New Year

I lovingly say good-bye to the year that is ending. I am grateful for the good it has brought into my life. I easily let go of any sadness and disappointments. I look forward to the year to come, knowing that God is the true creator of all joy. Happy surprises await me in the months to come.

Black Friday

The Blessings of Black Friday to you.

May your inner huntress celebrate this day
And the other shoppers stay out of your way.

May you find bargains galore
And arrive in time for the super special savings at each store.

May you quickly check off the presents on your list
And may there be no person you have missed.

May you look forward to the future squeals of delight
When your loved ones open presents on the holy night.

May at the end of the day you recline in your chair with a sigh
And give thanks to the one who lifts our hearts up high.

Grace

I am grateful for the good things that have come into my life through planning and hard work. I am also grateful for the unexpected blessings that come my way with little conscious effort on my part. I believe in grace and God’s wondrous love for me.

Digesting New Ideas

I easily digest new ideas.

When I read a book, listen to a speaker or watch a video, I intuitively pay attention to and remember those ideas that are important to my unique situation.

I then feel motivated to practice those ideas until they are assimilated into my life.

Day by day, I am growing in wisdom and character.

Why

God, I don’t know why I’m alive. Help me to understand.

Beginning

Dear God, today I am willing to begin again. Just you and me this time. Help me to know that you are by my side, guiding me and providing everything I need. A-men

Golden Blessings of Autumn

The golden blessings of autumn to you.

May your body warm to the rays of the sun.

May your eyes brighten at the sight of the yellow leaves.

May your taste buds feast on the experience of squash, pumpkin, and apple cider.

May your heart be gladdened by the golden orb of God’s love.

Giving Up

Dear God, too many days lately I have wanted to give up. I don’t know why I am here. I certainly don’t want to be. Help me to know that you are with me and that there will be better times ahead.

Death of a Dreadful Dad

A much beloved man in our community died this weekend after a long bout with dementia. We knew him as someone who was always willing to help us in his roles as handyman and spiritual teacher. Unfortunately, he also had been long estranged from his only surviving child, who lives in another community. From the little we can piece together, we can surmise that he was not a particularly good father. How do you memorialize such a man? This blessing is for his daughter.

May you know that it is okay to have mixed emotions.

May you feel God’s Love and Life healing those places in your heart and soul that feel so broken.

May you remember the good moments you had with your father.
May you know the good he did in the world.
May you, in time, find the strength to forgive him his faults.

May you know you are always a child of God.

Mentoring

I am a thoughtful mentor. I suspend my prejudice about how things should be and instead try to sense how my mentee’s talents want to unfold. I act as a guide, not as an authority figure. I am a good listener, using my head, heart, and gut. I hear not only the words, but also the feelings and implications beneath the words. I respect my mentee’s existing strengths and build on them. I readily give encouragement and complements. When I give corrections or criticism, I form the critique in a way in which my mentee clearly knows how to improve. I enjoy seeing my mentee grow and succeed. I gracefully let go when our mentor/mentee relationship has reached its conclusion.

Love

Dark Places

As I shine a Light on the dark places of my sub consciousness, I know that God is with me and I am safe.

Belief Blessing

May you believe in the power of the Light
To overcome the darkness in your world.

May you believe in the power of what is right
To transcend what is wrong in your life.

May you feel deep in your bones that there is someone,
all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present,
walking with you through all your moments.

Beliefs

Dear God, help me to continue to upgrade my beliefs, exchanging negative ones for more positive ones. Help me to have more faith in your love and in your power to help me to overcome challenges. Help me to have more faith in the power of my prayers and in my power to help change the world for the better. A-men

Power of Thought

Tomorrow’s talk is going to be on beliefs. Here is the affirmation I wrote for the service.

I believe in the power of my thoughts to help bring good into my experience. I think thoughts of perfect life, and my body becomes healthier. I imagine the universe as infinitely abundant, and my life becomes more prosperous. I think thoughts of success, and I am amazed by what I achieve.

Clear Message

Today’s horoscope really hit the nail on the head for me.

Thank you for being straight with me today, God, and telling me in no uncertain terms what I need to hear. I know that anything or anyone can be an instrument of your wisdom. Help me to take the guidance into my heart and act on it in a constructive way. Help me to be gentle with myself as I make changes in my life.

Dreary Day

I do not allow the weather to color my emotions for the day. In my heart are a gentle warmth and a sunny smile. I am glad to be alive. I radiate my happiness to others, like a ray of the sun peeking between the clouds.

Care without Feeling Consumed

A dear friend of mine is destroying her tummy because she is worrying so much about other people’s problems. Last service we offered her various affirmations and visualization exercises. I think many of us work hard to be concerned without being overly attached.

I can care without feeling consumed by other people’s problems. I offer up prayers or affirmations for those I am concerned about. But I also recognize that the outcome is between the individual and God. I release my attachment to the situation. Perhaps I imagine it being placed in the hands of God or an angel, sent on the wings of an eagle, or surrounded by a beautiful bubble floating up to the heavens. I feel my body relax and give thanks that the highest good is now being done.

Caring about the World

I can safely care about world events. When I hear of a tragedy, I focus on my connection with God. I imagine the people in the crisis as I would want them to be. I see them as healthy, well-fed, and living safely and comfortably in their homes. I imagine them happy and surrounded by loved ones. I then do what I feel led by Spirit to do. This may be to send love and light. It may be to send money or to make a long-term financial commitment to an organization. It may be to do something else. I know that Divine ideas never conflict and whatever I am led to do is for the highest good of all, including me.

Monday

May you look forward to the week ahead
And have no inclination to stay in bed.

May you have work that brings you joy
And no coworkers that annoy.

May your frustrations be few
And many rewards be given to you.

May you have a boss and clients that give you praise
And when the week is over may these be remembered as happy days.

Sunday Blessing

Today may you rest from your everyday thinking and doing.

May you enjoy the nurturing bonds of family and friends.

May you see the big picture of your life and reconnect with what is most important.

May you participate in the religion of your heart, knowing you are a piece of a greater whole.

Blessing for a Broken Heart

Last spring a celebrity had major heart surgery a year, almost to the day, after his wife had filed for divorce. For those of us who believe there is a connection between our minds and our bodies, this was hardly a coincidence.

May you have a strong and healthy heart.

May you find within yourself the eternal love of the Divine,
The love that can never be taken from you and can never end.

May you always have loving companions with whom to share your journey.

After you have lived a long and happy life, may you be greeted
on the other side by loved ones who have passed before you.

Staying Motivated

Today I experience a renewed freshness in my routine. I feel a surge of motivation, remembering why I originally started on this path. I see the bigger picture and understand the importance of my daily actions. I find tiny aspects of it that make me smile, give me joy, bring me satisfaction, or make me curious. I feel the energy of other people who are also on this path and know that in some way, that I may not understand, we support one another. Lastly, I know that God is also walking beside me.

Happy Surprises

I now open my arms wide and invite happy surprises. Today I experience joyful, unexpected events and answered prayers. My world is full of synchronicities, delightful coincidences. They are proof that the Divine winks at us. I am grateful for my life that is filled with wonder.

Awareness

May you take a few moments today to be fully present.

May you feel your body as it is supported on the earth,
Whether it sits in a chair or stands on the ground.

May you listen to the sounds around you,
Whether created by living beings, machines, or forces of nature.

May you smell the scents around you,
Curious as you move from place to place in your world.

May you be aware of the flavors you experience,
As you eat, brush your teeth, or drink a beverage.

May you see the sights around you,
The colors, the shapes, the textures, the movement.

May you be fully aware of God’s presence in the moment.

Social Fear

This affirmation is based on some of the work of Florence Shovel Shinn.

I cast my burden of feeling vulnerable around people on the Christ within. The Christ Light is always protecting me. It is safe for me to be healthy, happy, successful, and financially secure.

Tummy Affirmation

We have had a rash of tummy problems at church in recent weeks. Like any affirmation, this one should be tweaked for whoever is saying it. I rather prefer the word “tummy,” but I have given some options that are a bit more accurate.

I know like all the other parts of my body, my tummy (gastrointestinal system) is a divine manifestation of God. It is filled with perfect life and intelligence. It allows me to eat enjoyable foods and easily digests them so that I have all the nutrients I need to fuel my wonderful body. My tummy (lower GI system) also easily separates out the parts of the food that my body can’t use and gently sends them out of my body. My tummy feels contented and happy. For this I am grateful.

Life

I am filled with God’s radiant Life. My body is healthy. I am interested in the world around me and in my day to day activities. My moments are filled with joy.

God as Life

The topic for tomorrow’s church talk is “God is the life within us.” Here is the prayer I wrote for the service.

Dear God, help me to feel your life within me. When I feel discouraged, help me to feel your joy. When I feel disinterested or numb, help me to again feel passionate and connected. When I feel sick, help me to feel your life force healing me. Thank you for my life and the knowledge that you always walk with me. A-men

Wrong Side of the Bed

Just because I wake up on the wrong side of the bed
Doesn’t mean my chances of today’s happiness are dead.

I might remember the wonder of outer space
Or think about a loving, familiar face.

I might take a walk at a gentle pace
Or put some flowers in a vase.

I might envision a player reaching home base
Or take out my art supplies from their case.

I might find a picture of a child full of grace
Or put on a favorite blouse with lace.

Slowly or quickly I fix my head
In place of gloom, I find happiness instead.

Intercontinental Grandparents

My cousin’s tenth grandchild was born in Germany on Sunday. The baby’s mom and maternal grandparents are German citizens. My cousin is a third generation American and is firmly planted in the United States.

God smiled and brought you this grandchild.

May you release your preconceived notions
And let love guide you across oceans.

May you feel a deep connection
Created by Divine perfection.

Whether in body, video, phone, mail, or mind
May this child know his grandparents are kind.

May you feel the thrill of his wonder growing
Applaud the skill of his increased knowing.

May you experience his laughter and joy
Bring comfort when sadness touches this boy.

May you leave a beautiful legacy in his heart
That continents or time can never take apart.

Obnoxious Stranger

The woman in front of me in line at the grocery store yesterday appeared to express the epitome of poor cell phone etiquette. As she animatedly talked, she seemed totally oblivious to everyone around her, at one point even turning her back to the cashier who was trying to ring up her groceries. As I eavesdropped on the offensive cell phone user’s conversation, I learned that a friend of hers had passed away very suddenly, and she was struggling to cope with the situation. The affirmation below is a way of sorting through my thoughts.

I interact with the world from a calm, centered place within me. I do not always know the reasons for a stranger’s behavior. Rather than negatively label it, I can choose to be curious. I can send love to the stranger, and send love and patience to myself. I focus my attention on what is, rather than a preconceived notion of what I think should be. With that attitude, I know peace in the moment.

Autumnal Equinox

May you be blessed by the peace of rare moments of balance.
Yet cherish your journey of perpetual change.

As the days grow colder, may you lovingly tend the fire within your own heart.
As the nights grow longer, may you become more aware of the light of God within you.

May you find joy in the dance of the seasons on earth and of the seasons within your life.

New Television Season

The blessings of the new television season to you.

May your old favorites remain.
May new shows your interest gain.

May the weeks bring exciting plot turns and twists.
And resolutions until the last moments be kept in the mists.

May there be plenty of laughter and romance
And powerful messages conveyed with a mere glance.

May the new season bring you catharsis and relief from your cares
And plenty to talk about the next day at work walking up the stairs.

Hand Injury

MB is a well loved man in our community and received a major hand injury this summer. The people in our congregation and many others have been praying for him.

MB’s hand is filled with God’s perfect life. His hand flexes easily, closes completely, and has complete range of motion. MB’s grip is strong. He easily writes, uses tools, and enjoys sports. His hand allows him to congratulate and to comfort those for whom he is responsible. We give thanks for MB’s total healing.

New Hair Style

May your strands easily align
And your lovely locks gorgeously shine.

May your new style readily bring your best features to mind
And to your not so good features be kind .

May your morning routine be a snap
And your hair look good even after a nap.

May you feel at your best for weeks to come
To the notes of a new and better song may your life hum.

Not Hearing from Someone

Dear God, sometimes I don’t know why I don’t hear from someone with whom I used to feel closer. I don’t know whether we have had a misunderstanding or whether this silence is just a natural part of the music of our relationship. Help me to know when to pursue further contact and when to let go. Please bless this person I hold in my heart as I say this prayer. May they experience joy, love, and health. Please help my heart to release any sadness and pain, and again know your joy and love. As always, help me to know that I am part of something much larger than myself and that all is in Divine order. Amen.

Manifesting a Magical Moment

I had a wonderful experience yesterday. I was feeling really down on myself. I didn’t get out of the house until almost noon. I tried to tell myself that I was in the perfect place at the perfect time, not quite believing it. I dropped off books at the library and then walked a few blocks to pay a bill. Just as I was walking I heard the carillon from a nearby church start playing. The sun was shining and while the neighborhood is older, many of the yards have pretty, sort of artsy, gardens. I felt like I was transported into another world, like a quaint churchyard of long ago. One of the songs playing was “Count Your Blessings,” which was exactly the song I needed to hear that day.

Diet and Exercise

In January I felt like a pudge muffin. One week it was so bad that I actually refused to go to my martial arts class because I felt so fat. This week when I weighed myself I found out that I had overshot my goal and was still losing weight. Now I feel confused.

Dear God,
Growing up my religious teachers would sometimes tell me that my body was the temple of God, but I so seldom understood that. Help me to treat my body as lovingly as I would the walls of Your house. Teach me how to turn off the images from the media that play in my head and listen to your Divine guidance. Guide me in choosing the foods that are both enjoyable to my senses and provide life flourishing nourishment to my body. Guide me to an exercise routine that brings me joy and is just right for my unique body. Guide me to find the time and motivation to exercise regularly. Help me to be gentle and patient with myself. Thank you for my body temple. A-men.

Football Season

May you wear your team’s colors with pride.

May during each game you have good food, good drink, and good friends by your side.

May your quarterback do a skillful job the football from the opponent to hide.

May your defense do a good job the opponent’s offense to ride.

May your coaches have their strategy be expertly plied.

After each game may you have more memories of having laughed than having cried,
more memories of the refs telling the truth than having lied.

May into the playoffs your team glide.

Prayer for Pastor

After we said the prayer for out church, Lyn suggested that we have a prayer for our pastor. Both of them were in tears as Lyn read this yesterday.

Dear God, thank you for Pastor Donna and for her leadership, friendship, inspiration, guidance, and support. We ask that you continue to protect her as she travels, to fill her with radiant health, to inspire her with your wisdom and divine ideas, and to help her know that you are always there as her unseen partner in the ministry of our church.

Prayer for Our Church

Like many churches, ours is “aging out.” Older members are getting well into their eighties and nineties. Only a handful of us are middle aged, and we don’t have any members who are younger. On an average Sunday we have fewer than a dozen people at the service. Arlene asked me to write a prayer for our church to attract new, particularly younger, people. In response, I wrote this prayer.

Dear God, thank you for this church. We feel your Spirit flowing through each one of us, manifesting as healing, inspiration, and love. This church is a living, growing, breathing community. We bless those who have come before us and are grateful for the foundation they have laid. We know their love and wisdom will always be with us. We bless those who are currently a part of our church family. Today we voice our gratitude for the contributions of each one of us, no matter how large or small. We know that each week’s gathering is whole, complete, and perfect. The notes of each person’s heart, whether physically present or away, contributes to the music our church sends out into the world. Finally, we open our arms and bless those who will become a part of this church in the future and will continue its legacy. May they too find a home where their Spiritual Light can shine. As always, we acknowledge that your highest good is now being manifest. And so it is.

Public Embarrassment

This blessing was inspired by reading a news story about Caster Semenya on Friday, but I think the sentiment applies to so many people in the news.

May you know that you are a beautiful creation of God.

May you hear in your heart the loving prayers and blessings of all those that wish you well. May that sound become for you an all embracing song of life and of hope. In your darkest moments may that song guide your steps.

May your current situation be transformed into an instrument that brings good to the world and rich fulfillment to you.

May you always know the joy of expressing your unique talents in the world.

9/11 Anniversary

Some events seem to turn our lives upside down and we are never quite the same.

May you be gentle with yourself as memories float to the surface of your consciousness.

May you honor the heroes and the victims in your own special way.

May you experience yourself as both a citizen of your country and as a citizen of the world.

May your daily thoughts and actions support peace.

Lastly, may you find a deeper sense of security, one that goes beyond outside events, one that is connected with your relationship with the Divine.

Unity World Day of Prayer

Today I take a moment to quiet myself and to feel the peace that passes all understanding. I experience it as a flame giving off light. As more and more people find that peace within themselves, our world is illuminated and positive changes become more and more prevalent. Today I pray as part of a movement greater than myself.

09/09/09

Whether I believe in numerology or not, I can still benefit from the vibration of the day by stating my own affirmation.
I take a few moments to focus on my heart and send forgiveness to myself and anyone else who comes to mind. Throughout the day, I remember to be compassionate to myself and all those with whom I interact. I recognize that we all have strengths and weaknesses. This thought both humbles me and helps me feel good about myself as a multifaceted human being. Every day is magical, including this one.

Plans Gone Awry

During those times when everywhere you turn your path appears to be blocked:

May you feel the warmth of the Divine’s Love in your heart, knowing that you are not alone.

May you hear the gentle whisper of Yes.

May you see the soft glow of the light directing your steps.

May you find yourself on a wondrous new path that you never suspected existed, leading you to new joy, greater abundance, and a deeper peace.

Labor Day Blessing

I wish for you a Labor Day of outer celebration and inner reflection.

May you feel the joy of being with family and friends
Smelling the aroma of a barbeque
Sharing favorite foods
Hearing the laughter of children enjoying the late summer sun
Embracing those who you wish you could see more often

May you feel the gratitude of the day
Blessing the farmers, truck drivers, factory workers, and store employees who helped bring the food to your picnic table
Realizing the contribution of the individuals whose labor helps you live days like today
Offering a short prayer that the near future will bring more opportunities for people to work

May today you feel close to your fellow man and woman as well as the Divine.

Kata’s Cadence

Dear God,

Sometimes—well let’s be honest—most of the time, I feel like I dance to a different drummer. You are all powerful and all knowing, and you created me. What were you thinking?!!!!! Proof that you have a sense of humor, I suppose. Still, today I offer myself as an instrument of your love, your healing, your joy and laughter, and, I hope, inspiration. May all those who can be blessed through my words find me. May your Spiritual Light shine through these cyber pages. May people click away from these pages feeling brighter and closer to You.

Kata