Springtime blessings dear friends. Are you aware of some “intense” energies stirring around? Without getting all woo-woo here, what do you believe these energies represent? I imagine the energy it takes for the daffodils and tulips to get up and out of the frozen ground. I imagine what it may take for that tiniest little bud to become a fist-size blossom. Then, I imagine that it is all effortless in all cases. That inspires me to stop the struggle when I can; to cease trying to control; to get ahead of my own blooming and becoming; and watch to see what opens and when. Sound easy? Golly gee, suffering and struggle are patterned bindings and most often unconscious. |
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Declare with me —
It is time to
RENEW! RE NEW! RE MEMBER! RE STORE!
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Okay you say. Then how to do it? Please let me know how you do and will. |
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Renewal might look like when somehow you get your sense of humor back. Even a little bit of lightheartedness. Laughter is not only carbonated holiness, but as Trevor Noah said recently, when you laugh with someone, you know you share something. I love that so much. Renewal might mean signs of spring approaching. Renewal may mean a heart of Hope returns. Renewal may be to give space for everything I have pushed away or denied. |
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“Taking time for renewal is a sacred responsibility."
— Martha Creek
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As I was preparing this newsletter, I was guided to a book entitled “Welcoming the Unwelcome” by Pema Chödrön that is on my desk. Although my first high spiritual notion was to throw the book down and stomp on it, I actually picked it up and held it to my heart. I realize that even the title is again a call for my surrender and my deeper inner work to accept what I cannot change. Even when I can’t seem to welcome it, I must include it.
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What to do when it’s breaking our hearts? |
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As Carly Simon sang, “there is more room in a broken heart.” Okay, okay, break again and again. |
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“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy."
— Pema Chödrön
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When I think I can’t take anymore, I have to pause and reflect on just what may be the cause of some of the suffering and chose to get a different framework around it. I find that the suffering and stress are often due to some false expectations I have for myself and others close to me. I’ve heard many times, “every expectation is a resentment waiting to happen.” Rise Up! Martha and wake up too into reality of how things, people, relationships, emotions, bodies, schedules, attitudes, antics, and expectations really are. While you’re at it dear Martha, renew, awakening into the glory of the larger scene, the life, the possibility, the peace of ignited faith (in things unseen), the certainty that you are actually here for a nanosecond, a vapor mist if you will and there is some choice in how you experience that passing through. |
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Even in the stress, struggle, and glorious gifts abounding too, I loved everyone the best I could every day; often in radical ways. I am re-newing. I practiced “letting go”, acceptance, and willingness daily and throughout the days. I reopened my tinged heart every single day before sleep. I practiced radical self-care through the recent surgery. (Well sometimes I did.) I gave thanks. I practiced my prone yoga, which simply involved lying down a lot, maintaining the prone. I was quieter this month. I did needlepoint. I did jigsaw puzzles with friends. I said an honest “no” when it was scary. I drank “super red” and “super greens” drinks daily. I followed doctor orders even when not on my pace. I watched seven-year-old kids play baseball for the first time. I saw myself in those kids. |
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I continue to look at where my vital life force is being “leaked off” and work to close those leaks. |
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“We can struggle with what is. We can judge and blame others or ourselves. Or we can accept what cannot be changed. Peace comes from an honorable and open heart accepting what is true. Do we want to remain stuck? Or to release the fearful sense of self and rest kindly where we are?"
— Jack Kornfield
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Here's an example from writer Anne Lamont from one of her FB posts: |
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“I lived by a story I’ve told you dozens of times, about a day when my best friend Pammy was dying. We went shopping, she in a wig and a wheelchair. I was going out that night with the latest fixer-upper. I was trying on a tighter, shorter dress than I was used to, and said to her, “Do you think this makes my hips look big?” and she said to me, gently, “Annie, you don't have that kind of time.” |
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Boy, can I relate. Folks, we just don’t have that kind of time to focus externally. |
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"The moment you accept what troubles you’ve been given, the door will open."
— Rumi
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So where do we start? Paradoxically, we start by stopping — and we have been stopped good by Covid, right? We notice how entirely we are still here, now. When we do not remember how to proceed, we go left foot, right foot, left foot, breathe. We do the sacraments of ploppage and putter. We take care of the less abled. We notice the first daffodils in bloom, such sweet sight blessings, with those huge yellow schnozzes. We breathe and begin to shake off some of the grim shit life has been dealing us, we push up our sleeves, look up and around, and begin again. |
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New. What would a sane sensible person do in this situation? Pause, pray, presence, proceed. |
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You in? May as well. Despite the ache — we rise up.
All my love,
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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My April 2023 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
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Here’s the link to the daily reflections from “The Science of Mind”:
Please feel free to use and share them in any way beneficial.
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Check out the cruises I’ll be taking in 2023 and join in if possible:
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Join me at the ANTN retreat conference on Oct 2– 6 in 2023 at the gorgeous Unity Village near Kansas City. www.antn.org/event-4960280. It’s a tremendous week of renewal, learning, and joyful connection.
http://www.danielnahmod.com is our musician. https://jeffonseely.com is a keynote speaker. It includes the largest labyrinth in the US, hand-carved/hand-laid stones, exceptional retreat, and conference keynotes, and the dearest community gathering of New Thought friends in all the land.
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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.
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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
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"Welcome it all. You May as well.”
— Martha Creek
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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. |
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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.
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