Have you counted the number of apps you have on your phone lately? All those little colorful icons, just a click away from convenience, entertainment, friends and family updates, news and information (and lots of “rabbit holes” to chase around in!)

It seems that our daily communications are reliant on using these apps so much of the time. As I continue to grow spiritually, I’ve found another APP that is even more helpful, more pertinent to all aspects of my life – Affirmative Prayer Power!

Affirmative prayer is defined in scripture, Matthew 21:22; “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 

Jesus further teaches us in  Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

In our Unity church we paraprase often – If you ask believing, you are already receiving!

Growing up in the the Catholic faith tradition, I learned and used four basic elements of Christian prayer: adoration/blessing, contrition/repentance; thanksgiving/gratitude; and supplication, petition/intercession – all ways of communication with God, to be sure, and earnest prayer in any form can be life-strengthening, yet I’ve found the spiritual tool of affirmative prayer to be the most helpful to me. It brings an element of oneness with God that is very authentic and empowering, exceedingly personal. I’ve experienced it as feeling like Jesus is actually sitting in the room with me, talking, laughing, comforting my tears, holding my hand, and affirming the goodness of God in my life.

Talk about powerful…WOW!

In the Unity faith tradition, affirmative prayer is praying from our awareness of our Oneness with God, not praying to God outside of ourselves. This requires a big shift in consciousness for those of us who previously pictured God as the “big white guy with a beard up in heaven who capriciously handed out favors…. or not.” That shift in consciousness toward the Divine Within, feeling and centering on Spirit in the deep quiet of my own soul (see Luke 17:21) brought some startling revelations about my long-held beliefs, some of which are no longer serving my spiritual growth. I do firmly believe that God is everywhere, all the time, in all things. That instruction came to me at a young age, and I don’t think I could fully embrace what that actually means as a basis of my faith until the past few years. If there really is that “Divine Saturation” as I call it (Omni -presence is the usual term), then I, and everyone else in the world is blessed with it all time in all circumstances, no exceptions. That’s a hard one to accept and remember, because there are people and things I do not like! The difference then becomes our whether or not our thoughts, words and actions are based on that faith, our acceptance of our Oneness with God. I know mine are not always, for sure, but I’m trying.

And that’s where affirmative prayer starts, because if God, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, resides in me as a part of me, then there is nothing that is impossible! (Mark 9:23)

In affirmative prayer, the first step is relaxation (breathing deeply, focusing on your heart and breath, and being willing to hear Spirit within).

Then begin to recognize and embrace your oneness with God… God as life, ever-present goodness, love, wisdom, truth, joy, peace, wholeness, power, strength… so much good! This is usually where I ask Jesus to join me, to be with me.

Then meditate, concentrate on that kingdom within – all those attributes of God are also within you. Accepting this as truth was hard for me, and even seemed a little sacrilegious at first. I used words like “God within me is love, truth, wisdom…etc” and began to see that as a beautiful gift, to see and love the good that I am because of the God within. That realization is such a powerful experience – that we are expressions of God as ourselves, spiritual beings having a human experience.

Next is affirming your truth. For example if you are experiencing an illness, you claim the truth of God’s wholeness is within you, that God takes up all the space, not any disease. When you affirm the truth of any situation – and the truth is of course absolute in God, be it love, wisdom, abundance, etc. – it leaves no space for the conditions you are experiencing. I’m not saying hurts, poverty, illness, despair, sadness, etc. aren’t real experiences, I’m just saying they are not the Truth of God Within you, because God is always Good, and cannot be any other way. In claiming our truth, we allow our thinking and our actions to follow divine guidance back to balance again.

Whew! Then, just be thankful! Gratitude is a huge part of a good spiritual practice. Thank God for the beauty that is you, that your true nature is divine, that Spirit is working within you as you, being so thankful for knowing that truth!

And then the release, the ending, the claiming “Amen” which is a Hebrew word that means “so it is” or “so shall it be.” I also claim “and so it is” at the end of my prayers, to cement it in well! Amen is a powerful word and needs to be said only to Truth and Truth only. Be mindful not to say amen to something negative – not what you what to “put in stone.”

Just a quick comparison of how I might have prayed before.

Dear God, please please please get me this job. I need the money so badly. I promise to be a better person if you will please just do this for me. (beseeching, bargaining)

And now…I am divinely guided to just the right circumstance in my work. I have all that I need and more, and I am thankful. (affirmative)

When I first started learning about affirming prayer, it seemed like it was “fake”… after all, my current condition was not what I was describing. But as I learned more about affirmations, I realized it was the same as an architect who is drawing up the plans for a house. The plans are not the actual house, but what it is to be after the work is done. And there is always work to be done – this is not some woo woo magic. It is affirming the truths that Jesus has given us. The faith doesn’t just happen. We have to open our hearts to believe. It is simple… but definitely not easy, and takes commitment and practice.

There is so much more than can be said about this APP, but this is long enough.

Recap – Affirmative prayer comes from an acceptance and belief (faith) in our oneness with God. It has several different elements to it (not rote or memory prayer, though).

Breathe

Know you are one with God

Affirm your truth words

Thank God

And so it is! Amen

And if you’d like to hear a beautiful song about prayer,

I’ve been reluctant to write about this – the myriad of feelings, strong emotions, anger, sadness, concern, wanting to be balanced, informed, accurate, and also be faithful to my values have all influenced that decision. I’m ready to share, albeit with a note that as things change, I may voice yet a different opinion. I’m staying open to different perspectives, learning all the while that even when I disagree with someone, I need to respect their voice and work within my own heart to understand and love. The following thoughts are prayerful reflections of self introspection. Side note – each year I give myself a framework for spiritual growth. 2019 was “to be a force for kindness,” and 2020 is “to be the presence of truth.” Little did I know back in Jan. what a challenge that would turn out to be.

One – what is mine to do? This is a question often asked by a wonderful woman who is sharing her wisdom as one of my mentors in the Prayer Chaplain ministry in my church, Unity of Arlington. The pandemic has interrupted our in-person studies, yet I still see her posts on our Facebook Live services, and hear her voice in our Prayer Chaplain calls, resonating so deeply – “What is mine to do?

I describe myself as a “very quiet activist.” Most of the time I choose to express my viewpoints on more controversial issues within a pretty small circle of friends and family ( some of whom do not agree with me on things, but love me so much that we can disagree and still love!) With everyone else, I choose to “put a prayerful pause” on my mouth when difficult issues come up… self-protection? lack of courage? concern for other’s feelings? probably all three and more, but it is never because I don’t have strong opinions about things, as those in whom I do confide will attest. 😊

I don’t like shouting, I don’t like people taking advantage of unrest and rightful protest to hurt others, to steal, to harm others in any way. I do not believe those actions are holy or helpful, no matter how justified the anger. I do respect those who are claiming their needs and rights in peaceful protest, those who are taking up for others, those who are on the front line of necessary change – brave, remarkable souls they are. I have good friends who are in law enforcement, and I can’t imagine any of them behaving in the horrible ways I’ve seen on video, police cameras, etc. Yet obviously, some people who should be helping in service to others are doing anything but. The pictures are heart-rending from all viewpoints, and I do not pretent at all to know the best way to proceed.

The role I normally assume is to put the situation to prayer, affirming God’s hand in the unfolding circumstances, invoking Spirit’s wisdom, guidance, and Divine direction, affirming each person’s good, sending out love and peace energy into the situation, and that is usually enough for this quiet activist – but not now. Speaking out is “mine to do.” Sharing my thoughts in a wider circle is “mine to do.” Being uncomfortable, braver is “mine to do,” and encouraging others to do the same is “mine to do.” Thank you, NaOra!

Two– be an informed consumer of news. (The following two paragraphs are excerpted from the site below, which I highly encourage you to read in full, and make up your own mind about its value. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a32745051/what-black-lives-matter-means/

[At its face, “All Lives Matter” sounds like a we’re-all-in-this-together statement. Some may be using the phrase to suggest that all races should join hands and stand together against racism, which is a sentiment that comes from a good place. But the problem is, the phrase actually takes the focus away from those who need it.

Saying “All Lives Matter” redirects the attention from Black lives, who are the ones in peril. Instead, it’s important to understand what drives the BLM movement and how to support it — by using the phrase and standing behind what it means. It can be an uncomfortable experience for many of us, especially if you’re someone that hasn’t taken the time to grapple with your own role in the systemic oppression that exists in our society. But it’s also an essential education, no matter where you are in your journey.]

So, I’m one of those who has always said “All lives matter,” not really getting the whole picture, pretty smug in my attitude of “loving everyone and everything,” complete with hearts, rainbows and smiley faces. The above article from Good Housekeeping was just the balanced perspective I needed to hear, and helped me in ways that hearing people yell back and forth at each other does not.

There is a lot of misinformation out there, some actually made-up lies with purposeful, hurtful intent, and some just misguided – but it is still misinformation, and it gets passed on way too easily in this day of instant sharing without constraint. My challenge to you is to do some thoughtful, prayerful, reasoned investigation of sources before you pass on information. So don’t just take my word for whether this article is good or not, helpful or not, true or not… check it out yourself. Get your news from different, reliable sources, and know that ratings, extremist viewpoints, and personal or political agendas do not always lend themselves to completely accurate reporting. Reader beware!

Three – get over (or past) your “I already know all this” attitude. There is a lot going on, a lot to learn, and one of the best ways to do that is to listen, read, talk – no matter how uncomfortable it seems. Nothing but good can come from civil discourse, (without shouting, please!), realizing that you cannot possible know another person’s story without going to them personally, asking, and then listening. You are not in charge of what “they should or should not” feel, although many of us are very quick to make that judgment based on our own experiences, even feeling superior to those who think or feel differently than we do. This is not helpful, it is not true, and remembering that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IS A CHILD OF GOD, BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN SPIRIT is a great equalizer.

No matter your political stance, your religious beliefs, your personal experiences and what you been told by others, you are the one in charge of whether you will be part of the problem or part of the solution.

God gives us all the answers we need – listen, learn, love, and we’ll all be the better for it.

What is yours to do?

Doug and I are getting out just a little more now in this age of COVID-19; we had family over for the first time for a little backyard cookout, are going to Dallas to see his Dad on Father’s Day, and we’ll be attending granddaughter Abby’s baseball games this summer.

In each situation, we are cautious – checking in with everyone to see how they’re feeling physically, making sure they are all ok with our visits mentally, and we still use masks in public, wash wash wash hands, and physically distance ourselves as much as possible.

I know we have to find the balance (my favorite word) in every choice we make as we start emerging from our homes to do things and be with others… how important is it? We won’t be eating out yet – we are both great cooks and enjoy our meals together at home. We go to the grocery store, and occasionally other places for errands, a few health visits, etc.

As I was doing some of my daily reading today (love that I’ve had more time to read), a thought came to me about taking precautions – not only for ourselves, but out of love for others, which I believe we are called to do by faith. You might find it a bit irreverent… well, so be it! Here is my “commandment” for 2020…

Thou shalt not COVID thy neighbor’s life… I’m pretty sure it was divinely inspired! 😉

Wear your masks, use physical distancing, wash your hands… you know the drill. Just do it.

I’ve always been an “easy crier” – you name it… commercials, sunsets, sweet notes from family and friends, watching the flag be hoisted, meaningful songs, sad movies, joyful laughter… and I’m tearful…momentarily.

But this is different. I cry everyday now, unbidden streaks suddenly on my cheeks at all times of day. The news makes me cry. I’ve limited myself to watching one national news and one local news edition on TV per day. The sadness feels overwhelming sometimes, even with limited exposure, because the thoughts are there…thoughts of even more hungry, hurting people in the world, already a huge concern…thoughts of my colleagues in healthcare achingly exhausted, still caring for others, holding hands of those who are dying because family can’t be there.

My friend’s daughter has passed away, a lovely young woman who battled mightily for several weeks on a ventilator, then… the wonderful but brief hope as she was able to breathe on her own for a while, and then the realization that the devastation to her organs from Covid19 was insurmountable.

A single text from my friend…”She’s gone” with a heartbroken emoji. What to do with the tears, the grief? The feelings of devastation and unfairness?

I don’t really know yet, so I just cry.

I’m sure it will be better with time – it always has been before when horrible things have happened. My head knows there is light coming, laughter is on the horizon, there are things to savor and cherish and to be thankful and joyful for. My heart just isn’t quite there yet, especially for my friend. So right now, I’ll just cry when it comes, affirm goodness and love when I can, let the time pass and the tears fall.

It’s easy to “descend” from higher consciousness right now. COVID19 is taking a toll mentally, emotionally, physically… any maybe spiritually? I just received word from a dear, long time friend, a nurse I used to work with in Denton, that her daughter was in the hospital, on a ventilator, suffering from kidney failure and not expected to make it. My friend and her husband are not allowed to visit, and updates are hard to come by. She texted me that it is agonizing, and that she can’t imagine what the health care providers caring for her daughter must be going through.

I am devastated by the news. I feel helpless. I am angry, I am scared. Her daughter is around the ages of my kids – mid thirties to mid fourties. YOUNG! So, what to do with all these feelings?

I want to make it better, to make this all go away… common to all of us, no doubt, but not helpful. Definitely time to TOGGLE.

The inspiration for this comes by reading (more than one time) excerpts from Emmet Fox’s The Golden Key. (link at the bottom of this blog)

In the Golden Key, Fox wrote: “If you are thinking about your difficulty, you are not thinking about God.  Your object is to drive the thought of difficulty out of your consciousness for a few moments at least, substituting for it the thought of God.  At first it may be difficult to get your thoughts away from material things.  But by constantly  repeating a statement of absolute truth, such as, “God is guiding me now,” however mechanical it may seem, you will soon find …your mind is clearing.”   He emphasized, ” Do not try to think in advance what the solution to your difficulty will be.  Leave the questions and ways and means to God.” 

TOGGLE is to Think On God, Gratitude, and Loving Expressions. A toggle switch is used to turn things on and off. It is time to turn off the fear, the anger, the sadness. This in no way negates the validity of those feelings; it is important to acknowledge our humanness – it is, in fact, I think, necessary in order to maintain our compassion. Staying there, however, in the land of scared/angry/sad is not where I choose for my mind, my heart, my soul to live. I’m switching on the “God thoughts”, the gratitude, the love. It’s not always easy, for sure. I’ve fallen off my “higher consciousness” more times than I’d like to admit, and still I know it is essential to turn to God in times of distress, to be enlightened by scripture, by prayer, and by gratitude for the many blessings in my life. I have my “God words” at hand to use when I need them (often) Creator, Love, Source, Love, Wisdom, Love, Truth, Love, Abundance, Love, Peace, Love, Joy, Love (can you guess my favorite?) and many more. The Goodness of God persists and triumphs, and I am so grateful.

Just writing this out helps me turn my energies toward prayer for my friend and her family, to breathe peace into the situation, to be grateful for the many friends who are adding their prayers to mine. Thank you to all of this, thank you God.

And I start climbing up to my “higher self” once again.

https://www.unity.org/sites/unity.org/files/files/Free-Materials/2018/Exerpt-GoldenKey-booklet.pdf

Every December for the past three years I’ve begun work on a special gift for our grandchildren… a calendar for each one that gives the special gift of time and memories each month.

The first year was called Grand Times, the next year was Grand Memories, this year was Grand Experiences. I haven’t come up with the title for 2020 yet, but I know it will be Grand!

So for each of the four grandchildren, I choose a themed calendar about something they’re into – sports, animals, art, etc. Then, on each month’s page, I plan time with them to do something fun together. Sometimes it is simple – going to get ice cream or a visit to the park. We also do service projects for a couple of months’ activities – picking up trash at a safe location, using gloves and hand cleaning gel (lessons on littering and safety), taking pet food to the humane society shelters (lesson on compassion), caroling around the neighborhood (lesson on joy), choosing some basic hygiene supplies at the store and then taking them to a shelter that provides for needy families (lesson on love).

There is always something special on their respective birthday months – lunch out together and a special shopping trip with Grammy and GrandDoug. In the summer we’ve done Cousin Camp, getting all four of them together for a long weekend at our house, complete with a camp song, cookouts, water play, hikes, nature walks, and “moon walks,” going out after dark, watching the moon rise over the water at Lake Arlington, feeding the ducks.

Once or twice a year, we’ll do something more elaborate – visiting the Dallas Arboretum, the Japanese and Butterfly Gardens, seeing a special exhibit at a museum, or going to the beautiful Christmas displays around the metroplex.

We’ve had cooking lessons, sewing lessons, gardening lessons – time to share family stories and skills. Their parents (my sweet kids and their wonderful spouses) have loved this Christmas gift, and Doug and I have so enjoyed this special time with our grands. They seem to truly look forward to each month’s experiences; I know the memories we are making together are priceless.

It has been over four months since I last blogged… an occasional blogger, indeed!

When I decided several years ago to start my own website and blog, LifeSavors, it was with an intent to be thoughtful, uplifting, life-infusing… a way to contribute to peaceful and happy vibrations in our world, and give a “voice venue” for others’ joys –  a means to raise up the more divine and spiritual aspects of our collective consciousness.  Admittedly, there is a bit of ego involved in blogging, AND YET I know that the inner voice in me still spoke to the altruistic nature I had intended with these offerings.  So this year, I will be more consistent with that practice.

As many of us reflect on the year 2017 and resolve ahead to 2018 (re-solving? is that a “do-over” for past “solutions” that didn’t work??) I am listing some of my favorite life-savors, and I invite you to do the same – and even better, send them to me to post so that others may share your joys.

Theresa’s (partial) List of LifeSAVORS (in no particular order)

(Soul-Affirming Value Of Relished Simplicity

• actually finishing one blog (albeit probably under the influence of the post-op hydrocodone I took a few hours ago, which apparently, since it is 2am, has had  the opposite effect from making me sleepy (obviously inspired, though!) instead of just drafting dozens of others still unpublished,
• breathing easily without coughing (I just had my third sinus surgery for the year -THANK YOU, Dr. Thomas, Dr. Frankel, and wonderful nurses!
• Maya (our beautiful Vizsla-mix rescue dog) correctly responding to a command instead of going her own way

  

• clipping fresh herbs from my little garden to cook with
• hearing my grandchildren laugh and play with abandon
• underlining a special quote or thought from my spiritual readings to ponder later
• re-reading or finding a new love note from my Doug
• eating his wonderfully-prepared foods (especially the homemade chicken soup today)
• enjoying all three of my grown, wonderfully unique and busy kids together in one place
• seeing them lovingly interact with their own kids, spouses/fiance
• sensing the tangible presence of the Divine as I go about my day
• riding in the car looking at fun things with the sun roof open and Maya in the back seat
• celebrating my daddy’s 90th and my mom’s 85th birthdays this year with them in Borger
• honing in on just the right words to bring clarity to our P.E.O. newsletter, my blog, or notes to loved ones
• going to Girls’ Night Out in Denton with long-time and well-loved girlfriends
• hearing just the right message at the right time from Rev. Paul John Roach at Unity Church of FW
• a chatty catch-up phone call from forever friends Dr. Jack and Rev. Celeste in Rhode Island
• a road trip with Doug (yes, we actually enjoy them together)
• hearing a story of how a P.E.O. scholarship has changed a woman’s life (and our world) for the better
• the ding from my text notifications when my four sisters “get going” with messages
• newsy (and humorous to offset challenges) Christmas newsletters (thank you especially, Bill and Betty!)
• singing with the wonderful Unity Singers under the direction of Larissa accompanied by Cricket
• a cup of good black tea with a great book
• discovering a piece of art that Doug and I both like
• sweet notes from my in-laws
• delighting in the wonderful pictures that Abby, Maloreigh, Sailor and Will craft for us to display
• sitting prayerfully at my meditation space in quiet moments
• hearing from old friends/neighbors in Fond du Lac, WI and Pierre, SD
• seeing former DISD nursing colleagues excel in new positions, celebrating others’ retirements, and finding exciting energy in the “newbies”
• joining up with other school nurse administrators for lunch to appreciate the fabulously intelligent and multi-faceted women that they are
• spending time with deep-heart friends who have ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME (you know who you are!)
• shopping (ok, maybe superficial, but so much fun!)

Enough… I have so many others that have joyfully darted across my memory… I will savor them for later.

Blessings to all of you, mentioned and not, who have enhanced my life this year.  much love, happy 2018!

I so love being with my four grandchildren, ages 10 thru almost 2, all girls except the youngest one.  Last weekend, Doug (aka “GrandDoug” or GrandD”) and I hosted “cousin camp” for them, 48 hours of fun, complete with a camp song and t-shirts.  We had baking and sewing lessons, safety camp, arts and crafts, games and puzzles, movie and popcorn, water sports… all in our home and yard, except for our “shopping spree” at the dollar store.

One particular tradition is that when the grands have a meal or snack with us, we play “Grammy’s Gratitude Game.”  It offers some wonderful lessons for all of us about being aware and thankful.  With each food or drink presented, I ask them to tell us, “How did this come to our table?”  Where does it come from?  Who all is involved in the process from it’s very beginning until this moment?

Their answers, depending on age, are insightful, sometimes  really funny, and often have us writing down things to look up later, such as states or other countries on the map, towns or ingredients listed on labels, who makes grocery bags, how far do the truckers or other transporters have to go, nature, weather, nutrition…the list is endless.

We thank and bless each element of the process – the people, places, things that make up our meal that day, at the end, of course, being grateful to God as the Source for our supply and abundance.

We also keep on the table a little book “Grace” that I found in a used book store in Eureka, CA.  It is filled with blessings for meals from many sources, Native American, traditional Christianity, early American, blessings from different countries and cultures.  We take turns reading one with each meal, according to the reading ability of each grandchild, offering some lovely awareness of God’s complete presence in everything all the time, in all spaces and places, our Creator within and without.

As they get older, we are introducing the concept of how our actions and purchases influence others, and how to make those the most meaningful and impactful that we can, by sharing, being fiscally responsible, reducing waste, being environmentally aware of our choices.

Their parents are all on board with this, and are often amazed at how much we all learn in our gratitude game.

What a blessing to have this time with them, fostering such valuable communication.  I can’t help but think in my absolutely completely biased and blinded-by-grammy-love perceptions that these brilliant children will grow up to be amazing people contributing to the good of the world, part of my heritage.

and I am GRATEFUL!

 

 

I had the privilege of talking to a group of school RNs from Denton ISD this week. The subject was “Care for the Caregiver,” and part of the presentation was how to have an “intentional day.” I developed this concept for myself during one of my spiritual philosophy classes in South Dakota (thank you, Celeste!) as a way to reframe the way I went about my activities each day.  Instead of just making a list of things to be accomplished, I wanted to wrap the day in affirmations focused on a particular positive attribute (or attributes)  to enhance my life. 

I have used this idea consistently (usually determining a focus for several days to a week) for almost three years, and have found it most gratifying.  I still have my “to do” list, and also then write down a word or two to focus on.

For example, “gratitude” is one of the first focus words I used, and still use frequently as an intention.  Peace is another, and there are so many more.  Using gratitude as my focus word, all the things on my to do list become ways to practice thankfulness.  Here are the suggestions I gave in my powerpoint presentation to the nurses…

To make your day intentional, you can:

• write down two or three words to focus on and put them where you will see them often during the day (respect, health, sensitivity, joy, peace, serenity, prosperity, learning, forgiveness, soooo many to choose from!)
• make time to center yourself as your day begins with meditation, prayer, affirmations such as I am open to all the good that comes to me today, or My day unfolds with grace and ease.
• use affirmations throughout the day to strongly assert the outcomes you desire
• monitor your information sources in the most positive way for yourself, holding peace in your heart during unsettling events
• choose a model of living your values, such as “servant leadership”

              Intend to have a wonderful, productive, positive day!

                                            Here is the form I use each week

My Intentional Week:  Focus words_________________________________________________

Affirmation for the week:_________________________________________________________

My Morning Affirmative Prayer (MAP!) J   I know my thoughts guide my experience.            Spirit is responding to me and bringing into my experience everything that is necessary to my unfoldment, to my happiness, to my peace, to my health, and to my success.  I know God enables me to help others and to bless the whole world.  So I say quietly to myself:                                   there is One Life,      that Life is God,        that Life is perfect,      that Life is my life now. It is flowing through me, circulating in me.  I am one with Its rhythm.  My heart beats with the energy of the Universe, in serenity, in peace, and in joy.  My whole physical being is animated by the Divine Spirit, and if there is anything in it that does not belong, it is cast out because there is One Perfect Life in me now.  Jesus is with me today in all that I do, and angels surround me.  I am open to all the good that comes to me today, as all events and situations unfold with grace and ease.  I bless, build, and heal. I am filled with gratitude for this knowing, for this oneness, for this perfection.  I release this affirmation to the Law, to Spirit to be brought to form right now.       And so it is.                                                                                            Each day: spiritual – meditation, affirmative prayer, Creative Thinking, Daily Word, Fr. Rohr

physical – swim, walk, play with Maya, aerobics, healthy food choices, silver sneakers

                  mental – blog, make contacts, plans for presentations, reiki, daily crossword, acrostics                         

                  emotional – notes to family and friends, nurture marriage, gratitude letters, garden

Date	Major things to do	Energy In, Energy Out
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.
Sun.

Special prayer notes:

At dinner in Corinth with my GNO (Girls’ Night Out) group last week – you know who you are – part of the discussion centered around the looming inauguration day, and common labels starting popping into the conversation.

There are so many emotion-laden terms that we use, just around politics, for example…Liberal, Conservative, Feminist, Democrat, Republican, Independent… a maze of words that can just lead to lots of dead ends in understanding…

and I felt a rebellion rising from within…

*NO MORE LABELS!!  To think that we can define our wondrous, complex selves within a word (or a few) is an incredible injustice to the beautiful, unique beings that we are, and in my mind, only serves to further separate us at a time when unity and celebrating our oneness in this universe would be much more helpful and productive.

It is no secret to those who know me that I did not vote for or support Donald Trump.  That should not, however, pigeon-hole me into a single characteristic or box me into a category with a label, nor should it keep me from behaving in a civil manner, exercising my citizenship in the most positive way that I can.  Just as plainly, it should not define those who do support him into a single-celled thinker either!

Sooooo….

I will not engage in name-calling or labeling other people who have differing views, nor will I judge them or their behaviors (okay, at least I will try very hard not to).

* I discovered while blogging this that there is a group called “No More Labels”  https://www.nolabels.org/  and although their site looks very interesting, I am not in any way associated with them

Here is what I am offering, then, toward the goal of good citizenship with a bit of my usual spiritual-based way of thinking.

FIRST

Listen, listen, listen… quit forming your opinions and your retorts before the other person has even stopped (or started) speaking.  Consider their words and their behaviors as a starting point from which to understand, and ask very sincerely and with an open mind, “What experiences have brought you to this conclusion? ”

You may gain some insights that you had not considered before, or you may just be strengthened in your own differing way of thinking, but at the very least, there was a non-contentious connection to another human being who is also a brother/sister in God.

And, by the the way, an open mind means that you have not already packed it with obstacles, negativity, and pre-drawn conclusions that prevent the other person’s views from having a place to go in your brain for consideration.

SECOND

Introspect, inspect, respect, reflect!   We are so quick to alienate, judge and condemn without truly listening, and for some reason feel that “our way” is the only right way, and that only people who think as we do are worth listening to.

Exploring the origin of those feelings (insecurity, previous unsavory personal experiences, ego out of balance, etc.) through honest introspection brings us to our center, back to balance IF we can be truthful and honest with ourselves.  Although we were laughing at GNO about how much better off the world would be if we (I) were in charge, surely other people have insights, wisdom and skills that can enhance our lives.  Taking time to inspect those other ways of thinking and respecting our fellow beings as divine sparks of our Creator are much more likely to produce peace and goodwill, and provide common ground from which to civilly, effectively and compassionately find solutions.

THIRD

Be a mature  and truthful role model for others, especially our children.     Using labels is fraught with potential for misunderstandings.  There are so many ways to interpret the many political, moralistic, racial and/or cultural labels that are in wide use.  Further disruption in our balance occurs with fear-mongering and inciting anger through the use of social media, often behind the cowardly curtain of anonymity, for instant shock value and high, wide-spread impact.  Choosing to communicate only through character-limited tweets, passing along non-verified blurbs of information (or even worse, knowing it is untrue and passing it on anyway) radically reduces our ability to converse meaningfully, to have eye contact, to reach out with maturity, reason and wisdom.  Take time to verify information, to understand the source and the motivation behind it; let it settle in your soul for a while, and run it through your moral filter before you pass it on. Eliminate those easy-to-misunderstand labels, find out what the real person – another child of God, just like you – behind the label is thinking and feeling.  REFUSE TO USE NAME CALLING AND HARSH, HATE-FILLED WORDS.

                                              

FINALLY

We are all in this together — be kind!  You’ll get back what you give, and we’ll all be better off for more kindness.

   Let  me know what you think about this!  I’d love to hear your comments, and will post those that refrain from labeling or name-calling!