My Refuge and My Strength

“Letting go of what is no longer needed makes room for what is fresh and new.” - Today’s Daily Word, July 7, 2010

What do I no longer need in my life? Certain types of work projects? Clients? Friendships?

How about beliefs? After all, my thoughts and beliefs create my life.

These past several days have been a challenge for me, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Letting go of attachments in all forms simplifies my life and the clutter in my brain. And no matter the chaos, the confusion, or the no longer needed thing in my life still hanging out, I must remember always -

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 (KJV). When I really contemplate the meaning of this statement, I am in awe. I rest in faith and peace.

God IS. I must acknowledge the One Power and One Presence, and affirm it daily. Then I know that all is well despite appearances.

Dear God;
As I wake up to what is needed and what is not, I know You are my refuge, and my strength comes through You. Show me Your Will, show me Your Way. Today I make room for what is fresh and new, knowing You are ever present and all is well.

All is Well and All is Good

“Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.” - Unknown

... And blessed is my morning meditation practice to dissipate the fears that creep into my mind in the middle of the night!

Today I listened to the self-hypnosis CD Peace of Mind (Barrie Konicov) and it enabled me to let go of agitation. And, when I let go of worry, God can more easily get my attention - and I can get His help. The good ‘ol “Let go and let God.”

Today I live a faith-filled day. I know God is in charge, Divine Order IS and it does prevail: all is well. Ahhh.

“Today I claim my Truth. The presence and power of God work in, through and as my life, blessing others and blessing me. I recognize the interconnectedness of all human beings and trust that every situation and person has the potential to contribute to my life in a positive way. I create order in my life and seek only the good, assured that as I seek, so I shall find.” - Excerpt from Daily Word, July 1, 2010

What's in a Name?

Rumi says, “With us the name of everything is its outward appearance; with the Creator, the name of each thing is its inward reality.” - From The Rumi Collection, edited by Kabir Helminski, published by Shambhala Publications, Inc.

How shallow it seems to be named based on outward appearances, for appearances are illusionary and not real. What is real is eternal and internal, the essence of a thing.

I may be named Joyce, woman, female, business person, singer, volunteer, friend, lover, wife, and much more. But what it really comes down to - the reality - is my essence, the real me. And, that is I am a holy child of God. My inward being is love, peace, joy.

Attitude

“What we say about a situation determines how we think about it and finally what we do about it. Attitude largely determines activity; so watch your attitude and make it one of faith. By practicing positive attitudes, you will experience a renewed trust in God and find creative solutions to your problems.” - Our Prayer.org

I’ve been paying greater and greater attention to the impact of the separated, limited, little Me on my joy, my life. Its thinking can easily push me into fear, not feeling capable enough, contracted.

And yesterday I started paying greater attention to the unlimited Me. It’s the Me that is formless - my spirit, my true essence. So when I caught my attitude starting to drift towards negativity, I paused, said hello to God, and consciously moved back into the energy field of Spirit. With a shift in attitude, my actions shifted as well, and I proceeded on with the day in a more positive manner.

We all know what the shift of attitude towards God, trust, and faith feels like: power, joy, love, mercy, grace, and peace. The little Me cannot bring me to that place. Only the whole Me, the Oneness, God.

Morning Prayer

Dear Spirit of the Most High-
As the month of June speeds ahead, we give thanks for You. We stretch ourselves to feel Your Presence in all that we do and all whom we meet.

Grant us peace as we go out to do your bidding this day. May we be Your emissaries of light and love, as we awaken and demonstrate to others the joy and peace of leaving pain and suffering behind in the illusion of the old world and step into the new earth.

Thank You, God!

The Place

Rog is working with a young woman on a business plan for her dream business. After her getting stuck trying to go about drafting it in the conventional way, Rog suggested she come from the place of Spirit.

Isn’t that the solution all the time? To remember and be Spirit in all situations, all conundrums? And, isn’t that who we truly are? We can come straight from the heart. We can relax and be at peace. Creativity flows, questions resolve.

Dear God-
Help me to remember I am Spirit and to carry the qualities of You into all circumstances, all relationships, all the time.

Adventure

These days, after our good morning kiss, Rog often asks me, “Are you up for another adventure today?!” I always respond in the affirmative.

Life with Rog is an adventure. And, I say it’s that way mostly because with Rog comes God. Spirit is always with us and we are ever expectant of Its Joy, Love, and Peace.

Because we stay open and because we know that with God all things are possible, we never know what the day will bring. We seek God’s guidance, listen clearly for the Great Mystery’s messages, and then go into action as appropriate. We never know what new experiences, new people, or new ideas will manifest. Life is rich.

With Rog and God, my life cannot but be an adventure, one that I welcome each day with the good morning kiss of my beloveds.

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.

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!

Purpose

These days I am quite content with my life.

My relationship with Rog (my life partner and husband) continues to blossom (and be meaningful and fun). Working my computer-related business is enjoyable and my client base is growing. I’m a member of a choir that is so much more than a group of people singing.

Spiritual classes, meetings, and events nourish my soul and expand my knowledge of people and the world. Many new friendships with like-minded spiritual beings are flourishing. I’m doing volunteer work with pooches as well as people.

Life is rich. Life is good. And, the best is yet to be.

“We are not here without purpose. We are being called to fulfill a destiny. We have work ahead of us, work that we don’t want to turn our back on. We know this work is God’s will for us and is meant to bring peace, joy, and gratitude.

“Today I will remember that I am necessary to others, that my life is not an accident, and that God has a purpose for me.” - Excerpted from In God’s Care, May 19

I don’t feel I’m being complacent - simply content, satisfied. It feels peaceful. And, I feel patient. It’s a great place to be as I await notice from God about what my true work and life purpose are to be and when it’s time to move into gear. I’m being prepped for what is to come. I’m waking up so that I will be of greater use and power when the big changes arrive.

In the meanwhile, I will just keep on keeping on, staying attuned to Spirit’s messages.

Thank You, Spirit, for this life rich with waking up and Your plan for my life purpose and how to best serve.

Resting in God's Peace

Dear Spirit-

Another morning in which my mind continued to chatter away as I sought Your Peace, as I sought to just be still and in the silence. I so yearn to experience the gap between thoughts so that I may rest and feel Your Oneness.

As I go through this day, may I feel Your Peace and be refreshed even whilst I am in the middle of busyness. I know You are always with me as is Your Peace - may I experience it now.

Thank You, thank You, thank You. And so it is. Amen.

The Ways of the Ego

I know that when I am anxious, angry, or in some other state of negativity, my ego is fueling the feeling. Peace cannot come from this place.

The feeling of peace comes from my Higher Self. It may involve action, but the action is not a reaction but a response. It is not ‘charged’ as the ego would have me be. The ego is not patient, the ego is not kind. That make me think of the scripture from Corinthians about love -

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 (New International Version):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Most definitely this cannot be said of the ego!

I thank God for more and more moments of peace, love, and kindness.

The Service of Waking Up

Our greatest service to the world, my greatest service to the world, is to wake up. There is no greater one.

The world of the ego is ending, and with it a new earth is coming, in some cases is already here.

“Ego-identification with things creates attachment to things, obsession with things, which in turn creates our consumer society and economic structures where the only measure of progress is always more. The unchecked striving for more, for endless growth, is a dysfunction and a disease. It is the same dysfunction the cancerous cell manifests, whose only goal is to multiply itself, unaware that it is bringing about its own destruction by destroying the organism of which it is a part.” - A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle, page 37.

I can easily see this is the truth by observing what is occurring in the world of form globally: the dissolution of a myriad of social structures and the insanity of the financial industry, war, etc. It is indeed time to wake up! It is time to observe my inner thoughts, beliefs, behaviors - which, of course, I’ve been doing for quite a number of years. However, now, everything seems very much accelerated.

For the last two years or so, Rog and I have been simplifying our lives, releasing things, be they household furnishings, books, ideas, our home, and even relationships. We have been getting unattached to that which does not serve our highest good, and in turn cannot serve our fellows’ highest good either. We are one and what happens to each of us impacts the rest.

With clutter in my physical world and in my mind, ego keeps me from seeing what is real - and it keeps me in suffering. Well, I choose to not suffer, I choose to wake up, to be at peace. As I wake up, my increased consciousness impacts the higher good of all. And, that is why it is the most important form of service. The real world of peace, and love, and community is coming into view.

It is not always easy to wake up, but of course I can always call on Spirit to help me get through the rough spots, to help me see the light. It is another opportunity to detach from the ‘little me,’ to detach from the human being having a spiritual experience, and step into fully being the child of God who I truly am.

“Anytime a situation seems confusing or hopeless, most likely I am viewing it from a perspective of human limitation. Instead, I have the innate power to see any circumstance from a spiritual perspective by turning to God...” - Today’s Daily Word, May 13, 2010

What an exciting adventure it is, coming to live on this new earth with all of you and God!

Never Alone

Yesterday, Mother’s Day, I had the honor of serving as worship assistant at Unity of Sedona. Of course the Daily Word reading focused on mothers and I knew it was possible I might have difficulty reading some of the text. It didn’t matter though because I felt God had a plan and knew that with whatever would transpire, Spirit would use me as a vehicle to help others; that was AOK with me.

The reading was:

I give thanks today for my own mother. If I cannot speak with her or be with her, I send her my loving thoughts. I give thanks for the arms that embraced me, for the nourishment of my body and soul, and for the encouraging words that inspired me to aim higher. - Excerpt from Today’s Daily Word, May 9, 2010

You see, I still hold pain around what my parents were not to me. And, while I’m making progress in my healing, as the onion gets peeled, more is revealed to be forgiven. It is times like these that I pay extra attention to focusing on God. The pain subsides, I know I am not alone for God is always with me.

And early this morning I awoke from a dream that left me feeling ‘off’. It wasn’t a “bad” or violent dream, but I just didn’t feel quite right and was a bit discombobulated. I quickly remembered to focus on Spirit, and started repeating a prayer. It soon got me back to feeling on solid, higher ground. And, not feeling alone and disoriented. God is always with me.

Throughout my waking hours I often repeat prayers to instantly focus on God’s Presence so as to not feel uncomfortable or alone in this vast, crazy world of personalities and situations. God is my solid rock and foundation - loving, nurturing, all embracing. I am never alone (even when I have a lapse in memory). Peace settles in and I relax. All is well.

Oh yeah, I did get a bit emotional reading the aforementioned excerpt, but God used it for good. Several people told me afterwards they were touched by my reading of the passage. I know I was touched by Spirit to help others, even if through my own pain. I am happy to serve my one true Parent.

Come Sit With Me...

Dear God, my angels, guides, and other beings interested in my upliftment-

Come sit with me in peace, in the silence, as I am renewed and refreshed.

With You by my side, I take the time to breathe, to pause, to stop the busyness.

I am still and allow Your loving energy to flow through me.

May I take Your Peace, Your Love, Your Freshness, and carry them throughout the day. And, may I pass them on as I shine my light, Your Light, onto to all whom I meet.

Thank You all for Your loving, holy, blessed Presence.

And, so it is.

Win or Lose

“... If you think you have nothing to lose, you win. If you think you have something to win, you lose. Life is not about win-and-lose. Life is about being or not being, expressing or not expressing, who you are.” - Neale Donald Walsch

How I frame a situation makes all the difference in the world as to whether I am feeling at peace, being my authentic self.

And, having attachment to things and outcomes keep me from that peace. For it is only in the world of form that the notion of win or lose arises.

Everything that happens in the world of form is for my upliftment. Hence, it’s always win-win.

As I release my concerns, judgments, and attachments to Spirit, I find myself in a “win” position. For I am at peace, resting safely in the loving arms of God.

Whose Plan?

I’ve been pushing myself to meet deadlines, participate in spiritually-focused events, attend to ADL’s (activities of daily living), and fulfill other commitments. And, I’m beat. It’s not really fun pushing, pushing, pushing. I just can’t do it all... something has to give... I need to let go.

Yes, I’m exhausted physically, and beat emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I need to let go of controlling finances, time, people... As if I could really control anything or anyone!

So I surrender to that Divine Wisdom that knows all is in perfect order... to the Source that created me happy, joyous, and free - not tied to deadlines and obligations.

In cramming and striving to meet deadlines, I’m cramming The Presence too. It’s difficult to feel peace and joy when my entire being feels contracted and squished. So I pause, breathe, and give my trust to Spirit. I release my concerns to God and I am at peace.

All I have is this moment... Despite my planning and scheduling, when it comes down to it, all I have is Now. I can sketch in the pieces of my life, but I must remain flexible and open to the idea that things don’t unfold in Joyce’s time. I must surrender.

Dear Beloved, Holy Presence-
Thank You, thank You, thank You for the pause and the breath that refresh me to then move on to carry out Your plan.

Where Am I?

My readings this morning remind me of several fundamentals...

God is always with me, always guiding me. No matter the situation, there is a choice that reveals the highest and best in me. If I listen, Spirit’s guidance will be made known.

There are many ways for the guidance to come through: lyrics from a song, conversation with a person, or an excerpt from something I’m reading. Of course, there’s the powerful inner knowing that needs no explanation. And, my favorite: Synchronicity, the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner. [Translation: There is no such things as coincidence.]

And, if I don’t hear the Guidance or I misinterpret it, and I do not make the choice that brings out the highest and best in me, that means I’ve lost conscious contact with Spirit. But it doesn’t mean that God is not with me.

Then I remember to take an inventory, to look at my thoughts and behaviors that have contributed to my not choosing rightly. I connect with God to reveal my shortcomings, and I then I choose once again.

God’s love, patience, wisdom, and peace are always, always, with me. I remain alert and ready, prepared to receive God’s guidance and God’s abundance. It’s always there - where am I?

God Is...

God is...

Love
Joy
Peace
Strength
Power
Breath
Source
Life
Grace
Gratitude
Guide
Friend
Companion
Comfort
Healer
Consciousness
Presence
Serenity
Security

No matter where my journey takes me, I am not alone - God is.