The Path of Waking Up

I’ve been nursing a head cold for several days now, God’s way of getting me to slow down. My ears are stuffed up, my eyes watery, my short term memory... well, short - VERY short! So one could accurately say that communication between me and others might not be that clear.

Still, Rog has been patient when I ask him to repeat himself so I can make sure I’ve heard him correctly. I’ve misheard several phrases and we’ve been able to laugh at my perception of what he said. Perception for any human being is difficult on any given day, but in this physical body currently, it’s even more so. We’re accepting the circumstances and one another, doing our best to make ourselves clear speakers and clear receivers. We’re laughing and saying “I love you” when a message gets lost in my mind’s translation.

But what about when we’re all in pretty good physical condition - then what’s the reason behind miscommunication? Do I hear any votes for the ego, for not being in fit spiritual condition? One is either in their ego mind or their God mind - there’s no middle ground.

I have to be in fit spiritual condition to accurately perceive when someone makes accusations towards me that have no basis in reality - well, certainly not mine - that something else is going on with that person. It’s not about me. It’s not personal even if it appears that way. When someone chooses to cling to their position, their ego is at work, keeping them closed to other options and possibilities. And, their heart has been clamped shut. Not a fun place to be for anyone.

I certainly don’t want to live that way and I am grateful to be waking up. It’s not always easy, with relationships and possessions going by the wayside through necessity. Waking up means honestly looking at my inner thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with a microscope so that I can know and be who I truly am. From there, I walk in this world coming from the place of Spirit. Acceptance, love, compassion, and kindness prevail.

Waking up can be challenging, but sticking with the illusion would mean being an open and willing partner to ego, to unnecessary pain and suffering. Freedom is at stake.

On this new earth we may find ourselves not making the journey with the long-time companions we thought would be accompanying us. But we will all get Home and be reunited with those we needed to let go of along the way of getting there. We are One and that can never change.

Dear Spirit -
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion as we each do what we can to wake up to You and to who we really are. May I demonstrate mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love to all on my path, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And, may each do the same with me!

Remembrance

Today’s Daily Word acknowledges Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday. But, interestingly, it goes beyond remembering the men and women who gave their lives in our nation’s service. Here it is in its entirety:

Monday, May 31, 2010
Remember
I lovingly remember others.

Remembering those who have given their lives in service, I reflect upon their sacrifice. I learn from the lessons they taught and from their accomplishments. I also remember the people who have made a meaningful contribution in my life. Because of them I have learned to live more fully.

Just as I build upon the acts and achievements of those who have gone before me, others may build upon my life's example. As I remember others today, others may remember me in the future.

Today I take a few moments to appreciate those who taught me by example, to honor those who showed me the way. Their love and their willingness have changed my life for the better, and I am grateful.

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God. - Philemon 1:4

It’s interesting that during this morning’s quiet time I listened to a meditative, subliminal CD about forgiveness and peace of mind. Several people from the past came into my consciousness. They were folks who I’d been close to for many years but am no longer in touch with. While we’ve chosen to not be in one another’s lives these days, I remember them with love for making my life richer. They helped me become who I am today. I have much gratitude for them - their love, their patience, their wisdom.

There are so many others I remember and for whom I am grateful: School teachers, relatives, employers, co-workers, those who came before me in the 12 Step program, other spiritual mentors, and of course, friends and my beloved life partner and husband, Roger Wyer. All have blessed me with their presence in my life - even if sometimes I hadn’t a clue!

Thank You, Spirit, for all those I’ve met on this journey called Life. Bless them, bless them, bless them.

Me Too!

“Great joy and satisfaction come from expressing love, compassion and generosity. Since I cannot fully express these qualities while holding resentment against another, I strengthen my spiritual practice through forgiveness.” - Daily Word, Sunday, December 13, 2009

I cannot fully express the qualities of love, compassion and generosity while holding resentment against myself either! And, I can forgive and start anew at any time.

Thank You, God, for Your healing of me - body, mind, and spirit. I go out into the world expressing love, compassion, and generosity... expressing the qualities of You.

Forgiving Me

I don’t think my plate has ever been as full as it is now as we continue transitioning from life in Gilbert to life in Sedona. And because of that, certain tasks have gone by the wayside or not been addressed in a timely manner or not been done as perfectly as I (and perhaps others) think they should have been.

It’s time for forgiving – me, moi, Joyce. I’m doing the best I can in each 24-hour period given to me and it must be enough. In fact, it’s better than enough.

I don’t think Spirit has me here to act like a machine. I am here to learn, to grow, to help others, to serve, to be happy. I want to find the joy in this day, and I want to be in the Now to feel the Presence.

The other day at a blessing gathering I got the hit that forgiveness is about surrender. I surrender to God the ideas I hold about myself and others, how things should be, and let go. I let God handle my actions and my thoughts. I surrender my heart to God as I forgive myself and others.

Today I am filled with peace as I choose to forgive myself and surrender my life to Spirit. Thank You, Spirit!

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Today being Independence Day in the USA brings to mind freedom and the rights we have been given through the Bill of Rights, the name by which the first ten amendments to the U. S. Constitution are known.

The Bill of Rights grants us freedom of religion, speech and the press, assembly, the right to bear arms, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, etc.

But there is a freedom that is at least as important as those stated in the Bill of Rights, and I grant it to myself when I practice forgiveness.

When I hold resentment against anyone, I am binding myself to that person by a cosmic link, a real though mental chain. Until I cut that tie, I am a prisoner in bondage, and living a peaceful, loving, and joyous life is out of my reach.

Emmet Fox, in The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life, states “The technique of forgiveness is simple enough, and not very difficult to manage when you understand how. The only thing that is essential is willingness to forgive” (page 173).

These days, thanks to a lot of 12 Step and other spiritual work, I find myself only occasionally, if not rarely, in the bondage of resentment. And when I do, I am willing to let go -with the help of God- and practice forgiveness. I set myself free (and the other person too). That is a freedom that extends far beyond any that could be bestowed upon me by a governmental decree.

Thank You, Spirit, for the various forms of freedoms I am blessed with by living in this country and living within Your Presence.

A Lord's Prayer

Years ago Rog learned The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, its original language. He has since interpreted it in a way that has greater meaning to him; it resonates with me too. Here it is.

The Lord’s Prayer
[As interpreted by Roger Wyer]

Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,
Who fills endless worlds of sound, light, and vibration,
May we experience Your light clearly and completely.
Your perfect garden approaches again.

Let Your will be done in every vibration of the universe,
And on this dense, material earth.
Give us wisdom, guidance, and understanding for our daily need.

Detach the faults that bind us,
As we release the faults of others into self-forgiveness.

Let us not lose our self in superficial things;
Free us from what keeps us from our true purpose.

From You comes the joyful will, the lively strength to act,
The song that beautifies all and renews itself forever.

Sealed in faith and truth and gratitude, and confirmed by my entire being.

What If...

As a spiritual being having a human experience I have no doubt that forgiveness is a never-ending exercise.

That said, I wonder if the last two days’ worth of synchronicity around the topic of forgiveness was not just about forgiveness. Could it be that God was sending me an extra reminder that He is present, a boost for my faith? I think so. And, I welcome it.

I'm Listening, God!

The last thing I did last night was to blog and, to my surprise, the topic turned out to be about St. Patrick, synchronicity, and forgiveness. [Such an array of topics...!] I ‘got’ that Spirit’s message was for continued work around forgiveness.

This morning, I opened my Daily Word and guess what the topic was: forgiveness! Okay, God, You’ve definitely got my attention. Is this about me forgiving myself more than it is about forgiving others? I look forward to further inquiry into the heart of this. Clearing blockages, whether within or with others, can only bring more joy and abundance into my life - I’m up for it!

“By forgiving, I'm not accepting or excusing the negative behavior of myself or others. I am offering us another chance to do better in our relationship. I let the love of Christ within me come forward, and I share this blessing with others. The love within my heart heals me as it flows out to others as words and acts of forgiveness.” - excerpt from Daily Word, March 18, 2009

Forgiveness

Last night I decided on the topic for the next Gilbert Spirituality Meetup – forgiveness –, wrote a little bit about it, then posted the Meetup.

Tonight I was looking online for a prayer to post on my blog since I’m tired and it is much later than I’d like it to be. I stumbled upon the story of St. Patrick, and how apropos since today is St. Patrick’s Day! But even more ‘coincidental’, is that I learned that his story is one about forgiveness.

He was actually British and when he was 16-years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and placed into slavery. Years after escaping, only through the alchemy of prayer, was he finally able to transmute his hatred for his captors into eventual forgiveness. Patrick's religious experiences along the way led him toward the priesthood. He came to believe very strongly that it was God's hand that first took him to Ireland, and that God was calling him to return. So after Patrick became a bishop, he journeyed back to Ireland, but this time by his own free will, on a mission of love and mercy.

But could it also be ‘coincidence’ that the very next page I came upon was an article by Leonard J. Ross about the power of forgiveness ? I think not. Most people who know me know that it was through synchronicity that I came to believe, and I do not believe in coincidences.

Yes, I know about the power of forgiveness and I know about synchronicity being a method in which God sends me messages. So, it’s clear that my forgiveness work is still to be in the forefront of my life at this time.

So much for using someone else’s prayer tonight to post a blog!

Dear Spirit-
Thank You for Your clear messages of where I need to focus my inner work.

Time Well Spent

My prayers are often to thank God for the blessings of my life. Lately they’ve been heavily concentrated on asking for the removal of blockages to receiving my good, and for forgiving others.

I know the answer to prayer happens in God’s time, not mine. Last night my prayers as I lay in bed were about forgiveness; awakening this morning, I felt that forgiveness had occurred on my part. I’m grateful for the quick positive response, since I really dislike walking around with resentment and the like in my heart and mind.

Regardless of the response, however, there is always a gift contained in prayer that I am blessed with. For whenever I pray, it is time that I am focused and clearly connected to Spirit. And, no matter the answer that shows up, it is in and of itself time well spent.

Forgiveness

Today has been an exercise in forgiveness and a lot about letting go and letting God.

I have to forgive myself for trying to live a certain way in a world that is an ever shifting illusion where people are doing the best they can - including moi – and it simply is impossible to work anywhere near perfect.

I have to forgive myself and let go of expectations.

Okay, I do forgive myself for still playing the role of “good little girl.”

I forgive myself for thinking that others hold the same values as I do.

I forgive myself for living in the past and projecting into the future. There is only Now.

I forgive myself for not having answers to situations.

I forgive myself for judging my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

I forgive, turning it over to Spirit to be healed, and I am free.