This is definitely not a traditional Chinese New Year’s Poem. I wish health and wealth to all of you in the coming Year of the Rabbit.--Kata--
Grab your friends for the bunny hop
Chinese New Year is about to drop.
Love of family is one of next year’s themes
Also hard work to reach financial dreams.
Kindness and elegance are back in style
Also peace and contentment for awhile.
Now, prepare to inhabit
The Year of the Rabbit.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Blessing of Certainty
Today you reach into the blessing bowl and pull out a small metal token embossed with the word CERTAINTY. Why have you chosen it today? I have had a strong reaction to the word this week. I feel like the most uncertain person on the planet. Then the thoughts started in my head: “There is no certainty!” “We live in uncertain times.” “Is certainty even a blessing? Haven’t people been certain about things that were later proved wrong? Isn’t certainty to blame for a lot of the misuse of power over the centuries?” Slowly I began to remember that there have been times when I was certain. I am now certain that we all could use at least a little certainty in our lives.
May you be blessed with moments of certainty
When you truly know and know that you know.
May you know in your heart that the world is full of possibilities
and is must bigger than the limitations you see around you.
May you release any uncertainty that has caused you to become stuck
That may have caused you to doubt yourself
And may you be certain of the next small step that you can take.
May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you
and is always with you.
May you be blessed with moments of certainty
When you truly know and know that you know.
May you know in your heart that the world is full of possibilities
and is must bigger than the limitations you see around you.
May you release any uncertainty that has caused you to become stuck
That may have caused you to doubt yourself
And may you be certain of the next small step that you can take.
May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you
and is always with you.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
On Being a Poet (quote)
I'm a poet and poets are wiser than anyone because they’re the only people who have the guts to think and feel at the same time.Fritz Leiber—The Big Time, 1958 Hugo Award winning novel
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Blessing of Vision
Today you reach into the blessing bowl and pull out a small metal token with the word VISION printed on it. Why have you chosen it today? As I mulled this over the past few days, I was surprised by how many references to vision I came across.
May you be blessed with the Spirit of Vision.
May you clearly see the good around you and within yourself.
May you see how the world around you is evolving and clearly envision how you, your business, or your organization fit into this new world.
May you see the seed of potential curled up within each individual you meet and know what your part is in helping it to grow.
May you clearly see the seed of potential curled up within yourself and be Divinely guided in how to cultivate it today and in the days to come.
May you be blessed with the Spirit of Vision.
May you clearly see the good around you and within yourself.
May you see how the world around you is evolving and clearly envision how you, your business, or your organization fit into this new world.
May you see the seed of potential curled up within each individual you meet and know what your part is in helping it to grow.
May you clearly see the seed of potential curled up within yourself and be Divinely guided in how to cultivate it today and in the days to come.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Blessing of Fertility--Mind
Today you reach into the blessing bowl and pull out a small metal token with the word FERITLITY on it. Why have you selected it today? I know that some of you might have different reactions to it. Fertility might apply to having a child, my last blog entry, but it also might apply to having a creative mind, today’s blessing.
May you be blessed with a fertile imagination.
May fresh and innovative ideas easily come to you.
May you be Divinely guided and motivated to cultivate those ideas, helping them to take root, grow, and blossom.
May your ideas finally bear fruit so that they are a blessing to you and to the world.
May you be blessed with a fertile imagination.
May fresh and innovative ideas easily come to you.
May you be Divinely guided and motivated to cultivate those ideas, helping them to take root, grow, and blossom.
May your ideas finally bear fruit so that they are a blessing to you and to the world.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Blessing of Fertility--Baby
The next blessing is FERTILITY, which I have decided to separate into two blessings. (I’ll post a blessing for mental fertility in an upcoming blog.) I was born after my parents had been married fourteen years. My mom had a number of miscarriages before my birth and a still-birth a few years later; I am an only child. I know how desperately she wanted a child. In retrospect, I see how that experience shaded her whole life.
May you soon hold in your arms the child you have for so long held in your heart.
May you be helped by health professionals who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and adept.
May your body be your friend and may you send it loving and peaceful thoughts.
May you easily conceive and easily nurture a developing life within you.
May you know the joy of giving birth to a healthy baby.
May you soon hold in your arms the child you have for so long held in your heart.
May you be helped by health professionals who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and adept.
May your body be your friend and may you send it loving and peaceful thoughts.
May you easily conceive and easily nurture a developing life within you.
May you know the joy of giving birth to a healthy baby.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Blessing of Swiftness
Today you reach into the blessing bowl* and pull out a small metal token embossed with the word SWIFTNESS . Why have you selected it today? The following is my impression of the word and my blessing for you.
May the Spirit of Swiftness bless you today
Help good things to come your way
And in your life continue to stay.
May you be quick to seize an opportunity
Or to recognize a new trend.
May you be quick to spot danger
So any negative effect you can upend.
May you be quick to recognize a kindred spirit
So you can enjoy the company of a new friend.
*The inspiration for the blessing bowl comes from the novel Troubles Waters by Sharron Shinn. I have also been to bookstores, churches, and workshops that had baskets or bowls from which people could draw small cards to be used as inspiration or as a focus for contemplation.
May the Spirit of Swiftness bless you today
Help good things to come your way
And in your life continue to stay.
May you be quick to seize an opportunity
Or to recognize a new trend.
May you be quick to spot danger
So any negative effect you can upend.
May you be quick to recognize a kindred spirit
So you can enjoy the company of a new friend.
*The inspiration for the blessing bowl comes from the novel Troubles Waters by Sharron Shinn. I have also been to bookstores, churches, and workshops that had baskets or bowls from which people could draw small cards to be used as inspiration or as a focus for contemplation.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Blessing of Clarity
Today, when you reach into the blessing bowl*, you pull out a small metal token embossed with the word CLARITY. What does it mean to you? My reaction was “yes, this is what I need today.” New Thought philosophy believes that we benefit from thinking about what our lives would be like if we had what we now want. For the last few days I have been asking myself: “What would this situation be like if it was blessed with clarity?” In response, I found myself writing a series of mini-blessings, rather than a longer blessing like I normally do.
May the Spirit of Clarity bless you today.
May any confusion quickly disappear
And the truth of the situation become perfectly clear.
May any scattered thoughts quickly melt away
And focused thinking rule the day.
If too many details threaten to overwhelm
May the big picture take the helm.
May any hidden influences no longer be concealed
And the answer you need now be revealed.
*The idea of the blessing bowl was inspired by the novel Troubles Waters by Sharron Shinn. I have also been to bookstores, churches, and workshops that have had baskets or bowls from which people could draw small cards to be used as inspiration or as a focus for contemplation.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Blessing of Loyalty
Imagine that today, while looking for a blessing, you receive a small metal token that says LOYALTY . Why have you chosen it? Ever since I began to write the Blessing of Steadfastness, I have thought about Loyalty. What was Sharon Shinn thinking when she created Loyalty and Steadfastness as two separate blessings? What does Loyalty mean? —About this time I read about the death of Elizabeth Edwards—How does Loyalty play out in my own life?—My neighbor-sister kept her commitment to spend New Year's Eve with me when she could have changed her plans for a better gathering, a gesture which made a big impression on me. — When is it ethically appropriate to withdraw loyalty? — Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series explores that idea — But, in my heart, I knew that for today’s blessing I needed to speak of loyalty in the simplest sense.
May the Spirit of Loyalty bless you today.
Whether country, cause or friend
May you find that to which you can be faithful to the end.
When the going gets rough
May you find the strength to stay tough.
When others try to tempt you
May you find the will to stay true.
May you be Divinely guided to do what’s right
And keep fidelity’s candle burning bright.
May the Spirit of Loyalty bless you today.
Whether country, cause or friend
May you find that to which you can be faithful to the end.
When the going gets rough
May you find the strength to stay tough.
When others try to tempt you
May you find the will to stay true.
May you be Divinely guided to do what’s right
And keep fidelity’s candle burning bright.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Prayer for Tucson Shooting
I believe in the power of affirmative prayers, but I am not always sure how to write them in response to a tragedy. I usually just like to imagine white light surrounding everyone: quick and to the point. I am sending lots of healing energy to Tucson.
Dear God,
I know that you are with all those who have lost loved ones in the tragedy in Tucson, comforting them, healing their hearts. I know that you are also with those who were injured in the shooting, healing their physical and emotional wounds. Your wisdom flows through the doctors who are treating them. Your soothing presence and strength enfolds their families, friends, and those who care about them. I also know that your wisdom and love flows through us as a nation, helping us to make sense of this tragedy. A-men.
Dear God,
I know that you are with all those who have lost loved ones in the tragedy in Tucson, comforting them, healing their hearts. I know that you are also with those who were injured in the shooting, healing their physical and emotional wounds. Your wisdom flows through the doctors who are treating them. Your soothing presence and strength enfolds their families, friends, and those who care about them. I also know that your wisdom and love flows through us as a nation, helping us to make sense of this tragedy. A-men.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Blessing of Beauty
Imagine that you are at a class or a workshop and the leader passes around a basket filled with slips of paper. You pull one out and unfold it: BEAUTY. What does it mean to you? For some reason, I have been a bit stumped with this one the last few days.
May the Spirit of Beauty bless you today.
May you feel the power of beauty to heal your heart, renew your spirit, and strengthen your connection with the Divine.
May you surround yourself with beautiful objects: perhaps things as simple as an autumn leaf, a pretty stone, a single flower or a greeting card; perhaps an antique handed down in your family or a piece of art created by a favorite artist; perhaps something made with your own hands or by someone you love.
May you invest the time to nurture yourself with beauty, to look for the beautiful things in your everyday world, listen for the beautiful sounds, and perceive the beautiful gestures and kindnesses extended by people.
May you realize that you are beautiful, whether you are physically attractive in the traditional sense or not, appreciating that how you act towards people, your attention, compassion, and words of encouragement create beauty in the world.
May the Spirit of Beauty bless you today.
May you feel the power of beauty to heal your heart, renew your spirit, and strengthen your connection with the Divine.
May you surround yourself with beautiful objects: perhaps things as simple as an autumn leaf, a pretty stone, a single flower or a greeting card; perhaps an antique handed down in your family or a piece of art created by a favorite artist; perhaps something made with your own hands or by someone you love.
May you invest the time to nurture yourself with beauty, to look for the beautiful things in your everyday world, listen for the beautiful sounds, and perceive the beautiful gestures and kindnesses extended by people.
May you realize that you are beautiful, whether you are physically attractive in the traditional sense or not, appreciating that how you act towards people, your attention, compassion, and words of encouragement create beauty in the world.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Blessing for Losing Weight
This blessing goes out to the many people who have made losing weight one of their New Year’s resolutions, myself included.
May to your health and self-esteem you be kind
And hold your ideal weight in mind.
May in the mirror you see a beautiful person
Speak supportive words to yourself, not a harsh sermon.
May you find others who support your goal
Who in your motivation play a role.
May high calorie foods lose appeal
And temptation your eyes now conceal.
May your emotions no longer lure you to overeat.
Instead to positive activities may you retreat.
May exercise now give you much pleasure
And you do it often in good measure.
May you easily lose inches and pounds
Fit into slim jeans and beautiful gowns.
As you go through the coming year
May “you look great” you often hear.
May to your health and self-esteem you be kind
And hold your ideal weight in mind.
May in the mirror you see a beautiful person
Speak supportive words to yourself, not a harsh sermon.
May you find others who support your goal
Who in your motivation play a role.
May high calorie foods lose appeal
And temptation your eyes now conceal.
May your emotions no longer lure you to overeat.
Instead to positive activities may you retreat.
May exercise now give you much pleasure
And you do it often in good measure.
May you easily lose inches and pounds
Fit into slim jeans and beautiful gowns.
As you go through the coming year
May “you look great” you often hear.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Blessing for Those Who Mourn
Ellen, a friend I had lost track of when I moved to another state, died this past week. She was one of the “Lasagna Ladies” of this world, women who know how to gather people around food and create camaraderie. She made friends wherever she went. This blessing goes out to all those who mourn Ellen this week, as well as others who have lost such individuals in their lives.
May you gather together with others who mourn, crying, laughing, telling stories, whispering “It’s not fair.”
May you let your tears flow and feel all your sadness, being tender with the void that has opened up in your heart.
May you also feel gratitude for the fullness she has given you, the friendships, your world expanded, brighter, wilder.
Just as a passionate gardener divides her prized perennial and distributes a division to those she trusts, so She has entrusted a small part of herself with you. May you nurture it, tend it, and help it to grow so that you can share it with other people as a way to honor her and to honor yourself.
May you gather together with others who mourn, crying, laughing, telling stories, whispering “It’s not fair.”
May you let your tears flow and feel all your sadness, being tender with the void that has opened up in your heart.
May you also feel gratitude for the fullness she has given you, the friendships, your world expanded, brighter, wilder.
Just as a passionate gardener divides her prized perennial and distributes a division to those she trusts, so She has entrusted a small part of herself with you. May you nurture it, tend it, and help it to grow so that you can share it with other people as a way to honor her and to honor yourself.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Blessing for Quitting Smoking
This blessing goes out to the many people who have made the New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.
May cigarettes no longer have appeal
And your smoke-free life now become real.
May a new, healthy habit now help you feel calm
And you automatically reach for this new balm.
May health fill your body, especially lungs and heart
May of the class of non-smokers you now be a part.
As you go through the coming year
May “congratulations” you often hear.
May cigarettes no longer have appeal
And your smoke-free life now become real.
May a new, healthy habit now help you feel calm
And you automatically reach for this new balm.
May health fill your body, especially lungs and heart
May of the class of non-smokers you now be a part.
As you go through the coming year
May “congratulations” you often hear.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Blessing of Time
Imagine that near your computer you find a small, wrapped box with your name on it. You unwrap it up and find a small stone with the word TIME on it. You might sigh and say “This is exactly what I need today.”May you be blessed by the Spirit of Time.
May you always have enough time in the day for those activities that are most important to you: spending time with loved ones, working towards your dreams, spreading a little kindness in the world.
May you be on time for those events that go strictly by the clock
As well as those we call happy coincidences.
May Now always be the best time of your life.
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