For some there comes a time when a second chance is given.That time then becomes a celebration of the unrecognized gifts of the past and humble gratitude for the wonder of present.
This then is a collection of reflections and comments on life,work,love and faith to be sung ,and danced to, in thanksgiving for a second chance.
Charlie Brown asked Lucy why she was so happy. Lucy explained how it was "Christmas" and explained further that this was the time of the year to " spread joy, caring, compassion. giving , peace and love."
Charlie Brown wondered to Lucy "What do we do these things at "Christmastime" and why can't we do these things and be that way all year round?" Lucy yelled at Charlie Brown. " What are you some type of religious fanatic?"
Well, it is said, “You can’t push a
river, it flows by itself.” We were waiting and trusting, and then the miracle
happened. Welcome, Quinn, Welcome! It was a wonder filling surprise that the
love that we were waiting to give to you upon your arrival was in fact the most
magnificent unconditional love that blessed all who welcomed you.
Upon your arrival your mother and father
knew that they were holding pure love in their arms. They experienced the
sacred gift of your presence that was sourced by the love of a divine spark
that makes your life a true sacrament. GG believes that you and your cousin
Caroline are proof that angels do exist.
I wonder about the reason for your
crying. Do you hunger for food of this world or the nourishment of the love
that brought you into this side of paradise? Your secret smiles tell me that
you are aware of some great mystical answer that we will all return to when the
river delivers us into that ocean of mercy. But somehow you also know that
there is specialness in the present as you rest against your mother’s heart and
hear her song while sensing the gentle power of your father’s hands.
I am not sure if there is much that I
can share with you about the world you have entered. I have tried to explain to
your mother and your Zia Lindsay but I am not sure how successful I have been.
So, here are a few lessons I have learned that might be useful. I hope you find
it worthwhile.
There is a lot of goodness in this
world. Sometimes all you need to do is open your heart to find the goodness. It
helps to associate with good people who are like your mom and dad. Good always
overcomes evil. Being present and mindful with gratitude to the present moment
will get you closer to the sacred in this world. Spending time in nature will
immerse you in that peace that you knew before you were born. Long walks in the
woods and sitting on the beach witnessing sunrises and sunsets are serene
up-lifting moments. Storms happen but remember storms end - so keep the faith.
Every so often you might make a
mistake but that is just proving that you are human. It is said,“ If a problem can be solved…why worry
and if problem is unsolvable, worrying will not help.”
Be authentic and honest and always
show compassion and mercy. You will be remembered by how you live and love and
not by how much you have or have not accumulated. It really doesn’t matter as
to how you “make” a living as long as you live well, live with love, integrity
and truth. The secrets to success are to use your talents as they have been
given to you for a reason. Follow your bliss.
No one should be taken for granted as
God creates us all. Remember there are those who are less fortunate and need
your help. Look at the values and careers of your mom and dad. Don’t forget
that you are loved and that loving yourself and others is what life is really
all about. My own father used to say “ Do the right thing because it is the
right thing and not because you desire some reward.”
Sing, dance, laugh and help others do
the same. Play- set your spirit free. If you play sports or play music play
with all your heart and energy. If you love to write, paint or solve scientific
or mathematical problems immerse yourself completely in whatever you do.
Read everything you can .You can find
wisdom in good books and find the soul of the divine in poetry. If you love to
write, never stop as “writing is knowing” and you will find yourself and the
secret to tranquility.
It make take a while to realize this,
but God is in all things all ways and prayer works! Trust your intuition. Be
amazed by life and know you will amaze others.
The two pilgrims who have
been trying to make their escape to a place called Paradise. Suddenly the two
do not recognize anything on their passage. Most things and people they
encounter are unfamiliar. Pilgrim One starts to show signs of anxiety while
Pilgrim Two starts to flip through a book he has in is knapsack.
Pilgrim One: What the heck are you
doing? How can you begin to think about reading when we are at the precipice of
self-demise? Can’t you take anything seriously?
Pilgrim Two: I am quite serious and this
is just not any book.
Pilgrim One: Oh, I expect that this book
is the one and only “ Good Book?”
Pilgrim Two: Well, it is a good book in
a way. It is one of the journals I have been keeping. As a matter of fact this
particular journal is one in a long line of meditation and reflection filled
pages.
Pilgrim One: So, do you have a map in
there or some great insight that will put us on the right path again?
Pilgrim Two: Well, yes and no. Years ago
I met a wise man from the Big East who gave me some advice.
Pilgrim One: Don’t tell me you took that
“Course on Miracles” and these are your notes! Don’t you realize that …
Pilgrim Two puts up his hand
to signal, “stop” as he interrupts the wound up Pilgrim One’s queries and
confrontation….
Pilgrim Two: Hold on a minute will ya!
No, this is not that text on “The Course in Miracles: To Find Peace and
Happiness” but in a way it is an elementary method of discerning one’s
blessings and being mindful of the sacred in all things. This wise man I spent
some time with used to quote Einstein for me , “ There are two ways to live
your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though
everything is a miracle.” So, years ago I started to try o be aware of all the
miracles and blessings in my life. Then I started to write about these
observations and meditations in a journal.
Pilgrim One: What are you talking about?
How does this help anything? How does this help us now?
Pilgrim Two: If you let me finish I will
tell you. Every morning I sit in wonder and am overwhelmed with humility that
the great grace is filling all things in the universe. This wonder-filled
canvas of pure peace and love surrounds us and it fills up my spirit.
Pilgrim One: A little simplistic isn’t
it? You are not going to lecture me about God, heaven and all that again.
Pilgrim Two: I really don’t care what
you label that energy of great love that has caused all existence through
magnificent peace and love. By the way, for the record, I don’t believe in your
concept that heaven is really the same as some theme park at Disney world or
grand resort on the Riviera located above the stars. All one needs to do is
look, see and feel. No thinking is required, you know.
Pilgrim One flailing his
arms screams out
Pilgrim One: Where are you going with
this? How is this going to help us get to where we need to go? I don’t
understand.
Pilgrim Two: In the pages of this
journal I have tried to write what I am sensing or experienced when I attempt
to be present. Sometimes I feel as though great secrets of the universe are
revealed. Sometimes I experience a consolation so great that I believe I am a
part of the expansive canvas of pure peace. Sometimes the tranquility comes from
the stars. Sometimes I can hear to sweet serenity in the songs of the pre-dawn
birds welcoming the sun. Sometimes the waft of salt air form the sea along with
the lapping waves on the beach are all part of the harmonious symphony of
serenity.
Then
sometimes I drift and contemplate to wonder of existence : Love, intimacy,
compassion and mercy. The miracle of conception and birth comes to mind. Where
does that spark come from that initiates all life? How does that happen,
really?
I
think of how there are no accidents.Einstein was to have said that,
“
Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” Whoever and whatever God is I
don’t think that this universal magnificence is passive at all.
Then
sometimes I drift again and write about true happiness. I reflect on how I have
never read a story or poem or heard a song or have seen a movie where the one who has the most possessions or biggest bank account has found authentic
happiness or peace.
Pilgrim One now with his
face in his hands whimpers
Pilgrim One: I don’t understand. I don’t
understand. How is this book and all this going to help us get to where we need
to go?
Pilgrim Two:You see I believe that the help, this gift is all about love.
Love is the origin of everything. Love is the reason for existence. Love is
that which fills the universe and every moment we love we are experiencing the
sacred. We become the divine when we love, as all that is love is divine.
So,
we really do not need to get anywhere. We really don’t need to own anything. If
I feel lost or feel alone and can’t connect with that which is truly important
I look into my journal’s writings and discover that I have witnessed true peace
and that miracle of love. And, in this witnessing I realize somehow
mysteriously with all my imperfections I am participating of this miracle.
Heaven is not a destination. Heaven is where love is. Heaven is here and now.
Pilgrim One: I guess I know what you
mean. In the movie “Field of Dreams” the main character meets the spirit of his
father who asks
‘Is
this heaven?’ and the main character responds that it is Iowa and asks his
father’s spirit if there is a heaven and the father says ‘ Oh, yeh, it is the
place dreams come true” and the main character looks at his wife and daughter
on the porch of their farm house next to a ball field in the middle of his
cornfield and smiles saying “Maybe this is heaven.”
The two find a half finished
bottle of Merlot and a baguette in their sole knapsack and the companions begin
to celebrate.
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present."
(Final Scene Field of Dreams- smart phone click link)
