View Spirituality with Humour

There is often a misconception when it comes to 'spirituality'.

Spirituality is often viewed as serious, all "kumbaya my lord", or just go and hug a tree. It's much more than mere words, it's more than fluff, and it is does not have to be strict and confining.


When we place 'shoulds' and "shouldn'ts" to spirituality, it creates more belief systems and boxes, thus creating the opposite effect of what true spirituality does. Sprirtuality frees the mind and frees the soul!! It is a state of just being.


A huge part of that beingness is laughter.


Embrace your inner child, don't take you or your life so seriously!


We are here to play.


Laugh a whole lot!


Just be.


~ Angie Mammoliti

 

Lessons from Nature


I was sitting and listening to the beautiful sounds of nature, paying close attention to the individual notes that the birds sang, within their marvellous orchestra of songs. I was listening to all the different notes and tones, each with their own unique sound. I then concentrated on one particular bird. I used all my senses to perceive the sounds. I went beyond the sense of hearing to the point where I could almost taste his melody. I became one with this magnificent being. I felt a deep connection between myself and this tiny messenger. I then understood the nature lesson that my new winged friend brought to me: a message of oneness. I felt a deep connection to all of nature and then was reminded of the oneness of us all, all creatures big and small. I had previous understood this in theory, and I have felt this truth before however, this time I felt as if I became the birds song. I felt his chirp deep within my soul, resonating and vibrating throughout my whole being. I thanked my dear friend for reminding me of a universal truth that sometimes is muted by our minds loud chirping.

I then continued to listen to the music of the birds and observed three birds. They appeared to be getting upset with one another, chirping loudly almost angrily, pecking at one another. One bird flew away, while one of the other birds followed him. The bird that originally flew away then went to another tree, appearing to want to be alone. I then was reminded that sometimes we just want to be alone. Others may want to sing their song with us, but sometimes we just want to momentarily sing our solo. I was reminded of another lesson through nature. I saw the beauty of respecting someone the space to sing their solo, until they are ready to return to the duet and to the orchestra at large.

When I was listening to the individual sounds of the birds, I could hear the different tones, and it reminded me of another lesson: that we all have our own unique tone, in the beautiful orchestra of life. We all, like these individual bird tones, have our own story to tell. Question is, when was the last time you truly listened to an individual’s story/song, free of judgements, allowing the others magnificent song to be heard, completely free of your own perceptions and internal noise? If you haven’t done so, I encourage you to practise this exercise. Provide them the opportunity to just be and you will see the beauty and mystery in their melody.

I continued to sit in the honour of being in the moment, when I was greeted by yet another nature friend. A gorgeous butterfly flew by and sat right beside me, presenting me with the gift of their presence. I was in awe by its beauty, and I was taking in all of the amazing colours of its wings. I watched its wings flicker quickly. I then became overwhelmed with the experience, and I began to weep. At first, I allowed the tears to flow and did not judge nor question the reasoning behind the sudden out pour of emotion. I allowed myself to just be and feel, and release these emotions. I then decided to observe, without judgement, the source behind the tears, and what I found was yet another lesson from nature. I felt universal love for and from this beautiful creature. I felt, once again, the love that exists through the connection of us all. I continued to weep, feeling the intensity of this beautiful love. As I sat there in silence, my eyes remained fixated on the butterfly. I noticed that his wings were no longer flicking quickly. They had slowed down to an almost still state. I intuitively felt and understood that the butterfly was listening and observing me sobbing. He remained almost completely still until my weeping ceased.

Another nature lesson followed. The butterfly reminded me that I too have become a butterfly. I have metamorphosed into a butterfly, when I was once a caterpillar, crawling through life, keeping it low. I then went into a cocoon, to what I thought was protecting myself from the ‘dangers’ of the outside. What I did not understand at the time was that this cocooning was stunting my growth, separating myself from the outside beings. While I was in this cocooned state, I then began to observe the inner states and got to know who I really was. I began to transform.  I then realized the beauty of simply allowing the natural transformation to occur. Once I accepted the inevitable change that came from looking within, I allowed the process to unfold. I embraced the inner change, and then I formed my wings. The visit from this butterfly taught me another nature lesson…that we are both the caterpillar and the butterfly when we accept that inner change provides us the freedom to fly.

I moved my foot and it seemed to startle the butterfly. He flew away and I said, “Oh sorry, don’t go.” I became momentarily saddened by his departure. Then, another nature lesson came to me. Just as this butterfly, sometimes people come into your life for a moment, to provide the opportunity to be reminded of our metamorphic nature. We at times what to grasp on to these messengers. However, as the butterfly, they too have wings and are free to fly as they may. Some come into your life for a sheer moment…to provide to the clarity and unique lesson. Pay attention to what that message is and thank them for coming into your life.

As I was writing this article, another bird came close to me and was chirping quickly and loudly. I stopped writing to listen to his message. I then said out loud, “Hi, How are you? What do you have to tell me?” He instantaneously became silent. I observed him as he turned his head from the left to the right with an almost surprised expression that he was being talked to. As I continued to speak to him, he chirped slowly and quietly, in a fashion that appeared to be responding to me. I then laughed to myself that if someone was watching me talk to the bird, they would have thought I lost my mind. I was then provided another lesson from nature. Even if people say that you are crazy, just be anyway. Follow your heart in the moment and dare to listen to and be guided by your intuition, especially when it steers you away from what is deemed as the ‘norm.’ It is in those moments of perceived madness that births the most magnificent clarity.

I then continued to dialogue with my bird friend. I noticed that when I had stopped speaking to him, he began to chirp loudly and almost angrily. When I started to speak softly and gently to him again, he had gone back to chirping quietly again. Another nature lesson came to me. Sometimes people go around chirping loudly, precievably madly to the wind. Sometimes what they need is someone to hear their song and speak softly to them. I was reminded that everyone wants to be heard, and sometimes it takes just one person to provide them the gift of being heard.

I sat in the sun in absolute awe and gratitude to the beautiful visits and experiences that these beings of nature provided me with. I am grateful for all the lessons they reminded me of. I feel the ever expansive oneness of all growing within me. My prayer for you all is to feel this too. Just stop and listen to the song of nature and watch the synchronicities unfold around you. What do their lessons say to you?...

From my soul to yours to touch you in our true unified brilliance,

Much love,

~Angie Mammoliti

 
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