I want to go back to Disney World. I sincerely hope that you've been lucky enough to experience the wonderful world of Disney. It has a valid claim as the "happiest place on earth". For starters, the daily parades are packed with fanciful characters, joyful songs, and a non-stop cavalcade of contagious cheer. (As opposed to the last few parades that I have sat through consisting of a slew of hopeful politicians passing out propaganda, and various logo-emblazoned commercial vehicles hurling Laffy Taffy and Dum-Dum suckers.) Also, the continually piped music at the park gives one the distinct sensation of living out a delightful movie montage. Entertainment and amenities abound, along with supreme service from retail sales persons to street sweepers who are all seemingly devoted to your every whim. The rides, the attractions, the fireworks, and the iconic Disney characters all culminate in the sacred phenomenon that is commonly referred to as 'living in the moment'. Disney's brand of hospitality gives visitors a chance to escape the worry and self-reproach that occupy our daily thoughts. There's really no other way to be authentically happy than to release guilt and fear, and truly cherish the present moment. After all, yesterday is in the past, and tomorrow will never come. The present moment is all we have, now and forever. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay, my oh my, what a wonderful day!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
That Makes Perfect Sense (Part 6, Finale)
That was fun. I hope you enjoyed the homage to our five senses. God's way is marvelous indeed. But, wait a minute, I'm not done. We have one more sense that is surpassingly miraculous. It is our sixth sense, -a woman's intuition, -a gut feeling. Whatever you call it, it is the whisper of our soul.
"Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation."- Eileen Caddy
Intuition is the greatest vessel of unwaivering faith. There is no logic whatsoever to the notion of a divine being, but those who follow their faith can attest to the actuality of a God who has a Plan for each of us, believer and non-believer alike. (It's a great plan, don't worry.) A friend recently remarked on the overwhelming emotion he feels when he hears the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art". I understood perfectly. Even though it would seem intangible, I understood because I have felt it. When you hear the swell of 'then sings my soul...', there is a distinct physical sensation of being lifted up to Joy. I know Joy is not a definitive destination that can be navigated by Mapquest, but it is the place in your heart where you experience God. When you hear something, see something, feel something, taste or smell something glorious, you are transported there. It's where He becomes a natural and absurdly obvious certainty. And that's the true gift of our five senses.
"Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation."- Eileen Caddy
Intuition is the greatest vessel of unwaivering faith. There is no logic whatsoever to the notion of a divine being, but those who follow their faith can attest to the actuality of a God who has a Plan for each of us, believer and non-believer alike. (It's a great plan, don't worry.) A friend recently remarked on the overwhelming emotion he feels when he hears the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art". I understood perfectly. Even though it would seem intangible, I understood because I have felt it. When you hear the swell of 'then sings my soul...', there is a distinct physical sensation of being lifted up to Joy. I know Joy is not a definitive destination that can be navigated by Mapquest, but it is the place in your heart where you experience God. When you hear something, see something, feel something, taste or smell something glorious, you are transported there. It's where He becomes a natural and absurdly obvious certainty. And that's the true gift of our five senses.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Just A Touch of Love (Part 5)
I am stating -without valid references or credentials -that a nurturing touch is one of our basic, most primal needs. Whether it comes from your spouse, your best friend, or your cat, a touch is imperative to our emotional, and therefore, spiritual well-being. If you have not yet done so, please peruse Dr. Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Chapman asserts that a relationship thrives when we communicate in our partner's love language, and when our partner does the same for us. Your love language may be; Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, or Physical Touch. For me, physical touch tops the list. When my husband touches me, I feel content to the core of my being. Although we have been lovers for 26 years and our public (and private) displays of affection may not be as passionate as they once were, all my troubles melt away the moment he strokes my hair or rubs my back. The sentiment is full-on sappy, but I know that you know what I'm talking about.
And I'm surprised my three teen-aged children don't run the other way the minute they see me, knowing full well they will routinely be subjected to a hug about ten times a day. I think they realize that I need, I mean, I need those hugs. Anyway, thanks, guys. I just don't think my husband is aware that the kids have been my primary outlet of affection for the past 19 years, and that when they leave us, he may not get a moment of peace. I hope he doesn't mind. I guess if he does, there's always the cats.
And I'm surprised my three teen-aged children don't run the other way the minute they see me, knowing full well they will routinely be subjected to a hug about ten times a day. I think they realize that I need, I mean, I need those hugs. Anyway, thanks, guys. I just don't think my husband is aware that the kids have been my primary outlet of affection for the past 19 years, and that when they leave us, he may not get a moment of peace. I hope he doesn't mind. I guess if he does, there's always the cats.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
What You See Is What You Get (Part 4)
"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I've seen some things. I've seen incredible, magnificent, awesome things that affirm my faith like nothing could. I'm sure you have too, but the thing is that, much like taste, vision is a sense on which we are likely to over-rely. When you have several sore parts of your body, you may only notice the most painful area. Similarly, our vision can distract us from realizing that there is immeasurable incoming information that has been discounted or missed altogether. (Magicians rely on it.) We spend far too much time analyzing what we see, when we should be acutely conscious of how we feel. So many people and things are exquisite for the effect they have on us, far beyond their mere appearance.
For a short time (too too long) my guilty pleasure was watching Toddlers and Tiaras. This program on TLC documents beauty pageant contestants and their mothers who are hell-bent on claiming the Ultimate Grand Supreme Title. It's a train wreck of a show that makes me want to rescue these little girls who are being prostituted to redeem their mothers' lack of self-worth. While children can have fun and gain confidence by performing, dancing, and claiming their innate beauty, watching them be judged for fake hair, fake teeth, and an overabundance of ruffles just made me feel -ugly. There is a lesson for us all. Put your beauty on display. Sing, dance, smile. Love being yourself, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT ever ever ever change one thing about yourself for the judges.
I've seen some things. I've seen incredible, magnificent, awesome things that affirm my faith like nothing could. I'm sure you have too, but the thing is that, much like taste, vision is a sense on which we are likely to over-rely. When you have several sore parts of your body, you may only notice the most painful area. Similarly, our vision can distract us from realizing that there is immeasurable incoming information that has been discounted or missed altogether. (Magicians rely on it.) We spend far too much time analyzing what we see, when we should be acutely conscious of how we feel. So many people and things are exquisite for the effect they have on us, far beyond their mere appearance.
For a short time (too too long) my guilty pleasure was watching Toddlers and Tiaras. This program on TLC documents beauty pageant contestants and their mothers who are hell-bent on claiming the Ultimate Grand Supreme Title. It's a train wreck of a show that makes me want to rescue these little girls who are being prostituted to redeem their mothers' lack of self-worth. While children can have fun and gain confidence by performing, dancing, and claiming their innate beauty, watching them be judged for fake hair, fake teeth, and an overabundance of ruffles just made me feel -ugly. There is a lesson for us all. Put your beauty on display. Sing, dance, smile. Love being yourself, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT ever ever ever change one thing about yourself for the judges.
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