The ability to communicate.
For the ability to speak and listen, to read and write, to share with old friends and make new ones, we thank you God.
Stay Calm and Pray for Peace
Tuesday is election day for those of us in the United States. While we all hope it will be an ordinary election, much like all the others, we know it may not be. While we do not want to invite trouble, we know it could happen. So what do we do?
- Meditate on peace. Inner peace first because that is how we create peace in the world.
- Pray
- Try to control your exposure to the media. Don’t hang on to every minute of election coverage.
- During the election there have been many things said to intentionally instill fear in the people. Over the past few months we have been talking about ways to defeat fear. I have done this so we would all have tools to use if needed. Use them.
- Don’t react immediately to “isn’t it terrible” types of stories. Election day hasn’t even arrived yet and we are already hearing about intentionally misprinted ballots (hoax), 15 days of total darkness in November (another hoax). Take the time to calm down and do a little research before you react. Snopes.com is a good place to start if you suspect something may be a hoax. Remember if something seems outrageous it probably is.
The most important thing we can do right now is stay calm and pray/mediate for peace.
Thank you God for…
humor, laughter and other reminders not to take ourselves or life too seriously. 🙂
Thank you God for…
…fresh air and sunshine.
Breathe in deep and feel the air in enter your lungs. Warm yourself in the sunshine. Enjoy God’s gifts.
Thank you God for…
…live streaming
Bob and I are extremely grateful for the live stream of Sunday morning services from Unity Village Chapel. We live in an area where many people do not share our beliefs and way of life. Even thought we live in a beautiful place, it can sometimes seem like a bit of a spiritual desert.
Thank you Rev. Erin and congregation for using technology to reach out and allow people from far away to become a part of your church family. Thank you God!
Thank you God for…
A beautiful sunrise to remind me that each day is a new beginning.
Tools for Defeating Fear: Gratitude
There are people who in their fervor to win high political office and (in their minds) control the world who are intentionally spreading fear. It makes perfect sense. People who are afraid are easier to control.
A part of this political tactic is to paint a picture of doom and gloom; a world gone astray with no good left. The only hope is to elect one particular leader. Believe it or not, this political strategy (let’s call it what it is) seems to be working.
There are people who see that there is still good left in our world and in our country. The slogan “Make America Great Again” is meant to reinforce a very negative view of our country and our world. But there are those who believe that America is still great.
Could things be better? Of course. Do we need to learn to put aside our differences and come together to work for good? Absolutely. Do we need to find a way to stop the senseless violence? You bet. But words and actions that only serve to further divide our country are not what we need right now.
If “we the people” really want to “take back our country” it must be done through a “grass roots” movement, not by electing a demagogue who claims to have all the answers. That means we start seeing the real truth about our country and not the negative picture being painted.
The United States has a long history of pulling together to come through dark times. In fact the great strength of our country has been that in spite of our diversity we can come together in difficult circumstance. Now more than ever we need to come together as individuals and communities, across race, gender and party lines to listen to each other and find solutions.
We also remember that our thoughts and our words are creative. What we think and say comes into being. We remind each other that positive words and actions have the power to overcome evil. We think, speak, meditate and act on peace.
We are also grateful for what we have. We recognize that no matter how dark and desperate times may seem there is still good in the world and for this we are so grateful. During this month when Americans celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving let us focus on gratitude for the good things in the world, our countries (we have readers from around the world) and our own lives.
101 Positive rEsources: Affirmations and Compassion
Remember that resource list I published here some time ago? Well it just sat there on it’s own page with only a handful of people ever looking at it.
During this difficult time I know people will be needing these resources more than ever making it important to get them out where people will be able to find them. So beginning today and running until the end of the year, every Monday I will post a few of these resources. At the bottom of each weeks list will be a link to the previous weeks.
Now, what can you do to help get the word out?
- Like and comment on the post to let me know you’ve been here.
- Post a link on social media.
- Re-blog this on your blog.
- Tell your friends.
Positive thinking and healthy living do not come automatically to most people. As with learning any new skill it takes practice. There are also resources and tools that can help. These are a few of our favorites. The links will open in a new window.
AFFIRMATIONS:
#1 Creative Affirmations – Affirmations to help live the best you.
#2 Daily Positive Affirmations – A free positive affirmation every day.
#3 Everyday Affirmations – Daily positive affirmations.
#4 Psalms and Affirmations – Affirmations from the book of Psalms.
#5 Vital Affirmations – Using positive affirmations for change.
#6 True Affirmations – Weekly affirmations by e-mail to help change your reality by changing how you think.
COMPASSION:
#7 Charter for Compassion – Join to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.
#8 Compassion it. – Turning compassion into a verb – an action.
Apple Carving
We all know about pumpkin carving, especially Jack-O-Lanterns, but did you know of some of the lovely carvings that can come from apples? Yes, I said apples.
Johnny Appleseed Song
espirational.com 