Beloved

Excerpt from Today’s Daily Word, which affirms “I am beloved of God” -

“There may be one special person in my life whom I dearly love. It could be a parent, a child, a sibling, a spouse, a friend. I feel a special connection with this person that calls to me from deep within.

“In much the same way, I am beloved of God. I am the... daughter of the Creator. The love of God is shown to me in many ways...

"I open my heart to find and feel the fullness of Spirit and my connection with God wherever I am. What a joy it is to know that there is no limit to God's love for me, this day and every day!”

The special person in my life is my husband, Rog. He is my life partner, best friend, lover, business partner, teacher, etc. We have a special connection and I am 100% totally myself with him. He is a tremendous blessing in my life.

I dearly love and appreciate Rog but sometimes I get lost in the busyness of the world of form and don’t always convey the depth of my feelings for my beloved. So, this being the morning of the Gratitude Circle at Unity of Sedona, I am especially reminded of this man and holy relationship. I am so grateful.

I give special thanks for my beloved Rog, for being a beloved of the Creator, and for the Creator being The Beloved to me. I give thanks for all beings - we are One and we are all the Beloved.

Inspired By Others

I took the entire day off to play with friends visiting from Tucson, a luxury for me. And, it also threw my schedule off. So here it is close to 10 o’clock in the evening, and I’m working on finding a topic to blog about.

When I’m not initially inspired as to what to write about, I have the practice of reading the various daily, weekly, and monthly spiritual messages I subscribe to via email. And since I don’t keep up with them sufficiently, there is always a backlog to read. I always enjoy reading them and find myself feeling closer to God when doing so.

So after a rich day of friendship and a meeting for volunteer work, I find myself a bit spent and not knowing what to blog about. But there’s my cadre of emails sitting in my Inbox with plenty of inspiration and words of wisdom contained therein.

Today’s Daily Word is Comfort: “I am comforted by the love and presence of God.” And, the Daily Guideposts story is about the author’s awareness being raised and thereby stops being indifferent to people and starts praying for them. Another reminds me “...that he does not believe who does not live according to his belief.” Abraham says “Look for good things about where you are, and in your state of appreciation, you lift all self-imposed limitations (and all limitations are self-imposed) and you free yourself for the receiving of wonderful things.”

So while I may not always feel inspired to blog, my commitment to blog daily always gives me an extra boost of connection with Spirit. Today it took the form of taking a break from my own writing (sort of) to read about others’ journey with God and His Ways. And that is always inspiring.

Good night.

Divine Dance Connection

Last night I went Sufi dancing - and what a divine experience it was!

This was not the whirling dervish variety developed by Rumi in the 13th century; it’s more like a moving meditation with singing.

Heart-centered Sufi dancing is a practice, a meditation of Divine Light and Bliss. One moves around the circle from partner to partner, allowing their thoughts to fall away as they experience the Divine in each other. As we connect with our eyes, we do simple, graceful movements while focusing on the positive words of powerful chants and songs.

Our humble, gentle, loving leader, Sydhasa, gave us instructions before each dance and taught us the words to contemporary songs of love, spirit, devotion, and peace. But it is not so much about the dance as it is the Divine connections we made with each other... so much from simply gazing into the eyes. I got to connect with spirits new to my acquaintance and strengthen connections already known.

Here is another form of spiritual practice that I can easily see incorporating into a (somewhat) regular part of my life. While I’d had some exposure to this practice before, last night’s gathering immersed me into it, bringing me joy, peace, and love. And, it was fun!

There are many ways we can connect to Source through other beings. This week God had me experience some ways that were a bit unique for me: socializing with a pooch, helping a child, and meditating with others through Sufi dancing. I am grateful!

Service

There are many reasons and motives for doing service. But are mine ‘pure?’ What I mean is, am I doing them from my Higher Self or from my ego self?

When I serve to feel needed, I’m coming from my little me. When I look at the person I’m helping as a victim or someone I’m trying to ‘save,’ I’m coming from the separated self. I am not in an awaken state.

Being of service directly working with people is one of the grandest ways that I feel God’s presence and a strong connection. I am in my heart, opening to God’s love and grace - for me and the other.

So, I serve as a way to grow closer to God. And through helping others with this motive in mind, I open myself up to be an instrument of God’s grace and to waking up a bit more to the real world of Love.

How can I serve today, Sweet Spirit
How can I serve today, Oh Lord
Speak to me in ways I will understand
Where You lead, I will follow.
- Rickie Byars Beckwith

Dear Sweet Spirit,
Speak to me in words I understand as to where You would have me serve today. Open my heart as I have the opportunity to be Your instrument and shine Your light on all whom I minister to today.

It's God

Life is not meant to be focused on stress and worry, but on freedom and joy (culled from Today’s Daily Word, April 17, 2010). Stress and worry come from ego, freedom and joy emanate from Spirit.

Thus it is natural for me to feel more connected to God when I feel free and full of joy. And, it is a sacred circle dance: as I focus on God, I feel free and full of joy, and feeling free and joyful, I feel greater connection to God.

I’ve been wondering if the gratitude I have felt recently - the natural, ‘unforced’ kind with my heart singing - is perhaps also joy. It seems that they go hand-in-hand as well.

Regardless of the labels, it is clear to me that my spirit is feeling very much lifted up these days. It’s not dependent on outside people or circumstances; it’s something within. To me, it’s God.

Prosperity

Today’s Daily Word is Prosperity: “I prosper as I live a life of purpose.” It reminds me that when my purpose is to serve God, I am supported in all I do.

And, when I focus on serving, connection to Spirit and my fellow travelers abounds. It is so clear that God is my Source for everything and I prosper physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

I am grateful to be able to rest in this Truth this day. Thank You, God!

Membership

Recently a fellow Mystic Choir member asked me why I was becoming a member of Unity of Sedona. You see, she’d contemplated becoming one but was a bit skittish. As was I.

I’d been a devout atheist for many years, and even after 20 years on a conscious spiritual path, I still had my issues around the word church. I associate church with organized religion, which at least these days I can kindly say that I am able to see how it is helpful for some folks. If I could get over being an atheist, surely I could get over my conception of church. I could no longer allow my mindset to keep me from my greater good.

Unity.org states:
“The five basic ideas that make up the Unity belief system are: 1) God is the source and creator of all. There is no other enduring power. God is good and present everywhere. 2) We are spiritual beings, created in God's image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good. 3) We create our life experiences through our way of thinking. 4) There is power in affirmative prayer, which we believe increases our connection to God. 5) Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.” Sounds pretty painless! Well, actually these are ideas that I very much resonate with and believe in.

Unity is a vehicle for instruction, inspiration, and prayer support for spiritual seekers. It is a place of education. Unity of Sedona specifically is where my spirit gets nourished and soars, whether singing with the choir or opening my heart at a gratitude meeting. It’s a place where I can be of service in a myriad of ways. It’s a place where I feel comfortable spreading my wings trying out new things. It is a place of learning and love where awakening happens.

Why become a member when I already can participate in everything, except having a say with a vote on organizational decisions? Becoming a member, I feel ‘more a part of’, which is important to the little girl inside who always felt different, starting first with her family of origin. Outside of my 12 Step family (which is huge), I have never so felt a part of a group of people (it has not been for lack of searching). Becoming a member means I’m making a commitment to something I believe in and am willing to stand up for it. This is “my place” and I want to care for it; I want to support it. This community is my family and I want to protect it, strengthen it, nurture it. I feel as a member I can give with more of a whole heart.

As my family at Unity of Sedona helps me flourish and wake up, together we all awaken to a world of peace, love, and joy.

Gratitude Circle

I have found my home at the weekly Gratitude Circle at Unity of Sedona I just recently started attending. I’ve been trying to figure out what makes it feel like home because the only other venue I feel this is close to is a 12 Step meeting.

Here’s the bottom line: sharing honestly, from the heart, about Spirit working in our lives as we strive to wake up, in a sacred space of openness and respectfulness of each one’s path.

I’m quite often surrounded by intellectualism and not much expression of experiencing and feeling God’s Grace. Although the vast majority of people in my life are spiritual and on a conscious path, it seems to me we don’t often talk from the heart about our experience. Missing are the tales of synchronicity, miracles, "oh shits" turned into blessings. I could sit around 24/7 listening to people share about this stuff. This was what I was hungering for before I joined 12 Step program almost 20 years ago, and it is what I hunger for still. Connection. To people, to Spirit.

This kind of meaningful, heartfelt talk and sharing of the journey opens me up to God and to the connection between us spiritual beings having this human experience. There’s this heart bond. In 12 Step program our bond is that we share a common malady that is solved by coming to believe in a Power greater than ourselves and then we put our faith and gratitude into service, into action; we are graced even more.

Sitting in a sacred circle of gratitude hearing experience, strength, and hope makes me feel like one heart, like One.

Help Me

Good morning, God, Holy Spirit, angels, spirit guides, elements, elementals, and all those interested in my upliftment –

My prayer today is “Help me!”

God: Help you with what?

Me: Help me with everything in my life! Help me with my relationships, my finances, my physical health, my mental being. Above all, help me clear and strengthen my connection with You.

And, let’s not forget: please help me to manage my time, to be peaceful regardless of appearances, to have mercy, and to forgive.

The Spark

I rang out the old and rang in the new year being with some members of my soul family. We broke bread, got further acquainted, and discussed what work we were meant to do at this special time of being in flesh on the planet.

I’m meeting more and more of my soul family, and my recent introduction to one woman was particularly meaningful to me. With an instant comfortability, we had much to converse about. And, we were each a sounding board to the other, with hearts wide open.

Spending time with my soul family and this woman in particular, I now feel the tiny little spark of the Divine rekindling. The timing is no coincidence as the day before I had committed to myself to start the new year anew, mainly with increasing my time growing my relationship with Spirit and spending more time being rather than doing, two ideas that for me are intricately related.

Setting my alarm clock last night, I knew that I had turned a corner – I would not procrastinate to get up when morning arrived. My enthusiasm to spend time in the Silence and any other practice that Spirit guided me to do to get my day off on the right foot (be in fit spiritual condition) would propel me out of my warm bed.

And so it was. I feel refreshed, with a new energy and passion, with a closer connection to Spirit.

God speaks to us directly and God speaks to us through other spirits having a human experience. I’m grateful for the messages and love I have received and continue to receive. Most of all I am grateful to be back on track on my spiritual journey, fanning that divine spark to grow ever stronger.

Thank You, thank You, thank You – for the year anew, life anew!

Time and Spirit

I’ve been wishing people a happy new year – and decade! Yes, we are ten years into the new millennium although I don’t quite know how that happened...

Some questions crossed my mind just a few minutes ago: “How strongly has my relationship with Spirit deepened over the last decade?” “What about the last year?” And, “What would I like my relationship with God to look like in this new year?”

This time of year is often one where one takes time to reflect back – and forward – on the direction of their life. I cannot think of a subject more important to reflect on than that of my relationship with and understanding of Spirit.

As I move into the new year, it is my great desire to spend a lot more time consciously with Spirit, strengthening my connection, hearing guidance more often and more clearly, and following it with ease and grace. It is my wish that my heart open wider for both myself and my fellows; that is where I feel the Presence.

As the old year and decade fade away and as the new increasingly draw nigh on the horizon, may I remember that Spirit is timeless - and always with me.

Musings Day After Christmas

This year Christmas has surely not been about physical gift-giving. But it has been very rich indeed – and it’s only just begun.

We had a lovely time at the Wyer Family Christmas gathering last Sunday in Tempe. It was the first time Rog, me, and all three of his children were together in 1-1/2+ years. I’m hoping it won’t take us that long to get together for the next fun time.

Rog and I are having friends visit us in beautiful Sedona from various parts – and they’d have visited anyway even if it weren’t for the holiday. However, we realize that living in Sedona makes it more appealing to some folks to come to us rather us to them – that’s just fine with us!

We spent yesterday with friends we met via the Gilbert Spirituality group we had started up more than a year ago. They’re snowbirds and have been out of the state since April. It was time for them to head east to the warm climate of Phoenix, which made it our good fortune to get to spend Christmas Day with them.

We broke bread together in a potluck of goodies contributed to by all, caught up somewhat on our lives, and pitched in for KP duty. It was like we were living together for a brief time and working together as a team. I so enjoy that coming together in helping one another and find joy, love, peace, and harmony there. What a gift!

We have another couple arriving this afternoon for one overnight and there is no doubt the conversation will be rich as they’re recently returned from a spiritual conference and are overflowing with enthusiasm and passion to share their experience. Tomorrow morning we’ll attend Unity together.

And, Monday afternoon friends from Tucson will arrive for a 2-night stay with a daughter visiting from New York, my old hometown. She is an artist and being in Sedona will be a special gift for her and meeting her will be a gift for us. The days are sure to fly by with rich conversation and shared experiences.

Spending time in meaningful conversation and connection with spiritually like-minded folks in our life is a gift that cannot compare to receiving any material object. It is a wonderful way to end the year and begin the next decade.

Dear Spirit of the Most High –
Thank You for the many gifts you bestow upon me at Christmastime and every day. Your love shines through all who are in my life, most of all my beloved Roger. May my gratitude and appreciation not be sidetracked by ego forays into the future, but may I stay in the moment, knowing that all is well. I move forward to enjoy Your gifts – especially Your Presence - every day. Thank You, thank You, thank You!

Soul Nourishment

“The life we’ve been given by God is meant for enjoyment. But we can be certain of this enjoyment only when we put our energy into actions that replenish our soul. Love guarantees replenishment by guaranteeing our connection to God, from whom our sanity and peace come.” - In God’s Care, December 5

Today I attended my first monthly W.I.L.D. (Women In Love with the Divine) Women’s meeting. As you can ascertain from its name, this is not your plain vanilla type of women’s support group.

I felt love, caring, and support from the very minute I walked in the door. And, this rightfully turned out to be one of the first groups I have joined upon moving to Sedona where my energy is put into replenishing my soul. My soul has been undernourished for quite some time now and with all the offerings in our new home town, we - my soul and I - have been looking forward to implementing a new plan of nourishment. I’m glad it’s underway, initiated with joining the Mystic Choir a few weeks ago.

As Emmet Fox states often, “... you absolutely owe no loyalty whatever to anything or anyone but your own soul and to the furtherance of its spiritual development.”

I am grateful to be expending more time and energy to honor my soul, its nourishment, and its development. In so doing, my life is becoming more enjoyable and my connection to God strengthened. I’m beginning to once again feel that my life has meaning. I welcome this all, and the peace beyond all understanding that accompanies it.

Thank You, Spirit!

Encounters

“Each encounter with people who cross our path offers us the chance for a deeper connection with our Higher Power.” – In God’s Care, July 12

Opportunities abound to cross paths with others. It can be a quick, one-time encounter that occurs in the grocery store or one that last for the rest of my life. Each has meaning, all are opportunities to experience The Presence if I so choose. The more I put myself ‘out there’ the richer my life is.

Thank You, Spirit, that I opened myself up to the people placed on my path this day and felt a stronger connection to You.

Toilet Tuesdays

Almost 2 months ago, I entered into my first barter agreement: I clean the men and women’s restrooms at a yoga studio once a week in exchange for attending my favorite yoga class. It’s been a fine arrangement, win-win.

This past week was the last as I needed to free up my time. I will miss this task as well as my favorite teacher and the Gentle Healing/Restorative class postures.

As my cleaning was coming to an end, I realized that I really appreciated doing the work as an exchange. I even told one of the owners that if she’d been paying me an hourly wage, I don’t think I’d have enjoyed the task as much. The reward of attending the yoga class had greater meaning to me than receiving greenbacks, and this made me more focused, strongly motivated, and full of pride too as I went about doing my job. If I’d been given a wage, it would have been far less than my usual hourly rate as a tech writer, and, in all likelihood, my ego would have felt resentful that it had to engage in such activities, and I’d have been less than thrilled with the task. That was not the case, and I was very grateful the owners had been willing to barter.

During Tuesday toilet-cleaning days, I’ve often thought about the servant leader, Gandhi. My experience made me feel a bit connected to this spiritual man. It doesn’t matter that the toilets he cleaned were far less glamorous and technologically advanced or the reasons behind his actions were quite different from mine. It was not beneath Gandhi to clean toilets and, it was not beneath me to do so either.

It’s surprising the places one can find connection, inspiration, and meaning...

It's About Connection

Late last night Rog and I sent out our e-newsletter Reaching Out, our first issue of the new year. Winter has come and gone, and glorious Spring is here, with Summer almost here in central Arizona.

During the months we dropped off the e-newsletter scene, we retooled our businesses and our lives. As we looked around, we observed that much of what had been working for us was coming to an end. The world doesn't look anything like it did when we created our life together in Gilbert - neither do we.

So as we launched the new us, we wanted to let our community know what’s happening. It’s always fun to send out an e-newsletter. We check who’s opened their email and who’s clicked on links, and we often draw responses from recipients, sending greetings, thanks, and their own news. It’s a day filled with joyful expectancy, each message a gift. It’s a great tool for connecting to a lot of people from all different phases in my life.

Today, as I took note of who opened our e-newsletter, I realized how I’d missed these folks and our cyberspace visits. I’m hoping that we’ll get back on a regular publishing schedule again, for I see how important connection is for me... to people, to nature, to my own self, to Spirit.

Raising the Energy

I’m working with a new definition of spirituality: raising the energy of beings I’m with or vice versa. I think the idea is that by raising the energy, higher frequencies are reached, thereby allowing greater access to Spirit.

When my energy is raised, there’s no doubt that I feel more alive and joyful. So, I’m going to continue working with this concept and see where it leads – to an ever-increasing feeling of connection I trust.

Spiritual Refreshment

I’ve just come home from a Unity service. I was exhausted as I left the house, having stayed up way too late working on computer-related projects. Nonetheless, I knew that going to Unity would be a worthwhile activity as it would feed my soul (my most important need) and then even perhaps refresh my body. It did.

There, I was in the company and energy of other people seeking peace, comfort, and connection. I was refreshed through meditation, prayer, words of the lesson, and music.

Dear, sweet music for my soul. An instrumentalist, Paul McDermand, played steel drums choosing selections mellow enough for the setting. It’s unusual to not have a singer to provide the gift of music, but Paul’s music was delightful, and seeing the joy upon his face as he worked his art was an additional boost for my spirit.

And, I “lifted my voice” several times in song, my most enjoyable pastime. In so doing, I was also of service. Observing that there was no formal singer to lead the congregation in song, I decided that I would really put my all into singing and hopefully aid others in their musical expression. Besides, I was alone in my 2nd row position and there was no one sitting in the row in front of me to disturb! Singing spiritual songs with all my heart and in bold voice, I felt wonderful.

I don’t know if anyone around me heard me or was helped by me. But, I know that my idea was inspired and following it put me in a giving space and made me feel a closer connection to Spirit and the other church attendees. It was additional spiritual fuel for my soul, a surprise treat.

There are many ways to give, and it is no doubt true that as we give, we receive.

Now I’m fueled up spiritually, physically too, and ready to move forward in my day.

Thank You, Spirit, for the myriad ways I receive connection and I get to give.

Demonstrating Love

Something awesome happens when you do things out of love, especially toward those who have wronged or upset you. God is love, and every time you demonstrate love, you demonstrate your connection to him. – Creflo A. Dollar

Shower Time

I so love being in the shower. It’s not just that I’m a water person (a Cancerian), but I find it to be such a peaceful place. Shower time is prayer and meditation time for me!

Singing in general is a form of prayer for me. Even when I was an atheist, I felt something special inside me when I sang. When I came to believe, I realized what that feeling had been: connection with Spirit.

So, I’m usually singing in the shower, maybe even chanting. It might be only within my head, or in an outward alto voice, fortissimo. Sometimes I get into contemplation mode. Other times, I pray for others.

It really is a great time to connect with Spirit. And, when I don’t have to rush off but can luxuriate in slow mode – well, it’s pure heaven.

Warm water soothing my body, warm thoughts and feelings soothing my soul.

God is everywhere, blessing me in often simple ways...