Everything happens just the way it is supposed to, and when we realize that, grace is bestowed.

On Christmas day, my lovely partner, Liz, and I went to the movies and saw a film called "Slumdog Millionaire."  I knew nothing about the movie or its plot before I saw it.  However, earlier in the week, I had noticed the movie's title on the theater's marquee and I remember thinking "What a strange name for a Christmas movie."

I didn't think about it again until I was online trying to confirm the times for movie showings.  Again, I came across the intriguing title "Slumdog Millionaire" and without even reading what it was about, I was getting "hits" (you know, those internal feelings and signs that direct you to do something) to see this movie.  Even though Liz and I already had decided to see another movie, I knew I wanted to see this one now.  Even after I read what it was about, it still didn't sound all that great, but I just knew I had to see it.  Liz agreed that we would go see "Slumdog Millionaire" on Christmas day and see the other movie at another time.

I won't go into too many details about the movie (by the way, if you haven't seen it yet, please do), but I was astonished that it captured so much of what I believe in and teach: "everything happens for a reason" and "it all has a Divine purpose, though we might not know it at the time."

Throughout the movie, terrible things happen to the main characters.  But they continue moving forward with their lives, making the best of what they have.  Circumstances split the main characters up and they live separate lives for a while.  By the time they are rejoined, they have very different lifestyles.  Each of them is using what they have learned growing up to survive.  And at the end of the movie, the main character is able to use some of his most horrible memories to accomplish something he never dreamed of.

All of us in life have experienced "horrible" things.  What we choose to do with those things today will mold our future.  Do we turn our swords into plowshares?  Do we turn that lump of coal into a diamond?  Seeing things from a different perspective is just the beginning of a life filled with Trust, Forgiveness and Acceptance, all of which brings peace into our lives.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKING EVENTS

Date:               Saturday, February 28, 2009
Event:             NEW CIRCLES OF LIGHT
Location:        Memorial United Methodist Church
                        250 Bryant Avenue
                        White Plains, NY

                        914-720-7785
Time:              10:00am to 3:00pm
Fee:                Suggested Donation is $20.00
To Register:   Call John at Memorial United Church
Note:               Bring your own lunch and yoga mat (if you own one)

I will be the main speaker for New Circles of Light, a new organization dedicated to supporting us on our journey back to wholeness.  Call and ask for John to hear about the other activities that will be going on that day. Michael will be the main speaker.

Date:               Saturday, February 28, 2009
Event:             INFORMATION SESSION
Location:        Joshua's Place
                        30 Sanford Place
                        Southampton, NY 11968

                        631-287-410
Time:              7:30pm to 9:00pm
Fee:                Complimentary
To Register:   Call and register with Joshua's Place

Men and women are invited and encouraged to attend a complimentary Information Session about my upcoming workshops.   I will talk to you about of my journey from a being completely cut off from my heart, due to childhood abuse, drugs, alcohol, and the loss of several loved ones - to finding Trust-Forgiveness and Acceptance in myself, God, and others.  Most importantly, I will share with you how I use my workshops to help others find the trust, forgiveness and acceptance within themselves.

 

Please note that if you attend the Information Session and sign up for an upcoming workshop, you will receive 25% off the workshop cost.

Date:               March 20-22, 2009
Event:             MEN'S WEEKEND FREEDOM WORKSHOP
Location:        Joshua's Place
                        30 Sanford Place
                        Southampton, NY 11968

                        631-287-4100
Time:              Friday 7:30pm to 9:30pm
                        Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm
                        Sunday 10:00am to 3:00pm
Fee:                $275.00
To Register:   Call and register with Joshua's Place, or go here to register online

During this workshop a safe, sacred place is created for men to dig deep within to find the misconceptions that are blocking them from experiencing meaningful and honest relationships with God, self, and others.

You will learn how to discover your original disconnection to your old wiring so that you can reconnect, reroute and rewire your most primal thoughts, emotions and beliefs. This process helps men who have suffered with addictions or who are affected by others who have addictions, as well as those who suffer because of dysfunctional relationships, death of a loved one, emotional, sexual or physical abuse, those who feel the need for more in life, and those whose experiences have closed off their connection to their heart.


Date:               March 27-29, 2009
Event              WOMEN'S WEEKEND FREEDOM WORKSHOP
Location:        Joshua's Place
                        30 Sanford Place
                        Southampton, NY 11968

                        631-287-4100
Time:              Friday 7:30pm to 9:30pm
                        Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm
                        Sunday 10:00am to 3:00pm

Fee:                $275.00
To Register:   Call and register with Joshua's Place, or go here to register online

During this workshop a safe, sacred place is created for women to dig deep within to find the misconceptions that are blocking them from experiencing meaningful and honest relationships with God, self, and others.

You will learn how to discover your original disconnection to your old wiring so that you can reconnect, reroute and rewire your most primal thoughts, emotions and beliefs. This process helps women who have suffered with addictions or who are affected by others who have addictions, as well as those who suffer because of dysfunctional relationships, death of a loved one, emotional, sexual or physical abuse, those who feel the need for more in life, and those whose experiences have closed off their connection to their heart.

Date:               Sunday, April 26, 2009
Event              SPRING WELLNESS FAIR
Location:        Westchester Marriott
                        670 White Plains Road
                        Tarrytown, NY 10591

                        631-287-4100
Time:              10:00am to 5:00pm
Fee:                $10.00 (early bird registration) 

$15.00 at the door

During this event, I will present an introduction to "An Invitation to Trust" series of Ah-Man workshops.

This lecture will address the ways in which certain life experiences such as addictions, abuse, death, unhealthy relationships, etc., distort our perceptions of, and reactions to, life and relationships.  I will introduce another way of processing these experiences so that you are able to regain a level of trust that has been lost.

 

Michael Hoare