02.08.16 From Glowing to Glowing
The glow of the setting sun on our favorite city
can give a feeling of being right in the space and
time where we are suppose to be. At home, right there,
in the place where the world seems just all right, and we
know that is where we belong. The sense that all is well bubbles forth from our soul, and wants to be shared. The February hearts and flower valentine greetings inspire our expressions of love and caring to most everyone and everything around.
The glow of receiving a simple valentine greeting from that certain someone will energize me for days.
Someone once said that more light comes in through two windows than one, and that may be why. When two share a focus of caring and attention on each other, both seem to come more alive.
Gratitude is multiplied, creativity blossoms, strength increases. It is healthy to love and be loved by another person, or even especially, a special critter.
The glow of feeling more alive, motivated, involved, interested and hopeful generates kindness and compassion toward others. We are changed by the quality of our relationships, and the connections we have to our life-giving source. In beautiful flowers, we look forward to the fragrant blossoming. In each other, and in ourselves, the process of blossoming can be called transformation.
When the time is right, if we are willing, we can let go of thoughts and beliefs that limit or no longer serve us, and open our minds and hearts to embrace new experience. That is, if we are willing to let go. Although, some of us at times are like the cartoon picture of two caterpillars looking up at beautiful butterflies fluttering gracefully nearby. The one sluggish little caterpillar said to the other, “You'll never get me up in one of those things.”
For some, the notion of exploring new ways of thinking is not one bit comfortable and to be avoided at all costs. They may even consider it weird to think about changing everything about themselves. But weird is not necessarily a bad thing these days. In fact the two cities of Portland (Oregon) and Austin (Texas) according to an Info-graphic by John Egan have a friendly rivalry for winner of the slogan they both wear as a badge of honor, with signs and bumper stickers saying "Keep It Weird." Egan compares competition between the two "weird" cities for the strangest people, the most hipsters, hippies, vegan friendly, bicycle friendly, best beer, best city for people watching, top green city, top U.S. city for dogs. Weirdness is actually the identity and attraction that keeps people coming back.
When I recently spoke of weirdness as an example of a sort of cool, unique, individualism, I also wore one of my favorite crazy looking hats. One with the wide brim and a bunch of do-dads, including silk flowers, that makes me feel like somewhat of an antique when I have it on. But instead of getting strange comments, people around me enjoyed it. In fact, my friend paid me the highest compliment when she said, "...you are like a butterfly come out of the cocoon. Now I get it, ...and now I get you.”
Could there be a lesson for us in transformation from glowing to glowing? If the tree naturally branches out, if the flower naturally blossoms, if the caterpillar naturally turns from cocoon to butterfly, if rivers naturally flow to the ocean, then why not? Why not a natural transformation process for us?
Beginning with a change of thinking, we can develop a willingness to entertain the hope of following a transformational Power that some of us call God. We can reflect on the natural growth process and the authentic life given to each of us, allow our faces, our voices, our energy to convey good news of becoming a once of a kind individual. We will have a certain character, or ways that make us different from the crowd. Maybe we will become accustomed to similar uncommon qualities like the character that keeps people coming back to the intriguing weirdness of cities like Portland and Austin.
We can practice changing our thinking by looking for coincidences in our ordinary routine. Like when I went to my dental appointment for six-month cleaning, and just happened to ask, "Are you a writer?" By golly the answer I got was from my provider who loves to write daily and showed me free resources that would assist with mechanics and style. That was the best trip to the dentist I've ever had.
Another change in my thinking was inviting a first time visitor at church to sing with me sometime. Music is among my favorite ways to worship and honor the Spirit of Life, and the newcomer mentioned he also loves to sing. So I just took a chance, and said, why not? Our new friend is already inspiring two or three of us to all sing together this Sunday.
Which brings me to the point of being alive, or spiritual glowing. Freedom to become continually transformed, growing in spirit, and in relationship to others is a gift of being human -- whether growing in relationship with a partner, or family, or group, the opportunity is there for each of us to play a part in creating a warm and welcoming fellowship in the community. We all need a place, not just at valentines, but to always call home, that gives life for the soul and a sense of belonging to the heart.
Because many are lost in the question, when the answer lies always before them. The process of transformation is not some big ponderous mystery that some people make it. Our life's purpose is tied to the answer to this question. "I Have always wanted to do... what?”
With surrender to new life in the Spirit, we are living our purpose even when we don’t understand or know exactly what it is. As people of hope, our life purpose is coming into full awareness of the connection with our creator, the source of our life. Our purpose is a way of being, and way of caring.
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