Archives: December 2009
Thu Dec 31, 2009
In our book section, you can now order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Wendy Wasserstein
Dear Hearts,
Here we are on the very threshold of the New Year. Many of us have resolved that the year 2007 will not be a year of our “same old, same old” way of living. We no longer want to be the proverbial ostrich with our heads buried deep in the sand of the grit and grind of our journeys. We want to live lives of possibilities rather than simply trying to survive our daily routine.
We might ask ourselves, “How can we find new possibilities within the structure of our current lives?” Let’s remember that our lives right now are filled with the Presence of God and God Is Infinite Possibilities; therefore, within the very lives we are living God Is and possibilities abound.
We have at our doorstep the possibilities of
~ Expanding the scope of our current jobs;
~ Expanding our knowledge and creativity by taking a class;
~ Making the meals we prepare (while maintaining our budget) something very beautiful and special;
~ Being more loving in our hearts;
~ Embracing a more compassionate view of the world;
~ Knowing God better through rededication to prayer and meditation;
~ Being a powerful presence of peace in this world, by taking a stand for peace within our own lives.
The possibilities we have within the life we lead are endless. As we commence the New Year, let’s make a conscious choice to rededicate ourselves not only to the belief in possibilities, but to finding and living those possibilities… for they’re right here in the midst of our own daily life.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Dec 30, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
As spoken by Ellen Pompeo of GREY’S ANATOMY
Dear Hearts,
How will we choose to live today? Will we sit in the back seat and let others do the driving? Will we once again think about our dream, knowing we should take the next step… and then make a decision to put our dream “on hold” just a little longer.
How will we be with our loved ones today? Will we be present for them? Will we pay attention to them? Will we listen to them…or will we be daydreaming and not really hearing a word they say.
If we watch a movie or sporting event will we really enjoy and comprehend what we’ve seen? Or will we be busy planning our next meeting or menu… thus missing out on what we’ve seen?
Will we drive or walk down our street and be so involved in our thoughts that we don’t see a single tree or notice any of the beauty around us? When someone asks us to do something albeit work or home life will we simply defer to someone else and let them do it?
Life will go on today with or without our participation. We get to choose how much we are present for this life and how much we choose to participate in this life. But let’s not forget that we will never have this day again.
It has been said that today is God’s gift to us and that what we do with it is our gift to God. So, what will we do with this beautiful day?
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Dec 29, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Hearts,
How quickly this year has passed by! However, before we wrap 2009 up with a beautiful bow and place it in the memory of our minds, there is still time to do a little extra. There is still time to leave our world in particular and the world in general a better place. Between now and Wedmesday midnight how many kind deeds can we do -- perhaps some anonymously? How many uplifting words can we utter? How many sincere complements can we give? Are there words of forgiveness we need to say? The time is now! We will never have these final precious moments of 2006 again. How well will we use these moments for love's sake?
Now matter how this year came into our lives, let's allow it to exit with a bang of compassion and loving-kindness. Years from now as we think about this year, may we be able to know that this was the year that our heart space broke wide open. There is still time left -- let's not waste one precious moment.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Mon Dec 28, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Raymond Charles Barker
Dear Hearts,
Some of us were raised with a punitive God. Yet the great mystics and saints from all traditions tell us that God is only love. So we can rest assured that we have a God that is for us, that loves us and that wants us to succeed in our daily living.
Many times along life’s path we feel we’re doing this life alone. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. God is with us every step of the way. But we must remember to call upon God to ask for help along our life’s journey.
No matter what in life seems blocking our good, let’s remember that God is so much more! Scripture tells us “if God be for us who can be against us?” Isn’t that an empowering thought?
Does God ever want to see us fail? Of course not! We’re here to reflect the glory of God through our everyday living. We accomplish that by doing what we love and loving what we do. We are born to succeed!
However, we must take the appropriate steps and sometimes those steps are completely outside of our comfort zone. There are times when we would rather fail than leave our comfort zone…because we’re afraid. But if the great God of the Universe is for us what or who do we have to fear?
Today during this holy holiday season, let’s remember that “all of God is with us and all of God is for us”.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sun Dec 27, 2009
In our book section, you can now order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Dear Hearts,
What if we did as Mrs. Lindbergh suggested and accepted our relationships exactly as they are now...in this present moment? As we live today, being present in each and every moment, we get to stand in our truth and authenticity. It is when we leave the present moment and go to “if only” or “what if” that we have moved into an area of insecurity.
We are wired up to live in the present moment and when we don’t...we become unsteady. We make ourselves insecure in our relationships by reliving some past event or past relationship or we anticipate (some times with dread) some future event. The only real life there is…is happening right now. When we move out of the present time we can never gift another with our authenticity nor can we see another authentically.
What if we agreed today to accept our relationships exactly as they are now, not for what they were or what they might be and release all expectations and memories? What a gift we could bestow upon another and what a gift we can give ourselves.
In loving and accepting our relationships as they are in the present moment, we get to love another unconditionally, which is the greatest gift we can give. In loving and accepting our relationships as they are, we get to stand in the love and security of our authentic self.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sat Dec 26, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
"Come to the edge." "We can't. We will fall!"
"Come to the edge." And they came.
And he pushed them. And they flew.
- Guillaume Apollinaire
Dear Hearts,
There is something within all of us that is urging us on, urging us to try the untried, urging us to grow ~ to always be more and never less of our true selves. However, sometimes we barely hear a faint echo of that voice because we've grown so accustomed to ignoring it. Life continually offers us a myriad of opportunities. These opportunities may take the voice of something within saying, "go for it," "try it," "ask for it" "just do it," etc.
Change and growth frighten us because we're afraid to fail. We might think it's easier to remain as we are ~ it's not. We are here to change and grow and that's our charge until we take our very last breath. The truth of the matter is that when we make a decision to grow and live a life that is larger than the present life we're living, a myriad of invisible forces come to our aid. When we agree to step out of our comfort zone, we become in fundamental harmony with an ever expanding, ever growing Universe and so much more becomes possible for us.
Talmudic wisdom proclaims that over every blade of grass there stands an angel whispering, "Grow! Grow! Grow!" That same voice is becoming us forward. Will we say, "yes" to that larger life that is calling us? What will our choice be today?
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Fri Dec 25, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Evelyn Underhill
Dear Hearts,
In expanding on the above statement, Ms. Underhill gives us the example of the twelve apostles. She recalls that history has never found the apostles the brightest, most enlightened or spiritual of men. Their greatness was having the courage to focus on their perfection rather than their imperfection.
Each of us is here to reflect and shine the glory of God through the lens of our everyday lives. If we consistently focus on our shortcomings, it cripples us and we aren’t available to do the work appointed us. So today, let’s become aware of the thoughts that bombard us about our imperfections.
Having become aware of these thoughts as they surface, let’s then have the strength and the courage to simply say, “not here, not now, I am God’s beloved child and I refuse to think ill of myself in any manner, shape or form”. We have all told ourselves enough about our shortcomings.
Today, this beautiful Christmas day, let's allow our rebirth to begin by telling ourselves about our perfection and goodness. From that purview we become free, just as the apostles became free, to go forth and proclaim the glory of God. Let our refrain become what it was 2,000 years ago, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men (and women) of goodwill."
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Thu Dec 24, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Meister Eckhart
Dear Hearts,
Here we are one day before Christmas. We seem to be running as fast as we can to get Christmas 2008 together. Perhaps our shopping is not complete, maybe not even started! We have food to prepare, last minute cards to deliver ~ a myriad things to do. Right about now it's so easy to get lost in the hubbub of the season.
Let's take a deep breath together and remember Christmas is not about what we have to do or buy. Christmas is a sacred and a holy time. It's a time for something to be renewed and rebirthed in us. It's a time for us to release all the wear and tear of the previous year and allow the Christmas miracle of love, peace, joy, and good will to men, to be reborn in us.
Christmas is not a marketing tool, Christmas is an invitation issued deep within our hearts so that we can move forward as kinder, gentler, gracious spiritual beings. Christmas is our invitation to wake up from our long winter's nap and remember that we, too, are a savior to this world.
As we go about our day, instead of allowing our "to do list" to be our primary focus, let's remember that Christmas is of little value or use if it's not taking place within us. And if we don't remember this, then we've missed the real reason for the season.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Dec 23, 2009
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"...Oprah's Book of the Month.
Bowie/Crosby's version of Little Drummer Boy
Dear Hearts,
As the 2009 holidays approach, "Peace on earth, can it be?" is a difficult question to ponder. We see the crises and terror around the world and the question that comes to mind is, "Why does there have to be war?". Maybe this is the day that we might join hands with all the great visionaries and say, “What can I do to bring peace?"
It's easy to look outside of ourselves and our home and cast the first stone to "those people" somewhere "out there" causing war and doing horrendous deeds. However, what is happening "out there", is only symbolic of what's happening "in here", within our very hearts and minds. If there were no violent thoughts, there could be no violent deeds.
Today, instead of looking out at "those people", let's look within. Could a small child walk safely down the streets of our mind? Or is our own mind filled with enough violent thoughts (anger, revenge, jealousy, etc.) that no one could possibly make it through unscathed? Do we truly anchor the Christmas message of peace and love, joy and hope?
As we move into this day, how many times will we react to another with a biting comeback or sharp retort? Or, will we have the presence of mind to take a deep breath and then kindly respond to another? Will our behavior be an example of love? Will our home radiate warmth and peace? Will we greet others at the mall with a nod of kindness? Will even our driving be an example of loving-kindness?
Perhaps this is the day we will all stop looking outside of ourselves for peace. Gandhi through the gauntlet to us when he said, "Be the change you wish to see." So today, if we truly want peace on earth, let's answer Bowie/Crosby's question, "Peace on earth, can it be?". Let's shout a resounding "yes", and let's know that if it's going to be, it's up to you and it's up to me.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Dec 22, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Paul Ferrini
Dear Hearts,
Haven’t we all, at one time or another, felt very far away from God? Sometimes it’s easy to believe that it is God that has gone away. In fact, it is we who have strayed by the thoughts we have chosen to think. When those times come in our life and we feel separated and apart from God, let’s remember that we can simply change our thinking. We might wonder, “How? Do I simply keep focused on God, when there are a million things I need to accomplish today?”
Let’s remember that we know God through God’s qualities, love, peace, beauty, compassion, joy, clarity, wisdom, etc. So during our day, if we keep these qualities in mind, continually asking ourselves such questions as, “How do I bring love to this situation or this person, or clarity, or peace or joy or wisdom or compassion?” When our thought process is such, then we’re bringing the presence of God back into our thoughts and lives and any sense of separation will disappear.
What we know about God is that God is a constant, always present, always available, and God’s promise is to never leave us or forsake us. We get to experience that beautiful feeling of closeness to God simply by bringing our thoughts back to God’s qualities and putting them into practice in our daily activities.
There is a story about a man who goes to his rabbi and says he is feeling far away from God, the rabbi asks him, “So, who moved?” Today, we can make a choice to move back into the Presence of God.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Mon Dec 21, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
William Wordsworth
Dear Hearts,
There is a metaphorical story that demonstrates the beautiful words of Wordsworth’s. It goes like this....A man is exploring the heavenly kingdom when he comes to one door that is padlocked. The man insists on seeing what’s on the other side of the door, but is warned that what he sees will deeply disturb him. He proceeds anyway into the room and finds it filled with the most exquisitely wrapped gifts of all sizes and shapes-all filed alphabetically. The man quickly runs down the aisles until he finds a myriad of presents filed under his name. The man asks why he never received these gifts and the response was, “These are all the blessings we had ready for you, but you never bothered to claim them”.
It's a beautiful fable, isn't it? However, the reality is, we live in a benevolent Universe that is always waiting to bestow great and wonderful blessings upon us, but through our busyness and lack of attention, we fail to claim what is ours. Every great religious philosophy has taught that "It is done unto us as we believe.” Myriads of blessings are there with our name on them...waiting for us. It's our job, through our positive thinking, beliefs and actions, to claim these blessings.
Today, as the holiday season closes in around us and we think about the physical gifts we're buying...let's remember to claim our spiritual blessings that are always only one thought away.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sun Dec 20, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
~ John-Roger
Dear Hearts,
As the busyness of the holiday season is peaking, we may easily become upset or annoyed and it's so easy to focus on the upset ~ to the exclusion of everything else! It’s as if another's behavior becomes a glaring mountain in front of us and that’s all we can see. If, however, for just a moment we could change our focus and look at the qualities that we love about that person, we can shift from upset to love.
This is the season dedicated to love. So let’s remember that our primary purpose on this earth is to love. We can always gauge our spiritual progress by how quickly we can return to a loving space. One of the best tools to assist us in doing that is to simply switch our focus.
When we become annoyed with another, instead of dwelling on the upset, let’s turn our attention to the positive side of that individual. Let’s remember their good qualities and not allow their behavior to fool us. For underneath the behavior, is the person we love. When we move into our heart space...we can see, meet and greet the love and goodness in another.
As we progress through this holiday season...let's remember the reason for the season, which is always love! So, today, when we look at others through the eyes of love, let’s know that we are truly seeing them through the eyes of God.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Thu Dec 17, 2009
In our book section, you can now order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Matthew 5:16
Dear Hearts,
In the midst of us, God is…and our job on this earth is to allow the light of God within us to shine forth. Let’s keep in mind that each and every time we go to a place of worry, doubt and fear, the light within us dims because we have lost contact with the Source of that light. God knows nothing of worry, doubt and fear; therefore there can be no response to us when we go in that direction. But when we walk in faith, absolutely knowing that one with God is a majority and that all things are possible with God, then we are in alignment with the very nature of God which is faith, which is possibility, which is perfect healing and health, energy, vitality and abundance. Then that light within us shines forth bright as a beacon.
When we look around us, many people look downcast and burdened because they are living in a state of worry and fear. When people see us, what are they seeing? Are they seeing a light shining forth from us that is so bright and beautiful that it’s both a blessing and benediction? They say that the light that radiated from Pope John Paul was so bright that those that came in contact with him, even for the briefest of moments, felt like they had a mystical experience.
Let’s get in touch with that perfect light within us by walking in faith rather than in fear and affirming that today only good will come our way.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Dec 16, 2009
In our book section, you can now order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-George Matthew Adams
Dear Hearts,
The big night had finally arrived. The auditorium was darkened and the Christmas Pageant was about to begin. For weeks, the young boy had practiced his line. After all, his line was an integral part of the Christmas story. He was playing the innkeeper the one who turned Mary and Joseph away because he had no room for them. He had rehearsed his line for weeks, “There is no room at the inn.” Again and again he spoke the line and he knew his line as well as he knew his own name. Finally, the big night had arrived, the night for him to say his line with calm authority.
Everyone was in costume. The stage was darkened except for the bright star in the sky guiding Mary and Joseph. Joseph was leading the live donkey that carried Mary. It was the perfect scene. When “Joseph” knocked on the door of the inn and our young “innkeeper” opened the door, the “innkeeper” was overcome seeing “Mary” all dressed in blue seated on the donkey, and “Joseph” saying that his wife was with child and they needed a place to stay and asking was there room for them at the inn?
The “innkeeper” was so overcome with sympathy and felt such empathy for the young “couple” that instead of saying his line, “There is no room at the inn”, he looked at Joseph and Mary and said, “Oh sure there’s room, come on in!”
And perhaps those words are the true message of Christmas. No matter how tightly our heart has been shut or what perceived injuries have taken place to our self-esteem. instead of saying, “There is no room in this heart for you this holiday season”, let’s allow our hearts to break wide open…and reply without hesitation, “Oh sure there’s room, come on in!”
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Dec 15, 2009
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Rev. Barbara Steinberg
Dear Hearts,
In the rush of our busy lives, how often do we misplace things, forget what we're saying in mid-sentence, or be on our way to do one thing only to be interrupted by five others? We hear a phone ring and have to check to see if it's our home phone, cell or fax. What is really valuable to us often gets bypassed because we're simply too busy or too exhausted. Henry David Thoreau said, "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand ~ instead of a million count half a dozen..".
How might we simplify our lives today? How might we insure that we have time and energy for what is really valuable to us and not get pulled and sidetracked in fifty other ways? Perhaps one way is to get really focused on what is of value and eliminate the superfluous as much as possible.
Let's not forget what each day is precious and holy. This day will be over in the blink of an eye, let's not loose sight of that which is truly significant to us.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Mon Dec 14, 2009
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Anonymous
Dear Hearts,
As we try to find a place to park in the overcrowded lots, race through the malls, and continually add to our mental “to do” list, perhaps we might remember the motto, “I am too blessed to be stressed!”
We all have way too many blessings to be stressed over our “to do” list. Sometimes we have a mindset of “needing just one more thing”. The truth is we really don’t “need” anything other than to remember the true meaning of the season and the great blessings that are ours this holiday season.
As we go about our shopping, cooking, holiday parties, let’s remember that all we really need is within us. We already have the peace, the love, the compassion and the grace of God. Anything else is simply frosting on the proverbial cake.
Finishing up our last minute preparations, we certainly want to keep focused on what needs to be done, but let’s release all stress. Let’s just keep putting one foot in front of the other, taking baby steps if necessary and repeating the beautiful mantra, “I am too blessed to be stressed.”
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sun Dec 13, 2009
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"...Oprah's Book of the Month.
Dear Hearts,
Let's remember that our primary purpose during these days are not to be the best shoppers or the busiest people. Our primary purpose this holiday season is to reflect the glory of God through our thoughts, words and actions. Both Hanukah and Christmas depict light. Jesus, the Master Teacher, invited each of us to let our light shine so brightly that all who see us see the God within. Are we living our primary purpose...or have we become too busy?
Is our light shining so brightly that all who see us truly do see a reflection of the God within? No matter where we are, home, office, etc., is that place lit up by our very presence? Or have we gotten ourselves so exhausted in the trappings of this holiday that it seems as though we have little or no light left to shine?
What is the holiday about? They're about love, peace, joy ~ about kindness. Nothing is more important than that. Many years from now our loved ones will have forgotten that "perfect" gift we ran ourselves into exhaustion trying to find. They will, however, always remember the light of our being through our kind words and gestures, our joy, our love and the peace that we anchor.
Let's commit today to let our light shine just as the song invites us to do.
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Thu Dec 10, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Traditional Christmas Carol
Dear Hearts,
How many times during our lifetime have we heard and been inspired by this beautiful song? Perhaps today, instead of simply putting this song into the category of inspirational Christmas Carols, we might apply this song to our daily lives.
Do angels exist? Well, if we are thinking of winged, harped ethereal beings flying over our heads, perhaps our answer is "no". However, if we put this song into more pragmatic terms, we might know that there are angels everywhere present, ministering to us through other people.
Remember the time we were so despondent and the phone rang and the person on the other end of the line knew just what to say to us? Or remember the time when we desperately needed help and out of the blue someone showed up bringing to us exactly what we needed? Remember the times we've been ill and a neighbor or friend unexpectedly showed up at the door...an offering of food in hand? Remember the times that our hearts have been raw from hurt and someone offered us a kind word that becomes the balm needed? Coincidence....or angels in disguise?
This time of year...this holy time of year...let's not miss one opportunity to spot the "angels" everywhere present in our daily activities. As the children keep their eyes wide open for the appearance of Santa Claus, let's keep our eyes wide open for the work of angels ministering to us through the hands and hearts of other people.
In 1897, Francis P. Church composed a classic response to a young girl named Virginia, entitled "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". Well today, we might update it 2006 version and say, "Yes, dear hearts, there are angels and they are everywhere present". All we have to do is open our eyes to behold them and their wondrous works.
So today, how many angels will we recognize?
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Dec 09, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Oprah Winfrey
Dear Hearts,
Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey interviewed some of this year’s Academy Award Winners. Her interview with Jennifer Hudson was particularly touching. Not long ago, Jennifer Hudson was "booted" off American Idol. That loss was a great disappointment to her. However, she didn’t give up. As Oprah said to her…she spoke to the possibilities in her life.
When we face disappointments in our lives (and we all do) what is our self-talk? Do we put ourselves down? Do we make a decision that we won’t ever be that disappointed or hurt again and simply stop trying? Or do we make a conscious decision to acknowledge our disappointment and keep moving in the direction of our dreams?
Jennifer Hudson made a decision to continue to work hard in the direction of her dreams. As a result, she won an Academy Award. When Oprah asked Ms. Hudson what was ahead for her, Ms. Hudson talked about making an album and continuing to give her best…as giving her best was her gift to those that believed in her.
Let’s make a decision today…let’s never allow disappointment to stop us. Remember, on the other side of disappointment is always opportunity. We just have to be brave enough to shake off whatever the disappointment, no matter how great it might be and take the first step toward the infinite possibilities of the door marked “opportunity”.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Dec 08, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dr. Ernest Holmes
Dear Hearts,
As we try to get our holiday shopping, decorating, card sending, socializing, etc. completed, there are times when it’s so easy to feel that we’re falling short of the goals we’ve set for ourselves. Then it becomes equally easy to beat ourselves up. That critical voice in our head once again begins the litany that tells us we haven’t done enough...maybe even that we aren’t enough.
Perhaps this is the holiday season that we might give ourselves a break. We tend to give others a break or make excuses for another and yet we’re so hard on ourselves. When we’re hard on ourselves, often we get stuck in a vicious circle of self-attack which makes us out of sorts to our loved ones and friends. Yet isn’t this the season of “Peace on earth…good will to all?”
A month after the holidays, no one will remember if our decorations weren’t perfect or even whether we put decorations up or whether we accomplished all we set out to do. What our loved ones and friends will remember is the love and kindness we showed to them. No decorations in the world can make up for the warmth of our smile or our taking the time to listen to others or to have a cup of tea or coffee with a friend.
If we’re too busy to show love and compassion first to ourselves, then to our loved ones and friends, then we’re much busier than God ever intended for us to be. THIS is the season and there is a reason for the season and that reason is about love, compassion and joy…never about self-condemnation because we haven’t finished our to do list. This year. let’s begin a new holiday tradition, kindness to ourselves.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Mon Dec 07, 2009
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Thomas Merton
Dear Hearts,
Our shopping is done, our stockings are hung, and our houses look shiny and bright. How are we doing? Are we at peace this morning or are our minds spinning about what we haven't done, or still need to do?
This is the time and this is the Christmas to honor ourselves. Each of us has done our best. No if, ands or buts, let's take it as fact, we did our best for Christmas 2008. Now let's relax, if everything isn't perfect, so what? If there could have been one more gift purchased, it will simply have to wait until next year.
Let's go forward now, accepting Ghandi's invitation to each of us to be what we want to see. Do we want to see a peace-filled Christmas? Then let's be a peaceful presence to all we meet. Do we wish to have more love in our homes? Then we have the opportunity to open our hearts wide and let our love flow. Do we want to celebrate a joyful Christmas? If so, then let's allow our hearts to be light. Do we want to celebrate God? Then, let's go forward and celebrate the magnificence of God lying deep in the manger of our hearts.
We get to create Christmas any way we choose. Let's go forward now allowing Christmas to unfold beautifully, easily and gracefully. During the next 36 hours, let's join together in praise and thanksgiving. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will to men and women everywhere!
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sun Dec 06, 2009
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"...Oprah's Book of the Month.
-William James
Dear Hearts,
Some friends once shared about their bitter break-up. They did not see each other again for 10 years. When they did meet, they were so happy to see one another and quickly realizing that they had always loved each other. However, what about that bitter heart wrenching break-up? They talked and talked but for the life of each of them they could not remember what they quarreled about, because in the long run the fight was really over something not particularly important.
As we move through this beautiful holiday season, perhaps one of our goals will be "don't sweat the small stuff”. Whatever is taking place, is it worth our peace of mind to get “into it” with another? Is it worth reacting and thus regretting and then having to “back-peddle” about what we’ve said? There is an old saying, “pick your battles” and there are very few events ever worth a battle.
Living with another is not about a contract, i.e. if you do this, then I’ll do that”. Living with another is about unconditional love, which means giving just for the sake of giving. When we live our life in this manner, there is very little that cannot be overlooked.
Have a beautiful day.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Dec 02, 2009
Holiday Cheer...
from the traditional Holiday Carol..."Deck the Halls"
Author Unknown
Dear Hearts,
Each one of us have the power to name and claim qualities in our life. Circumstances and/or other people don't have that power even though sometimes we think they do. The real truth is...that power is ours and ours alone. If we find ourselves on the negative side of life, we have the opportunity to change our thinking and by changing our thinking...we change our life. Today, we can begin by changing the words we use...as our words have great power and impact.
Right now if we were asked to fill in the blank of the song line, "Tis the season to be__________", what word or words would we insert? What descriptive quality or qualities would we use? Would we be on the affirmative side of life naming qualities such as rebirthed, loving, joyful, compassionate, prosperous, abundant, holy, creative, expansive, generous?
Or...would we be on the negative side of life with words such as exhausted, sick, depressed, lonely, broke, impatient....
Remember, we have the power to choose our frame of mind. We can begin by naming the quality we wish to exude and when we name it we can go forward and claim it. We are called to be on the affirmative side of life, but the choice is always ours. Today, this 2nd day of December, what will we choose? It's completely up to us.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara