An Answer to a Prayer
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I woke up in the wee hours of the morning for my usual run to the bathroom. I said to God as I walked back to my bed, “it’s time for me to write my divine download and I don’t have anything to write about.” I heard that small still voice of God say “well, let me say it then.” That sounded reasonable and I responded OK. I happily went back to sleep, trusting that God would come through, as promised.
I recently joined a Senior Center in my area because they had some really great exercise programs. Of course, I am the youngest one there! Anyway, while stretching one day, the idea came to me to speak with the director about giving a presentation on Spirituality. They offer all kinds of programs for the body and mind, but I didn’t see anything for the Spirit.
I followed my intuition and immediately called the director for an appointment. I told her a little about myself and what I had in mind. She appeared a little reluctant, but interested in speaking with me. She explained to me that since they were a non-profit agency, they were not allowed to talk about religion, prayer or God. I reassured her that I wouldn’t be speaking about religion and that I understood completely.
I just returned home from meeting with the director and am amazed at what happened. We discussed what seniors need in their life and how Spirituality could be introduced to the center. We even came up with a title for a presentation “Ladies who what to live their life to the fullest.”
It went beyond the Senior Center and giving a presentation. I was led to give the director a copy of my book and a flyer for my next retreat. She then shared with me that she belongs to a women’s prayer group and that she would be happy to pass my information along to the women. She also confided in me that when she started her job at the Senior Center 3 years ago, she told her prayer group that she loved the center but it was missing Spirituality. As I got up to leave, she hugged me and said, “I have been praying and it’s taken 3 years for you to show up.”
Wow, when you listen to your intuition and follow through, you never know what’s going to show up. You just may be an answer to some one’s prayer. Do you trust and follow your intuition? I encourage you to listen to your intuition and allow miracles to unfold, because they will.
The Role of Spirituality in Addiction Recovery – June 22,2011
The Institute for Addiction Recovery at Rhode Island College and Faith Infused Recovery Efforts (FIRE) present…
The Role of Spirituality in Addiction Recovery
2011 Forum
Featuring:
Keynote speech from Patricia A. Burke, MSW, LCW, BCD
Expert panelists to discuss the role that spirituality played in their recovery,
Breakout sessions featuring tai chi, laughing yoga, meditation, music and chanting
CEUs available for attendees! This forum is FREE
I will be leading a workshop called “Pathways to Spiritual Freedom and Well Being”
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
8:30AM – 1:00 PM
RI College Student Union Ballroom
Spirituality can be reached by all people, regardless of age, gender, personal history or recovery pathway.
It is the inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of their being.
Join us as we explore the role of spirituality in addiction recovery. The 2011 Forum will identify strategies for integrating spirituality into treatment and recovery support programs, discovering a variety of spiritual paths to recovery, help attendees understand the importance of spirituality in addiction recovery, and broaden the overall perception of spirituality and the life-changing impact it can have on individuals in recovery.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Sandra DelSesto @ sdelsesto@ric.edu)
THERE IS SOMEONE NEEDING YOU
One of my treasures is a poem that my grandmother gave me at least 45 years ago. She glued this little poem on a piece of cardboard for me. The poem sits in front of a picture she gave me on my dresser. It may sound strange, but I couldn’t remember when I read it last or even what the poem said. Here is the poem.
If you’re feeling low and worthless,
There seems nothing you can do
Just take courage and remember
There is someone needing you
Someone needs your faith and courage
Someone needs your love and prayer
Someone needs your inspiration, thus to help their cross to bear
Do not think your work is ended; there is much that you can do
And as long as you’re on earth, There is someone needing you.
You may wonder why I am sharing this poem with you. This little poem touched my soul deeply and I felt my grandmother’s presence when I needed it the most. As I laid on my bed with tears rolling down my cheeks, I looked up and the poem was literally “calling me.” I jumped out of bed and read the poem. Wow, I couldn’t believe the words that went straight to my heart.
Right before reading the poem, I asked God for guidance regarding my work. I was being called to let go of control and surrender my business to my Higher Power. Several things had happened that week and I felt discouraged and low; one of them being a women’s retreat I had been leading for 11 years that was cancelled due to low attendance. I wondered if I was to continue doing what I was doing.
Between allowing the words of the poem to heal and wash over me and letting go and surrendering the direction of my business, things shifted inside of me on a very deep level. And then the miracles began to happen.
A few days later, I gave a presentation called “Transforming Fear through a Power Greater Than Yourself” at the What Woman Want series in Fall River, MA. It was a powerful and inspirational night for all of the women. One of the women commented to my friend as she walked out, “Pat’s faith and love has changed my life.” I have been invited back to give another presentation in two weeks. Three days later, I gave a women’s retreat in my home, that was equally powerful and inspirational. The love the women shared with one another blew me away. I saw God in action. In the inspirational story that follows, you will read about Sandy and the love she experienced when she found herself at What Women Want and the retreat at my home.
If I can inspire and change one person’s life by sharing my story, it is worth it. I know now, more than ever there is someone needing me and my work is not ended. If you are feeling low and discouraged, there is someone needing your faith and inspiration today. Your work is not done.
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
The last couple of months have been extremely difficult for me. I cannot believe the situation I find myself in with no job, money, a pending divorce and a place to call home. I have cried, worried and despaired over my situation until finally a couple of weeks ago I surrendered to God. I cried out “I can’t do this alone, I’m going to put my faith in you and do your will.” With the help of my friend inviting me to her church, I have been guided into God’s arms and have been embraced with so much love that it truly has been miraculous.
Last Wednesday Denise (who I just met that afternoon) invited me to Water Street Cafe to hear Pat Hastings speak. Pat shared about an upcoming retreat on “Finding Your Purpose” that coming Saturday at her home. Denise turned to me and said “I want you to go to the retreat and I will pay for it.” I started to say no, but she said, “just say thank you and accept my gift.”
After Pat’s presentation, she raised her arms to send out positive energy and asked all of us to do the same for one another. I felt blessed by the Holy Spirit and it became very clear what my purpose was. Pat’s love and faith was so beautiful and powerful for me. My family died when I was sixteen and I always wondered why I was left behind and what my purpose was. People told me I was left behind for a reason but those comments never resonated with me….until I heard Pat speak that night. For the first time, I heard it in my soul that I am alive for a reason and not to try to figure it out. God loves me and I am here to do good, to trust God and believe all my needs are being taken care of. I am still in awe of the bountiful display of God’s love that night.
As soon as I walked into Pat’s home on Saturday, I felt so peaceful. The connection and ease with the other women enabled me to feel safe to open my heart and share my pain and faith. The forgiveness exercise Pat led us in helped me release anger and resentment that I carried for many years. What a relief that I have finally been able to let go and forgive. I feel lighter and happier.
God works in mysterious ways and I am so grateful for the out-pouring of love that I experienced at the retreat. One of the women anonymously offered to pay for spiritual coaching for me with Pat. Several of the women signed up to be with Pat on a holistic cruise to the Mayan Country in January. I was shocked to hear that this same woman wanted to pay for me to go on the cruise. I felt undeserving at first and it was hard to accept these gifts. But I know that it is God’s way of taking care of me and pouring out His love. To think that someone thinks I am worthy…….whomever you are, you will never know how much you have validated my mere existence and I will always thank you in my prayers for your unselfish gift and love. Thank you God and thank you Pat for sharing your faith and love with us.
Sandra Caron
God is in the Details of Our Lives
Closed doors are a part of God’s guidance. When God closes a door, it’s because there is a better plan. If He closes a door, He’ll open another door according to His timing – not mine.
I have been leading Women’s retreats at Lasalette Retreat House for the last 11 years and have loved every minute of it. I am sure for those of you who have attended the retreats, you remember Saturday night when we played, dressed up and wore hats. Each year I looked forward to the retreat and the healing and transformations that I witnessed so powerfully.
I was very disappointed and not a happy camper when the retreat was canceled because there weren’t enough women signed up. What was going on? I wondered. I prayed and asked God if I was to continue doing this kind of work and asked for a sign. I needed to let go of my control and surrender my work and business to God.
God did open another door. I was inspired to lead a four hour retreat and invite the 9 women who had signed up for the retreat to my home this past Saturday. What an intimate, sacred and powerful day we had. I was humbled by the love that was poured out amongst the women. I saw God in action and I am so grateful that the door was opened. It was so powerful that God has put it on my heart to offer this mini-retreat on a monthly basis at my home. When women come together and share from their hearts and know they are not alone, magic and healing happens.
God is interested in the details of our lives if we ask and believe. I didn’t have an air-conditioner in my living room and knew that I needed to buy one if I was going to be leading retreats in my home. I wanted a portable one that I could use in my bedroom and office as well. I listened to my intuition (which I believe is God) and went on line to check craigslist. Was I surprised when the first item was a portable air-conditioner that was 2 years old and hardly used. The price was right too – $175 and if bought new today would be $500. I checked the time she posted it on craigslist. It was 10:17 and I saw it at 10:35. If I didn’t follow that intuitive hit and call right away, I would have probably missed out on this bargain and gift from God.
Do you listen to your intuition and follow through? Do you believe God opens and closes doors for your highest good?
Vision is Having Faith in Your Dreams
When I left Hawaii back in November 2011, my friend Ellen gave me a card that read “keep the vision of coming back.” I knew in my heart that I would be back, but I didn’t know how or when. I didn’t expect that I would be returning for a month in September of this year.
I’ve shared in my blogs that it was my dream to go to Hawaii for many years. My dream came true after I gave a presentation at a local church in RI. After the service, this lady by the name of Ellen approached me and told me how she was stepping out in faith and moving back to Hawaii. I told her about my dream to someday visit Hawaii. To my astonishment and delight, she invited me to stay with her- for as long as I wanted! Who could refuse an offer like that? I took her up on her offer and spent 2 weeks in Hawaii for Thanksgiving. Before I went, my prayer was to be open to receive more of God’s love.
Hawaii changed my life in many ways and I came back a different woman. As many have written, Hawaii is a magical, mystical place. I experienced God’s love in a deep profound way. It was like I drifted through the day feeling the peace and presence of God. I didn’t want to come home.
It took me awhile to come back to reality, if you will. Something inside had shifted. The “doer” in me was giving way to a new place of “being” and my capacity to receive was opening more and more. I didn’t feel the need to push and make things happen as I did most of my life. It was somewhat uncomfortable at first, but I liked the peace I experienced when I allowed myself to receive the good that I was attracting into my life.
I feel so blessed that I have been invited back to “house sit” when my friend Ellen goes out of the country. What I am learning is that when you believe and expect the best, you will receive the good that is rightfully yours as a child of God. Everything you do and experience in life is due to your conscious and subconscious thinking. Think good and good follows. Have faith in your dreams. Never give up, the miracle may be right around the corner. I kept the vison of returning to Hawaii and am counting the days until I set foot on the beautiful shores of Hawaii. I am wondering what God has in store for me this time.
What is your dream? Are you expecting the best to come? As Ellen said to me, “keep the vision of coming back.”
The Magic of Saying No to others &…….YES To Yourself
Join Pat Hastings, Spiritual Life Coach & Inspirational Speaker for a night of transformation and healing at “What Women Want Series.” Spirituality begins with your relationship with yourself. It is nurtured and developed through relationships with others, and culminates in a sense of purpose in life. In this fun, interactive workshop you will be given the tools to stand in your power – a “must” for healthy relationships. When you get comfortable saying “yes” to yourself, which sometimes includes saying “no” to others, you will be better able to say it in a way that is safe and lovable. You will also be empowered to create what you want, protect what you value, and change what doesn’t work for you. Develop your ability to stand in your power, take spiritual responsibility for your life and live from a place of authenticity.
WHEN: June 22, 2011 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Water Street Cafe, Fall River, Water Street, Battleship Cove, MA 508-672-8748
PRICE: $6.00
Come Home To Yourself & the Divine Power Within
Would you like to discover your God given gifts and use them to make a difference in the lives of others? In this retreat, you will learn how to go within and find the answers you have been seeking about who you are, and the unique gifts you have to offer the world. The first step in this process of discovering who you are and what you want is learning to love and forgive yourself. You will live an empowered life when you step into your Divine Purpose.
Join Pat Hastings in a safe sacred environment for a powerful day of transformation and healing.
DATE: July 30, 2011
TIME: 12:30-5:00 p.m.
WHERE: 113 Wyndham Ave. Providence, RI
REGISTER: 401-521-6783
PRICE: $60
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