Category Archives: Inspiration

Build a Bridge and Cross It

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Dear Friends.
We are living in and making history at the same time.  For years our Spiritual community has been affirming for a world that works for everyone.
We see an Awakening of humanity to our Oneness, and a healing of consciousness in body, mind and soul. Right now we are experiencing healing of the body
(human and earth) during the COVID 19 crisis.  We are also healing the mind as we realize we are living in systemic and structural racism.
Our soul is waking up and demanding justice after seeing police brutality.  Why do we as a human race always need to be hit over the head by
a Divine 2×4 in order to wake up, and make a change in body, mind and soul?!!!
On Sunday I attended a Baha’i devotional. After prayers from different faith traditions and beautiful songs, we heard a wonderful speaker,
Charles Howard talk to us about the 400 year history the USA has had with slavery, the Jim Crow era and unconscious racism still alive today.
His sharing of his personal story and his bi-racial family’s story was moving and filled with heart.
He said there are 5 ways we can be part of the solution to help make the changes  we affirm in our prayer work.
1. Stand Up and Be Counted. If you see something, say something, and film it.Race abuse is now being caught on camera.  If you hear people telling
racist or sexist jokes,  tell the people the joke offends you and you do not share that ideology.
2. Re-educate yourself on institutionalized racism.  There are 5x more black men incarcerated than white.  35% are black in our prisons.
Most of those in jail are only there with misdemeanors, and because they are poor, they do not have bail money.
3. Engage and talk with Diverse people (Black Latino, other cultures etc.) Talk about sensitive issues, race, gender. When white people
do not have those conversations, Black people assume they do not care.
4. Black reality and black life experiences are different than whites.  White reality is not black reality. White moms don’t fear for their
sons when they walk out the door. Black moms always are in fear for their son’s safety. Have in depth conversations on life experiences to
gain deeper understanding.
5.  Help build bridges.  Promote  relationships across race lines. Building close friendships and associations will help break barriers and build bridges.
We are all God’s children.


Please listen to this beautiful song I heard at the Baha’i devotional called
“ROSE GARDEN” by Gary Sterling. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2q-NbAqhQ 
From Ernest Holmes:
“We are each an outlet and an inlet to God.”
“It is impossible for a man to conceal himself. In every act, word or gesture, he stands revealed as he is, and not as he would have himself appear to be.
From the universe nothing is or can be hidden.”


Building & Crossing Bridges,
Abigail and Steve

Take Action & Stop Racial Injustice

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Dear Friends,
I have been heartbroken these past two weeks seeing and hearing all the brutality happening between peaceful protesters and the police, not to mention witnessing the brutal chokehold of George Floyd. I felt like I was in another nightmare on top of the COVID 19 pandemic.  We as a human race really have to stop and look at how we got to this place at this time in history.

As horrible as COVID 19 virus is, it made us STOP and stay home and the outcome is, the earth is healing.  As horrible as the death of George Floyd is, it is making the USA and the world STOP and demand humane treatment of all people. After the brutal murder, I could not believe how police were still hurting innocent people with tear gas and rubber bullets.  I am hearing stories from black cops saying how many new police officers are anxious to go into the poorer black communities and “Kick butt.”   Our investment advisor is an incredible, intelligent black man full of integrity and intelligence.  As a young man he never drove in LA  because he was always stopped and frisked. Police are here to “protect and serve,”  not stop and frisk just because they see a black person walking or driving.  This has got to STOP! We need  to demand better recruiting tactics and psychological testing of these young people going into law enforcement.   We cannot allow the systemic structure of how police academies train their cadets in use of these tactics. Take ACTION and WRITE your local police station!
Another problem, I have heard, is the “gang” mentality of the officers. Good or bad, they will protect “their own.”  This must be reviewed as well in all police departments.  I read the good cops do not want their names soiled by bad cops.  I believe that.  Every institution does not want it’s name muddied by criminal behavior.  Like the COVID virus making us stay home and clean our house.  These horrible events of racial injustice is telling our systemic institutions (police, education, banks,  real estate agents etc) to clean house.
Our White prejudice and racist actions have been around since our country was formed.  It is time to CLEAN our Country’s House/Consciousness.
Ask yourself in complete honesty,  is there anything I am thinking or saying that is racist? Do I say anything when someone tells a racist joke?  Do I laugh or do I take ACTION and tell them to stop.
I do know there are excellent police officers with a conscience.  I hope you read the letter from Jason, a police office, from last weeks newsletter. We need police like him.  The brutal killing of George Floyd would not have happened if someone like Officer Jason had been on the scene. We applaud the men and women in Blue who have a heart and do protect and serve.

There are excellent peace activists.  In Louisville, a police officer was stranded in a protest, and 5 men linked arms to protect him from the advancing angry crowd.
One of the men, Matt Stone said, “Nobody knew anybody but we just stood up and did that,” he said. “If the officer was black we would’ve done the same thing. He’s somebody else’s son. He’s somebody else’s loved one.”
These men took ACTION.
Here is a link for
“75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice.”
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234
Find one or more that touches your heart.
Take ACTION and DO IT! .
             

YOU Are the Light

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Dear Friends,
My favorite time is when I am sitting in my meditation chair watching the sun come up. I can feel the LIGHT shining on me and coming towards me.
There are mornings when it is so brilliant I almost need sunglasses to sit there. I just close my eyes and let the Sun LIGHT wash over me and through me.
It is like a Beloved friend I can always count on. Even when it rains, I know it is there. I begin to feel ONE with it. It is in the feeling of
LIGHT flowing through me I know that God loves me. I equate GOD with LIGHT, One and the same. It is like an “Inner ZOOM Meeting.”
The Divine LIGHT within YOU, can never bedimmed or desecrated.
The Divine Light is WHO YOU ARE and is constantly seeking expression in and through you! In the book Emissary of Light, James Twyman says,
“You use the shirt just as you use the body. When you are finished using the shirt you set it aside.”
In the Untethered Soul, Michael Singer says, “You are the one who is inside looking out in the world. YOU are more than your body or thoughts.”
The Buddha said: “God almighty (Brahman) resides within all humans as LIGHT. We can meditate on HIM within and that long search for the Creator
is at last over, ending within ourselves. 
When a candle is lit, it can light up other candles.”
Jesus said. “I AM the LIGHT of the world.” He was saying the Mighty I AM  in him is also in YOU.
You Are the Light of the world.
How can God/LIGHT show up for us, as us?
I want to share with you 4 ways:
God/Light as Intuition
I receive my best inner guidance when I am quiet in meditation and when I am walking in nature. I am always lead to calling a friend when their
face pops into my mind, saying YES to an opportunity even when I am out of my comfort zone, and doing something outside the “to do” list of the day.
I listen, I follow.
God/Light as Healings
Light is our True Essence. When we realize the Divine is within us, see and feel this inner light, we can tap into the God essence of who we really
are and declare our body as whole, perfect and complete, because it is, always has been and always will be.
Afffirm: There is only One Life/Light, that Life/Light is the Life/Light of God That Life/ Light is perfect and that Life/Light is my Life/Light Now!
God/Light as Protection
Before my day begins I ‘imagine’ a white light around me, around Steve, around our cars, house, property, all of our family and friends, and expanding
out before me wherever I go. Picturing a white circle around my car on the freeways keeps me safe and anyone getting too close will automatically drop back,
move into another lane or pass me.  I surrounded our house with this white light during the 2007 fires and our house remained standing.
God/Light as Endings…..Leads to New Beginnings.
God walks with us, in us, as us, through us and all our experiences in our human life and beyond. During this pandemic we are experiencing the ending of the
old way of life, as we prepare for a new way of life, a new human consciousness.
On a personal note, years ago, our church was named Child Centered Church and when parents wanted a church to reflect them as well, we evolved into The Family
Spiritual Center. During that time the landlord raised our rent so high we needed to find another space. We went from  meeting in a community center,
to meeting in a variety of faith centers.
As our emphasis grew on understanding the world religions, our name changed again to All Faith Center.  Every ending has a new beginning that leads us
forward into our spiritual growth and understanding.
Every “NEW change’ is meant for our highest good.
TRUST in God, as you in Life.  You are the Light of God, the Light of Life.
BE it, because you are It!!!

Living as Light,
Abigail and Steve

Zone of Genius

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Dear Friends,
Two of my minister friends gave sermons based on the book The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks a couple Sunday’s ago. We attended Rev. Irma Forward’s CSL Inland Empire Church via zoom, and I read the newsletter containing similar information from my friend Rev. Dr. Kathleen Johnson, Senior Minister at CSL Delaware. I want to share this important information with you.  As we are still in a “shut down” due to the pandemic, we have the opportunity to review our life and what we love.
If we don’t “get” anything from this pandemic, we certainly “get” how important LIFE is and our place, role and being in it. It is time to re-evaluate our time, our work, our service and our life.  Gay Hendricks says we all fit into one of these categories when it come to our life work. Which one do you fit into?
“1. Zone of Incompetence – These activities are out of our skill set.
2. Zone of Competence – These are activities in which we have competence, however, they do not make our heart sing.
3. Zone of Excellence – These are activities we do well, often offer us a channel of income, and they are in our comfort zone.
4. Zone of Genius – These activities liberate us to express our Divine Creative Genius within.”  This is work we are gifted at and love.”
by Rev.Kathleen Johnson

For me:
1. Zone of Incompetence –
I love a beautiful garden and flowers, however I am not good at gardening so I have many succulent plants and silk plants around.
2. Zone of Competence –
I used to be good at playing the piano.  I don’t play much anymore and when I do, I play for my own relaxation and pleasure. I really don’t  like to play for people.
3. Zone of Excellence –
I loved teaching elementary school, I was excellent at it and I brought home a paycheck.
Then I found my genius.
4. Zone of Genius –
My genius is being a New Thought minister working in the Interfaith arena!  It brings me joy when I am with people of all faith traditions and cultures. I love bringing understanding and knowledge to others, through events, programs, guest speaking, newsletters and labyrinth walks.

I believe most of us fit into one of these zones sometime during our lives.  Our goal is to be living, being and functioning in the Zone of Genius.
Our Creator, God, Divine Mind, Blessed Breathe, whatever you wish to call our Higher Power, created us out of LOVE, JOY and GENIUS.
We have that same ability in us. What is it you LOVE to do and are not doing?  Change is taking place all over the world right now, and it is time for us to make the changes necessary to bring joy to ourselves and our loved ones. We know when we are happy, we bring that energy to others.  When we are sad and frustrated with life, we also bring that energy to others and become a ‘downer’ for people. What kind of energy do you want to bring to yourself, your family and others? It is the time to go for something NEW,
an expression you wish to be and share.
“Are you willing to feel good and have your life go well all the time? Does that feel like a BIG LEAP? That’s the point. To fully express our gifts and talents, we must take the BIG LEAP out of our comfort zone and into our Zone of Genius. Why not get willing, and see what happens? “by Rev. Kathleen Johnson
Leaping into Genius,
Abigail 

 

What’s Your Next Chapter?

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Dear Friends,
I love to read and have been reading a lot during our “Stay at Home” time during this pandemic. I realize this whole new life, the whole new episode of our earth history are like chapters in a book. When one chapter ends, another begins.  I believe we are now in the next chapter and evolution of our own life and earth history. Like yesterday, we cannot go back, we must go forward. Endings are just new beginnings in the story
of Life.
GO….
F – Finish a project today that will make your life better tomorrow.
O – Open up your heart and mind to a NEW way of living, doing & being.
R –  Read inspirational books and magazines. Keep a high consciousness.
W – Ward off negativity by visualizing the Divine Ring of Protection
around you, your loved ones, your house, car and all you come in
contact with.
A –  Accept the changes taking place and see the blessings offered.
R – Resolve to BE the Best you, and be in SEVA to others.
D – Don’t ever give up on yourself, on your family, friends and humanity.
Good always wins!
All evolutionary jumps in history were preceded by crisis.
What we are experiencing will have blessings and benefits no one can predict at this time in our history.
MAKE today the BEST chapter in your life story so far, and start ‘writing’ the next chapter the way you imagine your life could be.
Loving the Story,
Abigail and Steve

Nothing is Impossible With God

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One morning I decided to walk on the golf course path near our house.
The course  is in the process of being sold so maintenance has not been kept up. I had not walked there in many months and was so sad to see how unkempt the grounds were. I walked along the unused golf cart sidewalk, and soon came across a fallen tree. The branches were almost as big as the trunk, and high enough where I could not step over.  I wondered,  should I go back and find another walking path, or find a way around this huge tree? If I go left, I would walk down a hill and have to climb back up again.
Then the “thought” (inner voice, intuition) said look down to the right. It was there I saw the trodden path swerving around this huge tree. I took it and came out on the other side.   I paused for a moment thinking of the significance of this simple tree being an obstacle on my walk.
Various phrases and scripture verses came to me.
Nothing is impossible with God.
God always has a way, where to human sight there is no way.
This walk of mine was a metaphor for our walk of life.  We all come across challenges and situations where we really cannot come up with the answer or figure out the solution. This is the perfect time to STOP, PAUSE  and WAIT for the still small voice (intuition) to lead us to a Divine solution.
It may not be what we had in mine or even wanted, however the Universal Presence and Power that created us all, Knows All and is only guiding us to our highest good.  When we fully believe that spiritual principle we can relax and know all there is, is God, and all is meant for our highest good.
Whenever you come across your obstacle, STOP, PAUSE and WAIT for the Divine Direction to guide you either through it, around it, under it or across it. The road/answer will be made clear.
Nothing is impossible with God.
God always has a way, where to human sight there is no way.
Walking with Possibilites,
Abigail and Steve

Thank You to Our Heroes

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Dear Friends,
In the daily newspaper, there are highs and lows .  The lows are the articles about who is affected by this coronavirus, and the HIGHS are the attention and praise given to our Health Care Workers, and First Responders who are putting their lives on the line everyday to help heal patients and contain this virus. We as a collective consciousness are finally recognizing they are the TRUE HEROES .
Educators and teachers of all grade levels are also being applauded for going above and beyond their call of duty and service to youth. They too are TRUE HEROES!
Have we finally gotten our priorities straight!!!?  
For years I have  not understood why athletes are making millions of dollars to play a game or actors receiving millions of dollars for a TV show or movie. Fans and companies are willing to spend that kind of money on the players, and actors, when people in service to others are making minimum wage and/or modest wages.  An average nurse makes $26.75 an hour and a particular reality show star makes 78 million a year.
What is wrong with this picture?????  Our TRUE HEROES are those in service to others.
Being “Seniors,” Steve and I are staying at home to “help” in our
way by adhering to the quarantine rules, and only going out for food.
We also are connecting in many ways with family and friends over zoom, Facebook and phone.
I recently decided to put a sign  in the front of our house to say ‘Thank you’ to our healthcare workers, first responders and essential service workers.
I have noticed walkers and joggers pause a moment when they pass the sign.  I hope it inspires them to give these wonderful HEROES
a silent thank you as well.
We cannot come out of this world epidemic the same way we went in.
Our priorities need to change.  
* We must support those whose altruistic goals is to serve humanity in the
   most high conscious ways.
* Our compassion must be wider and greater, which includes people in
   all countries, animal rights and humane treatment for all.
* Our understanding of our complete connection and oneness with each 
   other and mother earth must rise up and direct our lives. 
* We must listen to our scientists, as well as having faith in God.
   Those two go hand in hand.
* Let us put our MONEY where it benefits the spiritual growth,
    intelligence  and loving kindness of humanity.
In Deep Gratitude to our True Heroes,
Abigail and Steve

Mother Earth

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Dear Friends,
“Mother Earth has sent us to our rooms to think about
what we have done.”     Anonymous
There is always a “Silver Lining” in a crisis or tragedy. From what I am reading and hearing, our beautiful Mother Earth is healing and being replenished.  Since the world has been on lock down, cars, planes, and all companies that pollute the air on a daily basis have decreased their harmful emissions.  Read the excerpts from the article below.
https://www.alrasub.com/earth-is-healing-amidst-covid-19-outbreak/
“China has reported a significant improvement in its air quality.
The skies are blue and sunny these days while they were covered with smoke in normal circumstances.”
“In Venice canals have cleared up. As there is a lock down in the country, boating is banned and there are no tourists around. Swans, dolphins, and fishes are making their way to the waters of Venice.
The water is blue and clear. The apparent cleanliness of the water is not just attributed to a lack of pollution but also to the absence of motorized boats, which normally churns up the muddy canal floor.”
“India is also under lock down from the past few days. The reduction in Mumbai Marine Drive has been observed which is due to decreased water traffic. The absence of water transportation has led people to witness a school of dolphins playing in the water.”
“It is the right time to say that our planet would breathe a long sigh of relief if humans were to vanish. But this is not how it should be. We should take the opportunity of this lock down to reflect and see how we can be more organized and live in harmony with nature. ”
“With so many industries shutting down due to the corona pandemic, it is the ideal time for them to brainstorm plans to return more environmentally conscious. If companies would change their plans to consider the environment, this small and reasonably fast, change we are seeing now could continue to change the fate of planet earth.”
Along with our IMAGINING a Higher Consciousness on Earth, let us IMAGINE a  continued CLEAN Earth and our habits of pollution stop. It is truly a time to “clean up our act.”  Mother Earth sent us to our rooms. Let us take this lesson, learn from it, and do and be better.
If not,  Mother Earth may ban us from our earth home in a greater crisis.
Imagining  a Clean Earth,

IMAGINE

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Dear Friends,
The other day when it was raining and the sun shining, I looked out on our balcony and saw a beautiful, clear, vibrant RA I N B OW.


What a perfect example of HOPE and LOVE in the midst of our crisis.
In spite of the rain, the sun is always shinning.
In spite of the Covid19 crisis, GOD is always here with us,
flowing and moving through us as Divine Intelligence,
Wisdom, Love and Intuition.
An interesting phrase people say when going through a situation,
“Take Heart…”  Yes, let us take heart, take love, take compassion and let this be our new normal, now and when the crisis it over.
IMAGINE
When talking with friends who normally go into a work place 5 days a week, they say how nicer it is to be able to work at home.  It is less stress, less interruptions, and they can get more work done.
What if….
the new normal was for business owners and companies to establish a policy for employees to be able to work part time at home.  I can see this helping families with children and keeping people healthy by not having to come to work when a cold symptom presents itself. There would be less cars on the road half the time as well.
What if…
the schools set up a policy for students to be home schooled half the time  and half on campus.  This would be an option for parents who can do this.
What if…
our leaders, both Republican and Democrat finally came together in bipartisan leadership to really address the needs of the poor, the uninsured medically and unemployed. That would be a Miracle and I am a believer in miracles.
***
From my Spiritual Sister
“My intent prayer and vision for a New World:
-People are awakened to our interconnectedness with all of life, that we are all truly ONE…we interact in the world from that knowingness with compassion, connection and cooperation.
– Each person shifts from the mind to moving into one’s Heart in all
thought and action.
– Heart-to-heart connection from one person to another person, growing
and spreading across the planet.
– Congruency of mind, body and spirit, augmenting physical healing
of the body.
– We open ourselves to Grace and grow in Consciousness, experiencing
and expressing unconditional Love.
Namaste,
Carol D.”

Blessings and Imagining!

IMAGINE

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Dear Friends,
At our POINT Interfaith Meeting  last week (via zoom) we asked each person:
“What are you doing to increase your spiritual health
during this time of crisis?”
Wonderful ideas were presented; laughing at email jokes, keeping a personal spiritual practice, walking, connecting via zoom/ email/ text, Centering prayer, praying for the ill/and health workers, reading inspirational material, walking on the beach, journaling, sitting quietly in church, helping sew masks… and more.
One minister said he is IMAGINING  what he would like the world to look like and BE after the crisis is over. He is imagining a world of compassion for all. We cannot go back to the way we were.
I loved that idea!
I ASK YOU as you read this message today.
WHAT WILL YOU IMAGINE THE WORLD TO BE?
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE NEW NORMAL TO LOOK LIKE?
IMAGINE
“…Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed…”
Thank you John Lennon

Inspired thoughts:
“The Divine Ideas stand back of all human thought, seeking admittance through the doorway of the mind.”
(Dr. Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind book)
“Community means seeing everyone as important.”
(Rev. Sally Robbins, April issue Science of Mind magazine)
“I need to let go of all old growth to make room for the new.”
(Rev. Sally Robbins, April issue Science of Mind magazine)
Imagining,
Abigail and Steve