Update as of Today April 30, 2011

Good Morning -- Wow - please first thank you Roy and family for all your efforts and energies and to think so close. And, yes, had a tan rain coat on and so unfortunate that with all the noise and activity Easter Sunday morning we missed each other.

One of these days for sure, and my best to your and your family. The first presentation is past, and I'm so grateful to many for the opportunity.

I've been blog quiet; until today had a focus unique to me and it took some time to process. On Tuesday will be starting Physical Therapy and to better understand a challenge with my lower back. Also will try acupuncture, any suggestions for a practitioner in the Rochester area? Prior to the April 20th presentation, I've became aware of discomfort which moved into real pain in my lower back.

My church activities, the pain and my day job have kept me busy. As prior blog posts mentioned once a decision and plan is created, life has a way of relaxing for other things and possibilities to appear.

There will be another presentation, and the date (other than a holiday week), time location AND directions will be clearly available.

First times are typically a daunting challenge, and once accomplished offer a sense of freedom, greater possibility and awareness.

Namaste

Spring -- Things seem possible or

overwhelming or ..........

Spring is designed to be a fresh start with one of the major decisions of the day to be dress light or for warmth. Went to church this morning in my winter coat as a frost was on the ground. After church I took the coat off with temperatures much higher and the sun busily basting the earth around me in warmth.

Even when there is so much to do, it is refreshing and energizing to take a peak to see sprouts peaking from the ground, spring birds are back and chirping and evenings stay light longer.

There were 4 baby dedications at church today - fresh starts.
More than 4 people entered the Welcome Center to get more information and possibly make a connection - fresh starts.
A friend of mine appeared. We have not seen each other in quite a few years. A delightful, fresh start.

Spring is here. A fresh start.

Suggestion: If overwhelmed - make or take a fresh start. It might sound simple, yet sometimes doing something differently although can be, also may take some strong determination, and,
a fresh start.

HAPPY SPRING!!! "Squeeze joy from each minute time does not return yet memories do."

A Taste

Every day we may experience or taste something new and ask, perhaps, "Where have I been..... ", this is yummy, or delightful, or wow.

As adults most of us have experienced spiritual education or religion either by taking steps ourselves or with relatives. Our experiences are many and with different results. Perhaps, like me, your early religious education and encounter was lacking in many areas.

I truly thank God for questioning me and asking me to continue searching to find the environment that works for me.

When my children were growing up they went to church with me and went to Sunday School. That stopped abruptly with experiences and situations. I found I could not be that spiritual guide for a period of time longer than anything I could imagine.

Yet, now as adults I have had wonderfully rich conversations with each of my children. They are making their own decisions, and yet, we are open and truthful with who we are and love each other within the space of honesty. I can imagine no other.

What experiences are you and your children missing? Each day I ask God that question, and when I am quiet I hear Him. The more I listen the happier I am.

Something Different .........

Sunday Morning - Dressed and ready for church-- it is a joyful, "civilized", morning with light snow quietly falling outside.

That reminded me of blogging lately, as the blog has been quiet. With anything new, something else needs to be quiet to make space for the new. For a few weeks I was chastising myself for not putting forth thoughts, concepts, ideas and communications for the world to see and be with. Then as if an epiphany occurred - I let go of that feeling of need, lack and disgruntled noise.

Doing something different can be a good thing - new muscles are being used, and perhaps that is the discomfort in newness. It is strange, takes more energy, it is not rocking chair easy. And, yet with planning, steps, recalculating, focus, and practice, the muscles begin to flex with greater ease and the newness begins to wear off.

The new project is not yet complete, yet a new project is underway. It has grown past the newborn stage to crawling and beginning to stand up with support.

Oh, I have had new experiences - plenty of new jobs to adjust to, yet as a recognized Change Master this is a new feeling that can finally be expressed. Everything new can feel and be uncomfortable. Suggestion: this may have been posted before - yet, it is worth it from my perspective, at least to post again. Consider becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Then real, measured growth will be obvious to your senses.

What are you working on?

Squeeze joy!!!!!!

Peace and more peace and...

Leaving it up to God - words that bring music to His ears. As when more people allow God into their lives during bad times, as well as good times, well, it would be possible that there would be less for us to do for ourselves, and leave more time to do for others. More time to attend to the needs of a sick or injured child, more time to share a meal with those who have less, more time to be creative with finding ways to help others.

And, here is a possible way to help others and yourself while driving. There is something about getting behind the wheel of a car, when the foot touches the gas peddle it goes, push a little more and it goes faster, and a little more and a little more. There is speed and control at our fingertips.

When someone cuts you off in their car - thank them for not hitting you, relax again and carry on. When someone tail gates and drives too close, you might consider getting out of their way. They must be in a hurry and perhaps you are not. A gift to both. Those are two examples I can think of, and I'm certain there are others.

Here is a thought -- consider everyone around you - somebody's child, somebody's parent, somebody's grandparent, somebody's aunt, uncle or cousin. Or, if you are so inclined as I, consider them all God's children. It is lovely the sense of peace which is created, as I stop competing, and celebrate all God's children and all the differences there are with each. And, then as my focus is leaving space between me and other cars, I have the time to sing at the top of my lungs when no one can hear me except me. And, that is a good thing for all those around me. Therefore, everybody wins.

------------ Peace ---------

PEACE - What a seemingly simple, non-complex word that fills my heart with joy. To live in peace, to have peace, to be at peace.

Thank you so much for sharing your generous and gracious comments on the blog posts and the pictures. This one almost was not shared - it was viewed with flaws and lacking perfection. That is what charmed me most - as we fast approach Christmas Day.

I am taking steps to celebrate flaws and the imperfections in people and things. Perhaps that is what it will take for each and every person to be able to celebrate peace, live in and be surrounded by peace.

My wish for everyone the world around is that each person will begin and take steps to surround themselves to live in peace. It will mean different things to different people. That, too, is what I treasure most - differences. Perhaps that could be a place to start - to appreciate rather than the want to disparage differences. Celebrate differences and allow the candle of Peace to shine brightly.

Happy Holidays - Season's Greetings - and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Recalculating ----

The last two weeks vanished as in a blur, and I thank God for that. Many of the days were very unpleasant and emotionally draining. Yet, as stated through many blog posts, time does pass, and challenge and pain moves, eventually, with it.

Today, it appears that the critical portion of the recent crisis has past, which means that healing and health will return, day by day by day by day. Traveling through days filled with crisis and land minds, a GPS might prove to be a helpful tool.

Recalculating, recalculating.... it retorts as direction changes once again. When life throws a horrible curve in the form of a car crash, a fire, an unexpected illness, involving those in our lives who are so deeply loved - immediate emotions could bounce from horror, fright, to fear and concern, to dismay, perhaps back to fear, and finally to knowledge and understanding.
Each time recalculating, recalculating................

When I had that thought to recalculate - it also gave me a few minutes to think - how to get grounded again. It created a breath - which created another breath, which created another. The reality that when you think you have the situation or an event understood, are prepared and ready, it will be just the time when things will recalculate.

During the past two weeks, without being fully aware, my steps and movements were recalculating many times via autopilot. Now that healing is more likely, I took a deep yoga breath and will now remove myself from autopilot, and begin to be cognizant of the direction of my movements, goals and focus.

I was grateful for all the lessons I have learned. Autopilot was fairly capable, yet very relieved that I can now turn it off-- life will be better. Life is about recalculating, readjusting, and maneuvering through land minds, and lots and lots of praise and prayer to God.