My brain has been all over the place this past week, well probably this whole month as I have been intentional about acknowledging different aspects of my life, my choices, the people in my life, those who have left, etc. This past week has been interesting because I have had to acknowledge the ways I still pastor and minister to people and how I have needed to define those terms for myself and acknowledge that they mean to me. I had to acknowledge those places where for me they were still artificially attached to my being attached to a formal congregation, which met in a formal building, and had formal worship services. It was reminders from my wife and friends who helped me in the process of detaching from the meanings others had and still do ascribe to those words and to redefine them for myself.
I have had to acknowledge how when people hear I am a reverend that they fill their minds with assumptions about who I am, what I believe, and my life in general. While I have no control over how others perceive me, I do have control over how I perceive myself and the image and story I create for myself and for others to observe.
Read more I came from a history of addiction. My father was an alcoholic. My mother was a sewaholic, sewing was her drug of choice. My brother was addiction to prescription medications for a while. I have battled an addiction to food most of my life. But I have also realized lately that I have some other addictions that I need to terminate and for which there is no 12 step group. I am still a “I am not good enough” addict. My addiction to not being good enough goes back decades, more than half a century in reality and stems from the day I was born and was given up for adoption. That was the first message that I was not good enough. Then I was not good enough to stay in the foster home. Then the rest of the not good enough messages began to filter into my life and resulted in my becoming a full blown “I am not good enough addict”.
When I was in seminary, I began facing that addiction and wrote a poem I have shared before called I am enough.
Read moreThis morning something challenged me to acknowledge a different aspect of negativity in my life. I have been intentional about working on keeping the 1st agreement and being impeccable with my thoughts and words. I have been intentional about avoiding gossip, criticism, thinking negative things about others or myself. I have been intentional about sending love, light, and positive energy to those who do not appear to be vibrating at the same level that I am, or who appears to be in need of healing.
Then it hit me, who am I to determine they are in need of healing or not vibrating at the same level then I am. How do I know that? How do I know what someone can or cannot do? If they think they cannot do something, then that is about them. If I think they cannot do something, or I cannot do something, then that is about me. Why would I contribute to the belief that something is not possible? Why am I judging others and their abilities?
Read moreI don’t know who said, "A picture is worth a thousand words." So this image is not so much a picture, but it really spoke to my spirit this morning. It reminded me of a few other lessons I try to incorporate in my life. One being HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, or tired). If I am any of these, I need to halt before speaking or doing anything. When I am hungry, physically not emotionally, I need to eat something. When I am angry, I need to calm down. When I am lonely, I need to find a way to socialize with someone. When I am tired, I need to take a nap. I need to do all of these things BEFORE I say or do anything, which I may later regret.
Then there is the Sufi teaching, which reminds me that BEFORE I speak, I must answer three questions: is it truthful; is it necessary; and is it kind. If they are not, then I do not need to speak those thoughts into being. I need to remember to think BEFORE speaking or doing.
Read moreSo as you know I have a routine spiritual practice each day, but periodically, I feel led to draw a card from one of my decks for inspiration and meditation. This morning, I drew the Queen of Fire from the Osho Zen Tarot deck. This card came bearing the message that I have so much more to share with the world than I realize!
Sometimes it is easy for me to forget that my small, positive actions, words, and deeds have a huge impact on the “big picture.” I am not always conscious of the ways what I do and create has a radiating effect on the world. Yesterday, one of my students shared with me how they believe the legacy I am creating will continue to influencing the planet long after I have forgotten about it or no longer exist on this plane. This card reminded me that my contribution doesn’t need to be some big flashy deal to have a transformative impact.
Read moreSo here, it is on March 14 and while I would like to say, I have nothing to talk to you about, that would be a lie. I always have something to talk to you about. I keep coming back to this idea of my inner constellation and being part of a greater constellation. A constellation is a group of stars, which form a recognizable pattern. In some ways, I am A star in a larger group of stars, part of a larger constellation. I am a part of other people’s constellations and others are a part of mine.
I also have my own inner constellation. Evolutionary cosmologist Brian Swimme once wrote, “Everything gives off light at all times.” For me, that means that I give off light at all times and it is my light in conjunction with every one else’s light that creates those larger constellations one sees in the universe. At the same time, everything within me gives off light too. When I take the time focus on my inner constellation, I can begin to see my inner soulscape, the image of the warrior artist you created me to be.
Read moreI just wanted to take a moment to give thanks for the awesome time I had with all the people who came to have their spirit drawings done by J:D Arrichi at our space. It was a blessing to have met new people and enabled them to experience the peace and healing, which we offer in our space. Sometimes a place can sound good on paper, but until you experience the space, you do not know if it is a space, you need to return to in your journey.
There were so many amazingly powerful memories yesterday, which served as clear reminders of the subtle way that Spirit works. For example, I thought it was funny how one of the women was looking for a new dentist did not know that the co-pastor at her church was a dentist. After helping her to connect the dots, she realized she knew who she needed to go see. Prayer answered. Thank you for using me one more time.
Read moreA few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted the following on his Facebook page. “I've come into a higher CONSCIOUSNESS that to RELINQUISH and to SURRENDER are entirely two different things and I no longer want to GIVE UP.... I want to ACCEPT that I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING and ACCEPT that my control is LIMITED. Periodically, over the last few weeks I have been thinking about what he said and realized that he, like many people associate the word “surrender” with negative energy and meanings. He was, like so many other people I know, viewing it as a weakness or deficiency. He saw surrendering as giving up. Another friend of mine told me those who surrender are losers.
I have been thinking about what the word surrender for me. However, I have not been able to agree with what he said about surrender. See in my Dream, the word “surrender” is a positive.
Read moreEvery morning one of the first things I do is to take time to thank you for at least five things I have been blessed with in my life. Sometimes they are not things in my life, but the absence of things in my life. When I hear of people who are struggling with and dying from addictions to drugs, or in abusive relationships, or homeless, and the list goes on, I am reminded to give thanks for all that I have not or am not experiencing in my life at this time.
One of the things I am eternally grateful for is that you love me unconditionally. You know my heart, and all the thoughts that float through my mind and you still love me unconditionally. You have loved me even when I have not always loved myself.
Read moreGood morning and welcome to a new day! Happy Valentine’s Day. Have I told you yet how much I love you? Hmm. it feels good to be able to say that, smile, and feel the love radiating through my body. Oh, how far I have come. I can remember a time when I did not love myself, at least not completely, and definitely not unconditionally. I can remember a time when my sense of self was depending on others telling me I was ok. I can remember when I felt as if I needed to be with someone to feel lovable. I learned, however, that feeling lovable is not the same as being loved and that nobody can make me feel loved. I am the only one who can make me feel the way I am feeling about me at this time in my life. Happy Valentine’s Day to me.
Read moreI have been thinking about how, as I wrote about last week, the changes, which are occurring in my life, are happening for me, not to me. While I am clearly experiencing some physical changes in my life, most of these changes as well as the others I have been experiencing are about changes that are happening internally. They are changes, which are happening in my belief system.
What I believe is what I have chosen to believe. My beliefs live within me and have power in my life because I have given them that power. Understanding they can only continue to exist if I continue to feed them is powerful. It means I also have the power to evict them from my heart and edit them out of my belief system.
Read moreOver the last few weeks, Zoe and I have experienced a few changes in our lives. Changes in the way our office is structured and organized, loss of a family member, change in eating choices, and other changes which have affected us, to varying degrees, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Some of the changes we knew were coming, others seemed to occur with little notice and others seemed to manifest out of thin air. Whether we believe the change is for the better or the worse, we cannot avoid change. It is part of our existence as human beings.
As I think back over all the changes, which have occurred over my life, I have come to realize that there were some changes I was more aware of then others. I am not aware every time a cell in my body is changing. I am not aware every time blood is flowing through my veins. I am not aware of all the things my body seems to do for me until there is a change in how it is or has been doing it, then I become aware.
Read moreSometimes the simple questions provoke the deepest of thinking. I was at the funeral for Zoe’s Aunt Neeny this past week and had a chance to talk to one of her family members (well actually the husband of her cousin). We have had virtually no chance to talk at all the last 8 years, so I think what happened between us was powerful for both of us. It all started with a comment about our favorite television channels (foodnetwork and the cooking channel). This led to me talking about The Zenful Kitchen and to a broader discussion of faith and spirituality. He seemed interested in knowing more about Inspiritual and I am ALWAYS willing to share the work we are doing here. I guess it is my form of evangelism – lol.
Read moreI am so grateful for the Bitstrip image I created a few days ago that said, “When a problem comes along Sharon must whip it.” I wrote on the cartoon, “I can whip any problem.” This turned out to be so true this week. Each day this week has been an opportunity for me to put on my Wonder Woman outfit and walk in the fullness of my strength and courage. Some of the challenges were little things, like my Facebook page for Inspiritual disappearing for a few hours. Other things were a bit more challenging, such as learning how to be patient with Zoe’s family as they worked out the details for her Aunt Neeny’s funeral, then reworked them after the snowstorm, which closed down the cemetery. Then there were the little things like figuring out accessibility issues for me once we arrive in Long Island. In the midst of it all, my inner Wonder Woman showed up and showed out.
Read moreDear Universal Consciousness,
I just wanted to thank you for reminding me what a difference an R can make. It made me think about the story I was once told about how the difference between evolving and revolving is an R. if I keep doing or believing the same thing repeatedly, then I am not evolving. It is as if I am trapped in one of those revolving doors, which I have often seen in a department store. I am just revolving through life and not evolving.
It is reassuring to remember that I do not have to believe in or agree to the same things for my entire life. As I grow and evolve, what I believe should also change. What I believe is in my mind. They only have power over me as long as I agree that they are true and give them power in my life. When I realize they no longer need to reside in my mind, I can say to them, “you are no longer true” and release them from my Book of Law.
Read moreWhen I did not, there were times that I found myself falling into the trap of being a time traveler. I would be sucked into the past and the distorted version that I had created out of my wounds. Other times, I would be sucked into the future and begin creating a distorted version of what might happen. In either case, I was not living in the present and thus not even experiencing the present moment because I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in another time zone.
I wanted to thank you for teaching me how to take it to the next level. So now, when I find myself reacting emotionally, I just stop and say this is what I am feeling and this is my truth. I am reacting to my truth and opening the door to my healing. I then do the healing work and then do something to celebrate the work I have done. We all have to be paid for our hard work J
Read moreI cannot remember when I began this ritual, so I know it has been part of my life for a while at least since the early 1990’s. Growing up, my parents always taught me how important it was to perform acts of kindness for others, to do good in the world, and to work to make this world a better place. I think it was when I was when I was a part of the Mormon Church for a while and heard this song for the first time. They lyrics to the song became a ritual for me.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
Read moreI was having a conversation with a friend recently about what I do when life gets difficult. I would like to be able to say that life is never difficult and there are never any obstacles placed in front of me, but I would be lying. At the same time, it struck me that I have never consciously thought about what I do and how do I move through. What do I do to keep myself grounded and focused when life happens, which it is bound to do?
What I am coming to understand and remember is that things are what they appear to be at that moment and it is my attitude, which determines how I move through and view the situation.
Read moreSeriously, I know that the Ultimate works in mysterious ways, but Duck Dynasty. If anybody had told me a year ago, I would have had the spiritual reaction that I did while watching a Duck Dynasty marathon on A and E, I would have called them a liar. Seriously, Duck Dynasty? I remember when I first saw the ads about a year ago. Nothing in them screamed – watch me. Last night, I was sitting with our housemate while he was resting his back and somehow I was sucked into this mix of honesty and humor with an underlying thread of spirituality.
As I have been thinking about what it was about the episodes I watched that I appreciated, I think it was the ability to trust their intuition, to capitalize on each other’s gifts, and to create something beautiful out of what others could not appreciate.
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