I heard the phrase, “Living in the question” the other day and wondered about it.  Of course, I quickly looked for something to write it down on so I would remember it.  I have learned that I am past remembering something that I think I should remember easily.  If I don’t write it down, it’s usually gone for a long time if not for good.

So, I asked my ‘text’ buddy, ANA, what her thoughts were on the phrase.  Her first response was ‘being fully in the moment’.  Then, ‘it depends on the question’.  Her next was a good one, I thought, ‘in the asking and the unraveling’.

After thinking about it for awhile, I had thought it had to do with being in the NOW moment.  I thought it had to do with the level of consciousness.

Our level of consciousness is a determining factor in much more then we are probably aware of in our daily activities.  In fact, it may be THE determining factor in our choices.  I say that because where we are in consciousness makes us more aware of the choices that reflect our integrity.  Our integrity is an integral part of our choices.  If something doesn’t fit in with our integrity, we can usually “feel” that and we can choose to stay within the boundary that our integrity was formed with.

If we go ahead and choose outside those integrity boundaries, we always have another choice!  I heard this statement the other day too:  ‘it doesn’t have to be your final answer”.  That’s what choice is all about.  That can be looked at as the difference between choice and decide. 

If you look at the word decide, you will notice that it ends with ‘cide’.  ‘Cide’, as in insecticide, pesticide, homicide …get it?   ‘Cide’ means kill, death.  No other decision.

But choice always gives you another choice, if you want it.  SO, unlike “Millionaire” where you must have a ‘final answer’, when you choose, it doesn’t have to be your final answer.  Each and every moment is a choice moment, just choose again.  Start where you are, wherever

While listening to a podcast of my minister, Rev. Toni Fish from Unity in Frederick, MD, I was reminded of one of the favorite subjects of one of the instructors at Unity Village, Rev. Dr. Paul Hasselback.  That subject is ‘watch your language.’ 

Toni was referencing a story she saw in the monthly Science of Mind magazine where in the writer was talking about Hurricane Sandy and the fact that the household was going to ‘lose power’.  Think about that…what are you really saying to the universe when you say, ‘we lost power’ or ‘I lost power’?   You’ve just given your power away just as easily as if you handed it over to someone and said, “Here, do with me what you wish”. 

Think about it.  What other ways have you handed over your power with careless words?

Here’s another thing we hear all the time, mostly in the media (which is another reason NOT to listen to the media!); “the storm was devastating” or “it’s a catastrophe” or “I’m sick about it” or I’m sorry for …” or; it’s a challenge”.  All these words send a vibrational message, if you will, to the universe saying a negative message.

Our self talk is often as negative: “I’m sick”; “I’m tired”, “I’m not smart” or “I’m stupid, dumb, not good enough …”whatever it is that we all put behind the words “I AM”.   If you understand the meaning of those words, you might think twice about using them in a negative way.  The “I AM” is the name Yahweh, God, gives in the Old Testament when ask who it is Moses is speaking with.  So any word or meaning we place after “I AM” is a statement of what or who we actually are. 

Try making up affirmations using the I Am as a start.  I AM good.  I AM kind.  I AM prosperous.  I AM beautiful.  You fill in the blank.  I AM grateful is a very important one.

Here’s something a friend and I use to do while riding in to work: start with the alphabet and say an I AM affirmation for each letter on the alphabet.  I AM agile.  I AM beautiful.  I AM caring.  I AM dependable.  You get the picture.  Try it.  Not only is it a good practice for positive affirmations, but it is great for setting the stage to change your thoughts.  And after all, we all know, “Change your thoughts, change your life!”

A recent conversation with a close friend made me wonder what people really think a metaphysical interpretation of spirituality is. Why would I wonder that, especially after a conversation with a close friend? Well, it’s because the friend wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. Now, if this was a conversation about the weather or my day-to-day happenings, it would not have struck me as it did. But this conversation was about my being told that, yes, I had cancer, and all that that prognosis entailed.

This made me recall what the spiritual practices of my friend said they were doing. I had asked specifically because I was concerned about what I saw in her life and how that had changed. And that had to do mostly with the “Law of Attraction’ philosophy. I understand this law very well and it’s a great way for folks to work on their positive thinking. I do question whether that can be the only means of one’s spiritual practice.

There is so much more to Spirit than ‘positive thinking’. What about all the other laws? Like the Law of Cause and Effect? Or what about the Principles we in Unity use to as a guide to our lives like God is all good, and prayer works, and we create our world through our thoughts, etc?

So often when people talk about prosperity and abundance, it’s relation to monetary abundance. There’s so much more to life than how much money one has in the bank. Yes, money is good and necessary in this world. But there is also nature, friends and family, the ability to think, hear, taste, smell, and touch. What would life be without these? I thank Spirit constantly that I can still hear the birds singing this spring and see the stars at night and taste and smell the wonderful aromas and tastes of the food I eat. I am always amazed at the variety of music that has blessed us through the ages. So much and it’s all different! I would miss music.

But all this brings me to something I saw in the Daily Word this week. The question that was left with the readers was, “what is your heart’s desire”? I immediately placed my hands over my heart and taking a deep breath, sat for a few minutes. It didn’t take me long to realize that my hearts’ desire was for peace and love and compassion and to serve.

I didn’t once think of money or prosperity as most would think. And that’s not like I couldn’t use some extra money. I couldn’t offer any funds for the latest need for the animal rescue I work with because of taxes due. (I do keep saying to the Universe if I could just win the lotto, there is SOOOO much good that could come of it! I have a list!) And you know I was so glad, when I discovered what my hearts’ desire was, that I didn’t go to the thought of anything to do with prosperity.

Please keep in mind, Universe, Spirit, Goddess, God…I’ll still be happy with that Lottery win, or even a little extra money in the bank!

Easter brought about several good things for me this year. Of course, family. It was good to be with family, both immediate and extended. and then there was the opportunity to spend time with my ‘family of choice’. I missed my friends from home so I got to see Bob & Peggy, Lois, and Barbara, and her ‘little brat’, Emma.

Another good thing that came from Easter was the drive. Well, spending three and a half hours in the car isn’t always considered a good thing, what happens as you drive is. I got to see much of nature: hawks, snow geese, deer, rainbows and all that nature provides. It is truly wonderous.

Another good thing about the drive is the opportunity to listen to music, books and lectures. Now, again, some would not consider listening to a lecture very exciting. But you would be surprised what thoughts are formed from listening to music and books and lectures as you are driving. Right now I am trying to enlarge my knowledge about the Gospels. It can be difficult when the lecturer is pretty traditionally Christian, but once and awhile you can get some little tidbits from the talk.

So here’s a little tidbit I learned yesterday…the teachers that we look to for guidance, whether Jesus, Buddha, etc. where all looked at by their followers as a mystery. They had to figure out what the message was that the teacher was trying to convey. Often the Apostles didn’t know what Jesus was trying to convey with the parables He used as a lesson. We are a mystery too. We have to learn about ourselves and then figure out what we want to keep and what needs to change. The most important thing we have to figure out is that we are Spiritual Beings!

Another thing I was reminded of this weekend: I need to release myself from my history to free myself to create my future unencumbered by my past. As my freind Peg would say, “Sounds good to me!”

“Everything makes you more.” This was part of today’s message from “The Universe” at theuniverse@tut.com. How appropriate after my rant yesterday about betrayal! It is said that the teacher comes when the student is ready.

I am ready. After writing about my feelings and thoughts, I do feel better. And I know all the things about my business, unconditional love and thoughts creating our world. Sometimes we have to feel it as deep and profound as it is, to be able to see the other side. I have said many times, it’s ok to go through the valley of the shadow of death, but don’t camp there! I’m not sure where I heard that first, but it stuck with me.

So, I’m not camping. Gave that up. And I’m looking at things from the other side. The other side of: It’s not my business what my friend does. I have to resolve the betrayal issue once again from its every angle; so what if the cancer has returned, it’s beatable and only an inconvenience. I have recently witnessed a dear friend battle her cancer for almost two years with a smile on her face and laughter through her home. I can do that too.

My journey has been a very worthwhile one and I am happy to continue it. Yes, continue it even with these little tests and questions that arise. They are good tests. They make me think about what I really believe. And, as Don Miguel Ruiz asks, where did that belief come from?

Everything makes you more. More is good. More good is good. It’s ALL good. Keep joy is your heart. That joy keeps me going each and every day.

Peace, my friends. Loving IS the answer.

Let’s talk about betrayal…Seems appropriate seeing as this is Easter week. We could go into all the metaphysical meaning behind Easter; we know it all according to Charles Fillmore and other like him. The important meaning is what it means to you, and only you can determine that. Oh, I could help you get there, and if you wish to have that discussion, let me know.
I choose betrayal to write about because of some ‘stuff’ that I’m going through. And some of what has been brought up through all that’s happening is betrayal. I guess all that I thought I had resolved from my past-childhood, young adult, prior relationships, missteps I’ve taken-aren’t really all resolved.

I know, I know, you all think I’m ‘there’ already. Ha! You are sorely mistaken. True, I have come a long way from where I was…thankfully. But there is a lot more to do, a lot more to learn.

So, betrayal. What started this? I have to have surgery and there is a possibility that the cancer I fought against and won, has returned. So, betrayed by my body, again. Not just the bad knees so no more morning run, bulging lower back so very little gardening, arthritis in all the joints that wake me at night and creak each morning; betrayed by possibly the return of cancer.

The other big betrayal is by truly dear friends who choose not to trust me, to hide from me. It’s none of my business, right? We just finished Byron Katie’s “Loving What Is”, and I know that’s right. None of my business. It still hurts and it brings up another deep hurt that happened years ago when this same friend choose not to trust me but, instead believed someone else.

We always think we are past long ago hurts, that is until something like this brings it all up again. And how do we release betrayal. I guess we go through it all again, resolved that it’s past, promise to live in the present, and pray.
My friend will be visiting soon and we’ll talk about it all. And resolve it. Why? Because we love each other and that’s what love does…Resolve the issues so we can live in the present.

A dear friend of my is close to transitioning to the other side. She may even have passed by now. She is dearly beloved to me and many family and friends. Her life was blessed with friends and family and she is a blessing to those who knew her well.

This brings to mind something we may have thought of before…what would your thoughts be as you knew that this life was ending? Would you be disappointed that you didn’t ‘get it right’? Or would you be pleased with the progress you’ve made on your spiritual journey?

I’ve thought of this myself. In fact, a year or so ago, I told a friend I was prepared to pass on, that I had made significant progress spiritually, and if this was where it ended, I would be pleased. I still feel that way. I would like to continue with my growth and shall as my life goes on, but I also feel as if I have made such a change in my life, that it would be ok to end it here and start again in a new one.

What are your thoughts about this? Would you be pleased with your growth if your life ended today? If not, why? And, what can you do about that now?

Peace my friends. And peace, to my beloved friend Peg.

There’s been some very spring -like days here in southern Delaware. Everyone is getting the spring bug…wanting to get outside and be in the yard, do some gardening, hit the beach. And I am no exception. My mind has been dreaming up some gardening ideas for my new backyard, just need the muscle power and the money!

The title of this message, there’s A Lot of Gift in Change, came from my friend Ana. I wanted to give her a little shout-out. She comes up with some really cool thoughts for a youngster!

Anyway, think about it. Most of the time we look at change as a not so good thing. We even look at it with fear sometimes. We might look at things as ‘we’ll take what we are familiar with’ as opposed to what would be new. That can leave us stuck in the past. Our soul or Spirit may be urging us onward to new levels of Spirituality, but we get stuck in the past, afraid to move forward.

We are here, on this Earth to learn and love, to grow. Hanging onto the past will not allow for that.

So, what gifts will we find in change? Other than that growth mentioned above it could be a new life. It could be a new love. It could be new experiences. What growth in our consciousness could come about without change? Our very self awareness comes with change!

I can’t begin to express to you the changes that have come through me as I discover the wonders of Spiritual growth. The change in consciousness is so amazing. I can not imagine being the person I was even 5 years ago!

So I encourage you to embrace change. Let Spirit guide you through any change that comes to you. You will use the discernment made available to you and choose correctly for you.

Take care.

Somedays I just can’t believe I am here, in my new home. It is so quiet and peaceful here. Strolling down the drive that leads into our tiny neighborhood, the sky is blue and the sun is shinning. It’s so very quiet. Walking the dogs is so safe, they just wander about, doing their thing…sniffing here and there. Letting other critters know where they have been. Doing dog things. Tails wagging. You can almost see them smiling.

And I am smiling too. Singing I Am So Blessed…to myself, of course!

It is wonderful to be at peace. Finally.