You’ve been an angel more times than you know.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  ~ Leo F. Buscaglia

Let me explain why I call you an angel unaware, and why I believe that I get to be one now and then too.

Have you had someone call you just when you needed a friendly voice, had a stranger simply smile or say something kind when you’d had a hard day, or someone slow up to let you in front of them in traffic? Have you received an email that contained helpful information that you needed, a handwritten note, or caring message, that lifted you up? And then, perhaps it was you who made the call, or smiled, or sent the message.

I’m sure you can think of many kindnesses, and many ways they can arrive. Maybe you think of them as random acts of kindness, which is lovely, though I believe there’s more than that going on. It’s not random at all.

The reason I call you an angel is because one of the meanings of angel is divine messenger.

Informal angels are all around. Contact with them is always positive. Being this kind of angel is a casual position, on an as needed basis. Sometimes others are angels for us, and sometimes we get to be the angels; both are a gift, and a joy.

When you get to be the angel, you may not be consciously aware, especially at the time, that you’ve had this honor. You might notice on those occasions that you do find out how much what you did meant to another person, that it felt like you really did nothing extraordinary, in that it was effortless and done lightly, a spontaneous expression of the peace, joy, and love you were experiencing within.

When you’re feeling loved, you’re naturally loving, and in this state, you’re also in tune with the Divine. If you are the nearest tuned in person, to the one who needs the message, then you have the opportunity to deliver it. It’s that simple.

So tune in first, then heed those gentle promptings, make that call, say those kind words that just now came to mind, to your friend, or that someone you haven’t been introduced to. Being in tune with the Divine is a wonderful place to be anyway, and then too, you have the delightful privilege of being available to be an angel.

It’s a brilliant delivery system!

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.  ~ Scottish saying

En Pointe

Thank you, thank you, to all you angels. Never underestimate those seemingly small acts of kindness; they really do make a positive difference. Please appreciate yourself, just as much as you appreciate each angel in your own life. ♥

Numinous Reflection

Put your thoughts to sleep,
do not let them cast a shadow
over the moon of your heart.
Let go of thinking.
~ Rumi

Release your thoughts, allow your mind to rest, and let go of thinking. The mind so often wants to take over and run your life, and that’s not its best use or purpose, though it will try every argument to convince you otherwise. Allow yourself to receive direct spiritual communication from the Divine. Quiet your mind so you can hear. Know the mystery with your heart.

Numinous Reflection - koi detail

The full moon, clouds, red poppy, and the background are all photographs I’ve made. The koi fish is a digital creation, drawn and painted in the computer. 

]]> http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/numinous-reflection/feed/ 4 http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/me-and-my-monkeys/ http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/me-and-my-monkeys/#comments Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:39:48 +0000 Karen Casey-Smith http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/?p=3430 . . . → Read More: Me and My Monkeys]]> When I’m not out shooting with my camera, this is where I do most of my work. My desk is a drafting table that I had, and worked at, long before I ever had a computer, back when I mostly did drawing, lettering and painting. I still love working here. A desk like this gives me so much flexibility.

My chair has been around as long as the table. The fabric had worn through, so it was definitely past time to recover it. I just finished it yesterday. I’m really happy with the way it turned out, and the chair is even more comfortable than before since I added extra padding. Yay!

Office - new upholstery for my chair

Check out the new upholstery on my drafting chair! The nice lady at the fabric store said, ‘now, this is a fun fabric.’ The monkeys make me smile, and/or laugh, each time I see them so far. I think this is very much in keeping with my theme for this year, which is “lighten up.”  Lighten up says to me to be more playful, not to take things (including myself) too seriously, let as much light shine as I can, and allow things to unfold in joyful and easy ways. I decided that since I already know how to make things challenging, I’d like to see the other side.

I’m not sure how significant monkeys are for me, and I’m not a fan of everything that has a monkey on it, but I certainly do have a few around me. My favorite explanation of the teaching that Monkey offers, and one that contains quite a lot that resonates with me, is on Cathy Ginter’s Animal Totems page.  If you have a certain animal, bird, or insect, showing up in your life, take a look and see if what she says has meaning for you, or offers some insight.

Here are a couple of extra pictures so you can see how cute the monkey fabric is! If you click these images, you’ll get a larger view of them.

Office chair - closer look

Office chair - even closer look

The Joy Inside

The Joy Within - <i>click for close up detail from the mandala</i>

While in a state of joy and love, you’re in a state of connection and alignment on all levels of your being. You’re in alignment with your true self, and with your Source. It’s from within this place of alignment that you become aware of your connection with everyone and everything.

This alignment, this connection, isn’t found outside yourself; it is within. The joy is inside. There are many paths to this place, though it’s only in silence that you fully experience it. This is the place where you directly know unconditional love, from where you create, and receive guidance. Only when you know unconditional love yourself, are you able to give that to others.

Don’t be concerned that you aren’t here all the time. Personally, I don’t think we’re meant to be in this state constantly, though it’s good you’re here so often that you can find your way back at any time, and as easily as you know your way home.

Keep on knocking ’til the joy inside opens a window
look to see who’s there.  ~ Rumi

Visit this place inside often. I wish you much joy. ♥

Christmas wishes of hope, peace, and love.

with love,
Karen

P.S. This photograph was made last December, when we had lots of beautiful snow! This year we’re enjoying the sunshine.

There are thirteen unbound pages (including the cover). They’re printed on archival quality Metallic paper, just like my highest quality photographic prints. Since they are photos, there’s a slight curve to the paper. Display them on an easel or picture frame on your desk, or on the refrigerator with a magnet. At 4″ x 6″, they’re a perfect size to tuck into your day planner, or to be placed on your inspiration board.

The 2012 Flower Mandala Art Calendar can serve as a focus in your meditation, and as uplifting inspiration in the coming year. These mandalas all radiate positive, balancing energy.

2012 Flower Mandala Calendar (cover)

(Click on the image below for a larger view.)

(Click on the image below for a larger view.)

2012 Flower Mandala Calendar (last six months)

Whenever a flower is seen, it reminds you of your inner beauty. ~ Osho

Connect with your own inner beauty as you visit the serene water lilies In a Mermaid’s Garden. The 2012 calendar, A Year in Water Lilies, can provide peaceful inspiration throughout the year. There are some new, never published, photos included, and some favorites.

In a Mermaid's Garden - 2012 A Year in Water Lilies (cover)

(Click on the image below for a larger view.)

(Click on the image below for a larger view.)

In a Mermaid's Garden - 2012 A Year in Water Lilies (last six months)

Purchase both calendars through Etsy or ArtFire. Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them.

I’ve made two new flower mandalas from my photograph of a lovely peony bloom. Usually I don’t make more than one mandala from the same flower, but this flower had a lot to say. Love is the energy of both of these flower mandalas.

The message of the Love Is Within mandala is that love is found inside you, inside each of us. It’s unconditional, your natural state of being, your spark of divinity within. You don’t have to earn this love, you only need to accept it. It’s yours, always, unshakable, inexhaustible.

Love is a state of Being. Your love is not outside; it is deep within you. You can never lose it, and it cannot leave you. — Eckhart Tolle

Love said to me, there is nothing that is not me.
Be silent.
~ Rumi

Love Is Within - Peony Flower Mandala Art

The Gentle Strength of love is the energy of the second flower mandala. It reminds us that while we hold thoughts of love, it’s impossible to hold thoughts that are fearful, angry, full of blame, or judgment, at the same time. Love makes us strong, and also gives strength to the ones we love.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ~Lao Tzu

Gentle Strength

When you’re connected to the source of love, you are your true self. Always remember, you are dearly loved. ♥