Stories

Yesterday evening I came across Gabrielle Bernstein's website. She is one of many motivational speakers and coaches appearing in our world today. As I watched some of her videos and listened to her, I felt a connection.

One remark she made especially resonated with me. She said we all have "our story/stories." Her message stressed the importance of sharing stories especially for those who are called to be "lightworkers." This morning as I scrolled through Facebook, I came across another message from another lightworker also indicating the importance of sharing stories. Having been around the metaphysical block a couple of times, I took this as a message from the Universe or God or Mind that it was time for me to share my stories. So here goes my first story.

A long, long time ago, I had pitched a tent in the land of despair. Newly divorced, lonely, unhappy. There was not a negative emotion that I did not feel. Misery was my constant companion. However, even in the midst of all this despair, something within me knew there was a better way. I had pretty much given up on God. Lost, alone, miserable. I gave the God I knew then an ultimatum that I really needed help and if He existed,I expected a miracle. The miracle I wanted didn't come right away so I went to the grocery store.

At that time I shopped at a Kroger store at Big Bend and 141. Kroger no longer exists in St. Louis and the building is now and has been vacant for years. But that shopping trip changed my life. 

For some unknown reason to me then, I went to the section with paperback books. I really wasn't interested in getting another one. Heaven knows I had enough to start my own book store. My eyes and attention went to the self-help books. This was not my usual choice of a book. I was into romantic novels where the handsome man would rescue the helpless maiden and they would live happily ever after. I remember thinking why am I looking at these books and turned my attention to my usual literary genre. The next thing I knew this book fell, yes fell, into my cart. It was written by a woman I had never heard of but the title hooked me. "The Inner Path From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be" by Terry Cole-Whittaker. Not really realizing what had just happened, I bought the book. My miracle manifested at the book section of a Kroger store!

That was 30 years ago. In that book, I discovered so many thing about life, about God, about me. I also discovered Religious Science. Another book led me to The First Church of Religious Science in St. Louis. That book was the Yellow Pages. The first time I stepped into that church I was at home. It was the first step of a path I continue to follow. 

Do I believe that book was about ready to fall anyway? No. Do I believe that a Power greater than me picked that book up and put it in my cart? You bet your sweet life I do. There are no accidents. Did my life immediately become easy and sweet? No.Was my path easy and clear? No.  But from that moment on, I realized that I was not alone. I no longer believed in the God of my chldhood. I now knew God was so much more than a bearded man in the sky. 

This is my first story. There are many others. What are your stories? 

Namaste,

Mareda

Change

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. The first time I heard someone make that statement, I shook my head and thought this was so wrong. However as time has passed, I find this statement to be true. I also find this to be comforting.

What if every day of our lives stayed the same. I'm sure many who are reading this think their days are the same. Wake up, go to work, come home, get dinner, do chores, go to bed, and repeat this same scenario the next day and the next. But are they really the same or do we keep them the same?

My life is changing again as it has many times over the years. I've prayed about this current change, meditated upon it, taken steps to move it forward. And now that the momentum is increasing, I find that an old feeling is trying to make headway into my psyche. Fear. It creeps in when I am falling asleep. My old friend, the ego, making sure my sleep doesn't come easily. It creeps in when unexpected events occur in my life that might affect my finances. It creeps in when I question my heartfelt desires. It creeps in when I question my self worth.

Yesterday, I allowed fear to be my buddy. I embraced it for what it was. I cried. I took a nap. I invited it into my meditation. I examined it and then bid it farewell. Fear is a product of not recognizing our truth. It comes to us in moments when we are weary, when we feel off center, when we forget our source.

I remembered during the process of embracing my fear that I am bigger than it is. I remembered that I had asked for change to occur. I remembered that change can be scary when trust is missing.

So today, I shall continue to move forward. I shall continue to do my mental work. I shall continue to know that I am a child of God. I shall continue to live life on this plane of existence loving every experience. I shall continue to know that I am more than enough. And when I doubt, I shall love myself even more.

Most importantly, I shall remember why I came to this planet at this particular time. Why?

To Love and to be a Healing Presence!

Why are you here? 

Namaste,

Mareda

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