Beloved,
How glorious it is to see such vibrant colors that Mother Nature is sharing with us. I have a maple tree in my yard that is a most striking vibrant orange. Looking across the lake I have enjoyed the changing of the leaves for at least two weeks now. The ones near the water change first and then it gradually goes up the mountain trees behind that. It is now starting to show white or grey leafless trees amidst the colorful ones who are still in process. Sounds like humanity doesn’t it? There are always the light green of the new ones, the colorful ones in process and which gradually go to the grey of the seniors. Each has its day and moment of glory. There are still pontoon boats around the lake as the residents are enjoying the last bit of warmth and color.
Something happened to me yesterday that reminded me of how useless worry and planning are. One of my strengths is my planning ability-my preparing for each contingency. Then I chuckle or downright laugh as my plans are interrupted with something completely different than I expected but is actually something better. We are taken care of, looked after in a way that shows itself in small and large ways. As I was driving down this 2 lane highway with a steel barrier parting the east and west bound, I was in the fastest lane, the passing lane. All of a sudden, I heard and felt this shaking and loud sound. As I looked in my rear view mirror I noticed the plastic covering for my spare tire in the middle of the lane. ???? For a moment I did not know what to do but I then started to look for a way to turn around. It seemed like an eternity as I was not finding a left turn to turn around. I had several cars tooting at me and then passing me telling me about what had fallen off my SUV. I tried to signal that I was trying to turn around. Finally I did something I suppose I should not have done but I was so concerned that that covering which was as large as my tire was in the passing lane and could very well create an accident. I went right into a driveway opposite an opening in the guard rail at a light and then cut across but had to wait to make the Uturn because there was traffic coming. The cars trying to go left from their direction were tooting their horns and I am sure many were frustrated with me.
Finally I was going back but then had to stop at another light so I could make another U-turn. I was wondering where I had lost it as it felt like I had traveled miles. I tried to see it in the opposite lanes as I made my way back. I saw it and tried to guestimate just how far I would have to go to retrieve it. I made another U-turn and thought I had better put my emergency blinkers on. I put the lights on and started to go slow to let the other cars coming fast that I was in trouble. I was terrified to stop in this lane as the other cars swerved to avoid me but I had no choice. It was not only that I would need this tire cover, the most important thing in my mind was safety for others, although it probably did not seem that way by what I was doing. I knew that an accident could occur as other cars tried to swerve not to hit it and could run into cars in the other lane.
I took a deep breath and finally stopped my car and noticed as I did so that another car behind me had stopped a distance away and put his flashers on too. I hopped out of my car and retrieved the cover in the road in front of me, put it in my trunk, acknowledged the other driver and blew him a kiss as I hopped back into my car and back to safety as I drove off. There was a woman with him who looked at me so confused but I waved again at my hero as he drove past me in the passing lane as I went into the slower lane.
What an experience!!!!!!! Of course it took me a while to quiet my heart and breath. I realized how many people had risked their lives so I would be safe. The ones honking at me to let me know something had fallen off my car to the biggest hero of all who protected me by risking his life and car to defend my back as well as my body. Whew! How many times do people we do not know come to our rescue? I had no way of verbally thanking him or even mailing a thank you card with no name or address.
That day started out so calm, even if I was frustrated that the idiot lights (I call them that) had come alive on my dashboard. Before I left to see John of God, a light saying Maint req’d shone bright. I called my mechanic and he said not to worry about it so I didn’t. I came home and 5 days ago, the light for my pressure in my tires went on. UGH! I had decided to go see my mechanic so he could shut those idiot lights off. He had told me just to stop by and he would do it. He checked all my tires and still the light would not go off. He suggested I go to a tire place that would have different equipment to test why it would not shut off. I set off for Town Fair Tire which was about 1/2 hour away but they had been very good to me the last time so I wanted to reciprocate. I was on my way there when the fiasco above happened. When I finally got to the tire place, they checked my tires and finally were able to shut that darn light off. I asked them if they could put the cover back on my spare tire and they did it. They were so willing and they didn’t even charge me. My mechanic had not charged me either so boy, was it my lucky day? I am so gratefull, for these may be small things to those offering it, but they make my heart grow bigger and I try to Pass it On when I get the chance. Isn’t that what makes this world go around? There are more people like that on this planet than the ones that take advantage of us. Let us be thankful for them and try to be aware of the times when we can give back.
This article by Ann Albers gives another slant on the guidance we get even when we are not aware of it.
Here is simple way to calm our mind and spirit. It amazes me how we actually use our breath in so many ways. During my episode, I was calm inside but outside, my body was doing its job by breathing deeply. It seems to happen so naturally to me now but there are still times, I need to do it consciously.
http://spiritlibrary.com/videos/lee-harris/breathing-meditations-a-z-of-energy-series
With all the news about guns and all the shootings, I could not come to any decisive way to stop the tragedies…..until I read this article in the Spirit of Change magazine. It has a lot of food for thought and a way that I would never have considered. See what you think.
Life can be so exciting. It thrills me to see all the new innovations that are created and the solutions to problems that I myself cannot figure out. I admire the human mind and all the guidance it receives. Here is a solution that, to my mind, was not possible. And yet it is.
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Love and Light
Mary Grace
http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com