A Kinder World

When I first sat down to write in my blog, I was going to talk about all the unkindess and intolerance in this world, about the anger and injustice. However, after meditating abut this and telling the Divine I really needed guidance, I saw this post on Facebook from Pookie:

"Just back from Ferguson.... morning rain...cleansing the streets...people out cleaning up and there is a feeling of peace after another night of unrest. Continue to pray for my beloved city...and for all the blessed beings who call it home...Sending love to you and yours...Be Love, Be Loved, Beloved..."

You may read this and think that all this says is that there was more unrest, more looting, more anger. All of this is true but there was so much more and there continues to be so much more. 

What is the "so much more?" The truth is there are good people in this world. Lots of them! People of all colors, ages, faiths and nationalities. These people come to clean up neighborhoods that are foreign to them. They come bringing Peace, Love, Light and Kindnesss. Sad to say but they do not get the same press as those who destroy and feed on the negative. Their deeds do not make the nightly news.

My request today is that we stop sharing the negative, that which perpetuates the idea of injuustice and hatred. There is absolutely no need to make another look bad and evil to justify a point or action if peace is truly our desire.

Today, I salute the Pookies, the Melissa's, the honorable police officers and civic leaders, and all the citizens of this community who are looking for positive solutions. For those of us who are not physically there to help, let us take a moment to pray for a peaceful and kinder solution to the violence in Ferguson/St. Louis.  And....

Every day, let us look at our fellow man and woman as the expression of God that they truly are. They may not even be aware of the Divine Spark that resides within them. Maybe as we see it, they too will see it and lives will change. 

My intention for today and in the future is to be a kinder soul, 

to treat everyone as the Divine Being of Light that they truly are. I shall look through the "eyes" of my heart. 

Namaste,

Mareda

We Are All One

There seems to be so much anger, hatred and separation everywhere you look. I hear people say "maybe we should just drop a bomb and get rid of them all" not really talking about any one country or class of people specifically. The Russians are terrible. (Some of my best friends are Russian and I can attest to the fact that they are not terrible.) This politician hates that politician. On and on we go. All I can say is there is a great feeling of sadness that comes over me when I allow this type of "stinking thinking" into my consciousness.

I'm currently reading the latest book by Dennis Merritt Jones, "Your (Re) Defining Moments." (A very good book which I high recommend.) There is a quote from Rumi in Chapter 13, The One Thing We All Have in Common, that I would like you to consider:

"Not Christian or Jew, Muslim, no Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, Zen. Not any religion or culture system. I am not from the East or the West, not out of the ocean or up from the ground, not nautral or ethereal, not composed of elements at all...I belong to the Beloved, have seen the two worlds as One and that One call to know, first, last, outer, inner, only that breath breathing Human Being."                                                                                             

Once again, John Lennon comes to mind. His songs continue to bring a message of peace and unity.

Namaste,

Mareda

                

Who Are You....Really?

Have you ever thought about that question? Sure we can say our name, what we do for a living, or something profound like "I am a spiritual being having a human experience." I'm looking for something more.

I have discovered over the last few weeks that I am living in a state of denial about who I am and how I want to express in this human experience. Becoming more and more self-aware, there was an instance that could be compared to that divine 2 x 4 smacking me on the side of the head.

A week or so ago, as I was talking with my financial adviser (yes, I finally decided I needed some guidance), he asked what I intended to do as far as continuing to work. Well, I knew what I wanted to do and I knew what I wanted to say; however, speaking the words that answered his question was very challenging. All sorts of questions came to the forefront of my mind.  Is he going to think I am a nutcase? Will he even know what I am talking about? With all the courage I could muster, I told him.

Now I'm telling all who read this blog:

I am now a 2nd Degree Reiki Practitioner. By the end of the year, I will be a certified Personal Mastery Life Coach. I have been a Science of Mind Practitioner for many years. I write a blog on spiritual and mystical topics. 

So how did my financial advisor react:. Well, turns out his mother is a Reiki Practitioner and he knows a few Life Coaches. He didn't think I was strange at all! He even said he was really interested in mystical and metaphysical topics.

What does this tell me? What does it tell you?

Live your truth! If someone thinks you are crazy, so be it! And there will be some who think you are certifiably nuts but it really doesn't matter. There will be just as many people who are interested, who may need your services, or who are in awe of you doing exactly what you want to do. It has taken me six decades to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. It feels so good to know and it feels even better to tell the world!

No, I am not ready to retire. I am ready to take the next twenty or so years to do what I feel guided to do.

My advice to those of you who want to speak their truth or move toward their goals is to take this advice from Star Trek whose "five-year mission was to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before."

"BE BOLD, 

EXPLORE STRANGE NEW WORLDS, 

SEEK OUT A NEW LIFE,

GO WHERE YOU HAVE NEVER GONE BEFORE., 

and

BY ALL MEANS, 

HAVE FUN!!!!!

Namaste,

Mareda

A Little Girl Named Lily

We have all seen and heard stories about children and adults who are experiencing such severe challenges in their human experience that the question comes up as to why. Why did this happen? How could such a terrible thing occur to an infant or toddler? Of course, the biggest question: Why would God let this happen?

I do not claim to have THE answer but I do have a lot of thoughts about this. I've mulled this over in my mind many times in the past but never to the extent as recently. I have a little girl named Lily Grace to thank for this.

Lily Grace, age 4

A couple of my Facebook friends and fellow adoptive parents were always posting about this little girl. For some reason, I did not feel compelled to read about her. However, one day I did read about her and have been hooked ever since.

A little girl from China, orphaned and classified as "terminal" based on so many medical conditions touched my soul. Adopted two years ago, she has had four open heart surgeries during this time span and now has received a gift that surpasses all others...a new heart. And we (I) ask why. 

Some schools of thought suggest that before a soul comes into the human experience, they choose the "lesson" they are to learn in this Earth School. Makes sense to me because there is no way I could believe a loving God would choose this for anyone. Maybe Lily knew she had a purpose bigger than being a cute toddler. Maybe she knew that this health challenge would bring together over 5,000 Facebook friends from all over the world. Maybe she knew that people of all faiths would join in prayer to bring love and healing to her. Maybe, just maybe, her journey is on a fast-track to bring healing to this world in ways none of us could possible fathom. 

What about the child who is no longer having a human experience? What about the family who is grieving the loss of their child yet generous enough to give a heart to another? Sad. Very sad. Maybe this is part of a much grander scheme than we can imagine. It is said a child shall lead. Maybe these two little ones are leading all the adults who think they know. 

Lily is just one of many children who touch our souls. We read about children every day who surmount all odds and survive challenges that we find difficult to understand. We also read about children who bravely leave this human experience but leave a legacy that shall stand into eternity. 

To all the parents who have a child or children who are experiencing health or emotional challenges, I suggest that maybe you are blessed. No, it isn't easy. No, it isn't fun. But maybe your child has chosen you to give you an experience of divine bliss. Our children get to us by birth or adoption or fostering. And maybe even just being there for the child down the street who needs a loving and supportive adult in their life. 

From this moment on, I shall continue to pray for Lily and the soul who's heart now beats in Lily's chest. I shall also pray for all the children who have chosen (yes, chosen) the difficult road. I shall also pray for those who are traveling with them along this road. 

I leave you with this from Ecclesiastes 3:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

For those of you who would like to follow along with Lily's journey, there is an open group on Facebook: 

Praying for Lily

Namaste,

Mareda

When will we ever learn?

Once again this world seems to be in a state of upheaval with the threat of war looming over the heads of many nations. When will we learn that what we are doing to stop the violence and hate just doesn't work? We have all heard the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different answer. The answer lies much deeper than what we have tried. It is quite apparent that what we have been doing is not working.

I remember years ago during the Cuban missile crisis when Russian ships were headed to Cuba...just 90 miles from Miami. The fear that encompassed everyone. Those "horrible" Russians were going to start a war. Wow! what a difference a few decades has made for me.

For the last 15 years, I've had the privilege of living with a Russian, my wonderful daughter. I also have the privilege of knowing and considering many Russians some of my dearest friends. Traveling in Russia I discovered that the citizens of that country are just like me. We all want peace, love and happiness.

This truth lies within the hearts of all people, all nationalities, all races, all religions. Peace, love and happiness are that for which we strive. So how can we manage to manifest this on earth?

It is my opinion that we need to let the differences fall to the wayside when we interact with others. Let the color of a persons skin, the clothing they wear, the language they speak fade into oblivion. See the soul inside the person. Soul to soul we are one. There is no separation.

Sometimes, it can be hard. We all meet people who are unhappy, angry, cruel, and more. How do we handle this? I think the following insert that appeared on my Facebook page says it all.

Neale Donald Wash author of the "Conversations with God" books has much to say about this at: http://www.theglobalconversation.com/.

Will things change overnight to bring about peace on earth? No, but change will occur. I intend to do my part by sending healing energy especially to the leaders of the United States, the Russian Federation and the Ukraine. May these powerful countries be an example to the world that change can come through peaceful negotiations. 

Namaste,

Mareda

Turning off the noise

As I continue on my journey of change in this new year, I am discovering how exciting it is. Just saying "yes" has been so illuminating. Doors are appearing and some are opening; others remain closed so I just move on to another door. Sort of reminds me of that game show long ago (at least I don't think it is on anymore) where you had to choose your prize from Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3. What door holds my prize or do they all hold a prize for me? Probably.

I have completed Reiki I and am scheduled for Reiki II this coming Saturday. Wow! the energy is moving. Meditations have been deeper. A white owl showed up in one meditation about 10 days ago with a confirmation of good for me. My dreams are so vivid and real. I've not been moved to interpret them but feel there is meaning or closure or both.

Yesterday, I "love-streamed" a class from Agape Live on From the Center Out: Be Pulled By Your Vision with Michael Bernard Beckwith! Although I've done classes on visioning here in St. Louis and have read his book "Spiritual Liberation" which discusses visioning, this class was so perfect for me right now. Beyond his self-proclaimed "weirdness," he is a very wise and wonderful human being.

I first met the Rev. about 30 or so years ago. He was here for the ordination of Rev. Annie Clark. At that time, he was just beginning his "official" spiritual journey as a minister. Impressed isn't really the word for how I felt after hearing him speak. Not meaning any disrespect to my Baptist friends, I described his message as that of a Baptist minister at a revival but sharing New Thought principles. His journey was beginning and continues to grow. He is spreading a vision of God's Love and Truth.

Getting back to the class, I discovered something beyond that which was being taught. During the class some of my daughter's friends came over and were in our lower level aka basement playing games. Quite loudly I might add. Trying to listen to a class and meditate is rather difficult with an ever-increasing noise level. I found my ear plugs, plugged them in and was transported to Agape in Los Angeles. The experience was such that I felt totally enveloped in the Love that is Agape. The noise from downstairs could not be heard nor could the cars passing by my house. I had tuned out everything but the class. I was totally in the here and now.

This proved to me that in order to thrive spiritually, it is an absolute MUST to tune out the chatter, the noise, the nonsense of negativity and fear. It may not be as easy as plugging in ear plugs but someway, somehow we must find a way to rise above the negative noise in our world.

How can this be done?

Pray,

Meditate,

Turn off the news,

Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people,

Know that the presence of God/Good is everywhere,

and

Be gentle with yourself.

Happy Sunday! By the way, it may be 47 days till the official arrival of SPRING but the birds are singing like it is right around the corner. This morning, a Blue Jay greeted me with his song of praise. Later I saw a Mockingbird singing his song and a bright red Cardinal peered at me from the bare red bud tree in my yard. Of course, maybe they are just singing praise for a new day. Loving it no matter why. 

Namaste,

Mareda

The Gift of Today

I woke up to a blanket of snow. Not a huge amount but enough to create a driver's frenzy on the roads of St. Louis. With the arrival of this most recent snow, I was gifted with an unexpected day off. Tuesdays are usually days when I market the PT clinic where I work; however, the roads were not that safe and a text message said "stay home today." Such a gift!

I have been told that 2014 is a year of change. For me, I welcome this change. After all the years I've been on this planet, I think I finally have discovered what I want to do "when I grow up." It isn't written in granite yet but it sure is getting close. I embarked on a spiritual path quite different from that of my childhood in 1985. The path has been a catalyst for me in so many ways. Yet, I've still been challenged to find that which I am to accomplish in this lifetime. It has become more and more apparent that I no longer belong in an office setting doing administrative work. I've been there and done that. So what is it that I am to do?

I feel quite comfortable at last to say my purpose at this time is to facilitate healing and spiritual growth of those seeking it. So many times, I have had people tell me "do what you love and all your needs will be met." This always resonated as Truth but I was never sure of what it was that I loved. Something has happened within me. Maybe as we spend more years on this planet, wisdom finds its way into our psyche. All I can say for certain today is that I am content and happy.

Affirmation for today:

Just for today, I am happy and grateful to be alive.

I am amazed and in awe of all of the beauty and good in my life. 

In gratitude, I let it be.

Namaste,

Mareda