Positive post-it day

Caitlyn was reprimanded for littering?  How can people be that ignorant ?!!

It makes me want to pass around the positive post-its all the more. 

Good one, Wendy. 

Thanks so much for sharing that inspiring piece, Wendy!

I bought a pad of multi-colored, heart-shaped post-its yesterday.  I'm going to post the teacher's lockers at my school.  I hope the reaction keeps with my intention... to spread love and joy.

Peace,

Noa

This song was used as a break the ice intro at my very first ministerial training session.  Two by two we had to get up with someone the instructors picked, and per instructions look them straight in the eyes and lovingly sing to them with all of our heart.  Some were very timid, some didn't want to do it all, some hammed it up and did a great job. The most noteable, two men, one about 6'2 and the other about 5'4 who did not know each other at all.  They were a riot but they also followed the instructions to a Tee.  40 of us attended that first weekend training and by the next weekend session, 10 of us remained. Those two men ended up the best of friends by the time we were ordained (as we all were).

When a survey was sent to folks that didn't return, almost every one said it was having to sing that song that intimidated them enough to not continue.  Huh! I thought, I could hardly believe that would be so difficult that it would deter someone from pursuing something that was so important-at least to me.  I also found it really hard to believe it is so hard for folks to let go of their egos enough to just open their hearts and actually SEE someone else. 

I guess I'd like to challenge you a little.  If you have a hard time looking deeply into a strangers eyes (or even someone that isn't a stranger) please work on it.  It's amazing how much heart space can open up between two people when you really truly see each other and take a moment to acknowledge that even if nothing at all in the way of spoken word transpires. It can also be an experience to simply look in the mirror and genuinely sing it to yourself. 

Love the song Wendy.  Love each other world.  To open hearts all 'round.   Blessings kristyne

Speaking as someone who has attended a lot of new age church retreats, I'm not surprised that many people are intimidated by singing publically, especially in such an intimate setting.  Most people have a hard time speaking in public, let alone singing.  Add to that the task of looking a stranger in the eye while saying loving words, and I can imagine how uncomfortable that could be for some.  I've sang in choirs for years, but it's not nearly as scary as a one-on-one serenade, especially if you're not a singer.

But I do see the value in it.  By overcoming our biggest fears and challenges we often reap our greatest rewards. 

If I were leading such a group, I would do this task in baby steps.  I think singing the song to one's mirrored reflection in the privacy of one's bathroom would be a big enough challenge for many people.  From there, I might have them write and/or say nice things about each other in small groups.  Then, depending upon how well those tasks were received, I might try the song in pairs.

Thank you for the beautiful song, Wendy. Although I realize that it's true, I still find that I have difficulty believing it with all my being (that I'm nothing less than beautiful). 

Maybe that's why I have a hard time with looking deeply in peoples' eyes, Krystine. I'm afraid of the intimacy of meeting someone's gaze; it can feel like an uncomfortable and awkward space, like walking into someone's bedroom and vice-versa. I don't know how to respond to what I feel there, in a culture where superficial small-talk is the appropriate conversational level among strangers and co-workers. I recognize that I want to shift and open in this area, but I don't know how to allow myself to. Even when the other person seems open and loving, I feel resistance to letting them in and allowing them to "see" my heart. It seems very ingrained, like an Adam and Eve shame at being naked kind of thing.

There seems to be so much pain there, but also beauty, in that deep space that wants to hide from the gaze of another, it seems impossible to experience one without the other. When I open that box, I start crying from the immense pain, love, beauty, and joy.

Love, Trish

Dear sweet and wonderful Trish.  If you were here with me, I would sing you that song and mean every word of it.  You add so much value when you post here; I feel deeply connected to your soul.

I'm going to post something soon that may help you get over the blocks you're experiencing.

Thank you Noa; there is an understanding that all is already well, and that this experience of blockage is only here so that the experience of learning, discovery, opening, and release can happen as well.

I notice that when I allow myself to experience this heart pain/love/joy, that my stomach becomes very tight and uncomfortable. My stomach seems to be another area that I block off and ignore, I usually use my heart for intuitive sensing but I've heard that the stomach is really the centre. I have a feeling that my stomach is trying to tell me something that I don't want to hear.

I learned more about it at this link:

http://awakeningself.com/writing/trust-your-gut/

and i concur.

Dear Wendy, Just getting back in after a few more challenges. Spent the first half of last week at hospital with hubby and the first half of this week in hospital myself after the cold bug that got me settled deeply in my chest. My husband is doing well, will have more tests and we'll attempt some self healing and energy healing in an effort to avoid a surgery the allopaths suggest he may need.  I'm doing better now, though health setbacks annoy and frustrate me (as I'm sure they do most folks.) You and I have spoken about asthma many times!

You asked about ministry and so I'll try to answer.  I'm a Coptic Fellowship Minister.  (http://www.thecopticcenter.org/about-us) Not a particular 'religion', but a fellowship that accepts the validity of many religions as a pathway to Self-Mastery and world service. If I had to label my religious beliefs they are most closely aligned with Christian Mysticism and Gnostic teachings.  Some might say 'new age', others would understand the foundation to be based on older teachings and ancient schools of thought.  You can read more about Coptic Fellowship at the link above if you want.

I was asked 'what' my ministry would be during the course of 'training' and at ordination and even now I have a difficult time speaking to that. It's my feeling that once we know we are 'called' (and you don't have to be an ordained minister to know you are) the opportunities to be of service appear and as you accept them your service enlarges.  I consider myself to be an outreach minister. I choose not to put myself in a box like 'teacher', healer, counselor...etc. I do what I'm called to do.

Each day I ask from a cosmic sort of view, what is it for me to do this day (bring it on) and I walk through it.  Whether it's in helping a dying friend or their family member, counseling a young one through some trouble, serving others in sometimes small and sometimes large ways, sharing a kind word with a stranger, providing healing service some would call reiki, laying on of hands etc.- as it comes I consider it a gift and I accept all that that encompasses without judgement or attachment to outcomes.  I ask in divine guidance and trust my highest self. 

The hardest thing for me to do is to accept it when I've had a week like this one, where Creator has challenged me to have to take care of myself first and set aside the needs of others momentarily as I struggle with my own breath.  But there's a purpose and a plan and it's greater than I am-and I AM.  I'm willing and I'm asking thy will be done in each moment.  I am greatful, thankful, blessed and know my Spirit is so strong even when my body can feel so weak...and I'm never alone. 

I 'do' facilitating drum circle leading others to understand connection through the medicine wheel, I lead a Sunday morning meditation group with many folks much older than myself that have chosen me as teacher though they teach me more than I 'teach' them imo.  I am honored and humbled by those I work with daily and those that are part of my soul group.  I'm not sure I've answered your questions so if not, ask me more again...when I'm not running on massive doses of steroids (nasty meds) and little sleep! Thank you Wendy, and all the rest of you here for sharing this walk with me.   love kristyne