Hearing and Seeing

A new favorite TV show is “God Friended Me.” It comes on Sunday night after “Sixty Minutes.” Long story short, a Facebook friend called “God” sends friend suggestions to a young man named Miles, who calls himself an atheist, and his two friends. They then find the suggested friend, who always needs some help that they can give.

Some days I feel that I’m living in that TV show. Only “God’s” suggestions don’t show up on Facebook; they just present themselves, and then I realize that I’m in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. I can’t explain how this happens. I only know that if I keep myself open to the flow of spirit through meditation, and open my heart to see and hear what is, the flow of spirit appears.

You write it: How does the flow of spirit appear for you?

Give the Gift of Kindness

After a meditation this morning, I want to write about how important it is to give the gift of kindness—to yourself, your spouse, your children, your friends. It’s simple. It can be done in a text. Give the gift of kindness. Do it now.

Joy Like the Silent Morning

“He is come in joy, like the silent morning.” May this be your Christmas experience.

Gift of Presence

One Christmas my father bought a jigsaw puzzle and sat with me for what seemed like hours, carefully eyeing, fingering, and placing the pieces. I learned how exquisite patience and stillness can be. I don’t remember what Santa brought that year, but I will never forget the gift of my father’s presence.

You write it: What is a precious Christmas memory for you?

Love

“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love keeps no record of wrongs.”

“Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, and gravity, mankind will harness for God the energy of love. Then, for the second time in the history of the world, we will have discovered fire.”

May you have love this Christmas season. May you give love this Christmas season.

Letting Go

Especially during the holiday season, we can be hurt by our own expectation of how others should behave towards us. After unmet expectation comes resentment, which can block the love and peace of the Christmas season.

To clear the way for love and peace, consider these words from Reverend Safire Rose on letting go:

Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort.

There was no struggle.

It wasn't good and it wasn't bad.

It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face.

A light breeze blew through her.

You write it: What do you need to let go, to clear the way for love and peace?

It's Always a Choice

Just now I promised myself that this Thanksgiving week will be simple, easy, and joyful.

We are having family and friends for dinner on Thursday. I’m focused on relaxing and putting our guests at ease.

Today I’ll receive a large shipment of pecans to be distributed to friends and P.E.O. sisters. I’ve made a decision to slip this effort into my Thanksgiving preparations seamlessly.

Chaos wants to rule—to hijack me emotionally and make me anxious and irritable. But I choose peace.

It’s always a choice.

You write it: What state of mind do you choose this week?

Another Type of Miracle

Recently I was present when the gift of a new computer was presented to a young woman who has had a tough, challenging life, including drug-addicted parents, abandonment, abuse, and her own addictions. Now in her early twenties, sober and the single mother of an infant girl, she has decided to go back to school and make something good of her life.

Touched by the kindness of the gift, this young woman dissolved into tears, put her head down on the table and sobbed, and didn’t regain composure for several minutes. I sensed that she had not ever received a gift of this magnitude.

As I drove home, I felt I had witnessed a miracle. This morning I read this passage from A Course in Miracles: “A major contribution of miracles is their strength in releasing a person from his misplaced sense of isolation, deprivation, and lack.” Yes. That’s what I saw.

You write it: When have you witnessed this type of miracle?

Divinity

In response to last week’s blog, my dear friend Lindy Segall shared this. I now share it with you, with his permission.

Thanks to flight delay, I found myself trudging through LaGuardia airport last week at peak rush hour (an oxymoron in the city that never sleeps). Taxis hopelessly gridlocked. Made a snap decision to try the MTA, something I'd never done before. Stopped at Eddie Bauer shop and asked for directions. A shy young salesperson started to point the way, then changed her mind. She walked me to the station, advised me on metro card purchase and then guided me to the turnstile, making sure I was on the correct path to the "E" train. I shook her hand and thanked her. "I'm Lindy. What's your name?" She replied with a sweet smile..."Divinity."

Do you have an example of a miracle with a sense of humor?

A Miracle

Last week I experienced a miracle. I went to a shop in tourist-saturated Uptown because I love the owners, even though I could have purchased the item I was after in a store with more accessible parking.

As I walked from the far end of the parking lot, towards the street, an older couple, looking lost, caught my eye. He asked, “Where is the tourist office where we can get maps?”

I said, “Walk with me. I’ll show you.”

They were from the San Francisco area, and it was their only day in Sedona, so I became a walking tour guide, advising them on the must-sees. Then the tourist office was in sight, so I said good-bye and wished them well.

I completed my shopping and headed back to my car to drive home. As I approached the tourist office, there they were—she, sitting on a bench; he, taking photographs. I pulled up to the curb. “I’ll take you back to your car.” It was a long walk, and she moved with a cane.

This morning, from A Course in Miracles, I read, “Miracles are teaching devices for demonstrating that it is as blessed to give as to receive. They simultaneously increase the reserve of strength in the giver and supply the lack of strength in the receiver.” What I know without a doubt is that when I act from love, good things happen.

Have you experienced a similar miracle?

Gemstones

Royal blue was the color of her youth—
Sapphire strong, vibrant, fearless.
Successes came and went, like
Waves lapping the vast shoreline.

But for her maturity, aquamarine and pearls
Chose her, cascading their serenity,
Peace, and calm
Among the sands and rocks of the cove.

You write it: What gemstones represent your life then and now?

Nature Speaks

Morning sun shining

Through pink feathery grass

Tells my soul that all is well.

You write it: How does nature speak to you?

Getting to Flow

Have you ever had the sense that, like a magnet, good things were coming to you, effortlessly? That’s what I mean by “flow.” I am experiencing it today.

What happened is that I had a lengthy, heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted friend yesterday. I shared something that has been a burden on my heart for years, and I finally was able to get to such a deep, feelings level that a door opened, and a pathway emerged. After the conversation, I was exhausted. But I slept well.

The next morning I experienced “flow.” Symptoms of tension I had been experiencing disappeared. When I went to the drug store, there was no line. I was 30 minutes early to a hair appointment, but as I walked up to the shop, there were three friends enjoying coffee in the beautiful morning. So I sat down to enjoy the conversation with them.

Flow.

You write it: Have you ever experienced the freedom and exultation and happy coincidences that come from speaking your deep truth?

Practice These Principles

Recently I spent an afternoon with someone who lives in chaos, with a litany of resentments swirling within and out.

Being in her presence reminded me of where I was eighteen years ago, before I learned to practice gratitude, to mind my own business, to keep the focus on myself, and to practice rigorous honesty.

Practice is the key word. I don’t ever expect to master any of these principles. I am amazed by the peace and joy that come from simply practicing them.

You write it: Is there something in your life that might be improved by practicing these principles?

Piddling

Piddling is getting things done without a to-do list. It's floating from task to task, effortlessly. Piddling is living without have-to's. It's trusting myself to do what is right in the moment.

You write it:  Do you ever piddle? How does it seem to you?

The Listener

When I was a little girl, after supper (that's what we called it), I would go to the swing on Mrs. McCall's front porch. She was always there, our next door neighbor, silently swinging back and forth on her porch. I would sit beside her and then download everything that happened to me that day--at school, with friends. I could say anything to her without fear of reprimand or belittling. I must have chattered away, filling all the time and space, because I do not remember one word Mrs. McCall ever said to me. Yet, I will never forget her for letting me do all the talking. When I was a child, I needed that. Sometimes, I still do.

You write it: Who was a listener for you? For whom are you a listener?

Thread the Needle

A phrase in a prayer goes, "Relieve me of the bondage of self," being neither more than nor less than who we truly are. Ego is tricky. Sometimes it inflates us into believing we are entitled to be treated in a certain way; other times it makes us think we are not worthy of receiving good. Joy in life comes from "threading the needle," and the eye of the needle is the heart.

Your thoughts?

All Is One

A war hero, respected leader, lies in state while a nation mourns.

The sun subtly rises over desert mountains.

A church staff has a day off.

My car goes in for repair.

Healing from another shooting begins.

Beloved niece, fresh college graduate, starts her career.

Our daughter returns home from a family visit.

A neighbor's house gets a new roof.

All is one.

You write it:  As an observer, what is going on in your life?

Ask for Help

Recently I found myself in a state of fear. Instead of trying to figure my way out of it, I decided to ask for help. In a meeting of friends, I described what I was feeling and asked what they do when they have fear. Every person's comment was relevant for me. The next day, I went to lunch with a friend I trust. I didn't mention my fear, but she sensed it and shared with me some wisdom that put my doubts to rest.

I used to think I had to figure everything out on my own--that asking for help was weakness. Today I know better.

You write it:  What do you do when you feel fear?

Go to Neutral

When other people do or say what you don't want or like, set your emotional state on neutral. Don't try to change them. Accept that you can't explain sight to a blind man.

After you have relaxed into your neutral state, move to compassion, a manifestation of love. Quiet, loving presence is a powerful force.

You write it:  When was the last time you were with someone you wanted to change? What did you do? How well did it work?