In Focus - January - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice

Prayer

I try never to underestimate the power of prayer to assist me in making changes in my life. To me, prayer is soft and soothing and never forced. I don’t pray to get things, I pray to let things go.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/15/13

Blessings

The things in life that fill me up, that make me feel it’s all worth it - these are the blessings that color my world. It is not possible to count all the blessings available to me.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/16/13

Comfort

From where I commune with spirit to where I sleep at night, comfort is a warmth and peace of mind. To share comfort with another is one of

spirit’s greatest gifts.In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice

1/17/13

Conversation

To speak eloquently is a gift. To listen with pure interest and empathy is a joy.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/18/13

Creativity

Creativity shows up in the most mundane of endeavors. Be still and let it come forth.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/19/13

Death

Woody Allen said, “I’m not afraid of death. I just don’t want to be there whenit happens.” As of this point in time, I agree with this statement. I’m looking forward to an expanded

perception of death in the future….one I can live with.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/20/13

SEVA

Selfless service. I secretly took this picture of my neighbor, Dennis, who immaculately cleans the area around the complex’s garbage cans twice a week, not for any recognition, but because he takes pride

in his community. I am grateful for his service.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/21/13

Wait

Take a moment…ideally in repose. Who has the time? Consider all that we have that makes us not have to wait. And breathe … and breathe again.

And feel the breath…wait for it.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/22/13

Oracle

A source of wise counsel inspired by the gods. Jesus, Mohammad, Zeus, the Pope, Buddha, Apollo. Within my grasp it’s Rev. Edward Viljoen.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/23/13

Healer

I believe the best healer of ourselves is ourselves…and for those who can’t,there’s the likes of Mother Theresa and comfort through relationships.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/24/13

Disagree

Good girls don’t…empowered women do…but not capriciously…unless you’ve been to law school…lol. Sometimes someone’s disagreeing

with me can erode my confidence. That’s why I’m not a lawyer.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/25/13

Annulet

Also known as fillets or listels…in heraldry. I had no idea. Even now still not sure I get it. Good to learn new things at any age.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/26/13

Lightness

Reminds me that I often take myself way too seriously. Just seeing the word releases a tiny weight off my shoulders. Life: it’s not a test!

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice

1/27/13

Illusion

Can involve all the senses or can refer to a heavy divergence of truth and false-hood in Hindu philosophy, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To me…today…it comes

up when I’m kidding myself.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/28/13

Apportation

Objects moving about by themselves. The car keys left on the table suddenly turn up where they shouldn’t. Smoke and mirrors? Fact or fiction? Stay grounded; don’t let it

happen to you.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/29/13

Dreaming

A cornerstone of emotional and spiritual health. Be open but not hyper vigilant. I try to pay attention while dreaming, without letting the dreams keep me awake at nights.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/30/13

Forgive

Couldn’t we write volumes about this powerful tool? The best thing I can say here is: forgive yourself first.

In Focus - Celebrating Life Through Spiritual Practice 1/31/13