God Is Already There

I keep reading posts on Facebook that say words to the effect that we need to put God and prayer back in our schools and businesses, etc. Even Marianne Williamson, one of my favorite spiritual teachers, proposes that Our Lord's Prayer should be said in schools.

When I read this I want to politely remind people that God is already there. God ( Love) is all around us. God never leaves us. Prayer is simply communication with God. We can talk to God and listen for his response anytime during the day or night. We don't need someone else's organized prayer to do so. 

You cannot/should not legislate/force God and prayer on anyone. Our relationship with God ( Love ) is a personal one. If it's forced, then it's not authentic. Nothing good would come of that.

Rather, Love, good old-fashioned Love, should be encouraged everywhere we go. Not just in schools. In businesses and organizations and communities, in the home, etc. Basically, wherever humans travel. Many of us here in this country have pulled away from ( God) because we have pulled away from Love. 

The best way to get back to being in a state of love is to think of love as an action verb. We need to be nice to people and lend them a helping hand whenever needed. We need to be considerate of others and share everything we have. We need to remember that we are all one and when one of us is hurting everyone is hurting. This whole country is hurting right now because fear has taken over. Many have put Love on the back burner.

Once again, I think of Mahatma Gandhi's words," Be the change you wish to see in the world ". We all want our nation and our world to be a nonviolent, nonconfrontational, loving place to live. Each and everyone of us can work toward this goal by remembering that Love in action every day in every situation is the way. Just be kind. To everyone even if they are not kind to us.

Peace and love to all of you!

Fancy Meeting You Here!

Well, Fancy Meeting You Here! 

I just had the funniest experience. I’m still laughing about it. Today is Saturday of Fourth Of July Weekend. I am fortunate enough to be at the Jersey shore. All of the barrier islands around these parts are packed to the maximum with people just like me whose primary goal is to do whatever it takes to get to the beach because that’s where it’s at in New Jersey on the 4th!

It’s a magnificent day. Perfect temperature. Not hot. Not cold. Light breeze. Pretty blue sky with puffy white clouds here and there. The sun is shining in all of its glory. All one has to do to have a spectacular day today is practice patience. Yes, patience. Because everywhere you travel there are lines of people and cars. Parking can be quite a challenge. One gets the exaggerated feeling that everyone from our neighboring state of Pennsylvania is here with us on the islands. We welcome them all. Of course. But, it is a bit overwhelming to say the least.

So, there I was a short while ago, making my way from the borough of Longport on Absecon Island to Ocean City which is the barrier island to the south. I was driving over the bridge which leads into the northern section of Ocean City commonly referred to as The Gardens. The bridge traffic was bumper to bumper with a slow but steady pace. As I ascended to the crest of the bridge, I thought to myself how very lucky I am to be at a standstill at the highest part of the bridge. My view was breathtaking with the beautiful bay on either side and pleasure boats all around. You couldn’t be anything but happy at a moment like that.

This bridge allows space next to the guard rails for  pedestrians to walk, run or ride bikes. So nice. Directly across from my car, I happened to notice a couple holding hands as they walked. I have always loved seeing people joining hands with each other. It makes me happy. Young couples, older couples, friends and parents with their children. I just love it because it gives me a sense of peace and connectedness. I believe that we are all one and people holding hands with their love ones reinforces this idea.

Suddenly, this couple and I caught each other’s attention. I told them how nice they look together holding each other’s hands. They smiled and thanked me. Then, in an instant, the woman said, “Shelagh, is that you?” “ Yes! Yes, it’s me.”, I immediately responded having absolutely no idea to whom I was speaking. “It’s us. It’s Patty and Ralph. You didn’t recognize us when you complimented us, did you?”  We all laughed as I confessed that I had no idea who they were. In my defense, they both had hats and sunglasses on. And, I hadn’t seen either one of them in what seems like a hundred years but actually was about eighteen. 

Our daughters went to grade school together and their graduation may have been our last encounter because our girls went separate ways after that. I have fond memories of this couple. They are fun and easy going. The three of us were thrilled at our experience on the bridge but as you can imagine, it ended as quickly as it started because the traffic began to move forward. We yelled our best wishes into the wind and just like that we parted ways. Laughing at the seeming randomness of our meeting. 

But, nothing is really random, is it? I believe that everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen when it’s supposed to happen. We were supposed to come together in that instant. It was a gift from the Heavens. It was yet another reminder that God is always with us and rejoices in our happiness. That was a sweet get together of old friends with joy being the purpose. Even though it was brief, I’m still feeling the positive effects it offered. 

Love is all around us. If we are open and ready, we will experience it often. Peace and Love!