My path of peaceful war

So the topic came up today, talking to one of my closest friends here in Michigan. The question of me, and why I did not pursue my career in the military.

The fact is, I wonder how life would have been had I not walked away from that candidacy board that night and decided "no".

What would my life be like if I had not decided that I did not want to fight upstream? With the grade scandal that surrounded my school because of the Marine Corps students, should I have really tried to pursue my naval career anyway?

I turned away for a number of reasons, primarily due to questioning of my test scores being in their minds. I had a proven record of excellence, but that doubt would have followed me. It was not worth a 15 year stretch of that. 

But the biggest reason was that the Goddess, or God, or Both, reached out to me and touched my heart through encounters with other people. I have told Kyle, my husband, many times that week was the first time I really understood that what I would do would be done to people who had souls. And that changed my mind.

For the record. I was going into a special service area. My files would have been "Black". For those who know what that means, you know that means my true self is a certain kind of way.

For those who do not, let me make it brief. I was going into the service to be an interrogator and an assassin for my nation. When I was a small girl, I wrote an essay that sums up my belief systems.

When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said either a nun or an assassin. They asked me why. I said I wanted to either help people suffering in the world by being a spiritual person, or as an assassin who would kill the people making them suffer.

I chose a different path than what lay before me. I chose the path of peace, yet I still claim the warrior. Because what I did not choose to do in flesh, I do in spiritual warfare.

Make no mistake. I am always who I am. But for some of you, you have never seen me...the real me.

Here I stand.

Public Service Share: School supplies for Oglala Lakota Children's Justice Center

From time to time, this space is used to promote community and civic causes.  Because I can.  I am using it today to spread word about this drive to provide school supplies to Oglala Lakota Children's Justice Center .  This is the relevant information from the event, sponsored by Janet Herzberg Callahan and Barry Callahan.  You can find the event on facebook under School Supply Drive.  The drive lasts through July 17-July 30.

The Oglala Lakota Children's Justice Center (OLCJC)[formerly OLCASA]

Last year we delievered 7 backpacks full of school supplies and other needed items to the Oglala Lakota CASA (court appointed special advocates) - now called the Oglala Lakota Children's Justice Center for Lakota kids in foster care, plus we sent another huge box to the Emergency Youth Shelter in Pine Ridge.

I'd like to see us collect enough supplies for 10 children this year - I haven't heard yet if OLCJC will be doing backpacks again, but need is high on the reservation (most schools are 98%+ free lunches). I'll be setting up a better tracking system this year, which I hope to have organized this week.

Meanwhile....although school in Michigan isn't even out yet, schools on the reservation start up in mid-August, so including shipping, it's time to get started.

Here is the wishlist link on Amazon.  


CJC's request list is out, with 115 backpacks requested. I've got us tagged for 4 right now, but can add on as we're sure we'll get enough to fill all the backpacks.
C11 - boy first
c27 - girl 2nd
C36 - boy 3rd
c47 - girl 4th

The CJC would like to provide a backpack filled with school supplies for each of the children they serve, but they are severely underfunded and have no budget to do so.
Because there are only two paid staff members, the Director and one admin, they do not have resources to stuff backpacks with supplies so for this drive please donate an age appropriate filled backpack for a CJC child in need.
The early grades will need things like paper, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, Kleenex packs, etc. The older kids will need calculators, pens, colored pencils, markers, pencils, mechanical pencils, spiral bound notebooks or ruled filler paper, 3 ring binders, highlighters, two pocket folders, composition books, rulers, pencil sharpeners, pencil boxes or zipper cases, pink erasers, Kleenex packs, etc.
If you'd like you can include some small personal items such as a book, bookmarks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, some colorful or tube socks, hair accessories, or a few Matchbox cars or other small toys, lip balm, and especially appreciated by the teens, antiperspirant.
Also, please do not send any products that depict owls, as they are a symbol of death in the Lakota culture. Any other prints/patterns/colors are fine.
Thank you so much for supporting the CJC kids, who have survived things no child should ever experience.

And a couple things not on the wishlist:
Last year it cost about $10/backpack to ship....which added up far faster than I expected.
If you want to donate towards shipping, or towards picking up random toys and personal items to go in the bags.

Go to paypal.me/TheCallahans and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure.

 Children are our future.  And for those who are of the Paths of Faith, they are also our divine duty to nurture and protect.  If you are able, and so moved, please help.  For more information about the center, please contact them at Oglala Lakota CJC, Inc., P.O.Box 5014, Pine Ridge, SD 57770, or call (605) 867-5643.

Uplifting Peace Rally for non-violence today

Borchard Park will be the site of a rally for non-violence today at 6:00 p.m. in Saginaw.  This event will take place on the corner of Court Street and North Michigan.  This is right across the way from the Court House at 101 N. Michigan. Clergy folks, this is an interfaith event.

 New Ezekiel is a part of the Gamiel Project whose mission is to

empower ordinary people to effectively participate in the political, environmental, social and economic decisions affecting their lives. Gamaliel’s diverse members apply their faith and values to the pursuit of equal opportunity for all, shared abundance, and stronger, more prosperous communities - Gamiel Project

The event is sponsored by the New Ezekiel Project. Communtity groups, ministry leaders, church groups, the Saginaw police and state police will have representatives in attendance. And of course, everyone who wishes to attend is encouraged to come.

This is in accord with their three part approach to their vision for Saginaw. They are seeking to contribute to the positive revitalization of the are through outreach in the areas of transportation, educational projects, and police and community action.  For more information, please contact Jamie@theEzekialProject.com, or call (989) 529-4318.

Spiral Circle (Pagans In Recovery) Meeting tonight

This year, The Spiral Circle Pagans In Recovery was named one of the new charities for the 2016 Midwest Witches' Ball.  Their meeting is scheduled for tonight at the American Legion Hall, located at 37060 Huron River Drive in New Boston, MI at 7:00 pm.  Many of us have been to this location for various Universal Society of Ancient Ministry events, Witches of Michigan gatherings, and more, so it is easy to find.

This is a first for the group, and it is hoped one of the many more upcoming blessings that will be int the future.  For all who are seeking, let their light shine the way.

Your friendly neighborhood inkslinger is presenting this announcement as a public service.  The words of Rebecca Sisler are so whole and complete that there is nothing that this writer could add.  The Spiral Circle (Pagans In Recovery) will be meeting this evening.

  Now, read the words of this healing soul for this evening's announcement.

Tonight the Spiral Circle Meeting will be held at the American Legion Hall, in New Boston, MI. This is an open meeting, anyone is welcomed. We accept all persons with any self-destructive behavior. 

The Spiral Circle Program is based off the 12 steps of AA. It is designed for those people looking for a program of recovery that is non-Christian. I personally do not have an issue with the Christian dogma used in AA or NA. However it has been proven that Christian dogma is alive and well in both AA and NA meetings.

Up until now I have not spoken out about this program. I have heard a lot of people in recovery question this program, so now I am going to address the questions that I have heard.

I have watched many people suffer even in recovery. I have seen people feel isolated and even shunned for their beliefs. On the other side I have seen many people find recovery outside of 12 step programs. I have seen these people find their healing through Earth based spirituality. Some of these people have helped me work my program in profound ways.

 My heart bleeds for all those that NA and AA has not helped. Yes, there are people that these programs have not helped. And while listening I have heard two very disturbing facts.

 One, there are those who feel excluded because their issue is not drugs and alcohol. They have been told that their issues are not as serious. Some of these people suffer from things like cutting, depression, eating disorders, the list goes one. And the truth is that drugs and alcohol are only a symptom of the disease. Self-destruction comes in many forms, and people are dying from self-destruction.

Two, even though these programs say a God of your understanding and a High Power, they are still based in “God” related thinking. For some people this creates an issue. Personally, I have heard many people say at meetings, “the God of my understand is Christ Our Lord”. Where this personally doesn’t detour me from meetings it does detour others. Furthermore, I know of people who have chosen to walk no-Christian paths that have been shunned at meetings for doing so. I don’t feel that people at meetings intend to come across this way however at times they do, and for some this is enough to railroad their recovery.

Perhaps there is a need for another 12-step recovery program that eliminates these issues? Personally, it is not my place to decide. It is for those seeking recovery to decide. And for those seeking out this new recovery program their reasons are personal. I have only spoke of what I have seen and experienced myself.

So, for those who still question the motive and validity of this program all I can say is that I come to you with an open heart. This program is not in completion with NA or AA. I can only hope that this program will save lives, help people find their true spiritual essence, and promote true recovery for those involved. I think that recovery in any form is a good thing and I believe whole heartily that all recovery programs can work together in carrying the message.

 If you have made it this far in reading this post I would feel so honored if you would join us for a meeting. We start at 7 pm. Once again the meetings will be Mondays at the American Legion Hall in New Boston, MI.