by Charles McAlpine | May 24, 2015 | Blog
What is your experience of our ever changing world? Does it seem dramatically different than it did a few years ago? Or, is it the same old status quo? Different day, same challenges and opportunities? To me, it feels really different! I feel different. And the majority of me loves the shifts and changes I sense or feel. While a part of me longs for the days of predictability and a time of stability. If you are like me and can feel or sense the energetic changes that our planet is going through; What are some of the ways that you notice these subtle shifts (or even not so subtle!). It seems like a good practice to stay aware of what feels like it is evolving. What no longer resonates, and/or what does. One thing that seems noticeable these days, for me (and for a number of people in my life) is our relationship with the authority figures in our lives. Doctors, therapists, lawyers, elected officials, police, clergy, financial or business leaders, and others who have a specialized area of focus or responsibility. We rely of them for their expertise. But the way that we have relied on them has become out of balance. We have given them too much authority, control or influence in our lives. For a long time we simply trusted what they said and followed their instruction to the letter. But many, if not all of these authority figures are losing their sway and influence over us. Their message or directions no longer feel aligned with us as individuals. This does not mean they are...
by Charles McAlpine | Apr 19, 2015 | Blog
One morning this week, as I was enjoying my morning coffee outside, I realized I was contemplating a large tree that holds court in the back corner of our yard. As I thought about it, I realized that it wasn’t even here when we moved in 13 years ago! Instead, in its place, there was a beautiful, gigantic ocotillo! It was the biggest ocotillo I have ever seen, about 20ft tall and thick! It would have taken 10 people with arms spread wide to surround this beautiful desert plant! And when it was in bloom, with its intense orange tops it looked like the whole thing was on fire! It was gorgeous! After we had lived here for about a year, I noticed a small branch with a few leaves on it, sticking out of the ocotillo at eye level. Because of the thickness of the ocotillo, I couldn’t see where it was coming from… So I asked our landscape guy about it. He said a small tree had taken root in the center of the gigantic plant. I asked him if he could take it out? He indicated that they would have to destroy such a big piece of the ocotillo to get it out, that the ocotillo would never look the same. Apparently, if you cut away part of one of these plants, it doesn’t grow back the same as it was before. I decided to let nature take its course. The desert can be harsh on plants. I assumed that the tree, which is deciduous, would probably never survive. I imagined that the ocotillo was so...
by Charles McAlpine | Jun 15, 2014 | Blog
You know, I think I figured out why I don’t read a lot of spiritually based books! They seem to be filled with RULES! Things you “must” do; things you should “never” do; things that are “only possible if”… Rules! I am reading a good book that is very thought provoking in many ways. In some cases, I love the concepts that are presented. In others, their view or perspective just doesn’t resonate. Almost always it is in an area where they have laid down the rules and have stated emphatically some requirement, or series of dos and don’ts. In this particular book about evolving consciousness and becoming more aware; they are talking about what happens after we die, and also the journey to enlightenment. They discuss past lives, dimensions, levels of consciousness, and many other topics that are interesting. However, they write about them as if they have the one true perspective. I realize that for me this feels arrogant and very limiting. Say for example their perspective is that we live multiple life-times, but they also say you “should never” focus on exploring those lifetimes, because it is a distraction and will prevent you from doing your real spiritual work in this lifetime. Well first of all, what if I didn’t believe in multiple lifetimes? What if I do, and by exploring these lifetimes I come to know and understand more about the choices, patterns, habits and behaviors that are playing out in this lifetime? It’s just an example, but these rules do nothing to support our personal and unique journeys. None of us, even if we...
by Charles McAlpine | Jun 15, 2014 | Blog
You know, I think I figured out why I don’t read a lot of spiritually based books! They seem to be filled with RULES! Things you “must” do; things you should “never” do; things that are “only possible if”… Rules! I am reading a good book that is very thought provoking in many ways. In some cases, I love the concepts that are presented. In others, their view or perspective just doesn’t resonate. Almost always it is in an area where they have laid down the rules and have stated emphatically some requirement, or series of dos and don’ts. In this particular book about evolving consciousness and becoming more aware; they are talking about what happens after we die, and also the journey to enlightenment. They discuss past lives, dimensions, levels of consciousness, and many other topics that are interesting. However, they write about them as if they have the one true perspective. I realize that for me this feels arrogant and very limiting. Say for example their perspective is that we live multiple life-times, but they also say you “should never” focus on exploring those lifetimes, because it is a distraction and will prevent you from doing your real spiritual work in this lifetime. Well first of all, what if I didn’t believe in multiple lifetimes? What if I do, and by exploring these lifetimes I come to know and understand more about the choices, patterns, habits and behaviors that are playing out in this lifetime? It’s just an example, but these rules do nothing to support our personal and unique journeys. None of us, even if we...
by Charles McAlpine | Jun 8, 2014 | Blog
Consciousness, evolving, awakening, transcending, ascension, transforming, expansion, becoming more aware. These are all terms that are associated with our spiritual journey. Some are catch phrases for particular groups, while others are used more consistently and interchangeably. But why, for what reasons are any of us spending anytime on these at all? Thomas Gray said “Ignorance is Bliss”. These days that expression is used to justify apathy towards circumstances, subjects or events that surround us. However, it can also be used as a way to stunt our own personal evolution. If we don’t take the time to look under the covers to see what is going on; then we don’t have to do anything about it. But there is a catch! Consciousness is always learning more about itself. It is the very nature of All-That-Is. When and where there is comprehension, there is a natural curiosity that desires to know more. We humans have a tendency to think that we ARE Consciousness. This has been part of our folly. The mineral kingdom, plant kingdom and animal kingdom lead the way, and are still part of the more that we are becoming. As a matter of fact, remembering that we are in a symbiotic relationship with them is an important part of our current ‘awakening’. But we must look beyond the planet to understand the vastness of Consciousness. The entire Universe is constantly in a state of learning. We are part of something so vast that it impossible to fathom, and we (Humans) are not at the center of it. We know that it shifts and changes constantly. It...
by Charles McAlpine | Jun 8, 2014 | Blog
Consciousness, evolving, awakening, transcending, ascension, transforming, expansion, becoming more aware. These are all terms that are associated with our spiritual journey. Some are catch phrases for particular groups, while others are used more consistently and interchangeably. But why, for what reasons are any of us spending anytime on these at all? Thomas Gray said “Ignorance is Bliss”. These days that expression is used to justify apathy towards circumstances, subjects or events that surround us. However, it can also be used as a way to stunt our own personal evolution. If we don’t take the time to look under the covers to see what is going on; then we don’t have to do anything about it. But there is a catch! Consciousness is always learning more about itself. It is the very nature of All-That-Is. When and where there is comprehension, there is a natural curiosity that desires to know more. We humans have a tendency to think that we ARE Consciousness. This has been part of our folly. The mineral kingdom, plant kingdom and animal kingdom lead the way, and are still part of the more that we are becoming. As a matter of fact, remembering that we are in a symbiotic relationship with them is an important part of our current ‘awakening’. But we must look beyond the planet to understand the vastness of Consciousness. The entire Universe is constantly in a state of learning. We are part of something so vast that it impossible to fathom, and we (Humans) are not at the center of it. We know that it shifts and changes constantly. It...
by Charles McAlpine | Nov 17, 2013 | Blog
I graduated from my 13 week program for small business owners this past week. What an amazing program it was… And all sponsored by the City of Phoenix. This program was such a huge gift in so many ways. It was just what I was looking for. And of course, as with many things in life, it has also been a complete surprise. I often say that no one learns or grows more at Storm Wisdom than I do! We all create the situations, relationships and circumstances of our lives to bring us the awareness and experience we are searching for. In this case, as much as what I have learned will help the business of Storm Wisdom; the personal growth it offers me, is even greater. I am smiling to myself, because as I write this, I realize it may seem like I am saying “I have already mastered the lessons offered through this program”. That is NOT what I am saying! In fact, in many ways, it is just the opposite! I have gone from not knowing what I don’t know, to knowing what I don’t know! And what I don’t know is a LOT! From unconscious incompetent to conscious incompetent! 🙂 This is a good thing! Because now that I am aware that there are things for me to become competent in or with, in order to continue to evolve and create my dreams. It feels like there are pieces of a map that have been revealed that will influence the direction(s) I take. This is how life works! In the past I might have punished...
