Our fears don’t stop death. They stop life. ~ Rickson Gracie, a Brazilian 9th Degree Red Belt in Jiu-Jitsu
Defeat is not defeat unless accepted as a reality- in your own mind. ~ Bruce lee
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or lo, there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you. ~ Jesus
The kingdom of heaven is within you; and whoever shall know himself shall find it. ~ Egyptian Book of the Dead
In order to actualize our Dharma, we must first clean our emotions and psyche. This in turn means enduring many sacrifices. We come to understand what Sophocles meant when he wrote: “Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse.” ~ Michael Tsarion
Head these words, You who wish to probe the depths of nature: If you do not find within yourself that which you seek, neither will you find it outside. In you is hidden the treasure of treasures. Know thyself and you will know the Universe and the Gods. ~ Oracle of Delphi
Quinn: They come here looking for the magic, hoping to find romance, when they can\’t find it anywhere else. Robin: Maybe they will. Quinn: It\’s an island, babe. If you didn\’t bring it here, you won\’t find it here. ~ Harrison Ford and Anne Heche, Six Days Seven Nights- 1998
When my dad went to Vietnam in 1967, he took out a one million dollar insurance policy in case he didn\’t make it home. I was 4 years old. From that moment, I can remember our family talking about death and dying. As we grew in years and understanding, death and what we wanted to happen to our body was regular dinner conversation. It wasn\’t brought up every night, but enough times that we knew we could bring it up and it would not seem strange. I thought everyone did this.
We were not a religious family though my dad grew up in church. Mom had mixed feelings due to how she and her siblings were treated when they occasionally attended. Church people invariably expressed pity for them since they were poor and shabbily dressed. I had read Bible stories and went with friends once or twice to church, but I had no real connection to Christianity. I had heard of Heaven and Hell from my grandparents, but an after-life concept was not in my thoughts as a child.
My first funeral was for my paternal grandfather. He was not a nice person and I was not overly fond of him. I went to make sure he was dead. I had a puppy die a few years later and I took that passing much harder. After a while, more distant family members died, but no one I spent much time with. Death was this amorphous entity that visited others, not those people immediately around me. I can\’t say I had a fear of dying, nor fear of my parents\’ death. I was more afraid they would just leave, willingly abandoning us and I would have to raise my siblings. When my parents passed in 2019, I felt only relief for they both suffered much in their last years. We were all grown and my worst fear did not come to pass.
Fear is a natural emotion and can save your life in specific circumstances. Constant fear is quite harmful as most of us have found these last two years. We have had our world up-ended with no means to pick up the pieces. If the saying, Going to Hell in a Hand-basket were happening now, I would assert that the hand-basket was taken away as well. Our usual support systems were locked away either through governmental means or by our own fear of what our actions would cause those we loved.
During our forced isolation we became disconnected from each other. Now that things are winding down, getting together as before can induce a different kind of anxiety. It\’s like we have to re-learn our social skills and find a way to sit closer, see people\’s faces and interact like the adults we want to be. When we were masked, separated, and more anonymous, it was easier to think of folks as potential enemies. Now we come face to face (pun intended) with our previous actions and our personal fears.
In the coming months, we may be put in even more uncomfortable situations. We may need to care for a family member who may have been healthy pre-covid but have succumbed to the stress of the past two years. Our children may have difficulty getting back in the swing of learning, socializing, and feeling secure. It might be likened to a collective divorce where we aren\’t sure which side of the family we will live with from week to week. Readjusting our equilibrium will be challenging. Our resilience will be tested.
At the end of the day, we are all afraid of death. It is the ultimate fear. All other calamities that befall us can be gotten through. Contemplating our own death or the demise of someone dear to us is not something we in America are used to doing. The past two years have brought this eventuality upon us in sharp relief. Where do we begin this conversation? How do we want to face this inevitability? What can we do to comfort those facing death, their own, or a loved one? Perhaps you want to start with the practicalities, such as burial or cremation, funeral or celebration of life, family only, or community. This can help you ease into deeper conversations.
Contemplate your own beliefs regarding an after-life or if your essence dies with the body. What legacy do you want to leave behind and not just the material items listed in your Last Will? Before any hint of your impending death is known, tell folks how you feel. Ask forgiveness and make amends, if possible. Forgive others who have hurt you, if that is weighing on your heart. You may desire to leave a written or recorded statement for those left behind. It is never too early to do these things. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Live while living is possible.
Blaming outside elements or people for our suffering does not make our suffering go away. As we look deep into ourselves, we can find peace. It is there if we are intent on finding it. As the quotes at the beginning say, we bring everything with us we could possibly need. It is up to us to discover and plumb our depths. Whatever we are looking for, whether fear or love, we will surely find it.
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.
Order Now for $9.99 — Published December 26th, 2021.
Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Gardeners, Odilo, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble
More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
Good prior to stressful situations. Use this before you leave your home or before a gathering at your home.
We live in a world of frequency and vibration. Our bodies are made up of trillions of atoms that move in and out of “phase” on the quantum level in what we perceive as day-to-day reality. Everything vibrates at various levels of existence. Frequency is not just something we hear. We can also feel this energy if we are paying attention.
For some folks, this energy is picked up by their senses. The outer ones such as see, hear, smell, taste & touch are used in tandem with the inner knowing and feeling. If we are aware of energy around us, we may not respond correctly to a situation when we are overwhelmed by it. It can be difficult to distinguish between our experience and someone else until we learn to detach from others’ vibrations. Have you ever walked into a room full of people and suddenly feel angry or anxious when you were fine just moments before? You may be picking up on the vibration and frequency of the emotions displayed by the people there instead of your own internal feelings.
Until we become adept at separating ourselves from others’ unwanted energetic vibration, we may need to protect our personal field so we can feel better as we go about in the world. This action doesn’t cut us off from feeling empathy, love, or affection for people, like being in a sound-proof room. It is more like an umbrella where you know it is raining but your clothes do not get wet by it.
Empaths feel others’ emotions and state of mind all the time. They feel it strongly in their body where it can have adverse effects on their wellbeing. When they are able to control this gift, it can be a useful tool in energy work, mediumship, and psychic experiences. Discipline is needed to learn to “turn it off” until you intend to use it. Being wide open to an influx of emotions is draining on the person who is empathic.
Do you have problems with other people’s emotions and energy? Are you Empathic? This ritual will help protect you from unwanted energetic influences and help you pay attention to what you are feeling versus what emotions belong to others.
Standing with legs slightly apart
Start with 2 deep breaths in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth.
Bring hands to chest with palms together.
Lift hands above your head together then spread them apart,
Stretch them out to your sides and finally down in front of you to lift back up to your chest with palms together.
Say these words as you do these motions with intention and authority:
By intention, I ask Creator of all/Universal love/Source/God-Goddess to clear all energies and entities that are not for my highest good.
I submerge myself in a pool of Divine Love
I place a bubble of white (pink, lavender, or violet) light around me where only love may enter.
Thank you!
It is done, it is done, it is done!
Being intentional in this work is key. Energetically protecting yourself is no different than carrying a gun in terms of intentionality. To carry a gun for protection you would check the chamber, carry extra ammunition, and have the training to use it for its intended purpose. Protecting your energy from extra-sensory vibrations that could drain you or cause harm is important for those who experience these situations. Using this ritual before you go out in the world or invite others to your home may help you cope with feeling others\’ unwanted emotions. Intentionally protecting yourself allows you to enjoy being with people and not feel emotionally drained.
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.
Order Now for $9.99 — Published December 26th, 2021.
Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Gardeners, Odilo, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble
More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
*Daisha, The Bahamian Story-Teller, was my character study written for my writing group. Darren is also my character only written for this story. All of us introduced a character, with their own backstory. We each wrote a story using as many other people’s characters as we could. Stay tuned for Part Two of The Three Hour Tour.
\”Come on, Daisha! Why won\’t you marry me?\” begs Darren as they pull away from the dock. He waited until they were going out to sea to bring up the subject. Daisha was known to walk away from personal confrontations in the past. He was taking no chances.
\”Darren! You promised! I am marrying no one, do you hear me? If I did not need you to take me to Robert Cay for my aunt, I would jump off this boat! Now just do your job and leave off the proposals,\” admonished Daisha for the umpteenth time since she met Darren. He was a sweetheart, but marriage was not on her mind at this point in her life. He knew that, but yet he pushed.
\”Ah, well. You can\’t blame me\” Darren said as he deftly maneuvered the tour boat out into the lane. \”I had to make my move before I picked up the tourists from the pier. I won\’t have a moment alone with you after that,\” he winked his dark eye at her as he looked over his muscular mahogany shoulder.
Daisha smiled in spite of herself and decided that Darren was an incorrigible flirt. She would have him no other way. Since being childhood friends and much in each other\’s company, it was difficult to switch off the friend mode and switch on a potential love interest for her, even from Darren.
They rode the gentle waves toward the pier where his passengers would be. His Island Tour business was taking off in a big way since he hired that agent to market for him. Some of his fares did not look the tourist type, but it paid the bills and then some when they had a mind to tip well.
\”Swing out the line, Daisha while I snug her up to the dock,\” ordered Darren. \”Aye, aye, Captain!\” Daisha merrily called back and threw out the rope before she jumped to the dock to tie it up for embarkation. \”I swear you\’re a better sailor than my regular crew. Are you sure you won\’t marry me?\” Darren teased one more time. Daisha shook her head at his insistence.
\”Welcome aboard the Damsel, ladies, and gentlemen! My First Mate will collect your tickets and help you get settled. Watch your step. That\’s right. Yes, ma\’am, the lady\’s room is below deck.\” Darren answered as eight paying tourists stepped aboard for the Three Hour Tour of the Exuma Cays his agent booked for him. Today was shaping up to be a profitable venture.
\”Miss? My wife, Gertrude, needs the lady\’s room. She is not feeling well.\” requested the thick-built middle-aged gentleman for the woman at his side. She had a green cast to her pale complexion as she hung limply on his arm. \”Yes, of course. Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez?\” At his nod, Diasha took the woman below murmuring soothing words of comfort.
\”We are newly married!\” Mr. Rodriguez announced to his shipmates close by. A man in a gray pin-stripe suit looked up from his i-phone to incline his head in acknowledgment. The woman seated near him smiled and nodded her head. Rodriguez was intrigued with her tattoos and spiky hair. Young people these days, he thought and began to explore the deck scouting out a cozy, quiet spot for himself and Gertrude when she returned.
\”The wind seems to be picking up,\” observed a woman with a pixie face and short dark hair near the stern. Another passenger walked up to the rail beside her and looked down at the water.
\”Water has a greasy look. \”ppears like a storm\’s a\’comin\’,\” she said. The older sun-tanned woman held out her hand, \”My name\’s May Belle. What\’s yours?\” The pixie woman turned to take her hand and replied, \”Name\’s Megan, Megan Holly. This is my first time in the Caribbean. How about you?\”
\”Oh, I\’ve been a few times, when my boys took me along with their families. I\’m here to meet up with one of \’em, but they won\’t be here \’til tomorrow. Thought I\’d take a ride around the islands without them grandkids pulling me this way and that. They\’re a handful, they are. Bless their souls,\” she smiled as she said it while looking out over the water. Megan nodded her head and grinned at the picture May Belle had painted of her family. Both women seemed happy just to feel the sun and wind on their faces.
Daisha returned with Gertrude and guided her to where Mr. Rodriguez was waiting for her. He gently assisted his new wife onto a comfortable bench out of the wind, sun, and away from people. They set up their belongings so that they could have space for themselves for the duration of the tour.
\”Miss! My name is Adam Patterson. Here\’s my ticket,” he said as he handed the card to Daisha. “I wondered if you were giving a running narrative of the tour we have embarked on or are you only the First Mate?\” teased Adam as he dimpled his cheek and leaned back against the bulkhead near the stairs. Daisha knew his kind. Rich, handsome, and knows it. He was a paying customer though, and she was helping Darren today, not fending off would-be admirers at the Straw Market.
\”The captain will be guiding you all on this trip. He grew up on the ocean and knows these cays like the back of his hand. I\’m sure his \”running narrative\” will satisfy your curiosity about the area. Excuse me. I must see to the other passengers,\” she said in her lilting voice as she brushed past him to speak to the ladies leaning on the rail. Adam watched her go and talk to each person as she collected their tickets. He admired her hips swaying in rhythm with the boat.
\”Sir? May I have your ticket?\” asked Daisha as the man handed his ticket to her. \”Saul Pender,\” she read on the small piece of cardstock, \”Welcome aboard, Mr. Pender. If you need anything, please don\’t hesitate to ask,\” she said as she stepped back toward the center of the deck where the passengers had gathered.
\”My name is Daisha, and this is Capt. Darren. Welcome to The Damsel\’s three-hour tour of the Exuma Cays. We will be serving some light refreshments in an hour. You are free to walk about the deck or go below to the lavatory if you need. The captain will be telling you all about the islands after we get out to sea.\” Daisha turned to walk up to Darren at the helm. The passengers found a spot to watch the departing land or chat with their neighbor as the little boat plied the water to begin their journey.
Darren scanned the horizon as he carefully navigated the smaller tour boat around the larger cruise ships docked in Nassau harbor. He had done this many times before but was always alert for danger. He picked up the radio handset and pressed the side button to alert the harbormaster of his departure.
\”Do you smell that? I bet that storm near Puerto Rico is heading this way,\” predicted Darren. \”Check the scanner and see what they\’re saying about the weather, will ya?\” Daisha opened the scanner and looked over the forecast. \”Darren, they\’re saying it\’s already turned and heading for us. Maybe three days tops. We may see some rain soon, even if it is a small storm. Should we head back?\” she worriedly asked.
\”No. I think we will be fine. Alert the passengers we may run into a spell of rain, but it shouldn\’t be much. Is it about time to bring out the refreshments? Let\’s do that now in case it gets a bit rough out in deep water,\” advised Darren.
Daisha left to take care of the people scattered across the deck enjoying their ride. \”Ms. Davis? Ms. Severino? Would you like a drink or something to eat? I have a small buffet and bar set up near the stern if you would like to join the others,\” offered Daisha as she gathered the people near the back of the boat for a bite to eat.
\”All the \”Ms\” stuff is so formal. Just call us Eleanor and Kate,\” said Eleanor as she looked at the tall, lean woman at her side for confirmation. \”Yes! Please do,\” agreed Kate as they walked to where everyone was gathering.
Mr. Pender strolled from the bow where he was examining the boats at anchor to the stern to pour a drink at the bar. He glanced at the other passengers and dismissed them for the moment from his mind. In another hour they would be near Robert Cay. His associates would rendezvous with the boat. He would pass on the message, and no one would be the wiser. He would be home in time for Betsy\’s birthday party. This would finally be his last paycheck. He would be free. Nothing could go wrong now.
The waves were getting choppy, and the wind had freshened. In the distance, you could see rain off the bow. They were heading right for it, but it would take a while. Darren glanced at his watch. He calculated the time remaining for the tour and the approximate ETA of the heavy weather he saw. They would be heading back to the harbor before it hit. He timed it well.
Megan chatted with Adam near the starboard railing. \”I get a kick out of all those high school kids. They may think I\’m an old fogy, but I\’d take a bullet for any one of them,\” she reminisced as Adam plied his charm on this seemingly unsuspecting female. She wore a gold chain with a diamond charm and a key around her slender neck. Old habits die hard as he scoped out his fellow passengers for something worth pilfering. Only for fun, of course.
\”He keeps eyeing the charm Nan gave me,\” thought Megan as she chatted and joked with this too-handsome fellow she just met. Her senses were alert. Her nose twitched at his expensive cologne. What is this man, who\’s obviously slumming, doing with us peons on a boat like this? This guy bore careful observation.
\”Mr. Rodriguez, is your wife feeling better?\” asked Eleanor when he approached the buffet. \”Please call me HR. She is a little better. I\’ll see if she can take some food now,\” he said as he placed choice bits on a plate. \”I am admiring your body art. Is it all done by the same person?\” HR inquired.
\”Yes. My brother did these. He is quite talented and in demand now. He did all these before he became famous,\” she said with a little laugh, \”if I want one now, I have to make an appointment!\” She chuckled at the thought. HR laughed with her then carried the plate to his waiting wife.
\”I really like that Tree of Life,\” Kate admired as she pointed to Eleanor\’s right shoulder. \”I have not dared to get any kind of tattoo. Too squeamish about needles,\” she wrinkled her nose as she took a long drink of water and sat down on a nearby bench. The boat seemed to be rocking more she thought.
\”What brings you to the islands, Mr. Patterson? Do you have a home here?\” asked May Belle of the handsome man watching Megan intently. For all his charm, he seemed a bit predatory, like a hawk spying a tasty rabbit. He\’s bitten off more than he can chew if she hasn\’t missed her guess. Megan Holly is no fool.
Adam looked up at the sound of his name. The little country-sounding woman asked him if he lived in the Bahamas. \”No, ma\’am. I don\’t have a home here, but my family has been here many times,\” he smoothly answered. She doesn\’t move in my circles so she can\’t know people who know me, he thought and went back to concentrating on Megan and her necklace.
\”I thought you looked familiar when you got on board. Are you Richard Patterson\’s son?\” May Belle inquired.
\”Yes. I am Richard Patterson\’s son,\” Adam warily said. \”Do you know my family?\”
\”I met Richard years ago at a party on Musha Cay that David Copperfield was hosting. Susan is such a dear. I had heard you joined the firm. Your parents are awfully proud of you.\” murmured May Belle as she sipped her drink.
Adam excused himself from Megan and sidled up to the older woman. \”I don\’t believe I\’ve had the pleasure. My name is Adam, and your name is…?\” he asked. What does this woman know about him? She might just take the fun out of this pleasure cruise.
\”My name is May Belle,” she chuckled at his discomfiture, “I can see the wheels a\’turnin\’, Mr. Patterson. You\’re wonderin\’ how a woman like me could know your family much less attend a high-society social engagement.\”
\”I mean no disrespect, ma\’am. My parents have never mentioned you to my knowledge. Did you work for them in some capacity?\” he fished as he wracked his brain as to how this woman could be involved with the Patterson family, preeminent Chicago lawyers.
\”Mercy no, Mr. Patterson. My Alvie was a contractor in Ocala. We met your parents at a Topping-Out Ceremony for The Villages just south of there. Your father was the lawyer for the main investors of that planned city. My Alvie was the builder.\” she explained.
\”Your husband is Alverson James? Why he\’s famous! His company has built half of central Florida.\” exclaimed Adam, clearly impressed.
\”That\’s mostly my boys now. They took over when Alvie got sick. He passed last year. Now my boys run the business,\” a shadow passed over her face as she remembered those hard days. She missed him still, but without her family-grandchildren and all- she didn\’t know what she\’d do.
Adam sat there still a bit stunned at how small the world was. He needed a drink. What was he doing? First, he was considering lifting a trifling necklace from someone he barely knew. A person he might even like. Now this woman, like a ghost from his past, shows him how looks can deceive. He had some serious thinking to do.
Daisha looked at the scanner again. Hurricane Beryl was still on track to hit the Bahamas in a few days. The passengers were getting to know one another and enjoyed the buffet she laid out. Now they were milling around looking at the sights Darren was pointing out over the loudspeaker. She looked up at the sky and noted the clouds off the bow. This didn\’t appear as a positive sign.
\”Darren? What do you think of that bank of clouds up ahead?\” she asked when Darren had taken a break from his tour duties. \”That looks pretty ominous to me.\”
Darren studied the horizon. He looked at the scanner again then back at the sky. \”Daisha, do exactly as I tell you. Get out the life jackets and get the passengers buckled in. We\’re heading for a squall, and there\’s no way out. I\’ve got to send a distress signal.\” He turned to secure the below-deck hatch and then get the radio handset.
Daisha stood there a moment. What did Darren just say? \”Go Daisha!\” Darren yelled. She sprang into action opening the sea chest that held the life jackets. \”People! Get over here now!\” she called, \”We must all put on our life jackets. We are heading into a storm,” she saw them hesitate, “Put your life jackets on!\” she commanded. They all began to gather around her to get a jacket.
\”What\’s going on? Why do we need this? I don\’t see a storm.\” everyone was speaking at once, but thankfully they were putting on the jackets as she asked them to do. The wind was picking up, but she knew the worst was yet to come.
Darren saw that she was helping the passengers. He turned to the radio and pushed the distress button and held it for the required 3 seconds. Now the authorities will be able to find them since it transmits a signal every few minutes of the boat\’s location. He turned the dial to channel 16 then picked up the handset and pressed the side button to speak. \”MAYDAY< MAYDAY< MAYDAY- This is the Damsel 549- MAYDAY- We are at 23°37\’.34\”N 75°58\’10.37\”W near Jim Cay- We are heading into a squall and need assistance- seaworthy for the next 10 minutes- 10 passengers- We will be listening on channel 16- This is the Damsel 549- Over,\” Darren waited for an answer but knew it would be chancy at best.
Daisha handed Darren a life jacket. \”Are the passengers strapped in? You strap yourself in. I\’ll man the radio,\” he commanded as he strapped himself in the jacket and hooked it to the helm bracket with the attached cord. He sent the distress call again and braced himself for the storm that was now upon them.
Daisha had made sure everyone was strapped in near the center of the boat using the attached cords and deck brackets under the middle benches. Everyone held on and to each other as the rain and wind pelted the deck and rocked the boat like an exuberant toddler\’s toy in a bathtub. The wind and waves carried the small craft up where it was held suspended in the air for an incredible moment only to crash down into a trough as deep as they had been high just seconds before. Water splashed the already soaking wet travelers. They were jostled to and fro, banging into each other and the columns that once held the deck canopy, now long gone. With a final heavy sigh of the waves and a jerking halt to the boat, the storm passed.
A squall only lasts a minute or two, but to those in the midst of it, it seems like a lifetime. The boat had stopped rocking. In fact, it stopped moving at all and was listing to the starboard side. The rain was dying down. It was just a light shower compared to only moments before. The people were still strapped to each other and the boat deck was coming out of their storm-induced stupor.
Darren let go of the radio handset and stumbled to his feet. He looked around and marveled at the site. The others were unhooking their cords, and a few were coming to their feet. The deck was slippery and leaning over so that walking was arduous without holding on to something to keep you upright. Darren put his arm around Daisha as they stood at the rail and looked off the side of the boat. They had run aground, beached, shipwrecked on Jim Cay. The Three Hour Tour was over.
Stay-Tuned for Part Two of the Three-Hour Tour
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
I appreciate you all so much for making my Pre-Order campaign such a success! I am grateful for all those who purchased e-books and downloaded samples. I also thank those who downloaded my free e-book: The Beginners Guide to Simple Rituals. You all are awesome!
Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.
Order Now for $9.99 — Published December 26th, 2021.
Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Gardeners, Odilo, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble
More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
I was given this story in my meditations in 2015. I had been seeking an answer to why I was born to a family that doesn\’t seem to understand me. Recently I found the video below this story that confirmed what I found years before. We never truly die. We just change.Put yourself in the story and insert people from your life that fit the various descriptions. Discover who you are in this wonderful game called life.
Once upon a no-time in a no-place, there was, is and evermore a table. This table is large and has many chairs. All around this table and chairs are Masters of a Great Game. These Masters come forward and step back as needed to fill positions in the Great Game. In this Game, the ability to pretend is essential, for here in this no-place and no-time all is Love and Light. All is harmony and oneness. To play the Game is to leave that behind and pretend these things are not there. In the Game, all come to know feelings of lack so that they know what they really and truly have at this moment. At this place of no-place in this time of no-time one steps forward to the table.
“Who will play the Game with me?” asks this one. “ I desire to experience some things so I will know more fully who I am. I desire others who will help me by playing a part in the Game for me and in return, I will play a part for them so they will discover who they are more fully also.”
Many step forward to the table to help this one and also to help themselves, for at this moment there is a Game in progress on the other side that is winding down and nearly finishing an important level. To play at this moment would be especially challenging even for a Master such as they are. Only the best are chosen to play with all others staying on this side to offer help and guidance as needed but even they are limited as to how they give the guidance. The ones on this side can not tell the players directly what to do. They may only nudge those playing by giving signs and urging the players to go in one direction or another. There are many opportunities in the Game because all eventually “win” to go on to the next level if they so choose. In this way, all those playing have choice and free-will. The object of the Game is to discover their true selves and it does not matter how long it takes nor what route the player engages in for there is no right or wrong way in this Game- it is all just experience.
All the players assemble and now this one decides what it wants to experience. “I will be called _[your name]___, in this moment of the Game. I desire to feel a lack of Love so that I may know more fully what Love is on this side. Who is willing to play that role for me and show me a lack of love?”
Another around the table speaks and says, “I am willing to play that part. I desire to feel guilt for in this no-place and no-time I know all is in divine order so pretending to not give you enough love will accomplish my desire. I will play the part of your _[*volunteer]_ in the Game this time.”
“Excellent!” says _[your name]__, “Now, I desire to experience being misunderstood. Who will help me with that?”
“I am willing to play that part since you played that part for me at another point of this Game. I will be your __[*volunteer]__ this time around. I desire to experience confusion and separation so misunderstanding you will fulfill my desire,” says another around the table.
Another one across the table speaks, “I desire to experience self-anger or depression. May I play a role for you in the Game?”
“Yes, if you will be my _[*volunteer]__ in the game, then I can experience what it is like to watch someone hurting and realize I am only responsible for my own well-being so as to not violate others choices,” says ___[your name]_ as they look around the table for more players. “For my next experience, I desire to feel a lack of self-worth. Is there another who will help me accomplish this?”
One next to the one who seeks the “guilt” role speaks up, “I can play that and I will be your __[*volunteer]__ in the Game. I desire to feel no empathy for those different than myself. If you have no self-worth then I can bully you to further your feeling of lack to have this experience with you.”
“Wonderful! This Game is shaping up to be an experience where I will rediscover all the wonderful aspects of this side. All of you will do a great job in your respective roles. I will do my best to give you the experiences you desire in return.” __[your name]__ looks around the table again and asks, “In order for me to not become stuck in any part of the game, I will need those to remind me who I am. Who is willing to play the role of a reminder?”
“I am willing to do that because you were my reminder the last time. I can be a well-loved __[*volunteer]__who gives extra attention to you so that you will feel love without having done anything for it,” volunteers another around the table.
Another volunteer speaks up, “I will help you in that quest and be a__[*volunteer]_ that listens without judgment showing you that you are cared for and thought of with affection.
On and on the discussion goes with many coming forward to help the original speaker and being helped in the process. All willingly took on the roles for the Game just as the original took on their role for them. After the original gets all her players in order another steps forward to plan their experience in the Game. The original comes forward to help this one then that one as each takes their turn in the planning. Lives in the Game overlap and intersect with many twists and turns to keep everything moving and all to experience what they have chosen. Signs are placed along the path to direct the players in many places so that all have the chance to play their parts to perfection. No one is really hurt in their core soul but to feel “hurt” in the Game is essential for the experience.
As each, in turn, leaves the Game through the death of the body, there is a wonderful reunion congratulating each other on their Academy Award performance in The Great Game. Some go on to take on new roles for others coming in and still, others become guides for those still in the Game. Each of them helps the whole to know itself more and more fully so to make the experiences of the aspects of the whole richer, have greater meaning, and expand in consciousness.
~To learn more about Catherine & her mental health journey check out her memoir- Metaphysical Girl. It is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Gardeners, Odilo, Kobo and Barnes & Noble
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.
Metaphysical Girlis available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.
Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
*This is a character study I wrote for my writing group. Each of us introduced a character and then we each wrote a story using as many of other people\’s characters as we could. Stay tuned for the 2-part story I wrote- Three Hour Tour.
She weaved her way through the vendors on the street with an effortless grace that belied her size. Her full softly swaying hips showed off her orange and blue floral cotton dress as she moved purposefully to The Straw Market to begin her day selling the woven baskets her family made. The cruise ships had docked and were ready to let their passengers loose on the streets of Nassau.
Daisha (dah-EE-sha) felt the sun warm her mahogany skin, though her straw hat shaded her eyes against the sun’s glare. Some days she felt every inch of what her name meant- a woman of influence. Other days she wondered if she influenced anyone. She looked forward to the Bahamas Heritage Festival next week. She had been a sought-after storyteller for this event for the past 5 years. Her soft, expressive voice lent itself to the African stories she told. She grew up hearing these tales from her grandmother. Her grandmama was a storyteller in the griot tradition of West Africa in that she knew everything that was going on around her. She told news and gossip alike in story form. She kept the traditional tales alive and passed on that knowledge to Daisha. Now it was Daisha\’s turn to be the keeper and teller of the story.
Daisha\’s goal was to go to America and beyond to tell her stories. She longed to meet the people she only heard about in the books, shows, and news on TV. She talked with the cruise ship tourists when they stopped at her stall. She felt this was only a small portion of the lives they lived just as the market stall was only a tiny portion of hers. At day\’s end, Daisha walks to her home in the \”Fish Fry\” area on West Bay St, a mere 20-minute stroll along the beachfront and shack-type restaurants selling local seafood and cuisine. She stops to pick up some conch chowder from her cousin\’s eatery to bring home to her elderly aunt and uncle. She was raised by these lovely people after her parents died in a fishing boat accident when Daisha was only 3 years old. After her grandmother passed away last year, these two and her cousins were her only family. They all contributed to the straw basket-making when her cousins weren\’t running their restaurant.
Nassau was her home since she was born 28 years ago to Afro-Bahamian parents. Her family attended a local Methodist church where she sang in the choir. Her uncle was a deacon, and her aunt helped in the Women\’s Study Group on Thursday evenings. Though Daisha loved her church family, she clung to some of the African traditional beliefs her grandmother taught her and held in her heart. She believed there was a spirit in all things and people were inherently good though sometimes became confused when away from their family, community, and ancestral lands. Nassau was far from Africa as the seagull flies but close in spirit when she thought of her dear grandmother.
Many men had sought Daisha\’s hand and heart, but she wanted more than what they offered. She felt she had a broader purpose and to stay here and continue her small life was not something she desired. She dated a few men from time to time but kept her heart intact. They were good company when there was a festival, like Junkanoo to attend or a lecture at the library but at the end of their time together, a chaste kiss or an offer of her famous dessert- guava duff- was all they received. They accepted this graciously and thanked her for her company.
“One day there will be a place for me on the world stage,” she often said to herself. In the meantime, there were baskets to sell, storytelling skills to hone and her family to love and care for.
When she was young, Catherine Denton crafted plays she and her siblings performed for her parents. To learn more about her story, check out Metaphysical Girl, available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.
Metaphysical Girlis available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.
Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!
Cathy Denton
Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.
