“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,  while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
– Lao Tzu

I love to walk the labyrinth in the mornings. It is a beautiful time for peaceful contemplation and meditation.
One morning I walked it and noticed a new rock in the center I had never seen  there before.  I picked it up and saw  the word “LOVE” on it. I was so touched, and realized someone placed it there at the Renewal of Vows ceremony on Valentine’s Day.  I do not know who this person is, and I am grateful for the love within them that made the choice to place it there.
What a beautiful reminder that LOVE is the center of ALL people, places, things, nature, animals, sentient and non sentient beings.  We know GOD is the center of All and God is Love so it reasons that LOVE is at the center and there is no circumference.
• Love/God is the center of your neighbor who hasn’t spoken to you in years.
• Love/God is the center of the person in the car who cuts you off on the freeway.
• Love/God is the center of the family member who tries your patience at family reunions.
• Love/God is the center of the co-worker who takes your creative idea and uses it for his or her own.
• Love/God is the center of the person you love who has hurt you.
Love/God is ALWAYS the center, just like the heart of the artichoke.  In order to get to the heart, you have to peel away the spiky ends. It may take awhile, but the more you peel, the softer the artichoke gets and finally you will arrive at the center where the taste is supreme.
How do we get to the LOVE center of people.  By treating each one with kindness, respect,  understanding, patience, encouragement, and acceptance for who they are right now and  KNOWING the good is always within.  When we can see the good, we draw it out.  The heart is exposed and love appears.
Thank you to the person who walked the labyrinth and reminded me, LOVE is the center of All there is.
***

Saturday, February 14th  is the Day
of Love, Joy and Delight.
It is Valentines Day.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13   

It’s More Than Saying I Love You
We give on this day candy and flowers,
But we never stop to say thank you for the many hours.
You have stood by my side and gave a smile,
As if to tell our hearts it has been worth every mile.
No need to buy a teddy bear or even a card.
It’s pretty simple and not at all hard.
Just put your arms around me and hold me tight,
And say without words that in your heart all is right.
You may say I Love You throughout the year,
But on this day you need to make sure.
The words so sweet and straight from your heart,
That your life would be lonely without my part.
So put forth the effort and take the time,
Look me in the eye and say I’m glad you’re mine.
– by Angel Watchin

Last week I was on a lovely personal retreat.  It had been raining and the mist felt like God kisses.  I was comfy, warm and loving the little house I rented for a few days on the Questhaven Ministries campus in Escondido.  I give myself this time once a year for self reflection, contemplation, meditation and prayer.  The next morning I was taking my walk on a lovely path in nature, when somehow  my mind seemed to keep returning to situations from the past.  At the same time, I kept hearing hammering up ahead and wondered where that was coming from   Sound in nature carries and it could be from any direction.  Thinking about the past, and looking ahead to discover the noise, made me totally unaware of the PRESENT.   I did not see the deep ruts in the road from all the rain we have had and OOPS I fell down hard on my right side and sprained my left ankle.  Pain and light-headedness almost engulfed me, but I put my hands around my ankle and started to pray.  Soon I was able to stand up and walk back uphill (took 35 minutes) to my little retreat house.  I did what was necessary to bring the swelling down, then stayed quiet the rest of the day and reflected on what just happened.
How many times have we heard, be here now, stay in the present, etc. I was not in the present when I needed to be, so I took a slip of consciousness which resulted in a fall to my body.  It made me “remember” how important it is to keep our minds on God, on good, on love, on peace, on harmony, on blessings right here and now!
Love and forgive your past, but don’t “tary” on it.
Love and prepare for the future,  but don’t dwell on it.
Love and be Present in the NOW always. Be aware, be alert, be AWAKE and be grateful to all the good that is yours in this moment of time.

 The Present Moment is the only moment available to us,
and it is the door to all moments.
-Thich Nhat Hanh