Imagine

A short message today. 

A very important message today. 

A dream today. 

Maybe someday......

Imagine!

John Lennon's Imagine!

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one.

                                ~ John Lennon

Peace and Blessings,

Mareda

Kindness and Respect.

Over the past few months, I have become more and more frustrated with the lack of kindness and respect exhibited by many people. I really do not understand why differences of opinion must elicit such hateful and rude comments.

As it is getting close to a major election, many of these comments are politically based; however, they have been present for a long time. Why is it necessary to be hateful when one does not agree with a political party or the person(s) who work within that party? I must admit I think back to comments I may have made about various people and wonder if I was that rude and intolerant. Maybe, but I know that now I will opt to criticize the ideology not the person. Hopefully this can be done in a constructive manner.

I recognize the fact that it is imperative that I not look at comments on Facebook and other social media. It seems that this is fertile ground for angry insults and degradation of various people and beliefs. That being said, I do sometimes succumb to viewing comments. Recently one really challenged me to keep my opinion to myself or lower myself to the same type of insults I was reading.

The post was about Planned Parenthood. I do not choose to go into the pros and cons about this organization. What disturbed me was the comment made by one particular person. This person indicated he/she was a Catholic who was Pro Life. They went on to say that the idiot liberal Pro Choice Democrats were the ones murdering babies, etc.etc. There was more to the post but it really isn't necessary to elaborate on the comments.

I am one of those liberal Democrats who is Pro Choice. I am not an idiot. I am not pro abortion. I have different opinions based on life experience and personal beliefs.

If I remember correctly, Jesus taught to cease judgment, to forgive, to love and to care for others. Obviously this person missed the message.

Why can't we discuss things rationally? Years ago I worked with a young woman who was as spiritually opposite me in her beliefs as anyone could be. At lunch we would discuss our beliefs. We did this with respect. She honored my opinions and I honored hers. Neither one of us changed the other one's mind but we understood each other just a little bit better. Such a shame more of these discussions are not taking place now.

All the great spiritual leaders of the past have taught love and acceptance. Is this so easy to forget or do we get so caught up in something we believe that we just don't give a damn about other peoples feelings?

What can we do to heal this anger and rudeness?

Treat others as we wish to be treated.

Be kind.

Bless those who are mean and hateful because they need it most. 

and

Remember the Golden Rule. It can be found in every faith tradition as shown below. 

Love and Blessings,

Mareda

Hate, Fear, Love or....DIVINE LOVE.

Hate is defined as an intense or passionate dislike usually deriving from fear, anger or a sense of injury.

Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection.

The metaphysical definition of Love is that it is a divine attribute; it is an idea in the One Mind. God is Love and Love is God, or a quality in Being. The difference between Divine Love and human love is that Divine Love is  broad and unlimited, a universal and harmonizing power. Human love is based on personality and is selfish, lawless and fickle.

So what does this all mean?

Hatred is such a wasted emotion. Sure, I say there are certain things I "hate." This continuous rain for one thing. Of course, I am sure my friends in California would give thanks for some of it. I also hate the injustices that are rampant in our culture. Injustices that I really feel come from an underlying fear of the unknown.

Fear of the unknown. How many of us are somewhat fearful going into a dark room that we've never entered before? Will we trip over something? Is there someone lurking there? Fear of meeting new people. Will they like me? Will I like them?

Jerry Jampolsky says fear is the absence of love. I agree but I also know that it can be rather challenging to feel a deep affection for people you fear or who have committed a horrible deed against their fellow man. So what does one do?

This is where God comes in. God, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad. Turn to the deity who best emulates Divine Love for you and be with this Presence. Let Divine Love permeate every cell of your being. Allow Divine Love to be your driving force. This does not mean we condone acts of violence. It means we pour so much Love into the fear and hatred that seems to be defining us that it MUST evaporate into oblivion.

Today I send Love and Blessings to the people of Charleston, SC. I also send Love and Blessings to those people who hate. They hate for reasons only they know. May Divine Love challenge their beliefs and bring them to an epiphany of Love.

ALL LIVES MATTER! 

Namaste'

Mareda

Our Furry and Feathered Families

Anyone who knows me knows that I value the lives of my furry and feathered family members. Oh, what the heck, I value the lives of all God's creatures. However, dogs, cats, birds, chickens, bunnies and even those bratty squirrels mean a lot to me.

In April, two chickens joined the Eckert clan. Roxie and Ruby are quite the handful. They love to escape from the yard when they are allowed to roam out of their coop. They also love to lay their eggs under the deck. This is really not acceptable but they just don't listen no matter how much I explain this to them. So, every night for the last few nights either I go under the deck to retrieve the eggs or my daughter's boyfriend does. Such fun!



My family also includes two elderly gentlemen, my cats. Spookie and Damien are both getting up there. Damien will actually be "legal" soon. He has reached the ripe, old age of 21. And it shows. Sometimes, no one seems to be at home. There can be some trying times dealing with these two. By the way, I'm not into witchcraft. The names were chosen since they were both rescued around Halloween.


And, of course, there is Lucky Joe. My beloved lab mix who is going to be 14 this July. Such a love! He is also showing his age. The hips just don't want to do what he wants them to do. He is lovingly called Grandpa around here.

Then there are the birds I feed. The ones who somehow get into my sun room and need to be rescued. The rabbits who hop around at nightfall. And we can't forget the squirrels who love to eat bird seed and tomatoes. So far this year they have left the tomatoes alone. Maybe my threats to shoot them have made them believers. If they only knew I am so against guns and would never allow one in my home.

You may be wondering why this long discourse on my family. As well as the love I have for those furry and feathered family members, I also deeply care for those animals who are abused and tortured. I just don't understand the mentality of some people. Why would you have a pet, chain it, starve it, beat it, etc.?

I just read the latest rescue by Randy Grim of Stray Rescue of St. Louis. A dog who was chained was found hanging on a fence. Although Randy was able to rescue Gustav and get him to a vet, he didn't make it. He did receive loving care and hugs and kisses for his final few hours here on earth. Here is a link if you'd like to read about ""Gustav" and Stray Rescue: http://strayrescue.org/gustav. As far as I am concerned, Randy, his staff and all those other "angels" who work with rescue groups are as close to walking on water as anyone I know.

Yes, I know abuse is rampant all over. Spousal abuse, child abuse, so many abused. My heart cries when I think about it.

So, what can I do about it? I can spread love and kindness to everyone I meet and encounter. Especially to those who are mean and hateful. They need it the most.

Will you be a little more loving? Remember this song by the Beatles:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydfH7iuLR0I

Namaste',

Mareda

Successful sabotage.

A strange title but one that probably hits home for many of us. I know it does for me. If I am honest with myself, I see many ways that I have sabotaged my success or at least minimally delayed it. 

As many of you know, my main goal in my life at this time is to become a successful life coach. I've got the certification, the business cards, the brochures, the website, the Facebook page, etc. So why don't I have clients beating down my door? Well......

I recognize that success doesn't come overnight. Truth be told, an "overnight success" probably worked years to become just that. Success comes with commitment and dedication. I have commitment and dedication. So what is   going on?

A few weeks ago when I was bemoaning my fate to some friends, they reminded me that I am sowing the seeds for success in all that I am doing. Just as plants don't become mature overnight, neither do desires. You have to "move your feet" to see results. I've planted the seeds. However, I don't see any sprouts pushing through the soil. Why?

As much as I do not like to admit it, I see where I have been very successful in sabotaging my success or at least delaying it to a degree.  Here are a few examples.

Some months ago, my coach called and asked if I could fill in for her at a marketing event. It was at the last minute and I declined. Yes, I was scheduled to work that day but this was only for a couple of hours. I could have adjusted my work hours to fit this in. I also could have marketed my coaching business. One opportunity lost.

This blog is another good example. I created it to share my thoughts and feelings but also with the idea that it just might draw clients to me. So my last entry before this was in March. I don't have an explanation for this one. 

And then there is that "stinking thinking" also known as negative thinking. The thoughts arise that I am so busy and so tired, I wouldn't have the time or energy. Other thoughts come up that I really don't know what I'm doing. Thoughts that people don't want to or can't pay for a coach creep in. A quote from the Science of Mind Magazine for July says "If we are to experience success, we cannot afford to give any power to negative thinking or any power..."

What to do? What to do? 

STOP! Be grateful! Visualize success! Reverse all negative thoughts to the positive opposite! Be available! And trust that at the perfect time, success will push through the mental soil that has been cultivated with positive thoughts, weeded for the negative ones, and nourished with meditation and visulatization. 

I've had opportunities come to me. I chose to deny those opportunities. I have been very successful at sabotaging my success. Where do you sabotage your success? Be honest with yourself. It could be in a career, a relationship, health, weight, prosperity. 

I'm going on record right now that a successful coaching career is my #1 priority. When opporutnities arise, I shall take them and know that all else will fall into place. How about you?

Namaste,

Mareda

The Mystical Magic of Spring

For the last few weeks, we have been blessed with many spring-like days. Even though it is still March, life is beginning to sprout all over the place. The birds are busy building nests and waking me before dawn with their songs of joy. I've even seen a mosquito! The weather may still change but spring is on the horizon.


As I took my afternoon walk, I decided to capture spring in photos along the way so here goes.

Enjoy!

I must step onto my soapbox before I finish this blog entry. Many of us, myself included, have used or use chemcals to kill weeds, to fertilize our grass, etc. I ask each of you who read this blog to think and then think again before using these types of chemicals. It is my belief that they are slowly killing our planet, first the bees and then.... Well, I really don't want to go there. If you absolutely must use weed killer, wipe it onto the leaves of the weed you want to destroy. At least it won't get into the soil and air.  However, my suggestion is to either let the weeds grow so they can fulfill their purpose or get down on your knees, sit on your butt and pull them. Get dirty. Get in touch with Mother Earth. 

As I step off my soapbox, I wish you all a Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover. 

Namaste,

Mareda

Lift Every Voice and Sing

The title of this post is the first sentence in the "Negro National Anthem" also known as the "Black National Anthem." I had never heard this song before today. A friend made a presentation at church commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. She ended with this song. A very appropriate song for Dr. King but also for this time of conflict in our world. Here is the link.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

As I think about these words and as I continue to read "The Warmth of Other Suns," I wonder how much longer it will take for true equality to appear on Planet Earth. It seems that with all our education, we still remain uneducated in the path of love. The whites hate the blacks, the Christians hate the Muslims, the rich hate the poor and vice versa. All our enlightened men and women of history have taught love. Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Gandhi to name a few taught love and non-violence. Throughout history their teachings have been corrupted by a few who want us to believe they speak for the spiritual tradition. 

Our ignorance and inner fear keep us from accepting the uniqueness of others. As someone who has always been opposed to teaching religion in schools maybe religion should be taught. A complete and thorough understanding of all the religions of the world might just bring us to a better understanding of our world. Teaching the customs and traditions of all nationalities might bring us to a place of acceptance. 

As I step down from my soapbox, I'd like to end this entry with a new song by Tobey Keith. It fits well into what I've discussed. Getting along as one people. Enjoy. 

Drunk Americans 

Namaste,

Mareda