“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
― Anne Frank
Friday Truth and Inspiration
Tag Archives: Christianity
Graduation Time…
I went to my sister’s graduation ceremony yesterday. It was wonderful to see her accomplish her undergraduate because it took her some time, but she pushed through it and succeeded.
At some moments I can honestly say that I swung from gushing with pride to being a little jealous. You see I did not go to university as a normal cohort. I went via remote program because I did it later in life.
I was unable to afford the expense of flying out to my school in order to “walk” and accept my accolades. On the morning of my graduation the sun rose the same as always and the day was not particularly any different from the one before.
As I reflect upon my feelings on this issue I have to keep coming back to one very important realization.
Neither myself, nor anyone in the world needs the recognition of the world to be a great success. It is this thought that allows me to set aside my own selfish thoughts about this event and just enjoy being so proud of little sis.
You did it girl, go get them and let your uniqueness shine for the world!
“You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands. Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it.” ~John Updike
What Are Your Affirmations?
What do you hold to be true? What principles or affirmations guide your journey?
My Dad loved to say, “Stick to your principles.” You know, in my older age I have discovered he was right.
Those things we hold to be true may in some ways grow and change as we accumulate more knowledge, but at the end of the day if we have them then we will be able to make the next leap into more sophisticated thought and behavior.
I believe there is a God who is the Creator of all things and is in all things.
I believe I am a good person.
I believe in forgiveness.
I believe that all people are worthy of existence.
I believe people get confused and make seriously bad choices.
I believe in love conquering all.
I believe that apathy sucks.
I believe that I have a purpose.
I believe I make choices and shape my existence.
This could go on and on, but you get the idea. I think one of the reasons that people sometimes feel like they are just being tossed on a stiff breeze is because they forget some of their affirmations.
Remind yourself once in a while who you are by reflecting on your affirmations, and perhaps discovering some new ones.
How True is It?
“The mass of (wo)men lead lives of quiet desperation”
~Henry David Thoreau
There are days I definitely feel like this is the absolute truth.
Today may not be one of them, but I know they are there.
We did it in 6 hours!!
Well, we have the second publication out on Kindle, and miracle of miracles we managed to pull this one off in 6 hours instead of 3 days! I am so excited… you can see the link in the “My Publications” page or follow the one below…
Starting tomorrow the promotion for “free” will begin and last 3 days, if you so choose to get a copy please leave me a review I really appreciate it…
This one is the controversial topic of Same Sex Marriage, but I think we all need to talk about this especially from a standpoint of stereotyping and prejudice.
Happy Easter!
Who are you looking for?
But he said to them, “Do not be afraid. You are seeking Yeshua the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has arisen; he is not here. Behold the place where he was laid.”
Mark 16:6
Each person has their own answer, but there is only 1 question. Who is God to you, who are you looking for? There is beauty in each persons answer.
Good Friday Morning….
I am a Christian, and so today marks a time of great victory and also sadness. I have always felt very responsible for my sins and imperfections which contribute to the suffering Jesus submitted himself too.
Like the women on the road during the crucifixion who wailed and wept. I feel the burden of my human imperfection. Thanks be to God for my salvation, for comfort in times of duress, for the undeserving title- Child of the Creator.
I am called to imitate Christ and love all people, care for all, and take the sufferings of others upon myself in true empathy. This is the path to freedom. This is the way of love.
No judgement. No righteousness. Just a simple and humble commitment to recognize my place in Creation.
Palm Sunday Reflections
It is Palm Sunday. This starts the most important week in a Christians year. I always feel reflective during the Lent and Easter season. I was raised Catholic. I still identify religiously with Catholic Christians, but my spirituality is developing in a much more eclectic way. I study many types of religions and their ideas about spirituality because I always thought no one group has all the answers.
Growing up my mother was our church organist. Every year on Palm Sunday she had the choir sing a wonderful piece written and published by a School Sister of St. Francis religious nun. It is called “Hosanna to the Son of David“. It is so beautiful, and when it is done in 3 part women’s voices only it seems to expand throughout the church and transcends into your body sending little fissions of electricity up your spine and down all your extremities. Music that can draw your soul out and wrap itself around you is unforgettable to me.
Just thinking about it gives me the shivers.
Has spiritual music ever affected you like that?
My mom is passed away into Heaven now, and it is days like today and memories like Palm Sunday church that both hurt and heal at the same time. How crazy is it that memories can bring sorrow and comfort. What a paradox this human life is, I have so many questions all the time due to paradoxes.
What music draws your soul and wraps you in grace? It is an amazing balm to the heart when you find them.
“Hosanna to the Son of David.Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!”
Sister Cherabim
Sufferings End…
I see much suffering in my current position of work. It seems like each day I have new reasons to be humble, and thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me. The good news is that I am accepting this new-found humbleness easier with each passing day. In the beginning it was rough.
One thing that has struck me as important during this whole process is forgiveness, or the lack there of.
I know this truth through my life experiences, forgiveness is essential to healthy growth spirituality, mentality, and emotionally. None of us are perfect, and so it follows that if we can forgive ourselves those imperfections we may be able to find some peace. The next step of course is to forgive others their imperfections.
Forgiveness is a letting go. It does not mean we should put ourselves in situations that cause us harm, it means that we look for no compensation for the hurts done to us, and we have honest contemplation about our circumstances.
When do I hurt myself? Others?
When do others hurt me?
Can I forgive those transgressions and surrender the control of revenge. Revenge does nothing but extend the hurting cycle. Forgiveness stops it cold. Forgiveness is freedom.
Beth's Journey 