As The World Turns To The Promise Of Spring-- To Our Brethren Of The Emerald Isle, *A Blessed St. Patrick's Day*

A favorite time of year, emerges, & with that feelings of love, hope & renewal present themselves as we go forth--
With promises also comes destiny. Who creates this we may ponder? For some the answer is that of a higher power & that of God, who created all of our natural world, including all of us, & our inner natures. Problems continue to remain, of our striving & our struggling with our abilities & inabilities to get along with one another. Even in our congregations of; houses of worship, where it's congregants read, & listen to "the word". Even in those sacred places, where each person examines their own heart & soul for acceptance, forgiveness & understanding, is it truly practiced to the extent of what we are taught all of our lives? It is in these chapters of human interactions & behaviors that we are made to see our own imperfections & flaws, our own selves & others, face to face.

Being this is a hopeful season, I too shall remain so, by refusing to sit awkwardly on the fence, choosing not to see what is so visible, to the invisible eye. War is never a good thing, but being a warrior can be, as a prepared warrior carries a shield which can protect themselves & others from the onslaught of hurts; the spears & daggers of that emotional, invisible, world, by providing an understanding & dialogue that will, in turn build bridges & pathways of communication.

This is so necessary as how else do we learn? For if we don't practice these teaching from our own sacred texts, & instead choose to fortify walls & turn away from the harder exercises of compassion & humility, then who are we ultimately hurting?

Springtime is hope, & renewal, & in this sweet colorful season I too will remain hopeful that the lessons & teachings of these upcoming religious holidays, impact the hearts & minds of it's practitioners, so the main true lesson, it's essence, is practiced & not ignored, as we live our truth.

*Amen*

{Additional note: The other day when my husband & I were viewing a movie about modern day Tibet, there was a scene when the Dali Lama was visiting in Washington DC & meeting with the various Representatives from our Government, my husband exclaimed, "There's your friend from high school, there he is.!" My husband was referring to a classmate of ours who is an excellent Congressman & has been serving for several terms. When I finally caught the scene, there he was, just having shaken hands with the Dali Lama. "Oh my goodness he touched the hands of the Dali Lama.", was my response. I then quickly said, "I would like to someday meet the Dali Lama", & then it just flowed out, "I am my own Dali Lama.", & that's the truth, for when we read the book Sid Hartha, written so very long ago, by-- Herman Hess, we are reminded, that yes we are our own Dali Lama, that the soul of a Buddha, or as some would say, our soul, that this is, the part, that is given to us & then again, reconnecting us with God. So many different religions, innumerable traditions & ways of faith, but all leading to "One". It truly is, our imperfections that make us truly human, "so help us God".