Healing for the Earth, Day 26: Gardening for Health

"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."—Khalil Gibran

Hello fellow Earthlings,

Let me be the first to announce: I AM NOT A GARDENER.

Yet, 2020 seems to be the year that we step out of our comfort zones and do new things and wear different hats.

So today I put on the gardening gloves found in my parents' garage and grabbed a bucket and some gardening tools and went out in the sun and toiled in the Earth.

It felt good to get my hands dirty after having to keep them so damn clean with this virus. It felt good to get a little messy and talk to the 91-year-old neighbor over the fence about how he keeps his apple tree pruned in order to have a good crop of apples.

When I came outside to the garden, I think he was surprised. He hadn't seen me in months in the yard. I just don't hang out there. I tend to walk straight to the beach and hang out in other places on my walks.

He was gardening too and other people in the neighborhood were also gardening and some were walking their dogs and riding their bikes. It was a beautiful day!

"I'm a bit of a hermit," I told him.

"Actually, I am too," he said.

And then, "Do you sleep in? I never see the blinds opened."

I was a little embarrassed, but I rarely open the blinds on the side of the house that faces other houses. I only open the blinds that look out on the golf course. I guess I like my privacy out here. I like to write, and work on my class and do my own things. I enjoy exercise, but I'm not a big neighborhood socialite. In fact, most of the neighbors have never seen me. I'm sure they see my car and wonder, "Is there someone there?"

But today, like a bear that finally pokes its nose out of its den, I made an appearance in the hood. It felt good to be out in the sun working in the yard and talking to the neighbors. I saw a hummingbird and bees and a raven and a few eagles way up high. I would toil for awhile and then sit on the bench in the sun and then toil some more. I managed to fill a huge bucket full of weeds, but there's lots more to do. I feel like this may be a new activity for me as the weather starts to get nicer and warmer. Who knows? Maybe I'll even sit out on the deck in the sun and read! Whoa, now I'm really venturing out of my comfort zone!

I'm fortunate to be here at my parents' house. I'll be leaving here in May. I've enjoyed it so much. After living here for nearly 5 months, I've decided that I want to live on the Olympic Peninsula. My body and spirit love it out here. I love the spaciousness and all the hiking and nature and water nearby.

I don't know where on the Olympic Peninsula I'll land next, but wherever it is, I know I'd like my boyfriend to live with me and I'd love to get a cat. I hope I have nice neighbors like the ones here and I think I might just have to create a garden!

Do you like to garden? What do you like about it?

Healing for the Earth, Day 25: Death is a Part of Life by Guest Blogger Mae Esteban

Dear fellow Earthlings,

Wow! So much to think about as our Earth and lives go through this transition. My dear friend Mae Esteban, a hospice nurse, is here to tell us a powerful story of embracing transitions, including death, with grace.

When my dear friend and fellow Earth Sister Katherine asked me if I would be interested in writing for her blog, part of me jumped at the opportunity yet a part of me felt like, “What would I have to say that hasn't already been said?” I hesitated but then had a dream. Something was forming in my heart that wanted to be said.....

 I have many roles but one of the more prominent ones is my role as a hospice nurse. I work for a healthcare system in the greater Seattle area. Like everyone else, I am learning new ways of being in my different roles during this time of COVID-19. And despite the presence of the novel coronavirus, I still see my patients at their homes, wherever they may live, and help them during their end-of-life journeys. Some journeys are only a few hours while some can take several months. I have many stories that I could share but today I want to share the story of one particular person.

 I recently had a patient whom I've had the honor and privilege to care for pass away. I cannot tell you details as it would otherwise be a HIPAA violation and because of this, I will call my patient Robin. I met Robin weekly for several months. Robin was alert, oriented, ambulatory, and always, ALWAYS, had a smile for me. Not all my patients are like Robin. Many of them are bedridden and confused. I say this without any judgment as everyone's story is different. However, because Robin was the way Robin was, I got to know their personality quite well. I got to know not only Robin but also their spouse. Sometimes our visits felt more like social calls. We shared opinions of local restaurants. We talked politics. I made them laugh with the story of how my kids and I ate a whole Costco-sized red velvet cake on Valentine's Day, and they encouraged me to do it again! One of my favorite memories was when they shared with me the story of how they met more than 30 years ago. We all knew that if we had met under different circumstances, we would have been dear friends rather than patient-patient's spouse-and-nurse.

 If it wasn't for the increasing pain and lethargy, one might have doubted that Robin had a life-ending disease. But I knew, and Robin knew. It was for this reason that Robin, with the support of their spouse, had sought to exercise their right to use the Death with Dignity Act. (Here in the state of Washington, individuals can choose to end their life. There are many requirements and the individual needs to have met with two physicians.) Robin's pain had been escalating and every time we increased their pain medications, Robin would be comfortable for only a few days before their body rebelled and even more pain medication was required. Because of the public health's need to flatten the curve, our hospice program could no longer utilize some of the alternative or complimentary therapies we frequently used such as reiki or music thantology.

 After a horrible night which including the medics being called to lift Robin off the floor after a fall, Robin had decided it was time to take the medicine that would end their life. Robin's spouse called me that morning and so I drove over. I got all geared up in my car with my gloves, goggles, and mask, hating every second of it. Not only was it uncomfortable, but I hated the barriers it would create during our final moments together. Yet as much as I hated it, I also knew that I had a responsibility to the general public. I donned the PPE (personal protective equipment) that I was blessed to have and got out of my car. While the outside world dealt with the COVID-19 crisis, I entered Robin's home and the sanctuary that was their bedroom, staying aware of the present moment, realizing this gift of a final good-bye.

 Robin had not yet taken the life-ending medicine but was planning to do so soon. They laid in bed wearing their nasal cannula that provided supplemental oxygen and greeted me with a smile. My god, I loved that smile! I walked over and sat on a chair next to the bed. I knew that I was no longer following the 6-feet social distancing rule; but like my medical director likes to say, right now many things are a compromise. So while I was willing to wear the PPE, I was not willing to say good-bye from afar. At that moment, 6 feet may as well have been 6 miles.

 It was just the two of us in the room, though Robin's spouse preemptively brought in a box of tissues. The tissue was more for Robin since I couldn't remove my googles to use one. (By the way, crying in goggles sucks.) I had asked Robin if they wanted me present when they took the medicine and in that unselfish Robin way, they replied, “Well, what do you want?” I told them it was THEIR journey and after a pause and a smile, Robin said, “It's ok,” signaling the preference for it to be just them and a few close family members. During our remaining time together and through the tears, we held hands and I thanked them for allowing me to share these last few months with them. I told them how throughout this journey, they had shown nothing but courage and grace. I could see that they were at peace with the decision to move on. Before I left, Robin said to me, “I don't know what's on the other side, but I do hope we see each other again.” These words will forever be etched on my heart.

 Three hours later, I was notified that Robin had died.

 So what does this story have to do with healing the Earth?

 First, it's a reminder that death is a part of life. That the opposite of death is birth, not life. So to truly embrace life, one must be able to embrace death. Robin embraced life to the fullest. Robin enjoyed going outside in their garden and enjoyed good food. Their spouse always made Robin's favorite meals as they never knew when Robin's last meal would be. And just as they embraced life, Robin embraced death. There was no fear in the end. There was acceptance and with that came peace. So to help heal the Earth, we need to understand and accept that part of the Earth's cycle includes death.

 Secondly, it's a reminder that the death of anything is always followed by transformation. This will be true for Robin's spouse as they integrate their loss and grief into their new way of being. This will be true for me as I fondly remember my many visits with Robin and the lessons learned from them. This will be true for all of us who are witnessing death first hand in so many levels - whether it's the end of a business or employment, or the end of a way of living we once knew, or the end of the life of someone close to us. If we are to help heal the earth, we have to choose to transform into a new way of being that is healthy for us all – all of mankind regardless of race, religion, age, gender, or sexual orientation; all of nature including plants, animals, bodies of water, and even the rocks; and mostly for our Mother Earth. This transformation has to occur to us as individuals and us as a collective society. So I ask you now, while the Earth is in the middle of a huge transformation, how will you respond? Will you be like Robin who accepted death and faced their transition with courage and grace? Robin, I don't know what's on the other side either, but I do hope to meet each transition I encounter with as much courage and grace as you did. I need to do so for myself, for my kids, for all future generations, and for Mother Earth.

So I ask you now, while Earth is in the middle of a huge transformation, how will you respond? Will you be like Robin who accepted death and faced their transition with courage and grace?

Robin, I don't know what's on the other side either, but I do hope to meet each transition I encounter with as much courage and grace as you did. I need to do so for myself, for my kids, for all future generations, and for Mother Earth.

Mae Esteban has been a registered nurse for 24 years with the last 8 in hospice. She is the single mother of two and is passionate about living life's adventures with them. She enjoys traveling and has been many places including the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. She loves learning about different spiritual traditions, religions, and philosophies and finding the beauty in each one. Other interests include reading, watching Marvel movies and DC tv, and taking photographs. Mae also wrote a beautiful piece on my other blog, Lessons from the Monk I Married, as part of 365 Inspirations that I wrote there. It's about the Wake Up Festival she attended. Here it is: http://lessonsfromthemonkimarried.blogspot.com/2013/08/365-inspirations-241-wake-up-festival.html

Healing for the Earth, Day 24: The Ways That Programming Hinders Your Spiritual Awareness by Guest Blogger Madeline Hartman

Hello fellow Earthlings!

Today's guest blogger is Madeline Hartman. I'm so lucky to have her on my blog today to share her wisdom. I have attended many classes at her school, Psychic Awakenings,  including an 11-month Clairvoyant Awareness Program. I learned so many amazing tools in these classes that I use each day.  Here is her blog post for today:


The Ways That Programming Hinders Your Spiritual Awareness by Madeline Hartman

We are playing this earthly game to learn how to bring our spiritual awareness into our physical bodies. It's by being in your body that you'll be able to use your spiritual gifts to create a meaningful, satisfying life. 


One of the biggest hindrances to our spiritual growth is our "programming." Being programmed means accepting someone else's ideas and thoughts as your own without thinking about whether or not those ideas and thoughts are really true for you. When you are living a life based on programming, it will be very difficult for you to truly know yourself and your life purpose. Especially if you have programming that spirit is not real. Or if you believe that You the Spirit doesn't even exist. 


Sometimes you are aware of when someone is trying to program you. The most obvious example is when you are out shopping. You know that the salesperson is going to do his or her best to get you to purchase something. You usually already have your guard up to protect yourself from buying something that doesn't really meet your needs. 


There are also many times when you are not aware that you are being programmed. Have you ever done something and then wondered, "Why did I do that? I wasn't intending to do that?" Or "Why did I say that?" What probably happened is that someone jumped right into your head with their thoughts, and you believed the thoughts and acted on them. Thoughts are real and can be very powerful! 


During the course of being socialized into society as a young child, it is natural to accept all kinds of programming. This is all fine and good because we do need some concrete ideas about how to relate to the world around us. Some of this programming is beneficial. For example, we learn how to behave at home, at school and in public. But some of the programming is not so beneficial, especially when the family holds racist or bigoted beliefs. These beliefs are definitely not fact-based. Fortunately, most of us get to the age where we start to question our family's beliefs and programming that do not serve us as well. In the families with healthy dynamics, the children are allowed to develop their own theories based on their own experiences. In dysfunctional families, the children are not allowed to ask questions or to think for themselves. Some parents withhold love, or worse, actually punish their children for trying to individuate. 


The best way separate programming from that which is really true for you is to meditate. Sit in a straight back chair with your feet flat on the floor. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Deliberately send down a strong energy grounding cord from your hips and plant it firmly at the center of the earth. Clear your space by spending at least ten minutes with the intention of releasing some programming down the grounding cord. 


The next step is to start looking at your beliefs. Think about one of them and ask yourself, "How does this belief serve me?" There are different ways to intuit the answer. It may be a thought that just pops up in your head. It may be a feeling of wellness in your heart. Or it may be a feeling of dissonance in your belly. If the belief does not resonate with you, then release it down your grounding cord. If it does resonate, then own it as your own information and keep it. Some of you may already be familiar with trusting your intuition. Others of you may need some practice. 


Meditation and spending quality time communicating with yourself are the essential keys to avoid living a life based on beliefs that don't help you to thrive. Your truths are not the thoughts in your head. Your truths are to be found by using your intuition to discover what resonates with your heart.

Madeline Hartman is the director and owner of Psychic Awakenings in Queen Anne, Seattle. Her extensive experience in both conventional and alternative counseling gives her a unique perspective and a wide range of skills with which she can support you. Since 1980 she has offered spiritual counseling in the form of readings, healings and psychic development classes. Her training began at the Berkeley Psychic Institute/Church of Divine Man where she was ordained as a spiritual minister. While at Berkeley she taught meditation and healing classes for five years. Madeline also holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington.

Healing for the Earth, Day 23: Sharing Your Gifts with Others and the Earth

Hello fellow Earthlings,

"My Teacher has told you how a word from her hand touched the darkness of my mind and I awoke to the gladness of life. I was dumb; now I speak. I owe this to the hands and hearts of others. Through their love I found my soul and God and happiness. Don’t you see what it means? We live by each other and for each other. Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. Only love can break down the walls that stand between us and our happiness."—Helen Keller

Today is the full moon in Libra. Full moon is a time when you can really let go of what is not serving you or working for you anymore. It's time to shed identities or fears and stand up in who each one of us truly IS and share those gifts!

Today I met with 25 healers, seekers, meditators, shamans, body workers, psychics, and visionaries for a Healing the Earth Summit meeting that I called together on this full moon day. Wowza, was that powerful. So many beautiful Earthlings offering and sharing their gifts.

Many of us had different traditions, religions, ideas, paths, circles, but one thing we all shared is a desire to heal ourselves and the planet for the greater good of all beings.

Drumming was offered, meditations were offered, a poem, beautiful Sufi words, a Hawaiian oli (chant), quotes from wise people. All of it was a healing soup that we drank together even though we did not know everyone in the group. These were circles overlapping other circles. Tribes coming together in peace. We are stronger together. When we meet like this, we create such a powerful force in the world. It may seem like it is so small, just a drop. No, it's HUGE. It has ripple effects that go faaaarrrr beyond what we can see.

We are in isolation because of a global pandemic virus, but this isolation can't stop us from coming together and creating medicine together and offering our gifts to the Earth.

Today was a tough day for me with three intense meetings for my college. I felt like throwing in the towel. It all just felt too overwhelming. But after the Healing the Earth Summit meeting, I felt so much energy. I felt like I was being carried by something much greater than myself.

It was as if we were all in a canoe together and we were all paddling and we all were there because we had faith that coming together was not only good for each one of us, but good for the Earth and all beings on it as well.

After our meeting, I had a strong urge to take all of that good energy that was created and walk to Jamestown beach to watch the full moon in Libra rise. I knew it was rising at 7:35pm and there it was, a HUGE orange ball coming up over the mountains casting its bright light across the water. The energy of this pink full moon (as they call it in the spring) was so enormous. Have you ever looked right into the a super moon? It's like a womb. It looked like a fetus was curled up inside waiting to be born. I really feel like we are birthing a new planet right here and now. This is the time.

It's amazing what we can do when we come together. We need more coming together. More sharing of our amazing gifts with the Earth and all beings on it. Don't be afraid to stand up and share your gifts. Stand up and offer them without fear. The world needs you right now! If you are already doing that, I bow to you deeply. Thank you for your offerings. Thank you for being YOU!

Healing for the Earth, Day 22: Feeling Overwhelmed

"If a boat is whelmed it means that the waves are coming right up to the gunwales, the tiptop of the sides of the boat, and some water is coming into the boat."—Kate Gregory

Today I felt overwhelmed. I felt I was swimming in deep water and there was nothing to hold onto. I felt like I was way over my head and out of my comfort zone. It was a feeling of fullness, like I might explode.

After a Zoom meeting with 51 of my colleagues, I felt I had to get outside. It was a good meeting, but it reminded me of how much I still have to do to start the quarter. Have you ever felt so full of information and new things that you don't even know what to do next?

I feel that this is not only happening on the surface, but on a deep cellular level as well. My cells are literally full. I'm stretched to the max, yet I'm in a relaxing environment out in the countryside.

On the way to the beach this evening, I felt clammy and shaky. I had trouble focusing. It was an effort to put one foot in front of the other. I thought I'm kinda done with all of this. I want to go back to normal now.

But what the hell is normal? I think we've surpassed that now. We are pioneers in a new frontier. We've got to get our bearings and find a place to lay new stakes down. I so want to lay new stakes down.

I haven't had a home of my own in nearly two years! Can you believe that? When my house sold in Seattle, I got rid of most of my possessions and went first to pet sit in Port Townsend and then Seattle and then Richmond Beach. Eventually I settled for awhile in a colleague's basement apartment in Seattle for about a year and then, once again, I uprooted myself and moved out to Sequim to my parents' house. They are snowbirds and went to Arizona for the winter and are still there due to the virus.

It's interesting what happens to a person when they are faced with a life threatening, end-of-the-world scenario, like a pandemic. It forces a person to really evaluate his or her life and discover what is important.

I realized I want to be rooted with a home of my own and the interesting thing is that that just might happen. I might end up where I started when I left my home two years ago. I'm coming full circle. But instead of taking care of pets, I had a dream that I owned a cat and lived with my boyfriend. It was our little family, the three of us.

I've been with my boyfriend for four years and two months. We are going on five years together. I really can't believe that. I think I'm ready to land. It doesn't mean I will not still be the adventurer. I will always be that person. But I really want to land. And I want to land here, on the Peninsula, with the eagles, hawks, deer, bike trails, mountains, hiking trails. And with my boyfriend and a cat and a community! A small community of like-minded souls.

There. I said it! Phew!

Out on Jamestown Beach, the full moon shone brightly and the birds were eating shellfish and the sun was setting. The white mountains stuck out like majestic guardian angels. I threw a stone into the water and made a wish. Three wishes actually.

I feel overwhelmed with all that there is to do and all that is new. But I'll get through it. I know I will. And I'll learn something from going through it. It just feels a bit wavy out there and unsettled and it makes me want to root down.

I also feel overwhelmed with all the blessings in my life. I have shelter, family, a great boyfriend, nature all around me, an excellent job with great benefits, food in the refrigerator, friends, community. So many blessings.


Things will never be the same. We are all on a different trajectory. That can cause anxiety and make a person feel overwhelmed. I had a plan to do a couple hours of online work for my class tonight, but truthfully, I need to just go inward and nurture this fullness I'm feeling.


I find, when I'm like this, an epsom salt bath and hot tea really ground me and allow me to release some of this energy.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take it easy. Give yourself a HUGE break for not having it all together. This is new territory for all of us and it's going to take some adjusting. I'm trying to be super forgiving to myself and super loving. Not always easy to do, but I usually feel much better when I do it.

Much love to you all out there. Tomorrow is full moon in Libra. Time to find some BALANCE in this topsy-turvy time. Be gentle with yourself right now.

Healing for the Earth, Day 21: Are you in fear or in flow?

Dear fellow Earthlings,

Someone sent me this from the Hopi Indian Elders long ago and it feels more appropriate than ever now and I ask you: Are you in fear or in flow?

If you look at nature, how does it look to you? Does it look tight and contracted or does there appear to be a flow to life? If you are feeling fearful and contracted, what makes you feel that way?

As humans, we've become so separate from nature. We get our food from big box stores and we expect it to be there. We depend on things to be there for us and to be a certain way and if things aren't, we panic. Through our modern civilization, we've somehow removed ourselves from the flow of life. In nature, all things flow. If things are not flowing in nature now, it's because fellow Earthlings, in their desire to consume, have disrupted this flow.

Instead of clinging to our old ways, I can feel the time has come to push ourselves off into the center of the river. What I have found is that when I walk WITH nature, I'm part of it. I'm part of that flow and that creates peace inside me. If I forget nature and spend all my time being consumed by other people, news, technology, social media, then I contract. When I'm in a contracted state, it's easy to go into fear, panic, what ifs, anger, etc.

These days, when I feel myself going into a contracted state, I know I need to stop and connect inward. Nature naturally helps us connect inward because nature is naturally in flow.

Being in a flow when things are changing not only helps the individual, but it helps the world. Nature, I feel, and the our Native ancestors, are calling us to remember this flow. When I'm in a flow, I'm not gripping branches floating past me in a rushing river. I'm not holding on for dear life. When I'm in the flow of life I'm in a state of surrender and awe. I'm able to witness the beauty of nature and see that I'm a part of it.  I'm aware that something bigger is at play. Today on my walk, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Today the sunset turned the sky to fire and the almost-full-moon shone bright in the sky. Today my friend, the eagle, soared above me once again and left me breathless.

 I don't have to have it all figured out. I'm confident that things will work out just as they are meant to. When I'm in a flow, I'm carried to where I need to go. I take the right actions and I show up in the right places at the right time. I don't second guess or tune into other people's fears.

Being in fear cuts me off from the flow. It creates separation. It causes me to feel there won't be enough. I begin to hoard. I'm afraid to go outside. Everything around me gives me cause for fear. Being in a contracted state causes disease. It's hard on the immune system. It creates personal panic and mass panic.

If you find yourself frequently in this contracted state, it would be helpful to tune in and notice it. Sit for a few minutes with the feelings in silence. Ask yourself, "What am I really afraid of?" Instead of hiding from it, face it. Surrender to it. See what happens if you can just sit quietly watching your breath while you are in a contracted, fearful state.

Before long, you will start to loosen up. You will feel the edges soften. Whatever felt tight will begin to release by just sitting and breathing and being aware. You can do this when you sit or while you walk. It's an opportunity actually. It's a big opportunity to decide right now, as we go through this transition: How do you want to show up in this world?

Everything in nature flows.

Healing for the Earth, Day 20: Finding Moments of Exquisite Beauty

Hello fellow Earthlings!

How are you doing???  Hanging in there?

I can't believe today marks 20 days straight of writing Healing for the Earth posts on this here blog. I can tell you that writing these posts have helped me immensely.

Healing for the earth (including all beings on the Earth) has become my mantra for the past 20 days and I can feel a shift.

Today's post is about finding exquisite beauty in things we might overlook or finding beauty in usual things. I'm in a drum circle and my friend River leads the circle. She always talks about finding moments of exquisite beauty and I realize they are everywhere and in every moment. The Earth is full of breathtaking moments.

Lately, with all that is going on in the world, I'm finding it even more important to show up on the planet full of gratitude and I'm also finding it more important than ever to see the beauty that is all around me. Even though the state of the world is in a flux and things are uncertain, what is certain is the fact that BEAUTY IS STILL HERE! It's in a flower, tree, our breath, the wind, the sun, the stars, the moon, the grass....wow!

What you tune into is what you will have more of. I find this to be true.

The other day I was walking down the beach and I saw a man and his dog way in the distance. He was singing and throwing a ball to his dog and they were both so blissful. I could feel their bliss and it made me happy. On that same beach, a woman was walking, flailing her arms and shouting about the state of the world to her friend on her cell phone. It was a gorgeous day out and she was walking on a beach with white puffy clouds above her and warm sun all around her and waves gently lapping at the shore. Sand dollars and seashells were scattered across the rocky beach, but she didn't notice any of it. She was not aware of where she was at all. She missed the beauty all around her.

Every moment of our lives is a tremendous gift. There is beauty here if we can just open to it. How often do you really tune into beauty? Do you see it around you? Do you feel it? We are so lucky to walk on this Earth. We are so lucky to be here. Don't take any moment of it for granted. Nothing is promised. Tomorrow is not promised.

Recently I repaired my bicycle and I've enjoyed taking it on bike rides around the mostly deserted streets of Sequim. I've had the same bicycle since college. I think I got it in 1989! It's a Cannondale mountain bike. I've thought about getting a new one, but this bike is perfectly fine and served me well all these years. I'm going to keep it for as long as I can.  I love riding it to the beach at sunset. I also love riding my bike up on the bluff above Cline Spit and seeing all the eagles and hawks. Sometimes I'll see a herd of deer munching on greenery in a nearby farm. Or I'll see a bumblebee or a butterfly or cherry blossom trees or pine trees. All of these things make me happy. All of them hold such beautiful energy.

If I'm able to hold those moments in me, I believe there will be many more of them. If I'm able to see exquisite beauty all around me, particularly in times of chaos and stress, then perhaps it's an indication that hope and love still exist. You create the reality that you see around you. What are you tuning into? Have you been aware of any moments of exquisite beauty lately?