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Reawakening the Spirit: the Art of Authentic Living
| Posted on February 17, 2017 at 1:55 PM |
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 For a long time time I have been contemplating how I would integrate my lifelong skills with my many passions in life. I am now happy to announce the creation of my new site which is a culmination of my lifelong pursuits and the direction I wish for my work to take. While I love design and being creative, I love being out in nature as well and helping this planet to evolve into a higher state of being. My new site is a collection of offerings of products and services that I feel accurately reflect the body of knowledge and experience that I hold, as well as the direction I wish to take with my life and my business. Reawakening the Spirit is about the shift in paradigm that is currently taking place on this planet. In order for new systems to be put into place, the old ones need to be dismantled. You cannot build the new on top of the old by continuing old patterns that do not work. You have to eliminate that which does not serve you before you can create anew. When you live more authentically, you feel the flow of the universe and harmony abounds. Everything becomes easier and the obstacles disappear. You become healthier, more vibrant and the energy you put out into the universe is magnetic to new opportunities. In order for this planet to evolve, we all need to step up and live more authentically by following our heart and intuition. We all need to remember who we are and why we came here. It is my intention to assist you in fulfilling your authentic path via my offerings, my continued blogging and my photography. I will be teaching new workshops in the areas of dream interpretation, shamanic journeying and embracing your authentic self, as well as offering a variety of products such as space clearing tools to harmonize your space, vibrational essences and herbal teas and tinctures to help support your own personal transition. When we stay in a place of gratitude and focus on beauty and balance, we envision a new future. Often this means reducing stress, taking more time for ourselves and living more slowly and authentically. When we live intentionally rather than being a victim, we create a new future for ourselves. My new site will give you a more intimate view of my work and how I am contributing to this planetary transformation that is currently taking place. Please come join me in Reawakening your Spirit. Bountiful Blessings! 2017 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison |
Searching the World of Dreams: a Story of Empowerment
| Posted on December 1, 2016 at 1:50 PM |
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 It has been many months since I have written due to a deep journey of spiritual and physical transformation I have been on healing my body and the remnants of ancestral trauma hidden within my DNA and also my psyche. This journey has lead me to study with various shamanic teachers, work further in my gardens and focus on my dreamwork, while seriously deepening my relationship with Nature. I thought that I had gotten as far as I could go until I lost my health due to the stress in my life, the toxins within in my environment and perhaps even the result of my trip to Peru. I thought that by eliminating some of this stress and detoxing via herbs, I would recover my health, but in fact my condition worsened until I was forced to dig even deeper.When you are on a spiritual path, truthfully the learning never ends because we are all walking this Earth seeking to learn what we have forgotten. We have forgotten what we once knew, the wisdom of the natural world. It is only through our reconnection or reawakening to our true selves that we can walk our true path and embrace our destinies. As long as you suppress your deep, inner passions, are untrue to your heart and do not live in alignment with your inner guidance, you will not find true happiness or balance within your life. I had to find this out the hard way when my body no longer responded in the way it always had. I had always taken my health and my physical strength for granted, however suddenly chronic fatigue, pain and inflammation in my body brought on by the stress of not living my truth fully, was coming back to haunt me. My body begged me to wake up. The answer came through in my dreams, in my waking life and in my physical cells which were screaming loud and clear that I was not living fully in alignment with my highest truth. Despite the help of various alternative practitioners, I continued to make only minimal progress and would often rebound afterwards which left me extremely frustrated despite my belief in the methods I pursued.  By listening to my dreams, the constant signs within Nature and by facing my fears one by one, I was able to heal myself slowly, very slowly. It has been an arduous journey over the past 10 months filled with anxious moments, fear and moments of self doubt. During these moments of deep, inner searching, it was always Nature that did not fail me. This autumn I was finally able to restore much of my energy via my dreamwork and the introduction of wild mushrooms into my diet. The mushrooms actually found me and it was incredibly empowering to begin foraging and creating new meals to heal my body. I knew I was about to delve deeply into another level of understanding of the natural, miraculous world we live in where all that we need is there for us, if only we remember and use this ancient knowledge.As a first generation American, I was born into a culture that associated darkness and fear with the realm of the mushrooms although this knowledge still remains in some areas such as Europe, Asia and Siberia. Today mushrooms are just something we may occasionally buy at the grocery store and most of these mushrooms do not have nearly the properties that wild, medicinal mushrooms have in nature. However, incredible breakthroughs are currently being made into the healing powers of mushrooms both for the human body and also in terms of bioremediation for our planet through the healing of soil, as well as providing many forms of resources in a sustainable manner. As much as I was fascinated by the fungi world for longer than I could remember, I had never found anyone that could teach me this ancient wisdom so they remained relatively unknown to me-- a deep mystery within my psyche. That was, until the mushrooms came to teach me themselves... This autumn the mushrooms caught my attention via my own property as well as a nearby park. They screamed loud and clear that I needed to access this ancient wisdom within me.  Gradually with the help of books, an online forum and trusting my own inner guidance, I began to overcome my fears and heal my body. It seemed the more I went off the beaten trail in the wooded areas I searched, the more I would find another mushroom that gradually healed my nervous system and the inflammation within my body. It was a test of faith of the deepest proportions, but one that was richly rewarding as I accessed ancient memories of my ancestors who once knew the healing powers of the mushroom realm. I am certain that my Russian/Ukrainian grandparents knew this wisdom. (Note: Photo to the left is of Amanita Muscari var. Guessowii which is not edible but poisonous/ hallucinogenic though it is believed to have healing properties in certain shamanic traditions.) And so I continue deepening my connection to this misunderstood realm that is available to all of us, as well as the deep healing available through the plant world and all of Nature. As a result of my experiences and tracking my dreams for more than 20 years, I have decided to teach a new workshop "Introduction to Dream Interpretation: Finding the Guidance Within" at Ceier Chiropractic and Holistic in Elma, NY beginning January 2017. Please see my 'Green Inspirations' page for further information. Blessings of Abundance and Joy this Holiday Season! 2016 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
What My Gardens Have Taught Me
| Posted on June 23, 2016 at 2:15 PM |
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 My gardens have evolved so much over time and taught me a great deal about life and myself. Gone is the need to control everything in a precise, neat manner. I have found that when I set my intention by planting my desires and allow Nature to unfold her deep wisdom and artistry, sometimes the most amazing landscapes can appear. At times you need to be patient when nothing seems to be happening or when things are not quite as organized or beautiful as you would like, but the results will always surpass your limited view of things. Nature is always giving us direction and guiding us through subtle and sometimes blatant messages. It's up to us to interpret these messages and act accordingly. Very often I have used gardening methods that did not seem to make rational sense, but intuitively felt like the right thing to do. Navigating our life path can be the same way. It's up to us to follow our instincts and put together the pieces of the puzzle. Over time as a garden grows and develops through loving attention and care, our vision manifests into reality. If I had chosen to control every aspect of my gardens and use traditional gardening methods such as eliminating all weeds, which essentially is anything I did not intend, I would have missed out on the true beauty and healing power that Nature is capable of. I would have missed all the unexpected flowers that suddenly appeared or the unexpected caterpillar, bird or butterfly that suddenly graced my gardens because of these so-called "weeds". I would have missed out on the moments of shear Divine inspiration that I received when viewing my gardens in a certain morning light or after a gentle, nurturing rain. I would have missed out on the unexpected flowers which would heal me simply through their fragrance or presence in the soil that I had never imagined.  Gardening with Nature is a process that evolves over time. It is a test of faith that leads us in the right direction if we allow it to. It is an intuitive process that guides us step by step, year by year to discover our boundaries by eliminating that which we don't want, trusting that Nature knows more than we do and following the guidance that you receive through what you see, feel and experience. Sometimes you have to just follow your heart, despite what others may think.It requires spending time just being in your gardens without doing, sensing the energy of space and how it makes you feel. It requires opening up all your senses. It is a collaborative process that teaches you where you feel uncomfortable, what your body is telling you and what all the beings of Nature are telling you including the ones you may not feel comfortable with or understand. Insects are very finely tuned to our energetic vibrations and will let you know when they are disturbed by you and also when they are in harmony with you. Sometimes you have to allow a process to unfold despite the discomfort you may feel. Sometimes you just have to allow a little bit of ugliness to unfold in the form of aphids congregating on your flowers, a wasp carrying off a caterpillar, a spider entangling her victim in her web or a flower to go through her dying process without needing to cut her off once her beauty is gone. A garden is never perfect. She has her moments of glorious beauty and vibrancy and she has her days when she may be wilting and seem weak or very little appears to be in bloom. But overall, if you trust in the process and allow this process to unfold, you know that over time everything will come together and each year your garden will be that much stronger, that much more vibrant and that much more grounded and healthy.  If you allow Nature to take her course and you allow your inherent creativity to unfold, you will receive unexpected visitors that you never imagined. There's something really powerful about allowing. There's a point where the Earth dances with the light of the Sun and the Moon and everything comes together and sparkles vibrantly telling you that everything is exactly as it should be and all is well. It's a knowing that comes from deep within your heart and soul that tells you everything is going to be alright despite whatever turmoil or dissonance may surround you. Its a deep faith in the process of life that carries you through the discomforting moments of doubt, feelings of fear or uncertainty that occasionally (or maybe too often) rear themselves once more in your life just when you'd thought they had gone. I am truly confident that if more people took up gardening and grew their own flowers or vegetables and aligned themselves with the healing powers available to us within all living things, this world would be a different place. Take time to see the beauty that is all around us in so many sweet, tender moments. Solstice Blessings! 2016 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
What are Your Dreams Telling You?
| Posted on March 21, 2016 at 2:47 PM |
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 Dreaming is something we all do, but most people don't take the time to think about. It is like a window into our psyche and what's going on in our life but often we disregard this valuable source of information. Usually it is because we don't remember our dreams, but more often it is because we don't understand them. Once you learn to use your dreams as guidance, your life will never be the same.It's a good idea to keep track of your dreams. I recently discovered journals I had forgotten about in which I had included some of my dreams going back to 20 years ago. It was interesting reading them now to interpret their meanings and see their relevance in my life. One dream symbolized a reoccurring issue I had and another anticipated the birth of my son and occurred one day short of his actual birthday. Many I was able to interpret now but others still remain obscure to me, perhaps yet to be revealed. Over time as you record your dreams and review them, you will start seeing reoccurring themes, revelations about the future, and guidance as to decisions to make in your waking life. My dreams have often been symbolic of future events that came to pass. I just couldn't relate to them or didn't know how to interpret my dreams at the time or I didn't pay attention to their message. Later I would realize I should have. Over time I have learned what they were trying to teach me and to make better choices. Even nightmares can be symbolic of things that we need to overcome, if we learn how to work with them. Throughout history many famous artists, healers, inventors and scientists have been guided by their dreams often resolving problems in their own lives or coming up with new creations and inventions because of the insights they received via their dream world.  If you would like to learn more about how to work with your dreams and learn how to interpret the signs in your life, two of my favorite books by Robert Moss are Conscious Dreaming: a Spiritual Path for Everyday Life and The Three "Only" Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence and Imagination. Robert's methodology, insights and experiences have helped me to better understand the meanings of my own dreams and look for validation of them in my waking life. Seemingly random events can often become signposts to new opportunities or provide you with the guidance needed to choose a particular path or make decisions that are often difficult. We all need to learn how to access the guidance of our inner worlds and higher selves. Dreams can be a strong tool to help you do this. Pleasant Dreams! Copyright 2016 Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison |
Cats as Guides and Allies in Transformation
| Posted on February 5, 2016 at 4:47 PM |
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 The cats in my life have taught me so much about myself. They have crossed my life in many ways both in the real world and in my dreams. They have appeared to teach me what I needed to learn to heal them, myself and others. They have also led me on a path of self revelation discovering the limits to my boundaries. When I didn't want to pay attention to them, they would insist on getting their way as most cats do. The first cat that had a profound impact on my life was my cat Dreamer who became ill and was given very little time to live. He ended up living many more years as I learned about herbs and homeopathy and how everything we need to heal our bodies and our lives is right here in the natural world that is all around us. We need only to become familiar with our plant and mineral allies and the wonderful healing gift of vibrational medicine. It's all in the energy of everything that is around us. Later my cats would teach me about the energy of my home space and the health and wellness of the land that I lived on. Inevitably they would break something, urinate in inappropriate places or find other ways to tell me where the problem areas were in terms of residual energies or geopathic stress lines that ran through the house. Cats are keenly sensitive and aware. More often than not, they will sleep in places that have unbalanced energies or wreak havoc in your life in order to get your attention. They also like to make a mess of clutter because it is stagnant energy and felines feel that. Feral ones will also congregate on land where there are unbalanced and toxic energies. They are always shifting and healing energies at various levels. Cats don't have the same boundaries that humans do. When they need to, they will move outside them. They will also tell you when they are not happy (nor healthy) and need to go outside the boundaries that you have defined for them. Cats tell you when your own boundaries are being violated. Their purring and affection restores balance. All felines sense the energy of people and the energy of space and act accordingly. I'm confident this is why they have been revered by ancient cultures and often given mystical attributes.  The big cats will also appear in your dreams if they happen to be your power animal and are calling you. My cat guide appeared in a dream calling me to step into my power and look at my boundaries after I had been on a shamanic path for quite a long time. Through my journeying work he later helped me face a nightmare that was representative of a toxic situation I was dealing with. My power cat helped me to overcome my fears in real life and put an end to a verbally and mentally abusive situation by getting clear about my boundaries and facing my problem. The situation had been spilling over into all areas of my life and destroying my health. I realized in the end that my health and well being was paramount after all. My power animal helped me to change a life that had become unmanageable. Once again, a cat had healed my life and brought me to a new level of awareness. This time it was via the realm of spirit.If you are interested in learning who your power animal is or are in need of guidance on personal, health or professional issues, I will now be offering shamanic journeying sessions to retrieve information for clients. Please visit my facebook page Reawakening the Spirit while I am in the process of building my new site, which will focus on the path to wholeness via embracing an authentic life. Blessings of Authenticity! Copyright 2016 Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
The Colors of Peru: a Mystical Journey
| Posted on October 17, 2015 at 1:40 PM |
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 My recent pilgrimage to Peru will always remain in my heart for the wide range of experiences I had and the way it touched my emotions in so many ways. I know that every country that I have traveled to has in some way retrieved a piece of my soul, some long lost memory of another lifetime. Peru was no exception. It was an arduous journey both physically and emotionally. It was also an overly ambitious trip with too many places planned in too short a time. I do not travel well due to motion sickness and sensitivity, so the altitude, winding mountain roads and extremes of climate also wreaked havoc on my body. In looking back, however, I realize that my pilgrimage was perfect for me at this time and despite the physical challenges, it had a profound impact on my life though it took me weeks to integrate my experiences into my present life. Part of the journey was about going back into the past-- overcoming old patterns and fears, old ways of being and most likely other memories and lifetimes in this country that I needed to heal.  Another part was about focusing my intention, embarking on the unknown and planning my future. It was about opening new doors to new opportunities to create a life of balance and focusing on that which is most important in my life right now. My trip to Peru was about embracing the beauty and joy of new experiences and living in the moment without knowing what tomorrow would bring. The vibrant and rich colors touched me in a deep way.While I visited many well known sacred sites that most tourists frequent like Machu Picchu and Sascayhuaman to name a few, I was also drawn to the energy of the city architecture, marketplaces and street vendors, as well as little known destinations that mostly only the locals knew about such as the healing waters of La Banda and the sacred site of Orcona both near Nasca. In truth I found the Divine in everyday moments not only in the remote landscapes of Nature, but also in the cities of Lima, Cusco and Nasca as I connected to the richness of these places and their underlying energetic blueprints in time. Those special moments were found in a meal that I shared, an unexpected conversation I had, a massage that revitalized me, as well as tumbled cathedral ruins I visited and rummaged through feeling the sense of loss of faith and connection within the local community.  The numerous private moments at sacred sites touched my heart. The breathtaking experiences of viewing such incredible natural landscapes as the energetic portal of Aramu Muro near lake Titicaca invigorated me and heightened my spiritual awareness combined with moments of reflection in the most unexpected of places. The local people, guides and animals often touched my heart for a wide variety of reasons.In truth, my journey was very unlike what I had anticipated. My intention had been to find more answers to questions I had been asking myself for quite some time, however, I came back to the US with more questions and a profound sense of wondering what in fact was I supposed to be doing now in my life? How could I create more meaning? How could I live more in alignment with my life's purpose and this planet? These were all things I continued to reflect upon and still hadn't found the answers to in Peru despite my intense efforts on this journey.  It was my shamanic work that enabled me to answer many of these questions upon my return or at least move me in the direction of greater clarity in the following days and weeks. It gave me the discipline to continue when all I wanted to do was return to Peru to immerse myself further in the richness of these sacred landscapes and find the answers to many of life's puzzling questions. I knew that greater meaning in my life was somehow linked to my experiences in Peru, but I just didn't know how to integrate them completely yet. It would take me many weeks before I received answers and a greater clarity began to unfold. My shamanic work enabled me to find the inspiration to continue on my path despite not having all the answers and at times taking leaps of faith into the unknown. It would seem that facing some of my greatest fears would continue to be on my agenda, but my shamanic practices would provide me with the tools that I needed in order to work through them.  There is something quite interesting about the energy of Peru and it's rich culture and history. While in some ways the poverty and way of life can be shocking and provide you with a new found sense of gratitude for what you do have in your life and the things you often take for granted, the landscape somehow also draws you in and instills a greater love and appreciation of the mystery of the Divine and this planet. It fills you with the overriding energy of the culture and the richness of its sacred traditions and the tremendous attention to detail that can be found everywhere throughout Peru in the architecture, as well as the artesanship and colors. The colors and beauty of the local textiles, handcrafted items and works of art will never cease to astound you and touch your body and soul. The marketplace filled with such a variety of offerings and aromas will always stay etched in your mind and the experiences will touch your heart in countless ways. The magnificent architecture of cities like Cusco, Lima and Arequipa remind you of the splendor of the history and traditions of Spanish culture blended with the Peruvian's unique connection to this sacred land and the traditions of the Incan civilizations and their mysterious ways. There is an underlying energy to this land that can only be experienced, not written about. I know that I will be going back eventually to delve into this further, as my soul still needs answers.  Interestingly, the new book "Simply Color for Everyday Living" was released shortly after my return from Peru. This book by Diantha Harris features collaborations from 25 writers including myself in a beautiful compilation of stories and photographs discussing the healing and energizing attributes of color in our everyday life. For me the publication of this book is a welcome tribute to my recent pilgrimage and my life's journey with the energy of color.My chapter entitled "An Ally in Transformation: the Color Yellow" discuses the difficult moments of my mother's last months of life, as well as a spiritual journey to the island of Cozumel, Mexico with my son and how working with yellow was woven into these experiences. This book beautifully expresses many of the rich colors I experienced both in Mexico and while in Peru-- a timely coincidence? I think not-- more likely a Divine synchronicity... Blessings of Color in your life! Copyright 2015 Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Clear Clutter, Clear the Past
| Posted on January 1, 2014 at 11:11 AM |
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 "Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again."--Joseph Campbell Clearing clutter was never a difficult thing for me to do, as I always kept my home neat and organized with everything in its place. That was until I became a mother, before I was seriously concerned with environmentalism and before I had such a complex life filled with loads of responsibilities. It was also before technology reached the point it's at today and before being on the internet had become an integral part of my life. It's easy to keep your space clear when you lead a simple life and you live alone, but what about when you're handling multiple tasks on a daily basis and you have a family of humans (or animals) to take care of? Then the challenge becomes much more daunting. We also live in times that are fast paced and filled with chaos and uncertainty. How do you cope with the constant barrage of emails, personal and professional challenges, as well as things that we as humans acquire over the course of our lives? And how do you balance the need for utility versus things that you love? How do you justify throwing things out when you know that you can reuse them in more creative ways or they will become useful again, if and when you move into that perfect house? Believing that the home you are currently living in is just temporary does not help matters. It may be because of your job or because your current home doesn't have the plot of land your truly want or just because your dreams are to live in another region at some point of your life. The real question is how does it make you feel right now? That is what matters most because it's affecting your energy and the way you live your life in this present moment.  There was a time when I was very hard on my clients immediately pointing out areas of clutter in their home which resulted in stagnation and negative energy in their lives. It was so easy for me to do because I was the observer and the analyst. Much has changed since then, in particular, my lifestyle and what is important to me. But what about walking my talk now? So, I've been taking serious inventory of how I live my life and what areas need improvement. The process has been exhausting and sometimes even overwhelming. I have been shocked at times at how far I've let my living and organizational standards go simply because I've been too busy, have had too many fires to put out and just got caught up in the mundane activities of life. Sometimes I've just been exhausted and needed to do something that pleased my soul and physical body. Those were times I would simply ignore all that needed to be done.The key to tackling seemingly overwhelming clutter is to deal with it one step at a time. Your home (or your situation) didn't get to the point it's at overnight and so you can't expect to change it overnight. You can, however, address your clutter fairly quickly if you just keep chipping away at the issue, one piece at a time. Each day I'd work on my clutter in some manner and every day I got closer to my goal. I continue to do this, one area at a time. A big challenge for me this past autumn was how do I get my car back in my garage for the winter with all the clutter I had stacked inside? Being a gardener, it was filled with all sorts of tools and supplies. At one point I truly thought I'd never be able to deal with all the things I'd accumulated in time before the cold weather set in, but I did. Clearing this clutter involved several layers of planning which ultimately improved the quality of my life. I also went through a very intense internal process that included a lot of foresight and planning to achieve my goals. It felt so much better once I put my plan into motion and saw the results. I think back now and wonder how I could have put up with this clutter for as long as I did and wonder how I could have held onto so many things. I know that part of this was that I always planned to do more activities which ultimately I never had time for. Investing in a huge shed which I turned into a studio was part of my organizational plan and it made a big difference because we were able to organize our tools, gardening supplies, as well as materials for future projects.  Clutter is stagnant energy in your home and it can truly affect your mindset. It brought my energy and perspective down every day as I looked at my clutter filled spaces. Sometimes I just chose to ignore them, but inside it really bothered me because I knew it wasn't acceptable to who I truly am. I had strayed simply because I had been pressed for time and other things had to be addressed. Now I have more time, but I also had to make the time to address the problem areas. Although I began this process in the fall, winter months can actually be a great time to deal with clutter because we're indoors more and we are affected by the energy more readily.In November I attended a breakfast meeting where I asked the instructor how do we address our challenges these days and find the time to do all the things we need to do and those that are important to us. I told her of my overwhelm which I felt quite often. Her response was to create a to do list which you review every day and then you eliminate 5 things that just aren't so important. I thought this sounded simple enough, but it still didn't address doing the things I loved which at times seemed trivial. To that she replied that what made me feel good is well worth the time because it puts you in a different space-- one of joy. That's really what matters on a daily basis and it will get you through the challenging times. I bought her book that day and later read about a similar question that was addressed in a slightly different way. The response was to each night speak to your higher self and make a mental note of all the things you need to do the next day and then you simply turn it over before you go to sleep. During the day you will find that your attention will be focused exactly where it needs to be and the rest is not so important. Not surprisingly, I have found this process to be quite effective and I've found myself to have more clarity and direction (when I remember to take the time to do this). At this point I am still addressing my clutter, one room at a time and sometimes only one closet or drawer at a time, but I am truly feeling the difference in how I approach my day and how I manage my activities and responsibilities on a regular basis. I can sense how the energy of the house is changing and aligning more with who I am and how I intend my life to me. And yes, I still have days where I seem to accomplish nothing and everything piles up, but I know there's always tomorrow to get back on track. Clutter issues are significant because they reflect innermost feelings and beliefs about ourselves, our lives and our future. It's easy to dwell on the past and unpleasant memories if you are surrounded by constant reminders that you subconsciously associate with unhappy or stress filled times. Releasing things that you no longer find useful or enjoy creates the space for new energies to come in, thereby setting the foundation for change and the manifestation of your goals. Creating your own sacred space is part of letting go of the past, releasing that which no longer serves you and creating a new future. New Year's Blessings of Renewal! 2014 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Dreams: Follow Your Own Path and Intuition
| Posted on July 16, 2013 at 11:42 AM |
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 Recently something happened to really make me think about how quickly we tend to follow others often without thinking clearly whether it's the right or appropriate thing to do. It can become a type of mindless behavior that in the wrong circumstances could lead to serious consequences. Though my experience was minimal in this situation, the message behind it was not. It also tied together some previous insights that I had experienced, but had not allowed myself to heed.All week long I had been one day ahead of myself thinking it was later in the week than it actually was. I have no idea why except that I've been noticing that the concept of time for me has been changing and when I'm in the flow, I don't seem to notice it at all and when I'm not, I'm so aware of it. One day I noticed that my neighbor had ripped out many of his still very alive shrubs and thrown them out curbside. I was angered and disappointed to see what this man had been doing bit by bit over the last year since he'd moved in. The previous owners had built their house 20 plus years ago and painstakingly landscaped and created gardens everywhere. He had told them he loved gardening. As time went on, it was obvious he was not an experienced gardener and really didn't have any connection to the land at all. He just wanted everything to look meticulous and neat and his way. It really bothers me when people buy homes and then systematically proceed to destroy everything that the previous owner created. I've seen it too many times and once even turned down a large landscaping project for that reason because I refused to participate. This particular day, I had been focusing on what this man had done and wishing the other neighbors were still there Meanwhile I proceeded to place my garbage cans at the road for the following day's pick up. The next day when my garbage and recycling had not been picked up, it took me a very long time to realize why. I kept looking all around the neighborhood and suddenly noticed no one else had put their garbage out except my neighbor and me. Questioning whether it had been a holiday earlier in the week, because then they always came a day later, I began to run possibilities through my mind. After a very long time, it suddenly dawned on me that it was a day early and they hadn't come because it wasn't the right day.  In retrospect, there have been so many messages for me in this situation including a dream I had shortly after this man moved in which was very incongruent with his actions toward me after I came to know him. In my dream I saw this man totally destroying the gardens and landscaping that my former neighbors had created. I wondered why I had this dream, since up until that point, I hadn't even met the guy-- only seen him and visitors walking about the property. Thereafter, I introduced myself and we shared stories of experiences we'd had in the same town we had seemingly both lived in previously. He later became very generous offering freshly grown vegetables planted by the previous owner, baked treats his family had made and at Christmas he made a point of personally delivering gift cards to us. I thought-- wow, was I wrong about this person. Then, the following spring I began noticing that he had been throwing what appeared to be his gardening debris onto the wooded section of my property and it really took me by surprise. In fact, his actions really annoyed me because he never asked my permission and I had no interest in having my land become a dumping ground for his stuff even if it does looks wilder than the average property in my neighborhood. It happened several times until I made a point of dragging everything out across his lawn to my fire pile so he could see I knew what he was up to. We never spoke again until yesterday when I found more tree cuttings and found out they were my own and the guy hadn't even told me my tree was bothering him. He also threatened to cut more up to the sky because he didn't like the shade on his lawn. This summer I came to see that my dream really had been prophetic, but I had allowed myself to discount it initially because of my conversations and all the gifts I had received. I have often had initial impressions of people or situations that surprised me and then later were very accurate. We all need to be in the moment each day of our lives to access our environment accurately and make the appropriate decisions because things are changing rapidly and on a constant basis. Dreams can be a huge source of information, if we allow ourselves to be guided by them, and are able to discern useful information with regard to how it applies to our present situation.  Blessings of Clarity! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
A Look Back: Taking Inventory of Your Landscape
| Posted on June 13, 2013 at 6:36 PM |
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 Sometimes it's hard to see the progress we've made when we're constantly putting out fires or simply trying to get through our daily routine of responsibilities. As humans, we seem to always focus on what still needs to be accomplished, rather than what is. I think it's vital, however, to reflect periodically on what you've accomplished and take the time to truly see the progress that's been made from several years back, a year ago or even a few months ago. I know I have to do this on occasion to remind myself of how the energy of my landscape has shifted and how much I've changed in my awareness. Despite the heavy rains we've been experiencing in our area this year and the accompanying flooding and frustration it can create, I'm constantly reminded of how when we first moved to our home just over three years ago, there was barely a flower in sight, Now we have gardens everywhere and many new trees and plants are starting to anchor a new life force on this land. They are also transmuting the toxins that existed in the soil that once smelled rancid. All the white pine and fir trees that had existed when we arrived, were either dead or dying due to excessively wet land and an imbalance of energies. Now when I walk through our backyard, I feel like I'm in a wildlife sanctuary or tiny park. As a gardener, I'm constantly thinking about what still needs to be done or re-arranged, although so much has healed. I'm also proud of what I've accomplished in so little time. We've also just installed our second bee hive, after catching a swarm the other day. The vibrancy that these little beings bring to the landscape is visually apparent in the difference from last year to now. I also love seeing them busy in our gardens, knowing how they are enlivening the land and our lives.  My gardens have been such a metaphor for my life in so many ways. They have grown with me, struggled with me and portions have died at times, just as I have died to my former self and sought new ways of being, discarding what was no longer useful or part of my awareness. I have also had to make choices as to what I chose to keep in my garden and where my boundaries are. Weeding has become a way of eliminating all that which I no longer need in my environment. While I don't believe in the noun weed as they are only plants that are unfamiliar or unwanted to most people (a very individual concept), I do believe in the verb of weeding and I realize how it becomes symbolic for caring for yourself and what you've created. This year has been all about maintenance and creating balance, whereas in previous years, I was totally focused on creation.The first half of this year has already been filled with challenges which, while I was going through them, exhausted me sometimes to the point of overwhelm. Nevertheless, as time passed I came to see the value of those experiences and how they taught me to express my boundaries, see things in a new way or persevere despite the physical and emotional exhaustion I was feeling. These moments can be priceless sources of inspiration and transmutation, if you allow them to be. My gardens have been my source of solace when I felt filled with anger, despair or sheer overwhelm. Just the sounds of the birds and seeing the grasses swaying in the breeze, has often brought me back to a point of stillness and knowing that all is well and exactly the way it should be in this moment. And just as sometimes you have to allow a garden to do it's own thing and trust that Nature knows the direction she's taking, you also have to believe that the direction you're being lead in and the challenges you face are preparing you for better things. Moments spent appreciating your landscape also build a solid foundation for the energy of your land, as it is a co-creative process requiring our individual efforts and the collaboration of Nature. We cannot always see the results of our actions, but it is our intention that matters. Our mistakes will be overlooked or reflected back to us so that we can learn what we need to in order to make different choices next time. Gardening is such a great way to see and experience what works and what doesn't-- what feels right and what is uncomfortable and no longer in resonance. This is a continual process of shedding layers like peeling an onion and it is part of the changes this planet is going through.  Despite what at times may seem like an endless battle in this changing world, it's so important to spend time viewing your accomplishments from a point of reverence. The world is moving so fast now that it's easy to overlook what stands before you, but take the time to truly feel and know how your environment has changed. Feel the vibrancy of that which has healed and that which is in transition. Know that despite the fact there may still be challenges for the future and things to overcome, so much has transitioned and healed throughout this planet and continues to do so. Our efforts do not go unseen and despite their seeming futility at times, it is the intention and the process that matters in the overall scheme of things. To me, nothing is more gratifying than to see a landscape transform, whether an indoor or outdoor environment or that which is our own sense of being. Cherish your accomplishments and your efforts for they do matter. Blessings of Inspiration! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
The Laws of the Universe: A Test of Faith
| Posted on April 13, 2013 at 11:33 AM |
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 Because I'm highly sensitive to my environment and live in alignment with Nature, I feel the Earth rhythms more acutely than most. Each time there's an earthquake or some other natural or man-made disaster, I've begun feeling strange a few days in advance. It's my internal cue that something is up again. I don't always know what it is, but I feel the shifting of the vibration of the planet. We are all affected by shifts in consciousness and planetary disasters, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. The anger and fears of others can quickly spiral into your own negativity, if you're not careful.As the Earth goes through her rebalancing process, the shifts in consciousness continue and the results become more apparent depending on where you are in your level of awareness. The old ways are dismantling and making way for the new. All that which is not in alignment with the Earth is being revealed so that we may take the proper actions to right the wrongs that affect us all. No individual or corporation is immune to the Laws of the Universe. One thing that has become more obvious to me is when things that aren't 'right' get balanced in terms of universal energies and it can happen in a variety of ways. In other words, something that seems unfair to you, suddenly gets straightened out through no major action of your own. I experienced two completely different incidents that drew my attention and caused me to think about how eventually things get balanced out, even when you choose not to act or have no control over a situation. The first occurred while I was shopping with my son at a local grocery store that normally has a pretty friendly environment. I was about to enter in the check out line behind a woman who was almost finished, when a man walked up without a cart whom I thought was her husband. When I moved in closer, he suddenly called his son from behind me and asked him to bring their cart over. I point blank asked him what he was doing and without waiting for a reply, went off to another aisle. I forgot the entire incident as I paid for my groceries and left.  What's scary is there's people out there who are so stressed out that they can make a really big deal out of nothing, not recognizing their own inappropriate actions. These incidents will only increase as tensions rise around the world and energies become increasingly challenging. The only thing you can control is your own reactions to people like this. A completely different scenario involved my son's intramural hockey team at a local boys' club. The season started out promising, but as weeks went on, the team began losing because inevitably children from the other teams would not show up and my son's teammates would either have to play on the other team or an adult would have to play goalie for the opposing team. While I know the point of these games is to have fun and learn to support others, it does become disheartening as your team continues to lose seemingly through no fault of your own. Finally during a playoff game, all the team members showed up and my son's team won as they had deserved. Although they didn't win the championship, they at least were recognized and validated for their abilities at the end of the season. While both of these incidents were relatively minor, they nevertheless represent to me a powerful force within the Universe that affects all life and actions generated by humans. Sometimes the things you want the most don't come to pass, but then you are graced with something even more amazing than what you imagined. As long as we are clear about our intentions and make choices based on integrity and authenticity, we can be assured that things will work out exactly the way they are supposed to in accordance with the Laws of the Universe.  Blessings of Faith! Copyright 2013 Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |