Strength to Love, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr

January 15, 1929 ~ April 4, 1968

"Strength to Love" 1963

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; 

only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that. 

Hate multiplies hate, 

violence multiplies violence, 

and toughness multiplies toughness 

in a descending spiral of destruction...

The chain reaction of evil 

-- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- 

must be broken, 

or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."

Chapters in the Great Book of Life

Anyone who says they have

only one life to live

must not know 

how to read a book.

Author Unknown

Last night I started a new book.  I tried to register new characters by their names and significance, to record landmarks that might be important to the story, and to be cognizant of any foreshadowing that just might be tucked into the writing.

Somehow I drew a parallel between a new read and a new segment of life, as in both there is always so much to learn and absorb.  There are layers of knowledge about new physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual surroundings.

In new situations, we may have to determine where to live; what resources to use to support our emotional makeup during change; how to navigate successfully between new forms, policies, and routines; and when will we encounter kindred spirits.  In a book, much of this is eluded to in the first few chapters.

There are books written for romance, adventure, inspiration, education, fantasy, mystery ... the list goes on.  If you are mesmerized by the author, it doesn't matter if the book is fiction or non-fiction.  The reader gets pulled into the written word and becomes so occupied, escape from the present moment occurs.

THE CELESTINE PROPHECY was written by James Redfield in 1993.  It discussed psychological and spiritual ideas prevalent in the roots of ancient Eastern Traditions.  James Redfield's message resonated within the hearts of many and the book landed on the New York Best Selling List.  By 2005 over 20 million books had been sold worldwide and the book had been printed in 34 languages.  

The CELESTINE PROPHECY was criticized by some claiming that it was not 'well written'.  The story was about a person's spiritual awakening and the transition that accompanied it.  If a critic chooses to pick a part the style of a book rather than be inspired, this supports my idea of a parallel between books and life.

Segments in our life unfold and in being truthful, our story may not have great style.  There will be those who might criticize our transitions and miss entirely the lifting of our personal baggage.  Negative opinions will be shared even though uninvited, so we must stand strong in what we know to be true for our own character.  We must not ad lib or change lines to simply please our attentive audience.

There are some great 'reads' and some that miss the mark, but this too is like our own chapters in the great book of life.  We ace some portions and we struggle miserably with others.  We, as authors of our own stories can only hope that the message in the end will overshadow the words which lacked style and grace.

Street Light Sarcasm

sarcasm: 

a form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.   
                         American Heritage Dictionary

When I was in the seventh grade attending a Roman Catholic grade school, a woman was attacked just outside the church door.  She struggled with the man and fortunately broke away from his grip.  She had been waiting outside of the church for a student meeting to be dismissed.  Although it was only 6 p.m. darkness had already fallen in the city.

Being inside of the building, the news of the attack spread quickly.  We were instructed to leave the grounds immediately and to go directly home.  The police had not been called as the woman refused to report the incident and the man had already fled down the street.  

The thought of the man still being in the neighborhood frightened me.  To get home, I would be walking eight city blocks alone.  I walked to and from school every day, but usually I would meet friends along the way and it was never dark.

I went to the office phone and asked permission to call home.  I was very relieved when my father answered. Quickly, I told him what had happened at the school and how frightened I was to walk home by myself in the dark.  

"Dad, could you please come and pick me up?"

My father laughed and replied, "You have nothing to be afraid of.  If someone grabs you, he'll drop you and run as soon as he gets you under the first street light!"

This was my father's sarcasm.  It was a permanent part of his language.  Growing up, I found him to be highly amusing, not really understanding that his humor was covering his criticism and prejudice.  As an adult reviewing my past, I quickly realized how condescending he was to others.  I always kept my eyes glued to my father's handsome face watching him smile and hearing him laugh, but never thought to glance at the reaction on the face of my father's target.

Just a few years ago, I was talking with a very dear friend.  As usual, I was laughing and told her the story about the street light.  I was using it as an example of how funny my father was to me.  She looked me in the eye and gently asked, "But, how did that make you feel?"  I was stunned.  No one had ever asked me that before. The remark seemed irrelevant until the answer slowly took form.

My friend's question triggered all kinds of imprinted memories of being an ugly and incompetent child. Stemming from my father's sarcasm, his "sense of humor" fostered my lack of self-worth.  When I expanded my memory of how he used his sarcasm on my mother, humiliation seeped into my awareness.  I recalled laughing hysterically at things my father would say to my mother never understanding how the condescending  words must have hurt her.  

Let there be no mistake, my father was a gregarious fun loving man who drew friends to him.  He was the kind of man everyone would want to be with hunting, fishing, golfing, or just having a good time.  Certainly we all suffered from his quick tongue, as his sarcasm had no limits or boundaries.  He used his cutting words of disguised criticism on politics, religions, ethnic groups, the lesser female, and the ignorant child.  

Ironically, the strong bias of my father turned me in the opposite direction.  I did not care about politics, but I sought out religious and ethnic diversity which was easy to do in the city.  It took years for me to shed the role of the lesser female, but when I did, I became a  spiritual warrior for women.  And the ignorant child?  She still needs to be calmed, encouraged, and nurtured, but she will never be made to feel 'small' again.

The Wild Garden of Childhood ...

Everything is ceremony

in the wild garden

of childhood.

Pablo Neruda

Winter Garden

My search for objects of wonderment began very early in childhood.  My boundaries for exploration were limited so most of my discoveries occurred in the empty lot next to our apartment building.  As the lot was ill kept, things could easily be hidden in the tall weeds.  Most of these items were more than likely discarded junk, but to me this empty lot was a sacred garden of treasures. 

The corner lot was huge viewed by my child's eyes and my daily jaunt was an imagined safari.  I generously gathered random items and kept them in earlier discovered boxes with ornate lids.  I found old coins, and a small collection of military medals. It was always pure joy to find a discarded notebook containing empty pages waiting for me to sketch all over them or write to my heart's content.  Buttons were good, and sometimes old leather bound books were worthy keepsakes even if they were beyond my understanding.

At times, some adult would toss a stack of bound newspapers into the tall grass.  This provided a cushioned place for me to sit and it was low enough to hide me in my lair.  I could over hear conversations as strangers walked down the city street or snippets of information from neighborhood children racing by on their bikes.


To sit in this special space I experienced solitude and an awareness of birds, butterflies, and unfortunately unwanted snakes.  I would hold rocks in my chubby little hands and place wildflowers around me. My day dreams frequently crossed the threshold into other realms.  I loved every cloud in the sky and etched floating words into my diary.  My writings were safe in my diary with the little key and lock.


After many hours of play, I would wander back into our apartment where my mother would cast her eyes filled with disdain upon my filthy appearance.  She would promptly put me in a bathtub where I would then soak trying to scrub the dirt from behind my fingernails.  I never wore shoes and the bottoms of my feet were like leather.  If asked, the bruises on my knees from crawling around in the height of discovery were difficult to explain. The warm bath water, however, always comforted me and prepared me for the nap that was yet to come.


All these years later, I still collect rocks and keep random treasures in old wooden boxes.  I frequently write in journals after spending time outside exploring mother nature.  Taking a bath has grown into a ritual with soft music, a candle and sometimes flowers.  After surrounding myself with books, a nap still follows.  Words still float by me, and with any luck, I still cross the threshold into other realms.

Flowers Keep the Light ...

Deep in the roots,

all flowers keep the light.

Theodore Roethke

In the depth of life resides energy, love, and light.  It is during solitude one can feel the warmth and flickering glow.  Too easily distracted, our connection with all that is becomes fragmented.  

We wander around in the darkness feeling isolated and desperate.  We bump into one and another without looking deeply for the wisdom held in each soul.   

Like a wildflower, feel the pull of the hot warm sun.  Stretch through any illusion of darkness and be the keeper of your light.  

A Creation Story

A Creation Story

The Birth of Gaia and Something New

She is the daughter of chaos

Born of star material

Fire and ice, sound and fury

Alchemical green and blue matter

Orange red magma spewing passionate heat

Steamy beginnings

A universal elixir of life

Never still, always in motion

Changing, growing, dying, rebirthing

Shape shifting, dreaming, and imagining

She will always be, in some form or another

She may shake us off and begin again

She may shape herself so that the

Paradise lost, will be found again

But lately in her perfect thunder mind

Something magical and vital is stiffing

Her dreams have been infused with

Unusual entanglements of ideas

Exotic possibilities of thought

Never before felt

Bubbling up from the heart of her heart.

Denise Kester 2007

We'Moon 2012

What The Eye Sees ...

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.


ROBERTSON DAVIES 

The Wordsworth Dictionary of Quotes

A few years ago, I heard a story worthy of repeating.  This story is about perception and I loved the ending!

A woman was in between flights at an international airport.  She decided to purchase a bag of cookies to munch on while she waited for the departure of her next flight.  Finally finding a chair in the midst of strangers, she settled in with her book and cookies.  

Deeply engrossed in her book, she mindlessly reached for a cookie; but much to her surprise, she found another hand in her cookie bag!  She quickly jerked her head to see just who this greedy hand belonged to.  A well dressed man sat next to her greeting her with a smile, as he proceeded to eat a cookie.  "Of all the gall," she thought.  Oh well, what was one less cookie.  She continued to read, but once again when she placed her hand in the cookie bag, his hand was exiting with still another cookie.  She was furious!  She gave him a look that would fry bacon, but he just smiled back.  

As her last flight was finally called for boarding, she decided to finish the last cookie and throw away the bag.  As she turned, however,  she discovered the man breaking the remaining cookie in half and gesturing to her to take the last half.  She grabbed her half of the cookie from this rude gentleman and boarded her flight.

She was still steaming when she took her seat on the plane next to the window.  She replayed the entire cookie scene in her head, still appalled  at the inappropriate behavior or this rude man.  Placing her book upon her lap, she reached down into her purse to retrieve her glasses when her hand touched upon a crinkling bag.  She pulled the bag out of her purse and to her amazement she was looking at her bag of cookies! 

Can you feel it ... the dawning of truth, the embarrassment, the recall of all judgment placed upon the innocent man, and the humiliation of not being able to explain your side of the story?  

Perceptions are frequently obtained through too small a lens.  We need to use a panoramic view finder to see the big picture!  

Are You Sure ... Thich Nhat Hanh

YOUR TRUE HOME by Thich Nhat Hanh


Are You Sure:

All of us are only human, and we have wrong perceptions every day.  Our spouse or partner is also subject to wrong perceptions, so we must help each other to see more clearly and more deeply.  We should not trust our perceptions too much -  that is something the Buddha taught.  "Are you sure of your perceptions?" he asked us.  I urge you to write this phrase down on a card and put it up on the wall of your room:  "Are you sure of your perceptions?"

There is a river of perceptions in you.  You should sit down on the bank of this river and contemplate your perceptions.  Most of our perceptions, the Buddha said, are false.  Are you sure of your perceptions?  This question is addressed to you.  It is a bell of mindfulness.

...................

Daily, we make assumptions about people, places and things.  We interpret  our thoughts as though they were 100% truth.  What we think impacts our behaviors and interactions with others.  


Quite honestly, there are times when we would be better off just saying, "I don't know."  Although it may sound rigidly religious, we can be more mindful about letting judgment remain in the realm of divinity.  I don't want to judge others primarily because I don't want others to judge me.  I would rather face judgment of the heavenly who can see the entire picture or know the entire story.


We never really know the entire truth, so rather than stressing over who to believe, let it go and devote your time to praying in what ever form that takes for the people involved.  This helps everyone from a higher level instead of passing personal judgment.


Years ago, a college friend called from out of town to tell me he had just purchased a rather large business where I was then living.  He was very excited.  When he arrived in town, we met for a drink bringing our college year books and catching up on activities of our friends over the past years.  This man was very handsome and personable.  He had an infectious laugh and a very kind heart.  I knew him to be fair and trustworthy.  He was still single and I was already contemplating the available women he might find interesting. 


During the following month, news articles, billboards and advertisements reflected his purchase of this local business.  As word began to circulate in the small community, I was happy to tell others about him.  As the weeks passed, I began to hear some very negative remarks about my friend.  I heard that he was dishonest, untrustworthy and he would not be welcome in our town.


I was able to track down where the rumor had started.  His largest competitor admitted he took it upon himself to be quite creative about my friend's work history.  By twisting the facts with a negative spin the competition was dead before it even had time to take root.  The accuracy of the town talk didn't matter and everyone easily believed what was not true.  My friend was doomed prior to arrival.


Perceptions.  We all have perceptions, but we do not always have all of the facts.  In certain situations, no matter what we think or who we research, it will be impossible to know the absolute truth.  Before our perceptions slide into judgment, slip into prayer for all peoples involved as they all will be suffering.  If we truly are operating with an open heart, we offer forgiveness, compassion, and a willingness to reserve all judgment.


The end of the story:  My friend indeed did come to town aware of the vicious rumors being spread by his competitor.  He conducted business with his high standards and soon his business grew.  People got to know him and like him, but they never 'let him in'.  He was always just on the edge as the old perceptions were still lodged   in the minds of others.  The community never really embraced him completely.  His competitor of course continued the slander.  Eventually, my friend married for the first time and decided to begin his family in a new location where they could truly call it home.  


Perceptions.  We really need to ask ourselves, "Is this true, absolutely proof positive true?"  And even if it is true, we have no need to judge, or enter into an arena where we have no business being.  Even if we have a personal interest, we need not be self appointed juries.  I am not encouraging any one  to accept or embrace negative behaviors, but rather to use your emotions in a positive way hoping to bring healing
to all involved.

'Undivided Tenderness'

"When you're a beautiful person on the inside, there is nothing in the world that can change that about you.  If you can't accept yourself, then certainly no one else will."     ~ Sasha Azevedo  

Over time, we grow aware of our differences.  Differences from the role we play in our family, to our selves, and to others surrounding us.  Who are we any way?  When we are exposed to conflicting belief systems,  dysfunctional family dynamics, and  inappropriate life styles, it is important to have a strong sense of self so we will not be over come by so many differences.  If we learn from these differences, we will not become stagnant nor lose opportunities to stretch and grow.  If we carefully open our inner self and not be rigid in our perceptions, we will see our selves in a new light.

Lingering memories from the recent holidays can be challenging for all of us.  It is a sensitive time and we all have unresolved issues or challenges to work on ... forgiveness ... acceptance ... compassion ... fears.

We must not lose our selves in the past nor is it wise to escape too far into the future.  We must use 'undivided tenderness' to nurture our spirit in the present moment.  Be here now for all else is an illusion.

If you are lonely: 

1.  Make a presentation at a senior center, youth group, church circle
2.  Read books out loud to incapacitated
3.  Offer to babysit your neighbors children for one hour
4.  Take a class ... dance, art, writing, photography
5.  Start a garden club
6.  Initiate a monthly meet at the local coffee cafe

                                                            The ideas are endless ......

A Positive Message

Every word, facial expression, gesture, or action on the part of a parent gives the child some message about self-worth. It is sad that so many parents don't realize what messages they are sending.   ~Virginia Satir

Everyone is entitled to think what they want, but unfortunately, we sometimes base our thinking on the behaviors of people we love.  If mom says I am not living up to her expectations or dad simply shakes his head disapprovingly, their assessment must be true ... I trust her, I love him, they know me better than I know my self.  We internalize the judgment and criticism.

We need to realize others project things upon us, but the projection is really more about them ... their own fears ... their own agendas.  We are all concerned about being loved and accepted.  If something harsh is said to us, let it be a signal that the person is really needing to feel more secure or loved.  Let there be a pause, and then find some way ... maybe just an unexpected hug, a special note or flowers ... to reassure the person.  In reality, the person is probably already hating himself or herself for speaking to you in such an inappropriate way. 

We must learn to build our lives in ways that support our growth.  Our own behaviors towards our inner growth must be nurturing and affirming.  If we were not chosen to sing in a choir or chorus, it does not mean that we cannot sing.  SING!  It is good for us  to hear our own voice making joyful noises or settling us into calm.  DANCE! Moving our feet is not only good exercise, but a liberation of spirit as well.  PAINT!  We don't have to be an artist to make strokes with a brush.  Fall in love with mixing colors.  WRITE!  Be creative using a private journal.  Jot down notes or quotes.  Cut out pictures and make mini collages or simply sketch.  Find a way for creative expression and it will lead us into our true nature.
We must try to be nice to our inner self as it will help to reprogram earlier negative messages from those we loved.   We willingly do things for others, but not so much ourselves.  We tend to censor kind gestures towards ourselves ... thinking it is too selfish and our ego talks us out of it.  We must be vigilant in giving our self permission to respect, honor, and nurture our very life.

Please do not hide your beautiful self.  The world needs your bright and shining light!  Be a positive message to our world.  We need you just as you are!



Awaken Once Again

re-awakening

“ there had been a time it had slept
for years and years
to finally awaken with fierce intensity.
her power had found her,
she had claimed it.
and then - somehow -
parts of it fell asleep again.
this time for not so long
as she missed it and knew it was needed.
calling it awake again,
they stepped forward together.
strong and light and real. ”

~terri st. cloud

Power is one of those words that means different things to different people.  Most generally, I use the word in terms of internal spiritual strength that is not used to physically control or gain power over any one.  Power is an awareness to utilize personal goodness for the betterment of self and others.

The holidays challenge our personal power.  We back slide into previous roles as we face expectations imposed by others.  We fall asleep, so to speak, to the knowledge of our true spirit.  When we awaken, it can be like a new birth ... the old lack of self-esteem falls away and a new vision of self appears once again empowered. 

As a fire burns, the fire tender pokes at the coals to stir the embers.  We, too, must poke at our embers to stay a bright light enabling ourselves to find our way.  As we are placed in the midst of those who challenge us or who do not support our spiritual awareness, we must make special effort in tending our fire.  The cold chill of negatively spoken words can dampen the coals, just as the brutal winds of drama or chaos can extinguish our flames.

As we sit around our personal fire, darkness gathers and snuggles near our light.  We must not be afraid of our own dark night.   We all have weaknesses or temptations, but we must have the courage to bring our light into that darkness.  We are all capable of horrible things, but we have choice ... keep our light burning brightly or succumb to darkness.  When we poke at our fire to stir the embers, sparks take flight as little beacons of hope to others. 

If we explore and acknowledge this darkness, we will learn to embrace it through self compassion and acceptance.  Sitting in silence around our fire, we hear self-criticisms ... who is doing the talking ... whose voice is it .... where were these first words spoken ... are they factual or based in fear?  SIT WITH THESE THOUGHTS FOR AWHILE.

Are we frightened at the possibility of being  pure and good?  Do we fall asleep negating our power in order to stay small?  What would life look like if we awakened to find our selves beautiful and filled with light ... visualize ... determine why this might be threatening.  JOURNAL.

The New Year approaches. 

It is time to awaken once again.

Begin to build your fire ...



Face in the Mirror



If I could give you one key,
and one key only to more abundant life,
I would give you a sense of your own worth,
an unshakable sense of your own dignity
as one grounded in the source of the cosmic dance, as one who plays a unique part
in the unfolding of the story of the world...

- Greta Crosby

In my mid-twenties, I was standing in front of the bathroom sink washing my hands when I happened to glance at myself in the mirror.  I was clearly startled at the realization I did not know this person staring back at me.

Appraising myself, I tried to create a sense of who I was:  daughter to two parents, sister to one sibling, college graduate, wife in a marriage, mother of two little boys, and director of a preschool program.  These were all adjectives describing parts that stemmed from the center, but not who I was in the very inner center.

I felt a very haunting feeling spread into my heart.  The loneliness of not knowing deeply who I was spread a cold chill throughout my body.  "I don't have time for this," I remember saying.  I turned my face away from the mirror not wanting to face my reflection any longer.

This was one of many instances over the years where the veil parted and I glimpsed an inner depth to life, more than what floats on the surface.  Perhaps it was my soul calling out for me to return to the knowing of who I was meant to be.

For many of us, it is not until we release our grip on all of our gathered identities from family, career, and community that we follow the path back into the depth of our soul.  It is similar to an oxymoron in that we discover this part of our self deep within while learning that we are a part of the great whole. 

If you have personally not discovered your first steps to the great cosmic dance, I encourage you seek and find "the unique part you are playing in the great unfolding of the story of the world."

Listen With Your Heart ...



Any ordinary favor we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but may be planting a seed we can't see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can't design or ordain.

- Sharon Salzberg 

All things have value, seen and unseen.  Sometimes we are blessed by immediate understanding of a thought, word, or deed while other times we must just trust that all will be as it needs to be. 

We must not let negative ego chatter talk us out of our authentic desires to be open hearted.  Gestures of kindness committed in private or public, prompted by heartfelt goodness will hit the bulls eye in good speed.  Stepping through vulnerabilities and weakness, overcoming personal fear, our confidence, dignity, and integrity soar.

With an open heart, we overhear Divine guidance prompting spontaneous actions.  Once I was told 'gut feelings' were authentic responses not having time to be censored by the mind.  When we allow our selves to be open to opportunities to assist others, Spirit can move us around where we need to be. 

We must broaden the concept of giving.  Giving is not limited to charity.   Treating fellow human beings in the brightest light possible enrichens our own lives as well as others.  It feels good to give!

When we were a family of six traveling to my parents home down south, we stopped at a small town cafe for our lunch.  The four children squabbled over who would sit where, and my then husband and myself sat where seats were remaining.  As we gathered around the round table, the locals looked us up one side and then down the other, finally turning their gazes back to their meals.

When our food came, none too soon for the fidgiting children, we all held hands and sang our family blessing as quietly as we could.  "Oh the Lord is good to us, and so we thank the Lord, for giving us the things we need, the sun, the rain, and the apple seed.  The Lord is good to us! Amen." 

An older man approached our table.  He said he wanted to buy our meal as we had reminded him so much of his years as a young father with family gathered around his table.  He had tears in his eyes and told us he had been touched seeing a family in prayer.  We kindly accepted this man's offer and invited him to sit with us as we finished our meal.

This was not charity.  We easily could afford our meal, but it meant so much to this local man it would have been rude to refuse.  It allowed him to connect with old memories and to feel good about his gesture.  So he was enhanced by his kindness, just as we were touched by his gesture.  And the seed ... the seed was planted that day in my children to sprout perhaps one day when they themselves are old and lonely. 

Listen to your heart.

Plant the seed, seen or unseen.

Trust in the unfolding.

The Power of Love

for all holidays celebrated this season

for all who are merry and bright ,

and for all who are lonely and sad -

your presence matters.

thank you for adding to the light in the darkness.

behold the power of love!

 happy holidays!

 from my heart,
terri
(from bone sighs)

Happy New Year ... 2012

Happy New Year!
Wishing you ...

Insight

Wisdom

Health

Abundance

Dance

Song

Words

Articulation

Friendship

Journey

Journaling

Joy

Nature

Peace

Calm

Love

Voice

Whispers
and

Silence

New Years Eve ... Worry versus Wonder

In the landscape of time,

there are few locations less comfortable

than that of one who waits

for some person or event to arrive

at some unknown moment in the future.

Robert Grudin

New Years Eve and we find ourselves assessing what we achieved and what we allowed to fall by the way side.  We count our blessings, but being humans we linger over our losses a little longer than necessary.

Many of us have counted the days throughout the year, waiting for that special person to arrive and change our life forever.  Be it a doctor to cure us, an employer to hire us, or a soul mate to love us, we may be facing the end of the year alone.

With all of the fear being propagated about 2012, I recently searched material reflecting attitudes back in 1699 and 1899 finding the same fearful statements of what 1700 or 1900 might bring ... destruction, diseases, and unknown catastrophes.  To me, it seemed as though there were no differences between then and now except for the dates.  The great "not knowing" or uncertainties drenched in the depths of fear.

In one of my readings, I found a suggestion to replace the word worry with the word wonder. This simplistic suggestion has altered my thinking process.  It is a wonderful reframe!

Test it right now ... say the word worry and notice the heaviness and fear of it.  Now say the word wonder and feel the lightness and curiosity. 

Who is it that says, "Be the change you want to see."  If you want peace, be peaceful to your self and others.  If you want to extinguish hunger, feed your self and your neighbors.  If you desire respect, respect your self and others.  Well, you get the idea.

The year 2011 has been filled with death and rebirth of thoughts, expectations, and situations I no longer needed. The year has been painful, but equally rewarding.  As 2012 begins, I have the sense that it will be a time for things to fall into place or come together for me.  

As this year comes to a close, we can let go of what no longer serves us and make room for new positive experiences awaiting us. Replace the gripping fingers of fear with the face of magical wonderment. 

"I shall fear no evil." 

An Answer Dressed in Unexpected Attire

We live in a very tense society. 

We are pulled apart...

and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together....

I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. 

~Helen Hayes

Spirit is always trying to connect with us to offer guidance and support.  Divine Wisdom can come to us in many forms: praying, reading, singing, meditating, artistic expression, or simply listening in silence.

There are times when we are in need of solution, and unfortunately our expectations take the form of rigidity.

We are waiting for an exact response affirming what we seek.  It simply doesn't work that way. 

We sometimes say, "I never received an answer," when the truth is we received an answer we did not want to hear or we asked then neglected to listen.  I believe it is Garth Brooks who said, "Some of the best gifts have been unanswered prayers." 

Through hindsight, we all can recall a time we prayed so hard for something or wished upon a star ... every night ... never receiving the anticipated response.  In time, we realized that had prayer been affirmed, we would have missed out on something much more meaningful than our original request.

So how do we know the answer to our questions?  Spend some time in solitude, even if it is only a small segment of our day.  Do not be so rigid in our expectations that we entirely miss an answer dressed in unexpected attire.

What is that old joke about the drowning man.  A life guard tries to save him, but the man sends him away shouting, "I am a Christian and God will save me!"  Then a boat comes by with the captain offering a life jacket, but again the drowning man, going under for the second time, sends the boat away, certain that God will save him.  Lastly, a helicopter drops a rope pleading with the man to grasp for safety.  As the man goes under the water for the third and last time, he drowns.  He awakens to find himself at the pearly gates facing St. Peter demanding to know why God did not save him as he was a faithful Christian man.  St. Peter responded, "God sent you help three times!"

When we find our selves drowning in our own issues, desperately in need of rescue, pay close attention to the unexpected opportunities presenting themselves.  We can collect a variety of ideas and open our heart as we sit in solitude fitting the unlikely pieces together.   

Dreams and Desires

What we can do and want to do is projected in our imagination, quite outside ourselves, and into the future. We are attracted to what is already ours in secret. Thus passionate anticipation transforms what is indeed possible into dreamt-for reality.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

                (1749 - 1832)


Many believe that God has a plan for us before we feel the desire.  Once we become aware of a desire, we begin to visualize how this dream might come true.  The crisp image supported by positive thinking, projects out into the Universe where things very well may begin to draw together.

There are words like synchronicity, fate, destiny, chance or accidental meetings reflecting the unseen networking provided by Divine.  We take our seat on an airplane and discover the person sitting next to us is looking to fill a position in his office ... the very kind of employment you are dreaming about.  You casually mention to a friend a particular need, and she excitedly tells you how her neighbor is capable of the very solution.  An associate mentions a book of poems and your interest is piqued.  You begin searching for the old collection of poems but cannot find it anywhere.  While talking with your grandfather your eyes wander to his desk and there sits the very book of poems you have been searching for.

Divine Spirit is like a great Amazon.com out in the Universe.  Perhaps there are some angels sit and google all day, looking for the exact connections we need.  Then other angels appear linking us to their discovered resources. (This is my sense of humor.)

So be careful what you wish for, where you place your focus, and what degree you pay attention to the world around you.  Explore possibilities to begin to connect the dots so you will not be the 'missing link' to your own future.



Silent the Sounds

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. 

~K.T. Jong

As I sit in my favorite chair by the window, watching the birds fly from tree to tree, I let the concerns from the day slide away.  The stillness of the room encourages my monkey mind to settle down and to allow the comfort of silence relax my body, mind, and soul.

Memories of Christmas carols, children playing with new toys, expressions written across young parents faces, and the lines of loss etched upon others once again are recalled.  There are friends I have missed, some whose final destination I do not know, and others who have simply just let go. 

My chair embraces me, holds me as my thoughts drift into silence.  It is within this silence that the whispers of truth finally reach my ear.  In this chair of comfort, I can safely explore what life reveals as it knocks upon my heart's door.

This solitude allows me to speculate, but not be drawn in to decision making or planning.  It is a neutral time for simple observation, allowing all drama to fall by the way side.  I can see into the heart of the matter and feel the 'knowing' of what is true.

Before much longer, the Christmas tree will no longer be in my view.  I will miss the white lights laced between the branches, reflecting purity and goodness while I rest in my chair.  Time passes and the holidays come and go, but I can always find the beauty of life by stepping in to silence with body, mind, and soul.