Generosity

Poster reads - We make a living by what we get, but we make  a life by what we give.

The practice of generosity is the practice of freedom, and it carries with it all the joy and pleasure that are associated with liberation. Indeed, there may be no greater sense of fulfillment in life than the simultaneous feelings of human interconnection and pure freedom that arise from an authentic act of selfless generosity.

- Dale S. Wright, “The Bodhisattva’s Gift” 

 

It is hard to imagine in our world filled with so much abundance, that we collectively seem to have trouble with generosity.  The other part of generosity that puzzles me is that so many people want to tell you a) that you should be generous, and b) how much you need to give in order to be generous.

The conflict for me is the judgement and control that seems to be in our society around generosity.  If generosity must come from the heart, how can someone set standards of giving, or pass judgement on those that they perceive do not give?  

The passage above caught my attention because it says “generosity is the practice of freedom”.  The words resonated deep within me.

Generosity is taking time to do something kind for someone else, without acknowledgement from anyone other than the receiver, and if it is anonymous, then without acknowledgement at all.  How wonderful is this gift to self!

Blessings,

Judy

Turtle Power

For many years, Turtle, a spirit animal, was a mentor to me.  Then, when it seemed I did not need her, she quietly slipped away.

Now, Turtle has again entered my life.  She has brought a fluorite turtle back into my life.  My Purple Green Turtle is now sitting on my dresser.  She reminds me that I am all that I need.  I have connection to all things in me.  I simply need to remember that connection’s address or vibration, or in the world of IT, the Ping address.  

Turtle reminds me that I need to slow down.  Hurrying will not change the destination or time.  Time is not real – it is abstract.   Turtle also says that we live longer if we go slower.  I guess I will find out the truth of this, if I slow down.

Turtle teaches that sometimes you need to have a hard shell around you so that you can go your own way.  Others like to influence you, but you can keep out of harm’s way by withdrawing into the protectiveness of self.

These are good lessons for all of us.

Blessings,

Judy

January 1 2025

This is the year that many things will change.  We are now in the future that we were told would never come.  

A time of truth is coming in to being.  Lies, cheats, bribes, wrong doing, and all kinds of untruthful and harmful ways of acting will be exposed.  Some events are already exposed. 

As we stand here, be thankful for all that we have – food, clothes, housing, and technology that allows to communicate across the world in minutes. Every time that we are grateful and give thanks for what we have, we create a positive environment that benefits everyone.

Blessings to each of you!

 

Judy

New Year’s Eve 2024

 Ahahah! New Year’s Eve.  Many of us get together with family and/or friends to celebrate the end of the year, and the start of the next year.  It is a tradition.

Some of us stay home, stay quiet, and watch movies, or play games, or meditate, or, work on a list of resolutions for the upcoming year.

Whatever method of welcoming the new year that you choose,  I wish you a very happy New Year’s Eve that is complete with joy, peace, and love.

Blessings,

Judy

Brilliance

 

THIS is the way the light should be – brilliant!  The light shines from each of you.  When others try to turn your light out, then shine even more brilliantly.  -- The Angels…

The last few days, there have been flashes of light in boardrooms, in plants and warehouses, and in department stores.  It is a sign that we are flashing brilliant!  Look inside.  See how you are changing.  Let it happen.

Blessings,

Judy

Find One Thing

 

Find one thing that makes you feel good and put it into practice. It is through this kind of action that we learn to live in harmony. We can also change others in this way. I know that some people question whether the actions of a single individual can really affect others. But do not waste time worrying about that; just do what feels right to you.

- Nikkyo Niwano, "A Cheerful 'Good Morning'"

Each morning, we go out to work, whether it is to a job or to keep our household going with running kids or with grocery shopping.  Each morning, we need to learn to do things with grace and ease for this makes the whole “getting out of bed” thing much easier on us. 

This was the lesson that I was getting the past several weeks.   The weather was getting colder.  The client projects were getting more demanding, and the day more tiring.  By the time I got home, I was finding it hard to have resources to work with through the evening.  I wondered if I was going to survive the challenge.

Then, in meditation each evening, I would hear “find the beauty in the drive to work”.  I struggled with that thought!  How much beauty is there in the movement of thousands of cars down the highway, especially when three lanes try to squeeze into one to merge on to the highway?  I simply got frustrated with all the drivers that were scared to merge or stopped on the highway, waiting for others to let them in.  This action breaks the flow of traffic.

And then one morning, I began to see some humour in how people were driving.  A few days after that, I began to see the drive to work as a great operatic dance, conducted by several novice conductors.  I realized that I could be a conductor and ask for the traffic to flow with grace and ease.  I soon distracted myself with this new view of traffic and my morning drive is now making me feel good as I drive to the office.

I have found one thing that can change my day.  If you decide to try this, let me know what changes your day.

Many blessings this day,

Judy

Merry Christmas 2024

Many blessings on your house upon this Christmas Day!

This is a time of peace and of fellowship and cheer.

The best that we can do, or so the Angels say

Is to love one another more compassionately this year.

We look around at all the things we have and feel

That we’ve been wronged because it doesn’t measure up

To the things that we see and have great appeal 

To the need to consume and “fill ‘er on up”,

That the media created to get us to buy.

 

We humans are more than a consumable good.

We are marvellous and beautiful and kind.

We are laughing and joking and makers of food

That we share with our friends or anyone we find

Has need of some time to refresh and to heal.

We are the ones that see others and care

Whether they are cold or need a good meal.

That kind of need isn’t so rare

Now that the world is turning upside down.

 

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Blessings,

Judy