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.

Perfection

Today’s Daily Word is ‘healing” and the affirmation is “I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect health.”

As I embarked on my quiet time of meditation, I silently repeated the affirmation like a chant...

I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect health.
At some point I realized I was chanting I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect peace.

Ah - I like that.

So what about...

I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect love.
I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect joy.
I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect grace.
I bless my mind and body with thoughts of perfect faith.

The list could go on and on and on.

Perfect health, perfect peace, perfect love, perfect joy, perfect grace, perfect faith: blessing my mind and body with such uplifting, affirming thoughts certainly promotes healing.

What a fun gift this affirmation exercise was, and I’m sure I will carry its wonderful energy with me throughout the day. As I affirm these states of perfection, I affirm my oneness with God.

God is perfect and so is my true state.

The Two "F's"

I have been offered a large work project which will stretch my knowledge a bit. It is a wonderful opportunity in many ways, yet I find myself in fear. One part of my mind knows I can accomplish it - that I have the skill, the talent, and access to learning resources if they are needed. But the other part of my mind is chattering away saying the opposite, being negative.

You know that other part of the mind - the ego, the ‘little me.’ It will always try to shoot me in the left foot, tell me I’m not good enough, and take me out of the Now, down the road to the future.

Fear lies in the future. Faith is here, now. Faith brings my consciousness back to the One Source from which all parts of me flow.

Today I will remember to stay in the Now, to stay in faith. God is with me always, blessing me in every situation. All is for my highest good.

Dear Spirit-
Bless me with staying in the moment and not projecting into the future. Replace any fear I may have with faith and keep me focused on Thee.

A Single Prayer

I did some more inner child and gestalt work over this past weekend. Gestalt Therapy was developed by Fritz Perls and his wife Laura, in the 1940’s; their work emphasized a phenomenological and subjective approach to therapy.

Perls noted that many of us split off our experience (thoughts, sensations, emotions) that are uncomfortable. One goal of his work is to move people into owning their experience and developing into a healthy gestalt (or whole). In addition to helping the client overcome symptoms, the objective of Gestalt Therapy is to enable him or her to become more fully and creatively alive and to be free from the blocks and unfinished issues that may diminish optimum satisfaction, fulfillment, and growth.

I felt a shift in my body as my 15 year-old spoke, confided, and sobbed to her older self, the current me. Who else could she talk to who would so know and understand what it was like living in the family? It was also helpful having that child hold a conversation with her mother over an upsetting - and revealing - childhood incident.

This work brought freedom to my soul. It’s not over yet, but it is a huge step towards wholeness, being all that I was created to be and express, and living from my true essence.

I am so very grateful for the loving and wonderful teachers and counselors who are a part of my life these days. Bless them! Most of them I’ve only recently met since moving to Sedona 5½ months ago, but it’s clear that we are not strangers - we are f-a-m-i-l-y. I feel like we are from the same wonderful tribe, helping one another heal and awaken.

So this morning, with a great enthusiasm for life and the people in it, my conversation with God is a simple prayer: Thank You, God - Thank You, God - Thank You, God!

God in Our Midst

Here it is Saturday morning, another opportunity to reflect on what I am grateful for as I prepare to attend my circle of gratitude.

Last night I attended what for me was a most unusual event: a celebration of Passover and the Last Supper. It was a evening of learning, music, joining together - and, of course, food! I appreciate our hostess opening up her home to us. More importantly, I so appreciate her opening up her rich heart.

E. is an awesome woman. She is a gracious, generous, and appreciative hostess. She has the joy, curiosity, innocence, and wonderment of a child; the education, life experience, and wisdom of an elder; the love, peace, and patience of a saint. Even her singing voice makes me think of an angel. Obviously she has a very close connection to Source; it is an inspiration to witness and makes me feel a part of.

I am grateful for people such as E. who so clearly convey to me that Spirit is not only present, but is within each of us, reaching out to others and showing them that God is in them too and that we are One.

God bless.

Time Well Spent

“Today, before I get started on my to-do list, I think I’ll call my friend ____, just to say hello. I know it will be time well spent.

Lord, remind me that when I get too busy to spend a moment with a friend, I’m busier than You want me to be." - Gina Bridgeman, Daily Guideposts, March 11, 2010

One of my dearest friends sent an email yesterday to review a monthly transaction we’ve been involved in. Underneath the words and even her signature of “Love, ____”, I sensed a coolness (it was confirmed by Rog without even my mentioning it). It stung and surprised me.

I started conjuring up stories about why she might feel cool towards me, of which any or all could be accurate. I replied in a loving way, but have still felt ‘off’ about it - it is so unlike her.

My unsettledness about it was still with me this morning as I thought about how we’ve not had a lengthy, quality conversation in months. With being in different time zones, her having young children to care for, my increased work load and other responsibilities, it’s been difficult to set a telephone date to connect.

So how synchronistic that this morning I got to read a devotional from several days ago that I feel had God’s hand in it. Relationships are the most important thing, starting first with the one with Spirit. When I find myself too busy to nurture that one or the ones of those dear to me, it is time to take serious inventory.

No matter what my friend is feeling and what the story might be, nonetheless it is true that I have not nurtured our friendship much in recent months.

Thank You, Spirit, for reminding me of what is important in life and to slow down. I will keep those dear to me in prayer, bless them, and endeavor more greatly to connect with them directly despite obstacles. It will be time well spent.

Amazing 20 Years

Today I celebrate the most important day of my life.

It was on Saturday, March 10, 1990, at 10:15am, on the upper side of Manhattan (NYC) that I first walked into the rooms of Overeaters Anonymous (OA), the 12 Step program based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is there where I found Home, my family of choice, and commenced my conscious spiritual journey. It was the beginning of transforming my entire way of living via changing my world view.

This day 20 years ago was the start of my coming to believe in a God of my understanding. And, having been a ‘devout’ atheist, that was no small feat! After all, I’d known about The Program for five years but had declined attending a meeting because I knew the word “God” was going to be uttered.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into and how much my life was going to change by finally taking that fateful step of going to my first meeting - I actually landed up attending three that very first day!. But I had reached bottom, knew that something was ‘wrong’ with me, and also knew that psychotherapy, while helpful with other issues, was not sufficient to address this issue of my eating disorder.

I am grateful to OA in more ways and for more things than I could ever recount. My life and relationships would not be what they are today if I had not adopted the 12 Step way of life and had a personality shift of huge proportion. Over the years of practicing the principles and relying on a Power greater than myself, my life has become rich in a myriad of ways and my journey of awakening has become more adventurous.

Today I celebrate: having conscious contact with the Great Mystery who I know is my Source; the love of other spirits having a human experience; knowing peace and serenity are mine any time I choose despite what’s going on in the outer world; knowing my life has a purpose and being of service – the list goes on, and on, and on.

It’s an extra special day of grace and blessing! Thanks be to Spirit, and to all of you friends of Bill W. whose paths have crossed mine, where together we are living in the solution. God bless.

Spiritual Contracts

I have a friend who talks a lot about spiritual contracts.

My understanding is that a spiritual contract is the agreement between two souls to get together in a future lifetime to learn and grow together. It may be for business, love, familial, etc. experiences. And, my understanding is that once the contract has been fulfilled, each party is free to move on.

I think this concept is an interesting one and a most plausible explanation for the reason why some of the people who once were such a prominent part of my life are no longer in it at all.

Take for instance my friend, Gloria. We met in college and she became like a sister to me, the one I never had. We partied, ‘man-hunted’, shared life together in many ways. She married my favorite brother, and was a primary relationship in my life for most of 33 years. Then almost overnight she was gone.

One might say our relationship couldn’t survive her divorce after 25 years of marriage to my brother. Or that she was so overwhelmed from exhaustion and grief over the ten-year battle her ‘baby’ sister waged against cancer that she was a big part of. Or that she truly couldn’t forgive me for something she had imagined as a transgression of trust. Or... the stories could be endless, and I don’t suspect I’ll ever know what happened (although ‘the door is always open').

The idea that we had a spiritual contract that had been fulfilled makes a lot of sense to me. We had our time together, full of laughter, tears, confidences, etc. She was the very first person (in a platonic sense) aside from the few hugs I had received by some relatives, who embraced hugging as a natural phenomenon. She taught me its importance both emotionally and physically; she taught me about love.

I’m so grateful that Gloria was able to attend my wedding and help celebrate my finally finding The Man, the life partner I had so yearned for and that she was so well aware of since our college days. She was out of my life within my first year of marriage.

I can think of other folks who have come into my life, taught me some important lessons and vice versa I’m hoping, and then vanished. I’ve long since gotten over the pain of their departure and now the idea of spiritual contracts closes the door on questions of ‘why?’

Dear Spirit of the Most High-
Thank You for the people who agreed to meet me back here for another round of life learning and love. Bless them, bless them, bless them.

Listening

I strive to be a good listener when someone is talking to me. That entails being attentive and focused, not thinking of how I will respond or making judgments or being somewhere else. To be a good listener for someone is a loving, respectful act.

It’s also an honorable act. When I am attentive, I’m honoring that person - and God. For God sends messages and information in many ways, and through the words of humans is a prolific format.

What fun it is to be alert to God’s words when face-to-face with another human being! What an opportunity to bless one another! Who knows what I will hear from God as I serve another by fully listening with my ears, my mind, and my heart?...

Dear Spirit -
Make me a channel of clear two-way communication in the presence of others, and in the Presence of You and Your unseen helpers.

Giving

In a recent Daily Guideposts, Roberta Messner talked about how giving to others in a variety of ways lessened her chronic physical pain from an incurable disorder. Her doctor told her that her discovery was supported by both the Bible and medical science. “Giving releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, Roberta. Studies have actually shown that volunteers, some of the most devoted givers of all, lead happier, healthier and longer lives.”

In another recent Daily Guideposts (01.23.10) I read the following prayer: “Dear Lord, help me do one thing today that brings someone farther away from a problem and closer to a solution.”

When I was very actively doing service in OA, there is no doubt that I felt happier and more fulfilled as I helped my peers live in the solution for their eating disorder problem. It was an honor and a privilege to serve. In my giving of myself, my self was receiving - a lovely, loving loop of giving and receiving in action. My own recovery was enhanced, my connection to Spirit strengthened, my channel clearer, my heart open.

Service is always a great way to quiet the ego, let God in, and shine my light to help others. As I set my intentions for moving my life and purpose forward, I enthusiastically (“with God”) give of myself. I am blessed as I bless others.

Thanksgiving Day 2009

For the last 19 Thanksgiving Days, I have been humbled. That was not always the case.

Before joining 12 Step program in March, 1990, I was a devout atheist. When Thanksgiving came ‘round each year, I pretty much acknowledged and thanked myself for the life I had. There was no Higher Power in my life; I was the alpha and the omega.

Much has changed since coming to believe, and these days I know Who to thank for the life I have. Without Spirit, my life would not be what it is today - and every day. So these days, one of the most important things I am grateful for is joining Overeaters Anonymous, which started me on my spiritual awakening path. I am grateful for the love, knowledge, tools, experience, and support I have found along the way.

And, I give thanks that I am no longer alone, for I know that God is with me this Thanksgiving Day, and always. That is the greatest thing I am grateful for.

May my gratitude for coming to believe be expressed every day through my loving actions toward others, in service to the One Who blesses my life.

Following One's Heart

There are many ways that we can serve God. Some of us find that we do it best and are true to our heart (to God, to ourselves) by doing it on a solitary path. That is, we find that we simply cannot give our fullest to Spirit when involved in a committed relationship with a human being.

Others find immersing themselves in community the best way to go in order to serve God. They live with housemates, work with many colleagues, and, in general, are in the world and in many close relationships.

I recently learned that a man, who I have heard speak God’s Word numerous times and who has stirred my heart, has chosen to give up a committed human romantic love relationship. In fact, it was a marriage. It seems that he has been in multiple marriages, and all but one ended in divorce. This man finds that he can only serve God best when he is not also committed to a life partner. He’s tried it and it just doesn’t work. The human relationship divides him and distracts him from his true life’s work.

I get it. I admire this man for his courage, his integrity, his honesty, his commitment – to Spirit and his heart. His last marriage was short-lived once he confronted this nagging issue and made the decision to give his heart solely to the Great Mystery. He and his former wife love one another and are great friends. That’s just the way it is. This man helps many people as his ministry goes well beyond the walls of the physical church. He serves God best and his spirit heals and thrives as he gives of himself to the many instead of a special one.

Yesterday’s blog (What God Wants) spoke to the idea that maybe what God wants is for us to just be free of the things that come between us and God. For me, I needed to change my daily allocation of time. I made the commitment to spend more time with Spirit. How pale this seems in comparison to my aforementioned friend. Yet, what wonderful food for thought.

Spirit has given each of us something unique to share with this world. Besides knowing what it is, we need to discover the best way to go about sharing it, and then make the commitment to carry it out. I’m still working on all of this. But, kudos to those who have found their true calling, know how to administer it, and are committed to it, their heart, and God. Thanks for being such a great role model to the rest of us. God bless you all!

God Bless

I had been working with a government employee regarding a social service situation and in my last written correspondence had closed with “God bless.” Somehow I felt that in his line of work he’d appreciate it. I didn’t know how ‘appropriate’ it was, especially in a quasi-business realm, but figured what’s the worse that could happen.

I know as a former atheist whenever someone directed the G-word at me, I cringed. And, in those days, no one would have expressed that in a business situation especially.

But times are different and I am different. Yesterday, as we closed our telephone conversation about the positive outcome of my request, and I thanked him for all his help, Manuel said “God bless you.” Amid my chills, I responded emphatically, “No, God bless you!” I was so touched by his reaching out in that way and felt so close to Spirit. And, even now when I think back on it, I feel tickled by Spirit.

I and the people around me have come a long way. More people are wearing their spirituality on their sleeve and that can only have a positive effect on the world. Every reminder to me throughout the day of The Presence is greatly appreciated. And, every prayerful greeting is terrific icing on the cake.

Make we offer words of blessing to one other as we go about our day, knowing God the Father is with each and every one of us.

Always One

Dear Spirit –

Thank You for these last few days close to Nature, camping along Oak Creek in Page Springs. I am most grateful for our dear friends who bring such richness, joy, caring, and fun into my life. Please bless them as they bless me and others.

Thank You for the new friends introduced into my life, and the spirit of cooperation, caring, kindness, and generosity amongst us.

Thank You for the invitation to view the Hopi Nation dancers, and the warm welcome I was greeted with. May I remember that even with the rich diversity of peoples, we are still all One.

We are One with the trees and we are One with all people. Remaining conscious of this truth keeps me close to You, and connected to all.

Practicing What Is Preached

Today was indeed an historical day for the United States of America in many ways and an historical inauguration.

In the 8 years that have passed since the last main presidential inauguration, my spiritual experience and knowledge have progressed and been enlarged, so I was particularly curious as to how religion and prayer would play a role in this political event.

I enjoyed the prayers, feeling they were mostly inclusive of all peoples, and full of admirable qualities that we all can strive toward. Now, I hope the sentiments expressed are put into action, including by the man who gave the Inaugural Invocation, Pastor Rick Warren.

Below is the Inaugural Invocation in its entirety taken from a Christian political blog site:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

Blessings Everywhere

Rog and I left our home in Gilbert at 6:00 AM yesterday so that we could attend the 9:00 AM Unity of Sedona service in the beautiful Red Rock Country of Arizona. We were heading to Sedona anyway so why not incorporate a Sunday morning service and get some extra spiritual nourishment?

This Unity church is nestled among the trees of West Sedona, housed in a quaint space with large windows to view nature and more easily feel at One. Just lov-er-ly!

The minister’s talk on prosperity was abundant with many messages for me. The main and most powerful one was to bless everything, everyone, all the time.

But, perhaps the greatest message – or rather the one I was in greatest need of hearing at that moment – was that when I’m worrying about something or someone, I am not in a spiritually awakened state. Oish! And too, when I am being judgmental or critical, I’m not in a spiritually awakened state. Of course, none of this is news to me – just a great reminder.

Now lately I have been feeling at peace in many matters and hence have deemed myself spiritually awakened – at that moment. I have been in the flow and it has felt wonderful. But, ah, how easily I can slip, especially when it comes to challenging people in life. When I realize that all they’re really doing is crying out for love, I snap back into the spiritually awakened me, and love them and bless them.

I choose to treat everything and everyone as a blessing. Thank You, Spirit, for all the blessings you shower upon me.

Morning Prayer

O God, this morning we remind ourselves of Your all embracing Presence, help us to reflect upon our relationship with You, and to grow in our love for You and each other.

We bring with us our uncertainties and false tracks, our loves and cares, our successes and failures, our sorrows and hopes. Give us the grace to be able to hear You speaking in the midst of our busy lives.

Help us to be sensitive to all the grace-filled moments in our day and give us the strength and faith to turn our awareness of You into actions that build up Your people and establish Your kingdom in our world.

Bless all our family members, friends, and neighbours.

May all enjoy a peace-filled day.

From the website www.prayerandspirituality.com