Exorcise Your Stories Don't Exercise Your Stories

Have you ever caught yourself telling others or even yourself the same old stories? I have. I am actually finding myself getting quite bored with my stories.

Tonight was my last Troward class and I now recognize references to these stories in his philosophy.

Troward calls it being in the relative, "descending to the level of secondary causation."

If we regard the fulfilment of our purpose as contingent upon any circumstances, past, present, or future we are not making use of first cause; we have descended to the level of secondary causation, which is the region of doubts, fears, and limitations, all of which we are impressing upon the universal subjective mind with the inevitable result that it will build up corresponding external conditions.

It's a mouthful but that’s our stories, the limitations and "set" conditions from our past, present and even future. 

Our stories, the land of secondary causation, is the most uncreative place we can be. No wonder they are starting to bore me. It’s where we forfeit all possibility.

Yuck.

Who in their right mind would do that?

"Time for an Exorcism" Sunday Service

Today and always, when I notice fear, I breathe deeply, release it, and step in the direction of my intuitive guidance. Fear is false, intuition is Spirit. I choose Spirit Always. And So It Is! 

Sunday Service Streamed Live at 10:30 am 

Last Song

Yesterday I visited a dear friend in hospital who is nearing his transition.

When I was ready to leave, he asked if we needed anything. He had just told me, how much pain he was in and yet, his generosity of spirit that has been his hallmark was still present: always concerned about our Center, always asking what we needed, even in his time of need. I am in awe of the Presence within him. He is a man who has made a difference.

I love Daniel Namod's Last Song! It speaks to me about who we really are. What are we doing here? Below is a portion. The video contains the whole song.

If this is my last song,
If this is my final day,
If tomorrow I'll be gone,
What do I want to say?
If this is my last song,
If it's my time to go,
When my body's moved on
What will I have to show?
Oh, but fortune and fame - they scatter to the wind.
The things that make a name - just don't matter in the end.

 (chorus)

Is the world a little more peaceful?
Oceans and sky a little more blue?
Is humankind a little bit wiser
About the good that we can do?
Does the sun shine a little bit brighter
Where before there was only rain?
If so, then I'm glad I came.

You are here to make a difference, large or small. Are you glad you came?

June Gloom: Southern California's start to summer

A gloomy day is the start of something big. 

Southern California has this weather pattern which brings the start of summer a cloudy covering. Usually taking up the whole month of June, we have termed it "June Gloom."  Having children still in school,  it makes for an interesting perspective.  It marks the end of something and the beginning of something.  Taking this perspective into the realm of Spirituality, I reflect on the significance of this weather pattern. 

On one hand, the end of something can be quite sad.  It can mean that this point in time has a completion to it, that, though excitedly waited for, can take on a sense of missing it when it's gone. It can be a time when repressed emotions are finally able to be released, allowing oneself a permission to have a space of mental irresponsibility.  That is, until the summer schedule kicks in. On the other hand, it is the beginning of something, an unknown of what is to come.  Even if a summer schedule has been planned out, the unknown of what it looks like, when actually in the moment, is in question. 

With most days in Southern California begin with the sun visible and end with the sun visible, June is an interesting time to be gloomy, considering it is the start of summer vacation.  However, thinking in terms of Spiritual perspective, it gives an example to be grateful.  It is a time to reflect on what we do have most of the year, the beautiful weather, and allows us a space of gratitude when we do not have it.

Because we do not have as significant weather changes as most other states, this is a perfect time for this weather pattern.  Other weather-changing states have several beginnings and endings to practice with the weather.  Fall clothes come out, then winter clothes, then spring clothes, then summer clothes.  They physically have to mark the seasons with a change in outer appearance. Here in Southern California, the same jacket can take us through the fall, winter, spring and summer.  Not much has to change throughout the year in regards to our physical appearance; some even wear shorts and  flip-flops the whole year.  So allowing Southern California a time to be reflective with this weather pattern is blessing.  With the expectation of Southern California to always be sunny, especially at the mark of summer, "June Gloom" is a reminder to be grateful. 

 

THE ART OF LIVING: The Wisdom of the Tao

There was something formless and perfect 
before the universe was born.
It is serene.  Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite.  Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
There are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself.
          
                    -The Tao Te Ching, Verse 25


Isn't it beautiful and eloquent the way Lao Tzu describes the Infinite Greatness that lies within each of us?  At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley, come join the conversation about the incredible wisdom of The Tao Te Ching and its author Lao Tzu.  See how these wise words from over twenty-five centuries ago can change your perspective on life TODAY!  Rev. Pattie and I will be facilitating this exchange, and will possibly discuss continuing the discussion beyond just that Wednesday service.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  -Lao Tzu 

Summer: Where Everything is Wild and Free and Fleeting

Summer reminds us that it is a season.

The water is warm, the nights are long, everything feels soft and light, hot and bright. As a kid summer felt like a year in and of itself, as an adult summer feels like the blink of an eye.

How can summer feel so big and yet so fleeting? How do I get in alignment with it before it's gone and I find myself in line buying school supplies and musing about Halloween costumes?

Because if there is one thing that summer does well is that it reminds us that it is only a season and it will pass. 

This is the only "Summer of 2014" that we will ever have. 

At this month's Parent Forum with Pattie Mercado we discussed "GEMs." GEM stands for a "genuine encounter moment." Basically, it's what we live for as parents and as people. 

Those eternal moments in which we stop, connect and encounter. The moments when we feel truly alive and the world feels like it stopped for a moment, the moments of peace, the moments that take our breath away.

That afternoon after the Parent Forum I got a little "nudge from the universe" reminding me that gems can be found as close as the backyard and as soon as now.

"There is a story of a friend who took his family on multiple summer vacation getaways. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of all the summer vacations he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and was taken back to hear is son say 'The thing I liked best this summer was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.'"

May your summer be filled with gems.

'Setbacks Are Setups' Sunday Service

Every day I grow spiritually. Whether from the glorious demonstrations or the disheartening challenges, I recognize my inner strength and peace expanding day-by-day and I give thanks.

Why Do Bad Things happen to Good People?

The Church of My Childhood Taught Good vs Evil

Why do bad things happen to good people? Our philosophy clearly gives answers that not many other spiritual paths give us. We do not believe in a punishing God. neither do we believe in a rewarding God. We believe that our consciousness is creative.

I just returned from Los Angeles, where the newest Centers for Spiritual Living ministerial students have gathered for the last piece of their ministerial training. One of the activities on which they were evaluated was their ability to give a five minute talk on one of five subjects. One of the subjects was my topic today.

Most students were clear that it is our judgment that determines whether something is good or bad. A couple of students quoted Shakespeare's Hamlet, "There is nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so."

Of course the way we perceive anything makes a difference and if we are determined to continue using our own ruler to determine good and bad, we will continue to perceive things as either good nor bad.

However, that does not answer the question of why do bad things happen to good people or even conversely why do good things happen to bad people. The answer lies at a different level of consciousness. When we are looking at good things and bad things, we are looking at the level of effect, not the level of cause. There is a perfect cause for every effect. It is the creative process in the Universe and in the individual. Jesus reminded us that "It is done unto us as we believe."

Let us examine some bad things that could occur in a person's life. Loss of health could be seen as a "bad" thing. Loss of income or job security could be seen as a bad thing. Loss of friendship could be seen as a bad thing. Loss of love could be seen as a bad thing.

However, no matter what kind of loss or disaster has occurred in my life, no matter how I may rail against life and scream that it is unfair for a good person to be experiencing these things, the truth is at some level, obvious or subtle, I must have had a stronger belief in loss thanI had in good health, increasing prosperity, ever-lasting love, etc. This is the foundational principle hat we teach, espouse and live by. To do otherwise is to make us victims of circumstances. We were born to be victors not victims.We were born to prove the principle in every area of our lives and live fully.

So the answer is a simple one: Bad things happen to good people because at some level of consciousness, those good people had a belief in those bad things. First Cause to all creation lives within each one of us, as each one of us.

We are powerful beyond measure.

The spiritual path we are travelling, requires the greatest self-honesty we can find. We cannot and should not judge another person's path, for by doing so we are saying that we know what is another person's mind and heart. But we will benefit from examining the results in our own lives.We can find the deep spiritual gift in all our experiences.And we can begin to change our minds about our cherished beliefs in struggle, lack and unhappiness.

Be true to the magnificence that you are. Let your inner light shine.

The Opening of Eyes by David Whyte

After Sunday's service I had to go back to the video to find the wonderful poems Rev. Heather Clarke shared on Sunday. While I was familiar with Rudyard Kipling's If, and found it perfect for Father's Day I was not familiar with the work of David Whyte.

Enjoy.

The Opening of Eyes

That day I saw beneath dark clouds
the passing light over the water
and I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before
life is no passing memory of what has been
nor the remaining pages in a great book
waiting to be read.

It is the opening of eyes long closed.
seen for the silence they hold.
It is the heart after years
of secret conversing
speaking out loud in the clear air.
It is the vision of far off things

It is Moses in the desert
fallen to his knees before the lit bush.
It is the man throwing away his shoes
as if to enter heaven
and finding himself astonished,
opened at last,
fallen in love with solid ground. 

-- David Whyte

A Father's Strength Sunday Service

He who has knowledge spares his words.

And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 

Proverbs 17:27

Swing Time Cabaret Brings Sweet Memories

Tonight our Center's Choir is presenting their annual choir show, Swing Time Cabaret.

I watched the dress rehearsal last night and it is a great show! I realized that with the exception of a Spanish song, I knew the lyrics to all the songs. Some have been great favorites. The choir planned to surprise me with one some, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" made famous by the Sons of the Pioneers. The reason I like the song so much is because of the beauty of the three-part harmony!

When I was a kid, there were always sing-alongs, whether travelling by car or around a campfire or a piano. My dad had a good tenor voice and loved to sing. My mom had a strong alto voice.Many of my cousins and sisters and brothers are quite talented too. When we were young adults and were getting married, at family gatherings, after the dance there would be a lot of singing. That is really when my passion for the tumbleweeds began. My cousin's husband, and her two brothers sang beautifully together. They almost always would say yes to my request. Please note we would have been singing some standards but mostly current rock and roll music. Although my prairie roots led me to have direct knowledge of tumbleweeds (they are very prickly), country music wasn't a favorite. I was very fond of my cousins and saw them a few times a year. After university, we saw each other less often, usually at a family gathering -- weddings and funerals. One of the trio of singers is a man named after my Grandfather, Herman, but was only ever called Buddy. Later as an older teen it shifted to Bud.

The entire show is fantastic, everyone needs a lot of love for the countless hours they put into learning their music and choreography. Still the highlight of the show for me was a soul-filled song, sung by Diane King Vann, called "My Buddy." Immediately my cousin's face was before me. We haven't connected in person for much too long. The music made me realize how much I missed seeing him.

Isn't it interesting how music can evoke something deep within us? Sometimes it evokes a memory of the first time you heard it; at others the song itself seems to describe a person or a feeling within you. I believe it is one way the Universal Presence makes Itself known to us. When our hearts open by whatever means, it is Spirit within us, opening to a greater idea of life and ourselves.

Tickets will be available at the door.

The Death Of A Pet

Little animals are here to show us how much Love we are capable of. 

Last Sunday we had a heartbreak. Our daughter's hamster had become suddenly, gravely ill. While at the Urgent Care Animal Hospital, we had to make the choice to let her go.  Though it was a very tough decision, we were assisted in making it by a very caring nurse.  We all shed tears for this little addition to our home.  She was a sweet, tame, little animal who put up with all our hugs, kisses, costumes, and starring roles on my daughter's videos. Arriving home after the hospital was somber.  We gathered together as a family in my daughter's room to say a prayer for our dear, little hamster. 

I spoke of the connection we had with her.  That she brought a lot of joy and laughter into our lives.  Our lives were forever changed by her presence in our lives.  I spoke of the gratitude for her sharing her life with us. 

After a while my daughter brought my son's hamster into our room.  She was holding him in her typical loving and caring manner.  My son, being the highly sensitive boy he is, told my daughter that she could now share his hamster.  It was a very loving offering which brought tears to our eyes. 

Having this pet in our home was such a blessing and treat.  Because my husband has such extreme allergies to animals, we knew furry creatures were not going to make into our household.  We tried a bird and had to take it right back because my husband was allergic. We decided on fish as being her real first pet.  Even with making all the right steps in caring for fish, we learned quickly that fish can perish.  We had about 15 fish come through my daughter's fish tank.  Each one of them were named and loved.  We even purchased an amusing ghost shrimp, which is now the reason for her refusal to consume shrimp. 

Getting this little hamster was exciting because my husband seemed to handle her much more easily than other haired/ feathered animals.  He never admitted to her, he realized a little later, he was having allergic symptoms. He knew this was a little creature she could hold, hug, and love.  She has so much love in her heart, he knew she always wanted an animal to share that love inside, he just could not provide one to her because of the circumstances of allergens. 

This week has been difficult on my daughter, she deeply misses her pet and she reflects on how much she misses her often.  While she takes this time to mourn her pet's passing, she is allowed to reflect on the joy her pet brought to her life.  It is also a time where I remind her of the connection in Spirit she had with this pet.  This pet came to her to show her how much love she is capable of showing to living creatures.  She came to her to show what gratitude is for another living being.  Her pet came to her so that she can recognize Joy. 

Today I reflect on the joy animals bring into my life.  

I am grateful that I am able to recognize the gift of who they are.  

I know the sacred energy of animals and respect their place in this world.  

I know, with animals in my life, the opportunity to be completely vulnerable to love is possible. 

Vulnerability practice with animals opens my heart to allow an opportunity to share love with others. 

Beauty Is My Religion What is Yours?

Beauty Is My Religion

I love being a minister. The reason that I love it so much is because I get to teach Spiritual Truth. I have always been in constant awe of anyone that has connected the dots between their humanity and their own personal Divinity. Yes I did say Divinity.

We have all heard the expression “We are Divine Beings having a Human Experience” right. Well the real truth is that we are in Human Form Now and there is no escaping that reality as long as we are alive on this planet. Until I can prove to you that we all return to our Divine nature in the end, you may have to wait another 30-40 years for the evidence.

As human beings it is essential that that we have Spiritual Tools to help us navigate our way around this place called earth. In all honesty, having Spiritual Tools is not a requirement of humanity. You can certainly live your life without them. But, I promise you if you have them and use them, your life will be so much easier. LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER WITH SPIRITUAL TOOLS. All the great Religions have provided us with some sort of road map as to how to do this.

Some examples of these tools are Meditation to quiet the “Monkey Mind” that tells us everything that is wrong with us and not what is right with us or our world. Some individuals chant to raise their vibrational connection to God. We practice Forgiveness to heal ourselves from hurts that was caused by others. Practicing Gratitude reminds us all of what we have and not what we want. Children teach us about patience and what looking into a mirror feels like. To me these tools are as essential as breathing is to our existence.

I have added a new tool to my Spiritual Tool Belt and I call it Beauty. ‘Why’ you may ask. Its very simple. The Science of Mind Teaches us that our words and thoughts have power. If that is the case then I must be in charge of my life. Right? Whatever I think about I bring about.Right? So If I am really in charge of my life then I would want every thought that I have and BELIEVE IN to be of my choosing. I want to control what I let into my consciousness, what books I read, what movies I watch, what people I hang out with, who I love, how often I love and how I give back to my world. You can see where I am going with this.

The moment that I invite Beauty into my life I have chosen to make a space for it in my world. I have no choice now but to see the world through new eyes. It cannot be any other way. The Universe must respond to my intentions ( Can you see the Law of Attraction taking place here?) Since I have made a space for Beauty to enter my awareness, it must rush in to fill the void that was created when I eliminated anything that was not Beauty.

By Inviting in Beauty, my life begins to slow down. I begin to see details , connections, patterns, shapes, colors, appreciations and my connection to the Universe like never before. I am now the creator of my life. I get to choose HOW I WANT LIFE TO BE and no longer accept It as it is. Once I have experienced the beauty of our planet through my new experiences I can never go back to a life is less than that.


I challenge you to invite Beauty into your life for just one week…... I challenge you to let Spiritual Truth teach you to see your world with new eyes…… I challenge you to comment about it on this blog…… Let others know what new beautiful things have shown up in your life because you have declared it so…..

And So it Is!

Rev Arpad is an ordained Minister with the Center For Spiritual Living. He is a gifted Photographer, Speaker and Spiritual Teacher. He may be contacted at Arpad Petrass

The Lure of the Physical

Don’t mistake the reflection of the moon for the moon.

The lure of the physical or “Don’t mistake the reflection of the moon for the moon.” I didn’t make that up … it’s something I saw on Facebook. It resonated with my reading of The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science that I am studying for my Thomas Troward class at the Center for Spiritual Living.

“If we realize that all visible things must have their origin in spirit, then the whole creation around us is the standing evidence that the starting point of all things is in the thought-images or ideas, for no other action than the formation of such images can be conceived of spirit prior to its manifestation in matter.” ~Thomas Troward

When we look to conditions we are looking at the reflection and not the moon.

Your Connection with the Divine
A friend of mine recently experienced the loss of two close friends. He was in a lot of pain and sorrow. He described his spiritual practice as having the effect of “feeling like knots were being untied within him,” pointing to his abdomen.

I couldn’t help but think of the Khalil Gibran quote from “On Pain”

“Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.” ~ Khalil Gibran

We all have pain. We all have our stories. But the underlying theme is disconnection. Pain is the feeling of disconnection no matter what the story or the pain.

When we are all knotted up letting go of those knots can feel painful. Like releasing a muscle that has been clenched for far too long. We can’t feel connected when we are all tied up in knots.

Knots keep us separated and in pain. They impede the flow of life from coursing through our bodies and our lives. Pain teaches us where we are knotted up and where we need to release and open up to let the light in.

Recognizing the Infinite Oneness
We talk a lot about Oneness. “We’re all one” and all that stuff.

But talking about Oneness and really experiencing the mystical experience of Oneness are very different on the scale of true recognition.

On Sunday, Dr. David Ault shared his life changing experience of Oneness when he experienced the pain and suffering of the children in Cambodia. It was not out of pity but out of an overwhelming realization of his Oneness with them which precipitated his breakthrough moment and ultimately changed the course of his life.

His wailing in the pontoon boat was that moment when he experienced the Oneness which exists between every living creature on this planet.

My aha as of late and as a result of reading Thomas Troward is that this Oneness isn’t created in that mystical moment but is always existing and just waiting for our recognition of it.

“... you’ll come to realize the Divine is already there and always has been. Your greater good has just been waiting for the space and acknowledgement to come forth into your life.” ~Joyous Living Journal

It’s already there. It’s there right now!

Isn’t that exciting!

You Have Options Sunday Service

When I feel stuck in life, I simply make another choice.
Each choice moves me out of  'stuck' and into 'freedom'.

Watch Rev. Dr. David Ault live at 10:30 am on the live stream! 

Rev. Dr. David Ault

You Have Options With Dr. David Ault

Dr. David Ault

This Sunday the amazing Rev. Dr. David Ault will be speaking at our Center on the topic "You Have Options." I am very excited about it. He is a powerful speaker and a loving presence. When times are tough it is good to remember who you are and that you always have options. Choose to attend this Sunday. You will be glad you did.

I have been a fan of David's for a long time, maybe thirty years. Before David was called to pulpit ministry, he was a sought-after singer. The lyrics of his songs had a way of melting hearts, opening minds and bringing hope. I first heard David when he was a member of the group Alliance, who toured with Louise Hay while she was doing her healing work with AIDS victims. In those days, a diagnosis of HIV positive was a death sentence. There was a great deal of fear and hopelessness not only in the afflicted communities but in our culture in general. I remember having a long conversation with our school nurse when I was working in a high school. Her vision for the future was dire ... the human race was going to extinguish itself through hormones and unprotected sex.Thank goodness that is not the case.

Louise Hay and Alliance brought hope to those men and women who were dying alone, shunned by their family and friends.The musicians were pioneers in visionary music; music that opened our hearts and gave us hope; music that reminded us that we are more than our problems, our bodies, our broken hearts, that we are infinite, beautiful spiritual beings.

Alliance's signature song was Jai Joseph's "I Love Myself the Way I Am." Their harmonies were exquisite and lyrics were words of truth that resonated with our souls.

I love myself the way I am, 
there’s nothing I need to change 
I’ll always be the perfect me 
there’s nothing to rearrange 
I’m beautiful and capable 
of being the best me I can 
And I love myself just the way I am

 These timeless lyrics were some of the first visionary, metaphysical lyrics, sung in many New Thought centers around the world. Now thanks to songwriters like Karen Drucker, Daniel Nahmod, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Allendale and a host of others we have many profoundly meaningful songs to take us deeper into the mystery and majesty that we are. One of my favorites was recorded by David Ault in 2005, entitled "I'm Here To Remind You." It is a moving, powerful heartfelt song. I am attaching the video . Take a little time to view it. You will be happy you did. After all, my job is to remind you of your magnificence!

Graduation Message for the Parents




Our daughter's graduation 3 years ago
This June our son will be the grad!

Graduation for our family falls on Father’s Day this year. It is perfect in so many ways. As our son joins his sister as a university graduate we the parents are coming to the end of an era. After twenty-two years of one or both children being in school we are about to be complete. Tuition, grades, homework, projects, school activities, teachers, professors, classmates, roommates, housing, etc. etc. are over! What on earth will we do with our time (and money)!  Our son, the graduate, is receiving advice, congratulations and words of wisdom from well meaning friends, family, professors, potential bosses advisors and anyone who can get a word in. In light of this and because I know we are not alone, I am offering my own reflections on what this momentous occasion means to the parents of the graduates.

Congratulations! You did it!! No matter where you are on the parenthood journey if you have made it to the end of the school year you have reached a huge parent threshold. Take time to acknowledge and appreciate all of the growth, change, success and failures that have been experienced over the year. And be ready for the next one... 

It’s just the beginning, it’s not over – the fun has just begun! Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten, middle school, high school or university, we the parent, keep on growing and learning about ourselves and life. What better classroom than that of being a parent! Each year the kids start over in a new school, new grade, new classroom. We too start fresh with renewed intentions, goals and plans of our own. Take time to reflect on your parenting successes.

Well done! Really! I find it helps to remember that our kids are on their own right and perfect path and the best way we can help them to navigate this busy and always changing life is to do our own work – work on our own life and model for these amazing kids what it means to be authentic, honest, creative and purposeful.

Mostly what I want to say to all of the parents out there is this: Congratulations parents of graduating students - you have reached a significant crossroads in your life as a parent. May it continue in joy and love.

Reading Rainbow: An example of living on purpose

When we say "Yes!", the Universe responds. 

Last Wednesday, LeVar Burton launched his Kickstarter campaign to crowd-fund his latest Reading Rainbow project.  It was a lofty goal of bringing children's books to EVERY child through our latest technological advances.  His goal was to reach $1 million in the course of the campaign (35 days).  Imagine his astonishment when his goal was reached in 11 hours.  Today it is almost at $3.5 million with 28 more days to go.  His reaction to the overwhelming response was heartwarming.  This is his passion, this is his purpose. 

LeVar is a perfect example of living his passion.  He is a great example of living on purpose.  When you find that place within you that is filled with passion, you may have found your purpose.  What really makes you happy?  What do you love to do?  When you align to the thought that your passion is your purpose, the universe can not help but respond.  As in LeVar's example, he said, "Yes!" to creating a new adventure ("I am now in uncharted territory").  The universe responded with an agreement to his "Yes!" In this instance he was overwhelmed and humbled.

"I thought I knew what the world was like. I thought my beliefs and my opinions were sufficient enough to clearly define the world in which I live. And this week, I have been so surprised. When something like this happens, it’s affirmation that, are you kidding? You’re not alone? You’re not alone! Why would you ever think that you’re alone, that you have to do this by yourself? Human beings were built to cooperate, collaborate. It’s one of the things that we do brilliantly. I had forgotten that for a minute. And I’m so happy to be reminded."

This is such a perfect example of someone saying "Yes!" to a passion, and the universe responding with, "How high?" 

Besides the wonderful example of purposeful living, LeVar gives a wonderful tribute to Maya Angelou. They worked together on the set of "Roots."

"We were about to push “go” on the campaign. I mean, literally, it was happening at the same time. And right as we were pushing play, The New York Times confirmed. It was a shock. It was like, “Oh my God.” However, I also recognized in that moment that there was a symmetry to that. The passing of a giant in the literary universe and the birth of this new way to spread the gift of literacy. I just know that she’s up there, pullin’ strings, inspiring people, orchestrating things. She’s quarterbacking from the other side." 

Butterfly in the sky

I can go twice as high

Take a look

It's in a book

A Reading Rainbow

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/05/30/levar-burton-reading-rainbow-interview/

The Gifts of Acceptance and Gratitude

gaining a new perspective on acceptance and gratitude

I’ve been all over the place this week … or at least that’s how I feel. Digitally and physically I’ve not been at home. Between housesitting and a dead harddrive I’ve been a displaced person.

The change of scenery, routine and habits has been a nice little shake up in how I experience life. We all get into ruts now and then. The lessons of Acceptance and Gratitude were the gifts. Enjoy.

ACCEPTANCE
Sometimes I find myself railing against the things that I don’t want and yearning for things to be different.

I know that this railing just adds energy to what I don’t want. But I do it anyway. You start to kind of fall in love with your pain, romanticize the wounds, you identify with them so much that you end up giving them energy to grow and fester.

Acceptance, sweet acceptance is like a soothing balm … the psychic aloe vera for our soul. It takes the burn out and lets us heal.

GRATITUDE
It’s an inside job but it’s also a reciprocal job.

And here comes Gratitude, flying in with it’s long red superhero cape, guiding us to acknowledge and feel all the good we are experiencing. Reminding us that we are co creators in that good and in the care and maintenance of that good.

In our eagerness to receive our good we forget that we are co creators and guardians.

I am just returning home after a week of housesitting. It is a beautiful residence but I have become aware of a big source of it’s beauty isn’t it’s location and structure, but the care, consciousness and creativity of the occupants. They co created this space and chose to fill it with beauty and creativity. It inspires me. There is a constant maintenance in keeping a home. We take out the trash, we rearrange the furniture, we apply our consciousness to create form, function and beauty.

Creation takes conscious attention and maintenance.

When I find myself railing against circumstance I am going to apply the soothing balm of acceptance, connect with my super power Gratitude and take care of what is mine gratefully, consciously, and lovingly.

That was my lesson this week.

Your Life's Purpose Sunday Service

Today and always, I recognize my life purpose. I follow it each day by doing the things that bring me joy. When I feel joy, Spirit is expressing as me, and I live on purpose.