May all things good ( Love ) always prevail over all things not good ( Evil ) ❤️🙏❤️
May all things good ( Love ) always prevail over all things not good ( Evil ) ❤️🙏❤️
It is customary to focus on the breath in yoga, training the mind to quiet the daily chaos and focus on the internal breath that sustains life. Not only does it calm the senses but also focuses the mind and opens our heart to messages of Divine Wisdom and Understanding.
Wide awake or sleeping we don’t think about breathing it happens automatically. Each day we breathe about 20,000 times.
When we practice mindfulness with each breath we become aware of the common link in all humanity. Without breath we cannot live.When we stop to focus on the breath we can quiet the busy thoughts in our minds that cause anxiety, worry, fear and hate. Until we quiet “self” we cannot hear “Divine”.
Job 32:8“But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding”.
John 15:5 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Another common part of a yoga practice is the Tree Pose. I find it fascinating that within the human respiratory system the bronchial tree is significant to the breathing process. The Bronchi themselves branch many times into smaller airways. The airways resemble an upside down tree.
Much like the bible verse states the branches of the bronchial tree cannot survive without the “trachea vine”, and without breath we would not have life.
Although our minds may continue trying to make us focus on human differences if we choose to stop the thoughts, concentrate on the breath and listen to the Spirit within us. Our thoughts can turn from negative “selfish thoughts” to positive “Divine inspiration”.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love,
Carmela
“Help me”. When physical energy is extremely low and life’s burden is heavy, verbal requests are condensed to the most powerful, heart wrenching simplicity. I cannot tell you how many times I have sat with someone facing end of life when the simple request “Help me” is repeated.
As a caregiver I have had the honor of taking care of and meeting many people of many different faiths.
Our lives are so enriched by listening to stories, experiences and traditions of different cultural belief systems and religions. I try very hard to honor each individuals beliefs and show great respect for family wishes and traditions.
The common thread that flows through each experience is that of Love. Love is the great universal connection we all share and we all need.
Divine Love shines through with a beauty, purity and selflessness that is recognizable no matter what “label” it may come wrapped in. As the sweetness of sugar is the base for candies of endless recipes and names, Divine Love is the common ingredient in countless religious denominations and beliefs.
1 Corinthians 13 : 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.
Inspiration and Wisdom will always find us when we ask for it. It does not have to be requested in lengthy prayers.
There are so many songs that contain so much encouragement and inspiration. I am sharing two of my favorites below.
The simple request “help me” reminds me of the song from the Sidewalk Prophets : Help me find It
Crowder
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Somewhere along our Journey on earth there is a moment in time that significance of being becomes a realization like it never was before. From that moment on, every moment going forward and every moment in the past will hold a different level of understanding.
Life is like a mosaic piece of artwork. The finished piece is beautiful and we appreciate its beauty at a quick glance, however the true beauty is in the ability of the artist to place many fragmented pieces, otherwise unremarkable on their own, into a completed masterpiece.
Much like Prayer and Meditation when a major life change forces us to stop and dwell in the moment it is then that we start to realize that each ugly fragment in our life is a very important part of a beautiful completed masterpiece.
My thoughts, memories and conversations were drawn several times this week to amazing ways Divine enlightenment finds us through the connection of spiritual souls.
I am forever amazed at how many times God has introduced a new person into my life who holds a tiny piece of wisdom that was the puzzle piece I needed to comfort a worry I was experiencing.
When we stop trying to control our lives and the people around us, and we stop, pray, listen for, and follow God’s direction He will introduce us to spiritual beings who hold Wisdom that we need to continue on our journey. The Mosaic of a Spiritual Soul’s Journey on Earth contains many beautiful fragmented encounters with other Spiritual teachers. Every spiritual teacher is also a continual student as well.
Divine Wisdom flows through each spiritual being who allows their heart light to shine.
The song People Who Need People kept coming to mind this week. “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world” How fortunate we are that God sends his infinite Wisdom through our hearts and lives and connects us all with Spiritual encounters of Divine Love.
Always keep your heart and mind open for Divine Wisdom. The message we are searching for will arrive possibly from a passing encounter with a stranger or a well know friend, we can never be sure.
Open your heart to both Receiving and Giving Divine Love to all people. Realization of significance of being brings both Peace and Joy to each moment in life.
People who need people are the luckiest people in the world……..
Somewhere, somehow we will find a new way of living, We’ll find a way of forgiving. Someway, Somehow, Someday……….
With Respect Hope Joy and Love, Carmela
How many times do we find ourselves at the end of a day feeling as though we haven’t “accomplished anything”?
The list of things we wanted to get done still hovers in that thought bubble waiting to be crossed off and marked as completed.
How many conversations do we have with friends or family that contain only descriptions of what we’ve done or what we’re planning to do next?
I came upon a sign today saying “There is a reason that we are called Human Beings and not Human Doings”. What an interesting thought to ponder!
As a very active person who likes to stay busy the word human doing did not sound so bad to me, however I realize the thought behind the expression is much more about the emotional and spiritual absence in a person’s life.
A heart that feels like it has to prove its worth will make lists and check off tasks, striving to build a life of meaning. We busy ourselves making to do lists, checking off tasks and constantly talking of our daily accomplishments.
Seeking a feeling of worthiness from tasks and performance leaves you running like a hamster on a wheel never to arrive at your final destiny.
I am sure every person has experienced living as a Human Doing at some time in their life and most likely it is something a heart can slip back into even after recognizing the beauty, peace and importance of learning to BE rather than DO or perform.
A wounded and heavy heart can lie dormant without feeling, almost as if choosing numbing blindness will keep it from seeing pain.
No amount of work or accomplishments will ever make an empty heart feel whole.
Meditation is how we can wake our hearts and learn to be. When we seek to awaken the Divine Spirit within our hearts our hearts and minds are attuned and in harmony with other spiritual beings. Recognizing and accepting Divine Unconditional Love awakens a contentment within us. We experience an Ease of Well-being.
If I share words that awaken a message within you, it is only because an experience or message was awakened within me from another spiritual being. The harmony and positive energy spiritual beings share with each other can only be explained as Miraculous Divine Love and guidance.
As a caregiver who has had the honor of giving care to those approaching life in heaven I am constantly amazed by the wisdom they share.
Psalm 90:12 So Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Each individual is unique and no Human Being is ever perfect. When we are facing end of life perfection and accomplishments no longer seem to be the focus. Imperfect moments are acceptable and there is a genuine purity and honesty in being that is very comforting.
Finding and developing a personal connection with Divine Spirit is not always an easily traveled journey. In sharing end of life experiences with departing souls I’ve found it can also be a lengthy and difficult journey of separation for the soul.
The amazing thing is that, among the disoriented busy activity the brain and body are experiencing, it is possible to reach beyond the physical activity mental confusion and fear to awaken the heart and bring peace with a familiar hymn, scripture reading, rosary or cross.
Like heavy stones beneath rushing water the heart and soul seems to stay anchored in Love and Peace even though the body and mind busy themselves restlessly searching and preparing themselves for the separation of the soul.
With Respect, Joy, Peace, and Love, Carmela
A caregivers ears hear many things. No-one’s life is ever free of difficulties of some sort, and each life has a path and a purpose only they will be able to fulfill.
“I don’t know why I am still here.” a 90 year old says to me. “That must mean you still have wisdom to pass on to us.” I tell him.
Wisdom however, is not always passed on easily. Quite possibly the wisdom our own life possesses may not even be apparent to us while we’re living. Is this what frustrates our existence and stirs up anger or restlessness in us?
Attempting to live out our purpose and understand why we are still here is often a struggle.
Although some pretty bits of wisdom are sometimes spoken sweetly, and appear to come with ease. A number of my experiences could be better explained as a scavenger hunt. The Wisdom may only be revealed to me after being preceded by many long days of hearing statements such as “Clean out your ears” “don’t you listen?” “Get the hell out of here.” It is only when I continue to go back for more, when the beauty finally is revealed.
I wholeheartedly believe in Divine Guidance. When we follow our inner voice and bravely do as we feel it is leading us to do, amazing things happen. The Journey may not always be easy and carefree but most assuredly the individuals you meet along the way are a blessing not just a chance encounter but a divine introduction.
As the majority of the world is enduring the busy responsibilities that everyday life often demands, others are faced with the seriousness of palliative care or hospice care. The differences in these two worlds are huge.
This is a journey one enters into kicking and screaming with resistance! As with anything that hurts, it is most natural for our heart to want to turn away from and run as fast as you can to escape the pain of loss. Not being able to distance yourself from it’s approach can leave a soul angry and confused.
A heart that Truly loves others grieves with profound sadness when the journey of another Soul begins a new path of life and leaves it’s earthly body, friends and family behind.
Messages of Wisdom come most profoundly from the heaviest of hearts. Life on earth is not always happiness and joy. Great Wisdom and Growth often happen in the midst of great pain and sorrow. The silent moments that unfold as a Soul is nearing the end of their earthly journey are moments in time like no other.
This past week several Beautiful Souls have completed their earthly journey and entered into their new life beyond earth. I feel truly honored to have met them and spent time being their caregiver. My heart aches along with their families.
Like a fingerprint on a piece of glass, every Soul is unique. The Wisdom and Love they leave upon the earth could only be passed along by them.
I will hold dearly their unique wisdom and will continue sharing their memory and wisdom with others here on earth. Although my heart is heavy now, getting to know them and sharing time in their presence has left a very positive influence on my life.
Among the still and quiet moments we spend with someone on this journey profound messages are communicated. Even when the moments feel only like silent helplessness their wisdom will eventually reach you and become clear.
It is an honor like no other for our hearts to be able to facilitate the wisdom of an Angelic Soul beginning life anew, Peaceful and Free of pain and sorrow.
A song miraculously found its way to my ears during heartbreaking outcries of grief and confusion this week. With each loss we experience, each one so drastically different and unique, it often feels overwhelmingly hard to make sense of the details and circumstances.
My heart finds strength from those I give care to. I will continue on, being grateful for each and every Soul my life’s journey introduces me to. Each and every Angelic Soul holds a very special place in my heart.
Once a Soul’s message of wisdom is released it is impossible to contain it once again. It will float freely to influence many others who long to understand it’s message.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Begin your day with
Love in your heart
Express yourself with kind words
Share goodness
Shine the Divine light from within
Inspire others
Never forget to ask for Divine Guidance
God is with you always
Simply Live and Act in Love
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
When our hearts see only from the desire of our own eyes, we cannot see God’s perspective and are blind to his blessings. When you find yourself in the center of a really difficult situation it can seem impossible to understand how the situation could be a blessing in any way, shape, or form. It is then, when you realize that quite possibly YOU are the one THROUGH which the blessing is to COME to the situation. It is within our willingness to become the “bringer” of the blessing that gives us a clear vision of how miraculously difficult situations can be transformed.
I am so grateful for the many people in my life who have allowed themselves to become the “bringer of blessings” over the years, and I pray that my life and actions are lead by and open to divine guidance so that without question or hesitation I respond to His lead with Truth Wisdom and Love in order to become the “bringer of blessing” to others in need.
As the driver of your own soul, it is only you that can control where and when you arrive at contentment. By following the path of self desire and believing your own wisdom is greater then your peers, the only place it will lead you to is stuck in mean and angry gear. It is only when you realize and accept the fact that every life matters and deserves to be treated with the same love and respect you apply to your own life, you will then be able to feel true contentment and peace. When your eyes are open to the clarity that love, peace and contentment provides you will no longer want to return to the selfish desire gear you were once stuck within.
It is difficult to watch the angry mean behavior people live in daily and often become stuck living in for many years. It can take over many many years of peoples lives if you allow it to.
Like an addiction to a a drug, if you are not willing to take ownership of your part in allowing the nasty ways to continue you will never find peace and contentment. It is not the fault of the ….. situation your in….. the other people around you…. or circumstances out of your control. It takes hard work to look in the mirror and be willing to expose your imperfect qualities. The places in your life where you made mistakes, the times in your life where you were NOT a victim. The times in your life when YOUR actions victimized or caused sadness and hurt to others.
I have spent the majority of my life working as a caregiver to others. I love the work that I do and have always found a special place in my heart for the challenging behaviors that many individuals present. I have heard the phrase “they have the personality of a snake” used when being prepped on an assignment. I am not above saying that I also have lived through days like this as well…… anyone alive and honest should be willing to admit that there are days in our lives when frustration is high and patience low and all you want to do is off load the hurt and frustration onto someone else….. anyone else…. you just hurt and are stuck in mean gear.
It takes work to get out of mean gear. Life is so much more beautiful than what is experienced stuck in this gear. My prayers are that those who find themselves here be willing to look within and make changes to themselves and stop complaining and placing the blame on everyone else.
Many people who are seriously unhappy do not realize that only they have the ability to improve things. Note to Self… “Do not blame anyone else for the life you are leading, you are in the driver seat of your own soul.
Being honest with yourself and your own actions is the only way to finding genuine clarity and peace. For some reason many people find it much easier to complain and point a finger at another rather than looking inward and developing truth, honesty, and humility. Learn to never take your blessings for granted, there will always be someone who is praying for the very thing you are taking for granted. Even when your life is at its most difficult there are always many others in the world who are in the midst of suffering as well.
Pray for clarity, look in the mirror, be brave enough to see your own faults, examine them and take steps to improve yourself instead of blaming others. Doing these things will lead you toward inner peace and true contentment. The only control a person should ever be attempting to gain is self control. Worrying about, blaming and controlling everyone-else only causes problems, suffering and pain.
I am including link to a song below.
Need You Now is one of my new favorites. I also am including an interview with the writer where she explains that this song was written as her prayer. She is very honest in sharing struggles that she dealt with in her life and how she was able to overcome them and find true contentment.
Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, known as Plumb, suffered from painful anxiety and panic attacks in high school. She thought of those days of hiding in the bathroom, crying out to God as she wrote the title track of her album, Need You Now. Recently, the song had renewed relevance as her marriage crumbled and she faced divorce. She discusses her career, her music and her reconciliation with her husband. She sings “Need You Now” at 11:47.
“I wanted there to be a song that said, out loud, it’s OK to cry for help, it’s OK to just scream it at the top of your lungs.”
-Tiffany Arbuckle Lee (a.k.a Plumb)
Follow Mimi on Twitter: @MimiGeerges
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
There is nothing more enjoyable then being with someone who is just simply fun to be with. Someone who refuses to be pulled down by the negatives of the world. Someone who takes on the challenge of lifting the spirits of a group of people who are heavyhearted.
Like the photo above, they simply seem to be filled with a natural Joy and they cannot contain the positive energy. With the lightheartedness of a hummingbird they seem to buzz, zoom, zing and zip around with an urgency that is mesmerizing and can’t help but bring a smile of admiration to others.
Some days we are not able to escapes dealing with challenging moments during a lifetime. I like to believe God introduces us to people who we need to help us get through life’s journey. When our spirits are low and a person who has overflowing energy and joy enters into our path, perhaps it is not simply a random joyful encounter but quite possibly an intentional Divine Blessing placed along the path of a difficult day.
Enjoy each smile that enters your day. Be grateful for each encounter of overflowing Joy, and return the favor to others on days when your Joy cannot be contained.
See
Miracles
In
Life
Everyday
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela