Good morning. Happy Sunday!
Do you have a beautiful life? Are you living a life you love to live? If not, why not?
We should all be living wonderful lives full of beauty and happiness. So, how do we get the life we want?
We create it.
That may sound a little out there, but it's true.
After forty some years of trying to fit into the world around me, at some point, I realized my fundamental mistake: I don't have to fit into the world, but instead, I can create the world to fit me.
This new perception on my life has given me my own power back. I will never be a victim to anyone or anything, because I am in charge of what happens to me.
It's not easy to change perception in the midst of life, especially if you are entrenched in "main steam" thinking, which typically does not allow for what is called "magical" thinking. But, this is the error of humanity. We have spent hundreds of years perfecting the scientific method to the point where we as people do not allow for anything to occur outside of so called "science." Everything relies on sensory data. Unfortunately, so much of what comes into our brains bypasses our five senses, but it also gets filtered by our brains to fit into the world we know.
We are distracted by an American culture that caters to the five senses. As a result, how much of reality do we miss?
What if we could retrain our brains and ourselves to let more of the world in? What if we could train ourselves to actually participate in the creation of the reality we experience?
We can.
It is not easy, but it is easier than it seems. Changing perception begins with the little things. We have to cut out the unnecessary distractions (like mindless television). We also have to learn to spin the things that happen to us into a positive light.
This is how the Law of Attraction comes into play, with our input, bringing us more of the same. I don't know about you, but I'd like to bring more good things and experiences into my life, and I can do this by focusing on the things I like in my life and not on the things I don't like or don't want.
I am also actively allowing new experiences into my world--perhaps things that don't fit into the scientific definition of reality. While I have always done this to some degree, for instance listening and interpreting "messages" from the Universe (which may actually be messages from my higher self), I am doing this more. I am participating in the web of life, feeling my own connection to everything around me.
The rose blooms for me. It does. Sure it does. It is a beautiful gift that I notice as I walk by. As I notice and appreciate such living beauty, I am grateful for witnessing such a miracle. In my gratitude and appreciation, I am sending out a message that I like it, that I want more of this beauty. And then I see a bluebird perched on the fence, watching me, and I notice the greenness of the grass beneath my feet, and the white, wispy clouds floating in the bright blue sky. Beauty surrounds me. I am thankful for living in such a wonderful place.
My perception of my world has changed by simply being present and noticing the things around me. I choose to notice the beauty of the world, and so more beauty is available to me. What I focus on expands.
Did I actively participate in creating all of those beautiful moments I just described? Yes. I was seeking more beauty and so my perception changed to allow more beauty to be available for me to experience. Complicated? Maybe. But not as much as you might think.
If we can live our lives consciously, which means we are present in the moment and aware of our thoughts, we can actively create the world around us through our intentions and vibratory frequencies. By maintaining a happy and positive frequency, we raise ourselves to a new level of reality in which happiness and beauty exist everywhere we turn. Amazing.
By becoming aware of our thoughts and choosing happier thoughts, we experience more joy in our lives. It becomes easier the more we do it, because like attracts like. The more happy thoughts we have, the more happy thoughts we have. The happiness grows and it becomes easier to deal with those moments of negativity when you are filled with joy and happiness. It becomes easier to see the silver lining as your energy frequency is raised to a higher frequency of happiness.
So, this week, let us try to create beauty in our lives by focusing on the beauty around us. Appreciate and express gratitude for the things in your life that make you happy, and watch as those moments of joy grow into more moments of joy. As your perception changes, your life will change too. Allow the magic to happen and be amazed!
Love.
~Rev. Kerry
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Compassion (9.22.13)
Happy Sunday!
Yesterday was Global Peace Day, so today, I wanted to talk about compassion.
Not only should we express compassion for all of our fellow human beings around the globe, but also for ourselves, which I feel is often overlooked. It is through our compassion for our self first, and then for others, that we find peace within, and then outside of our self in the world around us. This is how true peace is born.
Often we find it easier to bestow kindness and compassion on someone else, as we ignore our own personal need for kindness and compassion, at least from our self. We certainly do notice when people treat us harshly, and perhaps we react quickly with a snide comment or other unkind behavior. However, if we are seeking peace in our lives, it would do us well not to react to people who are treating us negatively, but to counter any and all negative or unkind behaviors with love and compassion and kindness instead.
We've all heard how a person in pain expresses more pain in the world around him or her. It is this person who needs the most love. We certainly can do our part to send every single person we encounter some positive energy, instead of reinforcing the negativity with more negativity. (Remember that like attracts like.)
But what about how we treat ourselves?
Most of us have a negative voice in our head that might tell us we are not good enough or successful enough or whatever. We may even sabotage things in our own life to ensure our own unhappiness. Why would we do this? What's going on?
A person full of pain expresses more pain in the world around them. Why would it be different within our self? If we are talking bad to our self, or suffer from a low self-image, it would seem that somewhere within there is a person who is in pain, whether that be the little child we once were, or an older, but still hurt, version of us. Somewhere in our lives, something must have occurred that caused such great pain that we then turned that pain inward through our negative self-talk. Sometimes we even sabotage the things that seem to be going well in our lives.
Now it is time to forgive, if we can, and that means forgiving our self for anything we may have done in the past that we are not happy about. Stop judging that event and release it. We need to feel some compassion for that person who experienced something painful or traumatic. We certainly would if that person were a friend, or even a stranger we see on the local news. Why not show the same compassion for ourselves?
It is time to practice love and kindness, not only in relation to everyone in our lives and on the entire planet, but also, and most importantly to our self. We have to learn to love that hurt person inside, and feel some compassion for what they have been through. After all, it is all in the past, and that person is someone different from who we are now. We have to shower that person with love, showing our compassion for what they have been through. Isn't that what we do when our family members are having a rough time? Do we not consider our self part of our own family?
We are all one. Inside, outside, it's really all the same. We are all one huge, big family. If we see someone who is in pain, we extend love, and their pain will be lessened. So let us feel compassion for those around us, and let us feel compassion for ourselves too. We are only human. All people make mistakes. The great thing is we can learn so much from our mistakes, enough that perhaps we don't even have to call them mistakes anymore, but rather, learning opportunities.
This week, let's take some time out to give ourselves some one on one time, and spend our quality time expressing love and compassion for our selves. Let's all do something we love, meditate, get out into nature, take a long soak or sauna, and whatever we choose to do, let's do it with the intention of giving and receiving self-love. The more we love ourselves, the better the world looks, both inside and outside.
~Rev. Kerry
Yesterday was Global Peace Day, so today, I wanted to talk about compassion.
Not only should we express compassion for all of our fellow human beings around the globe, but also for ourselves, which I feel is often overlooked. It is through our compassion for our self first, and then for others, that we find peace within, and then outside of our self in the world around us. This is how true peace is born.
Often we find it easier to bestow kindness and compassion on someone else, as we ignore our own personal need for kindness and compassion, at least from our self. We certainly do notice when people treat us harshly, and perhaps we react quickly with a snide comment or other unkind behavior. However, if we are seeking peace in our lives, it would do us well not to react to people who are treating us negatively, but to counter any and all negative or unkind behaviors with love and compassion and kindness instead.
We've all heard how a person in pain expresses more pain in the world around him or her. It is this person who needs the most love. We certainly can do our part to send every single person we encounter some positive energy, instead of reinforcing the negativity with more negativity. (Remember that like attracts like.)
But what about how we treat ourselves?
Most of us have a negative voice in our head that might tell us we are not good enough or successful enough or whatever. We may even sabotage things in our own life to ensure our own unhappiness. Why would we do this? What's going on?
A person full of pain expresses more pain in the world around them. Why would it be different within our self? If we are talking bad to our self, or suffer from a low self-image, it would seem that somewhere within there is a person who is in pain, whether that be the little child we once were, or an older, but still hurt, version of us. Somewhere in our lives, something must have occurred that caused such great pain that we then turned that pain inward through our negative self-talk. Sometimes we even sabotage the things that seem to be going well in our lives.
Now it is time to forgive, if we can, and that means forgiving our self for anything we may have done in the past that we are not happy about. Stop judging that event and release it. We need to feel some compassion for that person who experienced something painful or traumatic. We certainly would if that person were a friend, or even a stranger we see on the local news. Why not show the same compassion for ourselves?
It is time to practice love and kindness, not only in relation to everyone in our lives and on the entire planet, but also, and most importantly to our self. We have to learn to love that hurt person inside, and feel some compassion for what they have been through. After all, it is all in the past, and that person is someone different from who we are now. We have to shower that person with love, showing our compassion for what they have been through. Isn't that what we do when our family members are having a rough time? Do we not consider our self part of our own family?
We are all one. Inside, outside, it's really all the same. We are all one huge, big family. If we see someone who is in pain, we extend love, and their pain will be lessened. So let us feel compassion for those around us, and let us feel compassion for ourselves too. We are only human. All people make mistakes. The great thing is we can learn so much from our mistakes, enough that perhaps we don't even have to call them mistakes anymore, but rather, learning opportunities.
This week, let's take some time out to give ourselves some one on one time, and spend our quality time expressing love and compassion for our selves. Let's all do something we love, meditate, get out into nature, take a long soak or sauna, and whatever we choose to do, let's do it with the intention of giving and receiving self-love. The more we love ourselves, the better the world looks, both inside and outside.
~Rev. Kerry
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Happy Global Peace Day!
Good morning!
Today is Global Peace Day.
Happy Global Peace Day everyone!
May you find peace today and every day. Find the peace in your heart and share it with the world!
~Rev. Kerry
Today is Global Peace Day.
Happy Global Peace Day everyone!
May you find peace today and every day. Find the peace in your heart and share it with the world!
~Rev. Kerry
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Keep it positive! (Sermon 9.15.13)
Happy Sunday everyone!
This week I have had a lot of life lessons that seem to pertain to the Law of Attraction, which essentially says "like attracts like." Positive attracts positive, but negative attracts negative as well.
As my week unfolded and "perceived" negative events occurred, I tried to remember that I am responsible for how I react to everything in my life. My reaction makes all the difference, not only to the current situation, but also to my future.
Our thoughts and emotions have a very big impact upon our lives. It is becoming clearer and clearer in the world of Quantum Physics that how we think about things helps to shape them. We are in fact helping to create our future by how we are behaving now, including what we are thinking about, and how we are feeling.
If I have a negative start to my day, say spilling my coffee all over myself, and I react negatively, in anger or frustration, I may continue the re-activity by stubbing my toe while changing my clothes, or tearing off a button, or some other mishap. Inevitably, my day continues to get worse. Everyone has had days like this. It is pretty common in our lives.
But, what if I tell you that it is no accident that our day goes from bad to worse? What if I tell you that the first negative occurrence, like spilling the coffee, created a negative chain of events that led to a really bad day? Negative attracts negative. And, throw in a little emotional angst, like anger or frustration, which we feel whole-heartedly, and you've got a negative whirlwind going, spinning out of control for the rest of the day.
How do we stop it? How do we cut the negativity off and stop the landslide of bad things from happening? How do we turn our day around?
Put a spin on it. Just like the spin doctors that twist national events for the mass media, we need to twist our own negative events so that we can see something positive in them. I know it can be difficult, especially if the negative event is large and life changing.
The first step is to recognize it for what it is. Can you change it? If so, do so. Even if you have to begin small, you have to start somewhere, and any step forward is a step in the right direction. Activity to change your situation should help bring you out of the negativity. If you can't change it, then acknowledge it, feel the emotion, but don't dwell on it. Don't get stuck in the negative emotion or negative thought pattern.
Even one positive thought or emotion can help turn things around. Like attracts like. Remember a happy moment in your life, and really feel it, like you are there again. The emotional charge helps draw the positive energy back into your life, and pushes the negativity away.
Remember how I spilled coffee all over myself? Well, what if I laughed at myself and thought, "Oh, I didn't really want to wear this outfit anyway. That bright yellow blouse has been calling to me, and now I have an excuse to change." (Colors have an impact on our moods and emotions as well, so choosing a bright "sunny" color might very well put another positive spin on the day.)
Now, I have cut off the negativity--stopped it in its tracks--derailed it, so to speak, and my day progresses normally, or even down a positive path, perhaps becoming one of the best days of my life! Why? Because I noticed what was happening and reacted in a controlled and intentional manner, not letting the negativity get the better of me.
How can we become more intentional in our day to day reactions, so that we are consciously creating a life of happiness and positive intentions? Practice being aware of our reactions, both positive and negative. If we can notice how we are behaving in any situation, we have taken the first step in correcting any negativity that is trying to invade our lives.
As we remember that "like attracts like" we will become more conscious of the patterns in our lives. If we want to change anything, including a bad day, we must spin it so that we are functioning from a more positive place. Instead of dwelling on what we don't want, we must focus our emotional energy on what we do want.
Even if it seems trivial, know that your thoughts and emotions are creating your tomorrow. Wouldn't it be better to approach the future from a positive place? I know that when I react to events and even to others from a positive place, everyone around me seems calmer and happier, which leads to a better day...for everyone.
We can change the world, one positive thought at a time!
-Rev. Kerry
This week I have had a lot of life lessons that seem to pertain to the Law of Attraction, which essentially says "like attracts like." Positive attracts positive, but negative attracts negative as well.
As my week unfolded and "perceived" negative events occurred, I tried to remember that I am responsible for how I react to everything in my life. My reaction makes all the difference, not only to the current situation, but also to my future.
Our thoughts and emotions have a very big impact upon our lives. It is becoming clearer and clearer in the world of Quantum Physics that how we think about things helps to shape them. We are in fact helping to create our future by how we are behaving now, including what we are thinking about, and how we are feeling.
If I have a negative start to my day, say spilling my coffee all over myself, and I react negatively, in anger or frustration, I may continue the re-activity by stubbing my toe while changing my clothes, or tearing off a button, or some other mishap. Inevitably, my day continues to get worse. Everyone has had days like this. It is pretty common in our lives.
But, what if I tell you that it is no accident that our day goes from bad to worse? What if I tell you that the first negative occurrence, like spilling the coffee, created a negative chain of events that led to a really bad day? Negative attracts negative. And, throw in a little emotional angst, like anger or frustration, which we feel whole-heartedly, and you've got a negative whirlwind going, spinning out of control for the rest of the day.
How do we stop it? How do we cut the negativity off and stop the landslide of bad things from happening? How do we turn our day around?
Put a spin on it. Just like the spin doctors that twist national events for the mass media, we need to twist our own negative events so that we can see something positive in them. I know it can be difficult, especially if the negative event is large and life changing.
The first step is to recognize it for what it is. Can you change it? If so, do so. Even if you have to begin small, you have to start somewhere, and any step forward is a step in the right direction. Activity to change your situation should help bring you out of the negativity. If you can't change it, then acknowledge it, feel the emotion, but don't dwell on it. Don't get stuck in the negative emotion or negative thought pattern.
Even one positive thought or emotion can help turn things around. Like attracts like. Remember a happy moment in your life, and really feel it, like you are there again. The emotional charge helps draw the positive energy back into your life, and pushes the negativity away.
Remember how I spilled coffee all over myself? Well, what if I laughed at myself and thought, "Oh, I didn't really want to wear this outfit anyway. That bright yellow blouse has been calling to me, and now I have an excuse to change." (Colors have an impact on our moods and emotions as well, so choosing a bright "sunny" color might very well put another positive spin on the day.)
Now, I have cut off the negativity--stopped it in its tracks--derailed it, so to speak, and my day progresses normally, or even down a positive path, perhaps becoming one of the best days of my life! Why? Because I noticed what was happening and reacted in a controlled and intentional manner, not letting the negativity get the better of me.
How can we become more intentional in our day to day reactions, so that we are consciously creating a life of happiness and positive intentions? Practice being aware of our reactions, both positive and negative. If we can notice how we are behaving in any situation, we have taken the first step in correcting any negativity that is trying to invade our lives.
As we remember that "like attracts like" we will become more conscious of the patterns in our lives. If we want to change anything, including a bad day, we must spin it so that we are functioning from a more positive place. Instead of dwelling on what we don't want, we must focus our emotional energy on what we do want.
Even if it seems trivial, know that your thoughts and emotions are creating your tomorrow. Wouldn't it be better to approach the future from a positive place? I know that when I react to events and even to others from a positive place, everyone around me seems calmer and happier, which leads to a better day...for everyone.
We can change the world, one positive thought at a time!
-Rev. Kerry
Sunday, September 8, 2013
On Peace and Love (Sermon 9.8.13)
With the impending actions of the US involvement in Syria looming over all of us, I'd like to spend some time today reflecting on peace, and how we can create peace in our own lives.
If it is possible that each one of us actively created our own lives, is it also possible to think that on a larger scale, our actions are reflected out into the world around us?
I believe it is. I am suggesting here that the world is a mirror of ourselves. As we look at the world around us, what do we see? Is it a peaceful and loving world? Is it a world full of hope and caring individuals that help one another in times of need? Or is it an unkind and violent world?
If the world we see outside of ourselves is not a world we are happy with, perhaps we need to examine ourselves and our own personal lives.
Ask yourself if you are acting peacefully within your own life and in your interactions with others. How could you be more loving or peaceful in your day to day dealings with other people? How do you treat strangers that you come into contact with? Do they receive as much kindness and consideration as people you know well? Is the need to be right or the need for control of a situation more important than perpetuating a world of peace and love?
Perhaps we could spend some time examining how we treat everyone in our lives, and not just people we know well, although in some cases we may actually find that we treat strangers with more respect and kindness than people we see daily. Are we taking our relationships for granted?
If we subscribe to the idea that we are all ONE, and that each and every single being on this planet Earth is a part of ourselves in the wholeness of all that is, we must then ask ourselves how we would like to be treated. The Golden Rule applies here as we realize that by treating each and every person or creature as a part of ourselves, we will also be treated in kind. Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.
Is it possible that by treating every living being with respect and kindness, that that same respect and kindness will be reflected back to us? I believe it IS possible. I also believe that the road to peace begins at home, first within ourselves and then within our families and within our communities.
If a person is a "stranger" does that make them less human than ourselves? Isn't it in fact true that the stranger is not only my brother or sister, but is also me?
Let us reflect today on giving love through our kind actions and words to others. Let us also take a moment to remember that in the bigger picture of spiritual life, we are all pieces of a greater whole...smaller spirits that come together to make the ONE, the ALL that is.
We are all ONE.
Let us now take a moment to quietly reflect, and meditate on peace in our own lives and peace universally for all beings we share the Earth with. Let us send a prayer of love and an energy wave of peace to all peoples struggling to find peace within themselves and within their communities.
May we all walk in love and practice kindness to all living beings today, and from this day forth.
-Rev. Kerry
If it is possible that each one of us actively created our own lives, is it also possible to think that on a larger scale, our actions are reflected out into the world around us?
I believe it is. I am suggesting here that the world is a mirror of ourselves. As we look at the world around us, what do we see? Is it a peaceful and loving world? Is it a world full of hope and caring individuals that help one another in times of need? Or is it an unkind and violent world?
If the world we see outside of ourselves is not a world we are happy with, perhaps we need to examine ourselves and our own personal lives.
Ask yourself if you are acting peacefully within your own life and in your interactions with others. How could you be more loving or peaceful in your day to day dealings with other people? How do you treat strangers that you come into contact with? Do they receive as much kindness and consideration as people you know well? Is the need to be right or the need for control of a situation more important than perpetuating a world of peace and love?
Perhaps we could spend some time examining how we treat everyone in our lives, and not just people we know well, although in some cases we may actually find that we treat strangers with more respect and kindness than people we see daily. Are we taking our relationships for granted?
If we subscribe to the idea that we are all ONE, and that each and every single being on this planet Earth is a part of ourselves in the wholeness of all that is, we must then ask ourselves how we would like to be treated. The Golden Rule applies here as we realize that by treating each and every person or creature as a part of ourselves, we will also be treated in kind. Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.
Is it possible that by treating every living being with respect and kindness, that that same respect and kindness will be reflected back to us? I believe it IS possible. I also believe that the road to peace begins at home, first within ourselves and then within our families and within our communities.
If a person is a "stranger" does that make them less human than ourselves? Isn't it in fact true that the stranger is not only my brother or sister, but is also me?
Let us reflect today on giving love through our kind actions and words to others. Let us also take a moment to remember that in the bigger picture of spiritual life, we are all pieces of a greater whole...smaller spirits that come together to make the ONE, the ALL that is.
We are all ONE.
Let us now take a moment to quietly reflect, and meditate on peace in our own lives and peace universally for all beings we share the Earth with. Let us send a prayer of love and an energy wave of peace to all peoples struggling to find peace within themselves and within their communities.
May we all walk in love and practice kindness to all living beings today, and from this day forth.
-Rev. Kerry
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