Affirmation: This is the day the Lord has made, let me rejoice and be glad in it.
My friend and fellow church member died this week. She had been fighting a recurrent cancer for about a year now. She chose to stop treatment. It was no longer helping her. I'd been by to visit her several times, over the last couple of months. I enjoyed sitting with her and discussing different ideas and sharing stories. I saw her on Thursday of last week. She was in so much pain. She was in so much pain and she was so worried about being "rude" to me. I was lucky. Before I left her, I leaned over and whispered, "I love you." She responded, "I love you too." Those were the last words she said to me. I am holding them tenderly in my heart now as I write and all through this week as we, myself and all those who loved her, go through the rituals of saying our final goodbyes.
We had been in the same church group for about 4 years. We meet twice a month. We also found ourselves at the same mass many times and we would sit together. Other than those occasions, we weren't really close until she became ill again. One thing, I knew, she was a very faith-filled woman. She was always working for the poor, the homeless, those less fortunate than she was. Interestingly, to me, I found myself wondering if she needed an organ transplant and realized, I would be more than willing to donate. I never had to make that decision and I learned, I wasn't the only one who was considering the donation.
I saw her again when I stopped into visit at the rest home where they had brought her to. They had given her 1 to 2 weeks more to live. I arrived to a group praying the Rosary. How comforting it was. She was unconscious. After a short while, her best friend and main caregiver, wanted to leave to run some errands. He asked me and another member of our group to stay with her. We both had plans but we let them go and remained. Our patient looked pretty good. Her color was good and she was breathing easily. Within 20 minutes, her color changed, her breathing changed and within another 20 minutes, she died., We were standing with her, my fellow parishioner and I, when she took her last breath. I can still see her face. She was at peace.
Something happened in that time, something profound and transforming. I don't know yet, what the effect of this experience will be but I know, it has changed me in a miraculous way. I feel blessed. I feel honored. I feel grateful.
I believe, from previous experiences and from my education, that many people choose when to die; they chose when to let go and I believe our friend chose to die in our presence. I also believe that she took a piece of our spirit, our soul with her to heaven. I am closer to her now than I ever was before. I became her sister, her sister in Christ, in life and in death. I have been given a gift, a gift that will be with me for the rest of my life. And, with this gift, comes the responsibility to embrace life fully, especially each and every day, especially today!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Religion
Affirmation: 1. I live a Christ centered life of Love, Joy, Peace, Gratitude and Compassion.
2. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I let go of fear and anxiety and fully trust in His loving care for me.
I am a cradle Catholic. I think you would also call me a "cafeteria Catholic." I have taken what works for me in my religion and let go of what does not. I always credited my mother for this trait. She is a convert and even when I was a little girl, she led me to believe everything I was being told, wasn't necessarily the only truth. This has served me well. It's a skill I have used not only with my faith, but in many areas of my life experiences.
I mean, when you look at the Catholic church, there are so many zits. At one time, I headed out to find another religion that would be more in line with my belief systems, like being an Episcopalian, or maybe a Unitarian but, I always found myself back at Mass. I discovered I love the ritual. I love going anywhere in the world and going to Mass and feeling at home. I love the sacraments. I love the Eucharist. Yes, there is so much I do not love but none of that seems to matter lately. It seems more important to me to focus on my relationship with God, in my case, my relationship with Jesus Christ.
I live in the South, the Bible belt of our country and I must say, I had to decide quite soon after I got here, what I believed. I decided I believe in Jesus Christ as God and Savior.
I know for many, this kind of declaration comes easily. They have been blessed with some sort of epiphany. Not I. My faith has grown very, very slowly. I need to say the words in my affirmations to keep me in my conviction. I have more questions than I will ever have answers but one of the women in my Small Christian Community once told me she didn't have any questions; she only had one answer, "Jesus." Wow!
I am aware of our different beliefs. Sometimes, I think one of my problems is I fully accept most people's definition of God. But, I've decided it doesn't matter what other people believe. What seems most important is what I have decided to believe, what works for me. And, I have decided to hunker-down and focus on Jesus Christ and simply let God do whatever work in me that He/She feels needs to be done. I believe with every fiber of my being that by focusing on Christ throughout my day, I will live a life without fear and anxiety, my life will be filled with miracles, and that without struggle, it will be transformed in ways beyond my imagination. I really do believe it, I really do.
2. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I let go of fear and anxiety and fully trust in His loving care for me.
I am a cradle Catholic. I think you would also call me a "cafeteria Catholic." I have taken what works for me in my religion and let go of what does not. I always credited my mother for this trait. She is a convert and even when I was a little girl, she led me to believe everything I was being told, wasn't necessarily the only truth. This has served me well. It's a skill I have used not only with my faith, but in many areas of my life experiences.
I mean, when you look at the Catholic church, there are so many zits. At one time, I headed out to find another religion that would be more in line with my belief systems, like being an Episcopalian, or maybe a Unitarian but, I always found myself back at Mass. I discovered I love the ritual. I love going anywhere in the world and going to Mass and feeling at home. I love the sacraments. I love the Eucharist. Yes, there is so much I do not love but none of that seems to matter lately. It seems more important to me to focus on my relationship with God, in my case, my relationship with Jesus Christ.
I live in the South, the Bible belt of our country and I must say, I had to decide quite soon after I got here, what I believed. I decided I believe in Jesus Christ as God and Savior.
I know for many, this kind of declaration comes easily. They have been blessed with some sort of epiphany. Not I. My faith has grown very, very slowly. I need to say the words in my affirmations to keep me in my conviction. I have more questions than I will ever have answers but one of the women in my Small Christian Community once told me she didn't have any questions; she only had one answer, "Jesus." Wow!
I am aware of our different beliefs. Sometimes, I think one of my problems is I fully accept most people's definition of God. But, I've decided it doesn't matter what other people believe. What seems most important is what I have decided to believe, what works for me. And, I have decided to hunker-down and focus on Jesus Christ and simply let God do whatever work in me that He/She feels needs to be done. I believe with every fiber of my being that by focusing on Christ throughout my day, I will live a life without fear and anxiety, my life will be filled with miracles, and that without struggle, it will be transformed in ways beyond my imagination. I really do believe it, I really do.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Reality Part II
Affirmation: 1. I embrace the blessings and grace that come to me through all of my experiences.
2. I accept the blessings and wonders of my life with grace and fortitude.
When I wrote about the affirmation, "The best is yet to come" and asked for feedback, the above affirmations are what I received. Once again, I feel I am being led to be grateful for everything that takes place in my life. What a lesson! What a challenge!
Today is 1/11/11. I tell you this because I am fascinated by numbers in general and in this case, it seems so powerful. Then, when I went back to read the original blog about Reality, I noticed it was posted on 1/1/11. So, it seems very appropriate to expand on the topic on this numerically memorable day. Am I the only one that is struck by this? My husband told me that when we get to 2013 the date will never repeat for another century. You will never have 13/13/13 etc. I had never thought about that before.
But, I divert. Probably because I am "iced in." The weather is horrid and tomorrow morning isn't looking very hopeful but if I am to embrace the blessings and grace that come to me through ALL of my experiences, I should be able to make peace with a day or two like this. I mean, I live in a warm part of the country and this will only last a short while, compared to other areas but, again, should that matter? If I'm embracing ALL of my experiences, it would be nice if I valued my days regardless of what else is going on. It seems so easy for me to slip into the suffering side of my day, my life. Me, someone who lives a life of abundant blessings. Perhaps, what is needed is a reality check, just like this one. If I were to list the things I am grateful for today, the list would be very long: my health, the health of my husband and children and grandchildren, my mother's well-being, a warm pretty place to live, enough food to eat, friends to nurture and to nurture me, entertainment at my fingertips. And, with that list, I will even add an icy day or two. A couple of days to slow down, take a nap, read, think, write. I even made extra time to pray and to meditate.
Yes, a reality check has turned my thinking around. I do embrace the blessings and grace that come to me through ALL of my experiences.
2. I accept the blessings and wonders of my life with grace and fortitude.
When I wrote about the affirmation, "The best is yet to come" and asked for feedback, the above affirmations are what I received. Once again, I feel I am being led to be grateful for everything that takes place in my life. What a lesson! What a challenge!
Today is 1/11/11. I tell you this because I am fascinated by numbers in general and in this case, it seems so powerful. Then, when I went back to read the original blog about Reality, I noticed it was posted on 1/1/11. So, it seems very appropriate to expand on the topic on this numerically memorable day. Am I the only one that is struck by this? My husband told me that when we get to 2013 the date will never repeat for another century. You will never have 13/13/13 etc. I had never thought about that before.
But, I divert. Probably because I am "iced in." The weather is horrid and tomorrow morning isn't looking very hopeful but if I am to embrace the blessings and grace that come to me through ALL of my experiences, I should be able to make peace with a day or two like this. I mean, I live in a warm part of the country and this will only last a short while, compared to other areas but, again, should that matter? If I'm embracing ALL of my experiences, it would be nice if I valued my days regardless of what else is going on. It seems so easy for me to slip into the suffering side of my day, my life. Me, someone who lives a life of abundant blessings. Perhaps, what is needed is a reality check, just like this one. If I were to list the things I am grateful for today, the list would be very long: my health, the health of my husband and children and grandchildren, my mother's well-being, a warm pretty place to live, enough food to eat, friends to nurture and to nurture me, entertainment at my fingertips. And, with that list, I will even add an icy day or two. A couple of days to slow down, take a nap, read, think, write. I even made extra time to pray and to meditate.
Yes, a reality check has turned my thinking around. I do embrace the blessings and grace that come to me through ALL of my experiences.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
True Dreams
Affirmation: I live a life filled with love: love of Christ, love of myself, family, friends, community and country.
The question in Sarah Susanka's end of the year review in The Not So Big Life is, "If I could sum up all my desires and longings into one simple statement, spoken from the highest aspect of myself, what would it be?" And so, for 2011, this affirmation is my intention. What generally happens after I set such an intention is that my affirmations develop to support the intention. I'm not passively waiting for love to surround me or as my friend said, "You're not simply sitting on the throne waiting for your adoring subjects to love you." I mean questions arise. How will this happen? True, it might just "happen" because I have created the intention. My experience is that simply putting it into writing and sending it out into the universe, has a power beyond my comprehension. And, actually that's what Sarah recommends. She tells you to put it away and take it out in a year and see what has happened. I set an intention like this for last year too. But, it sat at the top of my affirmation sheet. I read it every day and as time passed, I tweaked it. I examined what it meant for me to love and be loved. What did I have to change or improve upon? I must admit some days I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the love that fills my life. My greatest challenge is accepting it. But, that too is something I am affirming.
I am lovable, I am worthy, I do well.
The question in Sarah Susanka's end of the year review in The Not So Big Life is, "If I could sum up all my desires and longings into one simple statement, spoken from the highest aspect of myself, what would it be?" And so, for 2011, this affirmation is my intention. What generally happens after I set such an intention is that my affirmations develop to support the intention. I'm not passively waiting for love to surround me or as my friend said, "You're not simply sitting on the throne waiting for your adoring subjects to love you." I mean questions arise. How will this happen? True, it might just "happen" because I have created the intention. My experience is that simply putting it into writing and sending it out into the universe, has a power beyond my comprehension. And, actually that's what Sarah recommends. She tells you to put it away and take it out in a year and see what has happened. I set an intention like this for last year too. But, it sat at the top of my affirmation sheet. I read it every day and as time passed, I tweaked it. I examined what it meant for me to love and be loved. What did I have to change or improve upon? I must admit some days I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the love that fills my life. My greatest challenge is accepting it. But, that too is something I am affirming.
I am lovable, I am worthy, I do well.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Reality
Affirmation: The best is yet to come.
Actually, I think this affirmation needs tweaking and I welcome any feedback on it.
I went to a seminar at my church a few years ago. It was about aging with purpose. I was surrounded by many in their seventies and several octogenarians. When the lecture was over, one of the older women turned to me and asked me what I had taken from the speech. I appreciated the question and I returned it. I knew this lady. I knew she lived alone, her only child lives in Europe with her grandchildren. I knew she had experienced loss and health issues. She answered, head high, I learned, "The best is yet to come."
Oh yes, I want to affirm that. As the new year begins, I must confess, I can get caught up in the fear of the future, the fear of the unknown. How different I feel when I face the year expecting "the best."
But, what is that? Do I really want to live a live filled with no challenges? Maybe.
I think the life skill comes from being grateful for all of our experiences, the ones that we choose and the ones that choose us. My conversation with my chiropractor and her assistant yesterday revolved around how we create our own reality. I know this can be a dangerous thought, because we can blame ourselves for everything that happens to us and we might find ourselves blaming the victim which is not good. I haven't fully cleared this up in my thought process, so any insight would be welcomed but I do believe that to a large extent, we create our own reality, we manifest our destiny.
I remember a cartoon many years ago showing a young girl filling in her calendar for the coming year. Her mother was curious how she could do that and what she was putting in it. She said she was putting down all the wonderful things that would be taking place. That's what I want to be doing. I want to believe that this coming year will be filled with wonder and why wouldn't it be? All my years, even those that were the most challenging, have been filled with blessings and wonder. It is true for as long as I can remember. And, with that thought, I head into 2011 on this day 1-1-11 expecting only the best. May your new year be filled with wonder and blessings in all things.
Actually, I think this affirmation needs tweaking and I welcome any feedback on it.
I went to a seminar at my church a few years ago. It was about aging with purpose. I was surrounded by many in their seventies and several octogenarians. When the lecture was over, one of the older women turned to me and asked me what I had taken from the speech. I appreciated the question and I returned it. I knew this lady. I knew she lived alone, her only child lives in Europe with her grandchildren. I knew she had experienced loss and health issues. She answered, head high, I learned, "The best is yet to come."
Oh yes, I want to affirm that. As the new year begins, I must confess, I can get caught up in the fear of the future, the fear of the unknown. How different I feel when I face the year expecting "the best."
But, what is that? Do I really want to live a live filled with no challenges? Maybe.
I think the life skill comes from being grateful for all of our experiences, the ones that we choose and the ones that choose us. My conversation with my chiropractor and her assistant yesterday revolved around how we create our own reality. I know this can be a dangerous thought, because we can blame ourselves for everything that happens to us and we might find ourselves blaming the victim which is not good. I haven't fully cleared this up in my thought process, so any insight would be welcomed but I do believe that to a large extent, we create our own reality, we manifest our destiny.
I remember a cartoon many years ago showing a young girl filling in her calendar for the coming year. Her mother was curious how she could do that and what she was putting in it. She said she was putting down all the wonderful things that would be taking place. That's what I want to be doing. I want to believe that this coming year will be filled with wonder and why wouldn't it be? All my years, even those that were the most challenging, have been filled with blessings and wonder. It is true for as long as I can remember. And, with that thought, I head into 2011 on this day 1-1-11 expecting only the best. May your new year be filled with wonder and blessings in all things.
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