Here is another reminder from Neale Donald Walsch supporting the very lesson I'm learning - I believe he means this for all who read this:
On this day of your life, I believe God wants you to know...
.....that you have only just begun to discover your
magnificence.
This period of your life marks a New Beginning. You
can feel it. And you have only just begun to know the
treasure and the glory of You. And you have only just
begun to make your Real and Lasting Contribution.
So step into this day with zest and zeal! Go now and
give your gift. We're all waiting for you. And we need
the wonder of Who You Are.
Love, Your Friend.... Neale
Now keep reading....
InSpiration - Being In-Spirit
Now I really am rambling...
I am finding that one of the greatest lessons I'm learning (sometimes over and over) is the bliss and peace found when living through inspiration or "being in-Spirit." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, a popular author and spiritual giant says this:
"When we're in-Spirit, we're inspired...and when we're inspired, it's because we're back in-Spirit, fully awake to Spirit within us. Being inspired is an experience of joy: We feel completely connected to our Source and totally on purpose; our creative juices flow, and we bring exceptionally high energy to our daily life. We're not judging others or ourselves - we're uncritical and unbothered by behaviors or attitudes that in uninspired moments are frustrating. Our heart sings in appreciation for every breath; and we're tolerant, joyful, and loving."
How true! This is totally what my ministry is all about...finding inspiration in the everyday ordinariness of our lives and sharing it with others. I believe that God wants us to experience joy in all that we do - from waking up in the morning and feeling excited about going to work, or dressing and feeding the kids - to being fully present to the smallest details like noticing the whiskers on a cat or being uplifted by a comment a friend makes. Living In-Spirit requires a mindfulness to what we are doing in that very moment.
I fully believe that each individual has a purpose and mission in life. We may have asked ourselves "Who am I really? Why am I here? What am I supposed to do?" or "Why does life seem so damn difficult?" I have asked these questions numerous times, especially when I'm feeling flat and broken. But as I get older (and hopefully wiser) it occurs to me that feeling squished, like a bug on the windshield, is an opportunity for opening ourselves up to Spirit or Inspiration. It is in that moment of being squished and feeling vulnerable with our guts spewed across the windshield, that we can curl up into a fetal position and lock ourselves into a closet or trust Spirit to pick us up in the palm of his hand and allow true healing to begin. It is in that moment, that when we trust Spirit, she will send forces of Angels, both of the higher world and of this world to softly lift us up - but we must have an attitude of willingness, in other words;
a genuine desire.
I remember reading somewhere, that if the best you can do in a moment of crisis or never-ending despair is barely whisper a pathetic and inaudible "help me", that you will be heard and help will be sent to your rescue. Even if you don't fully "believe", that tiny little effort produces results. This is true regardless of what end of the spectrum you are sitting; good, bad or otherwise. And when you think about it, we only have two choices; we have the powerful opportunity of humbling ourselves and allowing great things to manifest on our behalf or we can choose to remain closed, victimized and defiant. It's that simple.
Being in Inspiration means being in the absence of "all ready knowingness"; giving yourself space to know that you do not know. Inspiration does not allow for room to "be right, so others can be wrong." Being in spirit means feeling comfort among the discomfort, and trusting in something bigger than ourselves; having faith that nothing but greatness and sincere love is waiting to wrap her tender wings around us. Being in spirit is what happens in the absence of fear.
My wish for you right now, is for you to feel inspired, or in other words, connected to Source. I hope you are able to recognize your own Divine Magnifcence! And as I write this, it occurs to me, that regardless of your pain or joy, God doesn't care if you're sitting in the comfort of a mansion or making your bed under a bridge - and God fully gets that whether you're sitting in a cave in the perfect yoga position , chanting mantra's till your jaw tightens or sitting in a prison cell wondering how in the hell you got there - you are his sweet and beautiful child because he made it so. God intentionally created you with a purpose and loves you so completely, as you are, that it simply takes my breath away! This is true Inspiration!
Anyway, this is what I'm finally learning and hope to share with others.
It is with reverence and humility that I send you great beams of light, deep understanding and many many blessings.
Dios te ama - Indeed, God loves you and so do I.
Rev. Rhonda
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My Latest Ramble...
Thursday - August 28, 2008
The last couple of weeks have been filled with sorrow and pain as I learned the news of my sister's fight with Leukemia. She's a 42 year old mother of three, with a fabulous husband and two awesome teenagers and a two year old son they just adopted at birth. She's been battling this disease for almost 2 years, and now has been given the sorrowful news that there is nothing more the doctors can offer her in way of healing. My heart is broken.
I also learned my very young 68 year old father has prostate cancer that is advanced. They have given him a 25% survival rate because of it's advancment. Again, my heart is broken.
As I pause to think about how life is sometimes filled with dissapointment, I'm learning again how sweet our time with loved ones is. After my own mother's death over 2 years ago, I have been left with feelings of anger, deep sadness and eventually acceptance of what seems unfair and impossible to cope with. For me, the death process begins again...
I recently found this quote that seems to be most appropriate at this time:
"Within sorrow is grace. When we come close to those things that break us down, we touch those things that also break us open. and in that breaking open, we uncover our true nature." - Wayne Muller
I learned with my aunt's death & mother's death, that if I can find that space called stillness and trust, I am able to keep myself open to inspiration and connection with my loved ones as they continue their glorious journey through eternity. I am often visited by my mother and lately, my aunt who was only 42 at the unexpected time of her passing. I feel their essence near and laugh at the "signs" or "love notes" they leave behind, reminding me that they are forever with me.
I pray that I may keep my body and mind as an open vessel to hear the promptings of the Spirit and have the courage to act on those promptings. They are very much aware of the suffering we are going through and are close by to hold us up and nurture our pain. Mom and Anne, I am so grateful for your love!!
It is my intention to remain open so that after my sister makes her transistion, she too, may be able to reach through to me and let me know she is well and happy. It is my intention to create more laughter here on earth, for our family while I have my precious family with me. And someday, when I have the blessed opportunity to cross over, I hope I can reach out to my loved ones left behind.
Through all of this, I have concluded that Families are Forever, that we never leave one another and that indeed, we are all conncected. And for this, I thank God or Spirit for giving me understanding and reassurance.
Blessed be. And so it is. Amen.
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Monday, September 22, 2008
My sister Laura passed away on September 15th at 9am. Dad and I were on our way to Laura's when she passed away at her home in Washington, Utah.
The week was long and grueling as we struggled to keep things together. I will say the funeral service was by far the most beautiful service I have ever been witness to. Indeed, funerals are for the living. It was in that space of 100's of people who loved Laura, that I was finally able to open up and let the emotions come through. A tough time for sure. And yet, my Dad and I kept commenting how wonderful it is to connect and re-connect to loved ones still here on this planet.
Death is never easy and more difficult to understand at times. But slowly I'm able to put this experience into perspective. I'm finding healing from friends and family and feel such an outpour of love and concern from others. It's a beautiful space to be in.
To all who loved my sister - we are blessed by your quiet contributions. To my friends who didn't know Laura - Thank You for loving me and allowing me to share all my feelings and memories of Laura.
I truly am blessed to have such deep friendships with you all.
I have found great comfort from this scripture,
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Rhonda's Ramblings
