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.
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.
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.
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.
This year, The Spiral Circle Pagans In Recovery was named one of the new charities for the2016 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.
I usually do a holiday listing of events. However, due to the lack
of comments and feedback on the last few, I felt it was time to put that
Tradition on the shelf. However, my inbox has apparently blown off the
hinges of is virtual door with hue and cry and threats of a silly string
riot if I did not write something. Therefore, I give you this, a shout
out and listing of the current celebrations this weekend.
Better late than never, and better this then a can of silly string shoved up my jumper!
2pm-5pm. Yes, donations are always appreciated. Feel free to bring a dish to pass, for pot-luck communing afterward.
Fire Fly Festival, hosted by One Love Oasis,
45580 18th Ave, in Bloomingdale, Michigan. Camping event. Started
June 17 and continues thru June 19. Solstice Ritual and full
programming. $25 weekend or $10 per day w/ $15 for camping.
Up in the Aether - Into the Sunset (or The Forever 50 Party),
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Detroit – Dearborn,5801 Southfield
Expressway, in Detroit, Michigan. 8pm - 2am Tonight. All ages, in honor
of Commander Michael Wiggins, Minimum admission - $5.00, but pay more if you can. See event for details.
Summer Solstice Ritual, Shining Lakes Grove, ADF,,11623 Lisa Lori Ln, in South Lyon, Michigan. This ritual is in a private home.The "welcome raffle donations and potluck contributions. Think summery picnicky things". 2pm - 5pm Tomorrow.
On June 11, the Michigan Pagan Scholarship Fund announced its 2016 Scholarship Winner Pete Ryland Shoda, III.
An intelligent and thoughtful young person, his essay was just what the
board looks for when making their decision. It was reasoned,
expressive, and genuine. He, and his Father, were there to accept the
check at the Magical Education Council's annual Pagan Picnic. The check
was presented by Rev. Gerrybrete Leonard-Whitcomb and Paula Ireland.
By Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America (Lake Michigan) [CC BY-SA 2.0
Hailing from Grand Rapids, Pete recently completed his studies at the West Michigan Aviation Academy. He intends on continuing his education at Grand Rapids Community College and Northwestern College.
His studies in Michigan offer the best education for flying, since our
weather has sudden climate changes. His ultimate goal is a degree in Bachelors Degree Aviation Operations.
His winning essay: WHAT BEING PAGAN MEANS TO ME
What
being Pagan means to me, it means I have the ability to walk in the
woods, talk to the Divine, become part of Nature, and most of all, it
gives me the choice to worship where, when and how I want.
Most
people would say that being Pagan means they worship the Goddess. While
this is something that I do as well, it also has allowed me to worship
much, much more. People that go to church go one time a week, a couple
hours, then that’s it, they go home. Not Pagan’s, not me. Being Pagan
means that I have a lot to live up to. The God’s and Goddesses are
watching me, Mother Nature is watching me, and the wind is listening to
me, carrying my spells, chants and requests to the Universe. Always
helping, always taking care to leave a small mark, always being a good
person to others, taking care of the Earth, giving back when I can.
These are some of the things that being Pagan means to me...... (you can
see the complete essay by going to the MPSF Winner's Page.
The MPSF
gave its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the sponsors of the fund
this year. Every year the list seems to grow. This year, they are Universal Society of Ancient Ministry, Magical Educational Council, Witches Of Michigan, Candle Wick Shoppe, Coventry Creations, Midwest Witches’ Ball, and a first time donation by the Ancient Faiths Alliance.
Also included are the many shops, individuals, and organizations that
each contributed to the future of our young Pagan scholars here in
Michigan.
Michigan Pagan Scholarship Fund
A surprise announcement was also made this year. The MPSF
has been under the masterful guidance and administration of Gordon
Ireland since its beginnings. Through his leadership, he and Paula have
seen it grow, thrive, and ensure that the money is there for our young
Pagan students. However, he announced last year he would be stepping
down and search was on for someone to step into the position, not his
place (no one can fill those shoes).
The new administrator was announced to be Kenya Coviak. Yes, that's right. That is me. So here is your full disclosure, I am the new administrator for the Michigan Pagan Scholarship Fund.
It
is time to plan for a new year and a new season of financial aid will
be upon us soon. I urge all who read this to contribute to our
children's future by supporting the fund in any way you can.
There should always be a Pagan Scholarship Fund in Michigan. 2017 is coming.
Murders and attempted murders were gashed across this nations soul this weekend in an outrageous scene of violence in Orlando Florida at the Pulse nightclub.
Over 50 souls were extinguished in one of the most horrific ways
possible, and over 50 more were injured physically in this mayhem. The
number of people who have been injured that did not have physical wounds
is beyond counting. The wounds that each of those rounds tore into the
emotional soul of this nation's heart are catastrophic.
This is
beyond the measure of a hate crime. This is more than an act of
terror. This does not hide in the mantle of only being the actions of a
lone disturbed person. This is a spiritual perversion and sickness
that has gripped the minds of so many in these times.
That depravity of
spirit is HATRED.
Make no mistake. Do not try to tie this up in a
pretty little bow and vivisect it into pieces in order to make it fit
whatever soundbite is most handy at the moment in the media. This is
hatred, pure and simple. And it is alive, well, and spreading like the
wings of death across this great nation.
The United States,
contrary to popular revisionist beliefs, was founded by people who were
human beings with the mind that this collection of souls, flesh, and
bones would be able to be a place of sanctuary and sanity for all
persons to be able to hold their ideas without persecution or violence
because of them. This is not what we have become. Instead, we have
become petty, mean, and intolerant. We have embraced the bigot, the
scorner, the dogmatist and made them supreme. The incense of lies and
fear creates a twisted kef that intoxicates the believers of this misery
into a stupor of dangerous stupidity.
In
our efforts to facilitate so much instantaneous validation of every
position, we have neglected the child of promise that is the ingrained
ability to declare what is right and what is wrong. The rights of
myself end at the tip of my fellow man's nose, as do theirs. This means
that if I find my beliefs do not have accord with theirs, that all can
go forth in peace and security without that disagreement leading to the
evil of offering violence and bloodshed.
Guns are not the villain
here. Nor is it just about mental illness. This is not about whether
one religion is any more violent than another. And it is absolutely not
about the supposed agenda that many are stating is the objective of the
non majority populace. I will not give the name any space here. No,
none of these. The true scion of this chaos is the spirit of hatred
that we have formed into an egregore that feeds upon us at this time.
The
right to love, and be loved. The right to marry or not marry. The
right to be in our truths, live our lives no matter the gender, sexual
orientation, religion, creed, or other identifying factor that makes us a
living soul is not up to anyone to judge to be a death sentence.
Some of the names of the murdered are
Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Amanda Alvear, 25
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Antonio Davon Brown, 29
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Luis Daniel Conde, 39
Cory James Connell, 21
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
Paul Terrell Henry, 41
Frank Hernandez, 27
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Kimberly Morris, 37
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31
The
murderous fiend who committed this atrocity pledged allegiance to
ISIL. But that is not the whole of this matter. The forces of
wickedness in this world use whatever vehicle for rationalizing their
actions that resonates most handily. And while that vile darkness in
the world claims this person, who I will not name - for names give power
and life - it means no more than a wind above a charnal pit glorifying
itself of the reeking odor of rot.
No, this is not just about any
one thing. If not by gun, it would have been by explosive. If not
explosive, it would have been by fire. If not by fire, then by
individual ways, a hundred, a million, a billion moments of death that
would find their way to visit into the lives of the innocent. This is
the power of hate, this is the allure, this is the relentless onslaught
of fear of the "other".
And this is not us. This is not what we
believe as a nation. This is not what we believe as people of faith.
This is not what we believe as souls, as humans, as spirits incarnate in
this miracle called life. No, this is what happens when evil is fed,
cherished, and allowed to grow wild in the gardens of our souls. Each
of us is as beautiful and haunting as the most precious rose in our
uniqueness. That is what makes this country beautiful.
By Lucy Roberts from Bartlesville, OK (Rainbow Rose Uploaded by LongLiveRock)
Today,
there is blood on the roses. It may be invisible to the naked eye. But
there are droplets of stolen life in our garden. And we the gardeners
must take heed to remove the roots of these weeds of hatred lest they
destroy us all.
As Pagans, as Humans, we know what it is to be
different. And we know that there is danger in celebrating that when
evil would snuff that light of what makes us each real and holy and
unique in the way were fashioned by the God, or Gods, in which we
believe. No label, gay, straight, bi, trans, poly, mono, black, white,
atheist, theist, liberal, conservative, or any other label changes that
we are here, we are stars, and we deserve to be the gift that is our
life in this world.
Today, I implore you to look to your neighbor,
your coworker, your friend, even your enemy, and see the light in their
eyes and the love in their souls. I beseech you to embrace this in
your heart like a flickering flame of recognition, and cherish that face
and form before you for what it is. See a person made of miracles who
has the ability to love and be loved, a life.
And this week, in
some small way, cherish the roses and know that for each petal,
somewhere a new day is being born for those who do not live in hate.
Know that as you read these words, even in grief and mourning, some
small part of each of these people lives on in all of us.
This
love and life will beat back the hate. It will strangle it out with love
among these roses. For our thorns are sharp, and rend away the
teachings and corruption that seek to stamp us out. Those whirlwinds of
war and violence that try to bury us, to make us cower in fear. We will
not be afraid. From the dusts of oppression and terror, we will rise
anew.
This week, we wear the rose.
"Love is not something we do, it is who we are.
It is not the measure of us, it is the measure from which we are made."
- Kenya Coviak aka Mistress Belladonna/M. Belladonna
Mistress
Belladonna hails from Detroit, Michigan. She is a Pagan Journalist and
writer for PBN News Network, the Detroit Paganism Today blog, and
formerly the Detroit Paganism Examiner.
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.
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