Tag: #gratefulness

REVERENCE TIPS Day4

What is Faith?

Faith it is NOT blind confidence in a God figure from whom we can expect great things to come! Faith is inner knowing!

I grew up with ‘seeing is believing’ and betrayal upon betrayal. If the communistic regime taught us anything it was how to distrust each other. We were literally expected to spy on each other. It was not a particularly positive way to inspire faith and trust in goodness.

My observations as a child taught me that God cannot not be human – a father figure – because most humans do not possess (have it but not act on it) the qualities of God according to spiritual scriptures such as Loving, Accepting, Forgiving, Embracing unconditionally, Joy and more.

Through my journey of self-discovery and spiritual-awakening, I understood that God is not a white-bearded man who magically delivers upon my wishes. But God resides within me. I am part of the Divine that is often called God.

Having Faith for me is knowing that there is goodness in everyone (everything), including myself, regardless of my actual experiences. I know that we, humans, are not capable of acting according to our God-given qualities because we are lost in the world of Fear (the Serpent/Kal/the Devill/Evil). Just because we are often not aware of it, it does not mean it is not there.

Having Faith in myself means that I know that I am inherently good, even when I cannot act accordingly. I am a Divine Spark and of Spirit having a human experience.

Needless to say that Faith requires persevere until we make connection with the higher realms of consciousness. It is only there where we can experience the blessings of the Divine presence and our own goodness.

“Nothing shall be impossible unto you” if your faith is in Spirit and if your work is in harmony with Divine Presence.

(Adopted from Charles Fillmore – Christian Healing)

REVERENCE TIPS Day3

FAITH VS HOPE

“Faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” … “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death .. By Faith Noah .. prepared and ark to the saving of this house … By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac .. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents .. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down …” “The idea that faith is something that has to do only with one’s religious experience is incorrect. ”

extracts from Christian Healing by Charles Fillmore

Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept.

You may wonder what has God/Divine/Spirit have to do with Creativity Education and Therapeutic Art. Well, quite a lot, actually.

You are the Creator of your own Life and as that you are fully responsible for your Creation. Spirit/Divine within is the Loving guide helping you make your Creation a healthy and happy one. (As long as you are touch with him/her!)

I find that creating Art comes from the same place where I find myself when I meditate. It is hard to explain it because it is rather a feeling state than a mental concept. In some ways creating Art helps me connect with that part of me who shows up when I meditate. I hope it makes sense.

For me, walking a Spiritual Journey is like walking a journey of Creating.

This is what Julia Cameron has to say about creativity&spirituality HERE

So, today, I feel like creating something as part of my spiritual devotional practice of this Holy Season. Some say that the first week of the Advent is about Faith. So, my artistic endeavour will be about meeting Faith in the face! 🙂

HERE IT IS!

My dancing Spirit in the Candle reaching up into the Light. On the side of the page you can read my Fait Haiku

REVERENCE TIPS Day2

Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights or The Feast of Dedication

Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, is often called the Festival of Lights. The holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.

Hanukkah overlaps with the first Advent Week of Hope this year. Both Hanukkah and Advent are about inviting Light into the Darkness. Hanukkah’s special message for me is about re-dedication and spreading the message of Hope. The story of the Second Temple – pls find story below – talks to me about cleansing and reaffirming one’s commitment to spiritual life.

The first week of Advent brings the message of HOPE.

The word advent itself comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “arrival.” We prepare for the arrival of Christ. The wreath itself represents eternity and everlasting life, a circle that never ends. During the Week of Hope, we anticipate the arrival of our Saviour.

The Saviour in my interpretation is my own Soul or Spirit. During the Advent Season, I am invited to strengthen the Light of my Spirit by rededicating myself to a spiritual life of prayer and meditation.

Darkness is none other than Fear. During the Dark months of the year we tend to slide deeper and deeper into our fear-habits. (pls check this video out for more info on fear-habits HERE) As a result of that our Spirit sinks into the background. We run our whole life as a respond to our ‘main’ source of fear, whatever it maybe.

This is why it is so important to re-dedicate ourselves to the Saviour who lifts us out of our own darkness, from our fears. The saviour is you. It is you who when devoted to Spirit can hope to expect the arrival of the Saviour. It is you who makes the effort and elevates yourself out of the Darkness into the Light.

Regardless of one’s faith or religious affiliation, it is obvious that the messages are the same: Guard and build the light within so the Darkness can be cast out. The more we pray, meditate, or spend time with Spirit, the stronger the Light within us will grow. The stronger the Light within, the more it shines and inspires other Lights to shine, too.

The Light of Loving within by Kelsie Mc Sherry

GENERAL INFORMATION ON HANUKKAH

Hanukkah 2021 began in the evening of
Sunday, November 28
and ends in the evening of
Monday, December 6

The story: The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Judah called on his followers to cleanse the Second Temple, rebuild its altar and light its menorah—the gold candelabrum whose seven branches represented knowledge and creation and were meant to be kept burning every night.

 The Miracle: Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply.

The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during this ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.

Source

Feel the Fear …

Many people are living in an invisible fear trance that affects every aspect of their lives. This animation addresses these questions: 1. How did we get so scared? 2. How does fear change our relationships? 3. What does fear do to your body? 4. How can you change your fear to flow now? 5. Free of fear, what’s possible?

REVERENCE TIPS Day1

40 days Nativity Fast, Advent, Hanukkah

What do they have in common?

Opportunities! 🙂

This time of year is full of opportunities to de-garbage and re-focus on Spirit, the Essence within. I am aware that when I make an effort to slow down and centre myself in the Silence, my life blossoms in many unexpected ways.

HOWEVER, it is soooo easy to slip into busy-mode and make ‘life’ and my to-do-list more important than my spiritual being. So …

Today on the 28th November 2021, we started the 40 days until Orthodox Christmas Day on the 6th January.

We celebrate Christmas on the 25th December which is about half way to the Orthodox Christmas Day in January. Also, form today we are observing Hannuka for a week.

I like the idea of Nativity Fast. There are many ways to understated ‘fasting’. I look at it thorough the lens of cleansing. I think , I will use the next 40 days to cleanse my consciousness from ‘garbage’.

Interestingly, this time of year, I am also crazy busy. It seems that I am somehow wishing to be more Spirit-centered but I am also afraid of it. Sowing down and sitting in the silence also means that I need to face what’s bothering me or I am afraid of. Though it is uncomfortable it is also a great opportunity to release all that and re-centre myself in the peace and calm of the world of Spirit.

So, I decided to do a 40-day spiritual cleansing. I have also promised myself to make it manageable so I will actually do it.

Starting today, I will spend at least half an hour every day with nourishing myself Spiritually. I will experiment with different creative and artistic ways and will report on them.

Today I meditated for an hour so to start the process off. 🙂 TICK. Honestly, it was hard. I spent most of it either doozing or swimming in endless thoughts.

Listen to this meditation. Lovely!

It will get better! <3

REVERENCE

Reverence (/ˈrɛvərəns/) is

“a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration”.

The word “reverence” in the modern day is often used in relationship with religion. This is because religion often stimulates the emotion through recognition of a god, the supernatural, and the ineffable.

Reverence involves a humbling of the self in respectful recognition of something perceived to be greater than the self.

However, similar to awe, reverence is an emotion in its own right, and can be felt outside of the realm of religion. Whereas awe may be characterized as an overwhelming “sensitivity to greatness,” reverence is seen more as “acknowledging a subjective response to something excellent in a personal (moral or spiritual) way, but qualitatively above oneself” Solomon describes awe as passive, but reverence as active, noting that the feeling of awe (i.e., becoming awestruck) implies paralysis,

whereas feelings of reverence are associated more with active engagement and responsibility toward that which one reveres.

Nature, science, literature, philosophy, great philosophers, leaders, artists, art, music, wisdom, and beauty may each act as the stimulus and focus of reverence.

SOURCE

Play!

At the 2008 Serious Play conference, designer Tim Brown talks about the powerful relationship between creative thinking and play — with many examples you can try at home (and one that maybe you shouldn’t).

Feel your feelings

In this video, you will learn how to name feelings and locate, describe, welcome and match sensations. You will also discover what wisdom your emotions have to offer.

What makes a great story?

Amazing tips from a great story teller. Must watch!

Filmmaker Andrew Stanton (“Toy Story,” “WALL-E”) shares what he knows about storytelling — starting at the end and working back to the beginning. Contains graphic language …

Andrew Stanton has made you laugh and cry. The writer behind the three “Toy Story” movies and the writer/director of “WALL-E,” and “John Carter,”

Inspiration

As I was reading today’s Daily Word from Unity.org, I had a eureka moment, a moment of inspiration! 🙂

This time of year, I am not a happy bunny. It is not the weather per se that affects my mood, the colder and wetter season. I just feel tired. As we are going into the darkness, I feel less energized and interested. I don’t feel like buzzing or chatting much, I prefer staying put and watch a sweet movie.

I think it is normal for this time of year. However, I also noticed that I am not motivated to do the things that usually bring me pleasure or a sense of satisfaction. I lost my mojo.

After reading today’s daily word I was reminded the inspiration is everywhere. I only need to look. This time of year, I may not want to be a busy bunny but I can take the time to observe and find those instances that fill me with inspiration. I do not always have to create my own happiness. I can allow others ‘ happiness or the peace and contentment of nature to brush me over and fill me up.