Aligning with Grace

I end this year, with a grateful heart... I am grateful for what is - and for what is not... I am grateful for what happened - and what didn't... I am grateful for the challenges received, and for those endured, and transcended, and for the ones that still remain... I am grateful for the persons that came into my life, and those that exited as well... I am grateful for connections made, and for those severed... I am grateful for the many blessings received - those that were obvious, and those that remain hidden... I am grateful for my community, for the comfort of prayer and meditation and practice, and how it enriches my life... I am grateful for loved ones, and for those who still harbor negativity towards me - for they come bearing lessons... To all whom I encounter - may all negative intentions and feelings - only be met by undulating waves of love and compassion rippling at the very shores of my soul... I am grateful for surgery this year - and what it both brought into my lif...

About a week and a half ago - I had the wonderful pleasure to listen to and imbibe the ecstatic and poetic wisdom of Professor Bill Mahony , of Davidson College - who spoke on his new translation and commentary of the Narada Bhakti Sutras , titled, Exquisite Love . The two days, and 12 hours spent with him and the group that assembled for the occasion, was nothing short of exquisite! Bill began by telling us - that the subject for the weekend was simply this - LOVE. He went on to note, that Love is an important topic. This is the season for Love. But, there are many who do not feel or experience Love in their lives, and we need to take the time to acknowledge this. Furthermore, Bill went on to remind us that our true essence is Love - whether we feel it or not. And, this Love that we are - that is our essence - is of the same essence as God. Later on, in the course of the weekend, we were reminded over and over again - that Love is God - and God is Love! I cannot truly express in word...

How lovely to be constantly reminded about the reason for the season! It all comes down to LOVE! And so, I share here, a few reminders that have come my way, capped off by a short poem that I wrote... "To live in the Reality of Love is to be willing to be God awakening to the truth of only Love and every expression of it, every nuance to be marveled at and discovered. Every radiance is honored - the fullness of the miracle of 'both/and,' the indivisible unity of this one life and the powerful gift of our relationship which is a relationship with every expression, every aspect of God. and thus do you dance in this sparkling Light in the world as an acknowledgement of the miracle of the facets of Love and the beauty of their expression, every one of which contains the whole. Every electron is the universe. Every breath is the Moment of Creation, and every heartbeat is the birth of God consciousness, all of it ready to be honored by the miracle that is you." "Messag...

This time of year, I love listening to Christmas songs, as so many others do. One of my favorite is a song by Celine Dion, reminding us that love is really what this season is all about - and that we shouldn't save it all for Christmas. I have posted the link to a YouTube rendition of this song and I also include the lyrics here. Enjoy! And Advent and Christmas blessings to all of you! Don't Save it all for Christmas "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" Don't get so busy that you miss Giving just a little kiss To the ones you love Don't even wait a little while To give them a little smile A little is enough How many people are crying People are dying... How many people are asking for love Don't save it all for Christmas Day Find a way To give a little love everyday Don't save it all for Christmas Day Find your way Cause holidays have come and gone But love lives on If you give on Love... How could you wait another minute A hug is warmer wh...

Last year, I received this card from a friend and loved it, and I happened to find a box for myself as well. It's message reminds of the card I sent last year - which I noted in a recent entry - its content derived from an article that appeared in McCall's in 1959. I only discovered that later, when a reader of this blog brought my attention to it. I include the link to the McCall's article at the end. And so, I share this one with you - shorter - but no less sweet! This Christmas... Help a Stranger. Praise a Child. Light a Candle. Share your Love. Sing for Joy. Lend a Hand. Pray for Peace. Understand. Christmas Thoughts from McCall's Thanks to Jennifer!

Last year, I wrote this poem. These were my wishes then, and they are my wishes once again this year, and every year - for you - for me - for all of us! And so, here it is, one more time... This Christmas… Love. Love totally and completely. Love without restraint. Love with total abandon. Forgive. Forgive everything. Forgive every ancient grudge. Forgive the Unforgiveable. Hope. Hope for a better world. Hope for Peace, and an end to strife. Give Hope to all in despair. Dream. Dream the Impossible Dream. Feed your Dream and Give it Life. Make it real. Believe. Believe in the Seen. Believe in the Unseen. Believe in the Power of Miracles. Live. Live fully and Live deeply. Live with Great Passion. Live Each moment, as if your last. Touch. Embrace a loved one. And a lost one. Embrace them again. Hold a hurting hand and heart. Feel. Feel everything. Fee...

Last year, I sent out a set of Christmas cards with the following words of wisdom. Several told me they loved this card. I saved one and frame it, and have begun the tradition of putting it on my bookshelf at this time of year. It reminds me of what this season is all about, and what gets ignited in our hearts. It reminds me of what every season and every day should be about. Its wisdom is without question. It's value is without price. Its simplicity is stunning. It will take your breath away. And it will change your life - if you give it a chance... And so, I share it once again, this year... This Christmas Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Think first of someone else. Be kind and gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty an...

This season, as in the previous two, I begin each morning in Advent , by meditating on the online devotional, "Follow the Star." I have been pondering some of Michelle Thomas Bush's reflections this week, but this one, in particular, struck a chord: "Keep awake! We are an over-caffeinated community with 6 hour energy drinks, who are in the practice of staying up late. The local coffee shop knows what we will order when we walk through the door. Facebook and Xbox Live can keep us up for hours on end. We know how to stay awake. Keep awake! It is a call to be alert to the presence of God. We may be wide awake, but have we fallen asleep in our spiritual life? We are in charge and waiting for the return of our Master. Our God is coming! This is a wake up call!" Yes - we do know how to stay awake on a physical level - perhaps willing ourselves so - but we do so without being fully present, attentive, or mindful. We know how to stay awake and multi-task. But, are we...

This morning, I read this beautiful poem by John O'Donohue , who left this world in an untimely fashion - far too early in his life. I say this because the fifties, to a person residing in that decade, seems very young, especially in this day and age! After all, isn't the 50's the new 30's - or 40's? I don't know; try convincing my body of that one! This Advent season, may you enter more deeply into the present moment and cultivate a sense of presence that permeates every experience and every encounter with the joy of living! For Presence Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon. Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path. Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity. May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame. May anxiety never linger about you. May your outer...