Friday - Pay it Forward @ Starbucks

WOW what an experience.....multiple Fridays I've been in Starbucks, and someone, sometime before me had started a "pay it forward"....meaning that the person in front of you pays for your drink!!! The first time it happened to me, it was amazing....TRUTH is every time it happens it is a gift, that reminds me of God's Goodness expressing in the here and now.......So today, I decided, I would start the "pay it forward".....I was at a Starbucks I have not visited before....it was crowded....so I said....its "my treat" to the person behind me.....what transpired was amazing....this person could not accept a kind gesture....and I wondered how many times, that was me...made me think...had me look.....I gently said....Next Time....and allowed him his space....and gave the "drink" (what I would have paid) as a tip for the crew.....I will try again....as "pay it forward" is God's Grace here and now....Blessings, Rev. Kathleen

It's Groundhog Day - Remember the Movie - Is it time to do it again.....

WOW....I forgot to send this.....perhaps I had the movie Groundhog's Day on my mind.... Who could forget Bill Murray....especially getting to live, relive, and live again, until he got it right.... Since this didn't go on 2/2 - I too, just decided to erase that which was written.....to write again...and remind myself and others, you don't have to keep re-living something until you get it right.....what I, what you need to get, is its ALL right.....cuz its all GOD....we're the ones that judge good...bad....right...wrong.... Starting today....right here....right now....I declare my knowingness that it is all GOOD ...

Peace Prayers

Today James Twyman lead prayers for peace in the midst of "war torn" Syria....he was joined by Religious Leaders from all parts of the world, and invite others to participate....at 7am Pacific we joined with James in the quiet, lifting loving prayers for the world, for Syria, more importantly for all humans, all living breathing sentient beings.....it was a beautiful way to start the day....and what I would encourage - - each of us, each morning take the time to lift prayers....for ourselves, our families, our friends, our community, our state, our country, the world....Mother Earth and Grandfather Sky....prayers of gratitude, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for humanity..... and in doing so....see how your world changes - - for yes, you are the WORLD... Thank you Jimmy for showing us the way...

Remember Me - Margaret Mead

This was shared last Saturday - Read by Gloria as a tribute for a life friend, classmate that had journey to the next Great Expression.... Remember Me: To the living, I am gone. To the sorrowful, I will never return. To the angry, I was cheated, But to the happy, I am at peace, And to the faithful, I have never left. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me. As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me. As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me. Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed. For if you always think of me, I will never be gone. Margaret Mead Margaret Mead has such a great wisdom, that transcends generation - like Gloria's classmate Betty Marie

Remebering and being in the MOMENT....

Thích Nhất Hạnh wrote: “The day my mother died I wrote in my journal, "A serious misfortune of my life has arrived." I suffered for more than one year after the passing away of my mother. But one night, in the highlands of Vietnam, I was sleeping in the hut in my hermitage. I dreamed of my mother. I saw myself sitting with her, and we were having a wonderful talk. She looked young and beautiful, her hair flowing down. It was so pleasant to sit there and talk to her as if she had never died. When I woke up it was about two in the morning, and I felt very strongly that I had never lost my mother. The impression that my mother was still with me was very clear. I understood then that the idea of having lost my mother was just an idea. It was obvious in that moment that my mother is always alive in me. I opened the door and went outside. The entire hillside was bathed in moonlight. It was a hill covered with tea plants, and my hut was set behind the temple halfway up. Walking slowly in the moonlight through the rows of tea plants, I noticed my mother was still with me. She was the moonlight caressing me as she had done so often, very tender, very sweet... wonderful! Each time my feet touched the earth I knew my mother was there with me. I knew this body was not mine but a living continuation of my mother and my father and my grandparents and great-grandparents. Of all my ancestors. Those feet that I saw as "my" feet were actually "our" feet. Together my mother and I were leaving footprints in the damp soil. From that moment on, the idea that I had lost my mother no longer existed. All I had to do was look at the palm of my hand, feel the breeze on my face or the earth under my feet to remember that my mother is always with me, available at any time.” Thank you Thích Nhất Hạnh, I'm in total awe and agreement....its a thin veil between worlds, and I am blessed in the knowingness that I can speak to my Mom as easily as I can write this blog today....and my prayer is as simple as "My Mom, my Mom.....or....LOVE you Mom"....and we are both uplifted....

Thinking of those who came before me...

It's weird today, I have an overwhelming feeling of my Grandmother Bennett....and Irish Traditions....and all that she taught me....and this Irish Blessing came to mind: Remembered Joy- An Irish Blessing.... Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief— Don’t shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow. Remembering Grandma.....and Mom....and those that came before them ... Elizabeth, Mary...for its on your shoulders I ma uplifted....thank you for the blessings...

Gratitude as a Habit....

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson What does this habit look like....how does it feel....I know the teachings of Jesus share "in all things give thanks"....in all THINGS...that thought in mind I am grateful....for all that I am....all that I have....all that I will be....for I know it is all part of the Divine Plan....