Wabi Sabi

I discovered a new term the other day called “Wabi Sabi.” It is a Japanese concept about the beauty of things that are imperfect and impermanent and incomplete. This sounded a lot like my life and I immediately loved this idea. Anyone who is living in that in-between world that I call “The Void” can identify with learning to accept (if not love) the incomplete and the impermanent.

I did a talk once called The Spirituality of Imperfection, so this idea was not new to me. We are evolving souls and we are never complete or finished so it would behoove us to learn to appreciate our imperfection, because it isn’t going to go away.

I have, from an early age, loved the idea of evolution. I did a paper on evolution in grammar school and the teacher threw the paper across the room in anger. To be fair, she was a Catholic nun and I hadn’t realized at the time that Catholics didn’t believe in evolution. I understand they’ve since changed their position on that thought. Later in ministerial school I wrote a paper on the evolution of consciousness. My instructor, although he didn’t throw my paper across the room, argued with me a bit as well. I got a good grade on the paper, but I don’t think I fully convinced him of my point.

Others have been spouting the idea of the evolution of consciousness for decades, i.e. Teilhard de Chardin, Barbara Marx Hubbard and a host of others. Recently I saw a video by Ian Xel Lungold on the Mayan Calendar and apparently the Mayan’s have known this for centuries. According to them all of creation is evolving, and it makes perfect sense to me.

If we are constantly evolving, it stands to reason that we would never be complete, perfect or permanent. So why is it that we forget that fact and are often so hard on ourselves or our life circumstances?

The two terms Wabi and Sabi have separate meanings. Wabi refers to a rustic simplicity and can be applied to natural or hand-made items. One article I read described it as “asymmetry in a ceramic bowl which reflects the handmade craftsmanship, as opposed to another bowl which is perfect, but soul-less and machine-made.” Sabi is the beauty and serenity that comes with age, such as the patina on an old bronze statue or bowl. I’d like to think it also refers to those wrinkles around my eyes and mouth….they give me character, don’t they? It also reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit that was ragged and torn and yet immensely loved and full of life.

Wabi Sabi…nothing is perfect and yet it is in our imperfection that we find our beauty and uniqueness. I like that! So, I am hanging out in the void and my life feels incomplete. So what? All of life is a simply one void leading to the next void, so what’s my hurry? I might as well enjoy the beauty of this moment!

REEL TRANSFORMATION MINISTRIES

I am in the process of filling out the paperwork for an Alternative Ministry called Reel Transformation Ministries. I am still looking for my right and perfect church, as well as other employment. Right now I'm living off of savings....God is so good!

This alternative ministry would allow me to do workshops and teach classes under the name of my ministry and receive tax deductible contributions. This is an interesting and long process. I have to file an Article of Incoporation with the state, create Bylaws and have a board of trustees. I also have to submit a proposal to the Association of Unity Churches to get approved and get a letter of recommendation from my Regional Representative. The deadline for submitting to the Association is August, but it wouldn't be approved until January of next year. Who knows where I'll be by then....I may not even be in this state. I may be working in my new church, and then I probably would have to put this alternative ministry on hold. But I feel drawn to go ahead for now, so we shall see what happens. Hopefully by January my book will finally be done and published.

I hestitate to even put this here on my blog, as potential congregations will come here to check out my blog. Please know that this is an example of living in the moment and trusting the flow of Divine Order. I would like nothing better than to be in a church working full time, and yet until then I must move forward to create...and this feels like fun. It may turn out to lead nowhere...and it may end up being something awesome. Who knows? God does.

Prayers for the Gulf

I'm posting an email from Mike Davis about the joining together in prayer on Sunday, June 20th to pray for the Gulf:




What started out as an invitation from Rev. Patricia Reiter to Unity churches around the Gulf of Mexico to come together in blessing the Gulf has gone national. It has grown into " . . . a joining of people from all walks of life to pray in their own special way. We will have over 10,000 people joining us at that hour from around the country," writes Rev. Reiter.
Please pass this email along and help us reach as many people as possible - the Gulf needs us, as we need it!


BLESSING OF THE GULF OF MEXICO:
WHEN: Sunday, June 20, 2010, 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
WHERE: Along the Gulf of Mexico, or wherever you are
WHO: Everyone!
WHY: "We can channel our frustration at the pollution of the Gulf into a positive force for good."
A special song has been written for this event: "O Holy Ocean, A Song For the Gulf." One comment we have received on the song sums up what we are trying to accomplish on June 20th: "Bravo! I am moved by your tribute and prayer for our ocean!!! I've been so grieved and saddened by the images coming out of this tragedy. Your beautiful song points me in the right direction."


Please share this video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or8VY4WHn9M
Thank you for all you can do!


Warmest regards -
Mike and Paula Davis
http://www.mikedavismusic.net/ / 407-748-7865
http://www.veniceunity.com/ / 941-484-5342

A Change Messenger

I just participated in a teleseminar and realized that I have a new vocation: I am a Change Messenger. Maybe it’s not a new vocation, rather just a new name for my work or a clearer focus on what I’m already doing. Yes, I’m a minister, but really what my work is about is calling people to transform and change their lives through connecting with their Higher Power. On a smaller scale my work is about my own personal change…as I continue to change and evolve I have more insights to offer to others. On a larger scale, my work is about being a messenger to help facilitate change in the world. As individuals change—the world becomes a better place.

All of us are Change Messengers, not just teachers and ministers. As each of us transform our thoughts, words, feelings and actions, the world benefits. Our life transmits our message. What I’m also realizing is that each of us has our own unique message to share. My individualized message has to do with the Hero’s Journey and the Stages of Transformation that I’m writing about in my book Reel Transformation. What I am most excited about is helping people realize when they are being ‘Called’ and when they are wondering in the ‘Wilderness’ so that they can recognize that when they get fired or get divorced that something greater is really at work in their lives.

So what does this all mean? Well, I’m still working on figuring that out. I’m still looking for work in field ministry, but I’m also trying to open my mind to see if the universe is calling me to work in other realms as well. How else can I get my message out there for others to see or hear? Certainly finishing my book would be one way, this blog is another, but perhaps there are others as well. I remain open and receptive to the message and to God’s call.

Next Top Spiritual Author Competition

I have recently joined a competition sponsored by James Twyman to become the Next Top Spiritual Author. This is an exciting competition that gives us authors lots of support in the writing and publishing process. I'd been struggling for some time to find a way to describe my book in a short and consise manner, and this competition has helped me do just that! The winner of this competition gets their book published by Hampton Road Publishing. To make it to the next level I need LOTS of folks to go to the website, view my video and vote for me. There are 2500 people entered from around the world and 250 will advance to the next level. So please go and vote for me and tell ALL YOUR FRIENDS to also go and vote for me. Thank you so much.

The title of my book is Reel Transformation: Your Life Now Playing. It is a book about the spiritual stages of transformation that are inherent in any spiritual journey...and we are all on a spiritual journey. My book talks about how these stages can be seen in the characters in movies and also in your own life.

To view my video and vote for me go to: http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=1911 if you can't click on this link then copy and paste the url.

Here's the video, but you need to go to the link above to vote for me. Thank you...and don't forget to tell your friends.




Blessings,
Cindy

READY FOR THE OSCARS AND PREDICTIONS

Every year I look forward to Oscar Night! As soon as I find out the date, I mark it in my daytimer. Nothing interferes with this date! This year I’ll be watching from a motel room. It’s not the first time I’ve watched while away from home.

Lots of people have Oscar parties, but not me. I don’t want to be partying and chatting during the Awards Ceremony…this is serious business to me…LOL. I did invite a friend over once, but she left early. I’m up for the long haul. It was easier when I lived in California where it airs earlier. It wouldn’t matter to me how late it ran, I’d stay up. I’d sleep all day if I had to…can you tell this is a big deal for me?

Also, I do my best to make sure I see all the movies nominated. I try to see even the ones nominated for actors etc., but I don’t always manage to see them all. Now that I live in a smaller town it is harder as some of the films don’t even make it here. I had to see The Hurt Locker on Netflix. I didn’t manage to see The Messenger or The Lovely Bones. The Lovely Bones is playing here, but I haven’t made time to see it yet. Maybe that’s because I went to see Avatar THREE times…LOL!!! I’ve only seen 3 of the ones nominated for Best Animated Film and haven’t seen any of the foreign films and only one of the documentaries.

I don’t usually make predictions, but thought I might try my hand at it this year just to see how well I’d do. I’m only going to predict the top awards as I have no idea about editing and cinematography etc. and there is a limited amount of time and space here…LOL. So here goes….

Leading Actor: I think this is Jeff Bridge’s year. He was excellent in ‘Crazy Heart’ and should have received an Oscar a long time ago. His is due! Personally I don’t think there’s any competition except for Colin Firth who was awesome in ‘A Single Man.’ Morgan Freeman was great in ‘Invictus’, but he’s always great and it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for him.

Supporting Actor: Well I didn’t see Woody Harrelson or Stanley Tucci so this probably isn’t a fair vote, but the money this year seems to be on Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds’. He brought life to his role as a Nazi officer and I think he will win.

Leading Actress: Well I know everyone seems to think Sandra Bullock will win, and she was great, but I think it will finally be Meryl Streep’s year. Meryl has been nominated 16 times and has only won twice and only once for Leading Actress back for Sophie’s Choice back 1n 1983. She nailed the role of Julia…you almost forgot you weren’t actually watching Julia Childs.

Supporting Actress: There’s no competition here…it should and will go to Mo’Nique for her moving portrayal of the mother of Precious. As bitchy as she was, she actually made you feel sorry for her…for a few brief moments anyway.

Animated Feature: I think it’s sort of interesting that Up was nominated for both animated and Best Picture. It has no chance at Best Picture, but it will win here.

Directing: If Kathryn Bigelow doesn’t win, then I think women everywhere should boycott Hollywood. There have only been FOUR women ever nominated for Best Director and no woman has ever won it. IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! Barbra Streisand should have been nominated years ago for Yentl…but that’s a whole ‘nuther blog…don’t get me started.

Best Picture: It’s difficult to predict this category, because the Academy has done some surprising things in the past. The money seems to be between The Hurt Locker and Avatar. The Hurt Locker was very well made and an excellent movie. It was an innovative idea to film it to seem like a documentary. It was not an easy film to watch. Avatar, on the other hand, was an absolute joy to watch, and it has rocked the movie world! James Cameron held this vision for years and had to wait for technology to catch up with his vision. There has been nothing like it before….EVER. Yes, it has no actors nominated, but the film deserves Best Picture and I, for one, will weep if it doesn’t win. SO THERE!

Well there are my predictions…enjoy Oscar Night ….I sure will!

Ramblings

Well it’s been awhile since I posted here….life has gotten a bit busier for me. I am helping out a church about 2 ¼ miles from where I live. They are a wonderful group of folks and I’m happy to help, but it does keep me busy.

I have still found time to see lots of movies though. Not much would keep me away from the cinema! This time of year all the great movies come out…many are vying for Academy Awards. I’ve seen Precious, Nine, It’s Complicated, Sherlock Holmes, Everybody’s Fine, Up in the Air, 2012, Avatar, Brothers, The Blind Side, The Princess and the Frog, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Invictus, and I’m sure a bunch more. I like all of them, but Avatar was by far the best…awesome!

I also watch movies on Netflix and last night watched Louise L. Hay: You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie. It was a great film…done in the style of What the Bleep…with some drama and a number of interviews by such people as Wayne Dyer, Gregg Braden, Esther Hicks and many more. It speaks about ‘changing your life through changing your thinking’ and was a wonderful refresher. One of my favorite quotes from the movie was, "Anything you complain about repetitively is something you have an unconscious intention to reproduce." Wow! That’s pretty powerful stuff! It heightened my resolve to watch what I say and be careful not to complain.

I am looking forward to a new year and a new decade. The past year has been an interesting year of waiting and waiting and I can feel things are ready to break forth. I am ready!