Category Archives: Spiritual articles

Time and Eternity

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It’s human nature to ask questions. When we lose a loved one, we ask why God took them from us. When someone we love has a serious accident or becomes very ill, we ask why it had to happen to them. When we feel emotional despair, we ask God why He has forsaken us, when all we want is for the pain to go away and peace to enfold our minds and hearts. When we see violence, hunger, suffering, and hardship in the world, we ask why God doesn’t stop it.

There is nothing wrong with our questions. It’s human nature to ask why. But we look at Him through the wrong end of the long telescope of time. We only see our present lives and circumstances, thinking there is nothing more. But God sees everything, all at once, through the telescope of Eternity!

—
A prosery piece of 144 words, using the line in bold from “The Hummingbird” by D.H. Lawrence, for Kim’s prompt at
dVerse.

Resistance is Futile #SixSentenceStories

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Whoever said, “Resistance is futile!” was right.

Resistance really is futile, because change is inevitable!

We don’t have to like the deal, but we do have to deal with it.

How we choose to deal with it is what makes change either easy or difficult, good or bad for us; not just the change itself, but the whole transition process involved.

Because transition, too, is inevitable!

There will be bumps in the road, oh yes indeed, but do we ride with them or rail against them–that is the question!

—
For Denise’s “resistance” prompt at
#SixSentenceStories!

Looking for Love #Poem

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The thing we think is love, is not!
It’s need that fools a foolish mind.
In time we feel constrained, confined,
As growth provides a different plot.

So fixed on love, the mind forgot
To listen with the Spirit’s ears.
If truly sought, true love appears!
We cease to cling, but open wide!
Our needs are met, but from inside.
To love another, conquer fears!

—
A Decima inspired by Ronovan’s post and written for this week’s challenge,
Look. This week, it’s the C rhyme line.

As you can see, I used “appears.”

The Story of the Mind #SixSentenceStories

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How elastic the human mind is!

It’s changing and changeable, contracting and contractible, expanding and expandable, a true wonder of nature!

Unfortunately, it’s also elastic in its habits, obsessively returning to them, building their negativity, over and over and over again.

Just when we think we’ve dealt with an issue, moved past a hurdle, forgiven someone, conquered guilt and fear, or grown at last, we find our minds taking that same old trip down that well-traveled, all too familiar negative spiral instead, again and again and again!

What can we do about this insanity, for insanity it is, if insanity really means doing the same thing over and over and over again, but expecting different results?

We must constantly, elastically, over and over and over again, give up our minds to the Great Higher Mind, the One that changes nature, and the One that makes nature willing to change!

—
A little story about a huge thing, written for
Denise’s #SixSentenceStories Prompt, Elastic.

Please also read
Elastic Truth by Frank Hubeny,
which inspired this story and was written for the same prompt.

The Good Book #Poem

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Book, chapter and verse,
Some quote it impressively.
Do they live the Word?

Do they live the Word?
Shakespeare, Thoreau, Emerson…
Truth from any source.

Truth from any source!
Religions choose just a few;
Some leave out the heart.

Some leave out the heart,
But it’s all we really have
To discern the truth!

—
This is a Shi Rensa Haiku. You can learn how to write one
here.

“Clipping Changes” Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Challenge #Poem

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I feel like I’m clipped
Having wings but cannot fly
I’m a world apart

I’m a world apart
In a void of my making
I long to be free

I long to be free
Even if in the same place
To spread my wings wide

To spread my wings wide
I must leave this patterned life
Choosing change renews

—
This is my attempt to write a Shi Rensa Haiku, created by Ronovan. You can learn how to write one and take part in this week’s challenge, using the words clip and wings,
here.

Thanks for the words and the form challenge, Ronovan!

Rounding the Bend #SixSentenceStories

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I don’t remember the first bend I encountered on my journey through life. But I’m sure that whatever it was, some people thought I should take it, and others discouraged the idea. They say that history repeats itself, and I’ve found this to be true. No matter what we face in life, everyone has an opinion and will express it, if given even the whisper of a chance. However, it’s your own opinion, your sense, your knowing, your desire that is most important. Remember: It’s your choice which corners you turn, because it’s your life!

—
My response to this week’s
Six Sentence Story Thursday Link Up, Bend.

This is my first time participating, and I like the idea of a story so concisely written that it needs only 6 sentences. Here are this week’s stories from two of my blogging friends that inspired me to participate:
Abbie Johnson Taylor
Frank Hubeny.

Opinions#Poem

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Your opinions about me
are not about me at all.
They are really about you.

Whether consciously or not,
every time you think of me,
you think in truth of yourself.

Am I pleasing you right now?
Am I saying what you want?
Am I validating you?

Do I feel the way you do?
Do my emotions match yours?
Do I make you feel secure?

Do you approve of my work?
Does what I do disgust you?
Do you like my responses?

When you ask me how I am,
does my answer fit your mood?
Do I join your misery?

Do I affirm your choices,
your situation, your life?
Do you feel uncomfortable?

If you don’t, perhaps you should.
How can you ask for freedom
when you don’t extend the same?

You ask me not to judge you,
but you judge me constantly,
simply for my existence.

It’s OK. I understand.
I know just why this happens.
Don’t worry. I forgive you.

Your opinions about me
are not about me at all.
They are about your ego.

If you treat me this badly,
when you don’t know me at all,
I am left with one question.

How much worse
do you treat
yourself?

Letting Learning Hold You Back

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Learning is wonderful! They say that knowledge is power, and while this can be true if used positively, learning itself can hold you back from sharing what you already have.

I’ve experienced this in two ways. First, as someone who enjoys learning, it’s possible to get caught up in the quest for knowledge itself. This can show up as the following main objections:

“I don’t have a degree in that field.”

Assuming you need more education can be a pitfall. There’s nothing wrong with education! However, there are other ways to obtain knowledge, including experience, common sense, intuition, or even your lifestyle, self-imposed or not. These avenues are just as valid as educational degrees, and perhaps more practical and helpful.

For example, I’ve been totally blind all my life, except for light perception as a child. I don’t have a degree in social work or rehab counseling, but there are things I can share with other blind people, things that sighted counselors with degrees cannot teach them. If I can help someone, why shouldn’t I?

“I’m not qualified. I need more education.”

Once started on a degree path, it’s easy to keep climbing. Again, this is not a problem in itself. However, if it keeps you from using what you already have, any educational path can be a vicious cycle. Know what you truly need, and, more importantly, realize what you already have to offer. If you do need more education, obtain it, and keep sharing what you have at the same time.

The second way learning can hold a person back, is the sheer amount of options, programs, etc. For one who is always striving, it can feel like you’ll be good enough when… When I finish this program. When I have that skill set. When I get the certificate. And meanwhile, people are missing out on your uniqueness, your particular way of sharing or teaching, and the inspiration you give them, often unknowingly.

Learning comes easily to some people, but not to others. Whichever is true for you, let learning be an asset and a joy, not a hindrance or obligation. Be confident in your worth as a person, and in the value of what you yourself can give to others.

The most important learning, the most powerful knowledge, does not come from a degree program, but from the inner work we choose to do on a daily basis. To know yourself is the greatest knowledge anyone can have!

On Love, The Greatest Human Experience

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Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Maybe you’re in a good love relationship, and you like Valentine’s Day. If so, congratulations and keep reading!

Or maybe you hate Valentine’s Day, because 1. you’re not in a relationship, or 2. you’ve been in a bad one. If this is you, you have my sympathies, and keep reading!

Love is the highest of all human experiences. But what is love?

Falling in love is euphoric. Getting married is supposed to be wonderful, but is also, in reality, extremely stressful. Being married? Well, it’s both. And the reason is, expectations. Yours, your partner’s, and to a lesser extent, other people’s.

The only expectations you can control are your own. So let’s talk about those.

If you expect too much, you will be disappointed. If you don’t expect enough, you’ll still be disappointed. But what does this have to do with love itself?

In a word? Everything!

The most important, and therefore also the hardest thing you’ll ever do is to love without expectations. Practically speaking, there are things you expect from any relationship. But spiritually, in order to love truly and fully, and to be loved truly and fully, we must release all expectations.

We must love, even when we receive nothing in return.

We must love, even when we receive negativity.

We must love, even when we’ve already given all we can.

We must love, even when we’re asked to give something we feel we don’t have.

We cannot be everything to another person. But we can love, even when we can’t provide what they need.

How do we pull this off?

Well, personally, we don’t. In fact, we can’t. It’s impossible.

But universally, with the help of God-within, we can love as the Spirit does: Fully, truly, and unconditionally.

In order to have love in our lives, this greatest and highest of human experiences, we must seek spiritual love first. And as the Bible says, “All these things will be added unto you.”

Seek the Presence of God, of Universal Consciousness, of Love. It is not outside you, not in a religion, not even in another person, though you can certainly see it through another. It is right here, right now, within your soul and spirit. It is the Essence of you. God is Love, and therefore, so are you. Seek this Love within you, and you will find Love in many forms!