When the Earth Moves

The ground need only shudder beneath our feet or those of our unsuspecting neighbors, and we can be  hurled into a state of confusion and distress. 
How fragile the nature of these human bodies! 
Yet the spirit within...the humanity...is not so fragile. It is resolute and determined to survive whatever comes.
 The spirit encased in this delicate, breakable human body thrives on hope and faith. 
The unbelievable tragedy we have watched unfold in Haiti has brought this truth to light. 
Victims, buried for days beneath the rubble, have held on to life because of this inner seed of hope that help would indeed come,,,,something deep within that gave them the determination to live. 
At the very darkest hours after the earthquake, the voices of children singing hymns could be heard by astonished broadcasters at the sight of the ruins. 
Faith in what was greater than themselves...in a God that would help them through their hellish plight, had given their spirits the ability to sing....the ability to hope, even in the face of the worst that could be imagined. 
When our lives are shaken.  When we feel we cannot face a situation, we can remember that we have within us that which is stronger than any misfortune that life can present. We have within us a spirit waiting to show its strength.   
                                      Blessings,   Sandra

The Day After

For weeks, everyone has been rushing about in anticipation of Christmas. Today, it is only a memory. A collective sigh can be heard throughout the land! We love this beautuful holiday, but in far too many ways, it has become the most hectic time of the year. Even those who long to focus on the spiritual meaning find it difficult or impossible to avoid the commercial influences. Yet, this year, I've begun seeing this whirlwind of consumption in a new way. This year, I've been moved by the motive behind all the buying and bustle. The motive is giving. In recent weeks, most people have not been walking the malls, selfishly in search of things for themselves. Rather, they've been hunting for things to give others. The attitude of generosity actually seems to have grow with the season, expressing itself in everything from the purchase of gifts to charitable donations. One might say that we've been consumed with the desire to give! In spite of the stress, in spite of the poor economy, in spite of all the negativity the world scene offers, at Christmas time, we've given more to others than at any other time of the year. Small gifts, large gifts... cheap gifts expensive gifts...cookies, candy, sausage, fruit, flowers, music, cards and acts of kindness...all given because of Christmas. Let's give human goodness credit where it is due. And what happens now...this day after Christmas and on the ones that follow? Without Christmas to motivate our generosity, can we find ways to extend that same spirit of giving into our daily lives? Like the Child, whose birth we've celebrated, grew from infancy to maturity, can our spirit of thoughtfulness grow from its Christmas expression, to a fulltime attitude of kindness? What a different world it would be if we all carried our Christmas spirit into the day after...and the day after that. Peace, Sandra

And Now the Eve Has Come

Look to the quiet sky...

To the lights that dance

And sing with joy

Above your head

This night

Like angels

Over Bethlehem...

Like Hope

That comes,

Like Light,

No matter what the darkness,

Born once more

For you

For me

A Truth

For all Eternity.

Love, blessings and peace to you, at Christmas and always.

Sandra

A Tme of Transition

Another October has melted into history, and a new November lies fresh and untouched before us. Isn't it exciting to think of a whole month of days awaiting our choices and decisions, our happiness and our challanges? The bright flames of autumn have now died down to fading embers. Leaves of deep gold and burgandy continue to let go of their mother trees and drift easily downward,without resistance. When they reach the ground, they join thousands of others in a virtual sea of leaves. Then, after dancing a few more rounds with the wind, they'll settle together and be dampened down by coming rain and snow. In time, they will again become one with the earth, creating rich soil that will nurture another season of new life. It is the time of transition. All things are changing into something new. I'm facing taransition as we prepare to "fold up the tent" of our current home and move to a new location. It is an exciting and challanging time. The labor of moving and the expected adjustments to a new home will, no doubt, offer mixed blessings. As with all transitions, the most important thing will be my ability to relax into the flow of change. Transition is, in fact, is an ongoing Truth. Like the ever changing seasons, few things stay the same forever. The more we accept this as the natural way, the more at peace we can be with whatever comes. Are you resisting any examples of transition in your life? If so, consider yeilding to the circumstances and trusting Life to see you through. Look for the potential joy present in all experiences, even in those that seem, at the moment, to be breaking your heart or disrupting your life. All will change. Change can be positive. Let it be so. Blessings, Sandra

October Knowing

LATE WISDOM

WHEN YOU’RE A LEAF, AND YOU’VE KNOWN THE STRENGTH OF SPRING SUN TO PULL YOU TOWARD ITSELF, AND WHEN YOU’VE KNOWN THE JOY OF RAIN DROPS SLITHERING DOWN YOUR SPINE, AND WHEN YOU’VE HELD ON WITH EVERY FIBER IN YOUR STOCK WHILE RIDING ON THE BRONCO BACK OF WIND; WHEN YOU RECALL THE ENDLESS HOURS OF THE LONGEST DAY AND YOUR SUPPLE FLUTTER IN IT’S PERFECT LIGHT; WHEN NOW, YOU FEEL THE DAYS GROW SHORT AND CHILL AROUND YOUR CHANGING HUES AND BRITTLE VEINS; WHEN YOU’RE A LEAF AND YOU’VE KNOWN THESE THINGS OF LIFE… YOU DON’T RESIST WHEN THE HOUR COMES... FOR A SLOW FREE FALL TO THE UNKNOWN EARTH BELOW. SANDRA PEASLEY BUSH 2006

September Songs

Through the open window,

Cricket- played music

Fills the living room

With night.

This symphony

Gives concerts on the green

But once a year

Sandra