Happy New Year

 I had intended to restart this blog and post every day last year...haha, didn't do too good a job of that.

But I found something I would like to share with you to kick off your year. It's from my favourite newsletter, Quiet Mind, by Dan Joseph. I've read his newsletter for so many years, from 2005, I think. And in none, not one, has there ever been a false note. True wisdom is rare. Which is why I will share something from his latest newsletter over the next three days.

If you found your way to my blog unexpectedly, enjoy. Then go check out his site: www.SpiritSite.com

Q: You write about accessing the "spiritual self." However, my "worldly self" seems to matter a great deal when it comes to practical things like getting a job, finding someone to date, and so forth. How do you reconcile these?

A: Imagine a temple made entirely of stained glass windows. Within the center of this temple is a light that illuminates the glass. When the light is dim, the glass is rather colorless. But as the light increases in strength, the colors of the windows come alive.

In much the same way, our spiritual light illuminates the actions we take in the world. You might say that the activities of our "worldly selves" simply reflect our inner light as we allow them to.

As we create room for our inner light to expand, the stained glass begins to glow with great clarity and beauty. The glass isn't the important thing; the light that illuminates the glass is what's important. In fact, the light can become so beautifully luminous at times that the glass becomes nearly transparent.

Even in the most practical forms, we can allow our spiritual light to guide our steps. If you are seeking employment, your light can give you wisdom and clarity about what actions to take. It can inspire a sense of enthusiasm to help whatever organization, customer, or client you are interacting with. It can bring harmony to your interactions with your coworkers. It can fill you with creative solutions to problems.

If you are seeking positive relationships, the light can shine forth as appreciation toward those around you. It can highlight their beauty and gifts – as well as your own. It can ease a sense of vulnerability. It can highlight paths out of conflict. It can reveal the spiritual connections that are already present between you and other people, even those who seem to be "strangers."

Our selves in the world are simply a framework through which the light of the spirit is expressed. People may think that they are interested in the intricacies of the stained glass, but in truth they are inspired by the light that illuminates it.

There is no conflict between our worldly lives and the spiritual self; one is the glass, and the other is the light that brightens the glass as it shines through.