God Expectations

What are my expectations of God? I expect goodness and the best for my spiritual growth and upliftment. I expect God’s guidance, help, power, abundance, love, and grace.

So when circumstances appear to be less good than I think they should be and my ego starts moving into gear, I call a time out. I dwell on Spirit and look for the message Spirit is giving me and I seek to find the blessing in the situation. I remember that God has a divine plan and knows what It is doing. I relax into the peace of God.

Letting divine ideas fill my mind, I act on them with gratitude and enthusiasm, and my ego goes back to slumber mode once again. I’m in fit spiritual condition and fit for service to God. All is well.

It's All About...

... patience. Yep, of late, my readings and my discussions with Rog have usually come right back down to being patient.

Learning to be still in the silence takes practice. And, it won’t happen overnight. It takes patience and then my mind will gradually quiet down as I wait and pray for silence and to feel God’s presence there.

Relocating to our new homestead is happening right on schedule - in God’s time. It takes patience. We are doing all that we can and being all that we are in order to hear God’s guidance for the next steps. In the meanwhile, we must be patient for the plan to unfold, and be ready to take action.

I realize that patience on my part also requires faith and trust. I’ve been growing them especially during these last several months as huge changes swirl around in my own world and the Universe at large. There is a plan, God wants only what is good for me, God is with me and in me every step of the way. I am not alone.

These are exciting times and more will be revealed as I exercise patience with myself, others, and God.

It's a Choice

Let unconquerable gladness dwell. - Motto used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, from “A Prayer Book for Soldiers and Sailors”, original source unknown.

The aforementioned quote was mentioned at Unity today. It was a delight to hear that a world leader had it grace his office, that he held such a philosophy and prayed such a prayer.

I can think of those words as a prayer answered - unconquerable gladness dwells - and look at everything as a blessing. No matter what the experience, the encounter, I get to choose my perspective, and whether I want “to be right or happy.”

Unconquerable gladness dwells and everything in my life is a blessing. So it is.

Exhaling and Inhaling

Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. - Edwin Keith

I came across this quote this evening and I think it is a perfect visual for my morning practice of meditation.

I’ve been asking for help in the discipline of using the breath to go deep into the silence and let go of the chatter. Perhaps remembering this quote is part of the help I was seeking...

Time

“I can’t believe it’s Friday again already!,” I say to Rog during our morning coffee vacation al fresco today. Two hours later, after being on the computer, I’m thinking it’s Saturday, then catch myself, remembering it’s ‘only’ Friday.

This time thing is really weird, and more so lately – as time passes.

It’s interesting though that as confusing as it can get, and as frustrated as I can be when I feel like there’s “not enough time,” or perhaps I didn’t “spend” my time as wisely as I could have, there’s a feeling that’s uplifting. That feeling often arrives when I look back at what has transpired and see that things unfolded perfectly. I then am once again reminded that God is in all of this, that God has a plan, and basically, that God is running the show.

No matter how crazy this thing called time is, when all is said and done, it matters not. All is well for God is with me past, present, and always – God is timeless. And, that’s what’s important.

Peace

True peace comes not from trying to have peace, but in trying to find God’s will and doing it. Peace comes from letting go. – In God’s Care, June 25

Peace is what I seek, but when my ego gets going, it’s hard to know God’s will, let alone follow it. The ego voice is diametrically opposed to the voice of God, and peace can simply not follow.

As I go through a challenging situation at this time, I am especially seeking to know God’s will and hence, to be at a peace. I decided to look up some more quotes on the topic of peace – here they are.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. - St. Francis of Assisi

As we cultivate peace and happiness in ourselves, we also nourish peace and happiness in those we love. - Thich Nhat Hanh

One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others. - Lao Tzu

Compassion and love is the source of external and internal peace... - Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

Intention

My intention is to walk through this day consciously. I want to BE peace, BE love, BE patience, BE joy.

It is my intention to make this day one I enjoy (in joy) and in which I am relaxed as I provide excellent service to my clients, complete my tasks, take care of me, devote time to my personal relationships.

Spirit of the Most High –
Co-create a day with me in which I do Your Will, and all flows with ease and grace in perfect Divine Order. Fill me with gratitude at every turn. Thank You. So it is.

Positivity

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Happy Birthday...

... to me!

Yes, it’s my birthday, number 54. Birthdays are like new years, a milestone of the calendar year to reflect upon my life.

Looking back over the last year, it’s obviously been a wild one of adventure, spiritual growth, shedding of the old and making way for the new. And, I had my beloved husband and life partner, Rog, beside me for the ride.

Once, when I was a young teenager and my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I told her that she couldn’t give me what I wanted. That gift was my soul mate, the guy who would understand me, love me, be my bestest friend, and walk with me through all of Life’s offerings. I yearned in my soul for such a gift, which stayed with me throughout the years.

My mother could not give me that gift, but close to 4 decades later, God did. My twin flame (even more than a soul mate) and I were finally ready to meet in this lifetime, and Spirit arranged it just about five years ago.

Receiving Rog into my life then is a recurring birthday gift each year that I will cherish always.

A Rich Day

Dear Spirit –

Thank You for this day of richness.

From the sun shining to great music at Unity, I am grateful. I gave of my self, my time, my money.

It was a balanced day of time with Rog, time alone with You, music, reading, and exercise. I connected with several people on matters as diverse as website design, spiritual guidance, and Father’s Day greetings.

You were with me throughout, and that is the greatest of riches in my life.

Contemplate This...

"How would you treat the Son of God if He were in the same room with you? Well, He is."
- Daily Inspiration from The Voice for Love

New Beginnings Ahead

One of this morning’s readings was about welcoming new beginnings, being free, and releasing an old pattern, thought, or behavior that no longer serves me. Another reading stated that only God knows what each of us needs to experience and learn. These two messages were apropos for the day.

Later in the morning we attended a bankruptcy trustee hearing in downtown Phoenix, thereby checking one more item off the list (although we’re not finished with this yet), one more step forward and closer to our future life – and a new beginning.

I’ve learned a lot going through this bankruptcy and foreclosure adventure with Rog but only Spirit knows if I’ve learned everything I was supposed to about managing finances, having faith, asking for help, etc. I’ve disposed of some old ideas and patterns, and incorporated changes in order to start anew.

With Spirit all things are possible, all is for my spiritual upliftment and growth, everything has a purpose. May I keep putting one foot in front of another to learn and welcome new beginnings as I walk my path with God.

The Real World

Today’s Daily Inspiration from The Voice for Love states:
Where God is ... death, destruction, and devastation are not possible.
In Reality, God is All There Is.

This brings me back to A Course in Miracles (ACIM) directly.

THIS world can’t be “real” because of the death, destruction, and devastation that we have here... That’s pretty clear. So where do I go from here, what do I do?

The question really is “How do I be?” I choose to be focused on God, to see God all around me and in every being that crosses my path. To show only love, to be love. What I see is what I am projecting, and my ego will project such non-real things as death, destruction, and devastation. I need not go there; I can choose once again.

Choose once again if you would take your place among the saviors of the world, or would remain in hell, and hold your brothers there. - ACIM T-31.VIII.1:5.

The Cave

I am grateful for my own home office. Having been single for many years and having enjoyed my alone space for the most part, times in my office are cherished. It makes no-never-mind that the other person I now live with is my beloved twin flame and husband, Rog. I like – and need – the time and the space alone in my room.

Like the Beach Boys' lyrics from their 1970’s(?) song “In My Room”, it is a whole other world when the door is closed.

Usually every morning at the crack of dawn I go there to pray and meditate, read inspirational literature, journal - to be alone in the silence. There I receive renewal and refreshment. There I find it a bit easier to connect to Spirit.

I know that Spirit is with me always, whether in a stadium, crowded café, or... in my room. Still, since I’m into 'cozy', I’ll take my cave.

No Longer Alone

“Once you accept the existence of God – however you define Him, however you explain your relationship to Him – then you are caught forever with His presence in the center of all things.” – Morris West

When I came to believe in God, my entire philosophy about life and people changed (it had too!). From that followed changes in my relationships and the way I lived my life. The transformation was nothing less than phenomenal, miraculous. Not insignificant were feelings that now I was ‘a part of’, that finally I belonged to the human race, and I was no longer alone.

Before, when I was a devout atheist, single, living in the Big Apple, working a corporate job, I felt alone. I felt so alone that I thought I could drop dead and no one would know until perhaps after I hadn’t shown up for work for several days without advance notice. It was a sad and ugly feeling and not the way life is meant to be.

But then – through 12 Step program – I had Spirit in my life and I was no longer alone! It was a joy developing my relationship with Spirit and piecing together a new philosophy of the world and people. It continues to this day.

Since God is in the middle of everything, excitement abounds, possibilities are infinite, joy, love, and peace touch my life most frequently. I never have to go it alone as I seek God’s guidance, put one front in front of the other, trust God, and remain open. Not a small task at times, but it makes for a wondrous way of life.

Birthing With God

Spending three days camping, with the waters of Oak Creek flowing behind our tent and surrounded by large, old cottonwood trees, coming back to our life in Gilbert is strange. We’re wrapping things up here in this town of 200,000+ and looking forward to building our life up north precisely in the setting we just left - close to Nature, living in a small rural-type community.

As we transition from our old life in Gilbert to our new one up north, I am excited and enthusiastic. Also, I am so open to guidance from Spirit. Throughout this journey that Rog and I set upon nine months ago (consciously in September, but unconsciously earlier still), we have sought God’s guidance and, most certainly, God’s help. Along the way, I’ve developed my muscles of faith, trust, patience, and remembering to stay in the Now. It hasn’t always been easy and it’s been scary at times, but I believe it was for my highest good as well as to be a demonstration and help to others.

Yep, nine months of a lot of change and getting down to basics. As Rog pointed out, it’s like we’re giving birth to a new life – ours! And, just like the birth of a child, the birth of our new life is a miracle. We’ve been showered with blessings in the form of learning lessons, strengthening old relationships, growing new friendships, circulating money to and fro, and more.

We’ve still a ways to go before the delivery, but based on the journey we’ve travelled thus far, I have no doubt that God is with us, nurturing us, guiding us, and bringing us to our ever-increasing good that will benefit others. I am grateful.

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.

Like a Child

It’s been coming to my attention a lot lately how far ‘advanced’ of me children are.

Children know without question that God answers every prayer. They see majesty in even the most minute elements of the world, like a flower, or a raindrop, or a smile. They trust and love with ease. Children delight in what they do and operate in the Now.

As I venture into some relaxing time in nature and with dear ones, my intention is to be like a child: to be in wonderment and joy – and above all, in the present.

Just like a child, just like God.

A Reminder

"'God be with you' is not a prayer, but a reminder. It couldn’t be otherwise." – The Voice of Love, 06.10.09

Yes, God is always with me – “It couldn’t be otherwise.” But how often I need to be reminded!

I get into a controlling mode or busy with the events of the day, and I start operating independently as if I’m the only one involved in living my life.

But God is right there with me, seeking to guide me, help me, love me. May I remember that wherever I am, God IS – and, is there too.

Wanting God

“What do you think of God,” the teacher asked. After a pause, the young pupil replied, “He’s not a think, he’s a feel.” – Paul Frost

When I was an atheist, I couldn’t find the evidence of God’s existence. I was logical to the extreme and any discussion about a deity that I might engage in (which I tried not to) was totally from an intellectual standpoint. And, intellectually, I just couldn’t see the evidence proving the existence of God. But when I joined 12 Step program, and started opening my heart, started feeling, it was another story.

We simply cannot think our way to God, we have to feel our way. And, we have to want it. I wanted it because I had reached bottom with my eating disorder. I wanted a relationship with this Being when I observed the miracles in the lives of my new OA buddies. I wanted it because I wanted to have the same wonderful experiences that could only occur with having a relationship with God.

It’s been 19 years since “coming to believe” and I’m still the most logical person I know. But logic plays an increasingly smaller part in my life, and feeling The Presence, an ever-increasing one. I am grateful.

Lessons from Millie

Yesterday’s Daily Guideposts was written by Guideposts editor, Edward Grinnan, upon the arrival into his life of his pooch Millie. It’s one that’s a keeper for me. Here’s most of it or read it in its entirety online.

“Millie, I thought, you have so much to learn, and I’ll teach you.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, she’s probably taught me as much as I’ve taught her. A few lessons from Millie:

- When you’re happy, let the world know. For such a sweet, gentle dog, Millie has a monster bark. But she doesn’t bark much except when she’s happy. She reminds me that joy is contagious and there’s no reason to keep it in.

- Hold your tail up. A trainer observed that Millie exhibits confidence by walking with her tail held high. “It makes other dogs feel relaxed around her.” I should hold my head up when I walk down the street.

- Play, play, play. Learning to be a city dog is serious business. It takes a lot of concentration and practice. But don’t forget to play like crazy whenever the opportunity presents itself.

- Be thankful. For every meal, every walk, every nap, every friend. With a nuzzle or a lick, Millie says “Thank you.” I should remember to be grateful in all things too.

- Stay in the now! Millie greets each day as if it’s the greatest adventure of her life. Her whole body wags at the prospect of a morning walk. For me, staying in the moment is the only way to experience God in my life. He is here now, in the moment, the greatest adventure life holds.

Thank You, God, for Millie and all the ways You use her to teach this old dog new lessons."

Love and Home

“In any given moment that you are Love, in whatever form that takes, you are Home. The more of those moments you have: being Love, extending Love, receiving Love, the more they will start to string together and become your reality and when this reality becomes your constant state, then you will really understand that you are Home.” - Patricia Williams Scalisi

Vastness

I recently built a website for a wellness practitioner client who chose the domain name of galaxy15.net. In searching for graphics to use on her site, I was quite surprised to see a plethora of photos of galaxies on Google, and with so many gorgeous colors. This picked my curiosity as to what a galaxy is and how our planet fit in, as I didn’t remember from my early school days.

What I learned (with kudos to Rog) was the following: the earth is part of the solar planet system, which is part of the Milky Way galaxy, which is part of the Universe. There are many planets in many systems, in many galaxies, all contained within the Universe. Wow – I had no idea!

Learning this impacted me more than I could have imagined. Now I feel I have a better sense of how big God is, a more concrete sense to this vastness. For if God/Spirit/The Great Mystery/[fill in the name] is The Universe, God really is all encompassing, everywhere present, permeating everything. How awesome...

And, awesome still is despite the hugeness of God, God cares about little ‘ol me.

Life's Upheavals

As I think of the people who’ve crossed my path recently, I see major events occurring in their world, just as there are major ones occurring in mine.

Perhaps it’s about their health, job, relationship, or home. It might appear adverse or positive, yet there’s always some kind of loss involved, even with the so-called positive changes.

I must take time to digest the change, any associated grief, and to know that God is with me throughout it all and is my strength through any rough cycle. I seize this change as a time to really reach out to Spirit, my guides, my angels, and even human beings!

Change is a particularly opportune time to grow, but I cannot do it alone. I’m grateful to have come to believe in a Power greater than myself who not only is always there for me, but helps me push my limits to grow, and makes my life and relationships rich, interesting, and meaningful.

Dear God – Please comfort those who are struggling through their life changes. May they know they are not alone and look to You for strength, guidance, love, and peace.

Certainty

“The only certainty is that nothing is certain.” – Pliny the Elder

‘Tis true that not much in this world and life is certain. Here’s my short list of what I bank on:

- God exists (what a switch for me from 19 years ago!).
- God wants only the highest good for me (I sometimes get in the way of that).
- God is ever present, in me, and outside of me.
- I need to give attention to my relationship with Spirit if I desire a meaningful one (as with other relationships).
- I can communicate in this relationship through prayer and meditation.
- God will always be around to help me and to provide guidance to me (if I ask and am open).

And, it is certain that the only time is now, and God is here with me, now.

A Sure Thing

Rog and I have this agreement that whoever prepares the meal, the other does the dishes. It works well and, at the same time, we’re both flexible so sometimes one of us will handle both tasks. Tonight Rog warmed up dinner and so I was going to clean dishes after a potty break.

I was looking forward to cleaning the dishes because I figured it’d give me time to contemplate today’s blog material. However, lo and behold, when I returned to the kitchen, the dishes were all washed, a surprise from my beloved husband! I sure appreciate his thoughtfulness and giving nature. Oh, but I was going to use that time to think about what to write in my blog and to get away from the negative energy I was feeling from being at a specific location we’d stopped at this afternoon...

Well, I know what to write about in my blog today, and it’s just the thing when I’m not feeling quite right or feel beset by dark forces: gratitude. And, at the top of my gratitude list – after God - is my husband, Rog. I am so grateful for his character, values, love, and companionship, for all the fun we have living this adventure called Life, and for being the best that a best friend can be.

I’ll continue my gratitude list to feel better, but also as a prayer and to advance my connection to Spirit, which I think I’m in need of...

I am grateful for:
- Friends with whom we can talk about the most woo-woo things and they’re right there with us!
- Wonderful physical health even if it is clear that this body is aging.
- The many blessings that have come our way in these last couple of months particularly
- An increasing faith that there is a Plan, that the Universe conspires (“with Spirit”) for my good.

The list could easily go on, each and every day, anew. It is a sure thing that when I’m in need of a ‘pick me up’ and to feel The Presence more deeply, making a gratitude list, whether mentally or in writing, fits the bill.

Well, it looks like I didn’t need to be the dishwasher tonight after all to figure out what to blog and, I got to experience Rog’s kindness once again. I’m so grateful!

Motivation Versus Inspiration

“Inspiration comes forth from within. It's what the light burning within you is about, as opposed to motivation, which is doing it because if you don't do it, there will be negative repercussions. Motivation is making myself do something that I don't really want to do. Inspiration is having the clear picture of what I am wanting -- and letting Universal forces come into play to get the outcome.”

- Abraham (Excerpt from 07/07/99 Spokane, WA workshop)

Hmmm. I’m thinking of some personal examples and, of course, all this admin work I’ve been doing clearly fits. I’m motivated to do this work solely because if I don’t, living in this culture will be a lot more difficult. However, I look forward to this particular work being done, for in the long run, I expect to be able to spend more time on being creative, to be inspired.

The origin of the word inspiration comes from the Latin words in and spirare (breathe), or in other words, to breathe into. I relate this to Spirit (God) breathing into me, in fact, starting with God breathing life into me. My breath is an ever present reminder of God being in me and with me always. And, it shows up in me as a creative being, expressing God always. Art, music, writing, speaking, helping, praying, and on and on it goes. God in me always. Being.

Motivation or inspiration? I’ll take inspiration any time I can!

Winding Down

Well, we’ve been up to our eyeballs in drafting tax returns, corporation commission amendments, bankruptcy docs, and other ‘fun’ stuff. I can’t go on - I’m ready for a break, a God break.

In the evening time, that usually means reading spiritual literature. It’s a way for me to get refreshed, be reminded of what’s really important in life (hint: it’s not the material world), and refocus on Spirit. I eagerly look forward to this time especially since I don’t engage in it as often as I’d like.

I’m finishing up one of the Ringing Cedars books. These books contain some of the most important revelations to appear in thousands of years of human history — so significant, they are changing the course of our destiny and rocking scientific and religious circles to the core.

Once done with that, it’s on reading the always uplifting messages from Kryon, a loving angelic entity.

I delight in this relaxing time of slowing down, breathing deeper, and feeling closer to God. It’s a wonderful segue to a peaceful night’s sleep... Ahhhhh. Zzzzzzz.

Thoughts

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” - Henry David Thoreau

Thank You, Spirit, for the positive, joyful thoughts I’ve held this day and the upliftment of others their expression provided.

Happiness

I flipped the page of my inspirational quotes wall calendar to the new month of June and read these words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

“To be useful” translates to me as being of service. And, that means giving - of material and financial resources and, more importantly of myself. These days, during my active kundalini meditation particularly, I pray for the highest good of each being that comes to mind, and send each the Light. I’ve come to realize that this is indeed a way that I am giving of myself, being of service. In Emerson’s words, this is a way that I am being useful.

My practice also brings out my compassion for those I happen to know are going through a challenging time. And, I feel my praying for them is making a difference, as all prayer does whether we are aware of it or not. It makes a difference for the being I’m praying for, and I am blessed as well.

Base on the aforementioned and other reasons, I would have to conclude that I am living well. And, while being happy may not be the purpose of my life, it sure does seem that these other things result in bringing me happiness and make the inner, inherent flame of joy burn brighter.

The purpose of life may not be to be happy, but when I live rightly, I cannot but help be happy.