From Awareness to Action Sunday Service

Today I accept the things I resist. I embrace them, ask Spirit for guidance, and choose to let them go. I am that powerful! And So It Is!

Celebrate Life!

Many years ago, our choir had the theme song, Celebrate Life! Some of the lyrics included:

"Celebrate Life! Celebrate Love!Celebrate all the things that you've been dreaming of,And if you try, then you will see,When you celebrate Life it's all you want it to be.When you believe in the things you do,Then your doubts depart.Look at your life in a bright new way  and joy and hope fill your heart.if you have faith in what you do, life can be great!It's all up to you!" 

 It was a melody that was very catchy and we loved to hear the choir sing sing it.
This Saturday, we will be celebrating the life of one of our greatest champions, Bill Hart. Bill and Billie, his wife of over 60 years, were major supporters of our Center, but they were more than that they were champions for our new home.  Billie made her transition while we were still in our old home in San Juan Capistrano. But she was adamant that Bill continue to support the Center. He did it in spades. Even before the former owners had agreed to a deal, Bill brought each one of his family over here to show them our new "church."  A couple of weeks before his passing, Pattie Mercado and I were visiting him in the hospital. We were there to pray with him. Before we could even pray, he asked if there something that the church needed.  Of course, he meant money and was very generous. But what I needed then is what I need now, to know that our Center is growing an evolving developing community filled with more than enough good for every occasion. I am so grateful. We are standing on the shoulders of the giants who did so much to bring this dream into reality.

Billie Hart, Mary Didelot and Bill Hart 2012 

We call our memorial services celebrations of life. It is great to remember our loved ones and all the good that we have from being in their company. It is even more important to tell them while they are here in physical form. It is mind-expanding to realize that some part of that loved one lives on in each of us. It will be a part of our beliefs or perceptions. The good that is ours with anyone continues long after they die.  I know that every time someone asks me if there is something I need, I will think of Bill Hart.

How often do you celebrate your life? It really is worth celebrating.

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

The beautiful lyrics in the song, Everything I Have Is Yours, are a blueprint for living a heavenly life. Hear these words as a message of love from the Universe to you and come explore this song further with us this Wednesday night, September 24th at Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley at 7:00pm.

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

By Rick Dale 

Copyright 2003

AND IT’S HEAVEN, WHEN YOU ARE CLEAR

BUT TO STAY THERE YOU, HAVE TO BE HERE AND NOW

YOU HOLD THE KEY TO EVERYTHING

BUT WHAT WILL YOU DO

WHEN YOU HEAR THE ANGELS SING...

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS MINE

ALL THE TREASURES OF THE WORLD

ALL THE BEAUTY THAT YOU FIND

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS CHOOSE

ALL YOU REALLY GOTTA DO IS DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT INSIDE

YOU PICK YOUR LIFE, IT’S UP TO YOU

I GIVE YOU ALL, WHEN YOU GIVE TO EACH OTHER

THOU ART MY CHILD, I AM IN THEE

SO WHY ARE YOU EMPTY WHEN YOUR LIFE IS FULL OF ME

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS MINE

ALL THE TREASURES OF THE WORLD

ALL THE BEAUTY THAT YOU FIND

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS CHOOSE

ALL YOU REALLY GOTTA DO IS DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT INSIDE

YOU’RE IN HEAVEN, NOW YOU ARE HERE

BUT TO STAY HERE YOU MUST BE AWARE OF WHO YOU REALLY ARE

YOU ARE THE KEY THAT OPENS THE DOOR

SO OPEN YOUR MIND AND FIND OUT WHAT LIFE IS FOR

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS MINE

ALL THE TREASURES OF THE WORLD

ALL THE BEAUTY THAT YOU FIND

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS CHOOSE

ALL YOU REALLY GOTTA DO IS DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT INSIDE

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS MINE

THE SUN, THE MOON AND ALL THE STARS

AND EVERY SINGLE THING THAT SHINES IN THIS UNIVERSE BELONGS TO YOU

ALL YOU REALLY GOTTA DO IS DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT

IT’S UP TO YOU MY BELOVED

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS LET IT IN, LET IT IN

ACCEPT IT, INSIDE

Test of Trust Sunday Service

I understand that every person in my life is a reflection of me. Letting go of judgment, I choose to see beauty in all people in my life. And So It Is!

Compassion and Connection

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another." Thomas Merton

This video is the Charter for Compassion and is beautiful to see all the different  ages cultures and regions represented.

It is the golden thread of truth running through all religions to care for others. In our journal today, we are encouraged to connect when we are feeling ashamed or defeated. Brene Brown, the current researcher on shame states that we must stop trying to be perfect. She further encourages us to stop trying to hide our imperfections from our loved ones but rather to have the courage to tell the truth about our experience to someone whom we can trust. Please reach out if you are feeling discouraged or alone. I would love to be of service as would all our ministerial staff and practitioners.

If you would like to be more compassionate, watch the following video, in which Jason Silva shows how we are hard-wired for compassion. He shows six-month old babies responding with compassion. He also shows us how we can increase our compassionate responses.

I trust that you will enjoy.

The Science of Happiness

Did you know you can take a class from UC Berkeley which teaches how to be happy? 

"Created by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, the course will zero in on a fundamental finding from positive psychology: that happiness is inextricably linked to having strong social connections and contributing to something bigger than yourself—the greater good." 

"The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society." 

Sign up to join GGSC in bringing happiness techniques to your life. 

Trained Thought Sunday Service

Right now, I review the biggest challenge in my life. I demand to know the good in it, and give thanks for that good being so.

And So It Is!

Your Heroic Story

What is the story of your life? Is it one that you would want your great-grandchildren to remember? Have you been living your life fully? 

Sometimes I have good ideas and I procrastinate before I put them into action. I get busy and find so many other things to do instead of beginning a new project. I tell myself I am not ready, but if not now, when? 

Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way says that procrastination is simply fear disguised.

If this is so, what could I be afraid of? What am I afraid of? Could I be afraid of feeling great? Of looking good? Of loving myself?  Could I be afraid that I won't keep going and that I will quit or be not very good at it (whatever the thing I am thinking about starting is.)

Perhaps I am afraid of my own magnificence, the heroine within. 
. 
Marianne Williamson's quote comes to mind:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

What insight this quote has for us! Being liberated from our own fear, allows us to step forth as the heros and heroines that we really are! Some of us have been taught that we should be polite, not hog the spotlight, not to talk to loudly or stand out from the crowd. Yet if we really knew who we were, we would be happy to let our unique light shine.

Jason Silva, a modern-day mystic, discusses the Hero's Journey in his Shots of Awe:

Do You Hear Voices?

Ya, okay. I hear ya, man!, Okay, Gotcha!, Sure thing. Ya-ya-ya!! Sure man! uh-huh. Yes. I hear you.
But do we really hear?  And what are we listening to in the first place that we are saying yes to?

Check out the smile on the face of this seven week old hearing the external world for the first time! 

It's time to start paying attention to what we are listening to and what we are saying yes to! There is so much noise in our lives and much of it is background - other people's conversations in restaurants, shops, in the office next door, there is our music, our kids/colleagues music and even the music in the car passing by. There is the noise of the media- both audio and written that we are being "gifted" with and, there is the noise of the voices in own head judging, doubting, complaining, praising, evaluating, and the list goes on and on.....

So how are we supposed to hear the true voice, the internal voice of God that speaks just to me, just to you and leads us perfectly, competently, safely on this journey of life?

What if we just close our eyes and listen to the stillness, the peace of true contentment for the voice of Truth. would we hear it? I say yes!

What if those very voices that are seemingly drowning out our peace and well being are actually Voices of God?

This week at the Wednesday Wisdom Service at our center my talk is titled The Voices of God. I invite you to join us for a beautiful service that will include some talking, some listening, beautiful music provided by the talented Rick Dale and lots of insight into the wonder and joy of hearing the voices all around us.

The Pause Button Sunday Service

Today I choose to accept and release anything that does not serve me knowing my life is a reflection of my own belief system. I have the power to change everything to my highest good. And So It Is! 

Today Experience the music of Daniel Nahmod

Festival of Children: National Child Awareness Month

A creative sculpture of cans for a good cause

The month of September is full of energy. It is the month that usually marks the beginning of schools for many around the country.  It is a time where preparation is important to starting a successful school year.  Many are fortunate to transition into this time without too much trouble. A mild case of stress for getting the correct school supplies, anticipating the perfect teacher(s), having a good assortment of clothing, and planning the exact lunches that will be eaten.  While many are making these typical preparation choices, there are others who are making more difficult choices, who need assistance from charities.

The month of September not only marks the beginning of school, it also marks the beginning of the month long awareness campaign of Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza.  The Festival of Children Foundation was created to bring children's charities into a network so ideas and resources can be shared to further the strength and outreach of the charity. Throughout South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, booths are set up with information for each charity’s resources available.  During the weekends, events take place all geared towards children.  The weekends buzz throughout the month while children's dance and music groups perform, activities and crafts are happening, and each charity has a representative at their booth.  16 can sculptures created from different organizations are placed around the plaza, with all 60,000 cans being donated to Orange County food banks after the event.

As the founder of Festival of Children Foundation, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels (an owner of South Coast Plaza), has also led the effort to have September 2014 declared as National Child Awareness Month. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) co-sponsored Senate Resolution 503, which passed by unanimous consent on July 16, 2014 designating September 2014 as National Child Awareness Month. September 2014 marks the 7th consecutive year for the designation.

S.Res.503 - A resolution designating September 2014 as "National Child Awareness Month" to promote awareness of charities benefitting children and youth-serving organizations throughout the United States and recognizing efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States.

So during this month of children, it is a good time to reflect on abilities of all our children and how crucial it is for all of us to recognize the greatness in each child.  Each child is great, to be reminded of this Truth will bring children into adulthood with a knowing of purpose and value, this, in turn, leads to a strong community.

http://www.festivalofchildren.org/site/DocServer/Festival_of_Children_2014_Flyer_in_Progress.pdf?docID=4721