Freedom From Discord, Sunday Service

Confident that the ultimate goal of my life is emancipation from discord of every nature, I aid in the sure evolution of all humanity toward this goal by remaining conscious of the Unity of all Life in all my choices. And So It Is!

We Live in an Abundant Universe

Abundance of Apricots

Directly in front of my kitchen window is an apricot tree reminding me of the Universal presence of Spirit's abundance. She has so much fruit that she is constantly releasing fruit which by morning is covering my backyard. This bounty would feed a family of four all winter if one knew how to make preserves. I bring some of the fruit to my spiritual Center to share and there is still plenty to enjoy and to share. (One of my neighbors asked if she could have some, I joyfully agreed, but if she took any there was no appreciable  difference to the tree or the yard when I looked the next day.)

Of course that is nature's way of replenishing itself. The seed in the middle of the fruit could produce another apricot tree until there was an orchard of apricot  trees. I see evidence that birds and other creatures are feeding on the fruit as well. And by that design the birds would take the seeds and drop them in soil or the mice would take their prizes and bury them in their nests.

To me this is the nature of life. The universe is abundant. We have access to infinite ideas which have infinite potential to bring good into our lives. Nature is bountiful and knows it. Nature gives generously confident that there is always more to give.

So I can actually use the prosperity of apricots to remind me of all my other blessings. I am going to consciously give thanks for the goodness in my life and celebrate it. Every time I pick up an apricot from the ground I am going to affirm that  I live in an abundant universe, and consciously give thanks for all the good I have already experienced. Then when I pick apricots to share and to enjoy I will affirm that "it is the Father's good pleasure to give me the kingdom." I am reminded that I cannot out give God. I will give with love because I do love to give.

Where do you see abundance today?

News Flash…Keeping Love Alive: It's Easier Said than Done!

Love is within us. It cannot be destroyed. It can be ignored. To the extent that we abandon love we will feel it has abandoned us. 

Denying love is our only problem, and embracing it is the only answer.
Through the power of love, we can let go of past history and begin again.
Love heals, forgives, and makes whole.

Ernest Holmes

Dr. Reverend Heather Dawn Clark gave an extremely poignant and heart-thought provoking talk at The Center For Spiritual Living, Capistrano Valley (CSLCV) this past Sunday.  Her word reflected the Truth of Love…that essential element of the Unconditional defining what, indeed, True Love is…as well as the absolute element of forgiveness within any relationship called a “Love Relationship”…(romantic & intimate or otherwise).

Keeping love alive, when so much of the outside world threatens to overwhelm it, quickly becomes one of the most difficult challenges we will ever face in our relationships.

You might be thinking, “How in the world can that be? If you're really in love with each other, keeping love alive between you shouldn't be a hard thing to do at all.”

I wish I could say this is true, but unfortunately - at least in terms of the

number of years I have spent…both personally, as well as professionally, perceiving romantic relationships in my life and Counseling Psychotherapy…now Empowerment Coaching practice… falling in love is relatively easy. And…Keeping love alive is,

realistically, one of the most difficult things we will ever do.

Consider for a moment those beautiful, wondrous first days of being “in love.” Everything about the experience seems practically perfect.

You find yourselves meshing in ways you never thought possible. Your hopes and dreams seem so compatible… it's as if you were born to be together. You feel such ecstasy and find such completeness in that loving, passionate embrace, you're convinced you have finally found The One. Trust and believe…I know!

But will that “in love” feeling last?

Sadly, the answer is no …not unless we are willing to put a tremendous amount of time and energy into it.

Remember…Being “in Love” is that magical first step involved in Truly loving. It's… basically, an overwhelming desire between two people to simply be together and share pleasurable life experiences.

But love - Real Love - changes and grows as we ourselves do all the time. Every single day… that love requires tending and nurturing, and only with time does it become strong and resilient.

This is the love that develops into a bond between two people and has the power to carry them into the future together, at times, surviving what may seem to be nearly insurmountable odds.

When we are in love, what we feel is often characterized as if it were a young, innocent child. That “in love-ness” needs a tremendous amount of protection and guidance as it matures and moves toward the future.

Without that protection and guidance, this “child” - this love -simply

flounders, having no idea where it should go.

In reality, far too many of us are so “in love” with the love we feel for each other in the present that we rarely, if ever, stop to consider the hardships we may inevitably face as couples in the future.

For instance, financial problems. The stress of raising children. Then there are conflicts with relatives, career changes, illness or addiction issues. Not to mention…but, I will… outside temptations.

What we fail to realize is that the experience of falling “in love” is only a first step toward truly loving.  That’s right…YOU heard me!

It's what comes after, in the form of hardships and challenges the future brings… and how we successfully overcome them, that

actually gives depth and substance to the love we feel.

Unfortunately, many are so in love with “being in love” that we never give ourSelves the chance to advance beyond that first step.

Take a good, hard look at the divorce rate among us these days.

More than 50 plus percent of all marriages today end in divorce.

Why? Simply because couples can't keep their love alive.

One thing or another manages somehow to draw these couples apart.

Too many problems are often cited. Or there is simply too much boredom poisoning the relationship.

Sometimes even too much personal growth on the part of one spouse …and not enough on the part of the other can be that pesky culprit.

And yet, I can't imagine that a single person in this world ever marries

expecting at some future time to get divorced.  However, now reflecting on that statement…I could BE wrong!

Divorce is perceived in the Divine as an unnatural breakdown in the process of loving. Essentially…It means one, or both, partners involved has somehow allowed him/herself to lose focus in the relationship: they've lost faith, and they're essentially looking beyond the commitment in that relationship in order to achieve personal

happiness for themselves.  Of this…I AM certain…I AM!

On the Divine level, commitment is perceived as a Conscious (Christ Consciousness) Agreement between partners to be together. But the bond that exists between them is something that runs far deeper.

When two people are not truly “bonded” to each other, which takes a considerable amount of time and effort by both

partners to achieve, it doesn't matter how “committed” they may outwardly profess to be.

Frankly speaking, their relationship is essentially doomed practically from its beginning. Without that strong, solid emotional bond between them, keeping love alive will be literally quite challenging…perhaps, impossible…and that’s coming from a person who, literally awakens each and every Glorious day, thanking GOD for all the great news and miracles she is going to receive in every area of her Life!

So…How do we achieve such a bond…those of us who desire to BE Coupled…to share all that we have been so Divinely blessed with in the experience and expression of a Divine Right intimate, loving, and committed Life Partnership… Marriage?

We start by waking up every morning and seeing our relationships as genuinely living… growing things… and we care for them accordingly.

We realize that being “in love” is mainly an initial experience of passion and attraction, and we strive to build a much more meaningful foundation of hope and trust on both with the passing of time.

We exercise a tremendous amount of understanding and forgiveness in our relationships, because we are aware that Today is not Yesterday in terms of those relationships. But, with the right care and handling, Today will certainly become a more enriched, far more fulfilling Tomorrow because we have been able to love unconditionally.

We do everything we can to stay “in love” by continuing to be the individuals we were at the start of these relationships.

In other words, she still makes an effort to dress “for him” when they go out to dinner. He still serves breakfast in bed “for her” the way he used to do when they were engaged.

They continue to romance each other and be attentive to each other's needs, even when the dishes aren't done or the lawn hasn't been mowed. They essentially look for ways in the midst of everyday living to celebrate their love for one another …to literally keep their love for one another alive.

This may not be possible all the time, but enough of the time. Often enough, to let partners know that even when times are troubled or if circumstances aren't quite what we'd like them to be, we are still very much “in love” in Spirit.

You can keep love alive in your relationships, but it's up to you and your partner to make it happen.

Divinely speaking...there is nothing effortless about love. In fact, genuinely loving our Life Partners can be one of the toughest commitments we ever make in Life. But the rewards to be reaped are enormous when we are sincerely committed to investing enough time and effort …enough of ourSelves - into developing a loving bond that can truly last a Lifetime.

Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress – IF YOU KNOW IT!  No matter how large or small, please recognize it and be Grateful. Hey…It only takes a moment to pick up the penny… and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow of Positive Energy and Goodness.

To New Beginnings Together!

Are You Ready To Celebrate Life…and BE the Best that YOU can BE?

I NOW invite YOU to Celebrate LIFE…Let’s Talk …with Your 30 minute complimentary Consultation!

To Our Health, Well-BEING, and Empowerment Together!

Much Love & GOD’s Blessings!

Rhonda

PS: Remember if you don’t do anything – if you don’t change the way
your mind works and direct your subconscious mind to create the
life you want – everything stays the same – nothing changes. This
is your life – make the most of it…NOW!

"There is a mighty Power within you. There is that Spirit of Life, Light, and Love. The more you feast on these ideas and fast from old corrosive ones, the closer you experience the Life you desire."  -Frank Richelieu, The Art of Being Yourself

Rhonda Maria Farrah, MA, DRWA

The Wellness Institute International

949.527.1574

Licensed Teacher

The Art of Feminine Presence™

Author  of the Forthcoming Book

How To Forgive, Live & LOVE During The Process of Divorce...

A Journey In Healing & Transformation

rhonda@HelpMeRhondaNOW.com

www.TheWellnessInstitute.tv

   

 Speak Up, The World Is Listening 

As Within, So Without, Sunday Service

I am free from any and all discord as I turn to the divine harmony already and always within me. And So It Is!

Kaleidoscope OC

I just came from a planning meeting of the newly formed Kaleidoscope OC, An Alliance of Faith Leaders affirming the LGBTQ Community. I am very honored to be part of this amazing group of ministers, rabbis, and other faith leaders. What we have been meeting about is to ensure that our communities are safe and welcoming places for members of the LGBTQ community. I felt that this is a perfect fit for us since we are all about unity and oneness.

We will officially introduce ourselves as a group at the Gay Pride Parade on June 25. We will also be participating in a Shabbat Service at Temple Beth Shalom on June 24. Part of the service will be recognizing those who have died from AIDS or hate crimes. Each of us who will be participating will read a part of the service. I will be participating in the service.

Then the following day at 10:30 am, there will be a short interfaith service before the start of the parade; I will not be participating because I do not want to miss Mary Mackenzie, who will be speaking at our Center that afternoon at 1:00 PM. However, if there is anyone who would like to walk (or ride) in the parade, please let me know; I would be grateful for someone to represent us.

Have you ever noticed that the people who are protesting things usually have the loudest voices and the most press? We believe that that will change as we continue to speak up for those beings who have been marginalized. Actually, I think we learned from our teens who make it seem so easy to accept people just the way the are and just the way they are not.

We have the letter of affirmation and the names of the communities who are participating at this point posted on our website on our About Us Page. Please click on the link below to read the entire letter.

http://cslcv.org/about-us/

ARE YOU “VIBRATING” WHAT YOU WANT?!

"Resolve to succeed. The greatest discovery one can make is that nothing is impossible."    - Author Unknown Especially in keeping "On Theme"..."Freedom From all Discord

"...Rev Heather's  striking thought and talk Sunday...My Birthday present...and then some...

Let's say there are people. One wants this, and the other wants something entirely different and they live together. And so it feels like somebody has to compromise, but nobody wants to.  But what happens is person "A", instead of thinking about what she wants and focusing on it completely and making her vibration one with it, which means the universe would deliver the ESSENCE of it swiftly, is looking at the other person saying, "I don't like what you are doing". So she is messing up her own vibrations. She is not a vibrational match to her dream by blaming the other person for her not having what she wants.  And usually person "B" is doing the same thing.

Neither person is focused on what they want. Both are messing up their vibrations by worrying about what the other one wants. 

Neither person is getting what they want and both are blaming each other. 

The truth is that you cannot do anything about what the other person is doing, but you can clean up your vibration and when you do, the universe will yield to you in ways that you right now cannot even imagine. The universe will deliver the ESSENCE of what you want. Maybe not in the way you expected, but if you know the ESSENCE of what you want (how you want to feel and what you want to experience after you have it) the universe will deliver that because that is what you really want.

You don't have to let go of your dream but you do have to identify the ESSENCE of the dream and hold to that. In other words, when you think about what you want and why you want it, it is easier for you to offer that single pure vibration than when you try to identify who is going to bring it, how it is going to come, when it is going to come, where it is going to come, etc.

When you ask those questions you split your vibration. You don't get what you want and then you blame the other person. 

When you get to the heart of why you want something and get in vibrational alignment with that, you will always attract the ESSENCE of what you want.

Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress – IF YOU KNOW IT!  No matter how large or small, please recognize it and be Grateful. Hey…It only takes a moment to pick up the penny… and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow of Positive Energy and Goodness.

To New Beginnings Together!

Are You Ready To Celebrate Life…and BE the Best that YOU can BE?

I NOW invite YOU to Celebrate LIFE…Let’s Talk …with Your 30 minute complimentary Consultation!

To Our Health, Well-BEING, and Empowerment Together!

Much Love & GOD’s Blessings!

Rhonda

PS: Remember if you don’t do anything – if you don’t change the way
your mind works and direct your subconscious mind to create the
life you want – everything stays the same – nothing changes. This
is your life – make the most of it…NOW!

"There is a mighty Power within you. There is that Spirit of Life, Light, and Love. The more you feast on these ideas and fast from old corrosive ones, the closer you experience the Life you desire."  -Frank Richelieu, The Art of Being Yourself

Rhonda Maria Farrah, MA, DRWA

The Wellness Institute International

949.527.1574

Licensed Teacher

The Art of Feminine Presence™

Author  of the Forthcoming Book

How To Forgive, Live & LOVE During The Process of Divorce...

A Journey In Healing & Transformation

rhonda@HelpMeRhondaNOW.com

www.TheWellnessInstitute.tv

   

 Speak Up, The World Is Listening

Four Steps to Living Your True Potential

Do you ever find yourself in the same emotional landscape over and over again? Okay, sure, the scenery and faces around you might be different, but the way you feel – a tangible sense of dissatisfaction – seems all too familiar. Could it be Déjà vu? Karma? A result of your childhood? Isn’t it time to move beyond your inner judgments and start living your best life?

How can we live up to our true potential, a life filled with relationships and experiences that truly meet our needs, when we keep putting our focus on the outside rather than looking inward? Isn’t it true, that the only common denominator in your experience is you?

Nonviolent Communication gives you the tools to take responsibility for what you need to live your best life. This means no one else is responsible for your quality of life but you!

Check in with yourself over the course of a day. Do you find yourself blaming others for what’s missing in your life? Following the five steps below will help guide you toward creating a different life experience and living up to your true potential.

Step 1: Own It!

The first step toward realizing your true potential – in relationships, in your job, and in every aspect of your life – is to own your life experiences rather than blame them on others. You can do this by translating that blame into your own feelings and needs.

Instead of saying: “My boss is so controlling. He doesn’t let me take the lead on anything,” try this: “When I go to work I feel bored. I really need more stimulation and an opportunity for growth.” See the difference?

When I translate my life experience through feels and needs, I can discern my world without judgment. In fact, I can avoid any thoughts of good/bad or right/wrong.

This revelation may seem minor to some but to me it represents freedom, inclusion, abundance and the very real possibility for a deeper life experience, and more meaningful relationships. Through this simple first step, you can shift your method for discerning your world.

Step 2: Instead of Judging, Experience

Previously, my relationships were hampered by my judgments. Instead of simply experiencing my feelings and needs, I found myself constantly sizing up the other person to see where I fit.

If I thought someone knew more about a particular topic than me, I judged them as superior. If I thought I knew more about a topic than others, I thought I was better than them. This competition often led to distrust, hurt feelings and a lack of real connection with the people in my life.

As you go through your day, be conscious of how you relate to others. Do you find yourself turning to judgments to determine where you fit? If so, try to take a step back and simply experience your feelings and needs for what they are.

For example, if I’m in a conversation where someone knows more about the topic than I do, instead of judging them as intellectually superior (and myself as inferior), I can check in and experience what I’m feeling by thinking: “I’m feeling insecure right now because I’m needing acceptance and inclusion in the conversation.” Note that I say this to myself, not out loud to the other person. Experience the feelings/needs simply for what they are, absent of judgment.

Step 3: Focus on What You Want

At one point in my life, I began to notice I spent more time than I enjoyed focusing on the negative – what was missing in my life – rather than on what I wanted more of.

I wanted to notice my unmet needs, but focusing on what was missing made this difficult. In a sense, I was attempting to make a shift in my mental alignment.

For example, if I was talking with a friend who interrupted me, my first thought might be: “She is self-centered.” However, if I focus on what I want, rather than on what is missing, I might instead think:  “I love it when I’m heard.” When you translate your judgments in this manner as often as you notice them, it creates a subtle and powerful shift.

As this shift occurred in me, I noticed that the machine gun of judgments that ran through my head was running out of ammunition. My focus was more in alignment with my dreams, what I hoped for and valued, and most especially what I loved.

Perhaps the most significant gift I received from aligning my focus on what I want was learning more about what it is that I love. Prior to this step, I could tell you what I didn’t like and what I didn’t want to do, but to commit to what I wanted often eluded me.

Step 4: Ask For It!

Creating the life experiences that meet your needs also means being able to ask for what you want. By simply focusing on what you want (rather than what you don’t want), you are in a better position to suggest strategies to better meet your needs.

Going back, to the example earlier, let’s say that you‘ve connected to your needs and realize that you’re feeling bored at work, and need stimulation and an opportunity for growth. What if you requested a meeting with your boss to express your feelings/needs, and to brainstorm opportunities together?

When you are connected to your needs, your requests will become clearer, they will be more readily received, and they will be more precise in helping to meet your needs.

Step 5: Remember, Your Potential is a Living Concept

As I became more skilled at discerning what I want, and asking for it, all my relationships improved and I became more able to live my true potential.

What does that mean exactly and what is true potential? I used to think of it as an outcome – a static concept, something written in stone the day I was born that I was supposed to become.

Now I consider it a living concept that changes with the ebb and flow of my life. When ill, my true potential might look very different than when I’m healthy. It is, in fact, less about the results of my effort and more about the consciousness I bring to my life, such as authenticity, humility, and integrity. To me, this is living my true potential.

I will be teaching the basic principles of Nonviolent Communication at a workshop, Peaceful Living Through Compassionate Speech, sponsored by the Women's Group on Saturday, June 25, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley in San Clemente. You can learn more about the workshop by clicking HERE.  Won’t you join me?

About Mary Mackenzie

Mary Mackenzie is the author of Peaceful Living: Meditations for Living with Love, Healing and Compassion and a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication. She holds a master’s degree in Human Relations and is executive director of Peace Workshop International, a non-profit educational organization that offers training in Nonviolent Communication.

  

What Is Your Why? Sunday Service

I am an illuminating presence that casts a light of solution, harmony and oneness wherever I abide. And So It Is!

The Greatest Healing Power

Recently I saw a news story that touched me deeply. I think it is a universal message of being connected to everyone and everything. It is a true story which is still going on in Whittier, CA. It is about Ed Gernon, who opened his heart to a feral dog, and gave him a home. The dog, now known as Rex, was basically living on his hunting skills. Then one day when  they were out for a walk, Rex stopped and wouldn't leave a tiny, injured hummingbird. Ed says that the bird looked dead to him, was covered in ants but Rex insisted that his companion do something. So Ed took the hummingbird home and nursed her back to health. The hummingbird, aptly named Hummer has been living in Ed's home for the past year. Ed says he surprised himself with the measures he took. He fed little Hummer every fifteen minutes from sunrise to sunset  until she regained her strength. He says he taught her to fly with a hair dryer. She loves both the man and the dog who rescued her. She bathes in Rex's water dish. She sleeps in Ed's glasses. She will even let him give her a kiss. The three of them are inseparable.

When I saw this story, I was deeply moved for many reasons. First, Ed had to see the gentle possibilities in his adopted "wild, bad boy" dog. Then Ed's dedication to Hummer was amazing. Constant, consistent loving care was required and the results are miraculous. Patience and optimism were present. Ed was guided to listen to Rex when Rex was insistent that he save this little creature. The story did not say that Ed was a bird lover and in fact left me with the impression that raising a hummingbird was the last thing on Ed's mind. Yet the intelligence within him guided him to do the right thing. Love guided him to befriend both of these beings. 

Paul told us in Corinthians 1:14: "Love is patient. Love is kind."

Ernest Holmes tells us the the Divine is present in all people and all beings. Ed Gernon's loving care is evidence of that patience and kindness.

It makes me wonder how many times I have walked right by someone or something that could have used my help. It makes me wonder what other gifts I have to give. Ed, Rex and Hummer are my teachers even though they have never met me. Today I will look for ways to be kind.