One day recently, with a little help from my thesaurus, I made a long list of words that have the same kind of meaning as "abundance."  I found scads of words that describe the way our world overflows in plentiful bounty. 

Do you sense a lack in some area of your life?

I have just the spiritual exercise for you.  First of all, please understand my premise that what you focus on, you draw toward yourself.  So if you focus on abundance, you will become more aware of abundance and you will be opening a channel where the generosity of the Universe can flow toward you.  I am not simply or even primarily talking about material wealth.  You can have an abundance of love and friendships in your life.  You can experience an explosion of creativity.  You can abound in spiritual and emotional growth.   The kinds of abundance are limitless too!

So here is the exercise:  Focus on abundance as much and as often as you can.  When you see a forest, notice and appreciate the abundance of trees.   When you are in the supermarket, be grateful for the abounding choices.  When you open your in-box, recognize the scores of people who want to communicate with you.  When you walk on the beach, feel the immeasurable grains of sands under your toes.  When the grass grows on your lawn, be aware of the profusion of growth.  When your child or young relative draws you a whole pile of pictures, consider yourself abundantly blessed.  And so on.  Notice abundance everywhere.  Be grateful for the surplus of good things in our world.  And then wait and see what happens.  Perhaps your happiness will overflow...

Patricia :-)

Hi friends,
Tomorrow, as part of a preaching opportunity at a Unitarian Universalist church, I am telling children the story of "The Little Engine that Could."  This is an old story by Watty Piper.  Probably many of you remember it from your childhood.

To recap, it's the story of a little train who needed to make it over to the other side of the mountain to bring toys and good food to the children who lived there.  But she stalled and couldn't make it over the mountain.  The dolls and toys on the train asked bigger engines to help, but they were all too important and busy to help the little train.  Finally, the dolls and toys on the train asked a very little blue engine to pull them over the mountain.  The Little Blue Engine had never been over the mountain before, but she talked herself into pulling the little train over the mountain because she understood it would make the children and the dolls and toys very happy.  She hitched herself to the little train and said, "I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can."  And then she DID pull the train over the mountain and saved the day.

These are some good things in this story:
1. Caring.  The Little Blue Engine cared about the children and dolls and toys.
2.  Intention.  The Little Blue Engine set the intention to make it over the mountain even though she had never done it before.
3.  Positive self-talk or affirmation.  "I think I can" or "I can" is something all of us need to say sometimes to help us achieve our goals.
4.  Perseverance.  The Little Blue engine didn't give up.
5.  Enjoyment of a job well done.  The Little Blue Engine smiled at the end and seemed to say "I thought I could.  I thought I could.  I thought I could." as she puffed down the mountain.

Wishing you caring, intention, positive self-talk, perseverance, and enjoyment of a job well done...just like the Little Blue Engine!
Patricia

Dear Readers and Friends,

Today's reflection is on love.  Probably more has been written about love than anything else in the world.  But I will attempt to take a humble stab at communicating a few of my thoughts on the subject.

Recently a dear friend surprised me with the question:  What does it mean when you say you love your children?  For those of us with children, that is a big question.  Do we talk about the feelings of connection (hopefully) we have with our children?  Do we talk about actions, how we will give up half a night's sleep if our child needs us?  Do we talk about our appreciation of our children, our valuing of their essences?

In Greek, there are three words for love:  philos, eros, and agape.   (Note to any Greek scholars out there:  feel free to tweak my understanding of the Greek words if you have something to add.)  Philos is the love of friendship, brotherly or sisterly love.  We love our friends for who they are.  Eros is romantic, sensual, and sexual love.  This is the love of sweethearts.  Agape is the biggest love of all, the unconditional love.  Some would say that this is the love God has for us.  I hope we all have the experience of giving and receiving unconditional love somewhere in our lives.  These words give us a little bit of a window on love, although love is beyond words.

What is love?  This little reflection considers love in different contexts.  You can even love a stranger!  You can love a person with more than one type of love.  There may be many people that we love with both philos and agape loves.  And some are so blessed to have relationships where all three types of love are present in varying degrees!

Love is the opening of your heart to another person.

Love is laughing together.
Love is delighting in shared commonalities and differences.
Love is being amazed that such a person exists, and is in your life.
Love is being student and teacher in the same relationship.
Love is doing mundane tasks in the spirit of caring.
Love is waiting most of the night in the emergency room.
Love is sending out prayers and good energy to someone.
Love is taking risks.
Love is looking in someone's eyes and listening intently.
Love is welcoming a new little person in your life.
Love is drilling spelling words.
Love is cleaning up vomit.  (yeah, well, moving right along here...)
Love is helping.
Love is forgiving.
Love is clasping someone's hand, giving a hug, or a pat on the shoulder.
Love is giving money to a homeless person, AND asking their name or waiting to hear their song.
Love is affirming the goodness in another.
Love is sharing poetry, art, or other personal expressions of creativity.
Love is helping someone see something in a new, more helpful light.
Love is appreciating another's strengths AND vulnerabilities.
Love is following one's own heart, as it encourages others to do the same.
Love is wanting someone else's best interests.
Love is caring, sharing, honesty, and trust.

This is where the rubber meets the proverbial road, folks!  Being a mischievous sort, I went on to ask my friend what the meaning of life is.  But I think I found my own answer!

In wonder, gratitude, and love,
Patricia

Hello Friends and Readers,

Together I'm going to share with you one of my favorite words:  Namaste.  Namaste is a Sanskrit word that literally means "I bow to you."  But it has a meaning that is deeper than that.  Namaste is said to another person with the head slightly bowed, and the hands pressed together.  It means something like:  "The Divine in me salutes the Divine in you."    It is an acknowledgement that the Divine Light of the Universe resides in both of us.  There is no real division between us.  What a beautiful and true concept!

It seems to me that if more and more people hold this concept in their mind and practice, we could go far in healing our world.  Let's start now...you and I.  We can say it in our mind to people we encounter as we go through our days, even when it would be weird to say it out loud.  I'm going to try this.  Care to try it with me?  We can do this at home, at work, at school, out in the public, anywhere and everywhere.

I'm going to especially try it when I'm shopping this week.  When I get slightly annoyed by people in the store, I'm going to try saying "Namaste" to them in my mind.  This includes people who cut me off with their shopping carts and people who pile up 20 things in the express 12-item limit checkout lane. :-)  I also want to remember that I don't know what is going on with people I encounter.  Maybe they just got fired.  Maybe one of their loved ones just heard a terminal prognosis.  Maybe their spouse just asked them for a divorce.  If someone is rude or inconsiderate towards me, it might have almost nothing to do with me.  I can bless them and acknowledge our joint connection with the Divine.  It can't hurt, and it very well might help.

We can say it to anybody and everybody!

Namaste, Friends,
Patricia :-)

Hi Friends and Readers,

It is helpful to think clearly about what you love and what the calling of your heart is.  I am uplifted when I think about what I love and how I can enthusiastically make a difference in the world.  I encourage you to discern if how you are spending your time, thoughts, and emotions, is how you want to be spending these precious commodities.  I had the opportunity to again put some of my vocational goals and loves into words when I applied for the Gaia Community Scholarship.  Thanks for the opportunity, Gaia. :-)  Here are my answers for whoever is interested in reading them.  Please feel free to post a comment if you want to share your own vision for your life.  I hope we can encourage one another!
 

What is your purpose in life?  My calling in life and passion is to inspire people to joyfully, intentionally co-create their lives and thus make ripples of difference in the world.

What do you love, and how do (or will) your actions demonstrate this? 
     I love to share the good news that when we follow the deep desires of our hearts, we thrive and help create wondrous things in our lives.  And not only that, but as we are all connected, we cannot help but make the world a better place when we follow the desires that come from deep within our hearts.  In this heart space, people find their best selves, where creativity and connection to others exist.  When people listen deeply, they find that their desires also align with where they can make a difference in the world.  As we live in this way, we radiate love, joy, and peace. 

     I am excited when I can inspire people in my job as a liberal religious educator, as a student, as a writer, as a public speaker.  I do "pulpit supply" (preaching and leading worship) at churches.  I was chosen student speaker for my 2006 Excelsior College graduation.  I joyfully used that opportunity to share my inspirational message of our ability to co-create our lives.  I look for opportunities to inspire people through speaking and writing.  Yesterday, I led a group of religious educators in a meditation and affirmation spiritual exercise to help them be more aware of their connection to the Universe.  Next week, I will give a speech for my local Toastmasters club where I will encourage my listeners to create more joy in their lives.  This is my vocation and my love.

Ideal job description: 
     My vision is to inspire a lot of people in a variety of venues.  I am already doing this as I teach, write, and speak.  My ideal job would be a continuation of what I am already doing as I seek a wider audience.  You are welcome to read some of my thoughts at inspiration4u.gaia.com.  In my ideal scenario, every day would include opportunities to spend time with loved ones including my seven wonderful children.  I would also enjoy spiritual practices such as meditations, visualizations, writing poetry, prayers, and affirmations, creating art, etc. 

     My major work would be inspiring people to engage in transformative spiritual and personal development.  I would minister in some capacity to individuals and groups.  I may lead workshops and/or meaningful interfaith worship services.   I undoubtedly would give inspirational sermons and speeches.  I would publish some of my writing. 

     I already am manifesting much of my vision.  I am a liberal religious educator, overseeing the spiritual education of children and youth at a church south of Boston.  I am a seminarian working toward my Master of Divinity degree, where I am honing my ministry skills.  I have completed a chaplain internship at a hospital.  I am a member of Toastmasters, where I practice my public speaking skills.  I touch people with my writing.  I have no doubt that the future will bring more wonderful opportunities to share the amazing news of how we can transform the world by living from our hearts.

Shine on,
Patricia :-)

Hi friends,

What can we learn from super bonding glue? 

First, it needs to be used with intention.  We need to  know what we want to glue together. 

Second, it needs to be used with care.  If we are careless, we can glue the wrong things together.

Third, we need to be patient.  Even most fast-drying glue does not dry the second it is applied.

Hmmmm...  Kind of like life.  Best results when lived with intention, care, and patience.

Patricia :-)

Hello Inspiration-Seekers,

As a poet, I enjoy metaphors.  Let's think about your life being like a garden.  Most of us, even if we are not gardeners, enjoy fresh, lush flowers and fruits.  If your life was a garden, wouldn't you want to grow awesome stuff in it?

The good news is that your life IS a garden.  What are you growing in it?  Everything you do, think, believe, feel, say, and envision bears fruit.   It's not a magic wand, whereby one thought (whether positive or negative) reaps a consequence.  But how you act and how you continue to think and feel and believe in regards to that thought will reap consequences.  Just like the seed that is intentionally planted or carelessly tossed onto the dirt will grow and bear fruit if the conditions are right.

Nurture the good stuff.  Feed and water the dreams and thoughts that you want to come to fruition.  Your mind circles around the words you say.  Watch your words.  Do you really want to say things like "That's killing me",  "I'm losing my mind", or "I'm a failure"?  Where you put your attention, that thing grows.  There is a way you can truthfully acknowledge where you are at without putting a negative spin on it.  But don't be stuck there.  Move forward in your vision and life.

This is where affirmations come in.  Saying "I hate my job" does not get you any closer to having a job that you love.  Saying "I am in the process of finding a job that I love" brings you a step closer to your goal.  Notice the power of present tense.  Don't say "I will find a job I love in the future."  That is better than saying you hate your current job, but it doesn't have the same power that will help in co-creating with Universe what you want to happen.

Happy planting, tending, observing, harvesting, and basking in the Sun shining on you,
Patricia :-)

Hi Committed Dreamers,

Do you know that everything that is created goes through three significant steps?  These steps apply no matter what the created thing is.  The people who invented computers followed the same process as those who created political campaigns or can openers or marriages.   First, there is an idea, a dream.  Second, intention is what moves that dream to the next step.  Finally, committed energy is put forth to make that dream a reality.  The intention only manifests by the work of physical effort, buoyed by emotional and mental effort.

One of my favorite quotes is by W. H. Murray, who wrote in the Scottish Himalayan Expedetion, "The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too." 

Our dreams are to share, for the good of the world.

If your dream is in line with the Universe, and if you are willing to put intention, committment and enegry behind it., your dream will happen.  That or something better!

In continual amazement,
Patricia

Hello Givers and Receivers,

We all give and receive continously.  HOW we give and receive makes all the difference. 

Do you receive gifts in your life with gratitude?  All of us, even in the midst of hard times, can find things to be grateful for.  Do you thank the people who serve you at places of business?  Do you sometimes call the people who serve you by name?  Do you give thanks in your heart to God/ Universe/ Higher Power/ Whatever Name for the gift to be able to live another day when you wake up in the morning?  Do you acknowledge with gratitude the small things your loved ones and friends do for you?  Can you remember some things to be thankful for each evening?

How do you give?  Do you give willingly, cheerfully, joyfully?  Do you give begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty?  How do you do the work you do each day?  Can you make your work a spiritual practice by doing it intentionally, and with excellence and gratitude?  Even if money is tight, can you be thankful for the bills you pay and the groceries you buy?  Even if you have difficult people in your life, can you be grateful for them and for the lessons you can learn?

The more positive energy we put out into the Universe, the more positive things come back to us.  How can we put these things into practice?  For gratitude, how about seeing how many people you can thank in one day or how many big and little things you can thank the Divine for in your heart.  (Thank you for reading my blog, by the way.  May it inspire you!)  For giving, what can you cheerfully give to someone each day?  Can you do that special thing that you've been putting off with your friend, relative, or child?  Can you anonomously give some money or supplies to someone who could use them?  Can you think of a way you can give a stranger an unexpected kindness?

Remember to give and receive with joy and gratitude, and watch the blessings continue to flow to you and from you!
With joy,
Patricia

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the day when our society puts emphasis on heartfelt love.  But let us remember to live from our hearts everyday!  Our hearts are like lighthouses that will shine the way for us if we wipe the grime away.

Confucious said, "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."

Jesus said, "Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also."

Wishing you a treasure-filled journey of following your heart,
Poetess :-)