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Perceptions

We acquire our perceptions of reality from the moment of birth. Authority figures such as parents, friends, teachers, etc., all contribute to the plethora of our understanding. Some are positive, yet most are negative, along with the feelings engendered. When something occurs, our frame of reference for these perceptions come into their own. We reject whatever is outside of them, and accept without question that which “fits.” We react accordingly.

At what point do we question whether or not these “perceptions” are helpful or harmful? Unless something happens to challenge our perceptions, we go through life’s daily motions, living our life, whatever it is.

Here’s a thought: Our perceptions are actually crystallized thought patterns, which form a mold for future use, automatically. What if one finds that change is needed in whatever form?

In order to change something, one must first examine one’s reality to see WHAT IS. This will show us how we thought/felt in the past. Then we must chart a course to a new destination that we desire. We are at the helm of our individual ship, after all. To chart a course requires thought, with feeling becoming the wind in our sails.

If our thoughts/feelings cling to the past, there is no wind to affect our course. Only in the present can we make a difference.

One can use affirmations of what we can see is needed, together with prayer, to change the crystallized thoughts and perceptions. Only that will shatter the glass of crystallization, which will forever hold us in the same place, same habits, same situation.

Some people fear change because it is unknown. Only by Letting Go and Letting God with faith in the possibilities available can we begin to see the needed changes begin. Trust is a strong element here. Ego does not want it at all.

So if there is some change needed in your reality, no matter how big or how small, look at WHAT IS. Keep it before your eyes, thoughts, and feelings, without ambiguity or doubt. It is, after all, your journey, your ship. Are you willing?

God’s blessings for your journey.

Image result for ships

 

Inside vs. Outside

When you are looking for answers or you have questions that need responses, where do you start? That sounds like a silly question, but it is vital to your personal and spiritual growth.

The very beginning of wisdom begins with a personal relationship with your Creator. Every religion in the world begins here for every person.

When I open my eyes  every morning, I say a prayer before my feet ever touch the floor: “Good morning, Lord! Thank you for this blessed day. I know that you will be with me every minute, unfolding my highest good before me. Take my hand, this day, and guide me. Amen!” Then I mentally take my Father’s hand, just like a trusting child, and begin my day. (By the way, if I ever turn loose of His hand during the day through negative emotions, I have to turn loose of them and reach for His hand again, trusting that all will turn out OK.)

You might ask why that is important. My answer? I know I am not alone, ever (that is, unless I choose to cling to negative emotions).

When I am seeking answers, need information, or just confused about some matter, I either write it down or ask the Universe to provide my needed responses. It comes in the form of a magazine article that I just happened to pick up, or someone sends me an email, or I become aware of just what I need to know, or a spiritual teacher comes into my life (in many forms, I might add).

Some religions call this: The Law of Attraction    OR What you think about, you bring about!

The difference between the INSIDE vs. OUTSIDE approach is that countless numbers of people seek answers from those outside, trusting them before one’s own insight is utilized. Many seek the advice of psychic readers, Tarot cards, talking with friends, teachers, preachers, Personal Growth Speakers and Workshops, gurus, Holy Men, Wise Men, Elders, etc. My point is that inside of you, you have a guitar string that resonates to your inner being and its growth. If you receive information from outside of you, give it the guitar string test: If it resonates, your highest good is being blessed.

This probably seems like an outer space idea, at first, if you have never resonated before. My example is that I was in Harper’s Ferry just wondering around on my own for a few minutes. I heard some notes of music coming from a store. I walked in, asked the sales clerk what the music was, she answered, “Danny Wright’s ‘Time Windows.’ ” I walked over to the rack, picked it up, and turned to go to the cash register. A lady stopped me by asking, “Excuse me, but you just walked in, found out what was playing, and now you are buying it. How did you do that? I have been here for two solid hours, listening to these. I still do not know which one to buy. How do you know you will like it?” I responded, “My inner Spirit just began waltzing the second I heard it. I know I will love it for always!” She, of course, looked at me like I was a lunatic. I smiled at her, turned to the cashier, bought it, and walked out. Of course, Danny Wright has many wonderful works out now, but that one was my first experience, and it was not being sold in Colorado for a long time. I still love his music.

If I did not resonate, I could never have done that.

Resonating comes in the form of words as well: Books, Preachers, Teachers, Wise Men, Gurus, etc. All of these are outside sources. My point is that, when I resonate to these words, I am forming a relationship with them, making them my own. They become part of who I am.

People can be seekers, going from a book, to a teacher, to a class, etc., accumulating knowledge all the while, but they never ask: How can I use this? How does this apply to me? What will I change because of this new piece of information? It never becomes part of their being, used, contemplated, and cherished.

It is like three blind men trying to describe an elephant: One has hold of its leg, saying, “It is like a tree trunk!”; one has hold of its tail, saying, “It is like a snake!”‘ one has hold of its trunk, saying, “It is like a rope!” They are all correct from their point of view, but the concept of an elephant has truly eluded them.

Some people accept words of an Authority Figure, which could be anyone that person holds in high regard or who they feel has power over them, and blindly follow whatever they dictate or whoever is interpreting their ideas. There have been many famous and infamous figures throughout history who prove this, including Jesus, the Pope, Dalai Lama, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Confucius, Mohammed,  John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Plato, Plotinus, Aristotle, Hitler, Stalin, David Koresh, Jim Jones of Jonestown, Billy the Kid, Geronimo,  etc. The list is endless. It can be anybody whom one places their trust in or who they feel subservient to. In inner cities where gangs rule, guess who is dictating to others? You know who it is. This idea can be applied to a manipulative Preacher as easily as it can be anyone you put ahead of your good common sense, your Inner Guide, and your resonator. Wars have been fought for thousands of years and continue today because people give up their personal power to someone else.

You might say: “I cannot control the world. All I can do is make decisions for me.” PRECISELY!

You can be a seeker and travel the world, looking for completeness outside of yourself. Lots of luck with that one.

Or you can begin with the personal questions that you need answers to. Write them down. Ask your Creator to teach you what you need to know to understand how to RESONATE to an inner guitar string so you can hear it when it twangs, be it music, words, books, teachers, or friends. Make it your very own music. Create your very own symphony inside of you. This will guide you to the end of your days.

The only question is: Are you willing? God is the Potter, and you are the Clay. In order to change your reality, it must begin inside of you. It is your choices in action.

God’s blessing on your journey!

 

 

 

Harmony Traces In a Relationship

Harmony Traces is an example of a couple who is pulling together, focusing their energies, money, and goals so that synergy occurs, creating the desired end result. It is the quintessence of cooperation.  This happens in less time than it would take two individuals working alone.

Have you ever tried to pull a heavy wagon all by yourself? It doesn’t work too well, does it? If you have two horses trying to pull a load, they are yoked together so the effort expended achieves the goal. That is what Harmony Traces is…pulling together.

For those who are familiar with Charlton Heston in the movie, “Ben Hur,” he is talking to the sheik’s four horses, telling each one of them their strengths. He told the sheik that they were harnessed incorrectly so that they would not hold a turn as they should. He then told him how each one should be placed so that their combined effort would be successful.

Life is a lot like that. However, I have found over the years that there are not many couples out there who are concerned with this. Life itself helps us to pick at our partners, dividing us, creating enmity and hurt feelings. The end result gets lost in the details.

Communication fails so badly that some couples just stop talking to their partners, trying to avoid another confrontation. It is just too painful to endure.

If you are feeling a separation with your important other, you need to ask yourself if you want it to continue. Or…do you want to do something about it?

If you decide to change the situation, there are many counselors, books, communication classes, etc. out there. If you truly want it, you just need to seek it.

Harmony Traces is not something that happens by magic. It is an idea you have to work towards. If there is something you need to discuss with your partner that is unpleasant, you have to start somewhere. Deciding when and where may be a delicate issue. But you begin the conversation, peacefully, calmly, and with a recognition of just how much you care for this person, communicating that first. Respecting others opinions, active listening, and responding appropriately are key here for both of you.

I saw in this one movie with Steve Martin where they had 12 kids between them. During a family meeting, they passed around the talking stick. Only the person with the stick could say something, and the rest had to listen. I have often thought about how valuable this idea is: Simple, easy, and doable. But when emotions get involved, people stop listening, respecting, and communicating. Guess what happens next? You got it: A full-fledged battle is underway. You can rest assured that feelings, memories, and words occur that you cannot take back or change.

Honesty and trust are developed over time. It does not grow like a mushroom, which can blossom overnight. It is more like the oak tree, slow to develop, but the growth is worth any effort in the long run.

All you have to do is to think about the idea of Harmony Traces as a worthwhile goal to strive for. This journey of a thousand miles will begin with this step. Are you willing to take it?

God’s blessings on your journey!

Mushrooms Blossom Quickly

Mushrooms Blossom Quickly

Oak Tree in Autumn - Beautiful to Behold!

Oak Tree in Autumn – Beautiful to Behold!

 

 

Instead

This poem comes from Jan Phillips, The Living Kindness Foundation (858-571-1417), http://www.janphillips.com:

Instead

Instead of rosaries and litanies
I will make every small move
a mindful one
every exchange a kind one

Instead of lighting a candle
I will light the way for someone
stand with a friend facing the dark
hold my torch like an umbrella
over both our heads

Instead of dropping coins in a collection box
I will clean out my closets and
empty my cupboards
giving away all that I no longer need.

Instead of kneeling in a confessional
to admit wrongdoings
I stand and confess my unabashed love
for all my soul mates and family of friends
I confess to an unbearable joy
at the sounds of spring
the sight of a redwood
the feel of a kitten’s fur on my neck.

Instead of processing to the altar
to receive communion
I call this earth my altar
and my intimacy with her creatures
the bread and wine of my life.

Instead of saying “I am not worthy”
I say let me live up to the challenge
TO BE,
let me remember I am One with What Is,
I do not need redemption,
nothing is wrong.

Instead of calling for help from a faraway God,
I sit in silence and feel the roar
of creation churning in my cells.

Instead of waiting for a priest to come
anointing the passages of life and death
I don the vestments of service and love,
I stand with others in a circle of trust.
We raise the chalice in a toast to earth,
we make the water holy with our humble hands,
we baptize ourselves as redeemers of peace,
servants of unity.

Instead of waiting for the world to turn,
we become its revolution
we spin new webs, build new cogs
with our feet in today
and our minds on tomorrow.

Instead of the old,
we bow to the Now
and turning within,
we create the new.

Jan Phillips

 

This has so many worthwhile suggestions, I wanted to pass it on.

God’s blessings on your journey!

 

 

 

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