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"Everyone wins in 2010" Thank you to all of you who continue to support Life Now and our ventures! We have received some Good articles that will be shared in Expansion Encounters, starting in 2011. If others of you have something you would like to share, please send it to Dusty (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~` (`~`*`~`) You can read archive issues of "Expansion Encounters" at Expansion Encounters and now at New Expansion Encounters Current (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~`(`~`*`~`) God's Kaleidoscope by Dusty Reed Life is as unique as a kaleidoscope. Every day is different. Every moment is different. Each moment is like a single snowflake. It either melts away to forgotten land or it adds to itself other flakes to make a sparkling blanket. As the blanket grows, it develops more beauty in the slopes and mounds of landscape. There is a fragrance of freshness. A kaleidoscope reflects shards of beauty, ever-changing. We turn it ever so slightly and the pattern changes. It only requires the decision to turn the prismatic cylinder and we see shards of color building on other colors. Life expresses in much the same way. Each moment adds itself to others. As these grow into days and years, you become an image of joy and an expression to behold. As a kaleidoscope, these moments are ever changing to give new joy. The facets of color may be called kindness, love, considerate, encouragement, smiles, tenderness, generosity, trustworthy, listening, teaching, enthusiasm, courtesy, compassion, wisdom, friendship, pleasant, appreciative, patience, honesty, and many other favorable traits. We see facets from others everyday, with everyone we encounter. Can we acknowledge the quality of beauty in these refractions? Riding a beam of color from its origin to its surrounding world, we see the brightness expand. As the facet travels beyond our physical presence, it appears to lose its essence as the color expands into the surrounding ethers. Each photon continues to flow outward as ripples on water, offering its brilliance and influence throughout its expanding world. What perception of yourself would you like to attain? The capability is yours for achieving this picture, although the patterns leading to the destination may alter. You can have the portrayal you hold of yourself. Once you reach a chosen vision, you will most likely be ready to continue striving toward a new, more Christ-like panorama. Changes occur every moment leading to a never-ceasing attraction toward Christ. The good news is you have His perfect assistance in leading you toward these goals. Begin right where you are now. Don't allow yourself to insert any unfavorables. You can get where you would like to be. Ask the Lord to touch and show you what steps to take. He will help you reach the patterns that will lead you to your vision. Don't try to turn the wheels too fast; you may miss it. Let the Lord lead you. Listen for His guidance. Once you have developed favorable thoughts, see them, taste them and build additional patterns with them. Carry your vision wherever you go and in whatever you do. Continue practicing favorable thoughts and evict anything unfavorable. Notice, I say "practice." A kaleidoscope builds a pattern. A snowflake collects moisture to change its shape. God's creatures - people - practice life by taking His hand to follow His path. In God's presence is fullness of joy. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). The goodness is there. We only have to align our view to see the sparkle and shards of light reflected for our joy and awe. Stepping into Solitude By Dusty Reed Quietude offers occasion for reflection. Gazing at the sky one observes floating clouds of pastel colors that bring memories of days of childhood. Pleasant, peaceful surroundings provide an optimistic attitude for achievements and memories. Yes, from time to time one experiences a yearning to get away from the waves and commotion of the world, to live a life of solitude and tranquility on mental horizons. No matter how active life seems to be, it is good to make it a practice daily of taking time out to rest and to be alone, to think, study and meditate. By so doing, a person can discover her innermost essence. Today's hectic lifestyle calls nearly everyone to the desire for solitude at some time. The possibility of investing a few days alone and then possibly a few weeks in solitude can offer refreshment and reveal feelings and attitude about extending this time. Let this not be just a dream of "someday." Why solitude? Maybe it stems from a fear of the unknown or maybe it is a preference from an inner sense of peace and willingness to live in seclusion. If this lifestyle comes from the desire to stay comfortable or a fear of facing the unknown, one will probably not find their heartthrob, their fulfillment. If it comes from a desire and inner sense of peace, it can provide a provocative and very meaningful lifestyle. Peace and quiet, which the Lord provides, can be enjoyed by taking time to receive it. Meditating, listening to the Lord, gives Him time to answer what is requested in prayer. Prayer without reflection is only monologue. Meditation is allowing dialogue and lets one sense what the Lord has available. Geographical areas can promote a life of solitude. Some live with solitude in the city. Desert living in the southwest gives a year-round climate that is compatible to a single lifestyle. This area can provide privacy and not require the four-season routine of working with the changes of weather. When we lived on the Mojave Desert in California, I enjoyed traveling out of town and down a sandy road where I could be in my own space, clear my thoughts and enjoy the solitude. It created a beautiful memory, as well. From my journal, "Standing on a plateau, seeing many miles in all directions, I hear the ringing of silence in my ears. The ever so soft touch of a breeze whispers. I hear it. Listen!" We now live by a lake so I experience my solitude with nature by taking walks where I can feel the breeze, watch the ripples on the water, and cherish the view of wildlife scampering about. It is refreshing and offers that bit of adjustment so I can come back home refreshed with a clear mind. Scripture offers many references to meditation. Solitude provides the means to listen to the Lord's guidance, even if it is for just a few moments or a few days. If one is willing to accept a more complete lifestyle of solitude, there are mountain wilderness cabins, plains and timberlands that can provide solitude from society. I have read about authors and actors who have desired to have a tentative time of solitude for various reasons. Some find they are content with this lifestyle and choose to continue. It might be wise to experiment with the effect by giving this actuality a three or six-month endeavor. Becoming friendly with one's self alone may include a gradual learning process. I think of Thoreau at Walden's Pond. What an opportunity! "Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself" - Henry David Thoreau. Solitude and simplistic lifestyles may go hand-in-hand. Many do not care to invest their lives in solitude but they do desire a more simplistic style of living. Most need some kind of human connection that includes a degree of intimacy. There are not many who can exist as a recluse. There is someone, family or friend, with whom one can share that will offer the satisfaction of not being completely alone in the world. The ideal for most is to balance solitude and connection. Whether in solitude or in companionship, there is an assurance in making do, in carrying on, in holding things together. If one desires a space of solitude in an otherwise very busy and social life, a desirable block of time daily or weekly can be claimed when one can totally close herself away from the world. This might be a walk in the country or in an unpopulated wooded area or it may be in one's home. The time span is best when it is expansive enough to offer time to realize the privacy and make use of it in the way most desired. This is sacred time. It is possible to seek and take this special time. One can create her own back yard haven, her own little space in the outdoor world. A place to pray, read, watch the clouds, star gaze! A ritual of nurturing one's self as often as necessary can develop. It is good to be able to snuggle in and enjoy a quiet hide-away space. Each person is responsible for her personal solitude. Anyone has the freedom to choose the depth, quality and quantity of solitude she prefers. When given the circumstances, the alone time can be embraced and considered useful. It might help by tapping into creativity. Solitude can allow a return to creative, imaginative pursuits that have been cast aside for many years. Maybe it has been a dream to learn a musical instrument, or make pottery, or keep a journal or a diary, or study languages. These activities can be accomplished in a pleasurable solitary pursuit. Getting to know one's deepest feelings, opinions, and attitudes is one of the tasks of living that can offer the most serenity and pleasure. Solitude is important to our quality of life, our completeness, and our ability to love others. One does not have to be a monk to find solitude, notes Merton; solitude can be found in the act of contemplation and silent reflection in everyday life. Yoo Hoo! by Dusty Reed Yoo Hoo! Creativity? Where are you? Center stage is yours But you have to claim it. Yes, there will be Interruptions, Challenges to your performance. But, let's get started. I will offer protection By stepping into quietness For a few minutes To get you started. Ah! What's that sound? The whisper of silence. The stage is yours, Creativity. ~ ~ ~ Attentive by Dusty Reed Keeping alert, Aware of God's nudges Usually takes practice. With this awareness is sureness and serenity. Accepting God's light Illuminates my path. I can see His desire for my path by keeping alert. (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~` (`~`*`~`) Some sites I recommend: Aleta Pippen’s Inner Sources It is my joy to share with you (and remind that these make lovely Christmas gifts) that I have been posting most of my drawings at Dusty's Gallery and at Dusty's Art I continue to add new rose drawings and some photographs available at art.com! You can view them at Roses. I now have some of my rose drawings at an auction site, Art By Us And, I have a page with note cards (for sale) with some of my rose drawings. You can check it out by going to Rose Note Cards. (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~` (`~`*`~`) And, for anyone who enjoys playing at ebay, lots of goodies (records, books & post cards - occasionally some nic nacs) are available at Dusty's eBay You are welcome to forward this newsletter to friends who might be interested! If they would like to subscribe (at no cost), they can write to me at With Expansion Encounters as Subject. Thanx muchly! Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet. Pathway ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Life Now ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Enjoy every moment! (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~` (`~`*`~`)
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