I just wanted to share this beautiful video created by several Interfaith Ministers from different seminaries. Remember what we can do together!

Remember to keep peace in your heart!

Love and Bliss,
Rev. Trish

In any spiritual path one follows, inevitably, the idea of letting go rears its head. Why is it so important? Why is it so difficult? We can face this conundrum in a myriad of ways. Not only on our own path, but also when dealing with others  – for example when we are dealing with other people, we must approach them free of expectations and requirements; in many forms of meditation, we are asked to let our thoughts go as they appear; in counseling sessions, we must let go of preconceived projections and outcomes.

What are some of the things we need to let go of? Well, the list is infinite, but here’s some food for thought: shame, guilt, fear, anger, bad relationships, expectations, grief, resistance, dependency…

And through all of this letting go, the mind is clinging with fierce determination to what it knows. “The devil you know is better (safer) than the devil you don’t!” we exclaim. The dangerous unknown lurks in front of us like an abysmal hole. The purpose of the mind or Ego is to keep us safe – that part of ourselves will do whatever it takes to accomplish its mission of keeping us safe from harm – and what could be more unsafe than the unknown or change? However, a full cup cannot be filled with something new – it must be emptied first.  Let go!

If we can allow ourselves to open up with grace (or without, as the case may be) and trust to the unknown and something different, what we find is a whole new world of options and possibilities. The Divine has more in store for us than we can imagine for ourselves, but our job is to have faith and let go!

The question is how? How can we let go when our “monkey mind” is clinging tight to its vine? There are 5 simple steps to easing into faith and “letting go and letting God”:

1.    Label that part of yourself that is afraid. Give it a name and make it as real in your mind as possible. This gives you something to focus on.

2.    Let it express its fear through journaling or meditation.

3.    Speak to it gently as you would a frightened child. Don’t dismiss it – it will only cry louder!

4.    Get silent and still so that you can hear the still, small voice within – this is what will tell you your next step, if any.

5.    Breathe! It is so important during these times of change to remember to breathe.

By giving voice to your fears, you allow that voice to know it’s being listened to. Only then can it begin to be comforted. Then the monkey can finally let go of that vine – that’s the only way you’ll be able to catch the next vine – much like a trapeze artist, in order to catch one trapeze the artist must let go of the one they are holding and trust that the one they need will be where it needs to be when they let go.

Remember that when a window is closed, a door is opened. Go ahead, close that window! Let go and live life!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an ordained Interfaith Minister, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is owner of The Blissful Soul, an organization dedicated to healing and helping people live in peace and joy with themselves and others: www.TheBlissfulSoul.com.

Today I am working busily on the final touches for my workshop this weekend entitled: Ritual – Bringing the Sacred to Your Everyday Life. It is going to be full of information, exercises, creating your own rituals and lots of fun making new friends. I can hardly wait!

There are so many little things that have to get done before then: Type up the outline, pick out some supporting stories, poems, etc., create the handouts, create the parting gifts (oh, yes – fun stuff!), and purchase supplies…I’m sure there’s more, but no need to bore you with the details!

If you are in the Houston area on Saturday, I encourage you to join us. The cost is only $45 and it lasts from 1 PM until 5 PM – giving you plenty of time for morning errands and evening fun!

We will be going over:

• What is ritual? It may not be what you think!
• Who does it? Everyone at some point or another!
• Why do they do it? Different and varied reasons
• When should you do it? You tell me!
• Where should you do it? Anywhere and everywhere! Oh dear, how does that work??
• And last, but not least, how??? Well, come on over and find out!

If you feel like your days have become meaningless and unfocused, bringing the sacred into your everyday life will certainly bump things up a notch! Click here to register: http://theblissfulsoul.com/events/ritual-bringing-the-sacred-to-everyday-life/

See you there!

Rev. Trish

Today would mark the 102nd  birthday of Peace Pilgrim, the woman who walked across the US, She walked over 25,000 miles from 1953 until her death in 1981. Her goal was to walk until people learned peace. In her words, she vowed to “remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.”

One of the things I really love about her is that she has a very similar philosophy to mine – that is, that peace begins at home. Not only at home, but with yourself – inner peace is the source of world peace. Can you imagine if everyone on the planet attained inner peace?

Her life and work showed that one person with inner peace can make a significant contribution to world peace.
What an amazing testament to Trust and the power of a passion and following your purpose!

“This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” – Peace Pilgrim