Spirit Rising Ministries

While watching a war movie with scenes of combat, it was pointed out to me that the medics lay down their weapons, risking their own lives, in order to tend to the injured men. It has me thinking about the concept of laying down weapons and whether or not I would be willing to take that risk. It occurred to me that I have a potent, far reaching weapon that I use each and every day.

That weapon is judgment. It affects people whether we are face to face or they are far away. It is often a negative thought that someone is wrong or somehow inadequate (injured). I wonder what the risk would be to lay that judgment down and help that person instead. A Course in Miracles says, “When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself. As you think of him, you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself.” The next time I am tempted to judge someone else, I hope I will remember to lay my weapon down. Perhaps we can both be saved.

Let your spirit soar!
Paula

Read Full Post »

A while back I shared that I was entering my spiritual memoir manuscript in a writing contest. Thank you again for all the encouragement and support I received from you. Today, the thirty potential candidates were announced. My book is not one of them. I was a bit surprised because it felt like the stars were aligned on this one. What I’m forgetting is that the stars are always aligned. It is my resistance that gets in the way. As with all journeys I’ve taken in life, I don’t always end up where I think I am going. If I resist the new direction, I miss the other glorious opportunities that may be presented to me along the way. I might never have completed my book if that contest had not looked so promising and I never would have had the delightful interaction that I experienced with new friends in a writer’s group. I am certain my book will be published at just the right time in just the right way. The details don’t matter right now. I’ve already won.

Let your spirit soar!                                              
Paula

Read Full Post »

Sometimes I find myself having too much to do or being upset about some issue or big decision I have to make. My usual line of thinking would be that, once everything is done, the issue is resolved or my decision is made, then I would be more peaceful. Lately, I’ve been trying a different approach. Instead of seeing peace coming as a result of meeting my challenges, I’m using it as a tool to lessen the struggle. When I take the time to quiet my mind and get peaceful before dealing with a problem, everything goes more smoothly. I am more organized, more easily find solutions to the issues I’m dealing with and I am better able to hear my inner guidance about the decisions I have to make. So, instead of chasing after peace, I put peace first.

Let your spirit soar!         
Paula

Read Full Post »

I’m reading a book of poetry and it strikes me, once again, how powerful words are; the pictures they create in our minds, the feelings they evoke. But even more powerful than words are our thoughts. They come first with the words following close behind. Everything that was ever created began with a thought. I am gaining a much greater respect for my thoughts as I see how they affect my experience of the world. It has made me think twice about ever again using the phrase, “It’s just a thought.”

Let your spirit soar!
Paula

Read Full Post »