I first heard this little homily at a workshop in Minneapolis, presented by Earnie Larson, a former priest, author for Hazelden Publishing, and renowned lecturer. He was a gifted man who's simple message turned life around for tens of thousands of people. Perhaps even millions. I know that it stopped me in my tracks when I heard him utter that simple phrase more than three decades ago. It told me, in no uncertain terms, that if I wanted to show up differently in my relationships, or in any other venue of my life, I had work to do. But I also heard him s[...]
Category
Your Experience, Strength and Hope
3 WE CAN NOT CHANGE THE WORLD DIRECTLY, BUT WE CAN CHANGE HOW WE SEE THE WORLD AND THEN THE WORLD CHANGES TOO. When I was first introduced to this principle, I failed to understand it. I had always believed that it was our task to change the world. What I now understand the statement to mean is that changing how we think must come first and when we have changed that, our behavior changes and the world then reflects those changes. It’s clear, we have work to do. There is much in the world that needs changing, from my perspective. But I want to be clear,[...]
Getting Unstuck is the title of my newest book. It's a companion to Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow. I loved writing both books. Actually, I'd have to say that all twenty-six books that have "called to me," I have loved writing. There is no doubt that I am living my bliss. But Getting Unstuck, in particular, deals with the issues that continue to snag me so easily in any ordinary day. I'm certain that's why it became a necessary book for me to tackle. I am continuing to learn and need the "instruction" I get from writing what I hear my inner[...]
A memorial service was held on Sunday for my dear friend, Beverly M. I had been with her almost daily for the remaining weeks of her life, and when I couldn't pay a visit, I called. Letting go was difficult for her. And me too. She was 82 and had lived life as an adventure. Her travels took her all over the world, from China to Russia and all the countries of Europe too. Greece was one of her favorite locations, but Paris was a favored destination too, perhaps because of her interest in art. Besides being a nurse, she was an accomplished artist. M[...]
A beautiful passage in a spiritual book I am committed to reading on a daily basis included these lines a few days ago: To everyone I offer quietness; to everyone I offer peace of mind; to everyone I offer gentleness. I was moved by the wisdom and the Holiness of these words. I am also convinced that if everyone were to live by them, we'd eliminate war, family dysfunction, community chaos, bullying, even divorce, perhaps. For certain, hearts and minds would be completely changed. One of the key elements here is to remember that what we "do to one," we do[...]
I spent the past week at the Dominican Retreat House in McLean, VA. I was invited to present two programs to "my sisters" in AA. Both retreats blessed me with spiritual sustenance. Nurturing the attendees with some new information was the primary "assignment," but receiving the love that came my way was a gift that truly overwhelmed me. I certainly received far more than I had expected. The women were lovely, every one of them. The food was more than delicious. And the Sisters couldn't have been kinder to me and every other woman too. I can unders[...]
I have been in the recovery rooms for more than three and a half decades and most of my movement has been "forward." I detailed much of that in my recent book: My Story to Yours: A Guided Memoir for Writing Your Recovery Journey, published by Hazelden, fall of 2011. However, there are times when the going is rough. Even after all these years, and writing a book detailing my progress, becoming stuck is possible. I have been experiencing one of the stuck times of late. What triggered it is any one's guess. What has maintained its hold on me is my own unw[...]
If you read my blogs consistently, you no doubt think this topic is often on my mind. And that would be true. I do blog about peace and its attainment on a regular basis. There's a very good reason for that. It's what eludes me often and I figure I am pretty much like many of you who have turned to this page. Letting some one else rob me of my peace of mind is all too common. It can become habitual in fact. The minister at my church, the Unity Church of Naples, talked about this topic today too. Peace and its importance to each one of us and the hum[...]
This topic has been the substance of much of my work over the past few years, both in the books I have written and in the workshops I have presented. (Please see my website:www.womens-spirituality.com or check out Amazon titles) I never get tired of it as a topic. Perhaps that's because talking about it strengthens my own commitment to living, or at least trying to live, the peaceful life every day. I know all too well how easily one can get derailed. It has happened to me far too many times, and during the holidays, it can happen even more easily to people[...]
Reflections in the Mirror - You and Yourself, What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power, Your Experience, Strength and Hope
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Detachment is one pathway to peace of mind. . .
I have written often about detachment. In books, articles and throughout this blog. It's of major importance to my life because it's the key to my own peaceful state of mind. I want to stress that detachment doesn't mean not caring about others. In fact, it means to care enough about others to let them make their own decisions, to live their own lives, even make their own mistakes. This isn't easy to do when we first try it. When I first heard the word, I couldn't even fathom its ever-so-subtle meaning. Eventually I gleaned from listening to others[...]