Da Juana Byrd

Lately, I have really been looking over my life. No, it’s not a mid-life crisis. It’s that I like to do that on occasion just to take inventory of my life. Some items I look at make me proud and others, well, let’s say, I could have done better with.

When I take the time to look over events, I figure out how I can create better times now and ahead for me. That makes a world of difference in my life because it generates a sense of pride (in that I’m trying to make my life better) and gives me insights into how I might be constructive.

Most people comment that it is hard to really look at themselves like that. It’s like looking in a mirror to capture the look you had in a past life, one of the things I tell you about in my book, “Ghosts Talk.” Bet you didn’t know that unless you have read it. Any way, people tell me that it is hard to look in the mirror and when you take the time to look at yourself like I do, it can be hard too. But it is a task that is rewarding. Don’t just look at what you consider bad but notice the good things too. Pat yourself occasionally but don’t wear your arm out. Giving yourself the rare pat will help you keep on going and can put you into a more creative mode. One in which you too can see how you need to change some events or items in your life to become a more spiritual being.

One of the things that I need to change now is something I might be picking up on an empathic level and that is living in the past. Some of those items might include forgiving myself and others might be getting over what I saw and didn’t do. It seems my sweet husband, since the stroke, has been doing that and since I am an empath…..oh, well.

Do as I say do, not as I do. Those sound like good words. Look at yourself and make it better.

Da Juana

Some time ago, I met a lady who professes to be a Christian. Within ten minutes of meeting her, I saw her lie to three people and smile while doing so. Though I was in a very uncomfortable position, I watched in fascination. She wears her Christianity on her sleeve. Yet she feels comfortable enough to be able to lie, barefaced to people and feel no guilt.

It is not my place to judge and I guess that I am at fault for doing so but I think Christians should be people who do good works like Jesus. His main message was to love others as they love themselves. I guess that is hard when people don’t love themselves. But, as a Christian, you should have the love of God in your heart and therefore be loving to others as well because the light of your spirit is supposed to light up the way so that non-believers can find you, see the honesty of your spirit, and wish to become more like you.

When a person lies to others, they not only do a disservice to themselves but they hurt others too. Watching this woman interact with others made me aware of my own actions. I tend to be so busy that I sometimes forget that I should take a moment with others. On this day, I was able to take that moment. Her first lie was that she cared about the people speaking with her. She was only nice because she wanted something from them. We are all guilty of that at times. Then I watched her lie to two others about items she supposedly had just witnessed.

One thing she did for me was to make me want to become more sincere. For instance, when you say hello to a stranger and ask about their day. Take a moment to really hear them. Don’t just accept that they had a nice day. You have just committed your attention to them. So listen to see if they really are having a nice day. Otherwise, just say hello and walk away.

Da Juana

It seems that I have been spending a lot of time in my car lately. This gives me time to think about items and events happening in my life right now but it also affords me the opportunity to see the beautiful changes happening right in front of me. Since I am from Texas, we really haven’t had a fall for the last few years and it seems to me that fall generally comes before now here. We had a cold snap finally. And since then, the trees took their cues and started making the most beautiful colors.

Not only are the colors gorgeous but I also have begun to notice the types of trees rather than just listening to them whisper to their neighbors. Even trees can get a little bored but since they generally have learned more in their lives than us humans…..not saying they are smarter…….they take change in stride more than us. Not only that but they will help their neighbor more quickly than us humans will. Trees realize that just because there are differing species doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t help one another. They realize that each species brings different aspects to the earth, some cleansing, some fertilizing, some eye catching from humans to bird’s eyes and on and on. Trees know that diversity is good in nature. Some trivia: did you know that cottonwood trees…..with those dreaded cotton flights each spring which most hate……..can clear radioactive material from the earth. Now doesn’t that make you look at that cottonwood differently?

When I see a tree, I generally give thanks that because of it I can breathe easier.

Da Juana