by Roxanne -

Stars and Spirit Sightings

Photo NASA

Do you know about Spirit sightings? Spirit sightings have some interesting qualities or characteristics. They are unexpected and turn conventional wisdom upside down. They also make us think differently. Here’s a story about a recent Spirit sighting.

A friend of mine was looking for a job, as millions are in this economic depression. She is also in school working toward a master of divinity degree. However the job that was offered to her was in a city 2 1/2 hours away. After pondering and reflecting, she made an unconventional decision. She decided to move to the city with the job and reverse commute for school. So far this is nothing unusual. What is unusual is that the job was a part time job, just 12 hours per week. Now THAT is unusual. Plus, once she made the decision to move two unexpected things happened. She found an amazing apartment (space, light, architectural details) for an equally amazingly low rent and her new employer offered to absorb some of her moving expense. I don’t think I have ever heard of an employer reimbursing someone’s moving expenses for a part time job. Have you? Sooooo, when we are willing step out in trust, the universe (God, ultimate reality) responds and supports us in any and every way that She can.

This is what we learn from the story of the Wise Men in the Gospel of Matthew. Like the Wise Men, we start out our journeys on the conventional path. Along the way we encounter star light, inspiration, or a deeper reality. If we trust, we will return to our true home by an unexpected and unconventional route.

Check out these beautiful star images from NASA. May you encounter brilliant star light on your journey!

Roxanne

by Roxanne -

What’s in a Word?

"A rose by any other name . . ."

Last year I chose a word to meditate and focus on. That word was abundance. Reflecting on that one word helped me see how much abundance I have in my life – in many places that I had overlooked. I could see how abundance was present in my life in so many unexpected ways.

The new year calls for a new word. What will it be? I will watch for a few days and see if a word presents itself . . .

by Roxanne -

Celebration of Family

Photo CA Air Resources Board

During the holidays we often gather with family. What does it mean to be a family? What makes a family?

Today as we look around we can see that families come in all shapes and sizes. Families often have economic, physical, emotional and psychological challenges. What they have in common, however, is love and respect that holds them together at their core. On the other hand, we often find people connected as a clan or group who claim a common genetic lineage. But there may be abuse, lack of respect or disregard for anyone else. I question whether this is actually a family in a true sense of the word.

Although our culture puts great weight on genetic links, choosing genetic links as a definition of family is really arbitrary. For example, where should we make the cut-off for genetic linking? Those one genetic link away? Two genetic links away? Three? In truth we are all connected and all part of the human family. Believing otherwise breeds tribalism and elitism.

Today is the feast of the Holy Family. What does it mean to be a holy family? It seems to me that those who are families of holiness for us, love and respect who we are as persons, encourage and support us and are open to listening and sharing with us. If we are lucky these individuals may also be part of our genetic family of origin. If we weren’t so lucky then, as adults, we must create a family of choice for ourselves.

In the end, families are our first experience in creating strong, rich and deep relationships. Think of the adults who most impacted you as a child. Did you have a teacher who took an interest in you? Maybe a neighbor opened her home to you? Throughout my childhood  I remember well four women who gave me their time, care and attention. In celebrating families, we can celebrate those who bring out the best in us, stand by us and love us.

The experience of family is the foundation by which we develop the ability to move out into the world as adults. This movement out into the world brings us the maturity to see beyond ourselves, work for change in the world and enrich who we are with diverse connections and transformative relationships. In the end, these relationships will enrich and develop our personhood as we change the world. They help us to see in ourselves a vision of who we are and who we can become.

by Roxanne -

Lunar Eclipse

Photo Reuters

I don’t know about you, but where I live it was more like “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” – so there wasn’t even a possibility of seeing the evergreens out back, much less the lunar eclipse. But what a confluence of amazing events – the solstice and the eclipse. It makes me pause and think about the fact that we are merely creatures on a planetary spaceship, traveling at fantastic speed as part of a solar system located on the outer edge of a larger galaxy. It is all so fragile, yet awesome at the same time.

Do we live in a dark, random, hostile universe? Or, as John Haught surmises, did we emerge into an inter-stellar womb created to sustain a 15 billion-year pregnancy for life? What do you think? Is reality loving and nurturing at its core or hostile?

How we answer these basic questions determines our stance toward reality and life. One answer begets a stance of fear, protectionism and defensiveness. Another invites curiosity, openness and exploration.

If you like, you can see an entire series of beautiful pictures of our neighboring celestial orb here.

Were you able to view the eclipse where you live? Leave a comment and let me know.

by Roxanne -

Winter Solstice

Photo R. Meshar

Today is the eve of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Those of us who live in the north are often more aware of this because the light we experience during the day has decreased dramatically in a very short period of time. Where I live it begins to get dark by 4:30pm and it is completely dark by 5:00pm. Those who live closer to the equator still experience almost twelve hours of daylight, from 6am to 6pm.

When the weather is so cold, there is so much snow and the daylight is so brief it takes a little more effort to participate in activities in the evening. Personally, I’m much more likely to want to light a few candles, make some tea, put on some music and curl up by the fireplace with a good book.

In the midst of all of this I am grateful that at least where I live there may be lots of snow, but it is frequently sunny during the day. When I lived in Chicago winter days were often overcast – and effect from nearby Lake Michigan. Sometimes it felt like I never saw sunshine for weeks on end.

The winter solstice is always an interesting metaphor for our own lives. Sometimes we seem to move in darkness or in shadow, not quite being able to see clearly. Cultural, social and family patterns or expectations can dim our ability to perceive reality as it truly is. Usually it takes letting go of expectations, dropping assumptions or stepping back in order for the light to shine in.

Light and transparency is everything. Reading, talking with others, reflection and meditation all help to shine light in our inner and outer worlds. Relationships, patterns of thinking or events can be seen in new or different perspectives.

Today we turn the corner. From now on the days will continue to get longer as we move toward summer. We will experience more light in our lives. The more we are in right relationship with our deepest interior, the easier it is to see the world clearly. The more we see who we really are inside the more the possibilities of the world open up for us. But also the unjust structures of the world and distorted thinking are viewed clearly as well. It takes courage to walk in the light.

May the winter solstice bring courage and clarity to your world.

Peace and Light to all, Roxanne

Photo A. Meshar