Endings

The last day of 2012 is upon us.  Ah yes, another year gone.  If we follow what the media says, we probably are thinking good riddance to a horrible year.  People are bad; horrible things have happened; we are falling off the fiscal cliff; yada, yada, yada.  And, yes, bad things have happened.  Some people choose to do bad things. However.....

What if we turn off the news, stop checking in on the web sites that report moment to moment events, cancel our newspapers and stop all the magazines that report on the dramas of the "beautiful" people?  What if we choose instead to look for only Good in our world?

We hear about it occasionally on a slow news day or read about it in a small town newspaper.  We hear about the child who asked for donations to a worthy cause rather than Christmas presents.  We hear about the nursing home resident who knits for newborns because that is all she can do.  We hear about the people who take to the streets of a community to assist those who truly need help.  I could list more Good news items or Good deeds but I think you get the point...

GOOD EXISTS! 

A question that keeps popping up in my mind: why is there such a draw to that which is negative? Why do we dwell upon all those things that negate the Good?  I have to admit I can be drawn into the drama of tragedies.  Maybe it is the shock that these things happen.  Maybe we all have a shadow side that really wants to take over.  All I know is I really want to leave this behind me.

Barbara Marx Hubbard is one of many visionaries supporting Birth 2012, Co-creating a Planetary Shift. Simply put she is supporting the conscious evolution of this planet.  Far out for many people but as Albert Einstein so stated:

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again 

and expecting different results."

Maybe it is time to try something new.  For those who are interested, here is Barbara's website: http://www.barbaramarxhubbard.com/site/.

It is my fervent personal desire that when Midnight comes this year and we ring out the old and ring in the new, that I leave behind my interest in that which belies the Good or God in mankind.  Good exists we just tend to overlook it.  It is said that what we focus our attention on is that which we attract to ourselves.  

Yes, there will be undesirable things that happen in 2013 but my intention is to acknowledge the event and know that there is a Divine Presence right in the middle of whatever is going on.  This Presence is loving and guiding those who are open to that unconditional Love and divine guidance. 

Affirmation for December 31, 2012:

I am letting go of all that negates the Good of God.  Right now, I live and move and have my being in God's Goodness.  And so it is. 

Namaste.  

Gratitude

Today I went shopping for some type of goodies for the caregivers at the nursing facility that cared for my parents and my beloved aunt during the last days of their lives here on Planet Earth.  It isn't often that we hear about the love and concern showered on residents of these facilities.  However, my parents and my aunt were cared for by "angels" in human form.  Yes, there were many complaints from my mom, my dad, and my aunt during their experience but they were loved.  It is my opinion that the complaints came from their lack of independence after years of doing everything without any assistance.  The loss of dignity can snuff out even the brightest light of love.

I am certain that some facilities are lacking in compassion based on any number of reasons.  One facility that my aunt called home for a period of time wasn't that wonderful but there still were a few people there who cared and exhibited concern beyond that which was expected.

When my parents complained, I'd always remind them to be kind, to say thank you, to be concerned about their caregiver.  Most of the time, they were aware enough of what I was saying to be that kind, caring person I remembered from my childhood.  As a child I remember my parents being friendly to everyone.  The "hobo" walking down the train tracks next to our home would always be offered a sandwich.  The trash man would be given any coats we weren't using during a cold spell. The woman who was beaten and thrown out of a car in the middle of the night found a spot in our living room until the police arrived.

My aunt experienced some horrific tragedies in her life.  A son"left" her way too soon; a husband "left" too soon also.  Was she bitter?  Yes.  But within her was a heart of gold.  She could be harsh and critical but underneath it all was a woman who would give you anything you needed.

Every time I walked through the doors to visit one of my parents or my aunt, I would be sure to hunt out the nurse or aide on duty and to thank them for their caring.  Some people might say this is "sucking up."  To me, it was being mindful of the challenges they experienced every day as they cared for my loved ones.

I truly believe you get what you give out. Many of us tend to be overly critical.  We get upset when the checker at the grocery store doesn't smile.  Did we smile first?  Did we say "Hi" first?  Maybe; maybe not. Sure we will encounter those who are unhappy and nothing we can do will make them happy or civil.  The trick is to rise above their negativity and remain centered in Peace and Love.  Easy?  Not always.

At the end of a year, we begin our list of resolutions.  This New Year of 2013 is no different.  We will make resolutions; we will break resolutions.  I wonder what this world would be like if we all lived by just one:

The Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Similar statements are found in all World Religions and various philosophies.  A list of these can be found at http://www.unification.net/ws/theme015.htm.

In case you are wondering what my New Year's Resolution is this 2013......

Alyda & John
My Mom and Dad
(age 30)

and

A Huge Thank You to All Caregivers!

You are Appreciated!

My Aunt Ann
(age 92)

  

Affirmative Prayer ~ What in the world is this?

In my first post yesterday, I closed with an affirmative prayer. Since my introduction into the teaching of the Science of Mind, I have been using this type of prayer almost exclusively.  For those of you who are interested, here is a description of affirmative (positive) prayer from "How to Speak Religious Science" by Dennis Merritt Jones, R.SC.D.

"In Religious Science we do communicate in thought and speech with God through a process we call Spiritual Mind Treatment, or positive prayer.  We believe that God has already given us, by our divine birthright, all that we ever will need to live a complete, healthy, whole, and prosperous life; our only job is to accept it!  The communication always takes place within our own consciousness and mind.

"Spiritual Mind Treatment is simply a process used to change our consciousness or belief system....Indeed, it is done unto us as we believe!"

Is this the only way to pray? Of course not.  As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Pray however you wish.  What works for one, may not work for another.  It is the praying that is important.

That being said, my thoughts move on to a subject near and dear to me.  Russian adoptions.  My daughter was adopted from Russia in 1999 after a long and tenuous trial of closures, delays, court issues and on and on.  My affirmation was that Ulya was my daughter and we would be together at the perfect time...God's time.  The majority of my friends said I should give it up.  Not a chance.  On October 28, 1999, the judge in a court in Irkutsk, Siberia, declared us mother and daughter.

Here is the little girl (age 7) in her orphanage in Cheremkhovo.  She is now a beautiful young woman of 22, thriving in the United States.

Today is a sad day for the thousands of orphans in Russia as President Vladimir Putin has signed a ban on adoptions to the United States.  Economics and cultural bias prevents many Russian citizens from adopting these children.  Politics is the real reason for this ban and the children suffer.


 Years ago, I made a statement to my minister when he asked what I wanted to do with my life.  I answered "I want to save the children of the world."  A big task but I did save one and helped in saving many others.  Now I'm asking that we, as citizens of the world, take on the challenge of "Saving the Children of the World" by removing the sadness and allowing the Light of God's happiness to shine.

• Can we do it by giving money? It helps but...
• Can we do it by adopting or fostering?  It helps but... 
• Can we do it by sending petitions to the officials of various countries?  It helps but...  

What we can do is believe in our hearts and minds that children everywhere have a chance.  We are entering a new era this month of December 2012.  The world didn't end with the Mayan calendar.  But we as citizens of the world can birth something new.  How?

Prayer! Simple prayer!  The most powerful thing there is.  Here is my prayer.

Father Mother God!  In you I live and move and have my being.  In You, I know there is only Good for You are all Good.  Wherever I am, You are.  There is no separation.  Your Presence is everywhere.  It is here with me in my home; it is in the deepest part of the Appalachians; it is the far reaches of Siberia; it is the the Congo.  There is no place where You are not.

All people everywhere are part of You.  They may not be aware of there divine connection to You but I know that deep within each and every soul on this earth, You are there as a spark of light just waiting to be recognized.  With that recognition, hearts open, minds change, love reigns.

Right now, I am knowing that something is happening in the consciousness of man and womankind. Those people in power in the governments all over the world are having a change of heart.  They are listening to their hearts and not their egos.  They recognize that Good must unfold and they are finding ways in which to allow this to happen.  Citizens are opening their hearts and old beliefs are falling to wayside.  Cultural biases are changing.  The children of the world are safe and secure as they are held in the caring arms of an All-loving, All-powerful, God.

It is done in God's time.  I give thanks knowing that these words and the thoughts of all who believe this to be possible are changing the consciousness of the world.

Thank you God.  And so it is!

Sunny in St. Louis

The sun is shining here in St. Louis.  Looking out my window the world seems to be at peace.  Yet in the hearts and minds of many it seems to be anything but peaceful.  Why must hate, anger, fear and so many other negative emotions flourish?  An age-old question to be sure.

As I begin this blog, I really wonder why I am doing it.  A dear friend insists that I should write a book.  That does not "feel" right to me.  However, she has encouraged me in the past to stretch a bit.  I have stretched and I'm still here so a blog seems to be that "middle-road." 

What will I say?  How will I respond to the comings and goings of my day and the days of others I meet along the way?  Will my thoughts and ideas make a difference?  I know thoughts and beliefs are powerful.  A few wise men have held the same belief as I do about thoughts.   

The master teacher, Jesus: "It is done unto you as you believe." 

Ernest Holmes, founder of the Science of Mind:  "Thoughts are things."

Mike Dooley, TUT:  "Thoughts become things..choose the good ones!" 

So this blog will be comprised of good thoughts, good deeds, positive statements, affirmative prayers, and other bits of "Gospel" or Good News. 

Affirmative Prayer for December 27, 2012

In this moment, there is only Now!  

In this moment, there is only Good!

In this moment, there is only God! 

Everywhere present; all knowing; all powerful!

We are part of this Divine Beingness, I call God.  

Deep in the center of our essence is a spark of the Divine.  

A spark waiting to be recognized; wanting to express itself.  

I acknowledge it right now; in me; in all people.  

Right now, I know that light overcomes anything unlike itself. 

Darkness fades before the Divine Light of God.  

Light illumines me as I write this blog.

Divine Mind guides me to express that which needs to be expressed.  

I allow myself to be a conduit for God. 

I am open and receptive. 

I am now allowing myself to be an instrument of Peace and Love to all. 

In gratitude I release these words and accept guidance in all I do from this moment forward.

Thank you Mother Father God.

And so it is.