I am sacred. My vessel is beautiful. I shall embrace these truths as prayer. -gws
Sacred
Category: Journey of Self
Polished
I wander amongst the damp earth and moss covered trees. I walk by the water where the stones are worn smooth and reflect on how life has polished and refined me. -gws
October Eclipse
I took a walk under warm October skies. Friday night lights lit my way as the marching band at the local high school played Motown on the nearby football field. As I walked down the street, I passed a young woman in a relaxed phone conversation on her front porch. She was joyously telling the person on the other end of the phone that she had just realized that she was excited to get married, and I smiled at her to show my joy at her joy. She smiled back in acknowledgement. But as I made my way toward home, my smile quickly faded as I realized that I never got to experience that feeling she was describing. I never got to be excited about getting married. Every time I started to get excited a shadow would eclipse my sun. Another discovery. Another confrontation. Another meltdown. Another confession. Another betrayal. Another, "I'm sorry." Another. Another. Another... Stolen joy. Disappointment. Hurt. Reassessment. Promise. Betrayal. Apology... I envied that woman's excitement. More, I wished her great love and lasting happiness. I knew neither. I watched red contrails crisscross the orange-glow, autumn sunset sky, and wondered if it could have been different. I wondered if it should have been different. I wondered if it should be different. I returned home to my reality, and as I stepped back into my rut-worn role in my desaturated, carbon copy world, I hoped tomorrow might be different despite knowing that would likely never be. -gws
Magic is…
Magic is being present where you are. -gws You don't need elaborate spells and rituals. Connecting to now and what is can be enough.
Gentle Mother, Goddess of Light
Gentle Mother, Goddess of Light Who is my provider and peacemaker My guardian and counselor Who is my teacher and my grace I lay my weary head down upon your thigh And relax into your comforting embrace As a child with her mother I release my fears and worries over to your care And float, unburdened, in the warmth of your love I bare to you my imperfections and am reminded that I am exactly as I am meant to be I ask you to guide me to always do the next right thing I ask you to remind me to be as forgiving of myself as you are of me My love and trust in you are perfect As your love and guidance for me is perfect Help me to be where my feet are Help me to manifest strength when I need Help me to think and act with compassion for others and myself Help me to forgive more willingly Help me to know and live my truth regardless of others' understanding of it Help me to set aside my defenses and listen with empathy Help me to find a little more patience when I fall short Help me to know when to stand and when to withdraw May I be humbled and inspired by you And may I manifest your motherly love in all directions I travel in this life -gws
This Moment (I Will)
I will slow and be observant of this moment I will breathe deep and remember that Divinity is suspended within that breath I will release expectations and surrender to the experience of unfolding I will still myself and listen to the music in the rustling of wind in leaves I will raise my face and rejoice in the splashing of rain I will find magic in my children's laughter I will be watchful for the spontaneous manifestation of joy I will allow space for silence so I can leave room to hear my own soul speak I will radiate compassion for myself and others I will love myself at lease as much as others love me I will forgive myself when I forget my grace I will practice replacing anger and resentment with empathy for the other I will stop to replenish my own cup before trying to fill the cups of others I will try shifting my perspective when I am conflicted in order to scout a path through I will accept myself as I am for I am perfectly imperfect as a forever evolving work in progress I will always stand back up despite life's bruises and pain even if it takes me a minute for I am resilient I will remember that strength is also knowing when to rest and relinquish and try again tomorrow -gws
Resentment
Sitting deep in my resentments Realizing they stem from loss and sorrow Of dreams eviscerated Of hard work and sweat made irrelevant Of a vision shattered and danced upon As if it was the wicked witch’s grave Years of work wiped away Passions extinguished leaving a scarred ruin of what was wonderful Hope of resurrection gasping away the opportunity for salvation with each passing day -gws
Step 1: Powerlessness
Accepting powerlessness does not equate to resignation. Accepting my powerlessness over people, places, and things is working to accept the things I cannot change or control in a way which invites serenity and hope for a different way of existing. Resignation is acceptance of what is undesirable, but inevitable. Resignation implies resentment and judgment are involved; a sense of, "I have no choice." Accepting my powerlessness is very much a choice, and an impowered one I'm compelled to make every time I recognize I'm in a situation where I cannot control the details or the outcome. By accepting my powerlessness, I am making two choices: to care for my own sanity, and to live with hope. In accepting my powerlessness, I can release my self-inflicted codependent chains which weigh me down and add to my suffering. By freeing myself from the compulsive desire to influence the outcome of situations that are not mine to own, manage or fix, I can start to regain a sense of peace and calm. I can only be responsible for me and my reactions. I cannot take on the responsibility of others, their behavior, or their reactions. Embracing that truth brings a great sense of freedom. Letting go and letting God, in whatever form I envision God, returns me to myself. I'm not trying to herd cats or conduct the orchestra while rewriting the score to "make it better." That's not my job. That's not my responsibility. I cannot prevent or protect others from the consequences of their own choices. I cannot be someone else's higher power, nor do I wish to be. I strive to stay where my feet are, to check in with myself, and to do my best to only manage me. The rest I have to put into the hands of the higher power of my own imagining, and trust that Power will use my love and faith to bring into being what is in my best interest. I also trust that other people's higher powers will do the same for them. -gws
The Hummingbird
One morning I needed to go buy some cereal. As I left my house, I prayed out loud saying, "Things are tough right now, and I have much fear. I know I am supposed to trust in you, but I am feeling doubt that i am surrendering to your will, and having difficulty trusting that you will catch me when I fall despite experiencing over and over that you always take care of me. Please. I need a sign that you'll see me through this challenge." I prayed this walking from my front door to my car. As I got into the car, I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as I finished up this prayer. I closed the car door, and with a small sob, I looked up to witness the most gentle of Divine communication. Hovering just on the other side of the driver's side window was a hummingbird who was staring right at me. My sob instantly became a laugh as I recognized my higher power appearing before me. I know my higher power was saying, "I've got you. You will be okay." As soon as my soul recognized this tiny being as a messenger from Spirit, the sweet bird flew off, and a bit of weight lifted from my heart. The next day began with conflict and chaos. It felt particularly bad since I was already in such a fragile emotional state. However, that little life's message of, "Just hold on. You'll be ok," blossomed into reality that afternoon as I received a phone call saying that a new position was about to be created, and the manager had only one person in mind to fill it: me. Wow! There's no guarantee that this opportunity will "fix" my problems and challenges, but I am confident that it can only help. There's a lot of space between now and if I get the position, but I am grateful to be reminded that my faith and trust in my higher power is both real and powerful medicine. -gws
Inner Garden
I will water the seedlings of positivity and remove the weeds of fear growing in my inner garden -gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 