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/

I Love Myself The Way I Am

Louise Hay, international bestselling author, coaches people to do mirror work. She asks her clients to look into their own eyes and state, "I love and approve of myself just the way I am." She says do it three or four hundred times a day especially if you want to heal something in your life.

I discovered Louise Hay before I became a minister. I saw her and the singing trio Alliance at a convention somewhere in the 80's.

I bought her books and her tapes. Yes, they were tapes then. I loved her voice. It is so soothing, calming. It felt to me like pure love.

This month, we are paying tribute to Louise's work; our theme for the month is based on her best-seller, You Can Heal Your Life. My topic this week is Mental Equivalents, which means the thought or belief which caused the illness in the first place and more importantly, the new belief which will heal your life.

Back of everything is the idea, that we must love ourselves unconditionally. 

When you look in the mirror do you compliment yourself and praise yourself? Many metaphysicians do this. They are living happy, healthy, loving lives. But we have been trained to do the opposite. WE have learned to critique ourselves, to measure as not good enough.

One of the many techniques, Louise offers is to see yourself as a small child under six years old, unsure and yearning for love. Would you harshly criticize this beautiful soul for not getting it right. for making mistakes? I believe you would be compassionate and kind. That is exactly what we need to do for ourselves too. I did a great deal of work on myself and recognize that there is still more to do.


The group Alliance sang at the gatherings that she had for people dying of AIDS. (Many people lived despite the dire predictions.)  I believe that learning to love themselves was key to their healing. The lyrics of I Love Myself the Way I Am, written by Jai Josephs are:

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. 

I love you the way you are, there's nothing you need to do. 

When I feel the love inside, it's easy to love you. 

Behind your fears, your rage and tears, I see your shining star. 

And I love you, just the way your are. 

I love the world the way it is, cause I can clearly see. 

That all the things I judge are done, by people just like me. 

So 'til the birth of peace on earth, that only love can bring. 

I'll help it grow, by loving everything. 

I love myself the way I am, and I still want to grow. 

But change outside can only come, when deep inside I know. 

I'm beautiful and capable, of being the best me I can. 

And I love myself, just the way I am.

I am including a video of Louise Hay's powerful affirmations. You, too, can heal your life!