Expect God...

I am sitting on a crude wooden bench surrounded by red clay mud walls and a tin roof. The floor is dirt and high above my head are wooden beams draped with beautiful cloth and tied to look like butterflies. The altar is simple, made complete with a cross and hand woven baskets. This humble room is a church packed with people dressed in traditional African and Maasi clothing. It is vibrant and colorful. The people who cannot get in are 4 deep at the windows peering in to get a glimpse of what is going on. Inside the people are singing and dancing in such a way that it appears well orchestrated. But nothing is orchestrated, they are simply letting the spirit move them. The harmony of their voices and the beat of the drum seem to reach right into my soul...I cannot help but be moved. The tears are running down my face, I have never experienced God in this way. Many times in my life I have looked for God's presence in my life. But here I am, sitting with some of the poorest people in the world and they feel God's presence...they expect God to be there. They don't even expect it, they just have a knowing that is like nothing I have ever witnessed. I could ask where is God in this monetarily poor country, but it never enters my mind. When asked if they ever asked that question they said, Why should we do that...He is here.

I am in the mountain top village of Idunda, Tanzania. It has been more than a year since I visited this village, but all I have to do is close my eyes and I can be right back there. But I am not there, I am here, in one of the richest countries in the world. I have more than I need of material possessions but yet I sometimes find myself asking, where is God today or looking for signs of His presence. How often I forget that His hand is in everything. I was truly blessed to have this experience of grace and love. What if we just for this moment remembered that there is nothing that God's hand is not in...what if today instead of looking for the places we see God that we could just close our eyes and know His presence. May you be blessed and be a blessing.

Sandy

the dot...ish

Recently, a friend gave me two new books to add to my collection of children's books. I love children's books and these two are exceptional in their message. The first one, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, is a Christopher award winner. This award is given to films, television programs or books that affirm the highest values of the human spirit. Vashti, the character in the book claims she cannot draw when invited to do so by her teacher. Her teacher encourages her to "Just make a mark and see where it takes you", but she is angry! To prove she cannot draw, she puts a dot right in the middle of the page and exclaims, There! Many more pages of angry dots appeared, but soon Vashti softened and that "dot" marked the beginning of a journey to surprise and self discovery thru drawing dots.

The second book by the same author, is simply called, Ish. In this book Ramon does what makes him happy, which is drawing. One day, his older brother made a critical comment about his drawing. From then on Ramon worked hard to do it right and make it perfect, but he never succeeded. Instead his papers ended up crumpled in the trash can. His sister saw the world in a different way, and helped him see the creative process was more important than getting it right.

Does any of this sound familiar to you? I know I sure can see myself in both of these books. On the inside cover of the books it says The Dot and Ish are books that"shine a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care." I could not agree more! We have forgotten to embrace our creative side and honor the value of creativity in our life, however it is expressed. I will often recommend that people start with crayons and a coloring book or better yet, get out their favorite medium and just start to create whatever comes to mind. We are so much in our heads, organizing and figuring things out, that we need to just break away from our thoughts. Using the creative process allows us access to inner most wisdom that can help new perspectives emerge.

Today, make some time to sit down with a box of crayons and a blank sheet of paper and just allow your hand to move on the paper. Remember there is no" right way" or "wrong way" to do it. It is important for all of us to find ways to get out what is deep inside of us and creativity is one way to that. Have fun and give it a try! If you care to post a comment we would love to hear from you!

Sandy

An Awesome Picture

I came across this picture that was recently taken by the Hubble Telescope, the Spitzer Telescope and the Evolution Explorer. These three telescopes worked together over a span of several years to capture this galaxy. The astronomers were amazed at the depth, clarity and beauty that the use of three telescopes produced in this image. I thought it was such an awesome picture that I wanted to share it with you...however the computer had a different idea in mind. This is the fourth time I have downloaded this picture and written this blog; each time it just disappeared! Even though it was saved it seemed to vanish into thin air. Since this picture is about discoveries and working together I have to assume there is a lesson for me in this. Ok...anyone who is laughing can just quit! I guess I am persistent! Just like the astronomers I was so struck by the beauty of this image. As I look at it, I am reminded of how much we don't know and how much is yet to be discovered. Not just in the world but within each of us. Each time I think I know the next step to take or the right answer I am shown another way. And what I always discover in that process is different than I could have ever imagined. I think this picture is a reminder to me to keep my heart open to everything and remember that the beauty in each of us is brought out by others. As you go through your days be grateful for the discoveries you make and the beauty in your relationships.
Sandy

Everyday Is A Gift

I would like to tell you about my friend Doug. I met him about 15 years ago as we were volunteering in Boy Scouts. You just can't help but like his cheerful attitude, his ability to tell a good story and to see the positive side of life. After our years in scouting ended, I did not have as much opportunity to see him as I did before. He always loved to tell stories and just recently published a book about them. It was so fun to visit with him as he talked about the stories he put in his book. His cheerful attitude, his ability to see everything as positive and of course still tell a good story as well as write one was evident.

There is one thing that has changed and that is his health. He has a degenerative form of MS. When I first met him you never even knew he had it but for many years he has been confined to a wheel chair. With each passing year there has been something lost, a bit of mobility or something he can no longer do. Doug now lives in a group home so he can have round the clock care. As I entered his room, I could not help but be struck by the sign on the wall, Everyday Is A Gift. In my conversation with him, there is no doubt in my mind that he lives that each and every day.

As I left, he told me to come back and visit, but reminded me he is a busy man. It made me know how much richer my life is because I know him and made me wonder about everything he was there to teach me and others. I too, believe that everyday is a gift but often I forget that. I forget that gratitude is a gift and if my friend Doug can be grateful for what he has, it is a powerful lesson for me.

Take time today to remember that everyday is a gift and we have much to be grateful for. Acknowledge the people in your life that bring richness by who they are and what they give to others and remember to acknowledge that in yourself. ~ Remember that each day is truly a gift~
Sandy

A Personal Sabbath

In pursuit of knowledge,

everyday something is acquired.

In pursuit of wisdom, every day something is dropped.

~LAO TZU

This week I have been thinking a lot about the idea of rest and not pushing so hard to get to a destination. To move at the pace of guidance, rather than to "push on" no matter what. The idea of sabbath is not new, but certainly is not practiced in our society. I first learned about the meaning of it when I worked at a church. They felt strongly that the staff needed time to rest, reflect and restore themselves. It was an important part of the ministry there and enhanced all parts of life. It carried with it the importance of self care as we cared for others. Each month, each staff member was given a half day with pay to have a time for a personal sabbath. It was clear that this was not a time to get caught up on house or yard work, or run errands; it was a time to refresh yourself. Not only were we to do it, we had to come back to the staff meeting and report what we did and what we were learning in the process of embracing rest in our lives.

In the beginning this felt odd and foreign to me. I was unaccustomed to having a half day with no agenda or "to do" list. It took several months to really get the hang of it...to learn how to spend time rejuvenating my body, mind and spirit. I had to look at my life and ask myself how I nurtured and took care of myself. Did I rest when I was tired? Did I cram 36 hours into a 24 hour day? Did I take time to nurture my spirit? Needless to say, I had a hard time answering these questions. In the process I realized I had never really learned how to do that. That is the case for most of us, we have not learned how to do that. Like most things, it takes practice to make it a priority. I wish could tell you I am an expert at it but that is not the case! But it is part of my intention every day, to allow myself time to do nothing, to enjoy nature or to be creative.

I would encourage you today to take a look at how you restore yourself. Do you rest when you are tired or push on anyway? How do you care for your spirit? When does your mind shut off? Take time today to find a way to have a personal sabbath whether it is 15 minutes or a whole day? Finding a way to soothe our mind and spirit and rest our body is essential to our own well being. It may be the most important thing we can do for yourself. We would love to hear about your personal sabbath if you care to post a comment or send an email.

The Quilt Makers Gift

I have a collection of children's books that I absolutely love. Each and every book has been selected with special care, either for the story or the pictures, and sometimes both. It has always been an idea of mine that children's books were really written because adults had to be reminded of the simpler things in life. The wonderfully designed pictures and simplicity of the story is a perfect way to do that. Unless we have children to read to, we don't get the opportunity to be around children's books.

I want to share one of my favorite books with you called, The QuiltMakers Gift. It is beautifully written and illustrated and I believe it won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations. The story goes like this...

There was a elderly woman who lived alone in the mountains. She made the most beautiful and sought after quilts in all the land. Because she put all her effort into designing and picking out the fabric for her quilts, she lived a contended life on the mountain never straying much from home. The exception to this was once a quilt was finished, she would sneak into town at night, finding someone who was homeless and sleeping in the street. She would cover them with the beautiful quilt she made, careful not to wake them. Quietly she would leave to return to her mountain home. Some how word spread about her craftsmanship and beauty of the fabric she used. People started coming to her door and asking to buy them. She always refused, stating that they were not for sale. The king of the village, a man of great wealth and many possessions, made his way up the mountain to purchase one of her lovely quilts, certain she would not say no to him. After several visits from him, she finally tired of telling him no and made a deal with him. She told the king that if he gave away all of his wealth and possessions she would then give him a quilt. He agreed and went about the painful process of giving away his great fortune. When he had emptied his bank and his castle, he proceeded up the mountain to get his quilt. The woman gave him his quilt and asked him to accompany her to the village. When he saw her take one of her lovely quilts and very gently cover a homeless man with it, he was taken back that she would give such a exquisite gift to a man who was sleeping in the street. She very quietly said, he needs it too. In that moment the king had a change of heart and together they made beautiful quilts and gave them to those who needed them.

I love this story so much because of the great care and love that went into each quilt. They could have been sold for a lot of money, but instead she gave them away to those in need, making no judgement. It is a powerful message for all of us to think about. It also makes me wonder what gifts I have that could be given each day just for the sake of humanity. Will you wonder with me? Blessings~
Sandy

An Amazing Discovery...

In the May 7th issue of Newsweek Magazine there is a fascinating article about the new science of death. Researchers found an amazing discovery that changes the way doctors are thinking about heart attacks, as well as death itself. When someone dies of a heart attack, what has happened is that their heart has stopped beating. This is the clinical definition of death and the brain then shuts down to conserve oxygen. The conventional thinking by the medical community has been that if a patient could not be revived within 4 to 5 minutes, the brain and heart would sustain irreversible damage from lack of oxygen to the cells. This went unquestioned until Dr. Lance Becker, an authority on emergency room medicine, decided to look at the heart cells they assumed were oxygen starved and dying. They found that the cells had oxygen and there was no evidence that they were dying. It was an incredible discovery that led them to look farther into the biology of cells. What they found in the cells, led them to look at how patients may be resuscitated in the future.

I found this article so intriguing because I have always loved the idea of wondering and questioning the way things are done or thought about. The idea of doing that opens my mind and heart to a broader perspective that leads to new understandings. Each day we act in accordance to what we think is true, but too often we move through life and forget to wonder and question. What if something we hold as true, turns out after questioning to have shed light on a new perspective? I have experienced that many times in my life. Many of the beliefs that guided my life turned out to be based on old information and when I really spent time with them, realized that I had an opportunity to embrace something new. For me, embracing something new literally changed by life just like this discovery of resuscitating people might actually allow them to live. That is really the truth of it, in order to truly live and embrace life, we have to continually keep wondering, questioning and opening our heart and mind to new perspectives.

One man's courage to question something believed as true lead to this amazing discovery that in fact the cells of the brain and heart live for hours after death with no damage. This in turn led to a whole new way to think about death, but also about how people can live. We have that same opportunity. Everyday each of us has the chance to make these same kinds of miraculous discoveries about ourselves. We can wonder and question and come to new understandings that allow us to fully embrace life. It is not surprising that they found this discovery about the heart. It’s long been known that the heart has its own wisdom and has the capacity to allow our lives to be guided by the infinite love found there. There has never been a time when it is more important to open our hearts and minds to new ways of thinking and deeper understandings about ourselves and others. Imagine living life in the full embrace and love of ones heart. ~ Blessings on your Journey ~

Sandy