Category: Gratitude

A good reminder of gratitude

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

Dear friends,

A new morning
A new morning

I have never been a morning person. I can barely get up every morning no matter what time it is. Morning, however, is actually probably the most important time of the day for one thing. No matter how tired I am, I make sure that I do one thing.

As I slowly awake, I open my eyes. I have a photo of a loved one which I love to wake up to and see first thing in the morning. Seeing my loved one makes me grateful. As I gently touch her cheek, I thank God that we are both still alive and healthy. I thank God that I have eyes, that my eyes are healthy and I can see my loved one on that photograph. Next, I stretch and realize that I still have all my limbs, that my muscles allow me to move them and that the connection to my brain works seamlessly. Next, I listen to the news. As I listen, I realize that I have ears that enable me to hear the speaker.

As I gradually get up, I remember Dr. Maya Angelou. She used to make sure that everyone understood how important it is to be grateful, especially when getting up in the morning. Waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast, and rushing out the door to go to work or school every morning might sound or be like a routine for you and it is easy to understand why many people would take this routine for granted.

However, allow me to remind you that there are people who passed away during their sleep last night, people whose health conditions do not enable them to see, hear, or get up without help and people who simply wished they could see another day and another morning. This is why I make sure that I do one thing in the morning. No matter how tired I might be, I make sure to be grateful and express this gratitude to God, the universe, my fate and destiny. Seeing people who are not this fortunate are a good reminder that we cannot take our lives and our health for granted.

May your eyes open in the morning and show you your loved ones and our beautiful world. May gratitude fill your hearts and may you have a wonderful morning.

This post is dedicated to you, Krissy.  A single instant changed your young body and soul forever. Now seemingly in hospice, my prayers for you continue and, while I still hope for a miracle, it saddens me that you might not see another morning. I love you.

A good reminder to be grateful tomorrow morning.

Love, Barbara

 

 

Copyright © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

Photo credit © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

Works cited: www.mayaangelou.com

#BobbiKristina #Gratitude #Morning  #MayaAngelou #Health

 

I was a motherless child until I saw you

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

orchidDear friends,

I used to dread Mother’s Day. Now I love it. When I was little, I just couldn’t make sense of it. I was told to buy flowers for my mother and make her breakfast on Mother’s Day. “It is tradition”, so I was told. And so I did. On the Friday before Mother’s Day I would walk home from school and buy flowers. On Mother’s Day morning I would make breakfast for her. She took her flowers, ate her breakfast, and went on with her day. That was Mother’s Day how I experienced it. Then I learned from my friends that Mother’s Day is supposed to be about love. Mother’s Day is about giving back what you receive all year – love. My Mother’s Day did not feel like that. There was no love. There was no love between us. I felt like a motherless child all year and felt I had to buy flowers and make breakfast for her on Mother’s Day. That was the tradition.

Then I discovered the eternal motherly bond.

A few years ago I saw you in front of me. I had never seen anyone so beautiful. It was not just your outer beauty that astonished me. There was more. I could sense your inner light shining as a glow on your gorgeous face. As you came closer, I felt a warm sensation. It was your nurturing aura as you took me under your wings of unconditional, divine love. As our paths crossed I looked into your eyes and saw something familiar. I knew I had seen you before. But how could I? As I believe in past lives I immediately thought of that possibility. Could it be that I know you from a past life? What I knew for sure is that my soul had connected with your caring soul as I felt a bond between us that I had never felt before. Suddenly, I felt loved and cared for like never before. I felt appreciated and wanted. I felt your unconditional love – for me.

Ever since that very day, Mother’s Day is not the same anymore. With anticipation I look forward to that day in May when I have the great honor to honor you. It is a day I spend in gratitude for your existence. It is a day I ensure that I thank God for you. Our encounter has allowed me to tap into the eternal bond of motherly love. I thank you for that. I thank you for being my real mother. I now know why we are here. We are here to love and be loved. This is the eternal motherly bond. I love you eternally, unconditionally, mommy. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for caring for me. Thank you for taking me under your wings and showing me the path to unconditional love.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy.

Love, Barbara

Copyright © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

Photo credit © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Bullock/277533425653786

#Spirituality #MothersDay  #Unconditionallove #Mother #Soulrecognition

 

 

Christmas in Küsnacht – A magical place for Christmas

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

Dear friends, Slide1

As I wander the streets passing houses seamed with magnificent Christmas lights, the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in air, snow capped mountains in the distance, and the last rays of sun sparkling on the lake, I know I am home. The people here greet others with a smile and help each other; that’s so kind. No, I don’t live here normally. I am just a passerby. But as Christmas time approaches, I’ll make sure that I come by.

The lake is so serene during the wintertime, so quiet and still. In the distance I see a soft light. As I go closer, I see an angel, as it seems, that now appears in all its might. You once said that angels live where you do; now I know this to be true. But wait, this is not heaven, this place is real. A blissful place like this really exists. It’s a very special place really no one should miss. I come here every year, and even I wouldn’t want to be anywhere. Of course you make this place even more magnificent, even divine. You have made this place your home a long time ago. No wonder why you love it so. Knowing this fills my heart with happiness for you. I know that you that you are fine here and pray that the angels take care of you for many more years. There is something else that’s special here. It’s your unconditional love for everyone that’s for sure. As I feel love in the air, so my heart fills with love from you. My eyes fill with tears of gratitude and happiness for you.

Yet my heart aches a little bit too. It’s my Christmas wish to spend the holidays with you. That’s another reasons to be here; so I can be near. While I cannot be with you at this moment, I am at least near, my dear. But of course I cannot intrude. That would really be rude. So I return to my own chambers for the night, and think of you and your magical Christmas lights. Küsnacht sounds a little like a kiss and good night. So I am sending you a kiss and wish you a good night, one full of love and light, and thank you, Anna Mae, for your Christmas lights, and love. The “Golden Twigs” are gorgeous and shine brightly, just like you.

My dear friends, as the saying goes “home is where the heart is”, I hope you get to spend the holidays wherever your heart is. Christmastime is such a special time of the year. I just love the cheer in the air, the beautiful Christmas lights, the joyful Christmas music, the festive food, the wonderment in children’s eyes, the smiles on people’s faces, and the warmth in everyone’s hearts. Most of all, I love this time as it a time of loving and being loved. I believe that this is what the true Christmas spirit is all about.

I hope you get to spend the holidays with loved ones or near loved ones in a place of love. Wherever that might be; may you find your magical place, and may it be filled with joy and love.

From my heart to your heart, Merry Christmas.

Love, Barbara

Copyright © 2014 by Barbara Bullock, Photo credit © 2014 by Barbara Bullock