One of my clients has written a book entitled Radically Spiritual Adventures Everyday. He came in one day for treatment excited to share his book had just hit the print and showed it to me. Of course, excited for him and his partner I was the first to purchase it.

When time allows I’ve been gradually reading through this delightful book that seems to confirm and resonate well my own beliefs.

Today I was reading a chapter entitled Accepting Life on Life’s Terms – A Really Radical Spiritual Adventure, and in this chapter was an excerpt of a story called The Road of Life by an unknown author. It was such a nice excerpt that I thought I’d share.

“At first it seemed to me as thought life were rather like riding on a tandem bike with God in the back helping me pedal. I was in control. I knew the way. Life was rather boring, but it was predictable. I always made sure we took the shortest distance between two points. I don’t remember exactly when it was that God suggested we change places, but I can tell you life has not been the same since.

When God took over the lead, we stopped taking shortcuts. He, in fact, started taking us on unexpected long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on. Even though it looked to me like madness, He just said, ‘Keep pedaling’! I was anxious and worried and I asked, ‘Where are you taking me’? He just laughed and didn’t answer….and I had to learn how to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. When I’d say I was scared, He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They were gifts to take on my journey, my God’s and mine!

When we were off again, God said, ‘Give the gifts away; they are extra baggage, too much weight.’ So I did, to people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him at first to be in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it, but I’ve discovered He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks and fly to shorten rough passages.

I’ve learned to shut up and just pedal. Even in the strangest places our adventure takes us, I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face as my travel guide, God, leads the way. Now and then, when I think I know which road is best or which way we should go, He just smiles and says….’Keep pedaling’.”

Big Adventure

Road trip! This year has been one big adventure after another--from small to large and everything in between.

For Amira's 7th birthday, my dad's gift to her was a trip to Disneyland. He decided he wanted to take her there, and my nephew to San Diego to the Maritime Museum and some other side ventures.

So, in early July we were off on yet another road trip to southern California. The entire trip was flawless----truly magical.

The first day at the park was the 4th of July (Amira's bday), and everywhere she wanted to go and every ride she wanted to go on we seemed to always be first in line. My dad and I were shocked as we've experienced Disneyland and know of their long lines, but for some reason this day was different. Of course, Amira never being there before and knowing of the long lines these magical feats meant nothing to her, but to my dad and I they were ecstatic.

Truly she was blessed on her birthday with wonderful fortune of shuttling through everything in true princess style because the next day she experienced long lines and waiting.

Through the entire experience, one of the things I found most curious was how sooooooo many people of variant cultural backgrounds, economical backgrounds, educational backgrounds, and even religious backgrounds could all gather together, spend hours together, enduring the long lines together and yet all seem to move along harmoniously. Amazing isn't it? If so possible and indeed it was, why can't the rest of the plant get on this same harmoniously plane? Ok, that's not entirely fair------let me re-word it. Why can't the government officials---the seemingly powers-to-be get on board with the rest of the harmonious group? Perhaps they've never experienced Disneyland! :-) Although in all earnestness we know there's plenty that have not experienced Disneyland but are still pleasant by nature to be around. It just seems to affect those that thirst and hunger for power and greed so badly----they are the ones who miss out in life.

Anyway, here are some photos of our venture.

Submitted

Submitted PhD dissertation yesterday, and now waits for approval.

It’s been both an exciting and hectic experience, and to be honest I haven’t fully absorbed all of it yet. The thought of having a PhD title and all it entails seems very surreal to me.

The field of study is neither foreign nor unfamiliar to me, as I’ve been using it in my daily life for years while interacting with others. It is just now I’ll hold the “official” title. A title, honestly, I never imagined in my wildest dreams holding.

Truly with God all things are possible-----the seen or unseen.

For how often have you been strolling down your perfectly planned life, then suddenly shifted off course with no rhyme or reason, only to be placed on a more illuminated path that has no past or future but the present steps you are currently taking?

Again knowing God’s hands are in all things, makes this crazy life we live abundantly beautiful and worth living.

Can’t wait to see what happens next!

How do you spend your Sunday?

Today (Sunday) started out with some high cloud coverage with temperatures setting in the mid 70's with a slight breeze. Amira and I decided to spend some time in our backyard, dedicated the name “Peace Garden” by Amira. She decided to bring her dolls outside and set them on the lounge chair to sun bathe as the clouds temporarily parted bringing a beautiful blue sky and bright sun.

She then decided to drag out a table and set of chairs she had in her bedroom for a tea party.

But the part I really loved was the "basketball net" she decided to attach to the back of the house. Pictures below---for truly I could not describe it as well as the pictures show it. :-)

Before going on, I have to tell you her "tools" for attaching it to the house and her thought process behind using these tools.

1-tape
2-massage oil
3-soap

Tape for the obvious reason of adhering it to the wall. When I asked about the other two "tools" she stated the massage oil was "kinda sticky and the soap dried things", which apparently was serving as another adhesive. Pretty smart cookie, eh?

While I was sitting in the "peace garden" reading a book she returned inside to do something. She eventually returned to the backyard and said that she wanted me to come inside with her and jump. Jump???? "Jump on what", I asked. She suggested I come inside so she could show me. Of course being a mom---told her she had to clean up the backyard first then I'd come inside.

After everything was clean, we went inside. To my utter surprise I found her mattress sitting in the living room for her jumping pleasure. Again, pictures attached as they say far more than words.

So, that's how we spent our Sunday. How about you?

Reflection

Life is funny – Had one of those ‘Aha’ or ‘Good Grief’ moments today. Realized as a single mom with virtually no alone time to really speak of----I essentially threw away my younger years wasting my entire “nobody to worry about but me” time pining over not being married and have a family yet. Stupid, stupid, stupid

Happy Mother's Day

School of Life

Dad is home and recovering nicely. He went for a walk yesterday-delighted to start doing it again. He's determined to live life as he believes he still has much to do and see. What I learned from this whole experience was that until that moment he came out of surgery I'd been merely existing since my mom passed---not really living. I believe this is also true for my dad and brother. Here's to learning how to live!

Michael Bernard Beckwith--Your life began in the heart and mind of the Infinite. Mentally relive the days when as a child you ran free, when there were infinite possibilities of what you could feel, accomplish, and see in the world. Allow for the energy of your remembered freedom to thunder through you, and you will free yourself from the false obstacles your adult life has put in your path.