Day 4~Keep Your Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. One of her requests was to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued.. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,"keep your fork." It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: "Keep Your Fork. The best is yet to come"

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

May God Bless you and keep you safe!

Author Unknown

Day 2 of 40 Day Love Feast~Without Brushing My Hair.

Can you imagine a personal relationship that is filled only with love and understanding. One that whispers to you how great and lovely you are. One that says I love and accept you. This is the kind of love Hafiz wrote about in this lovely poem. Imagine answering the knock at the door and opening it to find the God of your understanding waiting to embrace you just as you are. This kind of love ishere and it is possible. Let's walk in it!

"Without Brushing My Hair"

The
Closer
I get to you, Beloved,
The more I can see
It is just You and I all alone
In this World.
I hear A knock at my door,
Who else could it be,
So I rush without brushing
My hair.

For too
Many nights
I have begged for Your
Return

And what
Is the use of vanity
At this late hour, at this divine season,
That has now come to my folded
Knees?

If your love letters are true dear God
I will surrender myself to
Who you keep saying
I
Am.


Here is a lovely song about meeting your friend :-D

40 Day Love Feast Challenge

Greetings Friends!  Today marks the first day of the 40 Day Love Feast for Lent.  During this period of time, I am asking people to join me as we fast from negative attitudes, behaviors, and limiting ideas and beliefs.  During this time we will feast on love messages.

Each day there will be an uplifting story, an affirmation or meditation that will give us the opportunity to see how love increases in our lives and share with one another the ripple effect it has created in our community.  To join in please visit http://www.facebook.com/lovefeast40.
I hope to see you there!

Some Will, Some Won't, So What!

Sitting here wondering what did I think was going to happen when I finally decided to unstrap my status quo leash and run free with who I really am and what I believe.

Apparently, there have been some questions to a colleague of mine who began helping me promote my services.  She began receiving feedback regarding the Law of Attraction application on the front page of my website.Her questions were coming from fellow colleagues who were wondering how could she promote the Law of Attraction?  I have to admit, it did strike a nerve but I stand strongly in what I believe which is...

That is a story for later. 

A series of God Winks lead me to this very point. To be able to withstand the criticism that goes along with being percieved differently. As I explained to her, I knew that as soon as I started opening my big mouth, this was going to happen.  I say this light heartedly.  I understand the need for some to feel safe and comfortable and stand in judgement of someone who has a different belief system than the one they hold dear.  I am not a threat to that.  I honor and repect the lives of others and what they believe.  I only ask for the same treatment.

In my own mind though, I sometimes struggle with the fear of saying something that may not go over so well.  What does that boil down to really?  Fear of rejection.  We have all experienced this at various times in our lives.  So who are we really living for when we do this?  Are we living for others as they dictate to us the name of the God we serve, the gender of the people we love, even the shape of our bodies.  When we walk and talk in a way that is not in harmony with who we really are, we die a little every second. 

You get one shot at this, make it yours, make it count and be a light the way God(not man) says you should.  Only you really know what that looks like for you.

Unconditional Love, Blossoming & Transformation

Healing Vs. Cure

In Eric Butterworth's Book entitled: The Universe is Calling-Opening to the Divine Through Prayer, he challenges the reader to think differently about a  prayer and really letting go and letting God work.
He writes,"Traditional medicine may do a pretty good job of curing your symptoms, but you can only be healed causally by making a concerted effort at a mental house cleaning...then consciously letting go, and letting God."
He goes on to state,"An aspirin may cure a headache.  But healing can only come through the release of tension and by dissolving the attitudes or emotions that are responsible for the tension."

The mental housecleaning is the daily "renewing of your mind" as stated biblically in Romans 12:2.  Working with your thoughts and attitudes daily can increase the healing power within you to overcome conditions in your life that challenge you.  It consists of tossing out limiting beliefs that are not serving your highest good and replacing them with the Spiritual Truth that God can do no more for you than He can do through you.  


Journaling Exercise:
What could be possible for you if all of my hurts were healed?
What beliefs about myself are keeping me from living the life I truly desire?
Am I willing to release the beliefs and attitudes that are not serving my highest good?

The Storms of Life

The Midwest has been getting rocked by storms these past couple of weeks.  It is not uncommon to hear tornado sirens ring through out the day and night in the spring and summer.  Unfortunately, sometimes we become immune to the sound of the sirens and do not take heed to the warning to head for cover.  This can have some tragic consequenses.

In daily living we have personal storms and we also have a warning system that we also unconsciously ignore. When we have entered a danger zone we may feel a flutter in our chest, tension in the back of our neck, or flushing in the face just to name a few.  We must reconnect with the Inner Teacher and pay attention when we are in relationships that are not harmonious, lack of self-care, or not living your true purpose.

Just as Jesus the Christ was awakened to calm the storms on the sea, we too can awaken the Christ within to calm the stormy parts of our life.  Just as the storm survivors gain wisdom from the challenges that come from not taking notice, we can also learn from our inner alert system.

In what ways are you signaled when you are in the danger zone?  I would love to hear about it.

The Unfolding

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.  Here is the first step in stripping it all away.  No editing, no filters or trying to find the politically correct way of stating it.  This is who I AM.  In the Spirit and Love of the Creator.  I have discovered my path, my purpose, my vision and some understanding.  I invite you to go to the depths along with me and when we meet fear we can hold on to each other.

White Stone~New Year New You

After you have completed your releasing ceremony( i.e. Burning Bowl) and have released that which no longer serves you, you now have a clean slate.

The white stone ritual is based on the scripture, Revelation 2:17 which reads" He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches:To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that recieveth it.

In ancient times when a person was released from prison, they were given a new name.  The white stone represents the na name change that one receives when an obstacle is overcome.  The bible demonstrates many name changes but one well known example is when Abram grew into spiritual awareness, he became Abraham. Name also refers to the nature of things.  Your new name could be the nature of forgiveness, prosperity, gratitude, health etc.

Performing Your White Stone Ceremony

For the White Stone Ceremony you will need

• white stone or tile
• paper
• pencil
• candle
• soft music to set the mood

The ceremony begins with a period of meditation.  During this meditation allow yourself to release any thoughts of lack and limitation.  Become still, focus on your breath and ask Spirit to reveal the new name or nature to embodied for the year.  Don't force it, just let it flow naturally.  When you feel comfortable and you believe your name has been revealed to you, write it on your stone and your piece of paper.  Give thanks to Spirit for what has been revealed.  Place your stone and your paper in a place where you will see it daily.

Now you have been given a clean slate.  You have the power of Spirit to love more fully and conciously with this symbol of new beginnings.  Your white stone will serve as a reminder that you have the gift of choice and the ability to connect and co-create with Spirit.

Many Blessings to you! Happy New Year

Sharonda

Healing vs Cure

In Eric Butterworth's Book entitled: The Universe is Calling-Opening to the Divine Through Prayer, he challenges the reader to think differently about a  prayer and really letting go and letting God work.
He writes,"Traditional medicine may do a pretty good job of curing your symptoms, but you can only be healed causally by making a concerted effort at a mental house cleaning...then consciously letting go, and letting God."
He goes on to state,"An aspirin may cure a headache.  But healing can only come through the release of tension and by dissolving the attitudes or emotions that are responsible for the tension."


The mental housecleaning is the daily "renewing of your mind" as stated biblically in Romans 12:2.  Working with your thoughts and attitudes daily can increase the healing power within you to overcome conditions in your life that challenge you.  It consists of tossing out limiting beliefs that are not serving your highest good and replacing them with the Spiritual Truth that God can do no more for you than He can do through you.  


Journaling Exercise:
What could be possible for you if all of your hurts were healed?
What beliefs about myself are keeping me from living the life I truly desire?
Am I willing to release the beliefs and attitudes that are not serving my highest good?


Sharonda
www.lightofinspirationcoach.com