Category: Spirituality

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Water

Now, you may be wondering why I’ve titled this post, simply Water.

A few years ago, I read a book called “The Colour of Water.” James McBride is the author.

Much of the book has been forgotten, not due to the author’s lack of talent, but more because of the progress of time.

The bit that stands out for me the most, is the bit where James asks his Mum,
“What is the colour of Spirit?”

Her answer is “The colour of water.”

I’ve never heard such a beautiful way of putting it.

Spirit runs through the Earth like water. It rushes through both the Natural World and through Human Made Constructions.

Today, Spirit felt much like water. I was reflecting on time, and how it rushes out of one’s hands as soon as one realises that it is passing.

There are a couple of activities that make time stand still for me, that provide a temporary respite from fast moving time.

These are jogging, writing and spending time with dear friends and family.

Jogging ties me to the premeval task of staying alive. Our ancestors stayed alive and moved from place to place by running or jogging.

Being a Writer ties me to my childhood. I loved all things creative, as a child. I curtailed my drawing so I could better write. Writing is always my first love… always has been…always will be.

And then there’s time spent with my loved ones. Once a week, I make the dusty drive to my Mentor and Best Friend’s house. We savour cups of coffee together, sometimes enjoy meals of Fish and Chips, and always enjoy our conversations. I find her wise, entertaining and clever… and being a fellow Writer, we mercilessly tease each other with word play.

So, may Spirit, regardless of the form that it takes, be with you, and may we continue to build this life together.

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Forming caring relationships

I’m not an expert.

I’ve just made it to middle age with a support network made of people from all ages and walks of life.

But I’ve learnt over the years how to do this. I was not born such a social butterfly.

If you’re working on establishing a rapport with someone, start with good eye contact. And then compliment them. Nothing creepy, just a comment on how they have a nice smile or how you like their boots.

And if nervous, tell them. Be upfront. Be honest. People love and tend to respond well to a little honest vulnerability and imperfection.

Then strike up conversation. Mention why you’re in the building or waiting in the queue, if appropriate.

If all else fails, talk about the weather.

And if you see them again, say hi.

You may have just made a friend.

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Healing relationships

Relationships form a delicate web across the globe. From dolphins and their interactions with each other to the role ants play in keeping the cycles of a rainforest turning, to the big human cities, we are all inter-related.

On a personal level, these relationships exist between members of a family, colleagues in a business and all kinds of social arenas.

So we may as well get along.

When a hurt has been witnessed by a relationship, three options lie available.

We can tear ourselves apart and continue at war with each other. This follows the “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” logic. But this just causes more conflict.

Or we can liberate ourselves from this cycle. There are two options branching out of this. We can choose to stay and repair, like with a family member we love dearly.

Or we can choose to walk away.

With any decision, it must be made with a wise heart. At the end of the day, we’re the ones who are left to live with our decisions.

Let’s choose peace. Let’s choose to live in a world with out violence and war.

Let’s choose to embrace the goal of healing our relationships.

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Abundance

Abundance. The truth is that we are always experiencing this.

Think this is a lie? Or New Age fluff?

Well, if there’s not an abundance of, for example, money, in your life, this means there is an abundance of poverty.

This can be turned around.

The first step is acknowledging that you have the ability to change your financial situation. Self belief is key.

Yes. You can do it.

It requires thought, perseverance and commitment.

It requires creativity and maybe reaching out to loved ones for strength, support and inspiration.

And then it requires taking the steps, doing the tasks, walking the path.

What holds back most people is not that they can’t do this. What holds most of us is fear. In Nelson Mandela’s speech, he said that it was not our darkness that we were scared of, but our light.

So, if you’d like to gain some abundance, reach to your source of courage, be it your loved ones, your God, or a book, and gain a grip on your fear.

Then, explore the possibilities.

I’m happy to brain storm and research.

Just email me on lizseverest@gmail.com

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Health

The cornerstone of life and success. Often ignored and taken for granted, but at one’s peril.

Let’s talk health.

What naturally springs to mind is physical health. This comprises of eating well and getting enough physical exercise. For me, I ride my push bike to work and around town, and I eat a mostly vegetarian diet with a little bit of fish.

But there are other areas of life requiring a watchful eye and some sort of strategy.

Mental health is important, especially when there are mental illnesses and dementia lurking in the future if not handled correctly. One strategy is to do mental puzzles or a hobby such as writing.

Emotional health also is worthy of a mention. Making connections within family, friend networks, and the community can protect from isolation and loneliness. And it can be as simple as asking the person at the cash register how their day has been.

But the real area that ties all these together is our shared spiritual health. I’m not talking about what church or religion one belongs too. I’m talking morals, ethics and a vision for one’s own life.

Committing to a vision larger than I am is something that gets me out of bed and keeps me striving forward. Shared with my employer, my family and friends, and my community, this vision keeps me empowered.

What is your vision?

How are you looking after every facet of your health?

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God’s unconditional love

This poem was recently written by a dear friend. She is a woman of deep faith and this is a piece she is very proud of. With her permission, I am sharing it with you.

GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

By the blood of Jesus we’re sanctified,
Cleansed free from sin you’re now justified,
Honour, trust me along life’s stormy way,
My grace is sufficient for you each day,

Praises of adulation we joyfully sing,
We’ll worship our heavenly Saviour and King,
By my stripes you’re healed and made whole,
Let the Holy Spirit minister to your soul,

My peace is truly given to everyone,
Unconditional love comes from God’s beloved son,
We are blessed more than we say,
Start anew each morning, always pray.

Author is Hilda Oakley. This piece, as all pieces on this site, is copyrighted.

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The real challenge

Before my trip to Japan, 3 years ago, I did an interview for a friend.

Revisiting the video earlier this year – my boss wanted to use it – I have realised how important the underlying message is.

And it’s a message that is timeless.

The message I was seeking to drive home, was that the only challenge that is real in life, is to be more loving.

Someone cuts you off in traffic?

Be more loving.

The computer crashes and you lose all your data?

Be more loving.

When things like this happen, loving yourself and others through the mess, is a way of showing your best.

Love beats a path forward, even when all seems lost.

So next time, when life doesn’t go my way, the response I am choosing is to use it as an opportunity to be more loving.

Will you follow me?

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Forgiveness

Often misunderstood as almost a weakness, forgiveness can set a person free.

For me, it’s difficult to forgive. And I’m not alone.

So let’s break it down.

There are two directions that can be taken when an injury occurs. These are revenge. I can hurt you back. Or forgiveness. I can understand that you are human too and I can love you instead.

Once I can forgive, I release myself from the cycle that holds me prisoner to the hurt. And I’m role modelling how I prefer to be treated. Maybe I can use the pain as an opportunity to lead others caught up in the web of pain, into a safer harbour and onto the path of healing.

Forgiveness does not allow the other person involved to get off lightly. If anything, it holds them even more accountable. To believe they have no conscience and to hold onto the belief they are a monster denies true justice. It excuses them for their crimes.

So I’m trying something a little different this time. I’m choosing to heal. I’m choosing to voice the truth of what happened that caused me harm, and I’m setting myself free.

This may take time. I may have to forgive repeatedly. For forgiveness is often a cycle.

But I’m walking this road, instead of denying it.

Will you walk it with me?

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Legacy and a homecoming

As the mind turns towards one’s legacy, it also turns towards thoughts about the After life

For some, the After life is a place of desolation and fear. For others, it is a place of non existence.

For me, death is a homecoming.

I can spread my love more evenly in death than in life. No longer, am I restrained by time and space, for I have met my God and realised the secret that is within being made in his image.

Don’t get me wrong. I love being alive too. It’s just an admittance that I cannot predict it’s timing and method. All I can control is how I face each day, and ultimately, my own death.

Do you fear death?

What does thinking about your legacy turn your own mind too?

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Legacy and friendship

When considering what legacy to leave behind, it is sometimes useful to watch what legacy your friends and own family are leaving behind.

For a clue as to what is really valuable, think about the glue that holds these people in your life.

Is it your religion. Or that you all like to garden, or volunteer.

The themes that run through your closest relationships indicate what your values are.

They also point to what would be valuable to those you care the most about in your life.

And therefore these values can provide a foundation for determining what to centre your legacy around. And for who would benefit from it.