Big changes in my life right now ...

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 self-hosted website ... Giraffe Journals at WordPress. I've shared a couple of inspiring & life-affirming links at Small Reflections. They're well worth a look & listen too if time permits.

I invite all to participate
and spread the word far and wide ...

Thought for Today
"Letting go of the past means that can you enjoy the dream that is happening right now." ~Don Miguel Ruiz

Whirled Peace - We Can Each Make a Difference

Click for Camera Critters, Pet Pride, & Monochrome Mania
Scroll down for Blog Your Blessings on Sunday
and information about the next
Blog Blast for Peace

Imagining Peace
Photobucket images
in my Mosaic


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Mosaic and Blue Monday

Bobbie of Almost There brought the Pinwheels for Peace project to my attention and I'd like to share with you because ... "in today's world, peace needs to become more than just a word."

"Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, who teach at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for their students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world.

The first Pinwheels for Peace were installed on Sept. 21, 2005. Since then, we have grown from 500,000 pinwheels planted the first year, to 2 million pinwheels in 2008!"

September 21st, is International Day of Peace ... and I hope you'll participate. Check out the site for Info & Ideas, Pinwheel Locations, Template, Directions, Gallery, and more. To learn more about International Day of Peace, visit Peace One Day and International Day of Peace.

"The pacifist's task today is to find
a method of helping and healing which provides
a revolutionary constructive substitute for war."
~Vera Brittain, 1964

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb

I'm blessed with many wonderful friends ... and am grateful for the serendipitous chain of events that led to me discovering this 'virtual' world known as the Blogosphere. A widget in my sidebar reminds me that I'll celebrate my 2nd Blogoversary in just about a month.
I had no clue back then what would unfold, but I appreciate the connections with so many others throughout the world who not only share thoughts on their own blogs, but visit & comment on mine. Each is a blessing and I'm delighted to have encountered all.

Today as I reflect on my life and share about 'Whirled Peace' ... I'm reminded of my gratitude for Mimi Lenox who conceived of a wonderful idea in the Fall of 2006 and followed through ... encouraging people from all over the world to join her in a Blog Blast for Peace.

On June 4th of 2008 I joined her and others, creating my first two Peace Globes and posting twice ... once at Sacred Ruminations and also at Small Reflections. On November 6th of 2008 I created three more. In case you missed them and you have a bit of time to spare, here are links:
Sacred Ruminations- The Strength of Gentleness
Small Reflections-A Revolution of Music,
Blog Rolls & Bling - What if? (a Colorful Alternative to Bombs)
and June of 2008:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
Peace in Every Step

This seems like a good chance to announce
that the next Blog Blast for Peace launch is
November 5th 2009
I'd like to invite you to participate.
You can click here for more information at Mimi's
and the badge below to get your peace globe.
here to see globes created by others

I hope to see your Peace Globe and Blog Blast this year.

See also
my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'

go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo
above Really Good Things.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Blessed Be ... and so it is!

Thought for Today

"Let us love the world to peace." Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Dona Nobis Pacem - Strength of Gentleness

NaBloPoMo-Day6

5th Blog Blast for Peace
November 6, 2008

Today I join Mimi Lenox and many other bloggers in the 5th Blog Blast for Peace ... and invite YOU to join the wave today on your Blog. Just click Mimi's link and read the directions for getting your own Peace Globe to personalize and publish. Then follow the directions to share with others through her official sites ... and visit others blogging for peace.

Sacred Ruminations Peace Globe is #1124

"We have learned to fly the air like birds
and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned
the simple art of living together as brothers."
Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Collage created using PSE6 with photos from Flickzzz

Click for links to ...
My other Blog Blasts today:
at Small Reflections and Blog Rolls & Bling
and last June:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
& Peace in Every Step

Click for others participating in
the 5th Blog Blast for Peace!

Thoughts for Today
"Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present." Rudy Giuliani

"A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done."
Ralph Nader

"I suppose that leadership at one time meant muscle; but today it means getting along with people." Indira Gandhi

BYBS#21 - Sacred Life Sunday

Because I've not taken any new Sunrise-Sunset photos
I won't be participating in that meme today,
but I offer this ... just because

Photo source: Flickzzz.com

Blog Your

on Sundays ...

I'm grateful for resources like Flickzzz.com and Photobucket where photos like the one at the top of this post and graphics like this 'Blessings' wreath are available. Perhaps one day I'll be able to create such things myself ... but for today, I'd like to thank Angels Among Us and Lark H for making this (and other) Fall graphics available. Although I don't yet fully understand just how this site works, I've finally created a 'free account' of my own there and have learned to 'copy' graphics to my 'album' there to avoid having them 'disappear suddenly & unexpectedly' (without any notification) from my posts. There's so much I still need to learn in this 'virtual world' ... and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do so.

As my regular readers know, I am a student of A Course in Miracles, though my practice is less regular than it once was. When daily stress and chaos arise, I return to the lessons to calm my mind and redirect my thoughts. Yesterday's Lesson #124 was "Let me remember I am one with God." Exhaling with relief ... I was reminded gently that God is my companion (and yours) as we walk in the world ... alone and together ... all one.

"What we receive is our eternal gift to those who follow after, and to those who went before or stayed with us a while. And God, Who loves us with the equal love in which we were created, smiles on us and offers us the happiness we gave."

Remembering his Love (and choosing to release all doubt), we can feel 'His Presence' in our hearts and allow 'His Thoughts' into our minds ... seeing only the loving & lovable ... repeating to ourselves hourly:

"Let me remember I am one with God,
A one with all my brothers and my Self,
In everlasting holiness and peace."

I'm moved to share excerpts today's lesson from A Course in Miracles, just because ...

FYI: As I read, my mind substitutes 'feminine' pronouns and verbs for the 'masculine' ... to make the lessons more relevant, but I 'quote' the language as it's printed in the Workbook for Students.

Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

"Let this day be a day of stillness and of quiet listening. ... No peace is possible until His Word is heard around the world; until your mind, in quiet listening, accepts the message that the world must hear to usher in the quiet time of peace.

This world will change through you. No other means can save it, for God's plan is simply this: The Son of God is free to save himself, given the Word of God to be his Guide, forever in his mind and at his side to lead him surely to his Father's house by his own will, forever free as God's. He is not led by force, but only love. He is not judged, but only sanctified.

In stillness we will hear God's Voice today without intrusion of our petty thoughts, without our personal desires, and without all judgment of His holy Word. We will not judge ourselves today, for what we are can not be judged. We stand apart from all the judgments which the world has laid upon the Son of God. It knows him not. Today we will not listen to the world, but wait in silence for the Word of God.

... His Voice would give to you His holy Word, to spread across the world the tidings of salvation and the holy time of peace. ...

Today He speaks to you. His Voice awaits your silence, for His Word can not be heard until you mind is quiet for a while, and meaningless desires have been stilled. Await His Word in quiet. There is peace within you to be called upon today, to help make ready your most holy mind to hear the Voice for its Creator speak.

Three time today, at times most suitable for silence, give ten minutes set apart from listening to the world, and choose instead a gentle listening to the Word of God. He speaks from nearer than your heart to you. His Voice is closer than your hand. His Love is everything you are and that He is; the same as you, and you the same as He.

It is your voice to which you listen as He speaks to you. It is your Word He speaks. It is the Word of freedom and of peace, of unity of will and purpose, with no separation nor division in the single Mind of Father and of Son. In quiet listen to your Self today, and let Him tell you God has never left His Son, and you have never left your Self.

Only be quiet. You will need no rule but this, to let your practicing today lift you above the thinking of the world, and free your visions from the body's eyes. Only be still and listen. You will hear the Word in which the Will of God the Son joins in his Father's Will, at one with it, with no illusions interposed between the wholly indivisible and true. As every hour passes by today, be still a moment and remind yourself you have a special purpose for this day; in quiet to receive the Word of God."

As I practice today's lesson, I hold in mind that tomorrow's lesson teaches "All that I give is given to myself." So ... when I ask myself today ... what is it that I want? The answer comes quickly ... peace is my heart's desire. Since that's the case, today I choose to practice peace with myself & with others in all circumstances, no matter what arises ... remembering 'peace' is all I want. Perhaps that's why I shared information about the upcoming Blog Blast for Peace on each of my blogs last weekend.

Blessed Be ... and so it is.

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'

go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the logo
at the top of this post.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Thought for Today
"Let me remember that my problems have been solved."
Lesson #80 - A COURSE IN MIRACLES

Dona Nobis Pacem ~ A Revolution of Words

Blog Blast for Peace
June 4, 2008

Today I join Mimi Lenox and many other bloggers in the 4th Blog Blast for Peace ... and invite YOU to join the wave today on your Blog. Just click Mimi's link and read the directions for getting your own Peace Globe to personalize and publish. Then follow the directions to share with others through her official sites ... and visit others blogging for peace today.

Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that 'Peace is in Every Step' ... a choice in every instant no matter what's happening around and/or within us. You can see and listen to him here in a brief presentation and/or spend more time as he speaks on the following topics:
Mindfulness: Living in the Present Moment
Peace is in Every Step
Breathing Meditation

How much simpler might life be
if we each made PEACE a central priority in our lives ...
remembering to
stop
B R E A T H E
smile ...
notice & take in
the elements of our natural surroundings
and say 'thank you'
as we move through the day's activities
remembering that everyone is 'living their lives' ...
dealing with challenges,
coping with adversity,
pursuing their dreams
in much the same way as we are.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I've written of this before, but believe that it bears repeating. Don Miguel Ruiz suggests adopting the following Four Agreements:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Click for my 2nd Blog Blast for Peace today
at Small Reflections.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thought for Today
"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patience, Problem Solving, and Peace

Apparently, working on the "photo grids" for my "yard reclamation project" series at Small Reflections (or the scanning & posting of the Zen Cards in my previous post here at Sacred Ruminations) has done something BAD to my aging Dell laptop. Of course, it's possible there's some other explanation for the problems I've experienced in the last 12 to 18 hours.

I suspect the issue is with "available memory" and I'll be working to resolve that today. I must confess that I'm relieved to be able to log on here finally, and am hoping for the best (as usual). Believe me as I share that I spent several frustrating hours last night (before giving up and logging off ... hoping today things might work better) and again this morning (from about 3am 'til 7:45am) when I started writing this post.

I've scrapped Saturday's post (the one I was working on & hoping to publish before logging off last night) and have decided to use these three Zen cards (selected purposefully out of sequence, but which seem appropriate here & now) to help me focus and do whatever's necessary to "fix" my problems and continue Blogging with minimal interruption :)

"PATIENCE
WATCH
water drop onto
the rock beneath it.
One drop
does nothing,
but many drops over time
create a hole in the rock.
Such is the POWER of patience."
Daniel Levin

So ... I've been practicing patience ... writing in my journal with my mechanical pencil, processing everything (a consciously cultivated habit I've used for decades to calm myself in times of trouble) ... observing my thoughts & emotions rise & fall as the computer backs up photo files to my Western Digital Passport Drive (although MOVING them off the C: drive is what I really want to do) so that if I do something foolish, I won't lose all my pictures (as a friend did a while back) with his photos.

With the fire burning in Malibu just 20% contained (49 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged), I'm mindful of the "smallness" of my current issues. Nonetheless, dealing with them is necessary today ... and I'd like to remain as "complaint-free" as possible as I do what must be done.

"PROBLEM SOLVING
The way
to remove darkness from a room
is SIMPLY to turn on a light.
In the same way,
to rid yourself of any difficulty,
concentrate on the
SOLUTION
rather than the problem."
Daniel Levin

I'm aware I have options from which to choose and could:

• use my normal "trial and error" methods to seek resolution
• make an effort to find someone to assist and/or fix this problem for me
• scrap it all and buy myself an early Christmas present :)
  
• wait until my friends return from the road and enlist their help
  
• mutter, grumble, complain, and feel sorry for myself
  
• give up "blogging" and do other things I enjoy

There may be others choices also ... but for a long time, peace has been my primary goal, so whatever I choose to do will be that which creates and sustains peace in my heart, mind, spirit, and life.

"PEACE
To create peace in the world,
you must be
unruffled within.
Become TRANQUIL,
walk in stillness,
and
act in harmony.
The SERENITY that radiates from you
will create peace."
Daniel Levin

Prior to beginning this post, I've enjoyed my morning coffee with half &half, taken time to write in my journal, unload the dishwasher, make and eat some oatmeal, play with Molly, pull some weeds in my front yard, chat with some passers-by, breathe in the ocean air, start a load of laundry, and relax before selecting these cards to share. I'm confident I'll figure things out sooner or later. In the meantime, I'm choosing mindfulness and trusting that this too shall pass.

And now ... I'll post this and get started with problem resolution ... after wishing for you all a delightful day, wonderful week, and marvelous month between now and Christmas Day.
Hugs and blessings,

Day 31 Thanksgiving Day (My Sacred Life)

How fitting that this day of remembrance and gratitude falls on the final day of My Sacred Life month-long journey.

“Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God."
~Ray Stannard Baker

As I write, my "Gratitude" candle from Zena Moon burns nearby ... filling the air with the scent of rosemary and rose. The quote on the label reminds me:

"If the only prayer you said

in your entire life was 'thank you',

that would suffice."

—Meister Eckhart

About the candle itself, Carla writes:

"The intent of the gratitude candle speaks volumes for itself ... and it is the candle that almost always graces my home altar. The combination of rose and rosemary is absolutely divine. Amazonite is a stone of honor and tiger eye of clarity."

I couldn't agree more! I'm happy I met Carla this summer in Taos at the Writer's Retreat and that I undertook this daily journey here once my friends got me started Blogging. As she & others have done before me, my intention is to post on Sundays henceforth.

I've followed with interest the conversation at Rick's Blog with Kelly, Olivia, and several others engaged in the 37 Day Complaint-free Challenge because I'm thinking about taking it up next ... though I'm equally interested in reading EAT, PRAY, LOVE and participating in the Soaring Free Souls discussion started by Olivia and Annie, and may be more than a bit late for that one.

Whatever I decide to do next, I'm happy to be here ... grateful for the "virtual friends" I've encountered ... and eager to continue whatever arises ... with the freedom I knew in childhood. As I've done the past few days, I share three Zen Cards I'll be contemplating today:

"INNER PEACE
Inner peace brings
FULFILLMENT.
Attain it,
and life works.
Give it away,
and HAPPINESS
becomes
elusive."
Daniel Levin

Discovering ways to let life unfold as it will and enjoy whatever comes may be a gift of my advanced age or the product of decades of seeking; but whatever the source, I find myself exceeding grateful to be in this place ... here and now ... traveling with companions such as yourselves.

"THE JOURNEY
Understand
that the journey
is as important
as the destination.
ENJOY every moment,
and live life fully.
This is Zen.
Daniel Levin

And so it is that I wish you & yours peace, love, and joy ... today and every day ... offering this reminder as I hold it in my heart today also.

"JOY
Joy is INSIDE you,
not in attainment
of things desired,
nor in the achievement
of goals made,
but in the simple feeling
that lies within you.
Know that JOY
is unaffected by outer circumstance,
and joy will be yours forever."
Daniel Levin

A melody has been running through my mind all morning (I suspect from my Methodist adolescence) ... and the following words just "registered" in my brain ... "Blessed be the ties that bind, our hearts in human love. The fellowship of kindred souls, is like to that above." (Please forgive an old woman if I'm wrong. I've got "sometimes dis-ease" ... sometimes I remember, and sometimes I don't.)

Blessed be ... and so it is :--)