Standing Still and Shinning

"Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind

be free.  Stay centered by accepting

whatever you are doing.  This is the ultimate."

ZHUANGZI

It is challenging to accept what we are doing, when we are doing nothing.  We experience guilt or maybe shame with our culture's demand for productivity.  It is out right embarrassing when we are asked what we have been doing and we do not have a concrete answer. 

At a small gathering this weekend, I was enjoying a conversation with a relative who reads authors I consume.  Everything was comfortable and pleasant until she very directly asked me, "So what have you been doing?"  I must have had an anxious look on my face so she attempted to clarify, "What does your day generally look like?"  I felt really intimidated for no reason at all as I knew this lovely person was just conversing. 

After this conversation, I made a mental list of all the thoughts flooding through my mind:  low self-esteem, unworthy, fear of criticism, lack of worthiness and the list unfortunately goes on.  "This is truly ridiculous," I said sternly to myself.  I promised I would reflect a better image during the very next exchange. 

The next  social conversation occurred shortly after the last.  It happened to be one of the hosts, and I complimented him on his very interesting home and expressed my desire to look through all of his bookshelves lining the living room.  As I listened to his response, I learned that he was a published author, a philosopher, wrote every single day, never got rid of a book, and reads two books in different foreign languages simultaneously.  Besides being a world traveler, he is a very cerebral and personable fellow.

The situations we beckon into our lives is always of an interest to me and I delight in finding the message in each one.  I had failed to appropriately identify my life style, reprimanded my self  promising to do better, and then had a one sided exchange with an extremely competent man.  I believe the only words I managed to mutter were, "Thank you for having me in your lovely home."

So what these two experiences teach me is important.  What I really do in my private time is really of no importance to anyone else, but me.  My day needs to be pleasing to my self in terms of using Divine Spirit's gifts and guidance.  If I am following Spirit's lead and truly believe whatever it is I do is important, than nothing else should matter.

I thankfully discovered my comfort zone before I had to leave.  I stayed in the midst of others being fairly non-verbal and just holding light.  This is what I seem to do best ... standing still in the light, shinning.

Mothers and Children

"Our initial connection to life comes solely through the mother.  She is the one who provides assurance of survival --- or not.  She is the one who transmits and confers our most basic right to be loved and to give love --- or not. 

Mother could only love, approve of, and appreciate me to the degree that she could love, approve of, and appreciate herself.  She was not capable of that because  she did not love the feminine part or herself."

Deborah King

TRUTH HEALS

We are not always loved in the manner in which we would like.  Sometimes we have to embrace how love is offered to us, as long as it is healthy.  Hopefully we will understand in time, the lack of love is not a judgment of our selves, but the inability  of the giver.   Not all of us have had inspirational female role models and not all of us have had children of our own.  The mother - child relationship, however, can be duplicated in a number of healthy ways.

In some instances, a grandmother or favorite aunt may step in offering unconditional love.  There may be a teacher who takes a special interest in us and encourages us in a personal way.  As we grow older, we become more aware of accomplished women who can inspire us.  Role models are prolific ... professors, doctors, authors, poets, painters, actresses, dancers, and singers.  In researching such role models, we learn most people have had enormous struggles to get where they have finally arrived --- or not.

"I don't remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child.”  This is a quote from Anne Lamott.  It is a misconception to believe only mothers can love their children.  Anyone can love a child, and love them deeply.  There are teachers, mentors, and professionals who love children with a passion to instill self-worth, healing and personal integrity. 

If you have not had a child of your own, you can do more with your energy than trying to fill this void.  There are so many children in our neighborhoods, schools, and families needing attention.  Volunteers are needed in schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations like Big Sister Programs.  These kinds of relationships can fill our hearts if we allow it to happen --- or not.

So on this Mother's Day, I honor all of you who have given so generously from your heart.  It doesn't matter if you have been a grandmother, aunt, teacher, volunteer, professional or neighborhood mom, I honor the graciousness of your kind deeds.  I also honor all of the children who allowed themselves to heal through the experience of love.

Endless gratitude for compassionate love shared with children no matter their religion, color, or creed.  Equally, deep appreciation is extended to the children who have loved back in return by embracing an elder of any means.  Today we can celebrate the love for each other and the healing compassion unfolding in our hearts.