"How did all the people get here?"

Two weeks ago Maddie and I were driving home from school when she asked me "Mama, how did all the people get here?" Beleiving in religious science as I do, and being a firm believer that everyone should partake in a faith (or lack of faith) that makes sense to them, I was careful not to say "this IS what happened...". I instead took the approach of explaining that there are lots of different beliefs, but that Mama believes is that... (btw explaining evolution to a 5 year old puts a lot of strain on the brain).

I can't help but wonder though, is it better to teach children a truth at this young age and then encourage them to explore different faiths later in life? Or is it best to keep the road maps of faith open from day one? As an adult I still struggle with wanting to have one firm belief, one which I have yet to nail down, craving a "known truth" which for me does not yet exist.

Parents, what do you chose to teach your children? And non-parents, what do you think you will chose to teach when your time comes? I would love to hear from you.

One Life

This morning I awoke to the phone ringing. My father was calling to tell me that my Grandfather was very sick and probably wasn't going to make it through the day....

At approximately 10:30 AM, in the presence his children and grandchildren, Donald Crawford Newton Sr. passed away. It's interesting. I have heard on many occasion that atheists don't exist in an emergency room. Now granted we weren't in the emergency room, and my family is catholic, but until recently I have never been a strong believer in God. I have always prided myself on knowing that anything is possible. That there is no way to know who is right and who is wrong. About a year and a half ago I found CSL where they showed me that you don't have to chose between the two. You can believe in God and infinite possibility. I chose to believe that God IS infinite possibility.

Kathianne has spent a lot of time lately focusing on the power of Love. The idea that if you believe something is true, then it is, because it is true to YOU. And the more you believe in something, the more true it becomes to YOU. In the end that is really all that matters right? You can't be fueled by other peoples beliefs and passions, simply inspired by them. My Grandfather was a passionate man. He believed in God and he believed that when his day came, he would be greeted by my Grandmother in Heaven. That was his truth. I find comfort knowing that my Grandfather is now living his truth.

Grandpa - Please know that of all the wonderful men and women I have met in this world, you were the one I looked up to most. Thank you for all you have taught me. You will be forever in my heart.

And so it is.

Trust in ourselves

As the year passes by I am faced with friends and family battling illness, financial hardship, and internal struggles. This Sunday Kathianne told the story of King Hezekiah from the Book of Isaiah. If you are not familiar, it is the tale of a King faced with many hardships (being a King afterall isn't easy) including illness. When faced with death he refuses to accept the fact that he is being told to get his affairs in order. He refuses to accept that his time has come. Instead he turns to the wall isolating himself. He reaches deep in to his soul. Here he is able to place complete trust and control in himself allowing his body to heal.

Some will disagree with me and say that he was "granted" 15 years more to live. Some will disagree and say that this isn't a "tale", yet a true piece of history. To each his own opinion is where I stand. I can tell you however that I believe in the power to build yourself up. I believe in the ability to take control. I also believe that there are times where we need to let go in order for things to happen.

With absolute certainty I believe that we will all pull through our current hardships. We will all see brighter days. And we will all find the reason behind our circumstances.

I love you all.

I release, and I let go. I let the Spirit* run my life. My heart is open wide. I am only here for God*.

(*as a religious scientist (not scientologist, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT) the terms Spirt and God hold reference my inner power. My complete control of my life.)

At ease

The last few nights (months really), I have spent a lot of time thinking to myself "I really need to get my life in order". To me, this means finding balance. I have decided to take on a new routine, of which I won't bore you with all the details. Part of this routine however ends my day with a moment of reflection, meditation, or prayer. For you my readers, this means many more bedtime posts. I hope you don't mind.

"May all sentient beings, boundless as the sky, have happiness and the causes of happiness. May they be liberated from suffering and the causes of suffering. May they never be separated from the happiness that is free from sorrow. May they rest in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion."

- The Four Immeasurables - Tibetan Budhism

Picure of the day: Maddie doing her evening typing excersise (one of her current favs)