tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87616542024-03-07T19:32:09.273-05:00"Making Sense of Life!"Thoughts from a spiritual warrior, a metaphysician and generally accepted all-around nice guy, though perhaps considered by some to be a slightly off-the-wall Bohemian. Terry Drew Karanen is an author, keynote speaker, counselor/life coach and blogger.Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-35547515909571216442014-11-24T03:00:00.000-05:002014-11-24T03:00:21.156-05:00Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you have a “Cardinal Rule?”
I do and I broke mine today. How? I went to the mall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You see, it’s the week before
Thanksgiving. That means it’s after October 15, my “drop-dead-last-day-in-a-mall-before-Christmas”
Cardinal Rule.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t do last-minute
Christmas shopping. I shop a great deal online, which means much of my shopping
is done before fall begins. We also frequent craft shows, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXIxweBERj8/VG5fofdJsRI/AAAAAAAADP4/Kx8fs-4rbbM/s1600/Bell-123909540w1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXIxweBERj8/VG5fofdJsRI/AAAAAAAADP4/Kx8fs-4rbbM/s1600/Bell-123909540w1.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">antique stores and
festivals, all of which are in abundance in south central Pennsylvania. Plus,
we celebrate “Boxing Day” (December 26) thanks to my fiancé’s Anglophile
perspective on life. Shopping for all sorts of presents begins the day after
Christmas. You should only HOPE to get the deals we get!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So why did I chose to title
this week’s blog, “Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding?” You have endured my three
paragraph,</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> “get-to-the-point, Terry!” set-up – a minimum requirement I’ve set when
I’m sleep-deprived, had too much caffeine and some ADHD has kicked in – so you
deserve the answer! Two words:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SALVATION ARMY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Really? November 20<sup>th</sup>
and the bell ringers have to be out already? I mean the mall isn’t even
decorated for Christmas yet. Seriously?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ARGHHH … another Christmas
holiday has arrived, regardless of what the calendar says, and “BINGO!” – all the
things I still need and want to do before the holiday arrives comes flooding
into my little brain, causing me a mini-minor scheduling meltdown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you ever feel that way? You’re
cruising along in life, having a delightful day, feeling like you have the tiger
by the tail and the world is your oyster, and THEN it happens! You remember you
were supposed to do something (like write a major article whose deadline is ten
days away); you’re having guests for dinner and the food you were supposed to
lay out to thaw is still in the deep freeze; or, you answer a call to find out
that a friend has been waiting for the last hour for you to show up for lunch.
You get the idea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t know what might cause
you to have these “Shut-The-Front-Door” moments, but I can tell you how it
usually is for me. Normally when stuff like this happens I find that I have
scheduled so many things to do, or that I am so overwhelmed with worry about a
situation, that my mind just plain stops working.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can’t find my keys – probably
a good idea since the last place I should be at a time like that is behind the
wheel of a vehicle. I forget to feed the fish. I forget to feed Terry. I simply
stop remembering what I’m supposed to be doing and find my mind off on an
Australian-style walkabout. While amusing to others it can be most annoying to
me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is another reason I felt the
way I did earlier today with the bell ringer. It’s completely and totally
ego-related. I don’t recall giving my consent for the Salvation Army to set up
this week (not that they’ve asked in the past, mind you), and since they did so
without any warning (HOW RUDE!), I was literally forced into the realization
that Christmas is closer than I thought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now isn’t that just silly? I
mean it’s not like it’s Easter or Hanukah that changes every year according to
the lunar calendar. There it is, right there, smack dab on December 25, every
year, year after year. Amazing how that works, non?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you’re relating to this.
Quite frankly, I’d hate to think I was the only person in the world who has ever
has this type of thing happen to them. The way I deal with ego meltdowns is to
laugh. That probably annoys the dickens out of my ego, but I’m not going to
lose sleep over that. If you find you are a little surprised by events, the
actions of others, or just something that doesn’t fit your pictures, might you
be willing to try that? Just laugh. I mean have a good, old fashioned belly
laugh. You’d be amazed at how well this works.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mean, compared to world
peace, how important are our problems or upsets anyway?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness (and laughter!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-70017456180264261402014-11-10T02:00:00.000-05:002014-11-09T13:59:49.437-05:00The Prism of Your Soul<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlMG90djSlY/VF-5OMINbKI/AAAAAAAADPo/nKW_K8M7I30/s1600/Prism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlMG90djSlY/VF-5OMINbKI/AAAAAAAADPo/nKW_K8M7I30/s1600/Prism.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you like it when people pigeon-hole you
into category assigned you a label? I sure don’t. Human beings are multi-faceted
creatures. To make situations easier for ourselves we frequently place each
other into convenient categories. All too often these labels fall far short of
describing who we are as individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Psychologist Dr. Dan Gottlieb reported
working with </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">a young woman who told him: “I feel like my soul is a prism, but everybody
just sees one color. Nobody sees the prism.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">What would it be like if we could actually
see the prism of the soul of other people around us? How would our lives be
different if we allowed those we love to see all spectrums of who we are?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think about meeting someone for the first
time. Do we ask what their hopes and dreams are for the future? Do we inquire
about their deepest fears or greatest joys? No. Usually we want to know if they
are married or single; gay or straight; what political party they support; where
they went to school; what they do for a living; what kind of car they drive; and,
what socioeconomic status they have achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, armed with the information, we use a mental
check list to arrive at our decision about how to label the person. Judgment,
prejudice, slant and bias are often attached to labels. We see only one color,
not the full spectrum of visible light or the thousands of shades and tints of
their brilliance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">The prism of our soul is all the colors or nuances
of our personality that make up who we are. Add to that all the bands of light
invisible to the naked eye, both above and below our spectrum of recognition.
These unseen energies represent the subconscious or subjective aspects of our
personalities; some perhaps not even known to us let alone anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be willing to take a step or two back this
week from your preconceived ideas about the people in your life. What positive
qualities do they possess that you may have overlooked? Then, open up to others
fully and confidently in being all you can be by showing a willingness to share
your hidden colors with them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terry</span></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-88948693946610126442014-11-03T03:00:00.000-05:002014-11-03T03:00:13.525-05:00Yes, Precious, It DOES Matter<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There WILL be a spiritual component to this writing
… I promise … but you need a little “set-up” for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So … I'm off to my “day job” as a flight attendant, going
through the "Known Crew Member (KCM)" security check at BWI last
Monday morning at 4:35am for my 5:00am sign-in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hand my passport to the TSA agent, scan my KCM
badge, then hold my airline ID badge for her to compare my ID, passport and the
photo of me on the monitor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She looks at my passport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She looks at my badge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She waits for the photo to come up on the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her eyebrows raise, ever so slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She looks at my passport again, then at my ID and
the back at the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then, she looks up at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her left eyebrow raises in a more pronounced manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She looks back at the passport, issued in 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She looks back at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THEN she says it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“WOW! You
sure have aged!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m barely standing up straight, managing on 4.5
hours of sleep, a two-hour drive to the airport in the middle of the night and
it’s now 4:36am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am NOT in the mood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My response?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I honestly didn’t have one – don’t ask me to be
witty before coffee. I did manage my best flight attendant fake smile (you
know, the one that looks nice and really means, “Drop dead”), accompanied by a
slight raise of MY left eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stopped short of saying something about one of the
worst hair weaves in the greater Baltimore/Washington DC area and that
“someone” likes the McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts just down the corridor a
little more than is prudent. I’ve learned to NEVER push a TSA agent, particularly
one that obviously takes great pride reveling in perhaps the only part of her life
in which she feels she has complete and utter control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(sigh)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what <i>is</i>
the spiritual side of all this? This amazing light being with bad hair and a
penchant toward hypertensive heart disease was scheduled at exactly the right
time and on the precise day that I would come up to her desk for her to be able
to deliver a message from Spirit that I did not want to hear: “Terry, We believe you are a “bit” more
concerned about turning 60 next year than you might want to admit. Jus’ sayin’.
Thanks, The Universe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like a lot of people, I’ve been known occasionally to
believe denial of the facts will encourage the manifestation </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_hY1aTvFHo/VFWAGZmxZrI/AAAAAAAADPI/m1o0U_H-9KQ/s1600/pg_41e_-__man_-_showing_progressive_aging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_hY1aTvFHo/VFWAGZmxZrI/AAAAAAAADPI/m1o0U_H-9KQ/s1600/pg_41e_-__man_-_showing_progressive_aging.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of what we imagine
to be eternal truth. The Truth is, however, denial doesn’t do anything for us,
except perhaps make us uncomfortable because we’re lying to ourselves and
everyone around us. What we <i>can</i> deny
is the necessity of our situation and then turn to knowing the Truth.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We forget that the “facts” are not the Truth. It
isn’t turning 60, or having a few pounds after we gave birth to our third
child, or finding hair growing in places we didn’t know hair would grow, or not
fitting into our favorite skinny jeans. It’s what meaning we assign to those
facts that change our attitude and our experience in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What facts have you been denying in your life? Would
you be willing to admit what you don’t want to think about? Admitting the facts
doesn’t mean we forget the Truth. It’s the first step to our healing. In the
words of my friend, Arleen, “You’ve suffered long enough. Are you willing to
try something else?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, are you? Willing to try something else? And,
FYI? My birthday is May 23. I expect cards. LOTS of cards. Jus’ sayin’….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Terry</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-3793459384581872152014-10-27T03:30:00.000-04:002014-10-27T03:30:04.271-04:00Using Methodical Madness to Our Advantage<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Do you ever create a “To Do” list, or what I
like to call my “Accomplishment List,” only to find it screaming at you later
in the day? I am often asked how I keep all the different parts of my life
organized. Granted, using </span><a href="https://evernote.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Evernote</a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> on my mobile
devices and desktop has become an indispensable tool. But there is another
reason. I see my life and all that I do, both what others call my ministry and
what I call my life, as One.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was a time when I was a man of many
masks – not faces, masks. I was a completely different person depending on
where I was and with whom. Sure, I still use what my partners call my “flight
attendant voice” at times, but today pretty much what you see is what you get.
We cannot be authentic if we are always being what other people expect us to be,
or changing our persona to fit the circumstance. Frankly, if I can’t be myself
where I am then I have to question why I’m there in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">There’s a term I think about when life gets a
little crazy at times: Methodical
madness! I heard that term on NPR a while back referring to someone who has ADD
(Attention Deficit Disorder). I have learned to enjoy the madness of my
tendency toward ADD to accomplish more than I ever thought possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MQ7b4WeU_0/VEpQ2M1VUMI/AAAAAAAADOo/v1yXMcvHFX0/s1600/too-busy-photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MQ7b4WeU_0/VEpQ2M1VUMI/AAAAAAAADOo/v1yXMcvHFX0/s1600/too-busy-photo.png" height="157" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">My partners tell me that what I really suffer
from is “AD...OSO,” or “Attention Deficit….OH! SHINY OBJECT!” Kidding aside, I
do not <i>suffer</i> from ADD or anything
else. I am not willing to claim it. Remember in the Bible when God brought the
animals to Adam? Scripture says that Adam named them and he received dominion
over them. It is a wonderful metaphysical lesson: Name it and it’s yours, only in this case
what we name gains dominion over <i>us</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">I call it a “tendency toward ADD” and not my <i>my</i> ADD. When we <i>own</i> a disease, condition, person or situation it becomes a noose
around our neck. Sometimes it becomes a life sentence. Recognizing the areas in
our lives that are out of balance and taking responsibility is one thing;
allowing something to run or ruin our life is another thing entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is there something in your life that is
stopping you from living life to the fullest? If so, ask yourself why you
continue to put up with it, work around it, or allow it to force you to live a
life that is less than stellar. I love to see people make decisions to thinking
differently about physical or psychological issues. We can affect change and
create lives truly worth living instead of “just getting by.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me help you with some problem that’s been
nagging you for longer than you’d like! Call, email, or make an appointment to
spend some time together to get to the bottom of the problem and move beyond!
We are all One Mind – within YOU is the Knower that knows the answer to any
challenge you face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terry</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-32676301658051932782014-10-20T02:00:00.000-04:002014-10-20T02:00:02.180-04:00<div _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><b>My First Guest Blogger!</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div _mce_style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">
Do I like introducing one friend to another? I love doing that! It's especially fun when people are from different backgrounds and organizations. I get to do that for you today!</div>
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I was privileged to be the spiritual leader at a Unity church for about a year and a half. One of the best parts about that experience was meeting some amazing ministers in that denomination. Today I get to introduce a woman to you who I count as both a colleague in ministry and a trusted friend, <strong> </strong><a href="http://ellendebenport.com/">Ellen Debenport</a>. </div>
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<br /><span _mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;">Ellen is a celebrated author and speaker. Her book, <em>The Five Principles</em>, is a sophisticated but clear explanation of the universal spiritual laws that are the foundation of human living. While it's discussing Unity principles I tell people it's also one of the clearest explanations of our Science of Mind(R) principles around! </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;">She is currently minister at Unity of Wimberley near Austin, TX.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span _mce_style="font-size: 20pt; color: #0a74db;" style="color: #0a74db; font-size: 20pt;"><strong>The Creative Impulse</strong></span></span></div>
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Ellen Debenport</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Several people have asked me lately where I get ideas for this blog or
for the talks I give.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">When
I'm honest, I tell them the idea is usually dredged from somewhere in the back
of my mind at the last minute.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I
envy those people who bubble with ideas all the time, who have so many ideas
they don't know which ones to pursue, or fear they won't have time for all of
them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Even
so, I wonder how many of us would describe ourselves as creative.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Creativity
is more than just talent with words or art or music.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It's a chef, an entrepreneur, an
event planner, a gardener.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It's a parent making a long car trip
fun for the kids.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It's a teacher finding just the
right stories and pictures to explain a new concept, whether for first
graders learning arithmetic or rocket scientists reviewing a launch
sequence.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I
don't actually know many rocket scientists, but I know creativity doesn't have
to be loopy and right-brained. It can be methodical and disciplined. Think of
what it takes to design software for a video game. That's creative!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Romantic
love inspires creativity, of course. You know you're in love when all the songs
on the radio make sense. Now marriage proposals have become an art form.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I believe creativity is our most divine expression.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So
why is it ever hard? Why do we not recognize it in ourselves more often? Why do
we not cultivate it every day? And why do we procrastinate?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I
admire a young woman in Canada, Samantha Reynolds, who noticed her life was
being consumed as a new mother and vowed to write and post a poem every day
just to keep her creative juices flowing.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Since
her second baby, the poems are no longer daily, but she still sees through a
poet's eyes. And, she noticed recently, so does her little boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">If we
are made in God's image as creators, if creativity is a child's natural
approach to the world, then why is the inner critic so vocal when we attempt
something new?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">God created the earth and saw that it was good.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Whereas
many of us look at our creations and say:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">This
is awful.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Everyone's
going to hate it.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I'm
too embarrassed to put this out into the world.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Maybe
I should just start over.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">When
did we lose the joy in creativity? (I would say it was the first time we were
graded, but that's another soapbox.)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I
know so many people now who are working to recapture their creative joy, and –
like children – they are less concerned with whether they have natural talent
than with expressing themselves.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Good
for them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The focus required for creativity may be the best way we have to stay in
the present moment. It's a spiritual practice.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Even
better, many of us know divine help is available for these endeavors.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">You've
heard the story that every blade of grass has an angel bending over it,
whispering, “Grow, grow.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So do
you.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I'm
teaching a class right now based on a little book called</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Hiring the Heavens</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">, about creating angel
committees to help with any project. It's a fun way to organize the divine
power of good in the universe.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">And
personally, I imagine angels – or whatever forms the Source of Creative
Imagination takes – are cheering us on.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So, back to the original question -- where do my ideas come from? I ask
for them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Most
weeks, I tell the angels that I absolutely, positively have to have a new
topic, overnight. And it's nearly always there in the morning, popping into my
mind while I'm still half-asleep, just in the nick of time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Of
course inspiration can be triggered from outside as well – books, speakers, a
walk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The
fact is, we are creators every second of the day, creating events and
experiences with our deepest thoughts whether we know it or not.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Even
at the conscious levels of personality, we are composing our lives – where to
live, which jobs to accept, whom to marry, whether to have children – and
choosing our reactions with each new encounter.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We
can't NOT create.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Wouldn't
it be more fun to claim it? To think of ourselves as brimming with creativity
and turn ourselves loose on the world?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">If you could create anything right now, what would it be?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-88604460492827582402014-10-13T09:03:00.002-04:002014-10-13T09:03:35.695-04:00Where Is Your Focus?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever
noticed just how quickly our moods can change? For example, what happens to
your outlook when you think of a tragic event in your life or in the life of
someone else? Immediately our minds focus on the details, perhaps imagining the
experience worse than it was.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had a lucid
dream at some point last night. If you’re not familiar with the term “lucid
dream” it means that you realize in your dream that you are dreaming. <a href="http://www.dreamviews.com/content/what-lucid-dreaming-16/">Dream Views</a>
describes it as a person realizing they are in a dream after experiencing
something and then stopping to question their reality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my dream I experienced
something unpleasant having to do with an organization in which I have had
conflict in the past. I knew very well it was a dream, but the experience was such
that it perfectly scripted a hidden fear about confrontation in general.
All-in-all it was most unpleasant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I awoke completely
focused on the dream that had gotten me so upset. I “forgot” to do my morning
stretches before getting up and also neglected my meditation work that follows.
I put too much milk in my coffee and found myself totally annoyed about it. Fortunately
my higher self slapped me back into reality. I often hear the “still small
voice” of intuition, but additionally I seem to have a “slap-Terry-up-side-the-head”
spiritual connection that lets me know when I’m out of sync! It’s annoying, but
helpful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was a
time in my life that I would have allowed that dream to ruin my whole day, have
been a complete grouch, and probably gotten into an argument with a lover,
co-worker or unsuspecting clerk at a store. I give thanks for my teachers and
daily spiritual practice that allows me to focus on what I want, instead of
what I don’t want, which results in a happier life. But, it was a stark
reminder for me that my thoughts definitely control my life and my attitude. As
Mike Dooley says, “Thoughts become things – Choose the good ones!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are you focusing
on right now? Is it what you want to happen? If not, why give it any more of your
time? Unhealthy, unproductive thoughts that live rent-free in our mind don’t do
us or anyone else any good. This probably isn’t news to you, but if you’re like
me it’s a good idea to remind yourself. Commit right now to focus on what you
want. Let go of the fear and uncertainty
of worrying about your future or fretting about the past. Yesterday is gone and
tomorrow will be the experience you create today!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Spirit,
Truth and Playfulness,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-50700757862428924512014-10-06T12:53:00.000-04:002014-10-06T12:53:04.579-04:00Who Supports You?<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you one
of these persons that everyone calls in a crisis? Do you know just what to say
and when? Have been there to take charge and calm the mob from burning the
town?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps not
the later, though if you’ve done that do email me the details – I’d love to
know about it! But if you’re reading this the rest of previous paragraph
probably describes you. I know it clearer speaks about many of my readers who I know personally. The question is, To
whom do <i>you</i> turn to when times get
tough?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It can be a
difficult question to answer, particularly if you are a leader, a minister, a
supervisor, or just that one particular person everyone thinks has it all
together all the time. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I will. I’ve been
seen that way since I was 17 years old. At the time I had a real problem that
finally came to light. The people who helped me had no idea anything was wrong.
“We thought you had the world by the tail,” I was told.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn’t. I
couldn’t find my own tail let alone anyone else’s. I was fortunate and
blessed to have people who cared enough about me to intervene in my life and
stop what was fast becoming a downward spiral. The fact is, however, it doesn’t
have to get that bad to be dangerous.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there
something in your life that you keep putting on hold? Something that bothers
you, that you know you ought to take
care of, yet something you never seem to have the time or strength to address?
If so, I encourage you to reach out today for some kind of support to get you
through whatever the issue is. It may be contacting a counselor or minister for
guidance. I might just be coffee with a friend. Whatever it is for you, please
take the time to take care of yourself.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t
force you to do this, but would you be willing this week to do just one simple,
loving thing that is just for you? In other words, take some time to bask in a
completely selfish act of some kind that nurtures, revitalizes and pleases you.
If it’s something you’d like to share, skip down to the bottom and leave a
comment. Who knows, perhaps that one thing you do this week will be just what
someone else is looking for to help themselves! Have a great week!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Spirit,
Truth and Playfulness,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Terry</span><b style="font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-45046519263590286372014-09-24T10:54:00.001-04:002014-09-24T10:56:48.564-04:00For What Are You Grateful?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you able to experience
gratitude on a daily basis? I’m not just talking about appreciating someone
opening a door for you when your hands are full. I’m talking about a deep
resonance within your heart, not just once in a while, but throughout the day,
but just how blessed you are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt that for four days
recently on a humanitarian mission to Bogotá, Colombia. As a member of <a href="http://airlineamb.org/">Airline Ambassadors International</a>, I
accompanied over a dozen other volunteers as we visited and supported the
children of <a href="http://www.frequency.com/video/bogota-colombia-airline-ambassadors/105436266/-/5-107345">Orphanage
Rompiendo Cadenas</a>. This facility houses about 75 children from toddlers to
young adults. Adoption is impossible since their parents are still on the
street or in jail, many who are prostitutes and/or drug addicts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While the living conditions at
the orphanage are far below our American standards, the consistent and
heartfelt joy shown by the kids in helping one another is beyond belief. Do
they ever fight or disagree? Sure. They’re kids! But most of the time they are
looking out for one another. They are a very large family that works together
and shares of their limited resources.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9NwFAEmv-DIYfaw8ZCbzav2nGYB8QYT1KE1Z3nExcIsfAQzAGjd9SiQtqO5n7G3GyGXC5n8V1ty2ZD-mFQfRqZs2EtkimnMUqczeBtpJHEbnv_isBhPLeGxHOPblmbCy04hX/s1600/HPIM3975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9NwFAEmv-DIYfaw8ZCbzav2nGYB8QYT1KE1Z3nExcIsfAQzAGjd9SiQtqO5n7G3GyGXC5n8V1ty2ZD-mFQfRqZs2EtkimnMUqczeBtpJHEbnv_isBhPLeGxHOPblmbCy04hX/s1600/HPIM3975.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carolyn and Terry reading to Nicole</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This week’s writing is not
about how much we have here in the States and how we should feel guilty if we
complain about our life. It’s also not about helping people overseas when we
have plenty to do to address starvation and poverty in our own country. What
this writing <i>is </i>about is how we can train
ourselves to appreciate what we have.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it wrong to want more, or
have more, when people around the world or in your town are in lack? No, it is
not. Denying ourselves our blessings does no one else any good here or abroad. We
live in an abundant universe, one ready to support us in more ways than we can
believe possible at times. But we have to be the ones to reach out. We have to
open our consciousness and our hearts to accept our good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The way to start that process
is to begin appreciating what we have. Take nothing in your life for granted. Be
grateful for all those who bless you throughout today. We get precious little
support in the media for doing good deeds for others. But that doesn’t mean we
can’t do something on our own. It’s like the argument against recycling that
goes along the line of “recycling just one can or envelope is not going to save
the planet.” No, it won’t. But if 100,000 of us each recycled a can or envelope
it can certainly reduce our carbon footprint on Mother Earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps that’s the crux of my
thoughts this week. It’s not whether or not we can fly around the world helping
people with less than us, or recycling everything in sight. It’s about doing
those seemingly small random acts of kinds, those little gestures of love and
appreciation that bring us closer to creating a world where peace and abundance
are the norm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you feel so inclined, take a
look at the link above to the orphanage. It will take you to a video of a past
humanitarian mission. I guarantee your perception of your day will change.
Whether or not you do click on the link, I hope you’ll take a few moments today
to find the blessings in your life. And, in that deep appreciation and grateful
feeling, how will you reach out to others in your own life? We do not give to
receive, but in the giving we receive back more than we can imagine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Terry</span>Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-83843017817020807632014-09-17T10:58:00.003-04:002014-09-17T10:58:38.501-04:00Getting Happiness Back In Your Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This week I want to chat with you about how
scented balls led to a change in my thinking and attitude. Now you might be
wondering exactly what those are and how they might enrich <i>your</i> life. Or, you might be taken aback by what fear could turn
into a very different discussion. Either way I can safely say that you probably
have a smile on your face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Or not. I hope so, though! The scented balls I’m
talking about are those gel-like, round beads that you may have seen in a
candle store. They scent rooms or your car with a far lighter scent than a
candle or incense. My partner got one for me and it fits perfectly in the
backseat cup holder in my car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But after a couple of weeks of summer heat, all
that was left of the puffed up nodules were some very small hard, seed-like
looking grains. The scent still lingered, but what to do? Just for fun I filled
the jar halfway with warm water. In less than 30 minutes I had a jar full of
those gel-like beads again, as well as a more pronounced scent for my car!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEzoTuoKU6k/VBmhHzh_OfI/AAAAAAAADFQ/O7PUSHQBfSk/s1600/469341189_584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEzoTuoKU6k/VBmhHzh_OfI/AAAAAAAADFQ/O7PUSHQBfSk/s1600/469341189_584.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I marveled at how quickly and easily they
transformed back to their intended appearance and function. (Side note: I’ve done this process again at least twice
with the same result!) It occurred to me that sometimes I feel just like those
dried out scented balls. My heart becomes hard and feels like it’s going to
crack in half. Then someone smiles or is kind to me when I’m out running
errands. Or, I may read something funny online that makes me question my
sadness or anger. My heart softens and the world no longer looks so cruel and
cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">How quickly that can happen! In an instant –
far less than 30 minutes! – we can be transformed. Our lives become immediately
happier and we don’t feel as alone. I don’t know what the triggers are for you,
either for feeling down or rejuvenating yourself to the person you love to be.
But I do know it’s important that we all find what it is we do to change our
attitude. For me it’s a Beach Boys album or a Cher disco CD. (Give me a break
here? I grew up on the Southern California coast and came out in the late
1970s!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Find something you know will make you happy. Perhaps
it’s a reading, a place, some music or the kindness of a friend. Keep that
action on mental speed dial. Our spirit may be eternal, but our lives in these
bodies have a very limited time on the planet. Take advantage of every second
of every day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-4403059029997918032014-09-10T08:45:00.001-04:002014-09-10T08:45:22.233-04:00What Will You Remember?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you think back on the past
what comes to mind? Good memories? Painful ones? Today is Patriot Day in the
United States. It’s observed on September 11 to mark the anniversary of terrorist
attacks in 2001. (Side point? It’s “Patriot Day,” NOT “Patriot’s Day!” <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/patriots-day">Patriot's Day (or Patriots' Day)</a> commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord, which
were fought near Boston in 1775. Being in a relationship with a historian has
its perks.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patriot Day. On September 11,
2001, at least 2,996 people lost their lives. Thousands of people knew someone
who died that day. Thousands more know someone who lost a loved one. But what
will we remember?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That day is an intensely
personal memory for most of us in this country. The day is still fraught with
loss, with sadness and with anger. Our nation lost a big chunk of our
innocence; America had to admit she was no longer safe from modern-day
terrorism on her own soil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many of us got angry – really
angry. A lot of people still are. People wanted then and still want today to
have one particular individual or group to blame. The situation is too complex
for that to happen. Unfortunately, much of the anger has been waged against innocent
Muslims. The great majority of Muslims decry the attacks to our country even
more than some Christians and Jews, because these senseless acts of violence desecrate
Islam and her principles. Yet, those people continue to bear the brunt of
ignorance and senseless violence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is, perhaps, a greater
question than, “What do you remember?” The more productive and telling question
is, “How does remembering what you experienced serve you?” Whether it’s
observing the anniversary of 9/11 or the memory of a nasty divorce, what emotions
do we want to stir up when recalling the past?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t suggest forgetting
painful memories or missing loved ones no longer with us, but I conversely I
don’t recommend dwelling on those thoughts to our physical, emotion and
spiritual detriment either. Just like a physical wound creates scar tissue, our
emotional wounds can create something similar in our consciousness. We are
stronger for what we move through and beyond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But like that scar tissue, going
back and picking off the emotional scar tissue, digging open the wound and then
dredging up blame and anger doesn’t help us heal. Some reading this will say,
“But I DESERVE to be angry!” Perhaps you do. If that is your need then you will
have that experience and all the consequences that accompany your emotions. I
believe what we deserve is peace of mind, self-respect and unshakeable faith in
the power of love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If there is some event in your
life – 9/11 or something else – would you be willing to remember the experience
from a place of observation instead of re-enactment? On Patriot Day we can
honor our fallen heroes through working for peace instead of seeking to further
destroy. We can seek to understand, instead of demanding to be understood. We
can listen with the intent of healing, instead of waiting for a break in the
conversation to interject snarky retorts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The common slogan from that day
13 years ago is, “We will never forget.” I’ve more often used my own slogan, “We
will always remember.” The question is, How will my memories aid in creating a
better life for myself and others?<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> What can I take away
from the experience to move forward into the future, learning from the past
instead of being stuck in it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With blessings and love for all
the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and for their families and
friends who still miss them,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-65674922732733930212014-09-03T17:22:00.001-04:002014-09-03T17:22:55.965-04:00You Only Live Once?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you believe you only live
once? When I was a child I was taught there was no life before this one. It was
drilled into me that if I died before Judgment Day there would be no life after
death, unless I had been really, really … I mean REALLY … good and did all the
things I was taught on Sunday and throughout the week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I grew older I came to
believe that life is eternal and, though we may have different bodies or
expression through time, there is no end to the life energy within each of us.
I developed a strong conviction that I had lived lives before this one and that
my spirit will go on to live after my body dies, either on this plane of
existence or others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Warren Buffet changed my
mind last week. (I’ll bet in a thousand years you did NOT see that coming!) John
G. Taft, the author of “<i>S</i>tewardship: Lessons learned from the lost culture
of Wall Street,” recently wrote about the greatest sayings of Buffett. In the
article he refers to the “punch card analogy” Buffett uses in the context of
investment and finance. Taft suggests that it can apply to life in general as
well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Briefly, this punch card idea
states that we have a limited number of key decision-making events that occur
in our lives. If your “life card” has twenty places to punch on it, once you
make one of those choices you have only nineteen left. Think about the old
amusement parks rides that took a different number of tickets for each ride. When
your roll of tickets was gone you went home. “What?” you say? “Talk of
limitation from a religious science minister who believes in our unlimited
potential?” Yes, in a way, so mark this down as one of those times.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This idea goes quite well with the
belief that we have freedom of choice, but not of consequence. Choosing a drama
over a comedy at the theater or pasta instead of salad for dinner probably
isn’t going result in some earth-shattering or otherwise monumental change. If
I choose the comedy film followed by the pasta it’s probably not going to be
something memorable ten years from now unless, of course, that cute Italian waiter
is my next ex-husband.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Narrowing our choices and
choosing wisely can have a tremendous impact on our overall happiness and
satisfaction with life. Too many choices of anything can stop us from moving
forward – ask any couple who had to decide on what color(s) to paint the bathroom.
Conversely, only one or two choices can feel like it’s
“damned-if-I-do-damned-if-I-don’t,” which for me translates into “I’m powerless
and a victim.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The danger here is taking an
attitude of “I don’t care” on one end of the spectrum and “I have to do this”
on the other. Very few of our daily decisions fall soundly on either end. Most
are in the middle. The rest lean more toward one side or the other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our job is to decide just how
much energy we want to put into our decisions. To assist with decision making
think about this: How important will
this decision be in five years? In ten years? Or, If I had been given only one
more year to live, what different choices would I make?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I suggest to you that there
will never, ever be another unique person exactly like you through whom God
(Spirit, if you prefer) can experience life. Be confident in your decisions.
Choose wisely. And, above all, make sure God’s having a good time in the
process, since you are that which God is!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-7451688347050374912014-08-27T16:46:00.000-04:002014-08-27T16:46:44.759-04:00History or Creative Writing?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Have
you ever read an account of the past that sounded like someone “re-wrote
history?” This discussion has come up more than once in our household, but then
I live with a historian who is a scholar and expert on the United States Civil
War, as well as Presidents Jefferson and Lincoln.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I
suggested to him the other day that history was just creative writing. What I meant,
whether we want to admit it or not, was that very little writing, is completely
free of slant or bias. I expected an argument (friendly, of course!) as our
family members often goad another on topics near and dear to our hearts. It
keeps us on our toes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To
my surprise he quickly agreed without even pausing the DVR’d program we were
watching. I must be losing my touch or six years together has caused us to
become more similar than either of us wants to admit! Perhaps it has something
to do with a recent discussion how the educational system of one particularly
large (VERY large) southern state has an interesting take on the history of
slavery in this country. But I digress …<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">No
matter what we read in historical accounts, it behooves us to remember who is
writing the story. If the writing is recent, is the information based on
primary documents from the time period? Or, are the suppositions presented to
us based on secondary and tertiary documents, or in some cases, merely hearsay?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How
does this apply to our daily lives? Well, we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> have history. In the telling of that history we attach biased
or slanted meanings that may or may not provide a clear picture of what really happened.
Did daddy “abandon” me, or did he just “leave?” Was I “denied” the right to a
higher education, or at some point along the line did I just decide complaining
was easier than just doing something about my situation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There
are two schools of thought on whether or not we can really “re-write” our
personal history, but we can most definitely do something. What is that? We can
re-frame our history to allow our past to be experiential and instructive, not
tragic and destructive. Ask yourself, What story about my past have I been
telling that no longer serves me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">An
honest answer to that question just might open a door of opportunity for
clarity and healing you may have been missing. We can continue to honor the
past by learning from it, not by allowing it to control, mold and determine our
present…or our future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In
Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Terry
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-69719448135797847422014-08-21T03:30:00.000-04:002014-08-21T10:37:56.020-04:00Have You Arrived?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do you know when you’ve “arrived?” What
I’m asking is, How do you know when you’ve accomplished what you set out to
accomplish, or that you have the life you want?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With some things, like taking a plane from
one city to another, you know exactly when you’ve arrived. The aircraft stops,
you get off the plane and you go about your business. But life is not always
that cut and dry.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I suggest to you that too often we wait to do
what we want to do, or experience what we desire to accomplish, because we are waiting
for some power outside ourselves. We delay our joy and happiness by making the
assumption that to achieve our goals we <i>must</i>
go through a pre-determined set of mile markers. For example, “I can’t get a
good job until I get my bachelors, masters or doctoral degree.” Therefore, no
job or career, until the achievement of one or all of those goals, will ever be
good enough to be “good.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here’s how I started thinking about this last
week. As you may or may not know I’m in the process of completely re-designing
my ministry and how I serve others. There are, of course, some components I
will keep that have worked well for me and benefited those whom I have served
over the past two decades. But other projects and opportunities I have in mind are
brand new areas for me, a few using cutting-edge technology which I have yet to
learn!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ll be 60 next year. I actually started
thinking that with this new ministry I’ll be able to enjoy the life I want in
another ten or twenty years. I got stuck for a moment in the <i>shoulda/couldas.</i> (NOTE: Please read the rest of this paragraph with a
whiny voice.) “I shoulda done this twenty years ago. I coulda moved forward
before now. Now because I delayed I won’t be able to enjoy the life I want for
some time.” <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">WRONG! I know exactly what kind of life I
want to have and – drum roll – are you ready? – I’m already living it! There
isn’t anything I’ll be doing in twenty years that I don’t already do now. We
have this idea in the U.S. that we have to work a long time to create the life
we want and, in the back of our minds, feel like we might be too old or too
feeble to enjoy it once we get there. Here’s a quote I love to remind myself of
from time-to-time:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.35pt; margin-right: 27.35pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The world knows you in terms of your history,<br />
but the universe knows you in terms of how you<br />
are knowing yourself at this present moment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Michael Hyatt writes an amazing blog. This
week his topic is, “Why Retirement is a Dirty Word.” I re-tweeted a quote from
him that speaks directly to what I’m writing about here: “If you’re doing meaningful work you enjoy,
why would you ever want to quit?” This is <i>exactly</i>
how I’m living my life, helping others to have the life they envision for themselves
– not twenty or thirty years from today, but starting right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let go of the past! Forget about what was and
concentrate on what “is.” We do not have to wait for anything to enjoy the life
we desire. We are only a thought away from changing our attitude and our
outlook by simply changing our perception of what’s happening in front of our
faces.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What has to happen before you will have the
life you want? Do you feel something stands in the way of your happiness or a
change needs to occur before you can be satisfied? Would you be willing to ask
yourself if that is really true? We human beings are spectacular at convincing
ourselves of what we can’t have. The magical answer to obtaining our desires is
that we can just as well convince ourselves that we <i>can </i>have the life we want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The universe is here to lovingly and rapidly
rush to our aid. It is conspiring to give us what we want. The key is that we
have to be willing to allow this to happen. What are you waiting for? Go for
it!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">P.S.
To read Michael’s full posting, click </span><a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=af21e4399f&e=0dbccf8272"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">here</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-61124378470982434022014-08-12T19:34:00.001-04:002014-08-12T19:34:46.961-04:00"Genie, You're Free"<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Are you thinking about the
death of Robin Williams today? With all the news channels reporting it, Twitter
feeds going wild and the many photos on Facebook it’s pretty hard not to think
about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
I’m publishing this week’s
message early, unedited, unproofed and completely raw form. Why? Because that’s
what many of us are feeling right now:
raw emotions. We’re feeling sadness at how much we’ll miss his humor and
crazy antics. We’re experiencing rage or anger that he died. Why didn’t someone
see this coming, or why didn’t his family or friends do something?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
As a minister, and also a licensed
social worker I’m well aware of the truth of just how much depression and
anxiety permeate our society. Studies indicate around 16 million Americans suffer
from some form of depression and most of those cases go either undiagnosed or
untreated. A psychiatrist one said, because he’s a medical doctor, that a death
from suicide to him is no different than any other death. How can that be? Isn’t
that callous? He explained that the reason he felt that way is that it is still
a death from the <i>disease</i> of
depression. In that light, it is no different to him than the death of a person
from the disease of kidney failure, heart failure or a brain tumor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Ponder that a moment. Do <i>you</i> see depression as the dis-ease it
is? It is a condition that is treatable through many methods, including
medication, behavioral therapy and the complimentary treatments of affirmative
prayer, meditation, movement, exercise and massage, to name a few. I have used
all of those for my clients. But, more importantly, I’ve use them for myself as
well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
I’ve dealt with, and at times
suffered from, chronic depression from the time I was a child. I’m 59 and I’ve
allowed this condition to affect me in various forms for about 55 of those
years. I’m no longer ashamed to say so, any more than I would be “ashamed” to
be dealing with diabetes, lung cancer, HIV/AIDS or any other physical disease.
Just as these other physical ailments can be treated through Spirit, mind and
body, so can depression. At the time I’m writing this we’re hearing that
William’s death was a suicide. I don’t know that for sure. What I know is an
incredibly talented man, one who made so many of us laugh, cry and ponder ideas,
is gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
We can’t bring him back. What
we <i>can</i> do in this country and abroad is
stop vilifying people who are experiencing depression and anxiety like they are
some kind of weaklings. It’s a disease and it’s highly treatable. Wouldn’t you
rather be the catalysts to someone getting help with their depression, rather
than being yet another nail in the coffin by saying things like, “Just pull yourself
up from your boot straps,” “Get a grip!.” Or “Man up, you pathetic substitute
for a man?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
If you know someone with
depression, reach out to them. If you are depressed for more than a few days
without have recently experienced tremendous loss, reach out for help. The
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and their website is http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
where you can find links to local organizations. Reach out to a spiritual
counselor who can help you deal knowing you’re not alone, and then refer you to
a licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor or other mental
health professional.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
No, this isn’t my normal
happy-peppy column. Being a spiritual being having a human experience means we
must deal with all the human experience – all of it – even the parts we don’t want
to talk about. You are not alone. There is a Power within us that is greater
than us that knows exactly how to move forward in life. Open up to that Power
within and allow it to guide you to the perfect person or right action to face
whatever is standing in the way of your happiness. As always,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
With Spirit, Joy and
Playfulness …. And my love,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Terry</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-OgVXYTc_0/U-qkdnHk35I/AAAAAAAADBA/-1HPVbyA3nE/s1600/10521879_10152327862341406_8555321681755205096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-OgVXYTc_0/U-qkdnHk35I/AAAAAAAADBA/-1HPVbyA3nE/s1600/10521879_10152327862341406_8555321681755205096_n.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Genie, You're Free"</div>
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<br /></div>
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R.I.P. Robin Williams</div>
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Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-78923943470702379402014-07-30T18:57:00.000-04:002014-07-30T18:57:04.558-04:00Why Be Normal<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you remember what it was like being a
teenager? Boys and girls going through the cycle of adolescence find themselves
with a paradox. Their bodies and minds are developing a sense of separation and
independence from their parents. At the same time, middle school and high
school are places where fitting in, not sticking out, is preferred by most. How
can they establish an individual identity where social groups can mean
popularity and acceptance? How can they be perceived as “normal?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In fact, how can we as adults? If we are like
others we have a sense of acceptance about ourselves. At the same time we want
to be recognized for the unique person we are. A great deal of my work is
helping others to find what is special about them, to find their “gift.” While in
the spiritual sense we are one with everything around us, we are also an individualization
of the creative mind behind all life. I’ve seen my friend, Natasha, grow up from
a child into a beautiful woman. She marched to her own tune as a teenager
without apology or any seeming need for approval. Today she’s grown into a
beautiful and caring woman who is very clear on who she is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We risk labels of being weird, crazy or
eccentric if we step outside acceptable social rules, color outside the lines
or dance to the beat of our own drum. “Why don’t you dress your age?” is a
question asked of some seniors. I don’t even know what that means. Who are we
to tell someone else how to express themselves? It’s been my experience that a
person who asks that of another is doing so for one of two reasons. They might
be concerned for a friend or relative being looked down on (though the person
in question probably doesn’t care). Or, they may just be jealous that someone
else has the chutzpah to live without allowing people to dictate how they
should live their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw a woman in the grocery store last year
that was probably well on the other side of sixty. Her hair was flawless, the
blouse sensual but not tacky and the simple black skirt that fit her like a
glove was well above her knees. The ensemble was completed by a pair of fierce,
black pumps with five-inch spike heels. She was elegant, proud and confident. I
complimented her on the fact that she took such meticulous care in her
appearance and congratulated her on being one of the few women I’d seen
recently who could walk in stilettos without looking like a gazelle with
splints on its legs. She blushed and was truly moved that anyone would take the
time to compliment her. She was unassuming in conversation and the epitome of a
gracious presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Is she our “normal” picture of a woman of that
age? Probably more so in 2014 than when I was growing up in the ‘60’s, but I’m
sure she turned a few heads in the store that included disapproving smirks. I
loved her. She wasn’t out to prove she was 30. She wasn’t trying to recapture a
sensuality usually reserved in society’s opinion for a woman twenty years
younger. She was being who she was, without exception, explanation or apology.
When we are confident in our own personalities we don’t do what we do to prove
anything to anyone. We are being authentic and unique. In doing so, we reduce
our stress level and provide the planet with a gift only we can give.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one of my dearest friends, Dr. Arleen Bump,
once told me, “I don’t defend, justify or explain my actions. I let the results
speak for themselves.” How are the results in your own life? Are you seeking
approval instead of being the magnificent, unique individual you are? I invite
you to step back this week if you begin thinking of stopping yourself from
doing something out of fear of reprisal or the disapproval of others. Normal is
average. Do you want to be “average,” just “good enough?” I don’t. I want to be
amazing, authentic and magnificent! Be yourself. Remember, God doesn’t make
junk!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Terry</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-80186966390152197292014-07-24T03:30:00.000-04:002014-07-24T03:30:01.189-04:00Being Raggedy Ann in a Barbie World<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Have you ever felt
out-of-place in social situations? I have. A friend once said she often felt
“like a house dress in an evening gown world.” Talk about feeling out of place!
Imagine showing up for a party in very casual, knock-around-the-house clothes,
only to discover it was a black-tie affair. NOT pretty!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">First let me make
something perfectly clear here about the title of this article. I’m not giving
preference to Raggedy Ann or to Barbie. Most of us have heard what Barbie would
look like in human form if her proportions were enlarged to a real person.
She’d definitely turn heads, but not for the right reason. And, Raggedy Ann’s
name alone may give us a picture of something less than pristine or desirable
if used to describe ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Little girls and boys are
taught in the media what body types are desirable and which are not to be
imitated. Most of us look nothing like the people in the majority of
advertisements we see and there’s a perfectly sound marketing reason why that
is so. Commercials and print ads are selling a product and playing on our egos
and insecurities to buy the wares they are hocking so that we will look better,
smell better or be more like the ideals society ascribes to us to be the most
desirable man or woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Setting Barbie’s “real” measurements
aside for a moment, let’s assume that both she and Raggedy Ann are equal. See
them as two different individuals, both with desirable characteristics, and
each as living happy, productive and fulfilling lives. They are no different
than the apple and peach trees in my yard. Both produce different and
satisfying fruit. In real life, those of us who are Raggedy Ann and the ones of
us more Barbie-esque can have lives worth living if we can accept our own
individual gifts and personality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I love being in a tux and am
told I clean up fairly well when I wear one. But I can still enjoy being the
t-shirt and jeans guy I am. You may find yourself in complimentary careers or
living situations that seem diametrically opposed to others, yet you know it
works for you. What we each can do is see if the “Barbie-type” goals to which
we might be striving to attain are really what we want. Conversely, we can
additionally examine our uncomfortable feelings with enjoying the simpler,
“Raggedy Ann-type” accomplishments in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Successful living is about
accepting who we are and changing what we choose to change. It’s about knowing
that we need only our own approval to live our lives full-out and
magnificently. Perhaps this week you’ll join me in allowing your own unique
personality and gifts to be made more visible by sharing with the world who you
are. The world awaits you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-49411415310029124642014-07-17T03:30:00.000-04:002014-07-17T03:30:01.529-04:00I am Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m on
vacation this week – away from home AND away from all my electronic gadgets! I
hope this week you’ll enjoy a revised version of a popular article I wrote in
2012. See you next week with something brand new and fresh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you
ever had one of those days when everyone looks at you like you have green antennae
growing out of your head? It’s sort of that “fish out of water” experience; you
just don’t feel like you belong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I grew up,
like a lot of my friends, not really feeling at all like I belonged where I
was. My trailer park roots are not something of which I am ashamed, but mother
always said that I must have been mixed up at Good Samaritan Hospital in
Dayton, OH, with a missing baby from the Rockefeller family. My champagne
tastes on a beer budget have gotten me in a financial pickle more than once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But that’s
not exactly what I am talking about. Sometimes when we don’t feel like we fit
in it’s because we really don’t fit in. That’s not to say we are better than
those around us, but we may very well be different. It’s as if we are trying to
park diagonally when everyone else is parking parallel. We tend to stand out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While our
school systems would like us to believe that we are educating free-thinkers,
the teachers who allow students to think outside the box are few and far
between. Today many educators are more concerned with test scores and
measurements than they are with teaching our young people how to reason or
think creatively. When a child does not conform to the norms of the school or
society she or he can be set apart as undesirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must each
decide how much we wish to fit in without jeopardizing our individuality. At
the same time we can be more loving in how much latitude we give to those
around us in how they choose to express their individuality. Just because we
are different than those around us, or around those who are unlike us, it doesn’t
mean we or they are wrong. Neither should it require anything more than a change
of outlook. It means each of us is uniquely qualified to express life in a way
that no one else can. That is something to be celebrated, not repressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps this
week you can cut yourself some slack if you find your decisions are going
against the grain of those around you. We needn’t make others wrong to justify
our actions. But, we can believe in ourselves, knowing that we are acting in a
matter which is best for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Spirit,
Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Terry</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-58929454510735576602014-07-08T10:03:00.003-04:002014-07-08T10:03:37.433-04:00Is it good, but still not right?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“So,
how are you?” you are asked, to which you answer, “Good! I’m good!” Then it
happens. The person raises an eyebrow, perhaps smirks ever so slightly and asks,
“Then why don’t you look/sound like it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I hate
to be busted. I’d like to think I can keep my emotions to myself, but the truth
is I’m not nearly as good at hiding my feelings when I’m upset or angry about
something. I was serving on a board one time and in the middle of the
discussion another board member said, “Terry hasn’t said anything yet. I want
to know what he thinks, because it’s been my experience that it’s not when he’s
talking that I need to worry, but when he’s quiet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What’s going
on with us when our life is seemingly okay on the surface, but something still
seems amiss? It’s a puzzling situation. We can’t put our finger on what’s
eating at us, but we’re well-aware of something being “off.” For me, it feels
like the ground is going to fall out from under me, or the world around me is
going to explode, or some little gnarly critter is nibbling at me in an unrelenting
manner. Whatever it may be in your experience, it’s unpleasant and stops us
from being truly happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If everything's
“alright” but something still feels wrong, then things aren’t nearly as right
as we’ve convinced ourselves to believe. It reminds me of two ministers I know
discussing their respective relationships. The one was going into extensive
details about his marriage, defending all the reasons why he was in and should
stay in his relationship. When he paused, the other said very gently, “It
sounds like you have what I call a “good enough” marriage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
question we can all consider is, Do we want to be in a good enough marriage,
job, house, or any other situation? Don’t we, each and every one of us, deserve
to have an amazing life worth living? I’m talking about a lie that so excites
us that we just can’t imagine how today can be so amazing, yet we know tomorrow
is going to be even better. We live in a user-friendly universe, designed and
created to support us in all sectors of our lives. So why would anyone settle
for less than s/he deserves?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I hope
you are as uncomfortable reading this as I am writing this. Understand, please,
that I’m being sadistic. I bring this subject up because I know that addressing
the problem in your own life can create the atmosphere for the discussion,
decision and motivation necessary for change. I’m not suggesting you quit your
job, leave your spouse or move across country later this week. I am suggesting,
however, that the next time you feel like you’ve settled for a good enough
anything that you make sure you are really happy in doing so. Being content is
not the same as settling. A sense of calm contentedness has its foundation in
an empowered life. But if we settle in our present situation while at the same time
forever reaching for something to replace what we have, then we are not living
in strength. We are living in spiritual poverty as victims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">None of
us deserve to be victims. You have within you the power to create the life you
desire. No matter how small that power may feel, know that there is a universal
power greater than any situation and you can use that power to affect change in
your life. If I can be of any assistance in that regard, please let me know!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In
Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-39789930045708450452014-07-01T19:39:00.004-04:002014-07-01T19:39:59.347-04:00Are you “too” independent?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you ever feel like getting
someone to help you with a project, or seeking counsel when you’re stuck in
some way, is a sign of weakness? To some people, if they can’t figure out a
problem by themselves they think they have failed. This type of person seems to
believe that they should be able to handle anything. If you feel this way from
time-to-time you know the kind of emotionally and physically stress it can put
on you. I know. I’ve been there. My name is Terry and I’m a “recovering
independent-holic!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I remember how I felt when I
began caring for my aging father. Before I was able to get a county aide in
several times a week, and prior to when I was able to arrange hospice care, I
was his primary caregiver living nearly 200 miles away from him. I traveled
over three hours in one direction to get from our house to his apartment across
the state. I spent the day grocery shopping, cleaning, doing laundry … and
listening to him complain about the way I did just about everything. In between
visits I worried constantly about whether or not he was okay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I quickly learned that although
he needed my help he also needed to be in charge. By having him come out to the
kitchen and tell me where to place the groceries I’d just purchased he became
more involved with his own care. That helped him to better deal with his
situation, but it did little for me. I still found myself feeling inadequate,
as if I <i>should </i>be able to anticipate
his needs and provide for him before he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He wasn’t the first person
needing hospice care that I’d assisted. One of my first ministerial assignments
began in 1989 when I became director of visitation for our church, providing
services for people with HIV/AIDS in various Los Angeles hospitals and hospices.
When I began caring for my dad I was already an experienced minister, had just
received my first licensed as a social worker, and had a master’s degree in
that field. In my mind these facts only upped the ante for me to set higher
standards for myself than I was capable of attaining. Surely I should know how
to handle this!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, I didn’t. I had all that
prior experience, training and expertise that was useful in caring for
strangers and teaching others, but precious few of those tools made sense to me
when I looked at my own father. After three months of eighteen-hour days once a
week I sat at his feet in front of his recliner, looked up at him and said
through my tears, “I don’t know now to do this. I just don’t know how to do
this anymore.” He just stared at me. I told him I was doing my very best, but nothing
I did seemed to be good enough. I told him I felt like I was completely failing
him in providing for even his basic needs. I suggested he find someone who
could help him the way he wanted, because I was tired of crying all the way
back home every week and feeling helpless about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He started crying. My
vulnerability and refusal to think I had all the answers opened the door for him
to admit how useless he felt, how angry he was that he couldn’t do even the
simplest of tasks for himself, and how much he resented having to rely on the
son he felt he’d failed as a father. After 50-plus years of being at odds with
one another I honestly think I felt our hearts crack open. It was a
breakthrough moment for us both. Over the next three years we still had our
differences and disagreements (many quite unpleasant for one or both of us, if
you must know!), but most of the time we worked as an interdependent, symbiotic
unit to direct his care until he passed quietly one morning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ultimately, all we have at the
end of the day is whether or not we are happy with our life; no one else but us
is responsible for our happiness.</i></b> Still, in this amazing universe in
which we live, move and have our being, we are surrounded by other independent,
autonomous spirits having their own human experience. Why not help one another
instead of competing, isolating and alienating?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here’s a thought for you to
ponder and play with this week if you desire. If <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>you’re
stumped with a situation, even after meditating or approaching the problem
through affirmative prayer (like the spiritual mind treatment I’ve written
about before), why not ask for help? Where would you find that? In the people
around you, that’s where! They can be a trusted friend, a partner/spouse, a
mentor, a minister, your spiritual guide or a therapist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>It’s not a sign of weakness or
lack of independence to seek help.</i></b> I find doing so takes the edge off
of feeling like I have to do everything. Would you be willing to give that a
try this week? Is there something you would like to move through or beyond? I’d
be happy to be there for you. If so, reach out by contacting me at: <a href="mailto:terry@terrydrewkaranen.com">terry@terrydrewkaranen.com</a>.
It would be my honor to support you!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-52093793956272947722014-06-25T09:53:00.001-04:002014-06-25T09:53:32.351-04:00It Just Makes Me Want to Scream – Part Two: The spirituality of being human<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did
you do any screaming last week? (If you don’t understand why I’d ask that
question, go back and <a href="http://drterry.blogspot.com/2014/06/does-it-make-you-want-to-scream-part-one.html">read
last week’s blog first!</a>) I hope you understood last week that I wasn’t
suggesting we run around like a bunch of raving maniacs, screaming our heads
off at the world. However, we can sometimes experience frustrations that need a
release. That can be a private scream or a good cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I suggested last week that if we can get beyond the
anger and frustration we will find fear and an emotional wounding of some sort.
If we have the strength to go that far in our spiritual journey we will
recognize just how deep we have buried the pain, how we feel damaged and by
whom. How can we move through that kind of profound emotional sadness? <b>Recognizing
that we are hurt is the first step to our healing.</b> It is then that we can take
stock of what is causing the pain with the goal of moving through and beyond
the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In
my experience most of anguish in my life has been caused by one of the following
situations:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I failed to
live up to my expectations or what others expected of me</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Someone else
failed to live up to my expectations of what I thought was their potential</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I got my
feelings hurt because another person didn’t act the way I expected them to act</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I got rejected
and I failed to understand why since I’d done everything I thought I should
have done</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All
these scenarios are about how we handle or mishandle events in our life. We get
ticked off. We get our feelings hurt. Our egos get bruised. Sometimes we know
we are the perpetrator; sometimes we feel like the victim. In the end, none of
that matters. What matters is what we are going to do with the mess in front of
us. If we want sunny-side-up eggs and break the yoke while cooking the eggs either
we are going settle for scrambled eggs, or throw out the eggs and start over.
Both are options. I humbly suggest, however, if you are going to willingly accept
the scrambled experiences when you wanted sunny-side-up outcomes that you do
not complain about the situation. <b>It’s counterproductive to willingly accept
less than we desire and then whine about it.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If
we are willing to recognize the wound and identify the cause, then what is the
next step? If others are involved that could mean admitting our hurt to them.
Will they help clean the wound and apply a soothing balm, or will they rip the
wound further apart and pour salt into it? There is a possibility that some
people could do the latter. The mere suggestion even more pain can occur might be
enough to stop us from moving forward. But even if that does happen, here’s the
blessing: We know where we stand and we
no longer have to permit that individual to continue abusing us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If
we find that the wound is imagined or concocted, designed specifically by our
ego and acted out in our own mind with no one else involved, then we have the
challenge of dealing with those issues. We might have to take a very personal
and honest look at how we are living our life. Are there decisions we’ve been
putting off because we’re afraid of the outcome? We can stand by the side of
the pool and worry that the water is cold, or we can jump in and find out.
Sometimes we’re afraid to even stick our toe in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There
is a way to work through deep-seated pain and exit the experience to peace and
freedom. Here’s what you might want to try this week: When you have a few quite moments alone, take
a very, very, very deep breath. Allow a long-standing problem you have had come
to you. In your mind, turn it over and look at it from all sides. Then ask
Spirit what it is you need to do to move through and beyond the issue. You may already
know the answer, even if you don’t like it. Whatever your next step is, would
you be willing to take it, or at least consider taking it? While we may not
always like what we have to do, there is a tremendous sense of empowerment if
we can muster the courage to do so. Don’t think you can do it alone? No problem
– you don’t have to! Please let me know how I can support you, or reach out to
someone you trust to walk with you through this period of time. Together, we
can remind each other of just how powerful, how wonderful and how magnificent
we are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In
Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Terry</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-75905659524859906022014-06-18T16:28:00.004-04:002014-06-23T16:16:06.039-04:00Does It Make You Want to Scream? – Part One: The spirituality of being human<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you ever have
situations in your life when you feel like you’ve done everything you can to
produce the desired outcome, but the whole thing just falls apart…or blows up…or
implodes?!? I believe we call that “frustration” (among other things!). It can
often be accompanied by screaming and fist pounding. Doesn’t sound very
“spiritual,” does it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the contrary,
I think it does! We may be “spirit have a human experience,” but the fact
remains we are HUMAN. We are here, on this planet and in these bodies, to
participate in the human experience. That implies ALL of the human experience
from the joy and ecstasy of love to the anger and pain of unpleasant scenarios.
When it comes to the latter it just sucks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a
number of ways we can handle situations like this, but I believe there are two
extremes we can observe. One is putting our tail between our legs while we skulk
off into the shadows because we think the entire fiasco was our fault (aka, <i>The Grand Martyr Syndrome, </i>which has
little to do with responsibility and smacks of being a victim). The other is to
blame the other party(ies) for the disaster as if we weren’t part of the
process. There has to be a happy medium somewhere. Yes, there is always
personal responsibility, but in the attempt to accept our part we can ignore
other factors that were involved. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember in
the 1980s how apologies suddenly went out with dial phones. It was never just,
“I’m sorry,” but rather some arrogant platitude that came out as, “Did you find
out why you partnered with me to make me do what I did to get you so upset?” It
was – and still is – metaphysical psyhobabble that lacks the healing energies
of love and compassion. It does, however, grow out of ego and arrogance run
rampant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rather than
discuss “whose fault is it,” a more positive way of dealing with great upset is
to do exactly what society may not want us to do: Have a little “reaction.” We might just want
to have a good scream, cry or beat a few pillows. “Just git it out and git it
all over yourself, honey,” my grandma Esther used to say, “’cause it’s better
out than in.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretending we
aren’t royally ticked off when we are doesn’t help the healing process. To do
that would be like bandaging up a severely, dirty wound without first cleaning
out the injury and applying medication. If our frustrations do not manifest in one
way they most assuredly <i>will </i>become
apparent in some other way. Often that shows up as a physical or emotional
ailment we may find hard to shake. Dealing with the blockage to our happiness,
as opposed to pretending we aren’t affected by it, will allow us to get beyond
the upset and onto the healing we deserve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you been
living with a long-standing physical problem that doesn’t seem to go away no
matter what you do? Could it perhaps have started around the same time there was
someone or something in your life that just made you want to scream? Perhaps
you could consider giving into that – my favorite place is under water in the
hot tub. If you decide to find a place, please inform others if they are
around. Pets must decidedly not be in the area – no need to expose them to
that! Once you get it all out I suspect you might find what’s under the anger –
there’s <i>always</i> something under the anger!
This allows us to more effectively deal with the real emotional issue. In my
experience that emotion is fear, but below that is pain or hurt. Next week I’ll
write more about how to deal with that kind of deep pain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then, be
willing to feel frustration and any other emotions should they arise, rather
than burying your feelings. Then, find a safe, appropriate and preferable
private, place to express that frustration. This is not about striking out at
others, but going within our own consciousness to get at the root of our issue.
Oh, and if you do decide to have a little scream of your own, take it from a
trained singer: Lower your voice.
There’s fare less chance of damaging your vocal chords that way. And, as
always, if you need a listening ear to help you work through it, I’d be happy
to assist!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terry</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-56843867740103153422014-06-12T19:56:00.000-04:002014-06-12T19:56:57.078-04:00Approaching Confrontation With Integrity<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Are
you someone who shuts down at the first sign of disagreement? I’m a recovering
people pleaser. Growing up in my family I chose the role of mediator, reconciliator
and all-around peacemaker. I made it my mission in life to make sure no one was
upset, since upset often led to an outburst none of us wanted to witness. It’s
no surprise that I used to avoid confrontation at almost all costs, though
usually any costs involved were to my own self-esteem and well-being.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Don’t
get me wrong. I’m not one to run out and find a fight. But by the same token I
no longer avoid a squabble just because it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. In
fact, I’ve come to see the value in disagreement because it can more clearly
define the values I hold dear, even sacrosanct. As a child and young adult I
studied the Bible extensively, cultivating some very concrete beliefs in the
religion of my family. Still, my mother, who acted as instructor and guide in
my studies, drilled one principle into me from day one:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in; text-align: center;">
<b>If
my own beliefs can’t stand up to scrutiny then perhaps<br />my beliefs are not built on as rock-solid a foundation<br />as I might like to believe.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
When
was the last time you really thought about your beliefs? Are they built on as “rock-solid”
a foundation you think they are? Just recently I came across a recorded lecture
by Margaret Heffernan titled, “Dare to Disagree.” In her work she teaches about
“conflict avoidance and selective blindness” when it comes to our belief
systems. She posits that having someone in our life or our business that is
diametrically opposed to our point of view can be a very beneficial thing, not
a thorn in our side. How can that be?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Margaret
and my mother would be fast friends. There was a time when I avoided the “white
elephant in the living room conversations” that could lead to an argument. Today
my family knows, much to their chagrin at times, that I not only acknowledge
the elephant, but I paint her purple so no one misses her, name her, make sure
she’s litter box trained and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner. “Better out
than in,” Grandma Esther used to say!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
If
we’re not careful, we can too often and very easily make decisions in the context
of how society or our families expect us to act. We can live our lives the way
we do in some cases because to do otherwise might mean we’d have to look at the
garbage in our life that’s currently being hidden by the symbolically beautiful
whipped cream we’ve slathered on top of it. The problem is that the whipped
cream façade eventually melts or sours. Then we have a very wet, nasty-smelling
problem in our life with which to deal. That can show up like the job that is
literally killing us, the marriage that is only waiting for a straw to break
the camel’s back before the divorce, or the health issue that lands us in the
ER. Before we know it we can become lulled into complacency, not because we
love our current situation, but because it’s comfortable, safe and it’s what we
know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Is
that the way you want to live? In a mediocre job, a “good enough marriage,” or
a body in which you feel trapped? I don’t. I believe in creating a vision of a
life that is worth living, one surrounded by people who are enthusiastically
pursuing and sharing their dreams and living in a conscious awareness of the
abundance around me. Does that resonate with you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
If
so, here’s just one very simple act you might consider trying over the next
week should any confrontation or argument pass your way. Before you utter one
word, before you craft that snarky or cutting reply to shut up the offender,
before you ignite a blaze where there was only a few smoldering ashes, do just
one, very, very simple thing: STOP
YOURSELF! Ask yourself three questions about the disagreement:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Is what s/he is
saying true?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Is my anger
right now because I’m avoiding a truth I don’t want to hear?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->If the answer
to #1 and #2 are “Yes,” then am I willing to look at the situation, heal it in
my own mind, apologize if needed and move on?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Okay,
I know. I said it was simple and you may have just thrown your hands up in the
air after reading those three questions. Good, you see the challenge. I said it
was going to be simple. I didn’t say it was going to be easy. But what I know
is that you can do this if you want to. The mantra I’ve learned to use is, I
don’t do confrontation. I do communication. The key is to stick with
communication that comes from the heart, without resentment or accusation. It’s
not just what we have to say, but how we say it so it can be heard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
You
have the power within you to stand firm in your convictions no matter what
others are saying if those beliefs are tried and true. And, I know that if your
beliefs are not withstanding the test of fire, you have within you what it
takes to embrace the next step in re-creating your life and moving closer to
the joy you envision. Love yourself enough to do this. If you feel you don’t
have what it takes, borrow some of my faith in you this week and know that I
support you in doing what needs to be done. We are always supported in our
decisions by a power greater than us. The focus of my ministry to others is to
help people access that power and find their own vision, their own path that
reveals the essence of why they are on the planet. It is my joy to work with
you in having that life worth living – how can I support you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
In
Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
Terry<o:p></o:p></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-89297623928689053642014-06-04T08:12:00.002-04:002014-06-04T08:12:49.074-04:00Great Expectations<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Have you ever suffered disappointment at some time in your life? I
suppose that’s a rhetorical question since the answer is, “Well, duh!” We all
experience disappointments. Most of my disillusionments have come from when I
fall short of reaching my own goals or expectations for myself, not when others
fail to live up to my desires. If you, like me, have been given the title of
perfectionist (as if that was a badge of shame!), you are well aware that someone
who is always striving for perfection is usually harder on him/herself than
other people. We SO want to do it “right,” whatever “right” is for us, for
others or society. It begs the question, Is perfection is really possible? Are
we running on a treadmill of frustration by trying so hard? In fact, why have expectations,
great of otherwise, at all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>It’s never perfect and it’s always perfect.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Let me explain what I mean by that. I’ve been privileged to officiant
for at least a hundred weddings, holy unions, commitment ceremonies, baptisms,
christenings, funerals and memorials over my twenty years in ministry, as well
as house blessings, pet blessings and a few exorcisms (more about that another
time…). What I can report to you is that when planning the event the people
involved want it to be “perfect” – this is particularly true for weddings. The
belief is that we have “one shot” to get this right. No retakes. No revisions.
One shot. Period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One of the places I perform weddings in our area has a beautiful,
expansive Italian garden. Most brides select a processional that goes from the
very top of the gardens to a pavilion at the bottom. With a large wedding party
it can take up to seven or eight minutes, but choreographed correctly by “moi”
it’s a beautiful and memorable event – unless it rains, as it often can in the
summer here in south central Pennsylvania. We had an absolute downpour one day,
but the bride was adamant about the processional. So it took place, in the
downpour, with huge golf umbrellas provided by the resort for some protection.
And … it was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOW could have been?!? The couple had great expectations of their
special day and a near monsoon was <i>not</i>
part of the plan. I’ve heard there’s an Italian tradition that says when it
rains on your wedding it means God is showering you with blessings. If that’s
the case this couple was blessed beyond all expectation! The bride got exactly
what she wanted – a beautiful processional – even if the gown and bridesmaids dresses
were a little worse for the wear upon arrival at the lower pavilion. You might
think I was dealing with a bridezilla who, come hell or (in this case) high
water, was going to have it her way or the highway. Not at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I don’t see it that way. If anything, I believe it showed a
willingness, tenacity, dedication and determination to fulfill the desire of
her fiancé and her. Have you had your plans go array to this extent, or even
more severe? Did you think it was a failure and did you suffer the event? It’s
never perfect and it’s always perfect. What that means to me is that it,
whatever “it” is, is going to be exactly what it’s going to be. We can plan or
outline every single detail and be disappointed if things don’t go according to
plan, or we can go with the flow and enjoy the moment for what it is. Scripture
says, “Time and unforeseen circumstances befall us all.” What does that mean? It
means life happens. “Shift” happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">How we deal with the changes and shifts in life about which we seem to
have no control will determine our moods, our attitudes about life, how much
people want to be around us, and our future. Without “great expectations” of
our future we will most likely end up with a less than a stellar or satisfying
life. What do you “expect?” When Emma Curtis Hopkins, New Thought teacher and
mental healing expert, was asked by Raymond Charles Barker why she thought a
particular case for which she was present seem to have a healing that occurred
so quickly and easily. Her answer? “It was what I expected.” Can’t you just
imagine in the story of the resurrection of Lazarus when the great teacher
Jesus proclaimed, “Lazarus, come out!” but nothing happening? Excuse me? The
healing was, again, what he expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What do <i>you</i> expect from life,
from your future? I invite you this week to think bigger than ever about what
you want your life to look like. Would you be willing to do that? You could sit
quietly, calm your senses and uncover the joys you desire, the peace you seek
and the healings you require. Write those down, without regard to how many come
up, and then pick just three. I’m not talking about a new car or a new job. I’m
talking about how <i>you</i> envision a
peace, a more harmonious life. Then give it to Spirit and expect great things! Let
me know how that works out for you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-86023320925001071522014-05-29T16:57:00.000-04:002014-05-29T16:57:31.533-04:00Whose Potential Are You Trying to Realize?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where in your life are you beating
your head against the wall? Did you notice I assumed you <i>are</i> “beating your head against the wall?” I can nearly guarantee,
with very few exceptions, that you are doing something currently that feels exactly
that way. You may feel stuck in a relationship, dissatisfied with your living
space, or wondering why you haven’t found a job in the same field as that
expensive degree you obtained. But, if you can’t find something in your life
that fits this description, just stop reading, don’t waste your time and I’ll
see you back here next week! Oh….And kudos to you! You rock!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still reading, aren’t you? Here’s
the kicker – I’m still here, too, and writing this blog. In my own past history
someone else was usually involved in me bloodying my head. Mind you, I always
had his/her best intentions in mind. The problem was that it was what <i>I </i>wanted for them, not what <i>they</i> wanted. But I, in my infinite
wisdom, had decided someone else needed to be more expressive or successful or
something. My heart, and yours, too, is in the right place. We mean well, but because
we don’t have agreement with the other person in this endeavor it doesn’t work
out to our liking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Haven’t you said, or heard someone
say, “S/He has SO much potential! If only s/he would (fill in the blank).” It
seems we human beings have some innate ability to readily recognize exactly
what everyone else should be doing. And here’s the second kicker: While we’re busy trying to figure out or help
everyone else be amazing, we probably aren’t doing such a bang up job on ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is some “Terry Talk” for you
to chew on: <b>You cannot have a relationship with someone’s potential </b>(though God
knows I’ve tried at times!). I first figured this out decades ago and it’s
still true. Ignoring that statement is why we find ourselves so frustrated at
times.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> We can so easily be intoxicated in the potential
that we fail to see the individual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we unilaterally decide someone
needs our input and/or guidance they become a “project.” If we are not mindful,
we get so involved in helping the other person to be wonderful that it becomes
our purpose in life. Meanwhile, the authentic self within us is screaming,
“What about me?!?” “Why aren’t my needs being met?” That’s why that even if we
convince our loved one to do what <i>we</i>
feel is right for <i>them</i> we still don’t
feel quite complete with the process. And there’s the biggest clue on this path
– if it doesn’t feel right, then why are we doing it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, instead of stepping
back, taking a deep breath and examining our own potential we can very easily
get sucked into finding another “project,” aka “victim.” The question is, When
will it be <i>your</i> turn to be amazing? When
will you give yourself the time to nurture the greatest potential within you? When
will you take the step to stop pining about your potential and take the steps
necessary to fulfill your purpose on earth? We have to recognize our gifts – otherwise
we are robbing the world of something no one else can give – and then act in
such a way as to make them available to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big part of our work on this
planet is that of service to others. We must, however, begin with ourselves. Another
universal truth is “As above, so below. As within, so without.” It is only by
giving fully of ourselves that we can truly be the most effective in helping
others, and that means recognizing our unique inner light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To get more deeply in touch with
your inner guidance I would like to suggest that over the next few days you
stop yourself – even for a moment – when you next find you are lamenting over a
friend or loved one not living up to <i>their</i>
potential. Take that opportunity to bless them on their current path, close
your eyes and ask yourself, How can I best fulfill <i>my own potential?</i> What within me is calling me to come forward, to
color outside the lines, to show the world who I am? And, as always, have fun
with this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terry</span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761654.post-15910433790902233552014-05-20T14:12:00.003-04:002014-05-20T14:12:38.928-04:00The Still Small Voice – Are You Listening to It?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Do you feel lost at
times, almost in a state of paralysis when confronted with making some
decision? In my last blog I wrote about our freedom of choice, of choosing the
path we desire to walk. But all of us, myself included, can allow ourselves to
be so beaten down by the opinions of others or the range of possibilities that
we find ourselves confused and overwhelmed. We may feel unable to decide the
best course to take. There is help, but all-to-often we don’t listen to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It is at times like
this that I remember a phrase used by one of the great spiritual thinkers of
the recent past, Emma Curtis Hopkins. She believed in listening to “the still
small voice” within each of us to guide and direct our path. Mrs. Hopkins had a
complete and unwavering faith in the energy around us that she called God or
Spirit, as well as some other terms. If the word “God” does not work for your
spirituality, find one that does. And if no word works for you that’s fine,
too! The concept of what “the still small voice” is has value for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So exact what is this
“still small voice?” In my family if I’d reported hearing voices, either still,
small or otherwise, I’d have been assumed to have been possessed by Satan. Hearing
voices was the work of the Devil. The religion of my childhood held no concept
of God communicating directly with each of us. We could pray <i>to </i>God, but
expecting a direct answer was not in the cards. The best explanation of what
Mrs. Hopkins meant is from her own writings:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“On rare and wonderful occasions sincere
thinkers have heard the voice. It never tells anything but good. It never tells
of weakness. It always tells of strength. It never tells of approaching death,
It tells how to live. It never speaks of misfortune ahead of us. It always
tells of what move to make or what business to begin or pursue to be
prosperous.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So are we to expect
that an all-powerful entity or energy speaks quietly? If it’s all that powerful
shouldn’t there be a grand entrance like we’ve seen in epic Hollywood movies,
with volume to shake the roof? True power doesn’t have to run us over. As my
friend, Jaye Taylor, once told me, “God can’t speak to us when we’re noisy.”
The concept of power being loud, harsh, physical and invasive is a product of
our male-dominated, testosterone-driving western culture, e.g., big pickup
trucks with huge tires and a loud muffler equate to “Boy, am I something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">God doesn’t have
overcompensation issues. The power of which Mrs. Hopkins speaks does not have
any need to prove itself to anyone. The confidence and power of Spirit is not
dependent upon the outside approval or accreditation of others, and neither
does our power need to be. If we are taking time to admit to ourselves our
heart’s desire; if we are being honest to ourselves our true abilities; then,
and only then, will we be made aware of the still small voice, our intuition or
just a gut feeling about a decision or our next step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We have within us
the power to change our life and the wisdom to know that the change can come
about. How it will come about is revealed when we open ourselves up to that
inner wisdom. Perhaps this week you might want to become more consciously aware
of how you feel about situations, people and events. I’m not suggesting that
you act on your first impulse, but I am proffering the possibility of giving
more attention to passing thoughts as evidence of inner guidance, your own
still small voice. Maybe you’ll hear something that “clicks” in a song on the
radio. You might suddenly think to turn left when you normally turn right on
your way to work. The still small voice within each of us is speaking all the
time – are you speaking the same language as it is? Could you be available to
hear what your intuition has to say? Would you be willing, just for fun, to see
what that’s like?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In Spirit, Truth and
Playfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Terry<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Feel free to forward this to someone
you love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Terry Drew Karanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513110914646010098noreply@blogger.com0