Inviting Gratitude In--to Stay

Moss Gardens

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak, the strong. Lao-Tzu

"God is glorified, not by our groans, but by our Thanksgiving."  Edwin Percy Whipple

In recent weeks and days, I've been carrying around the book Living in Gratitude by Angeles Arrien. It accompanies me from room to room and from house to car in a cloth bag. I've meant to use the book at the beginning of the year to the end, but I have not been consistent in that effort. A new year gives me a fresh opportunity.

Gratitude has been a theme in recent years. Now even more is known about how living with gratitude effects our well being. On Angeles Arrien's website is a quote I have long loved: Walking the mystical path with practical feet.

I was moved to read that a gratitude journal helped allay Deborah Norville's migraine headaches within her daily challenges of anchor, wife, and mother.

Indeed, I have gratitude for Angeles Arrien, meeting her first in her brilliant tarot manual: Tarot Handbook Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols. Her anthropological background is such a rich tapestry in terms of legend, symbols, peoples, and universal shapes. I use her handbook and remain startled at the spiritual depth revealed in the work. It is a marvelous tool for personal growth on every level.

One needs, as the Buddhists say, to lean into a study of gratitude. Arrien offers the learner the forms gratitude can take and the portals through which it enters.

She writes of: blessings, protections, mercies, and learnings as the means we evolve in appreciation--in gratitude.

Blessings are "what we hold as the good in our lives." They are linked to Spirit, and our recognition of the presence of grace through ritual as in "a calling forth."

Protections are the literal and spiritual arms we extend to our loved ones: the elderly, the ill, and others through ritual and prayer.

Mercies are the elements of kindness and compassion, and also forgiveness woven into the lives we live despite human betrayal and dishonour. Haven't we all felt the power of forgiveness within ourselves? And the sweep of compassion and kindness that makes us better human beings?

Learnings are truths we glean from living our lives. Each of us comes to know both the happiness and suffering for which we live the gratitude within.

I know I need keep the book near me to assist in staying present in my year-long commitment to incorporating, appreciating the gifts of God's Hands.

It's in quietude, humility, one acknowledges the goodness received. With gratitude you aren't seeing how much you can hold, but as you learn to let go, how much you have in simplicity in which one draws a quiet strength.

Arrien writes that a sense of gratitude through the portals touched on above, inpact our relationships, health and well being, and even our fianacial world. Moreover, grateful people are happy people.

If you've never picked up a book by Angles Arrien, this may present an opportunity. The book is an indepth look at becoming aware of what we've received and the benefits of that awareness.

I will keep evolving if I open increasingly to gratitude, live it--and keep it.
Indeed I wish to invite gratitude in--to stay.

God's Blessings to you!

Nobility of Heart

The North rose window

Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartes

Chartes, France 2002

You should remember that although another may have more money, beauty, and brains than you, yet when it comes to the rarer spiritual values such as charity, self-sacrifice, honor, nobility of heart, you have an equal chance with everyone to be the most beloved and honored of all people. -Archibald Rutledge

In 1965 I was given a book by beloved friends I've cherished ever since I received it. Popular at the time, The Treasure Chest, has lifted me with it's quotes on character, brotherhood, and faith. 

But the quote by Archibald Rutledge may be one of the top quotes for me in the entire book of inspiritional thought. 

It holds the concept of an ideal of spiritual achievement forever open to all spiritual paths and followers. I put it on like a cloak. Yet one has to make it your own.

Life purpose has it's summation in but three and one half lines. The longer I wear this garment, the truer the fabric. It's never dimished. 

Every Faith has it's path of attainment. The mystic moves and breaths in all parts of the world. The person drawn to these words knows at one's core that material weath is never spiritual weath, and can even deter you from the finer qualities of character. 

Now it is the New Year. I gather my books around me like gold bars. And the Treasure Chest holding Archibald Rutledge's words offers a satin coat worn by illuminary souls and those like me, hoping to grow--into it.

My Need is You

My Need is You

When others darken my path,

My need is You;

When I am chastised for

Who I am,

My need is You; 

When I am lost,

My need is You;

When I am shamed,

My need is You;

When I ponder Your Name,

My need is You;

When others explode,

You are My Calm;

When I can't bear my load,

You are my support;

When I feel damaged,

You are My Healer;

When humans fail me,

I know you are Divine;

When I lack purpose,

My home is Thine;

When I rise, You are My Light;

When I need rest, You provide the night;

When I'm alone

I need You Still;

Fill me with Grace

For every hill;

Humans my shelter

Can never be,

As I sit...just at Your feet;

When I am depressed,

When I am blue,

It is then I know

I need You.

December 19, 2013

Connie Nelson Ahlberg

All Rights Reserved.

Taking Christmas as It Comes

You have to take your Christmas

As it comes--even if you've had losses;

In lettting go you can embrace

Your friends; Your Angels

Your family;Your tree;

For the New Year

Comes in Time

for Healing

And Wisdom

the gifts

of 

hard 

times

By

Connie

Nelson Ahlberg

All Rights Reserved.

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Renée Fleming and the Mormon Tabernacle C.../ Living Candles

Christmas isn't the frenzy

Or the rush of shopping carts;

Christmas is You

And the gift

We each impart:

Christmas is Living Candles

Glowing in the Dark.

©Connie Nelson Ahlberg - All Rights Reserved.

Prayer of the Clothes Horse

Lord, may my garments

of the day

Be all Your gifts

in full array:

acceptance, joy

patience, trust,

service and sane sacrifice.

May my gown of compassion

and my cape of caring

be garments

of the Love I am wearing.

Clothe me.

Amen.

©1995 Connie Nelson Ahlberg

Linda: When The Angels Say Hush!

In 1993 a beloved friend called and asked if I would help her write her Christmas letter. Her name is Linda. She said: All my letters sound the same; but if you could write it: all would be better.

I said of course and wrote down the happenings in her family for the past year: her life as an impeccable teacher, as wife to her husband Mike, and news on her dear daughter, Tasha.  

When my son gave me a surprise 60th birthday party, she and sister Bev, my teaching partner, were there, too, as I slithered down the wall of the Hotel Sofitel in my stunned awakening.

But not too long after the incredible party, Linda's voice disappeared on a phone call with her father. She was rushed to the local hospital and then air-lifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. We nearly lost Linda. Physicians discovered an aneurysm which had branches where no branches should be. An aneurysm is nothing you want, but something that happens. Many don't survive--and immediately fly up (my description of death).

But Linda, who had spent half her life in one of the Catholic Churches in Shakopee, MN, (either St. Mark's or St. John's), her life, most joyously, was spared. But the surgery and subsequent surgeries, caused mini-strokes. She lost the ability to speak clearly and never returned to the classroom she loved to teach.

What is fascinating with the passage of time, is the small poem I wrote is nothing compared to her life. For Linda, has triumphed. And in David Richo's dear words: she's used her "givens as graces." 

Her life isn't easy, but she still radiates joy which I credit to what author Susan Shumsky calls the Divine Within--or the still small voice of God. But for Linda it isn't small; it's a much bigger voice which has ennobled her life. 

She speaks more clearly now, but it's still a bit of a challenge. And all the work she tirelessly did for others is more limited. But she still does all she can, helping clean her father's house and maintaining her own home. She volunteers in the school library. 

Linda has accepted what happened years ago. The matted frame that bears the quote speaks louder than the poem. Because Linda and her faith simply shine. Not in total perfection because this is still the planet Earth, but as luminous as her private and public faith. 

So this blog post is dedicated to a woman and her sisters, and surviving brother who continue to embrace family and shine on past hard times. I love them all.

And all the gold you see above--is what Linda has done with her life along with husband Mike and daughter Tasha.

Linda would say: Embrace your road; it's your journey to God. 

When the Angels Say: Hush posted one year ago. (Easier to read.)

http://honoringthoseyoulove.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-first-day-of-christmas-when-angels.html