Spirit Rising Ministries

Dear Friends,

It is with joy and gratitude that I am celebrating the one year anniversary of writing my blog. When I first began recording my messages in a word document last January, I titled it “52 Thoughts”, hoping I would actually have the discipline to write faithfully for a whole year. Although it has taken some discipline, I discovered the writing to be one of my greatest joys; not just because I got to share my thoughts with you, but because of what you have shared with me. Hearing how my words have impacted you has helped me to know you better and spurred me on to share with you in an ever deepening way. I am so very grateful for your continued interest and support. Thank you for all the joy you have given me.

 I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you as we journey into 2012 and wish you all the joy, peace and love your heart can hold as you create a “Happy You” year.

 Let your spirit soar!
Paula

Read Full Post »

I just finished watching a movie called “The Mighty”. It’s a wonderful story about two young boys, both with handicaps, who are social misfits. Together they find a way to accomplish what neither was able to do alone. That is a powerful message in itself but, the line from the script that really stood out for me was when the mother of the younger boy had to explain his death to his older friend. Her son had a rare disorder in which his bones stopped growing but the organs in his body continued to grow at a normal rate. When he died, his mom told his friend that her son’s heart had grown “too big for his body”.

 I often talk about how we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I wonder what it will take for us to return to the reality of the spiritual beings that we are. Perhaps it will happen when the love in our heart expands so much that it becomes too big for our body.

 Wishing you a heart full of love this holiday season.

 Let your spirit soar!
Paula

Read Full Post »

Since my computer was in the shop for almost a week, I’m sending two related thoughts today.

 How did you spend your day today? Did you drive to work, take out the trash, floss your teeth, run an errand or two, or change the oil in your car?

 Did you rush through any of your “chores” to get to the more important stuff in your life?

  A Course in Miracles says that “Only love is real.” When I think about how much of my time is spent in physical tasks necessary to support my physical being, like preparing food, buying clothes, sleeping, etc., it seems there isn’t much time left for me to do more “loving” things; hugging, listening to a friend, helping the needy. But a recent conversation with a friend reminded me that everything I do can be an act of love, whether for my self or someone “else”. Whether it’s putting the dishes away, wrapping a present or even just tying my shoes, doing it mindfully, with love, elevates the task from mundane to meaningful. And I’ve found the best way to be mindful is to slow down, even just a little bit, and stay in the moment.

 Actually, staying in the “moment” may not be the most accurate phrase to use. Scientists have finally become aware of the fact that time, as we experience it, doesn’t really exist. So what does staying in the “here and now” or “in the moment” really mean? For me, I’m beginning to realize that it’s not so much about staying in the moment. It’s more about staying in a state of love, no matter what I’m doing.

 If only love is real, then I’ll really be living.

 Have a warm and wonderful holiday season,
Paula

Read Full Post »

I was abruptly awakened from a dream this morning by my ringing telephone. It turned out to be a very welcomed wake up call because I had overslept and company was due to arrive in just one hour. I was dreaming that I was in a severe snow storm. I couldn’t even enter my home because the door had blown off and snow had drifted up to eye level within the entrance. I was trying to dig my way out (surely symbolic of a “real life” situation I’m currently trying to dig out from under!) when the phone woke me up. The call was from a friend inviting me out for lunch. I had to catch myself when I realized that I was about to ask her if the driving conditions were OK! I’m sure she would have laughed and reminded me that I was only dreaming about the snow, but it seemed so REAL!!!”

 Even more so than in our dreams, our everyday life seems incredibly real. But through a series of “wake up calls”, I am beginning to see that this supposed “life” I’m living is a dream state of sorts too. Whatever I give my strongest attention to (negatively or positively) I get more of; what I put out into the universe is what I get back. If I’m struggling with a particular situation, whether it has to do with money, a job, a relationship, or whatever, I see it mirrored back to me through television shows, friend’s circumstances, articles I read, etc. It’s in my face everywhere! I see now that each and every thought I have is shaping/creating the “reality” of my life and that the fastest way to change a situation that I’m challenged with is to change the way I think about it. Becoming aware that I’m the dreamer has helped me to create a happier dream.

 I imagine that, someday, when I finally, fully grasp that I am a spiritual being having a human experience, I’ll be able to stand completely outside this dream I call “my life” and in amazement say, “But it seemed so REAL!”

Let your spirit soar!
Paula

Read Full Post »