Share the Love

Valentine's Day has very much become a couple's or lover's holiday. Sadly, there are far many more hearts in this world that contain a great wealth of love, but are not part of a romantic couple.

Where I work, there are those who have very caring hearts, but not one has a special someone to share today's heartfelt holiday. Those that have kids, have children that are adults and long since moved out with sweethearts of their own.

These are only a handful of many, many more people who have been deluged with advertisements, mentions, and decorations for a holiday that they feel - quite frankly - left out. No one deserves to be left behind.

We should celebrate the Love in everyone's heart. I ask my readers to join me in some Valentine's Day mischief. 

We can leave a flower, some sweets, or even just a note with kind words. Even the simple words, "You are loved" can touch a heart like nothing else on a day like this holiday.

Like the card mentioned in my next blogpost, it can be unsigned. God loves them; sometimes they need to hear that they are loved. Nothing more needs to be said. :)

Please bring a bit of light into another's life today. Valentine's Day is a celebration of Love - not only a sweetheart holiday.

We all have love inside us.
Let's celebrate it
With all! :D
~ ESA

Little Flame (Poem)

 Written a few years ago, I wanted to share the full poem after I tweeted it in segments today. Please enjoy!
~ ESA
___________________________________________________________
Little Flame

I have a little flame

At the center of my heart

I know how it got there

God was the very start

 

One little flame

In a vast dark place

One little smile

That won't be displaced

Light a flame beside me

Hence there are two

It's now a little brighter

We know what to do

It could be a smile

Or a helping hand

All the different ways

As countless as sand

Pass on a kindness 

Or uplifting word

Light another flame

Against this dark world

Like little ripples

On the surface of a pond

Little flames alight

When the heart is fond

 Ever-widening circles

Spread the Light and Love

As our little flames

Reflect the One Above

Further and further

Light this shining ball!

One little flame

Can encompass us all

 

When the darkness comes

To blow our flames out

There is one thing that

It hasn't figured out

Within each heart

A little flame is found

And with a little effort

We can send it back around!

Driving Down Memory Lane

When I was a girl in the 1970's, numerous siblings crammed into our family car for hours to literally drive over the river and through the woods to grandma's house. Back in the time before car seats and even rear seat belts, let alone iPods and portable / built-in DVD players, my family played games like "I-Spy," "Geography" (where you name a place that began with the last letter of the previous place name), "Traffic Bingo" and one of my dad's favorites -- "Spot the Straightaway."

While I now understand it to be urban legend, my dad explained that President Eisenhower designed the US Highway System to have a mile-long straightaway without overpasses "every so many-miles down the highway," so a plane could make an emergency landing. While easy in flat open sections of the mid-west, we lived in the Northeastern US, where highways built in the 1950's and 1960's meandered around existing cities and large towns, as well as wove through rolling hills and mountains.

But if we were quiet (hint-hint) and observant, we would be able to find those mile-long stretches. As a reward, the observer would get a window-seat at the next pit stop change. Having been crammed in the middle of the bench seats (front and back), we all knew the value of the prized window seats.

Two weeks ago, a small plane landed on a normally crowded New York City highway. This is not the first time; this will not be the last time. But when I heard about it, I smiled and remembered the "Spot the Straightaway" game of my youth ~ years after my dad, and now one of my siblings, passed away.

The reason I share this particular drive down memory lane is this:

• Share the time we have with each other, we never know when someone will no longer be in our lives.
• Even when we don't realize it, life's trials and tragedies shape us -- like a highway cutting straight along mountainous terrain -- to prepare us for future emergencies.
• Be observant; while the US didn't intentionally plan emergency straightaways, God does. There may be crisis in our lives, but God opens up a place for emergency landings too.

~ ESA

Christmas Gifts

When I was a small girl, I asked my dad, "Why do we give presents to each other when it is Jesus' birthday?"

He answered, "Because we are supposed to see Jesus inside each other. In that way, we are giving presents to Jesus on His birthday."

Decades have passed since that answer and, while my dad passed away years ago, I still find value in those words.

In my youth, I strove to find the best gifts I could afford, as that is what Jesus deserves.

Now I reflect in my heart what Jesus/Yeshua truly wants on the day we celebrate His birth. He's already given us His wish list ~ and it's a short one:

• Love God
• Love each other

Christ our Lord is not looking for the most elaborate or most expensive gifts, or a pile of them under a well-decorated tree. He asks that we love one another.

Often that includes Forgiving someone who has hurt us, spending TIME with each other, and creating beautiful memories ~ with family, friends, and even those we do not know.

Share the Wonders of Love
As does our God Above 

~ ESA

From Tears to Tools

Two correspondents are dealing with judgmental people, in particular ones that feel that it is their right and responsibility to tell others how to live. Sadly, there are some who believe that if people do not follow their particular religious beliefs and/or practices, they are "damned." I've heard the frustration and tears from those attacked, and offer some tools.

To the Judges, remember: "Judge not lest you be judged." If you tell anyone else to toe the line of a particular law, YOU will be the one accountable for every law, from shellfish and polyester, to burnt sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem at the appropriate time and date. Instead, I plead with you: Love and Forgive. For in doing so, you are also Forgiven.

This post, however, is addressed primarily to those who suffer from judges.

We cannot change or control how another thinks or acts. We can only change how we respond to that person. I will acknowledge that this can be hard, particularly when that person is a friend, spouse, or family member. They know how to push our buttons, and can hurt us more deeply.

In every situation we encounter, there is only one decision that needs to be made: Do we want to share God's Love, or do we want to be right? One speaks to the spirit; the other to the ego.

When angry, frustrated or upset, we speak and act through our ego. Only an ego can talk to another ego, and they do not communicate at all.

The ego insists that we fight, defend, issue "pre-emptive strikes" in the name of defense, and that we are right and all others are wrong. My ego even had the gall to tell me that Yeshua/Jesus Himself is wrong! That's a pretty highly-inflated mindset we can have.

But we are not in our right mindset when we think like that. The ego is also how the adversary /devil/negativity influences our minds and skews our perceptions. So we need to learn to be more spirit-minded.

While WE cannot change a person's perspective, God can. Thus we should pray in the silence of our heart, and be patient, allowing God to work things out in Divine ways and timing. There's a much bigger picture than we see.

The reason I add "in the silence of our heart" is that people toss into a heated argument, "I will pray for you." Or better yet, "God make this person UNDERSTAND that (s)he is wrong!" Even with good intentions, this only triggers more anger and defensiveness.

We should also pray for ourselves; God helps us think with the right mindset (spirit vs. ego) when we ask.

If we find that we cannot get into the right mindset, especially if the other person knows just how and when to hit those hot buttons, there is another simple tactic we can use.

We need to see the other person through God's eyes. Our ego tells us they are wrong, judgmental, rude, etc. Our spirit sees that at least one perception has been skewed; perhaps both, as it takes two to argue.

God looks upon the person and sees a beloved son or daughter.

While the image to the left comforts when we face life's challenges, it can also be a tool. When someone hurts, angers or frustrates us, we can picture that person in God's arms too.

It's amazing how this changes heart, mind and perspective.

The human mind is capable of a lot more than most understand. We can use it to harm one another, or help one another. We choose between spirit-mindset and ego-mindset.

When someone attacks me, saying how their way is the only way, I try to step back and see how God views this person. They are loved. They may be perceiving through the ego at the moment. But they are loved. So I offer my prayers to God and love to that person.

Let go; Let God
It's in better Hands
~ESA

Elementary, Mr. Watson

Today my husband and I attended our first Men on the Tor event. It's a group that enjoys the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of my husband's favorite authors.

Today's event was at a State Park called "Devil's Hopyard" but the devil seemed to be quite far. The sky was so clear that near the end of the event the coordinator pointed to the only wispy cloud that marred the blue dome overhead - the only cloud seen the whole time.

While we sat with the group at the picnic, I was prompted to look around and really take it all in. Sherlock Holmes was known for his keen observation, after all.

There were many people in the park: hiking, biking, playing catch, eating, running, playing, laughing... even romancing.

There was life all around, from giggling toddlers to smiling seniors. I even saw a middle-aged woman drawing with chalk on the pavement.

When Christ lived here, He was aware of all around Him; children brought Him delight.

I had a smile moment too, when one barged into the toilet with a broken lock. Without embarrassment, she simply closed the door and called to her mom that there was some lady in there. The sweetness of innocence. :D

On Monday I need to be in the office at 6:30 am to move all the furniture back and rewire the office after the painters came through this weekend. Then I have a long work day after that. 

All too quickly, this world with its responsibilities, schedules, requirements and demands intrudes into our Peace.

How do we deal with it all?

Elementary, my dear. Take the time to refresh ourselves. Even if we cannot visit distant parks between meetings, we can still take a five-minute break in prayer ~ anywhere.

God can deliver some of that refreshment to the place where we are ~ anytime.

And God doesn't expect tips.

~ ESA

Little Flame (Poem)

+ + +

I have a little flame

At the center of my heart

I know how it got there

God was the very start

+ + +

One little flame

In a vast dark place

One little smile

That won't be displaced

+ + +

 Light a flame beside me

Hence there are two

It's now a little brighter

We know what to do

+ + +

It could be a smile

Or a helping hand

All the different ways

As countless as sand

+ + +

Pass on a kindness

Or uplifting word

Light another flame

Against this dark world

+ + +

Like little ripples

On the surface of a pond

Little flames alight

When the heart is fond

+ + +

Ever-widening circles

Spread the Light and Love

As our little flames

Reflect the One Above

+ + +

Further and further

Light this shining ball!

One little flame

Can encompass us all

+ + +

+ + +

+ + +

 

When the darkness comes

To blow our flames out

There is one thing that

It hasn't figured out

+ + +

Within each heart

A little flame is found

And with a little effort

We can send it back around!
+ + +

- ESA

Egg Hunt - Take 2

A few years ago when my nieces and nephew had become teenagers, my sister-in-law embarked on a major change in their Easter morning tradition. Instead of hiding plastic eggs with candy or coins, she decided to hide something more meaningful to them - their electronics! She pilfered their cell phones, remotes, hand-held games, iPods, computer mouse, ... everything that made noise, took batteries and otherwise left them lost in their own world.

Her initial intent was to give herself some peace and quiet Easter morning while the kids hunted down their hidden "treasures." With three kids and a husband serving in the military overseas, she needed the treasured quiet too.

But the family quickly discovered the joy of spending face-to-face time together - away from the electronic distractions. More and more often, I hear how people "unplug" from the internet and mobile devices, discovering the benefits of slowing down their life, interacting with others face-to-face, and watching the sunset or sunrise in person.

This was the first time in their young lives my nephew and nieces were truly unplugged, and they discovered - after the traumatic and melodramatic withdrawal from technology - they enjoyed spending time with each other ~ offline.

Perhaps that is an Easter tradition many should start. Hide the technology and enjoy the blessings.

Happy Hunting!
Happy Easter
Blessings to you all!

- ESA

Celebrate from the Start

Often there are protests against abortion and attempts to make it illegal. Instead of "thou shalt not," what if religious organizations, instead, focused on celebrating life with ceremonies from the start? In this time where we globally celebrate the birth of Christ and the start of a new year, perhaps we should see how our religious communities, or even just friends and family, can celebrate the steps toward creating a family.

We can have ceremonies surrounding the parents - BOTH parents, when possible - during the period leading up to the arrival of the child for both pregnancies and adoptions.

There are highs and lows in both; worries and questions abound. But when we mark the steps with a ceremony, shared with a community, we are encouraged as we go.

One of the series I read has a "dead rabbit" party as a major cultural celebration. The whole community of friends and family not only celebrate the news, but also pledge their support to help the couple and this new child - from the moment the couple knows of its existence. Noting the first ultrasound and start of the second and third trimesters are also good points, as that marks the development and vitality of the child.

Celebration points for adoption can be:

• The approval of the perspective parents to adopt,
• Getting a place prepared for the new arrival,
• The first time a child gets to spend the night,
• When the child is officially cleared for adoption,
• The official court adoption, and
• When the child calls you mom/dad.

While many may not want to hear the news, almost 80% of first pregnancies end in a miscarriage. And the first successful pregnancy is no guarantee for those to follow. Sometimes the parents may not even know there is a pregnancy. Sometimes "viable embryos" do not survive. It is something that should not be swept under the rug. 

If they want to affirm that life exists before birth, religious organizations should also have a ceremony for miscarriages, as they have funerals for those who die after birth. It not only marks the loss in a meaningful way, it helps the parents and the community better deal with the grief.

When my husband and I miscarried, friends and families didn't know what to say or do, so no wanted to talk about it. Our church's only "support" was a suggestion to "try again." Four years later, we had to create our own ceremony (described here) to help us say goodbye, especially after we received news that we would never be able to have a biological child...

A ceremony for aborted as well as miscarried children says more than any picket sign. Not every one that is aware of a pregnancy may have agreed to its termination.

To truly show the Christian spirit, forgive the decision makers and invite them to the ceremony too.

"Miscarriages" can happen during adoption processes too. Not every adoption process started ends in an adoption.

My sister has gone through many steps in adopting a girl. Her family went through the approval process, had the girl spend the summer with them, and spoke to her via Skype at least weekly since. Then the adoption "fell through" just before the final plans were made for the girl to share Christmas with them.

Adoptive parents welcome a child into their hearts well before the child ever steps foot into their homes. When an adoption does not work out, there is a loss as keen as parents who have a miscarriage or have a child die.

Sometimes the simplest of ceremonies can help the adoptive parents through that loss as well, especially when the ceremony helps them realize that they are not alone... that they have a community to help support them.

Good and bad, we can commemorate the new additions to our lives.

Mark the steps.

Celebrate

Support

~ESA

Spirit Suppers

A few weekends ago, I attended an inter-faith conference where I picked up a few ideas to share with readers. One such idea came from a class titled "Spirit Suppers" also known as "Silent Suppers."

In short, a seat at the table -- the best seat -- was left open for a special guest. This could be an ancestor one wished to honor, a spiritual guide or even a deity. While the first few suggestions included pagan deities, someone mentioned, "Why not Jesus?"

Why not?

This concept isn't far from our Judaic roots. A Passover Seder tradition is leaving a special chair vacant for Elijah and invoking an invitation. The tradition in some families is that if a stranger shows up for dinner that night, it may be Elijah in disguise.

What if we invited Yeshua / Jesus to our suppers? After all, we are invited by Him to partake in His Supper.

Would we set aside the best seat? Would we offer Him the best food? Would every member of the family sit at the table at the same time?

Another aspect of spirit suppers can also be included in a supper with Christ. People turn to the seat and speak directly to the honored guest. While this may seem strange, talking to an empty chair has been used in other aspects of life, from talk-show hosts to therapists. 

What would you say to Yeshua / Jesus if He shared a meal with you? Would you sing His praises? Would you tell a funny joke? Would you share stories from your life?

Would you voice opinions about life, or events in your community or around the world? Would you include Him in the conversation with others at the table? Would you ask Him questions?

Would you just ask Him to pass the salt? Or would you ignore the seat completely?

Many Christians proclaim that Christ is at our side every moment. When we bring that into a more tangible aspect, it brings that home all the more.

Yes, Yeshua / Jesus is there whether we are sitting down to a big, crowded holiday dinner, chowing down on pizza in the midst of a busy schedule, or even when there is no funds for a meal at all. But when we acknowledge it by leaving a place for Him at the table, when we share our lives with Him, it makes His constant Presence more real to us.

Who will you invite to dinner?

Will there be a place for Him?

What will you say as He shares the meal?

~ESA

Invasion!

I have been at my mother's house to help her following knee replacement surgery. I brought a small duffel bag with some clothing (frequently laundered), a hairbrush, a couple of books, and my toothbrush. 

Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, washcloth, towel and bedding are provided by my mother. What more did I need?

Yesterday, my almost 17 year old niece arrived to help this week. Within fifteen minutes, she had invaded the bathroom with a veritable army of things she could not live without!

I am fortunate for the dual sink bathroom or my toothbrush (on the right) would have been completely lost as the invasion swept across the counter!

I thought that was all it it, until I turned around and found another contingent ready to attack the unwary who showered half-asleep! At this point, the shampoo and conditioner I used was now detained at a hidden location elsewhere in the shower. Don't even ask what the invaders did to the washcloth!

Granted, it has been many years since I was an almost 17 year old. Vague memories recall that I once carried more than a toothbrush, that I had my collection of hair care, make up, zit-be-gones, etc. Maybe I even had one or two bubble bath containers.

But I am quite thankful that those years are behind me. Over time, I learned that I don't need all that stuff.

I travel light today.

All I need day-to-day,

I carry within.

~ESA 

***Images Source: my cell phone. :D