For Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

Hello all, in Barbara's book The Natural Soul her husband Charles defines humility as "the openess and willingness to learn more about self, others and if we choose, the God of our understanding." That would seem to be a good note to start the new year with. May we sit this Sunday for that openess, that willingness, that absence of internal obstacles which we call humility. May it be an ongoing trait in ourselves, and in the world at large.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 26th, 2010

Hello all, this week comes with a thank you to the tender heart and poetic insight of Theodor Geisel...

"Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing, without any presents at all! He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came! Somehow or other, it came just the same. It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!

And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two."

This Sunday may we find that strength of heart, that 'little bit more' meaning which informs each day and is honored in this season. May we welcome the prodigal Grinches in our lives to join the feast, and in doing so fulfill ourselves as well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Hello all, here's a little poem:

As shepherds washed their socks by night,
All argyle, green and brown,
An angel of the Lord came 'round,
And looked upon their frowns.

"Fear not," said he, for the mighty dread
Of odor gave them woes;
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
To free thy troubled nose."

With a careful nod to poetic license, the message still holds. No matter what's happening in the world, there is always hope. May we sit this Sunday for that hope, that saving grace, for ourselves and for all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Hello all, the economic successes of the 80's and 90's supported a desire for abundant consumerism. Those years are often pointed to proudly as a highlight, yet the fuller results are only now being felt. Because of them we are currently dealing with a huge dependence upon foreign oil with attendant wars and massive federal deficit, poisonous hydrofracking for natural gas, a garbage patch the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean, and a world wide economic collapse to name a few. All can easily be traced to an 'I want everything' attitude, with no greater thought toward the future than 'more will come somehow'.

 

It's often said "mind is the builder". That which we dwell on mentally becomes our physical reality, for better or worse. We have the freedom to think as we will - and the responsibility to learn from results.

 

Will we have the humility to review our attitudes? Or will we drown in our own garbage?

 

This Sunday may we sit for learning, for lessons, for humility. May the Light come down upon our leaders and decision makers, which in many ways is us. May we all listen within. May we all focus on Above and act accordingly here below.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 5th, 2010

Hello all, at this time there are concerns over political attitudes, both national and international. There is the awareness of the end of a lifestyle, and long term ecological problems, where 'fracking' is just getting under way amid Pennsylvania farm land. Friends and friends of friends are facing huge personal challenges. And a teary-eyed woman asked a mall Santa for a Christmas miracle, without further explanation.

Whether a natural function of life on Earth, the cleaning up of karmic requirements, or the result of human frailties in action, there are many things to be faced which come under the heading of 'sad and bad'.

Ecclesiastes and the resulting folk song "For everything there is a season..." is leaned upon for strength and guidance here. From the highest perspective nothing is wasted, everything is used as a lesson to show the way home. This Sunday may we sit for the learning of that lesson, for what is most loving overall, both within ourselves and for others as well.

Thank you,

Richard