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Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Media & Red Lake
Glad to see that Kent Nerburn's blog has been receiving national attention. You can see an excerpt from the CNN segment that featured his comments on "Inside the Blog" on his web sight www.kentnerburn.com
Very sad to see that more pain has fallen on this community as word came Monday that their beloved Tribal leaders son had been arrested. ButI commend the people of Red Lake for closing off access to the media that camped out waiting for more "stories".
Kent said it much better than I could so again I share with you this exerpt from his blog. I had been thinking the very same thing. "While you are here national media, pull up a chair. We have lots of stories to tell. They may be the ones you came to hear, not the ones you thought you'd uncover and dig up. But they are the ones the world needs to hear."
There is nowhere else in this land, save several other closed reservations, where they would not have had the right to demand access. Anywhere else they could have knocked on doors, camped out in neighbors' yards, set up cameras on nearby rooftops. But you confined them to a single state road -- the only place on which they had the right to drive on the reservation -- and you allowed your people to grieve in private, free from their intrusion.
And they went crazy. They combed the shops and the malls and the college campuses and social service agencies in nearby Bemidji for anyone who had ever been on the rez or had an ounce of Indian blood or was willing to speak in any capacity whatsoever on the tragedy they had come to cover and which you so rightly chose to keep from view. "Give us a story," they said. "We need a story."
Well, here's a story. In 1863, near Red Lake Falls 60 miles away, with soldiers camped around them on the hillsides and winter coming on, your great grandfathers' grandfathers were forced to sell away a large portion of your land or risk being hanged.
In 1889, alongside the small creek running in the draw between the tribal offices and the trading post, just down the road from your school that now is filled with bloodstains and bulletholes and the echoes of screams, your grandfather's grandfathers were forced to sign away much of what was left.
But your grandfathers perservered, and your fathers and mothers perservered, and they refused to give up any more of your land. And they resisted allotment, the practice of dividing up the reservation into individual plots of land for individual families, so their reservation was never carved up into "40 acres and a mule" pieces that could be cajoled and purchased and threatened away by white people seeking to own the land for their own.
And now it has come down to you, the parents and children, whole and undisturbed, a private place of sanctuary and solace, where all whohave their roots here can always return.
It is owned by all, shared by all, kept in sacred trust for all.
And one cannot help but wonder if the ancestors who fought so hard to keep this expanse of forest and lakes free for their you and your children did not have some dim presentiment that the time would come when the land would once again need to protect and nourish you.
That time is now.
You, unlike the rest of us, can close your doors to share your grief. You can take the healing rituals, kept alive by the tribal elders and practiced so often before at the funerals of family and friends, and use them to heal the whole community.
You can bring the children who have sat at their grandmothers' knees making jingle dresses for the powwows, you can take the young boys who stand longingly around the powwow drum while their older brothers sing the haunted ululations that have been taught to them by the elders, and you can embrace these children in a healing circle that reaches across the great Red Lake and through the forests and into every home that sits on this land that was given you as your own.
And, no, you reporters cannot go in. You would see the eagle flying overhead and see it as a symbol or a metaphor, not a message from the spirit world that someone is watching. You would see the people placing cigarettes in a plate at the wakes and understand it as a quaint ritual, not as the gift of the earth that when lit, rises up to the heavens.
You would become the observer, and in so doing, make them become the observed. They do not need to be observed now. They need to enter into the rituals, only half understood, only partly believed, and turn to them for healing.
They need to embrace each other, to find a way to make the family of the shooter one with the family of the victims. They need to take the remnant that is their people, and make it whole.
They cannot simply move away to another place if the grief is too great, not without losing something of who they are. For they are of this piece of land, and always will be.
Now that land is stained with blood. They must be allowed to find a way to heal and hallow that bloodstained earth. It is where they are, it is who they are, it is who they always will be. That is the gift that was given them by their ancestors, and that is the burden they now bear.
It is not ours to watch. It is not ours to understand. It is only ours to respect and bear silent witness, and to pray in our own way that this dark crime of children killing children will not be soon be visited upon any of us again.
And Pray we will.
XXOO Jill
Very sad to see that more pain has fallen on this community as word came Monday that their beloved Tribal leaders son had been arrested. ButI commend the people of Red Lake for closing off access to the media that camped out waiting for more "stories".
Kent said it much better than I could so again I share with you this exerpt from his blog. I had been thinking the very same thing. "While you are here national media, pull up a chair. We have lots of stories to tell. They may be the ones you came to hear, not the ones you thought you'd uncover and dig up. But they are the ones the world needs to hear."
There is nowhere else in this land, save several other closed reservations, where they would not have had the right to demand access. Anywhere else they could have knocked on doors, camped out in neighbors' yards, set up cameras on nearby rooftops. But you confined them to a single state road -- the only place on which they had the right to drive on the reservation -- and you allowed your people to grieve in private, free from their intrusion.
And they went crazy. They combed the shops and the malls and the college campuses and social service agencies in nearby Bemidji for anyone who had ever been on the rez or had an ounce of Indian blood or was willing to speak in any capacity whatsoever on the tragedy they had come to cover and which you so rightly chose to keep from view. "Give us a story," they said. "We need a story."
Well, here's a story. In 1863, near Red Lake Falls 60 miles away, with soldiers camped around them on the hillsides and winter coming on, your great grandfathers' grandfathers were forced to sell away a large portion of your land or risk being hanged.
In 1889, alongside the small creek running in the draw between the tribal offices and the trading post, just down the road from your school that now is filled with bloodstains and bulletholes and the echoes of screams, your grandfather's grandfathers were forced to sign away much of what was left.
But your grandfathers perservered, and your fathers and mothers perservered, and they refused to give up any more of your land. And they resisted allotment, the practice of dividing up the reservation into individual plots of land for individual families, so their reservation was never carved up into "40 acres and a mule" pieces that could be cajoled and purchased and threatened away by white people seeking to own the land for their own.
And now it has come down to you, the parents and children, whole and undisturbed, a private place of sanctuary and solace, where all whohave their roots here can always return.
It is owned by all, shared by all, kept in sacred trust for all.
And one cannot help but wonder if the ancestors who fought so hard to keep this expanse of forest and lakes free for their you and your children did not have some dim presentiment that the time would come when the land would once again need to protect and nourish you.
That time is now.
You, unlike the rest of us, can close your doors to share your grief. You can take the healing rituals, kept alive by the tribal elders and practiced so often before at the funerals of family and friends, and use them to heal the whole community.
You can bring the children who have sat at their grandmothers' knees making jingle dresses for the powwows, you can take the young boys who stand longingly around the powwow drum while their older brothers sing the haunted ululations that have been taught to them by the elders, and you can embrace these children in a healing circle that reaches across the great Red Lake and through the forests and into every home that sits on this land that was given you as your own.
And, no, you reporters cannot go in. You would see the eagle flying overhead and see it as a symbol or a metaphor, not a message from the spirit world that someone is watching. You would see the people placing cigarettes in a plate at the wakes and understand it as a quaint ritual, not as the gift of the earth that when lit, rises up to the heavens.
You would become the observer, and in so doing, make them become the observed. They do not need to be observed now. They need to enter into the rituals, only half understood, only partly believed, and turn to them for healing.
They need to embrace each other, to find a way to make the family of the shooter one with the family of the victims. They need to take the remnant that is their people, and make it whole.
They cannot simply move away to another place if the grief is too great, not without losing something of who they are. For they are of this piece of land, and always will be.
Now that land is stained with blood. They must be allowed to find a way to heal and hallow that bloodstained earth. It is where they are, it is who they are, it is who they always will be. That is the gift that was given them by their ancestors, and that is the burden they now bear.
It is not ours to watch. It is not ours to understand. It is only ours to respect and bear silent witness, and to pray in our own way that this dark crime of children killing children will not be soon be visited upon any of us again.
And Pray we will.
XXOO Jill
Monday, March 28, 2005
Media issues
Why is it that the Red Lake story faded so quickly? In part it may have been that tribal leaders closed off the reservation from the media vultures after what they deemed the appropriate time. Or maybe they knew right away the media wasn't giving the story enough attention to deem it helpful. The Terri Schiavo was a big story continuing to develop but is one white womans plight any more important then 7 young and not so young Native American lives? Maybe the just wanted to grieve privately.
Locally here, we are close enough that the Red Lake story remained front page news for several days. Even then, at my parents for Easter...my Dad said "Enough already!" when he picked up his paper and it was in prominent spot. Is it because it's too tragic to deal with? Or worse, have we become numb to this kind of substantial and difficult violence?
It's not a pretty story at all. And actually, I'm surprised given the conditions on most of the Reservations that there hasn't been more violence. It has to be bubbling at the top for some time now. And I know what you are thinking...oh big deal, they have tons of money from the casino's and government what's the problem? Shame on you if you even think that money alone is enough to heal an entire race of people.
But that's another post. We're talking Media here. And the problem is an ever increasing consolodation of all Media in America. The line slowly keeps moving. Unbeknownst to average American perhaps. Frustrating only to those of us actually IN the media business? Here's some recent news/figures that should be a wake up call to everyone:
From recent story in Washington Post:
Prepackaged news stories, sometimes known as video news releases, have become an increasingly common public relations tool among government agencies and in industry. They are designed to resemble broadcast news stories, complete with narrators who can be easily mistaken for reporters and suggested introductory language for TV anchors to read. Some news organizations have run them without changes and without identifying them as government-produced.
Within the last year, the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, has rapped the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services for distributing prepackaged news stories that do not disclose within the story that the government is the source of the material.
"[T]elevision-viewing audiences did not know that stories they watched on television news programs about the government were, in fact, prepared by the government," Walker wrote. "We concluded that those prepackaged news stories violated the publicity or propaganda prohibition .
FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein discussed “fake news”
and payola during an interview with Fargo-based liberal talker
Ed Schultz last Monday. Schultz asked the commissioner
whether the FCC had been “lax on enforcing” anti-payola
regulations as they relate to commentators who are paid to
broadcast certain political messages, but who don’t acknowledge
such payments on the air (the classic definition of payola). Said
Adelstein: “We have, now, 40,000 complaints [concerning
undisclosed payments for news-like broadcasts]...I think it’s
incumbent on us now to investigate.” Looks like radio (and
television news) may have an additional battlefront – paid news
commentary – to join the scrutiny currently being given to
suspected payola regarding music airplay on the airwaves.
Increased Concentration of Media Ownership
The approximate number of companies that controlled more than half of all media:
1983 - 50
1986 - 29
1993 - 20
2002 - 9 *
* (Disney, AOL-Time Warner, News Corporation, Viacom (Infinity radio), Seagram (Universal), Sony, Liberty (AT&T), Bertelsmann, General Electric (NBC).(source: Ben Bagdikian and Eric Boehlert, Salon)
The 9 could easily become 5 in several proposed possible mergers. Doesn't that scare anyone enough to speak up?
There is a now a New FCC Chairman-----let's hope he does take this trend seriously. Fake news??? HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!???
Locally here, we are close enough that the Red Lake story remained front page news for several days. Even then, at my parents for Easter...my Dad said "Enough already!" when he picked up his paper and it was in prominent spot. Is it because it's too tragic to deal with? Or worse, have we become numb to this kind of substantial and difficult violence?
It's not a pretty story at all. And actually, I'm surprised given the conditions on most of the Reservations that there hasn't been more violence. It has to be bubbling at the top for some time now. And I know what you are thinking...oh big deal, they have tons of money from the casino's and government what's the problem? Shame on you if you even think that money alone is enough to heal an entire race of people.
But that's another post. We're talking Media here. And the problem is an ever increasing consolodation of all Media in America. The line slowly keeps moving. Unbeknownst to average American perhaps. Frustrating only to those of us actually IN the media business? Here's some recent news/figures that should be a wake up call to everyone:
From recent story in Washington Post:
Prepackaged news stories, sometimes known as video news releases, have become an increasingly common public relations tool among government agencies and in industry. They are designed to resemble broadcast news stories, complete with narrators who can be easily mistaken for reporters and suggested introductory language for TV anchors to read. Some news organizations have run them without changes and without identifying them as government-produced.
Within the last year, the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, has rapped the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services for distributing prepackaged news stories that do not disclose within the story that the government is the source of the material.
"[T]elevision-viewing audiences did not know that stories they watched on television news programs about the government were, in fact, prepared by the government," Walker wrote. "We concluded that those prepackaged news stories violated the publicity or propaganda prohibition .
FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein discussed “fake news”
and payola during an interview with Fargo-based liberal talker
Ed Schultz last Monday. Schultz asked the commissioner
whether the FCC had been “lax on enforcing” anti-payola
regulations as they relate to commentators who are paid to
broadcast certain political messages, but who don’t acknowledge
such payments on the air (the classic definition of payola). Said
Adelstein: “We have, now, 40,000 complaints [concerning
undisclosed payments for news-like broadcasts]...I think it’s
incumbent on us now to investigate.” Looks like radio (and
television news) may have an additional battlefront – paid news
commentary – to join the scrutiny currently being given to
suspected payola regarding music airplay on the airwaves.
Increased Concentration of Media Ownership
The approximate number of companies that controlled more than half of all media:
1983 - 50
1986 - 29
1993 - 20
2002 - 9 *
* (Disney, AOL-Time Warner, News Corporation, Viacom (Infinity radio), Seagram (Universal), Sony, Liberty (AT&T), Bertelsmann, General Electric (NBC).(source: Ben Bagdikian and Eric Boehlert, Salon)
The 9 could easily become 5 in several proposed possible mergers. Doesn't that scare anyone enough to speak up?
There is a now a New FCC Chairman-----let's hope he does take this trend seriously. Fake news??? HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!???
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Visions of Mary special
Tonight on the History Channel is a special not to be missed. Visions of Mary. www.historychannel.com
The death of Jesus sparked birth of a religion, but little is known about the woman who gave him life and witnessed his crucifixion. Who was Mary? What happened to her after Jesus died? In the two millennia following her death, thousands have reported experiencing supernatural phenomena known as Marian apparitions--visits from Mary. Some say Mary reveals secrets and prophecies of global consequence. Additionally, signs and wonders confirming an apparition are said to occur. But can the seers' claims be authenticated? This 2-hour special includes dramatic recreations of apparitions; archival footage and photos of historic apparitions; and interviews with religious and secular scholars and visionaries.
The death of Jesus sparked birth of a religion, but little is known about the woman who gave him life and witnessed his crucifixion. Who was Mary? What happened to her after Jesus died? In the two millennia following her death, thousands have reported experiencing supernatural phenomena known as Marian apparitions--visits from Mary. Some say Mary reveals secrets and prophecies of global consequence. Additionally, signs and wonders confirming an apparition are said to occur. But can the seers' claims be authenticated? This 2-hour special includes dramatic recreations of apparitions; archival footage and photos of historic apparitions; and interviews with religious and secular scholars and visionaries.
Blessed be the Peacemakers
Happy Easter!
Celebrating the resurrection of the one they call Jesus, Christos and Pale One (Native Americans), Saviour Jeshua -the most enlightened mortal to ever walk this earth.
This is the perfect time to tell you a bit about myself and the wise ones I love and to explore some new perspectives about Jesus.
I myself am a Christian. I prefer that to Catholic however I am still an active, practicing Catholic and my children attend Catholic school. Their spirituality astounds me. They are much more spiritual then I was at their age. They too are much more spiritual than religious. They often ask me "Why are there so many different churches praying to the same God?" That question came when my daughter was just 6.
I was born and raised a Catholic with devout Catholic maternal grandparents. I had a great uncle that was a priest, a few great aunts that were nuns, and an aunt that is a Benedictan nun. I am fortunate to have mostly fond memories of growing up Catholic. Going to church every Sunday is just something we did. Not necessarily something we HAD to do. There are MANY good things about these traditions and with the Church. There are also things that are obviously broken. But I’m of the belief that we must not run from the Church. We must hold the Light and speak up for change whenever possible. Change must come from the inside out not the other way around.
It wasn’t until I was out on my own, and in my early 20's that I discovered a deeper spirituality outside of the Church and a thirst to know more.
I interviewed very talented mediums on the radio, some of whom that have become my friends.
A clairvoyant Jewish woman in New York who has an open ear to all those in the after life... from Saints to Siouxs and who consults over 10,000 clients worldwide. She is now one of my closest friends despite our age difference and distance. She keeps me on the right path even as I seek to know more. As I've found, seeking can be treacherous territory! My first reading with her blew me so far out of the water that I didn’t "land" for another week just processing it all. I went from looking at one tree to looking upon an entire forest from afar! I had awakened. First, it was very scary. Then it was exhilerating.
I also met a woman who saw angels as a young child and now hears angels in Mankato, Minnesota. She came to speak at the Universalist church. I will never forget seeing her channel the message she did in that church as a single tear rolled down my cheek. I immediately felt profoundly connected to her. She herself is a former Catholic who could see and hear angels as a child. She introduced me to Kabbala and it’s wisdom and she is always there to offer a guiding hand as another wise spiritual mentor. The spiritual name they gave her is "Hope" which stands for "Help Open Planetary Eyes. " Around the same time, a Fargo woman taught my husband and I the power of reiki. My husband has since become a very powerful reiki healer. http://www.reiki.org/ I myself just use it on the children. It has opened my eyes to the power within each of us just as Jesus told us. And then through her, another energy healer here who has led us through many powerful meditations and balanced out my energy and repatternings, healing deep into tissues of my being! www.arugolo.homestead.com
And finally, a soft spoken gentlemen from Oregon now living in Scotland who is also a reiki healer and channels messages from Jesus, St. Germaine and Archangel Ariel just to name a few. He brings forth the beautiful messages and teachings to assist us in co-creating heaven on Earth on the other side of the chasm! From the very first time I spoke with him it felt like I had found a long lost friend. http://www.isaacariel.com/
It has been a beautiful journey exploring and learning through my 30's. I hope to have these wise friends contribute to my blog from time to time to share their insight with you.
Which brings me to today, Easter Sunday, 2005.
When I look at Christ on the cross now I wonder how much of his message has morphed into something he had not intended in Christian religion doctrine worldwide. I often take the message out of the religion to dissect solely his words and his words alone. So beautiful and so simple. Love one another. God is within us all. I marvel at the Native American legend of the "Christos" or "the Pale One" passed down for generations. It tells of the Pale one who taught Natives how to use the Buffalo for all of their needs. How to fish and use the Earth for all of their necessities. When the Europoeans began teaching THEIR Christianity to the the Indians, and they saw his picture, they said, "We already know of him-the Pale one."
I recall the newly uncovered gnostic texts which bring new teachings and more of his earlier teachings to light. There is so much we already know of him. So I thought I'd share some new insights. Recently, in reading up on Theosophy, I read this---
The motive of Jesus was evidently like that of Gautama-Buddha, to benefit humanity at large by producing a religious reform which should give it a religion of pure ethics . . . In his immense and unselfish love for humanity, he considers it unjust to deprive the many of the results of the knowledge acquired by the few. This result he accordingly preaches -- the unity of a spiritual God, whose temple is within each of us, and in whom we live as He lives in us -- in spirit.
Very Revolutionary in the times he lived in!
Theosophy says Jesus was chrestos (good and holy), and became christos ('anointed', i.e. glorified) only when the celestial power began to work through him. Many American Indians refer to him by this name "the Christos"
Even Madame Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophy and the Pioneer of New Age movement who unfortunately disputes the miracles Jesus performed and disputes many of the 4 main gospels historical record of Jesus cannot dismiss his spiritual power:
Blavatsky relates that she was once in a large cave-temple in the Himalayas with her Tibetan teacher, Morya. There were many statues of adepts and, pointing to one of them, her teacher said: 'This is he whom you call Jesus. We count him to be one of the greatest among us' The importance of Jesus is highlighted in the following passage:
as one of the greatest reformers, an inveterate enemy of every theological dogmatism, a persecutor of bigotry, a teacher of one of the most sublime codes of ethics, Jesus is one of the grandest and most clearly-defined figures on the panorama of human history. His age may, with every day, be receding farther and farther back into the gloomy and hazy mists of the past; and his theology -- based on human fancy and supported by untenable dogmas may, nay, must with every day lose more of its unmerited prestige; alone the grand figure of the philosopher and moral reformer instead of growing paler will become with every century more pronounced and more clearly defined. It will reign supreme and universal only on that day when the whole of humanity recognizes but one father -- the UNKNOWN ONE above -- and one brother -- the whole of mankind below.
The New Testament does not indicate how old Jesus was when he died, though he is said to have begun his ministry at the age of 30. Some of the early Christians gave the time of his ministry as one year. The accepted opinion among Christians today is that his mission lasted 3 years, and that he was crucified in his 33rd year.
In the controversial but very powerful book "The Magdalen Manuscripts" through a series of powerful messages to author/spiritualist Tom Kenyon- Mary relayed these profound words about Jesus's mission and resurrection:
There are many who misunderstand what he did and why he did it. There are those who believe that all they need to do is believe in Him and no effort on their part is required. This was never Yeshua’s (Hebrew for Jesus) belief or understanding. He came as a shower of light, a beacon of love at a time when the world was still in the shadow of a jealous god. Yeshua, a master soul, demonstrated immense courage and strength, to teach love at such a time.
I will forever remember the first time Yeshua came to me after his resurrection. It was a new moon and the sky was clear. A light fog hung over the heather and everything was silver from the light of the moon and stars. I saw a figure approaching me on the windy trail that led to my cottage. He looked the same, yet with a radiance-unmistakeable! My eyes filled with tears; my heart trembled. "Do not touch me yet- for I have not ascended to the Father" he had said. What did he mean by these words? For the Christians have inherited only part of the truth.
When Yeshua came to me after his resurrection he was in his Ka (energy body) and not yet stabilized for he had not gone to the Father- meaning into the Great Spirit of his own soul. So before he could do this, he had to pass through the portal of death and travel through the underworld of his own being. He did this to cut a passage through death itself, so that others could follow and pass through the dark world more easily by following the trail of his light. During one of his many visits I asked him to explain this rather strange concept. He drew a circle onto the dirt floor of my cottage and then what I recognized as the two triangles intersecting, to make the Seal of Solomon, becoming the Star of David. He said there are many lands that we, in this part of the world, did not have knowledge of. Many of these lands had points corresponding to the points of the Seal of Solomon. By going to these areas, he was ensuring that his work would take a deeper rooting into the soil of this world..
(During crucifixion) In the greatest moment of my torment. Mary reached out and touched my hand. I had been alone in my grief and had not noticed hers. Our eyes met, filled with tears, and we sobbed in each other’s arms. She for her son, and I for my beloved.
The Gospels report that an earthquake struck right after Yeshua’s passing. And I say to you that this is true. I was if all of the nature went into trevail, and the earth shook with anger and rage, that such a Master, such a being, could suffer at the hands of his fellow men.
But such is the paradox of life on earth.
A great storm came across the city as well-winds like I had not seen. The sky filled with dark clouds and bolts of lightning- the sound of thunder shaking everything. This horrific display lasted it seemed, forever, but I suspect it was only for an hour or so.
At the tomb, Mary and I washed his body in accordance with Jewish ritual and tradition, wrapped him and left the tomb. We did this in silence. The only sound the sound of our muffled tears.
I thought it odd that he had been able to raise Lazurus from the dead, but he had not been able to help himself.
I did not understand what he was doing. But after his resurrection, and I saw him, radiant and beautiful as ever. I understood. From the Initiatory standpoint what he did was traditionally done for one’s self only.
But Yeshua had done it on behalf of all mankind.
This is his legacy.
So much that is known and unknown. And I will always seek to know more about the Saviour, and unravel the truth. When I read about him the truth resonates in my heart. Today I celebrate Yeshua’s legacy that has endured for more than 2,000 years. And I pray that humanity will begin to LIVE his message not just listen to it. Become active participants in Christianity and in his simple message of Love one another.
Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
Judge noone and you shall not be judged.
Do onto others as you do onto me.
For if all of mankind were to do that- surely we would have Peace on Earth.
Jesus said: Blessed be the Peacemakers. Because they shall become sons of God.
Blessed Be indeed.
Celebrating the resurrection of the one they call Jesus, Christos and Pale One (Native Americans), Saviour Jeshua -the most enlightened mortal to ever walk this earth.
This is the perfect time to tell you a bit about myself and the wise ones I love and to explore some new perspectives about Jesus.
I myself am a Christian. I prefer that to Catholic however I am still an active, practicing Catholic and my children attend Catholic school. Their spirituality astounds me. They are much more spiritual then I was at their age. They too are much more spiritual than religious. They often ask me "Why are there so many different churches praying to the same God?" That question came when my daughter was just 6.
I was born and raised a Catholic with devout Catholic maternal grandparents. I had a great uncle that was a priest, a few great aunts that were nuns, and an aunt that is a Benedictan nun. I am fortunate to have mostly fond memories of growing up Catholic. Going to church every Sunday is just something we did. Not necessarily something we HAD to do. There are MANY good things about these traditions and with the Church. There are also things that are obviously broken. But I’m of the belief that we must not run from the Church. We must hold the Light and speak up for change whenever possible. Change must come from the inside out not the other way around.
It wasn’t until I was out on my own, and in my early 20's that I discovered a deeper spirituality outside of the Church and a thirst to know more.
I interviewed very talented mediums on the radio, some of whom that have become my friends.
A clairvoyant Jewish woman in New York who has an open ear to all those in the after life... from Saints to Siouxs and who consults over 10,000 clients worldwide. She is now one of my closest friends despite our age difference and distance. She keeps me on the right path even as I seek to know more. As I've found, seeking can be treacherous territory! My first reading with her blew me so far out of the water that I didn’t "land" for another week just processing it all. I went from looking at one tree to looking upon an entire forest from afar! I had awakened. First, it was very scary. Then it was exhilerating.
I also met a woman who saw angels as a young child and now hears angels in Mankato, Minnesota. She came to speak at the Universalist church. I will never forget seeing her channel the message she did in that church as a single tear rolled down my cheek. I immediately felt profoundly connected to her. She herself is a former Catholic who could see and hear angels as a child. She introduced me to Kabbala and it’s wisdom and she is always there to offer a guiding hand as another wise spiritual mentor. The spiritual name they gave her is "Hope" which stands for "Help Open Planetary Eyes. " Around the same time, a Fargo woman taught my husband and I the power of reiki. My husband has since become a very powerful reiki healer. http://www.reiki.org/ I myself just use it on the children. It has opened my eyes to the power within each of us just as Jesus told us. And then through her, another energy healer here who has led us through many powerful meditations and balanced out my energy and repatternings, healing deep into tissues of my being! www.arugolo.homestead.com
And finally, a soft spoken gentlemen from Oregon now living in Scotland who is also a reiki healer and channels messages from Jesus, St. Germaine and Archangel Ariel just to name a few. He brings forth the beautiful messages and teachings to assist us in co-creating heaven on Earth on the other side of the chasm! From the very first time I spoke with him it felt like I had found a long lost friend. http://www.isaacariel.com/
It has been a beautiful journey exploring and learning through my 30's. I hope to have these wise friends contribute to my blog from time to time to share their insight with you.
Which brings me to today, Easter Sunday, 2005.
When I look at Christ on the cross now I wonder how much of his message has morphed into something he had not intended in Christian religion doctrine worldwide. I often take the message out of the religion to dissect solely his words and his words alone. So beautiful and so simple. Love one another. God is within us all. I marvel at the Native American legend of the "Christos" or "the Pale One" passed down for generations. It tells of the Pale one who taught Natives how to use the Buffalo for all of their needs. How to fish and use the Earth for all of their necessities. When the Europoeans began teaching THEIR Christianity to the the Indians, and they saw his picture, they said, "We already know of him-the Pale one."
I recall the newly uncovered gnostic texts which bring new teachings and more of his earlier teachings to light. There is so much we already know of him. So I thought I'd share some new insights. Recently, in reading up on Theosophy, I read this---
The motive of Jesus was evidently like that of Gautama-Buddha, to benefit humanity at large by producing a religious reform which should give it a religion of pure ethics . . . In his immense and unselfish love for humanity, he considers it unjust to deprive the many of the results of the knowledge acquired by the few. This result he accordingly preaches -- the unity of a spiritual God, whose temple is within each of us, and in whom we live as He lives in us -- in spirit.
Very Revolutionary in the times he lived in!
Theosophy says Jesus was chrestos (good and holy), and became christos ('anointed', i.e. glorified) only when the celestial power began to work through him. Many American Indians refer to him by this name "the Christos"
Even Madame Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophy and the Pioneer of New Age movement who unfortunately disputes the miracles Jesus performed and disputes many of the 4 main gospels historical record of Jesus cannot dismiss his spiritual power:
Blavatsky relates that she was once in a large cave-temple in the Himalayas with her Tibetan teacher, Morya. There were many statues of adepts and, pointing to one of them, her teacher said: 'This is he whom you call Jesus. We count him to be one of the greatest among us' The importance of Jesus is highlighted in the following passage:
as one of the greatest reformers, an inveterate enemy of every theological dogmatism, a persecutor of bigotry, a teacher of one of the most sublime codes of ethics, Jesus is one of the grandest and most clearly-defined figures on the panorama of human history. His age may, with every day, be receding farther and farther back into the gloomy and hazy mists of the past; and his theology -- based on human fancy and supported by untenable dogmas may, nay, must with every day lose more of its unmerited prestige; alone the grand figure of the philosopher and moral reformer instead of growing paler will become with every century more pronounced and more clearly defined. It will reign supreme and universal only on that day when the whole of humanity recognizes but one father -- the UNKNOWN ONE above -- and one brother -- the whole of mankind below.
The New Testament does not indicate how old Jesus was when he died, though he is said to have begun his ministry at the age of 30. Some of the early Christians gave the time of his ministry as one year. The accepted opinion among Christians today is that his mission lasted 3 years, and that he was crucified in his 33rd year.
In the controversial but very powerful book "The Magdalen Manuscripts" through a series of powerful messages to author/spiritualist Tom Kenyon- Mary relayed these profound words about Jesus's mission and resurrection:
There are many who misunderstand what he did and why he did it. There are those who believe that all they need to do is believe in Him and no effort on their part is required. This was never Yeshua’s (Hebrew for Jesus) belief or understanding. He came as a shower of light, a beacon of love at a time when the world was still in the shadow of a jealous god. Yeshua, a master soul, demonstrated immense courage and strength, to teach love at such a time.
I will forever remember the first time Yeshua came to me after his resurrection. It was a new moon and the sky was clear. A light fog hung over the heather and everything was silver from the light of the moon and stars. I saw a figure approaching me on the windy trail that led to my cottage. He looked the same, yet with a radiance-unmistakeable! My eyes filled with tears; my heart trembled. "Do not touch me yet- for I have not ascended to the Father" he had said. What did he mean by these words? For the Christians have inherited only part of the truth.
When Yeshua came to me after his resurrection he was in his Ka (energy body) and not yet stabilized for he had not gone to the Father- meaning into the Great Spirit of his own soul. So before he could do this, he had to pass through the portal of death and travel through the underworld of his own being. He did this to cut a passage through death itself, so that others could follow and pass through the dark world more easily by following the trail of his light. During one of his many visits I asked him to explain this rather strange concept. He drew a circle onto the dirt floor of my cottage and then what I recognized as the two triangles intersecting, to make the Seal of Solomon, becoming the Star of David. He said there are many lands that we, in this part of the world, did not have knowledge of. Many of these lands had points corresponding to the points of the Seal of Solomon. By going to these areas, he was ensuring that his work would take a deeper rooting into the soil of this world..
(During crucifixion) In the greatest moment of my torment. Mary reached out and touched my hand. I had been alone in my grief and had not noticed hers. Our eyes met, filled with tears, and we sobbed in each other’s arms. She for her son, and I for my beloved.
The Gospels report that an earthquake struck right after Yeshua’s passing. And I say to you that this is true. I was if all of the nature went into trevail, and the earth shook with anger and rage, that such a Master, such a being, could suffer at the hands of his fellow men.
But such is the paradox of life on earth.
A great storm came across the city as well-winds like I had not seen. The sky filled with dark clouds and bolts of lightning- the sound of thunder shaking everything. This horrific display lasted it seemed, forever, but I suspect it was only for an hour or so.
At the tomb, Mary and I washed his body in accordance with Jewish ritual and tradition, wrapped him and left the tomb. We did this in silence. The only sound the sound of our muffled tears.
I thought it odd that he had been able to raise Lazurus from the dead, but he had not been able to help himself.
I did not understand what he was doing. But after his resurrection, and I saw him, radiant and beautiful as ever. I understood. From the Initiatory standpoint what he did was traditionally done for one’s self only.
But Yeshua had done it on behalf of all mankind.
This is his legacy.
So much that is known and unknown. And I will always seek to know more about the Saviour, and unravel the truth. When I read about him the truth resonates in my heart. Today I celebrate Yeshua’s legacy that has endured for more than 2,000 years. And I pray that humanity will begin to LIVE his message not just listen to it. Become active participants in Christianity and in his simple message of Love one another.
Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
Judge noone and you shall not be judged.
Do onto others as you do onto me.
For if all of mankind were to do that- surely we would have Peace on Earth.
Jesus said: Blessed be the Peacemakers. Because they shall become sons of God.
Blessed Be indeed.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Potpourri
Nice to just be in my little cocoon of me again and not be on the radio and just doing my voice work which gives me the beautiful luxury of light hours and occassional weekdays off.
Many people ask me if I miss it. After all, I was on regular show for better part of 21 years.
But in the last 2 or more years I've come to the continuing conclusion that the answer is No.
And I still don't even understand the question.
Miss being full time in the most volatile unsecure business I can think of as opposed to self employed working as much as I want to? Are ya nuts?
Maybe it's because radio is perceived to be "glamourous" or in the limelight. Well to me, it's not.
Maybe I'd miss it SOME if I didn't fill in so often. Maybe I'd miss it None. One of the two.
I do very much enjoy filling in. Reminds me that it will always be like riding a bike no matter how long you're away! :-)
Now that I'm self employed, I don't have to miss seeing my children's cherub faces when they first wake up. Like I did for most of my now almost 9 year old daughter's life. I don't miss have to miss out on taking my kids to school or picking them up. Maybe you Mom's are saying- "HUH? You LIKE that?" But I actually didn't have the opportunity before and yes, I do like that. Even on the bad days!
Now that I am not on morning show I relish the chaos that is a 7 am alarm instead of 3 or 4 and a rush of "Eat your cereal, where's your socks, don't forget your library books!" Along with the smattering of kisses and goodbyes as I walk them in their room, chat with their teachers and pass of their lunch bag to them. I relish them running up to my "Mom-van" with smiles on their faces and a burst of what happened that day crammed into 1 minute, trying to listen simulatenously and attentively to them both before I'm forced to say "One at a time!"
Today, I'm in my peaceful cocoon away from all the awful news of the week. Red Lake. Terri's fate. War on terror. Is there ever Good news on the news? I enjoyed a day off Thursday and swept out garage and backyard odds and ends. Making room for Spring to arrive.
I came across Rosie O' Donnells blog yesterday. www.onceadored.blogspot.com Remarkable to think about how far she went from limelight to disdain in such a short time. Media can be so carnivorous.
Speaking of the media, I heard a disturbing story about increase of the Governments "pre-packaged" news. Whoa. That gives me the heebie jeebies. I'll see if I can dig in to it for the Blog.
Well, going to boil the eggs for when we decorate Easter eggs and must get another walk in today. Beautiful weather here! Spring has Sprung! 47 today. 57 tomorrow. Wahooo!!!
XXOO Jill
Many people ask me if I miss it. After all, I was on regular show for better part of 21 years.
But in the last 2 or more years I've come to the continuing conclusion that the answer is No.
And I still don't even understand the question.
Miss being full time in the most volatile unsecure business I can think of as opposed to self employed working as much as I want to? Are ya nuts?
Maybe it's because radio is perceived to be "glamourous" or in the limelight. Well to me, it's not.
Maybe I'd miss it SOME if I didn't fill in so often. Maybe I'd miss it None. One of the two.
I do very much enjoy filling in. Reminds me that it will always be like riding a bike no matter how long you're away! :-)
Now that I'm self employed, I don't have to miss seeing my children's cherub faces when they first wake up. Like I did for most of my now almost 9 year old daughter's life. I don't miss have to miss out on taking my kids to school or picking them up. Maybe you Mom's are saying- "HUH? You LIKE that?" But I actually didn't have the opportunity before and yes, I do like that. Even on the bad days!
Now that I am not on morning show I relish the chaos that is a 7 am alarm instead of 3 or 4 and a rush of "Eat your cereal, where's your socks, don't forget your library books!" Along with the smattering of kisses and goodbyes as I walk them in their room, chat with their teachers and pass of their lunch bag to them. I relish them running up to my "Mom-van" with smiles on their faces and a burst of what happened that day crammed into 1 minute, trying to listen simulatenously and attentively to them both before I'm forced to say "One at a time!"
Today, I'm in my peaceful cocoon away from all the awful news of the week. Red Lake. Terri's fate. War on terror. Is there ever Good news on the news? I enjoyed a day off Thursday and swept out garage and backyard odds and ends. Making room for Spring to arrive.
I came across Rosie O' Donnells blog yesterday. www.onceadored.blogspot.com Remarkable to think about how far she went from limelight to disdain in such a short time. Media can be so carnivorous.
Speaking of the media, I heard a disturbing story about increase of the Governments "pre-packaged" news. Whoa. That gives me the heebie jeebies. I'll see if I can dig in to it for the Blog.
Well, going to boil the eggs for when we decorate Easter eggs and must get another walk in today. Beautiful weather here! Spring has Sprung! 47 today. 57 tomorrow. Wahooo!!!
XXOO Jill
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Chocolate bunnys, chicks and eggs coming out our ears!
Walking through the aisles of the Department store today it occurred to me again that Easter has been over commercialized just like every other Holiday in America today. Not too many crosses in the aisles. Or even pictures of Jesus.
I'd prefer "Resurrection Sunday" as that'd be a little harder to market now wouldn't it? But they'd find a way wouldn't they? And that would mean gummi worm crosses and tombs with a wind up stone door that open and closes! But I think that would at least be better than the current lack of spirituality in Easter marketing.
Don't get me wrong I love do love Spring. I love the symbolism of Spring. Rebirth. Renewing of spirit. And the symbolism of Easter IS certaintly fitting with that. Along with Sacrifice. Trust. Surrender. If only they could they find a way to market that!
The excess of every holiday that continues to grow every year never ceases to amaze me. Plastic carrots to put treats in. Baby pacifiers with a light up bunny. Wire baskets, fuzzy baskets, plastic duck face baskets, chirping chickies, every size color and size bunny you can imagine. The sheer amount and diversity in the candy and egg coloring kits is mind boggling! You name it- you can find it with an egg, bunny, duck, or chick at Easter time!
I mean what does happen to all that fake plastic grass?
I did a Google image search of the word Easter and only 45 out of every 700 pictures came up as having anything to do with Christ, church, or the true meaning of Easter!
Do I sound cranky? I'm not...it's just an observation. *See title of blog. Maybe I'm just so old fashioned. I am more and more altruistic every year and enjoy simpler celebrations. My children seem to enjoy it even more this way as well. I hope Christian children actually have something to do with the true meaning of the holiday in their Easter baskets Easter morning.
Eas·ter (ē'st-er) n.
1. A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus.
2. The day on which this feast is observed, the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox.
3. Eastertide
I'd prefer "Resurrection Sunday" as that'd be a little harder to market now wouldn't it? But they'd find a way wouldn't they? And that would mean gummi worm crosses and tombs with a wind up stone door that open and closes! But I think that would at least be better than the current lack of spirituality in Easter marketing.
Don't get me wrong I love do love Spring. I love the symbolism of Spring. Rebirth. Renewing of spirit. And the symbolism of Easter IS certaintly fitting with that. Along with Sacrifice. Trust. Surrender. If only they could they find a way to market that!
The excess of every holiday that continues to grow every year never ceases to amaze me. Plastic carrots to put treats in. Baby pacifiers with a light up bunny. Wire baskets, fuzzy baskets, plastic duck face baskets, chirping chickies, every size color and size bunny you can imagine. The sheer amount and diversity in the candy and egg coloring kits is mind boggling! You name it- you can find it with an egg, bunny, duck, or chick at Easter time!
I mean what does happen to all that fake plastic grass?
I did a Google image search of the word Easter and only 45 out of every 700 pictures came up as having anything to do with Christ, church, or the true meaning of Easter!
Do I sound cranky? I'm not...it's just an observation. *See title of blog. Maybe I'm just so old fashioned. I am more and more altruistic every year and enjoy simpler celebrations. My children seem to enjoy it even more this way as well. I hope Christian children actually have something to do with the true meaning of the holiday in their Easter baskets Easter morning.
Eas·ter (ē'st-er) n.
1. A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus.
2. The day on which this feast is observed, the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox.
3. Eastertide
Did you know the name Easter is derived from a fertility goddess?
The English and German names, "Easter" and "Ostern", seem clearly unrelated to Pesach etymologically and likely derive either from Eostremonat, an old Germanic month name, or Eostre, an Asatru fertility goddess whom the 8th century English historian Bede records was honored with a fertility festival during Eostremonat. It has been suggested that many of modern Easter's symbols, such as colored eggs and the Easter Bunny, are cultural remnants of Eostre's springtime fertility festival, even though giving of eggs at spring festivals was not restricted to Germanic peoples and could be found among the Persians, the Romans, and the Jews, and that Eostre merged with the Christian Pesach celebrations after the Germanic heathens were Christianized (see Easter as a Germanic Heathen festival below.).
Determining the DATE of Easter gets even more confusing! Seems you need a degree in astrology:
Easter is based upon Paschal Full Moon (PFM) dates, and each PFM is the particular Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) date after March 20. EFM dates are approximated astronomical full moon dates, and are surprisingly accurate when you consider how long ago they were forecast.
PFM dates are found in a table (see above). There is a table of 19 dates for the Julian calendar, and several 19-dates tables for the Gregorian calendar.
Easy to forget that the dates of all our holidays and even the CALENDER itself are man made.
So there's just few observations and Easter history for you today. Here's hoping you won't get caught up in the "must haves" and "must gives" of this holiday. Your company and sharing and caring is gift enough! Along with perhaps a simple, symbolic basket with something precious you've discovered. Something that will be cherished in recalling the memory of the day...not broken or eaten by days end. Remember lesson #1 in the new world: GIVE MORE. And LESS is indeed more.
Jill
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Love and Listen
My heart is heavy for the people of Red Lake --sight of the deadliest school shooting in America since Columbine. Just 150 miles north of Fargo. With the families, neighbors, and injured victims in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Tears welled up as I read this : At a prayer vigil in St. Paul for the ten dead, three Bald Eagles were seen soaring above the group. The crowd cheered as they knew that the eagles had come to "wrap up the prayers and deliver them to the great spirit." Coincidentally, at about the same time, a drum circle vigil was being kept in Red Lake, and that group was visited by another lone bald eagle, soaring high above...tears flowed...
Immediately upon hearing the news, I recalled an interview on Coast to Coast AM with the Hopi Elders back around the time of Columbine. Eerily, it was just replayed less than a week ago. Two Grandfathers and one Grandmother speaking of Hopi Prophecy and the Great Emergence. Grandmother did not speak much. But when she did- she said that the children have not gotten the love they need.
The attention their soul needs.
With more and more Mom's and Dads working. At home on the computer or staring at the T.V. Or out doing other necessary things. Rather than sitting with their ears sharp to their childrens words.
She said also that children are no longer shown the right way. The way of Spirit. And not only will children turn against other children and teachers but their parents and family too.
This poor 16 year old soul was lost. His mother in a home. His father committed suicide a few years ago. He not only shot fellow students and a teacher but his Grandmother and Grandfather too. 10 dead so far. Many more injured... physically and emotionally.
The author of one of my favorite books, Kent Nerburn, has written about it in his blog. I urge you to read "The Circle" in honor of all those who are suffering at Red Lake Reservation. You will form the circle in your mind and heart for all you've lost as well in this beautiful piece. http://kentnerburn.com/
Heed the words of Grandmother Hopi and the elders. Listen. Take time to really BE with your children.
I've been accused from time to time from a friend of doting on my children too much. Of putting out too much of my time to them. I can think of worse things to be accused of. Can anyone really LOVE too much? Not with things, not with trips to far off places. Not with yes, yes and always yes over indulgence. But by telling them about the Great Spirit. And angels. And all that is good. By giving them so much more of our and their precious time. With our hearts. With our ears. Our hugs and our bedtime stories no matter what age our child is. This is the way to lead them on the right Path.
To Love and Listen.
Tears welled up as I read this : At a prayer vigil in St. Paul for the ten dead, three Bald Eagles were seen soaring above the group. The crowd cheered as they knew that the eagles had come to "wrap up the prayers and deliver them to the great spirit." Coincidentally, at about the same time, a drum circle vigil was being kept in Red Lake, and that group was visited by another lone bald eagle, soaring high above...tears flowed...
Immediately upon hearing the news, I recalled an interview on Coast to Coast AM with the Hopi Elders back around the time of Columbine. Eerily, it was just replayed less than a week ago. Two Grandfathers and one Grandmother speaking of Hopi Prophecy and the Great Emergence. Grandmother did not speak much. But when she did- she said that the children have not gotten the love they need.
The attention their soul needs.
With more and more Mom's and Dads working. At home on the computer or staring at the T.V. Or out doing other necessary things. Rather than sitting with their ears sharp to their childrens words.
She said also that children are no longer shown the right way. The way of Spirit. And not only will children turn against other children and teachers but their parents and family too.
This poor 16 year old soul was lost. His mother in a home. His father committed suicide a few years ago. He not only shot fellow students and a teacher but his Grandmother and Grandfather too. 10 dead so far. Many more injured... physically and emotionally.
The author of one of my favorite books, Kent Nerburn, has written about it in his blog. I urge you to read "The Circle" in honor of all those who are suffering at Red Lake Reservation. You will form the circle in your mind and heart for all you've lost as well in this beautiful piece. http://kentnerburn.com/
Heed the words of Grandmother Hopi and the elders. Listen. Take time to really BE with your children.
I've been accused from time to time from a friend of doting on my children too much. Of putting out too much of my time to them. I can think of worse things to be accused of. Can anyone really LOVE too much? Not with things, not with trips to far off places. Not with yes, yes and always yes over indulgence. But by telling them about the Great Spirit. And angels. And all that is good. By giving them so much more of our and their precious time. With our hearts. With our ears. Our hugs and our bedtime stories no matter what age our child is. This is the way to lead them on the right Path.
To Love and Listen.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Spring Equinox prayers needed
Happy Spring Equinox! The temperature outside may not say Spring but the calender says Spring!
Days are getting longer and that is surely glorious! Even if the energy is sucky.
Spring equinox and Season itself means rebirth. New. Much like the emergence. I tell ya I can't get out of this chasm fast enough! And we see that occurring with Mother Earth. I received this from friend in email:
Days are getting longer and that is surely glorious! Even if the energy is sucky.
Spring equinox and Season itself means rebirth. New. Much like the emergence. I tell ya I can't get out of this chasm fast enough! And we see that occurring with Mother Earth. I received this from friend in email:
Gordon Michael Scallion's publication "Intuitive Flash" in the March/April issue talks about an increase in activity in the 'Ring of Fire' following the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. In recent weeks we have seen Mt. St. Helen's become active, a new lava flow underwater off Vancouver Island, a volcanic eruption in Mexico, and earthquakes in Japan (one again yesterday) and the New Madrid fault in Arkansas, to name a few, and very erratic weather patterns along the west coast. That too goes with the "it may get worse before it gets better" theory.
Please communicate via your e-mail lists the importance of prayers of upliftment for the Earth at this time especially around the Equinox. We have the ability through utilizing consciousness and prayer to soften the occurrence of future Earth Change events. Many visions of significant Earth changes have been coming in surrounding the Equinox.
Please communicate via your e-mail lists the importance of prayers of upliftment for the Earth at this time especially around the Equinox. We have the ability through utilizing consciousness and prayer to soften the occurrence of future Earth Change events. Many visions of significant Earth changes have been coming in surrounding the Equinox.
Speaking of Mother Earth---did you see this story in the region of the Tsunami? Quite fascinating as some relics were washed ashore enough for pictures to be taken! Don't get too caught up in the chaos and enjoy the beauty of NOW! XXOO Jill
Click here: CNN.com - Lost and found - Mar 17, 2005
Click here: CNN.com - Lost and found - Mar 17, 2005
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Speaking of you are not alone.....
Have you hit a financial downturn since December? If so, you are not alone in this either. And as my dear grandpa Adam used to say "Could always be worse." Yes, it could be better too he'd say. But more importantly, it could be worse. What follows is excerpt from Sunday's Fargo Forum www.in-forum.com
Last year, for instance, 1,328 women and children stayed at the YWCA of Cass Clay's shelter, an increase of 31 percent over the year before. The shelter's capacity increased by about 30 beds when it moved to its new center last April. The New Life Center, a men's homeless shelter in Fargo, has seen a 10 percent increase in residents since the holidays. Churches United for the Homeless in Moorhead, which moved to a slightly larger shelter in September, reported its occupancy is stable but at capacity.
But the number of homeless people it must turn away for lack of space has increased sharply: 961 last year.
"That's almost triple what we've seen in the past," said Gary Groberg, director of Churches United.
The most recent survey of the Fargo-Moorhead homeless population, done in 2003, estimated there are 400 homeless people at any given time, an increase of 25 percent since 2000, according to the Wilder Research Center in St. Paul.When the count includes those in "precarious" housing situations, such as living with a friend or relative, the daily number jumps to 820.
According to federal guidelines, the fair-market rent for a one-bedroom apartment requires a wage of $9.50 an hour, almost double the $5.15 hourly minimum wage, he said
Last year, for instance, 1,328 women and children stayed at the YWCA of Cass Clay's shelter, an increase of 31 percent over the year before. The shelter's capacity increased by about 30 beds when it moved to its new center last April. The New Life Center, a men's homeless shelter in Fargo, has seen a 10 percent increase in residents since the holidays. Churches United for the Homeless in Moorhead, which moved to a slightly larger shelter in September, reported its occupancy is stable but at capacity.
But the number of homeless people it must turn away for lack of space has increased sharply: 961 last year.
"That's almost triple what we've seen in the past," said Gary Groberg, director of Churches United.
The most recent survey of the Fargo-Moorhead homeless population, done in 2003, estimated there are 400 homeless people at any given time, an increase of 25 percent since 2000, according to the Wilder Research Center in St. Paul.When the count includes those in "precarious" housing situations, such as living with a friend or relative, the daily number jumps to 820.
According to federal guidelines, the fair-market rent for a one-bedroom apartment requires a wage of $9.50 an hour, almost double the $5.15 hourly minimum wage, he said
What about for a family of say 3? What's the rent then!!!? We need to get a living wage in this country! And we need to get someone in either party to at least MENTION it as a possibilty in a campaign! Most blue collar folks in Fargo for instance need to work TWO and sometimes THREE jobs just to make a living! Forget about saving to go to College. Ahhh, the American Dream?! $8 an hour is considered Supervisor pay at many places. Look in the classifieds of your local paper. And our economy is strong here. I can't imagine in areas where its slow! Meanwhile, gas prices are at a record high. $2.09 here last time I checked. Food and grocery prices have sharply increased. Basic groceries for a family of 4 is easily $500 a month. And health care, well don't get me started there! $500-$800 a month for family coverage depending on what percentage your employer will pay. And rising sharply every year. If it's less than that for you-- consider yourself very fortunate. Maybe you are a professional like I am and don't pay much attention to this. But you should. You could be out of work and out of health care at some point too.
There are always extremes in a chasm. Has to get worse before it can get better. See: Boston Tea Party. And it will. The times they are a-changing. But meanwhile we can't just sit by and do nothing when it gets absurd. We need to roll up our sleeves and speak up and volunteer to help mold the change. To do right by those that have been wronged. To FIX it this time- not just slap it with duct tape.
Enjoy your day! Beautiful sunny and upper 30's here today so we're taking Popcorn (our 6 month old yellow Lab) out to run, run, run!!!!! :) Jill
The DUHHHHH Phenomenon
I feel the pressure each time I have to "title" my thoughts! And my grammar isn't the best since I write like I talk. Stream of consciousness. Rambling on style. Or "Blogging On" I shall call it. So then I go back and fix it and that brings up not so fond memories of when I have written professionally. This is my therapy of Blogging I suppose. I'll manage somehow. Still heartbroken about the pictures I've lost. But for all things there is a purpose. And I am grateful for the few pictures I do have in old fashioned print form! I have already backed up what I have onto CD.
Besides the energy lesson on letting go, my memory is just muddled past few days. Long term is fuzzy. Short term isn't much better. Seems English language has become my secondary language. I've noticed others are feeling it too. I'll dub it the DUHHHH phenomenon. Just right in the middle of talking the words are gone. And the most simple every day words can't be found in the cerebral rolodex. All part of the trip and the great changes underway my spiritually gifted friends tell me. So if you are feeling this too- a) be glad you do not have to talk on the radio and b) know that you are not alone in this. Do not hold on too tight to how things have been and that will make the trip a little easier. xxxoo Jill
Besides the energy lesson on letting go, my memory is just muddled past few days. Long term is fuzzy. Short term isn't much better. Seems English language has become my secondary language. I've noticed others are feeling it too. I'll dub it the DUHHHH phenomenon. Just right in the middle of talking the words are gone. And the most simple every day words can't be found in the cerebral rolodex. All part of the trip and the great changes underway my spiritually gifted friends tell me. So if you are feeling this too- a) be glad you do not have to talk on the radio and b) know that you are not alone in this. Do not hold on too tight to how things have been and that will make the trip a little easier. xxxoo Jill
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Nightmare!
Well, this day has gone from a slow roll downhill to a push off a sharp cliff. I installed "Hello" and "Picasa" and it imported ALL my photos from MY PICTURES file. I wanted to organize JUST the pictures I felt I might use and deleted a few and it didn't ask "Are you sure you want to send this picture to Recycle Bin?" But just to be sure I went and checked and pictures I had deleted WERE still there. So I thought it was repetitive or a "Copy" and proceeded to Delete most of more than two years of photos that had not been burned to CD. :( And because we are low on memory I also deleted it from Trash (before double checking my My Pictures folder).
My husband trying to console me said "Perhaps its a lesson that the past is not important". He's usually profound like that at the most trying times. One of many reasons why I love him. Feels like a kick in the teeth mainly. Not a good start to the Blog energy. :( Pictures of daughters style show. Last day of school. Kindergarten for my son. Well..I'm just heartbroken that's all. It's my own fault for not backing them up with CD copy. Welcome to the Digital age huh?
My husband trying to console me said "Perhaps its a lesson that the past is not important". He's usually profound like that at the most trying times. One of many reasons why I love him. Feels like a kick in the teeth mainly. Not a good start to the Blog energy. :( Pictures of daughters style show. Last day of school. Kindergarten for my son. Well..I'm just heartbroken that's all. It's my own fault for not backing them up with CD copy. Welcome to the Digital age huh?
Friday, March 18, 2005
500 nations Documentary
Off to watch "500 nations" I am sure it will be shown a few times if you missed it tonight. On Discovery Times.
This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sources via documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. Ho?
I'll share my thoughts after viewing it. Jill
This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sources via documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. Ho?
I'll share my thoughts after viewing it. Jill
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Gotta start somewhere!
Phew! I'm exhausted. Just finding a name took some time. Feels like nice accomplishment to be finally getting started. A new trail beneath my feet. I'm uncertain where it will lead me. I'm uncertain why I feel I want to begin on this new path. I knew some about Blogs but not much. Interviewed a few bloggers. Realized it was free. Read a few online. And Whallaaaaa here I am starting up my own. Well TWO actually as I'm helping my daugthers 3rd grade class begin a Blog as well.
I've designed web sights before. But this feels different. In a good way. Better. More personal. More productive. More impactful. I'm not sure why.
I hope to share links, thoughts and posts about these amazing times we are in. A Spiritual Chasm! Rebirth. Change of the Ages. My biggest areas of interest lie in non-religious spirituality, alternative healing, environmental news and native american observations.
So, that's it for now. Nothing too profound. But you gotta start somewhere!
I've designed web sights before. But this feels different. In a good way. Better. More personal. More productive. More impactful. I'm not sure why.
I hope to share links, thoughts and posts about these amazing times we are in. A Spiritual Chasm! Rebirth. Change of the Ages. My biggest areas of interest lie in non-religious spirituality, alternative healing, environmental news and native american observations.
So, that's it for now. Nothing too profound. But you gotta start somewhere!
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