Monday, December 24, 2012

Let Joy Lead the Way!


Read Robert’s poem below and you will remember You Are Santa Claus!
 
Where there is joy, there is Love.
Where there is joy, there is Innocence.
Where there is Joy, there is Forgiveness.
Where there is Joy, there is Gratitude.          

Joy is Light and full of deLight.
Joy is the light that guides the path of those who trust.
Joy is the song that sings in our hearts hymns of praise.
Joy is the freedom to listen within and follow what sings to you.

What brings you joy?
What makes your heart sing?
What lifts your spirits?
What inspires you to give?

Let the children lead us.
Let their natural expression make us smile.
And when we see them sad or hurt or scared.
We feel guilt, because we have not heard or honored them well.

When we see a world in which children are harmed, we know we need to change.
When we feel children hungry or in pain, unloved and neglected, we need to act.
When we understand we have misguided and taught them falsely, we need to forgive.
When we find our inner child is forgotten and forsaken, we must forgive ourselves.

Let us love the little children, all the children.
Let us listen to the child inside who knows not their dreams are important.
Let us believe each one, including ourselves deserves to be heard, trusted and respected.
Let us appreciate the calling for Love in the form it will be most received.

Some need quality time spent being together with no distraction or interruption.
“Just play with me, be with me, see me and listen to me.”
Some need words of kindnessaffirmation and love.
“You are the best. I love you.  Thanks you the precious gift of Love you are.”
Some need touch and affection.
“Hug me. Hold me. Rock me. Lay down beside me.”
Some need gifts and special treasures from us.
“I want something to sleep with, to put in my room to remember your love.”
Some need acts of service. Buy me something.”
“Help me with my homework. Help me clean up my room.
Make my hair pretty
Help me get a present for my friend’s birthday.”


Give every child Joy. (especially You!)
When you give Joy to yourself, you can easily give Joy to others.
Joy is like the sun shining through tears and fears.
Joy is the laughter that comes from sheer delight and amazement.
Joy is the some of a truly grateful soul.

Remember, you are the Gift.
This is the time to reclaim the precious child within.
Loving you, 
Betty Lue



T’was The Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the earth
Was the light of love shining, a holy new birth.
Forgiveness completed, all judgments aside,
My conscience was clear with no hint of pride.
My worries behind me (I'd put them to bed)
While visions so heavenly danced in my head.
The job and the family, all routine, a snap.
Unaware, I was into a spiritual nap.

When out of the calm, there arose such a clatter.
My life was unsettled.  Now what was the matter.
Away from my habits I flew like a flash.
I threw off attachments, and then came the crash.
The feeling was alien, nothing the same.
I couldn't describe it or give it a name.
When what to my wondering eye should appear
But a blaze of white light, and coming so near, 
With a little old angel so lively and quick
I knew in a moment, I was going to be sick.

More rapid than eagles his values they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"More honesty, tolerance, gentleness, trust,
Faithful and generous, with patience a must.
To topple defenses and breach the fear wall
Now dash away, smash away, drop away all."

As just as the leaves in a hurricane swirl,
Or a dancer will leap or will jump or will twirl,
So up in the air all the pieces they flew
And I felt when I looked, I'd see everything new.
And then in a twinkling, I felt with a start,
The growing and glowing, expanding my heart.
As I came to my senses and was turning around
I saw in the mirror an image profound.
He was bathed in bright light from his head to his toe
(His clothes were quite common so no one would know)
The weight of the world had just dropped from his back
And he danced like a peddler devoid of his pack.

He moved and he walked with a sense of great ease.
His lack of self-judgment made him easy to please.
The smile of his mouth was the shape of a bow,
It would light up a crowd wherever he'd go.
His relative silence bespoke inner peace
Letting all in his presence experience release.
He had a bright face and a happy, strong laugh
Which touches the heart, cuts resistance in half.
He was loving and kind, a right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a nod of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
He listened within (a somewhat strange quirk).
But touching his hand to the side of my face
We joined, became one, with no distance or space. 
I knew in that moment just what my gift was
To love all of my brothers, with no "why" or "because".
And I'm here to exclaim, as I grow in Love's light,
Merry Christmas to all, it will turn out all right.

                                             Adapted by Robert Waldon , 1988