A New Year is Upon Us ~ Welcome to 2014!

Tonight we bid farewell to the year 2013 and we welcome in a New Year ~ 2014. Resolutions will be made. Celebrations will take place. Some people will attend church services. Others will choose to numb themselves with libations at parties. Fireworks, champagne, confetti! These are all part of New Year celebrations.

As in previous years, my plans are simple and quiet. I've spent some of this day in meditation and reflection. Another part playing with Lucky Joe as the sun blessed us with warmth on an otherwise cold winter day. Those habits and thoughts that I want to release as 2013 departs have been written down and will be burned at midnight. My intentions for 2014 are pretty well set,. I already know I am ready for change. January is the beginning of a new direction for me. A Reiki class is already on my calendar. There is also some ongoing research into other classes that are "speaking" to me. It feels right.

In the last few years, I've become more and more interested in Buddhism. The Buddhist philosophy touches me at a very deep level. My intention this year is to awaken more to this philosophy as it relates to mindfulness, compassion and non-attachment. The Buddha Dharma Education Association and BuddhaNet website say this about Buddhism:

"Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. ln this way, each person decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their own actions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of a teaching which each person learns and uses in their own way."

My questioning mind and rebellious nature has always been challenged when I've been told to believe in a certain way. Thank God that I was born in a country where I am able to study and think as I want.

I enter into 2014 with enthusiasm and a feeling of contentment that this New Year is already wonderful.

May each and every person who reads this blog be happy, healthy and blessed in 2014. Enjoy the challenges and grow through them.

Happy New Year!!!!

Namaste,

Mareda

Are You Happy?

"Tis the day after Christmas and I'm wondering if you are happy. Are you? Did the holidays create a feeling of joy or despair? After all the visiting, the gifts, and the yummy food, how do you feel? Stuffed or still lacking?

As the Christmas holiday inched closer, I found myself surrounded by a flurry of feelings. There were feelings of joy but also feelings of loss. I missed the people no longer here in physical form. I missed the things that "could have been." Yet, as I looked at my home decorated with all its Christmas finery, I felt a great deal of joy at the beauty and for those who are in my life now. My daughter, her boyfriend and, of course, my furry family. I thought of all my friends all over the world. They live in Florida, California, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Colorado, England, Russia, France, Australia. Wow! How lucky I am to have such a world-wide entourage of friends.

As I thought about my feelings, I remembered something I had heard or read many times. We are as happy as we make up our minds to be. How true!

All of us have read or seen news reports about people living on borrowed time. They have a dis-ease that is life threatening. Maybe only months or days to live. Some people are living with disabilities that make it hard or impossible to walk, or talk or do much of anything. And yet, they are happy. How can this be? Are they made up of something different than other people? Are they more secure in their faith? Do they know a secret we don't? Maybe they are more secure in their faith or maybe they do have a secret.

Personally, I think it could be faith or maybe they have just decided to be happy. They know how to make "lemonade out of the lemons" they have been given. Is it easy? Maybe but maybe not.

Yes, I am asking a lot of questions. Questions that need reflection. Today, if sadness creeps into your world, take a moment to reflect on all that you have. Release the negative things back into the universe. Start a practice of meditation or prayer. Ask your higher self the questions I have asked. What answers do you receive? Listen to your heart today. And as Bobby McFerrin sang:

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" 

Namaste,

Mareda

CHRISTMAS!

December 25th. The day the world celebrates the birth of Jesus. The day when our thoughts and actions turn to love and peace toward all. What about the other 364 days of the year? It would seem that during those days, we forget the Christmas Love and the Peace we speak of during Christmas.

In metaphysics, we tend to believe that the Christmas season is more than just a celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is a celebration of the Christ that lives within each and everyone of us on Planet Earth. It celebrates that Light of God that is expressing through each one as we allow it to do so.

That being said, I acknowledge the challenges that can put a basket over that light. The challenges that take us to a dark place of depression and sadness. Loss of a loved one, loss of a job and the financial stress that goes along with it, fear of being alone. All of these events or feelings make it difficult to believe that this is a Season of Love and Light.

This morning as I was driving my daughter to her work, I was bemoaning something that was making me somewhat sad. Her words of wisdom brought me back to center quickly. She asked why I would let something or someone like that bother me when I had so much more about which to be happy. I guess she was listening to all my "preaching."

Her advice was heeded and I immediately came home and readied myself for our Christmas celebration later this evening.

I had placed a basket over the light. I was choosing to see things as they appear not as Truth. As I became still I wondered what the world would be like if we decided we would not only celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day but also the re-birth of the Christ Light in all people this day. What would happen? Would we take time to listen to other's opinions that differed without judging? Would we stop posting the hate on Facebook? Would we agree to disagree in a consciousness of Love and attempt to come to an agreement?

So today, I am choosing to celebrate the re-birth of the Christ Consciousness within me and all people. My intention is to look beyond those traits or actions that frustrate me and see the innocent babe within.

May this day be a Happy Holy Day for one and all!

Namaste,

Mareda

It's All Good!

Today has been very challenging and it's only noon. Sometimes it is so much easier to talk the talk rather than walk it. For this reason, I am asking for prayers and good thoughts from all who read this blog. Staying in the light is much easier when every thing is going well. It is said that when things become darkest to keep the faith for the Light is there and will appear quicker than one can imagine. So I am keeping the faith and seeing the Good.

Namaste,

Mareda

My Grown Up Christmas List

In ten days, Christians all over the world will celebrate Christmas. Not sure where the month of December has gone but it is quickly disappearing. As I travel through town, it seems there are many more lights up than usual. I'm sure the warm weather earlier this month has something to do with the number of lights but I also wonder if they are an attempt to "light up" a world that seems to need Light.

A song that was written by Linda Thompson and David Foster and released in 2006 is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Not the usual Christmas Carol like "Hark the Herald Angels" or "Joy to the World" but much more specific to the time in which we live. A song that can be and probably is embraced by all faiths and philosophies throughout our world. Here are the lyrics and a link to Amy Grant singing

My Grown Up Christmas List

 

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown-up now
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list

Read more: Amy Grant - Grown - Up Christmas List Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

 Amy Grant singing Grown Up Christmas List

 

Namaste,

 

Mareda



 



 

 

 

Newtown

Today is the 1st anniversary of Newtown. Nothing more needs to be said about that horrible day or about all the days of horror that have occurred in cities and towns across this country and the world. We seem to be a culture of violence. Gotta have those movies that slay the villain and a whole bunch of innocents along the way. Gotta watch those detective movies that get the bad guy after he has eliminated good citizens before his demise. Gotta buy those toy guns for Christmas so kids can play cowboys and Indians. Gotta have those video games that kill zombies or villains. Gotta have that gun in the house or concealed weapon so we can kill the guy who just might kill us if we can't protect ourselves. Enough!

I boycotted violent movies a long time ago. I very very seldom watch detective movies for the same reason. Comedies, musicals, chick flicks are the way I roll. The news is something I may turn on for something of importance but NEVER right before bed. If something bad hasn't happened the media creates something. Enough!

I just wonder what Jesus or Buddha or any other spiritual great would say. There are probably tears in that great beyond.

So today, I will keep some candles lit all day in remembrance especially of all the children who lost their lives in Newtown one year ago today. They are at peace but their loved ones are wondering why and grieving the loss of that innocent who left this plane of existence.

May this angel from "Rest in the Arms of Angels" on Facebook give some solace to those who grieve.

And may the world "get it." Violence begets more violence. That which a person dwells on usually occurs in one's life.

Dwell on Peace, Love, Charity this holiday season
and ALWAYS!

 

Namaste,

 

Mareda



Why?

Have you every asked "Why?" Why is this happening to me? Why am I in such a predicament? Why is this person in my life? or not in my life? Why? A little word. A big question. And usually asked when a person is in a rough spot or visiting that condo in the valley.

I've been asking myself the "why" question a lot lately. As a metaphysician, I believe our thoughts and wishes put us right where we are. This can be somewhat disturbing when the events of our lives are less than what we want.

My lot in life is really pretty good. I have my health, my daughter, my family, my furry family, my friends, a job, a warm home, etc. etc. Yet.....

I am in a very challenging environment. I have gone over and over in my mind about what I may have thought or affirmed to attract this into my life. Last evening, as I was meditating and praying, that still small voice whispered, "Maybe you are there for another reason, another person." Wow! A whole new perspective.

My mantra for the last 20 or so years has been from the Course in Miracles:

"I am here only to be truly helpful.

I am here to represent Him who sent me,

I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do for He who sent me will direct me.

I am content to be wherever He wishes knowing He goes there with me.

I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal."

 

Maybe the answer lies somewhere within this mantra. Maybe my perspective needs to change. Maybe I need to be a little more kind to me. Maybe I need to listen to that still small voice a little more.

 

Just maybe.......

 

Namaste,

Mareda