So the basic question is how do you know you exist?
Is it the heartbeat in your chest that determines your existence? Is it because your brain is running all your organs and blood systems? Is it because your mind, which is different than your brain, is thinking?
What makes you human? What makes you more than exist? How, in fact, do you know you are thriving?
I would contend that it is a combination of your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves – what I like to call PEMS for short. I think that to be a whole being and exist in this plane, you need a balanced approach to all these component parts. Being weak in one area may not mean you stop existing, however, I think it makes sure you are not thriving.
Beyond the point that it is important to have balance in your life, I think you need to recognize who or what is realizing that your blood is pumping through your body, you are processing food into energy and assessing information about what your five senses of touching, smelling, hearing, tasting and smelling are all about.
Who exactly is doing that? Is it the observer or witness inside of you? When you put all distractions away and just breathe, what is being realized of who or what is going on inside of you?
Meditation Pose by 3333873 from Pixabay
I am not sure if you meditate but I do. I have done so for about 40 years of life thus far. Now, I have not always been very good at it especially at the beginning stages, but you soon develop a rhythmic breathing, a deep sense of knowing, a clarity and sense of peace that overcomes your body where you go inwards and become serene. That is when the clutter in my mind and world go away and I know for sure that I exist. It is precisely these special “down times” that I am able to escape the world and come into touch with my real self.
I am able to realize that I come from God and Source Energy. This is when I come to realize that we are all connected into a web of life just like quantum physics will tell us in experiments that they have performed such as the observer effect in the double slit experiment or the entanglement theory with two pairs of photons or electrons are still connected, reacting the same although at great distances apart.
It comes down to the realization that I am a spark of divinity and that I never die or was even born for that matter. I am eternal and ever-lasting. The world will continue on its path and I will continue on my own path and journey. Yes, I exist and I will forever more. The very same goes for you too.
Mary Mikawoz February 25, 2023
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I can calculate the number of days I have lived but not the amount of days I have left. That is entirely up to God and the Universe. I guess I do have some choices as some say. I had some decision-making choices before I came down. Perhaps, I did choose my parents and my siblings. Perhaps, I chose my gender, my ethnicity, my religion and so much more beginning data. Perhaps, I did choose the lessons I would work on while in my Earthly suit. Perhaps, I do have a choice as to how I will fulfill my destiny-driven life as I have free choice from moment to moment.
I can calculate the expectation of an outcome such as if I do part A alongside part B and C, then D is the most logical ordered outcome but this is not necessarily the case. There are other players in the mix and as they have free choice as well, their impact on my life has to be considered. It is all about synchronizing my efforts for my highest good while the other involved parties do the same on their end.
I do not judge the outcome but I do judge my efforts. Acceptance is key to it all. It is up to me to entice myself to do better and better. It is for my better judgement to accept myself as I am while doing my best on the path of life.
The process of moving forward is more important than worrying about the hows as I leave those details to God. It is about taking appropriate micro-steps to engage in the process of living and forwarding my movement in an ongoing and upward motion. It is up to me to take the necessary action to fulfill what needs to be learned in this lifetime.
I will calculate the next baby step and then the next after that. These steps build upon one another to the point where I will not realize and recognize how far I have gone because the journey has been meaningful and appropriate for my development as a human being and more importantly as a Spiritual Being on a path towards awareness and enlightenment.
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Veil of Tears – Photography by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
This is a photograph that I took of the winter sun low in the sky through the window. It has an hazy effect and had a melancholy feel about it. However, what I love about it is that it serves as a framework for the poem I wrote. I wrote it for those who are hurting and missing a loved one at this time of year, this one is for YOU!
Veil of Tears
by Mary Mikawoz
As days change into nights And nights into days We see the passage of time Moments slipping by unnoticed
We trudge on in snow-laden streets With cold in our feet, face and hands But not in our hearts…
We remember those who have passed on From one realm to another We rejoice in their memories And of the substantial love they gave us
We can choose to stand in a veil of tears Wiping the currents of moisture from our eyes Or simply initiate a wealth of gratitude For their Past Presence in our lives!
With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and with my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time.
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Book: “Walking Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness” Sara Shulting Kranz, Harper Horizon, 2020.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I found this book by Sara Shulting Kranz to be interesting. I found that her in-depth knowledge of trauma and PTSD is based on the fact that she has had to deal with it and go through it herself.
She understands more than just an empathetic listener. I won’t repeat her life story other than to say that she has gone through a lot. We all do but that is what is so wonderful about this book is that she gives you steps to deal with the trauma.
Sara gives you written meditations that you can read and then practice. After you are done the guided meditation, she gives you some questions to consider as you take your information gleaned from this process and reflect upon any and all insights. She asks that you write about it.
I find it interesting she mentions a little fact that since 2012, the number of people meditating in this world has tripled. That is significant and shows that there is value in following through with inner work including listening to your intuition.
After learning the six steps, she asks you to forgive yourself, the perpetrator and also the world.
In the meantime, Sara has also implemented a number of practical techniques of walking in nature including retreats through the Grand Canyon or standup paddle boarding on water. From Sara doing her work, she is able to give practical advice and not that just of a psychologist or counsellor who doesn’t have any personal terms of reference and can only reflect back to you what they have heard without any concrete suggestions or relevant life event experiences or tasks to pursue.
I give this book a 4.25 out of 5 for being a useful book that was interesting to read. She is on social media like Instagram and Facebook. She has her own website as well.
This is very impactful – affected my soul on a deep level. It is more profound in less than 5 minutes than an entire 3 hour Hollywood blockbuster.
It is called “The Life of Death” by Marsha Onderstijn.
It was so heart-breaking but beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. Thanks to Marsha Onderstijn for being inspired to create it and Ramon de Wilde for the music.
I took this close-up photograph of a rope on a dock. It is used to harness and wrap up boats that have come ashore out of the waters. For safety sake, they are needed to connect and anchor to land.
To me, they represent the human spirit and how we are connected as souls. It represents the cords or attachments we have to other people that bind us together. It is how I see my love for certain people in this world. It is strong and thick as my wrist – woven and connected from my heart to theirs.
Although there may have been adversity and minor tears, it remains strong and healthy. Relationships are manifestations and reflections of how committed we are to making things work through all types of weather and circumstances.
Keep safe and strong through the howling winds and tumultuous waters!
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Here is a black and white photograph with all but the Golden Boy who is, of course, in gold. He is atop the Manitoba Legislature in the capital city of Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba, Canada.
According the Manitoba Government website, he represents the Roman God Mercury or the Greek God Hermes. He represents eternal youth and the spirit of enterprise. He is a symbol of prosperity. He was installed on the dome on November 21, 1919.
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These are three eagles flying high up in the sky. Actually, only two were originally in the photograph but I decided to add the third one as they were taken the same day within minutes of each other. They are spectacular raptors. All three are Bald Eagles but the centre one is actually an immature Bald Eagle which surprisingly looks like a Golden Eagle.
According to http://www.pure-spirit.com, “Eagle conveys the powers and messages of the spirit; it is man’s connection to the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle brings the message of renewed life because it is associated with the east winds – the direction of spring, dawn and rebirth.”
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From years of spiritual pursuit and personal reflection, I have come up with these 5 insights.
These are “Insights” by Mary Mikawoz
“Anger is about unmet expectations.”
“Depression is anger turned inwards.”
“Anxiety is worrying about the future.”
“We all need goals – mini steps in life.”
“Live in the present – that is all we have.”
This drawing started off as drawing of coloured pencils, blue pen and markers. I then took the basic shape or frame of it and enhanced it digitally. I found it to be a good experience because the essential flow of it stayed intact which I like very much.
I was feeling solemn when I drew this picture but where there is darkness, a ray of light peaks in and brings hope.
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Mary Mikawoz Creative Pursuits Blog 