Winter's in the Air

It's hard to believe it's already December. Not sure where another year has gone. It's been a challenging year-- lots of losses, lots of changes, lots of reflection and prayer.

I am grateful for all the good I have but I am saddened by the loss of several good friends. I am still working on acceptance and surrender to the things I cannot change. I recognize life has many experiences for us and we don't love all of them. I do KNOW that there is growth in each and everyone of the experiences I have and that whatever I am still judging as "not good" means there is an opportunity for more growth and greater love.

I am committing myself to loving more. I am committing myself  to stop labeling that which appears (that I did not expect)  as anything other than Divine unfolding. And I am committing to live in the question-- what is in this experience that is FOR me?

As the year comes to a close, I say Thank you God for this human experience-- with all its trials and tribulations as I understand it's likely the only human experience I will ever have.

So, I am grateful for it-- there is much good, much love and much growth.

Happy Holy Days to all-- celebrate and be mindful-- welcome all. Remember what Rumi says,

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.



Blessings to you and yours.

Life is so Fragile

Today is a sad day for me. I lost my best friend. Her passing was quite sudden and certainly unexpected. We have been friends for 45 years. It is still settling in as I am finding it difficult to truly believe!

She left behind a loving husband, daughter, grandson, sister and brother-in-law and numerous cousins and many friends and acquaintances. We will all miss her greatly.

While I know that life never dies, we are left here without the physical presence of those we love and that is difficult. I will think about the many wonderful times we shared: the fun, the holidays, the laughs, the movies, the dinners, the card games....

I loved you Linda. I love you still and love never dies. I know you moved on carrying in your heart the love of those you so generously gave yourself to.  Farewell, my friend-- until we meet again.

A Milestone

On August 15, 2014, I was finally given the designation of Ordination. This is given by our organization to licensed ministers who have served between 3-10 years and shown a lifelong commitment to the ministry.

I am so grateful. I am so grateful to have this behind me. I have worked long and hard for this to happen. My teacher would be so proud. I am proud of myself. With me, were two of my ministerial classmates. I am proud of them as well.

My community is planning a celebration in October. I feel blessed.

Snow is in the Air

For the past day it has snowed and rained and sleeted and snowed some more. What resulted was 15"-24" of white blanketed everywhere. I love the beauty of the snow but not so much the clean up required.

I am supposed to leave town in two days to go to the sunshine state. I am really not so excited like many of my colleagues. I would be just as happy to stay home in the cold weather. The sun was shining all day and melted the residual ice left on the walkways. It actually felt warm.

It will seem a bit strange to be in 80 degree weather in a couple of days after the last two weeks of close to zero. Trying to figure how to pack and hope to see Mickey while I am there.

Stay safe and warm wherever you are--Happy Valentine's day--blessings, Iris

Christmas Eve 2013

While I have had much to do today for various gatherings I am facilitating over the next few weeks, I've also spent some time reflecting and being in gratitude.

When I was a young girl, I remember my mother used to say, "this isn't the world I grew up in". I would laugh and answer her, "oh mom, how different could it be?". Well, now I understand what she was saying. This is NOT the world I grew up in and if she were still here in physical form, I can't imagine what she would say.

Sometimes, I just wish our country could start over. Seems to me much is in need of repair. So much is not working in the way it was intended.  I believe the intentions were good and admirable when our government and leaders implemented some of these programs but they just aren't doing what they were designed to do and I am tired of financing them!

I must admit, it upsets me that social security has been robbed by the leaders of our country and used for everything other than what is was meant to do; why weren't these funds invested and protected? They promised me I'd be taken care of. I paid my money every week for the last 50 years! I will be lucky to collect at all! IF they had to  participate like the rest of Americans, I GUARANTEE the money would have been protected and insured to be available as people age and turn to it for the payouts they were promised.

I am tired of politicians making decisions for me and other Americans which don't apply to them! How dare they vote themselves raises, not participate in social security, work six months of the year and get paid for working more than a year! If they want to cut the debt, I propose they take a pay cut!!

I want to revolt but I am just too tired and weary to do so. I am not 20 anymore. I am concerned about the future and our young people. I am concerned about our dear Mother earth; I am concerned about the creatures Spirit gave us dominion over-- the idea was NOT TO WIPE THEM OUT!

What can I do to change the direction in which we are headed? I pray a lot. I see the good in people, I see God in all form but I also see the facts and I am sad, very sad. I give thanks. I give thanks for all the good we have; I give thanks for all my blessings; I give thanks for the human spirit and its resilience that continues to move forward, in spite of appearances.

I wish each and everyone a bless-ed new year-- one filled with joy, love, peace, beauty and abundance in all areas of your life: health, finances, relationships, careers and living your purpose with passion. I pray that this will be the year of the 100th monkey syndrome-- that there will be a tipping point which sends us in a new direction-- one that is good for all life and our dear planet! Happy new year to you and yours.

Blessings,
Iris

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

As winter blankets our area in a beautiful bounty of soft white snow, I feel blessed. I am home, warm, safe and relaxing. I have fed the birds who are so grateful they are singing on my balcony. I have made some rich hot chocolate and am relishing its warmth and flavor.

The joys of life are readily available and free for all who avail themselves to them. As our year winds down, I have much for which to be grateful. While we have had many challenges this year, most especially my husband's health issues, and the loss of all of our beloved 4-legged children-- our wonderful cats. We mourn the loss of them; we loved them so and they brought so much joy into our lives. Their spirits and our memories of them will always be with us. With all of this year's challenges, we are still here-- together-- and more dedicated to our relationship than ever.

Our anniversary is Christmas Eve. We are planning to spend an evening out to dinner together-- somewhere nice. This is something we have not done in a very long time. It hasn't been in our budget; cancer is expensive but we deserve it and want to celebrate our good. We just found out my husband is currently in remission. I remember a time when we had plenty of income and eating out became so routine, that we missed eating at home! Funny how life unfolds. Now, it's really a treat to go out to eat so we will certainly enjoy it.

Our son is moving across the country. He will only be here a few more weeks. This makes us sad but we understand he is following his bliss and while we will certainly miss him, we are happy for him too. Guess we will all have to learn to use skype!!

I can hardly believe I am the age that I am. I still wonder where all the years have gone. But I am still full of energy, healthy, determined and dedicated to using my life to be in service. This is something I have done since I was a child. My family had strong values and giving and serving were among our lessons learned.

I am so thankful that I never lost my desire to grow, to serve, to move forward on this journey, to stand up for the things which I feel are right and just, and I celebrate and honor YOU. Each one who crosses my path is a teacher and each one is a student, just like me!

Happiest of holy days to all-- come visit us at our spiritual center's new location in Reisterstown in the new year-- we'd love to meet you.

http://www.centercl.org


Blessings to all

Thanksgiving 2013

This year my family will all be together for the holiday. I am so very grateful for this. It's been several years since we have all been together. I am a bit sad as I reflect on the fact that we are the "older generation" now. My mother's siblings are almost all gone and those who are left are not in touch with us. I have reached out many times, but we cannot control how others respond to us.

So, what remains is my immediate family: my sister, brother and me and our spouses, children and grandchildren. I think we have come to a place in our respective lives where we can appreciate and enjoy each other and just let go of anything other than that.

So, I choose a day of love, celebration and joy. In truth, there is nothing else. Thank you God for my family. As the turkey is cooking, today, I feel truly blessed.

I send heartfelt joy to you and yours for a truly wonderful day of love and gratitude.