Life is Change

Happy cooler weather!

The shift has happened here in Kennewick, we have started chilling out--from 90 to 70 degrees.  Pretty soon we'll trade complaining about the heat with whining about the cold weather.

Life really is about change that's what keeps it from being stale and static.  Just like the character in a favorite novel, the dynamic ones, the ones who change for the better, are the ones we remember most vividly.  Edna Vincent Millay says, those eyes that are the most beautiful are not those that have cried the least amount of tears.  We learn and grow from the challenges we go through, although sometimes, I admit, I really have grown quite enough already.

As autumn continues to unfold, I am reminded of cycle of life and the shedding of old leaves on the trees, and the chance to rest and generate through the winter and to bloom again in the spring. A wonderful cycle through the years, getting older and wiser, knowing what is important in life and what we can let go of.  As always, family and friends are to me what is most important. So, work on those ties.  Call a few friends up, and write some cards and letters to people you care about.  Life is special, especially when you share your thoughts and love with others.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW



Wow! It has been  a while since I last blogged.

Life is good, and I am so blessed.  I tend to look on the bright side of most every day.  I have a roof over my head, a loving husband, an incredible job, and best of all, I am happy.

Henry Ford once said, "If you think it's going to be a good day, or you think it's going to be a bad day, you're right."  Isn't that true, attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. You may say, but what about this or what about that?  Well, this and that have happened to me, and guess what, those things were the catalyst for something new and better to happen.  I have been through a divorce, only to discover a new path for myself in ministry.  I have a wonderful new husband that I wouldn't have if I hadn't let go of the old to embrace the new.

Sometimes the loss of a job may seem devastating, but often times you may have never even liked working in the place you were working, except on payday.  Then another new job comes along, and you would never have even been able to be in the new position if you had never been released from the last one.  Shift happens.  Out with the old, in with the new.  A new path, a new you.

When we remember to look at the experiences that happen as being neither good nor bad, but just observe the fact that they have happened, we are free to be open to the new new idea.

Many blessings,
Sandy Smith

                                                               We are a Part of the Cycle of Life

As I look at all of the trees budding and then flowering, I am reminder of how the cycle of life follows the same pattern.  The leaves on the trees are bare in winter, they spring to life after their deep sleep, they spend the spring and summer living their lives; and then they turn beautiful colors, drop their lives and give the impression that they have died off--only to bloom again in spring. There are so many signals in nature that life continue, season after season. Caterpillars spin their cocoons, only to emerge again as butterflies. To me, it points to the continuation of the human soul after this life experience we are in the process of.  We are all spiritual beings having a human experience, and those experiences continue on.

Since we are a part of the cycle of life, it behooves us to treat other beings kindly, and to be conscious of the environment around us.  As Chief Seattle once said, "We are a part of the Web of  life, what we do to one strand of the web affects the entire web."  Decide what positive, peaceful part you can play in enhancing life for yourself and everyone you love.

Namaste

Greetings!

Spring is struggling to present itself.  It is much springier here in Kennewick, Washington than it is in Ohio and other parts of  north central USA.  The squirrels are romping, the flowers are blooming, and we have traded snow for rain.  Much more sunshine is being added into the mix.

Isn't life amazing?  As it nears the day we celebrate as Easter, I become more and more aware of the idea of transformation and evolution of our personal lives.  Each new day we are resurrected into a brand new day.  A day that we can do anything we like with, anything that we put our mind into doing. So, then I think about the idea of resurrection, and how it applies to our every day lives.  Every new endeavor that we find ourselves in is a resurrection into something new, a new job, new home, new relationship; all of these are great examples of resurrecting into something new.

We are never too old to try something new.  The very idea of exploring an idea that has intuitively come to us is an exciting way to continue our connection to life and to those marvelous people that are in it. Spring cleaning is not only for our houses, but for our mind as well.

Get up, get out and be a part of this wonderful thing called life.

Namaste

Faith is not a Cookie Cutter Idea

Hello,

It is Sunday, am, and I am about to head off to the Center for our Sunday service.  I am filled with bliss for a wonderful new day, and I am glad the roads are clear even though snow still remains on the ground.  Today is a day to consider diversity and inclusivity.  So many of the world's problems would vanish if we remembered to honor our differences and celebrate the many more ways that we are alike.  This is particularly true when it comes to different spiritual teachings.  If I find a faith that resonates with me and it doesn't harm anyone else, then let the world be as happy for me as I am happy for them that they have their valued belief.  If I have faith in my belief, then someone else who shares there belief should be a source of learning for me, not a threat to me and what I believe.  Faith traditions are very interesting.  We should all open our mind to learning about them.  I am sure that what we will find is that all faiths aim to help people live a more rewarding and helpful life.

Many blessings,
Sandy Smith

Brrr, on this Grrreat Morning!

We are experiencing the tail end of a winter storm which is expressing as an ice storm with freezing rain.  The chill on the outside reminds me of the warmth within.  That reminds me that everything starts within.  If you want to experience joy, love, abundance, peace, you must begin by first experiencing it within.

About twenty years ago my first husband and I split up.  We each went separate ways.  I looked at is as taking a new path in life.  Whenever we begin a new phase of our life, whether by divorce, changing jobs, or moving to a new location, it is like we are resurrecting ourselves into a new life; a different chapter in the same life.  The story is ours to create.  For me, I was living alone for the first time in my life, I was dating again, and I had just discovered my first new thought church.  I learned so much through the classes and Sunday services. I found a community of positive, like-minded people.

I dated, but nothing seemed to resonate with me.  I took classes and dance lessons, and put myself into doing the things I wanted to do.  My philosophy was that if I was doing the things I enjoyed doing, that I would meet someone on the same wave length.  Finally I realized that I was happy in my own life and whether I found another person or not, that I was content with my own life.  When I was able to say, truthfully, that I was loved, lovable and loving, that's when my my second husband walked into my life.

Many things may happen to us in our own lives that are not on the "Top Ten" list of things that could happen; but when we are able to allow ourselves to realize that it isn't bad, it isn't good, it just is, life opens up more opportunities.

It Isn't Bad, It Isn't Good, It Just Is

Let Go and Let God

Top of the morning to you all!

Snow is still falling here in Kennewick, Washington.  Schools are closed and people are staying hunkered down at home where possible.

I got to thinking about how much fun snow can be when we're out building a snowman, sledding or skiing.  I thought about how peaceful it is to sit by the fire, sipping hot chocolate, and looking at the winter wonderland through the sliding glass window.  Then I thought about how annoying it can be to shovel the sidewalk for the tenth or twelfth time in just a few weeks.  I thought about the slipping and slidding on icy roads, or in the traffic circle, but actually, it is a time for being thankful about driving slow and going with the flow.

That slippping and sliding on the road is a great analogy for life in general.  When we slip and slide we must go slow and not resist the sliding.  Putting on the brakes or fighting the flow can sometimes end up in getting us into some difficult situations. Instead, if we go with the flow and remember to offer an affirmative prayer, the situation releases its bleakness. We can say the prayer and then let go and let God, and trust the process, we can relase the struggle.

Many blessings, and enjoy the snow in my back yard!

Sandy Smith

The Warmth Within

New Year's Greetings!

Today finds me home after quite a few necessary errands.  Since we had about five inches of snow on the ground, the snow plows can only do so much.  I found myself slipping and sliding several times this afternoon.

I thought about that slipping and sliding, and I realized that I am experienced enough with snow to know that I just have to go slow and glide with the slide.  Sort of like when you feel the need to offer up an affirmative prayer.  I make that connection with spirit and then let go and let God.  I need to allow myself to Go with the flow of life and not struggle with the challenges. Every thing happens for a reason, even that little accident that reminds me to be focused and to be more careful

May your day be filled with health happiness and pleasant possibilities!

Namaste