Lost and Forgotten

The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.

~ Ivy Baker Priest  Being patient and staying focused is difficult to do when it feels like we are at a dead end with no alternative route on the horizon.  We can become discouraged or overwhelmed as the days, months, or even years pass by.  We can feel lost and forgotten.  We wander around aimlessly wondering when the veil will be lifted or when we will have our next 'ah ha' moment directing us back onto our path.  Yearning to discover and surrender to our life's purpose seemingly takes a life time. Then whoosh!  We can almost hear the pieces miraculously sliding together and we click into a sense of wholeness.  We feel reborn and rejuvenated amply prepared to face our challenges.  We are filled with joy to once again be grounded and yet deeply connected with all spiritual things. This joy washes over us so suddenly, we ponder what the trigger may have been to set this all in motion.  We review what we have said or done, but the exact turning point escapes our line of thinking.  We may never recall the sequence of events, but we know we have arrived.  We are exactly where we needed to be. No matter how methodical we are life has a pace of its own.  Opportunities, set backs, and rewards have their own individual timing not running parallel to our own.   We can control our choices but very little else.  When we let go of the death of the old and embrace the new, we have such a strong sense of purpose and wonder how we could have ever felt lost and forgotten.  We examine our selves to discover if we really were unseen during the days, months or even years we were passed by.  With a new segment of life before us,  we come to understand that much of life is a matter of perspective and how quickly we can adjust to new views.

Messed Up

                                     



“Life is painful and messed up. It gets complicated at the worst of times, and sometimes you have no idea where to go or what to do. Lots of times people just let themselves get lost, dropping into a wide open, huge abyss. But that's why we have to keep trying. We have to push through all that hurts us, work past all our memories that are haunting us. Sometimes the things that hurt us are the things that make us strongest. A life without experience, in my opinion, is no life at all. And that's why I tell everyone that, even when it hurts, never stop yourself from living.”

Alysha Speer

At times, life can be very painful and messed up when we are in the midst of a challenge.  When we are resistant and struggle against the lesson rather than learn from it, life can get pretty complicated.  We can become lost if we forget all we truly know as truth.  If we do not use our tools of faith, trust, and hope, we can wander quite a ways from our true destination. 

After awhile, we grow so tired of wallowing in the void, we begin to try once again.  We may need a mentor or therapist to help us untangle what is at the root of our problem.   The process of identifying our barriers and removing limitations is not easy by any means.  It requires consistent and heart searing work work through our issues.  The results are well worth the effort.  We survive feeling stronger and closer to our life's purpose.

It is good to remember we are not the only ones fighting a great battle.  Every one here on earth faces challenges whether they appear to be or not.  We are not all at the same stage of process.  This is why sometimes we are on top of the world smiling, noticing someone else struggling or people around us are smiling and we are the ones struggling.  We are not alone in life experience.

It is important to remain constant in our awareness, retain compassion for our selves and others, and strengthen our connection with Spirit.  To have a strong relation with the Divine does not excuse us from life's lessons.  No one is excused.  Our lessons, however, can be less painful if we respond to them immediately, honestly, and seek a new way.  We can remember: to believe in our personal abilities to move through problems; our personal relationship with God; and the joy in achieving accomplishment.

Homeless Soul

         

  

 

There is no Them.

There are only facets of Us.

John Green

This morning I watched a man wander down our street.  He wore black clothes decorated with soil in the fabric and highlighted by rips and tears.  His crown was a faded black stocking cap, pulled down over long and stringy gray hair.  His face, an unnatural color,  was not clean shaven and deep creases were the medals he wore.  His torn shoes reflected his long time in battle.

A neighbor's car pulled to the side of the road.  A retired gentleman from three blocks down got out and approached this poor tired soul.  The man extended a coffee and a McDonald's bag filled with food.  The wandering man shook his head definitely declining the generous offer.  The neighbor encouraged the elder man to accept the food, but whether tired, hungry, or poor, the wanderer was not inclined to accept the food. 

I am proud of the neighbor who wanted to help, and I wonder about the tired old soul.  I speculate if he was off medication that would permit him to remain tethered in this world.  Was he schizophrenic or paranoid or simply a homeless soul. 

As hours of my day passed on, I continued thinking of the wandering man.  Where was he now and where would he go?  Might he be a Master from another realm invoking compassion is our very souls?

Breath of Fresh Air

       

       

"Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies.

Erich Fromm

Today, I was allowed to breathe in fresh air.  The sun was shining on my face and precious breaths of pure air filled my lungs.  I felt more alive than I have in months.  These cleansing breaths poured over my troubled thoughts, sluggish body, and tainted cells.  I am alive once again.

It is like this when traveling the spiral, repeating lessons, and healing a little deeper each slide around a coil.   These transitions seemingly take forever when I am anticipating the very next segment.  I wait and wait, but when nothing rises on the horizon fear settles in ... what if there is nothing more? 

Seclusion seemed the most obvious way to settle my mind and open my heart to something new.  To eliminate distractions I focused  on reading, writing, and contemplating, but I did not seem to speed a transition along.  Desperate, I finally reached out to kindred spirits, hoping for some direction to appear.  Foolish gesture, indeed as all answers are within.  

Aware of my despair, a special soul held my hand and walked with me into my depths, helping to clear the debris blocking my path.   With her wisdom, she silently held her light for me to see more clearly the illusion of fear. She witnessed the dawning of my need to get out of my own way.

A surprise gathering of three eclectic spirits  reminded me of the power we all hold within.  As if waking from a long winter's nap, my strengths stretched  awakening the better parts of me.  How could I have fallen into such a deep sleep that I could no longer hear what I deeply know and what I have learned through a life time of lessons. 

My soul sounds like it is humming, happy to be inspired once again.  The breath of fresh air has ignited my visions and creative play is bouncing around in my head.  I had been worried my spiritual contract was complete, but today I know I am very far from done!

Trees Will Whisper

Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.

Hermann Hesse



Trees are so amazing.   Some are tall and strong while others are bent and gnarly.    Two trees can be so closely entwined they appear to be one while one lonely tree may be sitting on a bluff with no other trees for miles.   There are some trees who have funny things looking like mustaches hanging from them or those prickly things called gum balls or some with things looking like old banana peels.  

The Weeping Willow tree had once been my favorite.  I loved the unusual shape of it and the rustling of the branches.  Even without leaves, it seemed to be a magical umbrella.  Up north, the birch trees with their white bark stand incredibly straight and very tall, but the Weeping Birch is  feminine and more lovely.  I have been in a Bamboo Rain Forest, an Eucalyptus grove, and the plush garden from the movie Jurassic Park.  Not far from here there is an acre dedicated to a particular kind of Pine tree.  Standing in the middle of this acre one can hear the silence of a forest.  The Banyan tree, however, may be one of the most interesting as one tree can spread itself over an entire block.

When a friend's body gave up the physical plain, we held a celebration of life for her.  Each participant in the celebration had two ribbons loosely tied to their wrists.   Then at a certain time, we were asked to individually tie each ribbon on a branch of a tree with a loving thought or wish for our friend now physically gone.  When this was completed, the trees in her back yard were beautiful and we could feel her presence amongst us.

Most everywhere I have lived, I have had a designated favorite tree.  Sometimes it is difficult to narrow it down to one and it is not something I consciously do.  It is like a best friend, it grows deeper into you the longer time is spent together.  I can lean against a tree and feel its energy and its presence.  I can stare at a gnarly tree deciphering all of the strange images hidden within the bark.  Sometimes, if I am very still, trees will whisper to me.

The Incidental Moments

"There seemed to be some heavenly support beneath his shoulder blades that lifted his feet from the ground in ecstatic suspension, as if he secretly enjoyed the ability to fly but was walking as a compromise to convention." Zelda Fitzgerald Wife of American short story writer Fr. Scott Fitzgerald People we come in contact with every day can become the backdrop to our life.  Any individual can just fade into our surroundings and we grow accustomed to their presence.  It is a different experience, however, when we take notice of each and every person we pass. Everyone appreciates recognition or any sign of appreciation for the seemingly small part they play in the grand scheme of life.  Any acknowledgement affirms their place especially when it is extended with kindness. We often think of ourselves as invisible, feeling that no one notices our coming or our goings, but this is rarely true.  It is more likely that people have noticed, but neglected to express their thanksgiving or gratitude.  When we recognize any person in our life, we create magic within the incidental moment. There is a small coffee shop I haunt quite often.   Different people work the counter, manage or stock the bakery cases.  One day there was an incidental moment I decided to acknowledge the kindheartedness of one of the employees in front of two customers.  I impulsively offered comments about this young man who was always so thoughtful and caring.  The customers beamed, the young man beamed, and then they explained.  The two customers just happened to be his visiting parents.  Proud all around.  An incidental moment became magical as we all laughed and introduced ourselves.  From that day forward, this young man always exchanged pleasantries adding light hearted humor to my otherwise ordinary day. As life is filled with change, this young man has moved on.  The likelihood of seeing him again is not very great.  So I am thankful I had let him know how much I appreciated his workmanship as well as his friendliness.   Often, we think of doing this after the fact, after the person has moved along and it is too late to be gracious.  We grocery shop every Wednesday morning at the same store.  In doing so we become familiar with the workers and the environment feels more personal.  We take incidental moments and bring life into them through slight recognition or gratitude.  One day I said to the butcher who had so patiently helped us, "I am so glad you were here today! Thank you for helping us."  He looked at me like ... what's the catch ... but after a moment, he broke into a smile and gave us a hearty thanks.  He is now always friendly and shares suggestions or small jokes.   In this same grocery store, there is a man who bags groceries.  He always looks so serious and unfriendly.  One day however, I started talking to him and his entire face became animated.  We look for him every visit as he contibutes very original exchanges.  In these  incidental moments with him, the warmth of his eyes flood my heart with a magical buzz. When we think of strangers we pass every day ... walking down the street, on the buss, in our building, or sitting beside us at meetings ... we come to realize they are only strangers as we have not used a silent nod or a small smile for acknowledgement.  Any simple recognition helps to turn incidental moments into a kinder world.

The Other Side of Nothingness

"I spent my life learning to feel less.
Every day I felt less.
Is that growing old? Or is it something worse?
You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.”

Jonathan Safran Foer

To grow up minimizing the self and taking up as little space as possible, yet being gregarious to receive validation of any sort, is much  like a weed pushing up through a crack in the sidewalk.  The wild weed seeks everything at great risk with out anything but the sun coaxing it out of the darkness.  Without faith, hope, and trust, it is doubtful the weed will succeed.

To push out of the darkness one feels way too vulnerable standing before the sun.  So we seek shade for protection like Eve hiding from the garden sun.  How odd we are birthed into the light and yet we seek to disguise our nakedness.  We strive for the light and yet we fear to be exposed.

What price must we pay for authenticity, to completely unfold?  Obstacles and damage cause us to bend and sway, but curiosity beckons us further down the way.  We seemingly arrive strong and bold, ready to welcome what we desire to hold.  The space is endless and the silence deafening, and still we appear  alone.

The weed struggles out of the darkness and into the light only to discover there lies something still beyond the light.  So search again we must while we stretch and grow a little more.   With faith, hope, and trust, surely we will eventually pass through all illusion,  exploring the other side of nothingness. 

Accessing Both Sides

What makes us tick?

This morning, I have been reading MORNING MESSAGES by Peggy Black.  She was discussing masculine qualities and feminine qualities each of us possess.  This a common theory, each human being has a masculine side and a feminine side.  Ideally, a person chooses the best from each side living a balanced life.  We have all heard of being  too much in the left brain or too much in the right brain. 

Just to be clear, men have both masculine and feminine traits as women also have masculine and feminine traits.   The masculine is usually considered 'left brain':  strong, aggressive, controlling, decisive, analytical, strategic, practical and realistic.   The feminine is 'right brain':  peaceful, enduring, nurturing, holistic, intuitive, directly cognitive, emotional, instinctive and protective.

When we do not maintain a balance of these traits, we end up being too extreme in one area or another, such as:  too emotional or no emotion at all.  The goal is to develop both sides, perhaps meeting in the middle.

In our youth, we are molded by our culture and peers.  Don't be a mamma's boy, don't cry like a baby, girls are meant to be polite and pretty.   Frequently, our masculine and feminine sides can be seriously remolded before we ever leave our home.  Very early on we experience judgment for parts of our self which encourages us to down play or rid our selves of our true nature.

To best understand, we can say that as a child, we need to be encouraged to use both our masculine and feminine qualities in balance.  Peggy Black suggests we use both analytical (m) and intuitive (f) in joint efforts.  Combining holistic feeling nature with action and strength creates a balance.  Unfortunately, our society has encouraged some of these traits while repressing others resulting in an automatic unbalance.

"Imagine for a moment that a male was encouraged to bring forth and express the sensitive, nurturing and peaceful aspects coupled with action, strength and logic. There would be no soldiers, for a male who was sensitive, nurturing and peaceful would not and could not be taught to destroy life for any reason."  Peggy Black www.morningmessages.com

As a society, I do think we are improving.  Men are encouraged to hug and express their feelings.  They are becoming even stronger supporters in philanthropic adventures.  In addition to chef's, more men cook and acquire more household chores than before.  Women are taking more administrative roles in business, building homes, doctors, dentists, and enlisting in the services.  Women have grown passed the image of daddy's little girl never being angry, marrying the perfect male, having babies, and never seeing daylight again.  Women continue to choose to be mothers, but they also complete their education, experience a fulfilling career, and often times not marry at all.

Visualizing a human being as a pendulum, we can see the attractiveness of being able to be in both the female and the masculine sides of our nature.   When we hold our selves accountable for both masculine and feminine qualities, we actually have a broader range of behaviors assisting us in our daily lives.  We have a larger arena to be creative as we allow our selves to tap into both sides of our nature.

The most important factor is to know our selves and to not let someone or something else determine who we are.  We can give our selves permission to be strong or to be emotional without explanation or embarrassment, as long as nothing is taken to the extreme.  When we finally embrace both our female and male qualities it is much easier to embrace others as well.

 

 



Impossible to Anticipate

"There is nothing,

for good or for evil,

of which a person is incapable."

Jan-Phillipp Sendker

THE ART OF HEARING HEARTBEATS

As I wait for spring to unfold, I also endure this sense of suspension.  There is a lack of passion and a desire to detach.  Being still and living in nothingness, for me, is a growing intensity.  I realize all transitions take time, new situations are uncomfortable, and there is always a period of settling in; but, I find myself to be unnerved.

I realize as an energy worker, it is important for me to hold light to counter balance the darkness seemingly stepping out from everywhere.  Daily I send love, energy, and light to far away places, to states united and to not so far communities.  Rage, anger and hatred seem to be erupting, but the worst are those with the calm and cold eyes. 

I try very hard not to judge and to be forgiving, while the understanding part is the most challenging of all.  We can say whatever we want, but until we are directly in a particular position we truly do not know for sure what we would or would not do.  It is impossible to anticipate what our actions would be if in total desperation. 

I believe in a goodness inside of everyone, but we each have choice as to how we will respond, with good or with ill-intent.  I mourn the loss of the innocent, and I praise the immediate reaction of strangers.  All of us must start listening more intently and being vigilantly aware of our surroundings.  Not to be practiced out of fear, but as an effort to be more interactive with the immediate world  around us.

Suspended and Surrounded

Those who are free of resentful thoughts

surely find peace.

Buddha

 

 

 

In preparation to be present in front of a visiting Tibetan Monk, I spent the morning being led through various spiritual exercises.  The energy in the room was building and layer by layer I was shedding the outside world.  When the Tibetan Monk arrived, he too led various spiritual exercises accompanied by chanting.  Layer by layer, I was shedding my inside world too. 

 

Forgetting place and time, I realized I was in a state of total bliss.  I was calm, peaceful, and worry free.  Thoughts had finally silenced and I was clearly rooted in peace.  I was unaware of my body and felt as though I was one many particles gently floating in the air.  I felt as though I was nothingness.

 

Eventually, I had to ground my self to shift back into reality.  This experience had been so profound, I never wanted to forget it.    I wrote about it, but words would never capture the total experience of mind, body, and spirit.  I have tried to duplicate the spiritual feelings numerous times, but I am successful only by a small percentage. 

 

I am grateful for the bits and pieces of this spiritual adventure remaining with me.  I carry them into creative visualization trying to reawaken my senses.  I am envious of the many Masters living  in a perfected state of bliss.  It seems incredible to me that there are those who live a prayerful existence every day of their lives.  It must take exceptional  discipline, focus, and the ability to constantly let go to establish such a blissful state for lengthy periods of time.

 

I can experience peaceful moments and extended time of calm, but to be mindful all day long (unless I was cloistered) seems so impossible for me.  With peace and calm, I will continue to contemplate in hopes of visiting this state once more.   Bliss ... being totally untethered from all of life ... feeling a peaceful calm ...  suspended  and surrounded by everlasting  love.

 

 

 

 

Silence Not Allowed

Trust that little voice in your head that says

'Wouldn't it be interesting if ... '

And then do it.

Duane Michals

This season seems to be playing havoc with my sinuses and allergies.  When I don't ward off the headache early on, it tends to slop over into a migraine.  Once the pain gets ahead of me, I can be down for hours.

Louise L. Hay states that headaches occur when "Invalidating the self.  Self-criticism. Fear."  She suggests we use an affirmation such as:  "I love and approve of myself.  I see myself and what I do with eyes of love.  I am safe."  Of migraine headaches she reports, "Dislike of being driven.  Resisting the flow of life.  Sexual fears."  The recommended affirmation: "I relax into the flow of life and let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably.  Life is for me."

Others report migraines stem from repressed anger.  This, of course, is a subject I know only to well.  As a child, I cringed at loud voices, arguments, fighting, and any display of anger.  I vowed to myself I would never be angry.  So as a re-frame, I would say my feelings were hurt rather than embracing the human emotion,  anger.  All I was doing was repressing all of my anger inside of me.  This does damage on several levels ... body, mind, and spirit. 

This last year I spent some time exploring my angry feelings.  I then gave my lovely self permission to use my voice in expressing my anger.  Wow, was I ever surprised.  Instead of experiencing repercussions I discovered a sense of freedom and closure.  The problem was brought out into the open, addressed, and resolved.  It was all a matter of using my voice in an appropriate manner and being willing to listen to the other side.  All those years of repressing my feelings out of fear did more harm than simply voicing my anger.

The voice is an incredible tool and it is amazing when a person is blessed with the gift of song. The voice, however,  needs to be used for expression whether in the written word or outloud.  We should not allow ourselves to be silenced.

In his book, THE BOOK OF AWAKENING, Mark Nepo reflects:  "For even if no one hears us, it is the act of speaking that frees us."  We can express our words through any of the arts (painting, writing, singing, lyrics to music or poems, dance, etc... )  The experience is liberating, so much more fun than suffering a pounding headache.

Deleted Files

The truth is a force of such magnitude that it demands to be known one way or another.

If buried, the truth will push its way to the surface.  Denial or suppression of the truth will manifest as ill health, dysfunctional relationships or financial problems.  The truth does not remain silenced or suppressed comfortably.  It may take a lifetime, but the truth will win out.

Deborah King

 TRUTH HEALS



Our minds are like master computers.  They record information regarding people, places, and things.  Our personal computer is our Secret Keeper recording and repressing.  We have special files we store information in, the inbox for current thoughts, and the delete button to get rid of what is no longer useful.  As in all computers, however, deleted files can be reclaimed if we know what we are doing or secure a person who knows how to guide us through the process.

We take our unpleasant experiences and store them in a file.  Each time we open the file, we can review and heal just a little bit more to the point of eventually eliminating the file all together.  It no longer serves any purpose and is just taking up valuable space. 

Repressing information is much different.  When we repress something, it means not looking at it, not coming to understand the relevance and not healing.  We do not comprehend the importance of this information and it impede our mental health. 

When we hide something from our present state of mind, it gets dumped into the physical body.  We will carry it in the form of a headache or stomachache, even to the point of a more serious physical illness.  We are so uncomfortable with the information it creates a "dis-ease".

Continued repression of issues we have not dealt with, impacts our mind, then our body, and then our spirit.  The flow of our natural spirit is impaired and we become depressed.  In this depression we may continue to remain in denial about whatever is buried deep within us.

Repressed memories will not surface until we are ready to deal with them.  Sometimes they float to the surface, but we may not be ready so once again we push them down, even unknowingly.  We may realize something is nagging at us but we can't quite put our finger on it.  There seems to be something just under the surface and we cannot identify it.

Repressed incidents can be released through a random fragrance, touch, physical location,  passing remark or a dream.  In fact, when something originally happens and we repress it, it may resurface in a dream.  If we ignore the dream, it may resurface again in a form of a nightmare.  If we continue to ignore these incidents, the ignored issue will be repressed from the mental into the physical.

So the button on the keyboard, "escape" is really too convenient for us to use.  We think by just clearing the document we will be fine and this is not true.  The longer our deleted information is repressed, and the virus is ignored, the damage grows greater. 

The broken spirit eventually wears out or we can say our computer crashes.  Reclaiming our lost or deleted document requires outside help ... a technician of sorts.  We can reach out to a trusted friend, minister, life coach or minister.  Admittedly, this can be a long process requiring patience, diligence, and forgiveness.   With the elimination of so many old files, one may want to downsize to an iPad or just an iPhone requiring future years of learning all of the new aps! In the end, however, we will feel liberated with the sense of advanced programing. 

Holding Stars



sacred vessels 

“it was when she dipped deep inside, and scooped out her very essence - and then stretched her arms outwards with her hands full of stars - it was when those stars passed thru her fingers and out to the world - it was then she understood she was a sacred vessel. that we are all sacred vessels - with the entire universe flowing thru us - and all we need to do is open and be.”

Bone Sigh Arts

Wouldn't it be wonderful to truly experience our  essence?  Can we possibly imagine holding stars in our hands  as they drip through our fingers out into the world?   Could we really rid our sacred selves of body shame and illusion of worthlessness?  How do we authentically open our selves enough to feel the universe surging through us?

If we are diligent in our personal growth, one day we will experience a full sense of who we are at the core.  We will feel a sense being whole even if we are imperfect and still missing pieces.  Recall what it was like to hold a lightening bug in our child like hands, and then feel how magical it would be to hold a star in our hands.  Although difficult to imagine, think of our selves as being so significant that we can drip importance into the world.

We are all sacred vessels holding Divine Spirit within us.  Once we tap into this Divine Sacredness, we ignite our hidden light and shine it brightly for others to see.  As a sacred vessel, our dreams, intentions, and life purpose flow through us as opportunities to extend loving kindness into a peaceful world.

I  am still  entranced by the imagery of holding stars in my hand.

Hope, Faith, Truth ... Positive Imaging

The world in which you live

is not primarily determined

by outward conditions and circumstances

but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.

Norman Vincent Peale

May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993

Norman Vincent Peale was one of the most widely read inspirational writers of all time.  He was pastor of New York City's Marble Collegiate Church, a prominent lecturer, and radio host and perhaps best known for his book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. 

I first became aware of his work in Guideposts Magazine (Peale was the editor and co-publisher) back in the days when Sue Monk Kidd was also a contributing author.  In my opinion, he was in the forefront of ministers who encouraged Christians to begin to be accountable for their relationship with God rather than just depending upon a minister or a church.  He was like a breath of fresh air all of those years ago. 

In 1982, Norman Vincent Peale wrote another book, POSITIVE IMAGING.  When I read this book, I immediately read it again, and then again.  As I devoured his words, I could feel limitations fall away and I began to feel a part of faith once again rather than being separate.  He was interested in developing the human spirit, the awakening of the soul.  My, he was ahead of his time.

Peale stated about Positive Imaging:  "The concept is a form of mental activity called imaging.  It consists of vividly picturing in your mind a desired goal or objective and holding that image until it sinks into your unconscious where it releases great untapped energies."

Mr. Peale encouraged us to visualize our own well-being, to see our selves whole, healthy and energized.  He believed that the key to health was practicing creative imaging.  He explained that beautiful thoughts triggered the release of beneficial hormones which assisted the body in being healthy.

The Bible and scripture were frequently quoted in his writings.  He believed  hope, faith, and truth were vitally important once we set our goal, believed in attaining our goal, imagined it to a great degree, and made sure Divine Spirit was our partner.

My favorite part of  POSITIVE IMAGING pertained to imaging Jesus the Christ or Buddha or any other Master .  Here is what he suggested for creative imaging:

             "Image Jesus as actually your personal friend.  Don't regard Him as some remote, historical, stained-glass kind of figure.  Image Him as your constant companion throughout the day.  Paint a portrait in your mind of what you think He looks like.  Fill in the details:  His compassionate eyes, those strong carpenter's hands.  How did His voice sound when He talked to people, when He told the story of the Prodigal Son, for example?  He must have had a wonderful laugh; can you picture yourself sitting on a hillside in Galilee, hearing it?  If you can picture that, why not picture Him sitting alongside of you right now?"  

In POSITIVE IMAGING, Norman Vincent Peale documented stories about terminally ill patients who chose to use Positive Imaging in addition to their medical assistance.  His words continue to be as they were  in my younger adult years.  He was definitely a large contribution to my beliefs of the body, mind, and spirit connection.

Worry, Fear, and Dream

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,

it empties today of its strength.

Corrie ten Boom

Clippings from My Notebook

Several years ago, I was the Executive Director and Founder of a private counseling agency, OPEN DOORS.  The staff addressed a variety of issues with children and their family, and individual counseling as well. 

 

During this time, my primary focus was on enhancing the strengths of women.  I offered numerous presentations, small groups, and circles of women.  We discussed spiritual books, dreams, personal challenges, and ways to strengthen our spirit in order to better direct our lives.

 

While offering resources to women, I began to realize that worry and fear were predominant distractions from living a happier and fuller life.  Fear and worry used up too much of their energy, with very little remaining to make healthy choices or to self-nurture. 

 

Some where along the way, I came across the idea of placing fear and worry outside of the self.  Discussing this idea with other women, we decided to use a jar with slips of paper to record our worry or fear.  We would place the paper into the jar and leave it there for a weak.  You could have several jars or boxes, but one would do.

 

All week, whenever a person caught themselves worrying about something, they would immediately write it down and place it in the jar.  If fear was creeping in, the same procedure was followed.  By placing these illusions outside of our selves, we had more energy to deal with the day and build our strength.

 

At the end of the week, we would empty the jar, and take a few minutes to read each slip of paper.  The amazing realization was worries eventually worked themselves out and fears rarely came to pass.  It was obvious then how much time we allow worry and fear to rob us of our time and energy.    Women continued to use their jar until placing worry and fear outside of themselves developed into a healthy habit.

 

Some of the women decorated their jars or boxes and kept them in sacred places.  Others just kept an old Mason jar in their kitchen where it remained mindful.  This process of minimizing unnecessary emotions or thoughts gave us an awareness of how we all have choice.  Without worry or fear, we have better vision of how to make healthy decisions.  We had more energy to follow through and adequate time for self-nurturing.

 

This is a simple gesture appropriate for any age or gender.  It requires little effort, minimal tools, and amazing results.  This is a great idea to pass on to others as well.  Gift a jar to a worry-wort friend or a fearful child.  We can decorate it our selves or bring supplies for them to personalize it.  The best part is the end result, realizing what we worry or fear the most, generally doesn't come true at all.

 

 

Better Than Any Story Told

Allow children to be happy in their own way,

for what better way will they find?

Samuel Johnson

Vetah is as precious as they get.  She is three years old, has large blue eyes accompanied by long thick lashes, and long extremely curly dark hair.  Everything about her is feminine.  She is very girly not only in her conversations, but in her dress and body language.  She has a very strong sense of self,  is highly animated, and sweet as she can be.  She is my youngest grandchild.

Vetah goes to play school two days a week, and never misses Sunday School.  She adores her five year old brother, Ezekiel, has an exceptional relationship with both her mom and dad and loves animals.  She is a very interesting little girl and expresses her self very well and constantly.

My son and his family were here on Easter Sunday as was my daughter from Nashville.  Ezekiel and Vetah do not get to see my daughter very often so they enjoyed the time spent playing with her as well as her Golden Retriever, Hannah, who happens to be a Wonder Dog!

The hours flew by and too soon it was time for my son and his family to leave.  After hugs and kisses Ezekiel and his little sister quickly exited out the front door.  The rest of us stood by the front door lingering over our good-byes. 

I could see Ezekiel bouncing around inside of their car in the drive way, but where was Vetah?  I asked everyone, "Where is Vetah?"  My son quickly opened the front door as we lined up behind him to run out and find her.  But we all came to a dead stop when we saw her standing on the front porch.  She looked at us and said, "Shush!"  We all stopped immediately in our tracks.

On my front porch, I have a stone statue of a little girl with wings praying.  And there was Vetah, standing right next to her with hands folded in prayer.  She was cuddled up close to the angel as she was saying a prayer with her own words into the angels ear.  We all stood in reverence inside the door until the child finished her rather lengthy prayer on the porch.

Suddenly her prayer was complete and she turned back into a bundle of energy.  She looked at us with all of her spunk and said, "Okay, we can go!"  Then she dashed off to the car waving good-bye.  We all stood looking at each other. 

Children are absolutely amazing.  Their vivid imaginations can be better than any story told.  They see things adults don't take the time to see and  they hear things we choose to ignore.  Too easily adults dismiss the magic children can bring.  We tell these unbiased perceptive minds they are silly or are making things up.  We instruct them to deny what they clearly experience as truth and reality.

The vision of Vetah bent over praying closely with the stone angel, her little chubby hands politely folded, and her voice church appropriate will linger in my memory forever.  No one could actually hear what she was saying, but from her furrowed brow, we all knew it was sincerely from her huge heart. 

****The name Vetah is a Slavic derivative of the name Elisabeth.  My son chose this name for his daughter as it means to be calm and stable through personal introspection; to use self-discipline to regulate a strong sense of personal power; and highly motivated to fight for a cause. 

Step-By-Step



Walking away from lifetimes of falsely constructed, deeply wounded, and victimized ego identification and fully embodying the expansive expression of your authentic, unlimited, multidimensional Holy Self is a courageous, step-by-step process.

Sonia Choquette

The Power of Your Spirit

Courage is necessary in many of our daily actions.  It takes courage to drive for the first time or take a city bus for the first time or be a mother for the first time or be alone for the first time.  For some, it takes courage to get up in the morning while for others it is needed to finally return home.  Courage is needed for little things as well as big things.

The little things are sometimes easier to pass over than the well planned long term goal.  Opportunities come to us in all sizes, and they are all experiential.  We do not always notice how a string of small opportunities can direct our life more easily than waiting for our one big break.

As we develop courage when facing the small things, we also learn to be calm and connected.  Step-by-step, we acquire necessary components that will be most helpful when trying to attain a larger opportunity.  We will have layers of experience, grounding us in our confidence and courage.

When we take notice of small opportunities to be kind or gentle, we can be strengthening the connection between our selves and Spirit.  We are more apt to recognize our 'gut' instincts of whether or not to follow an opportunity.  There are multiple choices, and maybe not good ones, but choices nevertheless.  We have free will and with courage we can decide with Spirit as our guide.

 

Imperfect Perfection

To love another human in all of her

splendor and imperfect perfection,

it is a magnificent task ...

tremendous and foolish and human.

Louise Erdrich

The Last Report On The Miracles At Little No Horse

In Alan Cohen's wonderful book, A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE, Daily Inspiration for Heart-Centered Living, I came upon a discussion of perfection versus imperfection, and it brought a new perspective to me.  Alan Cohen described a man finding fault with everyone and everything, always pointing out what was needed to be improved.  This man claimed to be a perfectionist.  Then a woman was described as being in massive traffic congestion.   She was praising fellow drivers for cooperating and working together when there was a challenge.  The contrast between this man and woman illustrates the difference between a man passing himself off as a perfectionist and a woman who simply looked for good in every situation. 

As we are all imperfect, how much better it would be for everyone if we just accepted imperfection and automatically looked for the good.  When we acknowledge the good in some one, it strengthens confidence and increases the desire to do even better. 

We are all children of Divine Spirit, so we each hold within an authentic 'self' bringing a particular gift or talent into Divine Spirit's world.  How much more fun life would be if we were curious of people we meet instead of judgmental.  We could create a party atmosphere asking each other, "What did you get?"  Instead of criticizing we could be discovering the talent or gift of the other person.

Divine Spirit, Universe, or God is within all of us.  Life can be so much more fulfilling if we anticipated the goodness to be discovered in each other.  We would treat each other more kindly and join efforts in creating a peaceful community for work or play.  Rather than being competitive with each other, we could admire the strengths of those we meet.

Rigorous State

I'm such a girl for the living room.  I really like to stay in my nest and not move.  I travel in my mind, and that that's a rigorous state of journeying for me.  My body isn't that interested in moving from place to place.

Bell Hooks




Maintaining a positive outlook and creating a clear visual of our desires is vital in seeing our dreams come true.    With energy to better our life, and to master challenges we move through life with a healthy balance.  Life will not pass us by if we are awake, alert, and flexible to change.

Timing is never our own, so we must be open to the flow of life and trust in the higher powers.

We will avoid drama by not resisting change.  Change is not necessarily comfortable, but this does not make it bad or wrong.  We cannot achieve our dreams by standing still avoiding opportunities or small steps that will lead us closer to our desires.

If we create a vision or picture of how we will look, feel, and act when we bring happiness into our lives, it will be of great support throughout our day.  When we keep this image of our self close by, rather than thinking negative thoughts, we can flash our picture in our mind.  Picturing every detail helps the mind to re-frame non-stop  self-criticism.  We begin to automatically focus on a positive images minimizing self-sabotage.

After awhile, our vision of happiness becomes part of our day.  Our outlook is brighter, we walk with a bounce in our step, and we find ourselves anticipating good to happen rather than defeat.  We begin to feel better about ourselves, family, friends, and the future.

We begin living our dream in an emotional state, attracting parts of our dream from the physical.  We notice opportunities, create unexpected openings, and move forward towards our goals. There will be times of sadness or pain, but simply put, that is part of life and there is no avoiding it all together. 

Our attitude and determination will carry us through difficult times.  It is in these difficult times we are shaped and formed into better human beings.  We gather compassion and empathy for our selves and for others.  Carrying our vision with us all of the time, we will not be easily deterred.  As we stay engaged with our surroundings, we feel a part of and not separate from others. 

The next time we find our self settling into our nest, get creative and begin to visualize. Imagine 
how we will look wearing confidence, laughter, and a happy-go-lucky smile! Freeze frame that shot and review it throughout the day.



Listening In Our World

"Each point in the journey is an end to itself.

One is not better than the other.

Only your heart knows what to follow

and where to stop."

Mark Nepo 

SEVEN THOUSAND WAYS TO LISTEN

Mark Nepo is one of my most favorite authors.  In his newest book, SEVEN THOUSAND WAYS TO LISTEN, Mark Nepo is merging the word  listening with the already present word, (if not over used word), awakening.  He appraises listening as being imperative to the awakening process.  If we listen to what surrounds us or whispers within us, we can experience a deeper journey.

We may yawn and think we know all about listening, but do we really?  The art of listening is based on being totally present in stillness with our selves or others.  Too often, we hear the beginning of a conversation, and once we get the drift, our mind turns to other things.  We have used our inner judgment to turn off prematurely, missing an opportunity for newer or deeper understanding.  When we think of our family, friends, and professionals, only a few stand out as really exceptional listeners. 

Mr. Nepo discusses three friendships:  "the work of being, the work of being human, and the work of love."  These three friendships are the foundation for awakening.  To be aligned with our experience of self we must listen.  To resonate with each other, we must listen.  To establish a peaceful community, we must listen.  When we maintain these three friendships, we are more apt to awaken more deeply.  Listening enhances our connection with Divine Spirit.

This author goes on to say we wander off center either withdrawing too much or extending too far.  If we remain flexible, we can adjust our selves in whichever direction is needed, but if we are unaware, we can become withdrawn to fault or overwhelmed by distractions.  When our "balance point" has shifted one way or the other our 'habits must catch up' so we can continue to "assess and reassess". 

Messages come to us when we are still or through others or with life experiences.  If we develop listening skills, we will not only hear these messages more clearly, but we are more apt to relate these messages with others and impact our community as well.  A message is about receiving information and giving it back out into the world. 

We are all personal messengers, giving and receiving hopefully with others, and contributing in a positive way to our community.  When we care enough to listen, we can create more loving relationships in our world.



Never Feel Slight

 As Sri Nisargadatta writes, "As long as you imagine yourself to be something tangible and solid, a thing among things, you seem short-lived and vulnerable, and of course you will feel anxious to survive. But when you know yourself to be beyond space and time, you will be afraid no longer."

Tara Brach
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Teacher of Buddhist Mindfulness

 

Our physical bodies limit us, but our sacred awareness is limitless.  It is through prayer, meditation, contemplation and spiritual exercise we come to know ourselves beyond space and time.  Through guided imagery or dreams we perceive wisdom impossible to explain.  Even the written word some times takes upon deeper meaning than what is presented upon the page. 

We are aware of the cycles of life and the rotation of seasons.  When we watch nature closely enough we begin to acknowledge the concept of death and rebirth.  We can become "Born Again" within our physical life, but can there be life after life?  To this I readily agree.

What awaits us beyond this life is truly a mystery to me, but I do believe there is an existence.  It doesn't concern me if I will be floating around in angel garb or if I will be a cloud in the sky.  I do believe this energy I hold today in the physical will be alive forever in a spiritual realm.  My fear has been replaced by trust and faith.

It is my belief that when we leave this place in time, our energy returns to the Sacred Source.  I do believe that all creatures great and small will be welcomed in this reunion, just as all peoples will be.  My God is a loving God not tolerating discrimination of gender, race or creed.  All things created and all energy forms will never feel slight.  

Sacred Mystery

A friend who is a Unitarian minister told me about an interfaith gathering that she attended. It opened with an inquiry: What is our agreed-upon language for referring to the divine? Shall we call it God? "No way" responded a feminist Wiccan. "What about Goddess?" A Baptist minister laughed and said, "Spirit?" Upon which an atheist replied, "Nope." Discussion went on for a while. Finally, a Native American suggested "the great mystery" and they all agreed. Each knew that whatever his or her personal understanding, the sacred was in essence a mystery.

Tara Brach
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Teacher of Buddhist Mindfulness



Once someone asked me if I were a Christian.  My response was, "What is your definition of the word Christian?"  I find the same to be true today when asked about my spiritual belief system.  The word "God" conjures up so many stereotypical images, I hesitate to limit myself with this one word.   What really is the sacred source ... God, Goddess, Divine Spirit, Universe,  Oneness, Nothingness, Supreme Love etc ... 

All words meaning one thing to one and something entirely different to another.  And words do not seem to capture the limitless sacred force which I hold in reverence.  I do not believe that "God" is a he or she, tree or rock.  I believe that "God" is in all things created.

I remember being told as a child that Native Americans did not believe in one God, but worshipped many Gods which of course was a 'bad' thing.  There was only one God in my child's mind.  It would be years before I discovered that Native Americans saw God in all things and therefore revered all things.  My child's mind has expanded with the years and now joyfully embraces the concept of God being in all things and that all things can be revered.

It does not matter to me what a person labels the Source of all things, but it does matter to me whether or not a person finds this same sacredness within his or her human being.  This sacred space might be called heart or soul or energy vortex ... again, nothing but words.  The discovery of the sacred within all of us connects us with the mystery of life. 

A Vision Quest or Spiritual Path or Journey ... whatever label we choose, again is not important.  What is important is that we begin to travel closer to the Sacred Source.  We become aware of the purpose of our lives, to live reflecting the light of Divine Spirit and to use the gifts and talents we uniquely contain.  It is imperative for each of us to discover the sacred ... in essence a mystery.

Touching Each Other

Let us remember that our lives

set an example for others.

No one can say his life doesn't matter,

her words don't matter.

 Eknath Easwaran

Thoughts for the Day

Words to Live By

We all have experienced an exchange with someone who claims, "I will never forget what you said to me," or "I will never forget what you did that one time!"  We frantically search for the time being referenced and nothing comes up.  We smile our humble smile, perhaps nod our head, but for the life of us, we cannot even begin to imagine what this person is talking about. 

It doesn't matter when we extend:

There are times when Divine Spirit speaks through us without our awareness.  A person may desperately need encouragement or validation and even though we personally are not tuned into this particular need, we are vessels of good will.  We may extend a small gesture to someone and never remember it, but to that person it may be life changing.  I we are listening, we will be prompted by Divine Spirit, nudged in a random direction for a reason we may never know.

It matters when we receive:

There are times when we may feel overwhelmed or isolated and miraculously we have an exchange with a total stranger that brings us back to balance.  Once I attended a gathering when I was not in a very good emotional place.  I entered the room and faced complete strangers who all seemed to know each other.  I felt great anxiety with the impulsive idea of making a quick exit when someone said to me, "Come.  Sit here by me.  There is an extra seat."  I was so thankful and yet this person did not seem to have any awareness of how this kindness enabled me to find comfort then and the courage to return again, and again.  In the following months, I saw this person numerous times, and even though we never connected again, I will always remember the kind gesture.  The extended gesture helped me not only in the moment, but in future awkward moments as well.  It has also helped me to be mindful towards others, passing the gesture on.

If we are our very best even when we think we are invisible to others, Divine Spirit may be using us to reflect something to another.  Just our present energy, if powerfully bright and joyful, can allow someone else to tap in and feel recharged.   Visualize that toddler in the grocery store who brightens up our day with a toothless grin.  He or she may never remember us, but we might carry their image within us, brightening our perspective all day long.  We never really know when we are touching each other inside of the invisible grid of life binding us together.