Imagine a Garden

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During these times of internal conflict, bullying at all levels, bigotry, hatred and divisiveness, please, take a moment to consider the following and by all means like and share.

“The flowers of the earth do not grudge at one another, though one be more beautiful and fuller of virtue than another, but they stand humbly, kindly, one by another, and enjoy the virtues of all. If we, too, were to all stand humbly in the field” (Jacob Boehme) imagine the world-wide peace and harmony that would prevail.

Like each flower, we are all unique, but, hold a beauty and talent of equal caliper. A garden of people, different heights, different colors, different aromas, some colorful, some fancy, some plain, all with a life's purpose, would be a wondrous sight to behold. Perennials next to annuals, blues next to yellows, all shouting out in their glorious uniqueness and beauty. They would stand so tightly together that the “weeds” (haters?) would not penetrate, but enough space allowed for growth of roots, branches and the dropping of seeds for future crops (youth?).

A garden of such kind would require a tremendous amount of care at first, finding the right fertilizing balance of compassion, forgiveness, humor, acceptance, support, nourishment and spacing.  After awhile, the act of caring for and nurturing the individuals would become second nature and not feel like an effort of work at all.

Such a garden starts with one individual seed, sowed into a fertile soil that has been patiently, repeatedly prepped by the gardeners of the world, watered and given norishment of compassion, acceptance, hope and tended to by loving hands of humanity.

Would such a garden need a fence protecting it? Perhaps at the onset, but once it is well-rooted and recognized for being the standard to achieve, it would be secure and free to grow without boundaries." What a Wonderful World It Would Be"! (Thanks Louis Armstrong) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU

Regret

 

 Regret: re·gret
 –verb (used with object)
1. to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.): He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.
2. to think of with a sense of loss: to regret one's vanished youth.
–noun
3. a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
4. a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.
5. regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation: I sent her my regrets.

We have all experienced a regret of some kind for different reasons and duration. Some are a result of a conscious act on our part while others happened either accidentally to us or to others with whom we empathize with. The key to dealing with regret is to take a positive from the experience and move on, not forgetting, but using the experience as a positive reference lesson in your future.  By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Holding onto regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go. It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue. This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds.

We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again. We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.

If the regret is a result of our actions toward others, offer a sincere apology. It is then their choice to forgive or not. We cannot control the actions of others, only our reactions to them. So, if they choose to not forgive, you cannot control that. You can regret your act, offer your apologies and move on, with or without their forgiveness, learning from the experience.

Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the dreams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past and move forward to a positive future.

Blessed Be!

July 4th

On this day in which Americans celebrate their  independence, we offer prayers for our country and its leaders.

Though our nation is far from perfect, it has nevertheless been the source of much goodness, both for American citizens and for the world. We give thanks for the freedom we have to worship and to live out our faith without fear. In today’s world, this is nothing to take for granted and pray that tolerance and mutual respect will allow it to continue.

To our national leaders, political and public leaders of all callings, our nation faces such great challenges, both at home and abroad. May you have the wisdom and courage to seek and accept the truth that all are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Let us not take our freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May we always remember that a very high price was paid for our freedom as our freedom cost others their very lives. We thank those in the past, present and future who serve  to give their lives for our freedom. We are thankful for this nation and for all the sacrifices others have made to build and defend this country. May we acknowledge and be grateful for the opportunities and freedoms we have in the United States of America. May we never to take these blessings for granted.

To all Americans, come together in unity, not only on this day of celebration, but on every day on which we should be celebrating and experiencing our freedom, side-by-side, hand-in-hand. Act with mutual respect and tolerance. Put aside the differences, the hatred, the lies, the partisan politics, all the negative emotions that rise to the top and replace them all with the thread of commonality. May we all safely enjoy this 4th of July with enthusiasm, hope and togetherness! So Mote It Be!

The Basic Essentials

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“What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Saint-Exuprey in “The Little Prince”

Essential is defined as something very basic, necessary. It is said the essentials of life are food, water and shelter. But is that it? Will having those things insure one of a happy, complete life? To those struggling day-to-day to survive the answer is yes, indeed. For those not knowing where or how their next nourishment will be obtained those truly are the basic essentials of life. Those basic essentials are very similar to those in the animal or plant kingdoms, all living things have the same basic essential needs.

A percentage of the human population can survive and live happily as a hermit for example, the remainder are not able to simplify their lives to that extreme and be happy doing so. Those essentials are quickly taken for granted by those who are fortunate to have access to resources that provide these essentials seamlessly. For those, the bar is raised from basic survival needs to needs of fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction. Enter the needs of companionship, human touch, intellectual stimulation, compassion, love, a life’s purpose, etc. For example, a recent British survey (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339523/The-20-necessities-modern-life-simply-live-without.html) showed that Britons feel that a cup of tea, fast internet connections, television, an iPhone all made their top 20 necessities of life list. It should be noted that included in that top 20 list were cuddles, trustworthy friends, hearing “I love you” occasionally and a good cry now and then.

Per the Dali Lama, we are social animals who need friends. We need a community to survive. Friends are made on the basis of trust, which only grows if you are kind to people. Kindness and compassion gives rise to self-confidence, which empowers you to be honest, truthful and transparent. This self-confidence brings peace of mind, which also favors good health. That needed community surrounds us on a daily basis. We are all “One”, from the same source. Differences among us abound, but the commonality far surpasses those differences. They are not often easily visible and effort is needed to uncover them, but they are there everywhere. The same basic beliefs, likes, dislikes, fears are shared by many even if not apparent on the surface. These invisible commonalities are what bind us all together in this Universe of mankind. There is no need to wait for a crisis before uniting under a common cause. Make this lifetime a common cause and be mindful daily of the union of mankind.

May your every day be a blessed day!

Forgiveness

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                                 Forgive: A Powerful Word Waiting to be Used                               

“If you haven’t forgiven yourself something, how can you forgive others?”….Delores Hureta
Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta is a labor leader and civil rights activist who, along with César Chávez, co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.

Forgive. To forgive is to pardon. To pardon is to let it go. To forgive, you must truly let it go. You are not just letting go of the circumstances or wrongs, you are releasing it all. It never happened once. It is forgiven. “True forgiveness does not even remember the injury.” (The Two Seekers) Forgiveness is an activity that moves us past hurts and disappointments and on to serenity and fulfillment.

Forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself and to others. Forgive yourself. As stated by Robert Watts Jr. in “People Are Never the Problem,” to fully enjoy our potential and to increase the potential in others, we must learn to forgive ourselves and our fellow man. When we forgive others, we are forgiven for the things we do wrong. Forgiveness is the power to start over and try again. Forgiveness is the power to do better next time. Give yourself that chance. The most enriching experience from forgiveness is that we gain a greater understanding of ourselves as a spiritual being.

When one is offended in some nature, intentional or not, it is an opportunity to respond with love and compassion as the Deity within us all would do. Troubled times provide prime opportunities to put our beliefs into practice.

I believe we are all equal and are one as our beginning, everyone’s, starts with the same source, Deity, call Him/Her what you may.

To others, forgiveness is a gift because you are letting the other person take the “wrong” and are letting them release any fear or retribution. They can live in without hiding around a corner in fear. Fear causes many actions, anger and violence as well as illness and depression. The forgiven now feels like they can truly change because you have let go of the idea that they are bad. You release them from negative self-worth. You let them know that there is a clean slate and they alone have the choice to change or not.

Forgiveness does not mean you shouldn’t file the information as if it were a lesson. That is what it should be - a lesson for all concerned. Use it to protect yourself and be sure it is not something that will hurt you again or destroy anything you have worked for. If it happens again, you are in a position to say that the person is noteworthy of trust and should not be part of your life. They lack respect and you cannot put yourself in that situation to be misled again. That person can be forgiven, even again, but you can also ask them to move on in their own life if the wrong is bad enough. Only you can determine if and when that point is reached. It is also a point when you need to ask yourself if you contributed in any way in making certain things happen or led the person to think wrongly. There is always cause and effect and there could be something that leads them to repeat their mistakes. You do not have to forget, just let go of the emotion attached to you don’t become destructive, for if we do not practice forgiveness frequently, it can destroy us from the inside out and can also destroy those we love who are innocent bystanders.

Life is a wonderful roller coaster, full of ups and downs, filled with excitement and fear. We cannot and should not blame those who journeyed along with us, even if they pushed us off course. We have to find the lesson in where we are at the time and be thankful for being led to a place where we were able to experience it. Good or bad, we had an experience. If it was bad, be thankful for making it through and be thankful by forgiving them and yourself.

Forgiveness can be one of the greatest acts of kindness you can commit. Let go of the past and not only will you grant peace, you will achieve peace.

If we are willing and anxious to forgive others, why not forgive ourselves, for we are as worthy of forgiveness as our equals are. I was told once by a highly respected professional that I was the calmest person she ever met. I grinned at that comment, smugly perhaps, and told her that was because I was at peace. Peace? Yes, and I went on to explain to her that I was at peace because I forgave myself. I accepted the fact that as a human, I made decisions that hurt many others, though that was not my intent. 

Did others have a role in my decisions and actions? Absolutely, but the ultimate decisions were mine. But, as I stated in earlier articles, life is an experience, a learning experience with no right or wrong decisions, for lessons are to be learned from whatever direction we choose.
Let Deity within you guide your actions in good times, turmoil or challenging situations. Listen closely. Deity is there guiding all of us.
There is no need to wait to be asked for forgiveness, for at times the other person may not even realize they have offended you. Is there someone you need to forgive? Yourself? Today is a good day.
Forgive.
Blessed Be!

Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk

 

 I do not believe there is a perfect, all-inclusive definition of Wicca. Many variations, interpretation and practices within the Wicca label exists. They are all correct and accurate for that particular practitioner. However, I find the following to be the closest explanation of the basis for Wicca.
Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists. Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow. It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earths nature and being humbled in reverence. To be Wiccan is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things. (The Celtic Connection) The Goddess and God are present in all of us, making us all "one", equals at the core (see http://liomsaland.blogspot.com/2015/10/we-are-all-one.html). Our Deities are non-judgemental, leaving the ultimate judgement up to us individually as we plan our life's path before entering our next lifetime in the circle of life.
If none of this resonates with you, please stop reading as the remainder of my points will be moot.
During my interactions with Wiccans and others, Pagans, Christians and all other religious followers, either on-line or in person, I have witnessed surprising and troubling (to me) displays of attitudes and behaviors, intentional and non-intentional, that causes me to review my beliefs and acts and question if they are compatible with the Wiccan belief system.
Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Prejudice is discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of based on the belief that one is superior.
Racism, as intolerable as it is, is not, however the only form of prejudice. Examples are too exhaustive to list, but includes sexual preferences, religious beliefs, disabilities, political affiliations, economic status, etc. Standing idly by witnessing such activity is no better than the physically active abuser.
We are products of our past, experiences and environments. Parents, relatives, older neighbors, friends, athletes, politicians, role-models, etc., all leave marks, positive or negative, on our psyche and how we view others and the world we encounter. Not knowing our fellow human's chart or past experiences leaves us (or should leave us) in a non-judgemental position.
While society norms have changed over the past numerous decades it appears that a number of individuals haven't kept pace. This is true with respect to the public in general, not just Wiccans. However, given the basis of Wicca (see paragraph 1) how does any practice of racism and/or prejudice co-exist with this religious dogma?
Current events have brought the closeted topic of racism and prejudice to the forefront and allows us the opportunity to do some honest self-examinations. How do you grade yourself? Are some changes or adjustments needed? You be the judge, for you alone know the real truth and are the one who looks in the mirror each morning. Do you see what others see?
There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
Blessed Be!