Another Year Passing Me By ...

 

Your pain is the breaking of the shell

that encloses your understanding.

Kahlil Gibran

There have been some of those who I have met along the way, that have already stepped off their path either to rest or journey no farther.  My journey continues.

Another year is passing me by, and it has been a period for 'breaking my shell'... transformation, forgiveness and reunification.  A time for letting go and moving forward to harmonize opposites.

There is limitation in totally removing oneself from the physical world through meditation, contemplation and withdrawal.  There are restrictions when living totally in the physical world void of the mysteries of life and personal evolving.  So we must take the best of both worlds, being spiritually connected while engaging with the human population.

My years of seeking or searching seem to have ended.  Now I sit heavily with all that I have gathered and anticipate how to give back meeting life's purpose.  I am excited with the prospects that are now waiting before me, and I find myself more than eager to walk further down my creative road.

My shell continues to crack and the pain reminds me of the hidden, needing to be unveiled once and for all.  Even though in doing so, the risk becomes I may not be who I think I am at all.  So many layers stripped away, and yet one never seems to be done.  My choice I suppose, but I long for the unfolding of what is yet to come.

 

 

Cultivate a Sense of Worthiness

The appearance of things change according to the emotions,

and thus we see magic and beauty in them,

while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves.

Kahlil Gibran

Lebanese Poet and Philosopher

We are all resilient creatures entitled to a life of abundance, creative expression, and good health.  Born into this physical world, we bring unique gifts and talents to be used in carving our imprint upon our own life and the lives of others. 

We are not meant to be the same nor are we meant to be ruthlessly competitive.  In the truest sense of living, we are meant to compliment, encourage and inspire each other.  At times, we are also called to challenge, but never conquer.  Sometimes we are the teacher and often times, the teacher becomes the student.

If the only person we can truly change is our self, we must continue to go within, discovering our connection with Divine Spirit.  Through prayer, meditation or contemplation, we tap into wisdom, insight, and inspiration which encourages personal empowerment ... not a physical power over others, but the essence and the importance of the spiritual abilities we each possess. 

If we do not cultivate a sense of worthiness, we will never be able to make the change we most want to see.  We will continue to have a yearning and a sense of unfulfillment no matter what material accomplishments we achieve. 

By achieving the sense of self-worth, we can slow down and become aware of the beauty we each behold.  Instead of being threatened, we can celebrate the differences between us.  If we open our hearts with compassion, attempt to understand differences between us, and join our efforts towards common goals, our world will be a source of comfort.  Love becomes the bond holding us together.

Mother's Day ...

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters

of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you,

but not from you,

And though they are with you yet

they belong not to you.

You may give them your love,

but not your thoughts,

for they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies,

but not their souls,

for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit,

not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,

but seek not to make them like you.

Kahlil Gibran

 On Children 
                                                                         

As a child when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same.  I wanted to be a 'mom'.  I wanted to be a really good mom.  When I graduated from college, I still wanted to be a 'mom' and not an ordinary one either.

I chose to bring four children into this world.  At the time, I had no idea what challenges these babies would bring nor how many decisions I would have to be make, but I certainly did not anticipate the extent their lives would have upon mine. 

I once read an article quoting an adoptive father upon receiving his first child.  The quote was, "I can hardly wait to watch this child unfold, to discover the magnificence of this life."  It was refreshing to read about a parent who was not designing the path of the child. 

My three boys were nothing alike and yet there were so many similarities.  What I learned with my first son certainly didn't help me with my second or third son.  Each child needed differing rules, individual guidance, and unique experiences.  Then my fourth child was a girl surprising us all.  We each gave her a part of our self which she blended into her

own creative spirit.

I raised my children to be independent, desiring to nurture strengths and strengthen weaknesses.  It was vitally important

to me that they established and maintained a sense of belonging to each other no matter what life brought forth on any given day.

As my children evolved into their own individual spirits, they taught me trust, faith, and the deepest sense of love I had ever experienced.  They certainly became aware of my short comings, personal challenges, and determination to become more fully 'me'.  There were difficult times for all of us, and the consequences shaped us into who we are today.

Being a mother has been the most important role I have had in my life time.  I know in my heart I did my best and acknowledge that often my best was not enough.  Motherhood grew me emotionally and spiritually, the teacher becoming the student.  I will always be grateful for having the privilege of bringing these four special souls into the physical and I honor the individual paths they have followed.

May the blessings be ...

Easter Pondering ...

You give but little

when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself

that you truly give.

Kahlil Gibran

There is much to think about at Easter ... the seriousness of the crucifixion and resurrection or the whimsical decorations with colored eggs, bunnies, and chocolate galore.  The list really could go on and on with additional items like Easter Lilies or hot crossed buns.  My children used to ask me how all of these random things fit together.  As a young mother, I found this all hard to explain.

In the Pagan traditions prior to Christianity, the egg was a symbol for fertility and the Goddess Mother Earth;  and the rabbit was an earthy symbol for the Goddess Eastre.   The first missionaries, eager to convert others to Christianity, combined some of the earlier pagan traditions with the resurrection of Christ.  More regulation and blending occurred at the Council of Nicaea.

Judgement and criticism need to be set aside in order to find meaning in both religious and family traditions.  During Easter, there is time for a deep spiritual connection and family bonding.  Some will be communing with the earth, celebrating as they plant their spring gardens while others are worshiping in a church.  Still others embrace all of these activities plus more.

I have colored more than my share of Easter eggs, and creatively hidden them as well.  I have filled plenty of baskets with chocolates and jelly beans.  I dutifully dressed my children for Easter services and have always revered Jesus the Christ. 

As I have grown away from traditional Easter holiday celebrations, my mind continues to linger on the subject of death and rebirth.  The crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, to me, symbolizes the death and rebirth cycle that is on going throughout time in and with all things ... seasons, perennials, stages of development, spiritual transitions, and physical death itself. 

As we navigate through our lives, we learn to detach from possessions and focus more on giving rather than collecting.  As we begin to be generous in giving of our 'self' we truly begin to experience genuine non-materialistic gifts in return.  We learn to cast off what no longer serves us (death) and create opportunities to serve others (rebirth). 

There is always pain with the ending or death of anything or any one, but an awakening and joy usually follows.  It is a cycle one can experience in a day, a month, a year or life time.  The importance perhaps is to use Easter to deliberately reflect upon both our personal/physical and spiritual/emotional cycles of growth based upon the belief systems we hold dear.

When all is said and done, I wish you a very Happy Easter!

Unfolding Like A Lotus

Say not, "I have found the truth,"
but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul."
Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line,
neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself,
like a lotus of countless petals.

THE PROPHET by Kahlil Gibran


As we move through our day, let us try to have an expanded sense of self and a higher awareness of all life.  Let us face any threat as a challenge rather than a negative force, believing that we have the skills to navigate successfully through life with an open heart.  And by all means, develop a sense of humor!

We carry a responsibility for our inner self to always try to do our best overcoming temptations.  Frequently, what appears to be the easier way will ultimately lead to more difficulty. 

Embrace your spirit in spite of weakness, being the best you can be, as integrity (being who you are when no one is looking) is a great achievement.  The more you respect your self,  the higher your self esteem will grow.

Be creative in any aspect of your life that you can.  Nurture your soul and gently tend to your physical needs.  Light a candle in celebration of your very soul unfolding like a lotus.

Children on Mother's Day

"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life longing for itself.
They came through you,
but not from you
and though they are with you yet

they belong not to you."

Kahlil Gibran

From early on, my children never felt like my possessions.  I took my role as mother seriously, as an educator, nurturer, and protector.  It was totally amazing to give birth to four children who would unfold into individual spirits possessing gifts and talents uniquely onto themselves.  

Three boys and a surprise girl born on Mother's Day, bonded together supplying the family with rich memories and difficult challenges, teaching me the extraordinary dynamics of love and trust.  These siblings grew me as much as I grew them.

There was never a good time to let them go, but go they must.  Each traveling his or her own journey to become all they were meant to be, discovering all parts of  the true self.  The depth of love for these four shining stars sinks deeply within me, all the while knowing they never belonged to me.

When You Give

You give but little

when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself

that you truly give.

Kahlil Gibran

Attitude You Bring To Life

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you
as by the attitude you bring to life;
not so much by what happens to you
as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

Kahlil Gibran

Behold, I am here ...

"I existed from all eternity
And behold, I am here;
And I shall exist til the end of time,
For my being has no end."

Kahlil Gibran

Sweetness of Friendship

"In the sweetness of friendship
let there be laughter,
and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed."

Kahlil Gibran

Many Truths

"Say not, I have found the truth,

but rather I have found a truth."

Kahlil Gibran

There are many truths and what is true for one may not be true for another.  With this reasoning, search ancient truths, research current psychology, and experience body work, such as massage or one of the many modalities of energy workers.   These experiences blended with exploring inner landscapes unlock personal truth.  Discoveries are made and the path unfolds.

Aligned ...

"I am not aligned therefore there is not strength to support me.
I cannot stand as all reasoning has turned to liquid.

Loneliness, sadness and isolation, all are my enemies.

Fear is the cage that holds me."

Mark Nepo

Behavioral occurances run through my years, just like threads weaving through the fabric of life.  I have learned, forgotten, and then learned again at a deeper level while breaking a thread here and there, selecting clashing colors and designing a unique pattern.  All of this creates who I am today.

As I ponder my life, I can see the pattern that has been formed, but acknowledge that there are a few strands of thread remaining to complete the design.  The part left unwoven is my writing.  Even though I have been a writer all of my life as well as an avid reader, I have neglected to follow through with sharing my writings on a larger scale. 

In these later years, I sense an obligation to myself to write what comes through my heart, my soul, and my spiritual beliefs.  It seems that if I cross over at the completion of this life without this task well done, my life contracts will not have been fulfilled.

I believe that it is this incompletion that draws loneliness, sadness, and isolation to me.  It is when I utilize my skills and gifts with attention and awareness that strength fills me entirely.   When I am aligned with all that is within me, realization dawns that the cage has never been locked and freedom is obtained with a simple shoulder shove to the door.

 

The Earth Delights

"And forget not that the earth delights
to feel your bare feet
and the
winds long to play with your hair."

Kahlil Gibran