Spiritual Things Matter

I wish for you,
all that is good for the coming year.
Laughter and a lighter heart
if your burden has become too heavy.
Clarity of thought
if pain has drowned out a sense of balance.
Healing for that part of you that has been injured
too deeply to put into words.
Wisdom to understand the difference between true suffering
and the too often pain which we experience
through our own false imaging.

I wish for you a gentler embrace
if you have been too harsh
with yourself as well as others;
A kinder outlook on who and what you are in this world;
Recognition for the gifts and beauty
that lie within the center of your being;
Awareness of the futility and wasted energy
of comparing yourself to others;
placing them on too high of a pedestal,
yearning for their approval, and the fear of their disapproval.

I wish for you a desire to heal that which you may have injured,
Understanding the wisdom our universe possesses
to bring all things into balance.
The ability to free yourself of guilt and shame
that has chained you down for far too long,
To find a peaceful existence with yourself
and with as many as is possible.
I wish for you deeper friendships,
greater insight into the human heart,
and authentic, more meaningful connections.

Above all, I wish you Love! An abundance of it!

And  despite the loneliness of existence
which each of us will feel at some time in our life,
I pray that you will always have an awareness of a greater purpose,
of a greater Being that will keep you, teach you,
and assist you along the path of life.
May you learn to trust in that.
May you learn to pray simply and sincerely.
And, may you be comforted and healed in your body,
your mind,
and in your spirit.

Happy New Year!

Viola

*Thank you to The Rising Blogger for their very generous and kind recognition for my site and this post.  (www.therisingblogger.com)

To weep is to make less the depth of grief. ~William Shakespeare

The land of tears is a mysterious place as each shy tear droplet expresses the beauty of its pain or joy. Tears cleanse our souls and powerfully release the pressure we feel in our daily lives. Tears help us focus our vision and our purpose. It gives us the ability to hear and feel our heart again.

Tears need to be shed as they help the body and soul to cleanse many toxins of bitterness and anger, and of disappointments and shame. Tears help our other organs to stay free of dis-ease and sickness, for if we cannot weep, the body will begin weeping itself. The saltiness of our tears helps to remind us of its cleansing power. Life’s humbling agent has bent us only to discover that our tears have brought new strength again.

I think of those that weep for their marriage wondering if relief will ever come to their private and lonely pain, and longing and praying for oneness and togetherness in its truest form. At the same time, however, they perhaps realize that the shaping of their own character is the forming of a carefully created art piece, and the searching for lasting answers is but a deeper search into their own soul. Love that desires to mature will shed many tears as the changes of life bring new dimensions of truth.

I think of the many parents that weep over their children as they continually search for ways to instill in them an understanding of what is right and what is wrong – making many of their own mistakes in this difficult process of parenting. Many will soak their pillows as they experience their child growing and finding greater independence, often pushing away parental guidance. The fear of loss and control brings many to bitter tears. Yet, perhaps a realization and a finding of their deeper selves will bring thanksgiving into their hearts, and the understanding that our children are never truly ours, but have been given into our care – for only a short season.

My musings take me to lovers. Tears express the language of love, which brings such joy and pain to so many. Innumerable tears will be shed as they learn that the other can never be possessed and that the value of separateness will bring value to their togetherness. Love must always be willing to give as much space as the other requires, for it is in this space that a realization of the gift given draws one back into the circle of togetherness. It is there that a new dance of love can begin again.

It seems to me that those with greater awareness and understanding will weep many tears. For they have been given the gift of greater responsibility. Only with diligence and commitment to yet a deeper and higher purpose will they understand that the solving of human dilemmas can never come from their limited resources, wit, and cleverness. Wisdom cries out – for its effect is far beyond human intellect. It is available to all those who seek it. May their humility give them even greater insight to assit men and women, and boys and girls every where.

With a grieving heart I am ever so aware that as war prevails in our world due to the pride of men, many tears are shed for the loss of precious and innocent lives. The pain of such a loss goes deep, and only the healing balm of God’s grace can mend such broken hearts. Too many children suffer the injustices brought on by a failing system and by failing adults. Those who survive the deep wounds of war are left with a mind tortured by memories too dark and painful to bring to the forefront. And it is precisely then that true healers are needed – those who understand how to till the ground which has hardened during the driest of times; those who have the keenest understanding of how to teach that soul to let go and to let tears flow freely once again. I pray for the peace that this world so desperately needs.

I ponder about the many elderly who have been forgotten and are alone. Their tears flow with many regrets wondering if they could have lived life differently. At the same time, others will shed tears of joy as they see the fruit of their own diligent labor and prayers flourish and thrive. They will not fear death, but will await it with wonderment and thanksgiving.

I know that the downtrodden and lonely hearts cry tears of their own perceived inadequacies. Too often they wonder what it is that they could ever offer this world. Yet, it is in these humble souls that the purity of prayer is heard and answered. Their silent strength is a great gift to this world.

Oh how utterly aware I am that we all will shed many tears due to our frailties, our weaknesses, and our lack of courage. May we find the strength to forgive ourselves. These tears will teach us empathy and forgiveness as we become sensitive in knowing that each person carries a burden. This understanding is the path to forgive others. It is in this continued searching for greater wisdom, courage, and strength that life can be well lived. Our own courage will be realized as we express our regrets to those we have injured. It may be the most healing and meaningful gift we could ever offer – not only to ourselves but also to the other. I pray that we may never fear to be transparent for it is in our tears of honesty, new strength in truth is found.

At the end of this life, it will not have mattered what my profession was and how many wonderful things I have accomplished on this earth. Who I was will have mattered -for it will have left a lasting affect.

Tears are truly a gift – a wonderful gift to ourselves.

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.
– Thomas A. Kempis.

Forgiveness is a gift that has been given to us freely. If we embrace this gift, our lives will forever be changed and our path will have been forever altered. If we still ourselves and enter into our own silence, we will begin to comprehend just what forgiveness really means. It is not for the faint-hearted.

As I contemplate the concept of forgiveness, my mind wanders back many years ago when a close friend deeply hurt me. The hurt that I felt was so profound that I allowed it to turn into anger. As long as I live, I will never forget one night in my bed, feeling this anger manifest as something very dark in my physical body. It was as though angry lightning shot through my every vein and bone. It frightened me and it was that night that I asked God to help me. Never again did I want to allow anger to have such a powerful hold on me. Over time, I was able to forgive this friend as I changed my own perception of things.

It was only recently that my prayer and determination of never again was thoroughly tested. The time had come to see if being injured again by a very dear friend, would manifest the fruits that I had desired so many years ago. It was a test that I would have never expected.

As I knelt in prayer and felt the agony and pain of betrayal so intensely again, I heard myself saying, “I will only bless and bless again. Only blessings will come from my mouth and only blessings will come through these hands.”

Thus, I have managed to work through some deep pain with only a desire in my heart to find healing and peace. It did not happen over night and many tears were shed in this process. However, the feeling in my heart has been one of love and compassion, knowing that we all only understand in part. Feelings of anger and betrayal that I felt so strongly, I turned over to God over and over again. My commitment to what I had promised myself so many years ago was deeply edged into my heart. Love was going to be the only answer! Thus, through forgiveness, I have found my own healing and thus I am convinced that it is forgiveness that becomes our greatest healer.

I have seen in others and myself what anger and unforgiveness can do to a human being. It will only further a victim mentality, only nurse self-pity, and it only keeps a person from following their truest potentials in life. It serves no purpose whatsoever and only robs the person of integrity and their own sense of well being. Most of all, it keeps us from trusting and loving again, and thus walls of separation are created between men. The beauty of the human soul is veiled with a dark veil of bitterness.

How much stronger is the power of forgiveness which ultimately is the power of love? To be able to forgive allows one to reclaim their personal power. It frees one of pre-conceived notions of how life should be and how others should treat us. Furthermore, it allows one to let go of grievances, allowing the flow of life’s energy to flow freely and unrestricted through us and to us. Forgiveness brings freedom. The beauty of its expression with its outstretched arms, dismantles fears and doubts.

As we walk on our spiritual path we gain greater understanding of how much we don’t know. Humility does its work deep in our hearts, which will lead to greater wisdom and a deeper understanding of our relationships with others. We are given the realization that each and every person does the best they know to do with the understanding they have at the time. Many of our dealings with others are born out of fear. We all are growing and learning, and we continue to evolve as we seek a spiritual path of excellence.

Love is the greatest spiritual manifestation on this earth. Our path must be practical for it to be effective. It must start with those who hear a voice echoing within the silence of their own hearts, beckoning to release the power of forgiveness, and to let the manifestation of its love heal our own brokenness. Then, and only then, will we be able to effectively assist in healing the broken lives of those around us.

*this post has been previously posted in March 2007

One day I said, “I will go out and look for my enemies” and that day I found no friends. The next day I said, “I will go and look for my friends” and that day I found no enemies. ~Native American Proverb

Anyone who has lived will attest to the fact that relationships can be difficult. When we are involved with good and wholesome relationships, we notice that we tend to thrive and experience energy and joy. The give and take aspect of such relationships feed us and strengthen us as they validate who and what we are. We feel a sense of belonging and connectedness when we are in relationships with people that care for us and have the best intentions for our lives. When that is not the case, it can be a very painful experience.

I tend to be a dreamer, and therefore, I desire that all people live peacefully with each other. I am also a realist, and I realize that such lofty ideals are rarely possible at this time. Sifting through relationships, and distancing yourself from them if they tend to bring pain, is often the solution that is sought. That process can often take years.

Deciding what relationships are worth working on is a deeply personal choice. There are so many variations and reasons why one would like to see a relationship healed, even though an enormous amount of pain has already been experienced. Only the person involved must decide if the effort is worth the price it will take.

The Judds sang a song that I really like and appreciate. Click here to listen to this song that so clearly speaks of the longing for healing and the importance of building a bridge.

A bridge is more efficiently built from “both” sides. But, if there is only one that has the means and the desire to see such a project completed, does that mean it is impossible to build? I do not think so. Of course, the process will take much longer. The one doing the building will tire of the heavy load and responsibility. They will be tempted to give up, thinking it is a hopeless cause. It will be a monumental and arduous job requiring some periods of rest. But, it can be done! Periodically, a plea will go out to the other side for help, but there is none to be found. The builder will do what it takes to complete the task alone and without any fear.

Single-mindedness and a commitment to its excellence will re-energize this vision. Offering it up for a greater purpose as well as praying for assistance will bring about a supernatural energy that tends to make all things possible. The question then will rise up once more: Why build this bridge? Why exert such an effort? What is the purpose of it all?

A Bridge Without Any Fear

I give myself because I value you
The reason for my effort is to offer up peace.
Pain has come between us – and now you are afraid
Thus, I build a bridge without any fear.

The greatest gift I can give is myself.
Authentic and real I simply want to be.
Bringing only a gift of love that is real.
Thus, I build a bridge without any fear.

Words of forgiveness mean little to me
Unless it becomes a part of who we are.
Lofty words without action are futile and empty
Thus, I build a bridge without any fear.

Once I have completed to the other side
I will silently pray for your heart to hear.
I have worked so hard, I have done it for you
I have built this bridge without any fear.

~Viola Jaynes