Shrew Brews: Beer with a side of Chocolate!

This week’s brews are from one of my absolute favorite Portland, Maine breweries, Allagash Brewing Company (Allagash.com)!

Allagash crafts Belgian-inspired beer, their best known is Allagash White which I enjoy drinking from an ice cold glass with a lemon wedge floating on the top…this brings out the citrus and spice undertones very nicely 🙂

However, last week I went to visit their tap room on Valentine’s Day with my husband Stephen to celebrate our love and participate in the annual beer and chocolate pairings known as BEER HEARTS CHOCOLATE benefiting the American Heart Association. My favorite this night was their JAMES & JULIE Flemish style sour brown ale, 6.7% ABV. Mahogany in color with aromas of raisins, cherries and caramel iced sugar, it paired very well with dark chocolate that was topped with a slice of candied ginger…MARVELOUS! Stephen’s favorite was the Allagash White, 5.2% ABV, paired with milk chocolate having a crispy peanut filling…AMAIZING!

The Hibernal Fluxus 2017 paired with chocolate covered coconut and the Coolship Red paired with white chocolate covered raspberry were very enjoyable as well.

The atmosphere was cozy and inviting for a February day. I am looking forward to spring and the opportunity once again to drink a flight in the lovely Maine outdoors at the Allagash Brewing Company.

We’ll be back soon!!

Shrewd Awakenings: River of Choice

Is it really about guns?

I am deeply saddened by the tragic events at the Parkland, Florida high school on Wednesday. My heart goes out to all the families that are affected by this violent act. I know that the whole country is mourning the loss of these innocent victims. Sudden death at the hands of a human being is mind boggling. How can a human being be capable of such a crime?

In my previous blog, The Archetypes of the Human Spirit (a series of 12 posts beginning on November 15th ) I relate about choice and the consuming nature of loss and/or failure…

I think archetypes like the all-consuming Monster Fish in the River of choice can offer a glimpse into the subconscious and why horrific acts by humans will and do play out in real time. Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung understood that the human subconscious grapples with the dilemmas that are experienced on a daily basis. In most cases a person can deal with loss and/or failure by knowing that supportive and life affirming family or spiritual support structures are present for him or her. Bad and irregular thoughts or dreams occur but are usually placed aside because reality is a manageable experience in this case.

But what if a person is out of touch with their “spiritual self” and reality becomes a series of experiences or choices that negatively affect them to the point where it becomes all consuming? As if being eaten by a monster fish, the resulting by-product is either becoming the monster itself or being the excrement that flows into the ocean of despair. The “monster” in reality feels the need to play out its revenge. By the same token, the “excrement” can seem to be lost forever, recycling from river to ocean to rain and back to the river. In order for tragedy to not befall the victim or victims, awareness about these subconscious conditions must be present. I believe that this awareness can only be imparted by an “interceptor” such as the archetypal Guide.

One must have faith that this guide represents a forward path to hope. This is why spiritual connectedness to our Devine nature is so relevant. We all bear the responsibility of empowering each other with the knowledge of this connection. To not have any idea about your Devine nature and subsequent Devine purpose within humanity’s context is another tragedy altogether…

Shrew Brews: Cheers!

Good news from the land of Shrew!

I am introducing my new feature called “SHREW BREWS” which is a natural fit for my Female Pricipled Blog. How is this a fit? Ever since Eve took a bite from the apple of the Tree of Knowledge, she was also searching for the Kernel of Truth…Hense barley was discovered, and Adam was right there to share in the discovery! The duality of good and evil unites in a positive proposition 🙂

Our American tap rooms are our new social anchors for men and women to gather, imbibe and contemplate on beer, fellowship and fun. The variety of favors and capacity to create can never be too much in this market where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.

So I invite my readers to share in my discovery of unique brews, breweries and tap rooms from around this great country. And I encourage you to share your discoveries on this topic as well…

CHEERS!

The Quarry Tap Room

Established 2015 in Hallowell, Maine, this bar and grill is adding to the lively spirit of the Main Street character. My choice of beer this day was Kona Big Wave, a golden ale from Kailua Kona, HI. It was no doubt due to the mounds of snow outside that I was feeling a bit in the mood for some beachy weather and this brew did not disappoint. The flavor was light bodied with a subtle hint of fruitiness. Just right for an early afternoon.

There were 30 beers on tap….quite an extensive representation from around the globe actually, but some great representation from Maine too. I could only stop in for a brew and a bite, but I wish I had had more time to hang out. The food was fine, the atmosphere better. The quality live entertainment seemed to make time fly.

Brew on!!

The Shrew View: Of the Extreme Fringe

Party platforms only define party principles, not rules or laws.

The Shrew blog focuses primarily on the human capacity for emotional maturity, openness as a condition toward wholeness, fortitude and humility. The application of this human capacity is what I call the Female Principle (FP). The Shrew blog attempts to show how the FP can strengthen all human relationships.

Today I would like to point out the absurdity of the Republican vs Democrat showdown in Washington D.C. When did our representatives come to believe that their constituents want to dwell on the extreme fringe of each of these parties? I don’t care if our President is Donald Trump or Donald Duck, representative government is not about the parties, it is about the people that they represent who are diverse in many ways. Party platforms only define party principles, not rules or laws.

In my I’m Shrewd post of February 3rd I attempted to point out how liberals are doing their best to slander conservatives as evil. I contend that when either side is focused on elevating their platform as the only path to America’s solutions we all lose. For instance, during the Obama administration I observed a very liberal progressive agenda formulated by the Democrat run majority Congress. Don’t get me wrong, I like progress. In fact our country has been continually busting out of its tyrannical shell since the Revolutionary War. But the American Dream is not about progressing government managed benefits as in the Democrat ideas of universal health care, government funded higher education and unrestricted welfare. These seem like courageous acts until you discover that once government is in control, taxation increases and private funds dry up leading to job loss and wage stagnation.

The Republican ideas are no better. For example during the Bush administration Wall Street regulators were not doing their jobs. Oversite on banks especially where mortgages were concerned was severely lacking. The conservative idea of everyone owning their own home was a farce. Not everyone is prepared to own a home especially when banks intentionally poison the fiscal well. “Fast” money, just like “free” stuff leads to consequences for the working class and cause the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. A shared principle for both parties and all Americans could be this: “People of all backgrounds are free to actualize their own successes through a culture of emotional maturity and fortitude (FP).”

Washinton D.C. shows us time and again that their smoke screen is unreliable. Law makers must have humility and openness as a condition toward wholeness (FP). People and not parties are best equipped to handle daily struggles which are necessary in personal growth and freedom to achieve. The Federal Government simply needs to provide the clear oversight to allow ingenuity to take place at the local level. And people at the local level must advocate for each other with love and community support.

The President is a person elected for a short time to protect and uphold our democratic principles. The Congress represents state’s rights and ensures civil protections. Our states are incubators of innovation for all their residents. And we the people live out our dreams in relation to our community goals. It works when we work together.

Let’s be a nation of ideas that reinforce our strong work ethic, and move away from childish partisan politics that stir our emotions. It’s the only way forward…

I’m Shrewd: On Polarized Governance

“…dispel ignorance and cooperatively create solutions.” – The Shrew

I would have to say that most Americans enjoy living simple lives that do not involve much thought on politics. I too was amoung that dynamic for a very long time. The closest I got to anything political was the voting booth during election time. I considered my vote to be an educated vote. For the record, I am undeclared but occasionally will pick a party to be able to vote in a primary. When I became a City Councilor, I was happy that the candidates ran as nonpartisan members of the community. This experience gave me a clearer picture of how an average person can have impact with economic and social issues of importance. I have since gone on to volunteer as president of a Main Street board as well as hold positions on the Economic Development Commission and the Transit Committee amoung other things.

Today’s polarized governance at the Federal level seems to me to be a far cry from what most Americans want. We can accept that a binary political machine is the one that exists for practical purposes, however, the lack of middle ground that is needed for solving national issues is currently unacceptable. Why is this polarization happening? I think it is because the Democrat side thinks they are the only party that can act morally on behalf of Americans. They devote their words to standing on the side of love, claiming to have all the answers. No one else should question their motives. They would like everyone to believe that decisions involving guns, global warming, taxation, education and health care are best suited to only the Democrats.

But wait! What does this do to the Republican party? Does this mean that the conservative side is evil because they have different ideas? Yup…That absurdity is indeed where we are today. “Conservatives are Nazi racists”…Sound familiar? I always thought that conservatism meant following the Constitution along with loving thy neighbor as thyself. I’ll get into this critique in an up-coming post.

Our human existence is based on the very nature of duality. It is the highest order of ignorance to not see that this duality helps us develop a healthy sense of humility and compassion for one another. No one side can be absolutely correct. If we believed this then we would be living in a Dictatorship.

The U.S. Constitution laid the foundation for a governance system that brought us out of tyranny. This is why neither the President nor one political party can remain in lifelong power. Our two party system should debate ideas strictly within their constitutional boundaries, oversee a tight federal budget, and be accountable to their constituents who in turn take care of their local issues. Solutions must be created cooperatively otherwise we will regress into chaos and tyranny.

Wake up Washington DC! Work together for the common good. It is what you are there to do.

The Shrew View: On Security

“…peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security.” – The Shrew

Women anywhere should be able to come together joyfully to celebrate their collective wisdom and achievements. I am, however, quite dismayed by the now annual women protest marches across the U.S. that promote a so-called resistance. In our representative democracy we the people have a voice and a vote in our lawmaking process. Transparency and inclusion during the process is what sets our nation apart from many other democracies. It amazes me that our country is as big as it is and, in general, works cooperatively to achieve progress in everyday life. So what are women resisting and why am I not at a city square marching amoung their ranks?

It has been my experience that peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security. If the “resistance” is about protesting President Trump’s policies of increased boarder security and transparent participation in International affairs (as well as other things), then does this mean that women don’t want peace and prosperity? I will admit, I honestly did not believe that Trump had the brains to implement what he has done so far, and still at times I believe his brains are lacking. But his results to me demonstrate a cryptic sensibility (this must be because he has no sense of the Washington political machine). I contend that Hilary would have continued the same covert Obama tacticts of “say this, but do that” just as long as the “victim class” believes it will make us a better country. But how? This ambiguity of course is based on a moral relativism that only appeals to an emotional base. Recall that Obama didn’t solve the illegal immigration issue while the Democrats had control. Women should not give their power over to government elites AT ALL!! Women as much as anyone must be smart enough to know that personal choices are protected in our nation; it’s the consequences of those personal choices that are at issue. Ends do not justify the means in our country. And “justice for all”, not “justice for some”, is in our pledge. If we can argue the Constitutional protections clearly, we have all we need to demonstrate progress for social change.

You won’t find me at a resistance rally…Instead you can find me working directly with my local community, actively engaged with citizens of varying beliefs and traditions, working cooperatively on local matters, and reaching out to my representatives. It is hard work to dispel ignorance and create solutions. It is not a one day soap box event!

Shrew U: The Faceless Being and Hidden Treasure

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 12

Archetype #10 – The Faceless Being

“Courage is the pure light of truth through which the Self must act”

An animated tree symbolizes the Hero, that part of your Self that is willing to leave the protection of the soul. If the soul is “immortal”, then to leave this immortality is a courageous act. There is risk in relying on your authentic Self and not your Ego as you confront your dragons. Notice that the animated tree also holds what appears to be a sword. This sword is your light of truth, and this truth points the way to hidden treasure.

Are you the Hero of your metaphysical journey?
Can this type of hero also be compared to what we call a prophet?
What Prophets in human history exemplify this type of journey?
Why do you think that you must let go of your Ego in order to take this journey?

Archetype #11 – Hidden Treasure

“Continue to seek the inner gifts that call you forward.”

Where the end of a rainbow meets a path there will be found a treasure of your making. Some say that this treasure is “God’s will”. God’s gift to humanity is the individual’s capacity to find meaning in his or her humanity…EPIPHANY!

It is up to each and every individual to take this metaphysical Hero Journey, a journey that exemplifies Love… Of yourself and of others.

Notice that beyond the rainbow the dragons appear as clouds. They are there to remind you that Ignorance and Insecurity can arise in you again. Also notice that these dragon clouds are playing with something circular that looks like the sun. This orb-like shape represents your wholeness, the many facets that complete your Self. This again is the Female Principle. How? The female symbolizes transformation because of the many transitions her physical body makes in her lifetime. These transitions are physiological while also requiring psychological courage, perseverance and humility…all conditions of the metaphysical Hero Journey.

Can this metaphysical journey be taken more than one time? If so, how can it be used to conquer difficulties in every day life?
Is this journey accessible to everyone? How might Prophets like Jesus, Budha, and Ghandi have shown us this path?
What other stories or myths have you learned that use the archetypal images similar in this journey?

“Our greatest treasure is that which is hidden deep within our own unconscious, it is that dark unused part of our self that is in fact light that is unconscious of itself.” ~ Carl Jung

Conclusion by the Author…

It is my wish that this story will offer guidance to anyone in need of a new way to envision hope. I think that our usual models of religious teaching are too cumbersome at times. This model is easy to use by any individual. May it prove useful.

Blessings,

Bette Brunswick

The Shrew View: Love binds people of goodwill

Love binds people of goodwill

Today is a day to reflect on the message of Martin Luther King, JR. His is a message of love and freedom; a freedom guaranteed by God and reflected in the U.S. Constitution:

“…in order to form a more perfect Union…secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”

In the early 1960’s there was no better person to secure these Blessings for people of color. Our lawmakers failed to be responsible leaders entrusted to uphold the Constitution. One might suggest that this failed responsibility dates all the way back to our founding as a nation, but I think that would be taking the easy route, condemning every step toward the progress of achieving a message of freedom.

“Humans have been literally torturing each other for centuries as they grope toward this Chalis of fulfillment.” – The Shrew

Our U.S. Constitution is the tool enabling wholeness in our country. No other country puts the responsibility of freedom in the hands of each individual. It is law makers who abuse this insight by putting limits on ideas instead of on their lawmaking capabilities. Martin Luther King, JR knew instinctively that the idea of a black person sitting where a sign indicated that they were not allowed by law to sit would challenge the lawmaker’s unconstitutional limitations on God’s creation. King gave power back to the people – all people, because injustice is never visible in God’s kingdom which is where the human soul finds strength to conquer the perceived injustice in the world of mankind.

Love binds people of goodwill. In a nation of diverse ideas, those people of goodwill come together to solve the issues at hand. There is no us vs. them. There is only…

“We the People…”

Shrew U: The Forest, Dragons and Tongues

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 11

Archetype #7 – The Forest

“As the forest matures with nature’s care so, too, does the soul.”

The Forest represents fertility, life, renewal and the spiritual aspects of your Self. Your thoughts and emotions take root in the fertile soil and give life to your soul’s essence. Only you can attest to the care that is taken with your soul. Your secrets define your emerging authenticity. Forgiving yourself as well as forgiving others who do not know you as you know yourself are measures of maturation. Notice that this archetype aligns with the Female Principle (refer to post, “The Shrew View”, November 3, 2017).

Do you take time to honestly know yourself?
Could a walk along a familiar wooded path bring you the contemplation your soul deserves? Why does your soul deserve this activity?

Archetype #8 – The Dragons

“Dragons reveal an intensity of character that cannot be denied”

Dragons are intense aberrations. These are deviations from maturity. I name one dragon Ignorance to reference all that you probably still have yet to know and learn about yourself and about other human beings. I name the second dragon Insecurity to reference all the human beings and material things that you believe you need in your physical life, however this “need” is in actuality a deep want for self recognition but only in the physical realm. Know these dragons well because if you ignore them, their intensity lashes out in behaviors you may not expect of yourself.

Can you identify your dragons when they appear? What behaviors do they bring out of you?
Why do you think your dragons have a relationship with the people and things in your physical life? Can you identify these relationships? Are the behaviors relating to these relationships worth the energy that is given to them?

Archetype #9 – Tongues

“Criticism must be heard intelligently”

Tongues represent criticism, either told to you about you or directed at you from yourself. If you haven’t taken the time to nurture your soul then you will not be able to identify weather criticism is valid. If the criticism is valid, how do you then apply that that criticism toward self improvement? Notice that these tongues are of the dragons and are intertwined.

Is all criticism bad? If it is, then how can you turn the information into constructive criticism?
Because these tongues come from dragons, does the criticism also apply to the relationships in your life? How?

**Next up…The conclusion of “Archetypes of the Human Spirit”

Shrew U: The Monster and The Guide

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 10

Archetype #5: The Monster

“To dwell solely on failure and loss may consume all efforts to improve.”

I depicted this archetype as a very large and gruesome fish that has the ability to attack. Making choices means that a choice might be wrong and, in this case, the repercussions of a wrong choice could be so overwhelming that you might not be able to continue your metaphysical hero journey. To be “in the belly of the beast” is to be in a very bad place.

When have you made choices that did not end well? Were you able to learn from your mistakes?
Can the darkness of being in this “belly” be compared to being in the “womb” of darkness? What is the difference?

Archetype #6: The Guide

“Wisdom will take much time to acquire.”

A guide that comes to help with your journey can come in many forms. A wise old man in this case signify’s the heavens (white hair like clouds and blue eyes like sky). Notice the light inside his eyes. This light is a reminder of your search for purpose.

Do you trust in the authentic wisdom of your inner voice? Is this voice different from your intuition? If so, then how?
In your life, can you find real people who listen well and do not judge?

If your metaphysical Self has made it this far, you have only just begun the transformative process…