A gift from my father

I had written this before, but feel the need to repeat it today on Father's Day.

My dad was brought up Catholic. My mom Protestant. They decided to raise us in the Protestant church. There was no getting out of going to church every Sunday. Except, that is, on the occasional Sunday that my dad would wake me up early to work with him on the apple orchard. Thinking I was getting out of church was usually short lived as my dad always found a way of still getting a lesson in there somewhere for the day.


When I was fourteen, everyone was given a permission slip for our parents to sign so that we could join the church. I thought my dad would be really happy that this was something I wanted to do. So, that evening after dinner, I gave him the paper to sign. He looked at it, put it back on the table and said that he would not sign it. I was quite confused to say the least.

He explained it like this. It was he and my mom's intention that I get a good base, a good foundation. Now that he felt that I had it, it was my turn to go and decide what was truly right for me. If for the next few years I wanted him to take me to the catholic church, he would. A synagogue, baptist, advent, temple....he would. It was truly up to me, but I had to study something. If there was no place near for me to go, then I was to get a book. We would then talk about it later.

To this day I treasure this gift. This freedom to truly believe what resonates within.

The Bee Said

As I sat in my garden
Much to my dismay
A bee came along
And wanted to play.

I asked him to leave
He kept buzzing around
I said I'm allergic
He just kept buzzing his sound.

Again I had told him
I needed him to leave
He buzzed even closer
And landed on my sleeve.

I asked why he insisted
On landing on me
He said just have faith
And to just let things "be".

It will work out just fine
Please know that it will
These things on your mind
Just allow in God's will.

Risk taking with age...

Risk taking with age......

When I was young, I was a firefighter, a cop and a rescue worker. I loved the adrenaline rush of whatever situation was put before me.

Now, at 53, to get a rush I find myself shaving my legs in the shower. The challenges are the fact that I cannot feel the outside of my left leg from the knee down and oh, I don't wear my contact lenses.

Guess some things really do change with age.

Human. Being.

Dear God,

Please help the human in me be gentler with the being in me.

Physical Stone

I've not visited my blog in awhile. I have taken the time to work on my physical self, or as previously shown to me, my physical stone.

I believe that I have done very well. I have gotten back into eating healthfully (except for today, it's my birthday and I'm going for ice cream with Fred). The weight is starting to come off. I also have started going back to the gym. It's a meager effort as I am trying not to hurt my back in anyway, but I am at least doing SOMETHING! It's crazy how much strength I have lost and a little daunting how far I have to go, but I am seeing healing.

I went to my doctor. Since I hurt my back last June, he has been suggesting at every visit that I have surgery on my back . I have not. Somehow this option just didn't "sit well" within me. Instead I have rested. I have done my physical therapy. I have babied myself. I have had two injections. I guess that if I truly believe that thoughts and intentions are things which can be manifested I should live it, so, I have even spent a bit of time talking to my back, an odd concept, but.... This time he said that I had progressed to the point that the surgery option was off the table. How cool is that!?!? I still have a ways to go. I still have numbness and pain in various places in my leg, foot and toes, but it's better! I was told by doctors that there was only a 30% chance that anything would come back without surgery. Ha! Doctors, what do they know...?

On to my next healing stone.

Three Simple Words

This morning I got up for work at my usual time, 2:50am. I had a fitful night sleep and therefore I'm still tired. My back hurts. I know it's cold out. 6 degrees with a forecast of more snow. There is already over two feet in my yard. I'll not be gardening until August. Now that's a depressing thought for me so early. UGH!

So, I take my shower, make my tea and then sit for a few quiet minutes of meditation before the day begins. I find that I can't quite quiet my mind. Already, it's off and running with things to do. I feel grumpy, cranky even. Not the way I like my day to begin.

I go about my usual, getting dressed, making my husband's lunch, my breakfast, etc. and can't seem to lighten my mood.

Then, I take a minute to check my e-mail. I notice one from a friend that lives in another state. I open it. "How are you?" appears on the screen. Instantly, it seems, a smile is on my face and my mood lightened. The cold I was feeling is gone. All is good in my world.

It is now afternoon. So many times throughout the day those words have crossed my mind. My lips smile. My heart smiles. Just three simple words. Such power they hold.

Some Simple Questions/Some Tough Answers

What makes me happiest?

What am I most proud of?

A special moment in my life was…

What do I love to do?

What do I truly love?

Who do I enjoy being with?

I AM………..

What makes me laugh is…

My fondest moment was when…

My favorite thing is…

My favorite food is…

My favorite drink is…

My favorite place in the world is…

Where have I vacationed?

Where have I lived?

What humbled me most was..

My parents and grandparents names are…

Favorite dessert is…

A favorite memory shared with Mom.

Favorite music / musicians

A favorite memory shared with Dad.

Favorite actor / actresses

A favorite memory shared with grandparents.

Pets I have loved.

If I could be anywhere, where would that be? Who would be with me? Doing what?

My favorite toy as a child was…

The person I admire most…

I find joy in…

What does a hug mean?

What is my favorite picture of me?

My favorite plant or flower is

My favorite quote…

Standards I live by are…

Most inspiration to me has been….

My first love was…

I’m most comfortable with myself when…

I cherish most….

I treasure most…

My dreams are…

Three Answers

God only gives three answers to prayer:


1. 'Yes!'

2. 'Not yet.'

3 'I have something better in mind.'

Questionnaire

Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Take a minute to clear your mind. Read the questions below one at a time. Answer with the first thing that comes to mind.

1.) Who is most important to you?


2.) What is most important to you?


3.) If you could be anywhere, where would you be?


4.) What would you be doing?



5.) Would anyone be with you? If so, who?


6.) What is your most treasured possession? Why?



7.) Seeing as you can’t change the past, what’s one thing you’d wish for the future?



8.) What is your passion?



9.) What angers you the quickest? Why?




10.) When was the last time you were still with yourself?

Now reread your answers. List three things, whether you believe possible at this time or not, that would take you closer to where you want to be.
1.)


2.)


3.)


Pray on these three things daily. Ask for help. Doors will open.
Patience. Trust. Gratitude.

Resolutions vs Intentions

I believe that every year most of us set out with good intentions and make resolutions.

I have begun to see, for me at least, that there is a very big difference. When I make a resolution, I believe that I put all of the pressure on me to succeed. With all the demands and craziness that life has to offer...I fail.

Therefore, this year, I am putting out my intentions. I am asking for help. I know from past experience I cannot do it alone. God knows I've tried year after year.

By putting my intentions out into the universe, I can relax. The pressure is no longer on me.. Don't get me wrong, I know that I still have to do my part, but I have help now. My own personal assistants, if you will, whenever and wherever I need them. Most importantly, get this.....they're free! They are just waiting to help. Remember what I wrote previously about "Matter doesn't matter"? Well I think I should take my own advice on this one.

Also, when we make resolutions I think that maybe we are limiting ourselves. Just maybe if we put it out there and allow ourselves to be open, maybe we will receive something even better than we could ever possibly imagine for ourselves. Wouldn't that just be the coolest thing?

So here we go. This year these are my intentions......
For my physical body to heal. For it to become healthy, happy and feel beautiful.
To truly know both peace of mind and spirit.
To be gentler, kinder to people around me, especially myself.
To become a better, open channel for spirit to communicate through me in order to serve others.
To personally know, feel and show wisdom and grace.

So now it's out there. Out for the whole universe to see. Such anticipation. Such wonder.