Category Archives: Inspiration

Death is a doorway into another reality

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Dear Friends,
Our prayers are with the family of Louise Hay who passed away August 30th
Death, or Transition as many of us like to refer to the next phase of eternal life, can be challenging and/or scary for many people.  I was comforted hearing that Louise passed away in her sleep, simply and serenely.  Her faith and belief really demonstrated a  calm and easy journey to the other side.
I have a dear friend who has been “suffering” in body form for the past 6 years.  I visited her two years ago thinking that was her time to move on.  I am keeping in touch with her family and apparently “letting go” is becoming increasingly difficult for her and straining the emotions, physical health as well as resources of the family. Interesting, how it seems to be easy for some and difficult for others to release, and surrender.
I am reading a wonderful book called, The Emissary by Sydney J. Taylor and he addressed death in his book.  His main character is Michael who is an emissary of God and comes to help people in a particular city as well as carry out the message of love from God.   Michael was speaking to a patient in the hospital and said,
“Do not be alarmed; rather be filled with expectation. You have never been afraid of going to sleep. Then do not be concerned about this transition, for I can tell you truthfully it is the same.  You will simply go to sleep as you have done every night.  There is only one difference; that wonderful Divine Eternal Self which you really are, will be freed from this body. Your body with is pains and sickness has outlived its usefulness as a means of gathering experience, so you will not return to it in the morning as you formerly did after sleep.”
Our personalities, bodies, egos are here to house our spirit, God in us, to complete what is ours to do.
All our experiences are geared to learning, growing, transforming and remembering who we are.
When our task is complete, whether it is for ourselves, or for others to learn through our example, we will be going home.  That is a fact. That is a given.  With all the first hand experiences from people who have had a taste and glimpse of the other side through NDEs, ( Near Death Experiences) why would we ever be afraid to move on. God’s Love and Guidance has been carrying  us through this earthly life, so why would we doubt God will carry us onward in our next life experience?
My favorite memorial poem is by Kahil Gibran:
There Is No Death
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails
to the morning breeze and stars for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch her until at length
she is a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky
come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, “There! She’s gone!”
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side,
and she is just as able to bear her load
of living weight to her destined harbor.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment
When someone at my side says, “There, She’s gone!”
There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
We wish Louise Hay a fond goodbye from our side, knowing she is being greeted with love and joy on the other side.

My Mental Equivalent

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“The Law is Infinite and Perfect but in order to make a demonstration
WE MUST HAVE A MENTAL EQUIVALENT OF THE THING WE DESIRE.”
-Ernest Holmes

Dear Friends,
I have been thinking a lot about how Steve and I ended up co-chairing and planning this amazing NAIN conference.  In a morning reflection, my thoughts went back to an old Vision Board I created maybe 10 years ago. I remembered the photos and my declared words on the board said “I Am an Event Planner.”  At the time I thought we would have an Interfaith Center where I would plan events for it. The Center itself has not manifested YET, however my “Event Planner”Vision certainly has!  Who would have thought we would be hosting this conference with over 240 people involved (attendees and presenters) !  Not only was this idea on my Vision board, it was also a Vision in Steve’s mind as well. In fact he tried to bring people together about 8 years ago to hold an interfaith conference.  Didn’t happen then.
So why NOW?
According to Ernest Holmes, we now have the ‘Mental Equivalent’ for it!    I have worked on ANTN conference committees and chaired one of them. I also have planned many Poway Interfaith Team events throughout the years.  Steve created several conferences in his past for the Future Society and Architectural and Engineering groups.   It took a number of  years to manifest, however here we are doing this 5 day conference.  Needless to say it is a stretch and  a challenge on all levels for us.  One of the past NAIN Presidents said to us, ” Creating a NAIN conference is not for the feint of heart.”    Well, we stepped into the role, and relied on God all the way.  This project is far greater than we had ever imagined.  In fact what we imagined in the beginning is not what is happening now.  God closed some doors and opened others.
When the conference is over and we can look back and say,
“This was a tremendous success!
Thank you God for the opportunity to serve You in this way!”
This will be one of those:
“Glad we did it, and choose not to do it again!”

I Dissolve in God

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“As God’s beloved, I live in bliss knowing that my soul is never separated from Him, for I learn to know Him in all that I see.  God dissolved my mind, my separation.  I cannot describe now my intimacy with Him.”    – St. Teresa of Avila

Dear Friends,
In my morning prayer/meditation time I read the above quote from the Science of Mind magazine and was deeply touched by the  phrase,
“God dissolved my mind, my separation…’
As I read this, I realized that is what I want in my heart and in my mind. I want to dissolve any idea of separation from God or anything that appears in my life.
The other day, a person, who is a colleague friend, said something that really pushed my buttons.  It was as if he was “dissing” all the work Steve and I are putting into making the NAIN Conference successful.
He has not supported or contributed in any way and wanted us to put our attention to other interfaith activities and events we have sponsored in the past.  It came as a shock, and at the time we really didn’t know what to say.  The next day both Steve and I wrote a letter sharing our feelings with him. We  both were affected by his comments and needed to share  how he made us feel.  When he receives the letter, it will be a test of friendship to disagree and move on and continue to be friends.
I felt so separated  and isolated from this gentleman when he made his comments.  I felt the anger put up my arm as an  invisible barrier between us. In meditation, after reading. St. Teresa’s quote “God dissolved my mind, my separation….” I realized this man has a deep love for our traditional interfaith events, and how he has missed it and possibly felt the loss.  In my new perspective and  understanding I saw the situation from his point of view, I felt myself dissolve into God. I dissolved any irritation, and the push back of emotions.  I was opening my heart and dissolving the barriers of my mind.  I am and never have been separated from God or anyone else, for ALL is God.  When my mind separates from one, it separates from All.
I live in bliss knowing that my soul is never separated from Him For I learn to know Him in All I See….
Today, I dissolve into God.  I see God in my colleague.  I see my Oneness in, as and of God in all forms (people, animals, nature, and challenges).     And so it is. Amen
Dissolving in God,
Abigail

Say YES to Your Creative Urge

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There is a pattern of YOU in the invisible. You are one with, as and of the Creative Genius. You are as much a part of IT as the sun the earth and the air.
“Every man is a doorway through which the Infinite passes into the finite, through which God becomes man, through which the universal becomes the individual.”  -Emerson.
Everyone has the GOD Given potential within.
Our True Identity is God/Spirit. We have come to earth to rediscover and uncover this sense of God Awareness. The Divine Light within YOU, can never be dimmed or desecrated. The Divine Light is WHO YOU ARE and is constantly seeking expression in and through you!
Surrendering to GOD allows God to bring forth your Creative Potential!
5 Steps to Creating!
1. It takes an INTERMISSION to Find a Creative Mission.
Sometimes we just need to STOP what we are doing. Take the time to be quiet, listen to that still small voice, our intuitive spirit, the Indwelling God to hear a new idea, a better way.
2. Honor your Crazy Love.  What is it you love to do?? DO IT!!
Even if it brings you joy for the moment. What you love has energy and propels you into new experiences, insights and abilities.  Your time on earth is valuable and just  a parenthesis in our eternal life.   How are you going to spend the valuable time  you have on earth?
3.  Trade in Your Label for a Ticket to Go Anywhere!!!
Say YES to any desire ( of the Father), hope or divine invitation and/or adventure.There are no limitations in God. Trust God, not man.
Our culture demands definition, but our SOUL CRAVES Expression!
Where you start is not where you may end up.  Enjoy the ride!
4. STOP abusing and start NURTURING yourself
Talk to yourself with loving, kind, compassionate words. Every atom, cell, molecule and organ hears your thoughts and feelings.  Love and Bless your body daily.
“Everything you give this world will come from everything you give yourself.” Tama Kieves
5. Just Start DANCING and the BAND will FIND YOU!!
Step into the unknown. Create a NEW path by doing what YOU Love to do. You are unique. What you love is your Gift to the world!
Your Divine Assignment is Living the Life You Love!
Say YES to Your Creative Urge!!!
Saying YES and Lovin’ IT!
Abigail

FREEDOM

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Happy 4th of July!  Every year we celebrate this day and what it means to us as a nation, a culture, a faith community, a family and ourselves. I am grateful to our Forefathers who had the God Inspired Idea to create the Declaration of Independence and move forward in designing a nation that STATES, and DECLARES FREEDOM for All.
FREEDOM in this country, the United States of America,  means we have the inherent right to choose our destiny.  I am so happy to know we have the Divine Right to be who we want to be and live in a country, despite its flaws, where we can do that.   Yes, we have flaws, just like every other country and person in the world. We are all on this earth journey doing the best we can, with the consciousness we have.
Today, let us state and declare our own FREEDOM to choose. In order to do that we have to know clearly what we want! Instead of bemoaning a challenge, or difficulty, let us re-think the situation and turn it around to benefit us.  Victor Frankel, who endured the death camps of Nazi Germany said,
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that SPACE is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
(July Science of Mind Magazine, Kenn Gordon article)
What is your challenge today?      What would be your normal response?
What is the SPACE In Between?
Declare Your Freedom!!
Health                                SPACE In-Between
I am God. I am a Divine Emanation of Spirit. The Mighty I AM within me has never been harmed, marred, scarred or injured.
I AM the embodiment of HEALTH and WHOLENESS. I am FREE.
Relationship                  SPACE In-Between
God is LOVE in me.  God is LOVE in this person.  The God in me Loves the God in this person.  I recognize the goodness in me and the goodness in this person.  I release this person to be who he or she is meant to be and I release ME to be who I am meant to be! I am FREE.
Work                                 SPACE In-Between
I work honestly, intelligently and creatively to the best of my abilities.
I stand up for what is right and true. What others say about me, does not affect me. I am God being God at work.  I do what I love and I love what I do.  I state and allow the Universal Mind to create what is in my heart and move me to where I belong.  I am FREE.
Prosperity/Success             SPACE In-Between
I choose to stay in integrity and remain transparent.  I lift others up. I help to provide opportunities for others to succeed. I know  the Law of Circulation provides and blesses me.  I serve in a spirit of love.
I am FREE.
Story: A woman comes out of her house and sees three elderly men sitting on her porch. She invites them in, thinking they are hungry. They say  they cannot go into the house together. She asks them why and they say, “One of us is Wealth, another is Success and the third is Love.”  The woman goes back into the house and discusses with her husband and daughter which one to invite in.  The husband wants to invite Wealth in, the wife wants to invite Success in.  The daughter says, invite LOVE in.  So the wife went out and invited LOVE in.
She was surprised to see all three men come into the house. She asked the men why all three came in.  They said together, “Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success. We go with him.”
(July Science of Mind Magazine, Rev. Ron Fox article)
What FREEDOM are you stating and declaring today?
Happy 4th of July!

Religion of Love

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Dear Friends,
In my morning meditations, I often read from Pathways to Peace: Interreligious Readings and Reflections. It has truth and beauty spoken from many spiritual leaders, teachers, prophets, and gurus.  I read this passage from Muby al-din ibn’Arabi (1165-1240CE) one of Sufism’s greatest teachers. He taught the “Unity of Being and ALL that really exists is utterly ineffable and we are God’s attributes.”
“My heart has opened into every form; it is a pasture for gazelles, a cloister for Christian monks, a temple for idols, the Ka’ba of the pilgrim, the tablets of the Torah
and the book of the Qur’an.
I practice the religion of Love.”
LOVE is within and yet beyond all faith traditions.  It is the GOD GLUE holding all universes and dimensions together.  We know this to be true every time we forgive, every time we reach out to help someone in need, every time we ask for forgiveness.  This incredible feeling of pure peace, joy and love flows through us.  It is God saying YES, that is how I created you to feel.  Love Heals, Love Prospers, Love opens the gates of good flowing in our lives. Love is the link that connects us with all our fellow human beings regardless of faith, culture, race, country, or gender orientation, and our animal friends as well.
As John Lennon  put it, “Why can’t we all just get along?!”
We are created out of the ONE STUFF, material, essence of  God.
We are 99.9% the same.. The  .1% reminds us of our uniqueness  as flowers in the garden.  When we remember our ONENESS we are remembering the LOVE that keeps us alive, well and blessed.
Open your heart wider today and LOVE more deeply, more profoundly for every living and non living thing.  You will feel so good and you will ultimately realize you are LOVING Yourself!

I Am a Vortex of God

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Dear Friends,

I walked the labyrinth this morning and then sat on one of our comfy chairs to pause, reflect and meditate.  I looked at the center of the labyrinth with its beautiful gifts of crystals and stones.  It looked like a beautiful vortex where love, joy, healing, wholeness can come up from the depths of Mother Earth and spray out into the ethers of our neighborhood, city, state, country and world.  A spray of Love to all.

I also thought of vortexes in Sedona and other places in the world. We can’t always go to these energetic   places to experience an encounter with the Divine.  I feel very blessed to have a labyrinth in my backyard.

Then the thought came to me, places such as Sedona or the center of our labyrinth is not the only Vortex.  There are millions, billions of vortexes and one of them is ME.  It occurred to me, sometimes when walking the labyrinth we are trying to GET to something, or GET an answer from something, which is God. 

In New Thought we believe we are ONE in, as and of God.  We are walking emissaries and immanent beings of God. Therefore what we are seeking, we are already, God, Spirit, Divine Intelligence, Great Love and more! Aren’t we really seeking God when we ask for a healing, or a solution to a problem or  the right outcome for a challenge?

Yes of course.  

“Our desire is for God to fix broken things. But God’s desire for us is to fix our relationship with him. ” 

-Laura Story,

We really don’t have to go anywhere. We can imagine ourselves walking a labyrinth or being at one of the world’s energy vortexes.  We breathe deeply to quiet our heart, mind, body and think about GOD.  

“Be Still and Know That I AM God.”

When we do, Spirit can rise up within us as a gentle flow of love, knowledge, wisdom, wholeness, caring and divine ideas which we can understand and use as answers and solutions to our prayers.

 WE Are Our Own Center, Our Own GOD VORTEX!!!

 God within has all and is all that we could ever need.

Fixin’ with God

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Dear Friends,
Do you ever want someone to just FIX IT, whatever  IT is!?
What might need fixin’ is a work challenge, a relationship trial, even an inanimate object that needs putting together or just plain fixin!
I think we have all been in that situation at least once! 🙂
There are times while planning this conference I wanted lots of things to be fixed or done!   I may need to make a phone call, send an email, hold another meeting, talk about special catering needs, breakout session rooms logistics, bus needs, housing needs, registrations,
cancelled-registrations, brochures, maps, panels, speakers, inside sessions, outsides sessions, even   a new printer, and the list goes on…..
Yes, I need some FIXIN’ to be done.  How????The best way I know to FIX or be done with anything is to STOP trying so hard. STOP trying to do it all myself! I need to just STOP,  breathe, pray and take a moment to meditate and turn it over to GOD. What does that mean? What it does not mean is to NOT do anything.
It does mean to surrender to God’s ideas of Divine Timing, Divine Order and Divine Outcome and move forward with the Divine Thought when it enters my heart and mind. It means I need to trust that the connection I have with, in and of God is the same connection everyone has.  Therefore I am already connected to the right  person I need to call or email. I am already in a Divine relationship with everyone, and the Divine Outcome of all the details is already complete in Spirit. Even my sweet inanimate objects work to full capacity. They too feel the energy of love and quiet.
I spend time every morning in quiet prayer and meditation and read an inspirational piece.  It relives me of any anxiety I might be feeling for the day. I focus on God, on Good, knowing all that I need, I have. I surrender the order for the day and leave it in God’s hands. When  my meditation time is  complete, I move through the day with focus and purpose.  I get more done than I thought I could and even other things I had not considered.
GOD has a way. God has THE plan.
I just release and say, There is only One Will:
“My will is THY Will. THY Will is my will”
Here is beautiful prayer from A Selections of Healing Prayers by Ambrose Alexander Worrall ( I used the word ‘I’ instead of ‘we’)
“Dear Father, it is time for me to walk again in the Garden of Prayer, along the paths that lead to the inner sanctuary where I will find Thee. As I approach Thee, the turmoil of the world is left behind and I come into that abode of peace in which soul speaks to soul
and all is in harmony with Thee.
I have now entered into the chamber of communion and here Thou wilt impress me with the guidance for the day to come.  Here also Thy power will flow into me and through me to others who will be blessed in accordance with their needs. I too shall be made whole for this is the law, and for all these things I give thanks.
Amen.
Fixin’ with God,
Abigail

Listen to Young Adults

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“The more we increase the active participation and partnership with young people, the better we serve them. … And the more comprehensively we work with them as service partners, the more we increase our public value to the entire community.”
– Carmen Martinez
Dear Friends,
I have not only been the co-chair with Steve and working diligently on all aspects of the NAIN conference, I have also been working with an Inter-generational Planning Team for a session at the conference. It has and still is a pleasure to work with my team of
20+, 30+, 40+ and 50+ age members. It was and still is  a collaboration and cooperation of love, respect and valuing of each other’s ideas and skills.  We are visioning others will take the these basics and apply them to their own interfaith and intergenerational groups.
Are you a member of a group, organization or team?
What is your age range?
Would you like young adults ages 18-35 to take an active part of the leadership and direction of your group?
How will you engage this age group to work alongside you?
The Poway Interfaith Team has been challenged by this as well. After this conference I hope to personally find the best ways to incorporate young adults in our planning and visioning process.  One thing YA do not like to hear, is that they are our future.  Their statement is, “Why not now?  We have great ideas and ways to implement them now.”
Come to the NAIN conference, especially on Monday, where you will hear the amazing things young adults are doing and and dialogue with young adults at the Inter-generational Dialogue session Monday afternoon. Your eyes will be opened and learn new ways all generations can work together for a common good and goal.
On a more personal note, I have been working with my daughter, age 30+ on the redesigning of our guest room.  She has a degree in Ecological Interior Design so I know she has the skills and knowledge to redecorate a room. She has been doing this for years commercially, for grade schools, high schools and colleges.
However my own ego almost got in the way.  I showed her my paint chips for the room with ideas for decorating. And she said no, too harsh a color, not enough this or that. etc. I finally let it go and LISTENED to her.  Well, the colors she picked were PERFECT for the room.  She saw, what I couldn’t see.
The point is, do we really LISTEN to our youth and young adults. Do we really appreciate their intelligence and expertise regardless of age?  What are you doing to encourage young adults to use their knowledge and skills?   Food for thought.

God is Where You Are

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Dear Friends,
I read this quote on Rev. Pattie Weber’s newsletter and it really plinged a Truth Chord in me!  Imagine,  God the Power of the Universe is right here NOW with me, and with you.
We know God does not play favorites
(much to the woe of people who pray for their sports team to win etc.).
God is right here in the Big Picture and God is right here in the small details.
I feel that truth so often as I am pushed or pulled to accomplish something.  Of course helping Steve plan this major NAIN Conference is a Big thing in my mind and yet every  detailed step of the way we have been guided to do what is needed to be done with wonderful help and support.
Sometimes God, the Universe moves QUICKLY.   This happened when I stood on my balcony saying to the Universe, I would love to have  a labyrinth in my back yard.  Before I knew it, the junk under the balcony was hauled away, the labyrinth area was prepared, the many trips to KRC Rock brought home the right river rocks and then we had our Dedication.  We have been having Labyrinth Walks for 3 1/2 years now.  Time flys.
On another note, we are redecorating our guest room and once I felt the urge to GET IT DONE, the Universe opened up so completely it was like waiting for me to catch up!
The old trundle bed and desk were sold so quickly on Craig’s List I was hardly prepared. Then I needed to repaint the room. After getting the paint at Home Depot, I asked the checkout lady about painters.  She said she would inquire. By the time I got home, a painter was calling and we set a time for him to come over.  Once done, I realized I needed a bed.  With my daughter’s help I was able to order one and a mattress.  The bed frame came a day early so my son, who was visiting, helped Steve put it together. It all seemed to happen so fast! I am so sure the mattress and bedding will also come quickly.
It is as if the Universe is saying GET IT DONE. You will need this bed SOON.
To God there is no big or little, no time limit, just the willingness to say YES to our heart’s desire. What is your heart’s desire saying today?  What is it you feel the need to do, the push to get it done, the pull of something greater than yourself?   From the smallest to the greatest ideas and desires, God is right where you are, with all the power, wisdom and intelligence available within you!
Call out from the deepest part of your soul and spirit. You are heard. You will be answered. Enjoy the journey!,