Many people today are awakening with a desire for a better life, a better world, a world that works for all.
There is an awakening with vision that is in alignment with Higher Power, realizing this is a power for good and we can co-create with It.
There is an awakening with a vision that is so potent and encompassing that it moves us into action with commitment.
This growing understanding of the power of this universal mind that is connected with our individual mind opens us to the realization that we are all one in spirit.
When we are going down the road of life and it looks like we will hit a brick wall or indeed we do not see the wall and we hit it full on.
This wall represents a life threatening disease, death of a loved one, divorce, unexpected trauma, addictions, deception of a trusted one or a group. For many people there will be some adjustment, a turn in the road and the traveling will be very much like the past with a few alterations. For others this brick wall will be a spiritual wake up, recognizing a call for a change in thinking, feelings beliefs, attitudes and values.
There is an awakening that we do have the ability to be open to
new possibilities, ideas and solutions. We can awaken to the power of our mind with powerful affirmative prayer, meditation, spiritual reading and support from teachers and like minded friends.
A person once told me, Rev. Nancy I know of people who have made changes in their lives, in fact healing illness, due to changing their diet and exercise. Yes, this happens and before a person can make the necessary changes in life style, it begins with thoughts. Awakening. Being aware. Listening to divine guidance with a willingness to explore and follow through in action. There must be a willingness to look at the situation in a different way... open to a different view.
Having a vision of perfect health and opening to guidance with a commitment to action has healed many people
Science of Mind, “Principle is not bound by precedent.” We are not bound by our past. Our past is not our potential.
It is said that "need is the mother of invention."
Our thinking paves the way to our desired expression.
With vision we open ourselves to higher wisdom, insight and
intelligence, our higher self, our god self. With vision we see,
hear, feel, smell and even taste a greater expression of life. We
We catch this vision, a glimpse of what we were meant to be and do, as we meditate and center ourselves in Spirit.
We are all born with a burning desire, a torch inside us waiting to be ignited. It is our birthright to let our light shine casting out the darkness of fear and anxiety, lack and limitation. As we allow the light of optimism and goodness shine we allow others to let their light shine. With vision we open to something greater.
It has been said that if we know how to express or reach our vision then our vision is too small. With a vision we do not know how. We just know what!
We have the present situation and a vision. In between is a gap. The gap must be activated with dedication and commitment to bring the vision into manifestation.
That vision can be about better relationships with family members. It can be about a more fulfilling relationship with the god self. It can be about health, career, community, home, financial balance and prosperity.
There is the vision and then we look at where we are. This is where doubt, fear, anxiety, lack, limitation and many related feelings come into play about not being enough or having enough. Fear can literally destroy a vision before it has a chance to begin to look at or explore possibilities. It is dead upon arrival when at the gap!
In the mind of God there is no big or little, hard or easy. No one is closer to God than another. No one possesses more truth than another. The universal mind has no choice but to create whatever thought that is given to it.
How good it is. What a relief to know that life will mirror back to us what we think, feel and believe, big or small.
You are much more than you realize. Spiritual guidance, grace and a wonderous life is available to you.
Ramakrishna: The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is for us to raise our sails. Just raise our sails and be in the flow with direction, dedication and commitment. We must be willing to surrender to this moment to catch the winds of grace. We must also pay attention to the rudder that sends us in the directions of our vision.
When sailing the sail boat does not go in a straight line to catch the winds, it must tack back and forth as it makes its way across the waters to its destiny.
Sometimes the waters are ruff and sometimes smooth.
Sometimes there is much wind and sometimes the air is quite still. There is always attention with adjustment to the sail, the winds and the rudder.
We must be willing to flow with the winds of grace trusting in faith. With the direction set in vision and a commitment to surrender to this moment our vision is manifested.
We have our present situation and we have a vision. In between is the gap. This is where the power lies. It is here that we listen to guidance to establish a plan of action, a business plan, a financial plan, a plan for greater health, a plan for greater joy and relationships.
We begin with where we are now. Our plans are created with our sails raised to catch the winds of grace, wisdom and awareness and intellect. We raise our sails to be in alignment with Higher Power.
When we are centered in the heart, we are mindful, present in the moment, open and ready to receive. When there is a congruency of thought, feeling, beliefs, attitude and values with vision and commitment we are ready to receive.
A young boy went next door to comfort an elderly neighbor whose wife had passed away. When he returned home his mother asked what he did and said to the man. The young boy replied, Nothing. I just sat on his lap and loved him.
This young boy was listening to his inner guidance and knew that all he had to do was to love his neighbor. Words were not adequate.
The truth is that what we are creating here is much greater than my message on Sunday morning. We are creating spiritual community. My message here with you is only part of what this community is about. How good it is when we can come together with friendship and fellowship to share, learn and experience the principles of life in community. How good it is to come together supporting each other as notes in music where there are many different sounds with different notes creating harmony, making beautiful music together.
This week there were a few times when I was able to marvel at the snow flakes coming down with such grace and beauty. Large ones and small ones falling on trees, the ground, the sidewalks, streets, on cars and people. It felt good to walk in the snow falling down so gently. A few years ago a person took the time to look closely at snow flakes and learned that each flake is different. Similar characteristics, yet each snow flake unique. We are much like the snow flakes, very much alike yet each of us a unique expression of the divine.
In spiritual friendship there is kindness, openness, curiosity and love. These are indicators of following spiritual guidance, indicators of being in that essence that is God, being in the place and space of oneness. Whenever there dissention within ones self or with others there is a separation from God. How good it is to be able to have different opinions with respect and an openness to discuss in the flow rather than to accuse, put down or belittle.
When we come together in community we are creating family, a chosen family, with vibrations of unity in the community, attracting like minded, a space for others to come learn, grow and appreciate life. We are creating community that vibrates out into the larger community, creating a better life, a better world, a world that works for all. We provide the opportunity for children to come and grow in these principles. How good it is!
Jesus or Nazareth told us, “It is done unto us as we believe.” This is telling us it is done for us, not to us. We must listen and hear.
Truly there is a power for good greater than us and we can use It.
People today are coming together in community, awakening to Higher Ground in alignment with Higher Power with a vision so potent and encompassing that it moves us into action.*** 

Nancy Whitson Kandel is the Spiritual Leader of the Pittsburgh Center for Spiritual Living. She has a MA in Education and a MA in Consciousness Studies with Homes Institute, CA