ENTERTAINING ANGELS
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:2
MIKE'S STORY: A Crew of Angels
True stories of amazing intersections ...
Read Stu's story about the synchronicity and the people who saved his son's life after a boating accident. He said:
Later as the fog of grief cleared, I thought that there was far more going on during those decisive first hours than "good luck." I came to believe firmly that Michael was actually being watched over by powers greater than we could imagine, that his guardian angel was on duty and that, if things got really bad, this angel had even higher recourse.
Scroll down on this page for "MIKE'S STORY: A Crew of Angels"
AN EXTRA VALENTINE
I can hear you worrying right now, "How do I get in a warm fuzzy mood for Valentine's Day when there's so much bad stuff going on?"
I know. With a deranged astronaut in diapers, Microsoft's Windows Vista release and the untimely demise of Anna Nicole, it's been a rough month -- already. Who feels like celebrating?
But here's the thing we can't forget: Love is the answer, the only way we can rescue ourselves and the big, spinning orb that we're all trying to hold on to. Therefore, we must EXPAND the Feb. 14 festivities, rather than cutting back.
Here's my suggestion: Give a valentine to a stranger. Yep. While you're sending email valentines, while you're shopping for someone special, plan a valentine for someone you don't know. It can be simply a heart drawn and "Happy Valentine's Day" written on a piece of paper.
It's easy. Make it, put it in your pocket, walk down the street and give it away. You might even hand out more than one. If you want.
Let me know how that works for you.
(c) Copyright Jane Allen. 2007. All rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1534-178X.
HE LIED ABOUT NEARLY EVERYTHING
CONNECTING STORIES
True stories of amazing intersections ...
Hallie left her big city life -- security, comfort, friends, family, job, apartment -- to follow her dream of interning on an organic farm. Some people said she was crazy and predicted she'd return home very soon. When her plane landed in Oregon, everything she owned was in a few pieces of luggage.
And then she stepped into a nightmare. It was a lie. There was no farm; no internship waited for her. Then two strangers rescued her.
Scroll down on this page to read HE LIED ABOUT NEARLY EVERYTHING - a story of friendship, generosity and love.
Global MindShift
BIG OR SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS, COURAGE, STRENGTH, CONNECTION...
If you like having conversations that matter, Global MindShift has four-week online discussion groups that are free and fabulous! From the website:
Today we live in a world where “who we are” is much bigger and more inclusive than many of us have traditionally thought. The image that we now have of the earth from space, coupled with growing challenges that are global in scope, tell us that it is no longer sufficient to be identified only with our country, culture, or religion. Today we are called to identify with the whole planet, and all of life.
In this introductory conversation we explore what some have called “the new story” – new information that expands our understanding of who we are, where we have come from, and what we are now called to do.
SMALL CELEBRATIONS
Are there things you're saving for a special occasion instead of enjoying today? Not using something that you love -- thinking it could be damaged or lost -- is another fear-based trap. There isn't enough time for that. This day is what we have. This celebration. This moment. Right now.
* * * * * *
ONE SUMMER AFTERNOON when I was 12, I cooked up some chocolate pudding. To make the from-a-package dessert a little bit special, I let it cool and then quite cautiously spooned it into four of my mother's etched crystal goblets. They were, I knew, a wedding gift from 18 years earlier. Beautiful and delicate and rarely used, their home was way in the back of a cupboard. Even so, I thought it would be OK ... if I was really careful.
Oh boy, was I wrong.
I still remember the sound of Mom's fear -- a sharp intake of breath -- when she saw them adorned with pudding and standing on the kitchen counter.
It took me a while to release those lessons ... that "good" stuff -- like china, silver and crystal -- had to stay tucked away in a cupboard or closet ... that precious objects were to be brought out only for company on holidays. Best to keep them wrapped up most of the time. Out of sight meant: safe from harm.
When I finally gave up that scarcity/fear thinking, I found that an ordinary wine somehow tasted better in a fine glass and a beautiful plate made leftovers elegant. Whenever they are used, much-loved items create small celebrations.
In my kitchen, there is a silver sugar and creamer set that belonged to my husband's mother. Both pieces have several small dents. While I'm polishing, I speculate about how those dents came to be. During a move? Or maybe there was an argument, generations ago, and sterling silver objects were tossed around? Or could they have been thrown out by mistake and then rescued from a trash bin? The people who would know are all gone now. I'm left with fantasies and two less-than-perfect treasures. Still, I choose to celebrate them every day.
(c) Copyright Jane Allen. 2007. All rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1534-178X.
