photo credit: karl_eschenbach
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. — Matthew (ch. VII, v. 28-29)
To say that I live a blessed, abundant life, is a massive understatement. I live in a beautiful home, with a once in a lifetime kind of friend. This home is in a beautiful gated community in Las Vegas, where we get to enjoy clean and quiet streets, and some cozy walking paths. Recently, the backyard landscaping was redone, and what was once a nice backyard, is now an amazingly comfortable quiet spot for relaxing, meditating, or entertaining friends.
Yesterday was my day off, and I decided that I would spend part of my day outside reading my new book, Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. This book is part of Oprah’s book club, and currently on Oprah.Com they are running an unprecedented event, where each Monday, Oprah, and Eckhart Tolle stream live a worldwide study group centered around this book. Over 700,000 people have joined this on line community so far.
The day was perfect for relaxing and reading, so I grabbed a lawn chair, my book, a cup of coffee, some high lighters and went to “work.” It was a beautiful day, one that reminded me of how often I should be thanking God for, and even if it were all day long, it would clearly not be enough.
I bought the book recently at Sam’s Club. The classes have been going on for nearly 6 weeks now, and even though I wanted to participate immediately, something held me back, I knew that I just wasn’t ready. I kept seeing the book everywhere I went, but never at Sam’s Club. I ventured over to check out the new store that just opened up down the road a bit from the house, and as I always do, I went straight over to the book section, and there it was at the bargain price of $8.72, so I picked up a copy.
Even though I purchased my copy, I still wasn’t quite ready for the book. I don’t know what was holding me back, but something over the last weekend changed within me, I can only describe it as a growth spurt. How big? It doesn’t matter, the book still was the furthest thing from my mind until Monday night when I decided that I would go ahead and start reading it the next morning, and watching the On Demand videos of the previous classes.
The book centers around the ego, and how we as a species tend to identify ourselves. I will not go into much more detail, because if you’re not interested in it, I will only bore you, and if it is for you, you will find it on your own. Eckhart Tolle himself states on page 7 “This book is about you. It will change your state of consciousness, or it will be meaningless.”
One thing the book is trying to teach, is how to just be in the present, how to be still, and just BE. Tolle even quotes the bible, where in the scripture it says, “Be still and know that I am God.” One of the lessons instructs you to just stare at a flower, forget labeling it, forget giving it an identity, or even applying the one you already have for it, and just accept it for its beauty. At that moment, I put down the book and I just stared at the bush across the yard from me. Immediately I felt a surge of energy come over me as I realized that here before me lies this “plant,” that is clothed in the wardrobe of a king, stretching its arms towards the light, knowing that all its needs are met, as long as it just continues to be. I was immediately overwhelmed, and I began to cry, knowing that God has the same love for me.
I am loving my life, and each day that God provides me, and each new opportunities that day brings. I am so grateful to be so wealthy, to have such love and support surrounding me, uplifting me, through my family and friends. I pray that they each all know how much I love and respect them, and I pray that I uplift them as much as they do me.
I am grateful for Spring, and the beautiful days that God provides us as an altar to worship him.
