Words from La Padre - La padre

A Year and a Day - Honoring Anniversaries

11/7/2013

by Deborah Globus

A friend of mine is celebrating an anniversary this week, except it isn’t really an event to celebrate.

Really what she’s doing is honoring a milestone in an on-going process.

In our culture we’re big on the yearly anniversary but in other cultures (like the Celtic traditions) it’s the quest of a year and a day that holds real power.

Everything I Know About Reentry

10/29/2013

by Deborah Globus

Everything I know about reentry, I know from Christina Baldwin.

Three things to keep in mind when you're integrating after a moving and meaningful time away:

How to Navigate that First Weekend Back From College

9/3/2013

by Deborah Globus

My niece is home from college for the very first time this weekend and it’s got me thinking about transitions.

I remember that first time home from Oneonta.

I remember the intense relief of seeing my loved ones as much as the awkwardness of sensing that things had changed in my scant month away without being able to put a finger on just what those changes were.

I remember being disappointed in the way we were together without having any idea of how to be any different.

I had a similar problem with a close friend of mine who had moved away.

How to Keep Sane While Being Sociable

6/18/2013

by Deborah Globus

I have a friend who is leaving today for a family reunion where 30 other family members and a couple of extroverted controlling personalities will be calling some of the shots.

What’s an introvert to do?

I gently reminded her that she has every right to protect herself energetically from all the loving chaos that promises to ensue; as good as the energy may be, there’s still a whole lot of it and that can be overwhelming.

There comes a point in time when you really do need to ward it off…but in a good way.

It’s called putting up warders.

It works like this:

I suggested she imagine herself encased in a bubble of light – white light for protection; green light for healing; and gold light of the Highest Good.

Dealing with obtrusive energies in this way doesn’t address other people or affect them in any way- only the person putting up the warders so it's a safe practice, karmically speaking.

It’s a simple visualization, the intention of which is to keep you safe. And as we all know, having an intention is half the fight! So it works on a psychological level thanks to the intention.

And it also works on an energetic level and works more effectively the more you practice it.

Of course, when that fails you can always call for reinforcements. There’s a candle burning here for my friend and it will be all week as she navigates her (beloved if energetic) family. And I’m sending her prayers for remembering the blessings of her visit.

(It’s nice to have an ordained minister on call for moral support!)

A Bouncing Baby Boy

5/30/2013

by Deborah Globus

When we end a Blessingway ceremony for an expectant mom the participants are handed a skein of red thread. The first person wraps it around her wrist three times then tosses it across the circle to another participant who does the same. By the time the skein has made it’s way all around the circle we’ve created a web – literally – of friendship for the mother-to-be.

Ends are snipped, knots are tied and everyone leaves with a bracelet of red.

These bracelets stay on until the call goes out that BABY HAS ARRIVED! Until that call actually comes, though, participants (and the mom who has one, too) can’t help but thing of the wonderful ceremony every time they look down at their wrists.

A Little Time

5/10/2013

by Deborah Globus

Although I believe there’s a ritual for every occasion and every need, sometimes what is most needed is just time.

It’s been a trying couple of weeks as a volunteer project spiraled into chaos with a lot of parties involved and lots of room for mistakes – not my favorite situation to be in.

Part of me wants to create a ritual to fast track this whole recovery process, get me back in the swing of things, get me posting and working again.

Unexpected Blessings That Come from Ritual

3/8/2013

by Deborah Globus

I got this email from a client who was working with me on a ritual to bless her new office space:

“Interesting development this morning – I ran into the landlord (the man whose office used to be in my space).

(Backstory: They’ve been planning on moving out of the building for months now but haven’t been able to get the final permit approval on their new building so it’s been delayed. Because I’m in his old office, and they’re still storing some things in the attic up here, and because they still use my reception area, it feels unfinished and the energy is a little weird. )

Anyway, he told me this morning that they finally got the approvals and will be moving out completely within the upcoming week.

Maybe the blessing and “claiming” was the last little push to the Universe to get things moving. :)”

When we do rituals and set intentions we do so with the expectation that they will be fulfilled. A cool bonus is the often unexpected benefits that show up.

And that’s why I love ritual!

What's a "Worry Rock"

2/27/2013

by Deborah Globus

In my post last week I mentioned a concern that the pebble of fear I was feeling might “turn into a full blown worry rock.”

What’s a worry rock, you ask? Here’s a little story to explain:

Finding the Good in the Difficult

8/1/2011

by Deborah Globus

“My father was the best sea monster in the world.”

That was the first line of the eulogy that I spoke at my father’s memorial service 3 years ago. And it’s true; he really was the best sea monster in the world.

He loved the beach. Sometimes he’s tell about how his mother would skrimp and save to be able to get a little bungalow on the shore for the summer. He could hold his breath longer than anyone else in the family.

When he took us to the beach he’s put us on his back in the water and blow awesome bubbles. He’d gurgle and growl as he’d pull us through the water.

When it came time to write his memorial service I was faced with a difficulty.

Fearing the Transition

3/1/2011

by Deborah Globus

Fearing the Transition

One way or another we face change. Much as we may sometimes wish it otherwise, we can’t stay the same forever. That doesn't mean I have to like it. I fear change.

Sometimes I think my fear of change is really just a fear of transition.

Here’s an example of what I mean: I liked being a kid. I like being an adult. That’s a big change, but I’m good with both.

It was the middle bit, all those adolescent growing pains, that I hated.

Or, getting back to the writing example I’ve been using:

I like writing. I like relaxing and spending time with my family.

Me. As a kid. Liking it.

Author

My name is Deborah Globus and I am La Padre. With me you'll find the support you need to uncover practical, do-able spiritual practices that work for you. I offer new perspectives on old practices like journaling and ritual, with a side of compassion and a healthy dose of humor, just to keep it down-to-earth and real!

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