Flickr photo by slgckgc

Seeing the Divine in our lives…

This is a short personal story of witnessing the Divine in our everyday lives.  I pray that it fills you with what you need and at the very least offers you HOPE and INSPIRATION for your healing and your life.

It was the summer of 2004 in Baltimore, MD.  I was going through a very difficult time.  My health was headed downhill again, emotionally and spiritually I was bankrupt. 

I was ripe for taking the next step in my journey.  Often it is when we feel we can’t do it anymore that the space opens up for transformation. 

I live in a small condominium with a shared courtyard in the center of our building.  In the center of the courtyard is a  pear tree.  The root system of the tree is in a container and not in the ground.

This pear tree blooms beautiful white blossoms in the spring, carries on with green leaves through the fall and then sheds its leaves for winter.
 
I noticed our pear tree was not doing well in the summer of 2004.   I don’t recall any blossoms in the spring, then came the summer and the leaves were turning brown and falling off.  The tree was sick.

Tried as I might to continue to care for the tree; I couldn’t do it anymore. 

Summer turned into fall and I was headed to  my first session at a healing school called the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism.   My experience that week at the healing school is hard to put into words.  There was so much love, so much beauty and light.  I knew I was home, only it was a different kind of home, one that I had never  known before.

The school session was over and I came home to Baltimore on a cold October morning.  It was dark, I was tired, and on California time.  Couldn’t go to sleep, so I did a spiritual practice we were taught at school called the Remembrance.  It is an ancient spiritual practice of opening your heart to God and repeating His name.
 
When I was finished I was drawn to go look out my sliding glass door in my dining room.

I looked out and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.  I rubbed my eyes and thought I was dreaming.  I thought it was snow!  I took another look and then opened the door to go outside on my 2nd floor deck.  

And then I saw it, the most magnificent, beautiful, white blossoms I had ever seen.  The whites of the flowers were bursting forth in the cold crisp air of the dark night.  They were glistening and twinkling as if they were speaking to me.  The branches were extending themselves as if they were trying to reach me.

It was then that I knew, I knew what this was all about.  The tree was dead and now it was alive.  This witnessing touched me so deeply, I bent over weeping and received something special in my heart, almost like a whispering to the deepest place in your heart from the Divine.  The message is complete and is so much more than what you ever could have imagined  for yourself.

This tree was sick, was empty of leaves, and in a container that could not adequately support it.  Now it was living. 

This is from God. 

Open your heart to the Divine, call upon his Name and be expectant of a response. 
It is said when you walk to God , God runs to you.   

On a final note, our pear tree was replaced this summer with a new tree.  Our pear tree gave us all she had, but it was time for her to move on, she grew too big for the small container she was in.

“Life is a journey sometimes walked in light, sometimes in shadow.”

This is a short story from
KEEP GOING
The Art of Perseverance
by Joseph M. Marshall III

 This is a wonderful story about facing our fears.    The author sets the story of a wise grandfather ( Old Hawk) talking to his grandson (Jeremy) saying, “We are all afraid of something.  But that shouldn’t stop us from going on every day.  We should not always walk in fear of the shadow while we are in the light.  It is certain we will not know when or how the difficult and bad times will come, but if we accept that they will come, then they are easier to face when they do.
“And always remember that anything that causes the shadow is smaller than the source of the light.”

To further illustrate shadows and sunshine the grandfather tells a story of two travelers.

Two men journeyed the length and breadth of land bathed in sunshine.  One was a woodcarver and the other was a reader of the law.  Their journey was pleasant.  The road was wide and there were inns at which they rested for the night.  Constables and soldiers frequented the road, so the two travelers knew they were safe from thieves and or anyone else who intended harm,  Therefore, though these things were blessings, the journey was without excitement or challenge.  After several days the road led into a tall, very dark and thick forest.  The reader of the law stopped at the edge of the forest and refused to take another step.

“We must go into the forest,” said the woodcarver.  “It is a part of our journey.”

“But I do not like the deep shawdow,” said the reader of the law.  “I do not know what could be hiding there in the darkness.  There could be thieves ready to fall upon us, or perhaps fierce, wild animals.”

“True,” replied the woodcarver.  “The forest is where many things do dwell.  There may be other travelers, or dangerous and unknown things.  Yet we will not know until we walk into these shadows.  But there is something in there that is the most dangerous of all.  That I know.”

The fearful reader of the law recoiled.  “Whatever do you mean?  What can be more dangerous than thieves or wild animals?”

“Your fears,” replied the woodcarver, as he enterd the forest.

He walked deep into the shadows.  More than once he hid from bands of thieves looking for people to rob.  Another time he climbed a tree to escape the reach of an angry bear.  Before he reached the other side of the forest he had to deviate from the trail to find water, and he became lost.  But he managed to find the trail once again and after several days and nights he emerged on the other side of the forest, and found the sunshine again.

The reader of the law, meanwhile, remained at the edge of the forest, afraid to face the shadows.
 
“What do you suppose happened to that man, the reader of the law,” wondered Jeremy.  Did he stay at the edge of the forest?”

“What do you think?”  countered Old Hawk.

“Well, I guess sometimes we ceate our own shadows,” reasoned Jeremy.  “So maybe he never figured out that his fears made the forest darker than it really was.  If so he could not have learned what the woodcarver did.”

“And what did the woodcarver learn?”  asked the old man.

Jeremy thought for a moment.  “Sometimes we have to endure the darkness, and what it holds. If we do that, we apprecaite the light.  So the man who wouldn’t go into the forest was trying to deny that shadows are a part of life.”  Jeremy decided.

“True.  Furthermore, he gave into his fears and denied himself the experience of facing them.”  replied the old man.  “So he learned the wrong lesson.  We all do that from time to time.  Instead of worrying how I will face life without your grandmother, I will make the most of the time we have left together, and thank Grandfather for the life he has given us.”

This story illustrates the point beautifully about facing our fears.  When we say yes, transformation happens and we move forward.  Make the decision to face your stuff and take an action, say ‘yes’ even when you feel like a ‘no’.   If you are needing some help on your journey, please feel free to contact me for help.

photo from istockphoto

Whether you are facing physical disease, emotional illness or a difficult challenge in your life, there are some simple things you can do to help yourself heal.

1. Want it.
You have to want to get well, change or transform your life.  Even the smallest amount of desire will help move you.  Setting your intention is key.

2. Have hope.
Never give up hope, always hold it out there.  Even when you feel you don’t have any hope, I firmly believe it is inside of you, you just have to uncover it.

3. Keep going.
Say, Yes!  When you feel like you don’t want to ‘go there’, say ‘yes’ and open.  Please understand, I don’t mean force yourself unnecessarily.   Just the power of saying ‘yes’ will do wonders and help you to open and move in ways you could not have imagined.  Seek until you find your answers.

4. Learn to just ‘BE’.
Being present with what is happening for you is important.  This is something that may take some practice, but once you get this you will really take off.  Feel your feelings and let them flow. 

5. Inner and Outer Actions.
Healing happens on the inner and the outer, one will influence and transform the other.  Both are needed.  To completely heal and change your life, you have to do the work on the inside and the outside.

6. Spiritual/Emotional/Mental/Physical.
I believe in the approach of multi-dimensional healing.  If you want to change your life, I recommend doing work that hits all the levels of the mind, body, heart and spirit.  Do what is necessary to support and care for yourself.

If you have any questions about this or anything else, please let me know.  I would love to hear from you.

Sammy photo by Safa Sheehan

1. Joy!

My dog Sammy, a 4 year old Lab/Golden Retriever mix, wakes me up every morning with a tail that wags around in circles, like a helicopter ready to take off.  His ears move up and down, his eyes are wide open, his nostrils are flaring as he waits with anticipation of my response.  Whether it is the slightest movement to show him I am awake or I say the word, “breakfast” he then washes my face with a lot of kisses, gleefully jumps off the bed, grabs a toy and dances around me as we walk to the kitchen or go outside.  He is happy to  just be awake and start his day.

2. Wonderment.
No matter how many times my dog has walked the same path, it is new to him.  Everything is important and beautiful to him.  I would liken it to a child looking at everything with amazement and innocence that sometimes we adults tend to take for granted.

3. Live Simply.
Eat. Sleep. Poop. Play.  Need I say more.

4.  Community.
Dogs are pack animals, they are happiest when they can be a part of something.  They learn so much about each other and themselves when they are part of a group.  We all need one another, no one should go it alone.

5.  Affection.
My dog, Sammy is the most affectionate dog I know.  He gives me so many kisses throughout the day, I am surprised his tongue still works.  Wherever I sit there he is, on top of me, right up against me, cuddled up to me, always touching.  Everyone needs hugs and kisses.

6.  Live in the now.
Dogs live in the present.  They are honest about their feelings and will show exactly what is going on with them.  No repression of feelings, no playing games, no pretending.  Just be where you are.

7.  Love.
 Their love is unconditional and overflowing.

These are just a few observations.  If you have a pet, what are some of the things you have learned?  Please feel free to share your thoughts.

photo from istockphoto

These items are easy to do and won’t cost you a thing! 

1. Be Grateful. 
When you are thankful it will help you focus on what really matters; it will help you see the positive and will open your heart.  When you are thankful, you will receive more,  and more will flow through you to others as well.  Make a list of things you are thankful for and see how it makes you feel.
2. Breathe.
So many people forget to pay attention to their breathing.  Does your tummy move in and out when you breathe?  What about your chest, does it expand and contract?  Are you a shallow breather?  Do you hold your breath?  Put your hand on your tummy and your chest, feel your ribs.  Take it all in and release.  Repeat.  Notice how you feel.

3.  Stretch.
There is no substitute for body awareness.  When you get up out of bed, take a few minutes and do some stretching.  Don’t know what to do – Watch a cat or a dog stretch, or just move how your body wants to move.  You have your body 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you should get to know it.  All the way from your head to your toes, feel your skin, breathe, stretch those muscles, work your tissues, get your blood circulating.  Pay attention to you body.  What is your body telling you?  Your body never lies.
4.  Make your bed.
How hard is it to make your bed?  It will take you a few minutes, and you will feel so much better.  When you make your bed and straighten your room a bit, it creates an immediate sense of completetion and satisfaction.  What a great way to start the day!  Make your bed and see how you feel.
5.  Clean Yourself.
No matter how you are feeling, you will always feel better if you take a shower or bath.  Take care of your body.  Shave, pluck hairs, clip your toes, floss your teeth and put on clean clothes.  Get yourself together!  Pay attention to how the washing with water affects your mind, emotions and spirit.
6.  Let the sunshine in.
Open the curtains, open your windows and doors.  Go outside and connect with nature.  Touch the ground, plants, dirt and breathe.  Take notice of the many wonders and beauty of nature.  You can’t help but be touched in someway.
7.  Walk.
Move your body.  Pick any exercise you like and do it.  Get that heart rate up and break a sweat.  There is so much research out there to validate the importance of exercise.  Do something everyday.  You will change your mind, body and spirit.
8.  Connect with people.
Call your parents, friends and family.  Get to know your coworkers.  Say hi to strangers on the street.  Get to know your neigbors, your community.  Take time cultivate relationships.  There are lots of people in the world for a reason, get to know them.  Unite and be as one, not separate.
9.  Smile.
Happiness leads to smiling and smiling leads to happiness.  It only takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.  Smile at everyone you see today and pay attention to how you feel and how it affects others around you.
10.  Eat Healthy.
You are what you eat at the deepest level.  Imagine the food you put in you mouth today is shaping your cells, tissues and organs.  You will see a dramatic improvement if you eat clean and green.  Dump the junk.
11.  Give.
When you give you receive.  Get outside of yourself and your problems.  Everyone has something to give.  Whether it is smiling, opening the door for someone, helping a neighbor, mentoring etc.  Give of yourself everyday.  We all have remarkable gifts that we were blessed with, share them with others.

This is just a short list, there is so much more to add.  Do the list all in one day or just do a few and see what happens!
Let me know how these things affect your mood, mind, body and others.