“People encounter God under shady oak trees, on riverbanks, at the tops of mountains, and in long stretches of barren wilderness. God shows up in whirlwinds, starry skies, burning bushes and perfect strangers.” Barbara Brown Taylor
Growing up my experience of sanctuary was a tall building with a steeple, enormous stained glass windows, large looming statues, and lots of marble everywhere. There were so many rules in the sanctuary, one of them required being still and quiet. Only whispers were allowed unless you were praying or singing in the mass. When I was there I recited prayers I had memorized and followed the instructions of the adults. There was no laughing allowed, of course, that rule alone brought out the giggles at the most inopportune moments.
I never felt good enough to be in the sanctuary. I was there to confess my sins and my unworthiness.
Today my experience of sanctuary is anywhere I feel connection with the Divine. In the forest, at the beach, or out to dinner with friends. Sanctuary can be playing with a puppy, helping a neighbor, or going for a walk in the park.
My home is my sacred sanctuary — a place where I feel love, peace, freedom and harmony. Laughter, joy and fun are absolutely permitted in my sanctuary. I affirm everyone who comes into my home feels the presence of love. I am free to communicate with Spirit through my tears, my anger, my gratitude. My prayers are free flowing, joy-filled whispers, shouts, songs and cheers.
How freeing it is to have the world as my sanctuary. It is such a blessing to feel God’s presence and love wherever I am.
“The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” Abraham H. Maslow
Beyond Van Gogh
Imagine what it would be like during those 3 a.m. wake up sessions to think about a world of possibilities instead of thoughts of fear and dread. Can you imagine letting go of the worries of tomorrow and focus on the infinite possibilities that await us?
What would the world would be like if we took dominion of our thinking and focused on what we want instead of what we don’t want? Can you begin to imagine what it would be like if we lived life from a daily place of gratitude and appreciation?
Our problems won’t magically disappear. But shifting our thinking to what we want will calm the mind, release the stress in our bodies and give us a new outlook. We create new neural pathways in the brain and we are open to new possibilities.
Joe Dispenza states, “Spend time, contemplating who you want to be. The mere process of contemplating who you want to be, begins to change your brain.”
Change your thinking, change your life and imagine what the world could be.
“Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
Oh a million dreams for the world we’re gonna make.”
– A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman
Affirmation: I am willing to change my thinking and imagine an amazing world.
“Without butterflies the world would soon have few flowers.” Trina Paulus Hope for the Flowers
Each one of us has unique skills, talents and abilities. Yet we often compare ourselves to others and may find ourselves feeling the need to compete. Competing out of fear only diminishes the gifts we have.
One of my favorite books is by Trina Paulus called Hope for the Flowers about two caterpillars that get caught up in climbing the ‘caterpillar pillar’, a squirming mass of bodies stepping over each other to get to the top. The top is so far away no one can see it.
The two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, are disillusioned and leave the pillar to find who they are. They risk going into the darkness of the cocoon to discover their true selves. They emerge as beauty, freedom and joy.
Here are some helpful tips when you find yourself squirming your way up the caterpillar pillar:
Go into your cocoon: Take a few moments to reflect, renew and regenerate. The quiet helps to disconnect from the frantic world.
Practice gratitude: Give thanks for your unique talents, skills and abilities, for your current clients and their willingness to take advantage of your services.
Transform fear into affirmative thoughts: The world is conspiring to make me happy. I am open and receptive to my highest good. I am abundantly rewarded for my talents and abilities.
A few simple practices can transform fear into freedom, doubt into faith and competition into collaboration. It begins with intention. May hope light your path and wisdom guide your journey!
Affirmation: Everyone is conspiring to make me happy.
“There is a Divine spark at the center of your being. But you need to recognize this, believe it and act upon your belief.” Ernest Holmes, Thoughts are Things
Have you ever found yourself arriving home but don’t remember driving there? Some days we can be so lost in thought that we drive on autopilot, failing to notice the world around us.
When we practice mindfulness or awareness, we are paying attention. How am I feeling in my body? Where do I notice tension? What emotions am I feeling?
Once I am aware, I notice the tension and the tightness in my body. I feel the feelings. I am awake to something more than my physical body and senses.
There’s a subtle shift that happens in the mind when we go from taking life for granted to being in awe of how the world works and how the universe functions. I am awakened to being part of something greater. I am awake to my connection with Spirit.
When we manage to stay in that awakened state, the world seems magical. We noticed the colors, the sounds, the intricacies of a flower, the beauty of nature, the joy of laughter. We live in appreciation and gratitude.
When we live in awareness we live in amazement and we are open to unlimited possibilities. Activist and spiritual teacher, Barbara Holmes says, “When we are fully alert in Spirit, mind and body, we are more than we imagine and can accomplish more than we suppose.”
When we are awake we live in a state of wonder, amazement, and we are seeing through the eyes of our soul. We are seeing through the eyes of love. We know something wonderful is bound to happen.
Affirmation: Today I am aware, awake and enthusiastic.
“If confusion comes, take your intellect and dive deep into your pool of peace. Through an act of faith open your eyes and you will see there is no confusion.” Ernest Holmes, This Thing Called You
I was visiting friends on the Oregon coast and I walked a few blocks down to the beach. The fog was so thick once I got there I could only see a few feet in front of me. I left that location and drove a short distance to another beach that was fog-free, where the sun was shining brightly.
There are those days when I feel an internal fog. Confusion, doubt, turmoil. A feeling of being stuck. In the past I would fight with it, as if playing a tug of war to see who is going to win and have dominion over my thinking. It can feel exhausting.
I have to consciously step out of the fog to find clarity. Clarity is always there, I have to be willing to step aside and let it through. Finding compassion for myself I can choose to step through fog. Going for a walk, taking a nap, meditating, chanting are a few of the practices that bring me back to center, back to clarity.
Clarity is not only freeing the fog but tapping into the Divine Wisdom. When I make that God connection something greater is being revealed. Something greater than I could ever imagine is waiting for me.
I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day.
– Johnny Nash
Affirmation: I live my life with clarity and wisdom.
