Lessons:

1. Let’s get all the gunk out of our system.  Then look at them.  Bless them and let them go. This will bring us tremendous relief.
2.  Beware when we are about to quit.  Let’s make sure that we are not quitting when the gem we are looking for is almost at hand. Maybe, all we need is a little more patience, with a little more work.

Dr. Beth feels that the end is coming close.  Thus, anxieties and stresses caused by the process she is going through come much too often for her to handle.  She is blessed to have the tools to help her during the anxious and stressful moments.  Thus, she has decided to focus on the ending process–with all its pain and glory.  She is determined to release all the gunk out of her system, which are still there.  From her studies and work/mission, she has learned this:  Get it out.  Look at it.  Release it, and bless it. Let it go.

All of us humans have the basic need for love:  to love and be loved.  Thus, we keep going through the process of falling in love again and again, despite the pain that “love endings”  bring.  So why do some of us miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime–that of loving and being loved in return–truly and sincerely? When will some of us ever learn that in spite of our strong protestations about needing a special someone in our lives, saying that we can do live alone contented and self sufficient, the need is still very much alive in us? There is no escaping away from this fact.  The need for love is a part of our DNA!

Because of the difficulty of dealing with her partner after the latter’s illness, she (whom we will call Lei) decides to go on a scheduled trip. During such absence on her part, she resolves to stay in the relationship, to be extra nice to him, to take care of him during his vulnerable times.  She sees all the good in the marriage as she makes all kinds of positive resolutions.  She realizes that despite their arguments in the past, they are still together because they talk things out.  No third party comes in the picture to muddle the issues they are working on. With all these beautiful thoughts, she goes back; only to find a divorce waiting for her. What a bummer!    A third party (whom we will call Jan) is in the picture!  Jan tells Lei that somebody will help Lei pack her things, bring her and her things to where she needs to go.  The next day, Jan leaves a message in Lei’s cell phone, telling the latter to be an adult, pack her things, and leave.  Lei still tries to talk things over her partner, doing niceties to please him.  However, she finds the doors closed for some of these niceties.  One day, he tells her that he is uncomfortable in Lei’s being around.

When they sit to talk again, she breaks down.  Life becomes too much, and she wants to end it.  Alarmed, Lei’s partner calls her sister.  Her sister comes to pick her up, to save her from the harm that the situation is causing her.

So what is the opportunity of a lifetime that is missed here?  A great love that wants to be born and nurtured again. At the start, it was soul satisfying.  It can be done again, with both parties’ cooperation.

Ah, sometimes we are so close to finding the gem in our lives that we have been looking and longing for, only to stop looking and longing–and doing something about it– when it is almost at hand.  This brings to the author’s mind the story about acres of diamond.  A farmer starts digging–and keeps digging–hoping to find the diamonds (or something precious).   However, he stops when he is almost there.  In his frustrations, he sells the farm. The person who buys the land continues digging and finds the diamonds (or the precious item) short distance away from the spot  that the farmer stopped digging.

Oh! Isn’t that a sad commentary for some of us?  That we stop when we are almost there?  When we leave, somebody benefits from our past efforts because whatever we are looking for is near the spot where we stopped.

Note:  From hereon, as I see fit, I will use the first pronoun and use the present tense.  I will also start, first,  with the lesson in case  you, the reader, does not have the time or patience to read a long post.   If such is the case, you will, at least, read the lesson.

Lesson:  When the situation we are in becomes too much for us to handle, let us start by day by sitting still, and listen to our inner Voice. In fact, we need to take time to do this even when things are smooth  and easy.  We may call this meditation or prayer or quiet time.  It does not matter what we call it.  We just need to do this before we start attending to the day’s task.  Yes, I know that modern life is busy; but we need to make this a priority to continue being productive–or to be more productive.

Today, I again wake up with a heavy heart due to the ending-beginning process I am undergoing.  Specifically, I dread attending to the process’ requirements.  I sit before my altar and start praying the Jesus prayer that I shared in an earlier blog.  Afterwards, I remain still for some time, and the message comes:  ”Live large above and beyond the small place you are in.  Your greatness shines through regardless of such seemingly ‘unpalatable’ condition.”

Wow!  Powerful!  Do you now see the reason behind the lesson stated above?  For me, the quiet time before the busy period is crucial.  It is a holy hour where messages come  that uplift and inspire me.  In fact, it is during this hour that I receive many of the ideas that I write about.

As a result of the prayer and the message, I attended to the day’s tasks–especially those that I dread– with energy, light heart, and a clear mind.  To this, I say, thank you, God!

Before Dr. Beth walked today, she started singing. This continued during her walk. The song that came is shown below.  She just invented a term for this:  song-poem.  How is that for a new term?  Not prose-poem but “song-poem.”

My heart is singing, singing
and will keep on singing
about JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY;
many souls it will buoy.

At times, I feel the pain of living
But I’ll keep on singing, singing,
Until the pain starts leaving
And comes complete healing.

Then my heart will loudly be singing;
my soul will be boisterously laughing,
and my feet will be skillfully dancing,
I will even start expertly writing.

My heart is singing, singing
and will keep on singing
about JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY;
many souls it will buoy.

Oh, well…. For the moment, this will suffice.

Today, Dr. Beth woke up with a heavy heart.  She sat on the coach and started praying:

“Lord
“Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” She repeated it many times, saying it more  like a mantra.  After some time, she felt as if the feeling of gloom was lifted, and she felt lighter. This form of prayer may not resonate with some metaphysicians.  For  Dr. Beth, however, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” is a powerful prayer.  In her heart, it translates into “Thy grace is bestowed upon me.”

Some time ago, Dr. Beth read a book about a monk who consulted many religious people on how to pray unceasingly. He learned that one way is to keep uttering the above-mentioned prayer.   To teach it wherever he went became the monk’s mission.  Many miracles happened, which were attributed to the power of this prayer.  In extreme situations like deep pain, confusion, presence of an urgent need that needs to met,  Dr. Beth utters this prayer. Immediate positive results happen, as in the morning situation mentioned above.

Another power that Dr. Beth has learned is that of surrender.  Simply stated, let us just surrender everything to God, especially when it looks like that we are running of options or when anything becomes too much for us to carry.  In metaphysical parlance, this means “Let go and let God.”  Two compelling situations in Dr. Beth’s life attest to this power.  Leaving an impression on her, she remembers them clearly, as if they just happened yesterday.

1)  One afternoon when she was living in Oceanside, California,  she started driving with a feeling of gloom that was weighing heavily on her.  She talked to God, surrendering such feeling.  Within a brief time, she felt lighter, with the unpleasant feeling going away–just like that.  She felt as if the whole sky cleared up, and her usual happy self came back.

2. One time, living alone in an empty house in Oak Park, Michigan, she felt deep sadness–feeling alone and disconnected from everyone.  She went to the park.  When she got there, she asked God to take over such feeling since it was becoming too much for her.  She took a long walk in the park.  When she got home, she found many messages in her answering  machine.  Some friends called to tell her that they were thinking of her; some, that they missed her. Still others wanted to get together with her for a shared activity.  Needless to say, these messages replaced  the feelings of being alone and isolated with a sense of belonging and being cared for.

This topic is further explored in Dr. Beth’s book, “Whispers of the Soul,” pages 298-304.

The lesson?  Pray, pray; and pray some more–during the good times and the not-so-good ones.  Prayers cause miracles to happen.

At this moment, this author’s thoughts are about praise.  Since many of the postings in this blog mention her book, “Whispers of the Soul,” she wants to take advantage of this momentum. The time has come! Shown below are positive comments about the book.

Daniel Jacob, Semi-retired Mechanical Engineer; Fremont, CA: “Wherever you turn, there is something nice to read.”
Carol J. Reese, Retired Medical Technologist; Marquette, MI: “I found it very easy to read.  Lot of deep thoughts that are very well explained.  Poetry is beautiful.”
Joy Salgado, Minister, Wisdom of the Heart Church, Deerfield Beach, FL: “Reading this book makes me feel wondrously alive, because it invites me ‘to hear my inner joy effervescing.’ ”
Kenneth F. Berger, Retired Building Inspector/Contractor, Rapid River, MI: “In ‘Thoughts about Mortality,’ you must have been probing my mind.  You in your wisdom reached out to the aging among us and described the mind direction many of us develop.”
Elizabeth Cooper, CNA, Garden, MI:  “It is…a good book, and I will cherish it all my life….  Your story gives people a glimpse of a larger force at work in our lives–-one that hovers over our struggles on our physical disabilities, weaving them into something gained….I encourage you to write more books.”
Cordie Siddiqui, Registered Nurse, Plant City, FL:  “It mirrors one’s life and surprisingly lifts one’s being to a higher plane of existence.”  In an earlier letter, she says, “I have read some pages already, and I can’t help feel a thrill, a joy, an inspiration, and deeper insight with each particular poem.”
Marian Herriman, Retired Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher, Ceresco (& Garden), MI:  “It is a lovely read; there is something to match any mood you may be experiencing.  I’m giving some as gifts to my special friends.”
D. Allana Warner, Retired Professional Organizer, Rapid River, MI:  “Every now and then, a book comes along that touches one’s very depths.  Beth Mercado’s original poems in her ‘Whispers of the Soul” easily count among them.  All of her bits of wisdom from today’s times and ancient times gathered together in this one place makes for easier understanding in today’s world.
Marlene Holtzapple, Businesswoman, Mishawaka, Indiana:  ”I enjoyed your book very much, it is very inspirational.   I keep it on my stand by my reading chair, so I can refer to it often.”

The following came, unsolicited:
Pat Waeghe, Gladstone, MI, the lady featured in a previous entry:
***I DO love your book – great thoughts!”
**”YOU are the bright ray of sunshine in people’s day and just think how you are spread even farther because of your book and the great thoughts you have put down for everyone to enjoy! And, of course, when anyone even looks at the book, that great and beautiful orchid on the front can only cause one to smile and think of beauty and peace – and then they open it! See – YOU DID IT!”
Judy Brown, Ceresco,  Michigan:
**“Your inspired words bring me back to my core. And by the way, Marian said she flips through and reads a page, and it’s always just what she needs to hear! Isn’t it wonderful what some would call coincidence and others may call Divine Order?

I’m so grateful for Marian giving me this wonderful gift, and for you having the courage to overcome your hardships to write and publish it. It’s a book I will keep handy and pick up and read a page or several pages, knowing it is God’s message to me for what I need at the moment.”

**”Reading your book gives me reminders that sometimes slips from consciousness temporarily.”

The lesson?  There are many published books out there that contain life-enhancing ideas that have not reached the attention of the media. but which inspires people.    Dr. Beth’s “Whispers of the Soul” is one such book. If you want to visit the book’s webpage, just click on the book’s title; and you will get you there.

When Dr. Beth wrote her first praises to an interesting lady, Josie Melcher, she said that this blog may be filled with similar tributes.  Well… Dr. Beth’s thoughts are, again, along this line;  first in a previous entry about Joy Salgado, and now about Pat Waeghe.

Who is Pat Waeghe?  Pat is a designer/manager of a contracting and sales company located in Upper Peninsula,  Michigan.   Dr. Beth and Pat met in a retreat held in a Methodist church in Gladstone, Michigan.  Dr. Beth had flyers and a copy of her book, “Whispers of the Soul,” on display.  When she saw the book, Pat read some pages, then went around, showing  it to the retreatants.  Such introduction resulted in Dr. Beth making a presentation to the church’s Bible study group.  Through Pat’s tireless efforts in promoting the book–saying something good about it every chance she got– at least 20 people signed up to buy their copy.  During the retreat, Pat helped wherever a hand was needed– e.g., in the kitchen where food was being prepared, in the sales room where various items were being sold. The wonder of it was that one could hear Pat’s laughter and joyous words as she did her tasks.

Aside from being a full-time executive, Pat is also a wife, mother, grandmother, and an active member of her church.  She also tends to her garden.  So one can imagine how full is her plate. (This author can go on and on about her admiration for Pat, but the following suffices for the moment). Amidst such busyness, she manages to do whatever much-needed project is brought to her.  The most recent one is about baking pasties for the church’s fundraising. In her own words (bold emphases are Dr. Beth’s),  ”We have made 890 pasties this week-end which is an awesome record breaker for our Church Kitchen!  This means we will clear 2 grand in profits AND I will now have enough to purchase the double stack convection oven that we need so badly.  So, SUCCESS for sure!  I was pretty excited.  We have between 75 and 100 people out to work and everyone has a great time.  It is by far our best fellowship event.  I bought enough ingredients to make about 800 pasties, but I think the Good Lord simply makes everything multiply in our Church.  He knew I had so many orders and I still wanted some to sell for Sunday morning – I am sure of it, ha,ha.  Anyhow, it was a great event and I am still excited over it even though it wears me out from having to push so hard to pull it off.  But, it was for God and with His help – everything works out for the best!”  Dr. Beth congratulated the venture’s success, and she emailed back, “Thanks for the congrats.  It was so exciting and to see everyone out laughing and enjoying each other while we are actually making money is really something impressive.  Our pasty sale is really our biggest and most fun project even though it is also the most work.”

Do you hear the joy expressed through these words?  From this author’s point of view, Pat’s life is one of beauty and joy, filled with interesting activities.  In addition, it is this author’s belief that Pat gets inspiration and energy from nature, which is one of her loves, as expressed  in the pictures that she takes.  What is Pat’s secret for her happy, tireless, and engaging nature?  Her deep faith in a loving God. When you have Pat in your corner, life becomes a joyous adventure.  Dr. Beth knows this first hand.

The lesson?  Once again, let us open our eyes to our individual wondrousness and that of our fellow humans. Regardless of what is portrayed in television programs, there are many of us around.

Dr. Beth often speaks of this world being populated by wonderful human beings. She feels blessed to know a number of remarkable ladies.  One of them is featured here:  Joy Salgado.

Being a metaphysical minister with a master’s degree in metaphysical studies, Joy can be considered an expert in metaphysics, not only in theory but also in its practical application. Such expertise, especially in its practical application, has resulted in a glorious life for her. Dr. Beth can describe at length such life and Joy’s fine attributes; but for now, Joy’s most recent miracle will suffice. (In a recent post, Dr. Beth talks about her being surrounded by people who manifest the power of words and thoughts. Reference to such power is explored in “Whispers of the Soul,” pages 304 and 305. Joy is one of these individuals.) Joy just sold her real estate property in Cebu, Philippines; and through, serendipity she bought a two-hectare farm where she plans to build Joy Center, a center for healing and miracles. By the way, through the years, Joy and Dr. Beth have been talking about such plan.  Will it finally be put into action?

In addition, Joy plans to have the following planted and/or set up: fruit trees, butterfly garden, and organic vegetables. The farm is two hours north of the main city, Cebu, and 30 minutes from the beach.  Knowing her, there is no doubt in Dr. Beth’s mind that Joy’s plans will come into fruition.  After all, the land is already there, waiting.

Joy shared with Dr. Beth her most recent affirmation, which is being shared here: “New peace, new love, and new abundance  are manifesting today in my life.” To this, Dr. Beth is adding: “new adventures.” So let us all say the  following: “New peace, new love, new abundance, and new adventure are now, today, manifesting in my life.”

Thirteen-year old Jeremy Marcelo has been featured here once, as the youngest singing sensation. Now, he is again being featured, this time as a budding poet. Check for yourself. You be the judge. Here is his latest poem that he showed this author last night.

Depression

The loud silence.
The explosion of nothingness
all around you.

Filling the air,
swallowing everyone it touches.
Taking your happiness
and ripping it to pieces,
burning it to cinders,
and extinguishing it completely.

The warm, comforting sun
blocked out by the clouds that it sent,
spilling blue darkness into the room.

The hope for a better tomorrow
ruined by its return.
Coming back
day,
after day,
after day.

As you lie in your bed
and stare at the ceiling,
you wonder,
“When will it stop?”

Do you see what I mean? Every time, I read this poem, I am awed by Jeremy’s talents. And as he often says, “I’m only thirteen.”  Well done, Jem.

The lesson?  Let’s remove our blinders and open our eyes to the wonders of youth.   Ah!

In this entry, the  first-person pronoun, definitely has to be used. Everything is written in the present tense. Truly, I am baring my soul naked here. I trust that this is another lesson we all can learn from.  If this is the case, then it is worth all the efforts I put in this post.

During the month of September, 2010:

**Early part–I leave the marital home.  My family picks me up.
**From early part until the latter part–I take the needed time to recoup my energy and heal  from the shock of what I call “the experience of injustice.”
**The memorable 24th–I make a decision to start moving.  I write the following affirmation, which I believe is shown in a previous entry:

“Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am born anew.  I am    starting over with a BANG.  I can do it!  I am doing it!  I am making it–grandiosely.”

**Before the end of the month–I finish writing “12 Steps to Powerful Beginnings.”  Inspired by this, my sister, Violet Mercado, the technology expert, sets up and launches this blog.

During the month of October, 2010:

**From the 1st of the month until this writing–I post the entries in the blog. I experience life’s highs and lows.  During the down times,  all I can do is self care, which I talk about in the said 12 Steps.
**Middle part of the month–To lessen the stress I am undergoing and to protect my rights, I hire a lawyer.  I do this after much soul searching and research.  God knows  that I do not want to do this; but for my sake, I must.
**After much research, I find a support group for people who are experiencing the same process. Attending the meetings give me much comfort.
**I set the “Global Outreach Task (GOT) in motion.  There is an entry in the blog explaining this project. Briefly, I want to promote the blog worldwide because of the life’s lessons I share.  Through such lessons, I aim to teach, inspire, empower, and heal. By the way, I have learned from many of such lessons. I am praying that many will join me in this endeavor.
**Because of my memorable positive experience with the people at the United Methodist Church in Gladstone, Michigan–especially Pat Waeghe–I attend the same type of church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The people, from Pastor Len to the greeting staff and other church members, go out of their way to welcome me. I experience a sense of belonging. During the pastor’s sermon, I even cry, which shows that I am deeply touched. The tears are good for my soul. Wow! Wow! What a loving world I am discovering and live in!  This confirms my belief that there is goodness in every wo/man (woman and man).
**I attend a Tai Chi class held in the church. Once again, I find the people warm, friendly, and helpful. Before the end of the class, the instructor even gives me and another newcomer special instructions about certain moves. I The poses are good for my body. At this starting point, I find it hard to follow the steps. I know that in due time though, I will learn and remember them.  After the class, I have a nice talk with the pastor, who is still in his office, finishing his work.  I tell him about my recent writing, “12 Steps to Powerful Beginnings.” He is interested in reading it.  I email him a copy.
**I keep looking for avenues of expressing my talents and abilities.   At the right time, I will follow through on a couple of them.

Overall, it has been quite a journey. Against all odds, I believe I have done well. I am truly blessed that I am with my family who understands, and is very supportive of, what I am going through. Friends are also sources of strength when the going gets rough and tough. The lawyer, Michele Hebner, helps lessen the stress and anxiety that “the process brings.”  Of course, my main source of support is my indwelling Lord.  This explains why despite the “lowest of the lows, I am still intact in spirit, mind, heart, and body.  Yes!  Within us all is an infinite capacity not only to survive but to flourish. Praise God for this miraculous journey that leads only to my highest good. I declare this. I am open to it. I accept it. I give thanks for it.

What is the lesson? Taking a review like this invites us to closely look at the total picture of any experience, especially a negative one; and learn from it. We realize that we have the strength and the stamina to persevere. Importantly, we learn that we can succeed in anything we set our minds and hearts to do.  Due to the inner resources that we can always tap into, we can rise above any human condition.  Praise God.

According to the site, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto, experiments done by Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto, indicate the power of words and thoughts.  The water crystals formed of droplets of water (before they are frozen) are beautiful when positive words are uttered; ugly, when negative words are spoken.

Some people doubt the validity of such experiments.  They claim that they do not conform to certain scientific standards.  But according to this author’s views, Emoto’s scientific findings are valid.  Dr. Beth’s world is populated by people who believe in such power and continually demonstrate it in their individual lives.  She also has also seen this in her own life.  For example, when she was younger and single, she saw the poverty around her, often caused by too many children born.  She resolved then that when it was her turn to be married and have children, that she would have only one child.  And she does have only one child.  But the the No. 1 proof pertains to her having recovered from a nearly immobilizing and fatal stroke, against all odds.  She shares this in her book, “Whispers of the Soul,” pages 365 and 377.

Then there is the quantum realm.  Simply explained, our thoughts,  beliefs, and consciousness are sifted through the quantum realm.  Whatever these are, negative or positive, they manifest themselves in our physical lives.

Such power is also validated in the Bible:
Power of thoughts
Romans 12:2:  ”… Be transformed by making your mind over.”  A translation that persists in this author’s mind is:  ”Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Power of the spoken word
There are many Bible versus that speak of this power.  Foremost of these is:
Proverbs 18:21:  ”Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

What is the lesson that needs to be repeated here?  Be aware of the words that you often utter and the thoughts that you often think of. If you utter words that you do not want to manifest in your life, say, “Cancel.  Cancel.”  When you became aware of thoughts that you do not want to be expressed in your life, change them. Affirmations are powerful tools for such change.   As the title of radio program of this author’s teacher (the late Eric Butterworth) says, “You can change your life by altering your thoughts.”

More explanations about this subject can be found in Dr. Beth’s book, “Whispers of the Soul,”   pages 305-308.