July 3, 2009
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people
before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the
right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
When the door of happiness closes, another
opens, but oftentimes we look so long at the closed door that
we don't see the one that has been opened for us.
The best kind of friend is the kind you can
sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk
away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got
until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what
we've been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect
love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.
It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone,
an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it takes
a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; don't go for wealth. Go
for someone who makes you smile; because it takes only a smile
to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your
heart smile.May you have enough happiness to make you
sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep
you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you
feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest people don't necessarily have
the best of everything; they just make the most of everything
that comes along their way.
Happiness lives for those who cry, those who
hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for
only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched
their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with
a tear.
The brightest future will always be based
on a forgotten past, you can't go on in life until you let go
of your past failures and heartaches.
Posted by Wanda El
June 17, 2009
"How do I let go, God?"
God whispers, "Simply let go."
"HOW do I let go?"
God whispers again, "Just let go."
"HOW do I LET GO!?"
God whispering, "..open your hand."
"How do I love, God?"
God whispers, "Simply love."
"HOW do I love?"
God whispers again, "Just love."
"HOW do I LOVE!?!"
God whispering, "..open your heart."
Do we get so caught up in the "act" of doing and end up forgetting
about just "being". We may hold something in our hands soo tightly in
the cookie jar we forget, in order to get the handful of cookies we
need to let go, in letting go we obtain what we most desire, albeit,
one at a time.
We may hold angry and hurt feelings, emotions that hinder us from
becoming who we are meant to be. In order to find that love we
most desperately need, (human and divine love) we need to open our
hearts, in letting go we obtain what we most want and desire, it is
our inheritance.
How do we know if and when it comes time to 'let go' we won't be
dashed to bits by unseen malevolent forces...the scary UNKNOWN!!
What is the UNKNOWN?
How do we know when to "let go?" I believe the answer is found deep within. It's very subtle until you discover it by opening the eyes of your heart.
It's time to let go of any desire to possess. What does this really
mean? Is it possessing feelings, emotions and ideas? Or locking
yourself into what you perceived to be true? In clinging in order to
possess, we cannot get our hand out of the cookie jar, in other words,
we are unable to see any higher dynamic at work. We fail to see there
is more for us waiting. Clinging too tightly does not allow for divine
harmony and synchronistic events to occur for expansion of
consciousness and the soul's growth. When we hold something so very
true and dear to us, we fail to see other truths and opportunities
knocking at our door.
Just because we don't sense things by the normal senses, we can simply
"know" there are things beyond the norm on various levels. We don't see
them, but they are real. We don't see the other side of the
UNKNOWN because we have not learned to trust ourselves to look past
any "walls" out of fear. In letting go we are saying "I trust you
Spirit"
Trusting in Spirit of things we cannot tangibly see as a whole because of
the vastness it encompasses, can be extremely tough for our minds to
handle. When the heart speaks softly we listen more intently. We need
to shift our focus to the heart for guidance when our minds cannot
make sense of what is happening around us. Does this sound familiar??
I believe this "knowing" transforms into internal peace which lends
us the courage to somewhat understand that
"It's ok to let go"
"It's alright because you are most loved"
"You are protected and cared for"
"You are never alone"
"I Am always with you"
If Spirit says that, who are we to second guess the Divine? Yes we
may stutter and say, "But, but, but, but..you have to be kidding me!"
After a while when the mind slows we understand and "know" it is the
integration of Heart and Mind working together to let go *willfully*
with strength and courage. I believe our lives our trained for such
so when the time does come we can "let go" and "love unconditionally
and consciously" to the very depth of our souls.
Remember the meaning of true Love and just "let go."
You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!
Posted by Wanda El
May 29, 2009
God, who is All-Knowing, needs to experience His knowledge. From this need, rose all Creation, which is the manifestation of God's emotion and intellect. Every facet of God can be found in His work. The perfect love between our Father and Mother became so great that it began to multiply onto itself, thus creating all of us.We've become the source that directly experiences emotions for God. We are literally, a part of God. As such, anything we experience is also experienced directly by God. If we're having some type of difficulty, then God experiences it, too. If we discover a joyous facet of life, then God is also there.It's true that God needs us to experience. Yet, it's more correct to say that God "is us," and thereby, God does experience directly.God has experiences over and above what humans do. This is true because God has "all" knowledge, whereas, we have very little by comparison. We're the sensing... feeling side of God's knowledge. Yet, due to God's boundless wisdom, all experiences we have are of a far greater magnitude of God.God experiences through us, but is able to absorb much more than we can understand.
Posted by Wanda El
May 27, 2009
 The Teachings of Abrahamhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRYUk1U9Na0&feature=related
Posted by Wanda El
April 30, 2009
If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and
entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will
be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a
flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to
run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a
prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or a flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A Bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies... unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides, near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bee. They are struggling about their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
Posted by Wanda El
April 20, 2009
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum.
From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want
to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't.
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing
but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said.
I was feeling high and
mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.DON'T WE ALL?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter
how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.Even if it's just a
compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a
power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked
down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to
that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." DON'T WE ALL?
Posted by Wanda El
April 18, 2009
How do you spell rescue?Each of our lives has idiosyncrasies and areas in which we need help.Thank goodness we don't have to go through the challenges of life alone. We really do need each other. And love often means coming to the rescue when a person we care for needs us.Today, thank someone for the way he or she rescues you. And be on the lookout for how you can bring relief and rescue to the ones you love.
Posted by Wanda El
April 10, 2009
Throughout history, it has been
commonly recognized that all things are one. For centuries, that
unifying factor has been called God. In recent times, it has been
referred to as the unified field of modern physics.
What
has been far less commonly recognized is man’s place in that unified
system of existence. From the moment of manifestation, everything has
been evolving, gravitating back to an awareness of its own true nature…
the unified field… a field of infinite harmony and intelligence… pure
consciousness… pure Is-ness. That evolutionary process finds its
fulfillment in a species where the individual can fully embody the
grandeur of his essence, the unified field. That species is the human
species.
This
notion may, at first glance, seem straightforward enough, but the
implications are vast and leave no area of life untouched. The more
fully this notion is explored, the more obvious its validity becomes,
as it entirely transforms, yet reaffirms, all areas of life.
Psychotherapy is understood to be the facilitation of awakening to
one’s own true nature, the unified field. Physics is understood as the
study of the mechanics of the dynamic cycle of manifestation and
reunification.
Biological evolution is seen as the process of species
gravitating back to their source, the unified field. Theological
notions are unveiled anew as religions merge with rationality. The
unification of science and spirituality is revealed. Health is
understood to be the alignment of physiology with the underlying
coherence that manifested and maintains life. A new context for
everything is discovered. The teachings of the ancient masters, the
essence of the world’s religions, are given new life in this profoundly
transformative light.
When
this understanding becomes mainstream, all areas of human endeavor
unify into a seamless whole, each deepening our relationship with the
other. Humanity will be inspired to ascend to its most laudable and
appropriate role, a beacon light that radiates harmony and health
throughout the planet.
To
understand this conceptually is a beginning. By taking the time to
reflect, this idea becomes increasingly compelling, and eventually
self-evident. Upon realizing its truth deep within you, your personal
transformation will be ignited and your life will never be the same.
You will have had The Awakening to the secret essence of life that
dwells in all things. Once this is discovered, it is clearly apparent.
Yet, until it is discovered, it remains the mystery that has eluded
humanity throughout the ages.
I invite you to pursue this Awakening and use it to transform not only your life, but the entire family of humanity.
Posted by Wanda El
March 31, 2009
When we are not being our authentic
selves, living a life that is true to our soul, there is a voice within
us that sometimes screams, and at other times whispers, but is always
there. When we are everyone else’s servant, cook, chief bottle washer,
nurse and caretaker, we can pretend not to hear it, but it is always
within our hearing. Our creative spirit is always inside, just waiting
to be released. When we ignore her, when our innate talent lays
dormant, she will never allow us to be satisfied with less than who we
are. We can stay very busy and block her out, but deep within we know
her truth.
I remember a poem I wrote when I was seventeen. I was struggling to understand life and my purpose.
“There’s something I have to do,
An urge eating inside of me,
And until I find out what it is
I shall never, never be free.
In the darkness of my thoughts I’m lost,
I sink within my sins
In the struggle to know myself
And just where to begin.”
I
also remember thinking about that poem again when I was 34, sitting in
the office of a psychiatrist. I was in a deep depression, in great
emotional and spiritual pain, trying to understand why I couldn’t stop
drinking and why everything in my life had lost its meaning. A fearful
thought haunted me “Would I be the same at 51?”
And, I remember with great joy driving to work one day when I was 51.
The poem I had written at 17 and my deep despair at 34 came back to me
and I smiled. I was sober, had turned my life around and had
co-founded a treatment program for women recovering from alcoholism and
drug addiction. I knew I was doing what God wanted me to do with my
life then. I was listening to my soul.
Many of us are doing what we think we should do or what we think other
people want us to do. We don’t all have to reach deep despair to find
out who we really are. Nor can we all simply go off and leave our
responsibilities to fulfill our soul’s desires, although some women
have no choice but to do just that.
What
voice is calling to you? Is there a talent that you are not
expressing? Is there something you liked doing when you were younger
that you have not done in a long time? What special dreams have you
put off because you are “too busy?” What makes your heart smile?
Take some quiet time and write the following affirmation 10 times a day for 21 days. You’ll be amazed at the results!
THE UNIVERSE IS GUIDING ME TO DISCOVER WHAT MAKES MY HEART SMILE
AND GIVES ME ALL THE ENERGY I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH IT!
Posted by Wanda El
March 25, 2009
Peace is
not Gods gift to his creatures.
It is our gift to each other.
We
dream of living in a peaceful world, but before we can do so,
we have to discover our own inner peace. It is only after experiencing
contentment that we can sow peace in our family, neighborhood,
workplace, and community. What is peace of mind? It is not the
absence of problems, a big bank account, or a beautiful home,
but it is how we choose to feel about our present circumstances.
That's right; its a feeling, a feeling we choose to have.
How
many problems have you experienced and what happened to them?
Weren't your problems resolved? Won't all future problems also
be resolved? If you keep this in mind, it'll be easier to maintain
your peace of mind when you run into an obstacle. With practice,
you'll be able to dissolve any problem merely by looking at it.
For when you look at problems closely enough, you will find they
are opportunities in disguise.
Focusing
on what we don't have instead of what we do have is one of the
main reasons many of us suffer from discontent. TV, radio, and
print ads bombard us daily, and their only purpose is to convince
us that we are not contented and need something else to be happy.
No wonder we find it difficult to find happiness in ourselves,
but be forewarned, you wont find it anywhere else. I guess they
had advertising in ancient Greece too, for Epicurus wrote about
the same subject: Do not spoil what you have by desiring what
you have not; but remember what you now have was once among the
things only hoped for.
Imagine
for a moment that you return from work and discover that your
home or apartment has been robbed.
All your possessions are gone!
How would you feel? Meanwhile, the next day the police tell you
the thief has been captured, and they return all of your property
in perfect condition. Now how would you feel? Wouldn't you feel
great? Guess what? Everything has been returned, look around
you and see for yourself. Now that you know it is there, enjoy
it; be happy. Although its okay to enjoy possessions, we need
to understand happiness, contentment, and peace of mind don't
arise from what we have, but from what we are. Our desires are
insatiable. Possessions can never fulfill us. As soon as we get
the object of our desire, we grow tired of it and want something
else. So, the only way to be contented is to give up the desire
for the things we think will bring contentment!
Instead
of focusing on what we dont have, we need to be thankful for
what we do have. As Melody Beattie wrote, Gratitude unlocks
the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and
more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion
to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Also,
be thankful not only for every wonderful thing you have received,
but for every horrible thing you have avoided.
Peace
is not something for us to wish for, but something for us to
make, do, be and give away. The part about giving it away is
important, for as Shantideva, the renowned Indian Buddhist master
(687 - 763) said, Whatever joy there is in this world, all comes
from desiring others to be happy, and whatever suffering there
is in this world arises from desiring only myself to be happy.
Do
you want a simple formula for achieving peace of mind? Do what
is right. Do what you ought, not what you please. Lao Tzu, the
founder of Taoism, also recommended this philosophy, for he wrote:
Why
not simply honor your parents,
love
your children,
help
your brothers and sisters,
be
faithful to your friends,
care
for your mate with devotion,
complete
your work cooperatively and joyfully,
assume
responsibility for problems,
practice
virtue without first demanding it of others,
understand
the highest truths yet retain an ordinary manner?
Nearly
300 years ago, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu expressed this same
truth another way: While conscience is our friend, all is at
peace; however once it is offended, farewell to a tranquil mind.
Our
own negativity blocks the peace of mind buried deep within us.
Once we free ourselves of our bad attitude, contentment will
rise to the top and overflow. What are some of the harmful behaviors
we need to stop? Criticism
and blame immediately come to mind. When you point at others,
look at your own hand and you will find that three fingers point
right back at you, so stop blaming others. If you're a legitimate
victim, you have a right to seek justice, but after doing so,
get over it; move on; stop complaining. He insulted me, he cheated
me, he beat me, he robbed me. Those who are free of such resentful
thoughts surely find peace, said Buddha.
What
else can we do to foster the growth of peace of mind? Accept
others as they are; dont try to change them. If you've been
wronged, forgive others, but don't judge them. If you wish to
become a true peacemaker, its not your friends, but your enemies
that you need to talk to.
When
we replace the love of power with the power of love, we will
have made giant strides in achieving peace. Frederick Buechner
articulately described the power of love as follows, Your life
and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and
unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can
be no real peace or joy or freedom for me. To see reality --
not as we expect it to be but as it is -- is to see that unless
we live for each other and in and through each other, we do not
really live very satisfactorily; that there can really be life
only where there really is, in just this sense, love. Armed
with these thoughts, lets go in peace.
Posted by Wanda El
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