Phineas Parkhurst Quimby - the southwest region of unity ministries

2245 E. Colorado Blvd #104-305 Pasadena, CA 91107
www.unitysouthwestregion.com
Representative: Rev. Denese Schellink – 805-708-7345 - [email protected]
September 1, 2016
Southwest Unity Regional Conference
The SW Regional Conference is an opportunity for lay
leaders, ministers and licensed teachers from Unity
churches to gather together for networking and
professional development.
Our SW Regional Unity Conference is scheduled
for October 3 – 5, 2016 and registration closes
Sept. 7. For information about the conference
including agenda, featured speakers and hotel,
please visit our regional webpage listed above. If
you have any questions about the conference or
need assistance with registration, please call or
email our Conference Chair, Jeri Royce, at
[email protected] or 602-3217044
IMPORTANT: If you have sent a tithe check to the Region during the last couple of months that has NOT
been acknowledged in writing, please let Margee know. The post office is searching for a misdirected
mailing of a group of checks from our Pasadena mail forwarding service, and we may need verification
that such a piece of mail existed. Please ask the person in your office responsible for mailing your tithes
to verify issue of a tithe check for which the minister has not received our note of appreciation. All
checks received and deposited by August 19 have now been acknowledged.
http://www.unity.fm/program/FunniestThing AUG 31
Stepping Out Boldly, With Daily Word Editor Elaine
Meyer Anything you'd like to do can be a thrilling adventure in
faith. Once you step out in the direction of your desire, the
universe will conspire on your behalf and great things will occur
naturally. This week, Darrell and Ed stepped out boldly and asked
new Daily Word® editor Elaine Meyer to read and discuss today's
message, "Comfort." She said, "Yes!"
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=
a07ed2g23ekfbab820c&llr=biihjjcab Use this URL to REGISTER FOR Gary’s EVENT BELOW
Dear colleague in Unity,
I am so enthused to share and
personally invite you to attend the
Transformational Leadership
Training here at Unity of Santa Barbara on 9/23 &
9/24. This is the integral model of church that has
been field tested to move ministries to the next level
of effectiveness, by shifting from the old paradigm of
minister centric functioning to mission (community)
centric. Dr. Gary Simmons developed this Integral
Model of Ministry as part of his doctoral research,
and the program was endorsed by Ken Wilbur
(brainchild of Integral theory) and was used in the
pilot program where 13 Unity ministries adopted this
model to achieve successful results.
As leaders of churches in this era of declining
attendance your understanding and appreciation of
this new model will be essential. You can get more
details and register for this program on link at top
left. Please plan to attend if at all possible. We are
offering an early registration price of $49, up until
September 17. For those of you out of the area this
might be just the time for a getaway (with
enlightenment benefits) in beautiful Santa Barbara,
CA!
Here is the schedule:
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Friday Sept. 23: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
•
Saturday, September 24: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please join us as we learn a new path forward to ride
the wave of change and remain relevant and
impactful as spiritual communities.
Warm regards, Rev. Larry
Rev. Larry Schellink
Newsletter:
August 31,
2016
Loving Kindness Meditation a Benefit to Teens
The American Psychological Association conducted a national
survey in 2014 focused on stress in adolescents ages 13-17. In
this survey teens reported 31% of the time that their stress
levels have increased from the previous year. Of greater
concern, is that 42% said they were doing very little about it.
Participants in a recently released study in the Journal of
Adolescence went to a five day mindfulness retreat aimed not
only at teaching relaxation and mindfulness skills, but also
coupled that with lessons on gratitude, compassion and a
particular meditation practice called ‘loving kindness’. The teens that participated in the study
showed both short term and long-term benefits after the retreat. Researchers plan to continue to
study groups of teens that have participated in this retreat and compare them with others who have
not. Read more about it here: http://www.mindful.org/self-compassion-can-help-teens-destress/?mc_cid=c2b53a9fb8&mc_eid=6261aab001
Loving Kindness Meditation
We never tire of sharing this profound meditation from contributor Sharon Salzberg, because it's so
fundamental. Her Loving Kindness Meditation found in the Relaxing Rhythms program is essential to
opening our hearts and truly developing empathy and compassion for those around us, and ourselves.
Please set aside some time to enjoy this audio meditation.
(Past the link below into your browser)
https://wdaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/loving_kindness.mp3?mc_cid=c2b53a9fb8&mc_eid=6261aab001
The practice of empathy is a natural progression when you begin
a meditation or mindfulness program. As we learn to observe
rather than react to situations around us, we open ourselves up
to other points of view. This in turn leads to healthier and more
rewarding relationships, both within us and with others.
And if all of the above is not enough, then review this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-seppala-phd/18sciencebased-reasonst_b_5823952.html?mc_cid=c2b53a9fb8&mc_eid=6261aab001
which summarizes all of the studies that have been done around
this specific type of meditation. You'll find that there are a whole
host of additional benefits.
This is one of the most important lessons in the Relaxing Rhythms Personal Edition you can find
to help you cultivate happiness in your daily life.
You can learn more about this program on our web site :
https://wilddivine.com/products/relaxing-rhythms?mc_cid=c2b53a9fb8&mc_eid=6261aab001
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.-Anne Frank
http://www.unity.fm/program/PopConscious 6/16/14
This episode begins with the continuation of our talk with
Charles Holt, Broadway performer-turned-inspirationalspeaker-singer-author, talking about The Lion King, and
continues with our special guest Bennett Quintard.
Bennett is one of the International Youth of Unity
representatives for this year, and he is about to embark
upon a Global Citizen Bridge Year in Ecuador. He's also a
talented guitarist and singer, so we'll talk about his pop
culture influences and a few of our own!
Malayna Dawn August 27 ·
I am fairly pleased with my website upgrades and consolidation of late. I've moved and redesigned
my Symbolic Themes blog which is now at www.malaynadawn.com/blog AND (eeeeeee!) revived
Spiral Whirled Travels in (almost) all of its former glory! See it at http://travel.malaynadawn.com
After reading the posting above,
I went to Malayna’s Symbolic
Theme blog and saw that she was
celebrating there the first article
that Belief.net published of hers. It
is great fun to read, and uses
archetypes to describe the 12 Life
Lessons from Ellen’s Oscar Selfie.
Each person in the picture (i.e,
Ellen, Bradley Cooper, Meryl
Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Jaret
Leto, Channing Tatum, Julia
Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt,
Lapita Lyong’o, Junior Lyong’o
and Angela Jolie – all are matched
with archetypes representing
qualities necessary for persons on a
spiritual path!
http://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/galleries/12-life-lessons-from-ellens-epic-oscar-selfie.aspx
Check out Malayna’s blog. Did you know that Malayna is another who has drank Molly’s Kool-Aid that
interests folks in their spiritual destiny, and she is now enrolled in on-line ministerial education classes?
You’ll see her at the SW Conference and learn from her nametag that her last name is Weeratunga
http://www.unity.fm/program/Soulstream June 03, 2015
Soul Travel, With Malayna Dawn Join host Kristin and
her special guest Malayna Dawn as they explore the assistance
that past (and parallel) lives, dreams, and travel provide us in
our current life journey. Light up your power of imagination as
we explore these topics drawn from personal experiences
and Echoes Across Time, Malayna's spiritual adventure novel.
https://www.facebook.com/daily.fillmore
The spiritual substance from which comes all
visible wealth is never depleted. It is right with you
all the time and responds to your faith in it and
your demands on it. It is not affected by our
ignorant talk of hard times, though we are affected
because our thoughts and words govern our
demonstration. The unfailing source is always
ready to give. -- Charles Fillmore
Kelly Isola added 2 new photos — with Lauri Boyd at Unity of Columbia MO.
Years ago I created this sand ceremony, using multiple colors of sand. I have used it many times over the years
when there is a community or group involved, such as for a wedding, funeral, House blessing, building
dedication or a baptism, or in this case the installation of a Senior Minister Rev. Lauri Boyd.
Everyone that's present gets to add teaspoonfuls of color of their own choosing to create these mosaics. In this
case we created three, one to stay in the main sanctuary of the church, one to be on the altar in the small prayer
chapel, and one for Lauri to have in her office
.
(This is the creative expression of about 150 people)
Here are a few of the things that I say during the ceremony:
You see before you bowls of sand, the sand representing earth. The earth symbolizes the return to the nurturing
heart within each of you. Earth’s energy is about accommodation. It is stable, yet it is yielding to water. Earth
houses fire within its core, and it communes with air through the breathing of plants.
The colors of earth you see here represent qualities you will draw on throughout the years.
WHITE – pure, wholeness, love, God
BLUE – trust, peace, loyalty
RED – passion, energy, emotion
GREEN – balance and growth
PURPLE – power, mystic, honor
YELLOW – optimistic, hope, fun
BROWN – security, health
BLACK – Sabbath, mystery, void
ORANGE – creative, imagination
We will be creating a mosaic of layers of sand that is a reminder of our individual lives coming together
creating something more beautiful.
As each person here pours your unique sand, you are blessing Unity of Columbia with your own touch of
beauty and love, affirming the attributes of the color that you are pouring into the vase, acknowledging the
energy of that color that is alive in the spiritual community and calling it forth in even greater measure.
As each of you pour sand, we honor the part you have played in making this community what it is today.
May this joining of earth be a reminder to always look to dive deeply into the ground of your own being, to
stabilize, sustain, and enrich the wild energy and exuberance which is so alive in and through each of you, and
being made manifest as your spiritual leader, Rev. Lauri Boyd, and as this spiritual community, Unity of
Columbia.
PS About the same, Kelly says: You can find it at Michaels or other hobby/craft stores. Also on
Amazon. You can get everything at Amazon! :)
Dear One,
Remember when you were a child? You had an image of yourself, and you could not begin to imagine who you would
become.
And you currently have an image of yourself. And you cannot begin to imagine who you are becoming.
You will begin to own (really own) your power.
You will begin to live (really live) the life you came here to live.
You will astound yourself, with the love you have (for yourself, and for others).
You will dream bigger dreams than you have ever thought possible.
I know this, because I AM you. Yes, it is quite exciting Margee.
And, I also know, that at times it can be scary. This is a lot of change I’m talking about. And change is sometimes
scary.
So call on me when you are afraid. I will guide you through the scary parts. Because, dear one, I know the way.
With astonishing love for you,
Your Future Self
P.S. Don’t forget the fun. It really IS about the fun, right here right now, AND dreaming an amazing future at the same
time! You are about to get really, really good at that Margee! Remember, practice does make perfect.
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby
http://www.ppquimby.com
"I find that I am not generally understood when I say mind is matter. Words
are not matter but they are the names of something either matter or solid.
The word solid cannot be applied to anything that can be changed. Therefore,
it must be applied to wisdom because that fills all space and cannot be made
larger or denser; it is in and through all matter, which is called solid. I apply
the word only to wisdom. Opinions I call matter, for they can be changed. The
word does not change but the substance does. All names, as I have said, are to represent something. As
this wisdom which fills all space is in all matter, matter seems to have life of itself. But life is in the
knowledge of this change, not in the thing that changes. So when I say all disease is in the mind, I do not
mean in the word, but in the substance. For instance, all the elements of the rose are in the odor; and if
the word matter is applied to the rose or living bush, the odor would represent its mind or wisdom, but
the wisdom that spoke the rose into existence is not a part of either; yet it holds it in all its different
combinations." ~Phineas Parkhurst Quimby; Article: Language [II] - Printed Page: 357
"I could give hundreds of cases to prove that the fluids change instantly and this is the reason for so
many miraculous cures ever since the world began. I will give another case. I went to see a person who
was blind, as he said. His eyes were bandaged up with two or three handkerchiefs and the room he
occupied was so dark, it was with difficulty I could see his face. When I sat down by him, I felt a
sensation I cannot describe (which jarred on my system like discords in music) which I had to correct.
When this sensation had lulled away, I felt as if the man could see. I loosened the bandage wherewith
his eyes were bound and commanded him saying, Arise, go ye to the door of thy dwelling and behold
thou shalt see. And straightway he arose and did so and the sun shone out of the firmament into his
eyes and he looked about him and behold, he could see. And it was good. He has had his sight ever since
then." ~Phineas Parkhurst Quimby; Article: Experiences in Healing, Spiritualism and Mesmerism Printed Page: 256
"While I am explaining this Christ I will give you the trinity that I believe in, that is P. P. Quimby's trinity,
not that P.P.Q. is the trinity but that P.P.Q. believes it. He believes in one living and true wisdom called
God, in Jesus (flesh and blood) a medium of this truth, and in the Holy Ghost or explanation of God to
man. Here is my trinity and the Holy Ghost is the Science that will lead you into all truth. It will break the
band of error and triumph over the opinion of the world. This Holy Ghost is what is with your Christ that
your fleshly man knows not of; this is the Christ in you that has been cast into prison since you were first
sick; it is the Christ that Jesus speaks of that preached to the prisoners long before the flood. This same
Christ was crucified at the death of Jesus and laid in the tomb of Joseph's new doctrines, not with the
body of Jesus." ~Phineas Parkhurst Quimby; Article: Experience of a Patient with Dr. Quimby Printed Page: 252
Esther Hicks https://www.facebook.com/AbrahamDaily
https://youtu.be/_j08iF7sK-Q Say all day every day this best question to ask
yourself EVEN MORE EXCELLENT ThAN USUAL
Overwhelment is about you not being up to speed with what you told the
Universe that you want. The Universe is yielding to you. You're just not
ready to receive it right now. ---Abraham
Source Energy is intimately, infinitely, always responding to your requests,
no matter how great or small they may be deemed by you or anyone else who is observing them.
There is nothing so big that Source Energy can't get its thoughts around it—and there is nothing
so small that Source Energy isn't willing to get its thoughts around it. ---Abraham
Mike Dooley https://www.facebook.com/mikedooley
Always remember, Beloved, when it comes to climbing mountains, slaying dragons,
or just plain getting what you want, you've got a built-in, double-secret advantage:
You're supernatural.
Shhhhhh ... don't tell anyone,
The Universe
The few who look forward, Beloved, while knocking on new doors, no matter how
futile it may seem or how insignificant their progress, will carry the many who just
keep waiting for things to get better.
And the few will "suddenly" become overnight legends within their families, 'hoods,
and countries, while having the most fun, with the most friends, at the most afterparties.
Win/Win, baby -
The Universe
When in doubt, Beloved, show up early. Think less. Feel more. Ask once. Give
thanks. Expect the best. Appreciate everything. Never give up. Make it fun. Lead.
Invent. Regroup. Wink. Chill. Smile. And live as if your success was inevitable, and
so it shall be.
Happy global domination,
The Universe
DAVID HAWKINS – see Facebook
If we examine the concept of causation (cal. level 450), it will be
discovered that "cause" is a concept that has no actual existence in
reality… For example, to explain the whereabouts of a speck of dust in a
room requires the inclusion of the effects of climate, air movement,
humidity, temperature, barometric pressure, location, the house, the lot,
the neighborhood, the country, the planet, and onward to include the
evolution of the galaxy and the universe itself. Thus, upon examination, the number of contributory,
observable "causal" factors is infinite in every instance. – “Truth vs. Falsehood: How to Tell the
Difference” (2005), Chapter 5: The Essential Structure of Truth, p. 47
Safeguards against being programmed by society are (1) emotional detachment, in which all
information is viewed as provisional, (2) awareness that ordinary mentalization is unable to discern
perception from essence, and (3) knowing that the wolf often hides beneath sheep's clothing. This
suspension of belief is the practical application of the basic dictum to "wear the world like a light
garment." To "be in the world but not of it" is a mode of attention that nevertheless still allows
spontaneous interaction and function in society. – “Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man” (2008),
Chapter 8: Cultural Premises and Truth, p. 158
Jokes De Jour
https://youtu.be/vPFCn3itBFE - Mary
Maxwell Says Grace
https://youtu.be/YAIeB6f0Fv8 - Jeanne Robertson
Why are there so many Andersons in the phone book?
Because they all have phones.
What do you call a guitarist without a significant other? Homeless.
The 2.99 Special
We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the 'seniors' special' was two
eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99. 'Sounds good,' my wife
said. 'But I don't want the eggs.'
'Then, I'll have to charge you $3.49 because you're ordering a la carte,'
the waitress warned her. 'You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the
eggs?' my wife asked incredulously.
'YES!' stated the waitress. 'I'll take the special then,' my wife said.
'How do you want your eggs?' the waitress asked. 'Raw and in the shell,' my wife replied.
She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.
INTERESTING STUFF (Purely for Fun, if you like interesting facts)
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In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed
to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the
rule of thumb'
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled
'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'. . . and thus, the word GOLF entered
into the English language.
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred
and Wilma Flintstone.
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
Coca-Cola was originally green.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...) The
percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any
given hour: 61,000
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from
history: Spades - King David; Hearts – Charlemagne; Clubs -Alexander,
the Great; Diamonds - Julius Caesar
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air,
he person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person
died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on
the ground, the person died of natural causes
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John
Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2,
but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what? A. Their birthplace
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat
name requested? A. Obsession
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Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you
would find the letter 'A'? A. One thousand
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser
printers have in common? A. All were invented by women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil? A. Honey
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed
firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...'Goodnight , sleep tight'
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month
after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all
he mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their
calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which
we know today as the honeymoon.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England,
when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your
pints and quarts, and settle down.' It's where we get the phrase 'mind your
P's and Q's'
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the
rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used
the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by
this practice.
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.
Notable Quotes
The Spirit said to me, 'You have looked among your
faults; now look among your virtues.' ... As I gained
real poise, and the ability to keep my thoughts and
feelings truly free, I was healed and restored to strength
and normal functioning ... I only know that my
experience was much like that of the blind man whom
Jesus healed: 'One thing I know, that, whereas I was
blind, now I see.' (Jn. 9:25). -- Myrtle Fillmore
The mind of a bigot to the pupil of the eye; the more
light you pour on it, the more it contracts. -- Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894)
The term 'working mother' is ridiculously redundant. -- Donna Reed, actress (1921-1986)
The fingers of your thoughts are molding your face ceaselessly. -- Charles Reznikoff, poet (1894-1976)
They succeed, because they think they can. – Virgil, Poet (70 - 19 BC)
For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery Novelist (1900 - 1944)
VIDEOS & AUDIOS WORTH WATCHING OR HEARING
https://youtu.be/sy0Pzc849KA Justin Epstein - Beware the Dangling Carrot
https://youtu.be/9w2MCpzE8u0 Evidence of Reincarnation - Science PV
https://youtu.be/Nw0s4C0g5SM Funeral – Unlike any you have experienced!
How to Separate Your Desires from Your Aspirations
Aug 23, 2016 - Deepak Chopra - in Linked In
One of the most important distinctions in the arc of success is telling the
difference between a short-term desire and an aspiration, which is longterm. So ask yourself, What do you want today versus what you want five
years from now? Short-term desires tend to dominate what happens at
work throughout the day, because life is immediate--it's always happening right now.
Long-range goals are different, not because they lie far ahead in the future but because
what you do right now isn't the same as fulfilling a short-term desire.
The chief obstacle to consciously building future success is having to focus on the
torrent of small things that fill your mind from day to day, unless you free yourself
and look toward your aspirations. You must make time for the future before it arrives;
otherwise, a year from now you are likely to be doing basically the same thing that
you're doing today.
Making time for the future comes down to five steps. Let me repeat them since they
lay the groundwork for fulfilling long-range goals.
1. Write down a single vision, project, or mission.
2. Set time aside to work on it every day.
3. Work consists of doing research, making connections,
investigating your target audience or market, learning from
projects similar to yours, challenging your assumptions,
writing a proposal, seeking a mentor, partner, or confidant to
bounce your ideas off, and raising capital if needed.
4. Set interim deadlines that you can reasonably meet every
month.
5. Be adaptable about changing your project as it unfolds.
As you see, some real commitment is involved. It's important therefore to think about
what your vision or mission should be. Let me propose an idea that runs counter to a
certain school of thought. That school focuses on the pursuit of excellence, climbing
from "good to great," or adopting the habits of highly successful achievers. In other
words, you are urged to concentrate on external goals and the means to achieve them.
In my experience teaching high achievers in business school courses, the one thing
they point to as the cause of their achievement is luck. They look back and realize that
they were in the right place at the right time. A vision that can only succeed on the
basis of luck only works for the tiniest sliver of the work force. Behind every CEO
who makes the cover of Fortune magazine there is a trail of frustration littered with
everyone who didn't make it to the top. Luck is the exact opposite of consciousness.
The most fulfilled people in any profession, regardless of who climbs to the top, are
those who followed an inner vision. They consciously shaped their futures from the
inside, which is the only place you have any real control. A large percentage of these
people had highly successful careers, but that was secondary. First and foremost,
came the freedom to write their own scenario. The externals of your life fall in line
with your internal values and the atmosphere you create around yourself.
So when you sit down to write your long-range vision or mission, consider these
criteria.
1. I will be satisfied with the work at every stage.
2. I will benefit everyone around me.
3. The effect on my family will be positive.
4. I will feel creative.
5. I will take pride in my accomplishment.
6. I will be smarter, better, and wiser the more I pursue my
vision.
7. I will head into the unknown, a place I want to discover and
explore.
Every vision brings setbacks and frustrations; there is inherent stress whenever you
step out to accomplish something no one else has tried before. No amount of selfdiscipline can control the stress. Only if you are centered, self-confident, and secure in
the values you are aiming for will the journey become conscious.
In the current environment, inner visions are celebrated only after someone has
struggled to reach the top. Along the way, there is more competition than
collaboration, and if you don't enter the dog-eat-dog fray, people will call you weak.
We live in the midst of huge abundance. Ruthless, soul-killing tactics are rewarded,
but so is moving upward through consciousness. Sit down with yourself, your family,
your closest confidants, and work through the seven criteria I've outlined. They will
serve you well if you truly dedicate yourself to inner fulfillment ahead of material
rewards.
FROM an Uporthy article
August 29, 2016
By Tina Plantamura
Here are 21 things to
compliment your kids
about that involve their
character, not their
achievements:
1. The first time they help someone who is hurt.
2. Seeing them stand up for a sibling or friend.
3. The first time they buy a gift with their own money.
4. When a child is loving and kind to older relatives.
5. The first time they are buried in a book.
6. The first time they realize a song has touched their soul.
7. When they learn to appreciate art.
8. When they make the best of a bad day on their own.
9. The first time a child shows compassion and puts others first.
10. The first time a child shows mercy and gives someone another chance.
11. The first time your child genuinely roots for a weaker teammate.
12. Hearing them offer sincere advice to a sibling or friend.
13. The first time they take the time to teach a younger child.
14. When they realize how important friendships are.
15. The first time they find moral issue with something and take a stand against it.
16. Their first heartfelt attempt at asking for forgiveness.
17. The first time they wholeheartedly forgive.
18. The first time a child tries something new when the odds are against them.
19. When they know they’re marching to their own beat and they are proud of that.
20. Not just trying, but trying again and again.
21. The first time they accept rejection with grace and dignity.
Thanksgiving
by Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla (Excerpted from The Quest)
“Fake it until you make it” may sound like the
wrong approach when sincerely trying to turn
your life around. Yet, it’s not really bad advice.
When we “fake it,” when we force ourselves to
consistently think in a certain way and
consistently “pretend” we are feeling certain
emotions, our minds will eventually begin to
accept these thoughts.
By consciously acting “as if,” we are creating
new neural pathways, new ways for the brain to
think. This can then change our feelings and behavior, which of course means we are
changing our lives.
If, for example, we were to consciously think in a loving
rather than spiteful way of someone we resent, over time
our hard feelings would eventually soften and be replaced
by feelings of love. If we “fake” feelings of love with enough
willingness and consistency, in time we really will love. The
innate divine love that had been suppressed is then given
permission to express itself.
This technique works especially well with thanksgiving, because our words represent
our feelings. Words of thanksgiving, whether faked or real, represent feelings of
gratitude, trust, and faith. They represent feelings that everything will be all right, and
they open us up to receive the good already waiting for us.
When we give thanks, we are really giving our blessing. Like
sunflowers turning toward the sun, giving thanks turns our
hearts toward our good.
We know the power of thanksgiving on a human, emotional
plane. We all like to be appreciated and thanked. It motivates us
and opens us up to do better.
On a spiritual plane, when we are sincerely thankful to God for
the good we have and the good in store for us, thanksgiving
takes on an even more attracting power. Like a powerful
magnet, thanksgiving attracts our good to us."
Four Steps Toward a Gratitude Consciousness Shift
by Rev. Joan M. Gattuso
"Here are a few techniques to deepen your consciousness of gratitude:
Always hold God at the forefront of your mind, and first and foremost give God
thanks.
Make a list of your dear ones and send each a loving blessing during your meditation
time.
Send a note of thanksgiving to each person on your list.
Call or see personally the ones for whom you feel the greatest appreciation and tell
them how you feel. As the song says, “Shower the people you love with love/Tell
them the way that you feel.” What a difference you will make in their lives and
yours.
A major shift in global consciousness would occur if we all sent such love and
thoughts of gratitude into our home, work, church, community, state and world. Collectively we have
the power to shift consciousness and bring forth a transformed world through the expression of our
love and gratitude."
Rev. Joan M. Gattuso – now ministering in Hawaii
Do You Know How to Wait? -- Steve Goodier - www.Life Support System.com
Philosopher Joseph-Marie de Maistre said, “To know how to wait is the great secret of
success.”
Comedian Bob Hope would agree. "I grew up
with six brothers," he said. "That's how I
learned to dance, waiting to get into the
bathroom."
Do you know how to wait? Whether or not you
share a bathroom with others, you can get
plenty of practice.
A customer struck up a conversation with the clerk in a retail store. “Wow, $17.76,” he said.
“The year of the US Declaration of Independence. And exactly 200 years later I was born.”
That began an intense conversation with the employee about interesting historical events. All
the while a line formed behind him.
When the customer finally left, the next patron in line impatiently asked what was going on. “Oh,
we were just sharing interesting historical fun facts,” the clerk said.
“Well, then," said the irritated customer, "can you tell me what happened the year I started
waiting in line?"
As Mark Twain says, “All good things arrive to them
that wait -- and don't die in the meantime.”
Do you know how to wait? I’m sure you get plenty of
opportunities to practice.
After moving to the city, I grew impatient with the
bumper-to-bumper traffic. I decided to keep a
harmonica in the glove compartment, along with a
beginner's book. When traffic was held up, I took out
my harmonica and played. I figured I could either
practice patience or practice the harmonica. The harmonica seemed like more fun.
There’s a great secret to waiting patiently: make it fun.
My life improved immeasurably when I discovered audiobooks. I know there’s value to being
100% present in everything you do, but I also know that a lot of what I do can be described as
mind-numbingly dull. Like waiting in long lines. Commuting in city traffic. And if I’m into a great
audiobook, none of it bothers me at all. I actually look forward to relaxing in a line or, when
finding myself snarled in traffic, I can spend some uninterrupted time on my book.
Like I said, there’s a secret to waiting patiently: make it fun. You just might look forward to your
next traffic jam.
6 ways Bea Arthur made the world a
better place to live, even after her death.
August 29, 2016 – Upworthy - Michael Calcagno
In her life, Bea Arthur was an amazingly generous actress, activist, and human being — and she's not
done giving yet. After her death in 2009, the Ali Forney Center in New York City received a gift of
$300,000 from Arthur's estate to help homeless LGBTQ youths.
Arthur - 1975
The Ali Forney Center and the Cooper Square Committee then received a
$3.3 million grant from the New York City Council and the borough
president to renovate a building at 222 East 13th Street to provide housing
and assistance to homeless LGBTQ youths.
Named in her honor, the Bea Arthur Residence building is scheduled to
be completed in February 2017.
Here are six other accomplishments from Bea Arthur's life,
legacy, and career that you may not have known about:
1. One of Arthur's last public performances was a one-woman show to raise money for homeless LGBTQ
youths.
As a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ community, Arthur in 2005 put on a performance of her onewoman show to raise money for the Ali Forney Center. That night, she helped raise $40,000 and gave the
center some serious help at a tough time during the recession.
"These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they
are lesbian, gay or transgender — this organization really is saving lives," Arthur told Next Magazine at
the time of the benefit show.
Arthur at the Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony
"I honestly don’t know how we would have made it
through the recession without that extraordinary gift.
Bea Arthur truly meant it when she said she would do
anything to help our kids," Carl Siciliano, the executive
director of the Ali Forney Center, wrote in a Huffington
Post piece.
2. Arthur once testified in the California Senate against
the sale and production of foie gras.
Arthur was an activist for PETA, working with the organization on many campaigns and narrating
videos for them. But in 2004, she was moved so much by an issue that she appeared in the California
Senate alongside Sen. John Burton in support of a bill to ban the production and sale of foie gras in the
state.
Arthur turns to leave after testifying before a Senate
committee in April 2004
Foie gras is made from the livers of force-fed geese and
ducks. Its production usually involves tubes being put
down the birds’ throats and having food pumped into their
stomachs several times a day to fatten up their livers.
"There is no room in our wonderful state for such a
nightmarish industry," she told the Senate panel. The committee approved the bill in a 4-to-1 decision.
3. Arthur was known for picking up and rescuing stray animals — including a German shepherd she found
on the highway on her way to a set.
Besides fighting for animal rights through legislation and activism, Arthur strove every day to help
animals in need, sometimes at her own peril. Television writer Charlie Hauck told Playbill about an
instance when Arthur showed up on set with a German shepherd that had been found running along a
highway.
Arthur with her dog, Julie, at her home in Los Angeles in
1978
"I picture in my mind," Hauck described, "this actress, upon
whom the jobs of 200 people depended, who had two children,
stopping her car in traffic and running around trying to catch a
dog."
The dog turned out to be owned by Barbra Streisand.
Because of course it did.
4. She was a champion for feminism and helped bring important
issues to light in her show "Maude," which addressed topics like abortion and women's rights.
Throughout her acting career, Arthur was also able to bring women's issues to the forefront of the cultural
conversation. After appearing on "All in the Family" as the outspoken Maude Findlay, the character was
spun off for the show "Maude," which ran for six years.
In November 1972, "Maude" aired a groundbreaking two-part episode about abortion, just months
before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on abortion in the Roe v. Wade decision.
Arthur in 1988
5. She was in the "Star Wars Holiday Special" —
where she sang along to the infamous cantina song.
She was asked to be in the show by producers Ken and
Mitzie Welch and agreed to it although she had no
idea what it was about.
"I was asked to be in it by the composer of that song I
sang — 'Goodnight, But Not Goodbye.' It was a
wonderful time, but I had no idea it was even a part of
the whole 'Star Wars' thing," Arthur told the Portland Mercury. "I just remember singing to bunch of
people with funny heads."
6. She never stopped being a trailblazer for women on TV — even as she got older.
In a time when the push on TV was for young talent, "The Golden Girls" strove to be something different
and more meaningful. The show featured an all-female leading cast over the age of 40, which at the time
was unheard of (and is rare still today).
"I think, in both of those shows, we really
did change the perception of a woman’s
role. I don’t think anybody thought that it
was okay to be a feminist back when she
was doing Maude," Rue McClanahan
told Entertainment Weekly about working
with Arthur.
"The Golden Girls" stars during a break
in taping: (from left) Estelle Getty, Rue
McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Betty
White.
Episode after episode of "The Golden Girls" tackled issues of sexuality, ageism, and feminism and used
Arthur’s wit and sharp tongue to drive these issues forward.
"She really taught me and every other woman my age how to be a feminist at a time when that was a dirty
word," Rosie O'Donnell told Playbill. "And without her, I think, there would not be as many funny
women on television today."
Arthur was much more than everyone's favorite quick witted Golden Girl.
She was a champion for equal rights for women, the LGBTQ community, and animals. In 2017, her
legacy will continue growing with the upcoming completion of the Bea Arthur Residence in NYC to
house homeless LGBTQ youths and help them become independent.
Besides being an activist for animals and LGBTQ rights, she also focused on helping to raise money for
HIV-AIDS research. She appeared in the 1992 Pacific Center HIV-AIDS Benefit along with her friend
Angela Lansbury. She posthumously donated $25,000 to the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.
After hearing about the donation, ASF co-founder Ken Jillson said, "I can’t believe it. After all these
years she’s still doing wonderful things for ASF."
Cheers to Bea Arthur and the legacy of hope and kindness that she left behind. We could all
learn a little something from her.
WHEN YOUR WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN
In the 1980's an oil tanker ruptured, spilling millions of gallons of oil into an Alaskan
bay. The pollution severely stressed the ecology of the area and environmentalists
were particularly concerned that migrating birds for which the bay was seasonal home
would perish upon return. To cause the birds to relocate so that they would not
become mired in the muck of oil, a plan was devised to set off skyrockets, discouraging
the birds from landing.
How frightened and confused those birds must have been! To them the rescue efforts
must have seemed like a war waged against them by a horrible enemy. They had
returned to this home for generations -- the instinct was deeply embedded in their
DNA. It must have seemed as if their world had turned upside down.
The birds could not know that this situation was unfolding to preserve their well-being.
They could not perceive “the big picture.” How like those birds we humans often are,
straining against events whenever they get in the way of our doing what we have
always done. Yet we, too, rarely get a glimpse of “the big picture.”
The next time your world turns upside down, consider the possibility that what you are
experiencing is a blessing rather than a threat. The blessing is always present, when we
believe. Have faith in God, in the good which seeks to express in your life, for as Jesus
said, “According to your faith be it done unto you.”
Margee