Shalom: Unexpected Healing (10/28/10)

Happy Thursday to you!

Today's "Shalom" post is on the subject of healing. Playing a part in the healing of others will have a direct result on your own healing - whether physical, spiritual, or emotional.

Today I challenge you to make the time to reach out to someone you know that is coping with some sort of health issue - whether a chronic condition, an injury that has impacted their normal daily activities, a disease that someone might be battling, or even someone that is experiencing a bout of depression.

Make the time, and then take the time, to connect with them. This person might not even realize that they needed someone to express care for them and their current health condition, but may realize through your gesture that they are uplifted and renewed with hope and healing. In turn, you will also enjoy the "heart" rewards that come with your kindness and compassion.

Many times, the person in need will not ask for help when they are coping with a personal struggle. They don't want to "burden" others with their situation. And in some cases, a person will even refuse help when it is offered. That is why communication can sometimes be a powerful ingredient in these circumstances.

Here are my suggestions for spreading a little love, peace, and healing in the world today:

• Pick up the phone today and call someone who is coping through an issue in which they need some healing.
• Ask them how they are doing.
• Just listen. Don't judge. Don't try to solve their circumstances. Just listen.
• Express your care. Offer to pray for this person.
• Let this person know that you are available to them, should they need support.

You will probably make someone's day! (And just think, if you don't pick up the phone and call someone, you will have missed out on such a wonderful opportunity to touch someone's heart that may very well need you, and not even know it.)

Shalom: Reflection for today (10/26/10)

Every time I come across this quote, I find myself taking time to simply ponder on it for a bit. Hopefully you will do the same!

Sometimes I'd like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world, when he could do something about it. But, I'm afraid God might ask me the same question. - Anonymous.

The Meaning: Om. Shalom. Home.

I wanted to start a blog to communicate with others - but I wanted it to be more than just a space for me to post about my day, and share photos of my family. I wanted it to have purpose. I wanted it to touch the lives and hearts of other people. I wanted people to identify with it. I wanted it to bless others. I wanted to enrich people's lives and motivate their soul's to dig deeper inside, to search themselves for something greater, and to live more meaningfully.

"Om. Shalom. Home." is my philosphy on living a purposeful life - a humanitarian life that we can all achieve.

Quite simply it is "giving back" in three ways: to yourself, to the world, and to your family.

"Om" is the giving back to oneself. Taking care of yourself. Recognizing that you must take time to nurture your own body and soul and heart and mind, in order to be able to give back to others. You must first set your own foundation, and set right your own path, in order to better love and lead those around you.


"Shalom" (also meaning 'peace') is the giving back to others, and giving back to the greater world around you. This is critical. Just as you are blessed, you need to return those blessings by sharing them with others.


"Home" is your family! It is important to always find ways to nurture your family life, and be a more "present" person in your home.


Therefore, my simple recipe for living is: Om. Shalom. Home.

In this blog, in addition to my random "life stuff," I will make posts that relate to one of the above focuses. I hope to help you grow, to encourage you to search yourself on new levels, and to play an active role in life. I hope to motivate you to "give back" and to experience the joy that comes with being a blessing to others. I hope to inspire you, in some way, to breathe deep, share peace, and love fully.

Enjoy!

Happy Blog Day

Seems like a great day to say hello to the world through this blog! So....HELLO WORLD! I have been writing for years, and my entries have stayed in a journal, on a computer, in my head, or in my heart. For now, I will try to place them here.

Faith and freedom! There is a freedom that comes through faith. It sets your soul in flight, and allows your heart to soar, and your "self" to feel free. For a long time, I was not comfortable with the idea of sharing my life as openly as a blog can sometimes require. I felt that many pieces of my life were personal, and sacred. And still, many are. I also know that we are called to be "Christ-like," yet I know that at times I fall short - - and for that, I feared judgement, ridicule.
But faith teaches not to fear. So here I am.

I have arrvied at this place where I can do this "blog thing"...and I can share with you more about who I am, where I have been, what I have learned, where I might be going, and all of the other sweet nuggets of life along the way!

I can't wait to share insights that reflect on my three basic elements of living: (Om. Shalom. Home.) More to come on those in future posts!

I have been blessed in so many ways. I have also been called in many ways to share the story of those blessings. So I will attempt to share my story, regularly, with hopes that I can glorify God, uplift others, and continue to grow personally.

I pray that this blog blesses others. I pray that this blog blesses me, and my family. I pray that this blog will also make a positive impact in the world around us (through us!).

Thank you for being part of this journey.

I will soon share a bit with you about the name of my blog: Om. Shalom. Home.

As for now...