"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." – Henry Van Dyke (1852)
November 2004
Welcome to the 21st issue of Messages from SpiritLight at Home offering monthly inspirational thoughts, insights into new, useful, fun, sometimes unusual and interesting ideas and some of my favorite links on the Internet.
- A Message from Deirdre
- New Pages
- Inspirational Thoughts
- Favorite links
- Humor for the Day
- Subscriber's Sites
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie (American Author)
A MESSAGE FROM DEIRDRE
May the blessings of Thanksgiving fall upon you now and always! England, and many parts of Europe, don't have a Thanksgiving holiday. There are many times and in different ways, I am sure, that thanks are shown, but not on a day especially set aside. This is unique to the United States and what a wonderful holiday it is! It is a day to consciously experience the warmth of each other's love and gratitude for all that we are, to recall the good in our lives and to show special appreciation for it all.
What is the message behind consciously being in a state of thankfulness? What should we be thankful for in a world that continues to break out in war taking our loved ones away, where famine and homelessness still exist, dishonesty reigns, and natural disasters wreck homes and devastate people every day? It's enough to make us want to crawl in a hole and cover ourselves with a blanket and wish it all away, isn't it?
The lesson is that when we reflect upon even the worst times in our lives, most often we can remember something positive that has come from it. Whether it has been a lesson learned or a blessing in disguise, sometimes it takes a while for the meaning to be uncovered.
Did you lose your job and then find another path to go forward in your life more positively, or find another job that was far better and more satisfying than the last? Was losing your job a blessing?
Have you been through a divorce or a difficult breakup and, in that process, found the "love of your life" who had been waiting all their lives to meet you? Was this experience a blessing?
Did something happen to you or a member of your family and you found out that you had more friends than you ever realized, through the kindness and loyalty they showed during your darkest times? Did the pain of this experience bring forth many blessings?
There must be thousands of stories resembling these blessings in disguise. Sometimes it takes an effort to find out what ours are, individually. Sometimes it's really not that easy. It is human nature to begrudge someone else's fortune when we are less fortunate, or turn inward on ourselves in a moment of anger or resentment at the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When we do this, we really do only hurt ourselves. For the energy that it takes to deal with anger, depression and resentment is depleting to our emotional and physical bodies and it spreads to all those who love us. Yet, it does seem easier to give in rather than fight to find the slightest positive aspect of our situation.
Perhaps at a time like this, it is a wise person who endeavors to find a reason to be thankful -- even in the darkest of times. Easy to say -- difficult to accomplish. But from that place of darkness the slightest pinhole of light can be seen. Very often it will be easier to see it because it is so dark. But it can't be found unless it is searched for.
While I might never be able to perceive the death of my father, who was my mentor and the light of life, as a blessing in its purest form, his passing into spirit was the catalyst for me to make a conscious effort to understand what the meaning of life on this earth is all about. I sincerely believe that I am a "better" person and a more loving spirit because of this trauma, who now many years later understands infinitely more about the human spirit, and what it means to be human than I ever did before. In reflection, I realize how selfish I was to resent his leaving me. I knew it was his "time." I was just not ready, that's all. Now I understand that he never really "left." He is by my side always, cajoling me, and providing the next lesson that I need to learn. Perhaps my father's time had come to make room for my own growth so that, in turn, I would be able to share my experiences with others, and hopefully help spread a little more light into their lives. I wouldn't be here now, writing this newsletter if it hadn't been for my Dad. So, you see, when we look back and consciously recognize the twists and turns that have led us to a particular point in the present, it is much easier on our souls to be comforted than to be filled with regret.
Thoughts are energized as soon as we project them into the universe. They become real and substantive matter. I believe that is why it is important for us to project positive thoughts so those thoughts can grow, just as a seed will grow if it is given sunlight. We need to nourish ourselves with positive thoughts. It won't be long then before we are able to say, "You know, I'm pretty thankful for _____." And really mean it -- in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
This Thanksgiving Day I will be sending my prayers to all who are suffering and will remember how thankful I am to you all just for being you and for the support you have shown. We are all brothers and sisters who belong to that one original Divine Spark of Light! Watch in wonder with me and see yourselves blossom.
With gratitude, I send to each and every one of you
Light and love, as always
Deirdre
"Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart -- a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water -- I accept with joy." – Bhagavad Gita (BC 400)
In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World the Pilgrim's fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found they had enough food to put away for the winter.
The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. They built homes in the wilderness, they raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians.............
For more about Thanksgiving please go to: http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/story.htm
"Because gratification of a desire leads to the temporary stilling of the mind and the experience of the peaceful, joyful Self it's no wonder that we get hooked on thinking that happiness comes from the satisfaction of desires. This is the meaning of the old adage, ''Joy is not in things, it is in us.'' – Joan Borysenko
NEW PAGES
Our schedule of new workshops is up and running. Please visit at: http://www.spiritlighthome.com/Workshops.html
We now have regular Reiki Training Classes. Please visit at: http://www.spiritlighthome.com/Classes.html
SpiriLight Works has just celebrated its FIRST ANNIVERSARY and I want to thank everyone who has supported us. Please do spread the word and, if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by!
You can access the newsletter directly on our site, if you prefer. Every month, it will be published at SpiritLight at Home and you can find this month's issue by clicking on: http://www.spiritlighthome.com/NewsletterNovember4.html
ANNOUNCING Deirdre's TWO NEW PUBLISHED POEMS:
"Shattered Body -- Peaceful Mind," The International Who's Who in Poetry, The International Library of Poetry, Watermark Press, ©2004. See it online at: http://www.spiritlighthome.com/Poetry11.html
"Nathanial," The Silent Journey, The International Library of Poetry, Watermark Press, ©2004. See it online at: http://www.spiritlighthome.com/Poetry12.html
"Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present -- love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure -- the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth." - Sarah Ban Breathnach
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
Brought to you from various resources around the Globe. We embrace all religions at SpiritLight at Home and will endeavor to bring to you inspirational stories that can be applied to your own beliefs.
This is a story about The American Heart. Not the throbbing, muscle that keeps us alive, but the SPIRIT that helps to keep us alive. It represents the positive aspect of our forces being in Afghanistan and is a story that should be told. I encourage you to go to the web site listed below to see the photographs of Zubaida's transformation. Truly a miraculous story, in many more ways than one, we have copied this account from the news release published at the Grossman Burn Center's site.
A Medical Miracle
"Zubaida was 9 years old. She was a member of a nomadic family that consisted of her two parents and eight other children. She and her family are from the Farah province of Afghanistan. In August of 2001, Zubaida was pouring kerosene into an indoor home cooking stove while it was hot. The fuel ignited and she caught on fire. She sustained burns to her face, neck, chest and arms.
When the fire was extinguished, her father took her to a nearby medical provider where she was given ointments. As her condition worsened, her father decided to travel to Iran for treatment. She was admitted to a hospital in Iran for 20 days and then discharged. The doctors there suggested to her father to take her home to die.
Zubaida did not die, but her injuries resulted in horrible disfigurement [her chin fused to her chest], severe functional impairment and a crippled self-esteem. In February, 2002, on the recommendation of local shopkeepers, Zubaida's father, Muhammad, sought help from the Americans for his severely burned daughter. She was taken to the American Army base in Kabul. There, Zubaida met with American military doctors and they decided to contact the U.S. State Department to see what could be done.
The State Department contacted Dr. Peter Grossman, a Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon at The Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks, California. With the aid of the Children's Burn Foundation, a Southern California based charitable organization that lends financial and social assistance to burn-injured children who have no means of getting help any other way Zubaida was brought to America for treatment at The Grossman Burn Center.
Zubaida, completed twelve major surgeries over a course of one year and within a short period of time, the transformation was astounding. She began school for the first time in her life at Round Meadow Elementary School in Calabasas, California and learned to speak English in 12 weeks. She attended psychotherapy and physical therapy, as well as, developed many wonderful friendships with her classmates at school. She had her first slumber party on her 11th birthday, March 22nd, 2003. Zubaida says she would like to be a pediatric doctor and help rebuild her country when she grows up.
Virtually all who came in contact with her gravitated towards her, sorrowful over her tragedy, amazed by her courage, reveling in her transformation. So many people have come together to help this one little girl and give her something that she was almost robbed of . . . her childhood. Zubaida will always be scarred, but when you meet her you realize how beautiful and vibrant she is. This triumph over tragedy story of one little girl's unbreakable spirit and iron will, as well as the goodwill of mankind is truly inspirational."
Our Creator, who watches over us all, is alive and well in America! Thank you Dr. Grossman and blessings to all who helped this little girl.
Update: Zubaida was recently reunited with her family in Afghanistan and will need support for future education, medical needs, and financial support as the family is extremely poor. If you would like to help Zubaida and her family by making a donation please go to: http://www.childburn.org
Source: See The Grossman Burn Center photographs here: http://www.grossmanmed.com/zubaida.htm
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
DEIRDRE'S FAVORITE LINKS
(Just favorites in my bookmarks - no profits made here. Any advertising (if any) is placed at the end of the newsletter.)
- 1. Yoga Heals Us - Karen Clark has just published "YOGA for Every Body" CD: Available Now! Purchase them while they’re HOT! Autographed if you want! Ends December 31, 2004: Pay full price for 1 – 4 copies and designate one of the following charitable organizations to receive your 15% discount and she will match it with another 15%: Christ United Methodist Church, Groton, CT, Hospice of SE CT, Uncasville, CT, Ledyard Congregational Church, Ledyard, CT, Lance Armstrong Foundation (laf.org), St. James Church, Preston, CT,
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Click here: http://www.yogahealsus.com/_wsn/page2.html
2. A World of Possibilities- Skills for creating happiness and blessing others. Perfect for Thanksgiving! Click here: http://www.ca.uky.edu/fcs/possibilities/Q_GiftsGratitudeBlessing.htm
3. Angel Blinkies - by Sandy. A collection of beautiful angel graphics for your image files. Click here: http://www.sandysworldonline.com/angel_blinkies_1.html
"If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get." – Frank A. Clark
HUMOR OF
THE DAY KID'S
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON LOVE What
exactly is marriage? "Marriage
is when you get to keep your girl and don't have to give her back
to her parents!" -Eric, 6 "When
somebody's been dating for a while, the boy might propose to the
girl. He says to her, 'I'll take you for a whole life, or at
least until we have kids and get divorced, but you got to do one
particular thing for me.' Then she says yes, but she's wondering
what the thing is and whether it's naughty or not. She can't wait
to find out." - Anita, 9 How
does a person decide whom to marry? "You
flip a nickel, and heads means you stay with him and tails means
you try the next one." -Kally, 9 "My
mother says to look for a man who is kind....That's what I'll
do....I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome."
-Carolyn, 8 What
is the proper age to get married? "Eighty-four!
Because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can
spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom."
-Carolyn, 8 How
did your mom and dad meet? "They
were at a dance party at a friend's house. Then they went for a
drive, but their car broke down...It was a good thing, because it
gave them a chance to find out about their values." -Lottie,
9 "My
father was doing some strange chores for my mother. They won't
tell me what kind." -Jeremy, 8 What
do most people do on a date? "On
the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually
gets them interested enough to go for a second date."
-Martin, 10 "Many
daters just eat pork chops and french fries and talk about
love." -Craig, 9 When
is it okay to kiss someone? "You
should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her
a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of
the wedding." -Allan, 10 "Never
kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if
anybody sees you....If nobody sees you, I might be willing to try
it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." -Kally, 9
The
great debate: is it better to be single or married? "You
should ask the people who read Cosmopolitan!" -Kirsten, 10 "It's
better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need
somebody to clean up after them!" -Anita, 9 "It
gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I
don't need that kind of trouble." -Will, 7 Concerning
why love happens between two particular people. "No
one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do
with how you smell ... That's why perfume and deodorant are so
popular." -Mae, age 9 "I
think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but
the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." -Manuel,
age 8 On
what falling in love is like. "Like
an avalanche where you have to run for your life." -John,
age 9 "If
falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't
want to do it. It takes too long." -Glenn, age 7 On
the role of beauty and handsomeness in love. "It
isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like
anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." -Brian,
age 7 How
do people in love typically behave? Mooshy
... like puppy dogs ... except puppy dogs don't wag their tails
nearly as much." -Arnold, age 10 "All
of a sudden, the people get movie fever so they can sit together
in the dark." -Sherm, age 8 Concerning
why lovers often hold hands. "They
want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid
good money for them." -Gavin, age 8 "They
are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the
aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." -John, age
9 Confidential
opinions about love. "I'm
in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'Dinosaurs' is
on television." -Jill, age 6 " Love is
foolish ... but I still might try it sometime." -Floyd, age
9 "Love
will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been
trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep
finding me." -Dave, age 8 "I'm
not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard
enough." -Regina, age 10 The
personal qualities you need to have in order to be a good lover. "Sensitivity
don't hurt." -Robbie, age 8 "One
of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you
have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of
bills." -Ava, age 8 Some
surfire ways to make a person fall in love with you. "Tell
them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." -Del, age
6 "Don't
do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get
attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love."
-Alonzo, age 9 "One
way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she
likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." -Bart, age
9 How
can you tell if two adults eating dinner at a restaurant are in
love? "It's
love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They
like to order those because it's just like how their hearts
are... on fire." -Christine, age 9 Titles
of the love ballads you can sing to your beloved. "How
Do I Love Thee When You're Always Picking Your Nose?"
-Arnold, age 10 "You
Are My Darling Even Though You Also Know My Sister." -Larry,
age 8 "I
Am in Love with You Most of the Time, but Don't Bother Me When
I'm with My Friends." -Bob, age 9 What
most people are thinking when they say, "I love you" "The
person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he
showers at least once a day." -Michelle, age 9 "Some
lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that they finally
got it out and said it and now they can go eat." -Dick, age
7 How
a person learns to kiss. "You
can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken dolls."
-Julia, age 7 "You
learn it right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best
of you." -Brian, age 7 How
to make love endure. "Spend
most of your time loving instead of going to work." -Dick,
age 7 "Don't
forget your wife's name ... That will mess up the love."
-Erin, age 8 "Laughter
is a holy thing. It is as sacred as music and silence and
solemnity, maybe more sacred. Laughter is like a prayer, like a
bridge over which creatures tiptoe to meet each other. Laughter
is like mercy; it heals.When you can laugh at yourself, you are
free." - Ted Loder SUBSCRIBERS'
SITES Many of
our subscribers have fascinating web sites. Please let us know
about yours so that we might mention it in this section. Write
to: deirdre@spiritlighthome.com "Do
not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but
remember that what you now have was once among the things you
only hoped for." - Epicurus (Greek
Philosopher 341-270 BC) Bless
you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! http://www.spiritlighthome.com http://www.spiritlightworks.com http://www.SpiritLight.ByRegion.net Please
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