Rock Reflection Ritual — Blogging

---

Rock Reflection Ritual 

Well, my trial month is over on Medium! I wrote half as many posts this month, as I had been writing on Facebook and / or my blog!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

It was easy to copy and paste my blog and put it here! It was extremely time-consuming to delete and upload pictures from Galaxy instead of Google Photos! 

Last night, I sent a message asking about switching my membership from a yearly to a monthly subscription to try this platform for one more month! 

Interestingly, I woke up this morning and realized that Medium hasn’t brought me much joy! 

Granted, it was a difficult month! My dear friend died, 2 of my senior dogs have been struggling, and I am sleep deprived! My face is swollen, and my eyes hurt!

I thought about my goals, my purpose, and my heart songs this morning! 

What are my heart songs? My heart has always wanted to write! I have always said I will write and publish a book!

What is my purpose? I believe it is to help others to be the best they can be! My beautiful friend tells me my purpose is to be joyful! 

What are my goals? My goals are to live a magical life, one magical adventure at a time! Manifesting magical days!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I will keep writing my reflections as I listen to my heart songs! I will follow my purpose by following the joy! I will complete my goals through manifestation of magical adventures!

What are your goals? What is your purpose? What heart songs are you hearing and listening too?

Manifest a magical day! 

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Treasures

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Phoyo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I treasure Bear for encouraging me to sit outside each day with him! He barks, dances and insists that we go out together! If I send him out without following him, I get more barking and whining until I finally join him! He is magically connected to my soul!

Sometimes he waits until my coffee is brewed, but not always! Lol! I have often told him I have nothing to write about. He doesn't care! Lol! We still need to sit together! I will always treasure these moments! 

When I mentioned to a friend that I may need to go back to work in order to have things to write about, she immediately set me straight! 

"You will always have something to write about!" 

I decided to put that thought to the test! I randomly chose several pictures that brought me joy when I took them! Pictures and moments I will always treasure! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

These lovely littles grew up in our front yard this summer. Bear found them before I did! I put up a barrier that momma bunny could get through, but my pack couldn't! I felt responsible for keeping them safe! As they got bigger, I  counted 10 little ones! I questioned the location of this nest, but it turned out to be a successful brood, from what I  could tell! 

I treasure the joy they brought to my heart when they hopped away from my front yard out into grassier areas when they were able to be independent!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Even though our weather has been dry we had a fun season of picking berries on our magicalproperty! We fortunately noticed this small patch late in the picking season! I have to admit, I have a love hate relationship with the tall guard stalks the plants send out! They protect their treasure of beautiful Black Cap Raspberries from birds, mammals and me! However, they are serious about their roll in the kingdom! I have battle scares to prove it!

Nonetheless, picking them brought me so much joy as I listened to the sounds of the nearby woods! Memories of the years we have lived here past through my heart! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The colors hidden below the guarding branches were magnificent this year and ever so inviting!  They needed to be protected, so they could go to seed once again, thus continuing their magical legacy! This particular patch was transported to this spot via my heart horse, Jewel. 

We had taken a trip to South Dakota, years ago, during their black cap season! We stopped to eat berries from horseback many times while we were there! He ate as many as we did! This was his pasture at the time! 

I treasure my memories of Jewel, and our South Dakota adventures! I am grateful that this was the year this little enchanted patch of berries decided  to reveal itself to us! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

While savoring the memories of our South Dakota adventures,  this lovely emerald green tree frog, the prince of the forest, appeared magically! He watched me as I cruised through his courtyard, taking some of the beautiful berries for ourselves! I was honored that he allowed me to see him! He was tiny,   quick and oh so elegant!  

A charming moment I too will treasure! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

This last picture of Sir Ollie is treasured because it was one of the last pictures I sent to my late friend! Her horses all can sit when asked! Not mine! So when I  saw Ollie sitting I knew she would smile when she saw it, which brings me joy!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Treasure the moments that bring you joy. Those moments thst cause you or others to smile and allow magical adventures to be remembered! 

What images do you treasure? Are they images of adventures, moments you felt joyful or when your heart was magically touched with a deep loving energy? A treasured memory to hold dear!

Manifest a magical day!

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Clouds

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Clouds have sparked my imagination for years! Throughout my childhood, young adulthood and again now as I heal from my grief after my dear friend lost her battle with leukemia! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

As a child I floated in the water frequently! Either on the river or in one of our favorite swimming pools. While I enjoyed the peacefulness of the gentle waves, I watched the clouds drift by!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I remember pointing out every cloud that looked like an animal, shape or magical formation my imagination congered up! It was a game of hide and seek! I played this magical game with friends, family members, strangers or all by myself! 

As a young adult and mother, I taught my children this game while we enjoyed precious moments in the water!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

 Learning to float peacefully, with an active imagination, is incredibly healthy for the mind and soul! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

After my children became grown adults and moved on with their lives, my hide and seek games with the clouds slipped away! I found peace on the trail, in the woods and within the light of a magical fire instead! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Recently, a friend of my late friend, posted her mystical experience on social media! This heart centered women had just learned of our mutual friend's passing! Her heart sank, but she heard her inner voice ask her to look up! She did! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

When she looked up at the sky, there before her eyes was a magnificent cloud that looked like a horse and rider flying elegantly, just like our talented friend! It was a beautiful image! It brought peace to our grieving hearts! She had made it to heaven! 

Our friend was a magnificent and talented horsewomen! She sent us all a magical gift from heaven! It was perfect! I am so grateful to our mutual friend for receiving and sharing the horse and rider cloud image (not pictured here) with us, her tribe! It was a treasured a very special message for all of our heartbroken souls!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Since that day, I  have been looking up again! I have seen horses, horses and riders, eagles, hands, hearts, dogs and even a unicorn! My magical game returned! My imagination is helping my heart and soul to heal, as I remember and honor my dear friend! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Have you honored your broken heart and soul through your creative imagination? Try looking up at the floating clouds?  What do you see? What do you feel? Does it bring you peace?

Manifest a magical day!

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Play

Rock Reflection Ritual 

We hung my childhood bell up yesterday! Memories of playing in the neighborhood with friends, riding horses in the woods and listening for the bell, the signal to return home flooded my mind! 

Magical memories of my mother's voice  calling us home from playing or dancing with the herd! It was time to eat, do chores or start a new adventure! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Last night the herd danced in the rain,  tails flagging! Nostrils flairing!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

They bucked, cantered about and danced together! Playing in the puddles happily and with such gusto! Pure joy eminated from them!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Silly boys! They called to me to join them in their antics, as I stood next to the bell, watching them dance and play happily together! 

photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Onyx noticed me, acknowledged me and danced for me! Calling to me to join him in his dance!

Like an Arab, with his tail in the air, he reminded me of the Arabians horses I grew up loving, caring for and played with! 

His dance, like the bell, transported me magically back to a world full of adventures, fun and amazing connections with the herd! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The bell, the hearts and the rocks represent many adventures throughout my magically infused life! 

I realize that I have always believed in living magical adventures! I  am a dreamer, living a lovely heart centered life! 

The past, the present and the future are and will be filled with whispering  hearts, rock reflections and magical adventures! 

What transports you into the realm of magic? 

Can you feel the joy, the playfulness and the magic as you live and love your present life?

Manifest a magical day! 

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Angel Wings

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

My dear friend, confidant, and soul sister joined her horses, dogs and several family members on the other side, as she gained her angel wings, Saturday July 15!

She would be humbled and in awe by the outpouring of love on her personal Social Media page! The beautiful stories of her love, kindness, warmth and generosity have been an incredible celebration of her magical life! 

Healing love, for her tribe. A tribe that misses her and is mourning her crossing. Hearts are broken, the crevice is deep and tears are flowing!

During our 20 years of friendship, we each lost loved ones. Horses, dogs, family members and friends! We both had experienced magical visits from the other side of the veil, long before we had met. So, because we discussed everything, this too was discussed! At length! It was beautiful, mystical,  magical and healing! 

These miracles of loved ones sending us signs, gave us comfort during our heartbreaking pain! 

I can hear her now saying, "Guess what?" "I made it to the other side! Did you see my messages?"

Oh yes, my dear friend! I am seeing, feeling and touching them! You are brilliant! 

I saw a license plate HAW 498! I felt it was one of her first tries! He-Haw... we both love horses, and our shared birthday has the numbers, 498 in it! 

I saw it, thanked her and told her, you're learning, but you know, my mom connects with letters and certain birds, and my dad connects with numbers, and other birds! They both use feathers from time to time, too! This is a fabulous start!

I asked her! What else can you do? What is your personal sign going to be? What bird, what sign will represent you? 

She needed that challenge, because now she knew she had my attention! She also needed the feedback! She was beginning to learn exactly what she is capable of doing from the other side! I am so dang proud of her! That same evening, I saw my first humming bird of the season! She loves humming birds! Was it her? It is certainly possible! Time will tell!

Over the span of 20 years, we discussed the abilities we would discover in the afterlife! I don't remember if we ever talked about what our personal sign would be, though! However, we did discuss just how important it is to feel for each other's vibrational signature. How was that going to work? We didn't know, we simply trusted that we would know when one of us crossed! 

We trusted that whoever crossed first would figure it out.  Whoever was left would know and understand! And we are figuring it out! My husband and I had found many feathers over the first 24 plus hours since her passing! In the late afternoon, the day after she crossed, the following event occurred!  

I found another feather just before I left the barn! It was yellow and black. Beautiful. The second one that day. I was smiling, because I knew it was special. As we were walking up to the house, feather in hand, the wind started to blow pretty hard! I mentioned it to my husband! No storm, though! How odd to have a burst of wind, with no rain! 

The wind had somehow dislodged a 4 x 4, it had fallen onto a rock from South Dakota! Her home for most of our friendship! The 4 x 4 had been held tightly between the post and the railing since we built the enclosure for the front steps. We built and decorated it with hearts 💕 earlier this summer! I had no idea that it had come loose. 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I was upset when I saw the wood had chipped the stone! My anger however, subsided quickly upon closer inspection! When I picked it up and held it in my hand, this incredibly beautiful heart shaped rock magically appeared before my eyes! The heart revealed itself perfectly! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I smiled, shed a tear and felt joyful! She did it! What a miracle!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Thank you, my dear soul sister, for sending a heart rock, along with all of these beautiful feathers! Next challenge! Can you create a unicorn?

What signs have you felt, seen and touched from your loved ones who have made the trip over the rainbow bridge?

Have you acknowledged their efforts?

Have you challenged them to do more?

Have you thanked them? 

Are you ready to accept them as a member of your angel team?

If you have acknowledged, challenged and thanked each other, the next question for both of you is often asked! Would you like to accept the angel team contract between your 2 hearts? Free will is always at play. It is OK to say no. It is OK to say yes, please. It's up to each of you, as you continue to have individual free will! As always it takes 2 souls to create a relationship! 

Manifest a magical day! 

With gratitude!   

Rock Reflection Ritual - Battling Face Flies

Poor Harvey has been struggling with face flies to the point we have been extremely worried for him!  

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I have been studying Face Flies and their life cycle!  What I learned surprised me!

I didn't know that they need the secretions from the nose and eyes to produce their eggs! Yuck! 

Once they have the secretions, they lay their eggs in fresh manure and the cycle begins to create more of them! The manure is less than an hour old when they lay their eggs in it! I thought that was interesting! Gross, but interesting! 

The other horses are doing fine, but Harvey has been frantic! Tossing his head violently!

After researching Face Flies I think that they are going up into his nose! We have been cleaning all of the horse's eyes with Witchhazel and Aloe Vera, once or twice a day, especially if they have tears rolling down their cheeks! It has to be incredibly irritating! 

They were also all wearing fly masks until, Harvey couldn't handle a mask anymore! Based on his violent head tossing, we took his mask off!

I have started wiping Harvey's nose with the Witchhazel now, too! This seems to be helping with calming him down! We also bought permythion roll on fly repellent! (It makes me sick, so we are very careful with it!). It does seem to be helping to keep the flies at bay! At least for a little while! 

We bought diachotomous earth to sprinkle on the manure piles, it's supposed to kill the flies and their other life stages! We are sprinkling it several times a day, as we pick the piles up! I used to do this all the time, but I couldn't find it in the large bag, which is more affordable! 

Dan, bought a permytheon spray, too! That hasn't seemed to work at all to kill these flies! It too, makes me sick,  so I wear a face mask when I'm in the barn the first 24 hours! 

Today, we hung a larger fan and a smaller fan, over Harvey's run-in shelter! This gives Harvey a lot more wind to keep the flies at bay! 

Hopefully, this will allow him some peace! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

We spray everyone twice a day with a natural, essential oils fly spray. Sometimes we spray them 3 times! 

I have sticky traps and hanging outside the barn, the traps that cause other types of flies to drown! Not Face Flies, though, as they aren't attracted to this type of fly trap! Errr!

Are we the only ones having a huge face fly problem this Errr! I  don't think so!

The only thing I can think of that is different this year is that we are experiencing a drought this year! Could the lack of rain allow more flues to hatch? I don't know!

I haven't bought fly predators in several years, but I don't think they help with Face Flies! I have an email going out to them today, to make sure! I want to cover all our bases! If they do take care of Face Flies, I will order them again!

It's very hard to watch Harvey struggle!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

I will continue to learn about and  brainstorm ideas to battle these face flies, so our horses can feel calm!

Have you had a problem, you have had to brainstorm a solution for?

What was the outcome? 

Manifest a magical day! 

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Messages

 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Today, I read over most of the Rock Reflections I was inspired to write over the last few months!

Some are amazing, some are not! That is absolutely OK, because the messages were inspired, felt and written down!

Writing again has been a learning experience that brings me, as well as others who feel drawn to my work, a sense of peace, inspiration and an opportunity to also reflect! 

Pondering the messages I received, wrote down and reread this morning caused my heart to stir!

When I saw this arched tree! A bridge with life flowing upwards toward the light, I knew it held a message! My heart had felt it, but it wasn't yet clear to me!

The energy of the light, in this case, the sunlight, brings life! The tree became a bridge, a symbol of transition. 

Why did it change directions? Why isn't it standing tall, like the rest of the trees in the forest? Does it matter? 

Notice how the trunk begins on the left and ever so gracefully arches to the right! Growth from left to right,  insteadofup and down! This tree is stunning, unique, magical and strong! 

It continues to reach for the light, it didn't fall all the way to the ground, it didn't try to go backwards toward the trunk or even try to stand back up! 

It didn't go back to what it once knew! It thrived, it grew and took the change in its direction and turned it into a beautiful opportunity for new growth! 

I suspect it had to take time to heal, after the obvious trauma resulted in it becoming a bridge, instead of just another tall tree in the forest! However  it has become a symbol of transition, hope and resilience to all who listen! 

It inspired me, did it inspire you?

What messages have you received from nature? Were you inspired? Did you feel it and most importantly did you write the message down?

Manifest a magical day! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Empty Tank!

Rock Reflection Ritual - Empty Tank

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

"I am running on empty! I really need a vacation! Lol! Lol! Lol!"

I wrote about, 'running on empty,' a year ago, today! 

As a teacher, traditionally summer was my opportunity to find my balance, renew my energy and in other words, refill my tank!

I wrote this today, on the post from a year ago!

"I retired early, because I was running on emotional emptiness! Thank goodness, I am feeling soooo much better, now! 

I am still working through life emotions, however, I am able to work through them now! 

Giving myself space was huge! I have no regrets!"

Interestingly, the universe is presenting me with opportunities and doors to open or keep closed, almost as fast as I think about or speak my pondering thoughts!

I needed to retire in April. 3 quarters in! I needed to heal, to reflect and find my joy!

Yesterday, in conversation about my retirement, I was asked, 

"What about next year, will you go back part-time or sub?"

My answer was vague!

"Maybe! Though, right now,  I am focused on my writing! "

I pondered this question later! I love teaching kids who appreciate the help and wisdom I share with them! I also thought, kids give me opportunities to remember life lessons, which selfisly I can write about!! Kids can be funny, loving and joyful! If my tank is filled and I am emotionally healthy by fall, I honestly would consider going back! Hmmm!

Today, a possible, part-time and/or subbing opportunity flashed upon my screen! Lol! 

My first thought was, 

"Oh universe, that was fast!"

It certainly is worth exploring! 

I could put Arora, my amazing unicorn teaching buddy, back to work! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

What kind of miraculous magical opportunities has the universe offered you lately? Will you respond quickly or take the time to explore and ponder all aspects before you respond? 

My dad frequently said: 

The gifts are yours! 

Open them, enjoy them, use them! 

Remember everyday is Christmas!  

 

Manifest a magical day!

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner!  

Rock Reflection Ritual - Alone

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

This morning the rock is chilly! I needed to put on a sweatshirt. My hot cup of coffee is welcomed! Bear has joined me as usual! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Morning chores are done! Dan is off-site working and I am alone!

Alone, but far from lonely! I know what loneliness feels like! I suffered from an incredible amount of loneliness in a past relationship! I was lonely even when this person was with me! How could that possibly have happened to me?

I had changed from a confident, vibrant person, into a very insecure person! No one knew how to help me through this incredible nightmare I was living!

The relationship ended, I was still alone and lonely! I had been for years!

Postpartum depression and PMS were not talked about then, like they are now!

My dad actually figured it out! We had gone through (at different times) the same week long intensive counseling program. We spoke the same language!

My dad and my counselor, couldn't understand why I was still hitting incredibly low points. It made no sense! Dad had made incredible changes in the way he treated people, the way he thought and how he felt about life! 

He couldn't understand why I was still struggling? To watch me suffer, month after month, scared him!

Thank goodness, my dad saw the pattern of loneliness, sadness and emotional back sliding, I was going through! He asked the right questions and got me the help I needed!

Today, as I reflect upon my life, the loneliness I once felt and the magical coincidences that led me to this amazing moment in time, I am grateful for the miracle that his love, wisdom and insights led me to! 

Sometimes now it's nice to be alone, not lonely, just alone! I am today! It is great, peaceful and reflective!

When you are alone, are you content or lonely?

May you too, find peace in being alone!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Manifest a magical day!

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Really?

 Rock Reflection Ritual - Really?

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Sometimes I find myself ready to move on to do something else, however my pack of fur babies isn't exactly always in the mood to move on, just yet! 

When they aren't ready, I get the look that says, "Really?" 

I swear, I can also hear them ask, "Do we really have to?"

Yes, my darlings, our Rock Reflection Ritual is over for today! My list of chores is very long today!

The sun is over the barn! I must open the front door at this time of day, to help cool the horses off!

It's summer and so very hot today, they need as much of a breeze as we can give them. 

Photos by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Water buckets need cleaning and filling!

Hay nets will be empty! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The herd is calling, as they are hungry! Can't you hear them? They like their midday snack!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Stalls need picking! They need fresh bedding, too!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Fly-spray must be applied to all of the horses again, or the flies will bite them! We can't have that. 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Image likes to have me scratch he belly! This morning, she had an itch on her leg she needed help with. She may need me to check that.

Photo of Image by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Hope has a fairy knot in her mane! She would like it untangled today!

Photo of Hope by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Onyx always wants to play and show me some love!

Photo of Onyx by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Ollie's eye needs my attention, as it was teary and itchy this morning! 

Photo of Ollie by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The flies have been vicious this year! I need to replace the sticky traps!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The cats need more food, as always! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

The garden is begging for water!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

A zucchini is ready to be plucked from the vine!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

More berries are begging to be picked, washed and frozen!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Though, the list of things I must do is long, I can wait a few more minutes, so you can enjoy the beautiful light flickering through the trees for a few more minutes! 

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

When your loved ones give you the look that says, "Really, must we go now? What is your response? 

Remember our magical memories are created when we listen with our heart and enjoy the flickering light through the trees, for a few more minutes, or do you move on with completing your chores? 

Manifest a magical day!