I traveled to Bali, Indonesia several years ago for a triple bucket list hit. Bali, retirement (haha) with Neale Donald Walsh, author of the myriad of Conversations with God series. I confidently informed this famous author that I was going to write a book, entitled Ten Unnecessary Steps. He literally laughed out loud. I further enlightened him about my despair at the futile attempts to eliminate suffering in the world. I felt it important to notify others of the absolute impossibility of eliminating suffering and therefore save them a century of grief, frustration, despair, disappointment, and resentments from their efforts.
He listened intently at my passionate evidence of the hopelessness of it all. I noticed he was quiet and was apparently waiting for me to stop or at least breathe so that he could speak. Finally, I asked for his thoughts. It was a defining moment in my life. He said these words, “Heal the space you’re in”.
I don’t think I could actually comprehend the words, meanings, or potential in that simple statement. However, I was profoundly aware of the truth of it. It inspired me then and encourages me today, some twenty years later, to stay the course, do my own deep inner work, heal my insides, right the wronged in me, mend the un-mended in me, resolve the neglected in me, and not give up. Rest, renew, rejuvenate, restore, create, innovate, collaborate, resource, and carry on.
I recently canceled several events, trips, vacation, and seeing friends and colleagues that are all near and dear to my heart, due to my own emotional, physical, and psychological limitations. It was not an easy decision, however, it was an honest one; an integral one; and yes, a critical one. From the patterned way I operate to keep pushing forward, achieve, achieve, achieve, it is nothing short of a miracle that I could “stay put” instead. Rest, not quit.
|
|
“Healing the space within me is a full-time job.”
— Martha Creek
|
|
I received this writing the same week I was coming to terms with the reality of what I could and couldn’t do. It is another dose of encouragement and inspiration. May these words be an uplift to you.
|
|
“In any dark time, there is a tendency to veer toward fainting over how much is wrong or un-mended in the world. Do not focus on that. There is a tendency to fall into being weakened by dwelling on what is outside your reach, by what cannot yet be. Do not focus there. That is spending the wind without raising the sails. We are needed, that is all we can know. And though we meet resistance, we more so will meet great souls who will hail us, love us, and guide us, and we will know them when they appear. Didn't you say you were a believer? Didn't you say you pledged to listen to a voice greater? Didn't you ask for grace? Don't you remember that to be in grace means to submit to the voice greater?
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.
What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take "everyone on Earth" to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.
One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these — to be fierce and to show mercy toward others, both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.
There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it; I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate. The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something, as do you. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours: They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall:
When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for. This comes with much love and a prayer that you remember who you came from, and why you came to this beautiful, needful Earth.”
— Clarissa Pinkola Estes
|
|
Happy Birthday wishes to momma who would be 83 this month and died four years ago in the flesh. She is vitally alive to and through me, in ways that are unspeakable. I am more and more grateful. Happy Birthday to my beloved Wesley, who is 34 this month and in the throes of heartbreak from the recent death of his beloved Olivia. My heart has literally “reformed” itself since her death. Broken, now stronger, larger, softer, and willing. Thank you all for your outpouring of cards, texts, gifts and prayers for me, them, our family. Thank y’all for being very shiny souls on deck with us. I love you. |
|
“Often the hardest thing about holding space for others is that it can feel as though you are doing nothing.”
— Anonymous
|
|
Hadilyn, my beloved five-year-old great-niece, will be spending fall break with me this week. She loves getting mail more than anything. If you’re inclined, send her a card, post-note, or surprise to:
515 Inaugural Drive
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
I’ll video her response and return the delight to, and for, you.
|
|
I’ll be away in November serving as the “minister in residence” in a community in central Mexico. It’s another bucket list triple, serving those who serve, paradise by the lakeside and giving for Thanksgiving. Please continue to pray for me, as you pray for your beautiful self. I look forward to our classes re-convening in January. Stay tuned for what and when. |
|
“A healer does not heal you. A healer is someone who holds space for you while you awaken your inner healer, so that you may heal yourself.”
— Maryam Masnaa
|
|
Martha Creek
502-905-0783
|
|
My October 2021 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
|
|
|
The book designer for Martha's Pearls recently sent me a new layout for the cover. What do you think? Send me an email at marthacreek@gmail.com with your thoughts.
And if you're like me, it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts for friends and family. Just a thought...
|
|
Write a Review — for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Giftcard |
|
— A Note from Martha...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS! They mean the world to me and to the life of the book. PLEASE write one NOW if you haven’t already and PLEASE encourage anybody you know that got the book or people you gave the book to (THANK YOU AGAIN) or will GIFT THE BOOK later (THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN) to prompt them to write a review. According to the publisher, the book has done very well and can be lifted up exponentially into the world through these continued reviews.
Secondly, if you have contacts for podcasts, interviews, or ways to extend the book’s reach, please refer me.
|
|
|
|
If you enjoyed reading Martha’s Pearls, please submit a review on amazon.com. Send (email marthacreek@gmail.com) Martha a screenshot of the review, and you will be entered into a monthly giveaway of a $100 Amazon gift card.
|
|
|
Purchase the book below: Kindle version $1.99, Print copy (black and white) $11.99 or Full color — loads of photos ($24.99). PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Amazon to continue to further UPLIFT these teachings.
|
|
Read what someone wrote about the book:
Martha's words are wise, honest, real and come from her heart. Each "pearl" opens my heart and mind to possibilities, to a lesson for me told in her own loving, and very often humorous way. They bring laughter and tears, and a deep gratitude for the wisdom that she shares from her own experiences. Martha's precious personal stories bring her experiences right off the page into my world, allowing me to remember stories of my own. Every page gifts me with an idea, a truth or a lesson that I know will bring me closer to the truth of who I am.... and for this I am eternally grateful.
Bunches of love, Mary
|
|
What I seek outside myself is Impossible.
— Martha Creek
|
|
Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
|
You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
