How was your day?

Think of all the years passed by in which you said

to yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow,”

and how the gods have again and again granted

you periods of grace

of which you have not availed yourself.

It is time to realize that you are a member

of the Universe.

that you are born of Nature itself,

and to know that a limit has been set to your time. Use

every moment wisely, to perceive

your inner refulgence,

or ‘twill be gone and nevermore within your reach.

-MARCUS AURELIUS, TRANSLATED BY JONATHON STAR

What a great reminder to take the time at the end of the day to do a daily review .... how was your day?  What will you take with you?  Leave behind?  Are you ready to live your tomorrow to its fullest?

The answers are all there ... just take the time to listen.

                                 Time for me to go review my day too!!!  

                                               Be Well,  Cate

Taking Loving Care

May my body

Be a prayerstick

For the world.

-JOAN HALIFAX

So often I am reminded that you have to learn to truly love yourself before you can authentically love another.  Imagine what a world this would be if each person took loving care of them-self, stayed close to their source, and were therefore  able to be of loving service through the overflow of love.


That kind of healing and sharing is possible ... it all starts with one person at a time!   May we all live this out in this day, and may we grow in number, one day at a time!


"Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."    Margaret Meade

Cate

Fisherman Faith

O the east, O the west,

O the north, O the south,

O above, O below, O the sun,

Recognize me the fisherman.

Look at the grumbling, at the fruitfulness

We are first; ours is last,

Give recognition to me O the sun, the rain, the windy

Day, the quiet day

My day of course is that of the fisherman.

O sun give me life

And to my wife, my children, my parents.

- PRAYER OF THAKSGIVING SAID BY

  HAWAIIAN FISHERMEN AFTER CATCHING

  A FISH

Interesting ... the thought of the life of the fisherman!  

It is hard to imagined the gift and the struggle of a life dependent

on the generosity and abundance of the sea.

This fisherman begins the day with a prayer to all six directions,

knowing full well that the success of this day

can not be achieved by the fisherman alone.

My day is always better too, when I remember to

begin it with a prayer for guidance 

and holy awareness in my day.

I think I will borrow from the fisherman

and pray to the six directions ...

I need all the help I can get!! 

May all your nets be filled to the brim this day ~

love, 

cate

liberation

Now I pray that each and every being’s true nature be

revealed, that we each see clearly our inherent truth

and find liberation from the shackles of suffering and

difficulty imposed by the limitations

of our mind.

- CHAGDUD TULKU

I love the words used here .... 'liberation from the shackles of suffering and difficulty imposed by the limitations of our mind.'  You know that slogan  about your head being a dangerous place to go alone?  ... that is so true!  I can convince myself of anything, and so often I am way off!  

Thank God for the many people who set me straight .. who point me towards the truth ... who help me  find my way.  

Together ... those shackles and sufferings and limitations are more easily lifted, and sometimes we laugh!!     cate

Flowers within

Don’t go outside your house to see flowers.

My friend, don’t bother with that excursion.

Inside your body there are flowers.

One flower has a thousand petals.

That will do for a place to sit.

Sitting there you may have a glimpse of beauty

Inside the body and out of it,

Before gardens and after gardens.

-KABIR, TRANSLATED BY ROBERT BLY

for a special treat ~ click the song below:  Bed by the Window

Tony Melendez Bed By The Window

The reading today reminds me of my thoughts as I entered into the "dreaded jail year" as a young nun, that was the canonical year, where we were rarely allowed to leave the convent or have contact with family or friends.  That thought was daunting to me, as prior to that time I hated the thought of even being a teacher "stuck" in a classroom all day!  How could I endure an entire year?  ....

I was then gifted with the realization that I carried the entire world within, as a part of the ONENESS, I was already a part of everywhere and everything and there was nowhere I needed to go....I was already there!

My dear friend Patt also reminded me of the same, when she spent her final years mostly in her bed in the lower level of her home ~ and through it all she continued to share love and light and hope with so many people through the telephone and the computer.  

We are all a part of all ... we are all called to recognize and water the flowers within and without ...

it is all a garden and we can delight and dance in flowers, sharing this joy and love and

 faith with others. 

When I forget to notice the flowers ... I need to slow down and pay attention ... they are always there to be found!

Love,

Cate

Wisdom from Dr.Paul

May God, the Giver of all wisdom, beauty

And well-being,

Bless all who love Her with these gifts,

And grant that Her blessings may be

Generously shared.

-MARCHIENE VROON RIENSTRA

I was so lucky tonight to participate in a conversation on the wisdom of Dr. Paul!

It is always the right time to receive his wisdom, and never a day passes that it is not applicable to my life.  You guys know this story ... it is such a blessing!!!   Be with it for a few minutes today, and let it bless you too.

Dr. Alcoholic Addict:  from the AABB

...And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life — unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.

Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” He forgot to mention that I was the chief critic. I was always able to see the flaw in every person, every situation. And I was always glad to point it out, because I knew you wanted perfection, just as I did. A.A. and acceptance have taught me that there is a bit of good in the worst of us and a bit of bad in the best of us; that we are all children of God and we each have a right to be here. When I complain about me or about you, I am complaining about God’s handiwork. I am saying that I know better than God.....

... Then, one day in A.A., I was told that I had the lenses in my glasses backwards; “the courage to change” in the Serenity Prayer meant not that I should change my marriage, but rather that I should change myself and learn to accept my spouse as she was. A.A. has given me a new pair of glasses. I can again focus on my wife’s good qualities and watch them grow and grow and grow.
I can do the same thing with an A.A. meeting. The more I focus my mind on its defects—late start, long drunkalogs, cigarette smoke—the worse the meeting becomes. But when I try to see what I can add to the meeting, rather than what I can get out of it, and when I focus my mind on what’s good about it, rather than what’s wrong with it, the meeting keeps getting better and better. When I focus on what’s good today, I have a good day, and when I focus on what’s bad, I have a bad day. If I focus on a problem, the problem increases; if I focus on the answer, the answer increases.....

... Perhaps the best thing of all for me is to remember that my serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations. The higher my expectations of Max and other people are, the lower is my serenity. I can watch my serenity level rise when I discard my expectations. But then my “rights” try to move in, and they too can force my serenity level down. I have to discard my “rights,” as well as my expectations, by asking myself, How important is it, really? How important is it compared to my serenity, my emotional sobriety? And when I place more value on my serenity and sobriety than on anything else, I can maintain them at a higher level — at least for the time being.
Acceptance is the key to my relationship with God today. I never just sit and do nothing while waiting for Him to tell me what to do. Rather, I do whatever is in front of me to be done, and I leave the results up to Him; however it turns out, that’s God’s will for me.
I must keep my magic magnifying mind on my acceptance and off my expectations, for my serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance. When I remember this, I can see I’ve never had it so good. Thank God for A.A.!....

Thank you Dr. Paul ~

Your words never fail to transform my day!

Cate

aLL iN yOU

All things in this creation exist within you, and all

things in you exist in creation; there is no border

between you and the closest things, and there is no

distance between you and the farthest things, and all

things, from the lowest to the loftiest, from the smallest

to the greatest, are within you as equal things. In one

atom are found all the elements of the earth; in one

motion of the mind are found the motions of all the

laws of existence; in one drop of water are found the

secrets of all of the endless oceans; in one aspect of

you are found all the aspects of existence … [Thus]

“Your life has no end, and you shall live forevermore.”

-KAHLIL GIBRAN

After a  day which invited me again and again to maintain a  my  spiritual balance,

this reading is indeed a gift  to me tonight.      It can be so easy to get caught up in   'life on life's terms'   and to forget the ONENESS.      Gratefully, life gives us many opportunities to live and learn and grow .... and to simply remember that which we truly know and sometimes simply forget to live.

       

I want to live each moment remembering that I am one with every loving BEing ~ 

and that God is within each and every BEing ~

and that love and  respect is due to myself  and to  each and every BEing  ~

always and in All Ways!!

We are ONE  .... 

may that simple truth guide me in all that I do!

How about a song ... can I sing of  morning at 9pm??   but, of course!

Cat  Stevens, click below ...

Morning has Broken; Cat Stevens

So grateful for this reminder ... cate

Grateful

It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.

- ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL

Today is the last day of spring for this year.  It has been such an unusual year of weather, and this spring has been long and fruitful ~ the gardens are already full and generous!  My apple tree is already heavy with apples.  We have had beautiful weather and so many opportunities to be with splendid people.  

I count my blessings!

Tomorrow will be the longest day of this year ...

a few extra moments of light

to be grateful.

It is a great way to enter into the new season!!

Cate

Blessings Be

Mother, Father, God,

For the sacred circle of family and friendship,

we thank you and ask that, with your guidance,

we may widen and deepen those circles by touching

others with love and understanding.  Blessings be.

- SUE PATTON THOELE

This was a delightful and life giving evening!  I shared dinner and conversation, love and laughter, Spirit and story with two dear friends. What a treasured gift, an evening like this, being fully present shared...truly food for my soul!  What a blessing to carry into a new week, may its warm light shine on to all those I meet in the days ahead.

May you too be fully blessed!!   

Peace,

Cate

Dream of Peace

We dedicate this meal to our hopes and dreams for

the future,

We dream of a world not threatened by destruction.

We dream of a word in which all people are free to be themselves.

We dream of a world at peace.

- ADAPTED FROM AN HAGGADAH OF LIBERATION

I recently watched an interview with Thich Nhat Hanh 

where he said it should take 1/2 hour to enjoy a cup of tea!

Imagine that ... savoring a cup of tea with that amount of awareness.

If we could only all live in such awareness ... 

we would most definitely live in a world of PEACE!!

He also gave some great advice on friendship ....

he said:

The mot precious gift you can give someone you love

is the gift of your full presence.

and your message to them is,

I am here for you.

Your next message is:

I know you are there, and I am so happy!

This is the simple gift of letting the other

know that you are aware of and grateful for their presence.

Embrace your beloved one with mindfulness!

And when your beloved on is suffering, you say:

I know you suffer, that is why I am here for you.

Simply offer your awareness and your presence to the other, 

don't immediately set about trying to solve the problem

on the level of he problem

Be present, offer your presence and awareness,

that is so healing!!

And when you suffer, because of something done by your beloved one,

so often we withdraw and isolate,

and the space between us grow and grows.

Instead, you can say:

I suffer, please help me.

These statements of presence are so simple and so healing!

I will practice them, 

hoping to bring what ever moments of peace

I can bring to this world.

Namaste'

cate

Perfect Peace

Today  ... we begin with a song ....  click link below

PERFECT PEACE

Arise my beloved, my fair one and come away

For lo, the winter is past,

Flowers appear on the earth,

The time of singing is here.

The song of the dove

Is heard in the land.

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:10-12

So many changes are in the air and all around us,

it becomes so easy to fall into fear and despair.

I need to remember that perfect peace is always the truth

and is always available to me.

I can breathe right into it

if I but take the time.

BREATHE

B R E A T H E

B  R  E  A  T  H  E 

B   R   E   A   T   H   E

ahhhhh, letting go .... cate

Look to the light!!

Come come!  Come out!

From bogs old frogs

command the dark

and look ... The stars!

- KIKAKU

Look to the light .... it is always there ... even when life is seeming to be the darkest!!

Quite often I have found that I struggled so much during those times of darkness

probably digging myself even deeper into a hole!

How easy it is to forget that the light is always here, even if I can't see it ...

that is why they call it faith.

Plus, if I did not know the darkness,

I would not be able to recognize and welcome the light  :)

Most important for me is to stay close to the source.

When I do that, I have plenty of light to share with others!

And, when I am lost in the darkness,

others have remembered the truth for me,

and have seen me back into the light.

Together we can light up this world!!!

cate

Miracles

Albert Einstein once said, "There are two ways to live

your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The

other is as though everything is a miracle."  Today we 

celebrate the miracle.

Can't say it any better than that!!  

Enjoy this day ...

it is a miracle!

Love, 

Cate

Struggles

Life has meaning only in the struggles.
Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods.
So  let us celebrate the struggles.
            -  SWAHILI WARRIOR SONG

Again and again I am reminded ...
Life does not do things TO us, it does things FOR us!
ALL THINGS!!!


My prayers are with you, my dear friends!
All Is Well ... Always!
Love,
Cate

Sunshine

May the
longtime
sun shine upon you,
all love surround you,
and the sweet light within you
guide your way on.
          - TRADITIONAL BLESSING

I hope you are all feeling the love and light today ...

it is with us always,

in all ways!!

cate

Eternal Sends Light

May Peace be with you in heart and in and body.
          May you experience Grace and Healing Love.  May you
                    be lifted as Life opens windows through which the
                             Eternal sends Light.
                                     - ANNABELLE WOODARD

click link for song by Steven Curtis Chapman

Long Way Home

I'm thinking about Mary's fiat again tonight ... her complete YES to her Lord.

The question so often asked is, would she have said YES if she knew what that YES entailed?  I smile at that question, because none of us know the answer to that one any time; whether we say yes, no or wait.

I am currently the witness to the remarkable courage of several persons living with  such serious illness ... I marvel at the grace and love and honor with which these people live each day.  

Yes, the experiences following the fiat continue to be a surprise, and as Stephen sings .... "the valleys are deeper and the mountains are steeper than  I ever would have dreamed" ....

And, they continue to face these moments with grace, courage and faith ... knowing full well that the eternal light comes shining through, 

no matter what!!

Know that I carry you in my heart each day,

and I ask that we all pause this moment to send love and light

to those who may be living with any struggle this day ...

let's all remember together ...

we're gonna make it!!!!

Cate

  

Watch over and Protect

O my guardians, from remote antiquity,
Watch over our home
From top to bottom;
From one corner to the other;
From east to west;
From (the side facing) the upland to
(the side facing) the sea;
From the inside to the outside;
Watch over and protect it;
Ward off all that may trouble our life here.
Amana - [the prayer] is freed.
                        - hawaiian daily house prayer

I was thinking today about life on life's terms in conjunction with the word "protect".  I know that it is not up to God to protect me from experiencing life on life's terms, but that God WILL be with me no matter what life brings my way....this is something that I know for sure.  


In recent days I have been with a couple of friends who are facing very serious life challenges.  There are no words that can really comfort at times like these ... the only gift is that of an open heart, loving listening, and BEing fully present.  


Sometimes, in order to do that, I need to do what my  wise spiritual teacher taught me ... that is, to remember the truth for that person ... that God is with them, no matter what.  With that truth in mind, the impossible becomes bearable ... thank God.
                                                                          cate

Under this Moon

Some poor villages

lack fresh fish

or flowers ...

all can share this moon.

- SAIKAKU

CLICK BELOW FOR SONG

Somewhere Out There

I have been thinking of how small this world really is when you realize the connection of the heart and the Spirit. In the Eternal Now Moment, we are all together in ONE ... never separated by time and space ... not now, not ever!

Sometimes I really know that, and other times I really miss those who no longer walk beside me on this earth, or who are now journeying so many miles away. I remember when I first heard this song so many years ago, it visibly brought to my mind the real closeness that is here for us all the time ... how far away can anyone be who actually shares our same moon and sky?  

How much closer could we ever be than the closeness of being all together in the ONE?

Sometimes I know that so clearly, other times I rely on the moon as a reminder.

Love,

Cate

tO sEE

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
                      - WILLIAM BLAKE

tODAY, i WISH YOU ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE YOU REALLY  KNOW aLL iS oNE!!!

tHE GRAIN OF SAND AND THE  fLAKE OF sNOW ...

tHE    aPOSTLE  OF THE bIBLE AND THE LITTLE GIRL DOWN THE LANE ...

tHE wONDER OF hEAVEN AND THE  mIRACLE OF eARTH ...

tHE HAND OF gOD  AND   THE  hEART BEATING WITHIN yOU.

tHESE MOMENTS OF  SUCH DEEP aWARENESS  ARE A RARE SUPRISE ...

LIKE THE MOST bEAUTIFUL aUTUMN LEAF FLOATING BEFORE YOU IN MID fEBRUARY ...

IT cATCHES YOUR aTTENTION ...

AND nURTURES THE cORE OF YOUR bEING ...

IF YOU bUT sEE .

 bE SURE TO  lOOK!!!

cATE