This week we explore all the ways Divinity is expressed with an open mind to see that God is truly in all things. One of my practices is to use alternate words for God. I've often found that adults have far more triggers to the word God than children do. Children absorb what they learn from their adults and sometimes have negative ideas about the word and or concept of God. One of my favorite ways to help them release the negative image is to invite them to add an extra "O" and call it Good!
It's really all the same.
Life doesn't always present as "good" all the time. Conflict, difference of opinion, violence, upset, disruption and more are also a part of the Divine experience of life. In the photo above the person holding the sign is expressing a God given right to speak up and out for injustice. There is that within each of us that calls for humankind to seek peaceful solutions, to create harmony and balance. If we take the time to listen when someone is speaking up or out, we may just find the Good that is trying to be revealed.
"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict." Dorothy Thompson
Nature always shows us the truth if we pay attention. Tree branches and leaves bend and sway in a wind storm. Plants grow in the smallest cracks of pavement. The surface of the ocean can be calm and explosive all at the same time. Life finds its way to be flexible, to exist and to express itself in many ways. Just because something feels turbulent, rough, or difficult doesn't mean that something good isn't behind it. If we allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable, we might find that what ever it is we are experiencing is moving us forward into a greater expression of being.
Self Awareness is the process of being aware of different aspect of our self including: Our behaviors; are we calm, excited, attentive, helpful, creative, active, quiet? Our traits; are we mellow, kind, silly, loving, patient, peaceful, shy, outgoing, fair, talkative? Our feelings; are we happy, sad, trusting, fearful, joyful, playful, loving?
Recognizing where we are in any given moment allows us to act and/or react from a more centered state of being. This means when we are in situations that aren't going the way we want them too, we can speak our peace about it or choose to remain quiet knowing it will soon pass. And, when they are going well, we can allow ourselves to enjoy the moment fully!
"Every individual is a unique manifestation of the Whole, as every branch is of a particular outreaching of a tree." Alan W. Watts
Self awareness helps us realize the truth of who we are and helps us come back to that truth when we feel we have lost our way. We are meant to live in the goodness of all this Life has to offer us. Our outlook on life plays a part in how we engage in it. Do we look forward with excitement? Do we dream of a future filled with joy, love and excitement? Can we be in this moment of now, completely content, or is there something we really need to say or stand up for because we feel it needs to change? All of is is good and yes... all of it is God expressing in a multitude of ways.
Goodness is present in all people, all things and all situations. If we are not seeing the good, we can take a moment and list all the possible good things or what good can come from a change in our perspective. This practice helps us change our thinking and come into a place of gratitude about the world and about ourselves.
This week, practice recognizing the good in your life. Take time to appreciate and show gratitude for the good that is all around you. The more you focus on the good the more good you will experience!
"Consider your own place in the universal oneness of which we are all a part, from which we will all arise, and to which we all return." David Fontana
Affirmations/I am statements:
I am one with the harmony of all creation.
I can see the good side to everything.
I am one with all that is and all that is is one with me.
I keep my thoughts focused on all that is good, and goodness comes to me.
All is well in my world. Everything is working our for my highest good.
Meditations/Mindfulness/Mantra
The following is a mantra meditation where you repeat a particular phrase over and over for a period of time. You could use a small set of mala beads to count your repetitions or use your fingers. Below is an example of a Spiritual chant/mantra changing a "quality" word. Insert words that speak to you.
There is only One Life - That Life is God's Life - That Life is Perfect - That Life is my live now.
There is only One Love - That Love is God's Love - That Love is Perfect - That Love is my Love now.
There is only One Peace - That Love is God's Peace - That Peace is Perfect - That Peace is my Peace now.
5 Minute Mindfulness Meditation for Kids from Happy Minds
Yawning Yoga - This is both a book and a meditation activity for before bedtime.
By Laurie Jordan, art by Diana Mayo.
Music/Videos and Books
Class Notes: A Journey Through Musical Emotion
One - India Arie
Little bit of Love - Jack Johnson, John Cruz and friends
Giraffes Can't Dance - Giles Andreae - Read in a Song...
Oh the Places You'll Go - by Dr. Seuss - Read Aloud
Have a fantastic week everyone!
(Special thanks to Unsplash.com for the cool pics and my friends Shiya Stone and Adrienne Cherry)
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