Spiritual Things Matter

Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~Albert Einstein

I forwarded this link of Christian the lion and his human parents to a few of my regular readers. I was so moved by it that I wanted to put this wonderful clip on my site. Here you can read the article that tells about the story.

Jimmy J., one of my dear readers, wrote, “Back in the early 60’s, they made a movie about George and Joy Adamson entitled - Born Free. It was the story of Elsa, a lion cub they raised to adulthood and then worked to teach her how to be a wild lion. When she was ready, they released her successfully into the wild. There was a wonderful song written for the movie. You may know it:” I added the song and a clip of Elsa next to the title of the song. Enjoy! It is very nice.

Born Free (clip with song)

“Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you
the world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
’cause you’re born free

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
’cause you’re born free.”

One of my favorite authors often writes of the love portrayed by the wag of a dog’s tail or the purr of a cat. I own both a cat and a puppy, and it is amazing how animals are capable of giving and receiving such a tremendous amount of love. Baloo, my cat, loves for me to put him over my shoulders and rub his neck. His purring can bring such calm and peace to me. Kai-Ying, our little puppy, rolls on her back to receive a tummy rub. She then licks us in appreciation for such a treat.

This clip of Christian the lion, moved me to tears because it spoke directly to my heart. All living things deserve our utmost respect.

When a woman gives birth to a son, her appreciation for manhood has deepened. ~ Viola M. Jaynes

Each year, I look forward to celebrating and sharing my birthday with my son. He was to be a mid January baby, but instead he was born on the very same day as my birthday. Having grown up without a family and having lost both my brothers when I was a young child, I was deeply moved at the Grace and Love of God as He bestowed on me this wonderful birthday gift. It was as though He smiled on me and said: “All is well, my child, all is well!” And so it has been! Today, I give special honor to this young boy who is quickly turning into a young man right in front of my eyes.

In Honor To You, My Son

The moment I found out that you were growing within my womb -
I loved you.

Every time you moved and kicked as you grew bigger by the day -
I loved you.

Each day, each week, and each month that went by waiting for you -
I loved you.

With great pains, lying in my bed and knowing that the time is nigh -
I loved you.

The great anticipated moment finally came with its last great push -
I loved you.

As you were held up for me to see the miracle of your precious life -
I loved you.

You were wrapped in a warm blanket and placed gently in my arms -
I loved you.

Looking into your eyes, I tenderly held your little hand. I wept because -
I loved you!

You, my son, are the greatest Birthday gift a mother could ever hope for. Each year on our Birthday, I am reminded again how thankful and blessed I am to have a son like you. In one decade, you have grown so much, and you continue to learn more each day. You are not only gaining knowledge in school, but you are cultivating an understanding to be a kind and compassionate human being. You are learning to give as you receive. You are learning to love as you are loved. You are learning to trust in life as life is generous to you. You are learning to know your God as He draws your heart close to Him. And as He teaches you to look deeper into the hearts of men, you are gaining wisdom for the days ahead. You have begun to understand that to show kindness and compassion for all living things, is to honor and to serve Your God.

You are truly a special gift to me! I love you so very, very much!

Happy Birthday!

Always Your Mama

It is truly remarkable how high the human spirit is able to soar when listened to. ~Viola M. Jaynes

Listening to someone is a great opportunity to give the other person a profound and lasting gift. Most people are so involved and busy with their own affairs that true listening has become a rare commodity. There is something so generous and unselfish when one is focused on, really focused on another, in order to see with clarity what this person is not only saying with their words but also what it is they are trying to say from their heart. Word language and heart language can be oceans apart, and yet a gifted listener is able to bring the two together - uniting understanding with emotions.

A gifted listener is filled with generosity to give freely of himself. He has set time aside to simply be available for someone else. He also displays courage for he does not feel the need to talk and persuade the other of the greatness of himself, but rather understands the need to simply stand back and allow the other person to fully express themselves. One who desires to truly listen is filled with patience to allow the other to finish talking without unnecessary interruptions. It takes patience to genuinely listen and not be caught up with trivial worry about the many things that need to be accomplished.

A great listener is filled with kindness, mercy and acceptance. It does not matter what might fall on his ears for he understands the humanness of all of us. He understands that there is nothing new under the sun, and through his understanding and acceptance, he will win a loyal and trusted friend. Through his listening, he will discover in himself the other - expressing passionately what he could not. He will have understood even in greater depth what humanity longs for. To be understood, to be heard, and to be truly seen is a cry that spreads over all lands and all people, and not at all unique just to one.

Once a soul has opened their heart, it is a wise person to guard their story and to guard the other person. For should one carelessly spread this trust, as if throwing seed out to be trampled upon, it will only yield pain and bitterness, followed with many tears. Betrayal will break a heart - and perhaps only with genuine humility can it ever be healed again. Trust that is broken is one of the most damaging things that can be done to another human being. It is a heavy burden to bear on the shoulders of the one who has broken such deep trust. It is even a greater sorrow and a deeper wound to the one that was dealt this pain.

Being a great listener is a true honor. It is a responsibility and a privilege that cannot be taken lightly. It takes maturity and self-awareness to understand that all of us are traveling to find a meaningful and lasting path. It does one good when along the way, a trusting friend is found. Such a friend becomes a resting place to renew ones outlook and perspective on life.

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection. ~Sigmund Freud

Being a father is not an easy task. Our men need to be honored in their commitment and their efforts. Pope John XXIII said, “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.” I live in a community where there are many committed fathers who truly love their children.

Today, I want to thank my husband and all those men who are fathers to their children for all the effort and hard work that they provide. I want to also thank them for being thoughtful in what their children need from them and for giving another hour of their time even though they have worked all day long and are very tired themselves.

Thank you for being the visionaries that you are - able to look ahead and plan wisely for your children’s future. Thank you for providing opportunities for a good education in order for your children to grow up having all the chances in the world to succeed. Thank you for being wise and able to think through decisions that need to be made in order to come up with the best solutions for your children.

It matters not if you have one child or if you have many at home, but what does matter is that you take the time to love them intensely and to tell each of them how much you cherish them and care for them. Playing with your children and truly learning to listen to them will bring insurmountable value into their person-hood. Giving them the gift to truly be children for as long as possible will give them a youthful spirit and anticipation well into their adult years and beyond.

You understand the importance of your love for the daughter in your life and know that she will grow into a secure and confident young woman not having to shy away from the challenges that will come her way. She will value her womanhood because you have always valued her childhood with all her fragile and sensitive ways. You will always be her hero if you honor her with tenderness, respect, and care.

From your own boyhood, you understand deeply how important a strong and positive leadership role you must play for the son in your life. As he watches every move you make and listens to every word that comes out of your mouth, you have been motivated to be the very best that you are. You understand that the tenderness you show today will be his ability to be a leader for our future. In your wisdom, you understand that in your corrections need to be valuable lessons that will not be feared, but rather will be honored and respected. It is in these valuable lessons that your sons will grow up to honor you all of their days. They will speak of you fondly as they tell their stories in years to come to their own sons.

In your fatherhood, you will discover yourself. You will grow in your own manhood and you will discover that you have been enlarged and enriched as you tirelessly give of yourself. May your own desires be realized and may all your needs be met. May you express yourself in many endeavors to fulfill your dreams and longings. Most of all, in your searchings, may you come to know your God intimately so that your children will follow you in a more excellent path of honor, peace and joy.

Let love always guide your mind and your heart. Life will prove to be much easier that way.

Wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day today!