Celebrating the Sloth!

by | May 22, 2016 | Empowered Living

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.  (Eddie Cantor) ~~~ Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.  (Voltaire) ~~~ Like many people, I had basic understanding of the sloth’s nature. I knew it was considered a slow and lazy creature. It basically stayed in one tree for most of its life. It slept most of its day (15-18 hours) and only came down out of the tree once a week to relieve himself. Everything else was done in the tree usually hanging upside down. To be called a sloth or to be labeled with anything sloth-like was an insult. According to the Bible, being a sloth is a major sin. While the facts about the sloth are true, the implied judgments are not. After a wonderful Central American Cruise and a very personal experience, I now know that because I became friends with one in Honduras. I held it over my heart and cuddled it like a baby. This adorable creature wasn’t in a cage. It still lived wild in a nearby tree with several other sloths. Having the privilege of holding it was a major highlight of this journey. Rather than lazy or unmotivated this sloth was the epitome of love and peace. To look into its permanently smiling face simple ignited my heart. It’s big round eyes seemed to peer into my soul. Rather than lazy, I now feel these divine creatures are wise. They waste no energy moving around...

The Simple Truth about Divine Order

by | May 14, 2016 | Empowered Living

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss ~~~  Do you believe life is a string of random events or a series of finely orchestrated occurrences designed for your growth and enjoyment? Is life ordered or haphazard? Are you the victim or creator of your life? Does your life have meaning or is it pointless? At some point you may have wrestled with these and similar questions. If not, today is a great day to reflect on the meaning of your life. Your answers to these questions will guide your life just as they have the hundreds of philosophers and religious leaders before you. It is your beliefs that make it so. Want to make your life meaningful, then believe it is. Do you want to be the co-creator of your life experiences? Good, trust and act as the co-creator. If you feel like your life is arbitrary, pointless, and random, sorry I can’t help you. But if you believe that your life is Divinely orchestrated and you are the co-creator of it, then read on. There is much to learn. What is Divine Order? In my first book, Many Were Called, Few Were Chosen: The story of Mother Earth and the Earth Based Volunteers, I talk a lot about Divine Order, but I don’t think I ever defined it. I took it for granted that everyone understood and trusted Divine order. Now I realize that may not be the case… Divine order is the universal plan for this planet and the part you play in...