Sailing, Sailing, Over the Rideau Canal

Today we are going on a boat cruise from Ottawa to Merrickville. It should be quite lovely. Michael commented that you only do the local things when you have guests. I think that's true.

To be on the water, allowing someone else to operate the boat you have to trust. I guess we have to do that with so much in our life. Trust. Trust that the people we are with are the right people for that moment at that place because if they weren't we wouldn't be together.

Life is letting go. Trusting and floating through life as spirit expressing. It doesn't have to be difficult and isn't so much when I remember to stay in the flow of spirit.

Pic.. One my brother took in Newfoundland.

Turning your "I Ams" on

Something struck me this morning as I was sharing with my brother Michael about not sleeping last night. I heard myself say, "It's hard for me to sleep". This sounds like a statement of what is. My question for myself was, "Is that the way I want it to be"? The answer is NO.

Since what happened... the not sleeping... was in the past... it should be referenced as such so it does not sound like a condition that is permanent. So it becomes, "It's been hard for me to sleep". Can you hear the difference?

Let's turn our I Am nots into I Ams. I will now affirm, "I am a good sleeper". "I sleep easily and effortlessly". I will let go of what has been, let it stay in the past and turn "I am not a good... whatever.."  to I Am....... (fill in with a positive statement of what you desire to be".

There is no time and space so we are not fooling ourselves. I speak it as Truth NOW!

Pic.. From my brother's computer.. a pic he took in Arizona... peaceful.. like a good night's sleep.

Weddings Are For Everybody

I have performed hundreds of weddings like the one I did last night. Two people making a serious committment to one another with hope in their eyes and love in their hearts. But the ceremony isn't just for the couple. It's for every person there.

Sometimes I'll tell the gathered guests that are in a relationship, to hear the words about love as a reminder of committments they've made to each other. Together for awhile we all float in a sea of love. Our hearts are opened as the words wash over us and as we witness our couple's love before us.

And the wedding is also for the couple's parents. This day is a day of hopes fulfilled not only for the couple but for their parents. They have imagined, like I did, what their daughter's or son's wedding day would be like. Who would she or he marry? A wedding day is a day of dreams come true.

The comment I write in the guest book or on the picture frame provided is always the same. "May you feel the love you feel today, everyday of your married life".

Pic..Many stand up and say "I Do". But the ones who continue to stand together once the bloom is off the flower are the ones who stay together for eternity.

Habitat Provides Home

I was honoured yesterday to bless the newest Habitat for Humanity home and the beautiful mom and son whose home it now is. Kerri and Brendon were overjoyed to accept the keys to this accessible home. They currently live in a two story town house where she has to carry him up and down the stairs daily.

I am in awe of those who raise special needs children. The daily care must be exhausting and the financial burden of the cost of medicines must feel defeating. Kerri commented that when Brendon turned 14 the government no longer paid for his medicines. I don't understand that. Why isn't his medicine covered by our Ontario Health Plan? For July his care costs have been approximately $2400.

She not only received a house which soon will be a home but a cleaning company gave her one year's free cleaning services!!  That brought a huge smile to her face. There are so many people doing good things. Thanks Habit for Humanity for your dedication and commitment to making dreams come true for those like Kerri, who had lost hope for a better life.

Pic.. Kerri and Brendon yesterday.

Habitat for Humanity

Today I am honoured to bless the new Habitat for Humanity home in London and the family for whom it has been built. There will be local politicians, suppliers that provided goods, volunteers who provided their time and talents.

I will bring bread that the home may never know hunger and salt that the family and all who enter may know the full flavour of life. How exciting for this family to have their very own home. It surely is something that so many people can take for granted....owing their own home. Bob and I are living in the third home we've ever owned. This is this family's first. And it would not have been possible without the dream of Millard Fuller the founder of Habitat for Humanity.

I heard him speak at a convention and he was so inspiring. I wanted to go and build houses! And our church did get involved in one build.. one day. And now I have this honour. I feel blessed.
Pic.. This family has their own front doors to open up their world in ways they never knew possible until Habit for Humanity.

Walk in The Park

This morning we got up early and drove to Springbank Park for our walk. It took an hour to walk the loop around Storybook and back. It's very different than walking in the neighbourhood and very pleasant. It's sad to see the Storybook animals, or most of them, gone.

One thing I notice is whether people respond to my "hello" or not. Some do and others are in their own world and oblivious to those around them. That's okay, I know I just need to do what feels right for me. Sometimes Bob will say I don't have to say hello to everyone. But really, it feels right to me. Walking past a fellow human, in close proximity, it just feels like the right thing to do.

Funny though I don't do the same thing when I am walking downtown. Maybe because there may be more people or maybe because we aren't having the same experience? Walkers are walkers. We know we both got up early to get to the park and enjoy nature. Downtown people are there for varied reasons and we may not be having a shared experience I guess.

Well, do you say hello to people you pass on the street? Downtown and in your neighborhood? Share your experience.

Pic.. Looks like an interesting place to walk.

Pedestals are Shaky

I read that the statue of Joe Paterno was taken down. He was the winningest coach in college football history and it appears he lost his perspective when it came to doing the right thing for the boys he found out were being abused.

The Catholic church, Penn State, Orphanages, the abuse that is put upon our children seems to know no bounds. The "holy" and the "heroed" are guilty.

We all have the responsibility to stop any abuse we see or hear. There was a time when I did not know that. When I was a teen living in Toronto in an apartment building, almost daily I would hear our neighbour scream at her little boy. She would say the most terrible things like how he was the reason her life was so bad. It brings tears to me to remember this now.

I don't know why we didn't call someone. Did we think it wasn't our business? Did we think it could make it worse for him? I do know that they disappeared all of a sudden. Had someone made the call we didn't make?

It is all of our responsibilities to be sensitive enough to notice abuse and then to do something about it.

Pic.. When it seems to be getting darker and darker, remember a new day will dawn.

Water

Yesterday Bob and I went to Port Stanley to visit with friends and spend some time on the beach. I haven't been on the beach since May when we were in Naples. After a lot of driving around we finally found a place to park. We walked over and met our friends and we all journeyed to the beach with our arms full of the necessary beach items.

They are blanket, towels, umbrella, chairs, drinks, snacks, book, hat, suntan lotion and money. By the time you've packed up, carried all your stuff and unloaded it... you're ready for a rest!

But instead we headed for the water! The waves were glorious. The temperature was cold at first but amazingly our bodies warmed to it and we spent an hour or more jumping the waves and enjoying the fun. Water gives life in so many ways. We live so close to the beach. Have you been lately?
Pic.. our Naples set up.

Your Imagination Will Take You Places

I am really enjoying Wayne Dyer's book, Wishes Fulfilled. I would highly recommend it for those who want to consciously create their future.

Basic Axiom....If everything that exists today was once imagined....then what you want to see exist for you in your future....must be imagined today!

Lao-Tzu wrote, and I'll paraphrase, Being exists from the non-being. There is an invisible realm where everything you desire and wish for exists. It is our imagination that brings it forth.

So only allow into your imagination what it is that you do want to create. To do otherwise is to misuse your power of imagination.

Pic... Roman Coliseum...once in someone's imagination.. became a reality that still stands today!

Guns, Hatred, Stupidity

I am saddened by the Friday shooting of just under a hundred people at a movie theatre. I love going to the movies, perhaps like many of the people who filled that theatre that night. They were full of anticipation to see the new Dark Knight Rises movie. What they couldn't have imagined was a real life Dark Knight amongst their numbers.

I am saddened that our society, our movie makers, video game masterminds don't seem to get the correlation between violence witnessed and excited by the mind... and violence expressed out. Garbage in, garbage out. Violence is glorified and expressed as endless fighting and killing that never seems to take any real toll on the fighters physically or emotionally. It is not real. 

When will we get it? Advertisers know that if you put enough images of their product in front of people, people will start buying it. Why can't people see if we glorify violence enough then people will embrace violence? I am tired of hearing about young people with guns shooting people they don't even know.

Spiritually I trust that those who have died have only died to this world. They live on in spirit. What saddens me the most is that the shooters feel so disconnected to life that it holds no value for them. That they have such hatred in their hearts and no healthy way to deal with it.

Getting rid of guns and the ridiculous ease with which they and amunition can be bought on the internet  is a must. It won't stop killing but there is hope it would stop these mass killings. Pray that the world wakes up.

Pic.. Prayer flags at Gampo Abbey. I send my prayers for peace over the internet.

Mirror Mirror...In Front of Me

I'm going through an experience of seeing  my reflection in someone else. It is disconcerting. What I know is that when I am trying to make something happen and I hear myself say, "oh he's so......" (fill in the blank) that person is reflecting back a part of me. They are a mirror for me.

If you find yourself in a similar situation stop and ask yourself, "Where does that irritating quality show up in me?" It may not be at the same intensity level, or it could be. The point is to look at yourself. Figure out what is being shown to you and then do what you need and are willing to do to change, adjust, make peace with that part of you.

I believe what you will find is the ability to see that other person in a different light.

Who is bringing you a gift today? Their gift that helps you to see yourself a little more clearly.

Pic... Mine the gold from the face that reflects you.

Yes or No?

Making decisions can be onerous. Do I or don't I? Would it be good for me or an irritation? Am I looking at doing this for the right reasons? In the midst of busy days it can be difficult to stop and reflect and really take the decision into prayer for that feeling, that guidance that let's you know it's a yes or no.

And yet it is essential to take the time apart when it's an important decision. I have found too that  whatever my decision, whichever way I decide to go, I will receive a blessing. So sometimes if it seems that it's taking you forever to decide, just decide. Living in the indecision isn't fun.

Pic.. Take a seat, take the time and you'll receive the clarity you are looking for.

What's Funny to One Person.....

Last night I saw the movie Ted. Some people had raved about how funny it was and so a friend and I ventured out to witness for ourselves. To be fair it was funny at times but it was also raunchy humour a lot of the time.

The premise that a young lonely boy wishes his bear could be alive so he'd have a best friend was understandable. That it came true was a far fetched. And that the bear walked around, had a job, and his own place was really far fetched. (sorry for the spoiler)

I bet we've all had times in our lives when we wish our cuddly stuffed animals could hug us back. That they could wipe our tears and tell us it will be okay. They can't so we look to our human friends and hopefully you have someone in your life who is there for you. If not, remember that it takes being a friend to have a friend.

Pic.... A cute stuffy someone gave me once.

Is It a "Treat"?.... or....

Getting a massage has often been considered a "treat". I've heard people talk about it as if it's the "holy grail" almost. "I'm getting a massage" can be met with ooohhh!


Is it a treat or is it good healthy care for our body? I had a massage yesterday. My body was achy, my arm was sore and everything felt tight. After the massage and today I feel better. I think massage makes sense when you consider how much stress our body can experience. And what makes it even better is going to a massage therapist who cares.

My massage therapist is a professional and she is so very caring. I feel nurtured by her skill and compassion. She is very aware and responsive to her clients needs. Massages are necessary for good health and when you are lying on the table it feels like such a treat.

Pic.. A Zen monastery I spent a weekend at.

Weekends

I work weekends and it's been like that for quite some time. I'm thinking about weekends because Kelly just mentioned she went to Paris for the weekend. Now that's "Freedom 55" kind of living. When you can get tickets to Madonna's concert in Paris,  jet off for the weekend and stay in a hotel that has a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower. That's freedom!

I don't have that kind of freedom but I do live a busy, fun and full life. If I had that kind of freedom I'd like to live in different parts of the world for a month at a time. I can imagine living in France in the small town, St. Paul De Vance. It is high up a hill and a very artistic old old town. I've been there once for a few hours and dreamed of returning and living there for a month.

What about you? What would freedom look like for you?

Pic.. Me in Rome.. a place I never thought I'd visit and yet I've been there twice!!

S T O P

I came across a method by Deepak Chopra. When you are getting emotionally upset and perhaps about to do or say something you'll regret.... S T O P.

S stands for stop. Close your mouth, don't say anything. Stop.
T stands for take 3 breaths. The number 3 is a magical number. Many things are broken down into 3.
O stands for observe how you are feeling. If you haven't calmed down, take 3 more breaths.
P stands for proceed with loving kindness and compassion.

Remember to STOP before you criticize, judge, or blame others or yourself. And proceed with loving kindness and compassion.

Pic.. It's about getting to a place of peace..a place of God and living from there.

Early Mornings

Bob and I have been getting up at 6:15 each morning and walking around our big block. The walk takes approximately 40 minutes and it is such a treat! We talk about what is happening for us, yesterday's memories and today's anticipated adventures. It's so nice because there are few distractions .. other than the moments we are picking up garbage along the way. This morning a woman walked past us and returned our "Good morning" greeting adding on the simple words, "Thank you".

The early morning seems like a fresh sweet time of day. After our walk I meditate and then get ready for the day. Getting up early gives me more time. What are you doing this summer that is feeding your soul?

Pic.. My brother Michael.. he's coming to visit today for a couple of days. His humour and gentle spirit feed my soul too.

Should Religion Be A Part of Politics?

November 2012 we will see, I think, a hotly contested race for the White House. The mud slinging has begun, or perhaps the word should be is continuing. I know being President would be a very prestigious, powerful, exciting, influential job. And I wonder too why someone would want the job.

The candidates campaign for longer than it takes to grow a baby. Every nook and cranny of their life is looked into, under and gone over. They have to defend, sometimes ridiculous, assaults on their character. Once in office it doesn't stop either. Obama, like so many presidents, has gone grey in a short period of time. I sense his exasperation at the continual resistance to getting anything meaningful done. It's not a government for the people who live in the country as much as for those who run it.

Okay, so about religion. It scares me when a candidate's religion is extremely fundamental and their job as President will give that extremity a platform. Romney is anti gay; anti abortion; some would say anti women's rights. I am not sure what Obama's religion is and maybe that's because it hasn't been made an issue of. It only becomes an issue when the religion is about hate not love; exclusion instead of inclusion and equality for some not all. I hope my American friends vote wisely.

Pic.. This picture take at Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna BC makes me think of "hallowed halls" and the "light at the end of a tunnel". What meaning can you associate with the picture and the message?

Techno Challenged

Yesterday at Unity we were without the internet and our phone lines weren't working properly. It's amazing how things come to a halt when you can't send an email or you have to run to the kitchen to answer the phone.

Rogers came out and replaced our modem but we are still without internet. Nerds on Site is coming in today. The good thing is my iphone was a way for my admin to send emails. What I noticed though was that I didn't have my iphone to access my contacts or calendar.

The good news was I worked on a project that was getting old. I didn't need the internet to complete it. There is always good in whatever is showing up. Divine Order... is it that no matter what is happening we have to trust that it is Divinely ordered? Or is it that the Divine order is within me and my seeing the good in what is showing up? What do you think Divine Order means?
Pic.. Funny pic of Jenn and I. One thing I know is Divinely ordered is the pairing of parents and children. We have the parent we need and the children we need for our spiritual unfoldment.

Performing

Last night I saw the fabulous play, Legally Blonde, at the theatre upstairs in the Market. An employee of mine was in it and she was fabulous! There was singing, dancing and a cute story all performed by a large cast. What does it take to sing, dance and act in front of an audience? A lot of confidence I imagine.


I also wonder if people off stage put on personas like the people on stage do. I think we all do to a certain extent depending on the situation we are in. When we are upset and have to be with other people, we change up our "face" to not betray our real state of mind. 


I remember Jenn and I picking up a friend of hers. I was saddened by something going on and when her friend got in the car and asked me how I was, I responded, "fine". Then I turned around and looked a the friend and said, "You know what? I am not fine but I will be".


In that moment I decided to be real and honest. Maybe we can all do that more today. If you are called on the emotion you are feeling, admit to it. It's okay for others to see it and it confirms their ability to interpret what's going on for you.


Pic.. A fabulous hand carved door at Unity Village. Be real with others. It's a doorway to intimacy with those around you.

Grabbing A Hold of Energy!

Today I am feeling uber energetic. I think I am thrilled to have a day at home and I have lots to do here. I am planning to buys some plants for Bob to plant; tidying up my house and de cluttering a bit. I like the expression a body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest stays at rest. It's easy to sit down and rest and difficult to get motivated to get up again. So I plan to stay on purpose though sitting and enjoying my backyard later will be a sweet reward!

I'm also going to take time to further read Wayne Dyer's book, Wishes Fulfilled. On Sunday I mentioned I will be teaching from this book for the next 3-4 weeks. I also suggested the idea that we pick our favorite spiritual growth inspirational book and study just that for one year.

What if we perfected what that one book was teaching us? Wouldn't that change your life forever? Instead we move from one book to the other looking for inspiration when really what we need is the motivation to live what we are learning. It's all so much fun, this journey we call life.

Well, at least that is how I see it today.  ;)     It can change in the wink of an eye can't it?

Pic.. I took this picture in Europe while crossing a parallel bridge. I just like the refection and softness.

Chilling

Yesterday I went to Sunfest with friends. It took us over an hour to drive the 15 minute trip, but we finally got there. By the time I arrived at the park I was still feeling the annoyance of the trip. More than  being annoyed at one person I knew my annoyance was with myself. And that was really the fuel of my inner fire.

How is it I can still lose control of my thoughts and emotions? I am clear about how I want to express in this world and yet I got annoyed. And I got annoyed in front of others who listen to me speak each Sunday and expect more from me.  So it was a soup of inner conflict, outer blaming and sadness.

I took the first step and apologized, hugged and cried....letting go... and all was well. I'm human, I just hope others can accept that. The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping, eating and enjoying upbeat fun music.

How do you handle these kinds of situations?

Pic.. A small glimpse of the crowd.

Coachable?

When I took the Maria Nemeth, Mastering Life's Energy, course in California years ago, she asked these questions.

Are you willing to be coachable?
Are you willing to let whomever is standing in front of you coach you?

Two different ideas I think. I am usually willing to be coached but not always by everyone. We might  have judgments that would have us believe that the person in front of us can't possibly know more about this or that than me. Right?

Just for today we willing to be coached by whomever you are with. You will be amazed!

Pic... many of my coaches in Unity Canada.

Are There Things You Don't Understand?

I don't understand the following:

People who throw drink cups and paper garbage out the window of a car.
Grimm, of Mother Goose and Grimm. Bob finds it hilarious, I don't get it.
That people pray that God be on the side of their team.
When a cat is sick but I can't see any sign of their pain or discomfort.
That I know Tim-bits are full of sugar, hence calories, but I'm still drawn to them.
People bungee jumping....is their spine ever the same?
People who say they love God but hate a person because they are gay, lesbian, black, white, rich.
The TV show, The Walking Dead.
My Bob. Can we really ever fully understand the person we are most intimate with?

What does your list look like?

Pic.. Okay this might be weird, giving a cat a lion cut, but it's so cute. I can understand this.

Garbage Receptacles

On our walk this morning we took a plastic bag to collect any garbage we'd find along the way. It always surprises me that a person could throw onto the ground a plastic take out tray, drink cups, water bottles etc.  It feels like an assault on Mother Earth. Our bag was full.


Then I got to thinking that if we truly believe we are spiritual beings, individualized expressions from Divine Mind, how can we litter that Holy place with garbage? We do. With every negative thought, every thought of jealousy, every thought that begins, "I Am..sick, useless, no good, not enough, not worthy. 


I've heard the expression garbage in, garbage out. What we embrace, we become. So I'm inviting you to become mindful of where the garbage receptacles in your life are. And to know that you are not one of them. 


Pic.. "There's no place for garbage in here", she said.

Vibrations and Frequencies

I am previewing a new prosperity program. I was reminded as I watched, that everything is energy. Everything has a vibrational frequency. Our dreams vibrate at a particular frequency. And so the question the presenter asks is, "Are you a harmonious match with that vibration?"

In other words, if you want to be healthy, health vibrates at a particular frequency. Would your behaviour match that vibration? I think this awareness helps put things into perspective and can inspire us to act in such a way that our dreams will manifest.

Energy work is powerful. You are powerful. That's the Truth and so it is!

Pic.. Partner up with what you want and feel the joy!

Liberty

Today is a day of celebration for our neighbours. Unity's Daily Word magazine reflects that with an affirmation that reads, "The liberating spirit of God lives in me." And that is the Truth.

We are free every moment to be liberated from our painful memories by turning to this now moment.
We are free every moment to be liberated from the chains of addiction that bind us.
We are free every moment to be liberated from hate and unforgiveness.
We are free every moment to stop blaming others for what "they did to" us.
We are free every moment to see things and people differently.
We are free by the knowing and expressing of our divine nature.

If you aren't feeling free, stop and go within. Build your relationship with God, Divine Mind, All That Is. In any desperate moment may you feel you are NOT alone. And finally let me share the Silent Unity 24 hour a day prayer line # 1-800-NOW-PRAY.  I have worked as a prayer associate there. The phone line is answered, "Silent Unity, how may we pray with you?" People of every denomination call for prayer. Try it!

Pic.. Kincardine fireworks

Gardens

Yesterday I saw a beautiful row of gardens along the board walk in Kincardine. It looks like every few feet a new garden begins, sponsored by people who make each their own. I wondered if at some time in the summer there is a contest to vote on the most beautiful garden.

Each one was unique. Some had an inviting chair in the midst of the flowers, others had an angel or some other ornament. As I write this I am looking out at the neighbour's garden. They have a vegetable garden that looks so pristine and a flower garden. They also have a number of feeders and birdhouses. While I've been visiting I've enjoyed watching a woodpecker and its baby. Then there is the garden a bit further out belonging to the nursing home. There for the residents to enjoy and help tend to give them that feeling of home.

I think we are all growing a garden of one sort or the other. We spend our days planting seeds we wish to see bloom. We also see the harvest of seeds we weren't fully conscious we had planted. Thoughts are seeds and thoughts are prayers. I'm aware that when the neighbour wants to harvest lettuce, he plants lettuce seeds, not apple seeds. So if you want to know what tomorrow's harvest will look like, be aware of what you've been planting in the past.

Pic... Fireworks... bright and awe inspiring... like our thoughts can be to our life experience.

Fireworks & Kettle Corn

Last night we enjoyed the Kincardine fireworks sitting on the beach. A ton of people were there, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the whole town showed up for them. They lasted at least 15 minutes and were fabulous! I loved the ones that shot into the air, then burst open, landed in the water and spurt more fireworks from there.

We also enjoyed kettle corn which was a salty sweet popcorn. The line up for it was long and as quickly as it was made and bagged it was sold. A yummy treat it was.

So what can this all mean in our life? Well life has its fireworks times and the dud times too. My daughter's wedding week was a "firework" experience. Times when she was sick as a child... dud times. A great Sunday morning service where the energy is up up can feel like a firework experience...thrilling. Life is made up of both and I think the trick is to enjoy whatever is happening.
Pic... We were sitting behind Jenn and Greg on the beach.

Happy Canada Day... Eh!

This morning at Unity I am speaking about the rights and freedoms we enjoy that come with our Canadian citizenship. Many people envy what Canada has to offer its citizens. So it is a good day for us who can take those rights and freedoms for granted.....to stop and be grateful.

I am grateful there are no battles raging on our soil.

I am grateful for a government and army that promotes peace.

I am grateful to be able to travel freely.
I am grateful that when my daughter had leukemia we didn't have to sell her home to pay for her treatment.

I am grateful my gay brothers and sisters have the same rights as I do.

I am grateful to be able to practice any religion I want and to write about it if I desire.

I am grateful for free speech.

My dear friends, what are you grateful for?  Pic....I can't access a Canadian flag.. so these water lilies are us standing tall and free!