Author: Charles Geddes

Lighten Up!

meditation

Week two of continuing to revisit the 5 Key Principles. Look back on week 1, entitled Practice, Practice, Practice.

2 – Be Aware of What Is Yours to Carry and What Is Yours to Set Free.

What baggage we carry that has never belonged to us, and we keep adding to it with more stories that keep us entrapped in emotional quicksand of lies and untruths about ourselves and others.

I honor that I took on great responsibilities in my youth and felt it was absolutely mine to do. There is no regret in all those years – yet there is great awareness that I carried that sense of obligation for decades longer than I needed to. My sense of identity and value was solely in being there for my family and others.

In my 60’s I did step away from that profound sense of obligation, however, I still carried in my ministry and work that I had to be there for everyone – and always available. I was still adding to my luggage – that only I could lighten by stepping back and awakening to – I can travel more lightly.

From events that took place in my work and wonderful new friendships and love in Ft Lauderdale, there came a time when I realized, I wanted to explore a whole new freedom and no longer “carry” being there 24/7 for everyone.

It was time to set Charles – Free. I let go of my church leadership and through the imprint of COVID and Black Lives Matter – I created Mind Your Own Becoming – a non-profit forum for open and meaningful discussion of our times that we come to authentically listen.

Check our Opening Home Page on What we are About and our Mission, Vision statements.

I also decided to move to Montana having been born in Colorado and being one of the founders of the Big Sky Retreat from its beginnings in 1976. The mountains were calling me for a sense of being home where I could claim new growth – and “Lighten Up.”

I let go of all except for sending packages to Clancy, Montana, where I was to discover a new sanctuary space, and packing my new Jeep Cherokee with all I could. A beloved friend Rev Kent Barnard traveled with me part way to Texas.  From that point on I was by myself and arrived in Montana, May 1st, 2020.

Through this decision for the first time in my life I do not feel driven in time and schedule. I am here for what Kahlil Gibran defines as “Work is Love made visible.”  I am refired, renewed, redefined, and awakening to my full value – without the need to prove it to others.

I am conscious to look at my baggage ongoing and the self-judgment I carried throughout my life, generationally and personally. I seek to live from valuing how far I have travelled and the rest before me is meant to be the best because I have “Lightened Up!”

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice photo

A review of the 5 Key Principles of Mind Your Own Becoming – The path to our Freedom to Be!

Taking in the Key Principles of MYOB is about putting them into practice as a way of life.

However, we choose to see them – as Spiritual Principles or Ethical Principles to live by – these are not new. They are at the heart of great faiths and are the core of what the Mystics have taught.

Please review what I have shared on the website regarding these Principles. I am updating my soulful reflections of them as I turn 83 and honor I am continuing to deepen and expand my awareness of Charles. I will be revisiting the 5 Key Principles over the next 5 weeks.

1 – Free Others to Be Where They Are – Not Where You Want Them to Be.

I have come to realize that we all move through what we are here to grow though. I cannot evolve for anyone but myself. My soul / sole priority – is to work on what I personally need to continue to see life in new perspectives that nurture my own authenticity and self-value.

I can and do plant seeds of my insight and let them be.

I celebrate that when I have had personal breakthroughs and share them with clarity that it can and does encourage others to go deeper in their own awareness.

When I recently shared the story of being the victim of an attack on a dark, rainy night by four men years ago and that I forgave my attackers immediately, that I carried for decades that it was my fault being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just recently through my personal therapy I was able to utter for the first time in my life – “It wasn’t my fault” and believe it.”

Sharing that story at the Big Sky Retreat – an attendee came up to me with tears in her eyes – saying – you freed me to say the same about what had occurred to her. She realized it was time she freed that pain of self-condemnation against herself.

When our stories of insight touch another life,  that is the result of Minding my own Becoming to empower others.

The simplicity of that Principle – when you do the deeper soul work on yourself, you are more mindful that you can’t control or grow for anyone else – but you!

The great liberty is when I realize – the deeper I go into my own self-liberation and authenticity, the greater compassion I have for everyone – without exception. I can pray for world-wide awakening – as I choose to awaken daily to personal task – of Minding my own Becoming!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

A Farewell Celebration of JOY

Big Sky Retreat 2024

The Big Sky Retreat – Aug 31 to Sept 4, 2024

I wrote the prose below to Honor this amazing accomplishment of having achieved the record number of years of an ongoing metaphysical retreat! I had the privilege of being with it from its beginnings. For me – it was my spiritual anchor – reminding me of my personal freedom to discover my own authenticity and encourage all to do the same.

“A Journey to Love” was our Theme.

It is Remembrance that is the key,
Angels go before us to prepare the way.
That we open to our destiny.
The Power of Love to see.
It’s the quest to sing our song,
That we all belong.
We are born into forgetting,
And believe life is about getting,
When Life is about Being
That we are here to shed our Light.
And open to inner sight,
There are no others – just all.
Seeking Remembrance of the “Call”
It’s a journey to Love that we may rise.
And come to realize.
That sacred quest we all share,
That we all matter and are here to care,
That as Mother Nature proclaims – Be!
Sing your song that all may be free!
Remembering – That journey to Love is our Destiny.

Our keynote speakers – Dr. James Mellon – our Music Artistry by Robin Hackett, workshops by Angel Howard and Paul Hasselbeck, power talks by Rev. Liz Luoma, Rev. Jen Dickey and Rev. Dr. Liza Marques were all WOWS!

There were 25 new attendees, 50 returnees – all know it was our last retreat and all arriving in such JOY to celebrate our history – the moment – and honoring 48 years of touching lives was a phenomenal achievement.

Rev. Dr. James Mellon made a wonderful observance that tough our theme “A Journey to Love,” he put forth to consider it “A Journey as Love.” This retreat has been an ongoing journey of 48 years to ever deepening love, because its origin was rooted as LOVE to begin with.

May we all be mindful, more than ever, we are here to evolve and build bridges, not walls that we learn from one another for the salvation of all humanity. Check out the pictures on the Big Sky Retreat Facebook page.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Our Belief in Duality is What Blocks Us from the Realization of Oneness and the Joy that Comes from that Realization.

Bird Flying in Sunset Sky

Wisdom quotes from great teachers, ancient and current:

  • “Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.” Maya Angelou –
  • “Our sorrows and wounds are only healed when we touch them with compassion.” Buddha
  • The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” – Carl Jung
  • “We can make ourselves miserable or we can make ourselves strong. The amount of effort is the same.” – Pema Chodron
  • “The belief in duality has made us sick – and the understanding of Unity/Oneness will heal.” Ernest Holmes

We are all One in this journey together. Wholeness envelopes us – but only we can bring it into our hearts and soul as the Truth of our Being.

Thanks to a dear friend whose husband dealt with a therapy process that got to the root of the intense pain and anger he had buried; she recommended a therapeutic process called EMDR.

EMDR’s goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. There are such therapists here in Helena.

As I have entered this therapy personally, I cherish that one of the great insights is that deeper healing is not about our age – it’s simply our willingness to step out of the self-inflicted pain that no longer needs to reside within us. This transcends all the fearful thoughts I may create.

I share 3 Keys to Advancing on Wholeness and the amazing Joy that unfolds.

  1. Integrating the light and dark as integral to our Being and wellness.
  2. I can’t expand without going deeper. My growth and expansion are to stretch to new awareness.
  3. Acceptance of events we cannot change, but how we can see them in a new light.

    “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – AA

    And I am adding: “The openness to see things in new light.”

    “Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom.” – Rumi

“Radical Forgiveness is much more than the mere letting go of the past. It is the key to creating the life that we want, and the world that we want. It is the key to our own happiness and the key to world peace. It is no longer an option. It is our destiny.”
– Colin Tipping – Founder of the Institute for Radical Forgiveness

The soul work I do on me impacts generations past – present and future. Nothing brings me greater Joy than that realization.

I close this blog with a reference to a beautiful song by Daniel Nahmod. For me it’s the realization that to genuinely Mind Your Own Becoming is first realizing what you must Unbecome.

Unbecoming – Daniel Nahmod

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Joy – Accepting the Light and Dark Creates the Authentic You!

Man walking into light tunnel

“Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one’s being, but by integration of the contraries.” ― Carl Gustav Jung

Perfection exists – it is our origin. Transcendence and healing, however, only come through the vulnerability to integrate the experiences of this earth journey – the darkness, grief, joy, and triumph. It’s the inner work we do that evolves our soul and benefits all to the reality of Love and Wholeness.

I have recently come to realize the intense shame, guilt, and depth of the feelings of unforgiveness of myself I have held onto.

I have also been able to realize the intense anger within me by reacting to a key word “disappointment.”  I had no idea the deeper pain it revealed. What I took in was that I had disappointed them – and that had nothing to do with what they meant. I recognized in that moment; it was time to do deeper soul and healing work on myself. I have been in the study and practice of – what I now choose to call sacred life force within us all.

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.”              
– Aristotle

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
– Socrates

“Our greatest ability is not in ever failing, but in rising every time you fall.”
– Confucius

From the scam I experienced a year ago and losing a significant amount of money, the impact of the shame, guilt, and feeling I had that I had done something horribly wrong and how stupid I felt has remained. And then the triggers in the past two months of that key word and how I heard it – not what was meant. Being disappointed by someone in something I did throwing me back to “shame on you” and childhood memories of living with a sense of shame for existing as I came into adulthood.

The anger and rage I felt was my own self-loathing – still buried and unresolved.

The revelations through these past 3 years in Montana have been profound:

  1. For the first time in my life, I have not felt driven – regarding taking care of family, friends, church, and others.
  2. With the long winters in MT – there’s nowhere to go but inside – homewise and within oneself.
  3. My remembering – I have come here to do the deeper work on Charles.

I am grateful I have my writing blogs through Mind Your Own Becoming website.

It is a time to put myself first to honor the healing I am here for.

I am here to open to unconditional love for myself and the forgiveness work required for that. I remind all the Joy that emerges when you choose to go deeper and the revelations that occur when you honor – you matter and always have.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Go Deeper – Do the Inner Work to Behold Joy!

underwater ocean grotto

I have maintained the inner child – where Joy resides and know that I also created a wounded child that took on the intensity of my sense of identity and value.

I took on the guilt of a struggle with my own sexual identity and feeling literally “a despicable abhorrent specimen of humanity.” That condemnation was rooted in shame that never belonged to me and was rooted in the world consciousness and fundamentalist religion. That shame led me into incredibly dark places that I have shared in my previous writings.

In my early twenties I stepped out of traditional church completely because it never made sense to me that I would enter a place of worship and come out feeling worse than I entered because of what I heard.

I had studied Eastern teachings, the works of the great Mystics, and the writings of Edgar Cayce.

When I came upon the teachings of Science of Mind, by Ernest Holmes, I knew I found a place of reason and my spiritual home.

There is a song we are each are here to experience as a soul that defines our own sacred and unique being. That song can be as simple and pure as loving what you do and valuing the gifts and talents within you. When you are expressing the authenticity of your soul – Joy is very much present.

See my blog on Baby Thing – a starling who had a song to sing!

I made the decision at 26 to study for the ministry. I knew this was a soul calling, however, I was entering for all the wrong reasons. I felt that perhaps if I did enough good for others somehow, I could make up for the self-loathing and condemnation I held inside myself.

I have recently opened to go deeper into my healing journey. Healing is ongoing and it is about vulnerability and willingness to see things with new perspective. With all the deep work I have done through decades of reminding others to accept and find enduring beauty and regard within themselves, it’s only been in my recent commitment for personal professional counsel and specifically EMDR therapy that my deepest healing and insight has taken hold.

We have come far from the psychological counsel available 60+ years ago. There are greater insights that have taken place and profound healing modalities to which we can open.

I will be sharing the healing revelations that are coming through as I process them more fully. It’s so wonder-full to realize I am honoring my own self-healing more than ever. That is what Mind Your Own Becoming is all about! Honor that you are worth investing in that deeper awareness that can bring a feeling of Joy and purpose richer than you have ever known!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Non-Duality – The Path to JOY

Non-Duality - The Path to Joy

Our Mind Your Own Becoming theme for August is: “Rekindling Joy.”

I offer my thoughts from my soul journey with JOY in this hour of my life.

Keep it Simple: It’s Remembrance – “Going back to the realization, however, we define Creation – everything that has come into being is through that One Source. I call it Originating Cause. Thomas Troward, the great metaphysician coming into the 20th Century, defined the essence of that Originating Cause as: Life, Love, Light, Power, Peace, Beauty, and Joy.

What keeps us bound to the illusion and ultimate delusion of duality is the belief in “others,” and that I am a separate entity from everyone and everything else. When I return to the Source all — it’s only One!

This life journey certainly contains the experience of the opposites to those 7 elements. However, the root of all our Being is the quest to remember – we are here for ultimate JOY – not despair. I share the stirring words of Kahlil Gibran on his prose of Joy and Sorrow – from The Prophet.

I am saying farewell to the Big Sky Retreat that has been an integral part of my life and my spiritual soul anchor for 48 years. There is deep grief in releasing the love, laughter, tears, and remembrance of countless “Transcendent Moments” – see my blogs on Transcendental Love.

The reality of what I carry forward is Love and JOY, I share this segment on Peace by Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science and prolific author. Breathe it in. Yes – as humankind we live in a world of duality and multi-beliefs that keep us apart. Yet – when I step back – breathe in – and “Be Still” I create the space for remembrance of Oneness, and I am at Peace. May we all practice Oneness – and find our inner Peace that is the doorway to JOY?

PEACE

At the center of my being is Peace –
the Peace that is felt in the coolness of early evening after all have turned from their labor
and the first star shines in the soft light of the sky.

There is a freshness, a vitality, a power underlying this, Peace.
It broods over the earth quietly, tenderly, as a mother
watches over her sleeping child.

In this Peace that holds me so gently I feel strength and protection from fear and anxiety. It is the Peace of God, and within it I feel the Love of a Holy Presence.

As I become more conscious of this Love, all fear slips away as mist fades in the morning sunshine. I am one with deep abiding Peace.

I know that all is well.
I permit this Peace to flow through my entire being,
through my mind and heart until every problem is released.
The way is made clear before me.
It is filled with joy and harmony.

I AM Life
I AM Love,
I AM Light,
I AM Power,
I AM Peace,
I AM Beauty,
I AM Joy*
I AM vitality and strength and all good. 

 Written by Dr. Ernest Holmes in 1950

*Note added all 7 elements of Spirit from Thomas Troward’s
“The Creative Process in The Individual”

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

A Rescue Dog “Gus” – A Gift of Angels

Gus

40 Years Without a Pet and Angels Brought Gus into My Life

In my move from Florida to Montana – 3 Years ago – little did I know that I would wind up having shared custody of a recue dog named “Gus” – sometimes called “Gussy.” Gussy was a rescue dog and when his full owner first took him in he was a very sick little soul.

I had connected with the Helena Church for Conscious Living months before I made my cross-country trip, working with their Board of Directors. I was originally feeling I would be in Bozeman, but destiny brought me to a beautiful cabin in the mountains of Clancy – 9 miles outside of Helena, owned by the President of the Board, Deb. She had a basement apartment, and I thought I’d be looking for a place in Helena, she offered that I might stay for a week or so in the apartment until I found a place. I’m now here 3 years.

My Arrival at “Graceland in Clancy”

Arriving at the beautiful grounds of this cabin, I have come to call “Graceland at Clancy” was another beautiful friend, Rosie, I had met, through my online work on the board. Deb was in town at an appointment. As I drove around the bend to the property, Rosie and Gus were on the front sundeck.

An image I shall always see as “ethereal” was Rosie floating down the stairs to greet me and Gus charging down barking and letting me know he was responsible for assuring strangers were checked out before having the okay to be there.

There was an immediate bonding – I was “okay.” The past 3 years – with loving consent from Deb – I take Gus for his early morning walks, he joins me in the mornings, and I bring him up for lunch and sometimes have him in the afternoons when Deb goes into town. There’’s at least 3 walks at day – mornring, noon and around 4pm – when I go out to give “Winnie” the horse her treats, who lives on the large acreage of the property.

Gus has given me the wonder of reconnecting with all my pets and realizing how profoundly they have impacted my life. I have held Gus and felt the soul bonding we have together.

As I created my living space as my own, which does not feel like I am in a basement as there is a picture window in the bedroom that looks out upon the moutnains, one of the first thing Gus noticed was my stuffed ducks. Of course, he claimed them as his. I also have a large stuffed Goofy – and he takes hold of Goofy every now and then when very excited.

Gus and I meditate together in late spring through early fall as we sit just behind my bedroom window and look out onto the magnificent landscape.

We get down on the floor and do deep snuggling and look into each other’s eyes. I know – maybe a bit too much for some – but not for us.

I have felt I could call upon all my pets and their love is upon me in those moments.

What a blessing the angels have brought to me through Gus. Gus also serves to host any guests that visit me here and he is an extraordinary and gracious host to all. Of course, there is an initial sniffing to assure their approval.

Two More Beloved Friendships

I have bonded also with Deb’s cat “Tavi” who always comes to me when I am visiting Deb and lets me hold her and listen to her purring, letting me know – she matters too and loves me.

There is also “Winnie” the horse – that I have a sacred relationship with. Her owners ask me to care for Winnie when they are gone. Winnie and I have amazing talks and I have won her love and trust. Winnie and Gus also have a beautiful mutually loving acknowledgment of one another.

May we cherish the animal kingdom and their messages to us. If we listened more to them, we would be a more compassionate humanity together.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Panda – Forever Joy!

Panda, a Terrier/Poodle, pure energy, pure joy, pure unconditional love. Panda was with me until I left Arizona. My mom had moved to Denver, Colorado and was residing in a senior retirement apartment community.

Panda and I bonded deeply. I have never been as aware of how profoundly my dogs impacted my life as I am in my soulful remembrance of them through writing.

Panda had amazing exuberance and excitement whenever I came home. In fact, even when I would go out to empty the trash and return. Panda would be so excited she would jump up and down as though to jump into my arms.

She was a gift of life and happiness to all. Panda was a lap dog and we had sacred moments of love and communion time together. Like all dogs, chasing a ball was prime time play and we had our ball games and toy throwing moments. Panda was in my life to give me unconditional love. I was in deep judgment of feeling I was failing in my ministry. Panda was always there to evidence her joy in my being.

I do believe the angel kingdom brings us our pets. They are to serve a soul purpose for us and to teach us that tender care and regard for them and ourselves is what they are in our lives for.

Panda did have a soul playmate – just as Light and Sebastian were soul linked – so were a shiatsu dog named Chink. Chink was another niece’s dog – (I have 4 nieces). Chink was smaller than Panda but the two of them bonded in playful love and would chase each other around the house until they dropped from exhaustion.

Eternal Love

I never realized how deeply Panda loved me until I left my church in Arizona after 11 years of service. I was returning to California to spend what I thought would be a couple of weeks with a beloved soul sister, Dr. Elizabeth Marshall, and her family, till I found a new life and purpose. I had depleted all I had to give in my years of service, being there for my family, the church and congregation demands, and I had nothing left to give.

I left Panda with my sister and her husband. The adopted family I stepped into had a full house and it turned out I became a male nanny for six children. I returned to Arizona not long after I left for a brief visit. Panda went wild and was thrilled to see me. My heart ached in leaving her behind, but again – circumstances were such I could not bring her back with me. As I was about to return to California, she jumped in the back seat of the car and wouldn’t leave. It took four of us to get her out. That was heart-breaking and the regret I feel for leaving her remains.

I knew I would never have another dog where that would be a reality. That held true. I was 42 when I left Arizona and 40 years later, I wound up with joint custody of a dog named Gus.

Gus is the dog that has entered my life to let me know all my dogs have forgiven me and that I will see them again in Eternity.

Our pets cherish us and do have eternal love for giving them care and love. There’s no measure to the immensity of that love as I am so deeply remembering.

Take a deep breath – in remembrance of your pets – they will feel it wherever they are in Eternity.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

AI image generated by Copilot.

Tucsonia – A Royal Soul

Akita Image by maxxxiss from Pixabay

The next two dogs in my life I had to release to new homes because of events and circumstances. I still feel the incredible sadness in my heart for doing that.

Tucsonia came into my life just before I left California to begin my ministry. She was an Akita. “The Akita is a muscular, double-coated dog of ancient Japanese lineage famous for their dignity, courage, and loyalty. In their native land, they’re venerated as family protectors and symbols of good health, happiness, and long life.”

A beloved friend, Evelyn, knew of our collie, Light, disappearing before I was to leave for Tucson and my serving my first church as Minister. She called me to say that there were soon to be new Akita puppies being born and she wanted to gift me one. This was mid-summer, and I was due to leave in the fall for Tucson. After the initial pre-care required, I came to pick up my new companion. Akitas are highly intelligent and are extraordinarily playful. When Tucsonia would stand on her hind legs she looked like a bear cub.

Tucsonia – On Guard!

Tucsonia was sensitive to noise and would bark as a warning immediately at any sound that disturbed her. Early on in my move to Tucson, my mom, Esther, came to live with me. I had gone out one night and when I returned home, I heard Tucsonia barking. I went into the house and Tucsonia was at my mom’s bedroom door, barking and not moving from the door.

My mom had dropped something and that frightened Tucsonia and she would not let her out of the bedroom. It was frightening for my mom, but for Tucsonia she was on guard.

All my family in California moved to Tucson to be with me. My nieces got married there and soon there were great nieces and nephews in the picture.

My eldest niece had a St. Bernard named Sebastian. Tucsonia and Sebastian became best friends. We shared the same home space for a period. There were a couple of times the dogs got out of the yard, and it was a loving soul who found Tucsonia and called us and let us know, but dear Sebastian wound up in the pound and we had to go pick him up from there.

Tucsonia loved to get down on her front paws, rear and tail in the air, and that was her cue – let’s play. When my niece went out to empty trash, Tucsonia would often hide in the bushes and when she would jump out at her and chase her, and this was most assuredly a statement of “Let’s Play.”

Tucsonia always slept beside me and had her own mattress. This was a deep connection.

One thing that was extremely hard on both dogs – the extreme heat in the summertime and the ticks that would appear. Both dogs suffered in those months – even as much as we kept them indoors.

Letting Go

My niece, her husband, and two children decided to go to Colorado. We had to vacate the house we had. Moving to Colorado would offer a new life for them and the climate would be healthier for our dogs, Tucsonia and Sebastian.

My niece’s marriage was failing, and immense responsibilities were on her shoulders. In Colorado she had to find new homes for both Tucsonia and Sebastian. She did meet the new owner of Tucsonia and felt great that he lived in the mountains and took Tucsonia on walks. She did not meet Sebastian’s new owner.

The grief of releasing Tucsonia and Sebastian remains with both my niece and me. Tucsonia’s gift was the depth of her awareness and love and feeling at night, lying beside her, that she had understood me and had come to me from the angels after my dog Light decided to stay in California. See Blog on Light.

Releasing pets when circumstances seem overwhelming is extremely painful. There is one more incredible dog being that came into my life in Tucson – a Terrier/Poodle named Panda. That story to follow.

The journey of self-forgiveness for the life circumstances that I felt required letting go of beloved pets remains. My healing remembrance – I know I have their forgiveness.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Image by maxxxiss from Pixabay

1 2 3 4 5