HAPPY HOLY HOLIDAYS!

I would love to take credit for the title of this blog entry but it wasn't an original from me. Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith used this in one of his Christmas emails and it resonated at a very deep level for me. 

So many people are upset when someone says Happy Holidays to them. Oh my gosh! Do you realize how blessed you are to have someone greet you or that you can hear the words? I think there are much bigger fish to fry than this greeting. 

We live in a melting pot of religions, traditions, nationalities and who knows what. Heaven forbid if we are politically incorrect. So when I heard Happy Holy Holidays, I figured this covered it all...Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza are celebrated around the same time in December. Earlier in December we have Bodhi Day and, of course, we have Festivus. I must admit I had to google this since I was not a fan of Seinfeld. If I missed any, I apologize.

So from my family to yours, 

Happy Holy Holidays!

Mareda, Ulya, Lucky Joe and the boys.

Be Careful What You Wish For...

As a child I often heard my grandmother say "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it." I did not pay attention as I was so sure I knew better. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the wisdom my grandmother possessed. She had not heard of the Law of Attraction nor had anyone else for that matter but she knew.

Over the last few years, if not my whole life, I've been searching for a purpose. Something to do as a career that is fulfilling and, yes, financially profitable. It has taken a lot of soul searching, visioning, meditating, praying and study to finally be comfortable saying I've found it.

I've worked in the medical field the majority of my life with a short foray into the field of adoption. Rewarding to an extent because I love working with the people who become not only patients or clients but also friends. However, all of these jobs have been just that...jobs. Not careers, not a purpose other than bringing in enough money to meet financial obligations.

Earlier in 2014, I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up and grow up I have. Life coaching is the answer. I've experienced a lot in my earth journey and have survived and thrived. Why not share with others the fruits of my labor? As I finally accepted that this was the path I wanted to travel, people started coming into my life to assist me on my way.

Reiki classes, coaching classes, and then the answer to the wish. And the answer was and is somewhat scary.

As I pondered my path, I would think and say "I really would like to work a 20 hour week at a job and have more time to develop my life coaching career." Well, guess who got her wish?

The owner of the physical therapy clinic where I work recently manifested her dream of becoming a state representative in Missouri. This necessitated changes in clinic hours which made my 40 hour work week become a 20 hour work week.

I look at this with mixed emotions. Very happy to have more time to relax and do all those things I have wanted to do but did not have the time or energy to do. Very happy to have the time to focus on my life coaching career. With all this happiness there is a bit of fear creeping in at various times when I think of my financial obligations. There will be less guaranteed income. So now it is up to me and my belief system to say no to the fear thoughts and know that my good is at hand.

Am I happy that my wish was granted? Yes. If it hadn't, I would have only marketed myself as a life coach on a limited basis. Now, I have the time and the energy to do what needs to be done. I have more time to devote to the spiritual practices that I love and that keep me centered in Truth.

So to the fear that creeps in I say "BEGONE." As the saying goes, "Do what you love; the money will follow." And as I become financially prosperous, I am able to do so much more for those charities I love.

Look out Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Good is coming your way.

Look out Shannon Foundation. Good is coming your way.

Look out world. I am ready, willing and able to be a channel for good in whatever way the Divine feels compelled to guide me.

My intention for 2015 is to affirm the Good (God) Life that is here right now.

Namaste,

Mareda

www.maredaeckert.com

What A Wonderful World!

As the 24 hour news continues to focus on all the horrific things that are going on in our world, we tend to forget about the good, the miracles, the beauty, the wonder of it all.  I saw this video on Facebook and felt compelled to share it. The song, "What A Wonderful World," has always been my favorite. Right now, I can see Louis "Satchomo" Armstrong singing it. Please enjoy the clip below and never forget that we do live in a wonderful world.

What a Wonderful World.

Today, make it your intention to be happy, thankful, and kinder to those you meet. It just might make a difference. 

Namaste, 

Mareda

PRAY FOR PEACE

I ask that everyone who reads my blog, please view this You Tube video of Reba McEntire and her song, "Pray For Peace."

This world needs peace not more guns, or more cars, or more cell phones, or other stuff. Of course, I am really thinking of Ferguson, Missouri and all the people there who have lost their livlihood. Please have this song as your mantra. Maybe if enough people, pray for peace.... Well, who knows. It sure couldn't hurt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i68Q8d4bpVg 

Namaste,

Mareda

What if?

'Tis the season for giving thanks. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States. I'm not totally sure if the majority of people get past the turkey and stuffing and "Black Friday" shopping to really think about what they have. So I am going to list some "what ifs." Think about them. Make comments if you wish. Share this blog if you'd like. Here goes.


What if...we looked at everything as a gift? The good, the bad, the ugly.
What if...we found something good in all experiences?
What if...we saw those people who seem to be difficult differently? As people with challenges just     like us.
What if...we were grateful that we live in a country where we can call our elected officials horrible     names and live to see the sun rise?
What if...we saw the messy house as a blessing? We have a house!
What if...we saw the job we hate as a blessing? We have a job! We get paid!
What if...we turned off the news when they continue to report only the bad?
What if...we respected all living beings instead of demeaning those with whom we disagree?
What if...we waited to judge another until we had all the facts?
What if...we respected everyone as the divine incarnation they really are regardless of race, creed,       sexual orientation or political party?
What if...we refused to get caught up with the negative?
What if...we gave of ourselves to others who are living a less than abundant life?

What if, what if, what if? This could go on and on. As I wrote the above "what ifs," I realized how I get caught up in some of the things that aggravate me. I must admit I am an evolving soul not yet an evolved soul.

This Thanksgiving I plan on being kinder, being happier, being less likely to criticize, and being gratefull for the many blessings I have.

How about you? What will you truly be thankful for beside the turkey and stuffing?

Happy Thanksgiving!






Namaste,

Mareda

November

No work for me today. At least not at my usual place of employment. The physical therapy clinic is campaign headquarters for Lavender for State Representative. I'm sure hustle and bustle is what it is all about and later a celebration for a successful campaign...I hope. This post is about something else. Something that is very near and dear to my heart. Adoption.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. The focus of this month is the adoption of children in foster care. It is true that my daughter came to me through international adoption and it is also true that I worked in international adoption for a few years; however, there are so many children in the foster care system needing homes. I honestly do not know much about the foster care system in this country. I do know that the majority of international adoptions have been halted by governmental bulls#@%. 

This is a short post but one that encourages those of you who would like to add one or two children to your family to consider adoption. Do it because your heart is open and you are ready to take on whatever challenges come your way.  My daughter has completed my life in so many ways.

 

She has grown from a cute little girl of seven

to a beautiful young woman of 24.

As Wayne Dyer said in a lecture many years ago, "Our children get to us...one way or another." 

CONSIDER ADOPTION!

Namaste,

Mareda

Voting!

This coming Tuesday, November 4 is election day in the United States. Although not a presidential election, it is a very important election. I'm sure many who are reading this blog wonder how in the world this has anything to do with mysticism, metaphysics or spirituality. The actual voting may not have much to do with these things but the manner in which one campaigns has everything to do with it. 

I am appalled at the manner in which most campaigns are run. If a political candidate cannot run down their opponent with mistruths or downright lies, they turn to other types of dirty politics. Let's pretend we are them and treat others rudely. Let's insult another's lifestyle. On and on we go. How low can we go? It would seem pretty low.

There are very few class acts in town. At least, so it seems. Maybe the class acts want to remain class acts and feel they just don't want to get drawn into the world of "dirty politics." 

Where has working together gone? We do not have to agree on everything but we can work together in a decent manner. This country claims to be one based on Christianity. If this type of politics is the Christian way, I want no part of Christianity. I have a feeling Jesus would feel the same way. 

I think about Robert Fulghum's book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kndergarten." 

"Think what a better world it would be if we all-the whole world-had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are-when you go out into the world it is best to hold hands and stick together."

There are politicians who are class acts, who want to do good, and who run their campaigns based on truth and ethics. I hope that when you vote (and I hope you do get out and vote) you consider this when you choose your candidate. 

Many have fought long and hard for the right to vote. I will be voting as will my daughter on Tuesday. Will you be voting?

Namaste,

Mareda