Immersed in Prayer

Yesterday I continued to work on Unity's Prayer Chaplain Program. This weekend I take the chaplains away for their weekend training. It is a time when they are immersed in learning how to pray with others. They learn how to pray affirmatively....helping the person they are praying with to remember their divine identity. Chaplains   are required to see the wholeness of each person they pray with. They look past any appearance of human flaws to the divine Christ within.

It is a holy work. And part of my responsibility is to remind them they can do it. Very few people learn to pray aloud with another person. That takes courage and confidence. Chaplains let go of any old prayer method that calls for God to help us, save us, change the situation or others. Unity prayer calls forth the God capacities within us to move us through whatever is showing up.By the time our chaplains are ready to be "inducted" they will be ready to pray the Unity way.

My prayer for you today..... Standing as the presence and power of God, right where you are, may you go forth into your day expressing this divine power with ease and grace for the highest good of all.


Pic... Prayer flags at Gampo Abbey where author and Buddhist monk, Pema Chodron lives. Prayer requests are written on the flags and the wind blows them over the ocean and into the world. Wherever you are, your prayers can touch the world.

Home

It feels like a new beginning, being home again, after what seemed like a long time away. The cats are all good and happy that their peeps are around again. My friend brought us dinner last night.. what a great surprise that was.

What seems odd is that I am up and ready to go and Bob is still in bed. There's lots for him to do today in and around the house...but shouldn't he be going to work??  Oh, I will have to get used to his being retired. Any ways I am  off to the church and looking forward to what the day has for me. Now that sounds like I didn't have anything to do with what shows up....but of course we know that my yesterday thoughts and feelings make up my today. 


It's kind of neat the way that works don't you think?
Pic... Jenn and Greg... new beginnings

Travelling

Travel day can be long and challenging. There's getting to the airport, dropping off the rental car, checking your luggage (Delta charges $25 a bag...now, how can that be right?) security and then waiting. At the other end pick up your luggage and connect with your ride home.

So I am setting an intention to enjoy the experience. Why not, since it is one I am bound to move through? Perhaps at the beginning of each day an intention for the day will get your energy moving in a positive way because you have declared it to be so.

I wish for you a day filled with joy and one that is focused on what you wish to see happen. Too often we go into the day hoping for something not to happen. ie.. that you won't get caught up in traffic; that your boss won't be in a bad mood; that you won't get time for lunch etc.  Let's turn that around.

Pic.. Bob and I 6 years ago at my ordination and his birthday.. my intention for today is to dance through the day with joy!

Slowing Down When You Want to Speed Up

Today I have laundry to do; cleaning to do and finish up packing but while I was stripping the bed this morning I pulled a side muscle. So I am momentarily (because it just can't last too long) sidelined. Nature slows us down I think, when we get moving too fast. Our body knows what it needs.

Last night I took Bob to a very nice Italian restaurant on 5th Ave. We dined outside and enjoyed talking about his life. We went to the beach afterwards to watch the sunset but clouds blocked the view. Oh well the breeze was awesome and sitting on the beach looking out over the water was wonderful.

Our holiday is coming to an end.  That's always sad but there is excitement too to go home to family, friends and kitties. I am very grateful we have been able to do all we've done in these past three weeks.

Truth principles teach us that the more grateful we are for all we have and for what we desire to have show up, then the more we will have to be grateful for. What we focus on e x p a n d s. If you stop to think about what your thoughts are focused on today...... will your life be expanded in the direction you desire?

Pic.. Rome.. a focused vision creates beautiful things

What Does A Life Mean?

Sixty-five years ago today my beloved Bob was born. He was born in Toronto, the oldest of three children. The sun set on Bob as far as his mom was concerned. He was educated at University of Waterloo and then went on to teachers college. Yes, Bob could have been a teacher but he graduated at one of those moments when jobs were few.

Insurance claims adjusting became his career. He worked at a high level of claim processing where lawyers were involved. Bob would work at resolving a lot of those claims through mediations. We met at a bar in Toronto near the airport.....where our destination proved to be love. We married on November 24th 1973. Jenn was born in 1980 and has been our greatest production. 

When you live with someone for 39 years you witness their life in a way no-one else can. Bob has always been practical, intelligent, caring and somewhat cautious. Over the years I have seen him grow into his spirituality and his knowing of what he is. He has become kinder, softer, more tolerant, learned to listen with his heart and be a good friend. He has been a great father to Jenn and a loyal and loving husband.

His life means everything. He has interacted with thousands of people in his 65 years, touching lives, that's what we do.It's up to you and I how well we do that.

Who's life are you witnessing unfold? Next time you look at them, behold the treasure they are. That is what my day will be focused on today. The magnificence of this man and our journey together.

Pic... from his 60th birthday party. Was the just 5 years ago? Seems like so much longer ago than that.

Memorial Day Weekend

I missed our holiday weekend in Canada but am in the U.S. to experience theirs. Memorial Day is filled with shopping bargains, celebrations and sweet remembrance stories told by aged veterans and their families.

One such story was told by Jose's son. Jose was part of the 9 member crew on the WWII plane whose name, Naughty but Nice, was written on its nose. Just before the plane was about to crash, Jose parachuted out. He landed in thick jungle on a New Guinea island. He had broken vertebrae, a broken leg and many cuts but he managed to make it out of the jungle and was found by local villagers. After he recovered, the Germans found him and he was imprisoned as a POW for 2 years. The day they were liberated from the camp Jose said only 6 of 68 men walked out alive.

Jose vowed to his fellow crew members, he would bring them home. He was the only survivor. But for years he travelled back to find the crash site and when found, the remains of some of the men were recovered. He visited each of their families bringing home what he could. His son commented that his father was tormented by his promise, it was a part of his post traumatic distress experience.

There is a department in the U.S. military whose job it is to bring Americans home. They search for the remains of soldiers. Eventually all of the men, who flew the Naughty but Nice that day, came home.

In yesterday's paper there was a picture of a woman lying on the grave of a fallen soldier. The caption read.. Memorial Day isn't about barbecues. It's touching to be here in a country that has fought in so many wars and lost so many citizens. And it's unfortunate that in the remembering they haven't yet found a way to resolve their disputes with others in a way everybody could win and no-one would die.

Pic... I dream of a world where we don't hurt others.

Locked Out

After a super relaxing day at the beach, we arrive home and can't find our condo key! We search every bag, towel, the car, everything, not once, twice but three and more times. I wonder if I put the key in my bathing suit cover up pocket and it fell out......at the beach? We drive back to the beach, search and search with no success. We witnessed the goodness of others as they joined us in the search.

We are reminded by a friend that our condo watch lady has a key. Luckily she is home and we get in three hours later. What an adventure. About two minutes into the discovery the key was missing Bob started to blame me. I put my hand up and said, "Don't go there." Luckily he stopped. He could not have made me feel worse that I was already feeling.

I've been having strange dreams at night. Last night I dreamt two of my cats fell down an elevator shaft. Apparently, in the dream, this had happened before and they were rescued then too. Dreams tell us something about ourselves, our subconscious concerns. Sometimes the meanings to whatever we dream or whatever happens to us is obvious and other times it isn't.

In any event it's been interesting.  :)     Pic.. my Bob... a wise man who is learning not to blame.

The Real Work Begins

The dress was  a lot to manage when Jenn was on the beach. By the end of the day the bottom was dirty but the dress had been well worn and enjoyed by the bride. I could see throughout the day as Jenn walked throughout the resort and restaurant, dressed as a beautiful bride, she and her attire got a lot of attention from admiring eyes.

I think that's the way it's supposed to be. The bride and groom's clothes tell others of their intentions to marry, and once married, of their commitment to one another. It's like they are wearing their love on their sleeves so to speak.

When I marry a couple I pray they remember every day, the love they feel for each other this day. It's easy to get caught up in life's little meaningless disagreements and forget that two personalities are melding together and there needs to be a lot of room for compromise. Each person has to hold on to who they are in a way that works for both of them. To lose who you are in a marriage is to lose your dreams. Couples may think that the wedding preparation is a lot of hard work. Hold on to your hats! The real work has just begun.

Pic.. Jenn..two weeks ago today.

Roll With It

At the beach yesterday I beheld people, pelicans and dolphins all fishing. We walked along the pier and it's amusing to watch the pelicans trying to grab fish off the fisherman's line as he pulls his catch up. It was not so great seeing two pelicans get caught by fish hooks as they were cast.

One young man moved with proficiency as he pulled his line up...huge bird and all. His friend threw a t shirt over the pelican's head, grabbed its bill and the other proceeded to cut the hook out of the bird's wing. They had done this before. As the pelican was thrown back in he took flight then landed on the water to recover from the ordeal no doubt.

There were schools of thousands of small fish that were being dined upon. A feast for the eye. Afterwards we went into the water which was so warm and very wavy. We rode the waves and I found that when I figured how to move with them the ride was easier... less water in my mouth..eyes. When I tried to push past them I struggled. So I learned to let go of how I wanted it to be and relax into the flow that moved me along with ease...maybe not exactly where I wanted to go but perhaps where I needed to go. Life is just like that too don't you think?

Pic.. not the Naples beach.. this California... but it fits!

It's Okay To Ask For Help

I can have a lot of patience and compassion for many situations. Where I have difficulty is when there appears to be a lack of organization and no one seems to care.

Yesterday we were in a store waiting to check out. There was one person at the cash register and four of us in line. The person being helped wasn't an easy transaction. Items were being put back, then she'd change her mind etc. I asked one of the two other clerks in the store if she would help at the cash. I was ignored.  While there was only one cash register she could have helped fold and bag.
When I reached the counter I commented that she could use some help with folding and bagging. She smiled. In reflection I wonder:

1. Does asking for help make us look incompetent?
2. Is customer service low on this store's list?
3. Am I to learn to endure and say nothing in these types of situations?
4. Where is the line between accepting what is and people being receptive to doing things better?

I know that the annoyance I experienced is in me. I know that what I experience is feedback to my creative process. Bob and I talked about expectations. We expect good service; we expect our car to start; we expect to hear a good talk at church etc. Is it our expectations that are the problem? Surely some are reasonable.

In this case a store can lose customers, which reduces their profit which may lead to its closing and people losing jobs. So speaking up for better organization can be a good thing.

I think the lesson here is, "Are we willing to be coach-able?" When you are given constructive feedback to the way you do things, are you coach-able? So today's mantra, should you choose to accept it.... I am willing to be coached by whomever I am with.


Pic.. This magnificent monument in Rome was built by people who learned to work together.

It Worked!

Yesterday at church I set the intention to show up smiling and say hi to everyone. I was greeted the same in return. It seemed a friendlier place. (refer to yesterday's blog to understand) Universal Laws work... what you put out comes back.

I did have an experience though that reminded me to wake up. Let me explain. I was one of the few people left standing outside in the fellowship area. (I was looking for Bob). A man walked up to me and asked this question, "Are you living your life full out?" There are a few ways to answer this:

1. Answer the question.
2. Realize this is a prelude to a sales pitch.
3. Answer, "Why do you ask?" In other words keep it about them not me.

#2 and #1  in that order was how I responded. He went on to offer me a yoga lesson for a donation and he offered Bob, who had now joined me, a life coaching session. I asked him how long he'd been coming to Unity and he answered, "oh, a couple of times now". Yes, he was there to solicit business.

How would I have liked to respond? With #3. I should know by now that I do not have to answer questions that don't seemed genuine or that are leading me where I don't want to go. I realize the only way to respond to a question is to be FULLY present, pause before I speak so I have time to process what is happening and then proceed.


So, in essence, he was there to give me a gift. No, not a yoga lesson or a life coaching session. His gift (unbeknownst to him) was to teach me once again I don't have to answer questions I don't want to. I don't have to defend my answers and I do want to be fully present before I open my mouth. Thanks man!

Pic.. I just love this kitty. I saw it this week at the store where it lives. It and its friend have a look that seems to say, "Don't mess with me man!"

Sunday... the Sabbath

In Genesis we are told that on the seventh day God rested from his task of creating. The day of rest, the Sabbath, has changed incredibly since I was a little girl. It was always church day followed by lunch out and afternoon visits to grandma and grandpas. We didn't shop on Sundays. Mom and Dad didn't work on Sundays. It was a family day.

I still go to church every Sunday, and yes being a minister can explain that. However while on holidays I still go to church on Sundays. For me, church is an inspiring place to go. I love the music, the message and the fellowship. And I don't know whether it's because my church is smaller but Unity of London has this church beaten by miles when it comes to welcoming people.

And here's the thing, I don't understand the idea that some people "outgrow" church. Church is a place you help grow, you don't out grow. People always have something to contribute to the spiritual growth of others and their church. We grow together. It isn't all about what you can get... it's what you can give and from that you get. It's the Universal Law, right? What goes out from you comes back to you.

So today at Unity I will smile more, greet others and be as friendly as I can be....and I bet I will see them differently, right? That's the way it works.

Pic.. I grew up in the Catholic church and visited the Vatican a few years ago. I outgrew their teachings not the church experience.

What A Difference A Week Makes

Bob is giving me my blog topic and according to him, he's written the whole thing. Just like my Sunday talks when he gives me 30 seconds worth and thinks that's it. But the topic is reflecting on where we were last week at this time. Last Saturday we were flying to Miami from Cancun. We had to leave Jenn and Greg at the resort where the wedding took place a few days prior.

I am thinking about the hours we spent looking for Jenn's dress; the bridesmaids dresses; shoes; jewellery; my dress and shoes; the hours they spent working with Westjet on the group travel details and with the wedding planner at the resort. It all culminated in a day of frenzied activity,joy and a wedding. So much thought and effort and some worry, went into the day's unfolding. It came, was enjoyed, and passed.

I can't but help but wonder whether the newly wed couple is experiencing some kind of let down after all the whoopla. I know I'm feeling like I'd like to live it over again, to absorb it more a second time around.

We do put so much effort and thought into the future, don't we? And yet Eckhart Tolle's philosophy of living in the NOW is so right on. We only have this moment, that's all we are guaranteed. So instead of looking backwards or forwards, just for today I will live this moment now.

Pic.. Jenn and Greg in the resort's lobby.

Taking the time to write a Letter

I've been writing a lot of letters this past week. My mom always asks for mail when I go away so I am sending her one card a day. Hopefully she will start receiving them before I get home. Then the other day I wrote a letter to the editor of USA Today.

On Tuesday I saw a letter to the editor from a Mr. George who wrote in opposition to same sex marriages. (Isn't this issue put to bed yet? Apparently, only in Canada....pity.) Mr. George wrote that "God willing, same sex marriages will never be allowed to happen; gays want legalized marriage only so society will approve of their lifestyle and finally gay marriage could never be the same as heterosexual marriage.

My response, summarized:
1. Mr. George, God does not take sides. God is energy...God is love. Can you do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Can you love your neighbour?
2. Mr. George, gays do not need your approval.
3.Mr. George, gay marriage and heterosexual marriages ARE exactly the same. It's just the sex that's different.

I'm done with this issue, it is so yesterday. I pray Americans will see this is just another fight by another group for equality. USA Today reported that "white Anglo-Saxons" have just become the minority here in the states. 50.4% of all Americans are Asians, Hispanics etc. I think the rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" best be lived or white Anglo-Saxons may see what it feels like to be on the other end of the stick.

Pic.. Mexico...everything looked so perfect.

The Pool Police

There are many Snow birds here who have been coming to Naples for years and years. They know the rules and with eagle eyed precision scan the pool area for any violators of those rules. Yesterday a young woman in her 20's dove into the pool. The group of Snow birds in their floating chat circle quickly yelled at her, " No diving!" "There are signs everywhere you know that say that."

I saw the young woman roll her eyes as she swam away from them. Most people don't like the rules that seem to keep us from having fun. And we really don't like it when someone else is policing us and catching us in the act of breaking the rules. But we need rules and most of them make sense or there would be chaos. Imagine if there were no rules of the road for instance.

I can see reminding people of the rules that were created to keep them safe... like no diving in the pool; but I don't want to be the people police. I don't want to be watching others and telling them when they are making mistakes. We learn from "mis" "takes" and it is so much more freeing when I can focus on policing myself and let others do the same.

Pic.. Winterpark Pool

A Rainy Day in Paradise

Someone once said that when it rains God is crying. Perhaps that explains why graveside services I've conducted in the rain seem to be all the more emotional. There's a letting go taking place. When people are upset and they finally let go of their tears they can be described as opening up to the flood.... of emotions.

I remember when we were here last, the death of a prominent citizen was in the news. He and his family, wife and 3 boys, were driving a mountain road and he was killed by a rock slide. The community filled a large stadium to gather together in their mourning. Often when a young person dies the family grieves the life they didn't get to live. I see this differently.

I think that death is really like birth to the soul who is released from his earthly shell. Just imagine being a light being, expansive and able to travel anywhere and then being born into a heavy earthly body. That must feel constrictive especially considering you can't talk and walk for the first few years of life. Death then is a release of energy back into the Universe... a sense of freedom... a birth into the eternal world.

Pic..Here is Rich playing a game on our game day last week. The games were a lot of fun and especially so when you don't take them too seriously. That's a good thought for our life as well. Don't take it too seriously, it's such a short ride.

"Chicken of the Trees"

In some South American countries they serve chicken of the trees. Another name for that "chicken" is Iguana. I am thinking of Iguanas because everyday in Mexico we saw numerous Iguanas everywhere we went in our resort. We saw large ones, little ones, dark ones and lighter skinned ones. They are amazingly tame and not aggressive.

At first when I would come across one on my path I would jump and yell.. Iguana! By the third day it's like, "oh look another Iguana." They are herbivores eating plants and leaves and in one article I read they have a "third eye" on their head. Now that's interesting.. we humans do too.

So I'm thinking that the things that scare us at first are only about the fear in our own mind. Because I rarely see large lizards they appear frightening at first. But as I got to watch them, take pictures of them, witness their behaviour I saw there was nothing to fear as long as I had a healthy respect for them.

Our third eye helps us to see from a spiritual point of view. Some fears are healthy, they protect us. Most fears are of our own making and upon a closer look we see there is nothing to fear at all.

Pic... Iguana

In The World of Texting Have We Lost the Art of Talking?

I've just spent 7 days with a wonderful mix of older and younger people. What I observed was that the young people (in their 20's and 30's) don't know how to engage in social conversation. This became particularly evident when my brother commented, "Not one person has asked me what I do."

We shared our common experience of asking others about themselves and their life and finding the conversation would end there. They either aren't curious about us or they just aren't used to face to face conversations. That feels sad to me because we miss out on enriching conversations when we don't engage with each other. For instance they would have learned my brother is an award winning leather worker. He was commissioned to go to the Arctic to teach some of his skills to local artisans, to enrich their skills. He has two stores and a studio in the Ottawa area. When the late actor and comedian, John Candy, was shopping in Ottawa and saw Michael's work he called Michael and ordered a custom piece.

Everyone has a story inside of them. But we have to be curious to discover it. Texting,emailing and online chatting seem to be robbing our young people of face to face skills. At least that's how I see it, in my humble opinion. This isn't sour grapes... I just feel a sense of sadness as I have a desire to really connect with people.

P.S.. Thursday May 10th, the wedding day, was also Mother's Day in Mexico. When I came out of my room that morning, the maid ran over and embraced me and warmly said, "Happy Mother's Day!" (only it was in Spanish). I think I connected with her at a deeper level in that hug than I did with some of the people in our group all week.

Pic.. our pretty room.....on the bed is a towel person. I watched the maid that day make it with much care.

Oh Boy!

We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get married. I'm not sure which girl group sang this song but I woke up with it in my mind. I texted it to Jenn and commented that this is from my era.

The long awaited day has arrived and we begin leg one of our adventure. Bob likes to break up our trip into "legs". Throughout the trip I hear... well now we're in leg #2... and so on. 

I'm not sure whether I will blog each day, we'll see how that goes. Hold us all in prayer as we journey on our adventure and witness our daughter become a married woman. Life is grand. What is grand about your life right now?

Pic....How can it be? She's all grown up and getting married!

Here Kitty Kitty

In Naples there is a store, Wind in The Willows, that has beautiful clothing and nic nacks. They also have two kitties that attract customers. You see, they are shaved like lions. They sleep in the windows or around the store and even I, when I am there, want to go in and see the kitties.

We've been getting our very furry cats shaved for a few years. They seem fine with it and so yesterday when I took in Angel and Hannah I took a picture of the Naples kitties. It's neat when they've been shaved because there is less fur flying around. I think they must love it too because they have less fur to clean. So I took a picture of Hannah for you to see.

Our 4T prosperity class at Unity has been working on releasing and letting go what they don't need. It isn't easy to drop bad habits or negative thoughts but when you do you feel lighter and happier. You may even start to look different. People might look at you differently because you don't seem the same. This is all good. Making changes helps us move forward in our spiritual journey.

Pics... Willows kitty and Hannah kitty... to realize your dreams you often have to make changes..are you willing to do what you need to do?

Zoom Zoom

I heard him say, "to drive in a car is to view the scene all around you, but ride on a Harley and you are a part of the scene."  When Chuck said those words we were speeding along the road on our way to Port Bruce on his motorcycle... no correct that... his Harley Davidson. His emphatic correction told me there is a difference.

I had long wanted a ride on his Harley and yesterday was the day. I was a bit on edge but wanted to push through any fear and do it anyway. It was a surprise to me I didn't have much to hold on to. There are two small bars on either side of the back seat and then there's the driver.... but I wanted to know where my seatbelt was. I think it was gravity that held me in place (and a strong hold on Chuck).

It was exhilarating and scary. I felt my body tighten and then I'd relax only to find it tighten up again shortly afterwards. We were able to talk to each other and I could hear the radio too. To get a rest from the wind I would try to put my head right behind his but most of the time I looked to the left and right. I was very aware that we were a part of the scenery. Thanks Chuck, it was a blast!

Memory Lane

Last night I was looking through all of our photo albums. Going down memory lane is bitter sweet because I realized how quickly time has gone by. I also saw that we took more pictures of Jenn when she was young and fewer as she aged. Many of the pictures weren't dated. I wish now I had taken the time to do that then.

I've really changed over the years! How is that possible? Bob and I look so young in many of the pictures. Sometimes when I'm with friends we ponder whether we would live our lives over again. I think I probably wouldn't.. I've been there, done that! What I would do differently is be more focused on the principles I think children should grow up with. I did pretty good. My Jenn is a blessing. A sweet genuine, honest and loving person. I just would have been more focused. What about you? Anything you would do differently?

Pic.. cars in Rome.. would you take the ride over again?