Archive for Relationships
Chicago: A City of Life
Posted by: | CommentsGood Day Everyone!
I just took a weekend getaway to Chicago. Wow, what an amazing city! If ever I was going to live the “city” experience, it would be in Chicago.
Years ago I did a marketing gig for the Four Seasons/Ritz Carlton hotels in the dead of winter in Chicago. What I remember most about that week there was Walter Peyton’s Americas Bar and Grill and dancing until about 3:00 am at which point they rolled out a free breakfast so everyone would go home sober. What struck me about that, and the whole city for that matter, was it’s big heart.
Going to Chicago is like getting a giant hug.
I drove from Cleveland via the Ohio Turnpike, the Indiana Turnpike and the Chicago Skyway. Some $21.00 in tolls later, I was just in time for rush hour traffic. But hark! These people are even lovely on the freeway. Unlike Los Angeles or even my beloved San Diego, if you turn on your signal to change lanes, Chicagoans don’t speed up to block you out. No siree. They actually allow you to get in front of them with a graceful hand gesture which seems to say, “Be my guest, please.”
Whoever designed the rail system, the “L”, in Chicago was a genius. You can get anywhere you want to go from the distant suburbs and local neighborhoods. It’s fabulous. And guess what else? They’re clean, graffiti-free, safe and fun to ride. Who woulda thunk?
Whilst there I was able to catch the musical, Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. That, too, was superb. They replicated the sounds of Frankie Valli so much so that at first I thought they might be lip-syncing. I haven’t enjoyed a show so much since Mama Mia.
I strolled about Millenium Park, went to the old Library which is now the Chicago Cultural Center. This building is absolutely magnificent and made me wish that I’d been able to come here when it was the functioning library. It’s inspiring and beautiful. It sports two Tiffany domes and on the walls and ceilings are myriad mosaics with encouragements for knowledge and books.
Whilst at the Cultural Center, I was able to see an exhibit of journalist cartoonist John T McCutcheon (1879-1949). He was talented, insightful, and his cartoons dealt with many of the same issued we wrestle with even today. However, I was particularly charmed by this cartoon advertising a card game as a “Volcano of Excitement and Laughter”.
Then I went on to walk Millennium Park where people were out strolling, playing, and generally enjoying the day outside without any complaint about weather, temperature, or anything. They were happy!
Chicago is a fabulous town rich in history and with a good sense of humor and a large heart. It combines successfully all the benefits of a big city with the authenticity of Real Life. There is Love in abundance flowing in this town which is evident by the way it feels. It seems to say, “Welcome!”
Thanks for reading!
Kath
A Life Well Done
Posted by: | Comments
Hello Everyone,
With the imminent release of my second book, Well Done: A Story of Applied Spirituality
, it is irony that a dear friend whose life was indeed, well done, has passed away.
Jack was my neighbor in Descanso. He has been wrestling with Parkinson’s for quite a few years. In the two years previous to my moving to Ohio, I became close friends with the Caldwells. I would go over and do energy work on Jack and Doreen, but what I got in return was a deep and abiding friendship and the privilege of being in the company of a couple whose marriage I truly admired.
Never did I hear a cross or demeaning word exchanged between them. Neither did one talk about the other behind his/her back. There was no sniping, sniffling or self pity. These two took the progression of Parkinson’s in stride, each one adjusting along the way. Jack to increasing confinement and inability to communicate his brilliant mind and thoughts, and Doreen with her increasing responsibilities for his physical care and all the home, financial and business duties. Never did either one of them utter any words of regret or self pity. They fully enjoyed that they were together and appreciated that fully.
The last time I saw either of them was at my farewell party which was hosted in their home so Jack could be there. With all that Doreen had on her plate, it was “no trouble” for her to host 60+ people to say good bye to me. I remember hugging Jack on that last day, knowing I would never see him again in the physical.
But I left him with my vision of Jack: “Jack,” I would say to him as I worked on him, “I see you standing on a Scottish Highland in your kilt, playing your bagpipes. You’re hair’s blowing and so is your kilt. You have a radiant glow on your face, because you’re free and happy and well.”
Jack died on Wednesday, 9.22.09. That night I heard him playing his bagpipes in my ear. He is home, well, and happy. Although I confess a great sadness that I can’t give him a squnch.
Jack and Doreen emigrated from Scotland to America in the 1970′s. They were a young couple and his trade was glass. They built a life, a family and a business here in America, in San Diego.
Life goes on, both here in the physical and in the nonphysical. But what a great adventure you had here, Jack! Well Done, indeed. Your life was an occasion, and you rose to it!
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Prayer of Appreciation
Posted by: | CommentsGood Day Everyone!
The single most effective prayer is the prayer of appreciation.
What is a prayer of appreciation?
Anytime you are focused on something and appreciating some aspect of it. It is the opposite of criticism. For all practical purposes, prayer is an internal attitude which you are emanating outward as your vibrational countenance, which by the Law of Attraction, Source is matching.
The very best “object” of your appreciation which is in closest alignment with Source, or God, is appreciation of yourSelf. In short, loving and appreciation who you are is the closest vibrational match to God there is.
Imagine that?
Try this for a few weeks. Your intention each morning is to go throughout your day looking for things, people, ideas – anything – that you can appreciate. You intend each day to be the sleuth of those thinks that you like, that put a smile on your face, that make you twinkle back!
After making this a habit, you’ll see a marked difference in the things that are coming into your life. They get better and better. Do this long enough and your life choices go from where you began to good, to great, to wonderful, to stupendous, to fabulous…
And this folks, is very simply how you change your life. It’s entirely up to you and your choice of focus.
Shall we start? Now.
Thanks for reading,
Kath
Irrational Fear: Separation Anxiety
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning Everyone,
A few days ago the furor over President Obama’s back to school speech reached my awareness, and then, this morning the news about Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst during the President’s speech last evening regarding health care reform.
I confess I didn’t understand how anyone could oppose the President encouraging kids to make something of themselves. I recall President Kennedy’s famous, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” speech. Everyone was charged with becoming their personal “best”. We studied, we applied ourselves, we even did the calisthenics programs he promoted to be fit. That’s what leaders do, they encourage others to become all that they can be. Watch.
Our danger lies not without, but within each individual who feels the separation from Source, God, All That Is. When we cannot feel out connection, the love that that imparts to us, we are alone, naked, scared and see out through a human mind stranded in fear. From this place we are irrational, devious, and unreasonable. We cannot hear anything of Love, for we are on the frequency of fear. Love and fear are opposite frequencies.
Make no mistake, both Democrats and Republicans alike suffer from this separation anxiety. Indeed, our whole nation suffers from it and this is what is eroding us – from the inside out.
If a man awakes every morning, conservative or liberal, and believes he lives in a malevolent world with no support, no love, no eternality, no infinite possibilites, and in an indifferent Universe, he will do anything – good man or no – to feel safe.
We are a spiritually poor nation. Organized religion has failed us, but our own efforts to reconnect with Who We Really Are individually are the route, now. The feeling of fear provokes within us a profound desire for internal peace, calm and rationality. This will guide us inward where each of us has our own, personal connection with God for comfort and Truth.
Do not have the hubris to think this doesn’t include you. For if you are someone who is waging war on anything – saving the wolves, saving Tibet, saving the environment, feeling hate and anger at conservatives or liberals, then, you do not understand the Oneness of all things either.
It is each individual’s job to find their personal alignment with Source daily – even moment to moment. This is unconditional Love: that external circumstances do not have to change in order for me to feel my Connection to Source. Can you say that? Can you do that? Do you even realize that is the most important awareness that you can take with you into your day?
Even Jesus wasn’t in Connection 100% of the time. He got angry in the temple and overturned the money changers tables. And on the cross he is said to have cried out, “Father, why hast thou forsaken me.”
If realizing out Oneness with God were easy, this world would look very different indeed. None the less, it is our quest, individually, to return home. Each prodigal is charged with this journey, for therein lies the answer to a world that is heaven on earth.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
The Economics of Self Esteem
Posted by: | CommentsHello Everyone,
I spend a lot of time noticing people, behavior, money and time. In ‘this economy’ It’s the catch phrase these days, so I have to use it for Googling purposes. But people seem to be working harder and faster, taking on more and more with a sense of desperation.
Perhaps they’re fueled by the idea that the unemployment benefits are going to run out; or they have to find that job, right now; or I’ve only got a certain amount of severance, so I’ve got to launch this business pronto. Always we are thinking there’s not enough – for me.
It’s precisely thinking like this that got us into this recession in the first place. No where else on Earth, save the UK, maybe, do people work so hard and so long for so little. It defies logic and common sense. I wonder how much we make per hour as a nation. Now there’s a question. If we added up the earnings of everyone in the US, then added up the hours worked and divided that into the earnings, what would we be making per hour? I can assure you it would be a pittance compared to our True Value.
This of course doesn’t even take into account the “j” factor – you know, J.O.Y. Now, let’s ask that question: how many of us really LOVE what we’re doing? Preposterous!
We’ve got it all backwards, because we think the harder we work the more money we will make.
Forget the penalty in stress paid by the body. We work for those benefits, after all. We stick at jobs we hate, damaging our physicality so we can cash in on those benefits when we have that stroke, the heart attack or get the big “C” – which by the way we wouldn’t have if we’d spent our days in joy.
How the heck did we get here?
I’d like to say it was a big conspiracy, but we all went along willingly like lambs to slaughter buying into the “American Dream” that the marketers were selling on behalf of the Banks, the HMO’s, the insurance companies, and the pharmaceuticals.
They package it up real pretty and sell it; we buy it lock, stock and barrel. We should have that McMansion, those cars, these clothes, this gadget and that particular widget. Then we’ll feel like we’ve made it; we’ve arrived – then there will be material proof that we’re good enough – at last.
Hamsters on the wheel, we are. Hamsters on the wheel.
What fuels this? Why could they sell us this crock?
We have a national deficit, but it’s not cash. It is a national deficit of personal and individual self-esteem.
We are poor in Spirit. We are poor in Who We Really Are. We don’t know our own value, our own worth, and we do not trust our own internal thought processes as valid. We don’t think for ourselves, we don’t question the premise, and we think they know more than we do.
In the old days, I think they called it Common Sense. Today, we’ve all but abdicated our personal sense of what’s a right and appropriate response to life. We trust ‘them’ to tell us what to watch on TV, what to wear, what to eat, what drugs to ask for at the doctor’s, what symptoms to have, what beauty is, what to think about the ‘news’, and we do it it all. We follow so well.
Nothing will change until we remember and value above all else, Who We Really Are – individually – you and me.
When we truly trust our responses to life as right and appropriate; when we value ourselves, our opinions, our time, our talents, our very being as the precious and beautifully unique thing that it is – then, folks, the economy of our nation will thrive, because we individually are thriving.
Only we can do this. Only you and I can begin the transformation of poor self esteem into one of personal high regard and respect. This is our job.
Then, one day, in the midst of our work day, we will stop at least once and say, “I cannot believe they pay me to do this! I love my work.”
Imagine this.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Who Are We Really Forgiving
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning Everyone,
Recently I’ve been brought to my wee knees in a realization that first rocked me, then relieved me. I want to share it with you.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been vexed by several different situations.
One involved a dear friend, whose personal situation really made me mad. Her situation didn’t affect me in anyway, shape or form, but that she found herself in her situation really angered me.
Another involved two dear friends of mine, married for a very long time, whose personal dynamic between themselves angered me.
Then, two situations involving me, where people failed to live up to their agreements, but also failed to realize how much value I had put into the situation, ignored that, and then, demanded even more of me as if I’d given nothing.
I tell you these things, because I know that I am just like you. I walk through my days endeavoring to do my very best, to be more Godlike, to bring more love into the world and then, bam! Like Wylie Coyote, I find myself a puddle at the base of a wall wondering what the heck happened here.
The “wall” was my inability to forgive. Everyday across America we pray: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” All of us know these words, and pray them, but today I understand them. This is what I want to share with you today.
Joel Goldsmith in his book, The Thunder of Silence
So the real spiritual journey is not about becoming good humans, but rather to realize our freedom. We need nothing from anyone. We release everyone from their obligations, when we realize our Oneness with Source, where everything is complete, fulfilled and whole. No one need to be or do something for our happiness.
My big Ah-Ha! this morning was that any block in consciousness is an impediment to the realization of Oneness,not just hatred or anger. The obvious blocks are :he did this to me, but I choose to forgive and turn my cheek. But that’s just the beginning of the True meaning.
The rest of it is that any “judgment” on someone else: he/she didn’t try hard enough, therefore didn’t meet my expectations, do enough and so fell short in someway – these are seeing something other than God. This is buying into the belief of two powers, not One. This is the “lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil” part. The temptation to believe that there is anything other than God, Source, Oneness.
Now, for the explosive kicker. By the Law of Attraction, these people, situations and dramas came into my personal experience one after the other, increasing the emotion of anger within me. By last night if I could have left myself, I would have. Instead, I went for a swim in the light of the full moon and asked for illumination, which I received this morning.
These people, these circumstances came to me by the Law of Attraction. Like attracting like thoughts. These people, these circumstances are my mirror: they reflect back to me what I am thinking, believing about….me. Holy smokes.
Only once before can I recall feeling this conviction so clearly. All at once I know it is True ;and it doesn’t feel good to realize that which I perceive is me. I mean, UGH!
But I pressed on this morning, because I want released from this prison of ‘ugh ‘that I’ve been feeling. I have kept myself in bondage; but the key to the prison door was in the realization that I hold these self same judgments, which I have transposed on to my friends, on myself. Oh, double ARG! And then, double Ah-HA! Relief.
So it is not just forgiving others my perception of their shortcomings after all. In Truth I am to forgive myself – releasing myself from my own judgments and condemnations of my shortcomings and failings.
Forgive me for failing to see that my human self is not, after all, Who I REally Am.
So, miraculously once I got that big twig out of my own eye, I am able to see that the human self that others show me (my own human self) is not Who They Really Are and is certainly not Who I Really Am. That I was tempted to see something other than God, in them, showed me that I am seeing something other than God in myself. It is I who have bought into the human belief of duality – something other than Source.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Forgive me for failing to see my own Oneness, Who I Really Am; and forgive those who fail to see the God in me.
This is why we pray for our enemies: they are a gift to us. They are our mirror to show us our own consciousness blocks which block our own Realization of Oneness and block our liberty.
Such Perfection for which I am grateful…and now I am relieved and feel Good once again.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Soothing Someone Back Into Well Being
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning Everyone,
Recently I heard the best story. It involves friends of mine in Descanso. Jack is involved with Parkinson’s. When I lived in Descanso, I used to go over to Jack and Doreen’s because I just loved them as people and I would do energy work on both of them. Those times with them were amazing and fun. As the symptoms of Parkinson’s progressed in Jack, Doreen moved with elegance to assist and care for him, as she still does.
Doreen is the portrait of True Love. She and Jack are entirely devoted to each other. They came to the US from Scotland back in the 60′s. Jack’s trade was that he was a glass man. So they started their own window and stained glass company, which is now run by their eldest daughter.
Jack is the quintessential Scot; he plays the bagpipes and has read every Scottish author and poet, and can quote them all. Together they are simply a joy to be around. As a couple they love and respect each other fundamentally. Even in this difficult circumstance, I have never heard them utter a disparaging word or use an insulting tone. It just isn’t in their awareness, so replete is their joy in each other.
As time as gone on, Jack’s ability to move about and communicate has become severely hampered. Doreen literally lifts him from his bed and moves him to place to place. And only she can understand his communications at this point, so in tune are they with each other.
Recently in Southern California the temperatures have topped 100 degrees over many days with crippling humidity.
The neighborhood guys got an idea. Once a week these fellows gather at Jack and Doreen’s house to play snooker, although Jack can’t play anymore, they have continued to come and have their weekly game including Jack in their fun.
Well, seems Tom, a neighbor, got the idea that if they all helped, they could take Jack on a field trip to his house where he has a swimming pool. This was executed last week.
The guys came and got Jack and they all trooped over to Tom’s house where they had a pool party. Jack, included. They got Jack into the swimming pool, where for 2 uninterrupted hours, Jack was in heaven, diverted from the constancy of the Parkinson’s.
He floated and wiggled and felt his body weightless and cool – almost free. For two hours, Jack was back in Well Being, diverted from his usual focus – the prison of his body.
According to all reports, a magical time was had by all.
The greatest gift we can give anyone who is focused on something “unwanted” is to soothe them back into Well Being. These guys, his friends and neighbors, and fellow Light Beings did just that.
When someone can be diverted from what is (unwanted) and soothed back into Oneness, that vibration goes out into the Universe and is answered. What is more is that in this place of Well Being, Jack is allowing his Good to be received. Amen.
Of course I know these guys, and all I can say is that I’ve never heard of a more wonderful INSPIRATION and just hearing the story put the biggest smile on my face. Well done, indeed, guys. Very, very well done.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Dreams Made Manifest
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning Everyone!
Quite recently a dream of mine has come true and become manifest.
My book, The Earthling’s Quick Start Guide: Master Operating Your Unit on Earth (A Short Refresher Course in Applied Spirituality) was published and launched with a complete online course.
This dream, which has many facets, has had a long genesis, perhaps even a lifetime or lifetimes…
As I was speaking yesterday at my book signing party to a small group who had come to help me celebrate this extraordinary, ordinary event, I was struck by how 30 years of study and contemplation could be embraced in one tiny 3.5″ x 5.5″ book.
The answers is that Truth is simple. The years involved in getting to the Truth were the work of unlayering the beliefs and prejudices of a human mind until at last reaching Pure Mind, unconditioned Mind, or Godmind.
The journey has been exciting and full of earthly adventures in the quest to uncover God in all Earthly events as experienced by me in my life. “I know there’s a Pony in here somewhere!”
My assumption is that if It is operating in every event in my life, then it is so in everyone else’s life, as well.
Indeed, there is always God, Truth, Life, Source in every physical form, event, manifestation if we are looking through the eyes of Godmind, not our conditioned human mind which judges everything in terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
I dreamed a dream long ago to understand the Truth of Being: my beingness and yours. I have variously followed the promptings of my Internal Guidance which has led me unerringly through every human experience common to each and every one of us and then some. My intention long ago was to understand the Truth of Being and to know God aright: that was and is the Map.
Along the way I have only ever been derailed by moments of “peer group pressure” to conform my life to the expected views and take the road most commonly traveled. However, perhaps my own Spirit, supported by my parents’ teaching me as a child to “think for myself” eventually and inevitably caused me to course correct and regain the path of my dream.
It is a wondrous thing to behold a dream come true. I mean a big personal dream, not just a wish for new shoes or a parking space. Rather, to look in hindsight over the journey and to witness the perfection of the Guidance that led you to this culmination point of fulfillment. It’s a WOW.
I am especially in awe of the elegance of each and every step of the journey, although in those moments, I didn’t understand but could only hold the space in my human mind that it was perfect and I would understand eventually. Some might say this was faith; I call it holding the space of Well Being and watching, beholding your life in its moments, as pure genius always on the path of your Good and letting go, constantly and continuously letting go…
Of course, the Dream has many parts and there is more unfolding as my adventure continues. But I wanted to share with you today a reflection point. It is as if I have been climbing a vast mountain, one moment at a time, and at last I have reached one of the landing stations. The view from here is unparalleled and one that I couldn’t possibly have imagined. I am thrilled; I am humbled; and I am contented – and reaching for More on my infinite and eternal journey.
But for today, I have stopped to Enjoy the View and Appreciate It.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Use Death As Your Advisor
Posted by: | Comments2009-07-02
Good Morning Everyone,
Years ago I had a friend who said, “Use Death as your adviser.”
Now normally humans spend as little effort as possible thinking about death. In fact we fear death. Who the heck would spend any time thinking about it? Yet, I found her advice compelling and wise.
The first thought that came to me was that if I were using Death as my adviser, It would change my perspective. Rather than thinking that I had all the time in the world, I would now view my decisions with more immediacy.
I wouldn’t procrastinate.
Rather, I’d get off my bumm and start living the life I wanted to be living right now and having the experiences that I wanted to experience. That thought alone coined a phrase for me, This Life is Not a Dress Rehursal. My life is right now, right here. Am I having fun? Am I doing the things I value? Am I meeting and exceeding the ideals that matter most to me – right now, today, with the people and circumstances at hand?
With this more urgent and immediate view of my life, today, this minute – would I choose to pick a fight, say something mean, let my ego lead the discussion, damage a friendship, divide or would I now choose to bring more love into the world?
Using Death as your adviser refocuses you on the priorities and the importance of this minute. What is it that you value with this person? What is it you value about how you feel about yourself? The choice is right now in every interaction: driving on the freeway, in the board room, at family dinner, at the gym, in the grocery.
It has been my observation that those who mourn the passing of loved ones most bitterly are those who have regrets and unfinished business. The regrets are always the lack of love or the expression of that love, which would have required opening the heart, but the ego ruled. Standing on principle, rather than the correct principle of Love, is always cause for regret. And unfinished business with someone is always about not being True to yourSelf.
Of course the premise is that once these people pass from view there is nothing you can do to put things to rights. They’re dead, of course, so we presume the opportunity is lost forever to make amends, express that love, or redeem yourSelf.
This is patently unTrue, but we believe that, which makes the pain all the more.
Time to understand death as an integral part of life and use the understanding to live life full out. Love like there’s no tomorrow; dance as if no one were watching; and be True to yourSelf.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
The Independent Life of Woody The Cat
Posted by: | Comments2009-06-17
Hello Everyone,
Sometimes I’m casting about for a topic, and then I realize I’m staring one right in the face. Our pets.
Some of the most amazing and illuminating moments of our lives are brought about by virtue of our pets. You see, often times where we cannot open our hearts to other humanoids, we can open our hearts to animals.
We won’t debate here whether or not pets have “souls”. I’ll just state for the record that they definitely do. Although probably not in the sense that we think about it; but the Native Americans knew and still do, that the animal kingdom is part of God and that they serve us, well – if we are but listening and paying attention.
Which brings me to Woody the Cat, my pet. Woody has been with me since he was weened. His birthday is July 4, 2005. At the time Woody came to live with me, I was just moving into my newly built home in Descanso, Ca. The property was bordered on the rear by the Cleveland National Forrest and overlooked the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. In short, he came to live in a place where few cats live beyond their first year. Amongst the “dangers” are mountain lions, coyotes, rattle snakes, bobcats and owls to name a few.
However, at every stage of his growing up, he had to be a cat. He would whine to go outside, to stay outside and be FREE!
Of course this set up a giant war within my human mind. What if? How can I? I have to protect him!
Alas, all my mental explantions to Woody the Cat about how I wanted him to be safe made nary a dent on his natural self – a cat. Clearly, it was I that would have to grow in consciousness in order to be able to give him the life he deserved. I had to learn to “let go” and know that he was in Well Being, with his own internal guidance, and above all – that his life was his own, not mine.
Woody and I have had many adventures. Well, it’s more accurate to say that I’ve had many adventures because of his being Woody the Cat.
There was, of course, not one, but three encounters with rattle snakes. He likes to play with them. The time he got himself treed in my neighbors encampment with 13 Jack Russell terriers. And most recently, here in Ohio where he has become quite the ambassador of Good Will, greeting all the neighbors in their comings and goings. One night he got himself locked up in someone’s garage.
At every Woody adventure, even when he’s “overdue” to be home, his presence in my life serves to remind me to Trust. All is well. And his life is remarkably, his own.
The truth is, because I love him so much, I want him to have his own life. To do that, I have to grow in unconditional Love.
God bless our pets, who teach us such a concept.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
