By Michael Avery
Life will flow better once we understand how to extract every ounce of wisdom from those experiences we so readily label as “bad.” The trick is to “lean in.”
Giving an unpleasant experience our full attention sounds counterproductive and a little crazy, kind of like leaning into a roundhouse punch. Why not just ignore it and watch some old reruns of “Seinfeld?”
Because. dear friends, the unpleasant experience will follow us with the dogged determination of a “Terminator.”
Guest Post by Jim Jackson
In reviewing my personal journal of 2020, I found the following enlightening entry of April 16th, written during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has now become a great dislike to go to the grocery store, although I’m so grateful to have that opportunity: thankful for the food being there and being able to afford purchasing it. I’m also thankful for the producers, the factory workers, the field workers, the shippers, and the store workers for risking their health during their hard work so that we, the fortunate ones, might eat comfortably.
Guest Post by Gloria Lionz
I attended a leadership conference in Vermont in June. It took me 29 hours to reach my final destination. Yes, I ‘flew’ there but the ‘schedule’ changed according to Spirit (not as advertised by the airline carrier). Chalk this TIRING EXPERIENCE up to Holy Spirit’s ‘way’ of arranging things for me to meet an entirely different group of people; sharing heart-to-heart stories as well as commiserating about mutual travel challenges.
Guest Post by Jim Jackson
On Friday afternoon I had a checkup appointment with Dr. Edward Chang, an oncologist and hematologist. I was seeing him for the latter purpose—not for cancer treatment.
Since my first appointment with my new PC physician and her concern with a slightly low reading in my platelet count, I’ve seen Dr. Chang on four separate occasions now, each time with a three-month extension from my recheck. Next time is a year from now.
By Michael Avery
I’m sure you’ve heard the question, “What is this painting saying to you?”
I always passed it off as merely a metaphor asked by a salesperson in an art gallery intent on making another sale. But recently I had a realization that revealed a deeper, hidden meaning of the question.
Guest Post by Gloria Lionz
“When an insight lands in a dream, repeats itself even after waking from a dream, going back to sleep & hearing the same message, it’s evident Spirit wants me to do something with that ‘urgent’ message. With zero concern for ‘what time of day’ Spirit speaks, I now have a simple option that honors the ‘gift’ while helping me get the rest I need. I jot down any phrase and/or highlights and title in a notebook I keep bedside. Then, when I’m fully awake, I sit down at my computer and record the “rest of the message.”
By Michael Avery
A Prophetic Waking Dream
Some memories follow us throughout our lives. Often it’s because they are waiting for us to realize what they’ve been trying to tell us. In this book, we’ve called these “Waking Dreams in Retrospect.” But butterflies must wait for caterpillars to break through their cocoon, no matter how long the process takes.
Since the late 80’s, one fond memory has kept recurring. After examining it, I lovingly return it to its special place among other potentially valuable treasures from days-gone-by.
Guest Post by Gloria Lionz
Have you EVER ‘misplaced, lost or parted company with a beloved belonging only to be blissfully reunited? If you’re like most people, you probably have.
But what happens when those objects disappear? Do you react with anger or negative self-judgment? Or do you take a moment to approach a disappointment by granting yourself a moment of grace, curiosity and/or humor?
Guest Post by Jim Jackson
I began my contemplation by singing “HU,” the most sacred and ancient name of God, aloud for a few minutes and then silently sang it within. All the while, I pictured myself as Soul in the large ballroom-like space in the Astral Plane (1st heaven) where I had been before.
Guest Post by Gloria Lionz
Throughout my life, imagination and wonder has deepened my sense of connection with the natural world. Some of my early grade teachers encouraged that approach to life. But once I entered 7th grade, science instructors preferred I ‘stick to facts.’ But here’s what’s true for me: Whether or not one can “prove” they’ve ever inhabited an animal’s body, when humans empathize enough to ‘walk with them,’ our humanity and respect for all life expands.
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