Sometimes

Sometimes you just have to let go and have "childlike" fun.

Renovating the "To Do" List

Photo by Deb @ Carrots and Kids

“Change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people.”

 – Exodus 32:12

Hi.  My name is Freddae' and I’m addicted to “To Do” lists.  Many have tried to get me to lighten up on these lists over the years but to no avail.  Maybe it’s my upbringing in a hard working, rather workaholic family, or maybe it’s my type A personality, but I just can’t quit making lists.  You can find them all over my computer, in my purse, throughout my date planner, on my phone (yes, there’s an app for that), in my car…even in my Bible.  I have managed to meticulously outline the things I “need” to do in every compartment of my life.  I am thoroughly convinced that if I were to ever misplace my lists I would loose my mind - that is until I made another one.  Needless to say, I’m a “To Do” list girl.

Recently, I was reading a book of meditations for parents and came across one that had these lists as its central focus.  What I found new and interesting was a very simple statement that made me stop in my tracks and reflect on life for a few minutes. 

“If you have to live by lists, put ‘Love My Children’ at the top.”

I got to thinking about all the things that usually make it on these lists of mine and realized, quite sadly, that the simple act of loving someone, particularly my friends and family, never makes it on paper.  Of course, it’s always there in my mind and my heart, but why don’t I prioritize that on my list?  Other things not on my list:  pray, journal, spend time with God and read scripture.  I guess I just assume these things are givens and don’t need to be written down because “I’ll remember them.”  But do I?  What if it were as big of a deal to have something interrupt my family or God time, as it is when something interrupts my work or homework time?  What if I showed my family and my God that they truly are on the top of any list I could ever write?  How would my life be different if the first things on my list or calendar were ways to love, care for, be attentive to and show grace to my family and the One who gave all to save me?  If neglect can cause my relationship with God and loved ones to suffer, maybe I should do as Exodus says and “change my mind” about how I got about things.  My prayer for you and I this week is that we realize the importance of things and that nothing really compares to the charge we’ve been given to love God, love our neighbors and love ourselves.  So revamp your “To Do” list and put what’s really important at the very top.

Encounter Healing

Encounter, by Zoe Hersey

"Anyone who has ever felt the distance between herself and her true self-and who has looked for a way back-knows that the awe and humility that come from recognizing her place in nature can point the way. No matter how long the journey, when we return to our essence-our self-we are met with compassion, gentleness and love. And from here, hope and healing take flight."
– Mariska Hargitay, Founder & President, Joyful Heart Foundation

Winter Wellness Meditation from Joyful Heart Foundation

To begin, find a comfortable seat, take a few moments to quiet your mind and focus your attention on your breath. Noticing the inhale and exhale, feel the air flowing in and out of your nostrils. You will begin by offering Metta to yourself. If distracting thoughts arise, acknowledge them, you can make a mental note or label them and then gently return to your concentration.
Visualize yourself and repeat the following phrases several times:
May I be safe.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be at peace.
May I be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
When you feel connected, move on to a person that you love, someone who makes you feel joy. Visualize them and repeat mantra to them:
May you be safe.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be at peace.
May you be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
Next, chose a neutral person. It could be the person at the grocery store, bodega, someone in your neighborhood… anyone you feel no strong connection to. Visualize this person and offer the mantra to them: May you be safe… May you be…
Now move on to a person who you are in conflict with or struggle with somehow. Offer them the same mantra: May you be safe… May you be…
Finally, repeat the mantra for all living beings, yourself included:
May we be safe.
May we be happy.
May we be healthy.
May we be at peace.
May we be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
Sit and take 3 – 5 breaths before opening your gaze and when you feel ready, gently open your eyes.

"Justice and Women"

I was reading through an article on Sojourner's website (which I don't always agree with but I find good food for reflection non-the-less) today and after thinking about it for awhile, I decided I would share it with you.  This is a very compelling statement, one that I don't disagree with, yet one that I think through affirmative dialogue, members of the human race can strive to make non-existent in the future.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and to open such a dialogue here.

Justice and Women

by Julie Clawson 09-15-2010

We live in a world full of pain and injustice; there is no getting around that fact. We can hide from the truth or try to protect ourselves from reality, but just because we don’t want to know about it, doesn’t mean it still doesn’t exist. Our world does its best to hide its dark side from consumer’s eyes, and our school boards do their best to hide most of history from our children. It takes work to keep our eyes open wide enough to see reality. Thankfully, there are people out there who do try to be informed, who try to end injustice, to heal past wounds, and to make amends. Yet recently, as I was reading Eduardo Galeano’s classic book Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of Pillage of a Continent, I came across an almost casually mentioned atrocity that jolted me with the reminder that, even for the people who are out there actively seeking to fight injustice, there remains one injustice that many would prefer to continue to ignore — the oppression of women. Across the world it is women who often face the worst injustices and yet are often brushed aside as not important enough to seek justice for.
In writing about how the sugar cane industry has destroyed the land and economies of many Latin American countries and led to numerous human rights abuses, Galeano mentioned that in certain plantations in Brazil (at least as of his writing) it was common practice for the plantation owners to claim jus primae noctis, or, right of the first night, with the daughters of their workers. Most commonly known to us from the movie, Braveheart, this is a medieval custom given to the Lord of an area — the right to the virgin night of all the women whom he ruled. Although in Medieval times the actual consummation was rarely if ever practiced, as many families chose the option of “giving” the Lord the bride’s dowry instead (what the Lord was after anyway), Galeano reports that on the plantations, the owners would demand the right to have their way with their workers’ 11 to 12-year-old daughters, in exchange for the worker remaining in their employment.
Reading this affected me in a visceral way. In the midst of a litany of oppression, I was reminded that women truly bear the brunt of injustice worldwide. Their bodies are chattel, they aren’t deemed worthy of education, and, if they get any food at all, they are fed leftovers. Because they are women, their oppression is magnified. Not only must they endure the poverty and the colonialism, but also the objectification of their bodies and the required subjugation of their wills. When voices for liberation or revolution arise, the women are called upon to endure hardships and make sacrifices, but it is never their liberation that is fought for. The few that call out for women’s needs to be addressed and for liberation to come to women are told that, in light of the greater injustices and oppression, their cause is just a selfish distraction. I hear it all the time in the church — there are just too many more important things to spend energy on than trying to bring justice to women. We aren’t even worth the effort of those that make it a point to care about injustice and the oppressed.
Feminist post-colonial theologians are quick to point out this imbalance. They ask: How can we say that we truly desire liberation if, in achieving that liberation, women still remain oppressed? They repeatedly insist that equality and respect for women should never be an afterthought, to be sought sometime after the real work of combating injustice is done, but instead it should be at the very foundation of what it means to seek liberation itself. Nations and races cannot ever fully work for reconciliation and mutual respect if those nations are built upon oppression from within. But sadly, theirs are not the voices that are commonly heard.
In recently reading non-Western theologies (both post-colonial and evangelical), I have in fact encountered the very opposite. Men, who write on combating injustice and prejudice by calling the church to learn from say Korean or First Nation theologies and church practices, insist upon, as part of that process, an affirmation of the gender roles that give men a strong (and sole) leadership role in the home, the community, and the church. They see a firm affirmation of this hierarchy of men over women to be integral to ending race divisions in the church itself. So not only are the needs of women ignored, but healing and justice are also proposed through the continued oppression and sacrifice of women.
Injustice and oppression make me sick and prompt feelings of rage inside of me. But reading about these young girls being raped as pawns in the never-ending cycle of colonial and commercial oppression left me feeling raw. This isn’t just about greed and economics. It isn’t just about racism and power-plays. It’s rooted in a subjugation of women that denies our worth and turns us into mere objects for men to use as they see fit. Most of the Western world hides behind their ignorance of history and injustice (often willfully sought) as an excuse to uphold the status quo. But when even those who claim to care about justice say that speaking out of behalf of women isn’t worth the effort, I can barely respond. How can justice be justice if it is only for men?

The above article is the work of Julie Clawson and I make no claim of ownership to it.  You can find this article on the Sojourner's website by going to: http://blog.sojo.net/2010/09/15/justice-and-women/

Moo Shoe Pork

I couldn't help my self but to share this with you!

"Moo Shoe Pork"

Strange Things

Every time I watch Toy Story with my son, there is one song that always manages to get in my head.  Today, these same words remarkably describe where I am in life right now.  "Strange things are happening to me."

So much of my life right now is marked by change.  We've (my family and I) have been in transition.  In June, I started my first appointment in ministry as an Associate Pastor at a fantastic church.  As a result of that tremendous blessing, there are other changes that must take place.  My "job" is so unlike all the other jobs I've ever had.  I'm having to learn all new ways of doing things.  This is overwhelming but exciting at the same time.  It's no different than starting anything new, it just takes awhile to get used to it and to figure it out and who you are in that position.

The new church is located twenty miles from our current home.  We don't HAVE to move, but I'm personally convicted that to properly serve a community one must be IN the community.  Plus, its gets a little nutty when we as a family try to participate in different activities at the church and we are having to drive two separate cars.  So, we've decided to put our house on the market.  As you know, the market right now is not the greatest, but we thought we might as well start to try.  We haven't had not one single nibble.  *Insert deep breath here*.  It's just going to take time and we're giving it all up to God.  We know that God will send the right buyer when the time is right.  We just put total faith in God.

We are still trying for another baby.  The pain and the struggle never seems to go away, however, our perseverance and absolute dependence on God makes it easier to cope with.  We don't know what more to do, we really don't.  We just pray.  If we didn't know there is a hope, I don't think we'd keep putting ourselves through this.  I just look at my son and praise God for what we've already been given.  Then of course, I pray harder that God sends us another angel so that Ham can have a sibling.  He's such a loving child that its heart breaking he doesn't have a sibling.  God has a plan...I don't know what it is, but I hang on to the knowledge that God knows far better than me what I need.

Ham starts pre-K in a couple of weeks.  Talk about another big step in our journey.  He's thrilled to start school and I'm happy for him.  Just a little bittersweet. 

Everything else is treating us really well.  I just wanted to give an update as I've totally neglected my blog in the rush of life's changes.  Hope all is well with each of you.

The Best Way Out is Through | The Best Way Out is Always Through Movie

The Best Way Out is Through | The Best Way Out is Always Through Movie

Living Out Worship

Question of the Day

How would you live your life differently if you viewed your job as an act of worship?  

("Job" can include volunteer service, parenting, career's, blogging, etc.)  

If we as Christians are to live our lives in constant worship of God, what does our behavior at work say about us?  What does the way we treat our employers, employees, co-workers, clients, customers and ourselves, say about how we are worshiping God with our minds, bodies and souls?  How might we be more intentional about worshiping God in our "at work" words and actions?

Happy Eliza Doolittle Day

  I was reading news articles on NPR today when I stumbled across the one whose title was wishing me a happy Eliza Doolittle day!  Being the fan of classic Hollywood that I am and the huge fan of Audrey Hepburn that I am, I of course stopped immediatly to read on.  Afterall, if there was a day devoted to celebrating one of my favorite characters of all time, shouldn't I be aware of it?

"In Act One of My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl learning to speak like a lady, fantasizes about meeting the king. Of course, because it's a musical, she sings:

'One evening the king will say, 'Oh, Liza, old thing - I want all of England your praises to sing. Next week on the twentieth of May, I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day.'"

- Marc Acito, author of the article Speak Up And Celebrate 'Eliza Doolittle Day'; NPR

Mr. Acito really got me thinking when he provoked readers at the end of his article to "think before we speak".  How often is it that we fail to articulate ourselves well?  Living in the south, as I have for the last ten year of my life, I have noticed my movement from utter shock of the language to employing the language almost daily.  In fact, I suppose I probably use "y'all" just about as much as some valley girls use "like".

Anyway, this is just a really interesting article that is much more enjoyable to read than the latest news on the war, the oil spill or God forbid, more politics.  Ugh.  So, if you're like me and just want any old opportunity to celebrate something, celebrate Eliza Doolittle Day.  Whatever it is that Eliza means to you, celebrate.  For me, her character was about overcoming adversity, abject poverty, oppression, ridicule, rejection, and much more.  She had a dream to one day speak like a lady.  No matter the obstacles, she persevered through them with class.  No one ever told Eliza chasing her dream would be easy.  But...chasing her dream made her who she is.  God wouldn't have given us the ability to dream if God didn't intend for us to do so.

HAPPY ELIZA DOOLITTLE DAY!!

iFellowship @ Seeds of Faith for the Christian Mom

Come check out other Christian mom blogs.  I'm new to this blog, but it looks great so far.

Consumerist Affect on Our Children's Identities

“Whereas the ancient Israelites were reminded to place their primary, identity-bearing commandment on their doorposts and tie it to their foreheads (Deut. 6:4-9), contemporary children find their identity-bearing stories on their underwear, their sippy cups, their fruit snacks, and their sheets.” 

- Katherine Turpin, Iliff School of Theology

**Turpins article "Princess Dreams", mentioned here, can be found in the book Children, Youth, and Spirituality in a Troubling World by Mary Elizabeth Moore and Almeda M. Wright.**

Turpin suggests that while we, parents, are not as aware as we often should be, commercial and commoditized characters are forming the identities of our children.  Her argument with the Disney Princess franchise is that it creates misleading ideologies and identity characteristics pertaining to gender, race and class.  She also, though briefly, mentions similar affects on boys pertaining to their consumer market.

Proposed Solution:

One of the challenges Turpin talks about in relation to the “Princess Dreams” is the affect that commodification has on spiritual formation.  Turpin quotes Susan Linn’s argument that these “Princess Dreams” supply us with the idea that purchasing something “Princess” can bring little girls happiness.  Linn further states that this is something that goes against all mainstream religions.  (53).  The false identities and forms created by consumerism has and will continue to lead, explains Turpin, to social inequalities.

 

Beginning on page 57, Turpin lists 5 approaches to limiting the influence of commodification on the lives of children that can open the doors to spiritual development and formation.

• Fighting Fire with Fire – mass-market religious merchandise.
• The Practice of Abstinence – refuse entry of any commoditized character into ones house.  (Ex. Barbie)
• Contestation – Questioning children: “Do you think Cinderella made a good choice for her life
• Non-Commercial Connections – focusing on real relationships and human interaction; deterring focus away from a false sense of relationship with characters. 
• Changing Social Policy through Collective Action – marketers are interested in selling what people want to buy.  If special interest groups, organizations and/or social movements continue to knock on the door of change, the door will eventually open.  (Ex. physical changes in Barbie over the last several years).

I have three discussion questions that stem from this article:

1)  What is your initial reaction to the quote you read above?

2)  How might we, as people of faith, be leaders of counter-formation?  Can we be more intentional about sharing the stories of our faith?

3)  Have you ever applied any of the five suggested proposals?  If so, what results did you experience?  If not, is there one you would consider using.

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Photo by Alex (Click to view)

Life is good.  Even when its tough, there is still good, if we're brave enough to look for it.  I believe life's goodness comes from our Creator whose presence is everywhere and in all things, including you and me.  The love and grace of God surrounds us.  Can you feel it?

As I have welcomed spring and the changing of seasons, I've noticed God's presence surrounding me.  There are so many things that are changing these days.  I used to be a girl who loathed change and there are times when I still dread it.  Change is least welcome when we're happy and when we're comfortable.  This has certainly been the case for me.  Loosing someone you love is never wanted change.  Leaving or moving away from those you hold dear is also uncomfortable change.  Moments of starting over can be challenging change.  But, there are other types of change.  Like how your life changes when you fall in love.  How everything you once knew is suddenly different with the presence of a child.  Maybe its trusting in God and taking a leap of faith you didn't think you had the courage to take, just to find out there was an ocean of blessings on the other side.  Change can be good.

I spent some time in my garden this weekend.  I pruned back my rose and hydrangea bushes, set out a new hanging basked, potted new plants along my entry way and planted beautiful daisy's and petunias in the flower boxes around my trees.  How beautiful it is to sit inside of change.  Not long ago, the pots were empty and the bushes covered with snow.  The grass was brown and the trees bare.  But now the beauty of spring has blossomed and oh what a miraculous change.

Though my infertility often makes me feel like the cold brown branches of a winter tree, lifeless and forgotten, I know spring is right around the corner.  Hope is more than a word inscribed on a ring I wear every day, its the reason we keep fighting.  "Faith in things hoped for."  I have faith in things hoped for.  Yet, in the midst of that wintery struggle, there is a garden blooming.  I have received my first appointment.  Starting June 13th, I will be an associate pastor at a growing and exciting new church here in OK.  What a blessing this is for me and my family.  New life is blooming for us.  Things are changing and we're embracing the changes.  We can't wait to be a part of this church's life and to help nurture and grow the Kingdom of Heaven.

So as I go about my day singing "ch-ch-ch-ch-changes", I hope you'll think about your life and how God might be making changes and moving things around in order to help your garden bloom.  Sometimes there has to be a little pruning, but in the end, what happens is life giving.  Trust in God and embrace that with change comes great opportunity.  How might you grow closer to God and show God to others through the changing of seasons in your life?

Love-in-Christ

Blessings on a Rainy Day

A gave myself a gift this morning.
Wrapped in a warm coat, I stepped outside to sit with nature.
I sat down on my grandma's patio chair that now sits on my front porch.
My cup of steaming tea danced with the cool, rain soaked air of the morning.
A book sat peacefully opened in my lap.

Suddenly I heard a voice encouraging me to be in the moment.
Eyes closed, hands folded.
When the cool air entered my lungs it was like a breath of heaven.
I could smell and taste the rain.
Nature was in me and I was in nature.

I could hear the song of birds from all around the neighborhood.
I could hear the rain tango with the earth; drops on the tree leaves, streams in the streets, trickling down the gutters, clapping against the roof.
A tender breeze moved my hair.
I was at peace in a moment of tranquility.
Nothing could find me there besides the God I seek.

The God of spring is washing away the winter.
The God of my heart is washing away my worries.
The love that is implanted in my soul finds nourishment in the tranquil waters.
The root of perseverence is strengthened by God's renewing synergy.
I am in nature and nature is in me.

A poem by Tiffany A. D'Amours

Ding, Ding, Ding!

Round 2

The first round of fertility treatments didn't work. I'm disappointed but I remain hopeful.

Today I start round two. I know the average pregnancy on treatment happens around cycle 4. Ham was conceived on cycle 6. Though I understand that, I'm still praying to get pregnant sooner rather than later as the drugs and hormones are intense. I know Jesus is right here in this exam room with me. I can feel his love and presence. I'll one day be free of the challenges of infertility. Until then, I will trust and rest in the Lord.


I found this today and could not stop laughing.  It is sad how incredibly REAL this is.  Too bad there is no prayer included in this.  I think I would just give up if I didn't have my faith.  I would like to had pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray...each day.  Still worthy of sharing.

From 999 Reasons to Laugh at Infertility

Typical Month of the Infertile
Negative pregnancy test.
Period.
Cry on toilet.
Cry in bed.
Depression.
Cry at work in bathroom.
Day 3, fertility appointment.
Wonder if you should try having sex during your period.
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex.
Inspect toilet paper after wiping hourly.
Fight with partner about infertility.
Friend announces she’s pregnancy. Emotional breakdown.
Ovulate?
IUI?
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, (shooting blanks)
Two week wait.
Facebook friend posts a picture of her bump. Cry.
Baby shower invite. Cry about that.
Analyze for early pregnancy symptoms.
Google: “Right breast feels heavier than left breast. Am I Pregnant?”
Google: “Peeing a lot at night, IUI.”
Google: “Left nipple looks darker. Pregnancy?”
Google: “Metallic taste in mouth. Pregnant?”
Inspect toilet paper after wiping hourly.
Hope for implantation bleeding.
Test early or wait for period.
Negative.
Mental breakdown.

REPEAT AGAIN THE FOLLOWING MONTH, AND THE MONTH AFTER THAT AND THE MONTH AFTER THAT AND THE MONTH AFTER…

I'm Having a Beagle Situation

I have a Beagle that is almost 1 year old that my son is madly in love with.  Beagle Boy is a member of our family and most days, we adore him.  Today...is not that day.

The Beagle is driving me crazy.  He just barks and barks and barks and barks.  It doesn't matter how much food, water, toys, etc. I keep giving him...he won't stop barking.  The second we put him outside he starts barking.  I don't want to give him up, but the barking has GOT to stop.  Can anyone help?  Any ideas? 

You're desperate and grateful friend,

Thoughts

Do you ever just stare at your post screen and wonder what it is exactly you should write?  I do.  Maybe you've noticed the lack of frequent posts lately, well, they are the result of this empty staring.  I seem to have so much on my mind and yet I'm not sure how any of it is really of any value to anyone else.  I suppose it could be, but just the same, I feel so distant from blogging.  For me, its become a combination of frustration with platform, too much to say and an uncertainty of what of it should actually be said, creativity, and frankly, a very busy personal schedule.  Needless-to-say, I have missed blogging and I hope to give myself the time and voice to get back into it.

If you've left me comments in the past month or so and I haven't responded, I'm deeply sorry.  I've been in my own head a bit, trying to keep things together and in the process, keep myself focused.  March marked the first month back to fertility treatments.  If you've ever experienced the carnival ride that is treating infertility, you'll know what I'm talking about.  Just exhausting.  As tiring as it is, I keep hoping that something wonderful will come of it soon and it will all be worth it.  I know God is present in this mess with me.  We started shots for the first time this month.  I haven't done those before, so that was a new experience, not bad, just new.  I should know by the middle of this week if I'm pregnant or not.  Here's to hoping.

In the meantime, I'm taking this week to reorganize, relax and reflect.  It's my spring break, if you can call it that, and I'm committed to making it valuable.  I hope to work on our financial budget, our calendars, a few upcoming assignments, spend time on my blog, listen to music, read some Jane Austen, watch a few films I've been wanting to see and just taking it easy.  Here's hoping I can execute my plan.  I also hope to take Ham to the zoo this week...a little surprise from mom.  I think sometimes I want so bad to be supermom/superwife/superwoman, that I put too much stress on myself.  Ever do that?  Ugh.  I wonder if I'll ever learn to go easy on myself.  Here's to hoping.

Okay...so...I'm just journaling today, but I'll be back tomorrow, or later, with something of substance.  Thanks all for reading and I promise to get better at responding to comments.  Wishing you all much joy in your coming week.

Hosanna!

Wishing Everyone a blessed Palm Sunday.  Hosanna!

A praying in color for Palm Sunday ...  Click image to go to artists website.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!" - Matthew 21:9

The Art of Tranquility

 

 Tranquility

 quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity.

How do I attain tranquility?  How do I imagine tranquility in my life?  How can I create tranquil waters for both by inner and my outer life?

These were questions I was contemplating almost a year ago at a yoga retreat in Colorado.  The word tranquility kept coming to me and I knew it was something I needed to pay sincere attention to.  I believe this desire for tranquility comes from a deep inner yearning for peaceful wholeness.  I imagine I'm not unlike most people who desire to be content with who they are, where they are in their lives, who they are becoming, even what experiences they have had.  I desire to grab that brass ring of serenity and to never let it go.  But how?

There are ways we can nurture our spirituality that can lead to inner and outer tranquility, however, these are spiritual exercises that must also be seen as spiritual disciplines.  In order to be good at something, most of us need practice.  The more we do something, the better we become, the better the feel we have for it is and the more confidence we have in our own abilities to do what it is we're doing.  It is the same in our spiritual lives.  We need to be mindful not to neglect the conditions of our souls.  Paying attention to that deep inner voice can bring us great certainty and tranquility...over time.

One spiritual discipline I enjoy is meditation.  Meditation and prayer go hand-in-hand.  For years I struggled with a decent prayer life, some days I still do, and that was partly because my mind was so busy I couldn't stay on the prayer track.  Have you ever experienced that?  You know, one minute you're praying for something and the next minute you're thinking about all the things you have to do tomorrow.  Our minds need tranquility in order for our souls to have tranquility.  Meditation helps with this.  It helps us train our minds to be calm.  This takes time and practice, but it makes a tremendous difference.

On Friday night, I attended a local event at the yoga studio I attend.  They hosted a female (which was surprising, not sure why, but awesome none-the-less) Buddhist monk from a local Buddhist temple.  The monk came to talk about meditation and how it can help with alleviating stress.  Aaah, that's a key word right there.  Boo stress.  I want to make sure you know that being a Christian doesn't mean we don't listen to, study and dialogue with others from different faiths.  Whether it be Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Taoists, Catholics, Protestants...we have a lot to gain from one another if we would simply talk to each other.  Attending a Buddhist or Jewish event doesn't mean we're converting, it means we're open to seeing our faith through a different lens.  Since opening my mind and my soul to this kind of interfaith dialogue, my relationship with God has ever deepened.  I am a better Christian for spending time with people of other faiths.  Their faith has often inspired me to be better and more attentive to my faith.

Anyway, the meditation class was wonderful.  The monk taught us different ways of meditation to help us get to deep silence...I find this a great time for deep prayer.  Often times we think that a good prayer is filled up with big words and lots of words.  Some of the best prayers are the ones where we invite God into the moment and ask God to hear our hearts.  We remove the words.  We remove thinking about it.  And...in this silence, we open up the opportunity for us to stop talking and start listening to God.

The monk did say some pretty enlightening things.  I'm sure you've heard them before, but they bare repeating.  She said that we spend our whole lives seeking to find happiness.  All human beings, regardless of faith or culture, race or geographic location, we all want to be happy.  So many of us try to buy happiness.  We believe that the more things we have, the more money we earn, the bigger the house, the nicer the car, the better we can attain the better we will be.  We all know that truly this is not the case.  Our eyes are on the wrong things.  In order for our happiness to be evident in all things external, we must find the essence of happiness internally, we must seek happiness for our soul.  Maybe I think having another baby will make me happy.  Surely it will, but it will not be able to be the center of my happiness through life.  There will always be something else I want or need or desire that will make me happy, but only for a moment.  Traveling makes me happy, my family makes me happy, but what if...what if...I couldn't travel ever again and I found myself suddenly alone.  Could I find happiness inside?

What do you think?  Can you define your happiness by things internal or just things external?  Does your spiritual life bless and reward you with inner happiness?  In what ways are you seeking tranquility?

By the way, the photo above is a picture of me meditating in my "happy place".  I traveled to Maui in January of '09 and this spot was on the Road to Hana.  I hiked up these lovely lava rocks in flip-flops (not advised) and found this spot.  Whenever things in life seem to be at an unrest, I soar right back to this place and pray.  This is my "happy place" for meditation.  It's, for me, the essence of tranquility.  As the ocean waters would rush in and slam against the rocks, the water would softly trickle down and for a few moment in the rush of the waves, there was still water, there existed a calm.  The waves will always be rolling in upon our shore, but we must seek to notice the moments of tranquility and embrace them with sheer delight of soul.