Connect with God

Open your mind to all that is around you. Let go of the ego that tries to drown out the peace of the world with its worries and fears. Release and just be. Open your eyes that you may see the wonders of God's creation and be in awareness of all that is.

Open your heart that you may receive the blessings God wants to bestow and to others that you may share the abundance of love you receive. Open your ears you may hear the songs of the birds and the music of nature singing God's praises.

Do not try to drown it with the noise of the world. Open your spirit that you may become a part of the trees, sky, the flowers in bloom, of all that you see, hear, feel. Let God speak to you in the silence. Open your senses that you may taste, smell, hear, see, feel and be all that you can be more fully in God's world, of beauty and enlightenment.

All that there is He gives to you. Accept it in true awareness and joy, take time to be still and know. Take time to give thanks for the blessings of each day. Take time to speak to God from your heart. Prayer isn't just reciting words by rote. It is communicating from the heart and the spirit.

It is remembering who we truly are, if not why we came to be here at this time or in this place. Take time to ask for God's guidance in all things. For greater understanding, love, compassion and how we may better serve.

God wants to hear from us and He does answer. His gift is love, overwhelming, unconditional love. When we are in a state of harmony, of conscious awareness, we feel an expansion of all that we are. A greater appreciation and a desire to share that wonder with others.

To teach them to slow down, to remember, to open up and to expand. For when we are truly open, a part of us feels it is beyond our mortal self and can reach out to be a part of all we can see beyond, into infinity. Interconnected directly to God through the spirit.

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Create a Haven

Home is important. Not its size, not fancy furnishings. It doesn't have to be bigger or better. What it does need to contain is first - God's blessing and presence. A sense of peace and comfort. It needs light and warmth.

It should reflect those that dwell within. Their passions, interests, family history, beliefs and character. Pictures are mirrors of our mind, therefore should be chosen to reflect what we think and what we feel. A home should feel welcoming.

It should embrace you as you cross the threshold. Bless your home before you move in and ask God to dwell there with you. Choose colors that bring you a sense of peace and relax you. A home shouldn't feel too busy that your mind and eyes wander instead of rest.

A home is a sanctuary. When you enter you should leave the cares of the world behind. Find a space you can call your own and there place meaningful objects, candles, incense, and perhaps the good book. A sacred spot where you can go and clear you mind.

It can be anywhere and does not require much space. Fill your home with flowers and greenery that it reflects life. The kitchen often is a center of gravity when we have others over. Let it be spacious and user friendly with plenty of cabinets, counter space and a good pantry. As well as have a friendly nook where you can sit and sip tea with a friend and share stories and good times.

Have a place out of doors where you can watch the world, the birds, where you not only have beauty, but privacy. Create a garden filled with color, blooms, and aroma where you can plant and prune and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

It brings us back to earth and our roots. Gardeners are nice but save some space for your self. Let them do the heavy work and you do the joyful work. Hang some feeders that the birds may come and a fountain for a sense of peace.

A home is your world that you create from your heart. Let it speak of who you are and may only the loving cross your threshold.

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Fear makes us deaf

Fear sometimes keeps us from hearing when God is speaking. Fear of the unknown especially. We will stay at a job or in a marriage that is not serving our purpose or allowing us growth because it is the familiar.

The unknown is what frightens us. We think there is security for us if we stay with what we know. We fear taking chances even if it is doing something we have longed to do. So daily we continue to follow the path to nowhere, without joy or a sense of satisfaction. Not feeling we are really making a difference in the world.

We suffer from a sense of unfulfillment and frustration and oftentimes depression. We are neglecting our souls and not seeking God's guidance because we are afraid. We fear we may not succeed where He leads us.

We are suffering a lack of faith. It is not God who would lead us on a path of destruction, but toward enlightenment. But because He has given us free will God waits for us to ask, to seek, to pray and to release ourselves into His hands that He may show us the way.

That He may make clear our path and show us that He will provide for our needs while we are on it. When we take that leap of faith, miracles begin working in our life in a myriad of ways.

The right work, the right teachers, a newfound joy in living, a sense of peace and rightfulness descends on us. When we have faith God makes things right in our world, and we don't sense but know we are on the right path and that He is with us every step of the way.

God is the beacon in our darkness, the light of the world and our life. We become more aware of His guidance, of His speaking to us, and of His love. We know we are now right where we are supposed to be doing His Will. Serving the purpose we have come here to serve.

Making a difference in some small way and we wonder why we waited so long to turn to Him and at His patience. Life takes on a whole new meaning and with Him it is like going from black and white to Technicolor. Everything in life has more meaning and gratitude becomes our favorite act of thanks.

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Ghost Tales

Ghosts of the mountain
visit me each day
with tales so astounding
I hardly believe what they say

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Fill my life, Oh Lord

Let me seek the Lord and a closer relationship with Him for He is the road to a clearer understanding and to peace. Let me learn a greater tolerance of others and to release any judgements against them.

Let me be free of prejudice and live in a state of love. Let me understand more of the brotherhood you profess and that we are all family in your eyes, Dear Lord.

Let me be grateful for each new day to neither dwell on the past or worry over the future. Today is a gift from you. Let me see the beauty in it. Let me do your work this day. Let me acknowledge you in every way.

Help me to remember to pray for others. That those that are lost may find their way. That we may all appreciate a more intimate relationship with you. That we take time for you before anything else and set the tone of our day through prayers, meditation, and especially listening and with faith.

Faith in you has brought me where I am. To a greater sense of contentment than I have ever experienced in my life. Know that there is no security in earthly things but only in you, Dear God.

You will lead us on the right path and show us the way. You reveal to us the truths and knowledge we need to know. We cannot fill our minds with worry and faith at the same time.

Worry serves no purpose, but faith in you brings endless blessings, right living and peace not only of mind but of spirit as well. I know no want in God for He provides for "all" my needs: emotional, spiritual, financial. Both mentally and physically.

He has made me a changed person and has revealed to me a new way of living, in total faith and acceptance. I see the glory of God wherever I look. It is the breath I take, the food I eat, in the soft breeze and in the rain that falls.

Nothing exists without God and all things are possible with Him. When we put our life in His hands our whole world is changed for the better and there is no going back, only forward. God is only waiting for us to reach out that He may fill our lives with His love, His peace and endless joy.

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Memories are precious gifts

The most precious gifts we have in life is not wealth or possessions, but the memories we create. When we think back upon our life certain moments always come to the forefront of our mind.

To my sons, they have brought up the times we spent searching out memorabilia on Bruce Lee, meeting Chuck Norris, and going to karate tournaments.

I remember my granddaughter Chantal's first trip to the snow that I was privileged to be a part of on New Year's Day when she was two.

I remember my and my dearest friend Marie's children digging holes to China on the beaches each time I look at the wee shovel on my deck, and the picnic lunches we brought with us.

We may not have had much in the way of money, but we were rich in friendships. I'm sure my daughter Yvette remembers her first trip to Hawaii her sister arranged as a celebration of her graduation and the time we went to see the Nutcracker Suite and mom fell asleep.

We've all had moments where we laughed together and cried together. Some holidays are special for us. Not just Christmas, but Memorial Day for all the I Madonnari's we have shared. It has become a tradition, like a family reunion.

I remember going to the Vatican show with my Angel friends, eating sandwiches in the car as Lea had packed a surprise lunch complete with mints, and the magical rainbow that appeared that day.

My life has been filled with precious moments and I am truly blessed. I will always remember the sheer joy of visiting the wineries in the pouring rain. Discovering nude statues in the midst of the endless back lawn.

The low hanging gossamer clouds swirling over the mountains like a fairytale picture. Seeing five rainbows in one day. A sign of abundant blessings for sure.

The love shown when others waited with me when my plane was delayed on my way back home. They could have gone home and not stayed but they did and I was deeply touched. I hope your memories keep your life filled with as much appreciation and sense of being loved as mine do me.

Your rainbows radiate good memories and precious times when you're feeling lonely. Times to look back on with tears and laughter. They cannot be taken from us or bought for any price as they are irreplaceable. Authentic moments in time imprinted forever in our hearts. Precious gifts of time well spent that we can replay at any time.

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Celebrating Solitude

We can rejoice, even when we are alone, for the beauty in our life. For life itself. For our ability to move about, to start each day anew. Being alone does not constitute loneliness. In a way it is very liberating. You are responsible for yourself and not others. Unless, of course, if you have pets, as I do.

They are dependent on you, but not contributors, except in love, to the home itself. Alone you can walk when you want, shop when you want, dine when you want, stay up late or get up late, if you want.

No one fights over the T.V. station or the music that is played. It is a joy you have earned after you raised your family. To have time to travel, to see other places. There is not a hurry to be home at a certain hour.

All you closet space is your own and you can sleep on any side of the bed if your want or smack dab in the middle. You don't have to compromise on decorating. Your home reflects you and you alone.

The mail is all yours, as are the bills. Living alone does not mean you should shut yourself away from the world or from others. Be a part of the world. Spend time helping others in some capacity. Not just giving, but doing.

Keep in contact with friends and family. Plan outings, enjoy your life. Realize the blessings in your world and in your opportunities for solitude. Take time to learn new things. To go back to school or tutor yourself at home.

Now is the time to learn those things you always wished you could do but were too busy before. To sit in peace with that good book without being disturbed. To research on the internet. To trace your family's roots and to go back in time and places where your forebearers walking in their lifetime.

Today you can use your God given talents to create the pictures you've always wanted to take. To learn photography and to practice your skills. The chance to be on your own is like a rebirth and discovering of the real you.

To find your authentic self and celebrate her and her accomplishments. Feel the liberation and the possibilities given to you and be grateful.

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