Christmas Blessings

Christmas Blessings 2012

            Forgiveness is the key to peace and happiness. Awaken from the dream that you are mortal, fallible, sinful. Know that you are a perfect child of God. Claim your birthright, express forgiveness and gratitude and be one with your spiritual family. There comes a time in our spiritual evolution where we go from seeking through the darkness to being one with the power of the light.

            “It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who we really are.”

E.E. Cummings

In this season of heightened spirituality show your true self through acts of forgiveness and gratitude. Focus on not saying anything unkind, untrue or unnecessary.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Gandhi

The Gift

If you feel like there is work to be done, then be sure you are the one to do it.  An idea comes to you because it finds you a willing and suitable host.  If something comes into your vision then there is something for you to do.  Ask, "What would you have me do?"  The answer will follow.

We are the gift we came here to be the world.

Caring for the Caretaker 6

Passion- Creating a “Joy List”

The following list of people, places and things bring me a feeling of joy and wellbeing. They connect me with the universe and my higher Power’s unconditional love.

Nature uplifts me. I feel a part of the universe. I feel nurtured (natured). Nature exposes my child/animal

Play humors me. I suffer from terminal seriousness so a daily dose of play and laughter is essential. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people

Values guide me. As long as human beings teach, human beings will teach values. As a parent and educator, I never stopped my values-oriented education. My children and I continue to be in need of daily guidance.

Commitments define me. They help me make choices. Set priorities. They let me know what I believe in and what is important to me. They let me know where I can make a difference.

Simplicity focuses me. Daily. No focus-no energy. KISS- Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.

Memories touch me. They are my emotional treasures. They help me on my mini-vacations and give me my daily touchstones.

Miracles inspire me. The miracle of unconditional love. The miracle of physical and emotional healing. The miracle of forgiveness. Forgiving you and the greatest miracle, forgiving myself.

Pain instructs me. I know it is a strange thing to be on a “joy list” but it helps me learn what to let go of. Letting go is the joy.

Death purifies me. Another strange one. The purification process brings joy. The beautiful melting (tears). “The soul afraid of dying, never learns to live.”

Friendship & Love support me. My marriage, my children, friends ,Twelve Step Support Groups. The angels in physical body who have floated in and out of my life.

God, My Higher Power, loves me. The surrender to love and acceptance. The intimate, personal relationship with unconditional love.

Creativity & Art stimulates me. Color, shape, form, texture, light, flexibility and the process of creation. All part of intervening in this life.

Rituals & Tradition anchor me. Without these, I would have no history. I would be adrift. I would not fit. I need to fit. This world needs to make sense.

Quiet centers me. My meditation (listening to God) and my prayer (talking to God) slow me down. This is the time, everyday, when my soul catches up with my body. Or is it the other way around?

I could go on and on. Examine your list and share it with your loved ones and your colleagues.

Lao Tzu once said that the truly successful man is one who can plan to sit by the river bank and dangle his feet in the water.

Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding are less likely to occur when we assume a benevolent intention on everyone else's part and react accordingly.

Much of our stress and suffering comes from defining ourselves as lesser beings in contact with change, conflict or someone else.  Remember, our connections to the infinite is unbroken and undiminished.  We can make mistakes without believing we are a mistake.

Be authentic, be real, be yourself. The energy of being real has more power then persuasion, debate or force of will. Being who we are releases an extraordinary power that affects people who come in contact with this authenticity.

The sun, without thought or plan, just shines thoroughly and constantly. The sun is always itself, authentic, real. It warms, never withholds. The sun emanates all directions, all the time and life grows.

When our souls, like the sun, express the light of who we are, we emanate what Jesus called love and Buddha called compassion. The roots and branches of our community grow.

Simply be authentic, be yourself and your light will cause others to grow. By being who we are we experience life in all its vitality and we help others be more fully themselves. In being real we help each other grow towards the one light.

To Be Loved.

You do not have to do anything to be loved.

You do not have to perform, or achieve, or earn merit badges, make straight A’s or be witnessed doing good.

It has taken me 60 years to learn, know and believe this. It is my life’s work. It is today’s work. We have all received messages to the contrary which are old deep wounds.

In my heart, where God’s spirit and unconditional love is alive and well, it does not matter what I accomplish. It only matters how deeply I tried. Out of my trying comes sincerity, integrity and love.