On this Valentine's Day love is in the air, as well as chocolates, flowers, fancy dinners and jewelry. We look for love from our friends, children and spouse. As children we are taught to search for love outside of ourselves, encouraged to find a mate with all the qualities best suited to us. So we spend many years searching for the perfect love. It isn't until many years have passed, and perhaps much pain, that we begin to realize the love that we were seeking was with us all along- inside ourselves. The source of our being is Love. Within each of us is a beacon of love and light which is available to us every minute of every day. Some call it the Christ within, God or Goddess, or their Higher Power. It does not matter what we choose to name this unlimited supply of love, wisdom and strength. What matters most is that we come to know this source as our true nature, one of love and good. We can turn to this source for creative inspiration, intuitive knowing, to guide us, and give us strength.
So today, on Valentine's Day, let us go within and connect with this force of love and light to give to our friends, spouse, or strangers passing by, so that they may come to know the truth of who they really are: Love. This is a gift we can give to everyone! Happy Valentine's Day!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Life of Prayer
My grandma Marion prayed. She lit candles for me, for my husband Charles, and I am sure for many others. Faith. She had a difficult, hard life, as viewed from the perspective of outsiders looking in. However, did she view her life this way? My grandmother had a deep faith. With a son that was a drug addict, stole from her-even her wedding ring- to selfishly provide for his drug habit, she kept her faith. Two of my Grandmother's sons pre-deceased her. With a mentally retarded daughter, and a husband that passed away over twenty years prior to her passing, she had faith. She prayed, lit candles in church, and once a week she walked from her home in the Bronx to her place of worship, where she gave service by cooking for the priest. Father Zucherreli awaited my grandmother's presence, for the smells of her meatballs frying and her rich gravy simmering on the stove, for her laughter and conversation.
My grandmother often greeted me with a strong pinch of my cheek, saying in Italian, "sei bella," you are beautiful. Although she did not talk to me about her feelings, I knew that she loved me deeply. When I first met my husband, who was of the Jewish faith, she immediately saw his inner beauty, his light, and loved him unconditionally. Grandma Cardia would tell Charlie, "I lit a prayer candle for you at church." Other members of my family had difficulty seeing past my husband's heritage. Grandma did not. Her faith was larger then this, more encompassing. She was able to intuitively know that Charlie loved her, and she loved him. This is the essence of faith, a love that transcends our physical being, a love that encompasses all. Grandma knew this.
My grandmother often greeted me with a strong pinch of my cheek, saying in Italian, "sei bella," you are beautiful. Although she did not talk to me about her feelings, I knew that she loved me deeply. When I first met my husband, who was of the Jewish faith, she immediately saw his inner beauty, his light, and loved him unconditionally. Grandma Cardia would tell Charlie, "I lit a prayer candle for you at church." Other members of my family had difficulty seeing past my husband's heritage. Grandma did not. Her faith was larger then this, more encompassing. She was able to intuitively know that Charlie loved her, and she loved him. This is the essence of faith, a love that transcends our physical being, a love that encompasses all. Grandma knew this.
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