True Nobility

Dr. Wayne Dyer has often said that TRUE NOBILITY is really NOT about being better than everyone else. It is about being better than you used to be. It is shedding the mantra of the ego, “what’s in it for me?” and practicing the mantra of one’s highest self, “how may I serve?” Dr. Dyer feels that there is no greater model of that than the man who lived in Assisi (Saint Francis).

I believe each of us are gradually awakening to this higher spirit within ourselves, where we can shed the self-serving habits. We are developing our loving and compassionate hearts and spirits by practicing love and kindness, no matter the circumstances. We are beginning to show our capacity and ability to be pure love to one another, to all living creatures, to our environment and to our world.

Everything in our world are our sisters and brothers. We get to share our pure and unconditional love to our sister butterflies, brother birds, sister flowers, brother sun and sister moon. We get to live from the place within us where there is no condemnation, no judgment, no criticism towards any of God’s children, anywhere! The moment we can love that of which we most fear or hate, then we will know pure, unconditional love that of which is Jesus Christ and God (and all the higher spirits of the Universe). We DO have the ability! We can be love for each other and the world. I believe this to be awesome and wonderful.

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New Traditions

Create new traditions to bring more joy and unity into the lives of you and your loved ones! ~ Dr. Angi K. Orobko

In December we celebrate love, joy, generosity, charity, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, rebirth, return of light, and so much more. How we choose to celebrate the holiday is entirely up to us. We can choose to create new ways to celebrate the season. The possibilities are endless. Take the opportunity to invite input from your loved ones when you create a new tradition or two. Ask yourselves, how can you best celebrate? What will make this season for you and your family more meaningful?

My loved ones and I celebrate Christmas each year. Yes, we usually put up a Christmas tree and exchange gifts; but, more importantly we honor the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as, prepare our hearts for the second coming of our Lord. This preparation can be in many forms, but ultimately it is being Jesus and Love for others, whether it is in the spirit of giving gifts and/or sharing time and talents.

I love the idea of creating care packages filled with necessities and goodies for people in need. I love the idea of doing deliberate and anonymous acts of love and kindness each week in the name of Jesus and Love. These can become new traditions in my family. There are countless other things we can do and I am open to receive any ideas my loved ones have in mind. How about you? Are you going to create a new tradition this December?

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Grateful: The Gratitude Attitude

 

Upon thinking about gratitude, attitude came to mind; gratitude is an attitude of appreciation, knowing the worth of another. Gratitude is a positive feeling of indebtedness to another. It is a form of love, loyalty, and giving back; like an I.O.U. Your heart feels a warmth and longing to be of service to whomever or whatever you feel gratitude.

Gratitude is related to being thankful, grateful and appreciative. It is an uplifting emotion where you feel worthy and valued; and, you usually have a feeling of joy where you want to pay a favor in return directly or indirectly for the person you feel gratitude. An attitude of gratitude brings positiveness and higher energy. It is a glow in the heart, a warmth from within that makes one grin.

Dr. Seuss quoted: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” How true is that?! Are you great-full (grateful) in being you?

Today, I am grateful to be ME, because as you can see, it is ME that can set my CREATIVE heart and soul FREE! (Angi quote). I am grateful that I can rhyme from time to time. It is an instrument in writing that can be fun to use if used sparingly with reason.

Another great quote to consider was stated by Denis Waitley: “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man with no feet.”

This quote really makes one pause and consider everything for which to be grateful. Today, I discovered I had an abscessed tooth. It had to be extracted. I chose to be grateful that it was only one tooth and not something worse. Yes, my mouth is sore and a little swollen; however, I am deeply grateful for: my overall good  health, my wonderful dentist, my husband and family (including Sasha, my fur-baby), God and the Universe. The gratitude in my heart I extend to all those who have touched my life and molded me into who I am today, including the bullies and heart-breakers; and most importantly for having Jesus Christ in my life…the example He has led as God in Body…God the Experience…God the Flesh…God the Human Example. He showed us the path and the way to be. 

I have the gratitude attitude for music, creativity, life, transformations, lessons, love, friendship, fellowship, family, education, color, sight, all my senses, my gender, my femininity, my masculinity, my whole being, my outlook and perspective, my vision, my attitude and openness…for everything. Everything is a blessing that deserves to appreciated! Have “Gratitude Attitude”. You will see the positive ways it will change your life.

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Fresh Start

It is never too late for a fresh start. Every moment is a good time to start over if we can give ourselves permission. ~ Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko

Who says you have to wait until the beginning of a new year, month, week or day for a fresh start. Why not start fresh right now? The moment is now! And, wow! it feels great to start fresh. It is like giving yourself hugs and kisses.

It is a deep sigh of relief. It is a deep breath of fresh air. When you  permit yourself to have a clean slate,  you begin to see all the events, challenges, blessings, and issues in your life more clearly. You are giving yourself a second chance.

We would do it for a child, wouldn’t we? We would give our loved ones second chances, right?  It is time we grant ourselves permission to start over.

And, why not give yourself this loving opportunity, this do over? God through Jesus Christ gave us this gift. Who are we NOT to allow it! Forgive yourself. Let it be. Embrace this fresh start and you heart will feel free.

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“Don’t worry about telling God how big your storm is…..”

“Don’t worry about telling God how big your storm is…..tell the storm how big your God is!”

My sister shared this quote with me, which came from her co-worker, Randy who can’t remember from where he heard it. You know, Jesus Christ has our backs. He will get us through any storm. We just need to remember how powerful our God is! And, it is awesome to know that God is within us!

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16 NIV)

It is empowering to know that God is with us always. “Come close to God, and God will come close to you…(James 4:8) Faith and love sustains us, as it is the God in us that gives us the fortitude to get through the largest of storms in our lives. It is God and the Love in our hearts that allows us to see the blessings in those storms. Happiness and joy need not be elusive. We just need to remember we are not alone and that happiness has never left us.

Another thought that has crossed my mind today, “Why is it that sometimes we wish to be something we are not instead of wishing to be who we already are?” We are exactly who and where we need to be. The thoughts in our hearts become reality. It is only when we believe we are exactly the person we want to be that we are joyful. What are you telling yourself and your storm today?

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Gifts of Love Update 13

Today I spent much of the day painting more Gifts of Love. I will share those images tomorrow. More importantly I had the opportunity to give “Gift of Love #9” to a dear friend who I learned is moving. What is amazing about this is I did not know she was moving until after I gave her the gift. My heart (as inspired by God) urged me to give her one. 

The story behind this gift presentation is as follows. Earlier this week I reconnected with some friends from a church in which I was a regular member years ago. This transpired during a special service that honored the recent death of the founding reverend pastor of that church. I was close to this pastor and it was a bittersweet event. I carried a heavy heart, but he wanted us to celebrate his passing. After this special service, many of the regular members of the church wished me to return to the parish, especially one of my dearer friends.

So, my husband and I planned and went to this evening’s church service. I felt compelled to give my one dear friend a Gift of Love. She was absolutely delighted. This is what I love about her, she always values and appreciates everything and everyone! This is when I learned that she and her husband are moving at the end of this month. I am both sad and happy about this. I will miss her and her husband; but, she will be closer to her children and grandchildren. The Gift of Love was perfect! 

I also was given the opportunity to speak about my Gift of Love campaign and the importance of addressing bullying. I felt so much support from my peers at this church as we discussed the timeliness of my campaign and the importance of addressing bullying… empowering and equipping parents and children with the emotional tools they need to survive bullying.

I truly feel that I have been Divinely led tonight, which has again renewed my already profound faith in Jesus Christ. This is what I need to be doing; this is my purpose and calling. I have been chosen to be an advocate and inspiration of love and kindness as the way to address bullying and negativity to create positive changes in my community and in our world.

My friendly challenge to you is to find a way to spread love and kindness this weekend, not just to those who you feel deserve it; but, see if you can be especially nice to those who may be gruff, persnickety, prickly or even a bully. 

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Tribute to Ray Carmines

A man who is surrounded by so many loved ones during his lifetime is a rich man, indeed. And, such a man is Mr. Ray Carmines. Mr. Carmines will have his 85th birthday on April 26; while, today he celebrated with family and friends at the local Ice-Plex. My family and I count ourselves privileged and blessed to be included in such a wonderful event in his life. It was beautiful to see Mr. Carmines radiate such joy and seeing it reflecting back to him. Look at his dazzling smile!

Mr. Carmines with my parents.

The celebration was perfect. Mr. Carmines was surrounded with about a hundred or more friends and family, all of whom were gathered to celebrate his life and enjoy his presence. Mr. Carmines exudes such a beautiful and positive attitude. He has been a part of my family’s life since I was about ten years old when we first moved a couple of houses down from him in our neighborhood in Poquoson. He has always been a very loving and generous man.

Mr. Carmines has always been active in the community, a loving father and husband to his four daughters and wife, a great friend and neighbor and a man of God. He is one of a few I have known in my life to truly live his life in the spirit of Jesus Christ with a generous and loving heart. He has never has had a negative word to say about anyone. I do not even recall ever seeing him unhappy. He is one who chooses to fully live his life in joy. Not only does Mr. Carmines snow ski whenever he gets a chance, but he is also champion ice skater/dancer, which is the one of the reasons why we celebrated his birthday and life at the Ice-Plex.

 

The Ice-Plex was the perfect place to accommodate everyone. Many attendants ice-skated including the “man of the hour”. It was such a delight to see everyone relaxed and having a great time. There was plenty of wonderful food, drink and birthday cake.  

One of my favorite parts of today’s celebration was playing BINGO using words that celebrated Mr. Carmines’ life such as: Virginia Tech (his alma mater), ice skating, snow skiing, maroon and orange (school colors), football, and so many other delightful words that represent a part of Mr. Carmines’ life.  In the spirit of love and generosity, everyone had the opportunity to win at least once (many won twice or more); furthermore, prizes were available, wonderful tokens that helped to mark the occasion.

With or without prizes, we ALL felt like WINNERS! The positive energy, warmth and love that filled the ice complex could have melted the ice. I hope these words convey at least a fraction of joyousness that was experienced today. Mr. Carmines is a magnificent person, a loving soul and a gift to the world. May he have 85 more magnificent years. 

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday service at St. Timothy’s Church today was lovely. Before the service, each of us were given a single palm leaf to signify the day. Readings came from Philippians 2, 5-11 and Matthew 27, 1-56.  The fist reading in Philippians encouraged unity and humility… “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Gospel of Matthew in chapter 27 professed the passion of Jesus Christ, from where the chief priests and the elders took counsel against Jesus and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. As I listened to the Gospel according to Matthew, I reflected to this tumultuous time and my heart filled with deep sorrow and profound love for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week and it is a significant time for practicing Christians. It is a period of deep reflection as daily bible readings will be of the Passion of Christ from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After service during our coffee social, we learned how to create crosses with our palm leaves. My husband and I were able to create 3 of them (in above image). These crosses will serve as a reminder of our Lord Jesus’s sacrifice.

This leads me to what I plan to do for the week. Thursday (March 29) into Friday (March 30), I had a dream while I slept of creating “Gift Bags of Love” to distribute. What do these look like, well, these Gifts of Love….Gift Bags of Love will be hand-painted bags with my artwork that will stem from my heart. I will fill these bags with tokens of love, but love in its purest form is intangible. I will then distribute these bags and collect stories where possible.  I broke things down into 4 steps:

Step one: paint 100 bags with art of love.
Step two: fill bags with tokens of love.
Step three: distribute bags.
Step four: collect stories.

That seems simple enough doesn’t it? It seems like a great way to kickoff Holy Week, which reminds me of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” I will share my love for the world by sharing my art which stems from love and kindness to those who will accept this gift of love and kindness. It will be in the form of a bag; but it is so much deeper than the bag with art. It is a Gift of Love. What of yourself can you give this week (and beyond)? Let me know your special stories. I know you all have them. With love, joy and blessings, Angi ♥

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Gratitude

Upon thinking about gratitude, attitude came to mind; gratitude is an attitude of appreciation, knowing the worth of another. Gratitude is a positive feeling of indebtedness to another. It is a form of love, loyalty, and giving back; like an I.O.U. Your heart feels a warmth and longing to be of service to whomever or whatever you feel gratitude.

Gratitude is related to being thankful, grateful and appreciative. It is an uplifting emotion where you feel worthy and valued; and, you usually have a feeling of joy where you want to pay a favor in return directly or indirectly for the person you feel gratitude. An attitude of gratitude brings positiveness and higher energy. It is a glow in the heart, a warmth from within that makes one grin.

Dr. Seuss quoted….”Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” How true is that?!

Today I am ME, as you can see; I need to be everything that is ME to set my CREATIVE heart and soul FREE! Whee! Woo-who! Yes! (Angi quote). I am grateful that I can rhyme from time to time. It is an instrument in writing that can be fun to use if used sparingly with reason.

I am grateful for: my health, God, the Universe, my husband and family (including Sasha, my fur-baby). The gratitude in my heart I extend to all those who have touched my life and molded me into who I am today, including the bullies; and most importantly for having Jesus Christ in my life…the example He has led as God in Body…God the Experience…God the Flesh…God the Human Example. He showed us the path and the way to be. 

I have the gratitude attitude for music, creativity, life, transformations, lessons, love, friendship, fellowship, family, education, color, sight, all my senses, my gender, my femininity, my masculinity, my whole being, my outlook and perspective, my vision, my attitude and openness…for everything. Everything is a blessing that deserves to appreciated! Have “Gratitude Attitude”. You will see the positive ways it will change your life.