We take many things for granted. One is our ability to move around. Unless we are unable to walk around and reach for things, we never realize how fortunate we are.

During the last year of his life, my father was extremely limited. He had been paralyzed on the left side for twenty years, and another stroke left him without sight and short-term memory. He was also totally dependent and incontinent. It was extremely difficult to see a man who was so vital and creative reduced to this debilitated state of being.

I cannot imagine what he experienced, but I spent many wonderful hours with him and learned so much. From him I discovered the hidden blessings of his condition.

• Since he lost his short term memory, Dad learned how to live in the moment, how to be present.       
• Since he could no longer see, he learned how to listen and the value of silence.
• Without the capacity to move on his own accord, Dad discovered the gift of stillness.
•  As he surrendered everything that he was and did on this earthly plane to God, he was able to express his true loving essence. He learned to fly with blind faith and grace.

 I am currently dealing with my own mobility issues. My father died on Thanksgiving Day and I spent the next day with my mother and sisters making arrangements. When we stopped for lunch, I fell on my way to the café and twisted my left ankle. Later, I went to the local ER for an x-ray and was told that it was sprained. I was given crutches, an air brace and an ACE.

For the next couple weeks, I kept off my foot, but when it felt better, I began walking without support, believing the sprain was healing. As long as I did not turn my foot from side to side or extend my toes, it felt OK. But there was a nagging ache and I was concerned enough to seek another opinion.

Six weeks later, a second series of x-rays revealed that I had indeed broken a bone in my lower leg. Now I am in a boot and off the foot. I am angry that the fracture was missed and fear that I sustained additional damage because of the misdiagnosis. However, I am content to limit my activity for the moment. I am working diligently to complete a project and am spending many hours on my computer. I am not tempted to jump up from my chair and golf or shop or walk or do other things.

The blessing from this time of limited mobility is the opportunity to focus and to be more productive. For that I am truly grateful.

Family comes first and during the past year and a half I have given much of my time and energy to caring for family members. My mother broke a hip and had both knees replaced; our daughter had shoulder surgery; my father had two more strokes and passed away on Thanksgiving Day. It has truly been a blessing and a growth experience to serve my family in many ways during this time.

Now that the holidays are over and my family commitments have been satisfied, I am free to refocus my energies on my life work, on sharing spiritual wisdom and practical guidance from the Blueprint for the Human Spirit.

My priorities for 2009 include:

1) Finalizing program materials for Higher Tea™ Circles and sharing them with church systems

2) Presenting workshops on the Blueprint in Florida and nationwide

3) Writing the sequel to my first book, Higher Tea: A Thirst for Spirit

This ambitious list of goals should keep me very busy. And while it appears that I have my work cut out for me, know that it is not work. I am guided and inspired to write and share insights from the Blueprint. It is not a job, but my joy. I am honored and delighted to be a scribe for Spirit, to be the hands and heart and voice for God.

Tom Hopkins

I have had to take a break and pause from the demands of life to restore my energy and renew my soul. Stopping is not easy because I normally move like a road runner, darting from place to place, doing as much as I can, until I crash. I have not been able to find a happy medium. Balance for me is taking times of rest between times of intense activity. Between these extremes I usually maintain enough equilibrium to stay healthy, live purposefully (share my Blueprint with the world), and care for family members in need.

My many family responsibilities finally caught up with me this summer, and I had to clear my plate of everything that was not absolutely necessary. Even then, I still lacked enough energy to keep going. Now that my “patients” are feeling better and are independent, I am able to realign my priorities to focus more on my own needs and my life work.

Although it can be exhausting, care giving is a blessing. It is a gift that gives back in many ways. While caring for our daughter this summer, my relationship with her has strengthened and deepened. We are much closer now than we have been for years. This reward far outshines the time and energy I spent caring for her for the past two months and for that I am truly grateful.

I have no idea how my mother has been able to care for my father for the past 20+ years when he had a paralyzing stroke. Last December he had another debilitating stroke; he is now totally dependent and is slowly declining. Mother has rarely left his side. On occasion she will ask a family member to sit with him while she runs errands. I ran out of steam caring for our daughter after two months, while this petite lady who is nearing the end of her seventh decade manages to keep going. She gets up long before dawn so she can read the Bible, pray and exercise before her caretaking duties begin.

Perhaps she has learned the critical lesson taught to us by the heart. Before it pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body, it nourishes its own cells first. Before we can care for others, we must first take good care of ourselves. For the martyrs among us and for those like me who are dedicated to our life work and have trouble saying “No,” that is a tough lesson!

The Bluerpint for the Human Spirit is my passion and purpose. It is a holistic, holographic model for self-discovery and conscious living that evolved in harmony with my spiritual growth. I am honored to be the scribe, the conduit through which this empowering and enlightening paradigm came to be. And I am delighted to share it with the word through my workshops and writings.

Many people have asked me where the Blueprint came from and how I know it is truth. I know that it is a gift of grace that came from God. I never doubted the information I received and was astounded as it unfolded. However, the Blueprint remained a mental exercise until one memorable morning. I sat in silent meditation on my lanai on a balmy Sunday and allowed the rain to cleanse my mind and soul. Suddenly, I was someone else, experiencing a dramatic event in a different place and time. Before I could catch my breath and recover, I was pulled into the life of someone else. One after another I lived the traumas and triumphs of many people. Their ages varied from very young to old; some were women and others were men. They were from all eras dating from ancient Mayan to the more recent Depression. Some individuals were victims; others struggled to control their lives and failed. A few fortunate ones discovered how to live consciously and compassionately, making a positive difference in their world.

An hour and a half later, emotionally and physically drained, I awakened and realized it was time to get ready for church. I ran to my office and wrote a couple lines about each person in my journal so I would not forget them. To this day, I am not sure if they were archetypes, past lives, other people’s experiences that I tapped into, parables from the Master Storyteller, or wild imaginings; it truly does not matter. What I do know is that there were fifteen people. I had “experienced” one person for each cell in my matrix! The Blueprint had come to life and in that magical moment, it became part of me. No longer just an interesting, intellectual exercise, the Blueprint was integrated into my very being.

A friend suggested that I document this experience, and when I followed her advice, I learned that these archetypes are actually part of my current life; they represent what I have learned in this lifetime. From each one I became aware of a critical shift in consciousness that was part of my spiritual unfolding. I also learned that my reason for being is to put all the pieces together into a magnificent whole and give it back to the Universe.

I am truly blessed with a sacred circle of friends. These soul sisters generously share their love, energy, wisdom, and unique gifts in many ways. They listen to my concerns with open hearts and minds, free of judgment or the need to fix me. They offer encouragement during family crises and lift me up by seeing beyond my life experience into the center of my being.

Whenever I have doubts, these kindred spirits remind me that I am a beloved child of God with an infinite inheritance at my fingertips. They are part of our endowment, sharing their wealth of wisdom and skills that they have perfected over the years.

I know that these divine diplomats have come into my life for a purpose. Our coming together is not by accident, but to bring forth something amazing and glorious. The fusion of our time, talents and intentions create that which we could not do or be alone. This is the gift of synergy.

Their timing is also ideal. Perhaps the universe conspires to bring us together so that the highest good can be manifest. When I need specific guidance or resources, the person who holds the key appears within moments. This may seem like synchronicity—defined by Carl Jung as temporally coincident occurrences with acausal events. However, the perfect order of events can only be inspired and divinely directed.

I recently met with my dear friend June who is exploring ways to enrich, empower and enlighten women who live nearby. She wants to use her resources and leave a legacy of love that will make a positive difference for this and future generations. Her vision and funds, combined with my program planning expertise, and those of holistic health care workers in the area, will help raise consciousness. The harmony and synergy of our collective gifts will make a difference.

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”      –Mitch Albom

My husband and I just drove 1,253 miles in our motor coach to visit my birth family and celebrate Father’s Day with my dad. At the urging of my other the entire family will be together—most likely with my dad for the last time before he makes his transition. Dad will have the opportunity to hold his new grandson, his only namesake for the first and last time.

This will be a bitter-sweet moment. We will all be together and will want to make it festive, but Dad’s condition is anything buy positive. In December he had another stroke. Twenty years ago, at the age of 58, he was paralyzed on the left side by his first stroke. The fact that he lost his right hand in a saw mill accident when he was nineteen and wore a hook for many years meant that my mother had to help him with many basic requirements of daily living. Twenty years later, she is still tending to him, but now he is blind, without short-term memory, incontinent, and totally dependent. It has been her labor of love.

Dad sleeps most of the time now and drifts in and out of awareness. He even sees and talks with his father and others who left us years ago. Dad is ready to go, but something has kept him here. Perhaps this gathering and the opportunity to say “good-bye” will free him from his need to hold on to his debilitated body.

This time with relatives will require lots of presence. It will be easy  to get caught up in the drama and fall back into old judgments. Or I will assume my former role as “Peace Keeper,” smooth ruffled feathers, and make everyone happy and everything OK.

Einstein spoke about “relativiTea” the impact of the researcher in his scientific work. He discovered that whatever the observer noticed influenced the outcome of the experiment. In other words, whatever we see is what is—even if only in our eyes. And we know that we create our lives through our thoughts and beliefs.

During this week with relatives, it is my deepest intention to remain aware and be a “Frequency Holder” that Eckhart Tolle described in A New Earth.  I will remain present, open, loving, and most of all, non-reactive. What is is, and all is well.

Thanks for sharing your hummingbird experience, Kim. It is a wonderful example of the powerful symbolism of nature and how we are reminded of the beauty around us. As you said, these special moments remind us to pause, breathe and appreciate life. They also remind us of the perfection and miracle of Creation.

Hummingbirds are symbols of joy, love and beauty. They hover in the moment and dart lightly through the world spreading their magical message of peace and joy. No wonder they are so fascinating. This is why the Franz Hummingbird teacup appears on the cover of my book, Higher Tea: The Essence of Joy.

As we become more conscious, our intuition awakens. We begin to recognize more subtle realms of existence. Beyond what we see and hear—beyond our five basic senses—we can understand and appreciate what every aspect of the Universe represents.

Our lives are blessed with countless opportunities to learn and grow, to experience the Divine in every creature and in every moment. This expansion in consciousness and the ability to perceive Essence and Truth beyond the obvious are gifts of grace. We have much for which to be thankful.

We arrive with no instructions, just the burning desire to know who we are, why we are here, and find our way back home. Subconsciously, we aspire to be as enlightened as the Christ or Buddha, to achieve the greatness of Einstein, to make as much money as Bill Gates, and leave a legacy of love that rivals that of Mother Teresa. Ideally, we’d like to latch on to the lasso of Indiana Jones, Jr., find the Holy Grail, and reach the pinnacle of our potential.

Most intend to make the most of our brief dash between birth and death, but good intentions are not enough. We haven’t a clue what tools we need or how to use them if we are lucky enough to find them. We don’t know what the first step entails or how to sustain momentum on this life-long marathon. We are at the mercy of those who have gone before us, trusting and hoping that they will not lead us into a black hole.

Before we discover that the true path leads within and comes from within, we may scale the rocky relationship mountain, only to be abandoned mid-way. Others may climb the corporate ladder only to find position, power and possessions are disappointing. Eventually the Universe delivers a cosmic tornado—a life-threatening illness, extreme loss, natural disaster, or dark night of the soul—that shatters our illusions. Then we are free to discover the truth of our being and that the answers are within, not out there.

Soon after I began my spiritual journey, I would be awakened in the early morning. I lay still and silent in a state of receptivity while information flowed into my awareness. After an hour or so, when my mind could contain no more, I would rise, go to my computer and enter everything I could remember.

These divine downloads occurred three or four mornings a week. Within six months a holistic, holographic matrix unfolded and revealed the essence of the human experience. Sacred geometry accompanied the concepts long before I knew what it was or knew anything about spiritual symbolism. This inspired model for self-discovery is a gift of grace that continues to evolve in harmony with own personal and spiritual growth. I call it the Blueprint for the Human Spirit. 

The Blueprint clearly illustrates the core aspects of life—body, mind, heart, gut (intuition), and soul, for many spheres of existence—quantum, personal, social, global, and eternal. It also reveals numerous connections among the different aspects of our being. These interrelationships show how we can live authentically, purposefully, and in harmony with the Universe when we are in alignment. One example is the recipe for inspired living: Balance (Personal) + Service (Social) + Oneness (Global) = Joy (Eternal Essence).

Hidden within the Bluepirnt are the keys to abundant living, holistic transformation and spiritual awakening. These functional processes emerged from the sacred structure of the matrix. They are practical guides for realizing our highest potential, manifesting our visions for the future, and knowing our oneness with All That Is.

Perhaps the most astounding revelation from the Blueprint is the Circle of Consciousness. This integrates all the cells of the matrix into a unified field. This synergistic whole shows the totality of existence, and from it we can discover and express the Essence of Being. In this moment, the concepts, no longer necessary, dissolve into pure infinite Light.

Joy comes from using your potential. –Will Shultz

© 2008 Dr. Pamela Gerali

I’ve worked since early morning to prepare for a workshop in Asheville, NC, scheduled for 7PM on July 9^th (Mystic Journeys, 333 Merrimon Avenue). I was tempted to postpone this event as I have been working night and day to promote my book, “Higher Tea: The Essence of Joy,” and I would have to really push to meet timelines. I also need a rest.

After discussing this option with my “book-widower” husband, I paused for guidance. Sitting in silence I received the inspiration and energy I needed to design the workshop, and write an article and news brief for the Natural Awakenings magazine for Western North Carolina.

Isn’t it amazing how Spirit provides everything that we need to remain in alignment with our higher purpose and to realize our highest potential? When we just “show up” and allow ourselves to be the vehicle through which God expresses, miracles happen. Seemingly unrealistic goals are easily and efficiently achieved. I feel as if I can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

In these inspired and timeless moments, filled with enthusiasm and focused by intention, my work becomes play; my “job” becomes my joy.

Pausing in the Presence is just one way to tap into our infinite, divine inheritance, and renew our alignment and oneness with Spirit. What tools and techniques have you found helpful?

Today I met with a dynamic group of women to discuss the formation of a Higher Tea Circle at a Unity Church in southwest Florida. We began our gathering by holding hands and blessing the moment and our intention. The “electriciTea” that flowed around that sacred gathering was so intense, that we literally pulsated with spiritual power.

In my book, “Higher Tea: The Essence of Joy,” I define “higher tea” as tea with a spiritual or divine purpose. I also shared my experience in creating a dynamic women’s program at the Unity Church of Naples. This awesome group has gathered monthly for tea and fellowship during the season since November, 2000. It continues to provide women with the “opportuniTea” to create “communiTea,” to join with others of like mind to learn, serve and support one another, and to just have fun.

This program is so successful, that I am compelled to compile the materials into an efficient, effective program guide that can be implemented by any spiritual, social or service group. As I offer my experience, expertise and energy to assist this new group, they are assisting me in the finalization of program materials. Our intention, combined with the synergy that is being generated from this symbiotic relationship, is creating the quantum shift needed to propel us closer to our vision.  “Where two or three are gathered” magic happens.

As we sipped iced tea this morning, we were filled with excitement and enthusiasm at the infinite “possibiliTeas.” With focused intent, we put our heads and hearts together and created a concrete plan of action to implement this amazing “activiTea.” We all left, knowing that we are part of something miraculous and mysterious, inspired and guided by a Higher Power. We have no doubt that the ideas that started to steep within us today will brew a marvelous blend of joy and love that will uplift all who participate.