Day Three: In Awe!



Tuesday, Nov 29

" Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot..."
Psalms
Last night I slept with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I am in Awe!.
Today, I am carrying on...
Our God is so good!

Day Three: Suggestion

Tuesday, Nov 29

A number of suggestions tempted me to lose my peace yesterday. But I am happy to say, "No thanks!"
If I know well enough that I am not "Rex" ready for his next delicious treat,
I also know that I am not a mere slave to sense, struggling to overcome the tempting buffet.
By the power of Christ, I can say "No thanks!"

I am on a "MANNA" diet!
I am grateful for Christ Truth!

Day Two: Beginnings

Monday, Nov 28

A new day, a new promise. My faith and hope for new fresh beginnings is small, but ALIVE.
The Bible lesson always helps:"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." Is 45:18
I can't argue with God, I am going to take His word and keep going...
I am grateful for faith and hope.


Day One: Resistance



Sunday, Nov 27

I start all over again.
Yesterday, was not an easy day. Many temptations. And the thought tended to wind in the wrong direction. When everything seems going wrong, Maryl calls it "resistance". I am always having hard time wrapping the resistance concept around my head . Resistance of what?...
But often, I have glimpses of light that make me understand the mechanism of expansion. I guess I am expanding, and I need to make peace with myself.
I am grateful that I am expanding, I am grateful that I am unstoppable!

Day Nine: Heaven or Hell?

 

Saturday, Nov 26

Going for shopping after Thanksgiving is not something I do-I usually work that day-, but I needed to get something for my mom, and I am sorry to say, I had that sense of hell and chaos when I walked into the store. I felt very disturbed  and I couldn't wait to go home, even if I bought nothing.
And it ALMOST got me into the complaining thought, I ALMOST lost it...

A cup of tea and my knitting project brought me back to "Heaven", oh thank goodness I am home!
A few moments with my journal about the sense of a lie, and how that is translated in my experience was very helpful.
I guess I am grateful to know that I don't need "great deals" to be satisfied. 
I am grateful I had some moments of "girls sharing" with my daughter.

Day Eight: Gratitude

Friday, Nov 25
One more day spending with family, today is a glorious day!
I had some time for myself, and I spend some good time with Natalia. I am so grateful to be able to have one more day at home!

Day Seven: Abundance


Thursday Nov 24
Thanksgiving day is my favorite day of the year!
We are so grateful to God for all His provision, Love, protection, healing, teachings and abundance of good!
I am grateful for Soul, Mind, Life, the All n' All presence, and everyone and each one of you and our association! 
It is nice to have such a family!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Day Seven: Praise


Wednesday, Nov 23
Today is the day of rest and mild chores. I am determined to focus on the spirit of the coming Holiday.
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord:
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Sing joyful songs to the Lord! ...Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise."     

I am grateful for the gift of Praise!                      

Day Six: Leaning on the Rock


Tuesday Nov 22
I took a couple of days off this week, and I am wearing the "I am busy" hat, wanting to do everything I can't do  when I am at the office.
Another words, WORK!
Yes, it doesn't sound like a day off, but I feel glad that I break the routine with something different, cooking and serving my family feels good.
Yet, I am dealing with a physical challenge, and I catch myself having moments of mental grumpiness, like "I am in pain and I am on my feet" kind of thing...
I had a moment feeling that heavy sense of fatigue and a fear thought that I am wearing out...
So, I had to withdraw myself in the books and search for some spiritual support, that sense of leaning on a strength that's beyond me.
"To those leaning on the sustaining Infinite, today is big with blessings!"
Leaning on Truth is so relieving! I am grateful for my books, I am grateful for Truth!

Day Five: Redemption

Monday, Nov 21

Cousin Joe is coming to visit from Rhode Island and I am cleaning and preparing the house for Thanksgiving. I am exited for the preparations of the Holiday!
But,
My cat Prince decided to have diarrhea, and all though he used the litter, he traced his dirty job all around the house: the floor, the carpet, my bed...
I freaked out!
Did I complaint? YES, for crying out loud!!!
I had to vacuum, mop, treat the carpet, change bedding and chase the scared to death Prince, all around the house with a wet towel to clean him. He probably thought "what is with this mad lady?"
(I think he complained too!)
I went to bed after 1.30 a.m. mumbling about my aching body... 
Pure ANIMAL magnetism or what?

I guess I am grateful I have a bed!
And I was soooo into the Gratitude mode...
I hate to start over again!(Complain!)
Unless Maryl will give me a redemption ticket. PLEASE!....

Day Four: Reflection

Sunday Nov 20 

"If God, who is Life, were parted for a moment from His reflection, man, during that moment there would be no divinity reflected." SH 306:10

God is grateful for all His work is good. I am grateful by reflection!

Day Three:Body

Saturday Nov 19

"Immortality, exempt from age or decay, has a glory of its own, — the radiance of Soul. Immortal men and women are models of spiritual sense, drawn by perfect Mind and reflecting those higher conceptions of loveliness which transcend all material sense." SH 247:13
After a day of hard work my body tries to convince me that it has mind of its own. It seems that it cares less for my gratitude commitment. But SOUL is alert!
I am grateful for Soul!

Day Two: Soul


Friday, Nov 18

I read in the Bible lesson: "Life is the law of Soul, even the law of the spirit of Truth, and Soul is never without its representative. Man's individual being can no more die nor disappear in unconsciousness than can Soul, for both are immortal."
Soul, is calling me moment by moment asking my yielding. I have these moments, that I "feel" the call, and when I do, it feels that I am made out of gratitude. When I forget or I ignore the call, I miss the beautiful view, the AWE of being.

I am grateful for these moments of Soul, those intimate whispers of God's presence.

Day One again: Discipline

Thursday, Nov 17

Today, a whole thunderstorm came along to my experience.
First, an arrogant customer who wanted to play the bargain game. I felt bullied and intimidated. Although I held myself on talking to others about it, I couldn't help it wanting to play it in my thought. I really had to discipline my thought to not go there. And it wasn't complaint exactly, but self justification-complaint's first cousin...

Then, my daughter called: "Mom, I just had a car accident, but I am OK, the car isn't, it was not my fault though!...". 
Now how you deal with this, in a non-complaint period?"Honey, I am in a mental diet right now, I can't take this!?"
Time for more prayer. On the way to the accident spot, I was trying to gather any thought I could about God and His Mother presence, where I was not. Then everything got taking care of, Natalia is fine, and everybody is safe.
So, I am grateful that Natalia is safe, I am grateful that my gratitude muscle is getting stronger and my complaint muscle is about to die...
Amen!


Day Six: Trust

Today, I had a big presentation at work, and I was barely ready for it. I have been very busy last week, and truly I didn't have time to prepare. The day before, I started getting really nervous. The project was complicated and I had no time to come up with some ideas. And the appointment could not be canceled, for my clients have made a special arrangement to come...
It was time for extra prayer. " I just have to come out of the way" I thought, God is the Soul that comes up with all ideas. I need to trust, that somehow things are going to work out.
This morning, I woke up earlier, and I went through the lesson. Then I took some quiet time to think how big my God is. Then, I went one hour early at work, and I started putting things together. Work that usually would take me many hours, -some times even days- was completed in a couple of hours. I even had time to work with somebody else prior to my meeting!
The meeting came smoothly and everything worked out in a great way. My clients left very happy!

I am grateful to know how big my God is! I am grateful for the trust that He has put into my heart!

Day Five: Acceptance

First thing in the morning, I spilled the coffee... A whole mess! The good thing is that I didn't react... I didn't complain! I had to change clothes and clean the floor, the kitchen cabinets, the counter top...
Yeah! The gratitude attitude worked! It was my "cleaning" prayer first thing in the morning.
I am grateful for the opportunity to accept what it is...

Day Four: Serenity

No match to say. I am grateful for a productive day and the serenity that comes after a little prayer takes place: Thank you God, it's all your work!

Day Three: Prayer

Today, it is a day of rest, I need to overview the week with all the "wins" and the little things I need to change. It is a day of prayer. I feel this extra need for prayer. And I feel I need to begin with gratitude...
I am grateful for this day of rest and all the "must do's" in a relaxed way. I am grateful for the extra prayer time, the laughter, the consciousness of "HOME".

Day 2: Hugs

It is one week since we got into this commitment and I have to admit this is harder than I thought...
I don't know how opportunities for complaints just jump right into my face! If it's not this, it is that...
But I have to admit also, that I find myself in a gratitude mode easier and more often. It becomes a little habit.  A little spoon full of sugar, that makes the day worthy to be lived to each every detail.

So, all I need to do is to give myself a hug! To give myself a little credit for at least making the effort. One day, 21 days full of gratitude will be my second nature. I am grateful that I am hard wired to be grateful no matter what. I am grateful that I am making the effort. I am grateful that I am in the hug mode.

Is any body else with me?

Day 1 again: Angel messages

Yesterday, if we had a contest about who complaint the most, I probably would won first prize..
By the end of the day Mark said "I think you need a hug!", then I realized what I was up to...
See, nobody wakes up in the morning thinking "I am going to be grumpy today..."
Most times people don't realize when they are wearing the complaint hat. Thank God we have the angel thoughts or we are married to an angel that keeps reminding us.
I am grateful for these reminders!
Meanwhile, I need to start over...
Where is everybody else?

Day Six: Patience

"I am so tired!" was the first thought that came to my head, when I opened my eyes today, when I realized it was time to get up and get myself going for a busy, heavy scheduled day...oh NO! Did I fail?

But the blog it is here to remind me and keep me straight:"Be still, be grateful!"
I am grateful for this blog and all the inspiration that comes through it. I also realize that I need to be patient and loving with myself. I want everything done they way that ideally should be done, and I am squeezing myself for all it's possible. Today, I am going to be patient with me, and just be...

Blessings,
Maria

Day Five: "Pneuma"

Today it is really windy here in St Louis, and as I was in my quiet time, the idea came to me that the Greek word "Pneuma" which means Spirit has a sense of wind and movement in it.
So I thought,  ok, I am going to let Pneuma, -the wind- go through me today and inspire me, clean me up, move me...
I am grateful for the wind, and all the movement, for it is all for good.
I am grateful for more people are coming to the blog, and everybody makes an effort to focus on the task.
And I am grateful I have made it so far!

In Pneuma,
Maria

Day Four: Purity

A pure heart can not complaint. Being at ease no matter what comes along is a great gift. It is my day off today, so I took the time to just be in gratitude. Being grateful for being grateful. So, I feel grateful for the gift of being able to feel gratitude. Not because I have this or that, but just because of existence, my existence, all existence. The ALL AND ALL in action, love and pure thought.

Blessings,
Maria

3rd Day: Be the Light


A new fresh start today, and as every Monday calls:"I have a lot to do"...
Now we have the opportunity to put everything we learned this past weekend into practice.
One, easily can complaint about the yucky rainy weather here in St Louis and the sudden early darkness after the time change...
But the Bible lesson started me well, and my husband, Mark, keeps reminding me:"Don't forget your 21 days commitment".
So I am truly grateful for a very productive day at work, and that sense of brightness and joy just because. I am grateful that I was able to let Maryl's loving words echo in my mind, when people around me were going on and on about sickness. Instead of getting frustrated as usual, I took a moment to know that we are WHOLE!

Second Day: Arise

Dear brothers and sisters,
I hope all people that were traveling, made it safe  home! 
This morning I opened up my association notes and I tried to remember everything that I wanted to engrave in my thought. I passed all I could to my journal. I am grateful we had another hour this morning! Isn't nice to know you don't need to rush and off the church every Sunday morning? I am grateful we had the time to make pancakes and even do some little chores before we went off the door.
What are you all grateful for?

Happy Sunday!
Maria

First Day of Pentacost


I am soooo grateful for another brilliant association! I felt it was so powerful and healing. My usual bodily discomforts were totally muted. The day was full of Christ and Grace! Thank you dear Maryl!

I also loved the food. The soup and salad idea was great! Oh boy, did you guys try the cup cakes?

I am grateful I was able to see everybody and hear all these moving stories and testimonies. I feel fired up for more healing, more studying, more praying...
I am grateful I connected with Catherine and I saw her baby too!

More love to you all,
in Christ,
Maria

A New Assignment

Our first day of Pentacost is over, and full of fire and excitement, we are ready to take our beloved teacher's challenge: "Spend your next 21 days without any complaint! No complaints about everything and anything. Not even once. Don't even imagine it. 
If you fail, you have to start over again. Plain and simple."

So here I am, ready to be hired for the task. And the only way I can think of for this to be working, is to name it "21 Days of Gratitude". We can't be grateful and complaint at the same time, right?
So dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to participate to this joyful work. Feel free to post everyday's good things and stay on task.
Let's do it!
Anyone with me?

Blessings,
Maria
http://our21daysofgratitude.blogspot.com/