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 all that which 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 of who and what you are in this world.
Recognition for the gifts and beauty
which 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
which has chained you 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)

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

I have feared you because I have feared myself.
I have judged you because I have judged myself.
I have hurt you because I have hurt myself.
I have mistrusted you because I have mistrusted myself.

Only when I looked within my own heart
Could I begin to understand you.
Only in my brokenness
Could I begin to feel your pain.
Only in my need for greater love
Could I begin to love you.

Forgive me! I was blind.
I did not see you.
Forgive me! I was ignorant.
I did not understand you.
Forgive me! I was afraid of you.
I hurt you.
Forgive me as I humbly reach my hand to you and ask:
Will you be my friend?

In peace may we shall live together. With greater understanding may we embrace each other’s hearts. May compassion rise to heights of love and may wounds heal as tears will be no more.

Viola Jaynes
Jan. 2008

Human beings are very much like icebergs–we only see a small portion of them, and nothing of the hidden currents which drag them this way and that. ~Father David McAstocker

Fr. McAstocker goes on to say: “I fancy that we would not sit and judge our neighbor so frequently as we do, did we but ponder well over the small amount of data we possess. We perceive only the external act, but nothing of the motive activating it.”

Often I have pondered this very thought while watching many times, how incredibly judgmental people can be of other human beings who appear different from themselves. So much pain is done to others as fear of uncertainty arises in the hearts of men. Tall walls of protection are erected in an attempt to huddle with others of like mind to gain strength. From these walls, we often hurl exaggerated judgments and opinions, or even shear falsehoods. These walls of fear create distance between men and only strife and war are the end result of such behavior. This can be witnessed in our personal lives, as well as in our national and international relations.

Being keenly aware, however, that nothing can be changed unless it starts within us personally, I prefer to first try to look within. Understanding my tendency to project onto others my limited perceptions makes me realize that my judgments are sometimes false. True spiritual growth and maturity brings one to a place of willingness to lay such childish perceptions aside. This desire brings one to a place of stillness and calmness, asking God for greater awareness, greater understanding, and greater love for ourselves and our fellow man.

Indeed, we possess only a very limited view of the other person. The heart goes deep and who but God, can understand it? This is not an understanding that one gains by looking through “rose” colored glasses, however, for as a realist, as well as a dreamer, I deeply believe that a spiritual life takes work, takes hard work, and it is never ever easy.

Human beings are “masters of disguise,” having learned that practice often from early age. Authenticity and transparency often came with a great price. Consequently, we have learned to fear others. Yet, it is only as we stay true to our deepest heart’s convictions of yet a better way, and learn once more to be authentic in all of our dealings that we find meaningful and genuine relationships.

With a greater understanding of ourselves comes a greater understanding and compassion for our fellow man. With a greater desire to deeply surrender all that we are, comes a greater desire to lay aside our limited understanding of things, as well as our opinions and our pride.

Technology has risen to its heights and continues to astound us. Therefore, I believe we live in a time that the human spirit must also rise to greater heights, and to greater discernment and wisdom. It does not mean that we over look the wrong doings and self-serving motives of others. It does, however, mean, that through our devotion and love for God, we begin to gain better tools in order to handle them much more effectively. This will create a better and more compassionate, and more loving world to live in. It is within that reality that I desire to live with all men peacefully.

Forgive Me

I have feared you because I have feared myself.
I have judged you because I have judged myself.
I have hurt you because I have hurt myself.
I have mistrusted you because I have mistrusted myself.

It was only when I looked within my own heart
that I began to understand you.
It was only in my brokenness
that I began to feel your pain.
It was only in my need for greater love
that I began to love you.

Forgive me! I was blind
and therefore did not see you.
Forgive me! I was ignorant
and therefore did not understand you.
Forgive me! I was afraid of you
and therefore I hurt you.
Forgive me, as I humbly reach my hand to you and ask:
Will you now, be my friend?

In peace we shall live together.
With greater understanding
we shall embrace each other’s hearts.
Compassion will rise to heights of love
and wounds will heal as tears will be no more.

Viola M. Jaynes
Jan. 2008