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.

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.

Recipe

Yesterday was another, rich, abundant day.

Reviewing it - and others - it becomes clear what ingredients are needed for me to make a fulfilling day. It is a very rich recipe for a joyful life.

- Start the day in quiet time with Spirit
- Read inspirational literature in the morning
- Blog about spirituality
- Meet with Rog for prayer followed by our morning ‘coffee vacation’
- Help others in computer-related projects
- Be open to service opportunities in the moment
- Examine my behaviors, thoughts, and feelings
- Connect with Spirit throughout the course of the day
- Take care of my physical and mental bodies
- Listen to music
- Shine my light wherever I am, whoever I am with
- Meet with Rog for prayer followed by our afternoon ‘coffee vacation’
- Breathe deeply
- Take a walk
- Take time to pause
- Spend time with my Unity of Sedona family either in a seminar, at choir rehearsal, or otherwise
- Read spiritual literature in the evening
- Go to bed at night, snuggling up to Rog and thanking God for all the blessings and abundance in my life.

Membership

Recently a fellow Mystic Choir member asked me why I was becoming a member of Unity of Sedona. You see, she’d contemplated becoming one but was a bit skittish. As was I.

I’d been a devout atheist for many years, and even after 20 years on a conscious spiritual path, I still had my issues around the word church. I associate church with organized religion, which at least these days I can kindly say that I am able to see how it is helpful for some folks. If I could get over being an atheist, surely I could get over my conception of church. I could no longer allow my mindset to keep me from my greater good.

Unity.org states:
“The five basic ideas that make up the Unity belief system are: 1) God is the source and creator of all. There is no other enduring power. God is good and present everywhere. 2) We are spiritual beings, created in God's image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good. 3) We create our life experiences through our way of thinking. 4) There is power in affirmative prayer, which we believe increases our connection to God. 5) Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.” Sounds pretty painless! Well, actually these are ideas that I very much resonate with and believe in.

Unity is a vehicle for instruction, inspiration, and prayer support for spiritual seekers. It is a place of education. Unity of Sedona specifically is where my spirit gets nourished and soars, whether singing with the choir or opening my heart at a gratitude meeting. It’s a place where I can be of service in a myriad of ways. It’s a place where I feel comfortable spreading my wings trying out new things. It is a place of learning and love where awakening happens.

Why become a member when I already can participate in everything, except having a say with a vote on organizational decisions? Becoming a member, I feel ‘more a part of’, which is important to the little girl inside who always felt different, starting first with her family of origin. Outside of my 12 Step family (which is huge), I have never so felt a part of a group of people (it has not been for lack of searching). Becoming a member means I’m making a commitment to something I believe in and am willing to stand up for it. This is “my place” and I want to care for it; I want to support it. This community is my family and I want to protect it, strengthen it, nurture it. I feel as a member I can give with more of a whole heart.

As my family at Unity of Sedona helps me flourish and wake up, together we all awaken to a world of peace, love, and joy.

Love and Inspiration

“Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.” —Ella Fitzgerald

I would safely say that where there is love and inspiration, I am surely on the right track. There is no doubt in my mind that Spirit is sitting right in the middle of it all, guiding me, cheering me on to do what I really want to do. When I am in such a state of joy, I am in fit spiritual condition and able to be of great service to God. It’s win – win – win.

Healing

I’m still in rest mode and slow gear as written about yesterday. In that mode, whatever daily routine I have has been cast to the wind. Yesterday I did not have my usual morning cup of decaf, Rog and I watched a Conscious Media Network video at 7 AM, then followed that with a movie on a related subject. I also took a long nap during the day and went to bed early in the evening.

And, I didn’t read yesterday’s Daily Word until this morning.

I just had to smile (good for healing) when I saw the topic. God not only has a sense of humor but surely has Its way of assuring me that It is around by providing synchronistic occurrences. For Wednesday evening we’d watched a video in which David Wolfe spoke about Superfoods, which offer tremendous dietary and healing potential, and the Daily Word on Thursday was about healing. Think there’s a message here for me?!

Here’s the Daily Word from Thursday, July 30, 2009:

HEALING
I am whole and well in mind and body.

Wholeness is my natural state as an expression of God. I affirm strength, health, and well-being and restore vitality to every part of my being.

As I breathe deeply, I inhale oxygen-rich air that restores the cells of my lungs. I appreciate the wondrous workings of my body and give thanks for its ongoing restoration. I open my mind and heart to inspiration and guidance so I know how best to take care of myself.

I eat nutritious foods prepared in healthful ways, and I exercise regularly, toning and strengthening my body. I am an expression of God, and I take care of myself--body, mind, and soul.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."- Proverbs 16:24"

P.S. We did go out today and buy some raw, high energy foods.

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

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.

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!

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.

Toilet Tuesdays

Almost 2 months ago, I entered into my first barter agreement: I clean the men and women’s restrooms at a yoga studio once a week in exchange for attending my favorite yoga class. It’s been a fine arrangement, win-win.

This past week was the last as I needed to free up my time. I will miss this task as well as my favorite teacher and the Gentle Healing/Restorative class postures.

As my cleaning was coming to an end, I realized that I really appreciated doing the work as an exchange. I even told one of the owners that if she’d been paying me an hourly wage, I don’t think I’d have enjoyed the task as much. The reward of attending the yoga class had greater meaning to me than receiving greenbacks, and this made me more focused, strongly motivated, and full of pride too as I went about doing my job. If I’d been given a wage, it would have been far less than my usual hourly rate as a tech writer, and, in all likelihood, my ego would have felt resentful that it had to engage in such activities, and I’d have been less than thrilled with the task. That was not the case, and I was very grateful the owners had been willing to barter.

During Tuesday toilet-cleaning days, I’ve often thought about the servant leader, Gandhi. My experience made me feel a bit connected to this spiritual man. It doesn’t matter that the toilets he cleaned were far less glamorous and technologically advanced or the reasons behind his actions were quite different from mine. It was not beneath Gandhi to clean toilets and, it was not beneath me to do so either.

It’s surprising the places one can find connection, inspiration, and meaning...

Morning Inspiration

In the morning silence I find myself
The world is still
Surrounded by the peace of quiet
Seeking God’s will.

I know not what the day will bring
All is blessed that’s for sure
It is up to me to be the joy
To shine my light and be true.

I pray to be spiritually fit
Loving, kind, not in a snit
I am grateful, happy, glad to be
In the presence of God’s company.

The First 100 Days

100 days of... the new U. S. Presidency? No, we’re talking about the first 100 days of my blog! Yes, I’ve written 100 blogs since November 13, 2008, one every day without fail.

As has been noted, my reasons for writing it and doing so on a daily basis were: to feel less isolated, to make myself available for service to hold a sacred space for others, and to place me in a regular daily practice of connecting to God.

I’m glad to report that the blog has been achieving what I’d hoped for. There have been additional benefits too, gifts actually. In allowing myself some time to research online, I’ve gained knowledge and have discovered some wonderful websites revolving around spirituality. It’s been fun, fun, fun! And, my writing voice and style have been developing.

I’m grateful for the inspiration that was given me to start this creative endeavor and for its moving me further into my real work of spiritual counseling and companionship.

Here’s to the next 100 and the myriad of blessings they will bring me, and hopefully others.

Coffee Time

Thanks to this blog project, I’ve been spending time on the Web looking at a wealth of sites on things spiritual (sometimes religious too although that’s not of prime interest to me) that I hadn’t taken the time to before although I wanted to. I’ve also landed up signing up for e-newsletters. I am grateful this project is accomplishing what I had hoped it to.

In today’s Beliefnet’s daily inspiration, there was a link to a video by Martha Williamson, who you may recall was Executive Producer of the television show, “Touched By An Angel.” The following was included in one of the posted comments to that video:

Remember the small things in life, because someday you will realize that the BIG THINGS ARE THE LITTLE THINGS. [Posted by: Wayne Hulehan | January 6, 2009 10:25 AM]

I read this soon after my morning coffee time with Rog. During this daily ritual, our intention is to have our conversation focused solely on Spirit. We start off with an extemporaneous prayer, then share what’s happened in our spiritual life thus far that day. We may have been awake only 30 minutes, but have already been engaged with Spirit in new learning, meditation, inspirational reading, etc.

In this time not only do we get to be together, but we get to share our path, help one another sort things out, and in general, help foster both of ours spiritual growth. It is time so well spent.

When we have our afternoon coffee time, conversation is more about business and every day life. Still, we get to connect with one another, our love, and Spirit.

A coffee break may seem like a little thing to most people, but in my world, coffee time with Rog is always a BIG THING. And, I’m grateful that I won’t need to remember that - because I know it now.