APPRECIATION

Life can be lived as a prayer in action.

Yesterday dad went for his first walk in a long time and had no pain so that was really appreciated.



I had little choice but to stay home and resit after a very uncomfortable night.  I called it a day of complete healing and let go of some expectations and plans I had made.  I am hoping all will be well today after a much better sleep. I am trying to keep us so healthy and things do not always work out.

 

I am now down to one red mitten, one white glove and two black gloves for the same hand and it took no effort on my part.  Some things are hard to grow out of eh!  I have decided to look for good in others and to appreciate each day no matter what happens.  I think that appreciation for the good and the bad will somehow contribute to making better people out of us.

 

 

"God" by Deepak Chopra is being returned to the library. The book  was found under some trashy novels. It appears that we all wonder at times if God is there and listening. Through the ages prophets and priests have believed in the messages they were hearing were from God. But does the authority of saints guarantee us proof that goes deeper than reason?

I am now quoting from this book.  God is reached through an inner journey and the whole problem of proof could be settled if this journey could be verified.  (we have no footprints)  Now it is discovered that God's footprints were not invisible after all, but just hidden beneath the cranial bones in the soft tissue of the brain.  The areas of the frontal lobes associated with higher functions like compassion grow larger and stronger.

Four pathways to God are the path of devotion, the path of understanding, the path of service, the path of meditation.  "With the collapse of faith as a common inheritance, each of us must undertake the inner journey of our own choosing, but that was always true."

"Einstein respected the cosmic mystery enough to say that what astonished him most wasn't the universe, but the fact that we can know it at all.

Yes I do believe that children are smarter today.  "The mind is like a very deep river and if we dive down deep enough there is peace and calm."  There are many new ideas coming out that changes some of my earlier beliefs.

My healthy soup!   Quinoa vegtable soup!   I will try it again maybe in a day or so. Dad had some and he was not impressed but he is feeling okay so maybe I cannot blame the soup for horrible miserable night.  I think back to the many years that I had nights like that and had to get up and look after children.  Yesterday I was well  looked after.  Off for a walk later this morning.!

PRACTICE

Practice forms character.

Many spiritual practices are shared across religious traditions such as

praying at fixed hours, giving to the poor, keeping a day of rest,

fasting, and offering hospitality to strangers. 

 

Dad and I took a trip to the library and I found him a book on pilots in the wartime. I also got some funny D.V.D.'s. I have lots of practice looking for both books and D.V.D's.  We have had a good laugh which is always healing I believe. 

Contemporary Christian writer Brian McLaren says:   "Spiritual practices are actions within our power that help us narrow the gap between who we are and who we are becoming."  To really learn something takes practice and when that practice becomes alive and joyous then it becomes something we want to do, not something we are forced into doing.

I do enjoy going to church to be inspired and to worship with thankfulness.   
I find myself surrounded by peace and beauty and friendship.

 

"Practices are things we do that shape who we are as they awaken us to God and to others.  Humanly alive and alert."

 

What a choice we have now to choose from;   Eastern meditation or Western psycho-therapy, twelve step programs, self-help groups. spiritual retreats or private reading and quiet prayer or yoga.  There is good in all of these practices. Even in our praying we blend elements from a variety of traditions.

 

I think that we are in a very unique place of spiritual awakening.

"When religions are in the process of reformation or renewal, adherents frequently borrow or blend practices from other sources."  -Christianity After Religion by Diana Butler Bass.

 

Jesus said that new wine must be put into new wine skins to ferment (Matt. 9) and our practice of our faith can change and bring new life into the old!

 

Once Jesus is freed from the prison of religion, a renaissance and a reformation are possible.(Spong)  I am a Christian who firmly believes that Jesus came to set us free from condemnation and guilt and show a path that leads to an abundant life.

 

The soup  made was healthy but I was sick all night.  It could have been the soup and the fact I need more practice or the thing dad had and still has a bit of.

 

 



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELINA

Melina  Hope you felt better as the day went on.  We did try to phone both the cell and the house phone but got strange messages.  Are you still planning to climb the bridge?  I do hope I sent your card to the right address I have been doing stupid things lately.

I am thinking about all the learning that Jasmine and Mathew are going to be doing.  So much knowledge to help them grow and develop.  Such fun things to do and to see and to learn. 

I believe that we are all seeking authenticity that awakens new wonder in us and  help us keep  learning.  Some dreams do come true!

A full life includes love and enthusiasm, reason and faith, surrender and serenity and times of celebration.  Carol and Panteli are coming back around March 1 so that is exciting news.

MISTAKES

                              The sky is getting lighter on my morning walks.

 

Walking in the quiet of the morning it is like I am trying to "eavesdrop" on God I can feel His presence in the cool freshness of the morning,  the beauty dancing across the sky, the joy of singing birds and the laughter of passing joggers. 

I have been making a lot of mistakes lately; a little more than normal anyway.  Sunday morning, as usual I started out for my walk feeling okay but by the time I reached 72 and Scott road my back and legs were aching.  As I am looking up the steep hill in front of me resting at the bus stop, the bus stops and the door opens and a lady hops in;  so I sit and wait and regain my strength.  I am thinking to myself: you know I could take that bus right up to 64th and be nearly home.  Of course I had no money but I think I will get a few bus tickets just in case.  Whoops I guess I did go a little too far!

 

I got mixed up in the day for the baby shower which is not until the 24 and I had the old address written down but thankfully checked these things out before I set out.

 

I bought a vitamin drink that said restores energy that is suppose to be for runners not for some one recovering from some strange bug;  then forgot to get what I went to the store for in the first place.

 

I published the wrong blog by mistake but I think only one early bird saw it.

 

Thankfully I have forgotten the rest of the mistakes.

 

BUT I did get a nice phone call from Ron Ateah thanking me for something good I had done for him years ago.  So that made me feel a little better.  Good luck Ron making that door nob the dog cannot open but Donna can!

 

I would have liked to go over to Sandra and Randy's but dad was not feeling too good.  What a great pair we are.  We seem to be taking turns; now it is stomach problems.

So it sounds like rain this Monday morning so I think it must be raining.

POSTPONED

Saturday morning had my early morning prayer walk.

Yes dad and I are out and about feeling so much better.  Too bad Melina came home feeling so miserable I know how miserable dizziness and nausea can be.  Hope she is better soon.

Our Saturday evening book study group had to be cancelled again. Some where going to hear a quest speaker,  Robert Fifk,   and others had other commitments  .Dad and I were undecided as I we still feel a little sluggish.  We are a fun group with lots of different opinions, well if dad and I are there it is for sure, and we have been together for many years and been through lots of things like marriages of children, our grandchildren, and a remarriage of one of our group.  We have also been through times of our children going through divorce, the pain of cancer, the joy of the arrival of new grandchildren. etc.  We have been good friends for many years.  Doug the retired minister married our granddaughter Mary to Michael John.

 

We are discussing a book by Henri Nouvwen, a Catholic priest, who taught at university but left to share his life with a community of people with disabilities.  The book is called :Reaching Out" and he presents three movements of the spiritual life.

 

Beginning with our own awareness of inner poverty, then moving to seeing the needs of ours and to be in community, and last movement from illusion to prayer and this most intimate relationship and the center of our connection to the Holy One.

 

The point being that all of us internalize our feelings and how a harsh word can makes us feel sad and misunderstood.  We all make mistakes with our careless remarks and we all know what we should have or could have done better.  I think that I am not alone in having a heavy heart at times and the darkness in the morning can be the darkness in my soul.

 

 

He takes us on a journey from frustration and fear and envy into a place of humility and grace where we are reaching out for the unknown God. I like what he says about moving from our human shelter to the house of God where if we believe the words of Jesus a place is prepared for us. Prayer is a gift that can be a struggle until I realize that first I listen then I allow the spirit to prompt my thoughts and put them into words. The scripture speaks of the breath of God that can breath within us and free us from anxiety and restore peace to our souls.

We did get a present for the baby shower which we will deliver today but I will not attend.

Dad and I came home and I had a nap and he went on the computer and then we went to bed early so thankful the meeting was cancelled.  The plan is to go to church today but the morning is young and we are not!  Dad had a sick stomach during the night.  Unusual for him that's usually my thing!

UMBRELLA

Faith is like an umbrella of hope.

Yesterday was gloomy and rainy and umbrella's pop up everywhere.

Dad drives me over to the Senor's Home. It almost seems strange to be out in the car.  Our first trip had been over to Sandra's to deliver dogie medicine.

On my walk with Gunty we meet the children going to school and there is a mass of umbrellas.  Little ones following in a line behind mom.  All seem happy and excited. Wished I had a camera!  Another think to note about umbrellas mine seem to be always getting lost.

Very touching scene at the Dairy Queen as an very elderly couple sit at the small table with a small bag of ships and one ice cream sundae.  They hold hands and he says a little prayer.  A moment of thankfulness  to remind us all to be grateful.  Dad always said grace before meals but I will not say grace at family meals unless asked, although a moment just to be thankful for our food and for each other is important.

For me the western mind has trouble understanding Eastern Religion.  These are thoughts from "God" by Choopra, but some thoughts fit into what I believe like this one.

  "But if God is pure potential things change radically.  Potential is infinitely flexible.  A god of potentiality doesn't need to be obeyed, fear or placated.  He exists to unfold anything and everything.

If I can see my potential then I can see the light.  I do not quite understand expanding consciousness.
..dissolving false boundaries.  We bring energy and light with us even when we are somewhere we do not really like being.

Jesus calls this being in the world but not of it.  It is a creative state not passive.  I am the author of my own life and have the ability to grow through suffering and develop compassion.  My story is the way I see things all around me.

Enjoyed a visit from Sandra, who braved our germie home, and then since the cupboard was bare we went out for pizza.  We are looking forward to visiting Mandy and James on Sunday and their cute little dogs.

PURPOSE

                   The purpose of life is a life of purpose. -George Burnard Shaw

 

First the important news Stephen and Shawna are expecting a Baby!  ! Yah!

Just for family and friends to know,

 

We have many gifted and artistic people in our family.  I love the color and design and shape of this bird Kim made for me.  Very beautiful.

Dad and I have been watching some interesting D.V.D's; the last one yesterday was about a black man who was not a doctor but helped a doctor learn how to do open-heart surgery.  He had brains and skill but was not given any credit.  This was back in the 1940's.  His name was Vivian Thomas.  He worked at John Hopkins Hospital.  Eventually he was given honor and respect even though he was not a doctor he became a teacher of doctors.

Mind and heart and spirit make us who we are and each of these nurture and grow within us if we allow them to.  There is no simple theology that good people will prosper and the bad will suffer. Some of our most profound lessons are learned through suffering.  I believe that I am on a journey to realize that I am empowered within and can have an inner strength even when I feel weak and useless.  Discernment and wisdom come from the very depth of our souls and we all can tap into this energy,

Had a better day today and even took Jim his milkshake.  He has a bad cold too.  He ended up going to the bank in a police car because his daughter had got stopped with no license and her car was towed away.  Her heart was in the right place trying to get her dad to the bank but she has a pretty strange life I think.  They took a cab home, at least they had some money.  It was not his first ride in a police car but I did not go into details.  I am sure finding a sympathetic ear is not easy.

 

Doodling by Panteli