Well, August is winding down...only 1 week to go before we get into September. Fall is quickly approaching and there's a tropical storm (Harvey) in the Gulf so everyone is on high alert. But that's not what I want to talk about....
I'm reading A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson and the song Higher Love by Steve Winwood is one of the tunes in the current Centergy workout I stretch, bend, strengthen and sweat to at Dynamic Demensions in Moss Bluff.
As a word person, the lyrics to this song really caught my attention. Steve talks about finding a higher love "down in the heart or in the stars above" and how without this higher love, life is "a wasted time."
As a spiritual seeker, it amazes me how, where some folks hear a tune that gets their feet moving (it does that for me too LOL!) I hear words that reflect the longing in my soul.
In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the longing of everyone's soul.
How often do we run from job to job or relationship to relationship or even move from one location to another in search of something better? Something higher. Something that fulfills the ache in our heart and longing in our soul.
In reality what we're seeking is already within us....in our relationship with God.
And that's where Marianne's book comes into play.
A Return to Love is filled with thoughts and prayers about returning our hearts and minds to God, to reconnect with His love by power of the Holy Spirit within us and in others - which we pray to recognize, see and call forth in those whom we love and come into contact with. This leads to the healing of our soul, the perfection of our inner being, and is reflected in our outer life circumstances.
Now I know there's a lot of controversy around A Course in Miracles and this book is based on the author's understanding and reflections on the Course, but for me, it has opened a whole new outlook on Jesus' commandment to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).
Here's the rub though....do we really love ourselves?
And, how can we truly love anyone if we don't first love God and love our self?
How often do we put ourselves down in a way we'd never put down a friend or even a stranger for that matter!
So instead of thinking about all that's wrong in your life or the world at large, take a moment today and meditate on the blessings in your life and the good within yourself. Reflect on the love you've given others, the help you've extended when possible, the knowledge and experience you've shared just because you love what you do, and spend a few moments thanking and praising yourself for your generosity and God for the gifts and talents He's given you.
I promise doing this on a regular basis will lead to a realization of how full and beautiful your life really is!
Something to think about...
"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll drop by each week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
9 comments:
Sounds like a lovely book and one we can all benefit from. Thanks for sharing.
Well said, definitely food for thought. Sounds like a wonderful read!
A family friend called one morning complaining. He ran through a litany of gripes. I was busy, but listened. A few minutes later, he called back, had some items to add to his list. I got a little impatient. On the third call, I was annoyed. I said, "Take that baseball cap off your head (which he always wore), go upstairs to your room, kneel beside your bed and thank God in Heaven for every blessing you can think of. THEN call back. Two hours later! he called, properly humbled and a happier man. He had been on his knees the entire time. Sometimes people play back to me my own great advice, and I take it. Your blog today reminded me. Thanks!
If God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son, we must really, and truly be special to Him. He sees us worth loving, so we should love ourselves too.
Pam,
I agree--we should dwell on the positives in our lives. When we consider the negatives, we should think about problem-solving. One reason I enjoy reading love stories is because they do end happily and leave us with a positive feeling. These are also the kind of stories I enjoy writing.
Always, always, always your posts and guests inspire me to be a better person. They make me think and reflect on my self and others. Thank you for this one. I had a difficult night last night and would have to say I wasn't loving as He commands.
Thanks Pam. What an excellent reminder. When we strive to reach lofty goals we set, we need to remember the tremendous places we've come to already, and every single moment drenched in Christ's amazing love. So much to be grateful for!
Beautiful post, Pamela.
A very inspirational post, Pam. Thanks for the reminders.
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