A Word

 PEACE

Just a word or a phrase can make all the difference.

When I am in intense pain, stressed or over worried about something, I have found that being still and stilling my mind can help me to cope, if my mind is clear enough to think or remember..

The word I choose is “Peace”. I repeat it internally,gently, and focus only on that word. The relief and peace that follows sustains me, incredibly, in the direst of moments.

It does not have to be a word, it could be a phrase. Today, when my mind was overloaded the phrase “all will be well”, which comes from Julian of Norwich, helped me to remember this truth and find more balance, feel calmer,more hopeful in a stressed space.

Words are not always possible with severe cognitive dysfunction, even in your mind, but focussing innerly to a place within me not touched by angst or pain or suffering, lifts me to a higher place where peace resides.

Or just looking at something beautiful, like a flower or a picture, I have found that the beauty can touch you without any words needed, comforts, brightens, helps in some mysterious, wonderful, healing sort of way.

 

It is easy to let this moment pass by without giving it  any or enough attention. Yet life is only ever lived in the present.

Each  moment is infinitely precious. 

Each breath is infinitely precious. 

Each choice we make infinitely matters, but how can I choose if I am not present?

Living in this  moment gives me the space, I need,  to see clearly, be grounded, be still, be centered. 

I see smaller,  seemingly insignificant things, that would not have been noticed, like a ladybird in a bud or a minute hovering insect, it is the hope for the planet and I am humbled.

Time seems to slow, awareness seems to open

I look up when I hear the Red Kite cry as it swoops low over my head.

The bird gives me a  vastly different perspective on where I am. 

There is peace in beauty, the light through the trees, the shadows on the road.

I  am calmer,  more connected.

I am more aware, more conscious of my inner as well as my outer self.

I am more hopeful,  less compulsive , less fearful.

I am caught up in the wonder of it all.

Embraced.

By this, the only moment we will ever have, which touches the whole of creation.

Prayer Is…

 

Sometimes prayer is words

Sometimes prayer is silence

Some times prayer is laughter

Sometimes prayer is song

Other times prayer is tears

Sometimes prayer is dancing

Sometimes prayer is gardening

Sometimes prayer is stillness

Other times prayer is doing the washing up

All times prayer is service

All times service is prayer in action

Always pain can be felt as prayer

Always compassion is prayer

Always life is prayer

Living itself in all aspects of life is prayer

Any action can be prayer

Any thought can be prayer

For we are all one in Spirit

A blessing for the earth the flowers the seeds

 I am delighted to share this beautiful piece of music composed by Greg, with a blessing for all the earth, so much needed right now at this time of difficult heat waves.

May the video and the blessings go out and touch the earth bringing healing and hope for us all. Amen.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L56uGCVPPhQ

Here is the full blessing that I wrote a few years ago.

I bless the earth 

Where lies the seed 

I bless the rain 

Which wakes the seed 

I bless the sun 

That calls the seed to life 

I bless the roots and leaves that feed the seedlings 

I bless each plant, each weed, each blade of grass 

That pierces through the darkened soil 

I bless all plants within creation 

That sustain us all I bless the food, the flowers, the trees 

That bring us the energy of life itself 

I bless each stem, each, root, each leaf and fruit 

I bless their struggle to survive the destructive forces of nature and mankind 

I bless the ground in which they stand 

May all that lives be tenderly blessed.

Peace

 When you have a body that is chaotic with intense symptoms and indescribable pain, peace is the least likely thing that you will feel, yet it is also internally and externally in your environment, the most essential thing to try and find and cling on to. This is our Prayer every day. May it bless you all too.

Praying

Let us always pray in confidence,

Knowing that you hear us

And will answer,.

Amen

 

Restore me

When I lose my peace

And get lost in hurt, loss, distress,

Lord, guide me to a place

Where grace can fill me once again

And restore calm and balance to me. Amen