Autumn: Time for Letting Go and Gratitude

This time of year is the season of letting go. As the leaves change color and fall from the trees, as summer fades into cooler weather and kids go back to school, as we begin to feel the rains coming in California and the shortened days of autumn, we may look forward to the warmth of family holidays or dread the darkness of winter. Each one on us has a different response depending on our memories and our stories about the autumn. Seasons and weather changes, holidays and family gatherings, inviting our historical review of what has come before as we anticipate what is yet to come. The ease with which we let go will allow more graceful changes.

Do you let go with grudges or gratitude?
Do you let go with guilt and regret or with resentment and pain?
Whether releasing people, things, jobs, homes or memories, experiment with your letting go attitude?
Explore the emotions and residual feelings of letting go with love and gratitude.
If your usual response is to resist and linger in the aftermath of grief and longing, try letting go with full free expression of your love, respect and gratitude for the value received.
Try writing the fullness of your love and desire to continue to remember the gifts and blessings of each person, place and thing that you have left or seems to have left you.
Let go and still retain the blessings of what has been.
Let go and value the remaining learning, experiences and gifts of the past.
Let go and keep the flame of love alive in you.

The deepest pain we ever feel is when we shut down or limit our capacity to extend love.
So return to the letting go moment and fully give the love you feel, the love you are, the love that was needed, the love that still lives in you.
Give love and letting go will be a greater gift to both giver and receiver.

Letting go with love and gratitude,
Betty Lue

Issues Confronting You?

What do we do when crises, healing and financial needs, life’s issues confront us?
What do we do when destructive storms rage, political fires burn and hateful words are spoken?
What do we do when tragedy strikes, when our friend is dying, and someone we love is afraid?
What do we do?

What is our spiritual strategy for salvation?
What is our spiritual model for healing?
What is our spiritual process for choosing?
What is our spiritual agenda for living?

When the problem seems to be worldly, we usually seek a material solution.
When the crisis seems to be physical, we often seek symptomatic relief.
When the issue seems to be emotional controversy, we often get logical.
When the tragedy seems to be great loss, we usually feel grief and despair.

Perhaps the only problem is our lack of trust and hope and love.
Perhaps the real issue is separating ourselves from the Source of All Good.
Perhaps when we fall into fear, we fall out of Love.
Perhaps when we believe in evil and bad, we suspend our faith in Forgiveness and Good.

Changing our minds heals and transforms our lives.
Letting go of limiting myths about lack, loss and impossibility opens the door to infinite Good.
Letting go of fears of what bad might happen undoes the dam that blocks unlimited Goodness.
Releasing our past with forgiveness leaves only infinite gratitude and love for perceived blessings therein.

Today I choose a new strategy to save me.
I choose to have faith, trust in Divine Outcome and love for All.
Today I choose a new strategy for healing.
I choose to trust in the path of healing with gratitude and love.
Today I choose a new process for deciding.
I now decide with love in my heart and gratitude for all I perceive.
Today I choose a new agenda for living.
I choose to live freely, love endlessly and laugh openly.
I am happy, grateful and in love.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Make Agreements You Can Keep

In relationships, families and communities, there need to be conscious collective agreements made, so all participate have a clear understanding of their role, function and purpose within the greater whole.

Experiences as coach, consultant and therapist have shown me that with clear guidelines and commitments from all players, the community will be successful for everyone.
It is the responsibility of the designated leadership to ensure that all participants are in alignment and equally committed to the success of the whole.
Sabotage, both conscious and unconscious, are the result, when any individual feels their rights, privileges and responsibilities are not respected and valued. Therefore, all members must participate in creating a safe environment where everyone’s needs are heard and respected.

Areas of needed agreement:

Leadership and Membership
How is the leader chosen? Who shall lead and by what method?
What are the requirements for participation in the community?

Decision-Making and Agreements
What is the decision making process?
How are agreements made?
What are the terms of those agreements and how are they to be changed?

Finances and Fiscal Responsibility
Who is responsible for the finances and the accounting?
How are the members to contribute or be assessed?

Division of Labor and Roles
What are the functions that need to be filled to maintain the community? (no part is too small to consider.)
How is is decided what roles to play?

Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution
How are problems resolved?

Space and Domain Rights, Responsibilities and Privileges
How is space usage determined?
What are the rights and responsibilities of those using space and resources?

Remember that assumptions will create misunderstandings.
The clearer and simpler the agreements, the more likely they will be honored.
Everyone must participate in the agreement process.
Periodic re-evaluation of the effectiveness of the community functioning is essential.
Continuous education, inspiration and improvement must be made to maintain the successful community, family and relationship.

And remember, it is dependent upon the most conscious person to remind the others of what is good, healthy and essential for the benefit of all concerned.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Healing Begins Within

Before we can have the wholeness and well-being we desire, we must heal from within.
Just as peace begins within, so does the healing from whence peace and wellness are born.

How do you heal what is not real?
To heal, be aware of what is calling for attention, forgiveness, correction or right perception.

Wherever there is upset, there is a healing need.
Wherever there is a physical, emotional, mental, financial or relationship crisis, there is a call for healing.
Wherever there is judgment, there is a call for forgiveness.
Wherever we experience unloving feelings, there is a call for love.
Wherever we feel conflicted, there is a call for clarity.
Wherever there is fatigue, there is a call for rest.
Wherever there is hunger and thirst, there is a call for satiety.
Wherever there is a lack of kindness, give the kindness you seek for yourself.
Wherever there is lack of faith, be willing to believe in a greater wisdom and power and love.

Yes, it is this simple.
Give yourself the help you need.
Do not wait or procrastinate.
Do not blame or condemn the past.
Do not distract or try substitutes.
Give yourself what you really need now.

What confuses is the belief these experiences are calling for external cures.
When we believe in external causes (parents, past, politics, pollution, etc.) we rely on external solutions.
When we know we are responsible for our responses to what we experience, we choose differently.
When we accept responsibility for our whole lives, we choose to encourage our learning and wisdom.
When we realize we are teaching with our words and actions, we choose to heal and find the good.
When we understand peace begins within each one, we accept the call to extend only peace.
When we commit to live our faith and give our love, no one and nothing is exempt from our blessing.
When we are healed, we are not healed alone.
When we find our way home, everyone is blessed with a conscious living example.

All are healed when we heal our own mind.
Beginning now and now again,
Betty Lue

Vision for Community

True Community is a family, partnership, business or group that provides a safe place in which each individual is respected, is responsible for their contribution and cooperates for the good of the whole. Community = coming together as One.
I have known true community in all these circumstances. I know it is possible where there is trust and freedom, as well as a willingness to communicate and learn together.

As a community and team builder, coaching couples, families, churches and business partnerships, there are several keys and building blocks for success. While I will explore some specific tools, know that each community requires healing its own areas of dysfunction and unconsciousness and strengthening its unique values, and vision, function and focus.

Keys for Successful Relationships (Community)

Common Goal or Vision. There is agreement within the group as to where the community is headed (desired outcome).
Some goals for communities (families)- to service and contribution, to comfort and financial stability, to successfully raising one’s family, to providing a home of faith, to increasing one’s economic strength in the market place, to bringing more people to God.

Honesty. There is open communication with no withholds, secrets or gossip. Everyone shares the truth they know to provide a bigger picture of the whole. Community members seek for the highest form of truth that is constructive, helpful and benefits the greater whole.

Equality. Everyone is encouraged to share the best they have regardless of age or ability. All contributions are received with respect and gratitude. Equality is non-comparative and comes from the intrinsic worth of each individual.
Commitment The community members commit to what is for the highest good of all, rather than simply their personal needs .
Letting go is an act of love and trust, when it is for the good of the community. Agreements are changed openly, as changes are required to maintain the greater good. When one loses, all lose. When one wins, all win.

Responsibility. The ability to respond to whatever life and relationships bring is increased by taking impeccable care of oneself. When the members are committed to the greater good, they each take responsibility for any unconscious or conscious error of omission or commission. Each is capable of responding with forgiveness and understanding, education and wisdom, helpfulness and service, encouragement and inspiration. Each one care for everyone.

If you have known successful viable community, family, marriage, business or partnership, it is far easier to learn and grow in building true community. If you have never known what works, much is learned through trial and error with happy willing learners. With those who are unwilling, unhappy, or stuck in dependence or self-sufficiency, creating true community will be difficult and discouraging. For success, always assess the potential of the current circumstances and participants.
Be honest, clear and affirming. If those who join you are unaware or unwilling, it is time to choose again.

With Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Betty Lue

I am in Kalamazoo Michigan September 23-27 officiating a wedding, a Reunion Ministry Reunion, Coaching with Spirit Weekend Workshop and a Reunion MasterMind Gathering. Much fun for all.

What Do You Serve?

We all serve…
We serve a cause, a belief, a lifestyle, a person, our living God.
We serve life-affirming causes as well as those which are life-negating.

Do you serve your fears?
Do you serve your neediness?
Do you serve your hungers?
Do you serve your family?
Do you serve a rule or commandment?
Do you serve what is right and wrong?
Do you serve a charitable cause?
Do you serve a believe in being positive or loving?
Do you serve your country or your faith?
Do you serve your doctor, your minister, your lawyer or your parents?
Who and what do you serve?

Who you serve reflects your allegiance, your loyalty and your fear or faith.
What cause you serve reflects your beliefs, your purpose and your choice?
How you serve reflects how much you respect and take responsibility for your service.

We are all choosing daily.
Our lives reflect our choices.
Our mental, physical and financial state reflect the power of our choice.
Only we can choose the cause, the allegiance and the role we play in our service.
Love and fear may look similar, but the outcome will be totally different.
Serve what you love and you will know great peace and joy.
Serve what you fear and you will know more fear and uncertainty.

What you serve grows in power.
Who you serve you become more alike.
How you serve becomes your fulfillment.
Choose well and you serve well.

Loving you,
Betty Lue
Loving and serving God (Goodness) with all my heart and my mind.

Daring to Dream

To vision your highest good, you need to heal your judgments, fear and disappointment.

When I ask “What do you really want?”, many respond with “I don’t know.”
To dare to dream requires healing.
When you have wanted, have your been disappointed?
When you have asked, have you been told “NO”?
When you have gone for your dream, have others been skeptical?
When you have succeeded, have friends been jealous?
When you have tried, have you quit?
When you have worked hard to accomplish, have you failed?
When you have prayed, have you felt unheard?
When you have dreamed, have you judged it was too big for you?
When you have been inspired, have you discouraged yourself with practicality?

As little children we imagine and pretend.
We practice for what we want to be, to do to have.
When the world of adulteration mocks, limits, and discourages us, we quit on ourselves.
We learn to compensate for disappointment by dismissing our dreams and denying our creativity.
We compensate for our lack of inspiration with short term gratification and temporary pleasures.
We have a list of excuses, justifications and reasons for not going for it.
We simply get comfortable in less than true and lasting joy.
We take solace in comparing ourselves positively with others.

I forgive myself for quitting.
I forgive myself for limiting myself.
I forgive myself for making excuses.
I forgive myself for holding onto past failings.
I free myself from the past and choose to live with joy now.
I trust my life purpose and follow my dreams.
I live in love and know what and where and with whom I am to be present.
I live with full trust in the Essential Goodness and creative potential and energizing Joy in me.
Life works for me as I live my Highest vision for the Good of All.

It is never too late to begin again.
Listen within to your Trusted Friend.
Know you are loved as you Love the One You Are.
Know your life is valuable as you realize your value.
Know you are a gift of Joy and Love as you give yourself the happiness and Love you seek.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Life is For Giving

Yes. Your life is forgiving and for giving.
And You are the Gift to be given.
It is only in giving the gift of Your Self that you realize the Gift You Are.
So Give Your Whole Self to Love today and Love will give to You.

For many years this has been my theme song. Even chants and songs have been written and these words used to conclude talks given. They are prayerful affirmations of the Truth…Our sacred Truth.

Only when we cease focusing on getting anything can we realize the infinite value of our giving Self.
Only when we give All to All can we follow that inner call home to Eternal Peace and Love and Joy.
Only when we really know the perfection of our Love can we see the Light of our Healing Presence.
Only when we rejoice with each opportunity to give and live from the Source within can we begin.
To Realize our Holiness is the fulfillment of our heart’s longing and the homecoming we seek.

We are that which we seek to Be.
And we can only see what is, when we are giving what is given to us.
In gratitude and Love for Being, we find our purpose and our Source.
In sharing our inner light we can see the path before us is lighted for us to follow.
In living from a place of Divine Wisdom, we hear from our own mouths, the words we long to remember.
Our lives are divinely guided with each freely expressed act of Love and Faith.
We are the gift of prosperity abundantly given, when we give our All to each humble call.
Changing baby’s diapers, comforting the fearful child, encouraging the new parent, thanking the helpful salesclerk, forgiving the unconscious act of disrespect, sending peace to the conflicted, singing lullabies of peace to the weary, giving food to those who hunger, being present for the one who needs to speak. These humble calls ask only that we be present with our loving heart and grateful mind.
In each one we remember what is of God.
We know our own Holy Good and we are free to love unconditionally, to serve from the heart and to remember God.

This is our Gift.
Our lives are the sacred gifts in which we only must be present to be the Gift We Are.
This is Good. This is God. And so it Is.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Coaching for True Vision

If you don’t know where you are going, how can you get there?

Have you ever noticed that when you have accomplished your goal,
It may not be enough and you seek something else?

So often people are going for specifics…a place, person, property or income.
Often people vision for what the mind can measure and direct.
Often people compare what they have with what others have.
Often people believe their value lies in what treasures, goods and investments they own.
Often people vision and affirm getting something that requires money and time.
And sometimes we follow the direction of the world, and fulfill someone else’s dreams.

These visions may elude you, if in acquiring them you lose your integrity, your loved ones, your health or Life Purpose.
To fully align with the Universe, the God of All Being, the Goodness and Perfection which lies within you, your vision needs to be what is True for You.
You can get what you work for.
You can have what you want.
You can earn the recognition and wealth you seek, but you may be called to let go of your true inner call.
Some want to have it all….both worldly dreams and spiritual fulfillment.
Some may even have the opportunity to experience both, but rarely are they found in the same moment.
What is of this world pales in the face of that which is Eternal.
What is of God cannot compare to worldly gains.
Along life’s way many learn how to choose by having and losing what they think they want.
Learning to let go of what is valueless is a key to finding your True Prosperity.

I recommend you look deep inside.
I encourage you to go deep within.
I invite you to learn to listen to the Greater God and find the truest Good.
Within you lies everything that is Whole and True and Loving for You.

Go to the ocean shore, the riverside, the still pond and listen to what is Essential.
Go to the forest trees, the desert Sun, the majestic mountains, the golden fields and ask.
Go to your open mind, your gentle heart in the still of the night and wonder aloud.
Be still and listen…..
Who is it That I AM?
What am I to do here?
Where am I to go?
With whom am I to be?
And How shall I live?

Know you are each one guided perfectly from deep within.
Only when we ignore the external voices, the distracting sounds, the detouring pleasures, the chaotic world, can we find our Real Self and the calling of our Heart,.... to Be of God, to share our Good and to know the Great I Am.

Loving you with a Heart that is True B’Lue

Healing Reminders

In the next few months I will be writing and putting together past reminders for our health, healing and well being.
Healing Reminders will be offering some clues to our overall natural state of wholeness.

Humanity often seeks outside solutions for problems we have blamed on external causes.
Stress is the cause of a diminished immune system mentally, physically and spiritually.
When we allow more tension, stress and uncertainty that we can easily accommodate for our defenses break down.
When stress goes up brain integration (the ability to think both creatively and analytically) becomes impaired.
When we have so much stress that our ability to respond easily with the reserves of energy and consciousness needed to return to our natural state of balance and wholeness, we challenge our natural immunity.
When we are vigilant for an extended period of time, it takes a toll on our overall physical and mental health.

Quick fixes are the uses we have for people, prescriptions and even prayer to temporarily handle our stress filled lives.

How would life be if we sought only to live in peace, harmony and happiness.
How would our lives be if we looked at what really lifts ours energy to be, do and have?
How would our health be if we only had as many duties as we could easily manage>
How would our health be if we lived within our means?
How would our resilience be if we sought to find harmony and happiness within our current circumstances?

Only when we are in harmony with ourselves and our lives can we make fully conscious decisions.
When we are stressed or fearful, we have decreased ability to think both expansively and practically.
I recommend finding inner peace first.
I recommend taking care of our survival, security and safety needs first.
I suggest that people find a place, a time, a person and/or a method of returning to a state of love and gratitude.

In our natural state of love and gratitude (inner peace), our resources, inner guidance, clarity of vision, direction and focus are all available.
Creating more simplicity and peace for me and you,
Betty Lue

Do You Remember How to Play?

Gia’s first soccer game was yesterday, so Grandma Betty Lue and Grandpa Robert were there.
Family support was delightful…her Papa, his Mom and her husband, three aunts, one uncle, and six cousins, including one on her team. Indeed her family made up the majority of the cheering section for her coed team, the Firecrackers. All were five and six year olds, learning about the rules, teamwork, listening to a coach and enjoying the play for itself. With only five minutes at a time on the miniature field with two players and one goalie for each side, everyone took turns as goalie and played with all teammates at various times. (Only six kids on each team.) Only encouragement and simple direction was given by the coaches and all of us cheered for everyone. It was simply delightful watching the hard work, focus, and active learning. The coaches were Dads who knew how to love and encourage each child uniquely. Yes, plenty of “mistakes” happened, like going the wrong direction, being distracted and forgetting to tend the goal, blocking your own teammates kick, being afraid and backing away, someone getting his hand stepped on and coming off the field temporarily in tears, but everyone had a great time. Everyone felt successful. Every player left feeling like a winner, as they all congratulated each other at the end of the game. After the forty minutes of play, we all were appreciative of the hard work, concentration and confidence it was building in every child. Gia had made all three goals and was tired and happy, but immediately took time to run to the playground for some time with her friends.

When we cheer for all, everyone is a winner.
When we are encouraging rather than comparing, everyone feels happy.
When we come together as a family of support, we provide security, safety, comfort and love for all children.
When we are happy and helpful, it always works.
When we play at life with focus, determination and hard work, giving it our best, we always succeed.
When we know that how we play the game and have fun is what matters, we follow the helpful rules of kindness and respect.

How do you play?
Do you learn and build your confidence, when you play at life?
Is life a game of winning for all?
Do you help everyone to do their best?
Are you appreciative of the learning and growing we are all doing?
Are you encouraging with your words and actions with children and adults?
Do you notice how your thoughts make a difference in how you feel about yourself and others?
Can you clear your consciousness of negative, comparative and unkind thoughts?
Are you willing to be a positive, encouraging and supportive coach for yourself and others?

What a world this could be, when we all give our best to everyone!!!
Love and Gratitude for the Essential Goodness in You and me,
Betty Lue

Everyday is a day to remember…Love.

In meeting yesterday with gathering of women friends from Santa Rosa, I asked the question:
“In what do you trust? Where do you find safety and peace in a fearful world?”

Each one has a unique answer which suited their life experience and beliefs.

“I ask myself, What can I do? Recently, I started a large democratic discussion club where issues are presented and discussed without bashing others’ viewpoint. I invite those who are negative to speak.”

“I go to the person who appears to have fear, judgment, resentment, hurt and share my intention to be a friend, listen, do nothing that offends them. I make amends and apologize when I have erred. I have the courage to initiate communication and I listen.”

“I allow myself to feel the feelings we call ‘fear’ without making up a story about WHY I am having them, and simply allow the sensation to dissipate, which it usually does fairly quickly.”

“I breathe and invite myself into prayer and reflection. I listen to my inner voice and breathe in PEACE.”

“I don’t experience fear or conflict. I am kind and respectful to everyone, so I receive only kindness and respect. My life is good. I have no complaints.”

“I speak up about my opinions and feelings. I express them and usually find a way to make myself and others laugh,”

“I create new thoughts by doing something fun, loving or creative. I write a thank you note, clean my house with joy, try a new recipe, help someone in need, or simply express gratitude for all I have.”

“I know we are safe. Our safety lies in our faith, our belief that we can do no harm nor be harmed. I know that when I criticize, blame or judge another, I am adding to their fear and to my own. Therefore, I forgive my judging and fearful mind. I erase the thoughts that seem to scare me and cause me to withhold my love. I recognize that when I am attacking anyone for anything I am adding to the problem rather than seeking a solution.”

What do you do to feel safe and guild a safe and trusting world?

Trusting you and me to set us free from fear.
Betty Lue

Free Workshop on Sunday from 2-4PM Learning Difference, Not Disabilities: Enhance Learning and Memory with Brain Gym.

How do I live my vision and find my way home, when I love others who don’t support my choices?

If you look at your whole life, see how you are not willing to follow the Spirit of God in your heart.
When you look at your life, you may see times you have taken the steps to follow and judged you made a mistake. You may see how your fear of making another mistake is interfering with your inner knowing and willingness.
You may see how you have spent much of your life blaming and/or waiting for others to take you or lead you or hoping they would take the risk for you.
You may see that you are more concerned about how it looks to others than giving others your Godly example to follow.

When the world is going in the wrong direction, it is Christ that leads us in the right direction. The one who follows God never fits with the worldly path.
God asks us to be willing to listen and follow.
Ego is constantly doubting, questioning and trying to figure out how.
Begin with taking responsibility for where you find yourself today.
Forgive your self for judging your “on and off the path” life choices.
Respect your creativity.
If you want to change your path, simply forgive and choose again.
Look for how God has used your whole life, mistakes and all for Good.
Then co-create your life for the Highest Good of All.
Let the Universe align with your choice to serve the Greater Good, which always supports everyone, even if they do not agree.
Holy Spirit directs us so that no one loses.....
Yes, most may resist and some may stay behind, but that is their choice, not yours.
It is time to totally support your freedom and trust your choices.
Listen to the Voice for God. Listen to the Joy within.
Loving you,
Betty Lue

Some obvious and not so obvious truths about vision fulfillment.

Forgive yourself for waiting, delaying and distracting yourself.
Take responsibility for how you have created your life until now.
Give yourself permission to simply let go of it all and choose again.
“From the field of infinite possibility, what do you choose for the good of all?”
The ask God and yourself, how and where can I begin? What is my first step.
You are called to not make up what others will think or say or do.
Your call is to share your joy and trust in right outcome.

What Have You Created?

Some folks are good at creating wealth.
Some folks are good at making love.
Some folks create loving families.
Some folks create good prayers.
Some folks are good at creating adventure.
Some folks are good at making trouble.
Some folks are good at creating things and people to fix and change.
Some folks are good at creating opportunities for fun and freedom.
Some folks are good at creating ideas and vision.
Some folks are good at making dreams come true.
Some folks are good at stirring the pot and rocking the boat.
And some are good at calming the storm and soothing ruffled feathers.
Some folks are good at argument and debate.
Some folks are good at starting wars.
Some folks are good at tooting their own horn.
Other folks are good at making others feel good.
Some of us create beautiful words or songs or stories.
Some dance and move with grace.
Some can cook up a storm.
Some can paint or clean or repair.
Some folks spend their lives complaining about not doing anything.
Other folks spend their lives doing whatever they want.

What is the life you have created?

One key to creativity and fulfillment is taking responsibility and appreciating the life you have.
If you don’t like your life, forgive your judgments and accept responsibility for what you have.
If you do like your life, accept responsibility and appreciate your creativity.
To honor and respect your creativity in creating the life you have is to empower yourself to create again.
To complain about your life and criticize and blame others, is to dis-empower yourself and deny your creative potential.

Even in our unconsciousness, we are creating.
Even in our blame, we are creating.
Even in not choosing, we are creating.
Even in following others, we are creating.
Even in letting things go, we are creating.
Even in playing weak and small, we are creating.
Even in being needy and afraid, we are creating.
Even in whining about what we don’t have, we are creating.
Even in running away, we are creating.

What are you willing to create now? And how???
Loving you,
Betty Lue

Can You Bloom Where You Are Planted?

Do all flowers bloom where they are planted?
Some wither and die.
Some can barely find enough energy to create one blossom.
Some bloom profusely.
Some keep on generating new blossoms endlessly.
Some struggle just to stay alive.
Some propagate many other flowers.
Some are picked and shared with those who need some love.
Some are simply mowed over by the unconsciousness world.

Where are you planted?
Are you blooming with health, energy, contribution and creativity?
Have the conditions of your environment become less healthy or nourishing?
Who provides for your food and water?
Who loves and appreciates you?
Who reminds and encourages you?
What gives you strength to carry on?
Who knows what is best for you?
Who have you empowered with saving your life or taking care of you?
Whose lead do you follow?

If an orchid listens to a water lily for the right conditions to thrive, who is making a mistake?
If a wife asks a husband to give her what she needs, how can he know more than what he chooses?
If a spiritual being follows a worldly being into making money to survive, who is right?
If we listen to a dying flower to learn how to live, might we not be confused and angry?
If we follow the path where most folks go and see them not very happy or healthy, we might think twice.
If we find ourselves hungry and thirsty for real food, fresh air and pure water, we need to find the Source.

Transplant yourself when needed into a natural setting which values your presence and offers favorable conditions.
Give yourself the respect and love to assess your current conditions, favorable or not.
Blame no one for the choices ( or the choice not to choose) that got you where you are or kept you stuck.
Be willing to move on in ease and grace for the Good of All.

If you would grow to be your best self
Be patient, not demanding
Accepting, not condemning
Nurturing, not withholding
Self-marveling, not belittling
Gently guiding, not pushing & punishing.
For you are more sensitive than you know.
Mankind is tough as war
Yet delicate as flowers.
We can endure agonies
But we open fully only to warmth & light.
And our need to grow is fragile as a fragrance
Dispersed by storms of will
To return only when those storms are still.

So accept, respect,
Attend your sensitivity.
A flower
Cannot be opened
With a hammer.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

No, we are not moving.
Yes, we are open and willing to create a sacred space where all may gather at the river for sanctuary and solitude.
We are willing to build a community of those who wish to live their potential abundantly and contribute joyfully.
Freedom and trust are the keys to following the calling of your heart and your spiritual vision.

Expanding Vision

Projecting our wishes or fears onto our own dreams or others’ visions and dreams
may distort or distract us from their true intention and value.
Being free to move, to change, to listen and follow, may not mean we do anything physically.
Letting go of attachment to outcome and to our current comfort is the key to freedom.

When we are free, we are connected with the Infinite.
When we are free, we listen to our own inspiration.
When we are free, we live in trust.
When we are free, we know all is Good.
When we are free, we are unafraid.
When we are free, we are creative.
When we are free, we encourage freedom.
When we are free, we are not dependent or attached.
When we are free, we live in JOY!

As we have recommitted many times in our 20 year marriage, Robert and I are following the calling of Spirit, to follow the joy within.

The vision is a community space, a place in nature, where people come to share and explore, to work and to play, to teach and to learn, to receive and to give. This retreat place will likely be within three hours of the Bay area, where we can “gather by the river” and experience “peace like a river”. With practicality it will be near an airport to welcome visitors from everywhere, easy access to quality food and needed amenities. It is likely to call people to come to live nearby and to visit whenever they are called.
It is a spiritual oasis, shared in community…with music and movement, healing and creative wellness, relationship communion and group communication, creating beauty through all media, healing practices and practitioners, workshops and classes, meditation and silence, building family and community.

We are called to share this creative space with all of you——a space of inspiration and homecoming in which each person comes to find themselves, to listen within to their own needs, to honor their own inspiration.
Everyone’s unique gifts will be honored.
Those who are able will share financially.
Those who can will share physical labors of love.
Those who can will create beauty.
Those who can will garden.
Those who can will make music.
Those who can will help clean and prepare nutritious food.
Those who can will laugh and love and lift.
All will be honored for the gifts of the heart they bring, for such is the Glory of God and Good that lives in each one of us and calls to be expressed with Joy.
This retreat will be about attitudinal healing, creative wellness, finding your passion and living your purpose.
The sacred space will offer simplicity, solace, silence and serenity to heal hearts and open minds to universal truth, understanding and inspiration.

We are not new to beginning again. We are not new to creating with Spirit.
With total faith and joy we have been inspired to create a gathering place for healing and Reunion in Santa Rosa in 1985,
spiritual wellness retreat in Asheville, NC in 1986-87,
a three month healing and transformation intensive in Pleasant Hill in 1987,
a spiritual print shop and communal living in Bozeman Montana in 1988,
several centers for holistic health and spirituality in the Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek both in our home and office spaces,
an attitudinal healing and learning center in Bloomington, IN in 1992-93,
Reunion whole Life Center in Kalamazoo, MI and Living Ministry Program 1994-98.
We continue to build community and facilitate healing and transformation through spiritual and educational programs wherever we are called.
This is our gift and our own inspiration and reason for being.
However we are called to serve, it will always serve us well.
There is no sacrifice in serving the Highest Good by listening to the Voice Within and to follow the calling of your heart.

Loving you by listening faithfully,
Betty Lue

We will not be leaving our loving service here in Walnut Creek.
We have committed to Robert’s Mom and Gia, our granddaughter.
We have committed to build spiritual healing community here where it is needed.
We will also be using this retreat space to encourage you, as well as ourselves, to set aside time to seek peace like a river, to find joy like a fountain and to listen to the movement of Spirit in your soul.
More as it all unfolds in due time……

Labor of Love

When you only work for Love, everything you need for Love is perfectly provided.
When you work for money, you will measure the value of your work on the money you receive.

Vision Fulfillment

To easily fulfill your spiritual vision, listen for what “inspires” you.
Immediately notice what signs, help and guideposts are provided.
Act in faith on what you hear, feel and see from within.
Calm your ego’s questions, doubts and fears with reassurance.
Proceed with enthusiasm and full consciousness.

Spiritual guidance will always inspire you and fulfill your heart’s desire.
When you act immediately on your inner guidance, the result is fun, safe and easy.
When you delay, detour, distract yourself with fearful question and caution, you slip out of divine timing.
Things change every moment and so it is necessary to stay very present with your inner voice.

On Friday I was sent an email “out of the blue” about a riverfront property in Oregon.
Having never received real estate on email before, I was surprised and then inspired.
I read it all, made some initial calls and invited Robert to check it out.
This week we had just returned from Asheville NC, where life is simpler, slower and more intimate.
We had talked about what would be the most healing and happy environment for Robert.
We had looked at our past vision for ourselves and our worldwide friends.
This was an invitation and a response.
So we completed or changed our agreements for the next 48 hours, drove 468 miles to Eugene, OR, stayed overnite and met with a substitute realtor at 8AM on Sunday morning. Saw four properties in four hours on the river. Received several tips which expanded our vision and began to travel back through Ashland, another of our favorites, through Yreka, another favorite and kept looking, listening and following our joy. There will be a follow up adventure to share when we are clear where you will be invited to share the peace with us as we “gather at the river.”

This afternoon I will share at a Labor Day potluck with a Practical Spirituality group many of the synchronicities, the signs and the symbols of Spirit as we went on our 48 hour Vision Quest. My hope is that you will join us in Spirit or in person for our Vision Quest Program the next 12 weeks on Tuesday evenings. Come to Hawaii Oct. 16-23 or to the weekend Nov. 27-28 for your own Vision Quest. There is preparation, so please let us know so we can facilitate you fine tuning of your inner awareness, so you can respond in Divine timing.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Telling the “Truth”

What do we believe?
Whose truth is true?
How do we know?
What do we do when our truth is different from their truth?

In politics, religion, legal issues, education, science, metaphysics, there are many truths.
Sometimes the ‘truths’ coincide and are complementary.
Sometimes the “truths” are opposing and in conflict, polarizing and causing defensiveness.
Differing opinions, perspectives and beliefs either invite fear and anger or peace and understanding.

Peace of mind is more important to me than being right.
Inner peace promotes communication, openness and understanding.
Inner peace invites dialogue, sharing and opportunities for seeing things differently.
Inner peace is a path to clarity, connection and communion.

With a willingness to understand, rather than resist another’s truth, I see their point of view.
With defenselessness about my belief or viewpoint, I can declare my position and then let go.
As I let go of my righteousness, I am better able to hear and accept the other perspective.
No one right and no one wrong…just two differing viewpoints.
Yes, that is your truth and yes, this is my truth.
Both can co-exist without making the other wrong.

What I seek is peace within.
This is a peace that is beyond understanding.
This peace is healing, forgiving, gentle and merciful.
I know that peace of mind is my greatest gift to my world.

Seeing others without judgment opens my world view to one of understanding and willingness to educate where invited.
Seeing differences invites an expansion of vision, a forgiveness of judgment, release of fear, and a willingness to be clear about my priorities.
I would rather maintain open relationship than create obstacles to love.
Everyone is free to choose.
Everyone will learn to listen within and trust their own inner knowing.

Peace is an inside job.
Inner peace comes from a choice to honor who I am and what I know.
I need no confirmation nor agreement to be at peace.
I choose peace now.

At peace,
With infinite Love and Gratitude,
Betty Lue

Vote from your own inner knowing rather by the ‘truths’ of others.

If We Were Not Afraid

If we were not afraid, we would not be angry and blaming.
If we were not afraid, we would have no call to judge anyone.
If we were not afraid, we would live in harmony and peace.
If we were not afraid, we could be creative and playful.
If we were not afraid, we would see goodness in everyone.
If we were not afraid, we would seek win/win solutions.
If we were not afraid, we would know our brothers as ourselves.
If we were not afraid, we would laugh, love and let go.
If we were not afraid, we would heal mind, body and spirit.
If we were not afraid, we would be happy and free.
If we were not afraid, we would build community naturally.
If we were not afraid, we would discuss everything openly.
If we were not afraid, we would see differences not enemies.
If we were not afraid, we would negotiate not eradicate.
If we were not afraid, we would help and heal, not threaten and attack.
If we were not afraid, we would give, not withhold.
If we were not afraid, we would be listening and understanding.
If we were not afraid, we would be positive and response-able.
If we were not afraid, we would be at peace.
If we were not afraid, we would not need to defend ourselves.
If we were not afraid, we would share what we have easily.
If we were not afraid, life would be simply fun, safe and easy.

Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Betty Lue

Creating Your Own Reality Again…..

Just saw “What the Bleep!!!!”, a kind of underground movie about science, quantum physics, meta physics and emotions.
It is yummy. Will buy the DVD when available to share.. Encourage groups to see it and share their perceptions. Funny to see it listed as science fiction, because in my perception it is a scientific/spiritual documentary on the latest discoveries about the mystery of life.”

So how are you doing on your life path?
Have you discovered or uncovered your life purpose?
Do you know your mission here?
Have you acknowledge responsibility for your life experiences?
Do you understand and accept your life experience?

Some truths I embrace:
Remember Love and return to Wholeness.
We are One, All life is inter-connected.
Each one of us represents an aspect of the Infinite.
We are each unlimited in power and in peace.
Our emotional energy influences our health, happiness and perceptual experiences.
We are at choice about how we respond to what we experience.
Our thoughts, words and actions influence and teach all others.
This apparent physical life is a learning laboratory.
We learn best when we are curious about the mystery, delighted with possibilities and grateful for the learning opportunities.
Everyone and every experience is our potential teacher, just as we are influencing all others.
Awareness without judgment is healing.
Neediness creates dependency and attachment. Impeccable self care sets us free to be without expectation.
Thoughts and emotions generate the life we have.
Thoughts of victimization and fear create an experience of weakness and harm.
Thoughts of conscious choice and empowerment create experiences of confidence and helpfulness.
The more we let go, the more we can grow in self realization and fulfillment.

What are the truths you know or want to believe and live?
I know I am loving you and loved by all I love.
Life is a reflection of my own consciousness.
Therefore I choose to express and extend infinite Love and Gratitude.
Betty Lue

Awake, Aware and At Choice

Are you awake?
Sometimes we experience upsets or wakeup calls when we have fallen asleep on our lives.
To be living on purpose we must notice when we are on the “high way”, the “free” way.
To drive at high speeds, we must recognize that any bump in the road is a wakeup call.
Life is meant to be fun, safe and easy. When it is not filled with Love, something has gone wrong.
The bumps at the edge of the road are meant to remind us to stay awake and stay on our path.

Are you aware?
When we make a mistake, we often feel guilty and ashamed and make excuses.
When we feel guilty about our mistakes, we often blame and criticize others.
When we attack others or ourselves, we shut down our capacity for full awareness.
Consciousness is limited by fear and judgment.
Clarity is clouded over with confusion, regret, justification and explanation.
Commitments are focused on defending ourselves rather than choosing again.
Awareness with non judgment is healing for mind, body and Spirit.

Are you at choice?
True freedom to choose from infinite possibilities is available only with full awareness.
We must drop our fears and regrets, blame and criticism, our blinders of judgment and justification.
We must be open, respectful, faithful, responsible, honest and willing to make mistakes.
We must give up our need to be “right” by making others “wrong”.
We must focus on what works for the good of all, without telling others what is “right” for them.
We must pay attention to all points of view and listen within to find what is true for us.
We must be willing to choose and be at peace with our choices.
Ambivalence and self doubt, seeking approval and agreement from others, providing explanation and justification to convince others confuse our clarity and commitment to choose for ourselves.

The more I love and respect the choices I make, the more I love and respect the choices you make.

In this nation built on the rock of freedom with responsibility, it is important that we each take advantage of our birthright.
Choose what is right and true for you without needing to humiliate or condemn others’ right and freedom to choose.
Vote.
Give voice to what is right and true for you.

Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Betty Lue

Themes for Freely Living

Some learning and teaching themes for me in this new school year.

Pay attention to what I am learning and remembering from the teachers in my life.
The healing of human consciousness is really about letting go of all our false notions and myths.
With freedom comes the responsibility to vote for the way I want to believe and perceive, live and give.
Fear is contagious and creates limited awareness, forgetfulness and lack of openness and understanding.
Comfort begets laziness. Challenge invites creativity.
How simple can it be? Infinite Love and Gratitude heals it all.
Seek the Highest Vision in a world of apparent limited insight and creativity.
When in doubt, forgive and choose again.
To love yourself and believe in yourself is to free yourself to be All You are here to be.

What are your themes to teach and learn?
Who are the teachers in your life?
Where are you turning away from what is calling to be remembered?
How can you give your whole self to Higher Truth and Better Living?
When are you willing to accept the challenges of living with Infinite Love and Gratitude?

Every child who goes to school learns from their teachers and fellow classmates.
Every child learns from classroom, playground, doing homework and after school.
Every adult is likewise learning from everyone in our lives, even though we resist.
There is not a moment when we are excluded from opportunities to wake up and remember.

What we know inside is the Love we are, the Love that created us and everyone,
the Love that is the creative and ever expanding Force in the Universe.
When we lose sight of this Love, we lose our appreciation of the Perfection in all things.
We expend energy judging, defending, fixing and blaming what merely needs to be seen differently.
When seen with Love, miracles result.
When our minds are filled with appreciation and open-mindedness, healing and miracles occur.

May I give this day and everyday to healing my misperceptions.
May I everyone every one and everything with Infinite Love and Gratitude.
May I truly be an Eternal learner, a Child of Goodness and deLight.

Blessed be,
Forever Loving You and Me and All That Is,
Betty Lue

First Day of School

We are back from spending 12 days in North Carolina with my fantastic Mom and many of our friends there. We offered three workshops on Intuition and Inner Listening, Faith and Love in Action and Coaching with Spirit. Teaching is learning and reminding ourselves. So we always listen to the messages we and others are sharing.

It is Gia’s first day of first grade…a special day as I recall that first day of school each year. And yet when there is something special, there is often pre-miracle anxiety. So often is better to down play rather than build up anticipation and expectation. Often we make the mistake of teaching our children and reinforcing the hills and valleys in life…”How wonderful!” and “How Terrible.” Maybe everyday is really the same opportunity to learn and grow, to heal and forgive, to love and know, to believe and trust in what is.

As I return from this time away, I notice how it blends in with my everyday life.
I live in a way that celebrates each day and each person, not anymore special than anyone else,and always special in that you are my friend and myself.
I behold in you an aspect of God and receive the gifts of Love and wisdom that are waiting there for my openness.
When I arrive home, the wash is done and groceries purchased within the first two hours so that the next day can begin as though I had not really gone away.
My life is an adventure every moment.
My life is a vacation everyday when perceived as what I want to be doing.
My life is a gift of healing and love to me and others because I choose to see it this way.
My life is filled with loving you and receiving you love.

I am delighted to be once more writing you in the morning (3:30AM) and on my way to Gia’s house one hour from here. For those of you who don’t know Gia, she is our almost six year old granddaughter who we are with every morning from 4:30AM until we take her to school. This allows her Dad to go off to work leaving her to sleep until morning.

More goodies tomorrow with so much love for you.
Know I am always with you in Spirit, even when I am not at my computer.
Loving you,
Betty Lue

Visiting Mom and Friends

We are off to Asheville North Carolina this AM to spend 10 days with my Mom and long time North Carolina friends. No, I wasn’t born in the South. I was born in Michigan as was all my family.
This visit will include a Thursday evening Inner Listening and Intuition workshop, a trip to the Smokies with my Mom, a workshop on Faith in Action for a new Curves franchise in Taylorsville, NC with a Michigan friend and an all day workshop on Caching with Spirit. Y’All Come.

If you wish to read Loving reminders on the web. Go to my site at www.lovingreminders.org
If you wish to contact us while we are away (returning late Aug. 29), call 800-919-2392.
Or if you wish to reach me ddirectly, try my cell at 925-324-2409.
Know I am always loving you…
We will return in time for Gia’s first day of first grade on August 30.

Wherever we are, we are together.
Whatever we do, we are in Love.
Whoever we meet, it is for healing.
However we join, we can bring peace.

I am loving you now and always,
Betty Lue

Renewable Lease on Life

Our leases are renewable.
Every day we have an opportunity to begin again.
So here I am signing up for another year, another adventure, another opportunity.
Where would You have me go?
What would You have me do?
Whom would You have me meet?
And what would You have me say?

Everyday in everyway, we are given the chance to play the game of life.
How well we play has nothing to do with how long we stay.

Some are bored. Some feel limited.
Some are excited. Some are scared.
Some are fighters. Some are lovers.
Some healers, some sages, some teachers, some preachers.
Each one of us has a role to play.
Some change our roles everyday.

With a new lease on life, I can choose how to decorate my life.
I can change my diet, my friends, my activities, my thoughts.
I can change my clothes, my habits, my finances, my studies.
I can change my beliefs, my attitudes and my goals.
I am free to be the unlimited being I Am.

The one constant true for me, throughout all eternity is who I Be.
I Am Love.
Love is unlimited.
Love is trusting the Source, Love ItSelf.
Love is freeing all aspects of Love.
Love is creating new ways to Love.
Love is expressive and extends Itself freely.
Love is I AM, loving me.

Ask yourself, Who are you really?
What are you called to do, to go, to share, to know?

I am here to love those who come my way.
Where I place myself is mine to say.
And so I choose to love you, each and everyone.
Life is a renewable resource, a lease to have fun.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

I am off to Asheville NC to visit my Mom and friends for 11 days.
I will return to the keyboard when I get home on 8/30.

Reminders Everywhere

Life is a reminder of who I AM.
My words are reminders of what I believe.
My walls display what reminds me.
I am surrounded by reminders placed there lovingly.

Sitting in Front of me as I write:

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8

“The Spirit of the Most High is upon me, because God has anointed me.”
“All your children shall be taught by the Most High and great shall be their prosperity.”

“Your life is a sacred journey and it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous risks, embracing challenges at every step along the way…You are on the path exactly where you are meant to be right now…and from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, beauty, wisdom, power, dignity and love”…Carolyn Solis Jahn

“To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages with open heart, to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow through the common. This is to be my symphony.” William Henry Channing 1810-1884

I commit to the creation of unity, harmony, healing and abundance for all mankind.

Loving you with a heart that is True.
Betty Lue

Leadership of Faith

I facilitated a strategic planning retreat for a church leadership and their pastor yesterday. We noted that willing leaders are scarce. When I look at the leadership that emerges today, I see there is a lack of responsibility and willingness to lead. I have asked, why? Lack of time, lack of appreciation, a difficult job with thankless hard work? Do we need to empower others to lead? Do we need to educate our youth to leadership?

Maybe we have entered a new era where we need to be led by our faith, rather than a powerful person.
Maybe we need to listen within rather than to trust outside authority.
Maybe we are called to each step up to our own unique calling.
Maybe each one of us is being asked to accept responsibility for our values and our lives.
Maybe you and I need to be the ones who lead with our love and acceptance, our vision and fulfillment.
Maybe we are all given gifts to develop and share freely with our families and our community.
Maybe we are each a leader in our own domain.

We can lead in how we care for ourselves impeccably.
We can lead in how we treat our family with positive attention and respect.
We can lead in how we respond to the anger and fear we see in our world.
We can lead by giving our employers, customers and fellow workers our very best.
We can lead by speaking the truth without guile, gossip or secrecy.
We can lead by living our spiritual principles and faith openly and with tolerance.
We can lead by spending time, energy and money on what really matters rather than diversion.
We can lead by remembering to be open-minded and appreciative of all people, nations and cultures.
We can lead by honoring our political leaders by being willing to listen fairly and vote.
We can lead by forgiving our mistakes and the mistakes of others.
We can lead by knowing that we are a field of infinite possibility and planting our field with Good.
We can lead by giving everyone encouragement to live their dreams and give their best.
We can each lead.

Listen within and lead the way of goodness, love and mercy for all.
Betty Lue

Judge Not

The less you criticize, the more you learn.
Judgment closes your mind.
Every problem or mistake is an opportunity to learn.
When we are critical, defensive or just plain upset, awareness is diminished.

When we resist, react, deny, avoid, we are limiting the chances to choose again.
By shutting down our perception, we only see what we believe is there.
By fighting to be right, we cannot view the whole picture.
By “making up our mind” we limit what our mind is open to see.

Life’s experience are meant to broaden our knowledge, expand our viewpoint and become more tolerant, accepting and understanding.
And yet, most adults use life’s bumps and twist and turns, as justification to become more defended, restrictive, intolerant and judgmental.

Through experience I have learned that when offering a safe open environment where the full truth can be told, I can always see from the other’s perspective.
I can find the silver lining or the healing opportunity.
I may be the object of another’s projected pain or anger.
I may provide the place of greatest forgiveness for their errors in judgment.
I may give the love needed to heal the misguided soul.
I may be the one who hears it all.
My work here is to judge nothing.
For in not judging, I am given the opportunity to heal all….

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Why Are We Here?

Lessons to Learn.
Opportunities to Create.
Past Experiences to Heal.
To Clarify What is Real.
To Love and be Loved.
To Fully Appreciate All Creation.
To Experience More of Ourselves.
To Finally Trust in God.
To Help One Another.
To More Fully Discover.
To Be All We Are.
To Shine Like the Stars.

So Much To Do and so Little Time.
Or is there only One thing to do…to undo what is untrue.

You know many see this as an illusion, a temporary learning experience, like a dream.
And many see this as a karmic setup for to makeup for what is not yet learned.
And some see life as a gift from the Creator to fully enjoy the fruits of our labor.
And some suffer much, as though we are in our own self made hell.

Ask yourself , Why are you here?”
Then recognize that your life is probably much as you believe it to be.
What you look for, you see.
The fairy tales you believe in, neither correct nor real, are probably how you have perceived it.
Now it is your choices to rewrite your script.
Where you don’t like the dialogue, “Cut”.
Where you want to do the scene again, just have another “take”.
All “mis-takes” are simply opportunities for you to see what is not your first choice.
So be free and give your heart voice.,
Stop imagining that things must continue to be what they have been in the past.
It only lasts as long as you think it will.
Let go, give it up.
Be your own best friend and give yourself the life you seek.
What a gift to be able to revel what is real as you undo what is not true for You.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Angry Responses

When there is a build up of steam in a pressure cooker, stand back as it is released.
When there is a fire blazing violently, let it burn, unless it is about to do harm.
When there is a person puking and pooping toxic waste, flush the toilet.
Do not allow yourself to be harmed by getting in the way or taking it personally.

Too often we fear the intensity, the emotionality, the out of control behavior.
Too often we step in, insisting on control, rationality and calming down.
Too often we want to figure out, analyze the cause and try to fix it or change the behavior.
Too often we label the angry child “bad” and the passive child “good”.

Where there is a build up of energy, there must be movement (energy in motion=E=motion).
Providing a safe place and method for people to express and release their energy is vital to health.
Adults often withhold their excess energy by conforming on the outside and causing illness on the inside.

We teach our children to try to explain and justify their irrational or angry feelings.
This simply teaches them to rationalize what usually is nothing more than a need to vent.
Why not support ourselves and others to learn healthy ways to vent?

When needing a place to release, choose the most loving person you know and ask permission.
When clearing toxic emotional waste, be alone, so no one gets hurt and your can clear in private.
When letting go of your feelings, remember to flush and clean up after yourself.
When helping someone else, remember to forgive and forget it all.
You need not try to understand, fix, justify or take it on personally.
Simply love them and trust their process of purging.

Are there enough outlets for the pent-up energy in your kids, your husband or yourself?
Is there too much pressure on our children to conform, to excel, to be good?
Are there circumstances which are confusing and tension-producing in ourselves and our kids?
Are our children acting out the unexpressed tension and anger within their parents?
Is there adequate physical exercise, jumping, running, tree-climbing, pounding for our kids?
Are there places and people who can and will listen without fear or punishment to strong feelings?

If we allow another’s anger to hurt us, their guilt may only add to their rage.
If we remember another’s angry venting with fear, we help them repeat their behavior.
If we protect ourselves from another’s anger by being careful, they feel the withhold and lack of love.
If we punish others for their anger, they learn patterns of withholding only to vent in more explosive ways, when the energy is too much to contain. Or they may make themselves sick or depressed with the inner rage.

If you are angry, find someone to simply listen and give you what you need.
Holding, rocking, a safe container, understanding, being with you emotionally.
If you are angry, explore ways to release excess emotions that are most healthy for you.
Journaling, martial arts, exercise, yelling and pounding outdoors, or on a punching bag.
If you have anger, look for how you can take your intensity and use it for good.
Support a cause, do something productive, write books and give talks with passion, go help others.

And if you have someone who is angry in your life, create healthy ways to support the release
or create a communication system that gives both parties permission to take care of themselves.

Remember anger is simply energy which needs to be moved, like stormy weather.
Pent-up anger is often toxic and foul because it has been held too long,
and does not know how to release in a safe and productive way.

Our culture is filled with tension.
Our families have little time for healthy energy release.
Our parents are stretched and over-stressed.
Our schools are overly strict with rules and punishments, both teachers and students pushed to scholastic excellence
Our kids are overly stimulated and under fed with opportunities to release their energy in creative ways.(unpressured sports, music, dance and creative expression.)

We can help by releasing our energy.
We can help be being a safe listening place.
We can help by giving ourselves quiet time for outdoor exploration, and inside music and creativity.
We can help by turning off angry and violent TV and video games, including the news.
We can help by feeding ourselves and our children the affirmation, appreciation and acceptance we deserve.
We can help.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Basics of Respect

Being rude has become the norm for many in our culture.
Because the norm is accepted, we often forget what respect would look like.
Many have not lived in a respectful household or known a respectful relationship.
Many have grown up in a culture of disrespectful music and media.
Most people have not learned etiquette or basic social graces.

To judge creates stuckness.
To feel angry and blaming causes defensiveness and anger.
To expect different behavior may create a sense of frustration and futility.
To feel guilty about disliking disrespectful behavior generates separation and futility.
To be forgiving of ourselves and others opens the flow of love and peace.
With inner peace there is understanding and enlightenment.
As light flows into our minds and love expands our hearts, we know the answer….
Education and modeling.

To educate is to lead out of darkness and ignorance.
When someone does not know and is willing to learn, teach.
When someone does not know and seems unwilling to learn, model.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The golden rule is the fundamental principle of respect.
For many, the golden rule has never been experienced.
Modeling and education are needed.

To respect is to look deeper than the surface.
I must look and listen beneath the behavior and the words.
What is the real message here?
How am I being invited to respond?
What can I do to model and teach others?

Create the habit of saying, “Please” and “Thank you”.
Keep all agreements and promises.
Do not talk about others outside their presence. (Don’t gossip).
Be on time with appointments and bills.
Thanks people for their time and offerings to you.
Learn to write thank you notes for gifts.
Share appreciation and love for what touches you.
Never cancel dates because something “more important” comes up.
Only change or cancel, because it truly is essential to your health and welfare.
Always communicate changes with sincere apologies.
Give professionals 48 hours advance notice for missed appointments.
When calling, ask if it is a convenient time to talk.
When visiting, be clear about the length of your stay.
When sharing meals, transportation, or events, pay your fair share.
In another home follow the lead of your host, ie. No shoes, no feet on furniture, glasses on coasters, etc.
In another’s bathroom, only use the towels assigned for guests or ask which to use.
Do not go into other’s cupboards or refrigerator. Ask for what you want.
Don’t interrupt.
Keep your phone conversation short, unless invited to have a long discussion.
If unsure about the other’s time constraints, ask them specifically, “Do you have time now?”
Clean up after yourself. Leave every place you go as clean or cleaner than you found it.

Give to others your most conscious behavior and you teach your world to be conscious.
Give to others timeliness and courtesy and you teach others timeliness and courtesy.
Give to others appreciation and consideration and teach others appreciation.
Our best way of teaching is by living and giving what we teach.

Respect means I value you as much as I value me and more.
As I grow in self worth and respect, I will value and respect you more.
All of us are called to grow up in consciousness and grow in in respect.
Listen inside for those areas of growth for you, perhaps totally different than my sharing.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Going with the Flow

To find your center, let go and flow.
To be at peace, let go and flow.
To have steady energy, let go and flow.
To be happy and healthy, let go and flow.

How do you let go?
How do you find your flow?
First know that letting go is fun, safe and easy.
Affirm and accept this simple life principle.
“Letting go is fun, safe and easy.”

The more you hang on, the more you suffer as life changes all around you.
The more you try and work at life, the more fatigue you will experience.
The more you resist, avoid and analyze obstacles, the more obstacles you find.
The more you let go and flow around all the obstacles, the more ease and energy you experience.

Life can be fun safe and easy.
Breathe…
Breathe deep into your belly.
As people become more contracted and fearful, they breathe less and less.
Breathe fully and freely into your belly, into your toes and let go fully and freely.
Give your mind a rest and breathe.

Life can be fun safe and easy,
Be still……
Empty your mind of thoughts.
Thoughts are judgments.
Judgments contract.
Be quiet and open your heart and your mind to know…
All is well…
Nothing to do, you are loved, for you are Love It Self.
You are created and nurtured by Love for the purpose of remembering to Love…

Life can be fun, safe and easy.
Move…
Allow the winds of change to play through you.
Stagnant is toxic.
Stuckness is dying.
Change your mind, if your thoughts are not happy.
Change your friends, if your associations are not inspiring.
Change your lifestyle if you are not healthy.
Change your work, if you are not supporting yourself with Love.

Letting go is fun, safe and easy.
Let go of everything that is not inspiring, healing, and fulfilling for you.
Change your habits….Breathe….Be still….Move…
Give yourself what you need to come home to the real You.
Give yourself what you really want to be true to you.
Give yourself what you really deserve, what is best for you.
Give yourself what the Creator intended…Life and abundant Living…

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Loving You

In order to love you, you must know you.
To know you is to be willing to know all about you.
Wherever we are hiding from ourselves, we cannot know who and what we really are.

Most folks hide their “yucky” stuff.
Some folks dwell on their ’Yuck” and hide the “good stuff’.
To know it all and accept it all, is to love all of you.
To truly know you is to totally love you.

Wherever we condemn ourselves, we block the flow.
Wherever we criticize ourselves, we shut down.
Wherever we blame ourselves, we withhold our love.
Wherever we deny ourselves, we feel deprived.

Love is an inside job.
Feeling loved comes from truly loving all of ourselves.
Believing we are loveable comes from accepting all of ourselves.
When we wholly love who we are, as we are, we can unconditionally love others.

When we know ourselves and accept all we know, we are open to intimacy.
When I allow you to “see into me”, I am free.
With nothing to hide, I am free to be me.
With no reason to hold back, I give all that I Am

In truly giving, I am really living.
In totally giving, I come to see the gift of me.
In really giving my all, Life is a joy.
In living freely, I can really be me.

Some of you may not know where to begin…..
Write your story beginning to end and then….appreciate every little bit of it.
Tell your story to therapist or trusted friend and let their love for you sink in.
Journal each day the way you think and feel and act and let the spirit in you come through.

You are loved, warts and all.
You are loved, mistakes and flaws.
You are loved, at your worst and your best.
You are loved, so let yourself rest in Love, too.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

You’re Not Crazy

I am aware of how many people feel alone in their personal experience.
I am aware of how many people feel they do not belong.
I am aware of how people feel separate, afraid and unable to relate.
I am aware of how addictions are used to handle feelings of craziness, alienation and pain.
I am aware of how many people feel limited., lacking and belittled.
I am aware of how people feel afraid, vulnerable and hurting.
I am aware of how people cover their fear with anger, attack and defensiveness.
I am aware of how people handle their pain and sensitivity by numbing their senses.
I am aware of how the inner child seeks the reassurance of love and fears the rejection of love.
I am aware of how people want to be treated, but forsake their own self respect and self love.
I am aware of how those without internal security (faith) seek for external security (wealth).
I am aware of how little we know and how much we pretend to know.
I am aware of how backwards the world is from what really is real.
I am aware of how humanity is seeking for Love in all the wrong places.
I am aware of how people need to let it all go to find they already know.
I am aware of how close we are to awakening and self realization.
I am aware of how we are teaching what we don’t want to learn.
I am aware of how we project our fear into those we seek to love.
I am aware of how we must learn to let show before we let go.

Humanity in its ignorance, fear and guilt has built an unreal world of ignorance, fear and guilt.
We blame God, other nations, parent, the government and the bad guys.
Until we take responsibility for our mis-creation, we cannot undo what is not real.
Trying to kill, cover-up, analyze and understand to in order to fix, only maintains what we continue to believe and make “real”.

Are we willing to undo what is not true.
Are we willing to reveal what is really real?
We are responsible for our experience.
We are choosing what is true for us.
And this we will see.

Sane thoughts create a sane experience and a sane world.
Fearful thinking creates a fearful experience and a fearful world.
Loving thoughts create a loving experience and a loving world.
My thoughts see creation as good, beautiful and wholly creative.
We are created to create. What is good, beautiful and wholly creative.
Why not?

Creating my experience with joy,
Betty Lue

Everything is a Part of Everything Anyway

“Happiness runs in a circular motion.
Love is like a little boat upon the sea.
Everything is a part of Everything Anyway.
You can have it all, if you let yourself be.”

This fun group chant reminds us of the Truth of our Reality.
Everything works together for good.
Our upsets and illnesses, accidents and losses are wakeup calls.
Our awakening shows us how all things work together for Good.

When I ask for help, I open to receive the help that is given.
When I want to be right, I resist help and deny the help that is available.
When I ask, “Why?” I want to find and fix the cause.
I could ask, “How am I to respond?” or “What can I learn?”
And be open and willing to se and hear and know.

The creative power of the universe is synergistic. All things work together.
The mind and the body and the energy of Spirit are part of a greater Whole.
This unified field of consciousness is playing out the great Awakening for us all to see.
When we take response-ability for what we experience, we are playing our conscious part.

No one’s illness is separate from us.
No one’s pain goes unfelt by all.
No war belongs only to the countries involved.
No one’s tragedy belongs solely to those involved.
We are all in this together. Everything is a part of Everything.

How we respond with our thoughts, our words and our deeds is our response-ability.
Are we compassionate and understanding, or do we turn away in denial?
Are we helpful and offering heartfelt service or do we make excuses for our busyness?
Are we respectful and appreciative of others’ courage and learning or do we mock, blame or ignore?
Are we willing to respond to the fear with love and the pain with comfort?

I am aware of a statement made….”There but for the Grace of God Am I.”
And so it is, there I AM.
Our happiness lies in giving and receiving happiness.
Our peace lies in finding and extending peace from within.
Our Essence lies in shining forth the Love we are.
So it is, that I Am born again, renewed in Spirit and in Joy.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Easy to Blame

It is easy to blame the doctor.
It is easy to blame the war.
It is easy to blame our politicians.
It is easy to blame our parents.
It is easy to blame the environment.
It is easy to blame our partners.
It is easy to blame our job.
It is easy to blame our finances.
It is easy to blame ourselves.
And where does blame get us?
Making someone feel guilty is an attack.
Blaming ourselves causes guilt.
Blame does not motivate.
It offends the one being accused, judged and attacked.
It creates either counter-attack and our personal version of war,
Or it creates withdrawing love, withholding gratitude and blinding our true perception.

Is it so difficult to take responsibility?
Is it hard to look for ways to respond?
Is it possible the answer always lies within me?

When I see something that needs doing or calls for attention, I ask…simply…
What can I do?
How can I help?
What is the right response?
What would Jesus or Buddha or Mother Theresa do?
What does the Voice of Spirit within me invite me to do to respond?
How can I forgive and erase my judgments, so I can hear what will support the Highest Good for All?
How can I release my negativity and fear, so I can be clear?
What is the way that I would want to be treated, if I were in their shoes?
What am I willing to do right now for the good of all concerned?

You see, I am willing to be effective.
I want to bring a gift of healing and enlightenment.
I choose to give my very best.
I am here to be truly helpful..
Therefore, I am unwilling to cast stones, when I want forgiveness for my mistakes.
I refuse to judge, when I can see that my world is caught in darkness and fear.
I honor my response-ability to give the best I have even “to the least of these.”
For it is in giving that I receive.
It is in pardoning that I am pardoned.
It is in extending peace that I find peace within.

I would rather give my best than forsake my spiritual right, responsibility and freedom.
I give myself to Love and Love returns to me.
In loving, I am free.
Betty Lue

Effective Communication

Set a goal. Know what you want the outcome to be.
Choose the best language. Know your audience preferences.
Get permission. Ask “Is this a good time to share or what might be a better time?
Clarify how much time you have. And stay within those boundaries.
Get ready. Center yourself. Be grounded in what you have to share. Balance what you are sending and what is being received.
Send your message in a language and tone that will most easily and accurately be received.
If information, be direct, concise and specific.
If a problem, share your observation, your feeling and your desire. “I notice..I feel....I want...I am willing...
Whenever possible, ask what the receiver has heard and invite their questions.
Listen attentively to what is asked or said to you. Make notes and respond specifically without rambling, defense or projection.
Ask if the receiver has anything else to share with you. Give them as much and more focus as you would want for yourself.
Do not interrupt.
Do not contradict.
Do not defend yourself.
Do not aim to be right.
Do not set a goal of winning or getting your way.
If the receiver appears angered, hurt or defensive, it is time to listen.
Take nothing personally.
Look for the underlying goal or desire.
Seek to find where there is agreement.
For example: We both want to have peace.
We both are seeking a positive outcome.
We both need respect.
We both want to be heard.
Seek to understand before being understood. Ask questions.
Get acquainted with the other’s communication style, skill level, intention, need to be right, personality needs.
Fighting yields more fighting, so seek a path of peace and unity.
When there is a values difference, know the best ways to approach the other.
Model the behavior or values you hold.
State your value’s position strongly and clearly one time only. No nagging or repeating.
Use fair consultation skills (gathering all the information and holding a neutral position when sharing.)
Apply the Serenity prayer, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Remember, if your desired outcome is to maintain a healthy relationship and open communication,
do not endanger what you value most by your need to be right and get your own way.

There is much more, but these simple, direct and effectve tools are a beginning for your practice.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Are You Responsible?

Dependent on someone or something and it is going nowhere?
Attached to having things your way?
Complaining about something that isn’t happening?
Being constantly upset about a difficult relationship?
Banging your head against a wall until you hurt?

Could be a product of your stubbornness and need to be right.
Could be the outcome of your false dependency?
Could be your belief in your inadequacy and fear?
Could be you think you know what’s best?
Could be not wanting to grow up and take responsibility for your life?

If asked for simple keys to spiritual enlightenment,
I would say stop blaming and start being responsible.
If asked how to build a world of freedom and peace,
I would say respect all life by taking responsibility for your thoughts, your words and your activities..
If asked to teach what works on earth,
I would teach respect, responsibility and freedom build true cooperation.

Respect
See what is beneath the surface.
Look again.
Honor the mystery in all things.
Treat yourself and all life as sacred.
Do no harm.
Be kind with your thoughts, your words and your behavior.

Responsibility
Be able to respond to what shows up.
Take impeccable care of your life so you can handle whatever comes your way.
Acknowledge mistakes and use them to learn.
Judge no ones’ errors, but rather learn from them.
Treat everyone with the same consideration you would want from them.

Freedom
The right and privilege of pursuing life, liberty and happiness.
The consciousness to choose what is highest and best.
The willingness to allow your inner voice to guide you.
Letting Love lead the way.
Honoring a life path which inspires and offers opportunities to heal, learn and serve.

Cooperation
Peace and Goodwill for All.
Living in harmony with all life.
Working together for the good of all concerned.
Encouraging the best in everyone.
Creating an environment in which each one sees themselves as integral to the whole.

My focus for my life is to inspire respect, responsibility, freedom and cooperation.

May it be my joy and my life,
Betty Lue

Guidelines for Adolescence

Remember our nation is in its adolescence, and so are many of its people.

People who get caught making mistakes want to be caught.
While they may squirm, become sullen, defensive and try to justify and blame others, they really want to learn.
When someone has made an error, broken agreements, done harm to themselves or others, gone against their own values, your response either facilitates or deters their learning, the healing and their spiritual growth.
When you “catch” someone making a mistake, your punitive reaction or caring response has a powerful impact on the outcome.

We can react with fear and judgment, anger and punishment, rejection and avoidance.
We can respond with love and forgiveness, listening and understanding, support and encouragement.
We can be proactive and ask ourselves how we can create an environment, where it is easier to confess mistakes
and make changes before there are detrimental consequences.

In all relationships there are five primary areas to be addressed for success.
Joining with a common goal for both or all parties in a family.
Honesty without withhold, secrecy or negative consequences for confessing.
Equality with everyone encouraged to give their very best at all times.
Modeling our best and expecting the best builds respect, responsibility and teamwork.
Commitment to what is highest and best for all concerned is essential.
In serving our own needs at the expense of others we feel separate, guilty and defensive.
Responsibility for the quality of our relationship without guilt or blame requires the most conscious one to be aware, to express, to request, to encourage, to coach and mentor others to be responsible for their thoughts, words and actions.

No one grows into their fullness without accepting the full responsibility of having freedom of choice.
No one can becomes responsible without knowing what works for the good of all.
No one can know what works for their family, friends and partners, if family members are silent.
When we are not authentic in our relationships, others may come to believe their behavior does not matter.
Ignoring the teen who is abusing their body or privileges, our money and the benefits they receive from parents convinces them their irresponsible behavior is of no consequence.
“If I don’t matter to those who love me, why should my behavior matter to me?”

How we treat our children and adolescents teaches them their value in our world.

Listen deeply to your children.
Look for what they are really asking from you.
They want listening, understanding and to know they are being heard.
They want direction, and guidance, freedom from fear and abandonment.
They want relevant rules and guidelines which give them structure and encourage a values-based life.
They want parental requests which are obvious and specific, unemotional and direct.
They want written words and contracts with explicit consequences and results.
They want help when they make mistakes rather then resentment and retribution.
Help them learn to accept the natural consequences.
You as parent or provider, authority or householder, need to take care of yourself, your money and your belongings.
Do not martyr or sacrifice. This leads to resentment and covert hostility in you and guilt for the other.

To teach responsibility, we must accept full responsibility.
Where we err as a parent is to expect others to know what we know, to understand without education and information.
Where we err as helpers is to think everyone sees their worth and wants to give their best to the world.
Where we err as women is to believe everyone knows how to love and be happy.
Where we err as teachers is to not hear what is needed and offer specifics.
We want to see others as being the same as we are.
We forget that everyone has their own path and their life experiences, unique to themselves.

To give freedom to someone who really does not understand responsibility is foolish.
To trust someone who does not trust themselves is to expect what is unlikely.
To deny, forget and avoid the one calling for help is to perpetuate the pain.
We must learn to respond with respect and love, teach with specifics and our own example, and guide with focus and clarity.

Everyone seeks to do their best and many do not know how...
Loving you,
Betty Lue

Birthdays

This is my birthday month, and so I am called to look at mywhole life.
This life is mine to cherish and use or to abuse and discard.
This life is mine to enjoy and fulfill or to criticize and ignore.
This precious life is mine.
Each day is mine to use as I choose.
What a gift of absolute and total trust in who I am.
Our creator must really believe in us.

The inner voice, our conscience of guilt, or our inspired voice of hope…we choose what we believe.
Paths of self pleasure and suffering, human love and caring…we choose which one we walk.
Being alone, separate and often lonely or being together, joined and in love….we choose our mates.
Consumed by fear, fighting and fantasy or welcoming inspiration, peace and joyful living…our choice.

I spend sometime everyday surveying the landscape of my life.
I choose the ground on which I build my home base, the hills I climb and the friends I invite to join me.
When I make mistakes as all must do to learn, I enjoy the learning and I value my freedom to choose.
Our lives are too rich to put into a vault, to be hidden and saved.
Our lives are too brief to be wasted on wanting.
Our lives are too important to be given away to another’s direction.
Our lives are too precious to be treated with disrespect and dismissal.

Every day is a gift.
Each life is important.
Each one is integral to the whole.
Each creation is to be honored.

How I spend my birthday month..and more…is to ponder the value, the virtues, the learning, the gifts.
How I spend sometime every day is to ask within, “Who Am I ?”
How can I give the gift of myself more fully and freely?
How can I spend this day and everyday with full appreciation for All I have received and All I am giving?
I am here to receive and fully give the messages I receive.
I am here to be fully present to what is mine.
I can only clean my own inner house.
I am not to clean yours.
I can only sing my songs and encourage you to be true to you.
I can only be the whole being I Am and to play my part without doubt or fear.

Let this be your rebirth Day.
We all have been given a rare and awesome gift by a Loving source.
Unwrap and enjoy the gift you are.
Give yourself the gift of being fully Present and receiving the precious Presence.

You are a treasure to me,
Betty Lue

You are invited to a celebration on August 16 where we share fun, friendship and our favorite potluck foods. Email me if you would like to join in the festivities. There will be a special inspiring game, sharing of our favorite wrapped treasures so everyone gets a gift or two.