Journaling

What is wrong with the world?

Posted on by MSFriend

A new year brings with it a slew of new resolutions – some related to physical wellness and spiritual wellness to name a few.  We resolve to eat better, exercise more, pray more, etc.  We are bombarded with commercials and emails encouraging us to make changes and although we may not keep the momentum going for long, we start out with good intentions.  At the beginning of the year, in an effort to provide resolution suggestions, the website rcspirituality.org sent an email to its subscribers entitled Year of Resolution. In the email they make reference to G.K. Chesterton, a well known lay theologian, whose reply to the question:  “what’s wrong with the world” was “I am.”  Hmm?  Regardless of how true that is, how  many of us would be willing to admit that? This got me thinking.

We live in a world of blame! We blame the President for a failing government, we blame our parents if our lives don’t turn out as we expect , we blame our significant other for a struggling or failed relationship and so much more.  It may not be true for some, but while playing the blame game most of us  fail to do one thing:  LOOK IN THE MIRROR! When I first began to do some soul searching, one of the things I realized was – the qualities, traits and actions I disliked about others were also within me.  I possessed the very same qualities and traits I despised.  I too acted in the same manner that peeved me.  The more I practiced looking within, the more I realized that I had “issues” too. I was not innocent, but I was convicting others and acquitting myself.  For instance, it would annoy me anytime I had a discussion with someone who needed to have the last word, until I realized – if it bothers me, then I must actually be THAT person, the one who needs to have the last word.  Who made me queen of the last word? This is just one example of many.   We ALL do it, I guess it’s human nature – the person who holds a grudge for the exact thing he’s often guilty of, the people who complain about the negativity that surrounds them but fail to notice the negativity they project, the adult child who complains about mistakes made by his/her parents but fails to recognize the very same mistakes they’re making (I would imagine parenting is not easy).  What is wrong with the world?  WE ARE!

The lesson I learned quite a few years ago has given me the opportunity to change the way I view things.  Now when I realize that I am about to complain, blame or criticize – I take a step back and ask myself:  Why? What is it about this situation that bothers me and how am I to blame for this? I shift the blame to myself, I become the one convicted.  It is only then that I can reveal a truth about myself that I need to change.  It is only then that I can let go, reverse the conviction and forgive.

As I write this reflection, I realize there is a wonderful meditation by Fr. Justin Belitz called Ho’oponopono that speaks to this.  Check it out and download here . You will see the “explanation” and the meditation.  I recommend you download both – the explanation is quite interesting.

So the next time you feel compelled to convict,  I would recommend looking in the mirror.   You may already be looking in the mirror(by looking at OTHERS to blame)  you just can’t see yourself because your vision is clouded by the person you mistakenly perceive yourself to be!  This year of resolution, turn your thoughts inward, change your mind.  Live a happier life with healthier relationships by convicting yourself FIRST.  I promise you, excavating the soul is much more fulfilling than projecting blame!  Good luck and God bless you!

Resurrection Spirit

Posted on by MSFriend

I spent four hours this past Tuesday afternoon in bed, in complete darkness, nursing the worst migraine I’ve ever experienced in my life.  As a result, I was up into the wee hours of the morning laying in bed just thinking. I decided it was a perfect time to reflect, a perfect time to write.  I thought about the beautiful cedar cross my husband made me for Christmas and it got me thinking of the resurrection.  Whenever I think of the resurrection I am reminded of the many instances in life where we experience difficulties, mini crucifixions and I’m comforted by the fact that what comes after the crucifixion is the resurrection and it is GLORIOUS!

As I pondered that thought I realized that all life is made up of crucifixions and resurrections.  In our own personal lives, we may experience illness, loss and difficulties of all sorts.  These experiences serve to break us open, they force us to change in some way, to learn a valuable lesson, which in turn leads us to become a better version of ourselves  if we’re open to it, if we’re paying attention.  In our spiritual lives, if we choose to grow, we do away with our “false” selves (ego driven, operating from the mind) in order to make room for our “true” selves (spirit driven, operating from the heart).  In nature we see the changes in seasons, a sense of shedding the old and then blossoming into magnificence when the time is right.  Through nature we learn the importance of “letting go and letting God” – we learn that God always provides and not just in small ways.  In nature, we see the possibility of renewal after devastation.  The ability of pine trees to reseed after a forest fire, the appearance of super fertile farmland resulting from years of flooding (as in Orange County’s Black Dirt Region).

When I look at the cross, made from a dead cedar tree on my property, I recognize the sacrifice.  I recognize that although the tree no longer has life flowing through it, its uses still live on, the tree still serves a purpose.  Although it is “dead”, the aroma is superb and the beauty of the bark is beyond compare.  This cedar still has value!  From this epiphany I realize ALL of creation is worthy of respect, it all has a purpose, it all has value, it’s all meant to be cherished.  These thoughts then remind me of all the people in this world who feel surrounded by darkness, who feel worthless, who feel like they have no purpose.  To them I say, YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!  You are made in the image and likeness of God!  God created all things and He created all things good!  As a child of God, you are surrounded by light, you are worthy and you have a purpose!  We all have a touch of the divine in us, claim your inheritance!

My heart skips a beat when I contemplate God’s grace, the free and unmerited favor of God.  What a gift of God’s grace to be able to experience life aware of the Spirit within and around me.  Paul says in his letter to the Romans:  “for those who live according to the flesh are concerned with things of the flesh, but those who living according to the spirit with the things of the spirit.  The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. And so it is, although the cedar tree is “dead” for all intents and purposes, it’s been resurrected by the production of this beautiful cross – simple yet majestic.  My focus nowadays is on the positive, not on death but on life – proof to me of life lived according to the spirit, which brings me great peace!

What difficulties are you experiencing at this moment?  Where are you focusing your attention?  Do you stop at the crucifixion?  Have you forgotten how the story ends?  Victory awaits!  Allow the Spirit to take hold. Trust in the advocate Jesus has sent for us!  Don’t concern yourself with death (negativity) but concern yourself with life and peace (positivity and light)!  Happy New Year, may this year be one of great light!  Peace, health and happiness to all!  God bless  you!