Grown Up Christmas Wish

What would you like to receive for Christmas? What are you giving? They have to match!
Several years ago, David Foster wrote the  song "My Grown Up Christmas List."  It is filled with ideas of things I want for myself and all beings everywhere.
A few of the lyrics are:

"No more lives torn apart  That wars would never start   And time would heal all hearts... And everyone would have a friend...And right would always win...And love would never end...This is my grown up Christmas list... This is my only lifelong wish...This is my grown up Christmas list."

A bridge between the verses states; "What is this illusion called the innocence of youth...Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth!"

O Christmas tree!

 I love the innocence of youth and don't think it is an illusion. I think about the feeling of wonder and awe that accompanied my early Christmas evenings when we finished decorating our tree, turned all the house lights off and sang carols. 'Blind belief' sounds like what many people would call faith. What is the truth we are looking for?

Jesus promised that he had come so we could live more abundantly. He promised peace... the peace that "passeth recognition."

I am ready for peace. I am ready to let fear be a thing of the past. If that is really my intention, what is my promise?  Since I must provide  a channel for my demonstration, it means that I must be prepared to live as peace. That means I cannot let my heart be troubled ever. As Dr. Bitzer, one of our pioneers in Science of Mind, was fond of saying, "Don't abandon Principle even for a special occasion!" I am being called to live as peace no matter what!

I am also ready to live in a world in which "no lives are torn apart." No lives torn apart by abuse, or neglect, or divorce or boredom! As a practitioner of the Science of Mind, I am called to see right action only...to see with spiritual eyes... to perceive the presence of the Divine even in the most challenging circumstances.

I am ready for a world in which "no wars will ever start."  But can I believe it?

Do I believe that "time will heal all hearts?" Do I believe that Principle is not bound by precedent? Or do I believe that the future is going to be a repeat of the past? It is time for self-examination, with loving kindness and honesty. Or is is possible, that simply by perceiving with spiritual truth, all broken hearts are healed?

Do I believe that love is eternal? Or do I believe that it can and does end?

I encourage you to join me this Christmas, to make a grown up Christmas List that we are willing to pray unceasingly to create. The time is now and we are the ones.
The video below is a beautiful rendition of Natalie Cole and David Foster singing "My Grown Up Christmas List." There is a special bonus for my Asian friends. Enjoy it!

Heart of Peace

Do you realize that your thoughts are impressing Divine Mind at all times?

When your thoughts are focused on Peace, Love, Harmony, Beauty and Joy as being true for you, they emit the atmosphere of those qualities.

We have all felt this. Imagine walking into a room and you immediately feel uncomfortable. Then you notice that conversations are loaded with fear and suspicion. You see the people are frowning, bodies are rigid and lips are pursed. Most of us would leave that place as quickly as we could.

Now imagine walking into a different room-- this one looks different. All the colors seem to enhance the room. People are chatting happily or smiling enjoying the ambiance. the music is up-lifting and inviting. You are comfortable and decide to stay for awhile.

Ernest Holmes describes Thought Atmosphere as: "An influence or condition surrounding a place, person or thing. A person whose atmosphere is always of love and cheerfulness, will always attract friends."

I love the words of St. Francis, "Let me be an instrument of Thy Peace."  I know that many people resonate with the idea of being peace-keepers and difference-makers.

We began the Season For Non-Violence on January 30th. Recently,  I have noticed that many people were feeling fearful about the changes in the nation and what those changes could mean for them. The antidote for Fear is always Love. 

Coincidentally, Centers for Spiritual Living has been working on a Peace Initiative in which all communities would commit to participate in some way. Rev. Pattie Mercado has been part of that team. They have done great work. Their initiative is based on the principles of oneness, and the inherent nature of Peace. 

Dr. Nancy Anderson states: "We can help change the consciousness of people from fear and chaos which may be caused by ignorance of our inherent creative power as direct expressions of God. The force or influence of beliefs and emotions fostered by ignorance is dissipated by the power of spiritually trained minds and hearts of love. We learn through the practice of collective meditation to more deeply embody or BE PEACE and then Peace is automatically amplified and resonates through humanity."

Those of us who have been meditating for awhile know that the atmosphere in a group meditation is Deep Peace. 

With that in mind, we are initiating several Group Peace Meditations for our community.Please let everyone know that they are welcome to attend. They do not need to be part of our community. They don't need to be Religious Scientists. They don't need to be aware of their spirituality. The only requirement is to being a safe place where Peace can be known. Some meditations will be guided. Some will be more free flow. We will hold them in the sanctuary because it has the thought atmosphere of prayer and loving kindness.You can start the meditation before you enter the sanctuary by mentally taking your concerns and setting them down in the peace garden until you come back out. We are starting with three meditations:
      Monday: 12:15 to 12:45 PM  I will lead this one. I will lead this meditation.
      Tuesday:   6:15 to 6:45 pm. Kathy Storey, RScP and Toni Sparks, RScP will lead this one.
      Thursday  10:00 to 10:30 AM. Rev. Pattie will lead this meditation.
More times an dates may come available. Check our website.

Remember you are the one who makes a difference! Choose Peace.

Ernest Holmes wrote: " Peace is the Power at the Heart of God."

A Portion of Our Peace Garden

The Season for Nonviolence Week 1: Self-Care Brings Compassion

I do yoga for fitness, mental, spiritual and physical. Most often I take a power yoga class to get my blood flowing, but after my busy weekend I was called to take a slower paced yin yoga class. It felt good to listen to my heart and my body. The yin class ended up being the perfect restoration for my body and my soul. It reminded me that we just entered the Season for Nonviolence and what a perfect way to begin by caring for myself. 

The Season for Nonviolence, sponsored by the Association for Global New Thought, is an educational, media and grassroots awareness campaign spanning the 64 days between the January 30th and April 4th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The purpose of the Season for Nonviolence is to focus educational and public attention on the philosophy of attaining peace through nonviolent action, as demonstrated by legendary leaders including Gandhi, King, Cesar E. Chavez, Nelson Mandela, and His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. 

These great leaders represent people and faiths that span beyond borders and doctrine, limited only by the willingness of the individual. 

The organizers of this beautiful season offer suggestions for embodying the ideas of peace, compassion and kindness in daily life. In this first week, organizers suggest focusing on being more compassionate to ourselves. Here are some of their suggestions:

• Do what's in your heart. Really listen to what is in your heart and take action.
• Smiling is a way to establish a heart connection and a peaceful outlook. Smile and make eye contact with 5 people.
• Focus on the good qualities in yourself and others
• Think of ways you can better care for yourself. Put it into practice.
• Believe that peace is a possibility. Offer a prayer or focus on peace in meditation.
• Think of ways to free yourself from drama. Turn off the news or refrain from complaining.
• War is born from ignorance. Try to learn something new. 

Or...maybe you just take a slower pace, stopping to smell the roses. Whatever you choose, I know it honors the Season for Nonviolence and spreads peace like wildflowers. 

Abide With Me

The first line of a hymn from my childhood is in my heart and mind. 

"Abide With me; fast falls the eventide;

  the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

 When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

 Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me."  Henry F. Lyte

I know that it may sound old-fashioned, but I also feel the wisdom and power in the words.  It is really the spiritual solution to absolutely every kind of darkness, every problem, every concern. It is asking the Lord (the Law and the Love)  to stay with us.

The word abide means to stay, or remain, or even tarry.

The song was inspired by scripture, Luke 24:29. It was after Jesus resurrection and the disciples were begging Jesus to stay with them.

Knowing that the Christ consciousness is the consciousness of oneness, of infinite possibilities, peace, comfort and hope, we begin to understand why this old hymn was so popular at funerals in mid 20th century. When we feel abandoned or left behind, passed over or grief-stricken, we need God's help. The answer is always to turn to God. When we do, the presence embraces us and gives of Itself - peace, comfort, love.

Today I am grieving the passing of our dear friend Rev. Michael DiFebo. I know with absolute certainty that Rev. Michael lives on and lives better where he is now. And I also know that for his friends and family, hope, comfort and peace are desperately needed. None of us were ready to let him go.He was a vibrant, loving, gregarious bigger-than-life man of faith. I know that Rev. Michael is now fully abiding in God. I know the answer for all of us left behind, the answer is to ask God to "stay with us." 

You are probably wondering why I would phrase it that way. God does not have to be coaxed to stay with us. God cannot abandon us, for It is in us, responding to us, whether or not we believe in God. However, the simple act of asking for God's help opens the floodgates of love, peace and comfort (that were there all along.) It opens our receptiveness to God's love.

So the key is to keep God, Divine Mind, eternal Loving-Kindness,foremost  in our minds and hearts. Then the "helpless' become the "helped."

I am reminded of singing in the junior choir in the United Church (of Canada) in my childhood home of Conquest, Saskatchewan. Of course I was a school girl then. I didn't understand death because I didn't understand the nature of life. But now those lyrics are deeply meaningful to me. I know I am uplifted when I turn to God and abide in God's love.
Below is an instrumental version by James Last.

Prayer for My Country by Ernest Holmes

MY PRAYER FOR MY COUNTRY
by
Dr. Ernest Holmes, 1887 – 1960

Believing in the Divine destiny of the United States of America and in the preservation of liberty, security, and self-expression, I offer this, my prayer for my country:

I know that Divine Intelligence governs the destiny of the United States of America, directing the thought and the activity of all who guide its affairs.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are the gifts of freedom, and are the Divine heritage of everyone in this country.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are now operating in the affairs of every individual in this country.

I know that Divine guidance enlightens the collective mind of the people of this country, causing it to know that economic security may come to all without the loss of either personal freedom or individual self-expression.

I know that no one can believe or be led to believe that freedom must be surrendered in order to insure economic security for all.

The All-Knowing Mind of God contains the answer to every problem which confronts this country.

I know that every leader in this country is now directed to this All-Knowing Mind and has the knowledge of a complete solution to every problem, and each is compelled to act upon this knowledge to the end that abundance, security, and peace shall come to all.

And I know that this spiritual democracy shall endure, guaranteeing to everyone in this country personal liberty, happiness, and self-expression.

And so it is. Amen.

Let's Peace the World Together

I LOVE this picture! It shows Krishna, Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus and Moses holding hands. They have hearts in their hands! 

The title of the picture is "Let's Peace the World Together."  Some of the golden threads of truth that run through all religions is Love and Peace. What a great time of year to remember to love our neighbor!

There are fundamentalists in every religion who say that their way is the only way! I cannot imagine the Buddha saying that if you were did not practice his way, you would be damned. In fact, I cannot imagine any one of them telling their followers to kill in the name of religion. Yet over the centuries, there have been many wars fought over religion.

I think it is time to stop. 

I can't change anyone else but I can change myself. I open my heart to love more than ever before. I open my ears to be a better listener, to listen to what lies behind the words, what beliefs are being shown.

And I can choose my words to be those of peace and love.

Today is the day. Let's give peace a chance. Let's peace the world together.

Today is #PeaceDay: Who Will You Make Peace With?

Today is #PeaceDay – an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Please join us in the loudest call for lasting peace the world has ever seen by marking the day in your homes and communities. Every act of kindness or forgiveness helps us all to build a world that works for everyone.

For more information on this peaceful revolution please visit http://www.peaceoneday.org

I Am the Peace of the Puzzle.



ONE The Peace Day Anthem



One Love, One Voice, One Spirit, United.
Singing As One.
Brothers And Sisters, Peace.

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 

Finding Peace in Christmas: Taking a moment to stop.

Take a moment to stop and reflect on the beauty all around. 

During the Holiday rush, it is easy to lose track of time. We hear about how time fly's from Thanksgiving through the New Year. This is the perfect opportunity to take a moment to completely stop. 

If we are finding ourselves overwhelmed with obligations during the holidays, remember that it is acceptable to replace some of those obligations for time to yourself. Taking a time to reflect is as important as all the obligations we place upon ourselves. 

When we fill ourselves up with face-paced holiday activities, a sadness can occur at the end of the holiday, when we are no longer in the frenzy of the season. If we stop during the season, we become familiar with those feelings associated with slowing down. At the end of the season the slowness will be a good friend. 

As this is the "time of giving," take some time to give yourself the gift of Peace. It may be one of the best presents you get all year. 

Have a Happy Christmas. 

Honoring 9/11: The first day of middle school homework

Teaching our children to honor September 11, 2001

On September 9th my 8th grader came home from the first day of school with an assignment: Ask your parents where they were on the day of September 11, 2001, and how did that day affect our country?  For these past 2 years in middle school she has been reading novels with increasingly tougher subjects.  Some of the subjects caused her some anxiety and concern.  Now that she has become exposed to some of these subjects, as an 8th grader, it's time that some really tough subjects are discussed at home.  This is something we, as her parents, have tried to shield her from, because, knowing our child, we didn't feel she could digest the subjects.

The answer to her assigned question began with my husband.  He told her he was at home with her (she was 1 year old at the time).  He spoke of viewing the towers on television when the second plane hit. He explained terrorism, hijacking and heroism.  He spoke of the heightened airport security, as this was at a time where he, personally, was air traveling quite a bit for work.  He showed her a video of the towers at the time of collapse.  What he was not prepared for was her reaction of nonchalance.  My husband's reaction was disappointment, frustration, and he decided to walk away from her in disbelief of her lack of understanding.  His reaction smacked her right in the heart as she began to well up with tears.  At that point she knew he was upset with her reaction, and that the day of September 11th was a painful day to recollect.

From this moment I began to speak of the impact tragedy has on people.  I spoke of people who lost their love ones, of children that would never see their parents again.  I spoke of stories I heard from friends who personally knew others who lost a friend or relative.  I even told her that one of her best friends had a relative who died on one of the hijacked planes.  Of course, she was surprised to hear that she knew someone who was personally affected.  I told her of my personal fear, as a mother of a 1 year old child, and the feeling that war would come to Los Angeles.  I told her that our lives are not to be taken for granted and we should be grateful every day.

Though we are on the entire opposite end of the country, this event effected every one of us in a most profound and deeply, hurtful way.  I spoke that, as we are in the proximity of Hollywood, the capital of make believe, it's easy to see something on film and think the violence is something that isn't real, isn't true.  By watching it on YouTube, on a screen, it doesn't appear to be something real.  However, this was very real; this hurt the nation to the core.  I then brought it out globally, speaking of, how the world currently has children who fear for their lives every day from war, hunger and diseases.

I know my daughter, I know she is a child who is sensitive, and I know her empathy can sometimes cause her anxious pain.  As a sister, with a special needs little brother, her empathy is cellular.  So, it was not a surprise that she was in tears while I was explaining the events of September 11, 2001.  Of course I know it was a mixture of personal hurt, from her dad's reaction, and the deep, painful understanding upon discussing such a tragic day.  Shielding her from discussing these subjects is no longer an option, nurturing her continued growth into an understanding of honor is of utmost importance.

Her school has asked the students to wear patriotic colors to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.  Now, when she wears these colors, she will understand the hurt of a country, and what it means to honor another.

Today, I honor those who transitioned into a new form of the energetic on September 11, 2001.

I hold a space of Peace for those, still living on this dimension, who are without the physical presence of their loved ones.

I hold a place of Peace for those who strongly believe terrorism is the action toward freedom.

I honor those who, unselfishly, acted in the space of heroism on that fateful day.

 

I Am Peace...or Am I?

I am peace.

I am because I just affirmed it.

I affirm it 50 - 100 times a day.

I affirm it when my kids are driving me crazy.

I affirm it when I make the poor decision to go to Costco on a Sunday afternoon.

I affirm it when I am, in fact, in peace.

I affirm it so much that I spent some creative time today drawing this image to remind me that I am peace whenever I walk by my in-home altar.

Why do I affirm this instead of I am rich, I am successful, I am happy, etc?

Because being in peace encompasses all of that.

If all I affirm all day is I am peace, than I will naturally embody everything else.

Last week at a Leadership meeting, Dr. Heather walked us through an exercise that allowed us to dwindle down to the one God quality that we felt when thinking of a joyous memory.

My memory occurred the night before during a late-night swim session with my boys.  We were swimming under the stars.  I could still hear the echo of my boys' laughter in my ears as they played on their own.

I was so full of joy at hearing their laughter.

Yes, because a child's laughter is so intoxicating, but mostly, because it showed the deep love they have for each other.

They play so well together, they love each other, they go beyond brothers...they are "bros."

As I remembered the evening, I noticed my physical body.

I was calm, tingly all over noticing the electric energy that I felt.  I noticed the feeling of love expanding from my body...not the love of a mother for her sons, but even more vast than that....

...it was a love of life.

It was a love of all.  It was a love beyond what I can type out on this minimalistic keyboard.

It was love that left me almost paralyzed in peace. 

What I realized, was peace to me was this all-encompassing emotion that embraced love, gratitude, beauty, abundance, prosperity, joy, heath....

...all the qualities of God.

As I sat there reminiscing on this overwhelmingly intoxicating feeling of peace, I realized, that it was all I had to affirm in my life.

Plus, it's one of the easiest affirmations to say when life gets crazy, or when life is at peace...

...like God, it truly is, all there is....

....and that is what I am....try it with me:

I am peace. 

How'd that feel?

If you haven't done so already, join Rev. Bruce Fredenberg for more insights on attracting peace, and everything else you want in life....and quickly, at his Turbocharge the Law of Attraction workshop.  

Submerged in Light

Submerged in Light

   Every morning(on the way to school), I listen to music. It calms me. It doesn't have to be spiritual or meditative music and usually isn't, but something I feel peaceful listening to. And, I usually do this whilst staring out the window, observing the landscape whizzing past me in a blur of dull, gray road, the occasional garden, and a flash of golden, morning light bursting through silver clouds. It is truly my relaxing way to spend the twenty to twenty-five minute drive to school. As you can see, above there is a picture of a double rainbow. The picture above was taken on one damp, cold October morning on my phone while I sat in the front seat of the car, rocking out to some tunes. I remember the morning vaguely, but I can recall the exact song I was listening to while this photo was captured. The song was Vanilla Twilight, written by none other than Owl City, and in that moment when the song came on, I watched as this beautiful manifestation shot out before me in a beam of brilliance.   

"When violet eyes get brighter/

And heavy wings grow lighter/

I'll taste the sky and feel alive again/

And I'll forget the world that I knew/

But I swear I won't forget you."

 There are many days and occasions when I remind myself that the light is always there, and Spirit is always expressing as me and in the beauty I experience or encounter. But, sometimes it really takes that extra unf to truly see it for myself. And those moments, when you realize you are supported by the Universe, or loved unconditionally, or in my case that the Light is always there, are so important. Those moments express the Universe reacting to your thoughts and needs. And in that moment of pure bliss when you relax into the realization and know that you are encompassed by the Universe's gifts, as when the sky's magnificence exploded around me and the music was in perfect alignment that day, it can leave you in awe(it raised the hairs on the nape of my neck) and leave a positive impression on you as does a hand print in the sand. 

   Every morning when being driven to school(during this season), the sun is hidden behind the thick, wet fog, and it leaves me wondering when the sun will come out. It drops me into a state of cloudy thoughts and a misty, negative mind set. But, when the sun peaks through the clouds, I remember that no matter how thick the fog is, the sun is always there just behind it waiting to shine its light upon me. That is a comforting thought. So, while writing an entry in my journal the other day, I wrote this down and thought it matched perfectly with what this week has consisted of: reminding myself-that the light is always there, and love is ever-expanding. 

"Even though our doubts and fears fill our throats with silence and a throbbing starts in our chests, the fog will always lift up. It seems like basic knowledge when you’re done experiencing it, but while you stare up into the endless hidden sky, it seems as if you know nothing but the lingering cloud mass engulfing the world around you. And, once the sun shines through and relief catches your breath, you realize in the end that no matter how thick or dark it may seem, the fog will always find a reason to leave." 

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

My daily commute to work always consists of listening to positive music that uplifts me and keeps me centered, especially whilst dodging crazy drivers on the I-5 and trying to stay safe.  I spend a lot of time with Jason Mraz in my car, not only because I adore his voice, but also because his music is so filled with LOVE and truth.  In his song, "Living In The Moment", he starts it with:

If this life is one act
Why do we lay all these traps?
We put them right in our path
When we just wanna be free

I will not waste my days
Making up all kinds of ways
To worry about all the things
That will not happen to me

So I just let go of what I know I don't know
And I know I'll only do this by
Living in the moment

How much time do you spend thinking and worrying about the future?  I know that I tend to stress myself out thinking about all of the daunting tasks that are set before me.  Then, I remember that right here and right now, all is well.  Tomorrow is not here.  I stop, look around, and see the amazing beauty that surrounds me, living in Southern California, and remember to be grateful for my surroundings, my health, my friends, my family and all the gifts that I receive from every person I meet on a daily basis.  When I do that, my stress tends to dissipate little by little.

Later in the song Jason sings:

I'm letting myself off the hook for things I've done
I let my past go past
And now I'm having more fun
I'm letting go of the thoughts
That do not make me strong
And I believe this way can be the same for everyone

And if I fall asleep
I know you'll be the one who'll always remind me
To live in the moment

 
How often do you dwell on the past and hold onto anger and resentment?  What I know is that every experience we have had has brought us to this moment in perfection.  Although those not-so-pleasant experiences don't appear to be in alignment with our greater good, there is always a gift of some type in which we cannot always see.  Whether or not it can be seen right now, the key component is LETTING IT GO and not allowing it to keep creeping up in our present lives.  Why live in the past!!!  What would happen if you just let it go and didn't dwell upon it?  What would you lose?  What would you gain?  Just something to think about.

The song concludes:

I'm living in the moment
I'm living my life
Oh, easy and breezy
With peace in my mind
Peace in my heart
Peace in my soul
Wherever I'm going, I'm already home
I'm living in the moment


Easy and breezy...doesn't that sound heavenly!  If I'm at peace with myself and the world, life is easy and breezy, and who wouldn't want that.  I'll take it.  Thanks to musicians such as Jason Mraz and so many other amazing songwriters who grace my car stereo, I do take it and live it.  See you on the roads   Namaste'