GOT INSIGHT?

Life is a journey? True
Everyone has their own journey? I sure hope so.
But how do you know you are on your journey?

This week I had reason to ask myself this very question. As a parent I have watch my kids make mistakes. As the child I have made plenty of bad judgment calls. Those calls were my journey. They made me who I am, as a resident of the universe. I have witnessed friend’s journeys and sometime taken parts of those journeys with them. Those too were a part of my journey. But recently I watched something happen to someone I care about and I had to choose if I was going to go on this journey with them or not. That is when a dear friend reminded me of what is below.

There is this Buddhist saying. And I am paraphrasing. We either perpetrate an act against another; the act is perpetuated against us, or we observe (witness) the act being perpetrated.

See, I have a choice as to whether I act against another for good of bad. I can protect myself against an act perpetrated against me or can surrender to that act and grow from it. But how do you stop yourself from feeling sad for those you are observing got through “whatever” it is. Is it my journey to feel sadness for loved ones gown berserk? I obviously can not change their journey. I can’t choose for them. I can advice and guild or assisting that person as I can. The bottom-line, is the decision, so the journey is theirs to have no matter what I wish for them.

So I am to observe and chose how that observation effects my journey. It took me several days to come to terms with that fact. Then it dawned on me that by holding sadness for their choices was diminishing my joy and there by attracting more sadness to my journey. At that moment I wondered who’s journey I was really on? By not living my joy I was living their sorrows. Bam I felt better.

Now, do I think that there won’t be moments when I feel sad to watch? No. I’m not silly enough to think it won’t occur to me that it is sad that this it their choice. I am sure it will pop up in my mind. And even so I am choosing to stand my joy and knowing that will keep me on my journey.

May We all be as One,
Rhonda R Carpenter

The Mark of a Druid nominated for a Pppp…Parsec Award

Welcome Readers,

I am very happy to announce “The Mark of a Druid” has been nominated for a Parsec Award for 2009 Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novel Form). The emails started going out on Thursday from www.parsecawards.com. I along with many of the podiobooks.com authors, as well as podcasters have a big thank you to say to our fans.

The Parsec awards are fan nominated. So thank you for nominating The Mark of a Druid. And you like me maybe asking what happens now? Well, the way I understand it the nominees need to provide a submission to the committee. That mean I need to pick between 1 and 6 samples for the podcasted book. This submission can be no longer than 60 minutes including a new 30 second intro. The drop dead date on this submission is next Sunday.

From these submissions they will choose 5 nominees from each category. The competition is stiff in all of the categories. While I don’t expect to win I am truly honored to be nominated by the fans. From the five selected by the committee one will win. The awards will be announced on September at Dragon Con 2009. Best of luck to everyone.

Now how to choose what to submit? Since I have never done anything like this before I am clues as to how to choose an hour if sections under 6 to give the judges an idea of what the book is about. I mean really with 5 plot lines and 2 time frames in the book I am having a bit of a time picking sections to include in the submission.

Also Podioracket was nominated for an infotainment awards. But Heather and I don’t believe we meet the criteria since Podioracket is not yet 6 months old. So maybe next year but we totally appreciate the nomination.

Best of luck to all the nominees in this years Parsec Awards.

Kidnap the Trailer contest is under way. Grab the trailer today and put it on your face book, myspace, or blog. Tweet or Plurk the link and then let me know on the book website under contest number 9, in the contest section.

Matthew Wayne Selznick on BTR June 25

Mathew Wayne Selznick, one of the spearheads of the DIY podcasting world, will be joining the Podioracket Blog Talk Radio program on June 25 at 2:30 PM Pacific/5:30 PM Eastern. You will not want to miss this one. He is going to tell us all about Hazy Days and Cloudy Nights and what’s new for Brave Men Run.

Keep Writing, I Know I Will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Really simple I am upgrading Wordpress this week and I want to be sure the archives stay in tacked. So please bare with while I get this upgrade done. There will be a blog next week. I will also be adding sever new features to The Got Insight Blog. So come back next week and see whats new!

Blessings,

Rhonda

This weeks Got Insight is about Friendships The meeting of two souls who had or have a connection and how those connections can change in the blink of an eye.

Welcome Got Insighters!

Throughout my life I have called many fine people friend. I have had many teacher and mentors who I have also called friend. While I’m not someone who has a great numbers of people in my inner circle I certainly don’t know a stranger and will converse with anyone. It always interests me when a new friend arrives or an old friend leaves that circle. And I tend to examine the why of it.

I was having a conversation with a dear friend several weeks ago about this very topic. We were speculating on how relationships between friends change and grow and sometimes fade. How they come out of seemingly nowhere at times. You can often feel that you have known the person from another time and place, the relationship is easy and fluid. We were pondering on the spiral of things and how the circle of life is in consistent motion. How the need of one or both parties in the friendship and once addressed you have a choice to build on the friendship or release it. There are times when we come to a place in our journey where we are pulled to help or be helped by another and when we are lucky those needs are met with friendship as well. These interactions help us grow, they expand out knowledge of self and the universe.

Should you be sad when a friend drifts away? How about joyous when a new friend enters your space? I know people who are frightened of new friends and mistrusting of other so much so it paralyzes them into stagnancy. Friendships are often like looking at a road map. Some roads travel the same route for a time and then separate either to never reconnect or maybe rejoin further into the journey.

We draw to ourselves what we need to give and what we need to learn for good or bad. We draw to ourselves those who will help us grow, those who can help us see the truth of ourselves. Some say that others are a reflection of ourselves and I think is very true. But the mirror is a very interesting thing. It reflects and we perceive that reflection as good or bad, complete or incomplete, and like our attitude the mirror can show us glass half full or glass half empty. It is what we do with this observations that is so important.

I guess my point in this blog is that like the Celtic triple spiral-Triskele the featured picture about. We are all connected and flow from the same source. We need to be open to and observant of these comings and goings, the growth and fading of our relationships both causal and intimate. If we don’t look we may miss the lesson and have to repeat the same scenarios as we unconsciously go through our days. When you discover a good friend grow with them. In those situation when the person is not for your best and highest good, let them go lovingly to find their good elsewhere and learn from the relationship so you do not have to repeat it.  

This week be aware of your relationships. You may be amazed at what you see.

May we all be as one!

Rhonda R Carpenter

Photo of my son.

This weeks Got Insight is all about Those who choose to stand on the wall and protect our freedoms.

Welcome Got Insighters!

This may or may not be a politically correct topic. I unusually don’t talk about political things in any blog, but frankly as the mother of a two tour Iraqi vet I thought is was a good day to show my appreciation and I don’t care if I’m politically correct. It never stops to amazing me that a great number of United States citizens can so easily forget those to lay their lives down to secure our freedoms. When my son joined the marines we were not at war and 9/11 had not happened yet. When he came to us and said the wanted to go into the service of his country we were unsure. Not because we objected to the idea but that he was 17 ½ and we were unsure he could grasp the dangers he was about to face, with or without war.

After more then a month of discussion we finally agreed and he scheduled to go to boot camp. He was excited and nervous but proud of his decision. Then 3 weeks before he shipped out for boot camp 9/11 happened and many things in our country changed. Including the level of danger my middle son was about to experience.

Memorial Day has been observed since the time of the Civil War, but it was Lyndon Johnson in 1966 that made this a national holiday. A day set to honor those brave men and women that have laid their lives down to protect out country. Here is to all the solders, firefighters, police officers and others, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of others. Thank you will never be enough.

I also wish to take a moment to tell the readers of a strange thing I have witnessed since my son’s return from serving his country. It doesn’t matter what side of the political debate about the war you are on our solders deserve and have earned our respect and kindness.

Since my son has given up so much to serve his country I thought I would pass on one thing he has told me flips him out every time it is ask of him. He doesn’t understand why anyone would ask this question and feels it is a unkind and prying thing to ask a solder. But he has been asked over 100 times since serving by those who know him and by strangers on the street. “Did you kill anyone?” Yeah, well you can close your mouth now. It is true I have seen it happen. During several of these exchanges I have seen my son go from having a good day to being withdrawn and hurt. We have talked about this at length. Let me tell you it is rude to ask a solder if he had to kill in a war. Why would anyone do that. Stop trying to satisfy curiosity at the expense of someone who should be honored and respected.

Now maybe it is because I am the mother of a Marine, but if I can tell someone is a solder I always make it a point to tell them thank you. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your blood sweat and tears. It is the least I can do to honor those who survived unimaginable situations and returned to their country.

On this memorial day take a moment to send healing to the survivors and a few moments of silence for those who died in the service of you. Maybe there will come a day when war is not necessary and I look forward to that day. But until then I send my most heartfelt thanks to all who have or will serve this country! May we all be as one! Rhonda R Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

This weeks Got Insightis all about is all about what to do with those unexpected insightful situtations.

Hey Got Insighters!

This Weeks Got Insight I have received tons of questions about the gifts I have to tell others what has or is coming up around them. I thought today I would share my thoughts on Psychic ability. In my humble opinion everyone to one degree or another. The more you focus on developing these abilities the stronger they will become and the more attuned you will be. Let’s talk impressions: Do you have feelings or emotions that don’t belong to you? If so, you could be a natural empathy or Clairempath. I often will walk by someone and get impressions, pain or emotions that don’t belong to me and sometime flashes of future events. Even as a professional psychic for over 20 years I still will have to identify the emotion, pain or feeling and entertain if it applies to me. How do I do that? Pretty simple actually. I stop what I am doing, become quiet and take some deep breaths then internally I speak to my guides guardians and higher self (also known as the spirit). Who does this belong to? What am I supposed to do with the information I have just received? Is there anything I can do about the feelings? Many times the situation requires no action from me. But let me give you an example of a time in which action was required. My husband and I were out to dinner some years ago. When entering the restaurant I received this very strong impressions that a car I passed in the parking lot was to be in a critical accident that night. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know who’s vertical it was and was unsure how to find out and once I knew, if I could find out, how do you walk up to a stranger and say your car is going to crash. I think you see the probe lm with being direct. When we were seated the people in the next booth, an older couple, were talking quietly and I didn’t pay much attention. I was frustrated because I couldn’t peg the person who’s car it was. I was scanning the room for some connection. Basically I was trying to hard and not trusting the universe to set it up correctly. Then the husband left the table and with his energy away from the table it was all too clear. My back was to the women and I could see her laying crumpled in the car, but more importantly, I saw the accident and how it would happen. The right front tire exploded, the husband tried to keep control but was unable to recover and slammed into a viaduct. Before I could think I raised my voice and said. “Honey, did you see that blue car parked by the door? I think there was something wrong with the front passengers tire it looked funny. “My husband said well we don’t know who’s it is.” A moment later when the husband returned she told him about what I had said. The husband went out and looked at the tire. Apparently he saw something he didn’t like because he returned and called AAA from the table and they ordered desert while they waited. I felt my work was done. At the very least they had taken action on what I picked up even if they didn’t understand how it had all happened. That action will of course change the outcome of the evening.

May we all be as one! Rhonda R Carpenter

To remember why and honor those Mother’s in your life.© Photo by Rhonda R Carpenter Titled: Deep Creek and was taken May 9th 2009 in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California actually about 10 miles from my home.

How many people does it take to raise a child?

This weeks Got Insight section is about Mothers in tribute if Mother’s Day.

Welcome Readers!

Today is Mother’s Day and while I too am a mother of not only my 3 boys, oops I mean (men), but many of their friends and what I call my adopted kids are also my children. Today it occurred to me that the old adage it takes a village to raise a child still holds true even in a world of broken families, and disjointed communities.

Ancient cultures understood that every member of a tribe or clan played a role in the whole of the wellbeing of all. When we as humans hold a higher standard of caring than concern for our own wellbeing we want to teach children the right things to do. Giving them a positive sense of self and encouragement coupled firm boundaries is the goal. They are no longer disposable they have a place and are our future and truly the future of the greatest mother of all the Earth.

Mothers set the tone of a home and for the first 5 years of life usually (barring the lack of female in the home) are the primary care takers. This in good situations is a bonus for the child’s development and the community.

So on this day we celebrate mothers. We try and honor them. Remind them of the sacrifices they have made and how we thank them for being there for us in what ever way that was. While some may say that this is a commercial holiday I choose to think of it as a blessing. I also like to honor mother earth. When I was about 12 my aunt gave my grandmother a big yellow candle for Mother’s day is said in bold print. If there was no you there would be no me. That candle sat on top the refrigerator for over a decade. It was a daily reminder that my grandmother was at he matriarch of the family. That she set the ton of the family and in doing so made us all better people.

I also like to remember on mother’s day the females that contribute to my daily life. The friend and colleagues that give me motherly advise and yes the earth herself. What do you do for Mother’s Day?

May We All Be As One!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo (c) 2004 by Rhonda R Carpenter (White Sulfur Springs, CA)  

The Scared Grove

This weeks Got Insight section is about Giving back to you the reader.

Welcome Readers!

This week I was on the Dr. Sally Witt show and promised the listeners that this week I would release a new hypnotic session for free. So here it is. The Title is The Sacred Grove. The purpose of this session is to raise vibration, create focus and bring answers.

The exercise its under 12 minutes and is best used before bed at night or when you can be quiet for a while after. Warning: Do not use this session in a moving vehicle or while operating heavy machinery. You can click the following link to hear or to download.

The Scared Grove  and here is the direct link if you want to download it:  http://www.lifefirst.com/gotinsight/thesacredgrove.mp3

A huge thank you to Kevin MacLoed of http://www.incompetech.com/  Were the music was downloaded from. Tons of Royalty Free Music and the highest quality.

Next week this Mp3 will go into the free audio library on the www.lifefirst.com site were you can get many different session for free. Library

To find out how you can get your own personalized mp3 email contact info@lifefirst.com.

May We All Be As One!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

It’s New Year 2009 Readers,

This weeks Got Insight section is about Reaching Out a Helping Hand.

Welcome Readers!

I find that very often in my life I am helping others sometimes that come from purely love the other person and want to help or I see someone in need and can’t stop myself from offering my assistance in one way or another.

Ask yourself are you expecting to get something for helping this others?

If the answer to this question is yes I expect to get something even if it as small as a thank you, then stop. You are helping for the wrong reasons. If the answer is no I don’t expect anything and I would not be hurt or disappointed if I didn’t even get a thank you, Then great. Move on to question two.

Then ask yourself how do you help?

Do you contribute financially, offer assistance physically, lend support, are you available or maybe you pray or send healing to others? There are so many ways to lend a helping hand. How can you be more or if necessary less helpful to others?

Yes, I said less helpful. This would apply to you give so much of yourself you can’t give to you or take care of your needs. And you should always make sure your batteries are fully charged when you are giving back. Other wise is can be a drain on your psyche or even your physical body. If you don’t have it you can certainly try to give it but how will that happen and will you end up resentful and drained?

What is the easiest thing to give that will instantly give back to you?

Common courtesy and a smile. That’s right a smile! One smile can turn someone else’s day around and maybe even yours. Holding the door for someone instead of letting it slam in there face. Being present in a giving way will give back to you without the need for expectation. It will just happen.

So for all you readers out there I want to give you a smile. Let me introduce you to one of the most wonderful creatures in my life. This is Bubba!

He lives in Joy every single day! And his goofy face should bring a smile to yours. I offer you a smile or even a belly laugh in the blog post. Courtesy of Bubba!

May We All Be As One!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Announcements!

The 2009 Contest series is under way at www.themarkofadruid.com register for the new website and your name will go into the drawing for some cool prizes. Go check it out. Podioracket have gone blogtalkradio and you can find the show with some bonus from podiobooks.com authors! http:www.blogtalkradio.com/podioracket. Soon there will be a listener feed at www.podiobooks.com. We have been invited! Woot! Until next time, Take care and give freely with an open heart and a smile on your face!

Photo by Henry Diltz

Greetings Readers,

This weeks Got Insight section is about Easter

No matter you belief about the Easter holiday, No matter your tradition, Happy Easter!

Before Christian religions the Celts and pagan religions celebrated and feasted on this very time of the year. On the spring equinox and after, for the month of April celebrated of the month of re-birth or birth; it is the time of spring when all things are fertility and the ancestors can choose to return to their clans by being reborn. Interestingly enough Easter is often represented by the egg or rabbit who is a prolific procreator. For the Celts Winter has passed and spring makes everything new again and so they would paint the birth colors of the springs sunlight upon an egg and give it as a gift, use them in competitions and hang them from trees. The Anglo-Saxon goddess Teutonic would bless the coming herds, enrich soil for a good growing season and the bring fertility to people of the clans. Hence, making this a calibration about coming out of the darkness of winter into the light of spring, or out of death into life.

In Greek ledged there is a similar tale of Persephone the goddess of the earth who arose from the underworld into the light ending the darkness of winter and bringing the light of spring to all the land.

Likewise in the Christian tradition the resection of Christ is the coming out of darkness into the light. He died and rose again but by doing so brought all mankind the gift of a new beginning and the light of wisdom.

In the Jewish tradition Easter is Passover or Pesach a celebration for the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The theme holds here as well; out of the darkness into the light or out of slavery and into freedom.

I could continue this comparison, but I think the point is made.

Welcome to Spring!

Celebrate life!

Reverie those who have come before and remember what the darkness is so that you can live in the light.

May We All Be As One!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Announcements: There is a new contest at the new website www.themarkofadruid.com and this week marks the first special www.podioracket.com will be producing. Check out www.rhondacarpenter.com when you get a chance!