organisms, subtle and gross alike. Act with restraint, respect, and kindness through all the days of your life that all beings may benefit. In this generous manner will your time upon that giving planet be in synch with a new and changing position requiring that mankind acquiesce to a new place in the hierarchy and allow nature to guide.

Change your thinking. Change your attitude. Change your behaviors. Change yourself and perhaps you will be part of the natural resolution, Mother Earth’s response to the many crises now raging. Her solution? Temper all human greed.

Get in alignment with all that SHE offers and, without fear, allow nature to be more important than you. Nature will respond with compassion, for it needs you, but only as part of the generous whole.

Soulbyte for Thursday May 21, 2015

A warrior learns to read energy and is aware of the self at all times, in all situations. A warrior knows when to step in to something and when it is time to slip out, when to go inward and when to go outward. A warrior is always aware of what is going on inside the self but equally aware of what is going on outside the self, and so a warrior learns to navigate both inner and outer life to advantage, staying in balance, taking into consideration all that has been learned, using it to not only advance but to continually learn something new. For a warrior knows that to always be a student of life has far more value than being a master of no usefulness over others. In the end, a warrior knows that mastery comes from within, in constantly seeking new life and new knowledge, utilizing a hungry student attitude for mastery of self.

Soulbyte for Wednesday May 20, 2015

To change the mind is to begin to have an open mind and an open mind will soon lead to other openings. To allow new ideas in opens the door to new life, for once there is an opening it will naturally seek to be filled. In continual openings there is continual new life, new energy, and new possibilities. Do not be afraid of change or that which is new. It may be just the thing to lead you out of the darkness and into the light, and the light of new mind and new life is good. Change is good.

Soulbyte for Tuesday May 19, 2015

There are many factors involved in a process of change. Sometimes there is fear. There may be resistance. And there may be downright reluctance. The High Self may use a number of tactics to instigate movement in a new direction, including incessant repetitive behaviors. So when you ask: why do I keep doing the things I do when I know they are not good for me? know that you are not alone. There is Spirit behind you, accompanying you every step of the way, keeping you under its thumb, waiting for you to yell “UNCLE!”

Getting tired of that game? Getting fed up with the self and the road your High Self has taken you on? You might surprise your High Self by deciding you’ve had enough and, before things get to a point of crisis, before you are forced to change, jump into a new groove. That might be all it takes to set life spinning in a new direction that is beneficial and good, not only for you, physically, mentally and emotionally, but for your spirit and your High Self too. And then you will get to see what your High Self has in store for you next. It might not be what you expect!