As any of you who read these newsletters or attend our Sunday services or spiritual education classes are surely aware by now, I believe that our spiritual path should support our human experience. I suppose that, if I were to create a slogan for my own personal ministry, it would be something along the lines of, "Life is Choices and We've Got Tools. Use Them Wisely!" As part of my own journey, I've several times gone through the process of discerning my own core values, and "Practicality" is always right up there. I have a huge need to know that the things I do and the actions I take are helpful and useful in THIS world, in THIS moment. That said, may I offer some reminders as we enter this holiday season - this season of Holy Days?

Soon, perhaps even right now this very moment, pause and gently ask yourself how you would like to remember this season. This is the "Life is Choices..." segment. What is really, truly important to you? If this were your last holiday season in this particular human experience, what would be the most important to you? Who are the people you would most like to acknowledge? Are there things you'd like to leave as mementos to your children or grandchildren? When you give a gift, what is your true intention? With whom do you really want to enjoy time? To whom would you like to express gratitude? Are there words you have never said which need to be said?

This is a different kind of Christmas list, for sure. Not one of these items requires a trip to the shopping mall or the use of a credit card. It could be as simple as realizing that a favorite family recipe needs to be given to the youngest cooks in the family, or that you are the last one walking the earth who can identify everyone in the family photo album. It could be as huge as writing a long-overdue letter of apology to someone. I recently heard a statement by western Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield: "Many a reconciliation has broken down because, while everyone came prepared to forgive, no one came prepared to be forgiven." We can word it more simply: would you rather be happy or right? Do you wish to choose peace?

And now the "...and We've Got Tools..." part:

• Pause regularly to breathe. That's it. No big deal. And it is perhaps the most useful tool.
• Claim a time of daily stillness. No matter what. Read something which inspires you. Watch the birds in your back yard. Listen to the night. Maybe even claim stillness twice daily.
• Create or find an affirmation to keep handy. Simple is good. "I am enough" could be enough.
• Create a new soundtrack for your life. November is Free Download month at emPowerma.com Create an account (it's free) and download a positive, New Thought-friendly song each day.
• De-clutter for 15 minutes each day. Create clear mental space by reducing the overwhelm of physical clutter. Trust me, you can do a lot in 15 minutes each day.
• De-clutter your schedule. Identify at least one thing which meets the following criteria: you're not thrilled about doing it and no one will die if you don't do it. The family doesn't need fourteen types of cookies or seven pies. And if they do? Allow them enjoy the satisfaction of providing for themselves.

Life is choices. We've got tools. Use them wisely.

Namaskar-- the divine within me recognizes and honors the divine within you!  

Blessings-- Nita

Upcoming Events, Services, and Classes...

Christmas Cards for a Soldier

November 16, 2014 

11:30 pm (directly after our worship service) 

Unity Spiritual Center of Peace

We are going to work on writing and creating Christmas Cards to send to our deployed troops to support the Hugs for Soldiers, Christmas for a Soldier program. There are thousands of deployed troops who would love to receive a card from you with holiday wishes and letting them know we are thinking about them at this special time of year.

Crafting for a Cause, November/December 2014

 

We will be creating gift bags to donate to Emerge Holiday House. Holiday House is a donation driven event that gives Emerge! participants the opportunity to choose holiday gifts for their family in a safe environment, at no cost to them.  

 

November 19th, 6:30pm-8:00 pm

and  

Dec. 3rd, 6:30pm-8:00 pm
at Unity Spiritual Center of Peace

Please come join us as we get together to share in this opportunity for fun and fellowship. We intend to put love and light into each bag we create. Supplies and equipment provided. If you have any bags with handles (like Trader Joe's grocery bags) that you would like to contribute to the cause please bring them in!

  

If you have questions about our Crafting for a Cause outreach events, just hit the reply button and you'll be put in touch with our Outreach Director, Susan Smith.

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Thanksgiving Day Service and Potluck  

 November 27th, 2014 

Service: 11:00 am Potluck: 12noon

Come join Spiritual Education and Enrichment students Lynne Booth, Sue Lemmon and Susan Smith for a casual gathering to celebrate all we have to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. We will sing, meditate and take some time to reflect on all the ways in which we are so richly blessed. We will have a very informal table set up to use as an altar for this service. Please feel free to bring in some small item to place on our altar should that will help ground you in appreciation and joy on this special day of the year.

Thanksgiving Feast: Please bring a favorite dish to share with us as we celebrate this special holiday together. We will have turkey and rolls. Sign up at the information table to let us know what you plan to bring. 

 We know we will have the perfect mix for our holiday feast. 

Join us for an afternoon Thanksgiving Day potluck. 

We will be enjoying food, fun and fellowship. No RSVP necessary.

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