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.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thank You, God!
My prayer today is: Thank You, God! Thank You, God! Thank You, God! I guess it’s an affirmation as well.
I’m grateful that I feel I made some progress in my daily practice of sitting in the Silence, of quieting the mind. I actually was able to focus mainly on my breath for a great portion of the ½ hour. And by focusing on the breath, one can only be in the present moment, in the Now. That is where Consciousness resides, that is where The Presence can be felt. When I did find myself back in the chatter of the little Me, I was inspired to chant Thank You, God! Thank You, God! Thank You, God! and get back to the breath, to the Now.
I’m grateful that I finally got back to my morning stretches. Ever since we moved to Sedona 7+ months ago, those had gone by the wayside. My morning schedule wasn’t so open any more, the floors are Saltillo tile (beautiful - and hard), and I don’t have my own private space where I can stretch to soothing music; challenges no doubt, but not roadblocks if I am willing and open to change. I finally became willing enough.
So this morning I am b-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g deeply and I am feeling more conscious and more healthy in body, mind, and spirit. It feels great!
Thank You, God! Thank You, God! Thank You, God!
I’m grateful that I feel I made some progress in my daily practice of sitting in the Silence, of quieting the mind. I actually was able to focus mainly on my breath for a great portion of the ½ hour. And by focusing on the breath, one can only be in the present moment, in the Now. That is where Consciousness resides, that is where The Presence can be felt. When I did find myself back in the chatter of the little Me, I was inspired to chant Thank You, God! Thank You, God! Thank You, God! and get back to the breath, to the Now.
I’m grateful that I finally got back to my morning stretches. Ever since we moved to Sedona 7+ months ago, those had gone by the wayside. My morning schedule wasn’t so open any more, the floors are Saltillo tile (beautiful - and hard), and I don’t have my own private space where I can stretch to soothing music; challenges no doubt, but not roadblocks if I am willing and open to change. I finally became willing enough.
So this morning I am b-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g deeply and I am feeling more conscious and more healthy in body, mind, and spirit. It feels great!
Thank You, God! Thank You, God! Thank You, God!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Change
“... Only God knows what each of us needs to experience and learn. If we insist on seeing things happen our way, we’re not trusting God’s plan for us. A loving God will see that our needs are supplied without instructions from us.” - In God’s Care, June 19
After 582 daily posts - that’s more than 1½ years - I did not blog yesterday... or the day before. And, that’s okay. In fact, I see that it’s time to make a change, to move on. A new chapter has started in my spiritual life. I no longer need this portion of my spiritual practice and can perhaps make an opening for something new. I can trust God to show me other ways to feel Its Presence each day, each moment.
I started writing this blog November 13, 2008 to jumpstart my daily spiritual practice which had been waning. Guidance said it was a way to help me be in fit spiritual condition and to be of service to others. And it has been that - and more.
I’ve enjoyed writing regularly and developing a style. It’s been a journal at times of events that I was able to easily share with people in my life by sending them a link to a particular daily post. It’s been a way to publicly acknowledge and express gratitude for the people and lessons in my life. It’s been a commitment I’ve kept, showing me my perseverance. On and on the gifts go.
I will continue blogging, less than by routine and more by intuition and inspiration. After all, that is more and more of how I’m living my life these days. It will be a reflection of that change.
And who knows, I might land up blogging everyday as Spirit calls to me. In any case, I am confident and I trust that God will supply me with what I need to stay connected to the Beloved Presence and with whatever I need to experience, learn, and wake up.
After 582 daily posts - that’s more than 1½ years - I did not blog yesterday... or the day before. And, that’s okay. In fact, I see that it’s time to make a change, to move on. A new chapter has started in my spiritual life. I no longer need this portion of my spiritual practice and can perhaps make an opening for something new. I can trust God to show me other ways to feel Its Presence each day, each moment.
I started writing this blog November 13, 2008 to jumpstart my daily spiritual practice which had been waning. Guidance said it was a way to help me be in fit spiritual condition and to be of service to others. And it has been that - and more.
I’ve enjoyed writing regularly and developing a style. It’s been a journal at times of events that I was able to easily share with people in my life by sending them a link to a particular daily post. It’s been a way to publicly acknowledge and express gratitude for the people and lessons in my life. It’s been a commitment I’ve kept, showing me my perseverance. On and on the gifts go.
I will continue blogging, less than by routine and more by intuition and inspiration. After all, that is more and more of how I’m living my life these days. It will be a reflection of that change.
And who knows, I might land up blogging everyday as Spirit calls to me. In any case, I am confident and I trust that God will supply me with what I need to stay connected to the Beloved Presence and with whatever I need to experience, learn, and wake up.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Abundance and Gratitude
“Your action has nothing to do with your abundance! Your abundance is a response to your vibration. Of course, your belief is part of your vibration. So if you believe that action is part of what brings your abundance, then you've got to unravel that.” - Abraham, Excerpted from the Chicago, IL 04.24.99 workshop #473
Abundance is my birthright. When I am in gratitude, my abundance is revealed to me. I need do nothing.
God is so wanting me to experience the riches of Its kingdom. Being in the energy of gratitude opens the door for abundance to flow.
I am grateful.
Abundance is my birthright. When I am in gratitude, my abundance is revealed to me. I need do nothing.
God is so wanting me to experience the riches of Its kingdom. Being in the energy of gratitude opens the door for abundance to flow.
I am grateful.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
My Role
“It is not your role to make others happy; it is your role to keep yourself in balance. When you pay attention to how you feel and practice self-empowering thoughts that align with who-you-really-are, you will offer an example of thriving that will be of tremendous value to those who have the benefit of observing you.
“You cannot get poor enough to help poor people thrive or sick enough to help sick people get well. You only ever uplift from your position of strength and clarity and alignment.” - Abraham, Excerpted from the book "Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness"
This reminds me of the story about the proper protocol for using oxygen masks on an airplane in the case of a decrease in cabin pressure. It is imperative that adults put their oxygen mask on first, then place masks on the children, otherwise the adults won’t be able to help and the children may be harmed anyway.
I need to take care of myself first otherwise I have little hope that I can be of service to others; I must be in fit spiritual condition.
There is always choice as to how I walk in this life. Situations are neutral; the stories I tell about them and people are of my own making. I cannot make anyone else do or be something else. It is my role to keep myself in balance and in alignment with Spirit. From there I can be an uplifting force for others.
“You cannot get poor enough to help poor people thrive or sick enough to help sick people get well. You only ever uplift from your position of strength and clarity and alignment.” - Abraham, Excerpted from the book "Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness"
This reminds me of the story about the proper protocol for using oxygen masks on an airplane in the case of a decrease in cabin pressure. It is imperative that adults put their oxygen mask on first, then place masks on the children, otherwise the adults won’t be able to help and the children may be harmed anyway.
I need to take care of myself first otherwise I have little hope that I can be of service to others; I must be in fit spiritual condition.
There is always choice as to how I walk in this life. Situations are neutral; the stories I tell about them and people are of my own making. I cannot make anyone else do or be something else. It is my role to keep myself in balance and in alignment with Spirit. From there I can be an uplifting force for others.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Little Me
I’ve spent a good chunk of my life - like most other human beings born on this planet - living from the place of the separated, limited, little Me. Thinking that Me and the world of form would save me, placed me in prison. Suffering resides there.
All prisons come from thought forms. But I can choose freedom, I can choose to focus on The Presence. When I do, I renounce my separated, limited, little Me, I renounce suffering. With Spirit, I live through Its power and love.
When I’m awake, the world of form flows from grace, not from me trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Yet, by then, ironically, the world of form no longer holds great importance to me anyway.
What is always most important is focusing on God, The Source. There are no prisons in God’s kingdom, only in my egoic mind.
Today I renounce the separated, limited, little Me. Today I choose freedom as I wake up more fully to the grace, the love, the power of The Presence.
All prisons come from thought forms. But I can choose freedom, I can choose to focus on The Presence. When I do, I renounce my separated, limited, little Me, I renounce suffering. With Spirit, I live through Its power and love.
When I’m awake, the world of form flows from grace, not from me trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Yet, by then, ironically, the world of form no longer holds great importance to me anyway.
What is always most important is focusing on God, The Source. There are no prisons in God’s kingdom, only in my egoic mind.
Today I renounce the separated, limited, little Me. Today I choose freedom as I wake up more fully to the grace, the love, the power of The Presence.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Allowing Grace
“We would like you to release the word "achieve" or "earn" from your vocabulary and from your understanding, altogether, and we would like you to replace those words with the word "allow". You're wanting to allow your Well-being, not achieve it. It's not something that you need to earn. All you have to do is decide what it is you would like to experience, and then allow it in order to achieve it. It isn't something you have to struggle for or try for. You are all worthy beings. You are deserving of this Well-being.” – Abraham, Excerpted from the Detroit, MI 07.08.2000 #468 workshop
God’s grace is mine, not needing to be earned or achieved. I allow Well-being to flow to me and through me.
Thank You, God.
God’s grace is mine, not needing to be earned or achieved. I allow Well-being to flow to me and through me.
Thank You, God.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
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.
“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.
Friday, June 11, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Taken Care of By Source
“The one factor that has been unknown by most humans, that is understood by the beasts, is that Well-being truly does abound, and that you are blessed beings who live in an atmosphere of grace, and that unless you are doing something to pinch off the Well-being, it will be yours.”
- Abraham, Excerpted from the Saturday, 08.18.01 #465 San Francisco, CA workshop
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field... will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
"Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
- Excerpted from Matthew 6:25-33
Dear God-
Grant me a truly knowing heart that You are The Source of my being and help me to seek first Your kingdom. May I rejoice in Your Well-Being, like the animals roaming this earth and like the lilies of the field blowing carefree in the breeze.
- Abraham, Excerpted from the Saturday, 08.18.01 #465 San Francisco, CA workshop
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field... will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
"Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
- Excerpted from Matthew 6:25-33
Dear God-
Grant me a truly knowing heart that You are The Source of my being and help me to seek first Your kingdom. May I rejoice in Your Well-Being, like the animals roaming this earth and like the lilies of the field blowing carefree in the breeze.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Path of Waking Up
I’ve been nursing a head cold for several days now, God’s way of getting me to slow down. My ears are stuffed up, my eyes watery, my short term memory... well, short - VERY short! So one could accurately say that communication between me and others might not be that clear.
Still, Rog has been patient when I ask him to repeat himself so I can make sure I’ve heard him correctly. I’ve misheard several phrases and we’ve been able to laugh at my perception of what he said. Perception for any human being is difficult on any given day, but in this physical body currently, it’s even more so. We’re accepting the circumstances and one another, doing our best to make ourselves clear speakers and clear receivers. We’re laughing and saying “I love you” when a message gets lost in my mind’s translation.
But what about when we’re all in pretty good physical condition - then what’s the reason behind miscommunication? Do I hear any votes for the ego, for not being in fit spiritual condition? One is either in their ego mind or their God mind - there’s no middle ground.
I have to be in fit spiritual condition to accurately perceive when someone makes accusations towards me that have no basis in reality - well, certainly not mine - that something else is going on with that person. It’s not about me. It’s not personal even if it appears that way. When someone chooses to cling to their position, their ego is at work, keeping them closed to other options and possibilities. And, their heart has been clamped shut. Not a fun place to be for anyone.
I certainly don’t want to live that way and I am grateful to be waking up. It’s not always easy, with relationships and possessions going by the wayside through necessity. Waking up means honestly looking at my inner thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with a microscope so that I can know and be who I truly am. From there, I walk in this world coming from the place of Spirit. Acceptance, love, compassion, and kindness prevail.
Waking up can be challenging, but sticking with the illusion would mean being an open and willing partner to ego, to unnecessary pain and suffering. Freedom is at stake.
On this new earth we may find ourselves not making the journey with the long-time companions we thought would be accompanying us. But we will all get Home and be reunited with those we needed to let go of along the way of getting there. We are One and that can never change.
Dear Spirit -
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion as we each do what we can to wake up to You and to who we really are. May I demonstrate mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love to all on my path, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And, may each do the same with me!
Still, Rog has been patient when I ask him to repeat himself so I can make sure I’ve heard him correctly. I’ve misheard several phrases and we’ve been able to laugh at my perception of what he said. Perception for any human being is difficult on any given day, but in this physical body currently, it’s even more so. We’re accepting the circumstances and one another, doing our best to make ourselves clear speakers and clear receivers. We’re laughing and saying “I love you” when a message gets lost in my mind’s translation.
But what about when we’re all in pretty good physical condition - then what’s the reason behind miscommunication? Do I hear any votes for the ego, for not being in fit spiritual condition? One is either in their ego mind or their God mind - there’s no middle ground.
I have to be in fit spiritual condition to accurately perceive when someone makes accusations towards me that have no basis in reality - well, certainly not mine - that something else is going on with that person. It’s not about me. It’s not personal even if it appears that way. When someone chooses to cling to their position, their ego is at work, keeping them closed to other options and possibilities. And, their heart has been clamped shut. Not a fun place to be for anyone.
I certainly don’t want to live that way and I am grateful to be waking up. It’s not always easy, with relationships and possessions going by the wayside through necessity. Waking up means honestly looking at my inner thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with a microscope so that I can know and be who I truly am. From there, I walk in this world coming from the place of Spirit. Acceptance, love, compassion, and kindness prevail.
Waking up can be challenging, but sticking with the illusion would mean being an open and willing partner to ego, to unnecessary pain and suffering. Freedom is at stake.
On this new earth we may find ourselves not making the journey with the long-time companions we thought would be accompanying us. But we will all get Home and be reunited with those we needed to let go of along the way of getting there. We are One and that can never change.
Dear Spirit -
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion as we each do what we can to wake up to You and to who we really are. May I demonstrate mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love to all on my path, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And, may each do the same with me!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Returning to Source
It is a relief for me to learn that meditation is not a practice - it is an intention. As a practice, I get frustrated because my mind seems difficult to quiet. But meditation as an intention is a declaration to return to God, and that is really what I strive to make my life about.
Meditation is the intention to get back to Source, the one thing that never changes and never left us. It is formless and permanent; all that is form is temporary. All true spiritual teachings call us to return our attention to Source. “Return unto to Me, and I will return unto thee.”
My egoic mind can go about chattering away as I sit in the silence, and Spirit doesn’t care one iota. Eventually, the chatter dissipates and I am the formless with The Creator. I am in an abiding state of awakening, my primary purpose for being on the planet.
Meditation is the intention to get back to Source, the one thing that never changes and never left us. It is formless and permanent; all that is form is temporary. All true spiritual teachings call us to return our attention to Source. “Return unto to Me, and I will return unto thee.”
My egoic mind can go about chattering away as I sit in the silence, and Spirit doesn’t care one iota. Eventually, the chatter dissipates and I am the formless with The Creator. I am in an abiding state of awakening, my primary purpose for being on the planet.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Slowing Down
“God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”
I heard the above statement years ago in the rooms of recovery, and it comes to mind today as I nurse a head cold.
I’ve been pushing, pushing, pushing work projects and not taking sufficient time for me. Apparently God thought it was time for me to relax - getting ill will do it!
It feels wonderful to slow down - to sleep later, to spend more than 10 minutes reading at night, to eat breakfast with Rog. It doesn’t mean I’ve not worked at all these past few days, but I surely have taken the focus off of work and placed it more on my well-being. It feels equally wonderful to ease up on financial concerns, ‘getting it’ that God is my Source. I can’t fully be of service to God if my head is in a fog, my ears are clogged up, and my physical body is crying out for attention.
Next week I’ve already built in a bit of fun time with friends visiting from out-of-town. I’ve gotten the message and have the willingness to follow Spirit’s guidance to slow down. Thank You, Spirit!
I heard the above statement years ago in the rooms of recovery, and it comes to mind today as I nurse a head cold.
I’ve been pushing, pushing, pushing work projects and not taking sufficient time for me. Apparently God thought it was time for me to relax - getting ill will do it!
It feels wonderful to slow down - to sleep later, to spend more than 10 minutes reading at night, to eat breakfast with Rog. It doesn’t mean I’ve not worked at all these past few days, but I surely have taken the focus off of work and placed it more on my well-being. It feels equally wonderful to ease up on financial concerns, ‘getting it’ that God is my Source. I can’t fully be of service to God if my head is in a fog, my ears are clogged up, and my physical body is crying out for attention.
Next week I’ve already built in a bit of fun time with friends visiting from out-of-town. I’ve gotten the message and have the willingness to follow Spirit’s guidance to slow down. Thank You, Spirit!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Basketball and Spirit
John Wooden, college basketball’s most successful coach, died yesterday at age 99. Wooden retired in 1975 and ultimately became viewed as a kind of sage for both basketball and life, a symbol of both excellence and simpler times.
I became aware of him when I joined CHARACTER COUNTS! while living in Santa Fe 10+ years ago. I was impressed with this public personality when I read: Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
Here’s John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, a message given to him by his father upon his graduation from grammar school, which he carried around with him and lived by:
• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
[Compiled from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden and The New York Times.]
Here is a person who was living his faith to the best of his ability, a wonderful role model especially for the young adults he coached. It seems to me that he was a spiritual person who impacted many, not just due to his sports knowledge and talent, but by being an emissary for God.
Here’s a few more quotes attributed to John Wooden, which impart (to me) his spirituality:
“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
“Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.”
Dear Spirit-
Thank You for the people who point to You by the way they live their life.
I became aware of him when I joined CHARACTER COUNTS! while living in Santa Fe 10+ years ago. I was impressed with this public personality when I read: Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
Here’s John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, a message given to him by his father upon his graduation from grammar school, which he carried around with him and lived by:
• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
[Compiled from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden and The New York Times.]
Here is a person who was living his faith to the best of his ability, a wonderful role model especially for the young adults he coached. It seems to me that he was a spiritual person who impacted many, not just due to his sports knowledge and talent, but by being an emissary for God.
Here’s a few more quotes attributed to John Wooden, which impart (to me) his spirituality:
“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
“Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.”
Dear Spirit-
Thank You for the people who point to You by the way they live their life.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Blessings
Read in today’s Daily Word, “Today I look for blessings and find them around me,” got me thinking about the idea of blessings in general.
Everything is a blessing, put by God onto my path in life; they reflect the nature of God - good, loving, wise, caring, merciful, etc. However, at any given moment, without the ‘right’ frame of mind and attitude, I may not see the blessings at all. That’s a reflection of my feeling of connectedness - or lack of - to God.
“Blessings come in many forms. Some are welcomed and easy to distinguish, while others are recognized only through the lens of steadfast faith and overcoming. Throughout this day, I remember to rejoice and give thanks for blessings great and small so that I may realize the sublime joy in each moment of communion with God.” - Daily Word, June 4, 2010
I am grateful for recognizing blessings, and the state of my relationship with God that they reflect. Thank You, God!
Everything is a blessing, put by God onto my path in life; they reflect the nature of God - good, loving, wise, caring, merciful, etc. However, at any given moment, without the ‘right’ frame of mind and attitude, I may not see the blessings at all. That’s a reflection of my feeling of connectedness - or lack of - to God.
“Blessings come in many forms. Some are welcomed and easy to distinguish, while others are recognized only through the lens of steadfast faith and overcoming. Throughout this day, I remember to rejoice and give thanks for blessings great and small so that I may realize the sublime joy in each moment of communion with God.” - Daily Word, June 4, 2010
I am grateful for recognizing blessings, and the state of my relationship with God that they reflect. Thank You, God!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Prison and God
My obsession was all-powerful. Summoning all my resources, I could not dislodge it. Then three simple words did the trick: “Came to believe.” - Anonymous
We were prisoners of our obsessions. No more. Three words, “came to believe,” were the key that unlocked the gates of our personal prison.
When we rely on this power, wonderful and unexplainable things happen. Once this power unlocks the prison gates, anything is possible.
- In God’s Care, June 1
There are many ways we can be imprisoned.
One of my spiritual teachers began his spiritual awakening 30+ years ago while incarcerated. He’d run away from home when he was 13, then landed up in reform schools, jails, and the state penitentiary. This last stop was for a crime he’d not committed, but his hope of ever being released was dismal. Then he had a spiritual experience while lying in his bunk one day. It changed his attitude toward his defense lawyer and from there, miracles started happening. He was set free and his life has been about waking up and service ever since.
With all this teacher went through, he is fond of saying that he prefers his prison to have bars.
Yep, it certainly is easier when I can concretely see how I limit myself. When I was in the throes of my eating addiction, I finally was able to see that it was a symptom of something deeper. When I became open to asking for help, it was the beginning of the process of my release from prison.
When this devout atheist heard that she could choose her own conception of God, then “came to believe,” the key was turned and my prison door unlocked. Since then, relying on a Power greater than myself, I’ve been stepping out more and more from the prison of the ego, something I cannot always see as clearly has the bars of a prison cell, but surely quite as dismal.
Cultivating a close relationship with Spirit, my life has been filled with miracle upon miracle, and my soul has rejoiced. Coming to believe was the answer to my prison release and the beginning of my waking up to The Presence and this new earth.
We were prisoners of our obsessions. No more. Three words, “came to believe,” were the key that unlocked the gates of our personal prison.
When we rely on this power, wonderful and unexplainable things happen. Once this power unlocks the prison gates, anything is possible.
- In God’s Care, June 1
There are many ways we can be imprisoned.
One of my spiritual teachers began his spiritual awakening 30+ years ago while incarcerated. He’d run away from home when he was 13, then landed up in reform schools, jails, and the state penitentiary. This last stop was for a crime he’d not committed, but his hope of ever being released was dismal. Then he had a spiritual experience while lying in his bunk one day. It changed his attitude toward his defense lawyer and from there, miracles started happening. He was set free and his life has been about waking up and service ever since.
With all this teacher went through, he is fond of saying that he prefers his prison to have bars.
Yep, it certainly is easier when I can concretely see how I limit myself. When I was in the throes of my eating addiction, I finally was able to see that it was a symptom of something deeper. When I became open to asking for help, it was the beginning of the process of my release from prison.
When this devout atheist heard that she could choose her own conception of God, then “came to believe,” the key was turned and my prison door unlocked. Since then, relying on a Power greater than myself, I’ve been stepping out more and more from the prison of the ego, something I cannot always see as clearly has the bars of a prison cell, but surely quite as dismal.
Cultivating a close relationship with Spirit, my life has been filled with miracle upon miracle, and my soul has rejoiced. Coming to believe was the answer to my prison release and the beginning of my waking up to The Presence and this new earth.
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