Speaking of Spirit

As we sit at our tables this week, let us remember to give thanks for all we have been given. Let us find time to say the words of gratitude to That which has given us all we have in whatever manner we perceive that Divine Energy to be. At a loss for words?  Here are some you can use at your meal. Blessings and Gratitude for you all! A Prayer for the Thanksgiving Feast               from   Talking to God  by Rabbi Naomi Levy   For the laughter of the children,  For my own life breath,  For the abundance of food on this table,  For the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast,  For the roof over our heads,  The clothes on our backs,  For our health,  And our wealth of blessings,  For this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,  For the freedom to pray these words  Without fear,  In any language,  In any faith,  ...

Photo: (c) 2018 LMRNeas This morning, as I rose to watch the sunrise, a thought came to me. What if we committed random acts of appreciation?  What if we mindfully thanked others for the hundreds of small and often overlooked things they do for us every day? Who am I talking about?  Everyone!  Our lives are touched by hundreds of people every moment, but we don't see them, even when the gifts they give us are important for our well-being. For example: Thank the people who pick up your trash, or the young man or woman stocking the shelves, or the person driving the bus. Thank the clerk and the bagger; thank the teacher and crossing guard; thank the spouse who brings you tea or coffee. There are so many opportunities! Thing is, you never know how your gratitude can change someone, especially someone who is feeling invisible. So, next time you pass the janitor in the hall at work or at school, take a second to say, "Thanks for the great job you do of keeping...

Photo: (c) 2017 L M R Neas Winter Solstice will soon be here - the longest, darkest day of the year. Let us embrace this time of darkness. Let us use this day of nighttime to reflect on the year past. Let us look to the evergreens that surround us and remember that they hold the promise that spring will return. They also remind us that Life continues, always. Let us give sincere thanks for the bounty that sustains us as the Earth slowly warms again, allowing us to plant another harvest.   As the sun rises on the 21st, let us be ever grateful for the lengthening of days to come.  May we all be blessed by both the Light and the Dark, which is a constant duality in our lives. May we learn to embrace both, finding respite and healing in the dark and rejuvenating, creative energy in the light. Many blessings to all as this Winter Solstice passes over us.  Blessings!

One of the problems many relationships have is that, sooner or later, the partners begin to take each other for granted. Why? From my 60-plus years of observation, it comes down to a lack of gratitude. Let me give you an example. Partner A helps Partner B, who has worked all day, by folding the laundry and putting it away, a task Partner B usually handles. Partner B, doesn't notice that the laundry is done until there is a need for a clean towel, which isn't where he/she would store it. Then, they make a big deal out of the fact that the towel isn't where it should be. This completely deflates Partner A, who thought he/she was doing something loving. Being grateful isn't difficult, nor is it something that has be done extravagantly. A simple, kindly said, "Thank you, so much. How nice of you," can go a long way to making a person feel appreciated. This is true with any relationship - spouses, partners, parents/children or friends and colleagues. Being m...

Photo (c) 2017 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas The question came as an honest request to know, not as a quick response to what had been said. "How do you always seem to find the silver lining?"  I stood, looking deeply into the eyes of my friend. Until now, I had not thought about it.  A host of questions to myself ran through my brain in nano-seconds. Do I always find a silver lining? How DO I do that? Why do I do it?  Taking a deep breath, I tried to explain.  When things get tough, it makes me appreciate - be grateful - for the times when things went well. This in turn helps give me hope and reminds me that change is the only constant in life.  That being said, I know that as bad as things get, they can and will change. When things get tough, I may fall into the pit of despair, but I climb out again. I pray, meditate, sing, dance, and create. Each act lifts me higher, until I am no longer sad, angry or fearful. Each step forward brings me closer to the...

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen   In September, the season of Light, Love and Gratitude began. This month, people around the world celebrate - the harvest (Sukkot), grateful for the bounty they have been given; the Light (Diwali), observing Light and darkness; and the love of ancestors (All Soul's Day/All Hallows' Eve), remembering our dead and giving thanks for their lives with us. As we move forward towards the end of the year, the feasts and festivals of Light, Love and Gratitude continue.   This year, there is a greater need to observe these days, together. The world is very "dark" in so many places due to natural disasters, hate, oppression, and greed. Observing these Holy days, reminds us that even in the darkest night the Light of millions of stars illuminates the sky. These times together remind us that Love is eternal; that those who shared our lives are always with us. These celebrations remind u...

An epiphany came to me this morning as I awoke. Lying in the warmth of the bed, stretching and slowly becoming aware of a new day, I realized that each day is, in essence, a resurrection - a rising again, which is the exact meaning of the word in Latin. In the evening, as we fall asleep, we leave the conscious world behind. Each morning, we rise again to a new day.  Most of the time, we go through life monotonously, o ne day spilling into the the next. No beginning, no end. What if we were mindfully aware as we awoke each morning that we are beginning a new day?  What if, in rising again,  we realize a fresh opportunity to let go of our past hurts?  What if, in rising to a new day, we grasp the opportunity to begin our lives anew. A life full of gratitude and the intention of sharing the blessings we are given.  Consider how different our lives could be if everyone was fully aware of this wonderful opportunity to begin each day anew! This week, let us ...

There are things I was taught that have remained in my life since the day the lesson was learned. Looking back, I realized these were all things my Momma taught me.  Today, the young people would call these "Life Hacks" - tips for making life go more smoothly, more efficiently.  Momma's life hacks had a bit more oomph to them, though. They were based on a deep connection to Faith, Hope, and Love. A connection that was lived daily, not simply taught, then forgotten except for one hour or so a week. Here are the top five life hacks learned at Momma's knee: Be nice - it doesn't cost a penny. Be nice, even when others are not being nice to you. Be nice especially to your elders, who may be grumpy or cranky, but you have not lived as long as they have. You do not know the pain and sorrow they carry. Be nice, it can change someone's life. Always share what you have with others. You are never too poor or too rich to share when others are in need. Bu...

On this day, thirty plus years ago, I became a mother for the second time.  Waking in the early hours this morning, I wondered how best to celebrate my daughter, who is many states away, enjoying family and friends on this auspicious day. Spirit has a way of nudging me when I ponder like this. "Give thanks!" she whispers in my soul, "Give thanks!" Of course!  So, for all my girls, I give thanks. THE BLESSING OF DAUGHTERS Blessed Parent of us all, I lift up my heart and soul to you in eternal gratitude  for the blessing  of daughters! I am rich beyond measure,  because I share in each of their lives. I treasure each smile, each tear, each bump and bruise, each triumph, each broken heart, each joyous event, each question and each bit of wisdom. Thank you for our times together - and our times apart - for those times especially, help us see how precious "together" is. Thank you for our differences, for these differences make us...

Someone told their elder that they didn't pray. Curious, the elder asked why. The person told the elder that they were never taught any prayers. So, the elder asked the person what they said when they saw something beautiful. The person replied, "Oh God, how beautiful." The elder next asked what did the person say when they wanted to show their love for someone. Looking at the elder like she was totally crazy, the person said, "I say, I love you." The elder stood quiet for a second. With a huge smile, she lifted her head and said, "Then, you pray all the time!" ~~~~~ Prayer is conversation with the Creator, the Divine, the Source of All. Conversation isn't a canned script. Conversation is the exchange of words to express ideas and feelings as well as the sound of the words, facial expressions, gestures and unconscious thoughts. A simple, "Thank You," can be the catalyst for a conversation that lasts a lifetime. But ho...

Gracious Being of Love and Light thank You for the warmth of the Sun thank You for the gentle spring breeze lifting the wet from these clothes I hang leaving behind the smell of Nature's essence reminding me that Your Light and Love wraps around me always. © LMRN 2011

How often have you made a New Year's resolution only to have all your resolve crumble before the end the year?  You are not alone! Many years ago, I realized the futility of resolving to lose weight, stop eating sweets, not swearing, etc.  An off-hand comment led me to a new way of looking at resolutions. "Why can't we ever have resolutions that work?" Why, indeed!  I pondered, meditated and chewed on this for days.  Then, on waking one morning, the answer greeted me.  Resolve to do things that you can succeed at, that give back to you and others, that are doable! That first year, I resolved to find something for which to be grateful, weekly, if not daily.  Not only did I get to the end of the year with a very clear idea of all my blessings, I ended the year feeling so good about myself and the world around me!   This past year, my word was JOY.  I looked for joy, daily.  No surprise, I found it, even on the worse, most difficult ...