"I wish to live a life that causes my soul to dance inside my body."

--Dele Olanski

Well, ready or not, here we are. Life has turned most of our lives upside down over the last few weeks and months. For many of us, this has been part of a very conscious process; for others, it has appeared out of the blue. Whether or not we believe we're prepared for the major changes taking place in the world in which we live, change is upon us. And what are we to do? This fourth edition of Thresholds arose not out of a season or religious observance, but rather out of a call in the middle of the night to wake up and do something.

Wake up and do something about the changes that are taking place as a result of the pandemic we find ourselves somewhere near the beginning of. For whatever lays ahead, it seems like we might need or like a little daily inspiration to keep us grounded or lifted, whatever it is we find we might need. So tonight I invite you to join me for an open-ended retreat-in-daily life, geared to support one another through this time of great transformation and change.

Each day we will meditate on a theme related to Life Transforming, and I invite you to add your own ideas to the mix, and share this with whoever you think might be interested. As we begin this retreat-in-daily life let's note that we start on a holiday St. Patrick's Day. For anyyone with Irish roots, and for many without, it's a day for celebrating. Seems fitting then to begin this retreat-in-daily life with the theme of celebrating. Celebrating is the active form of creating joy in our lives, and nothing is more necessary now than to find ways to celebrate the gifts of Life. And the gifts that come when change transforms us, willingly or not.

So let's begin by thinking about what we have to celebrate. At a time when we might be mourning our losses or feeling restricted, let's look at our lives and count our blessings. Simple enough, right? What do you have to celebrate, right now?

MyDaughter has a saying something like this on her desk:  "The time will pass anyway. You can either spend it creating the life you want, or spend it living the life you don't want. The choice is yours."  And so it is. What are you longing to create in your life at this time?

Quotes on Celebrating:

"Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift--there is nothing small about it."
--Florence Nightingale

"Life has meaning only in the struggle. Triumph and defeat is in the hands of God. So let us celebrate the struggle." --Stevie Wonder

Psalms 71:8  My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

1 Corinthinians 5:8  Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

One of my favorite verses: Psalms 118:24  This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. 

"It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up." Eckart Toele

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. – Albert Einstein

"Allow the fires of transformation to burn away all that doesn't serve you." Heather Ash Amara

May the next few months be a period of magnificent transformation.

Thoughts:

One of the hardest things for us to do sometimes, is to be alone with our thoughts. For along with those thoughts we have, arise all manner of emotions, memories, and ideas. Among such emotions might be fear or frustration, and those emotions can lead us into some pretty dark corners or upsetting moments. Rather than worry too much about what might happen tomorrow, let's try practicing making the best use of our time right now. Let's begin today with an assessment of just what our present situation is. What do you now have more of? What do you have less of or are having to do without? What fears are arising? Which fears are most likely to happen? Which fears are least likely to occur? 

Treasure Chest: What do you possess now to help you meet what difficulties might arise? How can

you best spend your valuable resources,  and what do you need most?   Take some time to identify what you have to help you live a more fulfilling life. Put a kit of ideas, items, or activities that can help you lift your own spirits. Which you can share with others. Include both tangibles and intangibles. 

Create Something Life Affirming.  It might be as simple as a one word sign or a song or a poem or a painting. It might be an apple pie or a clean sink. Do something to symbolize your journey over the Threshold of Life Transforming. 

Music is one of the most beautiful ways we have of expressing our love, to praise our God, to share our deepest feelings, and to help heal all that needs healing. Find some music that soothes your soul, and spend some time today celebrating your life and the love you feel. 

Stevie Wonder   Ribbon in the Sky

Maurizio Marchini Singing from the Balcony as Italy suffers through the pandemic.

Sissel  You Raise Me Up

Enya Only Time

Thank you for joining in the Thresholds Four: Life Transforming. Subscribe and the daily post will come to your email address. Or look for the daily postings on FB or Twitter.

Blessings to you all as you find a way to celebrate today's gifts.