Wednesday Words to Ponder

I share with you three words to ponder today…

LISTENING: You never know what you might learn by being still. Cultivate the art of listening in which you lean toward the world. All things in the universe want to be heard, as do the voices inside us.

LAUGHTER: When you are happy, scared, indifferent, lonely, upset you will find that allowing yourself to laugh will certainly improve your ability to heal, feel better and it IS contagious!

LOVE: Fall in love over and over again every day. Love your family, your friends, you co-workers, neighbors, your enemies, and yourself. And don't stop with humans. Share that love with animals, plants, and other living things.

All three of these words we long for ourselves. Take time to share these actions with others, who might be a bit more hungry for them than you. They don’t cost to money to make happen and they change the world one person at a time.

Please join me in this prayer as you feel comfortable… “God of love, Brother of life, Spirit of light we give thanks for the many blessing that we have in our life. Remind us, help us, share with us the ability to take time to use our gifts of listening, of laughter and of love to heal ourselves and others as we attempt to make life better here on earth. In your many precious names we pray, Amen.”

I can be the change I seek in this world… I am beautiful, I am loved and I am worthy. I make a difference!

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.

www.inclusivelife.org Inclusive Life Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital Coaching-Funeral Ministers

www.ulcnetwork.socialgo.com Universal Life Church Social Network (and information)

www.2grooms2brides.com 2 Grooms 2 Brides Same Sex Weddings for Council Bluffs, Iowa

www.weddingsinomaha.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Omaha area

www.weddingsinlincoln.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Lincoln area

www.weddingsincouncilbluffs.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Council Bluffs area

www.spiritualfriendsofnebraska.org Spiritual Friends of Lincoln Nebraska worship & fellowship

www.funeralministers.org Inclusive Life Funeral Ministers serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

www.ceremonyofficiants.org Wedding and Ceremony Officiates

www.allaboutweddings.com All About Weddings

Expectations

The expectations that we place on each other can often lead to disappointment and stress, especially when things don’t turn out as “we” expected! Set those expectations on water and let them float away, now live your life without them. Life without expectations means you accept people as they are; yourself as you are.

Picture all the expectations you have for yourself, your life, your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, your job, the world. Take them from inside you, and toss them in the water. What happens then? They float away, carried by waves. The further they are taken from you the more cleansed your life becomes!

We build these expectations in our heads of what other people should do, what our lives should be like, how other drivers should behave … and yet it’s all fantasy. It’s not real. And when reality doesn’t meet our fantasy, we wish the world were different.

What’s a life without expectations like? It means you accept reality as it is, and people as they are, without expectations, without trying to force people into the containers you have for them, seeing things as they are. It’s a life where you don’t need to be disappointed or frustrated or angry — or if you are, you accept it, and then let it go.

If you do something good, you won’t expect praise or appreciation. Let those expectations of reward and praise float away with the waves. Do good because you love doing good, and expect nothing beyond that.

Notice if you start to wish things weren’t the way they are. If you wish someone else didn’t do something, notice that. You have expectations, and you wish people or the world could have met them instead of doing what they actually did. Toss those wishes in the ocean too. Now accept things, and move on.

I can be the change I seek in this world… I will remember that the best things in life are unexpected because there were no expectations!

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.

www.inclusivelife.org Inclusive Life Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital Coaching-Funeral Ministers

www.ulcnetwork.socialgo.com Universal Life Church Social Network (and information)

www.2grooms2brides.com 2 Grooms 2 Brides Same Sex Weddings for Council Bluffs, Iowa

www.weddingsinomaha.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Omaha area

www.weddingsinlincoln.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Lincoln area

www.weddingsincouncilbluffs.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Council Bluffs area

www.spiritualfriendsofnebraska.org Spiritual Friends of Lincoln Nebraska worship & fellowship

www.funeralministers.org Inclusive Life Funeral Ministers serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

www.ceremonyofficiants.org Wedding and Ceremony Officiates

www.allaboutweddings.com All About Weddings

Friday's Question

Friday is normally a day that I try and keep free and clear of any plans as it is our family day. So I sleep in late, have no agenda (normally) and everything we do is pretty much on the fly. I like that a lot. Now, not every Friday is like this but it is our goal to spend quality time together.

How do you make time for your family, loved ones, friends and others you care about?

Hospitality

Good morning world! Hospitality is on my mind today. We practice it when we graciously welcome guests (including strangers and enemies) into our world. Sometimes hospitality requires that we cross boundaries and tear down barriers erected in our society to keep "those people" away. Sometimes it means entertaining those who may be different than us.

Hospitality and hostility are both derived from the same word root — but they couldn't be more different. Whereas hospitality is about welcoming all, hostility thrives on insider/outsider conflicts. Practice the former to increase your tolerance of the various groups in our society and their distinctive lifestyles.

On an interpersonal level, hospitality is a good prescription to balance a tendency to be critical of and unaccommodating to others. People who are distrustful of the world, who become fearful and paranoid when strangers approach, or who are suspicious of ideas unlike their own will also benefit from this practice.

How do you practice hospitality (work, home, worship?)

I can be the change I seek in this world… I will remember that to the world I may only be one person. And to one person, I may be the world!

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.

www.inclusivelife.org Inclusive Life Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital Coaching-Funeral Ministers

www.ulcnetwork.socialgo.com Universal Life Church Social Network (and information)

www.2grooms2brides.com 2 Grooms 2 Brides Same Sex Weddings for Council Bluffs, Iowa

www.weddingsinomaha.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Omaha area

www.weddingsinlincoln.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Lincoln area

www.weddingsincouncilbluffs.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Council Bluffs area

www.spiritualfriendsofnebraska.org Spiritual Friends of Lincoln Nebraska worship & fellowship

www.funeralministers.org Inclusive Life Funeral Ministers serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

www.ceremonyofficiants.org Wedding and Ceremony Officiates

www.allaboutweddings.com All About Weddings

Seeing

“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible” writes Jonathan Swift. Perhaps it is the strength we have within ourselves, the value in someone we know, the ability of someone who we may be at odds with. There are times in our life that our greatest power is to see beyond what is in front of us.

As the story goes, there were two men, both seriously ill, in the same room of a hospital. Quite a small room, it had one window looking out on the world. One of the men, as a part of his treatment, was allowed to sit up in bed for an hour in the afternoon (something to do with draining the fluid from his lungs). His bed was next to the window. But the other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

Every afternoon when the man next to the window was propped up for his hour, he would pass the time by describing what he could see outside. The window apparently overlooked a park where there was a lake. There were ducks and swans in the lake, and children came to throw them bread and sail model boats. Young lovers walked hand in hand beneath the trees, and there were flowers and stretches of grass, games of softball, and at the back, behind the fringe of trees, was a fine view of the city skyline.

The man on his back would listen to the other man describe all this, enjoying every minute. He heard how a child nearly fell into the lake, and how beautiful the girls were in their summer dresses. His friend’s descriptions eventually made him feel he could almost see what was happening outside.

Then one fine morning the nurses came in to check vitals, deliver pills and start the day. It was realized that the many closest to the window had passed away in his sleep. Without his friend, the man on his back soon lost his connection to the outside world. After a few days he asked if he could be switched to the other bed, he wanted to be next to the window. So they moved him, tucked him in, and made him quite comfortable. The minute they left, he propped himself up on one elbow, painfully and laboriously, and looked out the window only to realize that it faced a blank wall.

I can be the change I seek in this world… . I will remember that an open mind leaves a chance for others to share a worthwhile thought.

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.

www.inclusivelife.org Inclusive Life Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital Coaching-Funeral Ministers

www.ulcnetwork.socialgo.com Universal Life Church Social Network (and information)

www.2grooms2brides.com 2 Grooms 2 Brides Same Sex Weddings for Council Bluffs, Iowa

www.weddingsinomaha.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Omaha area

www.weddingsinlincoln.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Lincoln area

www.weddingsincouncilbluffs.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Council Bluffs area

www.spiritualfriendsofnebraska.org Spiritual Friends of Lincoln Nebraska worship & fellowship

www.funeralministers.org Inclusive Life Funeral Ministers serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

www.ceremonyofficiants.org Wedding and Ceremony Officiates

www.allaboutweddings.com All About Weddings

Tuesday

“Soften the ground of our being, and hallow in us a space for the planting of thy presence.” I came across many versions of the Lord’s Prayer and this was a passage that resonated with me, and I wanted to share. Whatever truth you hold, it IS important that you “live it”. Have a great Tuesday.

I can be the change that I seek in this world… I will live my life according to the truth I know. I will grow, live, learn, love and contribute to make my life good.

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.

www.inclusivelife.org Inclusive Life Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital Coaching-Funeral Ministers

www.ulcnetwork.socialgo.com Universal Life Church Social Network (and information)

www.2grooms2brides.com 2 Grooms 2 Brides Same Sex Weddings for Council Bluffs, Iowa

www.weddingsinomaha.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Omaha area

www.weddingsinlincoln.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Lincoln area

www.weddingsincouncilbluffs.org Religious and Nonreligious Weddings in the Council Bluffs area

www.spiritualfriendsofnebraska.org Spiritual Friends of Lincoln Nebraska worship & fellowship

www.funeralministers.org Inclusive Life Funeral Ministers serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

www.ceremonyofficiants.org Wedding and Ceremony Officiates

www.allaboutweddings.com All About Weddings

July 4th 2011

As I US Citizen I will celebrate Independence Day, perhaps in a different mindset that many or most. Today I think about who have given their life and their freedom to defend what the United States holds to be important. I think about the freedoms that are afforded most Americans in hope that one day we all shall be free, equal and Independent.

In the midst of the race for politics, power, money, education, religion, there surly is room for the human race…

As I US Citizen I will celebrate Independence Day, perhaps in a different mindset that many or most. Today I think about who have given their life and their freedom to defend what the United States holds to be important, knowing that sometimes I agree and sometimes I do not. Supporting the brave people of the armed forces is the utmost importance to me. My brother served two tours of Vietnam in the Marine Corp and was not extended the same atmosphere that today’s troops are given. I hope that never happens again.

I also think about freedom. Some freedoms, rights and privileges are afforded to SOME Americans not all. I have faith and hope that one day we all shall be free, equal and Independent.

I can be the change that I seek in this world… I will remember that independence is a chance to make life for all, better.

Who can individuals, couples and families turn to when they need care & services traditionally found by a place of worship? US! We are Inclusive Life, and we serve all without exception. We know that up to 70% of the population in America does not attend worship on a regular basis, so we are here to provide care & services to everyone regardless of they attend worship or not. Wedding Officiant’s-Premarital & Couples Coaching-Funeral Ministers-Pastoral Care.

(402) 575-7006 www.inclusivelife.org [TEXT ‘ceremony’ to 90210 for TEXT info!]

Inclusive Life is very proud to be a member of “All About Weddings”, a local organization focusing on bringing together premier local vendors that provide wedding services. Inclusive Life is a member in good standing with American Association of Wedding Officiant’s. We receive training from the International Association of Faith Based Counselors.