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.

God in the Arts

In today’s Daily Guideposts, writer June Attaway shares her experience about going to the theatre with her fourteen year old daughter. They went to see Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder, a play Julia hadn’t read in decades (I don’t think I’ve read it at all). It’s about an aging architect who feels threatened that his young assistant will surpass him.

Julia doesn’t realize until the end of the second act that the real master builder is God. However, her teenage daughter, upon hearing the title of the play, from the get-go had thought it was only going to be about God!

Reading this reminded me of how often I thought the lyrics to a song were about one thing, but then realized God was the subject or God was speaking to the listener.

Take, for instance, “You’ve Got a Friend,” written by Carole King and performed by James Taylor. Here’s an excerpt:

When you're down and troubled
and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
and you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
all you have to do is call
and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend.

I used to think this was about a close relationship between friends. But after I’d “come to believe,” it was suggested to me to think of it as being sung from God’s perspective. I tried it - and I loved it!

Here’s another set of lyrics excerpted from “Follow Me” by John Denver:

Follow me where I go, what I do, and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down, all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you’ll follow me.

Sounds like Spirit talking to me...

I love hearing God speak to me and since I have such a love of music and singing, I easily embrace and so enjoy hearing God’s messages through the musical word.

Literature, theatre, art, dance, music... God uses artisans as emissaries to spread His Word and to convey to us that we are not alone. How creative, how clever, how enjoyable. Thank You, Spirit!

Shine Through Me

One of the prayers I came across this morning was “Lord, let my words and actions seek to uplift another whose load may need lightening and brightening today.” - Daily Guideposts, March 25, 2010

As I go out into the world today, I already know of some of the people I will encounter and their need for healing. I pray that my presence will soothe their spirit.

They may not realize what is lightening and brightening their day, but I will: God’s love, peace, and presence shining through me. I am so grateful to be such a vehicle for Spirit.

Time Well Spent

“Today, before I get started on my to-do list, I think I’ll call my friend ____, just to say hello. I know it will be time well spent.

Lord, remind me that when I get too busy to spend a moment with a friend, I’m busier than You want me to be." - Gina Bridgeman, Daily Guideposts, March 11, 2010

One of my dearest friends sent an email yesterday to review a monthly transaction we’ve been involved in. Underneath the words and even her signature of “Love, ____”, I sensed a coolness (it was confirmed by Rog without even my mentioning it). It stung and surprised me.

I started conjuring up stories about why she might feel cool towards me, of which any or all could be accurate. I replied in a loving way, but have still felt ‘off’ about it - it is so unlike her.

My unsettledness about it was still with me this morning as I thought about how we’ve not had a lengthy, quality conversation in months. With being in different time zones, her having young children to care for, my increased work load and other responsibilities, it’s been difficult to set a telephone date to connect.

So how synchronistic that this morning I got to read a devotional from several days ago that I feel had God’s hand in it. Relationships are the most important thing, starting first with the one with Spirit. When I find myself too busy to nurture that one or the ones of those dear to me, it is time to take serious inventory.

No matter what my friend is feeling and what the story might be, nonetheless it is true that I have not nurtured our friendship much in recent months.

Thank You, Spirit, for reminding me of what is important in life and to slow down. I will keep those dear to me in prayer, bless them, and endeavor more greatly to connect with them directly despite obstacles. It will be time well spent.

Faith

Today’s Daily Word - Monday, March 1, 2010
Faith
I walk by faith, not by sight.

Today I stand firmly in my faith. I meet life courageously and confidently, seeing beyond appearances to the underlying good. Through faith I overcome every limitation. I know that God's power in me is greater than any situation I may have to meet or overcome; God is greater than any condition or circumstance.

Through faith I am fearless and free. Faith dispels fear, for faith knows the nothingness of fear. Faith reminds me that God is the only presence and power in my life.

Through faith I am steady and strong. I am assured that with God there is always a way, with God there are always right answers.

Through faith I walk in the light. I am shown the way of my highest good. I am healed. I am blessed.

We walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Of course after this past weekend of spiritual nourishment and enlightenment, it’s synchronistic that Today’s Daily Word and Daily Guideposts Devotional both had faith as their topic. And, my other usual morning reading from In God’s Care was about the three words “Came to believe” referring to coming to believe in a power greater than ourselves that could restore us to sanity.

For it was in coming to believe and developing faith that I now find my joy in life. Being in community with other spiritual beings having a human experience, I easily have faith in God’s existence – and more.

I have faith in God’s love, compassion, mercy, and wondrous power. I have faith that this power greater than myself that I came to believe in is always with me. “And when we experience that insanity, it isn’t that God has moved, but that our faith has wandered and shaken hands with the craziness of self-sufficiency.” (from In God’s Care).

These past few days my soul has been fueled with faith in part via psycho-spiritual inner work. The other part has been through being with others who are also doing their inner work to awaken. We come together as One in loving, compassionate, faith-filled community.

Laughter

Daily Thoughts, From Daily Guideposts, February 24, 2010

A Time to Think
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. - E. E. Cummings

To Act
Find an opportunity for laughter whenever you can.

To Pray
Lord, when I'm weary and need refreshment, renew me with friendship and laughter.

Laughter is healing, laughter is upliftment, and laughter is surely fun. And, I clearly do not have enough of it in my life.

Last night I got the unexpected news that a dear friend of ours (and Bill W.’s) from Tucson, will be coming up to Sedona to visit today. I’m excited. For although a major part of his multi-day trip is to be in the Silence to contemplate and meditate about a recent disturbing event in his life, I know that we will laugh. For laughter and joy, along with spiritual and business conversation, has always been a part of our coming together. I suspect that shall be the case this time as well.

And, this time laughter will help bring healing, love, and faith to our friend who is in need of an extra dose of feeling God’s Presence. It will do the same for me as well.

Just For One Day

“God just for one day let me see only the good. Give me the eyes of faith, the heart of hope.” – Daily Guideposts, February 7, 2010

God just for one day let me be free of judgment. Let me see through Your eyes with love and understanding of my fellows, practicing compassion and mercy.

God just for one day let me be full of faith every second. Give me the courage and the strength to trust in You and Your Will.

God just for one day may I honor You and praise You first, and then ask for Your Help. Let me feel Your Love, Your Joy, Your Peace.

And, God, just for one day let me live in the Now, not the future nor the past. Let me truly live one day at a time.

Just Do What You Do

Neglect not the gift that is in thee... - I Timothy 4:14

“What is God asking you to give today? It may be large or small, but one thing is certain: It’s something only you can give.” – By Roberta Messner (From today’s Daily Guideposts)

Well, I easily and naturally give hugs. And, I’m quick to help someone with computer-related issues. I consider myself a good listener and empathetic. But, what is it that is uniquely me, that no one else can give? My singing voice, my wit, my wisdom?

Perhaps it’s sharing my experience, strength, and hope. I’ve led an interesting and unique life considering my roots and the fact that I’m a woman. I’ve developed a philosophy of life that has served me and my fellows well.

So maybe it’s simply telling my story of how I came to believe in a Power greater than myself that could relieve me of the insanity of my life, not just in the area of my eating disorder, but in other unhealthy relationships as well. I know that I love sharing about what my life used to be like, what happened, and what it’s been like since I developed a relationship with the God of my understanding. And, I know it has been a service and a blessing to many of those who’ve heard it.

I’ve said that if I accomplished nothing else in this lifetime, shedding the atheist persona and coming to believe in Spirit and acting in accordance with that belief has been plenty.

So along with hugging, listening, and being empathic, I guess just doing what I do means being one of God’s poster children demonstrating how Spirit works in one’s life. It’s an example of healing and waking up to all that each of us truly is.

Giving

In a recent Daily Guideposts, Roberta Messner talked about how giving to others in a variety of ways lessened her chronic physical pain from an incurable disorder. Her doctor told her that her discovery was supported by both the Bible and medical science. “Giving releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, Roberta. Studies have actually shown that volunteers, some of the most devoted givers of all, lead happier, healthier and longer lives.”

In another recent Daily Guideposts (01.23.10) I read the following prayer: “Dear Lord, help me do one thing today that brings someone farther away from a problem and closer to a solution.”

When I was very actively doing service in OA, there is no doubt that I felt happier and more fulfilled as I helped my peers live in the solution for their eating disorder problem. It was an honor and a privilege to serve. In my giving of myself, my self was receiving - a lovely, loving loop of giving and receiving in action. My own recovery was enhanced, my connection to Spirit strengthened, my channel clearer, my heart open.

Service is always a great way to quiet the ego, let God in, and shine my light to help others. As I set my intentions for moving my life and purpose forward, I enthusiastically (“with God”) give of myself. I am blessed as I bless others.

God's Plan

“God guides us down the paths of life in mysterious and wonderful ways. We can’t know now how the events of this day might shape our tomorrow. But God does. From birth to death, God weaves the grand tapestry of our life. And it’s exciting to watch as His design works itself out with faith and great expectation.

Father, thank You for using whatever happens to me today to shape my future for good.”

- Scott Walker (Excerpt from Daily Guideposts, January 11, 2010)

I don’t know God’s plan for me, i.e., why I was “re-activated” (see blog post of 1/07/10 and before) just as I don’t know why I got to the state that I was in before then. But I am sure there was a purpose behind it all - in all likelihood to be of service - and I am most grateful.

I look forward with wonderful expectancy for more to be revealed in God’s Divine Plan for me. I’m on the lookout for synchronistic occurrences, guidance from Spirit and Its helpers, and all the other ways that God’s messages get broadcast to lead me to my good.

Divine Plan

Daily Thoughts from Daily Guideposts Devotional January 4, 2010
A Time to Think
Let us move into the New Year with a great sense of the thrill of living. - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

To Act
Trust that there is a divine plan.

To Pray
Lord, help me see through eyes that glimpse visions of Your plan for me. Then give me the courage to act.

I believe in the concept of a divine plan and I know I have a life purpose but haven’t been clear about it. Due to this unknowing and other reasons, I’ve not been all that thrilled with life here on planet Earth. With the divine spark within fanned, I feel an enthusiasm for life that hasn’t been with me for quite some time. And, I feel that my life purpose will be made quite clear to me this year.

I trust that there is a divine plan and I pray with confidence that it be revealed to me in the near future. I eagerly look forward to acting on that plan, and if it turns out to be something pretty far out and perhaps a bit scary, I pray to follow God’s guidance and have the courage to act.

Alone - Not!

Daily Thoughts from Guideposts, December 16, 2009
A Time to Think
“This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.” - Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985), English novelist.

To Act
“Whenever disappointment or anxiety come, repeat: "I am not alone."”

My tag line for my business as The Computer Therapist and more recently for The Computer Spirit has always been “You are not alone.” This statement has great meaning for me...

Before I walked into the 12 Step community almost 20 years ago, I often felt alone in this vast world. With no belief in God, trying to manage my life and my relationships with my limited (if any) power, there were times when I felt so alone that I imagined that I could drop dead in my studio apartment in NYC, and no one would noticed until I didn’t show up for work for several days. Quite a sorry situation.

But – when I met the loving, caring, honest, service-oriented folks in OA, and came to believe in a Power greater than myself, such a sad, desperate outlook shifted in a huge way. With a changed perspective on people and the world and Spirit with me 24/7, I came to believe that I am never alone.

At Christmas, I am never alone, for the Light that was born two thousand years ago still shines throughout the world and in each and every one of us. And, when I am disappointed or anxious, I can always make contact with Spirit.

Indeed I am never alone for Spirit is always with me - for that I will be forever grateful.

A Larger Heart

Like most people, I grew up hearing the expression “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I’ve thought that a nifty and helpful way to get along with people. I wouldn’t want someone to do such-and-such to me, so I will not do such-and-such to them. Or, wasn’t that a nice gesture so-and-so made to me - it’d be nice to do something similar for someone else.

The trouble with the aforementioned expression is that it keeps acts on an equal level; it doesn’t invite one to go to higher ground. But as a spiritual being I am called to give and open my heart in ever expanding ways and numbers. I think the following quote has it right:

“Do unto others with a larger heart.” - Daily Guideposts, 10.28.09

The End of the World?

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending... - Revelation 1:8

Julia Attaway writes about meeting conflicts surrounding parent-teacher conferences and her children’s activities schedule in a recent Daily Guideposts story.

“After the initial shock of discovering my scheduling mega disaster, I forced myself to take a deep breath. There’s only one thing that helps me when I’m faced with mind-boggling conundrums like this and that’s to remember that logistical problems aren’t actually problems, they’re puzzles. They belong in the crossword-solving part of my brain, not the worry center. No one is going to die or be scarred for life or even require a trip to the doctor if I don’t figure this out. The only true danger is that I’ll stress out and start being unpleasant to my family. So I tossed the problem onto the back burner, where so many insoluble difficulties simmer into solutions.

Last night, around midnight, I think I figured out a way to handle Monday. The logistics require higher math to follow and a cast of thousands to execute, but the plan will probably work. And if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. It’s neither the beginning nor the end of the world.

Lord, help me to remember that the world won’t fall apart if I’m not able to make things run perfectly smoothly.”

With so many additional tasks added to my To Do list related to our relocation, feeding my soul on the new communities’ many events and activities, growing our business, etc., I am grateful for the reminders Julia offers.

My take is: worrying is not necessary; prioritization is helpful; ask for help. Most of all, I am not in control of the world - Spirit is.

God, I know that Divine Order is at work and the world runs perfectly because of it and You, not me. Help me to know what is important in my life, and to take care of myself so that I may serve You well in peace and in joy.

Touched By Spirit

Today’s story from Daily Guideposts is about a woman who found something strange had been happening to her in the last few years: she cried in church. For no reason that she could understand or explain, right in the middle of worship her eyes would tear up; she found it embarrassing.

The same thing started happening during her morning prayer time. She was convinced that this was a side effect of menopause, but that didn’t seem to affect anything other than her worship and prayer time.

When she casually mentioned to a friend how easily the tears flowed when she communicated with God, her friend smiled knowingly. She replied, “That happens to me too. Those tears are an indication that the Holy Spirit has touched me in some way.” The woman no longer felt embarrassed.

Since coming to believe, I too have often been brought to tears. It can occur upon hearing someone share their experience, singing a spiritual song, or while being of service. However, I’ve known it was Spirit touching me and have rarely felt embarrassed.

In fact, for me it is a feeling of relief. Not feeling as connected to Spirit as I’d liked to, with the incessant voices impinging on my meditation, my time for being in the Silence, it is a relief – and a joy – that God could, and is, getting through to my heart, my soul. There is healing and peace here.

I welcome and am grateful for such moments when Spirit and I are so obviously joined together in a Holy Instant.

Worry, Sworry!

I awoke in a state of fear and worry. I hadn’t felt that way for quite some time, I’m glad to say.

Worried about finances, worried that I didn’t yet send out an anniversary card, worried that I still needed to respond to emails, worried that a contract wouldn’t come through, worried that the contract would come through... You know, Worried with a capital ‘W’. So silly of me – I should know better (I still have a little ‘shoulding’ work to complete). And, I do, intellectually.

Well, intellectually doesn’t do it for me. So what then does? Replacing worry and fear with faith. Faith with a capital ‘F’. So, I straightened out my desk! Okay, I know that’s not what’d you’d think of vis-à-vis faith, but I did feel better getting organized and seeing a lot more desk surface!

Moving on, I wrote an email to a person going through her own doubts and concerns and felt better connecting with another soul and being of service. I wrote in my email about knowing that Spirit was in charge and when I stay focused on that, I know and feel (ah, here we go now, getting to the heart) all is well. And, of course, that’s true.

Next, I picked up my morning inspirational readings and one of them hit the nail on the head:

In Daily Guideposts 2008, Dolphus Weary included in his story: “Peace grew in my heart from knowing that God is in control and that He provided all that we had and all that we would need.”

[A little synchronistic, you think?...]

And, I meditated to get to the silence within, where there is truly peace and I am at one with God.

These are but a few ways that I can get back to the Truth (with a capital ‘T’). There are many ways for me to get caught by my ego and let worry and fear run riot. But the ways to get back to the Truth are far more powerful than they and at my fingertips always. I just have to remember to ask God for help and take the steps that I can.

Thank You, Spirit, for always uplifting me when I call out to you.