The Anatomy
of a Feather in Your Proverbial Cap
When a Native American Indian had slain an enemy, he was
given a feather to add to his headdress. In more modern times, the English
idiom has taken on a more peaceful tact. Now, when one says, “You have added a
feather to your cap,” she means that you have added an accolade or talent to
your life.
I had a friend named “Two Feathers.” He was obviously
Native American Indian. He died an early death. In my spiritual community in
which he was very active, many people would find two feathers while mowing the
yard, on a car, drifting in a garden. We often shared how it seemed that Two
Feathers had tried to communicate with us from the other side that he still
existed and wanted us to understand he was still with us. The finding of the
two feathers to this day carries with it an auspicious feeling. I always know
that when I come across one feather, another will soon arrive to manifest Two
Feather’s presence.
Feathering in Photoshop
is to gently blur the edges. I have used this tool to mask background images,
so that a flower or a face will pop out of the picture, as if it is the main
focus.
Feathers in Mine Craft are used often to put at the end of
an arrow to make it more beautiful. Also, colorful feathers are used to help
find the arrow, once it has been withdrawn from the bow.
Scriptures say that God will, as in Psalm 91, “cover you
with his feathers” to protect you. Does God have feathers? I believe that in
this verse, the writer was indicating that God appeared as an angel with
feathery wings. The allusion is for God to hold you under his wing in times of
stress and trouble. A few other verses exists that talk of eagles feathers, as
well.
Feathers have long been used to delineate power, glory,
and beauty. I have a couple beautiful feathers tucked in a small plant on my
dressed and often decorate my Christmas tree with lush black and gold feathers.
Feathers are incredibly strong and yet amazingly flexible,
as well. To allow both lift and forward movement by a bird, feathers can bend
at almost a right angle. Feathers are made of a shaft, called the rachis and the vanes on either side. Vanes are made of barbs and arranged side by side up the shaft of the feather. Barbules grow from the barbas, which have tiny hooks that
interlock in a similar way to hook-and-loop fasteners.
The short bare part at the base of the shaft is called the
calamus. If viewed crossways, the calamus is basically hollow. An opening
exists at the very tip of the base where the blood supply entered the feather
when it was growing. Once a feather is fully grown, though, the supply of blood
is sealed off and the feather, itself, becomes dead, similar to the ends of
human nails.
On most flight feathers, the vanes are unequal length.
This gives feathers the ability to twist under air pressure. The large flight
feathers are attached to bone by connective tissue and have little or no down
at the base. All other feathers are attached to muscles below the skin.
What I find most interesting about the facts of feathers
on birds is that once they grow to fullness, they actually die. So, birds fly,
sail, and swoop down from the sky with utmost accuracy using dead feathers. I
wonder what this metaphor in nature would indicate to us, as most humans have
dreams of flying like a bird, light as air, sailing above troubles and earthly
problems.
Today as you digest the amazing truth about feathers,
share with me any stories you have that might help all of us understand more
truth about these amazing creations.
______________________________________________
Go to Week 3
of the “Year to CLEAR
Challenge”
_______________________________________
Below is information that I will be sharing for about a
month, as not every person on my list reads the blog every day. If you have already
read it, just skip over it. Thanks for understanding.
A
Year to CLEAR Challenge:
(Please Know: You Can Join Us At Any Point in the Year
Challenge.)
The masses search outward for things that qualify them as a
person, but I always go inward for that which quantifies me for greatness. At
twenty-five I preached on street corners in NYC as an in-the-closet Pentecostal
minister. One day I heard a still small voice say, ‘God cannot be contained in a
book or a law or even in a religion. Dig deeper, reach further to find me, and
you will find your authentic Self.’”
A Year to CLEAR Challenge!
The acronym CLEAR
stands for (Compassionate, Loving,
Enthusiastic, And Relationship-Ready). The goal of this project is to
engulf readers in a weekly study that will transform them by removing blocks,
promote self-growth, and give them wings to fly freely into daily life. Each
week, by going to BoSebastian.com and choosing the Year to CLEAR Challenge tab,
a new challenge or thought to provoke conversation, growth, and group
functionality.
My vision is to make Finding Authentic You the book to
have in your Kindle or on your computer. The book is a comprehensive look at
growth—spiritually, mentally, and physically.
As a yoga teacher and student of the Ayurvedic tradition, I bring
to the table understanding of physical challenges, the ability to overcome
mental problems with Life & Health Coaching, as well as hypnotherapy, and
expertise in meditation and spirituality as a minister.
The combination of all three in one book with an interactive
connection to like-minded readers, for one year, is what makes this Year to
CLEAR Challenge a must-do for every spiritual seeker.
The One-Year Approach to Change
No one believes he or she can change overnight. But success in
change comes from the metaphors of nature. Seasonally, life changes all around
us in nature. Finding Authentic You offers a gradual change perspective,
looking at the triune aspects of change as in yoga: Body, Mind and Spirit.
Accessing the
ability to change and finding
yourself actually pursuing change must be a daily search, which I call
getting to the “observer mind.”
In this frontal cortex of the brain we find the anatomy of
change and the power to counter every negative trigger of the human process. The
workings of Hypnosis, NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) and EMDR (Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing) are all positive actions to help the mind and
body flow to a positive space for change.
Every aspect of FINDING AUTHENTIC YOU fulfills this
constant need for diffusing the negative past and dreaming of a fulfilling
future.
Step 1: Recognize That Change is Inevitable
Step 2: Release from Resistance
to Change
Step 3: Understanding Change and Allow Spirit to Define It
Step 4: A History Lesson—About You
Step 5: Look at Your Past with Compassion
Step 6: Making a Strong Commitment to Change
Step 7: Dream Your Fabulous Future
TOOLS FOR CHANGE:
Go to Storefront to buy any of the following or make a
donation to Finding Authentic You: www.shop.bosebastian.com
·
Introduction to Meditation
·
Smoke Cessation mp3
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Weight Loss mp3
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Hypnotic Lap Band surgery Mp3
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Insomnia mp3
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Eternal Om mp3
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Meditation Music mp3
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Guide to Meditation mp3
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Healing the Body mp3
·
And my “Lessons from the Heart” book ready for
your download purchase.
Go to Home Page: www.BoSebastian.com
* * *
Bo Sebastian is a Hypnotherapist and Life & Health
Coach, available for private sessions to QUIT SMOKING, Lose Weight, New
Lap-Band Hypnosis for Weight Loss, CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! at
615-400-2334 or www.bosebastian.com.
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Also, be looking for “Finding Authentic You, 7 Steps to
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