Hatred

Hatred is defined as intense dislike or ill will. I'd like to add that it is a disease that has affected many on this planet. It sneaks up in moments of fear and attacks. Unlike a flu virus, there is no vaccination for it. Compared to a cancer, it spreads easily and effortlessly through a person's psyche and world. This is the disease that could destroy mankind unless a radical change occurs.

I write this blog entry as much for myself as for anyone else. This morning as I was vacuuming my thoughts turned toward all the atrocities in this world. Hate seems to have become the norm. As I mulled over this, I challenged myself to look at the hate that is within me. I feel I have honestly eliminated this word and feeling from my consciousness. Well, almost. 

My biggest "hate" goes toward winter. I hear the words "I hate winter, no, actually I despise winter" over and over in my conversations. Wow! What am I creating in my world? No matter what Mother Nature brings, I am convincing myself with these words that I won't like it. 

After more honest soul searching, I really have stopped hating as much as I used to. I used to hate certain people for actions they may or may not have committed. I used to hate certain foods. Those hatreds are pretty far removed now. However....

There still are times when hatred rears its ugly head. When I hear others hating for the sake of hating, I start fuming. When I see a derogatory photo of someone with a less than desirable comment, my teeth start grinding away. Guess I have work to do. 

How do we as people rise above the hatred we feel towards others? For me, I shall begin to disagree more with acts and beliefs that are contrary to what I believe. I shall begin to educate myself about different viewpoints. 

Years ago, in another lifetime to be exact, I worked with a young woman who was an Evangelical Christian. I had just discovered New Thought. To say we were from different spiritual worlds is an understatement. We usually had lunch together. We discussed our beliefs. I did not change hers. She did not change mine. What we did was respect each other without anger, without animosity. We remained friends.

My heart hurts when I see and hear all the hate. Hate for people we don't know. Hate for countries we have never visited. Hate for people espousing another belief. What if everyone just disagreed? We live in a world where virtually every "civilized" nation has access to information about everything. A friend who has since left this earth plane once told me I lived in a dream world. Love isn't the answer. My opinion differed and we chose to disagree on this as well as many other things. Although we drifted apart for many reasons, I never hated him nor did he hate me. 

Is love the answer? I think so. If love is not the answer for you, how about tolerance and understanding? As individuals we have free will. It just seems that this wonderful world could be so much more wonderful if we eliminated hate. 

As I wrote the words "wonderful world," Louis Armstrong's song What A Wonderful World comes to mind. 

What A Wonderful World

Let's begin to make this a truly "Wonderful World" by walking the talk that Christ, Buddha, Muhammad and other great masters walked. The Walk of Love. 

Peace and Blessings,

Mareda

It Is Up To Us

Global warming. Climate change. Gun control. Greed. I could go on and on. These are just a few of the challenges we as spiritual beings having a human experience deal with on a daily basis. So what shall we do? It seems we do a lot of blaming. Democrats blame the Republicans. Republicans blame the Democrats, Christians blame the Muslims. Whites blame the Blacks. Blacks blame the Whites. Men blame women. Women blame men. Lots of blaming going on but not many solutions in sight.

This morning I saw a brief video of Deepak Chopra being asked what he thought the state of humanity would be in 100 years. His answer was brief and to the point. It all depends upon the choices we make now. He was talking more about climate change but the choices we make affect everything in our lives.

With regard to climate change, he indicated that statistics prove that this planet is in trouble if our lifestyles do not change. Instead of creating heaven on earth we are well on the way to creating a living hell on earth. He described it as an experiment by Mother Nature that did not work. Many naysayers do not believe in global warming. Many rather believe that the apocalypse is near. It may be near but we have chosen it. With positive change this apocalypse can be avoided. So what is the next step? Here are my thoughts.

1. Stop blaming others. Even if you don't agree with another person's opinions or actions, you aren't going to change them by criticism. Live your truth. Lead by example.

2. Live the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. This includes all sentient beings not just those walking on two feet.

3. Be the peace you want to experience. Be the kindness you want to experience.

4. Bless and love those who push your every button. They have something to teach you.

5. Listen to all opinions even if you don't agree. Maybe something will resonate within you to understand (if not agree) a different point of view.

6. Respect our earth, your body and everything on this earth plane. If something kills weeds upon contact, question it's safety. If something you eat makes you feel bad, question whether it is healthy. Then do something about it if it is only to do something differently.

7. Be thankful for what you have and pass that Good on in whatever way you can. Even if all you can manage is a smile, it might change a person's day for the better.

8. Be awake and aware of who you are, how you act and what you are creating with your thoughts and actions,

9. Trust that you are loved and guided by a Presence and Power greater than you and

10. Be the change. Be the Light. Be the Love.

These are my thoughts. I must admit as I wrote them I discovered I really need to heed my own advice a little more. This planet needs people to share their Light and Love. Light overcomes the darkness. I challenge each and every person who reads this to begin creating heaven on earth so that in 100 years our ancestors shall live in a "Garden of Love."

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

www.maredaeckert.com

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real

Fear is an emotion that is very real for many people. It varies in degrees but if we are honest, we all have at least one thing we fear. I will readily admit I am very afraid of snakes. The real thing, a snake on TV, a photo, they all strike fear into my very soul. This post isn't about that type of fear. Nor is it about the fear that is so prevalent across our country; i.e. the fear of people or cultures different than ours or the fear of someone breaking into our home and/or killing us. This is my story about a fear that colored my childhood. 

My mother, who departed this plane of existence in 2008, was afraid. Her fears were not outwardly apparent but they perpetuated her daily existence. As a child growing up, I was not encouraged to try new things. If I took swimming lessons, I might drown. If I wanted to do anything that was out of my mother's comfort zone, I was discouraged from trying. When a friend asked me to sing at her wedding, my sweet mother did not sleep for weeks until the wedding was over. She just couldn't believe that I sang and no one threw any tomatoes at me. Later when I interviewed for my first job, she was sure this was a mistake. It wasn't. Thank goodness I was just as stubborn as she was. 

Later in my marriage, my former husband kept the ball rolling by criticizing everything I did and questioned my motives for any type of advancement I sought. The fear continued. 

I understand why both my mother and former husband did what they did. It was fear that was driving them. My mother was raised in an environment that was less than encouraging. My former husband was raised in a very volatile environment. So what does one expect? Fear.

As a mom, I understand the feelings a parent has. Mothers and fathers want their child to succeed. Most parents will do anything to keep their child safe. There is a limit, however, to safety. As the saying goes "a ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." There is a time to let go.

For many  years, I have felt my life would have been "better" if my mom had been different. Maybe, maybe, maybe. The fact is my life is good. In fact, it is fantastic! I have grown through my trials and frustrations to the woman I am today. I hope with all my heart I am imparting what I learned from my mother to my daughter. My mother taught me many things: how to paint a room, how to cook, how to take care of baby chickens and lambs (in the kitchen no less), how to be kind to all people no matter of race or nationality, etc. 

Very recently I made peace with the woman who was my earthly mother, Alyda Wolfmeier Eckert. You see, now that she has moved on to her next realm of existence, everything is clear. She told me in a dream. All is well. All is love.

So the moral of this story is to be cautious, not fearful. Fear can protect but it can also hinder one's evolution into something miraculous. Take chances. If you have a dream, go for it. 

To Alyda I say: "Thank you for being you. Thank you for coming to me and helping me to understand. I love you. I appreciate you. May this new journey you are on be one of much joy, love and courage."

As for my former husband, well that is a story for another time. 

Peace and Blessings,

Mareda

www.maredaeckert.com