Ponderings #19

Dear fellow travelers,
Thank you for your constant support.

I have heard lately from so many people who seem to be going thru great challenges, that I was called to share an old Pondering that I wrote many years ago. It still seems appropriate for many of us today.

I have written about life's path, to me, being similar to hills and valleys. I know when we fine ourselves in some valleys, they may seem to be far deeper and longer than others, and since we are all one, we all at one time or another experience both the hills and valleys. But sometimes when we are in the valleys, for what ever our challenge may be, it may seem that we may never get out.. but have faith....There is a promise....

From my old Pondering:

I had the 23th Psalm repeating thru my mind all week.

Part of one verse says,

Yea, though I WALK THROUGH the valley ----

I had never before focused on the word WALK. It doesn't say lay down, stay , sit down, or even run.
 It simple says, WALK, take time.

I'm sure we can also while walking, meditate,  think, and learn, so there may be no need to repeat the same valley again, but we do need to....

MOVE and take ACTION. WALK is an action word. 
Do what ever the appropriate action is for us to do.

And the next word is THROUGH--it doesn't say circle around, or stay in the valley, it says WALK THROUGHT it.

And as we are walking, we are moving thru the valley to the hill.

Honest!! we are!!    I didn't say it was easy, and sometimes the hill may not easily be seen, but it is there, waiting for us.

We must have the faith.
We are the ones to learn and to teach others.

We are here to learn and to teach, and we are each others teachers.

And thank you for being mine.

I am always learning. and always grateful for what I learn. I didn't say it was easy.

Some lessons are more difficult than others for me. But necessary.

Just Pondering,

Linda Patton, RScP, ENTC

Blog address, http://Ponderings-everyday-spirituality.blogspot.com

Ponderings #18

Dear fellow travelers,

I am grateful for your continued support, suggestions, and comments. You are a blessing to me.

The words "Appreciation" and "Gratitude" seem to be coming to me in waves, from you, my readings, and from many other sources.

Appreciation is, yes, to me another word for approval and approval from others is a risky business, because no one is always going to approve of you or me all the time (self-approval is optimal)....... but I admit, to hear, or to read, from someone else,  that I am appreciated does make my heart dance and it does feel good!

I believe everyone likes to know from others that they matter and that they are appreciated.

I overheard a store staff meeting the other day. It was filled with appreciative, upbeat, supportive comments. I didn't hear any phases like "you should", or "you must". There was much focus placed on how to appreciate the customer. I had a great feeling about how good the employees probably feel working with such supportive management.

Another great memory I have is of a women who founded an organization of which I was a founding member. To me she was one of the greatest visionaries I have personally known. She was amazing. After speaking to someone for a few minutes, she could direct them to their perfect position, empower them, shower them with constant accolades, appreciation and respect. She also walked her talk, before computers, she stayed up late at night, writing grants and talking to people around the country. Needless to say this is now an acclaimed, sought after internationally respected organization. This, to me, has much to do with the people thriving on being noticed and appreciated, thus willing to go that extra mile to accomplish the vision.

She transitioned a few years ago, but her vision remains. I am in great gratitude for knowing her.

I know what I have written so far is not everyone's experience at this moment. And for that I am saddened.

I hear from many people, who tell me that they are not in a fulfilling or satisfying work and or personal relationship and how difficult it is and how diminished they feel.

In the valleys along my path, I have been in similar situations. Fortunately I have managed to change the situation and me--, or just changed me and stayed--, or changed me and moved on. ---I didn't say it was easy. Just possible.

My spiritual and emotional health is my top priority. If I am depleted in these areas, I don't have the energy to give to others, and my own physical health also suffers.

One thing I don't want to ever do is to move out of a situation without evaluating all aspects of it known to me, and change within me what I need to change...because not to engage in that process means I most likely will fine myself again in a similar situation just under a different name.. I didn't say it was easy, but important!!

I also need to be clear within myself about what I do want ( or something better), do the action steps and the work involved, and then let go and allow what I want to evolve and manifest...... It happens, and it has happened....Honest!!

I also need to remember that sometimes an unhappy or unhealthy situation can provide clarity and contrast for what I really want.

And for that I am grateful. There is always something to be grateful for.

Never give up!!! There is always a solution. There are a multitude of fulfilling careers, jobs and relationships. The universe is unlimited potential and abundant in all areas. Anything and everything is possible. Believe it!!!

And if you think you didn't success, as the saying goes, Try again!!

And always claim your power.

We are all powerful, sometimes we just allow our light to get a little dusty. So lets shake off that dust and lets always let our lights shine!!!!!

Life is for living and having fun. Let's make the most of it!!

What do you appreciate?

What are you grateful for?

Just pondering on appreciation and gratitude,

Linda Patton, RScP, ENTC

http://Ponderings-everyday-spirituality.blogspot.com

Ponderings #17

Dear fellow travelers,

Welcome to our new travelers and thank you all again for your comments, you are a blessing to me.

A Small Act of Kindness, Long Remembered

Many years ago I was attending a three day Revelations Conference, hosted by Rev. Michael Beckwith, founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, located in LA, Ca. This was my first time at one of his conferences. But I had heard Rev Michael speak over the years, when he was on the East coast.

It was late in the afternoon, I had skipped lunch, and my hunger pangs were increasing. I slipped out of the ballroom, our main conference room, into the lobby in search for one of the hospitality tables. The hotel had set up tables with food for our breaks, but all the tables had been cleared. The refreshment tables were bare!

I noticed a petite, elegant women standing behind a counter, and me in need of food,  jumped at the opportunity to rescue a cookie from a "hotel representative."

I said something like, "Do you have anything that resembles a cookie back there, I skipped lunch and I'm starving?"

This calm, elegant women looked down behind the counter and after a few seconds came up with a brown lunch bag and started to search thru it. She took out a plastic bag with some cookies in it and said,

"Take what you want".

I took a cookie and thanked her. Then I came to my senses and realized she was not a hotel employee and this was her personal food supply.

Being really mortified and embarrassed, I apologized for my abruptness and thanked her again for her generosity.

And then I looked at her name tag "Alice Beckwith".

I asked her if she was related to Rev. Michael, she said, "Yes, I am his mother." She went on to tell me she was in charge of the vendors. I have always remembered this interchange with great love and warmth.

I am sad to write that Alice Beckwith transitioned this morning.

She was truly a women who "Walked the Talk", of kindness, humility, humbleness and generosity.

Her energy is and will always be around us all.

I have been thinking a lot these last few days of my later interactions with Rev Michael and Rickie,  and my condolences go to them and all their family.

Sometimes, one some act of kindness is all it takes for a lasting heartfelt, warm memory.

Thank you!  in great gratitude for all the kind, humble people I know, and you are one of them.    

Just ponderings on kindness,

Linda Patton, RScP, ENTC

Blog address http://Ponderings-everyday-spirituality.blogspot.com