Welcome, 2013!

It is with open arms that I  welcome this New Year 2013 ... in hopes of many joys and blessings coming my way in the coming year. As usual, I haven't selected any resolutions per se, but I surely know what I would like to continue working on this year ... 

Naturally, in the spirit of continuing my journey toward Spiritual bliss and striving to be my most authentic Self, I will consistently try to remain aware of my character flaws, whether they be ingrained and part of my psyche, or whether they be hormonal. There will be no excuses for my quick temper flare ups when I lose control of my tongue, because I will become aware of these flare ups and 'nip them in the bud' so to speak. This is what I vow to myself in the coming year and with appropriate supports in place, I am sure to achieve it.

I love being 'chill' and not being shaken out of my happy little cocoon of peace and serenity ... and I will avoid that which triggers my authentically gentle and tender Soul into anger. I am going to begin to shed Light on my darkest spaces and places, and bring all that which is toxic and negative to the surface to be bathed completely in the Light and Unconditional Love of spirit and truth. I want to become more tolerant of those around me, whether strangers or friends, and tolerant to those who matter so much to me and to whom I matter, as well. 

I want to remain estranged from negative souls and over dramatic, hateful souls who are not willing to look in the mirror and see their own flaws, but are more than willing to point out mine. I want to release those who no longer serve any purpose to me or to my continuing Spiritual growth. I want to seek out like minded individuals who know they are not above anyone nor below anyone, but equal to everyone else. And to seek out those who understand that to be their most authentic selves, they must let go of that which and those who no longer serve any purpose in their lives. 

I want to continue to love  ALL beings unconditionally, friend or foe, even those whom I choose not have in my Life. I want to remember that even though I love some Souls deeply and unconditionally, I love myself even more and will not tolerate hateful, evil, hurtful words being spewed at me in arbitrary ways and I will not succumb to being abused, bullied, or dismissed by anyone in any capacity. I am a kind, loving, Soul whose only intention is to love unconditionally. If others take me wrongly, that is THEIR game and THEIR issue, not mine. My intentions are generally pure and loving, and ONLY those who deserve my friendship and gentleness will be allowed within my Inner Circle going forward.

My Inner Circle is a sacred and wonderful place, filled with love, joy, kindness, and peace. I share it with those who are like minded and peaceful. I will strive not to become angry and explosive or reactive to those who fire negative words, phrases, actions, and/or thoughts my way. I accept, bless, and release all these negative actions and people with love and grace.

These are my New Year thoughts and hopes in 2013 ... I truly pray I can live up to each and every one of them as the year progresses ...

In Peace & Light ~

Namasté, My friends 

Religious Tolerance & Other Things to Ponder ...

connected, and we are all One ...

What does the term "religious tolerance" mean to you? For me, it means I possess the ability and willingness to allow others' their personal beliefs while still clinging to my own. My beliefs are extremely flexible and diversely eclectic. I was raised Catholic, became a "born-again" Christian in my teens, dabbled in Wicca and other metaphysical philosophies for many years, and then fell away from the organized religions to expand and grow in various Eastern philosophies.

Many of my Christian friends gently try to persuade me back into the teachings of the Bible, and their leader-interpreted meanings. I choose to think for myself now. I choose to allow my Inner Guide to interpret meanings for me. All things esoteric are my bible ... various beliefs hold meaning for me, even those that are considered "alternative" or Pagan to others.

 

Jesus taught that acceptance, tolerance, and love are the keys to living a Life that is filled to capacity with goodness and blessings. Buddha taught some of the same of the principles, and so did Mohammed and many of the other prophets of love and peace. Why do these teachings have to be separated, fought over, and argued about hatefully? Why do my views have to be right, and yours wrong, or vice versa? I am pretty sure that's not what the prophets intended these teachings for.

 

The teachings were meant to unite, not divide. Where there is division, there is chaos, unrest, and unhappiness. Where there is unity, there is love, peace, and joy. It's simple, as far as I can see. Jesus told us, among many other wonderful things: "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Mohammed and Buddha and others teach us the same principles ... but do we listen and adhere to the goodness of all that was said, all that was taught us by those Enlightened, those who were before us? Do we practice the Spiritual principles every day, in every way, to the best of our ability?

 

If there is hope, there is hopelessness. If there is light, there is also darkness. If there is love, there is also hatred. If there is white, there is also black. Where there is yin, there is also yang. On a human level, for me it's difficult to just BE. When I meditate in the mornings, my days seem to go more smoothly. When I argue and disagree with my partner or with anyone in the mornings, or forget to meditate and/or pray, my days seem to be difficult, and it's not as easy to gather my thoughts and focus on the tasks at hand. That's the way it seems for me.

But then again, I also try to remember this: Everything is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems ... someday the mysteries of Life will be revealed. In the meantime, I choose to allow others' their beliefs, whether Christian, Atheist, or Hindu ... and I hope to be allowed mine. I choose to love, even where there is no love, because love can and will resolve most anything. I personally feel that it's counterproductive to argue and judge where personal beliefs are concerned, just as it's counterproductive to force my political opinions on others. We all have opinions, we all ~ because it's human nature ~ want to be 'right', but is being 'right' so important that we risk losing loved ones, and friendships, over it? Not in my Life, it isn't ...

May Peace, Love, & Joy guide all of us ...
Namasté