Sunday, July 25, 2021

Summertime Spiritual Vision ~ Values: Fun - Love - Faith


"Faith is like WiFi. It's invisible but has the power to connect you to what you need." Anonymous 

Summer is the season of fun in the sun, outdoor play, camping, family vacations, BBQ's and more. It's easy to see the beauty and wonder of Life when you are engaged in such activities with family and friends. 

Each and every one of us is an expression of Divine Good. We are all a loving essence of energy that radiates goodness, love, peace, joy and light into every aspect of our life and the lives of those around us. The power of this Divine essence resides in each of us equally and it's up to us to activate it, to cultivate it and to celebrate it every day.

"If we disconnect ourselves from the past and find ourselves firmly rooted in God today, in love, in hope in joyful expectancy, and in grateful acknowledgment, and if we learn to harmonize with everything that transpires today, tomorrow will blossom like a new flower in our experience." Living the Science of Mind" 


There are always going to be days that don't go the way we had hoped they would. It may feel like we are on a giant spinning wheel that never stops. In times like these, it's good to take a spiritual time out. That may look like a giving ourself some quiet time or engaging in a solo activity like reading or doing something creative. 


It's also a great time to remember a few spiritual truths, that Spirit is everywhere and in all things. There is a power for good and we can (and do) use it. And, that Life is always for us and never agains us. 


If you were to paint a picture in your mind for what you would like to experience tomorrow, what would it look like? If you were to give it a word, what would that word be? What good feelings from today would you like to feel brand new tomorrow? 


"Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because of love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone." Leo Tolstoy

What if, we all make a commitment today to build something great that will carry us all forward into tomorrow that makes a loving impact. How big is the good you can imagine? What is one thing you can do to make a difference? What loving act are you willing and ready to do now that will have a lasting impact? What great wonderful thing will you build today? 

Your invitation is to do what ever it is with LOVE, with Fun and always with Faith.

Affirmations:

I have the power within me to make a positive impact in the world.

I am an expression of Love.

I am filled with joy and I spread it everywhere I go.

I have faith and it supports me in all I do, say and think. 

Mindfulness:

Today's invitation is to check out the website Bits of Positivity. 
www.bitsofpositvity.com  (not a hyper link). 

There is so much to explore on this web site, including great resources for mindfulness activities. 

Books:

Here is another awesome tip... Check out Storyline Online which can be found at 
www.storylineonline.net (also not a hyperlink).

Lots of great books that are videos read by members of the Screen Actors Guild. Often below the books are links to activities that go with the books and even lesson plans that link with the story of the book. There are featured books for the month, and a great library of stories to choose from.  

Thank YOU!!! 

To all who have been tuning into this blog this year, I want to express my gratitude. You have encouraged me and lifted my spirit in ways that have been so unexpected.
The project of creating a weekly blog this year was out of a desire to bring Spiritual lessons, practices as well as principles and values to families during the pandemic. 

Now that it's summertime and things are opening up a bit more, I am going to take a break in writing at least for the month of August. (My personal summer vacation.) 

Keep your hearts open ~ your minds stayed on Spirit ~ and know that you are LOVE in action... in all you are, say, do and think. 

Pray up my friends. 
Susan ~ 

(Thank you once again to Unsplash.com - Hannah Morgan, Noah Stillman and Marcin Skalij for the great photos)


Sunday, July 11, 2021

Resistance? Acceptance? - Exploring our Spiritual Growth

“Life is infinite energy coupled with limitless creative imagination. It is the invisible essence and substance of every visible form. Its nature is goodness, truth, wisdom and beauty, as well as energy and imagination. Our highest satisfaction comes from a sense of conscious union with this invisible Life. All human endeavor is an attempt to get back to first principles, to find such an inward wholeness that all sense of fear, doubt and uncertainty vanishes.” Ernest Holmes

This thing called life truly is an adventure. We humans go through periods of resistance, acceptance and a variety of ways of being in-between. Sometimes we are so caught up in the things we resist that we miss something wonderful that is calling our attention. At other times we live so fully in our bliss that we may miss something important. Having a regular spiritual practice helps us to find the balance that allows us to navigate life with ease and grace. It nudges us to look at the things we resist and push past our fears, as well as to live in our joy while also being present to the needs in our life. 

What are some of the ways you add spiritual practice into your life? Mediation, mindfulness, yoga, listening to calm music, meditation apps, reading, spiritual study, attending services. There are so many options to open our hearts and minds. You may be the type of person that has one way that works for you and you stick to that one thing as an anchor that keeps you grounded. Or you may like variety, choosing a healthy dose of practices that you mix up every now and then. What ever it is that works for you ~ go with that! I have found there is no one "right" way. Do the thing that feels right to you. Dive in.


"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." Thich Nhat Hanh

One thing I've noticed throughout my personal journey, is that when I am in integrity with my life values and spiritual values, life flows with ease and grace. I smile more. I feel joy and lighthearted. When things go a bit sideways and wonky or I get cranky and edgy, I almost always trace it back to falling out of my regular spiritual practice. 

Over the years, I've found this true for the children and teens in my life as well. A regular does of spiritual practice has a calming effect. It's as if we turn a dial and click into our true selves, fine tuning into the grounding energy of Spirit, the source of Life that connects us all. As a licensed spiritual practitioner and youth worker, the majority of calls I receive from the young people in my life (or their parents) who are in the midst of seeming chaos... it all comes back to falling out of balance with spiritual practice. 

"Awareness is more essential that a hundred skills. To be aware is to be open. And to be open is to know the path of every master who has roamed the earth." 
Thomas Lloyd Qualls


A healthy does of awareness goes a long way. The same can be said for establishing a healthy does of values based living. 

It's been a while since I've mentioned resources and these are some of my favorites for families: (hyperlinks not working) 

Roots of Action - www.rootsofaction.com - a website focused on the practice of positive youth development. They have great articles, resources for families, teachers, youth mentors and more. Founded by Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell with a growing list of authors and contributors that bring information forward for use now in today's changing environments. 

A Fine Parent - www.afineparent.com - founded by a mom, who like many other parents was looking for resources, tools and activities that would aid in the depth of joy and challenges that come from being a parent. Wonderful links, articles, learning opportunities. (You can read up for free and choose to join or not)

BIG Life Journal - www.biglifejournal.com - Check out the blog. You can sign up for free and there are often free activities shared in the blog. Aged based appropriate materials and resources. Also some great tools/books and activities for purchase. 

Remember, Spirit can only do for us, what it can do through us. We are in the drivers seat of our lives and we have the best companion supporting us on every road we choose to travel. 

Below are a few children's books to explore. 

Eli's Lie-O-Meter - by Sandra Levins - Value:  Truth

Did I ever tell you how lucky you are - Dr. Seuess - Value:  Gratitude

The Quiltmaker's Gift - Jeff Brumbeau - Values: Giving - Happiness

Good People Everywhere - by Lynea Gillen Values: Kindness & Generosity

A bad case of stripes - by David Shannon - Value: Uniqueness

You be You - by Linda Kranz - Values - Uniqueness - self love - empowerment 

Enjoy and do the things that bring you JOY!!!

Thanks to this weeks photographers from Unsplash.com Ian Wagg - Ben White and Kelly Sikkema

 







Sunday, July 4, 2021

You are a Spiritual Broadcasting Station! - Energy - Vibration - Spirituality

"We are in the Water of Infinite Life as the fish is in the ocean...The Spirit of Life is all around us. It flows through us. I permeates everything." Ernest Holmes - This Thing Called Life.  

Have you ever noticed that when you are in a bad mood or a sad mood that your energy level feels depleted kind of like a balloon that’s lost all its air? Or what about when you are excited, happy and in a good mood, how you are like the energizer bunny, you just go and go and go. These are just some of the ways we experience our vibrational energy. We are broadcasting systems of energy. We attract that which is alike to us and we vibrate out the things we feel. We also have the ability to change the vibration of the energy of a room or those around us based on our mood. Now that's powerful!


“We are vibrational beings. We are constantly broadcasting into creative law the particular vibrational frequency of our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Every feeling, belief and thought has a natural vibrational frequency. We attract to ourselves the same vibrational frequency we’re tuned into, much like a radio dial that tunes into a particular frequency. (Think of tuning a radio receiver to the frequency to reach a clear radio station). God, as First Cause, is the original broadcasting station, extending Its vibration out into all of Its creation.” Rev. Michelle Ingalls

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” Nikola Tesla


Short clip from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (may have a lead in add)

One of my favorite lines in the Harry Potter books (and in the movie clip above) is a bit of wisdom from Dumbledore. For me it amplified a key point in our spiritual teaching, that thoughts have power. They can and do become things as we place our vibrational energy into them. Our mind is one of our most powerful, precious and complex organs in the body. Learning to use it for our good and the betterment of all life is one of the most empowering things we can do. 

"Everything is energy. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy This is physics." Albert Einstein

Your invitation for the coming week is to be mindful. Pay attention to your thoughts, your moods, your feelings. If they aren't what you want to feel, or think, see if you can determine why or what triggered those thoughts or your mood. Did you sleep well, eat well, drink enough water? Did someone say something negative that plays on repeat in your thoughts? Identify it, deal with it and be done with it. 
Take your power back and shift your vibration to a more positive outlook. 

Remember that you are sourced from and by a Power that works for your Good always. You are Spirit in expression. Go be fabulous!


Affirmations:

"I am the hight flying vibrational frequency of love and light." Rev. Michelle Ingals

Pure Star Kids - Positive affirmations for Kids - 6:36 
Simple readable and repeatable affirmations for kids. 

Meditation:

10 minute Positive energy mediation for any age.

Kids talk about mindfulness and how it 

A video meditation and mindfulness book for kids, by Rebekah Borucki 

Books:

I Like Me - by Karen Beaumont art by David Catrow
A book about self esteem and being comfortable just the way we are.

I think, I am - a book on Positive Affirmations by Louise Hay


Creative Activity - My vibrational frequency – Energy balls

This is one of my favorite activities to do with children!  

Sit in a circle together, in chairs or on the floor. Each person needs a partner.


Everyone rubs their hands together fast, feel the warmth build, then slowly pull your hands apart from each other a few inches. Feel the strings of electricity. It sometimes feels like tingles in the palm of your hand. Shape the energy into a ball. Keep it small so it can eventually fit in one hand. Feel its weight, size and shape. 


Turn to your partner, and gently move your energy ball into one hand and slowly pass it to your partner, as they pass their energy ball into your free hand. Feel the energy of your partner. Does it feel different than yours? Is it lighter, or heavier? Does it have the same shape? Notice how it is the same or different. Then gently pass it back to your partner.


Once everyone has their energy back, gently put it back into your body by bringing your hands to your chest/heart and breath it in.


Now share together. What did it feel like to hold your energy? How was your partner’s energy the same or different? Was it lighter – heavier? Did it have a color? 


Creative Expression - Megaphones of Love! Or Spiritual Satellites 

Supplies: Megaphones… construction paper – tape – scissors – stickers (maybe some yarn to create a handle) 


Spiritual Satellites – foam balls – aluminum foil – Long push pins with color ball or silver tips – wire to curl – or metallic chenille sticks (any other fun items you might have around) 


Based on the project you choose and the materials you have… create something fun to remind you of the power that lives inside you ALL OF THE TIME! Choose your frequency and tune in.


Special thanks to the Unsplash photographers, Mohamed Nohas - Miguel Luis and Nicolas Tissot


Popular Posts