The expectation that something bad will happen stems from the belief that something bad has happened, neither of which, on the most fundamental level, is true.

     -- Alan Cohen

Love is the only way

Betty . . .

Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure.
....William Saroyan

Then I must be very good
 
Serendipity, dear Jude . . .
part of my own life lesson . . .
with love . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.

     -- Robert Brault

Love is the only way

I received this from one of my "Lenten renewal sites". Today the scripture passage is on the Transfiguration--the time when several of
the apostles saw Jesus in all his glory on Mt Tabor, before the crucifixion. Below is the reflection which I found very meaningful because
I had never quite looked on some very special times in my life as "Tabor" moments and have decided my intention for today is to
look back in my own life on those very special "Tabor" moments.

all is never lost

Jesus and the apostles can now face the worst, having known the best. This is part of the meaning of the 'Tabor' gospel passage when the apostles, who have seen Jesus in glory, will soon enough see him in agony, being arrested, tortured and dying on the cross of cruelty. The transfiguration was preparing them

We see many people like that in their different agonies -
the terminally ill,
the depressed,
the addicted,
people suffering hugely in the cause of justice and compassion for others. These can challenge our faith.

Faced with these challenges, we need our own personal 'Tabor' experiences, just as the Transfiguration of Jesus was for the apostles'.
Occasions like:
inspirational moments in prayer,
or when listening to some very striking piece of music
or when viewing a beautiful natural scene
or focusing on a magnificent work of art,
moments when we experienced gratitude to God for his gifts to us, others, or the world.
These are our 'Tabor' mountain moments when we were transfigured., and knew:
that all is not lost,
that all is not violence
and that goodness will win out in the end because it is all in the hands of God, our Father, Yahweh.

"“I have been in Sorrow’s kitchen and licked out all the pots.
Then I have stood on the peaky mountain wrapped in rainbows, with a harp in my hands.”
~ Zora Neale Hurston

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Thank you, Betty, for sharing this reflection with us. We do all have these special moments, some call them peak experiences, when we are totally in the "now" . Many are so quiet that we have to be open to them to even notice them. Our Sunday Scripture reflection group found something very consoling. These three apostles who experienced Jesus in all his glory still were not able to stay awake with him in his agony. They later deserted him (while the women stayed around!) and Peter denied him. Their human weakness is so evident. We like them may forget about our "Tabor" moments in times of difficulty. Jesus did not hold it against them, nor does he hold it against us.
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Edda, dear, I couldn't agree more about the consolation in not having it held against us that we forget our "Tabor" moments. What really struck
me about the reflection was how important it is, especially during times of difficulty, to stop and become mindful again of all those very special moments when we were changed, not by our own power, or labors, or achievement/earning but by pure gift, "our 'Tabor' mountain moments when we were transfigured., and knew:
that all is not lost,
that all is not violence
and that goodness will win out in the end because it is all in the hands of the Divine."
This has always been one of my strongest reasons given to those I companion, for the value and importance of journaling--In the midst of those difficult times, we can always go back and become mindful once again of how the Divine has so beneficently touched each of our lives. For me, it was good to be reminded to go back once again in gratitude for those very special moments, and through becoming mindful of them once again, knowing in faith, that they other such moments will again come not when I earn or achieve them, or when I choose, but rather when the Holy one knows that I most need them.

Blessings on the coming week. May the weather provide the gentle spring warmth that will allow you and Leon to again spend time outdoors. Hopefully, the daffodils which are now in full bloom, will not get nipped with frost.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Dear Betty,
 
Thank you for your added reflection!
 
There are no daffodils in sight in your beloved Chicago! Green leaves are piercing the ground but obviouly are not enjoying the current 36 degrees F, although they probably appreciate all the water they are getting!
 
Have a fruitful week!
 
Love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.
-- Robert Brault

There is much wisdom here for me today . . .
wisdom for me to experience in different ways.
I think that today is a day of thought for me . . .

Occasions like:
inspirational moments in prayer,
or when listening to some very striking piece of music
or when viewing a beautiful natural scene
or focusing on a magnificent work of art,
moments when we experienced gratitude to God for his gifts to us, others, or the world.
These are our 'Tabor' mountain moments when we were transfigured., and knew:
that all is not lost,
that all is not violence
and that goodness will win out in the end because it is all in the hands of God, our Father, Yahweh.

. . . truly, all is not lost.
There is hope for all of us
with love . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

 We all knew this.....didn't we?
 
It takes a person of great heart to see…the wisdom the elders have to offer, and so serve them out of gratitude for the life they have passed on to us.



 
Ken Nerburn

Love is the only way

in a nutshell . . .
 
 
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity.
Say only what you mean.
Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.
Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
 
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you.
What others say and do is a projection of ther own reality, their own dream.
When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
 
3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.
Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.
With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
 
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will different when you are healthy as opposed to sick.
Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
 
Don Miguel Ruiz
from "The Four Agreements...A Toltec Wisdom Book"

everything counts... ♥

Dear Sparrow,
 
Thank you for posting "The Four Agreements". A lot of misunderstandings and hurt feelings could be avoided if we lived by them. I might add as a sub-clause, "Give others the benefit of the doubt."
 
Much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

"Give others the benefit of the doubt."

I quite agree

everything counts... ♥

Thank you Sparrow....that's brilliant! I haven't seen it before, but I will definitely be saving it.
 
Edda, I agree with your sub-clause!
 
Love, Jude

Love is the only way

It takes a person of great heart to see…the wisdom the elders have to offer, and so serve them out of gratitude for the life they have passed on to us.

Oh but Jude I do have a great heart~ I see your wisdom daily~although sadly I may not
always follow it.

Love to all Sandraxx

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

and so serve them out of gratitude

 
This is the bit that made me smile.
 
Jude

Love is the only way

 

Sandra, Sandra! Just what did these pictures show??? 
 
Love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Oh Dear I don't knowtime for bed me thinks

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

 it was this Edda oh dear

Hi Betty,
 
I really enjoyed your writings on Tabor Moments it is soooo goooood. 
 
"If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."  William Blake
 
 
 
"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose."   Indira Gandhi
 
 
 
On spiritual experience:
 
"What does mysticism really mean? It means the way to attain knowledge. Its close to philosophy, except in philosphy you go horizontally while in mysticism you go vertically."  Elie Wiesel

Grateful to be here!
What a gift and connection builder!
Love and Gratitude,
Love who You Are