Up On the Roof

More than a few months ago, I posted an entry called A Simple Prayer. To me, the word "help" is the shortest prayer around. It's the only word that needs to be said when you are discouraged, fearful or uncertain about what is happening in your life. I have been praying "help" for the past several weeks now. I know my plea has been answered. However, there are times when I have a hard time latching onto this knowing. This is when I know, that I need to find some alone time. Lately it has been hard to find a place just to sit and let my cares float away. When I absolutely can't find a place of my own to be alone for even twenty minutes, I find a place in my heart and mind that only I know of. The song, "Up On the Roof" by Gerry Goffin and Carole King is a catalyst that moves me to my secret place and find some peace and knowing that everything is indeed ok.


UP ON THE ROOF
by Gerry Goffin & Carole King

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right in to space

On the roof it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me

Let me tell you now
When I come home feelin' tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet
I get away from the hustling crowds
And all that rat race noise down in the street

On the roof's the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Oh, let's go
up on the roof

At night the stars put on a show for free
And darling, you can share it all with me

I keep a-telling you
Right smack dad in the middle of town
I found a paradise that's trouble proof
So if this world starts getting you down
there's room enough for two up on the roof

Up on the roof
Everyhting's all right
Up on the roof
Oh, come on baby
Up on the roof
Up on the roof

It seems lately that many of us are going through difficult times, stemming from our fears about finances and it seems our fears about how we are going to make it to the next week ties into our relationships with the people we care about. I could tell you to let it all go, it will all be ok.I wont, because I know that many of you can't see and end to what has been a part of your life the past several years. I will tell you to find a roof top to go to sit and just be.



You know I consider each one of you a friend. It doesn't matter to me if I see you daily or if it has been a very long time since we last connected. You are all very important to me and I send all of you, love. :-)

Getting Through Challenging Times

Life certainly does suck. Sometimes to the point where you can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. If you do see one, you begin to wonder if it's actually a train bearing down on you full steam ahead. I can honestly say that the past couple of weeks have not been what I had been hoping for. While they certainly have been challenging, I have been reminded, while moving through the fog, to look within. This has been something I have had to do over and over again with what has been minimal success. So I look within some more and what answer comes to me? In times like these, take your successes in small chunks. Don't wait for the big pay off, because when it doesn't happen right away, it only leaves you with more frustration.

So allow happiness to come to you in the little things. Something as simple as a great home cooked meal, or sitting with a good friend in a coffee shop, just talking about nothing. It may be a good book, or taking the steps to change your eating habits like going vegetarian. Small chunks of success. As the song goes. "Ive got to admit it's getting better. A little better all the time."

I send you all love....


And when people lash out at you in passive aggressive ways because of their failure to look within.... do your best to bless them and let them work things out for themselves.

A New Adventure

Yesterday, the news came out that legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster, Ernie Harwell has inoperable cancer. I remember sitting on the front steps during summer nights with my dad, listening to Ernie as he would paint a picture of the evenings game. Mr. Harwell knew well the adage,"less is more". He understood that silence is a broadcaster's tool that allows the listener to see the landscape of the game in their mind's eye. Baseball was and is my first love in sports. Ernie helped to make it an adventure and now in his words, he's "ready for a new adventure."

Harwell has been an inspiration to many,simply because he is a very nice man. His positive spirit has allowed him to look at each aspect of his life as a journey. Life is something we should marvel over and be grateful for; even when the skies look dark and foreboding. We are painting a beautiful picture of our lives just by seeing them as an adventure and not as a struggle. Those words, "adventure" and "struggle" conjure up different feelings when read, thought or uttered. When you say "adventure" how does it make you feel? Do you feel excitement in your heart center? Is there a sense that although what you may be undertaking may have times of feeling like you're in an "Indiana Jones" movie, crossing frayed rope bridges, running from bounding boulders or hanging on to a cliff with your fingers that you know without any doubt that you will emerge loving your life? Now say the word "struggle" How does it make you feel? If you are like most people, your solar plexus probably feels like climbing into itself, retreating from the world and the people that would be your friends and teachers along the way? See your life a quest to know in an intuitive way your true essence and appreciate that what you say and do will have an affect on everyone around you and even those far away.

It's been a long while since I posted anything to "Radiant You". I had moments of doubt and wondered where I was headed on my trek through life. I knew intuitively that I had to trust that all would be well and to follow the nudging of my heart. Huge changes are underway for myself and while the trail may be full of twists and turns, valleys and hills. I know that life is an amazing journey that I am grateful for.

I thank Ernie for showing me that having a positive outlook about life serves to bring contentment and joy to myself and anyone who chooses to show only love to those we come in contact with. I also am grateful to friends who have moved on to new adventures in their lives. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am now. Finally, I am appreciative of those who are currently in my life. You bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

I send all of you love.

Opening Our Hearts to the Gifts from the Goddess

We all know there is a lot of turmoil going on in this world. Gaza, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. Corruption in governments around the world including ours.  So much pain and suffering all around and you know something? We aren't being punished by God for our wickedness. We aren't going to hell in a hand basket as so many would have us believe. None of this is happening. We are being hugged by the Goddess and God. We are loved and are being given the gift of awareness as we are being opened to the possibilities that we have shuttered for so very long and it's time to open up our hearts and souls to what truly is. It isn't a "could be" situation because it has always been within each of us to manifest and love each other unconditionally.

Tonight I saw an article on Web MD about a rise in autism... Immediately my heart said "Indigo" These children are gifts from the Universe to all of us and as soon as we stop trying to “cure” them and instead  find avenues to heal and  understand why there are so many more than even 10 years ago and what they can teach us about our own search for  the truth, we shall continue to tread water as the tempest rages all around, threatening to carry us  off without our having the remotest clue that anything has happened because it's always the  other sorry soul that couldn't see that they have hurt God or  that Jesus died for their sins. 

We are all made in God's image. We are all Gods and Goddesses. We have the power to change things and no, it is not blasphemy to even suggest this. If we all take up our magic wands of thoughts and wave them with confidence and sincerity, we can change the world, turning missiles, tanks and bombers into ways to cure, teach and feed. When we embrace the Goddess within, laws won't be needed  to tell us what we can't do. Because what we can do is far greater, significantly more positive and so full of love that it makes me cry at the thought of it.

So when you are cursing your life, wanting an answer to why you were fired or why someone had to die or even why food prices keep rising, take a moment to think of the bigger picture and the gift that you have been given wrapped up in love and sealed with a cosmic kiss. We are better than the stuff that happens to us. That "stuff "is just the stories we tell. We must look beyond our tales of fear and loathing. We must open our hearts and souls and truly see the possibilities of love. 

I send you all love and remind you to pray for everyone who is so important in your life.

A Simple Prayer

This morning I was taking my morning walk, my iPod set to random. I'm walking along, not thinking about much of anything, just paying attention to the grass and the trees when Help! by the Beatles started to play. This song has always had a strong hold on my psyche. When ever I am sad or confused I sing in my head:

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?

Well I guess I needed to hear this song because it hit me that just one word, "help", is a very simple powerful prayer. And the song fills in the spaces on just why guidance is needed.

"And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like, I've never done before."

When John Lennon wrote this song, he wrote it because the Beatles needed a song called for their movie, Help! that was due to be released. He was focused on doing just that and it wasn't until years later that he realized that he was crying out for help. All the fame and fortune that came his way and he didn't know which way to turn. I don't know if he would have called his composistion a prayer but in simple reality that is exactly what it is. I know that I have been confused with what my higher self is whispering to me on a daily basis and I don't know which way to turn and there are times I get on my knees and just say "Help! I don't know why these things are happening. I've tried to control it but I'm not doing a very good job at it. Please take over and I'll trust my hopes and dreams will become manifest"

There are so many ways to pray, formal prayers, chanting, singing a hymn and just sitting down and having a conversation ( my favorite way) with the Divine. The majority of prayer is asking for assistance. The secret to knowing that our prayers are heard is to get quiet and listen to the answers we are getting from Source. Meditate. Sit still and listen. The answers aren't shouted at us by an angel holding a megaphone, although anything is possible. Guidance comes in feelings we get in our solar plexus or third chakra. "The path I'm on doesn't feel right to me." I think I need to send an email to this person and see if there's a way I can start going to school soon." "You know I'm really sorry for the way I acted am I'm afraid she will tell me off, but this prodding in my gut says that I need to make amends. I'm going to give her a call."

The Universe is willing to help us whenever we ask. We have to ask though and remember to sit still and listen to the guidance we receive.

I send you all love.

PS. Remember please, those souls who are important to you. Tell them you love them and if for some reason you can't, send them your love, they will somehow know. I send love to those I care about every day.

Help! by Lennon and McCartney and performed by the Beatles

Stillness

Blessings to you all. Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to be going right? You cant find your lucky pair of socks, your purse or billfold isn't where you left it and you are going to be late for work. Yikes! I think we all have had days like these. I had one the other day. I couldn't find my wallet and was ready to give in when I said a prayer to St. Anthony and there it was in the same place I had looked ten minutes earlier. Days like these are bad enough but they can feel like they are magnified 1000 times when you're feeling blue. At first your friends and family are there for you to help with your issues. They sit with you and listen as you tell them about your fears about losing your job or looking for work. They help you network to find a job and give suggestions, but when things fail to materialize, because they aren't able to feel what you are feeling, they become frustrated and begin to back away. I don't know, maybe they are afraid they will catch your no-jobitis or whatever else is causing your melancholy. The truth of the matter is that even though they don't know it, they are getting out of the way to give Spirit room to sit with you and guide you through.

When we are able to be quiet, and really listen to what our hearts are telling us is when we get the real juicy spiritual answers about where we are, where we need to be and the steps needed to get there. We all get guidance in different ways. I get mine in my solar plexus or simply a gut feeling. Others might hear a whispering in their ears. And then there are those who are clairvoyant. They see things with their mind or third eye. There are other ways of getting messages from the Universe, aroma being one of them. I have had experiences with smelling things that aren't there. Another way we can allow Spirit to enter our hearts is prayer.


I'm not talking about saying something like "Oh Lord I am not worthy......" as the cartoon God said in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"... "too depressing"; but simply having a conversation with Spirit, remembering to say thanks for everything in your life including the stuff that doesn't seem to be the best at this moment. Difficult times often come because we need to remove the things that don't serve us anymore. We need to be cleansed so we can start fresh. When we meditate on Spirit and know the Love that Spirit is. we understand that there is NOTHING we can't do, be or have. We ponder our lives in small terms. Spirit wants us to think big!

Try this: get up 20 minutes earlier than you normally do and just sit quietly with eyes closed and meditate on the unconditional Love that is Goddess and God. See the white light flow into your body and feel it seep into your every cell. Be grateful for everything. Even the stuff that seems to be the hardest to be grateful for. When you are grateful, blessings will flow to you.

Finally, know that even though you might feel that people have not been there for you, they are thinking of you and sending love. When we can sit still and just soak in the guidance that Spirit sends to us, we can get to where we are going and, on to the next place.


With that.... I send you all love!

Remember, send blessings,love and gratitude to the bees around you. They are much more important than you realize and they need our prayers. I send many to mine.

"Mirror of the Universe" by Lady-bug

Helping Others to See Their Light

Yes, it's been a while since I last posted here. I've been spending time in meditation working on me. A lot of times I can get so involved in helping others feel good about themselves,I let myself slide. So I've been taking walks and I guess they are helping my health, because I no longer need a defibrillator as I near the one mile mark. I've been attempting to eat better too and I hope it's starting to show. Anyway enough of me. What I want to talk about today is seeing the light in others.

I was talking with a good friend yesterday about everything that has been going on in my world. My friend is my friend because she doesn't judge me and I appreciate that. Anyhow our conversation split off to world leaders, celebs and other people in the news. I told her that we often get an opinion about someone strictly from what we see or hear on the entertainment shows and I include the news we watch when I say "entertainment". Because of what someone says about a leaders of a countries thousands of miles away, we think we know who they are. But do we?If we were able to sit down and break bread with them and really get to know them I believe that we would see a light that shines like a lighthouse beacon.

The same goes for celebrities in the news. I speak of the ones who are hounded by the photographers at every hour of the day.The ones who are still trying to figure out who they are and what they are supposed to be doing in this life. They make choices that a person who is at ease with themselves and comfortable in their world would not. We spend too much time judging instead of helping them see their radiance.

I know that most of us cannot go and have dinner with a leader in a far away country or sit with a movie star and buy them a cappuccino and help them become aware of the light they are hiding within themselves, we can however help them discover the light within.

We can send prayers that they realize their goodness. We can also meditate, picturing white light being beamed from the love of the Universe into their souls and in turn being beamed right back to the Universe. Our radiance is never ending. It always renews and comes back to us.

Let's do our best to see the whole picture of the world around us. By helping others to see their light we can know that our own light shines brightly.

I send you all love.

Oh, please remember while enjoying your strawberries this summer, to send thanks and much love to your bees. I certainly send love and light to mine.

the light house courtesy of James Jordan

The Virtues of Letting Go, Changes and Honey Bees!

Greetings "Radiant You" peeps!I am here to sound like a broken record and talk once again about the beauty of letting go the oars to allow the current to carry you downstream. It bears repeating not only for you but for me as well. I think in this case especially for me. Too often I have found myself wondering how in the world I am going to create my dreams for my life including my finances, living conditions and my relationships. I hear my ego screaming "You cant do that!" or "That will never work. You have to work harder and get a second job!" Fortunately I don't listen to that voice too much. But then I hear my inner wisdom whispering to me in a gentle voice, "Slow down my friend. Relax. Go with the flow. Everything you have asked for is coming to you and will come to you." When I think good thoughts and smile, I feel the electricity of my imagination tingle in every cell of my body and then when I release
it with hardly knowing that I have, my desires come to me much quicker than when I prod and poke and plead and beg. So many wonderful things have happened lately. Some on the surface would appear to be nothing at all. It might be a book I bought or a program I downloaded or something a friend told me. These seemingly trivial happenings are creating critical mass and building up energy ready to start boiling at any moment and creating something new and fantastic.


Take time each day to sit in solitude for 15 minutes. Ask your Angels, the Universe, your Higher Self or God (it doesn't matter what you call it) to guide you to your dreams and desires. Just get comfortable. You don't need to assume the lotus position or burn incense. I often recline back in my Lazy-Boy, closing my eyes and breathe slowly counting to five with each breath and starting over again. Set the intention that you will be receive messages that will serve to guide you toward your dreams. These messages may come as feelings in your solar plexus or sudden Ah-ha moments or maybe they will come as something more auditory. It doesn't matter. Just remember these feelings, epiphanies or voices will be gentle and encouraging. When the thought comes to you take action. Yes, we do create with our thoughts but I have yet to meet anyone who only had to think and have money, love or a home fall into their lap without taking any action at all.


With all of this I will be making changes to Radiant You in the coming weeks and months. I may change the website address as well as the format. I plan to bring to you more ways to increase your Radiance, guest bloggers as well as products and services designed to help you to realize the wonderful person you are.


I send all of you love......
PS.. remember to appreciate the Honey Bees in your life... I know I am thankful for mine!
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