Service

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There are many reasons and motives for doing service. But are mine ‘pure?’ What I mean is, am I doing them from my Higher Self or from my ego self?

When I serve to feel needed, I’m coming from my little me. When I look at the person I’m helping as a victim or someone I’m trying to ‘save,’ I’m coming from the separated self. I am not in an awaken state.

Being of service directly working with people is one of the grandest ways that I feel God’s presence and a strong connection. I am in my heart, opening to God’s love and grace – for me and the other.

So, I serve as a way to grow closer to God. And through helping others with this motive in mind, I open myself up to be an instrument of God’s grace and to waking up a bit more to the real world of Love.

How can I serve today, Sweet Spirit
How can I serve today, Oh Lord
Speak to me in ways I will understand
Where You lead, I will follow.
– Rickie Byars Beckwith

Dear Sweet Spirit,
Speak to me in words I understand as to where You would have me serve today. Open my heart as I have the opportunity to be Your instrument and shine Your light on all whom I minister to today.

I Need Do Nothing

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Yesterday a stranger started a conversation with Rog when he thought that Rog was carrying a bible. I get tickled pink when people are open to connecting – you never know where that holy instant can lead to.

In this case, it led to a number of lessons for Rog and me. This man’s apparent friendliness, apparent openness was his segue into evangelizing about his religion. His apparent interest in Rog’s beliefs was feigned, as he questioned Rog but then glanced at the newspaper. Grilling Rog, quoting scripture left and right with an attitude of righteousness, this man had an agenda to ‘save’ us.

It is a contradiction to me that someone who espouses Jesus as their savior in the same breath does not respect my belief, but points the finger, tells me I’m wrong, and holds an attitude as ‘less than’ towards me. It’s clear that they really don’t get what the real deal is. This is how wars get started. This is operating from ego, not God.

I do not have to agree with you, but I need to respect you. We are all God’s children, all equal. If I am truly an emissary of God, I extend love, acceptance, and peace. The reminder and lesson (again) was that I also respect myself by not participating in other’s agendas. I think it is worthwhile to know where I stand on issues and to clarify my beliefs. But I’m not obligated to share those when asked, especially by a hostile, close-minded party. I have to keep my boundaries.

Today’s Daily Word is Grace. It is a good reminder that I do not need to be saved, I am already perfect and loved the way I am and there is nothing I need to do to earn God’s love.

“As a child I may have learned that I must earn all good things in life. In school, awards are handed out for special achievement; at work, promotions are given to high achievers. I may also have believed that God, too, rewards only those who make an extra effort.

“Grace teaches me that I am loved right where I am, regardless of what I have or have not done. I do not have to earn God’s love. I do not have to achieve a certain status or reach a certain milestone to be loved. Right where I am, God loves me.”

Bless those who cross my path to remind me of my true God nature – even when unintended by them.

Seeing

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“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” – John Lubbock

I have a client with whom I work with 20 hours per week, so I’m familiar with the look of her office. One day she asked for my interior decorating advice regarding an oval area rug she planned to buy for a main walk-through section of the office. Armed with samples, we discussed which color scheme would best work with the current carpet, and I also brought up my concern about how the thickness of the rug might be a tripping hazard. Then she proceeded to order her choice online, and that’s the last I thought of it.

The following week I was in my client’s office and it wasn’t until I’d walked through the main area three times that I realized the area rug had been delivered and placed on the carpet! I simply hadn’t seen it and I certainly hadn’t tripped over it.

It’s pretty phenomenal to me that something can be right in my face and I don’t see it. Have you ever looked all over the house for your keys (substitute anything else), only to find them on the kitchen counter next to the coffee mug you’d just been drinking out of?

It sure makes me wonder what else I’m not seeing, minor things and the not-so-minor. And then there’s the idea that this world is an illusion and I’m making it up anyway… so why can’t I ‘make up’ the keys, the cash, the love, the faith, etc.?

If I can’t see what is theoretically on the physical plane and I believe should be easy to see, then how can I ‘see’ what is in the other realms? And, if I’m making it all up anyway, why aren’t I making up and communicating with the unseen spiritual beings whom I’ve been yearning to communicate with?

Intention. Yes, again, I go about setting intentions and being awake. With faithful expectancy and joy, I see what I am looking for, I live the life and experience the abundance that is mine by Divine Right. I stay alert to my good and to God’s Grace.

Every Day…

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I arise every morning at 5 AM. As we move closer to the summer solstice, each day the sun rises earlier and gradually more light greets me at that time. Every morning is lighter and lighter.

But today it seemed to be much lighter than just yesterday. Still, what matters to me is that every day is longer and brighter than the one before regardless of the interval between them.

With this thought, the words “every day” flashed through my mind and I started humming the tune by Buddy Holly. Here’s an excerpt from Everyday:

Everyday, it’s a gettin’ closer,
Goin’ faster than a roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)

Everyday, it’s a gettin’ faster,
Everyone says go on up and ask her,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)

Everyday seems a little longer,
Every way, love’s a little stronger,
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me?

Everyday, it’s a gettin’ closer,
Goin’ faster than a roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)

How true these words from the 1950’s are in today’s world. The days surely are going by faster and faster as time speeds up in this accelerated universe.

And, every day I am a bit more awake from the illusion than I was the prior day. I’m a bit more open, more kind, patient. I am stronger, standing in my power, that which comes from Source.

I’m getting closer and closer to Spirit every day. It seems this song could be about love from God coming my way every day. And that’s so true. God’s love is ever present – every minute, every hour, every day.

Every day – no matter the length of the sun shining – is a day to grow stronger in loving others and getting closer to my Higher Power. Hey, hey! Amen!

Intention

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I still find myself these days not hearing guidance as directly, as often, or as clearly as I would like. It was suggested to me that setting an intention could very well prove useful in this situation. And, of course, setting and holding intentions is beneficial and powerful in all areas of one’s life.

So I’m setting intentions for this day:

I intend that God, my angels, my guides, and all other beings interested in my upliftment speak to me clearly in ways I understand –

I intend to follow the clear guidance given me –

I intend to walk through this day in peace, love, and joy –

I intend to be aware of all that I am grateful for –

I intend to remain open to receiving God’s grace –

I intend to be a patient, good listener and to shine my light in service to others –

I intend that this day is a productive one, enjoying and effectively doing the work Spirit sets before me –

I intend that when my head hits the pillow tonight I will have felt the power of setting intentions and fall asleep with a smile on my face enveloped in the knowing presence of Spirit, my angels, and my guides.

Glowing

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In my early years of 12 Step program work and cultivating my relationship with my Higher Power, people new to my life as well as old, would comment that there was something “different” about me. Yes, I had lost some weight, but that was not quite it. I was “glowing” many would say.

Most could not pinpoint the reason back of it, just as Bill initially couldn’t when Ebby visited him (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 9). Bill was amazed that his friend was sober, but there was something in addition to his sobriety. Ebby explains that he has found “religion” (in this case, aka “spirituality”) and a God of his understanding. And so it was with me.

In the years since, my glow has ebbed and flowed, ebbed and flowed. But last night in my class “Spiritual Evolution in Consciousness” someone told me I was “glowing” and another commented that I seemed uplifted. I didn’t have a chance to reply, but I know it was for the same reason as it was for Ebby and for me off and on over the years of my spiritual journey.

Spending more and more time with Spirit, especially in the realm of gathering with fellow journeyers, strengthens my inner divine spark. My heart opens, my character assets come to the foreground (and remain there longer), I am at peace and in love and joy. All because of my deepened relationship with the God of my understanding.

Putting God first in my life, puts the glow in me, and I shine from the inside out. I serve God as a power of example to others about what Higher Power can do for me that I never could do for myself. I am grateful.

Trust

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Rog and I were talking over breakfast about trust. He’s participating in a thread on LinkedIn regarding the concept about if it is possible for there to be trust in business. To me it’s an absurd notion to even think of! Still, with the way the world is going today economically, politically, etc., it is clear that there have been grave breaches of trust by people and institutions, including business, and so it is no wonder that this topic is up for discussion.

I cannot imagine any sort of relationship – be it, personal, social, romantic, ‘even’ business – that can survive, let alone flourish and be healthy without a foundation of trust.

I shudder to think what life would be like if I couldn’t make the assumption that the other party was operating from a position of honesty and trustworthiness.

Of course, us spiritual beings having a human experience can fall short of the mark which means that we can make mistakes. But if I know the other person is coming from a place of integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness, I’m most apt to be understanding and accepting.

Nonetheless, I know the ultimate trust is in only one being – God. I place my trust in Source so that regardless of the craziness of the world and people around me, I know that I am taken care of and all is well.

Let It Be

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Yesterday I attended a talk given by Timothy Buzzard of Unity of Sedona. If I got it right, the crux of his message was that no one is in a position to judge. Any person or situation can provide profound usefulness in the midst of seeming discomfort and even horror, so why judge it?

If I believe there is a Divine Intelligence at work, then everything, everything, everything – and everyone – is here for a reason. I may not know what it is, but I can rest assured that there is purpose behind it all.

From that viewpoint, I endeavor to see the blessing in everything and everyone. I surrender into Spirit’s wisdom and love, and I just let things and people be. I do not judge lest I be judge – and there is simply no point in judging, it is moot.

In my earlier days of awakening, I never fully appreciated some of John Lennon’s songs, the lyrics as well as the music. It is only in recent years that I’ve realized the depth of and enjoyed the powerful spiritual meaning behind his “Imagine.” And yesterday, I came to see the same when Timothy played a gospel version of “Let It Be.”

With God in charge, I can simply let things be.

“Let It Be” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Pray for… Laughter

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A recent posting on the Our Prayer website stated: “In the moment of sincere laughter, our heart is open as we experience true joy and gratitude for life.”

That’s the spiritual side, but there is also physical healing in humor. We know that laughter can improve heart rate, ease muscle tension and strengthen the immune system.

What a blessing laughter is. So why not pray for it?

A Prayer for Laughter

Dear Lord,
The day can be challenging.
Often our problems overwhelm our joys.
Today help me to see the moments that lighten my heart.
Help me to laugh more and fret less.
May the radiance and joy of your love shine in me.
Amen.

– OurPrayer.org

It’s God

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Life is not meant to be focused on stress and worry, but on freedom and joy (culled from Today’s Daily Word, April 17, 2010). Stress and worry come from ego, freedom and joy emanate from Spirit.

Thus it is natural for me to feel more connected to God when I feel free and full of joy. And, it is a sacred circle dance: as I focus on God, I feel free and full of joy, and feeling free and joyful, I feel greater connection to God.

I’ve been wondering if the gratitude I have felt recently – the natural, ‘unforced’ kind with my heart singing – is perhaps also joy. It seems that they go hand-in-hand as well.

Regardless of the labels, it is clear to me that my spirit is feeling very much lifted up these days. It’s not dependent on outside people or circumstances; it’s something within. To me, it’s God.