fa la la la la and all that jazz

"And then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight..."

 source

Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) by Amy Grant listen here

December 25, 2019

Emmanuel, Emmanuel : "God with us"

Happy winter to all...

"I Heard the Bells on christmas Day by Casting Crowns" listen here

Jesus' BIRTH day

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and 

Light of the World 

Mark Schultz' "Different Kind of Christmas" listen on YouTube here

"Noel (Live) ft. Lauren Daigle" listen on YouTube here

"O Holy Night" Josh Groban - listen here

Peace: 

Quotes by 

Rumi speak directly to my heart

"The first Christmas was pretty simple. It's okay if yours is too." ~ Amy Weatherly

"Understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close...like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds...the natural tug to go inwards ... is strong..."

Venice Wyatt:  Winter solstice  

"Winter is kind, she points us in her quiet soft way towards our inner self, towards this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting and loving embracing goodbye the past year. "Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb like love, bringing fire and light to our hearth."

 Artist: Jessica Boehman

eXtremely important part of my life again this year

Yoga has been an extremely important part of my life this year

Zanza - kind, new friend/co-worker at Target

Blessings

"Begging God for only one blessing: to be used as an instrument of God's mercy." p. 322 

"Chill of winter morning... love for God is Conquering me." p. 323

Devotion: Bhakti Yoga is the art of transforming material energy into spiritual energy through a spirit of Devotion." p. 319

"Enormous wave of ...

"Faith that was plunging me into an ocean of humility." p. 323

"Harmonize our lives in a spirit of devotion to the Lord, we can realize our eternal Home." p. 338

"HIn this familiar state...

Joy flooded my heart." p. 323

"Knowledge about God... reveals true love to the world through the lives of those who love Him." p. 322 

"Lord, make me dance as you like." p.321

"Mystical feeling overwhelmed me... as if the Lord Himself were gazing into my soul ... My joy knew no bounds." pp. 324-5

"Nourished me with wisdom and provided me a sanctuary." p.326

"Outpouring of gratitude sprung from my heart." p.325

"Planted the seed of our relationship in my heart, like a spiritual conception." p. 325

"Quiet moments just before dawn...natural to feel close to God." p. 319

"Recognize how the invisible hand of my Lord has carried me along," p. 325

"Swimming in a sea of euphoria." p. 324

"Through the practice of devotion to God, I was coming to learn that preserving loving relations in this world requires much forgiveness, tolerance, patience, gratitude, and humility." p. 337

"Under the quiet of the moonlight, I reflected on my fascination with rivers  through out my journey." p. 326

Vrindavan - Saintly Baba - Secret of Yogis - Some stories from the Journey Home - youtube video: 

Whenever I remember you I feel at home." p. 337

eXpressing gratitude

"You must persevere with patience, for by a power beyond your own, you will recognize the very one you seek." p. 323

Zacharias and Elizabeth "were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in the commandments and requirements of the Lord."- back to the bible for Advent - Luke 1:6

Until...

"Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7: 7

Devotion: Honesty enables us to Discover the images of life that shape us, the images that scratch and stain us with experience... we must place ourselves in the light [by] practicing Devotion." ~ Mark Nepo's The Book of Awakening, November 28

Energized with hope, consumed by love, and empowered by faith. Code 6: The Way of the Warrior

Find the strength and energy to give our lives to God... Fuel the Fire of our soul... Feed the Fire

"Goal of all experience is to remove whatever might keep us from being whole." ~ Mark Nepo 11/26

Harness strength, focus power, replenish energy...

"Imagine what would happen if we woke up in the morning energized with hope, consumed by love, and empowered by faith. Imagine the power of those who chose to stand for love against hate, forgiveness against bitterness, for hope against despair." ~ Code 6: The Way of the Warrior

"Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars was one of Ken's music choices for yoga this am, and then this video popped up as a memory on my Facebook page from 2 years ago today :)

"Know God as the all consuming fire that burns with our souls." Code 6: The Way of the Warrior

Love to live and Live to love.

"Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer offered in this place." 2 Chronicles 7

Open my heart with humility, "Once and for All" by Lauren Daigle listen here

"Peace Out" Pure Peace is what the label says on the soap Logan chose :)

"Qualitatively we are one with God, being eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss. But Quantitatively, we are always but a part, just as the sunray is bu a tiny part of the sun and yet has the same Qualities as the sun. We are both one with God and different from God..." p. 312 The Journey Home: Autobiography of An American Swami Radhanath Swami

Ronald M Marciano: October 4, 1939 ~ November 24, 2019 (age 80) service, 12/4/19 xoxoxoxoxo

“Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.” ~ Rumi

Thank you for sharing this, Alisa Johnson

 

"...Vibrating to a different measure / Behind a thin Veil you cannot see through...  you must have faith. I wait for the time when we can soar together again / Both aware of each other / Until then, live your life to the fullest / And when you need me / Just whisper my name in your heart, I will be there." ~ Emily Dickinson

 ~ Art by Kay Parmenter

"When you make the two one, when you make the inner as outer and the outer as inner—then shall you enter the kingdom." —JESUS

Xoxo ... hugs, love, prayers for the Marcianos, mourning the loss of husband, father, and grandfather xo

You come again in glory, Lord, whenever I pause to remember you live in my heart, always

Zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Psalm 119:139

Gratitude for these gems November 24-27, 2019

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." ~ Proverbs 4:23

"All of the attributes were meant to teach us the responsibilities we have in our relationships and to endear our hearts to love the Lord." ~ p. 189 The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

Comforts of home: Coffee and Cozy while Cranberries pop on the stove

Devotion: Sincere Devotion to God was the only way to overcome the strifes and Division of the world. p. 199 The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

Energy from the Source Code 6 The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace by Erwin Raphael McManus

Fighting for our Freedom... Fighting for ourselves and for those we love. Finding strength within.

Gift that could not be measure by weight or worth or inches... God is our strength within... even in

Grief: If pulled, grief is a thread thread that will leave us naked in song." ~Nov 22, Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

"How important it is to be an...

Instrument to bring out the Inherent good in each other, rather than the worst." p. 194 The Journey Home

"Jesus once said: 'I have come to give you life, and life in abundance.' This is our greatest strength. When we are fully alive, we have life to give to the world... when we have an abundance in life, we should not be afraid to give it away abundantly." Code 6 The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace

"Kiss an orange, unpeeled, and taste the juice." Nov 24, Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening 

Lifesource: full of Life, you become a conduit of Life for others

"My heart irresistibly drawn to the personal qualities of the Lord." p. 190 The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

"Not many things, but One thing." ~ I opened to this prayer in Richard Rohr's The Naked Now

"Our company and surroundings have a crucial effect on our consciousness."  p. 194 The Journey Home

Perhaps we cannot always succeed by directly opposing a powerful force."  p. 194 The Journey Home 

"Quiet things speak to me." Nov 24, Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening 

Reading about the loving exchanges... drew my mind closer to the path of devotion." p. 190 The Journey Home

So much wisdom is being whispered through every grain of sand if only I have ears to hear." p. 194 The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

"Unique beauty in all the world's religion." p.194 The Journey Home 

"Viciously envious or affectionately kind." p.194 

"With the confidence of an emperor, gliding effortlessly into the twilight." p. 194

eXtremely important reminder "Martha, Martha, you worry too much about the ten thousand things. So few are needed, Indeed only one." ~ A Paraphrase of Luke 10:42 Richard Rohr The Naked Now

"You will know your tribe by what they see. When they see your essence, that's your tribe." Code 6 The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace by Erwin Raphael McManus

Page 188 - One poem/piece (peace) of The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

Attachment is itself a great 

Burden on our minds

Creates artificial needs

Detached and sincere

Enlightened

Find joy within... Free of endless complications

Gone

Heavy burden

I walked away

Just as suddenly as I had felt despair, I felt liberated

Knowledge and inspiration

Live a simple life, free of endless complications

Mind creates artificial needs 

Nature of the mind is to interpret Nonessentials essential

"...Obstacles I was to encounter along the way would serve ... to bring me to ultimate freedom." p. 188

Paradoxically

"Quicksand!" p. 192

Right path

Seeking. "Standing on that corner, I lamented.” p. 188

"These precious books enlightened me with knowledge and inspiration..." p.188

Ultimate freedom

beneVolent: well meaning and kindly.

"...We find joy within... We can live a simple life, free of endless complications.” p. 188
eXtent of the burden
"Yanked with all my might...

amaZingly I discovered that if I was calm the quicksand was less aggressive." p 193

Nov 17 through Nov 22, 2019

A breath of fresh AiR (Artist in Residence) weekend at All Souls New London

Building Beloved Community

"Come" is a word I keep seeing, hearing and reading in a new light. Come to Community.

"Come to me, and I will give you rest" ~ Matthew 10:28

"Depth of Due Diligence and Determination that accompanies wisdom born out of humble trust in God. ~ Seeking Daily the Heart of God by Boyd Bailey source

"Entrance and Exit" poem read at Temple Emanu-el last weekend

"Faith expands our imagination and opens us to a universe with endless possibilities. It's the same with love..." ~ The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace by Erwin Raphael McManus

"God writes spiritual mysteries on our hearts, where they wait silently for discovery" ~ Rumi 

~ Art 'The Rythm of Love' by Brenda Adams

Humility places in the heart a Hunger for wisdom...

I stirs up an appetite for wisdom's morsels... vs...
Junk food of worldly wisdom." ~ 1 Corinthians 20-30

Live in the newness of curiosity and discovery." ~ Deepak, Day 12: The Power of Curiosity and Discovery

Meredith Magazine arrived/delivered yesterday - Mary, you are doing amazing things, dear friend xo

"Not as a distant knowledge a knowledge of description but as an active knowledge by acquaintance. 

 thank you, Stephanie

Pablo Neruda (Chilean poet-diplomat and politician, 1904-1973): "In the end, everyone is aware of this: nobody keeps any of what he has, and life is only a borrowing of bones." qtd. by Marc Nepo, Book of Awakening, 11/15, "Dying into Now"

Quote from Book of Awakening, 11/16, was similarly reiterated by Rabbi Marc Ekstrand at Temple Emanu-el on Sunday,11/17, and in this Quote from 7/16/19, but I saw it 11/18/19. Interesting: "Once upon a time ... there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated."  ~ Terry Tempest Williams

 ~Art by Shijun Munns click here for source

Rooted in the centrality of Christ without which one remains captive."

"There's a sun in every person - the you we call companion." ~ Rumi

"Use the gifts we receive from the Spirit of God for others - for their flourishing, their aid and their encouragement." ~ Charles F. Stanley Passion and Purpose

Virtuous friendship
Where was it that I was reading about what a "virtuous friendship" is?
"eXpose whatever crisis you are in to your attendant Spirit..." ~ Charles F. Stanley

Yeats offers us is an insight into life on Earth. The great Irish poet suggests that crisis is an unexpected jarring of our ways that brings us into contact with our attendant spirit, original sense of genius... being in the care of something unseen but near... another definition of Wholes or God, another way of acknowledging the Tao, the unseeable stream we all swim in.~ Mark Nepo 11/3 Meditation Book of Awakening

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." ~ Luke 19:8

At Home AS IS - Nov 10 through 16, 2019

"As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY...." ~  Charlie Chaplin

Breath and yoga together in a circle... honoring the full moon

 Charlie Chaplin on his 70th birthday, wrote "As I began to love myself..." click here to read more

"Draw near to God, and He will Draw near to you." James 4:8

"Early in the morning, about the break of day - I ask the Lord to help me find my way." ~ Peter, Paul, and Mary

"Faith is a floor. If you don't work at making it for yourself, you have nothing to walk on."~ Gregory Maguire's Mirror Mirror
"Granted a second life, you must find in it more meaning than you could ever determine in your first." ~ Gregory Maguire's Mirror Mirror

Hope in the divine can empower a human being to overcome unimaginable obstacles. In a terrible predicament, when our hearts embrace hope, we attract a power beyond ourselves to guides us, purify us, and ultimately, liberate us." p.53 The Journey Home by Radhanah Swami

Inimical: tending to obstruct or harm. p. 45 "Instruments to teach me an essential lesson and prepare me for the pilgrimage ahead." p.53 The Journey Home

Just as it seemed the night would never end, a glimmer of light appeared in the distance." p. 45 The Journey Home

Keep walking, even when you think "there can't be beach access here - we're at the railroad tracks" you never know when a tunnel will appear - this time, between parking lot and beach as...

Long Island Sound revealed itself...LOVELY

Magnificent part of our three day, Veteran's Day weekend

"Nobody keeps any of what he has, and life is

Only a borrowing of bone."

Pablo Neruda qtd by Mark Nepo - November 15th The Book of Awakening

Qiyamah, the Day of the Resurrection p. 65 The Journey Home 

Rocky Neck State Park 11/11/2019

Sunset with Misty. How blessed we were to keep walking

"The mirror always knows the answer before the question is asked."~ Gregory Maguire Mirror Mirror

UNDER the Railroad tracks - how cool was that?!

Very cool. I began our walk feeling disappointed because I could see beach or ocean.

We pressed on, and When we rounded the corner, there was a tunnel. We are being called to 

eXpand the circle of belonging... Draw a wider circle, the pastor interning at All Souls said.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Zoë Yopp, a new friend I meet while "flying" with Ken. I published this post without the "Z" with a quick prayer and a knowing, that one would be "provided" :) I'm on the left in organe t-shirt and purple yoga leggings, and Zoë is the person on my right. fun!!

BE like an autumn leaf and LET GO

  in the "Foreshock" of Erwin McManus' book Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment

Contemplation leads to Clarity, Compassion, joy, strength, creativity, and purpose. One of my next reads: Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment by Erwin McManus

Daily... Deliver in Demonstration of the Holy Spirit operating through me and His power stirring the minds of listeners and persuading them so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 paraphrased

     

 thank you, Pamela

Finding the ways our soul can breathe cleanly and completely is our career - where that happens is our occupation." p. 252 Mark Nepo Endless Practice

Guided by His thoughts and purposes. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 and "Golden Glow Moth" by

 Harold Lyons: 

"Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom" 1 Corinthians 1:20,25

 "I choose the power of passion, love, and kindness." ~ Day 7 Deepak 21 Day Meditation 

"Journey to reclaim my eternal identity." p.40 The Journey Home by Radhanah Swami

Kensho (Japanese) is a term used in Zen traditions meaning "seeing into one's true nature. " Ken means "seeing," sho means "nature" or "essence. "

"Only God Himself can teach you everything you need to know about your giftedness. Only the Holy Spirit can do the work of shaping and coordinating all areas of your life so that they brightly reflect the light of the Lord. Take some time...

"... Prayerfully asking the Father to reveal to you how He’s gifted you and how you can use your gifts and talents to fulfill the purpose He has for you on this earth." ~ Charles F. Stanley

Quirky Momma: "Don't let the ugly in others kill the beauty in you." thank you, Kristen

Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment by Erwin McManus

Start every day with an act of LOVE, it is an action verb, after all.

 thank you, Buddha Doodles

"The Two of us were like leaves carried by the wind, neither knowing where or how the wind would blow us..." p. 40 ~ Radhanath Swami The Journey Home

Unlimited support from nature the...

Voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls." ~ Nietzsche

Water Street Cafe; hostess, took this on my Way into my very first shift

Xerces.org check it out here 

 Yogi tea tag said: "You're never too old to jump in a leaf pile"

Zen and the art of a leaf pile made for the sole (soul) purpose of jumping in them and thereby spreading them out again. :)

The week in review: Nov 1-8, 2019

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought." ~ James Allen

"Behavior is the Blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits. We reap the harvest - sweet or bitter - of our inner garden." ~ James Allen

Choice. Choose wisely: “Average is always a safe Choice, and it is the most dangerous Choice you can make...We Choose a career or job; we choose a city or place to live...but in all the things we factor in as we Craft our futures, we make the people in our lives a commodity of, at best, secondary importance. We would take a job and give up our people rather than Choose a tribe and give up the job... If we Choose to live a small life, we do not make enough room for a big GOD.” ~ Erwin Raphael McManus, The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life

Dilemma: "The life you want may not be the life God wants for you. This is why the process must begin by loving God first. It is in loving God with all your heart and mind and soul that he begins to shape your passions. When God has your heart, you can trust your desires. His will is not a map; it is a match. He shows you the way by setting you on fire..." * see "Y" for the rest of the quote from:

Erwin Raphael McManus' book, The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life

 FRESH New London to celebrate the end of the growing season, share food and fun, and begin to plan for 2020!

Gratitude for connectedness and "seeds" that are even better than breadcrumbs for leading me ...

Home to the place in my Heart 

"I wish..." Final line from the musical Into the Woods Important meditation: what do we truly wish?

James Allen: "Mind is the master power that molds and makes; We are min, in one of the guises it takes. Taking the tool of thought, we sculpt what we will, Shaping our lives for ills. We think in secret, and it comes to pass; The world is our reflection -- the mind's looking-glass."

"...Keep underestimating how much God wants to do in us and through us. Too many of us have believed the lies we have been told: that we’re not good enough, we’re not smart enough, we’re not talented enough, we’re just not enough. One of the facets of God that makes him extraordinary is his ability to do the impossible through ordinary, everyday, common people like you and me.” ― Erwin Raphael McManus

Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life

Maple key:  source in honor of Aunt Madeline

 November 7, 1897 to November 16, 1988

Open door: "Every moment is an Open door to fulfillment" ~ Deepak Chopra's 21 Day Meditation Experience

Quiver empty: a very important message from The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life

Room with a view indeed! Reminds me of where I get to sit on Thursday evenings of late

 source

Shakespeare Sonnet 104: 

"To me, fair friend, you never can be old / For as you were when first your eye I eyed / Such seems your beauty still." 

Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". source

Valerie Lorimer Contemporary Arts

"Which Way?" But I keep thinking and typing as "Which Why?"
eXpect miracles is step 2. Asking for them in prayer is step 1.

"You will know God’s desire for you by the fire in you! The fire in you will light the way.” ― Erwin Raphael McManus, The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life

 source

"Zunzuncito: the world's itty bittiest birdie"