The days get short and cold.
The nights get long and colder.
The earth slows down to her winter nap, resting in repose.
The sun still on its course is just out of reach for our earth’s warmth.
Surface water stops flowing and all water freezes within the belly of the mother.
What was green, turns brown and what was growing, takes a rest.
Our animal siblings go into a deep and prolonged sleep.
Those that don’t sleep lie in wait for signs of life, not thinking, not fearful and not wondering, just waiting.
We, the human tribe, watch; some with worry, some with fear, all with the question: did I prepare for mother’s nap.
With great courage we move slowly, mindfully, living with a certain amount of hope.
As the dark secures its role and the cold settles in for the winter,
we are called to deepen our faith and courage.
We are called to remember that our mother will not forsake us,
will not simply leave us.
So we, too, go into our cave, settle into a nap of sorts, take inventory of our blessings and faithfully step one day at a time through the long winter always knowing that she, he, it will once again make sure that:
The days will get longer and warm.
The night will get shorter and become more inviting.
The earth will once again wake up in full celebration
of the life that did lay dormant in her bosom and her veins
waiting the moment of return.
Let us cultivate the faith necessary to navigate the waters of change.
Let us find the strength needed to prepare and protect ourselves mindfully.
Let us remember that our mother has never forsaken us.
And let us live in gratitude for her love, life and generosity.
Happy Solstice.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A mother's reward
I love this “thing” that exists inside of me that will drive me to get out of bed - no matter how tired and exhausted I am - to put another blanket on my son when I think it is unusually cold. It is an impulse that seemingly has a life of its own with enough power to move me when I really don’t want to be moved.
I love how this “thing” that can be so innately motivating also has inherently within it, the most profound sense of satisfaction. There is a feeling that comes with a selfless action such as this that fills my soul.
The truth is, none of my three sons will ever know how often I have done this and a thousand other things for them, a thousand other actions, decisions that were made with them in mind, to care for my children and to complete this sacred contract that comes with being a mother. They will probably never thank me or even be able to appreciate the choices because it takes a particular point of view to be able to see these things and right at the time when they might be able to see and fully appreciate these things, they will probably at that time be fathers themselves, making these same kind of decisions, with their entire attention on their children.
It’s okay though. This is the natural order of things, the circle of life as they say and I am just thankful that I can experience that deep, moving feeling of satisfaction that comes with saying yes to life and the willingness to be responsible for another human being.
Oh, thank you Mom, thank you Dad. Thank you for caring for me especially with me being the last of seven. Thank you for hanging in there and honoring your sacred contract with me.
I love how this “thing” that can be so innately motivating also has inherently within it, the most profound sense of satisfaction. There is a feeling that comes with a selfless action such as this that fills my soul.
The truth is, none of my three sons will ever know how often I have done this and a thousand other things for them, a thousand other actions, decisions that were made with them in mind, to care for my children and to complete this sacred contract that comes with being a mother. They will probably never thank me or even be able to appreciate the choices because it takes a particular point of view to be able to see these things and right at the time when they might be able to see and fully appreciate these things, they will probably at that time be fathers themselves, making these same kind of decisions, with their entire attention on their children.
It’s okay though. This is the natural order of things, the circle of life as they say and I am just thankful that I can experience that deep, moving feeling of satisfaction that comes with saying yes to life and the willingness to be responsible for another human being.
Oh, thank you Mom, thank you Dad. Thank you for caring for me especially with me being the last of seven. Thank you for hanging in there and honoring your sacred contract with me.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sometimes you just have to take a Stand - albeit in LOVE
This must stop now! What? Violence, prejudice, racism, war, holy wars, righteous battles, bigotry, separatism, violence in the home, gang warfare and anything, anyplace where we justify giving life to our wounds. Our personal pain and personal opinion is not justification for harming another. Just think of the gang members from NYC and what they are accused of doing to another human; if those young men, the victims, can physically recover and spiritually and emotionally heal, they at least can be saved from a lifetime of hatred should they choose forgiveness. But their perpetrators are faced with living with their actions, their hell is here and now on this earth plane of existence; they don’t have to wait for death or karma, they will suffer because of their sins, NOW. The same goes with anyone engaging in righteous violence – whether it is gangs, the KKK or a military action/offensive.
We, the global we, the awake, forgiving, loving we must turn up the heat on what we are doing and choose to do more. WE, ourselves, must heal the place inside where any hatred or violence lives and then we must stand in our truth, our knowing, our love and bring who we are to a larger playing field. Why is it that the reasonable, the loving and the spiritual are always so quiet? Let us begin to be the squeaky wheel, singing our song louder from the mountain top and right there on the city streets.
Let us pray for the souls of any individuals who participate in anything unkind. Let us be a beacon of light shining so brightly, so boldly beckoning these individuals to return to their true essence. And, let us do this somehow without any of our judgment or prejudice. Let us strengthen our resolve and emanate a vibration that allows these individuals to drop their defenses, feel safe in the world and return to Love.
Let us speak to this end, lovingly. Let us write letters to individuals of influence, let us teach great love, acceptance in our homes, in our schools and for God’s sake in our Spiritual and Religious Centers around the world. Let us “think again” about translating scriptural readings to teach separateness, justify violence and promote holy wars.
I pray for the victims of the NYC gang, but I also pray for the gang members who have lost their souls enough to be able to harm another. And, no amount of justified punishment or legal action will get to the heart of the problem. The loss of their hearts IS the problem.
Today let us pray in this way:
Oh Mother/Father/God, let me find the strength today to face and accept the truth of my being. Let me express the full love that I am and the let this love be infectious, infecting all those who come near. Let me bask in the desire to love first and always. Let me practice “do no harm” and let me do this on all levels. And, lastly, let me remember that wherever the I AM is, healing happens.
Each day I commit to the practice of Oneness and Unity, celebrating Life in all forms and forever take a STAND for all PEACE. God is so good all the time. For this I am eternally grateful.
We, the global we, the awake, forgiving, loving we must turn up the heat on what we are doing and choose to do more. WE, ourselves, must heal the place inside where any hatred or violence lives and then we must stand in our truth, our knowing, our love and bring who we are to a larger playing field. Why is it that the reasonable, the loving and the spiritual are always so quiet? Let us begin to be the squeaky wheel, singing our song louder from the mountain top and right there on the city streets.
Let us pray for the souls of any individuals who participate in anything unkind. Let us be a beacon of light shining so brightly, so boldly beckoning these individuals to return to their true essence. And, let us do this somehow without any of our judgment or prejudice. Let us strengthen our resolve and emanate a vibration that allows these individuals to drop their defenses, feel safe in the world and return to Love.
Let us speak to this end, lovingly. Let us write letters to individuals of influence, let us teach great love, acceptance in our homes, in our schools and for God’s sake in our Spiritual and Religious Centers around the world. Let us “think again” about translating scriptural readings to teach separateness, justify violence and promote holy wars.
I pray for the victims of the NYC gang, but I also pray for the gang members who have lost their souls enough to be able to harm another. And, no amount of justified punishment or legal action will get to the heart of the problem. The loss of their hearts IS the problem.
Today let us pray in this way:
Oh Mother/Father/God, let me find the strength today to face and accept the truth of my being. Let me express the full love that I am and the let this love be infectious, infecting all those who come near. Let me bask in the desire to love first and always. Let me practice “do no harm” and let me do this on all levels. And, lastly, let me remember that wherever the I AM is, healing happens.
Each day I commit to the practice of Oneness and Unity, celebrating Life in all forms and forever take a STAND for all PEACE. God is so good all the time. For this I am eternally grateful.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wherever I go there I am!
This is not a new term; we've all heard it before but the more honest you get with yourself, the more true and the more significant this statement rings. Recently I found myself feeling frustrated, let down and disappointed in certain individuals that I look to depend upon in my life. But unlike years past it has become painfully clear to me how closely tied together are my own behavior, choices and decisions in my life to the way that I experience the world around me.
It has become CRYSTAL CLEAR to me that that which I object to, I have given life to; that which I judge, I have done; and that which I criticize, I have been guilty of. Again, this is nothing new BUT the more awake I become, the shorter the distance between my observation of my life and the reality of me as the creator of it.
What I can see is there is no one outside of me to deal with, to forgive or to get "right" with. There is no real need for deep process with another if I am willing to take complete ownership over my own experience. And there is absolutely no need to blame another human being ever for my pain, suffering and discomfort. Yikes! Here is my truth as I am experiencing it right now: life is all about alchemy and this alchemy is made possible by all of the elements that exist everywhere. By everywhere I mean within and without simultaneously but they are always housed within the scope of my consciousness.
Knowing there is only One, I must surrender into the spiritual practice of dealing with all of life right where I stand, right where I think, right where I AM. Each time that I return to this knowing and its reach and meaning; I recognize there is only one thing for me to do and this is it: forgive myself more and more quickly, be more patient with myself, be gentler with myself and absolutely, completely, with great abandon love myself more. Then, there in that place, in that moment, I begin to recreate my world from the depth of my being.
It has become CRYSTAL CLEAR to me that that which I object to, I have given life to; that which I judge, I have done; and that which I criticize, I have been guilty of. Again, this is nothing new BUT the more awake I become, the shorter the distance between my observation of my life and the reality of me as the creator of it.
What I can see is there is no one outside of me to deal with, to forgive or to get "right" with. There is no real need for deep process with another if I am willing to take complete ownership over my own experience. And there is absolutely no need to blame another human being ever for my pain, suffering and discomfort. Yikes! Here is my truth as I am experiencing it right now: life is all about alchemy and this alchemy is made possible by all of the elements that exist everywhere. By everywhere I mean within and without simultaneously but they are always housed within the scope of my consciousness.
Knowing there is only One, I must surrender into the spiritual practice of dealing with all of life right where I stand, right where I think, right where I AM. Each time that I return to this knowing and its reach and meaning; I recognize there is only one thing for me to do and this is it: forgive myself more and more quickly, be more patient with myself, be gentler with myself and absolutely, completely, with great abandon love myself more. Then, there in that place, in that moment, I begin to recreate my world from the depth of my being.
Friday, March 19, 2010
My dog Eden
A few years ago I read a book called One with All Life by James Allen Booth. A wonderful little book, a true story about a man's journey into a new and profound relationship with all animals. Through his dog, he learned the art of communicating with animals. I was extremely moved by this little book and I highly recommend it to any animal lover - you'll never see your animals in the same way. Since reading that book, my dog of 17 years, Hamlet, a Golden Retriever, had died and we acquired a new dog - Jack. Some of you have read my articles about Jack. Jack is a Catahoula Leopard dog who has since moved out with my son and his fiancée.
Then as if we didn't have enough animals in our home: 1 dog, 4 cats, a fish tank and 4 family members, we went out and adopted Eden, the current love of my life. Eden is a half Rottweiler, half Sheppard, she is sweet and playful and my loyal companion.
Well, then came along my eldest son moving back into my home and he brought his boxer, Soco. YIKES.Yes, we are back to two large dogs, 4 cats, a fish tank but only 3 family members. The difference this time around is my eldest son's dog, Soco was never FIXED - you can see where this is going.
Back in January my Eden and his Soco mated - how can I be sure? On Tuesday, March 16th, she gave birth to 5 - yes 5 puppies - AND SHE GAVE BIRTH TO THEM ALL RIGHT ON MY BED.
Must be an act of love or familiarity or something - I had a cat do the same thing once about 25 years ago.
Yesterday morning while my son, Michael, was checking on them he discovered that one of the pups was deceased. I think Eden accidently laid on him and suffocated him. I'm told that this is quite common with dogs. All upset, Michael, came downstairs to give me the news and I suddenly had to be the strong one. Wow, how did this happen? I had to remain calm, go in, remove the pup while watching Eden be very upset and confused and remove him from the pack. Michael has since been buried this little one in the back yard next to our golden and one of eldest cats who passed some years ago.
Last night, I slept with one ear listening all night for fear of losing another one. Did you know that sometimes these pups sound just like little babies whimpering - as you can imagine - it wasn't a good night sleep. But we did wake up with all pups alive and well. Eden is starting to get her energy back and seems quite proud and enthusiastic about her accomplishment. I wonder: did she know what was coming? Has she already let go of the little one that passed? Her instincts are marvelous; I am in awe of how much she knows to care for them.
A few weeks from now, we will have to take them from her one pup at a time and give them away. How would you feel if your children were being distributing to others? I am blessed to have this experience and will stay very close to her throughout the balance of this experience. In case you are wondering, we will get her "fixed" now.
Blessings to you,
Michelle
Then as if we didn't have enough animals in our home: 1 dog, 4 cats, a fish tank and 4 family members, we went out and adopted Eden, the current love of my life. Eden is a half Rottweiler, half Sheppard, she is sweet and playful and my loyal companion.
Well, then came along my eldest son moving back into my home and he brought his boxer, Soco. YIKES.Yes, we are back to two large dogs, 4 cats, a fish tank but only 3 family members. The difference this time around is my eldest son's dog, Soco was never FIXED - you can see where this is going.
Back in January my Eden and his Soco mated - how can I be sure? On Tuesday, March 16th, she gave birth to 5 - yes 5 puppies - AND SHE GAVE BIRTH TO THEM ALL RIGHT ON MY BED.
Must be an act of love or familiarity or something - I had a cat do the same thing once about 25 years ago.
Yesterday morning while my son, Michael, was checking on them he discovered that one of the pups was deceased. I think Eden accidently laid on him and suffocated him. I'm told that this is quite common with dogs. All upset, Michael, came downstairs to give me the news and I suddenly had to be the strong one. Wow, how did this happen? I had to remain calm, go in, remove the pup while watching Eden be very upset and confused and remove him from the pack. Michael has since been buried this little one in the back yard next to our golden and one of eldest cats who passed some years ago.
Last night, I slept with one ear listening all night for fear of losing another one. Did you know that sometimes these pups sound just like little babies whimpering - as you can imagine - it wasn't a good night sleep. But we did wake up with all pups alive and well. Eden is starting to get her energy back and seems quite proud and enthusiastic about her accomplishment. I wonder: did she know what was coming? Has she already let go of the little one that passed? Her instincts are marvelous; I am in awe of how much she knows to care for them.
A few weeks from now, we will have to take them from her one pup at a time and give them away. How would you feel if your children were being distributing to others? I am blessed to have this experience and will stay very close to her throughout the balance of this experience. In case you are wondering, we will get her "fixed" now.
Blessings to you,
Michelle
Monday, March 8, 2010
I am of the Infinite!
There is one Universe, this Universe penetrates my being effortlessly and fills all space with its natural love. This love knows me intimately and I surrender into this knowing and disappear into the One.
There is One Infinite Life and that life is my life now. Within this Infinite is the possibility of all good all the time. I am opened up, and transformed by this simple realization. From within, all things are made available and possible, all of me is spiritual and powerful, and every expression is loving and potent. I am the Alpha and the Omega because God as me is so. Since I live right where God exists which of course is everywhere present than I am always available for God’s inspiration and intelligence. Effortlessly I morph into a being of great light and possibility as Spirit continues to seek to express. Yes, I am of the Infinite and it is good and very, very good.
For the life that is my life now, I am extremely grateful. May God always recognize me as available and willing for its use. I release this word into the Law and the Awe.
And so it is.
Amen.
There is One Infinite Life and that life is my life now. Within this Infinite is the possibility of all good all the time. I am opened up, and transformed by this simple realization. From within, all things are made available and possible, all of me is spiritual and powerful, and every expression is loving and potent. I am the Alpha and the Omega because God as me is so. Since I live right where God exists which of course is everywhere present than I am always available for God’s inspiration and intelligence. Effortlessly I morph into a being of great light and possibility as Spirit continues to seek to express. Yes, I am of the Infinite and it is good and very, very good.
For the life that is my life now, I am extremely grateful. May God always recognize me as available and willing for its use. I release this word into the Law and the Awe.
And so it is.
Amen.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Today is the day that Spirit has made.
March 7, 2010
Today is the day that Spirit has made and I celebrate it in through of my actions. I celebrate this day by setting my sights on experience each and every day to its fullest. I tackle each day armored with Spirit’s guidance and strength. This strength carries me places where I could not have gone myself alone; yet with Spirit as my inspirer and my navigator I discover worlds both on the inner and outer that excite my soul.
I live and breathe into the gratitude that is at the foundation of this activity and in so doing, it multiples one hundred fold. Declaring that this life is good I trust that Spirit will move me into the proper place for my greatest receptivity.
I release this word and let it be so.
And so it is.
Amen.
Today is the day that Spirit has made and I celebrate it in through of my actions. I celebrate this day by setting my sights on experience each and every day to its fullest. I tackle each day armored with Spirit’s guidance and strength. This strength carries me places where I could not have gone myself alone; yet with Spirit as my inspirer and my navigator I discover worlds both on the inner and outer that excite my soul.
I live and breathe into the gratitude that is at the foundation of this activity and in so doing, it multiples one hundred fold. Declaring that this life is good I trust that Spirit will move me into the proper place for my greatest receptivity.
I release this word and let it be so.
And so it is.
Amen.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Oh Beloved
Something I wrote some time ago that continues to live in me:
Consume me in your fire of love. Burn away the veils that cloud my perspective of you. Return my attention to your brilliance. And do this all while loving me so completely that I will never again doubt your love, your availability, your essence. In readiness, I make myself available by keeping my heart open to your love, my eyes on the inner horizon to capture all of your inspiration and my mind ready for your intelligence and empowerment. Oh Beloved, I avail my total being to you.
Consume me in your fire of love. Burn away the veils that cloud my perspective of you. Return my attention to your brilliance. And do this all while loving me so completely that I will never again doubt your love, your availability, your essence. In readiness, I make myself available by keeping my heart open to your love, my eyes on the inner horizon to capture all of your inspiration and my mind ready for your intelligence and empowerment. Oh Beloved, I avail my total being to you.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Standing Naked in the Light
It doesn’t take too much courage to stand naked in the dark. After all, the darkness affords you the liberty of imperfection with its veil of safety in the form of blurred visibility. But step into the light and that same buffer is dispersed and you are left naked like never before. The kind of naked where each and every imperfection is revealed and you have no excuses or explanations.
This level of nakedness, of being authentic, simultaneously excites and enlivens me while it scares me half to death. The death that is actually taking place is the death of my ego, my protection, the part of me that keeps me playing small. Doing what I do as a minister, a teacher, a coach often catapults me into this light stark naked by far faster than I am ready. Yes, I could close down, avoid, resist and guard myself but what would that say about me.
If I could design the world, this is what my world would look like. I would have you love me in my nakedness with ALL of my flaws. Love me when I am on fire and love me when I am falling. Love me in my fullness and successes and love me in my failings. And furthermore I say, if you aren’t willing to love the all of me, then please just let me be. This is the kind of love I want to know for the balance of my life and this is the kind of love that I AM offering.
I want to stand naked; all flawed, all exposed and feel absolutely safe. In addition though, I would love for YOU to stand next to me, all naked, in the light, with all your flaws. Then together we can embrace the bigger possibility of Life without excuses or explanations. Spirit know me in this way and I will commit to the Allness with the entirety of my being.
This level of nakedness, of being authentic, simultaneously excites and enlivens me while it scares me half to death. The death that is actually taking place is the death of my ego, my protection, the part of me that keeps me playing small. Doing what I do as a minister, a teacher, a coach often catapults me into this light stark naked by far faster than I am ready. Yes, I could close down, avoid, resist and guard myself but what would that say about me.
If I could design the world, this is what my world would look like. I would have you love me in my nakedness with ALL of my flaws. Love me when I am on fire and love me when I am falling. Love me in my fullness and successes and love me in my failings. And furthermore I say, if you aren’t willing to love the all of me, then please just let me be. This is the kind of love I want to know for the balance of my life and this is the kind of love that I AM offering.
I want to stand naked; all flawed, all exposed and feel absolutely safe. In addition though, I would love for YOU to stand next to me, all naked, in the light, with all your flaws. Then together we can embrace the bigger possibility of Life without excuses or explanations. Spirit know me in this way and I will commit to the Allness with the entirety of my being.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
For Haiti
This is a typical prayer treatment that I send the members of my center frequently. This one is for us being in service to Haiti. May you benefit from this prayer today.
If not us – who?
Affirm: If good is going to happen - it must be thru me.
There is One power, One presence, One light, One love, One intelligence – ONE. It is the very source of love and its love is the foundation for all healing energy all movement all transformation. I recognize its magnificent essence and I align myself with it in every way possible. The One and I and still there is only One.
This One permeates all, penetrates the depth of my being and everything that is in form and activates good everywhere possible. Yes this One is the action of possibility happening before my eyes, working in logical and natural ways that just seem like miracles. Today I open myself to be used, guided and directed. Today I am more willing to be an ambassador of love, peace, healing and transformation. As I invite the sweet power of this One to demonstrate through me, I, myself am transformed. I stand clearer, more compassionate and more generous while knowing that nothing I do is a burden because it is essence of Life itself doing it through me. Humbly, I admit that I am the willing vessel and Spirit is what sources itself through me. All weight is taken from my shoulders as I choose to be available to support my spiritual family wherever necessary. I do what I do within my capabilities and Spirit does the rest.
May my willingness to serve always be met with Spirit’s willingness to provide.
And so it is. Amen.
Take a look at my Center
If not us – who?
Affirm: If good is going to happen - it must be thru me.
There is One power, One presence, One light, One love, One intelligence – ONE. It is the very source of love and its love is the foundation for all healing energy all movement all transformation. I recognize its magnificent essence and I align myself with it in every way possible. The One and I and still there is only One.
This One permeates all, penetrates the depth of my being and everything that is in form and activates good everywhere possible. Yes this One is the action of possibility happening before my eyes, working in logical and natural ways that just seem like miracles. Today I open myself to be used, guided and directed. Today I am more willing to be an ambassador of love, peace, healing and transformation. As I invite the sweet power of this One to demonstrate through me, I, myself am transformed. I stand clearer, more compassionate and more generous while knowing that nothing I do is a burden because it is essence of Life itself doing it through me. Humbly, I admit that I am the willing vessel and Spirit is what sources itself through me. All weight is taken from my shoulders as I choose to be available to support my spiritual family wherever necessary. I do what I do within my capabilities and Spirit does the rest.
May my willingness to serve always be met with Spirit’s willingness to provide.
And so it is. Amen.
Take a look at my Center
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