Love is more than a good feeling!

I was in a store recently and a young man was looking for the perfect card to go with the gift he had for his girlfriend. I asked him why was he giving her something. He responded that he knew if he did not she would leave him for someone who would give her even better gifts. And besides its Valentines Day. These kind of conversations are often what we think of when we think of Love. Love is more than our good feelings about someone. It is more than finding someone who makes our heart beat faster. It is more than someone who fits the physical description we have dreamed about since our teens. Love is a desire to see the very best for someone and of someone. Love is trust, respect, behavior that always considers the other person and more. We have watched so many movies that have convinced us that love is a funny feeling in our hearts, (is that like heartburn?) How often have you heard of abusers saying right after the abuse, how much they love the person. Television and movies have distorted our understanding of real love.

If you want to find real love, give real love. Examine your definition of love. Examine your desire. Look to see what your love behaviors are. Realize that in any relationship the only person you can change is you. There is love available for each of us. Grow in your love and more will come to you.

The young man decided to search for a card that more aptly gave words to his true feelings.

Peace

SIMPLE

We have been taught that things, especially involving people are complex. That's why negotiators became popular in the late 90's. There are now licensed mediators and attorneys who do nothing but mediate controversy daily. A part of the reason for this growth is the expectation that because we now live in a selfish time, that no one wishes to care about others' wishes. The other is that you have the right to be just as selfish and self-serving as the other person, and get whatever you desire the outcome to be.

This thinking is not sound, we are socialized to believe there are no more kind, sensitive, sharing persons in the world. That is not true. Everyone is not out to get you. Your belief that there are

people like that will guarantee that you will meet most of them.

Believe me, living through your spiritual sense instead of what the world tells us, provides for a more simple and gracious living. Believe what your spirit says, not the radio commentators, or political pundits. God is good. Life is good.. Look and expect good. Hear Spirit! It's just that simple.

Why create drama?

I was wondering today, if we got attached to drama in our lives when there was little or no entertainment, and somehow it became a part of our DNA. Thereby rendering each successive generation a gene that they could not through any means have erased. (smile) I know that didn't happen, but the way I see persons trying to thrive on drama amazes me. Even persons who identify it and rail often against it, will produce some form of it when things get too quiet. Is it because we believe that life should not be that good. Maybe we think we just don't deserve all the peace we talk about. Whatever the reason, we jump into the fray at the least provocation.

It's time to give it up. Real joy comes from an ability to delight in all that's good. When we create drama, we can't create its' opposite at the same time. Spiritual work is a daily discipline. It does not include time to major in petty stories about people we hardly know and really aren't concerned about. Create your life without someone else's drama! If you find out why we really do this, drop me a comment, I would surely like to know.

Peace and Joy!

Inspired by the great Ruby Dee on BET

Last night I watched BET's "Black Girls Rock". Every black girl watching should have felt special at the end of the show. There was such diversity of women and their accomplishments, and even teenagers who were entrepreneurs. They did a good job helping girls know what is possible. There were not only actors and entertainers, but there was the first black woman Major General in the Air Force.

My favorite was someone I have grown up with and watched and known all of my life...Ruby Dee. I almost can't write her name without writing Ossie Davis, as they were hardly ever apart in life. This couple lived and taught what possibilities could be made. They marched in Selma, they were the emcee'sfor the March on Washington (which I attended)they spoke on behalf of black folk everywhere. Last night, though Ossie has now transitioned, Ruby was there, proud, articulate, her mind alert, still showing what you can do if you choose wisely and include giving as a part of the plan. They lived for human rights and social justice, they gave their time and talent to many programs and institutions in the black community and other communities as well.

They created their lives with pride, dignity, and patience. If you are still breathing, no matter what age, you can do the same. We all have the opportunity to live and give and help as they did. Use your gift of creation! Make a difference today!

Peace

Another thought about making choices

I appreciate the response to the blog about making choices. I gave it some more thought and decided our first impulse is to do what we think will accomplish what we want in the shortest time. If only we had waited a moment and searched ourselves for our real desire. At the moment I thought I wanted ice cream, did I really want ice cream or did I want to be in a really loving relationship that would fulfill my desire to be held and appreciated. Was the ice cream a quick fix to a deeper problem? I think our desires get stirred in with our need to be gratiated at that very moment in time. No one to hold me now, the ice cream will suffice.

Have you waited and searched your desires when you make a decision to do or get something?
When was the last time you took a moment to really pay attention to your desire?

Peace

Why do we continue to make the same choices?

This is really an issue I ponder. I don't have a lot to say about this. I am really pondering this issue. I would love for you to talk to me about this.

We know what things we should not choose. We will choose the same thing, the same characteristic, the same behavior or whatever we know is not good for us. Why?

Whether it is a food or a partner or a behavior, we will go right back to it knowing we should make another choice. Is it that we don't believe we should have more? Is it that we believe that we can't have better? Is it that we don't want to move to some other place in consciousness? Excluding the idea that there is a devil, what are we doing?

Maybe there is such a thing as spiritual disciplines. Underlining the word discipline, that requires us to keep our minds on higher things, with some regularity. We can even testify to seeing, and feeling more clear about everything, when we work on our minds and spirit regularly. But even knowing this is the outcome , we will run and dig ourselves into the worse holes just so we can do what we first think is what we want, rather than what we need or would want the outcome to be. How do we reach for the best the first time? How do we expect only the best and even more than that how do we desire only the best?

Please leave a comment!

Peace and Blessings!

Parents Read for the sake of your child!

I heard a great conversation a few days ago. Several viewpoints from persons representing different places in their lives. One was a parent who has always actively participated in providing an education that played to the strengths of her children. Another participant, another parent, frustrated with the response of the public school system's inability to serve her child. There were two children who had both been homeschooled. One is now considered a child prodigy, having skipped middle school and high school, and presently a college student;
the other presently in high school enjoying learning at his own rate.

The parent of the college student made a statement about how labeling children was causing a problem. The other parent quickly agreed. But quietly the child prodigy spoke the real truth. He said, why should I care if am labeled ADHD if I can perform certain functions twice as fast as anyone else. Our focus should be on what happens after the label is given. The label tells us something we need to know about how our children learn. We seem to walk away angry believing that the label is wrong. With increased information about the brain and instruments that can look at how the brain works; the label simply tells a "real educator" the process that best works for that brain. When do we question those who have the responsibility of educating our children? The problems in public education have to do with the absence of teachers who know that all children do not learn the same way,systems that have unacceptable expectations of teachers (too many students in one room) and no idea how societal structures and changes in patterns of learning and living have changed teaching (pedagogy).

Those of you who are in New Thought know that we believe we create our lives. Value or non-value stem from what we say is or is not valuable. It seems that when we come to questions of education we leave behind our spiritual understanding. If our source is God and we co-create with God, why do we believe what others express about labels. Understand that you assign meaning as a co-creator. You accept only the information and then you create what is possible and what can be . ADHD is not bad, it is information about learning styles.
Some of the most genius persons are ADHD. Why do you believe that this label may be bad? Every child brings something special into this world. It is often lost because we want to measure every person in the same way, expecting every person to produce and add value to the world in the same way. We are all valuable, we all have great possibilities. Those who have had more experiences in certain areas may outpace those who have not. The child prodigy was taught math at the age of 2. Most students did not encounter addition until 1st grade. There are many
things that influence our learning and learning styles. If you are really serious look for what works with your child, not what works with your neighbor's child. In New Thought we learn that we are responsible for our lives. We are not victims. No one is doing something to us. We make the difference. The homeschooled high school student asked why do people blame others for what happens to them. He noted that even though he may not always do his best he understands clearly that in the final analysis he is responsible for his life. Listen, our children know more than you think. Less talk and more listening may help you glean what they need.

Love and Peace