Bodies or Souls?

Do you ever notice how other people affect you simply by their looks, their personality, or just the way they look at you? Do you ever judge them? Just today, a man cut me off on the freeway, and I felt immediate anger.  Is it possible that he was in a crisis in his life, was very unhappy, or not paying attention? Yet, I judged him with full intent and responsibility for making me angry.  Hmmm. Doesn't it go the other way, that I am responsible for my own perceptions? What was the name of that famous psychologist that said it is  not the event that makes one react, but rather one's perception of that event?
On the other hand, the Course in Miracles states that what we perceive in bodily form is merely a shell each of us carries in this lifetime, as is our personality, and our perceptions.  The only reality is that each of us is a soul.  When I remember that one thought, that we are all connected as spiritual beings, which is rarely these days, I find that people respond with strong connections.  For instance, have you ever tried to simply smile at strangers in grocery stores, not a fake smile, but a really genuine one? It is amazing to witness the reactions you will get.  It is rare to never that when I remember to smile, to see each individual as a soul within a body, that they do not smile back, with a genuine smile.  Do you think that when you give a loving, kind smile to others, that it spreads to those they come into contact with, and with the next, and the next? Might they come home to their own family feeling more loved, thus being more loving? I wonder.  What do you think?

Hawaiin Beach

Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii's "Grand Canyon"

Ohio River via Fishing Boat

Hawaii

Food for the Soul

Celebrating Family with Food and Love

Photos of Flowers

What are you passionate about? `What would happen if each of us spent just one hour every day immersed in our own individual passion? Would we be more relaxed? More talented? More creative? More inspired? Playing an instrument or a sport, drawing, dancing, writing, photography, science, history, math, reading, the list is endless. One of my passions is photography, and the natural colors and variety of flowers inspire those pictures. While in Texas and California, I was given the opportunity to be totally inspired. I hope you enjoy!

Moving

Uprooting our lives brings joy and exhaustion. It certainly feels like purging, don't you think? When we move from one place of residence to another, we find ourselves going through absolutely everything: papers, pictures, clothing, small and large items, etc. etc. etc. Gheesh. It seems to never end, those things we collect as part of our lives. Do we really need it all? Well, to tell the truth, just as I purge, let go, give away, throw away, I find a need for that very "thing." Where did it go? I guess we could buy another, borrow another, and get by. So why do we hoard, hold onto, keep so much stuff? Well, moving gives one insight into just how much stuff we carry on our backs, literally, when we move the stuff from one place to another.  I heard once that if it hasn't been used in one year, pitch it. I have an attic full of "pitchable" stuff, because it has remained in that attic for ten years! Wouldn't it be great if we could just let it go without even looking inside each box? Just simply let it go? Ha. Good try.  Thus, the uprooting becomes the sorting through, letting go, and definately holding onto our stuff. I guess our backs will carry it forward to our next residence, and our next, and our next. Funny how much stuff we accumulate in our lifetime. Can you let your stuff go?

Prisms of Light Art

Have you ever wondered if someone, perhaps even yourself, has much more to offer than is shown on the surface?  Inside of each of us burns a brilliant white light, showering us with a deep knowing full of love and wisdom.  Most of us are experts at denying its very existance, embracing the solitude and comfort of our dark cozy caves harboring our souls.  And yet. If we choose to see that light within, to know it is a part of our God/Goddess and is with us at all times, perhaps we can become the rainbow of colors that is created from that light, showing outwardly towards others.  Color paints our world, creating feelings of joy and gratitude for its beauty.  When we let our colors show, we generously share our joy with others.  How can we do this? First, become aware of our inner and outer light, bathing ourselves in it as it embraces us.  That is all.  Like a prism, the light will separate into a rainbow of colors that will spill out into our world, creating a feeling of bliss and love.  Try it. Simply take a few deep breaths, eyes closed, and go inside yourself.  See your light, and know it is always there, inside and out, surrounding you and each of us with love.