Not My Issue!

Yesterday I was informed that “truly loving other people means understanding who they are and treating them the way THEY want to be treated, not the way you think they should be treated.” Then, I was given no opportunity to respond, which initially stung my heart, but I now choose not to take no ownership of that person’s feelings. Those thoughts, feelings and actions belong only to those who generated them in the first place. They do not belong to me; furthermore, I hold no ill-will against this person, who needs more compassion than he or she will ever understand at this point from anyone willing to give it.

I am going to chew on this statement and digest it a bit, “Truly loving other people means understanding who they are and treating them the way THEY want to be treated, not the way you think they should be treated.” I do not agree with this statement, as I believe that people should be treated as you wish to be treated (not THEY).

I cannot presume how another wants to be treated. I do not read minds, especially with online communications. At least face-to-face, you can read another’s expression; and, over the phone you can hear inflections in their voices. How am I suppose to know how anyone wants to be treated unless one directly tells me? Which brings up a very good point, tell people how you wish to be treated. Never assume they know.

Unfailingly, I follow the Golden Rule. I treat others how I wish to be treated. In fact, I try to take it a step further and follow in the footsteps of my Lord, Jesus Christ, and be love and compassion for others. I take responsibility for my own thoughts and actions. Those are the only things that belong to me. How others wish to feel, act or react is their own business. I can only be loving, kind and compassionate for others. That is how I would wish to be treated… with love, kindness and compassion.

When someone shares or vents online about an issue in their life, it is usually a call for attention and help. If they did not want compassion, then why air your laundry. When I was feeling grievous this weekend, I wrote about it and reached out to friends both offline and online.

In return, I got love and compassion, which I openly received from many people including some people I have never met. My heart was filled with everyone’s love; and, I am deeply grateful. My wish is to be there for others. To be love and express kindness and compassion to everyone, whether they want it or not. That is their business and their issue. I can only do my part to be a source of comfort and what I believe a friend is.

I make no apologies for being a loving, kind and compassionate person. I wish only to understand and be respectful. I do not have to agree with you. I only need to love and respect you. Comments and feedback are appreciated.

 

 

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Let Your Light Shine!

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine! ~ from A Classic Children’s Christian Song

My heart goes out to those who have been affected by the latest bombings in Libya; it also goes out to all those affected by any violence and negativity that often goes on daily in our lives. I want to be a ray of hope and light. I wish to spread love and compassion to you in your time of darkness. Let these words comfort you. You are not alone. I am thinking of you and sending you blessings.

We all can let our love and goodness shine in everything we do. Light attracts people and creatures by providing a ray of hope by lighting their path into safety. It takes courage; but, our light will draw love and admiration from others. Let us not worry. Let us be the light in the darkest of days to allow safe passage for others. Let us be hope and inspire positive action. Let us BE LOVE.

Thorns have Roses

My amazing sister shared the following recent true story about herself with me. I felt compelled to share it here. She is spreading love the best way she knows how…with her empathy, her compassion and her divine listening skills.

 

Thorns have Roses

I was driving home after a long day of work, packing items for Salvation Army at the condo after work, did not have dinner yet, and was experiencing a long, stressful, and overwhelming month. As I was exiting off I-295 N to Old St Augustine Rd, I noticed the light at the bottom of the exit was still green. I slowed down a bit anyway to be safe and to make sure the intersection was still free and clear of traffic. Although the light was still green as I approached, I did not feel comfortable rushing through the intersection and about that time the light was starting to change to yellow so I stopped.

I was the only car in sight until a white Mercedes SUV pulled up to the left of me and I casually looked over to see a lady driver, alone, and crying.   I immediately wanted to  console her, but did not want to get out of my car, scare her, or get hurt myself at this intersection.  So I decided I would follow her and to my pleasant surprise she was headed in the same direction to my home.  She turned onto Old River Road and then turned into Lowe’s.

I was certain she knew I was following her so when she parked I deliberately parked a full row away so she wouldn’t fear I was a stalker. I waited a few minutes and noticed she was still in her SUV crying so I got out and approached her vehicle. I let her know that I noticed she was crying, I didn’t want her to be alone, and would she like to talk about it. She initially attempted to minimize her situation stating it was some medical issues and that she just saw a little girl in a wheel chair and shouldn’t be feeling sorry for herself.  I told her she had ever right to feel sad and grieve about the additional medical complications she now has.

She asked me, “Where did you come from? Where are your wings and halo, you angel . ”    I did inform her I was wearing a white shirt that day and we both chuckled.  She said she needed to buy plants at Lowe’s to fill up empty pots on her patio  for her horse farmhouse in Jacksonville she was attempting to sell for the past 6 months and the real estate agents were coming through with brokers the next day.

She was currently renting a place in Ocala to be closer to her daughter and closer to her horseback riding coach.  She said she already did some “shopping therapy,” but still needed to buy flowers.  I told her I could shop with her because I needed to find plants for my two empty flower beds in front of my house.  She asked me my name and I said, “Monique” and found out she was, “Liz”. Then she thanked me and asked if she could give me a hug.  We made small talk about flowers and shared a few personal stories.  A Lowe’s sales person asked if we needed any help and I asked (for Liz) what type of plants would do well in direct sun and could survive without daily watering (since Liz informed me that she would not be in Jacksonville to water or nurture her plants).  He recommended, “knock out roses” and Liz remembered them as well.

When Liz went to make her large purchase, that same sales person was now at the cash register and he asked, “how did you get roped into this?” When Liz attempted to share the story that I was a friendly stranger who saw her crying, he ignored it, laughed, and thought Liz was joking. He viewed us as close friends instead of God’s children brought together by circumstances (and synchronicity). Liz asked me where I was parked and I showed her explaining that I didn’t want to scare her or have her think she was being stalked. She smiled, walked to my car, and placed the beautiful “knock out rose” plant on the hood of my car and said, “when my life felt like thorns YOU were the rose.”

I thanked her through my tears and told her she helped me too!  She did not know it, but when I had been so emotional about my life, it REALLY helped me to step outside myself and just be EXTREMELY THANKFUL for ALL the BLESSINGS I TRULY HAVE!!!!!  We parted only knowing each others first name and that we were brought together at that very moment in time for a reason larger than ourselves.

Wow! This brought tears to my eyes as the last line stirred my emotions, “…we were brought together at that very moment for a reason larger than ourselves.” That reason is LOVE! Love is all about how we act, react and connect in the world, especially with people we do not know. Love is being true to your heart, honest, open, generous, compassionate and authentic. My sister is truly an amazing woman! 

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD.. LOVE A WOMAN

Below is a poem written by Lisa Citore that was shared on Facebook by one of my friends. I felt compelled to post it here in my blog because it fits with my desire to change the world one heart at a time. Above is an art piece I painted inspired by her words. Tomorrow, I will share my latest update on my Gifts of Love campaign, which is progressing and unfolding in its own Divine timing, one heart at a time bring love and joy to each person who has received one so far. 

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD.. LOVE A WOMAN – by Lisa Citore

“If you want to change the world… love a woman-really love her.

Find the one who calls to your soul, who doesn’t make sense.

Throw away your check list and put your ear to her heart and listen.

Hear the names, the prayers, the songs of every living thing-
every winged one, every furry and scaled one,
every underground and underwater one, every green and flowering one,
every not yet born and dying one…
Hear their melancholy praises back to the One who gave them life.

If you haven’t heard your own name yet, you haven’t listened long enough.

If your eyes aren’t filled with tears, if you aren’t bowing at her feet,
you haven’t ever grieved having almost lost her.

If you want to change the world… love a woman-one woman

beyond yourself, beyond desire and reason,
beyond your male preferences for youth, beauty and variety
and all your superficial concepts of freedom.

We have given ourselves so many choices
we have forgotten that true liberation
comes from standing in the middle of the soul’s fire
and burning through our resistance to Love.

There is only one Goddess.

Look into Her eyes and see-really see
if she is the one to bring the axe to your head.
If not, walk away. Right now.
Don’t waste time “trying.”

Know that your decision has nothing to do with her

because ultimately it’s not with who,
but when we choose to surrender.

If you want to change the world… love a woman.

Love her for life-beyond your fear of death,
beyond your fear of being manipulated
by the Mother inside your head.

Don’t tell her you’re willing to die for her.

Say you’re willing to LIVE with her,
plant trees with her and watch them grow.

Be her hero by telling her how beautiful she is in her vulnerable majesty,
by helping her to remember every day that she IS Goddess
through your adoration and devotion.

If you want to change the world… love a woman

in all her faces, through all her seasons
and she will heal you of your schizophrenia-
your double-mindedness and half-heartedness
which keeps your Spirit and body separate-
which keeps you alone and always looking outside your Self
for something to make your life worth living.

There will always be another woman.
Soon the new shiny one will become the old dull one
and you’ll grow restless again, trading in women like cars,
trading in the Goddess for the latest object of your desire.

Man doesn’t need any more choices.

What man needs is Woman, the Way of the Feminine,
of Patience and Compassion, non-seeking, non-doing,
of breathing in one place and sinking deep intertwining roots
strong enough to hold the Earth together
while she shakes off the cement and steel from her skin.

If you want to change the world… love a woman, just one woman .

Love and protect her as if she is the last holy vessel.

Love her through her fear of abandonment
which she has been holding for all of humanity.

No, the wound is not hers to heal alone.
No, she is not weak in her codependence.

If you want to change the world… love a woman

all the way through
until she believes you,
until her instincts, her visions, her voice, her art, her passion,
her wildness have returned to her-
until she is a force of love more powerful
than all the political media demons who seek to devalue and destroy her.

If you want to change the world,
lay down your causes, your guns and protest signs.
Lay down your inner war, your righteous anger

and love a woman…

beyond all of your striving for greatness,
beyond your tenacious quest for enlightenment.

The holy grail stands before you
if you would only take her in your arms
and let go of searching for something beyond this intimacy.

What if peace is a dream which can only be re-membered
through the heart of Woman?
What if a man’s love for Woman, the Way of the Feminine
is the key to opening Her heart?

If you want to change the world…love a woman

to the depths of your shadow,
to the highest reaches of your Being,
back to the Garden where you first met her,
to the gateway of the rainbow realm
where you walk through together as Light as One,
to the point of no return,
to the ends and the beginning of a New Earth.”

by Lisa Citore

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Clarity

What is clarity? Freedom from ambiguity and indistinctness and the state of being clear, transparent or open define clarity. Clarity is a state of certainty and purity most people seek when defining themselves, their purpose and their intentions. When one’s intentions are pure and open then one can manifest his or her desires.

Clear thought, pure intentions and defined dreams are needed in order for manifestation to happen. Trust is built when people state exactly what they want and they are sincere and open with their  intentions. Amicable interpersonal relationships are created. One is compelled to support someone he or she can trust. This support may come in many forms: love, compassion, social or financial.

Think of one’s intentions as being a door, if the door is closed or ambiguous how does one invite support. It is only when one’s door is open and distinct that he or she can welcome support. People cannot support another if his or her door is closed, ambiguous or undefined, can they? At best there will be a sense of suspicion. When one has clarity in his or her purpose, dreams and intentions, then others can support his or her dreams and desires. Consider clarity when defining yourself, your purpose and your intentions and see what manifests. 

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Connections

What are connections? A connection is when things are tied or linked together like wires, pipes, and roads. Connections can also be applied to people who are tied or linked together in various ways like social connections through sports clubs and church or family connections through kin and relations. Often people have connections at school or work, at service organizations and social clubs. Connections can be made at parties and other events in our lives.

Connections allow people to exchange positive energy with each other through love, compassion, kindness and support.  As we progress through the 21st century, connections have become easier and easier to make. (Some thought among a few is that we may even be over-connected, but that is fodder for another blog.) Looking at the positive side of connections, it is exciting to see how many ways one can connect with others, especially with other like-minded individuals. There are so many social networking sites from the popular Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, as well as, professional networking sites like LinkedIn, ZoomInfo and Bright Fuse.  And websites like Ning allow anyone to create very specific social networking sites designed for whatever the host would like, for example: artists, writers, educators, and so on.  

Do you remember connecting the dots in dot-to-dot puzzle as a youngster? You would start with the first dot and create a picture by following a sequence of numbered dots. Connections among people can also be seen this way. Wouldn’t it be nice to create beautiful pictures with our connections?

That is why it is so important to speak and act with compassion and love when we connect with others. The far-reaching connections are boundless. It is amazing who knows who because of you-know-who. Some may call it karma, but it truly is because we are all interconnected. How would you like to be connected to others? May it always be in a be in a positive way. 

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Compassion

Compassion is made up of the Latin prefix “com-“, which means with, together or in association; and, the suffix “-passion,” which refers to Jesus Christ’s sufferings on the cross or can mean suffering. Simply put, compassion means in association with suffering. Wikipedia describes compassion as a virtue in which the emotional dimensions and capabilities of empathy and sympathy for the suffering of others are considered as part of love.

Compassion to me is holding the hand of another who is in pain either emotionally or physically (or both) and being present for him or her. You are there completely to support another being with unconditional love. Compassion is holding another physically or simply holding his or her intentions during times of distress and anguish. Compassion is one of the most loving gestures we can have for each other. It is BEING love to another human being no matter what the circumstances are. It is more than saying, “I LOVE YOU.” It is SHOWING, “I LOVE YOU!” 

I want to dedicate this blog to my tia Gladys…I LOVE YOU, SO VERY MUCH tia Gladys!!!!

My aunt Gladys has always had compassion for everyone she has come in contact. She has been LOVE for so many people. I am so happy knowing that now everyone has compassion for her as she goes through this period in her life. 

PLEASE, have compassion for all your loved ones and then go beyond. May GOD and LOVE be with ALL of your loved ones especially those who are ailing or in crisis. Thank you for reading my blog. God Bless You and May the Light of Love and Life be with you and your all those you hold dear to your heart always. With love, joy and blessings…Angi

A Hug

A hug is like ice cream or candy for the heart and soul! It is that delicious, warm and loving embrace that displays the affections of another compassionate and caring being. I feel that hugs are best when they are unexpected. Incoming…..surprise hug! Those really make my day!

Hugs do not have to be reserved for other people. You can wrap those lovely arms around yourself as well as others and squeeze! Go ahead. Go on! Do it right now!!! (((BIG HUG!!!))) You have been virtually hugged by me! (Big grin) How did it feel? Virtual hugs feel almost as good as the real thing.

Have you ever spontaneously hugged someone you do not know? I have. Those are the best because there are no expectations attached and because it was unexpected. That is what I call a double blessing. I challenge anyone who reads this blog to hug at least one person they do not know this year. Go on and be a hugger (and not a bugger).  Hugs!