Too Blessed to be Stressed

I first heard this statement or mantra a few years ago. The checkout lady at the Kirkwood Walmart responded with this statement when I did my routine "and how are you today?" Since then I've heard it a few times and last week one of the women who visits my work place also responded with "too blessed to be stressed." As I thought about how this related to me with my experiences in the last couple of weeks, I too am "way too blessed to be stressed."

Unexpected challenges have been appearing pretty much on a daily basis. Garage doors, cars, daughter's gums, my mouth, Lucky's body have all needed work. And with this work there have been expenses. Oh, my, the expenses. But....I am okay with that. In fact, I am grateful to sign those checks and charge receipts. Let me tell you why. All of the people and businesses involved in these challenges have been highly professional, kind, caring and highly skilled at what they do. I'm going to give each and everyone of them a "high-five" today.

Garage Door ~ A few weeks ago the motor died. It was old, time to become a resident of wherever old garage doors and motors go to rest in peace. I was guided to call DSI, Door Solutions in Ballwin. Steve came out, tried to resuscitate the door one last time but it was over. The door was gone. However, in a matter of weeks (of course, my door is special aka a special size) a new door and motor were installed and I was on my way to ease and silence. Thank you DSI and Steve.

Dental Work ~ Ulya and I have been lax in having regular dental work. Various reasons ranging from expense to our dentist being out of town quite frequently on mission trips. Ulya was having a little bit of a problem with her gum so I decided we needed to try someone else. Happened upon Sensible Dental of Kirkwood. Called and made an appointment the same day. Thank Goodness, she was able to get in quickly as there were some concerns that needed immediate care. Dr. Yu and her staff were absolutely wonderful. Thorough, caring and expert care. Would highly recommend them.

I saw Dr. Yu the following day and was just as impressed. Her hygienist saw something in my mouth that "looked funny" and sent me on to Oral Facial Surgery Institute & Implant Center at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Michael Barbick took a look and assured me there was nothing there. Any doctor that comes in and introduces himself as "Hi, I'm Michael" and then spends a huge amount of time telling me why there is nothing wrong gets an A+++ rating from me.

Fiat of Creve Coeur previously Saturn of Creve Coeur ~ My beloved Phoebe (yes, I name my cars) broke down ten days ago. But what better place to break down than right next to your house? Called Fiat, had Phoebe towed, and soon she was back on the road all fixed and ready to go. As usual with this Lou Fusz dealership, it all unfolded without drama. I'm still upset that Saturns are no longer being manufactured so Phoebe will need to last at least another 10 years.


County Animal Hospital, Ltd. ~ My best furry buddy, Lucky Joseph, is considered a geriatric patient based on his age of 12 years. That being said when Dr. Dana Johnson suggested surgery for Lucky on a couple of tumors, I was hesitant. He was healthy and the tumors were not life-threatening but they were making him uncomfortable. After a few sleepless nights I decided to place my faith and trust in Dr. Johnson and God. Yesterday, Lucky had surgery including the surgical removal of a broken molar. Other than the residual post operative discomfort and that damn cone, he is doing well. Once again, a very competent, caring individual office staff. And thank you Lindsay for looking in on Lucky.

And then there is Mike. Mike has been taking care of my lawn this summer. A young college student at University of Missouri in Columbia, I saw his ad in the Kirkwood Webster Times. He has been dependable and efficient. In fact, he is back in town this weekend and called to see if I wanted him to do the lawn. He had driven by and saw that it needed to be mowed. Thank you Mike. You have a job next summer if you want it.

Am I blessed? You bet I am. Am I going to have to adjust my budget? You bet I am. But gratitude is in my heart for all of the above people and businesses who have service as their highest priority.

Thank you everyone!

Namaste!

Mareda

A Prayer for Peace

The past ten days for me have been days filled with turmoil, both inner and outer. As I look at my personal turmoil, I see that it is so minor compared to that of our world. Conflict seems to be the norm for so many areas of this world. Violence rears its ugly head around every corner. I am particularly concerned with the turmoil in Syria. I am no expert on this region or on what is actually occurring; however, I know that the violence seems to be escalating. With the United States and other countries considering their involvement, I feel a prayer is of utmost importance at this time. 

Mother-Father-God, I turn to you now knowing your are the only Power and Presence there is. All Good, all knowing, all powerful. You have existed always and will exist into eternity. Right now, I acknowledge that all people have their origin in You. A spark of the Divine rests at the inner-most part of their souls. There are no exceptions to this. At this moment, I come to you and ask that You guide all those in power here in the United States and in every other country to make decisions that come from Love. Open the hearts of all of mankind that they may see things differently. Guide our leaders to make the hard decisions based on Love and Healing not on hatred or retribution. Guide all people to know that we all come from One Source and that Source is God, or Intelligence, or whatever you wish to call it. Our country of origin, our color, our religion, our sexual preference really does not matter. We are all One in the Divine. Knowing that my words have power, I release them to the Divine Presence I call God. I accept the guidance that is forthcoming for the leaders of all countries of this world. I give thanks knowing that Good is unfolding and is manifesting now. Thank you Mother-Father-God. And so it is!

Please pray with me for the peace that this world has been seeking for so long. May this be the time!

May peace prevail!

Namaste,

Mareda

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows - It's that kind of day!

As I was sitting out on my deck with my best buddy, Lucky Joe, this song from the 60's by Lesley Gore popped into my mind. Not wanting to ignore this piece of wisdom, I decided to share the song and some photos from this morning with you.

The song: Lesley Gore - Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

My best buddy:  

Lucky Joe

Photos from my deck:

"This is the day the LORD has made; 

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

Namaste,

Mareda

Life is Good......ALL THE TIME!

As I look at the title I just wrote, I smile. Life is Good. Yes, it is good; however, it is so much easier to see the good when all is going well. When everything is unfolding just as you want it to, ah, so good. When there is enough money in the checking account to meet all financial contracts, ah, so good. When perfect health is your experience, ah, so good. I could go on and on.

The Good can be more challenging when events happen that challenge your peace of mind. When unexpected expenses pop up, thoughts of lack can sneak in the back door of your mind and bring along feelings of fear. A visit to a physician with a result less than ideal may upset the apple cart even more. Where is the good then?

The past 10 days have brought up a lot of what is written in the above paragraph. And I must admit, I've been thrown for a loop as a result. Garage doors, dentists, cars, veterinarians. They have all come into my life for a reason. I'm not sure what that reason is but it has been very thought provoking.

The feelings of lack and limitation that have plagued me for many years of my life want to sneak into my consciousness and take residence again. Not gonna happen! Yes, the expenses have been unbelievable; however, I am working and know that when there is a void, it must be filled. There is definitely a void in my bank account. I'm just wondering how the void will be filled.

The past few months have been months when I have consciously surrendered each day to the Presence of God. For someone like me who prefers being in complete control, this is quite a stretch. Maybe that is the lesson in all the recent experiences and expenses.

Do I really believe (know) that my good is at hand? Do I really believe (know) that as I ask, I receive? This is the time when I must stay focused on Divine Truth. This is the time to spend more time in meditation, affirmative prayer, and mindfulness. Thoughts that negate my good must be eliminated as soon as they crop up. Just like those pesky weeds that pop up in a flower garden, those pesky thoughts must be pulled out and discarded.

My affirmations for today and every day during this challenging time shall be as follows:

I am so happy and grateful right now for the Divine Good that is manifesting in my life. 

I am so happy and grateful right now for the monetary blessings that are already on their way to me.

I am so happy and grateful right now for perfect health and mental clarity. 

I am so happy and grateful right now for the realization that LIFE IS GOOD!

And so it is!

Namaste,

Mareda

Sunday

It is a little after 1 pm on Sunday afternoon and I have accomplished almost nothing. My human "being" nature seems to have overtaken my human "doing" nature today. Will it last? Don't know. I have these messages popping up saying I really "should" be cleaning my windows since the day is perfect for that. There is some scrap wood waiting to be broken into smaller pieces so the trash people can pick it up. (By the way, I am so thankful for regular trash pickups. Makes life so much easier.) And, yet, I really want to take my Kindle or an old-fashioned book and find a nice place under a shade tree and just read and relax. Something from deep inside is telling me to find that shade tree and read to my heart's content.

I have been reading a lot lately in between by doingness.  Thought I would share some of my reads over the last six or so months with you.

"The Accidental Caregiver: How I Met, Loved and Lost Legendary Holocaust Refugee Maria Altmann" by Gregor Collins.  A memoir about his time with Maria. Very good, very heartwarming.

"The Dirty Parts of the Bible" - A Novel by Sam Torode. A fun read about the live and times of a young man during the Great Depression.

"Four Days with Hemingway's Ghost" by Tom Winton. As I read this I could actually see this happening. Not sure how factual some of it is but very entertaining.

"Last Romanov" by Dora Levy Mossanen. A story about the Romanov family during Imperial Russia. Loved this book.

"The Parrot Talks in Chocolate" by Everett Peacock. A fun read.

"Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife" by Eben Alexander III M.D. A very interesting read. It has already been debunked but if you want to read about that you have to pay to get to the article. Say what????

"Risking Everything: Coming Out in Coffee Land" by Elizabeth Worley. A story about a woman's search for her self and the discoveries she makes. 

"Sky of Red Poppies" by Zohreh Ghahremani. A look at life through the eyes of a young girl in Iran. Insightful and disturbing. 

"The Wander Year: One Couple's Journey Around the World" by Mike McIntyre. A chronicle of one couple's journey, the highs and the lows. 

and the last book I just finished

"Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth" by Reza Aslan. The author began his life as a Muslim, became a born-again Christian, discarded this faith but continued his search in religious studies as an inquisitive scholar. It provides no concrete proof of anything but I found it to be very insightful as to the whys and wherefores of the life of Jesus. Aslan draws on the research of many others to present a very intelligently written book about Jesus, his life and the times in which he was living.

Well, the decision has been made. 

Reading is the #1 item on my to-do list

for this Sunday. 

Now I just have to find that perfect spot. 

                                                              

Namaste,

Mareda

Angels Among Us

The link to this news items says it all.

An angel? A priest? You decide.

I know what I believe. What about you?

Namaste,

Mareda