I made this last year as part of my own healing journey. I recently sent it out into the Universe to someone who needs it far more than I. I was reminded of it today during my morning prayers. I am using a newly interpreted version of the Lord’s Prayer which includes the line “Let me lean into the mystery.” That’s where the juice is. Here’s the prayer for anyone who is interested which I got from the Center for Spiritual Living’s website.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Interpretation of Emma Curtis Hopkins by Rev. Dr. Kathianne Lewis)

Father, Mother God within and without, with and through and as all things
Your Kingdom ~ it is come.
And your will is done in me now.
Your will is my will and my will is your will.
For I know that the divine will is always for Good and a greater good than I can conceive of.
Your Good is not only good for me it is good for all people.
I will to will God’s will.
And give me this day everything I need.
Give me the Wisdom, the support, the intelligence, the supply, the friendship, the encouragement, the Love, the embrace, the memory, the Creativity.
Let me go through the day filled and overflowing, and so secure in who and what I am because of you, oh Father, Mother, God.
Give for my emptiness and my receptivity thy fullness.
May I be filled with your glory always.
And may I know it and may others know it that they may remember their connection with you.
Forgive my lack of confidence to command the law.
Remind me that I am the Spirit and the law responds to that which is spiritual within me.
Let me be an heir to the kingdom right now, speaking my word and having my word made flesh and manifest and may it be for good for I am filled with good because my will is your will and I trust myself.
I trust my prayers.
And don’t let me enter temptation (to believe the worst, to forget who I am, to be lazy.)
Don’t let me turn to that which is easy and material and familiar.
Let me lean into the mystery.
Let me lean into the invisible.
Let me be lifted on wings of angels and high thoughts.
And keep me, keep me from all wrong thinking.
May I think on things that are loving and inclusive all the time.
May I be a place where God’s presence, Peace and Joy shows up.
And to God, and to God be the Glory.
And may the blessings be without end to myself, to everyone around me and to my planet.
May I be of benefit to everyone.

And So It Is.

Today I am cleansing myself of all past relationships and behaviors which have not honored my Spirit.

Today I say no to allowing people to hide me from their “other” loved ones so they can “honor their needs for healing and trust.”, because I deserve honor, healing and trust myself.

Today I say no to responding to little “I miss you” text messages from someone who never backs that up with actions. I deserve honor and respect.

Today I say no to denying myself sleep or self-nurturing. I can get my needs met AND take care of myself. A healthy lifestyle is healthy for everyone.

Today I say no to being judged and criticized. I know I have done my best and continue to do so and my best is good enough. There is always room for growth and improvement but I can accept where I’m at today.

Today I say yes to remembering my worth, my beauty and my Divine Spirit.

Today I say yes to ME.

And so it is!

I turn 40 today. I absolutely love this picture that taken yesterday because in it I see both the little girl I carry inside of me (who I’ve only really been acquainted with for the past two years) and the woman I have become. I have learned a lot these past 40 years but I feel it is just a sliver of what is to come.

I feel as though life is only really beginning. I am very excited and very grateful.

Birthday Collage

I’m 40 today and I’m delighted and excited. I’m in the club! Yippee!!!

Mixed media on plywood. The shapes were cut from a watercolor my three year-old painted.

A shadow on my friend, Julia’s, wall that was cast by a little dragonfly hanging in the window. I drew the Dragonfly card in the Animal Medicine tarot deck by Jamie Sams so I appreciated the synchronicity of seeing this yesterday. Here’s a bit about Dragonfly medicine:

“Dragonfly medicine is of the dreamtime and the illusionary facade we accept as physical reality. The iridescence of Dragonfly’s wings reminds us of colors not found in our everyday experience. Dragonfly’s shifting of color, energy, form, and movement explodes into the mind of hte observer, bringing vague memories of a time or place where magic reigned.

Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment and communications from the elemental world….on a pychological level, it may be time to break down the illusions you have held that restrict your actions and ideas…See how you can apply the art of illusion to your present question or situation, and remember that things are never completely as they seem.”

As I shift my physical reality and create a new “norm” for myself, I am mindful that I get to choose my new reality; they key is focusing on what I DO want and taking steps to get to where I want to be. Thank you, Dragonfly Spirit, for the reminder.