Choosing Heaven

“We may not be aware of it, but we choose either heaven or hell all the time. Every time we choose to hope, every time we choose to forgive and to let go of our resentments, we choose heaven, we choose life.”

Quoted from Jocelyn Soriano’s blog I Take off the Mask 

We choose to make our lives a heaven or hell by our thoughts, word and attitudes. We decide anew everyday. As we walk through this the week before us, let’s stop and consider what we are choosing.

Something to ponder: How are you choosing heaven today?

Now as we get ready to go forth choosing heaven let’s join this joyful group from Open Heart Spiritual Center in I’m Choosing Heaven Today.

Wildly Enthusiastic About Little Things

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” — Leo F. Buscaglia

One of the saddest things about being a “grown up” is that we forget to play. Play is one of the most important things we can do. It keeps us young and helps us stretch not just our physical muscles but our creative ones as well. So next time you come across a hopscotch board drawn in chalk on a sidewalk don’t walk around it, jump through it. Stop and admire rocks, leaves, feathers and even sticks. Look up at the sky and see pictures in the clouds. Sing, dance and have fun.

So how are you going to play today? If you need help with this ask a child.

One in Essence

“We are one in essence but not in expression. That’s why it can be so hard to see the God in each of us. We each express it so differently.” — Genie Robbins

We are all unique expressions of God. That does not make any one of us better or worse that the other, just different. But that can be difficult. It is so much easier to see the world in terms of right and wrong, black and white, good and bad. But how’s that working for us? It’s not, is it? Maybe it’s time to change our minds. By not recognizing the unique expression of God in each of us or allowing it to be expressed we are missing out on the fullness of life.

Something to think and talk about:

What are some ways we can recognize and celebrate the unique expression of God that is each of us? Let’s talk!

For the Beauty of the Earth

How often do we stop to admire, enjoy and take in the beauty of this planet we call home? Do we take time of offer joyful praise to the Creator for all that has been given to us?

I have chosen the John Rutter setting of this hymn because of it’s quiet beauty. John Rutter was a favorite composer/arranger of a choir director I sang under years ago so this version has a special place in my heart.

As you listen to this hymn sung by sweet young voices think about what you are grateful for and find your own way to offer joyful praise to the Creator.

The Sacred Creative Force of All That Is

“You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being. An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans and a t-shirt, and within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be and ever was.”
― Anthon St. Maarten, Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny

You may thinking, am I really all that? Yes, you are. Created in the image and likeness of God, we are all God expressing in, through and as us.

The fabric art pictured above is one of the ways God expresses as me.

What is one of the ways God expresses as you? Please take a minute to ponder this. Please place your best thoughts in the comments, below.

Big things Happen

“Listening better. Caring more. Being there. Its not big changes, but the little ones in our daily lives that make all the difference. With little ways to love more, big things happen.” — Yehuda Berg

Over the last few years i have been feeling I have not been doing enough to stop the damage i see being done in and to our world. Sometimes I have felt guilty for living a quiet rather sheltered life at the lake even though Bob and i believe we are here for a reason. When I have sought guidance on what is mine to do all i have received was “Shine you light.’ But I wanted to do more.

I realize now I was wrong. i do what I can, that which right now at this time in my life is mine to do. It is the little things that start with caring for those around us that will lead to big change.

So take time to listen, care and just be there for others. Remember, with little ways to love more, big things happen.

Truth and Love Have Always Won

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it—always.” — Mahatma Gandhi

It is easy to become discouraged when we are going through difficult times as we have been experiencing in our world. But it is important to remember that others have been through such times of darkness before us and most importantly, love always wins. Sometimes we just have to look for the small victories.

Our question to ponder for this week is…

In what ways (even little ones) have you seen truth and love winning during the pandemic?

Please feel free to enter your response in the comments below and let’s talk.

We Need Silence to be Alone with God

“We need silence to be alone with God, to speak to him, to listen to him, to ponder his words deep in our hearts.  We need to be alone with God in silence to be renewed and transformed.  Silence gives us a new outlook on life.  In it we are filled with the energy of God himself that makes us do all things with joy.”  Mother Teresa

In a world so busy and encouraging busyness, we must make room for silence, that quiet time alone with God. Making time for the silence is not always easy, but God is always there, just waiting for us. God does not want our worship or our praise, but our presence.

I am an early riser. Spending time alone with God before the rest of the world wakes up and things start to get crazy is best for me. I like to go outside and watch the sunrise over the lake.

How do you make room and time for silence?

A New Day

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” J. B. Priestley

Every twenty four hours we are presented with the opportunity to begin again all wrapped up in a spectacular display of color. How we begin our day is important It sets the tone for how we will walk through the day. Are you ready for that “little bit of magic” waiting for you?

What are some ways you can greet this new day with mindfulness and gratitude? Please place your best thoughts in the comments, below. Your best statements may appear as a quote on our site later this week so keep them short.

Thank you God for this new day and the beautiful music of Nina Simone!

Thought for Today and an Announcement

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”— Mahatma Gandhi

It does not take a massive earthquake to shake the world. Small, gentle acts of love and kindness can actually be more effective in shaking things up.

What is one gentle way that you can shake the world?

Announcement: Beginning tomorrow we are going to two new blog posts a week. These will be on Sunday and Wednesday.

Don’t worry, you will still be able to get your daily dose of inspiration. We have nearly ten years of daily blog posts here to choose from. Use our search engine to find a topic of your choice or spend a little time exploring the site.

Our new format will also include a question to encourage you to think about the quote and how it applies to your life. We hope this will lead to interaction and discussion.

We are open to adding study guides, research tools and possibly even an interactive group if you show interest. We are here to serve but we need to know what you need, want, and will use.  The best way to tell us is in the comment area.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Please continue with us and invite your friends.

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