A world of 360 Changes

I am not going to sit here and waste my time nor your time explaining why I haven't written in so long.  So basically I am going to get straight to the point.  Our world as we once knew it has done a 360- three times over!  I look around when and if I decide to go into public and see many people wearing mask.... some don't wear mask, but the biggest thing I have notice and (I speak for myself in this scenario) is hardly any of us look at each other anymore.  There are very seldom any smiles, we are living life behind a mask and the only place we seem to feel safe these days is in the privacy of our own homes.  I could go on about this but I believe you get what I am saying.

Than there are those of us that have to be in public (in my case two days a week) because of WhiteOak Art Designs & More and that is my personal saving grace.  That is one the place that even if my customers wear mask, I can still feel their smiles, see their beautiful energies and although I still wear my safety mask, I feel the privacy of my own home.  Many of you know that my spiritual path is as important to me as the air we breathe.  I have fell, I have tried to close down, but my gifts are part of my life.  I see things, know things, share things, anything and everything I can do to help others.

One very important thing I have learned especially recently with the way the world is, and how the planets are aligned which my friend Steven can explain better, it is causing a lot of shit to surface and it is completely throwing me for a loop along with countless numbers of other people that are near and dear to my heart.  So hear it is in a nut shell, the big five letter word KARMA!!

Oh, how Karma is a bitch and a half!  Many people that walk a similar path as mine, are noticing it more and more everyday.  You can run from many things in life, but Karma and death always will find you.  Yes, I know it is morbid thought, "death" but lets face it, we all will die.  Back to the point here... when I mentioned earlier how I see and know things like many others and we try our best to help the other person to see... often it is a 50/50 draw.  Either the person listens or they don't!  In all of the case scenario's there are lessons that need to be learn, and those of us that try to shield others from pain and hurt, but they REFUSE to listen to us, in the end, We the spiritual people hurt just as bad as the other person, often worst!

I have come to learn that common sense is a precious gift that many are not born with, but could indeed be one of their life lessons.  Common sense says.... if there is a fire in front of you, if you cannot put it out, call 911.  Don't run into the fire to get a pair of shoes.   Listening is another gift. Ever since I a very young child I would sit with Elders and listen to their stories.  In a sense I guess you could say my grandmother was my best human friend when I was a child.  (Yes, remember in other stories I have written, I talked about my little spirit friend I had).

I was not being selfish when I said above that the spiritual people hurt just as bad as the other person, often worst.  When we tell someone something, it is not cooked up in our inner cauldron, it is messages we are given from the Divine Source!  You could even chalk it up to intuition, or common sense.  When you see trash, it is trash!  Right?

When we do things to try and help people, and turn around and get shit on over and over again, it is not because we are dumb, or like being shit on, we care!  We don't want our loved one to suffer, we don't want them to go through the hell we did.. and often its in our own minds that we are the ones that are fucked up and take the blame for others actions, although it really isn't our fault. We tried our best to help, we tried our best to explain things to them in kindergarden language, and they still refuse to listen.  So what is the point, do we give up? Do we just throw our hands up and say what the fuck ever? OMG, that would be so easy to do.  But No, we suffer the ordeal with them, we try over and over and over again of ways to get them out of the mess they got THEMSELVES into.  

There are big hearted people in the world, and their people who actually do not give a shit about hurting other people nor care about what the other people have to go through.. its all about the "What about Me" game.  Well, In closing know this .... I did not get up this morning and plan on writing.. I was sitting outside and heard a woodpecker, and the ancestors told me I needed to write about this topic.  So here it is... Understand, we can only help people to a certain point, from there its up to the other people, because when Karma steps into the picture, there is not a damn thing we can do to help.

Have you walked in my Shoes?

There have been so many times in my life where people feel they can just talk to me about anything.  I really feel blessed in that department, because although I have F**ked up a lot in my life time, I try my very best to keep things to myself when people talk to me and about my own personal life.  There is ONE episode someone told me something, and I repeated it to someone not because it was gossip but because of my ego and fear was afraid that person would love someone else more than me.  That is not something I talk about, it happened many, many moons ago... and I am still paying Karma for it, in my heart and mind!  That is a situation I will never be able to fix,  I know that, and the others involved know that. But in that process it taught me a huge lesson, a lesson that to this day I live by.  

With the exception of that ONE episode, people truly do talk to me about some of the most amazing things, and also things I wouldn't know what to do about even if I could try, but that is some where we will not go... for sure!  Anyway, Lately, sickness, lost, being unbalanced, depression, mental disorders, and many related things have been told to me, shared with me, and the common denominator of everything is need for understanding why things are happening the way they are.  In my last post I wrote an article called Why if you are interested in reading it. This post is along the same lines but not exactly... this post is about "Walking in someone else's Shoes".

Many of us can speculate, relate and think we can understand what someone is going through.  But actually, it is not until you are able to walk in that person's shoes could you truly understand... And since it is almost impossible to walk in another person's shoes... the bottom line is we really cannot understand to the full capacity of what someone is going through. 

Many of us know people online and off line, that is battling different types of cancer.  I know what it is like to take care of someone with cancer. I know how tired a person can get, both physical and mentally.  I have seen the excitement of remission, and the sadness of death from cancer.  We feel, we give compassion, we give support, we do everything possible that we can do to help.  But the fact remains, those of us who have taking care of a loved one with cancer, do not know the horrible feeling that goes into your body with chemo.. or the horrible feeling after the treatments.  We sit there for hours watching our loved one sleep peacefully under a warm blanket while chemo is slowly being injected in them.  We cry for them, with them, we scream in silence because we want to be brave for them... but we are not wearing their shoes, nor are we able to hear their silent screams of fear and worry. 

Mental illness, disorders or however you want to refer to it, is the same thing. When you are battling a mental disorder, I have actually heard people say to others... just stand up, dust off your ass and move on.. often they feel that depression, anxiety and other mental disorders are self inflicted attention grabbers.   How F**king ignorant people can be!  So those with mental disorders, just decide to go to the grocery store... trying very carefully to go down isles where there are no people just to have a battle of anxiety hit them... where they feel like their heart is trying to jump out of their chest, they break out in a cold sweat, or their legs become weak and their hands start shaking.. just to get attention?? Get F**king real! Or what about the days, a person gets up, feeling drained, tired like they haven't slept in a month, they have no energy to do anything, do not want to see nor talk to anyone?  Are they too trying to grab attention?

However, what about those times when a person speaks very bluntly to another person.. and that person becomes shocked and thinks you flipped your damn ass, because they cannot understand why the other person is so upset with them? People cannot understand what a person is mentally going through or thinking, unless you are walking in their shoes AND AGAIN that is impossible to do.  Many artist, writers, spiritual people and yes, healers... have different outlets that they try to use to help other people understand what could be going on in their mind... sometimes people can somewhat understand, other times they just don't.

People with mental disorders, and/or diseases like cancer... have to train their mind to see and hear 'life' differently than the quote, unquote normal people. There are very, very good days, and there are very bad days for people who suffers with disorders/diseases.  The whole point of this blog post is just to say, please do not think people with mental disorders are just out there to get attention..  Mental disorders are real, they are hurtful, you suffer terribly, you hurt the ones you love and you damn sure are not looking for attention.  

Each of us who deals with things like this, understand each and every one of us, deals with things in our own way... a way that is right for us as individuals.  Right, Wrong, Indifferent, it does not matter... We are trying to survive the best way we can.  Yes, I fall under this category... others who suffer the same thing as I do, understands none of us will ever know what it is like to walk in other peoples shoes - at best we can relate to the circumstance the best way we can.

Why?

In life we often wonder why... Why do things have to be this way, or that way.  Why do some beliefs entwine with each other sometimes in a soft gentle flow and other times it feels like they are drowning in quick sand with nothing to hold on to.

Sometimes, I think maybe it is acceptance... we become bias to the fact that what "We" think or feel should be the way others should think or feel.  And when that does not happen, a vicious cycle of chaos echos so loudly in our minds we often feel like we are lost or walking a road with no end, nor no beginning. Why?

They say blood is thicker than water... in a sense that is true; in reality... symbolically speaking it is a crock of shit. We all live this life walking different paths, there is nothing- not one damn thing wrong with that.. actually, that is the way life should be.... but because one person thinks, feels, hears, and/or sees differently, than why all of a sudden does life become so chaotic? Again, "Why"?

How often do we bite our tongues, in fear of saying the wrong thing, to the wrong person? How often do we speak our minds not really giving a shit who hears or who don't? Life, with its array of chaotic energy gets tiring... why bother to try this, or try that.  Say this or say that? Why? Why? Why?

Life is filled with two kinds of people.. those who see and those who don't. Those who hear, and those who don't. Those who accept, and those who don't.  Online, behind these screens- that tap into the huge world of everything.. a person can say, do, pretend all they want... who cares?  Often if people begins to get too much shit, they just change their online name and start all over again. But in the end, you will say, or do something and people will begin to realize who you are.

When you are younger and Elders say things to you like, you will understand once you grow up... or you will see - the older you get the less you begin to care.  Who cares if you do this, or do that?  What many people do not understand is; this is all true.  The older I get, the less I give a shit about mind games and people being assholes.  I stay in my little world, and I am okay with that... but when people start treating others different or badly that I care for, that changes the game.

What defines family, or relationships? Acceptance? If so, Why? In order for anybody to be comfortable with their self, they need to be able to look into the mirror and be okay with who they see.  If you are a hater and you can still look in the mirror and can be okay.. good for you! Karma is a bitch! No matter what path you walk, there is some kind of karma always waiting, it does not matter what you call it, its all the same F**king thing!

I am not totally convinced mankind is capable of unconditional anything. Many people would like to think they are... but they are not.  Somewhere in the back part of their mind they keep track of the times you have F**ked up.  I do not believe I am capable of anything unconditional... I would like to believe I was, but I am not. That's why I love my two furry children so much.. I can scold them, and although it may hurt their feelings after a few minutes they are right there giving love again.

So why? Why write this kind of post? Because today, I am truly tired of a lot of bullshit and sick of wondering why!! I have messed up a lot in my days, and I have lived up to it, I have paid my karma and I am still paying my karma, but you know what... the bottom line is, when I look into the mirror, I am okay with who I see!  Stubborn, Yes! Strong Willed, Yes! Pretty outspoken, Yes! Try to take people's feelings under consideration, Yes! But never try to bullshit me-or fest up in front of people and back away like a coward when you are alone to me ... I actually feel sorry for folks like that!!

Do you ever wonder why?

Path with Many Branches

I have been on my path for many, many moons, and throughout that time, I have studied many different pagan beliefs.  I do NOT and I can promise I WOULD NEVER follow just one thing. All of my life, I have been like a sponge wanting to learn everything I could. Have I paid for it down the road, oh hell yes I have! Have I changed anything? Hell No!   People will always fear what they do not understand.  If they do not have the courage to read and study about beliefs.. so fucking be it. Not my problem. I live my life for me, I am the one who will walk the last mile of my journey alone.. so what damn difference does it make to anyone how I decide to live my life?

I have many different kinds of friends,,all individuals, all unique, all their own person. Do they live by socially rules? Maybe sometimes, maybe not.. its their business.  That is the thing, most people cannot get into their minds.... each of use are different, many of us will never be a little sheep, following others to fit in. Who gives a shit?  I remember in school, all of the girly girls wanted to sit around so they wouldn't get their clothes dirty, while others didn't care. If that is how the girls wanted to be... so what? (Oh, in case you are wondering.. I was not one of those little girl!!)

In the past two weeks, I have had a ton of reality issues slap me in the face, and guess what.. that is not fun. Will I get through it, yeah, the best way I can. Will it change me... in some ways yes, it has-not so much changed as my eyes have been open to a lot things, things I believe I have chosen not to see. But I will not change a damn thing about myself to suit anyone, group, opinions or situation.

Now I will step off of my soap box, and share a few things I have going on at my shop this weekend.  I have a lot of different items that fits 'Most' paths, not all.  At the moment I am trying to stock my hoodoo section.  This week I will be adding Spikenard Cologne, this Jackpot Money Spray, A few more Hem Air Fresheners... I am adding several new herbs, I have made Yemaya Powders, charged for Fertility. Really.. there is just things being added each week. 

For all of you that visit the shop Blessed Solstice!! I hope you have a beautiful weekend.  I hope I am on your list to come visit me... until than.. Sending all of you many hugs!!!

For those who do not live near me, I do have an eCrater store:  WhiteOak Art Designs & More  I do not a fraction of what my store has but if you are looking for something not listed on the site, I am sure I carry it.  Hopefully, I will have my site updated one of these days (laughs).

Blessed Be,
WhiteOak

It has been way to long!

Hello World!  Remember me from a zillion years ago, when I use to blog all of the time? Good grief where do I even begin to start telling you about all of the changes in my life since I last spoken to any of you!

Well, as you can see, I do not write a fraction of what I use to, I do not do as much photography or art, wow I do not even do YouTube videos anymore (although I am thinking about starting that again). *Laughs* okay, but that does not mean I just sit on my ass and do nothing these days!

I actually have a wonderful little store that holds my heart and soul. It is only open to days a week, yet I work seven days a week on it?  WHAT?  Yeah, I am always doing things to my shop. So let me tell you a little or a lot about it.

I used to have a shop years ago at J&J Flea Market called "EarthCrafts" but I closed it and went through a HUGE life change.  In 2014 I lost my husband to Cancer, and stayed a year in limbo, went to therapy and finally started to get my shit together in 2016. 

In April of 2017 I opened a new store back at J&J Flea Market except this time it is a dream come true! I have the kind of store I have always wanted and could not have ever gotten it to the point where it is without my guy David!

WhiteOak Art Designs & More is the name of it, It is a Goth/Spiritual Store. I sell everything from skulls to herbs.. hoodoo to angels... It is actually my heart and soul.  I have met some of the most fantastic people, customers who are now friends. I have a wonderful Tarot Reader his name is Steven.  I will write a blog post telling you the story of how Steven and his partner James have become such a huge part of the store... James often shares it with the customers. 

Let me share a few links with you:  WhiteOak Art Designs & More on Google,  I still have my eCrater Store online, trying to get it updated but not enough hours in a day sometimes.  Plus I have another online store called Ethereal it is a complete new line of body care. This is my business Facebook Page.  And this is Steven's Facebook page. 

Just to show you a few pictures:

So that is a tease of a few things I have in the store. I believe I will write my next blog post focusing on the Hoodoo items I have for sale.   Until next world... please leave a comment, or drop by if you are local or traveling through.. If you click on the Google Page, you can get directions to the shop no matter where you are.  

We are who we are....

We ARE who we are!

I have not done a blog post in a long time. I have created a YouTube channel, I have opened a little store off line, I am back to making my skin care products (this time a lot different than before) and so many other things.  It seems like I am trying to make excuses why I haven't written anything lately, but truly that is not the case at all.  I have been very busy doing a ton of things  and I have a Sh*t load of stuff on my mind.  However, this morning when I got up, for some reason I was lead to do a blog post, and yes, I will be doing a YouTube video on this as well.. but let's get started on this post!!

Everyone that reads my blogs, or watches my YouTube videos are pretty much aware that when I was on a site called Squidoo (now closed *sad face* ) I wrote a lot about the Goth subculture, helped to promote small  Goth businesses and shared my views, thoughts, and love for the Gothic subculture!  Here is what brought me to writing this article.... over the weekend, I had someone come into my shop and yes, they were a little on the Goth side BUT with a twist!! As I was talking with them, and they were looking at me with these non-emotional eyes and (*laughs*) the energy was well ... different-I felt I needed to get this off of my chest (so to speak)!

So okay, let's start with that...what Goth's ARE NOT! Well, here are my views.. FIRST and foremost, you DO NOT get up one morning and decide you are going to be Goth. It is NOT an outfit you wear, or the color of your hair, skin, or your clothes.. it is a way of life. It is a part of you, not a separate entity.  Goth is NOT pretend, or a fantasy world adventure.. it is a life, a community of people who love things outside the box of the majority of the other people.  And most important they are an extension (my opinion only) of the Victorian Era. So, yes, I believe each of us are born the way we are!

Goth's see beauty where often others wouldn't.  There is a pull or a draw to more individuality, creativity, living decor, and yes style.  Goth love what many consider to be cold, gross, scary, and aloof.  Not all Goths are satanist, not all goths are vampires (real vamps not tv/movie drain your blood version) AND not all Goths are manic depressants who live to comment suicide. 

Most Goth's (in my opinion only) do follow a pagan path that is made of MANY different beliefs.  Yes, you will see a lot of Goth's that wear black, blood red, dark purple and other darker tone clothing... Yes, you will see a lot of Goth's homes decorated with a lot of black, unique Victorian style bedding, pillows, bats, skulls, ravens, and sometimes coffins! (the list is endless) Does that make the Goth subculture EVIL?  F*ck no it doesn't! Holy Shit batman... is a person evil because they are not afraid to express their own individuality? See life their way? Isn't that our birthright? 

To the best of my knowledge, I do not believe each and every human needs to see life the same way.  We are all different, WE ARE WHO WE ARE!! Does that give haters a right to beat-up, bully, and yes folks even KILL people who do not fit in a square box that is closed off to the rest of the world? And flipping this whole thing around.. some Goths believe if you are certain age you are not considered Goth-because you are way too old! Or, if your hair is not black, if you are not this or that, that means you are NOT Goth. (Again, Bullshit).

I do not find it necessary in life to wear a label of who or what I am. What I love, don't love, how I decorate my home. People know who and what I am its all over my home, and myself. I do not hide it, or try to cover it.. See the person from my store this past weekend, did a reverse judgement on me.. but what they don't realize is, that little episode will never make me change who I am.

On YouTube, I have a friend who supports this organization called Goths For Sophie.  This beautiful girl named Sophie lost her life (beaten to death) and her boyfriend was hospitalized  just because they were expressing their own individuality and were Goth. This organizations main focus is to help create respect and understanding of subcultures in the communities.  There are Others on YouTube who created a hashtag #createnothate. All of this is done to help ease down all of the damn hate in the World!

See, I am not saying anything different in this post, that isn't already written out there over and over again. But I also feel and I know many others do... each and everyone of us will continue to write post like this, create videos with hashtags that are against hate.. in hopes that one day.. people understand is okay to be WHO WE ARE!!

Do you have problems sleeping?

ZzzQuil

What keeps me up at Night? I have a mind that will not stop thinking. It seems like most of the nights the hardest thing for me to do is settle my mind to a quite state so I can get to sleep.  ZzzQuil truly helps to relax me in a way that is natural.   It is an Non-Habit forming sleep aid, so I do not need to worry about getting hooked on it.  One of the things I love the most is the fact it gently puts me to sleep almost naturally and I DO NOT get up the next morning feeling like I have a hang-over!

I have taken ZzzQuil for a while now and honestly can say I really like the product.  It does not make you space out or feel like you are drunk.. instead it is just calmly makes you fall asleep in a way that seems natural.  It is hard to explain really.  Regardless, this is a product that I would suggest researching and trying if you have a hard time getting to sleep in the evening.  I usually take the liquid form but found the LiquiCaps are easier to carry with you when traveling.

I believe enough in this product that if you have a sleeping disorder, ZzzQuil is worth researching to see if it can work for you!!  If you would like more information about Influenster and perhaps become a member please click here!

Please Note:  I received this product sample complimentary for testing purposes.