Living in the Past is Death

Quote from Emmett Fox - Sermon on the Mount

When we seek to live upon yesterday's realization, we are actually seeking to live in the past, and to live in the past is death. The art of life is to live in the present moment, and to make that moment as perfect as we can by the realization that we are the instruments and expression of God Himself. The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to make today all that it should be.

My words:
How profound! This statement made me realize that hanging on to anything good or bad that happened in the past even if just 10 minutes ago is death! This moment right here right now is all that I have. I can choose to enjoy it to the fullest or spend it reliving the past ...moments that have already gone. I choose to enjoy my moments knowing that I am connected to God and all there is!

I hope that all of you will join me in the present moment and enjoy your life to the fullest!

Bless you all.
I love you.

Tina Mae

Greif Just a Part of Life? Life after Death?

This week has been trying to say the least for me. I lost my best friend after 16 years of being inseparable. His name was Ralphee and I miss his physical presence desperately! He was always there, regardless if I was sleeping, eating, or just playing at the computer. He was always with me, with no expectations and all he wanted to do was be near me. I did not realize until he was gone that this poodle of mine was an extension of my being. He was not only my pet but also my companion and life without him seems empty. I am lonely even in the presence of other people.

The irony of this story is that I know that he still “is”. He as well as all of us cannot cease to exist. The only thing that ceases to exist is his physical body. Intellectually I understand this. Unfortunately, this knowledge has not made the process of grieving any easier. The pain is no less severe. The difference that I have found in the process of grieving since my awakening is that I am feeling the feelings. I am observing as I grieve without judgment. In short I am accepting what is at this moment without deciding if it is good or bad. Ralphee is gone and it hurts – this is what is at this moment.

I have shifted my thoughts throughout the process of how much I loved him and how happy he was to see me whenever I entered the house. I know that as time goes by I am creating the feelings of happiness and contentment as I think of Ralphee. These thoughts of happiness will then become a habit when I think of Ralphee. Thus, the grief will pass and will be replaced by the loving thoughts of my friend.

In any situation that at first seems like it may be negative, one only needs to look at it for a moment without any judgments. Life is merely a stream of moments – these moments pass and in those moments there are many experiences for us to grow and learn from. If these experiences are labeled by us to be good or bad we could be missing the whole point. I found from really experiencing my grief through this process that this too shall pass. I am strong enough to handle everything that is given to me. Everything that happened on the day my friend died was just as it should be. As I lower my resistance and just be in the moment, the moments are incredible and have the potential to touch my soul if I only allow it. Every moment is a gift and one should learn to be present and observe!

I love you all! Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts please share yours with me so that we all can continue to increase our awareness!

Tina Mae

Everything In Life Is Exciting!

Everything in life is exciting! Only the perception of life makes it anything other than exciting. Everyday I find things to be thankful for despite events in my life that may look less than perfect. I am learning to take every moments as it comes just like my granddaughter does. They don't worry or fret! They are intense and in the moment, totally absorbed and present in everything that they do!

The teachers of our time tell us that it is necessary to learn to do one thing at a time. I have been trying this for the last week and it is a task that takes quite a bit of concentration and focus. However, over the past week I have experienced the bliss of just walking. It is amazing! I feel the muscles moving, the skeleton moving, my breath going in and out, the movement causing my hair move away from my face. It is extremely exhilerating and brings a smile to my face. I feel a peace and joy that I usually only experience during mediation.

Take a few moments- experience being present on your own. Only if it is for just one moment today. If you are eating only eat and pay attention to that. If you are washing dishes only wash dishes and pay attention to do that. Whatever you are doing give it your full attention. Repeat this through out the day. Notice the way you feel, notice how it feels just to be. Enjoy being as the animals, the plants, and the little children do.