the Christmas Star makes an appearance when Saturn and Jupiter form a brilliant star as they appear in the night sky.
Clouds part and the skies have been colorful!
Sunrises and sunsets are brilliant!
Will we have a white Christmas with fluffy snowflakes – enough to sled in? It’s everyone’s Christmas wish!
This year has proven to be one of the most challenging in my life and in the lives of everyone I know from Brussels to Washington State, Providence Rhode Island to Pantego North Carolina, every country, city, town and island in-between.
Recently a friend asked a question on Facebook has anyone accomplished anything they are proud of? I answered with the following:
I managed to live a grateful life
to forgive those who have hurt me over and over again for years
to schedule a meditation/yoga hour every morning before going to work at 8 a.m.
to participate in an 8 hour certification class for Reiki Tummo Level II
to listen more
to be more compassionate with others
to paint
sew
play games
spend more time in the woods
to write and converse with the Divine
to attend more meetings regarding recovery and self-discovery
to be an advocate for those suffering with the effects of a prescribed medication such as a benzodiazapene
to create more photocards
to draw more
to be more appreciative of my spouse and co-workers
to be more empathetic to those who have less and struggle more
There’s been many opportunities to love, to give, to share what I have with others, and I have done my best.
What will 2021 bring? I don’t know. What I do know is that praying to God and taking care of myself is essential, if I am to help others.
Planting seeds of kindness and gratitude will produce love the size of sunflowers.
May God bless each of you with health and a heart full of gratitude and kindess.
My father used to say to me, the sun comes up and the sun goes down. In other words, you can count on this each day. If I couldn’t focus on anything else, I could observe these two certainties even if it was raining, snowing, sleeting, or a bright sunny day. He was right!
Since my first piece entitled Week 1 – Wake Up Call, there have been many other reflections and happenings. These changes and awarenesses for me have consisted of these:
a suggested practice of gratitude every morning with my colleagues to start our work day
we are among the few who are considered essential services and continue to have a job to drive to and show up during the week – we’ve gone through feelings of guilt and gratefulness, and our workload has increased as we do our best to take care of the many Guardians who are caring for the many who have no one else to comfort, guide and tend to their needs. We all feel that this service is very humbling and we are all very grateful to work with such loving individuals.
face masks (if you are fortunate to have one) are worn daily when going out into the public for grocery shopping, a walk for exercise depending upon whether or not we are in a place of contact with others
hand washing is paramount
do not touch your face
wash your work clothes each day
keeping the distance between ourselves is very important
Shelter in Place means one must stay in the confines of their home or land if you are fortunate to have land or a neighborhood to walk in
there is no testing available as of yet for all personnel
nurses, doctors, caregivers, pharmacists, clerks in the grocery store, hardware store do not have face masks or gloves
a cure or vaccine has not been created yet
there is no definitive timeline as to when life as we were living it will return
Gratitude/ Lessons learning
As I read my daily devotionals and meditated upon what I gleaned, what I am learning during this pandemic in my dot on the globe, my observations and reflections consists of some of these:
The air has never been cleaner
The sound of stillness while strange, allows me to listen to the earth, the birds, the water in our pond as it flows from the waterfall
How essential it is to check on the heart and mind of those around me – calls me to create notes or cards of love – to connect with my heart and prayer
I pray each morning and night and have posted to FaceBook at 9 pm Prayer and Meditation for all who wish to join me for 3 minutes or more for our world
Gratitude for what we have is essential
Lastly, I would like to share a Prayer with you that sums up what is in my heart and mind.
Prayer during a time of Unknowingness
Dear God, True Source,
Please hear the prayers of many for our world, for the hungry, the homeless, our families, children, neighbors, friends and those we know and those we don’t.
There is much to be grateful for and much we have taken for granted. Forgive us for any prejudices and any unkind words spoken or unspoken. Forgive us for past or future excess in our life. As I write this I remember Jesus saying just ‘come and follow me’. They didn’t pack a basket, bag, suitcase – life was walked in Faith that all would be well. And all was well.
Please shower the earth with your Grace.
Forgive us for those we have not taken care of and for our world and its pain and suffering that so many have ignored its cries.
May peace, health, love and healing return to all beings and all living things of the earth. May we never take for granted again that which has been so beautifully provided by you for us. May we share and exchange words of kindness like the birds who fly effortlessly through the sky and converse every morning with politeness.
The Golden Rule: Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.
Called to Write 