SPIRITUALITY – Page 9

There is nothing like an innocent child looking at the world with wonder and delight. Of the many ‘rights of passage’ as we pass from the innocence of childhood into the responsibilities of adulthood, going away to overnight camp was one of my favorites.

I remember my Mom taking me to the bus and feeling excited and scared all at the same time. As the bus pulled away the excitement quickly took over and I was ready for an adventure into the unknown. How many of us remember the feeling of leaving home for the first time to parts unknown? In many ways this is not so far from the feelings we get now as we enter into a new relationship, business venture or something seemingly as simple as moving. Our lives will be forever changed yet at that moment we don’t know how.

Through the challenges of life we lose a bit of our innocence and no longer see the world through rose-colored glasses yet every time we have a major life change or are about to start a new adventure the innocence, excitement and fear returns. Of course we have the knowledge behind us (hopefully) and will use it but what if we could harness the wide-eyed wonder of a child and not leave it behind? What would happen if life was filled with hope like it was when we were children? The world is indeed changing but maybe it’s time we try to preserve a little of our own innocence for our children. They grow up all too fast these days.

Today I was delighted to receive pictures of my niece from the first day of her (first) trip to overnight camp. Now I’m pretty sure this wasn’t how camp was when I went! No one was taking pictures and video day in and day out to post on a private website for parents so they can see their little munchkins enjoying themselves. I’m not sure if I agree with it or not because it’s reminiscent of reality TV but it is a great way to keep the parents in the know about their kids. (I also don’t remember a salad bar option or zip lining, but I digress.) Maybe it’s also a small way of preserving the innocence and bringing us back to our own joy through the eyes of a child if only for a moment.

While looking at the photos I saw breaking news about a shooting at Texas A & M. Here I sat looking at pictures of a shining, happy 10-year-old and remembering how fun it was to be at camp with no responsibilities other than those of having fun and making s’mores around a campfire. I was quickly reminded of a world where a select few think it’s ok to shoot and kill another human being. What happened to the innocence and joy they were born with? Anger and hate begets anger and hate. Fighting for peace is simply an oxymoron and there are too many with an angry agenda. There are people in this world who have been through horrific experiences yet they find peace within themselves and go on to do amazing, loving and peaceful acts. After their trials and tribulations they somehow find a way to reconnect with the beauty of life. They inspire us and honor themselves and us by living a loving life.

The world around us is changing so rapidly it’s hard to keep up and its time we put out into the world the change we’d like to see. Not through fighting, politics and debate based on lies and untruths but through the thing we know more intimately than anything else in the world; Our own energy vibration. Think about how you spend your day and take a hard look at the vibration you are emitting into the universe. Is it positive? Negative? Happy? Sad? You may be in for an awakening if you listen to the words you speak and how you react to things around you.

Maybe it’s time to bring back a little innocence and simple joy to our lives. When was the last time you sat around a campfire making s’mores and singing Kumbaya (see video below) or laying in the grass looking at the clouds as they form castles in the sky? When was the last time you looked at the mountains or trees and simply breathed in their beauty? Maybe it’s time to reconnect with the joy and innocence that is still a part of you….Imagine what the world would be like if we all did this every once an a while.~Shine Your Light Debbie

SpiritLightInsight.com
Daily Muse Home Page

Aurora Borealis, the colored lights seen in th... — Aurora Borealis, the colored lights seen in the skies around the North Pole, the Northern Lights, from Bear Lake, Alaska (Photo credit: Beverly & Pack)

I’m deeply saddened and rocked to the core by the horrific event which took place in Aurora, Colorado. Life is a blessing and it’s difficult to find meaning in a senseless act of violence. When something like this happens we tend to ask why or what was the motivation behind it but instead of asking why, maybe we should focus on the messages from the survivors, the victims and their families. Over and over we hear them say how precious life is. There is a wake up call for all of us which comes from this tragic, senseless moment in time.

Precious lives were lost and the lives of those who lost loved ones or were touched in some way by this event are forever changed. We as a nation rally around to send love, support and healing. We grieve with them and try to make sense of it all but are we listening and taking to heart the messages they are giving us? Let us listen and apply their messages to our own lives to honor those who lost theirs; Life is a blessing and a gift and to live each day as if it was your last.

Tragedies have the ability to open your eyes so you can re-evaluate what’s important in life. There are even those who survive to give you messages before they take their next step. Listen to what the survivors and families are saying and apply it to your life! They are sending messages loud and clear…every moment of your life is a blessing, it is precious and you never know when you will take your last breath. Are you living life to its fullest or are you caught up in struggle and negativity? Let us all find meaning and not let the messages go unheeded. Let us honor those who escaped death in one instance to bring us messages of life. Perhaps this was the very purpose they needed to fulfill before leaving this earthly plane.

Jessica Ghawi an aspiring journalist left a food court in an Eaton Toronto mall just moments before a gunman opened fire. On June 6th, 2012 she wrote a blog called “Late Night Thoughts on the Eaton Center Shooting”. She wrote about life as a blessing. “I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.” Little over a month later she was killed in the Aurora Colorado theater. Take to heart and find meaning in her message. Live your life as if “every second of every day is a gift”

Nathen Taylor, a former U.S. Army Sargent served three tours of duty in the Middle East and was shot to death for no reason at all while sitting in a car in Lancaster, Los Angeles. Is there any meaning at all that he survived war and was shot just sitting in his car visiting a family member? He was blessed to survive and I’m sure his family felt blessed to have him home. Who knows how many lives he saved or the lives he touched once he returned home. He returned to fulfill his purpose and although we might not personally know what that purpose was there is meaning in his life and his senseless death.

Hilda Yolanda Mayol worked in a ground floor restaurant in the WTC and escaped death on 9/11/2001. She died merely 2 months later in November when American Airlines Flight 587 crashed killing everyone aboard. What was her message? Whom did she touch? Why did she survive in one instance and not the other? Only she as spirit knows what she came here to do but if we listen to our own hearts we will find our own purpose and fulfill it.

Think about these people and find meaning for yourself. Discover your own purpose. It is time to stop getting caught up in things you cannot control. It is time to let go of worry and enjoy the time you have here. It is time to fulfill your purpose; Live a life filled with love, enthusiasm and joy. Who knows how many lives you’ve touched, how many people you’ve helped or how you affected someone elses life because you passed them on the street and smiled. Enjoy life and live it to its fullest. Life is a blessing and a gift. Honor it and live it…you never know when you might take your last breath.~Shine Your Light Debbie

SpiritLightInsight.com
Daily Muse Home Page