Halloween: A Perfect Demonstration

In a recent conversation I learned that many spiritual faiths focus on abundance in October because in ancient times October was the time of harvest and repaying of debts before the long winter months. It's not surprising to me that the origins of abundance morphed into children knocking on doors asking neighbors to share their abundance in candy.

Do you know how much children love Halloween?? I'm pretty careful when it comes to giving my kids sugar. Candy bars are definitely a treat. So when Halloween comes around and the children are literally swimming in candy bars, life feels extra abundant. It's the one time of the year when children have the opportunity to go out and earn or ask for their good.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been struggling to make sense of fair compensation, prosperity, abundance and wants. I've learned a tremendous amount about myself. Out of determination to know the Truth, this morning I looked to the Science of Mind textbook and found some interesting insight in the meditation section. Ernest Holmes writes:

My affairs are in the hands of Him, 

who guides the planets on their course, 

and who causes the Sun to shine.

And I shall not be hindered in my work. 

My affairs are controlled by Perfect Intelligence,

And cannot be hindered from expression.

I know that all that I do is done from the One Motive;

To express Life; and Life will be expressed

In and through me. I cannot hinder it.

Isn't trick-or-treating the perfect example of perfect work combined with Life expressing. The Universe (and maybe the candy manufacturers) so loved it's children that it created a day to express and demonstrate abundance. A time for children to express themselves in costume, go out and ask for their good. And working through the love of adults in the neighborhood, Spirit provides in abundance. With delight we give and with gratitude they receive regardless of worth, without judgement and with incredible joy. We are all blessed.

The same can be said for my good and your good. It's all expressing right now through you and through the people around you. Just open you hands or bags or buckets and receive..receive your good in all its forms...candy, money, love, you name it. Knowing that simply being and showing up is enough.

So Happy Halloween Friends! May you all experience the abundance of Spirit tonight and throughout the year. 

A Halloween scare: Imagination in action

Here comes Halloween.  Booooo!

Halloween is a time for all young and old to step into that space of make believe.  A day that is completely acceptable to be scared.  Imagine my surprise when the fun was taken away, only to be replaced with fear. 

It all started on a fall day in October.  The day was turning into quite a warm day.  Being at the campsite was a requirement for my son in his current rank of cub scouts.  We were fortunate to pick the Halloween camp for his fulfillment.  This is the annual camp for his pack where a carefully constructed haunted house is created by the pack parents.  A walk through this haunted house allows one to see creepy clown kids, rats, bats and spiders hanging from fish wire, a man's head on a platter and a women with her hands, and feet cut off, and her intestines spilling all over the place.  My son and I were fortunate to walk through during the "no scare" time.  It was a first for him to walk through a haunted house. I was surprised of his determination to walk through.  It was a fun time and was not a time of fear, but that changed upon bedtime. 

While placing the tent up in the afternoon, we noticed the tent was showing its age with rips throughout the fabric where the support poles insert.  This was a tent my father had given to us to use on our first camping trip two years ago, and it seemed he had much use of it.  One of the support poles was actually broken, allowing the tent to become angular in shape instead of the curve it was intended to take.  It was sturdy enough for us to reside in for the night, and we were happy to be revisiting this dwelling for the second time in our camping history.  We also brought our inflatable queen mattress so my body would not ache the next morning. 

Once our Haunted house adventure, and trick or treating was complete, and smores were all eaten, it was time for bed.  Because we arrived at our destination in the late morning, all the spaces for setting up our tent were taken. We were directed down the hill a small distance away, but away from the rest of the pack's tents.  I really didn't think anything about being alone down there away from the pack.  I was completely fine. As the other's in our group continued with the chatting around the campfire, and the rest of the children were treated to a movie on an inflatable movie screen, my son and I decided we needed to sleep. 

Unfortunately, I noticed our mattress no longer held its air, which reminded me we had two air mattresses, and one had a leak.  I knew if I just refilled it with enough air to get me to sleep I would be fine. That is what I did, and it worked like I suspected.  THEN, at 12:56 in the morning, I heard a noise which startled me awake.  It had the sound of sniffing and I immediately thought of the wolf pups I heard howling right before going to bed.  My mind began racing of all the scenarios that could be evolving at that moment.  The tent was moving back and forth and I remembered how skittish wolves are around people.  I also remembered reading recently that the wolves are becoming more daring around humans.  I intellectualized that it couldn't be a wolf, and then I thought of mountain lions.  I remembered a handout we were given to read, regarding mountain lion safety, on another camp out we were supposed to attend 3-4 weeks prior. Since we ended up not going, I didn't read the handout, and now my mind was dreading the fact that I hadn't.  Once I came to terms that the tent wasn't being pushed by a creature of nature, and was actually the wind being stirred up, causing a swishing sound on the bottom of the tent against the dirt floor, I was relieved. However, the wind became slightly stronger and my mind began to race again, remembering that we had a broken tent and it may come toppling down if the wind continues in strength.  My mind was in full fear mode and I had to stop it. 

I remembered the journal given us from the Commitment Experiment at Center for Spiritual Living, Capistrano Valley. On that exact day the quote was: 

Stand Tall and be Proud- Sink Your Roots into the Earth-Be Content with your Natural Beauty- Drink Plenty of Water-Enjoy the View

Ilan Shamir-

Though I didn't remember the quote exactly at the time, I remember I journaled about nature.  I was bringing myself down to calm, however, with all this heart-pounding action the damage was done, I was wide awake, couldn't go back to sleep, and now needed the restroom.  Because I had remnants of the fear that was created, I couldn't move from my warm, safe sleeping bag.  I laid awake until I could no longer ignore the results of my fear. Two hours later, I mustered up the courage to leave the tent for the restroom.  When I returned I was able to reflate the bed and get 2 hours more of sleep. 

After getting home I read in the Commitment Experiment journal. The statement I was to finish was:

Today I intend to take advice from nature and....

I journaled: 

Be easy with my surrounding. Let nature be ok with me in it. Go with the flow. 

Interesting how Spirit works. My intention was for me and nature to be ok with each other, and my mind gave me many reasons not to be.  I, however, remembered my intention while I was in the midst of fear. This is what it means to build a Spiritual muscle. The ability to recollect and utilize the tools of the Spiritual trade. Once I re-read the intention I set, I was reminded of what it takes to embody that intention.  Of course, there is even more excitement to the story. What I have found is that my fear has actually provided quite a bit of humor to many of my friends, and will continue to provide humor for many years to come. An experience, a lesson in letting go and going with the flow.

          Happy Halloween          

Believe In A More Brilliant World

We enjoy and even thrill to the godlike possibilities we see in ourselves in peak moments. And yet we simultaneously shiver with weakness, awe and fear before these very same possibilities. - Abraham Maslow

And So It Is!

Grounded - A documentary about the healing power of earth

"I just need to get my feet in the sand." I've certainly said that. Gardeners will often say "I need to dig in the dirt." When I take Kate to the beach she always pleads "bury me Mommy bury me."

In more than one conversation this week the topic of "grounding" or "being grounded" came up. So when this documentary came to my attention I made sure to watch it.

There are some amazing claims and some powerful demonstrations of healing. I'll be interested to see what you think.

"All of nature's forces gift the earth with subtle energy. 

All we have to do is touch it and become truly alive."

Ownership of Your Spiritual Home Matters

I'm in the Process of Manifesting the Impossible

Since we are in the midst of the Commitment Experiment, I thought it might be good to "experiment" with manifesting something BIG on this blog...out loud.

Be bold. Put my intention out there and be vulnerable.

I'm making my intention known, will be up front about my actions and will be honest about the manifestation.

So, here it is:

My father-in-law passed away a couple of weeks ago in Holland.

The family is having a celebration of life for him on November 9th.

My mother-in-law offered to fly my husband out, but couldn't afford to fly myself and our two boys out.

We all want to go for the celebration, however, the money that is coming in now covers are basic necessities and paying over $5,000 for this trip doesn't seem feasible...at this moment!

I know we will manifest this trip and here have been our steps so far:

1. We had a family meditation last night and this morning.  I guided my husband and kids to see us in Holland.  To visualize our family around. Laughing, running, and feeling the palpable energy that my in-laws generate when we all get together.  When they saw and felt the experience strongly, I asked them to ask, "How did we get here?"  Then, we all shared the answers our intuitions gave us.
2. We created a check from the Universe (thank you, Juli Isola) for the amount that we need to have a great time, and of

   

   The $5,000 check from the Universe with the caveat,
   "or more" added.

   course, left the option for "more" to come to be received with gratitude.
3. We placed the check on our energy altar each blessing it with a kiss and the affirmation of "Thank you, God, for this already being so."
4. I made an appointment at the passport office for next week to have my kids' passports renewed.
5. I have assembled all the documents we need for the passport renewals and know that the "proof of travel" (the paid airline tickets) will be included in the folder by the beginning of next week.
6. I prayed, affirmatively, this morning knowing that this trip is already done.
7. I prayed yesterday, with my prayer partner, Amy, about this trip.

And now, I let it all go and allow the Universe to do it's part.  That said, I'm not going to deny ANY prayers should you be compelled to affirm our highest and best good for manifesting this trip!

UPDATE!!!!  Before I could publish on this post, my husband called with a "Holy sh*t" moment.

He got a call from his boss who had good news! A million dollar property they had been working on finalizing had finally been completed.  She was calling to say that his commission would be to him by mid to end of next week.

GUESS HOW MUCH IT IS?!?!  $5,200.

Hence, the "Holy sh*t" moment from my husband.

Steve, my husband, explained the situation of our Holland trip and before he could finish it, his boss said, "You need your commission earlier!"

"Yup," said Steve.

His boss answered, "I'm actually on my way to the bank right now...."

(Of course she is, I thought)

..."I'll deposit your commission directly to your bank account so you can get your tickets this weekend."

Now, you may think, yeah, right! She knew that was going to happen.

I did know it would happen because of my faith and I recently learned that faith is made up of three parts, expectancy of the outcome, emotionally feeling the outcome, and action steps towards the outcome.

I had all three in motion.

What I didn't know was how it would come about, yet, I was open to the infinite possibilities of manifesting this trip.

Here's the interesting thing:

The property just happened to be in negotiations (for a while I might add), the negotiations just happened to be finalized today, and my husband's boss just happened to be on her way to the bank.

We couldn't make all that happen!

The trip was already done in the spirit realm.  The Universe was already creating the events to create it in our physical reality.  We simply had to bring our energetic vibration up to the level of vibration of the trip.  We did that with our action steps.  We showed the Universe we were willing to receive.

And now we will.

Hod damn! We're going to Holland!

Today is Global Oneness Day!

After reading September Warren's blog yesterday, I was inspired to visit the website for Global Oneness Day - and now I am counting the minutes until the 8:15 conference time!

I have a very busy day today, so I won't be able to see everything (it runs until 7pm tonight). Not that every topic would be of interest to me... but they have a great line up of speakers!

As my schedule permits, I will click the link provided when I registered, and stream some of today's most inspiring New Thought leaders right to my phone or laptop. Did I mention that its free??? (There is an option to purchase MP3 files of the conference, but we'll see how it goes.)

You can still participate!

Click here: http://www.globaloneness2013.org/ to register. 

Beyond today's event, there are other things you can do to get involved. If you're interested, I encourage you click here to visit their website to learn more. The shift is happening. :-)

Global Oneness Day 2013

And The World Will Live As One. 

Global Oneness Day is Thursday, October 24, 2013. 

Since the late 1960′s, when pioneering astronauts captured the first photographs of Earth from space, there has been a growing realization that everything and everyone on our beautiful blue planet are deeply connected. A realization that we are One.

And yet, the popular perspectives and dominant institutions in our society are still primarily based on a mentality of separation. The focus on “us” separate from “them”, or “me” separate from “other”, while appropriate in context, is the root cause of so many of the escalating challenges we now face. Thus, if we want to bring about a sustainable global society, nothing is more important than changing this outdated way of thinking.

Global Oneness Day was created to recognize and celebrate the fundamental interconnection of all people and all of life. It is an opportunity to join thousands of participants in the exploration not only of the idea of Oneness, but ways in which this thinking can and is being applied “on the ground” so that our global society and culture increasingly reflect it.

When we, as individuals and groups, begin to awaken to an understanding of the world as One, our fundamental motives begin to shift. We start to see the possibility of a higher ideal – for success, health, prosperity, and purpose – not just for ourselves, but for all of humanity, and indeed all of life.

Global Oneness Day brings together dozens of passionate speakers whose commitment and insight into Oneness have inspired millions. But as inspiring and important as these conversations are, Global Oneness Day is not only about the sharing of ideas and insights. It offers an opportunity for thousands of us who care deeply about our world to be together in solidarity and experience a shared consciousness as One.

-Taken from the Global Oneness Day website-

Register now

http://www.globaloneness2013.org/

No One Is Alone Chelsea Vann & Michael Garamoni

No one here to guide you, 

Now you're on your own. 

Only me beside you. 

Still you're not alone.

No one is alone, truly.

No one is alone. 

Sometimes people leave you 

Halfway through the wood. 

Others may deceive you. 

You decide what's good. 

You decide alone, 

But no one is alone. 

People make mistakes, 

Fathers, mothers, 

People make mistakes, 

Holding to their own, 

Thinking they're alone. 

Honor their mistakes. 

Evrybody makes 

One another's terrible mistakes. 

Witches can be right, 

Giants can be good, 

You decide what's right, 

You decide what's good. 

Just remember 

Someone is on your side 

Someone else is not 

While you're seeing your side

Maybe you forgot; 

They are not alone. 

No one is alone. 

Hard to see the light now

Just don't let it go 

Things will come out right now.

We can make it so. 

Someone is on your side, 

No one is alone.

 Chelsea Vann & Michel Garamoni 

Walk the Labyrinth This Wednesday in San Clemente

Experience Sacred Space at Wednesday Wisdom

It's that time of pumpkin patches and corn field mazes, dark nights and candle light.

My first visit to the Center for Spiritual Living was to walk the labyrinth. It was this time of year. Dark at night. I drove out to San Juan Capistrano where the center was prior to relocating back to it's current location in San Clemente.

Labyrinths have been used in multiple cultures, multiple religions across centuries, truly a "Tool for Transformation." Used for meditation, relaxation, worship and pleasure. Scientists claim that labyrinths activate the right side of the brain. It's fascinating stuff involving science, religion, art, sacred geometry and architecture.

I found a really interesting video which shared detailed information on how to walk a labrinth and a bit of history. It's just enough to really wet your whistle for more.

See you Wednesday 7 pm.

"The affairs of the world will go on forever. 

 Do not delay the practice of meditation."

Honor Your Body...You Spirit Needs It to Express

I know that what I appreciate, appreciates in value, I act accordingly.

The Gem Tones 

To Hell with Forgiveness, Hold a Grudge!

A shameless plug? Maybe.
A prime example of what forgiveness can do?
Definitely.

Sometimes the thought of forgiving someone who hurt you may make you want to throw up.

Why should I forgive him/her?  She hurt/wronged/betrayed/scarred me for life!  I will NEVER forgive, you might think.

For the month of October, Dr. Heather is leading a workshop-based Sunday service called the Commitment Experiment.

Each week, we explore principles that are catalysts to a Divinely-inspired, abundant life.

This past week we focused on forgiveness.

I was taken back to a time in my  life, only 5 short years ago, when I was faced with a devastating betrayal.

It hurt like nothing I had ever felt before.

The image was seared into my mind.  I thought I'd never get rid of it.

Only days later, I was almost watching myself, as if I was an observer, as I was Divinely Guided to see my part in that devastating moment in my life.

As the days, weeks and months went on, I worked to heal myself.

What I realize I was doing was, instead of healing, I was going through the phases of forgiveness.

Only last year, was I so comfortable with that experience in my life, that I decided to write a book about it.

This post isn't about promoting my book, but it's about the transformational catalyst that ONE, devastating night was, and how I didn't think I'd survive it with my family in tact.

Five years, almost exactly, after this event, I look back on that time as a pivotal shift in my life....for the better!

The process of forgiveness brought me closer to God.  

I was not in a consciousness to heal myself, or even forgive.

No one could have taught me the right way to forgive or to heal...

...except the one Infinite Intelligence that KNEW how to teach forgiveness and healing from within.

What I have come to realize is that no book, no person, or no workshop can teach forgiveness. 

It must come from within and it is guided by a Love that loves like no other.

When we co-create forgiveness with God, we co-create a different path for our lives, we become healers, and we become more evolved than we were prior to the event.

Holding a grudge for all this time would only hurt me.

It would hurt me emotionally, which would lead to energy being "clogged" up in my Chakra energy centers, which would eventually lead to physical pain of some kind.

I had a choice to cling to the hurt and betrayal, or to forgive with Spirit's help.

I chose the later and I will say,

...Forgiveness put me on my life path, it allowed me to reinvent my life altogether, it allowed me to let go of a past that no longer exists and create a whole new present moment.

What can forgiving lead you to?

The possibilities are endless. 

What if you simply let all the anger, hurt, resentment, etc. go.

How different would your life be?  How would it feel?

You can do it.  You have the choice.

Forgive? Or hold a grudge?

The saying, "Be the better person," to me, comes from the ego.

Don't be a better person to feel better than the person, institution, or organization who wronged you, be the better person by choosing to forgive and truly becoming a better person.

###

Learn more transformational principles by joining us this Sunday for the third installment of the Commitment Experiment. 

The Action of Your Love Matters

This week the theme in the Commitment Experiment here at our center is The Action of Your Words is What Matters in Relationships. In contemplating this topic for the last few days I have been inspired to feel it out. By that I mean explore how this idea feels in my life, in my experience, in my relationships with God, myself (and Self), my husband, kids, friends, etc. etc.

So, what I discovered about the action of my words mattering is that this age old, tried and true, truism is true! Again, I discovered this again. It's not like I didn't know it. I realized that there are many sayings that we (join me if this is true for you) toss around, such as:

'Actions speak louder than words'

'Talk is cheap'

'Say what you mean and mean what you say'

'Walk the talk'

"Who you are speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you're saying." 

And then there is the very well used and often fallen back on: Do As I Say, Not As I Do! Who hasn't said that? I dare to suggest that this is not going back on our word, or our intetntion but is a first baby step in changing a habit, or pattern in our lives. It is often easier to start with saying or acknowledging what we know. For instance, I know I should exercise every day, I tell myself that every day... and yet, my actions have not caught up with my words - yet! They will, I know and trust they will because I really, really, really know the value of exercising every day, not just some days,  but every day. So, is that going to make the difference - adding the extra really's to my knowing? It might help, but what is going to make the difference, for me, is taking action - Yes, the "A" word. Action. To me, it means, caring so much, believing enough, trusting that even if it is just for a minute, or five, or twenty it is enough. It is enough to match my actions to my words even in a very small way. Because, walking my talk really does matter to me, experiencing being impeccable with my word empowers me, and I love the breakthroughs that happen in my life when I say what I mean and mean what I say! And, I have found, that when I trust myself it is easier for me to trust others, to trust life. That is the power of Life responding to me!

So, have my words built a stronger case for my actions? Yes, and that makes it easier to match my actions to my words! I say I love you - I believe they are the most powerful words we can say and hear. Hard words to say aloud? Let me show you I love you and we both experience how "the action of your love is what matters". Join me and the spiritual community at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley and experience love, joy, beauty, creativity, connection - experience why you matter.

p.s. I really do love you!

I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white. 

"What a wonderful world," is a melody that has a space of peace, calm and gratitude.  Louis Armstrong's voice, with its rasp, is actually quite gentle.  This is a tune that, when played, can make one feel light on their feet.  What if that easy going feeling can be brought to those who haven't heard the song that day? 

When we are in "Go mode," concentrating on something, or have a mind filled with preoccupation, we may walk in a goal-oriented manner.  Our heads may be down, we may watch our steps while thoughts of the day bombard our mind, or have our head up without glancing anywhere other than the direction headed. We are busy people, we have some place to be, something to do, and important things on our mind.  

What if we stopped to recognize what a wonderful world this is?  And, what if we were the ones who showed others what a wonderful world looked like. 

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,

Are also on the faces of people going by.

I see friends shaking hands, sayin', "How do you do?"

They're really sayin', "I love you."

Read more: Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

How many people can you say, "Hi" to in a day?  In the hustle of everyday life, try to take a moment and really look into someone else's eyes, a stranger, and say, "Hello," with a smile.  YOU may be just that person who reminds another what a wonderful world this is.

Is Love a Religious Problem?

Ultimately when we fall in love, it is a prayer, it is a sacrifice, we give ourselves and hope that this being of light will save us from our animal condition,

We can dispense from being Gods with Anuses into being just Gods. - Jason Silva

And So It Is! 

I am thankful for surfers, carnies, family and my spiritual community.

Hearts don't break. They just get resized.

“You happy Mama?” Kate asked me.

She had just opened the office door to find me crying. She had never seen this before … not like this.

I picked her up and held her close and said, “Yes Sweetheart, I am happy.”

And it was the truth.

I had taken the risk. What I thought would surely break me did not.

That Thursday afternoon I had heard a No, a no that I had been dreading my whole life. In fact I was so certain that hearing a “no” would destroy me that I had never dared put myself out there.

From Thursday afternoon on I was numb. By Friday I was a sloppy crying mess. By Saturday I was raging mad … my husband will confirm this. I joked that I was going through the steps of grieving quite quickly as I was already on anger.

But once I let the anger drop and I got the tears out everything got quiet.

I walked down to the trail, got my feet in the dirt, smelled the sage brush and watched the surf. Nearby on the beach a family with young children started to include Kate and I in their play. We looked at sea slugs, sand crabs and the Mom and I discussed music and kindergarten.

A pretty young girl surfer invited Kate to make a sandcastle with her. Her boyfriend joined them and they giggled as they played family in the sand. I watched the set waves come in. It was a great show.

That afternoon I went to the Carnival with Kate and my Mother-in Love to see our Fab 3 sing the Metaphyscial Hits of The Beatles. We watched Kate laugh and giggle on the rides. We both laughed and smiled. Kate’s joy was infectious and it filled me with gratitude for the love that surrounds us both.

I reached out to my community. I was in pain. I decided to try something new. The support swooped in like magic reminding me of the truth. It didn't make me feel weak. It made me feel supported and loved. By reaching out I created space to let in the support that has been surrounding me all along.

I will probably still cry about this but my tears will be of love and not regret. It feels a lot different.

"Don't fear the night time cause the monsters know that you're Divine." 

~ Michael Franti & Spearhead "Never Too Late"

This is a Test of the Emergency Broadcast System...

This is a test and only a test. 

If this were a real emergency, you would be contacted by the Universe to be reminded of the Truth in times of challenge...

...Reminded that...

...You are:

unique  *  perfect  *  whole  *  creative  *  lovable  *  magnificent  *  splendid

amazing  *  inspiring  *  powerful  *  worthy  * brilliant  *  sweet  *  generous

kind  *  compassionate  *  precious  *  open  *  strong  * vast  *steady  *  peaceful

beautiful  *  mindful  *  radiant  *  loyal  *  direct  *  prosperous  *  wise  *  courageous

patient  *  forgiving  *  trustworthy  *  steady  *  tender  *  exquisite  *  happy  *  focused  *  curious  * resilient  *  brave  *  guide  *  lovely  *  gentle  *  confident  *  cause  *  intuitive  * playful  * intelligent  *  fearless  *  frank  *  dynamic  *  abundant  *  active  *  centered  *  energetic  *  loved  *  teacher  *  faithful  *  diligent  *  enthusiastic  *  witness  *  luminous  *  teachable  *  healthy  *  flexible  *  serene  *  receptive  *  clear  *  grateful  *  important  *  love  *  wisdom  *  creative  *  life  *  joy  *  peace  *  beauty  *  clarity  *  light  *  power  *  intuition

Shall I go on?

(Thank you to whomever designed the bookmark gift presented to us at the Commitment Experiment reminding us of who we truly are!)

Romancing the Presence

Week one of the Commitment Experiment started last Sunday. The Commitment Experiment challenges us to test the hypothesis that committing to something or someone wholly, completely, both-feet-in will bring:

 "A whole stream of events issues from the decision, 

raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, 

meetings and material assistance, 

which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. (W.H. Murray)"

The first assignment: determine how you like to be courted. This task took me back about 19 years to when I first started dating my husband. I remembered how I wanted to spend every minute with him. We would touch base throughout the day and my heart skipped a beat when I noticed his number coming up on my work phone. Mundane lunch hours became exciting knowing I would see him. I realized from these memories that during our courtship I felt special, noticed and important. There was an electricity in the air. Life was exciting.

After our Sunday afternoon workshop together, I asked Dr. Heather why we needed to explore the elements of courtship and she said to use that information to court the Divine within. That idea hit me like a lighting bolt and lingered in my mind for the rest of the day and into the next.

Ideas for romancing the presence came to mind:

• Carve out special time for Spiritual practices
• Put my connection with Spirit at the top of my list
• Make my time with the Divine private and intimate
• Pay attention to Spirit throughout the day
• Be playful, open, excited

On Monday morning as I was exercising, I listened to Jason Mraz's CD Love is a Four Letter Word. As the song "The Woman I Love" played in my ear buds I realized it could be the love song of my romance with the Divine. Spirit talking directly to me.



Some of my favorite lines...

"And in those times that you stop loving the woman I adore,
you can relax because babe I've got your back..."

And...

"I don't wish to change you, you've got it under control
You wake up each day different, another reason for me to keep holding on
I'm not attached to anyway you're showing up
I just want to love you
You're the woman I love."

So, as I explore this romance with the presence, I look forward to the greater expression of life that it brings. And I ask...How do you want to be courted? Can you apply that to your Spiritual practices this week?

Share any changes you notice in your experience in the comments.

Safe and Sound: Life is co-creative.

The journey of The Commitment Experiment has begun at Center for Spiritual Living, Capistrano Valley.  During the month of October the congregation, and everyone who visits, are invited to experience what life is like when we discover how we are here on purpose.

At one point in the experiment we divided into small groups.  In the small group, the thought process of "God Willing" was mentioned.  This lead to a sharing of us as "co-creators" in life.
 
If we live our lives with the thought of God being somewhere "out there," we may tend to believe that the directions of our lives are at the Will of God.  We may think we have no part in the Divine Plan and that luck is coincidental. 

In the idea of us being "co-creators" of our lives, we take a responsibility for the direction our life takes.  Remember, it's not a solo ride.  As "co-creators," we, as humans, are here on this earth to unfold, all the while deepening our Knowingness of our connection in Spirit.

About two weeks ago I heard Safe and Sound by Capital Cities.  Though I've heard this song many times before, something really resonated with me this time.  As I listened to the lyrics, it was as if a conversation in God was being sung.

A conversation in God, as opposed to a conversation with God. This is not about a dualistic conversation, instead a conversation in Self.  Imagine this as an illustration of the Knowing of God and our part in the process.

I could lift you up
 I could show you what you want to see
 And take you where you want to be
 You could be my luck
 Even if the sky is falling down
 I know that we'll be safe and sound

We're safe and sound

I could fill your cup
 You know my river won't evaporate
 This world we still appreciate
 You could be my luck
 Even in a hurricane of frowns
 I know that we'll be safe and sound

(Safe and sound)
 We're safe and sound
 (Safe and sound)
 We're safe and sound
 (Hold your ground)
 We're safe and sound
 (Safe and sound)

I could show you love
 In a tidal wave of mystery
 You'll still be standing next to me
 You could be my luck
 Even if we're six feet underground
 I know that we'll be safe and sound
 We're safe and sound

As we are lifted up in the Knowingness of God, we see what we see and go where we go. WE become the "luck" because all we see is the Goodness of God.  Aren't we "lucky" to know this Truth? 

When we continually practice seeing the Goodness of God, we begin to see our lives in a new Light.  We see things as they really are, and start to think of ourselves as "lucky"  because of all the goodness we see.  In reality WE are the "Luck".  We are in this space at the right time, at the exact moment that we are meant to be. 

When we are completely aligned life shows up as "lucky."  It's no coincidence; the work has been done to set this path in motion.  And everything works for us, nothing against us.  And even if things "appear" to be falling down, we know that we are safe and sound in God.

Hold your ground
We're Safe and Sound

Aren't WE the lucky ones.

Day of the Girl

"We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results." -Herman Melville

Something to contemplate on October 11 the "Day of the Girl"

And So It Is!

ONCE UPON A LIFETIME

To my spiritual family...

There is no closing door that can refuse Life nothing that can staunch Its movement.

It has forever been a river whose origin is Divine and it flows inexorably back to that Ocean.

Once upon a lifetime I believed I could hold each moment as an exquisite jewel, that the Universe was no longer expanding, and I expounded as a child, without vision or clarity.

I swam against the tides and waves and currents until, exhausted, my battered soul washed up on the shore of this blessed place and here I saw the face of Peace.

Even then did I still clutch at the smoke and sand that was my warped remembering.

I held in my hand the priceless pearl with only the merest glimmering of recognition.

Something pulled my consciousness and pushed me to pursue the connection between thought and that which is thought of; in that process I discovered Love.

This was, and continues to be an unfoldment that has no real beginning, and it is the thread of an infinite tapestry that has no borders.

As it unfurls, my world grows ever greater.

Every corner turned is an adventure for me now.

I sail through storms and float in waking dreams knowing that all uncertainty is spoken for by the Mind and Power that has gifted me with life.

Now do I see that wall, once formidable and tall is an ever-opening portal to the real Thing, and every answer I seek, when found, begs another question, forever and ever.

My realization is that explanations explain nothing and that the voyage to knowledge and wisdom is endless, that the impermanence of human life makes it all the sweeter.

And the only thing of true import in this temporality is Love Itself.

And here I have found that Love in forms and ideas, in people, and in the inspired doing that is music.

It is the compassion and caring that carries all lovers through.

It is the force of creation that makes all things new.

This is my home; this the well from which I draw that which quenches me.

This is my family; you are the ones who lift me from my darkness.

And these are they who gently hold my love, that I will not fly away.

God is here, and all of you are His face and Her grace.

-Written by Rick Dale, Singer/Songwriter/Poet

The Commitment Experiment in San Clemente Begins

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" ~ Goethe

Fall has always felt like a time of new beginnings to me. At The Center for Spiritual Living we are dedicating the month of October to recommiting to our spiritual practices, ourselves and our community.

This Sunday was our first week of The Commitment Experiment. We made our commitment to expand our spiritual practices to actively deepen our connection to God (Universal Intelligence, The Divine, Spirit, whichever word you choose).

Step One
Decide which spiritual practices you are committing to do (i.e., meditate, pray, read, affirm, journal).

Step Two
Decide how much time and when you are committing to these practices.

Step Three:
Write your sacred commitment (example: I commit to invest 20 minutes each morning and each evening to meditate and pray).

We are all starting where we are at and experiment adding a little more. Commiting to it. Sharing it. Discussing it. Supporting each other in our journey. Come join us.

Your Daily Connection with the Divine Matters - Sunday Service

Opportunities for Involvement Are Everywhere - When You Look

My family did not attend the recent Blessing of the Animals hosted by our Animal Ministry. It will come no surprise to hear that we had water polo games that day. When you have three children who play and/or coach water polo, there is usually a water polo game or practice going on.

When I read Lisa McClure’s blog post about the ceremony, I was truly sorry that I didn’t make arrangements to bring our three cats. It sounds like it was a wonderful event, and our feline family members are very special to us (despite an annoying compulsion to sit on homework). My children appreciate that their kitties are always ready to snuggle up and watch a movie after a grueling workout. The Blessing would have been a great event for our family to attend, if we could have made it work with our schedule.

It occurred to me as I read Lisa’s post, that I didn’t know a whole lot about the Animal Ministry. How many other wonderful programs, I wondered, did we have at the Center that I really hadn’t paid attention to? Even though I’d listened to the Sunday announcements, I just hadn’t processed the information, for whatever reason.

 I decided to pay a visit to our website: www.cslcv.org

The programs I’d already been participating in jumped right out at me. (Isn’t that always how it works?) I clicked on the “Events & News” tab and decided to look around…

We have a Women’s Group – and they are going to a sweat lodge! There is a group known as Shifting Sands that meets every Thursday morning - that sounds intriguing… There is also a Men’s Group (I don’t think I’ll be checking that out.) For those who sing (also not me), we offer Choir on Thursday evenings! One of my favorite programs is happening this morning at 11:30 AM: the Parent Forum. It is typically held on the first Thursday of each month. There are several other programs that I simply didn’t list – there is truly something for everyone.

This month we are doing the Commitment Experiment. I hope you are participating. It is going to be exciting to see how this manifests in each of our lives. When you commit to something, you can’t help but get results – whether it’s a diet, a savings plan, a exercise regime, or a new spiritual practice. Consider choosing one or more of our programs and making a commitment to it this month. You’ll be glad you did.

The power of the Supermom: Developing your strength.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Some of us moms have the supermom syndrome.  We try to do EVERYTHING for our children.  We do this sometimes because the fear of guilt, of not doing for our children, can weigh on our hearts like a huge brick.  We try to involve them in activities that will fit them perfectly.  We have our mom calendars with us at every moment.  Some of us moms, with full time jobs, use our lunch breaks to fill out forms for: teams, scholastic contests, scouting events, etc.  We are in multi-tasking mode most of the time.  Our friends, and/ or co-workers "marvel" at our ability to "do it all."  We are amazed it seems to all get done.  And as you read in Lisa Belkin's article, our power of finding lost things has been honed and perfected. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/losing-my-parenting-superpowers_n_3895047.html.  The powers of supermom are in the doing, but now take a minute to realize it is in the Being as well.

When my daughter was younger, I wondered why, at each time I attempted to walk in a certain direction, my daughter would walk in the exact same path I walked.  Bumping into her and tripping over her was commonplace.  It would happen so frequently that I would have to stop, after I started my steps, just to see which direction she was going to head.  I thought it could not be coincidental; it had to be some sort of connection.

Having an interest in Quantum physics, I am always fascinated by articles involving the connection of cells.  Not long ago I read an article which mentioned, the cells of a child stay with a mother for 10 years after birth.  In another article, in Scientific American, the implications of a longer duration are suggested. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=scientists-discover-childrens-cells-living-in-mothers-brain.  The experience I had when my daughter was younger gave me concrete evidence that our cells are connected.  Yes, I know we are Spiritually connected, now I have personal proof that we are physically connected.

Though I really do not need proof of our Spiritual connection, this I just know, an example was given.  My daughter and I recently did have solid proof of our connection in Spirit.  We had a conversation in Spirit.  While dining at a restaurant, I left the table to wash my hands.  As I was washing I was looking down, not in the mirror.  In my mind I heard someone whisper, "Mom." I didn't look up at first.  My daughter didn't follow me into the restroom when I left the table, so it couldn't be her.  I looked up into the mirror, about 5 seconds later, no one was behind me.  After I returned to the table she was not seated.  When we reunited I told her of my experience.  She explained that she walked behind me, while I was washing my hands, did not say anything aloud, however she did think it in her mind.  It was not a surprise to me this occurred, but I love that she experienced it.  I explained that when we tune into our Spiritual connection more of these occurrences will show up in our lives.

Each one of us can strengthen our supermom powers through our Spiritual connection.  Forcing it to happen will not make it happen, allowing it to happen will.  Through meditation, affirmative prayer, intention setting and visioning, supermom powers can take on a whole new meaning.  A knowingness that things happen with grace and ease become the norm.  Sit with an intention of developing that strength and just allow the events to unfold.  Become witness to the occurrences of the superpowers within and connect with your children on a deeper level.

I stand in the Power of I Am as Mom.
The connection I have with (insert child's name) is one of Love, Laughter, Beauty and Grace.
Only Goodness happens in conversations with my (insert child's name.)
I am honored to have (insert child's name) as my son/daughter.
I Am strong in Spirit.
I AM, I AM Supermom, and I can do anything!
 

Hidden Trestles PhotoWalk This Saturday

One of the exciting things about our center moving to San Clemente is all of the great stuff we have to get out and explore. Come with us on World Wide PhotoWalk day this Saturday to discover "Hidden Trestles"

What do we mean by "Hidden Trestles?"

Trestles is a world renowned surf break but unless you're a surfer you may have never walked down to this secluded beach. There's a lot going on down there at the south end of town, stuff you just don't see as you scream down the freeway.

We start on Cristianitos, from that point we see many different things, a view of the north end of Camp Pendleton, a military recreation of an urban scape, an ancient indian burial ground and a vibrant underground art scene.

We will have inside information with our guide Juli Faith, local street art and graffiti photographer. Plan to get dirty on this leg of the trip. We are going off road to check out the urban landscape which lives under I-5 and old Highway 101.

Reemerging to old Highway 1 we continue our trek down the road to the surfing mecca of the continental United States.

Trestles. You won't get this in the tour book.  Click HERE to sign up!