YOUR LIFE A-Z:VIRGIN

The Black Madonna is a Powerful Story

VIRGIN

Whether you believe in the literal VIRGIN birth or perceive this great story of VIRGIN birth of Jesus to be a valuable myth it does not change the reality that the story of the VIRGIN birth has echoed hope over these past centuries.  In the accounts of Matthew and Luke, it is reported that an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and that child will be called the son of the Most High.   Joseph, the husband of Mary, had a dream confirming what Mary was told.  So every Christmas churches re-enact the long journey that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem to pay their taxes.  And there in Bethlehem Jesus was born.  From this time forward many stories have been reported about the VIRGIN and her role in our lives.  If you are intrigued by this VIRGIN and find her compelling enough to know more, I believe you will be enriched by Clarissa Pinkola Estes book, Untie the Strong Woman. I found it fascinating and discovered many meaningful stories about her.  In the meantime, the VIRGIN responded to the angel by saying, “Behold I am a servant of the Lord.  Let it be to me according to your word.”  This is the time of the year to give back for your many blessings, so use the opportunity to serve those around you and make their lives enriched.  Give thanks that you are alive and purpose your life to give to others as acts of gratitude for your life.  

YOUR LIFE A-Z: GRATITUDE

WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO START THE MONTH

GRATITUDE

I bet you were wondering when this “G” word was going to show-up?  Here it is and it is a very important word because without Gratitude, our lives become brittle; or we can become entitled selfish humans.  I believe as Americans we have a hard time with feeling entitled, somehow owed privileges that we really need to earn rather than just expect we deserve.  Being grateful or even keeping a gratitude journal where each evening you write down five things that you are grateful for during the last twenty -four hours will lift your attitude, energy and your self-esteem.  Gratitude helps us understand that life could be worse.  Gratitude helps us feel thankful for being alive.  Gratitude helps us respect our health, money, home, and other daily gifts that we so quickly take for granite.  Gratitude makes us happier people to be around and it also helps us like ourselves better.  Gratitude teaches us humility and acceptance.  Gratitude is a simple act of saying “thank-you” for another day.  Gratitude is saying thank-you to the server at the restraint that is hurried and distracted by their personal life.  Gratitude is a way of being gentle on this earth and taking our lives seriously.  Gratitude is living with a giving heart.  Today, I challenge you to name twenty-five things that you are grateful for.  Do not stop until you get to twenty-five.  Start with being grateful that you can see and read and that you have some electronic device that delivered this to your mail box.  Be specific, be deliberate, and be grateful.