Peace ~ Harmony ~ Laughter ~ Love

In the past when I recommend meditation as a means to relieve stress or gain more inner peace, I've come across some resistance when I suggest using a mantra. Just the term "mantra" seems to bring up feelings of fear. This baffles me but ingrained belief systems are powerful.

This morning the following image appeared in my Facebook feed. I'm sharing it with you as I feel this could be a way to connect to that spot within that is Divine. With Namaste Cafe's permission, here is the image.

Five minutes a day could change your life experience. Try it. You might just like it. And, check out Namaste Cafe Facebook page. 

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

Sometimes Everything Just Works Out

Have you ever wonder why events in your life just seem to work out? I have. There are days that everything just falls into place. No challenges, or so it seems. No unkind people, or so it seems. Why does this happen?

Today is one of those days. Yesterday was one of those days. Wow, I must be on a roll.

In retrospect I think I know why. I am going with the flow and trusting. No resistance. No worrying. Just letting it all go and choosing to focus on all that is right in my life.

I had plans this weekend. I was going to install raised beds for the garden I plan to have this summer. I had young people to help, had a plan to buy 16 forty pound bags of soil, and was on my way to Home Depot to buy a new and improved shovel. Before Friday came to a conclusion my help couldn't help and snow showers were predicted for Sunday. What?!?!?!?

I must admit I was rather frustrated about this change in plans. The thought did run through my mind that if I were a bit younger and more fit I could do this myself. I wouldn't need anyone to help. I used to do things like this all the time. However, that is no longer my reality. This body I live in requires a bit of maintenance and care it didn't require 30 years ago.

As I moved through my day, I made the decision to go with the flow. Okay, no garden this weekend. Maybe it is too early anyway. After all it isn't even April.

With that decision, the sun came out in my world and all was well. Could it be that the decisions we make color our world? I think so.

We are living in a time of unrest, anger and division in this great country of ours. It is great already no matter what some people say. Maybe, just maybe, we need to believe this. Maybe, just maybe, we need to make the choice that life is for us and not against us. Maybe, just maybe, we who believe in kindness, compassion, inclusion and love could speak out loud and clear about our beliefs. Love and Light shatter the darkness. It is the responsibility of the Lightworkers of this world to be the Love, Kindness and Compassion we think is missing. We are stronger than any force of apparent greed, hatred and anger.

My intention today is to be the Love, Light and Compassion the Divine instilled in me at the moment of my creation. What about you? Can you stop complaining about the insanity and become the positive opposite?

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

This may not be the easiest thing to do. I will be the first to admit there is a tremendous amount of anger and hatred circling our globe. Turning off the news on TV may be an option. Staying away from the Internet and Facebook might be another. Or maybe when something negative and hateful turns up in your news feed or on the TV, you can just bless the source with Love and Light. This could just change the world.  It's worth a try.

Peace and blessings to everyone today and always.

Mareda

525,600 Minutes

There are 525,600 minutes in a year. How do you choose to spend these minutes?  In hate? In anger? In fear? or In love? I saw this You Tube video just now on Facebook and decided this was what I wanted to share on my blog.

Seasons of Love

This is only a song but it has a very important message. I love the "what ifs" in life. Love. This is what the world needs. Not more money. Not more guns. Not more things. Love toward all. 

Be the love you wish to see in the world.

By the way, this is Leap Year. You have an additional 1440 minutes to love. Sweetness.

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

A New Day, A New Year

Today is the first day of 2016. The morning greeted me with sunshine streaming into my windows. Quite a welcome relief from the seemingly never-ending rain and gloom that ended 2015 with more than a little splash. This area of the country in Missouri and Illinois is still reeling from flooding that swept away homes, closed highways and left too many people with water in their basements and homes.

When the flood of 1993 occurred, a friend told me she thought it was Mother Nature's way of cleansing the negativity that permeated our world. Maybe. Heaven knows that this world is presently saturated in a blanket of fear, hatred and anger. Between this negativity and what we are doing to our environment, I feel certain Mother Nature is downright pissed at our actions and reactions. Maybe the rain is a result of climate change or maybe a slap on the side of the head to tell us to wake up.

My childhood home was right next to a small stream. It was a place where I played for many hours with my cousin Kurt. We would catch minnows and release them. We would build towns on the banks of the stream. When the rain came this little stream was anything buy little. It overflowed and became a mighty force with which to be reckoned. I remember the fear that consumed me then. What would we do? How could we fix this?

During my marriage, my former husband and I lived in the country. We had a great deal of land and decided that our back yard needed to become a lake. The dam was constructed over many months and in one afternoon during a very heavy rain, a three acre lake was filled to overflowing. I walked around the house ringing my hands in fear. What would we do? How could we fix this?

In 1993, the might Mississippi became mightier and flooded its banks. A whole town in Illinois was wiped out. Valmeyer is now in the history books as a once flourishing small town of friendly people. My parents lived near a flood plane. They were senior citizens. What if the levee broke? How could they escape? Fear consumed me. What would we do? How could we fix this?

I share these examples because during this time of flooding I am not reacting in fear, however, I am wondering what to do and how to fix it. I have some thoughts about this.

You see, I do believe we have created these disasters at a level beyond human comprehension. God or the Universe or whatever you want to call a higher power did not do this to us in retribution for some wrong we have committed. The human population must take responsibility. Our anger and hatred creates an atmosphere that draws negative experiences to us. Our disregard for human life and the life of Planet Earth perpetuates the death of all that is good. Enough about that disasters and negativity. I have an idea or two to change this downward spiral to one that rises above and shines a light on all humanity.

In 2016, my intention is to live life fully and completely. I shall love, laugh, and be more compassionate to everyone, particularly those who need it the most. Here are some examples of what I intend to do.

 1. Smile more
 2. Laugh more
 3. Love more
 4. Meditate more
 5. Surround myself with positive and loving people
 6. Give more love to those who need it most
 7. Take things less seriously
 8. See the good in every experience
 9. Give to those in need (financially) whenever possible
10. Be gentle with myself
11. Be a steward to Mother Earth
12. Trust the Universe
and
13. Turn off the news and block negativity from my newsfeed on Facebook.

This year of 2015 was a good year. Yes, two very special fur babies were sent across the Rainbow Bridge but they were loved beyond explanation.

Lucky Joe and Spookie

are running free now. 

Happy and pain free. 

Their love remains here as does

 the essence of their beingness. 

We have a new fur baby, Rasha. 

She graces our home with love and lots of snores. 

Doesn't think much of vacuums or smudging though. 

My two jobs are now decreased to only one. It is a pleasure to work with like-minded people who laugh and treat others with respect and compassion. Although my coaching career did not take off as planned, this is a new year and I am ready to be successful and help others be successful in return.


I welcome 2016 with open arms and expect this year to be great! It has been said many times by many people to be the change you wish to see in the world. My request of you is to do just that. Turn off the anger, the hate, the animosity, the fear. Love your neighbor as yourself. If I am not mistaken, I believe that is what a great teacher and mystic professed. Seeds of hate grow hatred. Seeds of love grow love. What seeds do you want to plant this year?

It isn't easy to overcome fear and negativity. It has taken me years to get to where I am today. I have discovered methods to bring more peace into your personal world which in turn can bring about universal change.

Wouldn't it be loverly to see this world change into one of love and acceptance?

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

Please contact me if you are interested in moving beyond fear.

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For the Love of a Dog

This entry is not about the movie of the same name as the title. Rather it is a dedication to the life of and a tribute to Lucky Joseph Eckert. Lucky Joe also known as "The King" is no longer walking beside me in physical form. He walked across the Rainbow Bridge this past Tuesday, December 8 around noon. Lucky was an important part of my family for a little over 14 years. Ulya and I adored our fur baby and miss him very much. He brought much love into our home. This is his story.

Lucky's mama was a rescue right before giving birth to 10 puppies. She was so happy to be in a loving home, she was not the greatest of moms. When we went to meet the puppies, Ulya was quickly in the midst of them. By the time I reached them, there she was with this little white puppy seated in her lap. Lucky had jumped into her lap as soon as she sat down on the floor. We had a dog and Lucky had new humans.

As a puppy, Lucky was quite the handful. Growing to 50 pounds in what seemed like overnight, controlling him was rather difficult. Many times, I questioned my decision to adopt a puppy. He would eat anything in sight. Paper, plastic, worms, tree leaves.  You name it. If it wasn't attached to something it was food. All this being said, he didn't destroy anything. He just was full of energy and I was in a rough place in my life caring for my parents.

We survived though and this young man grew into quite the gentleman. He stopped eating plastic and turned his preference to dog treats and braunschweiger. I only heard him growl two times in his 14 years. Once when a woman came to our house to use the phone. He stood back and was not happy with her presence. Did he know something I didn't recognize? Another time when my cousin and her husband were visiting with their small children, the little boy was being reprimanded for misbehaving. Lucky assessed the situation and immediately looked dad in the eye and growled as a warning. "Do not hurt this little one or I may have to hurt you." He was protective and a force to be reckoned with if necessary.

I could go on and on about Lucky Joe but I'm sure you've had your own Lucky Joes over the years. His last year was not a good one for any of us. We tried all we could: medicines, Reiki, essential oils, holistic and herbal preparations including cannabis, and prayer. Lots of prayer. In the praying, Ulya and I came to the awareness that it was time. Time to let this important part of our existence go. And what a send off he had.

Lucky played ball Tuesday morning as much as his body allowed. He had hamburger for breakfast, braunschweiger for a snack, two hamburgers from Hardees for lunch, and hugs and more hugs. We held him as he made his departure and showered him with kisses and more hugs.

His spirit has visited me a couple of times. I've "felt" him by my side. Looking up at me, he tells me how good it feels to be pain free and to be truly present once again. His love remains and always will.

My heart cries as I come home to a house that has no dog to greet me. It has been 30 years since I've been without a dog. Lucky Joe cannot be replaced. He was one special dog. However, there are many dogs needing love and a home. Ulya and I need a dog. Soon Lucky will be the guardian angel for another lost dog. I know Lucky will wag his tail in exuberant joy when another fur baby joins the Eckert family. Lucky Joe is just that kind of dog.

Rest in Peace

Lucky Joseph Eckert

July 26, 2001 - December 8, 2015

My God-daughter, Lauren Elizabeth, sent me this after Lucky's departure. I'd like to share it with you. You may want your tissues nearby.  

Peace and Blessings,

Mareda

Today I Met A Young Woman

You may wonder why I am writing about meeting a young woman. There are lots of young women. We meet them all the time. This was a different meeting and one that touched my very soul.

This beautiful and talented soul is a German teacher, multi-lingual, working toward her Ph.D. You are probably still wondering why this is so special. She is also an immigrant, a Bosnian, and a Muslim. This is the difference. Not just beautiful, talented and intelligent but also a Muslim. She no longer goes to her mosque because of her fear. Tears rolling down her checks, she silently wonders what will happen. She is not alone. There are many other immigrants who fit this profile. So why did this affect me so intensely?

Her fear was real. Her fear at the thought of what might happen to her, to her parents, to her fellow immigrants brought reality front and center for me. The tears continued to roll down her checks as she talked about the solution one of the presidential candidates has for handling immigrant terrorists. Make them wear a tag to identify themselves; set up a database with all Muslims listed. What? Not in the United States of America. No way. Yes, these are the threats that are being bandied about in the name of protecting this country.

I am saddened to the core of my very being. Not so much for this wannabe president's remarks but for those Americans who support this idea. Yes, the terrorists are not welcome here. Neither are the terrorists who are citizens of this country who threaten and kill unsuspecting movie goers, college students and other innocents.

In case we forget, this country was founded by immigrants from all over the world. Unless you are of Native American descent, your ancestors were immigrants! These people left their countries and their friends to forge a new and better life for themselves and their families. They wanted to thrive, to experience religious freedom, to better themselves. Along the way, there were atrocities. We all know this to be true. Must these atrocities continue? Must the persecution continue? Must the segregation continue? Have we not evolved into better human beings?

Fear can be overwhelming. Fear of the unknown can be even more overwhelming. Maybe the solution could be to welcome Muslim families into our homes. Get to know them. Make them our friends. Wow! what a novel idea. Why not do this to people of all religious traditions, all nationalities, all races, all sexual orientations? Maybe we would discover they are really nice people.

There is a lady in a harbor who says this:

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles, From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips, "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

This lady has seen a lot throughout her reign of New York Harbor. Much of what she has seen has been sad. "Wouldn't it be loverly" to change this into joyful welcoming for all coming to these shores in search of a new life? One can dream and hope. In the words of John Lennon:

Imagine

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

A Radical Idea

This is going to be a short and sweet blog post.

Whenever something horrific occurs, the whole world sends love and prayers to those who were affected. Why isn't this being done all the time?

My suggestion is to begin sending love everyday to everyone. My radical idea is that we especially send it to those who are the perpetrators of violence: the terrorists, the rapists, the abusers, the just plain angry person. For whatever reason, these people have such hate driving them that the only thing that can change them is love. This love does not have to be connected to any religion or tradition. Just plain old simple love. The love you have for your parent or child. The love you have for your pet.

I have been doing the following for many years when challenged with negativity of any kind.

Send the person or group loving energy while saying:

I love you

I bless you

I forgive you
I release you

You may be thinking this is too simple. You may be thinking, why send this to a terrorist.  What we have been doing has not worked. Doing the same thing over and over is not going to get different results. Getting more ammunition as some one posted is also NOT the answer.

I challenge you to try this. It couldn't hurt.

Peace and blessings,

Mareda