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This month we focus on the seventh of
The 10 Be's of Positivity:
Be Spiritual
To acknowledge forms of spirit makes
life's journey complete. It is a place of solitude where
we can all retreat. For when we look to spirit to help
us find the way, each day's experience has something to
say.
Be
Spiritual
This month we focus on the seventh of
The 10 Be's of Positivity, Be Spiritual.
What does it mean to be spiritual? If can mean different
things to different people. I like this quote by writer
and founder of Fearless Books, D. Patrick Miller, who
said, "Religion is a set of social and political
institutions and spirituality is a private pursuit which
may or may not take place in a church setting." This
interpretation rings true for me. Though I was raised
Presbyterian and I still attend when I go home to
Anchorage to visit my family, I consider myself a
spiritualist. I honor and respect organized religions,
but I don't routinely practice any particular one. I
have an alter in my meditation room where I sit, pray
and meditate every day. So you could say that even
though I don't leave my house every week to go to
church, daily I connect with a higher power with whom I
find comfort, guidance and peace of mind.
What does it mean for you to connect with a higher
power? In this chapter of my book, The 10 Be's of
Positivity, I encourage the reader to find the time
to explore and find, for yourself, the path that leads
you to having a spiritual component in your life. If you
already practice an organized religion or spiritual
path, be it Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist,
Wiccan, a spiritualist, or the like, I imagine you gain
something rewarding through your connection. And where
do you go to find this connection? While some may go to
church each week, others may find their connection
walking in the woods while communing with nature. I do
not believe we are here to judge anyone else's choices
and none of these ways is more correct than another. We
each find our own path, but I do encourage you to
explore that path and know too that you may take one
turn on the path now and another ten years from now. The
point is... to keep walking.
FIND YOUR SPIRIT
In the Spirit of Positivity
*Make a conscious decision tomorrow --
just saying "yes" and not saying "no"
*Observe a dog or cat and replicate their ease
*Water your neighbor's lawn for them using your water
*Visit your local library and pay $20 worth of fines for
the next group of people bringing in overdue books
Spirituality Quotes
"Impart as much as you can of your
spiritual being to those who are on the road with you,
and accept as something precious what comes back to you
from them."
Albert Schweitzer, German Medical Missionary,
Theologian, Musician and Philosopher. 1952 Nobel Peace
Prize; 1875-1965
"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men
cannot live without a spiritual life."
Buddha
"All spiritual practice must be directed to the
removal of the husk and the revelation of the kernel."
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual leader,
b.1926
"You must enshrine in your hearts the spiritual
urge towards light and love, Wisdom and Bliss!"
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
"Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is
inside you."
Rumi, Persian poets of the 13th century
The Power of
Positivity is to Give Back
If you've been following my Words Across
the World book project by way of this newsletter, you
know that 1,700 donated books are on their way to
Central Africa's Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation (LUKMEF)
in Limbe, Cameroon. I am happy to report that the Navy
ship delivering the books will arrive the weekend of
August 14, 2009 and will be greeted by LUKMEF'S CEO, who
will drive the books from Douala, nearly 100 miles to
Limbe. We've had a few starts and stops along the way,
but I'm certain they will arrive and in short order be
available for the community. Stay tuned. I'll post
pictures once I receive them. And thanks again to
everyone who has supported this effort.
I sit on the International Board of Directors for this
organization. A reminder that a portion of my book sales
goes to support this worthy cause.
Positivity Corner
Here's your opportunity to share. What
conscious or random acts of kindness have you done, seen
or imagined? Send them to me and I'll include some of
them in my September newsletter. Email me at
positivebliss1@yahoo.com
and include your name. I'll acknowledge you in the
newsletter as well.
Celebrate You
*Smile
*Sing
*Succeed
Daily Affirmation
My dreams become my reality, if I believe
Sanctuary
Peace
Insight
Rest
Intuitive
Trust |
