10 of 40 Day 26 Spirituality

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

— John 3:16

Love

Do you believe in unconditional love? We talk about it as if it is possible but is your love truly unconditional.  We know God loves us unconditionally.  He loves us like we are His children. And I would believe that for most of us the love of our children is as close to unconditional as we can get.  But….do you have a breaking point?  A point when enough is just truly enough.  Have you lived that reality? If so, I can imagine it would be one of the most painful experiences to face.

Throughout the centuries God has had to teach us, forgive us, love us, forgive us, teach us again, forgive us and the pattern continues on and on.  But one thing that doesn’t change is His love for us.

When it comes to how we love, we talk about “falling” in love.  Falling is a scary thought.  True love can fill us with fear.  Fear of that love not being reciprocated, fear of being hurt, fear of losing ourselves in another person.  But love can also fill us with hope, joy and complete inner peace, a vibrant energy that with it we are free to do and be anything.

Does the positive outweigh the negative? For me, that answer is yes.  Look into the eyes of someone you love, don’t use any words, just touch the person on the shoulder and feel your heart.  Can you feel the energy – the electric surge of connection? Can you feel yourself connected to something more, something greater than yourself.

Now, think of God. Think about God’s love for us. Think about His connection. Meditate or pray, speak to God directly.  Can you feel it? Can you feel the love and energy that He is sending around you and through you.  As you feel the power of this moment, remember that this love is unconditional.  It is there for you and only you.  It is meant to give you hope, joy and peace. Enjoy the moment and bring it with you throughout your day knowing that you are special, unique, cared for and forever loved!

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

“There is no greater power in Heaven or on Earth than pure, unconditional love. The nature of the God force, the unseen intelligence in all things, which causes the material world and is the center of both the spiritual and physical plane, is best described as pure, unconditional love.”

— Wayne Dyer

10 of 40 Day 25 Spirituality

Forgiveness

One of my fathers favorite comedians was Flip Wilson.  Flip Wilson would do a bit "The Devil Made Me Do It" Often times his character Geraldine would do something she shouldn't and then tell her husband with an elaborate story that "The Devil Made Me Do It" The stories were hysterical and if you've never had an opportunity to hear or see Flip Wilson make sure you look up some of his sketches.  

I bring Flip Wilson up because I think about how often we do something we actually regret, not like the Geraldine character trying to explain why she bought a dress. 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 NIV

Do you have pain you hold on to? And do you believe God truly forgives or is it difficult to imagine God forgiving you for the mistakes you make?

We can read the many verses in the Bible that talk about forgiveness, but isn't it difficult to believe that God can forgive us when we struggle not only forgiving others but ourselves as well?

Is it possible that when we learn to be understanding, when we judge less and accept more, when we stop the gossip and recognize the beauty in all people, even when they make a mistake that we can be more present to the love God provides in us and others. That maybe we can then learn to stop judging and condemning ourselves and those around us and know that God does forgive us and in turn we can be open to do what God asks of us and forgive others. 

Each Sunday, you most likely pray the Lord's Prayer in church.  But do you pray verse 14-15. 

“
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

— Matthew 6:9-15 NIV

The older I get the more in tune I have become to the notion that I do not understand or know why someone does what they do.  There is usually a bigger story than the one I know and most importantly it is not up to me to be the judge, jury and executioner.  I have made my fair share of mistakes and missteps in life.  I would like others to forgive me, and it is my goal to forgive others and to judge less. It many times may not be easy, but don't we all recognize - it's the right thing to do. So, take a moment today. Forgive those who have hurt you or someone you love and then take a moment to forgive yourself for what you have done to hurt yourself or someone else. And remember that - God has already forgiven you!

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

10 of 40 Day 24 Spirituality

Christmas in July

We've all heard the advertisements - "Enjoy Christmas Savings in July!"  So, here we are once again in July and Christmas couldn't be any further away from our minds. Or is it?.... I just purchased my first gift for someone last week and it has me thinking about the monetary value we've connected to this very special day designed to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior. 

Are you starting to plan out your gift giving? Preparing to over shop, over think and over spend for this 2017 Christmas? The thought has me thinking....We so often start saying things like, "we need to end the commercialism of Christmas" (and other holidays for that matter), "we need to be thinking about the reason for the season," "we need to make Christmas about faith, family and love."  But do we ever follow through? Often times, when we start making these statements it's too late to make the necessary adjustments, people have already bought gifts for us and time starts rushing by quickly. Maybe, if we start considering a solution earlier.  What if we start planning now, in July to scale back on the gifts, volunteer more or volunteer to do a specific project, go to church and connect with our family.  Christmas in July could be a beautiful time of readjusting our thoughts and actions to really consider the magnitude of the day and by living it we could adjust our lives monumentally. What if we talked to family and friends about giving up the gift giving or using the money we would have spent to donate to our favorite charity and just spend time together. Could we collectively change the scope of our connection to others and to God this year?

With this thought in mind, I am going to begin implementing a new plan for December, right now. We will be scaling back the gifts, plan activities that give back, spending more quality time with family and friends and give to those who are truly in need. 

Let's take back our holiday and see what we gain. The gifts we receive may be far greater than the pretty boxes with bows under the tree. 

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

10 of 40 Day 23 Spirituality

Inspiration

Do you feel inspiration in your life? For me nature inspires but you need to be present truly present to notice it.  As I sit outside typing this blog I stop and listen in on the birds chatting, I see the calm glass like lake slightly ripple and reflect the trees above, occasionally a fish jumps and I am reminded that there is as much going on under the water as there is above it. The gentle breeze moves our American flag banner ever so slightly and I find that my thoughts go to this day. Independence Day. An inspiration of a different kind.  Our forefathers and mothers battling to find a new life for us.  Sacrificing their lives to make our country great.

Are there other things to inspire me on this quiet morning?  My coffee is good but not the best I've made.  I am a coffee mug snob, so I am pleased to be drinking out of my white Starbucks mug. The coffee is black and warm and rich and I am inspired as I think about all the things that had to happen for this coffee to get to me.  All the lives the beans touched and the places that it came from before it graced my mug.  Something we take for granted in this beautiful country of ours, is that everything is available to us at any given moment. So yes, I believe even coffee can be inspiring.

Spiritually right now, I am inspired by Thomas Merton, St. Francis of Assisi, Richard Rohr and St. Teresa of Avila. I've read books like the The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer that have brought about such deep soul searching that I have to prepare myself to read it a second time. I read the beautiful writing of Thomas Merton whose book "The Seven Storey Mountain" is filled with poetic descriptions of his life and faith. I read "Love Poems from God - Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West" by Daniel Ladinsky and I am transported by the words. I am currently reading "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr and wonder how he knows me so well. I also enjoy an app "Pray as you Go" Each day except Saturday you receive a new piece of music, scripture, reflection and time of prayer.

I am inspired by meditation and by music. By life stories of courage and love. By books and poems, by writings and nature.  I was recently inspired during a seminar, where the instructors had us do an exercise that we were able to feel the energy between us and connecting us. Now, that was inspiring.  

I am inspired by my husband, my children, my brothers, sisters in law and my nieces and nephews. I am inspired by friends. All of these people teach me everyday the importance of hard work, connection to others, using your inner energy to wake up to the world around you and they teach me to try to be free and kind.

Overall, the real gift of inspiration is one that I am still learning. To be present and use my senses, to recognize the gifts that stand in front of me, beside me and hold me up when my legs can't bear the weight of another day. 

So...I guess for me, my inspiration comes from many places. I just need to be awake to hear the voice within and open my heart to feel it's vibration.

Wishing you Grace, Peace and Healthy Living,

Lorraine 

“IN A WAY THE GRAIN CAN FEEL

Remember, God that we are the plants in your fields
so connected to the
earth
that you know what would happen
if you did not rain
upon us.
And if your light ceased to lift us from the ground
and craft our bodies,
how might we near you like the
suns?
Remember, God, to love us in a way
our souls can taste
and rejoice
in.”

— St. Teresa of Avila

10 of 40 Day 22 Spirituality

Nature

Do you see God in nature? I would assume everyone said "YES!". God is all around us,  in the birds and the trees, the water, and the breeze. God is in the owl you hear as the moon begins to disappear and the sun just starts to wake up in the sky. God fills the air with birds chirping in the morning and the sounds of squirrels rustling the leaves in the trees, God is the green grass and the blue skies. God is the smell of rain and the scent of lilacs on a spring day.  God is in the cool smooth water and the tickle of sand between your toes. God is in the fresh taste of corn from the stalk, sweet watermelon and crunchy broccoli.  

How do you feel God in the breeze and the warm sun? How are your senses awakened by God? What are the ways you feel the energy and the silent connection to something bigger than you, bigger than us, bigger than our world? When you are touched by that energy, that vibrant love that is living all around us, what do you do? How do you take note and what can you do with that feeling?

I am most awake and aware when I sit on my porch at the lake, when I walk along the beach or when I pick fresh vegetables from my garden.  When in these moments, I am overwhelmed by the sense of greatness all around me.  A world of beauty filled with textures, vivid colors, harmonious sounds, delicious smells and tastes. It is an opportunity to thank God for this gift.  A gift of wonder and beauty.  My favorite Bible verse is from Psalms 118 verse 24.  "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." I recite this verse every morning as a reminder that this day is beautiful no matter what the weather or the chaos that will possibly consume me later.  Because no matter what,  God's world is here for us, giving to us and loving us.  

Just like the amazing book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. In the end giving "the boy" a stump to sit on.  Always giving to the end, God just like the giving tree - always there to help us and lend a stump to sit on and join Him. 

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

— Mother Teresa

10 of 40 Day 21 Spirituality

Faith & Religion

“God said, I am made whole by your life, Each soul, each soul completes me.””

— Hafiz

I am a Christian.  I grew up as a Methodist in a town that was predominately Catholic or Jewish.  My Dad grew up with Catholic traditions, so of course we ate the dreaded fish stick every Friday night. My father in law was Catholic so of course I would have rosary beads hanging in my house. My sister in law grew up in a Catholic household and went to Catholic school for the entirety of her pre-college education.  And I must say I really do like this Pope.  Pope Francis appears to be kind, smart, loving, fair and expectant of his flock and fellow clergy to do the right thing. So, I feel comfortable saying that I have an understanding of the Catholic church. I spent my entire adult life working for or volunteering for the Methodist Church.  I have been an Administrator, Children's Minister, Recreation Director, Sunday School Teacher and on multiple boards and committees. So, I once again, feel comfortable saying that I have an understanding of the Methodist church. I have friends that are Jewish, Catholic, Non-Denominational, Wesleyan, Presbyterian, Methodist and many other faiths.  In the end, I would say that I believe in formal religion and I have a good understanding of the overall concept. 

So what does it mean to be religious and what does it mean to be faithful? To me faith represents how we feel and in many ways religion is how we think.  Both aspects are important.  I must say you can have religion without faith and you can have faith without religion. But putting the two together is a perfect marriage. 

One of the areas I am sad to say that I often see is religious judgement.  If someone follows another denomination there is often a sense of judgement. I am also sad to say, there was a time that I had been one of those people. We tend to believe that if you do not worship the same way I worship or if your belief system is different,  than you are either lost, misguided, ignorant or you just don't have the "faith" that I have.

But if we really think about it, is that what God would want from us? Instead, what would happen, if we took the opportunity to appreciate that we each learn, grow and teach from a different perspective.  That we all love one another and teach that love to others, if we use less judgement and more faith and consideration of what we are guided to do - then isn't that living our faith? Faith is joy, faith is love, faith is acceptance, faith is the knowledge that there is More. Religion is thought, connection, participation and community.  

Putting together our joy, love, acceptance, thought, connection, participation and community can only guide us to calmer seas.  I use this wording based upon the Bible verses James 1:2-8.  It makes sense, at one point or another we are each like the wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. But, in those moments when we are strong and living our faith we can become the calm and feel the deep fulfillment of God in our lives.  And although this verse comes from the New Testament doesn't it apply to all that are faithful to God? 

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ”

— James 1: 2-8

10 of 40 Day 20

Connecting the Dots....

These past 10 days I have discussed meditation, connection with others, finding your inner artist, your inner critic, mindfulness, TED talks, cardiac rehab, balance and forest bathing.  If you watched the TED talk by Jill Bolte-Taylor you will recognize that each of these areas are lighting up our brain.  Igniting a spark of life and connection to our body.  As discussed in the cardiac rehab blog our minds and our bodies are connected in ways that I do not feel we yet fully understand.  And as such we need to flex, stretch and exercise all of the different quadrants of our mind.  Whether we are opening ourselves up to expression in the arts and sciences, to learning new recipes, noticing a forest with all of our senses or sitting quietly in meditation or mindfulness.  Exposing our mind to concrete facts and to the possibilities can not only give us more purpose and presence in our daily lives it can also make us healthier, happy people, living longer more productive lives.  Think about the ways you can light up your brain today and then do it!  Visualize the electricity and appreciate your ability to do so.  

““To experience peace does not mean that your life is always blissful. It means that you are capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst the normal chaos of a hectic life.”
”

— -Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

Life Coaching is not for everyone, and I write these blogs for a multitude of reasons but if you are interested in Life Coaching as a way to grow in thought, mind and experience, please contact me.  Coaching can be done in person, via FaceTime or on the phone.  I hope to hear from you - focusing on our overall health is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves and all of the people in our lives. 

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

10 of 40 Day 19

Love, Friendship & Your Gifts Uncovered for the World

Dr. Dean Ornish http://deanornish.com respected physician, researcher and writer has done the work.  He has proven the steps to a long healthy life.  Food, Exercise, Meditation and Community.  

For today, I want to talk about community.  Do you have someone you love in your life? Friendships that fill your life?  According to Dr. Ornish it is necessary to have people in our lives that we connect to.  Along with that he states in his Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/dean_ornish_on_healing that Intimacy IS Healing.  Sexual/Erotic, Friendship/Family, Altruism/Compassion, Service, Meditation, Forgiveness, Community/Support Groups.  With each of these things in our life we live longer happier lives.  Without them, the evidence shows a shorter life expectancy.  

To further this idea, in his book "How to Live a Good Life" author Jonathan Fields www.goodlifeproject.com talks about buckets.  You need to have three buckets "Vitality" "Connection" & "Contribution".  He states that one bucket cannot overflow without the other buckets filling as well.  Vitality in our health both physical and mental, Connection with others along with faith and Contribution, how you bring your gifts to the world.  

Vitality is the idea that you must feel good in order to be happy.  It makes sense, if our bodies ache or we have pain we are not our best self.  This would also include being grateful and having a sense of meaning in life. Connection is about our connection to others, God, Spirit and everything around us.  I would include pets.  For me, seeing my dogs sweet face makes me smile, not only on the outside but inside as well. She fills me daily. Contribution is about sharing yourself with your community and beyond. 

Is your vitality bucket full? Do you feel good, exercise, eat right, take care of your mind and your body?

How about your Connection Bucket? Do you have people you care for in life that you can lean on and that can lean on you? Do you feel spiritually fulfilled?

And your Contribution Bucket...Are you making a difference in the life of another by using your talents and gifts?

If you are like me, you know which buckets need care and filling.  And you most likely have an idea how to do it.  For me, I am using the lessons in "How to Live a Good Life" to enhance my efforts. 

I believe being well rounded lifts me up and when that happens I am able to lift others. 

“A good life is made of a series of good days, starting with today.””

— Annie Dillard

My blog is always centered around food, mind, body and spirit.  Why is that? Because, I am a Life Coach and my job is to consider the whole person.  We are not one thing but a sum of all of our parts.  Eating healthy, exercise, love and community all affect our bodies.  And our healthy body makes us a happier person.  A person able to participate in the world around us.  Our healthy body is directly related to our healthy brain.  And our brain is enhanced by our good food, exercise, community, love choices.  It is a circle.  A circle of behavior.  I understand if you are lacking in one of these areas it will not be easy to make the necessary changes,  but....isn't the bigger picture worth the effort?  At times the big picture is scary.  That is why it is best to break down changes to smaller pieces and live in the present moment.  You cannot change the past or predict the future.  So step into this space, right now - Living a Strong, Living a Connected, Living a Loved, Living a Happy Life for yourself and the people/animals that love you and you love most.

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living, 

Lorraine

10 of 40 Day 18

I am reading the book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.  As a part of this reader participation self help book over the course of 12 weeks you are suppose to write three morning pages every day when you get up and go on a artistic date alone once a week.  It is interesting.  The three morning pages truly do clear your mind.  Almost like a writing meditation.  They are messy and disorganized but they are meant to release your brain from the many thoughts that enter it as you wake up.  You write things like take the dog to the groomer, pick up dry cleaning and I am excited to get my hair done today. It's amazing what just putting down your thoughts whether they be listing your daily activities or excitement about something that is happening or frustration over an event can free your mind.  

“Each of us has an inner dream that we can unfold if we will just have the courage to admit what it is. And the faith to trust our own admission. The admitting is often very difficult.
”

— Julia Cameron

The artistic date is interesting as well.  You go somewhere to excite and fill your mind and fill your "artistic tank" each week. Even more compelling is you have to do it alone.  Just you and your creative mind are on the journey. As I planned out this weeks journey I was excited. There are many places and things I want to see over this 12 week exploration into my artistic self in Georgia, New York and California and I am ready and appreciative for the push.  By week 12, I may be weary of these dates or I may be more motivated to discover the world through the eyes of my creative soul.  I am certain future blogs will be sharing my adventures with you.  What are your plans for adventure this summer and are you willing to take the leap and experience them?

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

10 of 40 Day 17

Balance

I've come to almost dislike the word.  Are any of us balanced? It is difficult to find the line between work, family, friends, activities, exercise and self help (meditation, mindfulness, on-line classes and reading to name a few).

So...how do you do it?

My short answer is "I don't know" Maybe it is taking a moment to truly consider what you want. You may spend more time at work but if  you like to be there and you receive satisfaction from it, in the end it is good.  Or during this season of your life you are searching for answers and that comes with spending more time with self help.  Or possibly you are spending multiple nights a week and every weekend at the soccer or football or baseball fields with your kids. This time may seem out of balance, but if you are connecting with others and loving the opportunity to watch your kids - then even though it is out of balance it is only for this brief time in your life and you know that you will look back and be pleased you were there.  As you flow in and out of the seasons in your life maybe that's where balance comes from, a bigger picture. A overall balanced life.  

But... what if you are out of balance for the wrong reasons.  Do you spend more time at work because you don't want to go home? Or because you are forced to stay at work and hate what you are doing? Have you become obsessed with your body image and can't seem to stop counting calories and working out.  Or are you the team parent, classroom parent, on the board of your community, coach of the soccer team and boy/girl scout leader.  In that case it may be time to regroup and rethink your balance.  Taking time to adjust - It just maybe time to change your career or eat an ice cream sandwich without guilt and allow someone else to take the lead in one or more of your children's activities.  

“No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, for ‘we’ are the only thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives.
”

— Louise L. Hay

Take a moment to reflect on your day, week, month, year.  2017 is just about half way over.  

What have you accomplished that you     wanted to do this year?

What do you want to do next and               how do you get there?

Do you need to let go of some things in order to find harmony throughout your life?

Do  you need to balance out your life to have everything you long for, or are you already there and just need to give thanks?

Reflection doesn't only need to be on December 31/January 1. Considering where you are going and finding your way on a new path can happen at any time.  As a life coach my job is to help people discover their True North.  Look at the compass - what direction are you heading in? Is it time to turn a 1/4 to the left, right or completely around? If so, what is your goal? Start today. Make a plan and begin the process. Develop SMART goals that are:  

S=Specific    M=Measured    A= Achievable    R= Realistic  T= Time Sensitive. 

Time is a funny thing, it goes by quickly - don't let your True North pass you by.

Wishing you Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine