Through The Eyes of Children

For many years I worked in an elementary school helping kids in the classroom. Third and fourth grades were my favorite, but I loved all the grades. Going to work each day was an adventure. You were never quite sure how the day might unfold, but more specifically it was wonderful to see the world through the eyes of a child. I remember the countless times when the adults in the room were stuck on how to solve something and the kids in all their innocence said, why don't you do it like this?. The adults would look at each other as if to say, it was so simple we could not see it. It makes me wonder if most of what we need is right in front of us. Our ability to see it gets clouded over with self inflicted rules of how we view life. Even if we are not always aware of it we can't help but bring into our life all of our past experiences that have influenced how we see the world. We all carry this with us, but it only becomes a problem when it gets in the way of what we want. That's what I love about children...the world looks different to them, not so full of clutter. Most often, the experiences of life have not etched away at their innocence. Their view of the world is one of wide eyed curiosity and marvel at even the smallest things. They are open to being vulnerable when they get hurt and receive love more openly. Yet they are quick to let you know when they can do it for themselves. In essence, children give and receive love more easily, speak what is true, and forgive others so they can move on. What comes so easily to children is much harder for us, but what would happen if we tried it out for a hour or a day? It makes me wonder what is there for us to learn when we remember the child that is part of all of us.

When was the last time you lingered long enough to marvel at the beauty of nature?

When was the last time you did something fun right in the middle of the day?

Today, no matter what take time to honor the child in you!

Blessings,
Sandy

A "Not So" African Reflection

It has been one year exactly since I had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Africa. The one question I asked myself before I went was, am I willing to allow my heart to open wide enough to take in the experience and would I allow a change to occur in me? I asked the question around Africa, but it is really a life question. We can all ask ourselves right now, in the places where we are at, that very same question. I have heard people say over and over again, there is nothing more constant in life than change. In my own life I know that to be true. I found myself breaking in the places that I hold rigid and opening in the places where I bend. And so yes, I was changed by Africa but I have also been profoundly changed my things right here in my life and community. Change in our world is standing before us like a beacon. It is up to us to use our experience and faith in God to guide our path toward change. In light of the violence in our world, we can no longer afford to be close minded and close hearted. Opening places in ourselves for change to occur is a risk. Our group felt it in Africa, and I feel it at home. However, my experience tells me that allowing a change in me has rewards beyond what I can imagine. Blessings~
Sandy

A Moment of Silence

A Moment of Silence

It has been one week since the shootings at Virginia Tech. This is an invitation to take a moment of silence for the victims of that tragedy. Remember the places in your own life that need healing and nurturing. A while ago a friend gave me this Prayer for Peace. Even though it feels like our peace had been disrupted, I would like to share it with you now. We need to hear it now more than ever.

Prayer for Peace

Thank you spirit for manifesting peace in our world

Thank you for teaching me how to be peaceful

Thank you for the peace I feel inside now

May I be a catalyst for peace in the world

May I live peacefully

I am at peace

I am at peace

I am peace

I am peace

I am peace

~from Praying with Power

Intentional Conversations

Many of you know we have a cable television show called, Healing Conversations. The reason we think the show and this blog are so important, is because people need to have a way to connect with each other to talk about things that are heartfelt and meaningful. Much of our time is spent talking about the tasks of everyday life, often leaving little time for this kind of conversation. But the truth is that we need to connect with others in a deep and profound way. In our busy lives these kind of connections may not happen unless they are made a priority. In the show we talk about the ways people get together just for the purpose of heartfelt conversation. For me it happens in a few different ways. I meet monthly with a group of woman around a topic. We come together and speak what is true for us and in the process learn a great deal about ourselves and our world. Another way is through a friendship I have. My friend and I have met together for 27 years. For 14 of those years we met at 6 AM every Saturday to walk, have coffee and talk... and talk... and talk. For the last 13 years we have just met to talk. I know...it is a long time. Over the years people would ask us if we were still doing it, but no one ever asked us if it was worth it. Most people really wanted to make it happen for themselves; having a person or group to talk to. It was all about the relationship that was being created. We figured how to be in a relationship where it was OK to tell the truth, no matter what. We both learned a lot about ourselves and came to new perspectives and ideas. It was never about trying to fix or change the other person, but just to be heard and to listen. Being present for someone and learning to accept the gift of presence is very powerful.

We would very much like to hear about the ways you come together in meaningful conversation. If you wish you can post a comment on this blog.

Blessings~
Sandy

Stepping Out In Courage

I came across a reflection that I had written about a year and a half ago that seems appropriate to share here. I wrote it as part of devotional book that I was helping to write for my church. The purpose of the book was to help them be a part of our trip to Africa. I think it is important here because I was talking about so much more than that; I was really talking about how we live each day. Not in Africa, but right here in our everyday life! Here it is...

It has been said that the world shrinks or expands according to one's courage. Every day we are presented with many possibilities for our life, some of which we know and understand, but many that we do not. It is difficult when we don't understand or know the outcome but yet we are asked to trust and step out in faith. It takes a huge amount of courage to step beyond our comfort zone to see the world that is waiting for us to discover. As our group of 8 travels to Tanzania and visits the remote villages, we have no idea what gift we may bring or far greater, what gifts we may receive. By stepping out in courage, our world will be changed we ways we can't even imagine. But you don't have to travel to Africa for that! Everyday we are asked to act out in courage as a response to our lives. I would invite all of you to take a moment and look at the times when you acted without knowing or understanding. Know that in those times it was trust that guided your path and relied on an understanding that was beyond human understanding.

Blessings to you this day as you look at the opportunities that life brings your way with courage. Trust that your path is being guided even when you are uncertain. Know that when you step out in courage, our world will be changed in ways we can't imagine.

The Angel of Possibility

The picture to the left is called a Possibility Angel. When I saw it I just knew it was perfect for this entry. As I was thinking about the idea of What is Possible, two people kept coming to my mind. They were Anne Frank and Nelson Mandela. I could not help but wonder how Anne could see the possibility in life when she could not even see the light of day. Hidden away in an attic, knowing that at any moment her family could be found and taken away to a death camp. How could she see the light in that? Yet her writing shows a person of great inspiration and compassion. I think about Nelson Mandela, who through his years in prison, never grew bitter and could still see possibility for his life while offering compassion to those who held him captive. More recently, in fact just a few months ago, I heard about a group of climbers who got caught in a terrible storm on Mount Hood. They were lost for several days in a raging storm with little chance of survival. When they were rescued they were asked, " What did you do?" They reported that they did many things right, but the most important thing they did, was to maintain a positive frame of mind. They made this their intention, and never allowed each other to think negative thoughts. They never allowed themselves to give up hope. In essence, they believed what was possible in midst of a situation that looked impossible. I think that belief in what we can't often see or feel is the Angel of Possibility.

Many of us have probably not been in this extreme kind of situation but I am sure we have all been in places in our life where we have been left with the question of what is possible? I know that is certainly true in my own life. All of my growing up years were filled with all the forms of abuse. My world looked pretty dark not only to me, but also to everyone who came in contact with me. It was difficult to see that there was any possibility of of keeping myself safe, much less find a way out of my oppressive and desperate situation. As an adult, when the trauma of my childhood looked me square in the face, I again had to ask, what is possible? I remember one day when I was 8 years old I saw in my minds eye, my heart. In the center of it I saw a flame so small it could barely be seen. I did not have words for what I saw, but I knew that flame meant a way out of where I was. I knew it then, as much as I know it now, that the flame showed me that something else was possible for my life and that it was present inside me. You might say this wisdom was beyond my chronological years of understanding, but that is the point exactly. This wisdom does not have barriers, it is a simple truth that is available to all of us. It does not matter what our life situation is, because we all have that flame inside us that allows us to see what is possible. I encourage you to look into your heart to find the essence that allows you to see what can be. Embrace it with all you have and let the Angel of Possibility guide your path.
Blessings to you!

Sandy

The Mystery of the Ocean

I believe their is a life force that is part of all of our lives. It is like an energy so to speak, a natural order of things that helps to guide our path. For the most part is runs outside of our awareness, but if we allow ourselves to become quiet and still enough, we can feel its presence. Sometimes I get a visual representation of it and for me one of the places I feel it is when I am at the ocean. It is a very powerful visual indeed. For the last several days I have been walking in the ocean and I find myself getting lost in the waves. Sometimes the waves have carried me farther out than I intended to go or farther down the beach than I planned. I almost felt lost in the power and mystery of it. At that same time I noticed feeling lost, I would look up to refocus and get another perspective. I thought how much like life this is...sometimes I get lost, sometimes for a short while and sometimes much longer. I love the idea of letting the waves carry me to unknown places to experience life in many different ways. But I also know that I am partially a creature that needs focus. How wonderful it is that we can have both forces at play in my life. I can't describe a better or more exhilarating feeling than when the energy of our life is in alignment with our focus or vice verse. Whatever you are doing today, stop and take a moment to become still tap into the energy that guides your path. Be present to the incredible wonder and mystery of your life as you allow both focus and spirit to guide your days. ~Blessings