“Everything Speaks to Us”

(This post celebrates the one year anniversary of the opening of the Teal Family Pavillion on 10-10-10!)

It is my great joy to be a touring docent at the Crocker Art Museum.

My heart is listening.

Last week we had a large group of fifth graders and we discovered they were quite art savvy, having even met two of our well-known artists in the permanent collection.  Their teacher wanted very specific works included in the tour.  I immediately sent myself into a tiz about being quite sure I was inadequate to the task of touring such a knowledgable group.  Of course I took this to Holy Spirit for the comfort of sanity and peace.

This is the first gift:  “I extend mySelf to this thought.”

“Holy Precious Child,

You are the light in which they will see–let yourself be completely your Self in this tour.  Worry not about the other docent, fear not the teacher’s knowledge.  Give the children an EXPERIENCE of the art, not just talking.”

This is the tour introduction peace gave me:

"Velazquez Family" by Bernice Bing

“Everything Speaks to us–our family, the sun, the Museum, this painting.  We speak to all things in our heart though often not out loud.  Art allows us a moment to pause and hear the conversation.  Would  you be willing to set aside all you know about art for a moment and let art tell you something today?

The great thing about museums is that they are dedicated to creating spaces which allow us the luxury of communing and communicating with all that surrounds us, through art.

You may not be able to articulate your response but if you take the time, you can read your body like a book and it will help you realize your own feelings.

The Museum allows us time to do this.  The artist has given so much to his work:  time, energy,heart, know-how, skill, paint, canvas.  We give the willingness to stop our busy lives and allow motion to pause and take in his gift.”

The joy and confidence I received was overflowing and the tour was completely delicious.  The very best part of all was the moment I first spied the children wearing  bright red sweatshirts with HOLY SPIRIT written on them.  They were, in fact, from Holy Spirit School.  The reminder of the Holy Spirit being in every child, as emblazoned on their shirt just made me laugh.  Who says Holiness isn’t Hilarious?

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“You want to drive WHERE??”

Loving the fog

Yesterday, I had the great joy of facing one of my deepest, most long-standing (more like crouching in the bushes with a machete) fears.  Yippee!  Not.  My 18-year-old daughter wanted to drive to San Francisco (2 hr) and spend the night with a friend going to San Francisco State.  This is not an unreasonable request.  The child in question is no longer a child, she is smart, capable and a good driver.  My fear on the other hand is insane, incapable and a lousy driver careening through toll booths without paying, passing without indicating and generally begging for a ticket.  As my new practice is extending love when thoughts are present blocking the light of who I really am I asked “what flavor of love can I extend to this?”; that I added “ridiculous suggestion” only points to who was driving at the time.

Here is what I heard:  “I extend ACCEPTANCE to this thought.”  So I asked again:  “Um, what other flavor of love could I extend to this thought?”  “ACCEPTANCE” came again.  And again and again.  Yes, I asked four times, unwilling as I was to accept.  It appeared acceptance was my only choice and so I did.  Did I mention the request was whispered in my ear as said daughter thoughtfully came into our bedroom to let us know she was home?  The precise moment my sleeplessness began.

The next morning in quiet I asked again (I know, acceptance is not my strong suit) and this is the beautiful message I received from Holy Spirit:

(The mention of bridges is in reference to the Oakland Bay bridge, a double-decker bridge which collapsed during an earthquake a number of years ago and is still where my own fear overtakes me when I drive across.)

“Holy Precious Child,

Greetings and blessings my dear Child.  We are so happy you have allowed yourself to sit quietly and listen to your heart loving you.  That is all you needed: time to hear and feel this EVERPRESENCE of LOVE.  You need not worry about [x] and her adventure, not because it will go perfectly and without any hitches (although it will) but because I AM with her always.  She is seeking to hear her own heart and she will only be able to do this if you gently stand back in gratitude and know this is happening.

This is what you most want:  her to be confident in her desires and choices, firm in the trusting of her own Voice.  She will learn to ask for assistance or help when needed.  let this beautiful lesson unfold for her.

Fear not the traffic:  extend peace.

Fear not the bridges:  extend clarity.

Fear not getting lost:  extend surefootedness.

Fear not the cost:  extend eternity.

Precious One, You are my love angel, be still and know that you are God.

Amen. Amen & Selah.”

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“Fear not the salvation of this relationship”

My Holiness, my Self

After a blow up with a loved one I felt unsure of any possibility or peace, just about all I could muster in asking the Holy Spirit for help was “WTF mate???!”  This answer was the relief I was seeking:

“Precious One,

Be still a moment and go home. Fear not the salvation of this relationship.  You are integrating holiness into every relationship.  Each step brings you closer to seeing it is but a relationship to your Self you are after–you can organize, rearrange, redecorate or recalibrate every thought you have; you can arrange [thoughts] in pairs, groups or singley but you will still have to see that what is under-girding every single thought is Love.

Love is whole

complete

powerful

enriching

enlightening

truthful

extending

creating.

Let not this dispute amoungst a pairing of thoughts distract you from the truth.

Love is working out everything for the greatest, kindest, most complete benefit for all and for each thought individually.

Do not despair, I say to you:  Be Glad in your peace–Be Glad in your witness–Be Glad in your willingness– All IS WELL.”

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