Dear Friends,
One of my favorite vegetables is the artichoke.
I discovered them many years ago and loved to dip the leaves in butter and mayonnaise. One day I decided to cook one myself. It was a process.
After washing and rinsing, I first took a knife and cut the top off, then cut the pointed and very sharp tips off each artichoke leaf with a scissor.
After steaming the artichoke, I still had to peel away each leaf layer to get to the heart of the artichoke. The inside of the leaf is good to eat too.
Just before the heart, there is a fuzzy layer to peel away. After everything is cut, snipped and peeled away, the delicious delicacy of the heart is left and ready
to eat. It was a process to cook, however well worth the effort to enjoy this delicious vegetable.

I have often thought how the artichoke is a metaphor of life. We are all spiritually discovering that inner delicious part of us,
our loving HEART, our God/Christ nature. In human life it takes work. We need to cut away the blocks that may be holding us back and then snip off the rough edges
and peel away the negatives, doubts, anxieties and worries that intrude upon our journey to our REAL Selves, our Inner Divinity. It is a process, and well worth it.

Where are you on this spiritual process? Have you clipped off the sharp edges of your personality? Have you peeled away worries and doubts?
How close are you to opening up, releasing the negatives that hold you back, and allowing your Spiritual Essence of Divine Love be activated and known in your life?

For a wonderful artichoke life analogy, enjoy this YouTube by Jean Houston.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxVWl3sYJZE

“An artichoke is a mirror of yourself. Like Life, the artichoke gains richness and savor by being combined by many flavors of sweetness, salt, pungent, bitter, and spice. After it is braised, the stuffed artichoke becomes a hologram, each part containing the whole. It symbolizes how each aspect of life has the potential for a full relation to the totality…”
-Jean Houston ” A Mythic Life.”

Peeling Away,  Abigail and Steve

I love this sweet picture of a beautiful lady seeing who she believes she is, regardless of age or wheelchair. What do you think about yourself? Are you more interested in what others think about you, or do you appreciate your own self for who you truly are?
Do you love yourself, strengths and weaknesses?

Do you know your spiritual magnificence?
What do you see when you look into the mirror?
This kitty may be small, however he believes in
his potential to be GREAT!

We all have the potential to be our GREASTEST SELVES. It only takes our believing in ourselves to become who we truly are.

Your dreams are yours alone. If your heart and passion is DANCE, then dance, if it is to SING, then sing etc. Do not try to please others by being
someone you are not.

Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science, shares this truth. We are what we think and feel about ourselves!
These thoughts and feelings reflect outward. Let us dig deep into our authentic selves and really listen to our sweet spirit who is communicating with us all the time. Our soul has come here for a purpose which is uniquely ours to do and be. No one has the authority to tell us what we should like or not like, what our job should be, or our purpose in life.

“To Know Thyself is the Beginning of Wisdom. “- Socrates
Affirm:
“I know who I am.
I take good care of myself.
I own my gifts.
I live in my values.
I love myself completely.”
www.sparkvisionnow.com

AND I believe in myself and my GREAT Potential!

Are you smiling? How can you not smile or laugh when looking at these cute little faces. These children are filled with JOY

Last weekend our daughter Tammy, Glenn and little Peyton were over for a chili dinner. It was cold and rainy and the chili was perfect.
Steve and I bought a cute little riding airplane for Peyton, and as soon as she saw it, she was riding it! She literally zoomed all over the house.
She zoomed into my office where she knows her cute little fairy wings and tutu are, and wanted to put them on. So with her tutu and wings she zoomed to
Steve’s office and found the little toy doggie he keeps there, just for her. She gave the doggie a ride and she gave a dolly ( we keep for her) a ride too.
We were laughing and having so much fun watching her. She navigated the one step down to the living room easily on the little plane and back up again.
We were all so enthralled by her playing, we forgot to take photos!

To be a child and find fun in everything is a gift. As adults we still have that gift, and don’t often use it. When things get tough we sometimes wallow
in it or vision a worse scenario. Peyton was on the couch playing “hide & seek under the blanket” with Steve.” In her exuberance she slipped off the couch
and landed on her bottom. Instead of making a big deal of it, Steve laughed and Peyton laughed. He knew she was not hurt since the rug was only 18″ from the couch,
and decided to not frighten her, but make it an easy experience.
She then did it again purposefully since she thought it was fun and part of
the game.

When we are in the midst of an trial or tribulation, the more we see the good in it, find the upside to it and even find the joy in it, will change the vibration
and energy about it. I am not saying to laugh if someone is critically hurt or experiencing a heart ache. I am saying as we come across various things that
irritate us during the day, we can chose to see it through a different lens.

Can you laugh at yourself when you make a mistake?
Best time to learn…
Can you find the good when your battery dies in your car?
Thank God you were being looked out for and not hurt on the road.
Can you laugh when you can’t find your keys?
Play hide and seek and ask God to show you where the key is.
Can you find some joy while delayed on the road due to
road repairs?
Be glad your taxes are being put to good use so the roads will be safe.
Can you smile while waiting an hour in the doctor’s office?
Be happy, knowing if you came in as an emergency the doctor would take his time with you too. Find something funny to read while waiting!

Be the one to laugh and find joy in everything.
Laughter is a great medicine for the mind, body and soul. Think about these laughing babies and they will bring a twinkle to your eye, a smile to your heart. Then just crunch up your face and make those laugh lines appear with a hearty
joyful laugh.

“Today, I will look for and see the bountiful gifts of humor being expressed.”
-Dr. Marilyn Louise Leo, ‘Science of Mind’ Magazine, January 2023

Joyously Laughing,
Abigail and Steve

We are honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, January 16th and throughout the week. I love his quote and
it brought back memories of times when I had faith to say YES to a new idea, opportunity or place to visit which changed the course of
my life.

I said YES to attending The Association for Global New Thought’s (AGNT) first conference in Palm Springs 1999. I came in the conference center a minute late
and headed for the first seat I could see. There, I happened to sit next to Steve Albert and my life changed.
One step lead to a greater good.

I saw an ad in the paper about World Religion Day hosted by the Bahai’s.
They were looking for help. Steve and I both said, “Who are the Baha’is?”
So we went to meet them. I was asked to speak at the event. This 2006 gathering of interfaith speakers, became the founders of the Poway Interfaith Team. (POINT)
One step lead to a greater good.

You are all on a faith journey here on earth. Everyday is new opportunity to
BE your greatest self and DO your greatest good. Be aware that God, Spirit, Divine Mind (however you wish to call the Source and Creator) is always
communicating with you in thoughts, words, inner promptings, outside signs, telephone calls, newspaper ads, and people.

One of my blessed minister friends is Rev. Jean Sweet. She says, ” GOD Always say YES!” (to answering your prayers and/or something greater).
What if everyday you vowed to say YES to opportunities coming your way. These opportunities are gifts from God. It is a chance to STEP UP and
go forward without knowing the outcome.

Say YES, to your dreams and affirmations. Write it, Verbalized, Sing it!
YES tells the Universe you are ready for the next step.
I say YES to Prosperity!
I say YES to my ideal job!
I say YES to accomplishing my bucket list, however that looks.
I say YES to love and friendship.
Then say YES to the guidance wherever it leads.

Everyone has pivotal points in their lives where small opportunities may lead to greater opportunities. Steve was beginning college and needed a job.
He was offered a temporary job as an “errand boy” in a company for 2 weeks. He said YES, even though it wasn’t the kind of job he was looking for,
however it was available and he needed the money for college. At the end of 2 weeks his boss asked him what he wanted to do with his life.
Steve said he wanted to be an architect and was going to school for that degree. Right then and there his boss made a phone call to a friend
who gave Steve a job in an architectural office during his school years and even after he graduated.
One step lead to a greater good.

No job is too small or a waste of time. Opportunities are always leading us up the staircase to our next Divine purpose. For everything is supposed to change
for our greater good!

Have FAITH in saying YES to new opportunities when offered! It is God speaking though man/woman/child and all avenues giving you the next step up the ladder
for your Greatest Good!

Steve loves lunch and dinner buffets. It is his favorite type of meal. He loves having the choice to pick out whatever food delights him,
rather than having “side dishes” in a regular meal order, he doesn’t like.

Don’t we all love choices?! In fact we have the opportunity to make choices everyday of our life. The phrase, “I didn’t have a choice” is untruthful
and a copout as an excuse for something you did or didn’t do
I love the quote above talking about a HAPPINESS BUFFET! Everyday we can create a beautiful buffet filled with choices of words, feelings and actions.

In the New Year start your day with a heart and mind choice.
Will you choose …                                                                                                   * *words of kindness to others and to yourself.
*extra hugs for your spouse and/or children.
*wearing a smile to spread your light.
*following through on a project you may have procrastinated.
*loving yourself.
*finding joy in the moment.
*finding fun in the day.
*doing what you are good at and love to do.
*helping someone feel like they belong.
*to be with people who care about you.and more…

What will you choose on your Happiness Buffet Plate today?
Make it delicious!

Choosing Lots of Joy and Fun,
Abigail and Steve

December 27, 2022

Dear Friends,

We are coming to the end of 2022 and we want to wish you all Happy New Year! We pray the High Consciousness of Good Will, Peace, Love and Compassion will continue from these Holy Days on into 2023.
Many of you will be participating in Burning Bowl ceremonies where you write down what you wish to release and what no longer serves you. Some of you may also participate in the beautiful White Stone Ceremony where a new idea, new thought or new focus will enter your Consciousness given by the Divine within you. This word will be written on a white stone for you to keep handy and look at throughout the coming year. I love these ceremonies because we really take inventory of our lives, past and future.
One other ceremony I would like to add to the two, is a personal ceremony of the present. “What is Mine To Do?” I believe getting in touch with our own unique gifts, our special talents, skills, abilities can fine tune our purpose, plans and actions. We are not here to COPY another person just because we admire them or feel they are a role model. We are here because WE, each one of us, is a unique GOD Being with a specialized and unique life.

There are times when I see a friend or colleague spreading their light to others, taking part in peace and justice activities, helping the homeless, providing homes for pets and animals and many more deserving ways to be in service.
I have to ask myself, is this MINE TO DO?

If I don’t get a heart bling, I think, probably not. When I do get a heart bling, I am excited and can hardly wait to participate in an event or create one myself. I admire those who do way more than I do in service, and yet I know when
I am planning an interfaith event or labyrinth walk, and/or standing up for others, I feel energized and know this is mine to do.

This coming year I encourage you to BE YOURSELF, BE AUTHENTIC in all that you do. You are unique with a purpose no one else can do.

Each Morning take time during your prayer and meditation time to:
• Light a candle (or votive)
• Affirm: There is only One Life, that is the Life of God, that Life is Perfect and that is my life now! I surrender this day unto you Oh Lord.
• Ask, “What is Mine To Do Today ?”
• Place your hand over your heart and wait for the bling as a thought, or feeling. Just know you are in God’s Hands because you surrendered.
• Your day may be simple.
• Your day may be complex.
• Your day may come with new opportunities. Follow up on them.

Only YOU can do what is yours to do!

Being Me,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Last weekend we had the pleasure of attending the “WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM,” an authentic re-enactment of the Nativity Story presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. It felt real and sacred.

This experience gave me pause to think about that night over 2,000 years ago when the LIGHT and LOVE of God came forth in this beautiful child to change the world consciousness. I believe this story when read, sang about, re-enacted each year, reminds us of where we are in consciousness, and we re-discover the story is really our own. We all were birthed in the earth dimension, coming in as pure spiritual beings in a human body. We grow, we learn, we make mistakes, we get angry, and yet we are still those beautiful spiritual beings and will forever be. This Christmas let us birth something greater than we can ever imagine. Let us birth greater compassion, greater, joy, greater care for ourselves, greater service for others, greater love for all people everywhere.
Let us truly birth our own Christ Consciousness, as the LIGHT of the World.

Remember, you are a wise man bringing your own sacred gifts to the world honoring God, Christ and the Divine Universe.
You are the shepherd, humble and in service to those who need care and help.
You are the Angel speaking Truth, Joy and the Good news in high vibrations.
You are Joseph, the protector, leader, strong in heart and mind.
You are Mary, willing to listen and do God’s Will no matter what.
You are Jesus, the Christ Consciousness, come to earth to spread Love, Joy
Peace and Belief in your own minds and hearts to create a world that works for everyone.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate this day. It is a Holy Day. Let us keep the sacredness of this day in mind as we gather with family and friends.

In Love and Light,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Steve and I were with our family (Tammy, Glenn, Peyton, granddaughter, Sue and Steve Busch, other grandparents,) at a Christmas in the Park event last weekend. We all met around 4:30pm. Steve and I were looking for a parking spot, which seemed impossible with all the people there. I then had a thought to go to the next street and we found one parking spot. What made me think of going to that particular street when all streets and parking lots were full? I can only give credit to the Invisible Hand that has been guiding me all my life. I know it led me to meet Steve and I know it led my daughter Tammy to meet Glenn who is now her beloved partner and father to their precious little girl and our granddaughter.

Steve and I were reflecting on all the times we felt we were entirely guided by invisible hands. Both of us easily obtained jobs which pushed us forward in our Life Purpose. All my teaching jobs were practically handed to me with little effort other than an application and references. Steve had jobs which effortlessly pushed and promoted him into better jobs suited to his talents and skills. We know when one door closes another opens. We both were at the right place at the right time when we found a NEW THOUGHT community and knew we had come home to our tribe. Invisible Hands of God kept leading and pushing us forward.

Becoming New Thought ministers led us to our Interfaith Purpose.
What made me read a tiny paragraph about World Religion Day which invited those interested to meet with a Baha’i group? My first question was “Who is a Baha’i? I had to find out and meet these people. I was compelled to do so, which led to meeting other religious leaders who eventually became the founding members of POINT Poway Interfaith Team.
Invisible Hands

I know these Invisible Hands of God are really my GOD SELF talking and communicating to and with me. God is real and within me always as that inner voice for my highest and best. GOD within YOU is always guiding and giving you the best ideas, best information and renewed purpose for your earthly journey. This inner guidance may feel like a push, pull, thought or compulsion. Pay attention!

I truly believe as we listen, we are guided to become the best we can be, the best version of ourselves which includes our mistakes, failures, victories, ups and downs, bad and good times. All contribute to our growth spiritually, mentally, emotionally and intellectually. TRUST the Divine.
TRUST God’s Invisible Hand within you.

“There is a Presence within you that is with you, is ready, willing and able to guide you in all ways.”
-Ernest Holmes, “Thoughts are Things.”

Enjoy this beautiful song!
Invisible Hands by JD Martin and Paul Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn7JmRIfNgk 

When a child believes
He’ll live his dreams
His prayers are heard
He fears no thunder
And when he falls
He safely lands
Guided by invisible hands

When a mother cries
She hides her tears
Says the lord provides
But she can’t help wonder
Who will give her child
What his heart demands
Oh…. invisible hands

Lost in the darkness we are lifted by love
Whisper and somebody hears
And if we dare to make that leap of faith
Somehow the bridge appears

When a silent storm
Knocks me down
And the tide and times
Pull me under
I will stand again
On these shifting sands
Held by invisible hands
Oh….invisible hands

Lost in the darkness we are lifted by love
Whisper and somebody hears
And if we dare to make that leap of faith
Somehow the bridge appears

When a child believes
He’ll live his dreams
His prayers are heard
He fears no thunder
And when he falls
He safely lands
Guided by invisible hands

Trusting Our Invisible Hands of God,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

We have moved out of November, the month we focused on Thanksgiving, and gratitude for all aspects of our life, our family and our friends.

As we move into the month of December, many faiths celebrate their Holy Days. Christians celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, their Savior, and all the teachings he represents: Light shining through darkness, Love God, Love your neighbor as yourself, Forgive 7×70, and Help your fellow man regardless of birth, culture or religion.

In New Thought we see the birth of Jesus the Christ (Christ meaning the anointed one) as a reminder that each one of us has the Christ Consciousness within and we can birth it at any time. For we are all sons and daughters of God. We are all Divine, Spiritual Beings in a human body. We practice His teachings. Jesus the Christ was the great example, (“What I do, you can do also”) not the great exception.

It is also a sacred time for our Jewish friends as they celebrate Hanukkah the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “Festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly
menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. It is the national celebration of the rededication of the Holy Temple by the Jews at the end of the
Maccabean revolt.

It is also the time for Kwanzaa, where our African American brothers and sisters celebrate 7 principles of life, Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
They light candles for each principle.

Our Buddhist friends celebrate the Awakening of the Buddha. It is described as synonymous with Nirvana, the extinction of the passions whereby suffering is ended and no more rebirths take place. Following his enlightenment, the Buddha was said to have possessed and discussed several supernormal powers attainable through meditation. Such abilities include walking on water, walking through walls, becoming invisible, levitation… (internet exploration)!
In New Thought we often refer to the Christ Consciousness, Buddha Consciousness and God Consciousness as ONE and interchangeable.

This month is a HIGH CONSCIOUSNESS time as people celebrate their Holy Days. Angels come nearer to earth. December is the month of reflecting on Love, Life, Family, Friends, Traditions and LIVING their faith by being generous, compassionate, and being the best version of themselves they can be.
It is a time for many to give gifts to loved ones, friends and those who are less fortunate. Gift giving comes from the heart. As you thoughtfully reflect on gifts for your families and friends, turn within to the Spirit of God and ask, “What is the highest and best I can give this person?” It may be the gift of love, forgiveness, a smile, your presence and/or one wrapped beautifully with a bow.

Whatever your faith is, Enjoy December. Be joyful each day and be grateful you are here to make a difference in the world.

Awakening to Love,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Thank you to all those who prayed for me these past three weeks. For those who did not know, I was hospitalized for a few days with Colitis, Lactic acidosis and Sepsis. It was a rough and painful two weeks. This past week I finally feel like I am on the mend.

I realized as I was going through this health challenge, how I could not do all the prayers I normally do. My mind and body were working to heal. I had to rely on my dear husband for prayers and all kinds of help. I had to rely on people all over San Diego and the country to know my Truth.
There is only One Life, that life is the life of God, that Life is perfect and that life is my life now.

In times of trial, tribulation, crisis and health challenges we need each other. This is the time we rely on our faith leaders, family and friends. We cannot and do not walk alone on the earth path. A passage from the Daily Word says, “Whether the person for whom I pray is known to me or is a stranger, in the same room or in another part of the world, our shared prayer joins us in Spirit. As I pray, I affirm nothing is impossible for the Divine Presence that is within us all.”

When I could, I pictured a stream of Divine Love, Light and Healing flowing from my crown chakra all through my body and down to my toes. I then pictured a stream of healing light coming up from Mother Earth flowing up through all my body and out through my crown chakra. I knew I was in this healing flow of light and love.

Spirit is ONE living essence in all and through all. The Spirit in one person is the same Spirit in another person, for IT is ONE Spirit. That is why long distance healing works. As one knows the Truth for oneself, he or she knows the Truth for the receiver. Same Spirit Knows All.

Again may you all be blessed with family, friends and prayer partners for all challenges in your life.

Healed, Whole and Healthy,

Abigail and Steve