Life's Loving Memories

 THE CALM BEFORE JANUARY "Change your thinking, change your life"   - -Ernest Holmes It is coming to the end of an old year. This may seem disappointing for a few, and for others a chance for a fresh breath of new air. If the year brought many challenges, you may feel like you could use a few new stepping stones to lift you into more promising circumstances. The past is past, and you can decide to rehash some of the decisions you made, or you can decide that you can start with a clean new slate. At our Las Vegas Center for Spiritual living, some classes are coming up. Rev Staci is presenting two " Conscious Creation Workshops ", one in person and one one line, and Rev Cheryl is presenting one of my personal favorites, " The Essential Ernest Holmes ". For more information about these offerings, check out our website, Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living : lasvegascsl.com, they can be found under "classes" at the top of the page. Both provide some...

 RELEASE THE LONELY     "To have a good friend you must be one."                                         --  Ralph Waldo Emerson This time of year can magnify loneliness, especially if you have made a recent move. It's the time of year to let the people you love know that you care. If you are thinking about asking someone out to coffee, follow through on the idea. Life is too short to let the gift of your life go by, keeping yourself to yourself. Spread the kindness. If you notice that someone in your neighborhood has just moved in, try bringing some cookies by. Think of all the possibilities you have to make new friends and to make new memories. Life is a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Life is a gift, that's why we call it the present. "The message of the Christ is unconditional love, non-judgement, forgiveness, brotherhood, peace an...

 GOD IS GOOD, AND GOOD IS GOD " Love leads the way. That saying is a reminder to keep in contact with our higher power and share the the load when we need to. When I find myself wondering what to do next, or I have a challenge that elbows its way into my life, those are the very times when connecting with The Creative Intelligence of  God giudes me  to the solution." Life's Garden Grows,      --Sandra Lindsey Smith Ralph Waldo Emerson says that, " Love is a synonym for God ." Other synonyms are Peace, Truth, Kindness, and many more. The Dahli Lama says that, " Kindness and Compassion are my religion."   It doesn't really matter who says it, the meaning is still the same; treat others the way you would like to be treated.  It is said that plants and animals thrive when they are spoken to kindly (A little food and water are also nice). I always speak to my African Violets and tell them how lovely they are, and how shiny their leaves are. All th...

CELEBRATE YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE " Relax into the knowing that inspiration brings ideas that allow us to be on purpose, to live. to help to serve." The Power of Decision ,                                            --Raymond Charles Barker The holidays are upon us and very often you hear "Happy Holidays" being gifted to you. Say "Happy Holidays" right back. Too often we take it for granted that everyone has the same Spiritual belief as we do.  The Truth is, that there are many different Spiritual Teachings practiced in current times, and being mindful of that is a wonderful thing. If someone says, "Merry Christmas", say, "Happy Holidays", or "The very same to you". Don't worry about the semantics, we are all wishing the best for each other. When you think back to the best Holiday you ever had, do you think about a particular present you received, or is it more the people and e...

 WINTER CHILL "The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful..." It's colder now than it was in June. In Las vegas it is down into the 50'5 and 60's. In Washington State, it is producing some fairly hefty snow drifts. Wherever you may be, "chill", and treasure the weather, because remember, it always gives you something new to talk about. This season always reminds me of holidays past, and the fun we had picking the tree. We always bought ours on Christmas Eve. We may have had a few "Charlie Brown" trees but it was always great to see what bargains we brought home. Treasure the season, and see if you can bring a little cheer into someone's life. Spread some seeds and crumbs for the birds, invite a neighbor or two over for Sunday dinner, or call that relative that you haven't spoken to in quite some time. The kindess we share makes those smiles appear, and it warms the heart to give as well as receive. "A friendshi...

I AM SO GRATEFUL "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough."                Meister Eckhart   Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it is a wonderful time to be mindful of the blessings we encounter every day--clean water, a roof over our heads, friends and family, a smile from a stranger we encounter--all are little things that make a big difference. Are there individuals that don't have food or shelter? Give generously to organizations who provide meals for people who need to be fed. Volunteer your time at a shelter that prepares food to serve to those who are in need of it.  Here's a question. Is it easier for you to give a gift than receive one? For me, I have great joy in giving a thoughful gift to someone. If I deny receiving a gift from someone else, am I robbing her/him the joy of giving? Give and receive with a smile on your face, and increase the joy of giving and receivin...

 LIFE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” -  Carl Bard No matter what happens in the world around us, Life finds a way to move through it. A devastating fire may burn thousands of acres. The aftermath may leave a black scar on the land where trees and homes once were. Time goes by, and months later new growth comes peeking through the soil, small flowering plants begin the process of new growth. In the forest new seedlings begin to grow from the seeds that were released by pine trees that required intense heat for their cones to open. Life finds a way to move forward. The same thing applies to human beings. Challenges may seem like insurmountable obstacles until that first idea, that first stepping stone comes along. It might be a friend who shares an idea with you,  a book that beckons you to pick it up and read, or something you see in an advertisement that draws you to a group...

 AND NOW WHAT? "To believe in the good alone, may seem fallacious to many, but he who thus believes willl find his path lighted by a torch which flickers, not fails."   Ernest Holmes,   -- The Science of Mind Textbook Things happen in life that my not be to our liking. We may loose faith in ourselves or the world around us; we may get angry or depressed; but we also must realize that the thing has happened, and be certain not to be dampened by circumstances. It is the time to dedicate ourselves to being the world we want to see. Now more than ever is the time to recognize and love oneanother, to see what issues and people we need to support. We can be thankful for our faith-center families and help to support ourselves and the commnity that surrounds us. Now, more than ever we need to spread kindness, compassion and love; let yourself shine brighlty. "Everything in our personal experience depends upon our mental reactions to life, and our deepest realization of the i...

  VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! "To demonstrate means to prove,to exemplify, to manufest, to bring forth, to projet into our experience somethnig betteer than we had Yesterday..." Erneset Holmes,              -- The Science of Mind Textbook It's that time of four years again, that we get out and cast our balance in the name of Democracy. Opinions of both Presidential Nominees bombard us with information. The trick is, to wade through that information and see what resontes with us, and make a thoughful decision. The more people who make that decision to vote, the better the results will speak. If you have voted already, GREAT! If you haven't, then go to the polls and cast your ballot. Ask some of you neighbors if they have had a chance to vote. If they have, GREAT! If not encourage them to get out and vote! It's only once every four years that the opportunity to vote for President comes around. Take advantage of it and VOTE! "The time is now, and the only tim...

 HAPPY HAUNTING  “Careful the spell you cast, not just on children / Sometimes the spell may last past what you can see, and turn against you.” — Witch, “Into the Woods” Interesting quote, isn't it? "Careful the spell you cast...Sometimes the spell may last past what you can see, and turn against you." Metaphorically, it also applies to our own selves as well, being honest with what we say, becasue it keeps you from having to remember the lie that was told about it. Also, it is a reminder to think before you speak, because words have a habit of lingering on once spoken. For me I want to leave positive footprints on the hearts and minds of the people I meet, rather than to stomp on them with both army boots. Life is too short to be unkind to others. I was a teacher for over twety-seven years, and I have realized that when some young people are angry, they sometimes don't say what they mean. A person never knows what someone else my be going through. There may have be...

 THANKS FOR THE CONNECTION "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."                                                            -- Chief Seattle This past weekend Las Vegas Center for Spiritual living held its first New Thought in the Deser t weekend. What an amazing event it was. Installing three new assistant ministers, workshops and speakers sharing their thoughts and talents, and marvelous music inspiring us all. All of this did not happen by chance. There was a deep connection of hearts, minds and spirit creating the real life magic of the unfoldment. I thought of this connection of people working together for a meaningful experience, and I was reminded of the One Mind behind all of Creation. This e...

 ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE "Together, we may be able to plan a less painful future. Separate, we can only anticipate further ruptures and deeper loneliness."                                                                                                                                     --May Angelou,           Rainbow in the Cloud   We are all in this life together. Sometimes this may not seem to be the case. All around us we see weather challenges; people with little or no water, food or shelter; rampant lack of humanity towards people, animals; and lack of respect for our planet as a whole. We can focus on all the ...

  OCTOBER, HALLOWED DAYS AHEAD “Magic is really very simple, all you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it.” —   Aggie Cromwell , Halloweentown As October begins its pathway into fall, the leaves are turning, squirrels are making their presence known in a more obvious manner, and we are leaving some warmer weather behind. It is a time to connect with all the glorious gifts that nature has to offer. It is also a time to embrace all changes that come about with the birth of a new season and to remember: challenging, scary, or wonderfully vibrant, they are all a part of life that we journey through. Everything we have experienced in our lifetime has brought us to the right and perfect place we were meant to be. "By merely waking up and working through our day, we are creating our life experience. The trick is to really know that, and to create what we really want to happen, on purpose. In this way we create the real-life magical process of transmuting our ...

 SUGGESTION OR CRITICISM "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you" - Princess Diana. Ever since I was a child I have cringed at criticism directed towards me. From my Mom, to my teachers, to director's of the many plays I have been in, I was always in the mode of needing to fight back. I think I was needing to fight back. Today I realize that I can look at that criticism as helpful suggestions, and that I can agree with some of them or respond by saying, "Thank you for sharing your thoughts." Then I may consider whether the suggestion is helpful to me or not. I must say that I set a deadline to have something done by, but I have realized that I can make time to assure that what I am working on is polished enough to say it is complete. It is okay to ask for advice and share the the project with others, and ask for input. Many hands, quite often, make the job advance...