I’m Listening

Ok… let’s be honest… the title of this story may not be the truth…

Actually, sometimes I don’t listen.

I get stuck in my head with the same old, limited thoughts rattling around… but..

I ordered flowers from my friend Robin at Mulberry Row.

She texted me afterwards and told me that she would like to donate a Christmas tree with decorations and her mom would like to add $100 and give that to a family who might need it. I emailed Gail from the Helping Hand Ministry at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science who does a toy drive and gives grocery gift cards to food insecure families in our area. Gail and Robin are working out the details so Robin’s donation will be shared.

I heard the caring and the commitment.

The Miracle of Gratefulness

I needed my gutters fixed so Rolando showed up last month to give me a price.

We started talking and, as it usually does, God came up in the conversation. Rolando showed me a scar from a car hi-jacking he was involved in. A man came up to him, pulled him from his car, pointed a gun at him… Rolando closed his eyes and prayed… when he woke up he had been shot, was badly bleeding and was alive.

His wounds healed and instead of “sinking” into thoughts of fear and regret, he decided to meet each day with love, compassion and joy for every moment he is alive. He now spends his extra time trying to help others realize the beauty in life.

I heard the gratitude.

A Customer Service Moment

I had to resolve an insurance bill.

I called and got Christina in customer service at the insurance company. She asked the usual questions and then we started talking about our Thanksgiving celebrations and how different this year was. I asked her how she stays sane talking to all these people everyday. She said, “It’s interesting. I like talking to people. If you listen and really try to help you can learn a lot. I guess I stay happy because I like people. Everyone’s different and most people are very kind. I think I like helping out.”

I heard the patience.

The universe has a way of talking to us.

As we move into the holiday season, if I can focus on others with love, I know I will be carried through…

If I can let go and be open to what is and stop telling myself a story full of expectation tempered with past references… if I can just listen… I know it will be a beautiful, remarkable time.