“He that can have Patience, can have what he will.”
Benjamin Franklin
Our timing is definitely not divine timing I've noticed! Have you ever felt impatient with life and felt things were not happening as you would like? That's a rhetorical question by the way!!
There are times when I get so frustrated with something and being a Practitioner of Science of Mind I have to remind myself that there is an order at the back of all things. If life is not unfolding exactly to my plan I try to remember there is probably a better way that I am unaware of and I need to just have faith. I don't always know what is in my best interest from the center of my little world. There is usually a perspective I cannot see.
When I was single I wanted so much to be part of a couple and finally came to really appreciate that single state and remember it's benefits; there's no one to answer to or consider in my decision making process, less compromising and more time to myself. I used to tell myself enjoy this because the time will come when you will be in a relationship and that state has its benefits too but they are not the ones you have now. And at the right time for me in my growth and development I met my husband.
Yes it all worked out for the best but I know it can be challenging to be patient and remember what is best for us is unfolding. When I became aware that impatience is a lack of faith I made a greater effort to align with what is and trust in divine timing.
I am constantly tested but I am much less reactionary now when things don't seem to be going the way I think they should. I've seen that what is right for me will not go by me, that what I thought was right for me paled in comparison with what transpired in time.
So release your small ideas of control today and as Ralph Waldo Emerson says, get your bloated nothingness out of the way! Let Spirit work through you in divine right order and time and be prepared to be more than pleasantly surprised.
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.”
Rainer Maria Rilke
In and through all things Love is the message that Spirit would have us know; that we are loved, that we are love and that love is always the answer. Let the words you read here be a message for you today from the Universe that created you, perfect as you are.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Being who we are!
“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”
John Jakes
"How long have you been an artist?" the judge asked me today as she assessed her jury candidates. "All my life." I replied. It's the truth. It's just one of those things. You are born that way. Unlike some careers you grow into or choose to go to college to be, being an artist, like many gifts we are born with, is something you carry through life. Being a good mathematician or communicator are other gifts we come into the world with. There are many unique talents we each bring to this life.
In some cases it takes a certain belief in ourselves, some courage to put these gifts to use. As an artist I have often felt like I was not part of the practical main stream of life. Many people don't appreciate what artists bring to the world. Ask any artist. Their parents wanted them to be something else, I guarantee you!
But the truth is, from the phone we use, to the cover design of the novel we are reading, to the coffee cup we drink out of in the morning, our lives are touched by artists. Everything we can lay our eyes on right now was designed by someone; an architect, an engineer, a designer, all creative and aesthetically aware, an artist or artisan.
Society seems to favor certain types and strengths over others, extroverts, entertainers, beautiful people, persuasive speakers, especially I find in the US. It has made me question my worth in the world at times. I don't think I am alone. I think we all wonder if we are contributing our strengths truly to the world and if our lives have purpose.
We all need to be who we are, embrace it, love it and unashamedly express it. There is such deep satisfaction in doing what we are here to do. How can you be more yourself, more authentic, today? What are your strengths?
If you don't automatically know them, give it some thought today. There's a website where you can take a strengths test, if you feel the need to. It's called authentichappiness.com. If you can incorporate the top three strengths into your day no matter what job you are doing, you will have greater satisfaction and happiness now. It's in your own hands. Enrich your life and the lives of those around you today by being your beautiful, unique self!
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
Dr. Seuss
John Jakes
"How long have you been an artist?" the judge asked me today as she assessed her jury candidates. "All my life." I replied. It's the truth. It's just one of those things. You are born that way. Unlike some careers you grow into or choose to go to college to be, being an artist, like many gifts we are born with, is something you carry through life. Being a good mathematician or communicator are other gifts we come into the world with. There are many unique talents we each bring to this life.
In some cases it takes a certain belief in ourselves, some courage to put these gifts to use. As an artist I have often felt like I was not part of the practical main stream of life. Many people don't appreciate what artists bring to the world. Ask any artist. Their parents wanted them to be something else, I guarantee you!
But the truth is, from the phone we use, to the cover design of the novel we are reading, to the coffee cup we drink out of in the morning, our lives are touched by artists. Everything we can lay our eyes on right now was designed by someone; an architect, an engineer, a designer, all creative and aesthetically aware, an artist or artisan.
Society seems to favor certain types and strengths over others, extroverts, entertainers, beautiful people, persuasive speakers, especially I find in the US. It has made me question my worth in the world at times. I don't think I am alone. I think we all wonder if we are contributing our strengths truly to the world and if our lives have purpose.
We all need to be who we are, embrace it, love it and unashamedly express it. There is such deep satisfaction in doing what we are here to do. How can you be more yourself, more authentic, today? What are your strengths?
If you don't automatically know them, give it some thought today. There's a website where you can take a strengths test, if you feel the need to. It's called authentichappiness.com. If you can incorporate the top three strengths into your day no matter what job you are doing, you will have greater satisfaction and happiness now. It's in your own hands. Enrich your life and the lives of those around you today by being your beautiful, unique self!
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
Dr. Seuss
Monday, September 28, 2009
Ask for what you want.
"We find what we expect to find, and we receive what we ask for."
Elbert Hubbard, American writer.
I think we forget that there is great power in asking for what we want. So often we expect something to happen or expect a behaviour from another and get very disappointed, even annoyed when it does not unfold as we would want. How did we let our desires be known? How can someone or for that matter the universe, give us what we want if we have not expressed it clearly.
Very often we fear getting a "no" in response or we simply feel the other person should know what we want. By some telepathy I suppose! So we don't ask outright. Well if we asked directly me might get that direct no. Rejection is a deeply held fear. It goes back to being rejected from the tribe or society, from a time we could not survive alone. Risking disappointment is safer than outright rejection.
As a result we act out of fear or a lack of awareness of what is truly going on. We fail to see the possibility we could also get a yes. People are pretty obliging, they want to help, they generally want us to be happy and so does Spirit. So ask! Put it out there. Be forthright and brave, and expect the best. We may occasionally be disappointed but often delightfully surprised too.
Have you asked lately for what you want? Have you expressed a wish in wondering what something would feel like? Or by saying, yes, that's for me, when you see someone else doing or being what you want to be? These are all really great and positive ways ask for what you want and to manifest your desires. I know because they have worked for me.
What do you want?
"Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened onto you."
Elbert Hubbard, American writer.
I think we forget that there is great power in asking for what we want. So often we expect something to happen or expect a behaviour from another and get very disappointed, even annoyed when it does not unfold as we would want. How did we let our desires be known? How can someone or for that matter the universe, give us what we want if we have not expressed it clearly.
Very often we fear getting a "no" in response or we simply feel the other person should know what we want. By some telepathy I suppose! So we don't ask outright. Well if we asked directly me might get that direct no. Rejection is a deeply held fear. It goes back to being rejected from the tribe or society, from a time we could not survive alone. Risking disappointment is safer than outright rejection.
As a result we act out of fear or a lack of awareness of what is truly going on. We fail to see the possibility we could also get a yes. People are pretty obliging, they want to help, they generally want us to be happy and so does Spirit. So ask! Put it out there. Be forthright and brave, and expect the best. We may occasionally be disappointed but often delightfully surprised too.
Have you asked lately for what you want? Have you expressed a wish in wondering what something would feel like? Or by saying, yes, that's for me, when you see someone else doing or being what you want to be? These are all really great and positive ways ask for what you want and to manifest your desires. I know because they have worked for me.
What do you want?
"Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened onto you."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Being Right!
This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. - Shakespeare
Social psychology research has shown that the single most important motivating factor in our decision making process and formation of our attitudes, is the desire to be right. When we hear a source that we consider credible, that we respect and admire, expressing an opinion that is different to our own, we are more likely to consider shifting our attitude. We wish to align with it, especially if it came from a trusted friend, a beloved minister or a TV personality we look up to, so that we can feel that we have it right. If they think that way then there must be some validity to it.
However I have found that if there is a position you wish to defend in the world you can find ample evidence to support that stance. This too is a recognised phenomenon in social psychology; justification of our decisions. Absence makes the heart grow fonder or is it out of sight is out of mind? For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, there is a good side to every seemingly bad situation, etc. Who or what is right!
How do we decide?
Is what we have been telling ourselves all our lives right? When did we form the things we believe about ourselves and the world? Could they be looked at again in the light of maturity to asses their validity?
I have uncovered many false beliefs in my lifetime and continue to do so. And the way I do it is listening. I do listen to learned women and men I respect and I always listen to my intuition. I gauge if I resonate with what I hear and assess if it frees me or binds me and people in general. Has it got love at it's center? People often ask how they can distinguish their intuition from all the other voices in their heads and I say, it may speak in gentle tones and will always have love and your good, as well as the good of all, as it's deepest desire.
The only time it screams, and it does at times, is when you have ignored it way beyond what it can stand and you'll know this because you will have been hit by the "cosmic 2 by 4" somehow. It's best not to let it get to that place and listen now. Sometimes we have to wait in silence for it's reticent voice. It is wise and knows a timing better than ours. Trust it and nothing else, it will never let you down.
The only tyrant I accept in this world is the 'still small voice' within”
Mahatma Gandhi
Social psychology research has shown that the single most important motivating factor in our decision making process and formation of our attitudes, is the desire to be right. When we hear a source that we consider credible, that we respect and admire, expressing an opinion that is different to our own, we are more likely to consider shifting our attitude. We wish to align with it, especially if it came from a trusted friend, a beloved minister or a TV personality we look up to, so that we can feel that we have it right. If they think that way then there must be some validity to it.
However I have found that if there is a position you wish to defend in the world you can find ample evidence to support that stance. This too is a recognised phenomenon in social psychology; justification of our decisions. Absence makes the heart grow fonder or is it out of sight is out of mind? For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, there is a good side to every seemingly bad situation, etc. Who or what is right!
How do we decide?
Is what we have been telling ourselves all our lives right? When did we form the things we believe about ourselves and the world? Could they be looked at again in the light of maturity to asses their validity?
I have uncovered many false beliefs in my lifetime and continue to do so. And the way I do it is listening. I do listen to learned women and men I respect and I always listen to my intuition. I gauge if I resonate with what I hear and assess if it frees me or binds me and people in general. Has it got love at it's center? People often ask how they can distinguish their intuition from all the other voices in their heads and I say, it may speak in gentle tones and will always have love and your good, as well as the good of all, as it's deepest desire.
The only time it screams, and it does at times, is when you have ignored it way beyond what it can stand and you'll know this because you will have been hit by the "cosmic 2 by 4" somehow. It's best not to let it get to that place and listen now. Sometimes we have to wait in silence for it's reticent voice. It is wise and knows a timing better than ours. Trust it and nothing else, it will never let you down.
The only tyrant I accept in this world is the 'still small voice' within”
Mahatma Gandhi
Saturday, September 26, 2009
God Speed
“I sent my soul through the invisible,some letter of that afterlife to spell; and by and by my soul returned to me,and answered, "I myself am Heav'n and Hell"
Omar Khayyam
Loosing someone we love whether in an untimely way or after they have lived a long and fulfilling life raises questions for even those among us who have the strongest faith.
I used to visit with a lady I came to call my adopted granny for about 5 years before her death at the grand age of 95. I knew her husband also who died a year or so after I began visiting them. She felt his loss acutely but it did not dampen her zest for life despite being legally blind and her mobility slowed to a snails pace. She used to tell a story of trying to console a child who was grappling with the death of an aunt. She would tell her that that person was with her in spirit although she couldnt see her anymore and that all she had to do was think of her and she was present. The young girl seemed to understand but her response was, "That's all very well but I'd rather have someone with skin on!"
I think of that story when someone passes. I know that people sense the presence of the deceased person from time to time and definitely hold that loved one forever alive in their memory and hearts but its the loss of the physical presence that the mind has such a hard to coming to terms with.
A young man of about nineteen gave me pause for thought when he made a comment as we talked about death. He had meditated since he was very young and felt he went to that place of simply being energy or spirit when he sat to turn within. He felt as if he had already visited that place of disembodiment and pure consciousness, there was nothing to fear in the afterlife.
If death is the ultimate fear, fear of non existence, his experience is a good argument for the meditative state. Only once in my life have I had that truly freeing experience. I felt unencumbered by all my attachments to who I am on this physical plane and it was blissful.
If this is what our loved ones go on to, we can celebrate their release knowing we will join them one day or any day if we choose to incorporate deepening our meditation into our daily practice.
If I myself am heaven and hell, it's a powerful and comforting way to choose heaven as we commune with the universal energy where we are one with our beloved and they are one with us.
Can you relate to this? Have you had a similar experience? I would love to hear about it.
Emptiness is in fact form when we forget the self. There's nothing in the universe other than ourself. Nothing to compare, name, or identify. When it's the only thing there is, how can we talk about it?- Taizan Maezumi
Omar Khayyam
Loosing someone we love whether in an untimely way or after they have lived a long and fulfilling life raises questions for even those among us who have the strongest faith.
I used to visit with a lady I came to call my adopted granny for about 5 years before her death at the grand age of 95. I knew her husband also who died a year or so after I began visiting them. She felt his loss acutely but it did not dampen her zest for life despite being legally blind and her mobility slowed to a snails pace. She used to tell a story of trying to console a child who was grappling with the death of an aunt. She would tell her that that person was with her in spirit although she couldnt see her anymore and that all she had to do was think of her and she was present. The young girl seemed to understand but her response was, "That's all very well but I'd rather have someone with skin on!"
I think of that story when someone passes. I know that people sense the presence of the deceased person from time to time and definitely hold that loved one forever alive in their memory and hearts but its the loss of the physical presence that the mind has such a hard to coming to terms with.
A young man of about nineteen gave me pause for thought when he made a comment as we talked about death. He had meditated since he was very young and felt he went to that place of simply being energy or spirit when he sat to turn within. He felt as if he had already visited that place of disembodiment and pure consciousness, there was nothing to fear in the afterlife.
If death is the ultimate fear, fear of non existence, his experience is a good argument for the meditative state. Only once in my life have I had that truly freeing experience. I felt unencumbered by all my attachments to who I am on this physical plane and it was blissful.
If this is what our loved ones go on to, we can celebrate their release knowing we will join them one day or any day if we choose to incorporate deepening our meditation into our daily practice.
If I myself am heaven and hell, it's a powerful and comforting way to choose heaven as we commune with the universal energy where we are one with our beloved and they are one with us.
Can you relate to this? Have you had a similar experience? I would love to hear about it.
Emptiness is in fact form when we forget the self. There's nothing in the universe other than ourself. Nothing to compare, name, or identify. When it's the only thing there is, how can we talk about it?- Taizan Maezumi
For Clifford Giles beloved and loved by all who knew him.
Jury Duty
“I think a man's duty is to find out where the truth is, or if he cannot, at least to take the best possible human doctrine and the hardest to disprove, and to ride on this like a raft over the waters of life”
Plato (428 BC-348 BC)
The attorneys acknowledge everyone wants to be out of the courtroom. When we get the notice and have to call in and see if we are required, we pray to be released from the burden and the disruption to our lives of the dreaded jury duty! We resist and complain and moan loudly! We think up excuses and discuss strategies to evade it. We give it a lot of energy.
Naturally I prefer to get on with my life too and I understand the frustration but isn't it a bit like a child's tantrum when he is told it's bedtime. Isn't resistance futile! Might it not be a great opportunity to practice non resistance and allowing the flow.
Emmanuel Teney said “As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.” This includes jury duty as much as you may resist it! If you are meant to be the one to hear and judge the validity of the testimony of someone accused of a wrong or someone trying to escape the consequences of his action then you will be there. And your world will not fall apart though it be disrupted. If not, you will not.
This is my truth that I "ride on like a raft over the waters of life." It's not so much, what will be will be and things are preordained but that I have control of my response to what happens to me. What I think is right for me is often out of self preservation or wanting to maintain the status quo but in the bigger picture there is so much more going on. I affirm today that we let our greater good prevail and loose the ties of our small thinking. And may you be most pleasantly surprised by the results.
Plato (428 BC-348 BC)
The attorneys acknowledge everyone wants to be out of the courtroom. When we get the notice and have to call in and see if we are required, we pray to be released from the burden and the disruption to our lives of the dreaded jury duty! We resist and complain and moan loudly! We think up excuses and discuss strategies to evade it. We give it a lot of energy.
Naturally I prefer to get on with my life too and I understand the frustration but isn't it a bit like a child's tantrum when he is told it's bedtime. Isn't resistance futile! Might it not be a great opportunity to practice non resistance and allowing the flow.
Emmanuel Teney said “As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.” This includes jury duty as much as you may resist it! If you are meant to be the one to hear and judge the validity of the testimony of someone accused of a wrong or someone trying to escape the consequences of his action then you will be there. And your world will not fall apart though it be disrupted. If not, you will not.
This is my truth that I "ride on like a raft over the waters of life." It's not so much, what will be will be and things are preordained but that I have control of my response to what happens to me. What I think is right for me is often out of self preservation or wanting to maintain the status quo but in the bigger picture there is so much more going on. I affirm today that we let our greater good prevail and loose the ties of our small thinking. And may you be most pleasantly surprised by the results.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
In deep water
“A great ship asks deep water”
George Herbert (English metaphysical Poet and Clergyman, 1593-1633)
Thomas Moore in his book Care of the Soul says that when a person ...or I will add, a country...is depressed, it feels as if there is nothing happening, everything has come to a halt, slowed down as if we are caught in the doldrums. But on a deeper level the person is shifting and re-evaluating their beliefs in a reshuffling of priorities.
When I read his words many years ago I felt them to be true. I believe that there are no mistakes and that everything is perfect as it is even though it looks so wrong and badly in need of fixing. These doldrums will pass as we shift in our thinking to catch the winds again, renewed and with a new awareness, wiser and knowing more acutely our responsibilities. We are stronger than we know.
Yes there are days I am taken in by my eyes and ears as I hear people talk from fear and negativity but I can choose to focus on something else. I can choose a bright future and even if I don't know how that can come about I know with the grace of God it will. I have witnessed it in my own life and what is true in a small scale is true in a large one too. If you have ever studied statistics, which I am presently, you will know the pattern of results doesn't change if you change the scale! What do you choose to imagine? If you join me in seeing a strong, globally conscious and concerned world where people listen to each other then together we can make it so. To quote Rumi - "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." In that field of infinite possibilities why not join me in imagining something amazing and then live our lives from that vision. Sounds better than the alternative you must agree!
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
Seneca (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)
George Herbert (English metaphysical Poet and Clergyman, 1593-1633)
Thomas Moore in his book Care of the Soul says that when a person ...or I will add, a country...is depressed, it feels as if there is nothing happening, everything has come to a halt, slowed down as if we are caught in the doldrums. But on a deeper level the person is shifting and re-evaluating their beliefs in a reshuffling of priorities.
When I read his words many years ago I felt them to be true. I believe that there are no mistakes and that everything is perfect as it is even though it looks so wrong and badly in need of fixing. These doldrums will pass as we shift in our thinking to catch the winds again, renewed and with a new awareness, wiser and knowing more acutely our responsibilities. We are stronger than we know.
Yes there are days I am taken in by my eyes and ears as I hear people talk from fear and negativity but I can choose to focus on something else. I can choose a bright future and even if I don't know how that can come about I know with the grace of God it will. I have witnessed it in my own life and what is true in a small scale is true in a large one too. If you have ever studied statistics, which I am presently, you will know the pattern of results doesn't change if you change the scale! What do you choose to imagine? If you join me in seeing a strong, globally conscious and concerned world where people listen to each other then together we can make it so. To quote Rumi - "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." In that field of infinite possibilities why not join me in imagining something amazing and then live our lives from that vision. Sounds better than the alternative you must agree!
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
Seneca (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)
Finding Peace
“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Where is peace to be found? On a hillside, by a lake or the ocean, in a garden, in nature? Yes, all of those but it can be found equally within. We find it in these quite locations because we allow the outward setting to affect us. The ionized air of the ocean seems to demand a deeper breath than we usually take. We say scenery is breathtaking! And it is and we do.
Yet it is possible to take that breath anywhere at anytime. Just today I could feel mild anxiety weighing on me and I wanted to push it aside and get on with things. It was a nuisance to me, unwanted, burdensome, old and unproductive. Doing battle with it was just adding to the tasks of my already busy day. I wanted to be rid of it.
Knowing as I do that what we resist persists I realized I had to go with it and so I turned and faced it taking a deep breath and saying OK, what are you? As I allowed myself to feel it and breathe deeply, being with it for a moment or two, it had already gone. For it really was a shadow with no substance. I affirmed God as my source and I moved on feeling light and free and at peace.
The peace we feel in nature is simply nature reflecting what is already present. Peace is here and now fully present for you to experience. Be breathtaking today and know that you are peace.
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”Buddha (563-483 B.C.)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Gratitude
Even if it seems we have little to be grateful for, we have a great reserve of faith to be grateful FROM! - Eric Butterworth
Today I am grateful for my friends who support me when I am most in need of an encouraging word and with whom I can share my joys and my frustrations. I am grateful for my family who are a constant in my day though they are far away, they are my rock and my center. I am grateful for my eyes so I can see colors and faces and the sky and the clouds, I am grateful for my ears to hear the voices of those I love, the caw of a crow or the laughter of a baby.
I am grateful for my legs to walk across a room, my hands to type, to sew, to paint, to comb my hair and touch textures and silk and skin. I am grateful for my arms to hug and reach for things and extend the hand of friendship. I am grateful for my home, my warm dry bed to sleep in, my chair to sit in and a lamp that allows me to read late at night. I am grateful for the comforts and conveniences of electricity and water from a faucet, mail delivery, my car, the radio.
I am grateful for my mind, curious and flexible and always learning more. I am grateful for my heart that circulates my blood and keeps me alive to experience this next moment and works hard for me every minute. I am grateful for my lungs, my organs and bones that allow me to function in the world. I am grateful I woke up this morning. I am grateful for my health and my really exceptional unexceptional life.
I realize I am fortunate beyond many in this world today, many who experience loss and ill health and poverty and mental illness, natural disasters, oppressive regimes. Someone today will die of hunger or spend the entire day searching for a clean water source. My trouble seem so little from their perspective.
Though things may not be today how you would want them to be, there is much to be grateful for. Take a moment to remember what they are.
"The grateful person is great because he has turned on all the lights within." Butterworth
Today I am grateful for my friends who support me when I am most in need of an encouraging word and with whom I can share my joys and my frustrations. I am grateful for my family who are a constant in my day though they are far away, they are my rock and my center. I am grateful for my eyes so I can see colors and faces and the sky and the clouds, I am grateful for my ears to hear the voices of those I love, the caw of a crow or the laughter of a baby.
I am grateful for my legs to walk across a room, my hands to type, to sew, to paint, to comb my hair and touch textures and silk and skin. I am grateful for my arms to hug and reach for things and extend the hand of friendship. I am grateful for my home, my warm dry bed to sleep in, my chair to sit in and a lamp that allows me to read late at night. I am grateful for the comforts and conveniences of electricity and water from a faucet, mail delivery, my car, the radio.
I am grateful for my mind, curious and flexible and always learning more. I am grateful for my heart that circulates my blood and keeps me alive to experience this next moment and works hard for me every minute. I am grateful for my lungs, my organs and bones that allow me to function in the world. I am grateful I woke up this morning. I am grateful for my health and my really exceptional unexceptional life.
I realize I am fortunate beyond many in this world today, many who experience loss and ill health and poverty and mental illness, natural disasters, oppressive regimes. Someone today will die of hunger or spend the entire day searching for a clean water source. My trouble seem so little from their perspective.
Though things may not be today how you would want them to be, there is much to be grateful for. Take a moment to remember what they are.
"The grateful person is great because he has turned on all the lights within." Butterworth
Monday, September 21, 2009
Letters from home.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC)
Who gets the old fashioned, snail mail, personal letter anymore?
I do.
My mother has always been a great communicator through the written word and it is because of her, combined with growing up in a small rural community that I got my love of the letter in the mail. The address is at the top right and it begins on the left with Dear...or Dearest. Doesn't it seem so quaint these days in a world of uncapitalized distorted and truncated English texts or emails. Nevertheless I simply love when a stamped hand written envelope comes through my mailbox. I usually put it aside till I can sit with a cup of tea and savor the thoughtful lines that someone has taken even more time to compose and take to the Post Office.
I find with emails that people scan them and reply without answering pertinent questions. I know we live in a fast paced world today and I regret we do. At the end of the day I know I am often frustrated by the way I have had to rush through my tasks. I feel nothing gets the attention it deserves.
Reading a letter or writing one helps me slow down. This blog helps too, like writing a journal, it's time for reflection on how I'm feeling about life, what's going on in the world and with the people around me. A moment to take stock of what is important to me and readjust the tiller. If we don't take a breather and plough on without raising our heads our plough drills may not be straight or we may be ploughing our neighbour's field!! Weekends, new years, birthdays and mornings and just before bedtimes, are all good times to reassess our choices and what we want and how we are progressing toward our goals. And if we can cheer someone up with a letter as we do so all the better. What helps you take stock or reflect? I'd love to hear.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
Ben Stein
Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC)
Who gets the old fashioned, snail mail, personal letter anymore?
I do.
My mother has always been a great communicator through the written word and it is because of her, combined with growing up in a small rural community that I got my love of the letter in the mail. The address is at the top right and it begins on the left with Dear...or Dearest. Doesn't it seem so quaint these days in a world of uncapitalized distorted and truncated English texts or emails. Nevertheless I simply love when a stamped hand written envelope comes through my mailbox. I usually put it aside till I can sit with a cup of tea and savor the thoughtful lines that someone has taken even more time to compose and take to the Post Office.
I find with emails that people scan them and reply without answering pertinent questions. I know we live in a fast paced world today and I regret we do. At the end of the day I know I am often frustrated by the way I have had to rush through my tasks. I feel nothing gets the attention it deserves.
Reading a letter or writing one helps me slow down. This blog helps too, like writing a journal, it's time for reflection on how I'm feeling about life, what's going on in the world and with the people around me. A moment to take stock of what is important to me and readjust the tiller. If we don't take a breather and plough on without raising our heads our plough drills may not be straight or we may be ploughing our neighbour's field!! Weekends, new years, birthdays and mornings and just before bedtimes, are all good times to reassess our choices and what we want and how we are progressing toward our goals. And if we can cheer someone up with a letter as we do so all the better. What helps you take stock or reflect? I'd love to hear.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
Ben Stein
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday Monday!
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”
Benjamin Franklin
Monday morning for so many comes with a groan. Back to work, weekend is over, back from out of town, or back to no work even worse! Monday morning has its own energy and meaning for everyone. If you love your job fabulous, you won the jackpot.
I have had that experience and even when I have not been overjoyed with my work I have always enjoyed that sense of purpose it brings. I enjoyed my work colleagues or seeing what challenges the new week would bring.
Whatever your experience is this week, in the range of possible work scenarios I invite you to find a purpose for your day. You have unique strengths to bring to the world, whether its being someone who likes to beautify their surroundings, or someone who is a good listener or someone who loves order and balance. No one can do the job just like you. No one sees it exactly your way or brings your vision to the world. Appreciate your unique gifts today and express them, we are all waiting for you to show yourself. Even the tiniest flower opens itself to the morning sun and offers its beauty for the glory of God. Shine today, be who you were meant to be. As they say bloom where you were planted. Monday or Wednesday, make it your day, create a good one, it is within your power and thank you for being you.
I'd love to hear how you created a good day or turned a day around either in the past or today.
Benjamin Franklin
Monday morning for so many comes with a groan. Back to work, weekend is over, back from out of town, or back to no work even worse! Monday morning has its own energy and meaning for everyone. If you love your job fabulous, you won the jackpot.
I have had that experience and even when I have not been overjoyed with my work I have always enjoyed that sense of purpose it brings. I enjoyed my work colleagues or seeing what challenges the new week would bring.
Whatever your experience is this week, in the range of possible work scenarios I invite you to find a purpose for your day. You have unique strengths to bring to the world, whether its being someone who likes to beautify their surroundings, or someone who is a good listener or someone who loves order and balance. No one can do the job just like you. No one sees it exactly your way or brings your vision to the world. Appreciate your unique gifts today and express them, we are all waiting for you to show yourself. Even the tiniest flower opens itself to the morning sun and offers its beauty for the glory of God. Shine today, be who you were meant to be. As they say bloom where you were planted. Monday or Wednesday, make it your day, create a good one, it is within your power and thank you for being you.
I'd love to hear how you created a good day or turned a day around either in the past or today.
And two become one...
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
Frederick Keonig
Witnessing a wedding ceremony is such an emotional experience, as we watch two individuals pledge their lives to one another. My brother-in-law got married yesterday at Laguna beach as the sun set. Always on that hopefilled day it seems as if love will last forever, each party so filled with love and fervent commitment. And in other cases one party walks down the aisle with doubts and missgivings, or a weight in their hearts that knows "this is probably not right but I cant turn back now."
People marry for a miriad of reasons; to escape a situation in their family, to evade a life of loneliness, because the body clock is ticking loudly, because this person is the best they feel they can hope for even if something feels missing! Its no wonder 50% of marriages end in divorce. Even those marrying for the right reasons are not guaranteed that things will work out but at least they give the relationship the best chance possible.
Maturity and wisdom, the wisdom of knowing ourselves well, is a great benefit. Not needing the other to fulfill a need we have or fill the gaps in our lives we are not prepared to fill ourselves is a good place to start. It's so interesting that when we are giving ourselves support, taking care of our own joy and living our passion, how that person shows up to be our cheerleader. It gives us so much freedom to feel the commitment we give is out of devotion rather than duty.
If expectation can be replaced by intention then we each stand in our own power, creating rather than passively awaiting our needs to be met. This awareness of my power to create love and my constant gratitude for what I have has made all the difference in my marriage. I also chose well, someone who practices daily appreciation of life itself. That trait in itself is priceless. What do you feel has made the difference in your relationships?
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Anon
Frederick Keonig
Witnessing a wedding ceremony is such an emotional experience, as we watch two individuals pledge their lives to one another. My brother-in-law got married yesterday at Laguna beach as the sun set. Always on that hopefilled day it seems as if love will last forever, each party so filled with love and fervent commitment. And in other cases one party walks down the aisle with doubts and missgivings, or a weight in their hearts that knows "this is probably not right but I cant turn back now."
People marry for a miriad of reasons; to escape a situation in their family, to evade a life of loneliness, because the body clock is ticking loudly, because this person is the best they feel they can hope for even if something feels missing! Its no wonder 50% of marriages end in divorce. Even those marrying for the right reasons are not guaranteed that things will work out but at least they give the relationship the best chance possible.
Maturity and wisdom, the wisdom of knowing ourselves well, is a great benefit. Not needing the other to fulfill a need we have or fill the gaps in our lives we are not prepared to fill ourselves is a good place to start. It's so interesting that when we are giving ourselves support, taking care of our own joy and living our passion, how that person shows up to be our cheerleader. It gives us so much freedom to feel the commitment we give is out of devotion rather than duty.
If expectation can be replaced by intention then we each stand in our own power, creating rather than passively awaiting our needs to be met. This awareness of my power to create love and my constant gratitude for what I have has made all the difference in my marriage. I also chose well, someone who practices daily appreciation of life itself. That trait in itself is priceless. What do you feel has made the difference in your relationships?
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Anon
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Commitment
“When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible." Anon
Commitment to some may be a four letter word and to others something that denotes dedication, devotion and responsibility. When it comes to relationships I know I shied away from the Big C. for a long time. Till I was 45 to be exact!
I dont think I was just afraid to commitment as it is so readily pointed to in those who dont marry "on the accepted timeline." The people I dated were not the sort I wanted to commit to! And I say that not as a way of pointing the blame outside of myself as I was the one picking those I dated. So I take full responsibility.
I was not yet at the point of sufficient self knowledge and self love to choose to date the sort of person I could commit to. I was not someone who could accept even those who were loving, balanced and committed individuals.
Commitment is a responsibility. It was not untill I became a Practitioner of Science of Mind that I truly understood commitment. When I took on the responsibility to be a leader in my church I finally understood that though commitment has its responsible aspects there is love behind those expectations and promises. I love being a Practitioner. I love and fully believe in the philosophy. I love and believe in my husband. Showing up and being responsible for myself and to my husband or church is something my heart is in fully and gladly.
Commitment is a mutually rewarding action. Both parties grow as they give and recieve loving support. I now love to commit to things but I dont overdo it as the quality of the relationships would suffer from dilution of my energy and time. I take my responsibilities seriously and fully enjoy them.
What are you commited to? How has it been, a mutual beneficial affair or a drag, where is your heart in it? I would love to hear about your experience.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Overwhealm
“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”
Denis Waitley, American Author
These days life can get overwhelming. Some of our busyness and pressure is external to us as demands of the life we have chosen. And a lot of it is self imposed!
I had one of those days yesterday when everything seemed to be against me. Yet when I slowed down and remembered to be present, take a breath, I realized, if I stopped spinning all these plates the consequences would not be life shattering. Some people may not be happy that I dont show up or complete a task on time but I would be healthier. You know the root cause of the most common diseases in our society is stress.
Yes our modern pace of life is accelerated but we still have the greatest power there is for achieving peace and health and that is CHOICE.
Really - its even more powerful than love because you first have to choose to be loving. In choosing to love myself I had to let go of some things from my day to alieviate the time pressure I was imposing on myself. Not everything got done, there were consequences but I evaluated the quality of my day and I felt it was a day lived better because of the choices I made.
I value the quality of my life and my health. I may not be here next week or next year when I had planned to relax and enjoy life. I have to begin today to live well and in balance.
I used to incorporate one fun thing to do into each day and I had let that slip. It's time to begin again. Today I chose to meet new people at a local park and do a free Chi Kung session. There are probably some similar free activities going on in your area too. If not I find a walk can elevate my thoughts and take me out of my busy head.
What works for you? I'm open to suggestions.
“Our choices in life are made according to our sense of our own worth”
Kaylan Pickford
Denis Waitley, American Author
These days life can get overwhelming. Some of our busyness and pressure is external to us as demands of the life we have chosen. And a lot of it is self imposed!
I had one of those days yesterday when everything seemed to be against me. Yet when I slowed down and remembered to be present, take a breath, I realized, if I stopped spinning all these plates the consequences would not be life shattering. Some people may not be happy that I dont show up or complete a task on time but I would be healthier. You know the root cause of the most common diseases in our society is stress.
Yes our modern pace of life is accelerated but we still have the greatest power there is for achieving peace and health and that is CHOICE.
Really - its even more powerful than love because you first have to choose to be loving. In choosing to love myself I had to let go of some things from my day to alieviate the time pressure I was imposing on myself. Not everything got done, there were consequences but I evaluated the quality of my day and I felt it was a day lived better because of the choices I made.
I value the quality of my life and my health. I may not be here next week or next year when I had planned to relax and enjoy life. I have to begin today to live well and in balance.
I used to incorporate one fun thing to do into each day and I had let that slip. It's time to begin again. Today I chose to meet new people at a local park and do a free Chi Kung session. There are probably some similar free activities going on in your area too. If not I find a walk can elevate my thoughts and take me out of my busy head.
What works for you? I'm open to suggestions.
“Our choices in life are made according to our sense of our own worth”
Kaylan Pickford
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What to do for the best.
"In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation... even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine."—Great Law of the Iroquois
My English friend uses a phrase - its sometimes hard to know what to do for the best! When we pray in Science of Mind we often affirm and pray for what is in the greatest good of all, this is what she means I think, for the best for all concerned including herself.
When we make decisions do we consider everyone in the equation including our planet or do we just consider our own good? Unfortunately too many decisions are made from a selfish perspective, shortsighted or without consideration of the ripple effect.
The Iroquois have a great philosophy I admire. The Ecologically aware community have adapted this idea of seven generation sustainability, a concept that urges the current generation to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation to follow. What a difference it could make to think this way.
Our society is more and more consumed with instant gratification, I want it and I want it now. I recall a comment flippantly thrown out by a 19 year old when I commented on the damaging effects of CFCs in spray cans - "Who cares about the ozone if you cant have nice hair." I wish this lack of any deep thought about their actions could be attributed to the young only, but sadly it's not so. I cried when I read about the salmon on the California coast dying out because of run off of chemicals from the farms in the area. What are we doing to our planet! Oh you who hold dominion, ask yourself the question, what can I do for the best? And I don't mean the business owners or industry moguls, though they are included, I am asking you; the everyday consumer of products. Act with your buying power, with the seventh generation in mind. Just change one product to organic today or refuse to buy shampoo with parabens in it. The biggest impact in buying organic is not on your own health but the health of the land we depend on for future food. Think about it.
Let me know if you have suggestions or tell me what you have done lately with the good of humanity in mind.
My English friend uses a phrase - its sometimes hard to know what to do for the best! When we pray in Science of Mind we often affirm and pray for what is in the greatest good of all, this is what she means I think, for the best for all concerned including herself.
When we make decisions do we consider everyone in the equation including our planet or do we just consider our own good? Unfortunately too many decisions are made from a selfish perspective, shortsighted or without consideration of the ripple effect.
The Iroquois have a great philosophy I admire. The Ecologically aware community have adapted this idea of seven generation sustainability, a concept that urges the current generation to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation to follow. What a difference it could make to think this way.
Our society is more and more consumed with instant gratification, I want it and I want it now. I recall a comment flippantly thrown out by a 19 year old when I commented on the damaging effects of CFCs in spray cans - "Who cares about the ozone if you cant have nice hair." I wish this lack of any deep thought about their actions could be attributed to the young only, but sadly it's not so. I cried when I read about the salmon on the California coast dying out because of run off of chemicals from the farms in the area. What are we doing to our planet! Oh you who hold dominion, ask yourself the question, what can I do for the best? And I don't mean the business owners or industry moguls, though they are included, I am asking you; the everyday consumer of products. Act with your buying power, with the seventh generation in mind. Just change one product to organic today or refuse to buy shampoo with parabens in it. The biggest impact in buying organic is not on your own health but the health of the land we depend on for future food. Think about it.
Let me know if you have suggestions or tell me what you have done lately with the good of humanity in mind.
Goals
“Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel. Our reason is the pilot that steers her. Without winds the vessel would not move and without a pilot she would be lost.” Proverb
They say goal setters have a better chance of success and understandably so. Especially if the goal is chosen with the heart and supported by the mind. I know for myself I have set goals I did not achieve because my heart was not in it. It was something I thought up out of reasoning alone and tried to achieve out of sheer force of will. Trust me that doesn't work.
The will has to be the servant of the heart, supporting its choices. The heart is the guide and the compass. It tells us what makes us happy, what excites us, what we are passionate about. The mind can choose what step will take us where we want to go. The mind can talk to us when we get disheartened and remind us to reconnect with our inner guidance. Using the analogy in the quote above - the pilot can steer the boat so as to catch the wind in its sails once again.
So as you set your course toward your goals know there are no doldrums if you ask your heart to become engaged. Know that passion and persistence are a powerful combination and success is the joy found in the journey. Bon Voyage! I look forward to seeing you on the high seas!
“If a man does not know what port he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him”
Seneca, Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD
They say goal setters have a better chance of success and understandably so. Especially if the goal is chosen with the heart and supported by the mind. I know for myself I have set goals I did not achieve because my heart was not in it. It was something I thought up out of reasoning alone and tried to achieve out of sheer force of will. Trust me that doesn't work.
The will has to be the servant of the heart, supporting its choices. The heart is the guide and the compass. It tells us what makes us happy, what excites us, what we are passionate about. The mind can choose what step will take us where we want to go. The mind can talk to us when we get disheartened and remind us to reconnect with our inner guidance. Using the analogy in the quote above - the pilot can steer the boat so as to catch the wind in its sails once again.
So as you set your course toward your goals know there are no doldrums if you ask your heart to become engaged. Know that passion and persistence are a powerful combination and success is the joy found in the journey. Bon Voyage! I look forward to seeing you on the high seas!
“If a man does not know what port he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him”
Seneca, Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD
Monday, September 14, 2009
Where is home?
Home is where the heart is. Anon
Being an emigrant I have at least two homes. When I'm here, it's there and when I'm there, its here! It confuses other people but not me. But truly, where is home and what does it feel like? Is it a feeling or is it a place?
I believe its a part of us that we carry with us even if it has its reflection in more than one place in the outside world. Home, the word itself, feels good. How often we use it to express how comfortable we feel in a place or with a person. I felt at home when I found my church after a long search, yet it was a place I had never been before. Not a description we associate with somewhere we call home but nevertheless true.
So why is it that we can feel at home in a strange place or with someone we just met. There can be many explanations, past lives, similar backgrounds, personalities types, but to me its seems a great arguement for Oneness. Seeing ourselves in another, the qualities that are universal; love, enthusiasm, kindness, creativity, wisdom. Interesting how we identify and gravitate toward these traits but dont see the less attractive ones or if we do we shun them. Yet we are just as likely to have the negative trait as the positive! Maybe if we owned up to these traits as well we could be less judgemental of others and love someone even though they have a mean streak or are insecure, unfair or small minded. Is it right to withold love if someone shows up less than perfectly in order to have them shape up to our standard? Well OK we dont have to associate with them but sometimes we do, because they our in-law or our own brother! Is it not better to soften and realize they are a product of their own decisions and reactions to their individual pasts? Can we let them off the hook? Can we let ourselves off the hook? Probably not a bad starting point. Hmmm?
That little ramble got me far from home, if to a good beginning, as here I sit right in the heart of my home. Luckily I'm at home with questions and not at sea like some, who can only find their land legs with solid facts. Where is your heart at home?
Being an emigrant I have at least two homes. When I'm here, it's there and when I'm there, its here! It confuses other people but not me. But truly, where is home and what does it feel like? Is it a feeling or is it a place?
I believe its a part of us that we carry with us even if it has its reflection in more than one place in the outside world. Home, the word itself, feels good. How often we use it to express how comfortable we feel in a place or with a person. I felt at home when I found my church after a long search, yet it was a place I had never been before. Not a description we associate with somewhere we call home but nevertheless true.
So why is it that we can feel at home in a strange place or with someone we just met. There can be many explanations, past lives, similar backgrounds, personalities types, but to me its seems a great arguement for Oneness. Seeing ourselves in another, the qualities that are universal; love, enthusiasm, kindness, creativity, wisdom. Interesting how we identify and gravitate toward these traits but dont see the less attractive ones or if we do we shun them. Yet we are just as likely to have the negative trait as the positive! Maybe if we owned up to these traits as well we could be less judgemental of others and love someone even though they have a mean streak or are insecure, unfair or small minded. Is it right to withold love if someone shows up less than perfectly in order to have them shape up to our standard? Well OK we dont have to associate with them but sometimes we do, because they our in-law or our own brother! Is it not better to soften and realize they are a product of their own decisions and reactions to their individual pasts? Can we let them off the hook? Can we let ourselves off the hook? Probably not a bad starting point. Hmmm?
That little ramble got me far from home, if to a good beginning, as here I sit right in the heart of my home. Luckily I'm at home with questions and not at sea like some, who can only find their land legs with solid facts. Where is your heart at home?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Bliss sounds good today!
"My mind is a center of Divine operation. The Divine operation is always for expansion and a fuller expression, and this means the production of something beyond what has gone before, something entirely new, not included in the past experience, though proceeding out of it by an orderly sequence of growth. Therefore, since the Divine cannot change its inherent nature, it must operate in the same manner in me; consequently, in my own special world, of which I am the center, it will move forward to produce new conditions, always in advance of that have gone before." Judge Thomas Troward
This is a very powerful passage from The Dore Lectures by a formative voice of the New Thought movement, Judge Troward. He describes in his lectures the vortex of energy we create with our thoughts, which acts as a magnet for the things we keep our minds on. This describes what we currently refer to as the Law of Attraction, your level of vibration is the level at which you attract experiences to you.
At first this may strike you as a bit frightening if you know you have been letting the negativity of the present economic ideas take hold in your mind. Empowering if you have taken control of the focus of your mind and placed your attention on the infinite power and abundance of the universe. Can you picture the outward expression of these two choices? I can and I'd rather imagine the latter.
I think of the number of leaves on an oak tree, just one old oak tree or the grains of sand on a beach, numbers big or small make no difference in the universal infinite. The abundance cannot be counted.
In 1912 Genevieve Behrend took herself to England to study with Troward. This cost her a few shillings as you might imagine, $20,000 to be exact. This is what she felt she needed to follow her dream to be his student. She used the quote above as her daily mantra for six weeks and manifested all that she needed to make her dream a reality. As they say, it works if you work it and Miss Behrend really workd it. You can read her story in a little book called 'Your Invisible Power.' In Religious Science we call it "treating ( treating our minds or affirming what is Divinely True ) and moving your feet." Miss Behrend returned to America and opened schools on both coasts. Belief must be expressed in manifestation otherwise it is useless knowledge we hold on an intellectual level. Believing, we must take the steps directly before us.
"It ( the great impersonal power ) is intelligent and we are intelligent, and the two intelligences must co-operate. We must not fly in the face of the Law expecting it to do for us what it can only do through us; and we must therefore use our intelligence with the knowledge that it is acting as the instrument of a greater intelligence; and because we have this knowledge we may and should cease from all anxiety as to the final result." Behrend
This is a very powerful passage from The Dore Lectures by a formative voice of the New Thought movement, Judge Troward. He describes in his lectures the vortex of energy we create with our thoughts, which acts as a magnet for the things we keep our minds on. This describes what we currently refer to as the Law of Attraction, your level of vibration is the level at which you attract experiences to you.
At first this may strike you as a bit frightening if you know you have been letting the negativity of the present economic ideas take hold in your mind. Empowering if you have taken control of the focus of your mind and placed your attention on the infinite power and abundance of the universe. Can you picture the outward expression of these two choices? I can and I'd rather imagine the latter.
I think of the number of leaves on an oak tree, just one old oak tree or the grains of sand on a beach, numbers big or small make no difference in the universal infinite. The abundance cannot be counted.
In 1912 Genevieve Behrend took herself to England to study with Troward. This cost her a few shillings as you might imagine, $20,000 to be exact. This is what she felt she needed to follow her dream to be his student. She used the quote above as her daily mantra for six weeks and manifested all that she needed to make her dream a reality. As they say, it works if you work it and Miss Behrend really workd it. You can read her story in a little book called 'Your Invisible Power.' In Religious Science we call it "treating ( treating our minds or affirming what is Divinely True ) and moving your feet." Miss Behrend returned to America and opened schools on both coasts. Belief must be expressed in manifestation otherwise it is useless knowledge we hold on an intellectual level. Believing, we must take the steps directly before us.
"It ( the great impersonal power ) is intelligent and we are intelligent, and the two intelligences must co-operate. We must not fly in the face of the Law expecting it to do for us what it can only do through us; and we must therefore use our intelligence with the knowledge that it is acting as the instrument of a greater intelligence; and because we have this knowledge we may and should cease from all anxiety as to the final result." Behrend
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Shopping
"Everything is a vehicle for waking up - a wonderful lover, a heated arguement, dead batteries, sickness, success, whatever is happening in the moment. We can either accept our experience and wake up or go to sleep by dozing off and resisting our experience." - Charlotte Kasl PhD
Shopping to me can be the ultimate dozing off experience. There occasionally is nothing I enjoy more than rambling around a large department store and checkingout for a while from life. It's so easy, there's nice music, lots of eye candy and what seems like an infinite number of dresses, shoes and accessories to choose from (espcially in American stores, this doesn't apply in many small towns in Europe where I grew up but in LA thats a different matter!) And I have to be certain I didn't miss anything. Next thing you know two and a half hours have gone by. Kinda like dozing off!
I must admit there is great pleasure in this process and I notice it appeals most to women. The gatherers of primal days - browsing the woods looking for the best berries. It's natural, but it can be addictive. I have not had a lot of expendable income this year and so have not been able to indulge hardly at all. I am going to a wedding soon and need to get a new dress and I find myself sucked in once again to the mesmerizing endeavour of the pursuit of the perfect purse, shoes etc.
I have to watch it. It really is a modern ill, this shopping as recreation, what a time waster while we ignore other possibilities. There are ways we could better use our time. How about volunteering. There is so much unmet need in our communities, old people needing a visit or someone to shop for them, relatives maybe, boys and girls who need the guidance of Big Brothers or Sisters, you name it its out there as far as humans needing love in some form. I docent at a museum, it would not be open to the public except for the volunteers who open it every Sunday. I would rather be there than shopping. It's like eating what feeds my bodies needs as opposed to eating twinkies which is what I associate shopping with. It leaves you feeling empty after the shoes are worn a day, whereas the rewards of sharing yourself with actual people is an enrichment that lasts a lifetime. It's a choice we can make if we decide we want to wake up and experience life, and be a shopping zombie no more.
Shopping to me can be the ultimate dozing off experience. There occasionally is nothing I enjoy more than rambling around a large department store and checkingout for a while from life. It's so easy, there's nice music, lots of eye candy and what seems like an infinite number of dresses, shoes and accessories to choose from (espcially in American stores, this doesn't apply in many small towns in Europe where I grew up but in LA thats a different matter!) And I have to be certain I didn't miss anything. Next thing you know two and a half hours have gone by. Kinda like dozing off!
I must admit there is great pleasure in this process and I notice it appeals most to women. The gatherers of primal days - browsing the woods looking for the best berries. It's natural, but it can be addictive. I have not had a lot of expendable income this year and so have not been able to indulge hardly at all. I am going to a wedding soon and need to get a new dress and I find myself sucked in once again to the mesmerizing endeavour of the pursuit of the perfect purse, shoes etc.
I have to watch it. It really is a modern ill, this shopping as recreation, what a time waster while we ignore other possibilities. There are ways we could better use our time. How about volunteering. There is so much unmet need in our communities, old people needing a visit or someone to shop for them, relatives maybe, boys and girls who need the guidance of Big Brothers or Sisters, you name it its out there as far as humans needing love in some form. I docent at a museum, it would not be open to the public except for the volunteers who open it every Sunday. I would rather be there than shopping. It's like eating what feeds my bodies needs as opposed to eating twinkies which is what I associate shopping with. It leaves you feeling empty after the shoes are worn a day, whereas the rewards of sharing yourself with actual people is an enrichment that lasts a lifetime. It's a choice we can make if we decide we want to wake up and experience life, and be a shopping zombie no more.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Step by Step
"The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."- Mark Twain
On some mornings it's harder to get started than on others. And sometimes its those hard to start days that end up taking off and being the best or so I tell myself.
My cat Rosie woke me nice and early today. Thanks Rosie. ( She takes her duties very seriously some days, one of which is to ensure I am up and at it before 6am! ) so I took myself out for a walk in the coolness of the day knowing the pleasant temperature wont last here in Montrose, California for very long.
I became aware very quickly on my walk of two things - that a new local free paper was being distributed, they were everywhere, and that it was 9/11. Eight years since the twin towers collapsed and changed our lives forever on so many levels. Although my life was not directly impacted by the loss of a loved one I spent a few moments with those who had as I walked the pavements of my neighborhood. The grief and transformation the losses wrought on their everyday lives will be brought to the rest of us today so we might remember the preciousness of those lost and those that remain. I am reminded to not waste a day.
As I looked at the newspaper I picked up I am struck by the courage and faith of the people responsible for putting it out there. Flagging economy or no, they are going out on a limb to fulfil a need they see in our community. Life and hope springs eternal.
I think of the cycle of destruction and renewal and how it never stops, it can't as long as there is life. So to you and to myself I say go forward, one small task at a time and know the preciousness of today. Allow the evolution of that life work its way through you in whatever stage it appears, as destruction and loss or renewal and new beginnings. You cannot hold back the cycle of life.
On some mornings it's harder to get started than on others. And sometimes its those hard to start days that end up taking off and being the best or so I tell myself.
My cat Rosie woke me nice and early today. Thanks Rosie. ( She takes her duties very seriously some days, one of which is to ensure I am up and at it before 6am! ) so I took myself out for a walk in the coolness of the day knowing the pleasant temperature wont last here in Montrose, California for very long.
I became aware very quickly on my walk of two things - that a new local free paper was being distributed, they were everywhere, and that it was 9/11. Eight years since the twin towers collapsed and changed our lives forever on so many levels. Although my life was not directly impacted by the loss of a loved one I spent a few moments with those who had as I walked the pavements of my neighborhood. The grief and transformation the losses wrought on their everyday lives will be brought to the rest of us today so we might remember the preciousness of those lost and those that remain. I am reminded to not waste a day.
As I looked at the newspaper I picked up I am struck by the courage and faith of the people responsible for putting it out there. Flagging economy or no, they are going out on a limb to fulfil a need they see in our community. Life and hope springs eternal.
I think of the cycle of destruction and renewal and how it never stops, it can't as long as there is life. So to you and to myself I say go forward, one small task at a time and know the preciousness of today. Allow the evolution of that life work its way through you in whatever stage it appears, as destruction and loss or renewal and new beginnings. You cannot hold back the cycle of life.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Love is everywhere.
"Love is in the air, in the rising of the sun,
Love is in the air, when the day is nearly done,
and I don't know if you are illusion, don't know if I see truth,
but you are something that I must believe in, and you are there when I reach out for you." Lyrics by Tom Jones
Love is everywhere, really, it's true. Look for it, don't stop looking till you see it.
So often we decide where love is to be found or how it should appear and then miss it completely when it stares us in the face because it doesn't look like we decided it should. Love is not just romantic, like that great Louis Armstrong song says, its in babies cries and blue skies, trees of green, cluods of white...why? Because of what these things evoke in us. These are miracles, joys free for the having. Friends shaking hands, they really are saying "I love you." If we listen really closely we can hear it. Love really is not something external to us, it's in us to discover by being aware, listening, waiting, allowing it to show itself to us.
Listen awhile today, see what you hear on the deepest level of life. It really is a wonderful world.
Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaZBNJ6SD1I&feature=response_watch
Love is in the air, when the day is nearly done,
and I don't know if you are illusion, don't know if I see truth,
but you are something that I must believe in, and you are there when I reach out for you." Lyrics by Tom Jones
Love is everywhere, really, it's true. Look for it, don't stop looking till you see it.
So often we decide where love is to be found or how it should appear and then miss it completely when it stares us in the face because it doesn't look like we decided it should. Love is not just romantic, like that great Louis Armstrong song says, its in babies cries and blue skies, trees of green, cluods of white...why? Because of what these things evoke in us. These are miracles, joys free for the having. Friends shaking hands, they really are saying "I love you." If we listen really closely we can hear it. Love really is not something external to us, it's in us to discover by being aware, listening, waiting, allowing it to show itself to us.
Listen awhile today, see what you hear on the deepest level of life. It really is a wonderful world.
Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaZBNJ6SD1I&feature=response_watch
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Use your Invisible Power!
"God has given you everything. All is yours, and you know that all you have to do is to reach out your mental hand and take it." - Genevieve Behrend from Your Invisible Power.
Genevieve Behrend studied with Judge Thomas Troward, an early practitioner and philosopher of Mental Science, from 1912 to 1914. She spent 35 years as one of America's best known lecturers and teachers and founded schools in both New York and Los Angeles. When I read from her book "Your Invisible Power" or from any of the Christian Science testamonials I am always struck by the persistence of their use of affirmations.
Backed by deep faith in the idea that we are all part of the One substance and that if something exists one place in the universe it exists all places, an affirmation is not done once but as many times as is needed for the thing affirmed to manifest. There is no giving up with an "Oh its just not meant to be."
If a state of health or wealth or a job or the rent is needed, the affirming is stated as a present reality in the mind. An example might be, I am the health of God or I affirm that my needs are met now. The situation is not worried over, those thoughts are replaced promptly with the affirming of the Spiritual Truth, my needs/health are supplied by God.
I know this invisible power but I often forget my part in its action; believing and affirming and not allowing doubt to take hold. If this whole idea rings true for you may I ask are you putting it in practice? Are you doing your part?
Think of it like keeping the door open to the light. In time it may be possible to not have doubts but right now I know I need to keep proping that door open with my mental hand, my words and thoughts and receive my good today.
The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time. - Abraham Lincoln
Genevieve Behrend studied with Judge Thomas Troward, an early practitioner and philosopher of Mental Science, from 1912 to 1914. She spent 35 years as one of America's best known lecturers and teachers and founded schools in both New York and Los Angeles. When I read from her book "Your Invisible Power" or from any of the Christian Science testamonials I am always struck by the persistence of their use of affirmations.
Backed by deep faith in the idea that we are all part of the One substance and that if something exists one place in the universe it exists all places, an affirmation is not done once but as many times as is needed for the thing affirmed to manifest. There is no giving up with an "Oh its just not meant to be."
If a state of health or wealth or a job or the rent is needed, the affirming is stated as a present reality in the mind. An example might be, I am the health of God or I affirm that my needs are met now. The situation is not worried over, those thoughts are replaced promptly with the affirming of the Spiritual Truth, my needs/health are supplied by God.
I know this invisible power but I often forget my part in its action; believing and affirming and not allowing doubt to take hold. If this whole idea rings true for you may I ask are you putting it in practice? Are you doing your part?
Think of it like keeping the door open to the light. In time it may be possible to not have doubts but right now I know I need to keep proping that door open with my mental hand, my words and thoughts and receive my good today.
The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time. - Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Set a goal to be the best!
"I want to be the best cook in London!" - Louisa Leyton, The Duchess of Duke Street
I love to watch BBC period dramas and I have been working my way through quite a few by instantly downloading them through Netflix. Over the Labor Day weekend I watched the first few episodes of The Duchess of Duke Street. Its a tale of a young servant girl with high ambitions that she, through a winding path, achieves.
What got me thinking was the strength of her declaration "I want to be the best cook in London!" It seemed so courageous to say it out loud. Then she follows up by making choices and doing everything in her power to move toward that goal, accepting nothing less. Later I was asking myself the question, what have I ever declared I want to be the very best at? I have many strings to my bow as our times dictate being versatile broadens your chances of staying employed. Can I be the very best if my energies are so dissipated. Probably not.
What if I did make such a declaration out loud and followed through? I can feel my fear of not being able to meet my goal come up, a fear of failure to do what I said I wanted. The truth is if we don't set goals or fail to make a plan then we are planning to fail. Also our goals need to be broken down to immediately reachable as we work toward the grander objective otherwise we may become disheartened if we don't see some results. I am inspired to set a goal of being the best at what I do. The next thing is to really explore what that takes and take those steps. I'm starting today, I hope you do too.
I love to watch BBC period dramas and I have been working my way through quite a few by instantly downloading them through Netflix. Over the Labor Day weekend I watched the first few episodes of The Duchess of Duke Street. Its a tale of a young servant girl with high ambitions that she, through a winding path, achieves.
What got me thinking was the strength of her declaration "I want to be the best cook in London!" It seemed so courageous to say it out loud. Then she follows up by making choices and doing everything in her power to move toward that goal, accepting nothing less. Later I was asking myself the question, what have I ever declared I want to be the very best at? I have many strings to my bow as our times dictate being versatile broadens your chances of staying employed. Can I be the very best if my energies are so dissipated. Probably not.
What if I did make such a declaration out loud and followed through? I can feel my fear of not being able to meet my goal come up, a fear of failure to do what I said I wanted. The truth is if we don't set goals or fail to make a plan then we are planning to fail. Also our goals need to be broken down to immediately reachable as we work toward the grander objective otherwise we may become disheartened if we don't see some results. I am inspired to set a goal of being the best at what I do. The next thing is to really explore what that takes and take those steps. I'm starting today, I hope you do too.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Wear no white after Labor Day!
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall.
- EmersonBeing an immigrant to the US the rule about not wearing white after Labor Day was not something I was familiar with. This applied to a lot of cultural and legal regulations I encountered. Not feeling bound by these rules at first I was often admonished by my American friends for going against what they felt was the right way to behave. I am not against rules in essence. We need to stop at stop lights, not kill other people and not steal. Rules are well intentioned, put in place by conscientious individuals who like to see the world work in an orderly fashion and help avoid lawsuits and people being a danger to themselves and others. All good reasons to have laws and rules.
My argument with some rules is that they take away the responsibility to think for ourselves, to weigh up a situation and ask whats best for everyone here. I'm not advocating abandoning rules but I am advocating personal responsibility. People rise to the occasion the majority of the time if you believe in them. That's how its always worked for me, if you expect little of me that's what I will give, if you expect a lot I may stretch to your belief in my abilities and discover I am capable of so much more than I knew.
We are each capable of so much more than we know. Meeting life in the moment demands creativity. Consistency can be stifling. I guarantee you if the temperatures are till in the 90's after Labor Day here in Los Angeles you will find me in white linen!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A Computer free day!
I woke this morning thinking, today should be a computer free day, after I write my blog that is! It seems the sedentary hours that surfing and e-mailing and Facebooking demands are takling their toll. My mind is scolding me like a nagging mother saying, "It's a beautiful day, you should be outside playing!"
A friend's comment comes to my mind, "I'm less lonely since I got my computer!" Is that what we are all doing, feeling less lonely whiling away our evenings on the internet? I'm sure that is the case for many. This world wide web we are weaving allows us to connect in ways we never could before. As I write this blog to cyberspace, I think of when I wrote my first diary at the age of 12, entering boarding school. I think that helped me feel less lonely.
If its all Spirit then whether we are journaling our thoughts to ourselves or Skyping family in another country, reading news articles or shopping for sandals to match a new outfit. It's all part of the times we are living in, we cope with so much more information on a daily basis than ever before in history. Did you know someone living in the early 1800's was exposed to less information in her lifetime as is published in the New York times in one week! pretty astounding! (See Shift Happens for more trivia like this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q&feature=related )
Does all this information serve to make us more connected and satisfied? Maybe and maybe not. What I do know is, we still get to exercise our power of choice; to choose a computer free day! To choose to connect in person, to get off our butts and move our bodies up the side of a mountain, smelling the vegetation and feeling the dirt under our feet. Which is where I am heading next. I love the internet, I love the possibilities it opens up but I must have balance. I hope your day is balanced too.
Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.- Robert Fulghum
A friend's comment comes to my mind, "I'm less lonely since I got my computer!" Is that what we are all doing, feeling less lonely whiling away our evenings on the internet? I'm sure that is the case for many. This world wide web we are weaving allows us to connect in ways we never could before. As I write this blog to cyberspace, I think of when I wrote my first diary at the age of 12, entering boarding school. I think that helped me feel less lonely.
If its all Spirit then whether we are journaling our thoughts to ourselves or Skyping family in another country, reading news articles or shopping for sandals to match a new outfit. It's all part of the times we are living in, we cope with so much more information on a daily basis than ever before in history. Did you know someone living in the early 1800's was exposed to less information in her lifetime as is published in the New York times in one week! pretty astounding! (See Shift Happens for more trivia like this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q&feature=related )
Does all this information serve to make us more connected and satisfied? Maybe and maybe not. What I do know is, we still get to exercise our power of choice; to choose a computer free day! To choose to connect in person, to get off our butts and move our bodies up the side of a mountain, smelling the vegetation and feeling the dirt under our feet. Which is where I am heading next. I love the internet, I love the possibilities it opens up but I must have balance. I hope your day is balanced too.
Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.- Robert Fulghum
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What's the rush?
Truth lies within ourselves. It takes no rise from outward things, whatever you may believe.
There is an inmost center in us all where, truth abides in fullness and to know, rather consists in opening out a way whence
the imprisoned splendour
may escape, than in effecting entry for light supposed to be without!
Not my words to begin this blog but the words of the English poet Robert Browning written in the late 1800s. No less striking today or true, I believe they are descriptive to the goal of every human being. Each of us seeks to be true to ourselves - to live authentically and fully so that we might know we have lived well. There are times we dont feel we are doing this, maybe we feel we are so far from the visions we have for your life, dissapointments thwart us, obstacles obstruct our path, we dont make the progress we expect, there is a vague unease, something to be done, a stone to be upturned, something has to change in the outside world. I know I feel that way often. I want to achieve something great, I want to be somewhere other than I am. I imagine life is out there around the next bend if I could only get there!
This feeling is unpleasant. I dont like to feel this way. It seems to taint everything with a vague dissatisfaction. If I can turn toward it and address it; take a moment to center, this can make all the difference.
I realize I can only be where I am now. I look to what is right in front of me to do and I seem to re-enter my body, my day, the moment and a realization dawns. I may not be where I want to get to but right now I can see how far I have come and most of all how much I have to be grateful for. That shift is like a door opening to a new experience, a new perspective. Giving my full attention to my present task is sufficient. If I can do it well, whether its washing dishes, filing documents, or making phone calls, it is it's own reward.
My mother used to say, "One step and then another and soon the longest journey is done." It's the only way we can get to where we are going, whats the rush anyway? Walking has always been a great way to enjoy the scenery!
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