This Blog is offering questions we all face – and inspired quotes to those questions have encouraged me to rise to a higher view of myself.
Q: Are there limitations or limited beliefs?
“Once I knew only darkness and stillness … my life was without past or future, but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the nature of living.” – Helen Keller
Her first word – water!
Q: Can respecting limits expand boundaries?
“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” – Albert Einstein
“In the law of God there is no statute of limitations.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Q: What is yours to do and what is yours to free? 2nd Principle of MYOB
“Does anybody really think that they didn’t get what they had because they didn’t have the talent, the strength, the endurance, or the commitment?” – Nelson Mandala
“You cannot let go of anything if you cannot notice that you are holding it. Admit your weaknesses and watch them morph into your greatest strengths.” – Neale Donald Walsch
Q: Are you truly willing to “begin anew?”
“What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.” – Lao Tzu
Q: What do you see as your soul gifts?
“I say follow your bliss and don’t be afraid and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, door will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.” – Joseph Campbell
Q: Are you utilizing them – your gifts?
“We should never lose sight of the fact that the soul is on the pathway of an endless and ever-expanding experience and that only by expansion can it evolve.” – Ernest Holmes
May these questions stir you to explore your present NOW and claim an ever-richer view of yourself and purpose!
We are entering our 5th Year of MYOB. This journey began with the impact of 2020 COVID, and the ongoing injustice and brutality brought to our attention in ways we could not look the other way through the murder of George Floyd. Our belief in “others” – those with privilege, others not, our conscious and unconscious prejudices could not be ignored. It was time to face uncomfortable conversations together regarding our history and how we see one another. That was the beginning of Mind Your Own Becoming and countless groups across the country that began.
We have had extraordinary stories in these years, which encompassed not only black/brown abuse, but LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and touching upon violence and mental health issues. At the heart of MYOB is the essential reality – until we are willing to do the deeper soul work of accountability for what we pass on to future generations, nothing changes.
The Indigenous practices of being cognizant of what we are passing on to seven generations plus is something not evident in our American history – or in the world. We all matter in this awakening because we can only evolve together – or NOT. We create Healing bridges with a thimble full of willingness to listen to one another.
MYOB is about the invitation that we can come to know one another authentically, and compassionately through Awareness, Education, Action, and Accountability to open to new perspectives of healing and understanding.
In all I have absorbed in new awareness in these past four years of MYOB – I choose to not define myself by a pronoun although I celebrate the right we have to do so. I am stepping back from defining myself politically and choosing to be more aware of extremes on both sides. I want to see history truthfully. My personal charge is to clear my current prejudices and false judgments about myself and others, and carry forward regard, compassion, and love for all – without exception.
How I live daily impacts those around me through my care, loving, forgiving of myself and others. Humanity is capable of brutality and abuse beyond absorbing. It is also capable of the most profound beauty and magnificence we can imagine. May we plant seeds for future generations to Awaken to their innate beauty and carry forward – seven generations plus!
I am placing this in the category of “Accountability” – as this is what I am responsible for through my Words, Deeds and Actions and what I contribute to the world consciousness.
With all that is occurring on a planetary level, it is more vital than ever that we take charge of our lives by authoring new stories of healing, compassion, and regard for ourselves and one another.
I believe I must look at the terrorist thoughts and prejudices within myself that support the race consciousness of inequities, and heartbreaking visons we are seeing, not only in our country – but in a world that has yet to awaken to the messages of the great mystics that have sought to convey the reality, we are all One in this incredible diversity called humanity.
From the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your might; this is the first commandment, And the second is like to it, You must love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Matthew 22:37 – Lamsa Translation – From the Aramaic language Jesus spoke.
My concept of “God” is not an anthropomorphic being – rather an intelligence, and unconditional love that is the innate reality of what I have come from — pure star dust. I have choice as to the pages I write and the story I carry forward.
I know the terror thoughts I have held – above all against myself, I know the seeds of prejudice that I inherited – and much of my self-loathing rooted in my own self-condemnation from those prejudices.
The greatest destructive pandemic worldwide we face is our ignorance, our prejudices, self-entitlements, and unwillingness to reach out to one another to build bridges of compassion, forgiveness, and healing,
I am in the closing chapters of my life, and am very aware of that reality, however, if I have the gift of aging, it’s about all generations working together for a new world vision. May I be ever mindful of the energy and vibration I contribute daily – every step I take and everywhere I go, May I listen to the youth of today and treasure where I am in this hour of my life – to plant seeds of healing for all, without exception and for the future.
I am posting this under “Freedom to Be” as living from this reminder empowers you to BE!
A Soulful Reflection for the New Year
Remember … live one day at a time. and sometimes it’s about just breathing in the present moment a little more deeply and being conscious of the need to “chill.”
A reminder:
When we become caught up in “urgencies” remind yourself there is no urgency in creation … It’s ongoing and there is a perfect sequential process to its unfolding.
Imagine if the flowers, trees, and all we beheld in nature were in a hurry to grow. Mother Nature doesn’t rush or push. She just nurtures the process of that growth through the seasons, with the rising and setting sun. Take time to breathe.
The Divine Creative Process is always at work.
I am realizing in all I have experienced – In new creations and letting go of the past, that my strength has come from my trust and faith to move on. My empowerment is when I take a deep breath, place my hand on my heart and open to new clarity, where calm and order can take place. No matter how cloudy or challenging the day, I envision the sun behind the clouds. I can always access that inner strength. and renewal that awaits my recognition.
My well-being is an inside job … and it begins with tender, loving, care of myself … one day at a time.
I enter this New Year – committed to that TLC and passing it on with love and regard for all I come upon.
Here is a brief video with 7 Beautiful New Year Quotes:
Transcendental Love is the potency within our souls that carries us through and its purpose – that we realize our might – our inner fire – our capacity to transcend adversity and rise! I believe we are all here to ignite the Artist within us through celebrating our uniqueness and developing our authenticity to touch one another.
I’m sharing quotes from Harry Belafonte – and referencing to his beautiful song “We are the wave” in this blog.
“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development.” “If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.”
The above quote brings to my mind and heart what my 4th Year Ministerial Teacher – Dr. Earl Barnum told me before I assumed my first church – back in September of 1971. In late Spring I flew (my first plane flight) to Tucson, AZ, thinking it was just an opportunity to speak. However, that first Sunday the board asked if I would be their minister, and they were willing to wait until I was complete with my studies. Amazingly they flew me back and I spent two weeks in the summer there and prepared to arrive in the fall. This move meant letting go of my only significant other relationship I lived with and all the family I would be leaving in California – (which they in time followed me to Tucson.)
Before I left, I had a sacred conversation with Dr. Barnum expressing my concern and overwhelming fear. He said quite simply: “Charles, if you only impact one life for the better and richer – you have succeeded, and if that life is your own – all the more so!”
I have carried that within my soul through all my ministry and in recent years my personal life has been more profound and richer than ever. Harry Belafonte impacted millions. I know I have touched more than one heart – living from the pure intention of seeking to be authentically Charles. I can say with deepest clarity – the life I have touched most profoundly has been my own.
Through all the highs and lows – the words to this song proclaim – I am the wave on the journey of life and it carries me through all the storms to that higher view where I realize the might and power that we are all One in this wave – together – “We are the force, We are the fire, We are the move, Moving higher and higher!” Living from the premise – of touching one life for the richer – and above all our own – is the key whereby were all shall rise!
Song by Harry Belafonte – We are the Wave.
The sea will wash against the rock The rock stands strong; the rock is strong The sea will wash against the rock But before too long the rock is gone.
The wind will blow against the stone The stone stands strong; the stone is strong The wind will blow against the stone But before too long the stone is gone.
Patience gentlemen, we move closer every day Patience gentlemen, the stone will soon give way.
We are the wave We are the flow We are the wind And soon the rock must go We are the wave We are the flow We are the wind And soon the rock must go.
You cannot hold back the tide The tide must rise the tide must rise Its the law of earth and skies The tide will rise, the tide will rise Its as natural as day to night As day to night, day to night As natural as black and white Black and white, black and white
Patience gentlemen, the flower can grow up through the stone Patience gentlemen, it’s a truth that we have always known.
We are the wave, We are the flow We are the wind And soon the rock must go We are the force We are the fire We are the move Moving higher and higher We are the force We are the fire We are the move Moving higher and higher
We are the wave We are the flow We are the wind And soon the rock must go We are the wave We are the flow We are the wind We are the flow We are the wave We are the flow We are the wind And soon the rock must go We are the wave We are the flow
As all the Holidays and Sacred Celebration unfold – Remember Home
My reflection on Home
Not everyone has fond memories of early Home and may not have known Home at all. However – here is what I have come to know about the word Home. For me – it’s a journey my soul takes to establish Peace – which is about Transcendental Love.
Home is a feeling in my heart in which I am at Peace.
Home brings memories of laughter, of shining moments that illuminate the memories I hold dear.
Home brings about the vision of times with family, friends, peers, and great love.
There are so many memories now and I realize the blessings in my life.
Home is a place I call sanctuary. I return to it at day’s end for rest and renewal.
And yet, more than ever, I know that I take home with me wherever I go.
When I am at home within myself, others feel safe and loved.
When there is abiding inner Peace. I am at home everywhere.
And this I pray above all that I give to others a sense of home, of being safe, and valued.
Home is not about a destination.
It’s that we inspire one another through how we live.
I realize my soul is my eternal home.
To all that have enriched my soul and have given me such sacred memories,
I am offering a brief prose with the focus on our Awakening – individually and collectively and the importance of the energy vibration we bring daily as we awaken and enter our day. It’s our Accountability individually and collectively for what we give to the evolution of all humanity.
Every morning let your energy be an enthused awakening with your first focus on Gratitude. Prioritize time for quietude and soulful reading and exercise.
Remember – though it may be a thimble full – the vibration you bring does contribute to the world consciousness. May I carry the charge to Awaken to what I bring with every step I take into this day and wherever I go. May those I encounter feel better because I crossed their path.
Our world is crying out to Awaken – let that be my soul and sole purpose – my own Awakening! Below is a Prayer for our Times!
May I/We Awaken!
I open my mind – that I might see. Truth that will liberate and free, With an open heart ready to be, A part of a new world story Believing we all belong There are no “others” we are One. Silence of the past is not the path, Nor shame or guilt for anyone, Nor ongoing seeds of hatred, Rather, opening to what is sacred.
Accountability for what we carry forward.
Awakening so – Future generations behold a new dawn. Where ongoing ignorance and prejudice is gone. Where equity, compassion, are for all. Building bridges not walls. May I own my part through the seeds I plant. That heart-to-heart I may implant. I want for you what I want for me – Simply, purely, the right to exist, to be free. And discover the true meaning of liberty. As we travel together, we all might see, The wonder and beauty in you and me, In that remembrance we all have a right to be! May I/We Awaken!
Acceptance is a vital word in the soul evolution of our lives. It does not mean resignation but being aware of: Change is the constant and aligning to that change is not giving up but being open to seeing things with new perspective and purpose.
The outcome of the election 2024 was not what I wanted to see, however, it is what I must open to observe with insight. I am not viewing those with differing views as my enemies. It is unfortunate that we have become so divided into extreme views that we believe building walls are more important than bridges.
In the awakenings that are occurring within me on a deeper level than ever I realize the true enemy is within. Self-condemnation. unforgiveness, the terrorist racist, and anger/rage stored within me is a vibrational energy that I contribute to the world daily. I am choosing to clear the intensity of those unconscious beliefs stored within my body and realize Charles is worth loving and so is every other being on this planet, without exception. We are dark and light, and only by seeing ourselves in the fullness of our being do we rise to contribute authentic healing energy for all.
A brief soulful video on Acceptance:
Tara Talks: Radical Acceptance is a Prerequisite for Change
I choose to see humanity evolving – no matter what the appearance. I choose to believe that the ultimate reality is Love, and that miraculous things can emerge out of chaos. That has been true in my life journey. As I was willing to be the observer of my life and take new accountability for (not judgment of) my words, deeds, and actions, I do see things in new awareness. My sole purpose – Mind my own Becoming – do self-forgiveness and make amends wherever I can. At the root of all humanity is a quest for love, freedom to be, and the opportunity to express the gifts we can bring to one another.
Acceptance of the outcome of the election is realizing we are a house divided as a nation. I also have been in a house divided as to how I have seen myself. I can create new awareness through listening compassionately to others. It’s more important that I open to new insight than have the need to be right!
Acceptance is loving who I am with all my imperfection and celebrating building bridges that enable me to see we are all on this evolutionary journey as Spirit in human form – together!
I share this as the Blog for this week and the prayer below is in the first person. I created this prose for a group we held in Ft. Lauderdale for a period of multi-faiths coming together.
The evolution of our Nation and our World is about the Remembrance – We are One.
We all have a right to belong to this One World Family, but the roots of ongoing warring, rewriting history to erase the horrors we have perpetuated as humanity because of race, color, faiths, our sexuality and roles we are told to play, have to be seen and acknowledged for healing to take place. It is heartbreaking to realize the human species is the only one that carries such revenge, unforgiveness, and hatred as our way of life.
I am choosing to clear the warring within me, to be accountable for misperceptions or behavior in my own life that may have wounded another. The compassionate listening bridges we must build together are essential to the healings needing to take place between all. I choose to encourage Awakening – not Warring and stand for the beauty of authenticity within all of us as the Spiritual Beings we are here to be in this human form.
A Prayer
Beloved Presence …. Eternal Spirit, Creator of all, I hold a sacred call … The Call to Love. May I Awaken! I am a part of One World Family. Let my Light shine through me today, revealing the path and the way, that I might listen to others, building bridges, not walls. Let my words be healing balm, with compassion, and care for everyone. One World Family, The same stardust brought us into being. May I embrace the divinity we all share, and know the power of forgiveness for me, and for all humanity. Let the inner work I do create a sense of Peace, Whereby I make heart prints upon all I touch. Let me rise to tell a simple story … I am here for one great cause …. The call to Love – One World Family. May I Awaken!
Be aware of your 2 choices in life – better with gratitude or bitter with complaints.
This Principle is the ultimate key to all the others. Better shines through Gratitude and bitter shows through resentments and unforgiveness. Bitter is a poison to my body. Key remembrance – Be in Gratitude – Pre-Pray your way every day. My ancestors are in Truth heralding me on for my soul evolution. The inquiry: What stories am I carrying forward for world healing?
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
I have changed the word “bitter shows through “complaints” as the principle originally stated, to resentments and unforgiveness. Those two factors do keep us bound to past pain that blocks our personal freedom and well-being.
No matter what we face at any age – it’s how we choose to rise from our experiences that define our character and what we carry forward!
I believe with every decade of our lives – we live lifetimes. When I view my life from decades – from birth to 10 – 10 to 20 – 20 to 30, and ongoing, my life had quantum changes – dark nights and extraordinary joy, grief and profound love, disappointments and loss and coming to value my growth as the observer and not the judge!
I have done deep work through my years of study and ministry. I honor that have touched lives. I have also carried deep grief, anger and pain that remained in my tissues – literally! (See Angel Howard’s book – Issues in the Tissues – available now.)
The decision to do deeper personal therapy in my 80’s has brought that to the forefront of my awareness.
Though every session of my current therapy is not an intense one, I have experienced profound breakthroughs in releasing resentments, judgments and unforgiveness within myself that I did not know were as deep as they were.
I see Charles in his 80’s more compassionately and I am observing the judgments I made that I see with new clarity and healing insight – about myself and others.
I send forth my prayers for forgiveness to all that I have hurt or injured not only in this lifetime, but through all my soul’s journey. Where I can make amends in this lifetime, I do. Most importantly of all I can genuinely see I made decisions based on what I believed at the time. My beliefs have evolved and changed! Love and forgiveness of myself has been the liberating factor,
I do know depression and a sense of hopelessness – (my suicide attempt in my 20’s) and being in a psyche ward. I do know grief and sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss. (My AIDS support work with the group Together to Grow in the late 80’s – mid 90’s). I do know great disappointments throughout my life, and I also honor how I have risen – no matter what it may have required. My angel guides conveying to me – “Charles, breathe through this time, we have your back and are preparing the way forward for you – we are always with you!”
My capacity to love Charles now is authentic, for I no longer have the need to prove myself. I simply want to share what is in my heart to be and give. My capacity of forgiveness – deeper than ever because I want to cross over into my eternity with a sense of no judgment against anyone or anything in my past.
Two choices – yes, it’s that simple – better or bitter. I choose to look in the mirror and be able to exclaim – Charles, you are getting better!
