_     There is nothing like a funeral to remind oneself about the preciousness of life, of connecting to family and friends and to be thankful for all that life is. Today, as I listened to a family member give the eulogy, he spoke of his mother-in-law as a person who found beauty in all things. She loved music, movies, cooking and gardening. She made the mundane important and elegant and chose to love what she had and create beauty around her. When she was present, she brought beauty with her. What a beautiful way to be remembered. 
            What do we bring with us? What do we carry? Much of what we carry is from our past that blocks us from experiencing the beauty of the present moment and does not allow us to see what gift’s we can share today.  I have begun the practice of thanking (Spirit, God, Higher Power) for all of my past, the foibles, the hurts, the brokenness of relationships and the disappointments and wrong choices. I have thanked Spirit for all, and in surrendering I have asked for Spirit to use it for good. I know I am carrying a lighter load, I am more peaceful and accepting of the present circumstances of my life and looking to live now, not in the past and not in the future. When we build our faith and foundation in Spirit, the past and future are in Spirit’s hand and I can concentrate on the now and what I must do in front of me. The worries of life are lessened and I can live fully from my heart.
            I have noticed my dreams are lighter and more present moment also. Your dreams will mirror the state of your present moment psyche; living in fear, anxiousness, past feelings that haunt you. Thank Spirit for these dreams and surrender them also. They are as much a part of your reality as your waking reality…they come from Spirit also.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you ….” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Spirit is All–Knowing, All-Seeing and Always Present, and our understanding to why things are the way they are cannot even come close to Spirit’s. May your prayer life begin to be one of thanksgiving and blessings and watch your life unfold in ways that you never thought possible. Spirit fed and Spirit led….blessing to you on your journey.

~ jennifer

Affirmation - Prayer:  Thank you Spirit, God, Creator for all of the circumstances and relationships in my life. I give them all to you God for your glory and blessings. May you use each one of them for healing and good.  Amen

_      Happy 2012 from the Artful Soul! My hope for this space is to bring you inspiration from the many sources of God’s creation; dreams, nature, art and the imagination.  I am so inspired by many things that I can get a little overwhelmed by all the projects I wish to do…my creative to do list.  I am looking forward to hearing about all of your dreams and creative projects, from the little to the large! Spirit is always seeking to express through us, we just have to open ourselves up and let go…
            As I share with you about my faith and beliefs I will be using terminology that is Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu. I read all of the sacred texts and as a poet I am a fan of the Persian poets; Rumi, Kahlil Gibran and Tagore. I am an avid reader so please share books, quotes, music and of course please share your faith, your loves and your art. I love beauty and I love to bring beauty into my world in all it’s forms. I am intoxicated by music, candles, a warm fire, gardens, flowers, food and nature…          
            One of the spiritual practices that I love to share is the attitude of gratitude. In all things be thankful for everything! I did not know that thanking God, Goddess, the Divine, Source, Creator, for every circumstanceis acknowledging that you see God in all things. By thanking God for a bad circumstance allows the power of God; His/Her Spiritual Power to enter into the situation and be used for the glory of creation. So thank our Creator for the good and the bad, this allows for us to release the vision of duality and accept the One Power of our True Source. Once you begin this practice, you will feel the Spirit of God overflowing in your life!
            I thank God for you my fellow sojourners, we are here for just a time, but we wish to make our imprint and find what we truly are meant to do and delight in our beingness along the way…seeking to express the Divine within ourselves and letting our Lights Shine!!

 
    many blessings~   jennifer