Claim the Gift

I am your friend.  My love, respect and appreciation for you goes deep.  Although I have attempted to give you all that I have, I am aware there is nothing I can give which you do not already possess.

There is very much, however, that you can claim.  The peace of heaven can come to us when we find peace in the smallest gift in our day.  Claim the peace.

            The negativity and judgment of the world is a shadow.  Behind the shadow within our reach is joy.  In every challenge, there is a gift.  Claim the gift.

            Life gives abundantly.  We judge the gifts and ignore or cast them away.  Open the gift; rejoice in the splendor woven by God’s love, wisdom and power.

            Claim it, grasp it, and you touch the Holy Spirit that brings it to you.  Everything we call a trial, sorrow or duty spirit’s hand is still there.

            Life is bursting with meaning and purpose - full of beauty.  What we refer to as reality, cloaks the true reality.  The reality of heaven on earth.

            Courage to claim it is all that is required.  Courage you have.  It is your spiritual birthright.

            We are pilgrims together.  Brothers and sisters finding our way home.

            So, at this moment, I greet you.  I acknowledge you, not quite as the world greets you but with profound esteem, respect and love.  I acknowledge you daily in prayer.  I greet you now and forever as the daybreaks and the first light of morning sends rays of spirit to banish the night.

Real Friendship

There is no real friendship until we share the personal experience of who we are.  We cannot have both truth and love in our lives until we share our truth and love, until we speak from “I” and take responsibility.  We must stop putting all our pain on “you”, on the others in our lives.  Until I take responsibility for my own mistakes, where I have stumbled and fallen; I cannot know truth or love.

I have a friend.  We have known each other for over 30 years.  We have known each other across the continent.  We have stood together in storms, never knowing if we would be safe.  We have comforted each other through accidents, illness, fear and loss.  We have held each other when our parents died.

I have loved him when he tried to hide and my words could not reach him.  He has loved me when I felt unworthy of love.  Because we dared to trust, to open our souls to each other, because we have broken to pieces in front of each other, we have the privilege of saying, as if for the first time,

“You are my friend.”

I look at him, after what for many is a lifetime, and we say, “Tell me your truth, share your love.”  Let us sit closely together, more interested in huddling together than flying away.

Having a real friend, one with whom you can share your deepest fears and greatest joy, is a form of wealth that will bring you everything you need.

To find this kind of friend, we must be this kind of friend.

What is a friend?  It is a person with whom you are truly yourself.  You do not need to be better or worse.  Just be.  When you are with him you feel as if you have been rescued from a long seclusion.  You do not have to be on guard.  You can say what you think; express what you feel.  He is never shocked or offended as long as you are authentic.  He understands the contradictions in your nature.  With your friend, you breathe free.  You can take off your coat, slip off your shoes, lay on the floor and relax.  You can be vain or vicious, fragile and soft, you rest in his ocean of loyalty.  He understands.  You do not have to be careful.  You can be still with him.  He is water, a refreshing drink, a cleansing shower.  He is the sun that warms you to the bone.  He understands.  You have walked with him, sinned with him and prayed with him.  He sees you, he knows you, he loves you.

With a true friend, you dare to be yourself.

The Cause of Love

In all the great literature (poetry, prose, plays, novels, fiction, nonfiction) of the world there are countless references to love.  There are few pieces of writing that celebrate logic. 

“Logic never attracts men to the point of carrying them away” - Alexis Carrell

Love excites passion, warms our heart and softens our walls.  Given the transformational nature of love, why do we base so many of our decisions on logic?  Maybe we fear that we will be disrespected if we don’t show how logical we are.  I want to be respected but I also want to be carried away, transformed, totally used up in the cause of love.

Steadfast Service

We cannot be what anyone else wants us to be.  We can only be who and what we are; unique spiritual beings in vulnerable bodies.  There are some days I cannot be all I want to be.  I can only do and be my best that day.

I commit to service for the greater good of all humanity.  Sometimes I serve with great integrity and commitment; I serve well.  Sometimes my greatest service will be to be still and quiet, knowing I cannot be all things to all people.  

Each day in reflection, I review my life.  When I fall short or make mistakes, I recommit.  I continue the journey as best I can with what I know at the moment.  I learn, I grow - nothing less.  I give my best each day.  I get tired.  I rest.  I love in every way I can.  I use my words, my actions, my character, my will.  Sometimes I feel used up.  I care even when my arms, legs and mind are tired.  I care even when I rest.  

I have great dreams. Some have come true.  

I continue.

I'll Meet You There

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field.  I'll meet you there.
- Rumi

Take some time to explore divine acceptance in place of our ego's need to be right or wrong.  Focus on the eternal - the unfolding of your spiritual growth.  Give thanks for your past challenges.  Value the learning and growth.  Look forward to your evolving self.

Spreading Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
- Edith Wharton

Sometimes in life, we get to be the candle, the source, the light.  We are inspired by some great ideal or purpose and we act, bringing our light into the world.  More often, we are the mirror that reflects the light.  We are part of a team - supporting a vision, playing an essential role, humbly making a contribution, being of service.

We are all connected to the light.

Happiness is Searching for You

Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.
- Hafiz

Listen to the music of your joy.  Follow your bliss.  Let your heartstrings guide you.  Bring forth your beauty in your own unique style.

The answer to "What should I do?" is easy.  Do what brings you joy.

Let your joy be of service to others and you will be happy for a lifetime.

On Purpose

There is a place that you are to fill that no one else can fill; something you are to do, which no one else can do.  - Florence Scovel Shinn

We are all here on purpose.  Discovering our life's mission is a great gift.  You are unique in all life.  You are here for a special and sacred purpose.  Accept your responsibility.  Step into your destiny with sincere intention and deep kindness.  Be all you came here to be.

Love the Shadow

Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.  - Rainer Maria Rilke

The only answer is love - love for the shadow and darkness within each of us.  As we own our darkness, we rejoice in our own light.  We each cry out for love.  The only sane and satisfactory response to the challenges of life is love.

Gratitude

Simple acts of gratitude are healthy for the giver and the receiver.  Gratitude – like your daily exercise, relaxation, and good nutrition – needs to be practiced on a regular basis.  Consistency brings health and wellness.  Showing appreciation, creating a gratitude list, keeping a journal, and writing letters of thankfulness all have positive effects.  They also help others “pay it forward.”

There is no small gratitude.  Simple thank you’s for someone listening to you, preparing a meal, taking out the trash, cleaning up after ourselves, help with bags of groceries or books… all acts of gratitude are beneficial.

In our schools, we can model gratitude for our students by thanking them kindly for focusing their attention, following the rules, keeping each other physically and emotionally safe, being kind, including others in activities, helping with homework, and being quiet when needed. 

Gratitude will help our students repeat the positive behavior. 

Repeated positive behaviors, like gratitude, benefit everyone.