Gratitude for Grace

There have been times in everyone's lives that missteps taken lead us down a path that is not well-suited for our balanced living. It is with faith and hope that we rise from the fall to move forward. 

It is for amazing grace that I am grateful. 

Gratitude for Grace

When toils abound
And troubles arise
Grace is present
And ever abides
Lifting us gently. 
Catching our steps.
Pushing us forward
Beyond our missteps.

cvarsalona 2014

This poem is embedded in the Animoto video I created. 
The link is above (click Gratitude for Grace).

May the following renditions of "Amazing Grace" allow you to rest in the presence and power of the Divine who provides for us not only in times of toil but on a daily basis. 

Andrea Boccelli

Il Divo

On a perfect fall day Chris Tomlin sings the song for the movie "Amazing Grace" 

May you rest in peace and grace as you find fall in the bounty of nature. 

This week Holly Mueller has invited us to write about grace for the Spiritual Journey Thursday community. I thank Holly for this topic since this week has been filled with grace for me. Eleven years ago I walked on the edge of darkness when diagnosed with lymphoma but through the power of faith, medicine, the support of family and friends, and the grace that surrounded me I survived. Monday was my annual visit to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City where my oncologist greeted me with a smile and a message of healthy living. In tribute to the power of Divine Grace I created this post. 

Thank you to Holly for this simple reminder.

Songs of Hope

Throughout the years I have walked down different paths on life's journey with faith as my guide so spending time writing about a spiritual journey filled with hope is right timing. Holly Mueller, a Twitter friend, has asked that we share aspects of our spiritual journey today. With the topic of hope as my prompt, I write despite the pressing call of various tasks because hope is my beacon that moves me forward each day.

Holly has reminded us that the Biblical explanation of hope is confident expectation. I have never thought of hope with those words in mind but do know that without hope I would often be adrift in the turbulent sea of life. Perhaps, you have felt the same nagging feeling during times of stress. At these times, I try to remain calm, call on Divine Providence to support me, and repeat these words from Psalm 33:18, Hope in the Lord and His unfailing love. It is the unfailing word that guides me; the constant presence of hope from the infinite Giver of abiding hope that cushions my missteps and lights my path. It is now with confident expectation I will open each day forward.

In the night when stresses mount, let the anxious voice inside give rise to a song of hope. 

 Listen to A Song Of Hope here.

Thank you Holly and the members of Spiritual Journey Thursday for thoughtful posts on this #ThankfulThursday.

Forgiveness - A Silent Guest

On Spiritual Journey Thursday Holly Mueller examines components of her own spiritual journey and asks others in and out of her PLN to do the same. Today's topic is forgiveness and it struck me as one that is so appropriate at this time of year when the horror of 9/11 is still in the minds of many. 

While driving on the parkway to a professional development workshop I was facilitating today, the word forgiveness was on my mind.  I reflected on how powerful an act it is. While letting the words spin and swirl in my mind all day, I came back to the computer tonight to compose a short poem about the word, found the Alicia Keyes song, "Pray for Forgiveness," and created a thirty second video with Animoto to express why forgiveness is an essential act of life.

For me, the state of unbalance is harmful to of mind, body, and spirit. Many times it is the act of forgiving that provides restorative powers. In the past, I may have allowed anger and hurt from ill-conceived words, gestures, and actions knock me off balance for longer than I cared to be. Finding your center filled with positivity is the answer but it cannot be reached until the toxins of negativity are removed. While the art of being positive is a well-conceived practice, it needs work in order to maintain balance of mind, body, and spirit. 

The Animoto video of an original poem can be found here.

Forgiveness-

a humble stance 

     postures in corners of silence.

As stillness enters,

the heart broken by pain

opens to accept and 

moves forward into the light.

Transformation,

Possibilites,

Positivity Await.

                                                                                  -cvarsalona 2014