• Keep G(r)o(w)ing

    • August 7, 2020 1:36 pm

    Dearest Readers,

    How are you doing? Really, how are you? My own emotions have been on a rollercoaster ride, mostly stabilized in the last week, but definitely up and down. When I am up, I wonder about you, how you’re feeling about the changes in your personal life and in the world, how you’re coping with it all.

    When I have these moments, when I wonder about you and if you’re okay, my own fear and anxiety decrease. Thinking of others is such a healing practice. So is caring for others. As the spiritual care worker in a long-term care facility, I am considered an ‘essential service’, and when I am with a resident, there is no thought of myself. The fearful, anxious thoughts disappear.

    Deep Presence brings relief.

    If you read the last Letter, you will remember my account of the Woodpecker, appearing at just the right moments in time to remind me that the Universe is as conscious of me as I am of It. Three days ago, I arrived back at the house after an endorphin-producing run to the rat-a-tat-tat of the Woodpecker. She was in the tree above our driveway and I stood and watched her hammer her head into the trunk at rapid-fire speed.

    Impeccable Timing brings relief.

    The above photograph of the snowdrops is evidence of a miracle, really, since the entire front garden of our house was dug up last fall to fix a leaky basement. All of the soil was removed, creating a 6-or-7-foot trench around the wall of the house. The dirt that had been removed was then dumped back in the trench to re-fill it. The result was a big, uneven pile of mud. Now, after a long winter, those snowdrops you see in the photo pushed up through the disturbed ground in the exact same spot as they always do, year-after-year. How?

    Life Finds a Way.

    In times of crisis, in times of despair, in times of great fear and crippling anxiety, I look to these experiences of Deep Presence, Impeccable Timing and the Unstoppable Life-Force Energy to keep me going and to keep me growing.

    And I think of you, and hope that you are accessing your own inner resources and outer practices to keep going and growing, one moment at a time.

    From the Fires of Love,

    Celia

    Give Praise

    • June 16, 2010 7:47 am

    Dearest Readers,

    The other day a woman whom I’ve known for many years but have not seen for a good while approached me with a big hug and a kiss and extremely glad tidings. Of course I returned the affection with pleasure and we promised to connect in the coming days but I walked away feeling confused. The last time I had seen this woman she had seemed less than thrilled to see me. Even somewhat cold. What had changed?

    Last night we had the opportunity to connect once more and after catching up and sharing the last few years of our lives it came out. Rather, I deduced it, for she would never have said, “This is why I am being kind to you again,” but sometimes words reveal more than other words can say.

    Last year she had left me a phone message — business related — and I had called her back, got her voice mail, and left her a reply message. In my message I gave her encouragement and validation. I had heard of a real success she had made and so praised and celebrated her achievements, validating her hard work in the process.

    As we spoke last evening she recalled getting my message and with hand on heart, described how much it had meant to her, how it had caused her to reflect on her hard work and finally validate it for her Self. It was a deeply felt moment for both of us though she may not have guessed as much for me.

    The lesson here is twofold: One, never make assumptions. When this woman seemed so happy to see me I assumed all kinds of things, none of which had any kind of accuracy. Two, a little encouragement goes a long way.

    Inspiring Message of the Day: Today I will take the time to genuinely encourage another person. When we praise, celebrate and validate someone else’s progress or success it comes back to us in untold ways.