Recipe

Yesterday was another, rich, abundant day.

Reviewing it - and others - it becomes clear what ingredients are needed for me to make a fulfilling day. It is a very rich recipe for a joyful life.

- Start the day in quiet time with Spirit
- Read inspirational literature in the morning
- Blog about spirituality
- Meet with Rog for prayer followed by our morning ‘coffee vacation’
- Help others in computer-related projects
- Be open to service opportunities in the moment
- Examine my behaviors, thoughts, and feelings
- Connect with Spirit throughout the course of the day
- Take care of my physical and mental bodies
- Listen to music
- Shine my light wherever I am, whoever I am with
- Meet with Rog for prayer followed by our afternoon ‘coffee vacation’
- Breathe deeply
- Take a walk
- Take time to pause
- Spend time with my Unity of Sedona family either in a seminar, at choir rehearsal, or otherwise
- Read spiritual literature in the evening
- Go to bed at night, snuggling up to Rog and thanking God for all the blessings and abundance in my life.

The Circle

At yesterday’s Gratitude Circle there was a lot of sharing about life, death, rebirth, ‘burning in the fire’, and family too. They’re really all related, ya know?

My 12 Step brethren and the Unity of Sedona folks are my true family. Unlike my family of origin, they have taught and continue to teach me about how to live life healthfully and joyfully. They were and are the ones who teach me about love and practice it.

When I am in the fire, having an episode of the dark night of the soul, as they share their experience and their love, I grow and move out of it. In times of death of a person or my own dying to become who I really am, they are there to shine their light and love as I go through my anger, grief, my healing process.

I come out of the circle filled with more love than when I entered, refreshed and reborn to go out into life and the world so as to continue my learning and to share what has so generously been given to me.

Today is Easter. Today and every day I am reborn into greater love, understanding, and awakening to what is truly real. There is no need to ever be alone. In the circle and especially today it is clear in many ways that you, me, and the Father are One.

We are living in grace.

Re-Activated

AC•TI•VATE [ áktə vàyt ] (past and past participle ac•ti•vat•ed, present participle ac•ti•vat•ing, 3rd person present singular ac•ti•vates)

verb

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb make something capable of action: to make something active or operational, or become active or operational
- Any sound in the room will activate the alarm.
- The detonator will activate in 30 seconds.
2. transitive verb U.S. MILITARY mobilize military: to set up or mobilize a military unit
- activate the National Guard
3. transitive verb PHYSICS make something radioactive: to make a substance radioactive
4. transitive verb CHEMISTRY make something reactive: to increase the rate of a chemical reaction, e.g. by applying heat
5. transitive verb CHEMISTRY increase power of absorption of something: to treat a substance such as charcoal so as to increase its capacity for absorption
6. transitive verb INDUSTRY purify sewage with air: to purify sewage by aerating it

RE-

prefix

Definition:

1. again, anew
- rebuild
2. back, backward
- recall

[Via Old French from Latin]

From: http://encarta.msn.com
______________________________

Re-activated... That’s the word that comes to mind when I think of what happened to me about a week ago. And each of the aforementioned definitions of the word activate feels appropriate to me.

As a living, breathing human being on this planet for 54.5 years, of course I’ve been ‘operational’. But for the past several years, operational processes have been sluggish – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I now feel recharged and ready for action and to begin anew.

And, I feel like there’s a purpose to this reactivation, that I’m being mobilized to fulfill the purpose for which I came here to do in service to the planet.

I am radioactive in that I am radiating a different energy, and of course it impacts everything and everyone. It is more positive, joyful, loving, and peaceful. It makes me think of my early days in 12 Step program when I had my spiritual awakening and people would remark that I was glowing.

This change is a reaction caused by stimuli that came into my frame of reference about a week ago. I have an increased power of absorption and I feel more interested, focused, and conscious in my participation in life.

And, I feel purified. The past doesn’t hold much meaning, the future is not yet here - there is only Now. I feel a freshness and a peace - a calmness and serenity that others might think crazy when looking at outer circumstances.

I don’t know if it’s the prayers I’ve been uttering, living in the midst of Sedona vortices for two continuous months, the new energies that came in during a sacred circle I was a part of on New Year’s Eve day, my soul family members being around me more, my intention, or ....

What I do know is that something greater than myself surely had a role in getting this being charged up again, full of power, purpose, and a peace beyond all understanding. I am so very grateful for this reactivation and for once again being enthusiastic (‘with God’) about life.

Want Versus Need

I’ve really been learning a powerful lesson as these many past moons have gone by without a steady stream of income from one channel (i.e., a j-o-b): Spirit has provided for my needs at the very least, and at times even for my wants even though money wasn’t as abundant as I’ve thought it should be. And, I realize that my life is simpler, less stressed, and more joyful.

We have a roof over our heads, food in the pantry, clothes on our backs. These are basic needs, that when not satisfied can make one fearful, and unable to focus on anything else life has to offer until addressed. God has us covered.

We have good health – mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically (most days).

We wanted to attend a number of events this past weekend in Sedona and be able to overnight for two nights. Our experience was one where Spirit gave us more than what are the basic needs to survive. And, without having to dip deeply in our not so deep pockets.

We enjoyed two nights in a spacious, lovely condo to stay in without paying the $300 it would have cost had it not been for the kindness of the owner, our friend, and our agreeing to play housekeeper. In doing gardening service at Unity, we were fed lunch on Saturday. We attended a potluck on Sunday, and friends treated us to dinner on Monday. We were spiritually nourished at a mystical musical meditation one evening, a church service Sunday, and meaningful conversation with new friends and old throughout.

Except for fuel for our car and one meal tab in a restaurant, we really didn’t incur anymore than the ordinary expenses we would have had we stayed home. Yet, our spirits were enlivened by the natural beauty surrounding us in Northern Arizona and the spiritual beauty of the souls we encountered.

God, my Source, is providing for me. I am very blessed every day and realizing it more and more.

Lightening Up

Every other spring or so when I was an adult living in New York, this feeling of wanderlust would come over me. It was this incredible urge to quit or leave everything behind (i.e., the corporate world, whatever possessions didn’t fit into my car), take whatever money I had, and go exploring the country, especially the less-populated areas. A week here, a month or two there, work for a while as a waitress, spend a lot of time reading and relaxing, and have virtually little or no care in the world. A simple life for my spirit that yearned for freedom.

I couldn’t bring myself to go on this wanderlust journey until I joined the 12 Step Program, came to believe in a personal loving, caring God, and had developed more strong, loving, supportive friendships. Then, because I no longer felt alone, I could leave – a paradox for sure! When I swung into high gear to make it happen, it didn’t. God had other plans for me which required me to stay in the Big Apple. “Thy Will, not mine,” prevailed.

Several years later, I relocated from the 8 million population of the “Naked City” to Taos, NM, with a population of 4,000. Living in the Southwest, in an adobe house on a hill overlooking grazing horses with Taos Mountain in view, and in a slower living mode, I felt like this was a version of my wanderlust and I was at peace.

As Rog and I prepare to leave our house and life in Gilbert, AZ for a new start in Sedona/Cottonwood, I feel like we’re going on a working vacation for a month or two (that’s because we might rent a room in someone’s home until we can do something else). But perhaps it’s more like going on my wanderlust again.

You see, we’ve been getting rid of so much ‘stuff’ so that we can avoid large monthly storage fees, simply our lives, and lighten up. It is nice and freeing – it’s amazing what we rarely use (clothes, kitchen things, etc) and how little we need. Our souls feel lighter and more joyful without these attachments, and hence freer. Less baggage (of all kinds), more freedom.

It’s actually not what I was thinking or planning at this point in my life, but I’m most excited. This time around, not only am I not alone because God is with me, but I also have my honeybunch, Rog.

Thank You, Spirit, for the freedom we enjoy through You, the many blessings showered upon us daily, and for moving us forward in Your Plan.

Being Like the Water

Hearing Barbara Horton’s song lyrics about wanting to be like the water reminded me of my own recent experience alongside Tonto Creek near Payson, AZ. Barbara’s sentiments went further, and I deeply resonate with them:

I want to be like the water flowing
Never questioning, always knowing
Exactly what it is I’m here to do.

Abundantly receiving, giving
A contribution to life along the way.
- © 2008 Barbara Horton

Especially in these days of Rog and I making big changes, releasing, dropping attachments, as we work toward creating our new life in northern Arizona, we so want to be clear what it is that God would have us do, would have us be.

I want to trust Spirit with all my heart and simply know The Plan, and not question nor resist Spirit’s will for me. When I do that, life is joyful, abundant, and I am of great service to others.

I am like the water flowing
Never questioning, always knowing
Exactly what it is I’m here to do.

Abundantly receiving, giving
A contribution to life along the way.

Direction

My dear friend Karen and I had rented a car in Manhattan and driven to Vermont for a long, fun weekend of downhill skiing.

On this particular evening, we had made the last run on the slopes, enjoyed après-ski, and were now heading back to our hotel, when it started snowing again. Soon a light dusting turned into a whiteout. It might have been evening, but it was bright out due to the white snow. Still, that didn’t make it any easier to drive with snow swirling around us.

I was the driver, yet could not make out where the road was beyond a foot or so ahead of us. Karen worked hard to assist me as best she could, with the hope that from the passenger’s side of the car she might be able to see some lane and road markings to guide me.

As we crawled along with no other vehicles in sight, frustrated, concerned, and whatever else, I blurted out to Karen, “Pick a direction!” We launched into hysterical laughter. Out of lemons, we had just made lemonade – perhaps even a snow cone!

On the spot, that phrase became famous for us, making history that is not apt to be forgotten. When one of us simply utters it to the other, we start laughing and we are brought back to that difficult, dangerous, and somewhat fearful experience. But more importantly, it reminds us of one of the many fun and joyful adventures we’ve shared, and the strength and quality of our love and long-time friendship.

These days, 20+ years later, the phrase has been picked up by some of our family members. In these times of extreme change, releasing old ways of thinking, letting go of material possessions, etc., Rog and I have evolved much. Yet we sometimes find ourselves clueless.

The other day Rog assessed what he truly knew about our current life, our life to be, friends’ situations, what was so locally, nationally, and globally – the list could go on. He concluded he knew nothing about anything, and was frustrated because he could not tap into Guidance or get direction. What a wonderful place to be, so open, so teachable. Then he exclaimed, “Pick a direction!” I immediately thought of Karen and reminded Rog of the origin of that phrase.

Karen mentioned our "pick a direction" story to husband Charlie again recently as well. They had been talking about driving in a storm. She suggested to me that “it looks like "pick a direction" has become our (yours and mine) mantra in a way for life.” Hmm. That is food for thought.

When we are stumped and don’t know which way to go, we still have it in our power to make a choice. We can decide the direction and start heading that way, remaining open to Spirit’s guidance, which we’d been seeking in the first place. Maybe sometimes we just need to take the first step –perhaps even the first plunge off the cliff – for God to then make Its Will known and open the flowing channels.

Rog and I have done just that, and more has been revealed to us in the past day or so than in recent weeks. We still don’t have total knowledge, but God’s abundance has increased, flowing to us with ease and grace. We’re taking that as validation that we picked the right direction.

4.5

Today is a particularly significant day in my life.

Thirteen years ago (1996) I moved out of the Big Apple, my home town for my entire life of 41 years. And, four-and-one-half years ago (2005), Rog and I were married – the man I’d been searching for most of my life. Both were very significant events, and perhaps marrying Rog would not have happened if I hadn’t left NYC... although I suspect Spirit would have come up with another way for these twin flames to cross paths in this lifetime.

After so many years of yearning for my soul mate, one might think that our promises to one another would have been lengthy. But when all was said and done in planning our intimate, joyful event, Rog and I chose to speak these brief promises to one another based on A Course in Miracles: I promise to do my best to always see the Light in you. I promise to do my best to be your perfect shelter, where you can be reborn in safety and in peace.

Ahhhh. These promises are suffused with Spirit in their meaning and energy. It’s always wonderful to reread them and think about how I’ve fared in fulfilling my promises to Rog. I think I’ve done quite well (with Holy Spirit helping my ego), even with some of the particularly wild adventures we’ve been in.

Rog is my beloved twin flame so it’s pretty easy to see the Light in him and to be the safe, peaceful, and healing shelter. But I’m just wondering how it would be if I could make and keep this promise to all beings I meet? And, what about every being making it to all other beings?

Wowww. Ahhhh.

Happy 4.5 Wedding Anniversary, my dear Rog. May I continue to do my best to always see the Light in you and to be your perfect shelter, where you can be reborn in safety and in peace.

And, I pray, with God’s help, to apply these promise concepts to all whom I meet on my path.

My Supply

God is my unfailing, inexhaustible, unlimited supply and great resources come to me today, under grace, in perfect ways, to move our life forward joyfully.

And, so it is.

Wink-A-Versary

Today is our 5th wink-a-versary. Translated into English, today is the day five years ago that Rog sent me a wink via match.com. From there a 10-day email courtship followed, culminating in...well, here we today, joyfully married, great teammates as business partners, and, the bestest of friends.

“God wants us to be only who we are” reads, in part, from today’s In God’s Care. Well, that’s how Rog and I have been with one another from day 1: no games, open communication, real beings. Our relationship is a trinity: Spirit, Rog, and Joyce.

Rog’s match.com handle was ‘Tucson Rog’ and mine was ‘Unusual Woman’. It truly was a God thing that we met. Rog had been resisting his friends’ suggestions to go online to start meeting women after separating from his 24-year marriage. But he could not go against the Guidance he received to do the same. It was great timing because I was just about ready to end my subscription.

There were factors that should not have had my profile show up in Rog’s search, but nevertheless it did. It was finally time for these two twin flames to meet again and make a life together to accomplish God’s work.

I will always be grateful for the technology that brought Rog and me together, but of course I know it was really Spirit who did so.

Thank You, Spirit!

Blessed Peace

A Prayer for Blessed Peace

In my hidden heart, I know this feeling.
Deep inside, the river flows
with the peace of the world.
This world, this place of love unbridled,
is where you and I meet.
Alone, but together,
silent, but joyful,
we share this deep peace as one.
Peace dwells within me.
Always waiting patiently,
knowing that I will return to its embrace.

I let go, I let go, I am peace.
I say yes, I say yes, I am peace.
I choose love, I choose love, I am peace.
In my heart, I know this place.
In my heart, I am peace.

- Vicky Thompson

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.

Always Available

I entered the 12 Step program in March 1990 as a devout atheist. I soon discovered that people read daily meditation books related to their specific addiction, which helped them start their day off with some inspiration and contemplation. The words “God” or “Higher Power” could be found among the passages and it took some getting used to. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the readings and found them helpful with my addiction of choice.

Within about six months, I was solidly believing in a Power greater than myself. Lo and behold, in February 1991 a publisher of recovery material came out with a new meditation book entitled In God’s Care (As We Understand God), Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery. I embraced this little book because I wanted to be more focused on spirituality than on my addiction.

I gave my first copy, filled with lots of yellow highlights and black underscores, to a dear friend who was in AA, when he became seriously ill (I mentioned Jay in one of my first blogs). He made his transition some time later and I never got it back. I’m on my second copy now, 15+ years old.

My path has taken me beyond the 12 Steps, but I never tire of this book and still find joy and inspiration from reading of it. I can even read it online when the hard copy is not nearby. So, here’s part of today’s message:

“We see things not as they are, but as we are.” – H. M. Tomlinson

...Our more positive attitude today changes our understanding of earlier experiences... If we rely on God’s help, we’ll come to understand all our experiences as opportunities for growth and fulfillment. We can trust them, live through them, and be grateful for their contribution to our spiritual development.

The attitude we harbor is powerful...God is always available to help us accept the circumstances of our life.

In the midst of our latest adventures of bankruptcy, foreclosure, building our businesses, and looking for a place to hang our hats, both Rog and I are doing our spiritual work, staying connected to HP, and keeping a positive, joyful attitude. God is always available - to guide us, help us, uplift us.

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.

Friendship Anniversary

Today is the 25th anniversary of my friendship with Karen. It was 25 years ago on the very first day of a new job at American Express in New York, that I heard Karen’s laughter ripple across the 18th floor. I’m blessed to have had that joyful laughter in my life all these years since.

We of course have been through a lot and shared a lot. However, one of my most poignant remembrances is how Karen stood by me through my days as a devout, militant atheist. If we somehow dared to get into a discussion on God and religion, I was quite outspoken about my beliefs – it was not a pretty sight. But Karen stood by me. She loved me. She mentioned that she thought “the lady hath protest too much.” She accepted me and respected me.

About 6 years into our friendship I joined OA, and, through the 12 Step program, my entire outlook on God, people, and life was transformed. It’s been quite a journey. And, Karen’s been there all along the way.

I’m blessed and most grateful to have such a person in my life. Thank You, God – and Happy Anniversary to us, Karen!

Turning Points

Particularly now, our society is experiencing Turning Points in many sectors and dimensions, and these changes are profoundly impacting our individual lives. Of course, throughout our personal lives we experience profound experiences and changes – that is Life. I think how we handle them is what’s important.

“Turning Points: From Personal to Global” was last night’s topic of discussion at the Gilbert Spirituality Meetup. I know that before I came to believe in God (a.k.a. in my life as “pre-God” or P.G.) and was a devout atheist, the way I responded to change was far different than after I had come to believe in a Power greater than myself.

P.G., I was a bulldozer, endeavoring with all my will to make things happen MY way. I wasn’t exactly what you’d call living in a peaceful space, I lived in the future more than in the now, I felt alone. Once I had a belief in and conscious connection with my Higher Power, life became richer and more adventurous, joyful, and love-filled – and I no longer felt alone. I sought God’s guidance and actually asked for help in matters large and small.

In recent years, I’ve gone through a number of Turning Points, including a career change, several relocations and even marrying for the first time at almost 50 years of age. God was in the thick of it - by my side to help me, guide me, love me.

These days I live in the Now more regularly, and feel peace more often than not. And yes, I KNOW I am never alone. Turning Points are part of life – and, so is God, which is The Source of all.

Isn’t that a comfort?