Family

This is the time of year we start to think about our families. We remember the other times of get-togethers and smile or frown depending on the outcome of the gathering. Life often causes estrangements in our family relationships.

Sometimes it is because we are separated by distance. Other times there are resentments and misunderstandings. It seems that sometimes we hurt the ones we should love. Or maybe we just think we can take out our frustrations on them because they are family. Or perhaps it’s easier to blame them for our own problems, rather then admit we are wrong. And isn’t is convenient for us that family is there to take the brunt of our anger, because deep in our hearts we know that no matter what we do or say they will always love us, just because they are family.

However, because they are the ones we love and the ones who love us, isn’t that the reason we should make an even greater effort to be kind to each other, get along and share love not anger?

We need to try with extra effort to show gestures of love that can keep us rooted together as families. Because when you think about it, if a family can’t get along with each other, how will we get along with the rest of the world? How do we “love our neighbors” if we can’t “love our family“?

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.

Whatever you call it, whoever you are,

You need one!”

                                                                                                            Jane Howard

To bring ourselves closer together as a family we must take time to do, even small things for each other. We must plan for things that can bring us together and create more love to share.

Sometimes remembering the times you shared together as children, or times of shared fun and laughter, will help to bring back the love that has slipped away. And other times we just need to be creative and reach out with a small gesture of a card or photo, anything that could bring about communication and sharing.

Forget the hurt feelings, the smoldering rivalry, forgive and forget, and reach out with the hand of love.

Give thanks for your family and realize what a special blessing they are.

And make this recipe to share.....


Lovelights Breakfast Bars

2 cups crunchy raisin bran
¼ c ground flax seed
Couple of shakes of cinnamon-maybe 1/2 teaspoon?
A little sea salt
½ cup dried pineapple
Mix together-set aside
In small saucepan mix together
½ cup almond butter
½ cup honey
1 T oil- I used sunflower oil
1 T butter

Heat until melted
Pour over other mixture and spread in a square oiled pan
Bake about 20 min until brown at 325 deg
Cut when cool

Yummy



Complaints

Cats sit in the sun

Soaking up the warmth

They preen and purr

And only ask for a little milk

It seems they understand life

                       And would never pollute the morning with complaints          Lovelight

Most of us know how to complain. In fact we are masters at it! Gripe and groan-moan and whine. And when we are like that we’re not much fun to be around. If we get up “on the wrong side of the bed”, and inflict our complaints onto others we not only start our day off wrong, we ruin their day also.

When we feel like complaining, isn’t it much better to stop, take stock and realize we aren’t helping ourselves with our negative mood? Cry if you must, but then try to be creative in finding some outlet for your frustrations and bad mood. Take a bubble-bath, watch a funny movie, even go somewhere private and yell (really loudly) if you must (the best I have found is to take a walk in nature), and then spend a quite time with God and let the Holy Spirit calm you and give you an answer to your dilemma and negative mood.

                          God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble-Psalm 46:1

If we can look at these complaining moods as a learning session on our path, then we can find the lesson we are meant to have, trust that behind all events, no matter how painful, there is a reason from which good can come, turn our mood around and sometimes even laugh about how foolish we have been. We can then also realize that we are our own worst enemy and bring so much of our problems on ourselves by dwelling on those same problems.                       “We have met the enemy and he is us” Pogo (Walt Kelly)

And then Love yourself and be Grateful for your answers.

‘What a gift of grace to be able to take the chaos from within

And from it create some semblance of order” Katherine Paterson

Create positive energy. It works more effectively than negative energy in each and every situation.

Gratitude and Joy

Geese piercing the sky in perfect formation

Autumn leaves swirling and dancing on the air

Morning sunrises greet us with beauty

                                    And evening sunsets sing us to sleep                     Lovelight

What better reason to be grateful. Life is good, life is beautiful and peace and calmness abounds.
And on a day when life seems empty and stressed, hold on to these images to return to that calm.
Know that God holds you in his hand, now and always and each day can be faced with gratitude and joy.
Joy lifts you up, floats you above the ground, gives you angel wings and freedom to enjoy life and allows you to love and be loved. To the very depth of your being!

A perfect day begins and ends with Joy.



Strength

The Lord is my rock and my fortress

And my deliverer;

The God of my strength,

In whom I will trust 2 Samuel 22:2:3

It seems we all have times of weakness and strengths but if we look at our lives most of us can find more strengths then weaknesses, for we are able to find and use those strengths when needed.

The strength to carry on in times of extreme sorrow and pain, the strength to stand and finish the job even though you were crying inside, the strength to get up when you really wanted to lie down, the strength to pick yourself up out of the ashes of disaster, the strength to over come the negative voices and make that greatly needed change, the strength to make it when everything seemed to point to failure, the strength remain firm in your faith, the strength to do what was needed for your family even though there seemed to be no rest in sight, the strength to overcome the blues and turn to something more positive, the strength to turn resentment into a lesson learned, the strength to turn your failures into a chance to begin again, the strength to ask for forgiveness when you really felt like being angry, the strength to break your bad habits and turn to good ones instead, the strength to destroy your quick temper when you really wanted to lash out, the strength to fight for your freedom when it would have been easier to give in, the strength to realize you were wrong and to admit it and then make amends, the strength to know your truths and live them even when others held you in disdain, the strength to move on when the past keeps haunting you, the strength to know, really know that lost loves are just a stepping stone to true love and happiness, the strength to have courage in the face of danger, even though you want to turn and run, the strength to stand up to and embrace change even though you are afraid of that change, the strength to face each and every day living from your heart with peace, contentment and gratitude even when nothing seems to work out, the strength to feel your sadness and then reach for joy, even when you can barely stop mourning, the strength to create a silent space within your soul so the Holy Spirit can guide you when you really want to scream with frustration, the strength to change your mind when something tells you to step back and wait, even when it displeases others, the strength to know that love can never be destroyed but only turns into another form, the strength to refrain from getting caught up in the dramas of life, when it bombards you from all sides, the strength to take control of your life, when others want to have control, the strength to turn to prayer, when you really want to complain and moan and finally the strength to know when to surrender all to God and let him lead.

Through these strengths we‘ve fought and stood firm and found victory and by doing so, will never sink to that deep valley again. We have gratitude and deep thanks for all those strengths.

“The purpose is to subdue the passions of the flesh and improve the spiritual self”

                                                                                                       Wooden Leg, Cheyenne

Scattered Pieces

“Break down the walls

Shatter the mistaken notions

Of loss, fear and loneliness

Shape the scattered pieces into

A mosaic of life

                                       Where beauty, peace and joy abide.”                    Lovelight

Most of us have felt at some point in our lives that life is nothing but scattered pieces…Everything we’ve done, or everyone we loved, or dreams we desired have all become scattered pieces. We wonder how can we pull them all together again. How can we get the strength to start over, to make sense of all these scattered pieces?

Look at life as a mosaic and work joyfully placing one piece at a time back into the pattern of your life…Look closely at the texture, the color, the shape to find how they fit in the pattern. Take all of those events, tragedies happenings, ugly memories, and fears and look deeply at them to get understanding and then remove the burdens of them from your heart and head. Ask for forgiveness, make amends with someone if you need to, forgive the person even if you can’t forgive the action. Let go of anger and resentment so peace can help you to get your heart back together.

Stop stumbling over the ought’s and should haves, regret, sorrow and guilt. Push them aside even if you can’t understand all the reasons for them, before they destroy you. Release all your worries and fears, manage your emotions by focusing on the positive and start over with a kinder feeling about yourself--have self-respect--self love and then you can love others.

Don’t assume that all your past actions and emotions were wrong; from this moment assume that they were right and a learning experience to help you find where those pieces belong. Don’t look outside yourself for answers, turn inward and look at the Holy Spirit. All answers are there. Ask to be shown understanding as to what and where all of these pieces belong in your life. Each of these pieces is a part of you and needed to complete the whole.

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;

That is where they should be.

                                            Now put foundations under them.”            Henry David Thoreau

Instead of counting the scattered pieces, the bad experiences, the unhappy times, be quiet and refuse to talk about your trouble---stop and be grateful---count your blessings and your blessings will increase. Focus only on “what is right” with the idea that everything is in “perfect order” and blessings are coming and then give thanks.

And before you know it all the scattered pieces will become a perfect mosaic of happiness and contentment. We will move forward into a world of peace and love with renewed joy in our hearts.

“Truth is within ourselves

There is an inmost center in us all,

Where the truth abides in fullness;

and to know

Rather consists in opening out a way

Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape

Than in effecting entry for a light supposed to be without.”

Robert Browning

Then take a walk in nature as the sun sets and look upon the Light!

Sunday Morning Sunrise

Sunday morning in the desert...sun coming up...beautiful with purple mountains and crystal clouds...peace...joy...love...light! The four most important "feeling" words----with gratitude being wrapped around them all.

Woke up this morning just in time to see this glorious sunrise.  What a gift and then as I watched from my porch I saw a red Cardinal stop and sit in a tree for awhile.  He flew off and a yellow Warbler took his place.  Another gift.  As I stepped into the yard a Hummingbird darted down to within inches of my face to check me out. 

Sometimes we receive gifts we don't expect: the beauty of a sunrise, a sighting of gorgeous birds, a curious Hummingbird.  Perhaps Spirit who is much wiser then we, generously gives us these gifts so we can receive them with thanks and deep appreciation.  Each day is a gift given to us to enjoy.  May we all discover these gifts and greet each day with Joy!

                                                                     And what is Joy?

"Joy is the absence of fear.  Joy is your soul's knowledge that if you don't get what you think you want or need, its because you  were not meant to.  You're meant to have something better, something richer, something deeper.  Something More.  Joy is where your life begins with your first birth cry.  Joy is your birthright"     Sarah Ban Breathnach

and so the day begins!

A Successful Life

Epithet " The only pain she ever caused us was when she left us."

What a wonderful, successful life we would have lived if we could know we have lived our lives never having caused anyone any pain, but had been only loving, caring,  and giving.

To have that kind of a successful life, one that we can live with a heart full of joy we need to take time to live in harmony with others.  Live from our hearts with honor, truth, loyalty, and love for all.  Speak with kindness, have a gentle touch, give understanding to yourself and others and smile at adversity.  We need to build a starting point in ourselves of these attributes, a base to draw from , a well of deep peace, and then life will run more smoothly and sharing and giving will be natural.  And a long term of peace, joy and happiness on this earth may be termed success.

"Instead of allowing yourself to be so unhappy; just let your love grow as God wants it to grow; seek goodness in others, love more persons more; love them more impersonally, more unselfishly, without thought of return.  The return, never fear will take care of itself."     Henry Drummond

To care is our purpose.  When no one cares we feel something within has died.  Sorrows are less when someone cares.  Great things can be accomplished when someone cares.  The smallest acts of caring, kindness and understanding can help another to be happy in life. 

"Love seeketh not itself to please. 

 Nor for itself hath any care

 But for another gives its ease

 And builds a Heaven in hells despair."          William Blake

One way to think about creating a successful life is to look at a seed deposited in the soil,  it attracts everything it needs to unfold and become what it was meant to be.  We need to know that like a seed God has planted us to grow into what we were meant to be.  We have to allow Him to lead and the Holy Spirit will flood us with creative ideas for a successful life.  Peace, harmony, faith, honesty, integrity, goodwill and confidence.  And then count your blessings, because when we stop and take time to count our blessings and give thanks to God, we find our blessings multiply and life is good.  "All is right with our world".

We should take time in our lives to pursue personal goals that bring pleasure, take time to enjoy our work and make it special and always face all circumstances with our best and know our best is enough. Find and do with the greatest of our desires and abilities, with love and God's blessing the most important thing (work, idea, art, whatever our gift), and then share it with others.  

"God give us men. 

The times demand strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hands

Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog

in public duty and in private thinking.

                                                                                                                               J.G. Holland

 To live a successful life which would cause no one any pain seems like an impossibility, but what an idea to strive for!

We would have to be always loving, forgiving, caring and at peace with the world.  What a great way to live.!!

The prayer of Jabez says...

                                   And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying

                                             " Oh, that you would bless me, indeed

                                                And enlarge my territory

                                                That your hand would be with me

                                                 And that you would keep me from evil

                                                That I May Not Cause Pain"

                                   So God granted him what he requested.

Peace, joy, love, happiness are treasures from Heaven.  Deep contemplation on these qualities builds the treasures in our hearts and minds.  Matt 6:20  "where moth and rust do not consume, and where thieves do not break through and steal."

Everyday and in every moment if we can always pursue our highest sense of right, and follow the direction God most wants us to go, giving of our greatest gift, then we will have lived a successful life and never cause anyone any pain.

Autumn Time

"But the air's so appetizin', and the landscape through the haze

Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days

Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock-

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock."

Softly Autumn comes as the coolness greets our morning hours and the sun looks at us with a less intense eye.  The yellows, bronzes, golds and russets begin to color the trees as frosts touches everything.  There is a crystal clearness to the air that almost has a ring to it.  The sunsets abound with pink and lavenders and night greets us with the huge globe of the harvest moon.  The hills look blue-gray in the evenings and the fields of pumpkins are ripe and ready for harvest.   Many, many flocks of birds rise and fall over the harvested fields and gather in the trees turning them black with their sheer numbers. On the ponds the wild geese rest and if you are lucky you will see them in their majestic migratory flight. 

  "The fields are harvested and bare,

   And winter whistles through the square.

   October dresses in flame and gold

   Like a woman afraid of growing old"

Anne Mary Rawler

There is a calmer, softer feeling in the air as the gentle pace of Autumn quiets us and helps us to walk in serenity and peace.
This is a time to relax, take stock of our lives , think about what and how we want to move forward and plan for winters cold descent.  Evaluate the happenings and events of the summer busy time, then remember and appreciate our simple abundance from God.  Autumn is a time of completion, " The frost is on the pumpkin, The fodders in the shock", a  "Time of mists and mellow fruitfulness".  As we stop to take stock of that completeness we will realize life is good and that good comes from the earth in waves of beauty and abundance.  In Autumn God shows us a whole new world and worries take a backseat.  We can open our eyes to God's wonder in gratitude and love.

We gather to give thanksgiving each year and many happy memories with family of love, laughter, and good times are made.   We have anticipation of the feast, as the good smells from the kitchen waft in the air...the turkey...stuffing...pumpkin pies...and there is warmth and sharing, love and happiness.  A mellow glow settles over us and we can truly say "all is right with our world."

And the earth glows and love abounds and spreads and covers the world with peace, calmness and light!


Things to be thankful for in Autumn

1.  Harvest Moon
2.  Fall colors
3.  Cooler weather
4.  Pumpkins
5.  Sunrises and Sunsets
6.  Rain
7.  Smell of harvested fields
8.  The now of each golden day
9.  Crispness in the air
10. Smell of wood smoke from first hearth fires
11. Wispy clouds from autumn wind
12. Gods guidance and love in this season and always
13. Anticipation of the Thanksgiving feast and family gatherings
14. Starting to think about Christmas and planning gifts of love
15. Cozy days and cozy quilts
16. Comforting stews, casseroles and soups
17. Hot beverages with cinnamon
18. Baked apples
19. Drives in the country
20. Raking and burning of fall leaves
21. And every day given us to enjoy God's love and abundance and this season of love.


And now to Fall crafts.  Autumn is such a fun time of the year for crafting.  What better season to make something to brighten your home and bring happy smiles.  The autumn leaves, pumpkins, gourds, squashes, scarecrows and mums all lend to festive crafting.  And if you do Halloween, all those scary,  spooky costumes and crafts to make. 
Here's my fall wreath I made for my front door. It was fun!

And just to make your mouth water, here is a harvest dish called " English Fidget Pie"
                                Take potatoes, onions, apples and ham pieces in a vegetable stock, season with a little   brown sugar, salt and pepper.  Pour into  a pastry shell, cover with a top crust and bake as any filled pie.

 Blessings to All and have a Happy Autumn

Looking Back

"The world is round and the place that may seem like the end may also be only the beginning"

   Ivy Baker Priest

One of the most unproductive things we can do in our lives, is to dwell in the past, always looking back.  Dwelling in the past keeps us from moving forward and we just keep repeating the same wrong things.  We get caught up in the "what ifs ", the  " why's. "  The pain, the blame, the guilt.  We feel sorry for ourselves if things didn't work out as we planned, and get caught up in trying to lay the blame, to make sense of it in some way, when we should be moving on.
Of course its good to look at our mistakes so as to learn from them, but to constantly dwell on the bad, unhappy, fearful, events of our lives can only keep us in a stagnant place on our life's path.
Sometimes we have a fear of moving on.  The past, in all its pain, looks safer then the unknown future, but that is all it is, fear of the unknown.  In every instance of my life when I've faced that fear and taken the leap of faith, what was around the corner, behind the door, or under the bed, was not the Boggy man but a new wonderful part of life that brought a new understanding, a better aspect of self, and a desire to grow and learn from the past.  And a closer walk with God because of trust and guidance.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.  To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength and undefeatable."       Helen Keller

Of course we sometimes look back at the past, at the great and happy times and the wonderful places we have been.  Those memories actually help us on our way to becoming secure and happy and help to keep us grateful.  But the unhappy past, the relationships that didn't work out, loss of friends, or financial losses and many other painful events of every ones lives, these we must, for our own self preservation, release, let go and move on and realize that thanks to them we know enough to make a change and to take a chance that will add to our overall sense of well-being and happiness.
Look at the possibilities for your life, for love, work, fun, service, growth and don't limit yourself.  Move forward with an open heart and put your whole self into a new, better, clearer, more joyful life.

Start each day with a new song, forget every past unpleasant thing that has happened to you.  Every thing that has hurt you, unkind words and deeds and start all over again----and do it with faith in yourself, others and God.


The is nothing you can do about the past but to forget it.  There is a great deal you can do about the present and the future.  You have the power to determine how your life will be, to make correct choices.  So choose God and let the Holy Spirit lead you and live by grace.

Learn,  forgive, forget and move on----Lift up your eyes to the heavens, sing a new song, be grateful for a new day and rejoice!  

"Gloom we always have with us, a rank and sturdy weed, but joy requires tending".        Barbara Holland

What is Friendship?

"Friendship is a promise that one person makes to another with their whole heart."
And in that promise lies everything!

Build friendship on a foundation of trust and respect with understanding and accepting of each other as you are.  A true friend is always there when you have need, always there to lend a helping hand, to give wise advice when we can't find it for ourselves, inspires us to grow, loves us for who we are, forgives us for our faults.
 "Friends sing from the same song sheet and harmonize perfectly with each other."
 They are to each other like the sunshine is to flowers and where two friends gather their brightness attracts others to draw closer to them.   A good friend is there for us and we for them  in our darkest nights and our happiest days.  They are like the feeling of welcome you get when you arrive home, the joy of knowing there is someone we can turn to when in need or to share our good news with.  Someone who will just listen when we need that, someone who will never try to control, only help.  A friend is an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a confidant, with a heart to feel and understand.  And true  friendship grows every day!
  
" The glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 If we are to find friendship we must be a friend first.  Be a good listener.  Everyone needs someone to talk to and bounce ideas and subjects off of.  And no one is useless in this world if he can listen and lighten the burdens of others.  "What a good blessing is a friend with breast so trusty that you may bury all your secrets in it." 
Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows." Jean Paul Richter

But what friendship isn't....is another matter.   Sometimes in the disguise of friendship we try to assert our control, authority, ideas, our way of life on our friends trying maybe to make them accept our ways, so as to make our ways acceptable to us.  So that their approval then makes us "right."  This is not friendship.  Each person has to make his or her own choices, otherwise we will not learn from those choices.  To just give in to others and not live your own life slows you down on your path to God.
But we must be fair and kind to those others whose opinions differ from our own and live by being an example and a friend to all.  Be a friend to all by passing along happy thoughts, words of kindness, smiles, sharing of ideas and gifts, a helping hand in times of need or just everyday.  Live and share your "Best Selves."  A gentle,  loving, caring attitude will help to create true friendships from the heart.

 " And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures .  For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."  The Prophet

With true friends we will be able to walk our path in life a little easier and perhaps bring the world closer to God.

"Before us is a future all unknown, a path untrod;
Beside us a friend well loved and known;
That friend is God:"

Mountaintops and Meadows

If we could stand on the rim of the world and see all of God's creation at once... the wonders so magnificently displayed...The sounds...The colors...The oceans and mountains and meadows...The seasons of rain and flowers, leaves and snow...The continuous renewing... always beautiful.  If we could see all of this then we would know that the earth is good as God created it and we are blessed as God created us.

"The ground says, "it was from me that man was made."  The great spirit, in placing men on earth, desired them to take good care of the ground and to do each other no harm".  Young Chief, Cayuse.


Whatever life's challenges you may face, look to the mountaintop and find blessings in God's wonderful earth.

 When you see the snow on the mountaintop it is glorious with the sun shinning on it as it turns it to pink,

  When you see the summer sunshine,  it is glorious in its brightness of greens and golds,

                         when you see the Autumn with the red, yellow and gold leaves it is glorious,

 and the spring with its wildflowers is one of the most glorious times of all.

 

  

when you see the rain on the mountaintop or meadow it is glorious with its clouds and shadows, and after the rain, the rainbow.

Each season, each day, each hour God shows his love to us by his creations of the  wondrous, glorious, beautiful mountains and meadows and more.

Enjoy!!!

And be Grateful for this earth

What Will The Neighbors Think?

One of the worst things a mother can do to her children is to say, "What Will The Neighbors Think?"  With these few words my mother set my life with fear, worry and anxiety.  I am sure she only loved me, and had no idea how I would be affected, but......And I'm sure her life was also affected by those words, from her mother or someone.
Of course it is I, myself,  that has allowed those words to bother me, but I didn't learn that until now, in my "Golden Years."  I feel as if I have missed so much of life because of  "what others will think of me."  When in reality it is unlikely that anyone was noticing me at all.  I could not do everyday things like talking to people easily, shopping, or speak up for myself (except in a self-defeating way by becoming mad).  Dress, children car, house, everything had to be perfect, because of what others would think.  Also there was so much fear.  Fear of the unknown, fear of everything!!!  Worry, worry, worry.
 Why do we do these things to ourselves?
Today I have found a better way, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  I try to do only what God wants and hear only what God says.  He has taught me I don't need anyone's approval before any actions.  We need more self-respect, personal integrity, and to be accountable for just our own actions, knowing that if those actions are guided by the Holy Spirit we can do no wrong.  Dissolve all conflicts immediately by stopping and asking for healing grace, before proceeding with any action.  And forgive yourself and others who you think are controlling you by their thoughts and actions.  Bring Love's light to shine over yourself and everyone else.  Dissolve connections to the past and those "what wills" by replacing them with light and grace.  For really isn't all of life in God's hands?  Why would we need to fear, worry, or care about about what others think.
  Embrace God's grace by allowing it to run through your being, like divine fire, calming your body, inspiring your thoughts, healing your physical pain, preventing you from an accident, guiding your inner journey.  Grace is the breath of God entering into your being while you pray.  Grace is the energy you call upon to help another person in need or comfort, healing or inspiration. 

And this prayer was given to me in my time of need...Maybe it will help you!!!

"God I release all of my fears to you and the reactions I make because of them.  Please change me.  Remove my fears...give me courage to change them and show me the way.  Transform my thoughts, show me what there is to love...send the ego packing.  Please help me to stop hiding my faults and bring them to you so they can be healed.  I stand naked before you in full surrender!  Fill me with your love, remind me who I really am and show me your light.... Teach me to open my heart to love so much that all my fear will melt away.  Show me your mercy when I fall, as I ask your forgiveness for my failures.  Teach me to show love, mercy and comfort to others.  Shower me with you light to dispel all darkness.  Show me your path for my service to you.  Teach me how to walk that path.  Teach me to stop and listen to the Holy instant so I do as you want.  Teach me to listen until I genuinely have something to say.  Teach me to allow your love to flow through me so the ego disappears and my thought will all be of love.  Help me reach for the highest within myself when I am in the presence of others so I do your bidding.   Amen".