Preparing for Christmas

I love the Advent season. I love consciously preparing for the coming birth, hope, joy, and peace that it will bring. In my winter ritual of preparation, I read a wonderful book from Jan Richardson called Night Visions. She leads me through seven wonderful weeks of being present to what it to prepare a place for God in our souls, in our hearts, and in our lives. She writes a wonderful reminder of how to hold and be with this season:

"Chances are if we don't enjoy the process of getting ready, we won't enjoy the event we are getting ready for. If we become so consumed by getting Christmas right - the right present, the right cards mailed to the right people at the right time, the right dishes for Christmas dinner - we risk missing the surprising ways that God prepares us in this season. As we open to God's guiding in these Advent days, we may discover that the space being prepared for the coming birth lies within our own selves."

I pray that you are finding some time to be quiet and still and are enjoying the preparations for this wonderful season of Advent.

Your True Life

Here is something from RUMI. What a wonderful time and a wonderful season to reflect on our "True Life." I continue to work with what it means to surrender everything to God. As I continue to explore this Oneness with God and with all of life, I am becoming this oneness.

Your True Life

"As you start to walk out on the way,
the way appears.

As you cease to be,
true life begins.

As you grow smaller,
this world cannot contain you.

You will be shown a being
that has no you in it."

An Elephant in the Dark

I was reading the poet Rumi this morning and came across his version of individuals feeling a piece of the elephant in the dark. As only he can do, he brought me to another level of consciousness about what is possible when we all seek to find the “Whole” together.

The concept of being “Light” for one another has been with me for several weeks. I understand that my role is to be Light for the world as God is that Light in my world.

Here are his amazing words and insights:

“Some Hindus have an elephant to show.
No one here has ever seen an elephant.
They bring it at night to a dark room.

One by one, we go in the dark and come out
saying how we experience the animal.
One of us happens to touch the trunk
A water-pipe kind of creature.

Another, the ear. A very strong always moving
back and forth , fan-animal. Another the leg.
I find it still, like a column on a temple.

Another touches the curved back.
A leathery throne. Another, the cleverest,
feels the tusk. A rounded sword made of porcelain.
He is proud of his description.

Each of us touches one place
and understands the whole in that way.
The palm and the fingers feeling in the dark
are how the senses explore the reality of the elephant.

If each of us held a candle there,
and if we went in together, we could see it.”

RUMI

I believe that there is value in experiencing the elephant in the dark and as an individual. At some point in our journey however, I believe we yearn to enter together, with our lights, to see the whole elephant.

I See No Evil

There was something in my spirit this week that wanted to share this prayer. Spirit continues to call me to see the Oneness in all of life and to see and seek the good in everything. I can honestly say that I only see "good" and do not experience or see evil. I do give thanks for these eyes.

Taken from the book - Prayer by Ernest Holmes

"I see No Evil

I see no evil; I behold only the good.
I have seen the drunkard lying in the gutter, and the saint
kneeling in ecstasy before the high altar of his faith, but I
have found no difference.
I have perceived that each, in his own tongue, is seeking to
express the One Life.
I will not separate and divide; I cannot condemn nor
censure; for I know that there is but One in All.
I know that all came from the One, and all will return to
the One.
I know that all are now in the One, and that each is seeking
to express the One.

I know and love all."

I live in the life of God

This is from my reading today from the Science of Mind magazine. It says everything I need to remind me of who I am. It keeps me in perfect peace, perfect health, and perfect balance. May it remind you as well of who you are. Peace and blessings.

Affirmation:

There is one Life, that Life is God, that Life is my life now. In Him I live and move and have my being, and He lives in me and moves through me.

I deny any life separate from good, and I affirm that every organ, action, and function of my physical body is animated by the Divine Life which created and sustains it.

It is this Life that circulates through me now, in happiness, in harmony, and with perfect rhythm.

I am one with the Whole; therefore, I resolve to live and think and feel the truth until it is spontaneous and natural.

When I say, "God is my life," I know that the entire Life of the Divine Presence is now flowing through me. I affirm this today - the Life of God is the only Life there is; that Life is my life now, complete and perfect.

Relaxing in the Peace of God

Found this in my reading this weekend from Ernest Holmes and wanted to share.


Affimation
I enter into the peace of God. My mind is stilled from all confusion, and I feel a deep and abiding inward poise.
I keep my mind stayed on the Divine inner Presence and let every thought of discord slip away. I meet the reality of myself, the eternal and changeless truth about me - that I am the son and daughter of God. I am one with God. There is no separation, there is no apartness.
Here and now within me, a voice says, "Be still, and know that I am God." God is in me, around me, and through me.
I glorify this Divinity in me; I exalt this Presence. "I am that which thou art; thou art that which I am." There is only One.

A Basket of Fresh Bread

A wonderful reminder from the poet Rumi. Everything we need, we already have.

A Basket of Fresh Bread

There is a basket of fresh bread on your head,
yet you go door to door asking for crusts.

Knock on the inner door. No other.
Sloshing knee-deep in clear streamwater,
you keep wanting a drink from other people's waterbags.

Water is everywhere around you,
but you see only barriers that keep you from water.

A horse is moving beneath the rider's thighs,
yet still he asks, Where is my horse?
Right there, under you. Yes, this is a horse,
but where's the horse? Can't you see? Yes,
I can see, but whoever saw such a horse?

Mad with thirst, he cannot drink from the stream
running so close by his face.

He is like a pearl on the deep bottom,
wondering, inside the shell. Where is the ocean?

His mental questionings form the barrier.
His physical eyesight bandages his knowing.
Self-consciousness plugs his ears.
Stay bewildered in God and only that.

RUMI

Holding the Space

Remember when you were in school and your friends would save you a seat in the lunch room, the auditorium, or in the movies. It was a sign of true friendship. A sign that you wanted to be together, and share the experiences together.

In that same vein, I think we still do that for each other. Now, I call it -holding the space for one another. It is not a physical space, but it certainly is a state of mind-a consciousness. So, this is what came to me as I was quiet this morning:

I am holding the space for your peace today.
I am holding the space for your love and joy.
I am holding the space for your spiritual practice to be realized.
I am holding the space for your prosperity and abundance.
I am holding the space for your perfect health.

I am holding the space for your perfection.
I am holding the space for your oneness and divinity.
I am holding this space - because I love you.
Please save me a space in your consciousness as well.

September 11th

The following prayer is the prayer I shared with a group of employees I was working with on 9/11/01. It was the prayer that Spirit lead me to then, so I wanted to share it again today. I knew then, and know even more now, that peace begins with me.

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Yield and Overcome

Found this piece during my quiet time from Lao-tzu and wanted to share.

Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

Therefore wise men embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say,
"Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.

Lao-tzu

Everything Matters

Each morning during my quiet time I read from the Science of Mind Magazine. This morning I found a wonderful article and wanted to share some excerpts from my reading. The article - Everything Matters - is basically assuring us that everything we do matters, no matter how large or small. It is a wonderful reminder to honor all of our work and to know that we make a difference, even in what we may consider our smallest act.

The article starts with a quote by Emerson, "...to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch... to know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." He then adds the following quote from Spiritual Liberation by Michael Beckwith, "The vibrational imprint of your character will be a legacy in every corner of the cosmos." Wow, the vibrational imprint of our character - it says nothing of accomplishments or fame or fortune - just our very character. The way we treat each other, the words we speak to each other, the love we show, the gifts we give - large and small.

I am reminded today that everything does matter; every thought, word, and deed is sacred and important and makes a difference. Everything matters!

Emmanuel's Book

Wanted to share something from this amazing resource I am using in my daily spiritual practice - Emmanuel' Book. The book was compiled by Pat Rodegast and Judith Stanton and has an introduction from Ram Dass. Here is what spoke to my heart this morning.

"Your truth is your power.

The truth is the most freeing discovery you can make.

To be free of the fear of death,
to be free of distrust, of limitation,
to be free to be who you really are-
these are the gifts that you will receive
by paying the price of introspection and honesty.


Human life is a most difficult classroom
until you learn the simple fact
that your truth is your power,
your salvation, your fulfillment,
your purpose and your way.
Once you can truly believe that
life becomes the joyous and abundant garden
that it is meant to be."



My prayer is that we all know and live our truth right here and right now. Peace and blessings.

Good Morning

I wanted to share something that I found in my quiet time this morning. It is such a wonderful reminder of who we are.

"You fight your way through the demons, stand before the holy of holies, and when you rip away the veil, there's nothing there but a mirror."

Owen Rowley

Surrendering to Source

I have made a complete and total surrendering to Spirit. This was my confession/prayer yesterday as I was sitting at the feet of God during my quiet time.


I release the old.
I let go of my old ways.
I surrender to You.
I open myself - I open my heart to You and to all of life.
I trust again.
I invite You into my life.
I make room, I make space in my life for You.
I am not too busy.
I make time.
I allow.
I align with You each moment of my day.
I release and let go.
You are so faithful, so I trust and wait on You.
I expect and receive only goodness, mercy, and prosperity.
I hear You whisper that I am worthy and deserving.
I hear You whisper that I am Your child and that You love me.
I surrendered and let go and found You - I found me.

Trusting and Waiting

This is Blog #40 for Divine Presence - forty powerful opportunities to share myself and my journey with others. This has been a very interesting year for me in so many ways. I have been totally transformed and made anew in God. Two words have been with me and sustained me throughout this year, and they are "waiting and trusting in God." These are the scriptures that I love and that keep me strong and focused.


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge God, and God shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6


"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Deeply rooted

We are living in some very interesting times. Hold on to your hat for each day seems to bring something new and unexpected. I often wonder what will happen to us if we are not grounded and rooted in something larger than ourselves. So, I have created and added the following affirmative prayer to my daily quiet time to help me "remember to remember." I am deeply and eternally rooted in Source. My deep roots keep me centered, still, and in perfect peace. My deep roots are all I need to stay aligned and aware of the Divine Presence. My deep roots connect me to you and to all of life. I give thanks for my beautiful, rich, and deep roots. I give thanks for this Truth.

New Birth

There was something in me this week that wanted to share this piece from Consumed by Your Fire of Love that speaks of death and birth. Through all of the events over the past week, I was just so reminded of the coming and going of life and wanted to offer these thoughts.

New Birth

Death is all around me,
some physical, some symbolic,
but no doubt, still death.

Death of the body, death of old ways and habits,
death of relationships, death of beliefs that we are
ever separated from God.

Death in the belief that anything
we experience is not from God.

Death is all around me, lurking,
waiting, settling in for a long visit.

But I rejoice, simply rejoice and be still
and invite it in. But suggest that it moves quickly through,
to move out all those old thoughts, behaviors, and ways
that no longer serve me.

Death is all around me, making room
for a special loving space for all the new birth,
new life, new dreams, hopes, and plans.

Death is lurking, camping at my door, but she has
brought her companion—new life—with her as well.
Welcome.

Excuses Begone!

I wanted to share another wonderful book I am reading this summer, Wayne Dyer's - Excuses Begone! I am using his book with two of my coaching clients, and it is an amazing process to really reflect on and uncover the excuses we have in our lives. I know it has been a powerful exercise for me personally, and I have uncovered some excuses that were very deep within me. How freeing it is to have these excuses now on the surface and to have powerful affirmations to move me from excuses to action. I highly recommend the book if you are willing to do some "excavation work" this summer. Peace and blessings to the God within and as you.

Psalm 19:14

"Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation." Wow! Such powerful words, such a powerful reminder to guard both our words and the thoughts in our hearts. Ministers will often say this prayer just before giving a sermon. I would say it myself as I was about to preach. Lately though, I have been hearing these words each time I open my mouth to speak of something or someone. It is like it has become a yardstick - a way to examine if my words and thoughts are true, kind, or necessary. I still say things that I should not say, but I have noticed that they don't feel good anymore and don't seem to be consistent with who I say I am. I am a work in progress, but this is clearly one area that I want to really clean up. I so want my words and thoughts to be pleasing to God and to each person in my life. I take Psalm 19:14 into my spirit and invite you to speak and think loving and kind thoughts/words to all you meet today. Peace.

Something else from Consumed by Fire

The Mirror

A band of angels is at my bedside,
mirror and light in their holy hands.
They awaken me from my deep sleep and
invite me to look in the mirror and
into the light.

They invite me to remember who I really am,
to join them in seeing God in my sweet, holy face today.

To see God in your sweet, holy face.

A band of angels has been sent to my bedside
this morning with God’s mirror,

To rescue me
To awaken me
To show me
You.

Making Room

I thought I would share some meditations from my book this week. I have been completing the exercises in the book over the past couple of months, and they are truly transforming my life. Below is the meditation, "Making room." I share this because I have been working on releasing the old, especially my old stories, and making room for God and new life.


I am not my body, I am not my story.
I am not my body, I am not my story.

I am not my body. I am not the accumulation of my stories.
I am not my body, I am not my story.

I live in the now. Now is all I have.
I empty myself this morning and leave it all behind.
I come empty to the table.

I am not my body. I am empty.
I am not my story. I am empty.

Fill me up. I am in this moment only.
Take over the pure part of me that is never touched.
Fill me with you.

I am not my body or my story.

I empty my mind of all thoughts, all conversations.
I totally let Spirit in and fill me up.
I empty out me.

I am not my stories or the events of my life.
My stories are not the real me.
I am not my body. I am so much more.


I am empty - fill my cup.


Taken from Consumed by Your Fire of Love.

Thougts to ponder

I wanted to share some quotes I encountered in my quiet time this morning. Perhaps one will speak to you today. Peace and blessings.


"What we speak becomes the house we live in." Hafiz


"As we sit in the silence of our own souls and listen, it will be the greatest thing we will ever do." Ernest Holmes

"Evolved people race to see who can forgive first." Michael Beckwith

Waiting

I wanted to do something a little different this week with the blog. I would like to invite my followers and readers to share some of their thoughts around a particular issue. The one that I am personally working with Spirit on right now is the concept of "waiting on God." I am sure that many of us, after having prayed for something and done all that we know to do, were asked by Spirit to just wait.

I am curious to hear about the experiences of waiting on God. What sustained you as you waited? Did what you called forth manifest? What has the experience of waiting taught you?

So, if time permits, please share your thoughts and post a comment. I am sure it will be helpful for everyone. I know it will certainly encourage me. Peace and blessings.

Our Father

From time to time to enrich my quiet time, I will add a book to use in my daily practice. I always ask for guidance from Spirit to lead me to the perfect book. This week Spirit led me to The Sermon on the Mount by Emmet Fox. It was sitting right there on my book shelf. I had read parts of it several years ago, but Spirit was asking me to once again pick it up and explore the concepts. It is a fabulous book and totally explores, in great detail, some of the most profound statements made by Jesus. I will probably be sharing a number of things from it, but today I just wanted to share about The Lord's Prayer. There is something about how he explains each verse in the prayer that brought it to life for me. Just the words "Our Father," took on a whole new meaning.

If you ever doubt that you are whole, perfect, and complete, and made in the likeness of God, you only have to remember these two words - "Our Father". These words remind us of our true nature and the true nature of all of our brothers and sisters. These two words remind us as Emmet Fox states, "that we are limbs of one Body. This thought fills my soul and renews my spirit. My prayer is that the Lord's Prayer will feed your soul as well today.

Be Impeccable With Your Word

One of my favorite books is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is also a favorite of one of my coaching clients. Together we are exploring the agreements in our coaching sessions. Although I have read the book many times, I am seeing so much more this time around. We just finished the first agreement - be impeccable with your word. I was just amazed at how I now see the beauty and importance of not just keeping my word to others but to myself. I now see the importance of refraining from finding fault with myself-to only speak loving things about myself. I am learning to quiet that taunting voice that wants to make me wrong or make me feel bad about myself. I also never realized how the other agreements are so dependent on this first agreement. Being impeccable with my word has me loving and accepting myself more which I know ultimately has me loving and accepting others more, just as they are. If you have not read the book or have not picked it up lately, it would be a great summer read by the pool.

The Present Moment

I am sometimes so guilty of wanting any other moment or situation than the one I currently have. The more I seem to resist the moment, the more I stay stuck and go deeper into the "mess." It is like being in quicksand, fighting against what is and tossing and turning trying to pull myself out. We all know what that gets us in the end. So, I continually try to practice being in the present moment and acknowledging it as the perfect moment. Sometimes this is easier to do than other times. I knew when I created the ten commandments that I would have to include this concept. Not living in the present moment and looking for some other moment can kill our spirits and our relationships. I am just beginning to really unravel what Tolle and others are trying to reveal to us about this concept. Here is something to ponder as you go about your day. Here is commandment number five.

5. Live in the present moment

• This is the only moment you have.
• Most of us live today as if it were yesterday.
• You know you are living in the present moment if the present moment is fine just the way it is.
• If you are complaining, whining, criticizing, or judging – you are probably not in the present moment. You want something else.

Gratitude

There is so much going on in our lives today that it is so easy to get off track and forget the really important and beautiful things in our lives. I know I fall victim to this from time to time. When what we need or desire seems to be delayed, we can go down that slippery slope of fear and uncertainty. One thing that brings me back is to focus on what I do have and return to being grateful for these blessings. There is something that happens when we move from what is missing to what is right in front of us. Life will always have its rainy days, but we don't have to get washed away in the storm and lose our footing. Our certainty and assurance is grounded in God's promise to never leave us. There is always a way out of the darkness and struggles we are experiencing. So, I thought I would share commandment number ten toady for you and for myself. Blessings.


10. Be grateful

• Foster an attitude of gratitude.
• Consider keeping a gratitude journal where you keep track of all the things you are grateful for each evening.
• Make sure you capture your accomplishments, - don’t just keep a “to do” list. Keep a list of your accomplishments as well.
• We have so many wonderful things in our lives, but it is so much easier to see what is missing.
• Whatever we focus on increases – focus on being grateful and we will get more things to be grateful for.

The Gift of Giving

I learned so much about myself and the gift of giving this weekend. I had spoken about clutter and clearing away our excess in an earlier blog. But it was interesting how I had defined for myself what was excess and what was essential. This weekend I had to “release” some of my most precious possessions and it challenged me to really reflect on what was essential. I had been saving a lot of the things belonging to my son, because I wanted to hang on to them. I did not think I could part with them. But with God’s grace and love, I was able to let them go and be peaceful about it.

Later in the weekend as I reflected on the love and support I received on Saturday, I wanted to continue to receive revelations about this experience. So I kept asking, "what else is there for me to learn?" I could hear Spirit speak so clearly and tell me "to not hold on to things for tomorrow that can be used by someone else today." It was a wonderful reminder and something I will use forever. I remember Wayne Dyer talking about giving away things and he challenged us to give away the things we loved, not just the things we no longer need or desire.

I can speak from experience now what an amazing gift we give to ourselves when we do this. I know my son is pleased with what I did this weekend. I know he is happy that others are able to enjoy his things and they are not sitting in my private museum. In his words, I can hear him say, “It’s all good mom and I am proud of you.”

Divine Purpose

A very dear friend of mine told me of an author who suggested that we "live our vocation as a vacation." This concept fit perfectly with commandment number seven, so I thought I would share that today.


7. Find and live your passion and purpose

• We have totally given “work” a bad name. It was never intended for work to be hard and laborious.
• Your purpose should be fun and exciting.
• It is a gift you give to the world.
• You know it is your purpose, if you would do it even if you did not get paid.
• There is something inside of each of us that will give us this joy and bring passion to our lives.

Asking for help

Throughout this weekend, the need and importance of asking for help kept showing up in my life; so I thought I would share commandment number nine this morning.

9. Ask for help

• Stop being the “Lone Ranger”, ask for help – it really is out there.
• Trust the universe to provide help, but you have to be open to it and stop being the martyr.
• No one remembers a martyr. Everyone just sits around wondering why you never took them up on their offer to help you.
• You also have to give up everything being done your way – our way is not the only way.
• Look to the universe and nature as a wonderful reminder of its interdependence.

Forgiveness

My morning reading spoke of forgiveness, so I thought I would share commandment number four today. I will reflect on this principle throughout my day.

4. Forgive, forgive and then forgive some more

People do the best they can do with what they have.
You do the best you can do with what you have.
People who hurt one another are not in their “right mind.”
I read that if you do not forgive, it is as if you drink a bottle of poison and expect the other person to die. Not forgiving another hurts you and prevents you from moving on.

Ten Commandments

I have been working with a group of women at our local community college and shared some of my thoughts and insights with them in my version of the ten commandments. I thought I would periodically share them in my blog. Here is commandment number three which talks about the importance of guarding our thoughts.

3. Guard your thoughts

• Thoughts are things. “All thought is law and all law is mind in action.”
• “What I look upon is my state of mind reflected outward.”
• Your thoughts create. Be careful what you speak, you are creating.
• Anything after the words, “I am”, you create – I am poor, I am sick, I am weak, I am tired, I am depressed, I am fearful. You are creating.
• Try – I am whole, perfect, and complete. I am abundant, I am beautiful, I am powerful, I am successful, I am brilliant, I am joyful, and I am happy.

Deepening my connection with God

I am looking for ways today to deepen my connection with my Source. No matter how much I have achieved at this point, I know that there is more I can do. I can feel the Divine pulling me even deeper into the wonder of our relationship. It is asking me to do more, to be more, to love more, and to forgive again and again. I am looking for ways today to express more of what I am feeling and have gained because of my relationship with the Divine. I will notice the beauty and miracles of the earth. I will notice and appreciate everything today. I will not take anything or anyone for granted. I will see God in everything. I will acknowledge God in every way I can, and I will give thanks for another day of life. I will spend just a little more time in prayer and silence today. I invite you to also look at ways that you can deepen your connection to your God.

Standing in my Truth

I love the reminders that I get in the early morning hours with God. It is that sweet, soft voice that speaks to us if we listen. Today it said, "Stand in your truth my child." So, I am standing in my truth today and knowing that all is perfect and in divine order. I am standing in my truth today and am acknowledging God in all things and in all ways. I was so excited to hear these words and wanted to share them as I align with you as you stand in your truth today.

My brother and sister

When we fall asleep and live only in the world, the world can often have us feeling unsafe, insecure, afraid, and not trusting one another. God will not have any of this foolishness. I love you and see you as myself. I love you and feel safe around you. I love you. You are my brother and sister. I love you as I love myself. I feel safe and secure today and will not cross the street when you walk near me. I will not change my seat when you sit next to me. I will really listen to you when you talk to me. Today, I will look for ways to demonstrate my love and appreciation of our connection, because you are my brother and sister.

Spring Cleaning

Clutter in our life is often a mirror of the clutter in our mind. Clutter has energy and can certainly drain and deplete us. Spring is such a wonderful time to clear away this clutter in both places. A good place to start is certainly in our mind. Just like we go through our houses and remove the excess and the things no longer needed, we can examine our mind and remove those thoughts that no longer serve or empower us. Yes, spring is a wonderful time to do this important work. The amazing thing is that when our mind has less clutter, so will our environment. Somehow we don’t seem to need as much "stuff" in our lives when our mind is clear and focused on what we really want and need. Have fun with your spring cleaning. You will feel peaceful and renewed in your new environment.

I can see clearly now!

I remember a song when I was young with the lyrics, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.” I woke up this morning feeling like I too could see clearly now, because not only is the rain gone, but my“illusions" are gone as well.” The illusions of death, sickness, disease, lack, fear, separation, and hate. I can see clearly now because I have dismantled the brick wall that I had built around me with the thoughts and ideas of the world. Brick by brick they are coming down as I turn to God in the silence each morning. I can see clearly now and all I see is the beauty and wonder of this world. I see eternal life, perfect health, abundance, love and unity. I can see clearly now; I hope you can too.

God is Enough

I have been carrying these words "God is Enough" in my head for a few days now. I heard them last Saturday morning doing my quiet time. They were so clear, so beautiful, and so real that I found myself crying. I have been trying to find the right words to explain the circumstances that brought these words to my spirit. The more I wanted to explain, the more I realized that further words were not necessary. Some experiences are beyond our capacity to wrap words around them. This is one time for me. All I want to share is that I have reached a point in my life where "God is Enough" in ALL circumstances and in ALL conditions. I just could not keep this to myself. Have an amazing day.

Oneness

There is only One Life, One Light, One Cause, One Source, One Supply, One Love, One Mind, One Truth, One Peace, One Joy, One Substance, One Activity, One Energy, One Presence, One Principle, One Law, One Flow, and One God. How do we live when we no longer recognize two?

Do Not Worry

"Do Not Worry." When I am feeling stressed or find myself worrying about money, my job, my health, my children or just about anything, I open my bible and read these words. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body." And I take a deep breath and continue, "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" Another deep breath and I am reminded of the birds that do not gather into barns and yet a loving, compassionate God supplies all they need. Another deep breath and I am reminded to "Seek the kingdom of God first and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." This is enough to calm me down, to center me so that I can turn it back over to God. This is enough to remind me to seek God within me and leave the rest to God. I am at peace today because I hear Jesus' sweet voice saying,"Do no worry my child."

A beautiful day

What a beautiful day to be alive. This is the day God has made. I know it may not look and feel this way if you watch the news or listen to people talk about the economy. But this is God's day and we are called to "rejoice and be glad." We are called to not look in the world to see the miracles, but to look within ourselves. We are called to exercise our faith in the unseen, and in the promise that God will never leave us. We are called to remember the Truth of who we are. The Truth is that this is a positively beautiful day and I rejoice and am glad to be alive and aware.

Becoming unplugged

I was in Maryland on business for a few days this week. It was great because I was not around my computer and could not check emails or even visit Facebook. I was in training and coaching sessions so I was not even on my cell phone much. I have few gadgets compared to some folks, but I do notice how dependent I am becoming on them as a form of communication and to keep connected. I just woke up this morning with a feeling that I wanted to periodically unplug for a little while. How many of us turn on our computers first thing in the morning, even before our quiet time? How many of us never leave home without our cell phone, iPod or BlackBerry or cannot close out the day without checking the Internet? Technology is such a wonderful thing and I totally appreciate it. But I am thinking of fasting from all of the technology in my life from time to time and just connect with the earth a little more. Imagine taking a walk and not talking on the phone. Just a thought. I will let you know how successful I am.

My body

My body is this amazing machine. It has been designed and created by God with pure and absolute perfection. This morning I heard Spirit reminding me to take care of my body. I was told to listen more to what is happening in my body. God has designed our bodies to renew and restore themselves. I won't accept that I have to be sick and that my body will deteriorate as I age. I will listen to my body and take the time to ask how I can support it more. Today I will pay attention to what I put into my body. If I have pain, I will speak to the pain. I will love and care for my body in a new way today.

The Banquet

I am reminded of the parable where a wonderful banquet was prepared and those invited were too busy to attend. Have I been so busy and caught up in the world, that I missed the banquet God prepared just for me? Just something I am asking myself as I start my day. Today, I don't want to miss that banquet. Today, I will accept the invitation and enjoy every experience, every encounter, and every moment. Today, I accept the invitation and sit at the banquet with God and with you. Today, I am not too busy.

Spiritual Food

• It's all good. It's all God.
• I am whole, perfect, and complete.
• There is one life, that life is God's life, that life is perfect, that life is my life now.
• I am a perfect expression of God.
• I am the beloved of God.
• All that God has is mine.
• I surrender all to God today.
• I am awake, I am aware, and I am now in the Divine flow.
• I am as God created me - a pure and perfect vessel.
• I am Divinely supported and guided today.
• I am Divine intelligence and wisdom.
• I am peace.
• I am love.
• This is the only moment I have.

I say these slowly throughout my day and they help to feed my soul. What feeds your soul throughout the day?

Don't panic

I hear the words "don't panic" from Spirit each morning when I wake up. I hear these words because the world seems to be in a state of panic these days. Fear, doubt, and uncertainty are everywhere and in everything. So many people seem to have entered into a "collective agreement" that these are difficult times. I hear Spirit reminding me to "Be still and know that I am God." I hear Spirit reminding me that there are no challenges too difficult for me. I hear Spirit reminding me "to walk by faith and not by sight." I am not suggesting that we don't have challenges; but I am suggesting that we not become overwhelmed by them. When we give in to panic, we forget about the power of God within us to move any mountain in our lives. I am so fortunate to hear these words "don't panic" each day from Spirit. Spirit is saying these same words to you as well. Are you listening?

Release and let go

How many times have we reminded ourselves to let go and let God? How many times have we heard others say these words? What does it really mean to release and let go? This morning I saw that this is a process. I can release something but still hang on to it in my consciousness. I can let go of something and still not give it over to God. I can give it over to God but still not make room for God to appear in my life and as my life. Today, I want to complete the entire process; I want to make sure that I have taken that final step and made room for God. I no longer want to limit the unlimited. Today, this moment, I am letting God "appear as every visible form and experience that I could possibly desire."

Listening for my judgements

In those moments of higher consciousness, I find myself listening for my judgements of others. I am really working on noticing when I put my brothers and sisters in "buckets". Once you are in my bucket, I think I know all about you. I believe I know your thoughts and experiences, so then I can judge your behavior and actions. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want anyone to do this to me. Who can really know what another has experienced in his or her life? So, I find myself listening to my judgements of others very carefully now. I find myself really trying to empty out all the "buckets" I have created. Now, I just want to listen for who you really are without all my stuff hiding your beauty and divinity. What would the world be like if we could all listen a little more to our judgements of others?

Return to Love

In one of my readings during my quiet time, I came upon the words, "Return to love, what would love have me do?" The words were suggested as a mantra when we need to calm ourselves from those dark nights of the soul. You know those times when you feel confused, lonely, sad, and separated from others and even God. A thought of returning to love is certainly not the first thought that comes to mind in those moments of despair. What has worked for you as you moved through those periods of your life? What did you return to or create to reach the "Light" again?

I only have this day

If I am totally honest, I wish there was a way I could guarantee that I would have tomorrow. If I am totally honest, if there was a way to buy tomorrow, I might try to do just that. To ensure that I would be around to see and experience all the wonderful things in my life. But I could hear Spirit this morning reminding me to focus on this day, reminding me that this is all I have. This day is my only day, this day, right here in front of me, is all that there is. Tomorrow is not mine for certain, but I do have this day - now, what am I going to do with it to make it the greatest day of my life?

Moment by Moment

It still amazes me how much control I do have over my thoughts and attitude about everything. I so want to give this away to others and blame them for what I am feeling, but unfortunately now I know too much, and have to suck it up and own what I am feeling and keep my power. I mean this is like a moment to moment thing. It does have its challenges but wow, it is awesome to be in charge of my own life, my own day. Yes, moment by moment I get to choose how I see people, how I see the world, and most importantly, how I see me. Moment by moment I get to choose joy or misery. What are you choosing today?

Eating the elephant slowly

I heard Spirit's voice, as I often do in the early morning, just before I arise for my quiet time with God. I heard Spirit say "to do just one thing each day for the business. Just do one thing to move your goals forward." It reminded me of how I will take a book and commit to just read 10 pages a day, and before I know it, I am done. The other benefit is that I enjoy the book more, I take it in, digest it and it becomes a part of my consciousness. Yes, eating the elephant, or whatever is in front of us slowly and one bite at a time has its benefits. Writing this blog is one promise I kept for myself today. Is there anything in your life that you need to slow down and start enjoying?

What does "restoration" - "to restore" mean to you?

For me, to restore means to take the broken pieces of our lives and put them together again. To put them together again in a perfect pattern, not perfect like the world thinks of it, but perfect in a divine way, perfect in that the brokenness adds to the beauty and wonder of our lives. To restore is to make new. To bring new life to something that was once barren and lost and incomplete.