Aligning with Grace

I have a wonderful soul companion who deeply relishes her time spent in the arms of the Divine as much - if not more - than I do. I say this, because for years now, I have been an empty-nester and I have enjoyed the gift and pleasure of much undivided time. She, on the other hand,  is only just now getting ready to send her child to college, so soon she will have such highly desired and coveted time as well! For years, we have referred to our quotidian quiet times for practice, as our monastery time. Sometimes our practice consists of doing laundry or cleaning toilets, or other such less than glamorous tasks. We often challenge and inspire one another to seek the face of the Divine even in such mundane things. In fact, we have often coaxed one another to experience the mundane as simply glorious! We have both had spouses who traveled at times, which also afforded us some days here and there to journey more deeply within. Often, we share insights from our practice, seek wisdom...

In her book, Living in Gratitude: A Journey that Will Change Your Life , Angeles Arrien , notes that "February is the month when we consciously review what touches our hearts." It is after all, the month where we celebrate Valentine's Day . She shares this quote by Brother David Steindl-Rast: "The heart is where we belong. We belong there as to our proper place, no matter how estranged we have become. And we are there, we belong, because what makes home home is that each belongs to all and all to each..." And it is this sense of belonging, and being in the heart which is the way of love, and enables us to be more grateful. Just a few moments ago, I read this very appropriate quote by Paramahansa Yogananda: "To develop pure and unconditional love between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and friend, self and all, is the lesson we have come on earth to learn." Such a simple lesson, but not always an easy one to always embody - now is it? Pearl B...