It’s been about a month since I deleted my Facebook (FB) account. At first, I missed FB. I felt FOMO (fear of missing out). Mainly, I thought I’d miss photos of my granddaughter, Athena. But knowing that I wasn’t on FB, my daughter regularly texts me photos of Athena. Plus, I’d rather see her in person.
There is one thing I noticed since deleting my FB account: I have more peace. My family and friends can text or call me anytime. I’m here for them. But it feels so good to take back my life.
I no longer feel the pressure to keep up with everyone, and I’ve had more time to do things I enjoy. If someone says they posted something, I just say, “I’m no longer on Facebook.” I’m free from any commitments.
The good thing about FB is that I can rejoin at any time. But for now, I love the peace. I’m also limiting my time on all screens – which reduces my anxiety. I create peace. I am peace.
I want to share a heart meditation that I find helpful. It’s from the book “Awakened Sleep: An Ayurvedic Approach to Getting Rest and Unlocking Optimal Health,” by Suhas Kshirsagar and Sheila Patel.
Heart Meditation:
Do the heart meditation anytime after 6:00 pm or before going to sleep at night.
Lie down in a comfortable position.
Scan your body from head to toe. Observe any tension in your body.
Let go of any tension. Take a few deep breaths.
Focus on your heart. Feel any sensations without fear.
Return to your breath. On the inhale, focus on your heart area. On the exhale, say to yourself, “OM SHANTI.”
Repeat, focusing on your heart on the inhale and saying the mantra on the exhale.
Do this meditation for 15-20 minutes or allow yourself to go to sleep (if you do the meditation before bedtime).
It’s a special time to be alive. There is a “Great Awakening” happening. But with this awakening, we need to bring peace and love into our lives. We need to set boundaries and take back our precious time.
Right now, a lot is going on in the world. It can feel overwhelming. But in times of transition, we must go within. The external world wants to drag us down, but we have a choice to go inwards to find peace and love. When we have wisdom, we see all things as impermanent. If all troubles and problems are removed, what remains is our tranquil minds. Remember, all the answers are within us.
We need to be careful with information on the Internet, including on AI (Artificial Intelligence) platforms. I noticed that when working with AI, it doesn’t always give correct information. There are still filters built into the model. Also, it’s becoming difficult to determine what is real and what is not. We need a good dose of discretion and also not to take everything so literally.
Even though it may seem like we are in scary times, it is a gift to be living right now and to witness the transformation of the world. You are alive right now because your wisdom is needed. Each of us can help shape the world.
Last night, I had a fascinating dream. I dreamt that I could fly! My dream appeared to be in the near future. I was wearing some sort of flying saucer around my waist. I also remember it was an option for people to use the device. I had ChatGPT create an image for me:
According to ChatGPT, the flying saucer-like device around a woman’s waist is both futuristic and symbolic. The image may represent freedom, transformation, protection, or a rise in consciousness. Because the waist and core are often connected to balance and personal power, the dream could reflect inner strength, movement, or spiritual growth. Its vivid and unusual nature made it feel almost cinematic, blending spirituality, technology, and imagination into one powerful symbol.
I interpret the dream as futuristic. I think we could have a flying device like the one in my dream in the future. Also, I agree with ChatGPT, I think the waist does connect with personal power. In Tarot decks, the belt is often a symbol of self-control, power, and the ability to direct one’s energy with purpose. The dantian (energy center) is also located in that area.
There are several ways we can transform in a “crazy world.” The main way is to take back our personal time. We need time, away from screens, to reflect, meditate, do yoga, and tap into creativity. At first, it might look like boredom, but with some stillness, you will find ways to be more creative.
We can transform our thinking. It’s easy to have negative thoughts about all the drama in the world. However, negative thoughts bring us down and make us feel depressed. When we have positive thoughts, we feel lighter and more hopeful. We need to separate ourselves from the bad news.
We are living in exciting times! We can replace fear with excitement! How will AI transform the world? Can we make a better world for all living beings? Do we need a little “shake-up” to get to a more balanced world?
I hope these words are helpful to you. May you have peace and joy.
It is time to repair ourselves, the environment, and the world. We are no longer going to be a “throw away” world. We now understand how our throwaway culture is damaging ourselves and our precious environment.
We must repair ourselves. It is time to focus on healing our body, mind, and spirit. We must balance the energy in our body and reduce anxiety. We need more natural light, spend more time in nature, and reduce our screen time.
We must repair the things in our environment. We can learn to fix things instead of throwing them away. It is time to learn new skills.
We must repair our world. It is time to reduce plastics in our environment. We can reduce the plastics in our homes, use natural containers, and become aware of how much plastic we use.
We can buy natural fabrics for our clothing (cotton, bamboo, linen, and wool). They will last longer and they are better for the body (and energy body, too).
Polyester is is damaging our bodies and the planet. It is a synthetic, petroleum-based plastic that releases microplastics into waterways, is non-biodegradable, and can cause skin irritation, allergies, and potential toxic chemical exposure through dyes and finishing agents.
We also have too much clothing in our world. It is time to stop buying clothing and use what we have.
REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE
Immediate Plastic & Waste Reductions Examples:
Carry Reusable Bags: Keep tote bags in your car or purse to avoid plastic bags.
Ditch Bottled Water: Use a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle, which saves money and keeps plastic out of landfills.
Reusable Coffee Cups: Bring your own mug to cafes, as many disposable cups are lined with plastic.
Swap Soap Bottles for Bars: Use bar soap, shampoo bars, and bar cleaners to eliminate plastic liquid containers.
Use Glass/Metal Food Storage: Use glass containers or Mason jars instead of plastic baggies and wraps.
Buy in Bulk: Use reusable produce bags or refill containers to avoid excess packaging.
Shop Secondhand: Buy clothes or household items from thrift stores, which cuts down on packaging waste.
Repair/Repurpose: Mend clothing and repair electronics rather than discarding them.
Alice’s Wonder Spray (all purpose cleaner):
2 tsp borax
1/4 cup white vinegar
Hot water – add to 32 oz. spray bottle
1/4 cup liquid dish soap – add last
20 drops of essential oil – optional
Laundry Soap Recipe:
13 cups of hot tapwater
4 tablespoons of washing soda
2 tablespoons of borax
2 tablespoons of castle soap
You will need one cup detergent for one large load of laundry (adjust as needed).
Preparation suggestions:
Save an empty laundry detergent, water, or milk jug that holds at least 1 gallon. Mark on the outside of the jug the 13-cup measurement. Add all ingredients and shake lightly before each use.
Recommend books:
“Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste,” by Bea Johnson
“Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash,” by Shia Su
About a week ago, I read about a woman who worked at Disney World for over 30 years. She said she noticed a big change in today’s children. She noticed children on cell phones, not even looking up. They were visiting the most magical place on earth, yet not participating. What kind of memories are children creating? Just online shorts and nothing real?
Cell phones foster passive participation rather than active participation. Humans are watching and listening to other people and events. Before cell phones, we actively participated in life. We didn’t just watch things on a device.
We need to define what it means to be human. Also, we need to ask, “How can we live our lives to the fullest? And “What takes away from our precious time?”
The cell phone literally pacifies us. We go on it for entertainment and relaxation. But we need to be careful not to let it take away from living life. Screens also dull the mind and train the brain to accept a mediocre life. Humans are so distracted that they accept not being fully present in life.
And, more importantly, we must allow our children to participate fully in life. They need movement and to engage the senses. Every time they look down at their phone, they miss out on living out their childhood and being in the present moment. A human child needs to communicate, play, dream, and create.
The Internet is just like Disney World. It wants our engagement so it can make money. But to participate, we have to follow their rules. Tech companies have spent billions of dollars to find ways to capture our attention.
The system is set up in their favor, not ours. But we still have a choice about whether we want to play. We are at the crossroads, right now, to still have a choice. We need to make some big decisions on how we want to interact with screens and technology.
Open Mic (Poetry Reading) Chanhassen Library 7711 Kerber Blvd., Chanhassen, Minnesota February 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Becoming a Diamond, by GG
My ancestors are buried deep in the Earth’s mantle Over millions (maybe billions) of years, their remains turned into shiny, black carbon Each rotting body dissolved
from earth to water water to fire fire to air air to space
Eventually, each ancestor became a radiant diamond, taking their place in the twinkling sky
The way to the Earth’s depths requires an inward journey My turbulent mind holds positive and negative thoughts The facets of my life reflect the past, present, and future
The intense heat of my emotions rolls on the whipping winds of a swirling storm Daily stress cooks and bakes me into something resilient
Life’s pressures sculpt something precious inside me And I can be brilliant or dull – the choice is mine
My spiritual jewel is revealed when I become awake to a higher consciousness Through meditation and self-reflection, I polish myself into luminosity I am strong and refined
In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists,
in the midst of darkness light persists.
-Mahatma Gandhi
I love this line by Mahatma Gandhi: “In the midst of untruth truth persists.” No matter what happens in life. No matter how many lies are on the surface. The truth exists at the core.
There is also a truth that is within us. One way to find this truth is to come back “home” to ourselves. The word “home” contains “OM.” There are so many distractions in life that we need to intentionally find the truth within us. Meditation, self-reflection, silence, and yoga are ways to find this truth.
Technology is changing the way we think and function. We must reduce our screen time. Engage with screens and technology in small doses. Each time we are on a screen, our brains change (our phones may be using technology that we do not understand right now). The dopamine hits light up certain aspects of our brain, which creates addiction. We need to figure out a balance when engaging with screens.
In the documentary “The Social Dilemma,” I recall Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and futurist, discussing the crucial need for humans who are not manipulated to sit down and have a conversation. He is referring to people whose brains are not addicted to or manipulated by screens. I understood that he said this because we will need humans with normal brain function to make life-changing decisions. People who have become zombies will be of no help.
Also, we must not give children iPads or smartphones. Children are our future, and they are becoming zombies. The human child needs to play, dream, imagine, create, and have space. Screens are rewiring their brains to become addicted, distracted, and have less focus and concentration.
One of the goals of meditation is to learn to focus and concentrate. Screens are the opposite of meditation. The distraction of screens takes us farther away from ourselves. As humans, we need to come back home to ourselves.
We are at a crossroads right now. Each adult needs to do an assessment with their phone, computer, or any other screen. Ask yourself:
How do I physically feel when I’m on my screen for more than an hour?
How does my brain feel after scrolling on my phone?
Do I feel dizzy when I’m on my phone for too long?
In my day-to-day life, do I feel distracted and impatient?
Do I have enough attention span to mindfully listen to someone in person?
Are my emotions more severe after spending over two hours on my phone?
I know that I physically feel dizzy and nauseous if I’m on my phone or computer for too long. I actually start to feel “unwell.” Therefore, I know that phones and computers are unhealthy and dangerous to the human brain.
I still use screens, but in small doses (like radiation, which it is). I do not allow any technology, including my cell phone, in my bedroom. I turned off all notifications except text messages. I also find ways to disconnect by doing art projects, practicing yoga, meditating, exercising, or reading. I also enjoy phone-free conversations with family and friends.
We can find a way to balance our screentime. We need to have normal brain function without manipulation and addiction. We need to find the truth within us.
Mother prepares a canoe. The canoe is ready to bring me across the lake to a new land, a new life. I ride alone with the pull of the magnetic moon. I feel the blue waves pressing. I see the illuminated darkness around me. I am drawn toward the bright light. I am not afraid. I arrive in the new land with my head first and a demanding voice. Then I grow every day, and I look at the shining moon above. I see the yellow sun set on the horizon each night. I experience life. Then, one day, Mother prepares a canoe. It’s ready with love to take me back across the waters to the other side. I ride alone. I am not afraid. The shimmering moon pulls me back toward the night sky. The white lights guide my way.
I chose to write about “Two Canoes” because it brought back a memory of one of my hospice patients. As he neared his death, he would say, “It’s almost time to get into the canoe.” He said it with quiet acceptance.
About eight months ago, my friend Roxanne, whom I’ve known for 25 years, told me about a trip she wanted to take. She wanted to join the 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope to Rome, Italy, from October 24 to November 1. She found a tour group and asked if I wanted to go. I had planned a trip to Peru at the end of May, so I said no. She invited another friend instead.
Then, about a week before the trip, Roxanne called me. She said her friend and travel companion had pneumonia and canceled the trip. She asked if I wanted to go. I said I would need to check with my husband and ask for time off from work. I was cleared to go on Monday, October 20, but the tour group did not approve the change. On Tuesday, October 21 (three days before leaving for the trip), the tour group accepted me.
Roxanne said it was meant for me to join her on this trip. She had many people praying that I could go, and everything fell into place at the last minute! I had three days to pack—it was a whirlwind! Thankfully, I had everything that I needed since I just traveled to Peru.
Before the trip, I thought about why I was going. I knew one reason was to be Roxanne’s companion. I travel a lot, so I could help her navigate airports and the city (this was my third trip to Rome, and it was Roxanne’s first). There was also a spiritual reason. I wanted to connect with the divine feminine and pray for my family.
During the trip, I connected with my Catholic roots. I also witnessed in every church the crowds were around the statues and paintings of Mother Mary (the Divine Feminine). It made me realize, whether conscious or not, the world is returning to Mother God.
During my meditation, I contemplated the reason why I was going to Rome. The message was clear: Beacons of Light are going to Rome. I would join many others in bringing loving light to Rome. Many times throughout the trip, I mentally put a bright white light around my body. I projected love for the divine Mother.
Rome is the Rose—the foundation of the Catholic Church. The powerhouse of spirituality and human direction. People put their trust and hope in the church. I was in the papal audience, with thousands of other people, at the Vatican. I looked into Pope Leo’s eyes (if it really was him), and I could see the responsibility and even the burden of people’s trust.
I am not the same Catholic girl that I was in my youth. I have opened my eyes to see that many roads do lead to Rome. I am a yogi who believes in the power of my own salvation. Even Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is within you.”
Ancient Rome is the foundation of the original architects of Tartaria. The Catholic Church puts its stamp on all the ancient buildings. The world of deception is breaking down. Now it’s time to remember.
Although I have distanced myself from my Catholic upbringing, I still believe in the power of prayer. While I was in Rome, I prayed a lot. I prayed for several family members and the world. I prayed in 12 churches during my time in Rome. The tour group also prayed the Rosary almost every morning.
The first Mass of the trip was at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, near the Vatican, which dates back to the 12th century. I felt connected to this old church and all the history. I felt the holy spirit in my heart and the expansive divine.
Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia – Photo by GG
Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia – Photo by GG
My favorite church was the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a massive church with huge columns and high, golden ceilings. My friend, Roxanne, said it was like a “taste of heaven.” I could feel the spacious, healing energy. I realized that there is divine intervention and it’s not just fate that plays a hand in our lives.
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Photo by GG
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Photo by GG
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Photo by GG
There are threads of truth in every religion. The truth is about seeking balance, harmony, and peace. It is about consciousness and wisdom as a divine pair. We are on a spiritual journey toward divine light.
Consciousness is the “Christ” that Jesus taught us. Many Eastern religions teach us to let go of the ego and connect with a consciousness that merges with divinity (the Universal Field). Additionally, to transcend the ego, we must seek solutions that benefit humanity. It is the cosmic dance. Humans are part of a greater whole.
We must also humble ourselves because we don’t know everything. When I looked at the majestic buildings and churches, I realized that there was much about our past that we do not know. I felt happy to be on a Pilgrimage of Hope. As human beings, we can change, and there is hope.
According to Wikipedia, a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place that can lead to personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. I do feel transformed. I feel calmer and more accepting of all aspects of life.
The energy in the world is stronger. We need to protect ourselves from outside energy. We can do this by purifying the body, mind, and spirit. Eat healthier foods, exercise, do yoga, limit screen time, and connect with our spirituality.
To clear negative energy, we can use sound, just like our ancestors did in old churches—bells, singing bowls, musical instruments, and the voice. Be careful with your thoughts. Meditation is the best tool to clear the mind. We have limited time on earth, so we need determination and wisdom.
Tunnel Vision 8 