Guests and Visitors

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meaness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whomever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

This from Rumi, sums up this day.......thanksgiving, gratitude is not only for the good in our lives but for everything.  Today, I hope that every guest who visited your home brought joy.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Live By Our Words

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. 
John F. Kennedy 

Thanksgiving Eve, 2012......this quote seems to fit this evening's blog.  Living by our words, expressing our gratitude.....Thanksgiving is so much more than a good meal, a football game and looking at the sale papers for black Friday.  Thanksgiving should serve as  a reminder for gratitude for all things in our lives......the good, the bad and everything in between.  We are all that we have experienced, we are the choices that we have made, the thoughts that we have thought.......giving thanks, expressing gratitude is way to turn all of that into joy, to remind us of the treasures we hold in our hearts.
Let us remember, tomorrow and every day, to live by our words.

Be Conscious of Our Treasures

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
- Thornton  Wilder

Continuing with our week of Thanksgiving thoughts on gratitude, this quote by Wilder really says so much.  How often do we go through our days, and never think of our "treasures"?  We take our health for granted, we take our friends and family for granted, our talents, our jobs, our homes.......no wonder there are so many of us just going through the motion of living.

To be alive, to feel the emotions of love and joy and even sadness, we have to be grateful ( or conscious) of all that we have and have had.  If we have one person in our life that loves us, we are wealthy.....if we have our health, we have treasures beyond measure.

Take a moment tonight, promise yourself to take a moment every day, and think of the treasures in your heart.....allow yourself to feel alive......allow yourself to feel gratitude.  You are richer than you ever dreamed possible, you just have to look within, be conscious of all that you  have.

One Whole Day

A challenge to my students today, during this week of Thanksgiving .........live one whole day this week and speak only uplifting, positive things......you heard me, one whole day.....speak only positive, uplifting things.  No whining, no complaining, no saying unkind things about anyone.

They all had that deer in the headlight look on their faces, as a I talked about this exercise in gratitude.
And it is an exercise in gratitude, when you find and speak the positive in everything.........your heart will be full of gratitude.

So if today has been a difficult day, if you can't think of anything to be grateful for, place your right hand on your chest......take a deep breath, close your eyes........think of those you love, think of you friends and family, breathe deeper......and then think of those you love, with gratitude......breathe another deep breath and allow yourself to feel the emotion of love........now, think about living one whole day without saying anything negative, living one whole day speaking only positive, uplifting things.  One whole day, yes, it will be hard......really hard, but just try.
Blessings of love and joy, I am grateful for all of you.

Love Comes Naturally

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

― Nelson Mandela

Here in America, it is the week of Thanksgiving........a holiday that seems to be losing its place and importance because the retail world hasn't figured out how to turn a day of Thanksgiving into a cash cow.  For the past couple of nights I have posted quotes about love, I will continue doing so this whole week.........for love and thankfulness are partners.

My friends Kaye and Jamie just got back from a holiday in Africa.  Their pictures and stories were amazing.  Their trip was life changing, it was obvious as they shared their thoughts and feelings with us over dinner last night........with tears, and voices that cracked.....it was apparent, that theirs was not an ordinary vacation.

I love this quote by Nelson Mandela, because I believe it is true......I believe our hearts were meant to be vessels that were to be filled with love........maybe that is why heart disease is the number #1 killer here in America, the hate that grows here in our hearts is destroying them..... physically and emotionally.

Love in the Doing

" It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters." - Mother Teresa

I read some wonderful news today, a survey that shows new college grads are gravitating toward nonprofit and public sector jobs that feed their souls more than their bank accounts and that volunteerism is at an all time high.  I already had a really good feeling about most of the twenty-somethings that I knew......they are smart, unselfish, willing to help their fellow-man, wanting to live
not only purpose driven lives, but passion driven lives.

I think many of the young men and women that I have spoken to lately are sincerely concerned with the welfare of those less fortunate, with healthcare for all, and with taking care of the environment.
Hopefully this up and coming generation will not be "addicted to the dollar."  Instead of spending all their days climbing the corporate ladder, they want quality time with their friends and family too.
They want to make a difference in their communities and  the world they live in.
I think Mother Teresa would be extremely proud of these young people who are working hard at what they love,  and giving back!

Love and Kindness

The whole of planet Earth is a sacred site. All people are the chosen people, and the purpose of our lives is a spiritual one.

May we care for each other, and for the earth, for everything relates to everything else.

Feeling this oneness, may we radiate the light of love and kindness that all may live in unity and peace.
Radha Sahar
The Sacred Site 


This just sums up my thoughts for tonight.........sending you all love and kindness.