Pain.......

I was having lunch at school with my son and his friends. The school is having a poetry competition that had them memorizing and performing a 25 line poem- this exercise is mandatory. They were all excited because the semi-finalists came out today.

One of the girls recited her poem for me and it was entitled "Pain" by Ellen Kang.

I have been having some personal and spiritual growing pains of my own- so I saw it as a message- and I was very focused on what she was saying..

Her poem was dark and shocking; it dealt with someone wanting to silence the pain and run from it through addiction and suicide- but it was much more than that.

For me it identified the many painful places that I (not so long ago) had and still have on some level... I welled up as she finished and was amazed and her emotion as she recited it. I gave her a high Five and told her that was beautiful.
(She probably thinks I'm a weirdo...lol)She said no one really liked it because it was about suicide. I told her it is about more than that. Her poem makes people uncomfortable with the pain of others and their own pain.

I've been reflecting on this during this New Moon-
Pain is necessary- whether physically,emotionally or spiritually; it is designed to stop us and have us look at the source of the pain for the lesson, the learning.

Then we will choose to allow it- accept it- and grow from it... OR
pain can also causes us to blame- to wallow in it and to deny it..and rid ourselves of the experience of it.

Pain is a change in the making- a change of consciousness- or a change in our physical way of doing. But the loving force of the Divine; allows us the free will and allows us to feel the pain- like a parent who knows what's best and allows us to do it our way. Knowing the pain will come. Knowing the pain will teach
Now that is purely unconditional love....


The thought for the day is From The Prophet- by Kahlil Gilbran
Pain

And a woman spoke, saying, 'Tell us of Pain.'

And he said:

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility:

For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,

And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.

Kahlil Gibran

A Village of One- Rise

Some days, I feel like a Village of One.

There are many times in our life when we will have to choose between doing the safe and easy thing- or the harder, better thing.
That sounds simple enough in theory, but as martin Luther King said;

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy"
--Martin Luther King Jr


Fear is a crippling thing.

Courage asks you to rise in spite of popularity- of the status quo- of harm- or retaliation.


Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I marvel at how "gangs" band together to create destruction, chaos and fear..but seldom do we have "gangs" of do good-ers banding together to take a stand for Peace, Love..

Each loving sensitive person in this world feels like a Village of One; unable to have the strength to overcome these darker forces... alone.

Nice people are afraid of making people angry, we are conditioned to turn the other cheek; afraid to Rise, to become a target......

Setting Peaceful, Loving boundaries and speaking our truth will always annoy people who are not being their highest and best..

But your example will empower others to have the courage to Rise..........

With Love and Compassion and en-courage-ing each other,through our example- we can make a difference.

You are not alone, have the courage to speak up and speak out.
Speak of Love, Hope and Peace, justice and the right to be...
and before you know it you will not be alone anymore....

Here is the thought for the day;
And I Rise- Maya Angelou





Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.


Namaste,
Marianne Goldweber

Rainbow of gratitude

"There are times I forget to be grateful
easier to see things that are wrong
as I dishonor the the gifts I've been given
with worry, angst and woe.


There are times I need reminding
of the things I take for granted each day;
my children, my home or a stranger,
sent to brighten my way.


Take some time to say thank you
for the blessings that color your day;
Those colors will form a rainbow,
and chase the darkness away.
"

~Marianne Goldweber

Do you know God?

The more I know and accept myself,

the more I know God

The more I replace judgment and fear with Peace and Compassion,

The more I know God

The more I give myself in service to others,

The more I know God.

Marianne Goldweber

Marianne Goldweber: A Comitted Life- The road to true wealth

Marianne Goldweber: A Comitted Life- The road to true wealth

www.mariannegoldweber.com

A Comitted Life- The road to true wealth

The situation with our economy is a ‘wake-up call’ for our society and the way we’ve chosen to live.

We’ve skewed the priorities; where material wealth and 'things' have us working 2 jobs- putting our kids in the care of strangers. We pass our partner like a ship in the night, and generally having been financing our happiness.

We are spending our free time addicted to reality programming.
It's more amusing to watch the pain and drama in other people's lives than tuning in to your own reality show.
No one is tuning in to your life and it's chaos and drama- including you.

So how do you define a successful life?

I believe that true happiness asks us to re-evaluate our priorities
and accept our part in our unhappiness.

We need to stop blaming and get accountable.

We need to embrace gratitude.

We are being called to become truly powerful in our lives.

Purely accountable to what is really important for each individual.

Getting re-invested in our happiness by removing the things, thoughts and actions that are not Peaceful Loving and Joyful.

Not and easy task! But worth the effort.

Our disposable society has us devaluing things, people and relationships.
We are demanding more and more- but giving little.
And yet, we are dissatisfied.

So... you think your boss is a jerk and you can't get promoted? Maybe you have a bad attitude. Maybe you are not clear in communicating what you want. Are you a team player?.... It’s not so easy to just quit your job, because jobs are scarce- how can we better communicate, set a boundaries and find a common thread that brings us together?

You hate your neighbors or the neighborhood- and can’t move because you house won’t sell- but when was the last time you went out and helped your neighbors- or sat on the porch- played with the neighborhood kids (or your own for that matter)or started a watch group or had a block party?.

No one is responsible for your happiness but you.
It's not the money- or the job- or the house- or your boss- or your kids- or your partner.

It's YOU- you are part of the equation.

There is a personal investment and responsibility in commitment.

This change is forcing us to get INVESTED in our happiness;to be accountable to our job, our family, our home, and our neighbors.
People have been in a form of denial..

It's like waking up to a blaring horn and realizing you've been sleeping in the middle of the street; then wondering how you got there.

But the good news is there's hope!
By becoming accountable, instead of blaming;
we can own it, fix it and change it.

Human's only learn through pain and don’t really value what we haven’t worked for-
so put on your overalls- roll up you sleeves and dig in!

We can then lay a blueprint for our future- for our children's future.
Where a world of suffering, chaos hate and blame are something we read about in a history book.

Marianne is available for personal and spiritual development classes- seminars and one on one coaching sessions.

Change- The river of life.....

Change
I always share in lectures that human beings only learn through pain. Sounds grim but it is a fact....and resistance to change is the cause of suffering for many of us..We will do anything to avoid pain.

Change is a constant state; What I believed to be true from my limited perception in youth; due to lack of experience and my inflated ego- came to be a humbling.But I could not see that until I looked back in my adulthood.

Lack of faith-insecurity, ignorance and ego are the saboteurs in our ability to accept change.

What brings peace is understanding that there is a current under the canoe of life and no matter how hard we paddle that current is going to take you down river.

I am an avid canoeist- and we would take 3 day river trips- sometimes with people who never canoed in their life..We would stay in the rear and watch as the river took a turn, and in the bend there would be a tangle of debris. We would tell them not to paddle- but steer only at the bend- but inevitably they would not listen. It was amusing to watch people paddle their proverbial butts off- only to get caught in the debris- having to get out and drag the boat- as we gently and effortlessly glided past them...

Life is like that. We are faced with change and we resist, we struggle to stay where we are. With what is familiar- where we feel powerful.

Change asks us to admit we don't have all the answers, that there is an exciting opportunity waiting around the bend. We would rather struggle and fight- but inevitably the current takes you downriver- around the bend. Whether you like it or not.

Let's embrace change- not as something to fear- but as a chance to stretch- learn something new to explore the journey on the river of life...

Just remember as my friend Chuck used to say ":Just go with the natural flow of the river!!"

Then you can just enjoy the view....

Thought for the day

The river- Garth brooks
You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
It has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance that tide
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
With the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Lord, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Angels in disguise!

This is a re-post- it is significant for many reasons......


Just when you think the Universe isn't listening a messenger arrives.

These are the people we meet, who appear for no other reason than to tell us we're special, that we're loved, or just that we are not alone.

Once, a long time ago, I had a little store that sold herbs,teas smelly soaps and such... It became a gathering place for people like yourselves who felt the need to connect, some without knowing why.. It was a peaceful place, and I still miss it dearly.

During this time, I personally went through a number of life altering changes in less than a 3 year period; I had to leave a career I loved. I became a mom for the first time- I started a business from scratch- Oh- and got divorced...each transition brought challenges of it's own, but in my case they all came pretty simultaneously.

One day,(the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak) I stood at the counter, in my little store talking to a client, when a rather surly man came in and said- "You're getting divorced" and served me with divorce papers.I knew my relationship wasn't good- but I was shocked. I was not able to contain my emotion. My client was horrified that she was witnessing this.

And at that very moment, there was someone ringing the doorbell, even though the door was open.

I pulled it together the best I could and went to the door. There stood the most amazing little white haired woman and her husband, they were less than 4 feet tall, and at least 80+ years old, the woman had a halo of white hair, and her lipstick was a little out of the edges.
Her smiling husband stood silently next to her.

I told her were were open and I invited her in; but instead she said- "Are you the owner?" I said yes. She said "I heard what a nice person you are and what a darling little shop you have. I don't have time to come in today, but I just stopped to meet you and to give you something."

She took my hand, and drew me outside to her, and gave me the most powerful hug I have ever had. I felt like I was being hugged by God himself; the outpouring of loving energy took my breath away..I was speechless...

When she let me go, she said, "I'll be back another time" and they turned and walked away.

I stood there in disbelief, knowing that I had received a visit from a spiritual being. I went back inside, and my client was standing there, crying.

She said, "Those people were Angels"....

I don't think either of us were the same after that day....

Remember, that all is never lost.
Angels are everywhere, sometimes even disguised as Grandmas and Grandpas...
on a mission of Love.....


Namaste,
Marianne Goldweber

Marianne Goldweber: The embodiment of Empowerment- A Parable

Marianne Goldweber: The embodiment of Empowerment- A Parable

The embodiment of Empowerment- A Parable

The embodiment of Empowerment

The embodiment of Empowerment-Marianne Goldweber

Empowerment is an interesting word. It’s not about giving someone power- it is encouraging, supporting and nurturing the power that is within everyone.
We tend that seed of our purpose- our greatness- that lies within us all….

I will share with you a gardening parable…..
Life is like a garden.

The seed already has within it, the power to be what it is destined to be. The gardener gives it fertile soil, moisture and the loving act of nurturing; as the seed becomes a sprout. The gardener continues to tend for that fragile sprout until it’s roots take hold and it is strong enough to seek it’s own sources of nourishment.

This is where the wisdom of the gardener knows she must wean the plant, gradually exposing it to the elements, as it instinctively reaches toward the sun. This makes the plant more hardy and self sufficient.

The gardener must encourage the plant through this weaning process- to drive it’s roots deep or the plant will not have the ability to withstand the drought, storms and winds that the gardener knows will come.

Each plant is unique- and the gardener gives each what it needs. Some of the things that the plant really needs- the gardener knows she can’t provide. The plant’s needs are far below the rich topsoil, and above; through the energy of the sun.
The gardener gives the plant-in the sowing and tending- a beginning that will increase it’s chances of survival, and in spite of her tender loving care- some plants may not thrive. It’s not solely through the tending that determines if the plant will survive.

The gardener knows when to come along and pull the weeds. She waits before giving the plant water or it will become dependent on the gardener.

The gardener rests and waits for the harvest and then enjoys the fruit of her labor.
Every season must come to an end and eventually each plant will die. But the gardener is not sad, for she knows the plant will pass on that wisdom to the seed that it carries- and she will teach others to tend the garden-and those seeds will go forth to be planted in the next season, by wise and loving hands.

Within each of us lies the seed of our destiny;
and within that seed is the love of the gardener
and the wisdom of the source from which it came.

.