Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Gratitude and Giving


There is probably no greater way to experience gratitude then through giving to others.

When we give with hands open, arms stretch out, we are also assuming the best possible posture to recieve. When we become captivated by our own pain, or our own fear of not having enough, we close ourselves off to the infinite abundance that is Source. Source that pours into us, and pours out of us, in a ceaseless, bountiful flow.

Staying open in this way is usually easy enough to do when times are good, but what about when things go terribly, horribly wrong? How do we continue to give, when we feel the Universe has abandonded us?

I think the answer is we simply have to make that choice, and then try our best to stay grounded in it, in every moment. No easy task, but I believe the alternative is a cold and empty

"Valentine of Milan Mourning her Husband, the ...Image via Wikipedia

place.

This year I have come to know a little bit about a man, named Matt Logelin, who made this choice when his life took an unimaginably tragic turn. I can only imagine the depths of his sorrow; the enormity of his anger and feelings of abandonment. (You can read Matt Logelin's blog, matt,liz and madeline, here.)

In a nut shell:

On March 24, 2008, little Madeline Elizabeth Logelin came into this world.

The next day, her mother left it.

From this impossibly tragic event, a community was born. A community of individuals, united in their desire to help and support Madeline and her father, Matt. This community formed the basis for what would become a worldwide charitable foundation:

The Liz Logelin Foundation – For the Love of Liz.


I am sure he had many a day where he crumbled into a heap. But, that is not the choice that he made overall, or what he has carried forward with. Instead, he has used his time and energy to reach out for help from others, and to help those who find themselves in similar tragic situations.

So strong and large was the community that spontaneously formed around Matt and Madeline, it seemed not only natural, but necessary to harness the strength of that network and turn it into something – something that could help ease the pain and lighten the load felt by widows and widowers everywhere. And it all sprang from the Love of Liz.Link


I hope that you will consider The Liz Logelin Foundation, in your charitable donations.

Also, the foundation is currently accepting applications for those in need. Visit the web site, for more information.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Sri ChinmoyImage via Wikipedia

Be universal in your love.

You will see the universe to be the picture of your own being.
Complete and total perfection will come about only when we feel that our perfection is no perfections as long as the rest of humanity remains imperfect.

If we call ourselves children of God, then others are also children of God. If we do not share with them what little we have, then what right have we to call them our brothers?

They may be traveling a few miles behind us, or they may be fast asleep.
But they must reach the Goal before perfect perfection can dawn on earth.


- Sri Chinmoy


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Thursday, January 8, 2009

How Not To Piss Off God.

Some purple flowers.Image via WikipediaWell, now that I have your attention!!!

In reality, my concept of God is not one that maintains that there is a "figure" out there to be angry or pleased with us. I believe in a non-dual, energetic and universal form of God. But, to each her own...

The reason for this post title is a quote I came across this morning that I really love. It is from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple. She says:


"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."


I think in a way, that is very true. It is in some way an insult to the grand and glorious creation of this Universe when we, for what ever reason, fail to notice it's splendor.

And this ties in very much to our study and practice of gratitude, because gratitude is the ultimate "offering back" to the beauty and bounty that surrounds us. Taking time to notice and appreciate all that we have been given is a sacred and profound form of prayer, and one that is available to us in every moment.

So, in your day today don't fail to notice

the fragile beauty of some lingering sprig of green grass

the white pristine silence of falling snow

the cornflower blue of a child's eyes

the warming golden radiance of the sun

or, the color purple in a field somewhere.


Om shanti.


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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

In the End What Matters Most...




As you embark upon a new year, consider these wise words:


In the end what matters most is
How well did you live
How well did you love
How well did you learn... to let go.

May your year and your life be filled with peace, and empty of suffering.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.


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