Speaking of Spirit

  "When you believe beyond what your eyes can see...  signs from heaven show up to remind you love never dies."  Author Unknown  I have written of how, as a young child, my mother taught me to be aware of signs from above and beyond. Over the years, I have encountered many. Each time, I am both amazed and awed.  Naysayers have told me that I could find signs in anything if I wanted to and that these "messages" are just in my imagination, which is vivid. My answer has always been, "Thank God for that!"  Yes, we can find messages in most anything. However, when you aren't looking, and they show up...what then? Is it a message from the great beyond when you see a hawk, the minute you ask for an answer to a prayer? Is it coincidence that a symbol of someone who has passed (for instance, my mother's symbol is a yellow butterfly) appears when you most need a reminder that you are never alone? I think not.  Someone asked me how you know a sign is a sign. ...

Holiday traditions usually last for as long as there is meaning in them, like any rite or ritual. For Roger and me, the tradition of turkey for Thanksgiving has flown the coop!  We didn't travel this year due to the rising numbers of active COVID cases. Instead, we talked about what we would really like to have for dinner. Our menu was simple, healthy and delicious! I made Asian chicken with bok choy, fried rice, homemade cranberry sauce, and roasted root vegetables. (My Eastern European ancestors would be proud that I kept the root veggies!) I made us up an intimate table for two with a candle and a stuffed turkey (the cuddly kind). We gave thanks for all our bounty and enjoyed sitting side by side eating, reminiscing and giggling.  Our Thanksgiving was complete!  My purpose in writing this post is to show that we don't HAVE to have turkey or pumpkin pie or sweet potatoes with marshmallows if we don't want or like them. We can have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and ...

  On All Hallows' Eve, the day before All Hallows' or All Saints Day, ancient belief was that the veil between this world and the next. Loved ones were able to visit from the grave. My Celtic ancestors carved turnips with lights in them to scare away the evil spirits and light the way for our relatives to come home for the night. Today, Halloween is a mixture of fun and games, but few remember that this night is one to remember our beloved dead, light candles to help them find their way home and gather together to thank the saints for guiding us through the year. On this All Hallows' Eve, as the last surviving member of my immediate family, (My parents and siblings are all deceased.) I will lite a candle or two, remember the love we shared, the lessons learned and give thanks that they are all out of the suffering of this world.   May all who read this post, take a moment to remember their loved ones and give thanks.   Have a safe All Hallows' Eve. Blessings!

  At times, it seems as though the small boats we sail over the waters of life are in a constant state of turbulence. When water is troubled, it is difficult to see a true reflection. Sometimes, it is even difficult to know what direction we are traveling. All is chaos.  However, there are also moments of complete calm, which bring a mirror's reflection of all that is above onto the surface of the water. During these times, we are called to look within ourselves. Find our center, our keel, if you will, that holds us upright, even in turbulence.  All mariners will tell you that if your keel is damaged, staying afloat is nearly impossible. So too in life. We must maintain our center, our balance. Then, when our boats travel through turbulent times, we are able to navigate the whirlpools and eddies, the hidden objects and the raging waves that would otherwise sink us into the depths of despair.  Take time during the calms of life to reflect, rejuvenate, and relish in th...

The date of 9/11 is one that lives in infamy. The pain of that day is still palpable for us. However, what I would like to share today is the memory of the days after. I vividly remember hearing about the attack to the towers. I was in the basement of the doctor's office where I worked as a wellness practitioner for York Hospital. My daughter called hysterical. I did what I could do to calm her. After I hung up, I began to feel fear like I have never known before or since. However, there were patients waiting for me and I couldn't abandon them. I left the office praying for a sign that all would be well. As I crossed the parking lot, I saw one of the bushes that days before was a mass of twigs, in bloom.  Puzzled, I took a closer look. The bush was covered in Monarch butterflies. Instantly, I felt peace pour through me.  As the day wore on and the during the days immediately following, I saw and heard about so many acts of compassion and kindness that my heart overflowed. In t...

  Amma Niradhara teaching young girls in rural India. "Imagine a world where a girl can not even attend school because of lack of menstrual care to manage her Moon Cycle. "  This is a quote from the website describing the work of one of my Interfaith Minister sisters. A mma Niradhara  has served the community at the SwAr Ashram since taking up residence in 2007. Amma was appointed by Swami Anantram in 2012 to direct his NGO (NIWS) and manage his Ashram. She is a Sannyasi (renunciate of worldly life), as the Spiritual Mother of SwAr Ashram, she is a Swamini, and she is a full-time Sevaka (un-salaried volunteer). She is, as well, an E-RYT500 Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher & CYT300 Yoga Therapist YACEP Yoga Education Provider, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, Reiki Master, Agnihotri, EMDR, TFT & EFT Guide, Sound Therapist and Ordained Interfaith Minister with projects inclusive of at-risk youth, trafficking rescues, maximum security incarcerated women, dom...

Taking time away from all that life sends us is difficult. I always find myself putting "down-time" off because something more needs to be accomplished or finished. However, in my later years, I have discovered that this precious time away from work is a great gift.    Over the past two months, I have spent more time in the garden, time with family, and time just sitting in order to connect with Spirit. What I found is that I am calmer, more able to grasp what is important and much happier. Being able to stand in my garden, and really notice the beauty of the flowers, the wonder of how from a tiny seed food to nourish us is grown and the connections to all life has filled me such joy.   Likewise, time with my family after one of the longest times away from them goes beyond words. We held each other longer, listened more carefully, laughed, and sang louder. My cup definitely ran over! As summer winds down, as the days shorten, and as the world begins its next phase of seas...