Indelible Marks of Strength

The story of young Gabby Douglas impels monumental strength on many levels. In this video entitled Raising an Olympian - GABBY DOUGLAS, aspects of her life detailing  the "hard work" involved which led to her culminating moment of success are discussed. These cross-sections of her life and training leave me deeply touched and encouraged.

Having moved many, many miles from her home, family, and friends; the physical and mental strength of this young lady impresses me and offers vital nutrients for anyone who values personal growth. With incredible persistence, Gabby keeps her eye on the prize, beginning with her own recognition of her talent which led to her taking responsibility for acknowledging that she wanted the best coaches and training to hone her skills. At her young age she refuses to allow negative remarks to deter her efforts.

On every level, her mother's love cut through barriers of fear, doubt and worry and all that was familiar faded to memories. An amazing feat: her mother loved her, guided her and parented her from afar. Despite deep emotional feelings of missing Gabby and she being home sick, her mom helped her realize the high road of completing the task that she set out to finish.

The honesty, willingness, and courage of the newly extended family was a show of loving kindness beyond measure. Deeply heartfelt, all parts became one synchronized body with strong intention; all becoming the stepping stones of persistence to the victorious pinnacle of success.

After viewing, please respond by sharing a word, phrase or idea that comes to your awareness; one  which will leave an indelible mark on your life. Consider how Gabby's life has made an impact on yours. What major implications regarding decision-making and responsible choice selection does her life's examples offer you?

I give thanks to God, including everyone involved for providing the world this living demonstration of what we have the capacity to do when we work together in love, truth, honor and mutual respect.  The gift to the world is the "good" that each of us will "share" with another as a result of allowing ourselves to feel the impact of Gabby's life and success. Leave your comment below.

Live well, Laugh heartily and Love truly,

In the Living Spirit I am,
Ethel

2010 Plunge into Favor

Plunge into your greatness with more vim and vigor than ever before knowing the Essence within you is of God and is your vital life force. It is this which provides the raw materials for our creative mentality and endeavors.

Only by getting still, and letting go of all thoughts of lack, unworthiness and negativity can we really know that we have all that we need right here in the moment. Take a deep whiff of the Living and Pure Spirit which breaths us all and moves us all and activates ...yes...us all. God does not favor one over the other. We walk in favor when we identify with the qualities and character of our Source. This is the truth of our beingness. The more that we recognize that we are one with God, the more we are consequently fed mentally, spiritually, and physically the Essential Substance that lies back of all life's endeavors.

Yep! Highly favored are we! ... but one has to know who one is to know the favor.

Our charge in life is to plunge into the divine favor that is infinite and all pervasive good. That means, this good is within and all around us. Until we look within and spend some time there, listening to the Divine's inner and personal message to us; we will have difficulty taking the plunge into favor. But, when we get still and listen, we will find that not only are we here to take the plunge, but we are here to do it because it fortifies and blesses the greater good of all spiritual/human beings. We are not here for selfish and self-centered reasons. The whole body is always the concern of the Lord (Divne Law -God in action).

"...All things work together for good of them that love the Lord (the Law --God in Action). But the responsible part of that scripture is "for those who love the Lord and are called unto His purpose" We are called unto a purpose; let us walk by faith in the awareness that our time is now because there is no other time.

Get still, (meditate) and learn of God's purpose for your life. We are here to fully express greatness and excellence which is of our true nature; rather than spew out the lies that we have allowed to poison our minds as learned by the external world. This is what God is - EXCELLENCE. There is nothing mediocre in or about God; only in those small limited minds which are not aligned with Truth and the Will or Way of the Divine Mind.

Come on...get aligned; take the 2010 plunge. We are the excellence of God in expression and in action or we are the expression of a lie. It's all about you! It is our choice as to with what we fill our minds and allow to be expressed through our behavior; either the qualites of Divine Mind or the lies of the world. It is our choice.

You've tried everything else now try God-Essence-within you.

Love and Light always,
humbly,
Rev. Ethel

Marvel at the Living Spirit!

It is a beautiful, no…simply marvelous day. Well, what is it to marvel about… You might ask; since it is snowing outside and has been since last evening? The roads are slushy and the clouds give an overshadowing appearance. Those effects do not have to change or impact our affect [a Psychological term meaning a feeling, or emotion as distinguished from cognition, thought or action]. That is the marvelous news and the perfected blessing of the day…indeed of the moment. The LORD is our Shepherd, not the extraneous appearances which we sometimes have allowed to dictate our lives. We vow now to stop giving up control and personal responsibility of our thoughts and our feelings to the appearances and outside factors that have no essential meaning or purpose in our lives.

Today is the day that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Standing in the snow I met one of my favorite people in the world. Tony a city worker who helps us keep the city clean by collecting the garbage each week, not only does his job well, but he does it with the grace of God expressing through every pore of his being. We stood in the snow just appreciating the good in the moment; appreciating the fact that we were outside in this weather, able to feel the cool, crispness and the refreshment of the air that comes with winter and provides a jolt of revitalization in the body. We were appreciating God’s love for giving us the beauty of the snow so white and clean and providing for us the mechanism of a job to go to which helps us pay for the things we want in this physical world. We were thanking God for the ability to see snowflakes and to have one another in which to touch and agree. We hardly see one another because of our work schedules but when we do Spirit meets Spirit. That’s what I call “making true love”. True love making has absolutely nothing to do with sex and if you don’t know that kind of love then maybe the sexual relations you may be having actually have little or nothing to do with love at all. Don’t get it twisted and stop being fooled.

Get Up! Marvel at the day…the evening…your smile! Make God proud that you have been chosen to be in this good day!

Photo taken by Tom Phillips and used with permission.