Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sunday - Speaking on Practical Spirituality

As I sit here looking out my window it is beginning to rain and the sun is shining and I know somewhere a rainbow is shining. My new covers for both the front and back porch are completed and for a wee while I sat outside while the rain softly came down and read my book, but now I'm inside listening and watching to see what will happen next (sun or more rain as there is blue in the sky).
Lots of bits and pieces this week. Tuesday I drove to Salmon Arm with Suzanne accompanying me. My phone was not working for 3 days, and the 3 days before that the crackling on the line was so bad it was hard to hear. Right now all is back in action. A very nice young man named Tyler spend 2 1/2 hours plus figuring out how to first reach my Telephone Box (way under my mobile home, with all the spider webs, spiders and snails never mind weeds and whatever else is under there) and when he finally figured out where it was, then he had to 'get to it' which he finally did, by banging through some wood and then decided he would transfer everything to a new box in front of my place so the next person could reach it easily. He showed me the old box and its a wonder any phone calls ever got through it was totally corroded. So now my line is nice and clear and hopefully no more phone problems for a long time. (But I lost one of my jacks in this story so no more phone in the bedroom - guess I can live with that).
Today Sunday I spoke at the Celebration Centre on Practical Spirituality. I sat at the computer this morning, armed with several books for quotes etc. Found them, typed them in a page to refer to - thought I had printed it - (I was also printing off some brochures so the page would have been queued, when I closed the program and said No did not want to save and carried on with the next project and then when I had completed folding the brochures realised oh no .... the pages have not printed. All lost. So decided I would not do it again, and went and did my 'lecture' without the references.
People who spoke to me said my talk was good, so great. But the fun I had this morning was with this: I have some cards (business card size) which I had made up and had taken with me, in envelopes, to sell at the Body Soul & Spirit Expos. They have on them messages which I created from the Higher Arcana of the Tarot, the Aces, and the Court Cards. I believe there are around 32 in all. I had quite a few of these envelopes, which I have been taking to the market with me on Saturdays. So yesterday afternoon I sat and put money inside each envelope. Pennies, five, ten, twenty-five cents plus one and two dollar coins, then five, ten, twenty and a one hundred dollar bill.
As I knew at some point I was going to speak about prosperity and that the envelopes could be woven into my talk at the appropriate time. I had the bowl of envelopes passed around so everyone who as there could take an envelope, open up the message and receive the money inside. There were some envelopes left.
The $100.00 bill was not taken, so I got to keep that. That was my present for today. $100.00 I did not expect to have. The whole exercise, the speaking, which I always love to do, and the watching the different expressions when people realized there was money in the envelope. One person attempted to give me back my $5.00 which I naturally refused, as I had spoken about receiving joyously. I used my book Spiritual Principles of Wealth as the basis of much of what I spoke about today.
Then we all went for lunch, with me stopping by my place and pick up my friend Suzanne who was here, she was on her way home to Osoyoos after dropping her husband off for a plane ride to Toronto. A great day. I had several people advise me of insights they received from getting the envelopes and also from the visualizations which I lead them through from the book.
Now onto next week. Still soccer world cup (oh yes, disappointed that England's out - but Germany did play well) and the Tennis is continuing (although I will be interested in seeing how Nadal handles his sore right knee etc). So I will be up early watching for another week.
That's all for now.
Lots of love
Norma

Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sunday am musings - soccer

For those who know me, know I'm a soccer nut, watching my Liverpool team play every week (even getting up super early) although I'm not traditionally a getting out of bed early person - unless I'm going somewhere exciting.
With the world cup on in South Africa and the first game of three per day beginning at 4.30am, its surprising how often I'm awake around then, to put on the TV and those watch and doze through the first two games. The third one does not come on until 11.30am, so there are a few hours to do things, plus I often record the third one to watch (skim) through later. But most of the games I'm catching most of them. So my soccer quotient is full right now, with more to come, but, beginning tomorrow the Wimbledon Tennis begins and that is two weeks long. Luckily there will be fewer soccer games soon, as they get into the playoffs, and as the Tennis heats up the soccer will be less and less. So a busy two weeks coming up of both favorite sports soccer and tennis.
I've been catching up on resting, after my busy first five months of the year, and beginning to feel more like myself again. The Saturday markets are in full swing, so every Saturday I'm away by 6.45am to set up and sit, doing readings and sometimes selling a book or two. In the down time I do drawings - look at people and draw their auras, colors, soul or whatever my fancy to pass the time.
I've completed the book SANTARAM. If you want a great book to read this summer, and you have not read this one, think about it, great story, great reading and super educational on all sorts of subjects. I especially liked the good/bad and god conversations, but it is full of India and how the India nation operates. I felt I received a lot of knowledge just through this book which is based on a true story.
My yard is looking nice, and with all the rain we have been having my lawn needs mowing again and my 'yard man' (how do you like that I have a 'yard man') will be coming around soon I'm sure. The flowers are good too. My tomato plants aren't doing so well though. So will have to spend some time giving them some life force energy.
Well must away, its Sunday morning, I'm off to the Celebration Centre to celebrate life, and this afternoon a Solstice ceremony.
Happy Solstice, Happy Father's Day. Happy Whatever you want to Celebrate
Love
Norma
Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Toy Story 3 - movie review

Last night, my friend Merille who is visiting while taking a course this weekend and I went and saw Toy Story 3. What a surprise, its not for kids only....but adults too. In fact, we both had tears at the end of the movie. Its funny, its cute, has lots of action for the little ones to watch and a heart tugging story. What more could anyone want from a movie. Whether you have small children or not, take the time to watch it. It's good.
4 1/2 our of 5 (not sure why the drop of a 1/2 but it doesn't top Prince of Persia).


Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Monday, June 14, 2010

Karate Kid - movie review

Sometimes one goes to the movies just to be entertained. I thought going to see the movie Karate Kid I would be doing that. Entertaining myself for a few hours rather than watching TV or reading. Well it was more than that. It was entertaining, but the message of the bully can be overcome through discipline, hard work and dedication and never giving up truly is relative today with all the bullying that goes on in schools and some communities. Plus its a life lesson for us who want to achieve things in life.
I especially enjoyed young Jayden Smith who definitely shows the skills of his father Will and mother Jada - he was delightful. But the scene stealer is Jackie Chan. Some of the shots of him walking along as the older, defeated man, shuffling along with stiff joints etc, your heart goes out to him and when his story comes out you understand, and then you watch the transformation of him as well as his young student of Kung Fu Drey. I thought he did wonderfully well in the part and was well picked as the older maintenance man.
The scenery of when they visit the monastery climbing steps which go forever and seeing the monks of the temple in their different practices I found fascinating, especially the lady with the cobra and how the lesson that the cobra was following her dance, not the other way around. Also seeing the Great Wall of China in the movie was inspiring, but also is the one part which had my brain doing a double take. As I have mentioned before, I love how a movie is edited, well they made a mistake here. When they went to the monastery it was explained why and you saw them on the train on the way there and back but all of a sudden the Great Wall of China appears with Drey doing his Kung Fu practices and then a shot of him back in the backyard doing his exercises and then back again to the Great Wall. What? I thought, there was no explanation of the great wall, there was no reason for it, except for us to see it (mistake) it took you away from the continuity of the movie, especially throwing a scene in between the other scenes of practice. Other than that momentarily craziness on part of the editors, the movie was cute, it was fun, sad, and I found myself clapping at the fight scenes, which were very well done.....yes, it was worth the couple of hours to go see.
I enjoyed the original Karate Kid and Karate Kid II and this one I enjoyed too.
3 1/2 out of 5.
Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Learning Continues

The summer sun has finally arrived here in the Okanagan, and with it half an hour south a huge landslide which has taken out five houses, vineyards and orchards. Luckily no loss of life, by the highway south is closed. Yes, we had a lot of rain it was said on the news this am that five times more than usual.
Interestingly I was at the other side of the area that had the landslide (in another valley) with my meditation group having a field trip as we looked at lay lines and vortexes in a house where we had been asked to come look at it. What fun we all had with our pendulems. I remember looking up at the hill not far away from where we were thinking (that could come down) and instantly evaporated that thought. Little did I know at the time that not far away as the crow flies part of a large hill was coming down.
Now, did I pick up what was happening, or was it coincident. As I have not heard the time frame of the landslide I do not know, but no matter, every person on both sides of that range are safe and sound, even though great property damage was done (especially to vineyards - its a wine city - as is the whole Okanagan valley).
I'm still working through the book Shantaram....loving it, but as my energy comes back I'm getting more done, so less time to read. Had a wonderful piece the other day where he is discussing good and evil, with good being when one works towards God, and evil being where one works away from God. (God being good) but the the wonderful part is where he says (and it is repeated a few times) we do good things for the wrong reasons and wrong things for the right reason. How do we know what it is we do, we usually do things for what we consider the 'right reason'. Example: last night, as I was heading into the theatre to see Karate Kid a young man stopped me to ask if I knew where any soup kitchens were (no I didn't - do we even have them in our town?). He seemed clean cut, told me he and his wife (no where to be seen) had arrived by bus and he was beginning to work on a construction site the next morning (today Monday). then came the question, do you have something to give me for a bag of chips. Well it happened that in my wallet I had $10.00 for the movie, not much change, but I also had two $50.00 bills. What do I do? Now you are thinking fast on your feet, he looks OK...but all I have is $10.00 and a $50.00 (knowing I don't have anything smaller). Do I give him $10.00 or do I give him a $50.00 bill. What do you think I did. I gave him $10.00, and used one of the $50.00 to pay my way into the theatre. Did I do right or wrong? Who knows, all I know is that is what I chose in that moment. Sometimes, as my brother has often said 'You over think" and I think this is one of those moments. Acceptance, you did what you did, let it go. (Oh yes, that was a card I got yesterday - just remembered - let go).
So went inside and watch Karate Kid which I enjoyed, will do my review after this. So back to the book SHANTARAM. Another piece I read the other day which I enjoyed was a comment in which the question is asked "Do you think the light is God" and the answer comes back "No, the light is the LANGUAGE of God". I loved that. For as you know I use light all the time to transform energy and I feel the love, warmth and acceptance within that light and love 'hanging out in it' and if this the LANGUAGE OF GOD I'm 100% for it. The thing is - do we hang out there all the time -- I most certainly don't and I don't think most of us do, but the knowing it is there, and as I teach - its only a breath away, we can all access it easily and often and remember that it is there and so we hang out in it more and more.
Also this morning I decided (when I got back from my walk with Jeannie to pull a card from a deck that I'm thoroughly enjoying - Messages of Life. The drawings are the most beautiful ones I have ever seen, utilizing light and I love them all.
Today my card said ACHIEVEMENT .... "I advance on the road of achievement in order to discover myself. In spite of difficulties, I achieve my objectives and embrace life. Faith is my strength. I believe in myself and my true potential. With the simplicity of a child and the wisdom of an old wise man, I move forward for my own sake. I live without fear because I will always be in good company on this journey towards the light". I loved "faith is my strength".
And so I progress with my light, my strength and the knowing no matter what I will achieve whatever it is I achieve.
You have a great day!
Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Monday, June 07, 2010

Hugs for All!

Busy day for me with my blog, but could not resist posting this. I received this today and it reminded me of when I had a HUGS company. We had T Shirts, Sweat Shirts, bumber stickers, buttons and a Hugs Card, (like a business card) which said 4 hugs for survival, 8 hugs for maintenance and 12 hugs for growth. My son and his then girlfriend did a lot of the Hugging but I did my fair share too, especially when someone came along they did not want to hug. I learned how to HUG by hugging! I even gave short workshops on the proper way to HUG - Imagine!
So if you ever want a Hug let me know. I do know how to do it. In the meantime, click on the link and enjoy!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN8CKwdosjE&feature=player-embedded

Norma



Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Movie Review - Killers

Saturday night came and I was restless. Looking at the four movies available at my local theatre I chose Killers. Luckily I knew inspite of the title that it was Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigel. By the amount of people in the audience, others did not. What a stupid title - whoever picked that should have been shot themselves. It does not really portray the movie - anyway I went.
I truly did not have any expectations of this movie, I just wanted out of the house there was nothing on TV (which seems like every night these days) and I did not want to go and see Sex In the City 2 (I will another night). I was pleasantly surprised.
I was surprised because I laughed often and I was hugely (is that a word) thrilled to see Magnum - Tom Selleck - he will always be Magnum to me, playing Katherine's Dad. He always brings such strength to the screen these days. Like a lot of men when they hit their 40's they seem to grow bigger all over -- well hes much over 40 - but still looks, big, strong and Magnum.
Again the movie seems filled with craziness, but both Ashton and Katherine pull it off - somehow she does though dumb but beautiful, but not too dumb roles wonderfully well, and he is always surprising in what he can do. Yeah, hate to say it, I enjoyed this. I go to the movies for several reasons, one to entertained, which this movie did. Two to enjoy the views, this one has wonderful views of Nice, and then uptown subdivision and a construction site, but I sure enjoyed the views of France's coastline. third that I learn something from the movie, a moral, or mental, or emotional connection I did not in this movie get anything. But I laughed and that is worth something when you are feeling tired and a bit out of sorts. Yeah, I enjoyed it. Therefore it is worth 3 out of 5. (could have been 2 1/2 but the views in France were nice).


Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Movie review - date night

The last night in Regina my friend and I decided to go to a movie, but we had left it a bit late and the only movie available which I did not mind going to see (meaning I had either seen it or did not want to see it) was Date Night.
Now Date Night had been at my local theatre when I was away and so had missed it, but did not feel like I had missed anything. Well I had. I laughed during this movie, some of the scenes were so ridiculous they had to be funny and of course the two hot comic TV actors being together worked. They made a great couple. If you want a laugh, and I'm sure it will be out on DVD soon, make sure you pick up Date Night. 3 stars of our 5 for the laughter quota.

Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Movie Review - Prince of Persia

I thought when I saw Robin Hood that it would be hard to beat. But Prince of Persia does. I enjoyed this movie on every level. My friend and I who was with me in Regina, Sask. when I saw it both agreed - it was great!!! What did I like. Well first of all I find that movies depend upon the editing of a movie. I think Editors are not rated high enough. I have seen movies which were really good destroyed by bad editing. The editing in this was wonderful. Scene followed scene in quick succession and you got to follow the story line easily. The director, playwright, whoever took their time setting up the story. You got to understand who this Prince was. You got to understand the underlying tensions existing and then when the story finally kicks into gear you get the full picture. It is exciting, it is colorful, it is well acted, well directed, well everything and I cannot believe anyone would not enjoy this movie. The beautiful scenes of the desert, the colors were magnificent, never mind the body on Jake rippling away. I also loved the jumping (which reminded me of 007 -Daniel Craig in Casino Royale at the beginning of the movie, jumping over buildings etc. Also some of the scenes also reminded me of Indiana Jones movies. I did not care, because it was fun. This movie is worth seeing once, twice maybe even three times. Therefore it gets 5 out of 5 stars.

Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com

Settling in back Home

I cannot believe it has been as long as it has since I last posted. Boy does time travel by fast when you are busy. As last reported, I got home with my new car and finally on Friday all the paper work was finally completed and I felt relaxed about the whole process. It had to have a few more fix ups done on it, and then some paperwork needed completing which took time. Thank goodness for Natalia in Calgary, who made sure it all came through just fine. So now my Jenny and me will get along just fine - especially as her trunk takes all my stuff for the Market on Saturdays (and the expos when the time comes for those).
Last Monday I arrived back from a weekend in Regina taking Level 2 of the Yuen Method. I was also visiting with my friend Joyce who I had not seen for nearly three years, so it was great in both directions. Joyce and I went and saw two movies (reviews coming up) and then Saturday and Sunday was spent in class which taxed my brain more than I liked. But Monday came, and I took Joyce on a road trip to Moose Jaw for lunch in a Thai Restaurant she liked and it was great and then we went shopping (what woman does not like that) and then I dropped her back home, picked up my bags and took my rental to the airport.
Now the journey becomes interesting. As you are aware, when you pick up a car they charge the day from the time you pick it up and that was 5pm. Although my plane did not leave until 7.40pm, I returned the car for 5pm, walked across the aisle (small airport) to check in saying to the woman behind the counter, "I'm really early". She replies "Good thing, because your plane is 3 hours late, and I'm going to see if I can reroute you". I stand there waiting, and then she says, (after she gets off the phone to report she is sending another person up). "Go up there right now and get on the plane". So I obeyed, went up and walked onto a flight for Calgary. Then I got off the Calgary plane and walked right on to a plane for Vancouver. So instead of waiting 3 hours plus and missing my connection back to Penticton, I spent the waiting time in Vancouver and got back home on time for my dear friend Jeanne to pick me up and deposit me at my home.
Tuesday morning arrived - now Tuesdays are my cleanse day and I don't book too much for myself that day anyway - but I woke up (after not a great sleep) and I just did not want to get out of bed. Now since I have been here in Penticton 3 years I have not had that feeling once. I was so tired, I just did not want to get up. So I took it really easy. Although Jeanne was back at 10.00am, to take me to pick up my car at the garage. We usually walk on Tuesdays but we both agreed not to that day. Thank goodness.
That tiredness has been slowly going through the week. My client load has not been too busy and I have slowly begun to get my house back in order. All the coming and going, and things have not got put away, I was five months behind in my bookkeeping (two months worth has been done now, and the other three months hopefully will be started today) and I'm taking it easy. Not getting myself too tired, going slowly day by day, doing what needs to be done and tackling a bit more before I'm tired again. So watching DVD's and movies help when my body just does not want to move to think.
Today the sun is shining, I feel so much better. This week will see me crossing into the energy line I'm sure.
Two neat things: Last night my son Rob gave me the date I pick up my granddaughter McKayla for three days - the first time she gets to come and stay by herself with me. I have her for three night --- yeah!
Also, I'm reading this most wonderful book which I picked up in the Airport on my way to Regina. Its absolutely phenomenally written SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts. I can only read a bit at a time, as his words are like pictures and rich and I seem to only able to assimilate a bit at a time. Its a thick book so I imagine it will take me another week or two to get through it. Today I read on page 632 "I'd lost...my closest friends in the same week, and with them I'd lost the mark on the psychic map that says "you are here". Personality and personal identity are in some ways like co-ordinates on the streetmap drawn by our intersecting relationships. We know who we are and we define what we are by references to the people we love and our reasons for loving them". See what I mean, words placed together like an artist. You have to stop and think about what has just been said after you have read certain thoughts. Although this book is written as a novel its based on his life and what a life ..... wow!
I totally recommend anyone who likes good literature with a phenomenal story read this book. When I've finished I'll probably reread it and truly mark some of the discourses on good and evil and life that are there, written up as discussions between people. Rich stuff. Sometimes you learn more from a novel than you do from anything else.
Well think that's all today....I have my movie reviews to do.
Love
Norma.
Norma Cowie
250 490 0654
Email: norma@normacowie.com