Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community Archives | Page 10 of 11

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

January 19, 2010

Every one we meet is part of our destiny. . .

I had an opportunity to meet some one I took an instant dislike to at a friend’s home recently. Every thing about the man got under my skin. He was loud; he didn’t listen to others when they spoke; he seemed particularly dismissive of women; he was very judgmental, from my perception, and it seemed we had nothing in common. And then I heard him mention he was in recovery. What a difference that piece of information made to me. Why was I so quick to dismiss him at first and then just as quickly forgive him his “apparent” flaws, when I found out we shared[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

January 7, 2010

To do no harm is a wise decision . . .

I was in a great conversation with some women friends this morning. In fact, we talk every morning about the spiritual journey we share. It's not only a wonderful way to begin the day but it's a great opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the world we share with so many others. Our conversations always center on leaving the world a more peaceful place than we may have found it upon first arising. This morning our discussion boiled down to doing no harm, even for a minute, when in an encounter with a friend or a stranger. Making the decision to li[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

December 23, 2009

The holidays are not enjoyed by every one.

I have been present in a number of settings recently where people groused rather than expressed gratitude for the holidays. The refrain, "I hate Christmas" is expressed every day by some one in my circle of associates. I can understand that for many the holidays dig up a lot of bad memories from childhood. Or perhaps bad marriages dig them up. But the past is just that. Past! To continue letting what happened "then" determine what we see and feel now, is like raiding the refrigerator for week-old left-overs rather than eating the freshly prepared meal tha[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

December 10, 2009

The holidays can bring out the best or the worst in us. . .

I have always loved the holidays. I love the sparkling lights, the decorations, the carols and giving gifts to loved ones to let them know they matter to me. I have fond memories of how my family celebrated Christmas. We kids woke up early and hurried downstairs to see the gifts placed under the tree, while my parents sat watching, probably more tired than any thing else, pretending they were seeing what Santa had brought for the very first time. I usually got at least one thing I hoped for which made the day a success. That we had no fireplace, thus no c[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

December 8, 2009

Giving away what we have received is how we keep it. . .

This simple aphorism is a bit of shorthand for living the good life. And I have been given the good life and my intent is to give away what I have learned from the many who are wiser than me. Among those things I want to give away at this gift-giving time is the suggestion that you, that all of us, slow down a bit and enjoy the simple pleasures that surround us. Every person on your path today, and every day, embodies one of those "moments of pleasure," if you choose to describe him or her that way. They have not arrived by accident. They are part of the[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

December 5, 2009

Choosing simple principles to live by suggests wisdom . . .

I am a proponent of simple principles as my guideposts for living. One that greatly resonates with me is live and let live. The wish to control other people can be so strong and seductive. I have fought the urge to try to control others much of my life. I think insecurity and fear is what prompts it. But I know that every one of us is here to live out a very specific journey and I am not the camp director for any one else. Since I have finally gotten the hang of letting go of others, I experience much longer periods of peace in a 24 hour day. Giving u[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

November 25, 2009

Deciding to be grateful can change the tenor of every moment. . .

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day but I feel a strong sense of gratitude every day of my life. I have recently started another 4th Step inventory, recalling fond memories from my childhood. The less fond ones don't need my attention any more. But I do think each memory, those painful ones as well as the happier ones, have served a very important role in my life and for all of them I now practice gratitude. Who ever we are today is a composite of the entire drama of our lives. And I like who I have become. Being able to say this is very important I think. A[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

October 26, 2009

We are where we need to be. Always. . .

The first time I heard this I scoffed. How could I possibly need to be in "this" meeting, with these people? Or in this job? Or married to this person? Or in this amount of pain? What I didn't understand was that the lessons I needed to learn were wrapped in the experiences I was having in every setting that claimed my presence. My lessons have been many. This is true for all of us. This will continue to be true, in fact. I was talking to some friends in a phone meeting we have daily about happiness and what resonates with me when I think of ha[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

September 12, 2009

Our purpose is clearly defined, if. . .

I was at a wonderful meeting this morning. We talked about God's will and life's purpose. The sharings were intimate, as they always are in a setting like that. And the messages were clear and heart-felt. If there had been a new-comer present, he would have heard that God's will is loving thought. In other words, if you want to align yourself with God's will, as we are asked to do in twelve step groups, be a constant expression of love to the others on your path. I believe this to be true, so completely. I also believe that if it feels hard to express[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

September 8, 2009

Look for me on UTube. . .

It had to happen. I had to finally take the plunge. I tell people at workshops and in books all the time that I have written that when an idea keeps nudging you, follow it. I am following my own advice. It's fun and yet a bit scary to go in so many new directions all at once but why not. If others can blog, so can I. If others can tweet, so can I. And if others can make videos for UTube, it's my turn to do it too. Look for it later today or tomorrow under the category HOPE. I am going to be talking about my new book: CULTIVATING HOPE from Hazelde[...]

Circle of Family and Friends – You and Your Personal Community