THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

     Gratitude, being thankful, is a powerful tool for us that helps shift us to another, higher level of consciousness.  When we are feeling low or depressed, the fastest way to raise our emotions and get back on track is to count our blessings.  Even though we may feel as if we have so very little, or are lacking in one way or another, we still have blessings to count.  We can count the blessing of having shelter, when so many in the world are without a roof over their heads.  Or we can be thankful that we have food to eat when so many people have none.  We are thankful for having clothes to wear and to be warm.  We are thankful for our families and friends, for the sun rising every day, for the restful sleep that comes every night.  We are thnkful to just be alive and able to see God in everything.

     No mattre what we think we don't have, we really have so much and as we open to gratitude, it clears the way for more good to come into our lives.  Today, let us be thankful for each little thing that shows itself to us in God's creation - the birds, the changing colors of autumn, the smiles, the hugs, the love of ourselves and the Love of God.  We are so grateful for all that we have.  Gratitude is powerful and life changing. 

                                              THE VALUE OF FORGIVENESS

     The value of forgiveness lies not in forgiving someone else, but in forgiving our selves.  We are 100 % responsible for seeing the world through our perspective.  That means we give meaning to everyone and everything that comes before us.  From the meanings that we give we create memories.  Underlying all these memories that we create are the beliefs and programs that were put into us before we took control of our minds or before our minds became strong enough to exert that personal control.  All these memories of thoughts and emotions, the deep seated beliefs and programs are the iflters through which we view our world.

     In the Hawaiian practice of ho'oponopono taught by Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona and her student, Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, forgiveness and love clear away these false memories beliefs and programs from inside of us.  By saying, "I love you.  Please forgive me, I'm sorry.  Thank you." to the Divine, we clear them away.  It is a continual process for we have much to clear out in our conscious and subconscious minds. 

     Our goal is to be in perfect alignment with heart, mind and soul to become the human being we are meant to be.  So whenever someone or something negative comes up or we find ourselves becoming emotional, use the magic words - I love you.  Please forgive me. I'm sorry. Thank you.

     We are using these words to bring our perception back to perfection, to see our selves and others as the perfection that they are, not what we have been trained to think they are.  We are asking the Divine for forgiveness as our thinking and feelings are less than perfect.  We are invoking the power of Love in its highest order and we are expressing our gratitude.

     Try this forgiveness tool.  You will find it works miracels in your life.

                                    MANAGING THESE TRANSITIONAL TIMES

     In these transitional times, we often find ourselves at a loss for how to deal with the challenges that seem to keep coming into our lives.  We long for a break, for a time of peace to get back on our feet, but the challenges keep coming.

     Now is the time to stay in your Center of Peace, that place within you where you connect to the Divine.  It can be found somewhere near your heart.  Find that place inside right now.  Feel the peace that permeates you when you are in that place.  Take a deep breath and remember what that peace feels like.  Any time you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or worried, go back to that place of peace within you.  The more you go there, the easier it will be to get there.  

     Remember to not take things that are happening personally.  They are not real and have nothing to do with you.  They are simply opportunities for you to practice going to your Center of Peace and then looking at these challenges from a different perspective. The world of illusion wants you to believe that you are less than you are, that you don't have any resources, but that is not true.  

     Use the four statements from the Ho'oponopono practice:  "I'm sorry.  Please forgive me.  I love you.  Thank you."  Use these statements to remind yourself that what you are seeing and feeling is illusion and not the truth about you or about anyone else.  These are cleansing and clearing statements to use with every challenge, every untrue thought, untrue feeling.  

     These are transitional times and we are transitioning into a new world.  We must be ready to be fully in that world.  Release what does not serve you any longer.  Remember the truth of who you really are.