How to Be Happy

How to Be HappyBarbara Dutcher, M.A. – The way to be happy when you see so much that seems ‘wrong’ in the world, is to remember that you are “in the world but not of the world” as the Bible states. This world is not your home – heaven is your home. But, you say, “we see the world of reality before our eyes every day and that is the world we have to live in!”

And I say, yes, so it would seem and yet if you will lift up your eyes, you will recognize that it could not be that God would have placed you in a world where so much suffering seems to be happening. Suffering is not the final reality, although it can seem very real. Continue reading

Cascading Waves of Change


Cascading Waves of ChangeLeilah Ward – Contemplating this feeling of still being in a liminal space… the space between. In a lock of a canal, as the water slowly fills the lock preparing for a surge forward.

The noisy antics of people of the world are held at bay as I sit with the energy and silence. What is next doesn’t matter.

I feel the energy moving sideways instead of the expected forward and of course, if I’m in a lock of a canal, there is no forward movement, nor sideways for that matter. But the energy moves just the same.

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Beauty

beautyCheryl Richardson – I woke at sunrise to find translucent clouds of puffy air drifting over steel blue water before vanishing in the rising light. On the days when I find mist floating above the reservoir behind our home I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Moments of beauty are such a delight.

All year long I do my best to find these moments wherever I can. A sun-drenched goldfinch trading seed with a friend at the feeder. A Great Blue Heron gliding on the wind, her long, graceful wings effortlessly moving air. An autumn leaf aflame in its ending, lying still against the black tar-covered road. Continue reading

Walk in Beauty and Live in Trust

beautyAA Gabriel – These words clarify the way to a carefree, joy-filled and peaceful life. Walking in Beauty means to look at all you see with your heart and mind. This might mean to see beyond the surface appearance of disharmony and know there is perfection and beauty within a situation. There is beauty all around you and sometimes it takes a prayer such as “let me see the beauty here, Angels,” to make this apparent.

Walking in Beauty also means to allow the awareness that there is beauty in this world to bubble to the surface, so you can be conscious of the great beauty of God’s creation. One flower holds as much of the key to universal knowledge as does a whole field of flowers.

Do all you can to be aware of the beauty around you and to bring more beauty into your world. Bringing that one flower into your home can brighten the day, as the spiritual essence in that flower permeates your world. Look for beauty every day and be grateful for all that you find. Continue reading

The Joy of Fulfillment Will Be Yours

beautyShanta Gabriel – Life is a special gift from God, filled with infinite beauty. Your appreciation and gratitude for this beauty brings forth a new dimension of love within you.

Take the time to pursue beauty. Find one flower and look with wondrous eyes upon this divine miracle. Notice the grace of a tree, the strength of its trunk, the power of the root system diving deep into the ground, and the play of the leaves in the sunlight. Put your arms around a tree and take a moment to sense the life force pulsing inside. This slow, steady pulse will soothe and calm you in times of upset.

Try sitting with your back against a tree and feel the peace grow within you. Listen to the songs of birds. They sing for the pure joy of it. This is nature in all its glory, and nature will always remind you of the beauty and wonder of Spirit. Continue reading