10. February 2010 by Laurie.

The following Native American legend was shared with me today by another Soul Coach.  I think it so aptly describes that inner struggle that we each face often many times a day.  But it truly is about the choices we make moment by moment and day by day.  May we each choose that which elevates ourselves and others!  –LL

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, “Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.” He continued, “It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?”

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, “The one I feed.”

Native American Indian Legends

Posted in Native American, Wolves Within, Choices | Print | 1 Comment »

6. February 2010 by Laurie.

Affirmations are a wonderful way to change the way we see ourselves, others and situations in our life.  An affirmation is simply a positive statement that is stated in the present tense, often indicating an attribute as though it exists right now.  For instance, you might say “I love my life!”

Maybe you don’t really love your life that much right now but by shifting your thoughts, you may find one day that you really do love your life.  By affirming that you love your life, you begin to see your life in different ways.  You allow possibility to inhabit your thoughts. It’s a continuation of seeing the glass half full or half empty.

I discovered the following website one day and they have a really fun tool that you can access on a daily basis or more frequently, if you desire.   There is a deck of affirmation cards and you click on one card and it brings up an affirmation along with a lovely image.  I believe that synchronicity works in bringing you the exact card that you need. http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/pool/affirmation-cards.htm

Here’s the card that I drew for you today:

Being Appreciated

Posted in Affirmation, Appreciated | Print | 1 Comment »

4. February 2010 by Laurie.

What is it that you long for

right now in this moment on your path?

What is it that you wish to create now?

What is your next step

that is unlike anybody else’s?

If you carefully delineate your

self-judgments about this longing

that come from your fear

of speaking your truth

about where you must go next,

you will clear your way.

It is not a mystery.  It is simple.

It takes only one step

to go through the doorway.

You do not need to be finished

the moment you enter.

Each person walks one step at a time.

(From Barbara Brennan’s Seeds of the Spirit)

Posted in Longing | Print | 1 Comment »

2. February 2010 by Laurie.

I received the following this morning from Rev. Angela Peregoff in her Morning Blessings, a daily email that she sends out.  I connected with it immediately!  Rev. Angela has graciously agreed for me to share it with you.

Please check out her website here: http://www.angelaperegoff.com/about.html

Posted in Soul | Print | 1 Comment »

1. February 2010 by Laurie.

Posted in Love | Print | 2 Comments »

31. January 2010 by Laurie.

I found this image a couple of years ago and cannot remember the site.  So, for now it will be annonymous attribution.   Anyway, I have really appreciated the quote from Lao Tzu so many times in my life and I thought the combination of the quote and image were perfect.  I hope that it resonates with you!

Posted in Patience | Print | 1 Comment »

30. January 2010 by Laurie.

The TKF Foundation is a private grant-making foundation whose purpose is to create “Open Spaces, Sacred Places”.  It partners with organizations to create sacred places which increase a sense of community and contribute to a deepening of human connections.  These sacred places foster the development of human spirituality and are open and accessible to people of all beliefs, faiths and cultures.  TKF is located in Annapolis, Maryland and its funding is focused in the geographic areas of Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland and Washington, DC.

The following is from their Bench Whispers:

http://www.tkffdn.org/bench/

Posted in Connections | Print | 1 Comment »

29. January 2010 by Laurie.

Jim Burklo wrote the below on taxes.  Although it’s Christian-based, I believe that people of any persuasion will appreciate it. Jim’s writings are always thoughtful and positive.  –Laurie

Dear God, bless my taxes! Give me peace of mind as I struggle to fill out the forms and determine the right amounts I should be sending to Washington and Sacramento. Keep me calm, I pray, as I write out those fat checks on April 15. And whisper a reminder to me, Lord, of all the good reasons that I send my money to my government every year.

Remind me of the fact that I could not write this prayer if I had not received an excellent tax-subsidized education - my parents couldn’t have afforded fancy private schools or colleges. Gently show me that the Internet, through which I send this prayer to others, was created with taxpayer dollars. Help me to recall that my freedom to pray as I wish was purchased with the lives of soldiers and the tax payments of other citizens who defended liberty before I was born. Reveal to me, Lord, in my mind’s eye, the roads and the airports, the water systems, the magnificent parks and wilderness areas, the public health workers, the regulators of the environment and of commerce, the scientists, and all the other people and things that my taxes make possible. They provide safety and comfort, protect natural resources, and enable capitalism to flourish for the benefit of all. Remind me of how hard and scary life was for the sick and elderly before citizens paid Social Security taxes and received its benefits. Show me, dear One, just how expensive, difficult, and unpleasant life would be for me and everyone else without all the services and protections that are funded by my tax payments.

Dear Lord, remind me that, in fact, for all the good things that I and others receive back from our government, my tax payments are a bargain. Take me out of my selfishness and give me a spirit of gratitude as I write those tax checks. Inspire me to see that this is a sacred duty, and is a way that I serve others who are vulnerable, poor, or sick, and are especially dependent on public assistance.

O dear One, there are so many ways I wish my taxes could be spent differently. There are many things I don’t like about what my government is doing, there are ways that the tax system could be made more fair, and there are many important things the government leaves undone. I’m willing, O Lord, to pay even more in taxes if it would work for the common good: it could save us all even more money and trouble, in the end.  So, more than ever, dear God, give me the strength and the vision to rise up and take action as a voter, pressing my government to act for peace and justice at home and abroad. My sacred duty as a citizen is only partly fulfilled as I write my tax checks. I ask for your guidance, God, as I join with others to change the priorities and values of our government, so that they reflect more of what we see of your will.

May your blessing rest on my Form 1040 this next week, dear Lord, and may my taxes well serve you and my fellow citizens! Amen.

(The Blessing of the Taxes is a national effort, which I initiated and now has been adopted by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Churches and temples of many denominations around the country will be holding “Blessings” in worship in the week around April 15. Have a look at the national Blessing of the Taxes website at: http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/print_article.php?id=571&;print=1 )

Posted in Taxes, Prayer | Print | 3 Comments »

28. January 2010 by Laurie.

Find something new and precious to appreciate every day.

By Ardath Rodale , Ardath Rodale is Chief Inspiration Officer of Rodale Inc and the author of several books including Everyday Miracles.

I like to think that gratitude and grace are like my two hands working together. Grace is the power, beauty, and love of God that is always around us; gratitude gives us the eyes to see it.

Native Americans teach their children to wake up being thankful for each new day. Their philosophy has greatly expanded my well of gratitude. I try to find something new and precious to appreciate in nature every day. Even the cycle of planting a seed, watching its progress to full bloom and then its decline to sleep beneath the earth, fills me with thanks for the privilege of being part of nature’s miracles.

Elaine Hibbard wrote that gratitude is one of the great positive emotions because it creates magnetism. A magnet draws things to itself, and, therefore, giving heartfelt thanks for all the good around us makes us attract more good into our daily lives.

Helen Keller said, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I found myself, my work, and my God.”

Life’s journey is never totally smooth. We all will encounter mountains and valleys along the way, but in the hard climb up the mountain or the difficult descent into the valley, we learn life’s lessons and become stronger in character. Be grateful for the challenges you face because they help you grow, understand, and soften your heart, and they give you strength.

I have found in my life that it is vital to start my day with thankfulness. I begin with exercises and affirmations every morning as I get out of bed. I look out my bedroom window to see a bronze statue of a beautiful woman lifting a child to the sky in her outstretched arms. It is here that I express my gratitude for family and friends, praying for their health and happiness. As I name each person individually, I raise my arms like the statue and enfold my loved ones in healing, kindness, purpose, safety, energy, peace, and love. Then I extend my arms to include all those in the world who are ill, grieving, stricken with AIDS, orphaned, homeless, hungry, or sad, as well as our sacred environment.

When we say thank you, we open our eyes to all the miracles around us. Ramakrishna says, “The breeze of grace is always blowing on you. You have to open the sails and your boat will move forward.”

And Henry Beecher said, “God’s grace is the oil that fills the lamp of love.”

Grace surrounds us like the soft, comforting, refreshing rain. Let gratitude help you find the power of that grace and see all your experiences in life as blessings.

May you journey in peace!

Copyright (c) Rodale, Inc. 2004

Posted in Grace, Gratitude | Print | 3 Comments »

26. January 2010 by Laurie.

Another wonderful verse from the great poet and Sufi mystic:

You come to us from another world,

from beyond the stars and the void of space.

Transcendent, pure, of unimaginable beauty.

Bringing with you the essence of love.

You transform all who are touched by you.

Mundance concerns, troubles and sorrows dissolve in your presence,

bringing joy to ruler and ruled, to peasant and king.

Posted in Rumi | Print | No Comments »