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Saying that Final Good Bye
Saying that Final Good Bye when a loved one passes away is one of the hardest journeys one can take.
The age and circumstances can affect you in ways you never imagined. Sometimes the ill-health of that person can make it a little easier because you do not want to see them suffer anymore, so it becomes a release for them and perhaps for you.
Sometimes it is an unexpected accident — one that you could never have considered as a possibility. Tragedy can break your heart because it is so sudden.
Then the details, expenses for burial, paperwork, rules and regulations come into your awareness. Who knew how complicated it would be? It would seem that an original of the Death Certificate is needed for just about any transaction. It can take weeks or months to take care of the business.
It is said that about 96 percent of people do not have a will or express their wishes in a written document like the Five Wishes as a Living Will. Do those people in the 96 percent understand the negative impact of such an act of omission? Could they not see what a morass of regulations that they are leaving for their families?
As for me, my dear mother passed away recently. Her last month was filled with suffering that even narcotics could not take away. She was surrounded by caretakers who truly cared for her, including family members.
When I looked down at her for that last time, saying a prayer for her on my lips and in my heart, I knew she was finally at peace and without pain. In our belief system, she has become “absent from the body but present with the Lord.” Her Spirit is in a better place. She was set free from a failing shell that just could not house it anymore.
Will I miss her? Of course, every minute of every day. But I believe in God Mail — my thoughts and words to her will be delivered instantly by the best transmission system in existence. Hence, I know that I can still “talk” to her freely. I want her to see through my eyes the beautiful flowers she loved so much on this plane of existence, so I’ll send her a “snapshot” of the Beauty I partake of, or of the loved ones she cared about, or any other thing which I consider important.
I do not know how others who do not have a faith/belief system survive this moment, and the moments to follow. I can only think of the emptiness that must be a part of that. Which faith/belief system that you have is not a factor here. But one must believe in something in order to get through this trying time.
How about you? Have you chosen to take a moment or two to express your wishes in a legal way? I highly encourage you to do so. Not one of us is going to get out of this world alive, so think about it. It would make a tremendous difference to your affairs and those who would have to deal with all the problems created thereby through a lack of a written document.
Life itself will go on for me. The Memorial Service details are almost finished. There will be that moment of one final Good Bye to my beloved mother. But I rest assured that Her Spirit is doing just fine where she is now.
Remember, life is made up of choices, minute by minute, and day by day. Have you told someone, “I Love You!” as they go out the door? It does not matter the age or circumstances. It may be the last words you can express to that person. 911 taught us that in a dramatic way. We have no guarantees.
God’s blessings upon your journey!
Forever in our Hearts
Celebrate the Presence of God In You
Celebrate the Presence of God In You – not the Absence.
No matter what your definition is of God, Religion, Spirit, Oneness,etc., and what name you call it: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Jehovah, Brahman, Buddha, Ahura Marda, Tao, Allah, Logos, etc. = It is all the same.
God is life – the essence of our breath. He/She/It/Oneness/Jehovah/Jesus/Allah, etc., is in us at this very moment.
Christians view Salvation as an expression of a recognition of an Outer God, which then brings rebirth into the inner being. In truth, it is a recognition of an inner truth – we are all children of God. The important point here is that one needs to recognize that Presence inside of us, no matter what religion you are. As long as one is praying to a Supreme Being outside of us, we cannot arrive at the At-one-ment where we are companions, walking and talking to an essence that will guide us every moment of every day. Some call it Holy Spirit. Some call it by other names. It is the idea that you can bow before a Buddha, a cross, a statue of Jesus or Mary, and feel that oneness of spirit so you can live your daily life in a holy (spell that wholeness) way, trying to be a better person. It is that joining that makes a difference.
It would appear that many of us are caught up with the idea of being “right” – as defined by: You think, act, and talk just like me. The world now calls it “Mini-me.” If I make a statement about my religious beliefs, I am not looking for you to agree with me. However, many people want to hear only agreement in return, or they feel you are “wrong” or “do not believe correctly.” Then they want to proselytize you into thinking like they do. Hence, they are always “right.”
The idea that God forms a personal relationship to each and every person – even in the same church or place of worship – would be heresy. After all, there are rules, creeds, and guidelines established by every religious sect that defines how each one may come to know God/Jesus/Spirit/Jehovah/Allah, etc. The rules go on ad infinitum ad nauseam. So each and every individual that participates must abide by all of these or risk being excommunicated or even killed in some places in this world.
I sometimes wonder what the God/ Spirit, otherwise called He/She/It/Oneness/Jesus/Allah/Tao/Brahman/Jehovah/Logos/Ahura Marda/Buddha, etc., thinks of all of these separating behaviors?
Religious Wars have been fought since time immemorial over them. Many immigrants came to the United States for the freedom to worship as they pleased. In fact, this country was founded on this very principle. But today, political correctness denies us that very right to pray and worship as we please, wherever we want, whenever we want, in public or in private. There are many factions in this world who are trying to impose their religious ideas on others, forcefully, fearfully, and sadly.
Here’s a new idea: How about respecting each and every person’s belief system? Now that would be unique! I don’t have to force feed you, and you do not feel compelled to do the same to me and others.
Every person must come to their own understanding/connection with the Supreme Being of the Universe. It is not up to me or anyone else to do it for that person.
My connection is a very personal communication, every minute of every day, with the One I believe in/pray to/walk with/talk with.
Acts 17:28 states: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Could that be any clearer?
You might ask, “How do I begin to make my own connection with this Being?” Answer: Matthew 7:7 states: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
If one knocks at a door, how does one enter in? Simple — the door is opened from the inside.
Hence, you hold the key to your belief. You must open up to the idea of One God for all. No one can do it for you.
Why would a Supreme Being — who demonstrates to us the multiplicity of His Creation — ask us to make others into Pringles or Mini-me’s?
Answer: Would not happen.
If each one of us could take a look at our belief systems and give others the basic respect of doing the same, the whole world would benefit. It could become more peaceful and loving, instantly.
Are you willing to try it? After all, peace can only happen one person at a time, one day at a time, one incident at a time. You can make a significant difference if you will only attempt this. It’s in your hands.
God’s blessings upon your journey.
Below are examples of the Supreme Being’s multiplicity in His Creation:
Fall Aspen Trees & Evergreens Snow Storm in Rocky Mountains Four Deer
Pied-billed Grebe Chukar Male Bald Eagle
Aspen Colors Trapper’s Peak Area God’s Majestic Beauty
Blue Grouse in Aspen Tree Purple Mountain’s Majesty Peace-filled Beauty
Autumn Colors Metamorphosis Time Last Rose of Autumn
Are You Building Your House Upon the Sand?
Matthew 7:24-27 states: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
This Biblical story is now thousands of years old, yet it can guide us in our lives today because it is a story about CHOICES and VALUES. Think about it. What did you have for breakfast today? When did you get up? Why did you get out of bed? What are your plans for the day? Are you going to be a couch potato, or is it time for a family outing? Do you want a beer or a cup of coffee?
LIFE HAPPENS A MOMENT AT A TIME. THE CHOICES YOU MAKE, BASED ON YOUR VALUES, WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE, EACH AND EVERY DAY!
The sayings are, of course, WORDS, and the rock is your BELIEF SYSTEM. It is more than what Jesus taught. It is, in fact, how you live your daily life. Your BELIEF SYSTEM is more than going to church every Sunday or whenever the Church door opens. It is more than what your pastor, preacher, Rabbi, priest, or Holy Man says. IT IS WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT THEY SAY THAT MATTERS.
Are you doing ARK’s (Acts of Random Kindness)? Are you acting in a caring manner with your coworkers, family, friends, acquaintances, and the local confused sales clerk? Or are you spewing forth unthinking words just because the milk got spilled all over, a mate does something you do not like, a clumsy child breaks something, or a sales clerk rings something up incorrectly? The point is: WHAT YOU SAY AND DO EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY MATTERS BECAUSE IT IS YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM IN MOTION — IT IS BRINGING YOUR VALUES INTO REALITY.
John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
This is more than a casual verse. It brings the importance to light of: WHAT WORDS YOU SPEAK ARE VITAL TO WHICH HOUSE YOU CHOOSE TO BUILD! Your actions will follow your words and thoughts!
If you think that words and actions do not matter, you are literally “BUILDING YOUR HOUSE UPON THE SAND!” Do you feel like you are on a treadmill, going nowhere fast? Every day is like all the others. Money goes out faster than it comes in. There is always more month left and no money to live on. CHAOS RULES! IT PROPAGATES ITSELF SO FAST THAT YOU CANNOT FIND THE OFF BUTTON! Confusion is the order of every day. Priorities change constantly. Perhaps you have great intentions in the morning, but by the evening you just collapse on the couch and turn the TV on, glad the day is over.
SYNERGY OCCURS AT ALL LEVELS. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, YOU BRING ABOUT! Do you ever ask yourself, “How is it I am thinking? Are my emotions running away with me? Is my anger a realistic reaction to the circumstances, or is it not commensurate with the situation?” Questions like these could begin to turn the tide of every day for the rest of your life. You see, questions indicate a change is possible – then the answers will come to you, teaching you what you need to do differently. The answers will come in many forms: Books, classes, workshops, preachers, teachers, etc. Your Spirit will recognize your answer because you asked the question in the first place. I actually write down my questions and then the answers when they come, dating them for fun. I have enjoyed watching the changes unfold. Are you willing to try it?
The house Jesus was talking about is your Spirit, which is inside of you. The sayings He was talking about is all the good, positive stuff which can help you make changes and have a better life. If you choose to follow the negative thoughts and emotions, your SYNERGY is stifled, no real changes in your life can be experienced, and CHAOS RULES THE DAY! SYNERGY THEN MULTIPLIES THE BAD STUFF! Is that what you want…more of the same yuck?
It is your choice: WHICH HOUSE WILL YOU CHOOSE: BUILD IT ON ROCK OR ON SAND? Your words and actions are the expression of your POWER OF CHOICE IN MOTION. The power to make changes in your life is held solely in your own hands…nobody else can do it for you.
Kahlil Gibran stated: “If your garden is to be lit, it is you who must do it.”
God’s blessing on your journey!
Light on Poppies
Rose in the Light
upliftingthoughts4u 