My time for the last few weeks and months has been spent in writing a book about my life.  This has taken me deep into who I came from, how that affected my life, and how much richer my life is because of this journey through my grandparents and parents’ lives.  Spirit led me on a journey of my religious life that I didn’t even know I wanted to take, but which opened me to the greater value of my lineage as a foundation to my life.

My Grandmother on my Mother’s side joined the United Brethren Church when she was a child and then the Christian Church when she was an adult.  Her obituary states:  She lived a devoted Christian life and was a most faithful and courageous mother, rearing her family in the fear and love of God.  She leaves behind her a splendid Christian family and a host of loving friends who will miss her greatly.  From what I can gather, my Grandfather attended with her during his short life. 

My Grandparents on my Father’s side were Lutherans who immigrated from Germany.  They were religious people attending church every Sunday and doing much work in the church. 

My Father joined the Christian Church after he and Mother married, and they raised us in this faith.  My Father was a Deacon, an Elder, took flowers and communion to those homebound, visited members in hospitals and at home who were ill, and helped in any way he could.  Mother was involved in the youth groups, new member welcoming, choir, preparing food for ill church members, or for group functions, and served on other committees.  They put their hearts and souls in being sustaining church members, in personal support of the minister(s) and ministerial staff, and donated money. 

These beautiful, dedicated people were the way showers for me with their deep love of God.  So, from this religious foundation, I built my life and expanded it into spirituality on all levels.  Church was the first place I looked when I moved to a new place, as I knew my soul would be welcome there.  It was a social and family place as well as a spiritual place.  Spirit blessed me with a solid religious foundation, then guided me to use that as a launch for my life wherever I went. 

It was a place of security, of warm fellowship, of involvement on a deeper level, of tradition and ceremony.  It was a place that made my heart sing, no matter how small or large the congregation, what message was given, no matter how involved or non-involved I became; it was a place for my soul to rest and be renewed.  It was a home away from home. Spirit taking me step-by-step to my own sacred center.

My explorations went into most of the world religions, formal and pagan, with the result that all were similar in many aspects with love as a top priority.  This paved the way for me to honor all religions, all ways of acknowledging God, Source, or whatever anyone calls the Divine Presence in each of us.  It anchored me in trusting Spirit and knowing that which flows through me is exquisite and life enriching.

Reggie is such a fun little spirit.  He meditates with me and goes out to other realms when I do.  He takes a deep breath, sighs, then becomes still.  He, too, loves to connect with Spirit and be in a state of bliss.  He comes back from that state so mellow and loving; his energy has softened.  We give great thanks to the ancestors who paved the way for us to connect with Spirit, and to Spirit for guiding us to be more and more open.  Nancy and Reggie♥

The other morning, I was awakened with the song Enjoy Yourself. The words of the chorus went as follows:

Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)
by Guy Lombardo

Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think

I thought that was a rather profound message for me. I thought I had been doing that right along, but it was clear to me that there is a large part of my day that I focus on work, even though I consider it play. I dearly love to write so I will get on the computer and type away enjoying myself immensely. Then I realize it is past time to eat lunch, Reggie is fussing with me, and I have been so engrossed in what I was doing, I did not pay attention to anything else. Spirit is calling me to maintain awareness of more than just writing, of time away from my computer, and of the necessity of just stopping to be.

Because I live by myself, have a house, and almost a quarter acre of land, I need to be doing much of the time as things do not take care of themselves. When I stop to just be, allowing myself to walk outside with nothing in my mind but just enjoying the smells of my winter garden, the soft breeze, the cool air, the cloudy sky, and the beautiful pansy, camellia and azaela blooms, a peace comes over me that relaxes all parts of me. I get the same feeling when I meditate, as I take myself from this realm to the realm of bliss infusing all aspects of me. Spirit is calling me home to be enfolded in bliss.

When I am finished with my walk or meditation, I am in a different place inside; a place of quiet joy, of surrender, and of knowing that each moment will be taken care of by Spirit. The grace of our connection fills my Beingness, soothes my life, and I go on in quiet joy within myself.

Enjoying myself is being with Spirit, with my precious Reggie, with family and friends, with the changes in my life, with my garden, my computer, and my magical spiritual connection. I know it is does not matter if it is later than I think, if I am in the pink, or if the years go by quickly as a wink, what matters is I know that Spirit is eternal within me.

Reggie enjoys himself every moment as he is wide open to Spirit. He is full on running, barking, eating, peeing, pooping, sleeping, or letting me know he wants some loving. He does not worry about anything as long as I take care of his earthly needs. As a rescue dog, he knows Spirit will take care of him because Spirit found his forever home with me. We so enjoy ourselves! Nancy and Reggie♥