November 30th 2007

Love

Love -
I search for it always,
Yet, always it abides in me.
Love -
I look and long for it in humanity
Yet, it greets me each and every day.

Love -
The exquisite purity of God,
Infinite, immeasurable, without end.
It is so vast and profound that comprehension fails.
The apprehension of God fills all space
previously thought of empty, lonely and void.

Love -
Available to all
As it surrounds all
Encompasses all
Is All.

The Beauty of Love
Perfect in every way.
There are no traces of darkness.
Nor are there flaws.
Its rays of beauty shine forth,
Illuminating the soul.

Love -
I embrace You fully!
Love -
I am transformed as I behold Your Beauty!

Viola M. Jaynes
November 2007

November 26th 2007

A Thanksgiving Heart

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton

This Thanksgiving season, one is so mindful again of the freedom that the western countries still enjoy. Thankfulness abounds in our hearts as America continues to enjoy her freedom in spite of the onslaught of hatred from those who envy that freedom and therefore want to attack and destroy it.

I am also mindful of the soldiers who bravely fight and die for this freedom that we hold so close and dear to our hearts. Freedom does not just happen but is earned through the dedication and love of our countrymen. It gives its people the many options to become who they would like to be. It gives avenues of expression that those who live in countries that are led by tyrants, could not even imagine would be possible.

In thankfulness, we acknowledge the great opportunity of education. One is grateful that our children are still free to obtain a meaningful and lasting education, whether that education comes from our public schools or from other avenues a parent might choose. This advantage is a direct by-product of a free society and should never be taken for granted. Many foreigners come to our land to obtain an excellent education which broadens their own opportunities. One is thankful that we have the freedom to read any literature available in our many libraries and book stores, without any fear of reprisal.

America is the home of many beliefs and numerous religions. One can only be thankful that the search for “truth” is an option open to all who desire it. We are free to worship God, the God of Love that is, in any form we desire. With that search for “truth” comes a desire to change oneself. To grow through self-honesty and to become kinder to those with whom we are in contact is a direct by-product of such an honorable search. The search for “truth” brings great responsibility, for truth will demand growth and change, be it on a personal level or on a national or global level. It will bring mankind into greater awareness of all that is still possible and within our reach.

As we sat at our Thanksgiving tables this year and looked at those whom we love and cherish, I pray that our hearts will have become, once again, keenly aware, with deep gratitude for the many, many wonderful gifts that we have been given. Let us pray that these same gifts will open our hearts and cause us to grow in greater awareness and in that growth, recognize the awesome responsibility that comes with such an awareness.

I wish all of my dear readers an unceasing Thanksgiving Heart!

November 23rd 2007

Houston Public Radio

My dear readers, I wanted to share with you that KUHF-Houston Public Radio 88.7 FM would like for me to come in on Dec.11th to do a recording on a post that I submitted to “This I Believe.”

Kal, a bloger who had looked over my site here, thought that I should consider submitting an essay to “This I Believe.” I received an e-mail from the Senior Producer last week informing me that they would like for me to read it for their program. Thank you to Kal for the vote of confidence!

Once I know the time and date that this very short segment will be aired, I will post it here if you are interested in tuning in. The post that I will be reading is “America, My New Home.”

November 18th 2007

A Meaningful Life

A personal life deeply lived always expands into truth beyond itself.~Arais Nin

Saying “yes” to Life and to all its varieties, its colors and dimensions, makes for an adventure that can never be adequately captured in any other form of expression. Whether on a canvas, on an instrument, or in a song, life can never be fully portrayed in any medium known to man because its vastness is just too great.

As hard as our film industry tries to convey the essence and emotions of life, the best they can ever hope to do is to capture their audience for only a short few hours. A lovely ballet performance can heighten our awareness of the beauty of the human life with all its possibilities to express itself, and yet, when the curtain falls, we are once again left with realizing our great limitations. A “once in a life-time” exquisite musical performance or a stunning work of art can take us into higher realms that would be inadequate to explain in mere words alone. But, at the end of such an encounter, we realize that our lives are just exactly like what we have just experienced. We soar to great heights where we gather the strength and energy for life, and then we plummet to great depths where we use every ounce of that strength that we have gathered. Thus, our life story is written with great drama, and very often that drama is created solely by us.

Life . . . what an experience it is!

I know of no one who could not put their personal life story into some form of written narrative, or a work of romantic poetry. I know of no one who has not experienced their emotions at its finest, with feelings of love and joy and happiness that can not be adequately explained. Yet, within this same life, emotions have been felt and lived at their lowest point as struggles ensue through the darkest of days trying to rise above the often angry and pitiful beast within. Our philosophers and poets have tried for eons, again and again, to convey life’s diverse patchwork of love and tears, of dreams and hopes, and of courage and fear. Often we will begin to weep when we hear meaningful words or a piece of music that is so fine that it resonates deep within us. It is then that we realize the commonality of humanity, and indeed of all life itself.

A life best lived is to let honesty be its closest kin. Music, beauty, art and great literary works, as well as other aesthetic influences, soften the heart. It is in those heightened and receptive moments that the opportunity arises to be in touch with who one really is. Nothing seems to liberate a person more than the ability to be honest with oneself, and most importantly one’s God. This liberation is accompanied by a greater ease and freedom for one’s life. Along with this freedom, we will soon find that our interactions with our fellow man become less strained and much more loving and kind as there is simply nothing more left to hide. Life and self-honesty will open the door to greater possibilities as spiritual truth begins to present itself. As Socrates said so beautifully, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We will then stand in awe of our spiritual potential as we begin to discern the changes and growth within. The realization dawns on us that the breath of life that created all living things is the same breath of life that beautifies the heart. The beauty of life within then becomes the beauty of life without as we begin to see all things differently.

Life . . . what a gift it is! It is indeed, a valuable gift to be cherished.

Oh to Thee, my great Creator,
I surrender my heart.
Oh to Thee, my great Lord,
I surrender all that I am.
Oh to Thee, my great God
I surrender life itself!

Your Beauty alone shines forth
as Your Light illuminates.
Your Love brings peace
All life surrenders to Thee.

Viola M. Jaynes

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