thehiddendruid

[thehiddendruid]

Feeling the Radiance

You've heard of feeling the pressure but have you ever heard of feeling the radiance? Think of it as feeling the uplifting warm spring air that helps birds to fly for the first time after winter. It's warm and full of light.

I feel like there is not enough radiance in our days here in the USA. We have a lot going on, going wrong, happening to good people happening to innocent people. It's tough sometimes to see anything good. We feel the pressure like a stone mountain on our shoulders. There is no outlet or end in sight.

But it is there. The radiance. It's there, beyond that mountainous pressure. It's there beyond the loss of hope. Waiting to greet you and help uplift you. It doesn't matter what god or gods you believe in. The radiance is there because they chose to give us hope which springs eternal.

When you're feeling pressure and it feels like all hope and light are unreachable or unattainable, remember the radiant light of hope is actually still there. It's waiting for you to have faith in it. All it takes is a little and the light will grow. An answer will come. The person who can do right without fear will show themselves and your burdens will be lessened.

May the light of hope fill your heart in a time when it seems all hope is lost.

[thehiddendruid]

Surfacing

Have you ever felt so much pressure that you feel like you're underwater? Deep under the surface by hundreds of feet.

Where did your pressure come from?

Mine, this time, was not self imposed but brought on by a migraine. Three days of sleeping. In and out of the depths. There are no gods to be prayed to for this as the migraines I have are a medical issue. My phone became my constant companion as I was able to listen to shows I've watched already and take comfort in the fact that sound wasn't killing me slowly.

When the migraine is done stomping me into the deepest depths of water, it's like surfacing and taking a gulp of fresh clean air. Dizzying and intoxicating. You have to remind yourself to slow down so as not to make yourself sick on the rush.

What is it like when you surface? What helps you get to that point? What helps you ride out the pressure?

[thehiddendruid]

I think this is a brilliant representation of perspective. sometimes it's not the quantity but the quality. I'm with panel 2- the enthusiasm of this tiny crowd of likes can leave the artist feeling hopeful for the next panel they draw. It may look like a doodle, but this is powerful message and I'm here for it.

sometimes we (i) forgot

[thehiddendruid]

What is faith to you?

Do you believe that there is something or someone out there that put here? Or that our lives are what we make of them? Is there some greater being that has designed us and orchestrated a grand tapestry that is our world?

What is faith? What is it to you? How does your faith add to the colors of your world?

So many questions. So many answers.

Do you have faith in one god or many? Does it matter if you do? Monotheism and polytheism have more similarities than differences. One father or mother over lesser beings. Protectors, messengers, guides. DO YOU HAVE FAITH IN THEM?

I've gone through years of telling my students, the thing you need is faith. There is no way that we randomly came into being and just POOF here we are. There is no way that creator was a cruel being because they made us adaptable, intelligent, resilient, creative, and free thinking. They gave us the gift of FEELING things like love and hope.

If you believe in the positive and greater good, something good will come. Maybe not when you want it to. Timing is not ours to dictate but ours to experience. Do you have faith that it will make sense some day?

So what is faith to you?

[thehiddendruid]

Days of the Uncertain

I find that the days seem to bring new levels of crazy. It can be as small as local morning traffic or as large as global tragedies. Our makers have made us resilient. Days of uncertainty and how we survive them are a brilliant programming strategy when we were made because we were made to survive, learn, and adapt.

I'm willing to bet this is not what you want to hear/read, but it is the truth. A simple truth. One in which faith is woven tightly with the truth. Have faith in those that created you. Have faith you aren't alone. Know, that if you are a US citizen, you are able to survive the coming days. The US has survived far worse. Other countries have survived as well. If we reach out to each other, the uncertain times will seem less trying and more bearable. There are many with the experience to right the ship before it capsizes while getting their passengers and crewmates to safety.

I woke up this morning feeling certain about my small bubble. My work at the church I've buried my self in, my outfit for the day, coffee (because I can't live without my decadent bean water :D), the fact that I'm able to find the energy to get up and take my medicine as well as move around. But as I drove through traffic and listened to my independent news I thought of how crazy the times are and how we are in days of the uncertain. The stock market, which I couldn't give beans about, crashed again, there's an incredibly high amount of dumb all around, my medication prices are going up when they're already hard to afford. These are uncertain times.

Faith is what allows us to keep moving forward. I have faith that things will get better. Like an illness, things will get worse before the fever kicks in to burn out the bug, but we can recover. I have faith in the people around me in my bubble. Do you? I hope you do.

I have faith in you. You are not alone.

[thehiddendruid]

Lost Hope Found

Have you felt lately, or at any time, the loss of hope? Hope, the thing that drives us to get up in the morning as we hope for a good day. The thing that keeps terminal patients fighting for life, is the strongest and most fragile part of the human experience. Yesterday, the Catholic community, and the world, lost one of the most progressive and good people in their tradition. The pope passed away, leaving behind some might big shoes to fill. I feel sadness as he was a man who had no qualms about doing what was right for people, even if he wasn't perfect, he did his best to do good on a global scale.

This morning, one of my church members nearly lost her stepson to the loss of hope. It stung me deeply despite not knowing the man. I fight depression, among other things, every day and I have also felt this deep loss of hope at times. What causes people to lose the will to fight? Things are always a mess. There will always be someone out there doing things that shame us as a species. But our makers gave us hope. The ability to dream a better day the next day.

If you feel yourself losing hope, we have other humans to communicate with. Even speaking to a void like a blog can help refill your battery. The hope that just one person sees the words you type and will know they are not alone. That someone out there carries a light for them when they themselves can't. Musicians are finally really speaking out about mental health and leaving us songs to remind us that other people are out there waiting to receive you if you have lost your hope.

Reference this song: Papa Roach "Leave a Light On"

I am also here for you with the light of hope.

[thehiddendruid]

Happy Easter

Easter has origins that date back farther than you might imagine. Pagans celebrate Ostara, which is another name for Esther the goddess of spring, and if you read the stories about Ostara you'll find where we got our modern day commercial Easter Bunny. Christians celebrate Easter as the day their savior was born. You'll see "He is Risen" on a lot of Christian based artwork. Both stories are true and neither actually happen on the day we celebrate Easter. I've often wondered why we do that. Don't you? I think all forms of Spring celebrations that emphasize life and rebirth are wonderful. I hope you find this Easter to be a joyous one.

[thehiddendruid]

Continuing from yesterday... I was inspired by my little church's spiritual leader. He did a talk on the word CHOOSE. It resonated with me just like discovering there was more out there than what I thought. My druic path is an odd one. The thought of one big daddy/mama god and lesser gods makes as much sense to me as the one Father/Mother and the angels. Why can't they, in fact, be the same people just disguised to make us comfortable? Well I CHOOSE to see them this way. Feel to disagree as it is your human right to believe as you do- as long as you are trying your best to be the best human you can be.

CHOOSE.

The word is powerful. Our lives are a myriad of choices. Left or right? Up or down? Vanilla or Chocolate? Do you get up in the morning with a positive outlook on the world and make the most of your day? Or do you get up and choose violence with a sour attitude? This does not apply to traumatic times and times of grief. Those are different and require you to choose yourself and heal.

But CHOOSE. The fact we were born with the free will to choose whatever paths we want. We were born to create. To choose what it is we create. Is that not wonderful?

What will you choose today?

[thehiddendruid]

Why am I hidden?

It's not a choice. I'm in plain sight. I can be reached. I'm not here to scare people. I'm here to protect a lovely church. Hidden in plain sight. A place full of acceptance. A place that the people I love also love. I still have to hide though. Apparently the word druid still upsets people even in an open minded community. I'm here to make sure this place stays open so they have a safe place. I love them even if I have to stay hidden for now. I don't practice in the church other than the occasional candle lighting. The building is lovely and old and I feel so able to just breathe here. Unusual, right? I'll stay hidden here and keep it open. Protect the knowledge this beautiful building has. Welcome anyone who is lost and make sure they know they can all this lovely little building home. People aren't ready for there to be a druid in plain sight. I've always thought druids were here to protect the knowledge of the earth and to teach, as in history they were scholars and teachers. I believe in God, too. I just see him differently. I see him how he wants me to see him- maybe how I choose to see him. I felt inspired by a sermon the last couple of weeks. I decided to start this tumblr. Be interested or not. I hope I can inspire people to face adversity and spread love, or just let them know different doesn't mean our maker doesn't have a purpose or love for you. May you find light and love in your days.

The Hidden Druid