The New Spirituality Page for the OLD TA group :-) Welcome friends xoxo

I went to Redbubble and checked out Jim's page. Seems the last posting from him there was a month ago. I sent him a Redbubble email and left the message for him to check in with us.

Sure hope he is ok.

We should keep a contact list with phone numbers on the regulars here. We did that with one of the other Discussions here. The Host kept all the info and that way if someone went missing we could check on them. We did use the list a couple of times and it was nice to have.

If everyone wants to do that and Oiseau is agreeable I think we should let her be the keeper of the list. We would all have to email her our info, phone number, home address, and a relative that could be contacted in an emergency.

I loved your illustration Janette.

I have found that usually simple is best and sometimes that is all there is to it.

In your illustration, it was what the woman was "seeing through" or her viewpont. In the illustration, the husband merely cleaned the windows. But :"cleaning the windows" is not always so easy.

First one has to recognize or admit that the windows are dirty and then be willing to clean them. Once past that iit is important to find the right cleaning tools to remove the film that prevents clear seeing. The deeper the dirt, the more motivated one has to be to do what is required.

Simple is not always easy. If it were, we would all have clean windows. :)

How's your weather? Ours is mostly cold and windy and sometimes raining. Most people in my area have horrible colds and coughs that subbornly hang on. :( Hope it is better where you are.

Bren

Through The Window

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

That laundry is not very clean, she said. She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap. Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash out to dry, the young women would make the same comments.

About one month later, the women was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: Look, she has learned to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?

The husband said, I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.

And so it is with life. What we see when watching and judging others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look!!!

Lynn K. Circle

Normally at this time of day I would be in church but I am nursing a cold/bug and the weather and being umong others right now is not in my best interest. My Christmas corall concert is Tuesday night and we have full rehearsal tomorrow night (Monday). I have to do some fast healing. :(

Margaret, I already know a little about Dr. Bach. I haven't tried much of that but I do know that this is one of many modalities that have helped a lot of people. I will have to look more into that whole idea and your idea as well regarding the Chestnut bud. There are many insturments and many levels of healing and making more whole or better. It is nice that we have so many options IF we want to avail ourselves to them. Thanks for the info.

I wish we lived closer Margaret, I am sure I would enjoy a nice cup of tea and a lot of conversational exchange with you. I too an working on the next level of consciousness. I can tell you it isn't for the faint of heart. It takes work and dedication to plow through all the obsticles that would detain us to that mountain top. So often I just wanted to say that what I was being challenged with was too hard and I just wanted to give up going any further but something keeps me going even when I want to quit. I have a feeling that you are of the same character. I think you have plowed through a lot of stuff when there were times you could have easily given up. :)

Re Jim, at one time I had a phone number but whatever data base I was keeping it has been earased I fear. I have changed computers since then when the old one became corrupt. I don't know if I had it somewhere else. So far I haven't found it. At our ages, anything can happen. I sure hope he is okay.

It is grey here today and raining. That's another reason to stay at home. At least the cold isn't so bad. It is 44 F and should reach in the low 50s.

It is what it is. :)

Good thinking Clayt in your post. I always like how YOU think.

"Could God be tightening our connections to each other through technology?"
- That is certainly happening, or we wouldn't be here talking to each other, and I have to say
that the posters here have taught me a lot, about God, love and spirit, and MUCH MUCH more throughout the past years. The "people" here are special, and conversation flows well, and this is only a small part of where we all browse and Google .

"technology does our thinking for us. We simply respond with our fingers"
Well yes, but our fingers connect to our thoughts and senses. Many of us have become more
creative through digital cameras, more knowledgeable about the world and other people. Of course there will be many who maybe just waste time with technology - they would probably have wasted time anyway!

That is a good verse - Only a day.

Brenda I like your honesty and thought processes too, - especially interesting is:
After we grow some more we may see God as partner rather than parent because God is shifting more of the responsibility to us. What happens next? Consciousness is not yet developed to that next step for most of us. Certainly not developed in me yet - will keep learning about it.

"Why again" is very wise. Michael talks of disintegrative energy - expressed as fear, blame, anger... suffering. Have you heard of the Bach Flower remedies? When I read your post, I went into herbalist mode and immediately thought of Chestnut bud, which is the remedy for repeating the same mistakes in life. Bach flowers work on the disintegrative energy, and help it to vibrate as organised and free flowing. http://www.drbach.co.uk/

As for the iPhone, two friends have already ordered them, and another when his current contract expires. (I should get sales commission!)

I may have not mentioned that it is the apps that make the iPhone so good and personalised. I have the whole scrabble words (can opt for American or rest of English speakers) It tells whether a word is acceptable or not, and has a great feature for making lists. This is not available on the desktop.

I have a dog whistle that I use on long woodland walks with Ruby. It saves me remembering to pocket a whistle, and works incredibly. She runs like the wind - but one press on the iPhone high frequency whistle has her turning and running back to me.

Direct contact with ebay is another useful app for last minute bidding away from home.

I have a piano, wind instrument, wikpedia, things to do lists, sunset, voice recorder, books.
In fact there are thousands of new apps to choose from - most of them just a few pence, or even free.

There is instant you tube access for download or viewing. Also there is full email and Internet, maps, camera, text, and phone ... better stop now!

He has, in the past, remained absent for long periods but I wonder if he's OK seeing that he doesn't answer e-mail messages either.

I loved your message re God and being partners w/God and technology, etc. Also after reading your post I am almost on the verge of running out and getting an IPhone. LOL

You wrote, "Are we partners with God?" Maybe we are more than partners but most of the world is not ready for that one. ;) So we shall wait for the evolution of consciousness. But for now as the the question about being partners with God or not, I would say "Yes".

While we cannot carry God in our pocket like an IPhone or Cell Phone or IPod, we carry something within us that is forever connected to the Source of all Love, all information, all knowing, all presence, all power. My "stuff" sometimes drowns out my ability to be able to receive any of those “gifts” with clarity. For example many times God has put up red flags to try to make me aware that I might need to reevalutate some of my decisions but I plunged onward in spite of that because I may have questioned my own ability to be sure I was reading things right. (That is probably because I was reared in a family where whatever I thought or tried to do was never “right” and denial of the “truth” ran high in my family but then that was true of many families.. Also there were “secrets” geared to protect the children when the children knew something was wrong but the children never received confirmation. Everyone pretended that nothing was wrong.)

I tend to gravitate towards putting myself in dysfunctional situations - not because I want them but because I grew up that way and that way seems "familiar", almost normal. A dysfunctional friendship, relationship, or other situation is something I seem to gravitate towards because some part of me thinks that is normal. Or maybe it is because there is something within me that needs healing and this is one way to call my attention to that fact.

Michael Ryce does workshops and writes books about the subject, "Why is this happening to me again?" (www.whyagain.com) I keep finding myself doing some of the same stuff and expecting a different outcome. Why again? I haven't quite faced all my dragons and gotten victory. But I keep trying.

God is our partner. It is up to us to use that to our advantage. There is a Power within us that is greater than we are and It is ever there to see that we become the very best we can be. ln a sense we are not here to "worship" that Power but to give ourselves over to It (which is probably the highest form of worship) and to allow It to work through us for our good and the good of all creation. The trick is to do this while navigating through the distractions, the challenges, and the snares that we find in our life story.

First God is seen by us as parent and we see ourselves as dependent children. Then if we grow we see ourselves as growing our wings as it were while being supported by the Parent. After we grow some more we may see God as partner rather than parent because God is shifting more of the responsibility to us. What happens next? Consciousness is not yet developed to that next step for most of us.

Technology is awesome, intriguing, challenging and expansive. It connects the world in nanoseconds. (1,000,000,000 nanoseconds in one second.) We just saw its wonder in the real time coverage of the carnage in India. Technology has shrunk world communications.

Could God be tightening our connections to each other through technology? Is God's Word and technology in conflict?

Not knowing -- I would bet that when and if these two forces come into conflict, the lower one will yield to the higher. It is the supreme law both of nature and in human life

Are we turning the channel of power over to technology at our own demise because we are becoming out of touch with the God spirit?

"Only a day, yes, only a day,

If out of touch with your Lord."

Are we giving away our individual power? There is the law of exchange that rules every sphere of life -- to get we must give.

With technology abuse we continually take and give little. Is there a price we pay in the bigger scheme of life?

Just pondering the question you presented, Margaret!

Technology is helping to dumb down a good portion of our society because most of its offering lulls us into a passive mode. We don't do the thinking -- technology does our thinking for us. We simply respond with our fingers

My enthusiasm for new technology overflows into whatever bit of life I am connected with, so even here in this discussion I keep mentioning the iphone which I am utterly amazed with. My friends also get the latest iphone happenings, and I realise sometimes I am maybe obsessed with my new electronic wonder.

I use it daily, so I KNOW that it works and has vast capabilities to aid communication, education, fun, help with daily life, something to turn to when pondering, music, stories, almost all that the internet offers - (except software programmes), but the difference is the portability. It is always there. Reassuring, in the pocket. At home, in the car, abroad, everywhere.

Without being disrespectful - it reminds me of God. I have spent my life searching for God and proof of His existence. Maybe I am finding my answer. God created man in God's image (Genesis 1:27). Man created technology. God provided the raw materials.

I have the entire bible on the iphone, with easy recall to quotes I learnt long ago - hence the quick reference above. (I realise I could have also Googled it on the desk top machine!)

Are we partners with God?
That would account for wars - there are always some who want more power.
It would account for environmental awareness - equal partners of God.
It would account for the intelligence that man uses to create and use technology

When I was young, my village was the world, the local town was an exciting trip. London was a long day trip, Britain was somewhere to be proud of, America was the scene of films at the local cinema, to phone Australia we had to book the call for a certain time or day.

Now, a few decades later - I have the world on my iphone. In theory I can reach everyone and all information on our planet.

In my mind it is good, and God is good, and it is all very exciting as well as all very interesting.

Maybe I am on too broad a spectrum for the topic here of Spirituality, but to me it embraces all levels. What do you think?

Enjoy this wonderful day with family and friends.

Nothing like a family sharing the blessings of the day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I add a fourth choice, Brenda. Turn it over to God having the faith He has a better answer -- solution.

Ps: 32:20 "He is our help and our shield."

Today is a mild winter day in WNY. A light snow barely covers the ground. Busy helping Wendy get ready for tomorrow's dinner, here, with family.

For many throughout this nation, this one may not be a Happy Thanksgiving for them.

When the Pilgrims set foot on America they had a focused vision and determination to create a new life with the opportunity to enjoy religious freedom.

Here we are a few hundred years later trying to shake-off religion to become a more secular nation.

Someone somewhere has to be lifting the big buckled black hat scratching his head wondering -- what's with those people?

I will be busy with family so if I don't get back here, Happy Thanksgiving!

For the rest of you, it never hurts to take time to be thankful for anything- turkey day or not; so I hope that you can find things to be thankful for no matter what. :)

In any given situation that proves to be challenging we usually have at least three main choices: 1) Adjust to what is; 2) Make changes if possible; 3) Walk away if possible. The tough part for me is deciding which would most likely be the first or better choice if all three hold as choices. You can’t walk away, for example, from some diagnoses of an incurable disease. You can explore your options however. Sometimes you start with one and if that doesn’t seem to do the trick move to another possibility until one does work or seems to work the best or you exhaust your options. I don’t think any one answer is the best but one will usually feel better than some of the others. Sometimes I find it difficult to walk away from commitments or relationships when it might be best for the other person or me or both. I don’t give up very easily and that can be a blessing or a curse.

Sometimes we experience a “bad hair” day but sometimes it is more complicated than that and more serious. Either way, it is a challenge.

Margaret, I am doing better today but I have had some physical and emotional pain. I suspect the physical pain will heal. I can only hope the emotions will calm down soon.
But if they don’t, I plan to ride that pony until I break her. :) BTW, I enjoyed reading about your day with the snow.

Most of us don't like to think about what we are depending on to keep us feeling significant and to keep us going because when we do, we usually have to admit our happiness is temporary.

Apart from God, everything is changeable! We see consistency in nature because the God of the universe is utterly consistent -- we are not.

I often ask myself: "How does my contentment measure up today?" Followed by -- Why or Why not?

You are quite right. We don’t know what is round the corner to test out our morals and ideals.

Clayt – yours is a wise and mature post, and good for you that those concepts in 1958 served you well. I like the inspiring story of the “poor” girl too. It showed that she had no poverty of spirit.

I hesitate to post the following. It is trivia really, but it is just my small parade of the last couple of days.

My worst and most miserable day of last week was Saturday. I don’t usually let the weather bother me, but it was snow on ice!

From my limited view through the window it looked glorious. White virgin snow across the road, and shrouding a few cars that were not garaged, I could just crick my neck to see towards the beach – lovely sunrise. It looked so peaceful, and no people or cars in sight. I wanted to dash out for a walk or drive – but as I ventured to check beyond the front door, I realised that my shoes would skid, so walking would NOT be possible. The only shoes I am able to wear – for the past 3 or 4 years are MBT’s. They have saved me from needing sticks, invalid scooter, or medical treatment, BUT they rock as I walk, so are not very stable on slippery roads. I have a Toyota Rav which has great road holding in bad weather – but as more snow started to fall, I realised it would not be a good idea to go for a pleasure drive, and from past experience I know that the car parks do NOT get cleared of snow or ice, so no way could I even get to the supermarket door from the car.

By 8am I was already bored out of my wits by the thought of being housebound, spent the day eating more meals than normal, and bought a few things on the Internet (a hearing loop to plug into my Iphone, and some Chinese herbs) and then watched an old film on TV. I resented having the central heating on all day, in fact I resented the day and decided if I ever become housebound I would need to rethink all my spirituality plans, which are currently reliant on getting out to see people and driving around. I did manage to drive to a shop for a newspaper – at 3pm, but that was all. Ruby had to make do with the back garden. I was glad to go to bed. I was also mad with myself for not doing anything productive!!

Sunday morning I woke up determined to have a GOOD day – so I did. Just like that. There was more snow, still too icy to walk anywhere. I managed to clear the drive with the snow shovel – that enlivened me. Loaded the washing machine, and did two washes and tumbled dry. Reorganised my kitchen cupboards, downloaded some apps for my Iphone, and at last realised just how very very fortunate I am. OK, I did develop a pain in my left hand – but I think it is repetitive strain injury from the Iphone. I rubbed tiger balm on it, which helped a bit, but I also have other gadgets for pain relieving, - things I have bought from Internet shops.

God – am I thankful for everything I have? Yes I am. The Internet, the Iphone, the pain remedies, the brain, this discussion, the car, the warm house, the TV, friends, memories. Washing machine, dishwasher…. So much to be grateful for.

I need a delete button for Saturday – but thank goodness, I managed to edit Sunday.

Today Monday most of the snow has gone, so have already caught up with two friends, and although the thawing snow has flooded a lot of the roads, the countryside is beautiful. I shall probably manage to drive to Scrabble club tonight.

Today I got the entire Bible (very cheap) and Encyclopaedia Britannica (free) on my iphone. I also got a free book called Peace Pilgrims progress.
One of her thoughts is one that I fully agree with:

“What we suffer from is immaturity. If we were mature people, war would be no problem – it would be impossible.

I WANT MY DELETE/EDIT BUTTON BACK!!!!

No matter how spiritual you think you are:

You still make choices that bite the very hand that fed it.

You still can get sick or have physical pain.

You still have to deal with difficult people and difficult situations.

You still will experience having people or pets that you love die.

You can feel out of control of your life and any situation that presents itself to you.

You may at any moment have to discard plan "A" and go to plan "B" whether you wanted to at first or not.

You can still have mountains that seem to daunting to climb.

At times you can still be experiencing a lot of things that you thought might not be so bad but are (if you are honest about it) and you may find that you wonder where all those beautiful spiritual lessons and happenings have gone.

But guess what? Before enlightenment s*** happens; after enlightenment s*** happens.

How do I know this? I don't. But I know that it is true from where I sit whether or not it is true for anyone else.

Right now, I am beaten down pretty badly and I suppose all of you have been there as well. But we live through them and go on until we don't go on.

Where's the joy? I think it took a vacation. Perhaps it will be back soon.

I guess I am more of a Poe than an Emerson this morning. Sorry to rain on the parade but then there has not been much of a parade here in this discussion in the last few days

You may find it hard to be thankful for anything.

Here are a few concepts I learned back in 1958 during the heated recession our nation experienced back then.

It was the year I decided to start my own business because everybody was so down. I had saved a couple of thousand dollars. Just started a young family and bought a $32,000 ranch house with a mortgage in the suburbs.

Most everyone advised me to wait until things got better financially because the economy was so bad.

1. have confidence in your inner skills that what you decide to do, you are better than what is out there and you will work harder at it than most out there to prove it.

2. develop a uniqueness (in good taste) that draws attention to you and your work.

3. Under promise, but over deliver on your promise by exceeding expectations.

4.consistently Invest your time in educating and learning more about what you do than most others do as they spend their time in more entertainment , self indulgence trivia.

5. keep yourself disciplined to stay physical fit and spiritually right and hold a mental picture of being an overcomer..

In doing so you will be noticed, trusted and relied upon to offer value received.

Little by little I was able to build the business, sustain it even in difficult times because I delivered my promise. Those who gave me six months and I would be broke ate their words, and when things started to turn around I had an advantage of a solid foundation to spring forward.

That's what people are going to have to do -- rely on their self ingenuity to make it through the challenging years ahead and not focus on all the bad news in their communities. Under stand it, but don't allow it to make you feel helpless. There is always room for creative thinkers in one's community.

There's an inspiring story in this months National Geographic magazine about a girl in India who was beaten and raped for years by her father -- contacted leprorsy that disfigured her - thrown out on he ownr and shunned by everyone. Today, she is a respected medical aid serving the poor -- even to some upper classed women giving birth. It's a great story of being an overcomer..

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) -" U.S. economic and political clout will decline over the next two decades and the world will be more dangerous, with food and water scarce and advanced weapons plentiful, U.S. spy agencies projected on Thursday.

The National Intelligence Council analysis "Global Trends 2025" also said the current financial crisis on Wall Street is just the first phase of a global economic reordering.

The U.S. dollar's role as the world's major currency would weaken to become a "first among equals," the report said."

About capitalism; Maybe Mr. Moore made millions but he spent millions too. And how much did he lose in the recent decline?

We all have lost mucho dinero but we are told to spend spend to avoid recession. Spend with what?