"We become what we think about." ~ Earl Nightingale

Welcome to Sacred Ruminations

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,


Showing posts with label coincidence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coincidence. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

What My Handwriting Says About Me and other Random Thoughts from the Universe (with Loosely Related Musings from my own Mind)

This result is surprisingly accurate, except for the "detailed and meticulous" part. Most of my family and friends would be rolling on the floor laughing (visualizing the clutter in my home because if it's a horizontal surface, it has reading material on it) except when it comes to some things ... like my Blog posts. They'd have to agree that I do spend time trying to make things as perfect as possible when presenting my ideas. So ... I'm curious how accurate YOUR results turn out to be and hope you'll share in a comment.
What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are a laid back person with rather low energy. You aren't lazy... you *are* sensitive and empathetic.

You are somewhat outgoing, but you're not a natural extrovert. You think first before you act. You tend to be independent, rational, and logical.

You are very detail oriented and meticulous. You are a careful thinker and a true intellectual.

You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well.

You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart.

You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

The Daily OM sends email messages to my gmail account (that I usually ignore, but for some reason looked at today) and my Horiscope had THIS to say about me :

Benefits Of Compassion
Pisces Daily Horoscope
"Your sympathetic nature could cause you to be more aware than usual of other people’s challenges. This could cause you to reach out and make a difference in their lives. Even if you assist in small ways, such as making a monetary donation or mentoring someone with learning challenges, you will be creating a win-win situation that benefits everyone involved. Not only will you be helping others and putting your feelings of compassion to good use, but you will feel good about your actions. If you take a look around during the course of today, you will be able to determine where your assistance might be needed most. You may discover that there are many opportunities for you to express your sympathetic nature.

Expressing our compassion by helping to improve the lives of others will initiate a positive cycle of energy that will return to us in many forms. Though our genuine desire to help others is what fuels our actions, the universe often responds by sending us a flow of abundance. The more we share our care and concern for those less fortunate, the more positive energy will be returned to us. This then gives us even more resources to make a bigger, more lasting difference in the world. As you share your time and energy with others in need today, know that you are calling forth powerful energy that will enhance your life."

This DOES "resonate" with me ... and I'm wondering

whether it might be useful to LOOK at

these Daily OM messages

before deleting

them?

So ... I've been "ruminating" as I often do as I wander the Blogosphere ... trying to keep my Google Reader "count" under 150. This morning it was over 650, but it's currently at 183 so I've made significant progress. The problem is, the minute I get things under control (as in down to a manageable number), I encounter someone new & interesting, add their blog (assigning it a category like "Blogs to check out" ... changing it later once I figure out where it fits best), and ... because I'm in the middle of something else, whatever posts are "new" raise the count, remaining unnoticed until much later when I return to "catchup up with virtual friends" ... (a practice that perhaps helps to explain why I dump Daily OM posts without reading them?) ... whereupon I face the dilemma of whether or not to mark all those imported posts as read, something that always makes me feel as though I might be "missing" something important.

My MSN email usually has 500 or more "unread emails" because I check it only once or twice a week. Likewise "snail mail" collects on my desk (and/or in a basket I keep for such things). I often stand by the trash can once weekly on "trash day" before putting the bins in the alley for pick-up, unless I forget ... rushing to put the bins out when I hear the trucks coming. Life could be so much simpler without "junk" mail! But that's a subject for another day ... as is, come to think of it, the new "improved" automated trash-collection procedures instituted in our city ... including separating recyclables, green waste, and trash. I could write REAMS (now that's a term soon to be obsolete) ... and perhaps shall, but not today.

It's not that I don't know HOW to approach all this in a more disciplined & organized manner. I just don't CHOOSE to enforce "rigidity" on my "happily retired" self. And yet ... I'm aware that I'd like to simplify my life (and clean up my surroundings, much as I've reclaimed my front yard). Hence ... these ruminations.

I do know from personal experience, that what I need comes to me when it's needed ... even when I worry that it won't. Giving up "worry" (along with guilt) requires regular attention. Both consume time & energy I could devote more productively to other things. Reading Lucy's posts yesterday here and here reminded me how essential it is for me to make time to write in my journal each morning.

How odd! When I clicked over there to get the "links" for this post, I notice SHE'S used one of these "Blogthings" today as well. How wierd is that? Let's hear it for coincidence! LOL

In the broader scheme of things ... all of this is "much ado about nothing" as illustrated by this touching videoclip about a child named Christine I discovered at Living On Purpose accompanied by this introduction:

“Though her precious life was short, she teaches us how to live fully, helping others, bring joy and friendship even in the most dire circumstances. She continues touching hearts and changing lives, even after she's gone. She reminds us to stop complaining, stop blaming, and start smiling. …”

This clip illustrates why it's challenging
for me to "mark all as read" in
Google Reader, for I might have missed it entirely.
I urge you to check it out if time permits.
And now ... I'll stop
for now.


Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Day 29 Coincidence and Grace (My Sacred Life)

All too often, the things I believe I want in my life just aren't good for me (though this awareness usually shows up long after the fact). The older I get, the more grateful I am that God's simple response to my most fervent (yet often foolish) prayers is a loving "No" ... because I've come to know that her vision for my life is greater than anything I might imagine for myself (a most humbling recognition of how "grace" works).
“How do you know which of your intentions is likely to be fulfilled? The answer lies in paying attention to the clues provided by the nonlocal mind. Notice the coincidences in your life. Coincidences are messages. They are clues from God or spirit or nonlocal reality, urging you to break out of your karmic conditioning, your familiar patterns of thinking. They are offering you an opportunity to enter a domain of awareness where you feel loved and cared for by the infinite intelligence that is your source. Spiritual traditions call this the state of grace." ~Deepak Chopra
I've heard coincidence defined as God's way of remaining anonymous. I've come to see coincidence as grace in action ... something we learn to recognize over time through experience ... and pass on (or not).
GRACE
The beauty of grace
is that you receive blessings
for no reason.
As above, so below.
PRACTICE random acts of grace.
Give to others for no reason.
Offer kindness to those who are undeserving,
love those who no one else loves.
Practice grace.
Daniel Levin, Zen Cards

These days ... I realize how much better my daily life becomes when I pray ... "not my will, but thine, be done" ... simple, but not always easy.

"Slow down
and everything you are chasing
will come around and catch you."
~John De Paola