I am in awe of the vast mystery of the Universe and celebrate all forms of life and Divinity. I feel we have just peered through a peep hole in our scientific understanding of all that is. I believe we will never know all of the answers, because Creation is always expanding.

I know the essence of Creation lives in my heart and it fills me with a splendor of richness there are no words for. No one can teach this ; this is only “felt” and I describe that I am in “love affair” with what I can only describe as the Divine.

This love is ALWAYS giving, it seems to get more tender with each moment … I have fallen into forever love with a love that will never leave me. Everyday my love affair with Source/Creator grows, everyday this Source guides me in all that I do … if I but surrender. So I feel EVER BLESSED and I say the words BLESSED BE … for it is my wish for all to feel what I have experienced.

:)

We are experiencing first-hand transformative experiences and situations - those areas of life that we may not care to face, but we must face sooner or later… the so-called ‘inevitables’ of life. I feel that we, as a people are going through somewhat of a catharsis; the getting rid of excess parts of ourselves that we no longer need. We must follow or perform activities where we find ourselves transformed toward a more integral position. We must, as a people, take care of any jointly held resources, because both the problems and their benefits follow us. Globally, and personally, changes will become the routine…the expected…the predictable. Much love to you and yours ♥ Maritza …Journey to Balance 

I am currently torn between different directions in life with feelings going one way and willpower another. I am experiencing a sense of being caught in the middle - forced to choose between surroundings that are emotionally supportive (but not progressive) and new directions that bring advancement but may be at the expense of comfort. I am intelligent enough to realize that getting these opposing energies to work together requires real compromising skill. Therefore, I must learn to see life not as ‘black-white’ or ‘all-or-nothing’, but as a complex sliding-scale of varying shades and subtleties.

Maritza …Journey to Balance 

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world.

Food for Thought…Journey to Balance …Good Night Dear Friends…Maritza 

STABLE, EXTROVERTED, AGREEABLE, OPEN, FREE SPIRITED

Calm

 You rarely become irritated, generally accept people as they are, take things as they come, and feel relaxed in most situations.

You do not let a minor annoyance escalate to a confrontation. You don’t regularly snap at those around you or fly off the handle with little provocation.

 

Upbeat

You enjoy being around others and others enjoy being around you. You have a “live and let live” attitude; because you know that no one’s perfect, you are forgiving and happy to give the benefit of the doubt. 

You don’t feel the need to be controversial or express contrary opinions all the time. You see no reason to go around rubbing people the wrong way.

 

Aesthetic

You appreciate art, beauty, and design; you know that they are not superficial but absolutely crucial to living the good life. You have good taste, and you’re proud of it. Those with a high score on the “aesthetic” trait are often employed in literary or artistic professions, enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about the arts, reading, and travel. 

You don’t think it’s pretentious to be moved by art and beauty. You’re not one of those who believe it doesn’t matter what something looks like as long as it does its job.

 

Warm

You have a genuine interest in other people. You’re a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you’re usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the “warm” trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place. 

You don’t always say exactly what you’re thinking; you don’t like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.

 

Optimistic

You are a “glass half-full” kind of person, always on the lookout for the silver lining. Your happiness is contagious, which is why others like to be around you. 

You do not feel that the world is an intrinsically depressing place; you are not the kind of “realist” who thinks that only fools find joy in life.

 

Prudent

You look before you leap, think before you act, consider what you’re about to say before you open your mouth to speak; that’s why you rarely have to eat your words. 

You usually don’t get excited easily or blurt out the first thing that comes to mind without considering the consequences.

 

Curious

You like to get to the bottom of things. You’re not content knowing what someone did; you want to know why they did it. 

You don’t simply take things as they are and move on; you’re not content skimming along on the surface; you don’t feel you’re wasting time by digging for the meaning of things.

 

Poised

You tend to feel at home wherever you find yourself, even in unfamiliar settings, with new people. It takes a lot to rattle you, and when rattled you recover quickly and gracefully. 

You are usually not self-conscious or nervous when you’re in an unfamiliar environment or with people you don’t know.

 

Empathetic

You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others. 

You don’t buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else’s because unless you’re happy you’re incapable of making anyone else happy.

 

Impulsive

You trust your your instincts. What others may see as rash behavior is, for you, simply going with your gut. Individuals with a high score on the “impulsive” trait tend to try new, sometimes outrageous, things.

You are not timid. For you, spending time microscopically examining the pros and cons of every decision means never getting anything accomplished.

http://psychcentral.com/personality-patterns/

You’re in the middle of all that. Balance is key to living the life you want. 

Hello My Dear Friends … The past few days, I have been focusing on some festive outings with my family. These kids frame my life and I am very pleased they are healthy and happy. I wish you and your family a big and wonderful 4th of July weekend. May all our friends and family have one. We are still very lucky to enjoy ” Freedom ” … many have died for it. I know good American’s don’t take that for granted. So keep your chin up and your heart pure…searh the for “Quality and protect your Tribe”

…Grateful to my kids for being ‘good sports’ as I dragged them out on ‘mandatory family fun outings’ … which included bird watching, crabbing, and a three mile hike on the bay … Grateful for the catered BBQ at my sister in law’s house … and grateful for the doggy beach I discovered this morning - all in all, a wonderful 4th of July holiday  … How was yours? Now, allow me to spend some time with you guys - tonight I will be at the fireworks….

Love & Friendship, Maritza

NINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL PERSON, by Cheryl Wilson
NINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL PERSON  

1. Synergy between Words and Action   The actions of a spiritual person are always in harmony with his words. He speaks only what he truly believes in. If one only observe the lives of most people who call themselves spiritual, he can immediacy notice the different between their words and deeds. While they may be preaching equality, yet they treat themselves as superior from others. While, they may ask people to lead simple lives, yet they themselves live in good houses and wear expensive cloths and ornaments. A spiritual person does not say anything which is impractical. He demonstrates the practicality of his principles by following the words spoken by him.  

2. Self-Realization   One has to make a distinction between scholar and spiritual person. Any person with good memory can remember each word of a scripture and prove anything by the strength of logic. A scholar always supports his argument with some reference of other studies or scripture. However, a spiritual person is a self-realized person whose knowledge has emerged from within. Thus he instead of “having knowledge” has “become knowledge” as his persona has become one with Spirit. Thus his explanation emerges directly from his soul and convinces the person rather than asking people to get convinced because someone has said so, or something is written in a scripture or some study has proven something.  

3. Peace   A spiritual person is the one whose soul has become one with God or Spirit. Thus he can know the world from a much wider perspective. His mind is in peace like the water in the depth of a sea. He knows that everything that happens in the world has some logic in it. He can know the cause and effect through his intuition. Hence he is always at peace and does not feel disturbed by the mundane things of the world which are like waves on the surface of a sea.  

4. Indifference to Physical Appearance   Spirituality is complementary to materialism just like the spirit is complementary to body. One who focuses on body can not focus on spirit. Thus a spiritual person is indifferent for the physical appearance of the self and others. He does not identify the person from his exterior covering but identify from his soul. The appearance is immaterial to him. Hence if a person wears designer’s cloth and keeps focuses in being physically attractive, he has least chances of being spiritual. It is no surprise that most spiritual people keep beard which actually covers the physical attractiveness of the body.  

5. Unconditionally Loving   Love is the most important character of a spiritual person. He does not hate anyone including the criminal and terrorist. It may look weird and impossible to ordinary man but not to the spiritual person. Just like we all like everything about ourselves including our not so perfect body, in the same way for a spiritual person there is not “other” so he identify even with his enemies.  

6. Equality and Justice   God has created everyone equal even though He has given everyone a different role. However, man put material value on the human being on the basis of demand and supply. For example, the President of a nation is far more valued than the ordinary sweeper because there is only one post of President and large number of applicants. While, there are plenty of sweepers with a few applicants. However, it can not be denied that both are required for the nation. A spiritual person, therefore, never distinguish people based on their religion, caste, economic status or position in the society as he is able to see everyone with the same eye.   

7. Devoid of Passion   A spiritual person is never in hurry as he does not have lust or passion for anything. A man of passion always have to do something, thus he feels restless all the time. However a spiritual person knows his role in the scheme of things and does what is in the best interest of the world. He is a yogi, who has complete control over his body, senses and mind.  

8. Humility   A spiritual person is always humble as he sees God in every person or he considers everyone as the extension of the self. He knows that he is merely a tool in the hands of God and he has been send in this world to perform a particular function. There can never be an element of pride in him.   Can a machine be proud of his function? Should not the credit of the performance of the functioning of machine go to its designer? Why should a man then feel pride of his achievements?   The need for humility is demonstrated by Jesus Himself when he washed the feet of his disciple.   

9. Compassion and Forgiveness   A spiritual man is the most forgiving as he knows that everyone will be judged as per his deeds by God. He never put himself on the place of God and judges a person by his own standards. Thus, even if someone has wronged him or wronged other person, he always seeks forgiveness from God for him. Thus instead of hating a person whose action is not in conformity with his desire or as per the scripture, he shows compassion for all.   Spirituality is for Everyone …Man is born spiritual.

Peace & Blessings, Maritza

On Gratitude

Gratitude often rises from the most challenging times in life…Whether crisis strikes us, we cope by appreciating what we have instead of lamenting what we lack. It’s not a selfish action; It’s a natural one…

The gratitude we feel about our own lives help us express compassion and assist people in need. Aware of our good fortune, we donate money or offer help…We accompany our friend to a medical appointment…We listen when she needs to talk…

This I believe…It shouldn’t take a tragedy for us to take stock of our good fortune. Take a daily inventory of your blessings…Keeping a checks and balance can bring peace into our daily life…It can help you appreciate and give you strength knowing that you have emotional and spiritual riches to share with others… 

I keep a grateful journal…Every night I list 5 things I am grateful for…This brings perspective into my life…

Reflections , Maritza

Count your blessings.
Once you realize how valuable you are
and how much you have going for you,
the smiles will return, the sun will break out,
the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward
with the life that God intended for you
with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.

Good Morning … Maritza

Some People Just Love to Criticize Don’t They? Don’t get carried away when others criticize you or get depressed — Here is a little story to help illustrate this point - I hope you like it … Maritza

IT IS EASIER TO CRITICIZE BUT DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE    …

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course. Over the course of three days he painted a beautiful scenery. He wanted people’s opinion about his caliber and painting skills.     So …

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read -“I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession, I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.”  

When he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that the whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.  

Disheartened and broken completely,  he ran to his master’s place and burst into tears.   This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying …”I’m useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I’m not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying”   …

Master Painter/Teacher smiled and suggested “My Son, I will PROVE that you are a great artist and have learnt flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work.”  

Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.   “Come with me.” master said.  

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -“Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it.”  

Master and disciple walked back home.   They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction made!  

Moral of the story:   It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!   So don’t get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed…   JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE!!!

Have faith in YOURSELF …

Maritza