Wordless Wednesday: Leap year reputation confirmed

Stoking the Fire Within

There are certain personality archetypes that we all carry within us, such as the inner child, the lover, and the mother. Some of these archetypes present themselves strongly, while others lay fallow. For example, there is an inner warrior in each one of us, but in some of us this warrior is underdeveloped to the point that we are unable to stand up for ourselves, even when necessary. There can be many reasons for this. We may have grown up with a parent whose warrior aspect was overdeveloped, and we responded by repressing ours completely. On the other hand, we may have grown up with parents in whom this aspect was dormant, so we never learned to awaken it in ourselves.

A warrior is someone with the strength to stand up for what he or she believes; someone who perseveres in the face of challenges and obstacles; someone who speaks and acts in the service of an ideal; someone who protects those who are too weak to fight for themselves. Regardless of the reasons for an underdeveloped inner warrior, you may begin to notice the lack of its fiery, protective presence and wish to awaken it. You may need to stand up for yourself in a certain relationship or situation, or you may have a vision you want to realize, and you know you will need the courage, energy, and strength of a warrior to succeed. Similarly, if you find that you often feel scared, anxious, or powerless, rousing this sleeping ally may be just the antidote you need.

One excellent way to cultivate the presence of your inner warrior is to choose a role model who embodies the qualities of bravery, strength, and vitality. This person could be a character in a myth, movie, or book, or a historical or living person you admire. Simply close your eyes each day and contemplate the quality of energy that attracts you to this person, knowing that the same potential lives within you. Confirm for yourself that you are capable of handling this energy responsibly, and stoke the fire of your own inner courage.

DailyOM

Music Monday: Maroon 5 & Smurfs

I heard this in town where I was having breakfast today and started toe-tapping just a few bars into it. Catchy as all get out, which is why I like it so much… as well as its Smurf version. The latest Smurf CD, loaded with their versions of recent hits, cost the best 10 euros I spent during our Christmas trip to Athens. I got it for my son and ended up enjoying it more myself – but I’ve been a Smurf fan for a quarter of a century now, and that won’t change any time soon, even though the latest dubbing of the series has got nothing on the classic, all-star 80s cast.

At the Gate (part 2/2)

The bull-terrier looked at the Airedale for appreciation.

“That’s the way we do it,” he said proudly.

“Yes, but—” the Airedale put his head on one side in perplexity.

“Yes, but what?” asked the guide.

“The dogs that don’t have any people—the nobodies’ dogs?”

“That’s the best of all. Oh, everything is thought out here. Crouch down,—you must be tired,—and watch,” said the bull-terrier.

Soon they spied another small form making the turn in the road. He wore a Boy Scout’s uniform, but he was a little fearful, for all that, so new was this adventure. The dogs rose again and snuffled, but the better groomed of the circle held back, and in their place a pack of odds and ends of the company ran down to meet him. The Boy Scout was reassured by their friendly attitude, and after petting them impartially, he chose an old-fashioned black and tan, and the two passed in.

At the Gate (part 1/2)

A shaggy Airedale scented his way along the highroad. He had not been there before, but he was guided by the trail of his brethren who had preceded him. He had gone unwillingly upon this journey, yet with the perfect training of dogs he had accepted it without complaint. The path had been lonely, and his heart would have failed him, traveling as he must without his people, had not these traces of countless dogs before him promised companionship of a sort at the end of the road.

The landscape had appeared arid at first, for the translation from recent agony into freedom from pain had been so numbing in its swiftness that it was some time before he could fully appreciate the pleasant dog-country through which he was passing. There were woods with leaves upon the ground through which to scurry, long grassy slopes for extended runs, and lakes into which he might plunge for sticks and bring them back to—But he did not complete his thought, for the boy was not with him. A little wave of homesickness possessed him.

It made his mind easier to see far ahead a great gate as high as the heavens, wide enough for all. He understood that only man built such barriers and by straining his eyes he fancied he could discern humans passing through to whatever lay beyond. He broke into a run that he might the more quickly gain this inclosure made beautiful by men and women; but his thoughts outran his pace, and he remembered that he had left the family behind, and again this lovely new compound became not perfect, since it would lack the family.

Foodie Friday: Lamb with Lemon and Saffron Roast Potatoes

Serves 6
Ready in about 1 hour 50 minutes
Freezable

Ingredients:
2.5kg leg of lamb
2kg King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 large red onions, thinly sliced
500ml vegetable stock
6 garlic cloves, quartered lengthways
A large pinch of saffron threads
1 tbsp ras el hanout spice mix
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon
2 sprigs of rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Fry Light

Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 230°C/450°F/Gas 8. Place the saffron, ras el hanout mix, lemon zest and juice in the vegetable stock, stir, and then set aside until needed.
2. Next, prepare the meat. Strip the leaves from the sprigs of rosemary. Make about 20 deep incisions into the leg of lamb and use half the rosemary leaves and all the garlic to stuff the incisions, then season well.
3. Spray a large roasting tin with Fry Light. Scatter the sliced potatoes, red onions and remaining rosemary leaves into the tin and season. Lay the leg of lamb on top and pour over the stock mixture. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, then turn the heat down to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 and roast for a further 1 hour 10 minutes.
4. When ready to serve, slice the lamb, removing any skin and visible fat. Serve with the potatoes and steamed mixed vegetables of your choice.

Learn and Let Flow

The idea that we have to suffer or live in poverty in order to be spiritual is an old one and can be found in the belief systems of many philosophies. Most of us carry this idea around subconsciously, and we may be holding ourselves back from financial or emotional well-being, believing that this is what we must do in order to be virtuous, spiritually awake, or feel less guilty for the suffering of others.

While it’s true that there can be a spiritual purpose to experiencing a lack of material well-being, it is rarely intended to be a permanent or lifelong experience. What we are meant to find when material or emotional resources are in short supply is that there is more to our lives than the physical realm. Intense relationships and material abundance can distract us from the subtler realm of the spirit, so a time of deficiency can be spiritually awakening. However, once we recognize the realm of spirit, and remember to hold it at the center of our lives, there is no reason to dwell in poverty or emotional isolation. In fact, once our connection to spirit is fully intact, we feel so compelled to share our abundance that lack becomes a thing of the past.

If you find that you are experiencing suffering in some area of your physical life, perhaps your spirit is asking you to look deeper in your search for what you want. For example, if you want money so that you can experience the feeling of security but money keeps eluding you, your spirit may be asking you to understand that security is not to be found through money. Security comes from an unshakable connection to your soul. Once you make that connection, money will probably flow more easily into your life. If relationships elude you, your spirit may be calling you to recognize that the love you seek is not to be found in another person. And yet, ironically, once you find the love, your true love may very well appear. If you feel stuck in suffering to live a spiritual life, try to spend some time writing about it. The root of the problem will appear and it may not be what you expected. Remember, the Universe wants you to be happy.

DailyOM