Baggage

I've spent the last two days packing for my daughter as she and her hubby prepare to move this weekend to Goderich. Like so many of us they have a place in their home filled with boxes unopened from the last move.

It struck me that we people have so much baggage. Physical, that we take from place to place and emotional that we carry everywhere with us. Why do we have such trouble releasing and letting go? For me, I'm moving into a place of faith knowing that the book I just couldn't let go of "in case I need it again" I can let go of.

Why? Because I can trust if I need it in the future it will be provided for me at that time. In the meantime I can release it and let others enjoy it...others who may need it now when I don't.

Lastly, if I've ever seen proof you can live without your stuff just watch the news showing the homes destroyed by Sandy. People can survive losing their stuff what's important are the lives that survived.

Pic.. Is there a room in your home filled with "stuff" that if you cleared it, could be a space people could enjoy? Maybe a room for quiet prayer and meditation? Just for today begin decluttering.

Happy Sunday!

The Sabbath used to be a day of rest. A day to go to church and a day to spend with family. I'd guess it's intention was to be a day to get re-energized for the rest of the week. Recharge your battery so to speak. Genesis tells us that God created the world in six days and after all that mammoth work...named the seventh day a day of rest.

It's changed and the biggest change came with Sunday shopping. Now Sundays are another day to continue at the pace we've gotten used to Monday to Saturday. Where is the time to rest? Where are those shorter work weeks that were predicted years ago?

I think more than ever we need a spiritual community to connect with, to recharge our spirit for the next week of work and living amongst one another. Unity is just that type of spiritual community where we affirm your divinity through the teachings of the great ones like Jesus whose desire was to guide us to living well with each other.

Why not shake up your Sunday and join us? We've helped transform the lives of those who weren't spiritually content. Put your spiritual health first and all else will fall into place Monday to Saturday.

Pic.. When I visited the first Unity church which is in Kansas, I stood on the platform where our co-founder Charles Fillmore preached from.

Dreaming the seemingly impossible

I woke up this morning with an idea. It's a good one and one that seems far fetched, silly and maybe impossible. A friend once said to me that an idea is only an idea it's what you do with it that counts.

So I got up and acted on my idea which involved writing a letter to someone asking for something. I won't reveal the details today. I don't want to hear from any nay sayers who would comment, "Yeah right, like that's going to happen!"

What dream is in your mind? Are there "nay sayers" you've listened to that have discouraged you from following that dream? I watched a video this morning of a young girl who made a video rapping her desire to work on the Ellen Degeneres show. People probably told her, "Yeah right, like that's going to happen!" But you know what? It did! Ellen brought her to the show and hired her on the air.

Dreams do come true. Just for today... GO FOR IT!

Pic.. The sky is the limit!

Projected Fear or Real Fear?

I was walking with Bob this morning at 7am and we came to the Jesse Davidson Park. We decided to walk through the park. As we entered we saw a black truck like vehicle and the driver inside. I noticed as we walked by that he got out of the truck and went around to the back, opened the door there and then closed it. He then walked, now a ways behind us, and I looked back a few times and noticed that he was walking along the forest area and then went into it.

I said to Bob, "I wonder what that guy is doing and where he went?" Bob shared that he hadn't noticed. He'd just seen the man in the vehicle. What strikes me here is the difference between men and women. I think it's a difference that is fairly universal, correct me if I'm wrong.

Women are more aware of their environment when outside. For me, I was feeling uncomfortable as I was walking. I don't know if I was projecting a fear on the situation or if I was intuiting a reason to feel fear. Either way my antenna was up while Bob enjoyed a walk in the park.

I think it is sad that I felt fearful. And I wonder, if that man had known what I was thinking, would he have felt offended or "caught"? Perhaps the lesson is to minful that 99.9% of people are just going about their daily life. And if you get fearful remember to call for your angels to protect you.

Pic.. You are never alone. I had Bob but my angels were with me too.

Loving "Prosperity Plus"

Sixteen people meet each Wednesday evening for Unity's Prosperity Plus class. This program created by Mary Morrissey is so informative and life changing. One of the text's she recommends is The Science of Getting Rich. The 1910 author is so clear that there is a science to manifesting what you want from the invisible substance everywhere from which all is created.

The class gathers together and watches a video class and listens to a CD of that class during the week. Last night we were reminded how we need to manage our mind. Look away from what your five senses believe to be true and know there is a greater Truth.

She talked about Jesus not being impressed by appearances of illness. He saw the wholeness within those he healed. When we are "impressed" by what we see, it has our mind. We need to keep control of our mind. Having control of our mind means we can stay focused. With a focused mind we can create our dreams.

Pic... What do you see?

Acting "In Love"

I was speaking to a dear friend who reminded me that I am motivated by love. We were discussing the challenges we face when we have to make decisions for others especially our parents. Those decisions may be perceived as trying to take control but she said, "You are doing it in love."

That phrase made me feel better. Because it is true and it hurts when my intentions are mis-perceived. That's the thing though. So often in our day we are misunderstood. And we misunderstand others. It can be contributed to our perception at the moment. Wherever we are with our beliefs we bring them with us wherever we go. And because our beliefs, yours and mine, can be so different, it's a wonder we can communicate effectively at all.

We carry around images of how we believe people and things should look; expectations of how things should unfold and the belief that our way is right.  So for today let's create space for other people's points of view. Make an effort to understand it and proceed from there.

Pic... Somehow they've figured out how to be together in spite of their obvious differences.

Pretending to be a "client"

This morning my daughter Jennifer is taking a CanFit test to be a personal trainer. She has already passed the written test. This test shows how she can work with a client leading them through different exercises. I am the "client". Yes, the things we do for our children. The test will last aproximately an hour.

I am always so happy when she is around. It seems that every age she has been is a good age. I never tire of seeing her and being with her. When I remember that I feel that way about her it helps me to understand how my mom feels about me. She still sees me as her little girl. I once asked my mom, "When do you stop worrying about your kids?" She answered, "Never."

So parents out there, is it the same for you?

Pic.. Jenn and I at a concert at the JLC.

Boundaries

We all have boundaries. They can be as simple as someone stepping too close to us to talk and our stepping back. We may feel uncomfortable when someone gets too close. At work we have our work space and a boundry may be for others not to come in and make changes to it. People doing things for us that we didn't ask for; people making decisions for us that weren't theirs to make are examples of boundries being crossed.

Yet, as our parents get older we may have to cross boundries that previously we would never have dreamed crossing. It becomes obvious that we sometimes do have to make decisions for them that they don't want us to make. How do we know when to cross these boundaries?

I'm in the midst of this dance. The boundaries I find I must cross are in the areas of their safety. Making decisions that will help keep them safe and others too. Like, "No you must not drive after major surgery until you are feeling 100%". That seems logical to me but it's a fight. And I can understand how our parents can feel that their life is not their own.

During all of this I remember that the power of God, as us, is love. Perhaps if we always come from love and from a desire for the highest good for all, then we can cross those boundries. It may not make it easier but we'll know we are coming from the right place.

Pic..She cared for me and now it is my time to care for her.

Moses! Moses!

I recently heard the story about Margaret Butterworth (Eric's sister) being stuck in LA traffic with a bunch of teens in the car. She was trying to get them to the bank before it closed. All of a sudden the teens heard her shout out Moses! Moses! clear this traffic! The traffic cleared and they made it on time.

I have never thought of evoking the name and energy of Moses before. But why not? Moses set the Israelites free bringing them out of bondage. Today I am telling the story of Moses and how the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt is really our own story.

What holds you in bondage? What needs to happen in your life for you to choose freedom? For the Isrealites it was the plagues... let's hope your freedom can come less dramatically!

Pic... A beautiful sunset always preceeds the dawning of a new day.

Mirror Mirror

There are many types of mirrors. There are the ones that are made of glass and reflect back our image. Then there are the ones made of flesh that reflect back our behaviors and ways of being. These are the ones whose reflection I have the most trouble with.

I don't like being upset by a person only to discover that what bothers me about them, is also in me. Therefore the change I wish would happen, needs to happen in me. That's not to say they don't need to change but I am only in charge of me. I can't make them do anything.

And I know that as I do my spiritual work and make those changes, I'll see the fleshy mirror differently too. It is easier said than done, we all know that. It takes time too, to see your own reflection in others. But it is such an "aha" moment when you do.

It changes everything. Now you can see that person as a gift whose very annoying self (my perception :) can bless you. I am in the midst of this type of a relationship. I could tell you all about it. I could relay my side and their side and build my story so that you would absolutely agree with me. I'm right..they are wrong! But all the while there would be something "niggling" me inside inviting me to see it all from a higher place.

I'm on my way there and it's a "one step at a time" journey. I pray you may see that all the mirrors around you are there to help you see yourself clearly. Blessings.

Pic..House front in Chautauqua New York. I wonder, will I be very old before I really "get it"?

Surgery Day

My 103 year old step father is having surgery this morning. I'll be with mom all day and night until sometime tomorrow when he gets back from the hospital. It is dangerous having an operation at this age and generally they won't operate if you are over 100. However he is in such good shape they believe he will do well.

I ask you to hold my family in prayer today if you will. His name is Les. Thanks so much. With faith I go forward into this day affirming all is well. Blessings.

Pic.. Mom and Les, probably 5 years ago. My mom looks like her old self before she got Parkinsons.

We ARE Walking As The Light

In many Unity churches the children come into the sanctuary at the end of the service to the song... I am walking in the Light, in the Light, in the Light...and then We are etc.

It is a reminder to our youth that they are the Light of the Creator. What does that mean for us? Here's what I suggest:

1. As the light, I shine my love everywhere I go. Waiting in a grocery store line up I affirm I am expanding that love light out to touch the light of others. I feel my oneness with them. I do not see separation.

2. As the Light of God/Universal Mind we can focus on our inner power to create the day we wish to live. For me that is a day where I move through my activities with ease and grace. I don't believe the Light struggles and if there is a struggle in my mind, it is my getting in the way of the Light.

Just for today visualize yourself as the Light, shining everywhere you go, blessing everyone you meet and interact with. This is an exercise in being conscious today. And let me know how you make out.

Pic.. Looking at Hannah will open your heart. If the day gets tuff..think of her as a way to restore your peace and return to the Light you are.

What or Who Determines Your Mood?

I'm thinking of all the ways we give our power away. We pick up the newspaper and read an article that has us complaining out loud and we feel annoyed at the stupidity of what we've read. Perhaps it's senseless violence against an innocent girl. We turn the TV on to see stories of missing girls and wonder what kind of people steal other people. And as angry as we may get, I may get, I don't want to carry that anger into my day. 

I can give my power away to papers, the TV, other people and maybe you do too. The best is when I remember to stop, breathe, go within and get grounded again in Universal Love. It asks me to trust in Divine Order and Love. 

So for today if your joy starts slipping away, stop, breathe and feel love. By feeling love you will move into it and it will expand out from you and touch the lives of others. Now, that's pretty cool.

Pic... Something else that is pretty cool!

"EASY" Doesn't Make It Right

There is the idea floating around that if your dream or goal doesn't unfold easily then maybe you are on the wrong path. If the going get's tough then the tough get going in another direction. I want to question this thinking.

There is a little girl lying in critical condition in Pakistan. She is 14 years old. She is a fighter who under dire circumstances, under the threat of death, held on to her simple dream. Her dream is that girls in Pakistan be educated. Riding home on a bus full of girls having just completed an exam, the Taliban shot her in the head. Their mission was to silence her. She has been the voice that wouldn't be quieted, up until now. She has held fast to what is right. She didn't let fear get in her way. Her dream is for good.

If your dream is for good don't give up when the going get's tough. Stand up for what you believe. Because if your dream is truly for your good it will be for everyone's good. And that is worth working for.

Red Sky

This morning on our walk I saw the most beautiful sky that had hints of red and orange in it. Perhaps it is reflecting our beautiful fall colors. As much as I enjoy Florida I think I would miss the changing of the seasons if I lived there for extended periods of time. Is it just me or is this the most beautiful fall we've ever had? The trees are just gorgeous.

Maybe this fall I am more "awake". Perhaps the beauty has always been there but I just haven't always seen it. That's the way it is with life day to day. Our view is informed by our attitudes and the meaning we give to what's going on in our life right now.

So for today, if what you are seeing outside of you, including people, doesn't look so good, look inside of yourself to see why that is.

Pic..I looked for a pic of a fall tree, and could only find  a pic of baby Scooter on my table.. fall colors .. best I could do.  :)

Oneness

I belong to a Clergy group. We meet once a month during a brown bag lunch. Yesterday we met downtown. We alternate meeting locations. We hadn't met since June and it was nice to be together again. I must admit that after meeting with most of them for about a year now, I don't feel that I really know them personally. What I do know is their professional journey because it mirrors mine.

Belonging to a group of people who are like minded or going through similiar experiences as you is invaluable. No matter how others try to understand what your job entails, only someone who does the job will truly know what is involved.

So my message is that it's best not to expect family and friends to be able to feel your passion or frustration at the same level as you do. We tell them our stories looking for sympathy or support which may not look the way we want it to. That's normal and you can be okay with that when you remember you've lived it and they are just hearing a story. Two very different perspectives.

Pic... Our Oneness is like the trunk and the roots of this tree. Then we branch off and go in our own unique direction. We all understand our "roots" and try to understand each other's journey.

A Thanksgiving Like No Other

Thanksgiving morning I was mildly traumetized. I know when I almost drowned years ago it took a week before I stopped crying on and off. I'm still feeling upset by Monday's event. Maybe you've had an experience like this that's left you emotionally drained.

I was in the kitchen before breakfast talking with my daughter. I turned my back on her to look at a wall calendar and I heard a tremendous noise that sounded like a mixture of dishes flying and a HUGE thud. When I turned back, Jenn was on the floor. She'd fainted and her face and hands were twitching.

I began screaming and crying. My husband and hers came running. 911 was called, peramedics came, there was blood on the ground where her head was bleeding. We spent 3 1/2 hours in emergency and then they sent her home.

The conclusion was that it was a viral infection causing an inner ear imbalance. Or, more to what I think, it was low blood sugars. Either way she is fine now and planning a follow up with her family doctor.

I was reminded to be grateful for family and thankful for the realization that in a split second your life can change. I am thankful it was only for a short time and not a life time.

Pic.. Jenn and Greg .. a happier day in their home.

Happy Sunday!

Today's lesson is about Thanksgiving. No suprise there right? But the talk is not so much about giving thanks as it is about living thanks.

Thanksgiving isn't just for one day. Universal Law demonstrates that whatever I give thanks for expands in my life. Imagine that.. "I want more love!" Give love. "I want more money!" Give money. Well you get the gist. And not just once or twice, but always and repeatedly live thanks.

Like the 22 year old who celebrated his birthday by doing 22 acts of kindness.

Like the 100 Women group who gather, nominate and vote on a worthy cause, then get out their cheque books and write a $100 cheque. Living thanksgiving.. each moment of each day. It's not the words.. it's the actions.

How could you live thanksgiving?

Pic. Taken a few years ago at the first Unity church in Kansas City. I am standing at the lectern where Charles Fillmore, Unity co-founder, stood preaching weekly. He taught Universal Principles.

Tackled

Last night as Bob and I sat eating a sandwich at the Family Circle Restaurant we saw two police officers tackle a guy to the ground. He was on a bike, we missed the take down, but saw the wrestling on the ground.

It made me think that there are many worlds within this one. My immediate world contains law abiding citizens, no drugs, no criminal acts, daytime activity and everyone in bed at night. Then there is another world that wakes up when I turn my lights out. The darkness brings forth the honest night time shift workers and those who at some point in their life have shifted from love and peace to anger and desperation perhaps. I am minimalizing but making the point that there is the free world and a world that imprisons both physically and emotionally.

It's always about choice. Where do you want to live? How do you want to show up? Have you learnt how to deal with your anger and frustrations in a healthy way? Have you learned the value of being a good citizen?

Today I choose love and peace. I set the intention to share myself at the highest level I can. I won't intentionally hurt anyone, I won't take what isn't mine. What is your intention for the day?

Pic.. Alberta.. choose the high watch.

Being in Service

I was sent a video made by a man who decided for his 22nd birthday he would do 22 acts of kindness. He gave bottled water to police officers directing traffic; wrote thank you notes to his city politicians; delivered a flower and thank you note to nurses at his local hospital; cleaned a stranger's car as it was parked in a parking lot. Well, you get the idea. He didn't always get to see the effect of his good deeds. And sometimes he did.

As I sit at Unity writing this I am watching about 30 sparrows enjoy the bird food in the feeder I just filled. Some are drinking water from the pan of water I topped up. Because of me, this is their experience this morning. I'm enjoying the fruits of my efforts, as small as they were, they make a difference.

This weekend is not just about being thankful it's about giving. What can you give today that could make a difference?

Pic.. a house was built for this woman and her son. She was also gifted cleaning services, flowers, new neighbors.. it ALL matters. Both the big and the small.. it ALL matters.

What Do You Do When You Outgrow.....

Last night Unity's Prosperity Plus program began. I gifted each participant a conch shell from the Naples Beach. I asked, "What is the significance of your shell in reference to this class?"  Many insightful thoughts were shared.

Whenever we want to change our life we have to let go of who we are right now. The longing from discontent pulls us out of the shell we are in to discover our newer self, our greater self. But for this to happen you have to let go and be willing to entertain new ideas and old ones. The thing is sometimes we think we know it all already. We come with our cup full and there is no room for new ideas.

The only way you know if you really know is by looking at your life. If you are seeing an expression of what you know then you know. Because we can know all about prosperity but if we aren't experiencing it, we just know it in our head. So the comment, "I've heard this before." shouldn't get in your way. You may have heard it before but now is the time to learn how to live it.

So whatever you are beginning anew... empty yourself so you can be filled with both new ideas and a new understanding of what you already think you know.

Pic.. Bob on the beach. He helped pick the shells.

Minister in a Foreign Land

I' ve just spent two weeks in the US. Unless you've been living in a shack in the woods, you know they are in the midst of an election. Their elections are "sexier" than ours. (No one here, that I've seen, ever swoons over Harper) They are about the party yes but the man running for President is out front. It's a long race to the White House.

I happen to be an Obama fan. I believe that four years is an unrealistic time for anyone to turn around and cure all the issues facing a nation. I like his attitude that encourages people to participate in the healing of their country. One man, one party can't do it all. He's "Kennedy-esk" in that way.. ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.

So here's the thing. I found when I was in Naples Florida, which is Romney territory, I felt annoyed when I saw a woman standing at the side of a busy road holding up a Romney sign. I would see Romney bumper stickers on the cars. At one moment I heard my inner voice yell.... "I want to rip that bumper sticker off!!"  Oh my, I'm not even American. How can I have such a strong reaction?

It gave me insight into how heated these elections can get and how invested people are emotionally. So for the sake of peace, I think people (including me) need to stand back and breathe and trust that whomever gets in will have the nation's best interest at heart.

I remember in the book ,The Shack, God said, "I don't make bad things happen but I bring out the good in whatever happens." That requires we stand in faith and trust. I think that's even on the US penny.. In God We Trust.