Dear Friends,

I just finished a wonderful book, Becoming, by Michelle Obama. It is her life story from birth to present day, and the years during Barack Obama’s Presidency. There were times it brought me to tears thinking, we had such a dedicated, ethical, compassionate, devoted man in the White House. He loved his country and he loved his family. Both Barack and Michelle worked together to bring our country to its highest consciousness and best for ALL the people, and the world. I cry because we do not have that today. It saddens me to see the divisiveness, prejudice rearing its ugly head in so many ways. Each day, as I watch the sun rise, I know it is a new day, with a new light permeating the globe. I pray the Spiritual LIGHT begins to shine and change those who would rather hurt someone else, than begin to understand them. I pray the LIGHT erases the darkness of bias towards people of color, country, ethnicity and gender. We just had the Women’s March and the March honoring what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for. I am happy so many people participated. On another note, it is sad we still have to make our voices heard in this way, because the wheel of change is moving so slowly.
At this time in our earth development I believe we should be feeling like brothers and sisters of the earth, not of a particular country, origin, gender, or race, but because we are here and are meant to work, play, share and eat together.

When I attended the Parliament of World Religions I felt we came close to the way God has intended us to be. People from all over the world, all colors, races, genders, wearing beautiful faith and ethnicity attire, were talking, laughing, listening, and eating together. For a few days, it felt like all was right with the world. Unfortunately when we came home, we had to come back to reality.
In the book, Becoming, Michelle quoted Barack,
” You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world                 as it should be.”
Barack Obama was an incredibly positive person even after all the unjust words berating him by our leaders and others.

Right before the 2016 elections, we had a labyrinth walk, and those attending wrote down their vision for the United States. I want to share two with
you again.

“I see America as a more unified, peaceful and prosperous country with a new awareness of caring for all. I see our new president as a person who is sensitive and aware of the needs of our country, and who can do what needs to be done to make the government work and to operate with the highest good in mind. I ask that our leaders be lifted to a higher, finer vibration of powerful insight, compassion, intelligence and love in order to take our country in a direction that will benefit not only the U.S., but the world. I pray that our new president, and our government, will work together peacefully and successfully for the good of all. I pray that whatever happens, all Americans will unite in peace, brotherhood, and that the children of America will inherit a highly functional, renewed government.”

“I see all people being taken care of – food, shelter, medical needs. People who have experienced earthquakes, floods, hurricanes etc. will be helped by our government. All children will have access to medical attention, schools and food. America will consider all of its citizens to be equal. Americans will show compassion to each other without regard to race or economic status. Americas will respect each other’s religions. Americans will help and honor each other and treat each other with dignity and respect.
Americans will look for the good in each other. Americans will look each other in the eye and honor our differences and what we have in common. We are all connected.”

Let us keep our hearts and minds FOCUSED on what we TRULY WANT.
Be the LIGHT in the darkness. Let’s create the world we know it can be.

Staying Positive,
Abigail

Dear Friends,
HAPPY January 15th  BIRTHDAY       Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
We admire what you stood for, peace; justice, equality,
and non-violence. Martin Luther King Day is January 21st. There will be marches and celebrations  all over the United States.

This also begins the AGNT
Season of Peace and Non-Violence

January to April.
Here are three great men whose shoulders we stand on. Let us reflect on what made them great. Was it success, money, many cars, big houses, property developments???? NO, it was their High Consciousness, Character, and Purposeful Ideals. Let us continue to hold these values and ideals in our hearts and minds for ourselves, all humanity and for all governments around the world. As the story goes, one little boy put his finger in the hole of the dam, to keep it from breaking. Each one of us is that little boy today. Each good thought, kind word, sense of moral integrity, purposeful action is the finger that is keeping this world together. The more people who keep their consciousness high, with actions of integrity, the stronger and more just the world will be.

“Martin Luther King often spoke of the need for unconditional love. In 1955 he told Black America, “We want to love our enemies – be good to them. This is what we must live by; we must meet hate with love. We must love our white brothers no matter what they do to us.” https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/369005-martin-luther-king-stood-up-for-more-than-love
“Gandhi used religious symbols to unite India’s diverse communities, reading from the Bible, the Koran and the Gita in his prayer meetings.
Above all, the Mahatma believed in the power of dialogue.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/neeti-nair/what-did-gandhi-stand-for-and-how-is-his-legacy-faring-in-today-s-india_a_23235130/
“The Dalai Lama continues to reject violence as unethical and counterproductive…”

Holy Man: What Does the Dalai Lama Actually Stand For?

The core of every religion teaches, Peace, Love, Justice, Integrity, Forgiveness and Charity. Let us hold these values high and remain true to them. We have great leaders who have shown us the way.
It is up to us to plug that hole with the content of high character, consciousness and speaking up for what is right. As Ernest Holmes said, “Treat and move your feet.” Prayer is the first step. Speaking out and being an active participant in social and moral justice is our second responsibility and call to action.
Acting Consciously,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,
We are into our second week of the New Year. Many of us have attended Burning Bowl Ceremonies (letting go of what no longer serves us) and White Stone Ceremonies (choosing a purposeful word for this year.)
What I also like to do is create a new VISION Board. 2019 is a clean slate. As we start over in the new year, we can write and/or picture a new story for us. Instead of only words, we create with images, photos, and magazine pictures. Someone said,             “A picture is worth a 1,000 words.”
When we SEE something it tends to stay in our conscious mind more than when we read words. As we begin to put together a Vision Board, remember our subconscious mind is taking it in and beginning to move forward creating what we choose. Our subconscious does not know reality from imagination. Shown are a few Vision Board examples I found on the internet to share with you.

When you have cut out all the pictures you think you want, place your hand over your heart to see if you really want it. What are your feelings telling you? Do you really want it? Remember to say, “this or something better.”
Add a picture of a spiritual symbol that has value for you; a faith symbol, the picture of an avatar or master teacher, etc.
Add color, to make the photos POP and feel alive to you. Start off the New Year with fun, color, pictures and faith. Look at your Vision Board each day and affirm you already have it. Keep your affirmations in the present tense. Saying “I will have it,” only pushes the energy out in the future, never to manifest in the present.
Happy Vision Boarding!!!

January 1, 2019

Dear Friends,

I love celebrating the New Year with all its possibilities! Recently we watched the classic movie, “A Christmas Story.” I loved the little boy Richie having his heart set on a BB gun ( although I am definitely NOT a gun person.) The point is, no matter what anyone told him, he still IMAGINED receiving it.
And then he did!

When our heart imagines a dream, a gift, a purpose, a possibility, no one can stop us from gaining or achieving it. Our hearts want us to be happy, live life fully, love greatly and create purposefully. Everyone came to earth with a purpose. It is up to us to dream it, then be it. Sometimes identifying it, is a challenge. Your heart is your Wisdom guide. Place your hands over your heart and ask HER what is truly right and wonderful for you. She, your God(dess) intuition will always reveal your highest and best action, purpose and benefit.

Rev. Dr. John Waterhouse wrote in the Science of Mind December magazine,
“Begin by looking back on your life. When have you felt joyously empowered through what you were doing? Look for patterns of activities where you have made a difference in the lives of others. Then simply write a one-sentence statement that captures the essence of who you have come here to be – your purpose.”

Where is your imagination going right now? Are your thoughts making you happy? Are these thoughts making your heart sing? Day dreaming puts us in the right side of our brain where creativity happens. First we must feel the truth our heart is telling us, then our mind, through affirmative prayer, can help create what we desire.
New Thought says, “Love Leads the Way and Law Makes the Way Happen.”

Here is an Affirmation:
“As I enter the new year, I utilize my imagination to perceive possibilities that are not currently visible.”
(December -Daily Word)

If you are unsure of your purpose or what you wish to create, say daily.
“Thank you God for illuminating the Divine opportunities for me today to serve YOU with joy.”

Surrendering, in faith and trust, will always bring about the highest and best
for you. Happy New Year!

Happily Affirming,
Abigail

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful time at the ANTN (Affiliated New Thought Network) Conference last week. It felt good to reunite with beloved friends, and be spiritually fed. The conference was at the beautiful Unity Village in Lee Summit, MO, about 45 minutes outside Kansas City. We had a chance to laugh and cry as our hearts cracked wide open making way for more light and love. We loved being with our “tribe.”

Our lives are all about Spiritual Awakening and Transformation and using the Gifts God has given us. One morning I was reading in the Daily Word about letting go and being transformed. One of the steps in our Spiritual Mind Treatment is to “Let Go and Let God” and know the Divine Outcome is at hand. There was a phrase in the magazine that shined a new light on this idea. It said,
“I let go into the transforming light of God within.” It took me into a deeper understanding of God within. ‘Letting go and letting God’ now seemed like letting go of a balloon flying into the sky. This ‘Letting go to the God Within’ reminded me of who I am.
I am God on this earth. I am a Divine Idea. I am God individualized. So when I LET GO, I let go knowing I AM handing this prayer to ME, my God Self who knows all, is all, as all.
I release my human ideas to make way for my God ideas, and the Will of Spirit within.

Daily Word October 13
“I take my place in this global spiritual process of awakening and do my part. Every encounter I have with others, no matter how small, is turning the tide and transforming us all. I make a courageous choice on behalf of all of my sisters and brothers and for my soul. I awaken to the unfolding of my being and put that awareness to work in my world.”
“I let go into the transforming light of God within.”

Blessings, Abigail

“Wherever you go looking for ME
I’m already always by your side
I’m not in sacred places
I’m not in temple idols
I’m not in solitary retreats
I’m already always by your side.

I’m not in temples or mosques
I’m not in the Kaaba, not in Kailash
I’m already always by your side.

I’m not in austerities, not in meditation,
Not in feast, not in fasts
Not in rituals laid down in sacred texts
Not in yogic exercises –

Look for ME with passionate sincerity
I’ll be beside you immediately.
Kabir says: Seeker, listen to ME-
Where your deepest faith is, I am.

-Kabir
( taken from the Unity Magazine, October edition)

I was reading the Unity magazine and was so taken with this poem by Kabir. It reminded me how humans are always trying to find the BEST WAY TO GOD. The poem, like the New Thought belief says, where you go, God is there. Why? Because GOD is you.
God as Spirit, Divine energy, intelligence, wisdom, love, knowledge is in every atom, cell and molecule in your body.
I have a lovely meditation chair where I sit in the mornings. There are times when I am stressed and I feel, I have to go sit in my chair, because it brings me comfort. That is all well and good when I am home, but what if I am out running errands, on a trip, in a plane, at a grocery story. The poem is a wonderful reminder we can pray and meditate in mind and heart wherever we are. All our thoughts are prayers, and all are heard no matter where we go.
Another favorite quote is, “There is no spot where God is not.” Even in the midst of heartache and sadness, God is in us, with us and flowing through us. We do not have to go on retreats to “find God.” God is right here with us in our own homes, at work, in the car, and wherever we choose to go.

God Always in, as, is me,
Abigail

Dear Friends,

We just watched a wonderful movie called
“Whale Rider.”
This is about how the old ways, the ancient traditions need to change in order for the Maori people to again feel proud of who they are, and where they came from. The ancient tradition has always had men Chiefs leading the tribe. In the movie, a grandfather tries endlessly to teach the young men of the community the ancient ways, and to find the next chief, but to no avail. Each appears to fall short of the leadership role. However, in the background is a young girl who wants to learn what all the boys are learning, so she watches and practices in secret, until she is caught. Her grandfather ostracizes her and she feels unworthy. Luckily her grandmother is loving and continues to let her know how much she is loved.
The Maori people have a long established connection with whales and at one time in their past, chiefs were able to call the whales and ride them. In the village there is a huge statue of this belief. In the movie, for some reason, the whales beached themselves and the community could not seem to help them move back to the ocean. Once everyone had given up, the young girl goes over to the leader whale and starts talking and singing to him. The whale stirs and moves and she climbs on his back. The lead whale is able to move back into the water and the other whales follow. Much to the community, and the grandfathers surprise, they see her “riding the whale” out into the ocean. It was at that moment the grandfather’s eyes and heart were open to the truth. His granddaugher, whom he had berated, was the future leader of the Maori community.
Long story short the girl rose to the surface when the whale dove. Not sure how she got to the hospital, but she survived, and the whole community was alive in spirit, with a new hope, and proud again of their tradition.

Here is the point. Tradition has its value, however in order to grow, learn and transform there must come a time in our lives when we need to reevaluate what has been done in the past and surrender to a NEW IDEA, a new way of being. We can’t move forward in God’s Divine Plan for our lives, the lives of our family, friends, community and world until we surrender to a Higher Calling. Jesus said, “I myself can do nothing, it is the Father/God within me doing the work.” The grandfather pushed to do it his way, when God had a greater plan. God’s plan is always inclusive. Exclusivity is man’s doing, not God’s.
We must always be OPEN at the TOP to God’s Greater Plan. We know we are going in the wrong direction when all the doors of opportunity close and/or we push to ‘make something happen’ when it won’t.

In your morning prayers, meditation and treatment say, I Let go and Let God.
Really mean that!!! Write down or say what your intentions are, visualize them, then say
“All this and/or something greater.” When the Greater shows up, ask God, “Is this it?” You will get an answer, a sign, a door opening, a phone call with a wonderful opportunity. You might just find the person you thought had nothing to offer is your hope and salvation.

BE God’s Instrument of Good, of Change and Transformation for now and the future.

Openly,
Abigail

Dear Friends,
After our very busy Interfaith Awareness Week, we have had a couple weeks of less “busyness.” We find it takes time to wind down and get back to a normal routine.
It is similar to a good exercise routine or fast walk. The body needs time to slow down and feel its normal pace. Today I felt that way after being on the treadmill and doing 1/2 hour of yoga and floor exercises. As I went into savasana, I could feel my body slowly relaxing and settling down. I was in a God Space, easy, effortless and gracefully comfortable.
This feeling of being in-between a fast pace and busy schedule also happens when a person is in-between jobs or projects. When a job or project is done, there needs to be some down time. This is the perfect time to reflect on the past (what worked,what didn’t) and make space for the future. There are times we get ‘antsy’ between jobs, not knowing what will come next or how we can find the next right job. Ahhhh, here is “Divine Discontent.” We know God’s intention is for us to keep moving forward and upward in heart, mind and spirit. In order to do that, we must let go of the past before the present or future presents itself.
We had a call from a minister friend who appeared to be in Divine discontent, the space between jobs where one is restless and not sure of what to do next. He kept saying he let his ministry go and yet he still wants to ‘preach.’ He has church hopped and some have invited him to speak. He is happy doing that. All the time he kept saying, I let my ministry go, now what am I going to do? I really like speaking at other churches and have the opportunities to do just that.” We had him focus on what he LIKED to do with his opportunities to do it. God is always leading us in Divine Directions, we just have to get ourselves into our God Space to relax, and listen. He finally realized he had been affirming what he wanted to do throughout the whole conversation. We encouraged him to follow his heart (God guidance) and continue to listen and just BE in the soft and easy space within where God abides.
Today, allow time to be in a quiet, relaxed space where God is guiding you. Enjoy the in-between time. Remember, you are always on your Divine path, whether you are busy or not. Wherever you go, God is there, so there is never a place where God is not. Just stop a moment and listen. You will be encouraged to move forward to do whatever it is for you to do.
Being in my easy space,
Abigail