Insights – Melannie Thomas

Life has an abundance of tough moments – none more so than the loss of a loved one.  Cycles of birth and death are part of the human experience.

A passing over that’s expected is no less traumatic than a sudden, unexpected loss.  But they are different.  And when they come this time of year, there is an added sadness.

The ‘Merry’ in Christmas is not so merry.  The tinsel, the lights, the giving of the season, all lose luster.  The lights are not as bright, giving is poignant, and celebration is muted.  However the Holy Spirit is closer.  And if we allow that presence, we are comforted.

My heart flushes with tears around your loss.  I love you cousin!

Savoring a mug of cinnamon laced hot tea, I realized how comforting and satisfying is a good cup of tea.

My beloved Grandmother made the best iced tea in the world.  But like her Southern Fried Chicken and Cornbread stuffing, try as I might, my tea just does not hit her mark. But that does not stop me from enjoying the rich pleasures of tea.

Tea has a long history.  Perhaps dating as far back as 1000 BC in China. Tea is an essential part of Chinese medicine,  and has many contemporary applications for healing.  And, it would be an oversight not to mention the ramifications of The Boston Tea Party spilling over into contemporary politics.  However, my focus is  enjoyment of tea.

Tea ceremonies thrive in almost all cultures of the world; Britain and Japan being most notable.  If you have never had the pleasure of experiencing High Tea, you are missing out on a memorable event.   Several first class hotels throughout the world offer High Tea and traditional Japanese Tea Ceremonies.  For example, the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans serves an authentic English High Tea.  They also offer themed Teas; The Princess Tea for young girls and The Alice in Wonderland Tea.  And, at the Kitano in New York,  you can arrange a Japanese Traditional Tea Gathering Ceremony.

I am happy to have found a Jasmine tea like one from my youth.  I love Rooibos and Blackberry.  In summer,  Hibiscus and Mint over ice with a squeeze of Meyer Lemon is so refreshing.  And watching Numi tea blossom in clear glass pots is simply downright cool.

Won’t you join me?  Any season is a good season for tea.

We live in tumultuous times.  Thursday we celebrate our national day of Thanksgiving; and identifying what we are thankful for can be challenging.  

Amidst the hustle and bustle of this week, I invite you to take a few moments to  give thanks for our freedoms;  for the air we breathe;  for  hot, potable water that is accessible by a turn of the tap…you get the idea.  Being thankful for what we take for granted.

And there’s  the giving part of Thanksgiving.  Giving to a food bank, a homeless shelter, taking food to an elderly neighbor, volunteering time  with one of the many helping organizations in your area, all  great ways of caring and sharing…of giving. Remember our troops on active duty throughout the world and their families.

And, whatever your belief system, give thanks to the unseen Spirit of the Divine Provider.

Wishing you all a very peace filled Thanksgiving!

My first choice for Word of the Week was ‘gift’.  But as I reflected on the many gifts that pour into my life these days, blessing seemed the more appropriate word.

‘A thing conducive to happiness…’ is the definition I find most suitable for this moment.   My new home and new car (new to me) are dramatic examples of  blessing.  Without  loving, generous giving, I would not, could not,  afford these things conducive to my happiness.  This extends to the intangible as well, including the rich, abundant blessings from my garden of family, friends and clients.

I have written here before about acceptance.  I am joyfully filled  by  these expressions of care and support;  and very  grateful that I am able to allow myself to receive these blessings.

A fountain of gratitude bubbles in my heart.  Not only for the folks who have gifted me, but also for the Divine Power of Love, the God of My Heart in whom all things are possible.

Wishing you a shower of blessings this week that are conducive to your happiness!

My Father and several Uncles were Veterans of WWII.  Many of my friends and classmates served in Vietnam.  Today is Veteran’s Day.  A day for honoring the men and women who have served our country in wars fought over the years, including the Civil War.

Veteran’s Day is a national holiday.  I invite you to take a few minutes to give thanks to these gallant people and their families.  If you are local to the SF Bay Area, check out the Petaluma Parade, the biggest Veteran’s Day parade  north of the Golden Gate.  It is always enjoyable, emotional and full of American small-town flavor.

This traditional event, always held on November 11, begins at 1:00.  If you plan to go, get there early, as available parking fills up fast.

We all make decisions; snap decisions, thoughtful decisions, tough decisions, simple decisions, good decisions, bad decisions, informed decisions, intuitive decisions.  

We don’t spend too much time or give too much thought to dozens of daily decisions: what to wear, eat, read, watch, clean, cook, etc.  These are routine, almost automatic choices we make frequently throughout our day.  

Then we face the more challenging, sometimes difficult and often out-of-the-ordinary decisions: A new car or used car? Where to live?  Expensive shoes vs. cheaper shoes? Stay on budget or splurge?  And then there are philosophical decisions: Do I believe in God?  If so, what kind of God?  Do I decide to affiliate as a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent?

When facing difficult decisions, exploring and widening our options, consulting wise counsel, curbing our optimism or pessimism, and seeking Divine guidance are useful strategies.  Ask yourself what advice you would give your best friend, your partner, or your child.  If possible, use the 24 hour, sleep-on-it rule.   Accept that you will make decisions that you regret as well as ones that make you happy.

I invite you this week to look at how you make important decisions. 

My internal chatterbox is particularly active these past few weeks.  Thankfully,  I have developed some fruitful strategies for managing the glut of unwanted messages.

Opening an email from Spirituality & Health, (Sept/Oct 2013) not only reminded me to continue being diligent in managing my internal chatterbox, but listed five Apps to help quiet the mind. To wit:

At Ease.  Guided breathing exercises aim to ease anxiety, a journaling option allows you to track how well each session reduces stress. $2.99 both iPhone and Android at meditationoasis.com/smartphone-apps.

Optimism.  This action plan app helps you develop and monitor strategies for improving overall mood and monitoring symptoms of conditions like depression and anxiety. Free for iPhone and Android at findingoptimism.com.

Relaxing Nature Sounds.  This popular app features 70 relaxing sounds to help with meditation, sleep, or physiotherapy. 99 cents for iPhone at rtstudio.net/ProductsRelaxation.html.

Chakra Meditation.  A beautiful interactive animation allows you to follow along visually while listening to a calming narration.  $2.99 for iPhone or Android at saagara.com.

Relax and Sleep Well by Glenn Harrold.   Narrated by the well-known author, this self-hypnosis app helps to alleviate stress and soothe you to sleep.  Free for iPhone at i-mobilize.com/relax-sleep-well-by-glenn-harrold.

For me a quiet mind is a peaceful mind.  I invite you to try these apps.  Allow yourself to intuitively choose your selection(s).

In the wee early hour, looking heavenward, my breath catches as I view the crisp, starry morning sky.  It is a perspective; a stunningly visual affirmation of how small I am in the greater scheme of things.

Absorbed in the starry spectacle, I wondered what the view will be from my new home.  Although still a rural location, I will be closer to city lights.  And what about the other views that have become so familiar?  I know what I am leaving; I don’t  know what I am moving toward.

I like it very much; the look and feel of my new home.  It is a sweet little place.  Perfect for me as I begin the twilight journey of my life.  But it will be different.  I will adapt to the change;  I will wonder at my new vision of the early morning sky.

It will be different.

To read this week’s Blog, you will have to go to www.melannie-insights.com, and click ‘Morning Sky’.

Thank you all for your patience and ongoing support!  Wishing everyone an awesome week!

Melannie

Google’s top two definitions of ‘miracle’ are:

– a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.
– a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.

Magnitude is only suggested.  We are all aware of miracles both  magnificent, and so small we may not take notice. There are life-changing miracles such as meeting your true soul mate, landing that perfect job, having the perfect home just drop into your lap. And then there are smaller, ‘day-changing’ events like the chance salesclerk who treats you like royalty, the car repair that turns out to be minor, the traffic that moves quickly when you thought you were running  late.

Let’s be on the lookout this week for miracles, miracles, miracles!