Ayla

My niece Tamara is due to deliver her first baby May 22nd. I attended a baby shower for her yesterday. Her pregnancy has been like her mom's. I was the first of the three girls (me and my two sister in laws) to get pregnant 32 years ago. The other two became pregnant six months after me. Tamara's mom barely looked pregnant when she delivered and yet delivered the biggest baby!

"Ayla" will be the new baby's name. "A" names must be in because my other nieces daughters are Amelia and Adelaide. It's interesting to see our children mothering their children and my sister-in-laws becoming grandparents. Time is marching on, lives are changing, new souls are still coming to this planet.

These are the things that we find joy in. The everyday celebrations, the little traditions we gather together to share. We celebrate a new soul beginning its journey on earth and pray that she may walk gently on this earth. My message today invites you to celebrate the small things in life, there are many more of those than "big" things or big times. Don't waste time waiting for the next event, celebrate what's happening right where you are.

Pic.. Pretty cake... it was yummy too!

It's A New Dawn, It's A New Day....

And I'm feeling good... .. can't you just hear Michael Buble singing? That song is in my head this morning. Every day is a new dawn, a new sunrise a new opportunity to see the good everywhere. Today my talk title at Unity is, "God Does Not Forgive".

Funny how I've heard over the years that people don't feel worthy of God's forgiveness when the Truth is that God cannot forgive. It's not a matter of God's willingness or our worthiness. What it comes down to is the nature of God. Unity teaches God is Principle. God is love. Love only knows love. Think of the Principle of mathematics. If you add 4 + 4 and get 5 the Principle doesn't know you've come up with that. The Principle only knows the answer is 8. It can't see anything else. Love knows only love. If you are at Unity today, you will hear more. I hope you are!

Pic... Today, step up to a higher view of God.

Oh Happy Days!

It has been a week of celebrations. Last Sunday we celebrated Jenn's upcoming wedding with a Bridal Shower. Last night we celebrated Bob's retirement. The fellowship was great, the food at the Palasads was tasty and Bob was surprised. Some of us even bowled afterwards.

I think it's important to stop and celebrate. Too often we work to achieve a goal, achieve it and then move on to the next one. Stop and do something to mark your success. It's a lot of fun too to let others celebrate with you. We are in relationship to witness each other's journey.

What do you have to celebrate? When will you stop and take the time to do it?

Pic.. Bob at his surprise Retirement Party. Thanks everybody!

Which Door Will Open?

I have a friend who has spoken about how in an instant your life's direction can be determined by which door opens. Imagine standing on a subway platform and the direction you take is determined by which train arrives first. Its doors open and you walk in.

Today I am having one of those open door days. Which door will open? What will my experience be? Unity teaches us that its not the door that is significant for in our lifetime many doors open for us. What matters is how we walk through those doors. How do we see the beauty of whatever lies on the other side of the door? How do we bless whomever we travel with?

We always pray that the door will lead to pleasant experiences. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Of course our perception colours the whole experience. I pray that whatever you and I walk through today we use our spiritual eyes to see the good.

Pic...Doors with bars can be a decoration or feel like a prison. You have the view to determine which.

Making A Shift

Any change is difficult. We humans do not seem to make changes with ease. We like things the way they are even when they are not too good. It's sort of like the expression, "better the devil you know than the one you don't". However the only constant is change.

When a person retires they experience a big change. There is a grieving for the life they knew, even if it was stressful and demanding, it's what they knew, it was their normal. A vacuum is created, a new routine must be found, work acquaintances fade away and a new life unfolds.

It's a forward thinking opportunity. My husband just retired. The new journey begins, not just for him but for me as well.  Adjustments will be made and new joy will be found.

Pic... Bob in New....found....land.

Funny Girl

I love the movie Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand. It begins with such hope and beautiful intense love. The young talented woman meets the elegant sophisticated man who seems to have everything. As she becomes successful and her career takes off,  he's lost his luck and his fortune is dwindling. His pride won't let him live with a woman who is more successful. Neither of them lose their love for the other.

I've always thought love could conquer all. That's what the love songs tell us. But pride is an ugly vampire, sucking the life out of its subject. And so they get divorced.

Love is one of our spiritual powers, a quality of that which created us and all of life. It oozes from us if we let it. It blesses us if we share it and loves for the sake of loving. Not needing others to be what we want them to be but letting them be themselves. Not needing you to be small so I can feel big. That's what love looks like. And it shouldn't matter who makes the most money in a relationship, just enjoy it together. That's love too.

Pic.. Joy

Staying In

It's interesting when you stay in...you don't go out. I know I'm stating the obvious but it's very windy outside right now and I don't have to experience that. I am mindful that today and yesterday I've just stayed in to heal. I can see how people could "cocoon" in their home. With the TV the world comes to us. We can find out everything that is going on from our living room chair. But what I miss is the fresh air and people I guess. I don't miss the "busy" ness, the errands, the having to be somewhere. I'll just stay here.

With meditation we stay in....and don't go out. We keep our attention focused inward. We let the wind be the wind without thoughts of it. We listen and be, there's nothing to "do". We are open to the still small voice of wisdom, understanding, love, imagination, life...in other words the voice of our spiritual powers to guide, direct and inspire us. It is a sweet place to stay... "in".

Pic.... I'm in here today  :)

The Shower

All the planning, buying supplies, organizing and setting up was done. It was 2pm. My daughter's fiancée texts me that they are in the American Eagle store and he'll try and get her out of there soon. I text back, "We are ready for you now!!!!!!"

It was a sweet moment when Jenn walked through the door. She broke into tears at seeing all the women and hearing them yell, "Surprise!". Afterwards she tells me she had a hint of something being up but no idea about where or when.

The Bridal Shower went off well with the exception of the games I chose. Hint for others....pick games where not everyone wins, when you have just one prize! Jenn received beautiful gifts for her home and some nice lingerie for the honeymoon. And some "light reading".



My daughter is getting married. Wow.. wasn't she my baby girl just a short while ago? Time is tricking us, it's flying by without our knowing it.

Pic.. Well that's another thing.. forgot to take a picture before it was cut.... still you can see their names.

My Screensaver

My screensaver is... God is Perfect Life living me. (actually I can only fit the first four words but I know the rest). Perfect life for me looks like health, an abundance of love, compassion, friendship and I'm thinking a long life as long as I am able to enjoy it.

The Power that created me, that I individualized from, is all of that and more. It lives me, it breathes me, guides me and expresses as me. It is Perfect Life. And of course the same is true for you. There is One Power and we all come from that Power.

That Power also created everything that is visible and all that is invisible. We are One with all of that too. We are called to respect our environment, Mother Earth and endless Sky. Especially be mindful to bless and appreciate it all today, Earth Day. The earth sustains us and we need to nurture it so it can sustain our children's children. There is much we can do.

I am asking my congregation today to STOP buying plastic water bottles. There are so many reasons why we should. And also to not buy anything new (exception is food and gas) for the next 30 days. Borrow, barter for, trade for what you need. Shop at second hand stores. The point is to re-use what we have. Move into a feeling of sufficiency. We have enough.

Pic.. my backyard. Hug a tree today! Bless it, the air you breath, the sky, the water you drink. To bless is to endow with good. Someone wrote, "There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth." What will be your way today?

Family

There is nothing like family. We love our kids and the times we have together. It doesn't have to be Christmas or Easter or even Thanksgiving to get everyone together and enjoy some food and fun.

Our family is expanding and it will be official May 10th when my daughter Jenn and her fiancée Greg become husband and wife. It's important to like the people our children marry because you spend a lot of time with them. Then when they have children you spend time with your children's new in-laws and you hope you like them too. Luckily for us we love Greg and his family. (Greg is commenting in the background that it's important for the new son or daughter-in-law to like us.) Well that's a given!

Think of your children and the love you have for them in your heart. Now let that love extend to our larger family... everyone we meet. The clerk in the store is a part of your family. Your neighbor, your boss, every person is a part of our family. We are One. We have the same "Father Mother God", come from the same Creator. As a young girl going out the door to play, my mom would say to me, " play nice with everyone."
Today, I'll say the same to you.

Pic... Jenn and Greg

It's Too Much

Toddlers and Tiaras was just mentioned. It's a TBS show where children are shown competing in beauty contests. I don't watch this show. I've seen the commercials for it. The concept of children being dressed up in sexy outfits, full makeup and big hair to look like adult women really bothers me. I wonder if it leads to paedophilia because it sexualizes young girls.

I think for children growing up today it is such a different world than when I grew up. A minister friend of mine recently quoted some stats about our young people. Did  you know that suicide is the #2 cause of death in teenagers today? That 50% of them have said they feel alone. Now that might be difficult to understand with the abundance of social media resources used for communication. You can reach out and find someone to talk to at any hour of the day on your computer. But think about it. Social media is actually isolating people.

Kids text instead of picking up the phone. They "chat" in chat rooms and don't get together as much. They are alone with their computer. Interpersonal skills are not being developed in the same way. What they might text to a person they might never say to their face.

Our kids need to get off the computer, put down the phones and be together in the same room. Then they won't feel so alone.

Pic ... reminds me that nothing replaces a touch, a real connection with another person.

Feeling Under...

I have gotten run down and consequently have a cold. I think you only "catch" what you are open to receive. So whatever the case .... I am feeling under. And this too will pass.

What are you willing to catch, health, prosperity, a harmonious relationship? Remember you have to be open, receptive and willing for your good to come to you.

Open up with a heart of gratitude...whatever your current situation, it might sound like this...
"thank you God my house is sold!"
"I am prosperous, I am prosperous"
"God is prospering me with perfect health and I am grateful!"

Receptivity means letting go of negative thoughts that discount your positive dreams and goals and creating the space for good, positive thoughts. Be willing to think only good, positive, life affirming thoughts on a thought by thought basis. You are the creator. Your thoughts and feelings create. Keep it all positive.

Pic... grape vines in Kelowna... keep your thoughts all growing in the same direction.

"Fluttering" ??

For the last two nights, while sitting in a chair in our family room, I've heard fluttering. What I expect to see as I look around, is a bird. I look behind the curtains, behind the chair, up in the corner of the room where the cats are fixated... but I see nothing.

Angels with a message for me? This morning I am wondering if there is a bird caught in the chimney but the sound didn't come from the chimney. I conclude that there are so many things going on around us that we are unaware of.

But the thing is, the more we develop our intuition and connection with our Higher power, God, the Universe, the more aware we become of what is happening around us. I'll let you know if I discover what the fluttering is.

Pic.. We can't see what's around the the hill, we know something is there even though we can't see it.

Tree Tantrum

In the news yesterday were a group from Tobin Crescent who had lost their Ash trees....their healthy ash trees. They are fighting to have the city stop chopping down healthy Ash trees and instead treat them with pesticide like Kitchener (?) does.

I totally feel their pain of losing 20-25 year old trees because every one of our curb trees on Mockingbird were chopped down too! Every time I drive down the street, still because this happened about a month ago, I feel like I've been punched in the stomach. I pray when they replant they do so with something sizeable.

My friend was driving to visit me yesterday. She said she drove onto the street but stopped, turned around and was sure she had driven down the wrong street. Now if our trees were unhealthy ...ok.. but if they were healthy and it was the action of an overzealous forestry department... that would add to my pain.

See the good, see the good...... that is what I teach. See the good in whatever is showing up. I think in this instance my opportunity for spiritual growth is to not let this situation keep taking my power, my peace of mind.
I'm working on that. It's not easy but it is oh so important to not lett the world around you determine your frame of mind.

Pic.. Lighthouse and trees in Kincardine. Reminds me of an affirmation.. Show me the way God, show me the way. You are the potter, I am the clay.

Really??

Do you like your chin? I don't know about you but of all the parts of my body I might want to change it isn't my chin. Yet, a new procedure to give people a "stronger" chin is becoming popular especially amongst business people. Apparently a strong chin gives you  more authority.

Next news story.... women who are being fed by a tube so they can lose weight before their wedding. The doctor who is offering this procedure said, "Some people want to be perfect. I am helping them to be that." Perfect? Our culture is obsessed with a standard that is not possible, very relative and just plain stupid.

Then a commercial for Chico's (I love their clothes) but they are advertising slimming jeans. That's okay but the model sporting them is a size 0! Why would a size 0 need or worse...want to look slimmer?

Is it any wonder it's difficult for people to look in the mirror and love their reflection? When did our society get so obsessed with our bodies and an unobtainable need for perfection? Was it with the age of TV? Commercials? 

"They" started it.... let's you and I help end it. Don't buy into an artificial idea of how we should look. The work is to love ourselves, right now.  

Pic... Something about a Horse's ....

Time

I'm in a hurry. I have to get to the church. My brother just called and I couldn't talk to him for long. Time is something I wish I could squeeze more out of. There often isn't enough time! Then I think about that. Is that really true? We know going into the day or the next day exactly how much time we have. So perhaps it's a question of allowing enough time to do what we need to do. If I planned my time better some days I wouldn't need to rush. Do you have a balanced day of 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work and 8 hours of play?

Pic... Angel kitty never seems to worry about time.

Details Dazzle

I've heard it said that life is in the details. Having worked at creating "the space" for a number of events, I believe the details you put into the preparation are very important. As a matter of fact they can make it or break it, so to speak.

A minister friend of mine has been touring around to different churches. She has commented on the differences she has noticed. For instance at one church they sent someone to meet her at the airport, put her up in nice accommodations, provided lunch for her between the service she spoke at and the afternoon workshop she would be facilitating. There was someone charged with the task of being her helper and ensuring she had what she needed. Another experience was quite different. She took a taxi from the airport to the church,  no lunch was provided or thought about and generally she felt left on her own. In the one instance she felt cared for.

At the January retreat I facilitated with another person, the comment cards came back noting how everything had been thought of for their comfort and retreat experience. Details make the difference... a bottle of water in their bedroom, a flower in a vase on the night table, someone to greet them at the door and take them to their room and help with their luggage.

So the next time you set your table for dinner, why not add a flower, a candle, or place a pretty figurine in the centre of the table? Pull out your cloth napkins and pretty china. Write a note and place it on your sweetie's pillow. Put a note in his/her lunch bag. RUSH to the door when your sweetie comes home greeting him or her with new excitement. Life is in the details and people do notice. I love the expression.. treat your family like guests and your guests like family.

Pic.. pretty tulips

A Turn of A Word

I have a friend who loves to work with words and I was reminded of her last night at the prosperity class at Unity. The lesson talked about the word "impossible". We can believe many things are impossible to accomplish. The Truth is that the impossibility of a dream mostly comes from our beliefs. I say "mostly" because  if I had a dream to become a helicopter pilot in the Canadian Forces (do they still have helicopters?) there really is no way that dream could be realized for many reasons. But the realization of dreams that are possible is often hindered by us, our thoughts.

So last night we heard the word impossible changed to "I'm possible". With the right attitude, belief in yourself and taking the action steps that will move your dream forward almost nothing is impossible. All things are possible when "I'm" fully present in the creation process.

So what is it that you have called impossible that you can now see is possible?

Pic.. When I was on my honeymoon in the Bahamas, 39 years ago, a cruise ship was in the harbor. I told Bob I dreamed of taking a cruise. I could feel the excitement and imagine what it might be like. Fast forward...many years later and we've taken a number of cruises. Dreams are just dreams... it's what you do with them that makes their realization possible.

Elder Care

We live in a fast paced time. There is a lot to do...work, cleaning the house, errands, grocery shopping, family time and if you are in your 50's then you probably have the responsibility of elder care. I think we are called the "sandwich" generation? We are between caring for our children and our parents.

Our already busy life is now being stretched needing to create space for more .... and more. But there are only 24 hours in a day no matter how we may wish for more time.

So I think it's a time to re-evaluate our priorities. Let go of the things that aren't meaningful and use our time to do the important things. So that's where I am at. I need to look at what I spend my time doing so that I can get to the place of "being" present more often for my mom and her husband. Can you relate to all of this? Tell us about it.

Pic.. It's a new journey.

Travelling A New Way

When I drove home today from Kincardine, I drove a different route. The route avoided all of the towns and made for a quicker trip. "They" say that when you drive to and from work you should travel different routes as that keeps your mind sharp. It's easy to get into "automatic" otherwise.

The same could be said with any routes our mind travels. If we keep thinking the same old thoughts, the ruts we create will  get us the same old results. That's okay if that's what you want. For those who want to change their job, weight, partners, experiences, you will need to do something different in order to have a different result. You may already know this but the question is are you taking action? Something to think about.

Pic... Mother Nature is clear about its journey moving from season to season. I like that.

Happy Easter Monday

I'm writing from Kincardine......Yesterday I taught that the message of Easter is that we can all rise above any challenge that has "entombed" us. From the darkness we can always find the light because we are the light of the Christ. Look within for your help out.

Everyone was gifted with an egg filled with "A Daily Resurrection Tool Kit". It was filled with:


a googly eye... to remind you to see things differently...from a higher perspective. Know that what you see can be deceiving and that there is always divine order underneath everything that is occurring.


soft pom pom...be gentle with yourself on your spiritual journey. You are on a hero's journey fighting the occasional dragon as you have the courage to do so. Pat yourself on the back for all of your big and small accomplishments.


two pennies... learn the law of giving and receiving. Give whenever you can. Into every donation box you come across in a day give even a penny. Be in the flow and know that as you give you receive. Give one penny away and keep the other. Learning to receive is as important as giving.

chocolate egg...everyone craves sweetness. When your thoughts take you to a negative place, ask yourself if what you are thinking is really true? Choose the next best thought. See the good in it all.

Whatever you are doing today, know that you can have a resurrection experience each moment.

Pic.. me holding Scooter a few minutes ago. Holding something soft also resurrects you from any gloomy feelings you might have. Try it!

"And Greater Things"

We had our Good Friday service last night and it was powerful. The message, the music and the presence of people desiring to deepen their spiritual journey. Jesus' message that we can do the things he did and even greater things is inspiring.

What did he do that we would want to learn to do and are already doing at some level? Love, give and forgive.
That brings it down to a nutshell for me.

LOVE....Jesus was seen with all kinds of people, the poor, the crippled, prostitutes, the rich, Jewish Rabbis, women, men and children. He appeared to not judge. So there is one way to love others, to see them without judgement. Remember the women accused of adultery? If you could live without judging others would you feel resurrected from your current self?

GIVE...Jesus gave of himself and his resources. He healed using his spiritual presence and power; he gave hours of his time teaching the masses; he mentored his disciples; he gave of his God given resources. If you could give freely without asking, "what's in it for me?" would you feel resurrected from your current self?

FORGIVE...He taught forgiveness. Hanging from the cross and watching the people in a frenzied state of accusations and acting unkind. If you could forgive and say, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." would you feel resurrected from your current self?

I would.  Pic.. beauty.

"Good" Friday is a Paradox

Today, for some Christians, may be a day of sadness because it is Good Friday. This day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. It could be asked, "What could be good about a crucifixion?" Certainly nothing on the surface would help us see any goodness in suffering. Luckily the barbaric death sentence that crucifixion was is long outdated.

I believe that Jesus, as he stood on trial, knew death was immanent. I'm certain anyone facing such a terrible experience could imagine the suffering that lay ahead. And I believe that Jesus was able to walk through the suffering because even though he hung in the sky, his faith was grounded in God.

The good we can find today we find in the example of Jesus. If we were reading his story for the first time and got to the part about the crucifixion we would think, "how horrible!" But as we turn the pages we would come to the part about the ascension. At that point we would find hope and an understanding that we have to die to the old to rise to the new. That's the message of the Christ.

We can overcome any challenge when we stay grounded in God. Current suffering is horrible to experience but we go through it to come out at a better place. Jesus did and his message tells us that we can too!

Pic.. Sunrise at Unity Village.

Unexpected Derailments

Have you had days that went sideways? You had a plan, a list of things to accomplish and then ....the crown on your tooth falls out? Well maybe not for you but that's what happened to me last night. So now along with an already full day of projects I have to get to the dentist. I can't eat anything with a gaping hole in my tooth.

The thing is, life requires us to be flexible. We can't afford to be emotionally derailed by everything that happens to us. Charles Fillmore, at the age of 92, would say, "I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm to do all that is mine to do, with faith, today."

I think the key words in his statement are "mine and faith". We need to trust that if we have an intention to do our very best each day, we will get done what we needed to. Then there is another day for the rest. It's not easy because we live in a culture of "doing" and being judged by what we get done. But it does keep us sane.
Pic... Happyland... cost of entry....faith in Divine order unfolding and going with the flow.

Are You Prosperous?

Prosperity can look like many things. A healthy relationship; healthy family; a comfortable home; transportation to get you to where you need to go; play/travel time; financial freedom....etc.

It need not be limited in any way. Tonight at Unity of London we begin another 4T Prosperity Class. The 4 "T"s are the Tithing of Time, Talent and Treasure. The participants are stepping up to be a part of a powerful process of examining what they think now and growing a consciousness that will prosper them. This is a twelve week course that has a beginning and an ending but really prosperous people live a consciousness of prosperity for long afterwards.

I pray that each and every one of you remember that prosperity is your Divine right and you have the power within you to create a prosperous life around you.

Pic.. A trip to Egypt was a prosperous demonstration.

I Am Red

I've just come back from a 6 a.m. Moksha Hot Yoga class. I'm still red after a shower! You might be asking why am I doing hot yoga? Well my daughter and a friend have both spoken about it and how wonderful they feel afterwards. One of them has been at a class every day for the last 4 months!

It takes courage to do something different and discipline to keep it up. So my goal is to be there every day I possibly can. I am looking to be more flexible and improve my balance.

Balance is something worthy of achieving in every aspect of our life. We work, we play, we sleep in our twenty four hours. Are you spending 8 hours per day at each? Maybe take a look at how you are spending your 24 hours and if you want to make any adjustments. Don't wait too long to do so.
Pic.. PEI.. travel is one way to play.

Jammy Morning

A good friend once told me he and his sweetie enjoy a "jammy day" once in awhile. They stay in their jammies in bed and have breakfast, read the paper, watch movies and I don't know what else. I've talked to Bob about doing the same thing and while he likes the idea, we haven't pulled it off yet. I'm not sure I could pull off a  whole day of lying around.

However this morning I changed my day's plans and stayed in bed til 11:30 a.m. I didn't want to have to do anything. So I rested, watched Ellen for a few minutes and saw Live with Kelly is in Banff. Now I'm up and have a couple of errands that must be run but plan to relax afterwards.

 I'm also yearning to be with my daughter. Mom, when our daughters live out of town, it's tough isn't it? However we do have Skype and cars. But it's like my talk yesterday where I mentioned that at times we want our God "with skin on". I want to hug and hold my daughter. So I'm stepping away from the computer shortly and going from there. Days go by so quickly and before you know it, it will be time to make dinner. See ya!    Pics... Here is a wee Hannah and Hannah today. This is what time does before you know it!

My Jesus is Different than Yours??

I am hearing a voice in my head and it is deep and loud as if a big tent evangelist were talking, "Have you found Jesus?"

Well personally I didn't know he was missing but I understand the question. Have you found Jesus in your heart? What I am coming to realize is that every person has their own Jesus. Every person sees Jesus differently than another and has their own unique relationship with him or not.

I want to live "in the nature" of Jesus. I want to live like he did. He is a model for me, but not the only one. I also would like a selfless heart like Mother Theresa; a gentle, charismatic way with people like Diana had; the brains of David Hawkins and the consciousness of Jesus. The "nature" the "consciousness".

This holy week is a time of inner reflection on an outer journey. Reflecting on the journey that a spiritual being took 2000 years ago, take a few. I invite you to enter into an investigative time and see if Jesus the teacher has space in your life. Can you resonate with his teachings? See him as a model? It doesn't make you a Jesus freak.  It might just give you a friend to walk your journey with.