Where Am I?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer As Action

“We... seek God’s presence anywhere we are and in anyone we’re with. This is prayer as action...” - In God’s Care, March 28

Today is to be one of those days where I expect it to be quite easy to feel God’s presence where I am and in whom I am with. It’s to be a full day for me at Unity of Sedona: singing in the Mystic Choir, attending two services, joining in fellowship, participating in the annual meeting, and being of service. A time full with the love and joy of my (somewhat) new family.

The latter part of the afternoon Rog and I are going on a picnic. Yes, a real live picnic here in Sedona, here in the delightful springtime! We are the connecting piece of friends from Tucson/Clarkdale who used to work with our new Unity friends. A small world! So the six of us are getting together to get to know one another better, to celebrate, to connect.

As I said, I expect it to be an easy day to feel and fill up on the love, joy, and peace of Spirit. There are some days when feeling God’s presence is not that easy and poses quite a bit of a challenge.

Those are the days when more than ever I need to be not my ‘little me’ but the ‘big me’ that is my true essence. Those are the days that prayer is more important than ever. Those are the days when I need to really be conscious to seek God’s presence right where I am and with whom I am with.

That is prayer as action. And, that is knowing that wherever I am, I am with Spirit, standing together on holy ground.

Joy From Spirit

One of this morning’s readings was about laughter and it got me thinking...

Last night was weekly rehearsal time for the Mystic Choir. I experience such joy there. I feel joy not only in singing, but in our opening and closing prayer time, chatting with others before and after the rehearsal, the ‘hello’ hugs and the ‘good night’ ones, and in connecting to Spirit throughout this special time in a special sanctuary.

Laughter is another time of joy for me. I don’t get it on a prescribed, regular interval of the week, but when it comes my way, I grasp it. For laughter, like singing for me, is also a time to connect with others and God. It is a time of being so in the Now that I forget myself and just let me be.

There are times when laughter brings me to tears, tears of joy. And too, when the lyrics and/or the music of a song bring me to tears, my heart has been touched; I feel closer to God and joy.

Dear Spirit -
Thank You for the myriad of ways You open my heart to connect with myself, with others, and with You. Thank You for the joy You grace me with. Help me to be awake to the moments that lighten and open my heart and may the radiance and joy of Your love shine in me.

An Attitude of Gratitude

“...we can shape our attitude moment by moment. Accepting responsibility for this is a major step in our recovery.

“I will be aware of the thoughts and feelings that shape my words and actions today, and strive to promote joy and gratitude.” – In God’s Care, February 28, 2010

I find it so powerful focusing on that which I am grateful for. It easily and quickly connects me consciously with Source and opens my heart to self and others. It places me in a state of grace, receiving all the good gifts I can enjoy freely in life (of which there are so many), with life itself as the fundamental gift.

It seems that grace and gratitude work in concert with one another: as I feel gratitude, more grace comes to me. And once again in that grace, I feel so connected to Spirit, with much gratitude in my heart.

Thank You, God, for an attitude of gratitude and Your unending grace.

Transformation

Although I was not acquainted with Brugh Joy while he graced this earth, since his passing in December 2009, I’ve been introduced to him and his work in heart centered transformational healing and spiritual enlightenment.

A practice he taught to embrace the changes in one’s life are known as the Three Injunctions:
- Make no comparisons
- Make no judgments
- Delete the need to understand

People often complain about change, but that is the only thing certain about life. And, change makes us know that we are alive, moving forward, and not stagnated. While it seems to be the case that humans need to reach bottom in order to wake up, and that it is often accompanied by suffering, practicing these injunctions help to positively move through changes that are most challenging.

And, speaking from experience, like so many others, I know the more extreme the situation, the greater my spiritual growth has been. For instance, reaching bottom with my eating disorder and finally seeking a solution was a life altering experience. My disorder was not only arrested, but my life was enhanced “beyond my wildest dreams.” It was the beginning of my waking up, and I “came to believe” in a power greater than myself, connecting with a God of my understanding.

In essence, I learned Dr. Joy’s injunctions in my 12 Step work years ago. Practicing them has served me well and continued awareness will hold me in good stead as I move my life forward in this ever-accelerating world of change.

The Breath

A client came into the office early yesterday morning already experiencing a rough day and acting a bit snarly. I suggested she take a deep breath. I’m not sure she did, but as I made the suggestion, I noticed I did! Instantly, I felt myself relax and feel more balanced.

When the ego is running around in the cage of my head, especially when I’m (meditating), focusing on my breath is a sure way for me to get centered. It sure feels great!

I take a deep, conscious breathe to relax, focus, stay in the Now, and thereby connect with Spirit. There is no limit to how often and how long I do this. The more, the better I’m sure my mental, emotional, spiritual, and even my physical body would agree.

A warm cup of chamomile tea: $2.49 - A deep breath: priceless!

Meaning

Today’s Daily Word - Saturday, January 23, 2010
Meaning
In God, I find spiritual meaning in everyday life.

Many tasks in daily life may seem mundane or even irritating, so I look for a deeper spiritual significance in each one.

When I'm standing in line at a grocery store, running errands or waiting for a computer program to load, I look for the blessing in it. I may find myself giving thanks to God. I may have the opportunity to connect with another person. My attitude may transform an ordinary experience into a rich and rewarding blessing.

I affirm "Thank You, God," anytime I find myself waiting. These delays turn downtime into an experience of awareness and meaning.

The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. - Proverbs 19:21

______________________

I strive to find spiritual meaning in everyday life not just because tasks may seem mundane or I’m bored.

Any time that I can find spiritual meaning or blessing in some task or situation, I am connecting more directly with God, strengthening my relationship. Hence, when I’m in the shower, driving, washing dishes, etc., I can often be found praying in some form either singing, talking aloud, or silently.

In any form, in any way, whatever I am engaged in, especially when I am alone, I take the opportunity to commune with Spirit. There I find peace, there I find meaning in my life.

Taking Care

I’m grateful that when I felt myself starting to lose my peace this afternoon, I took a time out. This is a loving action on my part, and my soul was thrilled... after all, the break was to nourish my spirit and connect more finely with God.

I read some spiritual literature, words by Emmet Fox, and was caught by the affirmation “I am surrounded by the Love and Peace of God.” Repeating this over and over with my eyes closed, I relaxed. Fifteen minutes or so later, I felt refreshed and ready to move forward in my work.

I’ve learned many tools to make my day flow more easily and joyfully, but I don’t always employ them. The main reason is usually “I’m too busy.” But this is deadly, for without nourishing my soul and my relationship with God, I deteriorate mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. And, life just ain’t fun (neither am I).

Dear Spirit –
Thank You for my knowledge of the many ways I can nurture my relationship with my soul and You, and for the willingness to take care and do so.

Smile

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. - Anonymous

How apropos that I just returned from the dentist to read today’s spiritual messages and this one greeted me.

It was the continued saga (see blog of 05.01.09) of my front tooth/crown only now the stage is set in Sedona and working with a new dentist.

My crown re-cemented, I am now able to smile again - and I love to smile. A smile is a great way to connect with people, having Spirit shine through me to others. And in connecting with others and feeling God’s presence, everything indeed is set straight.

Thank You, God, for the health care professionals who help in the physical world of form and also help us heal in other ways.

Staying in Touch

Tonight’s blog topic is inspired by Elizabeth Sherrill’s article “Going Online”.

The Internet is a wonderful way to connect and communicate with others, anytime, anywhere – pretty much. I can be in touch with others via an email, a blog, or a website. I just have to go online.

It’s very much like staying in touch with God. I have the ability to connect with Spirit anytime I choose, anywhere I am. But I must remember to go online.

In the case of the Internet, I need some apparatus to be connected. A computer and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to actually get me connected, and then an email account, for instance, to communicate.

Ahhh, but in the case of going online to God I need no additional apparatus save a desire to do so - then I just do it!

God is everywhere at all times, always accessible. The Great Mystery is closer than my breath, in every particle of my physical body and soul. There is no separation. Communication is ever present. I need no extra apparatus, for we are one - forever entwined.

Enough

It’s been a full, rich day. I spent most of it at my laptop, doing website design work and connecting with people via email. I emailed prospective clients introduced to me through mutual friends, communicated with owners of possible home rentals, caught up on how friends were doing in their new home state, and more.

It was a social day, a productive day. I did my active kundalini meditation and I spent some time reading Emmet Fox’s essays; they are always uplifting to me, and make me feel closer to God.

It was a day well spent and I felt like I had “done enough” which is often not the case. So it’s ‘interesting’ that I should read today’s Daily Guideposts this evening.

The author, Pam Kidd, had forgotten to give her elderly friend all of his birthday gifts when she visited him at an extended-care facility. “For weeks the magazines rode around in my car, taunting me. One more thing undone. And then, out of the blue, came a call: Claude had suffered a massive stroke. He was gone.

“Distraught, I went to the car and gathered the magazines, expecting also to find a heap of guilt. But the memory of Claude waving and smiling as he escorted me down the corridor sent a different message. You made me the birthday king, Claude seemed to say. Let go of what you didn’t do. Think about what you did!”

How very often at the end of the day I think about what I did not accomplish, instead of all that I did. And then, not only did I not do enough, but the “I’m not good enough” starts creeping in too.

It seems like today I got the message from Spirit before I had a chance to go down that path. Instead, I felt most satisfied with the accomplishments of the day. So although my experience today contrasted with the usual, I’m grateful for the story reinforcing the idea that it’s what I accomplish that counts, not what I did not.

Dear Spirit – Thank You for my feeling my accomplishments today and not worrying about the rest. I did enough, I am enough. All is well. Good night.

Time for God

I’m sitting here on hold, waiting for a GoDaddy rep to get on the line to troubleshoot a problem with a client’s website. I’m glad to say that instead of bemoaning hearing that it’ll be a 12” wait, I’m taking it as an opportunity to spend time with God – and I sure need to today, as much as possible!

A priority has been to ask for prayer support, particularly from a Unity chaplain. I had signed up for the Unity of Sedona mailing list, and a few days ago received the “Thought for the Week”. I’ve not met the sender, but Marie welcomed replies and offered prayer support.

So with my telephone headset on, listening to Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” (which I love) while on hold, I wrote Marie. I humbly told her of our situation and asked for prayers. Her response within minutes included “As I read your email, I thought here is a couple being the activity of God as strength, courage and knowing what God wants for you; therefore, I am holding you in prayer knowing that perfect plan is already in place for you. I encourage you to continue staying open and receptive to what God has in store for you.” She also asked if it was okay to ask the “Team of Prayer Chaplains to be holding you in prayer?” Such a question!

Being in contact with a person of such heart, faith, and encouragement is surely uplifting. Who knew I could be so pleased with being placed on hold?! Oh, and the website problem was easily remedied.

Thank You, God, for my awareness, willingness, and creativity to see the opportunities throughout the day where I may find time to connect with You. With You, I always find peace.

Mission Accomplished

I have been blogging for eleven days now.

Originally, I thought I had to write at the crack of dawn and have it be a part of my morning practice.

But the other day when a wrench was thrown into my morning routine, blogging had to wait. And wait. And wait. I felt pressure to get something written before going to bed that night, feeling that I simply could not not enter anything. So I took the time to write. Of course it wasn’t about having to write as it was to consciously connect with Spirit. And, I did - mission accomplished.

The next day I wasn’t quite sure what to blog about but it turned out that my early morning dream was clearly about Spirit and hence, worthy of my blog. I put further thought into what the meaning of my dream meant in the context of my everyday so-called waking life, and blogged about it. I felt the increased nearness of Spirit - mission accomplished.

Yesterday, I simply inserted a prayer for the day’s entry - but not before I read it thoroughly and thought about its message, drawing me closer to Spirit - mission accomplished.

I can still be so boxed in with old ways of thinking. Now it is clear that the main purpose of my blogging - to connect more often and increasingly deeper with Spirit - can be achieved no matter what the time of day, no matter the form of the content.

Any time I blog, is one more time in my day in which I am pausing, contemplating, and more conscious of Spirit. It’s not about the doing: it’s about the being with Spirit. Mission accomplished.