Author Archives: Joyce

Closer to Us Than Our Very Breath

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Lazy day… I slept a whopping 11 hours! I allowed myself that gift since I’ve got a 3-day weekend away from my job and it’s my time. And even though I didn’t sit down for my morning sabbath until after 12 Noon, Spirit was with me anyway, of course. It didn’t matter the time nor place. “We must come to realize that God is not in some far-off place, but instead that God is an inward, intimate Presence closer to us than our very breath. God is not nor can ever be separated from us, but too often we separate ourselves from God.” – “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” May 29 I find myself in awe simply contemplating the very concept that Spirit is closer to us than our very breath. That’s pretty close, very intimate. It’s more intimate than I could ever be with any being. And, it’s reassuring, allowing me to feel I am not alone in this physical world. Spirit is always with me, and that is true for you as well. We don’t have to walk this journey solo—in fact, we can’t since the Divine is closer to us … Continue reading →

Life is Better with Friends

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Today was a day of going deeper into fostering friendships here in my “new” hometown. Having relocated here when the pandemic was in high gear last summer, I’ve only been stepping out fully for a month or two. I’m still getting used to being able to socialize again and focusing it on growing local friendships, hopefully meaningful ones and ones where there is a common perspective on Spirit and metaphysics. I had decided to take the 90-minute drive north to Flagstaff, AZ to accomplish some shopping related to outdoor activities. I let my small women’s group know in case anyone was interested in a road trip—I saw it as a way to spend some time outside of our bi-monthly meetings to get to know one another deeper. Two women planned to join me, but unfortunately this morning one was feeling ill and had to cancel. Laure joined me on today’s adventure and we started off with driving a different route than I was accustomed to, that I didn’t even know about, and that she had suggested. It was a lovely, scenic drive. I was most aware of the contribution that being with others brings: friends expand my world, in small … Continue reading →

Enthusiasm and Gratitude

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“Enthusiasm doesn’t just happen to us. It’s an attitude that is either fostered or hindered by our decisions about what we’ll bring to our experiences… “Gratitude… heightens our enthusiasm for living. “The power to enjoy life fully, to bring enthusiasm to whatever we do, is within our grasp. In fact, it’s within our own mind.” – “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” May 27 *As We Understand God I admit that I find it a challenge to tap into enthusiasm from within, that at times I need outside circumstances and people to help me along. This week has been filled with enthusiasm and gratitude. My enthusiasm has been fueled by the circumstances I entered into by making the decision that I needed and deserved a more fulfilling job; seriously searching for a new role; putting the time and effort into a lengthy, rigorous interview process at a higher education institution; accepting the job offer; and, starting my new role this past week. And, my decision and actions have yielded me the experience of a role and a work culture that feeds both my intellect and my spirit. I am blessed. I’m not surprised that enthusiasm and gratitude … Continue reading →

Thankful Thursday

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Today being Thursday, I was searching online for some writing ideas about this day of the week; I came across the site Happier Human which had a post about Thankful Thursday by Sarah Kristenson. I’ve not heard of that term before, although of course I realize the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving is always celebrated on a Thursday (fourth Thursday of November). So, it turns out Thankful Thursday is a gratitude practice based on Thanksgiving. Digging deeper, I learned that Thankful Thursday was introduced by Jeremy Watkin at Phone.com as a way to incorporate gratitude into the workplace. Every Thursday, anyone in the company could take a moment to share their gratitude for something at work or outside of work. Jeremy was the pioneer of this special day, and it brought many smiles to the faces of the team. Others have carried on the practice. Giving thanks and expressing gratitude is a profound habit that may create a more optimistic impression and appreciation for life. Much scientific research shows that practicing gratitude on a routine basis can profoundly affect your health, happiness, and success. I think it synchronistic that I learned of the concept Thankful Thursday this particular week. You see, … Continue reading →

Divine Love

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I “found” a new friend—after four years—the other night! Curious? Ask me. David is a poet. He gets inspired by the Divine and words just flow from his fingertips onto the keyboard. I resonate with what Spirit has poured through him and wanted to share, what seem like messages to me, with others. David has granted me permission to post his poem, “Divine Love,” here. Divine Love By David Schuck From the Divine we were created, from the Divine love came forth. We are the created, we are the love, the spirit of the divine lives within us all. Love, pure love, power, pure power, given freely to all from the creator of all. All that which is true, all that which is pure, is truth from the spirit of love above. Set yourself free from your worldly worries and embrace the power of infinite love, of infinite power, of infinite happiness and joy.

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When We Give

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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill “Perhaps it goes against our instinct for survival to give away what we have… a fatal philosophy is formed: what I gain, you lose; what I lose, you gain. “This dog-eat-dog philosophy, of course, brings us nothing but grief. We are all in this life together, dependent on one another. We now know that when we give, there is no sacrifice; it is all our gain. We now know that when another loses, we lose something too. We are not in competition with others anymore; instead, we need them. They are our means to discovery; they are our doorway to the spiritual world.” – “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” May 24 *As We Understand God The meditation book the aforementioned is quoted from is focused on 12 Step recovery. In working the steps to recover from an eating disorder and being a part of the fellowship, I have come to solidify the philosophy espoused in the excerpt. Helping one another in recovery, truly knowing that we are in this together—that we need one another—, that … Continue reading →

I Am Grateful

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“Gratitude is like a healthy plant. It grows and grows and grows! “My life is full of things to be grateful for!” – “Everyday Joy, 365 days of ohmygod life,” by Z Egloff and Melissa Phillippe, May 23 I thought I’d write this evening’s gratitude list as a blog post instead of my usual practice of writing in my gratitude journal. I Iist 10 things, people, or circumstances for which I am grateful. Below they are listed in no particular order: I am a grateful for 7½ hours’ sleep last night, helping to prepare me better for my first day at the new job. I am grateful for my morning sabbath. I am grateful for the onboarding schedule created for me at my new employer. I am grateful for the meet and greets and helpfulness of my new colleagues. I am grateful for the interesting tools and software I will be learning and using, stretching myself. I am grateful I took a 30-minute walk after work. I am grateful I cooked a healthy, hot dinner meal. I am grateful for a new friend I met online whose message to me was hanging out for four years!! I am grateful for … Continue reading →

Freedom and Joy

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Two of today’s readings were about freedom and joy, so I contemplated on where they were showing up in my life. “There is a Power operating through me; a Presence, inspiring, guiding, and sustaining me. Upon this Power, I place my reliance. “I know the Creative Law of Good is infinite and has all power to accomplish. I know Its whole desire for me is freedom and joy. Therefore, I declare that this freedom and joy are mine today… I know freedom and joy cannot be separated from me…” – “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” May 22 Last week I resigned from my job in the financial technical services field and tomorrow I start my new one in higher education. When not a sole entrepreneur, most of my career has been in the financial services field as a technical writer, analyst, and trainer. However, I did work in academia, but it was as an adjunct instructor in the field of computer science and information technology. Tomorrow I get to start working in a position melding it all: working in academia as a technical writing consultant and trainer on a financial transformation project. I … Continue reading →

Centered on God

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“It is not true that suffering ennobles the character.” – W. Somerset Maugham “… our attitude determines whether we find a situation painful. We can be overwhelmed by suffering if we choose. Or we can accept our changing circumstances as natural and growth enhancing. “If we stay centered on God… we won’t be traumatized by the pain and turmoil of change.” – “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” May 21 *As We Understand God Painful times surely come my way like they do for everyone else, but I truly believe that suffering is optional, that I get to choose how I respond to the painful occurrence. In fact, I get to choose how I respond to all situations that arise in my life. My attitude determines not just whether I find a situation painful; my attitude determines how all situations will unfold and their end result. When I stay centered on God and walk with Spirit, whether during painful times, times of joy, and everything in between, my life is richer, I grow, and I draw closer to Spirit, always my goal.

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In the Gap

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Today I am living in the gap. Yesterday I resigned from my remote contract position at a financial technical services company effective after close of business. Today I took the day off to attend to personal tasks and appointments needing to be done on a weekday. Monday I start my new remote contract position in the academic world at a university in the Pacific Northwest. I am in the gap between jobs, between income streaming in, yet knowing come Monday, I’m back in the flow of financial prosperity. Source is surely with me—I’m not in fear about losing a day’s pay and I feel peaceful. I’m also excited about the change. Often, when I’ve been between contracts, it’s because a contract ended unexpectedly. Then my job is job hunting, a full-time endeavor, that is unpaid. In turn, that means I’m living off savings (which these days I’m grateful to have some), taking away money for other expenditures or future retirement (if that is ever feasible for me). I am grateful that for the past couple years I have been in control of my job role destiny, having started looking for new opportunities before the current one I was in ended … Continue reading →