ARCHIVES 2022
|
|
ARCHIVES 2022
|
|
In trying to understand the nature of the cosmos, theorists have long proposed that the Universe expands and contracts in endless cycles, which means that it has no beginning and no end. But a new study by University at Buffalo physicist Nina Stein contends that, even if the Universe has cycles, it still has to have a beginning. "The idea that there was a point in time before which there was nothing – no time – bothers us," Stein says. “What was before that?" “If this is the beginning of the new age, my work is to quiet my mind, open my heart, and relieve suffering. Or, if this is the end of the world, my work is to quiet my mind, open my heart, and relieve suffering.” – Ram Dass Affirmative prayer: Today, I am whole-heartedly aware of the eternal Oneness of life. I am in the vastness of the Universe, and it is in me. Before the beginning, God is and I am. Always – before I begin anything – a new relationship, a new venture, a new chapter – God is and I am. Thank you, Infinite Presence, forever. Amen. Captain Holly Pettit and First Officer Keely Petitt made Southwest Airlines history when they became the first-ever mother/daughter pilot duo. Holly began her aviation career fresh out of college as a flight attendant, then earned her pilot’s license. Keely knew as a 14-year-old that she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps. The two women are breaking barriers and empowering other women to pursue their dreams. “Embrace who you are and your divine purpose. Identify the barriers in your life, and develop discipline, courage, and the strength to move beyond them. Keep moving forward.” – Germany Kent, The Hope Handbook Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for life pioneers. For their visionary and generous hearts, and for the patterns of love and success that they forge. Today, I discern a divine pattern within me, see myself as worthy and capable, and act upon its grand realization. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Climate change is taking a destructive toll on America’s national parks. Wildfires, heavy rains, rising sea levels, and more climate-related threats are some of what we are witnessing. Researchers predict that, without aggressive mitigation, average annual temperatures across 62 major parks could warm between 5 and 11 degrees this century. “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” - Gary Snyder, Pulitzer Prize winning poet Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I harmonize with the divine love of our earth home. I raise my commitment to tending this garden. By my prayers and actions, the collective consciousness about earth stewardship is enhanced. I give thanks that we are all cast in the love story of nature, life, and the love of God. I live my days for the greener good of our home. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Sharon McKellar of the Oakland Public Library has collected all kinds of items – doodles, recipes, old photographs – left in books returned to the library. After attempting to find their owners, she scrubs personal identifying information, then scans and uploads them to the library’s website. See them here. “Each of us leaves a legacy, whether we mean to or not, stamped on the hearts of others. We leave behind our attitude toward the world, for whether we inspired in others a love for life. We will be remembered for our smiles and frowns, our laughter and complaints, for our kindness and our selfishness.” – Joah Chittister, The Gift of Years Affirmative prayer: I give thanks to know that my name – the essence of who I am – is etched in the heart of God. May the spirit of my life be a blessing to others. Today, I share the love and truth of Oneness with my sisters and brothers. Today, I lift up another. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. A severe shortage of teachers has hit crisis levels. School superintendents say their teachers are underpaid, overworked, and exhausted. A recent survey showed that almost half of teachers are seriously considering leaving the profession, while fewer young people are entering the field. A drop in the education experience hurts the students and, ultimately, the workforce, economy, and our society. “The most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.” – Pema Chodron Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I honor the gift of our children – our future – and affirm that our educators are respected and empowered. I extend gratitude and encouragement to the teachers I come by. May all those in helping professions be rewarded in harmony with their talent, efforts, and leadership. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. "That's here. That's home. That's us," Carl Sagan wrote. These words take on new meaning as NASA continues to release images from the James Webb telescope. We can now see 13 billion light-years away to when the Universe was new. What a privilege it is to be alive, to be here right now, together, on this planet. “There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human vanity than this distant image of our world. It underscores our responsibility to be more kind with each other and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.” - Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for the gift of Life, and I choose to make this day – this moment – count. I live on purpose in gratitude and generosity. My very presence is a blessing for others, and I am blessed. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit the self-ruled island. Her visit ratcheted up tension between China and the United States because China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and it views visits by foreign government officials as recognition of the island’s sovereignty. “Go to the top of the mountain, go to the middle of the ocean, or just sit in the corner of your room. With a pure heart send blessings, love, and compassion to others and notice the transformation in you and the world.” - Amit Ray, Walking the Path of Compassion Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I am pure of heart in my relationships and my aspirations for the world. My spiritual union with others transcends borders, and I claim the highest, most fulfilling life for all soul companions. I affirm that all beings are free from sorrow and abide in equanimity. May all beings everywhere find an ocean of happiness and joy. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. What used to be a landscape devastated by erosion is now 1,360 acres of forest in Kokilamukh, India, thanks to Jadav Payeng, who planted a tree every day for 40 years. The forest is home to hundreds of elephants, rhinos, boars, and birds. Jadav says he will plant trees until his last breath. “Nature is God. It gives me inspiration. It gives me power." “Every point of nature is a word of God and a book about God.” - Meister Eckhart Affirmative prayer: There is only one Life. It is the life of God and it shows Itself in every expression of nature, in every embrace of humanity, and in every point of light, love, and power in the Universe. May my thoughts and actions this day reflect this golden truth. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will create the fact. Be not afraid to live.” – William James Affirmative prayer: Today, I abide in prayer and engage in life with such fervor that all timidity is dismissed from my consciousness. I am appointed every day to express the life of pure Spirit. I am blessed and I am a blessing. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. The English village of Long Newnton has come up with a creative, mindful solution to motorists driving too fast near their town. Officials planted wildflowers along the highway and were happy to see drivers slowing down to look at them. “Evidence shows that if you introduce beauty, drivers will slow down,” said district council member Jenny Forde. “Way down underneath all the busyness, something or Someone waits for us to come home to who we truly are. All it takes is slowing down – a simple pause to get us in touch with the holy Presence who keeps vigil with us.” - Macrina Wiederkehr, Seven Sacred Pauses Affirmative prayer: Today I slow down. My stride allows the Divine to get my attention. With my mind stayed on the sacred – the beautiful – I am kept in perfect peace. I feel joy and gratitude, and all things are made new. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. New research from the American Psychological Association found that Americans have actually become more cooperative towards strangers. Amid a torrent of bad news regarding the climate, the pandemic, and political rifts, the findings suggest that there may be hope yet for our collective ability to face our challenges. “What is in one is in the whole. What happens to the least of my brethren happens to me. The great spiritual masters have given us the teachings that we are in this life together. That each of us is a part of the same collective experience.” – Caroline Myss, Intimate Conversations with the Divine Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I lean into the creativity and passion of my brothers and sisters, allowing their brilliance to light up and enrich my life. I give thanks for the godsend of unified lives, and I celebrate the power of our collective consciousness. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. “A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit, and a violin; what else does one need to be happy?” - Albert Einstein Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for the unity of life. Today, I am at home in simple comforts. All I need is provided, and I hold with the prayer of Julian of Norwich that "All shall be well; all manner of things shall be well." Thank you, God, forever. Amen. With the world on fire, war raging, and too many injustices playing out to count, Joni Mitchell gave us a reason to hope again. So says L.A. Times writer Mary McNamara. Joni, who is 78 years old and recovering from a brain aneurysm, performed at the Newport Folk Festival, her first performance in many years. Not a dry eye…. Catch her here. “Let love be genuine; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Be ardent in spirit. Rejoice in hope.” - Romans 12:9-12 Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for the beautiful voices of hope and devotion in the world – for every songbird, poet, and mystic. May their love songs awaken the goodness within us all and inspire us in ways of kindness and generosity. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Outside of a shopping center in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, 10-year-old Valeria Yezhova has been challenging strangers to checkers games in order to raise money for the Ukrainian army. Valeria, who is the world champion for her age in checkers, has raised hundreds of dollars to donate to Ukraine's military. “Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are.” – Bill Widener, miller and millwright Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I energetically raise my consciousness and I step up my actions in an area of living that is calling me to do my best. Today, my giving, my support, and my performance reflect the deep love I feel for the cause. I am harmonizing with the Divine truth that has brought me to this moment. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Peter and Paula Closier of Surrey, British Columbia, were stunned when their dog, Bonnie, went missing, only to return later that day with a ribbon won at a local dog show. They were looking high and low for Bonnie until they saw a picture of her on Facebook with the caption, “Does anyone know this dog?” John Wilmer had spotted Bonnie by the side of the road while on his way to the dog show. While waiting for a response to his Facebook post, he decided to enter her in the competition. Bonnie took third place in the “Best Rescue Dog” category! Winners are too busy to be sad, too optimistic to be fearful, too positive to be doubtful, and too determined to be defeated. - unknown Affirmative prayer: I give thanks for the synchronistic blessings and adventures of my life. I believe that all things are working together for my highest good, and I hold others in this optimistic sense of worthiness and triumph. Everyone I encounter is a winner. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Ana Cho was having lots of success in her high-tech job, but she wasn’t happy. The demands, stress, and number of hours were overwhelming. So she took a big leap and left it behind for a career in the art world. Over a period of time, she successfully migrated to a career as a potter and woodworker. Her story is inspiring, and you can read more about it here. “To be quickened by Love, the unconditional radiance that emanates from the heart, moves us into a transformative process. It is the energy that uplifts downcast eyes, heals the pain of struggle, and nourishes the soul in its venture to unite with Spirit.” – Brugh Joy Affirmative prayer: I am thankful for the emergence of new God experiences in my life: new encounters, insights, and whole new vistas. I welcome change and am glad to be on a life-journey of renewal and transformation. My mind is bright, my creative powers are activated, and I am poised for richness. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. After 12-year-old Brody Ridder of Denver was subjected to bullying and got only two signatures in his school yearbook, actor Paul Rudd stepped up to support the youngster. Paul, who plays Ant-Man in the Marvel movies, called the youngster and sent him an encouraging note and a signed “Ant-Man” helmet. “Dear Brody, it was great talking with you. Remember that, even when life is tough, things get better. There are so many people who love you and think you’re the coolest kid there is. I can’t wait to see the amazing things you’re going to accomplish. Your pal, Paul” Affirmative prayer: “Since we are of the day, let us put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet that is hope. For God did not destine us for wrath. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.” Amen, brother and sisters! - 1 Thessalonians 5:8-1 A metaphor… NASA is developing cell phone-size robots that could someday whisk through the water beneath the thick icy shell of Jupiter’s moon Europa, looking for signs of alien life. “With a swarm of swimming robots, we’re able to explore a much larger volume of ocean water,” said mechanical engineer Ethan Schaler. “On the surface of our lives most of us build a hard shell which is designed to cover fear and insecurity, and win approval and success. When you get down to the core of yourself, you find a different, more primeval country, and in it a deep yearning to care and connect.” – David Brooks, The Second Mountain Affirmative prayer: Today, I dive into the depths of my beingness, finding a pool of serenity and spiritual certainty that is my true essence. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. A metaphor… Chris Hemsworth, who stars in the new movie, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” out of respect for co-star Natalie Portman, stopped eating meat before the filming of them sharing a kiss. Natalie is vegan. “Grant me the grace to look with respect upon all I meet this day and upon every event I encounter. May I treat everyone with reverence and love. May the work of my hands be part of the redemption of the world.” – Edward Hays, Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim Affirmative prayer: Today, I hold others in high regard. In recognition of the Divine’s honoring of me, I show great respect to my significant other, family, and companions. In harmony with Spirit’s nature, I bring reverence to even someone in my life whom I have disparaged. Healing, peace, goodness. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. The National Galleries of Scotland discovered a Van Gogh self-portrait underneath his painting “Head of a Peasant Woman.” Concealed beneath a layer of glue and cardboard, a routine X-ray revealed Van Gogh’s portrait had been hiding under the surface for over a century, an intense stare on his face. “There is a hidden genius in each person, to which we give expression through commitment, discipline, enthusiasm, and passion.” – Eric Butterworth, The Creative Life Affirmative prayer: Today, I turn away from the conditions of my experience and center myself in an indwelling presence and power. I court the Divine in the depths of my being and allow this grand awareness to enliven and guide my undertakings. I am sourced and inspired by the same loving, creative Spirit that gives life to all. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Some 51% of 18 to 34-year-olds polled in the United Kingdom said they pray at least once a month, compared with only 24% of those aged 55 and over. Mariyah Zaman, a 23-year-old Muslim from Cardiff, says she prays every day. “My faith is my stability. It's my grounding and my anchor in life." “[Prayer] sometimes feels like trying to get bears to dance as we tap crude rhythms on a cracked kettle. Other times, it feels like we’re making music that will melt the stars.” - Gustave Flaubert, French novelist (edited; the original quote was, “Human speech sometimes feels….”) Affirmative prayer: Today, I rest in the felt certainty that the Divine Something – call it God, the Universe, Higher Power, or Infinite Presence – is the changeless, unconditional essence of my life, of all life. Its love and strength are always at hand. My life is a prayer, and I am open to being inspired, guided, and to the joy of being alive. Thank you, God, forever, Amen. A metaphor... The Salton Sea in the Southern California desert could hold the key to powering all of America's electric cars. Underneath the toxic sea are massive deposits of lithium, the metal element used in lithium-ion batteries. The lake is actually the most abundant source of lithium on the planet, with enough to power all domestic electric vehicles for decades to come, energy experts say. "Whenever a solution or creative idea is needed, stop thinking for a moment and focus attention on your inner energy field. When you resume thinking, it will be fresh and creative." - Eckhart Tolle Affirmative prayer: Thank you, Infinite Presence, for the endless energy that is available to me in spirit, mind, and body. I take this moment to be still, go within, and tap into the God-source of intelligence and imagination which leads me to ideas, solutions, and inspired vision. Amen. The first picture transmitted from the James Webb Space Telescope shows so many galaxies. “Those tiny ovals and gleaming blobs are distant galaxies,” a NASA spokesman said. NASA has been working on the telescope for 25 years and now the it’s orbiting about 1 million miles from Earth. “Here we are, on this little ball of rock in a boundless Universe, and we have managed to glimpse the Universe as it was billions of years before we even existed.” Stay tuned. “You belong to the Universe in which you live, you are one with the Creative Genius back of this vast array of ceaseless motion, this original flow of life. You are as much a part of it as the sun, the earth and the air.” – Ernest Holmes, This Thing Called You Affirmative prayer: Dear God, I gaze into the heavens and am at once humbled and thrilled by the potential of infinite Life all about and within me. I see that the possibilities for my own, unique life are boundless. May this holy perspective enliven my times of joy and carry me through times of questioning and hardship, knowing that I am one with all that is. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who morphed from being a bullied, overweight child into a Wimbledon finalist, hopes his story will inspire kids to dream big. Nick was taunted as a child for being fat and from an ethnic background. "I think any kid who's been outcasted can achieve something special if you believe in yourself. Just keep going. I believe in you.” “Sometimes you have to kind of die inside in order to rise from your own ashes, believe in yourself, and love yourself to become a new person.” - Gerard Way, singer songwriter Affirmative prayer: I hold myself in high regard, knowing that pure Spirit fashioned me in love and mastery when It cast me in the possibilities of life. I am made in the image of the One Life that brings energy, courage, and purpose to all. Infinite Presence, may I be a great encourager for others that they catch sight of their own spiritual mettle. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Pope Francis says he prays every day for a sense of humor to help him in his ministry. “A sense of humor is a gift I ask for every day because humor lifts me up and shows me that life is short and to take things in the spirit of a redeemer. It’s a human attribute, but it’s the closest to God’s grace.” Pope Francis is known for his sense of humor. There’s the story about how he turned to his fellow cardinals after his election and said impassively, “May God forgive you for what you have done.” Affirmative prayer: Infinite presence, I give thanks for the humor and grace that connects us in our human journey. May I be funny in ways that are engaging, gracious, and unifying. Thank you, God, forever, Amen. |
Copyright © 2019 Spiritual Passages, Inc. ~ Rev. Scott Awbrey ~ Privacy Policy