Author Archives: Joyce

One Spirit, One People

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With the transgression of the Ukraine and its people by Putin, part of my prayer this morning was “God, please, can’t You get us all, including moi, to really ‘get’ that we are all one?!” It’s not my usual form of prayer to beseech the Divine Presence, but my words were born out of heartache and exasperation at seeing the events of the world continuing. Somehow, I knew one of my readings would relate to this, and my intuition was accurate. To start off with, powerful words I’ve rarely come across, were in “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes”: “The world needs a new concept of God: a new idea must be born in the minds of people everywhere about the nature of God and their relationship to this Divine Creative Spirit.” Further on, “…we must sense that the Spirit is at the center of our own lives. We must learn to recognize that It is at the center of all people and working in human affairs. While it is true that the Power of God is always within us, it is not true that we have always realized Its presence.” There is only … Continue reading →

Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening

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I was searching for some images on my computer while working on the final project for my “Spiritual Principles” class, a foundational class in Science of Mind philosophy, when I came across the one above that states the 12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening. I had no recollection of when I found and saved it, but as I read them, I had to chuckle—they were accurate! Whoever wrote them no doubt had experienced spiritual awakening. I felt connected. My first and primary spiritual awakening occurred sometime after I walked into the rooms of a 12 Step program for eating disorders many moons ago. As I worked the steps and practiced the principles of the program, my attitude about life and people changed, and hence my actual life did! Coming to believe in a Higher Power spurred me to a spiritual awakening. I am so grateful for that and the resetting of the path of my life. I’ve had additional spiritual awakenings; they are always a blessing and gift to receive and to recognize. Here are the 12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening written out: An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen. Frequent attacks of smiling. … Continue reading →

Following the Way of Compassion

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“Doing what is right isn’t the problem; it’s knowing what is right.” – Lyndon B. Johnson “In every situation we can be certain that we are fulfilling God’s will even if our mind is filled with indecision and doubt. How? If our actions encourage compassion and forgiveness, God is guiding us.” – “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” February 26 *As We Understand God The aforementioned solid piece of advice applies equally to others as well as to myself. This past Wednesday I was behind in completing my assignments for my “Spiritual Principles” class that evening and wanted to get some more done the hour or so before class was to start. However, I was tired after working all day and just didn’t have the enthusiasm. I really wanted to take a quick nap and get refreshed so I could be attentive and fully present when the two-hour-long class started. I vacillated as to how to spend the time between work ending and the class beginning: Should I rest or should I read some more of the text book? Compassion came through from my heart. Spirit said, “Honey, take care of yourself. Your body is telling you … Continue reading →

Help from Spirit

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It amazes me how I can sometimes forget that Spirit is the ultimate Power and can help with anything. But, I have to ask for that help. Years ago, I was a very unhappy camper, not enjoying living in Santa Fe, NM. For most of my seven years living there, I wanted to relocate (again) and didn’t have the financial means to do so. When a friend visiting from NYC asked me how I enjoyed living in Santa Fe, as we walked around the lovely plaza downtown, I heard myself complaining yet again about what I disliked about living there. And, I was sooo tired of the complaining. Shortly thereafter I remembered to ask Spirit for help in relocating. The lightbulb had finally gone off! Duh. I had been trying (or not trying) to do it all by myself. Asking for help from Spirit, I was no longer alone (as if I’d ever really been) and I had the power of God consciously behind me. Here’s what I told Spirit: God, I really need Your help to get out of here. I’ll do anything that is required – even get a job! You know that I’ve said I’d never work … Continue reading →

Peace in These Times

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When I read the headlines immediately following meditation this morning, I knew today’s topic would be something related to peace. It just had to be. I don’t usually blog about the international world out there, but Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine was a blow to my soul, despite it not being a surprise. How ironic, I suppose, that yesterday’s blog post was about expecting good. Right now, that’s a challenge. The Russian president has taken an action not seen in about 80 years, since the days of Hitler and WWII, and hoped to not be seen again. I am sending thoughts of love and compassion to the Eastern European region of the world, and envisioning white light surrounding all the people. I am extending those energies out to the far reaches of the entire planet because everyone is impacted. And, I’m sending light out even to Putin. He is so very lost; he fails to realize that we are truly one. An attack on anyone is an attack on all. I touched upon this just recently: “If we are all part of the great I Am, and we are each doing the best we can, why would any one … Continue reading →

Expect Good

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Today, and every day, I expect good. I anticipate meeting new friends. I joyously anticipate contacting new situations which will increase my livingness. My life is an adventure. I know that wonderful things are going to happen to me. I know that everything I do shall turn into good for myself and others. – “This Thing Called You,” by Ernest Holmes, page 75 Spirit is the sustaining Principle of my life, the only active Principle, and It is always moving me towards my good. Knowing this, I expect good and look forward to it. In fact, my expectancy speeds the progress. I feel enthusiastic about my life and look forward to seeing how the adventure unfolds. Thank You, Spirit!    

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Your Thoughts Create

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The following quote is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, although others have expressed a very similar idea: Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny. In essence, your thoughts create your life. Imagine all that power you have! This means all aspects of your life are created by your thoughts. Cause produces effect, with Divine Intelligence inspiring and guiding us. My thoughts about my health, love, finances, etc. put into action what is to follow. To be clear, the outcomes probably won’t happen overnight. It takes time, repetition, and energy behind the thought. It’s not magic, like, “Presto! I have a million dollars.” Further, there is more back of this. I have to feel worthy to receive and I may have to prepare myself to receive. If I really cannot fathom having million dollars, I’ll probably not obtain it. If I do, I will not have it for long (you hear stories about folks winning the lottery and in a short time, they are financially where they were previously). If $100,000 is more comfortable in my psyche, then that’s … Continue reading →

Belonging

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“Belonging is a deep spiritual need.” — “Paths to Recovery: Al-Anon’s Steps, Traditions, and Concepts,” by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., page 270 I was reading about participation in groups, specifically as a volunteer giving service in a 12 Step program. It wasn’t until I became a member of a 12 Step group for eating disorders that I felt like I belonged. Of course, a 12 Step group is focused on spirituality, but I had no clue that a sense of belonging was actually a need, a spiritual need at that! Just like I didn’t know my eating disorder was about me trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, trying to fill a spiritual need (connection to Spirit) with a physical thing (food). I immediately felt at home in 12 Step meetings; I didn’t feel so alone. That was a tremendous milestone for me. But I think belonging goes beyond feeling not alone and may take some time to develop. Belonging, to me, feels warmer, is a stronger sense of closeness and bonding. I didn’t experience that sense of belonging in my family of origin, and, in fact, felt fairly isolated since I felt no one understood … Continue reading →

Constant is Spirit

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“Today I directly experience the reality of Spirit, allowing It to renew my mind, guide my decisions, and direct my affairs. I know that in the eternal act of creation, everything passes from the Invisible to the visible to be temporarily experienced.” — “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” February 20 Each life is temporary, each of us here for a limited amount of time, and then we shed our body and go back to pure Spirit—until the next go around if that is what is necessary for our spiritual evolution. While I am here in this body, I strive to stay in the present moment and savor it. People will come and go, jobs, possessions, and everything else in this material world. What I have as a constant is Spirit, the Invisible, within me always, wherever my journey takes me. Spirt as Love, Spirit as Wholeness, Spirit as Freedom, and so much more, all of the Invisible.

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An Increasingly Beautiful Life

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“The certainty of love and friendship flows into my consciousness, and I feel a deep peace. I give thanks for my increasingly beautiful life.” — “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” February 19 Right on! Even before I went out into the world this morning to attend a beautiful celebration of someone’s life, I thought about how my own life is increasingly richer, with this week as an example. My work was more interesting and I felt like I contributed something meaningful to the organization. The “Spiritual Principles” class I’m participating in not only put me in the energy of like-minded and yummy souls for an evening, but also provided me with greater clarity on one of my goals and how to manifest it. My body has been able to move about in the same way as it had before I strained my back a couple weeks ago. In interacting with my dearest friend, our level of sharing went even deeper and richer. The list goes on—and this was only one week! I give thanks for all of the above as my life blossoms after being somewhat stagnant especially due to the pandemic. I … Continue reading →