Words from the Heart

Sitting at the window, I am watching the chickadees dart back and forth like magical winged puffs of the Creators breath.  The fly so fast, stop, grab a seed from the feeder and then speed off again.  I wonder at their ability to move so quickly without seeming to focus on obstacles in their way. A wise man once told me to look at Nature for lessons.  I have found that when we are quiet and simply observe, Nature has many lessons to teach us.  The four-legged, winged and finned inhabitants of this plant have so much to give, if we but stop awhile to ponder.  Even the trees, bushes and flowers have lessons to share. Last week, as I walked through the woods at my daughter's new home, I came across this tranquil spot.  The woods were silent, but for the occasional bark of the dogs or the distant swish of cars passing along the nearby road.  On this beautiful morning, we walked through the woods, our breath streaming behind us in the cold air. ...

Image by sarniebill1 via Flickr A Time for Reflecting As I took my daily walk this morning, I was overwhelmed by a sense of joy in listening to the birds sing their matins to the the sun as it rose above the mountain .  I immediately said a pray of my own in thanksgiving for the song and a petition for those who have suffered the horror and grief of finding dead animals in their communities. Reflecting on this recent tragedy, it occurred to me that it is easy to fall victim to the constant assault by the media on the horror of the situation.  This realization is what spurred me on to write today.  It is imperative that we remain strong during difficult times.  Remember, our thoughts are energy.  If we dwell on negativity, then our energy will be sapped.  We can keep our energy high by prayer, mediation, and exercise .   While the mass death of birds and animals is tragic, it is not unique.  It has occurred over the millenniums , begin...

Image by paul+photos=moody via Flickr It is day two of the New Year.  I am up before the sun on a gray winter's morn doing a bit of self-reflection on the past year.  As an optimist, my reflection is all about counting my blessings; however, I also want to take stock of what didn't work this year. The highlights of the past year have been many. My daughter, Kathleen was married. My daughters, Gwendolyn and Courtney each gave birth, adding to our ever-growing family. My daughter, Elizabeth moved back to New England. Many friends and family visited the Enchanted Cottage. My second book, Gogo's Dream: Swaziland Discovered was published. I reconnected with several old friends via the internet. My quest to become a minister of peace and justice through interfaith dialogue has moved forward. Just a few of the things that have not worked for me include, being unemployed, being sick, and not being able to exercise.   As we enter 2011, I am determined to continue my s...

Most of us take the opportunity to assess life during what we have come to call, the New Year, which is observed on and around January 1.  I, however, rebel that I am, take time to reflect each year on my birthday. This year, as I sat in meditation, I was overwhelmed by my blessings.  My life is so rich.  Here are but a few examples in the litany of gifts in my life. My spiritual journey My beloved My daughters, each a rare and unique gem My grandchildren...five at the last count! My family and friends, which encompass the entire globe My ability to write My garden Life is good !   Am I looking at things through rose-colored glasses?  Perhaps. It is not that I don't live in reality.  I definitely understand the pain, the suffering, the heartache of life.  The choices I make are to find the good, to see the silver lining.  It is a choice. Recently, a friend wrote a blog post on how negative people can bring your energy down.  S...

But for the grace of God... Some sixty years ago, my Dad was aboard a destroyer in the South Pacific dodging incoming kamikazes. He was told by his CO to run down the deck for the fire hose. He went immediately, reaching the hose just as a plane crashed into the deck exactly at the place where his CO and he were standing minutes before. They never found the CO's body. In those few minutes, the lives of my Dad, his children and his children's children - ad infinitum - could have been lost forever. The first time I realized how tenuous this life was, was the Memorial Day when I was around 10. Mom told me this story for the first time. Dad didn't talk about the war, much. But, on this day, he added details that made my young mind grasp the enormity of the situation. Had he hesitated to obey orders, if his CO had ordered one of the other men, if the pilot had moved the throttle a hair one way or the other, I would not be memorializing my Dad on my blog. I would not be here...

Webster's defines "tradition" as: 1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice; 2. something that is handed down; 3. a long established or inherited way of thinking or acting; 4. a continuing pattern of cultural beliefs or practices; ...The definition goes on for several more explanations, but I think you get the idea. Growing up, we had a few traditions. Some were so entrenched in our lives that we didn't realize they were traditions until we stopped practicing them. Things like, Wednesday was spaghetti night; Saturday, we had beans and franks; and on Sundays we usually had a sit-down meal at around 2 o'clock. We called it dinner, which cracks my daughters up every time I ask, "So what's for dinner?" They call it supper. Other traditions were explained in sincere, one on one talks, like when my Mom told me why we went to church on Sunday or w...