Serving God

“Always let your prayer take the form of thanksgiving, on the assumption that God is giving you great and wonderful things.” - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

My prayers are not to be about what I want, but about realizing that God is Source and that all that I receive from Spirit is a blessing and worthy of thanks. And so I start my prayers off acknowledging Source and Its greatness, then expressing gratitude. When I am in fit condition, I am ready to be of service to Spirit.

After all, isn’t that what life is truly about - being the hands and voice of God so that I can help others?

Thanksgiving Day 2009

For the last 19 Thanksgiving Days, I have been humbled. That was not always the case.

Before joining 12 Step program in March, 1990, I was a devout atheist. When Thanksgiving came ‘round each year, I pretty much acknowledged and thanked myself for the life I had. There was no Higher Power in my life; I was the alpha and the omega.

Much has changed since coming to believe, and these days I know Who to thank for the life I have. Without Spirit, my life would not be what it is today - and every day. So these days, one of the most important things I am grateful for is joining Overeaters Anonymous, which started me on my spiritual awakening path. I am grateful for the love, knowledge, tools, experience, and support I have found along the way.

And, I give thanks that I am no longer alone, for I know that God is with me this Thanksgiving Day, and always. That is the greatest thing I am grateful for.

May my gratitude for coming to believe be expressed every day through my loving actions toward others, in service to the One Who blesses my life.

Thanksgiving III

This Thanksgiving Day Eve, I offer a gift of quotes about gratitude to jumpstart contemplation about all that there is to be grateful for.

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

"Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself..." - Rumi

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” - Cicero

“Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives.” - Terry Lynn Taylor

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” - William Arthur Ward

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" - William A. Ward

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." - Gerald Good

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." - Christiane Northrup

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." - Brian Tracy

“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”- Eric Hoffer

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” -Buddha

“Let's be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom.” - Marcel Proust

“Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.” - Alfred Painter

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." - Meister Eckhart

Thanksgiving II

Yesterday I was driving on State Route 89A from Sedona towards Cottonwood, making my way to the ultimate destination of Gilbert to have one last packing up session with our house there. This trip I was driving sans Rog so I had the opportunity to be alone with God in any way I chose.

When I drive alone I’m usually singing spiritual music, which feels like prayer to me; I love connecting to Source in this manner. But on this early sunny morning I actually sat in the Silence for a while. Viewing all the beauty around me got me to thinking about the road I alone, and with Rog, have traveled in recent times with God. I started listing my blessings.

I am grateful that we now live in a small town filled with many spiritually awakened souls and host to many spiritually awakening and cultural events. I am grateful that I feel a part of community. I am grateful that every day I am surrounded and can view the natural beauty of this place.

I am grateful for all the miracles God came through with to get Rog and me moved from Gilbert to this perfect home for us in Sedona. Some came at the 11 ½ hour, but they came. The owners couldn’t be more wonderful folks and we feel grateful and privileged that they ‘entrusted’ this home to our care. This place is rich with character and coziness and indeed feels like a ‘vacation home’ to us.

I am grateful for the new life that is unfolding for me that includes singing in a choir, being of service especially during the upcoming holiday season, meeting new people, and engaging in meaningful conversation. I am grateful for the loving and welcoming disposition of everyone (it seems), from Unity attendees to the grocery check-out person. I am grateful for old friends and relatives who are loving and supportive.

I am grateful for my good health and capable physical body, and for the fresh air and exercise that is a more natural part of my lifestyle now.

I am grateful that I have a steady business contract with a local business person; this contract lays a financial foundation for us to start with. And, the client and I work well together. In addition, it’s a natural way to get immersed into the local community. I am grateful for new business contracts on their way to manifestation.

I am grateful for a great, reliable automobile, my 2003 Camry named Espiritu / Spirit II, with its license plate that is a continual reminder to me of God’s presence and the attitude I need to hold each and every minute - GUIDEME.

And most of all I am grateful I am sharing all of this adventure called Life with my twin flame and husband Roger.

I am surely blessed!

Thank You, Spirit, for all that you have given me in this life. There is indeed so much to be grateful for - in fact, everything since it all comes from You, Source of All Good.

Thanksgiving I

I am reminded this morning that my heart can “swell with a song of thanksgiving to God” for the many blessings that God has showered upon me even if my present circumstances may be less than ideal.

I no doubt feel gratitude - I’ve no trouble with that. What I need a dose of is increased faith and trust that Spirit would not have taken me this far just to drop me. In fact, all these wonderful blessings and miracles are signs - no, much more than signs -, demonstrations of God’s love, grace, and goodness.

May I remember throughout this day that Spirit is with me and taking care of me. It is the Source of all and only goodness stems from It.

Thank You, Spirit, for filling my heart every day with a song of thanksgiving no matter the circumstances.

Infinite Possibilities

“We are surrounded by infinite Possibility ... It can pass into expression through us only as we consciously allow It to do so.” The Science of Mind, page 46.

This has been a week full of extra blessings from the Universe, and it became real food for thought yesterday.

First, I was delightfully surprised to receive a FedEx envelope containing a $100 gift card with notification that I’d won a runner-up prize for a sweepstakes I’d entered a few months ago and then promptly forgot. It was related to the Super Bowl no less, something I’m not much interested in.

An hour later a particularly pleased client gave me an additional $5 in payment. Still later in the day, when I was making plans to meet with a friend tomorrow night for a drink, she made it known that it was to be her treat. A-b-u-n-d-a-n-c-e!

So, what’s this all about (Alfie)? I feel like Spirit is showering me with these financial gifts and I am looking for a cause. Like, what did I do to bring this forth so that I can keep doing it to bring more forth? [N.B.: I did not say, “What did I do to deserve this?”; that’s not in my belief system.] You know, law of attraction kind of stuff. But I really think it’s about a message(s) that Spirit is trying to get through to me.

And, perhaps that message is about my being. Certainly I have been taking better care of my spiritual health and hence have been more trusting, faith-filled, and serene. My belief system can limit me, but Spirit is always with me, always pushing me towards my good – it’s up to me to be open to the infinite possibilities. And, I am!

These are exciting times. I welcome infinite Possibility, claim my abundance, and offer thanksgiving in all circumstances. Thank You, Spirit.

Spiritual Preparedness

Well, the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it’s December 1st, and holiday preparations are on full throttle!

We’ve gone from a morning where it looked like few of the Wyer family would be together during Christmastime, to this evening’s exciting news of folks coming in from parts west of here. I’m really looking forward to the holiday and getting to better know Rog’s immediate family. It’s going to be fun, fun, fun – and busy, busy, busy!

So, am I ready for another blast of entertaining and activity? Will I take good care of my soul amid the flurry of activity, expectations, preparation, etc.? Yes, yes, yes! I really want to be present and enjoy the time.

I am not much fun or of great use to anyone else if I do not take good care of me, and socializing becomes a not so joyful time. Thanksgiving experiences and insights are still ripe in my memory. To experience the joy of the upcoming season, I will take time to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. The breath is so in the moment, a relaxing foray into peace and connection with Spirit.

As I make plans for our company, so too I will make plans for my spiritual being, both worthy of my love, kindness, and caring attention.

As We Gather 'Round...

Two years ago I first heard May the Light of Love, written and performed by David Roth at a New Thought Songwriters Tribute performance. Ever since then, I have felt that listening to or singing it as a group would be a great segue to breaking bread at the Thanksgiving Day feast. Alas, it has not happened yet, but I still count it as my special Thanksgiving prayer.

The music is upbeat and folksy, and the lyrics are precious and pretty much say it all for me. I share it here with you now... enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!

May the Light of Love by David Roth

As we come around to take our places at the table
A moment to remember and reflect upon our wealth
Here’s to loving friends and family, here’s to being able
To gather here together in good company and health.

And may we be released from all those feelings that would harm us
May we have the will to give them up and get them gone
For heavy are the satchels full of anger and false promise
May we have the strength to put them down.

May the light of love be shining deep within your spirit
May the torch of mercy clear the path and show the way
May the horn of plenty sound so everyone can hear it
May the light of love be with you everyday.

And may we wish the best for everyone that we encounter
May we swallow pride and may we do away with fear
For it’s only what we do not know that we have grown afraid of
And only what we do not choose to hear.

May the light of love be shining deep within your spirit
May the torch of mercy clear the path and show the way
May the horn of plenty sound so everyone can hear it
May the light of love be with you everyday.

And as we bless our daily bread and drink our day’s libation
May we be reminded of the lost and wayward soul
The hungry and the homeless that we have in every nation
May we fill each empty cup and bowl.

May nothing ever come between or threaten to divide us
May we never take for granted all the gifts that we’ve received
Being ever mindful of the unseen hands that guide us
And the miracles that cause us to believe.

May the light of love be shining deep within your spirit
May the torch of mercy clear the path and show the way
May the horn of plenty sound so everyone can hear it
May the light of love be with you everyday.

May the horn of plenty sound so everyone can hear it
May the light of love be with you
May the light of love be with you
May the light of love be with you everyday.