Bye Bye 2017; Hello 2018

Another year is almost over; another one to begin. 2017 was a rough year for me. Rough not because of illness, unemployment or financial issues but rough because of my thinking.  I take full responsibility for that...my stinking thinking. I allowed my thinking to control me. I allowed other's ideas and thoughts to enter into my mind and color it "ugly."

Yes, this past year of 2017 has been one of much disappointment in my country. I have been very frustrated about the events and actions that I consider so wrong. However, my immersion in the negativity is not helping at all.

This Sunday morning I tuned in to Agape Live as is my usual Sunday morning habit. Rev. Michael was absent this morning. Dr. Julie Moret replaced him and was superb as usual. She is funny and so on point with her message. One thing she said hit home for me on many levels. Her comment was that much of what is going on now  is "not serving the dignity of humanity." I could write about all those things that validate this statement but I choose not too.

I'd like to focus on how I can better serve the dignity of humanity. I truly feel in my heart that I honor the majority of people. Being honest, I must admit there is a segment of the population where I lack true compassion. Those people who I feel are racists, bigots, homophobes, etc. etc. have not fared well with me. I have eliminated many from my circle of friends and family.

How will 2018 be different? Will I accept these people back into my inner circle? Will I support those politicians who are holding the masses back and encouraging continued hatred? To both these questions, I answer no; however, I will breath more. I will also love more. I will accept that they are where they are and let it go. I cannot change them by hating them or what they stand for.

My commitment this 2018 is to serve the dignity of humanity as much as I can. Will this be easy? Probably not. But hating and being angry has only made me a Gloomy Gus.

As has been said by many:

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Happy New Year!

May it be a year of peace, happiness, love and prosperity!

Peace and blessings!

Mareda

Thanksgiving = Thanks Living

Thanksgiving Day! This is the day most people in this county stop to take a moment to gather together as family and friends. They eat (way too much) and hopefully laugh and love together (as long as politics do not enter the conversation). The reason for the first gathering has somehow been lost with all the early Christmas preparations (don't get me started on that), the football games, the food, etc. What was the first gathering about?

From All About History:  

The “first Thanksgiving,” however, was neither a feast nor a holiday, but a simple gathering. Following the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620, the Pilgrims suffered the lost of 46 of their original 102 colonists. With the help of 91 Indians, the remaining Pilgrims survived the bitter winter and yielded a bountiful harvest in 1621. In celebration, a traditional English harvest festival, lasting three days brought the Pilgrims and natives to unite in a “thanksgiving” observance.  

This “thanksgiving” meal would not be celebrated again until June of 1676. On June 29 the community of Charlestown, Massachusetts proclaimed a day of thanksgiving for their good fortune. Ironically, this celebration excluded the Indians, as the colonists’ recognized their recent victory over the “heathen natives.” One hundred years later, in October of 1777, all 13 colonies participated in a one-time “thanksgiving” celebration which commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. It would take a span of over 150 more years to establish Thanksgiving as we celebrate it -- George Washington proclaimed it a National holiday in 1789, Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November in 1863, and Congress sanctioned it as a legal holiday in 1941.

Now that the history lesson is over, I would like to focus on the "thanks living" part of this day. Why is it that most of us find it difficult to focus on all that we have for which to be thankful? I admit I must include myself in this. So many times, I find myself focusing on what is wrong with my life, what is lacking, why is the world acting in a fashion I find abhorrent? 

Dennis Merritt Jones, one of my spiritual gurus, has written extensively about gratitude...conscious gratitude. I won't go into all that he has to share about this but will include a website where you may download his Gratitude Journal. It is http://www.dennismerrittjones.com/gratitude.php.

Maybe if more of us would focus on all that is Good in our personal lives and in our world, our experiences would change.  I am not saying we overlook all that needs to be improved; however, what we focus on persists. That is a given. In this time of upheaval maybe it is just the universe stirring that ole pot, bringing all the gunk up to the surface so it can be cleaned up. 

Personally, I have so very much for which to be grateful: my daughter Ulya, my furr baby Rasha, my two feather friends Lucy and Ethel, a positive working environment with great people, friends near and far and so much more.  I would be remiss if I did not include some people and organizations who do so much for so many who do not have a voice: rescue organizations and people who welcome a rescued animal into their homes. 

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Shannon Foundation Non-Profit Retirement Farm - a sanctuary for hard-to-place furry & feathered friends.

http://www.theshannonfoundation.org/

Stray Rescue of St. Louis - a place where rescued, abused animals realize they have a second chance on a good life. Rasha came to us through this organization.

https://www.strayrescue.org/

Randy's Rescue Ranch - Randy Grim's dream becomes a reality in O'Fallon, Illinois

https://www.strayrescue.org/randysrescueranch

and last but not least

Champ and his Champions - a dog left for dead who not only survived but is a living example of what being thankful can do for others. Champ, his humans and the Champions have raised more money in a short period of time than is believable. 

https://www.strayrescue.org/fight-like-champ

I am so grateful for these organizations, the people who work with them, the people who welcome a rescued animal into their homes. 

I close this entry with a heart-felt wish that this Thanksgiving is one of many blessings and the beginning of a thanks living year. 

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

A Gift Called Barbara

Gifts come in all sizes and shapes. Sometime in the late 1980's, I was gifted with the friendship of three beautiful ladies, Barbara, Sharon and Shirley. We met at the First Church of Religious Science in St. Louis and although our lives were very different, friendships were forged that remain strong today. We soon became known as "Les Girls." Not sure how that name came to be but it stuck.

Les Girls was not an exclusive club. Other ladies came into our social circle and even some gentlemen. We met every week for dinner, conversation and good wine (sometimes a lot of wine). We spent time at a bed and breakfast in Bourbon, Missouri for many years in the fall. Others would join us but the four remained strong.

Early yesterday morning, September 3, 2017, one of the original Les Girls left Planet Earth. Barbara Frye Burns began a new journey that all of us will take someday.  

I was fortunate to be with her a few weeks ago in Greenville, North Carolina. She was spending her last days on earth at her son's home. Even in the midst of her confusion and pain, the Barbara I knew and loved was still present.  We laughed, we reminisced, we cried. We remembered times together and people we loved.

Les Girls shared many dinners together over the years. Those dinners were times of support and guidance for each member of Les Girls. Our trips to Gatlinburg and Bourbon included laughter and discussions about the meaning of life and, of course, men. 

Barbara and I traveled to Sedona and Branson without the other ladies. These were trips I will never forget for very different reasons. A planned trip to Russia did not become reality but she was there to comfort me when my first adoption trip to meet Ulya was cancelled. Vodka and caviar got us through the night. 

I could go on and on about our times together but I know my friend would say "this blog entry is too wordy." So, Barbara, if you are reading this, "deal with it."

As I end this entry, I just want to remind everyone that if you have a friend or friends who are there for you in times of joy and sorrow, treasure them. When they piss you off, love them. Goodness knows Barbara made me angry more than once and I'm sure I pushed many buttons for her. 

Years ago, when I was in the midst of a consciousness of lack, my dear friend sent me a book by Deepak Chopra, "Creating Affluence." The book was good; however, it is the inscription that I shall forever treasure:

To Mareda - My mother, my daughter, my friend. I am more grateful for you than words can express. With love and light, Barbara.

And so I shall end this entry with these words:

To Barbara - My mother, my daughter, my friend. 

I am more grateful for you than words can express. 

With love and light, Mareda.

Les Girls plus One
Mareda, Elva, Shirley, Sharon and Barbara
(many years ago) 

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

Resistance

I've been unable to post in my blog for some time now. Just didn't have it in me to post anything other than anger, hatred, frustration, and so many other negative feelings and emotions. Those feelings are still with me but I know I must rise above them if I am to assist in taking back the country and world I love.

Resistance is described as the refusal to accept or comply with something. My resistance is toward that which our current administration in Washington D.C. is implementing against so many people in this country and this world. I am appalled and angry; however, I know that my anger, if not focused toward something constructive, will only give away more of my power. So what can I do; what can you do?

Of course, we must continue to peacefully march, to write letters to our representatives, to attend any town hall meetings they may have, to appear at their offices with our concerns. But we must not allow our resistance to the tyranny radicalize those in power any more than we have already seen. This is going to be a very tenuous road to walk. I have some ideas. Here they are:

1.  Smile more. Smile at those people who are having a bad day and allowing their attitudes to affect their work. Smile at people you fear. Smile at people you don't like. Smile, smile, smile.

2.  Get to know people you don't know; people of color, people of other nationalities, people of other faiths, people from the "hood." They really could be nice people given the chance.

3.  Educate yourself about Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism if you are a Christian. And if you are Muslim, educate yourself about the other faiths. Don't just take what someone else says as the truth. Discover for yourself. You don't have to agree with everything but you may just discover more that is similar than different.

4.  Be very brave and visit a mosque, a synagogue, a Hindu temple, etc. etc. Talk to the Iman, the rabbi, the priest.

5.  Visit restaurants and small businesses that are run by immigrants and people of color. Some friends and I had dinner last evening at Sheesh (a Turkish restaurant) on South Grand in St. Louis. Delicious!

6.  When you see cruel and unjust behavior, do something! If you are fearful of repercussions, call the police. That is what they are here for. Be there for those who need you. Don't ignore it!

In the next few days, I hope to have a plan formulated to begin a group that can meet to support each other during these coming days. It is not a group to criticize or spew hate but to empower each other and be there to comfort, love and bring new, positive energy to this world.

May peace and blessings surround all of you.

Namaste,

Mareda

If you are interested in receiving a personal affirmative prayer, 

please email me at maredaeckert1@gmail.com.

For more information about me 

and the services I offer, 

please go to my website

www.maredaeckert.com.