THE JULBOCKEN

                      Researched and copied from resources I take no credit                                        

The Yule goat's origins go back to ancient Pagan festivals. While a popular theory is that the celebration of the goat is connected to worship of the Norse god Thor, who rode the sky in a chariot drawn by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, it goes back to common Indo-European beliefs. The last sheaf of grain bundled in the harvest was credited with magical properties as the spirit of the harvest and saved for the Yule celebrations, called among other things Yule goat (Julbocken).

This connects to ancient proto-Slavic beliefs where the Koliada (Yule) festival honors the god of the fertile sun and the harvest. This god, Devac (also known as Dazbog or Dažbog), was represented by a white goat, consequently the Koliada festivals always had a person dressed as a goat, often demanding offerings in the form of presents. A man-sized goat figure is known from 11th-century remembrances of Childermas, where it was led by a man dressed as Saint Nicholas, symbolizing his control over the Devil.

Other traditions are possibly related to the sheaf of corn called the Yule goat. In Sweden, people regarded the Yule goat as an invisible spirit that would appear some time before Christmas to make sure that the Yule preparations were done right. Objects made out of straw or roughly-hewn wood could also be called the Yule goat, and in older Scandinavian society a popular Christmas prank was to place this Yule goat in a neighbour's house without them noticing; the family successfully pranked had to get rid of it in the same way.

The function of the Yule goat has differed throughout the ages. In a Scandinavian custom similar to the English tradition of wassailing, held at either Christmas or Epiphany, young men in costumes would walk between houses singing songs, enacting plays and performing pranks. This tradition is known from the 17th century and still continue in certain areas. The group of Christmas characters would often include the Yule goat, a rowdy and sometimes scary creature demanding gifts.

A 19th century Christmas card

God Jul by Jenny Nyström.

During the 19th century the Yule goat's role all over Scandinavia shifted towards becoming the giver of Christmas gifts, with one of the men in the family dressing up as the Yule goat. In this, there might be a relation to Santa Claus and the Yule goat's origin in the medieval celebrations of Saint Nicholas. The goat was then replaced by the jultomte (Father Christmas/Santa Claus) or julenisse during the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, although he is still called the Joulupukki (Yule goat) in Finland, and the tradition of the man-sized goat disappeared.The modern Yule goat

A Swedish Gävle goat (Gävlebocken).

The Yule goat in Nordic countries today is best known as a Christmas ornament. This modern version of the Yule goat figure is a decorative goat made out of straw and bound with red ribbons, a popular Christmas ornament often found under or on the Christmas tree. Large versions of this ornament are frequently erected in towns and cities around Christmas time – a tradition started with the Gävle goat in the 1960s. 

 

 

                         

                        YULETIDE CELEBRATIONS

                           C. S. Roberts and multiple sources

We celebrate Yuletide. It originally began way back in the day when I wanted to celebrate Yule instead of Christmas in order to learn more about and embrace that part of my heritage.

From the sagas, we encounter the terms jólablót (Yule sacrifice) and midvinterblót (Midwinter sacrifice), prompting a scholarly puzzle—whether they represent the same observance or distinct rituals. While caution prevails among scholars, I lean towards viewing them as synonymous. We also know Yule wasn’t always twelve days long. Today, the high holy tide is celebrated for twelve days. Whether this was because in some areas it was celebrated for that long originally or was perhaps some odd creation that came from blending old pagan time-keeping methods and calendars with the modern ones together the end result is the same. In contemporary times, the Yuletide is commonly observed by Pagans and Heathens from around December 20 to December 31, although variations exist. Many choose this period to align their rites with the astronomical winter solstice for simplicity. However, historical accounts, such as those from the German missionary Thietmar of Merseburg (born 975 – a xdied 1018 CE), reveal that in Denmark, Yule was situated in the month of January, even after the country's official conversion to Christianity several decades earlier.

It is customary NO work is done during this time; however, we are not offered this luxury in modern times.

MOTHER’S NIGHT – THE START OF YULE

Mother's Night, or Modraniht in Old English, is an ancient Germanic celebration held on the eve of the winter solstice, marking the beginning of Yule. It's dedicated to honoring the Matronae, ancestral mothers and goddesses. This tradition has historical roots among Germanic tribes, including the Anglo-Saxons. Mother's Night is considered a time to express gratitude to maternal figures and seek blessings for the upcoming year. It serves as the precursor to the twelve days of Yule, a festival observed during the winter solstice.

Mother's Night is associated with the female divine forces, symbolizing fertility, protection, and ancestral ties. It was a time when communities gathered to pay homage to their female ancestors, seeking their guidance and blessings. Offerings, prayers, and feasts were common during this celebration.

With the arrival of Christianity, Mother's Night became intertwined with Christmas Eve in some regions, adapting to the new religious context. Despite this, traces of the original pagan customs persisted, blending with Christian traditions. 

Yule, following Mother's Night, typically spans twelve days, each day representing a month of the year. It was a time for feasting, gift-giving, and various customs, contributing to the festive spirit during the darkest days of winter.

While Mother's Night may not be widely celebrated in contemporary times, it holds historical significance as part of the rich tapestry of winter solstice traditions and the cultural heritage of Germanic peoples.

THE END OF YULE – TWELFTH NIGHT & THE WASSAILING TRADITION

Twelfth Night marks the conclusion of the Yuletide season and falls between January 1st and 6th, depending on the tradition. It's the final night of the Twelve Days of Yule, culminating in festive celebrations.

One notable tradition associated with Twelfth Night is wassailing. Wassailing involves toasting and celebrating the health and prosperity of orchards and fields. Participants often move from tree to tree, singing songs and offering blessings to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year. The term "wassail" itself originates from the Old English phrase "Waes hael," meaning "be well" or "good health."

Wassailers typically carry a bowl of spiced ale or mulled cider, known as the wassail bowl, and pour some of it at the roots of the trees or on the ground. This act is symbolic of sharing good fortune with the land and encouraging fertility. The remaining drink is consumed by the participants, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

Twelfth Night is also associated with various customs, including the removal of Christmas decorations and the Twelfth Night cake, which might contain a hidden bean or pea. Finding the hidden item in the cake traditionally brings luck or designates the "Lord" or "Queen" of the night's festivities.

Overall, Twelfth Night, with its wassailing tradition and other customs, serves as a lively and symbolic conclusion to the Yuletide season, blending both ancient and more recent festive practices.

THE ‘MEAT’ ~ ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

The Coming Light, Fire and the Yule Log:

While bonfires are commonly associated with solstice celebrations, in the Northern Tradition, there are unique folk customs involving the yule log and the ashen faggot, particularly in modern England. The ashen faggot consists of bundled branches burned in lieu of a traditional yule log.

BONFIRES hold significance in Yuletide celebrations for several reasons, rooted in both historical and symbolic elements.

Winter Solstice Celebration: Yule marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Bonfires are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness as the days begin to lengthen after this point. The fire represents the sun's returning strength, bringing hope and renewal.

Pagan Traditions: In ancient pagan traditions, especially among Germanic and Norse cultures, Yule was a festival celebrating the Wild Hunt, a supernatural event led by deities or spirits. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits, ensuring protection during the darker months and inviting the return of light.

Cleansing and Purification: Fire is often associated with purification and cleansing. Lighting bonfires during Yule is a symbolic act of purifying the old and welcoming the new. It represents a fresh start and the cleansing of negative energies.

Community and Unity: Yuletide bonfires historically brought communities together. People gathered around the warmth of the fire, fostering a sense of unity and shared celebration during the cold winter nights. The communal aspect of bonfires strengthens social bonds.

Continuation of Ancient Customs: The tradition of Yuletide bonfires has persisted through the ages, adapting to various cultural and religious shifts. Even as Christmas replaced many pagan practices, the use of fire in celebrations endured, connecting modern festivities with ancient roots.

In essence, Yuletide bonfires serve as a powerful symbol of light, warmth, and community, reflecting both the cyclical nature of the seasons and the enduring human desire for hope and connection during the darkest time of the year.

YULE LOGS have a rich history and hold significance in Yuletide celebrations for various cultural and symbolic reasons:

Pagan Origins: The tradition of burning a Yule log has pagan roots, particularly in Germanic and Norse cultures. The log symbolizes the sun, and burning it during the winter solstice represents the triumph of light over darkness, with the promise of longer days ahead.

A Symbol of Life and Renewal: The Yule log is often chosen from a tree that represents life and vitality. Burning the log is a symbolic act of releasing the stored energy of the tree, allowing it to be transformed into warmth and light. This process signifies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Warding off Evil Spirits: In medieval times, it was believed that the Yule log had the power to ward off evil spirits and bring protection to the household. The act of burning the log was seen as a way to ensure good fortune in the coming year.

Continuity and Tradition: The Yule log is often selected with care, and a small piece of the previous year's log is sometimes kept to kindle the new log. This continuity symbolizes the cyclical nature of the seasons and the connection between past, present, and future generations.

Feasting and Celebration: The Yule log burning was accompanied by feasting and merriment. Families and communities would gather around the hearth, sharing stories and celebrating the return of the sun's light.

Christian Adaptation: As Christianity spread, the Yule log tradition was adapted into Christmas celebrations. Some would place a large log in the fireplace, while others would create a smaller version, often made of wood or even cake, to be burned ceremonially.

The Yule log is a powerful symbol of the winter solstice, embodying themes of light, life, and continuity. Its burning is a ritualistic and festive practice that connects people to ancient traditions and the cyclical nature of the seasons.

LIGHT holds profound significance in Yuletide celebrations, rooted in both historical and symbolic contexts:

Winter Solstice Symbolism: Yuletide marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The use of lights, including candles and fires, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness as the days gradually lengthen. This is a powerful metaphor for hope, renewal, and the promise of brighter days.

Pagan Traditions: In pagan traditions, especially among Germanic and Norse cultures, the Yule festival was a time to celebrate the Wild Hunt and the return of the sun's strength. Lighting candles and fires during this period was believed to aid the sun's renewal, ward off evil spirits, and ensure protection during the dark winter months.

Christian Adaptation: As Christianity spread, it incorporated various pagan customs into its celebrations. The symbolism of light, representing the arrival of Christ as the "Light of the World," became integral to Christmas traditions. The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath and the use of lights in Christmas decorations continue this tradition.

Saint Lucia’s Day: The pre-Christian practice of bringing light to the darkest night is seen in Saint Lucia’s Day. Celebrated in various cultures, this day involves the use of candles and lights to honor Saint Lucia, embodying the theme of spreading light during the longest night.

Decorative Illumination: Beyond symbolism, Yuletide lights contribute to the festive atmosphere. Decorative lights, both indoors and outdoors, create a warm and celebratory ambiance, fostering a sense of joy, community, and togetherness.

Candle Traditions: Specific candle rituals, such as the Advent candles or the lighting of the menorah in Hanukkah celebrations, have become integral to Yuletide customs. Each candle lit represents different aspects of the season, adding layers of meaning and tradition.

In essence, the importance of light in Yuletide celebrations spans cultural, religious, and historical dimensions. It encapsulates themes of hope, renewal, and the enduring human desire to find warmth and illumination during the coldest and darkest time of the year.

Some Heathens, though not a practice I personally follow, observe a ritual structure as outlined below (variations exist, with some emphasizing different gods on different nights rather than virtues):

1 ~ Mother’s Night

2 ~ The Winter Solstice/Yule

3 ~ Virtue – Courage

4 ~ Virtue – Truth

5 ~ Virtue – Honor

6 ~ Virtue – Fidelity

7 ~ Virtue – Hospitality

8 ~ Virtue – Discipline

9 ~ Virtue – Industriousness

10 ~ Virtue – Self-Reliance

11 ~ Virtue – Perseverance

12 ~ Twelfth Night

I choose to celebrate the following:

1 ~ Mother’s Night

2 ~ Yule

3 ~ Earth ~ the Element & Freyr (prosperity, sunlight, fertility of the land), Freyja (love, beauty, fertility), Sif (fertility, the Earth, guardian of family), Nerthus (fertility, the Earth, agriculture), Gefjon (fertility, plowing, agriculture), and Gerðr (beauty, the Earth).

4 ~ Air ~ the Element & Sunna/Sól (personification of the Sun), Máni (personification of the Moon), Dagr (personification of day), Nótt (personification of night)

5 ~ Fire ~ the Element & Loki (associated with fire), Surtr (fire giant), Bragi (passionate God of poetry and eloquence)

6 ~ Water ~ the Element & Ægir ) associated with the ocean & sea), Rán (associated with the more unpredictable and dangerous aspects of the ocean), Rán's Daughters/Nine Wave Maidens (associated with the ocean's beauty and allure), Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent)

7 ~ Ancestors. Night PJ/Movie Night, when the children were young, we used to let them open one gift each (PJs) and then one gift the family would enjoy together (movie). We look thru photographs and watch family videos.

8 ~ Healing ~ Eir (associated with healing and medicinal arts), Mímir (knowledgeable of medicinal herbs and remedies), Thor (protector for the health of a community), Sága (associated with history and storytelling = mental health) Cookie Night, make and deliver cookies to friends and family.

9 ~ Norns ~ Urd/Wyrd (associated with the past), Verdandi, (associated with the present), Skuld, (governs the future)

10 ~ Wintertide ~ Skadi (associated with winter, mountains, and skiing), Kári (associated with the wind). Ornament Night, when the boys were small we used to make ornaments for our friends and family)

11 ~ Álfar ~ Dökkálfar (Dark Elves), Ljósálfar (Light Elves), Magickal Creatures (Dwarves ~ skilled magickal craftsmen, Hulder ~ female forest spirits, Níðhöggr ~ dragon, Valkyries, Fylgja ~ supernatural entity or spirit associated with an individual, Nokk ~ water spirit known for its ability to shape-shift and often appearing as a horse

12 ~ Twelfth Night

I hope this gives you incentive to embrace the true meaning of the season!

 

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

 

                      FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

                                          © C. S. Roberts 2025 

 

It has been said that we should do the following things in order to be productive, however  I feel that as we attempt to keep our eyes on the road, our nose to the grindstone and our shoulder to the wheel, all while putting our best foot forward, we lose our perspective about where we truly want to go.

If all we concentrate on just what is in front of us we miss the wonderful things around us. If we are always busy, we miss out on what life can truly be.

 I challenge you to look up once in a while and remember to be grateful and to love.

Bright Blessings, Do Peace, Be Love C. S. Roberts

Here's to, awakening unto yourself Or, The Old Man and the Begger

 

 

               Here's to, awakening unto yourself

                  Or The Old Man and the Begger

 

I am not sure where I found this but felt it worth sharing, Here's to, awakening unto yourself;

...."There was an old man who lived in a hut. Every morning, he went to the street for alms. He never complained about his situation or his struggles. He took what was given without question.

One day, when the old man returned from his routine, he saw that the hut was taken by somebody else. That somebody else was eating his food and putting what little money he little saved into his pocket.

The Old man, with compassion, went inside the hut.

The young beggar asked, "Who are you?" wrapping his hands around the food he found.

The Old man replied, "I am you but in a different body." Old man then took his robe and gave it to the beggar as well.

The stranger, instead of looking upon this as compassion, took The Old Man as a meager fool. The young stranger snatched the clothes from the old man's hands and stripped him from head to toe and took every bit of everything the old man had left.

"Is this everything you have?" he asked.

Old man replied humbly, "When you have everything you have nothing, and when you truly have nothing left you have everything."

The boy was confused. The old man smiled and said, "Dear ignorant child, you are trapped in an illusion that you can't see, feel or touch and are bound by invisible chains. Unless we realize who we truly are it won't matter what you own." He added, "even if you become richest of rich you will always be bound by suffering."

The young beggar froze and felt that he understood a little of what old man was saying.

Old man chanted "Gate Gate ParaGate ParaSamGate Bodhi Svaha.". "No treasure can compare to it, no money can buy it, no wealth can occupy it, no pleasure can satisfy it, no eyes can find it, no ears can hear it, no tongue can taste it, no hands can feel it, no mind can imagine it. Oh, dear child, what is this treasure?" Then Old man said. "You will not find this for we are born only to realize this."

With that, the young man's illusory world shattered, his face grew face bright and awakened.

Old man bowed to him, said "know thyself and then vanished." Shared from anon by C. S. Roberts

No date for this is timeless

 

 

Channeling in Meditation from my Guidance Peeps

 

Channeling in Meditation from my Guidance Peeps

"I come in love to bring peace to your troubled mind. In the stillness you will hear me and in your love you will share me. You are we and we are you, allow this truth and you will be where you want to be.

I do not demand, I do not dictate, I wait for you to find me, see me, feel and hear me. I do not shout my voice is as quite as your breathing I am here always. To help you, all you have to do is listen and allow. I will come back, I have much to share with you, Seekers of the light."

This is a guided meditation from my personal guides during one of my meditations. Peace, Love and Bright Blessings

(c) C. S. Roberts 2019

I Am Tree

 

                                        I Am Tree

                                       © 2015 C.S. Roberts

I struggle and push,

The skin cracks and I grow.

I am reaching for what is above

I am reaching for what is below.

 

I find nourishment and drink

Still I push up and down

I reach and stretch

I search and grasp for what is there

What is meant for me

 

I finally feel the sun on my face

I find the depths with my roots

They beckon me to continue.

I feed from both above and below and am strong

I spread my branches to the sun and my roots to the Mother.

 

I embrace the life within me

I offer shelter and succor to the life outside of me.

I breath with you, we share breath, light and life.

My bark becomes pathways for life to travel.

Parts of me are for medicines to heal and sustain

 

My leaves for cover and

And my limbs for homes.

My fruit and leaves for food and fertilizer

My pollen and seeds for renewal.

I grow, I live, I produce, I flourish and die.

 

I take only what I require and I give all that I can

When I finally fall

I make room for more to live

I return to the soil that has sustained me

And become one with it

 

I am life I am tree

#csroberstauthor

 

 

Feelings As Another Friend Passes

          

                Feelings As Another Friend Passes

© 2017 C.S. Roberts

Funny how death comes so quietly and takes. We know it is there, and we also know that it must and will have its way but it still surprises us. We fight it as long as we can. Never give up until we have to and still the grief cuts so very deeply. The space left by our departed is often so deep we feel that we will never make it to the other side of our grief. We have to just keep living until we are alive again and this is often not an easy task. Our tears wash and cleanse until at last the memories do not hurt so much but bring a smile instead. We relish the lessons and examples of their struggle and grace; we applaud them and hope we can be so when it is our turn. Death is a disconcerting exercise of trying to hold water in your hands. We consign them to their God(s) and regretfully and tentatively let them go as we are left behind to stare at our empty hands and wonder how they left us so soon. They are now at peace; their struggle is ended. Ours, on the other hand, has just begun. We, like they, will endure though it does not always feel like it, we do get through it. Somehow, some day, we get through it. We manage to put one foot in front of the other until the time arrives for us to do it again. This is the cycle of life. Birth, death and rebirth. Hail all those that have gone before! Hail all those who will follow. Be at peace, as much as is possible and breathe. Keep living until you are alive again.

#csrobertsauthor #awarenessperpetrator #evolutionofself

 

Magic in a Puddle! Perspective is everything! Or Rain Faries

 

        Magic in a Puddle! Perspective is everything!

                               Or Rain Faries

Just had a memory flashback of an early childhood lesson on perspective, thought you might enjoy. I was less than 6, not sure how old, and was enduring a rainy day...NOT my favorite thing. Mom and Memaw came into the living room where I sat lamenting the nastiness of the day and sat across the room. I paid them no mind, I just continued with my litany of my most exalted opinion of the intelligence of the rain that was effectively ruining my day.

"Stupid rain!" I can't go out. I can't climb my tree or swing on the swing! I don't like this rain! I can't see the sun; it is cold and wet...." my rant went on and on. Finally, I turned to my favorite person in the world and said, "Memaw don't you hate the rain too?!

In her most loving voice (I can still hear it) she said "No, why would I want to do that? It helps the grass that you love to picnic on to grow and brings on the flowers you love so much. It waters your favorite tree so that it stays strong and healthy for you to play in. It washes off your swing to help it stay clean enough for you to swing on. AND...(she paused, looked at Mom and asked her, "should we tell her about them now?" Mom nodded, "Yes, I think we should")

"Come over here to the window", we went. "What do you see over there in that puddle?" Memaw pointed to one close to the porch steps. I saw rain falling into the water and said so. Memaw advised that I look closer, Mom had joined us by now and suggested that i look with my magic eyes. (She had taught me to see the Christmas Tree that way, let your gaze go relaxed, slightly out of focus and you will see hidden paths between the lights and the ornaments become something else, something magic.) I did this and there, before my astonished eyes, I saw them! For the first time in my life, I saw the rain fairies. They danced in the puddle, turning it from a thing of abject annoyance into a show of grace and beauty....all of what Memaw had said about the rain fell into place and my day became beautiful, sacred and awe filled!

I can still see them dancing in the puddles on rainy days, I don't have to be unfocused in my gaze, I see them and I hugged my mother and Grandmother every time. Have a great day everyone and remember, perspective is, indeed everything! © 2014 C.S. Roberts

 

The Season of Light

                     The Birthday of the Light

                   By Thomas G. Digby written 1230 hr 12/25/91

Two people slogging through the crowds of holiday shoppers
pause to ask one another
"Isn't this all supposed to be somebody's birthday?"

Yes, it is.
This is the birthday of the Light.

Different people see the Light differently:
To many the Light is a babe in a manger,
A child destined to grow into a great teacher and healer,
Bringing the light of love to a world lost in darkness.

To others the light is the light of freedom,
Seen in the miracle of a lamp burning
Far longer than its meager supply of oil should have lasted
After the conquerors were driven from the Temple.

And still others celebrate winter sunlight
Bringing the solstice promise of springtime
And reminding us to look at endings
As opportunities for new beginnings.

But even though we see the light differently
And hold different days in this season sacred to it,
Let us all look into the light together
To see opportunities for new beginnings
For a world of freedom and healing and love.

The Potential Within

                          THE POTENTIAL WITHIN 

               An excerpt from “The Illustrated Tao te Ching, chapter 11, (pg 46)

                             © 2009 Chessie Roberts, all rights reserved, used on chessieseos.blogspot by permission

      “30 Spokes on a Cartwheel; Go towards the hub that is the center – but look there is nothing at the center and that is precisely why it works." 

      If you mold a cup you have to make a hollow; it is the emptiness within that makes it useful. In a house or room, it is the empty space that is usable. They all use what they are made of to do what they do but without their nothingness, they would be nothing.
     Someone said to me the other day that they felt hollow, empty and useless and that made me remember this quote. If this person is as they felt, then just think of the potential for usefulness they have. If one is completely empty there is the opportunity to fill oneself with all manner of wonderful things. Things such as love, gratitude, light, promise of wondrous things, empathy, sharing, helpfulness, positives, guidance, grace, kindness, forgiveness, oh yes, did I mention love?
     Emptying oneself of all that is defeating and heavy allows room for all that is good, healthy, and useful to oneself and to those around them. So, how about it? Why not empty yourself of the bad attitudes, negativity and other things that keep us mired down and unhappy.
Fill yourself rather with the things of light and love that allow us to soar to our highest manifestation.
Bright Blessings, Chessie

The truth About Forgivness

              

                   The Truth About Forgiveness

                                   © Chessie Roberts 2009 All rights reserved
                                                              used on Blogspot.com by permission

    What is your idea of forgiveness? Is it you in all your glory coming down from on high to bestow your benevolence upon some poor slob who has offended you? Maybe it is you confronting the person and letting them know in no uncertain terms that you are the better person because you have decided, at great sacrifice to you, to forgive them. Perhaps you forgive them to shut them up and make them go away or to make the other person feel bad for ‘what they did’. None of these examples are forgiveness.
    Truth is that forgiveness has nothing to do with the person you are forgiving (unless it is yourself) but has everything to do with you and who is in control of ‘you.’
    What? You ask. Let’s break it down a bit. If you are emotionally invested in a situation, that situation is what is holding your power. That situation is draining your energy because it takes a great deal of energy to stay angry. You feel like a victim of the circumstance and like someone else is in control. It also is calling your attention to focus on it (the unfairness of the situation etc.) rather than other, more important things. It is sort of like a lamp; when you plug it into the socket the connection causes the electricity to go to the light bulb. Let’s call the bulb your anger that sustains the grudge, the plug is where you choose to put your energy and the entire lamp is who holds your power. How do you get your power back? Just unplug from the situation. You take back your energy that has been making the situation stronger and you weaker and presto, the grudge disappears and the person you were angry with has no more control over your thoughts, feelings and actions.
    Here is the neat part, that person, whoever they may be, doesn’t have to have any idea that you have forgiven them. Of course, if it is a close friend and you want to keep the relationship alive, you would want to talk it over with them. If, however, it is someone whom you do not know or have no personal relationship with then chances are they are not aware that they hurt your feelings in the first place.
    An exception to them not realizing they did damage would be in the case of a crime having committed against you or someone you love. That is a bit harder to forgive but I tell you from experience that it can be done and you will be the better for having done it. Once you claim ‘you’ and take back what is rightfully yours, you stop feeling like a victim and begin to stand in your own power. That is when you start to heal and are able to help both yourself and others do the same thing.
    I had an occasion to speak to some inmates in a federal prison once. Their excuse was that something bad had been done to them when they were younger, so they now had no control over what they did to others. I will tell you now what I told them then; nothing can happen to you that is so terrible that truly forgiving the other person and yourself will not make better. To heal from anything, you must begin by forgiving. Things happen and we make bad choices but if we learn from them, forgive and move forward, we will grow and perceiver.
                                                                Bright Blessings Chessie
“We are not meant to mourn traumas for more than a short time.” Carolyn Myss

Blogged with the Flock Browser

An Attitude of Gratitude An Attitude of Gratitude

            THE ATTITUDE OF GRATTITUDE

                           AND APPRECIATION

                               REVISED 11/23/2025

                                                © 2009 Chessie Roberts all rights reserved

                                Used on chessiesEOS blogspot by permission Evolution of Self

   Why should I be grateful you ask? Do you have a home; enough to eat, a way to read this blog, friends, family and everything you need to live as comfortably as possible? Then I ask why do you not feel overwhelmingly grateful? So many have little or nothing and feel that they can do nothing about it, (in some cases they are correct).
     One of the things that I find appalling is the sense of entitlement that seems to permeate the youth of this era. It is seen in the young adults all the way down to children old enough to have learned better, should someone have taken the time to teach them. Where did this mind set start? As best I can figure it started with the ‘60s concept of “if it feels good do it”.  Some of us grew up and learned that if one did not earn it, one did not deserve to have it, and some did not.

     I hear children telling their parents what they will and will not accept on their plates, for gifts; what the parents will give them now just because everyone else has one. On the other side of that I hear what the child will not do to earn the item or privilege, and the parents feel they have to accept the child’s’ ultimatum. 

     How did that happen (I have no answer here folks) I had a child tell me once after they broke one of my collectibles, “That’s OK, I didn’t want to play with that anymore, ‘sides it doesn’t matter, Mommy will just buy me another.” Never mind that it was not hers to begin with.
      The solution is to change the way we think by going from the ‘what can you give me’ mind set to the ‘what can I do for someone else and what can I be thankful for today’ way of thinking. This works because when you change what you think about, what you think about changes. (You may want to read that again)
     By attempting to show kindness for others a change occurs down deep inside, you have seen it demonstrated in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Your capacity for love of others grows to astounding levels. You find yourself being grateful for absolutely everything in your life and on the planet. You begin to smile more, help more, trust more and share more. It doesn’t stop there it radiates out from you to encompass everyone you come across and spreads out from them. It could turn into a movement of global betterment!
      What if we all did this, can you see an end to hate, war, hunger, homelessness, fear, disease, corruption; and the list goes on and on, all the way to global peace? How nice will that be?
A friend of mine just introduced me to the Gratitude Project;
“Gratitude Project 2009
The Gratitude Project was begun several years ago (on LiveJournal) by estaratshirai. The rules are simple. Every day between Midsummer and Thanksgiving one must find something to be grateful for in life. No repeats - one can be grateful to people more than once, but it has be for different reasons.”

THE GRATITUDE/APPRECIATION PROJECT

REVISITED

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” ~ Voltaire "Gratitude is the emotion that drives appreciation which is the vehicle of sharing and growth." ~Chessie Roberts

A friend of mine, Honi Borden pointed out that there is a huge vibrational difference between being in the state of gratefulness and being in the state of appreciation.
When you are in an attitude of appreciation, you are tuned with the natural vibration of the true love essence, you can think of it as pure bliss consciousness.

When you feel grateful, you have reached the point of having overcome and now you have come to this place of thankfulness which is wonderful, however, the energy is coming from overcoming rather than just being. By shifting the resonance from "I am grateful" to the more powerful I am appreciative, you change your inner vibration, and it raises you to be more in line with the universe.  This causes the universe to align with that state of consciousness without having you to overcome more obstacles.

The Gratitude Project was begun by Julie McCord, and I love it and the changes it makes in your life SO, because of the new information I have explained above, I have renamed it the GRATITUDE/APPRECIATION PROJECT.

The rules are simple - every day between Lammas (August 1st) and Mabon (the Autumnal Equinox) one must find something to be grateful for in life. No repeats -you may be grateful to people more than once, but it must be for different reasons. Gratitude/Appreciation is one of the best ways to turn your thinking around to a more positive and uplifting perspective. When you are grateful/appreciative those feelings cascade out into all facets of life and you begin to see and act upon what is truly important.

I challenge all you readers to try this and see what a wonderful difference it makes in your lives and those around you. I’d be willing to bet that it catches on and becomes a daily thing all year ‘round.
Bright Blessings, Chessie

Stress and ways to handle it

STRESS
AND WAYS TO HANDLE IT

© Chessie Roberts 2009 all right reserved.

                                           Used on blogsopt,chessiesEOS by permission

Do you have concerns about things such as the economy, budget cuts, your life in general, cash flow, higher demands on your time and resources, that next load of laundry, anything at all? Well a yes answer to any of those puts you in the “you have stress” category. Not to worry, help is on the way.

Some warning signs of becoming overwhelmed by stress (not to scare you but to inform you) can also be explained by other, possible medical situations so, before we go any further, if you feel that you are experiencing any of these symptoms or warning signs, PLEASE see your doctor or health care provider for an exam to be sure where your personal ‘stuff’ is coming from.

CHANGES IN YOUR BEHAVIOR:
Nervous habits either starting or coming back
Pulling away, isolating yourself
Eating (too much or not enough)
Use of nicotine, alcohol or any drug (prescription or recreational)
Neglecting your responsibilities
Procrastination
Sleeping (too much or not enough)

CHANGES IN YOUR THOUGHT PROCESSES;
Difficulty or an inability to concentrate
Focusing only on negative aspects of your life
Problems with memory
Constant worrying
Difficulty or an inability to focus for any length of time
Displaying poor judgment
Overly anxious
Racing thoughts

YOUR PHYSICAL BODY;
Loss of sex drive
More frequent occurrence in respiratory problems, such as;
Colds, sinus infections, bronchitis etc
Frequent gastro/intestinal problems, such as;
Diarrhea, gas, constipation, cramps, nausea etc.
Dizziness
Pain in chest and/or upper arm
Heart rate becomes rapid
General, undefined aches and pains


YOUR EMOTIONS;
Feeling overwhelmed
Moodiness; irritable, agitated, can’t relax, can’t get going, short tempered
Depressed, don’t care
Feeling alone or isolated (even around others)
Generally unhappy with everything/one

You need to remember that your emotions and actions are contagious to both yourself and to others. If you are able to control you in a balanced manner that too will spread to those around you and you are ahead of the game. Because once you are in a downward spiral, it will build.

How does this occur you may ask? It happens because thoughts are fluctuations of energy that are carried by chemicals called neuropeptides. Your body is a shameless eavesdropper and will instantly react to your thoughts even before you are aware of them. Have you ever been startled by what you thought was a spider or a snake only to discover that you were mistaken? Well there you have a perfect example of the phenomenon.

This also occurs when you speak of something you ‘feel’. I learned my lesson the hard way. I was at my chiropractors one day because of terrible lower back spasms. While on the table the Dr. and I were conversing about my day and I answered one of his questions with a cleaver quote from a movie that I was currently using for laughs, “That makes my butt twitch.” I know, I know, not very ladylike but the Dr noticed that as I spoke the quote, I had another spasm! He said, “I think I found your problem.” And he was correct. I stopped saying that particular phrase and my spasms dropped off dramatically.

Lesson here is when you pay attention to your ‘self’ on a conscious level, you become better in tune with you so you know sooner when you are reaching your limit. So what can you do to help yourself? First, breathe. As you breathe, you exchange the atoms of your body. As you replace the tired ones with fresh ones, you feel better. Regular breathing will exchange about 98% of your body’s atoms per year, deep conscious breathing raises that rate. I’m talking about the deep in through the nose, blow it out through the mouth, empty your lungs kind of breathing. (Careful and don’t hyperventilate) you should not have to do this more that 3-4 times to feel the effects.
Here are some other ways to control or reduce stress;

PHYSICAL BODY/LIFESTYLE CHANGES; (start with small steps)
Move; walk, drink water not soda make better food choices
Cut way down on nicotine and alcohol
Get into a regular sleep schedule
Balance you work, family, rest, play time
Don’t over or under commit (you will learn where your limits are)
Leave some wiggle room in your schedule, leave earlier to account for traffic etc
Take breaks and leave your desk, room or building
Prioritize tasks, delegate when you can and to the least pleasant first or when you are at
Your strongest time of day
Hydrate yourself

YOUR MENTAL STATE (MIND);
Learn and practice meditation (pray to ask, meditate to listen for answers)
Learn and practice correct self talk to create better communication with yourself and
Consequently, others.
Make time to read positive, up lifting things that are not business related
Find/make a calm, quiet place (it really is ok to have one)
Learn to truly like your ‘self’ with no judgments or criticism
Hydrate

YOUR SPIRIT;
Have/attend regular religious/spiritual rituals to reconnect with the Greater Power
Pray to ask
Meditate to listen/help
Help someone in true need
Laugh with genuine humor
Learn with gratitude, love and joy
Enjoy

“Remember the definition of relaxing is not lying on the couch, sleeping or being lazy; it is a mentally active practice that leaves the body relaxed and refreshed. It is best done in an awake state. It is a trainable exercise that gets better with practice.” University of Michigan Health Center

Bright Blessings, Chessie

Positive

© Chessie Roberts 2009 all rights reserved.

              Used on Evolution of Self; Journey into Body, Mind, Spirit Balance by permission


I looked up the word, ‘positive’ in the dictionary and was surprised to see that it has 30 different definitions. I had to read them all to see which one pertained to this article and I decided it was #4; emphasizing what is laudable, hopeful, to the good; constructive. I feel that these qualities are being lost in the 21st century for many reasons but the one I want to stress here is our CHOICES.

We have both the ability and the right to choose to be positive, hopeful and constructive. I have found, in my years of teaching this concept that some people choose to enjoy being miserable. Now I don’t condone that choice, but I do not condemn it either. I just choose not to associate with those who choose this lifestyle.

I have also discovered a very interesting truth about being positive; it is energizing whereas negativity is draining; it takes a lot of energy to stay unhappy! I don’t know about you, but I have far better things to use my energy on that will help, motivate and edify others and that makes me happy. Will you join me in being optimistic, confident, constructive, helpful and encouraging? You will find that your life will be positively different for making that choice.

Bright Blessings, Chessie

Sign in Eleanor Roosevelt’s office; “No one can ‘make you’ without your permission.”

Balance

Balance

                                             © Chessie Roberts 2009 all rights reserved

                   Used on Evolution of Self; Journey into Body, Mind, Spirit Balance by permission

Balance is a tricky thing. Financially ones income needs to balance ones out go; in Nature, wet needs to balance dry, light, dark. Your vehicle needs its systems to be in balance for it to function properly. In life work needs to balance play and action, rest.

So the mental and physical need to balance with the spiritual; if we are too invested in one, the other two will go wanting. Our physical body is usually our first focus because we see it all the time and others are there to point out where improvement is seemingly needed. Our second focus is usually the mental spoke of our wheel as we strive to learn and grow. Too often our spiritual part is the last to be investigated.

Once we begin our spiritual growth process we find wondrous things begin to happen, we begin to vibrate to new rhythms, those of a higher nature, closer to creation and universal truth. When that happens things just seem to work better because our balance is returning and we, whole once again feel our true purpose and we travel the path of growth for which we were intended.

Bright Blessings, Chessie

“If we are going to be happy, we have to be happy on purpose.” Joyce Myer

PART TWO, FEAR; IT IS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF

PART TWO, FEAR; IT IS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF

© Chessie Roberts 2010 all rights reserved

“Your mind is the most marvelous bio-computer ever created. It does not deal with vague ideas; it is activated by specifics.” Denis Waitley

I asked you last time where your power is, who/what is controlling it. Listen to the words you use when you think or talk about what you are holding fear about. Do you say things like “I can’t…”, “I hope…”, “What if…”, “That is horrible…”, “It’s not my fault…” or “That is a problem…”? I tell you now that you are using vocabulary that feeds your fear and destroys your power/strength to attempt to grow. Yes, for you who have taken levels 1 and 2, this goes back to proper self talk. By changing your verbiage, you begin to change your attitude, your focus and your emotions about what you feel you want to do.

Try these words instead; “I won’t…” Won’t implies that you have chosen to use your power not to do something, rather than meekly give in to circumstances beyond your control. Your subconscious hears it as “I’m weak” so you will be. Or as an alternative, try using, “I choose to…” and see/feel the difference.

Try changing ‘hope’ to; know. Hope tells your subconscious that there is a good chance that whatever you want will not manifest; i.e., “I hope I can go home for the holidays”. Now changing the one word, “I know I can go home…” puts your power back into your hands,

“What if’ gives the Universe your permission to walk all over you. It tells your subconscious that you are completely out of control. Because it is a vague and wishy-washy statement, it is also a waste of your energy. Don’t use it at all.

“That is horrible” can be replaced with the thought that whatever it is can be a challenge, and opportunity to help someone or to grow.

The “it’s not my fault” is a cop-out. If it is yours, own it. This is extremely empowering. It makes you the powerful person you want to be, not the victim. If you take responsibility for your life and what goes on in it you have the power to change things for the better.

The change of the word ‘problem’ to the word ‘opportunity’ opens your mindset to one that stretches to embrace the growth that will enable you to become the person you want to become.

As you change to a more powerful vocabulary, your thought processes will follow. This will change how you see yourself, thus changing how others see you, making your self-confidence grow and fear diminish. This will create the ability for you to handle more things that are outside your normal comfort zone and that leads to awesome opportunities for you to enjoy.

Until next week; Bright Blessings. Chessie