The following came to me this morning:

A True Tale

Once upon a time, a prince was born. He was wise, and his voice was high and clear. He grew to be a great king. His voice filled the ears of the people of all the world. He sang of love, joy, hope, and healing, and he sang just for fun. He gave to the people everywhere he went, gave them charity, companionship, comfort and healing. Alas, he was besieged by dark forces who would do him harm, and their siege was never-ending. He battled the dark forces, while always staying light himself, his clear voice continuing to sing sweetly, and all the people of the world still heard him. But the dark forces weakened him, and he died.

Forever after in Heaven, he could hear his own voice singing sweetly, clearly and strongly, coming from the earth. He could hear his own words sung by the people of the earth. He saw the people all around the globe battling the dark forces in his name and in his honor. He saw the people all around the globe giving others charity, companionship, comfort and healing.

And he knew that the people of the world had heard his words and made them their own. And he smiled.

What I don't get is why are so many of us so affected by Michael's death? The regular fans, of course, that makes sense. But people who kind of liked his music, people who didn't follow him or anything, why are they getting so upset? That's really unusual. Me, I feel a soul connection with Michael, I have a few important things in common with him. I think a lot of people feel that way too.

It was like there was an energy shift when he died (?or didn't?--so many are asking). If was as if a fault line, as it were, moved just a little bit and we were all shaken. If I try to think of him really being gone, yes, it's over, I believe it, it's final, he's buried, my guts twist up in knots. I really can't face it. How come? This doesn't make sense. I don't feel that way about anybody else.

The first time I heard on the news that he had died, I simply didn't believe it. My first thought was, Michael can't go now. I'm not supposed to outlive him.

It just seems to me that Michael has a soul connection with a lot of people, and that's why he's so famous, and that's why people really love him so much. I thought this morning, when I get to the other side, who am I going to find out he really is? 

copyright 2009, all rights reserved

It is so easy for us to sit in judgment of others.  We just know, because we're so smart and so advanced, and besides, we heard it or saw it somewhere, what is right or wrong with somebody else.  I don't know if it's our culture, or if it's a human thing.  I know that I was raised with a lot of judgment.  Now I strive always to remain neutral, to never judge others.  It's really hard to do, but we can do it.

Let's not forget, Michael was not the only one who was ever judged.  Let's try, whenever we find ourselves with a judgmental thought about somebody, to remember, it's not our place to judge.  Not only is it not our place, but as long as we are not inside the mind of another, and have not lived their life, we don't know what motivates them, their actions, their words, their behavior.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror.

I'm starting my first blog entry with that phrase.  Before we can commit acts of hatred, we must first hate ourselves.  Before we can love others, we must first love ourselves.

Many, if not most, of us are raised to believe that we are unworthy.  Unworthy of love, unworthy of, well, anything.  Or that we are worthless, without value.  If we carry that throughout our lives, how will we ever attain any measure of happiness or fulfillment?  If we carry that around, how will we ever be able to do anything substantial, or palpable, to heal the world?  Whoever said that we are not worthy was wrong.

Every single human on this planet has the same value.  Every single one of us is a child of God.  Every single one of us is worthy.  It is said that God is love.  It doesn't say God has love, or God loves some of us.  God is love.  We are made of, from, God.  We are part of God.  We are made of, from, love.  We are love itself.

Please, reach inside yourself.  Look for God inside.  Look for love inside.  It's there.  If you can't find it, find a quiet place.  Close your eyes.  Tell yourself, I'm worthy.  I'm important.  I matter.  I am filled with love.  God loves me.  I am love itself.  Feel it in your heart.  Feel your heart fill with love.  Do this but 5 minutes a day.  If you can't feel it right away, you will, with time.

Know that you are loved, truly loved, unconditionally loved.

copyright 2009, all rights reserved