Down to Earth

Greetings. I hope you are keeping well. The above pics, taken somewhere deep in the hills of England, were sent by our regular contributor, Chris. He took them a few days ago, during one of his hikes. Please enjoy.

Thirty years ago to this night, (28th October), while coming home very late from the hospital where I worked, I was set upon, and overpowered by thugs. They broke my skull, cheekbone, and several teeth. A shard of skull pierced my eye, and my brain was exposed. Shortly after, I was back in hospital, only this time lying in intensive care. I was acutely aware when I was Cheyne-Stoking, and knew that my life was ebbing away. I knew when my heart stopped. I heard the cardiac monitor, and the anxious voices of my medical team, all fading fast into the distance.Ā 

Next, I was somewhere very different. I was completely free from pain, and found myself enjoying a rather elevated sense of mental awareness. In this calm space, I held a conversation with a wise soul, who told me that I had the choice to go on ahead at his side, or return to earth, if I was willing to face severe pain, and several other challenges that would ensue.

In that moment, there was no question in my mind that the happiness of my earthly family mattered more to me than any difficulties I might have to face. I elected without hesitation, and with my deepest gratitude, to return to mission earth. Heaven, after all, is eternal, while the life of the body is, by comparison, but the blink of a blackbirds eye.

I required three operations. It took nearly a year to put me back together. I was informed that my eye would have been lost if I hadn’t had the extreme good fortune of having one of this country’s top eye surgeons.

And here I am, thirty years later to the day, telling you all about it. I hope you don’t mind. If I learned anything that night, it was knowing what really matters the most in life. And,Ā I just so want all to know there is nothing to fear when your conscience is clear.

With thanks to all who stop by. Ā I really hope you enjoy these posts. Though I find it quite a task at times to keep up with everyone, know that I’m still here at my keyboard, pacing myself as the day allows. Perhaps the coming new year will bring more energy my way.

Until next time, peace from Amras.

ā€œIf you live decent, what do you need with lucky charms?ā€

Nora Batty.

Photography Ā©C.H.

The Inspiring Blogger Award

 

A bolt from the blue, Ganesh (Ā Known is a drop, Unknown is an Ocean)Ā has very kindly nominated me for The Inspiring Blogger Award.

This has been a pleasant and validating surprise, I can only say thank you very much indeedĀ Ganesh.

 

Rules for the Awardā€¦

 

1. Thank the person who nominated you and write a post about it.
2. Share 7 things about your Self.
3. Pass the award on to 7 to 9 blogs you enjoy, link to their blogs, and let them know you nominated them.

 

7 facts about me:

 

1. I am a classically trained musician.

2. Many years ago I reached 7th Dan in martial arts, it took 25 years. (Nowadays I couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag!).

3. On 28th Ocober 1989, after a massive head injury, I experienced clinical death, which included anĀ NDE.

4. Before qualifying for Counseling, I spent 33 years withĀ theĀ NHSĀ mending broken bones for a living.

5. I have experienced great loss, homelessness – and an ongoing and miraculous rebirth.

6. I studied Buddhism with various teachers including Ā Samye-Ling Monastery in Scotland.

7. I am a lifelong amateur astronomer, my father bought me my first telescope for my 7th birthday, I still have it.

 

 

It is very hard to squeeze my favourites down to just nine, I get inspiration from so many wonderful blogs. But needs must, so these then are the bloggers I would like to nominate for the Inspiring Blog AwardĀ :

 

RoysBlog

The Nahmias Cipher Report

Rashid’s Blog

naturephotorehab

retireediary

Manipal’s Photo Blog

advocatemmmohan aksharaalu

Waking Spirals

Nonoy Manga

I would love to have included so many more, but for now many thanks to all you good souls who have supported me with your likes and comments, I am honoured by every one of you.
Namaste, Amras.

A Solstice Celebration

Well, here we all are. We made it to the all important 2012 Summer Solstice. Congratulations everyone.

Just six mini-months to go until the next Solstice. And then, hold tight! another spin around The Milky Way.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Luthien!

Sunset 16th June 2006

In 2006, a few days before the solstice,Ā Ā we were invited to attend a concert at Stonehenge. Ā It fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine to visit the stones. Up close, the stones feel warm, alive, and friendly. Ā I got out of my buggy for this pic.

I’m very fond of crows, and while thereĀ I made friends with this little fellow.

This was romanticizedĀ very simply on ‘windows paint’. I made two copies of my original photograph, with one image rendered out of focus. Then an easy process of judicious erasing and superimposing. And there it is. I hope you like.

Ā©Francis Moloney:2006-2012.

Return of the Mac

Return of the mac. It’s good to be back. I had prepared one final post for last week, but curiously, it erased itself! It described the snow and sleet gently pattering on my window. Yes, the month of May isn’t what it used to be in the UK.

As for me, well I was too unwell to make the journey to the hospital, so my consultant is waiting on my blood tests after a home visit by a nurse.

Excitingly, ten days late, my niece gave birth to her son, Jack, on the morning of the eclipse. Our family has been blessed indeed.

Thank you too to those who supported me during the last few days, and to the wonderful new friends who looked in. Now, down to posting stuff. To avoid overwhelm, I will henceforth post just three or four times per week, (excepting if the muse demands), rather than daily.Ā  Also, like many of my peers, I will, perforce, spend less time answering mails. Ā I will post more art, travel pics, and metaphysics as time unfolds.

Lastly, I hope everyone is coping with their painful ongoing symptoms, we are built to endure, and we are good at it.Ā  Understanding our ascension process is key, and only together will we break on through to the other side.Ā  (Thank you Jim.)

So then, as today is a surprisingly pleasant day, I felt a trip to the garden was essential, and I hope you like these spangling fresh pics.

Namaste.

Photography Ā©Francis Moloney: 2012.