Me Too - Lexi

I had the pleasure of driving with Lexi to the Chattanooga Autism Center Walk 2016 this weekend.  By ourselves in the car I knew that “Tween Music” on my Pandora would make the drive easier for her as riding in a car has never been fun for her.  She knows all the words to all the songs and when Meghan Trainor’s song “Me Too” came on Lexi asked me to turn it up.  The tune is fun to listen to.  The song is about her, I assume, and the life and times of a pop star.  Yes, it sounds a bit conceited but then it probably is pretty accurate of her life.  But it was the chorus that struck me and which Lexi loved the most.  It goes like this:

“I thank God every day (uh huh)
That I woke up feelin' this way (uh huh)
And I can't help lovin' myself
And I don't need nobody else, nuh uh”

Wow.  Powerful words for anyone to believe in.  But that Lexi is a child with Autism and wakes up every day loving herself is beautiful.  I learned this weekend that 1 girl in 189 girls are affected by Autism.  That statistic surprised me more than I can say.  I’m not sure why.  We knew from day one that Lexi was different but a diagnosis didn’t come until she was 6 years old.  Until I learned the facts about Autism, I was like every other person who judges children who are different without knowing all the facts.  Thanks to the awareness I am learning every day through the CAC, I feel more confident that I’m not judging anymore.

When Lexi asked me to turn up the song when it got to the chorus, I did it.  To sing out with joy that she is happy, confident, loves herself and thanks God for it every day; that’s all I need to know that she is on the right path and will succeed in whatever life brings her.  Her gratitude for all who participated at the walk and/or made a donation was sincere.  Her huge bear hug and genuine “thank you” she gave everyone as they left our home after the Walk, said it all.

As for me, I thank God every day for all my grandchildren and their love for each other.  I thank God every day for my family and friends who supported the Walk by sending money, prayers, and good wishes; who called, cheered us on, and sent messages of love.  It’s not about the money as much it is about the Love. 

Lent 2016 – Day Ten – Power

We are the power of God within. We have the power to be and do what we want to be.  The power to control our thinking is the highest gift mankind has been given.

 

I remember the first time I said out loud that I would not ever let anyone have power over me.  I was walking along the track at my junior high when my P.E. teacher yelled at me and my friend to run.  At age thirteen, I was skinny, uncoordinated, and not in the least bit athletic.  We had run for what seemed forever and the heat and humidity of that day seemed overwhelming.  I believed in my heart that I could not run anymore.  My teacher come up from behind us and instead of encouraging us with positive reinforcement or urging us with empowering words, she belittled us and continued to embarrass us.  Something snapped in me and I just stopped and I started walking.  When I got to the gate, I walked back to the gym and got dressed in my school clothes.  I’m not sure I passed my physical fitness test, nor did I care.  It was a wonderful feeling to say out loud to my friend never again. And I stuck to that the rest of my life.  What I did learn from the experience is that power can be misused and only I can decide which way to use it.  I chose to use my power from my heart.

Power comes from within.  I am not alone. I know that power is a spiritual tool that leads me in an abundant life.  We live with the truth that all power comes from love.

“I use my power to manifest the life I want.” ~ Rev. Paula Mekdeci, Unity

Lent 2016 – Day Nine – Love

Yesterday’s 2016 Lenten theme was Love. The Rev. Evelyn Foreman writes, “Like the sun, love’s joy is pure, nourishing, and continually giving.”

Susannah Conway challenged me to find heart-shaped objects or just hearts.  Love is a theme for the month of February.  Hearts, flowers, Valentine cards, and chocolate candy all have a common thread – love.

Finding the hearts has not been easy.  I have a beautiful book by Connie Smith, a cancer survivor, entitled “Never Lose Heart; hope for the journey.”  It is filled with photographs of hearts and inspiring poetry.  Slightly intimidated, I have begun my search.

 

I found: a cut paper lamp shade that has been a bedside table lamp for years, a Pennsylvania Dutch print wedding announcement, a gift from my parents;  a Pirkenhammer tea cup, originally from Czechoslovakia in the 1800’s that belonged to Mark’s grandmother;  a drawing by my granddaughter Lexi; a signed and dated poster of the Canton (MS) annual Flea Market showing hearts on the clown’s face; and a heart-shaped frame of my precious dog, Speck who shared 16 years of his life with our family.  All these heart shapes are symbols of the love that lives in my heart. (Excerpt taken from my Facebook Musing.)

 

“Love in Divine Mind, is the idea of Universal unity.  In expression, it is the power that joins and binds together the universe and everything in it.  Love is a harmonizing, constructive power.  When it is made active in consciousness, it conserves substance and reconstructs, rebuilds, and restores mankind and its world.” – Charles Fillmore

When we know the Truth we know that we are all one, that there is no separation whatsoever.  We learn by experience that love must be directed by wisdom.  God is kindness; God is love.  Loving-kindness is a word of rare compound.  Our greatest good comes in the welfare of all.  Divine love sees no distinction among persons.  When we even faintly realize the love of God, we begin to love our fellow man.

Love is more than gifts one time a year, it has no boundaries and knows no limits—it soars beyond strife or struggle.  And remember through love all things are possible.

“I am blessed by the overcoming power of love.”

~ Rev. Toni Stephens Coleman, Unity

Namaste

November 24th – Day 24 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself this 24th day to focus on all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

Keeping my divine appointment leads me to more wisdom and love.  Prayer and meditation are the most important activities on my calendar.  Creating a daily habit for prayer and meditation opens the door for wisdom and love to express through me and around me. ~ Daily Word

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” ~ Colossians 4:2

“To rise above being captivated by the human dilemma, you must make contact with the Infinite.  This is why it’s important to start your day in spiritual contemplation, make conscious contact through the day, and before retiring at night realign with the Oneness.” ~ Rev. Dr. Christian Sorensen

Arise, My Spirit

Arise, my Spirit, arise and shine.

Let Thy light illumine my path, and let Thy wisdom direct my way.

Compel my will to do Thy bidding, and command my soul to look to Thee.

I will follow Thee, my Spirit, and learn of Thee.

I will sit in the Silence and listen and watch, and

I will see Thy light and hear Thy voice.

I will follow Thee and will not depart from Thee,

For in Thee alone is peace.

Arise and shine.

~ The Science of Mind Meditation, 535 M3

 

“Namaste is an ancient Sanskrit word that essentially means 'The Divine in me honors the Divine in you.' There are three key components to the practice of Namaste. First, we come from a place of understanding that we are made in the image and likeness of God and that our true essence is Divine.  Second, we recognize that truth for another. Finally, we not only recognize that truth but we act accordingly. When we come from a consciousness of Namaste, we seek to honor, to bless, to appreciate, to serve, and to love others.” ~ Rev. Robin Reiter

Today, as I travel the highways from my home to my daughter’s home, I begin with prayer and meditation.  I will look for those times to connect with God and then see the Divine in all I meet.  I will focus on healthy food options, take action that is positive and not negative, and make wise choices when responding to situations that come up this holiday week. And as always, be grateful. Namaste

Team Lexi

 

November 15^th – Day 15 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself on this 15^th day to do all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

I am at times quite often astounded by the simplest act of kindness one can enact: Saying “Thank you.”  I woke up this morning and found pictures placed randomly around my house.  Each was signed, “Lexi” with a heart next to her name.  Last night the family gathered in our home, shared a meal, and welcomed old friends of my daughter and son-in-law.  At one point Lexi asked me for some blank paper and crayons. 

It had been a long day beginning with the Chattanooga Autism Awareness Walk at Coolidge Park, then a family lunch at Panera Bread, an afternoon where we gathered at the football game to watch Paige cheer, and finally back home to our house for gumbo and cornbread.  It was a day of gratitude for all who were present.  But for Lexi it was just another day, or so I thought. While the other five children played, Lexi focused on her picture which she presented to me when it was completed.  I hugged and thanked her and asked her to put it on my desk so that I could hang it up after the company left.  When I woke up this morning, I found pictures scattered all over my living room, on the floor and the furniture placed for me to find.

Children with Autism have no filter.  When they are sad or happy, you know it. But verbalizing their feelings doesn’t always come easy. The pictures were little tokens of gratitude; Lexi’s way of saying “Thank you.”

Today, I give thanks for my family and friends who supported and walked with Team Lexi, who wished us well and especially for my precious granddaughter who helps us all see life through the eyes of Love. ~ Pris

Veteran's Day Gratitude

November 11^th – Day 11 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself on this 11^th day to focus on all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

Today is Veteran’s Day.  I honor and thank those who served or are doing so currently.  I know that to honor them, I do so by doing what I can to live in peace and bring peace to the world.  Today, I say “Thank You” to my husband, his father, and my father for serving our country.

John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but live by them.”

According to Dr. Jesse F. Tanner, we have the freedom to choose to be grateful.  We do this with our intentions.  We don’t have to wait for special occasions.  Instead, “We are able to tune in to our innate capacity for gratefulness each moment of every day.”

Rev. Joan M. Gattuso reminds us to take inventory of what we have to be grateful for.  Doing so, our faith is bound to increase.  She adds that we should look through lenses of gratitude at everyone in our lives and celebrate the obvious delights as we uncover the hidden ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few techniques Gattuso suggests on how to deepen the consciousness of gratitude for yourself:

1.      Always hold God at the forefront of your mind, and first and foremost give God the thanks.

2.      Make a list of your dear ones and send each a loving blessing during your meditation time.

3.      Send a note of thanksgiving to each person on your list, making sure it arrives before the Christmas onslaught of mail.

4.      Call or see personally the ones for whom you feel the greatest appreciation and tell them how you feel. As the song says, “Shower the people you love with love/Tell them the way that you feel.” What a difference you will make in their lives and yours.

 

“There is no better way to spend your own quite time than reflecting on the reasons you have to be grateful.” ~ Joan M. Gattuso

Possibilities are Limitless

November 8 – 30-Day Challenge and Journey of Gratefulness

I resolve to impose definite restrictions on my thoughts.  In thinking of the past, I will dwell only on its pleasing incidents.  In thinking of the present, I will direct my attention to its desirable elements.  In thinking of the future, I will regard every worthy and possible ambition as within reach.

I dedicate myself on this 8^th day to focus on all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

“My possibilities are as limitless as the Infinite in which I live and which lives in me.” ~ Ernest Holmes

“Prayer too often ends up being directed at something outside the self with a request for a change in conditions,” writes Rev. Dr. Christian Soresen.  “Imagine the difference if your prayer was a communion with the Infinite.  You would no longer be petitioning anything to shift.  Your only desire would be to know God better.”  There are answers to prayer beyond our expectations; we just need to get in tune with the Infinite.

In my communion with the Divine, I come to I know more than I ever knew I could.

I Have Known, Always

I have known the Truth, and no fear can

keep my inner knowledge from me.

My wisdom from within comes forth

into daily expression.

Knowledge from On High is given to me,

and I shall always be led of the Spirit.

I Know the Truth

~ Science of Mind Meditations, page 533

When we focus on how grateful for the love, happiness, peace, and joy already in our lives, we send a message to the Universe: More of this please!

 

 

“All creation is a song of praise.”

~ Hildegard of Bingen

Accepting Our Greater Good

It is easy for forget who we are.  Some may think of it as a calling to be who we have created ourselves to be – mother, father, husband, wife, grandparent, and so on.  Then add career choices, leadership roles, and volunteer positions.  When we reach down deep we see our true selves.  Rev. Michael Gott said it best, “We are here to express and experience Divine Love, to give and to receive that which we are.  We are called to remember that our true nature is pure love.” The next time I feel that I have lost my way, I’ll remember to accept my greater good which is more joy, peace and love.  I won’t forget my true nature.

Peace