Anam Cara

Anam (uh-nam) means soul and Cara (kar-uh) means friend. Anam Cara a gaelic expression which loosely translated it means “soul friend” or in modern romantic english terms it is often defined as “soul mate”.

Anam Cara has multiple meanings; however, at its core it is the understanding of a deeper and richer form of love and friendship - when the soul becomes completely open and trusting with another being. Thus, when two souls begin to radiate together a deeper bond is formed and you have created Anam Cara. This type of relationship it is believed awakens the fullness and mystery of life, revealing hidden intimacies. The Celtics believe at the point you experience Anam Cara you have arrived at the most sacred place: home.

To understand another meaning to Anam Cara is to enter into the relationship between the advisor and the student. The advisor who teaches and learns from the student and the student who learns and teaches the advisor; should we all be blessed to be open enough to give and receive in such powerful relationships.

The Catch: experiencing Anam Cara means, I believe, that you have to accept others for who they truly are, you have to allow others to accept you as you truly are and most importantly – you have accept yourself for who you truly are – “warts and all” as my mother would say.

Contemplation: "Your noble friend will not accept pretension but will gently and very firmly confront you with your own blindness. Such friendship is creative and critical; it is willing to negotiate awkward and uneven territories of contradiction and woundedness." John O’Donohue

No one is an island unto themselves and to believe that is ultimately ridiculous, isolating, dark, and terribly lonely. It is only when you step into the light and take your relationships to a whole new place that the real adventures begin –scary - yes, foreign – yes, and worth it – oh yes.

Who are the Anam Caras in your life?

ThInQ About It.

I am Free To Be Me - Blog Off

I admit it: I take my freedom for granted.

The first time I stepped foot into the Manitoba Legislative Building I was on a school field trip. I was probably about nine years old. We stopped by Brian Ransom’s office where he shared with us – I am sure- the honour of being in public service.

What I remember the most about that trip?

The beauty and grandeur of the Legislative Building, the gold buffalo pin he gave us (which I still have in my jewellery box) and how incredibly large his bathroom was.

And, for some reason all week  while contemplating this picture I was thinking about cream corn. Well, actually a story about cream corn.

Two years ago I was cordially invited to an Alpha House Fundraising Dinner. Alpha House is housing for women and their families who have left abusive relationships. As the story goes a client of Alpha House arrived and was unpacking the groceries that were provided to her and her family. Amongst the tins and boxes of food was a can of cream corn. She loves cream corn. Her ex-husband disliked the stuff and forbade anyone else in the family to eat it. How ironic as this woman gains her freedom the sign post to her personal democracy was a can of cream corn. I never forgot that story.

What does democracy mean to me? Here as a Canadian and Manitoban I am free to make mistakes – a few times before I get it, I am free to explore what is around me, to make friends with whomever I want, to love, to vote – or not, to travel, to learn, to debate, to express myself, to be responsible or irresponsible, to practice and explore my faith – in whatever form that takes, to search out who I am and I am able to create whatever success I desire. The only person I have anything to prove is to myself.

Luckily for the woman in the Alpha House story Manitoba has created and developed services and programs so that families like hers can get help they need when they are ready. There are many places in the world that are not that fortunate and people are vulnerable - Haiti is a perfect example. Without a strong commitment from the world community and a focus on democracy Haiti will have many cream corn stories.

Good for a group of Canadians called Young Artists for Haiti who came together raise awareness and to raise funds to try to ensure that will not happen through their performance in Wavin’ Flag. They are a reminder that I am free to be me and wow shouldn’t everyone else have the same opportunity? You can decide for yourself.

Be sure to visit Busty's response to my picture Bust-a-blog  you'll like it.

Jealousy

Jealousy is the dark emotional sibling to love.

Scientists, theologians, and artists have for centuries explored this human enigma that is part of all our collective experiences. Songs, books, movies, mythological epics, and even our daily news casts tell tales of humanity’s ongoing struggle with jealousy. It has been part of all of us for centuries.

The catch: to this day – we still do not understand its powerful grip – only because we may not know about it. And, how do we know when jealousy is rearing its ugly head? If we contemplate the loss of something that we value, then that is jealousy at work.

Contemplation: it is through our own personal awareness of the very word jealousy that we may become conscious of what is occurring. Through this awakening our anxieties and fears begin to lessen. Jillian Jenkins sums it up beautifully: Jealousy is not the enemy but only another way we learn.

A friend of mine occassionally will say to me: I am joyfully jealous. Maybe those four words are the beginning of a whole new way of existing?

ThInQ About it.

Top UP or Top DOWN - Blog Off

A friend of mine decided to lease a red convertible a year or so ago. She got a good deal on it, but maintained it was all about her ego. I disagreed with her.

Regardless, of our difference of opinion - the car is cool.

Last summer we decided to take a road trip. It was not exactly a nice day. It was cloudy, windy, and really cold. So, before leaving on our big adventure the question was: top up or top down?

The answer: top down. We wanted to be cool.

So, there we were cruising down the highway, top down, windows up, music blaring, hair whipping around like mini tornados with the heat on as hot as we could get it. We were not cool we were freezing.

Last week we were both recovering from post winter colds. After having some dinner we had the lap top out and were going through some of the pictures from our recent adventures. We came across the photos from that day, pulled out the tissues not to wipe running noses but to wipe away the tears because we were laughing so hard.

Not entirely sure where I got this from but if I recall it was from Success Magazine – and – I am paraphrasing but here it goes: the price you pay for something does not determine its value. Its worth is determined by the value you place upon it. Interesting.

That red convertible has brought my friend a great deal of joy – and what is the value of joy? Priceless. The car was not was about fulfilling her egoistical need, it was an outward expression of who she is. She loves to have fun and has this amazing gift of finding the humour in the most difficult situations. And, that makes life a lot easier and enjoyable.

Top up or top down? Top down because life is way too short not to be cool.

Be sure to visit Busty's response to my picture http://bust-a-blog.blogspot.com/ you'll like it.