Computer glitches

Does it seem sometimes that we are asked for too much information to keep track of on all our various electronic devices? Lately, I have been adding and adding and adding - yet again - a new password or username every time I attempt to do just about anything on the computer. My "file" for all of this data keeps getting longer and longer, and I must admit I am almost at the point of removing myself from the computer entirely! It feels that way = I mean W-A-A-A-Y too much of my time is spent retrieving, remembering, or trying to find some username or password - even keeping track of ones I use or don't use is challenging at times.

Do any of you know what I am talking about? There simply must be an easier way....

Blessings for today.

Compassionate Listening

As the past few days have been immersed in practicing appreciation, what I have noticed is that all the people, events and experiences that SHOUT at me for the opposite have been showing up! Is that not what life does? We set an intention and then life presents opportunities to practice - and then practice again, with more gusto. Almost like a little test..."so, you really think you have embodied appreciation?...then what about this?"

What has revealed itself over the past couple of days has pressed me into more compassionate listening to my own heart. And, I have learned, what a challenge that can pose in the midst of what feels like self-judgment and non-acceptance of my own words and actions that may be in opposition to how I desire to show up as a spiritual be-ing having this human experience.

Recently I read the following quote which helped me soften my own spiritual journey: "As the fourth-century monk Marcarius emphasized, all improvement in spirituality is 'a matter of falling and getting up again, building something up and then being knocked down again.'" (From The Spirituality of Imperfection, by Ernest Kurtz.

So, I am now engaged in compassionate listening to myself. Listening with an inner to that still, soft voice of Spirit that is always comforting me - always loving me - always nurturing me - no matter what. And then my heart can open again as I begin the weekly practice of appreciation - both for my own life and the life experience of all those around me on this path toward loving Spirit.

Embracing Good Like a Friend

Lately, in my inward contemplative state of mind, I have been thinking about what life would be like if I were to embrace the quality of love - or gratitude - or harmony - as if it were a true friend. More than just a "feeling"; more than just an "attitude", but more like an actual, lifelike experience that was consistant and constant - like a friend - a very good friend.

In the philosophy of Science of Mind, we recognize the huge impact upon one's life that a mere minimal shift in how we think can have upon our outward living experience. Can you imagine what would happen by truly "embodying" or making our own inward experience an everyday habit out of such things as peace, or contentment, or joy? Can you imagine how the entire world would shift?

What would my life (or your life) be like if we truly - not superficially - lived from a place of kindness or beauty or abundance? All sense of separation would dissolve. Anything resembling competition (created out of lack) would no longer be an issue. Creativity would abound and mutual respect would be "normal". "Different" would be looked upon as a place for expanded learning. Art and science would flourish. Life would be revered as an expression of the Divine and so hatred, violence and war would be non-existent.

Can we even imagine such a thing? If we can begin to imagine that it is possible, I believe it can then become a true reality. And, I realize it has to begin with me.

So, for the upcoming week, I commit to embracing the quality of appreciation as a true friend - as a deep and rich part of my daily living.

Will you join me by choosing a quality you would be willing to practice consistently for the next week?

Let's see what happens. It can only be good!

Letting Go....

Early this morning as I was chatting with my weekly prayer partner, she asked me what was going on - that I "seemed" to be "out of sorts" and not my usually enthusiastic and upbeat self. As I began to inwardly ponder her question (one that had actually been visiting my thoughts for sometime now), I noted that this was a place I do not ever recall being in before. It is definitely a place of inward searching for a definition or word that describes accurately what my state of consciousness appears to be experiencing at the present moment. "Weird" is all I could come up with....not very revealing, I understand.

Upon further contemplation, I believe it has something to do with my "letting go" of the "productive" and "outward doing" of my life. This is HUGE. In May, I went to a workshop presented by Jett Psarsis and Marlena Lyons (co-authors of "Undefended Love"). This workshop was entitled, "Taking the Midlife Leap, One Step at a Time." The very first section was entitled, "Approaching the end of who we have been and the life we have been living." This is where I feel I am - and have been - for about a year.

It involves big inner questions: What did I do all my life? Did I actually live my own life? Who am I when I put all my history aside? What is the deeper reason I am doing all these things? How do I choose to live from this moment on?

One thing becomes very clear: it is not about doing "the first half of my life better!" or different. The first half is truly about doing; the second half feels more about be-ing...and therein lies the mystery. Simply be-ing is not on my resume, and I have never assigned any value to it. In fact, my upbringing discourages be-ing and rewards do-ing!

So, who am I really and what is my value if I am no longer a being doing? How do I recreate a higher sense of purpose and belonging. How do I begin to value wisdom - the wisdom of a life lived full-out most of the time? And is there anything to "do" with that wisdom?

Of one thing I am certain, it involves Letting Go of what was - truly letting go - and practicing be-ing present with what is in the experience of my next heartbeat...and then the next...and so on.

Stay tuned for the next adventurous life journey is just beginning

On the plane flying to Puerto Vallarta, I was seated next to a couple of young (30ish) women, who could most definitely be described as "Valley girls".  I knew God had a sense of humor when I realized I was captured in my seat for four hours and simply could not remove myself from the constant "dishing" by these women of every person photographed in the current TV or movie magazines. 

The book I was reading distracted me for brief moments, but then I would be jarred back to their conversation by some completely innane comment:  "look at her nose - why does she even get photographed?", "Oh my God, you would think she would stay indoors with a behind that big.", etc. etc.

Then, out of the blue, I heard, "Why would I want health care that everyone else has?  I deserve better than that.  What would be the point of my having to put up with what everyone else puts up with!"  A part of me was stunned...and, then, I remembered the phrase:  consciousness creates reality.  This was their reality; this is what they truly believed - or at least it was what they supported one another in believing.

How does a culture that promotes - through the consistent superficiality of sitcoms on television, and text messaging to the person sitting next to you - separation, begin to shift to one that embraces true equality of mind and spirit?
For it doesn't really matter that we enact a Universal Healthcare plan, if all it does is assure the continuation of business as usual, packaged under a more acceptable name.

Consciousness is what needs to shift, and there appears to be a deep-rooted movement in America to keep or promote the same old ideas of "I need to be better than you or have more than you, because I am worthy and you are not." In my humble opinion, this attitude will be the ultimate cause of the destruction of this country. The US cannot continue to be a model of justice and freedom for the world, when it is unwilling to acknowledge, care for - or even have compassion for - all of its own citizens.

To quote Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living." It appears that we, as a country, are unwilling to be honest with ourselves. We appear to be unwilling to take responsibility for the inequality we promote here and around the globe. We continue to destroy while attempting to convince ourselves we are a country of peace. We talk out of both sides of our mouth and pretend that no one notices - especially ourselves!

So, having said all of that, I must bring my thoughts back to my own life and question my own thoughts, words and behavior. Where am I talking out of both sides of my mouth? Under what circumstances do I believe that I am worthy and you are not? What actions do I continue to take that promote separation? This is when living a conscious spiritual life can get sticky.

Am I willing to question my inner belief patterns and shift them? Today, I am. AND, I find myself back to the Valley Girls and my sense of superiority as I judged their chatter!
Oh my.....

Returning to the groove of sitting at a computer again, has been somewhat of a challenge. During my time in Mexico, I did not use a cell phone, did not have a computer, did not watch TV, see a newspaper or listen to a radio! It was actually quite wonderful. It was possible to actually have a meaningful conversation with people - to converse about ideas and explore possibilities of what might be - and not be "rushing" to get to the next thing or experience on the daily list.

As I look back in time, I remember when I first came into this philosophy. I consciously chose to remove myself from the daily input of all the media, and it had a dramatic affect on my internal feeling about myself and about my life - all in the positive. Did I miss "not knowing" about all the events of the world? Absolutely not, for people are very quick to inform you of major happenings. All that was important for me to know, I found out in some way.

Upon my recent return to the US, one aspect of life in our country stands out vividly: our frenetic activity. It is quite jarring to the psyche. And, in my opinion, it is creating a culture that is so detached from its connection to one another; we flit from one person to another, from one experience to another, from one obsession to another - and are losing our sense of belonging to life itself and, perhaps, losing any sense of value of life as a whole.

So, I invite any of you who might be reading this, to take some time today - and this week - to turn off all your electronic gadgets and simply BE. Be with yourself - be with life - be with those you love - and have a conversation with someone to explore what you truly value and what might be important to you. Who knows - it just might become a habit....

Hola....from Mexico (or actually, my return from Mexico). The past several weeks have been full - very full - of sights, sounds, tastes, experiences of my time in our sister country to the South. I began in Puerto Vallarta which is, for those who have not been there, a lovely and beautiful city on the Western Pacific side of Mexico. The gorgeous home of a friend located high in the hills just South of the city was my home for 6 days. It has 160 degree views of the sea and the city from a large terrace and the gentle lapping of the waves hitting the shore lulled me to sleep each night.

A major part of this journey to PV was to determine if there was enough interest among folks to initiate a more focused
Sciene of Mind Center there. We actually put together a Sunday Celebration Service, May 17, which was attended by close to 40 people - many of whom were exposed to Science of Mind for the first time. Several people attended who had been members of SOM communities in the US, which was quite exciting for me - and for them. One person even brought a number of Science of Mind magazines to give to people.

After the service, we participated in questions to determine the level of actual interest in supporting such a spiritual center. It was extremely high, and everyone had interest in taking classes of some kind, which was very encouraging. The attendees were a diverse group, indicative of Science of Mind communities all over the world.

So, at this juncture, I am committed to a visioning process to "listen" for what Spirit's highest idea of a spiritual center in Puerto Vallarta is and to proceed from that understanding. This is an exciting idea; this is an exciting time in the conscious evolution of the people of Mexico - both locals and expats - and I am thrilled to be a part of what is emerging.