Independence Day 2017

It is hard to believe it's already July. Every year at this time, I love to sing patriotic songs and remember all that so many have given for us to have the United States of America. How blessed I am to have been born here. Whatever our differences, whatever the political climate, no matter our challenges, this is, without a doubt, the greatest country in the world!!

To have freedom is the birthright of all human beings. Unfortunately, it does not exist for all. Today, I take a stand for those who cannot take one for themselves. I do not embrace oppression, I do not embrace treating any one differently than anyone else. I stand for human rights for all. I stand for the rights of women, gays, those who may be mentally or physically challenged. I stand for those who have faith and beliefs that differ from mine. We can agree, PEACEFULLY, to disagree. I don't have to make anyone else wrong; I don't have to be right.

LOVE is the only way we will come to live together in peace and harmony. This love must extend to all God's creations-- humans, animals, plant life, the ocean-- ALL is on loan to us and we MUST be better stewards of all we have been allowed to use!

Today, I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and all it stands for-- liberty and justice for all-- ALL.

May God Bless All Humanity with a new understanding; with an ability to accept one another, with a profound respect for all life and for the willingness to do better for our planet-- now and for the next 7 generations.

Election Surprise

On November 8th our country voted for our next president. I was certain Hillary Clinton was going to be elected. I was truly shocked when Donald Trump was! There has been much protest, rioting, fear and unrest. I choose to believe it's all in Divine order and want to believe he can/will support changes which will be good for our country and our citizens.

I know we may not agree on many issues that are important to me but he is our president elect and we need to support him. I pray each day for the good to be expressed in, through and as Donald Trump. Please join me in this prayer.

Spring is in the Air

It's already April and I am not sure where the time has gone. The winter has finally gone to rest and the birds are returning. The daffodils are blooming and I am grateful for another day.

In the midst of planning an awesome retreat and it's getting excited as time gets closer. Our spiritual community is attracting more like minded people who are loving, supportive and plugging in. My practitioner students, nervous nellies, are getting ready to take their exams. I KNOW they will all pass with flying colors but I understand their angst.

My husband is in remission and our doctor appointment next week is sure to confirm this is still true. I am committed to finding a new place to live, to pay off the very few bills I have and to hire someone to expand my personal reach-- out into the larger community. In turn, this will grow our center.

Today I am resting and enjoying my day off. I am watching the birds that we feed and my cats napping in their favorite spots. I feel blessed.

A New Year; A Fresh Start

2015--hard to believe. It seems to be moving so fast! I want to slow things down, savor every minute but it seems the real challenge is to find/make the time to stop and savor along the way. The world will keep on turning. It's up to me to set my priorities and create the space in which I will have the time to do the things that are important to me.

This year, I am committing to eating healthier, taking better care of myself and finding ways to bring my gifts and talents to a larger community. I want to keep myself healthy as I age and will find more ways to enhance the good health Spirit has blessed me with.

I will start each day in prayer and meditation, not just end my day that way. Today, is the first day of the rest of my life and I celebrate today!

I am on the hunt for a new living situation. My goal is to find a place to purchase and move by the beginning of 2016. I am resolved to attract more wonderful souls into our spiritual community so we can build, grow and bring more to the community at large. I will become more consciously aware that I am the way God expresses-- in this time, in this place and I will remind myself that I am the light, life and love of Spirit.

I will live everyday in an attitude of gratitude as I remember that God works for me, never against me-- and that when situations show up that my ego mind is not thrilled with, these are opportunities for me to heal those parts of myself which still need to be healed. I am blessed to be able to recognize this truth.

So, today, is a fresh start, a new year, a clean slate and I embrace the good that is unfolding.

Thank you Spirit; and so it is!

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.

Rain, Rain & More Rain

For days now, it has been raining-- a constant, steady downpour which has caused flood watches all over the state. People are being warned to be mindful about their travels. Urged to stay out of water if they don't know how deep it is, people avoid listening and drive through the standing water anyway. So, emergency crews are called out to "save" them from their stranded vehicles. Watching some of them on television, they all say the same thing, "I knew I should not have attempted to drive through the water".

We humans get lots of messages, lots of warnings--why is it many times we do not listen? The ego is so strong it often overrides our inner messages that tell us what we should or should not do. Our inner knowing is the voice of Spirit within speaking to us. This is what we need to tap into! When we receive these "messages", we need to open our inner ear and LISTEN. We need to heed the information and act on it. In my experience, when I have received these messages and not acted on them, I have always been sorry because deep down, I knew that I knew better and should have followed that still small voice within.

The answers to all of our conditions/situations, are right where we are. The answers are within us as we are connected to the Intelligence of the Universe. The Power that God is, is right where we are! All we need do is get quiet, still our mind chatter and listen. The answers bubble up from within and when we act on them, we are moving in a divinely guided way.

I have learned to listen. I am always grateful when I do. For today, I just say thank you for the rain. It has allowed me to stay inside and get some things done. I say thank you for the rain that I did not have to drive through. I say thank you for the rain because it could have been snow!! LOL--

 

Awareness

The older I get, the more I realize what is truly important on this journey. While I, like many others, love nice THINGS, I reaalize that what is really important are the relationships-- family, friends and strangers alike. We are always bringing into our experiences exactly what is necessary for our soul's evolution.

It never seems to show up exactly the way we think it will.... it usually doesn't. We must remember that!  It may show up as something completely different. It may show up as an experience we'd rather NOT HAVE. Then we have to ask ourselves, what am I to learn from this experience?  Is this situation or person who is in my life pushing my buttons here to give ME an opportunity to ask myself, WHY (is this pushing my buttons)?  What about this situation or person is making me feel this way? Where is my growing edge? Am I willing to see there is some gift in this for me and my growth?

If I can recognize this, my life is always perfect because I know that each and every situation (regardless of what my ego mind tells me) is an opportunity for me to evolve and grow.

I say thank you to the guy who cut me off in traffic; he shows me that there is no rush, there is no hurry. I can just slow down; it's not a race. I can look at my job evaluation (which I thought would be better)  as an opportunity to recognize, I am NOT my job; the evaluation does NOT define who I am.  I am WAY MORE THAN THAT!

I choose to savor each and every moment. This NOW is all there is and I am so grateful to have it. This human experience is filled with so many wonderful experiences.

Today, I choose to live in the moment to moment awareness that my life is unfolding in divine, right order and each experience delivers some morsel of good, for which I can be grateful. And so it is.

It's Up To Me

The more I study and learn, the more I know that everything is up to me! It's all my perceptions. I create my own experiences by the way I view them, by the way I respond in thought, actions, intentions. This human experience is an illusion because each of us decides. Our perceptions create our reality. But my awareness needs to be focused on the WHAT of my life, not the HOW. My attention needs to be on the processes of what I do. The content is much less important than the how I proceed with that which takes place.

My resolution this year is to just continue to be more and more aware of my whats and commit to aligning them with that which I truly desire.

I know I can do this with grace and ease because I am made out of and filled with infinite potential. This potentiality is instilled in me by my creator-- the Universal Source of all life. The Divine Spark of Spirit is within me. Spirit is the ocean; I am the wave. All that is in the ocean is certainly in the wave.

I am grateful for this realization and my ongoing willingness to practice it more fully than ever before. I SAY YES and THANK YOU for this revelation guides my life.

Easter Sunday, 2012

It's early Sunday morning and I am having my coffee before I go to church. It's a day in which I get to reflect upon the magnificence that Spirit is and the blessings I am so grateful to receive. Life is eternal and this physical form is just an illusion-- a journey in growth, awareness, learning. My prayer is to continue to grow in my conscious evolution to become the best human being I can be.

My prayer today is to allow my conscious awareness to be reborn and recognize the Truth of my being. I am perfectly fine exactly where I am, all is well in my world, regardless of any conditions which show up. I give thanks for all that I am learning, I give thanks for all the good in my life, I give thanks for the abundant blessings God has and continues to bestow.-- health, love, good relationships, peace, a nice place to live, a hot shower in the morning. There is SO much to be grateful for. I rest in this knowing and release all the rest. I surrender to the truth that I am fine right here and right now. And all we have is right NOW. Thank you Spirit.

Spring is in the air

It's only the first half of March, yet the weather is 70 degrees and spring is in the air. I am busy tilling the soil in my flower boxes, cleaning off my balcony and getting ready for the glorious months of spring. How I love to watch nature return from its winter's rest. How much joy I get from the birds coming to my feeder, the flowers bursting up through the earth. The splendid colors that will be lighting up my neighborhood.

Regardless of what is going on in my life, God's bounty is always present. I see it, I hear it, I smell it, I taste it and I love all of it. I feel blessed today for time to put my hands in mother earth, time to do little chores that allow me to shift my energy into the newly evolving season. Spirit is good, all the time. Today, I take the time to just notice, tune in and be grateful for just being in this human form, at this time, in this place. Life is beautiful.

As the year comes to an end

It's always amazing to me when a year comes to an end. It seems to have gone by so quickly. This has been a year of great change and challenge. While I certainly would have liked it to be easier, more peaceful and less stressful, I must say, I am grateful for all of it!

When we really reflect on our lives, we realize how abundantly blessed we really are. With all of lifes trials and challenges, it's a wonderful gift-- made to share with those we love. We must see through the eyes of love, having the faith of God, not just faith in God.

Health and love-- that is what is really important. These are the things that mean something. Everything else is a temporary illusion--

I am happy I am aware and becoming more aware each and every moment. I am grateful for the people in my life and for all the good I have. I recognize I am blessed. As the year comes to a close, the most important question is Did I love enough? I know I can do better and my only resolution is to give more love in 2012 and show it in more ways.

Thank you, God, for all my good and all my blessings. Thank you, God for all the wonderful people in my life. Thank you God for another year of health and energy to do that which I desire.

I know that 2012 is going to be the best year ever and I look forward to more and more growth, abundance and blessings.

It's hard to believe it's almost Thanksgiving. The weeks are flying by and I will soon return to my daytime job. I am so grateful for the time I have had to be home during the day. I have had time to catch up on all the things I don't always get to do: spiritual center stuff, meet up with friends, see my family, clean out and sort out at home. I am changing the energy by releasing and letting go of those things which no longer serve me.

My son's birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. I can not believe we are both a year older. Today, I am just reflecting on my life and wondering where it has all gone. Today, I pray to have many more years in this human experience. I am so grateful for my husband, my friends and all the good I have and the more which is unfolding. I feel blessed. Thank you God

Love is Forever

I lost my dear sweet kitty girl today. She was one of the loves of my life. Found on the street when she was just a baby kitten, she was so happy to have a home with me. For sixteen years, she slept with me, ate with me, followed me around, sat with me and showered me with love. I will miss her more than words can articulate.

The only solace I have is knowing I gave her a good life-- lots of love, lots of attention and lots of the food she loved to eat. In the end, she was beginning to have problems breathing and I knew she would not be with me in physical form much longer.

She will, however, always be in my heart and mind. The love we shared is forever. I'd like to think I might see her again, on the other side. My mandy girl, mommy loves you.

Life Keeps Moving Forward

Today, I am reflecting on my journey, as my birthday is this month and yet another year has ended and a new one begins. Somehow, I just can not believe I am as old as I am. Funny, I feel the same as I always did. (Thank God for that-- ) but when I see my 40 year old son, it is a reminder that I am no longer 30!


I know that part of my journey has indeed been about the wisdom I have gained, an understanding of the healing required in and by me for myself, and a true appreciation of the good in others and the good in life. I have come to one conclusion: this human experience is a gift. We must enjoy each and every moment. We can not allow the judgments of our ego to cloud over and make assumptions about anything which unfolds. Rather, we need to give thanks for ALL that unfolds. Each and every experience is FOR us, never against us. We must always quiet our minds and remember the Truth of who we are. How we see it is really up to us. When we really recognize and KNOW that there is good and more good, regardless of what it looks like, we come to a peace beyond all understanding.


Today, I am in gratitude-- for each and every step of my journey and the more which is unfolding. I recognize that how I think is up to me and I think I am blessed. I send blessings to you as well.