On this final day of June 2017, I am writing to you from the east coast of Florida. I flew in yesterday to visit my dear friend, Samara, whom I've mentioned before (she had a stroke in January 2016), and her partner Gil. I last visited them more than a year ago, yet when I stepped into their apartment last night, it was like I'd just been here a few weeks ago. Time is like that... it seems to come and go in an instant, yet the memory is with us for eternity.
Speaking of time, since Samara isn't as mobile as last time I visited (due to a setback a couple months ago), we're staying indoors a lot - actually not a bad idea for this Arizona desert gal when the humidity is at 85%! We both love watching movies. Since she recently finished watching the first season of a
National Geographic series about Albert Einstein that she had highly recommended to me, we are watching it together... I love it too!
I've not known much about Einstein, but the little I did know indicated he was a spiritual man, a somewhat strange and new concept for me when long ago I thought science and spirituality were contradictory.
More about him below...
Although this is a brief visit and I won't be able to visit friends on the west coast of Florida, it is a delight to be away from the somewhat usual routine, visit with my dear friend, and make memories together that will stay with us throughout time and in our hearts for eternity. For this (and more), I am grateful.
Blessings,
Inspiration and Contemplation
... From Albert Einstein
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
I heard this saying many years ago in the 12 Step rooms but did not know it originated with Albert Einstein.
Einstein lived 1879 - 1955 and rewrote the laws of nature. He completely changed the way we understand the behavior of things as basic as light, gravity, and time. Although scientists today are comfortable with Einstein's ideas, in his time, they were completely revolutionary. Most people did not even begin to understand them.
Here are some other quotes attributed to this fascinating and highly gifted man.
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters."
"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school."
"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding."
Spirituality
It's a Practice!
I love reading spiritual literature, especially the type that makes me feel connected to Spirit in the heart, not simply intellectually. And, I realized years ago that what I learn must be put into practice, that it's easy living alone on a mountain top, but the true gauge of my spiritual progress is how I live in the world in relationship with people. Hence, I've often gotten extra mileage reading the same stuff over and over again, gaining another perspective, then putting it into play in life.
So, when I read this reading by Emmet Fox, it bolstered the idea that spirituality is an active practice.
What do you think?
Many people say to me, "I want to get on faster. I want more understanding." And as a rule they go on to ask for a list of books to read or some "advanced course" that they can take.
This attitude is quite mistaken. It implies that spiritual advancement is a question of intellectual activity - of the mere accretion of knowledge. That is true in the study of mathematics, or of physics, or chemistry, but it is not true in metaphysics. Spiritual growth comes from putting into practice the knowledge we already possess. Instead of reading another book, read your favorite book once more and apply it more carefully than ever in your practical life.
Metaphysics, like music, is both a science and an art. In metaphysics it is absolutely true that you learn by doing.
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Around the Year with Emmet Fox: A Book of Daily Readings, June 12
People Helping People
Traveling Through Time and Space
Since this newsletter issue has landed up being about traveling through time and space, I chose a related story depicting a woman coming to the aid of young air travelers. Enjoy!
Connecting Flights by Verle Randolph
Oklahoma, USA
My friend Brenda and her husband were flying from Tulsa to Baltimore by way of Dallas-Fort Worth on a storm-filled night last fall. Because of the weather, their airplane was diverted to a small airport more than 100 miles south of Dallas. Other diverted flights had completely overwhelmed the facilities. The place had no food and not enough seats - and it was cold.
The storms were widespread and kept building instead of dissipating. At about 10 p.m. the travelers were informed that flights would not continue that night. When buses could be arranged, the travelers would be taken by ground to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.
While the grounded passengers waited for the buses, Brenda talked with a young woman about their situation. The young woman said, "I'm not going to wait on a bus. I can hitchhike and get there faster."
Brenda was horrified. She asked the girl her age, and where her parents were. The girl said she was 14, and traveling alone.Read on...
Even though Independence Day is not landing on a Monday or Friday, I know many folks are still making this upcoming weekend a long, holiday one.
Whatever your plans are, may you carry within you peace, joy, love, compassion, and of course, freedom.
Blessings,
Missed some of my newsletters? You can visit the archives and read them online.
e-newsletter designed, developed, written, and published by Joyce S. Kaye
You, Me, and Spirit
I was a devout atheist until about 27 years ago when I "came to believe" in a Power greater than myself. Thanks to hearing the novel idea (well, at least it was to me!) that one could choose their own concept of God - and name too - and the workings of synchronicity, I embarked on a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of being in the world and with others. It impacted all aspects of my life and relationships.
Since that time of commencing my conscious spiritual journey, I have endeavored to remember The Presence in all that is, all whom I meet, and all that I do - including working with clients in my own business and in the corporate world. I strive to be of service
and to nurture the human spirit in all environments.
On this final day of June 2017, I am writing to you from the east coast of Florida. I flew in yesterday to visit my dear friend, Samara, whom I've mentioned before (she had a stroke in January 2016), and her partner Gil. I last visited them more than a year ago, yet when I stepped into their apartment last night, it was like I'd just been here a few weeks ago. Time is like that... it seems to come and go in an instant, yet the memory is with us for eternity.
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
Even though Independence Day is not landing on a Monday or Friday, I know many folks are still making this upcoming weekend a long, holiday one.
