Thanks to the wonderful Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton, Congregant Care Minister at Creative Living Fellowship in Phoenix, I have the habit at year-end of choosing a word for the New Year. This year my word is “One.” (If you would like help in selecting a word for yourself for 2013, I invite you to join Rev. Mitzi at the Franciscan Renewal Center on New Year’s Day at 3 pm for her meditation and labyrinth walk. Click here to learn more.)
“One” feels right for several reasons, although having it simply feel right is reason enough to choose it. (Often the reasons are clarified during the year.) As I begin a new year and another 12 months to practice receiving with grace and ease, I will remember that I am one with my Source. The source of everything I need is not my employers or clients; it is not the government, my financial institutions or advisers, or my insurance companies. It is God, and like Harry Potter’s bank account, my supply is never diminished by my making a withdrawal of any kind.
I will remember that I am one with every person on the planet: the driver of the car that’s tailgating me, the person chosen instead of me, the shooter in the most recent tragic act of violence, the telemarketer who calls during dinner, all of my readers, and all those who don’t open my newsletter. I will forgive myself when I forget this in the moment, and then I will remember again: we are one.
I am one with all I need. I am one with my body, my breath, and life itself. Any thought to the contrary, any sense of separation is an illusion, nothing more.
A Meditation of Peace and Oneness by Ute Maria
I know that I am one with God, the very Ground of Being. My heart is wide-open to receive the gifts of this Holy Season. The whole world celebrates new Life, amazing Love and radiant Light. I join in the celebration with a renewed reverence and a deeper respect for the sanctity and beauty of all life. I realize that the gift of Life is infinitely precious, and I bless and appreciate every sacred moment. I remember to express more love and compassion than I ever did before. Where there is conflict, I am peace; where there is hatred, I am love; where there is darkness and despair, I am light. With deepest gratitude, I welcome this new day and this new Earth. Spirit is born again and my Joy is complete.