Last Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, I began to feel the internal nudges of a "cold" coming to visit. I took my usual preventative measures, but on Saturday, I was not well at all. I had a deep caugh, chills, slight fever and had an extreme difficulty breathing. I went to bed and off and on welcomed a couple of friends who came with tonics and potients to help me, but I had such low energy it was challenging to even be present and listen. I was in bed for about 48 hours - not very concious of much - and off and on during Sunday had unbearable hallucinations that I could not get away from in my mind's eye. If I closed my eyes, it felt as if they were open and watching creative visual videos. I could not get away from them. Luckily there was no sound. (I have a new and profound sense of empathy for the mentally ill.)
Finally, on Monday, one of my friends took me to a recommended physician here in Ajijic. A man named Dr. Leon. He used a device to measure the oxygen in my blood and immediately said, "Oh my - you are really suffering". I was in love! My oxygen level was at 57% and he said he wanted it to be at 90%. He put me on oxygen and then gave me some kind of humidifier treatment and sent me for a chest x-ray. When I next saw him, he outlined an agressive system of treatment for which I was very grateful. But he, more than anything else, empathized with how I was feeling and saw me as a human being (not a cash machine). He gave me great information which told me I had been making decisions on where to live that were incorrect, given my physical challenges.
I should be living at sea level in a place where the temperature is warm to hot. Ajijic at 5,300+ feet is not the place for me - plus I have been cold since I have been here. He also does not want me to even drink beverages with ice and to keep myself warm. Period. So, I am researching now for a new place to move - but this will not take place for a few months. I am on antibiotics and several other medications and even now, do not feel 100% better - but am slowly moving in that direction.
I may not be writing on the blog for awhile as taking care of myself right now is my #1 priority. Thank you for reading and for checking-in with me now and again.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Waiting
Wednesday, I read a lovely post on a website that encouraged its readers to "...wait for God's guidance." What an amazing concept to most of us who are so very comfortable with taking charge of our lives and 'making' life happen the way we think will make us happy. Oftentimes, this can involve wanting other people to do our bidding - or act in ways that affirm what we think is best for all concerned.
I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The last line seems to be the one that trips me up, and I am certain I am not alone. Most of my life (and right now to a large degree) I like to be in control (or at least think I am in control) of what transpires on a day to day basis. What is interesting to me is how often I am so very 'unwise' in the choices and decisions I make that create an effect that immediately affects my serenity. Most often it involves other people - usually those closest to me - who simply will not conform to my idea of what I think they should or should not be doing!!
Again and again, I am reminded to simply wait - do nothing (especially in my mind) and trust that Spirit will handle everything just perfectly. And it always does - not just sometimes - but ALWAYS.
What is so difficult about waiting? What is it within me that thinks it is necessary for me to take action of some kind? I believe it is my deeply-rooted belief in separation from my source. That at some level, I really believe Spirit is not on my side; that somehow I am less than the beloved child that I (most of the time) know myself to be! Or that others are as well. I forget that each of us has a higher power guiding, directing, loving, protecting, providing for all that we will ever, ever need or desire.
Wait. Wait upon Spirit. Trust and know that all is well - no matter what appears in form; my job is to remember...to remember...to remember.
Blessed be,
Lynn
I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The last line seems to be the one that trips me up, and I am certain I am not alone. Most of my life (and right now to a large degree) I like to be in control (or at least think I am in control) of what transpires on a day to day basis. What is interesting to me is how often I am so very 'unwise' in the choices and decisions I make that create an effect that immediately affects my serenity. Most often it involves other people - usually those closest to me - who simply will not conform to my idea of what I think they should or should not be doing!!
Again and again, I am reminded to simply wait - do nothing (especially in my mind) and trust that Spirit will handle everything just perfectly. And it always does - not just sometimes - but ALWAYS.
What is so difficult about waiting? What is it within me that thinks it is necessary for me to take action of some kind? I believe it is my deeply-rooted belief in separation from my source. That at some level, I really believe Spirit is not on my side; that somehow I am less than the beloved child that I (most of the time) know myself to be! Or that others are as well. I forget that each of us has a higher power guiding, directing, loving, protecting, providing for all that we will ever, ever need or desire.
Wait. Wait upon Spirit. Trust and know that all is well - no matter what appears in form; my job is to remember...to remember...to remember.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Idea to Practice
On Tuesdays, I have the privilege of facilitating a study group here in Ajijic. We have about 17 people who come on a regular basis, which is grand. We are studying one of the basic Science of Mind books by Ernest Holmes called, "Living the Science of Mind". It is one of my favorites due to its "relative" simplicity. We usually discuss concepts and ideas (principles) presented in the 2 or 3 pages of content covered in a specific chapter (sometimes the 'chapter' is only one page) and then break-out into smaller groups of 5 or 6 where questions about the reading are posed in relation to how the content applies in our own lives.
Having taught Science of Mind and Spirit for about 15 years, I am always amazed at how frequently someone comes to the group with the apparent inability to share personally even in a small group environment. As SOM tends to be quite intellectual in its structure, it is so easy to stay focused on the concepts and principles from a mental perspective. In other words, it is pretty common for people to understand what Ernest Holmes is saying and even agree with him - but that is where it can end.
Many people feel if they can readily conceptualize the principles with their brain - that they automatically 'live' them in their lives. So not true. Making the shift from idea to practice is a huge leap for most people. It is safer to theorize; it is more comfortable to espouse understanding; it is quite another to explore the inner self and learn what prevents the heart from opening to a deeper level of trust, faith, or acceptance.
As we are a place through which Spirit expresses, and as we are made up of nothing but pure Spirit, all of our existence is designed to demonstrate various aspects of the Divine. If we are unwilling to delve below the surface - if we are unwilling to look deeper than what appears in form before our eyes, we miss out on the utter joy of life itself. It is like going to a movie and watching the visible screen but not hearing the sound.
When we take even tiny steps to open our hearts into the amazing life that expresses in us, as us and through us, we are enriched beyond our wildest imagination. Creating a daily spiritual practice that includes a few minutes of silent meditation or quiet contemplation - even just 15 minutes - can assist us in releasing the fear that blocks our connecting with ourselves and loving who we are no matter what.
We are literally whole, perfect and complete (from a spiritual perspective) right now! Nothing to add - nothing to take away. Take that first step and open your heart to yourself. You will be amazed at how fantastic you actually are....
Blessed be,
Lynn
Having taught Science of Mind and Spirit for about 15 years, I am always amazed at how frequently someone comes to the group with the apparent inability to share personally even in a small group environment. As SOM tends to be quite intellectual in its structure, it is so easy to stay focused on the concepts and principles from a mental perspective. In other words, it is pretty common for people to understand what Ernest Holmes is saying and even agree with him - but that is where it can end.
Many people feel if they can readily conceptualize the principles with their brain - that they automatically 'live' them in their lives. So not true. Making the shift from idea to practice is a huge leap for most people. It is safer to theorize; it is more comfortable to espouse understanding; it is quite another to explore the inner self and learn what prevents the heart from opening to a deeper level of trust, faith, or acceptance.
As we are a place through which Spirit expresses, and as we are made up of nothing but pure Spirit, all of our existence is designed to demonstrate various aspects of the Divine. If we are unwilling to delve below the surface - if we are unwilling to look deeper than what appears in form before our eyes, we miss out on the utter joy of life itself. It is like going to a movie and watching the visible screen but not hearing the sound.
When we take even tiny steps to open our hearts into the amazing life that expresses in us, as us and through us, we are enriched beyond our wildest imagination. Creating a daily spiritual practice that includes a few minutes of silent meditation or quiet contemplation - even just 15 minutes - can assist us in releasing the fear that blocks our connecting with ourselves and loving who we are no matter what.
We are literally whole, perfect and complete (from a spiritual perspective) right now! Nothing to add - nothing to take away. Take that first step and open your heart to yourself. You will be amazed at how fantastic you actually are....
Blessed be,
Lynn
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tonola & Tlaquepaque
Thursday, some friends and I took a private tour of some of the workshops in Tonola, Mexico - a suburb of Guadalajara. It is a hub of Mexican artisans and some of the finest craftsman in the entire country come from this town. Oh my, what a delight and if you are a shopper; it would take days to cover all the shops and factories.
Our first stop was to a tiny (and I really mean tiny) one room workshop where one of the most famous potters in all of Mexico creates his award-winning masterpieces. His name is Salvador Vazquez Carmona. If you would like to learn more about him and the specific style of pottery he makes, I encourage you to google his name.
One of the things I thought astounding was the "paint" is mixed from pounding into powder various colored rocks from areas all around Guadalajara and then adding water. So, there is nothing that can dissolve, melt, or discolor as everything is made from clay. The polishing is also amazing and is done with a crystal type of stone - quite time consuming - but again no glaze of any kind. The kiln is fired with real wood (not gas) and is simply a small fireplace-type design in one corner of this room. He has passed the technique on to his family, but it is not taught to outsiders. Simply gorgeous and each peace tells a story. Very old world.
We also went to a glass-blowing factory where maybe 30 men or young boys were in the process of producing stunning designs. All glass is from recycled material - as long as it is clear. Then they introduce their own color during the melting process. The glass from this region is known and much sought after all over the world.
We then drove a few miles to the town of Tlaquepaque. It is a high-end gorgeous town of upscale restaurants and shops (ala Rodeo Drive in LA or Carmel in California). No graffiti on these walls! The shops were converted mansions that the Spanish built in the 1400's when they would move their families out of the center of Guadalajara to the "hills" overlooking the city for the summer vacations. They would literally move the whole house - pianos, furniture, paintings, everything. The homes (now shops) are simply breathtaking in their magnitude and architecture, replete with 20' mahagony doors, marble walkways, gigantic inner gardens, etc.
I could have moved into any one of them.
We had lunch in a beautiful "villa". The food was delicious and served graciously in the inner courtyard, replete with ficus trees 20 feet talk, stone walkways, etc. I really felt I was dining in Italy or Spain - not in the heart of Mexico.
All in all this was a trip so worth taking, and I am delighted to know I can now drive to either of these places in about an hour. Definitely on my personal "tour" when friends come to visit.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Our first stop was to a tiny (and I really mean tiny) one room workshop where one of the most famous potters in all of Mexico creates his award-winning masterpieces. His name is Salvador Vazquez Carmona. If you would like to learn more about him and the specific style of pottery he makes, I encourage you to google his name.
One of the things I thought astounding was the "paint" is mixed from pounding into powder various colored rocks from areas all around Guadalajara and then adding water. So, there is nothing that can dissolve, melt, or discolor as everything is made from clay. The polishing is also amazing and is done with a crystal type of stone - quite time consuming - but again no glaze of any kind. The kiln is fired with real wood (not gas) and is simply a small fireplace-type design in one corner of this room. He has passed the technique on to his family, but it is not taught to outsiders. Simply gorgeous and each peace tells a story. Very old world.
We also went to a glass-blowing factory where maybe 30 men or young boys were in the process of producing stunning designs. All glass is from recycled material - as long as it is clear. Then they introduce their own color during the melting process. The glass from this region is known and much sought after all over the world.
We then drove a few miles to the town of Tlaquepaque. It is a high-end gorgeous town of upscale restaurants and shops (ala Rodeo Drive in LA or Carmel in California). No graffiti on these walls! The shops were converted mansions that the Spanish built in the 1400's when they would move their families out of the center of Guadalajara to the "hills" overlooking the city for the summer vacations. They would literally move the whole house - pianos, furniture, paintings, everything. The homes (now shops) are simply breathtaking in their magnitude and architecture, replete with 20' mahagony doors, marble walkways, gigantic inner gardens, etc.
I could have moved into any one of them.
We had lunch in a beautiful "villa". The food was delicious and served graciously in the inner courtyard, replete with ficus trees 20 feet talk, stone walkways, etc. I really felt I was dining in Italy or Spain - not in the heart of Mexico.
All in all this was a trip so worth taking, and I am delighted to know I can now drive to either of these places in about an hour. Definitely on my personal "tour" when friends come to visit.
Blessed be,
Lynn
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