Category: blog

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Life is about change.  Sometimes those changes are small and life-changing, but the same change happens no matter how much we try to keep life on an even keel.

It happens in the natural world and our world.  It can be scary because all change involves the ending of what we know and the beginning of what we do not. I used to think that changes that I initiated were easier than those pressed upon me, but change is change,

I am about to embark on a new chapter in my life, which is exciting and scary.  It changes from one to another day by day, sometimes minute by minute. The one thing I know about all change is that it brings me closer to God.  In the unknown, I stop depending on what I think I know and am aware of what I don’t know and that I cannot do it alone.

When fear does come up, I look to the past to see all the times I have stepped into the unknown and gifts I could not even imagine resulted.  So here it goes again – change – stepping out into the unknown, trusting that God is the net that will keep me safe and cared for.  For that, I am grateful.

Quote of the Week

By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity, we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibilities We can let fear rule our lives or we can become childlike with curiosity, pushing our boundaries, leaping out of our comfort zones, and accepting what life puts before us.”

Alan Watts

Years ago, I read a little pamphlet by Emmett Fox entitled The Golden Key.  In just the space of a couple of pages was such spiritual insight and wisdom that the truth in those pages is still with me. 

The Golden Key to happiness, peace, well-being, and joy is not thinking about our difficulties but about God instead.  It is simple but not always easy because we believe that if we spend enough time worrying about something, being anxious about something, or awfulizing enough, we can resolve the challenge.

However, if we believe, as I do, that we live our life from the inside out, nothing we can do out there will do as much good as turning our thoughts away from the problem and concentrating on God.

The more we think about something, the more power we give it and the more it appears.  But if we say to ourselves, don’t think about an elephant (for example), the more we think about it.  So we have to think about something else, and that is God.

If you don’t think this will work, try it in your life.  I have done so in mine, and the results are more than I could have envisioned.

Quote of the Week

“Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead. This is the complete rule, and if only you will do this, the trouble, whatever it is, will presently disappear. “

Emmet Fox

How often do we decide to do something, and then doubt takes over? We hesitate and sometimes give up on what our hearts lead us to do.

It is good to take time to look at all our options when making big decisions; it is normal to have some doubts as to whether our decision was the right one.  However, the time comes when we have to step out in faith and trust that God is guiding us and to let go. Let go of the fear, let go of the doubts, and let go of the negative thoughts that keep us from pursuing our good.

Holding on is something many of us do – sometimes to excess. Letting go is a process most of us only learn when we are left with no choice or the pain of holding on overcomes us, and we have no other option than to let go.

I watched a movie on Amazon Prime entitled, On A Wing and A Prayer.  It is based on a true story. The movie is about faith but also about how there comes a time in our lives when the only answer is to “let go.”

When we let go, we can see what our Higher Power can do in and through our lives, sometimes directly and sometimes through the angels in our lives.

Don’t let fear keep you from pursuing your dreams. Let go knowing God has got your back! You might be surprised that sometimes the only correct answer is “just let go.”

Quote of the Week

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

Lao Tzu

Almost everyone has heard the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31

It is one of the most famous New Testament verses and a way to live for Christians.  Yet the Golden Rule is not a uniquely Christian idea.  Every world religion has something similar.

Buddhism:  “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”

Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty, do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.”

Islam: “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

Jainism: “Therefore, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so.”

Judaism: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Leviticus 19:18

“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.  This is the law; all the rest is commentary.”  Talmud.

Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as you own loss.”

And that is only some of them.  I have always believed that any idea that was common among all the world religions was something I needed to pay attention to.  It was so important that God wanted to make sure everyone got it.

Today this idea is as important as ever because when we live by it, we make a small step toward making the world better.

Imagine our planet if every person of every faith truly put this into practice.  It might be the beginning of a new world where kindness, compassion, understanding, and acceptance are the norm for all people.  What a better world it would be!

Quote of the Week

 “Do not wrong or hate your neighbor.  For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.” 

Pima proverb (Native American)

All transitions are challenging, but those involving moving are even more so. While experts often disagree on which life events are the most difficult, almost all agree that moving is one of the top ones (usually number 1).

That being said, some moves are more stressful than others. I should know I have moved numerous times, and although none were easy, some were more of a challenge.

When Christopher and I moved to Savannah, we had a houseful of stuff, two cats, and one dog. When we got to our apartment at around 6 pm, the moving truck behind us, we discovered it was not ready, which the landlord failed to inform us of. We had to find storage for our stuff and a motel that would take not just us but our three companions as well.

As difficult as that was, having someone to share the experience with and three furry creatures to make me feel good made an otherwise stressful situation manageable. That move was minor compared to the move these past two days. 

What made it so difficult? It wasn’t the moving of my things to three different places (I had done that before), and it wasn’t the rain (although that did make it a wet challenge). What was it? It was doing it alone and older.  

I was blessed to have some people help me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. However, at the end of the day, it was me, cold, wet, and exhausted, driving to my first temporary home in the pouring rain.

Fortunately, we are never alone if we have a Power Greater than Ourselves. My God was there, and It showed up in big and little ways. One was an angel named Greg, and the other was Tina.  

It showed up with covered parking at the motel I was staying at – so I did not have to move anymore in the rain and was there with a view of the ocean. It showed up in a beautifully warm room with a comfortable bed. It continues today with a massage spa next door so I can give my tired muscles some well-needed healing touch.

That is the way life is sometimes. It comes with challenges, but it also comes with moments filled with gratitude, especially for a Higher Power that always reveals itself to me in my dark moments.

Thank you, God, for Your Presence, Power, Love, and Grace. Most of all, for letting me remember I am never alone.

Quote of the Week

“Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep [p your balance, you must keep moving.”

Albert Einstein